Development of technology and study of optimized secreted products of stem cells for collaterogenesis

Cell therapy using stem cells is a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic diseases, nevertheless low viability of implanted cells, is one of the main problems limiting stem cell therapy. In addition, there is a risk of proliferation of the transformed cells in mesenchymal stem cells carrying properties of cancer stem cells. Using conditioned media from stem cells instead of stem cell themselves avoids the risks that may arise with the direct use of stem cells. Conditioned media from various stem cells contains a different number of cytokines and growth factors, necessary for the natural process of new vessel formation

Protective effect of peptide vaccination in murine infection with influenza virus

Vaccination is a major tool to protect people from seasonal infections of different strains of influenza virus that presently infects millions of individuals worldwide. Virus genome is highly polymorphic, and universal vaccine that protects against permanently changing virus is still under development. Despite notable differences between humans and rodents in the disease course, immunobiology and clinical evaluations, murine infectious models remain one of the major tools to test approaches for influenza vaccine development

The future of translational biomedical research at Nazarbayev University

The ultimate goal of fundamental biomedical research is to decipher mechanisms underlying the impairment of molecules, cells, tissues, and organs and subsequent dysfunction of the whole human body. Knowledge of these mechanisms helps discover and develop new approaches in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of various diseases. Translational biomedical research enables the application of basic scientific discoveries to diagnostics, patient care and clinical practice. Thus, translational biomedical research is a link between fundamental research, clinical research and clinical practice. Transfer of discoveries from the bench to the bedside is a very complex and time consuming process that includes pre-clinical studies and several phases of clinical trials, along with the development of clinical guidelines and protocols, and the eventual implementation of best clinical practices

Protective effect of peptide vaccination in murine infection with influenza virus

Vaccination is a major tool to protect people from seasonal infections of different strains of influenza virus that presently infects millions of individuals worldwide. Virus genome is highly polymorphic, and universal vaccine that protects against permanently changing virus is still under development. Despite notable differences between humans and rodents in the disease course, immunobiology and clinical evaluations, murine infectious models remain one of the major tools to test approaches for influenza vaccine development

Development of technology and study of optimized secreted products of stem cells for collaterogenesis

Cell therapy using stem cells is a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic diseases, nevertheless low viability of implanted cells, is one of the main problems limiting stem cell therapy. In addition, there is a risk of proliferation of the transformed cells in mesenchymal stem cells carrying properties of cancer stem cells. Using conditioned media from stem cells instead of stem cell themselves avoids the risks that may arise with the direct use of stem cells. Conditioned media from various stem cells contains a different number of cytokines and growth factors, necessary for the natural process of new vessel formation

Kazakh and Russian translation of FSMAS-SF instrument

Abstract. Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study is to develop an instrument in both Kazakh and Russian languages that measures students' attitudes towards mathematics through translating a widely used 51-item instrument developed by Mulhern and Rae. Methodology: This work utilized factor analysis in SPSS using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with VARIMAX. To this end, the attitude test of Mulher and Rae consisting of 51 5-point Likert scale items in English were translated into Kazakh and Russian languages. The translated instrument is conducted amoing 378 university students in Kazakhstan. To test the internal consistency, the Cronbach alpha methodology was implemented. Main Findings: The results revealed five underlying dimensions of the instrument with 37 items in both languages. These five scales are Success, Male Domain, Parent's Attitudes, Mathematics-Related Affect, and Usefulness scales. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Barlett's test of sphericity threshold is reported to be 0.875 with chi-square 7106, degree of freedom 1275 and p-value less than 0.0001. The analysis show a very high overall Cronbach reliability coefficient of .91. Applications of this study: This study can be used in any mathematics learning descilpine in higher education institutions where medium of instruction is either Kazakh or Russian to test whether students attitudes towards mathematics is improving or not. Besides, the instrument can be used to study correlation between attitudes towards mathematics and learning outcome in the field. Novelty/Originality of this study: This is probably the first ever work done in Kazakh and Russian to develop a comprehensive instrument that measures students' attitudes towards mathematics

