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Background Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer-related death among women world-wide. Let-7d and microRNA-195 (miR-195) are members of microRNAsthat are well-known tumor suppressors involved in the regulation of apoptosis, invasion, and other cellular functions. However, the roles of these microRNAs in BC progression remain controversial. This study aimed to explore the correlation between the expression of let-7d and miR-195 and apoptosis-related genes (ARG) “B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and caspase-3 (CASP3)” as potential biomarkers of breast carcinogenesis. Methods It was a retrospective case-control study where expression of let-7d, miR-195, CASP3, and BCL2 was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to determine expression of BCL2 and CASP3 in BC tissues versus normal breast tissues (NT)samples. Results Expression of let-7d and miR-195 was significantly reduced within BC tissues compared to NT (P: < 0.0001); and there was a statically positive correlation between them (r=0.314, P: 0.005). They have also been correlated to biomarkers’ expression of genes related to apoptosis. There was a statistically significant positive association between CASP3, and both let-7d, and miR-195 relative gene expression (r=0.713, P: P: 0.04 and r=-0.311, P: 0.005, respectively). Conclusions Let-7d and miR-195 have been suggested to be involved in BC by modulating the ARG including BCL2 and CASP3. The qRT-PCR and IHC studies verified that low expression of let-7d and miR-195 prohibit apoptosis via downregulating CASP3 and increasing BCL2 expressions promoting BC progression These results also hypothesize that let-7d and miR-195 along with apoptotic biomarkers (BCL2 and CASP3) can be used in the future to introduce novel, non-invasive molecular biomarkers for BC into clinical practice.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an enzyme in the family of proprotein convertases implicated in lipid metabolism and is a significant genetic risk factor in car...

In the current study, the polyurethane acrylate (PUA) polymer was synthesized by the addition reaction between an isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and cured by polyol. Different properties of the synthesized PUA were determined through diverse analysis methods. The polyurethane acrylate (PUA)/natural filler-based composite (rhizome water extract of Costus speciosus) was prepared as an antifouling agent. The results revealed that the lowest weight loss percentages were detected at 2 wt% PUA/natural filler composite loadings with Escherichia coli (ATCC 23,282) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10,145). The decreased weight loss percentage may be attributed to the well dispersed natural composite resulting in a slippery surface that can prevent fouling adhesion. It was concluded that the PUA/natural filler composite might be considered an eco-friendly and economical solution to the biofouling problem. • A novel strategy for anti-biofouling. • A new composite reduced Gram-negative bacteria.

The study aimed to assess the frequency of neurological presentations of pediatric COVID-19 patients and compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the outcomes of those who presented with neurological complaints and those without complaints. A cross-sectional study enrolled 84 children diagnosed with COVID-19 at the emergency department over 12 months. All previously healthy children with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made by positive PCR of a nasopharyngeal swab. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included COVID-19 patients with neurological complaints, and group 2 included COVID-19 patients with non-neurological complaints. Demographical, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were compared among groups. During the study period, 84 children aged 2 months-15years were diagnosed with COVID-19. Only 17 patients (20.2%) presented with new-onset neurological complaints. Seizure was the most common neurological complaint (58.8%), and febrile convulsion was the most frequent diagnosis of COVID-19 patients with neurological presentation (47.1%). C-reactive protein (CRP) and duration of hospitalization were higher in patients with neurological presentations, with P values of 0.002 and 0.001, respectively. All patients with neurological complaints survived the acute illness. Neurological symptoms were present in 20% of the COVID-19 pediatric patients, having higher CRP than patients with non-neurological presentations. CRP can be used as a reliable indicator for neurological symptoms in COVID-19 pediatric patients.

There is no doubt that the Dutch plastic artist Rembrandt had his style separate from the artists of his time, and he influenced almost every field of Dutch art, and he was inspired by artists around the world and this influence was repeated and continued in no way in the history of art, and this influence extended until The present time includes the fields of arts, especially in cinema. For filmmakers, as well as generations of art enthusiasts, Rembrandt is the master of light and shadow, and his style of light distribution in painting has influenced many photographers and lighting designers in the history of cinema. In a study conducted to clarify the relationship between plastic art (photography and cinema or motion picture), some critics and filmmakers believed that without the paintings of the Dutch master of photography in the seventeenth century, many masterpieces of cinematography would not exist. Since the beginning of the fifteenth century, artists have used light as if it were a living element, invoking it and using it persuasively to create their own vision, light and shadow, essential components of the art of photography and cinematography, were given for the first time their true freedom by the Dutch artist Rembrandt and expanded with enthusiasm in The world of imagination, and his art was a source of inspiration for filmmakers in building the composition of the shots and the freedom of movement was given to the camera poetically through it, and he set the standard of the camera that it should be. Thus, Rembrandt, with his dramatic style, has inspired many generations in the history of art, and his influence extended to include many different branches of art, not just plastic art.

