L-Carnitine Promotes Cardiomyogenic Differentiation of C-Kit+Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells via MAPK-ERK Signaling Pathway

Many studies have shown that bone marrow (BM) stem/progenitor cells have the highest probability of cardiomyocyte differentiation. Regarding the major role of C-kit+ BM stem cells in cell therapy of patients with heart disease and getting cells with higher differentiation potential, this study aimed to investigate the capacity and effect of L-carnitine (LC) on cardiomyogenic differentiation of C-kit+ BM cells through MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. For this purpose, C-kit+ was enriched from the BM mononuclear cell population using a magnetic activating cell sorting technique. The purity of the separated C-kit+ cells was then evaluated by flow cytometry. In the next step, C-Kit+ cells were treated in a cardiomyogenic differentiation culture medium for 21 days once in the presence and once in the absence of 0.2 µM LC (the experimental and control groups). To evaluate the cardiomyogenic differentiation potential of C-kit+ cells, the Desmin cell marker was determined by immunocytochemistry. The expressions of both GATA4 and ERK proteins were measured using western blotting and flow cytometry, respectively. The results show that 95.7 percent of the cells separated by the MACS technique expressed a C-kit+ cell marker. Additionally, it was found that 0.2 mM LC significantly increased the expression of GATA4 protein in the cardiomyogenic differentiated cells. The expression of ERK protein also suggested a significant increase of about 1.60 times in the experimental group in comparison with the control group (*P˂0.05). In brief, it was found that treating C-kit+ BM cells with LC increases cardiomyogenic differentiation by increasing the expression of GATA4. Notably, this effect can take place through MARK/ERK signaling pathway. The results of this research can be valuable in suggesting a treatment solution for cardiovascular diseases

Prevalence of Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Buffaloes in East Azerbaijan, Northwestern Iran

Bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) has a worldwide distribution, but its prevalence in different regions of Iran is unknown. In this study, for the first time, the presence of BIV infections is detected by using the PCR method in Iranian water buffalo in East Azerbaijan. For this matter, blood samples were taken from 83 randomly selected buffaloes slaughtered in Tabriz industrial slaughterhouse from June to October 2012. All of the animals were clinically examined before sampling. Viral Gene-spin™ Viral DNA/RNA Extraction Kit was used to extract the DNA, and PCR was performed on the extracted DNA using oligonucleotiode primers specific for the gag gene region of the BIV virus. The prevalence of BIV in buffaloes was 2.4% (2 of 83), which is less than the prevalence of BIV in Pakistan (10.3%) and India (19%). The low prevalence observed in this study may be due to our small sample size

Isolation, Culturing, Characterization and Aging of Adipose Tissue-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Brief Overview

ABSTRACT The aim of this review was to describe the current state-of-the-art regarding isolation, characterization and aging of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently received widespread attention because of their potential use in tissue-engineering applications. Various studies have indicated that MSCs with a fibroblast-like morphology migrate to the sites of injury and help to regenerate damaged tissue. Over the past few years, it has been recognized that fat is not only an energy supply, but also a rich source of multipotent stem cells that can be easily harvested, isolated and selected as compared with other tissues. ADSCs are particularly interesting because of their rapid proliferation and multidirectional differentiation potential

Enhancement of osteogenic differentiation of rat adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells by zinc sulphate under electromagnetic field via the PKA, ERK1/2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways - Fig 5

<p><b>(A) ALP activity and (B) calcium levels were affected by EMF and ZnSO</b>_<b>4</b><b>.</b> Cells were cultured in 24-well plates containing an osteogenic induction medium as described in section 2.6 and 2.7 at a density of 10 × 10⁴ cells/well. For ALP activity measurement, protein was extracted and for calcium assay, ultrasonication was done from the cultured rADSCs on days 4, 8, 16 and 20 post-EMF treatment with 50 Hz, 20 mT and post-ZnSO₄ treatment in the concentration of 0.432 μg/ml for 30 min/day for 21 days. Likewise, protein extraction was performed on the controls; mean ± SEM; n = 3; ^*P<0.05, ^**P<0.01, ^***P<0.001.</p

Relationships between hematological parameters and Cl and Na homeostasis in dairy herds and abortion

Abortion is among reproductive parameters affecting the profitability of dairy herds. Abortion incidence is influenced and/or controlled by different infectious, environmental, and managerial factors and so forth. The effect of environmental and nutritional conditions on minerals, as well as interactions between minerals and physiological conditions, are leading parameters to consider during gestation. This study attempts to assess links between these factors and abortion by determining and measuring homeostasis-electrolyte factors, such as Na and Cl, and hematological parameters, such as complete blood count, in dairy herds with abortion. A total of 40 Holstein dairy herds were chosen and split into two 20-member control and aborted groups. Abortions were reported by ranchers, and blood samples were taken considering the history and current status of herds and clinical examinations. Blood samples were taken twice, once with EDTA to study hematological characteristics and once with no anticoagulant to measure hemostasis-electrolyte factors (Na, Cl) from the serum of herds with abortion. The relationships between these parameters and variations observed in dairy herds with abortion were compared with those in the control group. There was no significant difference in concentrations of sodium and chlorine between the two groups (p&gt; 0.05).&nbsp

Epidemiologic evaluation and management of patients with orbital fractures admitted to plastic and reconstructive surgery ward in Imam Khomeini hospital, Tehran, Iran

Introduction: Orbital fractures comprise a significant part of facial traumas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome and epidemiologic features of patients with orbital fractures in Imam Khomeini hospital over a 10-year period. Materials and Methods: One hundred and three patients with orbital fractures were included in this study. Data obtained from medical records of patients were statistically analyzed. Results: 68% of patients were in the age range of 20-40. The male to female ratio was 5 to 1. Motor vehicle accidents were the main cause of injury and most frequently involved area was the orbital floor. The main clinical finding was echymosis and the most common associated injury was zygomatic bone fracture. Diplopia, enophthalmos and deformity were improved in 94.5%, 86.2% and 87.5% of cases postoperevtively. The frequency of enophthalmos in patients with medial wall fracture was significantly more than patients with fractures of other orbital areas (