Targeted drug delivery using nanobodies to deliver effective molecules to breast cancer cells: the most attractive application of nanobodies

Targeted drug delivery is one of the attractive ways in which cancer treatment can significantly reduce side effects. In the last two decades, the use of antibodies as a tool for accurate detection of cancer has been noted. On the other hand, the binding of drugs and carriers containing drugs to the specific antibodies of cancer cells can specifically target only these cells. However, the use of whole antibodies brings challenges, including their large size, the complexity of conjugation, the high cost of production, and the creation of immunogenic reactions in the body. The use of nanobodies, or VHHs, which are a small part of camel heavy chain antibodies, is very popular due to their small size, high craftsmanship, and low production cost. In this article, in addition to a brief overview of the structure and characteristics of nanobodies, the use of this molecule in the targeted drug delivery of breast cancer has been reviewed.

Evaluation of the middle ear in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) by gross anatomy and cone-beam computed tomography

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to provide a description of gross middle ear morphology in water buffaloes, augmented with additional data on the osseous structures of middle ear derived from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Skulls of 10 young adult male water buffaloes were used to examine their middle ears.

RESULTS

Anatomical features noted included the presence of tympanic cells in the tympanic bulla, the location of malleus head and neck, and all of incus in the dorsal epitympanic recess, the oval tympanic membrane, absence of a prominent notch on the articular surface of malleus, positional variations of the lateral process of malleus relative to the muscular process and muscular process relative to the rostral process of malleus, absence of complete coverage of the articular facet of malleus head by incus body, and presence of the lenticular process of incus. In CBCT images, the osseous part of external acoustic meatus, the petrous part of temporal bone and the details of the ossicles were seen, except for stapes.

CONCLUSIONS

Although tympanic membrane, malleus and stapes of water buffaloes are similar to those of ox, the incus of water buffaloes is more similar to that of goats. The heaviest ossicles among the ruminants studied belonged to water buffaloes; the mean length of malleus head and neck, total length and width of incus body as well as length of stapes head were greatest in water buffaloes too. The auditory ossicles of water buffaloes show 'transitional type' morphological characteristics. These features suggest a relatively wide frequency range of hearing, but not one biased towards especially low or especially high frequencies.

Improving power system damping using a combination of optimal control theory and differential evolution algorithm

This paper presents a novel control strategy to improve the damping capability of sub-synchronous oscillations by tuning of Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) optimally in order to reduce the fluctuations in the power system. The proposed model includes the coordination of Power System Stabilizer (PSS) and Thyristor-Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC) in combination with LQR controllers which is formulated as an optimal control problem. The problem is formulated as a linear regulator problem and then the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm is utilized to optimize the proposed controlling parameters. Several cases have been studied to show the efficiency of the proposed strategy. Obtained results from a case study on a typical generator demonstrated that the proposed method has the best response and quickest function among conventional controller systems. Moreover, the coordination of the LQR with the other control systems, as an optimal linear regulator problem in order to damp system oscillations provides robust stability for optimizing system performance index. Besides, the flexibility and usability of the LQR controller guarantee the stability of the system to cope with the oscillations.

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality, immune response, zinc retention, and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal-based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn-oxide, ZnO-NPs, and Zn-methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn-methionine and ZnO-NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO-NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn-supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO-NPs and Zn-methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO-NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO-NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn-oxide in diets.

Mechanism of tribofilm formation on Ti6Al4V oxygen diffusion layer in a simulated body fluid

An Oxygen Diffusion Layer (ODL) was generated on the surface of Ti6Al4V alloy by thermal oxidation treatment. In vitro tests for cytotoxicity were performed in the presence of Ti6Al4V and the ODL samples with the culture of G292 Cells using MTT assay. The results showed a similar cell viability in the presence of the both samples. Wear behaviour of Ti6Al4V and the ODL samples was investigated in a phosphate buffered saline solution under a normal load of 30N at a sliding velocity of 0.1m/s. The worn surface and subsurface of the samples were studied using SEM, STEM, TEM, XPS, AFM, nano-hardness and surface profilometry. A bio-tribofilm was observed on the worn surface of the ODL. TEM studies showed that the tribofilm had an amorphous structure and contained oxygen and phosphorous as confirmed by XPS and EDS analysis. AFM images also revealed that the tribofilm consisted of compacted fine debris. The formation of the tribofilm on the ODL with higher hardness and strength resulted in a decrease of about 95% in the wear rate compared with Ti6Al4V alloy.

Predictors of Iranian women's intention to first papanicolaou test practice: An application of protection motivation theory

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Given the importance of papanicolaou (Pap) test in the early detection and timely treatment of cervical cancer, present study was designed to determine predictors of a sample of Iranian women's intention to first Pap test practice based on the protection motivation theory (PMT) variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 240 women referral to the 30 primary health care clinics were selected. They completed a developed scale based on PMT variables including intention, perceived vulnerability and severity, fear, response costs, response efficacy and self-efficacy. Path analysis was used to determine the association between predictive factors and intention.

