Different additives of gold nanoparticles and lithium oxide loaded chitosan based films; controlling optical and structural properties, evaluating cell viability

Natural chitosan-based films (CS) were fabricated by changing ingredient corporations between gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), lithium oxide (Li₂O), and graphene oxide (GO). A Series of films with different components were obtained. The structural examination is executed by XRD, FTIR, and EDX to analyze crystal structure, chemical bonding, and chemical contents, respectively. The findings illustrated that, the Li₂O@CS exhibited the lowest contact angle with 70 ± 4.6°. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) displayd rod-shaped AuNPs with an average length of 0.3 μm and an average width of 90 nm. The refractive index of CS recorded 2.142, while AuNPs/Li₂O/GO@CS slightly declined to 2.085. Concerning AuNPs/Li₂O/GO@CS, the detected cell viability percentage of normal lung cells among the usage of 156.25 μg/mL is 98.91%, while 9.77 μg/mL achieved 125.78%. Therefore, combining AuNPs, GO and Li₂O within the CS matrix results in films of boosted biocompatibility and can be suggested for medical applications.

Value of CHA2DS2-VASc score and safe contrast volume for early detection of contrast induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

The CHA2DS2-VASc score is utilized to order the danger of embolization in atrial fibrillation (AF). Also it has been assessed to expect the worse clinical scenario in acute coronary syndrome patients, regardless of having AF. Therefore, the study aim was to use CHA2DS2-VASc score that has such a large area of use and the safe contrast volume – that represented by volume of the dye to creatinine clearance ratio (V/CrCl) – for contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) early detection after PCI.

Patients and methods

A total of 259 patients who underwent elective or primary PCI were enrolled in the study. For each patient, The CHA2DS2-VASc score and V/CrCl was evaluated. The patients in our study were divided, according to CIN development to two groups. CIN was identified as a rise in serum creatinine >0.5 mg/dl or >25% increase in baseline within48 to 72 hours after PCI. Statistical analysis: the receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to detect the best cut off values to predict CIN, and we concluded the independent predictors of CIN through multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

There was significant positive correlation between Mehran score and CHA2DS2-VASc score. Independent predictors of CIN were Mehran score, V/CrCl ratio>3.2 and CHA2DS2-VASc >3, CHF or EF <40%, hypotension, anemia, primary PCI and weight. If the patient had (CHA2DS2-VASc score>3 or V/CrCl >3.2), as a single predictor, we can predict CIN with (sensitivity 96.97%, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.82).

Conclusion

The Mehran score, V/CrCl ratio and CHA2DS2-VASc score are strong predictors of CIN, and we can use CHA2DS2-VASc score and safe contrast volume for early detection of CIN after PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Incidence and Survival Rates of Gynecological Malignancies in The United States Before and After the HPV Vaccine

Intoduction:

Gynecological malignancies are one of the most common cancers in women and have high mortality rates in the United States. In this study, we aimed to analyze the incidence and mortality rates of gynecological malignancies in 2011-2015 and compare these data with the corresponding parameters of 2001-2005. We chose these intervals of years for contrasting, as HPV vaccines have been actively used since 2006. HPV vaccine is known to prevent cervical cancer but has unknown impact on other gynecological malignancies. The aim of the is study is to check if incidence and survival of gynecological malignancies has changed before and after application of HPV vaccine

Material and Methods:

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry 2005-2011 and 2011-2015 database was investigated and patients with gynecological malignancy were identified. Data were obtained using SEER*Stat version 8.3.5. A statistical analysis on the incidence rate and mortality rate was performed. Data were exported using case-listing session in SEER*Stat and were analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results:

Overall 125,357 cases with a gynecological malignancy were identified in 2011-2015 in comparison with 102,534 cases in the period of 2001-2005. The incidence of cervical cancer decreased in the period of 2011-2015 compared with the period from 2001 to 2005 (median incidence rates 3.9 and 4.3 per 100.000 persons, respectively, p < 0.05), while incidence of uterine (15.3 and 12.0 per 100.000 persons persons, respectively) and vulvar (1.55 and 1.86 per 100.000 persons, respectively) has increased ( p < 0.05). There was no change in the incidence rate of ovarian cancer (7.28 and 7.19 per 100.000 persons). Survival rates for cervix, uterine, ovarian and vulva cancer have increased. However, zero time error couldn’t be avoided in statistical analysis.

