A feasible approach to measure metal concentrations in drill hole waters on site for mineral exploration

The new technologies used in the green transition towards carbon-free societies typically demand extensive use of metals. This leads to a heavily growing need for exploration and extraction of ore deposits. Exploration can be facilitated by measuring metal concentrations in ground and surface waters carrying trace concentrations of metals leached from nearby deposits. Currently, measuring metal concentrations in water is slow and expensive and it cannot be done on-site, which hinders the discovery of new ore deposits. To address this challenge, we have developed a method to collect and concentrate the dissolved metals in a solid filter and measure the metal concentrations directly from the filter with a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The permeable filter is made of mesoporous silicon modified with bisphosphonates. Two types of adsorbing materials for the filters were prepared based on scalable production methods: i) regenerative etching of metallurgical grade silicon powder, and ii) magnesiothermic reduction of silica from barley husks. Empirical calibrations were prepared in a concentration range of 10-200 μg/L for Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb using water samples prepared by spiking well water with standard metal solutions. Both filter types were tested for their ability to adsorb metals from the real water samples taken from drill holes. The developed system was able to detect metal concentrations down to 12 μg/L (ppb) showing its potential for on-site measurements of dissolved metals in water samples, which could be feasible in the discovery of new mineral deposits. This innovation enables smart sampling during exploration and provides real-time information on metal concentrations in water.

Comparison of neuromuscular fatigability amplitude and etiologies between fatigued and non-fatigued cancer patients

PURPOSE

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most reported side effect of cancer and its treatments. Mechanisms of CRF are multidimensional, including neuromuscular alterations leading to decreased muscle strength and endurance (i.e., fatigability). Recently, exercise fatigability and CRF have been related, while fatigability mechanisms remain unclear. Traditionally, fatigability is assessed from maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) decrease, but some authors hypothesized that the rate of force development (RFD) determined during a rapid contraction could also be an interesting indicator of functional alterations. However, to our knowledge, no study investigated RFD in cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RFD, fatigability amplitude, and etiology are different between fatigued and non-fatigued cancer patients.

METHODS

Eighteen participants with cancer, divided in fatigued or non-fatigued groups according their CRF level, completed a 5-min all-out exercise in ankle plantar flexor muscles composed of 62 isometric MVC of 4 s with 1 s rest, to assess fatigability amplitude as the force-time relationship asymptote (FA). Before and after exercise, fatigability etiologies (i.e., voluntary activation (VA) and evoked forces by electrical stimulation (Db100)) were assessed as well as RFD in 50 and 100 ms (RFD50 and RFD100, respectively) during rapid contractions.

RESULTS

FA is significantly lower in fatigued group. Significant differences were found between pre- and post-exercise VA, Db100, RFD50, and RFD100 for both groups, with no statistical difference between groups.

CONCLUSION

During treatments, fatigability is higher in fatigued patients; however, the mechanisms of fatigability and RFD alterations are similar in both groups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04391543, May 2020.

Potential of Marine Strains of Pseudoalteromonas to Improve Resistance of Juvenile Sea Bass to Pathogens and Limit Biofilm Development

The European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), one of the most produced marine fish species in Europe, is acutely vulnerable to multiple infectious hazards. In this study, we investigated the potential probiotic effect of some marine Pseudoalteromonas bacterial strains against two major pathogens of this species, Vibrio harveyi and the nervous necrosis virus (NNV), and examined their antibiofilm effect. Impregnation phase was done by repeated immersion of juvenile's sea bass during 8 to 12 weeks in seawater containing the probiotic candidates at a concentration of 106 CFU/mL. Four candidates were tested: (1) a combination of two strains producing antimicrobial compounds, hCg-42 and hOe-125; (2) strain 3J6, with known antibiofilm properties; (3) strain RA15, from the same genus, but with no identified probiotic effect; and (4) a control group without probiotics. At the end of the impregnation phase, fish underwent an infection challenge with V. harveyi or with a pathogenic strain of NNV and mortality was monitored. For the V. harveyi challenge, improved survival rates of 10 and 25% were obtained for the RA15 and the mix hCg-42 + hOe-125-impregnated groups, respectively. For the NNV challenge, no significant benefic effect of the probiotics on infection kinetics or cumulative mortality was observed. At the end of the impregnation phase, the maximal thickness of biofilm was significantly lower in the 3J6, double strain, and RA15 groups, compared with the non-impregnated control group. This study highlights the interesting probiotic potential of marine bacteria to limit mortalities induced by bacterial pathogens as well as biofilm development.

