Small heat shock protein genes of the green algae <i>Closterium ehrenbergii</i>: Cloning and differential expression under heat and heavy metal stresses

Abassi, Sofia,Wang, Hui,Ponmani, Thangaraj,Ki, Jang‐,Seu John Wiley Sons, Inc. 2019 Environmental toxicology Vol.34 No.9

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>The freshwater green algae <I>Closterium ehrenbergii</I> has been considered as a model for eco‐toxicological assessment in aquatic systems. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a class of highly conserved proteins produced in all living organisms, which participate in environmental stress responses. In the present study, we determined the cDNA sequences of small heat shock protein 10 (<I>sHSP10</I>) and <I>sHSP17.1</I> from <I>C. ehrenbergii</I>, and examined the physiological changes and transcriptional responses of the genes after exposure to thermal shock and toxicants treatments. The open reading frame (ORF) of <I>CeHSP10</I> was 300 bp long, encoding 99 amino acid (aa) residues (10.53 kDa) with a GroES chaperonin conserved site of 22 aa. The <I>CeHSP17.1</I> had a 468 bp ORF, encoding 155 aa with a conserved C‐terminal α‐crystallin domain. For heat stress, cells presented pigment loss and possible chloroplast damage, with an up‐regulation in the expression of both <I>sHSP10</I> and <I>sHSP17.1</I> genes. As for the heavy metal stressors, an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species was registered in a dose dependent manner, with a significant up‐regulation of both <I>sHSP10</I> and <I>sHSP17.1</I> genes. These results suggest that <I>sHSP</I> genes in <I>C. ehrenbergii</I> may play a role in responses to stress environments, and they could be used as an early detection parameter as biomarker genes in molecular toxicity assessments.</P>

A Novel Cyclophilin B Gene in the Red Tide Dinoflagellate <i> Cochlodinium polykrikoides</i> : Molecular Characterizations and Transcriptional Responses to Environmental Stresses

Abassi, Sofia,Wang, Hui,Park, Bum Soo,Park, Jong-Woo,Ki, Jang-Seu Hindawi 2017 BioMed research international Vol.2017 No.-

<P>The marine dinoflagellate<I> Cochlodinium polykrikoides</I> is one of the most common ichthyotoxic species that causes harmful algal blooms (HABs), which leads to ecological damage and huge economic loss in aquaculture industries. Cyclophilins (CYPs) belong to the immunophilin superfamily, and they may play a role in the survival mechanisms of the dinoflagellate in stress environments. In the present study, we identified a novel cyclophilin gene from<I> C. polykrikoides</I> and examined physiological and gene transcriptional responses to biocides copper sulphate (CuSO<SUB>4</SUB>) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). The full length of<I> CpCYP</I> was 903 bp, ranging from the dinoflagellate splice leader (DinoSL) sequence to the polyA tail, comprising a 639 bp ORF, a 117 bp 5′-UTR, and a 147 bp 3′-UTR. Motif and phylogenetic comparisons showed that CpCYP was affiliated to group B of CYP. In biocide stressors, cell counts, chlorophyll <I>a</I>, and photosynthetic efficiency (<I>Fv</I>/<I>Fm</I>) of<I> C. polykrikoides</I> were considerably decreased in both exposure time- and dose-dependent manners. In addition,<I> CpCYP</I> gene expression was significantly induced after 24 h exposure to the biocide-treated stress conditions. These results indicate an effect of the biocides on the cell physiology and expression profile of<I> CpCYP</I>, suggesting that the gene may play a role in environmental stress responses.</P>

A new nano-ZnO/perlite as an efficient catalyst for catalytic ozonation of azo dye

Soheila Shokrollahzadeh,Masoud Abassi,Maryam Ranjbar 대한환경공학회 2019 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.24 No.3

