Abbas Lotfi | Shiraz University (original) (raw)

Papers by Abbas Lotfi

Cell Journal

It is demonstrated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a group of nu... more It is demonstrated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a group of nuclear receptor proteins that function as transcription factors regulating the expression of genes. PPARs play essential roles in the regulation of cellular differentiation, development, and metabolism (carbohydrate, lipid, protein), and tumorigenesis of higher organisms. This study was conducted to reveal the effect of baicalin, a PPARγ activator, on erythroid differentiation of CD133+ cord blood hematopoietic stem cells. In order to investigate the effect of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma PPARγ agonists including baicalin and troglitazone on erythropoeisis, CD133+ cells were isolated from human umbilical cord blood using MACS method and cultured in erythroid-inducing mediumadded with or without various dosages of two PPARγ activators (baicalin and troglitazone).Erythroid differentiation of CD133+ cord blood hematopoietic stem cells were assessed using microscopic morph...

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, 2014

ABSTRACT Liver failure causes many deaths annually while patients awaiting on transplantation lis... more ABSTRACT Liver failure causes many deaths annually while patients awaiting on transplantation list. Poor functional hepatocytes for transplantation are unable to overcome the difficulty. An increasing number of studies on mesenchymal stem cells differentiation toward hepatocyte-like cells made it a promising alternative strategy. To meet the demand for human hepatocyte sourcing that has been a bottle-neck for many research and clinical areas, this study aimed to introduce a new matrix to mimic the liver microenvironment and improve hepatic differentiation. The matrix was composed of heparan sulfate and collagen type IV. Heparan Sulfate-collagen matrix significantly increased the yield of human mesenchymal stem cell-derived hepatocytes. Elevated CYP3A4 enzyme activity, alpha-fetoprotein, albumin and c-MET protein levels in this hepatocyte-like cells demonstrated improved hepatic differentiation and functionality.

Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling, 2013

Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) a 54 kDa glycoprotein is a protease inhibitor. In the absence of α1AT,... more Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) a 54 kDa glycoprotein is a protease inhibitor. In the absence of α1AT, elastase released by lung macrophages, was not inhibited and lead to elastin breakdown and pulmonary problems such as emphysema or COPD. α1AT has three site of N-glycosylation and a characteristic reactive central loop (RCL). As small-scale medicines are preferred for pulmonary drug delivery, in this study α1ATs (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) were engineered and shortened from the N-terminal region. In order to investigate the effect of different mutations and the deletion of 46 amino acids theoretical studies were performed. Homology modeling was performed to generate the 3D structure of α1ATs. The 10 ns Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations were carried out to refine the models. Results from MD and protein docking showed that α1AT2 has the highest binding affinity for neutrophil elastase, provided the basis for the experimental phase in which sequences from the five α1AT constructs were inserted into the expression vector pGAPZα and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Although, the α1AT2 construct has the highest inhibitory activity even more that the native construct (α1AT5), results indicated the presence of protease inhibitory function of all the proteins' construct against elastase.

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, 2000

Shunt reactors are important components for the development of UHV power systems since they compe... more Shunt reactors are important components for the development of UHV power systems since they compensate large capacitive currents generated by HV transmission lines over great distances. Shunt reactors can also limit over voltages resulting from load shedding operations or from a line-to-ground fault. With regard to construction, shunt reactors are designed in distributed gapped-core which has one winding and a core divided into several laminated magnetic steel disks separated by air-gap wedges. The Volume of the gap is in relation with reactive power of the reactor and maximum magnetic flux density as well. After calculating the gap volume, the way for separating of the gap area and length is an important matter. It plays main role in reactor dimensions, used materials and power losses. In this paper a method based on minimizing the cost is presented for selecting the gap area and length by finding an optimum value for ratio with constant volume constraint.

Diagnostic Molecular Pathology, 2007

The 4 normal alleles of M1, M2, M3, and M4 are the most common gene products of the human alpha-1... more The 4 normal alleles of M1, M2, M3, and M4 are the most common gene products of the human alpha-1-antitrypsin (hAAT). Two single substitutions in M1 are responsible for M3 and M4, whereas 2 substitutions in M1 produce M2. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the Arg(101)/His(101) sequence variation can separate M1 and M3 from M2 and M4 alleles. To complete the genotyping procedure of hAAT M variants, the exon-V Glu(376)/Asp(376) sequence variation was directly analyzed using a designer primer with a single-base substitution in its sequence. This substitution induced an artificial site for the same restriction enzyme in the polymerase chain reaction product. The new restriction site was present in M1 and M4 but absent in M2 and M3, which can be applied as a rapid reliable means for the M-variant genotyping of hAAT.

