Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z1</Emphasis> in an Iranian population

Genetic polymorphisms in gene encoding glutathione S-transferase Z1 (GSTZ1, a member of class zeta) have been defined. Previous studies have revealed that there was significant difference between populations for allelic frequency of several members of GSTs. In order to get more insight into the genetic structure of Iranian population the present study was done on Iranian Persian population who living in Shiraz (Fars province). The total study subjects consisted of 689 unrelated healthy individuals. Genetic polymorphisms for G-1002A, Glu32Lys and Gly42Arg of the GSTZ1 were detected by RFLP-PCR-based method. Allelic frequency of 32Lys, 42Arg, and −1002G was 0.2337, 0.0298 and 0.2184, respectively. The study population was at Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for the polymorphisms of GSTZ1. Based on the complete dataset, these polymorphisms show significant linkage disequilibrium. Iranian gene pool showed intermediate frequency for alleles and haplotypes of GSTZ1 polymorphisms in comparison with European and Asian countries, which confirmed our previous reports for other genetic polymorphisms.     

Epitope Prediction by Novel Immunoinformatics Approach: A State-of-the-art Review

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Immunoinformatics is a science that helps to create significant immunological information using bioinformatics softwares and...     

An in silico chimeric multi subunit vaccine targeting virulence factors of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) with its bacterial inbuilt adjuvant

Enteric infections resulting in diarrheal diseases remain as major global health problems. Among bacteria, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) causes the largest number of diarrheal cases. There is a great interest in developing an effective ETEC vaccine. An ETEC vaccine could focus on virulence factors present in ETEC pathogens and nontoxic Heat-labile B subunit (LTB). Chimeric proteins carrying epitopes, or adjuvant sequences increase the possibility of eliciting a broad cellular or humoral immune response. In-silico tools are highly suited to study, design and evaluate vaccine strategies. Colonization factors are among the virulence factor studied in the present work employing bioinformatic tools. A synthetic chimeric gene, encoding CfaB, CstH, CotA, and LTB was designed. Modeling was done to predict the 3D structure of protein. This model was validated using Ramachandran plot statistics. The predicted B-cell epitopes were mapped on the surface of the model. Validation result showed that 97.2% residues lie in favored or additional allowed region of Ramachandran plot. VaxiJen analysis of the protein showed high antigenicity. Linear and conformational B-cell epitopes were identified. The identified T-cell epitopes are apt to bind MHC molecules. The epitopes in the chimeric protein are likely to induce both the B-cell and T-cell mediated immune responses.     

Effects of cyclic stretch on proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation to smooth muscle cells

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types such as vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In this study, we investigated influence of cyclic stretch on proliferation of hMSCs for different loading conditions, alignment of actin filaments, and consequent differentiation to SMCs. Isolated cells from bone marrow were exposed to cyclic stretch utilizing a customized device. Cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay, alignment of actin fibers by a designed image processing code, and cell differentiation by fluorescence staining. Results indicated promoted proliferation of hMSCs by cyclic strain, enhanced by elevated strain amplitude and number of cycles. Such loading regulated smooth muscle α-actin, and reoriented actin fibers. Cyclic stretch led to differentiation of hMSCs to SMCs without addition of growth factor. It was concluded that applying appropriate loading treatment on hMSCs could enhance proliferation capability, and produce functional SMCs for engineered tissues.     

Assessment of the Health Risk Induced by Accumulated Heavy Metals from Anaerobic Digestion of Biological Sludge of the Lettuce

Biological Trace Element Research - Heavy metals are a group of pollutants in biological sludge. Many agencies regulated guidelines for heavy metal concentrations for various applications of sludge...     

Study of antifungal activities of seven essential oils from some Iranian medicinal plants against various postharvest phytopathogenic fungi

The aim of this study was to find the antifungal activities of seven essential oils from some Iranian medicinal plants that have maximum (100%) inhibition effect on the mycelium growth of postharvest phytopathogenic fungi. Among 20 examined species belonging to three families, only 7 species could stop the mycelium growth of phytopathogenic fungi. The selected plants include Trachyspermum ammi, Zataria multiflora Boiss., Satureia hortensis, Caryophillum aromaticus, Menthe piperita, Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi, and fungi include Aspergillus flavus, Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium italicum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium commune, Rhizopus stolonifer and Rhizopus lyococcus. The results showed that the essential oil of these plants could stop the mycelium growth at 500 ppm, but could not completely inhibit the spore germination, however reduced the spore germination to 80–90%. Among the fungi Rhizopus stolonifer and Rhizopus lyococcus are more resistant to the inhibition effects of essential oils. Among the plants, Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi were slightly weaker than other plants. Also except for Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi, the essential oils of other plants had fungicide effect while these two plants in most cases had fugistatic effect. The results showed that these essential oils can be used as an effective alternative control method.