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The goal of this study was to create highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using strontium doped zinc oxide-reduced graphene oxide (Sr-doped ZnO/rGO) nanocomposites. As photo-anodes of DSSCs, ZnO, ZnO/rGO (with weight percent rGO in composites: 0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt%) and Sr-doped ZnO/rGO (with Zn1-xSrxO nanoparticle stoichiometry: x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08) nanocomposites were designed and characterized. AFM, FESEM, XRD, EDS, XPS, PL, and FTIR analyses were used to investigate the morphology and structure properties of prepared nanocomposites. UV–vis spectroscopy and photo-electrochemical measurements were used to investigate the efficiency of prepared photo-anodes. The efficiency (η) and short-circuit photocurrent density (JSC) of DSSCs based on Zn0.92Sr0.08O/rGO nanocomposite were 7.98 % and 18.4 mA cm−2, respectively. The results showed that doping Sr on ZnO/rGO nanocomposites resulted in a wide bandgap energy and increased the values of η, JSC, IPCE, and photo-anode electron transportability. These findings suggest that Sr-doped ZnO/rGO nanocomposites can provide a novel approach for increasing photo-electrochemical activity in ZnO-based DSSCs.

DNA repair is an important pathway for the protection of DNA molecules from destruction. DNA damage can be produced by oxidative reactive nitrogen or oxygen species, irritation, alkylating agents, depurination and depyrimidination; in this regard, DNA repair pathways can neutralize the negative effects of these factors. Melatonin is a hormone secreted from the pineal gland with an antioxidant effect by binding to oxidative factors. In addition, the effect of melatonin on DNA repair pathways has been proven by the literature. DNA repair is carried out by several mechanisms, of which homologous recombination repair (HRR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) are of great importance. Because of the importance of DNA repair in DNA integrity and the anticancer effect of this pathway, we presented the effect of melatonin on DNA repair factors regarding previous studies conducted in this area.

An approach to the α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium has been developed that exploits N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and acyl fluorides, without additional oxidants, bases, or preactivated pro-nucleophi...

The main objective of this 2-year study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen resources (nitrogen-free, NO3−, NH4+, and NH4NO3 each 150% in modified Hoagland solution) and plant growth regulators (PGR-free (6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP, 200 µM), 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 200 µM) and BAP + NAA each one 200 µM) on the absorption and transmission of elements from root to leaves and also study the biosynthesis of steviol glycosides in stevia leaves. The results demonstrated that the highest absorption of nutrient elements including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium was observed in the plant cultivated under NO3− and NAA treatment. However, the combination of NH4NO3 and BAP significantly increased the steviol glycosides more than that of other treatments. This suggests that stevia requires low amounts of nutrient uptake for the biosynthesis of steviol glycosides. The results also showed that the levels of free carbohydrate and starch were increased in root and leaf under NO3− and with BAP + NAA treatments. An increase in free carbohydrate biosynthesis and transferring it to the root is completely vital to prevent sodium uptake and assist in the absorption of essential nutrients. These results suggest that the application of NO3− could increase the nutrient uptake whereas the optimal uptake of the essential elements and the highest amounts of steviol glycosides occur in the treatment of NH4NO3 along with BAP.

Background: Targeting Cancer Stem-Like Cells (CSLCs) can provide promising new therapeutic strategies to inhibit cancer progression, metastasis and recurrence. Salinomycin (Sal), an antibacterial ionophore, has been shown to inhibit CSCs specifically. Recently, it has been reported that Sal can destabilize TAZ, the hypo pathway transducer in CSLCs. Objective: Here, in the current study, we aimed to assess the differential toxicity of Sal in esophageal CSLCs and its relation to TAZ gene expression. Methods: The esophageal cancer cell line, KYSE-30, was used for the enrichment of CSLCs. The expression of TAZ was knocked down using specific siRNA transfection and then the cytotoxicity of Sal was measured using XTT assay. The qRT-PCR method was used for gene expression assessment and the sphere formation ability was monitored using light microscopy. Result: Our findings showed that esophageal CSLCs over-express stemness-associated genes, including SOX2, OCT4 as well as TAZ (~14 fold, P value=0.02) transcription coactivator. We found Sal can selectively inhibit KYSE-30 CSLCs viability and sphere formation ability; however, TAZ knockdown does not change its differential toxicity. Conclusion: Overall, our results indicated that Sal can selectively decrease the viability of esophageal CSLCs in a TAZ-independent manner.

In this work, novel magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents were prepared by crosslinking β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) onto chitosan backbones by using epichlorohydrin as a crosslinker and in the presence of Fe...

Acrylamide concentration in food products collected from the Tehran market was investigated by the aid of a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) system coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Also, the dietary exposure distribution and related potential risk for acrylamide ingestion were estimated by the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The highest and lowest mean concentration of acrylamide was detected in coffee and roasted nuts samples as 549 and 133 μg/kg, respectively. The mean acrylamide dietary exposure values for children (3–10 years), adolescents (11–17 years), adults (18–60 years), and seniors (61–96 years) were estimated to be 1.81, 1.02, 0.61, and 0.53 μg/kg body weight (BW)/day, respectively. In all age groups, except children, the estimated exposure in men and boys was higher than that in women and girls. Bread, despite containing low acrylamide content groups (157 μg/kg while compared with other, except roasted nuts), showed with the highest contribution rate in all age groups due to its high consumption rate. The estimated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for all age groups was noted as greater than 10−4 indicating serious risk to the population. Moreover, the margin of exposure (MOE) values based on carcinogenicity showed health concern to all age groups (

The steroid hormones, including brassinosteroids, regulate plant growth under stress. It is hypothesized that 24-epibrassinosteroids (24-EBR) can affect safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) biochemical properties, crop yield, and oil content under drought stress. The objective of our study was to determine the response of three safflower genotypes (Goldasht, Faraman, and Sina) to exogenous 24-EBR (0 and 10-7 M) under drought stress, including 85, 65, and 45% of field capacity in 2015. Stress decreased chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, relative water content (RWC), seed yield, and oil percentage. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and proline contents increased in response to either drought stress or 24-EBR. Genotypes behaved significantly different under stress. 24-EBR significantly increased plant chlorophyll contents and oil percentage, and it significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content via increasing the proline and carotenoid contents under stress. 24-EBR can increase safflower oil and seed yield under drought stress.

