Antioxidant Effects of Vitamins C and E on the Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation Mediated by Myeloperoxidase

Background: Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) appears to be an early step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed reaction is one of the potent pathways for LDL oxidation in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant effects of vitamins C and E on LDL oxidation mediated by MPO. Methods: MPO was isolated from fresh plasma by sequential centrifugation using density ultracentrifugation. It was incubated with LDL and the LDL oxidation level was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring conjugated diene absorbance at 234 nm. Furthermore, vitamin C (50-200 mM) and vitamin E (10-40 mM) were added and the LDL oxidation level was determined. Results: The purity index of MPO and its enzymatic activity were 0.69 and 1127 U/mg protein, respectively. It was demonstrated that vitamin C in vitro inhibited LDL oxidation mediated by MPO; however, vitamin E was unable to act in the same way. The protection by vitamin C was concentration dependent and maximum protective effect of vitamin C was observed at 150 mM, where about 64% of the LDL oxidation was inhibited. Vitamin C increased lag time of LDL oxidation mediated by MPO up to 2.4 times. Conclusion: It can be concluded from our results that vitamin C is able to improve LDL resistance to oxidative modification in vitro. In addition, vitamin C might be effective in LDL oxidation mediated by MPO in vivo, resulting in reduction of atherosclerosis process rate. Key Words: Antioxidant, Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Vitamin E     

Screening of Iranian Potato Germplasm for Resistance to the Potato Tuberworm Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is an important insect pest of potato, Solanum tuberosum L., both in storage and in the field. In this research, tubers of eight commercial potato cultivars and four Iranian selections with equal weight and dormancy were exposed to 10 pairs of adult P. operculella in a climate chamber set at 25?±?1 °C, 65?±?5 % RH and total darkness. In a free-choice situation, oviposition was lower on 397082–2, Khavaran and Morene compared to the other germplasm that were exposed to adults of P. operculella. Number of mines per tuber, length of mines per tuber, time of development of larvae, number of pre-pupae produced per tuber, weight of pre-pupae and number of eggs developed in ovaries per female were counted and/or measured on each commercial cultivar and selection. There were fewer and shorter mines on tubers of 397082–2, Khavaran and Morene compared to the other potato germplasm. The number of pre-pupae produced per tuber and the weight of pre-pupae were lower when P. operculella was reared on tubers of 397082–2, Khavaran and Morene. Also the development, survival and fecundity were lower when P. operculella was reared on those same germplasm. Flesh firmness was negatively correlated with larval survival (r ²?=?0.87); in addition, the percentage of starch and macronutrient composition was low on these three germplasm. Thus, tuber flesh firmness of these germplasm could delay larval penetration and lower establishment 397082–2, Khavaran and Morene showed promising traits that can be integral component of potato breeding for resistance to P. operculella and pest management programs.     

Transplanting P75-Suppressed Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Promotes Functional Behavior in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) have been successfully employed for movement deficit recovery in spinal cord injury (SCI) rat models. One of the unsettled problems in cell transplantation is the relative high proportion of cell death, specifically after neural differentiation. According to our previous studies, p75 receptor, known as the death receptor, is only expressed in BMSC in a time window of 6-12 hours following neural induction. Moreover, we have recently reported a decreased level of apoptosis in p75-suppressed BMSC in vitro. Therefore, our objective in this research was to explore the functional effects of transplanting p75:siRNA expressing BMSC in SCI rats. Methods: Laminectomy was performed at L1 vertebra level to expose spinal cord for contusion using weight-drop method. PBS-treated SCI rats (group one) were used as negative controls, in which cavitations were observed 10 weeks after SCI. pRNA-U6.1/Hygro- (group two, as a mock) and pRNA-U6.1/Hygro-p75 shRNA- (group three) transfected BMSC were labeled with a fluorescent dye, CM-DiI, and grafted into the lesion site 7 days after surgery. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnehan locomotor rating scale was performed weekly for 10 weeks. Results: There was a significant difference (P≤0.05) between all groups of treated rats regarding functional recovery. Specifically, the discrepancy among p75 siRNA and mock-transfected BMSC was statistically significant. P75 siRNA BMSC also revealed a higher level of in vivo survival compared to the mock BMSC. Conclusion: Our data suggest that genetically modified BMSC that express p75:siRNA could be a more suitable source of cells for treatment of SCI. Key Words: Spinal cord injury (SCI), Apoptosis, Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC)     

A scanner based neural network technique for color matching of dyed cotton with reactive dye

Conventional theory for color matching is Kubelka-Munk, but it fails in some situations. New intelligent procedures such as neural networks could learn the behavior of a complex system and produce accurate prediction. This paper investigates the ability of MLP (multiple layer perceptron) neural network for color matching of cotton fabric. Three reactive dyes, namely Levafix Red CA, Levafix Yellow CA and Levafix Blue CA were used for experiments. The dyed samples were scanned and L * a * b * histogram were extracted. Different neural networks were trained and tested using L * a * b * histogram of fabric’s images and also L * a * b * values (D65, 10°) of fabrics. The results were encouraging. For neural networks including the L * a * b * histogram in input vector, colorants and their concentration were predicted with a mean square error (MSE) less than 10^?5 and an average value of color difference (CMC (1:2)) less than 1.5 for approximately 80 % of testing data.     

