Comprehensive view of the posterior mandibular ridge morphology

The anatomy of the posterior mandibular ridge and the anatomical structures present in this region are important in the planning and execution of dental treatments. The aim of this study was to examine all forms of alveolar ridge in detail to provide a comprehensive description of the posterior mandibular ridge. This study included 1865 cross-sectional sections of cone beam computed tomography scans obtained from 511 Iranian patients with a mean age of 48.14 years (280 female, 231 male). The alveolar ridge was described based on the ridge shape, including the existence and location of convexity and concavity. The morphology of the posterior mandibular ridge was categorized into 14 types: straight, pen shape, oblique, D type, B type, kidney, hourglass, sickle, golf club, toucan beak, tear, cudgel, basal, and saddle. Among the alveolar ridge types, the straight type in the premolar region and toucan beak type in the molar region were most frequent in the female, male, dentulous, and edentulous ridges. This study found significant differences in alveolar ridge morphology according to sex, dental status, and region of the ridge (all P < 0.001). In conclusion, the morphology of the alveolar ridge varies significantly between the sexes and between dentulous and edentulous locations.

Finding epitopes of Klebsiella pneumoniae outer membrane protein-K17 (OMPK17) and introducing a 25-mer peptide of it as a vaccine candidate

No approved vaccine exists for Klebsiella pneumoniae yet. Outer membrane protein-K17 (OMPK17) is involved in K. pneumoniae pathogenesis. No information has been found about OMPK17 dominant epitopes in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to predict both T cell and B cell epitopes of K. pneumoniae OMPK17 via immunoinformatics approaches. Both T cell (class-I and II) and B cell (linear and discontinuous) epitopes of OMPK17 were predicted. Several screening analyses were performed including clustering, immunogenicity, human similarity, toxicity, allergenicity, conservancy, docking, and structural/physicochemical suitability. The results showed that some regions of OMPK17 have more potential as epitopes. The most possible epitopes were found via several analyses including the selection of higher-scoring epitopes, the epitopes predicted with more tools, more immunogenic epitopes, the epitopes capable of producing interferon-gamma, the epitopes with more dissimilarity to human peptides, and non-toxic and non-allergenic epitopes. By comparing the best T cell and B cell epitopes, we reached a 25-mer peptide containing both T cell (class-I and class-II) and B cell (linear) epitopes and comprising appropriate physicochemical characteristics that are required for K. pneumoniae vaccine development. The in vitro/in vivo study of this peptide is recommended to clarify its actual efficiency and efficacy.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11756-023-01371-0.

Evaluation of the osteogenic effect of apigenin on human mesenchymal stem cells by inhibiting inflammation through modulation of NF-κB/IκBα

Background and purpose

Apigenin has stimulatory effects on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) as well as anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in inflammatory conditions treated with apigenin focusing on nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-кB), nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IκBα) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory pathways.

Experimental approach

Along with osteogenic differentiation of the hMSCs, they became inflamed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/palmitic acid (PA) and treated with apigenin. Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) gene expression were used to determine the degree of differentiation. Also, gene expression of NLRP3 was performed along with protein expression of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), NF-кB, and IκBα.

Findings / Results

Apigenin was shown to be effective in neutralizing the inhibitory impact of LPS/PA on osteogenesis. Apigenin increased MSC osteogenic capacity by inhibiting NLRP3 expression and the activity of caspase-1. It was also associated with a considerable decrease in the protein expression of NF-κB and IκBα, as well as IL-1β, in these cells.

Conclusion and implications

The effects of apigenin on osteogenesis under inflammatory conditions were cautiously observed.

Obesity phenotypes related to musculoskeletal disorders; a cross-sectional study from RaNCD cohort

Background

This study was evaluated the association between obesity phenotypes and risk of lower torso musculoskeletal disorders including low back pain (LBP), low back stiffness (LBS), arthralgia, and joint stiffness in Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 6940 adults were examined for the presence of lower torso musculoskeletal disorders by a physician. Obesity phenotypes including metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) were defined based on the International Diabetes Federation, as well as, body mass index > 30 kg/m2. Metabolically unhealthy non-obesity (MUNO) phenotype was considered as unhealthy metabolic without obesity.

Results

The prevalence of LBP, LBS, arthralgia, and joint stiffness in MHO, MUO, and MUNO were significantly higher than in healthy participants compared to obesity phenotypes. Logistic regression showed that MHO phenotype was significantly increased with risk of LBP (OR: 1.19, CI 95%: 1.01–1.41), LBS (OR: 1.44, CI 95%: 1.12–1.86), arthralgia (OR: 1.54, CI 95%: 1.33–1.78), and joint stiffness (OR: 1.84, CI 95%: 1.35–2.52). Moreover, MUO phenotype was positively associated with risk of LBS (OR: 1.46, CI 95%: 1.09–1.94) and arthralgia (OR: 1.66, CI 95%: 1.41–1.96). In addition, MUNO phenotype was associated with a higher risk of arthralgia (OR: 1.21, CI 95%: 1.06–1.37).

