Archives of Razi Institute最新文献

A number of species within the Culicidae family are responsible for the transmission of pathogens to animals and humans. The study of these species and the fight against these natural enemies represent a significant area of concern for scientists in the present era. An inventory of Culicidae in the M'chouneche region (34° 56' 59.99" N, 6° 00' 0.00" E) (Biskra, southeastern Algeria) was conducted in various breeding sites between November 2022 and May 2023. Four species of Culicidae were identified: Culiseta longiareolata, Culex pipiens, Culex theileri, and Anopheles multicolor. To assess the efficacy of three insect growth regulators (Lufenuron, Teflubenzuron, and Spirotetramat) on the fourth larval stage of Cs. longiareolata, control tests were conducted under experimental conditions. Lufenuron demonstrated a markedly higher toxic effect, with a mortality rate of 57% (ranging from 0 to 100%), compared to Spirotetramat, which exhibited an average mortality rate of 37.71% (ranging from 0 to 80%), and Teflubenzuron, which showed an average mortality rate of 12.08% (ranging from 0 to 45%). The mortality rates demonstrated an increase from one concentration to the next over time. Furthermore, the correlation coefficient between the two factors (time and concentration) and the mortality rates was found to be low at 30%. Individuals that were treated after reaching the adult stage exhibited a notable delay in their development. For concentrations of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L, the delay duration was approximately two days ± 12 hours. In contrast, the third concentration (80 mg/l) resulted in a development delay of approximately three days±15 hours.

Eirenis is a species of snake belonging to the Colubridae family native to Iran. The species is characterised by a small size, with a maximum recorded body length of 90 cm. The snakes of this family are closely related to those of the genera Dolicophis and Hierophis. This is due to the fact that the snakes of these two species are of a considerable size. It can therefore be surmised that these genera share a common ancestor, and thus that pygmy snakes evolved from larger snakes. One of the species belonging to this family is Eirenis walteri (Boettger, 1888). The specimen was collected through field investigation and, following identification, was included in the list of snakes native to the Yazd province for the first time. In accordance with the findings of this study, the specimen in question has been included in the checklist of snakes in Yazd province. In light of the difficulties associated with mapping the distribution of the genus Eirenis in Iran, the inclusion of new reports of its species distribution can facilitate the creation of an accurate map of the genus's distribution. The distribution of Eirenis walteri encompasses eastern Iran. This study presents the first record of Eirenis walteri in the Bafaq Mountain Protected Area, Qatrum village (Bafaq city), Yazd province, Iran. Consequently, a distribution map of Eirenis walteri can be prepared using data collected through direct observation. An examination of the distribution and population of Eirenis walteri enables a distinction to be made between them. It is now evident that this taxon has a vast distribution in the central and eastern regions of Iran.

Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that are located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. The fusion of broken chromosome ends is prevented by the presence of telomeres, which act to inhibit this process. This specific function of telomeres serves to distinguish normal chromosome ends from double-stranded breaks in DNA. Telomeres contain a series of short, repeated sequences arranged in a tandem array. The number of repeats varies between different organisms, with a range of 20 to 1,000 repeats being typical. A G-rich strand is replicated by lagging strand synthesis, which creates a 3' overhang. In addition, a complementary C-rich strand is replicated by leading strand synthesis. The objective of this study is to undertake a comparative analysis of the structure of telomeres in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces pombe and mammals. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Rap1 protein binds to the double-stranded telomeric sequences, as well as to the Rif1 and Rif2 proteins, which regulate telomere length. Cdc13 and the Cdc13-interacting factors Ten1 and Stn1 bind to the single-stranded overhang. In Saccharomyces pombe telomeres, Taz1 binds to the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), and Rap1 and Rif1 also bind to the ds region via Taz1. Pot1 interacts with Tpz1, forming a complex that binds to the 3' overhang. The protein Poz1 serves to connect the dsDNA binding complex, comprising Taz1 and Rap1, to the ssDNA binding complex, which includes Pot1 and Tpz1. Furthermore, Ccq1 interacts with Tpz1 and facilitates the recruitment of telomerase. The Stn1/Ten1 complex exhibits a binding affinity for a single-stranded telomere. In mammalian telomeres, the shelterin complex that binds double-stranded telomeric DNA is composed of six subunits. The double-stranded telomeric DNA is bound by TRF1 and TRF2. TPP1 and POT1 are capable of binding single-stranded DNA. TIN2 serves to connect the dsDNA binding complex TRF1/TRF2 to the ssDNA binding complex POT1/TPP1. Rap1 binds to the telomere by interacting with TRF1 and TRF2. Moreover, this study will address the regulation and comparison of the shelterin complex. Additionally, in mammals, the activation of DNA damage response pathways is necessary when double-strand DNA is broken. This, in turn, elucidates the specific repair pathways that are employed. We conclude by discussing the T-loop structure, as telomeres in several species have been shown to fold back into a structure called a T-loop, which is believed to mediate telomere protection.

