The role of alcohol extract of cranberry in improving serum indices of experimental metaproterenol-induced heart damage in rats.

Cranberry offers numerous cardiovascular benefits. According to several studies, this fruit promotes the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, enhances high-density lipoprotein, reduces platelet coagulation, and improves vascular activity. Albino male rats were divided into five groups (n = 5 per group). The control group received intraperitoneal administration of normal saline. The second group was injected with metaproterenol (MET) 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The third, fourth, and fifth groups were given cranberry extract in doses of 75, 100, and 150, respectively, along with heart-damaging drugs. Blood samples were collected and sent to the laboratory on the fourth weekend and 1 week after completing the injections in the fourth week (the sixth weekend) for analyzing serum factors such as cardiac creatine kinase MB, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The serum activity of the cardiac evaluation parameters in the fourth week demonstrated a highly significant correlation among the groups with respect to AST and cTnI (p < .001). Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between AST and cTnI within the target groups (p < .05). Ultimately, the findings indicated that the consumption of cranberry extract, due to its impact on heart function, could effectively modify serum indicators associated with heart damage. The utilized extract also exhibited efficacy, albeit with variable effects. Therefore, it is recommended to use cranberry extract synergistically with other chemical and herbal medications to achieve more sustained effects.

Molecular and sequencing study and identification of novel SeM-type in beta-hemolytic streptococci involving the upper respiratory tract in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Beta-hemolytic streptococci involving the upper respiratory tract cause strangles and strangles-like diseases in horses and cause severe economic damage to the equestrian club each year. Therefore, careful epidemiological study of these bacteria, evaluation of phylogenetic connections and SeM-typing can be useful to determine the source and epidemiological characteristics of the disease outbreak. Isolates were analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic methods and to determine antibiotic resistance pattern in Iranian isolates. Molecular and phylogenetic methods were used to evaluate Iranian streptococcal isolates, and the similarity of the Iranian SeM-97 sequence with other alleles was assessed using the Neighbor-joining method with the Kimura 2 Parameter statistical model. The amino acid sequence of this gene was compared with the predicted SeM-3 reference amino acid sequence (FM204883) using MEGA 7 software. RESULTS: One type of SeM was found among streptococcal isolates. This type (SeM-97) was reported for the first time and was a new SeM. The relationship between streptococcal isolates and age, sex, race, clinical signs and geographical area was investigated. A significant relationship was observed between streptococcal isolates with age variables and clinical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, a Streptococcus equi subsp. equi genotype was identified. The 97 allele of this gene has not been officially reported anywhere and is only registered in the Public databases for molecular typing and microbial genome diversity (PubMLST)-SeM database by Katy Webb. This was the first isolate reported and registered in the mentioned database. The isolate (Tabriz61) had the SeM-97 allele with clinical signs including mucopurulent discharge, abnormal sounds in lung hearing, warmth and enlargement or discharge and abscess of retropharyngeal lymph node and fever. This isolate was sensitive to penicillin, meropenem, ampicillin, cefotaxime, tetracycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin antibiotics and resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin antibiotics.

Analysis of Adsorbed Polyphosphate Changes on Milled Titanium Dioxide, Using Low-Field Relaxation NMR and Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

In this study, changes in the adsorbed amount and surface structure of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) were investigated for aluminum-doped TiO2 pigment undergoing milling. Relaxation NMR was utilized as a potential at-line technique to monitor the effect of milling on surface area and surface chemistry, while XPS was used primarily to consider the dispersant structure. Results showed that considerable amounts of weakly adsorbed SHMP could be removed with washing, and the level of dispersant removal increased with time, highlighting destructive effects of sustained high-energy milling. Nonetheless, there were no significant chemical changes to the dispersant, although increases to the bridging oxygen (BO) peak full width at half-maximum (FWHM) suggested some chemical degradation was occurring with excess milling. Relaxation NMR revealed a number of important features. Results with unmilled material indicated that dispersant adsorption could be tracked with pseudo-isotherms using the relative enhancement rate (Rsp), where the Rsp decreased with dispersant coverage, owing to partial blocking of the quadrupolar surface aluminum. Milled samples were also tracked, with very accurate calibrations of surface area possible from either T1 or T2 relaxation data for systems without dispersant. Behavior was considerably more complicated with SHMP, as there appeared to be an interplay between the dispersant surface coverage and relaxation enhancement from the surface aluminum. Nevertheless, findings highlight that relaxation NMR could be used as a real-time technique to monitor the extent of milling processes, so long as appropriate industrial calibrations can be achieved.

