Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb) content in two fish species of Persian Gulf in Bushehr Port, Iran

Heavy metal (HMs) pollution of aquatic environment has become a great concern in recent years. In this study, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) levels were determined in muscle and skin of two important consumed fishes (Indo-Pacific king mackerel and Tigertooth croaker) in Bushehr Province in the Southwestern of Iran. Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The mean contents of metal, expressed in mg/kg wet weight, varied from 0.17 to 0.26 for Cd, 1.25 to 1.84 for Cu, 0.6 to 0.84 for Ni and 0.31 to 0.7 for Pb. Results showed that the highest and lowest contents of heavy metals in muscle and skin of both fish samples were related to Cu and Cd concentration, respectively, and heavy metal contents in both skin fish samples and muscle of Tigertooth croaker were found to decrease in sequence as Cu>Pb>Ni>Cd.Key words: Heavy metal, fish, Bushehr, Iran

Optimization of expression, purification and handling anti bacteria feature protein of bovine neutrophil B-defensing BNBD2

زمینه و هدف: دیفنسین‎ها یکی از بزرگ‎ترین خانواده‎ی پپتید‎های ضد میکروب می‎باشند که به واسطه‎ی فعالیت بر علیه باکتری‎ها، قارچ‎ها و بسیاری از ویروس‎ها به عنوان آنتی‎بیوتیک‎های نسل جدید منفعت بسیاری دارند. هدف از این مطالعه بهینه سازی بیان، تخلیص و بررسی خاصیت ضد میکروبی پروتئین بتا دیفنسین 2 نوتروفیل‎های گاو (BNBD2) بوده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه‎ی تجربی-آزمایشگاهی باکتری اشرشیاکلی B‏L21(DE3) حامل وکتور pET-32a(+) که ژن BNBD2 در آن همسانه سازی شده بود جهت مطالعات مورد استفاده قرار گرفت. بیان پروتئین BNBD2 با تغییر در پارامترهای دانسیته‎ی سلولی، دمای رشد، مدت زمان القاء با استفاده از سیستم الکتروفورز عمودی (SDS-PAGE) و تست برادفورد به صورت کمی و کیفی بررسی گردید. مراحل تخلیص پروتئین نوترکیب با کمک روش شیمیایی شکافت در جایگاه فرمیک اسید و عبور از سانتریکون و اثر ضد باکتری پروتئین تخلیص شده بر چند نمونه‎ی باکتریایی گرم مثبت و گرم منفی مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. یافته ها: با استفاده از محیط کشت Luria–Bertani، شروع القاء در جذب نوری 8/0 در طول موج 600 نانومتر، غلظت یک میلی مولار ماده‎ی القاء کننده‎ی IPTG، دمای رشد 30 درجه و مدت زمان 4 ساعت پس از القاء بیشترین میزان بیان پروتئین به دست آمد. پروتئین نوترکیب با استفاده از شکافت در جایگاه فرمیک اسید و عبور از سانتریکون تخلیص گردید. نتایج آزمایش وسترن بلاتینگ نیز نشان داد که پروتئین نوترکیب به طور اختصاصی به آنتی‎بادی mouse anti-(His)6 peroxidase متصل می‎گردد. تشکیل هاله‎ی عدم رشد در محیط‎های کشت مولر هینتون آگار حاوی کشت سطحی باکتری های مورد آزمایش خاصیت ضد باکتری این پروتئین را نشان داد. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به خاصیت ضد میکروبی پروتئین BNBD2و امکان بیان پروتئین در باکتری E. coli می توان به تولید انبوه این پروتئین نوترکیب اقدام نمود

The Solid Phase Extraction of Some Metal Ions Using Palladium Nanoparticles Attached to Silica Gel Chemically Bonded by Silica-Bonded N-Propylmorpholine as New Sorbent prior to Their Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

In this research at first palladium nanoparticle attached to a new chemically bonded silica gel has been synthesized and has been characterized with different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, this new sorbent (chemically modified silica gel with N-propylmorpholine (PNP-SBNPM)) was efficiently used for preconcentration of some metal ions in various food samples. The influence of effective variables including mass of sorbent, flow rate, pH of sample solutions and condition of eluent such as volume, type and concentration on the recoveries of understudy metal ions were investigated. Following the optimization of variables, the interfering effects of some foreign ions on the preconcentration and determination of the investigated metal ions described. At optimum values of variables, all investigated metal ions were efficiently recovered with efficiency more than 95%, relative standard deviation (RSD) between 2.4 and 2.8, and detection limit in the range of 1.4–2.7 ng mL−1. The present method is simple and rapidly applicable for the determination of the understudied metal ions (ng mL−1) in different natural food samples

