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Background and aims: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by language impairment, and challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Although genetics are a primary cause of ASD, the exact genes and molecular mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis are not completely clear. The FOXP2 gene encodes a transcription factor that is known for its major role in language development and severe speech problems. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of FOXP2 in ASD etiology, executive functions, and brain activities. Methods: In the present study, we recruited 450 children with ASD and 490 neurotypical control children. Three domains of executive functions (working memory, response inhibition, and vigilance) were assessed. In addition, five-minute eyes closed electroencephalography was obtained from some of the children with ASD and neurotypical children. DNA sequence and expression level of FOXP2 in blood samples of children with ASD and the control group were evaluated by using sequencing and Real-time PCR, respectively. Results: The results showed no mutations but a significant down expression of FOXP2 genes in children with ASD vs. neurotypical children. Several cognitive and executive function deficiencies were detected in children with ASD. Low alpha and gamma bands in the frontal lobe and high theta bands in the occipital lobe were revealed in children with ASD. We also found several correlations between FOXP2 expression levels and clinical assessments. Conclusions: Our finding revealed the down expression of FOXP2, which could be considered as a biomarker for ASD as well as cognitive and executive dysfunction. Based on brain mapping data, FOXP2 may be related to the theta wave abnormality of children with ASD. FOXP2 may be considered a target of novel treatment to improve memory and executive functions. Implications: Our findings highlight the role of FOXP2 mRNA level in ASD etiology, executive functions, and brain wave frequencies.

Current experiment was performed in order to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic supplementation and fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on gut health, immune response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV), dry matter digestibility and growth performance in broiler chickens. Three hundred 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to five dietary treatments using a completely randomised design. Each treatment was replicated six times with 10 birds/replicate. The dietary treatments were (1) control group [basal diet (BD), without probiotic and FSBM], (2) BD + 0.02% probiotic (0.8 × 105 CFU of spores/gr feed), (3) BD + 0.04% probiotic (1.6 × 106 CFU of spores/gr feed), (4) 10% replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with FSBM in BD and (5) 20% replacement of SBM with FSBM in BD. Soybean fermentation was carried out under solid fermentation condition by B. subtilis spore. FSBM replacement at 20% improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared with the control group (p < 0.05). FSBM replacement at the level of 20% led to increase in villi height (p < 0.05). Villus height in the ileum was increased by 0.04% probiotic supplementation. FSBM replacement improved chicks' immune response against NDV vaccine on day 42 (p < 0.05), but the effect was not significant for probiotic supplementation. Coliforms count in ileum was reduced by probiotic and FSBM supplementation (p < 0.05). Dry matter digestibility was improved by probiotic supplementation at 0.04%. According to the results of the current study, replacing SBM with FSBM at 20% and dietary supplementation of B. subtilis spores improved growth performance, intestinal health, immune system and dry matter digestibility of broilers. Fermentation is one of the most effective methods which can be used to decrease the feed anti-nutritional factors and to improve feed nutritional properties. Both the direct fed microbe via Bacillus subtilis spores supplementation and replacement of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) instead of soybean meal improved the chicks' performance which mostly can be related to the beneficial effects of B. subtilis and FSBM on the gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Broiler chickens are exposed to various stressors, which can affect production performance. The use of dietary probiotics is one of the feasible methods to maintain performance, intestinal health, humeral immunity, and ameliorating physiological stress in the broiler. Aims: In all, 288 1-day-old male broiler chicks were used to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on performance, morphology, and gene expression associated with immune responses in the starter phase of broiler chickens exposed to stress. Methods: In total, 288 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to evaluate the effects of Bacillus subtilis spore (BSS; Gallipro®200) supplementation at three levels (0, 0.8 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) and 1.6 × 105 CFU/g feed) with corticosterone (CORT; 4 mg/kg BW at 7–9 days of age) or without CORT (oil) subcutaneous injection. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised 2 × 3 factorial design. Key results: CORT injection and probiotic supplementation led to an increase and decrease respectively, in food conversion ratio compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CORT injections reduced the expression of TLR4, HSP70 and IgA in all parts of the intestine. However, the TLR4 gene expression increased in jejunum by CORT injections. BSS supplementation induced the expression of TLR4 in all sections of the intestine, both in stress and non-stress conditions. In stress-exposed chickens, IgA expression in the jejunum was affected by BSS supplementation. Interaction effects between CORT injections and BSS supplementation on the gene expression were significant in different parts of the intestine. Conclusions: Chicks exposed to stress conditions induced by CORT injection showed that the ileum was more susceptible than were the other parts, especially for