1st Day Research Articles

Effect of submucosal dexamethasone on postoperative pain, swelling and trismus after periodontal surgery: a randomized clinical study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of submucosal 8mg (2 mL) dexamethasone (DEX) on postoperative pain, swelling, chewing efficiency, trismus, healing, and discomfort after periodontal flap surgery (PFS). In this randomized controlled split-mouth study, 25 patients underwent PFS in the mandible, whereby postoperative, submucosal DEX was injected to the surgical field to the test group and submucosal normal saline was applied to the control group. Pain was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the 101-point numeric rate scale in the first 8h after PFS and on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th days, whereas swelling, chewing efficiency, trismus, healing, discomfort and analgesic consumption were evaluated preoperatively on the 1st, 2nd and 7th days. In the intergroup evaluation, the VAS-7th hour value of the test group was lower than the control group(p < 0.05). On the 1st day, it was observed that there was less swelling and more chewing efficiency in the test group than in the control group(p < 0.05). When time-dependent changes were examined, the decrease in mouth opening due to trismus in the control group was greater than that in the test group on the 1st and the 2nd days compared to the preoperative period(p < 0.05). Finally, postoperative healing, discomfort, and analgesic consumption were similar between groups. Within the limits of this study, the submucosal DEX may be an effective protocol in the management of pain, swelling, and trismus after PFS. Our findings shed light on the possible effects of DEX after PFS. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06119893).

Modulation of the Plasma Lipidomic Profile in Piglets Fed Polar Lipid-Rich Diets

Background: Polar lipids from dairy are novel sources of energy that may replace other dietary lipids and impact plasma lipidomic profiles in piglets. This study evaluated the impact of feeding diets rich in polar lipids on the plasma lipidome of piglets during the weaning period. Material and Methods: Weaned male piglets (n = 240; 21 days of age; 6.3 ± 0.5 kg of BW) were blocked by initial weight and distributed into 48 pens of five animals each in a complete randomized block design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments as follows: a plant-based diet rich in neutral lipids from soybeans (24 pens; SD) or a polar lipid-rich diet by-product of cheese making (24 pens; PD) from weaning until the 21st day of the nursery phase. Within each diet group, animals received one of three milk replacers (MR; 0.5 L/d/animal) for the first 7 days after weaning: (1) commercial MR containing animal and coconut lipids (CO); (2) polar lipid-based MR (PO); or (3) soybean lipids-based MR (SO). Results: The PD diet group increased the plasma concentrations of sphingolipids, phospholipids, and cholesterol esters, but did not impact the concentrations of glycerolipids (GLs). Both the PO and CO milk replacers increased the plasma concentrations of ceramide, acyl-chain phosphatidyl choline, and cholesterol esters. The plasma concentrations of GLs containing 18-carbon fatty acids such as 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3, were higher in SD, whereas GLs containing 16:0 and 20:3 were higher in PD. Conclusions: In summary, the diet lipid type significantly modulated the plasma lipid composition in piglets 7 days after weaning. The dietary inclusion of polar lipids in diets for growing pigs can modulate the plasma lipidomic profile, relative to plant-based diets rich in soybean lipids. Cost may be a major consideration when using these lipids in pig diets. Their health benefits need to be further characterized in other models of stress and inflammation.

Enhancing pectin's antioxidant properties through ferulic acid grafting: Application in olive oil‐in‐water emulsion

AbstractIn order to improve pectin antioxidant properties and enlarge the field of its potential applications, ferulic acid grafted pectin conjugates (PE‐g‐FA) were prepared using laccase as the catalyst at 30°C in an aqueous medium. The structures of PE‐g‐FA were characterized using UV–vis, FTIR, and NMR (1H and 13C). In addition, the antioxidant activity of PE‐g‐FA was evaluated according to the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging ability. Olive oil in water emulsions, containing emulsifiers WPI and PE‐g‐FA, were assessed for their physical and oxidative stability through particle size, zeta‐potential, peroxide value (POV), and 2‐thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation. The results indicated that the formation of covalent bonds between the pectin carboxymethyl groups and FA hydroxyl group. The determination of the total phenolic content showed that PE‐g‐FA contained seven times more polyphenols than native PE. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging rate of 0.5HMP‐g‐FA were increased by 56.83% and 18.90% compared with HMP, respectively. In addition, the emulsion stabilized by WPI and 0.5HMP‐g‐FA showed smallest and uniform average particle size (855.9 ± 51.13 nm) on the 1st day. Although its POV value was slightly higher than that of emulsion stabilized by WPI and HMP, it was much lower than that of control groups. Overall, these results have important implications for enzymatic modification of pectin to obtain high antioxidant products and their application in pectin‐based emulsions.

