shRNA-mediated downregulation of α-N-Acetylgalactosaminidase inhibits migration and invasion of cancer cell lines

Objective(s): Extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of many kinds of glycoproteins containing glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) moiety. The research was conducted based on the N-Acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) degradation of ECM components by α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) which facilitates migration and invasion of cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the effects of Naga-shRNA downregulation on migration and invasion of cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: In this study, MCF-7 cell line (human mammary carcinoma cell line) and A2780 (human ovarian carcinoma cell line) were used. The level of normalized Naga expression and Nagalase protein were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay/western blotting, respectively. Migration and invasion were determined using transwell assays, and statistical analysis was carried out by ANOVA test. Results: Response to transduction by shRNA compared to the control group, migrative and invasive properties of the transfected cells were significantly inhibited. Conclusion: These results indicate that Nagalase may have an important role in migration and invasion of cancer cells and can be considered as a candidate for further studies

Fluid flow modelling through an axial-flow microhydro turbine

U ovom je istraživanju analizirano trodimenzionalno polje fluida aksijalne mikrohidro turbine nazvane Agnew. Sve numeričke simulacije su izvedene pomoću OpenFOAM, računalnog koda dinamike fluida otvorenog izvora (CFD), kako bi se istražila interakcija rotor-stator i gubitci koji nastaju u turbini. Klizna dodirna ravnina korištena je da se poremećaj stacionarne domene prenese na rotacijsku domenu i obratno. Također je ispitano nekoliko modela turbulencije zajedno s funkcijom zida kako bi se uzela u obzir turbulencija u strujanju. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da schema advekcije visoke rezolucije, koja kombinira dodirnu ravninu za modeliranje interakcije rotor-stator zajedno s intenzitetom turbulencije I = 6 % na ulazu, najbolje odgovara eksperimentalnim rezultatima.In this study, a three-dimensional fluid field of axial-flow type microhydro named Agnew has been investigated. All numerical simulations were performed using OpenFOAM, an open source computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, to investigate the rotor-stator interaction and losses occurring in the turbine. A sliding interface plane was used to pass the disturbance of stationary domain to rotary domain and vice versa. Several turbulence models were also examined together with wall function in order to take into account the turbulence in the flow. The obtained results show that a high resolution advection scheme, mixing plane to model the rotor-stator interaction together with a turbulence intensity of I = 6 % at the inlet, best matches with the experimental results

Prevalence of underweight and wasting in Iranian children aged below 5 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose Wasting and underweight are the 2 main indicators of children’s undernutrition. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition at the national level in Iran. Methods We performed a search for original articles published in international and Iranian databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINHAL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scientific Information Database, Irandoc, Iranmedex, and Magiran during January 1989–August 2017. Seven keywords, in English and Persian, including malnutrition, protein energy malnutrition, growth disorders, underweight wasting, weight loss, children below 5 years old, and children, were used to search the databases. Results Finally, 17 articles were included in the meta-analysis, based on which the prevalence of underweight and wasting in Iranian children were estimated to be 11% and 5%, respectively. The prevalence rates of underweight among children in the central, western, southern, and northern parts of Iran and at the national level were 24%, 5%, 20%, 17%, and 6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of wasting in the central, western, southern, and northern parts of Iran and at the national level were 9%, 4%, 11%, 5%, and 4%, respectively. Conclusion Although the prevalence of underweight and wasting in Iran was low, some parts of the country showed high prevalence. The main reason behind this difference in the prevalence of malnutrition may be due to the level of development in different regions

In vitro effects of the green synthesized silver and nickel oxide nanoparticles on the motility and egg hatching ability of Marshallagia marshalli

Background Gastrointestinal nematodes are one of the serious health problems on the human society and in the livestock industry. Marshallagia marshalli is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminant, have subtle but more significant adverse effects on the health and fitness of their hosts. Aim In this study, green synthesized nickel oxide (NiO) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) have been checked to evaluate the possible antiparasitic effects of nickel oxide and silver nanoparticles on Marshallagia marshalli. Methods The characterization of synthesized NiO NPs and Ag NPs was confirmed using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), and UV–Visible spectroscopy. The adult worms were incubated with various concentrations of NiO and Ag NPs with the quantity of; 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 ppm for 24 h. Mobility and egg hatching abilities of the parasites were recorded at 4-h intervals. Results The results showed that both of the nanoparticles NiO and Ag NPs have anthelmintic activity against Marshallagia marshalli. The anthelmintic effects increased with an increase in the concentration of nanoparticles and the incubation time. Conclusion The outcome data concluded that Ag-NPs possess a higher level of efficacy than NiO NPs

