Nicotine Content of Domestic Cigarettes, Imported Cigarettes and Pipe Tobacco in Iran

Background: There are many different kinds of cigarettes and tobacco available in the market. Since nicotine content of various brands of cigarettes are very variable, therefore evaluation and comparison of nicotine content of different brands of cigarettes is important. The goal of the present study was to determine and compare nicotine content of various domestic and imported cigarettes available in the area. Methods: Fourteen popular imported brands and nine popular domestic brands of cigarettes and three available brands of tobaccos were investigated for the amounts of nicotine content. Nicotine was extracted from each cigarette and tobacco samples and was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Findings: The amount of nicotine in each cigarette was from 6.17 to 12.65 mg (1.23 ± 0.15 percent of tobacco weight in each cigarette) in domestic cigarettes. It was between 7.17-28.86 mg (1.80 ± 0.25 percent of tobacco weight in each cigarette) for imported cigarette, and between 30.08- 50.89 mg (3.82 ± 1.11 percent) for the pipe nicotine. There was significant difference in nicotine amount between imported and domestic brands of cigarettes. There was also no significant difference in nicotine content between light and normal cigarettes in imported brands. Conclusion: Nicotine content of all tested cigarettes, imported and domestic brands, were higher than the international standard.   Keywords: Nicotine, Tobacco, Cigarettes, Human health, Bran

DIRECTED EVOLUTION TO IMPROVE BIODESULFURIZATION OF PETROLEUM

Dibenzothiophene (DBT) is an organosulfur compound found in petroleum that is refractory to the current hydrodesulfurization (HDS) method in refineries and raises the need for alternative methods such as biodesulfurization. Rhodococcus erythropolis strain IGTS8 naturally contains a dszABC operon, which encodes enzymes that can desulfurize DBT through the 4S pathway. Desulfurization-negative Rhodococcus opacus was transformed with plasmids pRESXdszABC and pRESXdszAS1BC, conferring the ability to desulfurize DBT. pRESXdszAS1BC had been modified from pRESXdszABC by placing a synthetic “sulpeptide gene” (S1) within the operon between dszA and dszB; S1 encodes a short polypeptide with high methionine and cysteine content, which puts additional sulfur demands on the 4S pathway when DBT is the only source of sulfur. Here we performed directed evolution on the two transformed R. opacus strains for 50 passages in a minimal (CDM) medium with DBT as the sole sulfur source in an attempt to drive evolution of greater DBT desulfurization activity. Desulfurization specific activity experiments were performed every 4 to 10 passages to compare the specific activities of these strains through the production of 2-HBP as measured by the Gibbs assay. Desulfurization positive strain Rhodococcus erythropolis IGTS8 was used as the control culture. R. opacus/pRESXdszABC demonstrated a maximum increase of 28-fold in desulfurization specific activity after 40 passages to a level as high as that of the control culture R. erythropolis IGTS8. Thereafter (passages 41-50), there was a 7% decrease from the maximum of desulfurization activity level (passage 40). R. opacus/pRESXdszAS1BC, however, showed only a maximum increase of 4-fold in specific activity after 37 passages. Moreover, there was a 61% decrease from the ix maximum of desulfurization activity level (passage 37) thereafter (passage 38-50). These could be due to the unexpected mutations and/or epigenetic changes in the pRESXdszAS1BC plasmid or host genomic sequences. Further DNA sequence analysis will be helpful in identification of these possible mutations.M.S. in Biology, December 201

