reza haji hosseini

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent cancer worldwide and is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Since many colon cancers present no significant clinical symptoms, identifying new biomarkers or a set of biological indicators significant for clinical trials is crucial for the early detection of CRC. This advancement also aids in establishing new objectives for interventional therapeutic strategies against the disease. Currently, research is exploring various proteins, glycoproteins, and cellular and humoral substances involved in cellular homeostasis mechanisms as potential cancer markers. This review examines the potential utility of fucosylation and sialylation processes, as well as sex hormones, as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. A comprehensive search was conducted in PUBMED, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, supplemented by a manual search of relevant journals. The keywords were L-fucose, sialic acid, fucosyltransferase-4, galectin-3, and steroid hormones in CRCs.

Food and agricultural products can be contaminated by mycotoxins. Many emerging methods, including ozonation, have been used to reduce the level of these contaminants. This study aimed to assess the effects of different treatment times and doses of ozonation on the reduction of aflatoxins in contaminated corn samples. A central composite design (CCD) via response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the ozonation for maximum reduction of AFB1 contamination level. The variables used in this study were: AFB1 concentration (X1, 5–50 ng/ml), ozone dose (X2, 200–600 mg/kg), and ozonation time (X3, 100–400 min). Increasing the dose and time of ozonation showed significant effects on initial AFB1 content. The results have demonstrated that an ozonation dose of 600 mg/kg for 250 min, was sufficient to eliminate at least 96% of the AFB1 contamination level of corn samples. The obtained results have been validated and showed that ozonation under optimal conditions could be a promising method to reduce aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol contamination in corn.

Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system. It is crucial to prevent and treat this disease. One of the objectives in treating Alzheimer's disease is to impede the function of the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme. Phloretin and trilobatin are natural polyphenolic dihydrochalcone compounds. Trilobatin is the glycosylated derivative of phloretin. Studies have indicated the efficacy of these compounds in enhancing learning and memory as well as neuroprotective properties. The effect of these compounds on the inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase activity has been investigated in this study. The results were compared in terms of inhibitory activity and molecular mechanism of interaction for each compound. It was found that phloretin and trilobatin inhibited enzyme activity by 42% and 25%, respectively. Prediction of compounds ADMET parameters was done. Molecular docking was utilized to survey the binding mode of compounds, interaction type, and calculate the binding free energy. According to the molecular docking result, the mean binding free energy for the enzymes' interaction with phloretin and trilobatin was calculated to be -6.64(±0.35) and -5.92(±0.93) kcal/mol, respectively. The presence of a glycosylated group in the trilobatin structure increases the number of rotatable bonds, hydrophilicity, and steric hindrance. It seems that these factors reduce the inhibition activity of trilobatin against enzyme in comparison to phloretin. Based on the presented study, these compounds generally don’t have high inhibitory activity, but they can be regarded as key components in the development of novel anti-Alzheimer's drugs or as components of natural anti-Alzheimer's supplements.

 The contribution of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) subclasses to incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a subject of debate.

 The objective of this study was to investigate these associations in a population with a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and CVD.

 In a nested case-control study, HDL-C and its subclasses (HDL2-C and HDL3-C) in 370 age and gender-matched case and control subjects were determined. This study employed multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for the associations between HDL-C, HDL2-C, HDL3-C, and HDL2-C/HDL3-C (both as continuous and categorical variables) with incident CVD and CHD. The present study models were adjusted for a comprehensive set of confounders, including body mass index, current smoking, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, use of lipid-lowering drugs, family history of premature CVD, non-HDL-C, and triglycerides.

