The potential impact of trigonelline loaded micelles on Nrf2 suppression to overcome oxaliplatin resistance in colon cancer cells

Molecular Biology Reports - Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has a pivotal role in promoting chemoresistance by regulation of antioxidants and detoxification enzymes. Trigonelline...     

Improving the provision of ecosystem services from urban forest by integrating the species’ potential environmental functions in tree selecting process

Due to the fact that urban environments and population demands are evolving rapidly and species selection is inevitable, it is possible to gain substantial environmental benefit by implementing more effective urban tree planting programs, especially with the aim of increasing the upcoming provision of multiple ecosystem services (ES) through proper species selection. In this paper, we used a new approach to improve the potential of urban trees in optimizing more desirable environmental benefits. This was done by selecting the most appropriate tree species among a vast range of species based on their potential environmental function (both services and disservices) in Tabriz city, Iran. Also, three main planting scenarios (divided to six sub-scenarios) were developed so as to understand the long-term effectiveness of introducing the selected tree species in improving the environmental benefits (both urban forest structure and ES) in comparison with planting the existing tree species. The results indicate that regardless of the quantity of planting, the benefits of introducing the selected trees will be more than planting the existing species. Moreover, as the amount of the annual planting of the recommended species increases, so does the improvement in the projected tree characteristics and ES. This approach creates more opportunities which enable urban forest managers and policymakers to understand the importance of selecting the proper urban tree species when looking for a nature-based solution to promote the wellbeing of the urban population, to create more livable and ecologically sustainable cities and to mitigate urban environmental problems.

     

Evaluation of anti-phytoplasma properties of surfactin and tetracycline towards lime witches' broom disease using real-time PCR

The anti-phytoplasma activities of surfactin (derived from Iranian native Bacillus subtilis isolates) and tetracycline towards Candidatus "Phytoplasma aurantifolia", the agent of lime Witches' broom disease, were investigated. HPLC was used to quantify the surfactin production in four previously characterized native surfactin-producing strains, and the one producing the highest amount of surfactin (about 1,500 mg/l) was selected and cultivated following optimized production and extraction protocols. Different combinations of purified surfactin and commercial tetracycline were injected into artificially phytoplasmainfected Mexican lime seedlings using a syringe injection system. An absolute quantitative real-time PCR system was developed to monitor the phytoplasma population shifts in the lime phloem during 3 months following the injections. The results revealed that the injections of surfactin or tetracycline had a significant inhibitory effect on Candidatus "P. aurantifolia". However, the combined treatment with both surfactin and tetracycline (1:1) resulted in the highest inhibition due to a synergic effect, which suppressed the phytoplasma population from about 2×10(5) to less than 10 phytoplasma units/g plant tissue.     

Configuring balanced scorecards for measuring health system performance: evidence from 5 years' evaluation in Afghanistan

Background

In 2004, Afghanistan pioneered a balanced scorecard (BSC) performance system to manage the delivery of primary health care services. This study examines the trends of 29 key performance indicators over a 5-year period between 2004 and 2008.

Methods and Findings

Independent evaluations of performance in six domains were conducted annually through 5,500 patient observations and exit interviews and 1,500 provider interviews in >600 facilities selected by stratified random sampling in each province. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to assess trends in BSC parameters. There was a progressive improvement in the national median scores scaled from 0–100 between 2004 and 2008 in all six domains: patient and community satisfaction of services (65.3–84.5, p<0.0001); provider satisfaction (65.4–79.2, p<0.01); capacity for service provision (47.4–76.4, p<0.0001); quality of services (40.5–67.4, p<0.0001); and overall vision for pro-poor and pro-female health services (52.0–52.6). The financial domain also showed improvement until 2007 (84.4–95.7, p<0.01), after which user fees were eliminated. By 2008, all provinces achieved the upper benchmark of national median set in 2004.

Conclusions

The BSC has been successfully employed to assess and improve health service capacity and service delivery using performance benchmarking during the 5-year period. However, scorecard reconfigurations are needed to integrate effectiveness and efficiency measures and accommodate changes in health systems policy and strategy architecture to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness as a comprehensive health system performance measure. The process of BSC design and implementation can serve as a valuable prototype for health policy planners managing performance in similar health care contexts. Please see later in the article for the Editors'' Summary     

Candida galli Strain PGO6: A Novel Isolated Yeast Strain Capable of Transformation of Isoeugenol into Vanillin and Vanillic Acid

