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Expression profiling of RTL1 in human breast cancer tissues and cell lines
No full textBreast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in females. In this regard, the identification of molecular alterations driving BC is an immediate need for developing effective immunotherapeutic tools. Here we investigated the expression of a placenta-specific protein, Retrotransposon-like 1 (RTL1) in a series of BC tissues and cell lines. RTL1-specific polyclonal antibody was generated and characterized. Using tissue microarray immunohistochemistry, expression of RTL1 in a total of 147 BC and 36 non-malignant breast tissues was investigated and the association of patient's clinicopathological parameters with RTL1 expression was then examined. Expression of RTL1 in four BC cells was assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting. We observed a mixture pattern of nuclear and cytoplasmic RTL1 expression in most tissues examined, however nuclear expression was found to be dominant pattern of expression. The level of nuclear RTL1 expression was significantly higher in BC tissues (P < 0.001). A statistically significant association between nuclear RTL1 expression and histological grade and vascular invasion was found (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). All cell lines expressed RTL1 with varying degrees at their surface. The most invasive BC cell line MDA-MB-231, compared to T-47D, SKBR3 and MCF7 expressed higher levels of RTL1 at their surface. Cells with a low level of surface expression, expressed high levels of intracellular RTL1 expression. Our antibody reacted with a specific band of about 125 KD in normal human placenta and all cell lines examined. In contrast to placenta, two additional bands were also observed in cancer cell lines. Our results showed for the first time that RTL1 is differentially expressed in BC compared to non-malignant breast tissues and is associated with a higher grade and vascular invasion. In BC cells with high metastatic and invasive potential, this antigen is mostly confined to cell surface compartment indicating the possibility of using antibody-based immunotherapy for advanced metastatic BC patients. © 2021 Elsevier Inc
Impact of human rhinoviruses on gene expression in pediatric patients with severe acute respiratory infection
No full textHuman rhinovirus (HRV) is one of the most common viruses, causing mild to severe respiratory tract infections in children and adults. Moreover, it can lead to patients� hospitalization. Nowadays, evaluation of gene expression alterations in host cells due to viral respiratory infections considered essential to understand the viral effects on cells. Objective: In this study, we aimed to find important differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to rhinitis and asthma exacerbation stimulated with Poly (I: C) and then to validate their expression in clinical samples of children how were less than 5 years old, hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) due to HRV infection in comparison with healthy cases. Methods: Eight candidate genes involved in immunity, viral defense, inflammation, P53 pathway, and viral release processes were selected based on the analysis of a gene expression data set (GSE51392) and gene enrichment analysis. Then quantitative real-time PCR on cDNAs was performed for selected genes. The results were analyzed by Livak method and visualized by GraphPad prism software (8.4.3). Result: CXCL10, CMPK2, RSAD2, SERPINA3, TNFAIP6, CXCL14, IVNS1AB, and ZMAT3 were selected based on the enrichment and topological analysis of the constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Laboratory validation by real-time PCR showed CXCL10, CMPK2, RSAD2, SERPINA3, and TNFAIP6 (belonged to immunity, inflammatory responses and viral defense) were up-regulated, whereas CXCL14 (related to immunity) and IVNS1AB, ZMAT3 (associated to Influenza and P53 pathway) were down-regulated. Conclusion: Our results showed, that in children less than 5 years old affected by HRV and hospitalized with SARI, the inflammatory responses, antiviral defense, and type 1 interferon-signaling pathway have significantly affected by viral infection. © 202
Twenty years of research on HPV vaccines based on genetically modified lactic acid bacteria: an overview on the gut-vagina axis
Get PDFMost cervical cancer (CxCa) are related to persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in the cervical mucosa, suggesting that an induction of mucosal cell-mediated immunity against HR-HPV oncoproteins can be a promising strategy to fight HPV-associated CxCa. From this perspective, many pre-clinical and clinical trials have proved the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) genetically modified to deliver recombinant antigens to induce mucosal, humoral and cellular immunity in the host. Altogether, the outcomes of these studies suggest that there are several key factors to consider that may offer guidance on improvement protein yield and improving immune response. Overall, these findings showed that oral LAB-based mucosal HPV vaccines expressing inducible surface-anchored antigens display a higher potential to induce particularly specific systemic and mucosal cytotoxic cellular immune responses. In this review, we describe all LAB-based HPV vaccine investigations by reviewing databases from international studies between 2000 and 2020. Our aim is to promote the therapeutic HPV vaccines knowledge and to complete the gaps in this field to empower scientists worldwide to make proper decisions regarding the best strategies for the development of therapeutic HPV vaccines. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The role of medicinal products in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) through inhibition of TLR4/NF-kappaB pathway