Regulation and Dysregulation of TRPC6 Channels in Podocytes

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is characterized by the gradual loss of renal function over time is the leading cause of renal failure and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among Americans. In the present dissertation, we study two of the most common CKDs: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Many studies have been dedicated to determine the mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of these diseases. However, there is an unmet need for new therapeutic strategies that requires a better understanding of these mechanisms and pathways contributing to disease development and progression. First, we determine the effects of inactivation of canonical transient receptor potential-6 (TRPC6) channel in DN. TRPC6 is a nonselective Ca2+-permeable cation channel and its dysregulation has been implicated in pathophysiology of glomerular diseases. DN is induced by STZ injection in Trpc6del/del and Trpc6wt/wt Sprague-Dawley rats. Although we had previously reported a protective effect of TRPC6 inactivation in our other disease models including the chronic puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis model of acquired FSGS, here we did not see any protection against STZ-induced DN in our animals. Next, we focus on the mechanisms and pathways by which serum soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) modulates TRPC6 channels in podocytes. Podocytes are highly specialized cells on the surface of glomeruli in kidney and podocyte injury is the main contributing factor in development of glomerular diseases. suPAR is a circulating glomerular permeability factor implicated in primary and recurrent FSGS as well as in DN. We show that suPAR activates β3-integrin in podocytes and cause an increase in cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS). suPAR effects lead to increase in membrane trafficking and activation of TRPC6 channels in podocytes. Lastly, we study the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on podocytes. IGF-1 is a peptide hormone with structural similarities to insulin that increase glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and induce compensatory renal growth. We show that IGF-1 upregulates TRPC6 channels in podocytes through generation of ROS and activation of Src family protein kinases. In addition, IGF-1 appears to trigger podocyte hypertrophy in vitro. These results suggest that TRPC6 is a potential therapeutic target for treatment of FSGS but not DN.Biology and Biochemistry, Department o

Composition of the Volatile Oils of Three Different Species of Artemisia: Composition of volatile oils of Artemisia species

The essential oils of the aerial parts of three different Artemisia species (A. scoparia, A. diffusa, A. turanica) growing wildly in the northeast of Iran were analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-two, twenty-six, and thirteen components were identified in the essential oils of these plants, respectively. The major constituents of the oil of A. scoparia were b-pinene (16.10%), carvacrol (13.81%), limonene (8.82%), cis-ocimene (8.38%), methyl eugenol (7.62%), and transocimene (7.17%). Camphor (25.5%), 1,8-cineol (25.0%), b-thujone (22.%), and a-thujone (6.0%) were the major components identified in the volatile oil of A. diffusa. The main identified compounds in the volatile oil of A. turanica were 1,8-cineol (40.94%), cis-verbenyl acetate (19.03%) and camphor (11.03%). The identified components and their percentages in the essential oil of three different Artimisia species in this study were quite different. Since the chemical composition of the oil depends on various environmental conditions, therefore, these differences can be expected

Bioequivalency Study of Two Formulations of Ketoconazole Tablet in Healthy Volunteers: Bioequivalenecy of ketoconazole tablets

In this study, the pharmacokinetic parameters of two marketed tablet formulations  of ketoconazole were studied, and the relative bioavailability of the test formulation was compared with a reference formulation. A single dose (12x2) double blind randomized cross-over study of a generic formulation of ketoconazole tablet (2x200 mg), and a commercial brand, Nizoral tablet (2x200 mg, Janssen PharmaceuticaBeerse Belgica) was carried out. All of the tablets met the United States Pharmacopoeia dissolution specifications. The plasma level of ketoconazole was determined by using a modified rapid and selective reverse phase HPLC method. Plasma data was used to evaluate the relative bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters characterizing rate [peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and time of peak concentration (Tmax)] and the extent of absorption (AUC). The mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of ketoconazole of the two different formulations, A (reference) and B (test), were 7.08±2.81 and 6.74±2.20 mg/l at  1.70±0.48 h and 1.73±0.75 h, respectively. The mean AUC0− ∞ of the two products, were 39.07±16.25 and 31.85±14.64 for Aand B, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant d i fferences between various pharmacokinetic parameters of the two different formulations. The 90% parametric confidence intervals for the mean of test/reference ratios of Cmax, AUC0- 12,AUC0−∞ and Cmax/AUC0−∞ were within the bioequivalence acceptable range (80-125%). Results of this study showed that the extent and rate of absorption of ketoconazole tablets tested are comparable and the generic formulation is bioequivalent to the commercial product.&nbsp

Development of Highly Durable and Reactive Regenerable Magnesium-Based Sorbents for CO2 Separation in Coal Gasification Process

