Nanostructured rhodamine B/aluminosilicate extracted sugarcane bagasse modified with tobacco-derived carbon quantum dot as ratiometric fluorescence probe for determination of tetracycline.

Tetracycline (TC), as a widely used antibiotic, is very useful in treating bacterial infections. However, its residues in animal foodstuffs can enter the human body through the food cycle and causes severe and chronic diseases. On the other hand, due to its weak non-biodegradability, it is considered a threat to the environment. In this regard, the development of sensing methods to detect and measure TC is need of the hour. Herein, a dual-emission fluorescence sensor based on porous aluminosilicate structure (ASS) with rough surface hexagonal shape morphology and pore diameter less than 2 nm was prepared. The porous AAS was modified by post-modification method with blue carbon dots (CDT) and rhodamine B (RB) as two fluorophores to develop the ratiometric fluorescence (RF) sensor (CDT-AAS/RB). Nanostructured CDT-AAS/RB emitted two resolved peaks at 445 and 585 nm , which were dramatically quenched in the presence of TC. The RF sensor, with excellent sensitivity, was able to measure TC over the linear range of 0.001-150 µM with a limit of detection of 5.4 nM in the aqueous phosphate buffer. Moreover, the AAS component granted high selectivity and anti-interference ability to the sensor. In addition, the stability of the sensor was greatly improved due to the non-accumulation of CDT nanoparticles and RB molecules in the presence of the AAS. The proposed method was able to determine TC in complex real samples with satisfactory recovery, and the obtained results were validated with standard high-performance liquid chromatography technique.

New strategy to enhance heavy metal ions removal from synthetic wastewater by mercapto-functionalized hydrous manganese oxide via adsorption and membrane separation.

The development of efficient materials and methods for the elimination of heavy metals contamination from water bodies is increasingly demanded as these toxic cations can acute diseases to humans or make serious threat to the environment. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of the organosilane coupling agent for the modification of hydrous manganese oxide and the application of the functionalized nanoadsorbent for the removal of nickel and copper ions from synthetic wastewater samples. The synthesized thiol-functionalized hydrous manganese oxide was characterized in terms of their morphology, surface area, functional groups, surface elemental compositions, and the structural properties. In the adsorption process of Ni(II) and Cu(II), the effective parameters including the initial metal cation concentration (20-150 mg/L), operation temperature (298-318 K), and the contact time at the optimum pH were investigated. The uptake of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions on the prepared adsorbents followed by the Freundlich isotherm model reveals the heterogeneous adsorption, with the adsorption capacities of 24.96 mg/g and 31.2 mg/g for the modified adsorbent and 23.92 mg/g and 29.6 mg/g for the virgin adsorbent, respectively. Based on the results, both the virgin and the functionalized adsorbents exhibited high affinity to copper ions than nickel in the single-component system. Kinetic experiments of both metal ions clarified that the experimental data was well predicted by pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium was achieved after 10 min of contact time. Additionally, the incorporation of the as-prepared adsorbents in the electrospun nanofibers membrane matrix showed the promising potential for the removal of metal cations. The nickel and copper removal efficiency by the membranes containing 1.5 wt% of the modified adsorbent was 80% and 89%, respectively which implying that the modified adsorbent could be employed more efficiently in other treatment techniques for the removal of metallic pollutants. The modification of hydrous manganese oxide by the functional mercaptosilane increases the adsorption sites for trapping the metal ions and improves the adsorption capacity, making high capability for the removal of metal ions from the effluent.

Synthesis of zeolite NaY supported Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots and investigation of their photodegradation ability towards organic dyes.

In this work, Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots capped by L-cysteine (Mn@ZnS/L-cyst) and polyethylene glycol (Mn@ZnS/PEG) and also Mn-doped ZnS on zeolite NaY (Mn@ZnS/Y) were synthesized. These compounds were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Then, the photodegradation ability of these three photocatalysts was investigated for degradation of 4',5'-dibromofluorescein dye under ultraviolet irradiation. In the next stage, the different effective parameters on degradation performance, such as pH, catalyst dosage, and initial dye concentration, were studied. Results demonstrated that the optimum initial concentration was 40 mg L-1 for all three catalysts. The optimum catalyst dosage for both Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots capped by L-cysteine and Mn-doped ZnS on zeolite NaY was 0.017 g L-1 and for Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots capped by polyethylene glycol was 0.033 g L-1. The degradation efficiency of 97% for all three photocatalysts was achieved; therefore, by considering the higher production yield of quantum dots onto zeolite and also the more convenient recovery of the Mn-doped ZnS on zeolite NaY from the solution, it seems synthesis of quantum dots onto the zeolites is a reasonable strategy.