No full textInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a lifelong and recurrent disease of the gastrointestinal tract that afflicts many people in the world. Growing evidence has currently indicated that dysfunction of immune system, particularly toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway dysfunction plays a pivotal part in the pathogenesis of IBD. TLR4 signaling is involved both in the pathogenesis and in the efficacy of treatment of IBD. There are some medicinal products and herbal medicines, which their role in the treatment of IBD through modulation of TLR4 signaling has been implicated. The purpose of this review article is to summarize those medicinal products and herbal medicines. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Lt
Assessing Iran�s health system according to the COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response plan of the World Health Organization: Health policy and historical implications
No full textBackground. The role of health systems in the management of disasters, including natural hazards like outbreaks and pandemics, is crucial and vital. Healthcare systems which are unprepared to properly deal with crises are much more likely to expose their public health workers and health personnel to harm and will not be able to deliver healthcare provisions in critical situations. This can lead to a drammatic toll of deaths, even in developed countries. The possible occurrence of global crises has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to devise instruments, guidelines and tools to assess the capacity of countries to deal with disasters. Iran�s health system has been hit hardly by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we aimed to assess its preparedness and response to the outbreak. Methods. The present investigation was designed as a qualitative study. We utilized the �COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan� devised by WHO as a conceptual framework. Results. The dimension/pillar which scored the highest was national laboratories, followed by surveillance, rapid response teams and case investigations. Risk communication and community engagement was another pillar receiving a high score, followed by infection prevention and control and by country-level coordination, planning and monitoring. The pillars/dimensions receiving the lowest scores were operational support and logistics; case management; and points of entry. Discussion. The COVID-19 pandemic has represented an unprecedent event that has challenged healthcare systems and facilities worldwide, highlighting their weaknesses and the need for inter-sectoral cooperation and collaboration during the crisis. Analyzing these experiences and capitalizing on them, by strengthening them,will help countries to be more prepared to face possible future crises. © Copyright by Pacini Editore Srl
Design and synthesis of potential nano-carrier for delivery of diphencyprone to hair follicle
No full textPurpose: Poor bioavailability of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), an effective drug for an autoimmune disorder of alopecia areata, limits its pharmaceutical effects. Carriers-based nanoparticles with especially porous structures can overcome these restrictions. Here, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, MCM41, with high surface area and pore volume were synthesized for DPCP delivery to the hair follicles through skin tissue. Methods: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM41) were synthesized by the Stöber process and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Barrett�Joiner�Halenda and N2 adsorption isotherms for their physicochemical properties. HPLC method was used to determine drug entrapment efficiency and release behavior during 24 h. Cytotoxicity of formulations was evaluated using MTT assay and permeation profiles of DPCP (control sample) and DPCP-MCM41 into the rat skin were obtained by using Franz diffusion cells. Fluorescence microscopy and intrafollicular nanoparticle accumulation were examined using confocal microscopy. Results: Experiments showed the spherical shape of the nanoparticles with an average size of 50 ± 3 nm, high surface area, and porosity. Entrapment efficiency was about 90 and release behavior had sustained manner after 3 h. Fluorescent and confocal microscopy confirmed that the nanoparticles passed through follicular channels and aggregated around the hair follicles. Conclusion: MCM41 nanoparticles provide a promising nano-carrier for targeted drug delivery of DPCP to the human hair follicle. © 2021, The Korean Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology
Economic burden of medication-overuse headache in Iran: direct and indirect costs
