Polymeric nanocarrier-based adjuvants to enhance a locally produced mucosal coryza vaccine in chicken.

Infectious coryza (IC) is an acute upper respiratory disease of chicken caused by Avibacterium (A.) paragallinarum. This disease results in an increased culling rate in meat chicken and a marked decrease in egg production (10% to more than 40%) in laying and breeding hens. Vaccines were first used against IC and effectively controlled the disease. Nanotechnology provides an excellent way to develop a new generation of vaccines. NPs have been widely used in vaccine design as adjuvants and antigen delivery vehicles and as antibacterial agents; thus, they can be used as inactivators for bacterial culture. In this research, the antibacterial effects of several nanoparticles (NPs), such as silicon dioxide with chitosan (SiO2-CS), oleoyl-chitosan (O.CS), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and iron oxide (Fe3O4), on A. paragallinarum were studied. Additionally, different A. paragallinarum vaccines were made using the same nanomaterials at a concentration of 400 µg/ml to help control infectious coryza disease in chicken. A concentration of 400 µg/ml of all the NPs tested was the best concentration for the inactivation of A. paragallinarum. Additionally, this study showed that the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with SiO2 NPs had the highest immune response, followed by the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with Fe3O4 NPs, the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with SiO2-CS NPs, and the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with O.CS NPs in comparison with the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with liquid paraffin (a commercial vaccine).

The enhanced photocatalytic performance of CPAA doping with different concentrations of Titanium oxide nanocomposite against MB dyes under simulated sunlight irradiations.

The pure conjugated polyarylene azomethine (CPAA) and its nanocomposites (CPAA-TiO2) with different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by in-situ technique and analyzed by different advanced techniques. XRD has confirmed the structural properties and crystallinity of (CPAA) and nanocomposites. The SEM clearly shows that the (CPAA) is uniform and homogeneous, with tightly connected aggregate layers in shape. However, the amount of TiO2 in the nanocomposites greatly affects their morphology, revealing structural differences and indicating a reaction between (CPAA) and TiO2, especially at a higher concentration of 5% TiO2. A new composite of (CPAA) was introduced and the photocatalytic effect for MB was studied. The removal efficiency of (pure-CPAA) over MB dye under simulated sunlight was 62%. However, (CPAA-TiO2 1%) destroyed 90% of MB dyes. It was discovered that the low band gap of (CPAA-TiO2 1% (2.84 eV)) accelerates high electron-hole recombination, increasing photocatalytic activity.

RETRACTED: Aldakheel et al. Employing of Curcumin-Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Sodium Alginate-Co-Acacia Gum Film Hydrogels for Wound Dressing. Gels 2023, 9, 780.

The Gels Editorial Office retracts the article, "Employing of Curcumin-Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Sodium Alginate-Co-Acacia Gum Film Hydrogels for Wound Dressing" [...].

The ameliorative role of Aloe vera-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on Staphylococcus aureus induced acute lung injury: Targeting TLR/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe condition distinguished by inflammation and impaired gas exchange in the lungs. Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium, can cause ALI through its virulence factors. Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used to treat a variety of illnesses due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Chitosan nanoparticles are biocompatible and totally biodegradable materials that have shown potential in drug delivery systems. Aim: To explore the antibacterial activity of Aloe vera-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (AV-CS-NPs) against S. aureus in vitro and in vivo with advanced techniques. Methods: The antibacterial efficacy of AV-CS-NPs was evaluated through a broth microdilution assay. In addition, the impact of AV-CS-NPs on S. aureus-induced ALI in rats was examined by analyzing the expression of genes linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Furthermore, rat lung tissue was scanned histologically. The rats were divided into three groups: control, ALI, and treatment with AV-CS-NPs. Results: The AV-CS-NPs that were prepared exhibited clustered semispherical and spherical forms, having an average particle size of approximately 60 nm. These nanoparticles displayed a diverse structure with an uneven distribution of particle sizes. The maximum entrapment efficiency of 95.5% ± 1.25% was achieved. The obtained findings revealed that The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values were determined to be 5 and 10 ug/ml, respectively, indicating the potent bactericidal effect of the NPs. Also, S. aureus infected rats explored upregulation in the mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4 compared to healthy control groups. AV-CS-NP treatment reverses the case where there was repression in mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4 compared to S. aureus-treated rats. Conclusion: These NPs can serve as potential candidates for the development of alternative antimicrobial agents.

