Retraction: Synthesis and characterization of a supported Pd complex on volcanic pumice laminates textured by cellulose for facilitating Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1039/D0RA04521G.].

Positive correlation between echocardiographic tricuspid E peak velocity and central venous pressure in dogs: A preliminary study

In the absence of vascular obstruction, central venous pressure (CVP) is a hydrostatic pressure in the cranial and caudal vena cava, providing valuable information about cardiac function and intravascular volume status. It is also a component in evaluating volume resuscitation in patients with septic shock and monitoring patients with right heart disease, pericardial disease, or volume depletion. Central venous pressure is calculated in dogs by invasive central venous catheterization, which is considered high-risk and impractical in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using echocardiographic tricuspid E/E' as a noninvasive method to estimate CVP in anesthetized healthy dogs under controlled hypovolemic conditions. Ten male mixed-breed dogs were included in the study after a thorough health assessment. For hypovolemia induction, blood withdrawal was performed, and echocardiographic factors of the tricuspid valve, including peak E and E' velocities, were measured during CVP reduction. Repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests were employed to compare the average difference between measured echocardiographic indices and CVP values derived from catheterization and intermittent measurement methods. Spearman's ρ correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between echocardiographic indices and CVP. E peak velocity had a significant negative correlation with venous blood pressure phases (r = -0.44, P = .001), indicating a decrease in peak E velocity with progressive CVP reduction. However, tricuspid valve E' peak velocity and E/E' did not correlate with CVP, suggesting that these parameters are not reliable for CVP estimation in dogs.

The effects of green and chemically-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles on the production and gene expression of morphinan alkaloids in Oriental poppy

Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale L.) belonging to the Papaveraceae family, has the capacity to synthesize a wide range of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of green and chemical copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) elicitors on oxidative stress and the BIAs biosynthesis pathway in the cell suspension culture of P. orientale. This research shows that both green and chemical CuO NPs at concentrations of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L, induce oxidative stress in the cell suspension of P. orientale by increasing the production of H2O2 and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The comparison of treatments revealed that utilizing a lower concentration of CuO NPs (20 mg/L) and extending the duration of cell suspension incubation (up to 48 h) play a more influential role in inducing the expression of the BIAs biosynthesis pathway genes (PsWRKY, TYDC, SalSyn, SalR, SalAT, T6ODM, COR and CODM) and increasing the production of morphinan alkaloids (thebaine, codeine, and morphine). The overarching results indicate that the concentration of CuO NPs and the duration of cell treatment have a more significant impact than the nature of CuO NPs in inducing oxidative stress and stimulating the expression of the BIAs pathway genes.

The antibacterial activity of three zeolitic-imidazolate frameworks and zinc oxide nanoparticles derived from them

Zinc has been widely studied for its antibacterial properties due to its low toxicity, availability, and low cost. This research focused on analysing the antibacterial effects of three types of MOFs (metal-organic frameworks) with zinc as the central metal: ZIF-4, ZIF-7, and ZIF-8. The study found that ZIF-8 had the strongest antibacterial effect, while ZIF-7 had the weakest among them. These findings were consistent with the results of the ICP (inductively coupled plasma) analysis, which measured the amount of zinc released. Additionally, the antibacterial effect of ZIF-8 was found to be higher than that of zinc oxide species obtained from calcination of the compounds. Among the zinc oxide samples, ZnO nanoparticles which derived from ZIF-4 showed the highest antibacterial activity.

Effects of exposure to alternating low-intensity, intermediate-frequency electric fields on the differentiation of human leukemic cell line U937

Studying the bioeffects of electric fields have been the subject of ongoing research which led to promising therapeutic effect, particularly in cancer treatment. Here, we investigated the impact of low-intensity, intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields on the differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cell line U937. The results showed a near twofold increase in differentiation of U937 cells treated for 24 h by alternating 600 kHz, 150 V/m electric fields, in comparison to their control groups. This measure was evaluated by latex bead phagocytosis assay, nitro blue tetrazolium test, and cell cycle analysis which revealed a significant shift in the number of cells from G2 +M to G0 +G1 phases. The simulation result for the intracellular field intensity showed around 50% attenuation with respect to the applied external field for our setup which ruled out masking of the applied field by the internal electric noise of the cell. Based on previous studies we postulate a possible calcium-related effect for the observed differentiation, yet the exact underlying mechanism requires further investigation. Finally, our results may offer a potential therapeutic method for leukemia in the future.

Properties of OSA-esterified insoluble fraction of Persian gum and its application in dairy cream

BACKGROUND

In the present study, the insoluble fraction of Persian gum (IFPG) was modified with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) and its various properties were assessed. In addition, the effect of OSA-IFPG on the rheological and textural properties of dairy cream was investigated.

RESULTS

Suitable conditions for achieving a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.023 were found at pH 9, IFPG concentration 4 wt%, OSA concentration 10 wt% and a temperature of 40 °C, within 120 min. The carbonyl group attachment in OSA-IFPG was also confirmed via Fourier transform infrared and H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR). While the X-ray diffraction test indicated no significant changes in the structure of the IFPG after modification with OSA, esterification increased the negative charge density, decreased thermal decomposition temperature and increased the emulsifying capacity to 100%, which was obtained for the first time. The use of OSA-modified IFPG in creams augmented the complex viscosity, loss and storage modulus, while also demonstrating the creation of a pseudo-gel network. The hardness and adhesiveness of the texture increased, which can be explained by the formation of a compact structure and reduced particle size.

CONCLUSION

Overall, OSA-IFPG with hydrophilic and hydrophobic sections may function as an emulsifier and be recommended as a safe source of hydrocolloids for emulsion stability. It can also provide a positive physical structure when added to dairy cream, even if the fat concentration is lower than usual. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of changes in serum biochemical parameters in zarudny's spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca zarudnyi) influenced by gender and season

BACKGROUND

The Zarudny's spur-thighed tortoise or Iranian tortoise (Testudo graeca zarudnyi) has just been reported from Iran so far. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of season and gender on serum biochemical parameters of this valuable species in Iran.

