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This paper reports on a sensitive and selective method for the detection of Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 ( MCF-7) human breast cancer cells and MUC1 biomarker by using an aptamer-based sandwich assay. A biocompatible nanocomposite consisting of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and poly(glutamic acid) is placed on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The sandwich assay relies on the use of a mucin 1 (MUC1)-binding aptamer that is first immobilized on the surface of modified GCE. Another aptamer (labeled with silver nanoparticles) is applied for secondary recognition of MCF-7 cells in order to increase selectivity and produce an amplified signal. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry was used to follow the electrochemical signal of the AgNPs. Under the optimal condition, the sensor responds to MCF-7 cells in the concentration range from 1.0 × 10 2 to 1.0 × 10 7 cells·mL −1 with a detection limit of 25 cells. We also demonstrate that the MUC1 tumor marker can be detected by the present biosensor. The assay is highly selective and sensitive, acceptably stable and reproducible. This warrants the applicability of the method to early diagnosis of breast cancer. Graphical abstract Schematic of the fabrication of an aptamer-based sandwich biosensor for Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 cells (MCF-7). A MWCNT-poly(glutamic acid) nanocomposite was used as a biocompatible matrix for MUC1-aptamer immobilization. Stripping voltammetry analysis of AgNPs was performed using aptamer conjugated AgNPs as signalling probe.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy related disorder with prevalence of 6-7%. Insufficient trophoblastic invasion leads to incomplete remodeling of spiral arteries and consequent decrease in feto-placental perfusion. Altered placental expression of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs) is considered to be involved in this process while the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and TIMPs contributes to remodeling of the placenta and uterine arteries by degradation and refurbishing of extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, TIMPs, fetal expression pattern was evaluated with the aim of its potential to be used as a determinant for the (early) detection of PE. In this case-control study, cell free fetal RNA (cffRNA) released by placenta into the maternal blood was used to determine expression patterns of 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the severe preeclamptic women in comparison with the normal pregnant women. Whole blood from 20 preeclamptic and 20 normal pregnant women in their 28-32 weeks of gestational age was collected. The second control group consisted of 20 normal pregnant women in either 14 or 28 weeks of gestation (each 10). cffRNA was extracted from plasma and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done to determine the expression levels of 1, 2, 3 and 4 genes. Statistical analysis of the results showed significant higher expression of 1-4 in the preeclamptic women in comparison with the control group (P=0.029, 0.037, 0.037 and 0.049, respectively). Also, an increased level of expression was observed by comparing 14 to 28 weeks of gestational age in the normal pregnant women in the second control group. An increased cffRNA expression level of may be correlated with the intensity of placental vascular defect and may be used as a determinant of complicated pregnancies with severe preeclampsia.

Objective(s): Exosomes, as nano-sized extracellular vehicles acting as cell-to-cell communicators, are novel promising therapeutics in the area of bone tissue engineering. Moreover, magnetic nanoparticles, whose integration with other appropriate components is viewed as an intriguing approach to strengthen bone tissue engineering efficacy. We investigated the effect of magnetic enriched with exosomes on osteogenic differentiation. Materials and Methods: Exosomes were isolated from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells by Exo-spin™ kit (MSC-EX). Alginate (Alg) scaffold containing 1% (w/w) cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe2O4) was produced. MSC-EX were gently loaded onto Alg and Alg-cobalt ferrite (Alg-CF) scaffolds yielding Alg-EX and Alg-CF-EX scaffolds. The effects of MSC-Ex and magnetic hydrogel composite under an external static magnetic field (SMF) on proliferation and differentiation of MSCs were evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement, alizarin red staining, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Results: Our results showed that Alg and Alg-CF scaffolds were not only cytotoxic but also supported AdMSCs proliferation. MSC-EX loading of the scaffolds enhanced AdMSCs proliferation significantly. According to the results, Alg-CF-EX scaffolds under magnetic stimulation exhibited the most potent effect on osteogenic differentiation of cultured AdMSCs as evidenced by higher ALP activity and mineralization. Conclusion: We provided evidence that the combination of Alg hydrogel, CFNPs, and MSC-EX resulted in the construction of a bone tissue-engineering scaffold that highly supports the osteogenic commitment of MSCs.