Candida galli strain PGO6 isolated from oil-contaminated water is the first isolated yeast strain which is capable to form vanillin and vanillic acid during isoeugenol biotransformation. The products were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), changes in the UV absorption pattern and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The phenotypic and physiochemical characteristics as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis based on amplification the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA regions indicated the isolated strain PGO6 was identified as C. galli (GenBank accession number HM641231). Resting cells of C. galli PGO6 from the late-exponential of growth phase were used as biocatalysts for the biotransformation of isoeugenol. The optimal molar conversion of vanillin (48%) and vanillic acid (19%) was obtained after a 30 h incubation using 0.1% (v/v) of isoeugenol and 6 mg of dry weight of cells per ml without further optimization. Under these conditions, the total amount of vanillin and vanillic acid was 583 mg l(-1). Further biotransformation was carried out using 0.5% (v/v) of isoeugenol under the resting cells conditions, yielding a vanillin concentration of 1.12 g l(-1) (molar yield 25.7%) after 60 h incubation. This study brings the first evidence for biotransformation of isoeugenol to vanillin and vanillic acid by a yeast strain.     

Association between N142D genetic polymorphism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GSTO2</Emphasis> and susceptibility to colorectal cancer

Expression pattern analysis has been revealed that glutathione S-transferase omega 2 (GSTO2, a member of class omega) is ubiquitously expressed. Over expression of GSTO2 induced apoptosis. The gene encoding GSTO2 was localized to human chromosome 10q24.3, a region that may harbor gene(s) involved in the developing of colorectal cancer. To investigate the association between GSTO2 N142D genetic polymorphism and susceptibility to colorectal cancer the present study was done. We studied 63 (26 females, 37 males) colorectal cancer patients and 126 (52 females, 74 males) healthy individuals. The control subjects were frequency matched for age and gender with the colorectal cancer group. The genotypes were performed using RFLP-PCR method. The ND and DD genotypes were not associated with risk of colorectal cancer, in comparison with the NN genotype. Family history for cancer in the first degree of relatives significantly differed between cases and controls (P = 0.012). The profiles of GSTO2 genotypes and family history in control and cancerous groups were compared to each other. Subjects with NN genotype and positive family history significantly were at high risk to develop colorectal cancer in comparison with subjects with DD or ND genotypes and negative family history (P = 0.003). Present findings indicating that GSTO2 NN genotype increase the risk of colorectal cancer in persons with positive family history for cancer in the first degree relatives.     

Differences in islet-enriched miRNAs in healthy and glucose intolerant human subjects

Many microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to be cell-type specific and are implicated in development of diseases. We investigated the global expression pattern of miRNAs in human pancreatic islets compared to liver and skeletal muscle, using bead-based technology and quantitative RT-PCR. In addition to the known islet-specific miR-375, we also found enrichment of miR-127-3p, miR-184, miR-195 and miR-493∗ in the pancreatic islets. The expression of miR-375, miR-127-3p, miR-184 and the liver-enriched miR-122 is positively correlated to insulin biosynthesis, while the expression of miR-127-3p and miR-184 is negatively correlated to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). These correlations were absent in islets of glucose intolerant donors (HbA1c ? 6.1). We suggest that the presence of an islet-specific miRNA network, which consists of at least miR-375, miR-127-3p and miR-184, potentially involved in insulin secretion. Our results provide new insight into miRNA-mediated regulation of insulin secretion in healthy and glucose intolerant subjects.     

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.     

Micropropagation of Araucaria excelsa R. Br. var. glauca Carrière from orthotropic stem explants

The objectives of the present work were in vitro propagation of Araucaria excelsa R. Br. var. glauca Carrière (Norfolk Island pine) with focus on the evaluation of the mean number of shoots per explant (MNS/E) and mean length of shoots per explants (MLS/E) produced by different parts of the orthotropic stem of A. excelsa R. Br. var. glauca in response to plant growth regulators. Norfolk Island pine axillary meristems responded very well to the 2-iso-pentenyl adenine (2iP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) levels. Explants taken from stem upper segments in the media containing 2iP had a higher MNS/E (3.47) and MLS/E (6.27 mm) in comparison to those taken from stem lower segments, which were 0.71 and 0.51 mm, respectively. Using 0.045 μM TDZ in the MS medium not only resulted in 4.60 MNS/E with 7.08 mm MLS/E but proliferated shoots showed a good performance as well. Investigating the best position of stem explant on mother plant as well as the best concentrations of growth regulators were performed which were useful for efficient micropropagation of this plant. Thirty three percent of explants were rooted in the MS medium containing 3 % sucrose, supplemented with 7.5 μM of both NAA and IBA for 2 weeks before transferring to a half strength MS medium without any growth regulator. Plantlets obtained were acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse with less than 20 % mortality. This procedure considered the first successful report for regeneration and acclimatization of A. excelsa R. Br. var. glauca plantlet through main stem explants.