Green synthesis of fluorescent PEG-ZnS QDs encapsulated into Co-MOFs as an effective sensor for ultrasensitive detection of copper ions in tap water.

In this work, a novel and highly fluorescent (FL) metal-organic framework (MOF)-based host-guest hybrid system was developed through encapsulation of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-capped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) into zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-67 at ambient temperature. This new composite material was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TEM, UV-Vis absorption and FL spectroscopy, and then exploited as fluorescence sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of Cu (II) ions in water samples. The as-prepared PEG-ZnS QDs@ZIF-67 nanohybrids took advantages of both accumulation effect in ZIF-67 and FL sensitivity and selectivity in ZnS QDs toward analyte-Cu2+. In this regard, ZIF-67 was treated as absorbents to capture and enrich Cu (II) ions, and ZnS QDs were exploited as tentacle to selectively and sensitively sense the bonding interactions between ZIF-67 and Cu (II) ions, and further transduce these chemical events to the detectable fluorescence signals. By this approach, Cu2+ could be detected in a wide concentration range of 3 to 500 nM with a LOD as low as 0.96 nM. The proposed FL-sensor can be promising in the field of preparation of various QDs@MOFs platforms for application in high-performance optical sensing.

Heavy metals detection using biosensor cells of a novel marine luminescent bacterium Vibrio sp. MM1 isolated from the Caspian Sea.

Monitoring and assessing toxic materials which are being released into the environment along with wastewater is a growing concern in many industries. The current research describes a highly sensitive and rapid method for the detection of toxic concentrations of heavy metals in aquatic environments. Water samples were collected from southern coasts of the Caspian Sea followed by screening of luminescent bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis, including gene sequence of 16S rRNA, and biochemical tests were performed for identification of the isolate. Luminescence activity was tested and measured after treatment of the isolate with different concentrations of heavy metals and reported as EC50 value for each metal. A luminous, gram negative bacterium with the shape of a curved rod was isolated from the Caspian Sea. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate MM1 had more than 99% similarity to Vibrio campbellii. The novel isolate is able to emit high levels of light. Bioluminescence inhibitory assay showed that the Vibrio sp. MM1 had the highest sensitivity to zinc and the lowest sensitivity to cadmium; EC50 values were 0.97mgl-1 and 14.54mgl-1, respectively. The current research shows that even low concentrations of heavy metals can cause a detectable decline in luminescence activity of the novel bacterium Vibrio sp. MM1; hence, it makes a good choice for commercial kits for the purpose of monitoring toxic materials.

Does different BMI influence oocyte and embryo quality by inducing fatty acid in follicular fluid?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the effects of obesity-related follicular fluid (FF) fatty acids (FAs) on the number and quality of oocytes, good embryo quality rate, and pregnancy rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 105 infertile women under the age of 38, who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from March 2015 to October 2015. They were grouped into three body mass index (BMI) categories. The fatty acids composition of the FF was analyzed by GC-MS head space method. We studied the FAs correlation with BMI and ICSI outcomes. RESULTS: The distribution of fatty acids did not differ significantly in each BMI group, with the exception for stearic that was marginally significant (p=0.05). The mean number of mature oocytes did not differ significantly between the BMI groups, the percent of Metaphase II (MII) oocytes was inversely associated with the BMI (rs=-0.21, p=0.03). Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the distribution of good quality embryos' percentages were different in at least two categories of studied BMI groups (p=0.009, p=0.02). The mean concentration of palmitic acid was higher in nonpregnant patients for all of the studied BMI classes (p=0.02, p=0.03, p=0.05), however, stearic (p<0.001) and linolenic acids (p=0.01) were higher in nonpregnant normal weight patients. CONCLUSION: Differences in BMI are not associated with the fatty acid composition of the FF. The FF fatty acid possibly affects the outcome of ICSI through the achievement of clinical pregnancy. Therefore, it is essential to provide patients with nutritional counseling before they use assisted reproductive techniques.

