Cellular and molecular biology最新文献

Dendrimers are chemical compounds that have functional groups on their surface and a hyperbranched structure. It is simple to promote the functionality of dendrimers and produce a variety of biocompatible products by altering their terminal groups. These materials have exceptional physicochemical characteristics that make them more beneficial in the administration of medications. They have a vigorous amount of potential as agents for nanomedicine applications because of their rare properties, which compose internal cavities, strong reactivity, globular form, solubility in water, and nanoscale size. They might also be synthesized easily. In-depth information about dendrimer composition and classifications, synthesis, and applications in nanomedicine, particularly drug delivery, is mentioned in this paper. Dendrimers are chiefly categorized by their functional groups, which permit for concise encapsulation of active compounds and structural imitatively of biomaterials. A rare property not often seen in other polymers serves to stabilize the surface of dendrimers to broaden their solubility in water. Dendritic molecules own a different variety of applications, such as dendrimers, dendrons, dendronized polymers, and hyperbranched polymers, which are organized based on their molecular weight. The role-play of dendrimers' is the capability to attach a broad range of chemical entities and their ability to shift pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features through tailored drug delivery. To sum up, this study bolded how dendrimers' intricate structure and versatility make them excellent drug delivery vehicles since they may exactly modify their properties to reach special requirements. Drugs can be aimed at neuroinflammatory disorders and made more soluble and stable by dendrimers, which also deliver for a diversity of modes of delivery.  Additionally, they show attractive ability in gene transfection and sensor production, drawing near their potential for a difference of usages in industries including pesticide delivery and medicine. With the potential to send out gene therapy, medicine delivery, and other specialties of science and medicine, dendrimers are becoming a huge crucial in the pharmaceutical and medical industries through the next research and clinical investigations.

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogen that infects the gastric mucosa of the stomach and can be asymptomatic or lead to disorders ranging from gastric inflammation to gastric adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to find the association of H. pylori virulence factors and their combinations with severity of the disease caused by the bacterium. This cross-sectional study involved 203 patients admitted to the gastroenterology units of the Rizgary Hospital, Erbil, Iraq from July 2021 to May 2022. Biopsy samples were taken, cultured and identified as H. pylori using biochemical and molecular approaches. PCR was employed to amplify virulence genes cagA, vacA s1/s2, iceA1, iceA2, babA2, sabA, and oipA. The most common allelic combination found among the isolates was s2/m1 detected in 33 (36.26%), followed by s1/m1 which was detected in 17 (18.68%). Other genotypes s2/m2 and s1/m2 were recorded in 15 (16.48%) and 12 (13.18%) of the total samples respectively. While the cagA gene was present in 55/91 (60.43%), iceA1 and iceA2 were found in 70 (76.92%) and 54 (59.34%) of the tested isolates respectively. Furthermore, results showed that only four isolates were positive for all virulence factor genes (4.39%). In conclusion, data produced from this study confirmed that the rate of the isolates with all virulence factors was very low. The presence of different virulence factors combination could be used to identify patients who are at high risk for the disease caused by the pathogen and its severity.

One of the most common forms of dementia and a neurodegenerative illness is Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is distinguished by impaired memory and cognitive dysfunction. Decades of research have been devoted to determining its etiology, pathogenic processes, and biomarkers to facilitate early identification and clinical investigations for therapy. Neural atrophy and broken connections between neurons are the outcomes of the illness. The amyloid beta (Aβ) cascade is among the most widely recognized and important hypotheses of the numerous hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of AD. This theory suggests that the breakdown of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) produces Aβ monomers. These monomers are then converted into hazardous oligomers, which in turn form β-sheets, fibrils, and plaques after being formed. The amyloid cascade theory was covered in this review, along with a summary of how it is used to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's. Specifically, we covered the drawbacks, potential, and significant unsolved issues with the anti-Aβ therapy that is now in use, as well as plans for more research and the creation of more workable Aβ-targeted methods to optimize AD early detection and management.

