Evaluation of innovative polyvinyl alcohol/ alginate/ green palladium nanoparticles composite scaffolds: Effect on differentiated human dental pulp stem cells into osteoblasts

Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds are attracting great concern for bone tissue engineering applications. However, selecting an appropriate material with optimal physical, chemical, and mechanical properties is considered a great challenge. The green synthesis approach is essential to avoid the production of harmful by-products through textured construction, sustainable, and eco-friendly procedures. This work aimed at the implementa tion of natural green synthesized metallic nanoparticles for the development of composite scaffolds for dental applications. In this study, innovative hybrid scaffolds of polyvinyl alcohol/alginate (PVA/Alg) composite loaded with various concentrations of green palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) have been synthesized. Various char acteristic analysis techniques were used to investigate the synthesized composite scaffold’s properties. The SEM analysis revealed impressive microstructure of the synthesized scaffolds dependent on the Pd NPs concentration. The results confirmed the positive effect of Pd NPs doping on the sample stability over time. The synthesized scaffolds were characterized by the oriented lamellar porous structure. The results confirmed the shape stability, without pores breakdown during the drying process. The XRD analysis confirmed that doping with Pd NPs does not affect the crystallinity degree of the PVA/Alg hybrid scaffolds. The mechanical properties results (up to 50 MPa) confirmed the remarkable effect of Pd NPs doping and its concentration on the developed scaffolds. The MTT assay results showed that the incorporation of Pd NPs into the nanocomposite scaffolds is necessary for increasing cell viability. According to the SEM results, the scaffolds with Pd NPs provided the differentiated grown osteoblast cells with enough mechanical support and stability and the cells had a regular form and were highly dense. In conclusion, the synthesized composite scaffolds expressed suitable biodegradable, osteo conductive properties, and the ability to construct 3D structures for bone regeneration, making them a potential option for treating critical deficiencies of bone

Low cost detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in HCV infected patients by SYBR Green I real-time PCR

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highest in Egypt compared to other countries. Nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) allows detection of HCV early during the course of infection. Unfortunately, NAT is more expensive than ELISA, thus its routine use as a screening tool for blood products or in clinical practice is quite limited. The aim of this study was to compare two common RT-PCR methods, TaqMan probe technique and SYBR Green method in quantitative detection of HCV RNA for diagnosis and follow up of HCV patients. Among the recruited 220 HCV patients, 154 (70%) were HCV-RNA positive by both the techniques, while 24 (10.9%) were negative by both techniques. On the other hand, 40 (18.2%) cases were HCV RNA positive only by SYBR Green technique, and 2 (0.9%) only by TaqMan probe technique. Forty (20.4%) of the 196 chronic HCV cases were HCV-RNA positive by SYBR Green but negative by TaqMan probe technique.Conclusion: This method is useful for rapid qualitative detection of HCV infection and particularly suitable for routine diagnostic applications.Keywords: HCV, PCR, SYBR Green 1, TaqMan probe, Viral loa

Does occupational exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation affect bone marrow thrombopoiesis?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The biological effects of high levels of radiation exposure are fairly well known, but the effects of low levels of radiation are more difficult to determine because the deterministic effects do not occur at these levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to assess the risk of this exposure on BM thrombopoiesis, we measured reticulated platelets (RP) by flow cytometry in 14 hospital workers (12 technicians and 2 nurses) exposed to low level ionizing radiation in Radiotherapy Department in South Egypt Cancer Institute.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There are significant difference in the percentage of RP in the peripheral circulation of the workers (<it>p </it>= .008) and no significant difference in the proportion of other blood elements in the peripheral circulation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We think that measuring RP by flow cytometry is a rapid, non-invasive method to asses an early affection of thrombopoiesis. This type of monitoring may be used as an indicator to detect early BM affection and to demand more controls in radiation protection.</p

