Analysis of vitellogenin gene structure in Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) during exposure to Atrazine

Chemical contamination of aquatic environments to EDCs has become a major focus of environmental toxicology research. The exposure of fishes to estrogenic EDCs in aquatic environments is most frequently assessed by analyzing Vitellogenin (Vg) (the egg yolk precursor protein) expression. Therefore, characterization of Vg gene is of high priority for EDCs bio-monitoring. So, we prepared liver tissue samples of Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus for RNA extraction. Following the cDNA synthesis, specifically - designed primers were employed to amplify the Vg gene and ultimately sequence it. The evolutionary analyses of the sequence were performed using MEGA7 software. The obtained results indicated that the designed primers successfully amplified the partial cDNA sequence. Our results indicated that this sequence most probably belongs to the Vg1 form of the gene. Moreover, it was demonstrated that Caspian roach and Petroleuciscus esfahani share a common ancestor. Noteworthy, the study of Vg gene would be helpful to understand the molecular mechanisms of development and would be used to establish a bio-monitoring tool for detection of exposure to different EDCs

Reefer logistics and cool chain transport

Reefer logistics is an important part of the cool chain in which reefer containers are involved as the packaging for transporting perishable goods. Reefer logistics is challenging, as it deals with cost and time constraints as well as the product quality and sustainability requirements. In many situations, there is a trade-off between these factors (e.g., between transportation time and the quality of fresh products). Furthermore, considering the high value of reefers, the efficient logistics of is as important as the efficient cargo flows. This causes technical complications and the conflict of interests between actors, especially, between cargo owners (or shippers) and the asset owners (or transport/terminal operators). Improving the efficiency of reefer logistics calls for a thorough understanding of the trade-offs and complexities. This paper aims to help develop such an understanding using a systematic literature review and a socio-technical system analysis. The results can be used to provide managerial insights for actors involved in a cool chain to design tailored solutions for reefer

Analysis of vitellogenin gene structure in Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) during exposure to Atrazine

Chemical contamination of aquatic environments to EDCs has become a major focus of environmental toxicology research. The exposure of fishes to estrogenic EDCs in aquatic environments is most frequently assessed by analyzing vitellogenin (Vg) (the egg yolk precursor protein) expression. Therefore, characterization of Vg gene is of high priority for EDCs bio-monitoring. So, we prepared liver tissue samples of Caspian roach, Rutilus caspicus for RNA extraction. Following the cDNA synthesis, specifically-designed primers were employed to amplify the Vg gene and ultimately sequence it. The evolutionary analyses of the sequence were performed using MEGA7 software. The obtained results indicated that the designed primers successfully amplified the partial cDNA sequence. Our results indicated that this sequence most probably belongs to the Vg1 form of the gene. Moreover, it was demonstrated that Caspian roach and Petroleuciscus esfahani share a common ancestor. Noteworthy, the study of Vg gene would be helpful to understand the molecular mechanisms of development and would be used to establish a bio-monitoring tool for detection of exposure to different EDCs

Gli effetti sul flusso aereo nasale della turbinoplastica inferiore in corso di rinosettoplastica

La rinoplastica è una procedura chirurgica molto comune e al tempo stesso di elevata complessità. Uno degli aspetti più discussi di tale chirurgia sono gli insoddisfacenti esiti funzionali dovuti spesso ad un eccessivo restringimento dell’area della valvola nasale. Alcune procedure, come la turbinoplastica inferiore, possono favorire la prevenzione di tali problematiche ostruttive. L’intento del presente studio è quello di indagare gli effetti della turbinoplastica inferiore sulla resistenza nasale e sull’ostruzione respiratoria. In 50 pazienti è stata effettuata un’analisi preoperatoria e sei mesi dopo rinoplastica con turbinoplastica inferiore mediante rinomanometria anteriore attiva. Nessuno dei pazienti ha lamentato sintomatologia ostruttiva nasale nel preoperatorio o nel corso del postoperatorio. In accordo con i dati rinomanometrici sia le resistenze inspiratorie che quelle espiratorie hanno presentato valori migliori nel postoperatorio, ma solo le resistenze espiratorie hanno presentato una significatività statistica (p = 0,034). Le differenze in termini di flusso nasale fra maschi, femmine e differenti gruppi di età non sono state significative (p > 0,05). In conclusione dai dati del nostro studio emerge che la rinosettoplastica, associate a turbinoplastica parziale non ha un impatto negativo sulla funzionalità nasale ed in particolare sul flusso aereo attraverso le cavità nasali

A comparative study on the equine and camelid antivenoms upon cardiovascular changes induced with Hemiscorpius lepturus venom in rats

