Gene, Cell and Tissue
Year:2016 | Volume:3 | Issue:2|Papers Count:6

Background: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXC Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is an important cytokine, with multiple functions, which plays a crucial role in the recruitment of multiple stem cell types in the defect sites of central nervous system (CNS). Various strategies have been managed to improve functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). One of these strategies is the use of factors to limit damage and increase recovery.Objectives: In this study we investigated the effect of SDF-1 in spinal cord injury repair in a rat model. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were randomlydivided to four groups (n=5) as follows: Sham, SCI, SDF-1 and Vehicle. Spinal cord injury model was created by contusion of T8-T9 by clips and SDF-1 infusion pump implanted in the neck region. One week after injury, 5-Bromo-20-Deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected to trace the proliferative cells. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) test was performed to evaluate locomotor activity following SCI. Immunohistochemistry test was performed to determine proliferating cells, and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the CXCR4 cells in tissue.Results: Significant improvements in locomotor function were detected in the SDF-1 group compared with the SCI and vehicle groups (P < 0.05). The results showed that SDF-1 treatment increased proliferative cells at the spinal cord injury site. Real time PCR revealed that these proliferative cells are CXCR4 positive that intake Bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu).Conclusions: These results showed that the administration of SDF-1a increases the number of proliferating cells in the injured area in the spinal cord and improves functional recovery.

Background: Herbal extracts have recently received the greatest attention in the path of finding naturally occurring chemicals with antibacterial and therapeutic value; however, each type of herbal remedy may have its own side effects.Objectives: The aim of the current experiment was to study the antibacterial effect of myrtle, parsley, mint, henna and chamomile extracts on Escherichia coli and their effects on colony formation and survival of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).Materials and Methods: Spermatogonial stem cells were isolated by two-time enzymatic digestion from slaughterhouse origin ovine testis and plant extraction by deionized water. Comparisons between different treatments were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range tests.Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between mint, henna and penicillin, on inhibition of Escherichia coli growth, however parsley, myrtle and chamomile were significantly different from penicillin (P<0.05). The formation of SSC colonies was not affected by different herbal medicines. Myrtle and chamomile resulted in death of SSC colonies compared with the control, and the survival of spermatogonial and Sertoli cells were significantly affected by myrtle, mint, chamomile and parsley (P<0.05).Conclusions: The results of these experiments provide evidence that henna by antibacterial activity had no detrimental affect on SSC and Sertoli cells and is a good candidate for substitution of antibiotics.

1. Introduction:Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Incidence and mortality of lung cancer vary according to racial/ethnic groups. Interestingly, Hispanics in the United States are less likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer when compared to non-Hispanic whites (1). These differences in incidence and outcomes may be attributed to a complexity of factors, including a genetic component (2, 3). The value of personalized medicine is increasing, as there is growing evidence that genetic characteristics in tumors related to race and ethnicity produce varied outcomes and responses to therapies (4-6). …

The placenta, as the indispensable intermediary organ between mother and fetus during pregnancy, assumes fetal nutrition for normal growth and development (1-3).The embryonic portion of human placenta arises from the blastocyst and is mainly composed of chorionic villi, as its functional and structural units (2, 4).

Background: Some herbal anticancer agents have direct interactions with DNA.Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the interaction of ctDNA with rosemary flowers.Materials and Methods: We used UV-Vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic techniques.Results: The absorption of DNA at 260 nm increased on addition of rosemary. Herb extract quench the fluorescence of EtBr bound to ctDNA. The Stern-Volmer constant (K) value for rosemary extract is 0.39 (mg/mL)-1. Finally, the CD spectra indicate that rosemary induces some conformational changes in ctDNA structure such as B to C-form transition.Conclusions: Our results illustrate that rosemary extracts interact with ctDNA through minor groove binding. This is one of the molecular mechanisms underlying anticancer effects of rosemary.

Background: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, and it is associated with increased intraocular pressure and visual field loss. The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), involves progressive optic nerve damage and the death of ganglion cells in adults. Despite the unknown etiology, genetic predisposition plays a significant role in the development of the disease.Objectives: In order to identify the genetic basis of POAG in Zahedan, Iran, three common mutations of the CYP1B1 gene (G61E, R390H, and R469W) were evaluated in this study.Patients and Methods: Forty patients with POAG were recruited from the ophthalmic divisions of Alzahra hospital, which is associated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. The CYP1B1 prevalent mutations of p.G61E, p.R390H, and p.R469W were identified in DNA extracted from the blood samples of patients using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.Results: We identified no mutations in these patients in the three screened positions.Conclusions: To ensure that these genes play no role in the disease, evaluation of the non-coding regions of both the CYP1B1 and MYOC genes is strongly recommended, since other genes are involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.