Search

Over the past decade, studies on microRNA (miRNA) and cancer quickly became known. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that play a vital role in regulation of gene expression. In the present study, the expression of miR-27b, miR-29a, and miR-155, their prognostic roles, and their potential targets in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and breast cancer (BC) by qRT-PCR were investigated. In two case-control studies, qRT-PCR was used to analyze the peripheral blood serum of 15 CLL patients and tissue samples of 15 BC patients for the expression of miR-27b, miR-29a, and miR-155. miRNA expression levels were calculated using the qRT-PCR method. The results revealed a significant increase in the expression of all miRNAs in patients with BC and CLL compared with respective healthy groups (p < 0.001). In BC patients, there was a significant difference between the expression of miR-155 and miR-29a (p < 0.05), miR-155 and miR-27b (p < 0.01), and miR-27b and miR-29a (p < 0.001). In CLL patients, a significant difference between expression of both miR-27b and miR-29a compared with expression of miR-155 (p < 0.001) was found. Furthermore, a significant association between miR-155 and prevascular invasion was found. Significantly, elevated circulating miRNAs were shown to be BC specific and could differentiate BC tissues from the controls. It was demonstrated that miRNAs used in this study and their expression profiles can be developed as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of CLL and BC. Further studies utilizing a larger test group of patients would provide identification of miRNAs as key players in intercellular interactions. Keywords: CLL, breast cancer, miRNAs, biomarker, qRT-PCR

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major worldwide health concern and is the third leading cause of cancer death. Recent studies have focused on the association between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and cancer, lncRNAs showed to have an important role in the prognosis, diagnostic, and investigation of liver cancer. Therefore, this study focuses on the expression profiles of HOTAIR, MALAT1, and UCA1 lncRNAs considering the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with liver tumors. Methods and Results: The expression profiles of HOTAIR, MALAT1, and UCA1 lncRNAs were evaluated using qRT-PCR in the paired liver tumor and the adjacent non-tumor samples. After RNA extraction from tissue samples, cDNA synthesis and the RT-qPCR method were performed. Livak method (2-ΔΔCt) was used for calculating the expression level of lncRNAs. Principal-component analyses followed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of the selected lncRNAs. Our results showed that HOTAIR, MALAT1, and UCA1 were overexpressed significantly in patients with liver cancer compared to the healthy groups (P < 0.001). Moreover, the expression of HOTAIR was enhanced significantly compared to the expression of MALAT1 and UCA1 in patients with liver cancer (P < 0.001). This study showed that there were no significant associations between lncRNAs expression and the clinical characteristics (P > 0.05). Significantly elevated circulating lncRNAs were found to be liver cancer-specific and showed differentiation of liver cancer samples from the controls. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant correlations between the lncRNAs expression and overall survival. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the studied lncRNAs were not correlated with clinicopathological characteristics of the liver cancer patients although the overexpression of these lncRNAs might provide novel molecular biomarkers in HCC cases.

Quorum sensing is a regulatory mechanism of gene expression in bacteria which regulated many physiological processes such as production of virulence factors in Pectobacterium carotovorum. I...

Important regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recently found, and reported as useful biomarkers in cancer. To identify a potential expression of the new discovered lncRNA (ARA), during promotes cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibit, migration and cell cycle arrest, we firstly evaluate its expression in two cancer tissues (breast cancer and liver cancer) and then compared its variability expression in tumor versus non-tumor samples. Expression profile of ARA lncRNA was evaluated using qRT-PCR in paired tumor and marginal non-tumor samples collected from patients who had been referred to the Shiraz General. After RNA extraction from tissue samples, cDNA synthesis and RT-qPCR method were performed according to the protocols. ARA lncRNA expression level was calculated using 2−ΔΔCt method. Principal-component analysis followed by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses was performed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of selected lncRNA. Our data revealed a significant upregulation (P

The fungitoxicity of Foeniculum vulgare herb essential oil was evaluated by mycelial growth inhibition assessment in medium culture. The radial growth of the Alternaria alternata was completely inhibited at the oil levels of 500 and 300 ppm in poisoned food and volatile activity assessments, respectively. Microscopic observations using Light Microscope showed morphogenic changes in the test fungus with 300 ppm of the oil. These changes included a significant loss of conidiation, decrease hyphal diameter and induce cytoplasm condensation. The treatment with the oil also resulted in a highly lobate and bulbous anomalous structure on the hyphal tips. Essential oil of F. vulgare at 500 ppm effectively reduced the percentage of rotted tomatoes in in vivo. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the Fennel oil revealed that it was considered of 25 monoterpenoid compounds of which trans-anethole, estragole, and fenchone as the major components. Findings of the current study suggest that essentia...

