The landscape of exosomal non-coding RNAs in breast cancer drug resistance, focusing on underlying molecular mechanisms

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Like many other cancers, BC therapy is challenging and sometimes frustrating. In spite of the various therapeutic modalities applied to treat the cancer, drug resistance, also known as, chemoresistance, is very common in almost all BCs. Undesirably, a breast tumor might be resistant to different curative approaches (e.g., chemo- and immunotherapy) at the same period of time. Exosomes, as double membrane-bound extracellular vesicles 1) secreted from different cell species, can considerably transfer cell products and components through the bloodstream. In this context, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are a chief group of exosomal constituents with amazing abilities to regulate the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of BC, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, migration, and particularly drug resistance. Thereby, exosomal ncRNAs can be considered potential mediators of BC progression and drug resistance. Moreover, as the corresponding exosomal ncRNAs circulate in the bloodstream and are found in different body fluids, they can serve as foremost prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers. The current study aims to comprehensively review the most recent findings on BC-related molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways affected by exosomal miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, with a focus on drug resistance. Also, the potential of the same exosomal ncRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis of BC will be discussed in detail

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Measuring the Technical Efficiency of Canola Farmers and Determining the Effective Factors in Tabriz County, Iran

The purpose of this study was to measure the technical efficiency of canola farmers and determine the underpinning factors. Required data were collected using stratified random sampling method and questionnaire survey. In this context, 157 canola farmers from Tabriz County, Iran, were asked to fill out the questionnaire in 2012-2013 growing season. The technical efficiency was evaluated using stochastic frontier approach. The results of inputs production elasticity indicated that all inputs were consumed in economic area. In addition, the highest (0.504) and lowest (0.095) elasticity rate was related to water consumption and education level, respectively. The estimated technical efficiency demonstrated that the highest and lowest technical efficiencies were 25 and 95% with an average of 80%. It should be noted that the highest efficiency was observed in the farms with the area covering 3-4 hectares. Furthermore, the estimated inefficiency model indicated that education level, training course number, and cultivated area negatively affected the inefficiency. By contrast, age of farmer had a positive effect on inefficiency. As the results show, educating and training farmers for the optimum use of inputs as well as improving their knowledge as to promote agricultural products should be taken into account

Combined effects of lactoperoxidase system-whey protein coating and modified atmosphere packaging on the microbiological, chemical and sensory attributes of Pike-Perch fillets

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lactoperoxidase system-whey protein coating and modified atmosphere packaging (60% CO2, 30% N2, 10% O2) combination (LPOS&nbsp;+&nbsp;WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;MAP) on the microbiological, chemical and sensory specifications of Pike-Perch (Sander Lucioperca, Linnaeus 1758) fillets. The highest bacterial count was observed in the fish fillets packaged with whey protein coating solutions (WPS) in compare with the other groups. Combination of WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;LPOS and MAP packaging could significantly inhibit bacterial growth. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), as a quality index of flesh, had strong correlation (r&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.98-0.99) with microbial load, so that the highest and the lowest TVB-N values were observed in WPS and WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;LPOS&nbsp;+&nbsp;MAP batches, respectively. Assessments of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances index showed that incorporation of LPOS with WPS or MAP did not have remarkable effect on lipid oxidation, but combined effect of MAP and WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;LPOS on reducing fat oxidation was significant. The pH values in WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;LPOS, WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;MAP and WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;LPOS&nbsp;+&nbsp;MAP were significantly lower than WPS. Sensory evaluations indicated that LPOS&nbsp;+&nbsp;WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;MAP kept Pike-Perch fillets at high sensory acceptability for at least 16&nbsp;days in refrigerated temperature. In conclusion, combination of MAP and WPS&nbsp;+&nbsp;LPOS showed synergistic effects on shelf-life extension of Pike-Perch fillets under refrigerated storage

Mini Nutritional Assessment and its Correlation With Elderly Nursing Home Residents in Khorramabad, Iran

Objectives: Elderly nursing homes residents are at an increased risk of malnutrition due to a variety of factors. We aimed at investigating the prevalence of malnutrition and its correlation with elderly subjects using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on elderly individuals (N=56; female=28) dwelling in the Sedigh Nursing Home in Khorramabad, Iran, in 2015. Nutritional status was assessed using MNA, which consisted of anthropometric measurements, global assessment, dietary questionnaire and subjective assessment. Results: The participants mean age was 74.86 (SD=&plusmn;11.82) years. The mean MNA-score of the subjects was 19.46 (SD=&plusmn;3.23). The prevalence of malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition were 20% and 70%, respectively. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between male and female, age subgroups, marital status, education levels and different cut-off points of the Body Mass Index (BMI), Mid-Arm Circumferences (MACs) and Calf Circumferences (CCs) regarding the nutritional status of subjects. Malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were observed significantly and more frequently in elderly who had weight loss greater than 3 kg, took more than three prescription drugs per day and had low/moderate protein intake (P<0.05). The MNA-score was independently associated with age, weight, BMI, MACs, CCs and food intake during last 3 months (P<0.05). Discussion: According to high prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition among the subjects, proper nutritional interventions are required. Longitudinal studies on elderly and primary prevention by lifestyle interventions according to the culture and habits of the region are recommended