RESULTS

This study was performed on 20 clinically healthy adult Zarudny's spur-thighed tortoises. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and then serum biochemical parameters and body weight were measured in autumn and winter. The following biochemical parameters were measured: total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, total protein, creatinine, urea, glucose, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, total bilirubin, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. Urea concentration increased significantly at emergence from hibernation. Also, in winter, total protein, phosphorous, creatinine, total bilirubin concentrations and alkaline phosphatase activity decreased significantly compared to autumn, but aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were significantly higher than in autumn. There was no significant difference for the parameters mentioned above by gender, except for phosphorous. Phosphorous concentration in females was significantly higher than that of males in autumn. Cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in females were significantly higher than males in autumn and winter.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study is the first study that monitors the serum biochemical parameters of adult Zarudny's spur-thighed tortoises based on season and gender. Seasonal reference intervals should be used for biochemical parameters in this valuable species. Also, sex-specific reference intervals for phosphate and cholesterol are necessary.

The biogas upgrading from landfill leachate pretreated with low-frequency ultrasonic: anaerobic digestion performances and energy balance

The efficient biogas production from landfill leachate (LL) is one of hot topics in anaerobic digestion systems. Higher bioavailability of LL can be achieved by application a feasible and promising pretreatment technologies in order to utilize as a substrate for anaerobic reactors. Here, the enhanced bioavailabity of LL using the low-frequency ultrasonic process and energy balance in anaerobic digestion process was estimated within incubation period of 24 days. The optimal performance of low-frequency ultrasonic for LL biodegradability index: sCOD and TVFA were estimated under influencing parameters: ultrasonic density (UD) (0.02-0.14 W/mL) and Ultrasonic time (UT) (0-12 min). Moreover, the effects of low-frequency ultrasonic pretreatment process on biogas production in batch mode anaerobic reactors operated at 37 ± 1 °C were surveyed for daily and cumulative methane production, operational performance and energy balance. An increased sCOD (820 mg/L) and TVFA (659 mg/L) were observed under optimum codition: UD (0.1 W/mL) and UT (10 min). The highest methane production (430 mL) was found in reactor 4, where %15 volume ratio of LL pretreated with low frequency ultrasonic were feed in. Energy balance assessment indicated that output energy for anaerobic reactors assissted with ultrasonic in range of + 6.99 and + 7.98 kJ/g VS removed. Therefore, incorporation the low-frequency ultrasonic and digestion process revealed a promising and economic technique to improve biomethane potential and energy balance from LL.

Effects of Fluorinated Functionalization of Linker on Quercetin Encapsulation, Release and Hela Cell Cytotoxicity of Cu-Based MOFs as Smart pH-Stimuli Nanocarriers

Controlled delivery of target molecules is required in many medical and chemical applications. For such purposes, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which possess desirable features such as high porosity, large surface area, and adjustable functionalities, hold great potential as drug carriers. Herein, Quercetin (QU), as an anticancer drug, was loaded on Cu2 (BDC)2 (DABCO) and Cu2 (F4 BDC)2 )DABCO) MOFs (BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate and DABCO=1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). As these Cu-MOFs have a high surface area, an appropriate pore size, and biocompatible ingredients, they can be utilized to deliver QU. The loading efficiency of QU in these MOFs was 49.5 % and 41.3 %, respectively. The drug-loaded compounds displayed sustained drug release over 15 days, remarkably high drug loading capacities and pH-controlled release behavior. The prepared nanostructures were characterized by different characterization technics including FT-IR, PXRD, ZP, TEM, FE-SEM, UV-vis, and BET. In addition, MTT assays were carried out on the HEK-293 and HeLa cell lines to investigate cytotoxicity. Cellular apoptosis analysis was performed to investigate the cell death mechanisms. Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to analyze the interactions between MOFs and QU. Moreover, the stability of MOFs was also investigated during and after the drug release process. Ultimately, kinetic models of drug release were evaluated.

Comparison of entropion outcome with and without intervention in Romane and Ile de France sheep breeds

BACKGROUND

Congenital entropion is the most frequent ocular disorder in newborn lambs of certain sheep breeds, which, if not treated, can result in complete blindness and death due to starvation.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to compare the spontaneous healing of entropion in two breeds and assess the outcome of cases with and without therapeutic intervention.

METHODS

A total of 158 entropion cases (119 Ile de France and 39 Romane) were investigated, and swab samples were collected from the cornea and conjunctiva of 73 of the affected lambs for bacteriological investigation. In addition, an ocular intervention was carried out in 123 affected animals.

RESULTS

The Romane breed developed entropion at an average age of 7 days compared to the Ile de France, which developed it at an average age of 1 day. Likewise, significant differences were found between bilateral and unilateral involvement in both breeds. Meanwhile, 22.1% of cases recovered spontaneously, and the highest rate of spontaneous recovery without intervention was observed in the Romane breed (66%). Bacteria isolated from ocular samples included Staphylococcus spp. (42.5%), Bacillus spp. (21.9%), Trueperella pyogenes (13.7%), Corynebacterium spp. (12.3%) and Escherichia coli (9.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study showed that the onset time of entropion, bilateral involvement, the severity of the process and the need for re-treatment were higher in the Ile de France breed than in the Romane breed. Likewise, the Romane breed showed a higher degree of spontaneous recovery of entropion.

Solvent-Directed Construction of a Nanoporous Metal-Organic Framework with Potential in Selective Adsorption and Separation of Gas Mixtures Studied by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo Simulations

In this report, a microporous metal-organic framework of [Ca(TDC)(DMA)]n (1) and a two-dimensional coordination polymer of [Ca(TDC)(DMF)2 ]n (2), (TDC2- =Thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate, DMA=N, N'-dimethylacetamide and DMF=N, N'-dimethylformamide) based on Ca(II) were designed by the effect of solvent, and X-ray analysis was performed for the single crystals of 1 and 2. Then, compound 1 was synthesized in three different methods and identified with a set of analyses. Compared to other adsorbents, MOFs are widely used in the field of adsorption and separation of various gases due to a series of distinctive features such as diverse and adjustable structures pores with different dimensions, high porosity and surface area with regular distribution of active sites. Therefore, the ability of 1 to uptake single gases (CH4 , CO2 , C2 H2 , H2, and N2 ) and separation of several binary mixtures of gases (CO2 /CH4 , CO2 /N2 , CO2 /H2 and CO2 /C2 H2 ), were investigated using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Volumetric and gravimetric adsorption isotherms in various operating conditions, the isosteric heat of adsorption (qst ), the chemical potential for each thermodynamic state, and snapshots during the simulation process were reported in all cases. The results obtained from the adsorption simulation indicate that compound 1 has a high capacity for uptake of H2 (16 mmol g-1 ) and N2 (12.5 mmol g-1 ), CO2 (6.6 mmol g-1 ), C2 H2 (5 mmol g-1 ) and CH4 (1.5 mmol g-1 ) gases at 1 bar. It also performs well in separating CO2 in binary mixtures, which can be attributed to the presence of open metal sites in nodes of 1 and their electrostatic tendency to interact with CO2 containing the higher quadrupole dipole moment compared to other components of the mixture.

