Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research

About: Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research is a nonprofit organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Mesenchymal stem cell. The organization has 1100 authors who have published 1244 publications receiving 19093 citations.

Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor induces spermatogonial stem cell marker genes in chicken mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known with the potential of multi-lineage differentiation. Advances in differentiation technology have also resulted in the conversion of MSCs to other kinds of stem cells. MSCs are considered as a suitable source of cells for biotechnology purposes because they are abundant, easily accessible and well characterized cells. Nowadays small molecules are introduced as novel and efficient factors to differentiate stem cells. In this work, we examined the potential of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) for differentiating chicken MSCs toward spermatogonial stem cells. MSCs were isolated and characterized from chicken and cultured under treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (RA) or glial cell derived neurotrophic factor. Expression analysis of specific genes after 7days of RA treatment, as examined by RT-PCR, proved positive for some germ cell markers such as CVH, STRA8, PLZF and some genes involved in spermatogonial stem cell maintenance like BCL6b and c-KIT. On the other hand, GDNF could additionally induce expression of POU5F1, and NANOG as well as other genes which were induced after RA treatment. These data illustrated that GDNF is relatively more effective in diverting chicken MSCs towards Spermatogonial stem cell -like cells in chickens and suggests GDNF as a new agent to obtain transgenic poultry, nevertheless, exploitability of these cells should be verified by more experiments.

Expression and Secretion of Cyan Fluorescent Protein (CFP) in B. subtilis using the Chitinase Promoter from Bacillus pumilus SG2

Abstract: Background Improved cyan fluorescent protein (ICFP) is a monochromic, green fluorescent protein (GFP) derivative produced by Aequorea macrodactyla in a process similar to GFP. This protein has strong absorption spectra at wavelengths 426-446 nm. ICFP can be used in cell, organelle or intracellular protein labeling, investigating the protein-protein interactions as well as assessing the promoter activities. Methods In our previous study, the promoters of two chitinases (ChiS and ChiL) from Bacillus pumilus SG2 were assessed in B. subtilis and their regulatory elements were characterized. In the present study, icfp was cloned downstream of several truncated promoters obtained in the former study, and ICFP expression was evaluated in B. subtilis. Results Extracellular expression and secretion of ICFP were analyzed under the control of different truncated versions of ChiSL promoters grown on different media. Results from SDS-PAGE and fluorimetric analyses showed that there were different expression rates of CFP; however, the UPChi-ICFP3 construct exhibited a higher level of expression and secretion in the culture medium. Conclusion Our presented results revealed that inserting this truncated form of Chi promoter upstream of the ICFP, as a reporter gene, in B. subtilis led to an approximately ten fold increase in ICFP expression.

Treatment Outcomes and Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Report from Cancer Institute of Iran.

Abstract: Background: Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) have a more aggressive course and are associated with poorer prognosis in comparison with other subtypes of breast cancer. One of the most common subtypes of TNBC is basal-like. The aim of this study was to investigate clinicopathological characteristics and clinical course of TNBC in Iranian women and compare them with other studies. Subjects and Methods: Between March 2009 and February 2011, patients with breast cancer in Cancer Institute of Iran were selected and then followed-up for 2 years. Paraffin-embedded tumor block of all TNBC patients were evaluated for CK5/6 and EGFR using IHC method. Results: Among 267 breast cancer patients, 60 cases with TNBC were identified (22.5%), 31 patients (51.7%) had basal-like and 29 patients (48.3%) had non-basal-like tumors. The median age of participants with TNBC was 49.6 years. Among our patients, 70% had positive lymph nodes.93.4% of all patients at the time of diagnosis were stage II or III and tumor size was at least 3 centimeters. No grade 1 TNBC was found in this study. During the follow-up period, there were 26 recurrences and 7 deaths. Conclusion: The percentage of basal-like subtype among Iranian women with TNBC was lower compared to other studies, while bone metastases, clinical stage, lymph node involvement and tumor size were higher. Clinicopathological findings in basal and non-basal-like subgroups were not different, but the probability of lymph node involvement was more common in patients who were EGFR positive.

Fabrication and Characterization of Regenerated Silk/bioglass Composites for Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract: Objective: One of the major issues in bone tissue engineering is the design and fabrication of bioactive, bioresorbable porous 3D scaffolds capable of maintaining their structure and integrity over a predictable period of time. One such approach is the fabrication of composite scaffolds. Methods: In this study we present fabrication and characterization of novel silk/bioglasscomposite scaffolds. Regenerated fibroin was constructed from mulberry silk cocoons and calcium silicophosphate bioactive glass was made by sol-gel processing. For fabrication of a homogenous composite, grained bioglass particles were modified with 3aminopropyltriethoxysilane coating. Fibroin/bioglass composite scaffolds were fabricated by the freeze-dry technique at different concentrations. Results: Silk protein extract was evaluated by FTIR and XRD methods. FTIR spectrum showed sharp amide peaks at 1655 cm -1 and 1530 cm -1 wave lengths, which confirmed the existence of fibroin. XPS analysis demonstrated that the amino groups were established on the surface of the glass powder. The fabricated 3D scaffolds were morphologically analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, which showed uniformly dispersed bioglass particles in all structures. Scaffolds were seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells for 21 days. Conclusion: Considering the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds and osteogenic differentiation during three weeks, it could be concluded that the appropriate combination of structural and biological properties make the silk/bioglass composite scaffold a probable choice for potential use in bone tissue engineering.

Evaluation of inactivated vaccine of the variant 2 (IS-1494 /GI-23) genotype of avian infectious bronchitis.

Abstract: The infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is the cause of avian infectious bronchitis (IB). IB is one of the most highly contagious diseases, which results in many economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. The nature of this virus is such that it generates new genotypes continuously. Proper vaccination is the most suitable way of combatting IB. One of the novel genotypes of IBV, which has been circulating in the Middle Eastern countries, is the variant 2 (IS-1494/GI-23) genotype. This study aims to design and produce an autogenous variant 2 vaccines. After isolation and characterization of the Iranian variant 2, the inactivated vaccine was formulated according to the OIE guidelines, and its different aspects (Purity, titration, inactivation, immunization) were evaluated. The designed vaccine passed all of OIE quality control standards. In the assessment process, the protection rate in the groups receiving the variant 2 and commercial vaccines was 67 % and 60 %, respectively. Although the differences were not significant, they indicated better protection, and the viral load in the feces and the kidney of the group receiving the variant 2 vaccine was lower than that in the commercial vaccine. It is suggested that the variant2 strain should be added as one of the local strains to the commercial inactivated vaccines in areas affected by this genotype. The use of this vaccine in layer and breeder flocks can help to protect them against variant 2 during the production phase. Also, the transfer of maternal antibodies to offspring can provide strain-specific immunity for one-day-old chickens.