In the current study, the polyurethane acrylate (PUA) polymer was synthesized by the addition reaction between an isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and cured by polyol. Different properties of the synthesized PUA were determined through diverse analysis methods. The polyurethane acrylate (PUA)/natural filler-based composite (rhizome water extract of Costus speciosus) was prepared as an antifouling agent. The results revealed that the lowest weight loss percentages were detected at 2 wt% PUA/natural filler composite loadings with Escherichia coli (ATCC 23,282) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10,145). The decreased weight loss percentage may be attributed to the well dispersed natural composite resulting in a slippery surface that can prevent fouling adhesion. It was concluded that the PUA/natural filler composite might be considered an eco-friendly and economical solution to the biofouling problem. KEY POINTS: • A novel strategy for anti-biofouling. • A new composite reduced Gram-negative bacteria.

Galectin-3 protein encoded by lectin galactoside-binding soluble-3 (LGALS-3) gene is an important genetic factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its cardiovascular obstacles in various populations. We aimed to elicit the pro-inflammatory effect of galectin-3 as determined by interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels and to explore the relationship between galectin-3 (LGALS-3 rs4652) gene variant and its expression levels with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk among T2DM Egyptian patients.112 lean subjects were compared to 100 T2DM without CAD and 84 T2DM with CAD. A tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction was used to test LGALS-3 (rs4652), and galectin3 expression was tested with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum IL-6 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.We found that the prevalence of LGALS-3 (rs4652) AC genotype and galectin-3 gene expression levels in T2DM with CAD were significantly higher than the additional 2 groups and were correlated positively to IL-6 circulating levels. Also, the C allele carriers (AC+CC) had significantly higher relative Galectin-3 expression levels compared to the A allele carriers (AA).We concluded that galectin-3 expression levels and LGALS-3 (rs4652) AC genotype were coronary artery disease risk factors in people with type two diabetes among an Egyptian sample.Protein galektin-3 kodiran genom LGALS-3 je važan genetski faktor kod dijabetes melitusa tipa 2 (T2DM) i pridruženim kardiovaskularnim problemima kod različitih populacija. Cilj NAM je bio da izazovemo pro-inflamatorni efekat galektina-3 određenim u zavisnosti od nivoa interleukina-6 (IL-6) u serumu, i istražimo vezu između varijante gena galektin-3 (LGALS-3 rs4652) i nivoa njegove ekspresije sa bolešću koronarne arterije (CAD) kod pacijenata iz Egipta sa T2DM.Uporedili smo 112 mršavih ispitanika sa 100 ispitanika koji imaju T2DM bez CAD i 84 sa T2DM sa CAD. Za ispitivanje LGALS-3 (rs4652) korišćena je amplifikovana lančana reakcija polimerazne refraktornog mutacionog sistema sa tetra-prajmerom a ekspresija galektin-3 testirana je kvantitativnom lančanom reakcijom polimeraze u realnom vremenu. Serum IL-6 je meren korišćenjem enzimski povezanog imunosorbentnog testa.Otkrili smo da su prevalencija nivoa genotipa LGALS-3 (rs4652) AC i nivoa ekspresije gena galektin-3 kod pacijenata sa T2DM sa CAD bili znatno veći od dodatne 2 grupe i pozitivno povezani sa nivoima cirkulacije IL6. Takođe, nosioci alela C (AC + CC) imali su značajno veće relativne nivoe ekspresije galektina-3 u poređenju sa nosiocima alela A (AA).Zaključili smo da su nivoi ekspresije galektina-3 i genotip LGALS-3 (rs4652) AC faktori rizika od bolesti koronarne arterije kod ljudi sa dijabetesom tipa dva na uzorku iz Egipta.

Carbon nanotubes-based adsorbents have attracted substantial interest as potential adsorbents for heavy metals removal. However many aspects such as the interaction between the modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the heavy metal ions, quantitative effect of the functional groups and regeneration of CNTs-based adsorbents are not fully understood yet. A critical review was performed to compile an extensive profile from several studies of using pristine and modified CNTs for heavy metals removal. CNTs demonstrated a great potential. However surface modification of CNTs is necessary as pristine CNTs may be ineffective in arsenite [As (III)] or arsenate [As (V)] removal. Isotherms and kinetic models for the removal of heavy metals are discussed in details. A particular focus has been placed on better understanding the mechanism of heavy metals removal using CNTs-based adsorbents, affecting factors, maximum adsorption capacity and regeneration. The effect of adsorbent dose, pH, initial concentration, and contact time were addressed by several researchers, which specifies the consistency and performance of CNTs-based materials as potential adsorbents. To elucidate the mechanism of adsorption, FT-IR, XPS, SEM, TEM and EDX results have been reviewed and discussed. It is found that Langmuir, Freundlich and second order kinetic models are the most frequently used isotherm to describe heavy metals adsorption. CNTs-based adsorbent can be efficiently regenerated.