Computational analysis of efficient organic solar cell-based retinal prosthesis using plasmonic gold nanoparticles

Introduction

Photovoltaic restoration of vision, especially in conjunction with the use of silicon photodiodes, has gained attention for use in patients affected by blindness due to retinal layer disease. Although the use of silicon photodiodes offers miniaturization of the implant unit and increase in the stimulation channel, the implant unit may suffer from the fracture of these brittle photodiodes when mechanical pressure exerted.

Methods

We present an organic solar cell (OSC)-based retinal prosthesis in which spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are embedded into the active layer to increase the efficiency of the bioelectric interface.

Results

We demonstrate computationally that a modeled OSC incorporating spherical AuNPs has three times higher efficiency than that of a bare OSC presented before for retinal prostheses. Our AuNP based OSC was able to activate the neuron at the minimum light intensity of 0.26 mW/mm2, which is lower than that of the bare OSC.

Discussion

The use of AuNPs in OSC allows device miniaturization or lowering of the light exposure required for neural activation using a photovoltaic retinal prosthesis, which can generally be applied in a broad range of neural prostheses.

Prevention of peritoneal adhesions formation by core-shell electrospun ibuprofen-loaded PEG/silk fibrous membrane

Adhesion bands are pathological fibrous tissues that create in the middle of tissues and organs, often reasons of intestinal obstruction, and female infertility. Here, we explored the anti-adhesive and inflammatory capacities of PEG/silk and Ibuprofen-loaded PEG/Silk core-shell nanofibrous membranes, respectively. The ibuprofen-loaded Silk Fibroin-Poly ethylene Glycol (SF-PEG) core-shell membrane was fabricated by electrospinning and considered in terms of morphology, surface wettability, drug release, and degradation. To reveal the membrane capability for adhesion bands inhibition, the membrane was stitched among the abdominal partition and peritoneum and then evaluated using two scoring adhesion systems. According to results, the fibrous membrane hindered cell proliferation, and the scoring systems and pathology showed that in a rat model, Ibuprofen-loaded PEG/Silk core-shell membrane caused a lightening in post-operative adhesion bands and the low-grade inflammatory reaction in animal models. Collectively, we fabricated new ibuprofen-loaded PEG/SF membranes with anti-adhesion and anti-inflammation properties. Moreover, this core-shell electrospun fibrous membrane has not even now been used to prevent peritendinous adhesion generation.

Delayed cervical cancer diagnosis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer (CC) is a preventable women's cancer. Vaccination and routine Pap smear screening have reduced cervical cancer-related mortality by 70-80% in the world. The eradication of CC depends on identifying the disease early and removing barriers to its timely detection. This review study was designed to determine diagnostic delay and factors related to delayed CC diagnosis in the world.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive search was carried out in databases including Medline, Web of Science, Core Collection (Indexes = SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, A & HCI Timespan), and Scopus for articles published up to December 2021. Publications were included if they reported data on the delayed CC, and factors related to diagnosis of CC in women. There was no time restriction in this review.

RESULTS

In total, 45 articles were entered into the study. In studies, advanced stages of CC (IIB to IV) varied from 10.2% to 87.9% due to delayed diagnosis. A delayed CC diagnosis was reported in 4.3%-89.1% of patients. The median and mean days of delayed diagnosis were 59-210 days and 2.92-10.5 months, respectively. Factors related to delayed CC diagnosis were categorized into three components including patient, medical history, and health system delay. Patient delay included socio-demographic, husband/ partner, and knowledge. Medical history included medical issues, obstetrics, and family history. Health system delays included health facilities and levels of accessibility.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an urgent need to shorten the diagnostic journey of CC patients by addressing all the components of diagnostic delay and developing strategies to modify the factors associated with these delays.

