Enhancement of Biopolymer Film Properties Using Spermidine, Zinc Oxide, and Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles: A Study of Physical, Thermal, and Mechanical Characteristics.

One of the main limitations of biopolymers compared to petroleum-based polymers is their weak mechanical and physical properties. Recent improvements focused on surmounting these constraints by integrating nanoparticles into biopolymer films to improve their efficacy. This study aimed to improve the properties of gelatin-chitosan-based biopolymer layers using zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles combined with spermidine to enhance their mechanical, physical, and thermal properties.

Association of paraoxonase-1 (Q192R) gene polymorphism with coronary artery spasm during cardiac catheterisation in Egyptians.

Background: Coronary artery spasm is among the etiology of myocardial infarction. Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery spasm (CAS). Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an HDL-bound antioxidant enzyme that protects LDL from oxidative modification.

Effect of Microsphere Concentration on Catechin Release from Microneedle Arrays.

In this work, microspheres were developed by cross-linking glutaraldehyde in an aqueous gelatin solution with a surfactant and solvent. A poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution was produced and combined with catechin-loaded microspheres. Different microsphere concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) were applied to the PVA microneedles.

Enhancing Rheological and Textural Properties of Gelatin-Based Composite Gels through Incorporation of Sesame Seed Oleosome-Protein Fillers.

In this study, the protein and oleosomes of sesame seeds were extracted individually and used to prepare a gel composed of gelatin, protein, and oleosomes. Mixtures of gelatin and sesame seeds protein were prepared, and oleosomes with different percentages (0, 10, 20 and 30% of their weight) were used. Different amounts of oleosomes in the composite gel samples were examined for their morphological, rheological, and textural properties.

Graphene Oxide Nanostructures as Nanoplatforms for Delivering Natural Therapeutic Agents: Applications in Cancer Treatment, Bacterial Infections, and Bone Regeneration Medicine.

Graphene, fullerenes, diamond, carbon nanotubes, and carbon dots are just a few of the carbon-based nanomaterials that have gained enormous popularity in a variety of scientific disciplines and industrial uses. As a two-dimensional material in the creation of therapeutic delivery systems for many illnesses, nanosized graphene oxide (NGO) is now garnering a large amount of attention among these materials. In addition to other benefits, NGO functions as a drug nanocarrier with remarkable biocompatibility, high pharmaceutical loading capacity, controlled drug release capability, biological imaging efficiency, multifunctional nanoplatform properties, and the power to increase the therapeutic efficacy of loaded agents.

Ex Vivo Transdermal Delivery of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Using Polyvinyl Alcohol Microneedles.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which has recently been spotlighted as an anti-aging agent, is a precursor of the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide that plays an important role in intracellular redox reactions. NMN capsules for oral administration currently on the market have a problem in that they are almost fully metabolized in the stomach and liver and excreted as nicotinamide. Therefore, there is a need to develop a patient-friendly delivery method that can improve the bioavailability of NMN.

Synthesis and Characterization of 𝒌-Carrageenan/PVA Nanocomposite Hydrogels in Combination with MgZnO Nanoparticles to Evaluate the Catechin Release.

In the current study, nanocomposites were prepared by combining k-carrageenan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and doped nanoparticles (Magnesium oxide) MgO, (Magnesium Zinc oxide) MgZnO 1%, MgZnO 3%, and MgZnO 5%. The nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol-gel method and mixed with a mixture of k-carrageenan/PVA (Ca/PVA) in various ratios. The structure of the composites was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Liposome System for Encapsulation of Protein Hydrolysates: Controlled-Release in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions, Structural and Functional Properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, structural, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of chitosan-coated (0.5 and 1% CH) nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed protein of and its stability in simulated gastric and intestine fluids. The chitosan coating of nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed proteins increased their size and zeta potential.

Microneedles for transdermal drug delivery using clay-based composites.

Introduction: Clays provide a powerful drug delivery system due to their specific structure, which can interact with drugs and control their release. Transdermal delivery avoids the transformation of a drug in the liver by dispensing the drug through the skin, avoiding the gastrointestinal tract. Due to ion exchange and the multilayer structure of clay sheets, drugs are entrapped between the sheets, showing this material's high drug release capacity.

Green Facile Synthesis of Silver-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Effect on Drug Release.

Silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZANPs) were synthesized by the gelatin mediated and polymerized sol-gel method, and a calcination temperature of 700 °C was applied for 2 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), FESEM, TGA, DSC, and EDS were performed to study the structure of the prepared nano-powders. Both cubic silver and hexagonal ZnO diffraction peaks were detected in the XRD patterns.

Recent progress in polymeric non-invasive insulin delivery.

The design of carriers for insulin delivery has recently attracted major research attentions in the biomedical field. In general, the release of drug from polymers is driven via a variety of polymers. Several mechanisms such as matrix release, leaching of drug, swelling, and diffusion are usually adopted for the release of drug through polymers.

Recent advances in polymeric transdermal drug delivery systems.

Transdermal delivery has proven to be one of the most favorable methods among novel drug delivery systems. Since drugs administered by transdermal delivery systems avoid the gastrointestinal tract, and thus avoid conversion by the liver, the likelihood of liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal tract irritation as side effects is low. Drug delivery through the skin has other advantages, such as maintaining an effective rate of drug delivery over time, a steady rate of circulation, and the benefits of a passive delivery system and diffusion.

Development of curcumin-loaded gum nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, control release behavior, and evaluation of anticancer and antimicrobial properties.