The role of fatty acids on ICSI outcomes: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to determine the effect of fatty acids (FAs) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) on fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. METHODS: One hundred five women aged 18-38 years undergoing ICSI were recruited in this prospective cohort study. oocyte and emberyo quality was morphologically assessed. FAs in serum and FF were analyzed, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: The mean number of mature oocytes was associated with serum levels of oleic acid (r = 0.58; P = 0.002). There were negative correlations between metaphase II oocytes and FF levels of stearic acid (r = -0.19; P = 0.04) and linolenic acid (r = -0.37; P = 0.004). According to the obtained Spearman's correlation coefficients, serum levels of stearic, palmitoleic and tricosanoic acids were positively correlated with the percent of germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocyte. The mean serum level of eicosapentaenoic acid was significantly higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant patients (P = 0.006). Good quality embryos' percentages were negatively correlated with the concentrations of palmitic acid (r = -0.22; P = 0.02). After adjusting the effects of body mass index and age, total FAs were found to have a significant effect on the odds of having high-quality oocytes (percentage of oocytes > 80%; odds ratio =2.55; P = 0.054). CONCLUSION: Particular FAs affect oocyte maturation and implantation. Apparently, while higher FF levels of saturated FAs, especially palmitic and stearic acids, observed in some metabolic contexts have harmful effects on oocyte maturation and implantation, such effects can be counteracted and developmental competence can be enhanced (at least in vitro) by the presence of unsaturated FAs, e.g. oleic and eicosapentaenoic acids.

Photoimmunological properties of borage in bovine neutrophil in vitro model.

Borage (Echium amoenum fisch) is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants, and has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for many (non)infectious diseases in Iran. Study on photoredox and photoimmunology of borage is little. Natural immunomodulatory plants with minimal adverse/toxic effects could help boost animal health and, ultimately, public health. To determine the effect of borage on the functions of key circulating innate immune cells, effects of borage extract (BE) on bovine neutrophils (PMN) photoredox and phagocytosis events were evaluated using an in vitro model system. Blood PMN isolated from healthy high yielding dairy cows (n = 8/treatment) were pre-incubated with BE and the impact on phagocytosis-dependent-and-independent cellular chemiluminescence (CL), phagocytosis, killing of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), fluorescence-based PMN H2O2 production and necrosis were assessed. Relative to control (no BE) PMN, treatment with BE significantly increased phagocytosis-dependent-and-independent PMN CL (>10-15% increase). While BE also led to increased PMN H2O2 production, necrosis was also surprisingly higher in these cells. Phagocytosis and killing of both E. coli and S. aureus by PMN treated with BE was substantially higher than that by control PMN. The increased photoimmunobiological events especially intracellular CL, intracellular H2O2 formation, and phagocytic capacity of BE-treated PMN support the potential immunotherapeutic implications of borage and its components for particularly immunocompromised animals and humans.

Imidazolium-based ionic liquid derivative/Cu(II) complexes as efficient catalysts of the lucigenin chemiluminescence system and its application to H2O 2 and glucose detection.

The effects of six synthetic imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) on the Cu(II)-catalyzed chemiluminescence of lucigenin (Luc-CL) in the pH range 6.0-11 were investigated. Preliminary experiments found that the CL emission was strongly enhanced or inhibited in the presence of the ILs. The degree of enhancement or inhibition of the CL intensity in the presence of each IL was related to the molecular structure of the IL, the medium used, and the pH. The maximum enhancement of the CL intensity was observed at pH 9.0 (amplification factor = 443). This decrease in the pH at which maximum CL enhancement occurred and the substantial signal amplification of the Luc-CL may be related to a strong interaction between Cu(II) and the imidazolium ring of superior ILs at this pH. Additionally, the formation of IL microdomains in semi-aqueous media permitted more solubility of the product yielded by the Luc-CL reaction (N-methylacridone), which could increase the CL intensity. To obtain consistent data on the catalytic efficiency of Cu(II) in the presence of various ILs as well as the corresponding CL emission intensities, fluorescence quantum yields (Φ F) of lucigenin were measured under the same conditions. Comparison of the data pointed to the mechanism that controls the properties of Luc-CL in the presence of the Cu(II)/IL complexes. Based on the catalytic effect of the Cu(II)/IL complex and the measurement of the enzymatically generated H2O2, a novel, simple, and sensitive CL method for determining glucose with a detection limit (LoD) of 6.5 µM was developed. Moreover, this method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of glucose in human serum and urine samples. Graphical Abstract The lucigenin chemiluminescence assay for H2O2 and glucose using imidazolium-based ionic liquid derivatives/Cu(II) complexes as efficient catalysts at pH 9.0.

