Engineering analysis of diamond-like carbon coated polymeric materials for biomedical applications

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have received much attention recently owing to their properties, which are similar to diamond: hardness, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance against chemicals, abrasion resistance, good biocompatibility, and uniform flat surface. Furthermore, DLC films can be deposited easily on many substrates for wide area coat at room temperature. DLC films were developed for applications as biomedical materials in blood contacting-devices (e.g., rotary blood pump) and showed good biocompatibility for these applications. In this study, we investigated the surface roughness by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Hi-vision camera, SEM for surface imaging. The DLC films were produced by radio frequency glow discharge plasma decomposed of hydrocarbon gas at room temperature and low pressure (53 Pa) on several kinds of polycarbonate substrates. For the evaluation of the relation between deposition rate and platelet adhesion that we investigated in a previous study, DLC films were deposited at the same methane pressure for several deposition times, and film thickness was investigated. In addition, the deposition rate of DLC films on polymeric substrates is similar to the deposition rate of those deposited on Si substrates. There were no significant differences in substrates' surface roughness that were coated by DLC films in different deposition rates (16-40 nm). The surface energy and the contact angle of the DLC films were investigated. The chemical bond of DLC films also was evaluated. The evaluation of surface properties by many methods and measurements and the relationship between the platelet adhesion and film thickness is discussed. Finally, the presented DLC films appear to be promising candidates for biomedical applications and merit investigation.     

Plackett–Burman randomization method for Bacterial Ghosts preparation form E. coli JM109

Plackett–Burman randomization method is a conventional tool for variables randomization aiming at optimization. Bacterial Ghosts (BGs) preparation has been recently established using methods other than the E lysis gene. The protocol has been based mainly on using critical concentrations from chemical compounds able to convert viable cells to BGs. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Growth Concentration (MGC) were the main guide for the BGs preparation. In this study, Escherichia coli JM109 DEC has been used to produce the BGs following the original protocol. The study contained a detail protocol for BGs preparation that could be used as a guide.     

Targeting cancer using cholesterol conjugates

Conjugation of cholesterol moiety to active compounds for either cancer treatment or diagnosis is an attractive approach. Cholesterol derivatives are widely studied as cancer diagnostic agents and as anticancer derivatives either in vitro or in vivo using animal models. In largely growing studies, anticancer agents have been chemically conjugated to cholesterol molecules, to enhance their pharmacokinetic behavior, cellular uptake, target specificity, and safety. To efficiently deliver anticancer agents to the target cells and tissues, many different cholesterol–anticancer conjugates were synthesized and characterized, and their anticancer efficiencies were tested in vitro and in vivo.     

Effectiveness of an early mobility protocol for stroke patients in Intensive Care Unit

Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of an early mobility protocol for stroke patients in the intensive care unit.Methods:Participants were patients with first or recurrent stroke (n=60, age=49.02±6.36 years, body mass index=32.95±5.67 kg/m²) admitted to the intensive care stroke unit in general hospitals, Riyadh during October and December 2016. Single group pretest-posttest design involving an early mobility protocol was started within first 24 hours admission. Pre and post measurements of muscle strength, pulmonary function and quality of life were carried out.Results:There were significant improvements in muscle strength of upper and lower extremities´ muscles after treatment (p<0.05), pulmonary functions including Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume 1 (p<0.05) and quality of life, namely, Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale (p<0.01).Conclusion:This study demonstrates that initiating an early mobility protocol is safe and effective for intensive care unit stroke patients and supports introducing the current protocol as a standard protocol in neurogenic Intensive Care Units.

