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<jats:p>The article's abstract is not available.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: Serological diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis  (S. stercoralis) is frequently challenging because of cross-reactivity with other parasitic nematodes. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce novel serological tests with high performance to properly diagnose this neglected parasitic infection. The purpose of the current study was to design a multi-epitope construct for the diagnosis of S. stercoralis.&#x0D; Methods: For the purpose of this study, first, highly antigenic segments and potential immunodominant epitopes of S. stercoralis were identified from two antigenic proteins, and then all of the selected parts were linked by an appropriate linker. Next, the physico-chemical features of the designed construct were analyzed. Then, tertiary structures of the construct were built and evaluated to find out the best one. Lastly, the amino acid sequence was reverse-translated and optimized for over-expression in Escherchia coli (E. coli).&#x0D; Results: The bioinformatic evaluation indicated that the designed protein construct could be hydrophilic, thermostable, and acidic and the estimated half-life was more than 10 hr in E. coli.&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the designed construct could be used as an efficient antigen in the ELISA system for serological diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of very diverse viruses that cause a broad spectrum of diseases from mild to severe enteric, respiratory, systemic diseases, and common cold or pneumonia among humans and animals. This virus is associated with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and lung disease that lead to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). In December 2019, researchers identified a novel coronavirus type, called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), which was associated with symptoms of high fever, dry cough, headache, diarrhea, and reduction of White Blood Cells (WBC). Coronavirus-associated acute respiratory disease was named Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). No proven treatment has been discovered for COVID-19 so far, but researchers are trying to find the best effective way to treat this disease. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that facilitate the recovery of COVID-19 patients and reduce life-threatening complications are urgently needed now. Today, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and their secretion are utilized as one of the most applied tools to treat various diseases such as inflammation and cancer. MSC-derived vesicles are rich in various growth factors, cytokines, and interleukins that are produced and secreted under different physiological or pathological conditions. These vesicles were considered a suitable and effective tool in regeneration medicine because of their high power in repairing damaged tissues and modulating immune responses. Recently, evidence has shown MSC-derived vesicles through reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines could improve damaged tissues in COVID-19 patients. In addition to MSCs and MSC-derived exosomes, Natural Killer (NK) cells, T cells, and platelet lysates were used against viral infection. In this review, we tried to provide an overview of MSC secretion and immune cells for COVID-19 therapy.&#x0D;  </jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. Doxorubicin is an anthracycline used to treat breast cancer as the first treatment choice. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to Doxorubicin and its side effects are not comprehensively understood so far. We used systems biology and bioinformatics methods to identify essential genes and molecular mechanisms behind the body response to Doxorubicin and its side effects in breast cancer patients.&#x0D; Methods: Omics data were extracted and analyzed to construct the protein-protein interaction and gene regulatory networks. Network analysis was performed to identify hubs, bottlenecks, clusters, and regulatory motifs to evaluate crucial genes and molecular mechanisms behind the body response to Doxorubicin and its side effects.&#x0D; Results: Analyzing the constructed PPI and gene-TF-miRNA regulatory network showed that MCM3, MCM10, and TP53 are key hub-bottlenecks and seed proteins. Enrichment analysis also revealed cell cycle, TP53 signaling, Forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling, and viral carcinogenesis as essential pathways in response to this drug. Besides, SNARE interactions in vesicular transport and neurotrophin signaling were identified as pathways related to the side effects of Doxorubicin. The apoptosis induction, DNA repair, invasion inhibition, metastasis, and DNA replication are suggested as critical molecular mechanisms underlying Doxorubicin anti-cancer effect. SNARE interactions in vesicular transport and neurotrophin signaling and FoxO signaling pathways in glucose metabolism are probably the mechanisms responsible for side effects of Doxorubicin.&#x0D; Conclusion: Following our model validation using the existing experimental data, we recommend our other newly predicted biomarkers and pathways as possible molecular mechanisms and side effects underlying the response to Doxorubicin in breast cancer requiring further investigations.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: The high heritability of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has been estimated from different studies. Recently, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) show a large number of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) loci affecting susceptibility to RA. The rs934734 polymorphism in the SPRED2 gene is one of these loci. Studies have shown that the SPRED2 gene is involved in the regulation of inflammatory response, leukocyte infiltration, and local chemokine production. In the current study, the possible association between SNP rs934734 (intronic variant) in the SPRED2 gene with RA risk in the Iranian population was evaluated.&#x0D; Methods: One hundred fourteen RA patients and 120 healthy counterparts were recruited in this case-control study to evaluate rs934734 genotypes using the real-time PCR High Resolution Melting method (HRM).&#x0D; Results: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that GG and AG genotypes compared with AA genotype increase the risk of RA (GG vs. AA; OR=4.61; 95%CI [2.21-9.35]; p&lt;0.001 and AG vs. AA; OR=2.54; 95%CI [1.36-4.76]; p=0.004). Furthermore, subjects with allele G were more frequently affected with RA than subjects with A allele (OR=2.33; 95%CI [1.61-3.38]; p&lt;0.001). Besides, in the patient group, there was a significant correlation between Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration with rs934734 polymorphism (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Our findings suggest that rs934734 in SPRED2 strongly underlies RA development and is associated with clinicopathological characteristics of this disease.