Natural source-based graphene as sensitising agents for air quality monitoring

Natural carbon powder has been used as a precursor to prepare two main types of sensitising agents of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles (N-CNPs) and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots coupled to nanosheets (N-GQDs-NSs) by using simple treatments of chemical oxidation and centrifugation separation. Characterization based on FTIR, XPS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, AFM, UV-Vis and FL, revealed successful doping carbon nanoparticle with nitrogen with an average plane dimension of 50 nm and relatively smooth surface. The versatility of the prepared samples as sensitising agents was developed and established by exploiting its ability for detection of volatile organic compounds via simple optical fibre based sensing configuration. The comparative experimental studies on the proposed sensor performance indicate fast response achieved at a few tens of seconds and excellent repeatability in exposure to the methanol vapour. The low limit of detection of 4.3, 4.9 and 10.5 ppm was obtained in exposure to the methanol, ethanol and propanol vapours, respectively, in the atmosphere condition. This study gives insights into the chemical/physical mechanism of an enhanced economic optical fibre based gas sensor and illustrates it for diverse sensing applications, especially for chemical vapour remote detection and future air quality monitoring

Construction of expression vectors carrying mouse peroxisomal protein gene (PeP) with GST and Flag labels

The aim of this study was to construct expression vectors carrying mouse peroxisomal protein gene (PEP-cDNA) in prokaryotic and mammalian expression vectors in chimeric cDNA types, encompassingGST and FLAG with PEP-cDNA. PEP-cDNA was sub-cloned in pGEX6p2 prokaryotic expression vector in order to label this gene with GST to purify PEP protein for further biochemical analysis and identifying related proteins thereafter. FLAG-PEP recombinant DNA was produced and sub-cloned inpUcD3 eukaryotic expression vector to express tagged-PEP protein for transient transfection analysis and identifying intracellular localization of PEP protein in future experiments. PEP-cDNA was amplifiedin different PCR reactions using pEGFP-PEP vector and 2 sets of primers introducing specific restriction sites at the ends of PEP. PCR products with BamHI/SalI restriction sites were treated by restriction enzymes and inserted into the pGEX6p2, downstream of GST tag. PEP-cDNA containingBamHI/ApaI restriction sites and FLAG gene (which amplified using pUcD3-FLAG-PEX3 vector) were used as templates in secondary PCR for amplifying FLAG-PEP recombinant DNA. FLAG-PEP fragment was treated by enzymatic digestion and inserted into the pUcD3 eukaryotic expression vector.pGEX6p2-PEP and pUcD3-FLAG-PEP constructed vectors were transformed into the one shot TOP10 and JM105 bacterial competent cells, respectively. Positive colonies were selected for plasmid preparation. Results confirmed correct amplification of the expected products. PEP-cDNA in both PCRreactions encompasses 630 bp. FLAG fragment containing designed sites was 77 bp and FLAG-PEP fragment was 700 bp. Sequencing of constructed vectors confirmed that PEP-cDNA was tagged appropriately and inserted free of mutation and in frame with GST and FLAG

Genetic Variants of Cytochrome b-245, Alpha Polypeptide Gene and Premature Acute Myocardial Infarction Risk in An Iranian Population

Background: Oxidative stress induced by superoxide anion plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hence acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The major source of superoxide production in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells is the NADPH oxidase complex. An essential component of this complex is p22phox, that is encoded by the cytochrome b-245, alpha polypeptide (CYBA) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of CYBA variants (rs1049255 and rs4673) and premature acute myocardial infarction risk in an Iranian population. Methods: The study population consisted of 158 patients under the age of 50 years, with a diagnosis of premature AMI, and 168 age-matched controls with normal coronary angiograms. Genotyping of the polymorphisms was performed by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: There was no association between the genotypes and allele frequencies of rs4673 polymorphism and premature acute myocardial infarction (P>0.05). A significant statistical association was observed between the genotypes distribution of rs1049255 polymorphism and AMI risk (P=0.037). Furthermore, the distribution of AA+AG/GG genotypes was found to be statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.011). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that rs1049255 but not rs4673 polymorphism is associated with premature AMI