Conclusion:

As a result of widespread screening with Pap smear test and availability of human papilloma virus vaccine the incidence of cervix cancer has declined. Increase in vulvar and uterine cancer incidence may be attributed to lack of effective screening program for early detection of these type of cancers and most probably HPV vaccine has no effect on their incidence. Survival of gynecological malignancies has increased over years which may be explained by better treatment options or earlier detection.

Ciprofloxacin removal using magnetic fullerene nanocomposite obtained from sustainable PET bottle wastes: Adsorption process optimization, kinetics, isotherm, regeneration and recycling studies

Numerous of pollutants threaten our planet, for instance plastic wastes causes a huge potential risk on the environment in addition to many of emergened pollutants as pharmaceutical residue in aquatic environments which affecting ecological balance and in-turn affecting human health. Accordingly, this research proposed an innovative facile, one-step synthesis of functionalized magnetic fullerene nanocomposite (FMFN) via catalytic thermal decomposition of sustainable poly (ethylene terephthalate) bottle wastes as feedstock and ferrocene as a catalyst and precursor of magnetite. Growth mechanism of FMFN was discussed and batch experiments were achieved to examine its adsorption efficiency in relation to Ciprofloxacin antibiotic. Different adsorption parameters including time, initial Ciprofloxacin concentration, and solution temperature were investigated and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) model. In addition, a study on the antibiotic adsorption process impact on the organisms of an ecosystem was conducted using E. coli DH5α, and results validated method's efficiency in overcoming problem of appearance of antibiotic-resistant microbes.

Fabrication of a novel low-cost superoleophilic nonanyl chitosan-poly (butyl acrylate) grafted copolymer for the adsorptive removal of crude oil spills

A novel superoleophilic-hydrophobic nonanyl chitosan-poly (butyl acrylate) grafted copolymer was fabricated as a low-cost oil-adsorbent. Chitosan (CS) was coupled with a hydrophobic nonanal (N) to form nonanyl chitosan (NCS) schiff base, and followed by grafting with butyl acrylate monomers (ButA). The grafted copolymer was characterized by FTIR, TGA and SEM tools. The grafting percent was augmented and reached 88.5% with increasing ButA concentration up to 156 mM. Moreover, measurements of contact angle proved the superoleophilic character of NCS-g-poly (ButA) copolymer with an oil-contact angle 31°. Factors affecting the removal process such as contact time, oil type, oil dose, adsorbent dose, temperature and agitation speed were optimized. An increment in the oil removal (%) was observed with increasing the oil viscosity in the order of gasoil < mobil-1 oil < light crude oil < heavy crude oil. Besides, the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second order model and the equilibrium data were sufficiently fitted with the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity 108.79 g/g at 25 °C. Thermodynamic parameters computed from Van't Hoff plot confirmed the process to be exothermic, favorable and spontaneous. The results nominate the superoleophilic adsorbent as a potential oil- adsorbent for petroleum oil spills removal.

Differences in Gut Metabolites and Microbial Composition and Functions between Egyptian and U.S. Children Are Consistent with Their Diets

Previous studies indicated that populations consuming a Mediterranean diet rich in fiber, vegetables, and fruits have a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than populations of industrialized societies consuming diets enriched in processed carbohydrates, animal proteins, and fats. To explore the potential contributions of gut microbiota to the observed diet-related metabolic effects, we conducted an integrative analysis of distal gut microbiota composition and functions and intestinal metabolites in Egyptian and U.S. teenagers. All Egyptian gut microbial communities belonged to the Prevotella enterotype, whereas all but one of the U.S. samples were of the Bacteroides enterotype. The intestinal environment of Egyptians was characterized by higher levels of short-chain fatty acids, a higher prevalence of microbial polysaccharide degradation-encoding genes, and a higher proportion of several polysaccharide-degrading genera. Egyptian gut microbiota also appeared to be under heavier bacteriophage pressure. In contrast, the gut environment of U.S. children was rich in amino acids and lipid metabolism-associated compounds; contained more microbial genes encoding protein degradation, vitamin biosynthesis, and iron acquisition pathways; and was enriched in several protein- and starch-degrading genera. Levels of 1-methylhistamine, a biomarker of allergic response, were elevated in U.S. guts, as were the abundances of members of Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia, two genera with recognized anti-inflammatory effects. The revealed corroborating differences in fecal microbiota structure and functions and metabolite profiles between Egyptian and U.S. teenagers are consistent with the nutrient variation between Mediterranean and Western diets. IMPORTANCE The human gastrointestinal microbiota functions as an important mediator of diet for host metabolism. To evaluate how consumed diets influence the gut environment, we carried out simultaneous interrogations of distal gut microbiota and metabolites in samples from healthy children in Egypt and the United States. While Egyptian children consumed a Mediterranean diet rich in plant foods, U.S. children consumed a Western diet high in animal protein, fats, and highly processed carbohydrates. Consistent with the consumed diets, Egyptian gut samples were enriched in polysaccharide-degrading microbes and end products of polysaccharide fermentation and U.S. gut samples were enriched in proteolytic microbes and end products of protein and fat metabolism. Thus, the intestinal microbiota might be selected on the basis of the diets that we consume, which can open opportunities to affect gut health through modulation of gut microbiota with dietary supplementations.

