Vanillin-crosslinked chitosan/ZnO nanocomposites as a drug delivery system for 5-fluorouracil: study on the release behavior via mesoporous ZrO2–Co3O4 nanoparticles modified sensor and antitumor activity

Herein, a series of vanillin-crosslinked chitosan (Vn-CS) nanocomposites (NCs) containing various contents of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared and characterized via FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TGA, SEM and TEM. Changing the weight% of ZnO NPs in the prepared NCs resulted in an improvement in their antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria strains compared with the unmodified CS, and the encapsulation efficiency of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was found to be in the range of 61.4–69.2%. Subsequently, the release of 5-FU was monitored utilizing the mesoporous ZrO₂–Co₃O₄ NPs modified carbon paste sensor via the square-wave adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry (SW-AdASV) technique. Also, the release mechanism of 5-FU from each NC was studied by applying the zero-order, first-order, Hixson–Crowell and Higuchi models to the experimental results. The cytotoxicity of prepared NCs and 5-FU-encapsulated NCs was evaluated against the HePG-2, MCF-7 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines, in addition to the WI-38 and WISH normal cell lines using the MTT assay. Notably, 5-FU/CV₁₀ NC exhibited the highest antitumor activity towards all tested cancer cell lines and a moderate activity against WI-38 and WISH normal cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 28.02 ± 2.5 and 31.65 ± 2.7 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The obtained nanocomposites exhibited suitable selectivity with minimum toxicity against normal cells.

Herein, a series of vanillin-crosslinked chitosan (Vn-CS) nanocomposites (NCs) containing various contents of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared and characterized via FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TGA, SEM and TEM.     

Keep out! Join in! Cross-generation communication on the mobile internet in Norway

In this article we examine how teens in Norway navigate the many options for mediated communication when interacting with parents and grandparents. Drawing on workshop discussions with mid-adolescents, we suggest that there is a digital gap in this cross-generation communication despite high Information and Communication Technology (ICT) penetration in the market. The gap appears to be a manifestation of the social dynamic at play when reshaping the relationship between adolescents and their caregivers. This dynamic includes both centrifugal and centripetal forces. Applying the perspective of relational dialectics, we elaborate on how these forces unfold in the domestication of an increasingly complex set of communication tools referred to as polymedia. The empirical analysis suggests that teens assess the tools differently depending on if it is for interaction with parents or grandparents. This is also related to whether the mediated communication sessions are instrumentally or expressively skewed.     

Frontostriatal functional connectivity underlies self-enhancement during social evaluation

Self-enhancement, the tendency to view oneself positively, is a pervasive social motive widely investigated in the psychological sciences. Relatively little is known about the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying this motive, specifically in social-evaluative situations. To investigate whether positive emotion regulation circuitry, circuitry involved in modulating positive affect, relates to the self-enhancement motive in social contexts, we conducted an functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in a healthy young adult sample. We hypothesized that self-enhancement indices (state and trait self-esteem) would relate to greater functional connectivity between right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (RVLPFC), a region implicated in emotion regulation, and the ventral striatum (VS), a region associated with reward-related affect, during a social feedback task. Following social evaluation, participants experienced stable or decreased state self-esteem. Results showed that stable state self-esteem from pre- to post-scan and higher trait self-esteem related to greater RVLPFC–VS connectivity during positive evaluation. Stable-state self-esteem also related to greater RVLPFC–VS connectivity during negative evaluation. Moreover, RVLPFC activation during all types of feedback processing and left VS activation during negative feedback processing was greater for participants with stable-state self-esteem. These findings implicate neurocognitive mechanisms underlying emotion regulation in the self-enhancement motive and highlight a pathway through which self-enhancement may restore feelings of self-worth during threatening situations.     

Frequency of diabetic retinopathy and associated risk factors in Khartoum, Sudan: population based study

AIM: To assess the frequency and associated risk factors of diabetic retinopathy among Sudanese individuals with diabetes attending Makka Eye complex in Khartoum, Sudan. METHODS: The cross sectional hospital based study recruited 316 individuals with diabetes from Makkah Eye Complex Retina Clinic. Standard questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, medical history and life style characteristics. Blood samples were taken to measure HbA1c and lipid profile. Fundus and slit lamp examination were performed for screening of diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: Among 316 participants, 187 (59.2%) were males and 129 (40.8%) were females. The mean age of participants was 58.7±10.5y. The overall frequency of retinopathy was 261 (82.6%). The percentages of the total participants with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were 126 (39.9%) and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) were 135 (42.7%). Importantly, duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) (72.2% of more than 10y), being on oral hypoglycaemic drugs (versus insulin), and hypertension were all significant risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (P=0.00, 0.01 and 0.00 respectively). Complications of diabetes like diabetic foot (17.7%), history of amputation (6.7%) and clinically significant macular edema (CSME) (47.4%) of the eyes were all significant risk factors (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that duration of diabetes, hypertension and CSME were found to be absolute risk factors (P=0.007, 0.003 and 0.000 respectively). Duration of DM of more than 10y have more than double risk (OR=2.8), while having hypertension triples the risk of retinopathy (OR=3.1). CONCLUSION: High rates of diabetic retinopathy are noted among individuals with diabetes attending Makkah Eye hospital in capital Khartoum. Urgent strategies are needed to monitor and treat hypertension and optimize diabetes control in individuals with diabetes. More investment in diabetes services is urgently needed.     

