Evaluation of the effects of decellularized extracellular matrix nanoparticles incorporation on the polyhydroxybutyrate/nano chitosan electrospun scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.

Recent research focuses on fabricating scaffolds imitating the extracellular matrix (ECM) in texture, composition, and functionality. Moreover, specific nano-bio-particles can enhance cell differentiation. Decellularized ECM nanoparticles possess all of the mentioned properties. In this research, cartilage ECM, extracted from the cow's femur condyle, was decellularized, and ECM nanoparticles were synthesized. Finally, nanocomposite electrospun fibers containing polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), chitosan (Cs) nanoparticles, and ECM nanoparticles were fabricated and characterized. TEM and DLS results revealed ECM nanoparticle sizes of 17.51 and 21.6 nm, respectively. Optimal performance was observed in the scaffold with 0.75 wt% ECM nanoparticles (PHB-Cs/0.75E). By adding 0.75 wt% ECM, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break increased by about 29 % and 21 %, respectively, while the water contact angle and crystallinity decreased by about 36° and 2 %, respectively. Uneven and rougher surfaces of the PHB-Cs/0.75E were determined by FESEM and AFM images, respectively. TEM images verified the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within the fibers. After 70 days of degradation in PBS, the PHB-Cs/0.75E and PHB-Cs scaffolds demonstrated insignificant weight loss differences. Eventually, enhanced viability, attachment, and proliferation of the human costal chondrocytes on the PHB-Cs/0.75E scaffold, concluded from MTT, SEM, and DAPI staining, confirmed its potential for cartilage tissue engineering.

Biodegradable PLGA implants containing doxorubicin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for treatment of breast tumor-bearing mice.

Drug-loaded implants have exhibited many advantages over intravenous or oral drug administration, especially for cancer treatment. Therefore, biodegradable implants have received lots of attention for controlled release and delivery of anti-cancer drugs. In the present study, doxorubicin-loaded chitosan (CS-DOX) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. Subsequently, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was used as a maintainer to form a biodegradable implant containing CS-DOX nanoparticles for subcutaneous implantation (PLGA/CS-DOX). The therapeutic efficacy of these implants was investigated in different groups of 4T1 breast tumor-bearing BALB/c mice including no-treatment, PLGA, PLGA/CS, PLGA/CS-DOX, and doxorubicin (5 mg/kg/day). The most therapeutic efficacy was observed at PLGA/CS-DOX implants which significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited breast tumors' growth and metastasis. The PLGA/CS-DOX implant was completely biodegradable and caused 71% and 62% decrease in the tumors' volume and lung metastatic nodules in comparison with no-treatment, respectively. In addition, 41 days increase in the tumor-bearing mice survival of the PLGA/CS-DOX group was observed in comparison with the no-treatment group. Therefore, the subcutaneous implantation of PLGA/CS-DOX can be an appropriate choice for replacement of multiple-doses injections of doxorubicin for breast cancer treatment.

Distribution of radioactive pollution of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in northwestern coasts of Persian Gulf, Iran.

A reconnaissance study has been made of the distribution of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs and geochemical features in soils and sediments samples at various locations in the northwestern coast of Persian Gulf. Activity concentration levels due to radionuclides were measured in 30 soil and sediment samples collected from this region. From the measured spectra, activity concentrations were determined for 40K (range from 146 to 500 Bq kg(-1)), 137Cs (from 5 to 20 Bq kg(-1)), 238U (from 21 to 65 Bq kg(-1)) and 232Th (from 15 to 45 Bq kg(-1)) with lowest limit detection (LLD) of 68, 3.2, 4.3 and 4.3 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The dose rate from ambient air at the soil ranges was between 19 and 58 nGy h(-1) with an average of 37.41+/-9.66 nGy h(-1).

Stability Improvement of Immobilized α-amylase using Nano Pore Zeolite.