Background and Objectives: Citrus fruits and their constituents especially naringin (NR), a natural predominant flavanone, have a wide range of pharmacological activities without toxicity against cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of orange peel extract (OPE) and naringin (NR) on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Methods: Amount of phenol, flavonoid and antioxidants in OPE was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu procedure, aluminum chloride colorimetric and DPPH assays, respectively. Effects of NR and OPE on viability, wound healing assay and DNA fragmentation using DAPI were investigated. Data were analyzed by ImageJ software and GraphPad Prism 6.0 at significance of 0.05. Results: Total amount of phenols, flavonoids and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl was 2.83, 2.143 and 60.76 g/100g of OPE. Amount of NR in the dried OPE was estimated to be 5.260 (µg/gr) using high-performance liquid chromatography. Treatment of ESCC cells with OPE or NR decreased viability y of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, both OPE and NR were able to decrease cell migration and increase DNA fragmentation. Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that OPE and NR have anticancer effects on ESCC cells but the anticancer effects of OPE was better than that of NR alone. Keywords: Orange peel extract, Naringin, Migration, Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

One of the most prevalent malignancies is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Substance P (SP), as one of the peptides released from sensory nerves, causes the enhancement of cellular excitability through the activation of the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor in several human tumor cells. Aprepitant, a specific, potent, and long-acting NK1 receptor antagonist, is considered as a novel agent to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in malignant cells. Since the antitumor mechanism of aprepitant in ESCC is not completely understood, we conducted this study and found that aprepitant induced growth inhibition of KYSE-30 cells and arrested cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Aprepitant also caused apoptotic cell death and inhibited activation of the PI3K/Akt axis and its downstream effectors, including NF-κB in KYSE-30 cells. Besides, quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR analysis showed a significant down-regulation of NF-κB target genes in KYSE-30 cells, indicating a probable NF-κB-dependent mechanism involved in aprepitant cytotoxicity. Thus, the present study recommends that SP/NK1R system might, therefore, be considered as an emerging and promising therapeutic strategy against ESCC.

Acrylamide is a probable human carcinogen which could produce during food processing via Maillard reaction between asparagine and reducing sugars at elevated temperatures. In this study, microextraction technique was developed for the quantitative analysis of acrylamide in 24 types of roasted nuts and seeds including almond, pistachio, peanut and hazelnut and roasted seeds including sunflower, pumpkin and watermelon. Dispersive liquid liquid microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (DLLME–GC–MS) used for acrylamide determination in samples. Critical parameters in analysis step were studied and optimized using central composite design. The risk assessment estimation was done by Monte Carlo Simulation. The detection limit and quantitation limit of offered technique were calculated 0.6 and 2 µg/kg, respectively. The recovery percent for acrylamide in samples was higher than 95%. Relative standard deviation was obtained 8.9% (n = 6). The method was showed good linearity (R2 = 0.998) in the range of 5–500 µg/kg. According to the results, acrylamide level in roasted nuts and seeds is variable between 33.36 and 250.90 µg/kg. The highest mean value of acrylamide was found in roasted almond at concentration 176.88 µg/kg and the lowest amount of acrylamide was detected in roasted hazelnuts at concentration 90.61 µg/kg. Divergences in acrylamide amounts in samples were attributed to differences in their composition, roasting time and temperature used in their manufacture. Our results showed that dietary acrylamide exposure through intake of roasted nuts and seeds, is relatively low and the risk of carcinogenicity is considerable.

Highlights • This was the first systematic review concerning organotin in food. • Among the various organotin, TBT was reported more than others. • The overall mean of TBT in seafoods more than permissible maximum level., Organotin compounds in low doses have toxic effects. These components may contaminate food. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the type and level of organotin in food that are mainly contaminated with these compounds, as well as common detection methods. The research studies with keywords Organotin, Tributyltin, TBT, Food, Detection, Contamination, and Pollution were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases, regardless of publication time. Two author independently investigated the publications. A number of 123 studies were obtained and only 9 articles were finally selected according to exclusion and inclusion criteria. Studies were selected which organotin components were detected in the food matrix. The important data were extracted. Meta-analysis was calculated for the amount of TBT in seafood. The most important of these compounds are TBT, TPhT, Dibutyltin (DBT) and di-n-octyltin (DOT). Surveys were conducted on three continents, Europe, America and Asia. Contaminated foods reportedly included seafood and edible oils, according to studies. TBT was investigated more than other tin components in food. The overall average estimate for TBT in seafood was estimated at 182.33 ng/g that This amount was more than maximum limit. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to treat the wastewater so that these harmful compounds do not reach the water of sea.

A simple and efficient one-pot process for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthene and 2,2′-arylmethylene bis(3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one) derivatives via the Knoevenagel–Michael cascade reactions of aromatic aldehydes and dimedone catalyzed by Bronsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) in solvent-free and aqueous conditions is described in this study. These heterocycles were prepared in the presence of Bronsted acidic ionic liquids as a suitable, economical, readily synthesized and eco-friendly catalyst. This method offers several advantages such as high yields, simplicity of the workup, low cost, short reaction times, green conditions and use of a reusable catalyst.

Ferula assa-foetida gum oleoresin (FAGO) is traditionally used for treatment of different ailments. The subject of this article was to evaluate the chemical composition and antibacterial effects of the different types of bitter FAGO essential oils in the natural habitat of Southwest Iran. α-pinene (38.2%), and (Z)-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (12.4%) were the main components of F. assa-foetida tear type essential oil, with high antibacterial, anti-biofilm and cytotoxic activities, followed by paste and mass types, respectively. α-pinene (27.8%), and (Z)-propenyl-sec-butyl disulfide (24.2%) were identified as main components of paste type. α-pinene (33.4%), β-pinene (16.3%), and (Z)-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (16.1%) were the main components of asafoetida mass type gum oleoresin essential oil. FAGO essential oil specially tear one could serve as suitable candidate for further studies.

The prevalence of aflatoxins (AFB1) in Iranian wheat flours was determined by immunoaffinity chromatography (HPLC). A total of 180 wheat flour and 60 wheat bran samples including three types of flo...

Maintaining crop productivity under limited irrigation water requires some new strategies. This study investigated the influence of drought stress and the application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) including jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids, and putrescine on photosynthetic performance of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill). The results indicated that fennel exhibited active osmoregulation which prevented a sharp decrease in relative water content. Fennel successfully maintained high leaf chlorophyll index, Net photosynthesis rate, and transpiration under mild stress, however, severe stress reduced the photosynthetic parameters by 22%, 24%, and 50%, respectively. Drought stress increased chlorophyll a fluorescence when fennel plants exposed to the stress condition. Vk and Wk parameters related to the donor side of photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII) increased by 44% when severe drought stress imposed at the vegetative stage and 34% when occurred during the flowering. The elevation of Vk and Wk indicated a failure in water splitting in PSII. The VJ and VI parameters of acceptor sides increased by 16% and 22%, respectively when drought stress imposed at the vegetative phase and to 19% and 30%, when drought stress occurred during reproductive phase. Using PGRs resulted in reduced VJ, VI, Vk, and Wk, suggesting that some degree of recovery of damages occurred. All three PGRs stimulated biomass production and on average, plants yielded roughly 1.6 fold higher than the control plants. The influences of PGRs were mainly independent of drought stress level.

