Intact Surface Research Articles

Antibacterial performance of composite containing quaternary ammonium silica (QASi) filler – A preliminary study

BackgroundAntibacterial composite will have a significant clinical advantage in controlling caries. This study tests the antibacterial properties of a novel bulk-fill flowable composite (Infinx™, Nobio™ Ltd.) containing quaternary ammonium silica (QASi) filler particles. MethodsInfinix™ was tested in-vitro by the direct contact test (DCT), using E. faecalis or whole saliva as inoculum. A similar formula composite without QASi served as a control. In addition, composite test samples were polymerized on three volunteers' intact buccal enamel surfaces of mandibular first premolars in a split-mouth design experiment. Traditional composite served as control (Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable, 3M). Bacterial viability on the composite surfaces weres assessed ex-vivo microscopically six months later, using a fluorescent dead/live stain. Images of each bacterial sample were taken using a fluorescent microscope (Nikon Eclipse 80i), and further live/total cell analysis was performed using ImageJ software. ResultsFollowing direct contact with one week of aged Infinix, more than 1 million E. faecalis bacteria were killed. Similarly, when using the saliva as inoculum, no single microorganism survived. Six-month in-vivo experiments supported these results by showing a reduction of 54%, 30% and 28% in live/total number of bacteria ratio retrieved from antibacterial composite vs. the control in volunteers #1, #2, #3 respectively. ConclusionWithin the limitations of the experimental design, the present study suggest that antibacterial activity of quaternary ammonium silica particles (QASi) is comparable to that of previously described quaternary ammonium polyethyleneimine particles (QPEI). In addition, whole saliva bacteria are effectively killed by QASi-containing composite in-vitro and in-vivo, for a period of six month at least. Long-term full-scale clinical study is needed to confirm the findings of the present study and their implication on maintaining health balance. Clinical significance: Antibacterial composites containing QASi filler is a novel class of restoratives that may contributes to caries lesion control.

Sampling the skin surface chemistry for diagnosis and prognosis.

Skin and wound blotting are non‐invasive techniques used to sample the skin and wound surface chemistry, whereby a nitrocellulose membrane is applied to an intact or broken cutaneous surface to detect biomarkers. However, there has been no comprehensive review of the evidence for the techniques used and data obtained to date. The primary aim of this study was to review the utilities of surface blotting for the diagnosis and prognosis of physiological, pre‐disease, and pathological states. The secondary aim was to summarise the procedural steps. A systematic literature search was conducted on 9 July 2021 using Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Investigators used McMaster's Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies to assess quality, then performed a narrative synthesis reporting according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Twenty‐five studies were reviewed. Eighteen studies were of good quality, and seven were of moderate quality. These studies conducted skin and wound blotting on 176 animals and 1546 humans. Studies reported physiological and pathological states for diagnosis and prediction of conditions, including skin tears, wound healing, biofilm detection, and skin barrier function. The four steps for blotting are surface preparation, blot preparation, application and removal of blot, and analysis. This review demonstrates that blotting can determine the skin and wound surface chemistry using a versatile and reproducible technique. However, future research is needed to validate the technique and skin biomarkers identified.

Prodigious presentation of oral squamous cell carcinoma: early diagnosis and treatment – A case report

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity and one of the most trivial forms of cancer of the head and neck region It arises from dysplastic oral squamous epithelium. By considering the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma, the smooth and intact surface for this lesion is not usual and almost every time it mimics other inflammatory gingival regions. A solitary well defined proliferative growth of normal mucosal color and sessile in nature. Histopathological examination revealed well differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma. In this paper, we report an unusual clinical presentation of oral squamous cell carcinoma in buccal mucosa which is very rare.

