Growth promotion and a decrease of oxidative stress in maize seedlings by a combination of geomagnetic and weak electromagnetic fields

In the present study, we hypothesized that an appropriate combination of a geomagnetic field (as a static field) and an alternative magnetic field may result in the promotion of maize seedling growth by an alleviation of an excess production of reactive oxygen species. First, we determined the applicable range of frequencies by theoretical calculations, and a combined magnetic field was designed. The seeds were germinated in the magnetic field for 4 days, and the seedlings were allowed to grow in a nutrient solution for another 4 days. The magnetic field-treated maize seeds produced seedlings with a faster growth rate than the control seeds. The activity of superoxide dismutase in the magnetic field-treated seedlings was lower, while the total antioxidant capacity of these seedlings was higher than that of the control group. The maintenance of membrane integrity and a decrease of iron content in the magnetic field-treated seedlings suggest that a combination of both static and alternative magnetic fields promotes the growth of the plants by lowering iron absorption, a reduction in the Fenton chemistry, and lowering the risk of oxidative burst.     

PTGS2 (COX2)??765G>C gene polymorphism and risk of sporadic colorectal cancer in Iranian population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers worldwide. Through genome wide association studies, several single nucleotide polymorphisms scattered in the genome emerged to be influential in the development of sporadic CRC in some populations. However, replicative studies failed to prove a particular SNP-CRC association in populations and ethnic groups. Cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2) is a crucial enzyme involved in the metabolism of prostaglandins. The aim of this replicative study is to investigate the possible association between PTGS2?-765G>C polymorphism and sporadic CRC risk in a subset of Iranian population. A total of 110 patients with sporadic CRC, and 120 controls were genotyped for PTGS2?-765G>C polymorphism by using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of PTGS2?-765G>C between two groups except in irregular aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) consumers. Frequencies of genotypes and alleles were as follows: GG?=?44.2, GC?=?48.3, CC?=?7.5%, in controls and GG?=?34.55, GC?=?60.9, CC?=?4.55% in cases. Regarding the allele frequency, the following values were found: G?=?65, C?=?35% in cases and 68.3, 31.7% in the controls, respectively. In irregular aspirin or NSAID consumers combined GC+CC genotype was found to be a risk genotype (OR?=?1.933, 95% CI: 1.067-3.501, P?=?0.036). Overall, no significant relation was found between this polymorphism and sporadic CRC in Iranians. However, in irregular aspirin or NSAID consumers the combined GC+CC genotype proved to be a risk genotype.     

Molecular surveillance of Plasmodium vivax dhfr and dhps mutations in isolates from Afghanistan

Background

In Burundi, malaria is a major public health issue in terms of both morbidity and mortality with around 2.5 million clinical cases and more than 15,000 deaths each year. It is the single main cause of mortality in pregnant women and children below five years of age. Due to the severe health and economic cost of malaria, there is still a growing need for methods that will help to understand the influencing factors. Several studies have been done on the subject yielding different results as which factors are most responsible for the increase in malaria. The purpose of this study has been to undertake a spatial/longitudinal statistical analysis to identify important climatic variables that influence malaria incidences in Burundi.

Methods

This paper investigates the effects of climate on malaria in Burundi. For the period 1996-2007, real monthly data on both malaria epidemiology and climate in the area of Burundi are described and analysed. From this analysis, a mathematical model is derived and proposed to assess which variables significantly influence malaria incidences in Burundi. The proposed modelling is based on both generalized linear models (GLM) and generalized additive mixed models (GAMM). The modelling is fully Bayesian and inference is carried out by Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques.

Results

The results obtained from the proposed models are discussed and it is found that malaria incidence in a given month in Burundi is strongly positively associated with the minimum temperature of the previous month. In contrast, it is found that rainfall and maximum temperature in a given month have a possible negative effect on malaria incidence of the same month.

Conclusions

This study has exploited available real monthly data on malaria and climate over 12 years in Burundi to derive and propose a regression modelling to assess climatic factors that are associated with monthly malaria incidence. The results obtained from the proposed models suggest a strong positive association between malaria incidence in a given month and the minimum temperature (night temperature) of the previous month. An open question is, therefore, how to cope with high temperatures at night.     

The effect of Trimetazidine and Diazoxide on immunomodulatory activity of human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cell secretome

Comprehensive proteome profiling of the factors secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), referred to as secretome, revealed that it consists of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and components of regeneration, vascularization, and hematopoiesis pathways. Harnessing this MSC secretome for therapeutic applications requires the optimization of production of secretary molecules. A variety of preconditioning methods have been introduced, which subject cells to stimulatory molecules to create the preferred response and stimulate persistent effects. Pharmacological preconditioning uses small molecules and drugs to increase survival of MSCs after transplantation or prolong release of effective secretary factors such as cytokines that improve immune system responses. In this study, we investigated the effect of secretome of human embryonic-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hESC-MSCs) preconditioned with Trimetazidine (TMZ) and Diazoxide (DZ) on immunomodulatory efficiency of these cells in LPS-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs were isolated from human peripheral blood and treated with concentrated hESC-MSC-derived conditioned medium and then, the secreted levels of IL-10, TNFα and IL-1β were assessed by ELISA after induction with LPS. The results showed that TMZ and DZ-conditioned medium significantly enhanced immunomodulatory potential of hESC-MSCs by increasing the secretion of IL-10, TNFα and IL-1β from LPS- induced PBMCs. We also found that hESC-MSCs did not secrete mentioned cytokines prior to or after the preconditioning with TMZ and DZ. In conclusion, our results implied that TMZ and DZ can be used to promote the immunomodulatory effects of hESC-MSC secretome. It is obvious that for applying of these findings in clinical demands, the potency of different pre-conditioned MSCs secretome on immune response needs to be more clarified.     

