Laboratory Biochemical and Hematological Parameters: Early Predictive Biomarkers for Diagnosing Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide concern, causing liver damage and necessitating early detection to prevent its spread. Studies indicate that evaluating changes in biochemical and hematological parameters, which serve as suitable predictors of inflammation, can be a reasonable method for diagnosing hepatitis C infection.

Methods: This study analyzed 100 samples from high-risk patients positively identified via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).

Association between Pro-oxidant-Antioxidant balance and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A Study on Postmenopausal Women.

Introduction: Oxidative stress known as a predictive marker for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases could be measured through pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB). The present study aimed to evaluate PAB and its association with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the serum of postmenopausal women with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: In this case-control study, 99 diabetic and 100 healthy postmenopausal women without diabetes mellitus were recruited.

Serum Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance and hs-CRP in Patients with Clinical and Subclinical Hypothyroidism.

Background: Oxidative stress (OS) is caused by an imbalance between prooxidant substance production and antioxidant defense. OS is involved in physiologic interactions in the body and the pathogenesis of various disorders. This study aimed to evaluate serum prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) as a selective prooxidant, antioxidant defense, and acute phase reactant protein in patients with subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism.

Differentiation of Human Wharton Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Germ-Like Cells; emphasis on evaluation of Germ-long non-coding RNAs.

Background: The proliferation and differentiation of stem cells into Germ-Like Cells (GLCs) is mediated by several growth factors and specific genes, of which some are related to long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We have developed a modified differentiation process and identified a panel of GermlncRNAs related to GLCs.

Methods: Human Wharton Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells were treated with 25 ng/ml Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-4 and 10 all-trans retinoic acid to differentiate them into germ-like cells.

Serum level and tumor tissue expression of Ribonucleotide-diphosphate Reductase subunit M2 B: a potential biomarker for colorectal cancer.

Background: This study explored the applicability of serum level and tissue expression of Ribonucleotide-diphosphate Reductase subunit M2 B (RRM2B) as reliable biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and metastasis.

Methods And Results: The present descriptive-analytic cohort study was conducted on 50 newly diagnosed CRC patients (stage II, III) and 50 healthy individuals. The new cases had not received any therapeutic intervention and underwent surgery immediately after the initial diagnosis.

Hypoxia-Induced miR-210 Overexpression Promotes the Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Hepatocyte-Like Cells on Random Nanofiber Poly-L-Lactic Acid/Poly (-Caprolactone) Scaffolds.

An alternative treatment to liver transplantation includes the use of differentiated stem cells. Hypoxia has been shown to endow human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with enhanced hepatic differentiation. We have investigated a new strategy for hepatocyte differentiation from hiPSCs using a three-step differentiation protocol with lentiviral overexpression of hypoxia-microRNA-210 of cells grown on a hybrid scaffold.

The lower expression of circulating miR-210 and elevated serum levels of HIF-1α in ischemic stroke; Possible markers for diagnosis and disease prediction.

Background: Stroke, either due to ischemia or hemorrhage, causes acute neurological damages to the brain. There is shortage of reliable biomarkers for ischemic stroke (IS), and we therefore investigated the serum concentrations of microRNA-210 (miR-210) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), as possible diagnostic and/or prognostic markers for IS.

Methods: Serum samples were acquired from 52 IS patients and their healthy counterparts at five time points: upon admission, 24 and 48 h after admission, upon discharge and 3 months later.

The association between daily naps and metabolic syndrome: Evidence from a population-based study in the Middle-East.

Background: Daily naps are a common habit in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries; however, little is known about the association between daily naps and other health consequences, including the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: Participants were recruited from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorders study. We defined MetS according to International Diabetes Federation criteria.

The elevation of S100B and downregulation of circulating miR-602 in the sera of ischemic stroke (IS) patients: the emergence of novel diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of mortality and disability. However, no reliable prognostic or diagnostic biomarker has been utilized to date. Here, we have evaluated the serum S100B concentration and miR-602 expression as potential biomarkers for IS.

Overexpression of microRNA-375 and microRNA-122 promotes the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of gene expression. In this study, we evaluated the use of overexpression of microRNA-375 (miR-375) and miR-122 in differentiating the Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) into functional hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) without growth factors. We also compared the differentiation by miRNAs versus growth factors.

The Association between Inflammatory Markers in the Acute Phase of Stroke and Long-Term Stroke Outcomes: Evidence from a Population-Based Study of Stroke.

Background: Little is known about the association between inflammatory markers in the acute stroke phase and long-term stroke outcomes.

Methods: In a population-based study of stroke with 5 years follow-up, we measured the level of serum heat shock protein 27 immunoglobulin G antibody (anti-HSP27), C-reactive protein (CRP), and pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) in the acute stroke phase. We analyzed the association between these inflammatory biomarkers and stroke outcomes (recurrence, death and disability/functional dependency) with using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.

Hybrid poly-l-lactic acid/poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibrous scaffold can improve biochemical and molecular markers of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells.

A suitable alternative strategy for liver transplantation is the use of nanofibrous scaffolds together with stem cells. In this study, a random hybrid of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was used as a three-dimensional (3D) culture for differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells and compared with routine culture (two-dimensional [2D]). The expression of the endodermal marker, forkhead box A2 (FOXA2), was assessed on Day 3 and the hepatic markers; albumin (ALB), α-1 antitrypsin (AAT), and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) were evaluated on Day 18 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR.

Three-dimensional nanofiberous PLLA/PCL scaffold improved biochemical and molecular markers hiPS cell-derived insulin-producing islet-like cells.

