Effects of Gamma Stress and Carbon Dioxide on Eight Bioactive Flavonoids and Photosynthetic Efficiency in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centella asiatica</Emphasis>

Increased atmospheric CO₂ and gamma irradiation have a significant impact on the plant photosynthetic apparatus and organic compound production. In this study, we evaluated the effect of elevated CO₂ on the photosynthetic efficiency and production of defensive secondary metabolites (flavonoids) induced by gamma irradiation as a physical elicitor in Centella asiatica. Irradiated and non-irradiated 10-week-old plants of C. asiatica were exposed to 400 and 800 μmol mol^?1 of atmospheric CO₂ in growth chambers for 2 h every day until six weeks. A CO₂-enriched atmosphere initially improved the photosynthetic efficiency and ameliorated the detrimental impact of gamma irradiation on the photosynthetic apparatus, increasing carbon allocation into the flavonoid pathway. Elevated CO₂ combined with gamma irradiation resulted in the highest concentration of flavonoids in C. asiatica tissues compared with the other treatments. There was an enhancement in rutin (2.49 fold), naringin (2.15 fold), fisetin (4.07 fold), and morin (4.62 fold) with rising CO₂ concentrations from 400 to 800 μmol mol^?1 in the irradiated plants. With increasing CO₂ concentration, the compensation point and the respiration declined, whereas the apparent quantum yield and the maximum net photosynthesis (A _max) rate increased. The efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) was improved in the irradiated plants grown under high concentrations of CO₂. The total carbohydrate concentration reached the maximum value at the highest level of CO₂, followed by gamma irradiation combined with the highest level of CO₂. Irradiated plants of C. asiatica grown under elevated CO₂ could be superior to non-irradiated plants due to increased carbon availability both for the flavonoid biosynthesis and for the photosynthetic pathway.     

Effect of low‐level laser therapy and oxytocin on osteoporotic bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP) is a major concern for public health. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) has a positive effect on the health of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of LLLT and oxytocin (OT) incubation—individually and in combination—on osteoporotic BMMSCs in ovariectomized rats. Twelve female rats were randomized into two groups to undergo either a sham surgery (sham group) or ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis (OVX group). MSCs harvested from the BM of healthy and OVX rats underwent culture expansion. There were five groups. In Groups one (sham‐BMMSC) and two (OVX‐BMMSC) the cells were held in osteogenic condition medium without any intervention. In the group three (OT), OT incubation with optimum dose was performed for 48 h (two times, 10^?12 molar). In Group four, laser‐treated‐OVX‐BMMSCs were treated with optimum protocol of LLLT (one time, 1.2 J/cm²). In Group five (laser + OT group), the OT incubation plus the laser irradiation was performed. The biostimulatory effect of LLLT is demonstrated by a significant increase in the viability of OVX‐BMMSCs, cell cycle, and extracellular levels of Transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to control OVX‐BMMSCs and/or the sham group. OT incubation and laser + OT incubation have a positive effect on OVX‐BMMSCs. However, LLLT is more effective statistically. We conclude that LLLT significantly improved cell viability, enhanced the osteogenic potential of the OVX‐BMMSCs, and increased the extracellular levels of the TGF‐β, IGF‐I, and ALP.     

Zataria multiflora would attenuate the hepatotoxicity of long-term albendazole treatment in mice with cystic echinococcosis

Hepatic injury is the major limitation of long-term albendazole administration in patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE), which could give rise to cessation of treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of Zataria multiflora aromatic water (AW) against the hepatic injury induced by long-term albendazole treatment in mice with CE. Fifty healthy BALB/c female mice were infected intraperitoneally by injection of 1500 protoscoleces per animal. Five months after infection, the infected animals were divided into five treatment groups including Z. multiflora (40 ml/l in drinking water for 90 days), albendazole (200 mg/kg/day for 90 days), Z. multiflora + albendazole 200 (40 ml/l Z. multiflora and 200 mg/kg/day albendazole for 90 days), Z. multiflora + albendazole100 (40 ml/l Z. multiflora and 100 mg/kg/day albendazole for 90 days), and untreated (control) group. At the end of the treatment period, anesthesia was performed and blood samples were collected directly from the heart prior to euthanasia. Liver variables and oxidative stress markers were measured in the blood serum samples. A decrease in serum liver enzyme activity in the both Z. multiflora + albendazole groups was observed when compared to control, Z. multiflora and albendazole groups; however, the results for Z. multiflora + albendazole 100 were significant (p < 0.007) and superior compared to those for Z. multiflora + albendazole 200. No significant differences for oxidative stress markers were observed between the different groups. The results of the present study revealed that a combined therapy with Z. multiflora AW and albendazole is effective against hepatic injury induced by CE and/or long term albendazole administration in mice with cystic echinococcosis.     

