Curcumin as an indirect methylation inhibitor modulates the effects of Toxoplasma gondii on genes involved in male fertility

Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite, which infects warm-blooded mammals, including mice and humans, throughout the world. The negative effects of T. gondii infection on the human reproductive system have been documented, especially in females. However, only few studies have examined the effects of T. gondii infection on the male reproductive system. Previous research shows that T. gondii can induce DNA methylation in some gene promoters, which are key regulators of spermatogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin on the activity of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), as well as selected genes, involved in spermatogenesis in spermatogenic cells. In the spermatogenic cells exposed to T. gondii, there was a significant increase in DNMT1 and DNMT3A gene expression and a significant reduction in HSPA1A, MTHR, and DAZL gene expression, compared to the controls. The present results showed that curcumin could regulate changes in T. gondii-mediated gene expression. The effect of T. gondii on DNMT activity was also investigated in this study. A 40 % increase in DNMT activity was observed due to T. gondii infection. However, DNMT activity was restored by treatment with 20 μM curcumin for eight hours. The results revealed that T. gondii increases the NF-κB activity, compared to the control group. The increase in NF-κB activity, induced by T. gondii, was inhibited by curcumin. In conclusion, T. gondii, by increasing DNMT expression and activity, leads to an increase in NF-κB activity in cells. On the other hand, curcumin reduced DNA methylation, induced by T. gondii, owing to its NF-κB-inhibiting properties. Therefore, curcumin, as a hypomethylating agent, can be potentially used to alleviate the negative effects of T. gondii on the male reproductive system

Low presence of papillomavirus and its lack of correlation with clinicopathological factors in breast cancer: a case control study

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm in women worldwide. There is evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may play a key role in breast cancer aggressiveness, but results are conflicting across studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the HPV viral genome in benign and malignant breast tissue samples and its clinicopathological characteristics of cancer. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 100 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) of breast cancer and 100 blocks of non-cancerous breast tissue were selected as a control group from the pathology department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz from 2020-2022. The presence of HPV was detected using nested PCR including MY09/11 primers and sequencing were performed for virus genotyping. Results: The present study enrolled 100 subjects each in two cancer and control groups with a mean age of 52.81±13.23 and 35.77±11.65, respectively. The risk of cancer in HPV-infected patients is almost 5 times higher than in HPV-negative individuals, it is not statistically significant (OR =4.99, 95% CI 0.35 to 72.15, p=0.238). The prevalence of HPV in the cancer and control groups was 7% and 1%, respectively and HPVs detected in two groups were of the HPV 16 genotype. Although the chance of ER and PR expression, lymphvascular involvement, perineural invasion, and higher tumor grade was higher in HPV-positive subjects than in HPV-negative subjects, this was not statistically significant (OR>1, p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on studies reporting the existence of sequences of different high-risk HPV types (oncogenes) in breast cancer tissues, this study confirmed the hypothesis of a possible infectious cause in the development of breast cancer. So far, however, the results have been controversial and inconclusive. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to demonstrate the link between HPV and breast cancer

Using rats as a research model to investigate the effect of human adenovirus 36 on weight gain

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has shown a positive correlation between obesity and viral infections with a particular emphasis on the human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36). Ad-36 is the first human virus that may increase adiposity in animals, and it is considered as a possible risk factor for obesity in humans; however, the results were&nbsp;not consistent&nbsp;across all&nbsp;the studies. The present study was conducted to examine the influence of Ad-36 infection on obesity in a rat model. METHODS: Eight-week-old male Wistar rats weighing 170-240 gram (g), were randomly divided into two groups, infection group (48 rats) and a control group (12 rats). The rats in the infection group were infected with human Ad-36. All rats were given free access to a normal chow diet and water. They were weighed weekly. RESULTS: The mean &plusmn; standard deviation (SD) body weights were 229.0 &plusmn; 25.9 g and 232.3 &plusmn; 16.6 g in the infection and control groups, respectively at the time of infection. The mean &plusmn; SD body weight of the infection group (304.0 &plusmn; 39.0 g) was higher than the control group (301.0 &plusmn; 36.5 g) at 12 weeks post-infection (P = 0.82). Although two groups had approximately same food intakes, the mean change in body weight was greater in the infection group than the control group (75.8 &plusmn; 27.9 g vs. 70.8 &plusmn; 24.5 g) but it was not significant (P = 0.57). CONCLUSION:We did not find a statistically significant association between weight gain and Ad-36 infection in the rat model. It seems that longer follow-up duration is needed to develop a significant weight gain in the infected rats. Rats can be used as a good animal model for further investigations about Ad-36-induced obesity, provided not to rely merely on weight measurements. Evaluating body composition or histopathological assessments are suggested.&nbsp;</p

Seromolecular assess of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women and neonatal umbilical cord blood

Toxoplasmosis is considered as one of the most prevalent human parasitic infections that can be transmitted from mother to the fetus. The onset of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy has clinical complications including spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, stillbirth and fetal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis infection in pregnant women and their infants in Lorestan province, Western Iran. Blood and sera samples were collected from 98 pregnant women and their infants. All collected samples were examined for Toxoplasma gondii infection by serological tests (ELISA IgM & IgG) and PCR assay. Among the 98 samples of mother and umbilical cord prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG, was 34/98 (34.69 %) and 33/98 (33.67 %), respectively. All pregnant women were negative for, anti-Toxoplasma IgM while it was found in 5/98 (5.1 %) of umbilical cords. Based on PCR analysis, Toxoplasma infection was detected in 5 (5.1 %) and 7 (7.14 %) of mother and umbilical cords, respectively. Molecular test along with evaluation of IgM (P <0.001) and IgG (P = 0.001) were significantly correlated

Unveiling Therapeutic Potential: A Systematic Review of Photobiomodulation Therapy and Biological Dressings for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Therapeutic potential of photobiomodulation therapy and biological dressings

Introduction: Diabetes poses a global health challenge, giving rise to various complications, including diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). DFUs, marked by ischemic ulcers susceptible to infection and amputation, underscore the urgency for innovative treatments. This study investigated the impact of photobiomodulation therapy (PBT) and autologous platelet gel (APG) on DFUs recovery.Methods: We systematically searched Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2015-2023) by using pertinent terms like “photobiomodulation therapy,” “low level light therapy,” and “platelet gel.” After meticulous data extraction and review, 57 articles were chosen and categorized. Among these, three randomized controlled trials involving 186 participants were selected for APG analysis.Results: Findings demonstrate that APG application carries minimal risk and offers promising improvements in healing time, grade, pain reduction, and granulation tissue formation. Similarly, diverse PBT modalities involving distinct probes and wavelengths exhibit the potential to enhance tissue perfusion, expedite healing, and impede wound progression, reducing the need for invasive interventions.Conclusion: PBT and APG emerge as valuable tools to augment wound healing, mitigate inflammation, and avert amputation, representing compelling therapeutic options for DFUs