Protective effect of various toothpastes and mouthwashes against erosive and abrasive challenge on eroded dentin: an in vitro study

The study aimed to compare various toothpastes and mouthwashes on permanent tooth dentin after erosive and abrasive challenges. 130 sound premolars dentin were randomly submitted to an initial erosive challenge and a cycle of erosive and abrasive challenges for five days. The five experimental groups (n = 26) were: (1) Control group (artificial saliva), (2) Elmex erosion protection toothpaste and mouthwash, (3) Vitis anticaries biorepair toothpaste and mouthwash, (4) Oral B Pro-expert toothpaste and Oral B Fluorinse mouthwash, and (5) MI Paste ONE toothpaste and Caphosol mouthwash. Microhardness, surface roughness values, and the topographical characteristics of the dentin surface were assessed. The highest percentage of recovered dentin microhardness (%RDMH) value was observed in groups 2 and 4, followed by groups 5 and 3, respectively. The %RDMH values in groups 2 and 4 did not demonstrate a significant difference (p = 0.855). The highest percentage of improvement in surface roughness was recorded in groups 2 and 4, with no significant differences (p = 0.989). The atomic force microscopy (AFM) findings were consistent with the surface roughness data. The best recovery of dentin microhardness and roughness were measured with the Elmex and Oral B toothpaste and mouthwash, followed by MI Paste ONE toothpaste and Caphosol mouthwash and Vitis anticaries biorepair toothpaste and mouthwash.

Microstructural alterations of major thalamic nuclei in the chronic pediatric spinal cord injured population

Background

The brain undergoes reorganization following spinal cord injury (SCI), but little is known about how the thalamus is affected in pediatric SCIs.

Purpose

To characterize microstructural alterations in the thalamus after SCI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics.

Methods

18 pediatric participants with chronic SCI (8-20 years) were stratified using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) into groups: A, B, and C/D. DTI of the brain used a 3 T Siemens Verio MRI using the parameters: 20 directions, number of averages = 3, b = 1000 s/mm2, voxel size = 1.8 mm × 1.8 mm, slice thickness = 5 mm, TE = 95 ms, TR = 4300 ms, 30 slices, FOV = 230 × 230 mm2, matrix = 128 × 128, acquisition time = 4:45 min. Diffusion data was processed to generate DTI metrics FA, MD, AD, and RD.

Data analysis

DTI metrics were acquired by superimposing the AAL3 thalamic atlas onto participant diffusion images registered to MNI152 space. We utilized a multiple Mann-Whitney U-test to compare between AIS groups, considering values of p ≤ 0.05 as significant.

Results

FA, AD, RD, and MD significantly differed in thalamic nuclei between AIS groups A vs B and B vs C/D. Significant nuclei include the right ventral anterior, left intralaminar, bilateral lateral pulvinar, and right lateral geniculate.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest the presence of microstructural alterations based on SCI severity in pediatric patients. These results are encouraging and warrant further study.

Factors influencing social prescribing initiatives: a systematic review of qualitative evidence

AIMS

Social prescribing is a growing health policy agenda to improve the quality and effectiveness of health systems. However, systematically collected knowledge on factors influencing the effective implementation of SP is scarce. A systematic review was conducted to identify and categorize factors influencing social prescribing initiatives.

METHODS

A search of three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge) was carried out to retrieve studies from inception to May 2022, supplemented by grey literature searching and snowballing of the relevant references. The inclusion criteria were original empirical research, qualitative data collection, and a description of factors affecting social prescribing initiatives. Study quality was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. We categorized the results of individual studies using a narrative approach.

RESULTS

A total of 23 studies were included for analysis. Along with patient-related factors (patient-centeredness, clinical complexity, perception, knowledge), three main settings of social prescribing initiatives (including healthcare providers, link workers, and voluntary and community sectors) are affected by (1) individual characteristics (knowledge, perception, skill mix); (2) interpersonal relations (collaboration, trust, feedback, supportive climate, follow-up, sustained connection, peer support within and across sectors); (3) organizational contingencies (resource adequacy, staffing, training, role description, continuity of support, caseload management, monitoring, affordability, accessibility, referral criteria, and tailored support); and (4) political context (national policy and guidance, stewardship, planning, cocreation, bureaucracy, economic condition, and the number of support organizations).

CONCLUSION

Many factors influencing social prescribing initiatives were identified. The results of this review can be applied by different stakeholders of social prescribing to guide development, implementation, description, and evaluation.

Electrochemical monitoring of 4-chlorophenol as a water pollutant via carbon paste electrode amplified with Fe3O4 incorporated cellulose nanofibers (CNF)

A crucial problem that needs to be resolved is the sensitive and selective monitoring of chlorophenol compounds, especifically 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), one of the most frequently used organic industrial chemicals. In light of this, the goal of this study was to synthesize Fe₃O₄ incorporated cellulose nanofiber composite (Fe₃O₄/CNF) as an amplifier in the development of a modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) for 4-CP detection. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to evaluate the morphology of the synthesized nanocatalyst, while differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) techniques were implemented to illuminate the electrochemical characteristics of the fabricated sensor. The ultimate electrochemical sensor (Fe₃O₄/CNF/CPE) was used as a potent electrochemical sensor for monitoring 4-CP in the concentration range of 1.0 nM-170 μM with a limit of detection value of 0.5 nM. As a result of optimization studies, 8.0 mg Fe₃O₄/CNF was found to be the ideal catalyst concentration, whereas pH = 6.0 was chosen as the ideal pH. The 4-CP's oxidation current was found to be over 1.67 times greater at ideal operating conditions than it was at the surface of bare CPE, and its oxidation potential decreased by about 120 mV. By using the standard addition procedure on samples of drinking water and wastewater, the suggested capability of Fe₃O₄/CNF/CPE to detect 4-CP was further investigated. The recovery range was found to be 98.52-103.66%. This study paves the way for the customization of advanced nanostructure for the application in electrochemical sensors resulting in beneficial environmental impact and enhancing human health.

