Distribution patterns of metals contamination in sediments based on type regional development on the intertidal coastal zones of the Persian Gulf, Iran

This study was performed to determine the variation of metals concentrations (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in surface sediments based on type region development from ten sites on the intertidal coastal zone of the Persian Gulf, Iran. The metals concentrations in surface sediments varied from 0.86 to 180.78 μg g⁻¹ for Pb, 0.61 to 6.48 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, 5.99 to 44.42 μg g⁻¹ for Zn, and 3.01 to 43.33 μg g⁻¹ for Cu. The quality of the sediments was evaluated based on sediment quality guidelines (effects range-low (ERL) and effects range-medium (ERM) indexes. Biological effects criteria suggest that metals concentrations in sediments were lower than ERM for all sites, but for some sites metals concentrations in sediments were higher than ERL. The present results support the concept that human activities in each region could be a major source of metals pollution input in the aquatic environment.     

The therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in the treatment of busulfan-induced azoospermic mice

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - The generation of germ cells from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) provides a valuable in vitro platform for infertility modeling. The establishment...     

IL-27 plasma level in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis subjects: The double-faced cytokine

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a member of IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family which possesses pro- and anti-inflammatory properties and participates in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. In our case-control study, plasma was collected from healthy subjects as control group (n = 40) and patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) (n = 40), including new identified cases without treatment (n = 12) and those treated with Interferon beta (IFN-β) (n = 28). The plasma level of IL-27 was assessed by ELISA method. Our results indicated that plasma level of IL-27 in MS patients increased significantly compared to the control subjects (P = 0.027). Furthermore, after parting case group into the two sub-groups, results revealed a significant difference of IL-27 plasma levels between control group and treated patients (P < 0.001), but not about that of between healthy subjects and untreated MS patients (P = 0.259). Also, mean levels of IL-27 in treated and untreated patients showed a significant difference (P = 0.007). These results demonstrate the possible modulation of IL-27 during autoimmune disease in human which may suggest the suppressive or therapeutic role of IL-27 on inflammatory diseases.     

Computer-aided molecular design of some indolinone derivatives of PLK4 inhibitors as novel anti-proliferative agents

Among the most well-known members of the mitotic protein kinase family are polo-like kinases. Polo-like kinase 4 as a type of this family is used as a therapeutic target in the treatment of proliferative diseases. A three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship study with comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis was carried out on a data set of 47 molecules consisting of (E)-3-((1H-indazol-6-yl)methylene) indolin-2-ones derivatives of polo-like kinase 4 inhibitors to rational design of new drug. The validity of model was tested with a data set divided into training and test set. All constructed models show good statistical reliability in terms of predicting polo-like kinase inhibitory activity of the molecules, based on molecular property fields like steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic, hydrogen bond donor and hydrogen bond acceptor fields. Moreover, molecular docking with CDOCKER algorithm was done to investigate interactions of between ligand and protein and to achieve bioactive ligand conformer. The energy difference between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (gap) implicitly stated the high reactivity of the most active molecule in the active site of protein. Furthermore, the molecular electrostatic potential energy at density functional theorylevel confirm the results from molecular docking. The identified key features obtained from the quantitative structure activity relationship modeling enabled us to design novel indolinone derivatives. In silico absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion and toxicity risk assessment analyses were carried out on the new molecules to investigate compliance with the standard ranges.     

The effect of delayed placement of composite and double application of single-bottle adhesives on microleakage of composite restorations

This study evaluated the effect of delayed placement of composite and double application of adhesive on microleakage of two-step, total-etch (single-bottle) adhesives. Standard Class V cavities were prepared in 140 sound premolars and randomly assigned into 10 groups (n = 14). Excite, Optibond Solo Plus, and Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (as a control) were used. After the first layer of single-bottle adhesive was photocured, the adhesive was reapplied and photocured in four of the groups. A microhybrid composite was applied in five of the groups immediately after the adhesive was photocured; in the other five groups, the composite was placed after a three-minute delay. After 24 hours of storage in distilled water and thermocycling, the samples were placed in 1% methylene blue. All samples then were sectioned longitudinally and evaluated for microleakage at the occlusal and gingival margins under a stereomicroscope at 20x magnification. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests. Delayed placement of composite significantly increased leakage at the gingival margins when single-bottle adhesives were used (p < 0.05). Double application of the single-bottle adhesives significantly reduced leakage at the gingival margin when placement of the composite was delayed. There was no significant difference between single and double application when the composite was placed immediately (p < 0.05).     

Inflammatory demyelination induces ependymal modifications concomitant to activation of adult (SVZ) stem cell proliferation

Ependymal cells (E1/E2) and ciliated B1cells confer a unique pinwheel architecture to the ventricular surface of the subventricular zone (SVZ), and their cilia act as sensors to ventricular changes during development and aging. While several studies showed that forebrain demyelination reactivates the SVZ triggering proliferation, ectopic migration, and oligodendrogenesis for myelin repair, the potential role of ciliated cells in this process was not investigated. Using conventional and lateral wall whole mount preparation immunohistochemistry in addition to electron microscopy in a forebrain‐targeted model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (tEAE), we show an early decrease in numbers of pinwheels, B1 cells, and E2 cells. These changes were transient and simultaneous to tEAE‐induced SVZ stem cell proliferation. The early drop in B1/E2 cell numbers was followed by B1/E2 cell recovery. While E1 cell division and ependymal ribbon disruption were never observed, E1 cells showed important morphological modifications reflected by their enlargement, extended cytoskeleton, and reinforced cell–cell junction complexes overtime, possibly reflecting protective mechanisms against ventricular insults. Finally, tEAE disrupted motile cilia planar cell polarity and cilia orientation in ependymal cells. Therefore, significant ventricular modifications in ciliated cells occur early in response to tEAE suggesting a role for these cells in SVZ stem cell signalling not only during development/aging but also during inflammatory demyelination. These observations may have major implications for understanding pathophysiology of and designing therapeutic approaches for inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as MS.