New data on the spider fauna of Iran (Arachnida: Araneae)

We present the results of some spider surveys that were conducted in different parts of Iran. Faunistic records for 30 species which are new to Iran are presented here. Biogeographic data are provided for each species. Two families, namely Liocranidae and Mimetidae, are recorded for the first time from the country.     

Characterization of class I integrons among Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolated from humans and poultry

A total of 84 Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) isolates, 42 of human and 42 of poultry origin, were characterized for antimicrobial resistance patterns and class I integrons. Among them, 58 (69%) S. Enteritidis were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and showed resistance to two or more antibiotic classes. By PCR assays and DNA sequencing, 50 (59.5%) S. Enteritidis isolates were found to carry class I integrons. Amplification of internal variable regions of class I integrons revealed five different arrays (0.75 kb only, 1 kb only, 1.3 kb only, both 1 and 1.2 kb, and both 1 and 1.3 kb). The integrons were further sequenced and the dfrA25 (0.75 kb), aadA1 (1 kb), aadA2 (1 kb), bla(PSE1) (1.2 kb) aadA6-orfD (1.3 kb) gene cassette arrays were identified. Ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the three isolates that showed resistance or reduced susceptibility via the disc diffusion method were 0.5-4 μg mL(-1), although only three isolates exhibited resistance to cefteriaxone (MIC: 128-256 μg mL(-1)) and four isolates were resistant to florfenicol (MIC: 32-128 μg mL(-1)). In conclusion, the high rates of multidrug-resistance and class I integrons found among S. Enteritidis isolates in humans and poultry in Tehran suggest that efforts are needed to confine the prevalence of MDR Salmonella isolates.     

Heavy metals content and distribution in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as influenced by cadmium and different potassium sources

Abstract

Despite the fact that cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element for plants, it can influence nutrients and affect human health. Potassium (K) can influence the transportation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil-plant systems. Here, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Cd and K fertilizers on the different partitioning forms of HMs, their concentrations, uptake in the shoots and roots of Ocimum basilicum. Treatments comprised 2 levels of Cd (0 and 40?mg kg^?1) and three levels of K (0, 100, and 200?mg kg^?1) from three sources, i.e. KCl, K₂SO_4, and K-nano-chelate. 40?mg Cd kg^?1 increased the shoot (above ground parts) Cd concentration. Addition of K as KCl, K₂SO_4, and K-nano-chelate increased the presence of Cd in shoots by 86, 82 and 76%, respectively, compared to the control. Using the nano-chelate of K can increase the accumulation of Cd in plants grown on contaminated soils to lesser content than that of the other forms of K. Application of 40?mg Cd kg^?1 reduced the concentration of Zn, Cu, and Mn in the shoot, but increased shoot Fe concentration. Transfer factor (TF), which is the ratio of metal concentration in shoot to its concentration in root, of the studied HMs, was significantly affected by Cd and K treatments. Therefore, the proper form and dose of chemical fertilizers should be applied in Cd-contaminated soils.     

Optimizing methods for human testicular tissue cryopreservation and spermatogonial stem cell isolation

Cryopreservation of testicular tissue before cancer therapy for fertility preservation in prepubertal boys with cancer is of great interest in reproductive medicine. Isolation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from cryopreserved tissues would be a suitable cell source to re-establish spermatogenesis after cancer therapy. We herein establish optimized protocols for cryopreservation of human testicular tissue and isolation of SSCs from cryopreserved tissue. We developed a freezing protocol that provided high testicular cell viability and supported structural integrity and tubular epithelium coherence similar to fresh tissue. Then, we established a protocol that allowed efficient isolation of functional SSCs from cryopreserved tissues. Isolated cells were found on the testicular basement membrane after xenotransplantation. Our results demonstrated the preservation of testicular tissue structure and high cell viability with efficient isolation of SSCs after testicular cryopreservation, which is promising for future therapeutic applications in fertility preservation.     

The effects of foot reflexology on pain and physiological indicators in children with leukemia under chemotherapy: a clinical trial study

BackgroundFoot reflexology is a popular complementary medicine method; however, previous studies have shown conflicting results. This study aimed to investigate the impact of foot reflexology on pain and physiological responses caused by intrathecal injection of chemotherapy drugs in children with leukemia.Materials and methodsThis clinical trial included 80 children with leukemia. The participants received 20 min foot reflexology (10 min each foot). The primary measured outcomes included pain and physiological indicators (blood pressure and heart rate).ResultsThe results showed that foot reflexology had a significant effect on reducing pain (p = 0.002) and improving physiological indicators [blood pressure (p = 0.002) and heart rate (p = 0.003)].ConclusionBased on the results of the present study, which shows the positive effect of foot reflexology on the improvement of pain and physiological indicators, foot reflexology can be used as a complementary treatment along with conventional therapies.     

Targeted Disruption of β-Arrestin 2-Mediated Signaling Pathways by Aptamer Chimeras Leads to Inhibition of Leukemic Cell Growth

β-arrestins, ubiquitous cellular scaffolding proteins that act as signaling mediators of numerous critical cellular pathways, are attractive therapeutic targets because they promote tumorigenesis in several tumor models. However, targeting scaffolding proteins with traditional small molecule drugs has been challenging. Inhibition of β-arrestin 2 with a novel aptamer impedes multiple oncogenic signaling pathways simultaneously. Additionally, delivery of the β-arrestin 2-targeting aptamer into leukemia cells through coupling to a recently described cancer cell-specific delivery aptamer, inhibits multiple β-arrestin-mediated signaling pathways known to be required for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) disease progression, and impairs tumorigenic growth in CML patient samples. The ability to target scaffolding proteins such as β-arrestin 2 with RNA aptamers may prove beneficial as a therapeutic strategy.

Highlights

• An RNA aptamer inhibits β-arrestin 2 activity.
• Inhibiting β-arrestin 2 impedes multiple tumorigenic pathways simultaneously.
• The therapeutic aptamer is delivered to cancer cells using a cell-specific DNA aptamer.
• Targeting β-arrestin 2 inhibits tumor progression in CML models and patient samples.

     

Identification of a novel missense mutation of PEX7 gene in an Iranian patient with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata type 1

Deficiency in the PTS2 protein import pathway due to mutations in PEX7 gene results in the rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) type 1. In the present study, we have reported a novel missense mutation, W75R, in the PEX7 gene in an Iranian patient with the RCDP type 1. The inability of PEX7 protein to transport PTS2 containing proteins including peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase and PTS2-EGFP protein to the surface of the peroxisomes showed that the W75R mutation in PEX7 gene severely impaired the function of PEX7 protein and was responsible for RCDP type 1 in this patient.