Effect of exposure to extremely low electro-magnetic field during prenatal period on mice spleen

Total body weight of newborns, the volume of spleen, and the number of megakaryocytes decreased following the exposure to ELF-MF (6 x 10(-3) T and 50 Hz) at 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20 days of pregnancy of mice. The complete period of gestation was sensitive to ELF-MF exposure; the initial days were more prone to exposure. The results suggest that the use of ELF-MF producing instruments should be limited during gestation.     

Geometrical correlations in the nucleosomal DNA conformation and the role of the covalent bonds rigidity

We develop a simple elastic model to study the conformation of DNA in the nucleosome core particle. In this model, the changes in the energy of the covalent bonds that connect the base pairs of each strand of the DNA double helix, as well as the lateral displacements and the rotation of adjacent base pairs are considered. We show that because of the rigidity of the covalent bonds in the sugar-phosphate backbones, the base pair parameters are highly correlated, especially, strong twist-roll-slide correlation in the conformation of the nucleosomal DNA is vividly observed in the calculated results. This simple model succeeds to account for the detailed features of the structure of the nucleosomal DNA, particularly, its more important base pair parameters, roll and slide, in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Effects of the exogenous application of auxin and cytokinin on carbohydrate accumulation in grains of rice under salt stress

Phytohormones, such as auxin and cytokinin, are known to be involved in the regulation of plant responses to salinity stress and counteract the adverse effect of stress conditions. This work investigated the effects of the exogenous spraying of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and kinetin (KIN) during the reproductive phase on grain yield by examining the 1000-grain weight and filled-grain percentage as well as the changes in starch, total soluble sugars, sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations in the grains of two rice cultivars under salt stress. The results indicated that the applied IAA and KIN led to an increased grain yield, 1000-grain weight and filled-grain percentage for both rice cultivars under salt stress. The storage starch content in the grain of the salt-sensitive cultivar was more than that in the salt-tolerant cultivar under IAA application compared with KIN, whereas a decrease in the total soluble sugar content was observed with both IAA and KIN treatments, in comparison to the non-hormone treatment. Interestingly, this study showed that IAA led to a much higher increase in the sucrose content in grain, as compared to the KIN. Furthermore, this experiment suggests that glucose and fructose may play important roles during salt stress because there were clearly higher concentrations of these sugars in the grain of the stressed cultivars under IAA and KIN application: it appears that their accumulation was the earliest response detected during the grain-filling period in rice. Finally, this work indicated that an increase in the rice grain yield, 1000-grain weight and filled-grain percentage are associated with an increase in the contents of starch, sucrose, glucose and fructose in grain caused by the application of IAA and KIN.     

Isolation of adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells without tissue destruction: A non-enzymatic method

The conventional enzymatic method is widely used for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolation from adipose tissue. The method holds major drawbacks; it is costly, time-consuming and results in a heterogeneous cell population. Besides, digestion of extracellular matrix causes cell injury and compromise proliferation and differentiation of the cells. Also, because of over handling the samples are also prone to contamination. Here, we introduce a non-enzymatic method for MSCs isolation without disturbing the cells habitat. Small pieces of adipose tissue obtained from animal or human liposuction were explanted into a culture flask, immobilized by fetal bovine serum (FBS) and incubated overnight. The explants were then irrigated with DMEM containing FBS. Within few days, the fibroblast-like cells migrated from the tissue and proliferated rapidly. When subconfluent, the cells were harvested, expanded through 3 passages and used for immunophenotyping and differentiation assays. As judged by flow cytometric analysis of surface markers (CD44⁺, CD105⁺, CD34⁻, CD45⁻), Oil Red O and Alizarin Red staining, the MSCs isolated by our non-enzymatic method were pluripotent and exhibited the potential for differentiation into adipocyte and osteoblast. Great isolation yields, homogeneity of isolated cells, brief procedure, and high economy are the advantages of our method over the conventional protocol.     

