Interdisciplinary Collaboration between Bench and Bedside in the COVID-19 Pandemic

en 37034888 Interdisciplinary Collaboration between Bench and Bedside in the COVID-19 Pandemic The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 on 11 March 2020 1. SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the human respiratory system cells. Nonetheless, it has been revealed that other systems, such as the gastrointestinal tract, kidney system, liver, pancreas, eyes, and brain are affected by the virus 2. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has about 79% and 50% similarity to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV 3. However, it caused millions due to the extremely high transmission rate. The complexity of COVID-19 treatment strategies, as compared to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, led to a global crisis. As of February 2023, more than 750 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 6.8 million deaths have been reported (https://covid19.who.int/). Extremely high rates of death along with no definitive treatment prompted governments and health institutes around the world to establish strict health and social guidelines and develop and mass-produce COVID-19 vaccines in a very short amount of time, leading to a stark reduction in mortality and morbidity due to COVID-19. The experience from COVID-19 containment and vaccination highlights the important role of interdisciplinary collaboration between bench (virologist, immunologist, epidemiologist, etc.) and bedside (healthcare providers and clinicians) 4. Interdisciplinarity is generally defined as when different disciplines investigate a shared topic/object from different perspectives so that each discipline accents a different aspect of that topic. One of the successful interdisciplinary example is the collaboration between psychiatry and neuroscience 5-10. We, herein, use the example of the COVID-19 pandemic and its containment using vaccination and clinical guidelines to highlight the role of collaboration between basic and clinical sciences. Various disciplines, such as clinicians, virologists, immunologist, epidemiologists, physicists, and economists have collaborated closely to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the diagnostic tests for confirmation of COVID-19 by clinicians were developed and produced by virologists, whereas clinicians deal with how the virus affect the organs of the human host. Clinicians and immunologists investigated new mechanisms of damage to the lungs and blood clotting in patients with COVID-19, and existing interventions were modified to handle the new virus. While the clinicians were saving lives in hospitals, preventive measures were implemented by epidemiologists and politicians to impede the most probable routes of transmission. These measures included wearing face masks, washing hands, coughing into elbows, avoiding handshakes, and social distancing. In this regard, physicists investigated what distance would be enough, given the behavior of fluids, to block the transmission of virus. On the other hand, biomedical researchers at research institutes and pharmaceutical companies produced the fastest-developed vaccines in history. Multiple vaccines with different mechanisms of action, such as messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, vector vaccine, and protein subunit vaccine were generated in a short period of time, mass-produced, and distributed among the population 11. Vaccination of the population led to a stark decrease in mortality and morbidity. In addition to vaccines, several pharmacological interventions such as remdesivir and convalescent plasma were crafted by biomedical researchers, which significantly helped clinicians in their fight against COVID-19. These experiences confirm that close collaboration between different disciplines helped the community to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic with the least possible cost, mortality, and morbidity. 66 67 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60531 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60531.pdf HosseinSanjari Moghaddam Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran91995ShahinAkhondzadeh739

en 37034891 Cell Surface Vimentin Detection in Cancer Cells by Peptide-Based Monoclonal Antibody Background: Vimentin is a prominent Intermediate Filaments (IFs) protein expressed in different mesenchymal origin cell types. Besides a wide range of cellular function roles associated with vimentin expression, its dysregulation and cell surface expression in the induction of malignancy properties have been reported extensively, making it a promising cancer-specific target. Therefore, this study aimed to generate and characterize anti-vimentin monoclonal antibodies. Methods: A 14-mer synthetic peptide from vimentin was conjugated to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) and used for immunization of Blab/C mice and monoclonal production by conventional hybridoma technology. The monoclonal antibody was purified using affinity chromatography of supernatants from the selected hybridoma cells. ELISA, Immunoprecipitation-Western blotting (IP-WB), Immunocytochemistry (ICC), and flow cytometry were employed to characterize the produced monoclonal antibody in terms of interaction with vimentin immunizing peptide as well as vimentin protein. Results: Amid the several obtained producing anti-vimentin antibody hybridomas, the 7C11-D9 clone (IgG1 isotype with kappa light chain) showed higher reactivity with the immunizing peptide, and led to its selection for purification and characterization. The purified antibody could detect vimentin protein in IP-WB, ICC and flow cytometry of the normal and cancerous cells with different origin. No vimentin expression was found in normal healthy Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC). Conclusion: Taken together, 7C11-D9 anti-vimentin monoclonal antibody might be used as immune diagnostic or immune therapeutic tool where detection or targeting of vimentin in a wide range of organisms is required. Antibody, Cancer, Peptide, Targeted therapy, Vimentin 68 75 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60532 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60532.pdf NiloufarSadeghiMonoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran41592GhazalehFazliMonoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran71828Ali AhmadBayat Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran835RaminasadatFatemi Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran91998NasimEbrahimnejhad Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran91999AliSalimiMonoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran352OmidZarei190HodjattallahRabbani24

en 37034892 Effects of Dental Pulp Stem Cell Preconditioning on Osteogenesis using Conditioned Media of Probiotics Bacteria Background: Stem cells are used to treat numerous diseases; however, their lifespan is rather short. Factors such as probiotics affect and improve various cell lineage efficacies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotics-conditioned media on dental pulp stem cell potentials in osteogenesis. Methods: The experiment was initiated by culturing Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics as well as DPS-7 cells. Bacterial supernatants were separated and concentrated as the conditioned media. The DPS-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of the conditioned media. Furthermore, MTT assay and alkaline phosphatase activity were used. The mRNA expression of three genes (bFGF, EGF-β and BMP-2) involved in osteogenesis was analyzed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The response of dental pulp stem cells to probiotics preconditioning promoted cell proliferation, increased alkaline phosphatase activity and upregulated bFGF and BMP-2 gene expression. Increased expression was significant for BMP-2 and moderate for bFGF; however, it was non-significant for EGF-β. The use of the two probiotics was the most effective. Conclusion: In general, synergism of the combined probiotics preconditioning induces differentiation of DPS-7 cells into osteoblasts most effectively. Dental caries, Osteogenesis, Probiotics, Stem cells 76 83 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60533 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60533.pdf FatemehAminiSchool of Dentistry, Shahed University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran91898Mohammad BagherRezvaniDepartment of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran92001RonakBakhtiariDepartment of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran92002ElhamTabatabaei Ghomsheh 92003

en 37034887 Targeted Overexpression of NDRG2 using Survivin Promoter Reduces Viability and Invasiveness of A549 Cell Line Background: Anti-tumor effects of N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene2 (NDRG2) have been demonstrated in many tumors. In the present study, NDRG2 was specifically overexpressed in lung cancer cell line using Survivin Promoter (Sur-P). Then, the effects of NDRG2 overexpression on viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of A549 cells were evaluated. Methods: Recombinant pAdenoVator-Sur-P-NDRG2-IRES-GFP plasmid harboring NDRG2 gene under transcriptional control of Sur-P and mock plasmid were constructed. A549 lung tumor cells and LX-2 cells (non-tumor cell line) were transfected with pAdenoVator-Sur-P-NDRG2-IRES-GFP, pAdenoVator-CMV-NDRG2-IRES-GFP, or mock plasmids. Tumor specificity of Sur-P was evaluated using fluorescent microscopy for GFP expression. The effects of NDRG2 overexpression on cell viability, apoptosis, and migration of A549 cells were measured using MTT, annexinV/7-AAD flow cytometry, and transwell migration assay, respectively. NDRG2 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression were measured using real time- PCR. Results: pAdenoVator-Sur-P-NDRG2-IRES-GFP transfection resulted in a huge GFP expression in A549 cells, but not in LX-2 cells. The results of real time-PCR analysis also showed that pAdenoVator-Sur-P-NDRG2-IRES-GFP transfection led to an abundant NDRG2 expression in A549 cells. NDRG2 overexpression decreased A549 cell viability through increasing cell apoptosis. In addition, migration, invasion, and MMP-2 expression decreased following NDRG2 overexpression in A549 cells. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the targeted overexpression of NDRG2 using Sur-P can reduce the viability and invasiveness of A549 cells, suggesting possible benefits of this approach in lung cancer therapy. A549 cells, Apoptosis, Lung cancer, Matrix metalloproteinase 2, Metastasis, Survivin 84 90 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60534 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60534.pdf MaryamFanianDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China31557GholamrezaRafiei Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran92005MarziehAlizadeh ZareiDivision of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran92006Mohammad AliTakhshidDiagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, Shiraz, Iran986

