Immunohistopathological studies of blastomycosis: the use of labeled specific antigens in a hamster model of disease

We applied a modified immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase method, utilizing labeled Blastomyces dermatitidis antigens, to look for specific antibody-bearing B/ plasma cells in the tissue infiltrates of blastomycosis lesions induced in hamsters. No specific anti-blastomyces antibodies were detectable by this method, although such antibodies were present in blood samples as demonstrated by routine immunodiffusion techniques. These studies suggest that humoral immune reactions do not play a major role in the pathogenesis of lesions of blastomycosis in hamsters.     

Contribution of Lithologic and Anthropogenic Factors to Surface Soil Heavy Metals in Western Iran Using Multivariate Geostatistical Analyses

Heavy metals’ origin, accumulation, and distribution in soil have been the focus of much attention by many researchers. The objective of this study was to recognize the sources of heavy metals in surface soils in Hamadan Province in western Iran using multivariate geostatistical techniques. A total of 263 surface (0–10 cm) soil samples and 18 rock samples from major parent materials were collected. Cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) contents of the samples were determined. Selected soil physical and chemical characteristics were also measured. A multivariate geostatistical analysis was performed to identify the common source of heavy metals. The quantities of Co, Cr, and Ni were found to be associated with parent rocks, corresponding to the first factor termed the “lithologic component.” The second factor was mainly attributed to Cu, which also comprised the first and third factors, indicating a mixed source both from lithologic and anthropogenic inputs. Zn and Pb contents were related to the anthropogenic activities and comprised the third factor. A significant correlation was found between metals from the lithogenic sources and selected soil properties such as soil organic matter, clay, CEC, and carbonate, indicating an interaction among them. Generally, Zn and Pb showed a less significant correlation with soil properties.     

Integrative effects of stress- and stress tolerance-inducing elicitors on in vitro bioactive compounds of ajowan [Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague] medicinal plant

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - In the present study, the integrative effects of two sets of stress tolerance-inducing and stress-inducing elicitors, including polyethylene...     

Utilization of the human gamma-satellite insulator for the enhancement of anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Molecular Biology Reports - Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are widely employed as invaluable therapeutics for a vast number of human disorders. Several approaches have been introduced for the...     

miR-200c-3p upregulation and ACE2 downregulation via bacterial LPS and LTA as interesting aspects for COVID-19 treatment and immunity

Molecular Biology Reports -     

Increasing the quality of services and resource utilization in vehicular cloud computing using best host selection methods

One of the technology for increasing the safety and welfare of humans in roads is Vehicular Cloud Computing (VCC). This technology can utilize cloud computing advantages in the Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET). VCC by utilizing modern equipment along with current vehicles, can play a significant role in the area of smart transportation systems. Given the potential of this technology, effective methods for managing existing resources and providing the expected service quality that is essential for such an environment are not yet available as it should. One of the most important barriers to providing such solutions seems to be resource constraints and very high dynamics in vehicles in VCC. In this article, based on virtualization and taking into account the environment with these features, we propose simple ways to manage resources better and improve the quality of service. We were able to achieve better results in simulation than previous methods by providing a flexible data structure to control the important data in the environment effectively. To illustrate the impact of the proposed methods, we compared them with some of the most important methods in this context, and we used SUMO 1.2.0 and MATLAB R2019a software to simulate them. Simulation results indicate that the proposed methods provide better results than previous methods in terms of resource efficiency, Quality of Service (QoS), and load balancing.

     

New Insight into the Interactions of Arbutin with Mushroom Tyrosinase

The Protein Journal - As a safe substitute for hydroquinone, β-arbutin, a natural plant substance, and its synthetic counterpart, α-arbutin, are used in depigmentation formulations....     

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α sustains pAKT,pERK and AR levels in PTEN-null/mutated prostate cancer cells

Constitutive phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) is a common feature of cancer caused by genetic alteration in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene and is associated with poor prognosis. This study determined the role of cytosolic phospholipase A₂α (cPLA₂α) in AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and androgen receptor (AR) signaling in PTEN-null/mutated prostate cancer cells. Doxycycline (Dox)-induced expression of cPLA₂α led to an increase in pAKT, pGSK3β and cyclin D1 levels in LNCaP cells that possess a PTEN frame-shift mutation. In contrast, silencing cPLA₂α expression with siRNA decreased pAKT, pGSK3β and cyclin D1 levels in both PC-3 (PTEN deletion) and LNCaP cells. Silencing of cPLA₂α decreased pERK and AR protein levels. The inhibitory effect of cPLA₂α siRNA on pAKT and AR protein levels was reduced by the addition of arachidonic acid (AA), whereas the stimulatory effect of AA on pAKT, pERK and AR levels was decreased by an inhibitor of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid production. Pharmacological blockade of cPLA₂α with Efipladib reduced pAKT and AR levels with a concomitant inhibition of PC-3 and LNCaP cell proliferation. These results demonstrate an important role for cPLA₂α in sustaining AKT, ERK and AR signaling in PTEN-null/mutated prostate cancer cells and provide a potential molecular target for treating prostate cancer.