Egyptian corals-based calcium silicate (CaS) nanopowders doped with zinc/copper for improved chemical stability and treatment of calvarial defects

Developing low-cost nano-biomaterials using locally available raw materials is gaining significant prominence recently, e.g., to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals (Goal 3). In this work, amorphous calcium silicate (CaS) nanopowders were prepared from Egyptian corals (CaCO3) as a low-cost bone restoration material due to their excellent bonding abilities with surrounding bone tissues, which in turn accelerated the bone healing process. Some of the developed CaS nanopowders was doped with different concentrations of Cu2+ and Zn2+ at the expense of the inherent Ca2+ in the raw materials. The nanopowders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements. Mechanical and bactericidal properties of the nanopowders were assessed followed by well-defined examinations of their abilities to support cell viability, proliferation and differentiation against osteosarcoma cells (MG63 cell lines). The obtained nanopowders were confirmed to be amorphous in nature with particle diameters mostly in two size ranges, namely, 5–10 nm and 15–92 nm. The nanopowders were found to have a good surface area influenced by the type of dopant materials. Notable enhancement in the mechanical (up to 6.76 MPa compressive strength) and antibacterial behaviors of the CaS nanopowders were observed after Zn2+ doping. The number of the differentiated cells after 72 h of incubation was increased, especially for CaS silicate Zn2+ doped nanopowders. Following these examinations of the nanopowders, their utility for the treatment of calvarial (top part of the skull) defects in a rat model was investigated. The developed Cu2+ or Zn2+ doped nanopowders enhanced the healing rate of calvarial defects and they demonstrated impressive biosafety towards repairing vital organs (brain, liver and kidney).</p

PERSPECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: PRE-CLINICAL STUDY

Objective: This study end to investigate the efficacy of α-chymotrypcin in management of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the experimental model. Methods: Sixty adult female albino rats were divided into four groups, (1) normal control group, (2) rats underwent surgery to remove ovaries (Ovex group), (3) Ovx rats received aluminum chloride to induced AD (AD group) and (4) AD rats treated with α-chymotrypcin (α-ch group). Results: In comparison with the normal control group, the Ovx group recorded significant increase in the brain level of transforming growth factor-β, while the brain levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly decreased. Similarly, AD group displayed the same effect versus the Ovex Â&nbsp;group. Treatment of AD group with α-chymotrypcin resulted in significant improvement in the biochemical parameters as compared to untreated AD group. These results were confirmed by the histological examination of brain tissue. Conclusion: The current study suggests that α-chymotrypcin has a potent role in restraining AD due to its proteolytic and anti-inflammatory activity

Estimation of Early Postmortem Interval from Long Noncoding RNA Gene Expression in the Incised Cutaneous Wound: An Experimental Study

The assessment of alteration of postmortem RNA expression has forensic significance in estimating postmortem interval. To evaluate wound healing progression and the effect of different postmortem intervals, histopathological changes, immunohistochemical matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, and long noncoding fatty acid oxidation (lncFAO), RNA expression was assessed in the incised cutaneous wound model. A full-thickness cutaneous wound was inflicted on 75 rats. All 15 rats were sacrificed at different post-infliction intervals (0, 2, 4, 8 and 10 days), and the cutaneous wounds (n = 5) were excised at different postmortem intervals (0, 5, and 24 h after euthanasia). The maximal inflammatory healing stage was detected at day 4 post-infliction, while near complete healing, thick mature collagen deposition was detected at day 10 post-infliction. LncFAO expression was significantly over-expressed with increasing wound age. MMP-9 was detectable on injury day with continuous elevation until 8 days post-wounding, which later decreased. Although histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations within 24 h postmortem did not show any remarkable changes, lncFAO RNA expression showed a significant negative correlation with hours passed since death. The combined use of histopathological changes, immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9, and molecular expression of lncFAO could be appropriate in wound dating verification. Among these factors, lncFAO could be a reliable indicator in postmortem interval estimation

Repercussions of pathway inhibition response of Panaxginseng fractions ameliorate cardiac dysfunction in hypertensive model rats

This study examined the preventive and therapeutic benefits of various Panax ginseng fractions against NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension in rats. Rats injected with L-NAME plus vehicle exhibited persistently elevated SBP, serum concentrations of the cardiac injury biomarkers creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and troponin, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and interleukin (IL)-6, but lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the vehicle control group. Furthermore, L-NAME disrupted the normal histological structure and function of rat cardiac tissue. All ginseng fractions and losartan restored SBP to a normal level, reversed the changes in CK, CK-MB, troponin, total cholesterol, TG, HDL, and LDH, and preserved normal myocardial histology, with the WGF demonstrating the greatest cardioprotective and antihypertensive effects. Compounds within multiple ginseng fractions, but especially the aqueous fraction, possess potent and effective antihypertensive, antilipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties