Effect of opium on glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Wstęp: To eksperymentalne badanie przeprowadzono w celu określenia wpływu stosowania opium na profil lipidowy i metabolizm glukozy u szczurów z cukrzycą wywołaną podaniem streptozotocyny. Materiał i metody: Aby ocenić wpływ opium, 20 samców podzielono na dwie grupy: kontrolną (n = 10) i otrzymującą opium (n = 10). Po wywołaniu cukrzycy przez 35 dni codziennie mierzono stężenie glukozy we krwi zwierząt. Profil lipidowy i odsetek hemoglobiny A1c (HbA1c) określono na poczatku badania (przed wywołaniem cukrzycy) i w 35. dniu obserwacji. Wyniki: Poziom glikemii u szczurów, którym podawano opium i w grupie kontrolnej był podobny (544,8 ± 62,2 mg/dl v. 524,6 ± 50,0 mg/dl, P = 0,434). Ponadto, nie stwierdzono różnic między grupą leczoną i kontrolną w zakresie wartości HbA1c (6,5 ± 0,5% v. 6,6 ± 0,2%, P = 0,714). Również stężenia cholesterolu całkowitego, cholesterolu frakcji HDL, triglicerydów i lipoproteiny (a) były podobne w obu grupach. Wnioski: Stosowanie opium nie ma istotnego wpływu na metabolizm glukozy i profil lipidowy u szczurów z eksperymentalnie wywołaną cukrzycą.Background: This experimental study was performed to determine the impact of opium use on serum lipid profile and glucose metabolism in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Material and methods: To determine the effect of opium, 20 male rats were divided into control (n = 10) and opium-treated (n = 10) groups. After diabetes induction, the animals were investigated for daily glucose measurements for 35 days. Serum lipid profile and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were assayed at the baseline (before induction of diabetes) and at 35-day follow-up. Results: The glycaemia levels in the rats treated with opium were similar to the levels measured in the control rats (544.8 ± 62.2 mg/dl v. 524.6 ± 50.0 mg/dl, P = 0.434). In addition, there was no difference between the opium-treated rats and control rats in HbA1c (6.5 ± 0.5% v. 6.6 ± 0.2%, P = 0.714). Compared to the control rats, the serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride and lipoprotein (a) in the test animals were similar. Conclusion: Opium use has no significant effect on glucose metabolism and serum lipid profile in rats with induced diabetes

Self-powered cardiac pacemaker by piezoelectric polymer nanogenerator implant

Self-powered biomedical implants improve the life of patients and lower the risks associated with battery replacement. Piezoelectric energy harvesters that generate electricity from the cardiac motions are among the potential candidates to be used in self-powered implants, such as cardiac pacemakers. In this context, lead-based ceramic piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) were emerged, which are toxic and susceptible to fatigue crack, causing harm to the patients. Polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE)-based films were also developed as cardiac energy harvesters. Here, we show a battery-free heart pacemaker that is powered by the generated electricity of a biocompatible and flexible piezoelectric polymer-based nanogenerator (PNG) from the cardiac motions of the left ventricle. The PNG is comprised of composite nanofibers of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a hybrid nanofiller made of zinc oxide (ZnO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The composite nanofiber is optimized towards achieving a large power output. In vivo implanted optimized PNG can successfully harvest 0.487 μJ from every heartbeat, which is conveniently larger than the pacing threshold energy for the human heart. The successful demonstration of a self-powered pacemaker places the polymer-based PNGs among the viable candidates for self-powered biomedical implants.</p

Stratigraphy and reconstruction of the sedimentary environment of the Dalichai and Lar formations in the Yengejeh section (southeast of Zanjan)

