Streptomycin Sulfate-Loaded Niosomes Enables Increased Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Activities.

One of the antibiotics used to treat infections is streptomycin sulfate that inhibits both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. Nanoparticles are suitable carriers for the direct delivery and release of drug agents to infected locations. Niosomes are one of the new drug delivery systems that have received much attention today due to their excellent biofilm penetration property and controlled release. In this study, niosomes containing streptomycin sulfate were prepared by using the thin layer hydration method and optimized based on the size, polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) characteristics. It was found that the Span 60-to-Tween 60 ratio of 1.5 and the surfactant-to-cholesterol ratio of 1.02 led to an optimum formulation with a minimum of size, low PDI, and maximum of EE of 97.8 nm, 0.27, and 86.7%, respectively. The drug release investigation showed that 50.0 ± 1.2% of streptomycin sulfate was released from the niosome in 24 h and reached 66.4 ± 1.3% by the end of 72 h. Two-month stability studies at 25° and 4°C showed more acceptable stability of samples kept at 4°C. Consequently, antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of streptomycin sulfate-loaded niosomes against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found significantly higher than those of free drug, and the minimum inhibitory concentration values decreased 4- to 8-fold. Furthermore, niosome-encapsulated streptomycin up to 1,500 µg/ml exhibited negligible cytotoxicity against the human foreskin fibroblasts cell line, whereas the free drug exhibited slight cytotoxicity at this concentration. Desired physical characteristics and low toxicity of niosomal nano-carriers containing streptomycin sulfate made them a demanded candidate for the treatment of current bacterial infections and biofilms.

SPR enhanced DNA biosensor for sensitive detection of donkey meat adulteration.

Herein, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) enhanced DNA biosensor has been developed for real-time detection of donkey meat marker using biotinylated reporter and streptavidin functionalized gold nanostars (Stre@GNSs). Compared to the direct detection assay, this sandwich format for the enhancement of the signal, resulted in 6-folds orders increase in the sensitivity. Target DNA could be detected with the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1.0 nM with a relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 3) of 0.85%. In addition, the fabricated SPR sensor showed good selectivity for the target analyte over full complementary, single-base mismatch, three base-mismatch and non-complementary oligonucleotides. Finally, the proposed sensor was successfully applied for detection of donkey meat adulteration with various percentages in homemade beef sausage, as a real sample. The results indicated that the proposed biosensor provides a high specificity, easy, good sensitivity and fast approach for identification of donkey meat adulteration in food samples.

A genetic variant in the flanking region of miR-182 could decrease the susceptibility to the breast cancer risk in the iranian population.

Breast cancer is one of the most malignant tumors in the world. It is, in fact, the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Recent research has identified the role of miR-182 in this disease as an oncogene agent. In this study, the association of rs4541843 in the flanking region of the miR-182 sequence with the susceptibility to breast cancer risk has been studied in the Iranian population. By using the PCR_RFLP, the genotype rs4541843 was determined in 161 patients and 164 control subjects. The genotypes of the individuals were analyzed statistically to find the association between rs4541843 and the breast cancer incidence and its pathological characteristics. The results revealed that due to the dominance of the G allele, the frequency of GG + AG genotypes, as compared with AA, had a significant correlation with the incidence of this disease in controls and cases (P = 0.022; OR = 0.523). Moreover, the genotypes AG and AA could significantly decrease the susceptibility to the breast cancer risk; also in the presence of the A allele (OR, 0.565; P = 0.015), the incidence of the disease could be decreased. Our results indicated that this SNP was associated with the breast cancer risk of the Iranian population. We suppose that rs4541843 may influence the processing of the mature miRNA by affecting the cleavage of Drosha. Therefore, this SNP can be considered as a candidate genetic marker for the susceptibility to breast cancer in the Iranian women.

Design a highly specific sequence for electrochemical evaluation of meat adulteration in cooked sausages.

A specific and unique sequence probe was designed for detection of donkey adulteration in cooked sausages and its species specificity was confirmed bioinformatically in the common software and website (ClustalX and NCBI). Subsequently, a novel species-specific electrochemical DNA probe (locked nucleic acid, LNA) was synthesized and implemented in a construction of DNA-based electrochemical genosensor for sensitive, convenient and selective detection of donkey adulteration. The electrochemical behavior of the fabricated genosensor was studied by linear sweep, square wave, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Due to inherent optimal hybridization conditions, the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was obtained as 148 pM with a relative standard deviation of 0.16%. Eventually, as a proof of concept, the designed biosensor was successfully used for detection of donkey genetic element in consumable beef sausages preparations, as a real sample. It is predicted that the proposed biosensor will provide a sensitive, inexpensive, fast, and reliable bioassay for application in food analysis, forensic investigations, genetic screening and biodiagnostics. As a prominent feature of this study, the recorded results were confirmed by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) as a standard method in adulteration analysis. Our future perspective is minutralization of the development bioassay for making on-desk device and specially merging the designed system by microfluidic systems for accelerating the analysis time.

Repair of Large Lip Vermilion defects with Mutual Cross Lip Musculomucosal Flaps.

BACKGROUND: Vermilion irregularities are common secondary deformities after cleft lip repair, regressed or resected hemangiomas, trauma and tumor surgeries. Vermilion deficiency attracts considerable attention and detracts from an otherwise excellent lip repair. Minor and moderate vermilion defects can be corrected with upper lip advancement, rotation flaps, tongue flaps or grafts. Major defects defy correction with local flaps. A technique is described for correction of large absolute tissue defects of the vermilion using Mutual Cross-Lip Musculomucosal Flaps (MCLMF) Or Ahmad-Ali's flaps. METHODS: This technique was applied in eight patients with major vermilion defects secondary to hemangioma regression, neoplasia, and trauma. Reconstruction with MCLMF led to create a balanced donor and recipient lips appearance and function. RESULTS: There were no postoperative complications. Surgical results were satisfactory in all patients, and sufficient lip mobility with adequate bulk was maintained. One patient demonstrated minimal transient lip tightening. CONCLUSION: Use of Ahmad-Ali's flaps in selected patients resulted in successful reconstruction of severe vermilion defects.