Jentashapir Journal of Cellular and Molecular Biology
Volume:14 Issue: 2, Jun 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small particles ranging from 30 - 1000 nm released by different cells to mediate cell-cell communication. The content of these particles mirrors the cellular properties of their producing cells. The extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles, could exert the same therapeutic effects as stem cell therapy. However, these stem cell-derived particles (cell-free derivatives) do not have concerns associated with stem cell-based therapies. Among various mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, Menstrual Blood Stem Cells (MenSCs) are known for their high proliferative activity, ease of harvesting, lack of moral dilemma, and high differentiation potential. Extracellular vesicles derived from MenSCs have widely been employed in various preclinical studies for regenerative purposes. This paper aims to provide an overview of the therapeutic utility of MenSCs-derived EVs in regenerative medicine. We also reviewed the current knowledge on the cellular profile, biogenesis, separation, and action mechanism of MenSCs-derived EVs in organ regeneration.

 Neuroinflammation plays a central role in the onset and development of diabetic neuropathic pain.

 This study aims to thoroughly investigate the effects of aerobic training and melatonin on TNF-α expression in rats suffering from diabetic neuropathic pain.

 Twenty-five male Wistar rats, aged 8 weeks and weighing 204 ± 11.3 g, were randomly assigned to one of five groups: Diabetic, melatonin-treated diabetic, exercise-trained diabetic, melatonin and exercise-trained diabetic, and control. Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 50 mg/kg. After verifying the development of diabetes through a pain perception test, the training group underwent six weeks of continuous aerobic training on a treadmill with an average intensity of 15 meters per minute for 30 minutes. The melatonin groups received a daily dose of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight for 6 weeks. TNF-α expression levels were measured using real-time PCR.

 The combination of aerobic training and melatonin supplementation significantly decreased TNF-α expression levels (P < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of TNF-α expression were found to be lower in the diabetic group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

 It appears that combining aerobic training with melatonin supplementation can regulate TNF-α expression levels and enhance the sensitivity of nociceptors to nociceptive factors resulting from the gradual deterioration of sensory neurons caused by diabetes.

 Probiotic bacteria as an alternative to antibiotics are necessary for aquaculture due to the prevalence of recurrent diseases.

 This study investigated the effect of a probiotic combination, including endogenous bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, on the health status of common carp.

 The probiotic combination was added to carp basal diets in three treatments, 1 to 3, each containing 106 CFU g-1, 107 CFU g-1, and 108 CFU g-1 probiotic combination, respectively. A fourth group (group 4) was used as a control and received no probiotic treatment for six months. After 3 months, the fish’s growth performance, biochemical indices, and innate immune responses were evaluated.

 The growth indices, such as the daily growth rate, specific growth rate, condition conversion factor, condition factor, and protein efficiency, significantly improved in treatments 2 and 3 compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Investigation of complement, lysozyme, and serum bactericidal activity showed that probiotic treatments positively affected the immune system of common carp, with treatments 2 and 3 demonstrating a greater effect (P < 0.05). Biochemical factors were also investigated, showing decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the probiotic treatment group. Moreover, the probiotic treatments resulted in a significant reduction in the activity of liver enzymes AST and ALP compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

 A probiotic combination with concentrations of 5 × 107 CFU g-1 and 5 × 108 CFU g-1 of food can positively impact common carp’s growth performance, immune system, and biochemical parameters. As no significant difference was seen between the two concentrations, the lower one is recommended.

 Copper carbonate nanoparticles have several applications in the fields of pigments, insecticides, and fungicides. They are also used as catalysts in chemical processes and crude oil desulfurization. Fungi can biosynthesize metal nanoparticles due to their high tolerance, extracellular synthesis, simplicity of extraction, and large-scale exploitation.

 This study aimed to investigate the potential of fungal isolates (which are resistant to copper chloride with urease activity) as biocatalysts for the synthesis of copper carbonate nanoparticles. This approach was considered due to the advantages of using fungal isolates in nanoparticle biosynthesis.