The effect of endurance training intensity on the expression of perlipin-A protein of visceral adipose tissue, serum glucose and insulin levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Background and aims: Changes in the expression of lipid droplet adipocyte proteins, such as prelipipin A (PLINA) cause alter lipolysis and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to compare the three endurance training intensities (low, moderate and high) on the expression of PLINA protein in visceral adipose tissue, serum glucose and insulin levels in male diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: 40 male Wistar rats were assigned to five groups (n=8) including diabetic group with low intensity endurance training, moderate intensity group, high intensity group, diabetic and healthy control groups. After induction of diabetic rats by injection of streptozotocin, endurance training was performed with different intensities for eight weeks, three sessions per week. The relative expression of PLINA protein was measured by western blot technique. One-way variance analysis and Tukey's post hoc test were used to determine the difference between the groups. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between PLINA levels in healthy and diabetic control groups with endurance training groups (with low, moderate and high intensity) (P=0.018). These differences were between low intensity training and healthy control groups (P=0.033) and between diabetic and healthy control groups (P=0.020). Serum glucose and insulin levels were significantly different between the diabetic control and endurance training groups (low, moderate and high) (P=0.001). This difference was between high-intensity training group with low intensity training (P=0.046), diabetic control (P=0.001) and healthy control (P=0.011) groups. Conclusion: Moderate and high intensity endurance training can compensate for the loss caused by diabetes in the expression of the PLINA protein and reduces serum levels of insulin and glucose in these mice. It seems that more intensity endurance training leads to more increase in PLINA expression in diabetic rats

Bio-nanotechnology application in wastewater treatment

The nanoparticles have received high interest in the field of medicine and water purification, however, the nanomaterials produced by chemical and physical methods are considered hazardous, expensive, and leave behind harmful substances to the environment. This chapter aimed to focus on green-synthesized nanoparticles and their medical applications. Moreover, the chapter highlighted the applicability of the metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) in the inactivation of microbial cells due to their high surface and small particle size. Modifying nanomaterials produced by green-methods is safe, inexpensive, and easy. Therefore, the control and modification of nanoparticles and their properties were also discussed

Correction to: A combination of herbal compound (SPTC) along with exercise or metformin more efficiently alleviated diabetic complications through down-regulation of stress oxidative pathway upon activating Nrf2-Keap1 axis in AGE rich diet-induced type 2 diabetic mice (Nutrition & Metabolism, (2021), 18, 1, (14), 10.1186/s12986-021-00543-6)

Following the publication of the original article 1, the authors identified an error in the funding note. Incorrect funding note: A part of this research was funded partially by NIMAD (National Institute for Medical Research Development) no. 971130. © 2021, The Author(s)

A combination of herbal compound (SPTC) along with exercise or metformin more efficiently alleviated diabetic complications through down-regulation of stress oxidative pathway upon activating Nrf2-Keap1 axis in AGE rich diet-induced type 2 diabetic mice

Background: SPTC is a mix of four herbal components (Salvia officinalis, Panax ginseng, Trigonella foenum-graeceum, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum) which might be prevented the development of AGE rich diet-induced diabetic complication and liver injury through activated the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related-factor-2 (Nrf2) pathway. Nrf2, as a master regulator of antioxidant response elements by activating cytoprotective genes expression, is decreased oxidative stress that associated with hyperglycemia and increases insulin sensitivity. the aim of this study was to assess whether the combination therapy of SPTC along with exercise or metformin moderate oxidative stress related liver injurie with more favorable effects in the treatment of AGE rich diet-induced type 2 diabetic mice. Methods: We induced diabetes in C57BL/6 mice by AGE using a diet supplementation and limitation of physical activity. After 16 weeks of intervention, AGE fed mice were compared to control mice. Diabetic mice were assigned into seven experimental groups (each group; n = 5): diabetic mice, diabetic mice treated with SPTC (130 mg/kg), diabetic mice treated with Salvia Officinalis (65 mg/kg), diabetic mice treated with metformin (300 mg/kg), diabetic mice with endurance exercise training, diabetic mice treated with SPTC + metformin (130/300 mg/kg), diabetic mice treated with SPTC + exercise training. Results: SPTC + exercise and SPTC + metformin reduced diabetic complications like gain weight, water and calorie intake, blood glucose, insulin, and GLUT4 content more efficiently than each treatment. These combinations improved oxidative stress hemostasis by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and attenuating keap1 protein more significantly. Conclusion: Eventually, combined treatment of SPTC with exercise or metformin as a novel approach had more beneficial effects to prevent the development of diabetes and oxidative stress associated with hyperglycemia. Figure not available: see fulltext. © 2021, The Author(s)