BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid function tests(TFTs) has previously been evaluated in medical ICUs. We aimed to evaluate prognostic efficacy of cortisol and TFTs in critically ill poisoned patient...BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid function tests(TFTs) has previously been evaluated in medical ICUs. We aimed to evaluate prognostic efficacy of cortisol and TFTs in critically ill poisoned patients admitted to toxicology intensive care unit(ICU).METHODS: In a prospective study of consecutively enrolled subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU, lab analyses included TFTs(total T3 and T4 as well as TSH) and cortisol levels drawn between 8 am–10 am during period of the first 24 hours post-ingestion/exposure. Simplified Acute Physiology Score Ⅱ(SAPS Ⅱ) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) were recorded. All scores were compared to detect the best prognostic factor. Type of poisoning was also included.RESULTS: In 200 patients evaluated, 129 were male and mean age was 31 years. In general, SAPS Ⅱ, T4, and cortisol could prognosticate death. After regression analysis, only cortisol had such efficacy(P=0.04; OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.05–1.08; cut-off=42 μg/d L; sensitivity=70%; specificity=82%). Between aluminium phosphide(ALP)-and non ALP-poisoned patients, level of consciousness, mean arterial pressure, and cortisol level could prognosticate death in ALP poisoning(all Ps<0.001 in both uni and multivariate analyses). Median(interquartile range; IQR) GCS was 7(6, 10) and 15(8, 15) in non-ALP and ALP-poisoned patients(P<0.003). SAPS Ⅱ and APACHE Ⅱ could not prognosticate death at all.CONCLUSION: Cortisol best prognosticated outcomes for subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU. Its level is higher in ALP-poisoned patients probably due to the higher stress while they remain conscious till the final stages of toxicity and are aware of deterioration of their clinical condition or may be due to their significantly lower blood pressures.展开更多
Primary malignant tumors of the spine are relatively rare, less than 5% of all spinal column tumors. However, these lesions are often among the most difficult to treat and encompass challenging pathologies such as cho...Primary malignant tumors of the spine are relatively rare, less than 5% of all spinal column tumors. However, these lesions are often among the most difficult to treat and encompass challenging pathologies such as chordoma and a variety of invasive sarcomas. The mechanisms of tumor recurrence after surgical intervention, as well as resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, remain a pervasive and costly problem. Recent evidence has emerged supporting the hypothesis that solid tumors contain a sub-population of cancer cells that possess characteristics normally associated with stem cells. Particularly, the potential for long-term proliferation appears to be restricted to subpopulations of cancer stem cells(CSCs) functionally defined by their capacity to self-renew and give rise to differentiated cells that phenotypically recapitulate the original tumor, thereby causing relapse and patient death. These cancer stem cells present a unique opportunity to better understand the biology of solid tumors in general, as well as targets for future therapeutics. The general objective of the current study is to discuss the fundamental concepts for understanding the role of CSCs with respect to chemoresistance, radioresistance, special cell surface markers, cancer recurrence and metastasis intumors of the osseous spine. This discussion is followed by a specific review of what is known about the role of CSCs in chordoma, the most common primary malignant osseous tumor of the spine.展开更多
Objective: To identify the medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases.Methods: Initially, we obtained a list of herbalists and traditional healers from Food and Drug Deputy. Direct observations and interviews a...Objective: To identify the medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases.Methods: Initially, we obtained a list of herbalists and traditional healers from Food and Drug Deputy. Direct observations and interviews as well as collection of herbarium specimens of indigenous medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases of urinary tract,reproductive, digestive, respiratory and skin systems were performed. This study was conducted through questionnaires and interviews; the questionnaires were distributed among traditional healers and simultaneous interviews were also run. The plants were herbariumized, herbarium specimens were authenticated, and their species were determined by using reliable flora and other sources. Finally, the data were input into Excel2010 and analyses were performed.Results: Out of the studied plants, 35 native medicinal plants belonging to 17 families were effective in the treatment of various diseases and infections. In this study, the Lamiaceae family had the highest frequency of plants for the treatment of infections.Traditional healers of Urmia in 24% of cases used the leaves of medicinal herb to treat patients. In 68% of cases, they prescribed medicinal herbs in the boiled forms. Most medicinal herbs showed therapeutic effect on the digestive system.Conclusions: Traditional medicinal sources, valuable knowledge of traditional healers in Urmia, the scientific investigation of the effects of the herbs offered in this study and their effects in traditional medicine may provide a good source for new drugs in modern medicine.