Central Opioidergic and Adrenergic systems Mediates Food Intake via α1, α2 and β2 Receptors in Neonatal Layer-Type Chicken

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - The aim of the current study was to determine possible interaction of central Opioidergic and Adrenergic systems on food intake...     

Conditions to improve expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells based on rat samples

AIM: To improve the isolation and expansion of human marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based on rat samples. METHODS: Based on the fact that rat MSCs are relatively easy to obtain from a small aspirate, bone marrow-derived MSCs from rat were cultured and characterized to set up the different protocols used in this study. Then, accordingly, almost the same protocols were performed on human healthy bone marrow samples, after obtaining approval of the ethics committee and gaining informed consent. We used different protocols and culture conditions, including the type of basal media and the culture composition. The MSCs were characterized by immunophenotyping and differentiation. RESULTS: There was no difference in morphology and proliferation capacity between different culture media at the first passage. During the 5-7th passages, the cells gradually lost their morphology and proliferation potential on Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) high glucose and α modified Eagle’s medium. Although the cells expanded rapidly for up to 10 passages on DMEM low glucose containing 10% to 15% fetal calf serum (FCS), their proliferation was arrested without change in morphology and differentiation capacity at the third passage on 5% FCS. Flow cytometric analysis and functional tests confirmed that more than 90% of marrow cells which were isolated and expanded by our selective protocols were MSCs. CONCLUSION: We improved the isolation and expansion of human bone marrow derived MSCs, based on rat sample experiments, for further experimental and clinical use.     

The genus Chaetomium in Iran, a phylogenetic study including six new species

Twenty-one species of Chaetomium known from Iran were compared on the basis of morphological and molecular characters. Six new species are recognized, five isolated from cereals and one from nematode cysts. A combined sequence dataset of the ITS region, partial LSU rDNA, and β-tubulin gene sufficiently resolved five species groups of Chaetomium that are largely concordant with combined features of peridium structure, ascospore shape and germ pore position. Among the new species C. undulatulum is a close relative of C. globosum, C. rectangulare is close to C. elatum, C. interruptum and C. grande are close to C. megalocarpum, altogether forming the C. globosum species group. Chaetomium iranianum and C. truncatulum are members of the C. carinthiacum species group, characterized by spirally coiled ascomatal hairs and fusiform ascospores. A chrysosporium-like anamorph is newly described for C. acropullum.     

Deletion of extra C-terminal segment and its effect on the function and structure of artemin

Artemin acts as a molecular chaperone by protecting Artemia embryos undergoing encystment from damage, caused by heat or other forms of stress. According to the amino acid sequence alignment, although artemin shows a fair amount of homology with ferritin, it also contains an extra C-terminal. Analysis of the C-terminal extension of artemin model in previous studies has shown that there are some favorable interactions between this region and its surrounding cleft. In the current study we tried to investigate the role of this C-terminal in chaperone activity of artemin. This extra C-terminal (39 residues) was deleted and the truncated gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. According to in vivo chaperone-like activity studies, both full-length and C-terminal truncated artemin conferred thermotolerance on transfected E. coli cells. However, bacteria expressing truncated derivative of artemin was less resistant than those producing native artemin against heat. Moreover, the activity recovery on carbonic anhydrase (CA), as protein substrate, was less in the presence of truncated artemin than that of full-length artemin. The results demonstrated that C-terminal deletion decreases the ability of artemin for chaperone-like activity. Theoretical investigations showed that deletion of artemin C-terminal extension makes substantial structural alterations in a way that structural stability and overall integrity of artemin decrease.     

Frequency of HLA-G exon 8 polymorphisms and kidney allograft outcome in Iranian population

The 14-bp polymorphism in exon 8 of the HLA-G gene is associated with HLA-G mRNA stability and the patterns of alternative isoform splicing and may influence the functionality of the HLA-G molecule. HLA-G expression was related to allograft acceptance and fewer episodes of acute rejection during heart, kidney and liver–kidney transplantation. In order to determine a possible correlation between the 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and kidney allograft outcome in our population, genomic DNA was isolated from 144 patients who had received isolated kidney allografts. The recipients was divided into two groups, grafts presenting features of rejection group and a non-rejection group, and compared them with a control group of 100 healthy subjects. There was no significant difference in allelic frequencies of 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism between normal controls and kidney transplant patients. No significant difference was found between the RG and the NRG regarding the 14-bp genotypes and alleles. Therefore, additional studies with more sample size from other populations with analysis of other HLA-G polymorphisms are necessary to define this polymorphism as a valuable clinical marker.     

Association of IL-6 promoter and IFN-γ gene polymorphisms with acute rejection of liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is one of the most important therapies for end-stage liver diseases and is associated with major problems including infections and acute rejection. The outcome of transplantation can be determined by immune responses as a key role in response to the graft. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators especially cytokines influence the graft microenvironment. Th1 and Th2 immune responses in contrast to regulatory responses cause acute rejection or help graft survival. In this study, we evaluated the gene polymorphisms of IL-6 G-174C, TGF-β T + 869C, IL-4 C-590T, and IFN-γ T + 874A cytokines in liver transplant patients. ARMS-PCR method was used to characterize IL-6 G-174C, TGF-β T + 869C and IFN-γ T + 874A polymorphisms and PCR-RFLP using AvaII restriction enzyme was done for IL-4 C-590T characterization in 70 liver transplant patients. Acute rejection episodes were diagnosed according to standard criteria. The analysis of the results showed that IL-6-174 GG genotype ( P = 0.009, OR = 4.333, 95% CI = 1.043–18.000), IL-6-174G allele (P = 0.011, OR = 5.273, 95% CI = 1.454–19.127) was more frequent and IFN-γ +874 TT genotype was less frequent (P = 0.043, OR = 0.143, 95% CI = 0.0118–1.190) in acute rejection than in non-rejection patients. TGF-β T + 869C and IL-4 C-590T frequencies were not significantly different (P > 0.05). According to the results, it can be conclude that IL-6 G-174C and IFN-γ T + 874A gene polymorphisms have predictive values for acute rejection after liver transplantation. High producer genotype of IL-6 is a genetic risk factor and IFN-γ is a protective factor for acute rejection development.     

