Low Testosterone Concentration Improves Colonisation and Viability in the Co-Cultured Goat Spermatogonial Stem Cell With Sertoli Cells.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) maintain spermatogenesis through self-renewal and differentiation. The proliferation of SSCs in culture systems can provide a valuable source of germ cells. Several studies have investigated new reproductive technologies, including the production of transgenic animals and recombinant proteins secreted from milk in goats. While studies in other species exist, research on goat SSC culture remains limited. We investigated the impact of different testosterone concentrations on the survival and colonisation of cocultured goat SSCs with Sertoli cells. Cells were isolated from immature goats using two-step enzymatic digestion and enriched by differential exclusion method. DMEM/F12 culture medium containing 1% antibiotic and 5% FBS, supplemented with GDNF (20 ng/mL), EGF, bFGF and LIF (10 ng/mL), was used with different testosterone concentrations (0, 60, 120 and 240 µg/mL) and cultured for 10 days. SC subpopulations were confirmed using PGP9.5 immunocytochemistry, and the expression of germ cell markers (ID-4, UCHL-1, THY-1, ß1-integrin, BCL6B, VASA, PLZF and OCT-4) was evaluated through RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase activity provided additional SSC presence. The survival rate of SSCs after isolation and the number and area of colonies on Days 4, 7 and 10 were measured using an inverted microscope. The presence of PGP 9.5 antigens and germ cell markers (ID-4, UCHL-1, THY-1, ß1-integrin, BCL6B, VASA, PLZF and OCT-4) was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. According to the results, the group with 60 µg/mL testosterone had the highest number and area of colonies. The number of colonies in the 60 µg/mL testosterone group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed compared to other groups (p ≥ 0.05). This study suggests that a low testosterone concentration (60 µg/mL) is optimal for goat SSC colonisation and viability in coculture with Sertoli cells, potentially leading to advancements in goat reproductive technologies.

Evaluation of the association between TNF-α-1031 T/C polymorphism with oral lichen planus disease.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease that affects the epithelial cells of the oral cavity. This study was performed to investigate any possible relationship between - 1031(T/C) polymorphism (rs1799964) of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) gene with the risk and severity of oral lichen planus (OLP) disease among an Iranian population. METHOD: Saliva samples were collected from 100 patients with OLP and a similar number of healthy controls (age and sex-matched). Then, DNA was extracted from the collected samples for genotyping TNF-α-1031 T/C polymorphism using the PCR-CTPP method. The results were assessed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The findings revealed a significantly higher prevalence of the C allele in OLP patients (53%) compared to healthy controls (36%), suggesting an association between TNF-alpha gene polymorphism and OLP. A multivariate logistic regression analysis supported this finding, as the presence of the C allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of OLP [χ2 = 4.17, p = 0.04, 95% CI = 1.01-2.65, OR = 1.64]. However, our data indicated no significant association between TNF-alpha-1031 T/C gene polymorphism and OLP severity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide the first evidence supporting a possible role of TNF-α-1031 T/C gene polymorphism in OLP susceptibility in the Iranian population. The findings of this study demonstrate a positive association between TNF-α-1031 C/T allele distribution and the risk of OLP disease in the Iranian population. Therefore, carrying the C allele may increase the susceptibility to OLP disease.

The Association of PTEN Gene Mutations with the Breast Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women in western countries. A significant part of malignant cases is caused by genetic mutation. Mutations in the gene phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome (PTEN) have been proven in various malignancies. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the prevalence of BC due to PTEN gene mutation, as well as estimating the chance of developing BC due to the occurrence of PTEN gene mutation. The present study was conducted using a systematic review method based on PRISMA 2020 statements. The search was done in PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and direct scientific databases. The search was performed using the keywords breast cancer, breast malignancy, PTEN, polymorphism, mutation, variant, and their equivalents. Statistical analysis was performed using the second version of Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. A total of 2138 articles were collected. After removing duplicate articles, checking the title and abstract, and then checking the full text of the documents, finally 64 articles were approved and entered the systematic review process. Analysis of these studies with a sample size of 231,179 showed the prevalence of breast cancer patients with PTEN mutations. The combined results of 64 studies showed that the prevalence of PTEN mutations has a 3.3 (95% CI 2.2-5) in BC patients, and an analysis of 6 studies showed that the odds ratio of developing BC due to PTEN mutation is 3.7 (95% CI 1.1-11.9). The results of this study show that mutation in the PTEN gene increases the chance of developing BC. However, it was found that a small part of patients gets BC due to the occurrence of mutation in this gene.

