Fetal microchimerism in mouse caerulein-induced pancreatitis model.

OBJECTIVES: Fetal microchimerism is the persistence of allogeneic cell population that transfer from the fetus to the mother. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of fetal microchimerism in the pancreas of the mouse with acute pancreatitis (AP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, female wild-type mice were mated with male EGFP+. AP model was obtained by injection of caerulein two days after delivery. Sixty mice were divided into 3 groups: the virgin pancreatitis-induced animals, pregnant pancreatitis-induced animals mated with transgenic EGFP mice, and pregnant sham animals. To prove pancreatitis induction, the blood amylase and lipase were assessed; and pancreas was removed from a subpopulation of each group for histopathological examinations after 6 hr. The remaining mice were kept for 3 weeks and histopathological exanimation, immunohistochemistry, and PCR were performed. RESULTS: EGFP+ cells were found in acini and around the blood vessels in the pancreas of pregnant pancreatitis-induced animals. They differentiated to acinar, adipocyte-like, and mesenchymal-like cells. PCR showed that 20% of the pregnant pancreatitis-induced animals were EGFP+. The histopathological study showed improvement in pancreatitis scores in the mice with history of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: It seems that pregnancy has a beneficial impact on caerulein-induced pancreatitis and improves the pancreatitis score in mouse.

Modified magnetic nanoparticles by PEG-400-immobilized Ag nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PEG-Ag) as a core/shell nanocomposite and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity.

BACKGROUND: Noble metal nanoparticles, due to their good physicochemical properties, have been exploited in biological applications. Among these metals, nanosilver has attracted great attention because of its optical properties and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities with no drug tolerance. PURPOSE: The present study has attempted to conduct chemical synthesis of Fe3O4@PEG-Ag core/shell nanocomposites in aqueous solutions through co-precipitation of Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions, encapsulating the iron oxide core by poly (ethylene-glycol) (PEG) improve its hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, and immobilizing silver ions by application of NaBH4 as a reducing agent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The synthesized structures were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum, wavelength-dispersive X-ray, vibrating sample magnetometer, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy methods. Antimicrobial activity of the nanostructures against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans was evaluated by broth microdilution based on the methods suggested by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute. Furthermore, the nanocomposite was tested for possible anti-parasitic effects against Leishmania major promastigotes by MTT assay. Also, its impacts on bacterial cell morphology were defined using atomic force microscopy. Moreover, toxicity of the nanostructure related to animal cell line was determined based on MTT assay. RESULTS: In general, the synthesized core/shell nanostructure can demonstrate noticeable activity against the evaluated representative microorganisms while its toxicity against animal cell line is not considerable. CONCLUSION: This nanostructure can be applied as a smart drug delivery system with the help of an external magnetic field or it can be used as a powerful antibiotic agent along with other antibiotics that can form a shell on its structure.

Relationships Between Hoffman Reflex Parameters, Trait Stress, and Athletic Performance.

This study evaluated the relationships between trait stress, Hoffman reflex, and performance among 36 healthy amateur male athletes. We first obtained a trait stress questionnaire from participants and then assigned them to high- and low-stress groups. We next recorded Hoffman reflex data from the soleus and lateral gastrocnemius muscles and then examined their athletic performance on testing protocols separated by a 72-hour washout period. Performance testing utilized vertical jump height, 20 -m sprint time, and standing stork tests. There were significant correlations between (a) the standing stork test, vertical jump height, and trait stress and (b) Hmax/ Mmax ratios, threshold intensity ( Hth), the intensity of the Hmax, and the intensity of the Hlast. Hth, the intensity of Hmax, and the intensity of Hlast were significantly higher among the low-stress compared with the high-stress participant groups ( p < .05), despite participants' similar training history. We suggest that self-perceived psychological stress affects performance through neural adaptation.