Gene, Cell and Tissue
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Jan 2024

 A mutation in the EGFR gene can be a marker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The frequency of this mutation is very different in various countries and ethnic groups.

 This study investigated the frequency of mutations in exons 20 and 21 of the EGFR gene in patients with NSCLC in Iran.

 Twenty paraffin blocks with an average age of 3 years were prepared from the Tehran Cancer Institute. The samples belonged to 5 women and 15 men aged 61 - 74 years and were confirmed by a pathologist in terms of positivity and type of tumor. After deparaffinization, DNA extraction was performed using a QIAGEN kit. The appropriate probes and primers were designed, and finally, the samples were examined by the real-time TaqMan method, and the data were analyzed.

 The findings showed that 15% and 10% of patients had mutations in exon 20 and 21 of the EGFR gene, respectively. The T790M mutation of exon 20 was observed in three patients (tumors of adenocarcinoma type and large cell cancer), and L858R and L861Q mutations of exon 21 of the EGFR gene were observed.

 The frequency of mutation in exon 20 and 21 of the EGFR gene in NSCLC patients among Iranians is close to Middle Eastern and European patients, but it is very different from the frequency of this mutation among East Asian and North Asian patients.

 Curcumin has low side effects and strong antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer activities, and other therapeutic properties. Studies have confirmed that visible light can improve curcumin’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties.

 This study aimed to investigate the toxicity caused by photodynamic therapy with a low-power diode laser with a wavelength of 810 nm compared to curcumin in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 cell line).

 After culturing cells in a 96-well plate, concentrations of 1, 10, 100, and 500 μM of curcumin alone and also in combination with a low-power diode laser with a wavelength of 810 nm and after 48 hours of incubation, cells’ viability was assessed by MTT method. Also, cell proliferation rate, lactate dehydrogenase enzyme release, and membrane lipid peroxidation were measured.

 The percentage of survival, cell proliferation rate, and release of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in the combination of 500 μg/mL with laser was significantly lower than the rest of the groups, while the average concentration of malondialdehyde obtained according to micrograms in the curcumin group with laser was higher than other groups.

 Overall, combining curcumin with a photodynamic laser may reduce the survival effect and cell proliferation rate of curcumin on MDA cells. Most current research on curcumin combined with photodynamic lasers focuses on in vitro experiments and animal models; however, further clinical research is needed.

 Fibroblasts are the most important cells in the healing process of wounds. The motility activity of low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) on fibroblast proliferation has been well-established in vitro. Laser treatment for scar removal increases the number of scars.

 This method uses light therapy to remove the outer layer of the skin surface and produce new skin cells to cover the damaged skin cells.

 The present research is from an experimental laboratory. First, tissue fibroblast cells were cultured under appropriate conditions. Then, it was exposed to laser radiation with intensities of 650 and 980 nm, and its supernatant solution was used for wound treatment. Interleukin 2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were used to check the recovery.

 The results of the MTT assay showed an increase in the viability of the cell line under laser irradiation. In addition, these evaluations showed an increase in IL-2, TNF-α, and VEGF after 650 and 980 nm laser irradiation compared to the control group after 48 hours.

 According to the present study, laser therapy has potential therapeutic potential for wound healing. However, more studies are suggested to increase the efficiency and speed up the treatment process.

 Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant neoplasm among women worldwide. The significance of gene polymorphism in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 (CYP3A4) in cancer development is generally acknowledged.

 The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between the rs17861162 polymorphism of the CYP1A2 gene and vulnerability to breast cancer among women of Iranian heritage.

 In the current study, a cohort comprising 100 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer was identified as the case group in a case-control inquiry. Another cohort of 100 women in good health and residing in East Azerbaijan province, with similar age and ethnicity attributes to the individuals in the case group, were selected as the control group. The genomic DNA was obtained from leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood through a phenol-chloroform extraction method. The genotyping experiment was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.

 The findings of this study indicated that genotypic distribution among individuals diagnosed with breast cancer was 54% CC, 37% CG, and 9% GG. On the other hand, the healthy control group exhibited a distribution of 69% CC, 27% CG, and 2% GG. The statistical analysis revealed notable variations in the genotype and allele frequencies of the rs17861162 polymorphism in the CYP1A2 gene between people diagnosed with breast cancer and healthy control subjects (P>0.05).

 The results of our study indicated a significant association between breast cancer and the rs17861162 polymorphism in the CYP1A2 gene among Iranian women. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the specific ramifications of this polymorphism concerning breast cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and risk, it is imperative to perform additional research that spans a wide range of ethnic and geographical populations.

 Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen resulting in treatment-resistant subclinical mastitis in dairy cows. Examination of the frequency of some important virulence genes in isolates from bovine mastitis can be necessary for better management and recognition of infections caused by this bacterium.