Association of interleukin-8 polymorphism (+ 781 C/T) with the risk of oral Lichen Planus disease.

BACKGROUND: Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucosal disease. The pathogenesis of OLP is unknown. The Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) that occurs in the regulatory position + 781 could affect the expression of interleukin-8. This polymorphism is probably associated with increased serum levels of IL-8. The current study aimed to investigate the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-8( + 781 C/T) in OLP patients and whether it is associated with the severity of OLP disease in an Iranian population. METHODS: Three milliliters of saliva were taken from 100 patients with OLP and 100 healthy individuals who were matched in age and gender. After DNA extraction from saliva samples of patients and healthy individuals, the genotype of IL-8 at position + 781 is detected using the PCR-RFLP method. The results were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Frequency of C/C, T/C, and T/T genotypes at position IL-8 + 781 gene in the patient group were 47%, 41%, and 12%, respectively, and in the control group, were 37%, 42%, and 21%. The difference between the two groups regarding allele frequency distribution was statistically significant (χ2 = 3.86, p = 0.049, 95% CI = 0.44-1, OR = 0.66). Our results indicated the significantly higher frequency of the TT genotype in the erosive OLP compared to the nonerosive group (p = 0.03, OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.49-1.6). CONCLUSION: This study depicted the difference in the frequency of SNP IL-8 + 781 C/T allele in the patient and control groups had a significant association with the risk of OLP. In addition, our data revealed that IL-8 + 781 C/T polymorphisms might be associated with the severity of OLP in the Iranian population.

The acute and chronic effects of resistance training with blood flow restriction on hormonal responses in untrained young men: A comparison of frequency.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of low-intensity training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on the response rate of anabolic hormones. Forty healthy and untrained young men, aged 18 to 25 years old, were randomly divided into five groups: one session of BFR training (BFR1), two sessions of BFR training (BFR2), one session of resistance training without BFR (WBFR1), two sessions of resistance training without BFR (WBFR2), and the control group (without training). BFR groups had three sets of 20 repetitions with 20-30% 1RM, and none-BFR groups had three sets of 10 repetitions with 70-80% 1RM for six weeks. Both BFR1 and WBFR1 groups trained 3day a week (1 session in a day and three sessions a week), BFR2 and WBFR2 groups trained three days a week (but two sessions a day and six sessions in a week) and Control group did not perform any training. The mean changes in growth hormone(GH), testosterone(TS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) hormones were determined by ELISA technique before, after a first training session and after six weeks of the training program. To the analysis of data, two way repeated measures ANOVA at a significant level of P<0.05  also were used. The results showed a significant increase in GH levels in each of the four training groups as compared with the pre-test and the control group after a first training session and after six weeks of the training program (P<0.05). There was no significant increase in TS levels in each of the four training groups, as compared with the pre-test and the control group in both acute and chronic TS response (P>0.05). Only the WBFR1 group did not significantly increase in VEGF levels after the first training session (P>0.05). In chronic VEGF response, there were no significant changes observed in all training groups as compared with the control group(P>0.05). Despite the effectiveness of low-intensity BFR training, such as high-intensity resistance training on hormonal responses, two sessions per day training with the same volume does not necessarily result in larger responses in all hormones than one session per day training.