Conclusion

All three phenotypes, MHO, MUO and MUNO were significantly increased the risk of arthralgia. However, MHO phenotype was significantly associated with a higher risk of all examined lower torso musculoskeletal disorders in the current study.

The role of Acanthamoeba castellanii (T4 genotype) antioxidant enzymes in parasite survival under H2O2-induced oxidative stress

Acanthamoeba castellanii (A. castellanii) is an important opportunistic parasite. Induction of oxidative stress by the host immune system is one of the most important defense strategies against parasites. Hence, parasites partly deal with oxidative stress by different mechanisms. Identifying resistance mechanisms of A. castellanii parasites against oxidative stress is important to achieve a new therapeutic approach. Thus, this study aimed to understand the resistance mechanisms of A. castellanii, against oxidative stress. Trophozoites of A. castellanii were treated with different concentrations of H₂O₂. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of H₂O₂ was determined using the MTT assay. The induction of oxidative stress was confirmed by flow cytometer. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were determined. The gene expression levels of CAT and SOD were measured by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, 3-amino-1:2:4-triazole (3-AT) and potassium cyanide (KCN) were used as specific inhibitors of CAT and SOD, respectively. Cell cycle assay and the apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometer. The activities of SOD, CAT, GR, and GPx, showed an increase in oxidative stress. The cell cycle analysis revealed that most of the cellular population was in G0 and G1 phases. The apoptosis increased in oxidative stress conditions. Moreover, the apoptosis significantly increased after the specific inhibition of CAT and SOD under oxidative stress. The gene expression levels of CAT and SOD significantly increased under oxidative stress. A. castellanii can resist the host immune system through various mechanisms, including evoking its antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, by reducing or inhibiting the activity of the parasite's antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and CAT, it is possible to cope with A. castellanii.

Intraprostatic injection of exosomes isolated from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) own the capacity to secrete trophic factors as exosomes which play significant roles in regulating the functions of other cells and preventing inflammation. Due to the inflammatory process in chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNP) and the ambiguity in the treatment of this disease, the present study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic use of adipose-derived MSC exosomes in an animal model of CNP. MSCs were first isolated from rat subcutaneous adipose tissue, and exosomes were extracted from them. Specific features of exosomes were characterized by a scanning electron microscope, western blot technique, and Dynamic Light Scattering methods. To establish CNP in rats, intraprostatic injection of Freund's complete adjuvant was done. After confirmation of prostatitis, intraprostatic injections of exosomes were performed for treatment. Histological evaluation revealed that treatment with exosomes resulted in a relative improvement of lesions caused by CNP. The expression of p-NF-κB and p-IκBα proteins along with inflammatory markers was significantly increased in the CNP group, which treatment with exosomes significantly reduced their expression as well as IL-1β and TNF-α proteins. The antioxidant effects of exosomes were also determined by significantly regulating glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels in these animals. Our results cautiously suggest the therapeutic effects of MSC-derived exosomes against CNP-induced prostatitis through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which should be further considered in the future.

Application of Tarkhineh Fermented Product to Produce Potato Chips With Strong Probiotic Properties, High Shelf-Life, and Desirable Sensory Characteristics

The application of Tarkhineh texture to protect probiotics in potato chips has been investigated as the main goal in this paper. In this study, the probiotic assessments, morphological characteristics, sensory evaluation, and survival rates of the covered probiotic cells with Tarkhineh in potato chips during storage time were assessed. Based on results, T34 isolated from traditional Tarkhineh as a safe strain had a high tolerance to low pH and bile salt conditions, displayed acceptable anti-pathogenic activities, and also showed desirable antibiotic susceptibility. Two types of Tarkhineh formulations (plain Tarkhineh and turmeric Tarkhineh) were applied using a simple spraying method for covering T34 cells in potato chips. All formulations showed elliptical to spherical (480-770 μm) shape probiotic drops. Storage stability results revealed that T34 cells mixed with turmeric and plain Tarkhineh during 4 months of storage at 4°C displayed excellent protection abilities with about 3.70 and 2.85 log decreases in CFU/g respectively. Additionally, probiotic potato chips compared to non-probiotic and commercial potato chips, exhibited probiotic product criteria such as excellent quality and superior sensory properties during storage time. In conclusion, Tarkhineh showed high potential as a protective matrix for probiotic cells in potato chips.

