Spectrophotometric analysis of thrombolytic activity: SATA assay

Introduction: Measurement of thrombolytic activity i.e. clot lysis is crucial for research and development of novel thrombolytics. It is also a key factor in assessment of the effectiveness of conventionally used thrombolytic agents in the clinic, which are the choice effective therapies for myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Previous methods used for the assessment of thrombolytic activity are often associated with some drawbacks such as being costly, time-consuming, complication and low accuracy. Here, we introduce a simple, economic, relatively accurate and fast method of spectrophotometric analysis of thrombolytic activity (SATA) assay, standardized by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which can quantitatively measure in vitro thrombolytic activity. Methods: Blood clots were formed, uniformly, by mixing citrated whole blood with partial thromboplastin time (PTT) reagent, together with calcium chloride. Then, designated concentrations of tPA were added to the samples, and the released red blood cells from each clot were quantified using spectrophotometry (λmax= 405 nm) as an indicator of thrombolytic activity. The accuracy of the method was tested by assessment of dose-responsibility against R2 value obtained by linear equation and measurement of limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). The SATA assay was validated in comparison with some currently used techniques. Results: A linear relationship was obtained between different concentrations of tPA versus the spectrophotometric absorbance of the related dilutions of lysed clots, at λmax = 405 nm. Calculated R2 values were greater than 0.9; with LOD of 0.90 μg/mL of tPA (436.50IU) and LOQ of 2.99 μg/mL of tPA (1450.15IU). Conclusions: Conclusively, the SATA assay is a very simple quantitative method with repeatable and reproducible results for estimating the potency of an unknown thrombolytic agent, and calculating the activity as delicate as 1 μg/mL of tPA (485 IU/mL of thrombolytic dose). © 2018 The Author(s)

On the Stability Problem in Fuzzy Banach Space

We investigate the generalized Ulam-Hyers stability of the Cauchy functional equation and pose two open problems in fuzzy Banach space

Auditoría de comunicación interna Agencia Nacional de Regulación y Control del Transporte Terrestre, Tránsito y Seguridad Vial

In the content of this text, definitions and implementation of various aspects of communication are supported within an organizational structure is that a company or public or private institution; in addition to his way of relating as a determinant for identifying strategies and making decisions inherent to the mission, vision and values of an organization factor. Communication not only gives the importance of interacting between public, but also their correct application with mentions in different levels. Speaking of communication, direct and indirect issues of image, brand and corporate image are addressed to keep the accepted and within a competitive edge within the market entities different industries. Communication allows us to know as informed and above all be disclosed to improve information.En el contenido de este texto, se sustentan las definiciones y diversos aspectos de aplicación de la comunicación, dentro de una estructura orgánica sea esta una empresa o institución pública o privada; además de su forma de relacionarse como una factor determinante para la identificación de estrategias y toma de decisiones inherentes a la misión, visión y valores de una organización. La comunicación no solo da esa importancia de interrelacionarse entre públicos, sino también su correcta aplicación con menciones en diferentes niveles. Al hablar de comunicación, se abordan temas directos e indirectos de la imagen, de la marca y de la imagen corporativa para mantener a las entidades aceptadas y dentro de un margen competitivo dentro de las diferentes industrias del mercado. La comunicación permite conocer al igual que informarse y sobre todo darse a conocer para mejorar la información

Aptamedicine: a new treatment modality in personalized cancer therapy

Aptamers (Aps) are short single-strand nucleic acids exhibiting unique 3D structure which facilitate their targeting potential against various cancer molecular markers (CMMs). Such features of Aps not only make them as suitable homing agents in targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs) but also candidate them as macromolecules that inhibit the interaction of the target ligand with other proteins. On the other hand, the conjugation of Aps with another therapeutic molecule such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), siRNAs/miRNAs, Aps, toxins, chemotherapeutic agents, DNAzymes/Ribozymes provides hopeful strategy to eradicate the malignancies and overcome the off-target unwanted side effects. Such prominent features of Aps make them a promising treatment modality to overcome the tumor complexity and heterogeneity, which can be consequently applied for personalized therapy of cancer by using bispecific Ap-based therapeutics

Mesenchymal stem cell secretome induced the acquisition of anti-inflammatory phenotype in rat cortical microglia in vitro