The use of nanocomposite resin in aesthetic restoration of anterior tooth defect in digital medical environment

This work aims to facilitate dental patients' medical treatment and hospital management. The architecture of the hospital's comprehensive management system is put forward.The anterior tooth defect caused by external conditions will bring certain psychological trauma to patients. Patients have higher and more urgent requirements for repairing anterior tooth defects. Hence, the application effect of Z350 nanocomposite resin in repairing anterior tooth defects from the perspective of aesthetics is discussed. The anterior teeth with intact enamel surface (n = 36) were immersed in a demineralization solution for four weeks to make the artificial defect model. Then, Z350 nanocomposite resin was used for restoration. The isolated anterior teeth (n = 36) were chosen as the control. All the samples were immersed in red wine, coffee, Coca-Cola (Coke), tea, and artificial saliva at 37 °C at a constant temperature. After smples were immersed for two, four, and eight weeks, the samples' color changes were compared and analyzed. The results show that there is a significant difference in color difference between red wine and coffee solution at two, four, and eight weeks (P < 0.05). The color difference of the Coca-Cola solution is significantly different between two and four weeks (P < 0.05) and between two and eight weeks. There is a significant difference in color between two and eight weeks (P < 0.05). This exploration explores the application of Z350 nanocomposite resin in the aesthetic restoration of anterior tooth defects, which provides an experimental basis for clinical treatment.

Mechanism of electroacupuncture against intestinal inflammation in mice with Parkinson's di-sease by NF-κB/IL-6 pathway

To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Fengfu"(GV16), "Taichong"(LR3), and "Zusanli"(ST36) on the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin (IL)-6, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to explore the underlying mechanism of EA in the treatment of PD. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, model, and EA groups, with 10 mice in each group. The PD model was induced by rotenone (i.g.) in mice for 28 d. EA was applied to GV16, LR3 and ST36 of mice in the EA group for 30 min, once daily for 14 d. The behavioral changes of mice in each group before and after treatment were observed and scored. The total distance traveled autonomously of mice was detected in the open field test. TH expression in the substantia nigra (SN) was measured by immunohistochemistry, and the changes in colon tissue structure were observed by HE staining. The intestinal mRNA expression of ZO-1, NF-κB, and IL-6 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR, and the colon tissue protein expression of NF-κB was detected by Western blot. The colon tissue concentration of IL-6 was detected by ELISA. Compared with the control group, the pre- and post-treatment behavioral scores of the model group and the pre-treatment behavioral score of the EA group were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the EA group showed reduced behavioral score after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed reduced goblet cells and crypts and thinner muscle layer in the intestinal specimens of mice. Compared with the model group, the EA group showed intact surface villi, increased goblet cells and crypts, and thickened muscle layer. Compared with the control group, the model group exhibited reduced total distance traveled in the open field test, TH expression in SN, and ZO-1 mRNA expression (P<0.01), and elevated mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB and IL-6, and the ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB in the intestinal tract (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the EA group displayed increased total distance traveled, TH expression in SN, and ZO-1 mRNA expression (P<0.01), and declining mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB and IL-6, and the ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB in the colon tissue (P<0.01, P<0.05). EA at GV16, LR3, and ST36 can regulate the expression of NF-κB/IL-6, inhibit the transmission of the colon tissue inflammatory response, repair the intestinal barrier function, and potentiate the TH activity, thereby improving the behavioral performance of PD mice.

Comparative Analysis of Gene Expression Patterns for Oral Epithelial Cell Functions in Periodontitis.

The structure and function of epithelial cells are critical for the construction and maintenance of intact epithelial surfaces throughout the body. Beyond the mechanical barrier functions, epithelial cells have been identified as active participants in providing warning signals to the host immune and inflammatory cells and in communicating various detailed information on the noxious challenge to help drive specificity in the characteristics of the host response related to health or pathologic inflammation. Rhesus monkeys were used in these studies to evaluate the gingival transcriptome for naturally occurring disease samples (GeneChip® Rhesus Macaque Genome Array) or for ligature-induced disease (GeneChip® Rhesus Gene 1.0 ST Array) to explore up to 452 annotated genes related to epithelial cell structure and functions. Animals were distributed by age into four groups: ≤ 3 years (young), 3–7 years (adolescent), 12–16 years (adult), and 18–23 years (aged). For naturally occurring disease, adult and aged periodontitis animals were used, which comprised 34 animals (14 females and 20 males). Groups of nine animals in similar age groups were included in a ligature-induced periodontitis experiment. A buccal gingival sample from either healthy or periodontitis-affected tissues were collected, and microarray analysis performed. The overall results of this investigation suggested a substantial alteration in epithelial cell functions that occurs rapidly with disease initiation. Many of these changes were prolonged throughout disease progression and generally reflect a disruption of normal cellular functions that would presage the resulting tissue destruction and clinical disease measures. Finally, clinical resolution may not signify biological resolution and represent a continued risk for disease that may require considerations for additional biologically specific interventions to best manage further disease.