The present work was conducted to develop a new polysaccharide-based encapsulation system via electrostatic interactions between  gum exudates (PAGE) and Ca ions to enhance the biological activity and bioavailability of curcumin. The effects of different levels of pH (6, 7, and 8) and ion concentrations (1, 3, and 5) on the particle diameter and surface charge of the samples were examined. The encapsulation efficiency in the PAGE-based nanoparticles was realized to be 86.

Green Synthesis of Mg ZnO Nanoparticles for the Fabrication of -Carrageenan/NaCMC Hydrogel in order to Deliver Catechin.

Currently, the role of the nanoparticles in the structure of the composites and their benefits for the health of the body is valuable. In this study, the effects of the doping on the structural and morphological properties of the hydrogels using a Mg co-doped ZnO hydrogel, which has been fabricated by the sol-gel process, have been investigated. Then, a hydrogel containing nanoparticle and a hydrogel without any nanoparticles was produced as a control.

From formulation of acrylamide-based hydrogels to their optimization for drug release using response surface methodology.

This study conducted on the structure of modified acrylamide-based hydrogel by synthesizing the nano composites. The hydrogels employed in this study were provided through a combination of acrylamide monomers, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles by crosslinking polymerization. N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and ammonium persulfate as the initiator was applied in the structure of the polymer.

Characterising the spectrum of autosomal recessive hereditary hearing loss in Iran.

Background: Countries with culturally accepted consanguinity provide a unique resource for the study of rare recessively inherited genetic diseases. Although hereditary hearing loss (HHL) is not uncommon, it is genetically heterogeneous, with over 85 genes causally implicated in non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL). This heterogeneity makes many gene-specific types of NSHL exceedingly rare.

Perspectives of phytoremediation using water hyacinth for removal of heavy metals, organic and inorganic pollutants in wastewater.

The development of eco-friendly and efficient technologies for treating wastewater is one of the attractive research area. Phytoremediation is considered to be a possible method for the removal of pollutants present in wastewater and recognized as a better green remediation technology. Nowadays the focus is to look for a sustainable approach in developing wastewater treatment capability.

A cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence and flock-level factors associated with ovine and caprine brucellosis in southeastern Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate seroprevalence and to identify flock-level factors associated with seropositivity to brucellosis in small ruminants in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. In October-November 2011, serum samples were randomly collected from 1767 sheep and 1233 goats, older than 18 months, from 300 flocks. The sera were initially screened for the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose-Bengal test; those found to be positive were then examined by Wright and 2-mercaptoethanol Brucella agglutination tests.

Investigation of genetic causes of intellectual disability in kerman province, South East of iran.

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) has a worldwide prevalence of 1-3% and results from extraordinary heterogeneous. To shed more light on the causes of ID in Kerman Province, in Southeast Iran, we set out in 2008 to perform systematic clinical studies and homozygosity mapping in large Iranian families with ID.

Methods: Fifty seven families with a minimum of two mentally retarded children from Kerman Province were initially tested for metabolic disorders, by Tandem mass spectrometry.

Magnesium-deficiency does not alter calcineurin inhibitors activity in mice.

Introduction: Tacrolimus (TAC) and cyclosporin (CsA) are commonly responsible for hypomagnesemia that predisposes in turn for hypertension, renal impairment and encephalopathy.

Objective: The effects of TAC on Mg(2+)-homeostasis and of pre-existing Mg(2+)-deficiency on TAC immunosuppressive activity were compared to CsA in mice.

Methods: Mg(2+) was quantified in plasma, erythrocytes, urine, feces, and femurs from mice treated with TAC 5mg/kg/day.

Electrocardiographic clues to identify nonresponders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: The aim of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is to restore myocardial electromechanical synchrony. Achieving this in patients with chronic severe heart failure due to poor left ventricular (LV) systolic function and cardiac dyssynchrony on optimal medical therapy, is associated with improved clinical performance and outcomes. Up to one-third of patients undergoing CRT do not benefit from implantation.

Urinary albumin excretion, HMW adiponectin, and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Background: Microalbuminuria portends an increased risk for renal and cardiovascular diseases in diabetes. In this pilot study, we determined the effect of weight loss induced by different types of bariatric surgery on albuminuria in severely obese type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects.

Methods: Fifteen consecutive T2DM patients (9M/6F, 51+/-14 years, body mass index (BMI) 49+/-9 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.

Effect of hypomagnesemia on allogeneic activation in mice.

Introduction: Magnesium (Mg) plays an essential role in a wide range of fundamental cellular reactions. It has been reported that in rodents Mg-deficient diet-induced hypomagnesemia results in an early inflammation. We have previously shown that chronic severe hypomagnesemia was associated neither with endothelial cell activation nor with an inflammatory process which are crucial in the allograft rejection process.

Impact of cyclosporine A on magnesium homeostasis: clinical observation in lung transplant recipients and experimental study in mice.

Background: Hypomagnesemia is a common finding in patients receiving cyclosporine A (CsA) therapy. The relationship between CsA-induced hypomagnesemia and nephrotoxicity and the effects of oral magnesium (Mg) supplementation remain unclear. After a retrospective analysis of the time-course of plasma Mg and creatinine levels in lung allograft recipients treated with both CsA and oral Mg supplementation, we investigated the effects of CsA treatment on Mg homeostasis in mice with normal or Mg-deficient diet and the effects of oral Mg supplementation on plasma Mg levels.