Erratum: Observation of the hyperfine spectrum of antihydrogen

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/nature23446.

Combined effect of gamma radiation and Perovskia atriplicifolia for the control of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

In order to explore an effective and safe pesticide that could be coupled up with irradiation method, the present study was conducted to determine the synergistic effects of gamma radiation with an essential oil from Perovskia atriplicifolia (Benth) on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) as a main stored-product pest. Adult insects were exposed to sub lethal doses of gamma radiation and P. atriplicifolia oil, and the mortality was assessed in a short time period after treatment. There was a significant synergistic effect of exposure to gamma radiation and essential oil on 1-7 days old adults of T. castaneum. The potential toxicity of the essential oil on irradiated adults at 900 Gy was synergistically increased. When irradiated adults were exposed to LD5, LD25 and LD50 values of the oil the mortality was increased 8.5, 13.0 and 16.0 times respectively. This combination of irradiation would have a low environmental impact and high compatibility with P. atriplicifolia.

Optimization and comparative characterization of neuraminidase activities from Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Hep-2 cell, sheep kidney and rat liver lysosome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The properties of neuraminidase produced by P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 during growth in a defined medium (BHI) was examined and compared with some neuraminidase features of K. pneumoniae in this investigation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The enzyme was isolated from concentrated culture supernatants of P. aeruginosa which was used in a sensitive fluorometric assay by using 2'-(4-methylumbelliferyl) α-D-N acetylneuraminic acid as substrate.

RESULTS

Neuraminidase production in P. aeruginosa PAO1 paralleled bacterial growth in defined medium (BHI) and was maximal in the late logarithmic phase of growth but decreased during the stationary phase, probably owing to protease production or thermal instability. Highest production of P. aeruginosa PAO1 neuraminidase was in BHI culture media. The neuraminidase of P. aeruginosa PAO1 possessed an optimum temperature of activity at 56°C and the activity was maximal at pH 5. Heating the enzyme to 56°C for 45 min., in the presence of bovine serum albumin destroyed 33.1% of it's activity and addition of Ca(+2), EDTA and NANA also decreased activity markedly.

CONCLUSION

The results revealed that the highest specific activity is for p. aeruginosa PAO1.

SiRNA/DOX lodeded chitosan based nanoparticles: Development, Characterization and in vitro evaluation on A549 lung cancer cell line

High-mobility group AT-hook2 (HMGA2), involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, has a pivotal role in lung cancer metastasis. Lung cancer therapy with HMGA2 suppressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been introduced recently while doxorubicin (DOX) has been used as a frequent cancer chemotherapy agent. Both reagents have been faced with obstacles in clinic which make them ineffective. NanoParticles (NPs) provided a platform for efficient co delivery of the anticancer drugs. The aim of this study was production and in vitro characterization of different pharmacological groups (siRNA, DOX or siRNA-DOX) of carboxymethyl dextran thrimethyl chitosan nanoparticles (CMDTMChiNPs) on cytotoxicity, gene expression, apoptosis and migration of metastatic lung cancer cell line (A-549). CMDTMChiNPs were synthesized and encapsulated with siRNA, DOX or siRNA-DOX. Then the effects of HMGA2 siRNA and DOX co delivery was assessed in A549 viability and target genes (HMGA2, Ecadherin, vimentin and MMP9) by MTT and real time PCR, respectively. In addition capability of apoptosis induction and anti-migratory features of formulated NPs were analyzed by flowcytometry and wound healing assays. SiRNA-DOX-CMDTM ChiNPs approximate size were 207±5 with poly dispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of 0.4 and 16.3±0.3, respectively. NPs loaded with DOX and siRNA were the most efficient drug formulations in A549 cell cytotoxicity, altering of EMT markers, apoptosis induction and migration inhibition. Generally our results showed that co delivery of HMGA2 siRNA and DOX by novel designed CMDTMChiNPs is a new therapeutic approach with great potential efficiency for lung cancer treatment.

Development of an evidence-based prosthodontic record: an action research study

This study sought to develop a database in the field of removable prosthodontics by using a participatory action research method. Data collection consisted of a comprehensive literature review, focus-group discussions, and interviews. Applying action research methods ensures consideration of the needs, perspectives, and expertise of academia in the design and implementation of an evidence/ research-based patient record, and academic educators are well placed to conduct such research.

Factors contributes to spontaneous abortion caused by Listeria monocytogenes, in Tehran, Iran, 2015

Spontaneous abortion is the loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy, when occurring naturally without any surgical or pharmaceutical intervention. On the other hand, Listeria monocytogenes, as one of the foodborne pathogens, is a causative agent of listeriosis. The transfer of L. monocytogenes in pregnant women occurs as self-limited flu-like symptoms which may result in abortion, stillbirth or premature birth of infected infants. The purpose of this study was the identification of Listeria monocytogenes risk factors in women with spontaneous abortion admitted to Tehran Province health care centers in 2015. In this cross-sectional study, 317 women were examined for L. monocytogenes using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the related risk factors. Two questionnaires on "L. monocytogenes Probable Risk Factors" and "Socio Economic Factors" were completed. Out of 317 samples of vaginal swabs, 54 (17%) isolates of L. monocytogenes were identified. In addition significant differences in terms of age of mother and her husband, mother and the husband&apos;s level of education , house prices, place of residence, gestational age of first abortion, gestational age of current abortion, gestational age of second abortion, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, consumption of feta and soft cheese, consumption of smoked see food products, consumption of processed meat products and half-cooked meat products, consumption of ready-to-eat vegetables, history of contact with domestic animals three month before pregnancy and during pregnancy and consumption of smoked meat products during pregnancy were studied between two groups of patients positive and negative with L. monocytogens (P < 0.001). Based on the study, the detection of L. monocytogens risk factor during pregnancy as well as taking the issue into account while giving information and counseling in pregnancy can be vital to reduce the incidence of this bacterium and subsequently its side effects during pregnancy.