Toxicity evaluation and degradation of cypermethrin-contaminated soil using biochar and Bacillus cereus amendments

Cypermethrin (Cyp), a persistent synthetic pyrethroid insecticide widely used for insect control. The persistence of Cyp creates toxicity to both humans and the environment This study investigates biochar and Bacillus cereus distinct and collective effects on Cyp -contaminated soil during a 90-day incubation. This study also investigates the effects of different concentrations of Cyp (50, 100, ,500 to 1000 mg kg−1) on soil physicochemical and biological activities during a 90-day incubation period. Microbial biomass carbon and soil respiration rates decreased significantly across all cypermethrin concentrations, with the most substantial reductions observed at 1000 mg kg−1. However noticeable variations in soil enzymes and MBC over time during the entire incubation period. On 1st day, the GMean Enz and MBC rate for Cyp treatments (50, 100, ,500 to 1000 mg kg−1) ranged from 0.98 to 0.63, and 9.06, to 5.03, respectively. Under Cyp pollution, microbial biomass carbon exhibited significant decreases, with the highest inhibition (86.2%) at 1000 mg kg−1 on 1st day of incubation. Soil respiration rates dropped 77%, at 1000 mg kg−1, and Integrated biomarker response (IBR) values peaked on day 30, indicating environmental stress. Biochar and Bacillus cereus effectively facilitated the degradation of Cyp, achieving approximately 85% degradation within the first 45 days of the experiment. The combined application of biochar and Bacillus cereus increased soil pH to a neutral level from 5.9, to 7.1, reduced electrical conductivity from 1.41 µS cm− 1 to 1.20 µS cm−1, and elevated cation exchange capacity from 1.54 ± 0.04 to 6.18 C mol kg−1, while also improving organic carbon content to 3.135%. However, the dehydrogenase activity was decresed upto 47% in the combined application and all other enzymes including urasese catlayse and phostasese enzymes with Gmean enzymeatic activities were significantly improved. These findings suggest biochar and bacterial interaction for soil management to enhance soil resilience against pesticide stress.

Experimental infection of purebred Saanen goats high pathogenicity and virulence of Babesia aktasi.

Small ruminant babesiosis remains a neglected disease despite causing significant economic losses to sheep and goat herds in many regions around the world. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of ovine babesiosis are well-known, but there is a lack of information regarding caprine babesiosis. Since the discovery of the first Babesia spp. in 1888, several species/subspecies/genotypes, including Babesia aktasi, have been described. Our recent molecular survey revealed that the parasite is highly prevalent (22.5%) in indigenous goats from Mediterranean region of Türkiye. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the pathogenicity and virulence of B. aktasi in immunosuppressed (n = 5) and immunocompetent (n = 7) purebred Saanen goats. The goats were experimentally infected with fresh B. aktasi infected blood, and examined for clinical, parasitological, hematological, and serum biochemical findings throughout the infection. Following the parasite inoculation, intra-erythrocytic parasites were detected from the 1st day post-infection, followed by an increase in rectal temperature and parasitemia. The parasitemia was detected ranging from 4.3% to 33.5% in the immunosuppressed group, while it was 2.1% to 7.6% in the immunocompetent. Severe clinical symptoms characterized by anemia, jaundice, and hemoglobinuria developed in both groups. A statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between the increase in parasitemia and RBC, WBC, HCT, and Hb values in the goats compared to pre-infection levels. Values of AST, ALT, GGT, Total bilirubin, and Albumin showed a significant increase, with all the immunosuppressed goats dying on the 4th and 7th days post-infection, while four out of seven immunocompetent goats died on between 6-8th days. Severe edema in the lungs, frothy fluid in the trachea, jaundice in the subcutaneous and mesenteric fat, and dark red urine were detected in necropsy. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that B. aktasi was highly pathogenic to purebred Saanen goats. Current work assures valuable insights into the pathogenesis and virulence of B. aktasi and serves as a foundation for future studies to develop effective control strategies against caprine babesiosis.