Determination of Glucose and Cholesterol Using a Novel Optimized Luminol- CuO Nanoparticles-H2O 2 Chemiluminescence Method by Box-Behnken Design.

In this study, a simple, rapid and sensitive luminol-CuO nanoparticles-H2O2 chemiluminescence (CL) method has been proposed for determination of glucose and cholesterol in plasma. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to optimize the most important operating variables (solution pH effect and the CL reagents concentration) of luminol CL system. In optimum conditions, it was found that CuO nanoparticles (NPs) could enhance the CL intensity and the method sensitivity towards evaluation of trace amount of glucose and cholesterol. Under the optimal conditions, there is a good linear relationship between the luminol-CuO NPs - H2O2 relative CL intensity and the concentration over the range of 1.2 × 10(-6)-1.0 × 10(-3) M (R (2) = 0.9991) for glucose and 2.5 × 10(-5)-CuO NPs7.17 × 10(-3) M (R (2) = 0.9968) for cholesterol and with a 3σ detection limit of 7.1 × 10(-7) and 6.4 × 10(-6) M, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD) < 3.3% were obtained.

Quantum dots and ionic liquid-sensitized effect as an efficient and green catalyst for the sensitive determination of glucose.

A novel fluorescence (FL) method using water-soluble CdSe quantum dots (QDs) is proposed for the fluorometric determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. Water-soluble CdSe QDs were synthesized by using thioglycolic acid as stabilizer in aqueous solutions. The nanoparticles were structurally and optically characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Ionic liquid-sensitized effect in aqueous solution was then investigated. In the presence of ionic liquid as catalyst, H2O2 was decomposed into radical that could quench the fluorescence of CdSe QDs more efficiently and rapidly. Then the oxidization of glucose by glucose oxidase was coupled with the fluorescence quenching of CdSe QDs by H2O2 producer with ionic liquid catalyst, which can be used to detect glucose. Therefore, a new FL analysis system was developed for the determination of glucose. Under the optimum conditions, there is a good linear relationship between the relative PL emission intensity and the concentration of glucose in the range of 5.0×10(-7)-1.0×10(-4) M of glucose with a correlation coefficient (R(2)) of 0.9973. The limit of detection of this system was found to be 1.0×10(-7) M. This method is not only simple, sensitive and low cost, but also reliable for practical applications.

Sensitive assay of hexythiazox residue in citrus fruits using gold nanoparticles-catalysed luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence.

A new sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) procedure for the detection of hexythiazox (HXTZ) is presented, based on the quenching effect of the HXTZ in the luminol-H2O2 system using gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as a catalyst. The Box-Behnken design matrix and response surface methodology (RSM) have been applied in designing the experiments for studying the interactive effects of the three most important variables pH, luminol, and H2O2 concentrations on the CL intensity of luminol catalysed by GNPs. Under the optimal conditions, the CL intensity was linear with HXTZ concentration in the range of 0.017-0.42 µg mL(-1), and the limit of detection (LoD) was 0.011 µg mL(-1). The procedure has been successfully applied to the detection of HXTZ residues in citrus fruits and water samples at trace levels. Mean recoveries obtained were between 84.0% and 95.3%, with a repeatability precision of <6%. Meanwhile, the possible mechanism of the inhibited CL intensity was discussed.

Identification, determination, and study of antioxidative activities of hesperetin and gallic acid in hydro-alcoholic extract from flowers of Eriobotrya japonica (Lindl.).