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the effect of imatinib mesylate on cell viability, anti cancer effect through modulation of KAI1/CD82 gene expression in breast cancer MCF-7 cell line.Methods: The effects of imatinib mesylate o...Objective: To evaluate the effect of imatinib mesylate on cell viability, anti cancer effect through modulation of KAI1/CD82 gene expression in breast cancer MCF-7 cell line.Methods: The effects of imatinib mesylate on cell viability in MCF-7 cell line were assessed using MTT assay and IC_(50) value was determined. GAPDH and KAI1/CD82 were selected as reference and target genes, respectively. Quantitative real time PCR technique was applied for investigation of KAI1/CD82 gene expression in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Subsequently, the quantity of KAI1 compared to GAPDH gene expressions were analyzed using the formula; 2^(-DDCt).Results: Imatinib was showed to have a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the viability of MCF-7 cells. CD82/GAPDH gene expression ratios were 1.322 ± 0.030(P > 0.05),2.052 ± 0.200(P < 0.05), 2.151 ± 0.270(P < 0.05) for 10, 20 and 40 mmol/L of imatinib concentrations.Conclusions: Based on the present data, imatinib mesylate might modulate metastasis by up-regulating KAI1/CD82 gene expression in human breast MCF-7 cancer cell line.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory property and possible involvement of opioid receptors of ethyl acetate extract from aerial parts of Daphne mucronata(D. mucronata) in mice by formalin test...Objective: To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory property and possible involvement of opioid receptors of ethyl acetate extract from aerial parts of Daphne mucronata(D. mucronata) in mice by formalin test.Methods: Single doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg of body weight of ethyl acetate extract of D. mucronata were intraperitoneally administered to the mice 30 min before analgesic test. The anti-nociceptive effect of preparations was evaluated based on the formalin in mice.Results: The results indicated that the extract(2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) increased the pain threshold of mice and induced analgesia in both phases of formalin test. Like morphine sulfate(5.0 mg/kg, i.p.), the extract also showed more effective analgesic effect on the late phase of formalin test. Pre-treatment of animals with naloxone(5.0 mg/kg i.p.)did not inhibit the effects of the extract.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that D. mucronata contains potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds which support its traditional use. Moreover, it seems that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract is mediated by non-opioid mechanisms. Further pharmacological studies are required to determine whether the analgesic mechanisms are actually responsible for such properties.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effect of MEK/ERK1/2 pathway on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARγ)agonist-induced alterations in Δ6-desaturase(Δ6D)and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1)in hepatocellular carcino...AIM:To investigate the effect of MEK/ERK1/2 pathway on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARγ)agonist-induced alterations in Δ6-desaturase(Δ6D)and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1)in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2.METHODS:HepG2 cells cultured in RPMI-1640 were exposed to the commonly used ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059 and PPARγ agonist,pioglitazone.Total RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed from treated cells.Changes in gene expression and metabolites ratio,as activity index for Δ6D and SCD1,were then determined using reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and gas liquid chromatography,respectively.RESULTS:The expression of both Δ6D(P = 0.03)and SCD1(P = 0.01)increased following PD98059 treatment,with a higher impact on SCD1(24.5%vs 62.5%).Although pioglitazone increased the mRNA level(1.47 ± 0.10 vs 0.88 ± 0.02,P = 0.006)and activity index(1.40 ± 0.07 vs 0.79 ± 0.11,P < 0.001)of Δ6D,no such changes have been observed for SCD1 activity index in pioglitazone-treated cells.SCD1 gene expression(+26.4%,P = 0.041)and activity index(+52.8%,P = 0.035)were significantly increased by MEK inhibition in the presence of pioglitazone,as compared with pioglitazone alone and control cells.However,the response of Δ6D expression and activity index to pioglitazone was unaffected by incubation with PD98059.CONCLUSION:PPARγ and ERK1/2 signaling pathway affect differentially and may have inhibitory crosstalk effects on the genes expression of 6D and SCD1,and subsequently on their enzymatic activities.展开更多
Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of Montanide ISA-720 and Naloxone(NLX)in Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)vaccine formulation on cytokine and long-lasting antibody responses.Methods First,the HB...Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of Montanide ISA-720 and Naloxone(NLX)in Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)vaccine formulation on cytokine and long-lasting antibody responses.Methods First,the HBsAg was formulated in Montanide ISA-720 adjuvant and Naloxone at 5 and 10mg/kg.The experimental mice were immunized three times at a 2-week interval,and then IL-4,IL-2,TNF-α,and IFN-γcytokines;long-lasting IgG antibody responses 220 days after the last shot;and IgG1/IgG2a isotypes were assessed by ELISA.Results The HBsAg-Alum group exhibited the highest IL-4 cytokine response among the experimental groups,whereas NLX in HBsAg-MON720 vaccine formulation did not affect cytokine responses.In addition,NLX in Alum-based vaccine suppressed IL-4 cytokine response and increased the IL-2/IL-4 cytokine ratio.Moreover,HBsAg-MON720 was more potent than HBsAg-Alum in the induction of antibody responses,and NLX in Alum-and MON720-based vaccines induced long-lasting antibody responses.Conclusion NLX in Alum-based vaccine decreased IL-4 cytokine response,increased IL-2/IL-4 cytokine ratio,and improved long-lasting humoral immune responses in both vaccine formulations.Therefore,the adjuvant activity of NLX in the vaccine formulation depends on the type of adjuvant and the nature of the antigen in the vaccine formulation.展开更多
miRNAs play an important regulatory role in variety of cellular functions and several diseases, including cancer. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is overexpressed in almost all types of human cancers. Studies revealed that the k...miRNAs play an important regulatory role in variety of cellular functions and several diseases, including cancer. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is overexpressed in almost all types of human cancers. Studies revealed that the knockdown of miR-21 results in reduced tumor cell growth, cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of doxorubicin on miR-21 expression in mcf-7 breast cancer cells. miRNA was extracted from mcf-7 cells treated with doxorubicin and untreated cells using miRNeasy Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. cDNA synthesis was performed using miScript II RT Kit (Qiagen) and Real Time-PCR was performed using Real Q Plus 2x Master Mix Green-(Ampliqon, Denmark). The relative expression of miR-16 and miR-21 was calculated using comparative Ct method. All tests were run in triplicate to minimize the experimental errors. Samples with a Ct > 37 were excluded from the analysis. Statistically, a significant decrease in cell proliferation of mcf-7 cells was found in doxorubicin group compared with control groups 24 hours after transfection, dose dependently (p value< 0.001). After 24 hours, Doxorubicin (100 μm) significantly decreased miR-21 expression in mcf-7 cells (p = 0.0001). Also, the expression of caspase 9 significantly increased after Doxorubicin (100 μm) treatment (p = 0.0003). Together, these findings indicate that miR-21 plays a key role in regulating cell apoptosis in mcf-7 cells and may serve as a target for effective therapies.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the antifungal activities of the extracts and sub-fractions of Phlomis olivieri,Verbascum speciosum,Sambucus ebulus and Erigeron hyrcanicus,four Persian medicinal plants used in Iranian folk m...Objective:To investigate the antifungal activities of the extracts and sub-fractions of Phlomis olivieri,Verbascum speciosum,Sambucus ebulus and Erigeron hyrcanicus,four Persian medicinal plants used in Iranian folk medicine.Methods:Evaluation of the antifungal activity was performed on the clinical isolates of pathogenic fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus,A.flavus,Trichophyton mentagrophytes,T.rubrum,T.verrucosum,Microsporum canis,M.gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum,and the yeast Candida albicans.The susceptibility tests were done by agar well diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC) of active extracts and sub-fractions were measured using method of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS).Results:Only P.olivieri sub-fractions were found to have fungicidal activity among the other investigated plants.The MIC and MFC was found to be high in petroleum ether,chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions(100 and 200 mg/m L) against the studied pathogenic fungi and the yeast Candida albicans.P.olivieri sub-fractions significantly inhibited the growth of all pathogenic fungi and the yeast studied.Conclusion:If the antifungal activity of P.olivieri is confirmed by in vivo studies and if the responsible compound(s) is isolated and identified,it could be a good remedy for mycotic infections.展开更多
Using van der Waals corrected density functional theory(vdW-DF) method we have investigated the adsorption of acetone molecule on pristine and Pt-doped graphene.Several active sites for both the interacting systems ha...Using van der Waals corrected density functional theory(vdW-DF) method we have investigated the adsorption of acetone molecule on pristine and Pt-doped graphene.Several active sites for both the interacting systems have been considered in the adsorption process including full geometry optimization.We have analyzed the structural and electrical properties of energetically favorable configurations.The results show that adsorption of acetone molecule on the Pt-doped graphene is energetically preferable.The binding energy and bonding distance are determined to be-5.277 eV and 2.206 A,respectively,accompanying with charge transfer of 1.11 e.Furthermore,the Pt-0 bond is rather significantly elongated when acetone is adsorbed on Pt-doped graphene.Compared to pristine graphene,the Pt-doped graphene has stronger interaction with the acetone and may provide more sensitive signai for a single acetone molecule.Meanwhile,practically,the band gap of Pt-doped graphene would become reduced after acetone adsorption.Consequently,our first-principles study presents evidence for a coherent benchmark for the applicability of Pt-doped graphene for acetone adsorption and detection.