Cereal products as the main group of food diet have most important effect on human health. Acrylamide as a dangerous toxic compound has highly potential to be form in carbohydrates and proteins-rich foods at high temperature. In this research, we have successfully analyzed the amount of acrylamide in the important group of cereal products. Efficient, sensitive and selective microextraction technique has been applied to extract acrylamide from cereal samples. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been employed as powerful analytical instrument in the quantitation step. Parameters on the extraction procedure were studied and optimized using central composite design. The calibration curves showed high linearity (R2 = 0.998) in the range of 1–500 ng g−1. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation were obtained 0.6 ng g−1 and 2 ng g−1, respectively. The average acrylamide levels for wafer, traditional flat bread, biscuit, cracker, cake, cookie and industrial leavened bread were 233.94, 218.26, 200.67, 190.50, 186.39, 156.10 and 100.22 ng g−1 respectively. The acrylamide content in all tested sample was higher than 100 ng g−1. Wafer samples showed the highest amount of acrylamide. The composition of cereal sample and baking time and temperature have directly affected on acrylamide level in sample.

The development of microdischarges and the inception dynamics of subsequent microdischarges in an electrode arrangement consisting of a metal pin and a hemispherical dielectric-covered electrode, operated in air with a small toluene admixture, is studied. The discharge is operated with sinusoidal high voltage. A gated ICCD camera and a current probe enable the recording of images and current pulses of the single microdischarges, respectively, while the spatio-temporally resolved development is measured with a multi-dimensional time-correlated single photon counting technique. The overall discharge dynamics changes significantly if a concentration of 35 ppm toluene is added to dry air. A lower high voltage amplitude than in dry air is needed for stable discharge operation. This can be explained by the lower ionization energy of toluene compared to molecular oxygen and nitrogen. The microdischarge development is the same with or without admixture, i.e. a positive (cathode directed) streamer mechanism is observed. Lower mean power is dissipated into the discharge when toluene is admixed. The main effect caused by toluene admixture is the suppression of high-energy microdischarges in case of the cathodic pin half-cycle of the sinusoidal high voltage. The influence on the inception voltage by additional ionization mechanisms and volume memory effects, the consumption of energetic electrons for toluene decomposition reactions, and the modification of the surface by plasma treatment are discussed as possible reasons.

The impact of varying the co-doping concentration of a mesogenic and a non-mesogenic monomer in the reactive mixtures used to create a copolymer network LCs was investigated. Use of copolymer has been found to improve the response properties in the obtained liquid crystal composites. The polymer network in the studied copolymer network LCs was examined by scanning electron microscopy and the response times in various samples were investigated. Samples were prepared with various reactive mixtures, each of which had a constant concentration of mesogenic monomer, various concentrations of non-mesogenic monomer, and the same amount of photoinitiator. These reactive mixtures were filled in home assembled test cells with planar alignment and then exposed to UV light. With increasing concentration of the non-mesogenic monomer, the response properties of the resulting copolymer network LC were improved. Usually, if the overall polymer content in a polymer network LC is increased, the threshold voltage is also increased. However, both threshold voltages and response times were lowered and the response properties were thus improved in the studied copolymer network LCs. This unexpected behavior could be traced back to inducing a grainy polymer morphology of the copolymer network by using a non-mesogenic monomer.

This study aims to examine the influence of untreated coal waste (UCW) and treated coal waste (TCW) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on the environmental, mechanical, durability, and microstructural characteristics of mortar mixes. UCW preparation procedure consists of sequential steps of crushing and grinding. Afterward, UCW is thermally activated through incinerating at 750°C to be promoted to TCW. Experimental work includes mixing mortar mixtures by partially replacing cement with the coal waste binders (UCW and TCW) at different incorporation levels of 4, 8, 12, and 16% of cement weight. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test was applied to investigate the environmental impacts of coal wastes. TCLP test results pointed out that heavy metals including Manganese, Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium could successfully entrap in the cement matrix. The compressive and flexural strengths as mechanical characteristics of mortar mixtures were determined at 3, 7, 28, 90, and 180 curing days. Moreover, the mortar specimens were immersed in 3% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 60 and 150 days. Durability results showed that the H2SO4 attack resistance of binary cement mortars containing 4% coal waste binders was better than the plain mortar. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, ettringite was found as the main hydration product of binary cement after 28 days; however, the existence of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in the cement matrix of mixes after 90 days explains the more compact microstructure attained by using coal waste as cement replacement materials compared to control mixtures.

CO2 geological storage in depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers is currently one of the most economical methods to mitigate CO2 emissions, mainly because of available geological data from oil and gas exploration and production in the last decades as well as abandoned wellbore facilities. Four main factors dictate the safe and economical CO2 storage and selection of a suitable storage site: while wellbore and cap rock integrity are critical to the security of stored CO2, storage capacity and CO2 injectivity are among the main factors driving the cost of storage per ton of CO2. Low or reduced CO2 injectivity at injection wellbore can significantly increase the compression costs of the project. In worst-case scenarios, a blockage can increase injection pressures above rock fracture pressure, thus critically jeopardising further injection in the same well. The global abundance, high storage capacity and potentially low chemical reactivity of sandstone reservoirs make them great candidates for CO2 geological storage sites. The matrix of siliciclastic rocks is mainly made of quartz grains, and there is negligible chemical reactivity in contact with carbonic acid formed during the injection. However, the most common cementing agents in these rocks (e.g. calcite, dolomite and, to some extent, clays) react with carbonic acid. These reactions lead to mechanisms like cement dissolution, mineral deposition, and sand fine migration (sand mobilisation). Depending on the volumetric percentage of the binding cement, its geometrical distribution within the matrix and pore (and throat) size distribution of the rock, fine migration and binding cement dissolution can enhance or impair CO2 injectivity [1,2]. Despite numerous studies regarding the effect of CO2 injection on fine migration and injectivity, there is still no consensus regarding the impact of intergranular cement dissolution on CO2 injectivity. In this study, we have focused on the effect of binding cement dissolution on pore morphology in a typical sandstone (Berea) and demonstrating how the observations of CO2 injectivity change at the core scale alone could be misleading and explain some apparent discrepancies reported in the literature. We cut three slices of this core for X-ray micro-computed tomography (MicroCT) imaging. The first slice was cut from the original clean core. After performing a coreflood experiment with carbonated water through the rest of the core, two other pieces were cut from the inlet and outlet of the core. To represent the extreme dissolution conditions (lowest pH) during CO2 injection, a batch of North Sea brine fully saturated with CO2 was prepared and injected through the core at typical reservoir conditions (50°C and 2.6×107 Pa). Three 3D models are reconstructed from images of the prepared rock slices to represent the pore structure of the rock before injection and the inlet and outlet of the core subjected to CW injection. Avizo (a commercial software) is used to calculate the permeability and velocity fields in these models. The comparison of results from micro-CT imaging and the coreflood experiment shows how single-scale studies (either core or pore-scale) of CO2 injectivity can lead to a misleading conclusion about the effect of fine migration on permeability at larger scales.