An applicable method for extraction of whole seeds protein and its determination through Bradford's method

Analysis of protein content of food is necessary for quality control and is essential for precise labeling. Protein analysis is an issue of great economic and social fondness. Cereals are one of the most important sources of protein in food, livestock and poultry feed. In this article, the technique of extracting protein in 4 types of grains and measuring it by the Bradford method is discussed. The results obtained from this method are compared with the data obtained by the Kjeldahl method. This comparison showed that the Bradford method is more accurate in measuring proteins. Extraction of protein using NaOH at pH 13 can be used as a modified method to release proteins in soybean meal and consequently a Fast and accurate high-performance laboratory determination method for protein content via the Bradford method. The optimum pH value was identified as that of 13 in optimum temperature 40 °C for maximum protein extraction yield (43.6%, w/w). The new method used in this paper has resulted in the measurement of grain protein in the shortest time and with the least toxicity and the highest accuracy.

Reducing the risk of death induced by aluminum phosphide poisoning: The new therapies

Numerous people suffer from accidental or deliberate exposure to different pesticides when poisoning with aluminum phosphate (AlP) is increasing in the eastern countries. Aluminum phosphate is a conventional insecticide that quickly reacts with water or the moistures in the atmosphere and produces fatal phosphine gas, which absorbs quickly by the body. Oral consumption or inhalation of AlP leads to excessive reaction of the body such as fatigue, vomiting, fever, palpitation, vasodilatory shock, increasing blood pressure, cardiac dysfunction, pulmonary congestion, shortness of breath, and death. The garlic smell from the patient's mouth or exhale is one of the methods to recognize the positioning. Due to the lack of individual antidotes, several supportive treatments are required. The present study focused on the available and new therapies that help reduce the effect of AlP poisoning and the mortality rate. The therapies are divided into the antioxidant-related agent and the other agents. The impacts of each agent on the experimental cases are reported.

Advancement in electrochemical strategies for quantification of Brown HT and Carmoisine (Acid Red 14) Drom Azo Dyestuff class

Brown HT and carmoisine, which are the most used dyestuffs in pharmaceuticals, textiles, cosmetics and foods, are important components of the Azo family. Although the Azo group is not toxic or carcinogenic under normal conditions, these dyestuffs require great care due to the reduction of the Azo functional group to amines. In particular, fast, reliable, easy, on-site and precise determinations of these substances are extremely necessary and important. In this review, the properties, applications, and electrochemical determinations of brown HT and carmoisine, which are used as synthetic food colorants, are discussed in detail. Up to now, sensor types, detection limits (LOD and LOQ), and analytical applications in the developed electrochemical strategies for both substances were compared. In addition, the validation parameters such as the variety of the sensors, sensitivity, selectivity and electrochemical technique in these studies were clarified one by one. While the electrochemical techniques recommended for brown HT were mostly used for the removal of dyestuff, for carmoisine they included fully quantitative centered studies. The percentiles of voltammetric techniques, which are the most widely used among these electroanalytical methods, were determined. The benefits of a robust electrochemical strategy for the determination of both food colors are summed up in this review. Finally, the brown HT and carmoisine suggestions for future perspectives in electrochemical strategy are given according to all their applications.

Determination of D&C Red 33 and Patent Blue V Azo dyes using an impressive electrochemical sensor based on carbon paste electrode modified with ZIF-8/g-C3N4/Co and ionic liquid in mouthwash and toothpaste as real samples

Synthetic azo dyes are widely used in a variety of industries, but many of them pose a risk to human health, particularly when consumed in large quantities. As a result, their existence in products should be closely monitored. D&C red 33 and Patent Blue V are mostly used in cosmetics, especially in toothpaste and mouthwashes. A novel carbon paste electrode modified with ZIF-8/g-C3N4/Co nanocomposite and 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide as an ionic liquid was employed as a highly sensitive reproducible electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of these common dyes. ZIF structure has unique properties such as high surface area, suitable conductivity, and excellent porosity. The electrochemical behavior of the suggested electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). To characterize the synthesized nanocomposites, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were applied to investigate the structure of nanocomposites. Under the optimized conditions, the modified sensor offered a wide linear concentration range 0.08-10 μM (R2 = 0.9906) and 10-900 μM (R2 = 0.9932) with a low limit of detection of 0.034 μM. The value of diffusion coefficient (D), and the electron transfer coefficient (α) was calculated to be 310 × 10-5, and 0.9 respectively. This technique offered a successful performance for the determination of target analyte in the real samples with acceptable results between 96% and 107%.

Recent advantages in electrochemical monitoring for the analysis of amaranth and carminic acid food colors

This study provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments in the electrochemical impressions of the important dyestuffs including amaranth and carminic acid. Food colors are organic substances that have important effects on human health and food safety. While these substances do not pose a problem when used in the daily intake (ADI) amounts, they harm human health when consumed excessively. Amaranth and carminic acid are synthetic and natural food colors ingredients, respectively. Analysis of these substances in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and textile samples is extremely important because of their genotoxicity, cytostatic and cytotoxic effects. Electroanalytical methods, which have great advantages over traditional analytical methods, shed light on the scientific world. Electrochemical monitoring modules, which are fast, simple, accurate, reliable, and highly selective, are promising for the determination of both substances. Until now, amaranth and carminic acid food determinations have been carried out successfully with electrochemical monitoring techniques in many numbers in the literature. Voltammetric techniques are the most widely used among these electroanalytical methods. In particular, square wave and differential pulse voltammetric techniques, which have extraordinary properties, have been heavily preferred. Limits of detection (LOD) comparable to the standard analytical method have been achieved using these methods, which have very quick analysis durations, high precision and accuracy, do not require long preprocessing, and have great selectivity. In addition, more sensitive and selective analyses of amaranth and carminic acid in natural samples were carried out with numerous indicator electrodes. The merits of powerful electrochemical monitoring studies for the determination of both food colors during the last decade are presented in this study. Moreover, parameters such as analytical applications, detection limits, electrochemical methods, selectivity, working electrodes, and working ranges are summarized in detail.

