Survey on Acipenser persicus populations by use of the electrophoretic technique and morphological characteristics

For identifying the populations of the Acipenser persicus (Persian sturgeon) a survey were done by use of the electrophoretic technique and also morphological characteristics. The matrix was Acetate cellolus. 5ml blood from each gill arch were obtained and separated serum from blood. Separation of proteins were done, using a voltage of 180 volt during 15 minutes. After separating the solution proteins, the bands were stained by ponceau-s, Decolouring of plates was done by Acetic acid 5% during three steps. Scanning of the plates was done by densitometer with the wave length of 525 nm. Several genetic variations observed in the electrophorograms of samples. It seems that population of some localities can be characterized as a genetically distinguishable unit. Morphological differences observed between the fish which located in Sephid Rud region and Gorgan region, like the eye diameter and head height. The mean of eye diameter in Sephid Rud population was 20.16 mm and in Gorgan population 22.47 mm and the mean of head height was 8.15 cm and 7.25 cm respectively

Effects of NaCl stress on blood glucose and cortisol in common crap (Cyprinus carpio)

In this study, the fluctuation of two parameters of blood glucose and cortisol hormone were investigated in different salinities in Cyprinus carpio. Seven tanks with 100 lit. volume were used and different salinities of 0, 3, 6, 12, 15 and 18 ppm were choosen as treatments. Then, 16 specimen of common carps (each 50-90 g weight) were added to the tanks. In periBds of 12 up to 96 hours, the blood sample was taken from each fish for further measurment of parameters. The results showed that all fishes died at 18 ppm salinity within less than 12 hours. The blood glucose indicated high sensitivity to the higher salinity. In this research, blood glucose had a reange of 13.5 to 321.0 mg/dc.lit and also, cortisol showed a fluctuation from 10 up to 70 µg/dc. lit and its concentration had a direct relationship with increasing the salinity

Magnetic resonance imaging of human-derived amniotic membrane stem cells using PEGylated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Objective: The label and detection of cells injected into target tissues is an area of focus for researchers. Iron oxide nanoparticles can be used to label cells as they have special characteristics. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of iron oxide nanoparticles on human-derived amniotic membrane stem cell (hAMCs) survival and to investigate the magnetic properties of these nanoparticles with increased contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we initially isolated mesenchymal stem cells from amniotic membranes and analyzed them by?ow cytometry. In addition, we synthesized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and characterized them by various methods. The SPIONs were incubated with hAMCs at concentrations of 25-800 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity of nanoparticles on hAMCs was measured by the MTT assay. Next, we evaluated the effectiveness of the magnetic nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents. Solutions of SPION were prepared in water at different iron concentrations for relaxivity measurements by a 1.5 Tesla clinical MRI instrument. Results: The isolated cells showed an adherent spindle shaped morphology. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated SPIONs exhibited a spherical morphology. The average particle size was 20 nm and magnetic saturation was 60 emu/g. Data analysis showed no signifcant reduction in the percentage of viable cells (97.86 ± 0.41) after 72 hours at the 125 μg/ml concentration compared with the control. The relaxometry results of this SPION showed a transverse relaxivity of 6.966 (μg/ml.s)-1 Conclusion: SPIONs coated with PEG used in this study at suitable concentrations had excellent labeling efficiency and biocompatibility for hAMCs

Determination of the spawning time and changes in the reproduction cycle of ribbon fish, Trichiurus lepturus, according to the hepatosomatic index and gonadosomatic index

The ribbon fishes, belonging to the family Trichiuridae, are one of the most important protein resources in the Indian Ocean. A considerable density of the dominant species of this family, Trichiurus lepturus has been observed in the Oman Sea. During the conducted cruises in the northern part of the Oman Sea, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were estimated according to the size of the female groups of Trichiurus lepturus. GSI increases significantly from September to next April (P <0.05). polymodal egg size frequency revealed prolong spawning time by the females. The HSI fluctuations are good indications for this type of reproductive behavior

Histopathological evaluation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae following embryonic exposure to MgO nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes in zebrafish larvae following embryonic exposure to nanoparticles of magnesium oxide (MgONPs). The toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles is attracting increasing attention. Among these nanomaterials, MgONPs are particularly interesting as a low cost and environmentally-friendly material. Histological investigations are used as a highly sensitive method for detecting the morphological features of disease and abnormal gene function. We evaluated the histopathological changes in zebrafish larval tissues following embryonic exposure to MgONPs for a period of 4-96 h post fertilization (hpf). To this end; fixation, tissue processing, sectioning and general staining of the whole-larvae were performed. Histopathological evaluations showed some changes including psoriasis-like epithelial hyperproliferation, muscle cell degeneration, neurodegeneration in the spinal cord, swelling and edematous changes in pericardium, swelling and edematous changes in yolk sac, severe edema within the eyes, smaller retina, disruption of retinal lamination and impaired retinal differentiation. In summary, the results of this study enhance our understanding about the potential hazards of MgONPs to the environment

Chitosan extracted from the Persian Gulf chiton shells: Induction of apoptosis in liver cancer cell line