Non-invasive in vivo measurement of the shear modulus of human vocal fold tissue

Voice is the essential part of singing and speech communication. Voice disorders significantly affect the quality of life. The viscoelastic mechanical properties of the vocal fold mucosa determine the characteristics of the vocal folds oscillations, and thereby voice quality. In the present study, a non-invasive method was developed to determine the shear modulus of human vocal fold tissue in vivo via measurements of the mucosal wave propagation speed during phonation. Images of four human subjects' vocal folds were captured using high speed digital imaging (HSDI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for different phonation pitches, specifically fundamental frequencies between 110 and 440 Hz. The MRI images were used to obtain the morphometric dimensions of each subject's vocal folds in order to determine the pixel size in the high-speed images. The mucosal wave propagation speed was determined for each subject and at each pitch value using an automated image processing algorithm. The transverse shear modulus of the vocal fold mucosa was then calculated from a surface (Rayleigh) wave propagation dispersion equation using the measured wave speeds. It was found that the mucosal wave propagation speed and therefore the shear modulus of the vocal fold tissue were generally greater at higher pitches. The results were in good agreement with those from other studies obtained via in vitro measurements, thereby supporting the validity of the proposed measurement method. This method offers the potential for in vivo clinical assessments of vocal folds viscoelasticity from HSDI.     

A Review of the Role of ERp57 in Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Cell Physiology and its Potential as a Therapeutic Target

The protein ERp57 is a stress-responsive protein, mainly exists in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and a small amount in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus and mitochondria, which is involved in the signal transduction from the cell surface, the regulation process that occurs in the nucleus, and the formation of polymer protein complexes involved in DNA repair. Various degrees of ERp57 dysregulation has been observed in many types of non-communicable diseases especially in cancers. Previous studies showed that the expression of ERp57 could play a key role in occurrence and development of cancers such as breast cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.; in addition, it has been suggested to play a pivotal role in disease progression of non-cancerous diseases such as neurodegeneration, liver disease, kidney disease, intestinal irritability syndrome and airway hypersensitivity. Thus, abnormal expression of ERp57 could be used as promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis based on the previous studies. In this regard, current study was aimed to review the literature, which have been elucidate the role of ERp57 protein expression in both non-cancer and cancer disease. Overall, most studies have shown that inhibiting/knocking out of ERp57 could inhibit the cell proliferation and also induce apoptosis in both human cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Also, it has been suggested that the overexpression of ERp57 could intensify the cancer development. Therefore, it could be hypothesized that targeting of ERp57 might be a potential treatment in cancerous and non-cancerous diseases.     

Calcium and Vitamin D Status in Heart Failure Patients in Isfahan, Iran

Both calcium and vitamin D play important roles in cardiac muscle contraction and performance. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the status of serum calcium, PTH and 25(OH)D₃ and their correlation with left ventricular Function and NYHA Functional class in 95 heart failure patients referred to Shahid Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, by colorimetric, immunoradiometric, and Immunochemiluminescent assays, echocardiography and interview respectively. The study was performed between Oct 2007 and Feb 2008. Twenty eight women and 67 men of functional classes 1, 2, or 3 participated in the study. Mean (SD) of age of the participants was 62(11)?years. Mean (SD) serum calcium and 25(OH)D₃ were 2.41(0.16)?mmol/L and 56.78(51.33)?nmol/L, respectively. The overall prevalence of low vitamin D status was 84.2%. There was no correlation between serum calcium and 25(OH)D₃ with LVEF. Interestingly, patients with hyperparathyroidism (serum PTH>65 ng/L) had lower LVEF (27% versus 32.5% p?=?0.03). NYHA functional class was worse in patients with hyperparathyroidism (p?=?0.08). Hypovitaminosis D is very prevalent in heart failure patients. Hyperparathyroidism in these patients may adversely affect cardiac function. Vitamin D3 might serve as an adjunctive treatment for heart failure patients.     

Improved Intraoperative Visualization of Nerves through a Myelin-Binding Fluorophore and Dual-Mode Laparoscopic Imaging

The ability to visualize and spare nerves during surgery is critical for avoiding chronic morbidity, pain, and loss of function. Visualization of such critical anatomic structures is even more challenging during minimal access procedures because the small incisions limit visibility. In this study, we focus on improving imaging of nerves through the use of a new small molecule fluorophore, GE3126, used in conjunction with our dual-mode (color and fluorescence) laparoscopic imaging instrument. GE3126 has higher aqueous solubility, improved pharmacokinetics, and reduced non-specific adipose tissue fluorescence compared to previous myelin-binding fluorophores. Dosing and kinetics were initially optimized in mice. A non-clinical modified Irwin study in rats, performed to assess the potential of GE3126 to induce nervous system injuries, showed the absence of major adverse reactions. Real-time intraoperative imaging was performed in a porcine model. Compared to white light imaging, nerve visibility was enhanced under fluorescence guidance, especially for small diameter nerves obscured by fascia, blood vessels, or adipose tissue. In the porcine model, nerve visualization was observed rapidly, within 5 to 10 minutes post-intravenous injection and the nerve fluorescence signal was maintained for up to 80 minutes. The use of GE3126, coupled with practical implementation of an imaging instrument may be an important step forward in preventing nerve damage in the operating room.     

DNA base compositions and photoreactivation capabilities of six Hansenula species

The DNA base compositions and photoreactivable sectors of six species of Hansenula were determined. The G+C ratios revealed two groups; the first had values of 38 to 44% and the second had lower values of 32–36%. Hansenula muscicola could not repair the UV-induced damage; whereas, H. dryadoides, H. lynferdii, H. ofunaensis, H. philodendra and H. sydowiorum could do so.