Anti-angiogenesis effect of <em>crocous sativus </em>L. extract on matrix metalloproteinase gene activities in human breast carcinoma cells

Introduction: There is an interest in Crocous sativus L. (Saffron) mainly because of its biological properties. Biomedical research has focused on saffron as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor, but its mechanism has not yet been thoroughly clarified. In this study, the effects of saffron aqua extract on matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) gene expression were investigated. Methods: In this experimental study, the saffron was extracted using water as solvent. MCF-7 cells in RPMI1640 medium were supplemented with 10 FBS and incubated at 37 ˚C with 5 CO2. After 24 h, the cells were treated by saffron extract at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 &mu;g/ml. 48 h after treatment, total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized using specific primer. Synthesized products were analyzed by Real Time PCR to determine expression level of MMP. Results: Data analysis showed inhibitory effect of saffron at concentrations of 100 to 800 &mu;g/ml on MMP gene expression in comparison with control group. Reduction for 100, 200, 400 and 800 &mu;g/ml were 5, 18, 15, 11, respectively. According to data analysis treating MCF-7 cells with saffron at concentration of 200 &mu;g/ml caused the highest decrease, with 18 reduction in gene expression (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Results indicate decrease in the expression of MMP compared with controls revealing induction of inhibitory effects of saffron on angiogenesis which might be also considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment.</p

Efficient dye adsorption by highly porous nanofiber aerogels

Electrospun nanofiber membranes are frequently used in adsorption processes thanks to their high specific surface area, tailored surface functionality, and fiber uniformity. However, they are still facing challenges such as low mechanical stability and unfavorable mass transport properties. In this study, an ultra-light and robust 3D nanofiber aerogel (NFA) or nanofiber sponge with tunable porosity and flexibility was synthesized from short pullulan/polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylic acid nanofibers using a freeze casting process followed by thermal crosslinking. We demonstrate time the application of such NFAs in batch and continuous adsorption systems and compare their performance with flat nanofiber membranes (NFM). The NFAs proved to be promising adsorbents for cationic dyes due to their high adsorption capacity (383 mg/g) and their reusability. Langmuir isotherm was a suitable model for describing the adsorption process. The endothermic system followed a pseudo second order kinetic model and intra-fiber adsorption is found to be involved in the adsorption process. Dye adsorption by 3D NFAs was four times faster than for the respective flat NFMs and when used in a continuous process as a deep-bed filter, the pressure drop through the NFA was reduced by a factor of 40 while maintaining equal adsorption performance as for the NFM

Synergistic effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields and saffron extract on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Introduction: Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are usually used to treat non-union fractures. Saffron is a medicinal plant with various pharmacologic effects. In the present study, the synergistic effect of PEMF and saffron aqueous extract on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was evaluatedMethods: BMSCs were isolated from rat femur. After purification, the cells were divided into four groups including control group (did not receive any treatment), saffron alone (800 &mu;g/mL), PEMF alone (50 Hz, 3 times a weak, 2 hours for every time, for 2 weeks), and saffron plus PEMF. Cytotoxicity was measured using MTT assay. After calculating the IC50 value for saffron extract (1.5 mg/mL), a lower concentration (800 &mu;g/mL) was combined with PEMF. The differentiation of each cell group was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity, alizarin red staining and reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.Results: Saffron aqueous extract decreased dose-dependently the cell viability but the PEMF had not any significant effects on cell viability. The PEMF, saffron extract and their combination increased the ALP activity on day 10 but the increase was significant in synergist group. Alizarin red staining showed that mineralization groups were higher at day 14. RT-PCR results demonstrated that on the day 14 the group treated with both PEMF and saffron expressed osteogenic genes.Conclusion: Saffron extract combined with PEMFs could promote osteogenesis at the initial stage (the commitment of undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblast), hence, its usage might be beneficial in these patient

Fabrication of chelating diethylenetriaminated pan micro and nano fibers for heavy metal removal

In this study, commercial acrylic fibers were modified with diethylenetriamine to prepare metal chelating fibers. The effects of process parameters on the efficiency of the reaction were investigated. FTIR spectroscopy and TGA analysis were used to confirm the chemical changes made to the fibers during the reaction. The ability of the modified fibers for removal of Pb (II), Cu (II) and Ce (IV) ions from aqueous media was determined. The modified fibers showed a slight decrease in mechanical properties compared to raw ones. Furthermore, the acrylic micro fibers were electrospun to nanofibers and the ability of modified nanofibers for the adsorption of the metal ions was studied