Clinical effectiveness of orange peel polymethoxy-flavonoids rich fraction as a palatal dressing material compared to Alveogyl: randomized clinical trial.

This study assessed the clinical effectiveness of orange peel polymethoxy-flavonoids rich fraction (OPMF) solid dispersion as a palatal dressing material, compared with Alveogyl, in a randomized clinical trial. After harvesting free gingival grafts for 18 patients in three groups, the donor site in group I received OPMF; group II received Alveogyl; and group III received placebo dough material. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score in group I showed the lowest value in week one without a significant difference. In week 2, there was a substantial decrease in pain in group I compared to group III. Week 4 showed reduced pain scores in all groups without significant differences. The results of the number of analgesic pills revealed, after 1 week, the lowest number of pills consumed in group I, with a considerable difference compared to group III. Healing process results showed that group I had the highest healing values in each interval, with a significant difference between group I and group III at 1 and 2 weeks. Color matching parameter showed slight differences between the groups' readings in favor of group I in all intervals without a statistically significant difference. The results suggest OPMF as a palatal dressing material that facilitates hemostasis, pain relief, and palatal wound healing.

Effects of letrozole alone or in combination with gonadotropins on ovulation induction and clinical pregnancy in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To compare letrozole in combination with gonadotropins versus letrozole monotherapy in ovulation induction and clinical pregnancy among infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Several databases were searched for available clinical trials from inception until March 2023. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared sequential letrozole/gonadotropin versus letrozole alone among infertile women who met the Rotterdam criteria for PCOS. RevMan software was used to perform our meta-analysis. Our primary outcomes were ovulation and clinical pregnancy rates. Our secondary outcomes were endometrial thickness, number of mature follicles (diameter ≥ 18 mm), and incidence of miscarriage and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). RESULTS: Six RCTs were retrieved with a total number of 723 patients. The ovulation and clinical pregnancy rates were significantly higher among the letrozole/gonadotropin group versus the letrozole monotherapy group (p < 0.001). In addition, there were significant improvements in endometrial thickness and number of mature follicles in the letrozole/gonadotropin group. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding incidence of miscarriage and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. CONCLUSION: Letrozole in combination with gonadotropin is superior to letrozole alone in improving ovulation induction and clinical pregnancy among PCOS patients. More trials are required to confirm our findings.

Predicting Atmospheric Water-Soluble Organic Mass Reversibly Partitioned to Aerosol Liquid Water in the Eastern United States.

Water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) formed through aqueous processes contributes substantially to total atmospheric aerosol, however, the impact of water evaporation on particle concentrations is highly uncertain. Herein, we present a novel approach to predict the amount of evaporated organic mass induced by sample drying using multivariate polynomial regression and random forest (RF) machine learning models. The impact of particle drying on fine WSOM was monitored during three consecutive summers in Baltimore, MD (2015, 2016, and 2017). The amount of evaporated organic mass was dependent on relative humidity (RH), WSOM concentrations, isoprene concentrations, and NOx/isoprene ratios. Different models corresponding to each class were fitted (trained and tested) to data from the summers of 2015 and 2016 while model validation was performed using summer 2017 data. Using the coefficient of determination (R2) and the root-mean-square error (RMSE), it was concluded that an RF model with 100 decision trees had the best performance (R2 of 0.81) and the lowest normalized mean error (NME < 1%) leading to low model uncertainties. The relative feature importance for the RF model was calculated to be 0.55, 0.2, 0.15, and 0.1 for WSOM concentrations, RH levels, isoprene concentrations, and NOx/isoprene ratios, respectively. The machine learning model was thus used to predict summertime concentrations of evaporated organics in Yorkville, Georgia, and Centerville, Alabama in 2016 and 2013, respectively. Results presented herein have implications for measurements that rely on sample drying using a machine learning approach for the analysis and interpretation of atmospheric data sets to elucidate their complex behavior.

Employing of Curcumin-Silver Nanoparticle-Incorporated Sodium Alginate-Co-Acacia Gum Film Hydrogels for Wound Dressing.