Retinal Tissue Engineering: Regenerative and Drug Delivery Approaches

In recent decades, the improvement of photoreceptor/ cell transplantation has been used as an effective therapeutic approach to treat retinal degenerative diseases. In this reviwe, the effect of different factors on the differentiation process and stem cells toward photoreceptors along with cell viability, morphology, migration, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation efficiency was discussed. It is no wonder that scientists are researching to better recognize the reasons for retinal degeneration, as well as discovering novel therapeutic methods to restore lost vision. In this field, several procedures and treatments in the implantation of stem cells-derived retinal cells have explored with some example of clinical trials. Although these clinical trials are too small to draw stable decisions about whether stem-cell therapies can offer a cure for retinal diseases. However, the future research directions have started for patients affected by retinal degeneration and promising findings have been obtained.

Review on Approved and Inprogress COVID-19 Vaccines

The last generation of Coronavirus named COVID-19 is responsible for the recent worldwide outbreak. Concerning the widespread and quick predominance, there is a critical requirement for designing appropriate vaccines to surmount this grave problem. Correspondingly, in this revision, COVID-19 vaccines (which are being developed until March 29th, 2021) are classified into specific and non-specific categories. Specific vaccines comprise genetic-based vaccines (mRNA, DNA), vector-based, protein/recombinant protein vaccines, inactivated viruses, live-attenuated vaccines, and novel strategies including microneedle arrays (MNAs), and nanoparticles vaccines. Moreover, specific vaccines such as BCG, MRR, and a few other vaccines are considered Non-specific. What is more, according to the significance of Bioinformatic sciences in the cutting-edge vaccine design and rapid outbreak of COVID-19, herein, Bioinformatic principles including reverse vaccinology, epitopes prediction/selection and, their further applications in the design of vaccines are discussed. Last but not least, safety, challenges, advantages, and future prospects of COVID-19 vaccines are highlighted.

Microfluidic synthesis of retinoic acid-loaded nanoparticles for neural differentiation of trabecular meshwork mesenchymal stem cell

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to fabricate the PCL-nanoparticles (NPs) loaded retinoic acid (RA) using the microfluidic system for successful cellular uptake and induction of neuronal differentiation of trabecular meshwork mesenchymal stem cells (TMMSCs).

METHODS

A microfluidic system used to synthesize RA-loaded NPs, DLS, FTIR, TEM, and UV-spectroscopy was recruited to characterize and study the release of RA. Also, the toxicity, cellular uptake, and neuronal differential of TMMSCs have been assessed.

RESULTS

According to the obtained results, the spherical NPs (117.6±0.35 nm, ‒19.4±5.3) and RA-loaded NPs (121.6±0.75 nm, ‒23.6±1.3) were synthesized successfully by microfluidic system. 7.8±2.04 % of RA was loaded in NPs, and 25 % was released in the first four hours. Thus, the NPs have been successfully internalized into the stem cells, leading to a significant increase in neural genes and protein (β Tubulin III and Map-2) expression.

CONCLUSION

Our study's harvested results have represented valid data for practical use of microfluidic systems in the term of NPs loaded RA synthesis and its successful function to cellular internalization and euronal differentiation of TMMSCs (Tab. 2, Fig. 10, Ref. 46).

Temporal changes in extra-axial brain hematoma's signal intensity in magnetic resonance images of trauma patients: A preliminary, technical study

INTRODUCTION

Dating the exact or estimated time of trauma is an important issue facing forensic medicine. Several clinical and radiological methods were used to achieve this purpose. In the recent study, we aimed to track the changes in the signal intensity of the extra-axial brain hematoma using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conventional sequences as well as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, all patients with blunt head trauma were involved. After proper management., stabilization, and resuscitation, the participants were assessed using conventional sequences of MRI and DWI twenty-four hours, forty-eight hours, and three weeks after the injury. Temporal changes of signal intensity were compared by Wilcoxon ranged test.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients sustaining blunt head trauma were included in this study. The study showed that during the time, diffusion restriction could be seen in an extraaxial hematoma. At the first 24 hours, the signal of hematoma was void in 87.5% of DWI and 100% of ADC. On the second day, they were hypo-signal in 75% of DWI and 100% 0f ADCs, and after three weeks, 100% of cases were hyper-signal in DWI and hypo-signal ADCs.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study has shown that the DWI can be used to detect and track the extra-axial hematoma. The signal intensity was void during the first twentyfour hours, although it became hypo-signal after 48 hours. Of note, the diffusion restriction is noted after three weeks.

