Removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions by a low-cost adsorbent: activated carbon prepared from Aloe vera leaves shell

Background: synthetic dyes have several harmful effects on human health as well as aquatic life. In this study, activated carbon [AV-AC], based on Aloe vera leaf shells, was used as a novel agricultural adsorbent, one that is low-cost and available for the removal of Congo red [CR] as a carcinogenic dye from aqueous solutions

Methods: in the batch system, the influence of different parameters like contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial CR concentration were examined on the dye removal from liquid medium. The experimental data were fitted by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics, and also Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms models

Results: the optimum contact time and pH for the uptake of CR were obtained at 20 minutes and acidic pH of 2. The maximum uptake capacity of CR dye by AV-AC was 1850 mg/g. The results showed that the experimental data were well-fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model [R[2] > 0.99] and Freundlich isotherm model [R[2] > 0.99]

Conclusion: according to the results of our study, the AV-AC is a low-cost, non-toxic, and effective adsorbent for the uptake of CR dye from aqueous media

Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals One Novel Missense Mutation in COL1A2 Gene in an Iranian Family with Osteogenesis imperfect

Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta [Ol] is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by bone loss and bone fragility. The aim of this study was to investigate the variants of three genes involved in the pathogenesis of Ol

Methods: Molecular genetic analyses were performed for COLlAl, COL1A2, and CRTAP genes in an Iranian family with Ol. The DNA samples were analyzed by next-generation sequencing [NGS] gene panel and Sanger sequencing

Results: Five different variants were identified in COLlAl and COL1A2, including two variants in COLlAl and three variants in COL1A2. Among the five causative COLlAl and COL1A2 variants, one novel variants, c.1081 G>A, was found in COL1A2, which was identified in two siblings

Conclusion: Our finding extends the variant spectrum of the COL1A2 gene and has important implications for genetic counseling of families. The NGS is a powerful molecular diagnostic strategy for Ol, a heterogeneous disorder

MicroRNA expression in beta-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease: a role in the induction of fetal hemoglobin

Today the regulatory role of microRNAs [miRs] is well characterized in many diverse cellular processes. MiR-based regulation is categorized under epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. These small non-coding RNAs participate in producing and maturing erythrocytes, expressing hematopoietic factors and regulating expression of globin genes by post-transcriptional gene silencing. The changes in expression of miRs [miR-144/-320/-451/-503] in thalassemic/sickle cells compared with normal erythrocytes may cause clinical severity. According to the suppressive effects of certain miRs [miR-15a/-16-1/-23a/-26b/-27a/-451] on a number of transcription factors [myeloblastosis oncogene [MYB], B-cell lymphoma 11A [BCL11A], GATA1, Krüppel-like factor 3 [KLF3] and specificity protein 1 [Sp1]] during beta globin gene expression, It has been possible to increasing ? globin gene expression and fetal hemoglobin [HbF] production. Therefore, this strategy can be used as a novel therapy in infusing HbF and improving clinical complications of patients with hemoglobinopathies

Investigation of enzyme immobilization effects on its characteristics

Background: Enzymes are well known as sensitive catalysts in the laboratory and industrial scale. To improve their properties and for using their significant potential in various reactions as a useful catalyst the stability of enzymes can often require improvement. Enzymes Immobilization on solid supports such as epoxy- functionalized ferric silica nanocomposite can be effective way to improve their characteristics

Methods: In this study silica coated magnetite nanoparticles were Functionalized with GPTSM as a linker, then immobilization reaction performed by using various amounts of lipase B from Candida Antarctica [CALB], for the next step immobilization effects on thermal stability and optimum pH were investigated in comparison with free CALB

Results: Results illustrated enzyme was successfully immobilized on nano particles and immobilized derivative retains 100% of its activity by 55 degree C while free CALB loss its activity at the same condition

Conclusion: Immobilization of CALB on Fe3O4@SiO2 particles resulted in significant improvements in its characteristics such as thermal stability and methanol tolerance compared to the free CALB

Molecular aspects of bone resorption in beta-thalassemia major

Beta-thalassemia is the most common single gene disorder worldwide, in which hemoglobin beta-chain production is decreased. Today, the life expectancy of thalassemic patients is increased because of a variety of treatment methods; however treatment related complications have also increased. The most common side effect is osteoporosis, which usually occurs in early adulthood as a consequence of increased bone resorption. Increased bone resorption mainly results from factors such as delayed puberty, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, ineffective hematopoiesis as well as hyperplasia of the bone marrow, parathyroid gland dysfunction, toxic effect of iron on osteoblasts, growth hormone [GH] and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] deficiency. These factors disrupt the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts by interfering with various molecular mechanisms and result in decreased bone density. Given the high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in thalassemic patients and complexity of their development process, the goal of this review is to evaluate the molecular aspects involved in osteopenia and osteoporosis in thalassemic patients, which may be useful for therapeutic purposes