Distribution and genotype frequency of adiponectin (+45 T/G) and adiponectin receptor2 (+795 G/A) single nucleotide polymorphisms in Iranian population

The Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene encodes adipose tissue-secreted hormone, Adiponectin, which is secreted to the bloodstream by adipocytes. Adiponectin is a hormone with anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties and plays a significant role in insulin sensitivity and obesity. The genetic variations in ADIPOQ gene change the circulating adiponectin level and may cause insulin resistance. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the frequency of a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of ADIPOQ gene (+45T/G) and adiponectin receptor-2 (ADIPOR2) gene (+795G/A) in Iranian population and to correlate these data with other populations. A hundred healthy volunteers were enrolled to identify the genotype of ADIPOQ gene (+45T/G) and ADIPOR2 gene (+795G/A). This was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Genotype frequencies for ADIPOQ (+45T/G) were 0.789 for TT, 0.164 for TG, and 0.0468 for GG. Allelic frequencies were 0.87 and 0.13 for T and G, respectively. Genotype frequencies for ADIPOR2 (+795G/A) were 0.09 for AA, 0.3 for AG, and 0.61 for GG; allelic frequencies were 0.24 for A and 0.76 for G. Comparisons between ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 polymorphisms in Iranian population with those in other populations showed significant differences.     

A contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Coniocessia (Xylariales)

The ascomycete genus Coniocessia has recently been established to accommodate the only and type species, C. nodulisporioides, with nodulisporium-like anamorph, formerly classified in Coniochaeta. Four new Coniocessia species are described here, three of which were isolated from cereal seeds and straw in Iran and one from goat dung collected in Spain, using morphological and molecular data (sequences of the ITS and D1-D2 regions of the LSU-ribosomal DNA) as well as growth–temperature relationships. Parsimony and neighbor-joining analyses based on the D1-D2 regions of the LSU strongly supported the placement of Coniocessia as a monophyletic clade within the new family Coniocessiaceae and Coniolariella within the Xylariaceae (Xylariales). Coniocessia maxima is differentiated from the closest species, C. nodulisporioides, by larger ascomata and asci, and more richly branched, macronematous conidiophores with very distinct, elongated conidiogenous cells. Coniocessia cruciformis has ascospores with strongly thickened longitudinal rim, appearing rather cruciform in side view; micronematous conidiophores and less distinct conidiogenous cells. Coniocessia minima possesses small ascomata maturing very slowly, with an opaque peridium and inaequilaterally flattened ascospores; conidiogenous cells are bulbose to club-shaped, conidia globose to subglobose. Coniocessia anandra, the only species lacking an anamorph, is mainly characterized by translucent ascomata with a broad ostiole.     

Hexosamine biosynthetic pathway mutations cause neuromuscular transmission defect

Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are synapses that transmit impulses from motor neurons to skeletal muscle fibers leading to muscle contraction. Study of hereditary disorders of neuromuscular transmission, termed congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS), has helped elucidate fundamental processes influencing development and function of the nerve-muscle synapse. Using genetic linkage, we find 18 different biallelic mutations in the gene encoding glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1 (GFPT1) in 13 unrelated families with an autosomal recessive CMS. Consistent with these data, downregulation of the GFPT1 ortholog gfpt1 in zebrafish embryos altered muscle fiber morphology and impaired neuromuscular junction development. GFPT1 is the key enzyme of the hexosamine pathway yielding the amino sugar UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, an essential substrate for protein glycosylation. Our findings provide further impetus to study the glycobiology of NMJ and synapses in general.     

HLA-DRBl and susceptibility to kidney allograft rejection in Southern Iranian patients

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for the patients with end-stage renal disease. Viral infections and genetic factors such as HLA-II antigens may affect the kidney transplant outcome. The compatibility of HLA-DRB1 molecules in the survival of kidney transplant is important. Also, the correlation between these molecules and viral infections is significant. The current study investigates the allele frequency of HLA-DRB1 in 41 recipient kidney transplant and 203 normal healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction using sequence specific primers. Moreover the relation between HLA-DRB1 allelic groups and hepatitis B, hepatitis C and cytomegalovirus viral infections was also studied. However statistical analysis of the allele frequencies didn’t show any significant association between HLA-DRB1 allelic group distributions or sharing and susceptibility to acute kidney transplant rejection (P > 0.05). Comparing the allele frequencies between HLA-DRB1*14 and DRB1*04 allelic showed a significant difference in controls and patients (P = 0.03 and P = 0.05 respectively). The results of the present study also showed a significant association between possession of HLA-DRB1*07 allele in kidney transplant recipients and hepatitis C virus infection (P = 0.009). In conclusion however the results of the present study did not showed relation between HLA-DRB1 allele’s frequencies or sharing and kidney transplantation outcome, the results indicated that HLA-DRB1 alleles may susceptible individuals to renal disease or play a role in susceptibility to viral infection in kidney transplant patients.