Modulation of the Sirtuin-1 signaling pathway in doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity (synergistic amelioration by resveratrol and pirfenidone).

The current study was conducted to determine the precise mechanisms of Sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1), TGF- ß (Transforming Growth Factor-ß), and long non-coding RNA Metastasis Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (LncRNA MALAT-1) in signaling pathways in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced nephrotoxicity. The potential therapeutic effect of Resveratrol and Pirfenidone in DOX toxicity was also assessed. Thirty-six male adult rats were evenly distributed into four groups: Group 1: control rats. Group 2: DOX exposed rats' group, each animal received 7.5 mg/kg DOX as a single intravenous dose, Group 3: DOX exposed group subjected to oral resveratrol (20 mg/kg/daily for two weeks), Group 4: DOX exposed group subjected to oral Pirfenidone (200 mg/kg once daily for 10 days). At the planned time, animals were sacrificed. Renal tissue was collected to assess matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), inflammatory and apoptotic markers: tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- ß, caspase-3, cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), and oxidative stress markers: nitric oxide (NO), Glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1), TGF-ß, and LncRNA MALAT-1 were quantitatively assessed by real-time RT-PCR in the whole blood. Results showed that the DOX group exhibited a significant increase in oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory, and apoptotic markers in the renal tissue. Histologically, the renal tubule lining cells exhibited vacuolar alterations in the cytoplasm, glomerular atrophy, and vascular congestion. Furthermore, renal degeneration was evident, as confirmed by the heightened immuno-expression of MMP9. Exposure to DOX resulted in a significant decrease in Sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1) with a significant increase in the TGFß, and LncRNA MALAT-1 gene expression. However, pre-treatment with either resveratrol/or Pirefenidone ameliorated the histological renal alterations, regulated the pathways of Sirt-1, TGFß, and LncRNA MALAT-1, and decreased all oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic markers. In conclusion, DOX exposure leads to renal toxicity by inducing renal degeneration, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Administration of either resveratrol or Pirfenidone counteracted these changes and protected the kidney against DOX-induced renal damage.

Smart films of carbohydrate-based/sunflower wax/purple Chinese cabbage anthocyanins: A biomarker of chicken freshness.

Innovative pH-colorimetric sensor film was fabricated from agar and methylcellulose matrix (AM) with various concentrations of sunflower wax (SFW) (6%, 9%, 12%, and 15% w/w) combined with purple Chinese cabbage (CPC) anthocyanins for tracking chicken breast freshness. A bio-composition film AM/CPC with (hydrophobic) SFW exhibited significant color variations in acidic pH level of (2-6) and a slight shift in alkaline pH levels ranging from (7-12), as well as marked color change due to ammonia vapor. Microstructure analyses revealed that SFW was fixed effectively into the AM-CPC matrices. The incorporation of varying SFW concentrations enhanced the mechanical, thermal, antioxidant activity, reduced anthocyanin release and physical properties (mainly water vapor permeability), with the best performance at AM/CPC/9% SFW. Interestingly, SFW films demonstrated perfect defense opposing UV-vis and visible light. Finally, it was proved that the efficiency of the pH-colorimetric film as an indicator for evaluating the freshness of chicken breast.

Comparison of the efficacy of two doses of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to levobupivacaine in infraclavicular brachial plexus block: prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial compared the efficacy of two dexmedetomidine doses (50 and 100-µg) combined with levobupivacaine on sensory block duration in infraclavicular brachial plexus block. We hypothesized that perineural dexmedetomidine would extend sensory block duration dose-dependently. METHODS: The study included 60 patients aged 20 to 60 years of both sex with an ASA I/II undergoing forearm and hand surgery. The patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups (n = 20) for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block. The L group received 35-mL 0.5% levobupivacaine plus normal saline, the LD50 group received 35-mL 0.5% levobupivacaine plus 50-µg dexmedetomidine, and the LD100 group received 35-mL 0.5% levobupivacaine plus 100-µg dexmedetomidine. Patients were investigated for onset and duration of sensory blockade, time to first postoperative rescue analgesia, and the total 24-h postoperative morphine requirement. RESULTS: The LD100 group had a longer sensory block duration (15.55 ± 1.1 h; 95% confidence interval (CI), 15.04-16.06) than the LD50 group (12.8 ± 1.2 h; 95% CI, 12.24-13.36 h) (p < 0.001) or the L group (9.95 ± 1.05 h; 95% CI, 9.46-10.44 h) (p < 0.001). The LD100 group took longer to request postoperative rescue analgesia and required fewer postoperative morphine doses than the LD50 and L groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sensory block duration was longer with perineural 100-µg dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to levobupivacaine than with 50-µg dexmedetomidine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Aswan University Hospital (approval number: aswu/125/4/17) (date of registration: 04/04/2017). Furthermore, the trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT04729868) with a verification date of January 2021.

Intelligent colorimetric pH sensoring packaging films based on sugarcane wax/agar integrated with butterfly pea flower extract for optical tracking of shrimp freshness.

A novel pH colorimetric film was prepared from various sugarcane wax (SW) concentrations (1, 1.5 and 2% w/v) on agar matrix (Agr) combined with butterfly pea flower (BF) extract for monitoring the shrimp freshness. A combination of BF anthocyanins with SW as lipid (hydrophobic) showed different changes in color under acidic conditions (pH 2-6) with slight changes under alkalinity (pH 7-12), which matched the visual color changes of two different ammonia vapors (50 and 100 mmol/l). FTIR, XRD spectra, and SEM micrographs revealed that SW was effectively fixed into the Agr-BF network during the film-forming process. The different homogenized SW films enhanced the physical and mechanical properties without significant differences in elongation and water vapor permeability. Remarkably, SW films displayed complete protection against UV-vis light (0%) and valuable reduction in visible light. This study presents SW colorimetric films as promising natural derivatives for smart packaging in tracking food freshness.