Adsorption of Escherichia coli Using Bone Char

The aim of study was providing a novel adsorbent for the removal of Escherichia coli (E.coli) as a microbial model from contaminated air especially in hospital units using bone char (BC). The BC was prepared from cattle animal bone by pyrolysis in a furnace at 450°C for 2 h. The characteristics of BC have been determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), pHzpc, apparent density and iodine number. Nebulizer system applied to convert the E.coli with different concentration into bioaerosols. The variables included: BC weights (4-10 g), the adsorbent pore size (20-40 mesh) and microbial concentrations (103-107 CFU/mL). Characteristics of the adsorbent show the ability of the BC to remove E.coli fromair. The results shows the higher amounts of BC, the more efficiency achieved to purify contaminate air and particles in the range of 20-40 mesh were more practical in removing bioaerosols. An efficient time for removing the more E.coli was 30 minutes. The maximum bacterial efficiency removal achieved was 99.99%. Comparison of removalefficiency with other literature showed that the BC particles were better mineral sorbents than other organic adsorbents and a commercial activated carbon. In this study, we investigated a novel air purification adsorbent and the information obtained in the paper is of fundamental significance for the mineral adsorbents especially bone charin cleaning of indoor bioaeroso

A biodistribution study of Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom and available polyclonal antivenom in rats

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the biodistribution profile of the venom of Hemiscorpius lepturus, the most dangerous scorpion in Iran. Blood and tissue samples were taken at various predetermined intervals during a 400-minute period for the venom and a 360-minute period for the antivenom in rats. The radio-iodination was carried out using the chloramine-T method. The results showed that the descending order of venom uptake was skin, kidneys and intestine, respectively. The descending order of polyclonal antivenom uptake was kidneys, intestine, heart and lungs. The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters of the venom were Telimination half-life = 521.5 ± 12.6 minutes; Vd/F (apparent volume of distribution) = 14.9 ± 3.3 mL; clearance (CL/F, apparent total clearance of the drug from plasma) 0.02 ± 0.005 mL/minute and for the antivenom Telimination half-life = 113.7 ± 7.4 minutes; Vd/F = 13 ± 1.2 mL and CL/F 0.08 ± 0.01 mL/minute. The pharmacokinetics profile comparison of the venom with that of the antivenom shows that serotherapy may be more effective if administered within 2-4 hours following envenomation by H. lepturus

Adsorption of Escherichia coli Using Bone Char

The aim of study was providing a novel adsorbent for the removal of Escherichia coli (E.coli) as a microbial model from contaminated air especially in hospital units using bone char (BC). The BC was prepared from cattle animal bone by pyrolysis in a furnace at 450\ub0C for 2 h. The characteristics of BC have been determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), pHzpc, apparent density and iodine number. Nebulizer system applied to convert the E.coli with different concentration into bioaerosols. The variables included: BC weights (4-10 g), the adsorbent pore size (20-40 mesh) and microbial concentrations (103-107 CFU/mL). Characteristics of the adsorbent show the ability of the BC to remove E.coli from air. The results shows the higher amounts of BC, the more efficiency achieved to purify contaminate air and particles in the range of 20-40 mesh were more practical in removing bioaerosols. An efficient time for removing the more E. coli was 30 minutes. The maximum bacterial efficiency removal achieved was 99.99%. Comparison of removal efficiency with other literature showed that the BC particles were better mineral sorbents than other organic adsorbents and a commercial activated carbon. In this study, we investigated a novel air purification adsorbent and the information obtained in the paper is of fundamental significance for the mineral adsorbents especially bone char in cleaning of indoor bioaerosol

Nondysraphic Huge Cervical Intramedullary Lipoma: a Case Report and a Review of Literature

We report the case of a 14-year-old girl with huge cervical intramedullary lipoma, who presented with spastic quadriparesis. Her MRI revealed an intramedullary lipoma extending from the craniovertebral junction to the sixth cervical vertebra. There was no spinal dysraphism. Subtotal excision of tumor with primary dural closure and laminoplasty was performed from C3 to C6, which produced an improvement in the patient’s function

