Jorjani Biomedicine Journal

Changes in Claudin-4 expression and tight junction integrity in human esophageal cancer: A Systematic Review

Seyyed Mehdi Jafari

Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Because this disease is usually diagnosed in advanced stages, its treatment is challenging and the survival rate of patients is relatively low. One of the parts that is disturbed in the tumor tissue of esophageal cancer is the tight connections between cells. Claudin-4 (CLDN-4) is one of the tight junction regulatory proteins whose changes are involved in cancer formation. In this systematic review, we examine the changes in CLDN-4 and the factors that affect its level in samples and cell lines related to esophageal cancer.
Methods: Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles that examined CLDN-4 gene and protein expression in patients with esophageal cancer or cell lines related to esophageal cancer. A number of 202 manuscripts were obtained in the beginning, and after screening and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, six studies remained.
Results: Six studies, including 596 patients and seven cell lines related to esophageal tissues, were included in this systematic review. The studies were related to Japan, South Korea, China, and Finland. In these studies, the level of CLDN-4 in cancer samples related to esophageal cancer and their location in esophageal tissue cells have been examined.
Conclusion: In summary, it can be concluded that the change in the level of CLDN-4 in the tumor tissues of esophageal cancer altered the tight junctions from the normal state in the normal esophageal tissues, leading to a change in normal barrier function. However, considering the conflicting results in the reports, more studies are needed to accurately interpret the role of CLDN-4 in esophageal cancer.

Effect of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training with quercetin supplementation on the mitochondrial gene expression in the diabetic heart

Mojdeh Khajehlandi

Background: Mitochondrial function is an integral part of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells and is a hallmark feature of cardiovascular disease. It may contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), combined with quercetin supplementation (eight weeks), on mitochondrial gene expression in the diabetic heart.
Methods: In this study, 35 adult male rats were equally divided into seven groups (n=5): healthy sedentary, diabetic sedentary, diabetic quercetin sedentary, diabetic HIIT (DHIIT), diabetic MICT (DMICT), DHIIT with quercetin, and DMICT with quercetin. The rats were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks and subsequently treated with a single low dose of streptozotocin to create a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eight weeks (five times a week) of HIIT and MICT, with and without quercetin, were conducted for the training groups, and quercetin was injected over eight weeks at a dose of 15 mg/kg.
Results: Eight weeks of quercetin supplementation, HIIT, and MICT, with and without quercetin, significantly decreased blood glucose levels (P=0.001). Eight weeks of HIIT and MICT training increased nuclear respiratory factor-2 (NRF2) (P=0.001) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) (P=0.001) expression and decreased perilipin 2 (PLIN2) gene expression (P=0.001).
Conclusion: The training groups alone improved the gene expression of NRF2, ATGL, and PLIN2. Both training protocols, combined with quercetin, controlled blood glucose levels and improved antioxidant capacity. Thus, the reduction in blood glucose through quercetin supplementation appears to be a promising approach for managing T2DM.

Sensitivity profile of carbapenem-resistant uropathogenic bacterial isolates to Cefiderocol

Leila Fozouni

Background: Cefiderocol is a siderophore cephalosporin with unique cell-penetrating abilities against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, especially carbapenem-resistant strains. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and susceptibility profiles of Cefiderocol on carbapenem-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates among hospitalized patients.
Methods: One hundred twenty-nine patients more than 72 h admitted to hospitals participated from Feb. 2021 to Dec. 2022. Urine samples were examined to identify uropathogenic K. pneumoniae and E. coli isolates based on microscopic morphology, cultural and biochemical methods. The carbapenemase production in the isolates was evaluated using modified Hodge tests and PCR. The MIC of Cefiderocol against carbapenemase-producing isolates was evaluated according to CLSI-2021 guidelines.
Results: According to phenotypic and genotypic tests, among forty-two E. coli isolates (71.19%) were carbapenemase positive, 38 isolates had the blaOXA gene (90.47%), and among twenty-four K. pneumoniae isolates 96% contained the blaKPC gene. In MIC determination 55.24% of carbapenem-resistant E. coli isolates were inhibited with ≤0.5 μg/ml of Cefiderocol, while only two strains (8.33%) of K. pneumoniae isolates showed resistance to the Cefiderocol (MIC90=2 μg/ml).
Conclusion: The present results demonstrate that the emergence of carbapenem-resistant uropathogenic bacteria poses a critical health threat to society. Based on the results, Cefiderocol demonstrated efficacy against carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates at low concentrations.

