Mesoporous epoxidized soybean oil-supported copper-based magnetic nanocatalyst and amberlite-supported azide as a green and efficient catalytic system for 1,2,3-triazole synthesis.

A new green mesoporous magnetically heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by the copper immobilization onto magnetic epoxidized soybean oil as a nano bio-support and was utilized for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazole derivatives in the presence of amberlite supported azide. A great range of triazole derivatives were synthesized from benzyl halides or epoxides halides in high yields at the room temperature. The catalyst was characterized by various techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, VSM, FE-SEM, EDX, TEM, BET, TGA, and ICP analysis. This catalytic system can be reused for five times without any significant decrease in the catalytic activity. Fe3O4@SiO-ESBO/CuO nanocatalyst and amberlite supported azide as a green catalytic system has been used for the regioselective synthesis of triazole derivatives in water. A large range of triazole derivatives were synthesized from benzyl halides or epoxides in high yields.

Functionalization of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles with Cu(i)-thiosemicarbazone complex as a robust and efficient heterogeneous nanocatalyst for N-arylation of N-heterocycles with aryl halides.

In this research, the functionalized silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles with Cu(i)-thiosemicarbazone complex (Fe3O4@SiO2-[CuL]) has been designed and synthesized as a magnetically retrievable nanocatalyst. Different techniques were employed to characterize the structure of Fe3O4@SiO2-[CuL] comprising FT-IR, FE-SEM, TEM, DLS, XRD, EDX, TGA, AAS, and VSM analysis. The catalytic performance of Fe3O4@SiO2-[CuL] was perused in Ullmann-type N-arylation of nucleobases, xanthines, and other N-heterocycles with diverse aryl halides which acquired the desired N-aryl products in good to excellent yields. Fe3O4@SiO2-[CuL] is a thermal and chemical stable, easy to prepare and recyclable, inexpensive, and ecofriendly catalyst that needs no additional additive or ligand as promoters. This catalyst could be separated without difficulty by a simple magnet and reused for at least seven sequential runs without a significant decline in its catalytic performance.

Tetrathiafulvalene-Benzothiadiazole: A Metal-Free Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production.

In this work, a series of hybrid tetrathiafulvalene-benzothiadiazole (TTF-BTD) are designed and applied as a metal-free photocatalyst for hydrogen production, particularly under visible light irradiation. Density functional theory calculations are used to shed light on the photophysical properties observed in the various TTF-BTD derivatives and investigated by the obtained data. Because band gap engineering has normally been used as an effective approach, we studied the effect of the various functional groups on the band gap to set a favorable band alignment with photocatalysts. An increase in highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels is observed in the order CH3 < Br < CF3 < COOMe < CN. The results discover that COOMe-TTF-CN-BTD can have a clear photocatalytic potential in the hydrogen production for specific applications. Our experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the CN-withdrawing group increases the reduction potential of the conduction band; meanwhile, COOMe decreases the reduction potential of the valance band. Moreover, we demonstrate that H2O reduction and oxidation reaction energies are both located inside the COOMe-TTF-CN-BTD band gap that enables an enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 122 µmol h-1 g-1 under visible light. The efficiency of the COOMe-TTF-CN-BTD photocatalyst is also described in terms of medium pH and the nature of the sacrificial agent, where the maximum hydrogen production efficiency is observed at high pH. The findings point to a means of efficient production of hydrogen that can be directly achieved under visible light irradiation without any modifications.

The role of ATP-binding cassette transporter genes expression in treatment failure cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is one of the common diseases transmitted by sand flies in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Currently, antimonial derivatives are the first line of treatment. Some of the members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of Leishmania are shown to be associated with no response to treatment. In this study, we evaluated ABCI4, ABCG2, ABCC7, ABCB4, and ABCC3 genes expression in Leishmania isolated from patients with non-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis and treatment response isolates. We selected 17 clinical isolates including 8 treatment failure and 9 treatment response samples from September 2020 to March 2021. The isolates were obtained from patients of Health Center Laboratory of Varzaneh, Isfahan, Iran with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The diagnosis was performed using microscopic observation. The samples were directly collected from the lesions. The expression profiling of genes was assessed using SYBR Green real-time PCR that was analyzed with delta-delta Ct. All treatment failure clinical isolates were L. major. Gene expression analysis in treatment failure isolates showed that the ABC transported genes had a different pattern in each isolate. Treatment failure has been reported for cutaneous leishmaniasis worldwide. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of treatment failure could solve this problem. ABC transporter genes are considered controversial over the mechanisms of treatment failure outcomes. In this study, we showed that ABC transporter genes could be considered one of the important mechanisms.

Green cellulose-based nanocomposite catalyst: Design and facile performance in aqueous synthesis of pyranopyrimidines and pyrazolopyranopyrimidines.