The Effect of Sodium Caseinate Coating Incorporated with Zataria moltiflora Essential Oil on the Quality and Shelf Life of Rainbow Trout During Refrigerated Storage

ABSTRACT

In the present study, aqueous solutions of sodium caseinate (SC) 8% (w/w) were provided in the form of four treatments—including SC without any essential oil (EO) as well as SC with 0.25, 0.5, and 1% (v/w) concentrations of Zataria moltiflora EO. Fish samples were treated with aqueous solutions and stored at 4 ± 1°C for 20 days. The control and treated fish samples were analyzed for chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen, pH, thiobarbituric acid, peroxide value), microbiological (total viable count and psychrotrophic count), and sensory analyses every 4 days. Based on results, SC edible coating had no antimicrobial effect but acted like a barrier against the fish flesh contamination. Moreover, incorporating Zataria moltiflora EO with SC edible coating reduces peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values as well as the chemical and microbiological spoilage of refrigerated ?sh samples. Furthermore, sensory evaluation results showed that the presence of thyme oil improved the sensory quality of the rainbow trout.     

Cytogenetic and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 mutation analyses in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients

Background: The secondary genetic changes other than the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor (PML-RARA) fusion gene may contribute to the acute promyelocytic leukemogenesis. Chromosomal alterations and mutation of FLT3 (FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3) tyrosine kinase receptor are the frequent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia. However, the prognostic significance of FLT3 mutations in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is not firmly established. Methods: In this study, the chromosomal abnormalities were analyzed by bone marrow cytogenetic in 45 APL patients and FLT3 internal tandem duplications (ITD) screening by fragment length analysis and FLT3 D835 mutation by melting curve analysis were screened in 23 APL samples. Results: Cytogenetic study showed 14.3% trisomy 8 and 17.1% chromosomal abnormalities other than t(15;17). About 13% of the patients had FLT3 ITD, and 26% had D835 point mutation. FLT3 ITD mutation was associated with higher white blood cell count at presentation and poor prognosis. Conclusion: The PML-RARA translocation alone may not be sufficient to induce leukemia. Therefore, we assume that FLT3 mutations and the other genetic and chromosomal alterations may cooperate with PML-RARA in the development of APL disease.Key Words: Chromosome aberrations, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3, Acute promyelocytic leukemia     

The role of Ile3434Thr XRCC7 gene polymorphism in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer risk in an Iranian population

Background

The aim of this study was to understand any association between differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and Ile3434Thr XRCC7 gene polymorphism (GenBank accession number: rs7830743). DTC is the most prevalent thyroid neoplasm, which includes papillary and follicular cell carcinoma. XRCC7 gene encodes a protein that functions in non-homologous end joining DNA repair pathway. Non-synonymous polymorphisms in this gene may alter DNA repair capacity of the cell and change the risk of developing cancers.

Methods

DTC patients (n = 173) and cancer free individuals (n = 204) were enrolled in a case-control study. The Ile3434Thr polymorphic alleles were discriminated by using amplification refractory mutation system-PCR method. The frequencies of this single nucleotide polymorphism in case and control groups were compared. Also, risk ratio for developing DTC in dichotomized genotypes was estimated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Dichotomized genotypes into those with and without the 3434Thr allele showed that this allele was associated with DTC (OR [odd ratio]: 1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29-2.79, P<0.001). Also, TC genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of DTC (OR: 2.42, 95% CI = 1.55-3.81, P = 0.0001) in individuals carrying this genotype.

Conclusion

Allele 3434Thr in XRCC7 gene might be associated with differentiated thyroid cancer risk. Further studies with larger samples are needed to verify these initial findings. Key Words: DNA repair enzymes, Thyroid neoplasms, Genetic polymorphism     

Comparison of topical triamcinolone and oral atorvastatin in treatment of paederus dermatitis Northern Iran

Dermatitis caused by stimulation of beetle paederus, is a common health problem in Northern and some southern parts of Iran. Since by now, traditional medicine and some corticosteroid agents have been used for treatment of dermatitis caused by beetle paederus. Because, there are few researches about classical treatment of the disease at academic level, this study planned to compare the effectiveness of triamcinolone ointment and atorvastatin tablet with placebo in treatment ofpaederus dermatitis in Northern Iran. A randomized double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 30 patients referred to the hospital and clinics at Sari and Neka countries in Northern Iran during 6 months. Patients were randomly divided into two therapeutic equal groups. The first group was triamcinolone ointment twice a day and a placebo atorvastatin tablet daily. The second group was oral atorvastatin one tablet (20 mg) daily and a placebo triamcinolone ointment twice a day. In Seventh day of visits, therapeutic response of the patients in triamcinolone and atorvastatin group were 93.33 and 80%, respectively. No significant differences were found in therapeutic outcome between the two groups (p > 0.05). The results showed both oftriamcinolone ointment and oral atorvastatin had similar effect on paederus dermatitis. Because the paederus dermatitis is a self-limited disease use of topical therapy for treatment of the disease is recommend.     

Effects of diazinon on the activity and gene expression of mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase from rat pancreatic Langerhans islets

The main propose of the present study was to determine the effects of diazinon on the activity and gene expression of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) as the key enzyme of Langerhans islet for secretion of insulin. Diazinon was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg. Langerhans islets were isolated from the pancreas of rats by a standard collagenase digestion, separation by centrifugation, and hand-picking technique. The activity and gene expression of the mitochondrial GDH was determined in the islets homogenates. Glutamate, C-peptide, and insulin were determined in plasma.Diazinon at all tested doses (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.01) decreased plasma insulin after 1 h while the values did not differ from control when examined after 18 h. Diazinon at all tested doses (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.01) increased concentration of C-peptide both 1 and 18 h post-administration. Diazinon at all tested doses (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) increased production of glutamate while the values did not differ from control when tested after 18 h. Administration of diazinon at doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.001) increased activity of GDH after 1 h while all doses of diazinon increased GDH activity when measured after 18 h. Diazinon at dose of 60 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.01) decreased expression of GDH gene 18 h post-administration.It is concluded that GDH is a component of diazinon-induced changes in release of improper insulin.