The spectrum of MEFV gene mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation in Egyptian patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease mainly affecting subjects of the Mediterranean origin. It is an auto-inflammatory periodic disorder that is caused by mutations in the Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) located on chromosome 16.Methods: The current study was designed to assess the prevalence and frequency of different MEFV gene mutations among 104 FMF clinically diagnosed Egyptian patients and to evaluate the change extent in the values of some biochemical markers (ESR, CRP, Fibrinogen-C, SAA and IL1) in different participants with different FMF severity scores.Results: According to allele status 28 patients (27%) were homozygous mutation carriers, 38 (36.5%) were with compound heterozygous mutations and 38 (36.5%) were identified as heterozygous for one of the studied mutations. Of the studied mutations, M694I, E148Q, V726A, M680I, and M694V accounted for 28.1%, 26.8%, 16.9%, and 11.3% of mutations respectively. The R761H and P369S mutations were rarely encountered mutations (1.4%). The clinical features with M694I were associated with more severe clinical course. There is a drastic elevation in the levels of estimated parameters as their levels were increased as long as the severity of the disease increased.Conclusions: The diagnosis of FMF cannot be performed on the basis of genetic testing or clinical criteria alone. So, we recommended the combination between clinical and molecular profiling for FMF diagnosis and scoring

ENHANCED ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF STREPTOMYCES GRISEOPLANUS L-ASPARGINASE VIA ITS INCORPORATION IN AN OIL-BASED NANOCARRIER

Objective: L-asparaginase (L-asp) is a vital enzyme used as a therapeutic agent in combination with other drugs in the treatment of acute lymphoma, melanosarcoma and lymphocytic leukemia. Immobilization of enzymes through loading on nanoemulsion (NE) results in some advantages such as enhancing their stability and increasing their resistance to proteases. Aim of the present study is to formulate L-asp loaded nanoemulsion to enhance its efficiency and thermal stability. Methods: Nanoemulsion loaded with L-asp crude extract (specific activity 13.23U/mg protein) was prepared employing oleic acid as oil, tween 20/tween 80 as surfactants and propylene glycol (PG) as co-surfactant. L-asp loaded NE underwent several thermodynamic stability studies and the optimized formulae were further examined for their biochemical properties and thermal stability. Results The developed formulations were spherical in shape and their sizes were in the nanometric dimensions with negatively charged zeta potential values. Upon comparing the enzyme activity of L-asp loaded NE employing tween 20 (F1) or tween80 (F4) at different concentrations, the results revealed that F4 NE showed higher enzymatic activity [323 U/ml] compared to F1 NE [197 U/ml] at the same concentration. The nanosized immobilized L-asp was more stable in the pH range from 8 to 8.5 as compared to free L-asp. The immobilized enzyme preserved about 59.11% of its residual activity at 50 °C; while free L-asp preserved about 33.84%. Conclusion: In the view of these results, NE composed of oleic acid, tween 80 and PG represents a promising dosage form for enhancing the activity and stability of Streptomyces griseoplanus L-asp

Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Training Protocol For Pregnant Woman during 3rd Trimester on Labor Duration

Background: Pelvic floor muscles training during pregnancy can produce strong and well controlled muscles that will facilitate labor progress and outcomes. The aim of this quasi-experimental non equivalent control study was to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise training protocol for pregnant woman during 3rd trimester on labor duration. Sample: A total of 100 pregnant women in 3rd trimester were recruited for this study. Research design: A convenience sample was used &amp; divided into two groups (study &amp; control groups) 50 each; the study group who received pelvic floor muscle training exercise and control group who received standard routine care at El-Manial University Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Each group was assigned randomly to the line of management. Tools: Structured interviewing tool, pelvic floor muscles strength assessment, antenatal follow up checklist, partograph. Results: a statistically significantly difference between the study and control groups in relation to duration of 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage of labor. Conclusion: pelvic floor muscle training exercise can be useful to decrease duration of labor. Recommendation: Pelvic floor muscle training exercise should be an essential part of prenatal care. The nurse should be an educator and counselor for mothers during prenatal care. Keywords: pelvic floor muscle training exercise, 3rd trimester of pregnancy, labor duratio

HARNESSING THE ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY OF CERIUM AND YTTRIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TO ENHANCE MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL PROLIFERATION