A case-control study on the SNP309T → G and 40-bp Del1518 of the MDM2 gene and a systematic review for MDM2 polymorphisms in the patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The current research was conducted to study the association between the SNP309 and del1518 polymorphisms with the breast cancer in the patients with the Kurdish ethnic background from western Iran. Also, a systematic review of the relevant case-control studies on the MDM2 polymorphisms in the patients with breast cancer was performed. METHODOLOGY: Two mL of peripheral blood was taken from 100 patients with breast cancer and 100 healthy individuals. The frequencies of MDM2 SNP309 and del1518 genotypes and alleles were determined using the PCR-RFLP and PCR methods, respectively. RESULTS: The frequency of the TT, TG, and GG of MDM2-SNP309 genotypes in the patients was obtained as 23%, 52%, and 25%, and they were equal to 22%, 40%, and 38% in the control group, respectively. Also, considering the MDM2-del1518 polymorphism, the frequencies of ins/ins, ins/del, and del/del genotypes were equal to 52%, 41%, and 7% in the breast cancer group and they were equal to 62, 30, and 8% in the control group, respectively. Analysis of the results indicated that the GG genotype plays a protective role for the breast cancer in the recessive model (GG vs TT + TG) of SNP309 (χ2  = 3.916, P = .048, and OR = 0.54). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that the GG genotype of MDM2-SNP309 can play a protective role in the breast cancer disease. Also, our systematic review indicated that the SNP309, SNP285, and del1518 of MDM2 gene in different populations mostly did not have a significant association with the risk of breast cancer.

Analysis of Helios gene expression and Foxp3 TSDR methylation in the newly diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

BACKGROUND: The control of auto-reactive cells is defective in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Regulatory T (Treg) cells which play a key role in the modulation of immune responses have an impaired function in RA. Foxp3 is a master regulator of Treg cells which its expression is under the tight control of epigenetic mechanisms. In the current study, we analyzed the epigenetic modulation of the Foxp3 Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) and Helios gene expression to determine Treg cells alteration in RA patients. METHODS: We have recruited 20 newly diagnosed patients with RA and 41 healthy controls in our study. The measurement of Foxp3 and Helios gene expression was performed by the real-time PCR technique and the methylation level of TSDR was analyzed by bisulfite treatment and quantitative methylation-specific PCR (Q-MSP). RESULTS: We found that RA patients had significantly lower level of Foxp3 gene expression and TSDR demethylation compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). Inversely, the Helios gene expression was elevated significantly in RA patients group (P = 0.048). We also observed a significant correlation between Foxp3 and Helios gene expression (P = 0.016) as well as a significant correlation between FoxP3 expression and demethylation rate of TSDR (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that both epigenetic modifications and Helios gene expression may have important roles in the pathogenesis of RA through their effects on Foxp3 gene expression.

Study of association between interleukin-8 - 845 T/C and + 781 C/T polymorphisms with periodontitis disease among population from Western Iran.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that influences the protective tissues of teeth. IL-8, a member of the chemokine super-family, plays vital roles in the pathogenesis of periodontitis with activation and migration of neutrophils in inflammatory regions. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the association of interleukin-8 - 845 T/C and + 781 C/T polymorphisms with periodontitis in an Iranian population. A total of 65 patients with periodontitis including 18 patients with chronic periodontitis and 47 patients with aggressive periodontitis and 55 controls were enrolled into our study. Interleukin-8 - 845 T/C and + 781 C/T polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. For + 781C/T locus, in the dominant genetic model there was a significant difference between TT vs. CC + CT genotypes that significantly had a protective role against periodontitis disease with a value of 0.38 (95% CI 0.16-0.90, p = 0.02). Also, the analysis of results showed a significant positive association between the distribution of IL-8 - 845 T/C alleles and the risk of periodontitis disease (χ2 = 6.2, p = 0.01) that presence of C allele of IL-8 - 845 increased the risk of periodontitis disease by 9.08-fold [OR 9.08 (95% CI 1.14-72.12, p = 0.03)]. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a positive association between distribution of IL-8 - 845 T/C alleles and risk of periodontitis disease.

A simplified and optimized protocol for total DNA extraction from insect species: applicable for studying genetic diversity and PCR-based specimen identification via partial amplification of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene.

