Effect of GSH and niacin combination on protein oxidation, ER stress, glycation and aggregation in HLE cells under high glucose condition

AIM: To evaluate the effects of reduced glutathione (GSH) and niacin combination on protein oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, glycation, and aggregation of the αβ crystalline in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells treated with high glucose levels. METHODS: HLE cells were cultured and exposed to 25 mmol/L glucose to promote high glucose conditions. Groups of cells were co-treated with three different combinations of dosages: 10 μmol/L GSH+25 μmol/L niacin (P1), 30 μmol/L GSH+25 μmol/L niacin (P2), and 100 μmol/L GSH+25 μmol/L niacin (P3). After 72h incubation, protein carbonyl content (PCC) and glucose reactive protein (GRP78) content were assessed using ELISA examinations. After two-week incubation, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were also assessed and the expression of αβ crystalline was measured using Western blot examination. RESULTS: PCC and GRP78 levels in the co-treated groups were not significantly reduced compared to control (P>0.05). In contrast, there was a significant decrease of the AGEs levels in all groups co-treated with GSH and niacin when compared with the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the αβ crystalline expression increased after high dose glucose administration, but decreased in all groups co-treated with GSH and combinations of GSH and niacin. CONCLUSION: Combinations of GSH and niacin inhibit the aggregation of proteins and prevent glycation in hyperglycemic HLE cells. This study shows that this combination may play an active role in preventing diabetic cataract mainly from the AGEs pathway.     

Comparison of nighttime and daytime operation on outcomes of supracondylar humeral fractures: A prospective observational study

Supracondylar humeral fractures are seen in children and treatment is usually closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP). This surgery can be performed at night, depending on its urgency. Fatigue and sleep deprivation can impact performance of doctors during night shifts. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between night shifts postoperative morbidity and mortality of supracondylar fracture operations compared to daytime procedures.This prospective observational study included 94 patients who were aged 5 to 12 years with ASA I to III who had supracondylar humeral fractures, underwent CRPP under general anesthesia. Patients were stratified by the time of surgery using time of induction of anesthesia as the starting time of the procedure, into 2 groups: day (07:30 am–06:29 pm) and night (06:30 pm–07:29 am). In total, 82 patients completed the study: 43 in Group Day and 39 in Group Night.The operation duration in Group Night (114.66 ± 29.46 minutes) was significantly longer than in Group Day (84.32 ± 25.9 minutes) (P = .0001). Operation duration (OR: 0.007; P = .0001) and morbidities (OR: 0.417; P = .035) were independent risk factors in Group Night.Children who had supracondylar humeral fractures, undergoing urgent CRPP surgery, in-hospital mortality was associated with the time of day at which the procedure was performed. Patient safety is critically important for pediatric traumatic patient population. Therefore, we suggested to increase the number of healthcare workers and improve the education and experience of young doctors during night shifts.     

Iron oxide nanoparticles supported on biogenic silica derived from bamboo leaf ash for rhodamine B photodegradation

This research demonstrates the use of biogenic silica derived from bamboo leaf ash as a support for iron oxide nanoparticles. The preparation includes silica extraction from bamboo leaf ash and iron oxide nanoparticle impregnation into the silica gel under hydrothermal conditions, which is followed by calcination at 400 °C for 2 h. The physicochemical characterization includes X-ray diffraction analysis, gas sorption analysis, scanning electron microscopic analysis and transmission electron microscopic analysis. The light absorption capability and the band gap energy of the materials were determined by diffuse-reflectance UV–visible spectrophotometry. The materials obtained by varying the Fe content to 5 and 10% wt. were evaluated in rhodamine B photocatalytic degradation and photooxidation systems. It was found that the materials have a combined hematite and magnetite nanostructure, with the ratio of 9:10, and the particle sizes range from 10 to 40 nm. With a band gap energy of 2.27 eV, the prepared materials produce the successive photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B. It was clarified that the formation of composite enhances stability and reusability of photocatalyst as shown by the stable initial rate at wide pH range and reuse for 5 cycles. Degradation mechanism is enhanced by the addition of H₂O₂ as an oxidant, and the investigation of the effect of scavengers shows that the degradation rate not only depends on radical formation but also on other species related to the formation of oxidizing agent.     

Predicting Compressive and Splitting Tensile Strengths of Silica Fume Concrete Using M5P Model Tree Algorithm

Compressive strength (CS) and splitting tensile strength (STS) are paramount parameters in the design of reinforced concrete structures and are required by pertinent standard provisions. Robust prediction models for these properties can save time and cost by reducing the number of laboratory trial batches and experiments needed to generate suitable design data. Silica fume (SF) is often used in concrete owing to its substantial enhancements of the engineering properties of concrete and its environmental benefits. In the present study, the M5P model tree algorithm was used to develop models for the prediction of the CS and STS of concrete incorporating SF. Accordingly, large databases comprising 796 data points for CS and 156 data records for STS were compiled from peer-reviewed published literature. The predictions of the M5P models were compared with linear regression analysis and gene expression programming. Different statistical metrics, including the coefficient of determination, correlation coefficient, root mean squared error, mean absolute error, relative squared error, and discrepancy ratio, were deployed to appraise the performance of the developed models. Moreover, parametric analysis was carried out to investigate the influence of different input parameters, such as the SF content, water-to-binder ratio, and age of the specimen, on the CS and STS. The trained models offer a rapid and accurate tool that can assist the designer in the effective proportioning of silica fume concrete.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Metal Foams Fabricated via Melt Foaming and Powder Metallurgy Technique: A Review

