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Given the importance of cell colonization for use in tissue engineering and for studying the inhibition of cancer cells, the use of bio material sculptured nano-structures mimicking the structure of the extracellular matrix offers a unique perspective. In this study, Mn and ZnS sculptured nano-structured fabricated using oblique (OAD) and glancing (GLAD) angle vapor deposition methods for investigation of cell behavior. Different characteristics of the produced sculptured thin films of Mn and ZnS materials in form of helical square and 3- and 5-fold helical star shapes were obtained from XRD, FESEM, and AFM analyses. Measurement of contact angle classified the produced samples in two groups of hydrophilic and hydrophobic samples, which provided the opportunity to investigate their function when cultured with normal and cancerous cells. Results showed that the hydrophilic surfaces increased the proliferation of both normal and cancer cells, albeit with different rates. On the contrary, the hydrophobic surfaces prevented the proliferation of cells and their expansion and cells undergo cell death or apoptosis. The specific morphology of the hydrophilic sculptured samples makes it possible to send proliferation signals for tissue engineering purposes, and in hydrophobic samples, to send apoptotic signals to inhibit cancer cells.

Cuscuta epithymum Murr. (C. epithymum), as a herbal medication, has shown anticancerous effects in some of in vitro studies, but its neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic possible effects have not been considered in research. Here, we aimed to show the protective effects of C. epithymum seeds crude extract and different fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol) on rat glioblastoma cells (C6) in L-glutamate exposure. Initially, the total phenolic content of C. epithymum crude extract and the fractions (all produced by maceration method) was determined. Subsequently, C6 cells were pre-treated with various doses of crude extract and fractions 24 hours before L-glutamate exposure. Likewise, C6 cells were treated with the same extract and fractions concentrations 24 hours after exposure L-glutamate. Besides, flow cytometry testing was used to prove that C. epithymum extract protects C6 cells from glutamate toxicity, as evidenced by morphological features, cell viability, and oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SODs). The findings suggested that crude extract has concentration-depended toxicity. It has the highest antioxidant activity to significantly increase C6 cell viability in cytotoxic conditions and probably plays the neuroprotective role in reducing cell death by decreasing MDA levels and increasing SODs levels in cells, showing lipid peroxidation prevention and free radical scavenging, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest the protective role for C. epithymum crude extract against oxidative stress-induced damage. It showed propective attribute in our in vitro study ,although, further research is needed to prove the neuroprotective effects in in vivo oxidative conditions.

We investigated the transcriptional profile of whole blood in early and metastatic stages of PaC patients to identify potential diagnostic factors for early diagnosis. Blood samples from 18 participants (6 healthy individuals, 6 patients in early stage (I/II) PaC and 6 patients in metastatic PaC) were analyzed by RNA-sequencing. The expression levels of identified genes were subsequently compared with their expression in pancreatic tumor tissues based on TCGA data reported in UALCAN and GEPIA2 databases. Overall, 331 and 724 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes in early and metastatic stages, respectively. Of these, 146 genes were shared by early and metastatic stages. Upregulation of PTCD3 and UBA52 genes and downregulation of A2M and ARID1B genes in PaC patients were observed from early stage to metastasis. TCGA database showed increasing trend in expression levels of these genes from stage I to IV in pancreatic tumor tissue. Finally, we found that low expression of PTCD3, A2M, and ARID1B genes and high expression of UBA52 gene were positively correlated with PaC patients survaval. We identified a four-gene set (PTCD3, UBA52, A2M, and ARID1B) expressed in peripheral blood of early stage and metastatic PaC patients that may be useful for PaC early diagnosis.

Introduction: As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads worldwide, reports about the neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2 are excessively increasing. However, there is still insufficient high-throughput data on neuronal cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 to help predict its neural pathogenesis. HCoV-OC43 is another member of the beta coronavirus family that has confirmed neuro-invasive effects and has available neural omics data. This study predicts the critical genes, biological processes, and pathways mediating in SARS-CoV-2 neurological manifestations using a systems biology approach.Method: We retrieved raw data related to SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 infections from gene expression omnibus datasets (GSE147507 and GSE13879 respectively). We constructed gene regulatory networks for both infections, detected significant regulatory motifs by FANMOD software, and created their subnetworks. We also constructed PPI networks and identified the MCODE clusters. In the intersection of merged subnetworks of two viruses, the most critical genes were verified in GRN & PPI networks. We drug-repurposed for the selected target genes and performed the functional enrichment analysis using DAVID and String databases.Results: Some of the top KEGG pathway results included NF-kappa B, Toll-like receptor, NOD-like receptor, MAPK, and Neurotrophin signaling pathways. The most essential identified genes included IL6, TNF, HOXA5, POU2F2, ITGB3, STAT1, YY1, E2F6, ESR1, FOXO3, FOXO1, MEF2A, ATF3, ATF4, DDIT3, TCF4, BCL2L2, and BMP4. These genes were also involved in mechanisms of other viral infections of the nervous system. This study repurposes nine medicines with effects on COVID-19 neurological complications. Some of the repurposed drugs were previously registered in clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment.Conclusion: We recommended some identified crucial genes and medications to investigate further their potential role in treating COVID-19 neurological complications.