Enhanced denitrification and organics removal in hybrid wetland columns: comparative experiments

This study investigated three lab-scale hybrid wetland systems with traditional (gravel) and alternative substrates (wood mulch and zeolite) for removing organic, inorganic pollutants and coliforms from a synthetic wastewater, in order to investigate the efficiency of alternative substrates, and monitor the stability of system performance. The hybrid systems were operated under controlled variations of hydraulic load (q, 0.3-0.9 m³/m² d), influent ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄-N, 22.0-80.0 mg/L), total nitrogen (TN, 24.0-84.0 mg/L) and biodegradable organics concentration (BOD₅, 14.5-102.0 mg/L). Overall, mulch and zeolite showed promising prospect as wetland substrates, as both media enhanced the removal of nitrogen and organics. Average NH₄-N, TN and BOD₅ removal percentages were over 99%, 72% and 97%, respectively, across all three systems, indicating stable removal performances regardless of variable operating conditions. Higher Escherichia coli removal efficiencies (99.9%) were observed across the three systems, probably due to dominancy of aerobic conditions in vertical wetland columns of the hybrid systems.     

Ferrocenyl chalcones versus organic chalcones: a comparative study of their nematocidal activity

A series of 30 organic chlacones and 33 ferrocenyl (Fc) chalcones were synthesized and characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, spectroscopy ((1)H NMR and FTIR) and, in two cases, by X-ray crystallography. The biological activity of each compound (10(-4)M in DMSO) against the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was examined in terms of % mortality (percent nematodes that died) and % fecundity (percent nematodes that reproduced) and compared to that obtained for the control medium (1% DMSO) over a 14-day period. Detailed conformational analyses for two Fc-chalcones (studied also by X-ray crystallography) were performed via molecular modeling studies. In general, the organic chalcones were found to be less polar than their Fc analogs. Some structure-activity relationships (SARs) were determined: (a) The nematocidal activities of the organic chalcones in this series were found to be much greater than those of their ferrocenyl analogs. (b) The position of the carbonyl group played a central role in the biological activity of both classes of chalcones studied. (c) For both classes of chalcones, lipophilicity of a compound seemed to play a significant role in its nematocidal activity. (d) The planarity of a ferrocenyl-chlacone seems to play a role in its activity.     

Discovery of new chromone containing sulfonamides as potent inhibitors of bovine cytosolic carbonic anhydrase

Series of chromone containing sulfonamides were prepared by the reaction of (un)substituted 3-formylchromones with 3-aminobenzenesulfonamide and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide. Bovine carbonic anhydrase (bCA) inhibitory activity of these newly synthesized compounds was determined. All compounds were active and possessed excellent bCA inhibitory activities with IC?? values ranged between 4.31 ± 0.001 and 29.12 ± 0.008 μmol. Compounds derived from 6-fluoro-3-formylchromones were the most active.     

Evaluation of anti-phytoplasma properties of surfactin and tetracycline towards lime witches' broom disease using real-time PCR

The anti-phytoplasma activities of surfactin (derived from Iranian native Bacillus subtilis isolates) and tetracycline towards Candidatus "Phytoplasma aurantifolia", the agent of lime Witches' broom disease, were investigated. HPLC was used to quantify the surfactin production in four previously characterized native surfactin-producing strains, and the one producing the highest amount of surfactin (about 1,500 mg/l) was selected and cultivated following optimized production and extraction protocols. Different combinations of purified surfactin and commercial tetracycline were injected into artificially phytoplasmainfected Mexican lime seedlings using a syringe injection system. An absolute quantitative real-time PCR system was developed to monitor the phytoplasma population shifts in the lime phloem during 3 months following the injections. The results revealed that the injections of surfactin or tetracycline had a significant inhibitory effect on Candidatus "P. aurantifolia". However, the combined treatment with both surfactin and tetracycline (1:1) resulted in the highest inhibition due to a synergic effect, which suppressed the phytoplasma population from about 2×10(5) to less than 10 phytoplasma units/g plant tissue.     

Betaine prevents ethanol-induced oxidative stress and reduces total homocysteine in the rat cerebellum

Oxidative stress is a hypothesis for the association of reactive oxygen species with cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we examined whether oral betaine can act as a preventive agent in ethanol-induced oxidative stress on the cerebellum of rats. Thirty-two adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups (control, ethanol, betaine, and betaine plus ethanol) with different dietary regimens and were followed up for 1 month. Total homocysteine (tHcy) of plasma and cerebellum homogenate was determined by an Axis^® homocysteine EIA kit, and antioxidant enzyme (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), SOD, and CAT) activities of cerebellum homogenate were measured chemically by a spectrophotometer. Lipid peroxidation of cerebellum was shown by the measurement of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) via a spectrophotometer. Ethanol-induced hyperhomocysteinemia was manifested by an increase in the concentrations of tHcy in the plasma and cerebellum homogenates of the ethanol group, while ethanol-induced oxidative stress was indicated via an increase in lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) in cerebellum homogenates of ethanol-treated rats. In contrast, betaine prevented hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in the betaine plus ethanol group as well as the betaine group. The results of the present investigation indicated that the protective effect of betaine is probably related to its ability to strengthen the cerebellum membrane cells by enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity principally GPx, while the methyl donor effect of betaine to reduce hyperhomocysteinemia has been explained previously and confirmed in the present study.     

Interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and TGF-beta in follicular tissue of impacted third molars

The clinical evaluation and management of impacted third molars remain challenging. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between follicular tissue cytokines and radiographic manifestations of impacted third molar. The population included 72 patients who underwent surgical extraction of impacted third molars. All these patients underwent a preliminary panoramic radiograph. Levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in tissue extracts were determined using ELISA. There were no significant differences between bony and tissue impaction as regards IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β levels. Moreover, the same results were obtained as far as the amount of pericoronal space and the presence or absence of a history of pericoronitis are concerned. These results suggest that radiographic findings or a history of pericoronitis are not associated with levels of expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing surgical removal of impacted third molars. However, further studies are needed to address the possibility of variability during disease progression.     

Bone marrow-derived cells: A potential approach for the treatment of xerostomia

Transplantations of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) are traditionally used for hematologic diseases, but there are increasing numbers of clinical trials using BMDC treatments for non-hematologic disorders, including autoimmune diseases. BMDCs are recently reported to improve organ functions. This paper will review available reports supporting the role of BMDCs in reducing xerostomia (i.e. re-establishing salivary gland functions) due to head and neck irradiation for cancer therapies and in Sj?gren's syndrome. There are reports that BMDCs provide a beneficial effect on the saliva production. BMDCs positively affect blood vessels stability and regeneration in irradiated salivary glands. Also, BMDCs provide an immunomodulatory activity in mice with Sj?gren's-like disease. While the exact mechanisms by which BMDCs improve organ functions remain controversial, there is preliminary evidence that a combination of them (such as cell transdifferentiation, vasculogenesis, and paracrine effect) occur in salivary glands.     

Physico-mechanical and Stability Evaluation of Carbamazepine Cocrystal with Nicotinamide

The focus of this investigation was to prepare the cocrystal of carbamazepine (CBZ) using nicotinamide as a coformer and to compare its preformulation properties and stability profile with CBZ. The cocrystal was prepared by solution cooling crystallization, solvent evaporation, and melting and cryomilling methods. They were characterized for solubility, intrinsic dissolution rate, chemical identification by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile strength and Heckel analysis of compacts. The cocrystal and CBZ were stored at 40°C/94% RH, 40°C/75% RH, 25°C/60% RH, and 60°C to determine their stability behavior. The cocrystals were fluffy, with a needle-shaped crystal, and were less dense than CBZ. The solubility profiles of the cocrystals were similar to CBZ, but its intrinsic dissolution rate was lower due to the high tensile strength of its compacts. Unlike CBZ, the cocrystals were resistant to hydrate transformation, as revealed by the stability studies. Plastic deformation started at a higher compression pressure in the cocrystals than CBZ, as indicated by the high yield pressure. In conclusion, the preformulation profile of the cocrystals was similar to CBZ, except that it had an advantageous resistance to hydrate transformation.     

Genetic variability of NaCl tolerance in tomato

Cultivation of crops in soils with high salt (NaCl) content can affect plant development. We examined the morphological and physiological mechanisms of salt tolerance in tomato. The responses of 72 accessions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to salinity were compared by measuring shoot and root lengths, and fresh shoot and root weights relative to those of controls (plants grown in normal salt levels). All traits were reduced at the seedling stage when salinity levels were increased. The accession x salinity interaction was significant for all traits. Root length had higher heritability than other traits and was used as a selection criterion to identify salt-tolerant and -non-tolerant accessions. On the basis of root length, accessions LA2661, CLN2498A, CLN1621L, BL1176, 6233, and 17870 were considered to be more tolerant than accessions 17902, LO2875 and LO4360. The degree of salt tolerance was checked by analyzing K+ and Na+ concentrations and K+/Na+ ratio in tissues of plants treated with 10 and 15 dS/m salinity levels. Tolerance of these accessions to salinity was most associated with low accumulation of Na+ and higher K+/Na+ ratios.     

Distribution pattern of the Snake-eyed Lizard,Ophisops elegans Ménétriés, 1832 (Squamata: Lacertidae), in Iran

Ophisops elegans, a common lizard with a wide distribution range in Iran, was selected to investigate the influence of environmental factors on its distribution pattern. Based on a distribution model developed with the software Maxent for O. elegans, the most important factors influencing the distribution pattern were found to be high winter precipitation, intermediate levels of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and intermediate levels of sunshine. It seems that overall plant cover and competition with Mesalina watsonana are the main factors which influence the distribution pattern of O. elegans in the central Iranian Plateau.