Biolmpacts
Volume:2 Issue: 3, Sep 2012

Proteins constitute a group of key molecules with many applications in tissue engineering. Use of proteins provided from natural sources has several limitations which are overcome by the use of recombinant proteins. So far, the recombinant forms of many proteins with tissue engineering applications have been developed including structural proteins, growth factors and cytokines. This technology has enabled the development of specifically designed proteins such as growth factors with matrix binding domains, and hybrid structural proteins with improved mechanical properties. Recombinant proteins are produced either ex vivo or in vivo, by local gene therapy protocols, and are of medical and economic benefits. Due to the high applicability of recombinant proteins in tissue engineering, it is recommended to include this platform as an infrastructural element in any tissue engineering program.

Of the cancer gene therapy approaches, gene silencing, suicide/apoptosis inducing gene therapy, immunogene therapy and targeted gene therapy are deemed to sub­stantially control the biological consequences of genomic changes in cancerous cells. Thus, a large number of clinical trials have been conducted against various malignancies. In this review, we will discuss recent translational progresses of gene and cell therapy of cancer. Essential information on gene therapy of cancer were reviewed and discussed towards their clinical translations. Gene transfer has been rigorously studied in vitro and in vivo, in which some of these gene therapy endeavours have been carried on towards translational investigations and clinical applications. About 65% of gene therapy trials are related to cancer therapy. Some of these trials have been combined with cell therapy to produce personalized medicines such as Sipuleucel-T (Provenge®, marketed by Dendreon, USA) for the treatment of asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Translational approach links two diverse boundaries of basic and clinical researches. For successful translation of geno­medicines into clinical applications, it is essential 1) to have the guidelines and standard operating procedures for development and application of the genomedicines specific to clinically relevant biomarker(s); 2) to conduct necessary animal experimental studies to show the “proof of concept” for the proposed genomedicines; 3) to perform an initial clinical investigation; and 4) to initiate extensive clinical trials to address all necessary requirements. In short, translational researches need to be refined to accelerate the geno­medicine development and clinical applications.

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, also known as the MEK/ERK1/2 kinase cascade, has recently been implicated in the regulation of lipid metabolism and fatty liver disease. However, its functional effect on cellular fatty acid composition is unknown. Herein, we examined the effect of a pharmacological inhibitor of MEK, the upstream kinase activator of ERK1/2, on fatty acid composition of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. HepG2 cells cultured in RPMI-1640 were exposed to the commonly used ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059 and were investigated with respect to fatty acid composition by gas-liquid chromatography. Exposure of cells to the ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor induced an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids and the fatty acid desaturation index and a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acid content. Specifically, we showed a significant increase of oleic acid (18:1n‑9; +29%, P=0.003) and arachidonic acid (20:4n‑6)/linoleic acid (18:2n‑6) ratio (3.5-fold; P<0.001) in HepG2 cells. Cellular fatty acid composition of HepG2 cells appeared to be differentially regulated by ERK1/2 pathway, thus suggesting related metabolic pathways as potential mediators of the effects of ERK1/2 signaling on hepatic fatty acid composition.

Pathogenic role of free radicals are well known in various metabolic diseases. They originate from internal and external sources of body. Essential roles of antioxidant defense system for cellular redox regulation and free radical scavenging activity were described in this study. Many in vitro investigations have shown that turmeric (TE) and carrot seed extract (CSE) exhibits to possess antioxidant activities. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant potentials of ethanolic TE and CSE based on in vivo experiment in the rats. Animals were assigned to six groups: the 1st and 2nd groups were control groups and 2nd group received 0.2 ml dimethyl sulphoxide as vehicle treated group; other four experimental groups received different doses of TE (100, 200 mg/kg b.w.) and CSE (200, 400 mg/kg b.w.) by gavages, respectively for a period of one month. The indicators of oxidative stress, lipids peroxidation, markers of hepatocyte injury and biliary function markers were measured. The levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly stimulated in the hepatic tissue of treatment groups. The malondialdehyde contents of liver tissue were significantly reduced in the groups fed with TE and CSE. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, in treated groups were found to be significantly decreased, whereas albumin and total protein increased as compared to the control groups (P<0.05). this study showed that the regular intake of TE and CSE through the diet can improve antioxidant status and inhibit peroxidation activity in the liver tissue so that using these extracts may protect tissue oxidative stress.

To overcome the problems of periodic re-impregnation of mosquito nets and low rates of treatment, the commune of Aguegues was chosen to evaluate the effects of Olyset® nets on malaria transmission and against An. gambiae. 87 old Olyset® nets installed five years ago were identified in the village ‘Akpadon’. 10 untreated nets were installed in 10 structures of type “a bedroom and parlour” in the village ‘Akodji’. Four rooms without nets were identified in the village ‘Donoukpa’. Entomological and epidemiological evaluations were conducted during the May to October 2011. 24 sessions of capture or 2088 men-nights resulted in the capture of 30,608 mosquitoes. The entrance of anopheles was significantly reduced in the village with Olyset® nets. 45% of mosquitoes captured inside rooms with Olyset® nets were found dead after 24 hrs of observation. Overall, parasitemia was very low in the treated village (4.52%). 18 (4.64%) cases of malaria fever were from Akpadon with 7.5% positive blade smear, 29 (10.98%) were from Akodji with 8.37% positive blade smear, and 80 (95.23%) come from Donoukpa with 38.09% positive blade smear. The Olyset® nets and untreated net were adjusted hemoglobin levels. Olyset® net had a very high knock down effect and is an alternative in malaria control

Ovarian reserve depends on the size and quality of oocytes stored in ovary. Aging and some diseases reduce ovarian reserve, leading to decreased reproductive performance. Laparoscopic surgery is used to treat infertility in women with PCOS. The purpose of this study was measurement of ovarian reserve in patients with PCOS before and after laparoscopic surgery. In this study thirty infertile patients with PCOS that had not responded to initial treatment with drug were selected. We assessed the serum levels of anti-mullerian hormone, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and the number of antral follicles before laparoscopic surgery and 1 week, 3 and 6 months after the surgery. The average amount of anti-mullerian hormone serum levels was 8.4±4.7 before laparoscopic surgery and 7.5±4.5, 7±4.5, and 7.7±4.4 ng/ml one week, 3 and 6 months after surgery, respectively. Serum levels of LH was 13.6±6.7 and 12.7±11.1 IU /ml (P=0.87) before surgery and 6 months after laparoscopy, respectively. Mean serum testosterone levels were 0.9±0.8, 0.8±0.9 ng/ml (P=0.86) before and after surgery. Annual reproductive rate was 26.7 percent in this population. Laparoscopic ovarian puncture didn’t change anti-mullerian hormone serum, testosterone and LH in women with PCOS and hence has no adverse effects on the ovarian reserve.

Before publication, biomedical papers might undergo a very complex process, from journal selection, authors’ motivations for submissions, modifications, and final publication or refusal. UNAIS (Unpublished Articles In Science) is an online repository in which authors can publish previously rejected scientific articles or articles that have never been submitted for publication. At UNAIS, authors can also publish the reasons behind the refusals to publication. UNAIS is more than an e-journal: it is a scientific drop box in which scientists can find indicative and negative results, as well as ideas that can inspire others. UNAIS’s goal is also to help students and scientists who want to learn how to write scientific articles. UNAIS’ aim is to exchange and promote knowledge. Have a look on www.unais.net.