Stabilization challenges and aggregation in protein-based therapeutics in the pharmaceutical industry

Protein-based therapeutics have revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry and become vital components in the development of future therapeutics. They offer several advantages over traditional small molecule drugs, including high affinity, potency and specificity, while demonstrating low toxicity and minimal adverse effects. However, the development and manufacturing processes of protein-based therapeutics presents challenges related to protein folding, purification, stability and immunogenicity that should be addressed. These proteins, like other biological molecules, are prone to chemical and physical instabilities. The stability of protein-based drugs throughout the entire manufacturing, storage and delivery process is essential. The occurrence of structural instability resulting from misfolding, unfolding, and modifications, as well as aggregation, poses a significant risk to the efficacy of these drugs, overshadowing their promising attributes. Gaining insight into structural alterations caused by aggregation and their impact on immunogenicity is vital for the advancement and refinement of protein therapeutics. Hence, in this review, we have discussed some features of protein aggregation during production, formulation and storage as well as stabilization strategies in protein engineering and computational methods to prevent aggregation.

Optimizing supplemental light spectrum improves growth and yield of cut roses

During the seasons with limited light intensity, reductions in growth, yield, and quality are challenging for commercial cut rose production in greenhouses. Using artificial supplemental light is recommended for maintaining commercial production in regions with limited light intensity. Nowadays, replacing traditional lighting sources with LEDs attracted lots of attention. Since red (R) and blue (B) light spectra present the important wavelengths for photosynthesis and growth, in the present study, different ratios of supplemental R and B lights, including 90% R: B 10% (R90B10), 80% R: 20% B (R80B20), 70% R: 30% B (R70B30) with an intensity of 150 µmol m-2 s-1 together with natural light and without supplemental light (control) were applied on two commercial rose cultivars. According to the obtained results, supplemental light improved growth, carbohydrate levels, photosynthesis capacity, and yield compared to the control. R90B10 in both cultivars reduced the time required for flowering compared to the control treatment. R90B10 and R80B20 obtained the highest number of harvested flower stems in both cultivars. Chlorophyll and carotenoid levels were the highest under control. They had a higher ratio of B light, while carbohydrate and anthocyanin contents increased by having a high ratio of R light in the supplemental light. Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence was indicative of better photosynthetic performance under a high ratio of R light in the supplemental light. In conclusion, the R90B10 light regime is recommended as a suitable supplemental light recipe to improve growth and photosynthesis, accelerate flowering, and improve the yield and quality of cut roses.

Magnetic UiO-66-NH2 Core-Shell Nanohybrid as a Promising Carrier for Quercetin Targeted Delivery toward Human Breast Cancer Cells

In this study, a magnetic core-shell metal-organic framework (MOF) nanocomposite, Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66-NH2, was synthesized for tumor-targeting drug delivery by incorporating carboxylate groups as functional groups onto ferrite nanoparticle surfaces, followed by fabrication of the UiO-66-NH2 shell using a facile self-assembly approach. The anticancer drug quercetin (QU) was loaded into the magnetic core-shell nanoparticles. The synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were comprehensively evaluated through multiple techniques, including FT-IR, PXRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDX, BET, UV-vis, ZP, and VSM. Drug release investigations were conducted to investigate the release behavior of QU from the nanocomposite at two different pH values (7.4 and 5.4). The results revealed that QU@Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66-NH2 exhibited a high loading capacity of 43.1% and pH-dependent release behavior, maintaining sustained release characteristics over a prolonged duration of 11 days. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays using the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and the normal cell line HEK-293 were performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of QU, UiO-66-NH2, Fe3O4-COOH, Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66-NH2, and QU@Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66-NH2. Treatment with QU@Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66-NH2 substantially reduced the cell viability in cancerous MDA-MB-231 cells. Cellular uptake and cell death mechanisms were further investigated, demonstrating the internalization of QU@Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66-NH2 by cancer cells and the induction of cancer cell death through the apoptosis pathway. These findings highlight the considerable potential of Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66-NH2 as a targeted nanocarrier for the delivery of anticancer drugs.

Comprehensive genome analysis of Pseudomonas sp. SWRIQ11, a new plant growth-promoting bacterium that alleviates salinity stress in olive

The study presents the genome analysis of a new Pseudomonas sp. (SWRIQ11), which can alleviate salinity stress effects on growth of olive seedlings in greenhouse study. The strain SWRIQ11 can tolerate salinity up to 6%, produce siderophores, indole acetic acid (IAA), aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, and has the phosphate-solubilizing capability. The SWRIQ11 genome contained an assembly size of 6,196,390 bp with a GC content of 60.1%. According to derived indices based on whole-genome sequences for species delineation, including tetra nucleotide usage patterns (TETRA), genome-to-genome distance (GGDC), and average nucleotide identity (ANI), Pseudomonas sp. SWRIQ11 can be considered a novel species candidate. The phylogenetic analysis revealed SWRIQ11 clusters with Pseudomonas tehranensis SWRI196 in the same clade. The SWRIQ11 genome was rich in genes related to stress sensing, signaling, and response, chaperones, motility, attachments, colonization, and enzymes for degrading plant-derived carbohydrates. Furthermore, the genes for production of exopolysaccharides, osmoprotectants, phytohormones, and ACC deaminase, ion homeostasis, nutrient acquisition, and antioxidant defenses were identified in the SWRIQ11 genome. The results of genome analysis (identification of more than 825 CDSs related to plant growth-promoting and stress-alleviating traits in the SWRIQ11 genome which is more than 15% of its total CDSs) are in accordance with laboratory and greenhouse experiments assigning the Pseudomonas sp. SWRIQ11 as a halotolerant plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB). This research highlights the potential safe application of this new PGPB species in agriculture as a potent biofertilizer.