OBJECTIVES: Eriobotrya japonica belongs to the Rosaceae. Studies have shown that the flowers of this plant are rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Accorrdingly, the evaluation of antioxidative effects of Eriobotrya japonica Flower Extract (EJFE) have been performed in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, to investigate the influences of components of EJFE on its antioxidative activity, extract was prepared using hydro-alcoholic (25:75 V/V) solvent and the antioxidative activity of the extract was evaluated based on the scavenging of various radicals (DPPH and H2O2) by spectrophotometric method and chelating of ferrous ions by ferrozine reagent. RESULTS: HPLC analysis of the Eriobotrya japonica Flower Extract (EJFE) revealed hesperetin and gallic acid as the major antioxidants. When the content of total flavonoid and polyphenolic compounds in the flower extract of this plant was examined, a significantly higher level of total polyphenols was found in Eriobotrya japonica flower extract. CONCLUSION: RESULTS demonstrate that the high ability to scavenge free radicals, reducing power, and Fe(+2)chelating activity exerted by the EJFE were due to the high content of hesperetin and gallic acid in the flowers.

Determination of cysteine and glutathione based on the inhibition of the dinuclear Cu(II)-catalyzed luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence reaction.

The catalyzed luminol chemiluminescent reaction has received a great amount of attention because of its high sensitivity and low background signal which make the reaction an attractive analytical chemistry tool. The present study, introduces the beneficial catalytic effects of dinuclear Cu(II) complex [Cu2L2(TAE)]X2, where TAE=tetraacetylethane; L=N,N(')-dibenzylethylenediamine and X=ClO4 on the luminol chemiluminescent reaction as a novel probe for the determination of glutathione (GSH) and L-cysteine (CySH) in human serum and urine. The [Cu2L2(TAE)]X2 has exhibited highly efficient catalytic activity of luminol CL as an artificial peroxidase model at pH as low as 7.5 in water in the presence of H2O2⋅GSH and CySH can induce a sharp decrease in CL intensity from the [Cu2L2(TAE)]X2-catalyzed luminol system. Under the selected experimental conditions, a linear relationship was obtained between the CL intensity and the concentrations of GSH and CySH in the range of 1.0×10(-7)-1.0×10(-4) M, with detection limits (S/N=3) of 2.7×10(-8) and 6.8×10(-8) M and RSD<4.2% (n=7) for GSH and CySH, respectively.

The use of imidazolium ionic liquid/copper complex as novel and green catalyst for chemiluminescent detection of folic acid by Mn-doped ZnS nanocrystals.

A novel chemiluminescence (CL) method using water-soluble Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) as CL emitter is proposed for the chemiluminometric determination of folic acid in pharmaceutical formulation. Water-soluble Mn-doped ZnS QDs were synthesized by using L-cysteine as stabilizer in aqueous solutions. The nanoparticles were structurally and optically characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy. The CL of ZnS QDs induced by directly chemical oxidation and its ionic liquid-sensitized effect in aqueous solution were then investigated. It was found that oxidants, especially hydrogen peroxide, could directly oxidize ZnS QDs to produce weak CL emission in basic conditions. In the presence of 1,3-dipropylimidazolium bromide/copper a drastic light emission enhancement is observed, related to a strong interaction between Cu(2+) and the imidazolium ring. Therefore, a new CL analysis system was developed for the determination of folic acid. Under the optimum conditions, there is a good linear relationship between the relative CL intensity and the concentration of folic acid in the range of 1×10(-9)-1×10(-)(6) M of folic acid with a correlation coefficient (R(2)) of 0.9991. The limit of detection of this system was found to be 1×10(-)(10) M. This method is not only simple, sensitive and low cost, but also reliable for practical applications.

Indirect chemiluminescence-based determination of catecholamines in pharmaceutical formulations by furandicarboxylate derivative as a novel blue fluorescer in peroxyoxalate-H2O2 system.

A novel, simple, cheap, and high sensitivity batch chemiluminescent method for the determination of catecholamine drugs, epinephrine (E), dopamine (DA) and methyldopa (MD) at microgram levels in pharmaceutical formulations is described. The method is based on a chemiluminescence (CL) system arising from the reaction of bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate (TCPO) with H2O2 in the presence of a novel fluorescer, furandicarboxylate, and is proposed as a new analytical method for the determination of catecholamines. The method is based on the inhibition of CL emission by DA and its enhancement by E and MD. Under optimal conditions, good linear ranges were obtained, 0.5 - 12.7, 0.06 - 1.83 and 0.069 - 3.52 µg/mL with detection limits of 0.30, 0.03 and 0.04 µg/mL (S/N = 3) for DA, E and MD, respectively. Moreover, a pooled-intermediate model was used to determine the kinetic parameters of CL with and without catecholamines and a possible CL mechanism was discussed.

