Isolation, spectroscopic characterization, X-ray, theoretical studies as well as in vitro cytotoxicity of Samarcandin

Samarcandin 1, a natural sesquiterpene-coumarin, was isolated as well as elucidated from F. assa-foetida which has significant effect in Iranian traditional medicine because of its medicinal attitudes. The crystal structure of samarcandin was determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. It is orthorhombic, with unit cell parameters a = 10.8204 (5) Å, b = 12.9894 (7) Å, c = 15.2467 (9) Å, V = 2142.9 (2) Å3, space group P212121 and four symmetry equivalent molecules in the unit cell. Samarcandin was isolated in order to study for its theoretical studies as well as its cellular toxicity as anti-cancer drug against two cancerous cells. In comparison with controls, our microscopic and MTT assay data showed that samarcandin suppresses cancer cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 = 11 μM and 13 for AGS and WEHI-164 cell lines, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) of the structure was computed by three functional methods and 6-311++G∗∗ standard basis set. The optimized molecular geometry and theoretical analysis agree closely to that obtained from the single crystal X-ray crystallography. To sum up, the good correlations between experimental and theoretical studies by UV, NMR, and IR spectra were found. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

A Simple Method for Finding Optimal Paths of Hot and Cold Streams inside Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers to Reduce Pumping Cost in Heat Exchanger Network Problems

In this paper, a simple method is presented for the synthesis and retrofit of heat exchanger networks (HENs) by considering pressure drop as well as finding proper path of streams inside heat exchangers (HEs) to reduce the pumping cost of network. Generally, HEN problems lead to MINLP models which have convergence difficulties due to the existence of both continuous and integer variables. In this study, instead of solving these variables simultaneously, a combination of Genetic Algorithm (GA) with Quasi Linear Programming (QLP) and Integer Linear Programming (ILP) was used for solving the problem. GA was used to find optimal HENs structure and streams paths, whereas continuous variables were solved by QLP. For the retrofit of HENs, a modified ILP model was used. Results show that the proposed method has the ability to reduce the cost of annual pumping due to considering optimal paths for streams in the HEs compared to the literature. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Chemical Reaction between Boric Acid and Phosphine Indicates Boric Acid as an Antidote for Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning

Objectives: Aluminium phosphide (AlP) is a fumigant pesticide which protects stored grains from insects and rodents. When it comes into contact with moisture, AlP releases phosphine (PH3), a highly toxic gas. No efficient antidote has been found for AlP poisoning so far and most people who are poisoned do not survive. Boric acid is a Lewis acid with an empty p orbital which accepts electrons. This study aimed to investigate the neutralisation of PH3 gas with boric acid. Methods: This study was carried out at the Baharlou Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, between December 2013 and February 2014. The volume of released gas, rate of gas evolution and changes in pH were measured during reactions of AlP tablets with water, acidified water, saturated boric acid solution, acidified saturated boric acid solution, activated charcoal and acidified activated charcoal. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the resulting probable adduct between PH3 and boric acid. Results: Activated charcoal significantly reduced the volume of released gas (P <0.01). Although boric acid did not significantly reduce the volume of released gas, it significantly reduced the rate of gas evolution (P <0.01). A gaseous adduct was formed in the reaction between pure AlP and boric acid. Conclusion: These findings indicate that boric acid may be an efficient and non-toxic antidote for PH3 poisoning

The Importance of Cellular Metabolic Pathways in Pathogenesis and Selective Treatments of Hematological Malignancies