Infective endocarditis in injection drug users: disease course, diagnostic and clinical aspects (clinical case analysis)

Aim. To present and clinically analyze a case of “injection drug users” infective endocarditis (IE) to increase awareness among general practitioners and cardiologists about this special variant of IE.Materials and methods. Clinical observation of a 39-year-old female patient with long-term heroin and methadone addiction, viral hepatitis C, who was diagnosed with acute primary IE caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus localized on the tricuspid and mitral valves. Bilateral septic pulmonary embolism and respiratory failure, secondary anemia, thrombocytopenia, nephrotic syndrome due to secondary glomerulonephritis were observed. On the 21st day of treatment, the patient underwent tricuspid valve replacement surgery with a biological prosthesis and multicomponent reconstruction of the mitral valve, the postoperative period was complicated by the development of exudative pericarditis.Results. The clinical picture and the course of a complex case of “injection drug users” IE are discussed. The difficulties of early diagnostics of IE caused by the absence of pathognomonic clinical manifestations of the disease and the variability of the debuts of IE with the prevalence of extracardiac manifestations is highlighted. The principles of antibacterial therapy and indications for surgical treatment are reviewed.Conclusion. Clinical observation draws the attention to the high probability of diagnosing IE in cases of fever in intravenous drug users and demonstrates both the difficulties of treatment and the possibility of a favorable outcome of this serious disease with timely diagnosis, appropriate antibacterial therapy, and early cardiac surgery.

Urinary transforming growth factor beta-1 levels correlate with the effect of renorrhaphy on functional outcomes post-laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: A pilot-study

ABSTRACT Purpose Preservation of functional renal parenchyma is one of the main targets of partial nephrectomy. We investigated the effects of suture on renal parenchyma in tumor bed and on short-term renal function. Materials and Methods Patients with unilateral cT1 renal masses candidate for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (PN) have been recruited. After tumor excision, medullary sutures were replaced by argon beam in Group 1, while Group 2 had conventional 2-layer renorrhaphy. Groups have been matched using propensity score. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb1) levels in urine have been measured at the 1st and 30th day post-PN. Glomerular filtration rate has been estimated (eGFR) at baseline and 3 months post-PN. Results Sixteen cases were matched in each group. There was no difference between groups regarding baseline, operative and perioperative data. Number of sutures in group 1 is nearly half that in group 2 (10 vs 19, respectively, p < 0.001). Group 1 showed lower urinary TGFb1 levels at the 1st and 30th day post-PN (p < 0.01 for each), higher eGFR after 3 months (p = 0.01), and less decline of eGFR from baseline (p = 0.046). Conclusion TGFb1 levels in urine after PN are related to the number of sutures. Reduced number of sutures in tumor bed has a positive effect on short term eGFR changes possibly by reducing tumor bed fibrogenic healing response as well as preserving renal parenchymal volume.

Left ventricular systolic function in patients with myocardial infarction and iron deficiency during correction with iron supplements