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: Non-syndromic cleft lip occurs by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in IRF6 and NSCL/P in an Iranian population.&#x0D; Methods: A group of 105 children with NSCL/P and 185 normal controls were included in the current study. Genotyping of IRF6 rs2013162 and rs2235375 was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.&#x0D; Results: A substantial association of AA and CA genotypes in rs2013162 with the risk of NSCL/P (AA vs. CC; OR=2.36; 95%CI [1.05-5.29], p=0.004; and CA vs. CC; OR=0.47; 95%CI [0.28-0.79], p=0.018) was found. However, there were no important associations between A allele and risk of NSCL/P (p=0.980). According to logistic regression analysis results, subjects with GG genotype and G allele in rs2235375 polymorphism had increased risk of NSCL/P.&#x0D; Conclusion: The IRF6 polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to NSCL/P in Iranian population.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip and Palate (NSCL/P) is a multifactorial birth defect. The world-wide prevalence of NSCL/P is 1 in 1000 live births; it differs with race, ethnicity and gender. The aim of the present study was to find out the status of candidate gene polymorphisms in NSCL/P cases and its association in phenotype of the patients.&#x0D; Methods: We have screened five polymorphisms in four candidate genes MTHFR (rs1801133, rs1801131) BMP4 (rs17563), TGFA (rs1146297) and IRF6 (rs2235371) by restriction fragment length polymorphism and results were validated by Sanger sequencing. Our dataset consists of 200 NSCL/P cases and 200 healthy controls from the Indian population. Statistical data analysis was performed by SPSS software.&#x0D; Results: MTHFR (rs1801133), BMP4 (rs175563) and TGFA (rs11466297) gene polymorphisms showed significant association with NSCL/P and act as a risk factor in the Indian population (p=&lt;0.05). However, MTHFR (rs1801131), and IRF6 (rs2235371) gene polymorphisms did not show significant association with NSCL/P in the Indian population.&#x0D; Conclusion: The result of the study suggests an association between MTHFR (rs1801133), BMP4 (rs175563) and TGFA (rs11466297) polymorphisms with NSCL/P in Indian population.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: Growing evidence supports that changes in the methylation state of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-associated genes could significantly alter levels of gene expression, potentially contributing to disease onset and progression. We supposed that alterations in DNA methylation status at promoter region within the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) gene in intestinal tissues may be involved in the susceptibility to Crohn's Disease (CD).&#x0D; Methods: DNA methylation status in the promoter region of the human SOCS3 gene of intestinal tissues from 15 patients with CD and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were profiled using the real-time Quantitative Multiplex Methylation Specific PCR (QM-MSP) assay.&#x0D; Results: Based on methylation assay data profiling, we found that patients with CD showed a higher degree of methylation of the SOCS3 gene promoter region than did the healthy controls (unmethylated DNA in CD vs. healthy controls; 0.00048±0.0011 vs. 0.07±0.142, p&lt;0.000).&#x0D; Conclusion: The data presented here demonstrate that aberrant methylation of the CpG islands within promoter regions of SOCS3 gene in colonic mucosa of CD was associated with mucosal inflammatory status, providing insights into the involvement of methylation could contribute to the initiation of the inflammatory process and development of CD.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: An increasing number of studies have suggested that unveiling the molecular network of miRNAs may provide novel therapeutic targets or biomarkers. In this study, we investigated the probable molecular functions that are related to microRNA-802 (miR-802) and evaluated its prognostic value in breast cancer utilizing bioinformatics tools.&#x0D; Methods: PPI network, pathway enrichment and transcription factor analysis were applied to obtain hub genes among overlapping genes of four miRNA target prediction databases. Prognosis value assessments and expression analysis of hub genes using bioinformatics tools, as well as their literature validation were performed. &#x0D; Results: Our results showed a significant correlation of the miR-802 overexpression with poor patient survival rate (BC, p=2.7e-5). We determined 247 target genes significant for GO and KEGG terms. Analysis of TFs by TRUST showed that RUNX3, FOXO3, and E2F1 are possible TFs that regulate the miR-802 expression and target genes network. According to our analysis; 21 genes might have an important function in miR-802 molecular processes and regulatory networks. The result shows that among these 21 genes, 8 genes (CASC3, ITGA4, AGO3, TARDBP, MED13L, SF1, SNRPE and CRNKL1) are positively correlated with patient survival. Therefore these genes could be considered and experimentally evaluated as a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer.&#x0D; Conclusion: The comprehensive bioinformatics study on miR-802 target genes provided insight into miR-802 mediated pathways and processes. Furthermore, representing candidate target genes by prognostic values indicates the potential clinical application of miR-802 in breast cancer.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Background: Adjuvants are essential to potentiate the immune response to inoculated antigens and play a central role in vaccine development. Alum is generally used as a classic adjuvant, although it does not stimulate proper immunity, and some of the immunized subjects have low or no antibody response. Efforts have been continued to find more efficient adjuvants for better antibody responses. In the present study, the efficacy of three formulations of adjuvants, i.e. Cysteine p Guanine Oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN), alum, and Freund, in the production of monoclonal anti Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) antibodies was investigated.&#x0D; Methods: To immunize mice, regular hepatitis B vaccine containing recombinant HBsAg and alum was used with CpG ODN or Freund adjuvants, and splenocytes of hyperimmunized mice were fused with murine myeloma Sp2/0 cells. Positive hybridomas were selected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) using HBsAg as coating antigen followed by a limited dilution process.&#x0D; Results: The results showed that by using all three formulations of adjuvants, monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to HBsAg was successfully generated. It was also found that the mice immunized with (HBsAg + Alum) + CpG had the highest concentration of antibody production in serum and hybridoma supernatants as well as positive clones. Based on these findings, the addition of CpG ODN also induced a higher antibody response compared with Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA).&#x0D; Conclusion: Results of this study showed that CpG and Freund adjuvants could be efficient partners for alum in the immunization period of the process of monoclonal antibody production.</jats:p>