Chemical constituents of Euphorbia marschalliana Boiss

Acetone extract of aerial parts of Euphorbia marschalliana collected from Iran has been subjected to different chromatography techniques for fractionation and purification. The stereo-structures of the myrsinol esters 15-O-acetyl-3-O-propionyl-5-O-butanoyl-7-O-nicotinoylmyrsinol (1) and 15-O-acetyl-3,5-O-dibutanoyl-7-O-nicotinoylmyrsinol (2) have been probed using ROESY spectroscopy and modified for the stereochemistry at C-6, C-12 and C-13. Beta-sitosterol (3), 29-norcycloart-5-ene (4), 5,8-lanostadiene-3beta-ol (5), 3beta,24(S),25-trihydroxycycloartane (6), 3beta,24(R),25-trihydroxycycloartane (7) and 24-methylenecycloartan-3beta-ol (8) were identified for the first time in this plant.     

The BRG1 chromatin remodeler protects against ovarian cysts, uterine tumors, and mammary tumors in a lineage-specific manner

The BRG1 catalytic subunit of SWI/SNF-related complexes is required for mammalian development as exemplified by the early embryonic lethality of Brg1 null homozygous mice. BRG1 is also a tumor suppressor and, in mice, 10% of heterozygous (Brg1(null/+)) females develop mammary tumors. We now demonstrate that BRG1 mRNA and protein are expressed in both the luminal and basal cells of the mammary gland, raising the question of which lineage requires BRG1 to promote mammary homeostasis and prevent oncogenic transformation. To investigate this question, we utilized Wap-Cre to mutate both Brg1 floxed alleles in the luminal cells of the mammary epithelium of pregnant mice where WAP is exclusively expressed within the mammary gland. Interestingly, we found that Brg1(Wap-Cre) conditional homozygotes lactated normally and did not develop mammary tumors even when they were maintained on a Brm-deficient background. However, Brg1(Wap-Cre) mutants did develop ovarian cysts and uterine tumors. Analysis of these latter tissues showed that both, like the mammary gland, contain cells that normally express Brg1 and Wap. Thus, tumor formation in Brg1 mutant mice appears to be confined to particular cell types that require BRG1 and also express Wap. Our results now show that such cells exist both in the ovary and the uterus but not in either the luminal or the basal compartments of the mammary gland. Taken together, these findings indicate that SWI/SNF-related complexes are dispensable in the luminal cells of the mammary gland and therefore argue against the notion that SWI/SNF-related complexes are essential for cell survival. These findings also suggest that the tumor-suppressor activity of BRG1 is restricted to the basal cells of the mammary gland and demonstrate that this function extends to other female reproductive organs, consistent with recent observations of recurrent ARID1A/BAF250a mutations in human ovarian and endometrial tumors.     

Morphology and mechanics of chondroid cells from human adipose-derived Stem cells detected by atomic force microscopy

Chondroid cell from human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) has emerged as an alternative treatment option for articular cartilage defects. Herein, we successfully compared ADSCs, normal chondrocytes, and chondroid cells. The comparative study of ADSCs and chondroid cells revealed type II collagen (COL II) and glycosaminoglycans expression of chondroid cells were similar to those in normal chondrocytes, and much higher than ADSCs. Using atomic force microscope (AFM) and laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM), we compared the differences in morphology, mechanical properties, and F-actin distribution between chondroid cells and normal chondrocytes. Our results showed no differences observed between these two types of cells regarding morphology, stiffness, and F-actin distribution. However, found that the adhesion force in chondroid cells was lower than that in normal chondrocytes. Taken together, our AFM and LCSM analyses suggest that the lower adhesion force in chondroid cells may contribute to the dedifferentiation of ADSC-derived chondroid cells. Future examination of surface adhesion force-related protein expression will likely provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the dedifferentiation of ADSC-derived chondroid cells.     

Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species from saffron field soils in the South Khorasan province of Iran

The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Aspergillus species associated with saffron plants in the city of Birjand (South Khorasan Province, Iran) as well as to assess their aflatoxin B1 production. Sampling was performed during 2013–2014 crop season. Aspergillus species were isolated and purified using general and specific culture media. Growth rates and macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the isolates were determined using yeast extract, Czapek yeast extract, malt extract and creatine sucrose agar media at 25 and 37 °C. DNA was extracted by the modified CTAB method and beta-tubulin, calmodulin and internal transcribed spacer genes were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic position of the isolates was determined against other Aspergillus species. Thin layer chromatography was used to investigate the production of aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus isolates. Based on the morphological characteristics, shape and colour of the colonies, and sequencing results, the isolates belonged to Aspergillus terreus, A. flavus, A. flavipes and A. niger species. Only A. flavus isolates were aflatoxin B1 producers. We concluded that the soil of the studied saffron fields contained several species of Aspergillus, with A. flavus significantly affecting crop production through contamination of the crop by aflatoxin.     

