Differences in COVID-19 Preventive Behavior and Food Insecurity by HIV Status in Nigeria

AIDS and Behavior - The aim of the study was to assess if there were significant differences in the adoption of COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors and experience of food insecurity by people living...     

Ex vivo and in vivo delivery of anti-tissue factor short interfering RNA inhibits mouse pulmonary metastasis of B16 melanoma cells.

PURPOSE: The coagulation trigger tissue factor has been implicated in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In this study, we explore the effects of ex vivo and in vivo delivery of short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting tissue factor on B16 melanoma colonization of the lung in a murine model for metastasis. The purposes of this work are to establish a noncytotoxic in vivo model for investigation of tissue factor function and provide preclinical assessment of the therapeutic potential of tissue factor siRNA for prevention of metastasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESULTS: C57BL/6 mice were evaluated for pulmonary metastases following tail vein injection of B16 cells transfected with either active or inactive siRNA. Mice receiving cells transfected with active siRNA had significantly lower numbers of pulmonary tumors compared with mice injected with control cells (transfected with inactive siRNA). The average time point at which the mice started to exhibit tumor-associated stress was also increased significantly from 22 days for the control group to 27 days for the experimental group (P = 0.01). In a therapeutically more relevant model, where the siRNA was delivered i.p. and the cells (untransfected) by tail vein injection, an inhibitory effect on metastasis was observed when the siRNA treatment was initiated either before or at the time of cell injection. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that tissue factor has a crucial function in promoting lung tumor metastasis of blood-borne tumor cells in the early stages of the tumor take process and further suggest that treatment with tissue factor siRNA may become a viable clinical strategy for prevention of tumor metastasis.     

Toxocara Nematodes in Stray Cats from Shiraz,Southern Iran: Intensity of Infection and Molecular Identification of the Isolates

Background

Toxocara is a common nematode of cats in different parts of Iran. Despite the close association of cats with human, no attempt has been done so far for molecular identification of this nematode in the country. Therefore, current study was performed on identification of some isolates of Toxocara from stray cats in Shiraz, Fars Province, Southern Iran, based on morphological and molecular approaches, and also determination of intensity of infection.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 stray cats trapped from different geographical areas of Shiraz in 2011. Adult male and female worms were recovered from digestive tract after dissection of cats. Morphological features using existing keys and PCR-sequencing of ITS-rDNA region and pcox1 mitochondrial l gene were applied for the delineating the species of the parasites.

Results

Eight out of 30 cats (26.7%) were found infected with Toxocara nematodes. All the isolates were confirmed as Toxocara cati based on morphological features and the sequence of ribosomal and mitochondrial targets. Intensity of infection ranged from one to a maximum of 39 worms per cat, with a mean of 10.25±12.36, and higher abundance of female nematodes.

Conclusion

The most prevalent ascaridoid nematode of stray cats in the study area was T. cati and female nematodes were more abundant than that of males. This issue has important role in spreading of eggs in the environment and impact on human toxocariasis.     

The use of microarrays to study autoimmunity

As with the development of any novel and potentially powerful technology, the prospect of revealing new information that may dramatically change our understanding of biological processes can generate much excitement. Such is true for the emerging genomic approaches that make possible high-density assays using microarray platforms. Indeed, it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine any area of biology that could not be affected by the wide range of potential applications of microarray technology. Numerous examples, such as those from the field of oncology, provide striking evidence of the power of microarrays to bring about extraordinary advances in molecularly defining important disease phenotypes that were otherwise unrecognized using conventional approaches such as histology. However, only a few studies in autoimmunity are available to date. Very recent work in alopecia areata, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sj?gren's syndrome illustrates the potential for gaining new insights into the pathophysiology of these complex autoimmune disorders on a global, molecular scale. These new insights are likely to significantly improve our understanding of disease processes, diagnosis, identification of new therapeutic targets, and identification of patients most likely to benefit from specific and tailored therapies.     

