HCl Group Research Articles

Effect of Levobupivacaine Hydrochloride-Loaded Nanospheres on Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rabbits

This research was aimed to analyze the mechanism of action of levobupivacaine hydrochloride-loaded nanospheres on delayed cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Levobupivacaine hydrochloride-loaded nanospheres (LevoBPV Hcl/PLGA) were prepared using the solvent evaporation methodology, with the raw material as a control. The blood drug concentrations were detected by HPLC after subcutaneous and subarachnoid administration in experimental rabbits. Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned into Sham group, SAH group, LevoBPV Hcl group (10 mg/kg), and LevoBPV Hcl/PLGA group (10 mg/kg), with 10 rabbits in each group. The SAH model was induced using the double blood injection methodology combined with internal carotid artery ligation. Brain tissue samples were collected on day 7 for pathological characterization, determination of neuronal apoptosis, and measurement of basilar artery diameter and area. The levels of oxidative stress factors (superoxide (SOD), malondiadehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) and vasoconstrictor factors (nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1)) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were detected using assay kits. The results revealed that the drug loading capacity of LevoBPV Hcl/PLGA was 29.13%, encapsulation efficiency was 87.09%, and the average particle size was 81.43 μm. Under the same dosage, both subcutaneous and subarachnoid administration of LevoBPV Hcl/PLGA exhibited two concentration peaks in the blood drug concentration, with lower concentration values versus LevoBPV Hcl group, and a longer average residence time than LevoBPV Hcl group (P < 0.05). Relative to Sham group, SAH group exhibited decreased diameter and area of the basilar artery, reduced neuronal density, increased neuronal apoptosis rate, decreased levels of SOD, GSH-Px, and NO in the CSF, and increased levels of MDA and ET-1 (P < 0.05). Moreover, LevoBPV Hcl group and LevoBPV Hcl/PLGA group showed increased diameter and area of the basilar artery, higher neuronal density, reduced neuronal apoptosis rate, elevated levels of SOD, GSH-Px, and NO in the CSF, and decreased levels of MDA and ET-1 versus SAH group (P < 0.05). The LevoBPV Hcl/PLGA group exhibited increased diameter and area of the basilar artery, higher neuronal density, reduced neuronal apoptosis rate, elevated levels of SOD, GSH-Px, and NO in the CSF, and decreased levels of MDA and ET-1 versus LevoBPV Hcl group (P < 0.05). In short, LevoBPV HCl-loaded nanospheres can prolong the in vivo residence time of subcutaneous and subarachnoid administration, reduce the maximum blood drug concentration, and enhance drug safety. Furthermore, these nanospheres can inhibit neuronal apoptosis following SAH, regulate oxidative stress and vasoconstrictor factor expression, thereby suppressing the occurrence of delayed cerebral vasospasm and alleviating brain tissue damage.

Divergent histopathological and molecular patterns in chemically induced interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome rat models

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a complex chronic pain disorder with an elusive etiology and nonspecific symptoms. Although numerous animal models with phenotypes similar to human disease have been established, no available regimen can consistently alleviate clinical symptoms. This dilemma led us to question whether current animal models adequately represent IC/BPS. We compared four commonly used IC/BPS rat models to determine their diverse histopathological and molecular patterns. Female rats were given single treatments with hydrochloric acid (HCL), acetic acid (AA), protamine sulfate plus lipopolysaccharide (PS + LPS), or cyclophosphamide (CYP) to induce IC/BPS. Bladder sections were stained for histopathologic evaluation, and mRNA expression profiles were examined using next-generation sequencing and gene set analyses. Mast cell counts were significantly higher in the HCL and AA groups than in the PS + LPS, CYP, and control groups, but only the AA group showed significant collagen accumulation. The models differed substantially in terms of their gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. Our observations suggest that none of these rat models fully reflects the complexity of IC/BPS. We recommend that future studies apply and compare multiple models simultaneously to fully replicate the complicated features of IC/BPS.