TLR4 and HSP70 gene expression. BSS-supplemented birds showed more capability to face the stress condition, probably due to intestinal health and immunity-modulated effect of BSS. Implication: Formulating a ration with a probiotic can be more effective in stress conditions, through modulating immune-responsive genes in the intestine. The effects of various environmental stresses on the behavioral, physiological, and performance responses of birds have been studied for years. It has been shown that probiotics, also known direct-feed microbes, substantially influence nutrient digestibility, gut microflora and immunity, and inhibit pathogens and, ultimately, improve growth performance in broilers. Our findings suggested that formulating a ration with probiotic can be more effective in stress condition, with immune response genes modulating the effect in the intestine of broiler chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of dietary fat sources and green tea extract (GTE) on gene expression associated with lipid metabolism and inflammation in broiler chicken. A total of 300 female Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated to six dietary treatments in a completely randomised design with a factorial arrangement of two levels of GTE (0 and 500 mg/kg diet) × three levels of fat inclusion [without fat (control group), soybean oil (SO) and tallow (Ta)]. Liver fat (LF), liver methallothionin (LMT) content, and lipoprotein lipase (LPL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL-6)] genes expression were investigated. Relative expression and statistical analyses of genes expression were assessed using REST software. The effect of added dietary fats was significant and improved performance parameters compared to the control group (p <.05). The highest abdominal fat and blood triglyceride, and the lowest carcase yield, were achieved in chicks fed SO-supplemented diet (p <.05). Chicks fed a diet supplemented with SO showed an overexpression and a decrease of LPL and ATGL compared to the Ta-supplemented and control groups, respectively (p <.05). GTE supplementation was effective on LPL and ATGL expression and ameliorated the effect of SO on abdominal fat percentage. TNF-α expression, LMT content, and relative weight of lymphoid organs were affected neither by GTE nor by the fat sources. There was no detection of IL-6 gene expression in adipose tissue. The results of this study demonstrated that diets rich in SO were capable increase fat deposition by an increase and decrease in LPL and ATGL gene expression, respectively. However inclusion of GTE in broiler diets alleviated the LPL-increasing and ATGL-reducing effects of SO and ameliorated the effect of SO on abdominal fat mass. Diets supplemented with SO increased abdominal fat mass by changes in LPL and ATGL gene expression. Obesity was not effective in the expression of inflammatory genes (TNF-α and IL-6), indicating a lack of connection between inflammation and obesity in broiler chicken. GTE (500 mg/kg diet) addition to the diets supplemented with SO ameliorated the effect of SO on LPL and ATGL gene expression and abdominal fat mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain a better understanding of TiO2 nanotube (TiO2-NT) synthesis in different ethylene glycol (EG)-based electrolyte solutions by electrochemical anodization, the primary steps of TiO2-NT formation were studied by experimental techniques. In this regard, three different EG-based electrolyte solutions were used for anodic oxidation of titanium foil. The first electrolyte solution contains conventional ammonium fluoride (NH4F) dissolved in EG/water (98 : 2 v/v). In the second one, Ti foil anodization is performed in an electrolyte solution containing the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (Bmim-BF4) ionic liquid. Finally, the fluorine-containing species was replaced by the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (Bmim-Cl) ionic liquid. The results indicate that the TiO2-NTs did not form by anodization in the EG/H2O/Bmim-Cl electrolyte solution at 60 V. Interestingly, this electrolyte solution is less viscous than the fluorine-containing electrolyte solutions. In addition, we report a detailed study on the structural arrangement of electrolyte solution components near the solid surfaces using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods to reveal the factors governing the difference of the ionic species distribution. The MD results elucidate the role of the ionic constituents in the length of the nanotube arrays at a certain anodization condition. Furthermore, as reported herein for the first time, the lifetimes of ion–ion contacts and the interactions of ionic species with TiO2 walls have a substantial effect on the resulting nanotubes. These characteristics are analyzed by using radial distribution functions, density profiles, distance analysis, time correlation functions, and mean-square-displacements, complemented by DFT calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug delivery systems sensitive to pH have been investigated recently as a responsive strategy for tumour targeting in view of the slightly acidic pH environment of most solid tumours. Herein, we report Zn capped Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoporous arrays for pH sensitive drug release. The nanostructures were fabricated through electrochemical anodisation. Vitamin C as a model drug was loaded into the nanopores; some were then capped using elemental Zn. The release rates of vitamin C were investigated in water or lactic acid using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The amount of drug loaded into the nanostructures was about 7 times higher for TiO2 compared with Al2O3 and the release was faster from TiO2. Zn capping proved to be quite efficient at preventing release at high pH (7) and not largely hindering the release at low pH (5), making both systems suitable for pH-triggered release. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that the diffusion of vitamin C molecules through the model nanopores is faster for TiO2 than for Al2O3, consistent with the experimental results. The tremendously stronger H bonding interactions observed for vitamin C molecules and water molecules with the TiO2 walls compared with Al2O3 are responsible for the observed differences in the calculated number density profiles and radial distribution functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrostatic potential in the vicinity of the surface is induced when aqueous mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs) are confined between a slit nanopore of amorphous but not crystalline TiO2 semiconductors. According to our molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the extent of ion-pairing lifetime under such nanoscale confinement is substantially lower than its value in the bulk. It becomes still lower when aqueous mixtures of ionic liquid electrolytes are used. Ion–ion correlation is broken completely in the confined dilute aqueous electrolyte systems. The anions and cations of the ILs migrate and accumulate at the opposite amorphous TiO2 electrodes that are separated by 10 nm to arrange a nanosize pore. In contrast, we have shown that the electrostatic interactions between the IL ions are dominant when the electrolyte is confined between anatase (101) TiO2. A similar trend is observed for the inorganic electrolyte system. These findings shed light on the design of new cells for electrochemical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the consumption of energy drinks on cardiovascular parameters in a group of healthy young individuals. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 44 healthy adult participants aged between 15 and 30 years were evaluated. The blood pressure (BP) as well as electrocardiographic indices, including heart rate (HR), PR interval, QRS duration, corrected QT (QTc) interval, and ST-T changes were recorded before consumption of a caffeine-containing energy drink and at the specific time points over a 4-h test duration. Results: We found statistically significant HR decline (p=0.004) and more frequent ST-T changes (p=0.004) after the participants consumed the energy drink. However, readings for systolic BP (p=0.44), diastolic BP (p=0.26), PR interval (p=0.449), QRS duration (p=0.235), and QTc interval (p=0.953) showed no significant change post-consumption. Conclusion: In conclusion, we demonstrated that the consumption of energy drinks could contribute to HR decline and ST-T change in healthy young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and the purpose of the study: A common approach in cancer chemotherapy is development of drugs that interrupt the mitosis phase of cell division. Dimethylenastron is a known kinesin inhibitor. In this study, six novel dimethylenastron analogues (4a-f), in which 3-hydroxyphenyl substituent has been replaced with substituted benzylimidazolyl, were synthesized through Biginelli reaction. Methods: Six novel Biginelli compounds (4a-f) were synthesized through one step Biginelli reaction of imidazole aldehydes (3a-c), dimedone and urea or thioura. In vitro cytotoxicities of prepared compounds were investigated using MTT assay. Furthermore the ELIPA kit was implemented to study inhibitory effects of synthesized compounds on ATPase activity of kinesin by measuring of organic phosphate. Results: Our results indicated that analogue 4c is the most toxic and analogues 4f, 4b and dimethylenasteron were less cytotoxic in compare with other analogues. On the other hand, analogue 4a, 4b, 4c and 4e showed stronger Kinesin inhibition as compared with analogue 4f and dimethylenasteron. None of synthesized compounds were as potent kinesin inhibitor as Taxol. Docking analysis revealed that hydrogen bond formation and hydrophobic interactions were the key factors affecting inhibitory effects of these compounds. Conclusion: Newly synthesized compounds were found to have moderate to good cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cell. Our results may be helpful in further design of dihydropyrimidine as potential anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anodic growth of TiO 2 nanotubes with length of several 10 µm in fluoride containing electrolytes conventionally leads to tube diameter of ca. 90–100 nm with an undesired nanograss appearance on the surface of tubular array. Fabrication of nanotubes with diameters smaller than 50 nm needs mild anodization conditions that lead to tubes shorter than 7 µm. In the present work, we introduce a simple and fast approach for fabrication of highly ordered, long nanotubes, 23 µm, with dramatically small diameter of ca. 29 nm, free of nanograss and top porous layer just by 2 h anodization. This method is based on the creation of small diameter semi-spheres on the Ti surface by electropolishing in an ethanol-containing electrolyte. Besides pretreatment of Ti foil, we show that controlled stirring speed and temperature of the electrolyte during anodization are crucial factors to achieve this novel morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The smart self-regulated drug delivery systems for insulin administration are desirable to achieve glycemic control, and decrease the long-term micro- and macro vascular complications. In this study, we developed an injectable nano-complex formulation for closed-loop insulin delivery after subcutaneous administration and release of insulin in response to increased blood glucose levels. The nano-complex was prepared by mixing oppositely charged chitosan and PLGA nanoparticles. PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using double-emulsion solvent diffusion method, and were loaded with glucose oxidase (GOx) and catalase (CAT) enzymes. These negatively charged particles decrease micro-environmental pH, by gluconic acid production in the glucose molecules presence. Positively charged chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using ionic gelation method, and were loaded with insulin. These nanoparticles (NPs) released insulin by dissociation in acidic pH caused by the GOx activity. Following in vitro studies, in vivo evaluation of nano-complex formulations in streptozocin induced diabetic rats showed significant glycemic regulation up to 98 h after subcutaneous administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]