Repository of Research and Investigative Information Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
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Circulating lncRNA HOTAIR is a biomarker for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and mediator of miR-326 exosomal export
No full textAcute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children worldwide. In the present investigation, the circulating RNAs (circRNAs) HOTAIR, NEAT1, H19, PCAT1, and SNHG1 were selected as potential biomarkers for childhood ALL (pALL) based on their predicted interactions with miR-326, a recognized tumor suppressor implicated in pALL, along with comprehensive in silico analyses. Subsequently, the expression levels of the circRNAs were examined in 50 pALL samples and 20 healthy controls using RT-qPCR. Notably, HOTAIR was identified as a 95 specific biomarker of cancer susceptibility, exhibiting a substantial increase in expression within the bone marrow plasma and peripheral blood samples. 22 B-ALL patients with elevated relative expression levels of circHOTAIR (>= 1.87) were then monitored at three distinct time intervals during chemotherapy. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in HOTAIR expression only among treatment-sensitive patients (P < 0.0001). This finding positions HOTAIR as a novel prognostic factor (AUC = 0.955), which may be used for monitoring the efficacy of chemotherapy in a non-invasive, cost-effective manner. Additionally, the regulatory inter-connection between HOTAIR and miR-326 was investigated by transfecting B-ALL RN-95 cells with exogenous miR-326. Data showed a time-dependent increase in cytoplasmic HOTAIR levels, alongside RAB35, resulting in a corresponding reduction in the cytoplasmic and exosomal miR-326 levels. While the results are preliminary due to the sample size, this study is the first to identify circHOTAIR as both a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in B-ALL. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of HOTAIR as a sponge for miR-326, orchestrating its efflux from the cell via exosomes through RAB35
Comparing the transfection efficiency of cationic monomer ratios in vinylimidazole and aminoethyl methacrylate copolymers
No full textEmploying polycations as non-viral gene delivery vectors has been extensively studied owing to their safety, efficiency and possibility of modifying them in an intended way compared with viral vectors. However, the main challenge is finding a biocompatible and transfection-efficient polymer. In this study, 2-aminoethyl methacrylate (A) and 1-vinyl imidazole (V) were copolymerized at three different molar ratios by a free radical polymerization method and novel biocompatible polycations with narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained. The resulting copolymers were used for condensation of plasmid DNA (pDNA) at different N/P ratios followed by physicochemical characterizations of resulting polyplexes. At N/P ratio of 2, the nanoplexes were smaller than 120 nm. The optimum formulations were stable in presence of polyanions and capable of protecting the condensed pDNA against nucleases. The polyplexes having V to A molar ratio of 1:1 were the most efficient carrier in transfecting HeLa cells and were introduced as a promising non-viral vector
Effects of particle size, seasonal variation, and acid aging on the oxidative potential of urban and industrial airborne PM in Isfahan metropolis, Iran☆
No full textAir pollution from particulate matter (PM) presents significant global environmental and public health challenges. PM's oxidative potential (OP) is a critical indicator integrating biological and physicochemical characteristics. This study investigates the OP of PM across different size fractions (PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particles (TSP)) in urban and industrial areas of Isfahan, Iran, focusing on the effects of acid aging and seasonal variation. The oxidative potential of 92 PM samples, comprising 54 urban and 38 industrial samples, was evaluated using the dithiothreitol assay (OPDTT). The OPDTT values (mean f sd) for PM2.5, PM10, and TSP of urban areas were 2.4 f 0.8, 1.8 f 0.6, and 1.1 f 0.2, respectively. Corresponding values for industrial areas were 2.6 f 0.8, 1.8 f 0.4, and 1.0 f 0.4 nmol min-1 m-3, respectively. Following exposure to nitric acid and sulfuric acid, the OPDTT values of urban PM increased by 62 and 41, while industrial PM showed increases of 108 and 80, respectively. Seasonal analysis revealed higher OPDTT values during warm months compared to cold months. Fine particles (PM2.5) exhibited greater OPDTT than coarse particles, particularly after acid aging. Furthermore, PM2.5 from industrial areas displayed higher toxicity than urban areas, likely attributable to particle concentration and chemical composition differences. This study highlights the importance of PM characteristics and sources in particle toxicity enhanced by acid aging. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the chemical composition and environmental factors contributing to PM toxicity, especially during warm months
Phytotoxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on germination and growth of the native halophyte Salicornia sinus persica in oil contaminated soil
No full textThe release of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) into the environment is primarily linked to petroleum industry activities, including drilling, exploration, storage, and related processes. The spillage of PHCs into the environment poses significant threats to ecosystems and can lead to serious risks to human health, the environment, and plants. This research aims to investigate the phytotoxic effect of petroleum sludge on the germination and growth characteristics of Salicornia sinus-persica. This study was conducted in a greenhouse using pots to examine the effects of varying concentrations of PHCs on plant growth. Petroleum sludge at concentrations of 0, 0.2, 1, 2, 4, and 8 (w/w) was used to prepare PHC-contaminated soils. In some pots, biochar, and vermicompost were added to them in order to evaluate the effect of soil amendments on plants. The study evaluated several parameters, including seed germination, fresh and dry biomass weight, number of lateral stems, stem and root lengths, and chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. The results of this study showed that petroleum contamination had negative effects on the growth parameters of Salicornia sinus persica and photosynthetic pigments. However, the addition of biochar and vermicompost as soil amendments improved plant growth under contaminated conditions. Salicornia dried after 1 month in oil-contaminated soils with a concentration of 8 in all soil treatments, which indicated its high toxicity to the plant
