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The Occurrence of Type I, II, and III Integrons in Multi-drug Resistance and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in Iran
Get PDFIntegrons are mobilizable platforms-DNA elements with impacts on moving antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria and capable of spreading multi-drug resistance (MDR) in pathogens. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are the main cause of community-acquired and nosocomial infections with high mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. This work is mainly aimed at calculating the frequency of Type I, II, and III integrons within multi-drug resistance and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus Isolates in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 230 clinical isolates of S. aureus were gathered from patients of educational hospitals in the provinces of Iran. These isolates were verified utilizing particular biochemical examinations and then assessed for antibiotic susceptibility through disk diffusion technique and standard procedures were done. Genomic and plasmid DNA of all isolates were extracted using Extraction Kit and PCR assay was used for the detection of Type I, II and III integrons genes. Out of the 230 S. aureus isolates, 136 (59.1) isolates were MRSA and 141 (61.3) isolates exhibited the MDR pattern. PCR and sequencing showed that 57 (24.8) of tested isolates carry Type I integron. Among the isolates investigated, MRSA and MDR isolates showed frequencies of 56.1 and 57.9, respectively. Type II and III integrons were found in none of 230 isolates. The IntI I gene was present in approximately one-quarter of this study isolates. The great prevalence rate of MDR and MRSA isolates and concurrently the existence of Type I integron among those isolates have been considered an important concern in medical society. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation and liver function enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Get PDFIntroduction: So far, no study has summarized the findings on the effects of berberine intake on anthropometric parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver enzymes. This systematic review and meta-analysis were done based upon randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to analyze the effects of berberine on anthropometric parameters, CRP and liver enzymes. Method: Following databases were searched for eligible studies published from inception to 30 July 2019: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and Google scholar. Necessary data were extracted. Data were pooled by the inverse variance method and expressed as mean difference with 95 Confidence Intervals (95 CI). Result: 12 studies were included. Berberine treatment moderately but significantly decreased body weight (WMD = �2.07 kg, 95 CI -3.09, �1.05, P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (WMD = �0.47 kg/m2, 95 CI -0.70, �0.23, P < 0.001), waist circumference (WC) (WMD = �1.08 cm, 95 CI -1.97, �0.19, P = 0.018) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (WMD = �0.42 mg/L, 95 CI -0.82, �0.03, P = 0.034). However, berberine intake did not affect liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (WMD = �1.66 I/U, 95 CI -3.98, 0.65, P = 0.160) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD = �0.87 I/U, 95 CI -2.56, 0.82, P = 0.311). Conclusion: This meta-analysis found a significant reduction of body weight, BMI, WC and CRP levels associated with berberine intake which may have played an indirect role in improved clinical symptoms in diseases with metabolic disorders. Berberine administration had no significant effect on ALT and AST levels. © 2020 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolis
Survival rate of prostate cancer in asian countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFBackground: Prostate cancer is one of the most common health issues among men, especially older men. In recent years, incidences of prostate cancer is increasing. Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive estimate of the survival of prostate cancer in Asian countries. Methods: We searched five international databases including Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Knowledge and ProQuest until June 1, 2018. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment was used to evaluate the quality of selected papers. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019117044). Results: A total of 714 titles were retrieved. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Based on the random-effect model one-year, five-year and ten-year survival rate of prostate cancer were 81 (95 CI 77.8�84.2), 61.9 (95 CI 59.5�64.3) and 36.2 (95 CI 9.2�63.2) respectively. Survival rates based on HDI level for five-year were 30.07, 43.43 and 70.84 percent for medium, high and very high levels, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, the prostate cancer survival rate in Asian countries is relatively lower than in Europe and North America. © 2020 The Author(s)
Clearance of Brucella with formulation rCagA, TN-OMPs & LPS in mice
No full textThe development of vaccines against Brucella is necessary. The formulations rCagA/OMP/LPS were evaluated against the clearance of Brucella. All of the mouse groups were immunized three times orally and followed two times by IM. Two weeks after the last immunization mice were challenged with B. abortus strain 544. Blood and spleen samples were collected from mice. Antigen-specific interleukine responses were measured in the spleen of immunized mice before and post-challenge by ELISA. Specific IgG1,2 isotopes were measured from sera before and after challenge. Sandwich ELISA assays were used to determine IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 levels in the supernatants of the splenocyte cells. Statistical analysis of IFN-γ titers indicated a significant difference between all groups with Mock (p = 0.00). However, there was no significant difference between other groups. Furthermore, the analysis of IL-10 titers had similar results. The statistical analysis for IL-4 showed a significant difference between rCagA with LPS-rCagA conjugate and LPS-rCagA+ CpG groups (p = 0.001). Statistical analysis between IFN-γ and IL-4 titers showed a significant difference among all groups (p = 0.00). Statistical analysis between IFN and IL-10 titers showed a significant difference among all groups (p = 0.00). Statistical analysis between IL-10 and IL-4 titers showed no significant difference in any group. Clearance finally was 7 log with OMP/rCagA against B. abortus strain 544. Immunization with the current combination was safe in animal models and was able to induce appropriate responses and also decrease Brucella colonization. © 202
Autophagy regulation by microRNAs: Novel insights into osteosarcoma therapy
No full textOsteosarcoma (OS) is a kind of primary bone cancer that is considered as the leading cause of children death. Surgery and chemotherapy are considered as common treatment approaches for OS; the rate of survival for patients is almost 60�70. Besides the used therapeutic approaches, it seems that there is a crucial need to launch new treatments for OS. In this regard, more understanding about cellular and molecular pathways involved in OS can contribute to recovery and develop new therapeutic platforms. Autophagy is a cellular machinery that digests and degrades dysfunctional proteins and organelles, so it can regulate the cell proliferation and survival. Most of the time, OS cells use autophagy to increase their survival and proliferation and to gain the ability to resist chemotherapy. Although, there are several controversial evidences on how OS cells use autophagy. A variety of cellular and molecular pathways, that is, microRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate autophagy. MiRNAs are some endogenous, approximately 22 nucleotide RNAs that have an important role in posttranscriptional regulation of mRNAs by targeting them. There are many evidences that the various miRNA expressions in OS cells are dysregulated, so it can propel a normal cell to cancerous one by influencing the cell survival, apoptosis, and autophagy, and eventually increased chemoresitance. Hence, miRNAs can be considered as new biomarkers for OS diagnosis, and according to the role of autophagy in OS progression, miRNAs can use inhibiting or promoting autophagy agents. The present review summarizes the effects of aberrant expression of miRNAs in OS diagnosis and treatment with focus on their roles in autophagy. © 2020 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biolog
Three-dimensional co-culture of human spermatogonial stem cells with Sertoli cells in soft agar culture system supplemented by growth factors and Laminin
No full textApplication of a three-dimensional (3D) culture system for in vitro proliferation and differentiation of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is a useful tool for the investigation of the spermatogenesis process and the management of male infertility particularly in prepubertal cancer patients. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the proliferation of human SSCs co-cultured with Sertoli cells in soft agar culture system (SACS) supplemented by Laminin and growth factors. Testicular cells were isolated from testes of brain-dead patients and cultured in two-dimensional (2D) culture system for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, functional SSCs were evaluated by xenotransplantation and also identification of cells was assessed by immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and RT-PCR. Then, SSCs and Sertoli cells were transferred to the upper layer of SACS for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, the number of colonies and the expression of specific SSCs and Sertoli cell markers, as well as apoptotic genes were evaluated. Our results showed that transplanted SSCs, migrated into the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules of recipient mice. The expression of PLZF, α6-Integrin, and Vimentin proteins in SSCs and Sertoli cells were observed in 2D and 3D culture systems. The expression rate of PLZF, α6-Integrin, Bcl2, and colony number in SACS supplemented by Laminin and growth factors group were significantly higher than non-supplemented groups (P � 0.01), but the expression rate of c-kit and Bax in supplemented group were significantly lower than non-supplemented groups (P � 0.05). This 3D co-culture system decreased apoptosis and increased propagation of human SSCs. Therefore, this designed system can be utilized to increase the proliferation of human SSCs in prepubertal male cancer and azoospermic men to obtain an adequate SSCs number to outotransplant success and in vitro spermatogenesis. © 202
Anti-tumor activities of probiotics in cervical cancer