 This study was conducted on the frequency of some important exotoxin genes in P. aeruginosa samples derived from bovine mastitis in the city of Tabriz in 2022.

 This study was performed with 120 bacterial samples of P. aeruginosa that were isolated from clinical samples of bovine mastitis and were considered to investigate the frequency of some important exotoxin genes. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the presence of exotoxin A, T, and U genes in P. aeruginosa samples was found by PCR method.

 The frequency of exotoxin A, T, and U genes in P. aeruginosa samples was 18 (15%), 32 (26.6%), and 26 (21.6%), respectively, and 8 (6.6%) P. aeruginosa samples possessed all 3 intended genes simultaneously; while 76 (63.3%) P. aeruginosa samples lacked the tested genes.

 A relatively high frequency of exotoxin genes studied can be a serious warning to treat and control the bovine mastitis caused by this bacterium.

Context: 

Resistance training (RT) and vitamin D are both utilized as interventions for muscle hypertrophy. Multiple studies have examined the impact of RT with and without vitamin D supplementation on muscle hypertrophy. There is currently no existing review study that has specifically investigated the combined effect of RT and vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle hypertrophy. This review article compiled studies examining the impact of both RT and vitamin D interventions on muscle hypertrophy.

Evidence Acquisition: 

Three databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) were searched until September 9, 2022. Only original articles written in English were included. The findings of the studies were analyzed and categorized into two sections: cross-sectional areas and muscle performance.

 Very limited studies examined the effect of RT and vitamin D on hypertrophy and skeletal muscle function. The impact of RT and vitamin D on signaling pathways of protein synthesis and skeletal muscle hypertrophy was investigated separately, and the simultaneous effect of these two interventions was explored in a few studies.

 The proteins involved in the signaling pathway of muscle hypertrophy were examined in only three animal studies. Therefore, more field/clinical trials in the human model should investigate the effect of these two interventions on the degree of hypertrophy and muscle function. Besides, both in human studies using muscle biopsy and in animal studies at the cellular level, the expression of genes and proteins involved in signaling pathways affecting protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy should be studied further to determine the simultaneous effect of these two interventions.

 Genetic factors play an important role in the occurrence of many diseases, including skeletal diseases. Skeletal diseases are sometimes caused by a mutation in a gene that passes on to children according to the Mendelian inheritance pattern, and sometimes several genes are involved in this path and cause heterogeneous disease. The whole-exome sequencing (WES) technique can be a powerful tool in diagnosing this disease.

 Peripheral blood samples (5 mL) were collected from the individuals in EDTA tubes. After sequencing the patient's genome using the WES technique, the candidate genes were checked using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and Chromas software to confirm the variant in the family.

 After studying the genome using the WES method and analyzing the results, mutation NM_001005373.4:c.1985C>T was identified by creating a nonsense change in the LRSAM1 gene.

 The data obtained by the WES technique can help diagnose the disease faster. In addition, these data can be used as background information in the development of a special panel to diagnose this disorder.

 More understanding of the physiological needs of the embryo during its growth from the zygote to the blastocyst stage, as well as the composition of the uterine and fallopian tubal secretions, has led to the development of single-step or sequential culture media.

 The present study aimed to investigate the utilization of mCR2aa culture medium as a sequential culture medium for embryo development, supplemented with platelet lysate (PL) to decrease the concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the embryo culture medium.

 After maturation and fertilization of sheep oocytes obtained from a slaughterhouse, potential zygotes were cultured in mCR2aa medium without FBS for two days (C1, 1 - 3 days of culture). In the second two days of culture (C2, 3 - 5 days of culture), 2.5% or 5% of FBS and 5% or 10% of PL were used. In the remaining days of culture (C3, 5 - 9 days of culture), 2.5%, 5%, or 10% of FBS, and 0%, 2.5%, 5%, or 10% of PL were used. These percentages were compared to the commercial BO-IVC™ medium and mCR2aa medium, both of which contained 10% of FBS.

 No significant difference was observed in the number of produced blastocysts between different treatments and the control. However, the number of hatched blastocysts in BO-IVC™, as a single-step culture medium, significantly differed from that of the other treatments. The number of hatched blastocysts in the sequential culture medium was higher in media supplemented with 2.5% FBS and 10% PL in the C2 mCR2aa medium, and 2.5% FBS without PL in the C3 mCR2aa medium, but no significant difference was observed in other treatments. However, increasing the concentration of FBS and PL in the C3 mCR2aa medium significantly decreased the number of hatched blastocysts.