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid function tests(TFTs) has previously been evaluated in medical ICUs. We aimed to evaluate prognostic efficacy of cortisol and TFTs in critically ill poisoned patients admitted to toxicology intensive care unit(ICU).METHODS: In a prospective study of consecutively enrolled subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU, lab analyses included TFTs(total T3 and T4 as well as TSH) and cortisol levels drawn between 8 am–10 am during period of the first 24 hours post-ingestion/exposure. Simplified Acute Physiology Score Ⅱ(SAPS Ⅱ) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) were recorded. All scores were compared to detect the best prognostic factor. Type of poisoning was also included.RESULTS: In 200 patients evaluated, 129 were male and mean age was 31 years. In general, SAPS Ⅱ, T4, and cortisol could prognosticate death. After regression analysis, only cortisol had such efficacy(P=0.04; OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.05–1.08; cut-off=42 μg/d L; sensitivity=70%; specificity=82%). Between aluminium phosphide(ALP)-and non ALP-poisoned patients, level of consciousness, mean arterial pressure, and cortisol level could prognosticate death in ALP poisoning(all Ps<0.001 in both uni and multivariate analyses). Median(interquartile range; IQR) GCS was 7(6, 10) and 15(8, 15) in non-ALP and ALP-poisoned patients(P<0.003). SAPS Ⅱ and APACHE Ⅱ could not prognosticate death at all.CONCLUSION: Cortisol best prognosticated outcomes for subjects admitted to the toxicology ICU. Its level is higher in ALP-poisoned patients probably due to the higher stress while they remain conscious till the final stages of toxicity and are aware of deterioration of their clinical condition or may be due to their significantly lower blood pressures.
文摘Primary malignant tumors of the spine are relatively rare, less than 5% of all spinal column tumors. However, these lesions are often among the most difficult to treat and encompass challenging pathologies such as chordoma and a variety of invasive sarcomas. The mechanisms of tumor recurrence after surgical intervention, as well as resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, remain a pervasive and costly problem. Recent evidence has emerged supporting the hypothesis that solid tumors contain a sub-population of cancer cells that possess characteristics normally associated with stem cells. Particularly, the potential for long-term proliferation appears to be restricted to subpopulations of cancer stem cells(CSCs) functionally defined by their capacity to self-renew and give rise to differentiated cells that phenotypically recapitulate the original tumor, thereby causing relapse and patient death. These cancer stem cells present a unique opportunity to better understand the biology of solid tumors in general, as well as targets for future therapeutics. The general objective of the current study is to discuss the fundamental concepts for understanding the role of CSCs with respect to chemoresistance, radioresistance, special cell surface markers, cancer recurrence and metastasis intumors of the osseous spine. This discussion is followed by a specific review of what is known about the role of CSCs in chordoma, the most common primary malignant osseous tumor of the spine.
基金Supported by the grant No.918/996 by Deputy for Research and Technology of Urmia University of Medical Sciences
文摘Objective: To identify the medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases.Methods: Initially, we obtained a list of herbalists and traditional healers from Food and Drug Deputy. Direct observations and interviews as well as collection of herbarium specimens of indigenous medicinal plants effective in infectious diseases of urinary tract,reproductive, digestive, respiratory and skin systems were performed. This study was conducted through questionnaires and interviews; the questionnaires were distributed among traditional healers and simultaneous interviews were also run. The plants were herbariumized, herbarium specimens were authenticated, and their species were determined by using reliable flora and other sources. Finally, the data were input into Excel2010 and analyses were performed.Results: Out of the studied plants, 35 native medicinal plants belonging to 17 families were effective in the treatment of various diseases and infections. In this study, the Lamiaceae family had the highest frequency of plants for the treatment of infections.Traditional healers of Urmia in 24% of cases used the leaves of medicinal herb to treat patients. In 68% of cases, they prescribed medicinal herbs in the boiled forms. Most medicinal herbs showed therapeutic effect on the digestive system.Conclusions: Traditional medicinal sources, valuable knowledge of traditional healers in Urmia, the scientific investigation of the effects of the herbs offered in this study and their effects in traditional medicine may provide a good source for new drugs in modern medicine.
