Solid-phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the sensitive determination of ecstasy compounds and amphetamines in biological samples

A novel approach for the determination of ecstasy and amphetamines (3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) and 3,4-methylenedioxypropylamphetamine (MDPA)) in biological samples is presented. The analytes were extracted from the matrix and transferred to a small volume of a high density, water insoluble solvent using solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME). This combination not only resulted in a high enrichment factor, but also it could be used in complex matrices (biological samples). Some important extraction parameters, such as sample solution flow rate, sample pH, type and volume of extraction and disperser solvents as well as the salt addition, were studied and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.5-500 µg L-1 and 1.0-500 µg L-1 with detection limits in the range of 0.1-0.3 µg L-1 and 0.2-0.7 µg L-1 in urine and plasma samples, respectively. The results showed that SPE-DLLME is a suitable method for the determination of ecstasy components and amphetamines in biological and water samples. KEY WORDS: Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, Solid-phase extraction, Ecstasy compounds, Amphetamines, Gas chromatography, Biological samples Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(3), 339-348.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i3.

Gene transformation potential of commercial canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars using cotyledon and hypocotyl explants

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is one of oil crops cultivated in many areas of Iran. Its molecular breeding and production of varieties with new characteristics using genetic engineering needs the establishmentof efficient transformation methods in commercial varieties. In this research transformation potential of 8 commercial cultivars; Licord, SLM046, RGS003, Zarfam, Okapi, Sarigol, Modena and Opera adapted to different regions of Iran was studied using cotyledon and hypocotyl explants. Agrobacterium tumifaciens strain AGL0 containing the plasmid pCAMBIA3301 was used for transformation. Cotyledonand hypocotyl explants after inoculation with Agrobacterium were co-cultivated on MS medium containing 1 mg/l 2,4-D and 4.5 mg/l BAP, respectively. Cotyledonary explants after co-cultivation weretransferred on selection MS medium, containing 4.5 mg/l BAP and 3 mg/l phosphinothricin. Hypocotyl explants were transferred to selection MS medium containing 4 mg/l BAP, 2 mg/l Zeatin and 5 mg/lphosphinotricin. The regenerated plants were analyzed by PCR and histochemical GUS assay for gene transformation. The results showed that all of genotypes had gene transformation potential usinghypocotyl segments, while this potential was limited to some cultivars using cotyledonary explants. Among transgenic plants regenerated from hypocotyls, Licord cultivar had the most transformation rate(15.26%) and Sarigol the least (0.2%). Also among regenerated plans from cotyledon, SLM046 cultivars had the most transformation frequency (4.7%), and Modena, Opera and Zarfam cultivars did not respond to transformation

In vitro propagation of four Iranian grape varieties: Influence of genotype and pretreatment with arbuscular mycorrhiza

There is a great demand for table grape saplings, mainly for commercial varieties indicating that micropropagation could be an effective method for their mass propagation. Internal contamination in woody plant species is an important problematic issue and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been known as potential plant biological protectors. In the present study, the glasshouse grown mother plants of four grape varieties ('Asgari', 'Khalili', 'Keshmeshi', and 'Shahroudi') were inoculated with AMF as pre-treatment. The fungi strains were Glomus mosseae, G. fasciculatum, G. intraradices and a mixture of all three species. The comparative in vitro performance of these genotypes was evaluated following optimization of in vitro growth conditions for each genotype. Furthermore, the positive effect of AMF inoculation of stock plant on micropropagation process was studied. Changes in biochemical features (total chlorophylls, total phenols and total sugars), growth parameters (root length and total leaf area) and in vitro behavior of AMF pretreated as well as control explants were recorded. The mycorrhizal association with grapevine roots was confirmed following root staining and evaluation of colonization rate. The results revealed a distinct difference and clear genotypic effect on various in vitro parameters of studied grape genotypes. The utilized inocula were found to have the capability of mycorrhizal association with grapevine roots, leading to enhancing phenolics as a defense mechanism, increasing sugars and chlorophyll and finally growth of whole plant corresponding to the grape variety and AMF strain. These results confirmed that health and physiological conditions of the stock plants are important parameters for in vitro grape culture establishment and suggest the integration of mycorrhizal technology with tissue culture to accomplish better results

Oro-Dental Health Status and Salivary Characteristics in Children with Chronic Renal Failure