In vitro Antibacterial Effect Study of Plasma-Activated Saline on Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effects of plasma-activated saline (PAS) on My-cobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We conducted a growth assay on 3 strains of Mtb and an antibiotic sensitivity test on 4 strains of Mtb. Both tests included groups treated with normal saline (NS), PAS, and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The test of antibiotic sensitivity consisted of parallel tests with two concentrations of bacteria suspension: 10-2 and 10-4. The selected antibiotics were rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (EMB), and streptomycin (SM). The number of bacteria was determined after one month of culture under different conditions. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the differences in grouping factors at representative time points. The growth assay indicated that PAS significantly inhibited the growth of 3 strains of Mtb compared with NS and HCl treatment groups. Furthermore, except for the initial observation time point, the remaining three observation time points consistently demonstrate no significant differences between the NS group and the HCl group. The antibiotic sensitivity test of INH, SM, and RIF indicated that PAS could inhibit the growth of antibiotic-resistant Mtb, and the antibiotic sensitivity test of INH and SM with bacterial suspension concentration of 10-2 and SM with bacterial suspension concentration of 10-4 showed statistically different results. The antibiotic sensitivity test of EMB indicated that the growth of Mtb in PAS was slower than that in NS and HCl in both antibiotic-resistant and sensitive Mtb, but there was no statistical difference. The study indicates that PAS contains a significant amount of active substances and exhibits high oxidizability and an acidic pH state. The unique physicochemical properties of PAS significantly delayed the growth of Mtb, compared to the NS and the HCl. PAS not only inhibited the growth of drug-sensitive strains but also significantly enhanced the sensitivity of drug-resistant strains to anti-tuberculosis drugs, which may provide a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of tuberculosis.

Differential effects of two-hit models of acute and ventilator-induced lung injury on lung structure, function, and inflammation.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute lung injury have a diverse spectrum of causative factors including sepsis, aspiration of gastric contents, and near drowning. Clinical management of severe lung injury typically includes mechanical ventilation to maintain gas exchange which can lead to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). The cause of respiratory failure is acknowledged to affect the degree of lung inflammation, changes in lung structure, and the mechanical function of the injured lung. However, these differential effects of injury and the role of etiology in the structure-function relationship are not fully understood. To address this knowledge gap we caused lung injury with intratracheal hydrochloric acid (HCL) or endotoxin (LPS) 2days prior to ventilation or with an injurious lavage (LAV) immediately prior to ventilation. These injury groups were then ventilated with high inspiratory pressures and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) = 0cmH2O to cause VILI and model the clinical course of ARDS followed by supportive ventilation. The effects of injury were quantified using invasive lung function measurements recorded during PEEP ladders where the end-expiratory pressure was increased from 0 to 15cm H2O and decreased back to 0cmH2O in steps of 3cmH2O. Design-based stereology was used to quantify the parenchymal structure of lungs air-inflated to 2, 5, and 10cmH2O. Pro-inflammatory gene expression was measured with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and alveolocapillary leak was estimated by measuring bronchoalveolar lavage protein content. The LAV group had small, stiff lungs that were recruitable at higher pressures, but did not demonstrate substantial inflammation. The LPS group showed septal swelling and high pro-inflammatory gene expression that was exacerbated by VILI. Despite widespread alveolar collapse, elastance in LPS was only modestly elevated above healthy mice (CTL) and there was no evidence of recruitability. The HCL group showed increased elastance and some recruitability, although to a lesser degree than LAV. Pro-inflammatory gene expression was elevated, but less than LPS, and the airspace dimensions were reduced. Taken together, those data highlight how different modes of injury, in combination with a 2nd hit of VILI, yield markedly different effects.

Isolation, Purification, and Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula and Their Anti-Tumor Bioactivity by Immunomodulation.

The activity of polysaccharides is usually related to molecular weight. The molecular weight of polysaccharides is critical to their immunological effect in cancer therapy. Herein, the Codonopsis polysaccharides of different molecular weights were isolated using ultrafiltration membranes of 60- and 100-wDa molecular weight cut-off to determine the relationship between molecular weight and antitumor activities. First, three water-soluble polysaccharides CPPS-I (<60 wDa), CPPS-II (60-100 wDa), and CPPS-III (>100 wDa) from Codonopsis were isolated and purified using a combination of macroporous adsorption resin chromatography and ultrafiltration. Their structural characteristics were determined through chemical derivatization, GPC, HPLC, FT-IR, and NMR techniques. In vitro experiments indicated that all Codonopsis polysaccharides exhibited significant antitumor activities, with the tumor inhibition rate in the following order: CPPS-II > CPPS-I > CPPS-III. The treatment of CPPS-II exhibited the highest inhibition rate at a high concentration among all groups, which was almost as efficient as that of the DOX·HCL (10 μg/mL) group at 125 μg/mL concentration. Notably, CPPS-II demonstrated the ability to enhance NO secretion and the antitumor ability of macrophages relative to the other two groups of polysaccharides. Finally, in vivo experiments revealed that CPPS-II increased the M1/M2 ratio in immune system regulation and that the tumor inhibition effect of CPPS-II + DOX was superior to that of DOX monotherapy, implying that CPPS-II + DOX played a synergistic role in regulating the immune system function and the direct tumor-killing ability of DOX. Therefore, CPPS-II is expected to be applied as an effective cancer treatment or adjuvant therapy.

