Dehydroepiandrosterone stimulates nerve growth factor and brain derived neurotrophic factor in cortical neurons

Due to the increasing cases of neurodegenerative diseases in recent years, the eventual goal of nerve repair is very important. One approach for achieving a neuronal cell induction is by regenerative pharmacology. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are neurotrophins that play roles in neuronal development, differentiation, and protection. On the other hand, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a neurosteroid which has multiple actions in the nervous system. DHEA could be an important agent in regenerative pharmacology for neuronal differentiation during tissue regeneration. In this study, we investigated the possible role of DHEA to modulate NGF and BDNF production. The in vivo level of neurotrophins expression was demonstrated by ELISA in rat harvested brain cortex. Also neurotrophins expression after DHEA treatment was revealed by the increased neurite extension, immunostaining, and BrdU labeling in rats. Anti-NGF and anti-BDNF antibodies were used as suppressive agents on neurogenesis. The results showed that NGF and BDNF are overproduced after DHEA treatment but there is not any overexpression for NT-3 and NT-4. Also DHEA increased neurite extension and neural cell proliferation significantly. Overall, DHEA might induce NGF and BDNF neurotrophins overproduction in cortical neurons which promotes neural cell protection, survival, and proliferation. © 2013 Anahita Rahmani et al

λ phage nanobioparticle expressing apoptin efficiently suppress human breast carcinoma tumor growth in vivo

Using phages is a novel field of cancer therapy and phage nanobioparticles (NBPs) such as λ phage could be modified to deliver and express genetic cassettes into eukaryotic cells safely in contrast with animal viruses. Apoptin, a protein from chicken anemia virus (CAV) has the ability to specifically induce apoptosis only in carcinoma cells. We presented a safe method of breast tumor therapy via the apoptin expressing λ NBPs. Here, we constructed a λ ZAP-CMV-apoptin recombinant NBP and investigated the effectiveness of its apoptotic activity on BT-474, MDA-MB-361, SKBR-3, UACC-812 and ZR-75 cell lines that over-expressing her-2 marker. Apoptosis was evaluated via annexin-V fluorescent iso-thiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, flow-cytometric method and TUNEL assay. Transfection with NBPs carrying λ ZAP-CMV-apoptin significantly inhibited growth of all the breast carcinoma cell lines in vitro. Also nude mice model implanted BT-474 human breast tumor was successfully responded to the systemic and local injection of untargeted recombinant λ NBPs. The results presented here reveal important features of recombinant λ nanobioparticles to serve as safe delivery and expression platform for human cancer therapy. © 2013 Shoae-Hassani et al

Assessment of pulmonary regurgitation severity in tetralogy of fallot total correction: Comparison between doppler echocardiography and cardiac MRI

Background: Pulmonary regurgitation is a common finding in patients after tetralogy of Fallot total correction (TFTC). Right ventricular enlargement and dysfunction have been ascribed to pulmonary insufficiency (PI), which is an important issue in the follow-up of patients with TFTC. We sought to compare PI measured by echocardiography with data provided by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods: We studied 155 selected patients (91 male; median age = 25.65 y, range = 15-55 y) after TFTC. To quantify the pulmonary regurgitant fraction (PRF) by CMR, we performed flow velocity mapping. On Doppler echocardiography, the length, width, and localization of the regurgitant flow, no-flow time, and pressure half-time were measured. The severity of PI on echocardiography was categorized as nonsignificant and significant and was thereafter compared to the data obtained by CMR. Results: In all 155 patients, the measurement of the flow and volume was possible by CMR, and the measurement of PI was possible by Doppler echocardiography. The mean PRF, as determined by CMR, was 33 ± 16.4. Pulmonary regurgitation has been reported to be a causative factor in right ventricular volume enlargement. A PRF > 20 was considered significant and was compared with echocardiographic parameters and also right ventricular size and function and other indices resulted from CMR. The regression analysis showed a significant correlation between PI severity on CMR and right ventricular enlargement on MRI at end diastole (r = 0.746; P < 0.001) and also at end systole (r = 0.71; P < 0.05). Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between right ventricular ejection fraction and PI severity on CMR (r=0.553; P=0.45). On echocardiography, the semiquantitative estimation of pulmonary regurgitation showed that there were 26 patients with mild-to-moderate PI and 99 patients with severe PI. A right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) of 121 mL/m² was 87 sensitive and 54 specific for severe PI, and an RVEDVI of 180 mL/m² was 90 specific for severe PI. © 2016, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved

Application of nanotechnology in device promotion in cardiology: A promising horizon for nanocardiology toward personalized medicine

Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis constitute some of the most challenging problems in the medical field because of their high mortality rates. Nanotechnology in medicine/nanomedicine has several applications in different medical fields, especially in cardiology. Recent advances in nanotechnology and nanomedicine have created many opportunities for cardiovascular diseases, from diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring to drug delivery and nanoscale surgery. We reviewed recent applications of nano-enabled devices in cardiology such as targeted drug delivery, nanocoated drug-eluting stents, injectable peptide nanofibers, anticoagulation applications, and post-surgical monitoring. © 2015, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved

Mitral valve prolapse andgiant coronary artery aneurysms

The majority of coronary artery aneurysms are atherosclerotic in origin. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is the predominant cause in adults. Other causes include Kawasaki's disease, Marfan's syndrome, Behçet's disease, and use of stents. Their size and clinical manifestations are variable. Giant coronary aneurysms, �8 mm in diameter, are rare entities. Multivessel coronary artery involvement is still rare. Our case was a 32-year-old lady with an incidental finding of multiple giant coronary artery aneurysms in the evaluation for cardiomyopathy. © 2015, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved

Human endometrial stem cell neurogenesis in response to NGF and bFGF

The potential of cell therapy is promising in nerve regeneration, but is limited by ethical considerations about the proper and technically safe source of stem cells. We report the successful differentiation of human EnSCs (endometrial stem cells) as a rich source of renewable and safe progenitors into high-efficiency cholinergic neurons. The extracellular signals of NGF (nerve growth factor) and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) could induce cholinergic neuron differentiation. ChAT (choline acetyltransferase), MAP2 (microtubule associated protein 2) and NF-l (neurofilament L) increased after administration of bFGF and NGF to the EnSC cultures. trkC and FGFR2 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2), which belong to the NGF and bFGF receptors respectively, were determined in populations of EnSCs. NGF, bFGF and their combination differentially influenced human EnSCs high efficiency differentiation. By inducing cholinergic neurons from EnSCs in a chemically defined medium, we could produce human neural cells without resorting to primary culture of neurons. This in vitro method provides an unlimited source of human neural cells and facilitates clinical applications of EnSCs for neurological diseases. © The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2012 International Federation for Cell Biology

Small molecule of sphingosine as a rescue of dopaminergic cells: A cell therapy approach in neurodegenerative diseases therapeutics

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients should take medication such as fingolimod (FTY-720) for a long time, hence pharmaceutical effects on other neural cells such as dopaminergic cells are important. Dopaminergic cell line, BE(2)-M17, was treated by FTY-720 and then cell viability and genes involve in neurosurvival were investigated. It was disclosed that FTY-720 significantly stimulates Bcl2 overexpression. Whereas, it decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species production and cell membrane damage of dopaminergic cells. The increase in Bcl2/Bax ratio increased the cell metabolic activity and decreased propidium iodide-positive cells. Besides, FTY-720 induced the overexpression of CACNA1C, nNOS gene, and nitric oxide production. However, FTY-720 induced GABARA1 overexpression and eventually it could overcame to the cytotoxic effect of intracellular calcium. This cascade led to tyrosine hydroxylase and BDNF genes overexpression whereas FTY-720 did not change GDNF concentration in BE(2)-M17 cells. Concluding, it might be said that taking FTY-720 in MS patients did not induce adverse effect on dopaminergic cells. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Will stem cells from fat and growth factors from blood bring new hope to female patients with reproductive disorders?

Female reproductive system disorders (FRSD) with or without infertility are prevalent women's health problems with a variety of treatment approaches including surgery and hormone therapy. It currently considering to sub-branch of regenerative medicine including stem cells or growth factors injection-based delivery treatment might be improved female reproductive health life. The most common products used for these patients treatment are autologous cell or platelet-based products from patients, including platelet-rich plasma, plasma rich in growth factor, platelet-rich fibrin, and stromal vascular fraction. In this review, we discuss each of the above products used in treatment of FRSD and critically evaluate the clinical outcome. © 202