Nano-drug delivery is a promising tactic to enhance the activity and minimize the cytotoxicity of antimicrobial drugs. In the current study, chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) were used as a carrier for ...the delivery of gentamicin sulfate (GM) and ascorbic acid (AA). The particles were synthesized by ionotropic gelation method and characterized by FT-IR, Zeta potential, and transmission electron microscope imaging. The obtained particles were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity. The prepared particles (GM–AA–CSNPs) under the optimal condition of 4:1:1 of chitosan to drug ratio showed encapsulation efficiency and loading capacities of 89% and 22%, respectively. Regarding biological activities, GM–AA–CSNPs showed a lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) than free gentamicin sulfate and GMCSNPs mixture without presenting cytotoxicity against normal cells (HSF). Moreover, the GM–AA–CSNPs did not exhibit hemolytic activity. These results highlight that the GM–AA–CSNPs are confirmed as a hopeful formula for future investigations on the development of antimicrobial preparations.
In our pursuit of an alternative drug against Trichinella spiralis, we assessed the effectiveness of nanocurcumin in alleviating pathogenesis, parasitological factors, MMP-9 levels, and its ...expression in the enteral and parenteral phases of infection. The nanocurcumin particles, with a spherical shape and a size of 100 ± 20 nm, were used in the study. Eighty mice were divided into four groups: the control group, the untreated infected group, the nanocurcumin-treated group, and the albendazole-treated group. The nanocurcumin-treated group exhibited a statistically significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes, along with a reduction in neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils compared to the untreated, infected group. Both the nanocurcumin (87.2 and 97.3%) and the albendazole-treated groups (99.8 and 98.2%) showed a significant reduction in the mean number of intestinal worms and encysted larvae, respectively. The treated groups exhibited normal intestinal villi, suppression of the inflammatory process, and fewer instances of degenerated larvae in the diaphragm and muscle compared to the untreated, infected group. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA analyses revealed a significant downregulation of MMP-9 levels in the intestines and muscles of the treated groups. Our data demonstrate that nanocurcumin contains highly versatile molecules capable of modulating biological activity against inflammation and its pathway markers.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious complication of prematurity treatment and can lead to blindness unless recognized and treated early.
The objective was to estimate the prevalence of ROP ...in preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), to identify the risk factors which predispose to ROP, and to assess the outcome of these cases.
A ROP prospective screening survey was performed enrolling all prematures admitted to the NICU from January 2009 to December 2010, with a gestational age of 32 weeks or less at birth and a birth weight of 1500 g or less. Infants whose gestational age was >32 weeks or birth weight was >1500 g were included if they were exposed to oxygen therapy for more than 7 days. A total of 172 infants (84 males and 88 females) had retinal evaluation by indirect ophthalmoscopy from the fourth postnatal week and followed up periodically. Perinatal risk factors for ROP were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Infants who progressed to stage 3 ROP were given laser therapy.
Out of the studied 172 infants, 33 infants (19.2%) developed ROP in one or both eyes; 18 (54.5%) cases stage 1, 9 (27.3%) cases stage 2, and 6 (18.2%) cases stage 3. None of the studied neonates presented ROP at stages 4 or 5. The six cases diagnosed as ROP stage 3 underwent laser ablative therapy. Univariate analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the occurrence of ROP and gestational age (P = 0.000), sepsis (P = 0.004), oxygen therapy (P = 0.018), and frequency of blood transfusions (P = 0.030). However, an insignificant relationship was found between the occurrence of ROP and sex, mode of delivery, birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypotension, phototherapy, duration of oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and CPAP (all P > 0.05). Gestational age, sepsis, oxygen therapy, and frequency of blood transfusions remained significant variables after logistic regression analysis.
The prevalence of ROP in this study was 19.2%; low gestational age, sepsis, oxygen therapy, and frequent blood transfusions were significant risk factors for ROP. Laser was effective in treatment and decreasing the progression of ROP. As this is a unit-based study, a comprehensive countrywide survey on ROP in Egypt is recommended to determine any regional differences in disease prevalence.
Background
Phototherapy is the main therapeutic interference for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia used to escape an exchange transfusion and to decrease the risk of bilirubin-induced encephalopathy ...(kernikterus). Phototherapy has an oxidative effect on cell components and cell membranes by enhancing peroxidation of lipid and damage to DNA. Many genes function as apoptosis regulatory genes. Examples of these genes involve the BCL2 gene as an anti-apoptotic oncogene, and the BAX gene which is a promoter of apoptosis.
We aimed to evaluate the effect of phototherapy on expression of BAX and Bcl2 genes in hyperbilirubinemic full-term neonates.
Eighteen full-term neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinemia who received phototherapy for 24 h were enrolled as a study group and nine apparently healthy full-term neonates with a normal serum bilirubin level were included as a control group. Assessment of the anti-apoptotic effect(s) of BCL2 and the pro-apoptotic effect(s) of (Bax) genes was achieved by quantitative assay of their products (BCL2 and BAX proteins) by ELISA assay after phototherapy.