 In multivariate analysis, when considering lipoprotein parameters as continuous variables, a 1-unit increase in HDL-C and HDL3-C was associated with a reduced risk of incident CVD and CHD. For CVD, the ORs (95% confidence intervals [CI]) were 0.95 (0.92 - 0.98) and 0.95 (0.93 - 0.98) for HDL-C and HDL3-C, respectively. The corresponding values for CHD were 0.94 (0.91 - 0.97) and 0.94 (0.91 - 0.97). In the categorical approach to lipoprotein parameters, higher quartiles of HDL-C and HDL3-C, compared to the first quartile, were significantly associated with a lower risk of incident CVD and CHD. The ORs (95% CI) for the fourth quartiles were 0.43 (0.25 - 0.74, P for trend = 0.003) and 0.46 (0.27 - 0.78, P for trend = 0.005) for HDL-C and HDL3-C regarding CVD and 0.32 (0.17 - 0.59) and 0.32 (0.18 - 0.59) (all P for trend = 0.001) regarding CHD, respectively. Paradoxically, across quartiles of HDL2-C/HDL3-C, this lipid ratio was associated with a higher risk of CHD (92% higher risk in the fourth quartile).

 The results showed that HDL3-C, but not HDL2-C, was primarily responsible for the protective effect of HDL-C against CVD, particularly CHD, in Iranian adults.

Microbial lipases are an important group of enzymes with biotechnology value. In the present research, an attempt was made to isolate and identify lipase-producing microbial strains from industrial wastewater samples. After taking samples from sewage and sewage from different places,16 colonies were isolated from these samples. The isolates were cultured in a specific culture medium containing Tween80 to check the ability to produce lipase enzyme. Enzyme activity was determined using the light absorption curve. In order to identify the isolates molecularly, ribotyping was performed. For this purpose, the DNA of the isolates was extracted and PCR was performed with the help of 16SrRNA gene primers. The PCR product was sequenced and the strains were identified using sequence blast in the NCBI database. Out of a total of 16 isolates, ten strains (62.5%) were able to produce lipase enzyme as a result of creating a transparent halo in the culture medium of the lipid test. Among these, two isolates with the same halo formation rate and source of isolation, which had the highest growth and activity after 144 hours were selected from the culture. Enzyme activity values for bacteria isolated from slaughterhouse effluent and garage effluent ranged from 2.99 to 22.65 and 3.73to 39.2 units/ml, respectively. Due to their very high lipase activity compared to the strains introduced in other researches, Aeromonas veroni and Copriavidus metallidurans bacteria are suggested as very suitable and efficient strains for the biological treatment of wastewater.

Bromocriptine is used as an effective drug for patients with hyperplrolactinemia. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is an enzyme of thyrocytes membrane. The enzyme has a gret role in formation of T4 and T3 by oxidizing tyrosine residues in thyroglobulines. In this study, samples were collected from two groups of women with hyperprolactinemia over a period of 10 months. The first group includes 25 normal clients and individuals which is known as euthyroid (with normal thyroid function and normal levels of thyroid gland hormones) in the age range of 30-37 years (samples 1 to 25) and the second group includes 25 other persons with the same condition in the age range of 38-45 years (samples 26 to 50). Both groups used only bromocriptine tablets as drug treatment with the dose of 5mg/day in a period of at least 6 months. The levels of anti TPO antibodies which is directly proportional to levels of the enzyme, measured both before and after the treatment with bromocriptine. In most cases bromocriptine treatment caused a decrease in levels of TPO enzyme antibodies. In current study, effectivenes of bromocriptine on TPO levels was confirmed by statistical assays.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, and high-risk HPV types cause about five percent of all cancers worldwide. The chemical drugs used to treat this disease are expensive and have many side effects. Therefore, the use of herbal medicines is increasing. In this regard, the E6 protein, which is a key protein in the initiation of cervical cancer and plays a role in the degradation of P53, was selected as an essential drug target. In this research, two new potential inhibitors named beta-sitosterol (CID_222284) and loncocarpenin (CID_54699185) were identified as potent inhibitors of E6 HPV-16 from the PubChem library by high-throughput virtual screening. Molecular dynamics results show that these compounds bind to E6 protein with high stability. The preparation of ADMET and Swiss ADME profiles indicates that the identified compounds are probably potential candidates against E6 HPV-16 and can be used in chemotherapy by inhibiting the Pgp channel as an adjuvant drug.

Colorectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease that leads to metabolic disorders due to multiple upstream genetic and molecular changes and interactions. The development of new therapies, especially herbal medicines, has received much global attention. Dorema ammoniacum is a medicinal plant. Its gum is used in healing known ailments. Studying metabolome profiles based on nuclear magnetic resonance 1HNMR as a non-invasive and reproducible tool can identify metabolic changes as a reflection of intracellular fluxes, especially in drug responses.This study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effects of different gum extracts on metabolic changes and their impact on gene expression in HT-29 cell.

Extraction of Dorema ammoniacum gum with hexane, chloroform, and dichloromethane organic solvents was performed. Cell inhibition growth percentage and IC50 were assessed. Following treating the cells with dichloromethane extract, p53, APC, and KRAS gene expression were determined. 1HNMR spectroscopy was conducted. Eventually, systems biology software tools interpreted combined metabolites and genes simultaneously.

The lowest determined IC50 concentration was related to dichloromethane solvent, and the highest was hexane and chloroform. The expression of the KRAS oncogene gene decreased significantly after treatment with dichloromethane extract compared to the control group, and the expression of tumor suppressor gene p53 and APC increased significantly. Most gene-altered convergent metabolic phenotypes.

This study's results indicate that the dichloromethane solvent of Dorema ammoniacum gum exhibits its antitumor properties by altering the expression of genes involved in HT-29 cells and the consequent change in downstream metabolic reprogramming.

Colorectal cancer is a clinically heterogeneous disease resulting from metabolome pattern alterations of many metabolites and their genetic factor interactions in man. Chemotherapy in colorectal cancer is generally followed by multiple side effects, including drug resistance; It is well established that herbal medicines are gaining worldwide interest in treating many cancers. Vitexin is an apigenin flavone glycoside present in hawthorn has exhibited therapeutic properties. This study was performed to assess the antitumor properties of Vitexin on the expression of p53, KRAS, and APC genes and the metabolome profile alterations associated with these genetic modifications.

Experimental: 

Cells were treated with different concentrations of Vitexin, and toxicity and cell growth inhibition were ascertained in vitro using the MTT assay method. Cells were treated with Vitexin, and gene expression was determined. Following metabolome 1HNMR spectroscopy with 1D NOESY protocol and the resulting spectra scrutinized to classify differentiated metabolites and their biochemical pathways. Integrative systems biology analysis software examined the metabolites and the genes, and the main pathways modulated by gene expression were identified.

Our finding revealed that a 50% inhibitory concentration for Vitexin was 16.32 μM, while the relative expression of tumor suppressor genes APC and p53 in treated cells enhanced and the expression of the KRAS oncogene gene decreased significantly compared to the control group. The crucial changes in convergent metabolic phenotype with genes were identified in this investigation.

Recommended applications/industries: 

Our findings revealed that Vitexin exhibits antitumor properties by targeting a specific biochemical pathway in the cell's metabolome profile due to changes in genes involved in colon cancer.

Metal oxide nanoparticles, including Nano-silver, have antimicrobial effects against a wide range of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Nano-silver obtained from different parts of Saffron on Acinetobacter baumannii has always been identified as one of the most important nosocomial infections. In this study, saffron stigma, stamens, and petals were prepared, only stamens and petals caused the synthesis of Nano-silver. The diameter of Nanosilver was measured using TEM, then its effect on Acinetobacter baumannii was investigated by Disk and Well diffusion, MBC, and MIC methods. The results of the Disk diffusion method and the well diffusion method showed that with increasing the concentration of silver nanoparticles, the diameter of the bacterial growth aura increases. Also, the average MBC and MIC for saffron petal Nano-silver are 781 ppm and 390 ppm, respectively, and for saffron stamens Nano-silver, 3125 ppm, and 1562 ppm, respectively. It can be concluded that the petals and stamens of saffron reduce silver ions well and cause the synthesis of silver Nano-silver. The resulting Nano-silver also had a lethal effect on Acinetobacter baumannii. The abundance of saffron in Iran can be a good option for the production of Nano-silver.

FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1) is a member of the cadherin superfamily whose loss or gain is associated with the initiation and/or progression of different cancers. FAT1 overexpression has been reported in hematological malignancies. This research intended to investigate FAT1 gene expression in adult Iranian acute leukemia patients, compared to normal mobilized peripheral blood CD34+ cells.

The peripheral blast (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) cells of 22 acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 14 acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) patients, and mobilized peripheral blood CD34+ cells of 12 healthy volunteer stem cell donors were collected. Then, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to compare FAT1 gene expression.

Overall, there were no significant differences in FAT1 expression between AML and ALL patients (p>0.2). Nonetheless, the mean expression level of FAT1 was significantly higher in leukemic patients (AML and ALL) than in normal CD34+ cells (p=0.029). Additionally, the FAT1 expression levels were significantly higher in both CD34+ and CD34- leukemic patients than in normal CD34+ cells (p=0.028).

No significant differences were found between FAT1 expression in CD34+ and CD34- leukemic samples (p> 0.3). Thus, higher FAT1 expression was evident in ALL and AML leukemia cells but this appeared unrelated to CD34 expression. This suggests in a proportion of adult acute leukemia, FAT1 expression may prove to be a suitable target for therapeutic strategies.

Nepeta cataria L. and Salvia sclarea L. are two species of Lamiacea family and endangered species in Yazd province of Iran. For this the reason we studied callus induction and shoot regeneration of these species and MWCNTs effects on them to improve the proliferation rate. In order to callus formation MS medium supplemented with 0.1mg l-1 Kin and 1 mg l-1 NAA were used. For shoot regeneration, MS containing 0.1 mg l-1 IAA and 1 mg l-1 BA were applied. Concentrations of carbon nanotubes at 0, 20, 60, 80 and 200 µg ml-1 MWCNTs in regeneration and callus induction media were used in both species. The results showed significant differences between using MWCNTs and control in callus induction and shoot regeneration rate. The most callus mass of N. cataria with 20 µg ml-1 was 304 mm3 whereas controls was 117.75 mm3. The highest callus mass of S. sclarea with 80 µg ml-1 MWCNTs was 414 mm3, but in controls was 182.15 mm3. Using of 20 µg ml-1 MWCNTs with 6.17 shoots per explants was the best shoot regeneration in N. catari and treatment by 80 µg ml-1 MWCNTs had the lowest regeneration rate. Using concentration of 80µg ml-1 MWCNTs with 4.2 shoots per explants led to maximum proliferation and the least regeneration was 1.85 shoots in 200 µg ml-1 MWCNTs treatment of S. sclarea. It seems that the effect of MWCNTs on propagation may be dose dependent, high concentrations of nanotubes reduce callus formation and shoot regeneration in these plants.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a deadly gynecological cancer among women worldwide. Ministering ovarian cancer with classic chemotherapy medications can cause various side effects. Thus, in recent years, the anticancer potential of medicinal plants has been noticed in complementary cancer treatment due to their high efficacy and low toxicity. The anti-proliferative potential of Xanthium strumarium leaf and seed extract against several cancer cell lines was reported; however, there is no report on the effect of its root so far.

In this study, the antitumor effect of X. strumarium root extract was evaluated on the SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cell line, and metabolic alterations were identified.

Cancer cells were cultured and ministered with different concentrations of ethanolic root extract. The antitumor effect of the root extract was determined byMTT assay, and cell metaboliteswas extracted. Finally, the metabolome profile was characterized and analyzed by 1H NMR-based metabolomics.

The IC50 value of the root extract of X. Strumarium was 30g/mL after 48 hours, which exhibited anticancer activity against SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and biotin metabolism were the most affected metabolic pathways involved in the growth inhibition of cancer cells.

In the current study, the ethanolic root extract of X. Strumarium reveals antitumor activity against SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells and could affect vital metabolic pathways.