Stroke is a life-threatening condition caused by interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. Stroke causes acute neurological disorders and long-term disabilities and imposes economic, social and health impacts on individuals and their families.1 Survivors of stroke are left with mental and physical disabilities that cause social and economic burdens and impair quality of life (QOL). In Saudi Arabia stroke is becoming a rapidly increasing problem and a primary cause of morbidity and mortality.2 Worldwide the incidence of first-time stroke was 17 million during 1990-2000.3 Cerebrovascular diseases including stroke is a leading cause of mortality,4 and stroke is the fifth leading cause of death, but it remains the first cause of disability in the USA.5 By 2030 there will be almost 12 million stroke deaths and 70 million stroke survivors globally.6 Stroke has an adverse influence on the QOL of patients. The onset of stroke is sudden, and unlike other disabling conditions, it leaves patients and their family’s ill prepared for its sequelae.7 Stroke may create unique conditions that affect the patients’ QOL, involving dysfunctions in physical, emotional, memory, thinking, and social interactions.8Stroke is an urgent health care issue. It is a common cause of the hospital admissions. Immediate admission to the neuro-intensive care unit can facilitate early stroke treatment strategies.9 Stroke patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) experience a decrease in physical activity that represents a significant stress on the body and leads to a considerable decrease in functional status, increases morbidity, mortality rate, and duration of hospital stay and cost of care.10 In addition to comorbid diseases, patients on mechanical ventilation have many barriers to mobility because they are surrounded by tubes, catheters, life support and monitoring equipment. Additionally, other factors besides weakness, such as sleep loss, lack of social communication, nutritional status, sedation, and an ICU culture that encourages bed rest further contribute to functional deterioration.11 There is considerable loss of the muscle mass during the initial weeks of immobility in the ICU, therefore its management is inherently related to QOL after discharge.12 Considerable published evidence indicates that patients in ICUs have high morbidity and mortality, high costs of care and a marked decline in functional status.13,14Early and progressive mobilization program has been described as a key component for patients in the ICU. It may decrease post stroke complications such as infections, deep venous thrombosis, pneumonia, pressure ulcers, falls and de-conditioning with bed rest.15 It has been recognized that mobilization of post stroke patients is essential to prevent hospital-associated complications, functional decline and facilitate recovery.16 Moreover, the benefits of early mobilization include decreased ICU-acquired weakness, improved functional recovery within hospital,17 Effective stroke intervention begins the day the patient has a stroke.18 It has a positive effect on patient functional ability, promotes positive psychological effects and improves walking at hospital discharge and reduces hospital length of stay.19 While on the other hand, long term inactivity may affect the patients’ physical, social, emotional, behavioral, and psychological pattern.20 In addition, secondary changes associated with stroke-related inactivity include muscle atrophy, a shift in muscle fiber type to a greater predominance of fast-fatigable, insulin-resistant fibers, loss of cardiovascular fitness, and increased intramuscular fat.21 Therefore, early mobilization program which is a complex intervention that needs crucial patient assessment and management, as well as interdisciplinary team collaboration and training.22,23 The early mobilization may improve patient outcomes and recovery.24 Few studies have investigated the role of increased mobility in ICU patients. Therefore, this prospective intervention trial evaluated the effectiveness of an early mobility program administered by physical therapists and nursing personnel for stroke patients admitted in ICU.     

The beneficial roles of Lupineus luteus and lifestyle changes in management of metabolic syndrome: A case study

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia. Here, we report a 43-year-old man with obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia and mild liver dysfunctions. Lupid (Lupineus luteus) and therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) were suggested as therapeutic intervention for the present case for 6 months. The body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triacylglycerol (TAG), uric acid (UA) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were markedly decreased by 26.85%, 26.95%, 13%, 53.84%, 57.84%, 36.14%, 47.58% and 61.62% respectively, compared to those at baselines. However, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) value was markedly increased by 30.77%. The present results concluded that administration of lupin with TLC is good intervention for prevention and treatment of MetS.     

Thymoquinone: a promising antidiabetic agent

The antidiabetic property of Nigella sativa seeds oil are attributable to the presence of Thymoquinone (TQ) which is considered as a major phytochemical component of the seeds volatile oil. The aim of this review is to highlight the potential of thymoquinone as an antidiabetic agent and the latest reported research investigations regarding the molecular mechanism of its hypoglycemic effect. For researchers involved in the field of antidiabetic therapy, clinical testing of the efficacy of TQ in human diabetic patients could provide plenty of opportunities for further research.