Management of metabolic syndrome by nutraceuticals prepared from chitosan and ferulic acid with or without beta-sitosterol and their nanoforms.

Dyslipidemia, steatohepatitis and insulin resistance are among the components of metabolic syndrome (MS). Nutraceuticals containing chitosan, beta-sitosterol and/or ferulic acid and their nanostructures could have a potential role for management of MS. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of the aforementioned nutraceuticals in treatment of MS in rat and their interaction with atorvastatin, a hypolipidemic drug. The two nutraceuticals and their nanostructures were prepared and the nanostructures were assessed by transmission electron microscope and Fourier-Transform Infra-red Spectrometry. MS was induced in rats by feeding high fructose-high fat diet (HFFD). Different groups of rats fed HFFD and treated with the different nutraceuticals, atorvastatin and atorvastatin in combination with different nutraceuticals, control fed on balanced diet and control consumed HFFD without treatments were run. Plasma glucose, lipid profile, aminotransferases activity, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, urea, creatinine, insulin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and adiponectin were assessed along with calculation of insulin resistance. Liver fat and histopathology were investigated. All nutraceuticals in original and nanostructures showed beneficial effects in the treatment of MS, superiority was ascribed to nutraceuticals composed of chitosan and ferulic acid in both forms. A more promising treatment of MS belonged to atorvastatin administered with the different nutraceuticals.

Antibacterial activity and cell viability of hyaluronan fiber with silver nanoparticles.

Silver has been used since time immemorial in different chemical form to treat burns, wounds and several different infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, advancement of biological process of nanoparticles synthesis is evolving into a key area of nanotechnology. The current study deals with the green synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the biological activity and cell viability of hyaluronan fibers with incorporated silver nanoparticles (HA-Ag NPs). Hyaluronan fiber was prepared by the dissolving of sodium hyaluronate (HA) in aqueous alkaline solution to prepare a transparent solution, which was used for the preparation of fibers by a wet-spinning technique. Consequently, hyaluronan fiber was used as capping and stabilizing agent for the preparation of fibers with silver nanoparticles. HA-Ag NPs were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV/VIS spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermal analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. HA-Ag NPs showed high antibacterial activity of against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Cell viability tests indicated that hyaluronan, hyaluronan fibers and hyaluronan fibers with silver nanoparticles were non-toxic on the cell growth. Two different particles size of Ag NPs (10, 40 nm) had not any toxicity till the concentration limit. These tests were performed using mouse fibroblast cell line 3T3.

Antibacterial cotton fabrics treated with core-shell nanoparticles.

Multifinishing treatment of cotton fabrics was carried out using core-shell nanoparticles that consists of silver nanoparticles (Ag(0)) as core and chitosan-O-methoxy polyethylene glycol (CTS-O-MPEG) as shell. The synthesized (Ag(0)-CTS-O-MPEG) core-shell nanoparticle was applied to cotton fabrics using the conventional pad-dry-cure method. The finished fabrics were examined for their morphological features and surface characteristics by making use of scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), which reveals the well dispersion of (Ag(0)-CTS-O-MPEG) core-shell nanoparticles on cotton fabrics. Factors affecting the treatment such as core shell nanoparticles, citric acid (CA) concentration as well as curing temperature were studied. The treated fabrics, at optimum condition of 1% core shell nanoparticles, 5% citric acid, drying at 80°C, curing at 160°C for 2 min, showed excellent antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), even after 20 washing cycles in addition to an enhancement in crease recovery angles (CRA) along with a slight improvement in tensile strength (TS).

Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase on nonwoven polyester fabric coated with chitosan.

The immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on composite membrane has been investigated. This membrane was prepared by coating nonwoven polyester fabric with chitosan glutamate in the presence of glutraldehyde as a crosslinking agent. The physicochemical properties of soluble and immobilized HRP were evaluated. The soluble HRP lost 90% of its activity after 4 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C, whereas the immobilized enzyme retained 85% of its original activity at the same time. A reusability study of immobilized HRP showed that the enzyme retained 54% of its activity after 10 cycles of reuse. Soluble and immobilized HRP showed the same pH optima at pH 5.5. The immobilized enzyme had significant stability at different pH values, where it had maximum stability at pH 3.0 and 6.0. The kinetic properties indicated that the immobilized enzyme had more affinity toward substrates than soluble enzyme. The soluble and immobilized enzymes had temperature optima at 30 and 40 degrees C and were stable up to 40 and 50 degrees C, respectively. The stability of HRP against metal ion inactivation was improved after immobilization. Immobilized HRP exhibited high resistance to proteolysis by trypsin. The immobilized HRP was more resistant to inactivation induced by urea, Triton X-100, and organic solvents compared to its soluble counterpart. The immobilized HRP showed very high yield of immobilization and markedly high stabilization against several forms of denaturants that offer potential for several applications.

