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Background and Aim: Currently, HIV, HBV, and HIV/HBV co-infection are important global health issues. It has been estimated that 2.7 million people are co-infected with HIV and HBV worldwide. In recent years, miRNAs have shown promising results as a research area. The current study aimed to investigate the expression level of miRNA-122, miRNA-149, miRNA-199a, and miRNA-let7 in HIV, HBV, HIV/HBV co-infected patients, and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: In the current study, miRNA expression levels were assessed in PBMC obtained from patients by real-time PCR. Results: The miRNA-122 was significantly upregulated in HIV/HBV co-infection patients compared with other groups (P<0.001). Also, miRNA-199a and miRNA-let7 were significantly down-regulated in all patient groups compared to the healthy controls (P< 0.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated significant negative correlations between the expression level of miR- 149 and miR-199a with HIV viral load (P<0.001) and HBV viral load, respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion: This preliminary study could reflect a limited perspective on the field of the miRNAs in HBV and HIV infection. The study suggested further investigation to understand better the role of the miRNA in HIV and HBV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death around the world. Micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) can be involved in forming of atherosclerotic plaques, inflammation, cholesterol metabolism, and other mechanisms involved in CAD development. This study aimed to evaluate the expression level of miR-22, miR-30c, miR-145, and miR-519d and their possible association with inflammatory markers among patients with CAD. METHODS: The expression level of miR-22, miR-30c, miR-145, miR-519d, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 46 patients with CAD and 39 healthy controls using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. RESULTS: 53.8% (n = 21) and 52.2% (n = 24) of controls and cases were men, respectively; the mean age was 59.8 ± 7.4 and 57.0 ± 9.8 years, respectively. The miRNA expression pattern of each group showed significantly different expression profiles. In the CAD patients group, miR-22, miR-30c, and miR-145 were down-regulated compared to the control group. On the opposite, miR-519d was up-regulated in patients with CAD compared to the control group. Our results also showed that the expression levels of IL-6 and TGF-β were up-regulated among patients with CAD compared to the control group. In addition, the expression of miR-145 and miR-519d had a significantly negative and positive correlation with TGF-β and IL-6, respectively. CONCLUSION: The change in expression levels of miR-22, miR-30c, miR-145, and miR-519d in PBMCs of patients with CAD could be considered as a potential biomarker for CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using time-series data and cointegration techniques in econometrics, particularly Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and error correction mechanism (ECM), the study estimated the long-term and short-term relationships of the electricity demand model in Iran's agricultural sector. According to the results obtained, the inelasticity of electricity demand relative to price, obtained in other studies in Iran and other countries, was confirmed in this study too. The absolute value of price elasticity of agricultural demand was 0.521 stating that one percent increase in the price of electricity, its demand decreases by 0.521%. Thus, electricity in the agricultural sector in Iran is a less elastic commodity, as electricity is cheaper than other petroleum products with high economic efficiency and it is less possible to replace it with other products. With the increase in the price of this carrier, the demand for it does not decrease significantly, which shows that the agricultural sector depends on electricity. Moreover, other energy sources cannot be a suitable alternative to it. The findings indicate that all coefficients are significant at the level of five and ten percent. Using time-series data and electricity consumption statistics from 1976 to 2016 and cointegration techniques in econometrics, especially ARDL and ECM, the study estimated the long-term and short-term relationships model of electricity demand in the agricultural sector until 2025. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, poses a huge demand for immediate diagnosis. Real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) of nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs have been used to confirm the clinical diagnosis. To avoid the risk of viral‐exposure of laboratory workers, thermal inactivation is currently recommended but has unknown effects on the accuracy of the rRT‐PCR results. Thirty‐six NP/OP specimens were collected from COVID‐19 patients and subjected to thermal inactivation (60°C for 30 min) or the RNA extraction processes to activate the form. Here, our data showed that the concentration of extracted‐RNA increases upon thermal inactivation compared to the active form (p =.028). Significantly higher levels of RNA copy number were obtained in inactivated compared to the active samples for both N and ORF1ab genes (p =.009, p =.032, respectively). Thermal inactivation elevated concentration and copy number of extracted‐RNA, possibly through viral‐capsid degradation and/or nucleoprotein denaturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sponges are valuable source of bioactive natural products. Although marine benthic invertebrate communities occur in the Persian Gulf they have been little explored for their biomedicinal potential. Here, we studied the methanol and diethyl ether extracts of sponges Haliclona caeralea, Axinella sinoxea and Ircinia mutans sponges for their cytotoxic activity against human epidermis carcinoma (KB/C152) and T-cell lymphoma cell lines (HUT-78/C185) cell lines. Sponges after collection and identification were extracted with methanol and diethyl ether extract. The cell viability and cytotoxicity induced by the extracts were assessed using XTT and lactate dehydrogenase release assays (LDH leakage). The results indicated that the methanol and diethyl ether extract of I. mutans exhibited strong cytotoxicity towards KB and HUT cell lines and diethyl ether extract of H. caeralea and A. sinoxea had significant cytotoxicity in HUT and KB cells compared to methanol extract. The results indicated that the methanol and diethyl ether extract of I. mutans possess significant cytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some studies implicate rotavirus infection as a trigger for the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children, however findings are controversial. Objectives: We investigated the link between rotavirus infection and autoantibodies against islet antigens and T1DM in children. Methods: Serum samples from 80 new-onset diabetic and 80 nondiabetic children were screened for anti-rotavirus IgG, anti-GAD65 and anti-IA-2 autoantibodies using ELISA kits. Results: Positivity percentages of anti-rotavirus IgG detection in diabetic and nondiabetic children were 51.3% and 35.0%, respectively (p = 0.03). The mean anti-GAD65 and anti-IA-2 antibody titers in anti-rotavirus IgG positive samples were statistically higher than that the anti-rotavirus IgG negative samples. A positive correlation was found between anti-rotavirus IgG and anti-GAD65 antibody levels (p = 0.004; r = 0.22). Conclusions: Our findings support the hypothesis that rotovirus infection may induce T1DM in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Solanum xanthocarpum Schard. and Wendl. (Solanaceae) has been used in traditional Indian medicines for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiasthmatic properties. Objective: The present study demonstrates the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of S. xanthocarpum. On the basis of in vitro antioxidant properties, the active fraction from column chromatography of the methanol extract of S. xanthocarpum leaves (SXAF) was chosen as the potent fraction and used for hepatoprotective studies in rats. Materials and methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and reducing power assays. Rats were pre-treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of SXAF for 14 d with a single dose of CCl4 in the last day. Hepatoprotective properties were determined by serum biochemical enzymes, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GST), and histopathology studies. Results: SXAF exhibited significant antioxidant activity in scavenging free radicals with IC50 values of 11.72 µg (DPPH) and 17.99 µg (ABTS). Rats pre-treated with SXAF demonstrated significantly reduced levels of serum LDH (1.7-fold), ALP (1.6-fold), and AST (1.8-fold). Similarly, multiple dose SXAF administration at 200 mg/kg b.w. demonstrated significantly enhanced levels of SOD (1.78 ± 0.13), CAT (34.63 ± 1.98), GST (231.64 ± 14.28), and GSH (8.23 ± 0.48) in liver homogenates. Histopathological examination showed lowered liver damage in SXAF-treated groups. Discussion and conclusion: These results demonstrate that SXAF possesses potent antioxidant properties as well as hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate capacity of Hyptis suaveolens (H. suaveolens) methanol extract as an antioxidant to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity in Albino Wistar rats and cytoprotective effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cell death in HepG2 cell line. Methods: Two different doses of methanol extract of H. suaveolens were evaluated for the hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Animals in Group I: served as control, group II: H. suaveolens (100 mL/kg b.w), group III: H. suaveolens (50 mL/kg