sahar salimi

Emphasis on substitutional medications with the elevated bacterial resistance to current antibiotics is pivotal. We evaluated the antibacterial effect of AK2 by Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and its impact on macrophage responses in 17 strains of pathogenic bacteria. The gene expression of macrophage’s cytokines was evaluated. Accordingly, the bioinformatic assessment predicted this peptide’s physicochemical characteristics, behavior, and structures. The present study aimed to assess the antibacterial effect of AK2 peptides on Macrophage responses.

Cytotoxicity level was assessed by MTT assay on the HeLa cell line. The hemolytic activity of peptides on red blood cells was evaluated. The Griess assay was performed to assess the amount of macrophage nitric oxide production. The real-time PCR method measured the iNOS, IFN-γ, and TNF-α gene expression in isolated macrophages. 

Peptide concentrations (13-60 µg/mL) were observed as the MBC and MIC value results for various bacteria. No remarkable cytotoxicity was observed at 30 and 60 µg/ml concentrations after 24h. iNOS, IFN-γ, and TNF-α gene expression were upregulated. There was also a higher secretion of nitric oxide in 48 hour-culture of the cell line with peptide. Great antibacterial activity was observed in some bacterial strains, particularly B. melitensis. 

AK2 peptides display suitable antibacterial activity with negligible toxicity for host cells. This peptide could also stimulate macrophage responses through nitric oxide production and gene expression in proinflammatory cytokines.

The treatment of bladder cancer is usually performed by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation. BCG therapy is a common therapeutic method with fewer side effects compared with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc. BCG can also inhibit the progression and recurrence of bladder cancer by inducing apoptosis pathways, arrest cell cycle, autophagy, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. However, BCG therapy cannot be effective in the situation that the metastasis occurs. NETs are induced by BCG and help suppress the growth of tumor cells, especially in the primary stages of bladder cancer. Activated neutrophils can stimulate cellular pathways, such as autophagy and NETs release in the presence of microbial pathogenesis, inflammatory agents, and tumor cells. Autophagy can also regulate NETs formation and induce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and NETs production. Moreover, miRNAs are key regulators of gene expression. These small non-coding RNAs are also considered as an essential factor in controlling tumor development. The interaction between BCG and miRNAs is still unclear. However, in the present study and for the first time, we intend to discuss the role of miRNAs in BCG therapy and how NETs formation can be effective on BCG performance to treat the bladder cancer.

Sulfur mustard (SM)-exposed individuals develop late pulmonary complications, which are associated with chronic inflammation and fibrotic changes in the lung tissue. MicroRNAs are known to act as important regulators of inflammatory responses, including inflammation and fibrosis-related cytokine signaling. In this study, we investigated the expression miR-15b-5p and miR-21-5p, two regulators of TGF-β signaling, as well as their target molecule, SMAD7, in lung tissues from SM-exposed and control individuals. Total RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung tissue biopsies obtained during surgery from SM-exposed (n=20) or control (n=20) cases. Quality of the extracted RNA was evaluated by an Agilent Bioanalyzer and RNA was quantified using a NanoDrop. MiR-21-5p, miR-15b-5p and SMAD7 expression levels were measured by real-time RT-PCR. miR-21-5p expression levels were significantly decreased (2.7 fold) in the lung tissues from SM-exposed individuals compared with tissues obtained from the control group (p=0.02). There were no significant differences in miR-15b-5p expression levels between the two groups (p=0.94). Interestingly, SMAD7 expression levels were significantly higher (5.8 fold) in SM-exposed individuals’ lung tissues compared with the control group (p=0.045). Our data indicate that exposure to sulfur mustard affects the expression of miR-21-5p as well as its target, SMAD7, in lung tissues many years after exposure. Considering the role of SMAD7 in the regulation of TGF-β signaling, these changes might point to a potential mechanism by which SM-exposure regulates inflammatory/fibrotic alterations in lung tissue.

Dimensional control of the work-piece in steel industry is of important interest. The main aspects in overcoming the thickness control are variations in material strength due to variations in chemical composition, work-piece temperature, reduction and the strain rate applied to the work-piece. In this paper based on the main parameters affecting the rolling force an attempt been made to give a more accurate prediction for the flow stress in a steel rolling finishing mill. Predicted values of the model are compared with those of the experimental values which are shown to be in good agreements.