Carnosine and Histidine Supplementation Blunt Lead-Induced Reproductive Toxicity through Antioxidative and Mitochondria-Dependent Mechanisms

Biological Trace Element Research - Lead (Pb)-induced reproductive toxicity is a well-characterized adverse effect associated with this heavy metal. It has been found that Pb exposure is associated...     

The common -866G/A polymorphism of the UCP2 gene in healthy Iranians compared with world populations

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a member of the mitochondrial transporter superfamily. It is proposed as a candidate gene for obesity. A common G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of this gene is associated with enhanced adipose tissue mRNA expression in vivo. Using a PCR-RFLP method, we genotyped the UCP2 -866G/A polymorphism in 75 unrelated nonobese nondiabetic Iranians. The frequencies of the UCP2 -866G/A genotypes in 75 Iranian normal subjects were 7 (9.4%) for AA, 41 (54.6%) for GA, and 27 (36%) for GG. Significantly higher HDL cholesterol was detected in people with the GG genotype (p = 0.02) compared to individuals with the GA and AA genotypes. The frequency distribution results were compared with data from Japanese, Italians, Germans, Austrians, and Danes. Our allele frequencies were significantly different from the Japanese data from two different reports (P < 0.025) but not from the others. The Japanese data showed a higher frequency of the AA genotype, which is associated with a low prevalence of obesity, than the Caucasian individuals' data did. In conclusion, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the UCP2 gene has a significant association with HDL cholesterol level in Iranian nonobese nondiabetic subjects. Also, our allele-frequency distribution for this single nucleotide polymorphism is closer to European Caucasians than to Japanese in nonobese nondiabetic individuals.     

Germination polarity of Beauveria bassiana conidia and its possible correlation with virulence

Three different germination types of conidia; unidirectional, bidirectional and multidirectional, were revealed through microscopic observations for eight Beauveria bassiana isolates germinated on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that there is a positive correlation between unidirectional germination and virulence against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella and the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Scanning electron microscopy revealed different in vivo behaviors for unipolar- and bipolar-germinated conidia. Unipolar-germinated conidia produced a strong germ tube with mostly appressorium-like structures while bipolar-germinated conidia continued to invasive hyphal growth without any penetration, indicating that germination polarity in one way or another may be an indicator of pathogenic ability.     

Otomycosis in the South of Iran with a High Prevalence of Tympanic Membrane Perforation: A Hospital-Based Study

Mycopathologia - Otomycosis is a superficial infection of the external ear caused by fungal pathogens. The genera Aspergillus and Candida are considered the main fungal causative agents, with the...     

Carbon dots-modified paper-based chemiluminescence device for rapid determination of mercury (II) in cosmetics

Here, a simple and portable paper-based analytical device (PAD) based on the inherent capability of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to serve as a great emitter for the bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate (TCPO)–hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) chemiluminescence (CL) reaction is introduced for the detection of harmful mercury ions (Hg²⁺). The energy is transferred from the unstable reaction intermediate (1,2-dioxetanedione) to CQDs, as acceptors, and an intensive orange-red CL emission is generated at ~600 nm, which is equal to the fluorescence emission wavelength of CQDs. The analytical applicability of this system was examined for the determination of Hg²⁺. It was observed that Hg²⁺ could significantly quench the produced emission, which can be attributed to the formation of a stable and nonluminescent Hg²⁺–CQDs complex. Accordingly, a simple and rapid PAD was established for monitoring Hg²⁺, with a limit of detection of 0.04 μg ml⁻¹. No interfering effect on the signal was found from other examined cations, indicating the acceptable specificity of the method. The designed assay was appropriately utilized to detect Hg²⁺ ions in cosmetic samples with high efficiency. It was characterized by its low cost, ease of use, and was facile but accurate and high selective for the detection of Hg²⁺ ions. In addition, the portability of this probe makes it suitable for on-site screening purposes.     