Adsorption and kinetic studies of methylene blue from aqueous solution using modified spent tea leaves

In this study, methylene blue was removed from an aqueous solution using modified waste tea leaves. Temperature, pH, contact time, methylene blue concentration, and other adsorption mechanisms were studied. The characterization of the samples was performed using the FTIR and SEM analyses. The isotherm models were carrying out to analyzed the adsorption mechanisms and for representing data, the Freundlich isotherm model seemed more appropriate. The findings exhibited the highest adsorption capacity was 3.66 mg/g for the untreated biomass at 298 K, 5.46 mg/g for the 0.1 M HCl group at 318 K, and 5.98 mg/g for the 0.05 M NaOH group at 298 K. The adsorption kinetics were used and the pseudo-second-order model performed well for each group. As a natural substitute biomass for methylene blue adsorption from aqueous solution, used tea leaf residue may be employed.

Glycemia Risk Index as a novel metric to evaluate the safety of glycemic control in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: an observational, multicenter, real-life cohort study.

Glycemia Risk Index (GRI) is a novel composite metric for the evaluation of the safety of glycemic management and control. The aim of this study was to evaluate GRI and its correlations with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics by analysing real-life CGM data in 1067 children/adolescents with type 1 Diabetes (T1D) using four different treatment strategies (intermittently scanned CGM [isCGM]-Multiple daily injections [MDI]; real time CGM [rtCGM]-MDI; rt-CGM-insulin pump [IP]; Hybrid Closed-Loop [HCL] therapy). GRI was positively correlated with High Blood Glucose Index (HBGI), Low Blood Glucose Index (LBGI), mean glycemia, its standard deviation, coefficient of variation and HbA1c. The four treatment strategies groups showed significantly different GRI with the lowest value in the HCL group (30.8) and the highest in the isCGM-MDI group (68.4). These findings support the use of GRI for the assessment of the glycemic risk and the safety of specific treatment in paediatric subjects with T1D.

Role of Betaine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Transportation Stress and Shrinkage Loss of Broilers during the Summer Season

Background: Heat stress is a major concern in the poultry industry as it causes heavy economic losses. The current study aimed to evaluate the role of betaine supplementation on growth performance, transportation stress and shrinkage loss of broilers during the summer season. Methods: An experiment was conducted on broiler chicks (n=234), reared in the deep litter up to the 42ndday on diets with or without betaine. The day-old chicks were randomly distributed into three dietary treatment groups viz., Control (Birds fed on a basal diet), T1 (Birds fed on a basal diet, supplemented with Optibetaine @ 1 kg/ton of feed), T2 (Birds fed on a basal diet, supplemented with Betaine HCL @ kg/ton of feed). Each dietary treatment comprised six replicates of thirteen birds each. Result: It was found thatbirds supplemented with betaine significantly improved in LBW/BWG. Supplementation of optibetaine performed best in comparison with betaine HCL and Control group birds by reducing mortality percentage by 2.56% and 6.41% respectively. NCDV HI titre gives numerically high values in betaine supplemented groups. Cellular immunity at the 42nd day of age improved due to optibetaine supplementation. The rise in corticosterone concentration due to transportation stress was more in control group and less in the betaine supplemented group. There was no significant effect on the serum glucose level.The optibetaine supplementation group shows lower shrinkage loss.