b.w) + CCl4 (1 mg/kg), group IV: H. suaveolens (100 mL/kg b.w) + CCl4 (1 mL/kg) and group V: CCl4 (1 mL/kg). Histopathologic changes of liver were also evaluated. Cytotoxicity was also determined by 3, (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: Oral sigle dose treatment of CCl4 produced a marked elevation in the serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Histopathological analysis of the liver of CCl4-induced rats revealed marked liver cell necrosis with inflammatory collections that were conformed to increase in the levels of SOD, GSH, GST, GR and LPO. Treatment with H2O2 significantly induced death of HepG2 cell. Pretreatment with H. suaveolens methanol extract inhibited or attenuated H2O2 induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions: This study shows that H. suaveolens methanol extract can be proposed to protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats and protect the cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. The hepatoprotective and cytoprotective effects might be correlated with its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate capacity of Hyptis suaveolens (H. suaveolens) methanol extract as an antioxidant to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity in Albino Wistar rats and cytoprotective effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cell death in HepG2 cell line. Methods: Two different doses of methanol extract of H. suaveolens were evaluated for the hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Animals in Group I: served as control, group II: H. suaveolens (100 mL/kg b.w), group III: H. suaveolens (50 mL/kg b.w) + CCl4 (1 mg/kg), group IV: H. suaveolens (100 mL/kg b.w) + CCl4 (1 mL/kg) and group V: CCl4 (1 mL/kg). Histopathologic changes of liver were also evaluated. Cytotoxicity was also determined by 3, (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: Oral sigle dose treatment of CCl4 produced a marked elevation in the serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Histopathological analysis of the liver of CCl4-induced rats revealed marked liver cell necrosis with inflammatory collections that were conformed to increase in the levels of SOD, GSH, GST, GR and LPO. Treatment with H2O2 significantly induced death of HepG2 cell. Pretreatment with H. suaveolens methanol extract inhibited or attenuated H2O2 induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions: This study shows that H. suaveolens methanol extract can be proposed to protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in rats and protect the cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. The hepatoprotective and cytoprotective effects might be correlated with its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The new economic reforms programme of the Government of Iran has created far reaching impact on the working of all the sectors of Iranian economy. Education is no exception to this. Educational and training institutions in private sector and those in collaboration with their counterparts in foreign countries have responded quickly and in the right manner to this trend in Iranian educational environment. This paper attempts to provide an approach to the answer by suggesting a marketing framework for DEPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Solanum xanthocarpum Schard. and Wendl. (Solanaceae) has been used in traditional Indian medicines for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiasthmatic properties., Objective: The present study demonstrates the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of S. xanthocarpum. On the basis of in vitro antioxidant properties, the active fraction from column chromatography of the methanol extract of S. xanthocarpum leaves (SXAF) was chosen as the potent fraction and used for hepatoprotective studies in rats., Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and reducing power assays. Rats were pre-treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of SXAF for 14 d with a single dose of CCl4 in the last day. Hepatoprotective properties were determined by serum biochemical enzymes, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GST), and histopathology studies., Results: SXAF exhibited significant antioxidant activity in scavenging free radicals with IC50 values of 11.72 µg (DPPH) and 17.99 µg (ABTS). Rats pre-treated with SXAF demonstrated significantly reduced levels of serum LDH (1.7-fold), ALP (1.6-fold), and AST (1.8-fold). Similarly, multiple dose SXAF administration at 200 mg/kg b.w. demonstrated significantly enhanced levels of SOD (1.78 ± 0.13), CAT (34.63 ± 1.98), GST (231.64 ± 14.28), and GSH (8.23 ± 0.48) in liver homogenates. Histopathological examination showed lowered liver damage in SXAF-treated groups., Discussion and Conclusion: These results demonstrate that SXAF possesses potent antioxidant properties as well as hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.