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Aim of Study: Since the effect of placental growth factor (PlGF) on MicroRNAs (miRNAs) at molecular level was remained unknown, the aim was to predict the transcription factors (TFs) and their regulated miRNAs that activated by PlGF and analysis the function, biological processes, and cancer stem cells (CSCs)‑related signaling pathways of miRNAs that regulated in PlGF signaling pathway. Subjects and Methods: The aim of this study is to find the TFs that activated by PlGF, we used three online software programs PCViz, PubAngioGen, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway. Then, the regulatory miRNAs downstream of the TFs were identified by four software TMHD, chipbase, circuits, and transmir databases. Target genes of miRNAs were predicted by three online software program TargetScan, Pictar, and miRanda algorithms. Moreover, Mirwalk database was used to find the validated miRNAs in angiogenesis process. Furthermore, Gene ontology (GO) biological process, GO molecular function, KEGG pathway, BIOCARTA pathway, Panther pathway, and Reactome pathway in Database for Annotation and Visualization and Integrated Discovery tools were used to find the functions and signaling pathways of target genes. Results: Many target genes of miRNAs in PlGF pathway were involved in CSCs‑related signaling pathways such as Hedgehog, Wnt/b‑catenin, Notch, mTOR, epidermal growth factor EGF, and transforming growth factor‑beta signaling pathways. Regulatory miRNAs in PlGF signaling pathway probably promote cell proliferation, migration, tubulogenesis, and metastasize in CSCs. Conclusions: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that regulatory miRNAs and their target genes in PlGF pathway played important roles in the progression of CSCs‑related signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Of Study: Since the effect of placental growth factor (PlGF) on MicroRNAs (miRNAs) at molecular level was remained unknown, the aim was to predict the transcription factors (TFs) and their regulated miRNAs that activated by PlGF and analysis the function, biological processes, and cancer stem cells (CSCs)-related signaling pathways of miRNAs that regulated in PlGF signaling pathway.Subjects and Methods: The aim of this study is to find the TFs that activated by PlGF, we used three online software programs PCViz, PubAngioGen, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. Then, the regulatory miRNAs downstream of the TFs were identified by four software TMHD, chipbase, circuits, and transmir databases. Target genes of miRNAs were predicted by three online software program TargetScan, Pictar, and miRanda algorithms. Moreover, Mirwalk database was used to find the validated miRNAs in angiogenesis process. Furthermore, Gene ontology (GO) biological process, GO molecular function, KEGG pathway, BIOCARTA pathway, Panther pathway, and Reactome pathway in Database for Annotation and Visualization and Integrated Discovery tools were used to find the functions and signaling pathways of target genes.Results: Many target genes of miRNAs in PlGF pathway were involved in CSCs-related signaling pathways such as Hedgehog, Wnt/b-catenin, Notch, mTOR, epidermal growth factor EGF, and transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathways. Regulatory miRNAs in PlGF signaling pathway probably promote cell proliferation, migration, tubulogenesis, and metastasize in CSCs.Conclusions: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that regulatory miRNAs and their target genes in PlGF pathway played important roles in the progression of CSCs-related signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South American Tomato Pinworm (SATP), Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most devastating pests in tomato greenhouses. Efficacy of some chemical and biorational insecticides, namely chlorfenapyr, thiocyclam, azadirachtin and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), in controlling SATP and their compatibility with Elachertus inunctus, a new SATP larval ectoparasitoid, were studied under greenhouse conditions. For this purpose, larval mortality, leaf and fruit damage and parasitism following the different insecticide treatments and after various days from the treatment (DAT) were recorded and compared to untreated control. Results showed that chlorfenapyr had suitable effects on SATP larvae. Although the experiments indicated that the short-term effects of azadirachtin, thiocyclam and Bt were not detrimental to SATP larvae, but their residual effects were significant in the long term. Among the tested insecticides, Bt was more compatible with E. innunctus release. Overall, the results suggest that the integration application of Bt with early inundate release of E. innunctus can be recommended for suitable and environmentally safe control of SATP in greenhouse tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Placental growth factor is involved in human gastric cancer initiation and progression through stimulating the proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis of cancerous cells. Previous studies indicate that the expression profiles of hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-let-7b-3p, hsa-miR-451b, and hsa-mir-4290 change in MKN-45- derived gastric cancer stem-like cells. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of PlGF knockdown on hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-let-7b-3p, hsa-miR-451b, and hsa-mir-4290 expressions in MKN-45-derived gastric cancer stem-like cells. Methods: We used a non-adhesive culture system to derive the cancer stem-like cells from MKN-45 cells. PlGF gene silencing was performed by PlGF-specific siRNA. The transcript of PlGF and miRNAs were measured by real-time RT-PCR. We conducted bioinformatics analyses with the online software programs TargetScan, miRanda, miRWalk, PicTar, and the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery tools to predict miRNAs' targets and their signaling pathways. Results: hsa-let-7b-3p had a 2.28-fold up-regulation, whereas we observed downregulation of hsa-mir-451b (25%), hsa-mir-4290 (34%), and hsa-mir-22-3p (9%). Bioinformatics analysis results indicated that the miRNA target genes TGF-', MAPK, and Wnt, and hedgehog signaling pathways contributed to cancer initiation and progression by influencing different cellular behaviors. Conclusion: We suggest that PlGF signaling may influence miRNA expression profiles in MKN-45-derived cancer stem-like cells, which can influence the expressions of different genes and signaling pathways. However, more empirical studies should determine the exact effect of PlGF knockdown on the expression of miRNA targets in cancer stem-like cells to locate their actual gene targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Since mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs) in gastric cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their signaling pathways remain unknown, our aim was to predict the miRNA target genes that differentially expressed in gastric CSCs.Subjects and Methods: Using miRanda, PicTar, and TargetScan algorithm, target genes of miRNAs differentially expressed in gastric CSCs versus parental cells were predicted. Afterward, signaling pathways and biological functions of miRNAs in gastric CSCs were analyzed by the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database and DIANA tools.Results: Gene ontology (GO) tool indicated that most of miRNA target genes involved in regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, cell migration, vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, etc. Some of miRNA target genes are connected to pivotal signaling pathways of the "stem cell genes," such as Notch, Wnt/β-catenin.Conclusions: Bioinformatics analysis such as DAVID database, GO biological process, GO molecular function, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways, BioCarta pathway, Panther pathway, and Reactome pathway revealed that target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs in gastric CSCs were connected to pivotal biological pathways that involved in cell cycle regulation, stemness properties, and differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential of Orius albidipennis Reuter as a biological control agent of tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta Meyrick) eggs was evaluated and comparing by estimating its functional response on the two tomato cultivars with different physical characteristics under laboratory conditions. Eight prey densities (8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 eggs per leaf disc) were exposed to female adult of the predator during 24-h period for each tested cultivar under controlled conditions of 26 ± 2°C, 60 ± 5% RH and 16:8 h (L:D). Our results revealed that adult females of the predatory bug exhibited type III functional responses to different the densities of prey on both cultivars. The attack rate of the predator on trichome dense cultivar Fillous® was significantly lower than trichome non-dense cultivar Cherry®. In addition, its handling time on Fillous® was significantly higher than Cherry® cultivar. Our study demonstrates that O. albidipennis can be a good potential candidate for the biological control of T. absoluta eggs in tomato fields and greenhouses. The predator efficacy in low dense trichome cultivars is significantly higher than that in high dense trichome cultivars. The results of the study can be used in integrated pest management programs of T. absoluta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MeHg is a well-documented neurotoxicant even at low levels of exposure. Developing brain, in particular, is vulnerable to that. Through bioaccumulating to differing degrees in various fish species, it can have serious adverse effects on the development and functioning