Building a biopsychosocial model of cancer-related fatigue: the BIOCARE FActory cohort study protocol

Background

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment. CRF prevalence is up to 50% in breast cancer patients and can continue several years after cancer remission. This persistent subjective sense of exhaustion is multifactorial. Numerous parameters have been evidenced to be related to CRF across biological, physical, psychological, social and/or behavioral dimensions. Although CRF has been studied for many years, the majority of previous studies focused on only one dimension, i.e., physical function. Moreover, few studies investigated CRF longitudinally with repeated measures. These are the two main obstacles that limit the understanding of CRF mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to create a biopsychosocial model of CRF with simultaneous and longitudinal anthropometric, clinical, biological, physical, psychological and sociological parameters.

Methods

BIOCARE FActory is a multicentric prospective study that will consist of an 18-month follow-up of 200 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Four visits will be scheduled at diagnosis, after treatments, and 12 and 18 months after diagnosis. The same procedure will be followed for each visit. Each session will be composed of anthropometric data collection, a semi-structured interview, cognitive tests, postural control tests, neuromuscular fatigability tests and a cardiorespiratory fitness test. Clinical and biological data will be collected during medical follow-ups. Participants will also complete questionnaires to assess psychological aspects and quality of life and wear an actigraphy device. Using a structural equation modeling analysis (SEM), collected data will build a biopsychosocial model of CRF, including the physiological, biological, psychological, behavioral and social dimensions of CRF.

Discussion

This study aims to highlight the dynamics of CRF and its correlates from diagnosis to post treatment. SEM analysis could examine some relations between potential mechanisms and CRF. Thus, the biopsychosocial model will contribute to a better understanding of CRF and its underlying mechanisms from diagnosis to the aftermaths of cancer and its treatments.

Trial registration

This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04391543), May 2020.

The level of blood lead painter workers Rafsanjan city and its correlation with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 2019

Introduction: Painters are exposed to various chemical harmful agents such as lead particles in paints. Some studies have suggested a possible association of occupational exposure that may cause cardiovascular effects. Lead is absorbed through the body through the skin, skin, and respiratory tract and penetrates some tissues. Considering the importance of labor health in each country's development and progress, this study was conducted to determine the amount of lead in the blood of painters in Rafsanjan in 2019. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study of the descriptive type conducted in 1397 on 77 painters of Rafsanjan city. Data collection was done in two stages, in the first stage, based on a checklist that included demographic information, and in the second stage by performing laboratory tests. Finally, by recording the data in SPSS software, quantitative data was reported as a "mean ± standard deviation" and qualitative information as a "number (percent)". Results: Of the 77 painter workers, the youngest is 21, and the oldest is 70 years old. A total of 20 people (26%) had a family history of heart attacks. The highest amount of lead in the blood of painters was reported to be 30.7 micrograms per deciliter, and the level of lead was most correlated with blood sugar. Sixty people (77.9%) painters used personal protective equipment. 49.4% of the study's painters wore work clothes, and 28.6% used gloves while working. Lead levels are directly related to blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, age, work experience, and blood sugar levels were most correlated with the level of lead in painters' blood. Conclusion: This study's findings show that due to the increase in the work experience of painters, their blood lead level has also increased, and the blood sugar level has had the highest correlation with the lead level in the painters' blood.

The potency of hsa-miR-9-1 overexpression in photoreceptor differentiation of conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells on a 3D nanofibrous scaffold

MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are ordinarily involved in modulating mRNAs and stem cell differentiation. 3D nanofibrous scaffolds have an important role in the differentiation of stem cells due to their similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present study, we tried to introduce a new approach to guiding the differentiation of conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells (CJMSCs) into photoreceptor-like cells by hsa-miR-9-1 delivery on both 2D and 3D substrates. First, the CJMSCs were transduced by a lentiviral vector carrying miR-9 (pCDH + hsa-miR-9-1) and then cell transduction efficacy verified by using fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, and qPCR analyses. Silk Fibroin-poly-L-lactic acid (SF-PLLA) scaffold was fabricated by the electrospinning technique while the scaffold characteristics including morphology, chemical properties, and biocompatibility were evaluated by SEM, FTIR, and MTT assays, respectively. Then, the miR-9-CJMSCs were seeded on both TCPS and the scaffold; photoreceptor gene and protein expressions were evaluated by RT-qPCR and immunostaining after 14 and 21 days of transduction. More than 80% of CJMSCs were transduced and miR-9 expression was significantly higher in miR-9-CJMSCs compared with empty vector (EV)-CJMSCs. SEM and FTIR confirmed the fabrication of the SF/PLLA hybrid structure. RT-qPCR and immunostaining analyses showed that the specific photoreceptor genes and proteins were expressed in miR-9 transduced CJMSCs. Mir-9 induced CJMSCs into photoreceptor-like cells in a time-dependent manneron on both TCPS and nanofibrous scaffold.We have proved that hsa-miR-9-1 has the potency to guide the photoreceptor differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and promote retinal regeneration.