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is associated with worse contractile function of the heart in patients after myocardial infarction. AIM: To study the contractile function of the left ventricle in patients with myocardial infarction and iron deficiency for 12 months while taking iron supplements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 83 patients with myocardial infarction and iron deficiency. The average age was 62.0±11 years. The patients underwent drug correction of iron deficiency by parenteral administration of iron carboxymaltose or oral administration of iron sulfate. After 3 months, the patients were divided into two groups depending on the compensation of iron deficiency. The first group consisted of 58 (70%) patients with compensated iron deficiency, the second group — 25 (30%) patients with persistent deficiency. The patients underwent echocardiography with assessment of the left ventricular ejection fraction and the total index of its myocardial mobility in the first 24 hours after hospitalization, after 3, 6 and 12 months. Comparison of mean values was performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Differences in indicators were considered statistically significant at p 0.05. RESULTS: In the first 24 hours after hospitalization for myocardial infarction, the ejection fraction did not differ in patients: in the first group — 48% [45; 54], in the second — 53% [48; 54] (p=0.07). In the first group, an increase in the ejection fraction was found compared to the baseline value: 53% [46; 58] (p 0.001) 6 months after myocardial infarction, 55% [48; 58] (p 0.001) after 12 months. In the second group, the ejection fraction after 3, 6 and 12 months did not differ from the baseline. The total myocardial mobility index on the 1st day after myocardial infarction did not differ between the groups: 1.25 [1.19; 1.62] in the first group and 1.25 [1.12; 1.56] in the second group (p=0.3). Its decrease was found in the first group: 1.19 [1.06; 1.56] (p 0.001) after 6 months and 1.12 [1.0; 1.44] (p 0.001) after 12 months. In the second group, the values of the total myocardial mobility index after 3, 6 and 12 months did not differ from the initial ones. CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency compensation is associated with improved left ventricular systolic function within 12 months after myocardial infarction.

Thermal Changes During Clavicle Fracture Healing in Children

Introduction: Clavicle fractures are among the most common in children, typically treated conservatively, with standard radiographs used to diagnose and monitor healing. Recently, infrared thermography (IRT) has been proposed as an alternative method for fracture detection, but no study has correlated the temperature changes during callus formation. Materials and Methods: Children aged 4–18 with X-ray-diagnosed clavicle fractures were included in the study. IRT measured temperatures above the fracture and contralateral healthy side on the 1st, 4th, 8th, 15th, and 22nd day after the injury. Along with IRT, an ultrasound was used to assess callus formation. Results: The study included 27 patients with an average age of 12.4 years, mostly boys. The left side was more often affected than the right side (33%). We found a correlation between callus formation and the ∆T. A maximum temperature difference of an average of 0.7 °C was noted during the proliferative phase of callus formation. After the formation of the fibrocartilaginous callus (4th to 8th day), the temperature above the fracture declined until it was equal (22nd day) to that of the healthy side. The average temperature difference between the broken and the healthy sides was statistically significant on the 4th and 8th days (during callus formation). Conclusions: The increased skin temperature above the fracture correlates with the inflammatory phase of bone healing. After the callus is visible on ultrasound, the temperature linearly drops with no statistical difference between the injured and the healthy sides. The standard protocol for clavicle fracture treatment typically involves using X-rays to assess callus formation during follow-up. IRT has shown potential in diagnosing callus formation in children with clavicle fractures, potentially reducing the need for traditional X-rays.

Stress in pregnancy alters hepatic unfolded protein responses in male adult offspring

Stress is considered an independent risk factor for the development of cardiometabolic disorders, especially when it occurs during pregnancy, and it may play an important role in stress-induced fetal programming on the protein-folding homeostasis in hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. The study aimed to determine the effects of prenatal stress on the unfolded protein responses in the liver of male and female offspring of Wistar rats. Pregnant Wistar rats at 90 days old were divided into control and stress groups. The unpredictable stress protocol was performed from the 14th to the 21st day of pregnancy. The offspring of each group were divided into four groups according to sex and intervention. After the lactation period, the dams were anesthetized and euthanized for blood collection to determine plasma corticosterone levels. At 90 days old, the offspring were anesthetized and euthanized for liver tissue collection to measure protein expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress. Dams submitted to prenatal stress showed an increase in corticosterone levels when compared to the control group. In the male offspring, prenatal stress induced lower body mass at birth and at 90 days compared to control, while females presented lower body mass only at birth. Prenatal stress reduced eIF2α expression in males, while increased p-eIF2α expression similarly in both sexes. Furthermore, only males had a greater p-eIF2α/eIF2α ratio and androgen receptor expression when compared to its respective control group and females. Prenatal stress induced a hepatic programming in the reticulum endoplasmic responses only in males at 90 days old by increasing androgen receptor, eIF2α phosphorylation and activity, while in females stress during pregnancy reduced cHDL and had little impact on hepatic unfolded protein response.

