An electrochemical immunosensor for digoxin using core–shell gold coated magnetic nanoparticles as labels

A simple, sensitive, and low-cost immunosensor was designed for the detection of digoxin through core–shell gold coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-Au-NPs) as an electrochemical label. Having had such a large potential for a variety of applications, Fe₃O₄-Au-NPs have attracted a considerable attention and are actively investigated recently. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside which, at high level, can indicate an increased risk of toxicity. This new competitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed based on antigen–antibody reaction employing antigen (Ag) labeled Fe₃O₄-Au-NPs and PVA modified screen-printed carbon electrode surface in order to detect the serum digoxin. The structures of Fe₃O₄-Au-NPs were studied by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were employed to determine the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of immunosensor. DPV was employed for quantitative detection of digoxin in biological samples. The developed immunosensor was capable to detect digoxin in the range from 0.5 to 5 ng mL^?1, with a detection limit as low as 0.05 ng mL^?1. The proposed method represented acceptable reproducibility, stability, and reliability for the rapid detection of digoxin in serum samples.     

CREB-binding protein (CREBBP) and preeclampsia: a new promising target gene

Molecular Biology Reports - Preeclampsia (PE) is a major complication of pregnancy and remains a leading cause of neonatal and maternal mortality worldwide. Several studies have revealed that the...     

Evaluation of Golestan Province’s Early Warning System for flash floods,Iran, 2006–7

Golestan province located in NE Iran is well known for deadly flash floods. This study aimed to evaluate the region’s Early Warning System (EWS) for flash floods. We used an adapted version of the questionnaire developed by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. We reviewed documents on the EWS of Golestan, and conducted a qualitative study comprising interviews with experts and affected people in Kalaleh and Minoodasht. Results were discussed by an expert panel. Regarding risk knowledge, there was a hazard map at Provincial Disaster Taskforce (PDT) drawn by the provincial Office for Water Resource Management, but no risk analysis was available. Local people were aware of their exposure to flooding, but not aware of the existence of a hazard map and their vulnerability situation. In terms of monitoring and warning, PDT faced serious limitations in issuing Early Warnings, including (1) an inability to make point predictions of rainfall, and (2) the absence of a warning threshold. Dissemination and communication issued by the Meteorological Office followed a top-to-bottom direction. The contents were neither clearly understood by other institutions nor reached the potential recipients within an appropriate time frame. There was a need for a comprehensive response plan with adequate exercises, and no evaluation framework existed. Golestan EWS is in dire need of improvement. To fill in the gaps ensuring local people receive timely warning, we propose a community-based model called "Village Disaster Taskforce" (VDT) in which individual villages act as operational units, but interlinked with other villages and PDT.     

Simulation of glioblastoma growth using a 3D multispecies tumor model with mass effect

Journal of Mathematical Biology - In this article, we present a multispecies reaction–advection–diffusion partial differential equation coupled with linear elasticity for modeling tumor...     

Development of a new live attenuated mumps virus vaccine in human diploid cells

A new live attenuated mumps vaccine was developed in human diploid cells. The S-12 virus was isolated from a 10-year-old girl showing typical symptoms of mumps infection, the diagnosis was confirmed by a pediatrician. The virus was isolated in green monkey kidney cells, without passage in chick embryo cavity or chick embryo fibroblasts. Attenuation of the wild virus was performed by serial passages in human diploid cells (MRC-5). The attenuated virus was characterized by identity tests, as well as by a reduction in plaque size, as marker tests. The virus was free from adventitious agents and safe for laboratory animals as well as for monkeys. The reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the S-12 virus for man was investigated by administration of a monovalent vaccine to 20 seronegative adult male volunteers and 30 children aged 1 to 5 years without history of mumps infection or vaccination. Seroconversion was obtained in 95% of the vaccinees. The new vaccine has the advantage of not requiring specific pathogen-free eggs, and being free from avian proteins and therefore can be used in sensitized patients.     

Evaluation of the Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Anthropometric Indicators and Dietary Intake of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background:Various studies have shown that diabetes and its complications are associated with vitamin D deficiency. Due to the possible role of vitamin D in reducing the complications of diabetes and the high prevalence of its deficiency in Iran, this study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on anthropometric indices and dietary intake of patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:This randomized clinical trial (RCT) study was performed on 74 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients randomly divided into two groups to receive vitamin D (VD) supplementation (100 μg or 4000 IU/day) or placebo for three months, randomization was based on the permutated-block method. Anthropometric indices including body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and physical activity, dietary intake were assessed by validated methods at the beginning and end of the trial.Results:VD supplementation had not any significant differences in anthropometric indices, dietary intake and physical activity between the two groups.Conclusion:Finally, it can be concluded, receiving 100 micrograms/day of VD for three months had no favourable effects on patients with T2DM.Key Words: Anthropometric indices, Diabetes Mellitus, Dietary intake, Vitamin D