Improved Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Hepatocyte-like Cells using FGF4 and IGF-1 in 3D Culture

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UCMSCs) are considered as an excellent candidate for cell therapy to treat end-stage liver disease. Fibroblast Growth Factor-4 (FGF4), Hepatocyte Growth Factor, and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 are some of the critical cytokines involved in liver development and regeneration. To evaluate the differentiation potency of cells into hepatocyte-like cells we used these cytokines. UCMSCs were isolated from Wharton's jelly of fullterm infants. The cells were characterized as MSCs by flow-cytometry and their multilineage differentiation capacity. Then, UCMSCs were cultured in 3D collagen scaffold and hepatogenic media with or without FGF4 for 21 days and the data were compared to control. The expression of liver specific genes was evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. These cells expressed MSC markers and could differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. A non–significant higher level of liver specific genes, such as cytokeratin-18 and 19, alpha-fetoprotein and albumin, and also a significant higher level of CYP2B6 expressed by UCMSCs in hepatogenic medium containing FGF4 compared with control. In some specimens, cytokeratin-19-positive cells surrounded a luminal space within collagen scaffolds. Liver-specific marker expression was increased by pre-exposing the cells to FGF4 before treating with IGF-1 and HGF in 3D collagen scaffold. Abbreviations: UCMSCs: Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells; FGF4: Fibroblast Growth Factor 4; HGF: Hepatocyte Growth Factor; IGF-1: Insulin-like Growth Factor-1; MSCs: Mesenchymal Stem Cells; ICG: Indocyanine green; PAS: periodic acid Schiff; CK-18: cytokeratin-18; CK-19: Cytokeratin-19; AFP: alpha-fetoprotein; G6P: glucose 6 phosphatase; PEPCK: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase; TAT: tyrosine amino transferase; FBS: Fetal Bovine Serum; OSM: oncostatin M; RT-PCR: Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction; PBS: Phosphate-Buffered Saline; Hep- Par1: Hepatocyte paraffin 1; DAB: Diaminobenzidine; CYP2B6: Cytochrome P450 2B6

Prominent role of mesopore surface area and external acid sites for the synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME) on a hierarchical H-ZSM-5 zeolite

H-ZSM-5 zeolite has been shown to be an active catalyst for the synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME). However, we demonstrated – by passivation of the zeolite's external surface – that the reaction rate is limited due to severe internal diffusion limitations of the reactants and products. External acid sites thus played a more prominent role in the observed overall reaction rate compared to the acid sites in the zeolite's micropores. Through controlled introduction of an intercrystalline network of mesopores the zeolite's activity was significantly enhanced by allowing a more significant part of the reaction to take place within the zeolite's micropores. By optimising alkaline treatment and consequent acid wash of H-ZSM-5, we achieved a two-fold increase in the initial reaction rate and a 10% increase in selectivity towards OME with 3 to 5 oxymethylene units (OME3–5), which are the more desirable products

Determination of maternal risk factors of preterm delivery: Adjusted for sparse data bias; results from a population-based case-control study in Iran