External pH modulation during the growth of Vibrio tapetis, the aetiological agent of brown ring disease

AIMS

Brown ring disease (BRD) is an infection of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum due to the pathogen Vibrio tapetis. During BRD, clams are facing immunodepression and shell biomineralization alteration. In this paper, we studied the role of pH on the growth of the pathogen and formulated hypothesis on the establishment of BRD by V. tapetis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we monitored the evolution of pH during the growth of V. tapetis in a range of pH and temperatures. We also measured the pH of Manila clam haemolymph and extrapallial fluids (EPFs) during infection by V. tapetis. We highlighted that V. tapetis modulates the external pH during its growth, to a value of 7·70. During the development of BRD, V. tapetis also influences EPFs and haemolymph pH in vitro in the first hours of exposure and in vivo after 3 days of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experiments have shown a close interaction between V. tapetis CECT4600, a pathogen of Manila clam that induces BRD, and the pH of different compartments of the animals during infection. These results indicate that the bacterium, through a direct mechanism or as a consequence of physiological changes encountered in the animal during infection, is able to interfere with the pH of Manila clam fluids. This pH modification might promote the infection process or at least create an imbalance within the animal that would favour its persistence. This last hypothesis should be tested in future experiment.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study is the first observation of pH modifications in the context of BRD and might orient future research on the fine mechanisms of pH modulation associated with BRD.

Placenta mesenchymal stem cells differentiation toward neuronal-like cells on nanofibrous scaffold

Introduction: Transplantation of stem cells with a nanofibrous scaffold is a promising approach for spinal cord injury therapy. The aim of this work was to differentiate neural-like cells from placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDMSCs) using suitable induction reagents in three (3D) and two dimensional (2D) culture systems. Methods: After isolation and characterization of PDMSCs, the cells were cultivated on poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA)/poly caprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous scaffold and treated with a neuronal medium for 7 days. Electron microscopy, qPCR, and immunostaining were used to examine the differentiation of PDMSCs (on scaffold and tissue culture polystyrene [TCPS]) and the expression rate of neuronal markers (beta-tubulin, nestin, GFAP, and MAP-2). Results: qPCR analysis showed that beta-tubulin (1.672 fold; P ≤ 0.0001), nestin (11.145 fold; P ≤ 0.0001), and GFAP (80.171; P ≤ 0.0001) gene expressions were higher on scaffolds compared with TCPS. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that nestin and beta-tubulin proteins were recognized in the PDMSCs differentiated on TCPS and scaffold after 7 days in the neuroinductive differentiation medium. Conclusion: Taken together, these results delegated that PDMSCs differentiated on PLLA/PCL scaffolds are more likely to differentiate towards diversity lineages of neural cells. It proposed that PDMSCs have cell subpopulations that have the capability to be differentiated into neurogenic cells.

Numerical Simulation of A Cubic Spout-Fluid Bed: Influences of Inlet Gas Temperature and Jet to Bed Cross-Section Ratio

In this paper, we study the role of inlet gas temperature and jet to bed cross-section ratio on hydrodynamics and circulation patterns of particles in a spout-fluid bed. The system is modeled using CFD-TFM approach based on Eulerian-Eulerian method. Simulation results are validated by experimental data measured by (Link 2008. “PEPT and Discrete Particle Simulation Study of Spout-fluid Bed Regimes.” Aiche Journal 54 (5): 1189–202). First, the sensitivity analysis of simulation results versus the most significant parameters are conducted to find the optimum values for each parameter. Subsequently, the role of inlet gas temperature and cross-section ratios are studied in detail. The simulation results clearly demonstrate that increasing the inlet gas temperature raises particles’ velocity in the bed and affects the circulation pattern in annulus region. Additionally, it is shown that higher gas temperature leads to existence of hot spots in the annulus region. In case of jet to bed cross-section ratio, using larger ratios results in higher velocities and lower pressure drop along the bed.