Objective(s): In this study, the neutralizing abilities of the equine and the recently introduced camelid antivenoms on the hemodynamic parameters (inotropism, chronotropism, and arrhythmogenicity) were assessed following envenomation by Hemiscorpius lepturus venom in rats. Materials and Methods: At first, the electrophoretic profiles of both products were obtained by using the SDS-PAGE method (12.5%) and stained with Coomassie blue and silver nitrate. Secondly, different doses of the camelid antivenom (10, 50, and 100 μl) were given intravenously in 10 min before venom injection (400 μg/rat). The neutralizing potencies of camelid and equine antivenoms were measured by preincubation (100 μl) with H. lepturus venom for 30 min at room temperature. Finally, equal amounts of the antivenoms were injected intravenously to observe the hemodynamic changes. Results: Based on the electrophoretic profile, it was evident that undesired proteins significantly decreased in equine antivenom, owing to impurities. Pretreatment with the camelid antivenom (100 μl), neutralized the elevation of the mean arterial pressure evoked with scorpion venom injection (88.15±4.56 versus 10.2±1.23 percent at the 8th min). The Incubation of the venom and the camelid antivenom counteracted the hemodynamic changes, but the equine product had no effect. The intravascular injection of the equine antivenom transiently increased the mean arterial pressure as compared to the control (108.67±8.63 mmHg versus 52.67±1.93 mmHg at the 10th min). Conclusion: The most obvious finding emerging from this study was that the camelid antivenom neutralized the hemodynamic changes in rats significantly, but in comparison, the equine antivenom had just a minor ability

Optimization of Anti-CXCL10 Nanobody Expression Using Response Surface Methodology and Evaluation of its Anti-metastatic Effect on Breast Cancer cells

Some chemokines and chemokine receptors play important roles in various types of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cancer metastasis. Hence, production of neutralizing antibodies against them are under active investigation. We previously developed a nanobody against CXCL10, designated as 3NB12, which can be expressed by E. coli cells. In the present study, we carried out a detailed study to optimize its expression using response surface methodology based on manipulation of three variables, including temperature, IPTG concentration, and post-induction time. In addition, upon expression and purification of the nanobody, it was also used to evaluate its inhibitory effects on migration of CXCR3 overexpressing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Seventeen experiments were designed. Total protein of the designed experiments was assayed by SDS-PAGE, followed by size exclusion chromatography to qualify and quantify the relative concentration of the nanobody in the optimized expression condition. The model designed according to the Box Behnken method predicted maximum 3NB12 expression at 28.5 degrees C, a post-induction time length of 15 h, and 0.9 mM IPTG. Chemotaxic assessment results showed that 3NB12 potently inhibits migration of the cells which has an important role in methastasis of breast cancer. Taken together, a reasonable amount of the nanobody could be produced according to the present study for being used in later in vitro and in vivo studies to further evaluate its anti metastatic and also anti-inflamatory effects

Shape-Based Separation of Micro-/Nanoparticles in Liquid Phases

The production of particles with shape-specific properties is reliant upon the separation of micro-/nanoparticles of particular shapes from particle mixtures of similar volumes. However, compared to a large number of size-based particle separation methods, shape-based separation methods have not been adequately explored. We review various up-to-date approaches to shape-based separation of rigid micro-/nanoparticles in liquid phases including size exclusion chromatography, field flow fractionation, deterministic lateral displacement, inertial focusing, electrophoresis, magnetophoresis, self-assembly precipitation, and centrifugation. We discuss separation mechanisms by classifying them as either changes in surface interactions or extensions of size-based separation. The latter includes geometric restrictions and shape-dependent transport properties

Effect of citalopram and sertraline on the expression of miRNA- 124, 132, and 16 and their protein targets in patients with depression

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SSRIs on the expression of miRNAs and their protein targets Materials and Methods In a 100 day open label study of citalopram n 25 and sertraline n 25 levels of miRNA 16 132 and 124 and glucocorticoid receptor GR Brain derived neurotrophic factor BDNF and serotonin transporter SERT protein expression were measured by QRT PCR and western blot in healthy control n 20 patients with depression at the baseline and same patients after 100 days of treatment Results Expression levels of GR and BDNF proteins were lower in the depressed group before treatment as compared with the healthy group i P lt i 0 0001 The SERT level was higher among the depressed group before treatment in comparison with the healthy group i P lt i 0 0001 The level of GR and BDNF significantly increased and SERT expression decreased after receiving sertraline i P lt i 0 05 When the depressed group received citalopram only SERT and GR were altered i P lt i 0 05 Among the microRNAs expression investigated mir 124 and mir 132 were higher and mir 16 was lower among the depressed compared with the healthy group i P lt i 0 0001 Individuals receiving citalopram only showed an increase in the expression of mir 16 while administration of sertraline led to a significant increase in the expression of mir 16 and a decrease in mir 124 and mir 132 i P lt i 0 05 Conclusion This elucidated the relationship between antidepressant treatment and the expression of different microRNA that control gene expression in various pathways involved in depressed patients Receiving SSRI can affect the level of these proteins and their relevant microRNA

A comparative investigation of marginal adaptation and surface defects of MTA and root MTA as two root end filling materials

Keywords: Marginal adaptation, Confocal microscope, Stereomicroscope, MTA, RMTA, Retrograde fillin

Alignment of liquid crystals with periodic submicron structures ablated in polymeric and indium tin oxide surfaces

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