The efficient DNA extraction from insects has been suggested as a critical and main step affecting molecular entomology for taxonomic identification, the establishment of DNA barcoding library and analysis of genetic diversity relationship between insect populations. For successfully apply these molecular techniques, high-quantity and high-quality of the extracted DNA are required. Several protocols for efficient genomic DNA extraction from insects have been developed. In this research, we represent a rapid, reliable and cost-effective method that it is not reliant on poisonous and enzymatic reagents for DNA extraction from insect tissues. Results showed that high quantity and high-quality of the isolated DNA by this method is suitable and can be used directly for PCR, also is enough to do hundreds of molecular reactions. In conclusion, we described a fast, cost-effective, non-toxic and enzyme-free protocol for high yield genomic DNA extraction from green Lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea) tissues in basic equipment laboratories.

Effect of planting time and vermicompost on the proteomic pattern of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

The fenugreek is one of the most important medicinal plants belongs to Fabaceae, originated in West Asia, Iran and Mediterranean regions. This research included a qualitative study of fenugreek proteins using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel and the separation of protein bands of fenugreek leaves in different treatments of vermicompost fertilizer and cultivating dates. Results showed that a band (about 80 kDa) on the first planting date (May 31) is observed in all samples except for sample a1 (10 t/ha vermicompost on May 31). Another significant difference was the band contained in the third planting date (31 September) and in the molecular weight of about 15 kDa, which was not seen in other dates. This difference can be due to the synthesis of this protein with the mentioned weight under the conditions of reducing the temperature in the early fall. It also showed more differences in two-dimensional electrophoresis, for example, in 14 kDa and PI in the range of 4.5-4.7 in treatment without fertilizer, no protein expression was observed, which was consistent with the results of the SDS-PAGE test.

Detection and a possible link between parvovirus B19 and thyroid cancer.

Human parvovirus B19 (B19) is a small, non-enveloped virus and belongs to Parvoviridae family. B19 persists in many tissues such as thyroid tissue and even thyroid cancer. The main aim of this study was to determine the presence of B19, its association with increased inflammation in thyroid tissue, and thus its possible role in thyroid cancer progression. Studies have shown that virus replication in non-permissive tissue leads to overexpression of non-structural protein and results in upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. A total of 36 paraffin-embedded thyroid specimens and serum were collected from patients and 12 samples were used as control. Various methods were employed, including polymerase chain reaction, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results have shown the presence of B19 DNA in 31 of 36 samples (86.11%). Almost in all samples, the levels of non-structural protein 1, nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 6 were simultaneously high. The presence of parvovirus B19 has a significant positive correlation with nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 6 levels. This study suggests that B19 infection may play an important role in tumorigenesis and thyroid cancer development via the inflammatory mechanisms.

Association of the hypermethylation status of PTEN tumor suppressor gene with the risk of breast cancer among Kurdish population from Western Iran.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer with high morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Aberrant hypermethylation in promoter regions of the tumor suppressor genes such as PTEN gene is a key event in the progression and development of breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an association between PTEN gene methylation status with the risk of breast cancer in an Iranian population. We studied 255 individuals, including 103 patients with breast cancer, 102 first-degree female relatives of patients (mother, sister, or daughter of patients), and 50 healthy individuals as a control group. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, and the PTEN promoter methylation status was detected using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method with specific methylated and unmethylated primers. In some samples, direct DNA sequencing was used to confirm the results obtained by the MSP method. The frequency of PTEN-methylated (MM) genotype was 6 % in the healthy control group, 23.3 % in relatives of patients, and 41.7 % in patients (χ (2) = 24.62, p < 0.001). There were significant differences in the frequency of PTEN-methylated genotype between healthy control compared to that in patients (χ (2) = 15.1, p < 0.001) and also compared to that in relatives of patients (χ (2) = 6.9, p = 0.009). In the presence of PTEN MM genotype, there was a 3.1-fold susceptibility to breast cancer compared to the UU genotype (p < 0.001). Also, in the presence of PTEN M allele, the risk of breast cancer was 2.71-fold compared to the presence of U allele (p < 0.001). Our findings indicated increased frequency of hypermethylation of PTEN promoter in the studied patients and their relatives that could be considered as one of the epigenetic factors affecting the risk of breast cancer in Iranians.

Isolation, cloning, and characterization of a partial novel aro A gene in common reed (Phragmites australis).