Objective: This work was designed to explore if cerium oxide (CeO2) and yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles as antioxidant agents could potentiate the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human dental pulp (hDPSCs).Methods: Nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, particle size and zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Furthermore, MSCs were isolated from human dental pulp, propagated and characterized by flow cytometry. Thereafter, the proliferative impact of the suggested nanoparticles on hDPSCs was investigated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.Results: Different sizes (14.09–26.50 nm and 18.80–31.31 nm) for CeO2 and Y2O3 respectively, morphology, charges, and proliferative efficacy in hDPSCs were recorded for both nanoparticles.Conclusion: Generally speaking, the tested nanoparticles heightened the proliferative response of hDPSCs with the most prominent effect exerted by 15 μg/ml of CeO2 and 5 μg/ml of Y2O3. It is reasonable to assume that the antioxidant property of CeO2 and Y2O3 be involved in strengthening the proliferation process of hDPSCs

Sustainable release of propranolol hydrochloride laden with biconjugated-ufasomes chitosan hydrogel attenuates cisplatin-induced sciatic nerve damage in in vitro/in vivo evaluation

Peripheral nerve injuries significantly impact patients’ quality of life and poor functional recovery. Chitosan–ufasomes (CTS–UFAs) exhibit biomimetic features, making them a viable choice for developing novel transdermal delivery for neural repair. This study aimed to investigate the role of CTS–UFAs loaded with the propranolol HCl (PRO) as a model drug in enhancing sciatica in cisplatin-induced sciatic nerve damage in rats. Hence, PRO–UFAs were primed, embedding either span 20 or 60 together with oleic acid and cholesterol using a thin-film hydration process based on full factorial design (2(4)). The influence of formulation factors on UFAs’ physicochemical characteristics and the optimum formulation selection were investigated using Design-Expert(®) software. Based on the optimal UFA formulation, PRO–CTS–UFAs were constructed and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, stability studies, and ex vivo permeation. In vivo trials on rats with a sciatic nerve injury tested the efficacy of PRO–CTS–UFA and PRO–UFA transdermal hydrogels, PRO solution, compared to normal rats. Additionally, oxidative stress and specific apoptotic biomarkers were assessed, supported by a sciatic nerve histopathological study. PRO–UFAs and PRO–CTS–UFAs disclosed entrapment efficiency of 82.72 ± 2.33% and 85.32 ± 2.65%, a particle size of 317.22 ± 6.43 and 336.12 ± 4.9 nm, ζ potential of −62.06 ± 0.07 and 65.24 ± 0.10 mV, and accumulatively released 70.95 ± 8.14% and 64.03 ± 1.9% PRO within 6 h, respectively. Moreover, PRO–CTS–UFAs significantly restored sciatic nerve structure, inhibited the cisplatin-dependent increase in peripheral myelin 22 gene expression and MDA levels, and further re-established sciatic nerve GSH and CAT content. Furthermore, they elicited MBP re-expression, BCL-2 mild expression, and inhibited TNF-α expression. Briefly, our findings proposed that CTS–UFAs are promising to enhance PRO transdermal delivery to manage sciatic nerve damage

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) PLANTS TO POLYAMINES UNDER LEAD STRESS

Objective: The distribution, growth, development and productivity of wheat plants are greatly affected by various abiotic stresses such as lead (Pb) stress which become one of the most abundant toxic metal in the earth crust. Under the three applied polyamine (PAs) applications, the efficiency of wheat plants to tolerate Pb2+ stress in terms of growth and yield characteristics was noticed to varying degrees. Methods: The current study focused on the impact of 2.0 mM lead (Pb2+) on growth and performance of wheat plants before and after PAs applications. The sterilized seeds were soaked for 8 h at room temperature, either in distilled water (as a control), 0.25 mM spermine (Spm), 0.50 mM spermidine (Spd), or in 1.0 mM putrescine (Put). Results: Point out that, better growth and yield characteristics, chlorophyll “a” (Chl-a), chlorophyll “b” (Chl-b), soluble sugars, indoles, and enzymatic antioxidants (i.e., peroxidase (POX), catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, ascorbate oxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and glutathione reductase) and the enzyme α-amylase contents were obtained with seed soaking in 0.25 mM Spm, 0.50 mM Spd, or 1.0 mM Put than those generated with seed soaking in water under 2.0 mM Pb2+ stress. In contrast, the concentration of endogenous Pb2+ was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Among all tested PAs, 1.0 mM Put showed the best results and thus is recommended, as seed soaking, for wheat to grow well under Pb2+ stress