Nutritional modifications can potentially impact the reproductive performance and ultimately the economic results of dairy herds. The objectives were to investigate the effects of feeding a high starch (HS) diet and body condition score (BCS) at calving on reproductive responses and uterine health in Holstein dairy cows. One hundred seventy-four multiparous cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental diets from 16 until 50 days in milk (DIM; n = 87 per group); normal starch (228 g/kg diet DM; NS) or high starch (270 g/kg diet DM; HS) diets. Each dietary treatment group was further subdivided based on BCS at calving as normal BCS (BCS ≤ 3.5; NBCS; n = 45) and high BCS (BCS ≥ 3.75; HBCS; n = 42). Transrectal ultrasonography was carried out at 10 DIM, and thereafter twice weekly until the onset of ovarian cyclicity or d 50 DIM. Feeding HS diet significantly affected the proportion of cows cycling by 30 and 40 DIM. Number of services per conception and calving interval (CI) were significantly improved in cows fed the HS compared to the NS diet (2.08 vs. 2.51 and 427.14 vs. 445.30 days for cows fed HS and NS diets, respectively). In summary, feeding higher starch diets from 16 till 50 DIM could be an effective strategy to improve the economic variables related to reproduction in dairy cows.

Diclofenac (DCF) is among the compounds that are highly resistant to biological degradation processes and have low removal efficiency in wastewater treatment plants. In the current study, DCF removal was examined by using the O3/UV/S2O8 process. All experiments were carried out in a 2-liter lab-scale semi-continuous reactor. DCF concentration was measured by HPLC analytical method. The study began with the optimization of pH, and the effects of other operating parameters, including pH, ozone concentrations, drug, persulfate, and natural organic matter (Humic acid) on the degradation were investigated. The mineralization of diclofenac was also investigated. The results showed the removal efficiency of 89% and a persulfate concentration of 200 mg/L, pH = 6, DCF = 8 mg/L, and reaction periods 30 min in the O3/UV/S2O8 process. Humic acid was selected as a scavenging compound, which decreased the removal DCF rate from 89% to 76%. So, sulfate radical-based technologies show promising results for the removal of these particular pharmaceuticals from the wastewater treatment plant.

Stevia is a herbaceous plant containing non-sugar sweeteners that could be regarded as a successor to sugar for diabetics. However, there are some problems with the cultivation of stevia, especially in the greenhouse, including unbranching and low sweetening agents. To overcome this issue, an experiment was designed to increase not only the branching and leaf production but also the sweetness. Therefore, a novel strategy using abscisic acid (0, 50, 100, 150 μM), its inhibitor, i.e. fluridone (0, 50, 100, 150 μM) and decapitation of plant apical meristems was applied. Results showed that when stevia was decapitated, dormant buds responded to the application of abscisic acid and fluridone. Under these conditions, axillary buds were developed to branches. As well leaf, total dry weight, soluble sugars and steviol glycosides (SGs) were significantly increased. In addition, the interaction of abscisic acid (50 and 100 μM) and fluridone (50 μM) had the highest positive effects on plant growth and steviol glycosides production rather than their sole applications. Results also indicated that decapitation removed a terminal dominance over a limited period of time and the terminal dominance was re-established with the growth of the terminal branches, whereas the influence of 50 µM fluridone on stevia was long term and the number of shoots was greater. Since stevia is a costly sweetener, the results of this study could be used in greenhouses, where the cultivation of stevia seems to be reasonable in terms of economic aspects.

Enterococcus faecium strains are commonly resistant to vancomycin and β-lactams. In addition, E. faecium often causes biofilm-associated infections and these infections are difficult to treat. In this context, we investigated the activity of dosing regimens using daptomycin (DAP) (8, 10, 12, and 14 mg/kg of body weight/day) alone and in combination with ceftaroline (CPT), ampicillin (AMP), ertapenem (ERT), and rifampin (RIF) against 2 clinical strains of biofilm-producing vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm), namely, strains S447 and HOU503, in an in vitro biofilm model. HOU503 harbors common LiaS and LiaR substitutions, whereas S447 lacks mutations associated with the LiaFSR pathway. MIC results demonstrated that both strains were susceptible to DAP and resistant to CPT, AMP, ERT, and RIF. The 168-h pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) CDC biofilm reactor models (simulating human antibiotic exposures) were used with titanium and polyurethane coupons to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic combinations. DAP 12 and 14 achieved bactericidal activity against S447 but lacked such effect against HOU503. Addition of ERT and RIF enhanced DAP activity, allowing DAP 8 and 10 plus ERT or RIF to produce bactericidal activity against both strains at 168 h. While DAP 8 and 10 plus CPT improved killing, they did not reach bactericidal reduction against S447. Combination of AMP, CPT, ERT, or RIF resulted in enhanced and bactericidal activity for DAP against HOU503 at 168 h. Our data provide further support for the use of combinations of DAP with AMP, ERT, CPT, and RIF in infections caused by biofilm producing VREfm. Further research involving DAP combinations against biofilm-producing enterococci is warranted.