Metal foams possess remarkable properties, such as lightweight, high compressive strength, lower specific weight, high stiffness, and high energy absorption. These properties make them highly desirable for many engineering applications, including lightweight materials, energy-absorption devices for aerospace and automotive industries, etc. For such potential applications, it is essential to understand the mechanical behaviour of these foams. Producing metal foams is a highly challenging task due to the coexistence of solid, liquid, and gaseous phases at different temperatures. Although numerous techniques are available for producing metal foams, fabricating foamed metal still suffers from imperfections and inconsistencies. Thus, a good understanding of various processing techniques and properties of the resulting foams is essential to improve the foam quality. This review discussed the types of metal foams available in the market and their properties, providing an overview of the production techniques involved and the contribution of metal foams to various applications. This review also discussed the challenges in foam fabrications and proposed several solutions to address these problems.     

Investigation of Potential Use of Soybean Protein Isolate–Chinese Bayberry Tannin Extract Cross-Linked Films in Packaging Applications

The possibility of using commercial bayberry tannin (BT) from a Chinese source as a cross-linker and functional additive to develop soybean protein isolate (SPI)-based films was explored in this study by using the solvent casting method. In particular, the impacts of BT loading on the tensile strength, microstructure, thermal stability, water resistance and antioxidant capacity were fully investigated. The results reveal that SPI incorporated with BT yielded a phenolic–protein hybrid whose relevant films exhibited an improvement in tensile strength of around two times greater compared with native SPI as a result of the formed interactions and covalent cross-links, which could be proven using FTIR spectroscopy. The introduction of BT also led to the compact microstructure of SPI–BT films and enhanced the thermal stability, while the water vapor permeability was reduced compared with the control SPI film, especially at high loading content of tannin. Additionally, the use of BT significantly promoted the antioxidant capacity of the SPI-based films according to DPPH radical scavenging assay results. On this basis, Chinese bayberry tannin is considered a promising natural cross-linker and multifunctional additive that can be dedicated to developing protein-derived films with antioxidant activity for food packaging applications.     

Fulminant Ocular Toxoplasmosis: The Hazards of Corticosteroid Monotherapy

Purpose: To describe fulminant toxoplasma retinochoroiditis induced by corticosteroid monotherapy.

Methods: Clinical records of nine patients were reviewed.

Results: All patients (five female, four male; aged 15–64 years) had been misdiagnosed as unilateral non-infectious uveitis and given systemic and/or local corticosteroid injections elsewhere. Mean disease duration before referral was 105.6 ± 71 (45–240) days. Visual acuity at presentation was <20/200 in six eyes. Average lesion size was 6.6 disc areas in eight eyes and all four quadrants were involved in one. Toxoplasma DNA was detected in eight tested eyes. Mean duration of anti-toxoplasmic therapy was 92.5 ± 37.1 days. Three eyes developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Four patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy. Final visual acuity was <20/200 in five eyes.

Conclusions: Iatrogenic immunosuppression due to initial misdiagnosis may lead to an aggressive course and serious complications of ocular toxoplasmosis, a potentially self-limiting infection.     

The effect of socioeconomic factors on quality of life after treatment in patients with head and neck cancer

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of socioeconomic factors on quality of life (QoL) after treatment in patients with head and neck carcinoma (HNC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included 50 HNC patients seen in their control examinations after radiotherapy during a 2-month interval and who were willing to complete the Short-Form 36 QoL questionnaire. Socioeconomic, demographic, and tumor- and treatment-related factors were analyzed for their effect on physical component summary score (PCS) and mental component summary score (MCS) using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: All patients received radiotherapy, and 33 patients (66%) underwent surgery for the primary tumor and/or neck disease. Chemotherapy was given in 9 patients (18%). Mean PCS and MCS were 47.9 (range, 24.8-59.3) and 46.7 (range, 22-63.3) for the whole patient population. There was no significant factor affecting PCS. Education level of "middle school or higher," perceived economic status of "medium or higher," social security status of not being "absent or minimally covered," and unilateral type of neck surgery were found to increase MCS significantly. According to separate linear regression analyses performed for three socioeconomic variables, the most significant factor for MCS was social security status compared with education level and perceived economic status. It was the only parameter that retained its significance when all five parameters were combined in a linear regression model. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that educational status, perceived economic status, and social security status showed a significant effect on the QoL of HNC patients after radiotherapy. When all variables were taken into account, only "social security status" remained significant.     

Effect of maternal fasting on uterine arterial blood flow

AIM: To determine the effect maternal diet pattern on the uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study. The uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry was measured between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation in healthy pregnant women observing Ramadan. For each fasting mother, a non-fasting healthy pregnant woman was recruited as a control. Maternal blood glucose level was measured. RESULTS: A total of 106 pregnant women were studied. The mean hours since last oral intake were significantly longer, and the maternal glucose level was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. The Mean (95% CI) of the uterine artery pulsatility index, resistance index, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity and systolic/diastolic ratio was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Maternal fasting is not associated with significant changes in the uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry.