Bioinformatics Analysis of Linear B-cell Viscumin Toxin Epitope With Potential Use in Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Biosensors

Background: There are many diseases around the world that threaten human health and its related hygienic issues. Cancer is among the conditions mentioned above that cause many problems for health sectors worldwide.Methods: The present research analyzed the linear B-cell epitope of viscumin from European mistletoe using bioinformatics tools. We also provided references for the fast detection of biological agents. Several important tools, such as Protparam, NCBI, PDB, T-coffee, BCpred, Bptope, Ellipro, and Cn3D were used to predict the viscumin linear epitope and its physical and chemical properties.Results: The 9-mer epitope found as QQTTGEEYF embedded in the A-chain of protein by the least sequence homology with other homologous rivals. Its molecular weight, theoretical isoelectric point, and the total number of negatively charged residues were 1102.1, 3.79, and 2, respectively.Conclusion: Using different databases and establishing the accuracy level of ˃50% for linear B-cell epitope prediction, the selected epitope passed the related criteria and was introduced as a new linear epitope as a potential biological element in biosensors for cancer (viscumin) fast therapeutic detection

Introduction of Dianthins: A New Promising Horizon Toward Continuous Research on Breast Cancer Bulldozing in Iran

Background: The production and secretion of defense proteins are one of the protective mechanisms exploited by plants against pathogens. The production and secretion of defense proteins are one of the protective mechanisms exploited by plants against pathogens. Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins (RIPs), as the main class of these proteins, are considered to facilitate cancer therapy worldwide, because of the potential anticancer activity. Indeed, some of these proteins have cytotoxic and anticancer properties. Extracted from the carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), Dianthin inhibits protein synthesis in many different cells.Methods: In this research, the Dianthins was isolated and purified from the leaves of D. caryophyllus, using ion-exchange chromatography column (CM-Sephadex G-50). Subsequently, its cytotoxicity effect on MCF-7 cell line was investigated. The cell cytotoxicity assessment was performed, using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red uptake, and alkaline comet assays at the concentrations of 1.25μg/mL to 10μg/mL of the protein applying the MCF-7 cell line.Results: the toxin induces cell death, mostly via necrosis rather than apoptosis, but in the special range of concentrations.Conclusion: because of the severe side effects of chemotherapy drugs, this toxin can undergo more research as a new drug candidate against breast cancer

Phenotypic and geographic variation among populations of the Platyceps rhodorachis-ventromaculatus species complex (Ophidia: Colubridae) in Iran

Geographical diversity appears in the phenotype of different populations of a given species and specific geographical factors are directly or indirectly involved in this variation. Due to their wide distribution range, snakes of the genus Platyceps Blyth, 1860 are wonderful case studies for morphological evaluation. In this study, 49 specimens of the Platyceps rhodorachis-ventromaculatus species complex in four different geographic areas from Iran were examined using morphological characters. The results of statistical analysis did not show any sexual dimorphism except in the character of Gular scales (P value = 0.038), but did show significant variation in the number of scales and in other morphological characters among populations in this group. Generally, four morphological clusters were distinguished with Sistan and Baluchistan population being the most distinct from the others. Additionally, there was a visible slope of changes in some morphological characters associated with latitude, so that body size of the specimens increases with increasing latitude

Evaluation of distribution of the scorpion Mesobuthus Eupeus in Kashan

History and Objectives: Considering the high frequency of the scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus in Iran and the critical significance of its biting, this study was carried out to determine its distribution pattern using rock-rolling and black light trapping methods in Kashan from 2000 to 2001. Materials and Methods: The descriptive strategy of this study was carried out on 29 places in Kashan and with 44 samples using rock-rolling and black light trapping methods in Kashan from 2000 to 2001. Results: Out of 29 locations, 44 sampling were done and a total of 239 scorpions were trapped. In this respect, 227 (95) out of them were trapped using rock-rolling method and 18 samples (5) were collected using black light method. The average rate of sampling was 5.43. The average was 7.56 for rock-rolling method and 1.28 for black light method. Conclusion and Recommendations: It was found out that in mountainous locations, more scorpion is trapped using rock-rolling method and the scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus is mainly lithophilic and psammophilic

Computational analysis and gene cloning: design and preparation of a multi subunit vaccine consisting of EspA, Stx2B and Intimin antigens against enterohaemrrhagic <em>Escherichia coli</em>

16-26Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an intestinal pathogen that made diarrhoea, haemolytic uremia syndrome (HUS) and hemorrhagic colitis (HC) in patients. Roles of EspA and Intimin at the beginning of bacteria colonization in intestine are critical. Destruction of protein synthesis route with shiga toxins of E. coli O157:H7 is mediated through B-subunit of toxins. In this study, in silico approaches were performed to design a suitable construct from EspA, Intimin and Stx2B and a recombinant chimeric antigen was produced. Bioinformatics analyses such as physicochemical data, mRNA folding, 3D structures of chimera and various immunoinformatic data, such as linear and conformational B-cell epitopes, T-cell epitopes were reported according to authentic data base. The chimeric gene was prepared as synthetic construct after designing and cloning. The validation result showed that 83.9% residues lie in favoured or additional allowed region of the Ramachandran plot. Epitope prediction results proved very good distribution of conformational B-cell epitopes in the 3D structure of chimera. The identified T-cell epitopes are apt to bind MHC molecules. A good quantity of recombinant chimeric antigen was achieved in host cells. From in silico approach, an appropriate multi subunit vaccine candidate was designed and prepared for immunological examinations

Intra Sector Policy Interventions for Improvement of Iranian Health Financing System

