Genome expression analysis by suppression subtractive hybridization identified overexpression of Humanin, a target gene in gastric cancer chemoresistance

Background: In cancer cells, apoptosis is an important mechanism that influences the outcome of chemotherapy and the development of chemoresistance. To find the genes involved in chemoresistance and the development of gastric cancer, we used the suppression subtractive hybridization method to identify the genes that are overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal gastric tissues. Results: In the suppression subtractive hybridization library we constructed, the most highly overexpressed genes were humanin isoforms. Humanin is a recently identified endogenous peptide that has anti-apoptotic activity and has been selected for further study due to its potential role in the chemoresistance of gastric cancer. Upregulation of humanin isoforms was also observed in clinical samples by using quantitative real-time PCR. Among the studied isoforms, humanin isoform 3, with an expression level of 4.166 ± 1.44 fold, was the most overexpressed isoform in GC. Conclusions: The overexpression of humanin in gastric cancer suggests a role for chemoresistance and provides new insight into the biology of gastric cancer. We propose that humanin isoforms are novel targets for combating chemoresistance in gastric cancer. © 2014 Mottaghi-Dastjerdi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Identification of novel genes involved in gastric carcinogenesis by suppression subtractive hybridization

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and life-threatening types of malignancies. Identification of the differentially expressed genes in GC is one of the best approaches for establishing new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, these investigations could advance our knowledge about molecular biology and the carcinogenesis of this cancer. To screen for the overexpressed genes in gastric adenocarcinoma, we performed suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) on gastric adenocarcinoma tissue and the corresponding normal gastric tissue, and eight genes were found to be overexpressed in the tumor compared with those of the normal tissue. The genes were ribosomal protein L18A, RNase H2 subunit B, SEC13, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1, tetraspanin 8, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4, and mitochondrially encoded ATP synthase 6. The common functions among the identified genes include involvement in protein synthesis, involvement in genomic stability maintenance, metastasis, metabolic improvement, cell signaling pathways, and chemoresistance. Our results provide new insights into the molecular biology of GC and drug discovery: each of the identified genes could be further investigated as targets for prognosis evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, evaluation of the response to new anticancer drugs, and determination of the molecular pathogenesis of GC. © The Author(s) 2014

Investigating the Influence of Penetration Length of Cut-off Wall on its Dynamic Interaction with Core and Foundation of Earth Dam

Seepage and flow of water in the soil is one of the most important issue and effective elements in designing embankment dams. One of the methods to control seepage in alluvial foundation of earth dams is to use a plastic concrete cutoff-wall. For better seepage control, the cutoff-wall extends inside the clayey core as the one of common method of connection of cut-off wall and the core. Due to the stiffness difference of the core material and cutoff-wall, and also due to geological situation, physical and mechanical properties of rock and foundation, interaction of core and foundation with cut-off wall in different static and dynamic load cases is very considerable. Failure of cut-off wall occurs in cut-off wall and core joint.  So the study of their interaction, especially during an earthquake is very important. Karkheh dam cut-off wall with an area of about 150000 m2 is chosen for this study. FLAC software has been used to study the effect of cutoff-wall penetration length variation, inside the clay core of Karkheh earth dam under dynamic loading.  In numerical analysis of Karkheh earth dam model, all construction stages and seepage through dam are modelled. The model is first calibrated according to the results obtained from the dam instrumentations. After calibrating, according to available seismic studies of region, a suitable acceleration was selected and applied to the model. In this research, in order to find the optimum length, the effect of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 meters penetration length of cut-off wall in aforementioned conditions has been investigated. The results of the numerical study showed that the horizontal displacement and the maximum shear strain in the cutoff-wall is occurred adjacent to the clay core and the interface of core and foundation is a critical point for the cut-off wall, and also the stress in cut off wall joint increases with the elongation of penetration depth of the wall

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation on Redroot Pigweed on Sesame under salt stress

The aim of this research was investigated of arbuscula rmycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mossea) on redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) andSesame (Sesamum indicum) Darab cultivar competition under salt stress The greenhouse experiment was laid out as a factorial based on randomized complete design with three replications at Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran in 2015. The treatments were consisted of salt stress (S0=water as control, S1=0.8, S2= 7 and S3=14 ds/m Of NaCl+CaCl2), fungi (F0: control without inoculation, F1: inoculation with Glomus mossea) and redroot pigweed (W0: weed free, w1: weedy). The results showed that interactions effect of different levels of salt stress, mycorrhizal fungi and weed on Sesame physiological traits was significant (P<0.01). Mean comparison showed that increasing of salt stress decreased grain yield, plant height and leaf area index significantly. Maximum value of all traits achieved by S1F1W0 treatment. Application of 14 ds/m salt stress stopped redroot pigweed growth, while this treatment increased inoculation of Sesame root with mycorrhizal fungi under severe salinity. Thereby, it showed a better performance on all traits. In general, it seems that application of mycorrhizal fungi can improve morphological and agronomic characteristics of Sesame by increasing nutrient uptake comparison with redroot pigweed. Mycorrhizal fungi inoculation showed significantly increased on all traits compared to non-inoculation plants under different salinity levels. Therefore, the highest biomass and plant height in Sesame were obtained from the inoculation with Glomus mossea. Results also indicated that weed biomass and height decreased by increasing salinity stress in non-inoculated treatments. Based on our results, mycorrhizal fungi can decrease the negative effects on weed competition in Sesame through increasing of plant growth under salinity stress conditions