Randomized, double-blind, four-arm pilot study on the effects of chicken essence and type II collagen hydrolysate on joint, bone, and muscle functions

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability among older adults. Medical and surgical treatments are costly and associated with side effects. A natural nutraceutical, collagen hydrolysate, has received considerable attention due to its relieving effects on OA-associated symptoms. This study investigated the effects of hydrolyzed collagen type II (HC-II) and essence of chicken (BRAND'S Essence of Chicken) with added HC-II (EC-HC-II) on joint, muscle, and bone functions among older adults with OA.MethodsPatients (n = 160) with grade 1–3 knee OA according to the Kellgren–Lawrence classification system, joint pain for ≥ 3 months, and a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score of > 6 were randomly assigned with equal probability to consume EC-HC-II, HC-II, glucosamine HCl, or a placebo for 24 weeks in combination with resistance training. Outcome measurements were WOMAC score, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, grip strength, fat-free mass (FFM), and bone mass.ResultsAll groups exhibited similar levels of improvement in WOMAC index scores after 24 weeks. HC-II significantly reduced VAS pain score by 0.9 ± 1.89 (p = 0.034) after 14 days. A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that HC-II reduced pain levels more than the placebo did (mean ± standard error: − 1.3 ± 0.45, p = 0.021) after 14 days; the EC-HC-II group also had significantly higher FFM than the glucosamine HCl (p = 0.02) and placebo (p = 0.017) groups and significantly higher grip strength than the glucosamine HCl group (p = 0.002) at 24 weeks.ConclusionHC-II reduces pain, and EC-HC-II may improve FFM and muscle strength. This suggests that EC-HC-II may be a novel holistic solution for mobility by improving joint, muscle, and bone health among older adults. Large-scale studies should be conducted to validate these findings.Trial registrationThis trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04483024).

Effect of acidification on microscopic properties and pore structure of coal

Acidification is a common method for removing minerals from coal. In this study, four groups of acidification samples were evaluated: raw coal (Raw), hydrofluoric acid (HF), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and mixed HF–HCl acid (Mix) groups. The concentrations of ash and various elements in the sample groups were measured by industrial and elemental analyses. The Mix solution most effectively removed the minerals from coal, with an ash removal fraction of 87.87%. The microscopic characteristics of the four groups were studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C NMR). The oxygen-containing functional groups of the coal samples increased after acidification by 76.07%, 14.49%, and 51.06% for the HF, HCl, and Mix groups, respectively. In addition, the content of aliphatic structures decreased during acidification. The adiposity of the Mix, HCl, and HF groups decreased by 16.36%, 8.50%, and 12.73 %, respectively. The results of CO2 and liquid nitrogen adsorption showed that the cumulative pore volume of the HF and Mix groups increased by 24.90% and 21.39%, respectively, while that of the HCl group decreased by 3.23% compared to the Raw group. The changes in the coal microstructures were observed for both micropores and mesopores. The aliphatic content was inversely proportional to the pore volume, whereas some oxygen-containing functional groups enhanced the pore volume. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge related to coal-seam acidification.

Selection of embryo recipients, a real challenge in cows embryo transfer programs

This article comes as a response to a clinical situation that the members of our team found at an embryo transfer program. At the moment of insemination, day 7 after estrus period, a high number of untransferable recipients was found after ovaries ultrasonography. From 54 animals synchronized, just in 5 (9.25 %) cases was performed the embryo insemination. The embryo transfer was performed in cases where a corpus luteum (CL group) higher than 17 mm was found on the ovary, corpus luteum with a cavity of a maximum 10 mm and without a follicle higher than 10 mm on the ovary with the corpus luteum or on the other ovary. The rest of heifers were classified into the next groups: Hollow corpus luteum (HCL Group), 11 cases (20.37%), Lutheal cyst (LC Group), 5 cases (9.25%), No corpus luteum (NCL Group), 4 cases (7.40%), Corpus luteum and follicle (CLF Group), Small corpus luteum (SCL Group). Cystic corpus luteum seems to be a good variant for performing the Embryo Transfer. Even if the level of P4 concentrations in the case of a luteal cyst is highest, the embryo transfer in these cases is with a high level of risk and should be avoided.

