Overview of host miRNA properties and their association with epigenetics, long non-coding RNAs, and Xeno-infectious factors

MicroRNA-derived structures play impressive roles in various biological processes. So dysregulation of miRNAs can lead to different human diseases. Recent studies have extended our comprehension of the control of miRNA function and features. Here, we overview some remarkable miRNA properties that have potential implications for the miRNA functions, including different variants of a miRNA called isomiRs, miRNA arm selection/arm switching, and the effect of these factors on miRNA target selection. Besides, we review some aspects of miRNA interactions such as the interaction between epigenetics and miRNA (different miRNAs and their related processing enzymes are epigenetically regulated by multiple DNA methylation enzymes. moreover, DNA methylation could be controlled by diverse mechanisms related to miRNAs), direct and indirect crosstalk between miRNA and lnc (Long Non-Coding) RNAs as a further approach to conduct intercellular regulation called �competing endogenous RNA� (ceRNA) that is involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases, and the interaction of miRNA activities and some Xeno-infectious (virus/bacteria/parasite) factors, which result in modulation of the pathogenesis of infections. This review provides some related studies to a better understanding of miRNA involvement mechanisms and overcoming the complexity of related diseases that may be applicable and useful to prognostic, diagnostic, therapeutic purposes and personalized medicine in the future. © 2021, The Author(s)

Dietary intake and lifestyle behavior in different phenotypes of polycystic ovarian syndrome: a case-control study

Objective: To compare dietary intake and lifestyle behaviour in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women. Methods: 160 healthy women (partner with male infertility) were recruited to a control group; 168 women with PCOS (diagnosed on ultrasound) were recruited to a case study group for this cross-sectional comparative study. The case group was classified into three phenotypes based on presence or absence of menstrual disorder (M), hyperandrogenism (HA), and polycystic ovary according to sonography (PCO): HA+PCO (n=53), PCO+M (n=57) and M+HA+PCO (n=66). Dietary intake and lifestyle behaviour were measured using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a lifestyle questionnaire (LQ). Results: The mean energy (P<0.001) and fat intake (P<0.001) were greater in PCOS groups compared with the control group. The average energy and fat intake were greater in HA+M+PCO group after age and BMI adjustment compared with other phenotypes (P<0.001). In comparison with the control group, lifestyle scores were lower in the PCOS group in the fields of physical activity, weight and nutrition control after age and BMI adjustment (P<0.001). The average score of lifestyle in the fields of physical activity, weight and nutrition control, and psychological health was lower in the phenotype HA+M+PCO compared with other phenotypes (P<0.001). Conclusions: Limited energy and fat intake is strongly recommended in Iranian women with PCOS especially in phenotype HA+M+PCO. Consultation on improvement of psychological health and the importance of weight and nutrition control, and appropriate physical activity in patients especially in HA+M+PCO is advocated. Keywords: Lifestyle, polycystic ovarian syndrome, die

Expanding clinical phenotype and novel insights into the pathogenesis of ICOS deficiency

Background: Inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS) deficiency has been categorized as a combined immunodeficiency often complicated by enteropathies, autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, and malignancy. We report seven new patients and four novel ICOS mutations resulting in a common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)–like phenotype and show that dysregulated IL-12 release, reduced cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA4) expression, and skewing towards a Th1-dominant phenotype are all associated with inflammatory complications in this condition. Methods: A combination of whole exome and Sanger sequencing was used to identify novel mutations. Standard clinical and immunological evaluation was performed. FACS and ELISA-based assays were used to study cytokine responses and ICOS/ICOSL/CTLA4 expression following stimulation of whole blood and PBMCs with multiple TLR ligands, anti-CD3, and PHA. Results: Four novel ICOS mutations included homozygous c.323_332del, homozygous c.451C>G, and compound heterozygous c.58+1G>A/c.356T>C. The predominant clinical phenotype was that of antibody deficiency associated with inflammatory complications in 4/7 patients. Six out of seven patients were treated with immunoglobulin replacement and one patient died from salmonella sepsis. All patients who were tested showed reduced IL-10 and IL-17 cytokine responses, normal IL-1β, IL6, and TNF release following LPS stimulation and highly elevated IL-12 production in response to combined LPS/IFNγ stimulation. This was associated with skewing of CD4+ T cells towards Th1 phenotype and increased expression of ICOSL on monocytes. Lastly, reduced CTLA4 expression was found in 2 patients. One patient treated with ustekinumab for pancytopenia due to granulomatous bone marrow infiltration failed to respond to this targeted therapy. Conclusions: ICOS deficiency is associated with defective T cell activation, with simultaneously enhanced stimulation of monocytes. The latter is likely to result from a lack of ICOS/ICOSL interaction which might be necessary to provide negative feedback which limits monocytes activation

Effect of high-pressure torsion on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of cast pure Mg

© 2018, The Author(s). High-pressure torsion (HPT) processing was applied to cast pure magnesium, and the effects of the deformation on the microstructure, hardness, tensile properties and corrosion resistance were evaluated. The microstructures of the processed samples were examined by electron backscatter diffraction, and the mechanical properties were determined by Vickers hardness and tensile testing. The corrosion resistance was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The results show that HPT processing effectively refines the grain size of Mg from millimeters in the cast structure to a few micrometers after processing and also creates a basal texture on the surface. It was found that one or five turns of HPT produced no significant difference in the grain size of the processed Mg and the hardness was a maximum after one turn due to recovery in some grains. Measurements showed that the yield strength of the cast Mg increased by about seven times whereas the corrosion resistance was not significantly affected by the HPT processing

