Role of neutrophil gelatinase -associated lipocalin-2 (NGAL) in poor wound healing in diabetes

Increased expression of MMP-9 is associated with poor wound healing in diabetes. NGAL binds to MMP-9 to prevent its degradation, whether NGAL coordinates with MMP-9 and its activity in diabetic wounds is not known and was examined in rodent excisional and implant wound models in this study. In this studies we have investigated neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin-2 (NGAL) and MMP-9, specifically focusing on the neutrophil. We used two wound models, an excisional and a implant model combined with treatment to improve blood glucose level (i.e insulin) and regulate MMP-9 (i.e doxycycline). Results show that diabetes altered neutrophil NGAL, MMP-9, and MMP-8. These changes were prevented by insulin treatment. Doxycycline treatment in particular low dose regulated some but not all of these effects. Diabetes alters circulating neutrophil NGAL in response to wounding. This may play a role in wound repair Together these results suggest that higher NGAL levels in diabetic wounds are related to higher wound fluid MMP-9 activity and that therapies targeting NGAL and MMP activities may have utility in diabetic wound healing

Fault-tolerant control strategies for a class of Euler-Lagrange nonlinear systems subject to simultaneous sensor and actuator faults

The problem of Fault Detection, Isolation, and Estimation (FDIE) as well as Fault-Tolerant Control (FTC) for a class of nonlinear systems modeled with Euler-Lagrange (EL) equations subjected to simultaneous sensor and actuator faults are considered in this study. To tackle this problem, first state and output linear transformations are introduced to decouple the effects of sensor and actuator faults. These transformations do not depend on the system nonlinearities. An analytical procedure based on two Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) feasibility conditions is proposed to obtain these transformations. Once, the effects of faults are decoupled, two Sliding Mode Observers (SMO) are designed to reconstruct each type of fault, separately. Subsequently, the results of fault estimations are fed back to the controller and the effects of faults are compensated for. In this study, the mathematical stability proof of the coupled controller, observers, and the nonlinear system is provided. Unlike previous methodologies in the literature, no limiting assumptions such as Lipschitz conditions are imposed on the system. Next, a novel fault tolerant control scheme is proposed in which a single SMO is used to reconstruct sensor faults and provide a compensation term to rectify the effects of faults. However, to deal with actuator faults, a Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) is employed. Using this robust FTC technique, zero tracking error in the presence of uncertainties, measurement noise, disturbances, and faults as well as estimation of the actuator faults are possible. The stability proof for the coupled nonlinear controller, observer and plant is provided by using the properties of Euler-Lagrange equations and sliding mode techniques. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed FDIE and FTC approaches, extensive sets of simulations are performed on a 3 Degrees Of Freedom (DOF) Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). Simulation studies show the promising results obtained as a result of the presented approaches as compared to those obtained by using the existing methodologies

Acrylamide-induced apoptotic effects on NIH/3T3 cells

Introduction: Acrylamide (ACR) is used in an extensive industrial applications and scientific studies. ACR can be produced through food processing at high temperatures via the Maillard reaction. ACR as a chemical and its metabolite glycidamide causes cell toxicity and damage to DNA and proteins in the body. This study was designed to investigate the ACR-induced apoptotic effects on NIH/3T3 fibroblasts in cell culture. Methods and Results: The NIH/3T3 cells were treated with ACR in different concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 mM). After 24 hours incubation, early and late apoptosis, necrosis, and viable cells were counted. Type of cell death (apoptosis, necrosis) induced by ACR is characterized by Annexin V-FITC and Propidium Iodide (PI). Moreover, caspase 9 and 3 were measured via colorimetric assay. Flow cytometric result showed, the percentage of live cells in 10 mM of ACR were significantly reduced compared to the control group that was accompanied by an increase in necrotic cell death. ACR compound caused an increased in Caspase 9 activity in a dose-dependent manner, the activities of caspase 3 also showed a significant increase compared to the control group only at concentration of 10 mM. Conclusions: Our findings showed that exposure to ACR could induce apoptosis at high concentrations in embryonic fibroblast cell. Moreover, it was shown that acrylamide induces necrotic cell death at the high concentration of 10 mM ACR