Skin wound healing is time-consuming and frequently accompanied by bacterial infections and the development of scars. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains has sparked a growing interest in naturally occurring bioactive substances, like curcumin, that possess wound-healing capabilities. Silver is a natural antimicrobial agent, and finds extensive use in specialized wound dressings. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using an eco-friendly approach, employing curcumin. The prepared nanoparticles have been characterized using TEM, DLS, and zeta potential. The prepared AgNPs were loaded on sodium alginate-co-gum arabic hydrogel. Two hydrogel samples (with and without AgNPs) have been applied for wound healing. The developed silver nanoparticles that were created exhibited effective action against both types of bacteria, namely Gram-negative and Gram-positive. Alg-co-AG-AgNPs demonstrated faster wound healing rates compared to using the control hydrogel sample. The novel dressings of curcumin-silver nanoparticle-incorporated sodium alginate-co-gum arabic hydrogels (Alg-co-AG-AgNPs) exhibited exceptional biocompatibility and have the potential to serve as a wound dressing that possesses antibacterial properties and reduces scarring.

Immunogenicity and Cross-Protective Efficacy Induced by an Inactivated Recombinant Avian Influenza A/H5N1 (Clade 2.3.4.4b) Vaccine against Co-Circulating Influenza A/H5Nx Viruses.

Controlling avian influenza viruses (AIVs) is mainly based on culling of the infected bird flocks or via the implementation of inactivated vaccines in countries where AIVs are considered to be endemic. Over the last decade, several avian influenza virus subtypes, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.2.1.2, H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b and the recent H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, have been reported among poultry populations in Egypt. This demanded the utilization of a nationwide routine vaccination program in the poultry sector. Antigenic differences between available avian influenza vaccines and the currently circulating H5Nx strains were reported, calling for an updated vaccine for homogenous strains. In this study, three H5Nx vaccines were generated by utilizing the reverse genetic system: rgH5N1_2.3.4.4, rgH5N8_2.3.4.4 and rgH5N1_2.2.1.2. Further, the immunogenicity and the cross-reactivity of the generated inactivated vaccines were assessed in the chicken model against a panel of homologous and heterologous H5Nx HPAIVs. Interestingly, the rgH5N1_2.3.4.4 induced high immunogenicity in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken and could efficiently protect immunized chickens against challenge infection with HPAIV H5N1_2.3.4.4, H5N8_2.3.4.4 and H5N1_2.2.1.2. In parallel, the rgH5N1_2.2.1.2 could partially protect SPF chickens against infection with HPAIV H5N1_2.3.4.4 and H5N8_2.3.4.4. Conversely, the raised antibodies to rgH5N1_2.3.4.4 could provide full protection against HPAIV H5N1_2.3.4.4 and HPAIV H5N8_2.3.4.4, and partial protection (60%) against HPAIV H5N1_2.2.1.2. Compared to rgH5N8_2.3.4.4 and rgH5N1_2.2.1.2 vaccines, chickens vaccinated with rgH5N1_2.3.4.4 showed lower viral shedding following challenge infection with the predefined HPAIVs. These data emphasize the superior immunogenicity and cross-protective efficacy of the rgH5N1_2.3.4.4 in comparison to rgH5N8_2.3.4.4 and rgH5N1_2.2.1.2.

Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Loaded in Polysaccharide Hydrogel Applied to Chronic Wound Healing in Mice Models.

The prevalence of chronic wounds is increasing owing to the expanding population and the growing number of individuals suffering from diabetes. Such a chronic wound continues to be a significant healthcare burden for diabetic patients because it frequently carries a high chance of limb loss due to amputation and reduces survival as a result. Development of innovative wound dressing materials with the potential to stop bacterial infections and accelerate the process of tissue regeneration is needed to increase the effectiveness of diabetic wound healing. In the current study, a co-polymerization process based on a free radical reaction was used to create a hydrogel of polysaccharides blend graft acrylamide (PsB-g-Am). Starch, chitosan, and alginate make up the polysaccharides blend (PsB). The produced hydrogel's structure was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. The antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized through the green method using garlic bulb (Allium sativum) is reported. The silver nanoparticles' physical characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy analysis, and UV-visible spectroscopy and they were found to range in size from 50 to 100 nm. The agar well diffusion technique is used to investigate the antibacterial characteristics. Inclusion of silver nanoparticles in the hydrogels demonstrated concentration-dependent antibacterial behavior against Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus during antimicrobial testing of the hydrogels. When hydrogels were applied to diabetic mice, the system was examined for its healing abilities, and positive therapeutic results were obtained in as little as 14 days. Thus, it can be inferred that graft copolymer of chitosan-AgNPs hydrogels can promote healing in chronic wounds over time and can be utilized as an alternative to conventional therapies for chronic wounds (such as those brought on by diabetes) in mouse models.

