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Objective MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in many biological processes such as regulating skeletal muscle development where alterations in miRNA expression are reported during myogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of predicted miRNAs and their target genes on the myoblast to myocyte differentiation process. Materials and Methods This experimental study was conducted on the C2C12 cell line. Using a bioinformatics approach, miR-214 and miR-135 were selected according to their targets as potential factors in myoblast to myocyte differentiation induced by 3% horse serum. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was undertaken to confirm the differentiation process and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the expression level of miRNAs and their targets. Results During myoblast to myocyte differentiation, miR-214 was significantly down- regulated while miRNA-135, Irs2, Akt2 and Insr were overexpressed during the process. Conclusion miR-214 and miR-135 are potential regulators of myogenesis and are involved in skeletal muscle development through regulating the IRS/PI3K pathway.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that causes respiratory illness. Older adults and individuals who have pre-existing chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Hypovitaminosis D is attributed to the increased risk of lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as well as diabetes, cardiovascular events and associated comorbidities, which are the main causes of severe clinical complications in COVID-19 patients. Considering the defensive role of vitamin D, mediated through modulation of the innate and adaptive immune system as well as inhibition of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS), vitamin D supplementation might boost the immune system of COVID-19 patients and reduce severity of the disease in vitamin D deficient individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferons (IFNs) are the main part of the immune system as a defensive response to viral infection. The phosphorylation domain of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 envelope glycoprotein is homologous to the host key enzymes in IFN-mediated response. So, if host kinases show no preference on E2 protein phosphorylation over IFN triggering factors, the IFN pathway would be competently inhibited. The aim of this study was to see if the resistance of HCV infected patients to IFN-therapy has something to do with HCV E2 envelope glycoprotein. For this purpose, the partially sequenced HCV E2 proteins obtained from 15 patients that were confirmed to be sustainable, semi-resistant (patients with relapsing infection) and resistant to IFN-therapy. The peptide sequences from 15 patients were analysed as a matter of homology, physicochemical properties and predicted structures using MEGA4 software, ProtParam, PSIPRED and I-TASSER tools, respectively. Then, certain point mutations introduced to sequences that acquired from patients resistant to IFN-therapy. Replacement of Asp 653 with Asn 653 in R1 at C-terminal of the E2 protein changes secondary and tertiary structures of downstream regions of E2 protein. Although the sequence of PKR-eIF2alpha phosphorylation homology domain in E2 protein remains intact during IFN therapy, its structure modifies in patients resistant to IFN-therapy, which then puts its phosphorylation potential in jeopardy. Therefore, structural modification in HCV E2 proteins, acquired form patients resistant to IFN-therapy, suggests a mechanism that shows how HCV gets resistant toward IFN-therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of posttranscriptional regulators that play crucial roles in various biological processes. Emerging evidence suggests a direct link between miRNAs and development of several diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of predicted miRNA and target genes on insulin resistance. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on the C2C12 cell line. Using bioinformatics tools miRNA-135 and two respective target genes-insulin receptor (Insr) and vesicle associated membrane protein 2 (Vamp2)- were selected as potential factors involved in insulin resistance process. Levels of glucose uptake miRNA expression and respective gene targets were determined after cell transfaction by miR-135. Results: It was determined that Insr gene expression was significantly down-regulated in miR-135 transfected C2C12 cell line (P≤0.05). Interestingly; these transfected cells have shown a significant difference in glucose uptake incomparision the positive control cells, while it was similar to the insulin resistant cell line (P≤0.05). In contrast, no significant alteration of Vamp2 gene expression was observed. Conclusion: Our data indicated no change on the Vamp2 expression level after miRNA transfection, while expression level of Insr was reduced and miR-135 expression was contrarily increased leading to poor stimulation of glucose uptake through insulin, and development of insulin resistance phenotype in C2C12 cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nHIGHLIGHTSFlavonoids, a class of polyphenolic compounds, are widely distributed in plant-based foods and have been recognized for their potential to promote overall health and well-being. Flavonoids in fruits and vegetables offer various beneficial effects such as anti-aging, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Flavonoids have been extensively studied for their neuroprotective properties, which are attributed to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with neural cells. Factors like gut microbiota composition, age, genetics, and diet can impact how well flavonoids are absorbed in the gut. The gut microbiota can enhance the absorption of flavonoids through enzymatic processes, making microbiota composition a key factor influenced by age, genetics, and diet. Flavonoids can modulate the gut microbiota through prebiotic and antimicrobial effects, affecting the production of beneficial microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, which play a role in brain function and health. The gut microbiome also modulates the immune system, which is critical for preventing neuroinflammation. Additionally, flavonoids can benefit mental and psychological health by influencing anti-inflammatory signaling pathways in brain cells and increasing the absorption of tyrosine and tryptophan, precursors to neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, adrenaline, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The flavonoid-gut microbiome axis is a complex and multifaceted relationship that has significant implications for neurological health. This review will explore how genetic and