 An increase in the percentage of PL to 10% necessitated a decrease in FBS to 2.5% in the C2 mCR2aa medium, while PL in the C3 mCR2aa medium was not required in the presence of 2.5% FBS.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that participate in excitatory postsynaptic signaling in the mammalian central nervous system. In the 1980s, octreotide first became available for the treatment of acromegaly. In acromegaly patients and healthy volunteers, somatostatin and its analogs, such as octreotide and lanreotide, dramatically decrease the release of GH. In this study, we investigated the effect of octreotide, which controls blood lipids, on one of the proteins involved in epilepsy. After examining the genes involved in epilepsy by the DisGeNET server, we selected the ionotropic glutamate receptor NMDA type subunit 2B gene with the symbol GRIN2B. The docking and molecular simulation process was done using the AutoDock Vina 1.2.0 algorithm under the Chimera user interface. The analysis of docking results has been done by the PDBsum and Protein-Ligand Interaction Profiler servers. The VMD program prepared the images. The Pocket Drug server detected eighteen packets. Only the molecular docking results of 5 out of 18 pockets were acceptable. The results of docking for eighteen pockets were found in the target protein after the simulations; 13 have fewer than 14 residues, and 5 have more than 14 residues. We selected the best 18 pockets (P35, P64), (P10, P14, P17).

 Endometriosis is an injury caused by the proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Exercise and supplements may effectively remove waste materials and produce antioxidant enzymes.

 The present research aimed to investigate the effects of simultaneous exercise and vitamin D3 supplement on aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2A1) gene expression in endometriosis female rats.

 The experimental method with a post-test design was used to conduct the research. The statistical population of the study consisted of three-month-old female Wistar rats. After the induction of the endometriosis model, the rats were divided into six groups. The exercise groups performed simultaneous exercises for eight weeks. Vitamin D3 supplement at 50 mg was fed to rats daily for eight weeks. The mean and standard deviation of ALDH2A values were calculated, and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test were investigated in female rats in different groups (P <0.05).

 Significant decreases in ALDH2A were observed by the Bonferroni test in the supplement and interval exercise groups compared to the endometriosis and endometriosis + placebo groups.

 The protocol of simultaneous exercises (strength/endurance) and vitamin D supplementation has significantly reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDHA1) in endometriosis patients. Therefore, vitamin D3 supplementation with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, along with sports activities, can play an important role in improving and reducing the prevalence of endometriosis.

 There appears to be a relationship between high-fat diet (HFD), inactivity, obesity, and many diseases. The effects of aerobic exercise (AE) on the improvement of oxidative stress have been confirmed, and the antioxidant effects of bitter orange peel (BOP) have been identified.

 This study aimed to explore the synergistic effects of 4 weeks of AE and BOP extract consumption on oxidative biomarkers and the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway in the quadriceps tissue of male rats fed an HFD.

 In this experimental trial, 30 male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) control-normal diet (CO-ND), (2) CO-HFD, (3) AE, (4) BOP, and (5) interaction of AE and BOP (AE-BOP). The BOP group received 60 mg (per kg of body weight) of BOP extract daily during the intervention period. The AE program with moderate intensity was implemented for 4 weeks, 5 days a week.

 The nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NRF2) gene expression was significantly increased in the AE and AE-BOP groups, but this increase was not significant in the BOP group. The decrease in the KEAP1 gene expression in the studied groups was not significant. A significant decrease in MDA and a significant increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes and the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) gene expression were observed in the studied groups.

 Aerobic exercise and BOP reduced the oxidative stress caused by HFD by regulating the NRF2-KEAP1 signaling pathway. Therefore, these two interventions are recommended in the conditions of HFD.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) transmit genetic information to the next generation. For the successful transplantation of these cells, the culture medium of these cells must be optimized.

This study investigated the natural antioxidant of grape seed extract (GSE) in comparison to vitamin C in the culture medium of SSCs.

A Soxhlet extractor was used to prepare ethanolic and acetonic extracts, and the Clevenger apparatus was used to prepare aqueous extracts of grape seeds. Then, their antioxidant capacities were determined using the DPPH method. The SSCs were extracted from lamb testicular tissue by a two-step digestion method, and different concentrations of GSE and vitamin C were investigated for survival, colony formation, and expression of apoptotic-related genes.

The results showed that the acetonic extract in the concentration of 400 g/mL showed about 90% antioxidant properties based on the DPPH test; nevertheless, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts had only 50% of their antioxidant properties at this concentration. The acetonic extracts significantly decreased the viability of SSCs without any colony formation when used in a culture medium. The highest survival rate was obtained from the ethanolic extracts of grape seeds at the concentration of 50g/mL, and a significant difference was obtained with ethanolic extracts (100 to 1000 g/mL) (P < 0.05). The viability of SSCs treated with vitamin C (50 g/mL) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control and 5 - 25 g/mL of vitamin C groups.

Aqueous, ethanolic, and acetonic extracts of grape seeds should not be used in the culture of SSCs. However, the use of 25 - 50 g/mL of vitamin C is recommended in the culture of SSCs.