Soil Moisture Studies with Four Varieties of Bermudagrass

Agronom

Systems Thinking Applied to Higher Education Curricula Development

Systems Thinking (ST) is a general and yet nebulous term that describes an approach to understanding and working with complexity in the real world. ST seeks to evaluate different behaviors of individual system elements when they operate in isolation as opposed to when they are integrated as part of a larger system and placed within a particular operating environment. The education environment consists of multiple systems with different digital content, learning goals/outcomes that serve different stakeholders including teachers, learners, and administrators. The inherent complexity and interaction among these various educational system elements and functions make this environment a worthy candidate for consideration within the ST context. In this paper we examine the application of ST principles to higher education. Specifically, our study suggests that systems thinking methods and concepts can promote improved outcomes in curricula development with a positive impact on student learnin

The synthesis of methotrexate-loaded F127 microemulsions and their in vivo toxicity in a rat model

Methotrexate (MTX) has been often formulated as nano and micro-emulsions, nominally to address its poor solubility and off-target effects. Nanoformulated MTX is universally reported to be a more efficacious anti-cancer agent than direct-dissolved drug; however, these investigations generally fail to screen for in vivo toxicity. This study aims to remedy this oversight. MTX was formulated as a standard Pluronic oil-in-water microemulsion with good drug encapsulation efficiency (73.0% ± 8.4). Preliminary in vitro free radical scavenging studies found that formulation reduces drug oxidation four-fold. The toxic effects of formulated and unformulated MTX were investigated in a Wistar rat model. Rats received 0.05 mg/kg MTX as either the microemulsion or directly dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline. A drug-free microemulsion, PBS solution, and saline solution were used as controls. After 28 days, serum levels of enzymes indicative of kidney and liver damage were quantified. Significantly higher serum liver, and serum kidney enzymes were observed in the rats that received the directly dissolved MTX drug (P \u3c 0.05) compared to those who received the encapsulated form. Following sacrifice, the levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly lower and the level of malondialdehyde higher, in rats who received either form of MTX relative to untreated controls. However, the SOD levels were lower in those who received the microemulsion than those who received free MTX. Histology supported the observation that the microemulsion formulation caused no gross structural toxicity to the liver, unlike the free drug. Although toxicity was reduced compared to the free drug, the microemulsion still caused damage to the kidneys. This organ-specific toxicity is consistent with the mode of clearance of the drug. This data demonstrates that the toxicity of formulated drugs must be considered when discussing the relative merits of formulations: encapsulation almost always improves efficacy but may not improve safety

Computational, experimental details, and biological raw data accompanying the publication: “The synthesis and characterization of a nanomagnetite with potent antibacterial activity and low mammalian toxicity”

This data file includes experimental details on how to make uncoated iron oxide nanoparticles using a green electrochemical method. It provides the raw data on the antibacterial activity of one of these formulations, and the full computational data and methodology used to generate that data, of several different magnetite clusters of specific spin multiplicities for 4, 5, 7 and 9 iron atom magnetite clusters. This data will assist other researchers wishing to replicate or expand on these results for the investigation and use of nanomagnetite for antibacterial applications

The synthesis and characterization of a magnetite nanoparticle with potent antibacterial activity and low mammalian toxicity

Magnetite has shown some promise as a biomedical material and antibacterial agent; however the benefits are normally only realized when it is used in combination with other metals or drugs. Unfunctionalized magnetite may be a biocompatible alternative. This report discusses the synthesis and potent antibacterial activity, with low associated mammalian organ toxicity, of nanomagnetite particles. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were electrochemically prepared in a green surfactant-free, closed water loop system. These materials, characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and vibrational magnetometry, also appear contaminated with Fe-O-O-H functionalities. This physical characterization is accompanied by a computational investigation of truncated clusters showing that a magnetite-derived cluster of 7 iron atoms is a sufficient model to generate the vibrational frequencies experimentally observed in magnetite using DFT calculations. The nanoparticles, evaluated for antibiotic activity, were shown to have minimum inhibitory concentrations of 2.8 and 2.0 μg/mL against E. coli and S. aureus respectively. This is both a 100-fold lower concentration than the human cytotoxic dose determined by an MTT assay and is also comparable to the effective dose of traditional antibiotics. A dose-dependent decrease in catalase activity and an increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation suggests that these nanoparticles act through damaging the anti-oxidant systems in cells. However, renal and hepatic damage was only observed at daily doses (2 weeks) of 100 μg/mL and higher. This significant therapeutic window suggests that these materials might prove useful as potential complementary therapeutics in the future