基金Supported by East Tehran Branch,Islamic Azad University(Grant No.923064)
文摘Objective: To evaluate the effect of imatinib mesylate on cell viability, anti cancer effect through modulation of KAI1/CD82 gene expression in breast cancer MCF-7 cell line.Methods: The effects of imatinib mesylate on cell viability in MCF-7 cell line were assessed using MTT assay and IC_(50) value was determined. GAPDH and KAI1/CD82 were selected as reference and target genes, respectively. Quantitative real time PCR technique was applied for investigation of KAI1/CD82 gene expression in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Subsequently, the quantity of KAI1 compared to GAPDH gene expressions were analyzed using the formula; 2^(-DDCt).Results: Imatinib was showed to have a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the viability of MCF-7 cells. CD82/GAPDH gene expression ratios were 1.322 ± 0.030(P > 0.05),2.052 ± 0.200(P < 0.05), 2.151 ± 0.270(P < 0.05) for 10, 20 and 40 mmol/L of imatinib concentrations.Conclusions: Based on the present data, imatinib mesylate might modulate metastasis by up-regulating KAI1/CD82 gene expression in human breast MCF-7 cancer cell line.
基金supported by a Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAUPS) Grant
文摘Objective: To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory property and possible involvement of opioid receptors of ethyl acetate extract from aerial parts of Daphne mucronata(D. mucronata) in mice by formalin test.Methods: Single doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg of body weight of ethyl acetate extract of D. mucronata were intraperitoneally administered to the mice 30 min before analgesic test. The anti-nociceptive effect of preparations was evaluated based on the formalin in mice.Results: The results indicated that the extract(2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) increased the pain threshold of mice and induced analgesia in both phases of formalin test. Like morphine sulfate(5.0 mg/kg, i.p.), the extract also showed more effective analgesic effect on the late phase of formalin test. Pre-treatment of animals with naloxone(5.0 mg/kg i.p.)did not inhibit the effects of the extract.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that D. mucronata contains potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds which support its traditional use. Moreover, it seems that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract is mediated by non-opioid mechanisms. Further pharmacological studies are required to determine whether the analgesic mechanisms are actually responsible for such properties.
基金Supported by A Grant from the Drug Applied Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,to Darabi M,Research Projects numbers 89/102 and 90/73
文摘AIM:To investigate the effect of MEK/ERK1/2 pathway on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARγ)agonist-induced alterations in Δ6-desaturase(Δ6D)and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1)in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2.METHODS:HepG2 cells cultured in RPMI-1640 were exposed to the commonly used ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059 and PPARγ agonist,pioglitazone.Total RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed from treated cells.Changes in gene expression and metabolites ratio,as activity index for Δ6D and SCD1,were then determined using reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and gas liquid chromatography,respectively.RESULTS:The expression of both Δ6D(P = 0.03)and SCD1(P = 0.01)increased following PD98059 treatment,with a higher impact on SCD1(24.5%vs 62.5%).Although pioglitazone increased the mRNA level(1.47 ± 0.10 vs 0.88 ± 0.02,P = 0.006)and activity index(1.40 ± 0.07 vs 0.79 ± 0.11,P < 0.001)of Δ6D,no such changes have been observed for SCD1 activity index in pioglitazone-treated cells.SCD1 gene expression(+26.4%,P = 0.041)and activity index(+52.8%,P = 0.035)were significantly increased by MEK inhibition in the presence of pioglitazone,as compared with pioglitazone alone and control cells.However,the response of Δ6D expression and activity index to pioglitazone was unaffected by incubation with PD98059.CONCLUSION:PPARγ and ERK1/2 signaling pathway affect differentially and may have inhibitory crosstalk effects on the genes expression of 6D and SCD1,and subsequently on their enzymatic activities.