Here for the first time, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of the chitosan extracted from the Persian Gulf Chiton shell (Acanthopleura vaillantii) on liver cancer cell line (HepG_2). Chitosan extraction was implemented following this method: chitin was produced by demineralization and deproteinization procedure, and the extracted chitin was converted into soluble chitosan using deacetylation method. The cytotoxic effects of extracted chitosan were evaluated using four different tests, including 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Annexin V-FITC, propidium iodide (PI) staining, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and Caspase activity analysis. The IC_50 inhibitory concentrations of chitosan were obtained at 250 µg/mL after 24 h. Chitosan clearly inhibited the growth of hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. For detecting the induced cell apoptosis, HepG_2 cells were treated with 125, 250 and 500 µg/ml of chitosan for 24 h. According to the result of Annex in V/PI kit, in 125, 250, and 500 µg/ml of chitosan, 28.2, 49.1, and 83.3% of HepG_2 cells undergone late apoptosis, respectively. The morphology of treated cells by DAPI staining showed non uniform plasma membrane and DNA fragmentation compared to untreated cells with perfect nucleus. The analysis of cell cycle using flow cytometry demonstrated that the rate of sub-G1 peak was increased to 52.7%. Both caspase-3 and -9 activities increased by the extracted chitosan, but it was only significant for caspase-3. The results of the present study suggested that the extracted chitosan has efficient cytotoxicity on HepG_2 cells. Therefore, the extracted chitosan from the shell of the Chiton may be considered as a futuristic natural product regarding the treatment of liver cancer

Mutagenic effects of nanosilverconsumer products: A new approach to physicochemical properties

Serious concerns have been expressed about potential health risks of Nano silver containing consumer products (AgNPs) therefore regulatory health risk assessment on such nanoparticles has become mandatory for the safe use of AgNPsinbiomedicalproducts with special concerns to the mutagenic potentials. In this study, we examined the inhibitory and mutagenicity effects of AgNPs in three different sizes of three colloidal AgNPs by Minimal Inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay (Ames test).All samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). DLS analysis showed lack of large agglomeration of the AgNPs and TEM results showed the spherical AgNPswith the average sizes of 15, 19.6, 21.8 nms. Furthermore the XRD analysis showed the crystalline samples with a face centered cubic structure of pure silver.AmestestresultsonColloidal silver nanoparticles showed lack of any mutation in TA100, TA98, YG1029S. typhymuriumstrains. In addition colloidal silver nanoparticles reduced the mutation ratesin all three strains in a concentration dependent manner.This finding creates a new issue in the possible antimutagenic effects of colloidal AgNPsas a new pharmaceutical productwhich should be consideredinfuture studiesby focusing onthephysicochemical properties of AgNPs. © 2015 by School of Pharmacy Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on pregnancy and testicular development of mice

this study, considering the high sensitivity of developing fetal organs, different doses of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were injected intraperitoneally to pregnant mice. The magnetic and structural properties of DMSA-coated nanoparticles were examined by Alternating Gradient-Force Magnetometry, X-Ray Diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The histological studies of the fetal liver and placenta sections showed presence of  nanoparticles in these organ systems. Weight change and the number of pups born by pregnant mice in comparison with controls were not significantly different. But, a significant decrease was seen in infants growth from the mothers treated with doses higher than 50 mg/kg. The testicular histological studies of these infants showed decrease in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and mature sperm significantly. Although, some studies revealed the nontoxic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles in adult mice, the present study indicated that, the doses higher than 50 mg/kg of DMSA-coated magnetic nanoparticles can disrupt embryo development.Key words: Magnetic nanoparticles, pregnancy, testicular development, toxicity

In vitro differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells to hepatocyte lineage

Objective(s): Mesenchyme is a type of undifferentiated loose connective tissue that is derived mostly from mesoderm. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as adult stem cells (ASCs) able to divide into a variety of different cells, are of utmost importance for stem cell research. In this research, ability of the liver extract to induce differentiation of rat derived omentum tissue mesenchymal stem cells (rOT-MSCs) into hepatocyte cells (HCs) was investigated. Materials and Methods: After isolation and confirmation of rOT-MSCs they were co-cultured with liver extract and hepatogenic differentiation was monitored. Expressions of mesenchymal stem cell markers were also analyzed via flow cytometry. Moreover, expressions of octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (Oct-4), Wilm's tumor suppressor gene-1 (WT-1), albumin (ALB), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), and mRNAs were analyzed using RT-PCR on days 16, 18 and 21. ALB production was analyzed by immunocytochemistry and western blot. Furthermore, glycogen and urea production were determined via periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and colorimetric assays respectively. Results: The phenotypic characterization revealed the positive expressions of CD90, CD44 and negative expression of CD45 in rOT-MSCs. These cells also expressed mRNA of Oct-4 and WT-1 as markers of omentum tissue. Differentiated rOT-MSCs in presence of 6 μg/ml liver extract expressed ALB, AFP, CK-18, glycogen and urea as specific markers of HCs. Conclusion: These observations suggest that liver extract is potentially able to induce differentiation of MSCs into hepatocyte lineage and can be considered an available source for imposing tissue healing on the damaged liver. � 2015, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved