Fortified electrospun collagen utilizing biocompatible Poly Glycerol Sebacate prepolymer (PGSp) and zink oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for diabetics wound healing: Physical, biological and animal studies.

Collagen, a naturally occurring fibrous protein, is a potential resource of biological materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because it is structurally biocompatible, has low immunogenicity, is biodegradable, and is biomimetic. Numerous studies have documented in the literature how Collagen nanofibers exhibit limited cell adhesion, poor viscosity, and no interior fibril structure. The biomedical industry is using Poly Glycerol Sebacate prepolymer(PGSp), a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester with high adhesion and very viscous appearance, more often. Here, unique electrospun Collagen/PGSp/ZnO/NPs blend nanofibers for skin tissue application were developed and described with varied PGSp percent. Additionally, when ternary blends of Collagen, PGSp, and Zink Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are used, the antibacterial properties of the scaffolds are improved. The bead-free electrospun nanofibers were produced by raising the PGSp concentration to 30%w/w. SEM, EDS, tensile, MTT, FTIR, SDS-page, swelling test, contact-angle, antimicrobial, biodegradation, XRD, and cell attachment procedures were used to characterize the crosslinked nanofibers. The ternary blend nanofibers with a weight ratio of Collagen/PGSp 30%/ZnONPs 1% had higher stress/strain strength (0.25 mm/mm), porosity (563), cell survival, and degradation time. Moreover, after applying for wound healing in diabetic rats, Collagen/PGSp 30%/could be show improving wound healing significantly compared to other groups.

The impact of acemannan, an extracted product from Aloe vera, on proliferation of dental pulp stem cells and healing of mandibular defects in rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were shown to play an important role in regenerative medicine including reconstruction of various bone lesions. This study determined the impact of acemannan, an extracted product from Aloe vera, on in vitro proliferation of DPSCs and in vivo healing of mandibular defects in rabbits. METHODS: DPSCs were isolated and characterized. The growth kinetics of cells exposed to acemannan (8 mg/mL) and Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) were compared in vitro. Fifteen male rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Five animals were left as control group without any therapeutic intervention. Five rabbits were considered as experimental group 1 and received 20 µL of a cell suspension containing 106 DPSCs in the bone defect. Another 5 rabbits were regarded as experimental group 2 and were injected in the bone defect with 20 µL of a cell suspension containing 106 DPSCs treated with acemannan for 24 h. After 60 days, the animals were assessed by radiography and histologically. RESULTS: The mesenchymal properties of DPSCs were confirmed. Population doubling time (PDT) of DPSCs treated with acemannan (29.8 h) was significantly shorter than cells were just exposed to HBSS (45.9 h). DPSCs together with acemannan could significantly accelerate the healing process and osteogenesis in mandibular defects. CONCLUSIONS: As DPSCS showed an increased proliferation when treated with acemannan and accelerated the healing process in mandibular defects, these findings can open a new avenue in dentistry regenerative medicine when remedies of bone defects are targeted.

Maternal treadmill exercise ameliorates impairment of neurological outcome, caspase-1 and NLRP3 gene expression alteration in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia rats.

Objectives: Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is one of the most important causes of neurological disorders in children. Various studies suggest that maternal exercise during pregnancy has a beneficial impact on the health status of offspring infants. In this study, the effect of maternal treadmill exercise during pregnancy on neurological and molecular changes induced by HI in newborn rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, 24 pregnant female rats were divided into two groups; the first group was subjected to treadmill exercise for six weeks. The treadmill exercise program was initiated by running for 17 min at 5-10 m/min at 0 inclination in the first week, followed by running for 21 min at 5-25 m/min at 5° inclination in the second week, running for 25 min at 5-30 m/min at 10° inclination in the third and fourth weeks, running for 25 min at 5-15 m/min at 10° inclination in the fifth and sixth weeks. The second group was left untreated and did not perform the exercise. Newborn rats were assigned to four groups; (1) control, (2) control+exercise, (3) HI, and (4) HI+exercise. HI was developed in the offspring on the 8th postnatal day. One week following the induction of HI, the Garcia test was carried out. The histological morphology of neonates was assessed, and the expression levels of caspase-1 and NLRP3 were evaluated. Results: The data showed that maternal exercise during pregnancy significantly improved neural cell death (P<0.001) and the Garcia score (P<0.05), while it attenuated the expression levels of caspase-1 (P<0.001) and NLRP3 (P<0.05) genes in newborn rats induced by HI. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that maternal treadmill exercise during pregnancy could reverse the neurological deficits, as well as the expression levels of caspase-1 and NLRP3 genes, which occur in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia.