Intravenous Pamidronate for Refractory Lymphedema

Background: Based on beneficial reports of pamidronate use for reflex sympathetic dystrophy in reduction of pain and swelling, this drug can be studied as a novel treatment for refractory lymphedema. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of pamidronate on lymphedema and its possible side effects. Methods: Twelve cases of lower limb refractory lymphedema were enrolled. They received intravenous pamidronate monthly for 3 consecutive months and were followed by measuring any discomfort with visual analog scale (VAS) and physician global assessment, based on objective signs of limb volume and circumference. Results: The limb volume, circumference, and satisfaction of the patients improved significantly. Conclusion: Pamidronate when is added to conservative treatments may reduce lymphedema and improve the patient's comfort. © Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on lipid profiles among patients with coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress significantly contribute in developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Hence, antioxidant supplementation might be an appropriate approach to decrease the incidence of CAD. This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to determine the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on lipid profile, as one of the major triggers for CAD, among patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Methods EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for studies prior to May 20th, 2018. Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was applied to assess the methodological quality of included trials. I-square and Q-tests were used to measure the existing heterogeneity across included studies. Considering heterogeneity among studies, fixed- or random-effect models were applied to pool standardized mean differences (SMD) as overall effect size. Results A total of eight trials (267 participants in the intervention group and 259 in placebo group) were included in the current meta-analysis. The findings showed that taking CoQ10 by patients with CAD significantly decreased total-cholesterol (SMD -1.07; 95% CI, − 1.94, − 0.21, P = 0.01) and increased HDL-cholesterol levels (SMD 1.30; 95% CI, 0.20, 2.41, P = 0.02). We found no significant effects of CoQ10 supplementation on LDL-cholesterol (SMD -0.37; 95% CI, − 0.87, 0.13, P = 0.14), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels (SMD -1.12; 95% CI, − 2.84, 0.61, P = 0.20) and triglycerides levels (SMD 0.01; 95% CI, − 0.22, 0.24, P = 0.94). Conclusions This meta-analysis demonstrated the promising effects of CoQ10 supplementation on lowering lipid levels among patients with CAD, though it did not affect triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and Lp(a) levels. Keywords: Coenzyme Q10 Lipid profiles Coronary artery disease Meta-analysi

The relationship between MnSOD Val16Ala gene polymorphism and the level of serum total antioxidant capacity with the risk of chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients: A nested case-control study in the Tehran lipid glucose study

Background: Several studies have shown significant associations between manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) Val16Ala polymorphism and diabetic complications, but this association has not been explored in relation with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level changes in diabetic condition and may play important role in onset or progression of the disease and its complications. The present study investigated the association of MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism and serum TAC with the risk of CKD in T2DM patients. Methods: This nested case-control study included 280 type 2 diabetic patients with CKD and 280 age, sex and diabetes duration-matched control subjects selected from the participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. MnSOD val16Ala (rs4880) SNP was genotyped by the Tetra-Primer ARMS-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Serum TAC was measured using ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA statistical package v.12.0 or SPSS (Version 22.0). Results: The Ala allele of the MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of CKD (odds ratio (OR), 0.55; 95 confidence interval (CI), 0.36-0.84; P = 0.006). Median serum TAC in CKD group was 920 μmol/L and was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to the control group (1045 μmol/L). Using an adjusted conditional logistic regression, we didn't observe any significant interaction between MnSOD Val16Ala SNP with quartiles of serum TAC in relation to CKD. Conclusion: A significant association was found between the MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism and CKD, but this association is not affected by serum TAC level in T2DM patients. © 2018 The Author(s)

The relationship between MnSOD Val16Ala gene polymorphism and the level of serum total antioxidant capacity with the risk of chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients: A nested case-control study in the Tehran lipid glucose study

Background: Several studies have shown significant associations between manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) Val16Ala polymorphism and diabetic complications, but this association has not been explored in relation with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level changes in diabetic condition and may play important role in onset or progression of the disease and its complications. The present study investigated the association of MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism and serum TAC with the risk of CKD in T2DM patients. Methods: This nested case-control study included 280 type 2 diabetic patients with CKD and 280 age, sex and diabetes duration-matched control subjects selected from the participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. MnSOD val16Ala (rs4880) SNP was genotyped by the Tetra-Primer ARMS-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Serum TAC was measured using ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA statistical package v.12.0 or SPSS (Version 22.0). Results: The Ala allele of the MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of CKD (odds ratio (OR), 0.55; 95 confidence interval (CI), 0.36-0.84; P = 0.006). Median serum TAC in CKD group was 920 μmol/L and was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to the control group (1045 μmol/L). Using an adjusted conditional logistic regression, we didn't observe any significant interaction between MnSOD Val16Ala SNP with quartiles of serum TAC in relation to CKD. Conclusion: A significant association was found between the MnSOD Val16Ala polymorphism and CKD, but this association is not affected by serum TAC level in T2DM patients. © 2018 The Author(s)

Therapeutic potentials of curcumin in the treatment of glioblstoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a greatly aggressive malignancy of the brain, is correlated with a poor prognosis and low rate of survival. Up to now, chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgical approaches have been the treatments increasing the survival rates. The low efficacy of mentioned therapies as well as their side-effects has forced researchers to explore an appropriate alternative or complementary treatment for glioblastoma. In experimental models, it has been shown that curcumin has therapeutic potentials to fight against GBM. Given that curcumin has pharmacological effects against cancer stem cells, as major causes of resistance to therapy in glioblastoma cells. Moreover, it has been showed that curcumin exerts its therapeutic effects on GBM cells via affecting on apoptosis, oxidant system, and inflammatory pathways. Curcumin would possess a synergistic impact with chemotherapeutic agents. Herein, we summarized the current findings on curcumin as therapeutic agent in the treatment of GBM. © 2020 Elsevier Masson SA