Polyvinylpyrrolidone-bromine complex: An efficient polymeric reagent for selective preparation of benzyl bromides in the presence of hexamethyldisilane

Benzylic bromides were conveniently obtained in high yields via the reaction of the corresponding alcohols with crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone-bromine complex (PVPP-Br2)/hexamethyldisilane in chloroform at reflux condition. Selective conversion of benzyl alcohol to benzyl bromide in the presence of primary aliphatic alcohols, e.g. 2-phenylethanol was also achieved. KEY WORDS: Polyvinylpyrrolidone-bromine, Benzyl bromide, Hexamethyldisilane, Selective bromination Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2012, 26(2), 305-309.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v26i2.1

Approximate Hamiltonian Symmetry Groups and Recursion Operators for Perturbed Evolution Equations

The method of approximate transformation groups, which was proposed b

Symmetry analysis of Black-Scholes equation for small values of volatility and rate of return

In this paper, we present approximate symmetries of the Black-Scholes equation for small values of volatility and rate of return parameters. A novel method for obtaining the approximate symmetry of a singularly perturbed partial differential equation (PDE) is introduced. Further, we compute the optimal system in the singular case. Finally, by combining two methods, a new approach that calculates the approximate generators for admitted Lie groups of asset price is provided

Approximate Hamiltonian Symmetry Groups and Recursion Operators for Perturbed Evolution Equations

The method of approximate transformation groups, which was proposed by Baikov et al. (1988 and 1996), is extended on Hamiltonian and bi-Hamiltonian systems of evolution equations. Indeed, as a main consequence, this extended procedure is applied in order to compute the approximate conservation laws and approximate recursion operators corresponding to these types of equations. In particular, as an application, a comprehensive analysis of the problem of approximate conservation laws and approximate recursion operators associated to the Gardner equation with the small parameters is presented

Cationic vesicles for efficient shRNA transfection in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

Pardis Mokhtary,1,2 Bita Javan,1,3 Mahrokh Sharbatkhari,4 Alireza Soltani,5 Vahid Erfani-Moghadam1,2 1Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; 2Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; 3Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; 4R&D Section, Arya Tina Gene Biopharmaceutical Company, Gorgan, Iran; 5Golestan Rheumatology Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran Introduction: Novel and safe delivery solutions for RNAi therapeutics are essential to obtain the full potential of cancer gene therapy. Methods: In this study, cationic vesicular nanocarrier was applied for delivering lnc urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (lnc UCA1) shRNA expression vector to MCF-7 cells. The physicochemical characteristics, cytotoxicity, and transfection efficiency of cationic vesicles prepared from various molar ratios of amphiphilic surfactant Tween 80 (T), squalene (S), cationic charge lipid didodecyldimethylammonium bromide, and polyethylenimine were investigated. The particle sizes of the vesicles in the nanosize range were determined by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Results: Gel protection assay with agarose gel electrophoresis showed cationic vesicles can protect the shRNA plasmid from DNase 1 enzyme. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium, inner salt result showed no significant cytotoxicity was caused in MCF-7 cancer cell line by (T:S):polyethylenimine cationic vesicles. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium, inner salt assay, fluorescence microscope images, and flow cytometry analyses confirmed that (T:S)1,040 µM with 4.3 µg/mL of PEI vesicles provided effective transfection without significant cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found efficient UCA1 shRNA transfection and significant (P<0.05) cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells. Conclusion: The novel nonviral vesicular nanocarrier, (T:S)1,040 µM with 4.3 µg/mL of PEI, might be safe and efficient for cancer gene therapy and can be used in further in vitro and in vivo studies. Keywords: cationic vesicles, shRNA, UCA1, apoptosis, gene deliver

The Interaction of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale) and Adrenergic System on the Mechanical Activity of Isolated Trachea of a Male Rat

