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Periostin (POSTN), a member of the matricellular protein family, is a secreted adhesion-related protein produced in the periosteum and periodontal ligaments. Matricellular proteins are a nonstructural family of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that regulate a wide range of biological processes in both normal and pathological conditions. Recent studies have demonstrated the key roles of these ECM proteins in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, periostin is an essential regulator of bone and tooth formation and maintenance, as well as cardiac development. Also, periostin interacts with multiple cell-surface receptors, especially integrins, and triggers signals that promote tumor growth. According to recent studies, these signals are implicated in cancer cell survival, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis. In this review, we will summarize the most current data regarding periostin, its structure and isoforms, expressions, functions, and regulation in normal and cancerous tissues. Emphasis is placed on its association with cancer progression, and also future potential for periostin-targeted therapeutic approaches will be explored.

BACKGROUND: Dynamin 2 (DNM2) involved in tumor progression in various malignancies. OBJECTIVE: For the first time, we evaluated DNM2 expression pattern, its association with clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes in RCC subtypes. METHODS: We evaluated the DNM2 expression pattern in RCC tissues as well as adjacent normal tissue using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray (TMA) slides. RESULTS: Our findings revealed increased DNM2 expression in RCC samples rather than in adjacent normal tissues. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between cytoplasmic expression of DNM2 among subtypes of RCC in terms of intensity of staining, percentage of positive tumor cells, and H-score (P= 0.024, 0.049, and 0.009, respectively). The analysis revealed that increased cytoplasmic expression of DNM2 in ccRCC is associated with worse OS (log rank: P= 0.045), DSS (P= 0.049), and PFS (P= 0.041). Furthermore, cytoplasmic expression of DNM2 was found as an independent prognostic factor affecting DSS and PFS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that DNM2 cytoplasmic expression is associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor outcomes. DNM2 could serve as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in patients with ccRCC.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the major causes of nosocomial infections worldwide which can cause several diseases in children and adults. The globally dissemination of hyper-virulent strains of K. pneumoniae and the emergence of antibiotics-resistant isolates of this pathogen narrows down the treatment options and has renewed interest in its vaccines. Vaccine candidates of Klebsiella pneumoniae have not been adequately protective, safe and globally available yet. In K. pneumoniae infection, it is well known that B cells that induce robust humoral immunity are necessary for the host complete protection. Identifying the B cell epitopes of antigens is valuable to design novel vaccine candidates. In the present study using immunoinformatics approaches we found B cell epitopes of four K. pneumoniae type 1 fimbriae antigens namely FimA, FimF, FimG, and FimH. Linear and conformational B cell epitopes of each antigen were predicted using different programs. Subsequently, many bioinformatics assays were applied to choose the best epitopes including prediction antigenicity, toxicity, human similarity and investigation on experimental records. These assays resulted in final four epitopes (each for one Fim protein). These final epitopes were modeled and their physiochemical properties were estimated to be used as potential vaccine candidates. Altogether, we found four B cell epitopes of K. pneumoniae Fim antigens that are immunogen, antigenic, not similar to human peptides, not allergen and not toxic. Also, they have suitable physiochemical properties to administrate as vaccine, although their complete efficacy should be also shown in vitro and in vivo.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the major causes of nosocomial infections worldwide which can cause several diseases in children and adults. The globally dissemination of hyper-virulent strains of K. pneumoniae and the emergence of antibiotics-resistant isolates of this pathogen narrows down the treatment options and has renewed interest in its vaccines. Vaccine candidates of Klebsiella pneumoniae have not been adequately protective, safe and globally available yet. In K. pneumoniae infection, it is well known that B cells that induce robust humoral immunity are necessary for the host complete protection. Identifying the B cell epitopes of antigens is valuable to design novel vaccine candidates. In the present study using immunoinformatics approaches we found B cell epitopes of four K. pneumoniae type 1 fimbriae antigens namely FimA, FimF, FimG, and FimH. Linear and conformational B cell epitopes of each antigen were predicted using different programs. Subsequently, many bioinformatics assays were applied to choose the best epitopes including prediction antigenicity, toxicity, human similarity and investigation on experimental records. These assays resulted in final four epitopes (each for one Fim protein). These final epitopes were modeled and their physiochemical properties were estimated to be used as potential vaccine candidates. Altogether, we found four B cell epitopes of K. pneumoniae Fim antigens that are immunogen, antigenic, not similar to human peptides, not allergen and not toxic. Also, they have suitable physiochemical properties to administrate as vaccine, although their complete efficacy should be also shown in vitro and in vivo. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10989-020-10134-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objective: To demonstrate the sensitivity of expression of fusion genes to existence of a large number of rare codons in recombinant gene sequenced. Methods: Primers for amplification of cholera toxin B, Shiga toxin B and gfp genes were designed by Primer3 software and synthesized. All of these 3 genes were cloned. Then the genes were fused together by restriction sites and enzymatic method. Two linkers were used as a flexible bridge in connection of these genes. Results: Cloning and fusion of cholera toxin B, Shiga toxin B and gfp genes were done correctly. After that, expression of the recombinant gene construction was surveyed. Conclusions: According to what was seen, because of the accumulation of 12 rare codons of Shiga toxin B and 19 rare codons of cholera toxin B in this gene cassette, the expression of the recombinant gene cassette, in Escherichia coli BL21, failed.