Elbow hemiarthroplasty for acute distal humeral fractures and their sequelae: medium- and long-term follow-up of 41 cases.

The earliest distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (or elbow hemiarthroplasty [EHA]) implants, which date back to the late 1940s, were performed in patients with severe elbow joint injuries as an alternative to arthrodesis. After some clinical reports and case studies with a short follow-up, published in the 1990s, a new "anatomically convertible" EHA model was introduced in 2005 and became a common surgical option to treat complex elbow fractures and their sequelae. We describe the mid- and long-term outcomes of EHA performed to treat acute intra-articular fractures or their sequelae. From 2006 to 2017, 51 patients underwent EHA for acute intra-articular fractures or their sequelae. A total number of 41 patients (80.5% female) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, 24 with acute lesions and 17 with sequelae, were identified retrospectively. Clinical evaluation was according to the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score (subjective), and the Oxford Elbow Score (OES) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) (objective). Radiographic follow-up was with standard radiographs. Mean follow-up was 92.2 months (range, 24-151). Mean patient age at surgery was 62.8 years (range, 45-81). The mean MEPS was 87.1 points, with excellent results in 26 cases, good results in 9 cases, fair in 2, and poor results in 4. The mean DASH score was 15.9 and the mean OES was 40.5, with satisfactory results in 30 cases. Twenty patients experienced complications and 2 required revision surgery. EHA is a valuable surgical option in selected patients with comminuted distal humeral joint fractures that cannot be reconstructed with stable fixation and in those with malunion of the articular surface of the humerus. EHA offers potential advantages, especially in active elderly patients and in those aged less than 70 years. It is essential to achieve joint stability, restoring medial and lateral ligament function besides the integrity of the coronoid process. An intact olecranon surface without signs of degenerative changes is also critical for EHA success. Our mid- and long-term experience with EHA is favorable, with a high proportion of satisfactory results and long survival rates for both lesion types. In selected patients with acute and post-traumatic injuries, EHA is a valuable surgical option.

Radiographic Evaluation of Marginal Bone Height and Density Around Overhanging Dental Restorations.

This study aimed to investigate the marginal bone changes beneath overhanging restorations. The study group consisted of 250 archived panoramic radiographs that had at least one overhanging restoration, examined by two observers. The distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the marginal bone crest beneath the overhang was measured with ImageJ software. The same distance was measured from the control sites (the intact surface of the same tooth with overhang, and the same tooth on the contralateral side) to assess bone loss. To evaluate bone density, two regions of interest (ROIs) were chosen: one in the marginal bone beneath the overhang, and the other was in the marginal bone adjacent to the intact surface of the same tooth. Wilcoxon paired t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons (P < .05). The prevalence of overhangs was 4.3%. Molar teeth (80.8%) and the disto-occlusal cavities (54%) were the most common sites for overhangs. The average bone loss beneath the overhangs was 2.77 ± 1.20 mm, which was significantly different from the control sites (P < .05). The bone density beneath the overhang was significantly lower than at control sites (P < .05). The frequency of overhangs was higher in areas that are difficult to reach, and the height and density of the marginal bone beneath the overhang were decreased compared to control sites.

Developing diagnostic skills from preclinical dental education: Caries detection and assessment using e-learning assisted practice.