Dunnione protects against experimental cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by modulating NQO1 and NAD+ levels

Despite being an efficacious anticancer agent, the clinical utility of cisplatin is hindered by its cardinal side effects. This investigation aimed to appraise potential protective impact of dunnione, a natural naphthoquinone pigment with established NQO1 stimulatory effects, on cisplatin nephrotoxicity of rats. Dunnione was administered orally at 10 and 20?mg/kg doses for 4 d and a single injection of cisplatin was delivered at the second day. Renal histopathology, inflammatory/oxidative stress/apoptotic markers, kidney function, and urinary markers of renal injury were assessed. Dunnione repressed cisplatin-induced inflammation in the kidneys as indicated by decreased TNF-α/IL-1β levels, and reduced nuclear phosphorylated NF-κB p65. This agent also obviated cisplatin-invoked oxidative stress as elucidated by decreased MDA/GSH levels and increased SOD/CAT activities. Dunnione, furthermore, improved renal histological deteriorations as well as caspase-3 activities and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TUNEL) positive cells, the indicators of apoptosis. Moreover, it up-regulated nuclear Nrf2 and cytosolic haeme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NQO1 levels; meanwhile, promoted NAD⁺/NADH ratios followed by enhancing the activities of Sirt1 and PARP1; and further attenuated nuclear acetylated NF-κB p65. Dunnione additionally declined cisplatin-evoked retrogression in renal function and upraise in urinary markers of glomerular and tubular injury as demonstrated by decreased serum urea and creatinine with simultaneous reductions in urinary excretions of collagen type IV, podocin, cystatin C, and retinol-binding protein (RBP). Altogether, these findings offer dunnione as a potential protective agent against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.     

Prognostic Significance of Substance P and Neurokinin-1 Receptor in Bladder Cancer

Background:Bladder cancer is one of the most common genitourinary cancers with significant mortality. Finding reliable tumor markers and potential drug targets can improve early diagnosis, prognosis, and more effective therapeutic protocols. Previous studies have reported the involvement of the substance P (SP)/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) system in cancers. The potential prognostic role and the interaction of SP and NK-1R in bladder tumor are yet to be elucidated.Methods:Serum samples from 22 primarily diagnosed patients with bladder cancer as well as 22 healthy controls were examined for SP level using ELISA method. Tissue distribution of NK-1R in tumor samples and their adjacent normal tissues was evaluated through immunohistochemistry.Results:Serum SP levels in patients with bladder cancer were higher than the healthy group (p< 0.001) and had a significant correlation with NK-1R staining intensity (p< 0.001), percentage of stained cells (p< 0.001), and NK-1R tissue distribution. Also, the immunoreactivity of NK-1R in cancer samples increased significantly without correlation with tumor characteristics. However, no significant association was found between SP and NK-1R levels with clinical characteristics including tumor size (p= 0.33), tumor stage (p= 0.29), grade (p= 0.93), NK-1R staining intensity (p= 0.53), and percentage of stained cells (p= 0.32).DiscussionAccording to our findings, despite the lack of association between SP and NK-1R with clinical characteristics of bladder cancer, their serum levels were higher in patients with bladder cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential prognostic role of SP and NK-1R in bladder cancer.Key Words: Biomarker, Bladder cancer, Neurokinin-1 receptor, Substance P, Prognosis     

Metabolomic Profiles of Body Mass Index in the Framingham Heart Study Reveal Distinct Cardiometabolic Phenotypes

Background

Although obesity and cardiometabolic traits commonly overlap, underlying pathways remain incompletely defined. The association of metabolite profiles across multiple cardiometabolic traits may lend insights into the interaction of obesity and metabolic health. We sought to investigate metabolic signatures of obesity and related cardiometabolic traits in the community using broad-based metabolomic profiling.