This study investigates the association between interleukin polymorphisms (IL-6, IL-10, IL-12A, and IL-18), inflammatory markers, and COVID-19 severity in Type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. A prospective observational study enrolled 80 female T1D patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and a control group of 30 females without COVID-19. Significantly higher cytokine levels were observed in COVID-19 patients (IL-6: 64.1 ± 30.1 pg/mL, IL-10: 11.7 ± 5.8 pg/mL, IL-12A: 6.7 ± 2.9 pg/mL, IL-18: 195.4 ± 60.7 pg/mL) compared to controls (all p < 0.001). Genotype analysis revealed that the IL-6 GG and IL-18 TG genotypes were associated with elevated cytokine levels, prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality risk (hazard ratios [HR]: IL-6 GG: 1.25, IL-18 TG: 1.30). ROC analysis indicated IL-18 (AUC: 0.88) and IL-6 (AUC: 0.84) as strong predictors of hospitalization. Cox regression showed that IL-6 and IL-18 levels significantly affected hospitalization duration and survival, while IL-12A displayed a protective effect (HR: 0.92). Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed shorter survival for the IL-6 GG and IL-18 TG genotypes, supporting the prognostic role of cytokine levels and genotypes in COVID-19 management. This study highlights the potential of interleukin polymorphisms as biomarkers for COVID-19 severity in T1D patients.

The gut microbiota plays a huge role in human health regarding immunity, metabolism, and nutrient absorption. In this work, the gut microbiota, with its bacterial community structure, is studied using whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing for populations from two different geographical regions in Egypt: Cairo (urban) and Ismailia (rural). Fecal samples were obtained from six healthy individuals, three from Cairo and three from Ismailia, of ages ranging from 43 to 52 years. Alpha diversity, measured as Shannon, inverse Simpson, and OTUs, showed no significant differences between the two cities. However, beta diversity analysis by Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) revealed diverse microbial compositions. Thus, only the Ismailia samples contained higher levels of butyrate-producing bacteria involved in maintaining intestinal health, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila. On the other hand, there was a higher prevalence in Cairo of bacteria associated with protein and fat metabolism, like Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. Such findings explain the influence of environmental factors in shaping gut microbiota and show that to get a comprehensive understanding of regional differences, many wider-ranging studies need to be conducted.

Endodontic infections, often involving multispecies bacterial communities, present significant challenges in treatment due to their complex pathogenic mechanisms and resistance to conventional therapies. Enterococcus faecalis is a facultative anaerobic gram-positive bacterium that has been frequently recovered from secondary or persistent endodontic infections. This study investigates the population structure, resistome, mobilome, and virulome of E. faecalis isolated from oral cavity sources, focusing on 22 genomes sequenced from saliva and root canal samples. The genome sequence analysis revealed a diversity of 14 sequence types (STs), highlighting genetic variability within oral E. faecalis populations. Virulence profiling identified 39 genes involved in adherence, biofilm formation, toxin production, stress response, and immune evasion. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, including lsa(A), efrA, and tetM, were prevalent across all genomes, indicating potential multidrug resistance. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as insertion sequences, transposons, prophages, and plasmids, were also identified, facilitating genetic exchange within and between species. Network analyses identified central virulence genes (e.g., asa1, gelE) and AMR genes (e.g., ANT (6)-Ia, dfrE) crucial for pathogenicity and resistance, highlighting their pivotal roles in E. faecalis infections. This study provides comprehensive insights into the genomic characteristics, AMR genes, virulence factors, and genetic mobile elements associated with E. faecalis isolates from the oral cavity, offering implications for dental health and potential strategies for infection control and treatment.

In the pursuit of more effective breast cancer therapies, the investigation of interactions between novel compounds and established chemotherapeutics has become increasingly important. This study investigates the combinatory effects of alpha-mangostin (α-MG) and nab-paclitaxel on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, utilizing the xCELLigence RTCA system for continuous real-time cellular analysis, BrdU incorporation assays for proliferation assessment, and the quantification of mitotic activity and caspase-3/7 levels to elucidate apoptotic mechanisms. Our findings demonstrate that both α-MG and nab-paclitaxel independently induce significant inhibition of cellular proliferation and modulate cell cycle dynamics over a 24 to 72-hour period. Notably, when combined, these agents exhibit a pronounced enhancement of cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis, surpassing the effects observed with monotherapy. This potentiation effect suggests that α-MG augments the therapeutic efficacy of nab-paclitaxel, potentially allowing for reduced dosages in clinical applications. The study underscores the potential of α-MG as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment, offering a promising strategy to optimize therapeutic regimens, minimize adverse effects, and improve patient outcomes in clinical oncology.