A cellulose-based nanobiocomposite decorated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles was prepared, characterized and applied as an easily recoverable and reusable green nanocatalyst in the synthesis of pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives in water at room temperature. The characterization was performed by using a variety of conventional analytical instruments such as Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analyses. Two series of pyranopyrimidine and pyrazolopyranopyrimidines derivatives were synthesized by using the present cellulose-based nanocomposite. This protocol has valuable features like high yield of the products, short reaction times, mild conditions and easy work-up procedure. In addition, the catalyst can be prepared easily with cheap and green starting materials.

Antifungal Effect of Zataria multiflora Essence on Experimentally Contaminated Acryl Resin Plates With Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND: Adherence and colonization of Candida species particularly C. albicans on denture surfaces, forms a microbial biofilm, which may result denture stomatitis in complete denture users. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antifungal effect Zataria multiflora essence in removing of Candida albicans biofilms on experimentally contaminated resin acryl plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present experimental study, 160 resin acrylic plates (10 × 10 × 1 mm) were contaminated by immersion in 1 × 10(3) C. albicans suspension for 24 hours to prepare experimental Candida biofilms. The total number of Candida cells, which adhered to 20 randomly selected acryl resin plates was determined as the Candia load before cleaning. The remaining 140 plates were divided to seven groups of 20 and immersed in five concentrations of Zataria multiflora essence from 50 to 3.125 mg/mL as test, 100000 IU nystatin as the positive and sterile physiologic serum as the negative control. The remaining Candida cells on each acryl plate were also enumerated and data were analyzed using the SPSS 16 software with Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: Zataria essence at concentrations of 50 and 25 mg/mL removed 100% of attached Candida cells similar to nystatine (MFC), while weaker Zataria essence solutions cleaned 88%, 60.5% and 44.7% of attached Candida cells. Kruskal-wallis test showed a statistically significant difference between all test groups (P = 0.0001). In this study 12.5 mg/mL concentration of Zataria multiflora was considered as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90). CONCLUSIONS: Zataria essence, at concentrations of 50 and 25 mg/mL, effectively removed Candida cells that had adhered to the denture surface, similar to the level of removal observed for 100000 IU nystatin.

Comparison of salivary Candida profile in patients with fixed and removable orthodontic appliances therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Long-term usage of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances creates a favorable environment for the augmentation of oral normal microflora particularly Candida species, which can increases the risk of periodontal lesions. The aim of this study was to assess quantitative and qualitative alterations in the carrier rate of Candida spp. after placement of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances on permanent dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients enrolled in this study were children aged 7-18 years, who having fixed or removable orthodontic appliances, attended in orthodontics clinic for periodical provision. Six months after beginning of their orthodontic therapy, saliva samples were collected and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar for identification and enumerating of isolated Candida colonies. Candida species were identified using the germ tube test and API 20C AUX identification system. Data was analyzed with T-test and Chi square using SPSS 17 software. RESULTS: The average number of Candida colonies isolated from saliva in patients with fixed orthodontic was more than patients with removable appliance (P=0.001). Also frequency of non-albicans Candida species was higher in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances in compare with fixed group (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that fixed orthodontic appliances treatment promotes an increase in salivary Candida carriers particularly non-albicans Candida species in compare with removable ones. This can indicate a more cautious approach when providing fixed orthodontic treatments for immunocompromised children regarding the increased possibility of candidal infection.

Molecular identification of Leishmania tropica infections in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis from an endemic central of Iran.

The most common form of the disease is cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) which is a public health and social problem in many countries especially Iran. In endemic areas where other diseases with similar clinical symptoms occur, definitive diagnosis of CL is very important. The detection and identification of Leishmania in infected patients is crucial for achieving a correct treatment and prognosis. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study in terms of geographical distribution and molecular identification of Leishmania tropica isolates in central of Iran. This study was performed between 2010 and 2011, during which 218 CL suspected patients referred to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, Iran for confirmation were examined. After microscopic analysis, DNA extraction was performed for identification. The molecular target region was ITS1 gene. Results showed that out of 218 isolates, 102 (46.8%) samples were positive for Leishman body using molecular assay. After PCR-RFLP, analysis identified 50 (49.01%) samples as L. major and 52 (50.98%) as L. tropica. Two samples showed a different pattern that were reported as unknown. Among L. tropica, six different isolates were identified in this endemic area. Finally, this study showed heterozygosity among L. tropica isolates in this endemic area such as some other studies from the world. This heterozygosity among the strains may suggest a sexual recombination or genetic exchange between strains.

A novel ionic liquid/micro-volume back extraction procedure combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry for determination of trace nickel in samples of nutritional interest.

