CCR5 Δ 32 mutation is not prevalent in Iranians with chronic HBV infection

CCR5 is an important chemokine receptor involved in the recruitment of specific anti‐viral immune cells (e.g., NK cells and T cytotoxic cells) to the liver. Previous studies indicated that the Δ 32 mutation in CCR5 gene led to inactivation of CCR5. Several conflicting studies have suggested that this mutation may be associated with either recovery or persistence of HBV infection. The main purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of the Δ 32 mutation within the CCR5 gene in a group of patients infected chronically with HBV with healthy individuals from South‐East of Iran. Sixty patients with chronic HBV infection as well as 300 age‐, and sex‐match healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Gap‐PCR was applied to determine the frequency of CCR5 Δ 32 mutation in both groups. The results demonstrated that none of the patients infected with HBV carried the CCR5 Δ 32 mutation while, 3 (1%) of the healthy individuals were found to be heterozygotic for this mutation. The CCR5 Δ 32 mutation is not a prevalent mutation in either the patients infected chronically with HBV or their health counterparts in the South‐East region of Iran. This may be attributed to either different genetic settings of the investigated population or lack of any significant correlation between this mutation and HBV pathogenicity. J. Med. Virol. 85: 964–968, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

DCLK1, a promising colorectal cancer stem cell marker,regulates tumor progression and invasion through miR-137 and miR-15a dependent manner

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be a major player in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Targeting CSCs for elimination presents a promising therapeutic strategy; however, this approach will require a stronger understanding of CSC biology and identification of CSC-specific markers. The present study was conducted to examine the correlation between DCLK1 and miR-137 and miR-15a levels in colorectal cancer. A total of 222 samples, including 181 colorectal cancer specimens, 24 adenomatosis, and 17 non-adenomatosis colonic polyps, were stained for DCLK1 expression using immunohistochemistry. Also, expression of miR-137 and miR-15a was assessed in colorectal cancer with high and low DCLK1 expression levels. Most colorectal cancer specimens (76%) showed strong expression of DCLK1, whereas only 21% of adenomatous and none of non-adenomatous colonic polyps showed strong DCLK1 expression. A significant difference in DCLK1 expression was found between colorectal cancer, adenomatous, and non-adenomatous colonic polyps (P < 0.001). Higher expression of DCLK1 was more frequently detected in colorectal cases with larger tumor size (P = 0.03), poor differentiation (P = 0.03), and lymph node involvement (P = 0.04). Comparison of miR-137 and miR-15a in colorectal cancer cases revealed a significant inverse correlation with DCLK1 expression (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). DCLK1 may act as a candidate marker for colorectal cancer stem cells. The critical role of DCLK1 in colorectal cancer suggests that it may represent an early diagnostic marker and therapeutic target; however, further investigation is warranted.

     

Comparison of personality traits,attitude toward orthodontic treatment,and pain perception and experience before and after orthodontic treatment

Objective:To compare personality traits, attitude toward orthodontic treatment, and pain perception and experience before and after orthodontic treatment.Materials and Methods:One hundred subjects (50 male and 50 female) were included in this study. The mean (SD) age was 17.5 (2.05) years at T1 and 19.15 (2.32) years at T2. The instruments for data collection were questionnaires that included assessment of patients'' personality traits, attitudes toward orthodontic treatment, and pain perception/experience. Subjects completed the questionnaires at two different times: before orthodontic treatment (T1) and after fixed orthodontic treatment (T2). Subjects were treated by fixed orthodontic appliances for an average (SD) period of 18.64 (0.35) months. Paired sample t-test and chi-square test were used to detect any differences.Results:Significant changes in personality traits were detected after orthodontic treatment irrespective of gender. Neuroticism, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness scores were improved (P < .001). A positive attitude toward orthodontic treatment was reported at T1 (4.31 [±1.26]) and improved at T2 (3.98 [±1.16]) irrespective of gender (P < .05). The average (SD) expected pain score (T1) was 4.73 (1.88) and the average (SD) experienced pain score (T2) was 4.63 (1.58). Significant difference in the expected and experienced pain scores was not detected (P  =  .11).Conclusions:Personality traits and attitude toward orthodontic treatment improved after orthodontic treatment. Reported actual pain experience during orthodontic treatment was similar to that expected before treatment.     

A manganese(iii) Schiff base complex immobilized on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles showing enhanced electrochemical catalytic performance toward sulfide and alkene oxidation

In this study, a novel Mn(iii)–Schiff base complex was synthesized and characterized. The structure of this complex was determined to be a deformed octahedral coordination sphere by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The Mn(iii)–Schiff base complex was supported on silica-coated iron magnetic nanoparticles via axial coordination by one-step complex anchoring to produce a heterogenized nanocatalyst. After this, the complex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the amount of the loaded metal. The heterogenized nanocatalyst effectively catalyzed the oxidation of a broad range of sulfides and alkenes with H₂O₂ in the presence of a glassy carbon electrode, applying voltage to the reaction mixture. The results showed that the application of a potential to the reaction mixture could significantly decrease the reaction time when compared with the case of similar chemical oxidation reactions. In addition, an excellent value of turnover frequency (17 750 h⁻¹) was achieved for the electrochemical oxidation of styrene. Moreover, the nanocatalyst showed good recoverability without significant loss of its activity within six successive runs in the electrochemical oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide and cyclooctene. The electrochemical properties and stability of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-[MnL(OAc)] were investigated by cyclic voltammetry measurements and chronoamperometry technique.

A Mn–Schiff base complex supported on silica-coated iron magnetic nanoparticles was used for the electrochemical oxidation of sulfides and alkenes.     

Catalytic C–H aerobic and oxidant-induced oxidation of alkylbenzenes (including toluene derivatives) over VO2+ immobilized on core–shell Fe3O4@SiO2 at room temperature in water

Direct C–H bond oxidation of organic materials, and producing the necessary oxygenated compounds under mild conditions, has attracted increasing interest. The selective oxidation of various alkylbenzenes was carried out by means of a new catalyst containing VO²⁺ species supported on silica-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles using t-butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidant at room temperature in H₂O or solvent-free media. The chemical and structural characterization of the catalyst using several methods such as FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, FETEM, FESEM, SAED, EDX and XPS showed that VO²⁺ is covalently bonded to the silica surface. High selectivity and excellent conversion of various toluene derivatives, with less reactive aliphatic (sp³) C–H bonds, to related benzoic acids were quite noticeable. The aerobic oxygenation reaction of these alkylbenzenes was studied under the same conditions. All the results accompanied by sustainability of the inexpensive and simple magnetically separable heterogeneous catalyst proved the important criteria for commercial applications.

A highly efficient, recoverable, sustainable, economic and eco-friendly catalyst containing VO²⁺ species supported on SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for selective oxidation of alkylbenzenes using TBHP or O₂ at room temperature in H₂O or solvent-free media.