Water intended for human consumption must be devoid of harmful bacteria that can lead to waterborne illnesses. Consequently, there is a pressing need for a rapid and precise method to identify bacterial contaminants in drinking water. The objective of this study was to investigate the protein profiles of various bacterial species present in water through the application of protein fingerprinting (PF) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) techniques, as well as to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance. A total of two hundred water samples were collected from five distinct locations within the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Bacterial isolates were identified using a protein fingerprinting analytical technique (PFAT), which was subsequently confirmed by real-time PCR. The Kirby-Bauer method was employed to assess antibiotic resistance among the bacterial isolates. Out of the 200 water samples analyzed, PFAT successfully identified 123 bacterial isolates, with the most frequently isolated species being 48 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), 17 Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and 16 Escherichia coli (E. coli). All waterborne bacterial isolates were accurately identified 100% of the time, achieving a score of 2.00 or higher. The results from real-time PCR indicated that 87.5% of P. aeruginosa isolates were positive for the oprI gene, all S. aureus isolates were positive for the nuc gene, and 93.75% of E. coli isolates were positive for the fliC gene. P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrated a high level of resistance to aztreonam (64.6%), while S. aureus exhibited significant resistance to cefoxitin and cefepime (88.24%), followed by aztreonam (82.35%) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (70.6%). E. coli isolates showed complete resistance to ampicillin (100%), with high resistance also observed against amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefoxitin (87.5%), and cefepime (81.25%). This study underscores the significance of utilizing PFAT for the microbiological identification of diverse water samples as a reliable and effective method. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity for regular surveillance and monitoring of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in drinking water sources.

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is the process by which endothelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells, driving stromatogenesis and inflammatory responses, thereby contributing to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Spinster homolog 2 (SPNS2), a protein responsible for S1P transport, regulates sphingolipid metabolism and signaling in endothelial cells to maintain vascular homeostasis. In the present work, we investigated the involvement of SPNS2 in endothelial mesenchymal transition. Knocking down SPNS2 in endothelial cells resulted in significant phenotypic changes, marked by a decrease in endothelial markers (CD31, VE-cadherin) and an increase in mesenchymal markers (Vimentin, α-SMA), confirming the occurrence of EndMT. Notably, SPNS2 knockdown leads to alterations in sphingolipid metabolism, most prominently marked by a significant increase in sphingomyelin (SM) levels. Similar cellular alterations were observed with the exogenous addition of SM, leading to the transition of endothelial cells from a cobblestone-like morphology to a dispersed, spindle-shaped form. In contrast, the exogenous addition of sphingomyelinase, which degrades SM, was able to reverse the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition induced by SPNS2 knockdown. Mechanistically, our study suggests that SPNS2 knockdown promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transdifferentiation by upregulating SMS2 expression, which subsequently enhances sphingomyelin synthesis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common but poorly understood gastrointestinal illness. One explanation for this lack of awareness is the absence of clear recommendations on the use of biochemical markers to identify this illness. This is because knowledge in this field is always expanding. Serum amylase and lipase are two extensively utilized biochemical indicators in the diagnosis of AP. The lack of agreement on the optimal use of these markers, notably amylase and lipase, has an impact on diagnostic outcomes. Through a critical study of the current literatures, this review intends to explore in depth the use of biochemical markers in the diagnosis of AP. A comprehensive review of the literature had a glance at biochemical indicators in the context of AP diagnosis, diving into topics including pancreatic anatomy, functions, pathology, mechanisms of AP, etiologies, symptoms, and also diagnostic approaches. This review revealed areas of agreement and disagreement about biochemical indicators in the diagnosis of AP, as well as potential future research directions.