Background: In order to analyze the cecum-colon ecosystem and the treatment of the cecal impaction and hindgut acidosis, cecal cannulation is needed. It is essential to select a simple, fast and inexpensive cecal cannulation method. Because of different complications in general anesthesia, the standing surgery is known as a better option for the horse emergency surgery. Objective: The objective of the present study was to design a simple, fast and inexpensive cecal cannulation method in standing horses.For the standing surgery, a new approach was designed and experimented on four horses. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, at first a cannula with approximately 7cm, 2cm and 2.6cm in length, internal and external diameters, respectively was designed. Immediately before the standing surgery, the horses were sedated with xylazine (1mg/kg) and morphine (0.3 mg/kg). After incising the subcutaneous tissue, the external abdominal oblique, internal abdominal oblique and transverse abdominis muscles were opened by grid incision. The peritoneum was bluntly perforated and the abdomen was exposed. The muscles were separated only enough to permit one hand to enter the abdomen. The cecum was readily identified by palpation of the cecal base and the dorsoventrally oriented tenia. At this stage, a purse string was secured on the serosal surface of the cecum by nylon and a stab incision was made. Then the cannula was inserted into the cecum and the suture was tightened. Results: The surgery was successfully performed for all horses, however, some complications such as increasing body temperature, transient signs of colic, ileus, pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema and necrosis of the borders of the skin in the sutural places were detected. All complications were alleviated by proper nursing management. Conclusion: The surgical method was successfully terminated. Therefore, the method is recommended as a simple and inexpensive emergency surgical method for cecum in order to conduct different investigation, diagnosis and treatment techniques.

Background & Objective: In order to enhance the expression of soluble proteins and facilitate their purification and development of multi-functional polypeptide , chimerical recombinant proteins have been invented . The purpose of this study was to construct ctxB-gfp-stxB gene cassette to measure the uptake and excretion of chimerical antigen in future studies. Materials & Methods: After preparation of primers for gfp gene as a reporter gene , ctxB and stxB, attempts were made to amplify the genes via the PCR techniques . The amplified genes were clone d in the pGEM vector; and after confirmation of the gene fragments, they were fused as ctxB-gfp-stxB. The gene cassette was thereafter sub-cloned in the pET28a(+) expression vector. E. coli Bl21 (DE3) was transformed by the recombinant vector pET28a(+), and the expression of the recombinant protein was investigated by IPTG induction and SDS-PAGEelectrophoresis. Results: The amplified genes were cloned in the pGEM vector, and were confirmed via PCR, restriction enzymes, and sequence analyzing system. The confirmed gene fragments were mixed together as ctxB-gfp-stxB . The existence of the gene cassette was confirmed after sub-cloning. The expression was not observed for this gene cassette in E . coli. Conclusion: The presence of a large number of E. coli rare codons in ctxB and stxB gene sequences precluded the expression of the gene cassette in E. coli; it, therefore, requires the discovery of a suitable host cell for its expression and optimization. Given the gene cassette structure and position of restriction enzymes on the constructed fragment, this gene can be replaced with different genes and can produce a variety of gene fragments.