Cyanazine herbicide monitoring as a hazardous substance by a DNA nanostructure biosensor

Cyanazine is a beneficial herbicide in the triazines group that inhibits photosynthesis in plants and monitoring of this herbicide is so important for study agriculture products. The present researches have been focused on monitoring of cyanazine by a straightforward and fast electrochemical strategy. Herein, to monitor the cyanazine level, Pt and Pd doped CdO nanoparticle decorated SWCNTs composite (Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs) has been synthesized as a conductive mediator and characterized by EDS, SEM and TEM techniques. The Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs and ds-DNA have been used for modification of the gold electrode (GE). Moreover, the oxidation signal of guanine relative to ds-DNA at the surface of Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs/ds-DNA/GE has been considered as an bioelectroanalytical issue to monitoring cyanazine for the first time. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) signals have confirmed that the inclusion of Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs at the surface of the GE has lowered charge-transfer resistance by ca.1.54 times and created a highly conductive state for monitoring of cyanazine in nanomolar concentration. On the other hand, differential pulse voltammograms (DPV) of Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs/ds-DNA/GE have indicated a linear dynamic range of 4.0 nM-70 µM with a detection limit of 0.8 nM to the monitoring of cyanazine. In addition, the molecular docking study has emphasized that cyanazine herbicide is capable of binding to ds-DNA preferably at the guanine-cytosine rich sequences, and confirmed experimental results. In the final step, Pt-Pd-CdO/SWCNTs/ds-DNA/GE has been successfully utilized for the monitoring of cyanazine herbicide in food and water samples.

Novel enzymatic graphene oxide based biosensor for the detection of glutathione in biological body fluids

In this work, we report a novel enzymatic biosensor based on glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), graphene oxide (GO) and nafion for the electrochemical sensing of glutathione (GSH) in body fluids. GSH-Px was immobilized covalently via 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) onto modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) decorated with GO and nafion and successfully used for sensing of GSH in the presence of H₂O₂ as catalyst with Michaelis-Menten constant about 0.131 mmol/L. The active surface are of GCE improve from 0.183 cm² to 0.225 cm² after modification with GO. The introduced biosensor (GSH-Px/GO/nafion/GCE) was used for monitoring of GSH over the range 0.003-370.0 μM, with a detection limit of 1.5 nM using differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method. The GSH-Px/GO/nafion/GCE was successfully applied to the determination of GSH in real samples.

Properties and Recent Advantages of N,N’-dialkylimidazolium-ion Liquids Application in Electrochemistry

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N,Nʹ-dialkylimidazolium-ion liquids is one of the important ionic liquids with a wide range of application as conductive electrolyte and in electrochemistry. The modified electrodes create a new view in fabrication of electroanalytical sensors. Many modifiers have beeen suggested for modification of electroanalytical sensor since many years ago. Over these years, ionic liquids and especially room temperature ionic liquids have attracted more attention due to their wide range of electrochemical windows and high electrical conductivity. N,Nʹ-dialkylimidazolium-ion liquids are one of the main important ionic liquids suggested for modification of bare electrodes and especially carbon paste electrodes. Although many review articles have reported onthe use of ionic liquids in electrochemical sensors, no review article has been specifically introduced so far on the review of the advantages of N,Nʹ-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquid. Therefore, in this review paper we focused on the introduction of recent advantages of N,Nʹ-dialkyl imidazolium ionic liquid in electrochemistry.

Intestinal changes and immune responses during Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens

Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis (NE) is an economically important disease of broiler chickens. The present study evaluated the effect of C. perfringens on the intestinal histomorphometry, enteric microbial colonization, and host immune responses using 3 experimental NE reproduction methods. The experimental groups consisted of 1) unchallenged Control diet (corn-soybean meal), 2) Control diet + Eimera inoculation at d 11 followed by C. perfringens challenge at d 15 (ECp), 3) Wheat-based diet + C. perfringens challenge (WCp), and 4) Wheat-based diet + Eimeria inoculation followed by C. perfringens challenge (WECp). The results showed that chickens receiving ECp and WECp had reduced (P < 0.05) bird performance coupled with enteric gross lesions and epithelial damage at d 17 and 24 of age compared to unchallenged control birds. These ECp and WECp administered birds also had increased (P < 0.05) ileal colonization by clostridia and E. coli at d 17 and 24, while the resident Lactobacillus counts were reduced (P < 0.05) at d 24 of age. Furthermore, at d 24, jejunal transcription of IL-6, IL-10, annexin-A1 and IL-2 genes was upregulated (P < 0.05) in the ECp group, whereas the transcription of TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF)-3 gene was increased (P < 0.05) in WECp treated birds when compared to unchallenged control group. Additionally, stimulation of chicken splenocytes and cecal tonsilocytes with virulent C. perfringens bacilli or their secretory proteins resulted in a higher (P < 0.05) frequency of T cells and their upregulation of MHC-II molecule, as determined by flow cytometry. These findings suggest that C. perfringens, while inducing epithelial damage and changes in microbiota, can also trigger host immune responses. Furthermore, NE reproduction methods using coccidia with or without the wheat-based dietary predisposition seem to facilitate an optimal NE reproduction in broiler chickens and thus, may provide better avenues for future C. perfringens research.