Deoxyribonucleic acid repair gene X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 polymorphisms and non-carcinogenic disease risk in different populations: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess a meta‑analysis of the association of X‑ray repair cross‑complementing group 1 (XRCC1) polymorphisms with the risk of various non‑carcinogenic diseases in different population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This meta‑analysis was performed by critically reviewing reveals 38 studies involving 10043 cases and 11037 controls. Among all the eligible studies, 14 focused on Arg194Trp polymorphism, 33 described the Arg399Gln and three articles investigated on Arg280His. Populations were divided into three different ethnic subgroups include Caucasians, Asians and other (Turkish and Iranian). RESULTS: Pooled results showed no correlation between Arg194Trp and non‑carcinogenic disease. There was only weak relation in the recessive (odds ratio [OR] =1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86‑1.44) model in Asian population and dominant (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.66‑1.63) model of other populations. In Arg399Gln polymorphism, there was no relation with diseases of interest generally. In the pooled analysis, there were weak relation in the dominant (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.86‑1.35) model of Asian population and quite well‑correlation with recessive (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.19‑1.88), dominant (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.94‑1.62), and additive (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.94‑1.62) models of other subgroup. For Arg280His, there was a weak relation only in the dominant model (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.74‑1.51). CONCLUSION: The present meta‑analysis correspondingly shows that Arg399Gln variant to be associated with increased non‑carcinogenic diseases risk through dominant and recessive modes among Iranian and Turkish population. It also suggests a trend of dominant and recessive effect of Arg280His variant in all population and its possible protective effect on non‑carcinogenic diseases.

[Evaluation of real-time PCR efficiency by the use of two strategies: standard curve and linear regression]

The detection of nucleic acids using Real-Time CPR has many application. Quantitative analysis of mRNA using Real-Time PCR by Relative and Absolute methods. Widely used in biological studies. The purpose of this study was to compare the Relative and calculated PCR Efficiency by standard curve and LinRegPCR methods. After sampling and extraction of RNA and cDNA synthesis, the quantitative RT-PCR was performed, then the PCR Efficiency was calculated by Using the two methods of standard curve and LinRegPCR. At the end the results of the two methods were compared and analyzed. The efficiency of PCR for the GAPDH, TGF-beta and IL- 10 genes with the standard curve method were 1.99, 1.81 and 1.87, respectively. The PCR efficiency of these three genes were 1.98, 1.82 and 1.82 by using LinRegPCR software method, respectively. The analysis of the data obtained from PCR proliferation of cDNA of the three genes, GAPDH, TGF beta and IL-I0 showed no statistical difference between standard curve and LineRegPCR methods. Therefore, it is recommended to use the LinRegPCR software method instead of the expensive standard curve method

effectiveness of Quran reciting sound on prisoner's anxiety

Background and objective Stress is a widespread event among prisoners. To treat this disorder, pharmacological and psychotherapy methods are usually used. In the present study the effectiveness of Quran reciting has been evaluated as a psychotherapy method to alleviate the stress of prisoners. This semi-experimental pre test- post test study was. conducted with a control group: Methods The research population consisted of male prisoners in central prison of Kermanshah who were in prison for more a month during 2011 and the Beck test was utilized. Thirty prisoners with high Beck test scores were divided into two groups of fifteen [case and control groups]. Then, the case the Quran reciting sound was broadcasted for the case group during 15 forty-five minute- sessions. After the intervention therapy for the. experiment group, both control and intervention groups were retested and the data were analyzed using correlated T test to compare inside group an independent T between two groups: Results The results of this research indicated that Quran reciting sound alleviates the stress among prisoners. This was confirmed with a significant difference in test scores [p=001/0] among two groups: Conclusion. regarding the research findings Quran reciting sound is a useful method to reduce stress among prisoner

Human leukocyte antigens [HLA] associated with selective IgA deficiency in Iran and Sweden

Selective IgA deficiency [IgAD] [serum IgA concentration of <0.07 g/l] is the most common primary immunodeficiency in Caucasians, with an estimated prevalence of 1/600. There are strong indications for involvement of genetic factors in development of the disease and the frequency of several extended major histocompatibility complex haplotypes [including HLA-A1, B8, DR3, DQ2] have previously been shown to be increased among Caucasian patients with IgAD. PCR was used to type HLA B, DR, and DQ alleles in 29 Iranian individuals with IgAD and 299 Swedish individuals with IgAD. The results indicate a strong association with the HLA B14, DR1 alleles in Iranian subjects and HLA B8, B12, B13, B14, B40, DR1, DR3, DR7, DQ2 and DQ5 alleles in Swedish subjects. Differences in HLA association of IgAD in Iran and Sweden confirm the notion of a genetic background of the disease and that multiple, potentially different genes within the MHC region might be involved in the pathogenesis of IgAD in different ethnic groups

[Pattern of dystrophin gene deletions in patients affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Ahwaz City]

About 40-70% of all mutations in dystrophin gene in Duchenne muscular dystrophy [DMD] are deletions, but large variations in the proportion of intragenic deletions in the dystrophin gene have been observed in different populations. In order to further investigate the geographical and ethnic variations, the present study reports our findings on the proportion and pattern of deletional mutations in DMD patients from Ahwaz City. In the present study, DNA samples from 10 unrelated DMD patients were analyzed for deletional mutations using multiplex PCR. A total of 6 patients [60%] showed intragenic deletions in the dystrophin gene; 3 in the proximal hot spot and 3 in the central hot spot. The observed proportion of gene deletions is relatively high, particularly compared with those of European and Asian countries and similar to that of North India. However, the distribution of breakpoints across the gene does not show significant variation