BACKGROUND: Enzyme engineering by immobilization techniques has proven to be well compatible with the other chemical or biological approaches aiming to improve enzyme's functions and stability. Zeolites are porous alumino-silicates with a wide range of porosity and particle size along with the other remarkable properties such as high surface area, high stability against a wide range temperatures, pHs, as well as organic solvents. OBJECTIVES: Nano-zeolites are a class of advanced materials that have special properties that has made them ideal candidate for a wide range of applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a nano-zeolite which has been synthesized and characterized in our previous work, was used to immobilize α-amylase and activated with glutaraldehyde as a bi-functional agent to improve enzyme properties. RESULTS: Studies have shown an increased stability of the immobilized enzyme compared to the free enzyme against a range of temperature change and pHs as well. Also the stability of the immobilized enzyme was increased with respect to storage. The calculated binding efficiency shows that the immobilized α-amylase conserved 58.44 % of its native activity. CONCLUSIONS: Using nano pore zeolite for covalent attachment of the α-amylase resulted in an increased resistance of this enzyme against denaturation. The immobilized enzyme demonstrated higher stability compared to the free enzyme at higher temperatures and pH variations. Immobilization also caused an increase in the enzyme stability during storage.

Evaluation of antibacterial efficiency of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles on cariogenic streptococci: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The most prevalent and worldwide oral disease is dental caries that affects a significant proportion of the world population. There are some classical approaches for control, prevention and treatment of this pathologic condition; however, the results are still not completely successful. Therefore new methods are needed for better management of this important challenge. Chitosan is a natural and non-toxic polysaccharide with many biological applications, particularly as an antimicrobial agent. Chitosan nanoparticle is a bioactive and environment friendly material with unique physicochemical properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of chitosan and nano-chitosan on the most important cariogenic streptococci. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For evaluation of antimicrobial effect of chitosan and nano-chitosan against oral streptococci broth micro-dilution method was carried out for four bacterial species; Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus salivarius. Also the effect of these materials on adhesion of above bacteria was evaluated. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The MICs of chitosan for S. mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius and S. sobrinus were 1.25, 1.25, 0.625 and 0.625 mg/mL, respectively. The MIC of chitosan nanoparticle for S. mutans, S. salivarius and S. sobrinus was 0.625 mg/mL and for S. sanguis was 0.312 mg/mL. Chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 5 mg/mL also reduced biofilm formation of S. mutans up to 92.5% and 93.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study supported the use of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents against cariogenic Streptococci.

Cell Attachment and Proliferation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on PLGA/Chitosan Electrospun Nano-Biocomposite.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, nano-biocomposite composed of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and chitosan (CS) were electrospun through a single nozzle by dispersing the CS nano-powders in PLGA solution. The cellular behavior of human adipose derived stem cells (h-ADSCs) on random and aligned scaffolds was then evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the PLGA/CS scaffolds were prepared at the different ratios of 90/10, 80/20, and 70/30 (w/w) %. Morphology, cell adhesion and prolif- eration rate of h-ADSCs on the scaffolds were assessed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and trypan blue staining respectively. RESULTS: H-ADSCs seeded on the matrices indicated that the PLGA/CS composite matrix with aligned nanofibres and higher content of CS nano-powders gave significantly better performance than others in terms of cell adhesion and proliferation rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that CS enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation rate, and aligned nanofibers guided cell growth along the longitudinal axis of the nanofibers, which would provide a beneficial approach for tissue engineering.

Nanobiocomposite of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/chitosan electrospun scaffold can promote proliferation and transdifferentiation of Schwann-like cells from human adipose-derived stem cells.

The transdifferentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into Schwann-like cells on biocomposite scaffolds may be a critical issue in nerve regeneration medicine. In this study, tissue-engineered scaffold with chitosan (CS) nanopowders and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was investigated for its potential Schwann cells (SCs) transdifferentiation. The differentiation of human ADSCs into S-like cells was induced with different CS content and direction of nanofibers on PLGA/CS scaffolds. Cell morphology and proliferation of differentiated cells were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay respectively. For assessment efficiency of transdifferentiation, the expression of SC markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100), and myelinogenic marker (myelin basic protein) was investigated in different nanochitosan content and direction of nanofibers scaffolds, using immunocytochemistry technique. The nanochitosan can significantly promote cell proliferation of differentiated cells (p < 0.05). The mean percentage of S-like cells on greater CS content nanofibers scaffold was significantly higher than others (p < 0.05). In addition, the align orientation of nanofibers in scaffolds guided the differentiation of ADSCs toward myelinating S-like cells on the constructs. Overall, we found that high CS content and aligned-orientation of nanofibers in biocomposite scaffold (70/30A) can promote differentiation and myelinogenic capacity of S-like cells induced from human ADSCs.