soraya sajadimajd

Skin wounds are appraised as a rapidly growing threat to the economy and public health. Wound management is the main goal to promote rapid repair, with functional and esthetic outcomes. Among several wound healers, ointments are the most cost-effective and highly functional.  

Here, polysaccharide was isolated from Rosa canina and structural analysis was performed by NMR, LC-MS/MS, and FTIR. Then, the polysaccharide was encapsulated in SLN through the dialysis process. Structural analysis was committed to a survey on the physical and chemical properties of polysaccharide-SLN (PS-SLN) complex by Uv-Vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technologies. The ointment was prepared by adding PS-SLN to R. canina oil and beeswax.  

The prepared PS-SLN nanoparticles had monodispersity with a size of about 217 nanometers.  The nano-ointment showed high stability with a pH of about 6 and a high density near 3256 centipoises. The skin absorption of the compounds was determined by the Franz cells. The in vitro skin absorption indicated that during the first 12 hr 36% of our nano-ointment’s skin permeation and then continued up to 12 hr to 51%. The higher healing rate of nano-ointment than positive control with no allergic effects confirmed its efficiency in wound management.  

The results indicated that the nano-ointment could be applied for the healing of scars in pre-clinical and clinical trials. Owing to effectual scar healing, nano-ointment may be effective in the treatment of other wounds including burn, diabetic and chronic ones.

Based on the laboratory assays, there is no definitive decision about embryo selection with the proper embryogenic stage for successful transfer in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technique leading to live birth.

This experimental study critically aimed to evaluate the efficacy of embryo transfer in cleavage and blastocyst stages based on the Identical Population (IP) concept.

The IP concept was explained based on several critical points, including the strain (Balb/c), weight (30 g), age (six and eight weeks for females and males, respectively), number of previous sexual cycles, and the same generation. All embryos in each group were divided into grades A, B, and C. Finally, the produced embryos were transferred by trans-cervical procedure, and the mortality rate was recorded.

The number of implantation sites and live births increased in all grades of the blastocyst stage compared to the cleavage stage. The number and percentage of implantation sites in blastocysts and cleavage stages were 11 (45.83%) vs. 3 (8.57%) for grade A, 8 (29.62%) vs. 1 (5.26%) for grade B, 2 (10%) vs. 0 (0%) for grade C (P > 0.05), and number and percentage of live births in blastocysts and cleavage stages were 5 (20.83%) vs. 1 (2.85%) grade A, 3 (11.11%) vs. 0 (0%) grade B, and 1 (5%) vs. 0 (0%) grade C (P > 0.05).

Based on the results, the frequency of implantation sites and the live birth was higher in blastocyst transfer than in the cleavage stage in IVF.

COVID-19 emerged as a widespread worldwide ailment in 2019, with a continued breakdown of novel gamma and lambda variants. Given the high incidence of COVID-19 even in the vaccinated people, research is in progress to develop convenient used drugs to control coronavirus disease. Herein, to review the effectiveness and safety of the recent antiviral, antibacterial, and herbal medication utilized to treat COVID-19, electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were compiled from papers registered in clinical trials on COVID-19 from January 2021 to February 2022. Oseltamivir, remdesivir, ivermectin, casirivimab, imdevimab, sotrovimab, Tocilizumab, sarilumab, dexamethasone, methylprednisolon, paxlovid, fluvoxamine, molnupiravir, ruxolitinib, tofacitinib, baricitinib, favipiravir, molnupiravir, azithromycin, niclosamide, nitazoxanide, and tetracyclines are the most commonly used antiviral and antibiotics to control mild to severe COVID-19 illnesses in the clinic. Despite the efficacy of drugs solely and in combination, medicinal herbs and natural products were considered in some clinical trials due to the high cost and unwanted side effects. However, no substantial evidence has been reported to confirm the significant anti-COVID-19 impact of synthetic and herbal medicines. This scenario opens an exciting new perspective for the elucidation of convenient therapeutic pipelines.

To eliminate the side effects of anti-cancer medications, the master plan is to use the nano-drug delivery system to deliver two or more anti-cancer medicines. This study aimed to use a binary drug delivery system to deliver Resveratrol (RES) and Tretinoin (TTN) to breast cancer cells and assess the effectiveness of this approach on two types of breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and SK-Br-3). 

