Three new species of mygalomorph and filistatid spiders from Iran (Araneae,Cyrtaucheniidae, Nemesiidae and Filistatidae)

Three new spider species are described from Iran: Anemesia koponeni sp. n. (♂, Cyrtaucheniidae); Raveniola mazandaranica sp. n. (♂, Nemesiidae) and Sahastata sinuspersica sp. n. (♀, Filistatidae). Cyrtaucheniidae and Sahastata Benoit, 1968 are reported from Iran for the fisrt time.     

Revision of the foraminiferal biozonation scheme in Upper Cretaceous carbonates of the Dezful Embayment,Zagros, Iran: Integrated palaeontological,sedimentological and geochemical investigation

Cretaceous carbonate successions of the Bangestan Group, such as the Sarvak and Ilam formations, are among the most prolific hydrocarbon reserves of the Middle East. However, relatively little is known about their detailed palaeontology and biostratigraphy. Moreover, due to lithological similarity of these carbonate formations recognition of their boundaries in subsurface studies is problematic. To investigate these units, biostratigraphic analyses were carried out on nearly 1100 m of cores, including core plug samples and thin sections prepared from five giant and supergiant oilfields in the northern and southern Dezful Embayment, SW Iran. Accordingly, 59 species of foraminifera (assigned to 43 genera) as well as 11 species of non-foraminifera (10 genera) were recognized. As a result, three biozones were identified, which in stratigraphic order are: Nezzazata-Alveolinids Assemblage Zone; Moncharmontia apenninica-Nezzazatinella-Dicyclina Assemblage Zone; and Rotalia skourensis-algae Assemblage Zone. These are compared with the Wynd's (1965) biozonation scheme, previously introduced in the Zagros area, and a revised scheme is presented. Accordingly, a Cenomanian–Turonian age and a Coniacian–Campanian age are envisaged for the Upper Sarvak and Ilam formations, respectively. In our new biostratigraphic scheme, the Sarvak–Ilam formations boundary is considered to be located above the Moncharmontia apenninica-Nezzazatinella-Dicyclina Assemblage Zone (equivalent of Valvulammina-Dicyclina Assemblage Zone of Wynd, 1965), that is Turonian in age. This zone is bounded by two palaeoexposure surfaces, which correspond approximately to the C–T boundary transitional interval and a post-Turonian, which can be possibly assigned to the Coniacian. Significant sedimentological features of these disconformities include bauxitic–lateritic horizons, karstified profiles and solution-collapsed breccias. Geochemical signatures of these meteorically altered surfaces are also considered to calibrate biofacies and biozones. Finally, we compared our new biozonation scheme with other studies in neighboring areas of SW Iran and the Middle East.     

Evaluation of NUF2 and GMNN Expression in Prostate Cancer: Potential Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer Screening

Background:Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most abundant cancers among men, and In Iran, has been responsible for 6% of all deaths from cancer in men. NUF2 and GMNN genes are considered as loci of susceptibility to tumorigenesis in humans. Alterations in expression of these genes have been reported in various malignancies. The aim of our study was to test whether different NUF2 and GMNN expression levels are associated with PC incidence and hence, might be considered as new molecular tools for PC screening.Methods:Biopsy samples from 40 PC patients and 41 healthy Iranian men were used to determine the relative gene expression. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, samples were analyzed using TaqMan Quantitative Real time PCR. Patients’ background information, included smoking habits and family histories of PC, were recorded. Stages and grades of their PC were classified by the TNM tumor, node, metastasis (TMN) staging system based on standard guidelines.Results:NUF2 expression did not significantly differ between the groups, while GMNN expression was significantly greater in the PC specimens than in the controls.Conclusion:Regarding the significant role of GMNN in various tumor phenotypes, and its importance in PC progression, the alteration in GMNN expression in PC samples vs. controls indicate that the genetic profiling of this cancer might be considered to personalize therapy for each patient in the future.Key Words: Family history, Geminin (GMNN), Tumor staging, NUF2, Prostate cancer     

