Long‐term ethanol consumption promotes changes in β‐defensin isoform gene expression and induces structural changes and oxidative DNA damage to the epididymis of rats

Chronic alcohol ingestion causes sexual dysfunction, impairs sperm motility and fertility, and changes semen quality. Considering the key role of epididymis in sperm development, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of long‐term ethanol consumption on epididymis changes, including alterations in β‐defensin isoform gene expression, oxidative stress, and pathological changes, such as cell proliferation and fibrosis in the epididymis of rats. In this study, male Wistar rats were equally divided into control and ethanol (4.5 g/kg BW) groups. After six weeks of treatment, the results revealed the proliferation of epididymis cells, fibrosis in the epididymis tissue, and a significant rise in the level of 8‐OHdG and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in the ethanol group, compared with the control group. Moreover, the ethanol group showed an increase in the gene expression of epididymal β‐defensin isoforms 15 and 21 and a reduction in the gene expression of β‐defensin isoforms 27 and 30, compared with the controls. These findings indicate that ethanol‐induced epididymal damage and sperm abnormalities might be partly associated with changes in β‐defensin isoforms and epididymal structure, mediated by the increased activities of 8‐OHdG and NADPH oxidase.     

Identification and characterization of cells with high angiogenic potential and transitional phenotype in calcific aortic valve

Recent data suggest that angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of valvular disease. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying this process remain unknown. This study aimed at identifying and characterizing the cellular components responsible for pathological neovascularization in calcific aortic valves (CAV). Immunohistochemical analysis of uncultured CAV tissues revealed that smooth muscle alpha-actin (alpha-SMA)-positive cells, which coexpressed Tie-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), can be identified prior to the initiation of capillary-like tube formation. In a second step, leaflets of CAV and non-calcific aortic valves (NCAV) were cultured and the cells involved in capillary-like tube formation were isolated. The majority of these cells displayed the same phenotype as non-cultured cells identified in CAV tissues, i.e., expression of alpha-SMA, Tie-2, and VEGFR-2. In comparison to cells isolated from cultures of NCAV leaflets, these cells showed enhanced angiogenic activity as demonstrated by migration and tube assays. The coexpression of VEGFR-2 and Tie-2 together with alpha-SMA suggests both endothelial and mesenchymal properties of the angiogenically activated cells involved in valvular neovascularization. Hence, our findings might provide new insights into the process of pathological angiogenesis in cardiac valves.     

Validated HPLC method for the determination of gabapentin in human plasma using pre-column derivatization with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid, sensitive and accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed and validated for the quantification of gabapentin in human plasma. Gabapentin was quantified using pre-column derivatization with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene following protein precipitation of plasma with acetonitrile. Amlodipine was used as internal standard. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a Nova-Pak C(18) column using a mixture of 50 mM NaH(2)PO(4) (pH=2.5)-acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) as mobile phase with UV detection at 360 nm. The flow rate was set at 1.5 ml/min. The method was linear over the range of 0.05-5 microg/ml of gabapentin in plasma (r(2)>0.999). The within-day and between-day precision values were in the range of 2-5%. The limit of quantification of the method was 0.05 microg/ml. The method was successfully used to study the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in healthy volunteers.     

Detection of methicillin-resistance (mec-A) gene inStaphylococcus aureus strains by PCR and determination of antibiotic susceptibility

Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus (MSRA) has become a frequent cause of serious infections. Extended hospitalization and antibiotic therapy have been identified as additional risk factors for MRSA carrier and infection. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of MRSA infections in the hospitals affiliated to Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. SeventyS. aureus clinical strains were isolated from patients from June 2005 to June 2006 and examined by PCR and conventional microbiological tests. Then, the antibiotic susceptibility to methicillin/oxacillin and other antibiotics were performed by Disc Diffusion Agar (DDA). The results of this study showed that methicillin resistance gene was detected in 35 (50%) and 22 (31.4%) cases by PCR and DDA, respectively. The results of antibiotic susceptibility assays also showed there were high resistance MRSA strains to penicilin (100%), cloxacillin (91.4%), tetracycline (74.2%), cotrimoxazole (68.5%), erythromycin (68.5%) and less resistance to rifampin (11.4). Two MRSA also had decreased susceptibility to vancomycin. But the strains of Methicillin-SensitiveS. aureus (MSSA) showed high sensitivity to all antibiotics profiles except to penicillin (complete resistance). As a conclusion, the resistance to methicillin/oxacillin ofS. aureus in Hamedan hospitals has reached to 50% and they show multidrug resistance.     

Heavy metal phytoremediation of aqueous solution by Typha domingensis

Aquatic Ecology - More has yet to be indicated on the ability of microphyte plants for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated environments. In the present research, the ability of the...     

