Formulation of In-situ Thermoreversible Gel with Moringa oleifera Lam Extract as a Local Drug Delivery System for Adjunct Periodontal Treatment

Introduction: Periodontal disease is an outcome of a plethora of molecular mechanisms associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and oral microorganisms is managed by surgical or non surgical therapies with systemic antibiotics. However, local drug delivery system is known to augment the currently available therapies and improves prognosis. Although, there are several local drug delivery systems available, the search for an ideal agent with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties continues. Moringa oleifera Lam extracts is one such wonder plant with all the above mentioned effects. Aim: To formulate an in-situ thermoreversible gel with Moringa oleifera Lam extract that could be used as a local drug delivery system as an adjunct to periodontal treatment. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted in Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology at Saveetha Dental College, from May 2022 to June 2022. For preparation of thermoreversible gel the 19% of thermogelling polymer poloxamer 407 (15% to 30%w/v) which the least concentration that demonstrates thermoreverisibility at 36°C and 0.2% which is the least concentration of mucoadhesive polymer carbapol 934 (0.2% to 0.5% w/v) which forms sol-gel transition and 5% aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera and cold deionised water were used. Surface pH, gelation temperature, syringeability, in-vitro drug release, stability, gelation time and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was done. Results: The surface pH of the gel was 6.94±0.091 with a gelation temperature of 34°C±0.5. The gel was flowable with good stability and fast release of eight hours. The chemical components compatability study of Moringa oleifera Lam powder, thermoreversible gel without extract and thermoreversible gel with extract were subjected to FITR analysis. The spectral analysis showed no significant chemical interaction between the Moringa oleifera and thermoreversible gel. Conclusion: The study concluded that the thermoreversible gel with Moringa oleifera Lam extracts could be used as an adjunct for the management of periodontal disease with good bioavailability. However, future clinical studies have to be conducted to validate the results of the present study

Rapid weight gain and weight differential predict competitive success in 2100 professional combat-sport athletes.

Purpose: Combat-sport athletes commonly undergo rapid weight loss prior to prebout weigh-in and subsequently rapid weight gain (RWG) prior to competition. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of RWG and weight differential (WD) between opponents on competitive success. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing events held between 2015 and 2019. The primary outcome was RWG (relative and absolute) between weigh-in and competition stratified by bout winners and losers. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationships among bout outcome, RWG, and WD between competitors on the day of their bout. Results: Among 708 MMA athletes included, winners regained more relative body mass (8.7% [3.7%] vs 7.9% [3.8%], P < .01) than losers. In 1392 included male boxers, winners regained significantly more relative body mass (8.0% [3.0%] vs 6.9% [3.2%], P < .01) than losers. Each percentage body mass increase resulted in a 7% increased likelihood of victory in MMA and a 13% increase in boxing. The relationship between RWG and competitive success remained significant in regional and male international MMA athletes, as well as boxers. WD predicted victory in international mixed martial artists and boxers. WD predicted victory by knockout or technical knockout in international MMA athletes and regional boxers. Conclusion: This analysis of combat-sport athletes indicates that RWG and WD influence competitive success. These findings raise fair-play and safety concerns in these popular sports and may help guide risk-mitigating regulation strategies

Age- and Gender-Related Changes in Contractile Properties of Non-Atrophied EDL Muscle

Background: In humans, ageing causes skeletal muscles to become atrophied, weak, and easily fatigued. In rodent studies, ageing has been associated with significant muscle atrophy and changes in the contractile properties of the muscles. However, it is not entirely clear whether these changes in contractile properties can occur before there is significant atrophy, and whether males and females are affected differently. Methods and Results: We investigated various contractile properties of whole isolated fast-twitch EDL muscles from adult (2–6 months-old) and aged (12–22 months-old) male and female mice. Atrophy was not present in the aged mice. Compared with adult mice, EDL muscles of aged mice had significantly lower specific force, longer tetanus relaxation times, and lower fatiguability. In the properties of absolute force and muscle relaxation times, females were affected by ageing to a greater extent than males. Additionally, EDL muscles from a separate group of male mice were subjected to eccentric contractions of 15 % strain, and larger force deficits were found in aged than in adult mice. Conclusion: Our findings provide further insight into the muscle atrophy, weakness and fatiguability experienced by the elderly. We have shown that even in the absence of muscle atrophy, there are definite alterations in the physiological properties of whole fast-twitch muscle from ageing mice, and for some of these properties the alterations are mor

Relation between muscle mass, motor units and type of training in master athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the number of motor units and muscle mass in power-trained and endurance-trained master athletes compared with community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Seventy-five master athletes (52 power- and 23 endurance-trained athletes) were recruited at the 2012 European Veteran Athletics Championships in Zittau (Germany). One hundred and forty-nine community-dwelling older adults served as controls. In all participants, the motor unit number index (MUNIX) in the hypothenar muscle and whole body muscle mass was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). RESULTS: In both male and female master athletes, there were significant negative correlations between age and muscle mass (female: r = -0·510, P = 0·002; male: r = -0·714, P<0·001). Master athletes showed a weak correlation (r = -0·295, P = 0·010) between MUNIX and age. Master athletes exhibited significantly higher values than the control group with regard to both muscle mass (P = 0·002) and motor units (P = 0·004). Subanalysis showed that only power trained master athletes had both a larger muscle mass (P<0·001) and a higher MUNIX (P = 0·014) than the control group. Among the master athletes, power-trained athletes had a larger (P<0·001) muscle mass than endurance-trained athletes. CONCLUSIONS: The present data of master athletes are compatible with the hypothesis of an age-related decline in whole body muscle mass and motor units. Nevertheless, the data suggest that the master athletes' high level of physical activity may protect motoneurons. In addition, power training seems to have a positive effect on muscle mass and could therefore be an effective method of training to prevent sarcopenia

