Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Thus, it is important to find newer, more selective, and more effective therapies for this disease. One of these methods that have attracted many researchers is using anticancer peptides regarding their specificity, lower side effects, and higher effectiveness on the cancer cells. One type of anticancer peptides is antimicrobial peptides. Although they have already been studied and introduced as potential agents to fight infectious diseases, only recently they have been used as a new way of cancer treatment. For decades, antimicrobial peptides have been considered a component of the native immune system; however, they can also be used as anticancer peptides due to their mechanisms and properties. This new therapeutic approach can provide a promising pathway for optimal cancer treatment with fewer side effects.

Background and Aim Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most commonly occurring leukemia in adults, accounting for about 30-25% of total leukemia. One of the important etiological causes of this leukemia is the disruption of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway. The two proteins of Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) and B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) play a role in the pathogenesis of this leukemia by affecting the NF-kB signaling pathway. In this study, due to the effect of miRNAs in regulating many cellular processes, the prediction of the prominent miRNAs targeting APRIL and BAFF transcripts in B-cell CLL patients was evaluated using specific and different bioinformatics programs.
Methods & Materials Afterwards retrieving the sequences of APRIL and BAFF proteins from the NCBI website, by using several programs including miRanda, TargetScan, miRWalk, DIANA and miRDB with different algorithms, the prediction of miRNAs targeting these genes was investigated.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences.
Results Based on the scoring system of bioinformatics programs, “hsa-miR-145-5p” and “hsa-miR-185-5p” were identified as miRNAs targeting APRIL gene, while “hsa-miR-424” and “hsa-miR-497”were miRNAs targeting BAFF gene. They were suggested for the practical studies in future.
Conclusion Based on the important role of APRIL and BAFF genes in the normal process of cell death and B-cell evolution, it seems that the mi-RNAs predicted by bioinformatics programs using different algorithms can be used as a diagnostic molecular biomarker to identify B-cell CLL patients.

Background and Aim: The most important problem in the production of recombinant proteins in prokaryotic cells is the disruption of the function of these proteins due to their altered natural structure. The aim of present study is to identify the best chemicals dialysis buffer additives in order to improve the protein structure of recombinant Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, different chemicals additives were selected using relevant software. After adding these additives to the recombinant VEGF dialysis buffer, their effect on the refolding of recombinant proteins and the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial cells was assessed by flow cytometry method.
Ethical Considerations: This study obtained its ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: ARAKMU. REC.1394.199).
Results: The results showed that the addition of arginine, cysteine and dithiothreitol (DTT) to dialysis buffer increases the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial cells. With the presence of sodium chloride (NaCl), cysteine, arginine and DTT in treated cells, the rate of specific Cluster Differentiation (CD) markers of endothelial cell (CD31/144) was at the highest level. 
Conclusion: Adding cysteine, arginine, DTT and NaCl to the dialysis buffer of recombinant VEGF had the greatest effect on the mesenchymal cell differentiation into endothelial cells.

Background and Aim: Fennel with phytoestrogenic, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Chronic inflammation is a new proposed mechanism in PCOS pathogenesis that suggests the role of immune system in this disease. Due to the main role of Treg cells in maintaining immune homeostasis, their impaired function, along with increased production of inflammatory compounds such as nitric oxide, can lead to persistent inflammation.
Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, 18 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups including control group, untreated PCOS-induced group, and fennel-treated group. The control group received 0.1 ml sesame oil for 21 days. PCOS was induced by subcutaneous injection of Dehydroepiandrosterone (60 mg/kg/day) plus 0.1 mL sesame oil for 21 days. Mice in third group were treated by intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg/day fennel extract after 21 days. The regulatory of T cells (Tregs) were analyzed by flow cytometry method and nitric oxide level determination was performed by Griess Reaction method. Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay was used to measure the total antioxidant power.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.312).
Results: The estrous cycle was normalized after treatment with fennel. Fennel significantly reduced the number of ovarian cysts. Nitric oxide concentration decreased significantly while FRAP concentrations did not significantly alter. The number of Treg cells was also increased significantly.
Conclusion: Due to the role of immune system in the incidence of inflammation, concurrent modulation of both immune and endocrine systems may open new horizons in the design of new therapeutic interventions for PCOS.