Effect of glycerol on the behaviour of an expansive soil during wetting and drying cycles

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordThe behaviour of expansive soil with different flooding fluid, i.e. distilled water and solution of glycerol with different percentages of glycerol (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) was studied through a number of cyclic wetting and drying tests. Experimental tests were conducted on compacted samples of the expansive soil in a modified oedometer with different flooding fluids under a surcharge pressure of 10 kPa. The vertical and radial deformations of the samples were determined during different stages of wetting and drying. The results showed that during cycles of wetting and drying, the deformation of the soil decreased with increasing the number of cycles for all flooding fluids. The magnitude of deformation for samples flooded with a solution of glycerol is less than distilled water and this reduction is a function of glycerol concentration. The equilibrium condition of samples with glycerol solution is reached in fewer cycles than distilled water. The results also indicated that the swelling-shrinking deformation was nearly the same when the equilibrium condition was attained. Comparison of the results showed that by increasing the percent of glycerol, these curves were contracted. Furthermore, the paths of wetting and drying converged to an S-shaped curve at equilibrium condition

Dendrosomal curcumin nanoformulation downregulates pluripotency genes via miR-145 activation in U87MG glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma is an invasive tumor of the central nervous system. Tumor recurrence resulting from ineffective current treatments, mainly due to the blood–brain barrier, highlights the need for innovative therapeutic alternatives. The recent availability of nanotechnology represents a novel targeted strategy in cancer therapy. Natural products have received considerable attention for cancer therapy because of general lower side effects. Curcumin is a new candidate for anticancer treatment, but its low bioavailability and water solubility represent the main disadvantages of its use. Here, curcumin was efficiently encapsulated in a nontoxic nanocarrier, termed dendrosome, to overcome these problems. Dendrosomal curcumin was prepared as 142 nm spherical structures with constant physical and chemical stability. The inhibitory role of dendrosomal curcumin on the proliferation of U87MG cells, a cellular model of glioblastoma, was evaluated by considering master genes of pluripotency and regulatory miRNA (microribonucleic acid). Methylthiazol tetrazolium assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the antiproliferative effects of dendrosomal curcumin. Annexin-V-FLUOS and caspase assay were used to quantify apoptosis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the expression of OCT4 (octamer binding protein 4) gene variants (OCT4A, OCT4B, and OCT4B1), SOX-2 (SRY [sex determining region Y]-box 2), Nanog, and miR-145. Dendrosomal curcumin efficiently suppresses U87MG cells growth with no cytotoxicity related to dendrosome. Additionally, the accumulation of cells in the SubG(1) phase was observed in a time- and dose-dependent manner as well as higher rates of apoptosis after dendrosomal curcumin treatment. Conversely, nonneoplastic cells were not affected by this formulation. Dendrosomal curcumin significantly decreased the relative expression of OCT4A, OCT4B1, SOX-2, and Nanog along with noticeable overexpression of miR-145 as the upstream regulator. This suggests that dendrosomal curcumin reduces the proliferation of U87MG cells through the downregulation of OCT4 (octamer binding protein 4) variants and SOX-2 (SRY [sex determining region Y]-box 2) in an miR-145-dependent manner

A Sensitive and Specific PCR Based Method for Identification of Cryptosporidium Sp. Using New Primers from 18S Ribosomal RNA

Background: The main goal of the present study was to develop a new sensitive and specific PCR based method for Identification of Cryptosporidium sp. using novel primers from 18S ribosomal RNA. Cryptosporidi­osis in high-risk host groups particularly in neonates and immuno-compromised individuals may result in death. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study regarding develop a new PCR based method to diagnose the cryptosporidiosis in Iran.Methods: A total of 850 human fecal samples from patients clinically suspected to cryptosporidiosis and 100 healthy and diarrheic cattle stool specimens were collected. The simplified formol-ether concentration method was carried out for all samples. They were then examined microscopically by modified Ziehl-Neel­sen staining method. Total DNA was extracted by QIA amp DNA stool mini kit was carried out by using designed prim­ers.Results: Twenty nine cases of cryptosporidiosis infection in human and 30 samples from cattle microscopi­cally were posi­tive. The described primary and nested PCR method could detect all Cryptospori­dium positive samples from human and cattle. Regards to suspected negative samples in pri­mary PCR examination, the Nested PCR could ap­prove two more positive results. Furthermore, Nested PCR analysis was able to detect one more case which was nega­tive in both microscopically examination and primary PCR. Specificity of the test was 100%. Sensitivity of Nested PCR in comparison to our gold standard; microscopy after Ridley concentration modified ziehl-Neelsen, was 100 %.Conclusion: Our developed PCR based method by using new primers devised from 18S ribosomal RNA revealed the ability for identification of the Cryptosporidium species such as C. parvum and C. huminis with high specificity and sensitivity