It is widely acknowledged for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Zataria multiflora, also designated as ZTM, is a distinguished botanical species. Therefore, it represents an excellent alternative to products containing synthetic preservatives. Therefore, it can be concluded that this is the optimal choice. The objective of this experiment was to ascertain the efficacy of a novel nanoformulation, designated dendrimer-ZTM, in achieving the desired outcome. The composition of the nanoformulation is a pegylated anionic linear globular G2 dendrimer. The objective of this experiment was to ascertain whether the nanoformulation was capable of preventing Escherichia coli from penetrating the mayonnaise. Once the dendrimer had been synthesized, an extract from Z. multiflora was added to it. In the final stage of the process, a range of techniques, including zeta potential analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, were employed to provide a comprehensive and accurate description of the material. The results of the experiment demonstrated that the nanoformulation exhibited intriguing protective effects. This result was observed at the conclusion of the experiment. The findings of the investigation revealed that the minimal inhibitory and fatal value was 1500 μg/mL. Furthermore, even at the lowest concentrations tested (0.1 and 0.01 per hour), the nanoformulation demonstrated the capacity to markedly diminish the levels of E. coli present in bacterial cultures. The efficacy of the nanoformulation was demonstrated by its successful performance. During the inspection of the nanoformulation, its identification was initially determined. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of dendrimer-ZTM indicate that it has the potential to be an effective natural dietary supplement, as evidenced by our findings. This conclusion was reached as a result of a comprehensive analysis of the data collected.

The advent of novel high-resolution physicochemical techniques and the integration of omics technologies into biomedical research have opened avenues for investigating the mechanisms underlying bacterial survival in vitro and in vivo, subjected to the influence of biotic and abiotic stressors. This encompasses axenic cultures, microbial communities, and holobionts. The development of innovative methodological platforms has facilitated the acquisition of unique data relevant to both fundamental and applied scientific fields. The experimental results indicated a remarkably high level of genomic plasticity in microorganisms and the potential for the evolution of bacterial virulence under selective pressure. These findings have significantly impacted our understanding of the arsenal of self-defense tools in bacteria and the prioritization of research in this field. The increasing quantity of factual material now necessitates a shift in focus from pathogens to the broader category of commensal bacteria, which are used as probiotics in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and the food industry. The possibility of large-scale genomic reorganization and progressive evolution of virulence in these bacteria under stressful conditions, as well as their modulation of host cell signaling systems and suppression of innate immunity, negative regulation of key cell cycle controllers, disruption of the structure of the intestinal microbiota and intestinal homeostasis, highlight the obvious insufficiency of our knowledge about the "logic of life" of symbionts and the mechanisms of their interaction with eukaryotic cells. This may compromise the ideas of several practical applications. This underscores the importance of comprehensive studies of commensals, their potential for plasticity in different environmental conditions, and the ways in which they communicate and interact with regulatory networks of higher organisms. It also highlights the need to develop a standardization for assessing the safety of probiotics. The review addresses these issues.