Local infiltration of HYR-PB21, a sustained-release formulation of bupivacaine, provides analgesia and reduces opioid requirement after haemorrhoidectomy: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundHYR-PB21 is a new sustained-release formulation of bupivacaine indicated for controlling postoperative pain. The objectives of this study were to investigate the analgesic efficacy and safety profile of HYR-PB21 in patients after haemorrhoidectomy. MethodsThis was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, positive-controlled trial. Patients were assigned randomly to receive a single dose of HYR-PB21 (150 mg or 300 mg) or bupivacaine HCl (75 mg) after surgery for prolapsing haemorrhoids. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a numeric rating scale at rest to calculate a cumulative pain score. Total rescue opioid usage and the proportion of subjects receiving rescue opioid were also assessed. ResultsWe enrolled 72 patients with haemorrhoidectomy, and 71 patients completed the study. The average cumulative pain score through 72 h after surgery in the 300 mg HYR-PB21 group (87 scores) was lower than in the bupivacaine HCl group (166 scores) in an intention-to-treat analysis (P<0.001). There was a dose–response effect in reducing total opioid usage and the proportion of rescue opioid use between the 150 mg and 300 mg HYR-PB21 groups, with bupivacaine HCl as a reference group. The HYR-PB21 groups did not show more adverse effects than the bupivacaine HCl group. ConclusionsLocal infiltration of a single dose of HYR-PB21 sustained-release bupivacaine had better efficacy in controlling postoperative pain, with similar adverse effects, compared with a single dose of bupivacaine HCl in patients after haemorrhoidectomy. Clinical trial registrationChiCTR2000041318 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry).

Dopamine Hydrochloride-Assisted Synergistic Modulation of Perovskite Crystallization and Sn2+ Oxidation for Efficient and Stable Lead-free Solar Cells.

Tin perovskites have received great concern in solar cell research owing to their favorable optoelectronic performance and environmental friendliness. However, due to their poor crystallization and easy oxidation, the performance improvement for tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) is rather challenging. Herein, reductive 3-hydroxytyramine hydrochloride (DACl) with NH2·HCl and phenol groups as co-additives with SnF2 is added into the precursor to modulate perovskite crystallization and inhibit Sn2+ oxidation for high-performance TPSCs. The Lewis base group of NH2 HCl in DACl could bind to perovskite lattices to modulate the crystallization with suppressed defects in the bulk and grain boundary, whereas reductive phenol groups effectively constrain the Sn2+ oxidation. Moreover, the undissociated DACl decreases the supersaturated concentration of tin perovskite solution and creates a pre-nucleation site for rapid nucleation to further regulate crystallization. Consequently, the DACl-derived TPSCs achieve a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) that reaches up to 11%. More impressively, the device remains at 84% of the initial PCE after full-sun illumination in N2 over 600 h without being encapsulated. This DACl-based synergistic modulation of a lead-free perovskite demonstrates a feasible approach using one molecule with different functional groups to manipulate crystallization, Sn2+ oxidation, and defect reparation of tin perovskite films, providing a critical guideline for constructing high-quality perovskites by multifunctional additives with high photovoltaic performance.

Comparative study of effects of Triphala and Tetracycline gel on root conditioning

Background: Remnants of dental calculus, contaminated cementum, and subgingival plaque act as a physical barrier between periodontal tissues and root surfaces, which inhibits the formation of new attachment. Treatment of denuded root surface using various chemicals and antimicrobial agents with scaling and root planing helps in active periodontal regeneration. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the demineralizing effects of Triphala and 1% Tetracycline HCl gel on root conditioning using a Scanning Electron Microscope. Settings and design: A total of 50 hemi-sectioned root samples were obtained from 25 extracted, and root planed samples. These were divided into two groups, Group 1: 1% Tetracycline HCl gel and Group 2: Triphala. Materials and method: The two root conditioning agents were applied with cotton pellets on the sectioned roots. The samples were then examined under the scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis used: Data obtained was compiled on a MS Office Excel Sheet. Inter group comparison was done using Mann Whitney U test. Comparison of frequencies of categories of variables with groups was done using Chi Square Test. Results: The root conditioning agents used in this study were found to be equally effective in removing the smear layer. &#x0D;

Efficacy and Safety of Two Salts of Trientine in the Treatment of Wilson's Disease.