Background and purpose: To determine an appropriate financial model for the health system of Iran, several studies have been conducted. But it seems that these studies were not comprehensive and further investigation is required. So to design a valid and enforceable mechanism, the study of policy interventions will be considered through consensus of all stakeholders. This investigation was done to determine the necessary policies and internal interventions for health care system financial improvement in Iran. Materials and methods: The present work was carried out through investigating all key stakeholders in the medical system and the related sectors in Iran, along with the analysis of internal and external communication by using SWOT and STEEP.V methods. Results: Strategic management of health-care costs, the development of a new financial system, clarity of costs, benefiting from health national accounts, the regulation of budget based on operations, preparing the credit of per capita from prepayment and risk accumulation, the development of referral systems and mechanisms, the establishment of public fund for services purchase, preventing the involvement of insurances in non-insurance cases, competing services with the private sector and increasing resources for the promotion of equality level have been determined as the key proposed interventions. Conclusion: It seems that the interventions based to the development of improving health financial system including the deployment of full accrual basis instead of cash basis, preparing and using services cost and operational budgeting and finally, cost management and productivity are the prerequisites of reforming health financial system

Study of scorpion fauna in Abomosa, Great & Small Tonbs and Hengam Islands of the Persian Gulf

In tropical regions of Iran, scorpion’s envenomation is counted one of the most important medical difficulties. Without information or attention to fauna and activity seasonal in a zone, adopting alike prophylactic or control methods to various species of scorpions, in more cases are unsuccessful. According to the kind of habitat of digging and non-digging scorpions, for scorpions collecting, probable refuges were searched by two methods daily searching and UV lamp at night in various zones of Abomosa , Great & Small Tonbs and Hengam Islands. The Scorpions were transferred to the laboratory and were identified and appointed their sex ratio. In this study, 311 and 134 scorpions were collected from Abumosa and Great Tonb, respectively and all of them were classified as Buthotus jayakari. In our study we could’nt find any scorpion. In Hengam island 155 scorpions were collected, that 134 and 21 scorpions respectively were belong to B. jayakari and Mesobuthus eupeus species. In conclusion B. jayakari and M. eupeus are scorpion fauna in the Persian Gulf Islands

Differential comparison on protein components of the venoms obtained from two species of the Iranian endemic scorpions, Buthidae family

Background: Two Dimensional Electrophoresis (2DE) is the most commonly and useful separation technique in proteomics. Each proteome snapshot becomes a protein profile. By means of this technique, several proteins are studied simultaneously. Methods: In this study, by use of (2DE) method, the differences of two profiles of Buthidae endemic scorpions, A.Crassicauda known as &quot;black scorpion&quot; and &quot;O. doriae&quot; yellow scorpion&quot;, were investigated. Results: For A.Crassicauda scorpion there were about 20 spots (peptides) in 6.2 - 8.2 pH ranges and molecular weight was less than 3 to 14 kDa and O. doriae scorpion 30 peptides, in 6.3 - 8.5 pH ranges, 1 to 45 kDa that fractionated and identified. Conclusion: By this method, the field of bioinformative data bank from Iranian endemic scorpions' venom could be prepared. By making change of any effective factors on scorpion venom, considerable results due to influence of the factor on determining kind of venom can be achieved and studied

Surveying the fractions of Mesobuthus Eupeus in Kashan

Background: Mesobuthus eupeus is the most common type of mesobuthus belongs to the buthidae family. It is reported all over Iran and is a common cause of biting. Identifying its fractions could be helpful to draw better therapeutic approach, thus the present study was conducted in Kashan to determine different fractions of mesobuthus eupeus.Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive study. Having prepared Tricine SDS-PAGE and heated the toyin with a buffer containing mercaptoethanol, 25 microgram, of toxin protein was injected to each plate adjusting the electrophoresis on 80V. Following the electrophoresis, 15 hours later, the produced gel was washed and fixed by methanol. Sigma ultra low MW was used to compare molecular weight of toxin protein.Results: Mesobuthus eupeus' toxin contains 6 protein bands. The highest one had the molecular weight of 26.96 KD whereas the lowest band had the molecular weight of 1KD. It has further proteins with lower molecular weight as compared to sigma ultra low MW.Conclusion: Since mesobuthus eupeus could be found all over Iran, further studies are strongly recommended to determine better antivenom

An Investigation of Immunogenicity of Chitosan-Based Botulinum Neurotoxin E Binding Domain Recombinant Candidate Vaccine via Mucosal Route

Background and Objectives: Botulism syndrome is caused by serotypes A-G of neurotoxins of Clostridium genus. Neurotoxin binding domain is an appropriate vaccine candidate due to its immunogenic activity. In this study, the immunogenicity of chitosan-based botulinum neurotoxin E binding domain recombinant candidate vaccine was investigated via mucosal route of administration. Methods: In this experimental study, chitosan nanoparticles containing rBoNT/E protein were synthesized by ionic gelation method and were administered orally and intranasally to mice. After each administration, IgG antibody titer was measured by ELISA method. Finally, all groups were challenged with active botulinum neurotoxin type E. Data were analyzed using Duncan and repeated ANOVA tests. The significance level was considered as p<0.05. Results: After each administration, IgG antibody titre was increased in all the test groups (except the control group). According to the results of challenge with active botulinum neurotoxin type E, the mice immunized orally and intranasally by nanoparticles containing the antigen and also the mice that only received the antigen orally, could tolerate 500 folds of LD50. The group immunized intranasally with only antigen tolerated 2000 folds of LD50. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that use of chitosan nanoparticles has no significant increase in the immunogenicity of recombinant botulinum neurotoxin antigen in oral and intranasal routes (p>0.05), even intranasal route reduced the immunogenicity