Optimum processing conditions for a trivalent-inactivated bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccine using field strains and immunogenicity of candidate formulations with different adjuvants.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is among the common bovine pathogens worldwide. One of the prominent protection measures of BVDV is vaccination. This study aimed to determine the growth characteristics, inactivation kinetics of vaccine candidates using local BVDV strains [TR-26 (BVDV-1f), TR-21 (BVDV-1l), and TR-15 (BVDV-2b)], and the serological response in experimental animals to inactivated BVDV vaccine formulations prepared with different adjuvants. Optimum MOI values for BVDV strains TR-26, TR-21, and TR-15 were determined as 0.1, 1.0, and 0.01, respectively. In addition, growth curves of TR-26, TR-21, and TR-15 strains were created, and it was determined that they reached the highest titers at 12, 48, and 36h p.i., respectively. The strains TR-26, TR-21, and TR-15 with titers of 106.5, 106.5, and 105.25 TCID50/ml were completely inactivated by 1 mM binary ethyleneimine (BEI) at the 10th, 16th, and 10th hours of treatment, respectively. Guinea pigs were immunized with four vaccine formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4), two with aluminum-based [Al(OH)3, Al(OH)3+Saponin] and two with oil-based (ISA 50 and ISA 206) adjuvants. Neutralization tests were applied to determine the humoral immune response developed after vaccination. Both homologous and heterologous BVDV strains were used for evaluations. Oil adjuvanted vaccines were more efficient to induce antibody titers compared to Al(OH)3-based vaccines. In addition, between the oil adjuvanted vaccines, the titers of neutralizing antibodies obtained by Montanide® ISA 206 formulation were significantly higher than in Montanide® ISA 50 (p < 0.05). Post-vaccinal neutralizing antibodies were detected in the first sampling at 21st day and lasted longer than a 111 days period. The highest antibody response in Guinea pigs was for the strain TR-15. The availability of using BVDV-lf, 1l, and 2b local strains in vaccines and their effectiveness against homologous and heterologous strains have been demonstrated.

Effectiveness of preformed physical factors in the correction of dry eye syndrome after phacoemulsification: a randomized trial

Introduction. Currently, modern high-tech methods of small incision cataract surgery are not always immune to the development of iatrogenic «dry eye» syndrome. Currently, one of the common complications of the anterior segment of the eye after small incision cataract surgery is the development of iatrogenic dry eye syndrome, which leads to a decrease in the quality of medical and social rehabilitation of operated patients. Aim. Development and evaluation of the effectiveness of the complex use of preformed physical factors in the correction of «dry eye» syndrome in patients after phacoemulsification of cataract. Materials and methods. The open randomized controlled clinical trial involved 90 patients (90 eyes) aged from 58 to 75 years, who were diagnosed with «dry eye» syndrome (DES) on the 1st day after phacoemulsification (PE) of cataract. Patients, depending on the treatment, were divided into three groups of 30 people (30 eyes).In the control group, patients received standard tear replacement therapy (RT) with Stillavit 4 times a day for 7 days,in the comparison group — in addition to ST 7 procedures of low-frequency magnetic therapy in the orbital area and in the main group — TRT was expanded by the complex application of low-frequency magnetic therapy to the orbital area and medicinal electrophoresis (EP) of the Taufon using the orbital-occipital technique for 7 daily procedures performed daily. Evaluation of parameters of ocular xerosis included: tear film rupture time, total tear production, and ocular surface disease index according to the OSDI questionnaire. The duration of the study was 6 months. Results and discussion. Complete regression of the xerotic process was observed immediately after treatment in 76,7 % (23) of patients in the main group, in 40 % (12) patients in the comparison group and 20 % (6) of patients in the control group. After 6 months after surgery — in 96.7 % (29) of patients in the main group, in 83,3 % (25) of patients in the comparison group and 70 % (21) of patients in the control group. Conclusion. The developed comprehensive program for the treatment of postoperative «dry eye» syndrome, which includes low-frequency magnetic therapy and medicinal electrophoresis Taufon against the background of tear replacement therapy, helps to significantly improve the clinical outcome of treatment, reduce the recovery time of the ocular surface and improve the quality of life of patients.