Fe3O4@Poly-dopamine as T2W MR Nanoprobe for breast cancer detection and as inhibitory Agent in Helicobacter Pylori
No full textObjective(s): Recently, magnetic nanoparticles coated with different ligands have been utilized in diagnosis, drug delivery, and therapy. This study aimed to synthesize, characterize, and apply Fe(3)O(4 )coated with Poly Dopamine (PDA) as an MR imaging nanoprobe and its application in metronidazole-resistant helicobacter Materials and Methods: Fe(3)O(4 )nanoparticles were characterized and their cytotoxicity was determined in MCF-7 cell lines. Then, coated and non-coated nanoparticles were injected intravenously into 9 xenograft BALB/C mice, and the signal intensity of the T2-weighted MR was assessed. Iron concentrations were measured by ICP-AES, and histopathological assessment was done on harvested critical organs. Finally, The standard disk diffusion method was also used to identify the H.pylori resistance to metronidazole. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and the minimum bactericidal concentration of uncoated and coated iron oxide nanoparticles were investigated. Results: The MTT assay showed low cytotoxicity at 512 mu g/ml. T-2 relaxation times of tumors were lower compared to normal tissues. ICP-AES results indicated that the NPs accumulated mostly in the spleen and liver. The histopathology study demonstrated that the vital organ tissues had less morphologic abnormality and apoptotic changes. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations of ION@PDA were 16-64 mu g/ml and 16-128 mu g/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Due to the high permeability of nanoprobes in tumors, less cytotoxicity, and its inhibitory effects on metronidazole-resistant H.pylori, ION@PDA may be used as a nano contrast agent in MR imaging for the detection of MCF-7 cells
Co-selection of antibiotic and disinfectant resistance in environmental bacteria: Health implications and mitigation strategies
No full textBackground: The rapid emergence of co-selection between antimicrobials, including antibiotics and disinfectants, presents a significant challenge to healthcare systems. This phenomenon exacerbates contamination risks and limits the effectiveness of strategies to combat antibiotic resistance in clinical settings. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of bacteria in hospital environments that exhibit co-selection mechanisms and their potential implications for patient health, framed within the One Health perspective. Methods: Air and surface samples were collected from seven large hospitals and analyzed to detect antibiotic- resistant bacteria (ARB). The resistance profiles of isolated ARB to various disinfectants were determined. Bacterial species were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and class 1 integrons (intI1) was investigated. Results: A high percentage (85) of samples contained ARB, with beta-lactam resistance being the most frequently observed. Alarmingly, 94 of isolated ARB exhibited resistance to at least one disinfectant, and 91 demonstrated resistance to three or more disinfectants. Staphylococcus and Bacillus emerged as the dominant genera displaying co-selection. The presence of ARGs, including mecA (associated with methicillin resistance) and qacB (associated with disinfectant resistance), along with intI1, provided further evidence supporting co-selection mechanisms. Conclusion: These findings underscore the critical need for robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance and the prudent use of disinfectants in healthcare settings. Further research into co-selection mechanisms is essential to inform the development of effective infection control strategies and minimize the spread of resistant bacteria
Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effects of Almond (Prunus amygdalus) Green Skin Extract on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Isolates
No full textIntroduction: Given the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the therapeutic potential of plant extracts against various bacterial strains, this study aims to investigate the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and combined antibiotic effects of lyophilized almond (Prunus amygdalus) green skin extract on both clinical and standard isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.Method: This study examined the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of almond green skin extract on standard strains of P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and S. aureus (resistant ATCC 25923), along with 20 clinical isolates (10 of each strain). Iranian almond green skin was collected, dried, and prepared for extraction. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds in the extract. A checkerboard assay was performed to evaluate the effects of combining antibiotics with the lyophilized almond green skin extract. The antibiofilm assay was conducted for each compound individually and in combination, at various concentrations. The MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxic effects of the lyophilized extract.Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for cefoxitin, meropenem, and the almond green skin extract were found to be 1-128 mu g/mu L, 0.25-32 mu g/mu L, and 8-16 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, checkerboard results for the extract combined with the antibiotic meropenem on clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa showed an additive effect in five isolates and a synergistic effect in another five. The highest biofilm inhibition rate of cefoxitin alone on MDR S. aureus isolates was observed at a concentration of 2xMIC (16 mu g/mL), with 95 inhibition. MTT results indicated that the lowest cell viability (84) occurred at a concentration of 64 mu g/mu L of cefoxitin with 0.512 mg/mL of the extract, while the highest cell viability (94) was observed at 25 mu g/mu L of cefoxitin with 0.512 mg/mL of the extract.Conclusion: The combination of antibiotics with almond green skin extract enhances bactericidal and antibiofilm properties against clinical isolates of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa
Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Lichen Planopilaris: Efficacy and Safety
No full textBackground: Treating lichen planopilaris (LPP) is challenging for dermatologists. Along with anti-inflammatory agents, another goal of treatment is to improve hair thickness in unaffected areas to cover the scars. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adding low-dose oral minoxidil (OM) to the standard anti-inflammatory treatment of LPP. Method: A total of 37 patients with LPP were randomly assigned to receive either 15 mg/week methotrexate (MTX) plus topical clobetasol or 1 mg/day minoxidil in addition to MTX plus clobetasol for 6 months. The Lichen Planopilaris Activity Index (LPPAI), dermoscopy, and standard photography evaluated the treatment efficacy. Results: Both groups exhibited a significant improvement in LPPAI (p < 0.001). The following signs/symptoms demonstrated notable improvements in frequency and/or severity in both groups: pruritus, anagen pull test, follicular prominency, scalp erythema, perifollicular erythema, milky red area, and pigmentation. However, pain, burning sensation, hair tufting, and spreading only improved in the MTX + low-dose OM group. Elongated blood vessels did not improve in either group. In terms of hair thickness and density, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The addition of 1 mg/day minoxidil to the standard treatment of LPP was found to be safe but did not yield significant effects on LPPAI and hair density/thickness. Notably, two patients who received low-dose OM (2/19, 10.5) showed hair regrowth in scarring areas. Trials with higher doses of minoxidil may be promising
Disseminated Bacille Calmette-Guérin Vaccine-Induced Disease in a Sample of Iranian Children: A Longitudinal Case-Series Study
No full textBackground: Approximately a quarter-million Iranian newborns receive the Bacille Calmette-Gu & eacute;rin (BCG) vaccine annually.However, in immunodeficient infants, this vaccine can lead to disseminated BCG disease (DBD).Objectives: This study aims to determine the clinical presentation, comorbidities, underlying immunodeficiency, andprognosis of DBD in a group of Iranian children.Methods: In a longitudinal case-series study, data were collected from the files of infants and children diagnosed with DBDfrom 2005 to 2017. Immunodeficiency screening was conducted for each patient. For children with normal immunodeficiencyscreening results, further testing for Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD) was performed. Detection ofDBD in children was achieved by evaluating gastric lavage and bone marrow aspiration samples for mycobacterium.Results: Most of the 22 patients were immunocompromised, with the following distribution: 31.8 had severe combinedimmunodeficiency (SCID), 45.5 had MSMD (specifically IL-12R beta 1 deficiency), one patient (4.5) had Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome(WAS), and the remaining 18.1 had unknown immunodeficiency types. Most patients with MSMD were successfully treated anddid not show relapse during the follow-up period, even after discontinuing anti-tuberculosis (TB) medications.Conclusions: Due to the similarity of its manifestations to sepsis, diagnosing systemic infections caused by the BCG vaccine inchildren requires a high level of clinical suspicion and appropriate diagnostic measures, such as mycobacterial culture,biochemical speciation, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These diagnostic steps should be taken promptly in cases of DBD,with concurrent treatment using anti-tuberculosis drugs and, if possible, targeted therapies for underlying immunodeficiency
Tea and coffee consumption and the 15-Year risk of cardiovascular events: the Isfahan cohort study (ICS)
No full textBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the association between tea and coffee consumption and the 15-year incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality among the Iranian population.MethodsThe present study Data were obtained from the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), a prospective cohort study of >= 35-year-old healthy adults in central Iran from 2001 to 2017. This study was conducted using baseline data on tea and/or coffee consumption per day/week from ICS to identify the occurrence of any new cardiovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina (UA), stroke, cardiovascular disease (CVD), sudden cardiac death (SCD), cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality.Results5248 participants with complete data were included in the study. After full adjustments, compared to participants with the lowest tea intake, the risk of AMI was significantly higher for participants with the highest tea intake (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.83; 95 confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 3.07; p for trend = 0.060). Also, moderate-tea drinking was associated with a 66 increased risk of AMI compared to the lowest-tea drinking (HR = 1.66; 95CI: 1.03, 2.70). No significant association was observed between tea consumption and other CVD events or all-cause mortality. Moreover, after full adjustment, no significant association was observed between tea intake above the median and cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality or between coffee consumption and study outcomes.ConclusionsHigh tea consumption significantly increases the risk of AMI; however, high tea and coffee consumption had no significant association with other cardiovascular events. Future research is needed, especially in Iran and the Middle East, to clarify and evaluate more factors related to the complex nature of tea and coffee consumption and cardiovascular events