Frequency of virulence-associated genotypes of Helicobacter pylori and their correlation with clinical outcome and histological parameters in infected patients

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative which can cause several gastroduodenal diseases, including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). H. pylori specific genotypes have been related to increased occurrence of gastritis and PUD. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of the major virulence factors of H. pylori with clinical outcomes and histological parameters in Iranian patients. Totally, 200 subjects with PUD and gastritis disease who underwent gastroduodenal endoscopy were enrolled in this study. The presence of the cagA, vacA, oipA, babA2, and iceA genes in antral gastric biopsy specimens were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the results were compared with clinical outcomes and histological parameters. The frequency of babA2(+), oipA(+), vacA s1/m2, and vacA m2 genes was significantly higher in patients with peptic ulcer disease compared with patients with gastritis. In contrast, the frequency of vacA s1/m1 gene was significantly higher in gastritis subjects than PUD subjects. The high-density scores of H. pylori were strongly associated with iceA1, babA2(+), and oipA(+) genes. Additionally, the high polymorphonuclear cell infiltration and high mononuclear cell infiltration scores were strongly associated with the cagA(+), iceA1, oipA(+) genes and cagA(+), babA2(+), oipA(+) genes, respectively. Our study indicated that the vacA, babA2, and oipA virulence factors are related to a higher risk of PUD in subjects with H. pylori-infection. Infection with these strains was associated with a more severe gastropathy

Frequency of IL-10+CD19+ B cells in patients with prostate cancer compared to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: The function of the immune system in prostate cancer (PC) might promote carcinogenesis. PC is a common cancer in men. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are a new subtype of B cells that have suppressive roles in the immune system. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a dominant mediator of immune suppression released by Bregs. Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the frequency of CD19+IL10+ B cells and IL-10 mRNA expression in patients with PC compared to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Forty paraffin tissue samples from patients with PC and 32 paraffin tissue samples from patients with BPH were entered in this study. The immunohistochemistry staining was used to evaluate the pattern expression of CD19 and IL-10 markers. IL-10 mRNA expression in fresh tissue was determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The frequency of CD19+IL-10+ B cells and IL-10 mRNA expression in PC patients were significantly higher than patients with BPH. Also, there was no meaningful relationship between the frequency of IL-10+CD19+ B cells and gleason scores in patients with PC. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that frequency of IL-10+CD19+ B cells correlates with progressive stage of PC

Frequency of IL-10+CD19+ B cells in patients with prostate cancer compared to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: The function of the immune system in prostate cancer (PC) might promote carcinogenesis. PC is a common cancer in men. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are a new subtype of B cells that have suppressive roles in the immune system. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a dominant mediator of immune suppression released by Bregs. Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the frequency of CD19+IL10+ B cells and IL-10 mRNA expression in patients with PC compared to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Forty paraffin tissue samples from patients with PC and 32 paraffin tissue samples from patients with BPH were entered in this study. The immunohistochemistry staining was used to evaluate the pattern expression of CD19 and IL-10 markers. IL-10 mRNA expression in fresh tissue was determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The frequency of CD19+IL-10+ B cells and IL-10 mRNA expression in PC patients were significantly higher than patients with BPH. Also, there was no meaningful relationship between the frequency of IL-10+CD19+ B cells and gleason scores in patients with PC. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that frequency of IL-10+CD19+ B cells correlates with progressive stage of PC

An overview of the innate and adaptive immune system in atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic inflammatory disease usually caused by atherosclerosis, in which the coronary arteries become narrowed by atheromatous plaque. Plaques in atherosclerosis are formed through the accumulation of lipids and various immune cells. Both adaptive and innate immune systems are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and facilitate plaque formation and disease progression. Almost all immune system cells, including neutrophils, B cells, T cells monocytes, macrophages, foam cells, and dendritic cells (DCs), play a vital role in atherosclerotic plaque. Atherogenesis, the normal function of the endothelium, is initially disrupted and, then, cells of the immune system are recruited to the endothelium following increased expression of cell adhesion molecules. Accumulation of immune cells and lipids leads to the formation of a necrotic nucleus. As the disease progresses, smooth muscle cells form fibrous layers, whose rupture results in exposing the necrotic nucleus and thrombosis. Accordingly, the present review was conducted to determine the role of different cells in innate and adaptive immune systems in inhibition and progression of atherosclerosis