Efficacy of intra-lesional injections of meglumine antimoniate once a week vs. twice a week in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica in Iran: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Treatment of Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is based on using antimoniate derivatives; patients’ compliance for systemic injections is low due to the pain and systemic complications. In this randomized open trial, the efficacy of intra-lesional (IL) injections of meglumine antimoniate (MA) once a week vs. twice a week in the treatment of Anthrpoponothic CL caused by L. tropica was studied. Eligible volunteer patients were selected according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. The included patients were randomly allocated to receive IL-MA injections once a week or twice a week. The primary outcome was set as complete healing of the lesion(s), and defined as complete re-epithelialization and absence of induration in the lesions. A total of 180 parasitologicaly proven CL patients caused by L. tropica were recruited, 90 patients were treated with weekly IL-MA and 90 patients received IL-MA twice a week. The complete cure was 87.9% vs. 89.2% in the group received weekly and twice a week IL-MA injections, respectively (P = 0.808). Patients’ compliance was acceptable and side effects were limited to a few local allergic reactions to MA. Median time to healing was significantly shorter in patients who received IL-MA twice a week (median ± SE) 37±3.8, (CI: 29.6–44.4) days compared to whom received IL-MA once a week 60±2.3, (CI: 55.6–64.5) days (P< 0.001), however the number of injections was higher in group who received IL-MA twice a week (12 vs. 9 injections). In conclusion, the rate of cure in the group of CL patients with IL-MA twice a week was not significantly different from the group who received IL-MA once a week shorten, but the duration of healing was shorter in the group who received IL-MA twice a week while the group received more injections so is recommended to use IL-MA once a week due to the fact the compliance is acceptable with limited side effects.Clinical Trial Registration: IRCT20081130001475N13; https://en.irct.ir/.     

Generation of an enriched pool of DNA aptamers for an HER2-overexpressing cell line selected by Cell SELEX

Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) occurs in a large percentage of breast cancers. Monoclonal antibodies targeting HER2 are vastly used for both diagnostic and therapeutic aims. However, identifying a new molecular probe against HER2 with improved diagnostic and therapeutic features is of great importance. In this report, we have applied the cell systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) strategy for 16 selection rounds to generate an enriched pool of aptamers that specifically recognize the HER2 positive cell line. During the Cell SELEX procedure, a human HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell line and a human HER2 negative breast cancer cell line were used. Our results reveal that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of random DNA libraries and the selected single-stranded DNA pool in different Cell SELEX rounds are different from what we expect from PCR amplification of homologous DNA. Our results also confirmed previous studies describing positive HER2 status of SK-BR3 and the absence of the HER2 expression in the MDA-MB468. We also developed a new method, Cell enzyme-linked assay, to monitor the enrichment of aptamers in a given round of Cell SELEX. This method would also be useful in other experiments using live cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on adherent cells.     

FIBS-enabled Noninvasive Metabolic Profiling

In the era of computational biology, new high throughput experimental systems are necessary in order to populate and refine models so that they can be validated for predictive purposes. Ideally such systems would be low volume, which precludes sampling and destructive analyses when time course data are to be obtained. What is needed is an in situ monitoring tool which can report the necessary information in real-time and noninvasively. An interesting option is the use of fluorescent, protein-based in vivo biological sensors as reporters of intracellular concentrations. One particular class of in vivo biosensors that has found applications in metabolite quantification is based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between two fluorescent proteins connected by a ligand binding domain. FRET integrated biological sensors (FIBS) are constitutively produced within the cell line, they have fast response times and their spectral characteristics change based on the concentration of metabolite within the cell. In this paper, the method for constructing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines that constitutively express a FIBS for glucose and glutamine and calibrating the FIBS in vivo in batch cell culture in order to enable future quantification of intracellular metabolite concentration is described. Data from fed-batch CHO cell cultures demonstrates that the FIBS was able in each case to detect the resulting change in the intracellular concentration. Using the fluorescent signal from the FIBS and the previously constructed calibration curve, the intracellular concentration was accurately determined as confirmed by an independent enzymatic assay.     

Wood-plastic composites as promising green-composites for automotive industries!

Wood-plastic composite (WPC) is a very promising and sustainable green material to achieve durability without using toxic chemicals. The term WPCs refers to any composites that contain plant fiber and thermosets or thermoplastics. In comparison to other fibrous materials, plant fibers are in general suitable to reinforce plastics due to relative high strength and stiffness, low cost, low density, low CO2 emission, biodegradability and annually renewable. Plant fibers as fillers and reinforcements for polymers are currently the fastest-growing type of polymer additives. Since automakers are aiming to make every part either recyclable or biodegradable, there still seems to be some scope for green-composites based on biodegradable polymers and plant fibers. From a technical point of view, these bio-based composites will enhance mechanical strength and acoustic performance, reduce material weight and fuel consumption, lower production cost, improve passenger safety and shatterproof performance under extreme temperature changes, and improve biodegradability for the auto interior parts.     

Immunoresolvents in asthma and allergic diseases: Review and update

Asthma and allergic diseases are inflammatory conditions developed by excessive reaction of the immune system against normally harmless environmental substances. Although acute inflammation is necessary to eradicate the damaging agents, shifting to chronic inflammation can be potentially detrimental. Essential fatty-acids-derived immunoresolvents, namely, lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins, are anti-inflammatory compounds that are believed to have protective and beneficial effects in inflammatory disorders, including asthma and allergies. Accordingly, impaired biosynthesis and defective production of immunoresolvents could be involved in the development of chronic inflammation. In this review, recent evidence on the anti-inflam]matory effects of immunoresolvents, their enzymatic biosynthesis routes, as well as their receptors are discussed.