The synthesis of different kinds of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has attracted much attention. During the last few years, a large portion of the articles published about MNPs have described efficient routes to attain shape-controlled and highly stable MNPs with narrow size distribution. In this review, we have reported several popular methods including co-precipitation, microemulsion, thermal decomposition, solvothermal, sonochemical, microwave-assisted, chemical vapor deposition, combustion, carbon arc, and laser pyrolysis, for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles.

Gene therapy is defined as the direct transfer of genetic material to tissues or cells for the treatment of inherited disorders and acquired diseases. For gene delivery, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are typically combined with a delivery platform to encapsulate the gene, and promote cell uptake. Delivery technologies that have been used with MNPs contain polymeric, viral, as well as non-viral platforms. In this review, we focus on targeted gene delivery using MNPs.

Owing to their unique characteristics, nanoparticles (NPs) could be incorporated into valuable therapeutic modalities for different diseases; however, there are many concerns about risk factors in human applications. NPs carry therapeutic chemicals that could improve the outcome of cancer therapies. Nowadays, NPs are being recognized as important and strategic agents in treatment of several disorders due to their unique properties in targeting malignant cells in tumor sites. Numerous investigations have shown that the majority of chemotherapeutic agents can be modified through entrapment in submicron colloidal systems. Still, there are problems and limitations in application of NPs in cancer therapy. The aim of the present study is to focus on potential NPs usage in cancer treatment with an emphasis on the cell cycle of malignant cells.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have become the main candidates for biomedical and biological applications, and the application of small iron oxide nanoparticles in in vitro diagnostics has been practiced for about half a century. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), in combination with an external magnetic field and/or magnetizable grafts, allow the delivery of particles to the chosen target area, fix them at the local site while the medication is released, and act locally. In this review, we focus mostly on the potential use of MNPs for biomedical and biotechnological applications, and the improvements made in using these nanoparticles (NPs) in biological applications.

Background:Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease. Several associations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex and T1D were found in various populations. Associations with various HLA types depend on the investigated populations. However, such associations have not yet been investigated in the East Azerbaijan state of Iran with Turkish ethnicity.Objectives:The aims of the current study was to describe T1D genetic susceptibility conferred by HLA class II alleles (DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201) and to determine haplotype frequencies among T1D patients.Patients and Methods:This study was a case-control study. The number of samples was determined using the Cochran formula. Eighty unrelated T1D patients, including 42 (52.5%) females and 38 (47.5%) males, were randomly recruited from the East Azerbaijan state of Iran. Typing of HLA was performed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific priming (PCR-SSP) on DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 80 unrelated patients and 80 unrelated healthy control donors, who were selected randomly. For haplotype analysis, the logistic regression model was performed that allows joint estimation of Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) via haplotypes.Results:The frequency of drb1*0301 (82.5% vs. 11.3%), dqa1*0501 (82.5% vs. 36.3%) and dqb1*0201 (81.3% vs. 35%) were significantly higher among patients compared with that of healthy subjects.Conclusions:Our investigation demonstrated that there is a highly significant association between the studied alleles and T1D. It can be construed that haplotype HLA-DR3-DQ2 has a very modest effect with respect to the risk of T1D.

Today, technologies based on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are regularly applied to biological systems with diagnostic or therapeutic aims. Nanoparticles made of the elements iron (Fe), gadolinium (Gd) or manganese (Mn) are generally used in many diagnostic applications performed under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Similar to molecular-based contrast agents, nanoparticles can be used to increase the resolution of imaging while offering well biocompatibility, poisonousness and biodistribution. Application of MNPs enhanced MRI sensitivity due to the accumulation of iron in the liver caused by discriminating action of the hepatobiliary system. The aim of this study is about the use, properties and advantages of MNPs in MRI.

Cancer is still considered a main challenge regarding morbidity and mortality, although an earlier diagnosis through screening programs and more effective cure modalities have led to decreased mortality rates so the development of new genetic editing techniques such as zinc finger and TALENs or CRISPRCas9 has enabled the production of strong animal genetic models that sums up the cooperating oncogenic lesions influencing genes with a confirmed role in the proliferation and formation. This review presents the mechanisms of separate genome-editing approaches and explains each of the common nucleasebased platforms.

Background: Congenital cataract (CC) is the most common reason for visual loss and blindness at birth or early childhood worldwide. The autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance is reported as the most frequent transmission pattern for CC. Connexin 46 (Cx46 coded by GJA3 gene) belongs to the gap junction proteins family which has the main function in the cell communication system of the eye lens. Methods: In the present research, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was done for proband diagnosed by CC, and Co-segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing was performed for the candidate variant on healthy and affected family members. The candidate variant was analyzed with appropriate bioinformatics software and then classified according to the ACMG guideline. Results: WES analysis of proband recognized a novel heterozygous c.146 A>C (p.Q49P) variant in the exon 2 of the GJA3 gene leading to the substitution of a highly conserved Glutamine by Proline at codon 49. The linkage of CC with this variant was observed for three generations in a proband family with AD inheritance. This variant is located on phylogenetically conserved extracellular loop E1 of protein. Extracellular loops play the main role to mediate hemichannel docking between connexons and regulating voltage gating of the channel. Conclusion: Our finding emphasized the role of Cx46 in the pathogenesis of ADCC and the extended mutation spectrum of the GJA3 gene in association with CC.