Protective immunity against Leishmania major induced by Leishmania tropica infection of BALB/c mice

Leishmania (L.) tropica is a causative agent of human cutaneous and viscerotropic leishmaniasis. Immune response to L. tropica in humans and experimental animals are not well understood. We previously established that L. tropica infection induces partial protective immunity against subsequent challenge infection with Leishmania major in BALB/c mice. Aim of the present study was to study immunologic mechanisms of protective immunity induced by L. tropica infection, as a live parasite vaccine, in BALB/c mouse model. Mice were infected by L. tropica, and after establishment of the infection, they were challenged by L. major. Our findings shows that L. tropica infection resulted in protection against L. major challenge in BALB/c mice and this protective immunity is associated with: (1) a DTH response, (2) higher IFN-γ and lower IL-10 response at one week post-challenge, (3) lower percentage of CD4⁺ lymphocyte at one month post-challenge, and (4) the source of IFN-γ and IL-10 were mainly CD4⁻ lymphocyte up to one month post-challenge suggesting that CD4⁻ lymphocytes may be responsible for protection induced by L. tropica infection in the studied intervals.     

观看、在场与公共视觉伦理影响：论当代景观空间的剧场性

当风景园林与戏剧艺术相关联时,并非仅指代表象化的、空洞无味的形式语言,而是可以具备更丰富、更深层的关系。对深层关联的剖析和揭示,有助于从多个视角进行学科认知和帮助设计实践。将“剧场性”一词置于风景园林学科语境时,可以从 “在场”和“观看”两个层面进行解读：形式向度上,它以观者身体的出席为实现前提;内涵向度上,它强调观看行为背后的意图与观念。不仅如此,在工业与科技崛起、社会关系产生变革的时代背景下,公共空间关系也相应变化,公共视觉的建构与传播成为实现社会伦理影响的重要手段。相应地,公共景观空间作为承载全民性“在场”的“观看”行为的剧场性空间,需要考虑如何通过营造手段实现大众意识的引导。基于以上内涵关联,以“剧场性”作为切入视角便会发现,社会公正、审美引导和潜在信息传播可以被提炼为当代景观空间营造中公共视觉伦理转向的3个关键词。它们的价值在物质空间中以视觉话语的形式体现,而隐含在其后的公民权利宣言和自然伦理教育与引导,则以无形的方式传播到更远的地方。     

Implementation of a National Measles Elimination Program in Iran: Phylogenetic Analysis of Measles Virus Strains Isolated during 2010–2012 Outbreaks

Measles virus (MV) causes small and large outbreaks in Iran. Molecular assays allow identifying and the sources of measles imported from neighboring countries. We carried out a phylogenetic analysis of measles virus circulating in Iran over the period 2010–2012. Specimens from suspected cases of measles were collected from different regions of Iran. Virus isolation was performed on urine and throat swabs. Partial nucleoprotein gene segments of MV were amplified by RT-PCR. PCR products of 173 samples were sequenced and analyzed. The median age of confirmed cases was 2 years. Among all confirmed cases, 32% had unknown vaccination status, 20% had been vaccinated, and 48% had not been vaccinated. Genotypes B3 and D8 (for the first time), H1 and D4 were detected mainly in unvaccinated toddlers and young children. Genotype B3 became predominant in 2012 and was closely related to African strains. H1 strains were also found in small and large outbreaks during 2012 but were not identical to Iranian H1-2009 strains. A majority of the Iranian D4 strains during 2010–2012 outbreaks were linked to the D4 strain identified in the Pakistan in 2007. We identified a single case in 2010 belonging to D8 genotype with 99.7% identity to Indian isolates. Although the vaccination program is currently good enough to prevent nationwide epidemics and successfully decreased measles incidence in Iran, the fraction of protected individuals in the population was not high enough to prevent continuous introduction of cases from abroad. Due to increasing number of susceptible individuals in some areas, sustained transmission of the newly introduced viral genotype remains possible.