Application of mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine: A new approach in modern medical science

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic and multipotent stem cells, which have been considered in regenerative medicine. These cells are easily separated from different sources, such as bone marrow (BM), umbilical cord (UC), adipose tissue (AT), and etc. MSCs have the differentiation capability into chondrocytes, osteocytes, and adipocytes; This differentiation potential along with the paracrine properties have made them a key choice for tissue repair. MSCs also have various advantages over other stem cells, which is why they have been extensively studied in recent years. The effectiveness of MSCs-based therapies depend on several factors, including differentiation status at the time of use, concentration per injection, delivery method, the used vehicle, and the nature and extent of the damage. Although, MSCs have emerged promising sources for regenerative medicine, there are potential risks regarding their safety in their clinical use, including tumorigenesis, lack of availability, aging, and sensitivity to toxic environments. In this study, we aimed to discuss how MSCs may be useful in treating defects and diseases. To this aim, we will review recent advances of MSCs action mechanisms in regenerative medicine, as well as the most recent clinical trials. We will also have a brief overview of MSCs resources, differences between their sources, culture conditions, extraction methods, and clinical application of MSCs in various fields of regenerative medicine.     

Treatment of mercury vapor toxicity by combining deferasirox and deferiprone in rats

The hypothesis that combination of deferasirox and deferiprone chelators might be more efficient as combined therapy than single therapy in removing mercury from the body was considered. Male Wistar rats were exposed to mercury vapor for 2 weeks. After mercury administration some abnormal clinical signs such as red staining around the eyes, greenish mottling on the liver, weakness, loss of hair and weight, were observed in animals. Chelators were given orally after mercury vapor application for 2 weeks. Mercury toxicity symptoms in rats decreased after drug administration. After chelation therapy, these rats were anesthetized with ether vapor and immobilized by cervical dislocation and then their heart, liver, kidneys, intestine, spleen and testicles were sampled for determination of mercury and iron concentration. The combined chelation therapy results showed that these chelators are able to remove mercury from the body and toxicity symptoms decreased.     

Aflatoxin contamination of wheat flour and the risk of esophageal cancer in a high risk area in Iran

Background: Golestan province in northeastern Iran has been known as a high-risk area for esophageal cancer (EC). This study was conducted to assess aflatoxin (AF) contamination of wheat flour (WF) samples in high and low EC-risk areas of Golestan province. Methods: Four WF samples were collected randomly from each of 25 active silos throughout the province in 2009. The levels of AFs were measured using the High-performance liquid chromatography method. Using the data of EC rates obtained from Golestan population-based cancer registry, the province was divided into high and low risk areas for EC. Student t-test and multivariate regression analysis were used to compare the levels of aflatoxins as well as the condition of silos between the two areas. Results: One hundred WF samples were collected. The mean levels of total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 was 1.99 and 0.53 ng g^?1, respectively. The levels of total AF (p = 0.03), AFG2 (p = 0.02) and AFB1 (p = 0.003) were significantly higher in samples obtained from high risk area. Multivariate regression analysis showed that humidity of silo was the most important source of difference between silos of the two areas (p = 0.04). Conclusion: We found a positive relationship between AF level of WF samples and the risk of EC. So, AF contamination may be a possible risk factor for EC in our region. We also found that humidity of silos was the most important determinant of AF contamination of WF. Intensive control of silos conditions including humidity and temperature are needed especially in high EC-risk areas.     

Genome Sequencing of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Conjunction with a Medical School Human Anatomy Course

Even in cases where there is no obvious family history of disease, genome sequencing may contribute to clinical diagnosis and management. Clinical application of the genome has not yet become routine, however, in part because physicians are still learning how best to utilize such information. As an educational research exercise performed in conjunction with our medical school human anatomy course, we explored the potential utility of determining the whole genome sequence of a patient who had died following a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Medical students performed dissection and whole genome sequencing of the cadaver. Gross and microscopic findings were more consistent with the fibrosing variant of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), as opposed to IPF per se. Variants in genes causing Mendelian disorders predisposing to IPF were not detected. However, whole genome sequencing identified several common variants associated with IPF, including a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs35705950, located in the promoter region of the gene encoding mucin glycoprotein MUC5B. The MUC5B promoter polymorphism was recently found to markedly elevate risk for IPF, though a particular association with NSIP has not been previously reported, nor has its contribution to disease risk previously been evaluated in the genome-wide context of all genetic variants. We did not identify additional predicted functional variants in a region of linkage disequilibrium (LD) adjacent to MUC5B, nor did we discover other likely risk-contributing variants elsewhere in the genome. Whole genome sequencing thus corroborates the association of rs35705950 with MUC5B dysregulation and interstitial lung disease. This novel exercise additionally served a unique mission in bridging clinical and basic science education.