Background: Abnormal gestational weight gain (GWG) can carry risks for both the mother and the baby. Diet imbalances are the determining factor in the weight gain of pregnant women. Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between nutritional patterns and the weight of pregnant mothers living in Yazd, Iran from 2021–2022. Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, data from 1497 pregnant women aged 18–45 yr with singleton pregnancy who completed the food frequency questionnaire in the Yazd Birth Cohort Study were extracted. This data included demographic variables, GWG (difference between initial weight at 13–15 wk and 1 wk before the expected delivery date), and food intake information before the 13th wk of pregnancy. The women were categorized into 3 groups based on GWG: inadequate, normal, and excessive. Dietary patterns were extracted from the food frequency questionnaire using principal component analysis, and multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between dietary patterns and GWG categories. Results: According to the frequency of food consumption, 3 dietary patterns were obtained: the traditional pattern (cabbage vegetables, fruits, and dried fruits), the unhealthy pattern (processed meats and sweetened drinks), and the vegetable/fruit/olive pattern. The analysis results showed that pregnant women who followed the fruit/vegetable/olive pattern had a lower chance of insufficient weight gain during pregnancy (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45–0.98). Conclusion: Consuming various fruits and vegetables can help regulate GWG in the population of pregnant women lived in Yazd, Iran. Diet can be considered one of the most effective and safe interventions.

Background: Radiation-induced normal tissue damage remains a major concern in radiotherapy, particularly affecting rapidly dividing cells, including those in reproductive tissues. Developing effective radioprotective agents to mitigate this damage is crucial for preserving fertility. Objective: The radioprotective effects of omeprazole (OMP) were investigated in adult male mice undergoing external radiation. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult male mice (30–35 gr, 6–8 wk old) were divided into 6 groups and orally administered OMP daily via oral gavage for 7 days before whole-body irradiation. On the 8th day, mice were subjected to a single 6 Gray dose of 6 megavoltage X-ray radiation. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for testosterone level evaluation, while testicular specimens were harvested post-euthanasia for sperm parameters assessment and histological analysis. Additionally, spermatogenic cell density was evaluated. Results: Irradiation of 6 Gray X-ray to the testis of mice significantly affected sperm count, progressive motility, DNA fragmentation, the number of sperm with normal morphology, and the number of immotile sperm. Furthermore, administration of OMP improved progressive motility, DNA fragmentation, and sperm viability. Histopathological findings showed irradiation led to severe testicular atrophy with spermatogenic arrest and abnormal cytoarchitecture vacuolation and interstitial edema, while OMP treatment reversed relative radiation toxicity, especially in the 50 mg OMP treatment group. Conclusion: In conclusion, OMP could act as an effective radioprotector against testicular damage following X-ray irradiation in an animal model. Further studies are needed to investigate OMP potential in protecting human testis tissue.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have large regenerative potential to replace damaged cells from several tissues along the mesodermal lineage. The potency of these cells promises to change the longer term prognosis for many degenerative conditions currently suffered by our aging population. We have endeavored to demonstrate our ability to induce osteoblatogenesis in MSCs using high-frequency (1000-5000 Hz) piezo-driven nanodisplacements (16-30 nm displacements) in a vertical direction. Osteoblastogenesis has been determined by the upregulation of osteoblasic genes such as osteonectin ( ), and , assessed via quantitative real-time PCR; the increase of osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) at the protein level and the deposition of calcium phosphate determined by histological staining. Intriguingly, we have observed a relationship between nanotopography and piezo-stimulated mechanotransduction and possibly see evidence of two differing osteogenic mechanisms at work. These data provide confidence in nanomechanotransduction for stem cell differentiation without dependence on soluble factors and complex chemistries. In the future it is envisaged that this technology may have beneficial therapeutic applications in the healthcare industry, for conditions whose overall phenotype maybe characterized by weak or damaged bones (e.g., osteoporosis and bone fractures), and which can benefit from having an increased number of osteoblastic cells .

Recent achievements in stem cell biotechnology, nanotechnology and tissue engineering have led to development of novel approaches in regenerative medicine. Azoospermia is one of the challenging disorders of the reproductive system. Several efforts were made for isolation and culture of testis-derived stem cells to treat male infertility. However, tissue engineering is the best approach to mimic the three dimensional microenvironment of the testis in vitro. We investigated whether human testis-derived cells (hTCs) obtained by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) can be cultured on a homemade scaffold composed of electrospun nanofibers of homogeneous poly (vinyl alcohol)/human serum albumin/gelatin (PVA/HSA/gelatin). In this experimental lab study, human TCs underwent two steps of enzymatic cell isolation and five culture passages. Nanofibrous scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Attachment of cells onto the scaffold was shown by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining and SEM. Cell viability study using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl) -2, 5-diphenyl -2H- tetrazolium bromide] assay was performed on days 7 and 14. Visualization by H and E staining and SEM indicated that hTCs were seeded on the scaffold. MTT test showed that the PVA/HSA/gelatin scaffold is not toxic for hTCs. It seems that this PVA/HSA/gelatin scaffold is supportive for growth of hTCs.

Hybrid polymers have been used as biomaterials for tissue engineering recently. In this study, the hybrid fibrous scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL), gelatin (G) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with two various types of fiber arrangement were fabricated with different mass ratio by electrospinning. Physicochemical properties of fabricated scaffolds were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, the immersion of scaffold samples, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and tensile strength analysis. Cytotoxicity analyses of scaffolds and human foreskin fibroblasts on the scaffolds were assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazoyl-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Attachment to the scaffolds and morphology of fibroblasts on them were evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy. Networks and nanofibers less than 30 nm were created throughout the normal nanofibers of PCL/G/PDMS hybrid scaffolds that the efficiency of the homing and proliferation of the fibroblasts cells onto the scaffolds was improved. The PCL/G/PDMS hybrid scaffolds characteristics, especially morphology, mechanical properties and biocompatibility by altering the ratio PCL, G and PDMS show that these scaffolds are suitable for random and aligned tissue engineering applications, especially engineering of elastic tissues (nerve, uterus, bladder, trachea, heart valves, vein, vagina, liver, skin and others).

This report explains briefly the minutes of a 1-day workshop entitled; “human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and good manufacturing practice (GMP)” held by Stem Cell Biology Research Center based in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran on 27th April 2017. In this workshop, in addition to the practical sessions, Prof. Harry D. Moore from Centre for Stem Cell Biology, University of Sheffield, UK presented the challenges and the importance of the biotechnology of clinical-grade human embryonic stem cells from first derivation to robust defined culture for therapeutic applications

The main objective of this research is to investigate how curcumin liposomal nanocarriers influence the drug release behaviour of PVA/PEG hydrogels in relation to physico-mechanical properties. For this purpose, optimal nanoliposomes from drug loading and release viewpoints, prepared by the thin-film hydration method, were incorporated into the hydrogel composition. Hydrogel samples were physically crosslinked using the freeze–thaw procedure. According to the dynamic laser scattering, atomic force microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy observations, negative nanoliposomes with negative surface charges showed a spherical morphology with an average particle size of about 100 nm and narrow size distribution. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that adding nanoliposomes to the hydrogel increases the degree of PVA chains crystallinity, enhances tensile modulus and tensile strength of the hydrogel, while decreasing swelling and dehydration rates. SEM micrographs observation displayed that the porosity in the hydrogel structure in the presence of nanoliposomes increases. Nevertheless, in agreement with physical properties, drug release from nanoliposome-in-hydrogel is slower and more controlled as compared to that from free curcumin hydrogel, especially in the early stages. The MTT assay results indicated that although all hydrogel samples are non-toxic, human foreskin fibroblast cell proliferation on hydrogel in the presence of curcumin-loaded nanoliposomes has improved somewhat.