Prenatal Stress-induced Spatial Memory Deficit in a Sex-specific Manner in Mice: A Possible Involvement of Hippocampal Insulin Resistance.

Introduction: In the present study, the effects of prenatal stress on spatial learning and memory deficit and its relationship with hippocampal insulin resistance were examined in male and female offspring. Methods: Female NMRI mice were mated with males overnight, and the 0-day of pregnancy was detected (Gestational day 0-GD0). The pregnant mice were then randomly divided into stress and control groups. The stress group received stress from the GD0 to GD10. On post natal day 30 (PND30), the offspring were divided into 4 subgroups, namely: male-control, female-control, male-stress, and female-stress. Barnes maze method was used for spatial learning evaluation. Plasma cortisol and insulin levels were measured at the beginning of the experiments. At the end of the experiments, the animals' brains were removed, and their hippocampus was extracted. The hippocampus was homogenized, and its insulin and insulin-receptor contents were evaluated. Results: The stressed animals needed more time for reaching to target hole. In addition, they spend more distance to find the target hole, which was more pronounced in the male offspring. Both plasma and hippocampal insulin content were reduced in the stressed groups. Moreover, the hippocampal insulin receptors protein was reduced in the stressed animals. There was a positive relationship between plasma and hippocampal content and memory deficit in the stressed groups. Conclusion: These results indicated that prenatal stress could induce spatial learning and memory deficit in offspring, which is associated with plasma and hippocampal insulin and receptor content reduction (hippocampal insulin resistance) in these animals. Highlights: Maternal stress is very harmful for fetus.The effect of stress is significant during the early days of gestation.This effect is due to several hormonal and neuronal disturbances including Insulin resistance.The effects of stress on the fetus is gender dependent. Plain Language Summary: The possible effectiveness of prenatal stress on learning and memory in neonates and also the changes in hippocampus as of essential part of the brain involved in learning and memory. We found that prenatal stress can reduce the insulin effects in hippocampus and it may be the main cause of stress on neonatal memory deficits.

Treadmill Exercise during Pregnancy Decreased Vulnerability to Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia through Reducing Inflammation and Increasing Antiapoptotic Gene Expressions and Antioxidant Capacity in Rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of present study was to assess the impact of maternal treadmill exercise during pregnancy on inflammation, oxidative stress, expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in neonatal rat brain after the hypoxia-ischemia injury. Material and Methods. A total of 24 female Wistar rats were utilized in this research. Two groups are randomly considered for rats: (1) not exercised through pregnancy and (2) exercised during pregnancy. Offsprings were divided into four groups including after delivery: (1) sham, (2) sham/exercise (sham/EX), (3) HI, and (4) HI+exercise. HI was induced in pups at postnatal day 8. Neurobehavioral tests were done seven days after HI induction. Then, the brain tissue was taken from the skull to estimate Bcl-2 and Bax gene expressions, BDNF, cerebral edema, infarct volume, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and neurological function. RESULTS: The BDNF level in the HI+exercise group was considerably higher than the HI, sham, and sham/EX groups. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and the whole oxidant capacity (TOC) levels in the HI group were significantly higher than the sham and sham/EX groups. TNF-α, CRP, and TOC levels in the HI+exercise group were significantly lower than the HI group. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level in the HI+exercise group was significantly higher than the HI group. Infarct volume and edema percent in the HI+exercise group were significantly lower than the HI group. Neurological function in the HI+exercise group was significantly better than the HI group. Bax expression in the HI+exercise group was significantly lower than the HI group. Bcl-2 expression in the HI+exercise group was significantly higher than the HI group. In the sham group, BDNF, TNF-α, CRP, TAC, TOC, edema levels, and neurological function had no significant difference with the sham/EX group. CONCLUSION: It appears that the maternal treadmill exercise during pregnancy exerts a supportive impact against neonatal HI brain injury through increasing antioxidant capacity, Bcl-2 expression, and BDNF levels and decreasing inflammation that is resulted in the lower infarct volume and sensorimotor dysfunction.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of cinnamaldehyde on U87MG cells alone and in combination with doxorubicin.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the present study, we tried for the first time to examine whether cinnamaldehyde (CA), with herbal nature, can be co-administrated with doxorubicin (DOX, as an anticancer drug) toward U87MG glioblastoma cells to potentiate its cytotoxic effect and overcome or reduce its side effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The cytotoxic effect of DOX and CA, either individually or in combination, were evaluated on U87MG cells using the MTT method. The mechanism of action was studied by investigating the mode of cell death using caspase-3 and 9 activations, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as well as sub G1 analysis. The expression of apoptosis- related genes (Bcl-2 and Bax) was also examined. FINDINGS / RESULTS: Cellular toxicity assay revealed that CA and DOX can potentially reduce the viability of U87MG cells with IC50 at 11.6 and 5 µg/mL, respectively. Exposure with the combination of CA and DOX significantly increased cytotoxic effect of DOX on U87MG cells. The results of SUBG1, MMP, and also caspase-3 and -9 activity assays, in association with the results corresponding to the Bax and Bcl-2 gene expressions, altogether revealed that CA can induce apoptosis on U87MG cells. Moreover, apoptogenic effects of DOX were found to be potentiated by CA. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study revealed the promising cytotoxic and apoptogenic role of CA on U87MG cells. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that CA is able to enhance the apoptosis induced by DOX on human glioblastoma cells. Collectively, these data suggested that co-exposure of CA and DOX could be effective for treatment of glioblastoma, but further in vivo and clinical studies are still needed to prove these results.