Application of multifunctional probiotics is considered to be a practical strategy for the control of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Consequently, the present study was designed to investigate the possible inhibitory effects of quorum quenching (QQ) probiotics on several N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-associated virulence factors in Vibrio alginolyticus and V. harveyi in vitro, and to evaluate the impacts of their administration in the diet on non-specific immune responses, antioxidant capacity and resistance to V. alginolyticus in Asian seabass. For the in vitro assay, the effect of exogenous AHL was assayed on the regulation of several virulence factors including lytic enzymes (amylase, gelatinase, hemolysin, lecithinase, lipase and protease productions), swarming and swimming motilities, and biofilm formation in V. alginolyticus and V. harveyi. Exogenous 3-oxo-C10-HSL positively regulated the production of amylase, gelatinase, protease and biofilm in V. alginolyticus. Exogenous 3-oh-C4-HSL positively regulated swarming, swimming and biofilm formation in V. harveyi. To determine the virulence-inhibitory effects of QQ probiotics on the AHL-dependent virulence factors, cell-free lysates were obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis QQ1 and B. cereus QQ2. Both probionts could reduce the production of amylase, gelatinase and protease in V. alginolyticus. Bacillus thuringiensis QQ1 was also able to decrease the biofilm formed by V. alginolyticus. Bacillus thuringiensis QQ1 and B. cereus QQ2 decreased swarming and swimming motilities, and biofilm formation in V. harveyi. In order to assay the effectiveness of the QQ probiotics in vivo, Asian seabass were fed with basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 109 CFU/g feed of B. thuringiensis QQ1 or B. cereus QQ2 for 8 weeks. At the end of pre-infection trial (day 42), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lysozyme, antiprotease, myeloperoxidase (MPO), respiratory burst (RB) and bactericidal activities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the probiotic-treated fish than un-treated fish. After challenge with V. alginolyticus, significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of glutathione (GSH) in the QQ2 treatment (day 49) and lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in both probiotic groups were observed compared to the control group. Moreover, CAT, MPO, RB, alternative pathway of complement (APC), lysozyme, antiprotease and bactericidal activities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the probiotic treatments compared to the control group after 7 and 14 days post-infection. Both probionts significantly (p < 0.05) improved the cumulative survival in Asian seabass against V. alginolyticus. Our results indicate that QQ probiotics can modulate immune and antioxidant responses, and provide high protection against Vibrio infection in Asian seabass.

The use of probiotics is a promising and increasingly common strategy to maintain a healthy farming environment in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. The goal of this study was to investigate the possible effects of dietary supplementation with autochthonous quorum quenching (QQ) probiotics on growth, digestive enzymes activity, haemato-biochemical responses, gut microbial communities and resistance against Vibrio harveyi in Asian seabass. Asian seabass (75 ± 0.6 g and 15.5 ± 0.3 cm) were fed with basal diet (control groups) and basal diet containing 1 × 109 CFU per g Bacillus thuringiensis QQ1 or Bacillus cereus QQ2 for 6 weeks. Feeding with diets supplemented with QQ probiotics for 35 days (pre-infection period) resulted in a significant (p

In the recent years, effort to interfere with the quorum sensing (QS) has taken researchers consideration into the discovery and identification of bioactive compounds secreted by prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In this research, the anti-QS activity of thirty one plant species was detected through the inhibition of the QS related behaviors, violacein pigmentation in Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and plant tissue maceration in Pectobacterium carotovorum. The results revealed that the arial parts extract of seven plant species interfered quorum sensing phenotypes in bacteria which amoung them, the dill (Anethum graveolens L.) extract effectively inhibited violacein production in CV026 and singificantly reduced tissue maceration in test plants. The result substantiates that the dill extract has decreased (>13 mm) violacein production in biosensor besides possessing slight antimicrobial property (

The outcome of the present investigation revealed that lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) extract strongly interferes with acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) regulated physiological functions in the bioreporter strain, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Extracts of L. sativa also promoted production of virulence factors in plant pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum, and significantly increased tissue maceration on potato tubers when there was a low concentration (103 cfu · ml−1) of the bacterium was used. The thin layer chromatogram which visualised with AHL bioreporter strain, CV026, showed that L. sativa extract produced a circular spot with a diffuse edge tail and migrated with the same mobility as standard N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL). Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of the lettuce extract resulted in the identification of 19 compounds of which homoserine was identified for the first time in plants. Homoserine accounted for 2.37% of the total constituents. It is a new finding that lettuce contains AHL like substances (homoserine) which excite AHL related quorum sensing (QS) in bacteria.