Improvement of the Meat Quality of Holstein Bulls Fed a Diet Enriched with Oregano Oil

Beef is a dominant meat commodity produced mainly from beef cattle breeds. Dairy cattle breeds are reared for milk production, but their calves could be raised to produce high quality meat subject to designated feeding. The objective here was to investigate the role of oregano oil-enriched diets on the quality characteristics of meat produced by Holstein bulls. Fifty Holstein bulls, aged 12 ± 2 months and with an average weight of 365 ± 60 kg, were used. They were equally allocated in two experimental groups (n = 25). One group (group CON) was offered a basal diet and the other (group OREG) the same diet enriched with 50 mg/kg DM of oregano oil, for a period of 90 days. Afterwards, meat samples were subjected to microbiological (1 h after slaughter), physicochemical (1st and 15th day after slaughter), and sensory analyses (15th day after slaughter). The beef of group OREG is characterized with improved color parameters and a lower malondialdehyde (MDA) production rate and content (68.52 ng/g versus 105.91 ng/g, p = 0.01). The sensory evaluation of beef revealed higher scores for group OREG in flavor (3.88 versus 3.17, p = 0.0007) and color (3.87 versus 3.21, p = 0.001), as well as higher nutritional value, which was associated with significantly higher levels of alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, valine, and total amino acids (p &lt; 0.05). Thus, the results suggest that the quality of the meat of Holstein bulls can be improved when they are fed a diet enriched with oregano oil.

Bilateral urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis

Urothelial carcinoma is the 4th most prevalent malignant tumor after prostate (or breast), lung and colorectal cancers. Urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is quite rare and accounts for 5–10 % of all cases of this type of cancer. Tumors of the renal pelvis are 2 times more common than tumors of the ureter. A clinical case of a 69-year-old patient diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma of the left renal pelvis T2N0M1, stage IV and metastases into the bladder, right renal pelvis is presented. On 08.06.2023, the patient underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, ureteric orifice, nephroureterectomy on the left, retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Between 07.2023 and 10.2023, the patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy according to the following scheme: gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 intravenously on the 1st and 8th days ++ carboplatin AUC 5 intravenously on the 1st day. Since 11.2023, the patient in receiving maintenance therapy with avelumab.

Changes in physico-chemical and functional properties of Pizza cheeses made using ‘dual acidification’ method during refrigerated storage

In some specific cheesemaking protocols, pre-acidification of milk is practiced to solve the quality problems otherwise faced in cheesemaking (from membrane-processed milk). Partial acidification (pre-acidification of milk or post-acidification of cheese curd) of Pizza cheesemaking utilizing the starter culture (SC) method may favourably influence the physico-chemical and functional properties of the resultant cheese with reduction in cheese production time. The Pizza cheeses were evaluated in terms of changes in their physico-chemical and functional properties during refrigerated storage. A marked increasing trend was noticed with regard to titratable acidity, soluble nitrogen, meltability and fat leakage during the storage period. A marked decrease in the moisture content of cheeses was noted with advancement in the storage period. The stretch value of cheese E2 (experimental cheese 2 prepared employing post-acidification step) increased during the storage period, while this property remained unchanged for cheese E1 (experimental cheese 1 prepared employing pre-acidification step). Contrary to the above findings, a decrease in the stretch value was noted for the two control cheeses on the 21st day of storage. It is advisable to prepare Pizza cheese using a ‘dual acidification’ process involving use of SC followed by post-acidification of cheese curd with Glucono delta-lactone (GDL) as per the standardized protocol with the resultant cheese possessing desirable functional properties throughout refrigerated storage.

