Modulatory effects of statins on the autophagy: A therapeutic perspective

Autophagy is considered as an important mechanism for maintaining homeostasis and responsible for the degradation of superfluous or potentially toxic components and organelles. Autophagy impairment is associated with a number of pathological conditions, such as aging, neurological disorders, cancer, and infection. Autophagy also plays a significant role in cancer chemotherapy. The multiple cancer drugs have been notably developed with the strategy of autophagy modulation. Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA inhibitors, are known due to their efficacy in decreasing low-density lipoprotein and extensively used for the management of cardiovascular diseases. Statins have other therapeutic and biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and neuroprotective known as pleiotropic effects. It seems that statins are capable of targeting various signaling pathways in the induction of their great pharmacological effects. At the present study, we demonstrate the therapeutic effects of statins mediated via autophagy regulation.     

A molecular dynamics simulation study of the effect of water–graphene interaction on the properties of confined water

The role of water in determining the structure and stability of biomacromolecules has been well studied. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations have been applied to investigate the effect of surface hydrophobicity on the structure and dynamics of water confined between graphene surfaces. In order to evaluate this effect, we apply various attractive/repulsive water–graphene interaction potentials (hydrophobicity). The properties of confined water are studied by applying a purely repulsive interaction potential between water–graphene (modelled as a repulsive r^?12 potential) and repulsive–attractive forces (modelled as an LJ(12-6) potential). Compared to the case of a purely repulsive graphene–water potential, the inclusion of repulsive–attractive forces leads to formation of sharp peaks for density and the number of hydrogen bonds. Also, it was found that repulsive–attractive graphene–water potential caused slower hydrogen bonds dynamics and restricted the diffusion coefficient of water. Consequently, it was found that hydrogen bond breakage and formation rate with the repulsive r^?12 potential model, will increase compared to the corresponding water confined with the LJ(12-6) potential.     

Curcumin increased the expression of c-FLIP in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) disease is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease, which is associated with HTLV-1 infection. There is no effective and satisfactory treatment of HAM/TSP. It has been shown that curcumin exhibits modulatory effects on apoptosis and cytotoxicity-related molecules in HAM/TSP patients. In the present study, we examined the effect of curcumin on the gene expression of caspase-8, caspase-10, and anti-apoptotic protein c-FLIP, in HAM/TSP patients. Furthermore, we compared the expression of these molecules between HAM/TSP and asymptomatic carriers. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the mRNA expression of caspase-8, caspase-10, and c-FLIP in studied groups. The mRNA expression of caspase-8 and caspase-10 was similar before and after curcumin treatment in HAM/TSP patients (P > 0.05). The mRNA expression of c-FLIPL and c-FLIPs was higher after curcumin treatment compared with before treatment and significant differences were observed between the two groups (P = 0.004 and P = 0.044, respectively). The mRNA expression levels of caspase-8, caspase-10, c-FLIPL, and c-FLIPs were not statistically significant between HAM/TSP patients and asymptomatic carriers (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that curcumin increased the expression of c-FLIP in HAM/TSP patients which might suggest that, this molecule is involved in the apoptosis of HTLV-1-infected cells. Further studies with large sample size could be useful to clarify the role of this supplement in HAM/TSP patients.     

Homozygosity mapping in consanguineous families reveals extreme heterogeneity of non-syndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation and identifies 8 novel gene loci

Autosomal recessive gene defects are arguably the most important, but least studied genetic causes of severe cognitive dysfunction. Homozygosity mapping in 78 consanguineous Iranian families with nonsyndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation (NS-ARMR) has enabled us to determine the chromosomal localization of at least 8 novel gene loci for this condition. Our data suggest that in the Iranian population NS-ARMR is very heterogeneous, and they argue against the existence of frequent gene defects that account for more than a few percent of the cases. Mohammad Mahdi Motazacker and Masoud Garshasbi have contributed equally to this work.     

Prenatal diagnosis in a mentally retarded woman with mosaic ring chromosome 18

We present a pregnant woman with mental retardation and mosaic for ring 18 referred for prenatal diagnosis. Major clinical features included short stature with clinodactyly in feet, foot deformity and club feet, hypotonia, kyphosis, and absence of breast development, low set ears, high arched palate, dental decay and speech disorder. Prenatal diagnosis was carried. Using amniocentesis. The fetus had a normal karyotype described as 46,XX. The fetus was evaluated for clinical features after delivery; she was healthy with no abnormal clinical characterizations.     