Breast cancer represents the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer among women on a global scale. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in interest among researchers in exploring alternative therapeutic methods, including stem cell therapy. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned media (AD-MSCs-CM) on apoptosis induction and migration inhibition of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) in vitro. In this study, malignant breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) were cultured separately in DMEM/F12/FBS (15%) culture media under standard conditions. Subsequently, the conditioned media derived from AD-MSCs was introduced to the MDA-MB-231 cells. Following a 24- and 48-hour exposure period, the expression levels of CASP3, KRAS, and MMP9 were evaluated using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Furthermore, the proliferation and migration abilities of the cancer cells were evaluated using MTT and wound healing assays, respectively. Furthermore, the protein expression of Caspase-3, K-RAS, and MMP-9 was examined using a western blot assay. It is noteworthy that the expression levels of the MMP9 and KRAS genes were significantly reduced following treatment with AD-MSCs-CM in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, the CASP3 gene expression level was found to have increased significantly in the treated groups. Additionally, the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with AD-MSCs-CM was markedly diminished by MTT and wound healing assays. Moreover, the AD-MSCs-CM was observed to induce caspase-3 activation and reduce the protein expression of K-RAS and MMP-9. The results of this study indicate that AD-MSCs-CM may exert an influence on the apoptosis, proliferation, and migration of breast cancer cells. Consequently, it could be proposed as a promising therapeutic strategy for the suppression of breast cancer. However, further testing and research are required to validate these findings and to ascertain the full potential of this approach.

Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) has been associated with various tumors, including oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the precise role of TATE in these contexts remains to be fully elucidated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the presence of tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and its correlation with histopathologic grading. A total of 70 OSCC tissue samples were collected between 2016 and 2020 for examination. The samples comprised 60 previously diagnosed cases of OSCC, classified as well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC), moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (MDSCC), and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC). Two observers independently assessed TATE using Sirius red stain, with the average eosinophil count evaluated in 10 fields under the ×40 objective lens. Statistical analysis involved the Student t-test, One-way ANOVA, and chi-square test. The study encompassed 70 OSCC samples and corresponding healthy tissue, with OSCC predominantly found in the tongue, representing 61.4% of cases. The total eosinophil count per high-power field (HPF10) was significantly higher in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) compared to healthy tissue. Furthermore, the mean TATE score was found to be considerably elevated in OSCC tissue. However, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a statistically non-significant association between different grades of OSCC and eosinophil counts. However, the chi-square test did not indicate a significant association between eosinophil count and gender or age group. The present study underscores the heightened eosinophil count observed in cancerous tissues compared to healthy tissues. However, the variability in eosinophil counts across distinct OSCC grades remains ambiguous. Further investigation is recommended to delve into the infiltration of eosinophils in solid tumors and their potential role in predicting malignancies, particularly in OSCC.