Drugs prescribed for the treatment of various diseases have side effects on various organs, including thyroid gland. Bromocriptine mesylase (bromocriptine) is a semi-synthetic alkaloid with high dopaminergic activity that directly stimulates dopamine neurotransmitters. In this study, samples were taken from two groups of patients over a period of 10 months. The first group included 25 normal clients and individuals which was known as euthyroid (with normal thyroid function with normal levels of thyroid gland) in the age range of 30-37 years (samples 1 to 25) and the second group included 25 other people with the same condition in the age range of 38-45 years (samples 26 to 50). Both groups used only bromocriptine tablets as drug treatment with the dose of 5mg/day in a period of at least 6 months. Based on the results, the levels of T3 and T4 hormones decreased significantly after treatment with bromocriptine. TSH levels showed a relative decrease in both age groups after treatment with bromocriptine. In this study, the effectiveness of bromocriptine on the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones T4, T3 and T-Uptake was confirmed by making statistically significant changes. Bromocriptine treatment appeared to affect two thyroid functions at two points, including the effect on TSH production by the hypothalamic axis as well as the disruption of T4 to T3 conversion in peripheral tissues.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common types of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality. Delay in diagnosis and lack of screening are the main causes of high mortality from this disease. Finding an accurate and effective diagnostic biomarker seems to be essential for effective treatment of GC. In this regard, using a gastroscope, we collected tissue samples from patients with GC and healthy individuals. The obtained samples were used to extract their RNA using Trizol solution kit. RNA samples were used for qRT-PCR using specific primers designed for BTG1 and GAPDH genes. QRT-PCR results were analyzed using 2-ΔCt method and various statistical tests using SPSS software. In total, 40 samples of GC and healthy controls were collected and their demographic information was recorded. RNA extraction produced the amount of RNA required for qRT-PCR. The qRT-PCR results showed that BTG1 expression was significantly decreased in GC samples. According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that the reduction of BTG1 expression can act as an accurate biomarker for GC. This gene can also be an indicator of GC pathogenicity. These results could indicate possible diagnostic and therapeutic applications of BTG1 for GC.

The emergence of personalized medicine based on molecular techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, has increased our understanding of drivers of complex diseases, including cancers. In many cases due to the complexity of cancer, it is difficult for human physicians and biologists to make decisions on the basis solely of clinical practice or laboratory evidence. Thus, the personalized medicine approach comes into play and provides large volumes and valuable data for experts. Further, data analysis with bioinformatic tools has opened a new horizon in the process of prognosis and screening of in risk individuals. It has caused significant recent advances in diagnostic technology and improved targeted treatments. In the present study, archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from an Iranian female patient with invasive breast carcinoma was investigated. In this way, after DNA extraction and purification, the whole exome was sequenced and the mutation data were analyzed. Obtained information could help to the enrichment of the Iranian genome databases. In the light of this research and by studying other Iranian samples, we can provide an optimized roadmap for precision oncologists to increase the life expectancy of breast cancer patients.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and considered to be leading causes of cancer death in the world. One of the problems with this type of cancer is its inability to be detected in early stage. The aim of present study was to evaluate the correlation between the serum levels of Fucosyltransferase-4 and galactin-3 in patients with early-stage of colorectal cancer.

This case-control study was done on 40 patients with early stages of colorectal cancer and 40 healthy subjects. ELISA method was used to measure the serum levels of Fucosyltransferase-4 and galactin-3. To examine the correlation between the variables, correlation test and Pearson correlation coefficient index were used.

Fucosyltransferase-4 and galactin-3 levels were higher in patients with early-stage of colorectal cancer compared to healthy subjects. This difference was not significant. In patients with colorectal cancer, there was a significant relationship between the level of Fucosyltransferase-4 and galactin-3 (r=0.71, P=0.01).

Simultaneous measurement of Fucosyltransferase-4 and galactin-3 is useful in identifying early-stage of colorectal cancer as a non-invasive laboratory method.

