International Journal of Basic Science in Medicine
Year:2018 | Volume:3 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

Although extensive studies have been performed to explore the role of various alleles within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in susceptibility to coeliac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes (T1D), less attention has been dedicated to the role of shred non-HLA loci. In the present report, we have provided a review on the role of genetic variants in seven shared non-HLA loci in determining the risk of either CD or T1D. The literature search was done on the Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Scopus databases using keywords of polymorphism, coeliac disease, and type 1 diabetes. The literature published within 2000-2017 were recruited. Seven discussed shared loci between CD and T1D were those resided within cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTL4), regulator of G protein signaling (RGS1), SH2B adaptor protein (SH2B3), T cell activation Rho GTPase activating protein (TAGAP), interleukin 18 receptor accessory protein (IL18RAP), protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type (PTPN2), and C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCR5). The interaction between polymorphisms of these genes seems to exert a substantial impact on determining the risk of CD and T1D in context of each other. Polymorphisms residing in these loci can exert synergistic or opposing effects toward either protection or predisposition to CD and T1D. The majority of these polymorphisms affect the function of cytokine signaling or T cell activating pathways. The net outcome deems to be delineated by a complex interaction between these adaptor arms, as well as the modulatory effects of other components of immune system, in particular, HLA alleles.

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex part of the human body, which controls a variety of cellular and molecular activities. Neurobehavioral functions of CNS play a vital role in making appropriate responses to the environmental stimuli. Some kind of such responses can be maintained in neural networks due to neuronal plasticity. When brain ages, or being damaged by means of genetic or environmental factors, memories will disappear gradually. Molecular mechanism of memory formation and disruption are studied during normal and diseased conditions, respectively. However, it is far to understand the complete scenario and we need a model organism to undertake specific studies and unravel the mystery of neuronal function. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster possesses many characteristics, which enable neuroscientists to model wide range of complex behaviors and find their neural circuit. Even though, many human neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) can be modeled in this insect and provide unique opportunities for effective therapeutic interventions. Here I summarized few points on the contribution of D. melanogaster in the neurobiology of learning and memory as well as human NDDs.

Introduction: The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of 10 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and flaxseed oil supplement on heart IGF-1 concentration in male rats. Methods: Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into saline, saline– training, supplementation, and supplementation– training groups. The training groups performed training (10 weeks, 5 sessions per week, 90%– 95% VO2 max) on a rodent treadmill. The supplementation groups received flaxseed oil supplement (300 mg/kg). The rats were sacrificed 5 days after the last training session. The heart tissue was collected, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was measured in the heart tissue. Results: Training increased the concentration of the heart IGF-1 (P = 0. 01). The concentration of heart IGF-1 was higher in the flaxseed oil-supplemented group than the saline-treated groups. (P = 0. 003). The interaction between training and supplementation also led to an increase in heart IGF-1 concentration (P = 0. 001). Conclusion: The increase of heart IGF-1 in trained supplemented group suggests that training and flaxseed oil can help to improve cardiac function.

Introduction: Breast milk is an important nutrient source for rapidly growing neonates since breastfeeding protects newborns against a variety of diseases. This effect may be due to the useful and natural microflora of breast milk. Biosurfactants are unique amphipathic compounds produced by some microorganisms. The present study demonstrates the isolation and characterization of biosurfactant generating bacteria from human breast milk samples. Methods: The human breast milk samples were collected aseptically and then cultured in MRS agar media. The biosurfactant producing ability of the isolated strains was investigated by hemolytic assay, oil spreading method, drop collapse test and emulsification index assay. The screened isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In vitro antibacterial activities of biosurfactants against a number of common bacterial strains were investigated by the agar disc diffusion method. This biosurfactant was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results: In this study, 337 different colonies were isolated from 42 breast milk samples. The best isolates were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus HM-1, P. pentosaceus HM-2 and P. pentosaceus HM-3 based on microscopic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The biosurfactant extracted from screened strains exhibited a broad spectrum of antagonistic activity against some pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: Bacterial strains isolated here can be valuable sources for novel biosurfactants. The Human breast milk is a safe source for obtaining biosurfactant producing probiotic bacteria and for improving gut microflora of infants.

Introduction: Decreased neuromuscular activity, in terms of different models including hindlimb suspension (HS), can result in muscular atrophy by changing different genes expression. Hdac 4&5 and their downstream pathways are 2 important pathways involved in the preservation of muscle mass. Methods: In the current study, in order to survey the changes of Hdac4&5 and their downstream cascade mRNA expression, Wistar rats were assigned into 2 groups (1) weight bearing (WB) and (2) HS (n=5 in each group). Hindlimb’ s rats were suspended for 14 days. After 2 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the soleus and plantaris muscles were gathered. Thereafter, gene expression was determined using eal-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results: The results showed that 14 days HS decreased muscle mass in both the plantaris and soleus muscles and the latter changes definitely outweighed the former. In addition, the crosssectional area of the muscle fibers of the plantaris and soleus muscles decreased and, with changes in muscle mass, the observed decrease in soleus was higher. Also, the increase in mRNA expression of Hdac4&5, myogenin, and Gadd45a, was observed in both muscles. But the expression of the Dach2 gene was significantly reduced in the plantaris and soleus muscles of the HS group as compared to the WB group. Conclusion: Hdac/Myogenin and Hdac/Dach2/Gadd45a participate in muscular atrophy progression.