Advancing chirality analysis through enhanced enantiomer characterization and quantification via fast Fourier transform capacitance voltammetry

The exploration of the chiral configurations of enantiomers represents a highly intriguing realm of scientific inquiry due to the distinct roles played by each enantiomer (D and L) in chemical reactions and their practical utilities. This study introduces a pioneering analytical methodology, termed fast Fourier transform capacitance voltammetry (FFT-CPV), in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA), for the identification and quantification of the chiral forms of tartaric acid (TA), serving as a representative model system for materials exhibiting pronounced chiral characteristics. The proposed methodology relies on the principle of chirality, wherein the capacitance signal generated by the adsorption of D-TA and L-TA onto the surface of a platinum electrode (Pt-electrode) in an acidic solution is harnessed. The capacitance voltammograms were meticulously recorded under optimized experimental conditions. To compile the final dataset for the analyte, the average of the FFT capacitance voltammograms of the acidic solution (without the presence of the analyte) was subtracted from those containing the analyte. A distinct arrangement was obtained by employing PCA as a linear data transformation method, representing D-TA and L-TA in a two/three-dimensional space. The outcomes of the study reveal the successful detection of the two chiral forms of TA with a considerable degree of precision and reproducibility. Moreover, the proposed method facilitated the establishment of two linear response ranges for the concentration values of each enantiomer, spanning from 1 to 20 µM, and 50 to 500 µM. The respective detection limits were also determined to be 0.4 µM for L-TA and 1.3 µM for D-TA. These findings underscore the satisfactory sensitivity and efficiency of the proposed method in both qualitative and quantitative assessments of the chiral forms of TA.

Sperm and oocyte as carriers for bovine viral diarrhoea virus biotypes during in vitro fertilization

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an important viral agent causing the reproductive failure in cattle. The objectives of the study were to assess the role of male and female gametes, as carriers of cytopathic (CP) and non-cytopathic (NCP) BVDV to embryonic cells during in vitro fertilization. In this respect, sperm and oocytes were separately exposed to concentrations of 104.5 or 105.5 TCID50 /mL CP and NCP BVDV, for 2 h before fertilization. After washing, the intact gametes with the infected gametes were inseminated. Seven days post-fertilization, the virus-exposed embryos were examined for presence of the viral genome by RT-PCR. One-way anova with post-hoc Tukey's HSD test and an independent samples t-test were used to compare within and between groups, respectively. The results presented a significant decrease in the blastocyst rates for CP-infected groups than NCP-infected groups (p ≤ .01). Compared to the controls and the infected oocyte groups, the cleavage rates of the infected sperm groups (NCP and CP BVDV) were significantly reduced both in low (104.5 TCID50 /mL) and high (105.5 TCID50 /mL) titres of the virus (p ≤ .01). The proportion of embryos which was developed to blastocyst stages was significantly lower for CP and NCP-infected groups than the control groups (p ≤ .001). According to the molecular results, all samples of the retarded/degenerated embryos (at least one blastocyst within each one) in CP and NCP groups, one sample (at least one blastocyst in that) within a CP-infected group, and six samples (at least one blastocyst in each one of those) of NCP-infected groups contained the viral nucleic acid. Likewise, the results of viral enrichment showed all reactions in which RT-PCR were positive induced CPEs in MDBK monolayers. In conclusion, it is clear that CP and NCP BVDV were able to traverse zona pellucida during fertilization, and they had also negative effects on embryo development.

Functions and mechanism of noncoding RNA in regulation and differentiation of male mammalian reproduction

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are active regulators of a wide range of biological and physiological processes, including the majority of mammalian reproductive events. Knowledge of the biological activities of ncRNAs in the context of mammalian reproduction will allow for a more comprehensive and comparative understanding of male sterility and fertility. In this review, we describe recent advances in ncRNA-mediated control of mammalian reproduction and emphasize the importance of ncRNAs in several aspects of mammalian reproduction, such as germ cell biogenesis and reproductive organ activity. Furthermore, we focus on gene expression regulatory feedback loops including hormones and ncRNA expression to better understand germ cell commitment and reproductive organ function. Finally, this study shows the role of ncRNAs in male reproductive failure and provides suggestions for further research.

Immunomagnetic Isolation of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells Using a Microfluidic Device

Analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a tool for monitoring metastatic cancers, early diagnosis, and evaluation of disease prognosis paves the way toward personalized cancer treatment. Developing an effective, feasible, and low-cost method to facilitate CTC isolation is, therefore, vital. In the present study, we integrated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with microfluidics and used them for the isolation of HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Iron oxide MNPs were synthesized and functionalized with the anti-HER2 antibody. The chemical conjugation was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering/zeta potential analysis. The specificity of the functionalized NPs for the separation of HER2-positive from HER2-negative cells was demonstrated in an off-chip test setting. The off-chip isolation efficiency was 59.38%. The efficiency of SK-BR-3 cell isolation using a microfluidic chip with a S-shaped microchannel was considerably enhanced to 96% (a flow rate of 0.5 mL/h) without chip clogging. Besides, the analysis time for the on-chip cell separation was 50% faster. The clear advantages of the present microfluidic system offer a competitive solution in clinical applications.

A Novel Molecular Approach for Enhancing the Safety of Ozone in Autohemotherapy and Insights into Heme Pocket Autoxidation of Hemoglobin

Major ozone autohemotherapy (MAH) is a popular clinical practice for treating a variety of pathological conditions due to the mild and controlled oxidative stress produced by the reaction of ozone gas with other biological components. Previous studies have shown that blood ozonation leads to structural changes in hemoglobin (Hb); therefore, in the present study, the molecular effects of ozonation on Hb of a healthy individual were assessed by ozonating whole blood samples with single doses of ozone at 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL or double doses of ozone at 20 + 20, 30 + 30, and 40 + 40 μg/mL ozone to investigate whether ozonating once versus twice (but with the same final ozone concentration) would have varying effects on Hb. Additionally, our study aimed to verify whether using a very high ozone concentration (80 + 80 μg/mL), despite mixing it with blood in two steps, would result in Hb autoxidation. The pH, oxygen partial pressure, and saturation percentage of the whole blood samples were measured through a venous blood gas test, and the purified Hb samples were analyzed using several techniques including intrinsic fluorescence, circular dichroism and UV-vis absorption spectroscopies, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and a zeta potential analyzer. Structural and sequence analyses were also used to study the Hb heme pocket autoxidation sites and the residues involved. The results showed that the oligomerization and instability of Hb can be reduced if the ozone concentration to be used in MAH is divided into two doses. Indeed, our study demonstrated that two-step ozonation with 20, 30, and 40 μg/mL of ozone instead of single-dose ozonation with 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL of ozone reduced the potential adverse effects of ozone on Hb including protein instability and oligomerization. Moreover, it was found that for certain residues, their orientation or displacement leads to the entry of excess water molecules into the heme moiety, which can contribute to Hb autoxidation. Additionally, the autoxidation rate was found to be higher in alpha globins compared to beta globins.

