The Footprints of Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Impairment in Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Testosterone Release Suppression in Pubertal and Mature F1-Male Balb/c Mice via the Downregulation of 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD,and CYP11a Expression

Biological Trace Element Research - Exposure to arsenic (AS) causes abnormalities in the reproductive system; however, the precise cellular pathway of AS toxicity on steroidogenesis in developing...     

Glypican-3 targeting of liver cancer cells using multifunctional nanoparticles

Imaging is essential in accurately detecting, staging, and treating primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]), one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies. We developed a novel multifunctional nanoparticle (NP) specifically targeting glypican-3 (GPC3), a proteoglycan implicated in promotion of cell growth that is overexpressed in most HCCs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm the differential GPC3 expression in two human HCC cells, Hep G2 (high) and HLF (negligible). These cells were treated with biotin-conjugated GPC3 monoclonal antibody (αGPC3) and subsequently targeted using superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs conjugated to streptavidin and Alexa Fluor 647. Flow cytometry demonstrated that only GPC3-expressing Hep G2 cells were specifically targeted using this αGPC3-NP conjugate (fourfold mean fluorescence over nontargeted NP), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments showed similar findings (threefold R2 relaxivity). Confocal fluorescence microscopy localized the αGPC3 NPs only to the cell surface of GPC3-expressing Hep G2 cells. Further characterization of this construct demonstrated a negatively charged, monodisperse, 50 nm NP, ideally suited for tumor targeting. This GPC3-specific NP system, with dual-modality imaging capability, may enhance pretreatment MRI, enable refined intraoperative HCC visualization by near-infrared fluorescence, and be potentially used as a carrier for delivery of tumor-targeted therapies, improving patient outcomes.     

Rapid proteomic remodeling of cardiac tissue caused by total body ionizing radiation

Accidental nuclear scenarios lead to environmental contamination of unknown level. Immediate radiation‐induced biological responses that trigger processes leading to adverse health effects decades later are not well understood. A comprehensive proteomic analysis provides a promising means to identify and quantify the initial damage after radiation exposure. Early changes in the cardiac tissue of C57BL/6 mice exposed to total body irradiation were studied, using a dose relevant to both intentional and accidental exposure (3 Gy gamma ray). Heart tissue protein lysates were analyzed 5 and 24 h after the exposure using isotope‐coded protein labeling (ICPL) and 2‐dimensional difference‐in‐gel‐electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) proteomics approaches. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC‐ESI‐MS‐MS. Both techniques showed similar functional groups of proteins to be involved in the initial injury. Pathway analyses indicated that total body irradiation immediately induced biological responses such as inflammation, antioxidative defense, and reorganization of structural proteins. Mitochondrial proteins represented the protein class most sensitive to ionizing radiation. The proteins involved in the initial damage processes map to several functional categories involving cardiotoxicity. This prompts us to propose that these early changes are indicative of the processes that lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease after radiation exposure.     

Anion–π interactions: CP-corrected vs. standard optimisation,AIM and NBO analyses

The anion–π interactions between Br^? , Cl^? , F^?  and H^?  anions and hexafluorobenzene (HFB), 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCB) and tetracyanopyrazine (TCP) have been studied by standard and counterpoise (CP) corrected methods at HF, B3LYP and MP2/6-31+ + G (d,p) levels of theory. The complexation energies were corrected for basis set superposition error (ΔE _BSSE) and zero point energy (ΔE _BSSE + ZPE). Also, the B3LYP results were corrected by single-point calculation at B3LYP/aug-cc-PVTZ level of theory. Although the CP-corrected method results in higher distances between anions and rings, the standard method gives lower complexation energies. TCP…X^?  series gives higher complexation energies in both CP-corrected and standard methods. Topological analysis of the charge density ρ(r) has been performed by the means of atoms in molecules method on the wave functions obtained at MP2/6-31+ + G (d,p) level of theory. The number and the nature of critical points depend on aromatic ring and anion. Natural bond orbital analysis indicates that n_X → π*_CC and n_X → π*_CN interactions are the most important interactions for TCB (and HFB)…X^?  and TCP…X^?  complexes, respectively.     

Effect of lemon essential oil on the developmental stages of Trialeurodes vaporariorum West (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), is a destructive pest of many ornamental and greenhouse crops throughout the world. In this research, effect of essential oil derived from lemon peel, Citrus aurantifolia (Hook.) on mortality of eggs, first-instar nymphs and on adult oviposition of T. vaporariorum (Westwood) was determined under laboratory conditions. Analysis of Citrus aurantifolia essential oil used for insect fumigation by phase gas chromatography revealed the presence of 16 compounds including Limonene (56.6%), β-pinene (16.3%) and α-terpineol (11.3%). Five concentrations of essential oil – 0.002, 0.004, 0.008, 0.016 and 0.032 (μl/ml) – were applied in fumigant toxicity experiments. Greater mortality was observed with increasing dose of essential oil. First-instar nymphs were more sensitive to essential oil treatments compared with eggs and adults that reduced the survival rate of T. vaporariorum by 58, 70 and 56% after treatment of eggs, nymphs and adult, respectively. Based on this study, essential oil derived from C. aurantifolia could be used as an effective and environmentally sustainable bioinsecticide for the control of T. vaporariorum.     

Mobile blood collection sites and their roles in providing safe and adequate supply: A six-year experience

Background

The determination of the role of mobile sites, as compared with fixed sites, in providing safe blood supply will help with the planning of future programs.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study was carried out at the Khuzestan Blood Transfusion Organization from 2007 to 2012. Samples of the blood collected at mobile sites and fixed sites were compared. Comparisons took into consideration noticeable trends as well as the prevalence of major TTIs including HIV, HBV and HCV.

Results

The total number of blood donations from 2007 to 2012 was 621117 out of which 89590 (14.43%) were collected from mobile sites. The overall blood donation index was estimated at 23.8 per 1000 population. The prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in mobile site donations was 5.31, 320.34 and 117.4, and in fixed sites was 5.31, 214.72 and 104.83 per 100000 donations respectively. HBV prevalence in mobile sites was significantly higher than in fixed sites (p = 0.014).

Conclusion

The blood donation index in Khuzestan province is much better when compared with areas of similar socioeconomic status as well as neighboring countries. The allotment of blood units collected by mobile teams is lower than that of national reports. In addition, the prevalence of TTIs in mobile site blood donations was higher than at fixed sites.