Urate oxidase or uricase (UOX) (EC 1.7.3.3) is an globular tetramer oxidoreductase enzyme which lacks cofactor. Much research on this enzyme has been done so far due to its biomedical applications as a therapeutic and diagnostic agent. Urate oxidase catalyzes uric acid degradation and produces allantoin. An imbalance in the excretion of uric acid causes the hyperuricemia. Part of a clinically important diagnostic kit used to measure the concentration of uric acid in the blood is the enzyme uricase. In this research, efforts are made to investigate the effect of triethylammonium maleate (TEAM) ionic liquid on the function of urate oxidase (UOX). Ionic liquids are salts with important properties like high thermal stability, high solvating capacity and high polarity. These salts have been considered in biochemical and biomedical fields. They can also be utilized as a stabilizer for long-term protein storage and they can extend the shelf life of some proteins such as therapeutic or industrial proteins. In this study, we treated the enzyme in different concentrations of triethylammonium maleate ionic liquid. The volume percentages of TEAM in the solvent phase are 1%, 2%, 5%, 10% and 15%. The results indicate that TEAM has a concentration-dependent effect on the activity of UOX enzyme. The use of 5% TEAM ionic liquid increased the enzymatic activity in comparison to untreated enzyme. We concluded that this ionic liquid was able to alter the structure of the uricase in a way that increased the activity and improve its catalytic efficiency of uricase.

The emergence of personalized medicine based on molecular techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, has increased our understanding of drivers of complex diseases, including cancers. In many cases due to the complexity of cancer, it is difficult for human physicians and biologists to make decisions on the basis solely of clinical practice or laboratory evidence. Thus, the personalized medicine approach comes into play and provides large volumes and valuable data for experts. Further, data analysis with bioinformatic tools has opened a new horizon in the process of prognosis and screening of in risk individuals. It has caused significant recent advances in diagnostic technology and improved targeted treatments. In the present study, archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from an Iranian female patient with invasive breast carcinoma was investigated. In this way, after DNA extraction and purification, the whole exome was sequenced and the mutation data were analyzed. Obtained information could help to the enrichment of the Iranian genome databases. In the light of this research and by studying other Iranian samples, we can provide an optimized roadmap for precision oncologists to increase the life expectancy of breast cancer patients.

In traditional medicine, Zizyphus jujuba (jujube) has been used due to its medicinal properties and various physiological functions such as antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was conducted to study anti-cancer and apoptotic effects of essential oil from Zizyphus jujuba seeds and to evaluate the effect of essential oils on p53, APC and KRAS genes expression in HT-29 colorectal cell line.

In this study, the essential oil of jujube seeds collected from orchards in Isfahan was prepared by Clevenger apparatus and then analyzed by GC-MS. The effects of toxicity and cell viability were determined using Trypan Blue, MTT and clonogenic methods. DNA fragmentation and apoptosis techniques were used to evaluate the mechanism of the effects of essential oil on cell death by flow cytometry. Finally, Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of p53, APC and KRAS genes and their role in induction of apoptosis.

Essential oil of Zizyphus jujuba seeds reduced the viability of cells by concentration and time-dependent manner as compared to the control group. The essential oil also induced apoptosis by increasing gene expression p53 and suppressing gene expression KRAS.

The present results indicated that essential oil of Zizyphus jujuba seeds induces apoptosis by targeting genes involved in colon carcinogenesis. However, further investigations on signaling pathways are needed to fully confirm the results of this study.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common health problem worldwide. The rate of this disease is likely to grow by 2021. PCa is a heterogeneous disorder, and various biochemical factors contribute to the development of this disease. The metabolome is the complete set of metabolites in a cell or biological sample and represents the downstream end product of the omics. Hence, to model PCa by computational systems biology, a preliminary metabolomics-based study was used to compare the metabolome profile pattern between healthy and PCa men.

This study was carried out to highlight energy metabolism modification and assist the prognosis and treatment of disease with unique biomarkers.

In this cross-sectional research, 26 men diagnosed with stage-III PCa and 26 healthy men with normal PSA levels were enrolled. Urine was analyzed with proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, accompanied by the MetaboAnalyst web-based platform tool for metabolomics data analysis. Partial least squares regression discriminant analysis was applied to clarify the separation between the two groups. Outliers were documented and metabolites determined, followed by identifying biochemical pathways.