A highly efficient and sustainable photoabsorber in solar-driven seawater desalination and wastewater purification

Producing freshwater from seawater and wastewater is of great importance through interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG). Herein, the three-dimensional (3D) carbonized pine cone, CPC1, was fabricated via a one-step carbonization process as a low-cost, robust, efficient, and scalable photoabsorber for the ISSG of seawater as well as a sorbent/photocatalyst for use in wastewater purification. Taking advantage of the large solar-light-harvesting ability of CPC1 due to the presence of carbon black layers on the 3D structure, its inherent porosity, rapid water transportation, large water/air interface, and low thermal conductivity, a conversion efficiency of 99.8% and evaporation flux of 1.65 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun (kW m-2) illumination were achieved. After carbonization of the pine cone, its surface becomes black and rough, which leads to an increase in its light absorption in the UV-Vis-NIR region. The photothermal conversion efficiency and evaporation flux of CPC1 did not change significantly during 10 evaporation-condensation cycles. CPC1 exhibited good stability under corrosive conditions without significant change in its evaporation flux. More importantly, CPC1 can be used to purify seawater or wastewater by the removal of organic dyes as well as by the reduction of polluting ions, like nitrate ions in sewage.

A Group-Theoretic Approach to the Origin of Chirality-Induced Spin-Selectivity in Nonmagnetic Molecular Junctions

Spin-orbit coupling gives rise to a range of spin-charge interconversion phenomena in nonmagnetic systems where certain spatial symmetries are reduced or absent. Chirality-induced spin-selectivity (CISS), a term that generically refers to a spin-dependent electron transfer in nonmagnetic chiral systems, is one such case, appearing in a variety of seemingly unrelated situations ranging from inorganic materials to molecular devices. In particular, the origin of CISS in molecular junctions is a matter of an intense current debate. Here, we derive a set of geometrical conditions for this effect to appear, hinting at the fundamental role of symmetries beyond otherwise relevant quantitative issues. Our approach, which draws on the use of point-group symmetries within the scattering formalism for transport, shows that electrode symmetries are as important as those of the molecule when it comes to the emergence of a spin-polarization and, by extension, to the possible appearance of CISS. It turns out that standalone metallic nanocontacts can exhibit spin-polarization when relative rotations which reduce the symmetry are introduced. As a corollary, molecular junctions with achiral molecules can also exhibit spin-polarization along the direction of transport, provided that the whole junction is chiral in a specific way. This formalism also allows the prediction of qualitative changes of the spin-polarization upon substitution of a chiral molecule in the junction with its enantiomeric partner. Quantum transport calculations based on density functional theory corroborate all of our predictions and provide further quantitative insight within the single-particle framework.

Genome-wide association study to identify genomic loci associated with early vigor in bread wheat under simulated water deficit complemented with quantitative trait loci meta-analysis

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to identify associated loci with early vigor under simulated water deficit and grain yield under field drought in a diverse collection of Iranian bread wheat landraces. In addition, a meta-quantitative trait loci (MQTL) analysis was used to further expand our approach by retrieving already published quantitative trait loci (QTL) from recombinant inbred lines, double haploids, back-crosses, and F2 mapping populations. In the current study, around 16%, 14%, and 16% of SNPs were in significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the A, B, and D genomes, respectively, and varied between 5.44% (4A) and 21.85% (6A). Three main subgroups were identified among the landraces with different degrees of admixture, and population structure was further explored through principal component analysis. Our GWAS identified 54 marker-trait associations (MTAs) that were located across the wheat genome but with the highest number found in the B sub-genome. The gene ontology (GO) analysis of MTAs revealed that around 75% were located within or closed to protein-coding genes. In the MQTL analysis, 23 MQTLs, from a total of 215 QTLs, were identified and successfully projected onto the reference map. MQT-YLD4, MQT-YLD9, MQT-YLD13, MQT-YLD17, MQT-YLD18, MQT-YLD19, and MQTL-RL1 contributed to the highest number of projected QTLs and were therefore regarded as the most reliable and stable QTLs under water deficit conditions. These MQTLs greatly facilitate the identification of putative candidate genes underlying at each MQTL interval due to the reduced confidence of intervals associated with MQTLs. These findings provide important information on the genetic basis of early vigor traits and grain yield under water deficit conditions and set the foundation for future investigations into adaptation to water deficit in bread wheat.

Genome-wide meta-QTL analyses provide novel insight into disease resistance repertoires in common bean

BACKGROUND

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is considered a staple food in a number of developing countries. Several diseases attack the crop leading to substantial economic losses around the globe. However, the crop has rarely been investigated for multiple disease resistance traits using Meta-analysis approach.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

In this study, in order to identify the most reliable and stable quantitative trait loci (QTL) conveying disease resistance in common bean, we carried out a meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis using 152 QTLs belonging to 44 populations reported in 33 publications within the past 20 years. These QTLs were decreased into nine MQTLs and the average of confidence interval (CI) was reduced by 2.64 folds with an average of 5.12 cM in MQTLs. Uneven distribution of MQTLs across common bean genome was noted where sub-telomeric regions carry most of the corresponding genes and MQTLs. One MQTL was identified to be specifically associated with resistance to halo blight disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola, while three and one MQTLs were specifically associated with resistance to white mold and anthracnose caused by the fungal pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, respectively. Furthermore, two MQTLs were detected governing resistance to halo blight and anthracnose, while two MQTLs were detected for resistance against anthracnose and white mold, suggesting putative genes governing resistance against these diseases at a shared locus. Comparative genomics and synteny analyses provide a valuable strategy to identify a number of well‑known functionally described genes as well as numerous putative novels candidate genes in common bean, Arabidopsis and soybean genomes.