 In a PDA culture medium with 25 mM copper chloride, an enrichment culture was used to isolate copper-resistant fungal isolates. Fungal isolates’ urease enzyme was qualitatively assessed using 2% urea agar-based culture media. Studies on the synthesis of copper carbonate nanoparticles and the effect of different parameters on the synthesis of these nanoparticles were conducted using a mycelium-free supernatant strategy. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies were used to determine the properties of calcium carbonate nanoparticles. The selected fungal isolate was identified using macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, as well as molecular analysis using amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 gene sequences.

 Alternaria species strain ccf7 (GenBank accession number OP242500) was chosen as the superior strain for copper carbonate nanoparticle synthesis tests based on the pattern of resistance to copper chloride salt and the qualitative assessment of urease activity. Based on the findings of the electron microscope studies, spherical copper carbonate nanoparticles with an average size of 66.7 nm were synthesized after 24 hours of incubation at the optimal concentration of 45mM copper chloride, temperature of 25°C, and shaker speed of 100 rpm. The distribution of the produced nanoparticles was appropriate, as indicated by a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.25. The strongest inhibitory impact of these copper carbonate nanoparticles was against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with an average inhibition of 31 mm at a concentration of 50 mg/L, according to the results of their antibacterial activities.

 For the first time, the synthesis and development of a green approach for the fabrication of copper carbonate nanoparticles using the genus Alternaria have been proposed in this study.

 Chalcogenide nanoparticles (NPs), such as silver selenide NPs (Ag2Se NPs), are used as quantum dots in pharmaceutical formulations for the detection of cancer cells, as well as in solar cells, sensors, and electrical, optical, and magnetic instruments.

 The physical-chemical production of metal NPs is expensive and difficult and pollutes the environment due to the use of dangerous chemicals and by-products. Hence, green chemistry-based processes must be developed as a reliable alternative. This study investigated indigenous aquatic fungal isolates for Ag2Se NP synthesis.

 Visual examination, UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) tests confirmed the synthesis of Ag2Se NPs. Based on the characteristics of the colony, the microscopic features, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-ITS4 areas, the selected fungal isolate’s identity was established.

 The SEM analysis revealed that Cladosporium species ssf15 produced spherical Ag2Se NPs with an average diameter of 37.84 nm. The average size of NPs synthesized by the fungal isolate was determined to be 40.92 nm using the DLS analysis, and the polydispersity index (PDI) was determined to be 0.26. Based on the results, regular spherical Ag2Se NPs with correct dispersion distribution were produced using 2 mM AgNO3 and 1mM selenious acid (H2SeO3).

 The results of this research have the potential to contribute to the development of a biocompatible approach and innovative research methods for investigating the green synthesis of Ag2Se NPs using fungal isolates.

 The manipulation of mineral nutrition may affect secondary metabolite production and thus determine the nutritional value of food/medicinal plants.

 The present study investigated the impact of nitrogen supply on the production of secondary metabolites and physiological parameters of Hypericum androsaemum plants grown in sand culture.

 Four-week plants were irrigated by full-strength Hoagland solution (control), nitrate was reduced to 1/3, and no nitrate was provided for 14 days.

 The growth of shoots was inhibited by nitrate limitation, but root growth was stimulated. Soluble proteins and water content were significantly affected by nitrate deficiency. Antioxidative enzyme activities (ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were increased due to nitrate deficiency. Treatment of plants with NO3- deficiency caused an increase in total soluble phenols and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, while flavonoid content was mainly elevated by NO3- deficiency. At the level of specific metabolites, NO3- deficiency positively affected hypericin and pseudohypericin content but decreased hyperforin content. The expression of the putative gene for hypericin biosynthesis (hyp-1) was up-regulated in response to nitrate deficiency.

 The results demonstrated that the nitrogen deficiency in the H. androsaemum plant positively affected the antioxidant system, valuable phenols, and secondary metabolites.