Nickel(II) and nickel(0) complexes of bis(diisopropylphosphino)amine: Synthesis, structure, and electrochemical activity

In its neutral state, bis(diisopropylphosphino)amine HL reacts in equimolar amounts with the nickel halides NiCl2·6H2O, NiBr2, and NiI2in ethanol solutions to give the air- and moisture-stable P,P-chelated complexes (HL)NiX2(X = Cl, Br, I). Under similar conditions, complexes of the form (HL)2NiX2(X = BF4, NO3, ClO4) were prepared from 2:1 ligand-metal ratios of Ni(BF4)2{\textperiodcentered}6H2O, Ni(NO3)2{\textperiodcentered}6H2O, or Ni(ClO4)2{\textperiodcentered}6H2O. Deprotonation of the ligand with NaNH2followed by reaction with NiI2gives L2Ni when performed in Et2O, but leads to the co-crystal L2Ni{\textperiodcentered}2NCCHC(Me)NH2 when the solvent is acetonitrile. In addition to these Ni2+compounds, the Ni0complex (HL)2Ni can be prepared from a toluene solution of Ni(cod)2. Each complex has been characterized by a combination of IR and multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopies, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies of the complexes revealed irreversible decomposition of the (HL)NiX2(X = Cl, Br, I) series, but electrocatalytic CO2reduction by the (HL)2NiX2(X = BF4, NO3, ClO4) compounds

The effects of antiviral treatment on breast cancer cell line

Background: Recent studies have revealed the positive antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of antiviral agents in cancer treatment. The real effect of adjuvant antiviral therapy is still controversial due to the lack of studies in biochemical mechanisms. Here, we studied the effect of the antiviral agent acyclovir on morphometric and migratory features of the MCF7 breast cancer cell line. Molecular levels of various proteins have also been examined. Methods: To evaluate and assess the effect of antiviral treatment on morphometric, migratory and other cellular characteristics of MCF7 breast cancer cells, the following experiments were performed: (i) MTT assay to measure the viability of MCF7 cells; (ii) Colony formation ability by soft agar assay; (iii) Morphometric characterization by immunofluorescent analysis using confocal microscopy; (iv) wound healing and transwell membrane assays to evaluate migration and invasion capacity of the cells; (v) ELISA colorimetric assays to assess expression levels of caspase-3, E-cadherin and enzymatic activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Results: We demonstrate the suppressive effect of acyclovir on breast cancer cells. Acyclovir treatment decreases the growth and the proliferation rate of cells and correlates with the upregulated levels of apoptosis associated cytokine Caspase-3. Moreover, acyclovir inhibits colony formation ability and cell invasion capacity of the cancer cells while enhancing the expression of E-cadherin protein in MCF7 cells. Breast cancer cells are characterized by high ALDH activity and associated with upregulated proliferation and invasion. According to this study, acyclovir downregulates ALDH activity in MCF7 cells. Conclusions: These results are encouraging and demonstrate the possibility of partial suppression of cancer cell proliferation using an antiviral agent. Acyclovir antiviral agents have a great potential as an adjuvant therapy in the cancer treatment. However, more research is necessary to identify relevant biochemical mechanisms by which acyclovir induces a potent anti-cancer effect

Phenolic compounds as Nrf2 inhibitors: potential applications in cancer therapy

[eng] Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and involves an oxidative stress mechanism. The transcription factor Nrf2 has a crucial role in cytoprotective response against oxidative stress, including cancer growth and progression and therapy resistance. For this reason, inhibitors of Nrf2 are new targets to be studied. Traditional plant-based remedies rich in phytochemicals have been used against human cancers and phenolic compounds are known for their chemopreventive properties. This comprehensive review offers an updated review of the role of phenolic compounds as anticancer agents due to their action on Nrf2 inhibition. In addition, the role of naturally-occurring bioactive anticancer agents are covered in the clinical applications of polyphenols as Nrf2 inhibitors