Quercetin improved spatial memory dysfunctions in rat model of intracerebroventricular streptozotocin-induced sporadic Alzheimer’sdisease

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative syndromes characterized by a progressive decline in the spatial memory. There are convincing evidences on the neuroprotective effects of flavonoids against AD. Aims and Objective: To determine the effect of quercetin on the acquisition and retention of spatial memory in a rat model of AD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (six in each): group I: control rats receiving intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of normal saline, group II: rats induced AD by ICV injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 3 mg/kg bilaterally; twice, on days 1 and 3), and groups III and IV: ICV-STZ AD rats treated intraperitoneally (IP) with 40 and 80 mg/kg/day quercetin, respectively, over a period of 12 days. Then, the rats were trained with four trials per day for five consecutive days in the Morris water maze (MWM). On the sixth day, the memory retention was evaluated. Result: The ICV-STZ AD groups showed a significant impairment in the acquisition and retrieval of spatial memory when compared with the control group (P < 0.001). In the AD groups, the escape latency during the training trials showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, during the MWM task, theseratsspentmoretimeinthetargetquadrant in probe trials when compared with the controls. Conclusion: Quercetin acted as a spatial memory enhancer in ICV-STZ–induced AD rats. Hence, this flavonoid can be considered potentially as a promising agent for developing prophylactic and therapeutic neuroprotection. This neuroprotective effect of quercetin may be attributed to its antioxidant and scavenging properties. © 2015 Hamid Sepehri

The largest subunit of human RNA polymerase III is closely related to the largest subunit of yeast and trypanosome RNA polymerase III

In both yeast and mammalian systems, considerable progress has been made toward the characterization of the transcription factors required for transcription by RNA polymerase III. However, whereas in yeast all of the RNA polymerase III subunits have been cloned, relatively little is known about the enzyme itself in higher eukaryotes. For example, no higher eukaryotic sequence corresponding to the largest RNA polymerase III subunit is available. Here we describe the isolation of cDNAs that encode the largest subunit of human RNA polymerase III, as suggested by the observations that (1) antibodies directed against the cloned protein immunoprecipitate an active enzyme whose sensitivity to different concentrations of alpha-amanitin is that expected for human RNA polymerase III; and (2) depletion of transcription extracts with the same antibodies results in inhibition of transcription from an RNA polymerase III, but not from an RNA polymerase II, promoter. Sequence comparisons reveal that regions conserved in the RNA polymerase I, II, and III largest subunits characterized so far are also conserved in the human RNA polymerase III sequence, and thus probably perform similar functions for the human RNA polymerase III enzyme

Study of prophenoloxidase activating system of freshwater crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus)

Phenoloxidase (Po) activity was measusred spectrophotometrically in serum, plasma and haemocytes (HLS) of the freshwater crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus). The highest activity was found in HLS suggesting that the haemocytes are the major source of the Po or its proform prophenoloxidase (proPO) in crayfish. Furthermore, the enzyme activity in serum samples was reduced after freezing the samples for 20 days at -20˚C. Po activity was cation-dependent and the peak of enzyme activity obtained using 5mM of CaCl2 or MgCl2 .Also, the Po activity in the HLS samples treated with different elicitors of 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate (10%SDS), b 1-3-glucan, Aeromonas hydrophila lipopolysaccharids (LPS) and trypsin resulted in variable activities with the highest and the lowest activities measured in samples treated with trypsin and 10% SDS, respectively. The marked enhancement induced by trypsin suggests the role of an endogenous proteinase which is probably able to promote the enzyme activity. To confirm the role of the proteinase on the proPO activating system, trypsin activity was also measured in the crayfish HLS

A cryptographic cloud-based approach for the mitigation of the airline cargo cancellation problem

In order to keep in good long-term relationships with their main customers, Airline Cargo companies do not impose any fee for last minute cancellations of shipments. As a result, customers can book the same shipment on several cargo companies. Cargo companies try to balance cancellations by a corresponding volume of overbooking. However, the considerable uncertainty in the number of cancellations does not allow to fine-tune the optimal overbooking level, causing losses. In this work, we show how the deployment of cryptographic techniques, enabling the computation on private information of customers and companies data can improve the overall service chain, allowing for striking and enforcing better agreements. We propose a query system based on proxy re-encryption and show how the relevant information can be extracted, still preserving the privacy of customers\u2019 data. Furthermore, we provide a Game Theoretic model of the use case scenario and show that it allows a more accurate estimate of the cancellation rates. This supports the reduction of the uncertainty and allows to better tune the overbooking level

Polylactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles for controlled delivery of anticancer agents

