Potassium permanganate–glutaraldehyde chemiluminescence system catalyzed by gold nanoprisms toward selective determination of fluoride

Gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) are shown to exert a positive effect on the chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of permanganate aldehydes. Interestingly, between various shapes examined, Au nanoprisms have the highest beneficial effect. This effect is even more notable in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant. UV‐vis spectra and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the NP shapes and sizes. Furthermore, it was observed that iron(III) ions can slightly increase CL emission of this system. This intensification is very effective in the presence of fluoride ions (F^–). These observations form the basis of the method for the high sensitive determination of F^– in the 6–1200 nmol L^–1 concentration range, with a detection limit of 2.1 nmol L^–1. The proposed method has good precision and was satisfactorily used in the selective determination of low concentrations of fluoride ion in real samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular Epidemiology of P. vivax in Iran: High Diversity and Complex Sub-Structure Using Neutral Markers,but No Evidence of Y976F Mutation at pvmdr1

BackgroundMalaria remains endemic at low levels in the south-eastern provinces of Iran bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the majority of cases attributable to P. vivax. The national guidelines recommend chloroquine (CQ) as blood-stage treatment for uncomplicated P. vivax, but the large influx of imported cases enhances the risk of introducing CQ resistance (CQR).ConclusionsThe contrasting low versus high diversity in the two sub-populations (K1 and K2) infers that a combination of local transmission and cross-border malaria from higher transmission regions shape the genetic make-up of the P. vivax population in south-eastern Iran. There was no molecular evidence of CQR amongst the local or imported cases, but ongoing clinical surveillance is warranted.     

How is the relationship between TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 gene expressions in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients?

Background: The activation and increased expression of BCR-ABL1 lead to malignant chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) cells, as well as the resistance to antitumour agents and apoptosis inducers. Moreover, TWIST-1 protein is a prognostic factor of leukemogenesis, and its level is raised in CML patients with cytogenetic resistance to imatinib. So, there is a likely relationship between BCR-ABL1 and TWIST-1 genes.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 expressions.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 44 CML patients under treatment and also from ten healthy subjects as normal controls. The expression of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes was measured using real-time PCR, and ABL1 was used as the reference gene. The gene expression was evaluated by REST software.

Results: The expression levels of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes in CML patients was changed 40.23?±?177.75-fold and 6?±?18-fold, respectively.

Discussion: No significant relationship was observed between the expressions of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes. All patients with TWIST-1 expression levels?≥100-fold had failure of response to treatment.

Conclusion: The probability of the relationship between BCR-ABL1 and TWIST-1 is still debatable, and the average of TWIST-1 expression has been higher in patients without response to treatment. Definitive conclusion needs further investigations.     

Variation in virulence of Beauveria bassiana isolates and its relatedness to some morphological characteristics

Ten Beauveria bassiana isolates were characterized using the following parameters: virulence, morphological measurements, germination in solid and liquid media, in vitro growth and physiological changes in liquid media. There were significant differences in mortality of second-instar larvae of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) according to isolate used (DBM; 14.51-53.37%, CPB; 25.05-74.07%). The most virulent isolates to DBM and CPB were KCF107 (soil origin) and KCF106 (Chilo suppressalis origin), respectively. Several morphological and physiological characteristics of isolates were evaluated for a possible link to virulence against both insect species. Special mean diameter (2.45-3.58 µm) and area of conidia (5.72-10.25 µm²) were significantly different among isolates. Time for 50% of conidia to germinate (GT₅₀) varied from 11 to 21 h depending on isolate. There was no correlation to virulence of size of conidia, GT_50, red pigment production and mycelial growth. Acidity of 7-day-old broth cultures of isolates was positively correlated with virulence. Iranian isolates KCF106 and KCF107 were the most promising and virulent isolates but field testing is needed to further evaluate their potential for use in DBM and CPB management.