The influence of exploited compounds type in the vermicompost medium on the quality of produced compost from kitchen waste, garden waste and cow dung by Eisenia fetida

زمينه و اهداف: فرایند توليد کود از پسماند توسط کرم­ها مسيری است که دارای جنبه‌های مثبت زيست محيطی، بهداشتی و اقتصادی می‌باشد. لذا اين مطالعه با هدف بررسی تاثير نوع بستر در درصدهای مختلف بر کيفيت کود از زایدات جامد انجام شد. مواد و روش‌ها: این مطالعه با انتخاب سه نوع بستر شامل ضایعات آشپزخانه، شاخ و برگ پوسیده درختان و فضولات حیوانی در 20 تيمار طراحی گرديد. در انتهای دوره زمانی مناسب پارامترهای TKN، &nbsp;P، TC، pH، EC، Na، K، رطوبت، خاکستر، مواد آلی، نسبت C/N، خصوصیات فیزیکی و ظاهری کمپوست آزمایش شدند. یافته‌ها: نتایج نشان داد در تمامی 20 تيمار کيفيت کود توليدی در محدوده استاندارد می‌باشد. با توجه به بالا بودن ترکيبات نيتروژنه در مواد اولیه تيمارهای M، N، O، Q، R وU، نسبت نيتروژن در کود حاصل از آن­ها بالاتر از بقيه تيمارها بود. بررسی توليد کرم در نمونه‌ها نشان داد که تيمارهای U (90% شاخ و برگ و 10% فضولات حیوانی) و Q (90% شاخ و برگ و 10% مواد غذایی) با 266 و253 عدد کرم بيشترين تعداد توليد کرم را در بين تيمارها داشته‌اند. نتيجه گيري: نوع مواد اوليه بستر اهميت ويژه‌ای در کيفيت کود توليدی دارد. هر گونه تغيير در اين ترکيبات به دليل تغيير در حضور يا عدم حضور ماکرو و ميکرونوترینت‌ها می‌تواند فرايند توليد کود با کيفيت و همچنين توليد کرم را تحت تاثير قرار دهد. لذا بهينه سازی درصد ترکيبات بستر، از اهميت ويژه‌ای برخوردار است که در&nbsp; استفاده بهينه از سرمايه‌ها و کاهش زمان توليد ورمی کمپوست موثر می‌باشد.&nbsp;&nbsp;Background and Aims: The production of fertilizer from waste by the use of worms (vermicomposting), covers all positive environmental, health and economic aspects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different media on the quality of produced compost from solid waste.Materials and Methods: Three different media including kitchen waste, rotting foliage of trees and animal waste were designated in the present study through 20 treatments. TKN, P, TC, pH, EC, Na, K, and moisture, ash, organic matter contents as well as C/N ratio and physical properties of produced compost were analyzed at the end of composting process.Results: The results showed that the quality of produced compost was in conformity with current standards in all 20 studied treatments. With regard to the high contents of nitrogen in raw material in some treatments such as M, N, O, Q, R, and U, the corresponding ratio of N in achieved compost was higher than other treatments. A survey of worm growth in studied samples revealed that U (leaf 90% and food waste 10%) and Q (leaf 90% and food waste 10%) treatments superbly overcame other treatments with 266 and 253&nbsp; worms, respectively.Conclusion: Our study found that the type of raw material has a paramount importance on the compost quality, so that any change in the composition can affect the compost production process and the reproduction of worms mainly through the changes in the presence or absence of macro and micronutrients. Thus, optimization of media components, is of particular importance affecting the efficient use of capital investments and reducing the time duration of vermicomposting

Surface enriched nanofiber mats for efficient adsorption of Cr(VI) inspired by nature

