A study on differences between radiation-induced micronuclei and apoptosis of lymphocytes in breast cancer patients after radiotherapy

Cancer patients' responses to radiotherapy vary in severity. It has been suggested that it may be due to differences in intrinsic cellular radiosensitivity. Prediction of tissue reactions to radiotherapy would permit tailoring of dosage to each patient. Towards this goal the micronucleus and apoptosis tests have been proposed as methods for measurement of chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In this study, gamma-ray sensitivity of cultured lymphocytes of 26 breast cancer patients with early or late reactions was investigated. After irradiation with 4 Gy gamma radiation in G0, the frequency of micronuclei for patients with early reactions was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than for patients with late reactions. In the contrary the frequency of apoptosis for patients with early reactions was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the other group. It could be suggested that such a reduced amount of micronuclei in the late effects group is due to the presence of some residual DNA damages which are not completely repaired and lesions show increasing severity when the patients' cells are irradiated again. These induced damages, probably are high enough to stimulate other endpoints like apoptosis instead of micronuclei.     

The role of stallion seminal proteins in fertilisation

Seminal plasma proteins are secretory proteins originating mainly from the epididymis and the accessory sex glands. They are involved in the remodelling of the sperm surface which occurs during sperm transit through the male genital tract and continues later at ejaculation. During this process, collectively called post-testicular sperm maturation, the spermatozoa acquire the ability to fertilise an egg. Seminal plasma proteins have been shown to contribute to early and central steps of the fertilisation sequence, e.g. the establishment of the oviductal sperm reservoir, modulation of capacitation and gamete interaction. The major equine seminal plasma proteins belong to three protein classes, which contain widely occurring protein modules. Fn-2 type proteins are characterised by two or four tandemly arranged Fn-2 modules and have been implicated in the modulation of sperm capacitation. Multiple members of the cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISP) have been identified in the male genital tract of a number of species. CRISP proteins have been shown to be involved in various functions related to sperm-oocyte fusion, innate host defense function and ion channel blockage. Spermadhesins occur only in ungulate species. Their carbohydrate- and zona pellucida-binding properties would suggest a role of these proteins in gamete recognition. The major proteins of equine seminal plasma have been isolated and characterised regarding their expression along the male genital tract, protein structure and their functions.     

Expression analysis of selected miR-206 targets from the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway in breast cancer

Breast cancer as a molecularly heterogeneous malignancy is associated with dysregulation of several signaling pathways, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. On the other hand, several recent studies have demonstrated the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in breast cancer pathogenesis. In the current study, we performed a computerized search to find miR-206 target genes that are functionally linked to the TGF-β signaling pathway. We selected LEF1, Smad2, and Snail2 genes to assess their expression in 65 breast cancer samples and their adjacent noncancerous tissues (ANCTs) in correlation with expression levels of miR-206 as well as clinicopathological characteristics of patients. miR-206 was significantly downregulated in (Estrogen receptor) ER-positive breast cancer samples compared with their corresponding ANCTs. Association analysis between expression levels of genes and demographic features of patients showed significant association between expressions of SMAD2 and LEF1 genes and body mass index ( P values of 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). miR-206 low-expression levels were associated with TNM stage, mitotic rate, and lymph node involvement ( P values of 0.02, 0.01, and 0.01 respectively). In addition, SMAD2 high-expression levels were associated with HER2 status ( P = 0.02). Consequently, our data highlight the role of TGF-β signaling dysregulation in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and warrant further evaluation of miRNAs and messenger RNA coding genes in this pathway to facilitate detection of cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.     

Renalase rs10887800 polymorphism is associated with severe pre-eclampsia in southeast Iranian women

Evidence has shown that pre-eclampsia (PE) is associated with an increased level of catecholamines. Renalase is a catecholamine-metabolizing enzyme, which contributes to the occurrence of hypertension. In the current study, we aimed to assess the relation between two renalase gene ( RNLS) polymorphisms, including rs2576178 at the 5′-flanking region and rs10887800 at intron 6, near the exon/intron border and PE susceptibility. In this case-control study, 179 women with PE and 202 normotensive pregnant women were genotyped for RNLS rs2576178 and rs10887800 polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. There was no association between RNLS rs10887800 and rs2576178 polymorphisms and PE, neither in the dominant nor in the recessive model. Although there was no association between RNLS rs10887800 polymorphism and mild PE, this polymorphism was associated with 2.2-fold higher risk of severe PE in the recessive model (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.4; P = 0.01) but not in the dominant model. The RNLS rs2576178 and rs10887800 polymorphisms were not associated with PE severity. The RNLS rs10887800 and rs2576178 GG/GG combined genotypes were associated with 8.4- and 16.7-fold higher risk of PE and severe PE, respectively (OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 1-71.1; P = 0.048 and OR, 16.7; 95% CI, 1.6-167; P = 0.018). Also, the G-G haplotype was associated with 1.7-fold risk of PE and mild PE (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4; P = 0.009 and OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5; P = 0.02). The RNLS rs10887800 polymorphism was associated with severe PE. The RNLS rs10887800 and rs2576178 GG/GG combined genotypes and G-G haplotype were associated with higher risk of PE.     