Evaluation of serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) in the affected Arabian foals with rhodococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals is essential for horse health and for veterinarians. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of assessing the serum concentration of acute-phase proteins (APPs) in the early diagnosis of pneumonia. METHODS: The study evaluated APPs in 19 Arabian foals with R. equi pneumonia and compared them with 18 normal Arabian foals in equestrian clubs in Tabriz, Iran. Affected foals were identified through history, clinical findings and bacterial culture of tracheal washing. Biochemical methods and polymerase chain reaction tests were performed by examining the 16S rRNA and vapA genes to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial isolates. Blood samples were taken from all sick and healthy horses, and their serum was isolated. APPs in the serum were measured in all the samples. RESULTS: Rhodococcosis increased the serum concentration of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) (p < 0.001). The relationship between SAA and Hp was meaningful in the infected group (r = 0.933) but not in the healthy group. In cases where there are clinical findings of R. equi pneumonia, the concentration of SAA and Hp can help the effectiveness of treatment. - CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentration analysis of APPs can be helpful in early diagnosis and successfully treating foals with R. equi pneumonia.

Smart and Multi-Functional Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment Applications: Clinical Challenges and Future Prospects.

Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONPs) have become a subject of interest in various biomedical fields due to their magnetism and biocompatibility. They can be utilized as heat mediators in magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) or as contrast media in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US). In addition, their high drug-loading capacity enabled them to be therapeutic agent transporters for malignancy treatment. Hence, smartening them allows for an intelligent controlled drug release (CDR) and targeted drug delivery (TDD). Smart magnetic nanoparticles (SMNPs) can overcome the impediments faced by classical chemo-treatment strategies, since they can be navigated and release drug via external or internal stimuli. Recently, they have been synchronized with other modalities, e.g., MRI, MHT, US, and for dual/multimodal theranostic applications in a single platform. Herein, we provide an overview of the attributes of MNPs for cancer theranostic application, fabrication procedures, surface coatings, targeting approaches, and recent advancement of SMNPs. Even though MNPs feature numerous privileges over chemotherapy agents, obstacles remain in clinical usage. This review in particular covers the clinical predicaments faced by SMNPs and future research scopes in the field of SMNPs for cancer theranostics.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery: Benefits for the Fetal Surgery Patient.

BACKGROUND: The fetoscopic approach to the prenatal closure of a neural tube defect (NTD) may offer similar advantages to the newborn compared to prenatal open closure of a NTD, with a reduction in maternal risks. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been applied to different surgical procedures with documented advantages. We modified the perioperative care of patients undergoing in utero repair of myelomeningocele with the goal of enhancing the recovery. A retrospective study comparing traditional management to the ERAS protocol was conducted. AIMS: Primary aim was to evaluate the length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included pain scores, time to oral intake, opioid-induced side effects, and respiratory complications. METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent a mid-gestation fetoscopic closure of a NTD were included. Data analyzed include demographics, comorbidities, LOS, anatomical location of the NTD, magnesium sulfate doses and duration of administration, oxygen requirements, duration of the postoperative epidural infusion, duration of surgery and anesthesia, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, respiratory complications, time to oral intake, pain scores, and sedation scores. Differences between the treatment groups were compared using the independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney Ʋ test. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 10 patients were managed according to the ERAS protocol and 20 patients according to the traditional management (1:2 ratio). The mean gestational age at the time of intervention for the traditional and ERAS groups was 24.9 ± 0.5 weeks and 24.8 ± 0.5 weeks, respectively. Compared to the traditional group, the LOS was reduced in the ERAS group to 112.5 ± 12.6 h (4.7 ± 0.5 days) from 179.7 ± 87.9 h (7.5 ± 3.7 days) (p = 0.012). The time to oral intake was also shorter 502.6 ± 473.4 min versus 1015.6 ± 698.2 min; p = 0.049. Oxygen requirements were prolonged in the traditional group (1843.7 ± 1262.6 min vs. 1051.7 ± 1078.1 min p = 0.052). The total duration of magnesium sulfate was longer for patients in the traditional group (2125.6 ± 727.1 min vs. 1429.5 ± 553.8 min; p = 0.006). No statistically significant difference in pain scores was observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing an ERAS protocol for fetoscopic in utero repair of NTDs approach is feasible with the advantages of decreased postoperative LOS, reduced oxygen requirements, lower duration of magnesium sulfate infusion, and facilitation of earlier oral intake without compromising the pain scores.