Background Worldwidely cultivated, melon is commercially an important fruit crop, as it is in Iran. Objectives Establishment of an efficient in vitro plant regeneration system plays a pivotal role in the plant transformation, hence, the importance of regeneration protocol for Iranian melon (Cucumis melo L. var. Gorgab) has encouraged us to work on in vitro melon regeneration. Material and methods The effect of selective media, including various concentrations of the 6-benzyladenine (BA), cefotaxime, as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on regeneration of the cotyledonary petioles derived from a 6-day-old in vitro grown seedlings were assessed. Results The highest frequency of regeneration rate was recorded at 1.5 mg.L-1 of the BA plus 250 mg.L-1 cefotaxime in addition to 1 mg.L-1 BA plus 1000 mg.L-1 cefotaxime. The highest percentage of the shoot formation (100%) was recorded at 1 mg.L-1 BA plus 1000 mg.L-1 cefotaxime, while, it was relatively lower (75%) on than the medium containing 1.5 mg.L-1 BA in combination with 250 mg.L-1 cefotaxime. The highest root induction was observed in the medium containing 500 mg.L-1 cefotaxime + 0.1 mg.L-1 IAA. A significant positive influence on roots and leaves formation, as well as their number, in addition to regeneration of shoots was observed as well. Conclusions This is the first work reporting an appropriate regeneration procedure for the melon, an Iranian native crop.

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a Gram-positive anaerobic spore-forming bacterium that is widespread in environmental soil and sewage, as well as in animal intestines. C. perfringens is an important pathogen in both human and veterinary medicine. The incidence and numbers of C. perfringens in the intestinal contents of 100 cattle, 86 turkey and 177 chickens from September 2015 to April 2016 were determined. C. perfringens was found in 26%, 22% and 40% of intestinal contents of cattle, turkey and chickens, respectively. In this research samples were tested for isolation of C. perfringens by culturing and biochemical method and then they were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. We suggest that PCR assay could be a replacement of the culture method for quantifying C. perfringens in the intestinal tracts. These research helping us to establish the role of each C. perfringens toxin in animal disease, to investigate the in vivo mechanism of action of these toxins, and to develop more effective vaccines against diseases produced by these microorganisms.

The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria is becoming a serious problem. The rise of multiresistance strains has forced the pharmaceutical industry to come up with new generation of more effective and potent antibiotics, therefore creating development of antivirulence compounds. Due to extensive usage of cell-to-cell bacterial communication (QS) systems to monitor the production of virulence factors, disruption of QS system results in creation of a promising strategy for the control of bacterial infection. Numerous natural quorum quenching (QQ) agents have been identified. In addition, many microorganisms are capable of producing smaller molecular QS inhibitors and/or macromolecular QQ enzymes. In present survey, anti QS activity of 1280 rhizosphere bacteria was assessed using the Pectobacterium carotovorum as AHL-donor and Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 as biosensor system. The results showed that 61 strains had highly AHL-degrading activity. Both Lux I and Lux R activity were affected by some isolates, suggesting that the rhizobacteria target both QS signal and receptor. These soil microorganisms with their anti-QS activity have the potential to be novel therapeutic agents for reducing virulence and pathogenicity of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1), the causative agent of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, is a DNA virus. This pathogen is represents the most common viral pathogen found in cattle semen. The aim of the present study was to set up a of BHV-1 detection assay in bovine blood in Lorestan province using PCR assay. The blood samples of 285 cattle in Khoramabad, Azna, Aligoodarz, Borujerd and Poldokhtar were collected, total DNA was extracted and the region encoded the gI glycoprotein was amplified by PCR using specific primers. Out of 285 blood samples, 56 (19.64%) were positive for BHV-1 (468 bp). The highest and lowest frequencies of the bacterial infection were observed in Khoramabad and Borujerd cities with 21 and 12%, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that PCR assay represent an excellent (suitable) alternative or additional tool for BHV-1 isolates detection. Finally the study revealed a high incidence of BHV-1 in the blood of Iranian cattle. Thus all cattle must be tested periodically for BHV-1 infection and antimicrobial drugs, to prevent BHV-1 occurrence in cattle must be used. The cattle must be free BHV-1 infection prior to use.