Buried-Gate MWCNT FET-Based Nanobiosensing Device for Real-Time Detection of CRP

C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase protein synthesized in the liver in response to inflammation, is one of the biomarkers used for the detection of several diseases. Sepsis and cardiovascular diseases are two of the most important diseases for which detection of CRP at very early stages in the clinical range can help avert serious consequences. Here, a CNT-based nanobiosensing system, which is portable and reproducible, is used for label-free, online detection of CRP. The system consists of an aptameric CNT-based field-effect transistor benefiting from a buried gate geometry with Al₂O₃ as a high dielectric layer and can reflect the pro-cytokine concentration. Test results show that the device responds to CRP changes within 8 min, with a limit of detection as low as 150 pM (0.017 mg L^-1). The device was found to have a linear behavior in the range of 0.43-42.86 nM (0.05-5 mg L^-1). The selectivity of the device was tested with TNF-α, IL-6, and BSA, to which the nanosensing system showed no significant response compared with CRP. The device showed good stability for 14 days and was completely reproducible during this period. These findings indicate that the proposed portable system is a potential candidate for CRP measurements in the clinical range.

CpACpP: In Silico Cell-Penetrating Anticancer Peptide Prediction Using a Novel Bioinformatics Framework

Cell-penetrating anticancer peptides (Cp-ACPs) are considered promising candidates in solid tumor and hematologic cancer therapies. Current approaches for the design and discovery of Cp-ACPs trust the expensive high-throughput screenings that often give rise to multiple obstacles, including instrumentation adaptation and experimental handling. The application of machine learning (ML) tools developed for peptide activity prediction is importantly of growing interest. In this study, we applied the random forest (RF)-, support vector machine (SVM)-, and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)-based algorithms to predict the active Cp-ACPs using an experimentally validated data set. The model, CpACpP, was developed on the basis of two independent cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) and anticancer peptide (ACP) subpredictors. Various compositional and physiochemical-based features were combined or selected using the multilayered recursive feature elimination (RFE) method for both data sets. Our results showed that the ACP subclassifiers obtain a mean performance accuracy (ACC) of 0.98 with an area under curve (AUC) ≈ 0.98 vis-à-vis the CPP predictors displaying relevant values of ∼0.94 and ∼0.95 via the hybrid-based features and independent data sets, respectively. Also, the predicting evaluation of Cp-ACPs gave accuracies of ∼0.79 and 0.89 on a series of independent sequences by applying our CPP and ACP classifiers, respectively, which leaves the performance of our predictors better than the earlier reported ACPred, mACPpred, MLCPP, and CPPred-RF. The described consensus-based fusion method additionally reached an AUC of 0.94 for the prediction of Cp-ACP (http://cbb1.ut.ac.ir/CpACpP/Index).

Macrophage polarization by MSC-derived CXCL12 determines tumor growth

BACKGROUND

Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of macrophages is known to be the main reason for their ability to regulate inflammation and promote tumorigenesis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the principal cells commonly found in the tumor stromal niche, with capability of macrophage phenotypic switching. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) produced by marrow-derived MSCs in the phenotypic and functional pattern of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs).

METHODS

First, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was used for the CXCL12 gene knock-out in MSCs. Then, coculture systems were used to investigate the role of MSCsCXCL12-/- and MSCsCXCL12+/+ in determination of macrophage phenotype. To further analyze the role of the MSC-derived CXCL12 niche, cocultures of 4T1 mammary tumor cells and macrophages primed with MSCsCXCL12-/- or MSCsCXCL12+/+ as well as in-vivo limiting dilution assays were performed.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the expression of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β and CD206 as M2 markers was significantly increased in macrophages co-cultured with MSCsCXCL12+/+ , whereas the expression of IL-6, TNF-α and iNOS was conversely decreased. The number and size of multicellular tumor spheroids were remarkably higher when 4T1 cells were cocultured with MSCCXCL12+/+-induced M2 macrophages. We also found that the occurrence of tumors was significantly higher in coinjection of 4T1 cells with MSCCXCL12+/+-primed macrophages. Tumor initiating cells were significantly decreased after coinjection of 4T1 cells with macrophages pretreated with MSCsCXCL12-/-.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our findings shed new light on the role of MSC-derived CXCL12 in macrophage phenotypic switching to M2, affecting their function in tumorigenesis.

New advances on Au-magnetic organic hybrid core-shells in MRI, CT imaging, and drug delivery

Magnetic nanoparticles have been widely studied for various scientific and technological applications such as magnetic storage media, contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biolabelling, separation of biomolecules, and magnetic-targeted drug delivery. A new strategy on Au-magnetic nano-hybrid core-shells was applied in MRI, CT imaging, and drug delivery, which has been received much attention nowadays. Herein, the designing of different magnetic core-shells with Au in MRI and cancer treatment is studied.

Early Miocene larger benthic foraminifera from the northwestern Tethyan Seaway (NW Iran): new findings on Shallow Benthic Zone 25

The lower Miocene marine units of NW Iran (Hamedan-Miandoab area) were studied to establish a high-resolution biostratigraphy framework in the context of European standard biozonation (SBZ zonal scheme). The units are dominated by larger and small benthic foraminifera together with coralline algae and corals. Due to its position in the Tethyan Seaway between the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific, the investigated area has high significance in palaeobiogeography. Seven species of benthic foraminifera were described, including Miogypsina globulina, Amphistegina bohdanowiczi, Elphidium crispum, Elphidium sp. 1, Borelis curdica, Austrotrillina asmariensis, and Peneroplis thomasi. The occurrence of Miogypsina globulina in the shallow-marine carbonates of the studied sections documents the Burdigalian SBZ 25 Zone. Austrotrillina asmariensis and Peneroplis thomasi occur with M. globulina. Simultaneously, their stratigraphical range is extended to the Burdigalian in the Middle East. Based on the discovery of lower Miocene deposits in the Hamedan-Miandoab area (previously mapped as Oligocene-Miocene units), the stratigraphy of northwest Central Iran is revised. The biostratigraphic results also present a more precise chronology for the marine transgression in the study area, initiating in the late early Miocene. The coralline algal assemblages and the abundance and diversity of larger benthic foraminifera indicate that shallow-marine Qom Formation got deposited in tropical to subtropical warm waters.

