Safely dissolvable and healable active packaging films based on alginate and pectin

Extensive usage of long-lasting petroleum based plastics for short-lived application such as packaging has raised concerns regarding their role in environmental pollution. In this research, we have developed active, healable, and safely dissolvable alginate-pectin based biocomposites that have potential applications in food packaging. The morphological study revealed the rough surface of these biocomposite films. Tensile properties indicated that the fabricated samples have mechanical properties in the range of commercially available packaging films while possessing excellent healing effciency. Biocomposite films exhibited higher hydrophobicity properties compared to neat alginate films. Thermal analysis indicated that crosslinked biocomposite samples possess higher thermal stability in temperatures below 120 °C, while antibacterial analysis against E. coli and S. aureus revealed the antibacterial properties of the prepared samples against different bacteria. The fabricated biodegradable multi-functional biocomposite films possess various imperative properties, making them ideal for utilization as packaging material

Prevention of methylprednisolone acetate-induced osteoporosis with calcium administration in rat model

Glucocorticoid steroids are widely used as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications and are well known to induce osteoporosis. In Present study 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=6): Group A (control), Group B (sham)that was treated only by normal saline for 1 month.Group C that was treated by methylprednisolone acetate alone (0.2 mg/kg) for 1 month. Group D that was treated by methylprednisolone acetate (0.2 mg/kg) and oral calcium supplementation (15 mg/kg) for 1 month. Changes in concentration of bone metabolic markers such as osteocalcine, acid phosphatase and calcium were evaluated before and after treatment. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae was also measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The results showed that concentration mean of serum acid phosphatase was increased significantly (P � 0.05) in C and D groups in compared to A and B groups. The concentration mean of serum osteocalcine in group C was decreased significantly (P � 0.05) in comparison to A and B groups but increased significantly in the group D in comparison to group C. The concentration mean of serum calcium was decreased significantly (P � 0.05) in C and D groups in compared to A and B groups. The bone mineral density (g/cm2) was decreased significantly (P � 0.05) in group C in compared to A and B groups. This increased significantly in group D in compared to group C. These results are compatible with the view that low doses of methylprednisolone acetate decreases bone formation and increase bone resorption in the lumbar vertebrae of rats. Calcium administration decreased effects of methylprednisolone. © 2009 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Morphology and synaptic organization of non-dopaminergic nigral projections to the medio dorsal thalamic nucleus of the rat, a study by anterograde transport of PHA-L

Background: Mediodorsal (MD) thalamic nucleus, which is considered to take place between extra pyramidal and limbic feedback circuit, receives projective fibers from ventrolateral neurons of reticular part of substantia nigra (SNr). In order to better understand the influence and chemical reaction of these fibers upon MD nucleus, the morphology and synaptology of them were examined in the present study. Methods: Phaseolous vulgaris-leucoagglutin (PHA-L) was injected into substantia nigra pars reticulate. After 3-4 days, the sections of SNr injection site and MD nucleus were prepared. Then, we examined organization, morphology and, synaptology of PHA-L labeled SNr fibers that go to caudal and lateral part of MD thalamic nucleus. Results: At the electron microscopic level, the SNr terminals made synapses predominantly with the medium to small dendrites and far less frequently with soma and large dendrites. These terminals were packed with polymorphic synaptic vesicles and formed symmetrical synapses; furthermore, it has been already recognized that cortico straital fibers from sensory-motor cortex go to region of the SNr that give rise to the nigrothalamic fibers. Conclusion: This data suggest that upon the synaptic organization, morphology and chemical nature of GABAergic, SNr fibers may have different inhibitory influence on MD neurons regulating the thalamic output from MD to cerebral cortex in the control of limbic and extra pyramidal feedback system