To evaluate the feasibility of developing visual diagnostic skills for detecting and assessing dental caries using e-learning assisted practice in preclinical dental education. A one-group before and after the study was conducted. After a theoretical lesson on cariology, 53 inexperienced second-year preclinical students assessed 78 clinical photographs using the Nyvad criteria; they received automated feedback upon completion of the test. After a week, all students reassessed the same set of photographs, which were randomly reordered. Differential diagnostic accuracy was analyzed category-pairwise, and overall accuracy measures were based on the receiver operator curve. Diagnostic accuracy in both attempts was evaluated and compared through estimation and pooling of individual student accuracies. Pooled category-pairwise accuracy was lower for discriminating Sound surface from Non-cavitated-active caries, and for discriminating inactive caries (surface discontinuity) from intact surface inactive caries and Cavitated-active caries. Pooled overall accuracy, after the theoretical lesson, was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-0.81), and it increased to 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-0.99) after feedback. Between-student variability in accuracy was reduced from I2 =0.66 to 0.55. E-learning assisted practice is a feasible alternative to start developing visual diagnostic skills for detecting and assessing dental caries using the Nyvad criteria from preclinical dental education in cariology. However, further studies are required to evaluate its effectiveness in improving real-world practice knowledge and skills.

In vivo evaluation of endometrium through dual-modality intrauterine endoscopy.

Female infertilities are highly associated with poor endometrial receptivity. A receptive endometrium is generally characterized by the normal uterine cavity, intact endometrial surface, appropriate endometrial thickness, and echo pattern. Acquiring comprehensive structural information is the prerequisite of endometrium assessment, which is beyond the ability of any single-modality imaging method. In this paper, we introduce a custom-made intrauterine dual-modality (OCT/ultrasound) endoscopic imaging system and achieve in vivo imaging of rabbit uteri, for the first time to our knowledge. The endometrial features of the injured uteri in both ultrasonic and OCT images are consistent with their corresponding pathology. The quantified parameters, including uterine thickness and endometrial surface roughness, show the correlation with the endometrial injury degree but with poor performance for injury classification. The combination of these parameters was proved to assess the degrees of endometrial injury more accurately. Our work shows the potential of the dual-modality system to be translated into a clinical tool, providing multiple quantitative imaging information and helping evaluate the endometrial receptivity and diagnose infertility.

Investigating the cutting force of disc cutter in multi-cutter rotary cutting of sandstone: Simulations and experiments

The cutting forces of a disc cutter are of great significance for advancements toward the design of rock-cutting tools. Studies often model rock-breaking through the 2D analysis of the cutterhead pressure or a linear cutting test of single- or double-disc cutters. However, neither approaches accurately reflect the actual cutting pattern. In this study, two models were constructed for the numerical simulation of continuous multi-cutter rotary rock cutting: one for the modelling of sandstone with soft-to-medium hardness, and the other for the numerical calculation of rotary cutting based on the actual cutting motion of the disc cutter. The results were compared with those of similarity tests conducted in a laboratory. The normal force required by the disc cutter for breaking intact rock surfaces was observed to be greater than that for breaking the broken rock surfaces. Unlike in linear cutting, in multi disc rotary rock-breaking, the cutter applies lateral compression to the rock on both sides, thereby promoting crack extension and penetration. As the mounting radius of the disc cutter increases, the normal and rolling forces, as well as the cutting coefficient of the rolling force, increase; the side force decreases. Moreover, a low thrust and high torque are maintained by the cutterhead.