Reduction of thrombogenicity of PVC-based sodium selective membrane electrodes using heparin-modified chitosan

Heparin-modified chitosan (H-chitosan) membrane was utilized to enhance biocompatibility of sodium selective membrane electrode based on the highly thrombogenic polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Sodium ion sensing film was prepared using PVC, sodium ionophore-X, potassium tetrakis(chlorophenyl)-borate, and o-nitrophenyloctylether. The PVC-based sensing film was sandwiched to chitosan or H-chitosan to prevent platelet adhesion on the surface of PVC. Potentiometric response characteristics of PVC-chitosan and PVC-H-chitosan membrane electrodes were found to be comparable to that of a control PVC based sodium-selective electrode. This indicates that chitosan and H-chitosan layers do not alter the response behaviour of the PVC-based sensing film. Biocompatibility of H-chitosan was confirmed by in vitro platelet adhesion study. The platelet adhesion investigations indicated that H-chitosan film is less thrombogenic compared to PVC, which could result in enhancement of biocompatibility of sodium selective membrane electrodes based on PVC, while maintaining the overall electrochemical performance of the PVC-based sensing film.

The impact of postoperative infection on long-term outcomes in liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative infection (POI) prolongs inpatient stay, delays return to normal activity, and may be detrimental to long-term survival after cancer resections. This study sought to identify the impact of postoperative infection on liver transplantation outcomes.

METHODS

We analyzed our prospective database of 910 adult patients who underwent liver transplantation between 2000 and 2010 in a single UK center. POI was defined as pyrexia plus positive cultures from blood, sputum, urine, wound, or ascitic fluid. Patient demographic features and perioperative variables were analyzed for their effects on POI. The impacts of POI on overall survival (OS) and graft survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests for significance, before entry into a multivariate regression analysis. We analyzed the effects of POI on the length of hospital stay (LOS) and the incidence of acute rejection episodes and readmissions within 1 year as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Patients who developed a postoperative chest or wound infection showed poorer OS at a mean of 7.0 versus 8.8 years (P = .009) and 7.0 versus 8.8 years (P = .003), respectively. Infection in blood, ascitic fluid, or urine showed no significant impact on survival. LOS was significantly increased among patients with a wound (median 21 vs 17 days, P = .011), a sputum (median 24 vs 17 days, P < .001), or a blood infection (median 32 vs 17 days, P < .001). Higher rates of intraoperative blood transfusion were observed among subjects who developed a chest or a wound infection. There was no difference in other variables between those who did versus did not develop an infection. Upon multivariate analysis, wound infection was the strongest independent predictor of OS (P = .007).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that wound or chest infections were associated with poorer OS. More aggressive prophylactic and/or therapeutic interventions targeting specific sites of infection may represent a simple and cost-effective measure to reduce hospital stay and improve OS.

Peptidergic granule cell populations in the rat main and accessory olfactory bulb

The distribution and incidence of substance P (SP)- and Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (ENK-8)-like immunoreactive granule cells in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of male rats was studied immunohistochemically. In the granule cell layer of the main olfactory bulb, numerous ENK-8-like immunoreactive granule cells were observed but SP-like immunoreactive ones were rare (less than 1%). On the other hand, in the granule cell layer of the accessory olfactory bulb, both SP-like immunoreactive and ENK-8-like immunoreactive granule cells were numerous. 15-20% of these neurons contained both the peptides.