The effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on the expression of the USP9Y gene in rat testicles

Background: The increasing use of nanoparticles has raised concerns about the risks of nanoparticle release to the environment, which has adverse effects on fertility. Disruption of the expression of the USP9Y (Ubiquitin Specific Protease 9 Y chromosome) gene may cause azoospermia or oligospermia in the testes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on the expression of the USP9Y gene in rat testicles. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male Wistar rats were divided into three treatment groups and one control group. The treatment groups received different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg/kg) and the control group received normal saline intraperitoneally for 14 days. Then, the testicles were removed and the size and diameter of the small and large testicles were measured. Finally, the expression of the USP9Y gene was investigated by the real-time PCR method. Results: After 14 days exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles, the rats' body weight, weight and diameter of the testicles, and the USP9Y gene expression were reduced dose-dependently in all three treatment groups. Conclusion: It seems that exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles may have a negative effect on fertility by reducing the expression of some genes associated with fertility of the male rats, and also by reducing the weight and size of the testes

COLLAGEN TYPE II GENE EXPRESSION IN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS DELIVERED FROM RATS FEEDING WITH LEAD ACETATE II

Background and Objectives: One of the most harmful heavy metals with deleterious effects on tissues is lead (Pb). In this project, the effects of lead acetate II oral doses on Collagen type II gene expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in chondrogenic media were studied. Collagen type II is one of the most plentiful differentiated proteins of the in extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage. Methods: Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Except libitum feed, the first group were fed orally by 50 ppm lead acetate II, the second group were fed orally by 100 ppm lead acetate II while the control group was fed by distilled water for 2 months. After killing, the femoral bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were isolated then cultured in chondrogenic medium. Finally the gene expression of Collagen type II was evaluated by real time PCR. Results: After 2 passages, Population Doubling Time of MSCs in the second group was more than the first while the control group was the least. Real time PCR demonstrated that after feeding rats bone marrow with lead acetate II, Collagen type II gene expression in MSCs in chondrogenic medium decreased significantly in the second group compared with the first, while Collagen type II gene expression in the control group was the most. Conclusion: It seems that accumulation of lead acetate II with the doses 50 and 100 ppm in rat bone marrow in femur lead to reduce Collagen type II gene expression in MSCs in chondrogenic medium thus, public health is a priority. Kew words: Bone Marrow, lead acetate, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Real-Time PCR, Collagen type I

An Anthropometric Investigation of Index Finger Length Ratio to Ring Finger (2d:4d) in Men with Schizophrenia Living in Khorasan Razavi

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a group of mental disorders that its main characteristics are failure to understand reality and inability to do daily tasks. Anthropometry, which is a type of biometrics, is a science that measures the dimensions and angles of body parts, as well as skin lines and fingerprints on living people. Perhaps knowledge about natural features of finger dimensions provides useful information in the field of medical anthropometry. Therefore, anthropometric properties of the fingers can be used to identify and develop research in this topic. And given that finger length, like brain development, is formed by a family of developmental genes. So, the objective was to find a link between brain violation and finger length. Methods: This study was a case-control and cross-sectional sampling was done in the one-year. The index and ring finger lengths of both hands in 62 men with schizophrenia and 72 healthy subjects who were not diagnosed and aged 18 to 65 years old living in Khorasan Razavi were measured by digital caliper. Results: Significant differences were observed between the average index finger lengths (2d:4d) in men’s right hand of healthy men and men with schizophrenia. Among other variables, significant differences weren’t observed between healthy and patients. Conclusion: It may seem that the results above are used by methods for genetic studies of biometric changes in patients with schizophrenia from the index finger length ratio to the right and left ring fingers for further studies to make an estimation and generation. It’s essential to spread the similar statistical research wider statistical societies. Conflict of Interest Declaration: Not declared

The effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on the expression of the USP9Y gene in rat testicles

Background: The increasing use of nanoparticles has raised concerns about the risks of nanoparticle release to the environment, which has adverse effects on fertility. Disruption of the expression of the USP9Y (Ubiquitin Specific Protease 9 Y chromosome) gene may cause azoospermia or oligospermia in the testes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on the expression of the USP9Y gene in rat testicles. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male Wistar rats were divided into three treatment groups and one control group. The treatment groups received different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg/kg) and the control group received normal saline intraperitoneally for 14 days. Then, the testicles were removed and the size and diameter of the small and large testicles were measured. Finally, the expression of the USP9Y gene was investigated by the real-time PCR method. Results: After 14 days exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles, the rats' body weight, weight and diameter of the testicles, and the USP9Y gene expression were reduced dose-dependently in all three treatment groups. Conclusion: It seems that exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles may have a negative effect on fertility by reducing the expression of some genes associated with fertility of the male rats, and also by reducing the weight and size of the testes

