The polythiophene molecular segment as a sensor model for H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,HCN, NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>, SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S: a density functional theory study

Studying the interaction of some atmospheric gases (H₂O, HCN, NH₃, SO₃ and H₂S) with 3PT oligomers is important in the development of polymeric sensors for gas detection. In the present study, we studied the relaxed geometries, interaction energies, charge analysis, HOMO–LUMO orbital analysis, and UV–vis spectra of all interacted systems using first-principles density functional theory (DFT). All these analyses indicated the potential of polythiophene as an inexpensive polymeric sensor for the analytes mentioned. Interaction energy values of ?19.90, ?19.66, ?14.01, ?8.70, and ?4.76 kJ mol^?1 were achieved for adsorption of SO₃, H₂O, NH₃, HCN, and H₂S on 3PT, respectively. Consequently, clarification of their physical parameters became the major focus of this study.     

Enhancement of osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells by PRP modified nanofibrous scaffold

Recent developments in bone tissue engineering have paved the way for more efficient and cost-effective strategies. Additionally, utilization of autologous sources has been considered very desirable and is increasingly growing. Recently, activated platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been widely used in the field of bone tissue engineering, since it harbours a huge number of growth factors that can enhance osteogenesis and bone regeneration. In the present study, the osteogenic effects of PRP coated nanofibrous PES/PVA scaffolds on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells have been investigated. Common osteogenic markers were assayed by real time PCR. Alkaline phosphate activity, calcium deposition and Alizarin red staining assays were performed as well. The results revealed that the highest osteogenic differentiation occurred when cells were cultured on PRP coated PES/PVA scaffolds. Interestingly, direct application of PRP to culture media had no additive effects on osteogenesis of cells cultured on PRP coated PES/PVA scaffolds or those receiving typical osteogenic factors. The highest osteogenic effects were achieved by the simplest and most cost-effective method, i.e. merely by using PRP coated scaffolds. PRP coated PES/PVA scaffolds can maximally induce osteogenesis with no need for extrinsic factors. The major contribution of this paper to the current researches on bone regeneration is to suggest an easy, cost-effective approach to enhance osteogenesis via PRP coated scaffolds, with no additional external growth factors.     

Hybrid poly-l-lactic acid/poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibrous scaffold can improve biochemical and molecular markers of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells

A suitable alternative strategy for liver transplantation is the use of nanofibrous scaffolds together with stem cells. In this study, a random hybrid of poly-l -lactic acid (PLLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was used as a three-dimensional (3D) culture for differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells and compared with routine culture (two-dimensional [2D]). The expression of the endodermal marker, forkhead box A2 (FOXA2), was assessed on Day 3 and the hepatic markers; albumin (ALB), α-1 antitrypsin (AAT), and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) were evaluated on Day 18 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR. As well as, ALB, α-fetoprotein (AFP), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake were evaluated using immunocytochemistry; moreover, periodic acid-Schiff and Oil Red were done by cell staining. In addition, AFP and urea production were evaluated by chemiluminescence and colorimetric assays. Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed changes in the cells in 2D and 3D models. The gene expression of hepatic markers was significantly higher in the 3D cultures. In addition, immunocytochemistry and cell staining showed that ALB, AFP, LDL-uptake, periodic acid-Schiff, and Oil Red were expressed in both cells derived on 2D and 3D. Furthermore, the evaluation of AFP and urea secretion was significantly different between 2D and 3D strategies. These findings suggest that functionally cells cultured on a PLLA/PCL scaffold may be suitable for cell therapy and regenerative medicine.     

Inhibition of NETosis for treatment purposes: friend or foe?

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Active neutrophils participate in innate and adaptive immune responses through various mechanisms, one of the most important of which is the formation and...     

Phylogeography of Potamon ibericum (Brachyura: Potamidae) identifies Quaternary glacial refugia within the Caucasus biodiversity hot spot

Refugia are critical for the maintenance of biodiversity during the periods of Quaternary climatic oscillations. The long‐term persistence of refugial populations in a large continuous refugium has resulted in a homogenous pattern of genetic structure among populations, while highly structured evolutionary lineages characterize the restriction of refugial populations to smaller subrefugia. These mechanisms have resulted in the identification of hot spots of biodiversity within putative glacial refugia. We studied phylogeography of Potamon ibericum (Brachyura: Potamidae) in the drainages of the western Caucasus biodiversity hot spot (i.e., Colchis and the Caucasus) to infer spatial genetic structure and potential refugia for a freshwater crab in this region. These areas have traditionally considered as a refugium due to the presence of Tertiary relict species. We integrated population genetic data and historical demographic analysis from cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences and paleoclimatic data from species distribution modeling (SDM). The results revealed the lack of phylogeographic structure and provided evidence for demographic expansion. The SDM presented a rather homogenous and large refugium that extended from northeast Turkey to Colchis during the last glacial period. In contrast to these findings, previous phylogeographic study on P. ibericum of the eastern Caucasus biodiversity hot spot (i.e., Hyrcania) identified multiple independent refugia. By combining these results, we explain the significance of this important western Palearctic hot spot of biological diversity in shaping the geographic distribution of intraspecific genetic diversity in a freshwater taxon.     

Comparative analysis of the MyTH4-FERM myosins reveals insights into the determinants of actin track selection in polarized epithelia

MyTH4-FERM (MF) myosins evolved to play a role in the creation and function of a variety of actin-based membrane protrusions that extend from cells. Here we performed an analysis of the MF myosins, Myo7A, Myo7B, and Myo10, to gain insight into how they select for their preferred actin networks. Using enterocytes that create spatially separated actin tracks in the form of apical microvilli and basal filopodia, we show that actin track selection is principally guided by the mode of oligomerization of the myosin along with the identity of the motor domain, with little influence from the specific composition of the lever arm. Chimeric variants of Myo7A and Myo7B fused to a leucine zipper parallel dimerization sequence in place of their native tails both selected apical microvilli as their tracks, while a truncated Myo10 used its native antiparallel coiled-coil to traffic to the tips of filopodia. Swapping lever arms between the Class 7 and 10 myosins did not change actin track preference. Surprisingly, fusing the motor-neck region of Myo10 to a leucine zipper or oligomerization sequences derived from the Myo7A and Myo7B cargo proteins USH1G and ANKS4B, respectively, re-encoded the actin track usage of Myo10 to apical microvilli with significant efficiency.     

A better understanding of the role of the CTLA–CD80/86 axis in the treatment of autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which the regulatory mechanisms of the immune response are disturbed. As a result, the body loses self-tolerance. Since one of the main regulatory mechanisms of the immune response is the CTLA4–CD80/86 axis, this hypothesis suggests that autoimmune diseases potentially share a similar molecular basis of pathogenesis. Hence, investigating the CTLA4–CD80/86 axis may be helpful in finding an appropriate treatment strategy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the molecular basis of the CTLA4–CD80/86 axis in the regulation of the immune response, and then its role in developing some autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. As well, the main therapeutic strategies affecting the CTLA4–CD80/86 axis have been summarized to highlight the importance of this axis in management of autoimmune diseases.     

PVT1 and ZFAS1 lncRNAs expressions and their biomarker value in gastric cancer tissue sampling among Iranian population

Molecular Biology Reports - lncRNAs are modulatory factors with critical function in the tumorigenesis pathways, introducing them as promising therapeutic and diagnostic biomarkers for different...