Heterogeneous UV-Switchable Au nanoparticles decorated tungstophosphoric acid/TiO2 for efficient photocatalytic degradation process

In the present study, gold nanoparticles were locally well-decorated on the surface of TiO₂ using the tungstophosphoric acid (HPW), as UV-switchable reducing intermediate linkers. The prepared Au NPs/HPW/TiO₂ nanostructure was characterized using FTIR, XRD, EDS, SEM and TEM, which confirmed the successful attachment of quasi-spherical Au NPs in the range of 20-30 nm on the surface of HPW modified TiO₂. Also, the FTIR results show that the Au NPs were binded to TiO₂ through the terminal the oxygen atoms HPW. The photocatalytic performance of prepared nanostructures was assessed in degradation of nitrobenzene. The nitrobenzene photodegradation kinetic study revealed that it well followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model with the apparent rate constant of 0.001 min^-1 using anatase TiO₂, 0.0004 min^-1 using HPW, 0.0014 using HPW/TiO₂, while it was obtained 0.0065 min^-1 using Au NPs@HPW/TiO₂ nanostructure. It shows that the photocatalytic rate of the prepared nanocomposites increased by 6.5- and 4.6-fold compared to photoactivity of anatase TiO₂ and HPW/TiO₂ respectively. Also, the photocatalytic mechanism of process was proposed. Moreover, the reusability study confirmed that its photocatalytic activity still remained high after three cycles.

Gold Nanobiosensor Based on the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance is Able to Diagnose Human Brucellosis, Introducing a Rapid and Affordable Method

Brucellosis is considered as the most common bacterial zoonosis in the world. Although the laboratory findings are the most reliable diagnosis today, the current laboratory methods have many limitations. This research aimed to design and evaluate the performance of a novel technique based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to eliminate or reduce existing shortcomings. For this purpose, smooth lipopolysaccharides were extracted from Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus and fixed on the surface of the gold nanoparticles through covalent interactions. After some optimizing processes, dynamic light scattering was used to characterize the probe. The detection of captured anti-Brucella antibody was performed by measuring the redshift on LSPR peak followed by the determination of cutoff value, which indicated a significant difference between controls and true positive patients (P value < 0.01). Furthermore, 40 sera from true negative samples and positive patients were used to evaluate the performance of this method by comparing its outcomes with the gold standard (culture), standard tube agglutination test, and anti-brucellosis IgM and IgG levels (ELISA). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value showed an appropriate performance of the LSPR-based method (85%, 100%, 100%, and 86%, respectively). The current research results provide a promising fast, convenient, and inexpensive method for detecting the anti-Brucella antibodies in human sera, which can be widely used in medical laboratories to diagnose brucellosis quickly and effectively.

Atlas-Based Quantification of DTI Measures in a Typically Developing Pediatric Spinal Cord

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Multi-parametric MRI, provides a variety of biomarkers sensitive to white matter integrity, However, spinal cord MRI data in pediatrics is rare compared to adults. The purpose of this work was 3-fold: 1) to develop a processing pipeline for atlas-based generation of the typically developing pediatric spinal cord WM tracts, 2) to derive atlas-based normative values of the DTI indices for various WM pathways, and 3) to investigate age-related changes in the obtained normative DTI indices along the extracted tracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DTI scans of 30 typically developing subjects (age range, 6-16 years) were acquired on a 3T MR imaging scanner. The data were registered to the PAM50 template in the Spinal Cord Toolbox. Next, the DTI indices for various WM regions were extracted at a single section centered at the C3 vertebral body in all the 30 subjects. Finally, an ANOVA test was performed to examine the effects of the following: 1) laterality, 2) functionality, and 3) age, with DTI-derived indices in 34 extracted WM regions.

RESULTS

A postprocessing pipeline was developed and validated to delineate pediatric spinal cord WM tracts. The results of ANOVA on fractional anisotropy values showed no effect for laterality (P = .72) but an effect for functionality (P < .001) when comparing the 30 primary WM labels. There was a significant (P < .05) effect of age and maturity of the left spinothalamic tract on mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity values.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed automated pipeline in this study incorporates unique postprocessing steps followed by template registration and quantification of DTI metrics using atlas-based regions. This method eliminates the need for manual ROI analysis of WM tracts and, therefore, increases the accuracy and speed of the measurements.

A critical review on the use of potentiometric based biosensors for biomarkers detection

Potentiometric-based biosensors have the potential to advance the detection of several biological compounds and help in early diagnosis of various diseases. They belong to the portable analytical class of biosensors for monitoring biomarkers in the human body. They contain ion-sensitive membranes sensors can be used to determine potassium, sodium, and chloride ions activity while being used as a biomarker to gauge human health. The potentiometric based ion-sensitive membrane systems can be coupled with various techniques to create a sensitive tool for the fast and early detection of cancer biomarkers and other critical biological compounds. This paper discusses the application of potentiometric-based biosensors and classifies them into four major categories: photoelectrochemical potentiometric biomarkers, potentiometric biosensors amplified with molecular imprinted polymer systems, wearable potentiometric biomarkers and light-addressable potentiometric biosensors. This review demonstrated the development of several innovative biosensor-based techniques that could potentially provide reliable tools to test biomarkers. Some challenges however remain, but these can be removed by coupling techniques to maximize the testing sensitivity.