Antifungal action of the combination of ferulic acid and ultraviolet-A irradiation against Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To examine the antifungal action of photocombination treatment with ferulic acid (FA) and ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light (wavelength, 365nm) by investigating associated changes in cellular functions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When pre-incubation of yeast cells with FA was extended from 0.5 to 10min, its photofungicidal activity increased. Flow cytometry analysis of stained live and dead cells revealed that 10-min UV-A exposure combined with FA (1mgml-1 ) induced a ~99.9% decrease in cell viability although maintaining cell membrane integrity when compared with pre-exposure samples. When morphological and biochemical analysis were performed, treated cells exhibited an intact cell surface and oxidative DNA damage similar to control cells. Photocombination treatment induced cellular proteins oxidation, as shown by 2.3-fold increasing in immunostaining levels of ~49-kDa carbonylated proteins compared with pre-irradiation samples. Pyruvate kinase 1 (PK1) was identified by proteomics analysis as a candidate protein whose levels was affected by photocombination treatment. Moreover, intracellular ATP levels decreased following FA treatment both in darkness and with UV-A irradiation, thus suggesting a possible FA-induced delay in cell growth. FA functions within the cytoplasmic membrane; addition of UV-A exposure induces increased oxidative modifications of cytosolic proteins such as PK1, which functions in ATP generation, without causing detectable genotoxicity, thus triggering inactivation of yeast cells. Microbial contamination is a serious problem that diminishes the quality of fruits and vegetables. Combining light exposure with food-grade phenolic acids such as FA is a promising disinfection technology for applications in agriculture and food processing. However, the mode of photofungicidal action of FA with UV-A light remains unclear. This study is the first to elucidate the mechanism using S. cerevisiae. Moreover, proteomics analyses identified a specific cytosolic protein, PK1, which is oxidatively modified by photocombination treatment.

Effect of Resin Infiltration and Microabrasion on the Microhardness of the Artificial White Spot Lesions (An in Vitro Study)

Background: White spot lesion is the first visible sign of dental caries that is characterized by demineralized lesion underneath an intact surface. Several studies demonstrated that they could be treated using noninvasive techniques like the use of fluoride or casein phospho-peptide and amorphous calcium phosphate. Improvement in aesthetic outcomes by covering the demineralized enamel is one of the advantages of the use of resin infiltration and opal-ustre microabrasion, which are two new techniques that had been used for treatment of white spot lesion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of resin infiltration and microabrasion in the microhardness of the artificial white spot lesions at various depths. Material and method: Forty-eight artificially white spot lesions were divided into three groups (n=16) according to the depth of the lesion (shallow enamel, deep enamel, shallow dentine). Then, each of the main groups was divided into two subgroups (n = 8), the first group was treated with resin infiltration, while the second one was treated with Opalustre microabrasion. Assessment of the microhardness was done using Vickers hardness at the baseline, after demineralization (formation of the white spot lesion) and after the treatment with the resin infiltration and the microabrasion. Results: There was a significant difference in the microhardness of all the layers after demineralization. Although the hardness values that found among the icon group in the inner enamel and the outer dentine were higher than that of the opalustre, statistically there was no significant difference between the two mate-rials in all the layers of the white spot lesion. Conclusion: Microhardness values decrease as the depth of the white spot lesion increase. There was an increase in the microhardness values after the treatment with the resin infiltration and the microabrasion.

Sub‐Annual to Interannual Arabian Sea Upwelling, Sea Surface Temperature, and Indian Monsoon Rainfall Reconstructed Using Congruent Micrometer‐Scale Climate Proxies

AbstractThe Indian monsoon system impacts over 1 billion people, and rainfall from its southwest monsoon is critical for agriculture. Cool sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Arabian Sea have been associated with reduced monsoon rainfall and vice versa, although this relationship is difficult to examine due to scarce and short instrumental records. We utilize laminated Pakistan Margin sediments to reconstruct southwest monsoon rainfall and Arabian Sea SSTs at sub‐annual to multi‐annual resolution for the twentieth century. We applied paired sub‐mm mapping techniques to intact sediment core surfaces to measure elemental abundances and lipid biomarkers. The first principal component of the elemental results (PC1) explains 47% of the elemental variance and is driven by detrital lithogenic elements K, Ti, and Fe. PC1 is positively correlated with homogeneous India June‐September rainfall departures from 1903 to 1928 and 1949–1970 on a multi‐annual scale. Correlations in the remaining timespans are either negative or absent, likely driven by a combination of dam and barrage construction on the Hub and Indus Rivers and negative rainfall departures. We propose PC1 as a proxy for southwest monsoon rainfall on multi‐annual timescales prior to ∼1930. A dampened annual SST cycle is resolved with the alkenone paleothermometer, which also captures the interannual‐decadal trends of twentieth century Arabian Sea SSTs. We propose the crenarchaeol‐caldarchaeol tetraether index, sourced from planktonic Thaumarchaeota, as a delayed upwelling proxy for the western Arabian Sea. Our reconstructions corroborate the established relationship of reduced Arabian Sea upwelling leading to warmer SSTs and increased monsoon rainfall, and vice versa.

