Preparation and evaluation of the effect of Fe3O4@piroctone olamine magnetic nanoparticles on matrix metalloproteinase-2: A preliminary in vitro study

In the present study, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by the coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions and used as a nanocarrier for the production of piroctoneolamine- loaded Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PO NPs). The nanocrystalline structure of the prepared iron oxide species was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction spectroscopy method. Particle size distribution analysis showed that the size of Fe3O4@PO NPs was in the range of 5–55 nm. The magnetization curve of Fe3O4@PO NPs (with saturation magnetization of 28.2 emu/g) confirmed its ferromagnetic property. Loading of PO on the surface of Fe3O4 NPs qualitatively verified by Fourier transform infrared spectrum obtained from Fe3O4@PO NPs. Cytotoxicity studies on the human fibrosarcoma cell line (HT-1080) revealed higher inhibitory effect of Fe3O4@PO NPs (50% cell death [IC50] of 8.1 μg/mL) as compared with Fe3O4 NPs (IC50 of 117.1 μg/mL) and PO (IC50 of 71.2 μg/mL) alone. In the case of human normal fibroblast (Hs68), the viability percentage was found to be 75% in the presence of Fe3O4@PO NPs (120 μg/mL). Gelatin zymography showed 17.2% and 34.6% inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the presence of Fe3O4@PO and PO, respectively, at the same concentration of 40 μg/mL, whereas Fe3O4 NPs did not inhibit MMP-2 at any concentration. C� 2014 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. Volume 61, Number 6, Pages 676–682, 201

Impact of voluntary exercise and housing conditions on hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor, miR-124 and anxiety

Background: Lack of physical activity and increased levels of stress contribute to the development of multiple physical and mental disorders. An increasing number of studies relate voluntary exercise with greater resilience to psychological stress, a process that is highly regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on stress resilience are still poorly understood. Here we have studied the impact of long term exercise and housing conditions on: a) hippocampal expression of glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1), b) epigenetic regulation of Nr3c1 (DNA methylation at the Nr3c1-1F promoter and miR-124 expression), c) anxiety (elevated plus maze, EPM), and d) adrenal gland weight and adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor (Mc2r) expression. Results: Exercise increased Nr3c1 and Nr3c1-1F expression and decreased miR-124 levels in the hippocampus in single-housed mice, suggesting enhanced resilience to stress. The opposite was found for pair-housed animals. Bisulfite sequencing showed virtually no DNA methylation in the Nr3c1-1F promoter region. Single-housing increased the time spent on stretch attend postures. Exercise decreased the time spent at the open arms of the EPM, however, the mobility of the exercise groups was significantly lower. Exercise had opposite effects on the adrenal gland weight of single and pair-housed mice, while it had no effect on adrenal Mc2r expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that exercise exerts a positive impact on stress resilience in single-housed mice that could be mediated by decreasing miR-124 and increasing Nr3c1 expression in the hippocampus. However, pair-housing reverses these effects possibly due to stress from dominance disputes between pairs

Effect of Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride (APF) on the Mcroleakage of Composite Flow and Fssure Sealant Restorations

Background and Aims: A large number of investigations have revealed that physical and chemical alterations and weight loss could occur in composite materials exposed to acidic phosphate fluoride (APF) gel. The purpose of this study was to assess the microleakage of a fissure sealant and a flow composite exposed to acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 60 intact human extracted premolar teeth were used. After preparing the occlusal groove, the teeth were divided into two groups (n=30). Teeth were filled with either Helioseal fissure sealant (Vivadent, Germany) or Tetric flow composite (Vivadent, Germany). After that, each group was divided into two subgroups (n=15): 1.23% APF gel (Sultan, U.S.A) was applied in the case subgroups, while control subgroups were preserved in normal saline solution. All of teeth were covered with 2 layers of nail varnish except for the filling zone and 1mm around the border of filling. After submerging in 0.5% fushin solution, specimens were sectioned bucco-lingually. Then dye penetration through the filling and fissure sealant was assessed by means of a stereo-microscope. The depth of dye penetration was scored. The data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Levene test. Results: The mean values of dye penetration were 1.26±1.09, 1.4±1.05, 1.2±1.37, and 1.4±1.35 for fissure sealant+gel, composite+gel, composite+normal saline, and normal saline groups, respectively. No significant difference was found in inter-groups (P=0.96). Conclusion: Considering the result of the present research, APF gel had no significant effect on the microleakage of Tetric flow composite filling and Helioseal fissure sealant and thus, it can be applied for routine usage

To What Extent does Disability Discourage from Going on the Job Market? Evidence from Italy

Purpose: To investigate the extent to which disability discourages an individual from going on the job market, using data from an Italian survey. Design/Methodology/Approach: We use an extended definition of labour force participation based on being employed or currently seeking work even if the persons declare themselves as housewives, students, retired or in any other condition other- wise. We use probit, sequential and multinomial logit models for analysing labour force participation and outcomes. We distinguish between the impact of disability in its strict sense and chronic illness explaining the difference. Findings: In all variants we find that chronic illness is a stronger deterrent for labour force participation than disability. Women are more discouraged compared to men. Intellectual disability is the strongest barrier and hearing the least influential. In a sequential decision-making process, we find that disability affects both labour force participation decision and the ability to be employed but not so much the choice between part-time and full-time. Originality/value: We have a unique data set from a survey which was specifically targeted at people who were identified as disabled in a previous survey. The Italian context is also special due to its high legal employment quotas and non-compliance sanctions. Practical implications: Policies providing tailored solutions for improved access to education and health care for disabled persons will enhance their work opportunities. Research limitations: Data set is cross-sectional and characterised by attrition. It would be interesting to compare results with a longitudinal and more representative data set