In order to investigate the effects of some plant growth regulators on photosynthetic pigments and growth of fennel plants, a greenhouse experiment was conducted based on the randomized complete block design with three replicates in 2017. Treatments were the application of methyl jasmonate (25, 50, 100 and 200 μM), putrescine (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM) and 24-Epibrassinolide at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 μM and distilled water as a control. The results indicated that application of 0.5 Mm putrescine, exhibited significant effects on the chlorophyll a (62%), b (104%), total chlorophyll (72%), carotenoids (51%), flavonoids (51%), anthocyanin content (-14%), phenolic compounds (13%) and maximum quantum efficiency (17%) in dark condition and in light condition. Application of 24-Epibrassinolide resulted in a significant increase of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenol content, maximum quantum efficiency in the dark condition and photochemical quenching of fluorescence. The highest chlorophyll content and carotenoids were observed in treated plants with 0.1 µM 24-Epibrassinolide, while the maximum phenol content was obtained by application of 0.01 µM 24-Epibrassinolide. The application of methyl jasmonate significantly affected the major chlorophyll and accessory pigments (except phenol) of fennel. Plants treated with 50 µM methyl jasmonate exhibited higher concentrations of chlorophyll a (3.25 mg per g FW-1), total chlorophyll (4.35 mg per g FW-1), carotenoids (0.87 mg per g FW-1) and flavonoids (4.75 µg per g FW-1). A significant dry weight increased after the application of methyl jasmonate and it can be concluded that the most effective treatment in this regard for fennel plants was 50 µM methyl jasmonate.

Objectives: Biofilm formation is one of the important features of Staphylococcus epidermidis, particularly in nosocomial infections. We aimed to investigate the biofilm production by phenotypic methods and the presence of ica genes in S epidermidis. Methods: A total of 41 S epidermidis isolates were recovered from different clinical specimens. Biofilm formation was evaluated by microtiter plate, tube method and Congo red agar method. The presence of icaA and icaD genes was investigated by PCR. Validity of methods (sensitivity and specificity), and metrics for test performance (positive/negative predictive value, and positive/negative likelihood ratio) were determined. Results: By both microtiter plate and tube method, 53.6 of S epidermidis isolates were able to produce biofilm, whilst only 24.4 of isolates provided a biofilm phenotype on Congo red agar plates. icaA and icaD genes were found in 100 and 95.1 of isolates, respectively. Biofilm phenotypes accounted for 4.8 by microtiter plate assay, despite the absence of the ica gene. Congo red agar and PCR exhibited a lower sensitivity (18 and 45.5, respectively) for identifying the biofilm phenotype in comparison to microtiter plate. Conclusion: The microtiter plate method remains generally a better tool to screen biofilm production in S epidermidis. In addition, the ability of S epidermidis to form biofilm is not always dependent on the presence of ica genes, highlighting the importance of ica-independent mechanisms of biofilm formation. The use of reliable methods to specifically detect biofilms can be helpful to treat the patients affected by such problematic bacteria. © 2018 Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It has been reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist, pioglitazone, has several beneficial roles in many pathological states of nervous tissues. Then in the present study, we aimed to examine the neuroprotective actions of pioglitazone (PPAR-gamma agonist) on motor function, histopathological changes and oxidative damage during spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups as follows; sham, control injury and pioglitazone-treated injured groups. SCI was performed according to the Ping-Weight Drop (contusion) model in rat. The animals received pioglitazone (3 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at times of 15 min after injury and then each 12 hours for seven days. At day seven after SCI, the malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were assessed using biochemical techniques. Histopathological alterations in injured spinal cord and motor function recovery were also assessed after six weeks. Induction of SCI in control group significantly increased the malondialdehyde levels (56%, P=0.002) and decreased the content of glutathione (39±4 nMol/mL) compared to control group (49±6 nMol/mL). Pioglitazone in treated injured rats significantly decreased the malondialdehyde levels (37%, P=0.018) but not glutathione levels (42±1 nMol/mL) compared to sham group. In addition, pioglitazone noticeably improved the histopathological changes of injured spinal cord but not motor function. Our findings revealed that pioglitazone decreases histopathological changes and oxidative damage of injured spinal cord. However, it is suggested that pioglitazone must be applied at higher doses for improving motor function during SCI.

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the performance of three deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in the separation of acid gases from natural gas. To evaluate the efficiency of these DESs, their performance was compared with that of the conventional methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) system. For this purpose, the acidic DES (phenyl propionic acid and choline chloride; with 67 mol % Phpr), same acidic DES accompanied by boron-nitride nanotube (Nano-DES), and acidic DES with methyl diethanolamine (DES-MDEA) were considered. The solubility selectivity and diffusion selectivity were evaluated and compared to those of MDEA system. The Nano-DES system showed the best performance in terms of solubility selectivity of H2S over CH4, while the high solubility selectivity of CO2 over CH4 was obtained for pure DES systems. Likewise, the aqueous MDEA and the DES-MDEA systems exhibited the largest diffusivity selectivity of H2S over CH4 and CO2 over CH4, respectively. These results were rationalized and explained by analyzing the density profile and interaction energies. Besides, the radial and spatial distribution function, Gaussian normalized distribution of measured dipole moment of species, and the orientation of dipole moment species were investigated to explain the obtained results. Furthermore, dynamical properties such as mean square displacement and corrected diffusion coefficient of species indicated that CO2 molecules diffuse faster than H2S for studied systems except for aqueous MDEA. Likewise, the diffusion coefficient of H2S and CO2 in the considered systems follow the trends Nano-DES

The prediction of deep eutectic composition is hard and so far, has been distinguished by trial and error. Therefore, in this work, molecular dynamics simulations were performed for specifying the composition of the eutectic point of phenyl propionic acid (Phpr) and choline chloride (ChCl) mixtures. The distinctive properties of the Phpr and ChCl eutectic mixture at the composition of the eutectic point were investigated and were compared to other eutectic mixtures with the different mole fractions of Phpr and ChCl. Structural properties such as radial distribution function (RDF), coordination number, hydrogen-bond number, interaction energies, and dipole moment of species, as well as dynamical properties such as mean square displacement (MSD), viscosity, and self-diffusion coefficient were analyzed. The obtained results of structural properties indicated that each chloride anion is surrounded by two Phpr molecules for deep eutectic point states that is in good agreement with available experimental reports. Moreover, the viscosity of studied mixtures evaluated by the Green-Kubo method was found to be consistent with the reported experimental data. Besides, the stress-autocorrelation function (SACF) and convergency of viscosity with time were calculated. Finally, the eutectic point could be detected by the changes in the trends of total van der Waals interaction energies and the viscosity.

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development in response to water deficit. The effect of SA (0, 0.4 and 0.8 mM) on some physiological parameters of three soybean genotypes was investigated in three irrigation schedules included (85%, 65% and 45% of field capacity) during 2014–2015. Results showed that water deficit decreased stomatal conductance, leaf area index, relative water content, membrane stability index, yield components and grain yield particularly in L17 genotype. Activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and concentration of hydrogen peroxide, proline and total protein were increased in response to water deficit as well as SA applications. SA inhibited catalase activity resulting in increased hydrogen peroxide accumulation in soybean genotypes. Application of 0.4 mM SA decreased the adverse effects of water deficit in soybean genotypes by elevation of antioxidant enzymes activity and reducing malondialdehyde formation especially in Williams genotype.

