Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research

About: Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research is a nonprofit organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Mesenchymal stem cell. The organization has 1100 authors who have published 1244 publications receiving 19093 citations.

Coagulation/Fenton oxidation combined treatment of compost leachate using quince seed mucilage as an effective biocoagulant.

Abstract: In this study, quince seed mucilage (QSM) has been introduced as a novel biocoagulant for the pretreatment of leachate obtained from a composting facility. Response surface methodology (RSM) was us...

Removal of hinosan from underground water using NH4Cl-modified activated carbon from rice husk.

Abstract: In the present study, NH4Cl-modified activated carbon was synthesized from rice husk and used as an adsorbent for removal of hinosan from underground waters. The effect of some effective parameters on the adsorption of hinosan on the rice husk NH4Cl-modified activated carbon (RHNAC) like pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature was evaluated in batch mode and the optimum conditions were determined. Kinetic of adsorption was studied by Langmuir and Freundlich’s models. The equilibrium data were well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacity of hinosan on RHNAC based on the Langmuir isotherm model was 81.366 mg g−1. The experimental adsorption data had the best fitness with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The applicability of the prepared adsorbent (RHNAC) was compared with other activated carbons (ZnCl2-modified activated carbon was prepared from rice husk and industrial activated carbon). The obtained results which were calculated from the selected adsorbents showed more desirability for RHNAC as an adsorbent. So, RHNAC could be introduced as an effective and cost-effective adsorbent for removal of hinosan from underground waters.

Optical and Electrochemical Aptasensors for Sensitive Detection of Aflatoxin B 1 and Aflatoxin M 1 in Blood Serum, Grape Juice, and Milk Samples

Abstract: Aflatoxin food contamination with toxic and carcinogenic impacts on human health is a global concern. We have developed aptasensors for the detection of Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and B1 (AFB1) using electrochemical and optical methods. In the first method, an electrochemical aptasensor was designed for the detection of AFM1 based on complementary strand of AFM1 aptamer that was attached onto the gold nanoparticles and a hairpin-shaped AFM1 aptamer. The designed electrochemical aptasensor showed high selectivity toward AFM1 with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.9 nM. Moreover, the developed aptasensor was successfully used to detect AFM1 in milk and serum with LODs of 1.8 and 1.2 nM, respectively. In the second method, a novel electrochemical aptasensor was developed based on the π-shape structure of AFB1 aptamer. The detection limit was found to be 2 pg/mL in buffer. Also, the developed aptasensor was used to analyze AFB1 spiked human serum and grape juice samples, and the recoveries were 95.4-108.1%. In another method, a fluorescent sensing scheme was developed for AFB1 detection based on a hairpin structure of G-quadruplex oligonucleotide-aptamer chimera, streptavidin-coated silica nanoparticles (SNP-streptavidin) and N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM). The LOD was reported as 8 pg/mL with a linear range of 30-900 pg/mL. Moreover, the developed sensor could detect AFB1 in serum and grape juice with the LOD of 9.8 and 11.2 pg/mL, respectively.

Association of the gene expression variation of tumor necrosis factor-α and expressions changes of dopamine receptor genes in progression of diabetic severe foot ulcers.

Abstract: Objective(s):Regulation of pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF-𝛼, which are secreted by the immune cells through induction of their several receptors including dopamine receptors (especially DRD2 and DRD3) is one of the noticeable problems in diabetic severe foot ulcer healing. This study was conducted to evaluate the alteration of TNF-𝛼 in plasma as well as DRD2 and DRD3 changes in PBMCs of diabetics with severe foot ulcers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 31 subjects with ulcers, 29 without ulcers, and 25 healthy individuals. Total mRNA was extracted from PBMCs for the study of DRD2, DRD3, and TNF-𝛼 gene expression variations. Expression patterns of these genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. Consequently, concentration of TNF-𝛼 was investigated in plasma. Results: Significant decrease in gene expression and plasma concentration of TNF-𝛼 in PBMCs was observed in both patient groups at P Conclusion: We concluded that DRD2 and DRD3 expression alteration and presence of new DRD3 transcripts can be effective in reduction of TNF-α expression as a pro-inflammatory factor. Performing complementary studies, may explain that variations in DRD2 and DRD3 are prognostic and effective markers attributed to the development of diabetes severe foot ulcers.

Protective effect of L‐carnitine on apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, membrane integrity and Lipid peroxidation of spermatozoa in the asthenoteratospermic men

Abstract: This in vitro study aimed to measure the ameliorative effect of L-carnitine against apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, membrane integrity and lipid peroxidation of spermatozoa from men with asthenoteratozoospermia (ATS). L-carnitine has an impressive effect on boosting the quality and quantity of spermatozoa and also can prevent apoptosis induction. For this purpose, semen samples were collected from 50 ATS men. Semen was divided into control and L-carnitine (0.5 mg/ml) groups at 2, 4, 6 and 24 hr. Concentrating on the reasons for apoptosis is an arduous process, but in the present research for this evaluation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA fragmentation by TUNEL and SCD methods, and lipid peroxidation were carried out. Also, sperm viability was performed. In the control group, MDA levels were increased significantly at 6 hr; however, sperm viability was decreased significantly at 4 and 6 hr. Moreover, in the L-carnitine group, TUNEL, SCD and MDA levels were decreased significantly and MMP and viability were increased significantly compared with the control group. In this writers' view, in vitro L-carnitine treatment can downregulate apoptosis in men with ATS.