Association of TIM-1 5383-5397ins/del and TIM-3-1541C > T polymorphisms with multiple sclerosis in Isfahan population

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in central nervous system, affecting about 2.5 million people around the world. Probable involvement of two newly identified immunoregulator molecules, TIM-1 and TIM-3, has been reported in autoimmune diseases. In this study, for the first time, the association of TIM-1 5383-5397ins/del and TIM-3 -1541C>T polymorphisms with MS in an Iranian population was considered. The results of our study showed that there is no significant association between TIM-1 5383-5397ins/del and MS (P = 0.38); however, the frequency of CT genotype of TIM-3 -1541C>T in patient group was significantly higher than the control group, and there was a significant association between CT genotype and MS (P = 0.009, OR = 4.08)

Interfacial electron shuttling processes across Kolliphor®EL monolayer grafted electrodes

Covalently grafted Kolliphor®EL (a poly-ethylene-glycol based "transporter molecule" for hydrophobic water-insoluble drugs; MW ca. 2486; diameter ca. 3-5 nm) at the surface of a glassy carbon electrode strongly affects the rate of electron transfer for aqueous redox systems such as Fe(CN)63-/4-. XPS data confirm mono-layer grafting after electrochemical anodisation in pure Kolliphor®EL. Based on voltammetry and impedance measurements, the charge transfer process for the Fe(CN)63-/4- probe molecule is completely blocked after Kolliphor®EL grafting and in the absence of a "guest". However, in the presence of low concentrations of suitable ferrocene derivatives as "guests", mediated electron transfer across the mono-layer via a "shuttle mechanism" is observed. The resulting amplification of the ferrocene electroanalytical signal is investigated systematically and compared for 5 ferrocene derivatives. The low concentration electron shuttle efficiency decreases in the sequence dimethylaminomethyl-ferrocene &gt; n-butyl-ferrocene &gt; ferrocene-dimethanol &gt; ferrocene-acetonitrile &gt; ferrocene-acetic acid.</p

Evaluation the functional properties of pizza cheese produced in microwave

BACKGROUND: Among pastaphila cheese family, pizza cheese is recognized as a dominant species. Pizza cheese production is possible in various methods and on the other hand its production in the least time is of much importance. So, this research aims to examine pizza cheese properties produced in microwave. Methods: In this study to produce pizza cheese, following preparing milk and adding starter and calcium chloride, rennet enzyme was added to form coagulation. In various times heating in microwave whey was drained and finally the massaged cheese in 0, 14 and 28 days after production kept and functional properties, stretching and it's melting capability was measured and compared to commercial sample. Findings: Statistical examinations indicated that generally there is no significant difference between traction length and resistance to stretching sample produce in microwave and commercial sample (p>0.05). But on melting capability of the sample produced in microwave (204.7 %) the commercial sample (263.8 %) was melt more quick but not exceeded from standard and acceptable limit. Conclusions: Study results indicated that pizza cheese produced in microwave was consistent with commercial sample in functional properties and with regard to time importance in producing product the microwave method can be recommended as a fast method

Constructive heuristics for selecting and scheduling alternative subgraphs in resource-constrained projects

In this paper, we investigate two constructive heuristics based on existing and newly developed priority rules (PRs) for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem with alternative subgraphs (RCPSP-AS). The RCPSP-AS deals with scheduling the selected activities from work packages that can be executed in different ways, resulting in a selection and a scheduling subproblem. The inclusion of alternatives in the project structure implies that even moderate-sized projects become very large, motivating the use of PR-based approaches. In the existing literature, many PRs were already developed for the scheduling subproblem, however, no studies have focused on specific PRs for the selection subproblem. Therefore, we examine the performance of previously developed PRs for the RCPSP-AS and observe that employing a unique PR for each subproblem decreases the project makespan. Based on this knowledge, we develop two constructive heuristics based on well-suited PRs. In the first constructive heuristic, distinct PRs are selected based on the project properties, while several schedules according to different PRs are generated in the second constructive heuristic. Our experiments show that project managers should consider the project properties and select the appropriate selection PRs accordingly in order to minimise the project makespan in the RCPSP-AS

