Optimization of a PDMS-Based Cell Culture Substrate for High-Density Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Adhesion and Long-Term Differentiation into Cardiomyocytes under a Xeno-Free Condition.

Despite the numerous advantages of PDMS-based substrates in various biomedical applications, they are limited by their highly hydrophobic surface that does not optimally interact with cells for attachment and growth. Hence, the lack of lengthy and straightforward procedures for high-density cell production on the PDMS-based substrate is one of the significant challenges in cell production in the cell therapy field. In this study, we found that the PDMS substrate coated with a combination of polydopamine (PDA) and laminin-511 E8 fragments (PDA + LME8-coated PDMS) can support human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) attachment and growth for the long term and satisfy their demands of differentiation into cardiomyocytes (iCMs).

Protein Kinase Signaling by Shiga Toxin Subunits.

Background: Escherichia coli produces Shiga toxin (Stx), a pentamer composed of one A subunit and four B subunits. The B subunit of Stx (StxB) mediated the attachment of the holotoxin to the cell surface while the A subunit (StxA) has N-glycosidase activity, resulting in protein synthesis and cell death inhibition. Stx-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis have been observed in various cell lines, although the signaling effectors are not precisely defined.

A Review on Important Zoonotic Bacterial Tick-Borne Diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Background: Zoonotic diseases as health concerns worldwide account for more than half of the emerging infectious diseases. Arachnids are powerful vectors to transmit several diseases to humans. Additionally, these emerging zoonotic diseases have been a considerable health threat in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the WHO (EMRO) due to the large population living close to farms and international trade with nearby countries.

Computational evaluation of modified peptides from human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP-1).

The development of bacterial resistance toward antibiotics has been led to pay attention to the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The common mechanism of AMPs is disrupting the integrity of the bacterial membrane. One of the most accessible targets for α-defensins human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) is lipid II.

A Synthetic Peptide 2AbzS Reduces Bacterial Titer and Induces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in a Murine Model of Urinary Tract Infection.

Introduction: A urinary tract infection (UTI), which is often caused by uropathogenic (UPEC) strains, affects many people worldwide annually. UPEC causes the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the bladder epithelial cells; however, it has been proven that the UPEC can inhibit the early activation of the innate immune system.

Methods: This study aimed to examine the antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects of different doses of truncated alpha-defensins (human neutrophil peptide (HNP)-1) analog 2AbzS on the mouse UTI model.

Inhibition and eradication activity of truncated α-defensin analogs against multidrug resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli biofilm.

Today the development of antibiotic resistance, especially in the treatment of bacterial infections associated with biofilms, has led to increasing the importance of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In this work, antimicrobial and synergistic activity of three truncated HNP-1 analogs (2Abz14S29, 2Abz23S29, and HNP1ΔC18A) with β-lactam (amoxicillin and cefixime) and fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin) antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) uropathogenic E. coli clinical isolates were evaluated.

Comparing blood versus tissue-based biomarkers expression in breast cancer patients.

Molecular markers have been used as a tool for diagnostic approaches, staging, and evaluation of therapeutic responses in patients with cancer. Cancer molecular markers can also help clinicians to make decision on therapy and prognosis evaluation at the time of diagnosis. In the early diagnosis of breast cancer (BC), estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR) expression levels should be determined through immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Surface display of uropathogenic Escherichia coli FimH in Lactococcus lactis: In vitro characterization of recombinant bacteria and its protectivity in animal model.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are very common, leading to high patient morbidity and substantial medical costs. The development of non-antibiotic strategies such as food-grade lactic acid bacterium can be recognized as an attractive and safe alternative way against UTI. Here, we report the construction of Lactococcus lactis (L.

Comparative Study of Blood, Tissue and Serum Levels of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Detection in Breast Cancer.

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection was evaluated in breast cancer (BC). The statistical correlation between the CEA mRNA and clinico-pathological features in the peripheral blood (PB) and tissue samples of BC was assessed.

Materials And Methods: RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) analysis was applied to study the expression of CEA in PB of 30 healthy females and 30 patients with operable BC before receiving any therapy, as well as in the tissue of 30 BC patients.

Modulation of Molecular Biomarker Expression in Response to Chemotherapy in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Breast cancer (BC) has varied morphological and biological features and is classified based on molecular and morphological examinations. Molecular classification of BC is based on biological gene-expression profiling. In this study, biomarker modulation was assessed during BC treatment in 30 previously untreated patients.

Relationship between erb-B2 mRNA Expression in Blood and Tissue of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer Patients and Clinicopathological Characteristics of the Tumors.

Molecular detection methods such as RT-PCR for detecting breast cancer-associated gene expression in the peripheral blood have the potential to modify breast cancer (BC) staging and therapy. In this regard, we evaluated the potential of erb-B2 molecular marker in BC detection and analyzed the expression of erb-B2 mRNA in the peripheral blood and fresh tissue samples of 50 pretreated female BC patients and 50 healthy females by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) method. We also assessed the correlation of erb-B2 mRNA marker positivity in peripheral blood and tumor tissue samples with clinical and pathological factors in BC patients in order to evaluate its prognostic value.

Effect of shiga toxin and its subunits on cytokine induction in different cell lines.

Shiga toxins (Stxs) are bacterial virulence factors produced by Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 and Escherichia coli strains. Stxs are critical factors for the development of diseases such as severe bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Additionally, Stxs trigger the secretion of pro- inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, particularly in monocytes or macrophages.

Relationship between preoperative serum CA 15-3 and CEA levels and clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer.

Background: CEA and CA 15.3 serum tumor markers are currently used in clinical practice for monitoring therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum level of these markers among healthy females and invasive breast carcinoma (IBC) patients and to determine any relationships with clinicopathological factors.

Non-coding CK19 RNA in peripheral blood and tissue of breast cancer patients.

Breast carcinoma is the major cause of cancer-related death in women. The incidence of this carcinoma is rising and there are many attempts to decrease this problem. The aim of this study was detection of full-length cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA, in peripheral blood and tissue of breast cancer patients in early stage of cancer.