Determination of selenium in blood serum of children with acute leukemia and effect of chemotherapy on serum selenium level.

The concentration of selenium in serum was measured by the neutron activation method in three groups of children: 30 healthy children, 20 children with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML) and 40 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) (L1; n = 20, L2; n = 20). The samples were taken before and after induction chemotherapy. Age, sex, FAB, initial WBC, BUN, creatinine and urinary analysis did not show a significant change in the amount of selenium in serum. Selenium concentration in serum samples of ALL children before chemotherapy showed no significant differences as compared with that of normal individuals, but there were significant differences between children with AML and normal individuals (76.46 +/- 24.59 micrograms/L vs 102.38 +/- 19.25 micrograms/L, with p < 0.02). In conclusion, the question of whether these deficiencies are responsible for the disease or are the result of a secondary effect of the cancer remain to be answered. Immediately after induction chemotherapy, the selenium concentration in the serum of ALL children decreased significantly (80.14 +/- 15.48 micrograms/L vs 110.72 +/- 28.3 micrograms/L, p < 0.001), but this was not the case for AML children. These findings may be due to the difference in the drugs administered in induction chemotherapy of ALL and AML children.     

Phaeoacremonium spp. and Botryosphaeriaceae spp. Associated with Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Decline in Iran

During spring and summer of 2011, a survey was undertaken on some palm groves in the Kerman province (south‐eastern Iran) to determine the fungal pathogens associated with date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) decline diseases. Samples were taken from date palm trees showing yellowing, wilting and dieback symptoms. Isolations were made from symptomatic tissues on malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with 100 mg/l streptomycin sulphate (MEAS). Two species of Phaeoacremonium, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and Pm. parasiticum, and two species of Botryosphaeriaceae, Botryosphaeria dothidea andDiplodia mutila, were isolated from affected trees and identified on the basis of morphological, cultural and molecular characteristics. Pathogenicity tests were performed on date palm (4‐year‐old potted plants) under greenhouse conditions. Based on the pathogenicity tests, Pm. aleophilum was the most virulent and caused the longest lesions. This is the first report of Pm. aleophilum and B. dothidea and their pathogenicity on date palm tree.     

Detection of Anti-tetanus Toxoid Monoclonal Antibody by Using Modified Polycarbonate Surface

In recent years, CD surface modification methods are employed for immunoassay techniques that is called BioCD technology. In this research, first polycarbonate surface was activated with UV ozone and a hydrophilic surface was obtained. Contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy technique confirmed the hydrophilic property of surface. After that, tetanus toxoid was immobilized on modified CD surface then specific monoclonal antibody, gold nanoparticles conjugated antibody, silver salt, and hydroquinone were added on modified CD surface. So a sandwiches complex as tetanus toxoid, tetanus toxoid monoclonal antibody, and gold nanoparticles conjugated antibody was obtained on CD surface. ATR result showed the immobilization of tetanus toxoid on modified CD surface. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and DLS results confirmed the complex formation. Silver salt and hydroquinone were added for signal amplification. Detection limit of anti-tetanus toxoid IgG monoclonal antibody was obtained 0.005 IU/ml by LSPR and DLS techniques. The presented method increases the assay’s sensitivity. BioCD-based immunoassay for detection of anti-tetanus toxoid IgG monoclonal antibody could be applicable in development and fabrication of biomedical devices.     

Heterologous expression,purification, and refolding of SRY protein: role of l-arginine as analyzed by simulation and practical study

Molecular Biology Reports - Escherichia coli is a widely-used cell factory for recombinant protein production, nevertheless, high amount of produced protein is seen in aggregated form. The purpose...     

In vivo anti‐inflammatory efficacy of the combined Bowman‐Birk trypsin inhibitor and genistein isoflavone,two biological compounds from soybean

Soybean Bowman‐Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) and genistein, two biological compounds from soybean, are well‐known for their anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. The aim of this study was designing a BBI‐genistein conjugate and then investigating its protective effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation in BALB/c mice, compared with the effects of combination of BBI and genistein. BBI was purified from soybean and the BBI‐genistein conjugate was synthesized. The BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally treated 2 hours before LPS induction. Our results showed that treatment with the combination of BBI and genistein greatly led to more reduced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (IFN)‐γ compared with the treatments of BBI alone, the BBI‐genistein conjugate, and genistein alone, respectively. Moreover, the expression of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in the splenocytes was significantly downregulated along with improving host survival against the LPS‐induced lethal endotoxemia in the same way. Our data support a new combined therapy using BBI and genistein, as natural anti‐inflammatory agents, to develop a new drug for inflammatory diseases.     

The potential roles of amino acids and their major derivatives in the management of multiple sclerosis

Amino Acids - Recently, we reviewed the important role of carbohydrates and lipids metabolism in different clinical aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. In the current paper, we aimed to...     

Design and Evaluation of the Release Characteristics of Caffeine-Loaded Microcapsules in a Medicated Chewing Gum Formulation

The aim of this study was to microencapsulate caffeine by the emulsion technique, trying to control its release from a medicated chewing gum. Three formulations were prepared using alginate, alginate-starch, and alginate-starch with chitosan coating as the wall materials. These microcapsules were characterized with regard to the morphology studied by using an optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size, and encapsulation efficiency. The microcapsules were then incorporated into the chewing gums. The chewing gums were characterized by thermal behavior (by differential scanning calorimetry [DSC]), texture profile analysis [TPA], and sensory evaluation. Furthermore, the release of caffeine from the chewing gum was studied in vitro using the masticatory simulator and in vivo by a chew-out study. The microcapsules revealed a spherical form and high encapsulation efficiency, representing the success of the technique. The outcomes indicated that it is possible to encapsulate caffeine with the techniques employed and the microcapsules prolonged the release of caffeine throughout mastication. The chewing gum containing alginate-starch with chitosan-coated microcapsules showed the great potential of the microcapsule in controlling the release of the caffeine from the chewing gum, thereby delaying its bitterness.