A density functional theory study on the interaction of toluene with transition metal decorated carbon nanotubes: a promising platform for early detection of lung cancer from human breath.

In this study, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) decorated by platinum-group transition metals (Pt, Pd, Rh, or Ru) were introduced as promising nanosensors for the detection of toluene, an important biomarker in the exhaled breath of the lung cancer patients. First-principle calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) was employed to scrutinize the impact of an individual toluene gas molecule on the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of pristine and metal decorated SWCNTs. It was discovered that toluene is physisorbed on the pristine SWCNT through the interaction of the π orbitals of the carbon atoms in the toluene and the nanotube. Decoration of the SWCNT with metal atoms enhanced the adsorption energies significantly by means of strong overlapping between d orbital of the metal atoms and p orbital of C atoms in the benzene ring of toluene. Investigations showed that toluene is strongly chemisorbed on Rh- and Ru-SWCNT systems via strong covalent bonds with the superior response (-96.98% and -99.98%, respectively), and moderately chemisorbed on Pt-SWCNTs (-27.3%) and Pd-SWCNTs (61.60%). Our findings propose metal decorated SWCNT molecular sensors are attractive candidates for the detection of toluene and other lung cancer biomarkers in the exhaled breath of the lung cancer patients.

Protective effect of pumpkin seed extract on sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and epididymal histology in adult male rats treated with cyclophosphamide.

Cancer treatment with cyclophosphamide (CP) may result in reproductive toxicity as one of its side effects. The pumpkin seed is a rich natural source of antioxidant. We have assessed the possible protective efficacy of pumpkin seed extract on sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and epididymal histology of CP-treated rats. Male adult Wistar rats were categorised into four groups. Group 1 served as control and received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of isotonic saline solution. Group 2 rats were treated with CP by IP injection in a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, only once. Group 3 and 4 received CP plus 300 and 600 mg/kg pumpkin seed extract respectively. Six weeks after treatment, sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were examined. Results showed that, sperm characteristics in CP-treated rats were significantly decreased. Biochemical analysis results showed that the co-administration of 300 mg pumpkin seed extract could increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level significantly. In CP-treated rats, histopathological changes such as vacuolisation, disorganisation and separation of epididymal epithelium were observed as well. Interestingly, pumpkin seed extract could improve the above-mentioned parameters remarkably in CP-treated rats. Our findings indicated that pumpkin seed extract might be used as protective agent against CP-induced reproductive toxicity.

Systemic lupus erythematosus arising in a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis.

Few cases have been published relating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). We describe a patient with this association. A 22-year-old female with classical skin lesions of EV since childhood together with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which developed 10 years later. According to the knowledge of the authors, this case is the third report of association of EV and SLE and the first report of a patient with EV who developed SLE several years after initiation of EV.