en 37034889 Is Formulary of Maranta Arundinacea Clarias Gariepinus (F-MaCg) a Potential Immunostimulant? Background: External factors have the potential to act as immunostimulants in order to influence the body's protection from many foreign antigens. We intended to investigate the ethanol extract Formulary of F-MaCg effect as an immunostimulant.  Methods: A purely experimental with a completely randomized design was used on twenty-four white male rats. They were divided into four groups:1) G0 [given aquades (5 ml)]; 2) G1 [given F-MaCg-75 mg/gr BW (Body Weight)]; 3) G2 (F-MaCg -150 mg/gr plus Hepatitis B vaccine at the beginning and the end of treatment); and 4) G3 (F-MaCg -300 mg/gr BW plus hepatitis B vaccine at the end of treatment). The rat's spleen lymphocyte blast transformation was evaluated on the 15th and 37th days. Lymphocytes were examined using microtetrazolium assays. Optical Density (OD) was measured using an ELISA reader [493 nμ (nanomicro)]. Observation of lymphocyte viability by a counting chamber using a light microscope and trypan blue 1 % before being cultured with Phytohaemoaglutinin. Results: Lymphocyte cell viability in the hepatitis B vaccine-induced group on the 15th day showed the highest average value in the G2 (1,484/mcl of blood); on the 37th day, it was in G3 (1,578/mcl of blood). The proliferative activity of spleen lymphocytes indicated by the difference in the OD values of the four treatment groups was 0.467, 0.913, 1.619, and 1.473 nμ, respectively. Histological observations of the spleen showed differences at all given formulary dose concentrations.  Conclusion: F-MaCg could be an immunostimulant because of its ability to trigger a cellular immune response. Adjuvant, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Immunologic, Lymphocyte activation, Lymphocytes, Male, Plant extracts, Rats 91 99 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60535 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60535.pdf ZulkifliZulkifliFaculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia92008DarmawiDarmawiDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia92010SaidUsmanDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia92011KurniaFitri Jamil 92009

en 37034894 Development of a High Sensitive Multiplex Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) System for Rapid Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a worldwide concern as an epidemic bacterium and a cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. One of the major problems in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by MRSA strains is their multi-drug resistant trait, which causes the spread of infections and increases the mortality rate. Therefore, a rapid and accurate method is needed to identify MRSA strains, initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy, and control its infection. The aim of this study was to develop a twin lateral flow immunoassay system to detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods: First, BSA blocked AuNPs-anti-peptidoglycan antibody and AuNPs-anti-BSA antibody were used to detect Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Then, AuNPs-anti-PBP2a antibody was used to specifically detect MRSA. Sensitivity, specificity and limit of detection of this twin immunoassay system were assessed using MRSA, methicillin susceptible S. aureus and clinical samples. Results were compared to those of cefoxitin disc diffusion (FOX30) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as gold standards. Results: The Limit of Detection (LOD) of this twin system were 103 and 104 CFU/ml for the first and second strips, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of this innovative assay in detecting MRSA were 92.30 and 97.36%, compared to FOX30 and PCR, respectively. Conclusion: High rates of sensitivity and specificity of this initiative system show its high potentials for rapid and accurate detection of MRSA. Diagnostic, Methicillin-Resistant, Nanoparticles, Reagent kits, Staphylococcus aureus 100 107 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60536 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60536.pdf MasoomehAminiDepartment of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran92012Mohammad RezaPourmand 92013RezaFaridi-Majidi 92014

en 37034893 Study of DACH1 Expression and its Epigenetic Regulators as Possible Breast Cancer-Related Biomarkers Background: Breast carcinogenesis involves both genetic and epigenetic changes. DNA methylation, as well as micro-RNA regulations, are the significant epigenetic phenomena dysregulated in breast cancer. Herein, the expression of DACH1 as a tumor suppressor gene and its promoter methylation status was analyzed in breast cancer tumors. Also, the expression of three micro RNAs (miR-217, miR-6807-3p, and miR-552), which had been previously reported to target DACH1, was assessed.  Methods: The SYBR green-based Real-Time reverse transcription-PCR was used to determine DACH1 and micro-RNAs (miR-217, miR-6807-3p, and miR-552) expression in 120 ductal breast cancer tumors compared with standard control. Also, the promoter methylation pattern of DACH1 was investigated using the Methylation-specific PCR technique. Results: DACH1 expression was significantly down-regulated in breast tumors (p< 0.05). About 33.5% of tumors showed DACH1 promoter hyper-methylation. The studied micro-RNAs, expression was negatively correlated with DACH1 expression. The highest expressions of miRNAs and higher DACH1 promoter methylation were observed in advanced cancer situations. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that the overall survival was significantly poor in higher miRNAs and lower DACH1 expression in breast cancer patients (p<0.002). Conclusion: DACH1 down-regulation may be associated with a poor breast cancer prognosis. The DACH1 down-regulation may be due to epigenetic regulations such as promoter methylation, especially in triple-negative cases. Other factors, such as micro-RNAs (miR-217, miR-6807-3p, and miR-552), may also have an impact. The elevated expression of miR-217, miR-6807-3p, and miR-552, maybe candidates as possible poor prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer management for further consideration. Breast cancer, DACH1, Methylation, miR-217, miR-552, miR-6807-3p 108 117 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60537 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60537.pdf Mohammad HosseinNasirpourDepartment of Medical Genetics, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), , Tehran, Iran92029MahdiehSalimi741FaezehMajidiDepartment of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran92030ZarrinMinuchehrInstitute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology (IIEB), National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran494HosseinMozdaraniDepartment of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran321