Neuropathological changes in the PDAPP transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a uniquely human disorder. Although the pathogenesis of AD is not fully understood, growing evidence indicates that the deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and the local reactions of various cell types to this protein play major roles in the development of the disease. In the present study transgenic mice expressing mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been used. These mice exhibit selective neuronal death in the brain regions that are most affected in AD, suggesting that amyloid plaque formation is directly involved in AD neurons loss. Brains from 12 transgenic animals and 12 age-matched non transgenic littermate controls (1 and 2 years old) were examined histopathologically. One year old transgenic animals (n=6) exhibit deposits of human Aβ in the hippocampus, corpus callosum and cerebral cortex. By 2 years of age, a great number of diffuse and mature plaques were present in the cortex and hippocampus, and subcortical regions like thalamus and striatum. Another major finding was reduction of cholinergic cells in the medial septum, striatum and diagonal band of Broca. The present data are consistent with the hypothesis that the neuropathology begins in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus before spreading in a retrograde fashion to subcortical regions

Effects of different doses of hyaloronan on human sperm motility, vitality and morphology

Important aspect of sperm function such as motility and capacitation appear to be mediated at least partially though hyaloronic acid (HA). Present study investigated effects of different doses of HA on sperm motility and vitality in human. Sperm was obtained from 20 male from IVF clinic in Imam Khomeini Hospital. Sperm motility and vitality in human semen was analyzed according to WHO criteria before and 4 hours after treatment with different doses of HA (0.750, 1000 and 1250 μg/ml). The results showed that in 1000 μg/ml the percent of stage 3 and 4 increased compare to control group. Percent of stage 1 and 2 decreased in group with 1000 μg/ml HA, there was an increase in the percentage of stage 3 and 4 and decrease in percentage of stage 1 and 2 compare to control. In the group treated with 1250 μg/ml stage 1 and 2 increased while stage 3 and 4 decreased. Vitality in all groups decreased except of the group treated with 1000 μg/ml HA. The group with 1250 μg/ml showed significantly decrease in vitality compare to fresh group (P < 0.05). The present study showed that the effects of HA on sperm motility and vitality is dose dependant and 1000 μg/ml HA had the effective role on sperm parameters. © 2009 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Melatonin pretreated blastocysts along with calcitonin administration improved implantation by upregulation of heparin binding-epidermal growth factor expression in murine endometrium

Objective: Implantation failure is an obstacle in assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Calcitonin is a molecules involved in uterine receptivity and embryo implantation. Melatonin can promote embryo quality and improve implantation. This study examines the effect of pretreatment of blastocysts with melatonin and calcitonin on heparin binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) expression in murine endometrium. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we collected 2-cell embryos from the oviducts of 1.5 day pregnant NMRI mice. Embryos were cultured to the blastocyst in GTM medium with or without 10-9 M melatonin. Pregnant and pseudo-pregnant mice received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of 2 IU calcitonin. After 24 hours, we transferred the cultured blastocysts into the uteri of pseudo-pregnant mice. Two days later, implantation sites were counted and we assessed the levels of HB-EGF mRNA and protein in the uteri of naturally pregnant and pseudo-pregnant mice by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Melatonin pretreatment of blastocysts along with calcitonin administration significantly increased HB-EGF mRNA and protein (P<0.001) in the endometrium of pseudo-pregnant mice. Administration of calcitonin in naturally pregnant mice significantly increased HB-EGF mRNA and protein levels (P<0.001). Compared with the control group (2.6 ± 0.5), the average number of implantation sites in the melatonin group (4.6 ± 0.5, P<0.05) and calcitonin group (7 ± 1, P<0.001) significantly increased. There was a significant increase in implantation sites in the combined melatonin and calcitonin group (8.6 ± 0.5, P<0.001). Calcitonin significantly enhanced calcitonin receptor mRNA (P<0.001) and protein (P<0.05) in the uteri of naturally pregnant and pseudo-pregnant mice. Conclusion: Melatonin pretreated blastocysts along with calcitonin increased HB-EGF expression in the uteri of pseudopregnant mice. Calcitonin administration upregulated HB-EGF in uteri of naturally pregnant mice

Naturally Occurring Halloysite Nanotubes as Light Scatterers for Stable Random Lasing Applications