To determine the risk factors for patients with febrile convulsions and to assess their iron status.The case-control study was conducted at the Central Child Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from May 1 to August 31, 2017, and comprised febrile patients aged 6-72 months admitted after presenting with axillary temperature ≥38oC. Those who got fits along with fever were declared the cases, while those with just fever were considered the controls. Venous blood samples were taken for complete blood count, biochemical tests, and for serum ferritin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.Of the 80 patients, 40(50%) were in each of the two groups. Respiratory tract infection was the commonest cause of fever in 29(58%) cases and 21(42%) controls (p0.05). The cases were significantly younger in age (p0.05). Also, there was significantly low haemoglobin level, low packed cell volume, low serum iron, higher total iron binding capacity and low serum ferritin in the case group (p0.05). Iron deficiency anaemia was found in 17(73.9%) of the cases compared to 6(26.1%) among the controls. The mean serum ferritin of the cases was lower compared to the controls (p=0.001).The risk of febrile seizure in iron-deficient children increased in the presence of risk factors.

A “DPH” ternary complex consisting of plasmid DNA (pDNA), intracellularly degradable polyethyleneimine, and hyaluronic acid (HA) is a promising non-viral gene carrier with low toxicity and good gene transfection efficiency. HA plays a key role in providing an optimal balance between DNA protection and release, but it causes aggregation due to the entanglement of HA chains of neighbouring DPH particles. Here we report that the addition of an optimal level of Ca2+ successfully prevents particle aggregation and maintains a relatively small size. The Ca-stabilized DPH is comparable to DPH in cytotoxicity and gene transfection efficiency. MW monitoring and conductometric titration suggest that such size stabilization effect is partly mediated by the complexation between HA and Ca2+, which enables intra- and intermolecular interactions of HAs.

Various drug delivery systems are developed to deliver therapeutic and diagnostic agents to tissues covered with mucus, such as airways, nasal cavity, or oral cavity [1]. However, the mucus, which present for protection of the tissues, significantly hinders the transport of these agents and ultimately mitigates their efficacy [2]. Several studies have been performed to improve the transmucosal transport by studying the transport rates of polymeric nanoparticles with various sizes and surface chemistry [3–5]. However, drug delivery systems with improved transmucosal transport capability are still highly desired.Copyright © 2011 by ASME

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem genetic disorder, which usually results in significant respiratory dysfunction. At present there is no cure for CF, but advances in pharmacotherapy have gradually increased the life expectancy of CF patients. As many drugs used in the therapy of CF are delivered by inhalation, the demand for effective and convenient inhalational CF drug formulations will grow as CF patients live longer. Knowledge of the current limitations in inhalational CF drug delivery is critical in identifying new opportunities and designing rational delivery strategies.This review discusses current and emerging therapeutic agents for CF therapy, selected physiological challenges to effective inhalational medication delivery, and various approaches to overcoming these challenges. The reader will find an integrated view of the known inhalational drug delivery challenges and the rationales for recent investigational inhalational drug formulations.An ideal drug/gene delivery system to CF airways should overcome the tenacious sputum, which presents physical, chemical and biological barriers to effective transport of therapeutic agents to the targets and various cellular challenges.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) sputum, a tenacious biopolymer network accumulating in the airways, critically interferes with the effectiveness of pulmonary gene delivery. To overcome this challenge, nanoparticulate ternary gene-polymer complexes were encapsulated in inhalable dry microparticles containing mannitol. When applied on a layer of artificial sputum, which comprised major components of CF sputum such as DNA and mucin, mannitol microparticles rapidly dissolved in it and enhanced transport of nanoparticles across the sputum layer. Despite the improvement of nanoparticle transport in the artificial sputum, the gene-polymer complex passing the sputum did not show gene transfection because of the significant inactivation by DNA and, to a lesser extent, mucin. Particle size measurement suggested that aggregation of the gene transfer agents was mainly responsible for the activity loss. These results indicate that the delivery of gene transfer agent across CF sputum depended not only on the ability to penetrate the sputum but also on preservation of the activity during and/or after the transport.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a promising agent for therapy of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We aim to develop an inhalable powder formulation of bFGF, which may provide a safe, effective, and convenient way of delivering bFGF to the disease-ridden lungs. Development of a bFGF dry powder formulation is constrained by the poor stability of bFGF and the uncertainty in compatibility of the protein with carrier excipients. With these constraints in mind, we prepared dry powders containing bFGF in combinations of albumin, phospholipid, lactose, and/or leucine, by spray drying, and evaluated the aerodynamic properties of the powders and the stability of bFGF loaded in the powders. While an ethanolic solution of phospholipid, albumin, and lactose produced dispersible powder, bFGF was unstable in ethanol. The stability of bFGF was preserved when spray-dried with lactose in an aqueous solution. Leucine was required to obtain dry powder with good dispersibility; however, increase in the leucine content more than 50% (w/w) negatively influenced the bFGF stability with no additional benefit to the aerodynamic properties of the powders. Dry powders containing 20% (w/w) leucine provided desirable aerodynamic properties (fine particle fraction of 25.2+/-5.4% and mass median aerodynamic diameter of 4.7+/-0.9 microm) and 98.1+/-7% recovery of bioactive bFGF. This result warrants further investigation of the biological activity of the inhaled bFGF in a disease model.