New approaches to virus removal: the way to produce virus-free drinking water.

Virus control in drinking water is considered one of the serious problems to be encountered in the near future. Trials to remove viruses from drinking water were directed to enhance water treatment processes, use of different disinfectants or use of a good virus adsorbent material. In the present study, four materials were prepared, dimethylaniinoethyl chitin, chitosan and cellulose and starch acrylate and examined for adsorption of hepatitis A virus from drinking water. Also, three types of eluates (3% beef extract-glycine, 3% beef Virus control in drinking water is considered one of the serious problems to be encountered in the near future. Trials to remove viruses from drinking water were directed to enhance water treatment processes, use of different disinfectants or use of a good virus adsorbent material. In the present study, four materials were prepared, dimethylaniinoethyl chitin, chitosan and cellulose and starch acrylate and examined for adsorption of hepatitis A virus from drinking water. Also, three types of eluates (3% beef extract-glycine, 3% beef extract and glycine) were used for virus recovery from adsorbed materials. The results obtained showed that dimethylaminoethyl chitosan was a good adsorbent (99.16%) and the three eluents were poorly desorb viruses.

Hepatitis-B virus and schistosomiasis infections in childhood proteinuria.

Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg), circulating anti-schistosomal IgG (CSAb) and circulating specific schistosomal immune complexes (CIC) were detected, using ELISA, in sera of 40 active nephrotic children, 40 active S. mansoni infected cases and 20 apparently normal age-matched controls. The presence of HBsAg cases was significantly higher among nephrotic cases (20%), active S. mansoni cases (17.5%) than controls. Moreover, HBsAg cases were significantly higher in positive CIC S. mansoni cases than negative CIC ones. The mean O.D. readings of CSAb was significantly higher in positive HBsAg nephrotic cases than negatives. At the same time, the anti-schistosomal antibodies were higher in S. mansoni cases with proteinuria than those without. Specific CIC level was significantly higher among nephrotic and schistosomiasis cases than controls. The CIC were significantly higher in schistosomiasis cases with positive HBsAg than those with negative HBsAg and were detected in 80% of cases with proteinuria compared to 37% of cases without proteinuria with a statistically significant difference. On the other hand, CIC level was not influenced, in nephrotic cases, by the presence or absence of HBsAg. It was concluded that the presence of proteinuria was considered as a good monitor of the kidney affection either with schistosomiasis or the nephrotic syndrome or the HBsAg. The detection of CIC can be used as a good monitor too and could be included in methods of early diagnosis and/or following the disease prognosis.

Sub ablation effects of the KTP laser on wound healing.

The KTP laser (wavelength 532 nm) was used in a sub ablative format to determine the effect of low energy density irradiation on the normal healing by primary intention of scalpel skin incisions in rats. Two longitudinal lased strips were created by a 1 cm diameter defocused beam on the shaved, cleaned dorsal epidermis of 32 Sprague-Dawley rates; one strip was produced with a 2.0 W beam (54 J, or 18 J/cm2 total dose), and the other with a 3.5 W beam (94.5 J or 31.5 J/cm2, total dose). Scalpel incisions were made longitudinally within the irradiated zones, using contra lateral scalpel incisions on unirradiated skin as controls. Tensiometric analysis of wound strength was performed at 3, 7, 14, and 23 days following surgery. The data from fresh tissue tensiometry indicate that KTP laser irradiation of skin incisions results in a lower tensile strength for the wound at 7 and 14 days. The decrease in tensile strength is proportional to the total energy density of the exposure. At day 3 and 23, the tensile strength of the wound was independent of the sub ablative laser exposure. The results are in general agreement with studies of the healing process of laser incisions and may help us to understand the details of the healing process from laser incisions.

Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy: an analytical study in Zagazig, Egypt.

The sera of 72 women with a history of abortion (sporadic or habitual abortion) or perinatal complications were examined for Toxoplasma antibodies using indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). It was found that 27.8% of them were positive for toxoplasmosis with geometric mean titre of 1/64. Also sera of 34 women with normal obstetric history as a control group were examined. 11.8% of them were positive for toxoplasmosis with geometric mean titre 1/16. The difference between the control group and complicated group was found to be statistically significant. The histopathological picture of placenta of positive cases showed characteristics of toxoplasmic placentosis with detection of the organism in fixed paraffin sections using HX and E, PAS or Giemsa stains.

Serological studies on toxoplasmosis in Zagazig slaughterhouse.

This study intended to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies among farm animals in Zagazig slaughterhouses using indirect haemagglutination test (I.H.A.T.) and to evaluate the occupational exposure to infected animals and meat among abattoir workers. 25% of the tested animals were seropositive 19.2% of the exposed persons showed positive reactions while in a control group it was 12% with statistically insignificant difference.