Extracellular micro/nanovesicles rescue kidney from ischemia-reperfusion injury

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a clinical challenge that is highly resistant to treatment, and its high rate of mortality is alarming. Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is the most common cause of ARF. Especially IRI is implicated in kidney transplantation and can determine graft survival. Although the exact pathophysiology of renal IRI is unknown, the role of inflammatory responses has been elucidated. Because mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have strong immunomodulatory properties, they are under extensive investigation as a therapeutic modality for renal IRI. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an integral role in cell-to-cell communication. Because the regenerative potential of the MSCs can be recapitulated by their EVs, the therapeutic appeal of MSC-derived EVs has dramatically increased in the past decade. Higher safety profile and ease of preservation without losing function are other advantages of EVs compared with their producing cells. In the current review, the preliminary results and potential of MSC-derived EVs to alleviate kidney IRI are summarized. We might be heading toward a cell-free approach to treat renal IRI.     

Living arrangement and life satisfaction in older malaysians: the mediating role of social support function

Background

This cross-sectional and correlational survey examines the association between different types of living arrangements and life satisfaction in older Malaysians, while taking into account the mediating effects of social support function.

Methodology and Findings

A total of 1880 of older adults were selected by multistage stratified sampling. Life satisfaction and social support were measured with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. The result shows living with children as the commonest type of living arrangement for older adults in peninsular Malaysia. Compared to living alone, living only with a spouse especially and then co-residency with children were both associated with better life satisfaction (p<.01) and social support function (p<.01). The mediating effect of social support function enhanced the relation between living arrangements and life satisfaction.

Conclusion

This study revealed that types of living arrangement directly, and indirectly through social support function, play an important role in predicting life satisfaction for older adults in Malaysia. This study makes remarkable contributions to the Convoy model in older Malaysians.     

Intra-articular knee implantation of autologous bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee involvement: Results of a randomized,triple-blind,placebo-controlled phase 1/2 clinical trial

Background

In this study, we intend to assess the safety and tolerability of intra-articular knee implantation of autologous bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine the preliminary clinical efficacy data in this population. The trial registration numbers are as follows: Royan Institute Ethics Committee: AC/91/1133; NCT01873625.

Vegetation Patterns of the Irano-Turanian Steppe along a 3,000 m Altitudinal Gradient in the Alborz Mountains of Northern Iran

The Irano-Turanian floristic region is a major center of endemism in the Holarctic of Eurasia. The Alborz Mountains of northern Iran are a complex and heterogeneous environmental system with rich water resources and great habitat diversity. We have investigated steppe plant communities along an altitudinal gradient ranging from approximately 1,000 m a.s.l. in the semi-desert steppes near Tehran to a height of 3,966 m a.s.l. at the summit of Mount Tochal. Our two-way indicator species analysis of 1,069 vegetation samples resulted in classification of five major vegetation zones: (1) a semi-desert Artemisia steppe near Tehran, (2) a Stipa grassland in the alluvial undulating hills north and west of Tehran, (3) a submontane and steppe zone, (4) a subalpine cushion formation zone and (5) an alpine meadow and subnival zone of Mount Tochal. Annuals and ephemerals in the semi-desert vegetation decline as altitude increases and almost disappear in the alpine zone. Past human impacts of ancient Persian civilization and a traditional pastoral economy have affected the physiognomy of plant communities; thorny dwarf shrubs now dominate the treeless vegetation of the region. Lower competition for space, different phenology and the presence of edaphic and hydrological layers associated with anthropogenic impacts are major reasons for entanglement of different plant communities in the arid- and semi-arid steppe. The phytogeography of the region changes from omni-Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian transgressive species at lower altitudes to a more limited range of western Irano-Turanian species and local endemics at higher altitudes.     