en 37034895 Human T2R38 Bitter Taste Receptor Expression and COVID-19: From Immunity to Prognosis Background: Bitter taste-sensing type 2 receptor (T2Rs or TAS2Rs) found on ciliated epithelial cells and solitary chemosensory cells have a role in respiratory tract immunity. T2Rs have shown protection against SARS-CoV-2 by enhancing the innate immune response. The purpose of this review is to outline the current sphere of knowledge regarding this association. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was done by searching (T2R38 OR bitter taste receptor) AND (COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2) keywords in PubMed and google scholar. Results: T2R38, an isoform of T2Rs encoded by the TAS2R38 gene, may have a potential association between phenotypic expression of T2R38 and prognosis of COVID-19. Current studies suggest that due to different genotypes and widespread distributions of T2Rs within the respiratory tract and their role in innate immunity, treatment protocols for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases may change accordingly. Based on the phenotypic expression of T2R38, it varies in innate immunity and host response to respiratory infection, systemic symptoms and hospitalization. Conclusion: This review reveals that patients’ innate immune response to SARS-COV-2 could be influenced by T2R38 receptor allelic variations. Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs), Coronavirus disease, COVID-19, Infection, T2R38 118 123 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60538 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60538.pdf LakshmiDeepak Bethineedi Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India92022HediyehBaghsheikhi USERN Office, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran92016AfsanehSoltani USERN Office, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran92017ZahedehMafi USERN Office, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran92018NooshaSamieefarUSERN Office, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran92019Shaikh SanjidSeraj Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, Walsall Manor Hospital, Walsall, United Kingdom92020Mohammad AminKhazeei Tabari USERN Office, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran92021

en 37034890 Analysis of SLC26A4 Gene in Individuals with Non Syndromic Hearing Impairment in Relation with GJB2 Associated Mutations Background: Hearing Loss (HL) is the most common sensory disorder. HL commonly ranges from mild to severe. Persons with HL face difficulty in hearing conversations or sounds through one ear or both ears, which impacts one’s ability to interact with others. Hence it is a communicable disorder that makes people socially isolated, lonely, and frustrated. HL in children severely affects language development. The people who are referred to as 'Deaf' with very little or no hearing capabilities, are considered as having profound hearing loss. More than 124 genes are causative for Non-Syndromic HL (NSHL) with varying inheritance, among which the SLC26A4 mutations are the second commonest cause of hereditary HL across the globe. Methods: Samples from 70 NSHL patients were analyzed through Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and generated five pathogenic variants [N246fs (rs918684449), K564fs (rs746427774), F122fs, V239D (rs111033256), T721M (rs121908363)] each with frequency of 1.42%. Three missense variants [S399P (rs747431002), L597S (rs55638457), and G6V (rs111033423)] were reported under the "uncertain" category. All the collected samples were further genotyped to look for the possibility of having GJB2 and HL-associated mutations. Results: Out of five SLC26A4 pathogenic mutations N246fs (rs918684449) and K564fs (rs746427774) were observed in samples which were positive for GJB2-HL associated candidate mutations [W24X (rs104894396), Q124X (rs397516874) and W77X (rs80338944)]. Similarly, pathogenic variants F122fs, V239D (rs111033256) and T721M (rs121908363) were observed in patient samples which were negative for GJB2-HL associated mutations. Conclusion: Our data will expand the list of variants underlying NSHL and encourage further genotype SLC26A4 gene concerning the south Indian population with a large sample size. Child, Genotype, Hearing loss, High-throughput nucleotide sequencing, Humans, Mutation 124 127 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=60539 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/60539.pdf KrishnaRajalakshmi School of Rehabilitation and Behavioral Sciences, VMRF (DU) Aarupadai Veedu Medical College Pondicherry, , India, India92023JayakumarThirunavukkarasuDepartment of Speech-Language Sciences, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India92024MeenuAmbika Vikraman Department of Audiology Taluk Head Quarters Hospital, Kottarakara India , Kerala, India92025SantoshMaruthy Department of Speech-Language Sciences, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India92026CharlesSylvester Unit for Human Genetics, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India92027RajeshKundapur 92028