In vitro differentiation of conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells on natural and synthetic electrospun scaffolds

Polymers are used in tissue engineering as a scaffold. In this study the differentiation capability of conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells (CJMSCs) on natural and synthetic nanofibrous electrospun scaffolds into insulin producing cells (IPCs) were studied. Natural Silk fibroin and synthetic PLLA polymers were used to fabricate electrospun scaffolds. These scaffolds are characterized by SEM and CJMSCs were differentiated into IPCs on these scaffolds. The differentiation efficiency was measured by analysis the expression of specific pancreatic markers by RT-qPCR and insulin release capacity via ELISA. Microscopy analysis showed the fabrication of uniform nanofibers and the formation of the islet-like clusters at the end of differentiation period. Significant differences in expression of Pdx-1 and glucagon were observed in PLLA scaffold compared to Silk scaffold (Fold: 1.625 and 1.434, respectively; P-value ≤ 0.0001 for both). Furthermore, insulin secretion at high glucose concentration was significantly higher in cells differentiated on PLLA scaffold than those cultured on Silk scaffold (P-value: 0.012). The scaffolds can enhance the differentiation of IPCs from CJMSCs. In this way, PLLA synthetic scaffold was more efficient than Silk natural scaffold. We conclude that the nanofibrous scaffolds reported herein could be used as a potential supportive matrix for islet tissue engineering.

Conductive electrospun scaffolds with electrical stimulation for neural differentiation of conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells

An electrical stimulus is a new approach to neural differentiation of stem cells. In this work, the neural differentiation of conjunctiva mesenchymal stem cells (CJMSCs) on a new 3D conductive fibrous scaffold of silk fibroin (SF) and reduced graphene oxide (rGo) were examined. rGo (3.5% w/w) was dispersed in SF-acid formic solution (10% w/v) and conductive nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated using the electrospinning method. SEM and TEM microscopies were used for fibrous scaffold characterization. CJMSCs were cultured on the scaffold and 2 electrical impulse models (Current 1:115 V/m, 100-Hz frequency and current 2:115 v/m voltages, 0.1-Hz frequency) were applied for 7 days. Also, the effect of the fibrous scaffold and electrical impulses on cell viability and neural gene expression were examined using MTT assay and qPCR analysis. Fibrous scaffold with the 220 ± 20 nm diameter and good dispersion of graphene nanosheets at the surface of nanofibers were fabricated. The MTT result showed the viability of cells on the scaffold, with current 2 lower than current 1. qPCR analysis confirmed that the expression of β-tubulin (2.4-fold P ≤ 0.026), MAP-2 (1.48-fold; P ≤ 0.03), and nestin (1.5-fold; P ≤ 0.03) genes were higher in CJMSCs on conductive scaffold with 100-Hz frequency compared to 0.1-Hz frequency. Collectively, we proposed that SF-rGo fibrous scaffolds, as a new conductive fibrous scaffold with electrical stimulation are good strategies for neural differentiation of stem cells and the type of electrical pulses has an influence on neural differentiation and proliferation of CJMSCs.

Total Capture, Convection-Limited Nanofluidic Immunoassays Exhibiting Nanoconfinement Effects

Understanding nanoconfinement phenomena is necessary to develop nanofluidic technology platforms. One example of nanoconfinement phenomena is shifts in reaction equilibria toward reaction products in nanoconfined systems, which have been predicted theoretically and observed experimentally in DNA hybridization. Here we demonstrate a convection-limited nanofluidic immunoassay that achieves total capture of a target analyte and an apparent shift in the antibody-antigen reaction equilibrium due to nanoconfinement. The system exhibits wavefronts of the target analyte that propagate along the length of the nanochannel at a velocity much slower than that of the carrier fluid. We apply an analytical model describing the propagation of these wavefronts to determine the density of capture antibody binding sites in the enclosed nanochannel for a known concentration of the target analyte. We then use this binding site density to estimate the concentration of solutions with 5× and 10× less analyte. Our analysis suggests that nanoconfinement results in a preference toward binding of the target analyte with the surface-grafted capture antibody, as evidenced by an apparent reduction in the equilibrium dissociation constant. Our findings motivate the advancement of new biomedical and chemical synthesis technologies by leveraging nanoconfinement effects, and demonstrate a useful platform for studying the effect of nanoconfinement on chemical systems.