基金supported by a grant from the Deputy of Research and Technology,Health Ministry of Iran[Grant no.642]partially by a grant from the Pasteur Institute of Iran。
文摘Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of Montanide ISA-720 and Naloxone(NLX)in Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)vaccine formulation on cytokine and long-lasting antibody responses.Methods First,the HBsAg was formulated in Montanide ISA-720 adjuvant and Naloxone at 5 and 10mg/kg.The experimental mice were immunized three times at a 2-week interval,and then IL-4,IL-2,TNF-α,and IFN-γcytokines;long-lasting IgG antibody responses 220 days after the last shot;and IgG1/IgG2a isotypes were assessed by ELISA.Results The HBsAg-Alum group exhibited the highest IL-4 cytokine response among the experimental groups,whereas NLX in HBsAg-MON720 vaccine formulation did not affect cytokine responses.In addition,NLX in Alum-based vaccine suppressed IL-4 cytokine response and increased the IL-2/IL-4 cytokine ratio.Moreover,HBsAg-MON720 was more potent than HBsAg-Alum in the induction of antibody responses,and NLX in Alum-and MON720-based vaccines induced long-lasting antibody responses.Conclusion NLX in Alum-based vaccine decreased IL-4 cytokine response,increased IL-2/IL-4 cytokine ratio,and improved long-lasting humoral immune responses in both vaccine formulations.Therefore,the adjuvant activity of NLX in the vaccine formulation depends on the type of adjuvant and the nature of the antigen in the vaccine formulation.
文摘miRNAs play an important regulatory role in variety of cellular functions and several diseases, including cancer. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is overexpressed in almost all types of human cancers. Studies revealed that the knockdown of miR-21 results in reduced tumor cell growth, cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of doxorubicin on miR-21 expression in mcf-7 breast cancer cells. miRNA was extracted from mcf-7 cells treated with doxorubicin and untreated cells using miRNeasy Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. cDNA synthesis was performed using miScript II RT Kit (Qiagen) and Real Time-PCR was performed using Real Q Plus 2x Master Mix Green-(Ampliqon, Denmark). The relative expression of miR-16 and miR-21 was calculated using comparative Ct method. All tests were run in triplicate to minimize the experimental errors. Samples with a Ct > 37 were excluded from the analysis. Statistically, a significant decrease in cell proliferation of mcf-7 cells was found in doxorubicin group compared with control groups 24 hours after transfection, dose dependently (p value< 0.001). After 24 hours, Doxorubicin (100 μm) significantly decreased miR-21 expression in mcf-7 cells (p = 0.0001). Also, the expression of caspase 9 significantly increased after Doxorubicin (100 μm) treatment (p = 0.0003). Together, these findings indicate that miR-21 plays a key role in regulating cell apoptosis in mcf-7 cells and may serve as a target for effective therapies.
基金Supports from the Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch,Islamic Azad University(IAU)
文摘Objective:To investigate the antifungal activities of the extracts and sub-fractions of Phlomis olivieri,Verbascum speciosum,Sambucus ebulus and Erigeron hyrcanicus,four Persian medicinal plants used in Iranian folk medicine.Methods:Evaluation of the antifungal activity was performed on the clinical isolates of pathogenic fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus,A.flavus,Trichophyton mentagrophytes,T.rubrum,T.verrucosum,Microsporum canis,M.gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum,and the yeast Candida albicans.The susceptibility tests were done by agar well diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC) of active extracts and sub-fractions were measured using method of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS).Results:Only P.olivieri sub-fractions were found to have fungicidal activity among the other investigated plants.The MIC and MFC was found to be high in petroleum ether,chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions(100 and 200 mg/m L) against the studied pathogenic fungi and the yeast Candida albicans.P.olivieri sub-fractions significantly inhibited the growth of all pathogenic fungi and the yeast studied.Conclusion:If the antifungal activity of P.olivieri is confirmed by in vivo studies and if the responsible compound(s) is isolated and identified,it could be a good remedy for mycotic infections.
基金the support of this work by the Islamic Azad University,Pharmaceutical Science Branch,Tehran,Iran(IAUPS)
文摘Using van der Waals corrected density functional theory(vdW-DF) method we have investigated the adsorption of acetone molecule on pristine and Pt-doped graphene.Several active sites for both the interacting systems have been considered in the adsorption process including full geometry optimization.We have analyzed the structural and electrical properties of energetically favorable configurations.The results show that adsorption of acetone molecule on the Pt-doped graphene is energetically preferable.The binding energy and bonding distance are determined to be-5.277 eV and 2.206 A,respectively,accompanying with charge transfer of 1.11 e.Furthermore,the Pt-0 bond is rather significantly elongated when acetone is adsorbed on Pt-doped graphene.Compared to pristine graphene,the Pt-doped graphene has stronger interaction with the acetone and may provide more sensitive signai for a single acetone molecule.Meanwhile,practically,the band gap of Pt-doped graphene would become reduced after acetone adsorption.Consequently,our first-principles study presents evidence for a coherent benchmark for the applicability of Pt-doped graphene for acetone adsorption and detection.