Comparison of breast cancer survival in two populations: Ardabil, Iran and British Columbia, Canada

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patterns in survival can provide information about the burden and severity of cancer, help uncover gaps in systemic policy and program delivery, and support the planning of enhanced cancer control systems. The aim of this paper is to describe the one-year survival rates for breast cancer in two populations using population-based cancer registries: Ardabil, Iran, and British Columbia (BC), Canada.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All newly diagnosed cases of female breast cancer were identified in the Ardabil cancer registry from 2003 to 2005 and the BC cancer registry for 2003. The International Classification of Disease for Oncology (ICDO) was used for coding cancer morphology and topography. Survival time was determined from cancer diagnosis to death. Age-specific one-year survival rates, relative survival rates and weighted standard errors were calculated using life-tables for each country.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Breast cancer patients in BC had greater one-year survival rates than patients in Ardabil overall and for each age group under 60.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings support the need for breast cancer screening programs (including regular clinical breast examinations and mammography), public education and awareness regarding early detection of breast cancer, and education of health care providers.</p

Effects of two different polymers and calcium chloride solution on the swelling behavior of an expansive soil

This is the author accepted manuscriptIn this research the swelling properties of an expansive soil (bentonite) were investigated through experimental tests, focusing on the effects of two different polymers: polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol (PEO) and polyacrylamide (PAM), as well as calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution. The soil samples were compacted by static compaction in a special mold, to create consistent samples. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to flooding with distilled water, solutions of the two polymers, or a CaCl2 solution at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/l. The swelling potential and swelling pressure of the samples were measured to assess their response. The results showed that the polymer solutions effectively reduced both the swelling potential and swelling pressure of the samples, indicating an interaction between the polymers and the soil. This interaction was further supported by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results. Furthermore, the type of flooding fluids (polymer or CaCl2 solution) and its concentration were found to significantly influence on both the swelling potential and swelling pressure. Comparing the results obtained, it was observed that PEO exhibited a greater reduction in soil swelling compared to PAM. Additionally, the CaCl2 solution showed a more pronounced effect on soil swelling compared to both polymers

Transtheoretical Model-based (TTM) Interventions to Improve Physical Activities in Elderly Men

ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Understanding and influencing the determinants of physical activity is an important public health challenge. This study examines the application of key constructs of the transtheoretical model to physical activity behaviors for aged people. Materials & Methods: This study is a field trial with census sampling. Sixty healthy adult men at Kahrizak nursing home in 1386 completed a questionnaire including demographics and self-reported levels of physical activity, constructed from the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), before and after two months of intervention. The interventional program included tailored counseling and focus group. The data were then analyzed with T test, X2, pair T test and Wilcoxon, using SPSS software. Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference for the effect of health education program on increasing stage of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance and physical activity behavior in elderly people (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Educational physical activity interventions can result in increased physical activity, thus, health education program based on TTM has had positive effect on promotion physical activity behavior. It can be recommended that health education be used on educational models

Mechanobiology predicts raft formations triggered by ligand-receptor activity across the cell membrane

Clustering of ligand-binding receptors of different types on thickened isles of the cell membrane, namely lipid rafts, is an experimentally observed phenomenon. Although its influence on cell's response is deeply investigated, the role of the coupling between mechanical processes and multiphysics involving the active receptors and the surrounding lipid membrane during ligand-binding has not yet been understood. Specifically, the focus of this work is on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the widest group of transmembrane proteins in animals, which regulate specific cell processes through chemical signalling pathways involving a synergistic balance between the cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) produced by active GPCRs in the intracellular environment and its efflux, mediated by the Multidrug Resistance Proteins (MRPs) transporters. This paper develops a multiphysics approach based on the interplay among energetics, multiscale geometrical changes and mass balance of species, i.e. active GPCRs and MRPs, including diffusion and kinetics of binding and unbinding. Because the obtained energy depends upon both the kinematics and the changes of species densities, balance of mass and of linear momentum are coupled and govern the space-time evolution of the cell membrane. The mechanobiology involving remodelling and change of lipid ordering of the cell membrane allows to predict dynamics of transporters and active receptors –in full agreement with experimentally observed cAMP levels– and how the latter trigger rafts formation and cluster on such sites. Within the current scientific debate on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and on the basis of the ascertained fact that lipid rafts often serve as an entry port for viruses, it is felt that approaches accounting for strong coupling among mechanobiological aspects could even turn helpful in better understanding membrane-mediated phenomena such as COVID-19 virus-cell interaction