The Effect of Synbiotic Supplementation on Growth Parameters in Mild to Moderate FTT Children Aged 2–5 Years

Synbiotic (probiotic bacteria and prebiotic) has beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract. This study was designed to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation on the growth of mild to moderate failure to thrive (FTT) children. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 80 children aged 2–5 years with mild to moderate FTT, who were assigned at random to receive synbiotic supplementation (10⁹ colony-forming units) or placebo for 30 days. The weights, height, and BMI were recorded in a structured diary, and the questionnaires were completed to monitor the numbers of infection episodes, gastrointestinal problems, admission to hospital, and appetite improvement during the study. Sixty-nine children completed the study. There were no differences in the demographic characteristic between the two groups. The mean weight was similar at baseline. After 30 days of intervention, the mean weight of the participants in the synbiotic group increased significantly than those in the placebo group (600?±?37 vs. 74?±?32 g/month P 0.000). BMI changes in synbiotic and placebo group were 0.44 and 0.07 kg/m², and that the differences among the two groups were significant.(P 0.045) Furthermore, the height increment in synbiotic and placebo group was 0.41 and 0.37 cm respectively with no significant difference (P 0.761). Administration of 30-day synbiotic supplementation may significantly improve weight and BMI in Iranian children with mild to moderate FTT, but there is no effect on the height in this study. Further studies should be designed to found out the effect of synbiotic on growth parameters in undernourished and well-nourished children.

     

Life cycle assessment of castor-based biorefinery: a well to wheel LCA

Purpose

Diminishing fossil resources and environmental concerns associated with their vast utilization have been in focus by energy policy makers and researchers. Among the different scenarios put forth to commercialize biofuels, various biorefinery concepts have aroused global interests because of their ability in converting biomass into a spectrum of marketable products and bioenergies. This study was aimed at developing different novel castor-based biorefinery scenarios for generating biodiesel and other co-products, i.e., ethanol and biogas. In these scenarios, glycerin, heat, and electricity were also considered as byproducts. Developed scenarios were also compared with a fossil reference system delivering the same amount of energy through the combustion of neat diesel.

Materials and methods

Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to investigate the environmental consequences of castor biodiesel production and consumption with a biorefinery approach. All the input and output flows from the cultivation stage to the combustion in diesel engines as well as changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) were taken into account. Impact 2002+ method was used to quantify the environmental consequences.

Results and discussion

The LCA results demonstrated that in comparison with the fossil reference system, only one scenario (i.e., Sc-3 with co-production of significant amounts of biodiesel and biomethane) had 16% lower GHG emissions without even considering the improving effect of SOC. Moreover, resource damage category of this scenario was 50% lower than that of neat diesel combustion. The results proved that from a life cycle perspective, energy should be given priority in biorefineries because it is essential for a biorefinery to have a positive energy balance in order to be considered as a sustainable source of energy. Despite a positive effect on energy and GHG balances, these biorefineries had negative environmental impacts on the other damage categories like Human Health and Ecosystem Quality.

Conclusions

Although biorefineries offer unique features as promising solutions for mitigating climate change and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, the selection of biomass processing options and management decisions can affect the final results in terms of environmental evaluations and energy balance. Moreover, if biorefineries are focused on transportation fuel production, a great deal of effort should still be made to have better environmental performance in Human Health and Ecosystem Quality damage categories. This study highly recommends that future studies focus towards biomass processing options and process optimization to guarantee the future of the most sustainable biofuels.

     

Feselol enhances the cytotoxicity and DNA damage induced by cisplatin in 5637 cells

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), which is the most common type of bladder cancer, shows resistance to chemotherapeutic agents due to the overexpression of drug efflux pumps. In this study, the effects of feselol, a sesquiterpene coumarin extracted from Ferula badrakema, on cisplatin cytotoxicity were investigated in 5637 cells, a TCC subline. Cell viability and DNA lesion were evaluated by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide and comet assays, respectively. Feselol had no significant cytotoxic effect in 5637 cells but at 32 microg/mL it increased the cytotoxicity of 1 microg/mL cisplatin by 37% after 24 h. Furthermore, the comet assay revealed that DNA damage induced by cisplatin in 5637 cells is enhanced by 31% when used in combination with feselol. Therefore, feselol might be considered as an effective reversal agent for future in vivo and clinical studies.