Interventional effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation with different doses of X-ray irradiation induced hepatic injury in mice

Objective: To investigate the interventional effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) transplantation with different doses of X-ray irradiation induced hepatic injury in mice. Methods: Eighteen female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 0, 2, and 3 Gy irradiation groups and 0, 2, and 3 Gy transplantation groups. The irradiation group was used as the control and injected with an equal volume of culture medium. The mice in the transplantation group were irradiated with different doses of X-ray irradiation, and BMMSCs were intravenously infused into the bone marrow. The mice were sacrificed for sampling at the end of the 21st day. Mice body weight changes were recorded daily. The changes in the content of peripheral blood lymphocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin were detected by an automatic blood tester. The morphological changes in mice liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by a biochemical analyzer. The reduced glutathione contents in liver tissue were detected by the microplate method. The malondialdehyde content in liver tissue was detected by thiobarbituric acid. The content of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in liver tissue was detected by the hydroxylamine method. The expression of the F4/80 protein in liver tissue was detected by the immunohistochemistry method. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in liver tissue was determined by the western blotting method. The mRNA expression of NLRP3, IL-6, and Nrf2 in liver tissue was detected by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The multiple-group comparisons were analyzed by factorial analysis of variance. The inter-group comparisons were analyzed by the LSD method for statistical analysis. Results: The contents of peripheral blood lymphocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, and hemoglobin were significantly decreased in the 3 Gy irradiation group than the 0 Gy irradiation group (P<0.05), while the activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly increased (P<0.05). The malondialdehyde content, F4/80 protein expression level, nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats, nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), and interleukin 6 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in liver tissue, while the contents of T-SOD and glutathione, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels, and Nrf2 mRNA expression level in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The contents of peripheral blood lymphocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin were significantly increased in the 3 Gy transplantation group than the 3 Gy irradiation group (P<0.05), while the activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The malondialdehyde content, F4/80 protein expression level, NLRP3 and interleukin-6 mRNA expression levels in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the content of T-SOD and glutathione, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels, and Nrf2 mRNA expression level in liver tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: X-ray irradiation at a dose of 3 Gy can induce liver oxidative damage in mice. BMMSC transplantation can improve X-ray irradiation-induced liver oxidative damage in mice, and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

The effects of Cefixime and Aspirin on phytoplankton community structure and dynamics: A Mesocosm approach

Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants of interest due to their ability to induce changes in the environment. These chemical compounds are discharged into aquatic ecosystems with a high likelihood of affecting non-target organisms such as phytoplankton. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the effects of pharmaceuticals on phytoplankton. This study used the mesocosm approach to investigate the effects of cefixime, a cephalosporin antibiotic and aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug on the community structure (species diversity, richness, and abundance) of phytoplankton. The mesocosm approach studied the effects of three treatments of pharmaceuticals: cefixime, aspirin and a combination of cefixime and aspirin, alongside a control experiment for 21 days. A total of 31 phytoplankton species belonging to five groups were identified; with diatoms and green algae having higher diversity compared to the other algae groups. Scenedesmus sp., Pediastrum sp. and Zygnema sp. were the top three recurring species in all the samples taken throughout the experimental period. Navicula sp. were the most recurring diatoms. The exposure of phytoplankton to cefixime, aspirin, and a combination of cefixime and aspirin significantly reduced the diversity, richness, and abundance of all species by the 21st day of the experiment. The control had the highest cell density (8,910 cells mL) of phytoplankton species on the 21st day, while the cefixime treatment had the lowest cell density (48 cells mL) f phytoplankton species on the seventh day of the study. This study demonstrated that cefixime and aspirin had major impacts on the phytoplankton community.

