Therapeutic effect of Aloe vera and silver nanoparticles on acid-induced oral ulcer in gamma-irradiated mice

Abstract Radiation combined injury, a life-threatening condition, has higher mortality than simple radiation injury. The aim of the present study was to analyze the efficiency of Aloe vera and silver nanoparticles in improving the healing of ulcerated oral mucosa after irradiation. Thirty male Albino mice were divided into five groups: control, radiation, Aloe vera (AV), silver nanoparticles (NS), and AV+NS. The mice were exposed to whole body 6Gy gamma-radiation. After one hour, 20% acetic acid was injected into the submucosal layer of the lower lip for ulcer induction. The animals received topical treatment with the assigned substances for 5 days. Lip specimens were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin and anti alpha-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical staining. Results demonstrated occurance of ulcer three days post irradiation in all groups except in the AV+NS group where only epithelial detachment was developed. After seven days, data revealed persistent ulcer in radiation group, and almost normal epithelium in the AV+NS group. A significant reduction of epithelial thickness was detected in all groups at the third day as compared to control. At the seventh day, only the AV+NS group restored the epithelial thickness. Area percent of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly decreased in radiation group at the third day followed by significant increase at the seventh day. However, all treatment groups showed significant increase in alpha-smooth muscle actin at the third day, which decreased to normal level at the seventh day. Our study demonstrated the efficiency of Aloe vera and silver nanoparticles in enhancing ulcer healing after irradiation

Will Nigella sativa oil protect parotid glands of rats against cranium gamma irradiation? Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation

Abstract Background Radiation plays an essential role in treating malignancies. Radiation exposure of salivary glands often results in permanent loss of their functions; therefore, their protection against radiation is crucial. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is a useful antioxidant against free radicals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the radio-protective effect of NSO on oxidative injury of parotid glands of gamma-irradiated rats. Methods: Twenty-eight male albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 7): Group 1: Neither NSO nor radiation, Group 2: Rats received NSO 400 mg/kg, Group 3: Rats received 15 Gy cranium gamma irradiation & Group 4: Rats received gamma irradiation and NSO. Rats were sacrificed two weeks after the last NSO dose. Histological sections of parotid glands were stained with H&E, Masson’s trichrome and anti-TGF-β antibodies. Area percentage of Masson’s trichrome and TGF-β expression was morphometrically examined. Results: Parotid glands of control and NSO groups revealed normal morphology. Gamma-irradiated glands showed loss of normal acinar architecture and slight acinar shrinkage. NSO treatment of gamma-irradiated glands preserved acinar outline and architecture. Masson’s trichrome stained samples revealed trace amounts of collagen fibers in control and NSO groups, and excessive amounts of collagen fibers in gamma-irradiated group, in addition to few collagen fibers for gamma-irradiated glands treated with NSO. Additionally, control and NSO groups showed negative TGF-β expression. Gamma-irradiated group showed high TGF-β expression, while NSO treated gamma-irradiated group showed moderate TGF-β expression. Conclusions: Gamma-irradiation adversely affected parotid glands, and in contrast, NSO seemed to positively counteract this adverse effect

Vitamin E ameliorates oral mucositis in gamma-irradiated rats (an in vivo study)

Abstract Background Radiation therapy is the primary treatment for neck and head cancer patients; however, it causes the development of oral mucositis accompanied by tissue structure destruction and functional alteration. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different doses of vitamin E as a treatment for radiationinduced oral mucositis in rat model. Methods 35 male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, untreated radiation mucositis (single dose of 20 Gy), treated radiation mucositis; radiation (single dose of 20 Gy) then vitamin E at doses of 300, 360 and 500 mg/Kg for seven days started 24 h after irradiation. Body weight and food intake were evaluated for each rat. The mucositis score was assessed every day. Rats were sacrificed once at the end of the experiment, and tongue specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, anti P53 and anti Ki67 antibodies. Results Results indicated more food intake and less weight reduction in vitamin E treated groups and the contrary for gamma-irradiated group. Additionally, vitamin E delayed the onset and decreased the severity and duration of mucositis. It also restored the histological structure of lingual tongue papillae. Vitamin E treated groups showed a significant higher Ki67 and lower P53 expression as compared to untreated radiation group. The overall improvement increased as vitamin E dose increased. Finally, the amelioration can be attributed to the decreased apoptosis and increased proliferation of cells. Conclusions Vitamin E especially at dose of 500 mg/Kg could be an effective treatment for radiation-induced oral mucositis

Additional file 1 of Vitamin E ameliorates oral mucositis in gamma-irradiated rats (an in vivo study)

Supplementary Material

Effect of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Nanoscaffold on Wound Healing in Irradiated Rats

Background: The effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and nanoscaffolds were evaluated in enhancing wound healing in irradiated albino rats. Methods: Sixty-four male rats were subjected to 6 grays (Gy) of gamma (γ)-rays. Surgical wounds were created on the rats’ backs and they were randomly assigned to one of four groups (16 each); these were an irradiated control group, which did not receive treatment, an NS group treated with a nanoscaffold, a BM-MSC group injected subcutaneously with 1 million BM-MSCs, and a combination BM-MSC+NS group treated with BM-MSCs and a nanoscaffold. Wound healing was measured clinically and histologically. Results: The greatest reduction of anteroposterior wound dimensions was recorded in the BM-MSC+NS group (-69.79 ±19.27), followed by the NS group (-61.12 ±17.32), then the BM-MSC group (-43.89 ±20.04), and the least decrease was observed in the control group (-16.69 ±12.18) (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, the greatest reduction of lateral wound dimensions was recorded in the NS group (-60.41 ±11.80), followed by the BM-MSC+NS group (-45.23 ±62.82), then the BM-MSC group (-41.07 ±24.78), with the control group demonstrating the least reduction (-16.49 ±20.90) (p = 0.008). Histologically, the combination group demonstrated the best healing results compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Nanoscaffolds and/or BM-MSC transplantation improved wound healing and regeneration in irradiated rats, providing possible therapeutic strategies for delayed wound healing during radiotherapy

Tailored Ni-MgO catalysts: unveiling temperature-driven synergy in CH₄-CO₂ reforming

This study examines nickel catalysts on two different supports—magnesium oxide (MgO) and modified MgO (with 10 wt.% MOx; M = Ti, Zr, Al)—for their effectiveness in the dry reforming of methane. The reactions were conducted at 700 °C in a tubular microreactor. The study compares the best-performing catalyst with a reference catalyst (5Ni/MgO) by conducting dry reforming of methane at different reaction temperatures. The catalysts are evaluated using surface area, porosity, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, thermogravimeter, and temperature-programmed techniques. The 5Ni/MgO + ZrO2 catalyst demonstrates inferior catalytic activity due to insufficient active sites. On the other hand, the 5Ni/MgO + TiO2 catalyst shows limited catalytic excellence due to excessive coke deposits, which are six times higher than other catalysts. The 5Ni/MgO and 5Ni/MgO + Al2O3 catalysts have the richest basic and acidic profiles, respectively. The 5Ni/MgO + Al2O3 catalyst is superior to other catalysts due to its stronger metal–support interaction on the expanded surface and the efficient diffusion of carbon on its less crystalline surface. At 700 °C, this catalyst achieves 73% CH4 conversion, and at 800 °C, it reaches 83% conversion. This study emphasizes the crucial role of the reaction temperature in reducing carbon deposition and enhancing the efficiency of the reforming process.<br/

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research