Activating the Protein Synthesis Signaling by HIIT Concomitant with the Suppression of Protein Degradation in Wistar Rats’ Skeletal Muscle

Background: Muscle loss occurs in some conditions such as aging, sarcopenia, and cancer. The interaction between protein synthesis and degradation signaling components induced by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is not well studied. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to simultaneously examine the effect of eight-week HIIT on the gene expression of both signaling components. Methods: Sixteen male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to HIIT and non-exercise control groups. The HIIT group ran on a treadmill, five days/week for eight weeks, with 0º slope, including five interval sets of high and low intensity. Forty-eight hours after the last exercise session, dissected soleus muscles were stored at -80°C for later analyses. Results: The gene expression of Akt1, mTORC1, and S6K1 were increased in the HIIT group compared with the control group (All P ≤ 0.031) concomitant with the suppression of eIF4EBP1. The results of the S6K1 and eIF4EBP1 mRNA were also confirmed by the Western blotting. According to the inhibitory effect of Akt1, the gene expressions of FoxO3a and, consequently, MuRF1 and LC3A were significantly inhibited (All P ≤ 0.003). Western blot analysis did not confirm the LC3A protein expression, which may underline the role of LC3A in autophagy to promote cell survival. Conclusions: The intensities and durations of the exercise training protocol are sufficient to increase protein synthesis signaling components and especially inhibit the atrophy-related gene expression, which may lead to attenuating muscle loss and increasing muscle mass. Accordingly, it may be considered for rehabilitation and/or prevention of some conditions such as sarcopenia and cachexia.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Several Medicinal Plants Against Clinically Isolated Staphylococcus Aureus from Humans and Sheep

Background: Continuous and indiscriminate use of chemical drugs causes an important phenomenon of resistance to microorganisms. Accordingly, the effect of medications is minimized or offset, increasing drug use and the need to study mixtures with more latest and powerful formulations. On the other hand, it has been reported that many plants essential oils have a significant inhibitory effect on pathogenic microorganisms. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of some curative herbs against some clinical bacteria of humans and sheep. Methods: The leaves of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Hypericum perforatum L., Lavandula angustifolia, Thymus vulgaris L., and Taxus baccata L. were collected and determined in the botanical laboratory of the University of Zabol. Forty grams of dried leaves was used in 400 mL of ethanol (96%) to prepare the ethanolic extract. DPPH was used to determine the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) trapping. The antimicrobial effects were studied by the disk diffusion (6 mm) method in Müller-Hinton agar medium according to the method by Bauer et al. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of chicory, thyme, H. perforatum, French lavender, and yarrow extracts in human clinical Staphylococcus aureus were 6.25, 12.5, 3.1, 25, and 6.25 ppm, respectively, but, in sheep, clinical S. aureus, were 12.5, 6.25, 3.1, 12.5, and 25 ppm, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of chicory, thyme, H. perforatum, French lavender, and yarrow extracts in human clinical S. aureus were 12.5, 25, 6.25, 50, and 12.5 ppm, respectively, but, in sheep clinical S. aureus, were 25, 12.5, 6.25, 25, and 50 ppm, respectively. The most effective extract in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus was the H. perforatum L. extract with an 8.9-mm diameter growth inhibition zone. Conclusions: Regarding the side effects of artificial medications and antimicrobials, as well as the significant influence of healing herb extracts used in this study, it was found that H. perforatum was the most effective plant against S. aureus. It should be noted that plant extracts were more effective in human clinical S. aureus than in sheep clinical S. aureus.

