Introduction: Crude vegetable oils contain some quantities of Phospholipids. The highest concentration of phospholipids is usually found in crude soybean oil. The presences of phospholipids in the crude and refined oils create undesirable effects on the quality and quantity of the oil during refining operations or use by the consumer. However, if phospholipids are extracted properly from the oil they could have valuable applications in many food systems. There are limited numbers of oil plants that extract soya lecithin in Iran and separate phospholipids from soyabean oil and distribute this valuable by product as soya Lecithin in the market. In this study two dimensional thin layer chromatography has been applied to measure the extracted phospholipids from five varieties of soyabeans both qualitatively and quantitatively.Materials and Methods: Five varieties of soybean cultivated in Iran (Sahar, Sims, Williams, Gorgan3 and Hill) have been studied. The isolated phospholipids for each variety was further separated into their individual constituents using two dimensional thin layer chromatography method and the concentrations were calculated on the basis of the four main phospholipids present in soybean oil that included; PHOSPHATIDYL choline, PHOSPHATIDYL ethanolamin, PHOSPHATIDYL INOSITOL and phosphatidic acid.Results: The amount of total phosphatidies as percent was 1.57, 1.61, 1.72, 1.53 and 1.71% in Sahar, Hill, Williams, Gorgan and Sim varieties, respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that the highest concentration of PHOSPHATIDYL choline and PHOSPHATIDYL INOSITOL was found in Williams’s variety and the highest amount of PHOSPHATIDYL ethanolamin and phosphatidic acid were found in Sahar and Sims varieties.

Objectives: ECM33 gene encodes a protein which belongs to a large group of GPI-anchored protein family. Although the precise molecular function of this protein is unknown, several studies have demonstrated an important role in fungal cell wall integrity and virulence. The aim of this study was to identify and clone ECM33 gene in Aspergillus niger. Also the expressional analysis of the gene was carried out. Methods: The complete genomic sequence of ECM33 gene along with 5' and 3' flanking regions has been identified in Aspergillus niger by means of bioinformatics and using ECM33 gene of A. fumigatus as template. The genomic fragment was PCR-amplified using specific primers and subsequently was cloned. The expression analysis was performed by RT-PCR. Results: The Aspergillus niger ECM33 gene containing 1327 bp was cloned as a 5.2 kb fragment. Bioinformatic analysis predicted the presence of two introns which was confirmed experimentally. The gene product is a 397 amino acids protein with approximately 70% identity to the homologue proteins from other aspergilli. Expression analysis of ECM33 under different growth conditions including different temperatures, different carbon sources, and different nitrogen sources confirmed a constitutive expression. Conclusion: This is the first report on characterization of ECM33 gene in an industrially important fungus, Aspergillus niger. The cloned fragment will be used in construction of gene disruption cassette which will be subsequently applied in gene knock out experiments.

Background: Externalization of PS (EPS) is considered as a sign of early apoptosis. In addition, EPS also occurs during capacitation and the acrosome reaction. During this study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between EPS and fertilization, embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes in couples who were candidates for ICSI.Materials and Methods: Semen samples (n=43) were collected from infertile individuals ICSI candidates and assessed according to World Health Organization guidelines for semen parameters. EPS was assessed by Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining.Results: There is a significant positive correlation between percentages of fertilization and annexin-positive PI-negative (An+PI-) sperm and percentage of An+PIsperm was significantly high in individuals with fertilization rates higher than 50%. In addition, the percentage of annexin-positive PI-positive (An+PI+) sperm in semen of the partners of pregnant women significantly differed from the partners of non-pregnant women. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between percentages of fertilization and protamine-deficient sperm was observed.Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that An+PIis a sign of capacitation and An+PI+is a sign of apoptosis, therefore, semen samples with high percentage of An+PI-, have a higher ability to undergo capacitation and, also have a higher chance to result in successful fertilization post-ICSI.