Binary-drug Solid Lipid Nanocarrier (SLN) formation was confirmed through dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis spectrophotometers, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).  In this study, both breast cancer cell lines were cultured under various concentrations of free and dual drug (RES+TTN)-SLN. 

In vitro anticancer analysis, including MTT and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) assays, revealed lower cell viability rates in both breast cancer cell lines compared with the control. Additionally, antiapoptotic-related genes were up-regulated and apoptotic-related genes were down-regulated when MCF-7 and SK-Br-3 were treated with RES+TTN-SLN. Furthermore, dual-encapsulation of RES and TTN significantly reduced cell viability percentage, even at the lowest concentrations (1 and 5 uM) compared with free drug and control groups for 48 hr. To sum it up, dual delivery systems of RES and TTN by SLN can deliver the optimal dose of RES and TTN into both MCF-7 and SK-Br-3 cell lines. 

Conclusively, RES+TTN-SLN even at the lowest concentration (1 μM and 5 μM) showed a synergistic anti-cancer effect in MCF-7 and SK-Br-3 with a better enhancement of apoptotic gene expression by enhanced/controlled intracellular penetration.

Proteases play an important role in food, leather, detergent, and medical technologies. In the current study, an alkaliphilic solvent-stable thermotolerant metalloprotease was isolated from Bacillus sp. DEM05. For culture optimization, carbon, and nitrogen sources as well as incubation temperature, pH, and time were examined. Herein the highest outcome for bacterial growth and protease production was obtained after 72 h incubation (pH 7) at 37 °C. DEM05 protease was successfully purified and the specific activity of the protease was 1075 U.mg-1. The purity of the enzyme was verified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis as a single band of 30 kDa. The optimal activity of the enzyme was at pH 10 and 50 °C. H2O2, SDS, Triton X-100, Zn2+, Co2+, and Cu2+ could increase the protease activity. EDTA inhibited the protease activity, revealed that it can be classified as a metalloprotease. The enzyme was compatible with the water-miscible and water-immiscible organic solvents and proteolyzed several substrates, implying the wide substrate specificity. The results brought convincing evidence that DEM05 protease could be recruited as a novel prevailing protease that can be earmarked on industrial and medical technologies.

Diabetes is a group of multifactorial disorders characterized by chronic-elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Natural remedies are used as alternative medications to treat diabetes. Here, we tested the protective effect of the plant extracts of the Rosaceae family on improving insulin secretion and repairing the pancreatic beta cells in diabetic rats.

Experimental approach:

The oligosaccharide fraction was isolated from the Rosaceae family of herbs. LC-MS/MS was applied to characterize the isolated fractions. The male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups, 10 each, including the control group with no intervention, diabetic rats without treatment, diabetic rats that received the extract of Malus domestica</em> (apple), Cydonia oblonga </em>(quince), Prunus persica</em> (nectarine), and Prunus persica</em> (peach), separately. Rats were monitored for the weight, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin levels. The effect of extracts in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats on the pancreatic islets was evaluated by morphometric analysis.

LC-MS/MS results indicated a similar mass spectrum of isolated fractions from nectarine and peach with Rosa canina. </em>Oral administration of nectarine and peach extracts to STZ-induced diabetic rats showed restoration of blood glucose levels to normal levels with a concomitant increase in insulin levels. Morphometric analysis of pancreatic sections revealed the increase in number, diameter, volume, and area of the pancreatic islets in the diabetic rats treated with extracts compared to the untreated diabetic rats.