Methods and Results

We evaluated the association of 217 assayed metabolites and cross-sectional as well as longitudinal changes in cardiometabolic traits among 2,383 Framingham Offspring cohort participants. Body mass index (BMI) was associated with 69 of 217 metabolites (P<0.00023 for all), including aromatic (tyrosine, phenylalanine) and branched chain amino acids (valine, isoleucine, leucine). Additional metabolic pathways associated with BMI included the citric acid cycle (isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, aconitate), the tryptophan pathway (kynurenine, kynurenic acid), and the urea cycle. There was considerable overlap in metabolite profiles between BMI, abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance [IR] and dyslipidemia, modest overlap of metabolite profiles between BMI and hyperglycemia, and little overlap with fasting glucose or elevated blood pressure. Metabolite profiles were associated with longitudinal changes in fasting glucose, but the involved metabolites (ornithine, 5-HIAA, aminoadipic acid, isoleucine, cotinine) were distinct from those associated with baseline glucose or other traits. Obesity status appeared to “modify” the association of 9 metabolites with IR. For example, bile acid metabolites were strongly associated with IR among obese but not lean individuals, whereas isoleucine had a stronger association with IR in lean individuals.

Conclusions

In this large-scale metabolite profiling study, body mass index was associated with a broad range of metabolic alterations. Metabolite profiling highlighted considerable overlap with abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, but not with fasting glucose or blood pressure traits.     

Impacts of epidural electrical stimulation on Wnt signaling,FAAH, and BDNF following thoracic spinal cord injury in rat

Electrical stimulation (ES) has been shown to improve some of impairments after spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The Wnt signaling pathways and the endocannabinoid system appear to be modulated in response to SCI. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ES therapy on the activity of canonical/noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which regulate endocannabinoids levels. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (a) Sham, (b) laminectomy + epidural subthreshold ES, (c) SCI, and (d) SCI + epidural subthreshold ES. A moderate contusion SCI was performed at the thoracic level (T10). Epidural subthreshold ES was delivered to upper the level of T10 segment every day (1 hr/rat) for 2 weeks. Then, animals were killed and immunoblotting was used to assess spinal cord parameters. Results revealed that ES intervention for 14 days could significantly increase wingless-type3 (Wnt3), Wnt7, β-catenin, Nestin, and cyclin D1 levels, as well as phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β and Jun N-terminal kinase. Additionally, SCI reduced BDNF and FAAH levels, and ES increased BDNF and FAAH levels in the injury site. We propose that ES therapy may improve some of impairments after SCI through Wnt signaling pathways. Outcomes also suggest that BDNF and FAAH are important players in the beneficial impacts of ES therapy. However, the precise mechanism of BDNF, FAAH, and Wnt signaling pathways on SCI requires further investigation.     

Molecular Detection of Campylobacter Species: Comparision of 16SrRNA with slyD,cadF, rpoA,and dnaJ Sequencing

Background: Campylobacter spp. are the main cause of human gastroenteritis. The 16SrRNA sequencing is one of fast molecualr method to detect this fastidious. In this study, we compared the sequencing of 16srRNA genewith four housekeeping genestodetect Campylobacter spp. in patients with diarrhea and healthy people.Methods:60 samples of Campylobacter DNA extracted from stool samples of 30 patients with diarrhea and 30 healthy people were used. In order to detect Campylobacter, we designed primers for proliferation of 16SrRNA, cadF, dnaJ, slyD , and rpoA genes using Primer 3, Mega 4.0 and Blast software. Then the PCR products were sequenced using ABI system.Results:The sequencing showed concordance of PCR-products with deposited sequences in the Gene Bank. Among diarrhea patients, 53.3% of samples were significantly (p< 0.05) positive for slyD and cadF genes and 50% of samples were positive using 16SrRNA, rpoA, and dnaJ genes by PCR assay. The average of sensitivity and specificity were found 53.33% and 83.33%, respectively.Conclusion:Due to various copies of repeated sequences of 16SrRNA gene, analyzing its amplicons on electrophoresis may be more difficult than the slyD and cadF genes. According to our results, among the 5 studied genes; the highest detection rate was related to slyD and cadF genes. Although, dnaJ and rpoA genes,instead of 16SrRNA gene, can be considered as appropriate genes for molecular detection of Campylobacter bacteria.