Controlled Aloin Release from Crosslinked Polyacrylamide Hydrogels: Effects of Mesh Size,Electric Field Strength and a Conductive Polymer

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of hydrogel mesh size, a conductive polymer, and electric field strength on controlled drug delivery phenomena using drug-loaded polyacrylamide hydrogels prepared at various crosslinking ratios both with and without a conductive polymer system. Poly(p-phenylene vinylene), PPV, as the model conductive polymer, was used to study its ability to control aloin released from aloin-doped poly(p-phenylene vinylene)/polyacrylamide hydrogel (aloin-doped PPV/PAAM). In the passive release, the diffusion of aloin from five aloin-doped PPV/PAAM hydrogel systems each was delayed ranging from during the first three hours to during the first 14 h due to the ionic interaction between the anionic drug and PPV. After the delayed periods, aloin could diffuse continuously into the buffer solution through the PAAM matrix. The amount of aloin released from the aloin-doped PPV/PAAM rose with increasing electric field strength as a result of the three mechanisms: the expansion of PPV chains inside the hydrogel, iontophoresis, and the electroporation of the matrix pore size, combined. Furthermore, the conductive polymer and the electric field could be used in combination to regulate the amount of release drug to a desired level, to control the release rate, and to switch the drug delivery on/off.     

ATTITUDES AND VALUES OF PERUVIAN COCA GROWERS*

This study uses semi-structured interviews to examine the attitudes and values of Peruvian coca growers toward coca leaf and cocaine basic paste (CBP) consumption and its distribution. The subjects of the study were 186 coca growers from Peruvian jungle valleys who are involved in illegal commercialization of coca leaf and cocaine paste production. Data collected in 1994 reveal that growers consider coca leaf to be a most profitable product and a unique opportunity to improve their quality of life. Although growers acknowledge that a problem exists among local users, they do not assume any responsibility for CBP consumption and dissemination in rural areas. This leads to the conclusion that awareness of a CBP consumption problem is not enough for growers to stop drug production; they need consistent training in social values, as well as support in legal and economic alternatives. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]     

纳米银凝胶经阴道给药后在家兔体内的分布特征

目的 给予家兔阴道内纳米银凝胶后,研究银在家兔体内的分布情况.方法 单剂量和多剂量经♀家兔阴道给予纳米银凝胶200 mg∶ kg-1后,于不同时间点处死家兔并剖取主要组织器官,用ICP-MS法测定给药前、后家兔各器官中银的含量.结果 与0h组比较,单剂量给药后,阴道、子宫和肝脏中银的含量明显增加,其余组织中未见明显分布,给药72 h后各组织中银的含量均恢复至本底水平;多剂量给药后,末次给药2 ～24 h内阴道、子宫、肝脏、脾、肾、大肠和小肠中有银的分布,心、脑、肺和胃未见明显分布,末次给药72 h后各组织中银的含量均恢复至本底水平.结论 单剂量和多剂量经家兔阴道给予纳米银凝胶后,给药2 ～24 h内银在组织中有分布,给药72 h后各组织中均未见明显银蓄积.     

Antibacterial‐nanocomposite bone filler based on silver nanoparticles and polysaccharides

Injectable bone fillers represent an attractive strategy for the treatment of bone defects. These injectable materials should be biocompatible, capable of supporting cell growth and possibly able to exert antibacterial effects. In this work, nanocomposite microbeads based on alginate, chitlac, hydroxyapatite and silver nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. The dried microbeads displayed a rapid swelling in contact with simulated body fluid and maintained their integrity for more than 30 days. The evaluation of silver leakage from the microbeads showed that the antibacterial metal is slowly released in saline solution, with less than 6% of silver released after 1 week. Antibacterial tests proved that the microbeads displayed bactericidal effects toward Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and were also able to damage pre‐formed bacterial biofilms. On the other hand, the microbeads did not exert any cytotoxic effect towards osteoblast‐like cells. After characterization of the microbeads bioactivity, a possible means to embed them in a fluid medium was explored in order to obtain an injectable paste. Upon suspension of the particles in alginate solution or alginate/hyaluronic acid mixtures, a homogenous and time‐stable paste was obtained. Mechanical tests enabled to quantify the extrusion forces from surgical syringes, pointing out the proper injectability of the material. This novel antibacterial bone filler appears as a promising material for the treatment of bone defects, in particular when possible infections could compromise the bone‐healing process. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow cytometry evaluation of in vitro cellular necrosis and apoptosis induced by silver nanoparticles

Particles possess unique properties in the nanoscale, e.g., enhanced catalytic activity, high surface area, and light emission/absorption properties, that might result in interference with colorimetric in vitro cytotoxicity assays such as MTT, XTT or MTS. Alternatively, assays that do not use spectrophotometric detection, such as trypan blue exclusion or flow cytometry (FC) based assays, are less likely to be influenced by nanoparticle interference. The aim of this study was to evaluate FC assays to assess the cytotoxicity of three different sizes (10, 100, or 200 nm) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at different mass concentrations (1, 25, or 50 ug/ml) in L-929 fibroblast cells. After 4 h and 24 h exposure, cell necrosis and apoptosis were assessed using 7-AAD and Annexin V dyes, respectively, with FC. The data indicate that cell necrosis and apoptosis in AgNP-exposed fibroblasts depends on dose, exposure time, and AgNP size. The data indicate that AgNPs produced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability; however, 10 nm AgNPs were significantly more toxic than larger-sized particles. Thus, standard FC assays can be utilized to assess apoptosis and necrosis in response to nanomaterial exposure.     

