ABSTRACT
Objective: micro-RNAs [miRNAs] are a class of posttranscriptional regulators that play crucial roles in various biological processes. Emerging evidence suggests a direct link between miRNAs and development of several diseases including type 2 diabetes [T2D]. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of predicted miRNA and target genes on insulin resistance
Materials and Methods: this experimental study was conducted on the C2C12 cell line. Using bioinformatics tools miRNA-135 and two respective target genes-insulin receptor [Insr] and vesicle associated membrane protein 2 [Vamp2]- were selected as potential factors involved in insulin resistance process. Levels of glucose uptake miRNA expression and respective gene targets were determined after cell transfaction by miR-135
Results: it was determined that Insr gene expression was significantly down-regulated in miR-135 transfected C2C12 cell line [P
Conclusion: our data indicated no change on the Vamp2 expression level after miRNA transfection, while expression level of Insr was reduced and miR-135 expression was contrarily increased leading to poor stimulation of glucose uptake through insulin, and development of insulin resistance phenotype in C2C12 cell line
ABSTRACT
Objective: MicroRNAs [miRNAs] are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in many biological processes such as regulating skeletal muscle development where alterations in miRNA expression are reported during myogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of predicted miRNAs and their target genes on the myoblast to myocyte differentiation process
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on the C2C12 cell line. Using a bioinformatics approach, miR-214 and miR-135 were selected according to their targets as potential factors in myoblast to myocyte differentiation induced by 3% horse serum. Immunocytochemistry [ICC] was undertaken to confirm the differentiation process and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] to determine the expression level of miRNAs and their targets
Results: During myoblast to myocyte differentiation, miR-214 was significantly down-regulated while miRNA-135, Irs2, Akt2 and Insr were overexpressed during the process
Conclusion: miR-214 and miR-135 are potential regulators of myogenesis and are involved in skeletal muscle development through regulating the IRS/PI3K pathway
ABSTRACT
The present study examined the possible role of endogenous opioidergic system in effect of food deprivation on formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors in male and female rats. Also, we investigated the effect of food deprivation on the plasma level of beta-endorphin and sex hormones. Food was withdrawn 48 h prior to performing the formalin test, but water continued to be available ad libitum. The formalin was injected into hind plantar paw. There is significant difference between male and female control rats during phase 2B. Following 48-h food deprivation, both male and female rats exhibited enhanced nociceptive behavior in response to formalin. Food deprivation for 12 and 24 h increased and for 48 h decreased beta-endorphin level in male and female rats. Food deprivation for 24 h decreased testosterone level in male, while it had no significant effect on female rats and food deprivation for 48 h decreased testosterone level in both sexes. Food deprivation for 24 h increased estradiol level in female and that for 48 h had no significant effect on male and female rats. The present study demonstrates the existence of food deprivation for 48 h causes enhancement of nociception in the formalin test in male and female rats that has correlation with decrease in plasma beta-endorphin and testosterone levels
ABSTRACT
Early and accurate diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is of critical concern. Optimum and rapid laboratory facilities are not routinely available for detecting the etiologic agents of meningitis. The objective of this study was to compare polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay with culture for detection of bacteria in central nervous system [CNS] samples from patients suspected to have meningitis. One-hundred CSF samples were obtained and divided into two parts. One part of samples was used for standard bacterial culture and gram staining. The remaining was used for DNA extraction. PCR assay was performed with universal primers for 16S rDNA gene of bacteria. Performance characteristics of the test were determined. The PCR method was able to detect bacteria in all 36 culture-positive and in 38 of 64 culture-negative cases showing sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 40.6% respectively. Positive predictive value was 48.6% and negative predictive value 100%, however, Kappa coefficient showed the correlation of the 2 methods to be at 0.33. There are advantages and disadvantages in performance characteristics of the conventional CSF culture and universal CSF 16S rDNA PCR. Therefore, it is recommended to use both methods in clinical practice, particularly in suspicious contaminated samples, with presumable presence of fastidious or slow growing bacteria because of antibiotic consumption
Subject(s)
Humans , Polymerase Chain Reaction , DNA, Ribosomal , Cerebrospinal Fluid , Central Nervous System/microbiology , Culture Techniques , Gene AmplificationABSTRACT
Beta thalassemia is a common inherited disease, resulting from one or more of 200 different mutations in the beta-globin gene. Qazvin province has attracted migrations of several different populations due to industrialization during the past five decades. The aim of this study was to define the molecular spectrum of beta-thalassemia mutations in Qazvin province Ethylen diamin acetic acid-containing venous blood samples were collected from 100 patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia from the department of Pediatrics in Qods hospital. Age, sex, history, and consanguinity between the parents were recorded by reviewing the patients' files. DNA was isolated from leukocytes using the standard procedure. Amplification refractory mutation system [ARMS] technique was used for molecular detection of mutations. Direct sequencing analysis was applied for DNA samples when no mutation was detected with ARMS. Of the 200 chromosomes investigated, 11 types of mutations were identified by ARMS technique while direct sequencing revealed the remaining alleles [9 types of mutations]. Total 20 different mutations discovered by this two-step approach. Abundant alleles [IVS II-1, IVS I-10, FSC 8/9] accounted for 59.3% of the mutations. IVS II-1 with a frequency of 31.3% was the most common while HbS, Cd 74/75 and Cd 15, each with a frequency of 0.55%, had the least frequencies. Beta thalassemia mutations are very heterogeneous in Qazvin province. Extensive ethnic and genetic admixture has resulted in unexpectedly high number of different mutations, most of them similar to that of north and north-western provinces of Iran. Different mutations in this region suggest migration of chromosomes from distant places and genetic admixture