AKAP4, SPAG9 and NY-ESO-1 in Iranian colorectal cancer patients as probable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

Background and objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the world. Cancer-Testis Antigens (CTAs) are a group of tumor-associated proteins which typically are expressed in normal reproductive cells of men, but their expression in normal somatic cells is silenced. CTAs, due to their limited expression pattern, are considered as promising targets for cancer diagnosis and immuno-therapy. Methods: Expression of AKAP4, SPAG9 and CTAG1B genes from the CTAs family was studied in both tumor and normal tissues of 62 Iranian CRC patients by RT-PCR with the aim of finding biomarkers for early detection and anticipated progression. Statistical analysis was performed SPSS software V22.0 to assess the significance of any associations. Results: Elevated expression of SPAG9 and AKAP4 genes was observed in approximately 66 and 44 of tumours, respectively, as compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues. While a significant association was found between AKAP4 gene expression and metastasis (P-value: 0.045), expression of the CTAG1B (NY-ESO-1) gene was not observed in our cases. Conclusion: AKAP4 and SPAG9 genes may find use as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC and AKAP4 may play an important role in progression to metastasis. © 2018, Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention

AKAP4, SPAG9 and NY-ESO-1 in Iranian colorectal cancer patients as probable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

Background and objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the world. Cancer-Testis Antigens (CTAs) are a group of tumor-associated proteins which typically are expressed in normal reproductive cells of men, but their expression in normal somatic cells is silenced. CTAs, due to their limited expression pattern, are considered as promising targets for cancer diagnosis and immuno-therapy. Methods: Expression of AKAP4, SPAG9 and CTAG1B genes from the CTAs family was studied in both tumor and normal tissues of 62 Iranian CRC patients by RT-PCR with the aim of finding biomarkers for early detection and anticipated progression. Statistical analysis was performed SPSS software V22.0 to assess the significance of any associations. Results: Elevated expression of SPAG9 and AKAP4 genes was observed in approximately 66 and 44 of tumours, respectively, as compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues. While a significant association was found between AKAP4 gene expression and metastasis (P-value: 0.045), expression of the CTAG1B (NY-ESO-1) gene was not observed in our cases. Conclusion: AKAP4 and SPAG9 genes may find use as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC and AKAP4 may play an important role in progression to metastasis. © 2018, Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention

Les Aeromonas mobiles : quelle évolution spatiale et temporelle dans un effluent urbain et en milieu marin côtier ?

L'analyse bactériologique des eaux de surface dans un effluent urbain et en milieu marin côtier montre une contamination saisonnière mais fréquente de ces eaux par les Aeromonas mobiles. L'évolution spatiale et temporelle des abondances de ces bactéries, en relation avec certains facteurs environnementaux, a été étudiée pendant un an dans le rejet final épuré et dans les eaux marines réceptacles de l'effluent. Ces bactéries présentent, dans les eaux lagunaires, des évolutions saisonnières identiques à celles des coliformes fécaux avec des densités élevées en période froide (moyenne : 29·106 UFC/100 mL) et faibles en période chaude (moyenne : 6·106 UFC/100 mL). L'abattement des abondances d'Aeromonas se trouve corrélé à une forte irradiation et à une faible turbidité.Le déversement des eaux de la station d'épuration dans les eaux marines côtières de la région n'induit pas globalement de modifications de la forme de comportement des bactéries témoins de contamination fécale. À l'opposé, l'évolution des abondances des Aeromonas spp. mobiles s'inverse pour devenir maximale en période chaude (moyenne : 56 CFU/100 mL pour S3) et minimale en période froide (moyenne : 5 CFU/100 mL pour S3). La salinité paraît responsable de la déstabilisation des séquences saisonnières des Aeromonas et de leur réduction à des concentrations non détectables dans les volumes d'eaux analysés.La présence de ces bactéries dans les effluents épurés, parfois à des concentrations supérieures à celles des coliformes fécaux, pose un problème d'intérêt sanitaire et montre clairement que les bactéries témoins de contamination fécale ne peuvent pas être prédictives de la présence ou de l'absence d'Aeromonas et, par conséquent, ne peuvent pas être considérées comme un bon indicateur de pollution.Bacteriological analyse of surface water in an urban effluent and in coastal marine environment showed a seasonal contamination of this water by motile Aeromonas. Spatial and seasonal changes of Aeromonas abundances were studied, in relation to several environmental factors, in the purified effluent and in seawater.The motile Aeromonas spp. and the fecal coliform distributions in the sewage treatment effluent showed the same seasonal cycles with a maximum occuring in winter (mean: 29·106 UFC/100 ml) and a minimum in summer (mean of 6·106 UFC/100 mL). The abatement of Aeromonas abundances was correlated with a strong irradiation and a low turbidity.In the coastal marine water, there was an inversion of the motile Aeromonas spp. cycle in comparison with that of fecal coliforms, with high levels in hot periods (mean: 56 CFU/100 mL for S3) and low levels in cold periods (mean of 5 CFU/100 mL for S3). Salinity appeared responsible for the destabilisation of the seasonal sequences of Aeromonas and their reduction with non detectable concentrations in water analysed volumes.The presence of these bacteria in the purified effluent, sometimes with concentrations higher than those of the fecal coliforms, poses a problem of health hazard and clearly show that fecal contamination bacteria cannot be predictive for the presence or the absence of Aeromonas and, consequently, cannot be considered as good indicators of pollution

Prognostic value of FBXO39 and ETS-1 but not BMI-1 in Iranian colorectal cancer patients

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Despite recent progress in diagnosis and treatment, it remains a major health problem and further studies are needed. We here investigated expression profiles of the FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes in CRCs to validate any possible diagnostic/prognostic significance. Material and Methods: Thirty six patients with locally advanced CRC admitted to Hazrate-Rasoul Hospital-Tehran were enrolled. Initially the expression pattern of FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes were determined using RT-PCR in CRC tumor and adjacent normal tissues then real-time RT-PCR was employed to quantify BMI-1 gene expression. Results: FBXO39 expression was restricted to tumor tissues. Interestingly, expression of this gene was detected in all stage-0 tumor samples. There was a significant relation between FBXO39 gene expression and lymph node involvement. The ETS-1 gene was expressed in 66 of all tumor tissues with p-value=0.03 for increase as compared to the adjacent normal samples. In addition, there was a significant relation between ETS-1 gene expression and tumor size and lymph node involvement. RT-PCR demonstrated BMI-1 gene expression in both tumor and normal tissues and quantification by real-time RT-PCR showed no association between BMI-1 levels and CRC clinicopathological features. Conclusion: Expression of FBXO39 and ETS-1 with lymph node involvement may be considered as an alarm for the occurrence of CRC metastasis, and therfore have prognostic value while BMI-1 appears without importance. © 2018 Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention

Prognostic value of FBXO39 and ETS-1 but not BMI-1 in Iranian colorectal cancer patients

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Despite recent progress in diagnosis and treatment, it remains a major health problem and further studies are needed. We here investigated expression profiles of the FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes in CRCs to validate any possible diagnostic/prognostic significance. Material and Methods: Thirty six patients with locally advanced CRC admitted to Hazrate-Rasoul Hospital-Tehran were enrolled. Initially the expression pattern of FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes were determined using RT-PCR in CRC tumor and adjacent normal tissues then real-time RT-PCR was employed to quantify BMI-1 gene expression. Results: FBXO39 expression was restricted to tumor tissues. Interestingly, expression of this gene was detected in all stage-0 tumor samples. There was a significant relation between FBXO39 gene expression and lymph node involvement. The ETS-1 gene was expressed in 66 of all tumor tissues with p-value=0.03 for increase as compared to the adjacent normal samples. In addition, there was a significant relation between ETS-1 gene expression and tumor size and lymph node involvement. RT-PCR demonstrated BMI-1 gene expression in both tumor and normal tissues and quantification by real-time RT-PCR showed no association between BMI-1 levels and CRC clinicopathological features. Conclusion: Expression of FBXO39 and ETS-1 with lymph node involvement may be considered as an alarm for the occurrence of CRC metastasis, and therfore have prognostic value while BMI-1 appears without importance. © 2018 Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention

Phenolic characterization and antioxidant activity of two endemic wormwood species of Morocco: Artemisia ifranensis J. Didier and Artemisia mesatlantica

Artemisia ifranensis and Artemisia mesatlantica are two endemic species in Morocco belonging to the Asteraceae family. Located in the region of Moroccan Atlas, they are very much sought after by the local population for their therapeutic properties.However, given the limited studies conducted on these species and in order to contribute to their valorization, we selected them in full bloom in the region of Timahdite for a phytochemical study and an evaluation of their antioxidant properties. The results of phytochemical screening revealed their richness in polyphenols, sterols, triterpenes and mucilages. The extraction yields of the total polyphenols by maceration in a methanol-water mixture (80/20) were 10.10% for A. mesatlantica and 16.66% for A. ifranensis. The determination of the total phenols by the Folin-Ciocalteu method after fractionation of the polyphenolic extracts showed the abundance of these compounds in the butanolic fraction of A. Mesatlantica and the methanolic extract of A. Ifranensis. For the total flavonoids dosed with aluminum trichloride, the ethyl acetate fractions of A. Mesatlantica and butanolic acid. Ifranensis were the richest. In addition, the crude extract of A. Mesatlantica was particularly rich in condensed tannins.Evaluation of the antioxidant activity by reduction of iron (FRAP) and trapping of the free radical DPPH * showed that all the extracts have a moderate antioxidant power.These early studies on A. mesatlantica and A. ifranensis of Timahdite reveal their abundance of important chemical compounds. Also, due to the ability of these plants to trap radicals, they can be considered as sources of natural antioxidants