CONTEXT: Among the essential amino acids, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine are aromatic amino acids which are synthesized by the shikimate pathway in plants and bacteria. Herbicide glyphosate can inhibit the biosynthesis of these amino acids. So, identification of the gene tolerant to glyphosate is very important. It has been shown that the common reed or Phragmites australis Cav. (Poaceae) is relatively tolerant to glyphosate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current research is identification, cloning, sequencing, and registering of partial aro A gene of the common reed P. australis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The partial aro A gene of common reed (P. australis) was cloned in Escherichia coli and the amino acid sequence was identified/determined for the first time. RESULTS: This is the first report for isolation, cloning, and sequencing of a part of aro A gene from the common reed. A 670 bp fragment including two introns (86 bp and 289 bp) was obtained. The open reading frame (ORF) region in part of gene was encoded for 98 amino acids. Alignment showed high similarity among this region with Zea mays (L.) (Poaceae) (94.6%), Eleusine indica L. Gaertn (Poaceae) (94.2%), and Zoysia japonica Steud. (Poaceae) (94.2%). The alignment of amino acid sequence of the investigated part of the gene showed a homology with aro A from several other plants. This conserved region forms the enzyme active site. CONCLUSION: The alignment results of nucleotide and amino acid residues with related sequences showed that there are some differences among them. The relative glyphosate tolerance in the common reed may be related to these differences.

Microsatellite genetic diversity of Apis mellifera meda skorikov.

The genetic diversity of three Iranian honey bee populations (Apis mellifera meda) was studied using morphological and microsatellite loci in south Iran. For this purpose ten morphological characters and five microsatellite loci were studied. Morphometric analysis resulted in a distinct classification of three investigated populations but showed low diversity among them. The grouping results of the diversity study by microsatellite markers were in agreement with the results of morphometry. The cluster analysis showed that the honey bees have clustered together in one group. These populations displayed low variability estimated from both the number of alleles and heterozygosity values. Genetic differentiation within the populations is low and low heterozygosity was also presented between diverse populations. These results indicate the existence of a single population structure. The results of current research confirmed us the previous findings concerning morphological and biochemical indications of uniformity in the honey bee population of the south Iran in spite of the fact that the cities which was studied by us separated from each other by a distance of 500 km.

Genetic diversity analysis of Chrysopidae family (Insecta, Neuroptera) via molecular markers.

In entomology, improvement of molecular methods would be beneficial tools for accurate identification and detecting the genetic diversity of insect species to discover a corroborative evidence for the traditional classification based on morphology. The aim of this study was focused on RAPD-PCR method for distinguishing the genetic diversity between eight species of Chrysopidae family. In current research, many specimens were collected in different locations of Tehran province (Iran), between them 24 specimens were identified. The wing venation, male genitalia and other morphological characters were used for identification and also the sexing of species was recognized with study of external genitalia. Then, the DNA was extracted with CTAB method. The RAPD-PCR method was carried out with twenty random primers. The agarose gel electrophoresis was used for separation of the PCR products. Based on electrophoresis results, 133 bands were amplified and between them, 126 bands were poly-morph and others were mono-morph. Also, among the applied primers, the primers OPA02 with 19 bands and OPA03 with 8 bands were amplified the maximum and minimum of bands, respectively. The results showed that 80.35 and 73.21 % of genetic similarity existed between Chrysopa pallens-Chrysopa dubitans, and between the Chrysoperla kolthoffi and Chrysoperla carnea, respectively. The minimum (45.53 %) of genetic similarity was observed between C. kolthoffi and C. dubitans, and the maximum (0.80 %) was seen between C. pallens and C. dubitans.

Methylation Status of cAMP-responsive Element Modulator (CREM) Gene in Infertile Men and Its Association with Sperm Parameters.