A computational model for GPCR-ligand interaction prediction

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play an essential role in critical human activities, and they are considered targets for a wide range of drugs. Accordingly, based on these crucial roles, GPCRs are mainly considered and focused on pharmaceutical research. Hence, there are a lot of investigations on GPCRs. Experimental laboratory research is very costly in terms of time and expenses, and accordingly, there is a marked tendency to use computational methods as an alternative method. In this study, a prediction model based on machine learning (ML) approaches was developed to predict GPCRs and ligand interactions. Decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector machine (SVM), and Naive Bayes (NB) were the algorithms that were investigated in this study. After several optimization steps, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) for DT, RF, MLP, SVM, and NB algorithm were 95.2, 98.1, 96.3, 95.5, and 97.3, respectively. Accordingly final model was made base on the RF algorithm. The current computational study compared with others focused on specific and important types of proteins (GPCR) interaction and employed/examined different types of sequence-based features to obtain more accurate results. Drug science researchers could widely use the developed prediction model in this study. The developed predictor was applied over 16,132 GPCR-ligand pairs and about 6778 potential interactions predicted.

Evaluating the effect of arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid on induction of adipogenesis in human adipose-derived stem cells

Objective(s):

Adipose tissue is one of the most important endocrine organs that liberates many metabolic mediators such as hormones, cytokines, and chemokines. Different types of fatty acids have key roles in adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two essential fatty acids, including Arachidonic acid (AA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), on the process of adipogenicity in human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (hADSCs).

Materials and Methods:

After immunophenotyping of hADSCs by flowcytometry, they were differentiated into adipocytes and simultaneously exposed to 30 μM and 60 μM of AA and 25 μM and 50 μM of EPA. Further, along with the MTS assay, the activity of glycalaldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was also measured. In addition, expression of lipid markers including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) was evaluated, and the neutral lipid contents were determined using Oil red O staining.

Results:

MTS evaluation showed a significant decrease in proliferation in all treatment groups compared to the control group. Based on oil red O staining, fat droplets in the AA treatment groups were higher than in controls. The expression of PPARγ2 and GLUT4 genes and proteins increased in almost all AA and EPA groups compared to control. In addition, GAPDH activity was higher in AA groups than in the control group. In general, while different concentrations of EPA did not increase the adipogenic process compared to the control group, stimulation of differentiation to adipocytes was largely determined by the AA.

Conclusion:

The result indicates a positive effect of omega-6 versus omega-3 in stimulating the pathways of adipogenesis.

Increasing the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in combination with a statin in reducing liver fibrosis

It has been shown that both nilotinib as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and atorvastatin as a rho-kinase inhibitor, have antifibrotic effects. Therefore, considering the relationship between these two pathways, this study aimed to investigate the effects of their co-treatment against hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and liver fibrosis. For this purpose, the activation of HSCs coincided with these therapies. Also, liver fibrosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ ) was induced in male Wistar rats and treated simultaneously with these compounds. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), Ras homolog gene family, and member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) in HSCs were measured. The expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), its receptor (TβRII), CTGF, and platelets derived growth factor (PDGF), in the livers, were also investigated, all by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Also, histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed to evaluate changes in liver fibrosis during treatment. The results indicated the down-regulation of RhoA/ROCK, CTGF, and α-SMA, and inhibition of the HSCs activation toward myofibroblasts. The results also showed that the combined use of atorvastatin and nilotinib has significantly higher inhibitory effects. The antifibrotic effects of atorvastatin and nilotinib co-administration were also observed by histopathologic and immunohistochemical observations, and inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1, TβRII, CTGF, and PDGF. Taken together, this study revealed that co-administration of nilotinib-atorvastatin has novel antifibrotic effects, by inhibiting RhoA/ROCK, and CTGF pathway. Therefore, the importance of the common pathway of RhoA/ROCK and CTGF, in reducing fibrosis may almost be concluded.

Protective effects of combined Losartan and Nilotinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed as therapeutic compounds for inhibiting the progression of liver fibrosis. In the present study, the simultaneous treatment of Nilotinib (TKIs) and Losartan was studied. Forty rats were divided into eight groups of fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and therapeutics (Nilotinib, Losartan, and combination therapy). In the end, serum parameters of the liver and gene expression analysis of transforming growth factor-β₁, its receptors (TβRII), platelet-derived growth factor, its receptors (PDGFR_β), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor-α, cytochrome P450 2E1, and collagen1 type 1 were performed. The oxidant/antioxidant factors were also analyzed. Histopathology analysis along with α-SMA immunohistochemistry and hydroxyproline evaluation was also conducted for a more in-depth study. The overall results indicated a better therapeutic effect of co-treatment of Nilotinib-Losartan in comparison with the treatment of each of them alone. Interestingly, some gene and protein factors and fibrotic indices were reduced even to the normal levels of the control group. The results of this study suggest that co-administration of these two combinations, strengthens their anti-fibrotic properties and, due to the routine use of these compounds against AML and blood pressure, these compounds can be used with caution against human liver fibrosis.