Genomic characterization of a polyvalent hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain BUN14

Bioremediation offers a viable alternative for the reduction of contaminants from the environment, particularly petroleum and its recalcitrant derivatives. In this study, the ability of a strain of Pseudomonas BUN14 to degrade crude oil, pristane and dioxin compounds, and to produce biosurfactants, was investigated. BUN14 is a halotolerant strain isolated from polluted sediment recovered from the refinery harbor on the Bizerte coast, north Tunisia and capable of producing surfactants. The strain BUN14 was assembled into 22 contigs of 4,898,053 bp with a mean GC content of 62.4%. Whole genome phylogeny and comparative genome analyses showed that strain BUN14 could be affiliated with two validly described Pseudomonas Type Strains, P. kunmingensis DSM 25974T and P. chloritidismutans AW-1T. The current study, however, revealed that the two Type Strains are probably conspecific and, given the priority of the latter, we proposed that P. kunmingensis DSM 25974 is a heteronym of P. chloritidismutans AW-1T. Using GC-FID analysis, we determined that BUN14 was able to use a range of hydrocarbons (crude oil, pristane, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, naphthalene) as a sole carbon source. Genome analysis of BUN14 revealed the presence of a large repertoire of proteins (154) related to xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism. Thus, 44 proteins were linked to the pathways for complete degradation of benzoate and naphthalene. The annotation of conserved functional domains led to the detection of putative genes encoding enzymes of the rhamnolipid biosynthesis pathway. Overall, the polyvalent hydrocarbon degradation capacity of BUN14 makes it a promising candidate for application in the bioremediation of polluted saline environments

Combination of laser and human adipose-derived stem cells in repair of rabbit anal sphincter injury: a new therapeutic approach

Background: Anal sphincter injury leads to fecal incontinence. Based on the regenerative capability of laser and human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs), this study was designed to assess the effects of co-application of these therapies on anal sphincter recovery after injury. Design: Male rabbits were assigned to equal groups (n = 7) including control, sphincterotomy, sphincterotomy treated with laser (660 nm, 90 s, immediately after sphincterotomy, daily, 14 days), hADSCs (2 × 106 hADSCs injected into injured area of the sphincter immediately after sphincterotomy), and laser + hADSCs. Ninety days after sphincterotomy, manometry and electromyography were performed, sphincter collagen content was evaluated, and Ki67, myosin heavy chain (MHC), skeletal muscle alpha-actin (ACTA1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and vimentin mRNA gene expression were assessed. Results: The laser + hADSCs group had a higher resting pressure compared with the sphincterotomy (p  0.05). In the laser + hADSCs group, motor unit numbers were higher than those in the laser group (p < 0.0001) but did not differ from the hADSCs group (p = 0.075). Sphincterotomy increased collagen content, but the muscle content (p = 0.36) and collagen content (p = 0.37) were not significantly different between the laser + hADSCs and control groups. Laser + hADSCs increased ACTA1 (p = 0.001) and MHC (p < 0.0001) gene expression compared with laser or hADSCs alone and was associated with increased VEGFA (p = 0.009) and Ki67 mRNA expression (p = 0.01) and decreased vimentin mRNA expression (p < 0.0001) compared with laser. Conclusion: The combination of laser and hADSCs appears more effective than either treatment alone for promoting myogenesis, angiogenesis, and functional recovery after anal sphincterotomy.Arash Sarveazad, Asrin Babahajian, Abazar Yari, Chris K. Rayner, Marjan Mokhtare, Arash Babaei-Ghazani, Shahram Agah, Bahar Mahjoubi, Jebreil Shamseddin, and Mahmoud Yousefifar

(Plasticized) polylactide/clay nanocomposite textile : thermal, mechanical, shrinkage and fire properties

peer reviewedVarious quantities of Cloisite® 30B (from 1% to 4% in weight) have been added to a polylactide matrix by melt blending to produce polylactide-based nanocomposites. Then, these blends have been melt-spun to produce multifilaments yarns. It is demonstrated that it is necessary to use a plasticizer to spin a blend with 4% in weight of Cloisite® 30B. The properties of these yarns have been studied (dispersion of the clay, thermal, mechanical and shrinkage properties). A decrease of the tensile properties is observed when the quantity of Cloisite® 30B increases, but an improvement of the thermal and shrinkage properties is highlighted. These multifilaments have been knitted and the flammability studied using cone calorimeter at 35 kW/m2. A strong decrease, up to 38%, of the heat release rate has been measured