Human papillomavirus and Helicobacter pylori co-infection in gastric cancer patients

Background and Aim: Recent research has highlighted the potential interplay between human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections in gastric cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori and HPV co-infection and its association with tumor characteristics in individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer. Methods: In this descriptive study, 32 gastric cancer tissue samples and 32 healthy gastric tissue samples were collected from people referred to a hospital in Iran. DNA extraction was performed using a Biogen kit, and Real-time PCR was utilized to detect HPV and H. pylori infections through L1 and cagA gene primers, respectively. Results: Over 50% of the cancer samples were classified as stage III. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 26 cancer tissues (81.2%) and 22 healthy tissues (67.8%). Additionally, four cancer tissue samples (12.5%) tested positive for HPV infection, while no HPV infection cases were observed in the control group. A significant association was found between H. pylori infection and various tumor characteristics, including staging, grade, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and histology in gastric cancer patients. Moreover, HPV infection showed a significant correlation with gastric cancer staging. However, no significant relationship was observed between the co-infection of H. pylori and HPV with gastric cancer. Conclusion: The study results did not reveal a significant association between the co-infection of H. pylori and HPV with gastric cancer. Nevertheless, a notable relationship between H. pylori and HPV co-infection and gastric cancer staging was observed, highlighting the complexity of interactions between these infectious agents in gastric carcinogenesis

Dietary green-synthesized curcumin-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles promote growth performance, haemato-biochemical profile, antioxidant status, immunity, and carcass quality in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study evaluated the effect of dietary curcumin-assisted green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (CUR-ZnONPs) on growth performance, haemato-biochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, immune response, carcass composition, and bioaccumulation of Zn in Nile tilapia. The fish (‎16.20 ± 1.02 g‎) were fed with diets enriched with 0 (CZP1), 5 (CZP2), 7.5 (CZP3), and 10 (CZP4) mg/kg CUR-ZnONPs for 56 days and then challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. The highest growth performance (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) and the lowest feed conversion ratio were recorded in CZP4 (P  0.05). The mortality rate of the fish infected with A. hydrophila was significantly lower in the group that received CZP4 compared to the other experimental groups (P < 0.05). The principal component analysis demonstrated that the fish fed with CUR-ZnONPs have significantly higher growth performance, immune responses, and antioxidant status than the fish fed with the control diet. Overall, it is suggested to use dietary CUR-ZnONPs, especially at 10 mg/kg, as a beneficial feed supplement to improve growth performance, antioxidant status, and immune parameters in Nile tilapia

Effects of Bee Venom on Activity and Expression of 15-Lipoxygenase-1 in Human HT29 Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer has a high incidence rate with significant mortality and morbidity. The 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) is a crucial enzyme as well as a tumor suppressor, especially in colon cancer. Bee venom, by the induction of apoptosis, is a promising new anti-cancer agent. Thus, the effects of bee venom on the expression of 15-LOX-1 m-RNA and its activities in the HT-29 cell line have been investigated in the current study. Human HT-29 colon cancer cells were treated with increasing concentrations of bee venom (1.87-30 µg/mL), and cisplatin (5 µg/mL) as the positive control for 24- and 48-hours. Then, cell viability and apoptosis were measured using the MMT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Enzyme activity and expression was assayed using the kinetic method and real-time PCR, respectively. The results showed that the main content of bee venom was melittin with a retention time of 60 minutes. The IC50 values of bee venom at 24- and 48-hours were 6.01 µg/mL and 4.44 µg/mL, respectively. Expression of 15-LOX-1 in cancer cells treated with bee venom increased (p < 0.0005), as well as the activity of the enzyme in the presence of bee venom (p < 0.01). The current study revealed the apoptotic and cytotoxic effects of bee venom against the human colon cancer HT-29 cell line that was not seen in fibroblast cells. Findings suggest that bee venom may have therapeutic effects against the HT-29 colon cancer cell through the induction of the15-LOX-1 pathway. However, further studies are needed in this regard