No full textBackground and objective: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) as a secondary chronic headache imposes a considerable burden on both individuals and societies. Nevertheless, little is known about the burden of MOH in Iran. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to quantify the annual cost of MOH among Iranian patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 84 patients were recruited. Demographic data, headache attack characteristics, related disability, and information about the economic burden of MOH were collected through face-to-face interview. Direct medical and nonmedical costs as well as indirect costs were included in our cost analysis. The prevalence-based approach was applied to estimate the economic burden of MOH. Results: We found that MOH patients in Iran spend averagely 1046 for medical services, 132 for nonmedical services, and 1432 due to lost productivity per year. The per-person annual cost of MOH was US2610, and the total annual cost for Iran was 10,179,000,000, with direct and indirect cost accounting for 45 and 55, respectively. Conclusion: MOH leads to substantial healthcare costs and significant loss of productivity in Iran. Therefore, raising awareness in this area especially for policymakers can use in future health planning and lead to resource allocation in the field of disabling type of headache disorders such as MOH. Our findings also provide a different insight into the burden of MOH, which are likely closer to the actual costs in middle- and low-income countries, and also it could be a sample of such a study in western Asia. © 2020, Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia
A Review on the diagnostic approaches of COVID-19 infection; Features and limitations
No full textDetection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in early stage is indispensible for outcome improvement and interruption of transmission chain. Clear understanding of the nature of the diagnostic tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and their challenges, collecting the most diagnostically valuable specimen at the right time from the right anatomic site, and interpretation of their findings is important. This review scrutinizes current challenges and interpretation of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as the reference method, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), antibody and antigen detection, typical lung imaging characteristics and prominent abnormal changes in laboratory findings of patients with proven COVID-19, and describes how the results may vary over time. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum specimens demonstrate the highest positive rates (93 and 72 , respectively) in molecular diagnosis of COVID-19. Alternatively, repeated RT-PCR assays can be performed; as over time, it is an increase in the likelihood of the SARS-CoV-2 being present in the nasopharynx. Combining clinical evidence with results of chest computed tomography (CT) and RT-PCR can minimize the risk of diagnostic errors. Elevated levels of interleukin 6 (IL�6) and D-dimer are thought to be closely associated with the occurrence of severe COVID�19 in adults, and their combined detection can serve as early factors predicting the severity of COVID�19. Moreover, elevated acute phase proteins are associated with a poor outcome in COVID-19. Serological diagnosis also is an important tool to understand the extent of COVID-19 in the community, and to identify individuals, who are immune. Antibodies begin to increase from the second week of symptom onset. © 2021 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved
Investigating speech tempo, speaking rate, and the related factors in the iranian elderly women talking with tehrani and semnani accents
Get PDFBackground: Some variables, such as age, gender, regional and dialectical differences influence speech tempo. Men and younger individuals speak faster than women and the elderly. Therefore, these variations should be considered when assessing speaking rate. Objectives: Since different accents influence speaking rates and there is no previous study investigated speech tempo with respect to regional and accent differences in Iran, and given that the elderly are more prone to problems influencing speaking rate, the present study was done to compare speech tempo and speaking rate in two different accents, namely Tehrani and Semnani, and to investigate some related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 200 elderly women selected via convenience sampling method. Speech tempo, speaking rate, verbal fluency, and cognition scores were compared using an independent-samples t-test. Pearson�s correlation coefficient test was used to assess correlations between speaking rate and level of education, Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), and verbal fluency scores. Results: No significant difference was found in speech tempo between the studied accents (P = 0.13). Speaking rate was significantly slower in the Tehrani accent than the Semnani one (P = 0.04). The Tehrani elderly obtained significantly less scores in verbal fluency and MoCA ((P � 0.001) and (P = 0.04), respectively. In both groups, speaking rate had a significant correlation with verbal fluency and MoCA scores but not with level of education. Conclusions: Although, our results showed no difference in speech tempo between the studied accents, the Tehrani elderly unexpectedly spoke more slowly meaning that they paused more while speaking. There was a relationship between faster speaking, better verbal fluency, and cognitive performance. © 2021, Author(s)