Development of 5-fluorouracil/etoposide co-loaded electrospun nanofibrous scaffold for localized anti-melanoma therapy.

Nanofibrous scaffolds have emerged as promising candidates for localized drug delivery systems in the treatment of cutaneous cancers. In this study, we prepared an electrospun nanofibrous scaffold incorporating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and etoposide (ETP) for chemotherapy targeting melanoma cutaneous cancer. The scaffold was composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS), prepared via the electrospinning process and loaded with the chemotherapeutic agents.

Corrigendum to "Introducing an interesting and novel strategy based on exploiting first-order advantage from spectrofluorimetric data for monitoring three toxic metals in living cells" [Toxicol. Rep. 9 (2022) 647-655].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.

β Cell and Autophagy: What Do We Know?

Pancreatic β cells are central to glycemic regulation through insulin production. Studies show autophagy as an essential process in β cell function and fate. Autophagy is a catabolic cellular process that regulates cell homeostasis by recycling surplus or damaged cell components.

Cerebral microvascular complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: How did it occur and how should it be treated?

Cerebral microvascular disease has been reported as a central feature of the neurological disorders in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection that may be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. The main pathomechanism in the development of cerebrovascular injury due to SARS-CoV-2 infection can be a consequence of endothelial cell dysfunction as a structural part of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which may be accompanied by increased inflammatory response and thrombocytopenia along with blood coagulation disorders. In this review, we described the properties of the BBB, the neurotropism behavior of SARS-CoV-2, and the possible mechanisms of damage to the CNS microvascular upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR induces the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer cells.

Objective: The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway is essential for proper cellular metabolism and cell growth. However, aberrant activation of this pathway has been linked to the progression and metastasis of breast cancer. Recently, the role of long non-coding RNAs in interfering with the cell signaling pathways involved in cell growth and metabolism has been identified.

Introducing an interesting and novel strategy based on exploiting first-order advantage from spectrofluorimetric data for monitoring three toxic metals in living cells.

In this work, we did our best to develop a novel and interesting analytical method based on coupling of spectrofluorimetry with first-order multivariate calibration techniques for simultaneous determination of lead (Pd), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in HeLa cells. To achieve this goal, quenching of the emission of graphene (GR) was individually investigated in the presence of Pb, Zn and Cd and then, according to the linear ranges obtained from individual calibration graphs, a multivariate calibration model was developed based on modeling of the quenching of the emission of GR in the presence of the mixtures of Pb, Zn and Cd. First-order multivariate calibration models were constructed by partial least squares (PLS), principal component regression (PCR), orthogonal signal correction-PLS (OSC-PLS), continuum power regression (CPR), robust continuum regression (RCR) and partial robust M-regression (PRM) and their performances were evaluated and statistically compared.

2-methylpyridine-1-ium-1-sulfonate modifies tumor-derived exosome mediated macrophage polarization: Relevance to the tumor microenvironment.

The compound "2-methylpyridine-1-ium-1-sulfonate" (MPS) is the active constituent of Allium hirtifolium Boiss. bulbs with potent anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activities. Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a key role in tumor progression via tumor derived exosome (TEX) mediated polarization of M2 type tumor associated macrophages (TAMs).

Investigation of gene expression and genetic simultaneous control associated with erectile dysfunction and diabetes.

Diabetes can cause some diseases or abnormalities. One of the disorders caused by diabetes may be erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to establish or maintain an erect penis during sexual activity and is a common problem of men with chronic type 2 diabetes.

Androgen regulated protein and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 in severe erectile dysfunction: A gene expression analysis, and computational study of protein structure.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual disorders in men. During the past 30 years, there has been no new drug development for ED. Thus, exploring the genetic basis of ED deserves further study, in hope of developing new pharmacological treatments for ED.

Serological and Molecular Tests for COVID-19: a recent update.

The COVID-19 pandemic is probably the most devastating worldwide challenge in recent century. COVID-19 leads to a mild to severe respiratory disease and affects different organs and has become a global concern since December 2019. Meanwhile, molecular biology and diagnostic laboratories played an essential role in diagnosis of the disease by introducing serological and molecular tests.

The Antimicrobial Peptide, Nisin, Synergistically Enhances the Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Rituximab Treatment on Human Burkitt's Lymphoma Cell Lines.

Background: Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas comprise the most common hematological cancers worldwide and consist of a heterogenous group of malignancies affecting the lymphoid system. Treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been significantly enhanced with the addition of Rituximab to the standard chemotherapy regimen. However, even with the advancement of treatment patients continue to relapse and develop resistance to Rituximab, rendering subsequent treatments unsuccessful.

Immune microenvironment in different molecular subtypes of ductal breast carcinoma.

Purpose: Ductal breast carcinoma as a heterogeneous disease has different molecular subtypes associated with clinical prognosis and patients' survival. The role of immune system as a consistent part of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been documented in progression of ductal breast carcinoma. Here, we aimed to describe the important immune cells and the immune system-associated molecules in Ductal Carcinoma In situ (DCIS) and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) with special emphasis on their associations with different molecular subtypes and patients' prognosis.

Saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. Extract Down-regulate the Expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin in Human Endothelial Cell Lines.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin (SELE) are consistently expressed in the vascular endothelium. Several evidence support the crucial role of adhesion molecules in the development of atherosclerosis and plaque instability. Due to the anti-inflammatory activity of (TT), the present study investigated the effect of aqueous extract and saponin fraction of TT on the expression of , , and genes in endothelial cells during normal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced conditions.

The immune system as a target for therapy of SARS-CoV-2: A systematic review of the current immunotherapies for COVID-19.

Aims: The immune response is essential for the control and resolution of viral infections. Following the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), several immunotherapies were applied to modulate the immune responses of the affected patients. In this review, we aimed to describe the role of the immune system in response to COVID-19.

In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy of the combined Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitor and genistein isoflavone, two biological compounds from soybean.

Soybean Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) and genistein, two biological compounds from soybean, are well-known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. The aim of this study was designing a BBI-genistein conjugate and then investigating its protective effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in BALB/c mice, compared with the effects of combination of BBI and genistein. BBI was purified from soybean and the BBI-genistein conjugate was synthesized.

Study of gene expression and steviol glycosides accumulation in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni under various mannitol concentrations.

Stevia rebaudiana produces sweet steviol glycosides that are 300 times sweeter than sugar and have the beneficial effects on human health including anti-hyperglycaemic. Tissue culture is the best method with high efficacy to propagate stevia. Abiotic stress has an impact on steviol glycoside contents in stevia.

2-Methylpyridine-1-ium-1-sulfonate as an Inducer of Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest: A comparative in vitro and Computational Study.

"Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food" was expressed by Hippocrates and the health benefits of medicinal plants and natural products have been considered by humans since historic times. The current study aims to investigate the anti-cancer activity of 2-Methylpyridine-1-ium-1-sulfonate (MPS) isolated from bulbs of Allium hirtifolium. The MPS compound (in a dose-dependent manner) induced arrest the AGS cells in G1 and G2/M phases, and Caco-2 cells in G1 and S phases.

Anti-angiogenesis effect of β-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) as a novel NSAID with immunosuppressive properties under experimental model.

Angiogenesis is a process through which new capillaries are formed from pre-existing ones, which contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, such as cancer and chronic inflammatory disorders. The β-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) is a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with immunosuppressive effects and is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor. This research aimed to study the anti-angiogenesis effects of M2000 under in vitro and in vivo models.

2-Methylpyridine-1-ium-1-sulfonate from Allium hirtifolium: An anti-angiogenic compound which inhibits growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction.

Natural products have well been recognized as sources of drugs in cancer treatment. Some medicinal plants contain the constituents with potent anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer effects, which have offered great hopes of being used as drugs for treating various cancers. The present study aims at identifying the anti-angiogenic effects of 2-Methylpyridine-1-ium-1-sulfonate (MPS) isolated from the ethyl acetate extract (EA) of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium).

A Highly Pure Sub-Fraction of Shallot Extract With Potent in vitro Anti-Angiogenic Activity.

Our previous studies showed that various extracts of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) have anti- angiogenic effects. This study has been undertaken to isolate and identify the major effective anti- angiogeneic sub-fraction of shallot. After preparation of the 50% hydroalcoholic extract of shallot bulbs, the extract was successively fractionated into n- hexane, ethyl acetate, n- butanol and aqueous fractions.

Comparative Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Apoptogenic Effects of Several Coumarins on Human Cancer Cell Lines: Osthole Induces Apoptosis in p53-Deficient H1299 Cells.

Natural products are excellent resources for finding lead structures for the development of chemotherapeutic agents. Coumarins are a class of natural compounds found in a variety of plants. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic potential of coumarins isolated from Prangos ferulacea (L.

Osthole attenuates doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells through inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent, broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic drug used for treatment of several types of cancers. Despite its effectiveness, it has a wide range of toxic side effects, many of which most likely result from its inherent prooxidant activity. It has been reported that DOX has toxic effects on normal tissues, including brain tissue.

Low Concentrations of Flavonoid - Rich Fraction of Shallot Extract Induce Delayed - Type Hypersensitivity and TH1 Cytokine IFNγ Expression in BALB/c Mice.

Flavonoids are potentially immunomodulatory factors and it may be inferred that these phytochemicals contribute to immunomodulatory properties of the Allium family. In the present study, we investigated the potential mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory effect of shallot and its ethyl acetate (EA) fraction as flavonoid-rich sources. Ex vivo, effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of shallot, its fractions and quercetin on lymphocyte viability were evaluated.

Anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of shallot (Allium ascalonicum) extract.

Introduction: Alliumplants are an important part of the diet of many populations and there is a long-held belief in their health-enhancing properties such as cancer prevention. In this study, the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of the Allium ascalonicum bulbs have been studied.

Material And Methods: The antiproliferative and anti-growth activity of the aqueous extract of A.

Diagnostic value of chemical shift artifact in distinguishing benign lymphadenopathy.

Purpose: Today, distinguishing metastatic lymph nodes from secondary benign inflammatory ones via using non-invasive methods is increasingly favorable. In this study, the diagnostic value of chemical shift artifact (CSA) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated to distinguish benign lymphadenopathy.

Subjects And Methods: A prospective intraindividual internal review board-approved study was carried out on 15 men and 15 women having lymphadenopathic lesions in different locations of the body who underwent contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging at 1.