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Oncolytic adenovirus: A tool for cancer therapy in combination with other therapeutic approaches
Get PDFCancer therapy using oncolytic viruses is an emerging area, in which viruses are engineered to selectively propagate in tumor tissues without affecting healthy cells. Because of the advantages that adenoviruses (Ads) have over other viruses, they are more considered. To achieve tumor selectivity, two main modifications on Ads genome have been applied: small deletions and insertion of tissue- or tumor-specific promoters. Despite oncolytic adenoviruses ability in tumor cell lysis and immune responses stimulation, to further increase their antitumor effects, genomic modifications have been carried out including insertion of checkpoint inhibitors and antigenic or immunostimulatory molecules into the adenovirus genome and combination with dendritic cells and chemotherapeutic agents. This study reviews oncolytic adenoviruses structures, their antitumor efficacy in combination with other therapeutic strategies, and finally challenges around this treatment approach. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Producing alcohol and salt stress tolerant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by heterologous expression of pprI gene
Get PDFIntroduction: Ethanol is considered a comparatively clean biofuel, and its large scale production has been a long time concern. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven to be the suitable microorganism for large scale ethanol production, but production of other alcohols like butanol and using lignocellulosic substrates is restricted due to lacking tolerance toward toxicity of alcohols, and compounds released from substrates. This study aimed to produce a tolerant strain by using pprI gene of Deinococcus radiodurans. Material and method: pprI gene was introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To evaluate the recombinant gene expression, the qPCR was performed. By Gas chromatography, the yield of ethanol production was measured. To estimate the yield of ethanol production each strain was normally cultured in a treated lignocellulosic substrate. The S. cerevisiaes tolerance toward increased salt, ethanol, and butanol concentrations was checked. Results: Recombinant yeasts tolerated up to 1.2 M salt (7) and grew well, while normal strain could only survive under 0.85 M (5) salt concentration. At 5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 11 ethanol concentrations (v/v), normal cells growth stopped at 7.5 and above; whereas, mutant strains tolerated up to 11 ethanol and proliferated. The mutant yeast's capability to grow in 0.5 and 1 v/v of butanol was raised by 3 and 2.25 fold. Conclusion: Expression of pprI in different cells increases the tolerance toward various compounds including ethanol, salt and butanol along with boosted yield of biofuel production from ligonocellulosic substrate. Mutant strains showed a higher capability of producing alcohol, and cellular tolerance was raised toward growth restricting compounds released from substrates. © 2019 Elsevier Inc
Effect of computed tomography number-relative electron density conversion curve on the calculation of radiotherapy dose and evaluation of Monaco radiotherapy treatment planning system
No full textThe accuracy of a computed tomography (CT)-relative electron density (RED) curve may have an indirect impact on the accuracy of dose calculation by a treatment planning system (TPS). This effect has not been previously quantified for input of different CT-RED curves from different CT-scan units in the Monaco TPS. This study aims to evaluate the effect of CT-RED curve on the dose calculation by the Monaco radiotherapy TPS. Four CT images of the CIRS phantom were obtained by different CT scanners. The accuracy of the dose calculation in the three algorithms of the Monaco TPS (Monte Carlo, collapse cone, and pencil beam) is also evaluated based on TECDOC 1583. The CT-RED curves from the CT scanners were transferred to the Monaco TPS to audit the different algorithms of the TPS. The dose values were measured with an ionization chamber in the CIRS phantom. Then, the dose values were calculated by the Monaco algorithms in the corresponding points. For the Monaco TPS and based on TECDOC 1583, the accuracy of the dose calculation in all the three algorithms is within the agreement criteria for most of the points evaluated. For low dose regions, the differences between the calculated and measured dose values are higher than the agreement criteria in a number of points. For the majority of the points, the algorithms underestimate the calculated dose values. It was also found that the use of different CT-RED curves can lead to minor discrepancies in the dose calculation by the Monaco TPS, especially in low dose regions. However, it appears that these differences are not clinically significant in most of the cases. © 2019, Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine
Molecular characterization of class 1, 2 and 3 integrons in clinical multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates
Get PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to characterize class 1,2 and 3 integrons in clinical MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Kashan, Iran. Methods: One hundred-eighty one Klebsiella pneumoniae were recovered from clinical specimens during November 2013 to October 2014. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined by disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines for detection of MDR strains. Of the 181 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 146 (80.7) of isolates were isolated from nosocomial infected patients and 150 (82.9) identified as MDR isolates. The PCR amplification was used to show presence of class 1, 2 and 3 integrons among MDR strains. The PCR method and sequencing were used for evaluation of cassette content of integrons. Results: Of the MDR K. pneumoniae isolates, 150 (100) and 55 (36.7) carried intI1 and intI2 genes, respectively. None of the MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates carried class 3 integrons. Amplification of conserved segment (CS) of class 1 and class 2 integrons revealed 10 different arrays including: No. cassette; dfrA5, dfrA30; aadA2; aadA2, dfrA12; dfrA17, aadA5, aadA4; dfrA5, dfrA30, aadA2; dfrA5, dfrA30, aadA2, dfrA12, dfrA5, dfrA30, dfrA17, aadA5, aadA4; aadA2, aadA2, dfrA12; dfrA5, dfrA30, aadA2, aadA2, dfrA12 and 4 arrays including: No. cassette; aadA1; dfrA1-sat1; aadA1, dfrA1-sat1, respectively. Conclusions: The finding of present study revealed a high prevalence of integrons especially class 1 among MDR K. pneumoniae isolates from nosocomial infections in Kashan, which led to rapid extension of MDR strains. © 2019 The Author(s)
Association between general sense of mastery and income in White- and African-American adults
Get PDFBackground:Some research has shown that general sense of mastery (i.e., sense of control over the forces that impact one's life) does not have universal causes and consequences in racial groups. For instance, sense of mastery better predicts depression and mortality for non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) than that of African-Americans (AAs). Objectives: The objective of this study was to test the heterogeneity in the association between the sense of mastery and income by race in a nationally representative sample of NHW and AA adults. Methods:This study included a total of 3570 AA and 891 NHW adults who were enrolled to the National Survey of American Life. Variables included race/ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES and household income), and sense of mastery. Linear regression models were applied in the overall sample and also by race. Results: Overall, high sense of mastery was associated with high household income. In race-specific models, higher levels of sense of mastery were associated with high household income in AAs but not NHWs. Conclusions: Racial differences exist in how sense of mastery and income are correlated. It is not clear whether high income generates more sense of mastery for AAs or high sense of mastery is more essential for generating high income for AAs. Policy makers and clinicians should be aware that SES and sense of mastery are differently linked in AAs and NHWs
Technical and economic investigation of chemical scrubber and bio-filtration in removal of H 2 S and NH 3 from wastewater treatment plant
Get PDFA detailed techno-economic comparison of a chemical scrubber (CS) and a bio-filter (BF) was conducted over a 45-day time period at a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), Yazd city. The assessment of emissions quantity indicated that odor emissions from the Yazd WWPT mainly consist of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and ammonia (NH 3 ). It was also found that odor gaseous loading changes corresponding to water consumption pattern in society (R 2 = 0.922) for H 2 S and (R 2 = 0.978) for NH 3 . The highest level of 25 and 3 ppm for H 2 S and NH 3 , respectively were detected at specific times during the day. The BF system was continuously supplied with Yazd WWPT's off-gas treatment while the CS was only examined at the times during the day when the gas emissions are at the highest level. The removal efficiency of NH 3 and H 2 S were found to be affected by their respective loading rate. Additionally, among the various oxidants examined in the CS, the NaOCl solution showed the best results in terms of removal efficiency and compatibility. The experiment revealed almost complete removal of NH 3 while the H 2 S removal efficiency remained above 95 for both systems regardless of the operating conditions. This study clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of both systems in treating actual waste gases containing H 2 S and NH 3 . By comparing the gas loading rate of both systems and considering limitations of the BF system, the CS seems to be more efficient applicable odor control technology from a technical viewpoint. From the economic viewpoint, comparisons revealed that chemical usage and operating expenses were costly parts of the CS and the BF, respectively. The economic indexes of 1.58 �.m �3 . h �1 and 2.57 �.m �3 . h �1 were obtained for the BF and CS, respectively, reflecting cost-effectiveness of the BF system. © 201
Scolicidal Effects of Chitosan�Curcumin Nanoparticles on the Hydatid Cyst Protoscolices