The methylation pattern of non-imprinting genes was little studied, although it is widely known that the abnormal methylation levels of imprinting genes are associated with different forms of male infertility. The purpose of this research was to assess the CREM gene's methylation status and seminal characteristics in infertile individuals who were potential intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) candidates. A total of 45 semen samples (15 normospermia, 15 asthenospermia, and 15 oligoasthenoteratospermia) were examined. Using aniline blue (AB) staining, we carried out conventional semen analysis, chromatin quality, and sperm maturity testing. DNA was taken from semen samples, and all isolated DNA was assessed using Nanodrop and gel electrophoresis. A quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (Q-MSP) approach was used to quantify the methylation at the DMRs of the CREM gene. According to our findings, sperm count (P=0.012), concentration (P= 0.019), motility (P=0.006), progression (P=0.006), and normal morphology (P=0.004) were all inversely correlated with abnormal sperm chromatin condensation. Additionally, we noted that the methylation level of the CREM gene was considerably more significant in the oligoasthenoteratospermia group compared to the asthenospermia and normospermia groups (P<0.05). Additionally, sperm count (P=0.043), progression (P=0.026), and normal morphology (P=0.024) were all inversely linked with CREM methylation. Overall, the abnormal CREM methylation patterns have a negative impact on sperm parameters. Additionally, the CREM gene's DNA methylation status may serve as an epigenetic indicator of male infertility.

Assessment of TNF-α (-857 C/T) gene polymorphism in oral lichen planus disease: A case-control study.

Background and aims: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder with an immune-mediated pathogenesis. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level in the serum of OLP patients is significantly higher than in the control group. TNF-α-857 C/T polymorphism can be related to the increased TNF-α level in blood circulation. This study investigated the relationship between TNF-α (-857 C/T) polymorphism and OLP patients in an Iranian population. Methods: Saliva samples were taken from 200 people, including 100 patients with OLP and 100 healthy people who did not have significant differences in age and sex. Then, DNA was extracted from them and the TNF-α (-857 C/T) genotype was identified using the polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers method. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 software analyzed the results. Results: The frequency of C/C, C/T, and T/T genotypes of the TNF-α-857 C/T polymorphism in the patient group were 78%, 18%, and 4%, respectively, and in the control group were 72%, 23%, and 5%, respectively. The differences between the two groups regarding allele (χ 2 = 0.97, p = 0.32) and genotype (χ 2 = 0.96, p = 0.62) frequency among the studied population were insignificant. Conclusion: This study showed that the difference in the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphism TNF-α-857 C/T polymorphism in the patient and control group had no significant relationship with the increased OLP incidence. Also, no significant association was observed between allele and genotype frequency of TNF-α (-857 C/T) with OLP subtypes.

The study of HMOX1 DNA methylation and gene expression and the diagnostic potential of miR-153-3p in preeclampsia.

Background: The objective was to elucidate the potential epigenetic regulatory mechanism in HMOX1 expression in preeclampsia. Materials & methods: HMOX1 promoter DNA methylation was evaluated in the placental tissue and blood of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. HMOX1 and miR-153-3p gene expression were assessed in placental tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Related microarray datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus database were also analyzed. Results: In placental tissue, despite HMOX1 expression downregulation, there was no significant change in HMOX1 methylation. In PBMCs, there was no significant alteration in HMOX1 expression, while hypomethylation was observed in blood. The miR-153-3p expression increased in the placental tissue and in the PBMCs of preeclampsia. Conclusion: DNA methylation does not affect HMOX1 expression, while miR-153-3p might be a biomarker for preeclampsia.

Molecular genetic diversity within Myrmeleontidae family.

Antlions are insects which feed on ants, insect which dig a pit and lies in wait for ants and other insects. Twelve species of Myrmeleontidae family as antlions and many specimens were identified in different locations in Fars province in Iran. To unveil the genetic similarity between these species, their DNA was extracted by modified CTAB method and with the use of seventeen 10-nucleotides primers of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD); the genetic analysis of them was investigated. After PCR, agarose 1.5 % was used for electrophoresis. The obtained electrophoresis bands had base pairs range between 150 and 1,000 bp. The maximum of polymorphic bands belonged to OPH5, N13, and the minimum of polymorphic bands belonged to OPA7 primers. Different genetic similarity indices were found between eight species of antlions. Possibility of use of RAPD marker together with morphological studies for classification and identification of antlions is discussed.