A fast-switching, tunable color filter was found in a copolymer network liquid crystal (LC), which was in situ generated in a conventional LC test cell with parallel aligned glass plates and investigated with polarized light. Polarization filters were used to convert the tunable optical phase retardance of the test cells to birefringence colors as is always possible in a LC test cell with carefully adjusted cell gap and effective birefringence. The cell gap of the samples could be adjusted to a value of 9 μm, which is not easily possible in a polymer LC composite without creating defects. In these samples, the typical pastel colors seen frequently in birefringent samples could be avoided. The transmittance spectra were recorded and converted to CIE 1931 color coordinates, which showed that the colors seen had a reasonable distance to the white point. The electro-optic switching times of the samples were investigated: Fast responses of t on +t off

Here, we show that mesna (sodium-2-mercaptoethane sulfonate), primarily used to prevent nephrotoxicity and urinary tract toxicity caused by chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, modulates the catalytic activity of lactoperoxidase (LPO) by binding tightly to the enzyme, functioning either as a one electron substrate for LPO Compounds I and II, destabilizing Compound III. Lactoperoxidase is a hemoprotein that utilizes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and thiocyanate (SCN−) to produce hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN), an antimicrobial agent also thought to be associated with carcinogenesis. Our results revealed that mesna binds stably to LPO within the SCN− binding site, dependent of the heme iron moiety, and its combination with LPO-Fe(III) is associated with a disturbance in the water molecule network in the heme cavity. At low concentrations, mesna accelerated the formation and decay of LPO compound II via its ability to serve as a one electron substrate for LPO compounds I and II. At higher concentrations, mesna also accelerated the formation of Compound II but it decays to LPO-Fe(III) directly or through the formation of an intermediate, Compound I*, that displays characteristic spectrum similar to that of LPO Compound I. Mesna inhibits LPO's halogenation activity (IC50 value of 9.08 μM) by switching the reaction from a 2e− to a 1e− pathway, allowing the enzyme to function with significant peroxidase activity (conversion of H2O2 to H2O without generation of HOSCN). Collectively, mesna interaction with LPO may serve as a potential mechanism for modulating its steady-state catalysis, impacting the regulation of local inflammatory and infectious events.

An imprinted electrochemical sensor was developed for the determination of the antibiotic oxacillin (OXC). A screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was modified with gold nanourchin and graphene oxide, and then aniline was electro-polymerized in the presence of OXC to obtain a molecular imprint on the SPCE. The morphologies in sequential modification processes and the electrochemical behavior of the modified SCPE were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The performance of the sensor was evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry. At a typical peak potential of 0.82 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), response is linear in the 0.7–575 nM OXC concentration range. The electrochemical sensitivity is 97.6 nA nM −1 cm −2, and the detection limit is 0.2 nM. The relative of replicate assays is 2.6% (for n = 6) at an OXC concentration level of 200 nM. The sensor is sensitive and selective. It was successfully applied for the detection of OXC in spiked cow’s milk.

Increasing agricultural activities result in increasing use of different pesticides in order to protect the products, but this is happening without paying attention to the consequences of the daily increase of using pesticides. Pesticides could affect human health and the environment at the same time. In this study three pesticides (diazinon, carbaryl and butachlor), which are used in rice production, were measured in the Babol Roud River located in Mazandaran province in Northern Iran. A large portion of the agricultural land use in this region is for rice production. Water samples were collected from 8 sampling points along the river during 4 seasons throughout the year, since planting of rice is conducted twice a year in this region. Mean concentrations for diazinon are 367.7 and 354.5 μgL-1 in October 2018 and June 2019, respectively. Also, concentrations of carbaryl are 197 and 211.1 μgL-1 and butachlor are 299.6 and 413.2 μgL-1 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Moreover, hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic health risk of these pesticides were calculated based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency reference dose (RfD) and the European Union's acceptable daily intake (EU ADI). HQs for adult based on RfD are 4.3, 0.3 and 0.1 and for children are 8.6, 0.08 and 0.03 for diazinon, butachlor and carbaryl, respectively. Also, HQs for adults based on the EU ADI are 15, 0.05 and 0.1 and for children are 30, 0.1 and 0.4 for diazinon, butachlor and carbaryl, respectively. The probabilistic ecological risk assessment indicated that diazinon in the river represents a considerable risk to invertebrate and vertebrate communities, carbaryl to invertebrate communities, and butachlor to primary producer communities. The 5th centile of the species sensitivity distributions for each of these communities of biota are exceeded in more than 75% of samples.

Optimization of a green approach to the synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles based on the one-pot, four-component condensation via a domino Knoevenagel/Michael/cyclization sequence was investigated. This method involved the evaluation of the activity of several ionic liquids (ILs) in various solvents. This one-pot, four-component reaction revealed simplicity, higher yield and lower toxicity advantages over a corresponding three-component method. The effect of reaction parameters including the type and amount of catalyst, type of solvent, reaction temperature and time were studied with respect to yield of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles. Catalyst recyclability and time-saving aspects of the reaction suggest that this method presents real alternatives over conventional reaction protocols.

Brassinosteroids may importantly affect safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) growthand quality under stress. The oil responses of three spring safflower genotypes (Goldasht, Faraman and Sina) affected by the exogenous application of 24- epibrassinolide (EBL, 0.1 μM) under drought stress (85 (I1), 65 (I2) and 45 % (I3) of the field capacity) were investigated in 2016. The stress decreased oil percentage and yield, fatty acid yield and stomatal conductance, whereas supplying sufficient water did not alter fatty acid content. EBL increased oil and fatty acid percentage (except palmitic acid), and stomatal conductance. Foliar EBL application led to enhancement of oleic (15.95 %), linolenic (22.50 %), linoleic (4.26 %) and stearic acid (29.6 %) compared with control. The hormonal treatment also enhanced oil and fatty acid yield in I1 and I2. The desaturation efficiency and unsaturation indexes indicated that EBL can affect safflower response under the stress by desaturating 18:2 fatty acids to 18:3 fatty acids. Safflower oil content and fatty acids, as a function of plant genotype, can be enhanced under drought stress using EBL. The presented research can also further enhance our understanding related to lipid metabolism in safflower affected by EBL under drought stress. Such results are of nutritional, economic, industrial and environmental significance.

