Background: In the biological method, using nonpathogenic and extremophile bacteria systems are not only safe and highly efficient but also a trump card for synthesizing nanoparticles. Halomonas elongata QW6 IBRC-M 10,214 (He10214) and Salinicoccus iranensis IBRC-M 10,198 (Si10198), indigenous halophilic bacteria, can be used for synthesizing selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Methods: SeNP biosynthesis was optimized in two halophilic bacteria and characterized by UV–Vis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Results: Optimized conditions for synthesizing SeNPs was at 300 °C at 150 rpm for 72 h and 6 mM or 8 mM concentration of Na₂SeO₃. UV–Vis indicated a sharp absorption peak at 294 nm. Spherical-shaped nanoparticles by a diameter of 30–100 nm were observed in FESEM and TEM microscopy images. The produced SeNPs were identified by a peak in FTIR spectra. In XRD analysis, the highest peak diffraction had a relationship with SeNPs. The zeta potential analysis showed SeNP production, and elemental selenium was confirmed by EDX. Conclusions: Halophilic bacteria, owing to easy manipulation to create optimization conditions and high resistance, could serve as appropriate organisms for the bioproduction of nanoparticles. The biological method, due to effectiveness, flexibility, biocompatibility, and low cost, could be used for the synthesis of reproducible and stable nanoparticles.

Aims The use of cyanobacterial cell extracts for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles seems to be superior to other methods of synthesis as a green, environmentally friendly, and low-cost approach. In the present study, the cell extract of a newly characterized cyanobacterial strain Desertifilum sp. EAZ03 was used for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-cancer activities of the biosynthesized ZnO NPs (hereinafter referred to as CED-ZnO NPs) were examined as well. Methods and Results The UV-Vis spectroscopy of the CED-ZnO NPs showed an absorbance band at 364 nm, and powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the purity of the synthesized nanoparticles. The analysis of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that CED-ZnO NPs are rod-shaped with a size of 88 nm. The study of the biological features of CED-ZnO NPs showed a significant antimicrobial potential against the bacterial strains tested. CED-ZnO NPs were able to impede the biofilm formation by S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa up to 80%, 89%, and 85%, respectively. The nanoparticles also showed 69%, 70%, and 62% degrading activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa one-day-old biofilms, respectively. The anti-biofilm activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). MTT assay showed that the CED-ZnO NPs, at a concentration of 100 μg/ml, had less cytotoxicity towards normal lung (MRC-5) cells, at the half, compared to cancerous lung alveolar epithelial (A549) cells. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) values of CED-ZnO NPs against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus were 1500, 2000, 32 μg/ml, and 2500, 3500, 64 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusions The multifunctional CED-ZnO NPs seem promising for possible applications in the therapeutic and pharmaceutical industries. Significance and Impact of the Study The present study proposes a new approach for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using a newly characterized cyanobacterial strain Desertifilum sp. EAZ03. The considerable antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anticancer activities of the biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles further emphasize the emerging role of microbial systems in the green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and P2X7 receptor are crucial for host defence against mycobacterial infections. Recent studies have indicated that IFN-γ, IFN-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1) andP2X7 gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). However, the relationship between IFN-γ and P2X7 polymorphism and TB susceptibility remains inconclusive in Iranian population. For this reason, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFN-γ (G+2109A), IFN-γR1 (G-611A) and P2X7 genes (at –762, 1513 position) in patients (n = 100) were assessed using PCR-RFLP. Data were analysed with SPSS version 18. For the 2109 loci of IFN-γ gene, the frequency of mutant alleles between patients and controls were not statistically significant. However, there was a significant difference between the TB patient and controls for –611 alleles of IFN-γR1 (P = 0.01). Additionally, the frequency of P2X7 gene polymorphisms (SNP-762 and 1513) between patients and controls was statistically significant. In conclusions, our study revealed a significant association of IFN-γR1 and P2X7 genes polymorphisms with risk of developing TB in Iranian population.

Background: Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 7 (Mda-7) encodes IL-24, which can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. A novel gene therapy approach to treat deadly brain tumors, recombinant mda-7 adenovirus (Ad/mda-7) efficiently kills glioma cells. In this study, we investigated the factors affecting cell survival and apoptosis and autophagy mechanisms that destroy glioma cells by Ad/IL-24. Methods: Human glioblastoma U87 cell line was exposed to a multiplicity of infections of Ad/IL-24. Antitumor activities of Ad/IL-24 were assessed by cell proliferation (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release analysis. Using flow cytometry, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were investigated. Using the ELISA method, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level was determined as an apoptosis-promoting factor and Survivin level as an anti-apoptotic factor. The expression levels of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand(TRAIL) and P38 MAPK genes were assessed by the Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT‑qPCR) method. The expression levels of caspase-3 and protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II) proteins were analyzed by flow cytometry as intervening factors in the processes of apoptosis and autophagy in the cell death signaling pathway, respectively. Results: The present findings demonstrated that transduction of IL-24 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis in glioblastoma. Compared with cells of the control groups, Ad/IL24-infected U87 cells exhibited significantly increased elevated caspase-3, and TNF-α levels, while the survivin expression was decreased. TRAIL was shown to be upregulated in tumor cells after Ad/IL-24 infection and studies of the apoptotic cascade regulators indicate that Ad/IL-24 could further enhance the activation of apoptosis through the TNF family of death receptors. In the current study, we demonstrate that P38 MAPK is significantly activated by IL-24 expression. In addition, the overexpression of mda-7/IL-24 in GBM cells induced autophagy, which was triggered by the upregulation of LC3-II. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the antitumor effect of IL-24 on glioblastoma and may be a promising therapeutic approach for GBM cancer gene therapy.

This study investigated the microbial diversity in a laboratory-scale upflow aerobic/anoxic sequential bioreactor (UAASB) with an alternate aeration. A bacteriological study was carried out, as a cultural-based technique, detecting dominant bacteria in the aerobic/anoxic conditions. Central composite design and response surface methodology were applied to investigate the effects of two operating parameters, namely hydraulic retention time (HRT) and aeration time (AT), on the performance of the UAASB. The HRT range of 12–36 h, and the AT range of 40–60 min/constant time of anaerobic conditions (1 h), were examined on the diversity and capability of system. Results of biological investigation showed that HRT and AT have significant effects on bacterial population and diversity, which also is function of organic loading value.