Authentication of newly established human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line (YM-1) using short tandem repeat (STR) profiling method

Tumor Biology - Cross-contamination during or early after establishment of a new cell line could result in the worldwide spread of a misidentified cell line. Therefore, newly established cell lines...     

Non-allele specific antibody responses to genetically distinct variant forms of Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP-II) in Iranians exposed to seasonal malaria transmission

Duffy binding protein (DBP) is a leading vaccine candidate of Plasmodium vivax. The binding domain of DBP (DBP-II) is polymorphic, that may be a major challenge for development of a broadly effective vaccine against vivax malaria. The present investigation was undertaken to explore whether the sequence diversity of DBP-II causes variation in naturally acquired anti-DBP-II antibodies. In this study, the five genetically distinct variants were expressed, and anti-DBP-II responses were measured in P. vivax-infected individuals (n = 202). Finally, by performing immune-depletion ELISA experiments, antibody responses to the conserved sites of all allelic forms were evaluated using the corresponding and non-corresponding patients’ sera (n = 20). In this study, natural P. vivax infection produces IgG against all five examined variant forms of PvDBP-II with no statistically difference. Sequence analysis in the 20 selected samples (for antibody depletion experiment) showed eight distinct haplotypes, DBPI (n = 1), DBPIII (n = 3), DBPIV (n = 1), DBPV (n = 1), DBPVI (n = 5), DBPIX (n = 6), DBPX (n = 1), and DBP XI (n = 2). The results showed the presence of the cross-reactive antibody responses to heterologous variants of PvDBP-II in Iranian individuals who were infected with distinct allelic forms of the PvDBP-II. Therefore, it is proposed that the majority of antibodies recognized sharing B-cell epitopes and this could overcome the PvDBP-II variation as a one of the biggest challenges of PvDBP-II-based vaccine development.     

Comparative lipidomics and proteomics analysis of platelet lipid rafts using different detergents

Lipid rafts play a pivotal role in physiological functions of platelets. Their isolation using nonionic mild detergents is considered as the gold standard method, but there is no consensual detergent for lipid raft studies. We aimed to investigate which detergent is the most suitable for lipid raft isolation from platelet membrane, based on lipidomics and proteomics analysis.

Platelets were obtained from healthy donors. Twelve sucrose fractions were extracted by three different detergents, namely Brij 35, Lubrol WX, and Triton X100, at 0.05% and 1%. After lipidomics analysis and determination of fractions enriched in cholesterol (Ch) and sphingomyelin (SM), proteomics analysis was performed.

Lipid rafts were mainly observed in 1–4 fractions, and non-rafts were distributed on 5–12 fractions. Considering the concentration of Ch and SM, Lubrol WX 1% and Triton X100 1% were more suitable detergents as they were able to isolate lipid raft fractions that were more enriched than non-raft fractions. By proteomics analysis, overall, 822 proteins were identified in platelet membrane. Lipid raft fractions isolated with Lubrol WX 0.05% and Triton X100 1% contained mainly plasma membrane proteins. However, only Lubrol WX 0.05 and 1% and Triton X100 1% were able to extract non-denaturing proteins with more than 10 transmembrane domains.

Our results suggest that Triton X100 1% is the most suitable detergent for global lipid and protein studies on platelet plasma membrane. However, the detergent should be adapted if investigation of an association between specific proteins and lipid rafts is planned.     

Applications of Cu(0) encapsulated nanocatalysts as superior catalytic systems in Cu-catalyzed organic transformations