Results
Significant decrease in the bcl2 (
p
< 0.001) and increase in Bax protein (
p
< 0.001) serum levels after phototherapy in hyperbilirubinemic full-term neonates.
Conclusion
Hyperbilirubinemia has no apoptotic influence, while phototherapy induces apoptosis in the peripheral blood of hyperbilirubinemic full-term infants.
Drought waves are currently invading the world and affecting crop production. Such a problem requires continuous research to develop more tolerant plants without affecting productivity. In the ...present study, the impact of chitosan nanoparticles (CHNPs) on the expression of four drought-responsive genes, namely HsfA1a, SlAREB1, LeNCED1, and LePIP1 in Solanum lycopersicum, was investigated. For this purpose, chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and characterized for their physicochemical properties. Then, Solanum lycopersicum seedlings were cultivated in soil containing either 60 or 90 ppm of CHNPs.
The results showed a successful preparation of CHNPs with an average size of 92–404 nm and a zeta potential of +29.20 mV. The gene expression analysis showed a significant upregulation in the expression of all tested genes in both CHNPs concentrations compared with drought stress.
The study concluded that the CHNPs might be used to enhance the drought tolerance of tomatoes.
Gallium zinc oxide GaZnO (GZO) thin films are deposited on silica glass and quartz substrates using DC power and RF power on ZnO and GaO targets, respectively. Structural characteristics are ...investigated using X-ray diffraction XRD, optical parameters such as refractive index n, optical energy gap E
op
and dispersion parameters in addition to the electrical property are investigated for all considered films. The optical properties reveal that GZO films have high transmittance (70-98%) and a low absorption coefficient in the visible range of the spectra. The optical band gap was found to increase from 3.28 to 3.44 eV with increasing the RF power on GaO target. The dielectric constant of GZO was found to be larger than the dielectric loss and has high optical conductivity (≈10
15
S
−1
), The VELF and SELF values of GZO films are calculated and investigated.
Dementia is one of the most important public health problems as a result of the rapid increase in the number of elderly persons worldwide. Improvement of prevention strategies and caring for people ...with dementia should be undertaken. We performed a door-to-door study to screen all subjects aged 50 years and older (n=4,329 of 33,285 inhabitants) in Al-Quseir city. The screening was performed by 3 neuropsychiatrists, using a modified form of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Suspected cases were subjected to case ascertainment according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, diagnostic criteria for dementia; full clinical assessment; psychometric assessment using Cognitive Abilities Screening Instruments, Hachinski Ischaemic Score, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale; neuroimaging (computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging); and laboratory investigations for selected patients when indicated. The prevalence of dementia was 2.01% for participants aged 50 years or older and 3.83% for those aged 60 years or older. It increased steeply with increasing age to a maximum of 13.5% for those aged 80 years or older. Alzheimer's dementia (48.3%) was the most common subtype, followed by vascular dementia (36.8%), dementia resulting from general medical conditions (11.5%), and last, dementia resulting from multiple etiologies (3.4%).
Thalassemia is a major health problem that disturbs the lifestyle of the affected patient. The aim of this work is to detect the impact of thalassemia on the quality of life regarding physical, ...social, emotional, psychological scored assessment.
A case-control survey was conducted in Minia University children's hospital on 64 patients recruiting pediatric hematology outpatient clinic from July 2014 to February 2017. PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale (Arabic version) was used to assess HRQOL in 64 thalassemia patients between 8 and 18 years of ages. Other related clinical data of the involved patients were collected from the pediatric hematology records.
Mean physical, emotional, social, school performance, psychological and total scores (- 36.9 ± 20.9, 49.4 ± 17, 47.2 ± 21.3, 38.5 ± 15.5, 45.3 ± 13.8, 47.9 ± 38.8 respectively) were significantly decreased compared with control (p = 0.001 for all). The younger age group had better scores regarding social, emotional, psychological and total scores compared to older ones (p = 0.01, 0.03, 0.01 and 0.009 respectively). Older age of starting transfusion was statistically significant protecting factor from poor physical QOL in thalassemia patients (OR = 0.96, p = 0.03). The presence of hepatomegaly was a statistically significant predictor for poor physical QOL (OR = 8.5, p = 0.02). Household income was the statistically significant predictor for poor emotional QOL (OR = 5.03, p = 0.04). High serum ferritin was the statistically significant predictor for poor social QOL (OR = 1.1, CI 95%=, p = 0.04). Regarding poor psychological QOL (OR = 0.94, p = 0.01) and total QOL (OR = 0.94, p = 0.01) scores, older age of starting transfusion was the statistically significant protecting factor.
Scheduled programs giving psychosocial help and a network connecting between the patients, school officials, thalassemia caregivers and the physician is required especially in developing countries where the health services are not integrated with social organizations. Special school services for thalassemia patients are required to deal with the repeated absence and anemia induced low mental performance of thalassemia children.
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