RESUMEN: La artritis reumatoide (AR) que afecta la articulación sinovial de la rodilla provoca inflamación de la membrana sinovial y daño tisular. La interleucina-17A (IL-17A) y la enzima glucógeno sintasa quinasa-3β (GSK3β) están involucradas en la patogenia de la AR. No se ha estudiadol vínculo entre IL-17A, GSK3β, el estrés oxidativo y el marcador profibrogénico actina de músculo liso alfa (α-SMA) con y sin inhibidor de TDZD-8, GSK3β. En consecuencia, se realizó una inmunización activa de ratas para inducir la AR después de tres semanas usando inyecciones de colágeno tipo II (COII). El grupo tratado recibió una inyección diaria de 1 µg/ kg de TDZD-8 durante 21 días siguiendo el protocolo de inmunización (COII+TDZD-8). Se recogieron muestras de sangre y tejido sinovial al final del experimento. El desarrollo de AR se confirmó como lo corroboró el aumento sustancial en los niveles sanguíneos del autoanticuerpo altamente específico para AR, el anticuerpo antiproteína citrulinada, así como el aumento de los niveles de especies oxidativas reactivas (ROS) medidos como peroxidación lipídica. La inducción de AR también aumentó los niveles de tejido sinovial de IL-17A y el marcador profibrogénico, α-SMA. Todos estos parámetros parecían mejorar significativamente (p<0,0001) con TDZD-8. Además, se observó una correlación significativa entre IL- 17A, ROS y α-SMA y biomarcadores de AR. Por lo tanto, la inducción de AR en la sinovial de la articulación de la rodilla aumentó la artritis mediada por el eje IL-17A/GSK3β/ROS/α-SMA en un modelo de rata de AR, que fue inhibida por TDZD-8.

SUMMARY: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that affects the synovial knee joint causes swelling of the synovial membrane and tissue damage. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) are involved in the pathogenesis of RA. The link between IL-17A, GSK3β, the oxidative stress, and the profibrogenic marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) with and without TDZD-8, GSK3β inhibitor has not been studied before. Consequently, active immunization of rats was performed to induce RA after three weeks using collagen type II (COII) injections. The treated group received daily injection of 1 mg/kg TDZD-8 for 21 days following the immunization protocol (COII+TDZD-8). Blood and synovium tissue samples were harvested at the end of the experiment. RA development was confirmed as corroborated by a substantial increase in blood levels of the highly specific autoantibody for RA, anti-citrullinated protein antibody as well as augmentation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) levels measured as lipid peroxidation. RA induction also increased synovium tissue levels of IL-17A and the profibrogenic marker, α-SMA. All these parameters seemed to be significantly (p<0.0001) ameliorated by TDZD-8. Additionally, a significant correlation between IL-17A, ROS, and α-SMA and biomarkers of RA was observed. Thus, knee joint synovium RA induction augmented IL-17A/GSK3β/ROS/α-SMA axis mediated arthritis in a rat model of RA, which was inhibited by TDZD-8.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the physicians' knowledge regarding the referral for dental screening prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using simple random sampling among 468 physicians from various specialties with diverse experience levels from different regions in Saudi Arabia. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed among the physicians, which consisted of questions assessing the physicians' knowledge about oral health and complications in patients prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Statistical analysis was done after the data was collected employing SPSS, and p<0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Residents were more as expected (39.3%), followed by specialists (2.31%). The majority had a practice experience for more than five years (67.8%).The scores for the knowledge assessment showed that 51.3%, nearly half of the participants, had lower scores. The scores were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: General physicians and specialists should be aware of the dental complications and associated diseases in patients with malignancies and those undergoing chemo and radiotherapy. It is proposed that more awareness should be raised among physicians to rectify this lapse.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to elucidate the optimum protocol timing of thermal manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis, which underline genetic improvement of muscle thermotolerance acquisition. For the present study, 1,440 fertile eggs were divided randomly and equally into control (37.8 °C with 56% relative humidity) and four thermally manipulated groups (TM1, TM2, TM3, and TM4) subjected to 39 °C for 18 h with 65% relative humidity daily during different embryonic periods. Then, at day 35 post-hatch, all groups were subjected to thermal challenge at 43 °C for 6 h to identify the level of thermotolerance acquisition differences between them. Hsp70 mRNA expression was evaluated by using a relative quantitatively RT-qPCR. Single nucleotide polymorphisms sequence of the Hsp70 gene was evaluated by Sanger's sequencing method. Pectoral and thigh muscles samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry to detect Hsp70. Among TM conditions that were investigated, TM1 (39 °C for 18 h during embryonic days (ED) 7–11) induced a significant improvement in thermotolerance parameters (body temperature and T3 levels) during thermal challenge combined with an increase in the levels of Hsp70 mRNA and its protein with a high stability of nucleotide sequences in both pectoral and thigh muscles. The partial DNA sequence of Hsp70 gene in TM1 was reported, and nucleotide sequences were deposited in NCBI GenBank database with the accession numbers (MK852579) and (MK852580). Thigh muscle thermotolerance acquisition was higher than pectoral muscle during thermal challenge at 43 °C for 6 h. Thus, TM during ED7–11 may improve thermotolerance acquisition without adversely affecting performance.