Enzymatic degradation of N-acyl homoserine lactone (NAHL) was found to interfere with the quorum sensing (QS) system and related functions in several soil bacteria. In this research, the NAHL lactonase gene aiiA was amplified using aiiA-7F/aiiA7R PCR primers from the quorum sensing inhibitor rhizobacterium Bacillus sp. strain DMS133, and cloned. The plasmid pME7075, carrying the DMS133 aiiA gene under the constitutive lac promoter, was introduced into the plant pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum EMPCC, creating strain EMPCC/aiiA. Heterologous expression of the DMS133 aiiA gene in EMPCC severely reduced the accumulation of the NAHL throughout growth, and completely prevented pigmentation of the CV026 bioreporter strain. Virulence analysis revealed that the P. carotovorum strain EMPCC/aiiA expressing AiiA lactonase had drastically reduced tissue maceration activity compared with the wild type EMPCC strain. These results provide evidence that AiiA plays an important role in the quorum quenching ability of Bacillus sp. DMS133 whose AHL degradation capacity was investigated previously. In addition, the communication signal-inactivation approach represents a promising strategy for the prevention of diseases in which virulence is regulated by QS signal molecules.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil at different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 and 500 ppm) on the growth rate and morphogenesis of Alternaria alternata in in vitro and in vivo conditions. The antifungal activity of the oil was tested by the poisoned food technique (PF) and volatile activity assay (VA). The mycelial growth of the test fungus was completely inhibited at oil concentrations of 500 and 200 ppm in PF and VA assessments, respectively. Determination of conidial germination in the presence of the oil was also carried out and it was found that the oil caused 100% inhibition of conidial germination at the level of 300 ppm. Light Microscopy (LM) showed morphogenic changes in the test fungus with 300 ppm of the oil. These changes included a significant decrease and loss of conidiation, severely collapsed and squashed hyphae, a decreased hyphal diameter and granulation of cytoplasm. The treatment with the oil also resulted in highly lobate and bulbous anomalous structures at the hyphal tips. GC-MS evaluations of the essential oil revealed that the latter consisted of 14 compounds of which carvacrol was the major component. In vivo Z. multiflora oil at 500 ppm effectively reduced the percentage of decayed tomatoes. Findings of the current study suggest that essential oils could be used as an alternative for chemicals for control of postharvest phytopathogenic fungi on fruits or vegetables.

Spinach is one of the dioecious plant which is considered as a model plant in genetic and molecular studies of sex determination because of its special characteristics such as low chromosome number and short life cycle. An efficient protocol for Spinacia oleracea Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation was developed. The leaf disks, roots, hypocotyls and cotyledons of this plant were inoculated with LBA4404. LBA4404 carrying pCAMBIA3301 binary vector with 35SCaMV gusint and 35SCaMV bar cassettes. Effects of two preparation condition (induction of vir genes and noninduction) were considered. Also effects of different number days of co-cultivation and pre-culture of explants were examined. After co-cultivation, the explants were transferred to regeneration medium containing 250 mg·L-1 Carbeniciline. Transient expression efficiency was calculated based on the number of blue spots per explants one week after inoculation. Based on the results of transient expression, stable transformation was carried out. After formation of callus the histochemical GUS assay was carried out on some parts of them and other parts were leaved for being regenerated.

Several soil bacteria were found to degrade N-Acylhomoserine lactones (NAHLs), thereby interfering with the bacterial quorum sensing system. In this research, fifteen strains of NAHL degrading rhizobacteria were isolated from potato rhizosphere. Based on phenotypic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analyses, the strains were identified as members of genera Bacillus, Streptomyces, Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas and Mesorhizobium. All tested isolates were capable to degrade both synthetic and natural NAHL produced by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) strain EMPCC. In quorum quenching experiments selected isolates, especially Mesorhizobium sp., were markedly reduced the pathogenicity of Pcc strain EMPCC in potato tubers and totally suppressed tissue maceration on potato tubers. These led to consider the latter as a useful biocontrol agent against Pectobacterium spp.