The effectiveness of anticancer agents may be hindered by low solubility in water, poor permeability, and high efflux from cells. Nanomaterials have been used to enable drug delivery with lower toxicity to healthy cells and enhanced drug delivery to tumor cells. Different nanoparticles have been developed using different polymers with or without surface modification to target tumor cells both passively and/or actively. Polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), a biodegradable polyester approved for human use, has been used extensively. Here we report on recent developments concerning PLGA nanoparticles prepared for cancer treatment. We review the methods used for the preparation and characterization of PLGA nanoparticles and their applications in the delivery of a number of active agents. Increasing experience in the field of preparation, characterization, and in vivo application of PLGA nanoparticles has provided the necessary momentum for promising future use of these agents in cancer treatment, with higher efficacy and fewer side effects

Prostate cancer in Iran: Trends in incidence and morphological and epidemiological characteristics

Background: Prostate cancer is second most common cancer in men overall in the world, whereas it is the third most common cancer in men and the sixth most common cancer in Iran. Few studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of prostate cancer in Iran. Since ethnicity of Iranian men is different from Asian people and given the epidemiologic and demographic transition taking place in Iran, this study aimed to investigate trends of incidence and morphology of prostate cancer during 2003 - 2008 in the country. Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively reviewing all new prostate cancer patients in the Cancer Registry Center of the Health Deputy for Iran during a 6-year period. Also carcinoma, NOS and adenocarcinoma, NOS morphology were surveyed. Trends analysis of incidence and morphology was by joinpoint regression. Results: During the six years a total of 16,071 cases of prostate cancer were recorded in Iran. Most were adenocarcinomas at 95.2 percent. Trend analysis of incidence (ASR) There was a significant increase incidence, with annual percentage change (APC) of 17.3 and for morphology change percentage trends there was a significant decrease in adenocarcinoma with an APC of -1.24. Conclusions: Prostate cancer is a disease of older men and the incidence is increasing in Iran. The most common morphology is adenocarcinoma this appears to be decreasing over time. Due to the changing lifestyles and the aging of the population, epidemiological studies and planning assessment of the etiology of prostate cancer and its early detection are essential

Pectic acid effects on prolactin secretion in GH3/B6 rat pituitary cell line

Background: Pectic acid extracted from plants increases the secretion of prolactin (PRL) when injected intravenously into ewes or fed to rats. Fragments of ewe hypophysis and lactating rabbit mammary gland incubated in vitro in the presence of pectic acid secreted more PRL and caseins compared to the controls. However, it is not known whether pectic acid directly stimulates PRL secretion in pituitary or interference of factors from hypophysis is required for this process. Methods: GH3/B6 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary, were cultured and incubated with pectic acid (2.5-100 μg/mL). The integrity of cells was examined under pectic acid treatment microscopically. Controls or pectic acid treated cells were assayed for their ability to produce PRL. The PRL was assayed by Western-blotting and Radioimmunoassay. Results: pectic acid did not have any significant effect on the viability of cells. After being incubated with pectic acid, the cells started to become circular and protuberant shape. The maximum stimulation and PRL secretion occurred at 100 μg/mL concentration within 30 min of incubation with pectic acid. Conclusion: pectic acid could stimulate the release of PRL in GH3/B6 cells in the short-term incubation. This result suggested that pectic acid is a nontoxic agent that could directly stimulate PRL secretion in pituitary cells without any interference of hypophysis

Patients’ Concerns at Their Admission in Hospital and Its Related Factors in Kermanshah, Iran

Background: One of the critical factors affecting patients’ outcomes is their concerns about different issues during their admission to the hospital. Clarifying these concerns and providing appropriate approaches could improve the quality of care, result in better outcomes, and reduce treatment costs. The present study aimed to investigate patients’ concerns during hospitalization, and the likely related factors of the educational hospitals in Kermanshah, western Iran. Materials and Methods: This analytical-descriptive study included 600 adult patients selected via a multi-stage sampling method and admitted to all four educational hospitals affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences )KUMS) in 2016. Required data were collected using a survey with 15 questions on demographic information, current disease, medical records, and a researcher-developed questionnaire on factors causing concern in the Likert scale. Results: Of 600 patients who participated in the survey, 336 (56%) were female and 486 )81%) were married. The most frequent concerns were the length of admission, failure in treatment or recovery, and hospital costs, respectively. The length of hospital stay, income, and level of education were significantly associated with the concern scores. Also, there was a significant difference between concern score distributions in groups with a definite diagnosis of illnesses (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested a correlation between variables such as education, income, the final diagnosis of a sickness, and the concern level of admitted patients. Our findings could help managers and hospital administrators better understand the concerns of admitted patients and find solutions to remove them.</jats:p