Development of a method for cadmium ion removal from the water using nano γ-alumina/β-cyclodextrin

Cadmium is one of the heavy metals, which is harmful to humans and animals. The toxicity of this metal in the body has caused many studies to remove it in water and soil. Because according to WHO, the maximum concentration of cadmium in drinking water is 3 μg/L. In this study, trace amount of Cd ion or Cd(II) in water and in the industrial effluent sample were determined via the solid phase extraction approach based on the γ-Alumina/β-Cyclodextrin as a sorbent followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of various parameters such as pH, the Cd(II) concentration, amount of sorbent, and type and concentration of the eluting agents were determined on the removal efficiency. Maximum removal of Cd(II) was obtained at pH 7. The limit of detection (LOD) and repeatability (RSD%) values (0.389) obtained were found to be in the ranges of 6.77-6.81 μg/L. The results showed adsorbed cadmium ions are recovered on the nano γ- alumina/β-cyclodextrin surface with an optimum amount of 16 mL of 0.3 M nitric acid as eluting agent at pH 7.

Effects of quercetin and rosuvastatin each alone or in combination on cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure in female albino mice

BACKGROUND

Cyclophosphamide (CP) causes premature ovarian failure (POF) due to ovarian toxicity. The toxicity mechanism is attributed to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. We assessed whether quercetin and rosuvastatin could promote ovarian protection against CP ovotoxicity.

METHODS

A total of 80 female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned; 10 mice into each of eight groups. Group 1 (control), group 2 (EH), group 3 (CP), group 4 (QH), group 5 (QL), group 6 (RH), group 7 (RL), and group 8 (COM).

RESULTS

Quercetin and rosuvastatin groups (4:8) showed signs of restored ovarian function in the form of a significant, dose-dependent increase in primordial follicles number, serum anti-Mullerian hormone level, and ovarian tissue glutathione level (p < 0.05) versus group 3, and a significant, dose-dependent decrease in atretic follicles number and ovarian tissue level of malondialdehyde (p < 0.05) versus group 3. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated a lower expression of caspase and nuclear factor-kappa B of groups (4:8) versus group 3, although quercetin and rosuvastatin showed a nonsignificant reduction in tumor volume.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated the protective effect of quercetin and rosuvastatin against ovarian toxicity and POF induced by CP without compromising its antitumor effect.

A comparison between Venables standardized respiratory questionnaire and pre-shift spirometry in screening of occupational asthma in a steel industry

BACKGROUND

Occupational asthma (OA) is the most common occupational lung disease in developed countries. One of the causative agents is metal fume that may be encountered in steel industries. Screening for the OA is mainly performed by questionnaire but in our country spirometry is used more commonly.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the diagnostic value of the Venables standardized respiratory questionnaire and pre-shift spirometry as screening tools for OA.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, we investigated 450 workers of a steel industry by the Venables standardized questionnaire. We also performed a pre-shift spirometry as the screening spirometry and a post-shift spirometry. A person with 10% drop in post-shift FEV1 compared with the pre-shift value was considered as asthmatic (our gold-standard). The results of the questionnaire and the pre-shift spirometry were then examined against the gold-standard test results. For each test, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of OA among our studied workers was 3.9% (95% CI: 1.9%-5.9%). The highest rate was seen in those working in catering (25%) and welding (10%) units. Pre-shift spirometry and the questionnaire had low sensitivity (42.9% and 28.6%, respectively) and positive predictive values (16.7% and 3.6%, respectively); moderate specificity (92.4% and 71.6%, respectively) and high negative predictive values (97.9% and 96.5%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Taking into account the ease of use of the questionnaire, it seems that it is more feasible to use questionnaire as the primary screening tool for the diagnosis of OA.

Evaluation of sperm selection procedure based on hyaluronic acid binding ability on ICSI outcome

PURPOSE

To compare the efficiency of routine sperm selection method with HA-selection procedure for fertilization rate, embryo development, implantation and pregnancy rates as well as evaluating the relationship between HA-binding ability with sperm protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation.

METHODS

Semen samples were obtained from the 50 couples undergoing ICSI. The percentage of fertilization rate, cleavage and quality of embryos compared between two procedures (routine sperm selection and HA-binding selection). The semen samples were assessed for DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test and Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, respectively.

RESULTS

A significant inverse correlation was observed between percentage of HA binding with protamine deficiency, DNA fragmentation and abnormal sperm morphology (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in current study, oocytes inseminated by HA sperm selection procedure had significantly higher fertilization rate (P < 0.05). While the pregnancy and implantation rates were insignificantly increased.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that normal sperm have higher chance to bind HA and therefore, HA sperm selection procedure may select sperm with normal protamine content and low DNA fragmentation, but to confirm the effect of HA sperm selection on the ICSI outcome requires further studies.

Influences of dopamine receptors on chewing behaviour in rats

1. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of different doses of pilocarpine induced purposeless chewing in rats. Physostigmine (i.p.), but not neostigmine (i.p.) also induced chewing behaviour. 2. Subcutaneous (s.c.) pretreatment of animals with the D-1 receptor blocker SCH 23390 decreased the number of chews induced by pilocarpine. 3. The D-2 dopamine antagonist sulpiride (i.p.) and anticholinergic atropine (i.p.) pretreatment also decreased the frequency of chews induced by the drug. 4. The response induced by pilocarpine (1 mg/kg i.p.) also was dose-dependently decreased in animals pretreated with apomorphine (0.25-1 mg/kg s.c.). 5. Administration of low doses of apomorphine (s.c.) also induced chewing, which was decreased with increasing the doses of the drug. 6. Chewing-induced by apomorphine was decreased by sulpiride or atropine and increased by SCH 23390 pretreatment. 7. Single administration of D-2 dopamine agonist bromocriptine also showed a slight but significant purposeless chewing, which was decreased by sulpiride pretreatment. 8. Single administration of D-2 agonist quinpirole, D-1 agonist SKF 38393 or D-1 antagonist SCH 23390, but not sulpiride caused a slight chewing. 9. It may be concluded that D-1 or D-2 activation exert opposite influences on chewing behaviour in rats, although to prove this effect more elucidation is needed.

Effects of topical laryngeal lidocaine on sympathetic response to rigid panendoscopy under general anesthesia

The sympathetic response to rigid bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy and esophagoscopy, performed under general anesthesia with isoflurane, was examined in patients who either received 5 ml of 2% lidocaine (n = 7) or 5 ml of saline (n = 7), sprayed on larynx and upper trachea under direct laryngoscopy, 2 min before the introduction of the rigid bronchoscope. Blood pressure, heart rate and plasma catecholamine and lidocaine levels were measured at specific time points of the study. Topical lidocaine led to a rapid and prolonged increase in plasma lidocaine levels. Patients treated with lidocaine showed a small but significant decrease in plasma epinephrine levels from baseline following endotracheal intubation and extubation, as compared to the saline control group. Blood pressure and heart rate response during rigid panendoscopy, isoflurane requirements and time interval from termination of panendoscopy to extubation were not different between the two groups. However, in contrast to the control group, patients who had received lidocaine had no significant rise in blood pressure and heart rate from baseline following the introduction of the rigid bronchoscope. The benefit of this moderate hemodynamic stabilizing effect of lidocaine has to be weighted against the risk of decreased protective airway reflexes due to topical laryngeal lidocaine during recovery from anesthesia.