In-vitro prostate cancer biomarker detection by directed conjugation of anti-PSCA antibody to super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticless

Background: The main property of a successful conjugation of antibodies to nanoparticles is keeping the potency of antibody for binding the antigen, and an oriented conjugation can do that. Under such ground, this study was carried out to explore the efficiency of two conjugation methods in binding iron nanoparticles to an antibody produced against PSCA (prostate stem cell antigen) using in vitro labeling of PC3 cells. Methods: In this experimental study, we conjugated dextran-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (dexSPIONs) to anti-PSCA antibody by two different methods, including targeting carbohydrate moieties in FC domain and the free amine group of amino acid side chains. Ultimately, Iron staining was done by anti-PSCA antibody-dexSPIONs in PC3 cells to detect antibody binding to the cells. Results: A strong blue dye was induced by iron staining in conjugated dexSPIONs on the membrane of PC3 cells by the former method than the second one. Moreover, cells treated with 20 nm diameters of dexSPIONs showed higher resolution of blue color than those treated with 100 nm nanoparticles. Conclusion: This oriented conjugation method promoted the efficiency of targeting tumor antigens, and the presence of iron particles might enhance MRI image intensity in vivo by targeting PSCA-overexpressing cells in future studies. © Iran University of Medical Sciences

Torsional Alfven waves in stratified and expanding magnetic flux tubes

The effects of both density stratification and magnetic field expansion on torsional Alfven waves in magnetic flux tubes are studied. The frequencies, the period ratio P1/P2 of the fundamental and its first-overtone, and eigenfunctions of torsional Alfven modes are obtained. Our numerical results show that the density stratification and magnetic field expansion have opposite effects on the oscillating properties of torsional Alfven waves.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

Simultaneous impact of atorvastatin and mesenchymal stem cells for glioblastoma multiform suppression in rat glioblastoma multiform model

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is known as an aggressive glial neoplasm. Recently incorporation of mesenchymal stem cells with anti-tumor drugs have been used due to lack of immunological responses and their easy accessibility. In this study, we have investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of atorvastatin (Ator) in combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on GBM cells in vitro and in vivo. The MSCs isolated from rats and characterized for their multi-potency features. The anti-proliferative and migration inhibition of Ator and MSCs were evaluated by MTT and scratch migration assays. The annexin/PI percentage and cell cycle arrest of treated C6 cells were evaluated until 72 h incubation. The animal model was established via injection of C6 cells in the brain of rats and subsequent injection of Ator each 3 days and single injection of MSCs until 12 days. The growth rate, migrational phenotype and cell cycle progression of C6 cells decreased and inhibited by the interplay of different factors in the presence of Ator and MSCs. The effect of Ator and MSCs on animal models displayed a significant reduction in tumor size and weight. Furthermore, histopathology evaluation proved low hypercellularity and mitosis index as well as mild invasive tumor cells for perivascular cuffing without pseudopalisading necrosis and small delicate vessels in Ator + MSCs condition. In summary, Ator and MSCs delivery to GBM model provides an effective strategy for targeted therapy of brain tumor. © 2020, The Author(s)

Evaluation of KRAS Gene Expression and LCS6 Variant in Genomic and Cell-Free DNA of Iranian Women With Endometriosis

Since the activation of KRAS results in de novo endometriosis in mice, KRAS is regarded as a crucial gene in ectopic endometrial implantation. Recently, it has been reported that 31 of women with endometriosis have KRAS let-7 complementary binding site 6 single-nucleotide polymorphism (LCS6 SNP). This study addresses the correlation between KRAS LCS6 SNP and endometriosis in a case-control study. To detect probable somatic mutation in ectopic endometrial tissue, we evaluated LCS6 SNP in cell-free DNA samples. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the expression of KRAS transcripts in eutopic endometrial tissue. Our results suggest that the variant is not associated with the development of endometriosis in Iranian women. We observed higher levels of KRAS messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis compared to controls. Although, the KRAS LCS6 is neither constitutional nor somatic biomarker for endometriosis, increased expression ratio of KRAS mRNA indicates its role in the implantation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. © The Author(s) 2014

Investigating the association of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene variants with endometriosis in an Iranian population

Objectives: matrix metalloproteinases including matrix metalloproteinase-2 play a key role in endometrial extra cellular matrix breakdown in endometriosis. Aberrant expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 has been reported in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissue of endometriosis patients so altered expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 due to polymorphisms may lead to establishment and progression of endometriosis. In this study the association between -735 C/T (rs2285053) and â��1575 G/A (rs243866) variants of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene with presence of endometriosis in an Iranian population were investigated for the first time. Study design: A case-control association study was conducted to investigate the role of MMP-2â��735 C/T and ₁₅₇₅ G/A variants in development of endometriosis. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to determine genotype frequencies of these variants in 100 endometriosis patients and 200 normal samples. Total genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and single-nucleotide polymorphism flanking regions were amplified using designed specific primers. Enzymatic digestion was performed using Pag I and Hinf I restriction enzymes for rs2285053 and rs243866 variants, respectively. Statistical analysis was ascertained using statistical package for social science version 16 and â��SHEsisâ�� software. Results: There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies of rs2285035 (-735C/T) variant between case and control groups (CC + CT vs. TT p = 0.40; OR = 0.50, 95 CI 0.100â��2.551). There were also no significant differences for C allele frequencies in both case and control groups (p = 0.9). For variant rs243866 (â��1575 G/A) the differences in genotype frequencies between case and controls group were determined to be significant (GG + GA vs. AA p = 0.041; OR = 6.46, 95 CI 0.82â��50.43). The frequency of G allele was significantly different in case and control groups (p = 0.037). Conclusion: In conclusion, existence of rs243866 variant in promoter region of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene can increase the risk of endometriosis in Iranian women. © 202