Background: Based on the critical role of MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP in carcinogenesis, we focused on MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP circulating levels in patients with thyroid nodules. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from three groups, including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC; n=30), multinodular goiter (MNG; n=30), and healthy subjects (n=22). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to obtain the concentration of MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP in the three groups. Results: Analysis of data demonstrated increased levels of MT4-MMP (PTC: 4.90±1.35, MNG: 4.89±1.37, and healthy: 3.13±1.42) and MT6-MMP (PTC: 8.29±2.50, MNG: 7.34±2.09, and healthy:5.01±2.13) in thyroid nodules by comparison with healthy subjects (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of the two MT-MMPs between PTC and MNG (P>0.05). Increased plasma levels of MT4-MMP (odds ratio=2.48; 95% CI: 1.46–4.19; P=0.001) or MT6-MMP (odds ratio=1.81; 95% CI: 1.29–2.53; P=0.001) were associated with increased risk of PTC tumorigenesis. Interestingly, a strong positive association was observed between MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP in the three groups (PTC: r=0.766**, P=0.000; MNG: r=0.856**, P=0.000; healthy r=0.947**, P=0.000). Areas under the ROC curve for MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP were 0.82 and 0.96, respectively. At the cutoff value>4.7 (ng/mL), MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP showed a sensitivity of 63.3% and 90.0%, respectively, with 100% specificity. Conclusion: Our work has led us to imply that the higher levels of MT4-MMP and MT6-MMP are closely linked with both PTC and MNG tumorigenesis. They may probably promote the development of thyroid lesions; however, more research is needed to further clarify the current findings.

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing globally. Daunorubicin (DNR), an anthracycline antibiotic, is effective against various cancers. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is crucial in regulating cell growth and cancer growth. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of liposomal daunorubicin (Lip-DNR) on cell proliferation and cell death induction in HCT116 cells compared to free daunorubicin. Methods: Lip-DNR was synthesized, and its shape and size were analyzed using FE-SEM imaging. HCT116 cells were treated with Lip-DNR concentrations of 0 (control), 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 μm for 48 hours to determine the IC50. The effects of free (0.5 μm) and liposomal DNR (IC50 of 0.43 μm) on PI3K mRNA levels were assessed using real-time PCR. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: FE-SEM imaging showed that the liposomes are spherical and range from 50 - 100 nm in size. Lip-DNR induced cell death in HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with 0.5 μm Lip-DNR causing more cell death than an equivalent concentration of free DNR. Analysis of PI3K gene expression showed that DNR decreases PI3K gene transcription in HCT116 cells, with Lip-DNR having a more substantial effect than the free form. Both forms reduced the proportion of G2/M phase cells, but Lip-DNR was more effective at inhibiting cell proliferation in HCT116 cells. Conclusions: DNR inhibits the proliferation of HCT116 cells by downregulating PI3K gene expression and enhancing cell death, with the liposomal form demonstrating stronger effects than the free form.

Therapeutic targeting of PHOSPHATIDYL-INOSITOL 3-kinase (PI3K) is considered as a possible strategy in several types of cancer, including gastrointestinal ones. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated the significance of proapoptotic and antiproliferative inhibition of PI3K. Although there are many phase 1 and 2 clinical trials on PI3K inhibitors in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, the molecular mechanism of PI3K targeting PI3K/ mTOR pathway is not clear. Panclass I, isoformselective, and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors are under investigation. This review aimed to indicate PI3K-dependent targeting mechanisms in gastrointestinal cancer and the evaluation of related clinical data.

Multifunctional nanomaterials showed great advantages in drug delivery. Folic acid (FA) binding protein, a glycosyl PHOSPHATIDYL INOSITOL anchored cell surface receptor for folate, is overexpressed in several human tumors, whereas it is highly restricted in normal tissues. Therefore, in this study, FA, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and Fe3O4 nanoparticles multifunctionalized short multiwall carbon nanotubes (PEG-FA-SMWCNT@Fe3O4) were synthesized by conjugating folate, PEG, and magnetite nanoparticles with carboxylated multiwall carbon nanotubes. The prepared c-SMWCNT@Fe3O4 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) in order to investigate crystal and magnetic properties, respectively. The images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the magnetite nanoparticles were attached to the surfaces of carbon nanotubes and SMWCNT@Fe3O4 was formed. Investigation of functional groups using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that PEG-FA was successfully linked to SMWCNT@Fe3O4.