Introduction: Here, we aimed to address the impact of mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (MSCs-CM) on M1/M2 phenotype shifting of rat microglia after 48 hours in vitro. Methods: Rat neonatal cortical microglia were randomly allocated into four different groups as follows: Control; MSC-CM; IL-4; and Anti-IL-4 groups. In the MSC-CM, microglia were treated with MSC condition media. In the interleukin-4 (IL-4), cells received 20 ng/mL IL-4; conceived as a positive M2 control group). In the Anti-IL-4, the combination of IL-4 peptide and anti-IL-4 antibody was used. After 48 hours, protein levels of Iba1, CD86, and CD206 were monitored using immunofluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analysis. Results: According to immunofluorescence imaging, 48-hour incubation of rat cortical microglia with stem cells condition media increased protein levels of CD206 and decreased CD86, showing the polarization of microglia toward M2 type lineage compared to the non-treated control group. We found a similar trend in the group that received IL-4. By contrast, the incubation of microglia with anti-IL-4 antibody blunted the stimulatory effect of IL-4 to promote M2-type microglia. Similar to the immunofluorescence data, flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase of CD206 positive microglia after exposure to MSC-CM and IL-4 (P<0.05). Treatment with anti-IL-4 antibody significantly reduced the percent of CD206 positive cells, showing the inhibition of M1-to-M2 phenotype acquisition. Conclusion: The current study highlighted a notable anti-inflammatory effect of MSC secretome on cortical microglia by promoting M1-to-M2 phenotype acquisition

Campaña de comunicación y mercadeo social "Sin Dejar Huella"

The following work may show that communication is the cornerstone of any organization; it’s humanity development. Today’s goal of every business is to look for optimizing resources; the good communication practices are precisely enabling the organization to restructure its system fast and efficiently. This is reason why organizational communication is booming and is revolutionizing the contemporary corporate market.En el siguiente trabajo se puede evidenciar que la comunicación es la base fundamental de toda organización, ésta constituye el desarrollo de la humanidad. En la actualidad el objetivo que busca toda empresa es optimizar los recursos, y precisamente son las buenas prácticas comunicativas las que permiten a la empresa reestructurar su sistema de manera ágil y eficiente. Es por esto que la comunicación organizacional está en pleno auge y está revolucionando el mercado corporativo

Combating atherosclerosis with targeted nanomedicines: recent advances and future prospective

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is recognized as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The increasing prevalence of such disease demands novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to overcome associated clinical/social issues. Recent advances in nanotechnology and biological sciences have provided intriguing insights to employ targeted Nanomachines to the desired location as imaging, diagnosis, and therapeutic modalities. Nanomedicines as novel tools for enhanced drug delivery, imaging, and diagnosis strategies have shown great promise to combat cardiovascular diseases. Methods: In the current study, we intend to review the most recent studies on the nano-based strategies for improved management of CVDs. Results: A cascade of events results in the formation of atheromatous plaque and arterial stenosis. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that nanomedicines have displayed unique functionalities and provided de novo applications in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. Conclusion: Despite some limitations, nanomedicines hold considerable potential in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various ailments including atherosclerosis. Fewer side effects, amenable physicochemical properties and multi-potential application of such nano-systems are recognized through various investigations. Therefore, it is strongly believed that with targeted drug delivery to atherosclerotic lesions and plaque, management of onset and progression of disease would be more efficient than classical treatment modalities

Atherosclerosis preventive effects of marrubiin against (TNF-α)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a complicated cascade of inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, making it the most prevalent cardiovascular disease. The onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases are greatly influenced by oxidative stress. Targeting oxidative stress is an effective strategy for treating such diseases. Marrubiin is a bioactive furan labdane diterpenoid acts as a strong antioxidant to protect against oxidative damage. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of marrubiin against oxidative stress and apoptosis in a cellular model of the vascular system. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with varying concentration of marrubiin and its IC50 value was determined. The antioxidant potential of marrubiin was assessed by measuring the intracellular level of glutathione (GSH) using a colorimetric technique. Since apoptosis plays a significant role in the plaque rupture, the study also evaluated the protective effects of marrubiin on the expression of key genes involved in apoptotic pathways. Results: Cells treated with marrubiin showed increased GSH levels compared to cell therapy control cells, indicating marrubiin’s ability to counteract the effects of TNF-α’s on GSH levels. Furthermore real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that marrubiin upregulated Bcl-xl while downregulating caspase3 and Nox4 in treated cells. These findings suggest that marrubiin protects against apoptosis and oxidative stress. Conclusion: Based on our findings, marrubiin is recommended as a preventive/therapeutic treatment for diseases caused by elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in cardiovascular diseases