of the human central nervous system, especially during prenatal exposure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate mercury concentration in hair samples of pregnant women living in Mahshahr located in Khuzestan province, Iran. It assessed the association between fish consumption and specific characteristics that can influence exposure. From April to June 2008, 149 pregnant women were invited to participate in this study. An interview administered questionnaire was used to collect information about age, body weight, height, fish (fresh, canned and shrimp) consumption, pregnancy stage, residence duration, education level, family income and number of dental amalgam fillings. The obtained results showed that the geometric mean and range for hair total Hg concentration was 3.52μg/g (0.44–53.56μg/g). About 5.4% of mothers had hair total Hg levels in excess of 10μg/g. Maternal hair mercury level was less than threshold level of WHO (5μg/g). As expected, there was a clear increase in hair Hg with reported fresh marine fish consumption (p =0.04). The highest mean for hair mercury level in a group who consumed fish several times per week, was 4.93μg/g. Moreover, a significant effect of age and residential time on Hg concentration in the hair of the women was found. Pregnant women in Mahshahr consumed large amounts of fish; consequently, most of their offspring were prenatally exposed to moderately high levels of mercury. The results found suggest that pregnant women should decrease their fish consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Gundelia tourenfortii (L.), is used as an occasional food, and its extracts have been used for prevention and treatment of liver diseases in Iran. The effects of different concentrations of the hydroalcoholic extract of dried powdered footstalks of Gundelia tourenfortii were investigated on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity using in vivo model in rats and isolated rat hepatocytes. Rats received different concentrations of the Gundelia tourenfortii extract by i.p. injection for three consecutive days before the injection of CCl4 (i.p.). After 24h, they were bled and their livers were dissected for biochemical and histopathological studies. The results showed that the Gundelia tourenfortii extract could protect the liver against CCl4-induced damages with doses of 200 and 300mg/kg, but concentrations higher than 300mg/kg were less effective. For in vitro studies, the extract was added to the suspension of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes incubated in Krebs–Henseleit buffer under a flow of 95% O2 and 5% CO2, 20min before the addition of 10mM of CCl4. The Gundelia tourenfortii extract with concentrations of 0.2–0.8mg/ml protected the cells against CCl4-induced cytotoxicity, and its maximum protective effect was about 0.5mg/ml, but concentrations of 1.0mg/ml and higher increased the CCl4-induced cytotoxicity. The Gundelia tourenfortii extract itself was toxic towards isolated hepatocytes with concentrations above 1.0mg/ml. Therefore, the results of the present study support the traditional believes on hepatoprotective effects of Gundelia tourenfortii, however, high concentrations were hepatotoxic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Autophagy has an essential role in cellular energetic balance, cell cycle, and cell death, so the change in autophagy level is crucial in many human diseases such as cancer. Herbal medicine has been widely used to treat cancer. Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI), a protease inhibitor extracted from soybean, has antitumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic activities. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BBI on the growth of breast cancer cell line and transcript level of autophagy and apoptosis-related genes.Materials and Methods: BBI was purified from soybean by ion-exchange chromatography method. The viability of MDA-MB-231 cells that were treated with BBI was measured by MTT assay, and the transcript level of genes involved in autophagy and apoptosis was measured by real-time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.Results: The results of BBI purification showed that 100 g of the ethanolic fraction yielded 300-mg BBI with more than 95% purity. MTT results revealed that BBI inhibited the cell growth of MDA-MB-231 cell line in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 200 μg/mL. The results of real-time reverse transcription-PCR exhibited that BBI altered the expression of Atg5, Beclin1, light chain 3-II, and sequestosome1 and increased the Bax/Bcl2 ratio in MDA-MB-231 cell line.Conclusion: According to our results, BBI could inhibit autophagy and induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cell line. Thus, BBI may be used as a therapeutic drug in the treatment of breast cancer whether alone or with chemotherapeutic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]