Search

A series of organic compounds were successfully immobilized on an N-doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD) to prepare a multifunctional organocatalyst for coupling reaction between CO 2 and propylene oxide (PO). The simultaneous presence of halide ions in conjunction with acidic- and basic-functional groups on the surface of the nanoparticles makes them highly active for the production of propylene carbonate (PC). The effects of variables such as catalyst loading, reaction temperature, and structure of substituents are discussed. The proposed catalysts were characterized by different techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (FESEM/EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Under optimal reaction conditions, 3-bromopropionic acid (BPA) immobilized on N-GQD showed a remarkable activity, affording the highest yield of 98% at 140°C and 10 6 Pa without any co-catalyst or solvent. These new metal-free catalysts have the advantage of easy separation and reuse several times. Based on the experimental data, a plausible reaction mechanism is suggested, where the hydrogen bonding donors and halogen ion can activate the epoxide, and amine functional groups play a vital role in CO 2 adsorption., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Although blood cells are interesting sources for genome investigations, one of the main problems in obtaining genomic DNA from blood is the restricted amount of DNA. This obstacle can be avoided by generating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced B cell lines. This study investigates the efficiency of four different methods to generate lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Blood samples (n = 120) were obtained from donors and categorized into four groups: fresh whole blood, frozen whole blood, fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and frozen PBMCs. The samples were followed by EBV transformation to generate LCLs. Quality control and authentication of the cells were performed using multiplex PCR and short tandem repeat (STR) analyses. Finally, we assessed the success rate and amount of time to establish the cell lines in each group. The results showed that the cells were not contaminated nor were they misidentified or cross-contaminated with other cells. The success rate of LCLs generated from the whole blood groups was lower than the PBMC groups. The freezing procedures did not have any considerable effect on the establishment of lymphoblastoid cells. These established cells have been preserved in the human and animal cell bank of the Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC) and are available for researchers. Due to the management and transformation of a substantial number of blood samples, we recommend that researchers freeze PBMCs for further use with high efficiency and time-saving. We suggest that whole fresh blood should be directly transformed when the volume of the blood sample is less than 0.5 ml.

Some of lizard species have the ability to lose their tail in order to defend against predators and regenerate the new tail. Lizard's regenerated tail has attracted scientists' attention for unraveling the regeneration process, but less information is known about the cellular characterization and cell growth properties of original tail. This research aimed to report cell culture and banking process of rough-tailed gecko or Cyrtopodion scabrum's original tail cell sample from inner tissue without skin using tissue explant technique. For banking reports, it is essential to analyze this cells' potential to proliferate, to investigate biological aspects such as cell culture features, differentiation and chromosome number and to report its species identification and quality control. To achieve optimal growth conditions, three different temperatures for incubation including 18, 23 and 37 °C and two different media including DMEM and L-15 were applied. The expanded cells were studied for their potential to adipose and osteoblast differentiation. Results indicated that lizard's original tail cells could be successfully obtained by explant technique. The cells demonstrated fibroblast like morphology with population doubling times of approximately 24 ± 0.5 h. Karyotyping analysis showed a distribution of 2n = 40 chromosome number for this cell line. The comparison of different incubation media and temperatures showed that cell growth is equally optimal in all mentioned conditions according to growth curves. Adipose and osteoblast differentiation was obviously observed in these cells which confirms the hint of stem-ness in the produced mixed cells. According to cell banking policies, produced cells were also checked for bacterial, fungal, yeast and mycoplasma contaminations and no contamination was observed. Multiplex PCR for identification of species confirmed the species of lizard with no cross-contamination with other cells in the cell bank. Establishment of authenticated and well-characterized lizard's original tail cell line will provide a valuable source for subsequent in vitro regenerative research and molecular studies which are not feasible in in vivo methods. This finding will allow us to get an opportunity to create and preserve a new collection of lizard cell lines in the future.

Objectives: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent oral cancer worldwide. It is known as the eighth most common cancer in men and as the fifth most common cancer in women. Cytogenetic and biochemical studies in recent decades have emphasized the necessity of providing an appropriate tool for such researches. Cancer cell culture is a useful tool for investigations on biochemical, genetic, molecular and immunological characteristics of different cancers, including oral cancer. Here, we explain the establishment process of five primary oral cancer cells derived from an Iranian population., Materials and Methods: The specimens were obtained from five oral cancer patients. Enzymatic, explant culture and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) methods were used for cell isolation. After quality control tests, characterization and authentication of primary oral cancer cells were performed by short tandem repeats (STR) profiling, chromosome analysis, species identification, and monitoring the growth, morphology and the expression of CD326 and CD133 markers., Results: Five primary oral cancer cells were established from an Iranian population. The flow cytometry results showed that the isolated cells were positive for CD326 and CD133 markers. Furthermore, the cells were free from mycoplasma, bacterial and fungal contamination. No misidentified or cross-contaminated cells were detected by STR analysis., Conclusions: Human primary oral cancer cells provide an extremely useful platform for studying carcinogenesis pathways of oral cancer in Iranian population. They may be helpful in explaining the ethnic differences in cancer biology and the individuality in anticancer drug response in future studies.