Abstract The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) from their precursor was carried out using Delphinium uncinatum and Erythrophyleum guineense plants extracts. The Au NPs obtained were characterized by various instrumental techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV/Visible (UV/VIS) spectrophotometer. The SEM study presented that E. guineense (GE) and D. uncinatum (GN) synthesized gold nanoparticles was below 100 and 300 nm, respectively. The micrographs also presented that E. guineense (GE) synthesized gold particles had irregular round shaped while the D. uncinatum (GN) synthesized nanoparticles had cylindrical shaped. The XRD spectra presented peaks at about 38.1°, 44.43°, 64.6° and 77.64° can be indexed to (111), (200), (220) and (311) orientation, respectively, which confirmed the presence of gold nanoparticles. It means that both E. guineense (GE) and D. uncinatum (GN) synthesized gold nanoparticles are highly crystalline. The UV/VIS analysis presented that both plant extracts significantly reduced the gold slat and as a result high quantity of gold nanoparticles were formed. The E. guanense gold NP and D. uncinatum gold NPs were investigated for their in-vitro cholinesterases inhibitory potentials in 62.5 -1000 µg/mL concentrations range. The bioactivity results presented that the loading of the test samples in gold NPs enhanced their AChE and BChE inhibitory potentials.

Resumen La síntesis verde de nanopartículas de oro (NP de Au) se llevó a cabo mediante extractos de plantas de Delphinium uncinatum y Erythrophyleum guineense. Las NP de Au obtenidas se caracterizaron mediante diversas técnicas instrumentales como microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM), dispersión de energía de rayos X (EDX), difracción de rayos X (XRD) y espectrofotómetro UV / Visible (UV / Vis). El estudio SEM reveló tamaños de las nanopartículas de oro sintetizadas por E. guineense (GE) y D. uncinatum (GN) por debajo de 100 y 300 nm, respectivamente. Las micrografías también mostraron que las partículas de oro sintetizadas por E. guineense (GE) tenían una forma redonda irregular, mientras que las nanopartículas sintetizadas por D. uncinatum (GN) tenían una forma cilíndrica. Los patrones XRD presentaron picos a aproximadamente 38.1 °, 44.43 °, 64.6 ° y 77.64 ° pueden indexarse a la orientación (111), (200), (220) y (311), respectivamente, lo que confirmó la presencia de nanopartículas de oro cristalinas. El análisis UV / Vis mostró que ambos extractos de plantas formaron nanopartículas de oro. Se investigaron las NP de oro como inhibidores de colinesterasas in vitro en un intervalo de concentraciones de 62.5 a 1000 µg / ml. Los resultados de la bioactividad mostraron que la carga de las muestras de prueba en NP de oro mejoró sus potenciales inhibidores de AChE y BChE.

