Reviving near infra-red emission of Ag2 S nanoparticles using interfacial defects in the Ag2 S@CdS core-shell structure

Ag₂ S@CdS core-shell particles were synthesized with different Cd source content as a measure of shell thickness using a pulsed microwave irradiation method. The particles were verified structurally using X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Optical spectroscopy revealed that core-shells show an absorption peak at 750 nm and an emission peak located around 800 nm after 6 min of microwave irradiation. With continued microwave treatment, the NIR luminescence first vanished but it was revived after 12 min of irradiation, which was 100 nm red shifted. This new type of NIR emission in Ag₂ S with sizes greater than 5 nm is due to the proximity of a highly deficient CdS shell with strong red emission that was stable for more than 6 months in water. A mechanism has been suggested for this type of emission.

Mutation analysis of the CYP21A2 gene in congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited autosomal recessive enzymatic disorder involving the synthesis of adrenal corticosteroids. 21-Hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is the most common form of the disease which is observed in more than 90% of patients with CAH. Early identification of mutations in the genes involved in this disease is critical. A marker of the disease, errors in the CYP21A2 gene, is thought to be part of the pathophysiology of CAH. Therefore, the identification of gene mutations would be very beneficial in the early detection of CAH. This research was a descriptive epidemiological study conducted on individuals elected by the inclusion criteria whom were referred to the Genetic Diagnosis Center of Tabriz during 2012 to 2013. After sampling and DNA extraction, PCR for the detection of mutations in the CYP21A2 gene was performed followed by sequencing. For data analysis, the results of sequencing were compared with the reference gene by blast, Gene Runner and MEGA-5 software. Obtained changes were compared with NCBI databases. The analysis of the sequencing determined the mutations located in Exons 6, 7, 8 and 10. The most frequent findings were Q318X (53%) and R356W (28%). Exon 6 cluster (7%), E431k (4%), V237E (2%), V281L (2%), E351K (2%), R426C (2%) were also frequent in our patients. The most frequent genotype was compound heterozygote, Q318X/R356W. Three rare mutations in our study were E431K, E351K and R426C. Observed mutation frequencies in this study were much higher than those reported in previous studies in Iranian populations. Thus, it seems that it is necessary to follow-up screening programs and use sequencing methods to better identify mutations in the development of the disease.

Diabetes impairs mobilization of mouse bone marrow-derived Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) progenitor cells

Endothelial progenitor cells circulating in the peripheral blood (PB) contribute to vascular repair. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of a 'cocktail' consisting of erythropoietin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and tetrahydrobiopterin to mobilize hematopoietic lineage negative/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 positive (Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+)) cells from the bone marrow (BM) to PB in non-diabetic and diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic mice were studied after 16weeks of hyperglycemia. Half the mice in each group (non-diabetic and diabetic) received daily intraperitoneal injections of the cocktail for 6 consecutive days while the other half received vehicle buffer. Mobilization of Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) cells, which were expanded in MCP301 medium, was evaluated after isolating them from BM and PB and their phenotypic and morphological properties were studied. We found that 16weeks of diabetes affected neither the total number of BM mononucleated cells nor the number of Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) cells in BM compared with non-diabetic controls. In non-diabetic mice, cocktail treatment resulted in a significant decrease in BM Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) cells, paralleled by a significant increase of these cells in PB. Such changes in the number of Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) cells in BM and PB after the cocktail treatment were less marked in diabetic mice. In vitro studies of BM Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) cells from diabetic and non-diabetic mice did not reveal any differences in either phenotypes or colony forming potential. These findings indicate that diabetes impairs the mobilization of Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) cells from BM to PB. Impaired mobilization of BM Lin(-)/VEGF-R2(+) cells soon after the onset of diabetes may contribute to complications such as diabetic retinopathy.

Effect of vitamin E on diabetes-induced changes in small intestine and plasma antioxidant capacity in rat

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Vitamin E (Vit. E) on diabetes-induced changes in small intestine, lipid peroxidation and plasma antioxidant capacity in rats. Twenty-four rats were divided into three groups (n=8), namely control, non-treated diabetic (NTD) and Vit. E-treated diabetic (VETD) groups. The VETD group received 300 mg of Vit. E daily in drinking water. After 6 weeks, the length and weight of small intestine, villus height, crypt depth and muscular layer thickness showed a significant increase in the NTD group compared to the control group. In the VETD group, these parameters did not show any significant difference compared to the control group. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the red blood cells showed a significant increase in the NTD group, but not in the VETD group, compared to the control group. The plasma antioxidant capacity showed a significant increase in VETD compared to the NTD group. These findings indicate that Vit. E significantly improved small intestinal changes in diabetic rats and that these effects could be mediated at least in part by enhanced plasma antioxidant capacity and reduced lipid peroxidation.