27 research outputs found
Investigation of the anticancer and antioxidant activity of the brown algae (Cystoseira indica) extract against the colorectal cancer cells
Background: Nowadays, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of bioactive compounds as anti-cancer agents regarding their antioxidant activities. The current study aimed to assess the anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activities of organic and water extracts of brown algae (Cystoseira indica) collected from the shores of Chabahar, Iran. Materials and Methods: The extraction was performed based on the method of immersion by n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, chloroform and distilled water as solvent during 24 hours. The reducing power, free radical (DPPH) scavenging activity, metal chelating activity and cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells were examined by the MTT test. Results: The chloroform extract showed the best reducing power compared to the other infusions, with an average of 0.36±0.02 µg/µL. Also, chloroform extract showed the best metal chelating activity with an average of 62.18±0.86 µg/µL (P<0.05). The best free radical scavenging activity observed in the ethanol and methanol extracts with concentrations of 15.83 and 33.21 µg/µL, respectively; the inhibitory activity of methanol extracts was better than ethanol extract (P<0.05). Regarding the anti-cancer properties, methanol extract (30±1.33 µg/µL) showed the greatest effect on cancer cell death and the water extract showed the least effect (66.67±1.11 µg/µL) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The extract of the brown algae (Cystoseira indica) can be proposed as an antioxidant and anticancer compound for preclinical and clinical studies
Challenges of managing diabetes in Iran: Meta-synthesis of qualitative studies
Background: Although several diabetes management and control programmes are introduced in Iran, many patients do not achieve diabetes-related clinical goals as recommended. The aim of this study was to identify the qualitative evidence for the challenges regarding diabetes management. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative studies following PRISMA guidelines was undertaken. Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Knowledge were searched as well as Persian databases including Magiran, Irandoc and SID from inception to August 2019. The included Studies were either in English- or Persian-language qualitative studies reporting the perspectives of patients, their relatives, or healthcare service providers. Content of the findings were analysed and organized according to Chronic Care Model framework. Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Six main themes were identified including holistic understanding of patients, leadership and governance difficulties, service delivery, workforce, financing, and information and research. Conclusion: Challenges regarding the management of diabetes in Iran is multifaceted. Reforming the health care system or developing complementary strategies is essential to improve suitable health care model for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetic patients. © 2020 The Author(s)
Three/four-dimensional (3D/4D) microscopic imaging and processing in clinical dental research
Nf2/Merlin controls spinal cord neural progenitor function in a Rac1/ErbB2-dependent manner
Objective: Individuals with the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) cancer predisposition syndrome develop spinal cord glial tumors (ependymomas) that likely originate from neural progenitor cells. Whereas many spinal ependymomas exhibit indolent behavior, the only treatment option for clinically symptomatic tumors is surgery. In this regard, medical therapies are unfortunately lacking due to an incomplete understanding of the critical growth control pathways that govern the function of spinal cord (SC) neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Methods: To identify potential therapeutic targets for these tumors, we leveraged primary mouse Nf2-deficient spinal cord neural progenitor cells. Results: We demonstrate that the Nf2 protein, merlin, negatively regulates spinal neural progenitor cell survival and glial differentiation in an ErbB2-dependent manner, and that NF2-associated spinal ependymomas exhibit increased ErbB2 activation. Moreover, we show that Nf2-deficient SC NPC ErbB2 activation results from Rac1-mediated ErbB2 retention at the plasma membrane. Significance: Collectively, these findings establish ErbB2 as a potential rational therapeutic target for NF2-associated spinal ependymoma
Integrated multi-omics analyses reveal the pleiotropic nature of the control of gene expression by Puf3p
The PUF family of RNA-binding proteins regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Puf3p is characterised as binding nuclear-encoded mRNAs specifying mitochondrial proteins. Extensive studies of its regulation of COX17 demonstrate its role in mRNA decay. Using integrated genome-wide approaches we define an expanded set of Puf3p target mRNAs and quantitatively assessed the global impact of loss of PUF3 on gene expression using mRNA and polysome profiling and quantitative proteomics. In agreement with prior studies, our sequencing of affinity-purified Puf3-TAP associated mRNAs (RIP-seq) identified mRNAs encoding mitochondrially-targeted proteins. Additionally, we also found 720 new mRNA targets that predominantly encode proteins that enter the nucleus. Comparing transcript levels in wild-type and puf3∆ cells revealed that only a small fraction of mRNA levels alter, suggesting Puf3p determines mRNA stability for only a limited subset of its target mRNAs. Finally, proteomic and translatomic studies suggest that loss of Puf3p has widespread, but modest, impact on mRNA translation. Taken together our integrated multi-omics data point to multiple classes of Puf3p targets, which display coherent post-transcriptional regulatory properties and suggest Puf3p plays a broad, but nuanced, role in the fine-tuning of gene expression