Naturally occurring halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have attracted significant scientific interest due to their multifunctional behavior and biocompatibility. However, the application of HNTs in photonics is still unexplored. Here, natural HNTs with different lengths and diameters have been employed as passive scatterers for the generation of random laser (RL) emission from rhodamine B (RhB) in a colloidal phase. Upon pumping at 532 nm, mixed HNT-RhB disordered colloidal systems are shown to yield orange RL emission with a linewidth as small as &amp; SIM;4 nm. Moreover, a statistical analysis of shot-to-shot correlations among RL modes reveals an obvious photonic paramagnetic to spin-glass transition with increasing pump energy, which is a unique statistical fingerprint of RL. Interestingly, besides acting as scatterers, the HNTs are also found to improve the photostability of RhB molecules. Indeed, HNTs help to better dissipate the excess energy deposited in the gain medium, thus protecting the dye from photodegradation and facilitating the achievement of RL. The results contribute to the theoretical understanding and technical development of low-cost RL devices based on widely available sources in view of multiple prospective applications in photonics

Melatonin pretreated blastocysts along with calcitonin administration improved implantation by upregulation of heparin binding-epidermal growth factor expression in murine endometrium

Objective: Implantation failure is an obstacle in assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Calcitonin is a molecules involved in uterine receptivity and embryo implantation. Melatonin can promote embryo quality and improve implantation. This study examines the effect of pretreatment of blastocysts with melatonin and calcitonin on heparin binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) expression in murine endometrium. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we collected 2-cell embryos from the oviducts of 1.5 day pregnant NMRI mice. Embryos were cultured to the blastocyst in GTM medium with or without 10-9 M melatonin. Pregnant and pseudo-pregnant mice received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of 2 IU calcitonin. After 24 hours, we transferred the cultured blastocysts into the uteri of pseudo-pregnant mice. Two days later, implantation sites were counted and we assessed the levels of HB-EGF mRNA and protein in the uteri of naturally pregnant and pseudo-pregnant mice by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test. P&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Melatonin pretreatment of blastocysts along with calcitonin administration significantly increased HB-EGF mRNA and protein (P&lt;0.001) in the endometrium of pseudo-pregnant mice. Administration of calcitonin in naturally pregnant mice significantly increased HB-EGF mRNA and protein levels (P&lt;0.001). Compared with the control group (2.6 ± 0.5), the average number of implantation sites in the melatonin group (4.6 ± 0.5, P&lt;0.05) and calcitonin group (7 ± 1, P&lt;0.001) significantly increased. There was a significant increase in implantation sites in the combined melatonin and calcitonin group (8.6 ± 0.5, P&lt;0.001). Calcitonin significantly enhanced calcitonin receptor mRNA (P&lt;0.001) and protein (P&lt;0.05) in the uteri of naturally pregnant and pseudo-pregnant mice. Conclusion: Melatonin pretreated blastocysts along with calcitonin increased HB-EGF expression in the uteri of pseudopregnant mice. Calcitonin administration upregulated HB-EGF in uteri of naturally pregnant mice

Halloysite from the Eucla Basin, South Australia - comparison of physical properties for potential new uses

The tubular form of halloysite, a kaolin group mineral, is a natural nanotube that has attracted research interest in development of new products as fibre reinforcement in polymers and as micro-containers for controlled delivery of active agents. The principal source of commercial halloysite is from Northland, New Zealand, with large resources also available at the Dragon Mine, Utah, USA. These formed by hydrothermal activity. Physical characteristics of these halloysites are compared with those of halloysites from a potential new source in the Eucla Basin, South Australia, formed by the action of acid groundwater on finegrained sediments. Nitrogen adsorption and transmission electron microscopy show that the hydrothermal halloysites have a low specific surface area and are thicker and more varied in pore dimensions than the more regular, thinner tubes associated with the acid groundwater deposit. Tailoring the choice of clay to meet specific requirements should assist in optimising the performance of new products.John L. Keeling, Pooria Pasbakhsh and G. Jock Churchma