Despite recent advancements in the treatment of hematologic malignancies and the emergence of newer and more sophisticated therapeutic approaches such as immunotherapy, long-term overall survival remains unsatisfactory. Metabolic alteration, as an important hallmark of cancer cells, not only contributes to the malignant transformation of cells, but also promotes tumor progression and metastasis. As an immune-escape mechanism, the metabolic adaptation of the bone marrow microenvironment and leukemic cells is a major player in the suppression of anti-leukemia immune responses. Therefore, metabolic rewiring in leukemia would provide promising opportunities for newer therapeutic interventions. Several therapeutic agents which affect essential bioenergetic pathways in cancer cells including glycolysis, β-oxidation of fatty acids and Krebs cycle, or anabolic pathways such as lipid biosynthesis and pentose phosphate pathway, are being tested in various types of cancers. So far, numerous preclinical or clinical trial studies using such metabolic agents alone or in combination with other remedies such as immunotherapy are in progress and have demonstrated promising outcomes. In this review, we aim to argue the importance of metabolic alterations and bioenergetic pathways in different types of leukemia and their vital roles in disease development. Designing treatments based on targeting leukemic cells vulnerabilities, particularly in nonresponsive leukemia patients, should be warranted

Determination of developmental stages of embryo in the sea urchin, Echinometra mathaei

Sea Urchin is one of the most useful tools in developmental biology studies because this organism has the simplest kind of developmental stages. We aimed to determine developmental stages and timetable of Echinometra mathaei embryo (the species of Persian Gulf). The spawning of E. mathaei was induced by 0.5M KCl injection (1ml) into the coelomic cavity. After fertilization, embryos were placed in beakers and were incubated at 29°C and a salinity of 39 ppt until embryos reached the pluteus stage. The developmental stages of embryos and the timing of each stage including cleavage, morulae, blastula, gastrula, prism and pluteus larvae were studied under the microscope. Our results showed that after 30 hours from fertilization time, the embryos developed to pluteus larvae. E. mathaei had the shorter development time in comparison to the other Sea Urchin species. Therefore, it may be appropriate as a model organism in biological researches

Analysis of chickpea yield gap and water-limited potential yield in Iran

Iran is one of the major chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) producing countries of the world. Average chickpea yield in Iran is about 500 kg ha−1 while the world average is 900 kg ha−1. The objective of this study was to investigate chickpea water limited potential yield (Yw) and yield gap in Iran. The analysis was based on data from five representing chickpea producing locations of Iran. Estimated country Yw and yield gap were 991 and 463 kg ha−1, respectively, indicating that farmers have reached 53% (range: 38–64%) of Yw. If farmers could reach 80% of Yw of their locations, by improving agronomy practice, country average yield would increase by 50%, from 528 to 793 kg ha−1. A key finding of the study was that chickpea yield in Iran is largely limited by inefficient use of environmental resources and not the genetics of the current cultivars. Much higher yield increase is obtainable via an agronomic option than a genetic improvement option: using shorter duration cultivars increased Yw to 1237 kg ha−1 (25% increase), but applying a single irrigation of 60 mm at first-pod alone or in combination with shorter duration cultivars increased Yw to 1804 kg ha−1(85% increase) and to 1997 kg ha−1 (104% increase), respectively. Thus, tripling chickpea production would be feasible using a single irrigation with or without shorter duration cultivars (from 528 to 1443 or 1598 kg ha−1). The availability of water for the single irrigation is discussed

Modelling possible benefits of root related traits to enhance terminal drought adaptation of chickpea

Chickpea is cultivated at the end of the rain in tropical and sub-tropical regions like in India. Crop growth depends on the soil moisture contained in the soil profile, commonly leading to terminal water deficits. The past three decades of research have focused on improving rooting traits, with a particular focus on the speed of root extension in the soil, making the assumption that this would lead to more water extraction. Here, we used a robust crop simulation model to assess genetic and management modifications that would affect water availability to the crop. Against expectations, increasing the rate of depth of root extension to 30 mm day−1 from a baseline of 17 mm day−1, to reflect the characteristics of an existing root trait quantitative trait locus (QTL) on linkage group 5 of chickpea, brought about a yield penalty in all situations (4–6%), especially in locations where the in-season rainfall was low (up to a 15% yield penalty). By contrast, modifying soil characteristics by increasing the depth of effective water extraction from 1000 mm to 1200 mm led to yield increases in all situations (8–12%) as a result of greater water available at the end of the growing season. Changing the rate of leaf area development rate associated with the root QTL locus on LG5, had no impact on yield except for a yield increase at the two highest yielding locations. The greatest changes in yield were obtained by irrigating the crop with 30 mm at R5 (beginning of seed growth). The average yield gain across all locations was 29% and the high yield benefit was achieved across all yield levels. These results indicated that some benefit would come from growing the crop in soil with a higher depth of effective water extraction, which may require faster root growth in very low rainfall environments, but the greatest yield benefit would result from modest irrigation at R5