An ultra-sensitive dopamine measurement platform based on molecularly imprinted polymer-carbon hybrid nanomaterials for in vitro use

Funding Information: The authors acknowledge D.Sc. Sami Sainio for ta-C/CNFs samples. This work was supported by funding from the European Union's Horizon2020 research project number 68011531 CONNECT. The authors acknowledge the provision of facilities by the Aalto University Ota Nano−Micronova Nanofabrication Center, OtaNano−Nanomicroscopy Center (Aalto-NMC). Funding Information: The authors acknowledge D.Sc. Sami Sainio for ta-C/CNFs samples. This work was supported by funding from the European Union's Horizon2020 research project number 68011531 CONNECT. The authors acknowledge the provision of facilities by the Aalto University Ota Nano−Micronova Nanofabrication Center, OtaNano−Nanomicroscopy Center (Aalto-NMC). Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s) | openaire: EC/H2020/824070/EU//CONNECTIn the present study, we designed an ultrasensitive sensing platform for the evaluation of the physiologically relevant values of basal dopamine (DA) in a culture medium as a complex biological environment. The proposed sensing platform was fabricated via the integration of molecular imprinting technology with carbon hybrid nanomaterials. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) thin films on silicon wafers. The prepared ta-C/CNFs sensing platforms were electrochemically coated with DA-imprinted polypyrrole as the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) or "artificial receptors". The three-dimensional MIP receptors were able to determine trace values of DA in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) pH 7.4 (LOD = 5.43 nM) as well as in the absolute culture media such as DMEM/F-12 medium (LOD = 39 nM), DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 15% horse serum and 2.5% fetal bovine serum (LOD = 53.26 nM), and F-12 K cell culture medium (LOD = 62.57 nM), with highly physiologically relevant sensitivity and free of interference by other coexisting biomolecules and biological compounds. As all the fabrication steps of the composite electrode are compatible with common microsystem technology processes, the present results pave the way for integrating these ultra-sensitive electrodes to microelectrode arrays (MEA) platforms used for human dopaminergic neurons studies in vitro and enable continuous measurement of the basal DA concentration in real-time for instance in organoid studies.Peer reviewe

Application of nano-packaging in aquatics

BACKGROUND: Aquatics specially fish is considered one of the most decaying food stuff. Having less connective tissues, more nonsaturated fatty acid, free amino acids and more anzyme activities are the factors influencing fish deterioration. In response to consumers demands for food with the least preservatives, new technologies in the food industry is important. Therefore, in this review article, the application of nano technology in aquatics packaging was studied. Methods: Search by the keywords “Packaging Nano Aquatics” in databases Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science were done and then 30 related articles that published in 2000-2017 were selected. Findings: In this research, 30 related articles were found. One of the most important packagings is nano-packaging occurring by nanotechnology science. There are much nano-material in packaging including clay polymeical nano composities as nonpreamation matters, which on aquatics, absent of oxygen which itself is a barrier to oxidant reactions is of much importance in increasing survivability. Conclusion: With regard to aquatics high nutritional value and their important presence in diet one should think of a way to increase it's survivability and maintaining quality. For this, nano technology can help packaging aquatics. Nano can be applied considerably in food health and environment protection

Carbon-based quantum particles: an electroanalytical and biomedical perspective

International audienc

Cobalt Flower-like Nanostructure as Modifier for Electrocatalytic Determination of Chloropheniramine

In this approach, flower-like cobalt with a hierarchical structure was applied as modifier for voltammetric determination of chlorpheniramine, which is an antihistaminic drug. The flower-like cobalt nanostructures were synthesized by using a simple chemical method. They have been characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The carbon paste electrode modified with cobalt nanostructures shows an excellent electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity toward chlorpheniramine due to its unique properties such as high specific surface area and large pore volume. Potential sweep rate and pH effects on the response of the electrode for the oxidation of chlorpheniramine were investigated. Differential pulse voltammetry has been applied for quantitative determination of chlorpheniramine. A dynamic linear range was obtained in the range of 1.0 × 10^–7–1.0 × 10^–5 mol L^–1, and the detection limit was estimated to be 8.0 × 10^–8 mol L^–1