Get PDFCervical cancer is considered as an important malignancy among women worldwide. Currently-used treatments of cervical cancer are reported to be cytotoxic for patients. Moreover, these therapies have shown some side effects which can negatively affect the lives of women suffering from this cancer. Therefore, there is need for anti-tumor agents that are less toxic than common therapeutic drugs. Besides, applying agents for preventing or reducing the side effects of cervical cancer therapies can be effective in improving the life quality of cervical cancer patients. Studies have shown that probiotics have several effects on biological processes. One of the most prominent aspects in which probiotics play a role is in the field of cancer. There are multiple studies which have focused on the functions of probiotics in diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of cancer. Besides their direct anti-tumor activities, probiotics can be used as an additional agent for enhancing or modulating other diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Herein, the effects of probiotics on cervical cancer cells are discussed, which may be useful in the prevention and treatment of this cancer. We review the studies concerned with the roles of probiotics in modulating and reducing the gastrointestinal adverse effects caused by cervical cancer therapies. Furthermore, we cover the investigations focusing on the combination of probiotics with other drugs for diagnosis or treatment of cervical cancer
Autophagy in cancers including brain tumors: role of MicroRNAs
Get PDFAutophagy has a crucial role in many cancers, including brain tumors. Several types of endogenous molecules (e.g. microRNAs, AKT, PTEN, p53, EGFR, and NF1) can modulate the process of autophagy. Recently miRNAs (small non-coding RNAs) have been found to play a vital role in the regulation of different cellular and molecular processes, such as autophagy. Deregulation of these molecules is associated with the development and progression of different pathological conditions, including brain tumors. It was found that miRNAs are epigenetic regulators, which influence the level of proteins coded by the targeted mRNAs with any modification of the genetic sequences. It has been revealed that various miRNAs (e.g., miR-7-1-3p, miR-340, miR-17, miR-30a, miR-224-3p, and miR-93), as epigenetic regulators, can modulate autophagy pathways within brain tumors. A deeper understanding of the underlying molecular targets of miRNAs, and their function in autophagy pathways could contribute to the development of new treatment methods for patients with brain tumors. In this review, we summarize the various miRNAs, which are involved in regulating autophagy in brain tumors. Moreover, we highlight the role of miRNAs in autophagy-related pathways in different cancers. Video abstract
TGF-β and WNT signaling pathways in cardiac fibrosis: non-coding RNAs come into focus
Get PDFCardiac fibrosis describes the inappropriate proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), leading to accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the cardiac muscle, which is found in many pathophysiological heart conditions. A range of molecular components and cellular pathways, have been implicated in its pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on the TGF-β and WNT signaling pathways, and their mutual interaction, which have emerged as important factors involved in cardiac pathophysiology. The molecular and cellular processes involved in the initiation and progression of cardiac fibrosis are summarized. We focus on TGF-β and WNT signaling in cardiac fibrosis, ECM production, and myofibroblast transformation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are one of the main players in the regulation of multiple pathways and cellular processes. MicroRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular long non-coding RNAs can all interact with the TGF-β/WNT signaling axis to affect cardiac fibrosis. A better understanding of these processes may lead to new approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many cardiac conditions. Video Abstract
Deep skin wound healing potential of lavender essential oil and licorice extract in a nanoemulsion form: Biochemical, histopathological and gene expression evidences
No full textCutaneous wound healing is one of the public health interests. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoemulsion cream containing lavender essential oil and licorice extract on the healing of deep skin wound in a rat model. Eighty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups including untreated defects as negative control and defects treated with vehicle ointment, lavender essential oil and licorice extract in emulsion and nanoemulsion forms, and phenytoin 1 as the positive control with an excisional wound on the dorsal neck of each rat. On days 2, 7 and 14 oxidative stress factors were evaluated in wound tissue homogenates. The expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and type I and type III collagen genes were evaluated. Also, wound tissue samples were processed for Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson-Trichrome staining. Nanoemulsion reduced the wound area more than other groups significantly. Real-time PCR data demonstrated that nanoemulsion and phenytoin groups have shown the best result in increasing TGF-β1, Type I and type III collagen genes expression compared to the other groups. Reduction in lipid peroxidation level and increasing in SOD and GPx activity was also significant in the nanoemulsion and phenytoin groups. The formation of granular tissue likewise the appearance of collagen in nanoemulsion and phenytoin groups were faster than the other groups. Nanoemulsion cream containing lavender essential oil and licorice extract exhibited a promising wound healing potential towards the excisional wound model in rats. © 2020 Tissue Viability Societ