Electrical, dielectric, and optical properties of Sb2O3–Li2O–MoO3 glasses

International audienceTemperature and frequency dependencies of DC and AC conductivities, dielectric response, static permittivity, optical absorption edge, infrared absorption spectrum, density, and temperatures of glass transition and crystallization for lithium molybdenum–antimonite glasses, (80 − x)Sb2O3–20Li2O–xMoO3, where x = 0–40, are measured and discussed. The DC conductivity increases with increasing concentration of MoO3. At 150 °C, it ranges from 5 × 10− 11 S/m up to 3 × 10− 8 S/m. Polaron hopping between Mo5 + and Mo6 + ions contributes, probably, to the DC conductivity. Ionic conductivity by Li+ ions is also present. The conduction activation energy monotonously decreases from 1.15 eV, at x = 5, down to 0.91 eV, at x = 40. In all glasses with x > 0, the conduction activation energy is close to a half of the indirect allowed optical gap. The pre-exponential factor, σ0, goes through a sharp maximum close to the composition (x = 20) with both the highest glass transition temperature and the largest thermal stability range. The frequency dependence of the AC conductivity is composed of three components — the DC conductivity and two AC components. For x = 35 and 40, the activation energy of electrical relaxation is equal to 0.954 ± 0.008 eV and the pre-exponential factor of relaxation times is equal to (4 ± 1) 10− 14 s. The static relative permittivity ranges from 17.4 to 23.0. Strong extrinsic absorption bands in infrared region originate from hydroxyl ions, CO2 impurities, and silicon–oxygen vibrations. The UV–visible indirect allowed absorption edge shifts from 2.6 eV to 2.1 eV with increasing MoO3 content. With increasing MoO3 content the glasses darken, from a light yellow color, at x = 0, to a deep brown color, at x = 40

Sequential sampling of Rhopalosiphum maidis and Schizaphis graminum (Hem.: Aphididae) in wheat fields of Badjgah, Fars province, Iran

Between 2010 and 2011, spatial distribution and fixed precision sequential sampling plans were determined for two aphids, Rhopalosiphum maidis F. and Schizaphis graminum R., in wheat fields in Badjgah countryside of Iranian Fars province. For this purpose, two fields of two hectares each were selected and sampled on weekly basis. Each sample consisted of 200 randomly selected wheat plants along with the total number of counted aphids. Based on RV, the best sample unit was four stems. This data was used to describe spatial distribution pattern of R. maidis and S. graminum by Taylor’s power law (TPL) and Iwao’s patchiness regression methods. The results indicated aggregated spatial distribution of aphids' populations in wheat fields, based on the mentioned methods. The TPL provided a better description of the aphids' spatial distribution. Since regression line slopes were not significantly different for S. graminum and R. maidis, the same Green model was proposed for both species. In this model, minimum numbers of samples were 20, 12 and 9 for precision levels of 0.15, 0.25 and 0.3, respectively. Comparing Green and conventional methods in 0.15, 0.25 and 0.3 precision levels showed that the number of required samples were reduced 77.8 ± 1.05, 78.3 ± 0.91 and 81.4 ± 0.81 percent, respectively. Based on Wilson and Room's model, when the mean populations of aphids were 1.6, 3.86 and 5.62, the proportion of infestation in the field were 0.5, 0.75 and 0.85, respectively. Therefore, by increasing the infestation percentage of the samples, the number of required samples will be reduced