LncRNA–miRNA–mRNA Networks of Gastrointestinal Cancers Representing Common and Specific LncRNAs and mRNAs

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are responsible for approximately half of cancer-related deaths, highlighting the need for the identification of distinct and common features in their clinicopathological characteristics. Long ncRNA (lncRNAs), which are involved in competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks with critical roles in biological processes, constitute a substantial number of non-coding RNAs. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the similarities and differences in the ceRNA networks of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-GI cancers. We performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of ceRNA networks for TCGA-GI cancers in terms of the deferential mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA expression levels, ceRNA networks, overall survival analysis, correlation analysis, pathological cancer stages, and gene set enrichment analysis. Our study revealed several common and distinct mRNAs and lncRNAs with prognostic values in these networks. It was specifically noteworthy that MAGI2-AS3 lncRNA was found to be shared in almost all GI cancers. Moreover, the most common shared mRNAs between GI cancers were MEIS1, PPP1R3C, ADAMTSL3, RIPOR2, and MYLK. For each cancer ceRNA network, we found that the expression level of a number of lncRNAs and mRNAs was specific. Furthermore, our study provided compelling evidence that several genes, most notably KDELC1, can act as novel proto-oncogenes in cancers. This, in turn, can highlight their role as new prognostic and therapeutic targets. Moreover, we found cell cycle and extracellular matrix structural constituent as the top shared KEGG and molecular function, respectively, among GI cancers. Our study revealed several known lncRNAs and known and unknown mRNAs in GI cancers with diagnostic and prognostic value

The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Expression of IDOand Qa2 Molecules in Dendritic Cells

Purpose: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to reduce the activity of immunecells, including dendritic cells (DCs). But the exact mechanism of mesenchymal inhibitionof DCs is still unknown. In this study, the effect of mesenchymal cells on the expression ofindoleamine dioxygenase (IDO) and Qa2 molecules in DCs was evaluated.Methods: MSCs and DCs were respectively isolated from the bone marrow and spleen of BALB/cmice. Then DCs were co-cultured with MSCs in the present and absence of lipopolysaccharides(LPS). Then the expression of mRNA and protein of IDO and Qa2 molecules were investigatedin DCs that were treated with MSCs.Results: The expression of IDO and Qa2 mRNA in DCs that were treated with MSCs did notsignificantly differ from the control group. The expression of IDO protein in DCs that were coculturedwith MSCs (in 1:10 and 1:50 ratios) in absence of LPS was increased, although theywere not statistically significant (P values: 0.24 and 0.18, respectively). The expression of Qa2protein in DCs that were co-cultured with MSCs (in 1:10 and 1:50 ratios) in presence of LPS wasincreased, although they were not statistically significant (P-values: 0.09 and 0.33, respectively).Conclusion: Our results denied the possibility that MSCs led to the induction of tolerogenic DCsby increasing the expression of the IDO and Qa2 immunomodulatory molecules

Long non-coding RNAs and JAK/STAT signaling pathway regulation in colorectal cancer development

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main fatal cancers. Cell signaling such as Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling substantially influences the process of gene expression and cell growth. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory roles in cell signaling, cell proliferation, and cancer fate. Hence, lncRNAs can be considered biomarkers in cancers. The inhibitory or activating effects of different lncRNAs on the JAK/STAT pathway regulate cancer cell proliferation or tumor suppression. Additionally, lncRNAs regulate immune responses which play a role in immunotherapy. Mechanisms of lncRNAs in CRC via JAK/STAT regulation mainly include cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, adhesion, and control of inflammation. More profound findings are warranted to specifically target the lncRNAs in terms of activation or suppression in hindering CRC cell proliferation. Here, to understand the lncRNA cross-talk in CRC through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, we collected the related in vitro and in vivo data. Future insights may pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, and personalized treatment strategies for CRC patients

The association between polymorphism XRCC1 (rs25487) and the susceptibility of chemical industry workers to benzene