Oleoylethanolamide: A novel pharmaceutical agent in the management of obesity-an updated review

Obesity as a multifactorial disorder has been shown a dramatically growing trend recently. Besides genetic and environmental factors, dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system tone is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. This study reviewed the potential efficacy of Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) as an endocannabinoid-like compound in the energy homeostasis and appetite control in people with obesity. OEA as a lipid mediator and bioactive endogenous ethanolamide fatty acid is structurally similar to the endocannabinoid system compounds; nevertheless, it is unable to induce to the cannabinoid receptors. Unlike endocannabinoids, OEA negatively acts on the food intake and suppress appetite via various mechanisms. Indeed, OEA as a ligand of PPAR-α, GPR-119, and TRPV1 receptors participates in the regulation of energy intake and energy expenditure, feeding behavior, and weight gain control. OEA delays meal initiation, reduces meal size, and increases intervals between meals. Considering side effects of some approaches used for the management of obesity such as antiobesity drugs and surgery as well as based on sufficient evidence about the protective effects of OEA in the improvement of common abnormalities in people with obese, its supplementation as a novel efficient and FDA approved pharmaceutical agent can be recommended.     

Diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target applications of miR-326 in cancers: A systematic review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous mediators of RNA interference and have key roles in the modulation of gene expression under healthy, inflamed, stimulated, carcinogenic, or other cells, and tissues of a pathological state. Many studies have proved the association between miRNAs and cancer. The role of miR-326 as a tumor suppressor miRNA in much human cancer confirmed. We will explain the history and the role of miRNAs changes, especially miR-326 in cancers and other pathological conditions. Attuned with these facts, this review highlights recent preclinical and clinical research performed on miRNAs as novel promising diagnostic biomarkers of patients at early stages, prediction of prognosis, and monitoring of the patients in response to treatment. All related publications retrieved from the PubMed database, with keywords such as epigenetic, miRNA, microRNA, miR-326, cancer, diagnostic biomarker, and therapeutic target similar terms from 1899 to 2018 with limitations in the English language. Recently, researchers have focused on the impacts of miRNAs and their association in inflammatory, autoinflammatory, and cancerous conditions. Recent studies have suggested a major pathogenic role in cancers and autoinflammatory diseases. Investigations have explained the role of miRNAs in cancers, autoimmunity, and autoinflammatory diseases, and so on. The miRNA-326 expression has an important role in cancer conditions and other diseases.     

Survivin a pivotal antiapoptotic protein in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, pathologically characterized by lymphocyte infiltration of the synovial membrane that leads to chronic inflammation and progressive joint damage. RA develops as a result of increased cell infiltration and cell proliferation as well as impaired cell death. Activated cells in joints including lymphocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) survive for a long time as a consequence of compromised apoptosis, but the mechanism underlying cell survival in synovium remains to be firmly established. Inhibition of apoptosis by survivin, as a critical antiapoptotic protein, contributes to both the persistence of autoreactive T lymphocytes and tumor-like phenotype of FLS in RA. In addition to the antiapoptotic role, survivin also has prognostic relevance in RA prodromal phase. Hence, this review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding the involvement of survivin protein in the pathogenesis of RA.     

Global estimate of gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori–infected population: A systematic review and meta-analysis

There is information regarding the rates of gastric cancer (GC) in different populations and the important role of Helicobacter pylori in GC development; however, no comprehensive study has yet been performed to investigate the prevalence of GC in H. pylori–infected patients. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library through January 1, 2000 were searched without language restrictions. Quality of included studies was assessed with a critical appraisal checklist recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. All of the analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software Version 2.0 and Stata 14.0. Forty-four studies from 17 countries were included. The pooled frequency of GC was 17.4% (95% confidence interval: 16.4–18.5) in H. pylori–infected population. The frequency of GC among H. pylori–infected population varied markedly across countries. The highest rate of GC was observed in H. pylori–infected individuals from Asian countries. The frequency of GC was relatively high in H. pylori–infected population in the world. However, the eradication of H. pylori might be a promising strategy for GC prevention, especially in high-risk populations such as Asian countries.     

microRNAs: Key players in virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known as one of the major health problems worldwide. Pathological analysis indicated that a variety of risk factors including genetical (i.e., alteration of tumor suppressors and oncogenes) and environmental factors (i.e., viruses) are involved in beginning and development of HCC. The understanding of these risk factors could guide scientists and clinicians to design effective therapeutic options in HCC treatment. Various viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) via targeting several cellular and molecular pathways involved in HCC pathogenesis. Among various cellular and molecular targets, microRNAs (miRNAs) have appeared as key players in HCC progression. miRNAs are short noncoding RNAs which could play important roles as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in several malignancies such as HCC. Deregulation of many miRNAs (i.e., miR-222, miR-25, miR-92a, miR-1, let-7f, and miR-21) could be associated with different stages of HCC. Besides miRNAs, exosomes are other particles which are involved in HCC pathogenesis via targeting different cargos, such as DNAs, RNAs, miRNAs, and proteins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the role of miRNAs and exosomes as important players in HCC pathogenesis. Moreover, we highlighted HCV- and HBV-related miRNAs which led to HCC progression.