Effect of Multi-sensory Stimulation on Neuromuscular Development of Premature Infants

Background: preterm birth is considered as a risk factor for developmental disabilities, which can lead to long-term effects on the nervous system of children.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of multi-sensory stimulation on neurodevelopment of premature infants.Materials & Methods: In this two-group double-blind clinical trial conducted from June to August 2016 in Iran, 80 preterm infants were randomly divided into two groups. The Intervention group received multisensory stimulation for 12 min per session, 5 sessions per wk along with routine NICU care the control group received ward's routine care. Neuromuscular Maturity each infant was assessed by New Ballard Score.Results: The intervention group showed higher Neuromuscular Maturity compared to the control group. The Posture, Arm Recoil, Popliteal angle and Heel to ear were statistically significant between the groups.Conclusions: The results shows that Multi-sensory stimulation can have beneficial effects on the development of neuromuscular in premature infants.Keyword: Multisensory stimulation. Neurodevelopmen. premature infant

Influence of Salt and Surfactant on Copper Removal by Xanthan Gum-g-Itaconic Acid/Bentonite Hydrogel Composite from Water Using Fractional Factorial Design

<p>A novel xanthan gum-g-itaconic acid/bentonite (XG-g-PIA/BET) hydrogel composite was synthesized using free radical polymerization in the presence of ammonium persulfate as initiator and N,N’-methylenebis(acrylamide) as crosslinker. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of XG-g-PIA/BET composite before and after adsorption gave strong evidence of the successful adsorbance of copper ions with COOH groups. Influence of the presence of three typical salts (NaCl, CaCl₂, and FeCl₃) and three types of surfactants including anionic (Brij 35), cationic (N-Cetyl-N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium bromide), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate), and their two-term interactions on copper ions adsorption capacity were investigated using 32 experiments with fractional factorial experimental design. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the fitted model had a significant <i>p</i> value (<0.0001), and except FeCl₃, all other variables present in the aqueous solution increased the copper adsorption capacity. In addition, there was no significant two-term interaction between different variables.</p

Early stage evaluation of cancer stem cells using platinum nanoparticles/CD133 + enhanced nanobiocomposite

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are of great diagnostic importance due to their involvement in tumorigenesis, therapeutic resistance, metastasis and relapse. Method In this work, a sensitive electrochemical cytosensor was successfully established to detect HT-29 colorectal cancer stem cells based on a nanocomposite composed of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) using a simple and fast electrodeposition technique on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Results According to SEM images, the PtNPs nanoparticles formed on the MSNs substrate are about 100 nm. As expected, high-rate porosity, increased surface-to-volume ratio, provides appropriate local electron transfer rate and suitable platform for the efficient formation of PtNPs. These features allow direct and stable binding of biotinylated monoclonal antibody of CD133 to streptavidin (Strep) and the subsequent availability of active sites for CSCs identification. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) results show that close interaction of CD133 + cells with monoclonal antibodies reduces charge transfer and electrical current, as confirmed by square wave voltammogram (SWV). Based on the recorded current versus number of CSCs, we noted that our developed system can sense CSCs from 5 to 20 cells/5 μL. Conclusions As a proof of concept, the designed nanobiocomposite was able to specifically detect CD133 + cells compared to whole HT-29 cells before magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) process

Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence

Introduction. Withania somnifera (WS) also known as ashwagandha is a well-known medicinal plant used in traditional medicine in many countries for infertility treatment. The present study was aimed at systemically reviewing therapeutic effects of WS on the reproductive system. Methods. This systematic review study was designed in 2016. Required data were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, and manual search of articles, grey literature, reference checking, and expert contact. Results. WS was found to improve reproductive system function by many ways. WS extract decreased infertility among male subjects, due to the enhancement in semen quality which is proposed due to the enhanced enzymatic activity in seminal plasma and decreasing oxidative stress. Also, WS extract improved luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone balance leading to folliculogenesis and increased gonadal weight, although some animal studies had concluded that WS had reversible spermicidal and infertilizing effects in male subjects. Conclusion. WS was found to enhance spermatogenesis and sperm related indices in male and sexual behaviors in female. But, according to some available evidences for spermicidal features, further studies should focus on the extract preparation method and also dosage used in their study protocols

Additional file 2 of Decellularized bovine ovarian niche restored the function of cumulus and endothelial cells

Supplementary Figure 2. Cumulus cells (CCs) and HUVECs at passage three. CCs appeared as flattened structures with diverse morphologies while HUVECs exhibited cobblestone shapes

Additional file 1 of Decellularized bovine ovarian niche restored the function of cumulus and endothelial cells

Supplementary Figure 1. Mason’s Trichrome (A) and Periodic acid-Schiff (B) staining for the detection of type I collagen fibers and macromolecule carbohydrates after ovarian tissue decellularization (A)