Adsorption is a surface process. By evolution, nature has created design principles such as scaffolds that allow to carrying surface bound agents at high density. We used a nanofibrous pullulan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) (Pul/PVA/PAA) support to carry surface active PAMAM dendrimer similar to spores attached to mushroom gills. A monolayer of ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles served as the linker between PAMAM and the nanofiber. The nanocomposite was a highly effective Cr(VI) adsorbent and the maximum adsorption capacity qmax = 847 mg g-1 is the highest reported value for the same kind of materials so far. The materials was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential and multipoint BET method to measure the specific surface area. Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous media was tested under different batch and fixed bed column operation conditions such as pH, temperature and competing ions. Thermodynamic properties were determined based on a modified Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the adsorption kinetic was investigated. Positive entropy of adsorption and an endothermic adsorption process was found, while the rate-limiting step was pseudo second order which is associated with a chemisorption process. The nanocomposite was reusable and up to 95% of the adsorbed Cr(IV) ions were recovered by alkyne washing

Amikacin-induced Nephrotoxicity in a Child with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Iran: A Case Report

We report an unusual case of Amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity in a child. The patient was a seven and a half year old girl with nephrotic syndrome and cushingoid facial features who was referred to Tehran Children's Medical Center for renal biopsy so as to start cyclosporine therapy for the diagnosis of disease recurrence. Before coming to our center she was admitted to another hospital with complaints of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. In the course of hospitalization in our center, the patient gradually became oliguric and her serum creatinine increased from 0.3 mg/dl to 3.5 mg/dl. During her previous hospitalization about 2 weeks ago, use of amikacin and ceftriaxone was found. There were several reasons for kidney failure in the child, one of which was possibility of amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity. A renal biopsy showed diffuse mesangial proliferative and tubular lesions, which were in favor of amikacin toxicity. It seems that Amikacin can lead to nephrotoxicity if the patient is dehydrated and experiencing reduction of effective vascular volume. Regarding logical use of amikacin,renal function should be monitored regularly. Keywords: Acute Tubular Necrosis; Acute Renal Failure; Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis; Nephrotic Syndrome; Amikacin; Iran

Frequency of Anabolic Steroids Abuse in Bodybuilder Athletes in Kerman City

Abstract Background: Athletes, especially bodybuilders, abuse anabolic steroid drugs to improve their strength and enhance their muscle growth and appearance. This study was conducted to determine the type and frequency of anabolic steroids abuse in bodybuilder athletes in Kerman City. Methods: A confidential questionnaire which included demographic data (age, education), name of abused anabolic drug and duration of drug abuse was completed by 202 bodybuilder athletes, and the collected data were analyzed using Chi Square test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Findings: The frequency of anabolic steroid abuse was 18.8%. The mean period of bodybuilding activity was significantly higher in those used the anabolic drugs (38.8 months), comparing to those did not use any drugs (14.3 months). Oxymetholone was the most common drug used by athletes (42% merely used Oxymetholone). The frequency of anabolic steroids abuse was not related to education and age of the bodybuilder athletes. Conclusion: Bodybuilder athletes in Kerman city abuse anabolic steroids, and the health care system should plan to inform them about anabolic steroid adverse effects. Keywords: Anabolic steroid, Bodybuilder athletes, Drug abus

Anti-angiogenesis effect of crocous sativus L. extract on matrix metalloproteinase gene activities in human breast carcinoma cells

Introduction: There is an interest in Crocous sativus L. (Saffron) mainly because of its biological properties. Biomedical research has focused on saffron as a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor, but its mechanism has not yet been thoroughly clarified. In this study, the effects of saffron aqua extract on matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) gene expression were investigated. Methods: In this experimental study, the saffron was extracted using water as solvent. MCF-7 cells in RPMI1640 medium were supplemented with 10% FBS and incubated at 37 ˚C with 5% CO2. After 24 h, the cells were treated by saffron extract at concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/ml. 48 h after treatment, total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized using specific primer. Synthesized products were analyzed by Real Time PCR to determine expression level of MMP. Results: Data analysis showed inhibitory effect of saffron at concentrations of 100 to 800 μg/ml on MMP gene expression in comparison with control group. Reduction for 100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/ml were 5%, 18%, 15%, 11%, respectively. According to data analysis treating MCF-7 cells with saffron at concentration of 200 μg/ml caused the highest decrease, with 18% reduction in gene expression (P<0.001). Conclusion: Results indicate decrease in the expression of MMP compared with controls revealing induction of inhibitory effects of saffron on angiogenesis which might be also considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment