Reduction of spontaneous metastases through induction of carbohydrate cross-reactive apoptotic antibodies

The selective targeting of tumor-associated carbohydrate Ags by the induction of serum Abs that trigger apoptosis of tumor cells as a means to reduce circulating tumor cells and micrometastases would be an advantage in cancer vaccine development. Some plant lectins like Griffonia simplicifolia lectin I and wheat germ agglutinin mediate the apoptosis of tumor cells. We investigated the possibility of using these lectins as templates to select peptide mimotopes of tumor-associated carbohydrate Ags as immunogens to generate cross-reactive Abs capable of mediating apoptosis of tumor cells. In this study, we show that immunization with a mimotope selected based on its reactivity with Griffonia simplicifolia lectin I and wheat germ agglutinin induced serum IgM Abs in mice that mediated the apoptosis of murine 4T1 and human MCF7 cell lines in vitro, paralleling the apoptotic activity of the lectins. Vaccine-induced anti-carbohydrate Abs reduced the outgrowth of micrometastases in the 4T1 spontaneous tumor model, significantly increasing survival time of tumor-bearing animals. This finding parallels suggestions that carbohydrate-reactive IgM with apoptotic activity may have merit in the adjuvant setting if the right carbohydrate-associated targets are identified.     

Selected markers of endothelial dysfunction in patients with subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism

INTRODUCTION: There are many factors causing endothelial dysfunction. The aim was to observe chosen markers of endothelial function in patients with subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 97 patients with hyperthyroidism: 51 with subclinical (44 F/7 M; mean age 49.3 +/- 15.9 y) and 46 patients with overt (39 F/7 M, mean age 50.4 +/- 13.2 y). The control comprised of 39 healthy volunteers (26 F/13 M, mean age 47.5 +/- 11.8 y). Concentration of TSH, FT3, FT4 were measured by MEIA, TPO Ab, TG Ab, E-selectin, interleukin 6, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 by ELISA. RESULTS: The goiter was found in 71 persons 63F/8M, mean age 49.9 +/- 15.3 y, (42-subclinical, 29-overt). Morbus Graves-Basedow was diagnosed in 26 persons, 20 F/6 M, mean age 49.5 +/- 12.8 y (9-subclinical, 17-overt). There were no significant differences serum concentration of E-selectin, IL-6, ICAM-1 in patients with subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism compared to the control. Statistically significant differences were shown between concentration of IL-6 in patients with Graves-Basedow compared with the control (p < 0.05). Significance of VCAM-1 values were found in the patients with subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism compared to the control (p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among persons with overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism occurs endothelial dysfunction which doesn't depends on exciting cause of thyrotoxicosis but on degree of hyperthyroidism. Elevated concentrations of endothelial markers may confirm that persons with thyroid disorders are extremely exposed to the occurrence of the cardiovascular diseases.     

Effect of cotton cultivar on performance of Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Iran

Cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), obtained from cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., fields in the Gorgan region of northern Iran, were colonized on 'Varamin' cotton plants in a growth chamber. The development, survivorship, and life table parameters of the cotton aphid were evaluated at 27.5 +/- 1 degrees C, 65 +/- 10% RH, and aphotoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h of artificial light on five commonly growing cotton cultivars: Varamin, 'Sealand' (relatively resistant cultivar), 'Bakhtegan', 'Sahel' (both relatively susceptible cultivars), and 'Siokra' [resistant to Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)]. The developmental times of immature stages ranged from 4.6 d on Bakhtegan and Varamin to 6.3 d on Sealand, whereas the immature survival was 97.5 to 65% on Sahel and Siokra, respectively. On average, there were 28.7, 28.3, 23.5, 20.1, and 16.8 nymphs produced per female on Sahel, Bakhtegan, Varamin, Sealand, and Siokra, respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) for cotton aphids on Sahel was the highest, whereas the values for r(m) varied from 0.284 (nymphs per female per d) on Siokra to 0.368 on Sahel. Jackknife estimates of generation times (T), net reproductive rate (R(0)), doubling time (DT), and finite rate of increase (lambda) on these cultivars were as follows: 9.79-10.84 d for T, 9.23-23.81 nymphs per female for R(0), 2.17-3.19 d for DT, and 1.28-1.38 nymphs per female per d for lambda. Cotton aphid performance was at its highest on Sahel and lowest on Siokra.     

Effect of exposure to extremely low electro-magnetic field during prenatal period on mice spleen

Total body weight of newborns, the volume of spleen, and the number of megakaryocytes decreased following the exposure to ELF-MF (6 x 10(-3) T and 50 Hz) at 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20 days of pregnancy of mice. The complete period of gestation was sensitive to ELF-MF exposure; the initial days were more prone to exposure. The results suggest that the use of ELF-MF producing instruments should be limited during gestation.     

Effects of Stress Modifier Biostimulants on Vegetative Growth,Nutrients, and Antioxidants Contents of Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Under Water Deficit Conditions

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of stress modulators on vegetative growth, antioxidants, and nutrient content of Thymus vulgaris L. under water deficit stress conditions. A factorial experiment was performed in the form of a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications in the 2019–2020 growing season. The factors were stress modulators at 5 levels (ZN: zinc nano-fertilizer, AA: amino acid, SW: seaweed, HA: humic acid and C: control) and irrigation regime at 2 levels [FIrr: full irrigation (100% field capacity) and DIrr: deficit irrigation (50% field capacity)]. The highest plant height, number of branches, and total dry weight of the garden thyme plant were observed in the foliar application of HA and SW under full irrigation conditions. Relative water content, chlorophyll a and b, and uptake of nutrients (N, P, and K) were reduced under water deficit stress, but the foliar application of stress modulators increased relative water content, chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake of the garden thyme plant significantly compared with control. The water deficit increased proline content, total flavonoid, and phenol content in the garden thyme plant. So, the highest total flavonoid and phenol content was obtained from plants treated with HA, whereas proline content was higher in the control plants. Soluble sugars and essential oil increased significantly under water deficit stress conditions. The foliar application of HA compared to the control plant increased soluble sugars and essential oil in garden thymes. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes were improved in stress modulator treatments such as HA and SW compared to control plants under water deficit stress conditions. The plants of garden thymes showed a good response to stress modulator treatments under water stress conditions, and HA and SW treatments were found to be more effective.

     

Study on induction of apoptosis on HeLa and Vero cells by recombinant shiga toxin and its subunits

Verotoxin (VT) or shiga toxin (Stx) produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and Shigella dysenteriae is AB5 holotoxin with potent protein synthesis inhibitor. VT can induce both apoptosis and necrosis depending on the cell type, it has been shown that VT-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity are distinct processes, and the A subunit can be necessary for apoptosis. In other words, the precise role of each subunit in apoptosis signaling has yet to be established. In this study, induction of apoptosis has been examined by using both recombinant A and B subunits, and recombinant Stx (rStx) with different doses in HeLa and Vero cells. For this purpose, the polymyxin B extract of constructs expressing A, B and AB5 recombinant proteins was used. Therefore, amounts greater than normally reported were used to induce desire effects on cell lines. The apoptotic effect of A and B subunits appear at higher doses than that of rStx. The highest apoptotic effect was observed for rStx at low concentration, compared to A and B subunits. A or B subunits separately cannot induce the signaling pathway stimulated by holotoxin though A subunit, does induce laddering pattern similar to holotoxin. We concluded that both subunits are important in complete death signaling pathway. Since different concentration of A and B subunits and rStx was required in different assay, therefore, it could be emphasized that cell death or even apoptosis caused by either of the subunits or holotoxin depends on sensitivity or specificity of the assay and cell types used.