Formations of AZ91/Al2O3 nano-composite layer by friction stir processing

Composite layers containing ~0.8 %vol Al2O3 nanoparticles were produced on AZ91 magnesium alloy by friction stir processing (FSP). The treated layers were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopes, as well as microhardness and wear testing units. It was noticed that, by reducing the rotational speed and increasing the travel speed, the grain size of the treated layer reduces and its hardness increases. In addition, the presence of nano Al2O3 reduces the grain sizes of the layers further and increases their hardness. Furthermore, FSP of AZ91 with Al2O3 particles improved the wear resistance significantly and changed the wear mechanism from oxidation and adhesive mode in the as-received AZ91 to oxidation and abrasive in the FSPed specimens. Finally, the rotational speed of 800 rpm and the travel speed of 40 mm/min were the optimum parameters for achieving a suitable composite layer with the highest hardness and wear resistance among the treated layers

An investigation on magnetic properties and electrical resistivity of nanocrystalline CoFeNi thick films synthesized through stabilized bath

In this research, CoFeNi thick films were prepared through the electrodeposition process from a natural pH bath containing the complex agent of sodium citrate. By increasing applied current density, there is a transition from BCC (Fe) phase to BCC (Fe) + FCC (Co) phases and then to FCC (Co) phase. The XRD pattern showed a nanocrystalline structure for the CoFeNi thick films which was further confirmed by the TEM images. The magnetic properties of the synthesized magnetic films exhibit a noticeable decrease in the coercivity by decreasing the crystallite size which is consistent with the “D6” law. The resistivity of the CoFeNi thick films increased by decreasing the grain size which is due to the scattering of the charge carriers. The increase in the applied current density results in the gradual substitution of the iron atoms in CoFeNi films by nickel atoms leading to a reduction in saturation magnetization

Predictive value of plasma interleukin-6 level in the diagnosis of early neonatal sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the common causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This study was aimed to evaluate the plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) level as an early marker of neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 142 term neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Kashan Shahid Beheshti hospital during 2010-11. The plasma IL-6 level of cases was determined using the electrochemiluminescence method. Ten icteric neonates with no signs or symptoms of sepsis were treated with phototherapy. Bactec blood culture was performed in 132 cases of suspected sepsis. Ten cases had positive blood culture and 122 negative blood culture with symptoms of sepsis. Then the levels of IL-6, in10 positive blood culture, 10 negative blood culture and another 10 cases with no symptoms of sepsis, were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Seventy-four cases were male and 68 were female. The incidence of neonatal sepsis was 7%. The most common bacterial agents were group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Tachypnea (35.9%) was the most common sign among the admitted neonates. The mean IL-6 level in the first (suspected sepsis with a positive blood culture), the second (suspected sepsis with a negative blood culture) and the control group (icteric neonates) were 1545.65, 14.79 and 11.04 ρg/dl, respectively (P=0.001). Conclusion: The plasma IL-6 level can be a good predictor of early neonatal sepsis

Evaluation of QT dispersion in children with breath-holding spells

Background: Breath holding spells (BHS), as sudden and reflexive phenomena, are common in infancy and early childhood. Long QT syndrome (LQTS) and sudden abnormalities of rhythm should be considered in the differential diagnoses of BHS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QT dispersion (QTd) in children with BHS. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 56 children with BHS and 56 healthy children. After recording ECG, QTd and corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) were evaluated in the patients. Results: Among 112 children, 51 cases (45.5%) were male and the rest female. There was no statistically significant difference in mean age of the children between the two groups (P=0.99). In the case and control groups, cyanotic (83.9%), the most common type of BHS, was often repeated once a week (35.7%). The mean and SD of QTd and QTcd in the case and control groups were 61.6±22.5, 47.1±18.8 and 104.2±29.6, 71.9±18.2, respectively. These values in the control group were less than the case group (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the frequencies of QTd and QTcd in children with BHS are more than those in the healthy children. Therefore, ECG and LQTS in these children allow for more precise evaluation of BHS and they should be considered in early assessment of the patients

Insight into tribocorrosion resistance and tribofilm formation on titanium boride coatings in a phosphate buffer saline solution

TiB2+TiB coatings were formed on Ti–6Al–4V through a molten-salt diffusional process at temperatures of 850 °C and 900 °C for 16 h. The thickness of the TiB layer increased by about two times at the higher process temperature, while the thickness of the TiB2 layer remained constant. Tribocorrosion rate of Ti–6Al–4V and the coated samples was evaluated in a reciprocating sliding under a normal load of 15 N in a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution for 3600–36000 cycles against an alumina ball. The results showed that the tribocorrosion rate of the borided samples decreased up to 56 times compared with Ti–6Al–4V after 36000 cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies showed the presence of oxide-rich patches on the wear surface of Ti–6Al–4V with a thickness of up to 1 μm. TEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images also revealed the presence of a tribofilm with a thickness of up to 200 nm on the surface of the boride coating. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the tribofilm formed on the wear surface of coated samples contained B2O3/H3BO3 compound, resulting in a more stable fluctuation in coefficient of friction and open circuit potential during sliding. The SEM images of the alumina wear surface showed cracks and titanium transfer layers in contact with the borided layers and Ti–6Al–4V, respectively