University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

The use of biosensor techniques in the detection of the analytes at trace amounts is of great interest. In particular, electrochemical immunosensors offer an accurate and efficient analytical method for the measurement of biomarkers. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a biomarker commonly used in the monitoring of individuals with colon cancer. In this study, the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a nanocomposite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and ZnS@CdS core-shell quantum dots (QDs). Due to the highly desirable physicochemical properties of these nanomaterials, the immunosensor designed in this study demonstrated the ability to detect CEA in a wide linear range from 0.0005 to 2.5 ng/mL, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.11 pg/mL. The electrode surface materials also offered excellent stability and properties. Considering the results of the immunosensor in CEA assay, it can be inferred that this new biosensor is a promising device for accurate CEA detection.

This study aimed at integrating the outstanding medicinal traits of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) with ceria nanoparticles (CeO₂ NPs) to assess the neuroprotective potential of their combination in rats with nerve crush injury. With this aim, ceria NPs were prepared using saffron extract (S-CeO₂), and the acquired nanoceria were characterized via XRD, DRS, FTIR, SEM, and TGA and compared to the traits of the nanoceria prepared in the absence of saffron extract (CeO₂). The GC-MS analysis was also conducted to reveal the bioactive compounds of the saffron extract. Subsequently, comparative studies were carried out on the motor nerve recovery effectiveness of the nanoceria samples on the peripheral nerve injury model rats using sciatic functional index and walking track analysis. Later, the hot plate test was performed to assess the pain-like behavior and subsequent sensory recovery of the sciatic nerve of the rats under study. The atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscles of the sacrificed rats was then studied using the muscle mass ratio values. In the end, the physiological conditions of the myelin sheath, nerve fiber, and muscle recovery were analyzed via histological morphometric patterns. As per the results, the postoperative administration with S-CeO₂ accelerated peripheral nerve regeneration and improved the recovery of motor function, which could potentially be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the engaged constituents. Altogether, our findings emphasize the therapeutic potential of ceria nanoparticles encompassing the phytomolecules of the saffron extract in addressing neurological disorders, thereby enabling the development of cutting-edge therapies.

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, represents a significant threat to tomato production, particularly in greenhouse environments across various regions globally.Enhancing tomato production necessitates using fertilization inputs, which in turn may impact plant-insect interactions through bottom-up effects.This study examines the impact of conventional fertilizers, including humic, vermicompost, nitrogen, and NPK, applied at their recommended dosages, on the life history traits of T. absoluta in two tomato cultivars under controlled laboratory settings.Significant variations were observed in the pre-adult period, fecundity, oviposition period, and life table parameters of T. absoluta among the different fertilization treatments.In both cultivars, the most prolonged pre-adult period was recorded on the plants that received NPK treatment (28.4-33.3 day).Moreover, T. absoluta displayed the highest fecundity rates on control treatment (341.0-377.4 egg) and the lowest on NPK treatment (71.5-116.6 egg).The control group demonstrated the highest net reproductive rate (R₀), while the NPK treatments showed the lowest (22.6-38.9 offspring).The NPK treatment yielded the lowest intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.096-0.098 day^-1).Different fertilizer treatments significantly influenced chem. composition of tomato leaves such as total chlorophyll, phenol, and flavonoid contents.The NPK treatment had the highest chem. contents, whereas the control treatment recorded the lowest levels.The potential association between chem. content and the life history attributes of T. absoluta is explored.The findings enhance our understanding of the interactions between crop fertilization practices and the efficacy of T. absoluta, which may prove advantageous in developing integrated pest management (IPM) programs for this pest.