Nanofibrous scaffolds are considered as a new strategy for Type 1 diabetes mellitus therapy. We used a hybrid of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) as three-dimensional (3D) culture models for differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to beta islet-like cluster cell compared with routine culture (2D). Morphological changes of cells were checked by microscope.

Formulation and Taste Masking of Ranitidine Orally Disintegrating Tablet.

Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT) have the advantages of both solid dosage form specially the stability and ease of handling and liquid dosage forms including ease of swallowing and pre-gastric absorption. We focused on taste masking and formulation of ranitidine ODT which disintegrates rapidly in the mouth within 60 sec using super-disintegrants, special polymers, water soluble and even insoluble excipients, sweeteners and essence. Various formulations were designed and made in four series.

Expression Analysis of Previously Verified Fecal and Plasma Dow-regulated MicroRNAs (miR-4478, 1295-3p, 142-3p and 26a-5p), in FFPE Tissue Samples of CRC Patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis of this neoplasm is critical and may reduce patients' mortality. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules whose expression pattern can be altered in various diseases such as CRC.

A Review on Iron Chelators in Treatment of Iron Overload Syndromes.

Iron chelation therapy is used to reduce iron overload development due to its deposition in various organs such as liver and heart after regular transfusion. In this review, different iron chelators implicated in treatment of iron overload in various clinical conditions have been evaluated using more up-to-date studies focusing on these therapeutic agents. Deferoxamine, Deferiprone and Deferasirox are the most important specific US FDA-approved iron chelators.

Calprotectin Pegylation Enhanced Its Physical and Structural Properties.

Calprotectin is member of the S-100 protein family with a wide plethora of intra-and extracellular functions. Anticancer activities, antimicrobial effects and being a qualified disease marker are among the compelling features of this protein to be used as a pharmaceutical agent. However, there are several impediments to applications of protein pharmaceuticals including: proteolytic degradation, short circulating half-life, low solubility and immunogenicity.

Microchips and their Significance in Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells and Monitoring of Cancers.

In micro-fluid systems, fluids are injected into extremely narrow polymer channels in small amounts such as micro-, nano-, or pico-liter scales. These channels themselves are embedded on tiny chips. Various specialized structures in the chips including pumps, valves, and channels allow the chips to accept different types of fluids to be entered the channel and along with flowing through the channels, exert their effects in the framework of different reactions.

Differentiation of Definitive Endoderm from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells on hMSCs Feeder in a Defined Medium.

Background: The Definitive Endoderm (DE) differentiation using the undefined media and non-human feeders can cause contaminations in the generated cells for therapeutic applications. Therefore, generating safer and more appropriate DE cells is needed. This study compared five different methods to establish an appropriate method for inducing an efficient DE differentiation from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) on an appropriate feeder in a more defined medium.

MicroRNA-129-1 acts as tumour suppressor and induces cell cycle arrest of GBM cancer cells through targeting IGF2BP3 and MAPK1.

Background: MicroRNA-129-1 (miR-129-1) seems to behave as a tumour suppressor since its decreased expression is associated with different tumours such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most common form of brain tumours originating from glial cells. The impact of miR-129-1 downregulation on GBM pathogenesis has yet to be elucidated.

Short view of leukemia diagnosis and treatment in iran.

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment of leukemia patients remains a fundamental aim in clinical oncology, especially in developing country. Present study highlights the basic requirements of these patients in Iran. Better understanding of these issues may lead to improve the healthcare standards toward leukemia diagnosis and treatment.

Apolipoproteins A1, B, and other prognostic biochemical cardiovascular risk factors in patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Objectives: The occurrence of cardiac iron deposition is one of the late effect of iron over load which causes cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients who are affected by beta-thalassemia major. Evaluation of some cardiovascular risk factors plays a crucial role in prediction and prevention of CVD.

Subjects And Methods: This study consisted of 70 young adult subjects with beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) (aged <30 years) and 71 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as control group in the range of 20-30 years.

Vasopressin attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury via reduction of oxidative stress and inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in rat hearts.

Aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and oxidative stress in the cardioprotective effect of vasopressin (AVP) on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Anesthetized male wistar rats were subjected to regional 30 min ischemia and 120 min reperfusion and randomly divided into nine groups: (1) Control; saline was administered intravenously before ischemia, (2) vasopressin was administrated 10 min prior to ischemia, (3, 4) Atractyloside as MPTP opener, was injected 5 min prior to reperfusion without and with vasopressin, (5, 6) Cyclosporine A as a MPTP closer, was injected 5 min prior to reperfusion without and with vasopressin, (7) mitochondria were isolated from control group and CaCl2 was added as MPTP opener and swelling inducer, (8) isolated mitochondria from Control hearts was incubated with Cyclosporine A before adding the CaCl2 (9) CaCl2 was added to isolated mitochondria from vasopressin group. Infusion of vasopressin decreased infarct size (18.

Efficient Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC) Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells on hMSCs Feeder.

Background: The use of stem cells is considered as an appropriate source in cell therapy and tissue engineering. Differentiation of human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) to Hepatocyte-like Cells (HLCs) on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) feeders is confronted with several problems that hinder the clinical applications of these differentiated cells for the treatment of liver injuries. Safe appropriate cells for stem cell-based therapies could create new hopes for liver diseases.

Overexpression of microRNA-16 declines cellular growth, proliferation and induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a large family of small single-stranded RNA molecules found in all multicellular organisms. Early studies have been shown that miRNA are involved in cancer development and progression, and this role can be done by working as an oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, so manipulation of this molecules can be a promising approach in cancer therapy, and experimental results represented that the modification in breast cancer phenotype is possible by miRNA expression alteration. miR-16, which is located in 13q14 chromosome, plays critical roles as a tumor suppressor by targeting several oncogenes which regulate cell cycle and apoptosis.