Background: Wilson’s disease (WD) is one of the few genetic disorders that can be successfully treated with pharmacological agents. Copper-chelating agents (D-penicillamine and Trientine salts) and zinc salts have been demonstrated to be effective. There are two salts of trientine. Trientine dihydrochloride salt (TETA 2HCL) is unstable at room temperature and requires storage at 2–8 °C. Trientine tetrahydrochloride (TETA 4HCL) is a more stable salt of trientine that can be stored at room temperature. No comparative study between both of the salts of trientine has been performed to date. As the two chemical forms were available in France between 1970 and 2009, we conducted a study to evaluate their efficacy and safety profiles. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing data from the national WD registry in France. Forty-three WD patients who received TETA 2HCL or TETA 4HCL monotherapy for at least one year until 2010 were included. The primary endpoints were hepatic and neurological outcomes. Secondary endpoints were the events leading to a discontinuation of medication. Results: Changes in medication were common, leading to the analysis of 57 treatment sequences of TETA 4HCL or TETA 2HCL. The mean duration of treatment sequence was significantly longer in the TETA 4 HCL group (12.6 years) than in the TETA 2HCL group (7.6 years) (p = 0.011). Ten patients experienced both trientine salts: eight stopped TETA 4 HCL (six had a hepatologic phenotype and two had a neurological phenotype) because this treatment was not available anymore (mean duration 7.4 years). Three of these patients already experienced TETA 2 HCL before the sequence. Two patients with a hepatologic phenotype (one had a previous sequence of TETA 4 HCL before) stopped TETA 2 HCL because of cold storage issues (mean duration 42.8 years). The total number of sequences was 57. All of the patients were clinically stable. No difference in efficacy was detected. Both treatments were well tolerated, except for a case of recurrence of lupus erythematosus-like syndrome in the TETA 2HCL group. The major reason for interruption of TETA 4HCL was due to a discontinuation in production of this salt. The reasons for stopping TETA 2HCL were mainly due to adherence issues largely attributed to the cold storage requirement. Conclusions: The two salts of trientine were effective in treating patients with WD. However, interruption of TETA 2HCL was frequent, linked to the cold storage requirement. As adherence to treatment is a key factor in the successful management of WD, physicians need to be even more vigilant in detecting adherence difficulties in patients receiving treatment with TETA 2HCL.

Role of Different Types of Contact Lenses in Epithelial Thickness.

To evaluate the potential role of different types of contact lenses, such as soft (SCL), hard (HCL), and mini scleral (SCCL), in corneal epithelial thickness with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). In this cross-sectional study, patients who used contact lens at recent 6 months were recruited consecutively from September 2019 to October 2019, and the epithelial thicknesses of the cornea were obtained by AS-OCT and compared with control subjects who did not use contact lens. In total, 184 eyes (115 subjects) were included; of them, 75 eyes were keratoconic (KCN) and 109 eyes were nonkeratoconic (non-KCN). Twenty eyes in KCN and 79 eyes of non-KCN group had no history of contact lens use and were included for comparison with KCN and non-KCN contact lens users, respectively. Mean duration of contact lens wearing was 75.63±50.42 months. The epithelial thickness of non-KCN SCL group was thinner than that of non-KCN control subjects all over the cornea, whereas the epithelium of non-KCN HCL was thinner at central site as well as nasal and temporal paracentral and midperipheral areas. Epithelial thickness of the KCN HCL group was not different from the KCN control subjects in all sectors. The KCN SCCL group had thinner epithelium at nearly all peripheral sectors as well as inferior, inferotemporal, inferonasal, and nasal midperipheral sectors compared with KCN control subjects. The corneal epithelium was thinner at the peripheral zones in KCN SCCL users; at both peripheral and central zones in non-KCN SCL users and in central zones in non-KCN HCL users.

Preclinical Screening of Antidepressant Activity of Formulated Sertraline Hydrochloride-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in Rats

Objective: The main goal of our study was to investigate the antidepressant activity of Formulated Sertraline hydrochloride-loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNPs) by using a rat forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST).&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into three groups, consisting of six rats in each group. Out of these, one group served as control that received distilled water, second group was standard received Sertraline HCl (20 mg/kg intranasal) and third group was received test formulation (SLNPs 50 mg/kg intranasal). To assess the effect of SLNPs on immobility activity through FST and TST were used to take as a measure of antidepressant activity.&#x0D; Results: SLNPs reduced the immobility duration in TST as well as in FST. In both methods, there was a statistical significant decrease in immobility of SLNPs group when compared to the control group.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results suggested that SLNPs produced significant antidepressant effect in rats which was comparable with control group and standard Sertraline HCl group animals.

Effects of cholesterol and Lactobacillus acidophilus on testicular function.