Spatial particle size distribution at intact sample surfaces of a Dystric Cambisol under forest use

Abstract The idea of the present study is to describe the spatially varying particle size distribution (PSD) along intact aggregate surfaces with the laser diffraction method (LDM) of four silty-loamy and OC enriched horizons of a Dystric Cambisol from the Uhlířská catchment (Czech Republic) with the laser diffraction method (LDM). Besides, the comparability of the LDM with the sieve and pipette method (SPM), the reproducibility, and the effect of pretreatment on the particle size distribution derived by LDM were analysed. The laser diffraction method enables rapid and continuous particle size distribution measurements with required sample amounts of 0.1–0.2 g for each measurement compared to 5–20 g for SPM. The LDM-derived PSD’s can be directly compared with the standardised SPM-derived PSD’s by using regression analysis with coefficients of determination (r2) between 0.83 and 0.93. Sample pretreatment following standardised proceedings indicates a better comparability between the particle size distributions of both methods. Besides, the highest coefficients of variation of up to 78.6 and therefore the lowest reproducibility were found for the unpretreated PSD of the AE and Bs horizon. Thus, limited evaluability and reproducibility of soil material enriched in organic carbon (OC), used in the current study, needs further analysis. For spatial analysis of PSD’s along intact surfaces of soil aggregates and profiles, spatial data interpolation by inverse distance weighting (IDW), kriging, and triangulated irregular networks (TIN) can be used for detailed measuring, mapping, and spatial extension of the sand, silt, and clay fractions at unsampled locations using a set of samples of known locations. The information offers the possibility of comparing and verifying data obtained by non-invasive mid-infrared spectroscopy and Vis–NIR spectroscopy by spatial extension for given soil aggregates and profiles.

Superhydrophobic surface on Al alloy with self-healing performance via snakeskin-like shedding

The micro-nano structures which are necessary factors to generate superhydrophobic performance are easily destroyed, especially by scraping with tough objects. As a result of the damage, superhydrophobicity will be lost. Herein, water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) polymer binder is introduced to act as a cushion and sacrifice layer. In this approach, the aluminum surface with superhydrophobic is at the bottom. The PVA binder is in the middle. The topmost layer is the superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and SiO2 layer. When the external force is weak, the bonding layer will act as a buffer to protect the underlying nanostructure. When the topmost layer is destroyed, the superhydrophobicity will be disappeared temporarily. Water can contact with the sacrifice layer, leading it to dissolution. Thus, the bonding layer is shedding, an intact aluminum superhydrophobic surface behind the sacrifice layer is uncovered. The method is critical to the applications of superhydrophobic Al materials in engineering.

Synthesis of Star 6-Arm Polyethylene Glycol-Heparin Copolymer to Construct Anticorrosive and Biocompatible Coating on Magnesium Alloy Surface.

Magnesium alloy has become a research hotspot of the degradable vascular stent materials due to its biodegradability and excellent mechanical properties. However, its rapid degradation rate after implantation and the limited biocompatibility restrict its application in clinic. Constructing a multifunctional bioactive polymer coating on the magnesium alloys represents one of the popular and effective approaches to simultaneously improve the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. In the present study, the copolymer of 6-arm polyethylene glycol and heparin (PEG-Hep) was successfully synthesized and then immobilized on the surface of chitosan (Chi)-modified magnesium alloy surface through electrostatic interaction to improve the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. The results of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy showed that a dense and compact coating was created on the magnesium alloy surface. The coating displayed excellent hydrophilicity. At the same time, the as-prepared coating can significantly not only improve the corrosion potential, reduce the corrosion current and the pH changes of the immersion solution, but also keep a relatively intact surface morphology after immersing in simulated body fluid solution for 14 days, demonstrating that the coating can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy. Moreover, the magnesium alloy with PEG-Hep coating exhibited excellent hemocompatibility according to the results of the hemolysis rate and platelet adhesion and activation. In addition, the modified magnesium alloy had a good ability to promote the endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation. Therefore, the PEG-Hep multifunctional coating can be applied in the surface modification of the biodegradable magnesium alloy stent to simultaneously improve the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.

