scholarly journals Can a-C:H-Sputtered Coatings Be Extended to Orthodontics?

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 832
Author(s):  
António Fróis ◽  
Ana Sofia Aleixo ◽  
Manuel Evaristo ◽  
Ana Cristina Santos ◽  
Cristina Santos Louro
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Saliva ◽  
Immersion Test ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Metallic Surfaces ◽  
Galvanic Coupling ◽  
Application Range ◽  
Unusual Combination ◽  
Structural Behaviors ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) coatings are attractive materials for protecting metallic surfaces in extreme biological environments like the human oral cavity, due to the unusual combination of mechanical properties, superior bioinertness, and relative easier and cheaper production. In this work, two a-C:H coatings were deposited on AISI 316L substrates by reactive magnetron sputtering with two CH4 flows to assess if this outstanding system could extend its application range to orthodontics. A 30-day immersion test in Fusayama-Meyer artificial saliva was conducted to mimic an extreme acidic intraoral pH. Extracts were quantified and used to perform in vitro assays with mono- and co-cultures of macrophages and fibroblast to assess cell viability, while mechanical and structural behaviors were studied by nanoindentation and visible Raman. The empirically estimated H contents of ~28 and 40 at.% matched the hard and soft a-C:H coating regimes of 18 and 7 GPa, respectively. After immersion, no important structural/mechanical modifications occurred, regardless of the H content, without corrosion signs, delamination, or coating detachment. However, the adhesion-promoting Cr-based interlayer seems to reduce corrosion resistance via galvanic coupling. The highest biocompatibility was found for a-C:H coatings with the lowest H content. This study indicates that sputtered a-C:H are promising surface materials in orthodontics.

A in Vivo Assay for Standardizing Heparin Preparations

1979 ◽  
Vol 41 (03) ◽  
pp. 576-582
Author(s):  
A R Pomeroy
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
British Pharmacopoeia ◽  
In Vitro Method ◽  
Standard Preparation ◽  
Reliable Estimation ◽  
Assay Procedure ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Heparin Preparation

SummaryThe limitations of currently used in vitro assays of heparin have demonstrated the need for an in vivo method suitable for routine use.The in vivo method which is described in this paper uses, for each heparin preparation, four groups of five mice which are injected intravenously with heparin according to a “2 and 2 dose assay” procedure. The method is relatively rapid, requiring 3 to 4 hours to test five heparin preparations against a standard preparation of heparin. Levels of accuracy and precision acceptable for the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia are obtained by combining the results of 3 to 4 assays of a heparin preparation.The similarity of results obtained the in vivo method and the in vitro method of the British Pharmacopoeia for heparin preparations of lung and mucosal origin validates this in vivo method and, conversely, demonstrates that the in vitro method of the British Pharmacopoeia gives a reliable estimation of the in vivo activity of heparin.

Potentially Thrombogenic Materials in Factor IX Concentrates

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 (03) ◽  
pp. 617-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S Kingdon ◽  
R. L Lundblad ◽  
J. J Veltkamp ◽  
D. L Aronson
Keyword(s):  
Human Plasma ◽  
Antithrombin Iii ◽  
Factor Ix ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Substantial Agreement ◽  
Coefficient Of Correlation

SummaryFactor IX concentrates manufactured from human plasma and intended for therapeutic infusion in man have been suspected for some time of being potentially thrombogenic. In the current studies, assays were carried out in vitro and in vivo for potentially thrombogenic materials. It was possible to rank the various materials tested according to the amount of thrombogenic material detected. For concentrates not containing heparin, there was substantial agreement between the in vivo and in vitro assays, with a coefficient of correlation of 0.77. There was no correlation between the assays for thrombogenicity and the antithrombin III content. We conclude that many presently available concentrates of Factor IX contain substantial amounts of potentially thrombogenic enzymes, and that this fact must be considered in arriving at the decision whether or not to use them therapeutically.

