Evaluation of probabilistic models for word frequency and information retrieval

Volume 2 Issue 9 (September 2014

Computational, experimental details, and biological raw data accompanying the publication: “The synthesis and characterization of a nanomagnetite with potent antibacterial activity and low mammalian toxicity”

This data file includes experimental details on how to make uncoated iron oxide nanoparticles using a green electrochemical method. It provides the raw data on the antibacterial activity of one of these formulations, and the full computational data and methodology used to generate that data, of several different magnetite clusters of specific spin multiplicities for 4, 5, 7 and 9 iron atom magnetite clusters. This data will assist other researchers wishing to replicate or expand on these results for the investigation and use of nanomagnetite for antibacterial applications

The synthesis and characterization of a magnetite nanoparticle with potent antibacterial activity and low mammalian toxicity

Magnetite has shown some promise as a biomedical material and antibacterial agent; however the benefits are normally only realized when it is used in combination with other metals or drugs. Unfunctionalized magnetite may be a biocompatible alternative. This report discusses the synthesis and potent antibacterial activity, with low associated mammalian organ toxicity, of nanomagnetite particles. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were electrochemically prepared in a green surfactant-free, closed water loop system. These materials, characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and vibrational magnetometry, also appear contaminated with Fe-O-O-H functionalities. This physical characterization is accompanied by a computational investigation of truncated clusters showing that a magnetite-derived cluster of 7 iron atoms is a sufficient model to generate the vibrational frequencies experimentally observed in magnetite using DFT calculations. The nanoparticles, evaluated for antibiotic activity, were shown to have minimum inhibitory concentrations of 2.8 and 2.0 μg/mL against E. coli and S. aureus respectively. This is both a 100-fold lower concentration than the human cytotoxic dose determined by an MTT assay and is also comparable to the effective dose of traditional antibiotics. A dose-dependent decrease in catalase activity and an increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation suggests that these nanoparticles act through damaging the anti-oxidant systems in cells. However, renal and hepatic damage was only observed at daily doses (2 weeks) of 100 μg/mL and higher. This significant therapeutic window suggests that these materials might prove useful as potential complementary therapeutics in the future

Construction of expression vectors carrying mouse peroxisomal protein gene (PeP) with GST and Flag labels

The aim of this study was to construct expression vectors carrying mouse peroxisomal protein gene (PEP-cDNA) in prokaryotic and mammalian expression vectors in chimeric cDNA types, encompassingGST and FLAG with PEP-cDNA. PEP-cDNA was sub-cloned in pGEX6p2 prokaryotic expression vector in order to label this gene with GST to purify PEP protein for further biochemical analysis and identifying related proteins thereafter. FLAG-PEP recombinant DNA was produced and sub-cloned inpUcD3 eukaryotic expression vector to express tagged-PEP protein for transient transfection analysis and identifying intracellular localization of PEP protein in future experiments. PEP-cDNA was amplifiedin different PCR reactions using pEGFP-PEP vector and 2 sets of primers introducing specific restriction sites at the ends of PEP. PCR products with BamHI/SalI restriction sites were treated by restriction enzymes and inserted into the pGEX6p2, downstream of GST tag. PEP-cDNA containingBamHI/ApaI restriction sites and FLAG gene (which amplified using pUcD3-FLAG-PEX3 vector) were used as templates in secondary PCR for amplifying FLAG-PEP recombinant DNA. FLAG-PEP fragment was treated by enzymatic digestion and inserted into the pUcD3 eukaryotic expression vector.pGEX6p2-PEP and pUcD3-FLAG-PEP constructed vectors were transformed into the one shot TOP10 and JM105 bacterial competent cells, respectively. Positive colonies were selected for plasmid preparation. Results confirmed correct amplification of the expected products. PEP-cDNA in both PCRreactions encompasses 630 bp. FLAG fragment containing designed sites was 77 bp and FLAG-PEP fragment was 700 bp. Sequencing of constructed vectors confirmed that PEP-cDNA was tagged appropriately and inserted free of mutation and in frame with GST and FLAG

Systemic lupus erythematosus following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination; a review of literature

From March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic challenged public health and healthcare systems worldwide. Viral infection is one of the environmental factors that has been associated with the development, relapse, or exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE patients are at an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) because of immune system dysfunction related to their disease as well as immunosuppression medications. So far, the most effective way to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced hospitalization and death is vaccination. On the other hand, SLE patients present distinct challenges related to the safety and effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We have reviewed some reports on the onset or flare of SLE post-COVID-19 vaccination. Of note, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are associated with increased SLE disease activity, more frequently than the other types of COVID-19 vaccines

Neutrophil microvesicles drive atherosclerosis by delivering miR-155 to atheroprone endothelium

