Calumenin knockdown,by intronic artificial microRNA,to improve expression efficiency of the recombinant human coagulation factor IX

Biotechnology Letters - To improve the expression efficiency of recombinant hFIX, by enhancing its γ-carboxylation, which is inhibited by Calumenin (CALU), we used intronic artificial...     

Distribution of chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) over hosts,parasitopes, collection localities,and seasons in northern Iran

We studied the distribution of chigger mite species over mammal hosts, attachment sites on the host body, habitats, and seasons in Iran. The study was based on 2155 specimens of 36 chigger species collected from 10 species of Muridae, Cricetidae, and Soricidae across six provinces of northern Iran. A high level of mixed infestation by chiggers was recorded—76% of hosts parasitized by chiggers were infested by more than one (2–8) species. Statistically significant differences in the preference for anterior and posterior parts of the host body were found. Three species—Neotrombicula lubrica, N. delijani, and Cheladonta firdousii—preferred the posterior part of the host body; 12 species were characterized by the occurrence in the anterior part and differed from one another by the frequency of presence in the posterior part. One species, Hirsutiella alpina, was found only in the anterior part of the host body (inside the ears of rodents). The most diverse chigger fauna was on the fringe of Golestan National Park (species richness?=?21, Shannon–Wiener index?=?2.823). The chigger fauna of the high-mountain localities on the Alborz Range was the least diverse (species richness?=?16, Shannon–Wiener index?=?2.439). The seasonal aspect of activity was evident for Neotrombicula elegans, which exposed the autumn–winter period of the occurrence on hosts, and N. vernalis, with the winter-spring peak of abundance.

     

Mesostigmata diversity by manure type: a reference study and new datasets from southwestern Iran

Manure-inhabiting Mesostigmata mites are important biological control agents of pest flies. However, the biodiversity of this mite community is mainly known from Europe and America, and especially from cattle manure. This study examined the diversity and abundance of Mesostigmata mites associated with various types of manure in an (intensive) agricultural region of the Middle East, i.e., the city Ahvaz and its suburbs, in southwest Iran. Mite samples were extracted from manure of cattle, buffalo, sheep, horse, poultry and quail in 30 livestock and poultry farms. In total, 40 species belonging to 24 genera and 16 families were identified. The most diverse families were Laelapidae with eight species, Macrochelidae with seven and Parasitidae with six. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Uroobovella marginata were the most widespread species, recorded in 28 and 27 out of 30 collection sites, respectively. Two species, M. sumbaensis and U. marginata, were found in all studied manures. Simpson’s diversity index recorded the highest diversity in buffalo and sheep manure. Real and theoretical species richness (rarefaction curves) were congruent in number of individuals. The presence of seven species of Macrochelidae in the manure confirms that these are important predators of the house fly for the region of Ahvaz and its suburbs. Members of the Parasitidae were highly prevalent, with one species known as a specialized predator of house fly eggs. This work aims to encourage further studies on the diversity of Mesostigmata in these agricultural settings, and further continue assessing the feasibility of these mites as effective biocontrol agents of filth flies in different types of manure and from different corners of the world.

     

Combination effects of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on a cuprizone-induced mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Journal of Molecular Histology - Multiple sclerosis (MS) has no absolute treatment, and researchers are still exploring to introduce promising therapy for MS. Transcranial direct current...     

Effect of concentration and shell thickness on the optical behavior of aqueous CdTe/ZnSe core/shell quantum dots (QDs) exposed to ionizing radiation

In this work CdTe/ZnSe core/shell quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized via a simple, rapid and room temperature photochemical approach. Optical properties of aqueous prepared CdTe/ZnSe QDs were studied systematically under gamma irradiation with dose range of 0 Gy to 20 kGy. The obtained results showed a regular red shift behavior versus gamma irradiation dose, in photoluminescence peak and absorption edge of the CdTe/ZnSe QDs. Structural properties of CdTe/ZnSe QDs before and after gamma irradiation were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. The obtained results showed that the crystalline structure of CdTe/ZnSe core/shell QDs did not change after gamma irradiation. Concentration and shell thickness as two important factors on the sensitivity of CdTe/ZnSe QDs in front of gamma irradiation have been investigated. Based on this study, CdTe/ZnSe QDs are suggested as good candidates for gamma dosimeter.     

Effective suppression of tumour cells by oligoclonal HER2-targeted delivery of liposomal doxorubicin

Synergistic effect of combined antibodies targeting distinct epitopes of a particular tumour antigen has encouraged some clinical trial studies and is now considered as an effective platform for cancer therapy. Providing several advantages over conventional antibodies, variable domain of heavy chain of heavy chain antibodies (V_HH) is now major tools in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Active targeting of liposomal drugs is a promising strategy, resulting in enhanced binding and improved cytotoxicity of tumour cells. In the present study, we produced four anti-HER2 recombinant VHHs and purified them via native and refolding method. ELISA and flow cytometry analysis confirmed almost identical function of VHHs in refolded and native states. Using a mixture of four purified VHHs, PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin was targeted against HER2-overexpressing cells. The drug release was analyzed at pH 7.4, 6.4 and 5.5 and dynamic light-scattering detector and TEM micrograph was applied to characterize the produced nanoparticles. The binding efficiency of these nanoparticles to BT474 and SKBR3 as HER2-positive and MCF10A as HER2-negative cell line was examined by flow cytometry. Our results indicated effective encapsulation of about 94% of the total drug in immunoliposomes. Flow cytometry results verified receptor-specific binding of targeted liposomes to SKBR3 and BT474 cell lines and more efficient binding was observed for liposomes conjugated with oligoclonal VHHs mixture compared with monoclonal VHH-targeted liposomes. Oligoclonal nanoparticles also showed more cytotoxicity compared with non-targeted liposomes against HER2-positive tumour cells. Oligoclonal targeting of liposomes was represented as a promising strategy for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancers.     

Investigation of the solid state properties of amoxicillin trihydrate and the effect of powder pH

The purpose of this research was to investigate some physicochemical and solid-state properties of amoxicillin trihydrate (AMT) with different powder pH within the pharmacopoeia-specified range. AMT batches prepared using Dane salt method with the pH values from 4.39 to 4.97 were subjected to further characterization studies. Optical and scanning electron microscopy showed that different batches of AMT powders were similar in crystal habit, but the length of the crystals increased as the pH increased. Further solid-state investigations using powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) demonstrated the same PXRD pattern, but the intensity of the peaks raised by the powder pH, indicated increased crystallinity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies further confirmed that as the powder pH increased, the crystallinity and, hence, thermal stability of AMT powders increased. Searching for the possible cause of the variations in the solid state properties, HPLC analysis showed that despite possessing the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) for purity/impurity profile, there was a direct relationship between the increase of the powder pH and the purity of AMT, and also decrease in the impurity I (alpha-Hydroxyphenylglycine) concentration in AMT powder. Recrystallization studies confirmed that the powder pH could be controlled by adjusting the pH of the crystallization.