A novel luminol chemiluminescent method catalyzed by silver/gold alloy nanoparticles for determination of anticancer drug flutamide.

It was found that silver/gold alloy nanoparticles enhance the chemiluminescence (CL) of the luminol-H2O2 system in alkaline solution. The studies of UV-Vis spectra, CL spectra, effects of concentrations luminol, hydrogen peroxide and silver/gold alloy nanoparticles solutions were carried out to explore the CL enhancement mechanism. Flutamide was found to quench the CL signals of the luminol-H2O2 reaction catalyzed by silver/gold alloy nanoparticles, which made it applicable for the determination of flutamide. Under the optimum conditions, the CL intensity is proportional to the concentration of the flutamide in solution over the range 5.0 × 10(-7) to 1.0 × 10(-4)mol L(-1). Detection limit was obtained 1.2 × 10(-8)mol L(-1)and the relative standard deviation (RSD) γ5%. This work is introduced as a new method for the determination of flutamide in commercial tablets. Box-Behnken experimental design is applied to investigate and validate the CL measurement parameters.

Liver and plasma nesfatin-1 responses to 6 weeks of treadmill running with or without zizyphus jujuba liquid extract in female rat.

BACKGROUND: Nesfatin-1 is a protein derived from a precursor molecule of the nucleobindin-2 gene, and acts as an anorexigenic peptide on food intake behavior, and its level isinfluenced by nutritional status, food composition [fat and carbohydrate (CHO)], and physical exercise. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of treadmill running (at high intensity) program with and without zizyphus jujuba (high carbohydrate content) crud extraction on liver nesfatin-1, ATP, glycogen, and its plasma concentrations in female rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Wistar female rats (6-8 weeks old100-120 g of weight) were randomly assigned to saline-control (SC), saline-training (ST), zizyphus jujuba-control (ZJC), and zizyphus jujuba-training (ZJT) groups. Rats ran on a motor-driven treadmill at 35 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Animals received ZJ extraction and saline at the dose of 1.25 mL/100g of body weight. Seventy-two hours after the last training session rats were killed, a portion of liver excited, and plasma was collected for nesfatin-1, ATP, and glycogen measurements. A one-way ANOVA method, and Pearson correlation were employed. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: A higher and significant liver nesfatin-1 level was found in ZJ groups (p < 0.005), but plasma nesfatin-1 responded differently. Changes in liver nesfatin-1 were accompanied with an increase in liver glycogen,but not ATP contents. CONCLUSIONS: The Findings indicate that higher liver nesfatin-1 and glycogen content by ZJ extraction might be due to the ZJ high CHO content, and it could be consideredas an anti-appetite herb.

Determination of epinephrine in pharmaceutical formulation by an optimized novel luminescence method using CdS quantum dots as sensitizer.

In this article, a novel chemiluminescence method using water-soluble CdS quantum dots (QDs) as sensitizers is proposed for the chemiluminometric determination of epinephrine. The method is based on the quenching effect of epinephrine on the chemiluminescence emission generated by the mixing of CdS quantum dots (QDs) with hydrogen carbonate (HCO3(-)) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in an alkaline medium. The optimization of variables influencing the chemiluminescence response of the method has been carried out by using experimental design. Under the optimal conditions, there is good linear relationship between the relative chemiluminescence intensity and the concentration of epinephrine over the range of 5 × 10(-9)-1 × 10(-6) molL(-1) with a 3σ detection limit of 5 × 10(-11) molL(-1). The method has been successfully applied to the determination of epinephrine in pharmaceutical formulation and the recovery test was done in human urine.

Perlite filtration of phenolic compounds from cigarette smoke.

Adsorption of phenolic compounds and chemical analysis of them from a local production cigarette (named by Farvardin cigarette) smoke have been investigated by using perlite filtration. In this research, the mainstream smoke was tested by three filtration methods: Perlite filter, Cambridge filter and general cigarette filter. Then the used filter was extracted by pure methanol as solvent. After that, the extracted solution was analysed by GC-MS. By this consideration, the phenolic derivatives such as phenol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, pyrocatechol, m-cresol, p-cresol and o-cresol were detected. The structure of the perlite filtration after absorption was studied by SEM. In addition, its chemical structure was investigated by XRD and XRF.