Naproxen release behaviour from graphene oxide/cellulose acetate composite nanofibers

The present study investigated the effect of graphene oxide in cellulose acetate-based composite nanofibers on the transdermal delivery of naproxen. The composite nanofibers were successfully produced via the electrospinning process by directly mixing cellulose acetate, graphene oxide, and naproxen solution with varied compositions. The formation of the nanofibers was confirmed by electron microscopy and other characterization techniques to prove the existence of graphene oxide and naproxen itself. Surprisingly, graphene oxide encourages the production of nanofibers with smaller average diameter, higher conductivity, higher mechanical strength, and higher naproxen release from the cellulose acetate nanofibers. Once combined with naproxen, the composite nanofiber exhibited antibacterial activity with an inhibitory zone of 9.15 mm. The cytotoxicity evaluation also showed that the addition of naproxen increased the death of HeLa cells with a CC₅₀ of up to 29.33 μg mL⁻¹. The kinetic model of naproxen release follows the Korsmeyer–Peppas and Higuchi models with acceleration at neutral pH. These results are promising for further applications for wound healing purposes.

The present study investigated the effect of graphene oxide in cellulose acetate-based composite nanofibers on the transdermal delivery of naproxen.     

Sarcopenia and Chronic Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength and/or a decrease in physical performance, is classically related to aging. However, chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), may accelerate the development of sarcopenia. Previous studies found strong association between T2DM and sarcopenia. Insulin resistance that exists in T2DM is thought to be the key mediator for impaired physical function and mobility which may lead to sarcopenia. T2DM may cause sarcopenia through the mediation of insulin resistance, inflammation, accumulation of advanced glycation end-products, and oxidative stress that may affect muscle mass and strength, protein metabolism, and vascular and mitochondrial dysfunction. On the other hand, loss of muscle in sarcopenia may play a role in the development of T2DM through the decreased production of myokines that play a role in glucose and fat metabolism. This review highlights the findings of existing literature on the relationship between T2DM and sarcopenia which emphasize the pathophysiology, chronic vascular complications, and the course of macrovascular and microvascular complications in T2DM..     

Regulatory elements of stx2 gene and the expression level of Shiga-like toxin 2 in Escherichia coli O157:H7

Background/Purpose

Shiga-like toxin (Stx) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection and is responsible for some severe complications. Stx2 is usually associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. Its expression is regulated by elements located upstream of the stx2 gene, including stx2-promoter sequence, ribosome binding site, and the antiterminator q gene. The present study aimed to find the correlation between regulatory elements and the expression level of Stx2 in two local isolates of E. coli O157:H7.

Is the bed capture enzyme immunoassay useful for surveillance in concentrated epidemics? The case of female sex workers in Indonesia

Although the BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) tends to over-estimate HIV incidence in general population epidemics, its limitations may be less relevant to some sub-populations in concentrated epidemics. This study assesses the plausibility of BED-CEIA estimates for female sex workers (FSWs) in Indonesia. Data were derived from a cross-sectional anonymous linked behavioral and biological surveillance survey. Independent samples of 2,917 direct and indirect FSWs, were gathered from seven and five cities, respectively, via three-stage time-location sampling. Participants provided behavioral information, venous blood and vaginal swabs. Specimens testing positive for HIV were subjected to BED-CEIA to identify recent infections. The median duration of sex work was 12 months. The estimated HIV prevalence was 8.2% and the incidence was 4.1 per 100 person years, slightly lower than an Asian Epidemic Model (AEM) estimate. HIV incidence was higher among: direct FSWs (p<0.001), those reporting genital ulcers in the past year (p<0.001), those with active syphilis (p=0.017), and those not receiving periodic presumptive treatment for STIs during the previous 6 months (p=0.045). Low general population HIV prevalence, short durations of sex work and low ART coverage of those eligible for treatment make it unlikely that HIV incidence estimates for FSWs in Indonesia are distorted by long-standing infections and viral suppression. External consistency with model-based estimates and internal consistency in regard to known risk factors for HIV infection add to the plausibility of the estimates. Pending advances in methods for estimating HIV incidence, it may be premature to summarily dismiss the BED-CEIA in concentrated HIV epidemics.     

Pharmacogenetics of isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity

Tuberculosis is still a major problem in some developed and developing countries. The poor compliance to the treatment of tuberculosis patients due to the adverse events was supposed to be an important factor contributing to the high prevalence. This review aims to clarify the role and the pharmacological mechanism of the genes involved in the isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity. We selected English articles of studies in human from PubMed up to May 2014 with the keywords pharmacogenetic, isoniazid and hepatotoxicity, N-acetyl transferase 2 (NAT2), CYP2E1 and glutathione S transferase (GST). Polymorphisms of NAT2, CYP2E1 and GST1 could increase patients’ susceptibility to isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity. The rapid acetylators of NAT2 and rapid metabolizers of CYP2E1 showed increased concentrations of hepatotoxic metabolites. However, the rapid metabolizers of GST1 could decrease the concentration of hepatotoxic metabolites. Some studies of human leukocyte antigen (HLA), Uridine 5′-dipphospho (UDP) glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), Broad complex, Tramtrack, Bric-a-brac (BTB) and cap'n'collar type of basic region leucine zipper factor family (CNC) homolog (BACH) and Maf basic leucine zipper protein (MAFK) polymorphisms showed their roles in isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity by modifying the expression of antioxidant enzymes. A better insight into the role of polymorphisms of HLA, UGT, NOS, BACH and MAFK in addition to NAT2, CYP2E1 and GST1 in the hepatotoxicity of isoniazid may support physicians in monitoring patients hepatotoxicity symptoms and laboratory data and optimizing pharmacotherapy. Future studies about the role of such polymorphisms in different ethnicities are suggested.     

Evaluation of Toxicity of Crude Phlorotannins and Phloroglucinol Using Different Model Organisms

Phlorotannins have been proven to contain numerous bioactive compounds that have potential to be applied in variety industries, including cosmetics, functional foods, nutraceuticals, environmental management, and medicine. The larvicidal and growth-inhibiting properties of phlorotannins have been extensively studied in various organisms. However, the toxicity of the phloroglucinol oligomer of phlorotannin is unclear, especially in Artemia salina, Daphnia magna, Lactuca sativa, and Chlorella vulgaris, which are commonly used in many bioassays. Therefore, research using these four organisms should be designed to provide basic information about the toxic effects of phlorotannins and phloroglucinol. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal and inhibitory properties of phlorotannins and phloroglucinol on A. salina, D. magna, L. sativa, and C. vulgaris. Phlorotannin extract and phloroglucinol were administered at various concentrations to each test organism. The survival rate of A. salina nauplii and D. magna neonates was observed every 24 h to 72 h, whereas the L. sativa seed germination and inhibition rate of C. vulgaris were observed up to 96 h. The results showed that the 24 h LC50 of phlorotannin on A. salina and D. magna were 10.67 and 1.32 mg/mL, respectively. The germination inhibition of L. sativa was 53.3% with a seed growth of less than 4 mm after 96 h upon exposure to 1 mg/mL of phlorotannin. Freshwater and seawater C. vulgaris experienced yield inhibition of 39.47 and 43.46%, respectively, when 2 mg/mL of phlorotanin was added. These results indicate that phlorotannin affects the survival and growth of the test organisms, so its use as a pesticide, herbicide, and algaecide agent for environmental and aquaculture applications can be further studied.     

Supplementary feeding with locally-produced Ready-to-Use Food (RUF) for mildly wasted children on Nias Island, Indonesia: comparison of daily and weekly program outcomes

Ready-to-Use Foods (RUFs) in the form of fortified cereal/nut/legume-based biscuits (±500 kcal and 8-10% protein per 100 g) were tested among mildly wasted children from October 2007 to June 2008, and were labelled as RUF-Nias biscuits. This study reports on a comparison of supplementary feeding program outcomes of mildly wasted children with weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) >=-2 to <-1.5 SD aged >=6 to <60 months old given locally produced RUF-Nias biscuits within daily (in semi-urban areas) and weekly (in rural remote regions) distribution and supervision program settings. In the Church World Service project area, all eligible children were recruited continuously from monthly community-based screening programs and admitted into existing nutrition centers managed by the community on Nias Island, Indonesia. Individual discharge criterion of the programs was WHZ >=-1.5 SD. Of the index children admitted in daily programs (n=51), 80.4% reached target WHZ, which was higher than in weekly programs (72.9%; n=48) by a similar length of stay of about 6 weeks. Weight gain of the children in daily programs was higher (3.1±3.6 g/kg body weight/day) than in weekly programs (2.0±2.1 g/kg body weight/day), and they achieved significantly higher WHZ at discharge. However, the majority of caretakers preferred weekly programs due to lower time constraints. Locally produced RUF in the form of biscuits for treatment of mild wasting among children demonstrated promising results both in daily and weekly community-based intervention programs.