Synthesis, 99mTc-radiolabeling, and biodistribution of new cellulose nanocrystals from Dorema kopetdaghens.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are known as nano-biomaterials that can be achieved from the different sources. The designated CNCs have been successfully fabricated from the roots of Dorema kopetdaghens (Dk) plant by sulphuric acid hydrolysis method. Structural analysis has been carried out by the means of XRD, FTIR, and TGA/DTG procedures. The XRD results have indicated that the crystalline structure of CNCs had been cellulose I with the crystallinity index of 83.20% and size of 4.95 nm. The FTIR spectra have shown that the resulting samples have been related to the cellulose species. The thermal properties of CNCs have exhibited a lower thermal stability in comparison to the untreated roots. It has been indicated by the morphological analyses of FESEM, TEM, and AFM that the nanoparticles had contained a spherical shape. Also, the cytotoxicity of CNCs against A549 cell line has not exhibited any cytotoxic effects. The analysis of labeling efficiency in regards to 99mTc-CNCs has been observed to be above 98%, while the biodistribution of radioactivity has displayed a high uptake by the kidneys and blood circulation. Therefore, it is possible to transform the low-cost by-product into a beneficial substance such as CNCs that can be utilized in bioimaging applications.

Effect of long-term sodium nitrate administration on diabetes-induced anemia and glucose homeostasis in obese type 2 diabetic male rats.

PURPOSE: Anemia is common in patients with type 2 diabetes. This aims at determining long-term effects of nitrate administration on diabetes-induced anemia in obese type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Control, control + nitrate, diabetes, and diabetes + nitrate. Type 2 diabetes was induced using high-fat diet followed by injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). Sodium nitrate (100 mg/L in drinking water) was administered for six months. After overnight fasting, levels of glucose and erythropoietin (EPO) and complete blood cell count (CBC) were measured at month 0, month 3, and month 6. At month 6, serum iron, and testosterone as well as EPO protein levels and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) mRNA levels in kidney and liver were measured. RESULTS: Nitrate administration decreased serum glucose in diabetic rats by 10% and 15% at months 3 and 6, respectively. Nitrate restored decreased red blood cells count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit to control levels in diabetic rats; in addition, nitrate restored decreased serum, kidney, and liver EPO levels to near normal values. Nitrate also increased HIF-1 mRNA levels in both kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Diabetic rats had lower serum testosterone (37%) and iron (20%) and nitrate restored these parameters to near normal values. CONCLUSION: Long-term and low dose of nitrate had beneficial effects against anemia in obese type 2 diabetic rats; these effects were associated with increased EPO and HIF-1 levels in kidney and liver as well as increased circulating EPO, testosterone, and iron.