Chitosan/gelatin hydrogel and endometrial stem cells with subsequent atorvastatin injection impact in regenerating spinal cord tissue

Central nervous system trauma can cause loss of functional sensory neurons and motor functions that results in death of neuronal cells and axon degeneration. For this purpose, therapeutic approaches to enhance repair mechanisms spinal cord injury (SCI) is reflected to be a difficult task that requires thoughtful strategy. Hydrogel scaffolds in the presence of stem cells could repair damaged SCI due to their ability to support cellular viability, motility, and differentiation. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a biomimetic composite hydrogel of chitosan and gelatin containing endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) as a minimally invasive treatment of SCI in an animal model. Moreover, the simultaneous, effect of intraperitoneal injection of atorvastatin drug was assessed for animal models. From the results, morphological and cell viability studies demonstrated favorable seeding microenvironment and viability in the hydrogel. The transplanted hydrogel containing EnSCs into hemisected SCI rats showed recovery of sensory and motor functions by confirming locomotor activity evaluation using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan test. The growth of neuronal cells confirmed with immunohistochemical study. The findings in this study suggested that combination therapy using biomimetic hydrogel seeded with stem cells as well as atorvastatin injection has the potential to heal SCI through neuroinflammation attenuation, improvement of functional recovery, and limit the secondary damages. © 2020 Elsevier B.V

Enhanced sciatic nerve regeneration by poly-L-lactic acid/multi-wall carbon nanotube neural guidance conduit containing Schwann cells and curcumin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles in rat

The main aim of this study was to improve the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration by an artificial neural guidance conduit (NGC) as a carrier to transplant allogeneic Schwann cells (SCs) and curcumin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (nanocurcumin). The conduit was prepared by poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and surface-modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (mMWCNT) and filled with SCs and nanocurcumin. SCs play an important role in the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve and controlled curcumin release can decrease SCs apoptosis, and enhance the regeneration and functional recovery of injured peripheral nerves. The mechanical properties, contact angle, and cell biocompatibility experiments showed that the optimized concentration of mMWCNT inside PLLA wall of conduits was 0.15 wt. The drug release experiments showed slower release of curcumin from nanocurcumin samples compared to nanocurcumin encapsulated inside NGC wrapped fibrin gel sample. It was found that simultaneous using of both SCs and curcumin inside NGC had a significant role in sciatic nerve regeneration in vivo. Histological examination revealed a significant increase in the number of axons in injured sciatic nerve following treatment by SCs and nanocurcumin compared to negative control group. Histological evaluation also revealed a significant decrease in the number of vessels in fibrin groups compared to positive control group. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the reaction time and sciatic functional index (SFI) values of rats with injured sciatic nerve treated by NGC/SCs/nanocurcumin sample and autograft sample. In conclusion, our results strongly showed that PLLA/mMWCNT nanofibrous conduit filled with fibrin gel containing SCs and nanocurcumin is a proper strategy for improving nerve regeneration after a nerve transaction in the rat. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Ewing’s Sarcoma of Mandible: Practical Approach to a Challenging Case

As a rare entity, sarcomas of the head and neck are challenging cases. In this paper, we represent a unique case of Ewing sarcoma of mandible, serving as an example of multidisciplinary team importance in a developing country

Recent findings on the role of fungal products in the treatment of cancer

In modern medicine, natural products have aided humans against their battles with cancer. Among these products, microorganisms, medicinal herbs and marine organisms are considered to be of great benefit. In recent decades, more than 30 fungal immunity proteins have been identified and proved to be extractable from a wide range of fungi, including mushrooms. Although chemotherapy is used to overcome cancer cells, the side effects of this method are of great concern in clinical practice. Fungal products and their derivatives constitute more than 50 of the clinical drugs currently being used globally. Approximately 60 of the clinically approved drugs for cancer treatment have natural roots. Anti-tumor immunotherapy is prospective with a rapidly growing market worldwide due to its high efficiency, immunity, and profit. Polysaccharide extracts from natural sources are being used in clinical and therapeutic trials on cancer patients. This review aims to present the latest findings in cancer treatment through isolated and extraction of fungal derivatives and other natural biomaterials. © 2020, Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología (FESEO)