Conductive 3D nano-biohybrid systems based on densified carbon nanotube forests and living cells.

Conductive biohybrid cell-material systems have applications in bioelectronics and biorobotics. To date, conductive scaffolds are limited to those with low electrical conductivity or 2D sheets. Here, 3D biohybrid conductive systems are developed using fibroblasts or cardiomyocytes integrated with carbon nanotube (CNT) forests that are densified due to interactions with a gelatin coating. CNT forest scaffolds with a height range of 120-240 µm and an average electrical conductivity of 0.6 S/cm are developed and shown to be cytocompatible as evidenced from greater than 89% viability measured by live-dead assay on both cells on day 1. The cells spread on top and along the height of the CNT forest scaffolds. Finally, the scaffolds have no adverse effects on the expression of genes related to cardiomyocyte maturation and functionality, or fibroblast migration, adhesion, and spreading. The results show that the scaffold could be used in applications ranging from organ-on-a-chip systems to muscle actuators.

The effect of diet counseling and physical activity on the components of metabolic syndrome in children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a collection of metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of dietary and physical activities counseling on components of metabolic syndrome in school-age children with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial on children aged 6-12 years (n = 60) that was conducted with metabolic syndrome. The participants were divided into three groups, the intervention group (including dietary counseling, physical activity counseling, and diet and physical activity counseling group) and a control group. The data collection method in this study was based on interviews with parents and completing a physical activity and nutrition questionnaire appropriate to the group, measuring blood pressure, blood sugar, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and anthropometric indicators including height, waist, and weight. The intervention was carried out for 4 months. Data analysis was performed using SPSS21. Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the means of abdominal obesity, hypertension, fasting blood sugar, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides in the three experimental groups (diet, physical activity, diet, and physical activity) and the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, counseling on diet and physical activity program execution is an essential base for controlling components of metabolic syndrome in children.

Episiotomy wound healing by Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. and Boswellia carteri Birdw. in primiparous women: A randomized controlled trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Persian medicine manuscripts refer to plants such as Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. (myrrh) and Boswellia carteri Birdw. (frankincense), which could be used to improve wound healing process. Since that time, local midwives in Iran continue to provide these herbs to precipitate episiotomy wound healing. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the efficacy and safety of myrrh- and frankincense-based sitz-baths on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 90 primiparous women with singleton pregnancies after normal vaginal delivery at Hafez hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from July to October 2019. Study participants were randomly allocated in three groups (2 intervention groups and 1 control group). Women in intervention groups were assigned to receive either 10-min sitz-bath of myrrh extract or frankincense extract twice a day for 1 week. While the women in control group received the betadine sitz-bath for the same period of time. The main outcome was the episiotomy wound healing, which was measured using the REEDA scale before intervention, on 2nd and 7th postpartum days. RESULTS: An improvement in the episiotomy wound healing was significantly greater in patients receiving myrrh than those receiving the frankincense or betadine on 2nd (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001) and 7th (p = 0.043 and p = 0.015) postpartum days. However, the total REEDA score was not statistically different between the frankincense and betadine groups on 2nd and 7th postpartum days (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that myrrh was more efficient than frankincense and betadine in healing of the episiotomy wound and could be recommended as a safe natural therapy.

Recent advances on thermosensitive and pH-sensitive liposomes employed in controlled release.

Nanotechnology has recently gained lots of interest in drug delivery due to its potential to improve the therapeutic outcomes of various diseases. Particularly, a wide range of different nano-sized vesicles has been investigated for drug delivery. Among them, one of the most attractive and well-investigated nanocarriers are liposomes. Although liposomes have several advantages such as low toxicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility as well as accumulate in tumor site via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, inefficient drug delivery to the target cells could affect the therapeutic purpose of most of conventional liposomal formulations. Therefore, new systems of drug release including stimuli-responsive liposomal have been introduced for the improvement of the efficacy and release payloads in a site-specific manner. Stimuli-responsive liposomes stay stable in blood stream circulation but are activated in response to internal or external stimuli. This review highlights the development of thermosensitive and pH-sensitive liposomes, focusing on liposomal compositions and the effects of the synthetic polymers on their drug release behavior. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo applications of these formulations will be discussed.

Comparing the effect of encapsulated and unencapsulated fennel extracts on the shelf life of minced common kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris caspia) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa inoculated in the mince.

The quality of minced kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris caspia) with gum arabic encapsulated (0.3% and 0.5% w/w) and unencapsulated fennel extract (FE) (0.3% and 0.5% w/w) stored at 4°C was examined over a storage period of 15 days. The control and the treated fish samples were analyzed periodically for microbiological (total viable count [TVC] and total psychrotrophic count [TPC]) and chemical (peroxide value (PV) and total volatile nitrogen (TVB-N)) parameters. Also the inhibitory effect of encapsulated and unencapsulated FE was evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, inoculated in minced kilka. According to the results, encapsulated FE samples showed the lowest amount of lipid oxidation and microbial deterioration during the storage period compared with the control and pure extract treatments. Although, the encapsulated FE at 0.5% showed drastic bacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to others. Generally, gum arabic encapsulation could help to obtain higher antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in lower FE concentrations in minced fish.

Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in ahvaz school age children in 2013.

BACKGROUND: The underlying cause of high blood pressure in adulthood is rooted in childhood. The evidence points to higher prevalence of hypertension among children in recent years. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of high blood pressure among Ahvaz children, as a sample of Iranian kids, and compare it with relevant reports from other countries. METHODS: This cross- sectional study was conducted in various parts of Ahvaz city on school children aged 6-12 from March to June 2013. We measured the height, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, using standardized methods. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥95 percentile for age and sex was identified as hypertension. To analyze the data, statistical tests such as Chi-square, T-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. RESULTS: Overall, 1100 school children (564 boys and 536 girls) participated in the study. The highest level of blood pressure was found among obese children (26.4%) aged 11-12 years. Systolic blood pressure of 9.7% of children was in the pre-hypertension phase and 23.6% of them in the hypertensive phase. Also, with regards to diastolic pressure, 13.5% and 17.1% of the children had pre-hypertension and hypertension, respectively. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of hypertension in school children in Ahvaz, we suggest developing a sustainable training program based on intervention for proper nutrition and physical activity in this age group to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.