Cytotoxic effects of extracts obtained from plants of the Oleaceae family: bio-guided isolation and molecular docking of new secoiridoids from Jasminum humile

ContextTraditionally, Oleaceae plants are used to treat many diseases, such as rheumatism, hypercholesterolaemia, or ulcers.ObjectivesTo investigate the cytotoxic potential of Jasminum humile L., Jasminum grandiflorum L., and Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae) extracts against selected human cancer cells lines, followed by a phytochemical investigation of the most potent one.Materials and methodsThe 95% ethanol extracts of aerial parts of three oleaceous plants were examined for their cytotoxicity against HepG-2, MCF-7, and THP-1 cell lines using MTT assay and doxorubicin (positive control). J. humile was bio-selected and submitted to bio-guided fractionation. Chromatographic workup of ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions afforded two new compounds; 1-methoxyjasmigenin (1) and 1-methyl-9-aldojasmigenin (2), along with five known ones (3–7). Structures were unambiguously elucidated using 1D/2D NMR and ESI-HRMS. Isolated compounds were assessed for their anti-proliferative potential, and both selectivity index and statistical significance were determined. Molecular docking was conducted against the Mcl-1 receptor using (AZD5991) as a standard.ResultsJasmoside (5) was the most potent anticancer compound showing IC₅₀ values of 66.47, 41.32, and 27.59 µg/mL against HepG-2, MCF-7, and THP-1 cell lines, respectively. Moreover, isojasminin (4) exhibited IC₅₀ values of 33.49, 43.12, and 51.07 µg/mL against the same cell lines, respectively. Interestingly, 5 exhibited the highest selectivity index towards MCF-7 and THP-1, even greater than doxorubicin. Molecular docking results were in full agreement with the MTT assay and the proposed SAR.ConclusionIn this study, two new compounds were purified. The biological activity highlighted jasmoside (5) as a lead anticancer drug for further future investigation.     

Cancer screening in the United States, 2011: A review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and issues in cancer screening

Each year the American Cancer Society (ACS) publishes a summary of its recommendations for early cancer detection, a report on data and trends in cancer screening rates, and select issues related to cancer screening. This article summarizes the current ACS guidelines, describes the anticipated impact of new health care reform legislation on cancer screening, and discusses recent public debates over the comparative effectiveness of different colorectal cancer screening tests. The latest data on the utilization of cancer screening from the National Health Interview Survey is described, as well as several recent reports on the role of health care professionals in adult utilization of cancer screening.     

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction and the possible underlying neurodegenerative effect of anaesthesia

Introduction: There is alarming evidence about the involvement of general anaesthesia in the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Aim: To clarify the impact of general anaesthesia on cognitive function and to study the possible effect of general anaesthesia on serum S100B, the marker of neuronal degeneration.

Methods: This is a prospective randomised controlled study carried out on 50 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under conventional general anaesthesia. Cognitive assessment for selected patients was done preoperative and 1?week postoperative using Paired Associate Learning test (PALT) for assessment of verbal memory and Benton Visual Retention test (BVRT) for assessment of visual memory. Quantitative determination of serum S100B was done for all patients in the basal sample and postoperative sample by applying an enzyme- linked immunoabsorbent assay technique on am automated ELISA platform.

Results: Regarding cognitive tests, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean value of preoperative PALT and postoperative PALT (p-value?=?.012). There was also a statistically significant difference between the mean value of preoperative BVRT and postoperative BVRT (p-value?=?.011). Regarding S100B, there was a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative serum level (p-value?=?.002). There was also a statistically significant negative correlation between postoperative S100B serum level and the postoperative scores of both PALT and BVRT.

Conclusion: General anaesthesia is incriminated in the development of postoperative verbal and visual memory impairment and in the postoperative increase in serum S100B, the markers of neuronal degeneration.     

Comparison of Label and Laboratory Sodium Values in Popular Sodium-Contributing Foods in the United States

Background

Nutrition labels are important tools for consumers and for supporting public health strategies. Recent, published comparison of label and laboratory sodium values for US foods, and differences by brand type (national or private-label) or source (store or restaurant [fast-food and sit-down]) is unavailable.