Neutrophils are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis but are seldom detected in atherosclerotic plaques. We investigated whether neutrophil-derived microvesicles may influence arterial pathophysiology. Here we report that levels of circulating neutrophil microvesicles are enhanced by exposure to a high fat diet, a known risk factor for atherosclerosis. Neutrophil microvesicles accumulate at disease-prone regions of arteries exposed to disturbed flow patterns, and promote vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis in a murine model. Using cultured endothelial cells exposed to disturbed flow, we demonstrate that neutrophil microvesicles promote inflammatory gene expression by delivering miR-155, enhancing NF-κB activation. Similarly, neutrophil microvesicles increase miR-155 and enhance NF-κB at disease-prone sites of disturbed flow in vivo. Enhancement of atherosclerotic plaque formation and increase in macrophage content by neutrophil microvesicles is dependent on miR-155. We conclude that neutrophils contribute to vascular inflammation and atherogenesis through delivery of microvesicles carrying miR-155 to disease-prone regions.British Heart Foundation Programme Grant (CS, PE); British Heart Foundation Project Grants PG/09/067/27901 (AB, VR), PG/13/55/30365 (LW, SF), PG/14/38/30862 (CR, VR), PG/16/44/32146 (JJ, EKT, SF); British Heart Foundation Studentship FS/14/8/30605 (BW, VR); MRC Fellowship MR/K023977/1 (RB); and European Union’s Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network, TRAIN 721532 (CN)

Application of Honey to Reduce Oxidation in Soybean Oil

Background: The oxidation of unsaturated lipids by free radicals is one of the main causes of food deterioration. The major purpose of the present study was to determine effectiveness of application of honey in order to reduce oxidation in soybean oil. Methods: Six groups were designed, including control (soybean oil emulsion without preservative), positive control (butylated hydroxyl toluene 200 ppm), and soybean oil treatment groups (containing 1, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% honey). Each group was sampled in order to measure peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and total antioxidant&nbsp;capacity&nbsp; parameters during 5 intervals (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using SPSS statistical software. Results: Total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity (IC50 in mg/ml) were&nbsp;estimated to be 74.8&plusmn;0.3 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g and 23.4&plusmn;0.2 mg/ml, respectively. Totally, the soybean oil samples treated by 2.5 and 5% honey showed higher (p<0.05) antioxidant capacity than control and other treatment groups. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated considerable antioxidant potency of honey in oil emulsion. Owing to economical reasons, it is recommended that 2.5% honey could be applied as an alternative for synthetic antioxidants in oil-rich foods

Cytotoxic Effects of Coated Gold Nanoparticles on PC12 Cancer Cell

Background: The use of gold nanoparticles in medicine and especially in cancer treatment has been of interest to researchers. The effectiveness of this nanoparticle on cells significantly depends on the amount of its entry into the cells. This study was performed to compare the rate and mechanism of effect of gold nanoparticles coated with different amino acid on PC12 cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: The PC12 cells line were exposed to various concentrations of amino acid coated and uncoated gold nanoparticles (0.5, 2.5 and 5 mu M). Cell death rate was determined according to level of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from cells and MTT assay. In addition cell morphology and the amount of Cellular Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied. Results: The uncoated gold nanoparticles have shown minor effects on cellular life. Gold nanoparticles coated by tryptophan at high concentrations (2.5, 5 and 25 mu M) increase in cancer cells metabolic activity. Gold nanoparticles coated by Aspartate also produce the largest amount of LDH and ROS in cancer cells and therefore caused of highest rate of apoptosis. Conclusion: The results showed that the nanoparticles coated with amino acids are affected on cellular metabolism and apoptosis more than uncoated nanoparticles. Also the smallest coated nanoparticles (coated by aspartate) have the most influence and by increasing the size, this effect was reduced

Prediction of HCV load using genotype, liver biomarkers, and clinical symptoms by a mathematical model in patients with HCV infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem with about 1.75 million new HCV cases and 71 million chronic HCV infections worldwide. The study aimed to evaluate clinical, serological, molecular, and liver markers to develop a mathematical predictive model for the quantification of the HCV viral load in chronic HCV infected patients. In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 249 recently diagnosed HCV-infected subjects and were tested for liver condition, viral genotype, and HCV RNA load. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and multiple linear regression analysis were used to predict the HCV-RNA load. Genotype 3 followed by genotype 1 were the most prevalent genotypes in Mashhad, Northeastern Iran. The maximum levels of viral load were detected in the mixed genotype group, and the lowest levels in the undetectable genotype group. The log of the HCV viral load was significantly associated with thrombocytopenia and higher serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT). In addition, the log HCV RNA was significantly higher in patients with arthralgia, fatigue, fever, vomiting, or dizziness. Moreover, genotype 3 was significantly associated with icterus. A ROC curve analysis revealed that the best cut-off points for serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were &gt;31, &gt;34, and ≤246 IU/L, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values for AST were 87.7%, 84.36%, and 44.6%, for ALT they were 83.51%, 81.11%, and 36%, and for ALP were 72.06%, 42.81%, and 8.3%, respectively. A mathematical regression model was developed that could estimate the HCV-RNA load. Regression model: log viral load = 7.69 − 1.01 × G3 − 0.7 × G1 + 0.002 × ALT − 0.86 × fatigue