Circulating levels of PTEN and KLLN in papillary thyroid carcinoma: can they be considered as novel diagnostic biomarkers?

PURPOSE: PTEN and KLLN are two tumor suppressor genes located in 10q23, share a bidirectional promoter and have roles in carcinogenesis. Formerly, the role of PTEN mutations and KLLN epimutations were identified in incidence of thyroid lesions in individuals with Cowden syndrome, a rare autosomal dominant inherited disorder. This study is the first of its type to assess PTEN and KLLN circulating levels in patients with sporadic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and compare to patients with multinodular goiter (MNG) and healthy individuals. METHODS: Plasma levels of PTEN and KLLN were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in three groups consisted of PTC (n = 33), MNG (n = 26) and healthy persons (n = 30). The association of demographic/pathological characteristics with the levels of PTEN and KLLN were evaluated. RESULTS: A significant lower plasma levels of PTEN and KLLN were observed in PTC patients compared with those of healthy persons (PTEN, 9.43 ± 3.20 vs. 16.96 ± 1.28 ng/ml, P = 0.000; KLLN, 1.81 ± 0.83 vs. 2.57 ± 1.09 ng/ml, P = 0.005), while no statistical difference was found between PTC and MNG groups. Patients with MNG lesion had significantly lower levels of PTEN/KLLN (PTEN, 9.62 ± 2.97 vs. 16.96 ± 1.28 ng/ml, P = 0.000; KLLN, 1.34 ± 0.86 vs. 2.57 ± 1.09 ng/ml, P = 0.000) compared to the healthy controls. The demographic/pathological characteristics did not demonstrate an association with the levels of PTEN and KLLN. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the lowered levels of PTEN and KLLN are associated with both sporadic PTC and MNG tumorigenesis, but they cannot be considered as circulating biomarkers for differential diagnosis between malignancy and benignity in indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Lack of Association between Serum Adiponectin/Leptin Levels and Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Adipokines are bioactive proteins that mediate metabolism, inflammation and angiogenesis. Changes in the secretion of key serum adipokines - adiponectin and letpin - may be associated with obesity, cancer and metabolic disorders. Thyroid cancer is one of the most important types of endocrine cancer. Therefore, investigating the association between serum levels of adiponectin and leptin and thyroid cancer might be important. The purpose of this study was to assess adiponectin and leptin levels in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cases in order to identify novel tumor markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was based on a case-control study, including 45 patients with medullary thyroid cancer (21 men and 24 women) and 45 healthy controls (24 males and 21 females). Adiponectin and leptin levels were measured by ELISA in both groups. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (kg/m2) was calculated. RESULTS: Adiponectin and leptin levels were not significantly different between medullary thyroid carcinomas and the control group. Also, there was no correlation among age and body mass index and the disease. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that changes in serum adiponectin and leptin levels do not play an important role in the diagnosis or could act as as biomarkers for medullary thyroid cancer.

The effect of Aloe vera gel on viability of dental pulp stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can play a prominent role in tissue regeneration. Aloe vera L. (Liliaceae) contains the polysaccharide of acemannan that was shown to be a trigger factor for cell proliferation, differentiation, mineralization, and dentin formation. AIM: This study sought to determine the viability of DPSCs in Aloe vera in comparison with Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twelve rabbits underwent anesthesia, and their incisor teeth were extracted; the pulp tissue was removed, chopped, treated with collagenase and plated in culture flasks. DPSCs from passage 3 were cultured in 24-well plates, and after 3 days, the culture media changed to 10, 25, 50, and 100% concentrations of Aloe vera at intervals of 45 and 90 min and 3 and 6 h. Distilled water was used as negative and HBSS as positive control for comparison. The cell morphology, viability, population doubling time (PDT), and growth kinetics were evaluated. RT-PCR was carried out for characterization and karyotyping for chromosomal stability. RESULTS: Aloe vera showed a significant higher viability than HBSS (74.74%). The 50% Aloe vera showed higher viability (97.73%) than other concentrations. PDT in 50% concentration was 35.1 h and for HBSS was 49.5 h. DPSCs were spindle shaped and were positive for CD73 and negative for CD34 and CD45. Karyotyping was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Aloe vera as an inexpensive and available herb can improve survival of avulsed or broken teeth in emergency cases as a transfer media.

