Effects of CD44 siRNA on inhibition, survival, and apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and 4T1).

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Despite the many advances that have been made in treating patients, many patients are still resistant to treatment. CD44 is one of the surface glycoproteins of BC cells that plays an important role in the proliferation of these cells and inhibition of their apoptosis.

The methylation status of potentially predicts the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies.

Evaluation of methylation status of genes in sperm samples has been suggested for diagnosis of male infertility as well as prognosis of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcomes. In this study, we compared the methylation pattern of the gene in infertile and fertile men as well as in infertile men with positive and negative ART outcome based on clinical pregnancy. Ejaculates were obtained from 42 infertile men with a negative ART outcome (group 1), 30 infertile men with a positive ART outcome (group 2), and 21 fertile men (control).

Morphological study of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs by X-ray computed microtomography.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are vectors of several arboviruses responsible for causing dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses and microcephaly, resulting in a public health problem in several countries worldwide. Even in this scenario, studies on the morphology of mosquito eggs are still lacking. In this paper, X-ray microtomography was used to study mosquito egg morphology.

Determining chemical composition of materials through micro-CT images.

X-ray microtomography is a 3D non-destructive method which, through digital images, enables a view of the internal structure of samples. Recently, researchers have been extensively performing various methods in the attempt to determine the chemical composition of materials. This paper brings further insight into this matter and proposes a new experimental method for determining the internal chemical composition of samples.

Relief from Back Pain Through Postural Adjustment: a Controlled Clinical Trial of the Immediate Effects of Muscular Chains Therapy (MCT).

Introduction: Back pain can be one of the most common health problems, causing suffering, disabilities, and financial losses. Postural models for pain treatment state that poor posture alters the joint position and causes pain, such as back pain. Muscular Chain Therapy (MCT) is a technique that is used to treat posture pathologies, among others.

Quantification of metals in river water using a portable EDXRF system.

This work identified, quantified, and presents results for metals in water using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) system. It was possible to quantify the following range of concentrations in mg L(-1): Ca(0.043-0.

Immunophenotypic analysis of bone marrow B lymphocyte precursors (hématogones) by flow cytometry.

The aims of this flow cytometry study were to quantify B lymphoid precursors known as hématogones across age and clinical conditions and to study the immunophenotypic profile of these benign immature B cells. A total of 406 consecutive marrow specimens were analyzed for hématogones using 4-color flow cytometry during a 19 month period (60% males and 40% females). The age range was 3 months to 89 years.

Titanium dioxide determination in sunscreen by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence methodology.

Nowadays there are many sun-protection cosmetics incorporating chemical and/or physical UV filters as active ingredients and there are no official methods to determine these kinds of compounds in sunscreen cosmetics. The objective of this work is to estimate TiO(2) concentration, without sample preparation, employing a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), aiming to estimate the sun protection factor (SPF) due to the physical barrier in sunscreen composition, and also identify the metals present in the samples. A portable EDXRF system was used for the analysis of fifteen commercial samples.

Factorial design for Fe, Cu, Zn, Se and Pb preconcentration optimization with APDC and analysis with a portable X-ray fluorescence system.

Preconcentration of heavy metals in water with ammonium pyrrolydine dithiocarbamate (APDC) is a common practice in analytical chemistry. A literature review on this topic showed that several authors use this precipitation agent, but in different preconcentration conditions, conducting to divergent results. The objective of this work is to use factorial design to optimize the factors involved in the preconcentration process of heavy metals using APDC.

Recognition of coxsackievirus A by Enterovirus genus-specific immune and molecular markers in experimentally infected suckling mice.

Objective: Most of coxsackieviruses A (CV-A) are difficult to isolate in cell culture and are responsible for flask paralysis in suckling mice. The aim of the present work was to analyze the ability of immune and RT-PCR techniques to detect viral components of three different serotypes, CV-A6, CV-A13, and CV-A14, in skeletal muscles of experimentally infected suckling mice.

Material And Methods: The antigen detection was done by immunofluorescence technique on trypsinized muscular cells and by immunoperoxidase assay on frozen sections of skeletal muscle, using a monoclonal antibody directed towards a conserved epitope of the VP1 capsid protein among enteroviruses.

Spirometric reference values in Tunisian children.

Background: In Tunisia, there are no normal values of pulmonary function for healthy Tunisian children.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to set reference values for spirometric lung function in Tunisian children and to compare these results with other data sets.

Methods: Spirometric values were measured with a Minato portable spirometer in 1,114 asymptomatic, nonsmoking Tunisian children (581 boys and 533 girls) 6-16 years of age.