Preparation and characterization of pectin/hydroxyethyl cellulose/clay/TiO2 bionanocomposite films for microbial pathogen removal from contaminated water.

Some of conventional wastewater disinfectants can have a harmful influence on the environment as well as human health. The aim of this investigation was synthesis and characterizes ecofriendly pectin/hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)/clay and pectin/HEC/clay incorporated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and use the prepared bionanocomposite as microbial disinfectants for real wastewater. Pectin/HEC/clay and pectin/HEC/clay/TiO2 bionanocomposite were characterized by various methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical properties and water vapor permeability (WVP) were carried out. The results of SEM showed that, the prepared bionanocomposite had a smooth surface. Additionally, TiO2 nanoparticles to the pectin/HEC/clay composites may lead to changes in the FTIR spectrum. The intensity of XRD peaks indicated that, TiO2NPs was small size crystallite. TGA illustrated that pectin has moderate thermal stability, while HEC generally exhibits good thermal stability. The TEM showed that, TiO2 nanoparticles have diameters <25 nm. On the other hand, antimicrobial activities of pectin/HEC/clay against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans have been enhanced by adding TiO2NPs. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of pectin/HEC/clay/TiO2 against E. coli was 200 mg/mL. Moreover, complete eradication of E. coli, Salmonella and Candida spp. from real wastewater was observed by using pectin/HEC/clay/TiO2 bionanocomposite. Finally, it can be concluded that, the synthesized bionanocomposite is environmentally friendly and considered an excellent disinfectant matter for removal of the microbial pathogens from wastewater to safely reuse.

The Effect of Laser Therapy Along With Mediterranean Diet Versus Mediterranean Diet Only on Older Adults With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Obesity is the major pathogenesis of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The combination of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and Mediterranean diet (MD) is a new approach for improving liver function. Methods: 60 obese older adults (65-75 years old) with NAFLD were randomly assigned equally to two groups: a study group and a control group. The study group received LLLT and MD, while the control group followed MD only. These findings evaluated the changes in the level of liver enzymes, serum lipid profile, and anthropometric measurements (body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]) after 12 weeks of intervention. Results: Both study and control groups showed a significant reduction in the levels of liver enzymes, serum lipid profile, BMI, and WC (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively); however, the study group showed more significant results compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: LLLT and MD may be considered as a treatment approach for NAFLD in older adults to improve their liver function, control dyslipidemia, and help in losing weight.

Potential of Medicinal Plants as Neuroprotective and Therapeutic Properties Against Amyloid-ß-Related Toxicity, and Glutamate-Induced Excitotoxicity in Human Neural Cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are notorious neurodegenerative diseases amongst the general population. Being age-associated diseases, the prevalence of AD and PD is forecasted to rapidly escalate with the progressive aging population of the world. These diseases are complex and multifactorial. Among different events, amyloid ß peptide (Aß) induced toxicity is a well-established pathway of neuronal cell death, which plays a vital function in AD. Glutamate, the major excitatory transmitter, acts as a neurotoxin when present in excess at the synapses; this latter mechanism is termed excitotoxicity. It is hypothesised that glutamate-induced excitotoxicity contributes to the pathogenesis of AD and PD. No cure for AD and PD is currently available and the currently approved drugs available to treat these diseases have limited effectiveness and pose adverse effects. Indeed, plants have been a major source for the discovery of novel pharmacologically active compounds for distinct pathological conditions. Diverse plant species employed for brain-related disorders in traditional medicine are being explored to determine the scientific rationale behind their uses. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of plants and their constituents that have shown promise in reversing the (i) amyloid-ß -related toxicity in AD models and (ii) glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in AD and PD models. This review summarizes information regarding the phytochemistry, biological and cellular activities, and clinical trials of several plant species in view to provide adequate scientific baseline information that could be used in the drug development process, thereby providing effective leads for AD and PD.