The crystal structure, morphology and mechanical properties of diaquabis(omeprazolate)magnesium dihydrate.

The crystal structure of diaquabis(omeprazolate)magnesium dihydrate (DABOMD) in the solid state has been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single crystals of DABOMD were obtained by slow crystallization in ethanol with water used as an antisolvent. The crystal structure shows a dihydrated salt comprising a magnesium cation coordinating two omeprazolate anions and two water molecules (W1) that are strongly bound to magnesium. In addition, two further water molecules (W2) are more weakly hydrogen-bonded to the pyridine nitrogen atom of each omeprazolate anion. The crystal structure was utilized to estimate key material properties for DABOMD, including crystal habit and mechanical properties, which are required for improved understanding and prediction of the behaviour of particles during pharmaceutical processing such as milling. The results from the material properties calculations indicate that DABOMD exhibits a hexagonal morphology and consists of a flat slip plane through the (100) face. It can be classed as a soft material based on elastic constant calculation and exhibits a two-dimensional hydrogen-bonding framework. Based on the crystal structure, habit and mechanical properties, it is anticipated that DABOMD will experience large disorder accompanied by plastic deformation during milling.

Analysis of the osteogenic and mechanical characteristics of iron (Fe2+/Fe3+)-doped ß­calcium pyrophosphate.

The calcium phosphate is the main mineral constituent of bone. Although there has been significant amount of research on finding ideal synthetic bone, no suitable scaffold material has yet been found. In this investigation, the iron doped brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O) has been investigated for osteogenic potential and mechanical properties. The synthesis of iron-oxide doping in the form of Fe2+,3+-ions were carried out using the solution based method in which the ammonium hydrogen phosphate and calcium nitrate solutions were used in stoichiometric ratio for synthesizing CaHPO4·2H2O, with doping concentrations of Fe2+,3+-ions between 5 mol% and 30 mol%. The synthesized powders were analysed using X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR, SEM and Raman spectroscopic techniques. The heat treatment of synthesized powder was carried out at 1000 °C in air for 5 h, and it was found that the dominant crystalline phase in samples with <20 mol% was ß-CPP, which also formed an iron-rich solid solution phase. Increasing the concentrations of Fe2+,3+-ions enhances the phase fraction of FePO4 and amorphous phase. Amongst the Fe2+,3+-doped ß-CPP minerals, it was found that the 10 mol% Fe2+,3+-doped ß-CPP offers the best combination of bio-mechanical and osteogenic properties as a scaffold for bone tissue regenerative engineering.

Process Monitoring of Moisture Content and Mass Transfer Rate in a Fluidised Bed with a Low Cost Inline MEMS NIR Sensor.

PURPOSE: The current trend for continuous drug product manufacturing requires new, affordable process analytical techniques (PAT) to ensure control of processing. This work evaluates whether property models based on spectral data from recent Fabry-Pérot Interferometer based NIR sensors can generate a high-resolution moisture signal suitable for process control. METHODS: Spectral data and offline moisture content were recorded for 14 fluid bed dryer batches of pharmaceutical granules. A PLS moisture model was constructed resulting in a high resolution moisture signal, used to demonstrate (i) endpoint determination and (ii) evaluation of mass transfer performance. RESULTS: The sensors appear robust with respect to vibration and ambient temperature changes, and the accuracy of water content predictions (±13 % ) is similar to those reported for high specification NIR sensors. Fusion of temperature and moisture content signal allowed monitoring of water transport rates in the fluidised bed and highlighted the importance water transport within the solid phase at low moisture levels. The NIR data was also successfully used with PCA-based MSPC models for endpoint detection. CONCLUSIONS: The spectral quality of the small form factor NIR sensor and its robustness is clearly sufficient for the construction and application of PLS models as well as PCA-based MSPC moisture models. The resulting high resolution moisture content signal was successfully used for endpoint detection and monitoring the mass transfer rate.