A continuous flow microfluidic device based on contactless dielectrophoresis for bioparticles enrichment

In recent years, applications of dielectrophoresis-based platforms have been recognized as effective and dependable approach to separate cells and bioparticles, suspended in different carrier fluids, based on particle size and electrical properties. In this study, a microfluidic device was fabricated by an unprecedented electrode pattern, and several experiments were performed to enrich samples including either of yeast, Escherichia coli, or latex particles. A chemical deposition-based method was employed for fabrication of microelectrodes, inducing nonuniform electric field required for dielectrophoresis-based separation. One major advantage of our employed method is low fabrication cost, in addition to its accuracy and operation at low voltages. The performance of the microfluidic device in enriching either of injected samples was studied using spectrophotometric techniques. The effects of experimentally controllable parameters (applied-voltage amplitude and frequency, and flow rate) were studied by changing a parameter while keeping the others constant. It became evident that all the aforementioned parameters had modulating impact on the performance of the microfluidic device. Furthermore, to investigate binary interactions among the parameters, response surface methodology was exploited, resulting in a second-order polynomial model for the performance of the device as a function of the parameters. The model was employed for finding the optimum values of the parameters at which the performance of the device is the highest. At optimum values for the experimentally controllable parameters, enrichment efficiencies of 87 ± 2, 82 ± 4, and 86 ± 3% for, respectively, yeast, E. coli, and latex particles were obtained experimentally, confirming the ability of the proposed method for biological and polymeric particles enrichment.

Comparing the Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage, Foot Bath and Their Combination on Quality of Sleep in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introduction: Many patients in coronary care unit (CCU) suffer from decreased sleep quality caused by environmental and mental factors. This study compared the efficacy of foot reflexology massage, foot bath, and a combination of them on the quality of sleep of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was implemented on ACS patients in Iran. Random sampling was used to divide the patients into four groups of 35 subjects. The groups were foot reflexology massage, foot bath, a combination of the two and the control group. Sleep quality was measured using the Veran Snyder-Halpern questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13.

Results: The mean age of the four groups was 61.22 (11.67) years. The mean sleep disturbance in intervention groups (foot reflexology massage and foot bath groups) during the second and third nights was significantly less than before intervention. The results also showed a greater reduction in sleep disturbance in the combined group than in the other groups when compared to the control group.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the intervention of foot bath and massage are effective in reducing sleep disorders and there was a synergistic effect when used in combination. This complementary care method can be recommended to be implemented by CCU nurses.

Multi-scale modularity and motif distributional effect in metabolic networks

Metabolism is a set of fundamental processes that play important roles in a plethora of biological and medical contexts. It is understood that the topological information of reconstructed metabolic networks, such as modular organization, has crucial implications on biological functions. Recent interpretations of modularity in network settings provide a view of multiple network partitions induced by different resolution parameters. Here we ask the question: How do multiple network partitions affect the organization of metabolic networks? Since network motifs are often interpreted as the super families of evolved units, we further investigate their impact under multiple network partitions and investigate how the distribution of network motifs influences the organization of metabolic networks. We studied Homo sapiens, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli metabolic networks; we analyzed the relationship between different community structures and motif distribution patterns. Further, we quantified the degree to which motifs participate in the modular organization of metabolic networks.

Development of an accurate molecular mechanics model for buckling behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes under axial compression

In the present paper, an analytical solution based on a molecular mechanics model is developed to evaluate the elastic critical axial buckling strain of chiral multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). To this end, the total potential energy of the system is calculated with the consideration of the both bond stretching and bond angular variations. Density functional theory (DFT) in the form of generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is implemented to evaluate force constants used in the molecular mechanics model. After that, based on the principle of molecular mechanics, explicit expressions are proposed to obtain elastic surface Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the single-walled carbon nanotubes corresponding to different types of chirality. Selected numerical results are presented to indicate the influence of the type of chirality, tube diameter, and number of tube walls in detailed. An excellent agreement is found between the present numerical results and those found in the literature which confirms the validity as well as the accuracy of the present closed-form solution. It is found that the value of critical axial buckling strain exhibit significant dependency on the type of chirality and number of tube walls.

Theoretical infrared phonon modes in double-walled carbon nanotubes

In this theoretical work, we study the polarized infrared spectra of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DCNTs) as a function of their diameters, chiralities and lengths.