Exposure Route Affects the Toxicity Class of Thiamethoxam for the Predatory Bug, Orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) by Changing Its Fitness

In many cases, pesticides' side effects on natural enemies have closely related to their exposure route. We assessed long-term lethal and sublethal effects of thiamethoxam (TMX) on the predatory bug, Orius albidipennis (Reuter), fed on Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), through three exposure routes. First-instar nymphs were treated with the maximum field recommended concentration (MFRC), ½ MFRC, and ¼ MFRC of TMX for 24 h. Based on the results, the soil-application treatment (bottom-up effect: plant-aphid-predator) led to the lowest survival reduction. In contrast, leaf-dip (residual contact) and aphid-dip (oral exposure route) treatments decreased the survival severely. While the soil-application treatment had no significant effect on adult longevity and egg production, all tested concentrations of TMX in the leaf-dip and aphid-dip treatments negatively affected both traits. The egg hatchability was not affected by the insecticide in all exposure routes. Among all treatments, ¼ MFRC of TMX in the residual contact and oral treatments shortened the egg incubation period compared to control, but others failed to affect it. Finally, based on the criteria provided by the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control (IOBC) regarding toxicity classification, systemic (soil) application of TMX was harmless for this predator. However, it was moderately harmful and harmful (depending on concentration) to the predator through the residual contact and oral exposures, even at ¼ MFRC. Given our results, the soil-application of TMX is compatible with O. albidipennis, and it can improve conservation approaches of the predator in the integrated management of A. gossypii.

Mitochondrial Targeted Peptide (KLAKLAK)2, and its Synergistic Radiotherapy Effects on Apoptosis of Radio Resistant Human Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line

BACKGROUND

Ionizing radiation plays a significant role in cancer treatment. Despite recent advances in radiotherapy approaches, the existence of irradiation-resistant cancer cells is still a noteworthy challenge. Therefore, developing novel therapeutic approaches are still warranted in order to increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation. Many types of research rely on the role of mitochondria in radiation protection.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we aimed to target the mitochondria of monocyticleukemia (THP-1) radio-resistant cell line cells by a mitochondrial disrupting peptide, D (KLAKLAK)2, and investigate the synergistic effect of Gamma-irradiation and KLA for tumor cells inhibition in vitro.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this experimental study, KLA was delivered into THP-1 cells using a Cell-Penetrating Peptide (CPP).The cells were then exposed to gamma-ray radiation both in the presence and absence of KLA conjugated with CPP. The impacts of KLA, ionizing radiation or combination of both were then evaluated on the cell proliferation and apoptosis of THP-1 cells using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS

The MTT assay indicated the anti-proliferative effects of combined D (KLAKLAK)₂ peptide with ionizing radiation on THP-1cells. Moreover, synergetic effects of KLA and ionizing radiation reduced cell viability and consequently enhanced cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Using KLA peptide in combination with ionizing irradiation increases the anticancer effects of radio-resistant THP-1 cells. Therefore, the combinational therapy of (KLAKLAK)₂ and radiation is a promising strategy for cancer treatment the in future.

Novel 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide impregnated chitosan hydrogel beads nanostructure as an efficient nanobio-adsorbent for cationic dye removal: Kinetic study

In the present study, a novel 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BmImBr) impregnated chitosan beads were prepared and characterized using different methods, including XRD, FT-IR, EDX, SEM and BET. The FTIR analysis revealed that the BmImBr was successfully conjugated with the chitosan in the beads structure. The prepared beads were used as an efficient sorbent for the fast removal of methylene blue, as cationic dye model, from aqueous solution, whereas just 25 min was required to reach 86% removal efficiency. The increasing of BmImBr amount improved the adsorption performance of prepared beads. Also, it was found that the dye can be higher adsorbed on the beads surface by increasing the sorbent dosage and pH of solution, while the optimum dosage and pH were obtained 3 mg/L and 11, respectively. The kinetic study showed that the MB adsorption onto the CS-BmImBr beads follows the pseudo-fist order model and the intrinsic penetration controls the adsorption process. The properties of prepared chitosan- BmImBr IL conjugation confirmed that it can be exploited as an efficient adsorbent in the wastewater treatment.

A DNA Based Biosensor Amplified With ZIF-8/Ionic Liquid Composite for Determination of Mitoxantrone Anticancer Drug: An Experimental/Docking Investigation

An ultrasensitive DNA electrochemical biosensor based on the carbon paste electrode (CPE) amplified with ZIF-8 and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate (BMIMS) was fabricated in this research. The DNA/BMIMS/ZIF-8/CPE was used for the selective determination of a mitoxantrone anticancer drug in aqueous solution, resulting in a good catalytic effect and a powerful ability for determining mitoxantrone. Also, the interaction of the mitoxantrone anticancer drug with guanine bases of ds-DNA was used as a powerful strategy in the suggested biosensor, which was confirmed with docking investigation. Docking study of mitoxantrone into the ds-DNA sequence showed the intercalative binding mode of mitoxantrone into the nitrogenous-based pairs of ds-DNA. The effective factors such as ds-DNA concentration, temperature, buffer types, and incubation time were also optimized for the fabricated mitoxantrone biosensor. The results showed that, under optimum conditions (T = 25°C; incubation time=12 min; pH= 4.8 acetate buffer solution and [DNA] = 50 mg/L), the DNA/BMIMS/ZIF-8/CPE could be used in mitoxantrone assay in a concentration ranging from 8.0 nM to 110 μM with a detection limit of 3.0 nM. In addition, recovery data between 99.18 and 102.08% were obtained for the determination of mitoxantrone in the injection samples using DNA/ZIF-8/BMIMF/CPE as powerful biosensors.

Evaluation of the efficacy of albendazole sulfoxide (ABZ-SO)-loaded chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles in the treatment of cystic echinococcosis in laboratory mice

Albendazole is known as the drug of choice for medical treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Albendazole sulfoxide (ABZ-SO), as the main active metabolite of albendazole, has low efficacy in the disease due to low water solubility and poor absorptivity. PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) enhance the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs, and chitosan (CS) coating enhances oral drug delivery of NPs. In this study, the efficacy of ABZ-SO-loaded CS-PGLA NPs in the treatment of CE was evaluated in laboratory mice. ABZ-SO-loaded CS-PGLA NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation and characterized by dynamic light scattering method and scanning electron microscopy. Thirty mice were intraperitoneally infected by 1000 protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus. Ten months later, the mice were allocated into 3 groups: groups 1 and 2 were treated with ABZ-SO and ABZ-SO-loaded CS-PGLA NPs, respectively, and the mice in group 3 remained untreated as the control group. The drugs were administered by gavage for 45 days at a daily dose of 10 mg/kg. Finally, all mice were opened and the cysts were collected, counted, weighed, and measured separately. The therapeutic effect of ABZ-SO in the number, weight, and volume of the cysts were not statistically significant compared with those in ABZ-SO-loaded CS-PGLA NPs and the control group. However, the therapeutic effect of ABZ-SO-loaded CS-PGLA NPs in the weight and volume of cysts were statistically significant when compared with that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). In conclusions, this study revealed that ABZ-SO-loaded CS-PGLA NPs could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of ABZ-SO in the treatment of CE in laboratory mice.