Monitored Anesthesia Care versus General Anesthesia for Intrauterine Fetal Interventions: Analysis of Conversions and Complications for 480 Cases.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal intervention/surgery constitutes a relatively new field of maternal-fetal medicine in which monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or general anesthesia (GA) are utilized as anesthetic techniques when feasible. In this study, we sought to calculate the usage of MAC and GA in various fetal procedures as well as investigate any anesthetic complications and conversions from MAC to GA. METHODS: All intrauterine fetal intervention cases performed at the Texas Children's Hospital Pavilion for Women from 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed and categorized by mode of anesthesia. Anesthetic complications, conversions to GA, preoperative patient physical status, average number of intraoperative medications required, and average duration of procedure were compared between the MAC and GA groups. RESULTS: A total of 480 fetal interventions were performed with 432 under MAC (90%) and 37 under GA (7.7%). There were 11 conversions from MAC to GA (2.3%). These conversions were due to poor visualization with ultrasound and change of surgical approach to laparoscopic-assisted technique (n = 5), inability to lay flat due to back pain (n = 3), persistent vomiting (n = 2), and unresponsiveness after a spinal block (n = 1). One anesthetic complication occurred due to a medication administration error and did not require conversion to GA. The average preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification was 1.97 for the MAC group and 1.87 for the GA group (p = 0.23). Duration of the interventions averaged 129 min under MAC and 138 min under GA (p = 0.23). An average of 7.8 different medications were administered during MAC cases compared to 13.1 during GA cases (p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: This analysis suggests that MAC is the most commonly used anesthetic option for fetal interventions with a low complication rate and minimal conversion rates to GA. It is therefore preferable to use MAC when feasible due to the low complication rate and decreased drug exposure.

Advances in nano-catalysts based biodiesel production from non-food feedstocks.

This paper aims to examine the influence of various catalysts on biodiesel production, especially from non-food feedstocks with an ambition to optimize the catalytic biodiesel production. Homogenous acid catalysts are mainly used in biodiesel production, but they cannot be recovered and demand costly fuel purification as being corrosive. Similarly, enzyme catalysts are expensive in industrial-scale production of biodiesel. However, heterogeneous catalysts simplify the easy separation of product and by-products from the catalyst along with catalyst reusability and reduction of waste. Solid acid and base catalysts offer more advantages due to their non-toxicity, high surface area, reusability, higher stability, and the simplicity of purification. Solid base catalysts yield better activity than solid acid catalysts, however, they cannot esterify large amounts of free fatty acids (FFAs) in non-food feedstocks. The solid acid catalysts have the added advantages of being more tolerant to high amounts of FFAs and being able to simultaneously esterify FFAs and transesterify triglycerides in cheap feedstocks like waste cooking oil. Recently, an array of inorganic, organic and polymeric solid acid and nanomaterial-based catalysts have been developed using cheap feedstocks. However, the issues of low reactivity, small pore sizes, low stabilities, long reaction times, and high reaction temperatures still need to be solved. The developments of producing efficient, cheap, durable, and stable solid acid and nanomaterial-based catalysts have been critically reviewed in this study. Furthermore, the challenges and future perspectives of production of biodiesel and its industry growth have also been discussed.

Evolution of surface micro-structure and moisture sorption characteristics of spray-dried detergent powders.

The role of water is critical to the solid state behaviour of complex formulated products such as spray-dried detergent powders. Understanding changes in water sorption behaviour due to interactions within the solid allows the influence of water sorption on the surface micro-structure to be better elucidated. This work investigates the effect of relative humidity (RH) on the micro-structural evolution and moisture sorption behaviour of model detergent powders containing the sodium salt of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (NaLAS) and sodium sulphate. Scanning electron microscopy showed significant changes to surface morphology when the powders were exposed to 75% RH. However, the addition of sodium silicate to the formulation made the powders more susceptible to humidity-induced morphological changes. Surface crystal growth was seen at 54% RH and dramatic changes in structure were seen at 75% RH due to the emergence of the hydrated phase of sodium sulphate, i.e. mirabilite, which was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction. These differences are thought to be due to the increased hygroscopicity and water mobility conferred by the silicate and observed via sorption isotherm measurements and FTIR analysis, which suggest a change in structure due to a moisture-induced glass transition. Considerable differences in moisture absorption were observed between samples produced from the slurries differing in water content, highlighting the importance of micro-structure on moisture sorption behaviour. The experimental sorption isotherms were fitted to three mathematical models: Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) and Oswin. In nil-silicate powders, all three models presented a good fit to the experimental data with R2 ∼ 99%. However, in silicate containing powders, the GAB and Oswin fits were unsuccessful; the influence of the phase transition on the isotherm not being captured by the models.

Characterisation of polyphosphate coated aluminium-doped titania nanoparticles during milling.

