Synthesis and characterization of novel biocompatible four-arm star-shaped copolymers by using a new tetramethacrylate core

The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize two novel four-arm star-shaped copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), methacrylic acid (MAA), N,N-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) that was initiated from a new tetramethacrylate monomer (TMAM) as the core by the free radical polymerization approach. Novel multiacrylic monomer was synthesized via three key consecutive reactions. All the intermediates and the final product have been fully characterized. The polymerization reaction was conducted by the core first method and the star-shaped copolymers were analyzed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). MTT assay was used to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity of the star copolymers on lung cancer cell lines. These star copolymers showed no in vitro cytotoxicity to A549 cells. The results showed that these copolymers can be promising drug carriers because they showed no in vitro cytotoxicity and they have various functional groups for association and interaction with drugs.     

Observation of liquid-crystal formation during melting of D-(+)-glucose

Liquid crystals, observed as maltese crosses under cross-polarized light, form in D-(+)-glucose immediately upon melting, at ～416 K, and become an isotropic liquid at ～500 K. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show two overlapping endothermic peaks corresponding to the formation and disappearance of the liquid crystals. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed that D-(+)-glucose undergoes thermal decomposition upon melting. Cooling and reheating isotropic samples previously heated to 500 K do not lead to the reappearance of the liquid crystals. The formation of liquid crystals is irreversible. Further study is required to determine which components among the decomposition intermediates or products of D-(+)-glucose are responsible for the formation of liquid crystals and whether they have process or product applications.     

Effect of interceptor drainage on phosphorus transport and soil chemical characteristics under different cultivation conditions

Paddy and Water Environment - Drainage is a profitable water management operation in waterlogged soils, particularly in hot, arid environments where waterlogging is caused by irrigation and salts...     

Anti-Proliferative Properties,Biocompatibility, and Chemical Composition of Different Extracts of Plantago major Medicinal Plant

Background:To study the anticancer activity of Plantago major, we assessed the effect of ethanolic, methanolic and acetonic extracts of this plant on HCT-116, SW-480, and HEK-293 cell lines as control. Methods:The cytotoxic activity, biocompatibility, and toxicity were evaluated by MTT assay, hemolysis, and Artemia salina-LD₅₀ (on mice) tests, respectively. The analysis of the extracts was performed by GC-MS analysis. Results:The results showed that all the extracts had the most antiproliferative properties on the HCT-116 cell line. The P. major root extract was more effective than the aerial parts, and IC₅₀ values for ethanolic, methanolic and acetonic root extracts were 405.59, 470.16, and 82.26 µg/mL, respectively on HCT-116 cell line at 72 h. Hemolysis degree of the ethanolic extract of aerial and root parts were approximately 1% at 400 μg/mL.. Using the ethanolic extracts, the Artemia survived every concentration, and no toxicity was observed. One week after the oral administration of different parts of P. major extracts, none of the mice died, even those were administered 2000 mg/kg. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that P. major extracts contain potential anticancer compounds, such as stearic acid (8.61%) in aerial parts of methanolic extract and 1,2- Benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono(2-ethylhexyl)ester (88.07% and 40.63%) in aerial and root parts of acetonic extract of P. major. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the P. major is a source of potential compounds with antiproliferative properties. Key Words: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, HCT-116 cells, Hemolysis, Lethal dose 50     

The Influence of Different Dietary Carbohydrate to Lipid Ratios on Some Qualitative Characteristics of Fillets of Beluga (Huso huso) During Refrigeration

In this study, juvenile beluga (Huso huso) were fed diets containing different carbohydrate to lipid ratios for 5 months. At the end of the culture period, proximate compositions of the fish carcasses (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) were measured. Then, qualitative changes in the fishes were evaluated during 24-days refrigeration (4°C), along with changes in their total volatile bases nitrogen (TVN), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), free fatty acids (FFA), pH, and muscle texture profile analysis. The results of proximate analysis of the carcasses showed that moisture, protein, and ash of the carcasses increased significantly (p < 0.05) with higher carbohydrate to lipid ratio, but fat content of the carcasses decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Further, during refrigeration, TVN, TBA, and FFA increased significantly in all the samples (p < 0.05), but these changes did not follow the same pattern in all the treatments. Tissue hardness decreased during preservation. Although pH changes in the fillets were low, they were significant and without a clear-cut pattern. The results showed that use of different carbohydrate to lipid ratios in diet does not lead to clear-cut changes in qualitative characteristics of beluga fillets during refrigeration.     

Molecular approach to determine taxonomic status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Septoria</Emphasis> sp. causing leaf blotch of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Castanea sativa</Emphasis> in Hyrcanian forests

Castanea sativa is a valuable tree species in Hyrcanian forests, an evolutionary relict ecosystem whose communities suffer from overexploitation and fungal diseases. In the current study, three species delimitation methods were utilized with ITS regions sequencing to determine the taxonomic status of Septoria causing leaf blotch of C. sativa in Hyrcanian forests. The results indicated that the length of ITS region in the genus Septoria (extracted from GenBank) varied from 650 to 680 bp. There were almost three times more variable sites in ITS1 than in ITS2. The ITS2 secondary structure of Hyrcanian Septoria community had the highest similarity with Septoria castaneicola, except for some differences in helix II and III. Also, Hyrcanian samples had minimum genetic distances with S. castaneicola and maximum with Septoria quercicola. The maximum parsimony method divided the studied Septoria genus into three distinct clades, mostly located in clade I. Clade II consisted entirely of Septoria aciculosa, while clade III contained S. castaneicola as well as Hyrcanian samples.     

Positive effects of plant growth regulators on physiology responses of Fragaria × ananassa cv. ‘Camarosa’ under salt stress

This experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of foliar spraying salicylic acid (SA) and methyl Jasmonate (MJ) on the physiology responses of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. ‘Camarosa’) grown under salinity stress. According to results, SA and MJ significantly reduced the injuries caused by salt stress, possibly through promoting K⁺ accumulation as well as decreasing the electrolyte leakage and Na⁺ contents in the leaves. The best protective effects resulted from 0.75 mM SA and 0.25 mM MJ treatments. These results indicate that SA and MJ can effectively improve the defense system and antioxidant capacity of strawberry in the salt affected environments.     

Comparison of floral ontogeny in wild-type and double-flowered phenotypes of Syringa vulgaris L. (Oleaceae)

A comparative study of floral ontogeny in normal and double-flowered phenotype of Syringa vulgaris was conducted using the epi-illumination light microscopy. In the wild phenotype, floral differentiation starts with calyx inception and the formation of four sepals in orthogonal positions (two median and two lateral). The corolla emerges as a continuous ring-like structure leading to the appearance of four petal lobes alternating with the sepals. Androecium was formed by initiation of two stamen primordia in transverse plane and finally the bicarpellate gynoecium emerges in median position. In the case of the double-flowered lilac, there are supernumerary petals in an additional whorl. In double-flowered phenotype, a ring meristem is formed acropetally after the first petal whorl initiates. Stamens and carpels initiated similarly in double-flowered as well as in wild-type plants. However, position of stamens deviates from the typical transverse situation. It seems that the appearing of an extra petal whorl did not exhibit any adverse effect on the initiation of other whorls, in terms of organ identity. Therefore, it would be suggested that the double-flowered phenotype of Syringa represents a case of neoheterotopy, with formation of an extra petal whorl, rather than a case of homoheterotopy with transformation of an ancestral androecium whorl into petals.