Yeast cell wall polysaccharides enhanced expression of T helper type 1 and 2 cytokines profile in chicken B lymphocytes exposed to LPS challenge and enzyme treatment

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential immunomodulatory effects of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and yeast-derived products treated with a cell wall lytic enzyme mixture on the gene expression of toll-like receptors and cytokines of chicken B cell line (DT 40) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. 2. The effect of brewer's yeast (Y), yeast cell wall (YCW), distilled dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and a processed yeast + nucleotide-rich product (PY/N) treated with a yeast cell wall lytic enzyme (E) was assessed using a chicken B cells and LPS challenge model. 3. Relative gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines was investigated. Treatment of cells with Y, YCW, YCW + E and PY/N upregulated the expression of TLR2b following LPS challenge. Gene expression of TLR4 was downregulated in E, YCW and YCW + E treatments compared to control, while adding DDGS and PY/N upregulated the expression of TLR4 either before or after enzyme treatment. Following LPS challenge, expression of IL-4 and IL-10 was upregulated in cells treated with YCW and PY/N, both pre and post enzyme incubation. Adding YCW and PY/N to the cells challenged with LPS upregulated the expression of IFN-γ and IL-12 before and after enzyme treatment. Treatment of cells with YCW, DDGS and PY/N increased the expression of IL-6 prior to LPS challenge. 4. In conclusion, the results suggested that yeast-derived products affected immunomodulatory activities by changing the expression of cytokines involved in the innate immune response.

Evaluation of Pt,Pd-Doped, NiO-Decorated, Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube-Ionic Liquid Carbon Paste Chemically Modified Electrode: An Ultrasensitive Anticancer Drug Sensor for the Determination of Daunorubicin in the Presence of Tamoxifen

Measuring the concentration of anticancer drugs in pharmacological and biological samples is a very useful solution to investigate the effectiveness of these drugs in the chemotherapy process. A Pt,Pd-doped, NiO-decorated SWCNTs (Pt,Pd-NiO/SWCNTs) nanocomposite was synthesized using a one-pot procedure and combining chemical precipitation and ultrasonic sonochemical methods and subsequently characterized by TEM and EDS analysis methods. The analyses results showed the high purity and good distribution of elements and the ~10-nm diameter of the Pt,Pd-NiO nanoparticle decorated on the surface of the SWCNTs with a diameter of about 20-30 nm. Using a combination of Pt,Pd-NiO/SWCNTs and 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (1B23DTFB) in a carbon paste (CP) matrix, Pt,Pd-NiO/SWCNTs/1B23DTFB/CP was fabricated as a highly sensitive analytical tool for the electrochemical determination of daunorubicin in the concentration range of 0.008-350 μM with a detection limit of 3.0 nM. Compared to unmodified CP electrodes, the electro-oxidation process of daunorubicin has undergone significant improvements in current (about 9.8 times increasing in current) and potential (about 110 mV) decreasing in potential). It is noteworthy that the designed sensor can well measure daunorubicin in the presence of tamoxifen (two breast anticancer drugs with a ΔE = 315 mV. According to the real sample analysis data, the Pt,Pd-NiO/SWCNTs/1B23DTFB/CP has proved to be a promising methodology for the analysis and measuring of daunorubicin and tamoxifen in real (e.g., pharmaceutical) samples.

Carbon Nanotubes for Amplification of Electrochemical Signal in Drug and Food Analysis; A Mini Review

Background:

Electrochemical sensors are widely used for the determination of drugs and food compounds. In recent years, the amplification of electrochemical signals with nanomaterials, especially Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) has created a major revolution in electrochemistry.

Objective:

The present mini-review paper focused on studying the role of CNTs as conductive mediators for the fabrication of highly sensitive electrochemical sensors. CNTs, with high conductivity and good ability for modification with other materials, are interesting candidates for improving the sensitivity of electrochemical sensors. CNTs or their derivatives are suggested for different applications in electrochemistry and especially analytical biosensors. This review is aimed to discuss the conductivity feature of CNTs in electrochemical sensors.

Correlation Between Resilience with Aggression and Hostility in University Students

Resilience as a capacity to withstand stress and calamity is one of the important components of mental health and aggressive is a negative behaviour that can threaten human health. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between resilience with aggression and hostility in university students. The research method is correlation, 155 university students were selected by convenience sampling method and responded to Corner & Davidson resilience questionnaires and Boos & Perry aggression and hostility questionnaire. The data were analysed by correlation formula. The results showed that there is a significant and negative correlation between resilience with aggression and hostility, which means when the score of resilience is high, people's aggression and hostility decreases. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the resilience of people by specific teaching programs to reduce the basis of aggression and hostility.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Electrochemical Sensors, a Bright Future in the Fabrication of Portable Kits in Analytical Systems