Cytotoxic activity of the genus Ferula (Apiaceae) and its bioactive constituents

Objective: The genus Ferula L. includes perennial flowering plants belonging to the Apiaceae family. This genus is a rich source of biologically active phytochemicals such as sulfur-containing derivatives, coumarins, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, sesquiterpene coumarins, glucuronic acid, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, and daucane esters. Over the last decade, considerable attention has been paid to biological activities of these compounds; it is assumed that the most prominent biological features of the genus Ferula are their cytotoxic effects. This article discusses cytotoxic activity of the genus Ferula and their important compounds. Methods: In this mini-review article, papers published from 1990 to April 2016 were included and the following information was discussed; cytotoxic activity of the genus Ferula and their important compounds, the type of cell line used in vitro, concentrations of the extracts/active compound that were used, and the underlying mechanisms of action through which Ferula-related chemicals induced cytotoxicity. In addition, we explained different mechanisms of action through which the active constituents isolated from Ferula, could decrease cellular growth. Conclusion: It is highly recommended that potent and effective compounds that were isolated from Ferula plants and found to be appropriate as adjuvant therapy for certain diseases, should be identified. Also, the versatile biological activities of sesquiterpene coumarins suggest them as promising agents with a broad range of biological applications to be used in the future

New metal organic framework (MOF) nanoparticle for gas separation by matrix membranes

{[Dy(BTC)(H2O)]•DMF}n metal organic framework nanoparticles was synthezed through solvthermal method. The product was characterized by XRD, TG, BET, and SEM techniques. SEM images showed that the synthesized sample has semi-cubic particles with average size of 70 nm in length.For improve the gas separation performance,the MOF nano particles were dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for preparation of mixed matrix membrane (MMM) on support of polyethersulphone (PES). The performance of obtained MMM in separation of NO, N2 and O2 gas were investigated, and the effect of MOF nanoparticles (5, 10, and 15% wt)and feed pressure (100-250 kPa) on permeability and selectivity were studied. It was found that the membrane performance is evaluated by addition of MOF nano particles in membrane (polymeric matrix), and the feed pressure have not important effect on separation. The performance (NO/N2 and NO/O2 selectivity) increased as the loading of MOF particles (up to 15% wt) being dispersed within the polymer matrices

Pharmacological effects of Safranal: An updated review

Safranal (a monoterpene aldehyde) is the major volatile component of saffron which is responsible for the saffron unique odor. Several studies have shown the pharmacological activities of safranal including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, gastrointestinal protective, etc.  This study was designed to review the pharmacological and medical effects of safranal and up-to-date previous knowledge. Moreover, some patents related to the pharmacological effects of safranal were gathered. Therefore, electronic databases including Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Pubmed for pharmacological effects and US patent, Patentscope, and Google Patent for patents were comprehensively searched by related English keywords from 2010 to June 2022. According to our review, most of the studies are related to the safranal effects on CNS such as antianxiety, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antiischemic, anti-tremor, memory enhancement and its protective effects on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson and Huntington diseases. Other effects of safranal are antiasthmatic, antihypertensive, antiaging, anticataract, etc. Moreover, the protective effects of this agent on metabolic syndrome and diabetic nephropathy have been shown. Different mechanisms including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxation, antiapoptotic, and regulatory effects on the genes and proteins expression related to signaling pathways of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, proliferation, etc. are involved in safranal pharmacological effects. Some patents for the prevention and/or treatment of different diseases such as liver cancer, sleep disorder, depression,  cognitive disorder, obesity and PMS were also included. Based on the documents, safranal is considered a promising therapeutic agent although more clinical studies are needed to verify the beneficial effects of safranal in humans

Behavioural and molecular study of the effects of rosuvastatin on acquisition and retention of spatial memory impaired by H-89 in rats

There is controversy on the effect of statins on cognitive functions such as spatial memory. In the present study, effect of ten- day oral gavage of rosuvastatin (Ros, 20 mg/kg) on spatial learning and spatial memory retention impaired by H-89, was investigated in male rats. This study was comprised of two sets of experiments each including the following 3 groups (n = 8): Control group treated with DMSO; H-89 group received bilateral intra-hippocampal H-89 (10 μM/side, in DMSO) and Ros- H-89 group orally treated with Ros (20 mg/kg) and H-89 (similar to the H-89 group). For spatial learning (acquisition phase) assessment, from day 7 of Ros gavage, rats were trained in the Morris water maze (MWM) for four days (one block of 4 stages each day) and received daily H-89, 30 min after Ros gavage. On day 11, the probe test was performed. Also, to assess spatial memory retention, from day 7 to 10 of Ros gavage, rats were trained in MWM but received H-89 on day 10 only. On day 12, the probe test was performed. Besides, CREB and p-CREB protein expression was assessed in hippocampal samples and oxidative stress status was assessed in serum samples. We observed that H-89 led to a clear impairment of the spatial learning and spatial memory recall, increased levels of lipid peroxidation and downregulated CREB and p-CREB proteins, compared to the control group. However, Ros prevented H-89-induced deleterious consequences which might be probably in part due to its ameliorative effects on lipid peroxidation index and CREB and p-CREB expression