The Effect of Particles from Rotten Spruce Logs and Recycled Wooden Composites on Changes in the Bio-Resistance of Three-Layer Particleboards Against the Decaying Fungus Coniophora puteana and Mixture of Moulds

Wood-based particleboards (PBs) are widely used in construction and interior applications, yet their durability, particularly against biological degradation, remains a challenge. Recycling wood and incorporating degraded particles from rotted wood can potentially enhance PB sustainability and align with circular bioeconomy principles. This study investigates the biological resistance of the three-layer, laboratory-prepared PBs with varied amounts of particles, from sound spruce wood to particles, and from spruce logs attacked by brown- or white rot, respectively, to particles from recycled wooden composites of laminated particleboards (LPBs) or blockboards (BBs), i.e., 100:0, 80:20, 50:50, and 0:100. The bio-resistance of PBs was evaluated against the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana, as well as against a mixture of moulds’ “microscopic fungi”, such as Aspergillus versicolor BAM 8, Aspergillus niger BAM 122, Penicillium purpurogenum BAM 24, Stachybotrys chartarum BAM 32, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa BAM 571. PBs containing particles from brown-rotten wood or from recycled wood composites, particularly LPBs, had a partly enhanced decay resistance, but their mass loss was nevertheless more than 30%. On the other hand, the mould resistance of all variants of PBs, evaluated in the 21st day, was very poor, with the highest mould growth activity (MGA = 4). These findings suggested that some types of rotten and recycled wood particles can improve the biological resistance of PBs; however, their effectiveness is influenced by the type of wood degradation and the source of recycled materials. Further, the results highlight the need for improved biocidal, chemical, or thermal modifications of wood particles to enhance the overall biological durability of PBs for specific uses.

Effects of Bacillus coagulans on kidney injury caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in rabbits

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is a zoonotic conditionally pathogenic bacterium with a high prevalence of infection. It often induces purulent inflammation of the rabbit lungs, kidneys and other tissues, with high morbidity and mortality. Bacillus coagulans (BC) has the ability to regulate the balance of host intestinal flora and improve host immunity. However, the mechanism of the protective effect of BC on KP-induced kidney injury in rabbits is not clear. To explore this, we randomly divided fifty 35-day-old Eyplus rabbits into five groups: control, KP, low-dose BC (LBC), medium-dose BC (MBC) and high-dose BC (HBC). On the 1st day of the experiment, rabbits in LBC, MBC and HBC groups were fed diets containing 1 × 106 CFU/g, 5 × 106 CFU/g and 1 × 107 CFU/g BC, respectively, and rabbits in CK and KP groups were fed basal diets. On the 8th day, each rabbit in the KP, LBC, MBC and HBC groups was infused with 4 mL of 1 × 1011 CFU/mL KP bacterial solution, and the CK group was infused with the same amount of sterilised saline for a total of 7 days. Rabbit kidney tissues were collected on the 15th d. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rabbit kidney tissues, oxidative stress-related indexes were detected by biochemical kits, and the content of inflammatory factors and apoptosis-related factors in kidney tissues were detected by ELISA. The results showed that KP disrupts the normal structure of the kidney, induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and mediates apoptosis by regulating the levels of Bcl-2 family proteins. BC pretreatment significantly reduced kidney structural damage, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptosis in rabbits. To alleviate KP-induced kidney injury by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of anti-apoptotic proteins. Compared with the LBC group and the HBC group, the remission effect was more pronounced in the MBC group. Therefore, in this study, the effect of 5 × 106 CFU/g BC was more significant.

The Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Active Ingredients From Hydroxysafflor Yellow A in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

AbstractHydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), an active ingredient extracted from Carthami flos, shows potential for treating ischemic stroke. This phase 1 study assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of HSYA in healthy Chinese volunteers who received intravenous infusions of pure HSYA powder. The study comprised 2 parts. Part A was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled dose‐escalation study that evaluated safety and tolerability. This included a single‐dose study with 7 dose levels of HSYA (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mg) in 52 volunteers, and a multidose study (100 and 125 mg) in 16 volunteers. Part B was an open‐label study where 12 volunteers received 75 mg of HSYA once daily for 14 consecutive days to examine PKs. There were no adverse events (AEs) leading to treatment discontinuation by HSYA throughout the treatment period. All reported AEs were mild and did not require special treatment. PK analysis revealed rapid absorption (median Tmax of 1.1 hours) and elimination (median t1/2 4.0 and 4.7 hours) of HSYA. Total body clearance on the 1st and 14th days was 1.7 and 1.6 L/h, respectively.