Association between extract of Euphorbia szovitsii and expression level of microRNAs in MDA-MB-231 cell line

Molecular Biology Reports - The miRNAs have been shown to be involved in breast cancer. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the impacts of extract from Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch...     

Treatment of Used Diesel Invert Drilling Mud to Remove Hydrocarbons,Fix Lead,and Leach Brine

A sample of used, highly saline diesel invert drilling mud (DIDM), artificially contaminated with lead, was tested for remediation using ICPET/ NRC's Solvent Extraction Soil Remediation (SESR) process. The work comprised investigation of the concurrent solvent extraction of diesel oil and fixation of lead by co-agglomeration of metal binding agents. Peat, soluble and insoluble phosphates, coal combustion fly ashes, and flue gas desulfurization scrubber sludge were tested as lead fixation agents. Virtually complete extraction of diesel oil was achieved in a five-step extraction process using toluene, trichloroethylene, or hexane as solvents. The effect of the metal fixation agents on solvent extraction efficiency was also investigated. After remediation to remove hydrocarbons and fix heavy metals, the DIDM sample remained saline. Successful leaching of brine from the dried agglomerates was accomplished by water percolation through a fixed bed of the dried, agglomerated soil. The cleaned DIDM was evaluated for resistance to acid leaching of lead using the U.S.-EPA's toxicity test method 1310A and Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure method 1311. Long-term stability of the treated solids to acid leaching was tested using the U.S.EPA's multiple extraction procedure method 1320. Bioavailability of fixed lead to barley plants grown on synthetic soils prepared from remediated DIDM was determined by analyzing the roots and shoots for lead content. Acid phosphatase, peroxidase, and protein levels were determined in plant roots and soil leachates by biochemical analysis methods. These results were used to assess the effect of enzymes produced by plant root systems, or soil associated microorganisms, on the stability of fixed lead. The presence of fixation agents reduced the bioavailability of lead to the plants.     

Successful Implantation of Transvenous Pacing System via Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava and Coronary Sinus in Small Children

Transvenous pacemaker implantation tends to be difficult in the setting of a persistent left superior vena cava (SVC) and an absent or inaccessible right SVC. We report two small children in whom transvenous pacing leads were successfully inserted via a persistent left SVC. This technique was safe in our cases; however, favorable long-term result has yet to be demonstrated.     

A global treatments for coronaviruses including COVID-19

In late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, several patients with viral pneumonia were identified as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). So far, there are no specific treatments for patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), and the treatments available today are based on previous experience with similar viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and Influenza virus. In this article, we have tried to reach a therapeutic window of drugs available to patients with COVID-19. Cathepsin L is required for entry of the 2019-nCoV virus into the cell as target teicoplanin inhibits virus replication. Angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 (ACE2) in soluble form as a recombinant protein can prevent the spread of coronavirus by restricting binding and entry. In patients with COVID-19, hydroxychloroquine decreases the inflammatory response and cytokine storm, but overdose causes toxicity and mortality. Neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir, peramivir, and zanamivir are invalid for 2019-nCoV and are not recommended for treatment but protease inhibitors such as lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) inhibit the progression of MERS-CoV disease and can be useful for patients of COVID-19 and, in combination with Arbidol, has a direct antiviral effect on early replication of SARS-CoV. Ribavirin reduces hemoglobin concentrations in respiratory patients, and remdesivir improves respiratory symptoms. Use of ribavirin in combination with LPV/r in patients with SARS-CoV reduces acute respiratory distress syndrome and mortality, which has a significant protective effect with the addition of corticosteroids. Favipiravir increases clinical recovery and reduces respiratory problems and has a stronger antiviral effect than LPV/r. currently, appropriate treatment for patients with COVID-19 is an ACE2 inhibitor and a clinical problem reducing agent such as favipiravir in addition to hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids.     

Determine exogenous human DDAH2 gene function in rabbit bone marrow–derived endothelial progenitor cells in vitro

The in vitro amplification of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is an important method because of its role in gene transferring and regenerative medicine. In this study, we isolated rabbit bone marrow–derived EPCs to further manipulation and overexpression of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) in EPCs. Isolated EPCs were cultured, expanded in endothelial basal medium. Morphology of EPCs and expression levels of surface markers detected using immunocytochemistry staining and through the use of flow cytometery. Endothelial progenitor cells were transfected with plasmid vectors expressing human DDAH2 (DDAH2‐EPCs). Three days after gene transfer, positive transfected‐EPCs proliferation and DDAH activity were assayed. We observed colonies conformation and endothelium‐like morphology gradually in the third week of culture. Characterization results revealed positive expression of EPC surface markers CD106, Flk‐1, vWF, and CD34 using few identification techniques. Overexpression of DDAH2 increased citrulline production after 96 hours of transfection, 235.34 ± 0.69 vs 95.26 ± 5.76 ng/mL; P = .023. These results suggest that cell population with EPC characteristics can be simply isolated from rabbit bone marrow and successfully engineered to overexpress exogenous gene. In this study, we offer a feasible method to isolate and identify EPCs from bone marrow. In addition, an efficient transfection with a plasmid vector (without risk of interference) can be constructed a hybrid structure with EPC and DDAH2 gene to examine their function in vitro.     

Freeze-drying of nanostructure lipid carriers by different carbohydrate polymers used as cryoprotectants

Freeze-drying technique preserves the stability of nanoparticles. The objective of this study was optimization of freeze-drying condition of nano lipid carriers (NLCs). NLCs were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation followed by ultra-sonication method. Different carbohydrate and polymeric cryoprotectants including Microcelac^® (mixture of lactose and Avicel), Avicel PH102 (microcrystalline cellulose), mannitol, sucrose, Avicel RC591 (mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), maltodextrine, Aerosil and PEG4000 were tested initially. The NLCs showing lower particle size growth and greater absolute zeta potential after freeze drying were chosen for further investigation using Taguchi optimization method. Studied factors included cryoprotectant type and concentration, freezing temperatures applied at different time periods and sublimation time. Sucrose, Avicel RC591 and Aerosil were selected as cryoprotectants from initial screening tests. Increasing their concentration increased the particle size. 1% of Avicel RC591, 24 h of freezing at ?70 °C and 48 h sublimation time showed lower growth in particle size.     

Exogenous Methyl Jasmonate Treatment Induces Defense Response Against Fusarium culmorum in Wheat Seedlings

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - The Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR) pathogen Fusarium culmorum (Fc) is a hemibiotrophic pathogen, with a short biotrophic phase preceding necrotropism....     

Spectroscopic,electrochemical, docking and molecular dynamics studies on the interaction of three oxovanadium (IV) Schiff base complexes with bovine serum albumin and their cytotoxicity against cancer

This study was designed to investigate the interaction of three oxovanadium (IV) Schiff base complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by means of various spectroscopic and electrochemical methods along with molecular docking study and molecular dynamics simulations. Binding constants were estimated by fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results indicated a good affinity of the complexes for BSA in which furyl derivative had more activity. Molecular docking study showed that these complexes have the similar binding modes and located within subdomain IB in site III of BSA. The supporting of molecular docking and molecular dynamics results by experimental data, confirms the validity of the interactions data obtained by these methods. Biological activity against cancer cell showed that furyl derivative has higher activity than other complexes. Pharmaceutical analysis also showed that, these complexes potentially can be used as anticancer agents.