Children suffering from decreased renal function may demand unique considerations regarding special oral and dental conditions they are encountered to. It is mentioned that renal function deterioration may affect the hard or soft tissues of the mouth. Having knowledge about the high prevalence of dental defects, calculus, gingival hyperplasia, modified salivary composition and tissue responses to the dental plaque may aid the physician and the dentist to help nurture the patient with chronic renal failure through the crisis, with an aesthetically satisfying and functioning dentition

Solution of the Nonlinear Mixed Volterra-Fredholm Integral Equations by Hybrid of Block-Pulse Functions and Bernoulli Polynomials

A new numerical method for solving the nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations is presented. This method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The operational matrices of integration and product are given. These matrices are then utilized to reduce the nonlinear mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations to the solution of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique

The usefulness of apricot gum as an organic additive in grapevine tissue culture media

The growth and morphogenesis of cultured plant tissues can be improved by small amounts of some organic elements. In addition to being a natural source of carbon, organic additives may contain natural vitamins, phenols, fiber, hormones and also proteins. Hence, the physiological effects of apricot gum on the regeneration capacity and growth rate of three different plant species i.e. carrot (as a model plant), stevia (as an herbaceous plant), and grapevine (as a woody plant) were examined. The proliferated callus cultures of carrot and in vitro-derived microcuttings of stevia and grapevine were inoculated on their respective standardized proliferation media supplemented with 2.0-6.0 g/l apricot gum. The growth parameters of treated samples were measured and compared to gum-free medium. Earlier callus initiations with greater fresh weight, volume, as well as improved pigmentation were recorded in media fortified with apricot gum. The usefulness of gum application was also obvious in both stevia and grapevine with respect to better shoot multiplication and rooting parameters. Due to positive effects of apricot gum, longer vines with a higher number of lateral shoots, internodes and leaf area were achieved. Overall, the gum at the rate of 4.0 g/L was found to be a logical concentration with respect to encouraging response in all three species. Owing to promising results evolved in the present research, the application of gum in commercial tissue culture protocols is highly recommended. However, further studies are needed to exploit plant derived gums as an alternative carbon source in plant tissue culture media

Ultrasonically Facilitated Electrochemical Degradation of Acetaminophen Using Nanocomposite Porous Cathode and Pt Anode

In the present research study, an electrochemical process (EC) equipped with a porous cathode was combined with ultrasound (US) to efficiently degrade acetaminophen (ACE) as the target pollutant. The carbonaceous porous cathode was used for in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide. The generation of hydrogen through the cathodic reduction was current-dependent. As a result, the combination of US with EC resulted in the highest degradation efficiency (%) of 74.6 %. Increasing the concentration of Na2SO4 (as supporting electrolyte) from 0.01 to 0.1 M led to enhanced ACE degradation efficiency (%) from 50.6 to 75.7 %, respectively, while a significant drop in ACE removal efficiency from 93.0 to 22.0 % occurred when the initial concentration of ACE increased from 1 to 10 mg L–1, respectively. The operation of US/EC with pulse mode of US irradiation led to a slight increase in ACE degradation efficiency (%) (79.0 %). The presence of halide compounds (chloride ions) significantly enhanced the removal of ACE (96.1 %), while alcoholic compounds, especially methanol, produced a substantial suppressive effect on the treatment of ACE

Deregulation of stemness-related genes in endometriotic mesenchymal stem cells: Further evidence for self-renewal/differentiation imbalance

Background: Any irregularities in self-renewal/differentiation balance� in endometriotic MSCs can change their fate and function, resulting in endometriosis development. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of OCT4 transcripts (OCT4A, OCT4B, and OCT4B1), SOX2, and NANOG in endometriotic MSCs to show their aberrant expression and to support self-renewal/differentiation imbalance in these cells. Methods: MSCs were isolated from three endometriotic and three normal endometrium samples and characterized and analyzed for the expressions of OCT4A, OCT4B, OCT4B1, SOX2, and NANOG using the qRT-PCR. Results: The expressions of OCT4 transcripts and NANOG increased significantly in endometriotic MSCs, whereas SOX2 expression did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: Our findings provide further evidence for confirming the self-renewal/ differentiation imbalance in endometriotic MSCs, as the main underlying cause of endometriosis development. This study also paves the way for further research on endometriosis treatment by focusing on endometriotic stem cells. © 2020, Pasteur Institute of Iran. All rights reserved