Effects of Late Administration of Pentoxifylline and Tocotrienols in an Image-Guided Rat Model of Localized Heart Irradiation

Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is a long-term side effect of radiotherapy of intrathoracic, chest wall and breast tumors when radiation fields encompass all or part of the heart. Previous studies have shown that pentoxifylline (PTX) in combination with α-tocopherol reduced manifestations of RIHD in rat models of local heart irradiation. The relative contribution of PTX and α-tocopherol to these beneficial effects are not known. This study examined the effects of PTX alone or in combination with tocotrienols, forms of vitamin E with potential potent radiation mitigation properties. Rats received localized X-irradiation of the heart with an image-guided irradiation technique. At 3 months after irradiation rats received oral treatment with vehicle, PTX, or PTX in combination with a tocotrienol-enriched formulation. At 6 months after irradiation, PTX-treated rats showed arrhythmia in 5 out of 14 animals. PTX alone or in combination with tocotrienols did not alter cardiac radiation fibrosis, left ventricular protein expression of the endothelial markers von Willebrand factor and neuregulin-1, or phosphorylation of the signal mediators Akt, Erk1/2, or PKCα. On the other hand, tocotrienols reduced cardiac numbers of mast cells and macrophages, but enhanced the expression of tissue factor. While this new rat model of localized heart irradiation does not support the use of PTX alone, the effects of tocotrienols on chronic manifestations of RIHD deserve further investigation.     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Human Health Risks Assessment in Soils Around an Industrial Zone in Neyshabur,Iran

Biological Trace Element Research - Heavy metal pollution of soils in industrial zones continues to attract attention because of its potential human health risks. The present research is an attempt...     

CD133 suppression increases the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to paclitaxel

Molecular Biology Reports - One of the major barriers in cancer therapy is the resistance to conventional therapies and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are among the main causes of this problem. CD133 as...     

Olfactory response of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to untreated and Beauveria bassiana-treated Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Determination of attraction and avoidance behavior of predators is important in concomitant use of multiple natural enemies to control a pest. The olfactory response of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis was studied to odors related to Tetranychus urticae adults infected by Beauveria bassiana DEBI008 in 0, 24, 48 and 72 h intervals, both in absence and in presence of plants. In plant-present experiments, P. persimilis attraction was neither towards adults of T. urticae infected by 0.02 % Tween 80 (as control), nor to the ones infected by B. bassiana for 0 or 24 h, whereas significant attraction towards the control was observed when tested against T. urticae infected by B. bassiana for 48 or 72 h. In absence of plants, P. persimilis displayed significant avoidance of T. urticae infected by B. bassiana for 48 or 72 h, when their alternative option was 0.02 % Tween 80-infected T. urticae adults. These results indicate that P. persimilis can recognize the presence of B. bassiana and that the predator avoids the fungus. This suggests that the two natural enemy species can be used together in biological control programmes.     

Synthesis,cyclooxygenase inhibitory effects,and molecular modeling study of 4-aryl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-alkylthio and -2-alkylsulfonyl-1H-imidazole derivatives

A series of 4-aryl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-alkylthio and 2-alkylsulfonyl-1H-imidazole derivatives were synthesized. All compounds were tested in human blood assay to determine COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory potency and selectivity. Among the synthesized compounds, 2-alkylthio series were more potent and selective than 2-sulfonylalkyl derivatives. In molecular modeling, interaction of 2-sulfonylalkyl moiety with Arg120 in COX-1 and an extra hydrogen bond with Tyr341 in COX-2 increased the residence time of ligands in the active site in 2-sulfonylalkyl and 2-alkylthio analogs, respectively.     

Active‐Site Imprinting: Preparation of Fe–N–C Catalysts from Zinc Ion–Templated Ionothermal Nitrogen‐Doped Carbons

Atomically dispersed Fe–N–C catalysts are considered the most promising precious‐metal‐free alternative to state‐of‐the‐art Pt‐based oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells. The exceptional progress in the field of research in the last ≈30 years is currently limited by the moderate active site density that can be obtained. Behind this stands the dilemma of metastability of the desired FeN₄ sites at the high temperatures that are believed to be a requirement for their formation. It is herein shown that Zn²⁺ ions can be utilized in the novel concept of active‐site imprinting based on a pyrolytic template ion reaction throughout the formation of nitrogen‐doped carbons. As obtained atomically dispersed Zn–N–Cs comprising ZnN₄ sites as well as metal‐free N₄ sites can be utilized for the coordination of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions to form atomically dispersed Fe–N–C with Fe loadings as high as 3.12 wt%. The Fe–N–Cs are active electocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media with an onset potential of E₀ = 0.85 V versus RHE in 0.1 m HClO₄. Identical location atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging, as well as in situ electrochemical flow cell coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements, is employed to directly prove the concept of the active‐site imprinting approach.     

Therapeutic potency of oncolytic virotherapy–induced cancer stem cells targeting in brain tumors,current status,and perspectives

Brain tumors are the most common form of solid tumors in children and is presently a serious therapeutic challenge worldwide. Traditional treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy was shown to be unsuccessful in targeting brain tumor cancer stem cells (CSCs), leading to recurrent, treatment-resistant secondary malignancies. Oncolytic virotherapy (OV) is an effective antitumor therapeutic strategy which offers a novel, targeted approach for eradicating pediatric brain tumor CSCs by utilizing mechanisms of cell killing that differ from conventional therapies. A number of studies and some clinical trials have therefore investigated the effects of combined therapy of radiations or chemotherapies with oncolytic viruses which provide new insights regarding the effectiveness and improvement of treatment responses for brain cancer patients. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the therapeutic potency of OVs-induced CSCs targeting in the treatment of brain tumors for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.     

Telmisartan anti‐cancer activities mechanism through targeting N‐cadherin by mimicking ADH‐1 function

This study aimed to investigate if Telmisartan as a novel N‐cadherin antagonist, can overcome cell migration of cancer cells. We investigated the mechanism and influence of Docetaxel and Telmisartan (as an analogous to ADH‐1, which is a well‐known N‐cadherin antagonist) on cancer cells. The effect of ADH‐1 and Telmisartan on cell attachment in PC3, DU145, MDA‐MB‐468 cell lines using recombinant human N‐cadherin was studied. Cell viability assay was performed to examine the anti‐proliferative effects of Telmisartan, ADH‐1 and Docetaxel. Migration was examined via wound healing assay, and apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of AKT‐1 as a downstream gene of N‐cadherin signalling pathway was assayed by real‐time PCR. Treatment of PC3, MDA‐MB‐468 and DU145 cells with Telmisartan (0.1 µM) and ADH‐1 (40 µM) resulted in 50%, 58% and approximately 20% reduction in cell attachment to N‐cadherin coated plate respectively. It shows reduction of cell attachment in PC3 and MDA‐MB‐468 cell lines appeared to be more sensitive than that of DU145 cells to the Telmisartan and ADH‐1 treatments. Telmisartan (0.1 µM) and Docetaxel (0.01 nM) significantly reduced cell migration in PC3 and MDA‐MB‐468 cell lines compared with the control group. Using Real‐time PCR, we found that Telmisartan, Docetaxel and ADH‐1 had significant influence on the AKT‐1 mRNA level. The results of the current study for the first time suggest that, Telmisartan, exerts anti‐proliferation and anti‐migration effects by targeting antagonistically N‐cadherin. Also, these data suggest that Telmisartan as a less expensive alternative to ADH‐1 could potentiate Docetaxel anticancer effects.