No full textPurpose: In the current era, cystic echinococcosis (CE), as larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is considered as a threat to human health. Scolicidal agents used in the surgery of cysts have different side effects. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effects of chitosan nanoparticles containing curcumin (Ch�Cu NPs) on the protoscolices of the hydatid cyst in vitro. Methods: Ch�Cu NPs were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method and their structural and morphological properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta analyzer, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Then, the effects of different concentrations of Ch�Cu NPs (0.25, 0.05, 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL) on the fatality rate, and the length and width of protoscolices in different times (5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min) were investigated. In addition, the SEM technique was used to evaluate the structure of the protoscolices after treatment. Results: Based on the results, the presence of curcumin on the chitosan nanoparticles was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Further, XRD analysis approved the crystal structure of chitosan NPs. Furthermore, the highest fatality rate was 68 in 4 mg/mL concentration of Ch�Cu NPs. The length and width of protoscolices decreased based on the high concentrations of Ch�Cu NPs, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Finally, Ch�Cu NPs expressed good scolicidal activities, which made them suitable to be considered as an anti-protoscolex agent. © 2019, Witold Stefa�ski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences
Folic acid functionalized nanoparticles as pharmaceutical carriers in drug delivery systems
No full textConventional chemotherapeutic approaches in cancer therapy such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have several disadvantages due to their nontargeted distributions in the whole body. On the other hand, nanoparticles (NPs) based therapies are remarkably progressing to solve several limitations of conventional drug delivery systems (DDSs) including nonspecific biodistribution and targeting, poor water solubility, weak bioavailability and biodegradability, low pharmacokinetic properties, and so forth. The enhanced permeability and retention effect escape from P-glycoprotein trap in cancer cells as a passive targeting mechanism, and active targeting strategies are also other most important advantages of NPs in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Folic acid (FA) is one of the biologic molecules which has been targeted overexpressed-folic acid receptor (FR) on the surface of cancer cells. Therefore, conjugation of FA to NPs most easily enhances the FR-mediated targeting delivery of therapeutic agents. Here, the recent works in FA which have been decorated NPs-based DDSs are discussed and cancer therapy potency of these NPs in clinical trials are presented. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Daily intake of pesticide residues in melon and watermelon samples in Kashan, Iran
Get PDFBackground and purpose: Pesticides cause general concern due to their possible adverse results on human health. The aim of this study was to investigate different pesticides and also estimating daily intake of their residues in melon and watermelon samples in Kashan, Iran. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 62 melon and watermelon samples were collected from different fruit distribution centers in Kashan, 2016-2017. After preparation, the samples were analyzed for 118 various pesticides using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Also, chronic daily intake (CDI) of pesticides was calculated. Results: In this study, 7 (11.29 ) melon and watermelon samples were contaminated with pesticides. Only fludioxonil residue was detected in 1 (2.3 ) watermelon sample which was higher than standard range. The CDI of fludioxonil was less than standard of codex Alimentarius. In melon samples, diazinon in 3 (15.79) and tridemorph in 2 (10.52) samples were the most common residues detected. Also, CDI of diazinon and tridemorph in melon samples were more than the standard of codex Alimentarius. Conclusion: Current findings showed the presence of agricultural pesticides in melon and watermelon samples. Therefore, regular monitoring of the pesticide residues is necessary. © 2019, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
The use of EBT3 film and Delta4 for the dosimetric verification of EclipseTM treatment planning system in a heterogeneous chest phantom: An IMRT technique
Get PDFBackground: This study aimed to evaluate the dose calculation accuracy of EclipseTM treatment planning system (TPS) in a heterogeneous chest phantom with the intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique using EBT3 film and Delta4. Materials and Methods: Two IMRT plans (A and B) were prepared for radiotherapy of the heterogeneous chest phantom. Plan A was between the left lung and the surrounding soft tissue and plan B was carried out on the soft tissue. EBT3 film and Delta4 were used for dose measurement in the phantom. EclipseTM TPS was also used for dose calculation. Finally, the gamma index values of the TPS with film and TPS with Delta4 were obtained. A 95 passing rate of gamma index with the passing criterion of 3mm/3 and a dose threshold of 20 as the standard criterion was considered in this study. Furthermore, the passing rates of gamma indices of the film and Delta4 were compared with each other via Bland-Altman analysis. Results: The mean passing rate of gamma index with standard passing criterion between the TPS calculations and film measurements was 96.95±0.22, while it was equal to 97.7±0.56 and 98.45±0.21 between the TPS calculations and 2D and 3D Delta4 measurements, respectively. Additionally, the differences between the passing rates of gamma indices of the film and Delta4 were less than 5. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the accuracy of dose calculations of EclipseTM TPS in a heterogeneous chest phantom with the IMRT technique is within the standard passing criterion. Furthermore, it can be concluded that there is a good agreement between the film and Delta4, as IMRT QA devices. © 2019 Novin Medical Radiation Institute. All rights reserved