Biotechnology Letters, 2006

Intron-mediated enhancement has been documented in many cases to involve large positive effect on... more Intron-mediated enhancement has been documented in many cases to involve large positive effect on gene expression. To address this, human Alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) gene was integrated into Pichia pastoris with and without a yeast intron generated from the final plasmid pBlu-exII-int-exIII and ligated into the EcoRI/BamHI multiple cloning site of the yeast shuttle vector pHIL-S1. The chimeric exon-intron complex in the middle of the naturally occurring hAAT exons II and III caused a 23-fold enhancement of hAAT expression in P. pastoris, measured through SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analyses.

Background: Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) belongs to the superfamily of serpins and inhibits differe... more Background: Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) belongs to the superfamily of serpins and inhibits different proteases. α1AT protects the lung from cellular inflammatory enzymes. In the absence of α1AT, the degradation of lung tissue results to pulmonary complications. The pulmonary route is a potent noninvasive route for systemic and local delivery. The aerosolized α1AT not only affects locally its main site of action but also avoids remaining in circulation for a long period of time in peripheral blood. Poly (D, L lactide-co glycolide) (PLGA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer approved for sustained controlled release of peptides and proteins. The aim of this work was to prepare a wide range of particle size as a carrier of protein-loaded nanoparticles to deposit in different parts of the respiratory system especially in the deep lung. Various lactide to glycolide ratio of the copolymer was used to obtain different release profile of the drug which covers extended and rapid drug release in one formulation.

Non-fulfillment of the chilling requirement of strawberry is one of the limiting factors in the p... more Non-fulfillment of the chilling requirement of strawberry is one of the limiting factors in the production of strawberry in the fall and winter seasons of warm climates. To overcome this problem the application of plant growth regulators and chemicals could be useful. An experiment was conducted under a complete randomized block design with three replications of four planting dates and four chemical treatments that included GA3 at the rate of 50 mg L-1 and 100 mg L-1, volk oil (2.5 and 5%), potassium nitrate (1.5 and 3%), and Dormex (0.5 and 1%). Petiole length and width, yield, vitamin C content, TSS, and total acid were measured. Results indicated that GA3 applied at the rate of 50 mg L-1 significantly increased yield when compared with the control and other treatments. The highest fruit size was achieved with Dormex (1%)

Cell Journal

It is demonstrated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a group of nu... more It is demonstrated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a group of nuclear receptor proteins that function as transcription factors regulating the expression of genes. PPARs play essential roles in the regulation of cellular differentiation, development, and metabolism (carbohydrate, lipid, protein), and tumorigenesis of higher organisms. This study was conducted to reveal the effect of baicalin, a PPARγ activator, on erythroid differentiation of CD133+ cord blood hematopoietic stem cells. In order to investigate the effect of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma PPARγ agonists including baicalin and troglitazone on erythropoeisis, CD133+ cells were isolated from human umbilical cord blood using MACS method and cultured in erythroid-inducing mediumadded with or without various dosages of two PPARγ activators (baicalin and troglitazone).Erythroid differentiation of CD133+ cord blood hematopoietic stem cells were assessed using microscopic morph...

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, 2014

ABSTRACT Liver failure causes many deaths annually while patients awaiting on transplantation lis... more ABSTRACT Liver failure causes many deaths annually while patients awaiting on transplantation list. Poor functional hepatocytes for transplantation are unable to overcome the difficulty. An increasing number of studies on mesenchymal stem cells differentiation toward hepatocyte-like cells made it a promising alternative strategy. To meet the demand for human hepatocyte sourcing that has been a bottle-neck for many research and clinical areas, this study aimed to introduce a new matrix to mimic the liver microenvironment and improve hepatic differentiation. The matrix was composed of heparan sulfate and collagen type IV. Heparan Sulfate-collagen matrix significantly increased the yield of human mesenchymal stem cell-derived hepatocytes. Elevated CYP3A4 enzyme activity, alpha-fetoprotein, albumin and c-MET protein levels in this hepatocyte-like cells demonstrated improved hepatic differentiation and functionality.

Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling, 2013

Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) a 54 kDa glycoprotein is a protease inhibitor. In the absence of α1AT,... more Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) a 54 kDa glycoprotein is a protease inhibitor. In the absence of α1AT, elastase released by lung macrophages, was not inhibited and lead to elastin breakdown and pulmonary problems such as emphysema or COPD. α1AT has three site of N-glycosylation and a characteristic reactive central loop (RCL). As small-scale medicines are preferred for pulmonary drug delivery, in this study α1ATs (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) were engineered and shortened from the N-terminal region. In order to investigate the effect of different mutations and the deletion of 46 amino acids theoretical studies were performed. Homology modeling was performed to generate the 3D structure of α1ATs. The 10 ns Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations were carried out to refine the models. Results from MD and protein docking showed that α1AT2 has the highest binding affinity for neutrophil elastase, provided the basis for the experimental phase in which sequences from the five α1AT constructs were inserted into the expression vector pGAPZα and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Although, the α1AT2 construct has the highest inhibitory activity even more that the native construct (α1AT5), results indicated the presence of protease inhibitory function of all the proteins' construct against elastase.

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, 2000

Shunt reactors are important components for the development of UHV power systems since they compe... more Shunt reactors are important components for the development of UHV power systems since they compensate large capacitive currents generated by HV transmission lines over great distances. Shunt reactors can also limit over voltages resulting from load shedding operations or from a line-to-ground fault. With regard to construction, shunt reactors are designed in distributed gapped-core which has one winding and a core divided into several laminated magnetic steel disks separated by air-gap wedges. The Volume of the gap is in relation with reactive power of the reactor and maximum magnetic flux density as well. After calculating the gap volume, the way for separating of the gap area and length is an important matter. It plays main role in reactor dimensions, used materials and power losses. In this paper a method based on minimizing the cost is presented for selecting the gap area and length by finding an optimum value for ratio with constant volume constraint.

Diagnostic Molecular Pathology, 2007

The 4 normal alleles of M1, M2, M3, and M4 are the most common gene products of the human alpha-1... more The 4 normal alleles of M1, M2, M3, and M4 are the most common gene products of the human alpha-1-antitrypsin (hAAT). Two single substitutions in M1 are responsible for M3 and M4, whereas 2 substitutions in M1 produce M2. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the Arg(101)/His(101) sequence variation can separate M1 and M3 from M2 and M4 alleles. To complete the genotyping procedure of hAAT M variants, the exon-V Glu(376)/Asp(376) sequence variation was directly analyzed using a designer primer with a single-base substitution in its sequence. This substitution induced an artificial site for the same restriction enzyme in the polymerase chain reaction product. The new restriction site was present in M1 and M4 but absent in M2 and M3, which can be applied as a rapid reliable means for the M-variant genotyping of hAAT.

Biotechnology Letters, 2006

Intron-mediated enhancement has been documented in many cases to involve large positive effect on... more Intron-mediated enhancement has been documented in many cases to involve large positive effect on gene expression. To address this, human Alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) gene was integrated into Pichia pastoris with and without a yeast intron generated from the final plasmid pBlu-exII-int-exIII and ligated into the EcoRI/BamHI multiple cloning site of the yeast shuttle vector pHIL-S1. The chimeric exon-intron complex in the middle of the naturally occurring hAAT exons II and III caused a 23-fold enhancement of hAAT expression in P. pastoris, measured through SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analyses.

Background: Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) belongs to the superfamily of serpins and inhibits differe... more Background: Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) belongs to the superfamily of serpins and inhibits different proteases. α1AT protects the lung from cellular inflammatory enzymes. In the absence of α1AT, the degradation of lung tissue results to pulmonary complications. The pulmonary route is a potent noninvasive route for systemic and local delivery. The aerosolized α1AT not only affects locally its main site of action but also avoids remaining in circulation for a long period of time in peripheral blood. Poly (D, L lactide-co glycolide) (PLGA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer approved for sustained controlled release of peptides and proteins. The aim of this work was to prepare a wide range of particle size as a carrier of protein-loaded nanoparticles to deposit in different parts of the respiratory system especially in the deep lung. Various lactide to glycolide ratio of the copolymer was used to obtain different release profile of the drug which covers extended and rapid drug release in one formulation.

Non-fulfillment of the chilling requirement of strawberry is one of the limiting factors in the p... more Non-fulfillment of the chilling requirement of strawberry is one of the limiting factors in the production of strawberry in the fall and winter seasons of warm climates. To overcome this problem the application of plant growth regulators and chemicals could be useful. An experiment was conducted under a complete randomized block design with three replications of four planting dates and four chemical treatments that included GA3 at the rate of 50 mg L-1 and 100 mg L-1, volk oil (2.5 and 5%), potassium nitrate (1.5 and 3%), and Dormex (0.5 and 1%). Petiole length and width, yield, vitamin C content, TSS, and total acid were measured. Results indicated that GA3 applied at the rate of 50 mg L-1 significantly increased yield when compared with the control and other treatments. The highest fruit size was achieved with Dormex (1%)