Genetic Path of the Emergence of SARS-CoV-2

Context: SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus that has humans as the host. Because of its highly infectious nature, toward the end of January 2020, the WHO declared it a public health emergency of international concern. The present review is about understanding the journey of SARS-CoV-2 to its present form with an attempt to assess the genetic basis of its pandemic-causing abilities. Evidence Acquisition: The data for the present review were accessed through different publications and preprint repositories. Results: SARS-CoV-2 is a beta-coronavirus, and is approximately 60 - 140 nm in size. The appearance of its structure as a crown shape under an electron microscope led to the coining of its name ‘Coronavirus’. Comparative genome and proteome analysis exhibits similarities and differences with reference to SARS-CoV. The Open Reading Frames (ORFs) found on the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and their corresponding proteins have been discussed. Bats may act as reservoir hosts but not exclusively. The possibility of snakes as the host, as well as other intermediate hosts, before reaching humans seems plausible. This has been supported by ACE2 receptor diversity and conservation across different tissues and organisms. The role of spike glycoprotein and its interaction with the receptor through specific residues for invading host cells makes a perfect therapeutic target, but the variations therein and the resulting impact on interactions pose challenges for the same. Conclusions: Though the differences between the MERS, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 genomes indicate amino acid changes, leading to the present pandemic situation, the fact that new variants are still emerging signifies that the journey is an ongoing one, which requires monitoring.

AURKC Gene Polymorphism (rs58264281) Associated with Idiopathic Male Infertility Risk in Northeast of Iran: A Case-Control Study

Background: Infertility is a major public health and social problem in human reproduction that is known as a multifactorial complex disorder. Genetic background and mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the genes involved in sperm development are the important causes of male infertility. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the association of AURKC gene polymorphism (rs58264281) and idiopathic male infertility in the Iranian Azeri population. Methods: This study was performed among 100 men with idiopathic infertility (case group) and 100 healthy men with successful fertility (control group) from East Azerbaijan, Iran. Genomic DNA extraction was carried out from peripheral blood samples by the proteinase K method. Genotype analysis was conducted by the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (Tetra-ARMS PCR). SPSS version 21 was used for the analysis of the obtained data. Results: We observed that the CA and AA genotypes were significantly increased in patients with infertility as compared to healthy controls. Our results demonstrated that the mutant allele of AURKC gene polymorphism (rs58264281) was a significant risk factor in male infertility. Conclusions: We suggested a significant correlation between the AURKC gene rs58264281 polymorphism and male infertility in the Iranian Azeri population. However, further studies are required among other ethnicities, races, and geographic areas with larger sample sizes.

Evaluation of NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 3 and NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 5 Gene Expression in Interferon Gamma–Treated Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Wharton’s Jelly of Human Umbilical Cord

Background: Human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly has provided a new source for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The highly proliferative capacity with low immunogenicity and multi-differentiation potential of its stem cells make them applicable for transplantation purposes. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) play various roles in antigen presentation of pathogens and damaged cells to suppress and/or modulate inflammation. Objectives: In this study, the expression levels of NLR family CARD domain containing 3 (NLRC3) and NLRC5 genes were analyzed and compared in both untreated and interferon gamma (IFN-γ)–treated Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs). Methods: MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly using standard tissue culture. The expression of NLRC5 and NLRC3 genes was analyzed in IFN-γ–treated WJ-MSCs (24 hours after treatment) and untreated WJ-MSCs (as a control) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: It was found that IFN-γ treatment mimicking an inflammation scenario led to a statistically significant increase of NLRC3 and NLRC5 gene expression compared to untreated WJ-MSCs (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: It seems that higher expression of NLRC3 and NLRC5 genes in treated WJ-MSCs may make them a proper candidate to be used as a source for cell therapy in inflammatory conditions.

