Pluripotent stem cells (PSC) possess unlimited proliferation, self-renewal, and a differentiation capacity spanning all germ layers. Appropriate culture conditions are important for the maintenance of self-renewal, pluripotency, proliferation, differentiation, and epigenetic states. Oxygen concentrations vary across different human tissues depending on precise cell location and proximity to vascularisation. The bulk of PSC culture-based research is performed in a physiologically hyperoxic, air oxygen (21% O2) environment, with numerous reports now detailing the impact of a physiologic normoxia (physoxia), low oxygen culture in the maintenance of stemness, survival, morphology, proliferation, differentiation potential, and epigenetic profiles. Epigenetic mechanisms affect multiple cellular characteristics including gene expression during development and cell-fate determination in differentiated cells. We hypothesized that epigenetic marks are responsive to a reduced oxygen microenvironment in PSCs and their differentiation progeny. Here, we evaluated the role of physoxia in PSC culture, the regulation of DNA methylation (5mC (5-methylcytosine) and 5hmC (5-hydroxymethylcytosine)), and the expression of regulatory enzyme DNMTs and TETs. Physoxia enhanced the functional profile of PSC including proliferation, metabolic activity, and stemness attributes. PSCs cultured in physoxia revealed the significant downregulation of DNMT3B, DNMT3L, TET1, and TET3 vs. air oxygen, accompanied by significantly reduced 5mC and 5hmC levels. The downregulation of DNMT3B was associated with an increase in its promoter methylation. Coupled with the above, we also noted decreased HIF1A but increased HIF2A expression in physoxia-cultured PSCs versus air oxygen. In conclusion, PSCs display oxygen-sensitive methylation patterns that correlate with the transcriptional and translational regulation of the de novo methylase DNMT3B.
Obesity is a risk factor associated with age-related disorders that accelerate aging, and it increases the risk of metabolic diseases. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the association of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with the presence of higher body weight in middle-aged females and males. The study subjects comprised 160 (80 control and 80 higher body mass index BMI groups) with ranging ages of 30-50 years included and stratified for BMI. The physio-biochemical analysis was measured using enzymatic determination. Mean telomere length was determined by using the southern blotting technique. The association analysis revealed a significant variance (P < 0.01) in biochemical parameters between higher BMI grou
... Show MoreBackground: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune vesiculobullous mucocutaneous disease with life-threatening consequences. Rituximab (RTX) has recently emerged as an effective treatment for PV. Objectives: This study aims to determine changes in neutrophil and platelet counts for PV patients treated with RTX or corticosteroids combined with Imuran (azathioprine). Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Thirty PV patients received two types of treatment: 15 patients were administered RTX and 15 patients took corticosteroids with Imuran (azathioprine). Neutrophil and platelet counts were detected at the hospital laboratory. Results
... Show MoreBackground: Nasal obstruction is common in otorhinolaryngology outpatient visitors. The diagnosis of such compliant is by history, clinical examination and diagnostic procedures. Nasal endoscopy and computerized tomography scan are common diagnostic investigations. Nasal obstruction is either anterior or posterior (nasal septal deviations, hypertrophied turbinate pathological cyst, polyps, mass etc), or postnasal obstruction (hypertrophied turbinate, adenoid hypertrophy, nasopharyngeal cyst or nasopharyngeal tumors).
Aim of study: Prospective study to compare endoscopic finding and computerized tomography of nose, paranasal sinuses and postnasal space as diagnostic methods for nasal obstruction and other nose, p
... Show MoreThe reaction paths of the C-C and C-H bond cleavage in the anthracene and phenanthrene aromatic molecules are studied by applying the ab-initio DFT method. It is found that the C-C bond cleavage proceeds via a singlet aromatic transition state, compelled through a disrotatoric ring opening reaction. A suprafacial H atom shift follows the transition state, leading to the formation of a methylene -CH2 and an acetylenic or allenic moiety. The calculated activation energies for anthracene range from 158.81-208.90 kcal/mol and the reaction energies from 96.106-156.976 kcal/mol. For phenanthrene, the energy values are 157.39-202.34 kcal/mol and 62.639-182.423 kcal/mol, respectively. For the C-H cleavage reactions, the calculated reaction energies
... Show MoreThe waste sorting and recycling plant in the district of al- Mahmudiya (Yusufiya) is the only laboratory in Baghdad governorate. It is the only one in Iraq that collects and recycles waste. After sorting, we have packages of raw materials (aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, Nylon bags) as well as natural fertilizers (food residues and others) and a sanitary landfill with specifications that meet international standards; However, the absence of a structure for the management of the plant (manager, assistant manager, accountant, etc.) in addition to the non-supply of waste on a daily and continuous basis and the lack of cooperation of the Municipality of Baghdad with the management of the plant led to delay in the work
... Show MoreThe competition in the hotel sector, globalization and the development of new information have forced the sector to continuously seek new techniques and arrangements to remain competitive through hotel industry companies, including Benchmarking and the application of this method in the hotel sector. The selection of the Rashid International Hotel by the Ministry of Tourism as a leading hotel or benchmark for comparison of other hotels in Iraq, and the selection of two hotels in Baghdad for comparison, namely (Ishtar International Hotel, Baghdad International Hotel) and the choice also by the Ministry of Tourism, N is to correct the course of practice to manage the cost and diagnosis of the weakness of the strengths and weaknesses in the
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