Effect of silver nanoparticles for Coli forms disinfection in drinking water

Background and aims: Silver is the metal as a safe and effective antibacterial agent which can be raised more than 650 types of microorganisms such as bacteria and virus. Common indicator used to assess water quality and compliance with standards to determine the presence of total coli forms and fecal coli forms are bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanosilver on inactivation the coli forms and fecal coli forms from drinking water. Methods: This bench-scale experimental study was carried out in a batch system on artificially contaminated water samples prepared by adding 10 ml effluent to 90 liters of distilled water. In each run, the nanosilver (30-180 μgL) was added to 6 containers of contaminated water and then a sample was taken every 20 minutes for a 100-minute period. The samples were tested by 15-tube series method based on the instruction no. 9221-B of 21th edition of standard method book on water and wastewater experiments (21st edition). Results: Results revealed that the coli forms and fecal coli forms inactivation significantly increased with increasing the contact time of nonosilver (P=0.001), but there was no significant correlation between the nanosilver concentrations and coli forms and fecal coli forms inactivation (P=0.13). The maximum coli forms and fecal coli forms inactivation (76.2, 65%) was achieved within 100 minutes contact time for 180 μgL of silver. Conclusion: Based on the current results, it can be concluded nanosilver treatment is effective in coli forms and fecal coli forms inactivation from contaminated water and advice as a new method for water disinfection

Cytotoxicity and Radiosensitising Activity of Synthesized Dinitrophenyl Derivatives of 5-Fluorouracil

Background and the purpose of the study: Dual functional agents in which nitroaromatic or nitroheterocyclic compounds are attached through a linker unit to mustards and aziridines have shown higher cytotoxicities than the corresponding counterparts to both aerobic and hypoxic cells and enhanced radiosensitizing activity. In thepresent investigation cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing activity of 2,4-dinitrobenzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzoyl, and 2,4-dinitrophenacetyl derivatives of 5-fluorouracil which was assumed to release cytotoxic active quinone methidide,and 5-fluorouracil under hypoxic conditions on HT-29 cell line under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions wasinvestigated.Methods: 5-fluorouracil derivative X-XIII were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding di-nitro substitutedbenzyl, benzoyl and phenacetyl halides with 5-fluorouracil protected at N-1 with di-t-butoxydicarbonate (BOC) in dimethyl formamide (DMF) in the presence of the potassium carbonate followed by hydrolysis of the blocking,group by potassium carbonate in methanol. Cytotoxicity of fluorouracil VIII and tested compounds X-XIII against HT-29cell line under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions after 48 hrs incubation were measured by determination of the percent of the survival cells using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and percent of the dead cells using propidium iodide(PI)-digitonine assay and results were used to calculate the corresponding IC50 values. Radiosensitization experiments were carried out by irradiation of the incubations with a 60Co source and clonogenic assay was performed to determine the cell viabilities following treatment with the tested compounds and/or radiation. Sensitization Enhancement Ratio (SER) of each tested compound was obtained from the radiation survival curves in the absence and presence of each sensitizer for 37% survival respectively.Results and major conclusion: Findings of the present study showed that alkylation or acylation of 5-fluorouracilresult in compounds which have little or no cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing activity under aerobic conditions, buthave high cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing effects under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore radiosensitizing activities ofcompounds under hypoxic conditions increased by increase in their concentrations and SER of the tested 5-FU derivatives at concentrations higher than 50 μmol were equal or higher than 1.6 which is the minimum effective SER of a radiosensitizer in an in vitro assay

Electrophysiological and molecular mechanisms of protection by iron sucrose against phosphine-induced cardiotoxicity: A time course study