Potential of biofluid components to modify silver nanoparticle toxicity

Establishing realistic exposure scenarios is critical for cytotoxic investigation of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the potential interaction with and effect of biofluid components, namely cholic acid, deoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid, on AgNP toxicity. Two cell lines corresponding to organs related to the biofluid components were employed. These were HepG‐2 a hepatocellular carcinoma derived from liver tissue and Hep2 an epithelial cell line. Physiochemical and cytotoxic screening was performed and the ability of biofluid components to modify AgNP cytotoxicity was explored. No alteration to the physiochemical characteristics of AgNP by biofluid components was demonstrated. However, biofluid component addition resulted in alteration of AgNP toxicity. Greater reactive oxygen species induction was noted in the presence of cholic acid and deoxycholic acid. Ursodeoxycholic acid demonstrated no modification of toxicity in HepG‐2 cells; however, significant modification was noted in Hep2 cells. It is concluded that biofluid components can modify AgNP toxicity but this is dependent on the biofluid component itself and the location where it acts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of cytotoxic effects of silver nanoclusters on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells ‘in vitro’

The antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have made these particles one of the most used nanomaterials in consumer products. Therefore, an understanding of the interactions (unwanted toxicity) between nanoparticles and human cells is of significant interest. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity effects of silver nanoclusters (AgNC, < 2 nm diameter) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Using flow cytometry and comet assay methods, we demonstrate that exposure of PBMC to AgNC induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage and apoptosis at 3, 6 and 12 h, with a dose‐dependent response (0.1, 1, 3, 5 and 30 µg ml^–1). Advanced electron microscopy imaging of complete and ultrathin‐sections of PBMC confirmed the cytotoxic effects and cell damage caused by AgNC. The present study showed that AgNC produced without coating agents induced significant cytotoxic effects on PBMC owing to their high aspect ratio and active surface area, even at much lower concentrations (<1 µg ml^–1) than those applied in previous studies, resembling what would occur under real exposure conditions to nanosilver‐functionalized consumer products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

用PCR诊断不同虫荷量的大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎的价值

目的　评价在不同虫荷量条件下用 PCR诊断大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎 (PCP)的价值。　方法　将 PCP大鼠随机分为药物治疗组及未治疗组 ,测定其肺虫荷量 ,收集其支气管灌洗液 (BAL F)和血清标本 ,用 PCR和半套式 (Sn) PCR检测标本中的卡氏肺孢子虫基因 ,比较 PCR和环六亚甲基四胺银 (GMS)染色结果 ,及与病鼠肺虫荷量的关系。　结果　虫荷量高的未治疗组病鼠的 BAL F标本 PCR、Sn PCR及 GMS染色阳性率分别为 10 0 %、10 0 %和 92 .6 % ,差异无显著性 (P>0 .0 5 ) ;而虫荷量低的治疗组的 PCR(88.1% )、Sn PCR(94 .9% )阳性率均显著高于 GMS染色镜检阳性率 (30 .5 % ) (P<0 .0 5 )。肺虫荷量 >5 0 0个 /mg肺的 PCP大鼠 ,血清 PCR阳性率显著高于≤ 5 0 0者 (分别为 4 2 .9%和 1.7% )。　结论　PCR可用于虫株负荷量较低时的 PCP诊断 ,对判断 PCP病情及疗效考核亦有一定的帮助。     

Compatibility of Different Histochemical Techniques for the Demonstration of ATPase for Muscle Fiber Typing: A Review

Abstract

Several recent studies suggest a diagnostic and a possible prognostic role for silver stained nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) determination in the assessment of human neoplasia. Technical pitfalls, especially silver grain precipitate, may hamper accurate counting of AgNORs. We have identified pH as a main factor causing silver precipitation and overstaining. An improved silver staining method, which raises the pH to 3.0, optimizes visualization by eliminating silver precipitation and improving contrast between AgNORs and surrounding tissue components. (The J Histotechnol 14:187, 1991)     

Antibacterial activities of hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant bacteria

Antibacterial drug resistance is considered one of the biggest threats to human health worldwide, and the overuse of antibiotics accelerates this problem. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate novel methods to control MDR bacteria. In this study, 40 bacterial isolates were collected from diabetic patients. The sensitivity of 40 bacterial isolates to seven antibiotics was evaluated. Four bacterial isolates were resistant to all antibiotic groups. The MDR pathogenic bacteria were selected and identified morphologically and biochemically and confirmed by VITEK® 2 system as follows: Staphylococcus aureus W35, Pseudomonas aeruginosa D31, Klebsiella pneumoniae DF30, and K. pneumoniae B40. Identification of the most resistant P. aeruginosa D31 was confirmed by the sequencing of a 16S ribosomal RNA gene with an accession number (MW241596). The inhibitory activity of eight types of native grown plant extracts against MDR bacteria was studied. Clove alcoholic extract (CAE) showed the highest inhibitory activity against MDR bacteria. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of partially purified CAE at 0.9 Rf detected by thin-layer chromatography showed an active compound named hexadecenoic acid methyl ester with the highest antimicrobial effect against clinical pathogenic bacteria. The formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by CAE was studied. Evaluation of AgNPs was investigated by X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis, and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial effect of AgNPs after 2, 4, and 6 days in light and dark conditions was evaluated. Finally, the AgNPs synthesized using CAE possess good inhibition activity against the tested pathogenic bacteria. As a result, the bactericidal components listed above were promising in reducing MDR bacteria and can be used for treatments of bacterial infection and in the development of safe products with a natural base.