Comparison between the cultures of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) on feeder-and serum-free system (Matrigel matrix), MEF and HDF feeder cell lines

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a type of pluripotent stem cells artificially derived from an adult somatic cell (typically human fibroblast) by forced expression of specific genes. In recent years, different feeders like inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and feeder free system have commonly been used for supporting the culture of stem cells in undifferentiated state. In the present work, the culture of hiPSCs and their characterizations on BD Matrigel (feeder-and serum-free system), MEF and HDF feeders using cell culture methods and molecular techniques were evaluated and compared. The isolated HDFs from foreskin samples were reprogrammed to hiPSCs using gene delivery system. Then, the pluripotency ability of hiPSCs cultured on each layer was determined by teratoma formation and immunohistochemical staining. After EBs generation the expression level of three germ layers genes were evaluated by Q-real-time PCR. Also, the cytogenetic stability of hiPSCs cultured on each condition was analyzed by karyotyping and comet assay. Then, the presence of pluripotency antigens were confirmed by Immunocytochemistry (ICC) test and alkaline phosphatase staining. This study were showed culturing of hiPSCs on BD Matrigel, MEF and HDF feeders had normal morphology and could maintain in undifferentiated state for prolonged expansion. The hiPSCs cultured in each system had normal karyotype without any chromosomal abnormalities and the DNA lesions were not observed by comet assay. Moreover, up-regulation in three germ layers genes in cultured hiPSCs on each layer (same to ESCs) compare to normal HDFs were observed (p < 0.05). The findings of the present work were showed in stem cells culturing especially hiPSCs both MEF and HDF feeders as well as feeder free system like Matrigel are proper despite benefits and disadvantages. Although, MEFs is suitable for supporting of stem cell culturing but it can animal pathogens transferring and inducing immune response. Furthermore, HDFs have homologous source with hiPSCs and can be used as feeder instead of MEF but in therapeutic approaches the cells contamination is a problem. So, this study were suggested feeder free culturing of hiPSCs on Matrigel in supplemented media (without using MEF conditioned medium) resolves these problems and could prepare easy applications of hiPSCs in therapeutic approaches of regenerative medicine such as stem-cell therapy and somatic cell nuclear in further researches.     

Compensated Row-Column Ultrasound Imaging System Using Fisher Tippett Multilayered Conditional Random Field Model

3-D ultrasound imaging offers unique opportunities in the field of non destructive testing that cannot be easily found in A-mode and B-mode images. To acquire a 3-D ultrasound image without a mechanically moving transducer, a 2-D array can be used. The row column technique is preferred over a fully addressed 2-D array as it requires a significantly lower number of interconnections. Recent advances in 3-D row-column ultrasound imaging systems were largely focused on sensor design. However, these imaging systems face three intrinsic challenges that cannot be addressed by improving sensor design alone: speckle noise, sparsity of data in the imaged volume, and the spatially dependent point spread function of the imaging system. In this paper, we propose a compensated row-column ultrasound image reconstruction system using Fisher-Tippett multilayered conditional random field model. Tests carried out on both simulated and real row-column ultrasound images show the effectiveness of our proposed system as opposed to other published systems. Visual assessment of the results show our proposed system’s potential at preserving detail and reducing speckle. Quantitative analysis shows that our proposed system outperforms previously published systems when evaluated with metrics such as Peak Signal to Noise Ratio, Coefficient of Correlation, and Effective Number of Looks. These results show the potential of our proposed system as an effective tool for enhancing 3-D row-column imaging.     

Transcriptional analysis of VEGF-D and TGFβ genes in MCF7 cells exposed to saponin isolated from Holothuria leucospilota (sea cucumber)

Background:

Marine natural products contain a wide range of bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties that have revealed crucial properties in the treatment of some diseases. Some of these compounds have recently received considerable attention for drug discovery. In this study we examined the anti-angiogenic effect of saponin isolated from Holothuria leucospilota (sea cucumber) through evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) expression in a breast cancer cell line.

Methods:

To investigate the effect of SCS on VEGF-D and TGF-β expression in breast cancer cells, the cells were treated with various concentrations of sample. After 48 h the viability of the cells was evaluated by trypan blue staining, and VEGF-D and TGFβ mRNA expression was were evaluated by real time-PCR.

Results:

Our results revealed that SCS can suppress cell viability and VEGF-D and TGFβ mRNA expression in breast cancer cells. Sea cucumber saponin at a concentration of 12 μg/ml inhibited VEGF-D and TGFβ expression more than 90% compared with controls.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest that SCS could inhibit tumor growth via inhibition of angiogenesis.Key Words: Sea cucumber, Saponin, Angiogenesis, Anticancer