The present study was designed for determining the exact mechanism of cytotoxic action of aluminum phosphide (AlP) in the presence of iron sucrose as the proposed antidote. Rats received AlP (12 mg/kg) and iron sucrose (5-30 mg/kg) in various sets and were connected to cardiovascular monitoring device. After identification of optimum doses of AlP and iron sucrose, rats taken in 18 groups received AlP (6 mg/kg) and iron sucrose (10 mg/kg), treated at six different time points, and then their hearts were surgically removed and used for evaluating a series of mitochondrial parameters, including cell lipid peroxidation, antioxidant power, mitochondrial complex activity, ADP/ATP ratio and process of apoptosis. ECG changes of AlP poisoning, including QRS, QT, P-R, ST, BP and HR were ameliorated by iron sucrose (10 mg/kg) treatment. AlP initiated its toxicity in the heart mitochondria through reducing mitochondrial complexes (II, IV and V), which was followed by increasing lipid peroxidation and the ADP/ATP ratio and declining mitochondrial membrane integrity that ultimately resulted in cell death. AlP in acute exposure (6 mg/kg) resulted in an increase in hydroxyl radicals and lipid peroxidation in a time-dependent fashion, suggesting an interaction of delivering electrons of phosphine with mitochondrial respiratory chain and oxidative stress. Iron sucrose, as an electron receiver, can compete with mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and divert electrons to another pathway. The present findings supported the idea that iron sucrose could normalize the activity of mitochondrial electron transfer chain and cellular ATP level as vital factors for cell escaping from AlP poisoning. © 2015 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with folic acid/methionine for active targeted delivery of docetaxel

Abstract: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are known as carriers with high loading capacity and large functionalizable surface area for target-directed delivery. In this study, a series of docetaxel-loaded folic acid- or methionine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DTX/MSN-FA or DTX/MSN-Met) with large pores and amine groups at inner pore surface properties were prepared. The results showed that the MSNs were successfully synthesized, having good pay load and pH-sensitive drug release kinetics. The cellular investigation on MCF-7 cells showed better performance of cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis and an increase in cellular uptake of targeted nanoparticles. In vivo fluorescent imaging on healthy BALB/c mice proved that bare MSN-NH2 are mostly accumulated in the liver but MSN-FA or MSN-Met are more concentrated in the kidney. Importantly, ex vivo fluorescent images of tumor-induced BALB/c mice organs revealed the ability of MSN-FA to reach the tumor tissues. In conclusion, DTX/MSNs exhibited a good anticancer activity and enhanced the possibility of targeted drug delivery for breast cancer

Lentiviral Mediated Overexpression of NGF in Adipose-derived Stem Cells

Introduction: Human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can self-renew and differentiate into various types of cells such as adipocytes, osteocytes, and neural cells. These stem cells can be isolated by minimally invasive technique in large amounts. ADSCs are a useful resource for cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the first neurotrophin factor discovered and characterized for its anti-apoptotic role in neural development. NGF can promote neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth and it also promotes neuron differentiation and migration. Moreover, research showed that NGF could protect axons from inflammatory damage, improve cognitive function in damaged brain models, and function in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. In this study we use Lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer technique to deliver NGF gene to ADSCs and overexpress this factor in ADSCs. Method and Materials: ADSCs extracted from human adipose tissue after lipoaspiration by digestion method. ADSCs characterized with Flowcytometry and differentiation assay in adipogenic and osteogenic differential media. The NGF gene was cloned in pCDH-513B-1 (System Bioscience, Mountain View, CA, United States) under a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Recombinant lentiviruses were produced according to the Prof. Trono lab protocol with some modifications in HEK 293T cells. The spinfection method was used to transduce ADSCs. NGF expression was assayed using fluorescent microscope to trace green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker, RT-PCR and western blotting. Results: Extracted ADSCs had mesenchymal morphology and differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes in differentiating media. HEK293T easily transfected with pCDH-513B-1 and over 99% of them expressed GFP so we gathered pseudoviruses from the supernatant. ADSCs transduced with these pseudoviruses transferred NGF and after transduction expressed GFP, as seen under fluorescent microscope. RT-PCR and western blotting verified NGF overexpression in them

Bioactive Terpenoids and Flavonoids from Daucus littoralis Smith subsp. hyrcanicus Rech.f, an Endemic Species of Iran