This paper investigates the characterisation of alumina-doped titania nanoparticles, milled under high-shear over time, in the presence of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) dispersant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that prolonged milling times led to the formation of 10 nm particle fines which were electrostatically attracted to larger particles, where no change in the crystal structure was observed. Primary particle sizes measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and TEM were in agreement and showed no change in primary particle size (∼250 nm) with respect to milling time, however, there was a clear reduction in the magnitude of the slow mode decay associated to aggregates. The TiO2 was found to have an isoelectric point (iep) in the range of pH 3-4.5, where an increase in milling time led to a lower pHiep, indicative of an increase in SHMP coverage, which was further supported by an intensification in phosphorus content measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Phosphorus content and zeta potential analysis before and after centrifugal washing showed that SHMP was partially removed or hydrolysed for the longer milled pigment samples, whereas no change was observed for shorter milled samples. Relaxation NMR was also performed, where enhanced relaxation rates at longer milling times were associated partially to increases in surface area and exposure of Al sites, as well as physicochemical changes to SHMP density and structure. It is thought that extended milling times may lead to hydrolysis or other structural changes of the dispersant from the high energy milling conditions, allowing easier removal after washing for longer milled pigments.

The effect of pretreatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizome on seizure severity and memory impairment in pentylenetetrazol-induced kindling model of seizure in rat.

The aim of present study is to investigate pretreatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizome on the severity of epilepsy and memory impairment in rat. In this experimental study, rats were randomly assigned to seven groups. Control group and negative control group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline and PTZ, respectively, for 10 days. The intervention groups received A. officinarum extract at different doses (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) 30 minutes before PTZ injection. A. officinarum extract treatment in rats with PTZ-induced kindling exerted significant increase in seizure latency and significant decrease in the frequency of total body seizure, frequent spinning, and jumping. Flumazenil significantly inhibited the antiepileptic effects of A. officinarum extract in the rat receiving the extract at 150 mg/kg. A. officinarum extract can inhibit PTZ-induced seizure and memory impairment, and therefore can be considered as a potent agent which warranted further research to clarify its effects.

An investigation on the capability of magnetically separable Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite for refinery oily wastewater purification.

Damage to the water resources and environment as a consequence of oil production and use of fossil fuels, has increased the need for applying various technologies and developing effective materials to remove contaminates from oily wastewaters resources. One of the challenges for an economic industrial wastewater treatment is separation and reusability of the developed purifying agents. Development of magnetic materials could potentially facilitate easier and more economic separation of purifying agents. Therefore, herein we have synthesised an efficient and easily recyclable Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite using a hydrothermal process to investigate its purification capability for wastewater from Kermanshah oil refinery. The synthesised Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite was characterised using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, XRF and BET analysis. XRD result showed that the synthesised Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite comprised sodium aluminium silicate hydrate phase [01-072-7919, Na8(Al6Si30O72)(H2O)9.04] and cubic iron oxide phase [04-013-9808, Fe3O4]. Response Surface Method (RSM) combined with Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to identify the optimum operation parameters of the pollutant removal process. The effect of pH, contact time and Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite amount on the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) were investigated. It was found that pH was the most significant factor influencing COD and BOD removal but the quantity of Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite was the most influential factor on the turbidity removal capacity. The optimum removal process conditions were identified to be pH of 7.81, contact time of 15.8 min and Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite amount of 0.52% w/w. The results show that the regenerated Fe3O4/mordenite zeolite can be reused for five consecutive cycles in purification of petroleum wastes.

Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma Combined with Chitosan Biodegradable Film on Full-Thickness Wound Healing in Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP) with chitosan biodegradable film on full thickness wound healing in rat. METHODS: This was an experimental study being performed in 2015 during a 4-month period. Twenty-four male white Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 12 rats each, randomly: Control group (SHAM) with creation of wounds and no treatment, PRP group with creation of wounds and application of one milliliter PRP, Chitosan group (CHIT) with dressing the wound with chitosan and CHIT/PRP group with application of one mL PRPand dressing the wound with chitosan. The wounds were created by cutting healthy skin.Wound size was measured on 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 post surgery and was compared between groups. RESULTS: Reduction in wound area, hydroxyproline contents and biomechanical parametersindicated there was significant difference (p=0.001) between group CHIT/PRP and other groups. Biomechanical testing was performed on day 9 post surgery in incisional model. Quantitative histological studies and mean rank of the qualitative studies demonstrated that there was significant difference (p<0.001) between group CHIT/PRP and other groups. CONCLUSION: PRP with chitosan have beneficial effects on wounds repair and could be suggested for treating various types of wounds in animals and human being.