ObjectiveIn this study, the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus on testosterone (TES), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), androgen-binding protein (ABP), factor-associated apoptosis (FAS), and total cholesterol (TC), as well as histopathological changes, were investigated in male rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. MethodsThe study included three groups. The control (C) group was fed standard-diet for 8 weeks. The hypercholesterolemia (HC) group was fed a 2% cholesterol-diet for 8 weeks. The therapeutic group (HCL) was fed a 2% cholesterol-diet for 8 weeks and administered L. acidophilus for the last 4 weeks. FSH, TES, and FAS levels in testicular tissue were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while another sample was examined histopathologically. LH and ABP levels were determined using ELISA, and serum TC levels were assessed via an autoanalyzer. ResultsIn the HC group, the TC levels were significantly higher and the LH levels were lower (p<0.05) than in the C group. The ABP levels were lower (p>0.05). In the HCL group, the LH and ABP levels were higher (p>0.05) and the TC level significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the HC group. The TES and FSH levels were lower, and the FAS levels were higher, in the HC than in the C group (p<0.05). In the HCL group, levels of all three resembled control levels. Histologically, in the testicular tissue of the HC group, the cells in the tubular wall exhibited atrophy, vacuolization, and reduced wall structure integrity. However, in the HCL group, these deteriorations were largely reversed.Conclusion Supplementary dietary administration of an L. acidophilus to hypercholesterolemic male rats positively impacted testicular tissue and male fertility hormone levels.

Sustained release buprenorphine effectively attenuates postoperative hypersensitivity in an incisional pain model in neonatal rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Despite the need for safe and effective postoperative analgesia in neonates, research regarding pain management in neonatal rodents is relatively limited. Here, we investigate whether sustained release buprenorphine (Bup SR) effectively attenuates thermal hypersensitivity in a neonatal rat model of incisional pain. Male and female postnatal day 3 Sprague Dawley rat pups (n = 34) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) saline (control), 0.1 mL, once subcutaneously (SC); 2) buprenorphine HCl (Bup HCl), 0.05 mg/kg, once SC; 3) low dose Bup SR (low-SR), 0.5 mg/kg, once SC; 4) high dose Bup SR (high-SR), 1 mg/kg, once SC. Pups were anesthetized with sevoflurane and a 0.5-cm long skin incision was made over the left lateral thigh. The underlying muscle was dissected and closed using surgical glue. Thermal hypersensitivity testing was performed at 24 h prior to surgery and subsequently at 1, 4, 8, 24, and 48 h post-surgery using an infrared diode laser. Thermal hypersensitivity was attenuated at 1 h post-surgery in the Bup HCl group, while it was attenuated through the entire postoperative period in both low-SR and high-SR groups. This data suggests that a single dose of low-SR (0.5 mg/kg) or high-SR (1 mg/kg) effectively attenuates thermal hypersensitivity for at least 8 h in neonatal rat pups.

MicroRNA-145, Wnt3a, and Dab2 Genes Expression Changes of the Cardiomyocytes in Hypercholesterolemic Rats Exposed to the Aerobic Training.

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week endurance training (ET) on microRNA-145 (miR-145) changes and Wnt3a and Dab2 cardiomyocytes genes expression of hypercholesterolemic Wistar male rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (191.2±19 g, 6-8 weeks age) were randomly assigned into the aerobic exercise-normal nutrition (ANN; n=8), hypercholesterolemic (HCL; n=8), aerobic exercise- hypercholesterolemic (ACL; n=8), and normal nutrition (NN; n=8). Hypercholesterolemia was created by adding 1% cholesterol to the food of the HCL and ACL rats. ET was done five sessions per week on nonconsecutive days for 12 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last training session, the rats were killed, and the cardiomyocytes were removed. The expression of miR-145, Wnt3a, and Dab2 genes in cardiomyocytes was assessed by real time PCR method. The expression of miR-145 significantly increased in the ANN group in comparison with other groups (P = 0.001). Also, Dab2 gene expression significantly decreased in the ANN group in comparison with ACL (P = 0.001) and HCL (P = 0.001) groups. The results also showed that the Wnt3a in the ANN group was significantly different from NN (p=0.001), ACL, and HCL (p=0.001) groups. It can be concluded that aerobic training and cholesterol-rich foods play an essential regulatory role in the expression of miR-145, Dab2, and Wnt3a genes. However, cholesterol-rich foods appear to play a more significant regulatory role than aerobic exercise training.