Yeast Puf3 mutants reveal the complexity of Puf-RNA binding and identify a loop required for regulation of mRNA decay
The eukaryotic Puf proteins regulate mRNA translation and degradation by binding the 3′ untranslated regions of target mRNAs. Crystal structure analysis of a human Puf bound to RNA suggested a modular mode of binding, with specific amino acids within each of eight repeat domains contacting a single nucleotide of the target RNA. Here we study the mechanism by which the yeast Puf3p binds and stimulates the degradation of COX17 mRNA. Mutation of the predicted RNA-binding positions of Puf3p to those found in Puf5p demonstrated that a single amino acid change in Puf3p abolished detectable binding to COX17. Since this amino acid position in both Puf3p and Puf5p is predicted to contact an adenine in the respective target RNAs, the amino acid in Puf3p must play a more critical role in promoting COX17 interaction. In contrast, an amino acid change in the third repeat of Puf3p, which interacts with the only divergent nucleotide between the Puf3p and Puf5p targets, had no effect on binding COX17. These results argue that a simple set of rules cannot reliably link specific amino acid positions with target specificity. Each of these amino acid changes in Puf3p enhanced binding to the Puf5p target HO RNA, suggesting a different mode of binding to this target. Finally, we identified an outer surface loop that was dispensable for binding but was required to promote both rapid deadenylation and subsequent decapping of the COX17 mRNA, most likely as a point of protein–protein interactions
Polymerase Chain Reaction for Frequent Evaluation of Enterovirus in Aseptic Meningitis
ABSTRACT: Meningitis is one of the most common CNS emergencies. Aseptic meningitis is the most prevalent type of meningitis. The clinical features initially are not specific. Enteroviruses have more than 60 serotypes which are culpable for more than 85% of aseptic meningitis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly sensitive test for detection of viruses; therefore by using of this method, diagnosis of aseptic meningitis can be achieved rapidly. We can use this method even for detection of viral types, and therefore choosing the best treatment. We have evaluated 47 cases of highly suspicious to meningitis in a cross sectional manner by PCR method. We found 4 positive cases for enterovirus. It seems that, by using of PCR method we can differentiate aseptic meningitis easily and rapidly, so decreasing costs can be achieved by this method
Recruitment of the Puf3 protein to its mRNA target for regulation of mRNA decay in yeast
The Puf family of RNA-binding proteins regulates mRNA translation and decay via interactions with 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of target mRNAs. In yeast, Puf3p binds the 3′ UTR of COX17 mRNA and promotes rapid deadenylation and decay. We have investigated the sequences required for Puf3p recruitment to this 3′ UTR and have identified two separate binding sites. These sites are specific for Puf3p, as they cannot bind another Puf protein, Puf5p. Both sites use a conserved UGUANAUA sequence, whereas one site contains additional sequences that enhance binding affinity. In vivo, presence of either site partially stimulates COX17 mRNA decay, but full decay regulation requires the presence of both sites. No other sequences outside the 3′ UTR are required to mediate this decay regulation. The Puf repeat domain of Puf3p is sufficient not only for in vitro binding to the 3′ UTR, but also in vivo stimulation of COX17 mRNA decay. These experiments indicate that the essential residues involved in mRNA decay regulation are wholly contained within this RNA-binding domain
Supplementary Material for: Glial Network Responses to Polymicrobial Invasion of Dentin
This study investigated the distribution patterns of glial networks disclosed by reactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B in healthy and carious human teeth. The objective was to determine the assembly and collapse of glial networks in response to encroaching infection. 15 healthy and 37 carious posterior teeth from adults were studied. Immediately after extraction, teeth were cleaned and vertically split and the half with pulp fixed and prepared for resin or frozen sections. Sections were stained with toluidine blue and for immunofluorescence, with observation by confocal laser microscopy and analysis by ImageJ software. Carious teeth were subdivided into three groups according to degree of carious involvement: microbial penetration through enamel (stage A), extension into dentin (stage B) and advanced penetration into dentin but without invasion of underlying pulp tissue (stage C). In stage A lesions there was marked increase in glial networks in dental pulp tissue that extended beyond the zone of microbial invasion. This response was maintained in stage B lesions. In advanced stage C lesions these networks were degraded in the zone of invasion in association with failure to contain infection. Cells expressing the glial markers GFAP and S100B showed a response to initial microbial invasion of dentin by increase in number and altered anatomical arrangement. The late stage of dentinal caries was marked by collapse of these networks in the region adjacent to advancing bacteria. This behaviour is important for understanding and explaining the defensive response of the neurosensory peripheral dental pulp apparatus to infection