Protective Effect of Quinine on Chemical Kindling and Passive Avoidance Test in Rats.

BACKGROUND: In humans, convulsive diseases such as temporal lobe epilepsy are usually accompanied by learning and memory impairments. In recent years, the role of gap junction channels as an important target of antiepileptic drugs has been studied and discussed. Quinine, as a gap junction blocker of connexin 36, can abolish ictal epileptiform activity in brain slices. OBJECTIVES: The role of quinine in memory retrieval in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled rats was examined using a step-through passive avoidance task. METHODS: Forty rats were used in this experimental study in groups of 10 animals. Quinine (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg, i.p.) and PTZ (35 mg/kg, i.p.) were injected into the rats before the start of the learning test. Then, retention tests were conducted after the treatments ended. RESULTS: Quinine could attenuate seizure severity at doses of 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg compared with the control at the beginning of the kindling experiment by lowering the mean seizure stages (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Quinine at doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg could significantly increase memory retrieval compared with the control in the retention test 24 and 48 hours after training (P < 0.05). Quinine at a dose of 60 mg/kg increased latency to enter the dark chamber 24 and 48 hours after training (P < 0.001). The results of the retention test one and two weeks after training of quinine were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Quinine may decrease the severity of seizure and improve the memory retrieval of animals by inhibiting the gap junction channel. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of quinine.

ADSCs on PLLA/PCL Hybrid Nanoscaffold and Gelatin Modification: Cytocompatibility and Mechanical Properties.

BACKGROUND: Development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has led to designing scaffolds and their modification to provide a better microenvironment which mimics the natural niche of the cells. Gelatin surface modification was applied to improve scaffold flexibility and cytocompatibility. METHODS: PLLA/PCL aligned fibrous scaffold was fabricated using electrospinning method. ADSCs were seeded after O2 plasma treatment and gelatin coating of the scaffolds. The morphological and mechanical properties of blends were assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), tensile test and ATR-FTIR. The cells proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. RESULTS: Based on the results, it is supposed that gelatin coating is a brilliant method of surface modification which significantly increases the mechanical properties of scaffold without any changes on the construction or on the direction of nanofibers which conducts cell's elongation. MTT analysis exhibited that ADSCs attachment, viability and proliferation significantly (p < 0.05) increased after gelatin treatment. CONCLUSION: Gelatin surface modification is a highly beneficial method to improve cytocompatibility, flexibility and mechanical features of the scaffolds which doesn't affect the nanofibers construction. Proliferation of Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) as a remarkable source of stem cells was investigated for the first time on PLLA/PCL hybrid scaffold.

The Effect of Surface Charge Saturation on Heat-induced Aggregation of Firefly Luciferase.

We present here the effect of firefly luciferase surface charge saturation and the presence of some additives on its thermal-induced aggregation. Three mutants of firefly luciferase prepared by introduction of surface Arg residues named as 2R, 3R and 5R have two, three and five additional arginine residues substituted at their surface compared to native luciferase; respectively. Turbidimetric study of heat-induced aggregation indicates that all three mutants were reproducibly aggregated at higher rates relative to wild type in spite of their higher thermostability. Among them, 2R had most evaluated propensity to heat-induced aggregation. Therefore, the hydrophilization followed by appearing of more substituted arginine residues with positive charge on the firefly luciferase surface was not reduced its thermal aggregation. Nevertheless, at the same condition in the presence of charged amino acids, e.g. Arg, Lys and Glu, as well as a hydrophobic amino acid, e.g. Val, the heat-induced aggregation of wild type and mutants of firefly luciferases was markedly decelerated than those in the absence of additives. On the basis of obtained results it seems, relinquishment of variety in charge of amino acid side chains, they via local interactions with proteins cause to decrease rate and extent of their thermal aggregation.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a potential biomarker of endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of MIF, CD74, and COX-2 in normal, ectopic, and eutopic endometrium during the menstrual cycle and to assess MIF level in peripheral blood. DESIGN: The expressions of MIF, CD74, and COX-2 in normal, ectopic, and eutopic endometrium were evaluated with the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction. MIF protein in peripheral blood samples was checked with the use of ELISA. SETTING: Reproductive biomedicine research center. PATIENT(S): Sixteen normal women and 20 women with endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Ectopic biopsies were obtained with the use of laparoscopic procedure, and eutopic and control biopsies were obtained with the use of Pipelle. Peripheral blood samples were collected before laparoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The expression of MIF, CD74, and COX-2 in normal, ectopic and eutopic endometrium during the menstrual cycle and the expression level of MIF in peripheral blood samples. RESULT(S): Relative mRNA expression of MIF, CD74, and COX-2 were significantly higher in ectopic endometrium than in eutopic and control endometrium. Also, there were significant differences in expression of these genes in normal, ectopic, and eutopic endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Moreover, women with endometriosis had significantly higher circulating levels of MIF compared with control subjects. CONCLUSION(S): Dynamic expression of MIF, CD74, and COX-2 during the menstrual cycle could play an essential role in reproduction, inflammation, and endometrium reconstruction. A higher expression of these genes in ectopic endometrium can be considered as a molecular biomarker for endometriosis development and pathophysiology. Also, a high level of MIF in blood serum can act as a biomarker in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

A comparative study of osteogenic differentiation human induced pluripotent stem cells and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been shown to have promising capacity for stem cell therapy and tissue engineering applications. Therefore, it is essential to compare the ability of these cells with the commonly used mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for bone tissue engineering in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the biological behavior and osteo- genic capacity of the iPSCs were compared with MSCs isolated from human adipose tissue (AT-MSCs) using 3-(4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurements, calcium content assay and common osteogenic-related genes. Data were reported as the mean ± SD. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the results. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the rate of proliferation of the two types of stem cells; iPSCs showed increased proliferation compared to AT-MSCs. During osteogenic differentiation, ALP activity and mineralization were demonstrated to be significantly higher in iPSCs. Although AT-MSCs expressed higher levels of Runx2, iPSCs expressed higher levels of osteonection and osteocalcin during differentiation. CONCLUSION: iPSCs showed a higher capacity for osteogenic differentiation and hold promising potential for bone tissue engineering and cell therapy applications.

Influence of Foreign DNA Introduction and Periplasmic Expression of Recombinant Human Interleukin-2 on Hydrogen Peroxide Quantity and Catalase Activity in Escherichia coli.

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress is generated through imbalance between composing and decomposing of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This kind of stress was rarely discussed in connection with foreign protein production in Escherichia coli. Effect of cytoplasmic recombinant protein expression on Hydrogen peroxide concentration and catalase activity was previously reported. In comparison with cytoplasm, periplasmic space has different oxidative environment. Therefore, in present study we describe the effect of periplasmic expression of recombinant human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) on H2O2 concentration and catalase activity in Escherichia coli and their correlation with cell growth. METHODS: Having constructed pET2hIL2 vector, periplasmic expression of hIL-2 was confirmed. Then, H2O2 concentration and catalase activity were determined at various ODs. Wild type and empty vector transformed cells were used as negative controls. RESULTS: It was shown that H2O2 concentration in hIL-2 expressing cells was significantly higher than its concentration in wild type and empty vector transformed cells. Catalase activity and growth rate reduced significantly in hIL-2 expressing cells compared to empty vector transformed and wild type cells. Variation of H2O2 concentration and catalase activity is intensive in periplasmic hIL-2 expressing cells than empty vector containing cells. Correlation between H2O2 concentration elevation and catalase activity reduction with cell growth depletion are also demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Periplasmic expression of recombinant hIL-2 elevates the host cell's hydrogen peroxide concentration possibly due to reduced catalase activity which has consequent suppressive effect on growth rate.

Gd(3+)-DTPA-Meglumine-Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer G1: Novel Nanosized Low Toxic Tumor Molecular MR Imaging Agent.

