Wound healing applications of sericin/chitosan-capped silver nanoparticles incorporated hydrogel

Abstract

Microbial contamination in wounds leading to severe sepsis can be treated by silver-based antiseptics. However, frequent application of silver-based antiseptics, staining of skin, burning, and irritation at application site resulted to poor patient compliances. Thus, we formulated sericin- and chitosan-capped silver nanoparticle (S/C-SNP)-loaded hydrogel for accelerated wound healing and antimicrobial properties. The wound healing property of sericin, antibacterial nature of chitosan and silver, and mucoadhesive property of carbopol were utilized in development of novel wound dressing hydrogel to investigate the combined effect of these materials for effective treatment of wounds. The chemical reduction method was successfully employed for the synthesis of SNPs using sericin and chitosan as a capping/reducing agent. The SNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optimized SNPs were further used for preparation of carbopol hydrogel (0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 % w/v). The prepared hydrogels were characterized for pH, viscosity, and texture analysis. The antimicrobial activity and wound healing activity of the optimized hydrogel (S/C-SNPs G-1) demonstrated higher bactericidal activity and wound closure, as supported by results of histopathology. Hydrogel containing capped SNPs has application in wound healing treatment.

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bmyJSm
via IFTTT

Adaptation to low pH and lignocellulosic inhibitors resulting in ethanolic fermentation and growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Lignocellulosic bioethanol from renewable feedstocks using Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a promising alternative to fossil fuels owing to environmental challenges. S. cerevisiae is frequently challenged by bacteria...

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bnfVFm
via IFTTT

Lipid production through simultaneous utilization of glucose, xylose, and l-arabinose by Pseudozyma hubeiensis: a comparative screening study

Co-fermentation of glucose, xylose and l-arabinose from lignocellulosic biomass by an oleaginous yeast is anticipated as a method for biodiesel production. However, most yeasts ferment glucose first before consum...

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bqyQfx
via IFTTT

Maternal Exposure to Valproic Acid Primarily Targets Interneurons Followed by Late Effects on Neurogenesis in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus in Rat Offspring

Abstract

Valproic acid (VPA) is used to establish models of experimental autism. The present study investigated the developmental exposure effect of VPA on postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis in accordance with the exposure scheme of OECD Test Guideline 426 adopted for developmental neurotoxicity. Pregnant rats were administered drinking water containing 0, 667, or 2000 ppm VPA from gestational day 6 until day 21 post-delivery. In the subgranular zone (SGZ) and granule cell layer (GCL) of offspring, the number of granule cell lineage subpopulations remained unchanged upon weaning. However, in the hilus of the dentate gyrus, the number of reelin⁺ interneurons decreased at ≥667 ppm, and the number of PVALB⁺ or GAD67⁺ interneurons decreased at 2000 ppm. Conversely, Reln and Gad1 transcript levels increased at 2000 ppm, but Pvalb and Grin2d decreased, in the dentate gyrus. At the adult stage, PCNA⁺ proliferating SGZ cells, NeuN⁺ postmitotic SGZ/GCL neurons, and ARC⁺ or COX2⁺ GCL neurons increased at ≥667 ppm. In the dentate hilus, decreases in GAD67⁺ interneuron subpopulations and Grin2d transcript levels sustained at 2000 ppm. These results suggested that VPA primarily targets interneurons by developmental exposure, and this is followed by late effects on granule cell lineages, likely by influencing SGZ cell proliferation and synaptic plasticity. A reduced population of reelin⁺ or PVALB⁺ interneurons did not affect distribution of granule cell lineage subpopulations upon weaning. The late effect on neurogenesis, which resulted in increased GCL neurons, might be the result of a sustained decrease in GAD67⁺ interneurons expressing NR2D encoded by Grin2d.

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bGDbjZ
via IFTTT

Emergency management for orbital compartment syndrome—is decompression mandatory?

Publication date: Available online 26 August 2016
Source:International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): A. Ujam, M. Perry
Current guidelines for the urgent management of patients with orbital compartment syndrome include immediate lateral canthotomy and cantholysis, followed by surgical decompression. Medical treatment is also advocated to 'buy time' while preparing the patient for theatre. This consists of high-dose steroids, mannitol, and acetazolamide diuretics to reduce swelling and orbital pressure. It is generally recognized that late or delayed intervention is associated with poor outcomes including blindness. With early presentation, given the potential risk to sight, there is generally a low threshold for treating suspected cases. However, whether or not to treat late cases is more controversial, partly because clinicians could face accusations of medical negligence if they do nothing. The case of a patient who sustained an orbital trauma to his only seeing eye, which resulted in acute proptosis and loss of vision, is presented here. He received no treatment at all for what appeared to be an orbital compartment syndrome secondary to retrobulbar haemorrhage, but surprisingly made a full recovery of vision within 48h. In contrast to the current literature in favour of urgent treatment, this case would appear to cast some doubt over the concept of 'always' treating orbital compartment syndrome and our understanding of the condition.



from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bTGQHJ
via IFTTT

Associations between parental impulsivity and child body mass index

The aim of this study was to examine the association between parental impulsivity and (12–15 year old) child body mass index (BMI).

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bncEG4
via IFTTT

Random rotation survival forest for high dimensional censored data

Recently, rotation forest has been extended to regression and survival analysis problems. However, due to intensive computation incurred by principal component analysis, rotation forest often fails when high-d...

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2bqw0qW
via IFTTT