Background & Objective: Benzene, as a carcinogenic compound, can damage DNA by producing free oxygen radicals. Benzene effects have been reported in the blood system. It seems that XRCC1 gene, as a gene involved in the repair of damaged bases, plays a role in the sensitivity of individuals to benzene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between rs25487 polymorphism in XRCC1 gene and the susceptibility of chemical industry workers against benzene. Material & Methods: In this case-control study, 60 cases and 60 controls who were exposed to benzene for 2 consecutive years were examined. People who did not have any changes in blood parameters were selected as the control group and those who have shown lymphocytes outside the normal range were considered as a case group. Blood samples were collected from chemical workers. Gene polymorphism was determined by RFLP-PCR using MSP1enzym. Results: There was no significant difference between allelic frequencies A and G (P >0.05). No significant association was found between XRCC1 polymorphism and benzene susceptibility and lymphocytic abnormalities (OR: 1.43, 95% CI (0.47 - 4.31), P = 0.52). Conclusion: It seems that rs25487 polymorphism in the XRCC1 gene does not play a role in the sensitivity of individuals to benzene. Of course, due to the role of XRCC1 gene in response to DNA damage, other polymorphisms of this gene and polymorphism that are targeted in this study are evaluated at a wider level

Content analysis of peace education as one component of global citizenship education in elementary textbooks

Peace education is now a required component of the national curriculum that must be taught by all schools. Hence, it is necessary that peace education components be included in school curricula. So this paper looked at peace education in content of primary textbooks. In other words, Main purpose of this survey was content analysis of primary school textbooks based on peace education components such as "Sense of solidarity," "sense of responsibility to others," "recognizing diversity," "loving others" "discrimination and denial of ethnic, racial or religious." The method of used in the content analysis is Entropy Shanon method based on quantitative content analysis. Unit of analysis is concepts (such as sentence, question, practice, and images) related to cited components in the elementary textbooks. The results showed that "Sense of solidarity" components have the most frequency and lowest frequency related to rejection of ethnic, racist and religious discriminations component

Evaluation of Apolipoprotein A5 Polymorphism in Coronary- Heart Disease Patients

Background and Objectives: Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) gene is important in determining plasma triglyceride levels, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. Mutation in this gene affected plasma triglyceride level. We looked for possible associations of the APOA5 gene polymorphism S19W with coronary heart disease (CHD) in a sample of Iranian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 CHD patients and 55 controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for this single nucleotide polymorphism. Serum lipids and Fast Blood Sugar concentrations were measured in all subjects with enzymatic method. Results: Allele frequencies observed in our population were 0.041 for the W allele and 0.959 for the S allele which are similar to other populations (p>0.05). There is no evidence that APOA5 S19W, is a risk factor of CHD in our sample (p>0.05). In addition, we observed no association between the APOA5 W allele and elevated plasma TG levels (p>0.05) in the CHD group. This result was also present in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The APO A5 gene polymorphism in S19W gene has no association with the high susceptibility to CHD

Association of IL18 gene polymorphisms (positions -656 G/T, -137 G/C and +105A/C) with Kala-Azar

Background & Objective: Host resistance to Leishmania infection is mediated by cellular immune responses leading to macrophage activation and parasite killing. IL-18 known as interferon-γ inducing factor, stimulate IFN-γ production by T-cells. According to the important role of IL-18 in defense against VL and known effect of IL-18 gene polymorphisms on its production, the aim of this study was to investigate the probable relation between IL-18 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to VL in Iranian patients. Materials & Methods: The study groups included 118 pediatric patients suffered from VL and 156 non-relative healthy persons from the same endemic area as the patients. In both study groups IL-18 gene polymorphisms at positions -656 G/T, -137 G/C and +105A/C (codon 35/3) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fregment Length Polymorphism). Results: The result showed that the frequency of T allele at position -656 was significantly higher in the controls compared to that in the patients (P=0.047). But in none of the genotypes of IL-18 there was significant difference between patients and controls. In addition, the distribution of ATG haplotype and AGG/ATG haplo-genotype were significantly higher in the controls compared to that in patients with VL (P=0.043and P=0.044, respectively). Furthermore a strong LDs (P<0.001) were detected between the -607, -137 and codon 35/3 SNPs. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed that the frequency of T allele at position -656 and ATG haplotype and AGG/ATG haplogenotype (positions +105, -656 and -137) were significantly higher in the controls. To the best of our knowledge no study has been conducted on IL-18 gene polymorphisms and VL in other countries, therefore, we were not able to compare our results with other investigations, so it seems that more researches in this field on other populations will be worthy