In this investigation, nano ZnO was sonochemically synthesized by a novel method using a methionine precursor. A narrow size distribution (41-50 ㎚) of nano ZnO was achieved that was immobilized on perlite and applied as a catalyst in catalytic ozonation. The catalyst was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, BET surface area, and field emission scanning electron microscope. The ozonation of recalcitrant Remazol black 5 (RB5) di-azo dye solution by means of the synthesized catalyst was investigated in a bubble column slurry reactor. The influence of pH values (7, 9, 11), catalyst dosage (8, 12, 15, 20 g L<SUP>−1</SUP>) and reaction time (10, 20, 30, 60 min) was investigated. Although the dye color was completely removed by single ozonation at a higher reaction time, the applied nanocatalyst improved the dye declorination kinetics. Also, the degradation of the hazardous aromatic fraction of the dye was enhanced five-times by catalytic ozonation at a low reaction time (10 min) and a neutral pH. The second-order kinetics was best fitted in terms of both RB5 color and its aromatic fraction removal. The total organic carbon analysis indicated a significant improvement in the mineralization of RB5 by catalytic ozonation using the nano-ZnO/perlite catalyst.

Active Lifestyle Is Linked With Proper Sleep Quality in Older Adults Living Nursing Homes

Kushkestani Mehdi,Parvani Mohsen,Abassi Atiyeh,Moghadassi Mahsa,Rezaie Sohrab 대한수면학회 2024 sleep medicine research Vol.15 No.2

Background and Objective Sleep disorders are a significant concern among older adults. Study Objective: This research aims to explore the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality among elderly residents of nursing homes.Methods The study involved 119 individuals aged 65 years and above, residing in nursing homes in Tehran. Demographic information was collected and recorded, followed by measurements of body composition, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices including weight, body mass index, height, waist circumferences, and hip circumferences. Digital scales from OMRON, an OMRON M2 blood pressure monitor, and a measuring tape were used for these measurements. Physical activity and sleep quality were assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively.Results Pearson correlation analysis revealed an inverse relationship between age and sleep quality (p = 0.003) as well as its components: subjective (p = 0.017), latency (p = 0.001), disturbance (p = 0.020), and dysfunction (p = 0.026). Conversely, a direct and significant correlation was observed between physical activity levels and sleep quality (p = 0.003), along with its components: subjective (p = 0.001), latency (p = 0.001), and disturbance (p = 0.003). Moreover, a positive and significant connection was found between diastolic blood pressure and subjective sleep quality (p = 0.024).Conclusions The study’s results underscore that physical activity serves as a non-pharmacological and cost-effective approach for enhancing sleep quality and averting related complications in elderly individuals.

Efficacy of High Dose Radiotherapy in Post-operative Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiform - A Single Institution Report

Pashaki, Abdolazim Sedighi,Hamed, Ehsan Akbari,Mohamadian, Kamal,Abassi, Mohammad,Safaei, Afsane Maddah,Torkaman, Tayebe Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Background: Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is a highly aggressive tumor with median survival of approximately 14 months. Management consists of maximal surgical resection followed by post-operative chemoradiation with concurrent then adjuvant temozolamide. The standard radiotherapy dose is 60Gy in 2-Gy fractions recommended by the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG). With the vast majority of tumor recurrences occurring within the previous irradiation field and the poor outcome associated with standard therapy, regimens designed to deliver higher radiation doses to improve local control and enhance survival are needed. In this study, we report a single institutional experience in treatment of 68 consecutive patients with GBM, treated with resection, and given post-operative radiotherapy followed by concurrent and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Of the 80 patients who entered this study, 68 completed the treatment course; 45 (66.2%) males and 23 (33.8%) females with a mean age at diagnosis of $49.0{\pm}12.9$ (21-75) years. At a median follow up of 19 months, 39 (57.3%) patients had evidence of tumor progression and 36 (52.9%) had died. The median over all survival for all patients was 16 months and progression free survival for all patients was 6.02 months. All potential prognostic factors were analyzed to evaluate their effects on overall survival. Age ${\leq}50$ year, concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy and extent of surgery had significant p values. We found lower progression rate among patients who received higher doses of radiotherapy (>60Gy). Higher radiation doses improved progression free survival (p=0.03). Despite increasing overall survival, this elevation was not significant. Conclusions: This study emphasize that higher radiation doses of (>60Gy) can improve local control and potentially survival, so we strongly advise prospective multi centric studies to evaluate the role of higher doses of radiotherapy on GBM patient outcome.