Autophagic-Related anticancer effect of grapes extract and tomatoes extract: Ex-Vivo study

Cells undergo autophagy to save themselves from injury, but progressive autophagy can cause cell death. This study characterized and compared the effect of grape (resveratrol) and tomato (lycopene) extracts and their combination on modulating autophagy-related miRNA and its target gene in squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Docking analysis for extracts and selected genes was performed. Methyl Thiazol Tetrazolium assays were used to assess the cytotoxicity of extracts and their combination toward HEp-2 cells. qRT-PCR was used to quantify changes in gene expression. Data were statistically analyzed. miRNA-20a was identified as a potential effector in laryngeal cancer, and sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1) was its target gene. Docking analysis showed that resveratrol interacted with miRNA-20a and showed less affinity toward SQSTM1. Hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions were predicted. In contrast, lycopene showed less affinity toward miRNA-20a than resveratrol. Increasing doses of resveratrol, lycopene, and their combination induced a statistically significant reduction in mean percent viability and mean fold changes of miRNA-20a and SQSTM1 expression in treated HEp-2 cells. Pearson's correlation showed a statistically significant positive correlation between miRNA-20a and SQSTM1 (R=0.812, p≤0.001). Grape and tomato extracts and their combination display promising cytotoxicity against HEp-2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Both extracts reduce the expression of miRNA-20a and SQSTM1 with subsequent inhibition autophagy and promotion of apoptosis in HEp-2 cells.

Las células se someten a autofagia para salvarse de lesiones, pero la autofagia progresiva puede provocar la muerte celular. Este estudio caracterizó y comparó el efecto de los extractos de uva (resveratrol) y tomate (licopeno) y su combinación en la modulación de miARN relacionado con la autofagia y su gen diana en la línea celular de carcinoma de células escamosas. Se realizó análisis de acoplamiento para extractos y genes seleccionados. Se utilizaron ensayos de metil tiazol tetrazolio para evaluar la citotoxicidad de los extractos y su combinación frente a las células HEp-2. qRT-PCR se utilizó para cuantificar los cambios en la expresión génica. Los datos fueron analizados estadísticamente. El miARN-20a se identificó como un efector potencial en el cáncer de laringe y el secuenciasoma-1 (SQSTM1) fue su gen diana. El análisis de acoplamiento mostró que el resveratrol interactuaba con miRNA-20a y mostraba menos afinidad hacia SQSTM1. Se predijeron enlaces de hidrógeno e interacciones hidrofóbicas. Por el contrario, el licopeno mostró menos afinidad hacia el miARN-20a que el resveratrol. El aumento de las dosis de resveratrol, licopeno y su combinación indujo una reducción estadísticamente significativa en el porcentaje medio de viabilidad y los cambios medios en la expresión de miRNA- 20a y SQSTM1 en las células HEp-2 tratadas. La correlación de Pearson mostró una correlación positiva estadísticamente significativa entre miRNA-20a y SQSTM1 (R=0,812, p≤0,001). Los extractos de uva y tomate y su combinación muestran una citotoxicidad prometedora contra las células HEp-2 de forma dependiente de la dosis y el tiempo. Ambos extractos reducen la expresión de miRNA-20a y SQSTM1 con la posterior inhibición de la autofagia y promoción de la apoptosis en células HEp-2.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Loaded Hydrogel for Wound Healing; Systematic Review.

Wound healing is a biological process that involves a series of consecutive process, and its impairment can lead to chronic wounds and various complications. Recently, there has been a growing interest in employing nanotechnology to enhance wound healing. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have expanded significant attention due to their wide range of applications in the medical field. The advantages of AgNPs include their easy synthesis, change their shape, and high surface area. Silver nanoparticles are very efficient for topical drug administration and wound healing because of their high ratio of surface area to volume. The efficiency of AgNPs depends on the synthesis method and the intended application. Green synthesis methods offer an eco-friendly approach by utilizing natural sources such as plant extracts and fungus. The characterization of nanoparticles plays an important character, and it is accomplished through the use of several characterization methods such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These techniques are employed to confirm the specific characters of the prepared Silver Nanoparticles. Additionally, the review addresses the challenges and future perspectives of utilizing green-synthesized AgNPs loaded in Polyacrylamide hydrogel for wound healing applications, including the optimization of nanoparticle size, and release kinetics. Overall, this review highlights the potential of green-synthesized AgNPs loaded in Polyacrylamide hydrogel as promising for advanced wound healing therapies. There are different approaches of usage of AgNPs for wound healing such as polyacrylamide -hydrogels, and the mechanism after their antibacterial action, have been exposed.