Nectarine and peach extracts’ anti-diabetic properties improved insulin secretion and pancreatic beta-cell function and subsequently led to restoring pancreatic islet mass in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Since DNA methylation plays a causal role in pancreatic remodeling and development, thus modulation of this epigenetic mechanism is essential in treatment of diabetes. This provoked us to examine the effect of a known anti-diabetic agent, an isolated polysaccharide, on the methylation pattern of Ins-1 and Pax-4 in diabetic rats. Here, a polysaccharide fraction was isolated from Rosa canina and analyzed using NMR, FTIR and MS/MS techniques. Diabetes was established by using intraperitoneal injection of STZ in male Wistar rats. After treatment, pancreas was removed and DNA was extracted and bisulfite treated by a DNA methylation kit. PCR and real-time PCR were used to determine the levels of methylated and/or unmethylated Ins-1 and Pax-4 genes. The levels of blood glucose and weight body were normalized in diabetic rats exposed to isolated polysaccharide. The level of unmethylated Ins-1 was upregulated in diabetic rats which is downregulated in metformin and polysaccharide-treated ones. In diabetic rats, the content of methylated Pax-4 was increased while it was decreased in polysaccharide-treated group. Interestingly, the methylation pattern of Pax-4 in metformin group was the same as diabetic ones. Data clearly indicated that polysaccharide can reduce the level of blood glucose by modulating the methylation pattern of Pax-4 and Ins-1.  This study sheds light on the importance of DNA methylation modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy in diabetes.

Because of the high prevalence, diabetes is considered a global health threat. Hence, the need for effective, cheap, and comfortable therapies are highly felt. In previous study,  a novel oligosaccharide with strong anti-diabetic activity in the crude extract of Rosa canina fruits,from the rosacea family, was identified. The present study was designed to ensure its efficacy using in vivo and in vitro studies.
Experimental approach: Crude extract and its purified oligosaccharide were prepared from corresponding herb. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each, as follows: group 1, healthy control rats given only sterile normal saline; group 2, diabetic control rats received sterile normal saline; group 3, diabetic rats treated with crude extract of Rosa canina (40% w/v) by oral gavage for 8 weeks; group 4, diabetic rats treated with purified oligosaccharide of Rosa canina (2 mg/kg) by oral gavage for 8 weeks. After treatment, body weight, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin levels and islet beta-cell repair and proliferation were investigated. The possible cytoprotective action of oligosaccharide was evaluated in vitro. The effect of oligosaccharide on apoptosis and insulin secretion in cell culture media were examined. Real-time PCR was used to determine the expression level of some glucose metabolism-related regulator genes.

In the animal model of diabetes, the insulin levels were increased significantly due to the regeneration of beta-cells in the islands of langerhans by the purified oligosaccharide. In vitro cell apoptosis examination showed that high concentration of oligosaccharide increased cell death, while at low concentration protected cells from streptozotocin-induced apoptosis. Molecular study showed that the expression of Ins1 and Pdx1 insulin production genes were increased, leading to increased expression of insulin-dependent genes such as Gck and Ptp1b. On the other hand, the expression of the Slc2a2 gene, which is related to the glucose transporter 2, was significantly reduced due to insulin concentrations.

The purified oligosaccharide from Rosa canina was a reliable anti-diabetic agent, which acted by increasing insulin production in beta-cells of the islands of Langerhans.

Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) protein has been shown in a variety of human malignant tumors. In some of these tumors, such as breast carcinoma, targeted anti-Her2 therapy has been considered as a promising therapeutic strategy.
The aim of this analytic descriptive study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Her2 and its relation to grade and muscular invasion of urothelial bladder tumor.
In this descriptive-analytic study, 179 paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from patients with urothelial bladder tumors were selected for immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis using antibodies against Her2. IHC staining was evaluated according to the same criteria of breast carcinoma.
Her2 over expression was detected in 49 patients (27.4%) and was significantly associated with high tumor grade and bladder muscular involvement (P Her2/neu over expression is associated with aggressive behavior of urothelial bladder tumors. Assessment of Her2 status could be helpful to identify patients with a high probability of disease progression. Anti-Her2 therapy could be used in urothelial bladder cancers, however, this issue needs further studies.

Bladder carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in worldwide. Among several risk factors, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) have been presumed to play a causative role in the etiology of bladder cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of HPV infection in biopsy specimens of patients with transitional cell carcinoma at the west of Iran.
In this study, 97 biopsy specimens including 67 patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder and 30 cases of control group with the mean age of 63 years were studied using immunohistochemistry to identify HPV.
22.4% of patients with TCC of bladder and 3.3% of control group were positive for HPV with a meaningful relation (P=.019). The prevalence of HPV was 4.3 fold higher in men than women. Most TCC patients were belonged to grades II and III.
Considering the higher incidence of HPV positivity in patients with TCC of bladder compared to control group, it seems to be a meaningful association between HPV infection and TCC of bladder, at least in the west of Iran.