Objective To determine the maternal risk factors associated with preterm delivery in Iran. Methods A population-based case-control study was conducted including 48 women having preterm delivery (case group) and 100 women having term delivery (control group) between March 2007 and March 2012 in the maternity hospitals of the Selseleh County, Lorestan province, Iran. Information regarding maternal risk factors was collected by structured interview and reviewing the medical records. The maternal risk factors associated with preterm delivery were identified using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjusting the sparse data bias. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was estimated to evaluate the discrimination power of the statistical models. Results Multivariable analysis demonstrated that multiparty (odds ratio OR, 14.23; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.60-127.05), history of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.99), thyroid dysfunction (OR, 97.32; 95% CI, 5.78-1,637.80), urinary tract infection (OR, 16.60; 95% CI, 3.20-85.92), and taking care during pregnancy (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03-0.50) had significant impact on preterm delivery after adjusting the potential confounders. The area under the ROC curve for the aforementioned maternal risk factors was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80-0.92). Conclusion Our study provides evidence for the associations between multiparty, history of gestational diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, urinary tract infection, as well as taking care during pregnancy, and preterm delivery. © 2020 Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Apigenin as Tumor Suppressor in Cancers: Biotherapeutic Activity, Nanodelivery, and Mechanisms With Emphasis on Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to its propensity for early local and distant spread, affected patients possess extremely poor prognosis. Currently applied treatments are not effective enough to eradicate all cancer cells, and minimize their migration. Besides, these treatments are associated with adverse effects on normal cells and organs. These therapies are not able to increase the overall survival rate of patients; hence, finding novel adjuvants or alternatives is so essential. Up to now, medicinal herbs were utilized for therapeutic goals. Herbal-based medicine, as traditional biotherapeutics, were employed for cancer treatment. Of them, apigenin, as a bioactive flavonoid that possesses numerous biological properties (e.g., anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects), has shown substantial anticancer activity. It seems that apigenin is capable of suppressing the proliferation of cancer cells via the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Besides, apigenin inhibits metastasis via down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and the Akt signaling pathway. In pancreatic cancer cells, apigenin sensitizes cells in chemotherapy, and affects molecular pathways such as the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1). Herein, the biotherapeutic activity of apigenin and its mechanisms toward cancer cells are presented in the current review to shed some light on anti-tumor activity of apigenin in different cancers, with an emphasis on pancreatic cancer. © Copyright © 2020 Ashrafizadeh, Bakhoda, Bahmanpour, Ilkhani, Zarrabi, Makvandi, Khan, Mazaheri, Darvish and Mirzaei

Effects of Anti Epileptic Drugs; Phenytoin and Phenobarbital on Ossification Indices of Mouse Femur And Tibia And The Anti Teratogenic Effects of Folic Acid on the Reduction of Their Effects

Introduction: Patients suffering from epilepsy have to take antiepileptic drugs forever. It has been suggested that epilepsy itself and antiepileptic drugs are teratogenic. All aspects of the abnormalities that are induced by these drugs are unclear. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of two routine antiepileptic drugs on ossification. Besides, there was an attempt to decrease their teratogenic effects by using folic acid. Materials and Methods: 81 female mice (BALB/c) were selected and divided into six groups. Pregnant mice were fed with phenytoin (45mg/kg), Phenobarbital (30mg/kg), phenytoin and folic acid (1

Insights into the Nature of the Active Sites of Tin‐Montmorillonite for the Synthesis of Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers (OME)

In this study,we reportthat intercalationof tin into montmor-illoniteclay (Sn-MMT)boostscatalyticactivityfor the synthesisof polyoxymethylenedimethylethers,a promisingdieselfueladditive.This increasein activityis attributedto the formationof a hierarchicalcatalystdisplayinghighsurfaceareawithaccessibleBrønstedand Lewisacid sites.Extensivecharacter-izationsuchas MAS-NMR,XRD and in-situDRIFTSconfirmedthat tin insertioninducedreorganizationof the clay layersintoa disorganizedhouse-of-cardsstructure.It also revealedthat tinresidedbetweenthe clay layersas defectiveSnO2nanocrystalsstabilizedby the negativechargeof MMT.The sourceof acidityin Sn-MMTwas studiedby comparingit withtwo similarmaterials,namelySn(OH)4, and thermallytreatedSn-MMT.Lowactivitymeasuredfor isolatedhydroxylatedSnO2nanoparticlesillustratesthe importanceof havingclayand tin in closeproximity.Meanwhile,deactivationuponthermaltreatmentoccurredvia sinteringof the tin phaseand diffusionof theprotonsinsidethe layers.Sn-MMTacidityis attributedto thecombinationof SiOHAl groups,formedas a by-productofSnO2crystallization,and undercoordinatedSn surfacesites,stabilizedby the negativechargeof MMT