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.

     

Correction: The β-cyclodextrin-modified nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite as a carrier for curcumin

Correction for ‘The β-cyclodextrin-modified nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite as a carrier for curcumin’ by Shahin Amani et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 32348–32356, DOI: 10.1039/C9RA04739E.

The authors regret that the names of the authors were listed incorrectly in the original article. The corrected author list is as shown above.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

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.     

Synergistic antileukemic interactions between 17-AAG and UCN-01 involve interruption of RAF/MEK- and AKT-related pathways

Interactions between the protein kinase C (PKC) and Chk1 inhibitor UCN-01 and the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) antagonist 17-AAG have been examined in human leukemia cells in relation to effects on signal transduction pathways and apoptosis. Simultaneous exposure (30 hours) of U937 monocytic leukemia cells to minimally toxic concentrations of 17-AAG (eg, 400 nM) and UCN-01 (eg, 75 nM) triggered a pronounced increase in mitochondrial injury (ie, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential [Deltapsim]; cytosolic release of cytochrome c), caspase activation, and apoptosis. Synergistic induction of apoptosis was also observed in other human leukemia cell types (eg, Jurkat, NB4). Coexposure of human leukemia cells to 17-AAG and the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (GFX) did not result in enhanced lethality, arguing against the possibility that the PKC inhibitory actions of UCN-01 are responsible for synergistic interactions. The enhanced cytotoxicity of this combination was associated with diminished Akt activation and marked down-regulation of Raf-1, MEK1/2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Coadministration of 17-AAG and UCN-01 did not modify expression of Hsp90, Hsp27, phospho-JNK, or phospho-p38 MAPK, but was associated with further p34cdc2 dephosphorylation and diminished expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and XIAP. In addition, inducible expression of both a constitutively active MEK1/2 or myristolated Akt construct, which overcame inhibition of ERK and Akt activation, respectively, significantly attenuated 17-AAG/UCN-01-mediated lethality. Together, these findings indicate that the Hsp90 antagonist 17-AAG potentiates UCN-01 cytotoxicity in a variety of human leukemia cell types and suggest that interference with both the Akt and Raf-1/MEK/MAP kinase cytoprotective signaling pathways contribute to this phenomenon.     

Acute procedural and cryoballoon characteristics from cryoablation of atrial fibrillation using the first- and second-generation cryoballoon: a retrospective comparative study with follow-up outcomes

Purpose

There is limited data available on the safety and efficacy of the second-generation cryoballoon (CB-2) for cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (Cryo-AF). We evaluated the procedural, biophysical, and clinical outcomes of Cryo-AF in a large patient cohort using CB-2 as compared with the first-generation cryoballoon (CB-1).

Methods

Three-hundred and forty consecutive patients undergoing Cryo-AF with CB-1 (n?=?140) and CB-2 (n?=?200) were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Paroxysmal AF was more prevalent in CB-1 (86 %) versus CB-2 (72 %) (p?=?0.001). During Cryo-AF, the mean balloon temperature was lower with CB-2 at 30 s (8 versus ?4 °C; p?p?p?=?0.542). With CB-2, time-to-nadir temperature was shorter (232 versus 209 s; p?p?p?=?0.036) despite reduced cryoablation time (61 versus 47 min; p?p?p?p?p?=?0.037).

Conclusions

With CB-2, acute and long-term PV isolation rates were higher despite shorter ablations, faster balloon cooling, and longer thaw times, with similar AE rates and freedom from AF.     

The β-cyclodextrin-modified nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite as a carrier for curcumin

Herein, the nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite was synthesized based on a fractional factorial experimental design by a hydrothermal method to study the optimum conditions for the synthesis and formation of the ZSM-5 zeolite by employing different conditions. The samples were synthesized without any organic template, and different conditions, such as the molar composition of the synthesis gel and reaction time, were applied in a wide range. Then, the samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction to investigate the formation of the zeolite ZSM-5, and the results were compared to obtain the optimum conditions for its synthesis. The obtained samples were characterized by SEM, FTIR spectroscopy and TGA. Then, the functionalization of nano zeolite ZSM-5 crystals with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was investigated. The zeolite surface was first functionalized with amino groups using an amino alkoxysilane. Then, toluene diisocyanate was reacted with the amino-terminated ZSM-5 zeolite crystals and used for the incorporation of β-CD via its remaining isocyanate groups. After this, a drug delivery system (DDS) was prepared based on the cyclodextrin-modified zeolite with the curcumin anticancer drug, and its formation was studied under experimental conditions. The results of in vitro studies show that this drug delivery system has better characteristics than free curcumin in terms of stability and anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Herein, the nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite was synthesized based on a fractional factorial experimental design by a hydrothermal method to study the optimum conditions for the synthesis and formation of the ZSM-5 zeolite by employing different conditions.