environmental factors can impact flavonoid absorption and the positive effects of flavonoids on brain health and the gut microbiota network.Flavonoids alter gut microbiota by replacing pathogens with beneficial bacteria and enhancing SCFA production.Gut microbiota metabolizes flavonoids into bioactive metabolites that influence brain health.Gut microbiota metabolizes flavonoids, turning them to more bioactive metabolitesFlavonoids are potential neuroprotective agents that affect neurological health through their interactions with the gut microbiome.Diet, age, genetics, and epigenetics influence brain health through flavonoid modification and gut microbiome.Flavonoids alter gut microbiota by replacing pathogens with beneficial bacteria and enhancing SCFA production.Gut microbiota metabolizes flavonoids into bioactive metabolites that influence brain health.Gut microbiota metabolizes flavonoids, turning them to more bioactive metabolitesFlavonoids are potential neuroprotective agents that affect neurological health through their interactions with the gut microbiome.Diet, age, genetics, and epigenetics influence brain health through flavonoid modification and gut microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most frequent type of thyroid cancer. The BRAF V600E mutation is associated with tumor progression. We explored the utility of the BRAF molecular testing on fine needle aspiration fixed specimens of patients with confirmed diagnoses of papillary thyroid carcinoma., Methods: Fixed thyroid cytology slide specimens of 19 patients with Bethesda II to VI reports were used to detect BRAF V600E mutation by pyrosequencing of extracted DNA., Results: BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 25% of the specimens with Bethesda category III and IV nodules and in 73% of the nodules with Bethesda category V and VI., Conclusion: BRAF mutation analysis can be performed on fixed fine needle aspiration cytology specimens. Although the frequency of the mutation is higher in specimens with higher Bethesda category scores, it could support clinical decision-making in thyroid nodules with intermediate Bethesda category scores., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2024 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: BRAF V600E mutation is proved critical in the progression and invasion of thyroid cancer, and as a prognostic biomarker. As anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer, this study was conducted to provide a view on prevalence of BRAF V600E as well as the best molecular diagnostic method in ATC patients., Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed from their inception to Oct 2022 in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science (WoS). The data of the prevalence of ATC were extracted. Moreover, the diagnostic feature of the available diagnostic tools was extracted to measure the sensitivity and specificity. To pool the prevalence data, we used meta-proportion analysis and diagnostic meta-analysis was conducted to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the immunohistochemistry method in detecting BRAF V600E mutation among patients with ATC., Results: Overall, 34 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The incidence of BRAF V600E was shown 33% in the 978 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of IHC in detecting BRAF V600E were detected 78.9% (95%CI: 60.1-97.2), and 69.7% (95%CI: 41.2-98.1), respectively., Conclusion: IHC had an acceptable prognostic profile for detecting BRAF V600E in ATC patients. The diagnosis of BRAF mutation is critical in clinical trials and may be helpful for choosing proper-targeted therapy strategies in ATC patients., (Copyright© 2024 Karimi Behnagh et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Mortality has been indicated to be high in patients with underlying diseases. This study aimed to examine the comorbidities is associated with a higher risk of death during the hospital course., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the risk of in-hospital death in 1368 patients with COVID-19 admitted to 5 academic hospitals in Tehran between February 20 and June 13, 2020. We also assessed the composite end-point of intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation, and death. The Cox proportional survival model determined the potential comorbidities associated with deaths and serious outcomes., Results: The retrospective follow-up of patients with COVID-19 over 5 months indicated 280 in-hospital deaths. Patients with diabetes (risk ratio (RR), 1.47 (95% CI, 1.10-1.95); P = 0.008) and chronic kidney disease (RR, 1.72 (95% CI, 1.16-2.56); P = 0.007) showed higher in-hospital mortality. Upon stratifying data by age, patients aged ˂65 years showed a greater risk of in-hospital death in the presence of 2 (hazard ratio (HR), 2.68 (95% CI, 1.46-4.95); P = 0.002) or more (HR, 3.47 (95% CI, 1.69-7.12); P = 0.001) comorbidities, compared with those aged ≥ 65 years., Conclusion: Having ≥ 2 comorbidities in nonelderly patients is associated with a greater risk of death during hospitalization. To reduce the mortality of COVID-19 infection, younger patients with underlying diseases should be the focus of attention for prevention strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2024 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Detection of cancer in patients with thyroid nodules requires sensitive and specific diagnostic modalities that are accurate and inexpensive. This study aimed to identify a potential microRNA(miRNA) panel to detect papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)., Methods: Following a comprehensive literature review as well as miRNA target predictor databases, Real-time PCR was used to quantify the expression of candidate miRNAs in 59 tissue specimens from 30 patients with PTC and 29 patients with benign nodules. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the accuracy of miRNA expression levels compared to the pathology report as the gold standard. Based on prediction results, four miRNAs, including miR-9, miR-20b, miR-221, and miR-222, were selected to evaluate their expression level in Iranian thyroid samples., Results: A significant difference between the tissue expression level of miR-20b, miR-9, miR-222, and miR-221 was detected in the PTC group compared with non-PTC ( P < 0.05). The area under the curves for the included miRs were 1, 0.98, 0.99, 0.98, and 1, respectively., Conclusion: Our results confirmed deregulations of miR-20b as well as miR-222, miR-221, and miR-9 in PTC and, therefore, could be used as a helpful miRNA panel to differentiate PTC from benign nodules, which results in the more efficient clinical management of PTC patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2023 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)