Despite the great efforts in the areas of early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, this disease continues to grow and is still a global killer. Cancer treatment efficiency is relatively high in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, early diagnosis is a key factor in cancer treatment. Among the various diagnostic methods, molecular imaging is one of the fastest and safest ones. Because of its unique characteristics, magnetic resonance imaging has a special position in most researches. To increase the contrast of MR images, many pharmaceuticals have been known and used so far. Gadopentetate (with commercial name Magnevist) is the first magnetic resonance imaging contrast media that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In this study, gadopentetate was first synthesized and then attached to a tree-like polymer called dendrimer which is formed by polyethylene glycol core and surrounding citric acid groups. Stability studies of the drug were carried out to ensure proper synthesis. Then, the uptake of the drug into liver hepatocellular cell line and the drug cytotoxicity were evaluated. Finally, in vitro and in vivo MR imaging were performed with the new synthetic drug. Based on the findings of this research, connecting gadopentetate to dendrimer surface produces a stronger, safer, and more efficient contrast media. Gd(III)-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate-meglumine-dendrimer drug has the ability to enter cells and does not produce significant cytotoxicity. It also increases the relaxivity of tissue and enhances the MR images contrast. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis that the binding of gadopentetate to citric acid dendrimer produces a new, biodegradable, stable, and strong version of the old contrast media.

The effects of pyridaben pesticide on the DNA integrity of sperms and early in vitro embryonic development in mice.

BACKGROUND: Pyridaben, a pyridazinone derivative, is a new acaricide and insecticide for control of mites and some insects such as white flies, aphids and thrips. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to elucidate how pyridaben can affect the sperms' morphological parameters, its DNA integrity, and to estimate the effect of various quantities of pyridaben on in vitro fertilization rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 80 adult male Balb/C strain mice were used. Animals were divided into control and two test groups. Control group received distilled water. The test group was divided into two subgroups, viz, high dose (212 mg/kg/day) and low dose (53 mg/kg/day) and they received the pyridaben, orally for duration of 45 days. The spermatozoa were obtained from caudae epididymides on day 45 in all groups. Sperm viability, protamin compression (nuclear maturity), DNA double-strand breaks, and in vitro fertilizing (IVF) ability were examined. RESULTS: The pyridaben treatment provoked a significant decrease in sperm population and viability in epididymides. The data obtained from this experiment revealed that, the pyridaben brings about negative impact on the sperm maturation and DNA integrity in a time-dependent manner, which consequently caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in IVF capability. Embryo developing arrest was significantly (p<0.05) higher in treated than the control group. CONCLUSION: Theses results confirmed that, the pyridaben is able to induce DNA damage and chromatin abnormalities in spermatozoa which were evident by low IVF rate. This article extracted from Ph.D. thesis. (Ghodrat Ebadi Mans).

Poly thymidine polymorphism and cystic fibrosis in a non-Caucasian population.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis is a monogenic recessive disorder found predominantly in Caucasian population. This disease arises from mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. In this study we consider poly T polymorphism c.1210-12T[5], c.1210-12T[7], c.1210-12T[9] (T{5}, T{7}, T{9}) in the intron 8 of CFTR gene in normal individuals and cystic fibrosis patients in the north of Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 40 CF patients and 40 normal individuals were screened for poly T polymorphism in intron 8 of CFTR gene using Reverse Dot Blot method which was also used to detect p.Phe508del among CF patients. RESULTS: T{7} allele is the most prevalent in both normal and CF patients. Its abundance is approximately 75%. T{9} and T{5} represent approximately 20% and 5% of alleles respectively. T{7}/T{7} genotype is the most present in both normal and CF patients with 72.5% and 60% prevalence respectively. p.Phe508del was present in 13 CFTR alleles belonging to 7 patients with either homozygote T{9}/ T{9}, T{7}/ T{7} or compound heterozygote T{7}/ T{9} genotypes. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the Caucasians, T{7} allele is more frequent in Northern Iranian CF patients. The presence of p.Phe508del and T{7} allele in the same framework is reported for the first time in this part of the world. Further investigations of other populations will help to understand whether p.Phe508del arose by selection pressure in this part of the world or was imported from European countries. The abundance of T{5}, T{7}, T{9} alleles indicates that this polymorphism can be used as one of the informative markers for detection of normal and mutant alleles in prenatal diagnosis or carrier assessment in families with previous history of the disease in regions with high degree of CFTR mutation heterogeneity.