In Vitro Influences of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Tissue Culture

In the last decades, extensive research on the effects of nano-TiO₂ on plant systems and different microorganisms has confirmed its photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity. However, there is no report on its application in plant cell and tissue culture as well as its role in eliminating contaminating microorganisms in tissue culture. In this work, barley mature embryos were cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium with four concentrations (0, 10, 30, 60???g/ml) of TiO₂ suspension in four repetitions. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of calli were analyzed after each subculture. Data analysis for calli number in the first culture and callus size in all three cultures showed that the effect of treatment was significant at p?>?0.95. As a result, quantitative features such as callus color, shape, embryogenesis, etc. were completely similar in both control and TiO₂ nanoparticle treatments; there is no doubt that TiO₂ nanoparticles could dramatically increase callugenesis and the size of calli. As well, TiO₂ nanoparticles are effective bactericides with an aseptic effect, causing no negative change in the quality of the callus. It is necessary to do more complementary works to identify mechanisms involved for the increased calli size and embryogenesis of explants in darkness.     

The effect of sea anemone (H. magnifica) venom on two human breast cancer lines: death by apoptosis

Venom from the sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica, has multiple biological effects including, cytotoxic, cytolytic and hemolytic activities. In this study, cytotoxicity induced by H. magnifica venom was investigated using the crystal violet assay on human breast cancer T47D and MCF7 cell lines and normal human breast 184B5 cell line. Apoptosis was also assayed via Annexin V-flourescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide (PI) staining followed by flow cytometric analysis. Cell cycle progression and mitochondria membrane potential were studied via flow cytometry following PI and JC-1 staining respectively. H. magnifica venom induced significant reductions in viable cell numbers and increases in apoptosis in T47D and MCF7 in dose-dependent manners. A significant apoptosis-related increase in the sub G1 peak of the cell cycle in both breast cancer cell lines was also observed. Moreover, treatment by venom cleaved caspase-8, caspase-9, and activated caspase-3. Overall, H. magnifica venom was highly cytotoxic to T47D and MCF7 human breast cancer cells, and the phenomenon could be the killing phenomenon via the death receptor-mediated and the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways. Consequently, H. magnifica venom has potential for the development of a breast cancer therapeutic.     

Protein complex prediction based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-connected subgraphs in protein interaction network

Background  

Protein complexes play an important role in cellular mechanisms. Recently, several methods have been presented to predict protein complexes in a protein interaction network. In these methods, a protein complex is predicted as a dense subgraph of protein interactions. However, interactions data are incomplete and a protein complex does not have to be a complete or dense subgraph.     

Cytotoxic activity of some marine brown algae against cancer cell lines

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro cytotoxic activity of total extract of MeOH (70%) and partition fractions of hexan, chloroform (CHCL3), ethylacetate (EtOAc) and MeOH-H2O of brown algae species (Sargassum swartzii, Cystoseira myrica, Colpomenia sinuosa) found in the Persian Gulf against in different cell lines including HT-29, Caco-2, T47D, MDA-MB468 and NIH 3T3 cell lines by MTT and AnnexinV-PI assay. The hexan fraction of S. swartzii and C. myrica showed selective cytotoxicity against proliferation of Caco-2 cells (IC50 < 100 μg/ml) T47D cell line (IC50<100 μg/ml), respectively. S. swartzii and C. myrica were also observed for increasing apoptosis in Caco-2 and T47D cells. Total extract and fractions of C. sinuosa did not show any significant cytotoxicity against the studied cell lines. MDA-MB468 cells were more sensitive to C. myrica than was T47D (IC50 99.9 ± 8.11 vs. 56.50' ± 0.88). This reflects an estrogen receptor independent mechanism for cytotoxicity of the extract. The IC50 of the hexan fraction of C. myrica on T47D parent cells was lower than it was on T47D-TR cells (IC50 99.9 ± 8.11 vs. 143.15 ± 7.80). This finding suggests a role for the MDR-1 in the development of possible future tolerance to the extract.     

Paleoenvironmental model and sequence stratigraphy of the Asmari Formation in southwest Iran

The Asmari Formation is a thick carbonate succession of the Oligo-Miocene in southwest Iran (Zagros Basin). The Zagros Basin was a continental margin attached to the eastern edge of Africa throughout the Phanerozoic. The foraminiferal limestone from the Asmari Formation has been studied to determine its microfacies, paleoenvironments and sedimentary sequences. Based on analysis of larger benthic foraminiferal assemblages and microfacies features three major depositional environments are identified. These include open marine, barrier and lagoon-lower intertidal. These three are represented by eleven microfacies. A carbonate ramp platform is suggested for the depositional environment of the Asmari Formation. The inner ramp facies are characterized by wackestone-packstone, dominated by various taxa of imperforate foraminifera. The middle ramp facies represented by packstone-grainstone to floatstone with a diverse assemblage of larger hyaline foraminifera. The outer ramp is dominated by argillaceous wackestone, characterized by planktonic foraminifera and larger hyaline foraminifera. Two third-order sequences are identified based on deepening and shallowing patterns in microfacies, staking patterns and the distribution of Oligocene-Miocene foraminifers.