The prevention of spoilage in food products, particularly those types that are susceptible to rapid deterioration, such as poultry meat, has historically posed a significant challenge within the food industry. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a castor bean mucilage film fortified with carboxymethyl cellulose and incorporating ginger essential oil (GEO) on the characteristics of turkey meat. The preparation of GEO and the subsequent chemical composition analysis via gas chromatography (GC/MS) were undertaken to ascertain its properties.The experimental design involved the utilization of a control group (C), a quince seed mucilage film reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose (film), a film containing 1% essential oil (film+1% GEO), and a film containing 2% essential oil (film+2% GEO). Subsequently, an array of assessments was conducted to ascertain the microbial properties (aerobic, psychrotrophic, lactic acid, and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria), chemical properties (pH, PV, TVB-N, and TBARS), and sensory evaluation. Additionally, the physical properties of the films, including tensile strength (TS), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), elongation at break (EAB), humidity, swelling, thickness, and transparency, were investigated. The results of this investigation indicated the presence of zingiberene (15.71%), α-curcumene (11.39%), and β-sesquiphellandrene (10.69%) as the predominant compounds in GEO. The film+2% GEO treatment was identified as the most effective treatment in all microbial properties, exhibiting a significant difference compared to the other treatments, particularly the control group (P<0.05). The findings demonstrated enhancements in the physical and chemical characteristics of the samples treated with film, particularly with film+2% GEO in comparison to the control group. For instance, the level of TVB-N escalated from 10.67 mg/100g on day 0 to 21.61 mg/100g on the final day, whereas the levels observed for the control treatment on day 0 and 12 were 10.68 mg/100g and 10.0 mg/100g, respectively. The increase in TVB-N content was 39.95%. The sensory evaluation revealed that the application of the film led to an enhancement in the sensory characteristics of the samples across all parameters, with the exception of appearance. The study's findings indicate that the incorporation of Quince seed mucilage film reinforced with carboxymethyl cellulose, particularly when supplemented with essential oil, can be regarded as a contributing factor in the preservation and enhancement of the quality of food items, particularly meat products.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly highlighted the successful application of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as an advanced platform for mRNA vaccine delivery. Ionizable lipid is the main component for complexing the mRNA in LNP formulation and in vivo delivery. In the first step of this study, we used the native safflower oil seed to prepare dilinoleyl alcohol. Then the cationic lipid DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3) was synthesized by mixing the alcohol with dimethylamino butyric acid. Safflower-derived MC3 was applied to formulate an LNP vector with standard composition. The efficiency of the synthetic cationic lipid was evaluated for delivering an mRNA-based vaccine encoding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. The produced mRNA-LNP vaccine candidate was evaluated in size, morphology, mRNA encapsulation efficiency, apparent pKa, and stability for nucleic acid delivery. Cellular uptake was determined by measuring the percentage of GFP expression, and cytotoxicity was assayed using MTT. The MC3 formation was confirmed by the NMR spectra and used as a cationic lipid in LNP formulation. The obtained LNPs had positively charged and appropriate particle sizes (~80 nm) to confer proper encapsulation efficiency for mRNA delivery and stability. The LNPs were shown to be effective in the transfection of mRNA transcripts into HEK293T cells. A high level (72.34%) of cellular uptake was determined by measuring the percentage of GFP expression. The cytotoxicity assay using MTT showed that both LNP and mRNA-LNP were non-toxic to cells. These data demonstrate the potential of the proposed safflower-derived cationic lipid in the formulation of LNP. The carrier provides a promising platform for the efficient delivery of mRNA in vitro. Further evaluations of its potential for in vivo delivery are needed.

Monkey pox has recently garnered significant attention due to the proliferation of re-emerging and emerging infectious diseases, particularly epidemic-scale outbreaks. Mpox was initially identified as a discrete illness in 1958 among laboratory monkeys in Copenhagen, Denmark. The initial case of monkey pox infection in humans was documented in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The patient was a nine-month-old boy who was the sole member of his family to lack smallpox vaccination. The monkey pox virus is a zoonotic virus belonging to the family Poxviridae, subfamily Chordopoxvirinae, and genus Orthopoxvirus. Transmission of monkey pox occurs via direct contact with an infected individual or surface. Additionally, transmission between humans can occur via the bodily fluids of an infected individual. This review article addresses all aspects of this disease, beginning with an introduction, history, virology, clinical features, and complications. It then turns to clinical differential diagnosis with similar diseases, epidemiology, prevalence, animal hosts, virus transmission, disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and finally, future risks. In light of the aforementioned considerations, this article presents a comprehensive review of the various facets of the disease, offering a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers in the domains of health and public health. The article's insights into the disease's characteristics, its impact on human and animal health, and its potential as a zoonotic disease underscore the importance of disease prevention.