SUMMARY: This study was set to investigate the effect of gum Arabic (G.A.) on diabetic kidney disease. We divided sixty male Sprague rats randomly into six groups. Normal control, normal rats treated with G.A., untreated diabetic rats, diabetic rats treated with insulin, diabetic rats treated with G.A., and diabetic rats treated with both insulin and G.A. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Forty eight hr post injections. Insulin was injected subcutaneously (1.6/IU/100g/day). We provided G.A. in drinking water (10 %w/ v).). At the end of the twelve weeks, blood was drawn for measurement of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), serum lipids, serum creatinine, and blood urea. Renal tissue oxidative stress (O.S.) was assessed by measuring the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). For histological assessments, sections from segments of kidneys were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for assessment under the light microscope. STZinduced diabetes caused an elevation of blood glucose, HbA1c, urea and creatinine, triglycerides LDL and cholesterol, MDA with reduction of HDL, GSH level, and CAT and SOD activities. Histologically, kidneys from diabetic rats showed marked glomerular and tubular changes. Administration of G.A. alone to diabetic rats had a significant hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effect, although the levels achieved remained significantly abnormal compared with the untreated group with no effect on urea and creatinine levels. Co-administration of G.A. with insulin reversed the impact of D.M. on all parameters evaluated including the histological changes and led to normal urea and creatinine levels. We concluded that G.A., in combination with insulin, improves chemically-induced diabetes and its renal complications, possibly by modulation of oxidative stress.

RESUMEN: En este estudio se evaluó el efecto de la goma arábiga (GA) en la enfermedad renal diabética. Dividimos sesenta ratas macho Sprague Dawley al azar en seis grupos. Control normal, ratas normales tratadas con GA, ratas diabéticas no tratadas, ratas diabéticas tratadas con insulina, ratas diabéticas tratadas con GA y ratas diabéticas tratadas con insulina y GA. La diabetes fue inducida por una sola inyección intraperitoneal de STZ. Cuarenta y ocho horas después se inyectó insulina por vía subcutánea (1,6 / UI / 100 g / día). A los animales se les dió GA en agua potable (10 % p / v)). Al final de las doce semanas, se extrajo sangre para medir la glucosa, la hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1C), los lípidos en suero, la creatinina en suero y la urea en sangre. El estrés oxidativo del tejido renal (SO) se evaluó midiendo las actividades de la enzima superóxido dismutasa (SOD) y la catalasa (CAT), y las concentraciones de glutatión reducido (GSH) y malondialdehído (MDA). Para las evaluaciones histológicas, se procesaron secciones de segmentos de riñones y se tiñeron con hematoxilina y eosina (H & E) para análisis bajo microscopio óptico. La diabetes inducida por STZ causó una elevación de la glucosa en sangre, HbA1c, urea y creatinina, triglicéridos LDL y colesterol, MDA con reducción de las actividades de HDL, GSH y CAT y SOD. Histológicamente, los riñones de ratas diabéticas mostraron marcados cambios glomerulares y tubulares. La administración de GA solo en las ratas diabéticas tuvo un efecto hipoglucémico, hipolipidémico y antioxidante significativo, aunque los niveles alcanzados permanecieron significativamente anormales en comparación con el grupo no tratado, sin ningún efecto sobre los niveles de urea y creatinina. La dministración conjunta de GA con insulina revirtió el impacto de DM en todos los parámetros evaluados, incluidos los cambios histológicos y condujeron a niveles normales de urea y creatinina. Concluimos que GA en combinación con insulina, mejora la diabetes inducida químicamente y sus complicaciones renales, posiblemente mediante la modulación del estrés oxidativo.

ABSTRACT The SWNTs was purified/functionalized by acid treatment method and the F-SWNTs were used as reinforcing materials. The acid treatment introduced carboxyl (–COOH) group to the SWNTs. The PVC and F-SWNTs/PVC films were prepared by solution casting method. The fractured surfaces of sample was analyzed through SEM and showed the dispersion of F-SWNTs in PVC. The thermal study indicated that the thermal stability of PVC is enhanced with F-SWNTs incorporation. The mechanical properties were also increased with CNTs filling. The solvent uptake study suggested that the nanocomposites resist towards solvent uptake, which is due to the hydrophobic nature of CNTs and their irregular network formation within the polymer matrix.

ABSTRACT Clay/nylon 6,6 nanocomposites were prepared via solution casting technique. Kaolin clay was used as filler in polymer matrix. The morphological study presented that clay particles were dispersed and embedded well in nylon 6,6 matrix. The thermal stability of the clay/nylon 6,6 nanocomposites (20-50 °C) were higher than neat nylon 6,6 polymer. The polarized optical microscopy (POM) analyses showed that the spherulites size of clay/nylon 6,6 nanocomposite reduced highly as compare to neat nylon 6,6. The decrease in size of spherulites after loading the clay is might due to nucleation effect of kaolin clay in the nylon 6,6 polymer. The mechanical properties of nanocomposite were decreased as increased kaolin amount. The solvent uptake study presented that the nanocomposite uptake was low as compared to neat nylon 6,6. It was also found that the solvent uptake decreased as increased the amount of kaolin in nylon 6,6.

