Investigating Functional and Folding Stability of an Engineered L-asparaginase Harboring Y176F/S241C Mutations.

Purpose: L-asparaginase has been widely recognized as a critical component in the treatment of various types of lymphoproliferative disorders, since its introduction in 1960s. However, its use in some cases leads to allergic reactions rendering the continuation of treatment unfeasible. Thus, the development of L-asparaginase from alternative sources or the production of engineered enzymes have always been considered.

Expression and Biological Evaluation of an Engineered Recombinant L-asparaginase Designed by Method Based on Sequence of the Enzyme from .

Purpose: Medical usage of L-asparaginase (ASNase), the first-line of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment, is linked to allergic responses and toxicities, which necessitates the development of new bio-better ASNases. The aim of the current study was design of a novel ASNase with predicted improved enzymatic properties using strategies encompassing sequence-function analysis of known ASNase mutants. Additionally, current study aimed to show that the new enzyme is active.

Effects of Methanolic Extract on Early Stages of Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colon Carcinoma in Rats: Apoptosis Pathway Approach.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers, worldwide. The present study aimed to examine the effects of (SO) methanolic extract on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colon cancer model in the Wistar rats. The animals administered DMH (40 mg/kg/S.

Ultrasound elastography using shear wave interference patterns: a finite element study of affecting factors.

Elastography as one of the non-invasive medical imaging techniques which can help determine the stiffness of organs and other structures is currently attracting more attention. An interesting imaging rate-independent technique which has been discussed in literature uses shear wave interference patterns (SWIP). In this method, two external continuous harmonic vibration sources were used to induced SWIP and the resulting tissue displacements are mapped using ultrasonic imaging called sonoelastography.

Semi-automatic measurement of rigid gas-permeable contact lens movement in keratoconus patients using blinking images.

Purpose: To introduce a method for estimation of the rigid gas-permeable contact lens (RGP) movement.

Materials And Methods: Videos captured from normal blinking of keratoconus patients while wearing RGP lenses were used for this study. The videos are recorded using the CCD camera of a smart phone attached to the eyepiece of the slit lamp.

The Effects of Natural Clinoptilolite and Nano-Sized Clinoptilolite Supplementation on Lipid Profile, Food Intakes and Body Weight in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes.

To determine the effect of natural clinoptilolite (CLN) and nano-sized clinoptilolite (NCLN) on lipid profile, food intakes (FI) and weight changes in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 36 rats were randomly divided into two groups: diabetic group which was injected STZ (60 mg/kg BW), and a non-diabetic group. Three days after diabetes induction, each of these groups was randomly divided into 3 subgroups of 6 animals ((1) control, (2) 1%/food CLN, (3) 1%/food NCLN).

Apoptosis and Caspase 3 Pathway Role on Anti-Proliferative Effects of Scrophulariaoxy Sepala Methanolic Extract on Caco-2 Cells.

Colorectal cancer is one the most important malignancies worldwide and finding new treatment option for this cancer is of high priority. Natural compounds are common source of drugs for treatment of various diseases including cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Scrophularia oxysepala extract on Caco-2 cells and explore the possible role of caspase 3 pathway in inducing cell death in this cancer cells in compare with chemotherapy agents of cisplatin and capecitabine.

The Effects of Natural Clinoptilolite and Nano-Sized Clinoptilolite Supplementation on Glucose Levels and Oxidative Stress in Rats With Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: Oxidative stress has a major role in development of diabetic complications. In this study we investigated whether clinoptilolite and nano-sized clinoptilolite could reduce hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and attempted to determine which intervention was more effective.

Methods: Thirty-six rats were randomly allocated to 2 groups; 1 group was randomly chosen as a diabetic group and injected with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight in 0.

Effects of a self-care education program on quality of life of patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy.

Background: Gastrectomy affects different aspects of functionality and impacts on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with gastric cancer. The importance of appropriate assessment of QoL in cancer patients is well established, yet strategies that help improve this important patient outcome are relatively scarce.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a brief self-care education program to improve QoL of gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.

Anti-mutagenicity Effects of Vitamin E on Oncology and Non-oncology Hospital Nurses by Ames Assay.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the anti-mutagenic effects of Vitamin E among nurses of oncology and non-oncology hospitals exposed to chemotherapy drugs. Several studies have demonstrated that nurses occupationally exposes to cytostatic drugs.

Material And Methods: A total of 138 female nurses from oncology and non-oncology hospitals participated in the study.

Effect of vitamin e on uroepithelial cells and changes of urinary sediments in oncology hospital nursing personnel.

Introduction: Vitamin E is an important natural antioxidant, and its most common and biologically active form is α-tocopherol. The antiproliferative effects of alpha-tocopherol have been previously demonstrated. In this study we investigated the effects of vitamin E on urinary epithelial cells and urinary sediments of nursing from oncology hospital.

Ambivalent effects of atorvastatin on angiogenesis, epidermal cell proliferation and tumorgenesis in animal models.

Background: A growing body of preclinical data indicates that statins may possess antineoplastic properties; however, some studies have raised the possibility that statins may also have carcinogenic potential.

Methods: An air pouch model was used for angiogenesis. Single or multiple applications of croton oil on the back of Swiss albino mice with or without initiation by dimethylbenz(a)antheracene (DMBA) were used to evaluate the skin tumorgenesis, ultrastructural and histological alterations.

Effect of acute and chronic administration of carbamazepine on Cisplatin-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

Background: Cisplatin is an effective antineoplastic drug used extensively in the treatment of malignancies. It induces painful peripheral neuropathy at high doses.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of carbamazepine (CBZ) on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathic pain by using the tail-flick test.

Buspirone attenuates tolerance to analgesic effect of morphine in mice with skin cancer.

Adjuvant drugs that can delay tolerance to morphine analgesia may lead to improved management of pain in chronic disease such as cancer. This study was aimed to investigate effect of buspirone, as a partial agonist of 5-HT1A receptor, on tolerance induced to morphine analgesic effect in animals with skin cancer. Study was carried on female Swiss albino mice.

Effect of fluoxetine on tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine in mice with skin cancer.

Adjuvant drugs that attenuate or inhibit the development of tolerance to morphine may lead to improved management of pain in chronic diseases such as cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of fluoxetine, a specific 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin) reuptake inhibitor, on tolerance induced to the analgesic effect of morphine in mice with skin cancer. The study was carried out on female Swiss albino mice.

Effect of testosterone on morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats.

Aim: To determine whether testosterone is involved in morphine withdrawal syndrome (WS).

Methods: In order to induce dependency, rats were treated with subcutaneous injection of morphine (days 1-2, 5 mg/kg; days 3-5, 7.5 mg/kg; days 6-8, 10 mg/kg), and after the last dose of morphine (day 8) WS was induced by intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (1 mg/kg).

Involvement of serotoninergic mechanism in analgesia by castration and flutamide, a testosterone antagonist, in the rat formalin test.

Several studies have suggested that testosterone has a role in nociception. Recently, we have shown that castration and flutamide, a testosterone antagonist, induce analgesia in the late phase of formalin test, which is related to increase of 5-HT levels in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on castration and flutamide-induced analgesia in order to further explore the role of 5-HT systems in such analgesia.