RESULTS

The results showed that PMT had goodness of fit with a χ2/df = 2.37, df = 28, P= 0.001 and RMSEA = 0.076. PMT explained 42% of the variance in women's intention to get first Pap smear test. Self-efficacy (b = 0.55, P< 0.001) and response efficacy (b = 0.19, P< 0.001) were found to be the predictors of intention.

CONCLUSION

These findings may be used to develop tailored, theory-based educational interventions associated with Pap testing among women.

Optimal clustering of MGs based on droop controller for improving reliability using a hybrid of harmony search and genetic algorithms

This paper proposes a novel method to address reliability and technical problems of microgrids (MGs) based on designing a number of self-adequate autonomous sub-MGs via adopting MGs clustering thinking. In doing so, a multi-objective optimization problem is developed where power losses reduction, voltage profile improvement and reliability enhancement are considered as the objective functions. To solve the optimization problem a hybrid algorithm, named HS-GA, is provided, based on genetic and harmony search algorithms, and a load flow method is given to model different types of DGs as droop controller. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated in two case studies. The results provide support for the performance of the proposed method.

Application of nanocatalysts in multi-component reactions

Different types of nanoparticles are efficiently able to catalyze the synthesis of some of the important organic compounds via multi-component reactions. All reactions are performed under mild conditions and the products are obtained in high yields in short reaction times. On the other hand, these catalysts are recyclable and can be reused in successive trials without significant decrease in their activity.

Traumatic dissecting posterior cerebral artery aneurysm. A case report and review of the literature

Dissecting posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms are among rare cerebrovascular malformations accounting for 2% to 6% of all aneurysms. Herein we describe a case of pediatric dissecting aneurysm located in the PCA with documentation of aneurysm development. In addition, we discuss its treatment with a new therapeutic method involving glue injection.

Floral nectar composition of Peganum harmala L

Chemical composition of the floral nectar of Peganum harmala, a herbaceous medicinal perennial of the family Zygophyllaceae, was analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography technique. The nectar sugar detection experiments resulted in 33.1, 39.8 and 27.4%, respectively, for fructose, glucose and sucrose, upon which the nectar was classified as hexose rich. In addition, 11 proteinaceous amino acids were recognised and quantified in the nectar. Concentration of the insects' favoured amino acid, prolin, was markedly high. Furthermore, among four detected alkaloids, harmalol and harmine as the two beta-carboline derivatives were identified. These findings may confer a better understanding upon outcrossing processes and favour the plant-pollinator relationships.

The study of prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of tracheal bacterial strains isolated from pediatric patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial strains isolated from tracheal specimens obtained from pediatric patients admitted to a major children hospital in Tehran, in 2007. Tracheal specimens were cultured on the appropriate bacteriological media. Bacterial isolates were identified by standard biochemical and serological tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Pseudomonas spp. was identified as the most prevalent bacterial isolate (32%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (27.6%). Thirty strains (16%) were identified as Klebsiella spp., 18 (9.6%) as Enterobacter spp. and the rest belonged to coagolase negative Staphylococci, Streptococcus viridans, Acinetobacter spp., Escherichia coli and Neisseria spp. All Pseudomonas spp. were resistant to ampicllin, kanamycin and ceftizoxime. Staphylococcus and Klebsiella spp. showed high degree of resistance to 40% of examined antibiotics.

K2S2O8/MoO3: An Oxidation Reagent for benzylic alcohols and trimethylsilyl and tetrahydropyranyl ethers

The oxidation of benzylic alcohols and trimethylsilyl (TMS) and tetrahydropyranyl (THP) ethers to their corresponding carbonyl compounds with K2S2O8 is efficiently promoted by the presence of MoO3.

Adsorption of Wells–Dawson tungsten heteropolyacid on sol–gel alumina: Structural features and thermal stability

The Wells-Dawson tungsten heteropolyacid, H6P2W18O62 supported on sol-gel and non-sol-gel alumina has been investigated by infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray diffraction indicates that the heteropolyacid primary structure in bulk form holds up to 350 degrees C and by supporting it on the sol-gel alumina the thermal stability rose to 650 degrees C. UV-vis spectroscopy showed that the sol-gel alumina has a higher tendency to adsorb Wells-Dawson tungsten heteropolyacid than the non-sol-gel alumina. The heteropolyacid showed higher interaction with the sol-gel alumina than with the non-sol-gel. Esterification of propanoic acid with hexanol in the presence of alumina-supported heteropolyacid revealed that the acidic character of the heteropolyacid remains active to some extent.