The Fluorescent Effect of Withania Somnifera Chitosan Nanocomposite as an Effective Contrast Agent for Cancer Theragnostic: Experimental Study in Vitro.

Nanomedicine and fluorescent optical imaging are effective in early cancer detection. The current study synthesized biocompatible nanocomposites from natural biomaterials towards inexpensive and safe cancer theragnostic. Two forms of nanocomposites were synthesized using the ionic gelation method: 1. Chitosan/ Withania Somnifera /tripolyphosphate nanocomposites, 2. Withania Somnifera/Chitosan nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and the transmission electron microscope. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyzed the Withania Somnifera root water extract, Chitosan, and the synthesized nanocomposites. The cytotoxicity of the nanocomposites was investigated against the colon cancer cells (Caco2 cells) in the absence and the presence of laser (665 nm, 5 mW) irradiation. MTT assay evaluated the cytotoxicity, and Trypan blue assay assessed the cell viability. Cancerous cells were photographed under the inverted microscope in the presence and the absence of laser irradiation. Results were analyzed statistically using one-way variance (ANOVA) analysis with Bonferroni post-Hoc multiple two-group comparisons. The characterization results ensured the successful synthesis of Withania Somnifera/Chitosan nanocomposites. The results showed an increase in the cytotoxicity against colon carcinoma and a decrease in cell viability in the presence and absence of Near-infrared laser irradiation under the action of nanocomposites. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized nanocomposites increased by exposing the cells to the laser. The shining light of the nanocomposites appeared on the cells photographed under the inverted microscope. The synthesized natural nanocomposites promise systemic cytotoxicity will be efficient in molecular imaging in vivo applications.

Effects of stem cell factor on in vitro growth of buffalo oocytes.

Stem cell factor (SCF) plays important roles in primordial follicle activation, oocyte growth and survival, granulosa cell proliferation, theca cell recruitment, and ovarian steroidogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SCF on in vitro growth of buffalo oocytes. Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) were dissected from early antral follicles of slaughtered buffalo ovaries and cultured for 6 days in media supplemented with 0, 50 or 100 ng/mL SCF. In vitro grown oocytes were further cultured for in vitro maturation for 24 h. The results showed that SCF significantly (P < 0.05) increased oocyte diameter in vitro. The percentages of surviving oocytes were 60, 81 and 92 in 0, 50 and 100 ng/mL SCF supplemented group, respectively. SCF promoted formation of antrum-like structures in culture. The results also showed that SCF enhanced the maturation of in vitro grown buffalo oocytes. Here, 14% in vitro grown oocytes reached metaphase II (MII) stage in 50 ng/mL SCF supplemented group, whereas the percentage was increased to 26% in 100 ng/mL SCF treated group. These results show that SCF supports the growth, viability and nuclear maturation of buffalo oocytes in vitro.

Leea macrophylla root extract upregulates the mRNA expression for antioxidative enzymes and repairs the necrosis of pancreatic ß-cell and kidney tissues in fructose-fed Type 2 diabetic rats.

This research investigated the functional food effect of Leea macrophylla (Roxb.) ex Hornem root extract on pancreatic necrosis in Streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetes. Prior to animal intervention, Leea macrophylla root extract (LMR) was subjected to GC-MS analysis. Across a three-week intervention of fructose-fed albino model with LMR50, LMR100 and LMR200, the fluid & food intake, body weight changes, weekly blood glucose concentrations and oral glucose tolerance (OGT) were recorded. The animals were sacrificed after intervention and serum was analyzed for insulin, ALT, AST, LDH, CK-MB, creatinine, uric acid and lipid profile and liver section was used for glycogen estimation. Changes of pancreas and kidney architecture were evaluated by histopathology. Relative mRNA for superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were quantitated using assay kits. Results showed that fluid and food intake, weekly blood glucose level, ALT, AST, LDH, CK-MB level were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in LMR50 group. Conversely, the glucose tolerance ability, liver glycogen level, serum insulin, organ weight and pancreatic morphology were improved significantly in this group. Diameter of islet of Langerhans (µm), area occupied by ß-cell/ islet of Langerhans (µm2) and number of ß-cells/islet of Langerhans were amazingly improved to the NC animals. Expressions of mRNA for SOD1 and CAT from liver tissue have been found to be increased multifold while GPx was remained unchanged. The data suggests that L. macrophylla root extract could be very potential as functional food to modulate pancreatic action.

Synthesis and characterization of novel ion-imprinted guanyl-modified cellulose for selective extraction of copper ions from geological and municipality sample.

The new ion-imprinted guanyl-modified cellulose (II.Gu-MC) was prepared for the separation and determination of Cu (II) ions in different real samples. Several techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal analysis, potentiograph and elemental analysis have been utilized for the characterization of II.Gu-MC. The adsorption behavior of the ion imprinted polymer (II.Gu-MC) was evaluated and compared to the non ion-imprinted polymer (NII.Gu-MC) at the optimum conditions. The selectivity and the adsorption capacity were greatly enhanced by using the ion-imprinted polymer, indicating its validation for the separation and determination of Cu2+ ions in different matrices. The adsorption capacity by chelating fibers II.Gu-MC & NII.Gu-MC agreed with the second-order model, and the sorption-isotherm experiments revealed best agreement with Langmuir model. The adsorption capacity of II.Gu-MC and NII.Gu-MC were 115 and 55 mg·g-1, respectively. The II.Gu-MC was successfully employed for the selective separation and determination of Cu(II) ions with high accuracy.