Abstract Stratigraphic and sedimentology studies have been carried out on sixty-nine rock samples related to the one hundred fifteen meters thickness of the Dalichai and Lar formations in the southeast of Zanjan. The carbonate layers of the Dalichai Formation with seventy-eight meters thickness overlay the strata of the Shemshak Group/Formation (the boundary has been covered) and are overlaid by thirty-seven meters thickness of carbonate layers of the Lar Formation with gradual boundary in this area. There are some sedimentological changes in the succession across the Dalichai-Lar formations boundary such as color changes, bedding thickness changes from medium to thick, disappearance of Thalassinoides facies, chert nodules, and Ammonite/Belemnite facies and finally changes in microfacies from mudstone to the wackestone/packstone (deeper to the shallower). The Lar Formation is the youngest formation in this area that has been covered by the Quaternary sediments. Five lithofacies have been identified based on field and microscopic studies: 1- Pelloidal packstone with intraclasts, 2- Pellet/oncoid wackestone/packstone, 3- Mudstone with Thalassinoides, 4- Bositra buchi pelagic packstone and 5- Pelagic mudstone that shows basin and outer ramp as depositional environments for the Dalichai and Lar formations in this section. Field and facies studies show a deepening upward trend to the middle parts of the section (upper parts of the Dalichai Formation) and followed by shallowing upward trend to the upper parts (Lar Formation) of the section. Keywords: Stratigraphy, Sedimentary environment, Dalichai Formation, Lar Formation, Zanjan.     Introduction      Several studies have been carried out on the stratigraphy and sedimentary environment of the Dalichai and Lar formations in different parts of the Alborz sedimentary basin, which show that the Dalichai Formation is lithologically composed of marls, shales, and limestones, and the  Lar Formation include thick-bedded fossiliferous limestones. Microfacies studies on the Dalichai Formation show that this formation was deposited in a deep marine ramp environment. Separation of the boundary between Dalichai and Lar formations has been discussed by many geologists, so for this purpose, in addition to fieldwork studies and lithological boundary, geochemical data have also been used for this purpose in some studies. In this research, a suitable outcrop in the southeast of Zanjan was examined for the purpose of studying stratigraphy, separating the boundary between the Dalichai and Lar formations, and reconstructing the sedimentary environment of these formations.   Material & Methods     During the initial field studies, the best and most complete section was selected for stratigraphic study and sampling. During the field studies, features such as changes in lithology composition and the thickness of succession, fossil content, the color of the weathered surface of rocks and rock texture were considered. Sixty-nine samples were collected from the Dalichai and Lar formations. Thirty samples are related to Dalichai Formation and the rest are related to Lar Formation. Also, two samples were collected from the Shemshak Formation/Group. Thin sections were prepared from all the samples. The classification of Dunham (1962) was used in determining and naming the microfacies, and the environmental interpretation was based on Flügel and Munnecke (2010). The proposed sedimentary model for these deposits was presented based on the combination of field and microscopic data.   Discussion of Results & Conclusions     The lithology of the Dalichai Formation in the western Alborz is mainly limestones and argillaceous limestones (Adabi and Abarghani 2001), but towards the central and eastern Alborz, it is observed as shale and marl (Hashemi-Yazdi et al. 2020). The Dalichai Formation in the studied section consists of about 78 meters of blue and grey medium-bedded limestones with mudstone texture. A collection of ammonite and belemnite fossils are observed in the upper parts of the Dalichai Formation, which are mainly in the form of external molds and in most cases are filled with secondary silica. The identification of the boundary between the Dalichai and Lar formations is based on the presence of cherty sequences and thick-bedded limestone layers, which is clearly visible in the studied section. The stratigraphic and sedimentological studies on the Dalichai and Lar formations in the Yengje section led to the identification of five facies, which are as follows from shallow to the deep marine environment: pelloidal packstone with intraclast, pellet-oncoid wackestone-packstone, mudstone with Thalassinoides, Bositra buchi pelagic packstone and finally pelagic mudstone. The identified microfacies indicate the deposition of the Dalichai Formation in the studied area in an open marine environment belonging to the outer ramp and deep basin during the Middle Jurassic. The dominant presence of micrite and little amounts of cement in the carbonate facies also probably indicates a low-energy sedimentary environment during the deposition of carbonates of the Dalichai Formation in the studied area. The presence of semi-rounded intraclasts shown in situ intra-basin transport can be affected by the activities of the Middle Cimmerian orogenic phase in the region. This facies can indicate the beginning of a transgression, and then, the facies of the deep basin were deposited. Following that, as a result of the sea level fall, the facies change to wackestone to packstone with pellets and ancoid related to the outer ramp of the Lar Formation