Introduction: The national oral health survey-Qatar (2011) was carried out to collect the baseline oral health information among youth. This article describes the oral health status of 12 and 15-year-old students in Qatar. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed for 12 (N = 1060) and 15 (N = 1064) yearold students. Caries status was determined based on decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) = 0 (no caries) & DMFT ≥ 1 (caries present). Mean indices among nationalities and sex were compared by Student’ s t test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means by the type of the school. Logistic regression was used to examine associations among variables. Results: About 53% (n = 565) of 12-year-old and 55% (n = 589) of 15-year-old had varying degrees of caries. The odds of caries were higher among girls vs. boys aged 12 years (OR [odds ratio] = 1. 3, P = 0. 05) and 15-years-old (OR = 1. 28, P = 0. 04). Qatari students had a higher mean DMFT value (1. 3 ± 1. 2) compared to non-Qataris (0. 82 ± 1. 1). The public/independent school students had higher mean DMFT (1. 31 ± 1. 2) vs. other two school categories. Fifteen-year-old students had lower odds (OR = 0. 81, P=0. 02) of gingival bleeding and higher odds (OR = 1. 68, P<0. 001) of calculus vs. 12-year-old. Dental fluorosis was found among 15% of 12-year-old and 16. 6% of 15-year-old. The odds of fluorosis were higher (not statistically significant) among 15-years-old (OR = 1. 1, P = 0. 36). Lower odds of bleeding teeth (OR = 0. 81, P = 0. 02) and higher odds of calculus were found among 15-year-old (OR = 1. 68, P<0. 001) compared to 12-year-old. Conclusion: The results provide directions to further strengthen the oral health strategies through various evidence-based interventions.

Introduction: Electrocardiogram (ECG) indices are valuable tools for the diagnosis, depolarization, and repolarization of the myocardium during aerobic exercise and detraining. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and 5 months detraining on ECG indices in post-menopausal women. Methods: Twenty-four post-menopausal women aged 50-70 years were randomly assigned to exercise (E, n = 12) and control (C, n = 12) groups. E group performed 12-week moderateintensity aerobic exercise program (W-WJMIAEP-R), and then 5 months detraining remained, but the C group participated in no intervention during the 8 months of the study. The ECG indices were measured at baseline, after 12-week exercise, and after 5-month detraining. Results: After 12 weeks, ECG indices were not significantly different (P > 0. 05) between the groups, except for P-R interval (P ≤ 0. 05) which was significantly higher in the E group. After 5-month detraining, indices were not significantly different between the groups (P > 0. 05), except for P-R segment and S-T interval (P ≤ 0. 05) which were significantly decreased in the E group. Conclusion: The results suggested that 12 weeks of walking & jogging aerobic exercise with 65-70% maximal heart rate increased the P-R interval. In addition, P-R segment and S-T interval decreased after 5 months of detraining period in sedentary post-menopausal women.

Introduction: Pragmin is the first mammalian protein that contains a functional the Glu-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Ala (EPIYA) motif. Pragmin is tyrosine-phosphorylated at EPIYA motif by Src family kinases (SFKs), C-terminal Src kinase (CSK), and in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. Pragmin can induce some morphological changes in transfected cells characterized by cell elongation, which can be construed as an invasive phenotype contributing to tumor invasion and metastasis. This study was established to investigate Src role as a key regulator of cell motility to induce elongated morphology of cells in Pragmin transfected AGS cells, a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, by using PP2, a specific inhibitor of Src family protein kinase. Methods: Firstly, AGS cells were transfected with Pragmin and Pragmin mutant (Y391F) using lipofectamine 2000 reagent and then we treated the cells by PP2. Finally, we evaluated cellmorphological changes in the presence or the absence of PP2 by using light microscopy and the results were analyzed. Results: Our results showed in AGS cells that were transiently transfected by Pragmin in the presence of PP2 (where Src tyrosine kinase activity was inhibited), the number of elongated cells did not change compared to elongated cell numbers of Pragmin transfected cells in the absence of PP2. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in spite of the importance of Src tyrosine kinase activity to regulate the cell motility, the cell-morphological changes of Pragmin-transfected AGS cells is independent of Src activity. It seems that other mechanism(s) to be involved in this process.