Visible photoresponse of TiO2 nanotubes in comparison to that of nanoparticles and anodic thin film

Reports on the defective anodic titanium dioxide (TiO2) that harvests solar energy to perform photochemical reactions generating value-added chemicals and/or energy are scarce. In this study, we synthesize TiO2 with two different morphologies (i.e., nanotube and compact layer) on a Ti substrate in a fluoride- and sulfide-containing electrolyte by using the electrochemical anodization method. The effect of high-temperature annealing on various TiO2 structures and substrates in comparison with commercial TiO2 nanoparticles coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate under different gaseous environments (i.e., Ar, air, and O2) is investigated herein by virtue of crystallinity, optoelectronic-physical properties, and photoelectrochemical performances. Unlike traditional TiO2 nanoparticles, which are only active in ultraviolet illumination and with severe aggregation, the anodic TiO2 nanotubes endow the effect of the oxygen vacancy and the self-doping of F− and S− ions upon annealing under the Ar environment, which is crucial to extending the photoresponse to the visible region. The gray anodic TiO2 obtained through thermal annealing at 450 °C crystallizes in the anatase phase and maintains an intact surface morphology under different gaseous environments. The electron paramagnetic spectra are used to confirm the presence of Ti3+ or oxygen vacancy. The entrapment of the F− and S− ions within TiO2 is determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy introducing intrinsic defect states, which can resolve the bottlenecks in materials and encourages new paradigms beyond solar light-induced photocatalysis.

FORMULATION OF POLY HERBAL NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR ANTI RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Novel herbal drug delivery system opens new vistas for delivery of herbal drugs at right place, at right concentration, for right period of time and also gives scientific angle to verify the standardization of herbal drug. Herbal Transdermal patches can develop valuable assessment and drug safety by additional site specific the way and temporal position in the body’s imperative to reduce the number and size of doses required to achieve the objective of systemic medication during topical application to the intact skin surface. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease of unknown cause. It is characterized by persistent inflammation that primarily affects the peripheral joints. In the present study, herbal transdermal patch was developed by using ethanolic extract of leaves of Cardiospermum halicacabum and rhizomes of Drynaria quercifolia that had already been widely used for the treatment of arthritis in conventional dosage forms. Evaluation of the developed patch for the effectiveness against RA was done by in vitro methods in terms of inhibition of albumin denaturation, measurement of Interleukin-6 cytokines by Enzyme-Linked Immuno Assay (ELISA). IC-50 value was determined from albumin denaturation inhibition assay. The herbal patch significantly and dosedependently inhibited Interleukin–6 cytokines. The present study revealed that the formulated polyherbal Transdermal patch will be the better drug of choice for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis as compared to the conventional dosage forms.

Topical formulations based on polyhexamethylene hydrochloride guanidine for surgicalfield antisepsis

As surgical site infection can prolong the patient's hospital stay, increase morbidity and mortality rates and medical and hospital expenses, justifying the search for new effective and low-cost antiseptic drugs is justifiable. Thus, the objective of the present study was to analyze, by direct clinical and microbiological examination, the topical antiseptic effect of a solution based on polyhexamethylene hydrochloride guanidine (PHMGH) at 0.5% on the intact skin surface of sheep and cats, aiming at its use in operative field (previous and definitive antisepsis), compared to 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine and association with this. The topical solutions did not cause any skin damage, regardless of species. The PHMGH demonstrated an antiseptic effect equivalent to chlorhexidine, however, the association between PHMGH and alcoholic chlorhexidine was more effective compared to isolated products. It is concluded that the topical products tested were harmless to the skin surface; PHMGH can be a preventive and less expensive option in skin antisepsis and that the association between PHMGH and alcoholic chlorhexidine was more effective in microbiological control when compared to the isolated products tested, however, more research will be essential to investigate the potentiation of these, as well as the performance of PHMGH in the presence of body fluids.