Sequence analysis of cox1 and nad1 genes in Echinococcus granulosus G3 genotype in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from central Iran

Nineteen hydatid cyst isolates collected from camels in central Iran were subjected to sequences analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes. A consensus sequence obtained containing 366 nucleotides for cox1 and 471 nucleotides for nad1 genes. Overall, the camel isolates indicated five different sequences in cox1 and nine in nad1 genes. The sequences analysis indicated that 26.3%, 42.1%, and 31.6% of isolates belonging to G1, G3, and G6 genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus, respectively. The isolates with G3 genotype indicated one cox1 sequence having 100% homology with reference G3 sequence (AN: M84663) and two different nad1 sequences, one having100% homology with reference G3 sequence (AN: AJ237634) and the other with a silent mutation (G to A) in position 279. The presence of G3 genotype (buffalo strain) of E. granulosus as dominant genotype in camels is emphasized. As G3 genotype has formerly been reported in human, the epidemiological role of camels is warranted in future surveys.     

Nanocarrier systems for delivery of siRNA to ovarian cancer tissues

INTRODUCTION: Novel therapeutic strategies have been investigated for ovarian cancer to reduce toxicity and to improve outcomes for patients. Short interfering RNA (siRNA), which directs the sequence-specific degradation of target mRNA and provides specificity of gene knockdown, represents a unique class of potential therapeutics for ovarian cancer. However, siRNA molecules are rapidly degraded in plasma and are unable to passively diffuse through cellular membranes. Nanocarriers can efficiently protect siRNA from in vivo degradation and are able to deliver these active macromolecules to tumor cells even after intravenous administration. AREAS COVERED: Strategies of gene therapy and the role of siRNA in ovarian cancer treatment are introduced, followed by an overview of nanocarriers for siRNA delivery, the advantages of the systems and the types of targeting to tumor cells. Classes of nanocarriers for delivery of siRNA, their functionalities and modalities are discussed with emphasis on the promising vehicles. EXPERT OPINION: Gene silencing therapy based on siRNA represents a possible opportunity for treatment of ovarian cancer patients. However, this approach requires selection of suitable nanocarriers that can safely and effectively deliver siRNA to the target site to induce its effect. Very little work has been done in this field; therefore, it is a good direction for future development.     

Nandrolone Decanoate Transformation by Neurospora crassa.

Abstract

Neurospora crassa. Shear & B.O. Dodge (Sordariaceae), the red bread mold, when incubated with exogenous nandrolone decanoate for 6 days at 25°C, produced four steroid metabolites. The microbial products were purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography followed by their identification through ¹H, ¹³C NMR and other spectroscopic data. The fermentation yielded estr-4-en-3,17-dione (II), 17β.-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (III), 6β.,17β.-dihydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (IV), and 9β.,17β.-dihydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (V). Characteristics observed were ester hydrolysis, hydroxyl group oxidation, and 9α.- or 6β.-hydroxylations.     

Endoparasites of Stray Dogs in Mashhad,Khorasan Razavi Province,Northeast Iran with Special Reference to Zoonotic Parasites

Background

To find out different species of helminthes and blood/tissue protozoan parasites of stray dogs and their potential role for transmission of zoonotic species to human in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, northeast Iran, during 2008-2009.

Methods

Totally, 100 stray dogs were selected among Mashhad municipal collection from different sites of the city. Internal organs were examined for any parasites. Helminthes were identified based on morphological characteristics. Smears prepared from peripheral blood as well as liver, spleen and any skin lesion were stained by Giemsa and examined microscopically. Samples obtained from spleen were aseptically cultured in three culture media including NNN, Schneider''s Drosophila (HIMEDIA) and RPMI1640 (GIBCO) for isolation of Leishmania spp. The titer of anti-Leishmania and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were measured by direct agglutination test (DAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), respectively.

Results

84% of dogs were infected at least with one species of intestinal helminthes. The species of parasites and rate of infection were as follows: Taenia hydatigena (61%), Dipylidium caninum (46%), Mesocestoides lineatus (19%), Echinococcus granulosus (10%), Toxascaris leonina (53%) and Toxocara canis (7%). Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected by DAT in 8 dogs (8%) at 1:320 titers and higher. Forty seven dogs (47%) showed anti-Toxoplasma titer at 1:10 and 17 (17%) showed titer of ≥1:100. No blood parasites were found in prepared blood smears.

Conclusion

The high rate of parasitic infection and presence of zoonotic species especially E. granulosus and T. canis emphasizes the risk of diseases spread in urban areas by stray dogs