Cerium oxide nanoparticles are associated with anticancer effects. While protecting normal cells, these nanoparticles exert their anticancer effects via oxidative stress and apoptosis in the cancer cells. In this study, the anticancer properties of nanoceria on fibrosarcoma cell line are evaluated. Cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by the coprecipitation method and their anticancer effects on mouse fibrosarcoma tumor cells (WEHI164) were investigated. Viability assay was evaluated by MTT, and the DC-FDA assay performed for the detection of reactive oxygen species. For apoptosis assay, the annexin V/PI test was done as well as measuring the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax and Bcl2 by real-time PCR and western blot method, respectively. Characterization of nanoceria reveals that synthesized nanoceria has cubic floruit structure with a size of about 30 nm. Toxicity assessment results show that nanoceria increases ROS levels and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in cancer cells (WEHI164), whereas low levels of toxicity were observed in normal cells (L929), even at the concentrations above 250 µg/ml in MTT assay. Real-time PCR and western blot assays showed that nanoceria could significantly increase the Bax expression in cancer cells. The results showed that nanoceria could act as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of fibrosarcoma.

Background A bacterial biosensor refers to genetically engineered bacteria that produce an assessable signal in the presence of a physical or chemical agent in the environment. Methods We have designed and evaluated a bacterial biosensor expressing a luciferase reporter gene controlled by pbr and cadA promoters in Cupriavidus metallidurans (previously termed Ralstonia metallidurans) containing the CH34 and pI258 plasmids of Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, and that can be used for the detection of heavy metals. In the present study, we have produced and evaluated biosensor plasmids designated pGL3-luc/pbr biosensor and pGL3-luc/cad biosensor, that were based on the expression of luc+ and under the control of the cad promoter and the cadC gene of S. aureus plasmid pI258 and pbr promoter and pbrR gene from plasmid pMOL30 of Cupriavidus metallidurans. Results We found that the pGL3-luc/pbr biosensor may be used to measure lead concentrations between 1–100 μM in the presence of other metals, including zinc, cadmium, tin and nickel. The latter metals did not result in any significant signal. The pGL3-luc/cad biosensor could detect lead concentrations between 10 nM to 10 μM. Conclusions This biosensor was found to be specific for measuring lead ions in both environmental and biological samples.

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GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain. However, in the developing brain it acts as an excitatory transmitter causing depolarization. Thereby, activates calcium‐dependent processes that are crucial for brain development. Accordingly, GABA receptors have the great role in the brain development, especially in the area with persisting neurogenesis such as hippocampus. The present study investigated the development and lateralization of two important subunits of GABA receptors, GABAAα1 and GABAB1, in the developing rat hippocampus during the neurogenesis‐active period, at the first two postnatal weeks. Real‐time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used. We found that the mRNA and protein of these GABA receptor subunits have already been expressed at birth and significantly increased at postnatal day (P) 7, and also at P14. Also, regarding the optical densities of GABAAα1 and GABAB1 expressing hippocampal cells, we found a significant increase in the distribution pattern of these subunits in the all hippocampal subregions on day 14 after birth. The highest optical density of GABAAα1 was observed in the CA3, and GABAB1 in the CA2. Nevertheless, our results did not show a significant laterality differences in the expression of these subunits. Regarding the crucial role of GABA receptors in the hippocampus development; they probably have the same effects on development of the rat hippocampus on both sides.

The purpose of this study was to describe the distinct regional distribution patterns of expression of the α7 and α4 subunits of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and their left‐right lateralisation in the rat hippocampus during the first 2 weeks of postnatal (P) development. Eighteen male pups were randomly divided into three groups: P0, P7, and P14. After removing the newborn brains, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to evaluate expression of the receptors. Results indicated that the expression profile of these receptors were time‐ and spatially dependent. A significant increase was observed in the distribution of α7 and α4 nAChR subunits in the developing rat hippocampus from P0 to P7 (p < .001); however, there was a significant decrease from P7 to P14 (p < .05). As a spatial effect, the highest optical density (OD) was observed in the CA3 and CA2 regions of the hippocampus, while the lowest OD was in the dentate gyrus. Moreover, the distribution of α7 and α4 nAChR subunits in the left hippocampus was significantly higher than their counterparts in the right (p < .05). From these data, the expression patterns of α7 and α4 nAChR subunits exhibited left‐right asymmetry in the developing rat hippocampus.