Abstract Background and aims: Due to the increasing interest in studying the plant extracts in various fields of biology, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginger extract interaction and adrenergic system on the mechanical activity of the a rat’s isolated trachea. Methods: In this experimental study, 15 adult male rats were anesthetized after adaptation to environment. Afterwards, the trachea was removed and divided into 3 mm segments. The isolated tracheal rings of each mouse were divided into control and experimental groups. Next, they were put in tissue baths containing oxygenated Krebs solution, and their mechanical activity were recorded by the transducer and bridge amplifier system. In the experimental group, hydroalcoholic extract of ginger (0.5 mg/ ml) was added to the tissue bath. In the same conditions, the solvent extract was added to the control group. At the end, the mechanical response of each group in the presence of propranolol and isoprenaline as agonist and antagonist adrenergic system were recorded. The gathered data were analyzed by the paired t-test. Results: In the presence of hydroalcoholic extract of ginger, the mechanical activity of isolated trachea was significantly decreased compared to the controls (p < 0.05). However, after injection of isoprenaline and propranolol, a significant difference in the mechanical activity of the trachea was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the ginger has effects on isolated tracheal relaxation via other routes, except the adrenergic system. Keywords: Adrenergic system, Mechanical activity, Trachea, Ginge

Cationic vesicles for efficient shRNA transfection in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

Introduction: Novel and safe delivery solutions for RNAi therapeutics are essential to obtain the full potential of cancer gene therapy. Methods: In this study, cationic vesicular nanocarrier was applied for delivering lnc urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (lnc UCA1) shRNA expression vector to MCF-7 cells. The physicochemical characteristics, cytotoxicity, and transfection efficiency of cationic vesicles prepared from various molar ratios of amphiphilic surfactant Tween 80 (T), squalene (S), cationic charge lipid didodecyldimethylammonium bromide, and polyethylenimine were investigated. The particle sizes of the vesicles in the nanosize range were determined by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Results: Gel protection assay with agarose gel electrophoresis showed cationic vesicles can protect the shRNA plasmid from DNase 1 enzyme. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium, inner salt result showed no significant cytotoxicity was caused in MCF-7 cancer cell line by (T:S):polyethylenimine cationic vesicles. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium, inner salt assay, fluorescence microscope images, and flow cytometry analyses confirmed that (T:S)1,040 μM with 4.3 μg/mL of PEI vesicles provided effective transfection without significant cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found efficient UCA1 shRNA transfection and significant (P<0.05) cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells. Conclusion: The novel nonviral vesicular nanocarrier, (T:S)1,040 μM with 4.3 μg/mL of PEI, might be safe and efficient for cancer gene therapy and can be used in further in vitro and in vivo studies

An evaluation on antinociceptive effects of eugenol by formalin test in rats

Statement of Problem: Eugenol is the most important chemical compound of the clove tree (Eugenia aryophylata) extract. That is widely used in dentistry as a bactericidal and pain relieving agent. Aim: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of local and systemic administration of eugenol by formalin test in rats.&quot;nMaterials and Methods: In this research, 56 male Wistar rats, weighing 230&amp;plusmn;20 g were divided into seven groups (n=8). Ten minutes before formalin test, different doses of eugenol (12.5,25,50 mg /in groups 2,3,4 respectively) were injected to the right hind paw of the rats subcutaneously. In- group 5 eugnol (50 mg) was. injected to the contralateral hind paw. In group 6 eugenol (100 mg/ kg) and control group (group 7), equal volume of norma! saline was injected intraperitonealy . The minutes 0-5 and 16-60 were considered as acute and chronic phases of pain in the formalin test, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey&apos;s tests.&quot;nResults: The results showed that local injection of eugenol to the same paw receiving formalin caused a decrease of nociception in both acute and chronic phases of formalin test (PO.005). However, in the group that eugenol (50mg/ kg) was injected to the contralateral paw, no significant differences were observed in the pain score in comparison with the control group. Intraperitoneal injection of eugenol (lOOmg/kg) did not reduce the nociception in the acute phase, but it caused a significant decrease of nociception in tonic phase (PO.00I).&quot;nConclusion: It was concluded that eugenol, as a local anesthetic drug not only inhibits nociceptive impulse conduction on the peripheral pain fibers, but also centrally reduce chronic pain