Adsorption of Cu(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous single metal solutions by guanyl-modified cellulose.

A novel chemically guanyl-modified cellulose (Gu-MC) - material has been synthesized for the adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ metal ions from aqueous solution. Cellulose was pretreated with periodate prior to its condensation with aminoguanidine for the formation of cellulose aldehyde-guanyl Schiff's. The synthesized material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), elemental analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, the effect of contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, interfering ions and initial concentration of metal ions on the adsorption capacity were investigated. At optimum conditions, the adsorption capacities of Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ were 83, 78, 68, 52, and 48mgg-1, respectively. The kinetic of adsorption adopted to the second-order model and kinetic model showed that the chemical adsorption is the rate limiting step. The proposed material has been successfully applied for the adsorption of the target metal ions from different real samples with satisfactory results.

Synthesis and characterization of selective thiourea modified Hg(II) ion-imprinted cellulosic cotton fibers.

In the present study, Hg(2+) ion-imprinted chelating fibers based on thiourea modified natural cellulosic cotton fibers (Hg-C-TU) were synthesized and characterized using some instrumental techniques such as elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, wide angle X-ray and XPS spectroscopy. The modified Hg-C-TU fibers were employed for selective removal of Hg(2+) from aqueous solution. Effect of some essential parameters such as pH, temperature, adsorption times and adsorbate concentration were examined to evaluate the optimum adsorption condition. The adsorption kinetics followed the second-order kinetic model indicating that the chemical adsorption is the rate limiting step. Also, the adsorption isotherm experiments showed the best fit with Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacities 110.3 and 61.8 mg/g for both Hg-C-TU and NI-C-TU, respectively.

Review of comparative studies of clinical skills training.

AIM: Our aim was to undertake a systematic review of the comparison of the methods used to train staff in clinical skills. METHODS: The only studies considered were those that compared two different training methods and contained defined outcome measures. The skills of intubation, venous cannulation and central venous line insertion were chosen as representative of the type of physical skills taught to clinicians. RESULTS: Only nine papers met the eligibility criteria with most papers evaluating a single teaching method. A wide range of teaching methods were used, including lectures, computer-based teaching, manikins and video assisted feedback. The studies included nurses, doctors, paramedics and medical students. CONCLUSIONS: Although no clear conclusions can be drawn from the studies, it appears that the teaching methods used have little effect on outcomes. In contrast, better outcomes are associated with workplace-based training and a course which provides repeated episodes of training spaced out over a period of weeks/months with the facility for practice of the skill. These findings are important as many current clinical skills training courses do not use the techniques associated with better outcomes.

Anti-apoptotic effect of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and its receptor in porcine preimplantation embryos derived from in vitro fertilization and somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a receptor-mediated autocrine and/or paracrine growth and/or survival factor for mammalian embryo development. It is known to promote the growth and development of mouse preimplantation embryos. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of IGF-I (50 ng/ml), anti-IGF-I receptor antibody (50 ng/ml) and their combination on porcine preimplantation embryo development. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the embryotropic effects of IGF-I was evaluated by monitoring the incidence of apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related genes. In both in vitro fertilized (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, culturing with IGF-I increased the rate of blastocyst formation and this embryotrophic effect was neutralized by culturing with IGF-I along with anti-IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) antibody. Culturing IVF and SCNT embryos with IGF-I significantly increased the number of total cells in blastocysts and decreased the number of apoptotic nuclei. These effects of IGF-I were also neutralized by culturing with IGF-I along with anti-IGF-IR antibody. Expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene was increased, while expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax was decreased in both IVF and SCNT embryos cultured with IGF-I. In both IVF and SCNT embryos, anti-IGF-IR antibody along with IGF-I neutralized the effect of IGF-I on expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that IGF-I through its specific receptors improved the developmental competence of IVF and SCNT embryos by decreasing the incidence of apoptosis and regulating apoptosis-related genes in porcine preimplantation embryos.

Analysis of nuclear reprogramming in cloned miniature pig embryos by expression of Oct-4 and Oct-4 related genes.

Xenotransplantation is a rapidly expanding field of research and cloned miniature pigs have been considered as a model animal for it. However, the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is extremely low, with most clones resulting in early lethality and several kinds of aberrant development. A possible explanation for the developmental failure of SCNT embryos is insufficient reprogramming of the somatic cell nucleus by the oocyte. In order to test this, we analyzed the reprogramming capacity of differentiated fibroblast cell nuclei and embryonic germ cell nuclei with Oct-4 and Oct-4 related genes (Ndp5211, Dppa2, Dppa3, and Dppa5), which are important for embryonic development, Hand1 and GATA-4, which are important for placental development, as molecular markers using RT-PCR. The Oct-4 expression level was significantly lower (P<0.05) in cloned hatched blastocysts derived from fibroblasts and many of fibroblast-derived clones failed to reactivate at least one of the tested genes, while most of the germ cell clones and control embryos correctly expressed these genes. In conclusion, our results suggest that the reprogramming of fibroblast-derived cloned embryos is highly aberrant and this improper reprogramming could be one reason of the early lethality and post-implantation anomalies of somatic cell-derived clones.