Hypoxia is a condition of low oxygen level which poses a common feature of most cancers. In the current study, we investigated effect of water containing oxygen nanobubble (ONB) on tumor growth in breast cancer 4T1‐bearing mice during 14‐day treatment period. Tumor‐bearing mice were randomly divided into three groups (six mice per group), including the ONB group drinking water containing ONB, the air nanobubble (ANB) group drinking water containing ANB, and control group drinking normal water. Tumor weight and size were measured in 2‐day interval during 14‐day treatment. mRNA expression of p53, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF), and cyclin D/Cdk2 genes were measured in the treated and control mice. After 8, 12, and 14 days of treatment, tumor size in ONB group was significantly decreased by 40.5%, 32.8%, and 28%, respectively, when compared with the control group. In addition, ANB group showed a significant reduction in tumor burden as well. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of p53 in tumor cells of ONB and ANB group was found to be 36‐fold (P = 0.0001) and 33‐fold (P = 0.0001) higher than that in the control group, respectively. There was a ninefold increase in mRNA expression of VEGF gene in tumor cells of ANB mice than that in control mice; however, there was no significant changes in ONB group. Expression of HIF gene was significantly lower in tumor cells of ONB and ANB group than in the control group. It is concluded that drinking ONB water has potential to inhibit tumor growth, however more preclinical and proof‐of‐concept studies are needed to confirm its safety and therapeutic effect.

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Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with increasing global prevalence. It is characterized by impaired glucose utilization that leads to chronic hyperglycemia which is a result of the body's inability to produce insulin (diabetes type I) or inability to make use of insulin (diabetes type II). Long-term hyperglycemia can cause damage to multiple systems, and microvascular and macrovascular complications lead to myocardial infarction, blindness, stroke and renal failure. Diabetes affected 382 million people globally in 2013, and it is estimated to rise up to 592 million by 2035. In spite of its management, both microvascular and macrovascular complications partly linked to oxidative stress are not efficiently prevented. Glibenclamide was approved on the U. S. market for treatment of diabetes type II in 1984. ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) are widely distributed and present in a number of tissues including muscle, pancreatic beta cells and the brain. Glibenclamide closed KATP channels, which leads to depolarization of the cells and insulin secretion. Acupuncture is also a very significant therapeutic method in the complementary medicine. ST36 (Zusanli), CV4 (Guanyuan) and CV12 (Zhongwan) are several acupoints that have been used for treatment of diabetes. In this study for evaluating the effects of glibenclamide and electroacupuncture, 3 parameters such as malondialdehyde, ferric reducing antioxidant power and thiol will be measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is the organic compound and it is a marker for oxidative stress. Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, thereby leading to chain reactions that may damage the cells of organisms. Antioxidants such as FRAP and thiol are useful parameters of assessment of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Electroacupuncture (EA) plus glibenclamide (G) as a novel therapy on diabetic rats and maybe for human. Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided to 9 groups: 1 non-diabetic control group and 8 diabetic groups (1 sham control group and 7 experimental groups; D/G 2.5 mg/kg, D/G 5 mg/kg, D/G 10 mg/kg, EA, D/EA/G 2.5 mg/kg, D/EA/G 5 mg/kg, and D/EA/G 10 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin with high-fat diet. At the end of course, blood samples were obtained. Combination therapy of EA and glibenclamide 5 mg/kg decreased blood glucose better than single therapies (p<0.05) and showed 41 percent decrease in blood glucose as compared to D/G 5 mg/kg group. Combination of EA and glibenclamide 10 mg/kg showed the best effect for decreasing the malondialdehyde level (p<0.05) and also showed 43 percent decrease in comparison to D/G 10 mg/kg group. Combination of glibenclamide 2.5 mg/kg and EA increased the FRAP level better than other treatment groups (P<0.001) andachieved the ferric reducing antioxidant power level near to normal range. Combination of glibenclamide 10 mg/kg with EA increased the thiol concentration better than other treatment groups (P<0.001) and showed 4 percent increase in thiol concentration as compared to D/G 10 mg/kg group. These findings suggest that EA potentiates the effect of glibenclamide to protect animal model and maybe human against oxidative stress and damage.