An 85-year-old Woman with Altered Mental Status and Hypotension

An 85-year-old female patient was brought to emergency department (ED) from a nursing home with altered mental status (GCS: 12/15) and hypotension (90/60 mmHg). Bilateral fine crackles in lungs and severe cachexia were obvious in her physical examination. The ECG showed only sinus tachycardia. Several attempts at peripheral vein cannulation failed due to poor visualization of severely atrophied and contracted subcutaneous veins. Therefore, on two attempts, a central venous catheter (CVC) was inserted into the right internal jugular vein (IJV) using the Seldinger technique. After securing and taping the central line, fluid infusion started with no difficulty and a portable chest x-ray was ordered

Occupational Exposure to Paving Asphalt Fumes, Impact on Liver and Kidney Function Test Parameters

Background: Asphalt is a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. It also contains different kinds of heavy metals. Hot mix asphalt emits hazardous volatile substances. Asphalt is used in many industries, causing serious adverse health effects for workers. Therefore, investigation of the health status of workers is of crucial importance. The present study aimed to assess the impact of asphalt vapor on hepatic and renal function tests parameters and the clinical parameters in road paving workers compared to healthy subjects.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 41 road asphalt paving workers and 120 healthy non-exposed subjects were selected. The serum enzymes of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, triglyceride, urea, and creatinine levels were assessed using diagnostic kits. A medical practitioner examined all subjects for any possible medical condition.Results: Liver and kidney function test parameters were significantly higher in road asphalt paving workers compared to their healthy counterparts (P<0.05 for all parameters). About 63% of workers exposed to asphalt fumes for more than 10 years showed cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic complications. Conclusion: Significant elevations in liver and kidney function test parameters suggest that exposure to asphalt fumes is associated with hepatic and renal dysfunction in asphalt-exposed workers

Quantifyng Rare Earth Element Content in High Concentrated Samples by ko-NAA

RÉSUMÉ: Les terres rares (REEs) sont représentés par les éléments de la série des lanthanides incluant le scandium et yttrium. Actuellement, une grande attention est donnée aux REEs à cause de leur application dans plusieurs domaines de pointe. Dans ce contexte il y a un besoin accru pour des techniques analytiques capables de caractériser une gamme large de concentrations, en commençant avec les minéraux de faible concentration, jusqu'à leur raffinage; donc ayant des hautes concentrations en REEs. Cet étude se propose d'évaluer la performance de la méthode d'analyse par activation neutronique k0 (k0-NAA) appliquée dans le Laboratoire d'analyse par activation neutronique de Polytechnique Montréal pour la détermination avec précision des REE dans des matrices minérales de haute concentration. Les principaux facteurs qui influencent la méthode ont été investigués, en incluant les données nucléaires, la température dans les sites d'irradiation, les interférences nucléaires et spectrales, l'atténuation mutuelle des rayons gamma ainsi que l'autoprotection contre les neutrons. Afin de réaliser cet objectif, des échantillons mono-élément préparé avec des solutions standard certifiées et des oxydes standard certifiés ont été irradiés, comptés et analysés. Finalement, les protocoles d'analyse ont été optimisés en termes d'irradiation, décroissance et comptage afin de réduire le temps total d'analyse. Les incertitudes introduites par les facteurs mentionnés plus haut ont été évaluées. La capacité globale de la méthode améliorée k0-NAA pour les REEs a été mise en œuvre avec un matériel standard certifié du Projet canadien pour la certification des matériaux de référence (REE-2) avec des concentrations de 7.2 mg kg-1 pour Yb jusqu'à 9610 mg kg-1 pour Ce. Les concentrations des REEs ont été mesurées avec des incertitudes plus faibles que 7% (à 95% intervalle de confiance) et ont été consistantes avec les concentrations spécifiées dans la certification du REE-2. ABSTRACT: The rare earth elements (REE) are comprised of lanthanide series, from lanthanum to lutetium plus scandium and yttrium. Due to the rising applications of REEs in different fields of technology a lot of attention has been drawn to the extraction of these elements. Therefore, a reliable and accurate characterization technique is required to determine variable levels of REEs starting from mineral matrices all the way to processed samples. The aim of this work is to evaluate the capability of k0-neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) implemented at Polytechnique Montreal for accurate determination of rare earth elements in high concentrated mineral matrices. Individual factors affecting the measurements including nuclear data used for the calculations, neutron temperature effects, nuclear interferences, spectral interferences, gamma-ray self-attenuation and neutron self-shielding were investigated. Mono rare earth element standard solutions and rare earth oxides were used to investigate these phenomena separately. Several improvements were applied to the current method. Analysis protocols were optimized in terms of irradiation, decay and counting times to obtain accurate results in shorter turnaround times, and uncertainty contributions from aforementioned factors were evaluated. To validate the overall capability of the improved k0-NAA method for REE, a certified reference material (CRM) from Canadian Certified Reference Materials Project (REE-2) with REE content ranging from 7.2 mg kg-1 for Yb to 9610 mg kg-1 for Ce was used. The REE concentration was determined with uncertainty below 7% (at 95% confidence level) and proved to be consistent with the CRM certified concentrations

Studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-based organic materials for optoelectronic applications

π-Conjugated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have found increasing applications in the fields of organic photonics and optoelectronics owing to their highly tunable photophysical properties, redox activity, and supramolecular self-assembling behavior. This PhD thesis mainly focuses on the studies of four classes of PAH-based organic materials, namely diphenyl dibenzofulvenes (DP-DBFs), pentacenetetraone-derived π-extended tetrathiafulvalene analogues (TTFAQ-AQ),donor/acceptor(D/A)-functionalized phenanthroimidazoles(PIs), and bis(diarylmethylene)dihydroanthracenes (Ar₄-DHAs). DP-DBFs have been known to show intriguing crystallization-induced emission enhancement(CIEE) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties; however, the molecular origins for them to exhibit such unique photophysical properties have not yet been clearly reported in the literature. In the first project of this thesis work, we designed and prepared a series of DP-DBFs with various substituents. With the aid of solution and solid-state fluorescence spectroscopic analysis, the AIE and CIEE properties of DP-DBFs we reinvestigated. Our studies confirmed that the twist angle around the C=C bond in the DP-DBF is a key factor to control its fluorescence behavior. In the second study, the structure-property relationship of TTFAQ-AQs were systematically examined. Analyses of their redox properties and electronic band gaps suggested that they could be promising organic semiconducting materials. Moreover, the synthesized TTFAQ-AQs featured double curved π-surfaces that contain both electron-deficient and electron-rich segments. In this way, they can serve as versatile supramolecular partners to interact with 3-dimensional π-conjugated host molecules such as fullerenes. A benzo-fused TTFAQ-AQ derivative was observed to form organized organic co-crystals with electron deficient C₇₀ fullerene through concave- convex shape complementarity and strong donor-acceptor interactions. The results point to promising application in redox-active organic electronic materials. The third project embarked on the design of novel PI-derived organic chromophores and fluorophores. PI derivatives containing electron-donating dithiafulvenyl (DTF) groups and electron-accepting aldehyde groups were synthesized and characterized in terms of their fluorescence and electrochemical properties. The DTF-functionalized PI derivatives were found to show fluorescence sensitivity to singlet oxygen through a chemiluminescent mechanism. Moreover, the chemical oxidative dimerization of DTF end groups led to the construction of a new type of TTFV-PI macrocycles, which showed interesting fluorescence turn-on/off behavior when they interacted with C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes at different ratios. These features make the synthesized PI materials interesting candidates in the fabrication of efficient fluorescence sensors for singlet oxygen and fullerenes. The last project focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and mechanistic analyses on the photocyclization of a series of Ar₄-DHAs. We have made three different derivatives functionalized with methoxy groups at various positions of the phenyl ring, a tethered Ar₄-DHA derivative as a rigid model compound, and their photocyclized products. Although the cyclodehydrogenation reaction of this class of PAHs through the Scholl reaction has been well studied, photocyclization reaction still lacks sufficient understanding and evidence to support detailed mechanisms. In our work, it has been observed that the photocyclization only happens on one side of Ar₄-DHA through a two-fold Mallory reaction. To better understand the mechanisms involved and the molecular reasons behind the two-fold Mallory reaction, we have utilized experimental and theoretical approaches including X-ray crystallographic analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analyses offered convincing explanation for the regioselectivity of the two-fold Mallory reaction on a Ar₄-DHA. In addition, the importance of the position of the methoxy substituent on the mechanism of photocyclization has been revealed; in particular, when the methoxy groups are at the ortho positions, cyclodemethoxylation occurred instead of cyclodehydrogenation. Collectively, the work in Chapter 5 offers in-depth understanding of the photochemical properties of Ar₄-DHAs as well as valuable guidance for future work on the synthesis of π-extended PAHs and nanographenes from readilly accessbile Ar₄-DHA precursors

Knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and ruarl households towards principles of nutrition in Iran: results of NUTRIKAP Survey.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and rural households toward principles of nutrition in Iran. Methods: The study population was Iranian households who live in rural and urban areas in all provinces of the country. The sampling method at households’ level in each province was single stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The incumbent data was collected by a structured questionnaire and through the interview with the eligible subject in each household. Results: A total of 14,136 Iranian households were selected as total sample size, 9,149 urban households, and 4,987 rural households. Around 57.2% of urban and 49.5% of rural households was aware of food groups. Respectively in urban and rural households, about 35.1% and 39.7% had correct knowledge toward roles of food groups. Approximately 41.5% and 39.9% of households had accurate knowledge about reason of food eating in urban and rural areas, respectively. The results showed that 79.6% of them had favorable attitudes. The most of the households consumed red meat and poultry weekly whereas fish was eaten rarely. Fruits, vegetables and dairy were consumed daily in the most of households. Sugar intake was daily in the most of households and cream and butter intake was weekly. Conclusion: The most of households had moderate knowledge and good attitudes. Practice of families about food consumption was good. The results of this study can be used for proper intervention for improving of health society

Regulation of cellular aging in rat embryonic fibroblast cells using gallic acid

Introduction: Aging is a process characterized by an irreversible growth arrest in somatic cells which caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) products, lipid peroxidation, and DNA and proteins damage. The specific objective of this study was to assess a well-known natural antioxidant compound, Gallic acid (GA) for its anti-aging potential, and evaluate the mechanisms involved in attenuating H2O2 induced cellular senescence in rat embryonic fibroblast (REF) cells. Methods and Results: To begin this process, REF cells were pre-incubated with GA for 24 hours, subsequently were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 2 hours. After the incubation time, cell viability, ROS level as well as senescence-associated (beta)-galactosidase (SA-β-GAL) activity, mitochondrial complex I, II and IV enzyme activities, and cell cycle distribution via flow cytometry were investigated. GA declined the cytotoxic effects of H2O2 in REF cells. Analysis of cell cycle showed in REF cells treated by GA the percentage of G0/G1 arrest was diminished compared to the H2O2 group. Additionally, GA potently decreased the levels of ROS as well as mitochondrial complex activities. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative investigation of SA-β-GAL activity demonstrated GA can also decrease cellular senescence. Conclusions: The findings of this study offer some important insights into the protective effect of GA on controlling cellular senescence and aging process. The results presented support to these hypotheses that GA diminish the oxidative stress of REF cells in cellular senescence. Moreover, incorporation of GA as a protective antioxidant agent works by attenuating the ROS, subsiding mitochondrial complex activities, and affecting cell division

The Effect of a Mixed Extract of Peppermint, Mentha, Evening Primrose, and Eucalyptus on Lowering Body Temperature in Rats

Background and Aim: Increased body temperature (fever) is a common clinical indicator of disease and can lead to altered metabolism and subsequently threaten life. studies have shown antimicrobial, analgesic/antipyretic effect for some Eucalyptus and Mentha species. Therefore, in the present study we assessed the effect of the combination of mint (Mentha), eucalyptus, evening primrose, and basil on lowering body temperature.Methods: This experimental study was performed on 30 rats in five groups. A hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from each plants using ethanol as solvent and concentrated with a rotary apparatus. Then the extracts were combined in equal proportions. To induce fever, the brewer's yeast fever induction method was used by intraperitoneal injection of a 20% aqueous suspension. The febrile rats were then divided into groups receiving different doses of the mixed extract (200, 500, 750 mg/kg); normal saline and paracetamol were used in control groups. Rectal temperature was measured with a digital thermometer before injection and 6, 8, 12, and 16 hours after extract injection. The analysis of variance with repeated measurements was used to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic plant extracts on fever changes.Results: The mean fever in the intervention groups with all effective doses decreased over the hours, and the mean fever with a dose of 750 mg decreased more than in the other groups (P-value < 0.05). We had the lowest fever at a dose of 750 mg and a time of 16 hours (P-value < 0.05).Conclusion: The results show that the combined extract can reduce body temperature in rats, and by increasing the effective dose, the recovery rate and temperature reduction are faster and more effective. *Corresponding Author: Roghayeh Gholizadeh Doran Mahalleh; Email:[email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4756-7122 Please cite this article as: Gholizadeh Doran Mahalleh R, Abdollahi Gonbaj A, Razavi M. The Effect of a mixed extract of Peppermint, Mentha, Evening Primrose, and Eucalyptus on Lowering Body Temperature in Rats. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2022;8:1-6 (e7). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v8.3654