Prevalence of the rs7903146C>T polymorphism in TCF7L2 gene for prediction of type 2 diabetes risk among Iranians of different ethnicities

Background

Pharmacogenetics is the study of genetic polymorphisms affecting responses to drug therapy. The common rs7903146 (C>T) polymorphism of the TCF7L2 gene has recently been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, prevalence of the rs7903146 (C>T) polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene for prediction of T2D risk was examined in an Iranian population of different ethnicities.

Methods

The prevalence of rs7903146 (C>T) and the predicted phenotypes, including extensive metabolizers, intermediate metabolizers, and poor metabolizers were investigated in blood samples of 300 unrelated healthy individuals in an Iranian population, including Fars, Turk, Lure, and Kurd, using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct genomic DNA sequencing.

Results

The homozygous wild-type (C/C), heterozygous (C/T), and homozygous (T/T) allelic frequencies of rs7903146 (C>T) in the TCF7L2 gene were 29% (extensive metabolizers), 66.34% (intermediate metabolizers), and 4.66% (poor metabolizers), respectively. The C/C, C/T, and T/T genotypic frequencies of the rs7903146 (C>T) allele were significantly different (P<0.01) among Iranians of different ethnicities. The frequency of the homozygous T/T variant of the rs7903146 (C>T) allele was significantly low in the Lure (P<0.01) and high in the Fars (P<0.001) ethnicities. Additionally, the frequency of the T/T variant of the rs7903146 (C>T) allele in the South of Iran was the highest (P<0.04), while the East of Iran had the lowest frequency (P<0.01).

Conclusion

The prediction of rs7903146 (C>T) is required in drug research and routine treatment, where the information would be helpful for clinicians to optimize therapy and adverse drug reactions and predict drug response in individuals at risk of T2D.

Lasers in esthetic treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation: a review article

The health and suitability of mouth components play an important role towards defining facial attractiveness. An important component of the oral cavity is the color of the gingival tissue. Gingival melanin hyperpigmentation is caused by several reasons and affects people across ethnicity, race, age, and both gender. Lasers are presently being used for gingival melanin depigmentation. In this article, we reviewed studies on laser parameters, duration of gingival healing, pain perception during and after the operation, scores used for the evaluation of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation, follow-up period, treatment results, and recurrence reports. We conclude that laser ablation for gingival depigmentation is one of the most pleasant, reliable, acceptable, and impressive techniques available for treating gingival melanin hyperpigmentation.

New beam monitoring tool for radiobiology experiments at the cyclotron ARRONAX

The ARRONAX cyclotron is able to deliver alpha particles at 68 MeV. In the frame of radiological research, a new method is studied to infer in situ the deposited dose: it is based on the online measurement of the bremsstrahlung (>1 keV) produced by the interaction of the incident particle with the medium. Experiments are made using bombarded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-equivalent water targets in order to characterise this continuous X-ray spectrum. The intensity of the bremsstrahlung spectrum allows for the beam monitoring. A simulation code of the bremsstrahlung has been built, and a good agreement is found with the experimental spectra. With this simulation, it is possible to predict the sensibility of this method: it varies with the target thickness, showing a good sensibility for thin target (<1000 µm) and saturation for thicker ones. Bremsstrahlung spectrum also shows a sensibility on the target's chemical composition.

Improving neonatal complications with a structured multidisciplinary approach to gestational diabetes mellitus management

BACKGROUND

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a common condition that affects pregnant women and may result in maternal as well as fetal and neonatal complications. Optimal coordinated management may reduce these complications if applied in team approach following generally accepted international guidelines.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the neonatal outcomes of GDM mothers who were followed in a tertiary medical center in the United Arab Emirates. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary GDM program which was applied to a quality improvement project. Clinical neonatal outcome indicators were compared at two time periods, one before the implementation in (2005-2006) and the other was following the initiation of this comprehensive multidisciplinary program in (2011-2012).

RESULTS

Follow up results revealed increased caesarian section and admission to neonatal intensive care unit. There was decreased incidence of macrosomia and a significant reduction of neonatal hypoglycemia in the newborn of GDM mothers. Overall rate of neonatal complications showed a significant improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing a structured comprehensive multidisciplinary program to manage GDM women has a positive impact on improving the care and outcomes of neonates.