Background Emergence of reduced susceptibility to vancomycin warrants the development of new antimicrobial agents for the treatment of MRSA. We evaluated the activity of dalbavancin, a novel lipoglycopeptide antibiotic, both alone and combined with β-lactams, in combination MIC testing and time-kill assays against resistant phenotypes of Staphylococcus aureus. Methods S. aureus isolates included 50 organisms with varying susceptibility patterns. Dalbavancin was tested alone and in combination with five β-lactams: cefazolin, cefepime, ceftaroline, ertapenem and oxacillin. MIC values of the antibiotics were determined for all isolates. After initial MIC testing, dalbavancin MICs were determined in the presence of 0.5 × MIC of each β-lactam to determine the effect of each β-lactam on dalbavancin MIC. Time-kill assays were performed with dalbavancin and β-lactams tested at 0.5 × MIC for randomly selected organisms representing each MRSA phenotype. Time-kill curves were generated by plotting mean colony counts (log10 cfu/mL) versus time. Results Dalbavancin MIC50 was 0.0313 mg/L and MIC90 was 0.0625 mg/L. Dalbavancin MICs decreased by zero to greater than five 2-fold dilutions in combination with each β-lactam. In time-kill assays, dalbavancin was synergistic with cefazolin, cefepime and ertapenem against all strains and the combination of dalbavancin and ceftaroline was synergistic against all but one. The combination of dalbavancin and oxacillin was synergistic against 5/8 strains. Conclusions Dalbavancin was active against all MRSA strains tested, including heteroresistant vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus, vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus, daptomycin-non-susceptible and linezolid-resistant isolates. The synergy demonstrated against these organisms supports the use of dalbavancin in combination with β-lactams against resistant phenotypes of S. aureus. Further evaluation is warranted.

A split-plot experiment arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications was carried out in Safiabad Agricultural Research Center of Dezful in order to investigate the effects of foliar applications of ascorbic acid (AsA), salicylic acid (SA) and methanol (Me), under deficit irrigation conditions, in canola; there were 3 levels of irrigation as the main factor (irrigation after 70 mm evaporation from the pan as control, cessation of irrigation at the flowering stage and cessation of irrigation at the appearance of siliques) and 10 levels of foliar applications as sub-factor (100, 200 and 300 mg.l-1AsA; 100, 200 and 300 µM SA; 10, 20 and 30% (w/v) methanol; and foliar application of distilled water as control). Foliar applications were made during both budding and initiation of flowering stages. Results indicated that antioxidant enzymes showed different responses to deficit irrigation and foliar application treatments. Maximum catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were observed under cessation of irrigation at flowering stage and foliar application of 300 µM SA, while ascorbate peroxidase (APX) reached its maximum activity under the same irrigation conditions and foliar application of 300 mg.l-1AsA. SA had more influence to increase in CAT and PPO activity under cessation of irrigation at flowering stage. The relative water content (RWC) was also decreased due to the drought stress caused by the cessation of irrigation. Foliar application of SA (100 μM) and Me (10% w/v) had more influence to maintain RWC compared to ascorbic acid under irrigation cessation at flowering stage.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the lethal effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss (Lamiaceae) methanolic extract against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces. Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of the essential oil (2.5–20 mg/mL) were used for 10–60 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed using eosin exclusion test (0.1 % eosin staining). Obtained results showed that Z. multiflora extract at the concentration of 20 mg/mL after 10 min of exposure killed 100 % protoscoleces. The mean of mortality rate of protoscoleces after 20 min of exposure to the concentration of 10 mg/mL was also 100 %. Lower concentrations of Z. multiflora extract provoked a delayed protoscolicidal activity. The findings indicated potential of Z. multiflora methanolic extract as a natural source for the producing of new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery.

Attempts have been made to fabricate an injectable biphasic hydrogel based on partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHAp), and chromium acetate (Cr(III)) as a crosslink agent as a novel scaffold for osteochondral repair. The HPAM water solution comprising 4 wt% HPAM and 0.2 wt% Cr(III) (HPAM3) and its counterpart containing 50 wt% nHAp (HPAM6) were shown to be optimized in a vial titling method and cell viability assays. The biphasic hydrogel demonstrated high interfacial attraction in tensile test measurements. The rheo-mechanical spectroscopy (RMS) performed on the prepared hydrogels revealed that incorporation of 50 wt% of nHAp (HPAM6) not only reinforced the mechanical strength of the final crosslinked gel, but lowered the gelation onset as well as gelling time. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization together with water uptake measurement showed that an increase in crosslink density enhanced surface elasticity as well as reduced equilibrium swelling degree. The engineered constructs (HPAM3 and HPAM6) also supported cell attachment as indicated by SEM observation. Alcian blue, safranin O and dimethyl methylene blue (DMMB) indicated chondrogenic phenotype in the HPAM3 constructs with the highest amount after 21 days of culture. Chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the HPAM3 was evident by real-time PCR analysis for cartilage-specific ECM gene markers. Interestingly, in Real-time PCR analysis for bone-specific ECM gene markers, up-regulated expression of osteogenic genes was related to osteoblastic differentiation of encapsulated MSCs within HPAM/nHAp scaffolds, as confirmed by calcium deposition. The results suggested that our designed biphasic hydrogel has potential to be considered as a promising scaffold for osteochondral regeneration.

Background: Stevioside is well known for its sweetness in food industries. The liver plays an important role in food metabolism and is susceptible to the toxicity from food and its metabolites. Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing stevioside hepatotoxicity in the chicken embryo model. Methods: Stevioside was injected on the day 4 of incubation of chickens. The fertile eggs were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (without injection), 10 ppm, 100 ppm, and 1000 ppm of stevioside. The livers and serum samples were collected on the day 20 of incubation. Oxidative stresses of organ, enzymatic activity, and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. Results: The changes in the liver enzymes activity and biochemical parameters were not significant. There was no significant difference in glutathione (GSH) level, lipid peroxidation, and cupric assay; there was a decrease in the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). Conclusions: There were no significant changes in liver enzymes activity and oxidative stress parameters of liver. It was concluded that stevioside did not cause marked damages in liver.