Calcium: A novel and efficient inducer of differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into neuron-like cells

This study comparatively investigated the effectiveness of calcium and other well-known inducers such as isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and insulin in differentiating human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into neuronal-like cells. ADSCs were immunophenotyped and differentiated into neuron-like cells with different combinations of calcium, IBMX, and insulin. Calcium mobilization across the membrane was determined. Differentiated cells were characterized by cell cycle profiling, staining of Nissl bodies, detecting the gene expression level of markers such as neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), doublecortin, synapsin I, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and myelin basic protein (MBP) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and protein level by the immunofluorescence technique. Treatment with Ca + IBMX + Ins induced neuronal appearance and projection of neurite-like processes in the cells, accompanied with inhibition of proliferation and halt in the cell cycle. A significantly higher expression of MBP, GFAP, NeuN, NSE, synapsin 1, doublecortin, and MAP2 was detected in differentiated cells, confirming the advantages of Ca + IBMX + Ins to the other combinations of inducers. Here, we showed an efficient protocol for neuronal differentiation of ADSCs, and calcium fostered differentiation by augmenting the number of neuron-like cells and instantaneous increase in the expression of neuronal markers.

Combined effect of retinoic acid and calcium on the in vitro differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells to adipocytes

CONTEXT

It has been shown that adipogenesis can be modulated by factors such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and calcium.

OBJECTIVE

To determine, the combined effect of ATRA and calcium on the differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs).

METHODS

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the adipocytes by 0.5 and 1 µM of ATRA and 5 and 10 mM calcium separately or in combination. After MTS assay the differentiation of MSCs to adipocyte was evaluated, Oil Red O staining, GLUT4 concentration and gene expression of PPARG2, adiponectin, and GLUT4 were measured by Real-Time PCR.

RESULTS

Except 10 mM calcium treated group, other groups and more significantly combination treatments could reduce all adipocyte markers compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that ATRA and calcium together have significant inhibitory effect on adipogenesis that can be helpful for finding new mechanisms to prevent or control the adipogenesis.

Neuroprotective Role of Trolox in Hippocampus after Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Mouse

Abstract. Cerebral ischemia is worldwide the third largest cause of mortality and disability in old people, and oxidative stress plays a considerable role in this process. In this study, for the fi rst time, we evaluated the effects of Trolox as an antioxidative agent in ischemia induced by reperfusion. Twenty-four Syrian male mice were randomly divided into the 3 groups. Both common carotid arteries of Syrian mice were ligated bilaterally for 20 min, blood fl ow was restored and Trolox (50 mg/kg) was immediately injected after induced ischemia. Shuttle box results showed an improvement in memory in the Trolox group compared to the ischemia group, however, these improvements were not signifi cant. Histopathological results showed a signifi cant increase in the number of healthy cells in the hippocampal CA1 region in the Trolox group compared to the ischemia group (p < 0.001). Also, caspase-3, as an apoptosis marker, was signifi cantly decreased in the Trolox group compared to the ischemia group (p < 0.01). Ultimately, as an anti-apoptotic factor, c-JUN was increased statistically in the Trolox group compared to the ischemia group (p < 0.01). Our study showed that after cerebral ischemia reperfusion, Trolox prescription increased anti-apoptotic proteins and decreased proapoptotic proteins thus protects neurons of the hippocampus and caused improvement of memory. Ultimately, these results would suggest some important treatment strategies after cerebral ischemia reperfusion.

Comparison of human adipose-derived stem cells and chondroitinase ABC transplantation on locomotor recovery in the contusion model of spinal cord injury in rats

OBJECTIVES

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most serious clinical diseases and its treatment has been a subject of interest to researchers. There are two important therapeutic strategies in the treatment of SCI: replacing lost tissue cells through cells implantation and scar elimination. Therefore, in this study we used human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) implantation and injection of Chondroitinase ABC. Aim of present study was to answer to this question: which one is more efficient for Improvement of locomotor recovery after SCI in rat? Transplantation of hADSCs or injection of ChABC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The spinal cord of rats was injured by contusion using a weight-drop at the level of T8-9, the hADSCs and Chondroitinase ABC were infused in to the spinal cord tissue after injury. BBB test was performed and recorded for each animal weekly for 8 weeks. After the 8(th) weeks, Serial cross-sections were stained with cresyl violet and examined under a light microscope and area of cavity in the spinal cord was measured.

RESULTS

At 8(th) weeks after injection, hADSCs and ChABC significantly promote locomotor function (P<0.01) and spinal cords of hADSCs and ChABC group had cavities much smaller than those of the control group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Results of the present study shows dealing with inappropriate neuro-inhibitory environment and glial scar by ChABC have equal role compare to cell therapy (with hADSCs) for improving motor function after SCI and this result in adoption of proper therapeutic strategies for SCI intervention is important.