Applicability of an anionic-nonionic surfactant in p-cresol contaminated soil washing: Finding the optimal mixing ratio

In this study, the parameters influencing p-cresol removal efficiency in soil washing method were investigated. Primarily, extraction efficiencies of three Tween series surfactants (Tween 20, Tween 60, Tween 80) with 10 mM concentration were compared. Tween 80 showed the best results since its value (55%) was 4% and 13% higher than that of Tween 60 and Tween 20. The impact of mixed surfactant on extraction rate was examined by employing a mixture of Tween 80 and one anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) with different molar ratio as the main washing solution. The results denoted that the molar ratio of 3:2 (SDS:Tween80) could enhance the extraction rate up to 38% compared to using SDS and Tween 80 alone. Regarding the initial p-cresol concentration in the collected sample, the cleanup level (390 mg/kg) could only be achieved using the mixed-surfactant. Thus, the minimum required surfactant concentrations to hit the target level was calculated to be 3.54 g/L of Tween 80 and 2.105 g/L of SDS (molar ratio of 0.27 SDS:Tween80). Studying the role of surfactant concentration indicated that its increment from 10 mM to 20 mM, which is way above all the reagents' critical micelle concentration (CMC), does not affect the removal rate considerably. The same results were obtained comparing the effect of washing time in three different levels (30 min, 60 min and 90 min). However, temperature showed to be a more significant parameter as it could enhance the results up to 20% (for SDS).

Synthesis and characterization of a supported Pd complex on volcanic pumice laminates textured by cellulose for facilitating Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

Herein, a novel high-performance heterogeneous catalytic system made of volcanic pumice magnetic particles (VPMP), cellulose (CLS) natural polymeric texture, and palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) is presented. The introduced VPMP@CLS-Pd composite has been designed based on the principles of green chemistry, and suitably applied in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions, as an efficient heterogeneous catalytic system. Concisely, the inherent magnetic property of VPMP (30 emu g-1) provides a great possibility for separation of the catalyst particles from the reaction mixture with great ease. In addition, high heterogeneity and high structural stability are obtained by this composition resulting in remarkable recyclability (ten times successive use). As the main catalytic sites, palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) are finely distributed onto the VPMP@CLS structure. To catalyze the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions producing biphenyl pharmaceutical derivatives, the present Pd NPs were reduced from chemical state Pd2+ to Pd0. In this regard, a plausible mechanism is submitted in the context as well. As the main result of the performed analytical methods (including FT-IR, EDX, VSM, TGA, FESEM, TEM, BTE, and XPS), it is shown that the spherical-shaped nanoscale Pd particles have been well distributed onto the surfaces of the porous laminate-shaped VPMP. However, the novel designed VPMP@CLS-Pd catalyst is used for facilitating the synthetic reactions of biphenyls, and high reaction yields (∼98%) are obtained in a short reaction time (10 min) by using a small amount of catalytic system (0.01 g), under mild conditions (room temperature).

Unravelling the physisorption characteristics of H2S molecule on biaxially strained single-layer MoS2

Sensing ultra-low levels of toxic chemicals such as H₂S is crucial for many technological applications. In this report, employing density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we shed light on the underlying physical phenomena involved in the adsorption and sensing of the H₂S molecule on both pristine and strained single-layer molybdenum disulfide (SL-MoS₂) substrates. We demonstrate that the H₂S molecule is physisorbed on SL-MoS₂ for all values of strain, i.e. from -8% to +8%, with a modest electron transfer, ranging from 0.023e^- to 0.062e^-, from the molecule to the SL-MoS₂. According to our calculations, the electron-donating behaviour of the H₂S molecule is halved under compressive strains. Moreover, we calculate the optical properties upon H₂S adsorption and reveal the electron energy loss (EEL) spectra for various concentrations of the H₂S molecule which may serve as potential probes for detecting H₂S molecules in prospective sensing applications based on SL-MoS₂.

Naphthalimide-based optical turn-on sensor for monosaccharide recognition using boronic acid receptor

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor for the determination of fructose is developed. The fluorescent sensor was prepared by incorporating a new naphthalimide dye with a planar structure as a selectophore and graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets as a quencher for rapid optical detection of fructose. The designed probe, made with the high fusion loop-containing dye, along with the GO nanoplatelets, detected fructose over the other monosaccharides very well. The proposed sensor displays a linear response range of 7 × 10-5 to 3 × 10-2 M with a low limit of detection of 23 × 10-6 M in solution at pH 7.4. This sensor shows a good selectivity towards fructose with respect to other saccharides. The proposed sensor was then applied to the determination of fructose in human plasma with satisfactory results.

Photosynthetic and growth responses of green and purple basil plants under different spectral compositions

Light spectrum of growing environment is a determinant factor for plant growth and photosynthesis. Plants under different light spectra exhibit different growth and photosynthetic behaviors. To unravel the effects of light spectra on plant growth, photosynthetic pigments and electron transport chain reactions, purple and green basil varieties were grown under five different light spectra including white (W: 400-730 nm), blue (B: 400-500 nm), red (R: 600-700 nm) and two combinations of R and B lights (R50B50 and R70B30), with same PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density). Almost all values for shoot and root growth traits were higher in purple variety and were improved by combinational R and B lights (especially under R70B30), while they were negatively influenced by B monochromatic light when compared to growth traits of W-grown plants. Highest concentration of photosynthetic pigments was detected in R70B30. Biophysical properties of photosynthetic electron transport chain showed higher florescence intensity at all steps of OJIP kinetics in plants grown under R light in both varieties. Oxygen evolving complex activity (F_v/F_o) and PSII maximum quantum efficiency (F_v/F_m) in R-grown plants were lower than plants grown under other light spectra. Values for parameters related to specific energy fluxes per reaction center (ABS/RC, TR_o/RC, ET_o/RC and DI_o/RC) were increased under R light (especially for purple variety). Performance index was significantly decreased under R light in both varieties. In conclusion, light spectra other than RB combination, induced various limitations on pigmentations, efficiency of electron transport and growth of basil plants and the responses were cultivar specific.

