Identification of a novel truncating variant in AHI1 gene and a brief review on mutations spectrum

Molecular Biology Reports - Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare inherited neurodevelopmental condition characterized by hypotonia, ataxia, developmental delay, abnormal eye movements, neonatal...     

Sex-Independent Cognition Improvement in Response to Kaempferol in the Model of Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease

Neurochemical Research - Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with neural oxidative stress and inflammation, and it is assumed to affect more women than men with unknown mechanisms....     

Surface Plasmon Polariton Propagation at the Interface of a Metal and an Ambichiral Nanostructured Medium

The propagation of a surface plasmon polariton wave at the interface of a metal and an ambichiral nanostructured medium was theoretically investigated in the Kretschmann configuration using transfer matrix method. The dependence of optical absorption linear polarization on structural parameters was reported. The results were compared with those obtained from the interface of a metal and a chiral dielectric medium as a reference structure. We found that multiple plasmon modes are excited at the interface of metal and ambichiral dielectric medium. Our calculations revealed that there exist five plasmon modes for chiral, trigonal, and tetragonal structures; three plasmon modes for pentagonal structure; two plasmon modes for hexagonal structure; and one plasmon mode for dodecagonal structure that propagate with different phase speeds. The obtained results showed that only one plasmon mode occurs at all pitches, while other modes exist at some of the pitches of anisotropic chiral and ambichiral dielectric mediums. The time-averaged Poynting vector versus the thickness of metal film confirmed that the energy of photons of incident light is transferred to surface plasmon polariton quasiparticles and the surface plasmon polariton wave is localized at the interface of metal and ambichiral dielectric medium.     

Fabrication and characterization of non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on ternary NiO/CuO/polyaniline nanocomposite

Novel nickel and copper oxide nanoparticle modified polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers (NiO/CuO/PANI) were fabricated and used as a non-enzymatic sensor for detecting glucose. PANI nanofibers were prepared through electrodeposition, whereas nickel and copper oxide nanoparticles were deposited on PANI nanofibers by electrodeposition and electrochemical oxidation in situ. The morphology and structure of NiO/CuO/PANI nanocomposites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR). The as-prepared NiO/CuO/PANI electrode was employed for non-enzymatic glucose detection in alkaline electrolyte and showed better electrocatalytic activity compared with the PANI, CuO/PANI, and NiO/PANI electrodes. Consequently, an amperometric electrode of glucose was achieved under 0.6 V versus Ag/AgCl with a wide linear range from 20 to 2500 μM (R² = 0.9978) and a low detection limit of 2.0 μM (signal/noise [S/N] = 3). This electrode can effectively analyze glucose concentration in human serum samples, avoiding interference, and is a promising non-enzymatic glucose sensor due to its low overpotential, high sensitivity, good selectivity and stability, fast response, and low cost.     

Comparative effects of nitric oxide and salicylic acid on salinity tolerance in saffron (Crocus sativus)

Abstract

Salinity is a major environmental stress worldwide that adversely affects plant’s growth and metabolism. Various studies have demonstrated the positive effect of growth regulators on improving stress tolerance of plants. In this study, Crocus sativus as a profitable herb and expensive spice was subjected to nitric oxide and salicylic acid treatments to improve its sustainability under salinity stress. Based on our results treating Crocus sativus corms with nitric oxide caused more growth under salinity stress, also nitric oxide was able to reduce stress effects by compatible solutes accumulation, inducing antioxidative enzyme activities and increasing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. However, salicylic acid treatment did not improve plant growth under salinity.     

Cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode as a biosensor for electrooxidation and determination of some amino acids

The electrochemical behavior of some amino acids was investigated on cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon (CHM-GC) electrode in alkaline solution. The process of oxidation and its kinetics were established by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry techniques, and steady-state polarization measurements. The results revealed that cobalt hydroxide promotes the rate of oxidation by increasing the peak current, so these bimolecular reactions are oxidized at lower potentials. Cyclic voltammograms and chronoamperometry indicate a catalytic EC′ mechanism to be operative with electrogeneration of Co(IV) as the electrochemical process. Also, the process is diffusion controlled and the current-time responses follow Cottrellian behavior. This result was confirmed by steady-state measurements. The rate constants of the catalytic oxidation of amino acids and the electron transfer coefficients are reported.