Recently, Cu nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated into various materials as supports (e.g., zeolite, silica) have attracted much devotion due to their unique catalytic properties such as high catalytic activity, intensive reactivity and selectivity through highly protective properties. Nowadays, the superior catalytic activity of Cu-NPs, encapsulated onto zeolite, silica and different porous systems, is extensively investigated and now well-established. As a matter of fact, Cu-NPs are protected from deactivation by this kind of encapsulation. Thus, their exclusion proceeds smoothly, and their recyclability is significantly increased. Cu-NPs have been used as potential heterogeneous catalysts in different chemical transformations. In this review, we try to show the preparation and applications of Cu(0) encapsulated nanocatalysts in zeolite and silica as superior catalytic systems in Cu-catalyzed organic transformations. In addition, the catalytic activity of these encapsulated Cu-NPs in different important organic transformations (such as hydrogenation, oxidation and carbon–carbon bond formations) are compared with those of a variety of organic, inorganic and hybrid porous bearing a traded metal ion. Moreover, the results from the TGA/DTA analysis and optical properties of Cu-complexes are demonstrated. The inherited characteristic merits of the encapsulated Cu-NPs onto zeolite and silica, such as their low leaching, catalytic activity, reusability economic feasibility and originality are critically considered.

In this review, the catalytic activity of encapsulated Cu-NPs in different important organic transformations is compared with those of a variety of organic, inorganic and hybrid porous materials bearing a traded metal ion.     

Prescribed drugs containing nitrogen heterocycles: an overview

Heteroatoms as well as heterocyclic scaffolds are frequently present as the common cores in a plethora of active pharmaceuticals natural products. Statistically, more than 85% of all biologically active compounds are heterocycles or comprise a heterocycle and most frequently, nitrogen heterocycles as a backbone in their complex structures. These facts disclose and emphasize the vital role of heterocycles in modern drug design and drug discovery. In this review, we try to present a comprehensive overview of top prescribed drugs containing nitrogen heterocycles, describing their pharmacological properties, medical applications and their selected synthetic pathways. It is worth mentioning that the reported examples are actually limited to current top selling drugs, being or containing N-heterocycles and their synthetic information has been extracted from both scientific journals and the wider patent literature.

In this review, we try to present a comprehensive overview on top prescribed drugs containing nitrogen heterocycles, describing their pharmacological properties, medical applications and their selected synthetic pathways.     

Applications of plant-based nanoparticles in nanomedicine: A review

Plants encompass numerous phytochemicals like flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and other metabolites that have a major impact on the generation of nanomaterials with chief implications in current therapeutic methods for a variety of diseases including cancers; herbal extracts serve as potential means for the generation of nanomaterial via safer pathways. Various secondary metabolites embodying the extracts function as stabilizing and or reducing agents to form nanoparticles (NPs) and such plant extract-derived NPs have diverse applications in assorted fields particularly in nanomedicine. Numerous groups have recently generated, green-synthesized metal nanoparticles deploying various bio-resources such as plant, bacteria, fungus, etc. Herein, prominent recent advancements for various biomedical applications of such nanomaterials, namely for cancer and other treatment of diseases are reviewed with discussions on in vivo and in vitro toxicity experiments pertaining to the potential intriguing pharmaceutical appliances.     

The preventive effect of pentoxifylline on contrast-induced nephropathy: a randomized clinical trial

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention provides a high-risk condition for incidence of CIN even in patients with normal renal function. Pentoxifylline (PTX) with a variety of mechanisms may prevent CIN.

Materials and methods

Between April 5, 2011, and February 20, 2012, all consecutive eligible patients referred for elective percutaneous coronary intervention were asked to participate in the study (n = 199). Eligibility was defined as the age between 18 and 65 years and baseline serum creatinine ≤132.6 μmol/l (1.5 mg/dl). The patients were randomly allocated to two groups either receiving saline or saline plus pentoxifylline 400 mg orally three times a day for 48 h. Serum creatinine was measured 24 h prior to the procedure and 48 h thereafter. The primary endpoint was occurrence of CIN defined as 25 % rise in serum creatinine 48 h after the procedure.

Results

The overall incidence of CIN was 6 % in this study (6.2 % in the PTX group versus 5.9 % in the hydration group, P = 0.92). Absolute rise in serum creatinine was not also significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.97). In hypertensive patients, however, the incidence of CIN was lower among those receiving PTX: 5 % in the PTX group versus 8.7 % in the hydration group. Nevertheless, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.68).