The specific objective of this project was to develop physically durable and chemically regenerable MgO-based sorbents that can remove carbon dioxide from raw coal gas at operating condition prevailing in IGCC processes. A total of sixty two (62) different sorbents were prepared in this project. The sorbents were prepared either by various sol-gel techniques (22 formulations) or modification of dolomite (40 formulations). The sorbents were prepared in the form of pellets and in granular forms. The solgel based sorbents had very high physical strength, relatively high surface area, and very low average pore diameter. The magnesium content of the sorbents was estimated to be 4-6 % w/w. To improve the reactivity of the sorbents toward CO{sub 2}, The sorbents were impregnated with potassium salts. The potassium content of the sorbents was about 5%. The dolomite-based sorbents were prepared by calcination of dolomite at various temperature and calcination environment (CO{sub 2} partial pressure and moisture). Potassium carbonate was added to the half-calcined dolomite through wet impregnation method. The estimated potassium content of the impregnated sorbents was in the range of 1-6% w/w. In general, the modified dolomite sorbents have significantly higher magnesium content, larger pore diameter and lower surface area, resulting in significantly higher reactivity compared to the sol-gel sorbents. The reactivities of a number of sorbents toward CO{sub 2} were determined in a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) unit. The results indicated that at the low CO{sub 2} partial pressures (i.e., 1 atm), the reactivities of the sorbents toward CO{sub 2} are very low. At elevated pressures (i.e., CO{sub 2} partial pressure of 10 bar) the maximum conversion of MgO obtained with the sol-gel based sorbents was about 5%, which corresponds to a maximum CO{sub 2} absorption capacity of less than 1%. The overall capacity of modified dolomite sorbents were at least one order of magnitude higher than those of the sol-gel based sorbents. The results of the tests conducted with various dolomite-based sorbent indicate that the reactivity of the modified dolomite sorbent increases with increasing potassium concentration, while higher calcination temperature adversely affects the sorbent reactivity. Furthermore, the results indicate that as long as the absorption temperature is well below the equilibrium temperature, the reactivity of the sorbent improves with increasing temperature (350-425 C). As the temperature approaches the equilibrium temperature, because of the significant increase in the rate of reverse (i.e., regeneration) reaction, the rate of CO{sub 2} absorption decreases. The results of cyclic tests show that the reactivity of the sorbent gradually decreases in the cyclic process. To improve long-term durability (i.e., reactivity and capacity) of the sorbent, the sorbent was periodically re-impregnated with potassium additive and calcined. The results indicate that, in general, re-treatment improves the performance of the sorbent, and that, the extent of improvement gradually decreases in the cyclic process. The presence of steam significantly enhances the sorbent reactivity and significantly decreases the rate of decline in sorbent deactivation in the cyclic process

Qualitative Evaluation of Fluoride Ions in Different Sodium Fluoride Tablet Formulations Used for Children

Introduction: Use of fluoride tablet is one of the several ways of fluoridation in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic absorption of fluoride from a generic sodium fluoride tablet, in comparison with a commercial one.Methods and Materials: This was a double-blind, cross over study. Following ingestion of 1 mg of fluoride in a generic or commercial form, urine samples were collected from 27 healthy boys aged 8-10 years old over a 24-hour period. The urine samples were analyzed by potentiometeric method using fluoride ion selective electrode.Results: Under the identical conditions, the mean 24-hour urinary fluoride excretion rate of the subjects before taking any generic and commercial fluoride tablets were 15.87±4.68 and 17.51±6.40 g/hr, respectively. The average rates of 24-hour urinary fluoride excretion of the subjects were 25.74±6.75 and 28.21±9.23 g/hr after the ingestion of generic and commercial fluoride tables, respectively. The mean cumulative amounts of fluoride ion excreted in 24-hour urine collection were 28% and 22% of the administered doses of commercial and generic fluoride tablets, respectively.Discussion: Results indicated that the systemic absorption of the fluoride ion released from the generic tablet is not significantly different from the commercial one. Therefore, it can be suggestedthat the tested generic tablets is bioequivalent to the commercial ones