Detection of Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus from bronchoalveolar lavage specimens of patients with HIV by Multiplex PCR Assay

Background: Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus are life threatening opportunistic pathogens under immunodeficiency conditions, particularly among patients infected with HIV. Rapid and accurate detection of these infections can improve immune health quality, patient management and appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to design a novel multiplex-PCR assay for rapid diagnosis of these three organisms directly from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens of patients infected with HIV.Methods: The genus specific primers were designed for directdetection of Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus in a single tube multiplex PCR. This PCR specifically amplified the target genes from pure cultures. It subsequently was applied on BAL specimens of 29 HIV positive patients that had previously been culture negative for actinomycete bacteria, of which Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus are members.Results: Of 29 respiratory clinical specimens, there were positive for Nocardia spp. and one was positive for Streptomyces spp using the multiplex PCR assay. The sequencing of the PCR products identified the species as Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (n=2), Nocardia farcinica and Streptomyces albus.Conclusion: This novel multiplex PCR assay yielded reliable results for accurate identification of Nocardia, Streptomyces and Rhodococcus from BAL while the results of bacterial culture were negative.

Seroepidemiology of Strongyloides stercoralis amongst immunocompromised patients in Southwest Iran

Strongyloidiasis is a life-threatening parasitic infection, especially in immunosuppressed patients, with death often occurring within several days. The disease has a worldwide distribution and is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate seroepidemiology of Strongyloides infection amongst immunocompromised patients in Southwest Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst a population of immunocompromised patients who were referred to health care or hospital referral centres in Ahvaz, Southwest Iran. Serum samples were tested by an enzyme immunoassay for anti-IgG Strongyloides antibody. Anti-Strongyloides stercoralis antibody was detected in 39 of 270 immunocommpromised cases, yielding a prevalence of 14.4%. No significant differences were indicated in terms of gender, age, or type of immunocompromised disorder with anti-Strongyloides stercoralis antibody levels. In conclusion, our results demonstrated high seroepidemiology of infection with this parasite in the region. Therefore, it appears immunocompromised patients should be tested for this infection using sensitive tests. However, current research underscores that strongyloidosis must not be neglected, and further assessments in high risk population are warranted

Antibacterial Effect of New Compounds Against Lactococcus garvieae

Background & Objective: Lactococcus garvieae is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens that threats the aquaculture industry. The recognition and use of new antibacterial compounds is one the best ways to control of this pathogen.In this study, inhibitory effects of Zn nanoparticles, thioethers derivatives, poly-L-lysine, nisin, glycine and hydroalcoholic extracts of Rosemary and Prosopisfarctaleaves were assessed against L. garvieae. Materials & methods: Antibacterial effect of all compounds were evaluated via the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The results were reported as inhibition zone diameter (IZD), the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. Results: Any significant inhibitory effect was observedon L. garvieae with poly-L-lysine, nisin, glycine and hydroalcoholic extracts of Rosemary. Antibacterial effectof twothioethers derivatives, Zn nanoparticles and hydroalcoholic extracts of Prosopis farcta leaves was observed with IZD = 9.48-18.35 mm, MIC = 32-4096 µg/ml and MBC = 64-2048 µg/ml.The best inhibitory effect was belonged tothioethers derivative 4e. Conclusion: Antibacterial effect of thioethers derivatives, Zn nanoparticles and hydroalcoholic extracts of Prosopis farcta leaves were proven on L. garvieae invitro. New ligands and complexes can be designed according tested thioethers especially derivative 4e in future researches to improve antimicrobial properties

Efficacy of combined albendazol and praziquntel and their loaded solid lipid nanoparticles components in chemoprophylaxis of experimental hydatidosis

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of combined ABZ and PZQ and their solid lipid nanoparticles in chemoprophylaxis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Methods: ABZ and PZQ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared by high shear homogenization and microemulsion congealing techniques with some minor modification. Nanoparticles average size, polydispersity index (PDI), and particle size distribution were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy. Forty females BALB/c were experimentally infected by protoscoleces (PSC) and randomly divided into four equal groups of 10 mice. After the end of the 3 months treatment period and 2 months rest, mice were sacrificed and the peritoneal cavity was opened for removal, counting, measuring, and histological analysis of hydatid cyst. Results: The results indicated that ABZ and PZQ chemoprophylaxis treatment reduced the wet weight and size of developed cysts 77.3% and 79%, respectively. The corresponding result for the ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs was 83% and 85%, respectively. Conclusions: This study for the first time demonstrated that ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs is superior to free ABZ and PZQ for the chemoprophylaxis of CE in mice