Structural characterization of PPTI, a kunitz-type protein from the venom of Pseudocerastes persicus

The main purpose of this report is to investigate the structural property and new potential function of PPTI (Pseudocerastes Persicus Trypsin Inhibitor), a kunitz-type protein with inhibitory effect against trypsin proteolytic activity. Besides kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors, PPTI shows clear-cut similarities with dendrotoxins (DTXs), the other kunitz-type protein subfamily. The most important reason is the presence of functionally important residues of DTXs at correspondingly the same positions in PPTI. As such, we proposed the new ability of PPTI for inhibiting voltage-gated potassium channels and consequently its dual functionality. At first, we determined the solution structure of PPTI via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Then by homology modeling, we constructed the model structure of trypsin-PPTI complex to confirm the same interaction pattern as trypsin-BPTI at complex interface. Finally, by Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations of PPTI NMR derived ensemble structure as ligand against homology model of human Kv1.1 potassium channel as receptor, we evaluated the potential DTX-like activity of PPTI. The results of our study support the proposed dual functionality of PPTI.

Applications of SBA-15 supported Pd metal catalysts as nanoreactors in C-C coupling reactions

Nanoreactors are material structures with engineered internal cavities which create exclusive confined nanoscale surroundings for chemical reactions. The cavities of mesoporous silica SBA-15 can be used as nanoreactors for incorporating catalytic species such as metal nanoparticles, complexes etc. Since SBA-15 silica has a neutral framework, organic functional groups and heteroatoms have been embedded by direct or post-synthesis approaches in order to modify their functionality. Palladium is the most used transition metal for C-C bond formations. Because of the great importance of C-C coupling reactions, this review article aims at providing a deep insight into the state of art in the field of the synthesis and the application of mesoporous SBA-15 silica-supported Pd catalysts in C-C coupling transformations. In most cases, synthesis and modification of the catalyst, time and yield of reactions, recyclability and leaching of the Pd species from the SBA-15 support are discussed to reveal the role of SBA-15 in C-C coupling reactions.

Prediction of environmental indicators in land leveling using artificial intelligence techniques

BACKGROUND

Land leveling is one of the most important steps in soil preparation and cultivation. Although land leveling with machines require considerable amount of energy, it delivers a suitable surface slope with minimal deterioration of the soil and damage to plants and other organisms in the soil. Notwithstanding, researchers during recent years have tried to reduce fossil fuel consumption and its deleterious side effects. The aim of this work was to determine best linear model using artificial neural network (ANN), imperialist competitive algorithm and ANN and regression and adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in order to predict the environmental indicators for land leveling.

METHODS

New techniques such as; ANN, imperialist competitive algorithm and ANN and sensitivity analysis and regression and ANFIS that will lead to a noticeable improvement in the environment. In this research effects of various soil properties such as embankment volume, soil compressibility factor, specific gravity, moisture content, slope, sand percent, and soil swelling index in energy consumption were investigated. The study was consisted of 90 samples were collected from 3 different regions. The grid size was set 20 m in 20 m (20 × 20) from a farmland in Karaj province of Iran.

RESULTS

According to the results of sensitivity analysis, only three parameters; density, soil compressibility factor and, embankment volume index had significant effect on fuel consumption. In comparison with ANN, all ICA-ANN models had higher accuracy in prediction according to their higher R² value and lower RMSE value. Statistical factors of RMSE and R² illustrate the superiority of ICA-ANN over other methods by values about 0.02 and 0.99, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Results extracted and statistical analysis was performed and RMSE as well as coefficient of determination, R², of the models were determined as a criterion to compare selected models. According to the results, 10-8-3-1, 10-8-2-5-1, 10-5-8-10-1, and 10-6-4-1 MLP network structures were chosen as the best arrangements and were trained using Levenberg-Marquet as NTF. Integrating ANN and imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA-ANN) had better performance in prediction of output parameters in comparison with conventional methods such.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital food

BACKGROUND

Pathogenic biotypes of the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are considered to be one of the major cause of food-borne diseases in hospitals. The present investigation was done to study the pattern of antibiotic resistance and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes of different biotypes of the MRSA strains isolated from various types of hospital food samples.

METHODS

Four-hundred and eighty-five raw and cooked hospital food samples were cultured and MRSA strains were identified using the oxacillin and cefoxitin disk diffusion tests and mecA-based PCR amplification. Isolated strains were subjected to biotyping and their antibiotic resistance patterns were analyzed using the disk diffusion and PCR methods.

RESULTS

Prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA were 9.69 and 7.62%, respectively. Meat and chicken barbecues had the highest prevalence of MRSA. Prevalence of bovine, ovine, poultry and human-based biotypes in the MRSA strains were 8.10, 8.10, 32.43 and 48.64%, respectively. All of the MRSA strains recovered from soup, salad and rice samples were related to human-based biotypes. MRSA strains harbored the highest prevalence of resistance against penicillin (100%), ceftaroline (100%), tetracycline (100%), erythromycin (89.18%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (83.78%). TetK (72.97%), ermA (72.97%), msrA (64.86%) and aacA-D (62.16%) were the most commonly detected antibiotic resistance genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Pattern of antibiotic resistance and also distribution of antibiotic resistance genes were related to the biotype of MRSA strains. Presence of multi-drug resistance and also simultaneous presence of several antibiotic resistance genes in some MRSA isolates showed an important public health issue Further researches are required to found additional epidemiological aspects of the MRSA strains in hospital food samples.

Comparison of old and new wheat cultivars in Iran by measuring germination related traits, osmotic tolerance and ISSR diversity

A primary concern of modern plant breeding is that genetic diversity has decreased during the past century. This study set out to explore changes in genetic variation during 84 years of breeding by investigating the germination-related traits, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting and osmotic stress tolerance of 30 Iranian wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. Seeds were planted under control and osmotic stress (-2, -4 and -6 bar) in three replications. The ISSR experiment was carried out using 32 different primers. Genotypes were divided into two groups (old and new) each containing 15 members. The results of ANOVA showed that highly significant differences existed among genotypes and among growth conditions. The results showed that during breeding in some traits such as coleoptile length and seedling vigor index, a significant decrease has been occurred. New cultivars had a mean coleoptile length of 33 mm, shorter than that of old cultivars (42 mm) under osmotic stress of -6 bar. Genetic variance of root length, shoot length and seedling vigor index for old cultivars were 1.59, 1.93 and 45,763, respectively, significantly higher than those for new cultivars (0.55, 1.08 and 27,996, respectively). This difference was also verified by ISSR results as the polymorphism information content was 0.28 in old cultivars, higher than that of new cultivars (0.26). These results prove this claim that during breeding, genetic diversity has decreased for many germination-related traits and breeders are better to pay more attention to genetic diversity.