A simple, highly sensitive and environment-friendly method for the determination of trace amount of nickel ion in different matrices is proposed. In the preconcentration step, the nickel from 10 mL of an aqueous solution was extracted into 500 microL of ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C(4)MIM][PF(6)], containing PAN as complexing agent. Subsequently, the PAN complex was back-extracted into 250 microL of nitric acid solution, and 100 microL of it was analyzed by flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-FAAS). The main parameter influencing the extraction and determination of nickel, such as pH, concentration of PAN, extraction time and temperature, ionic strength, and concentration of stripping acid solution, were optimized. An enhancement factor of 40.2 was achieved with 25 mL sample. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification obtained under the optimum conditions were 12.5 and 41.0 microg L(-1), respectively. To validate the proposed methods two certified reference materials 681-I and BCR No. 288 were analyzed and the results were in good agreement with the certified values. The proposed method was successfully applied to determination of nickel in water samples, rice flour and black tea.

A Comparison of the eFficacy of Nystatin and Fluconazole Incorporated into Tissue Conditioner on the In Vitro Attachment and Colonization of Candida Albicans.

BACKGROUND: Denture stomatitis is a common oral lesion following the use of ill-fitting dentures. A layer of tissue conditioner is usually used to improve adaptation of the denture. These liners can support the in vivo adhesion and colonization of the oral Candida. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the two common antifungal agents mixed with tissue conditioner against Candida albicans. METHODS: Tissue conditioner disks (Acrosoft) with 5mm diameter and 1mm thickness containing different concentrations of nystatin and fluconazole (1%, 3%, 5%, 10% wt/wt) as well as disks with no antifungal agents (8 disks for each group) were prepared for experimental biofilm formation by inoculation with Candida albicans cell suspensions. The specimens were incubated in cell culture microtiter plate wells containing Sabouraud's broth in a rotator shaker at 30°C for 48 hours. Then, the specimens were rinsed and sonicated in sterile water to remove surface organisms. The attached yeasts were enumerated by inoculation of the yeast suspension on Sabouraud's agar. The data was compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests using prism software. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The 1% to 10% mixture of nystatin and tissue conditioner completely inhibited the attachment and colonization of Candida albicans, although for fluconazole only a 10% concentration caused complete inhibition. Nystatin showed a potentially higher effect in inhibition of candida attachment and colonization (P = 0.0001) compared to that of fluconazole and a statistically significant difference was seen between 5% and 1% fluconazole (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Tissue conditioner with 1% to 10% nystatin or 10% fluconazole can completely inhibit the adhesion and colonization of Candida albicans.

Design and one-pot synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates and bis(alpha-aminophosphonates) by iron(III) chloride and cytotoxic activity.

In this study, we used a solution of FeCl(3) in THF to facilitate the Mannich-type reaction of aldehyde, amine and phosphite compounds to form corresponding alpha-aminophosphonates in a one-pot, three-component reaction. Selected alpha-aminophosphonates were entered into a biological assay test and were studied by docking methods, using Autodock 3.0. The results showed that the reactions were carried out mildly and eco-friendly to form alpha-aminophosphonates in high yields. Some were found to have cytotoxic activity on the cell lines RAJI, JURKAT and MCF-7. An indole derived bis(alpha-aminophosphonates) showed maximum cytotoxic effect comparable to doxorubicin. Although the FDE (Final Docking Energy) for the most cytotoxic compound was of the most negative value, there is no correlation between FDE and cytotoxicity.

Candida Colonization on the Denture of Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection in diabetic patients. Presence of denture in the oral cavity of diabetic patients can promote Candida colonization and results in the higher incidence of oral and systemic candidiasis. The general purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare Candida colonization in denture of diabetic patients and non-diabetic control group. METHODS: In current case-control study, samples for mycological examinations were collected from the palatal impression surface of maxillary dentures from 92 edentulous patients including 46 dia-betic and 46 non-diabetic denture wearers. All samples were cultured directly on sabouraud agar me-dium and isolated colonies were counted and identified based on specific tests. Data were statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests. RESULTS: The higher density of isolated colonies was seen in diabetic group in compare with control group (P = 0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between the blood glucose level (P = 0.0001) and the duration of denture usage (P = 0.022) with the colonization of Candida on denture of diabetic patients. C. albicans was the most common isolated Candida species in both groups, though diabetic patients with dentures had more non-albicans Candida isolated from their dentures compared to non-diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Mycological findings from the present study revealed that diabetes mellitus can in-crease colonization of Candida in denture and mouth. By elimination of local and systemic factors in diabetic patients and improving their oral health care, Candida colonization and the risk of oral and systemic candidiasis will be decreased.