Kaolin clay/poly (butylene terephthalate) (clay/PBT) composites films were prepared by solution casting technique. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) study showed that clay particles were well dispersed and embedded within the PBT matrix. The TGA thermograms showed that the thermal stability of PBT matrix was slightly improved by the incorporation of clay into the polymer matrix. The polarized optical microscopy (POM) study presented that the size of spherulites of PBT was decreased by the incorporation of clay into matrix, which might be due to nucleation effect of kaolin clay. The tensile strength and modulii of PBT polymer matrix were also significantly improved by the addition of clay polymer matrix. The solvent uptake study showed that the uptake of various solvents by clay/PBT nanocomposite were lower than neat PBT.

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/Poly ethylene oxide (PEO) (15 wt.% PMMA/85 wt.% PEO (PMMA/PEO-A) and 30 wt.% PMMA/70 wt.% PEO (PMMA/PEO-B)) blends, and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWNTs) filled PMMA/PEO-A and PMMA/PEO-B composites were prepared via solution casting technique. The morphological study showed the formation of cracks in F-MWNTs/PMMA/PEO blend. The mechanical properties of PMMA/PEO blend were decrease by incorporation of F-MWNTs, which might be due to less compatibility between F-MWNTs and PMMA/PEO blends. Neat PEO upon crystallization showed distinct sized spherulites, which decreased by the incorporation o F-MWNTs (nucleation effect of FMWNTs). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that the intensity of peaks decreased by incorporation of nanotubes, which means that the PEO crystallinity was suppressed in the presence of F-MWNTs. The thermal stabilities of PMMA/PEO blend were improved by incorporation of F-MWNTs.

Poli (metacrilato de metilo) (PMMA)/óxido de etileno Poli (PEO) (15% en peso. PMMA/85% en peso PEO (PMMA/PEO-A) y 30 en peso PMMA/70% en peso.% PEO (PMMA/PEO-B)), mezclas y nanotubos de carbono de pared múltiple funcionalizados (F-MWNTs) PMMA/PEO-A y PMMA/PEO-B fueron preparados mediante la técnica de fundición solución. El estudio morfológico mostró la formación de grietas en la mezcla F-MWNTs/PMMA/PEO. Las propiedades mecánicas de mezcla PMMA/PEO se redujeron mediante la incorporación de F-MWNT, lo que podría deberse a una menor compatibilidad entre F-MWNT y de las mezclas de PMMA/PEO. PEO por cristalización mostró esferulitas de distintos tamaños, que disminuyeron en la incorporación de F-MWNT (efecto de nucleación de FMWNTs). La difracción de rayos X (DRX) revelaron que la intensidad de los picos disminuyó mediante la incorporación de nanotubos, lo que significa que la cristalinidad de PEO fue suprimida en presencia de F-MWNT. Las estabilidades térmicas de mezcla de PMMA/PEO se mejoraron mediante la incorporación de F-MWNT.

Composite materials of Coal ash/ Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (ash/PMMA) were prepared/synthesized and their properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and universal testing machine (UTM). The morphological study presented that the ash particles were well dispersed and embedded within the PMMA matrix. The DSC thermograms showed that the melting temperature (Tm) of pure PMMA is about 166 ºC which was shifted towards lower temperature when ash were incorporated in the polymer matrix. The mechanical properties of the ash/PMMA composites were enhanced up to an optimum level (ash 3 wt %) and then decreased at higher incorporation of large quantity of filler. The TGA thermograms indicated that the thermal stability of the ash/PMMA composite was enhance significantly than pure PMMA.

Polycaprolacton (PCL) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes/PCL (P-MWNT/PCL) were prepared by electrospinning technique. The average diameter of the nanofibers was below 400 nm. The mechanical properties of the P-MWNT/PCL nanofibers were higher than that of neat PCL nanofibers. It was also found that the mechanical properties of the composite nanofibers were decreased as increased the amount of P-MWNTs, which were due to the poor dispersion of the P-MWNTs in the PCL matrix or agglomeration of MWNTs at high concentration. The thermal stability of the P-MWNT/PCL nanofibers was higher than PCL nanofibers. The conductivity of the adsorbed P-MWNT on PCL (<p) nanofibers was 1.27 x 10-4 S/cm.