Conclusion

Short-term prophylaxis with pentoxifylline added to optimal hydration does not seem to reduce the risk of CIN in patients with normal renal function undergoing PCI. Further clinical trials in patients with renal impairment are warranted to define its role.     

Weaknesses and challenges of primary healthcare system in Iran: a review

While the primary healthcare (PHC) services in Iran were appropriate to the needs of the population in the late 1970s and 1980s, the changing burden of disease and shifting demand patterns have rendered the existing PHC system no longer suitable for meeting current and emergent needs. This has serious implications for the PHC system in Iran, which has clearly succeeded in addressing high levels of communicable diseases, maternal deaths and infant mortality, but appears less well prepared to address the emerging challenges of noncommunicable diseases (NCD). We conducted a systematic review of the available literature in the past 10 years related to the PHC system in Iran to assess its weaknesses and challenges. This paper categorizes PHC system weaknesses from the studied articles into two groups: (i) those related to the key functions of PHC, and (ii) others, which refer to health system weaknesses existing with the current PHC model. Iran can draw on international experience and evidence regarding interventions, which can be used to develop an effective and responsive PHC system designed to address current and emerging needs, in particular the NCD burden.     

Electrophysiologic pattern and prevalence of subclinical peripheral neuropathy in children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus in Iran

Objectives:

To evaluate electrophysiologic pattern of subclinical diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) based on nerve conduction study.

Methods:

In this cross sectional study, 40 children and adolescents (62.5% female with mean age of 12.73 ± 0.43 years) with T1DM for at least 5 years attending the Pediatrics Clinics. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, between 2014 and 2015 were recruited. Demographic and laboratory findings were recorded and all patients underwent clinical neurological examination and electrophysiologic studies.

Results:

According to electrophysiologic studies, DPN was found in 57.5% of patients including early stage of neuropathy (15%), mild sensory axonal neuropathy (25%), mild sensory motor axonal neuropathy (10%), and moderate sensory motor axonal neuropathy (7.5%). Age, duration of diabetes, fasting blood sugar, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels had no significant difference between patients with and without DPN. Reduced deep tendon reflexes were observed in the upper limb (30%) and lower limb (47.5%) of patients, which were both significantly higher in DPN patients (upper limb [p=0.03] and lower limb [p=0.04]). The most frequent electrophysiologic findings were unobtainable H-reflex, low amplitude sural, and median sensory responses.

Conclusion:

Subclinical DPN is a common complication found in children and adolescents with TIDM and peripheral sensory axonal neuropathy is the most frequent type. Nerve conduction study is recommended for early detection of DPN and prevention of its progress.Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common chronic endocrine disease in childhood, which is usually diagnosed among children, adolescents, and young adults.1 Children and adolescents are at higher risk of long term complications due to the longer period of T1DM.2 Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a major complication of T1DM with significant morbidity and mortality in adulthood. The DPN involves impairment of the large and/or small nerve fibers, and can be diagnosed by various methods.2,3 Sensory, motor, or autonomic nerves can be involved, often coexisting, but it is usually sensory dominant with eventual involvement of te\hemotor nerve fibers.4,5 Abnormalities of nerve conduction are common findings in children with diabetes and the highest prevalence for DPN is found in children and adolescents with poor glycemic control and longer duration of diabetes.5,6 Once symptoms appear, there are few effective therapeutic strategies;7 thus, early identification of DPN, especially in children and adolescents is crucial to prepare appropriate measures to prevent its development.8,9 Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are the most common method for the diagnosis of DPN and its sequelae.10 It is also possible that patients have subclinical neuropathy long before occurrence of clinically evident neuropathy.11 However, few studies have evaluated the subclinical neuropathy in these patients, and also the prevalence of early stages of DPN among children and adolescents is not well-known. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of different degrees of subclinical DPN in children and adolescents with T1DM and its possible related factors among children visiting the Tabriz Children Hospital. This hospital is the main referral center for disease of children in the north-west of Iran and our results can be applied to all the population.