Modification of conducting arylidene copolymers by formation of inclusion complexes: synthesis, characterization, and applications as highly corrosion inhibitors for mild steel.

Modifying the metal surface is one solution to the industry's growing corrosion problem. Thus, via threading approach and insertion of copolymers (CoP5-7) containing polyarylidenes through the internal cavity beta-cyclodextrin ß-CD, novel pseudopolyrotaxanes copolymers (PC5-7) are developed, resulting in mild steel corrosion inhibition. Inhibitors of corrosion based on ß-CD molecules adsorb strongly to metal surfaces because of their many polar groups, adsorption centers, many linkages of side chains, and benzene rings. The corrosion inhibition efficiencies IE % statistics have been revised via the Tafel polarization method and Spectroscopy based on the electrochemical impedance (EIS), with PC7 achieving the highest 99.93% in 1.0 M H2SO4; they are mixed-type inhibitors. The chemical composition of the resulting PCs is determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is utilized to examine the morphological structure of the produced polymers, and X-ray diffraction is employed to identify crystallinity. Encapsulating CoP5-7 with ß-CD changes the morphological structures and increases the generated PCs' crystallinity. The thermal stability of PCs is studied, indicating the presence of these CoPs within the ß-CD cavities enhances their thermal stability. This research will be a stepping stone for developing high-efficiency anti-corrosion coatings and various industrial applications.

Hemophilia Joint Health Score, Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia, and Pettersson Score in Pediatric Patients With Severe Hemophilia A.

Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder. Children with hemophilia go through spontaneous and trauma-provoked bleeding. Recurring joint bleeds lead to ongoing incapacity. Achieving healthy joints is the primary target of hemophilia management. The current study objective was to assess hemophilic joints in individuals with hemophilic arthropathy clinically, radiographically, and functionally. This cross-sectional study included 50 children with severe hemophilia A who were selected from the pediatric hematology clinic. All children were assessed for Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). Joint assessed functionally by Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) and radiologically by plain radiograph and scored by the Pettersson scoring system. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The mean age of the studied cases of hemophilia was 8.5±3.1 years. The mean FISH score among the studied patients was 26.8±4.2, the mean HJHS was 16.8±12.8, and the Pettersson score was 4.9±2.7. The number of affected joints showed a significant negative correlation to the FISH score and a significant positive correlation to HJHS. The frequency of hemarthrosis/month showed a significant positive correlation to HJHS. The number of affected joints showed a significant negative correlation to the FISH score and a significant positive correlation to HJHS. Frequency of hemarthrosis/month showed a significant positive correlation to HJHS.

Postpartum Detection of Diastolic Dysfunction and Nondipping Blood Pressure Profile in Women With Preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and nocturnal "nondipping" of blood pressure detected via ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are predictors of increased cardiovascular morbidity. METHODS: A prospective cohort study including normotensive women with a history of preeclampsia in their current pregnancy was conducted. All cases were subjected to 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography 3 months after delivery. RESULTS: This study included 128 women with a mean (SD) age of 28.6 (5.1) years and a mean (SD) basal blood pressure of 123.1 (6.4)/74.6 (5.9) mm Hg. Among the participants, 90 (70.3%) exhibited an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring profile illustrating nocturnal blood pressure "dipping" (the mean night to day time blood pressure ratio ≤ 0.9), whereas 38 (29.7%) were nondippers. Diastolic dysfunction (impaired left ventricular relaxation) was present in 28 nondippers (73.7%), whereas none of the dippers exhibited diastolic dysfunction. Women with severe preeclampsia were more frequently nondippers (35.5% vs 24.2%; P = .02) and experienced diastolic dysfunction (29% vs 15%; P = .01) than were those with mild preeclampsia. Severe preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% CI, 1.05-10.56; P < .001) and history of recurrent preeclampsia (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.3-4.26; P ≤ .001) were significant predictors for nondipping status and diastolic dysfunction (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2; and OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2, respectively; P < .05). CONCLUSION: Women with a history of preeclampsia were at higher risk for developing late cardiovascular events. The severity and recurrence of preeclampsia were significant predictors of both nondipping profile and diastolic dysfunction.

Broadband Optical Properties of Bi2Se3.

Materials with high optical constants are of paramount importance for efficient light manipulation in nanophotonics applications. Recent advances in materials science have revealed that van der Waals (vdW) materials have large optical responses owing to strong in-plane covalent bonding and weak out-of-plane vdW interactions. However, the optical constants of vdW materials depend on numerous factors, e.g., synthesis and transfer method. Here, we demonstrate that in a broad spectral range (290-3300 nm) the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k of Bi2Se3 are almost independent of synthesis technology, with only a ~10% difference in n and k between synthesis approaches, unlike other vdW materials, such as MoS2, which has a ~60% difference between synthesis approaches. As a practical demonstration, we showed, using the examples of biosensors and therapeutic nanoparticles, that this slight difference in optical constants results in reproducible efficiency in Bi2Se3-based photonic devices.

Genetic profile of MIF single nucleotide polymorphism (rs755622 G>C) in hepatocellular carcinoma among Egyptian patients.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the role of MIF gene polymorphism rs755622 G>C in occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among a cohort of Egyptian patients. Material and methods: This case-control study was conducted on 50 patients with HCC after chronic viral hepatitis and 50 healthy volunteers, recruited between July 2021 and January 2022. All patients with HCC were evaluated for severity of liver disease using a Child-Pugh score, and TNM and BCLC scoring systems. MIF 173 G>C (rs755622) single nucleotide polymorphism was performed for all participants by polymerase chain reaction using restriction fragment length polymorphism technique (RFLP-PCR). Results: Overall results showed significantly higher frequencies of GG (wild homozygous genotype) and mutant heterozygous genotype GC and G allele (OR = 6.303, 95% CI: 3.374-11.775) among patients with HCC compared to the control group (p = 0.001) for all. Also, significantly higher frequency of genotype GG was detected among patients with advanced Child scores (B and C) (p = 0.039) and TNM stages (III and IV) (p = 0.013). There was significantly higher frequency of the G allele among patients with multiple hepatic focal lesions compared to those with a single focal lesion (p = 0.01). Conclusions: An obvious role of MIF (rs755622) gene polymorphism could have an important role in susceptibility and progression of HCC among patients with chronic viral hepatitis induced liver cirrhosis.

Silver Nanoparticles Loaded on Chitosan-g-PVA Hydrogel for the Wound-Healing Applications.

Silver nanoparticle composites have abundant biomedical applications due to their unique antibacterial properties. In the current work, green tea leaf extract was used as a natural reducing agent to synthesize AgNPs (AgNPs) using microwave irradiation technology. Furthermore, microwave irradiation has been used for the preparation of AgNPs/chitosan (Ch) grafted polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel samples. To approve the accomplishment of AgNPs hydrogel polymer, UV-spectrum, TEM, and FT-IR spectrum analyses and the release of silver ions, actions were taken. The wound-healing ability of the prepared hydrogel samples was measured via both the in vitro (fibroblast cells) and the in vivo using rat models. It was found that chitosan-grafted polyvinyl alcohol, including AgNPs, exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus using the agar diffusion method. It can be said that microwave irradiation was successful in creating a hydrogel that contained silver nanoparticles. A wound that was still open was successfully treated with these composites.

Enhancing the Toxicity of Cypermethrin and Spinosad against Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Inhibition of Detoxification Enzymes.

The extensive use of wide-ranging insecticides in agricultural activities may develop resistance in insects. The dipping technique was utilized for examining changes in detoxifying enzyme levels in Spodoptera littoralis L. induced by cypermethrin (CYP) and spinosad (SPD) with and without a combination of three enzyme inhibitors: triphenyl phosphate (TPP), diethyl maleate (DEM), and piperonyl butoxide (PBO), at 70 µg/mL. PBO, DEM, and TPP showed 50% mortality against larvae at 236.2, 324.5, and 245.8 µg/mL, respectively. The LC50 value of CYP on S. littoralis larvae reduced from 2.86 µg/mL to 1.58, 2.26, and 1.96 µg/mL, while the LC50 value of SPD declined from 3.27 µg/mL to 2.34, 2.56, and 2.53, with the addition of PBO, DEM, and TPP, respectively, 24 h after treatment. Moreover, the activity of carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (Cyp 450) was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) by TPP, DEM, PBO plus CYP, and SPD in S. littoralis larvae in comparison with tested insecticides alone. These findings suggested that three enzyme inhibitors play a major role in increasing the toxicity of CYP and SPD in S. littoralis and will provide insight into how to overcome insecticide resistance in insects.