Evaluation of AK023391 lncRNA and FOXO3a Genes’ Expression in Tissues from Iranian Gastric Cancer Patients Compared with Healthy Tissues and Their Relationship with Clinicopathological Features

Background: LncRNAs have been shown to be implicated in the initiation and progression of gastric cancer (GC). Here, the transcription levels of the AK023391 and FOXO3a genes, as well as their relationship with clinical traits, were examined in GC. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) GC tumor and 50 normal tissues. The RNA levels of the FOXO3a and AK023391 genes encoding lncRNAs were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Results: A significant difference was observed in the mRNA level of AK023391 between GC tumor and normal tissues (Mean difference = 2.683, P = 0.0371). The transcription level of FOXO3A showed no remarkably significant difference between GC and normal tissues (Mean difference = 0.9177, P = 0.2199). In addition, AK023391 and FOXO3a mRNA expression levels showed no significant associations with the clinicopathologic features of GC. Also, we found no significant correlation between the expressions of AK023391 and FOXO3a in GC tissues (R = 0.014; P = 0.34). Conclusions: Our finding suggested that there might be a significant relationship between the expression level of AK023391 and GC. Our results also showed that there was no correlation between the mRNA levels of the AK023391 and FOXO3a genes in GC tissues.

Effects of Different Solvents to Extract Phytochemical Materials of Rhazya stricta Against Salmonella typhimurium Activity

Background: The use of plant extracts prepared from medicinal plants is common in the developing countries. Meanwhile, due to the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics, researchers are looking to discover new antimicrobials. Medicinal plants play an essential role in this regard. Objectives: This study was aimed at investigating the antimicrobial properties of various extracts of Rhazya stricta plant against Salmonella typhimurium. Methods: Methanolic, aqueous, ethanolic, hydroalcoholic, and ethyl acetate extracts of R. stricta were prepared. S. typhimurium strains were isolated from poultry feces. The microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of this plant. The diameter of the growth inhibition zone using was determined using Whatman paper. Results: The lowest MIC against S. typhimurium was obtained from the hydroalcoholic solvent with 3.1 ppm. The most effective extraction solvent to inhibit the growth of S. typhimurium was the hydroalcoholic type with an average growth inhibition zone diameter of 12.25 mm, followed by the ethanolic extract with a growth inhibition zone diameter of 12.12 mm. Conclusions: According to the results of research and increasing resistance to synthetic antibacterial substances, it seems that R. stricta plant with the help of hydroalcoholic solvent, can be considered an effective plant in eliminating some bacteria, including S. typhimurium.

Expression of Microrna-195 Increased Significantly in Patients with Methamphetamine Abuse Disorder

Background: Addiction is one of the most important social and health problems in the world. Development of rapid and inexpensive diagnostic methods for identification of patients with addiction to methamphetamine is still a very important challenge. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been introduced as an accurate and reliable biomarker for diagnosis of human disorders. Objectives: In the present study, the expression of miRNA-186 and miRNA-195 was investigated in blood of patients with methamphetamine abuse disorder. Methods: In this case-control study, 60 patients with methamphetamine abuse disorder (case group) and 60 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled. Total RNA was extracted from whole blood of patients and healthy controls, and then cDNA synthesis was performed using reverse transcriptase. Real-time PCR method was employed to investigate miRNA-186 and miRNA-195 expression. Finally, statistical software was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: The results demonstrated that the expression of miRNA-195 significantly increased in blood samples of patients with methamphetamine abuse disorders (8.75-fold change) compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05). However, the expression of miRNA-185 did not significantly increase (1.61-fold change) in patients compared to healthy controls (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study suggested that miR-195 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of drug addiction and can be used as an accurate and reliable marker for the identification of patients with methamphetamine abuse disorder.

A Literature Review on Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

: One of the most dangerous respiratory diseases is pneumonia, one of the ten leading causes of death globally. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a common infection in hospitals, which is the second most common nosocomial infection and causes inflammation parenchyma. In Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), we have various risk factors, including age and gender, and also some specific risk factors. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the deadliest nosocomial infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, VAP is pneumonia that develops about 48 hours of an artificial airway. Bacterial, viral, parasitic, primordial, and other species can cause these diseases. We discuss bacterial factors. Our goal is to gather information about HAP, CAP, and VAP to give people specific information. In this study, these three issues have been examined together, but in similar studies, each of them has been examined separately, and our type of study will be more helpful in diagnosis and treatment.