Some cytological and physiochemical features relating to non-storability of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) pollen

Pollen grains may become desiccated after independence from parent plants and remain viable in an inactive dry state during presentation and dispersal, until the conditions for rehydration and germination are prepared. But some pollen types do not tolerate the desiccation state and lose the germination power soon after release, and therefore, are difficult to store. In this study, moisture content, germinability, cytology and dehydrin and phenolics contents were surveyed in pistachio pollen at fresh and desiccated states. Mature pollen lost 54.1% of its initial moisture after 48 h desiccation along with severe decrease in germinability. Light microscopy results indicated that a low rate of pollen grains have vegetative cell rupture caused by desiccation, but a higher rate of grains were intact in appearance. Numerous amyloplasts persisted after desiccation as a sensitivity indicator. A 16 kDa dehydrin band was detected by western blot method with higher content in desiccated than fresh samples. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the total content of phenolics increased slightly by desiccation. These results indicate the insufficiency of dehydrin and phenolics accumulation for achievement of desiccation tolerance. Furthermore, the severe loss of germinability in desiccated pistachio pollen may be the result of deficiency in some other protective mechanisms that need further investigations.     

In vitro and greenhouse evaluations of Trichoderma isolates for biological control of potato wilt disease (Fusarium solani)

The biological efficacy of Trichoderma species may differ due to variations in ecosystems. This study was conducted to assess the biocontrol efficacy of some native Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium solani, an important causal agent of potato wilt disease under laboratory and greenhouse conditions at Shahrood Agricultural Research Centre, Shahrood, Iran, during 2006–2007. Fourteen isolates were collected among which eight showed promising ability in inhibiting the growth of the pathogen through dual culture and production of volatile and non-volatile inhibitors but T. brevicompactum (T1), T. longibrachiatum (T5) and T. asperellum (T2) were almost better than other isolates in inhibiting the mycelial growth of the pathogen in comparison to control in the above three tests (p ≤ 0.01). Isolates performing mycoparasitism under in vitro condition were evaluated against the disease in pot culture under greenhouse condition. In all treatments in which Trichoderma isolates + F. solani were involved lower disease incidence was noticed in comparison to Fusarium-infested control (p ≤ 0.05). Best disease control was observed in potted plants treated with F. solani + T. longibrachiatum (T5) with 6.25% disease incidence in comparison to Fusarium-infested control, in which disease incidence was observed to be 75%. Interaction of T. brevicompactum (T1) and F. solani also indicated good control of the disease by 12.50% of disease incidence.     

Allergenicity of Acroptilon repens and Juglans regia pollen in rats

Pollen proteins that are located in the cytoplasm or on the surface of the exine can function as allergens and evoke immune system responses in sensitive patients, leading to allergic rhinitis and asthma. In this research, the pollen allergenicity and ability to induce IgE response of the pollen of two plant species were studied in rats. Acroptilon repens is an herbaceous, invasive plant with entomophilous pollen, while Juglans regia which is a tree crop produces anemophilous pollen. Immunoblot analysis using sera of sensitised rats revealed IgE reactivity to three protein bands including the 70, 41 and 25.12 kDa bands present in the A. repens pollen extract, while only one single immunogenic band of 11 kDa was detected in J. regia pollen extract. Both pollen extracts increased the eosinophil content and caused some clinical signs of allergy in treated rats. The results showed that both entomophilous and anemophilous pollen can be allergenic.     

Air pollution effects on structure,proteins and flavonoids in pollen grains of Thuja orientalis L. (Cupressaceae)

Increase in the levels of air pollution due to the increase in industrial and agricultural technology has prompted investigation of mechanisms that contribute to air pollution tolerance in plants. Pollen grains of Thuja orientalis were collected from controlled (less polluted) and polluted areas (mainly SO₂, NO₂, CO, HC and APM). Thuja pollen is considered inaperturate and granulate. The exine is shed during rehydration, leaving the male gametophyte naked. The pollen grains collected from polluted areas are smaller and more fragile compared to control ones. The exine splitting is faster and higher in polluted pollen grains. SDS–PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) pattern do not show significant differences in polluted pollen than those in the control group. HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) analysis demonstrates that air pollution induces flavonoids accumulation to significantly higher levels in polluted pollen than in controlled ones. These observations suggest that plants try to respond suitably by adjusting their metabolism so that minimum damage is done due to air pollutants. Their protective responses may include an increase in antioxidant enzymes and metabolites and induction of protection-related secondary metabolite genes especially flavonoids.