Analysis of food, pharmaceutical, and environmental compounds is an inevitable issue to evaluate quality of the compounds used in human life. Quality of drinking water, food products, and pharmaceutical compounds is directly associated with human health. Presence of forbidden additives in food products, toxic compounds in water samples and drugs with low quality lead to important problems for human health. Therefore, attention to analytical strategy for investigation of quality of food, pharmaceutical, and environmental compounds and monitoring presence of forbidden compounds in materials used by humans has increased in recent years. Analytical methods help to identify and quantify both permissible and unauthorized compounds present in the materials used in human daily life. Among analytical methods, electrochemical methods have been shown to have more advantages compared to other analytical methods due to their portability and low cost. Most of big companies have applied this type of analytical methods because of their fast and selective analysis. Due to simple operation and high diversity of electroanalytical sensors, these types of sensors are expected to be the future generation of analytical systems. Therefore, many scientists and researchers have focused on designing and fabrication of electroanalytical sensors with good selectivity and high sensitivity for different types of compounds such as drugs, food, and environmental pollutants. In this paper, we described the mechanism and different examples of DNA, enzymatic and electro-catalytic methods for electroanalytical determination of drug, food and environmental compounds.

Feasibility of diffusion and probabilistic white matter analysis in patients implanted with a deep brain stimulator

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) is an established advanced therapy that produces therapeutic effects through high frequency stimulation. Although this therapeutic option leads to improved clinical outcomes, the mechanisms of the underlying efficacy of this treatment are not well understood. Therefore, investigation of DBS and its postoperative effects on brain architecture is of great interest. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is an advanced imaging technique, which has the ability to estimate the structure of white matter fibers; however, clinical application of DWI after DBS implantation is challenging due to the strong susceptibility artifacts caused by implanted devices. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of generating meaningful white matter reconstructions after DBS implantation; and to subsequently quantify the degree to which these tracts are affected by post-operative device-related artifacts. DWI was safely performed before and after implanting electrodes for DBS in 9 PD patients. Differences within each subject between pre- and post-implantation FA, MD, and RD values for 123 regions of interest (ROIs) were calculated. While differences were noted globally, they were larger in regions directly affected by the artifact. White matter tracts were generated from each ROI with probabilistic tractography, revealing significant differences in the reconstruction of several white matter structures after DBS. Tracts pertinent to PD, such as regions of the substantia nigra and nigrostriatal tracts, were largely unaffected. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and clinical applicability of acquiring and processing DWI post-operatively in PD patients after DBS implantation. The presence of global differences provides an impetus for acquiring DWI shortly after implantation to establish a new baseline against which longitudinal changes in brain connectivity in DBS patients can be compared. Understanding that post-operative fiber tracking in patients is feasible on a clinically-relevant scale has significant implications for increasing our current understanding of the pathophysiology of movement disorders, and may provide insights into better defining the pathophysiology and therapeutic effects of DBS.

P6426The use of direct oral anti-coagulations (DOACs) compared to vitamin k antagonist in patients with left ventricular thrombus after acute myocardial infarction

Aim

Current guidelines recommend the use of Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) for up to 3–6 months for the treatment of LV thrombus post- acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However based on evidence supporting the non-inferiority and potential superiority of Direct Oral Anti-Coagulation's (DOAC) compared to VKA for other indications such as atrial fibrillation, DOACs are being increasingly used off licence for the treatment of left ventricular (LV) thrombus post AMI. In this study we investigated the effect of DOACs compared to VKA on LV thrombus resolution and their safety profile in patients presenting with AMI.

Methods and results

This was a prospective observational study of 2,328 consecutive patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for AMI between 2015- 2018, at a UK cardiac centre. Patients' details were collected from the hospital electronic database. The primary end-point was the rate of resolution of LV thrombus with bleeding rates as a secondary outcome.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombus was diagnosed by echocardiography, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in 98 (5.1%) patients. Sixty patients (61.2%) were started on VKA and 38 patients (38.8%) on DOAC therapy (Rivaroxaban: 57.9%, Apixaban, 36.8% and Edoxaban: 5.3%). Both groups were well matched in terms of baseline characteristics including age, previous cardiac history (previous MI, PCI, CABG), and cardiovascular risk factors (Hypertension, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolaemia).

Over the follow up period (median 1.8 years), overall rates of LV thrombus resolution were 86%. There was greater and earlier LV thrombus resolution in the DOAC group compared to patients treated with warfarin (75% vs 53%, p=0.0018, at 1 year), which persisted after adjusting for baseline variables (OR 1.8 95% CI 1.2–2.9). Major bleeding such as intracranial bleed, major GI bleed and bleed requiring hospital admission were lower in DOAC group, compared with VKA group (0% vs 5%, p=0.030) with no difference in rates of systemic thromboembolism (p=0.388).

Conclusion

This data suggests improved thrombus resolution in post ACS LV thrombosis in patient treated with DOACs compared to vitamin K antagonists. This improvement in thrombus resolution was accompanied with a better safety profile for the DOAC patients' vs VKA treated patients. This supports the need for randomised controlled trials to confirm this observational data.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

Identifying crossing collagen fibers in human corneal tissues using pSHG images

Polarization sensitive second harmonic generation (pSHG) microscopy has been used previously to characterize the structure of collagen fibers in corneal samples. Due to the typical organization of the corneal stroma, the information that pSHG provides may be misleading in points where two different collagen fiber bundles orient along different direction crossings. Here, a simulation that illustrates the problem is presented, along with a novel method that is capable of identifying these crossing points. These results can be used to improve the evaluation of corneal collagen structure, and it has been applied to analyze pSHG data acquired from healthy and keratoconic human corneal samples.

Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery.

METHODS

This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy.

RESULTS

Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51-19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8-51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI.

CONCLUSIONS

After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies.

Isolation of probiotic bacteria from raw camel's milk and their antagonistic effects on two bacteria causing food poisoning

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is one of the main classes of acid-producing organisms in the food industry, and they play a vital part in many food and feed fermentations. We isolated and performed molecular identification of LAB from raw camel's milk and assessed their protective effects against pathogenicity induced by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Fourteen samples of camel's milk were obtained from several districts under aseptic conditions. Bacteria isolation was performed by plating the samples on selective media. Isolates were identified by amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA by PCR and sequencing. A total of 32 isolates were randomly picked, eight of which were analysed in this study. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic methods, isolated LAB was included Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Weissella paramesenteroides and Weissella confuse. Antagonistic activity of isolated LAB against two pathogenic bacteria showed that they had more inhibitory activity against S. aureus subsp. aureus PTCC 1431 than E. coli ATCC 25922. This study discovered that raw camel's milk obtained from three districts of Kerman province contain LAB bacteria that have antagonistic properties on S. aureus.

Sub-lethal concentrations of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana increase fitness costs of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) offspring

We assessed the effects of exposure of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae to the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (isolate DC2) on life history parameters of the subsequent generation. Mortality assays against second instar larvae showed B. bassiana isolates to be significantly virulent, causing high mortality. Life history parameters such as developmental time, fecundity and survivorship were affected in the offspring of survivors of exposure to LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ concentrations of B. bassiana DC2. Pre-adult duration of H. armigera was significantly extended and total longevity and female progeny fecundity were decreased. Oviposition duration was shortened compared to offspring of untreated controls. All population parameters including intrinsic (r) and finite (λ) rates of increase and net (R₀) and gross (GRR) reproductive rates were significantly decreased in offspring derived from H. armigera larvae treated with B. bassiana DC2. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.198 d^-1, 0.120 d^-1 and 0.111 d^-1, respectively, for the F1 generation of controls (untreated), LC₂₅- and LC₅₀-treated cotton bollworm. The morphogenetic effects of B. bassiana observed due to the indirect effect of sub-lethal concentrations included abnormal pupae and adults and mortality resulted from the malformations. Pupal weight was reduced in offspring of treated individuals but sex ratios did not differ. Our results revealed that B. bassiana increased fitness costs of H. armigera in both direct (mortality) and indirect (disruption of normal development) ways. Adverse effects of sub-lethal fungal treatments on the parent generation carried over to the next generation.

Zonally Magnified Oblique Multislice and Non-Zonally Magnified Oblique Multislice DWI of the Cervical Spinal Cord

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The zonally magnified oblique multislice EPI (ZOOM-EPI) diffusion-weighted sequence has been visually shown to provide superior MR diffusion image quality compared with the full-FOV single-shot EPI sequence (non-ZOOM-EPI) in the adult cervical spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to examine the diffusion tensor imaging indices in the normal human cervical spinal cord between ZOOMED and non-ZOOMED DTI acquisitions and determine whether DTI values are comparable between direct and indirect age-matched groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four subjects 23-58 years of age (9 direct age-matched and 45 indirect age-matched) were scanned using a 1.5T scanner. Diffusion tensor indices including fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were generated from the DTI dataset. These DTI values were calculated for both ZOOM and non-ZOOM acquisitions and compared at each intervertebral disc level. The variability of the DTI values for ZOOM and non-ZOOM sequences was measured using a coefficient of variation within direct and indirect age-matched controls.

RESULTS

The mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity values obtained along the cervical spinal cord in the age-matched controls showed a significant decrease using the ZOOM sequence (P = .05, P = .002, and P < .001). Mean fractional anisotropy showed a significant increase (P = .04) using the ZOOM sequence. The indirect age-matched controls showed a statistically significant increase in fractional anisotropy (P = .03) and a decrease in mean diffusivity (P = .002), axial diffusivity (P < .001), and radial diffusivity (P = .002) using the ZOOM sequence. Less variability has been shown in DTI using the ZOOM sequence compared with the non-ZOOM sequence in both direct and indirect age groups. The ZOOM sequence exhibited higher SNR (SNR_ZOOM = 22.84 ± 7.59) compared with the non-ZOOM sequence (SNR_non-ZOOM = 19.7 ± 7.05). However, when we used a 2-tailed t test assuming unequal variances, the ZOOM sequence did not demonstrate a statistically significant increase.

CONCLUSIONS

ZOOM DTI acquisition methods provide superior image quality and precision over non-ZOOM techniques and are recommended over conventional full-FOV single-shot EPI DTI for clinical applications in cervical spinal cord imaging.

Effect of yeast-derived products and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance and local innate immune response of broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens

This study evaluated the effect of yeast-derived products on growth performance, gut lesion score, intestinal population of Clostridium perfringens, and local innate immunity of broiler chickens challenged with C. perfringens. One-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments providing six replicate pens of 55 birds each per treatment. Dietary treatments consisted of Control diets without and with C. perfringens challenge, and diets containing bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD, 55 g/tonne), nucleotides (150 g/tonne), yeast cell wall (YCW, 300 g/tonne), and a commercial product Maxi-Gen Plus (1 kg/tonne) fed to chickens challenged with C. perfringens. Diets containing 10% distillers dried grains with solubles without and with C. perfringens challenge were also used. Birds were orally challenged with C. perfringens (10(8) colony-forming units (cfu)/bird) on day 14. On day 21, intestinal samples were collected for gene expression analysis. Pathogen challenge significantly (P < 0.05) impaired feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) shortly after the challenge (14-21 days). Increased C. perfringens counts and intestinal lesion scores were observed for challenged birds except the BMD-containing diet. Over the entire trial (1-35 days), no difference in growth performance was observed except the BMD diet which improved FCR over the Control, challenged group. Birds receiving nucleotides showed increased expression of toll-like receptors and cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-18 compared to the Control, challenged group. Expression of macrophage mannose receptor and IL-18 was upregulated in birds receiving YCW. Increased expression of cytokines and receptors involved in innate immunity in broilers receiving nucleotides and YCW suggests the immunomodulatory properties of these products under pathogen challenge conditions.