Quercetin nanocrystals prepared by a novel technique improve dissolution rate and antifibrotic activity of quercetin - Supplementary materials

Aim: To develop quercetin nanocrystals by a simple approach and to evaluate their in vivo antifibrotic efficacy. Materials & methods: Nanosuspensions were fabricated by a thin-film hydration technique and ultrasonication. The influence of process variables on the average diameter of quercetin nanoparticles was investigated. Moreover, in vivo efficacy was investigated in an established murine CCl4-induced fibrosis model. Results: Nanocrystals showed a particle size of increase in dissolution rate and solubility. Quercetin nanocrystals markedly prevented fibrotic changes in the liver, as evidenced by mitigated histopathological changes and diminished aminotransferase levels and collagen accumulation. Conclusion: The findings reflect the promising potential of quercetin nanocrystals for liver fibrosis prevention.</p

Preclinical evaluation of the polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol electrospun nanofibers containing egg-yolk oil for acceleration of full thickness burns healing

Abstract Considering the great potential of egg yolk oil (EYO) in management of burn wounds and superb biological properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), hereby, a PCL-PEG-EYO scaffold was developed by electrospinning method for burn healing. The physico-chemical characterizations were performed using SEM, FTIR and contact angle tests. The biological properties of the fabricated scaffolds were evaluated by antibacterial test, in vitro cell culturing, MTT assay and in vivo experiments. The SEM images of PCL-PEG-EYO nanofibers demonstrated a uniform bead-free morphology with 191 ± 61 nm diameter. The fabricated scaffold revealed hydrophilicity with the water contact angel of 77°. No cytotoxicity was observed up to 7 days after cell culturing onto the PCL-PEG-EYO nanofibrous surface. The presence of EYO in the PCL-PEG-EYO scaffold meaningfully improved the cell viability, proliferation and attachment compared to PCL-PEG scaffold. Moreover, the PCL-PEG-EYO scaffolds demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria strain. Finally, a statistically significant enhancement in wound closure, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis and collagen synthesis was observed at the end of 21-day treatment period using PCL-PEG-EYO nanofibrous scaffold. Overall, the PCL-PEG-EYO nanofibrous scaffolds demonstrated a great potential in management of full thickness burn wounds in vivo

An Ovine Model of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Induced by Doxorubicin

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with a progressive deterioration in cardiac function and eventually death. Initial interest in this hypothesis was to create another large animal model for dilated cardiomyopathy in addition to pigs and dogs.Methods: After the induction of anesthesia to 10 female sheep, a carotid-jugular shunt was created in all the animals via a 1-cm fistula between the carotid artery and jugular vein. Six sheep out of the total of 10, were given intravenous Doxorubicin. Echocardiographic studies were performed before surgery and 3 months after that. The 4 animals not injected with Doxorubicin were evaluated for echocardiographic parameters after one year. Results: There was no abnormality in echo parameters in the 4 sheep that had not received Doxorubicin; in addition, their valves and cardiac output were normal. As regards the six sheep injected with Doxorubicin, 4 received a dose of 2 mg/kg weekly and expired after the second injection due to the toxicity of the drug, 1 was given Doxorubicin 1 mg/kg and died after one week, and 1 had Doxorubicin 0.5 mg/kg but showed no abnormality in terms of dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: We conclude that the sheep is sensitive to Doxorubicin and that the dosage that is enough for creating dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs is very toxic for the sheep