Comparative effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity interval training on CK/LDH/IL-6 markers in male goalball players with visual impairments

Farzaneh Taghian

Background: Goalball is a distinctive athletic activity tailored for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. It is aimed at promoting physical activity and preventing sedentary behavior. This study explores the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) on muscle damage and inflammation markers in goalball players over eight weeks.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 24 male goalball players were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group, a HIIT group, and a moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) group. The HIIT regimen involved intermittent running for 30 seconds at 100-200% of HRR, followed by 30 seconds of active recovery at 50% HRR. The MIIT protocol consisted of 25 minutes of training at 40-50% HRR, progressing to 30-35 minutes at 60-65% HRR over the last four weeks. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, with a significance threshold set at P-Value <0.05.
Results: The results displayed that HIIT and MIIT had a significant effect on the concentration of CK (P-Value < 0.001), LDH (P-Value < 0.001), and IL-6 (P-Value < 0.001). Also, compared to MIIT, HIIT caused a significant decrease in the concentration of CK (P-Value < 0.001), LDH (P-Value < 0.001), and IL-6 (P-Value < 0.001).
Conclusion: HIIT exerts a more pronounced effect on CK, LDH, and IL-6 concentrations than MIIT. These findings suggest that HIIT may be more effective in enhancing physiological markers in individuals with disabilities, promoting better health outcomes.

Prevalence of asthma and related symptoms among schoolchildren in Dezful city, Southwestern Iran

Abdolhussein Shakurnia

Background: Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease and a major public health problem globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms in schoolchildren in Dezful city, southwest Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study, the prevalence of asthma symptoms was measured using a randomized cluster sampling method among 2,978 schoolchildren aged 6-14 years. A validated questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used from January to February 2020. The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between variables, which were expressed as percentages, with a p‐value <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of asthma was 4.7% (CI=3.98 - 5.54), significantly higher among 13-14-year-olds compared to the 6-7-year-old age group (6.4% vs. 3.1%, p<0.001) and in males versus females (6.9% vs. 2.5%, p<0.001). The total prevalence of wheezing in the last year, the main symptom of asthma, was 7.2% (CI=6.31 - 8.20), significantly higher among 13-14-year-olds (8.4% vs. 6.1%, p<0.009) and male schoolchildren (9.6% vs. 4.7%, p<0.001).
Conclusion: According to our findings, and compared to the previous ISAAC study in Iran, the prevalence of asthma symptoms was relatively low among Dezful schoolchildren. Further epidemiological studies are needed to investigate factors affecting this disease, such as indoor and outdoor environments, as well as their effects on gene expression over time.

Monoamine neurotransmitters in breast cancer: Progression, immunomodulation, and therapeutic strategies

Saeed Mahdianipur

Monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, histamine, and adrenaline/noradrenaline (epinephrine/norepinephrine), are key neuromodulators in the nervous system that influence complex behavioral and cognitive functions. They also affect peripheral tissues and inflammation, playing a crucial role in the biology of various malignancies, including breast cancer, the most common cancer among women worldwide. These neurotransmitters are essential for mammary gland development and are linked to depression, a major breast cancer risk factor. Elevated levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines in depression may mediate neuroendocrine, neural, and immune pathways, affecting the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters. In the tumor microenvironment, serotonin and norepinephrine generally exhibit pro-tumorigenic effects, while dopamine has shown promising anti-tumor activity by enhancing immune responses. Histamine also shows potential in anti-tumor immunity, although its effects on breast cancer progression remain inconclusive. Research into the relationship between these neurotransmitters and breast cancer cell growth highlights their significant role in breast cancer biology and their potential in improving treatment outcomes. This review explores the role of monoamine neurotransmitters in breast cancer progression, their immunomodulatory functions, and the therapeutic potential of targeting these neurotransmitters. By analyzing these complex relationships, we aim to illuminate novel therapeutic strategies that could enhance the clinical management of breast cancer.