Our findings reveal that modifications in aromatic amino acid metabolism and some of their metabolites have a high potential for use as urinary PCa biomarkers. Tryptophan metabolism (p < 0.001), tyrosine metabolism (p < 0.001), phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis (p < 0.001), phenylalanine metabolism (p = 0.01), ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis (p = 0.19), nitrogen metabolism (p = 0.21), and thiamine metabolism (p = 0.41) with Q2 (0.198) and R2 (0.583) were significantly altered.

The discriminated metabolites and their pathways play an essential role in PCa causes and harmony.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are salts that can affect the structure, stability, and function of proteins. Researchers have recently been interested in finding ionic liquids that increase the stability, activity and solubility of enzymes. In this study, efforts are made to investigate the effect of triethylammonium propionate (TEAP) on the function of urate oxidase (UOX). We treated the enzyme in different concentrations of TEAP. The volume percentages of TEAP in the solvent phase are 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10% and 15%. The results  indicate that TEAP has a concentration-dependent effect on the activity of UOX enzyme. The use of 1% TEAP ionic liquid increased the enzymatic activity in comparison to untreated enzyme. We concluded that  this ionic liquide was able to alter the structure of the uricase in a way that increased the activity and improve its catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. Also the thermodynamic prameters such as ΔG#, ΔH#, and ΔS# values indicate that the use of 1% of triethylammonium propionate increases the thermostability of uricase and reduces the conformational changes of this enzyme during thermal inactivation process.

 Leishmaniasis is among the most important neglected tropical infections, affecting millions of people worldwide. Since 1945, chemotherapy has been the primary treatment for leishmaniasis; however, lengthy and costly treatments associated with various side effects and strains resistant to the conventional therapy have dramatically reduced chemotherapy compounds’ efficacy.

 The antileishmanial activity of the leaf extract of Xanthium strumarium (Asteraceae) was studied. New insights into its mechanism of action toward Leishmania major were provided through a metabolomics-based study.

 J774 macrophages were cultured, infected with stationary promastigotes, and treated with different leaf extract concentrations for three days. Antileishmanial activity was assayed by the MTT colorimetric method, and cell metabolites were extracted. 1HNMR spectroscopy was applied, and outliers were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis.

 X. strumarium extract (0.15 µg/mL) showed the best activity against L. major amastigotes with the infection rate (IR) and multiplication index (MI) values of 51% and 57%, respectively. The action of X. strumarium extract on amastigotes was comparable with amphotericin B as the positive control (0.015 µg/mL). According to the obtained P-values, pentanoate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, pentose and glucuronate metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, galactose metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism were the most important metabolic pathways affected by the plant extract in the amastigote stage of L. major.

 Our finding demonstrated that X. strumarium leaf extract could be used for discovering and producing novel leishmanicidal medicines. Moreover, the affected metabolic pathways observed in this study could be potential candidates for drug targeting against leishmaniasis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of finasteride on spermatogenesis and male fertility. To do so, the effects of finasteride were examined for hormonal assays and testicular tissue changes.

This study was performed on male NMRI mice in five groups, namely control, sham, and three experimental groups that received finasteride (1, 5, and 20 mg/kg BW) for 35 days.

As for hormonal observations, significant reductions of DHT in all injectabledoses were recorded. Yet, testosterone only increased significantly in two doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg BW. Moreover, two hormones of FSH and LH were significantly reduced in the drug-receiving groups. In the view of histological findings, sperm count and motility were markedly different between the doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg BW in the epididymis. The frequency of primary spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoids was considerably decreased in groups receiving finasteride at doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg BW. However, this happened only at a dose of 20 mg/kg BW for spermatogonial cells.

It is predicted that finasteride at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW and more can have side effects on male reproductive ability and spermatogenesis

Coronavirus by one kind of its surface proteins (spike protein) locks onto the human cells surface receptors and after entering and replication of its RNA in the host cells causes immune responses. Briefly, a vaccine that may be weakened or inactivated virus, provokes the immune system to be ready to fight an invasive pathogen. So far, various technologies have been applied to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 all over the world. Such vaccines including “Nucleic acid vaccines”, “Viral-vector vaccines” and protein-based vaccines”.