Objectives: New risk factors, such as plasma homocysteine level, have been rencetly recognized as independent risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Mutations in some genes, affecting plasma homocysteine level, may be associated with CAD. Association studies in many populations have demonstrated a significant association between the development of CAD and 2 polymorphisms, rs1801131 and rs1805087. Methods: In this case-control study (case group, 120 cases; control group, 130 controls), performed in Golestan province, Iran, rs1801131 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was genotyped in 5, 10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and rs1805087 SNP was genotyped in 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR). Tetraprimer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (tetraprimer ARMS-PCR) method was applied to analyze these 2 sites. Results: In the rs1801131 site, genotype frequencies of AA, AC, and CC were 51%, 34%, and 15%, respectively in the case group, while the corresponding frequencies in the controls were 43%, 38%, and 19%, respectively. The results indicated that the difference in A and C allele distribution of rs1801131 was not significant among the controls and patients (OR, 1.34). Genotyping of rs1805087 demonstrated no variety at this position in the population. Conclusions: We conclude that the presence of C allele does not increase the risk of CAD in the population of Golestan province. In addition, MTR rs1805087 SNP is not a suitable marker for population-based studies related to CAD. However, further studies are needed in larger populations to confirm these findings.

Surgery remains the preferred treatment for hydatid cyst (cystic echinococcosis, CE). Various scolicidal agents have been used for inactivation of protoscolices during surgery, but most of them are associated with adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effect of Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae) essential oil and also its active principle, thymoquinone, against protoscolices of hydatid cysts. Protoscolices were aseptically aspirated from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of the essential oil (0.01-10 mg/ml) and thymoquinone (0.125-1.0 mg/ml) were used for 5 to 60 min. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Furthermore, the components of the N. sativa essential oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Our study revealed that the essential oil of N. sativa at the concentration of 10 mg/ml and its main component, thymoquinone, at the concentration of 1 mg/ml had potent scolicidal activities against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus after 10 min exposure. Moreover, thymoquinone (42.4%), p-cymene (14.1%), carvacrol (10.3%), and longifolene (6.1%) were found to be the major components of N. sativa essential oil by GC/MS analysis. The results of this study indicated the potential of N. sativa as a natural source for production of a new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be needed to confirm these results by checking the essential oil and its active component in in vivo models.

The effects of water deficit and nitrogen fertilizer were studied on antioxidant enzymes activity and quantum yield of barley. An experiment carried out in greenhouse in factorial subject based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Irrigation schedules imposed at three levels of 85%, 60% and 35% field capacity ( FC), and nitrogen were applied in quantities of 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha -1 . We determined Catalase ( CAT ), Peroxidase (POX) Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, proline, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, quantum yield and grain yield. The results showed that severe stress (35% FC) increased the activities of CAT , POX and PPO enzymes and proline content, whereas the carotenoids, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b decreased. Water deficiency caused the reduction in the quantum yield and the grain yield by 34%. Application of 80 kg of N during stress treatments resulted in higher enzyme activity and proline content. High amount of nitrogen reduced carotenoids, chlorophyll a , chlorophyll b , and in contrast, enhanced quantum yield. Application of 120 kg N ha -1 increased the yield up to 37% under mild stress (35% FC). Correlation coefficient and path coefficient showed that, grain yield was affected directly by amount of carotenoids and quantum yield.

Effects of xanthan gum (XG) (0.1 wt%) and pectin (PE) (0.5 wt%) alone and in combination with different concentrations (0.2 and 0.4 wt%) of locust bean gum (LBG), modified starch (MS), and Na-alginate (ALG) on some of the rheological characteristics of low-fat spreads, including flow behavior curves, rheological modeling, apparent viscosity, rheological modules (storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″)), and delta degree (G″/G′) were studied. Results showed the power-law model was better than the Herschel–Bulkley model to describe the flow curve of dispersions. The k-value in the power-law model increased with increase in biopolymers concentration in solution. All samples exhibited shear-thinning flow behavior with a low yield stress. Dynamic oscillatory shear test showed that the spreads had a viscoelastic solid behavior with a gel-like structure. The G′ value was increased by increasing frequency from 0.03 to 15 Hz, while the G″ and G″/G′ values decreased. Also, MS in combination with XG and PE led to...

Background: Chromium (VI) is a hazardous pollutant that enters into the environment through different industrial wastewater. Therefore, Choice a suitable method for removal of the pollutant before discharging into the environment is necessary. The aim of this work was performance evaluation of Electro-Fenton process (EFP) in removal of hexavalent chromium in the presence of cyanide, as an interfering agent, from synthetic wastewaters. Methods: In this experimental study, a reactor with 1 L useful volume and 4 electrodes made ​​of iron was used. pH, initial concentration of chromium (VI), voltage, hydrogen peroxide and cyanide concentration, as an interfering agent, were investigated in order to determine the process efficiency. Results: Results reveals that the considered parameters were affected on the efficiency of the process. In optimum condition, pH=3 and voltage=20 V, initial concentration=100 mg/L, concentration of hydrogen peroxide=50 mL/L the maximum efficiency was reached up to 97%. Cyanide Presence, in the same condition, reduced the efficiency under 50 % and also, the efficiency was decreased by changing the parameters level from optimum condition. Conclusion: Results indicate the proper efficiency of chromium (VI) by EFP process; however presence of other pollutants such as cyanide can cause efficiency decrease which must be considered in the process application.

The optical and structural properties of magnesium fluoride films deposited by conventional e-beam evaporation and sputtering have been investigated herein. Deposition processes were carried out on the glass substrates in the absence of any reactive gases. The results show that the deposition method has a considerable effect on the optical and microstructural properties MgF 2 film. Also, the results show that the deposition parameters of the sputtered MgF 2 films can be easily controlled to yield the desired layer. The optical, chemical, and structural properties of the deposited MgF 2 films were characterized by using spectrophotometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.

Effects of seed priming and aging on some physiological characteristics of Milk thistle was studied in a factoral experiment based on Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Tratments were included hydro priming (using distilled water), halo priming (0, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6% KNO3) and accelerated aging (0, 2, 4 and 6 days under 45°C and 95% humidity) in three replications. Determined parameters were germination charactristics including germination percentage, daily germination speed, mean time of germination, seed vigor index, hypocutile length and hypocutile dry weight. Activity of catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were determined at 12 hours after imbibition and seedling stage. According to results of this experiment, germination percentage, seed vigor and seedling growth of seeds were increased under all priming treatments. Improving the catalase and peroxidase activity led to decrease the aging damages. Germination characteristics were improved under both priming treatments at the beginning of germination as well as seedling growth. Polyphenol oxidase activity was increased in the pre-treated seeds but decreased in seedling growth stage. Aging treatments led to reduce the germination percentage, daily germination speed, seed vigor and seedling growth while the germination time was increased. Accelerated aging caused to reduce the germination rate and seedling growth of milk thistle that is probably due to increasing the lipid peroxidation, free radical increment and decreasing the antioxidants activity. The greatest and lowest antioxidants activity, the germination percentage, germination speed and seed vigor were respectively observed under priming using 3% KNO3 concentration and control seeds.