In the past decade, Electronic Nose instrumentation has generated much interest internationally for its potential to solve a wide variety of problems in fragrance and cosmetics production, food and beverages manufacturing, chemical engineering, environmental monitoring and more recently medical diagnostic, bioprocesses and clinical diagnostic plant diseases. This instrument measure electrical resistance changes generated by adsorption of volatiles to the surface of electro active- polymer coated sensor- unique digital electronic fingerprint of aroma derived from multi-sensor- responses to distinct mixture of microbial volatiles. Major advances in information and gas sensor technology could enhance the diagnostic power of future bio-electronic nose and facilitate global surveillance mode of disease control and management. Several dozen companies are now designed and selling electronic nose units globally for a wide variety of expending markets. The present review includes principles of electronic nose technology, biosensor structure and applications of electronic nose in many fields.

Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae L.) is an important leafy vegetable and belongs to Chenopodiaceae family. This research was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of vermicompost-tea and Dupinix® organic fertilizer on some characteristics of spinach cv. “Oriental Pride”. The experiment was done in randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were five vermicompost-tea concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%) and organic fertilizer Dupinix® in four concentrations (1, 2, 3 and 4 per 1000 V/v). Results indicated that the foliar application of both the fertilizers had significant effects on evaluated characteristics. The highest (28.96 g) and lowest (14.47 g) plant fresh weight were measured in Dupinix® 4 per 1000 V/v and control treatments, respectively. Plants were treated with both of fertilizes had higher amount of leaf area than control. The highest total phenolic content (58 mg/kg) was measured from Dupinix® 3 and 4 per 1000 V/v and the lowest (43 mg/kg) in the control treatment. Elements analysis of plant tissue showed that treated plants with organic fertilizer had higher concentration compared to control. It was suggested that vermicompost-tea and Dupinix® fertilizer could be used to improve important parameters of spinach.

In many Gram-negative bacteria, including a number of pathogens such asPectobacterium carotovorum, virulence factor production and many functions are linked to the quorum sensing (QS) systems that use diffusible N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) as intercellular messenger molecules. A number of organisms also contain genes that hydrolyze AHLs into inactive products, thereby blocking the quorum-sensing systems. In this study, the diversity of bacteria that inactivate N-AHL signal in soil and potato rhizoshere was investigated. Among 139 isolated strains, eighteen N-AHL degrading isolates were finally identified as genera Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Mesorhizobium,Pseudomonas and Streptomyces using polyphasic approaches. All these isolates were capable to degraded both synthetic and natural N-AHL produced by Pectobacterium atrosepticum strain SM1. In quenching experiments selected isolates, especially Bacillussp. EM84, were markedly reduced the pathogenicity of PaSM1 in potato tubers and totally suppressed tissue maceration on potato tubers. These results reveal the diversity of the QS interfering bacteria in the rhizosphere and demonstrate the validity of targeting QS signal molecules to control pathogens with natural bacterial isolates. Key words: Quorum sensing, acyl-homoserin lactone, quorum quenching, biocontrol.

Infections by protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are prevalent worldwide in animals and human. T. gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections to humans and domestic animals. If first be during pregnancy, T. gondii may be transferred vertically by tachyzoites that are passed to the embryo via the placenta. T. gondii may be transmitted horizontally in three phases of the life cycle, ingesting infectious oocysts from the environment or tissue cysts or tachyzoites which are contained in gastrointestinal of many different animals. Transmission may also occur via tachyzoites contained in blood products, texture transplants or non-pasteurized milk. Like rest of the world toxoplasmosis is prevalent in Iran. The present study aimed to determine T. gondii isolates from native cattle in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province located in south west of Iran by molecular methods. In this study, 155 blood samples were collected from native cattle. Genomic DNA was extracted using DNA extraction Kit (Cinna Gen, Iran) according to the manufacturer protocol and PCR was performed using specific primers (ITS-F and ITS-R). Sixteen (6.95%) cattle were positive to T. gondii infection. The positive control samples showed the excepted amplification product specific for T. gondii (171 bp). Although the present results showed relatively low prevalence of T.gondii infection in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari native cattle, control and eradication programs seem to be still necessary to prevent the prevalence of this infection factor and economic losses.