BACKGROUND: Daucus littoralis Smith subsp. hyrcanicus Rech.f. (Apiaceae) is an endemic species in northern parts of Iran where it is commonly named Caspian carrot. The fruits have been used as condiment. METHODS: In a series of in vitro assays, antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP assays), cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of different extracts of roots and fruits were evaluated for the first time. The separation and purification of the compounds were carried out on the most potent extracts using various chromatographic methods and identified by spectroscopic data ((1)H and (13)C NMR). RESULTS: The results showed that among the extracts only fruit methanol extract (FME) has significant antioxidant activity (IC(50) = 145.93 μg.ml(-1) in DPPH assay and 358 ± 0.02 mmol FeII/g dry extract in FRAP assay). The radical scavenging activity of FME at 400 μg.ml(-1) was comparable with α-tocopherol (40 μg.ml(-1)) and with BHA (100 μg.ml(-1)) (p > 0.05). FME did not show any toxicity against cancerous and normal cell lines. Fruit ethyl acetate extract (FEE) had cytotoxic activity against breast carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (IC(50) 168.4 and 185 μg.ml(-1), respectively), while it did not possess antioxidant activity in comparison with α-tocopherol and BHA as standard compounds. Ethyl acetate and methanol extract of fruits showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 3.75 mg.ml(-1)) and Candida albicans (MIC: 15.6 and 7.8 mg.ml(-1), respectively). Four terpenoids were isolated form FEE including: β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), caryophyllene oxide (3), β-amyrin (4). Also, three flavonoids namely quercetin 3-O-β-glucoside (5), quercetin 3-O-β-galactoside (6) and luteolin (7) were isolated from FME. CONCLUSION: This study showed that FEE and FME of D. littoralis Smith subsp. hyrcanicus Rech.f. had the highest biological activities which may be correlated with in vitro cytotoxic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of terpenoids and flavonoids components of the extracts

The study of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis

زمینه و هدف: در بررسی های تشخیصی بیماری های التهابی روده، یکی از موارد تشخیصی انجام آندوسکوپی فوقانی است که علاوه بر تأیید تشخیص، در افتراق کولیت های نامشخص نیز کمک کننده است. هدف از این مطالعه بررسی لزوم انجام آندوسکوپی فوقانی در بیماران مبتلا به التهاب روده بوده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی- تحلیلی تعداد 30 کودک در بیمارستان مرکز طبی به صورت سرشماری از مهر 1388 تا اسفند 1389 که به عنوان بیماری کرون و کولیت اولسراتیو به تشخیص قطعی رسیدند؛ تحت انجام آندوسکوپی فوقانی قرار گرفتند و داده ها با استفاده از نرم افزارSPSS و آزمون آماری t-test تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته ها: از30 کودک با تشخیص بیماری التهابی روده، تعداد 15 بیمار دچار کرون و مابقی کولیت اولسراتیو داشتند. نتایج مطالعه حاضر حاکی از درگیری ماکروسکوپی مری در 93 بیماران، درگیری معده در 87 و درگیری دئودنوم در 26 بیماران با تشخیص کرون بود. در بیماران کولیت اولسراتیو درگیری مری 80، معده 66 و دئودنوم 20 بود. از نظر میکروسکوپی در بیماران کرون درگیری مری 94، درگیری معده 80 و در نهایت درگیری دئودنوم 47 مشاهده شد. در بیماران کولیت اولسراتیو از نظر میکروسکوپی 94 درگیری مری، 87 درگیری معده و 67 درگیری دئودنوم داشتند. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به درصد قابل توجه درگیری دستگاه گوارش فوقانی در بیماران با بیماری التهابی روده، انجام آندوسکوپی در تمام بیماران جدا از نوع و محل درگیری و بررسی هیستوپاتولوژیک کاری منطقی و لازم بنظر می رسد

Private Speech Use in Mathematics Problem Solving: A Review of Studies Comparing Children With and Without Mathematical Difficulties

Recent studies have concluded that children’s development of private speech (private speech internalization) is related to and important for developing mathematical ability. In this article, we review a project consisting of studies exploring the cognitive factors that may underlie differences between the use of private speech by children with (MD) and without (MN) mathematical difficulties. The main issue of interest was whether private speech internalization is related to children’s mathematical achievement, task-specific strategies, phonological awareness, and phonological memory, and whether any such re- lationships are modulated by age and mathematical achievement. The findings not only confirm that private speech internalization relate to mathematical achievement, they also highlight possible parallels between the contributions of strategies, phonological aware- ness, and phonological memory to subsequent mathematical achievement. Overall, the results seem to provide evidence for the hypothesis that mathematical achievement is causally related to phonological abilities – which underpin the internalization of private speech – rather than being directly related to the private speech internalization

Earnings management using classification shifting: Are pro forma earnings and debt explanatory factors?

Masteroppgave i revisjon og regnskap - Nord universitet 202