Diverse Applications of Nanomedicine

The design and use of materials in the nanoscale size range for addressing medical and health-related issues continues to receive increasing interest. Research in nanomedicine spans a multitude of areas, including drug delivery, vaccine development, antibacterial, diagnosis and imaging tools, wearable devices, implants, high-throughput screening platforms, etc. using biological, nonbiological, biomimetic, or hybrid materials. Many of these developments are starting to be translated into viable clinical products. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in nanomedicine and highlight the current challenges and upcoming opportunities for the field and translation to the clinic. \ua9 2017 American Chemical Society

Diverse Applications of Nanomedicine

© 2017 American Chemical Society.The design and use of materials in the nanoscale size range for addressing medical and health-related issues continues to receive increasing interest. Research in nanomedicine spans a multitude of areas, including drug delivery, vaccine development, antibacterial, diagnosis and imaging tools, wearable devices, implants, high-throughput screening platforms, etc. using biological, nonbiological, biomimetic, or hybrid materials. Many of these developments are starting to be translated into viable clinical products. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in nanomedicine and highlight the current challenges and upcoming opportunities for the field and translation to the clinic

Development of a Smartphone Based Point of Care Device for Multiplexed Infectious Disease Diagnosis

Infectious diseases are responsible for a significant portion of mortality and morbidity in the developing world, whose spread can be better controlled by using accurate diagnostic and epidemiological tools. Wireless multiplex point of care diagnostic devices can address the drawbacks of current gold standard diagnostic methods such as ELISA and PCR, while allowing for epidemiological data collection and use through geo-tagging and real-time disease tracking when coupled with cell-phones. Existing cell-phone based point of care diagnostic devices lack sensitivity, portability or adequate multiplexing capabilities. Quantum dot microbead barcoding, Recombinase Polymerase Amplification and fluorescent microscopy are three technological platforms that have been shown through the work of Chan et al. to be ideal for multiplexed point of care detection when integrated with a smartphone. When consolidated with automated fluid handling and electricity-free precise temperature control, it can serve as a proof of concept for a point of care device for multiplexed genomic disease detection. The objective of this thesis is to develop and verify automated fluid handling, barcode readout and electricity-free precise temperature control for an integrated point of care DNA diagnostic platform. Chapter two covers the development and iteration of an approach to automated fluid handling for the quantum dot barcode assay. Chapter three covers the development and iteration of point-of-care quantum dot barcode readout and integration with the automated fluid handling module. Chapter four demonstrates an approach to reducing power consumption of the integrated device while allowing for electricity-free, precise and localized temperature control without damage to surrounding reagents. The successful development and verification of the component modules required for a multiplexed diagnostic device represents a significant step towards the achievement of a consolidated universal point of care multiplex diagnostic device. Translation of this device through clinical validation and iterative design for manufacturing can allow for amelioration of the healthcare infrastructure in resource poor settings through better diagnostic workflows.Ph.D.2021-11-30 00:00:0

Functional properties of motor units in medial gastrocnemius muscles of rats: Remodelling in old age.

The decline in skeletal muscle function in old age is associated with decreases in whole muscle maximum isometric force (F\sb{\rm o}), specific F\sb{\rm o} (F\sb{\rm o} per unit area), and number of motor units. The purposes of this study were to test whether: (1) the deficit in whole muscle F\sb{\rm o} in old age can be explained by a loss in the number of motor units; (2) the innervation ratio of fast and slow motor units are altered in old age; and (3) a population of denervated fibers in muscles of old animals can explain the deficit in specific F\sb{\rm o}. In addition, the graded stimulation method applied clinically for estimation of the number of motor units was evaluated based on the ventral root dissection method. Unlike the graded stimulation method, the ventral root dissection method samples fast and slow motor units with equal probability, and therefore, provides the best estimate of the number of motor units. The properties of whole medial gastrocnemius muscles and motor units were studied in situ in adult (10-12 months) and old (24-26 months) F344 rats. The number of motor units in muscles of old rats was 20% smaller than the value for adult rats, but the mean F\sb{\rm o} of motor units was not different. Compared with adult rats, the innervation ratios of fast and slow motor units were smaller by 15% and greater by 300%, respectively. The remodelling of motor units is consistent with the hypothesis that some of the muscle fibers denervated by the loss of fast motoneurons are reinnervated by axonal sprouting of slow motoneurons. Denervated fibers in muscles of old rats explained only 5% of the 20% deficit in specific force. In the absence of a major change in the extracellular components such as water content, connective tissue and fiber architecture, the deficit in specific F\sb{\rm o} can only be explained by mechanisms that impair the ability of innervated single fibers to develop force. When compared with ventral root dissection method, the graded stimulation method, a less invasive procedure underestimated the number of motor units in muscles of adult and old rats by 28% and 36%, respectively. The degree of underestimation was not different in muscles of adult and old rats. Consequently, the graded stimulation method can still be used to predict the percentage decrease in the number of motor units that occurs in old age and likely with neurogenic diseases.Ph.D.BioengineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/103785/1/9409723.pdfDescription of 9409723.pdf : Restricted to UM users only