In-silico Studies of Isolated Phytoalkaloid Against Lipoxygenase: Study Based on Possible Correlation

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-221
Author(s):  
Haroon Khan ◽  
Muhammad Zafar ◽  
Helena Den-Haan ◽  
Horacio Perez-Sanchez ◽  
Mohammad Amjad Kamal
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Lipoxygenase Inhibitors ◽  
Lipoxygenase Inhibition ◽  
In Silico Studies

Aim and Objective: Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes play an important role in the pathophysiology of several inflammatory and allergic diseases including bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inhibitors of the LOX are believed to be an ideal approach in the treatment of diseases caused by its over-expression. In this regard, several synthetic and natural agents are under investigation worldwide. Alkaloids are the most thoroughly investigated class of natural compounds with outstanding past in clinically useful drugs. In this article, we have discussed various alkaloids of plant origin that have already shown lipoxygenase inhibition in-vitro with possible correlation in in silico studies. Materials and Methods: Molecular docking studies were performed using MOE (Molecular Operating Environment) software. Among the ten reported LOX alkaloids inhibitors, derived from plant, compounds 4, 2, 3 and 1 showed excellent docking scores and receptor sensitivity. Result and Conclusion: These compounds already exhibited in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition and the MOE results strongly correlated with the experimental results. On the basis of these in vitro assays and computer aided results, we suggest that these compounds need further detail in vivo studies and clinical trial for the discovery of new more effective and safe lipoxygenase inhibitors. In conclusion, these results might be useful in the design of new and potential lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors.

Repurposing of auranofin against bacterial infections: An In silico and In vitro study

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Sharma ◽  
Arti Singh ◽  
Ruchika Sharma ◽  
Anoop Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Antibacterial Agent ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Molecular Docking Study

Aim: The aim of the study was to find out the role of auranofin as a promising broad spectrum antibacterial agent. Methods: In-vitro assays (Percentage growth retardation, Bacterial growth kinetics, Biofilm formation assay) and In-silico study (Molegro virtual docker (MVD) version 6.0 and Molecular operating environment (MOE) version 2008.10 software). Results: The in vitro assays have shown that auranofin has good antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains. Further, auranofin has shown synergistic activity in combination with ampicillin against S. aureus and B. subtilis whereas in combination with neomycin has just shown additive effect against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. pumilus. In vivo results have revealed that auranofin alone and in combination with standard drugs significantly decreased the bioburden in zebrafish infection model as compared to control. The molecular docking study have shown good interaction of auranofin with penicillin binding protein (2Y2M), topoisomerase (3TTZ), UDP-3-O-[3- hydroxymyristoyl] N-acetylglucosaminedeacetylase (3UHM), cell adhesion protein (4QRK), β-lactamase (5CTN) and arylsulphatase (1HDH) enzyme as that of reference ligand which indicate multimodal mechanism of action of auranofin. Finally, MTT assay has shown non-cytotoxic effect of auranofin. Conclusion: In conclusion, auranofin in combination with existing antibiotics could be developed as a broad spectrum antibacterial agent; however, further studies are required to confirm its safety and efficacy. This study provides possibility of use of auranofin apart from its established therapeutic indication in combination with existing antibiotics to tackle the problem of resistance.

Computational and In-Vitro Validation of Natural Molecules as Potential Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors and Neuroprotective Agents

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashwani Kumar ◽  
Vineet Mehta ◽  
Utkarsh Raj ◽  
Pritish Kumar Varadwaj ◽  
Malairaman Udayabanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
In Silico Docking ◽  
Ache Inhibitors ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Disease Modifying

Background: Cholinesterase inhibitors are the first line of therapy for the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), however, it is now established that they provide only temporary and symptomatic relief, besides, having several inherited side-effects. Therefore, an alternative drug discovery method is used to identify new and safer ‘disease-modifying drugs’. Methods: Herein, we screened 646 small molecules of natural origin having reported pharmacological and functional values through in-silico docking studies to predict safer neuromodulatory molecules with potential to modulate acetylcholine metabolism. Further, the potential of the predicted molecules to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and their ability to protect neurons from degeneration was determined through in-vitro assays. Results: Based on in-silico AChE interaction studies, we predicted quercetin, caffeine, ascorbic acid and gallic acid to be potential AChE inhibitors. We confirmed the AChE inhibitory potential of these molecules through in-vitro AChE inhibition assay and compared results with donepezil and begacestat. Herbal molecules significantly inhibited enzyme activity and inhibition for quercetin and caffeine did not show any significant difference from donepezil. Further, the tested molecules did not show any neurotoxicity against primary (E18) hippocampal neurons. We observed that quercetin and caffeine significantly improved neuronal survival and efficiently protected hippocampal neurons from HgCl2 induced neurodegeneration, which other molecules, including donepezil and begacestat, failed to do. Conclusion: Quercetin and caffeine have the potential as “disease-modifying drugs” and may find application in the management of neurological disorders such as AD.

Discovery of 3-Cinnamamido-N-Substituted Benzamides as Potential Antimalarial Agents

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haicheng Liu ◽  
Yushi Futamura ◽  
Honghai Wu ◽  
Aki Ishiyama ◽  
Taotao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Compound Library ◽  
Antimalarial Agents ◽  
Phenotypic Screen ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Substituted Benzamides

Background: Malaria is one of the most devastating parasitic diseases, yet the discovery of antimalarial agents remains profoundly challenging. Very few new antimalarials have been developed in the past 50 years, while the emergence of drug-resistance continues to appear. Objective: This study focuses on the discovery, design, synthesis, and antimalarial evaluation of 3-cinnamamido-N-substituted benzamides. Method: In this study, a screening of our compound library was carried out against the multidrug-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain. Derivatives of the hit were designed, synthesized and tested against P. falciparum 3D7 and the in vivo antimalarial activity of the most active compounds was evaluated using the method of Peters’ 4-day suppressive test. Results: The retrieved hit compound 1 containing a 3-cinnamamido-N-substituted benzamide skeleton showed moderate antimalarial activity (IC50 = 1.20 µM) for the first time. A series of derivatives were then synthesized through a simple four-step workflow, and half of them exhibited slightly better antimalarial effect than the precursor 1 during the subsequent in vitro assays. Additionally, compounds 11, 23, 30 and 31 displayed potent activity with IC50 values of approximately 0.1 µM, and weak cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. However, in vivo antimalarial activity is not effective which might be ascribed to the poor solubility of these compounds. Conclusion: In this study, phenotypic screen of our compound library resulted in the first report of 3-cinnamamide framework with antimalarial activity and 40 derivatives were then designed and synthesized. Subsequent structure-activity studies showed that compounds 11, 23, 30 and 31 exhibited the most potent and selective activity against P. falciparum 3D7 strain with IC50 values around 0.1 µM. Our work herein sets another example of phenotypic screen-based drug discovery, leading to potentially promising candidates of novel antimalarial agents once given further optimization.

Synthesis and antioxidant activity of new selenium-containing quinolines

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedetta Bocchini ◽  
Bruna Goldani ◽  
Fernanda S.S. Sousa ◽  
Paloma T. Birmann ◽  
Cesar A. Brüning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Antioxidant Potential ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Antioxidant Power ◽  
Antioxidant Agents

Background: Quinoline derivatives have been attracted much attention in drug discovery and synthetic derivatives of these scaffolds present a range of pharmacological activities. Therefore, organoselenium compounds are valuable scaffolds in organic synthesis because their pharmacological activities and their use as versatile building blocks for regio-, chemio-and stereoselective reactions. Thus, the synthesis of selenium-containing quinolines has great significance, and their applicability range from simple antioxidant agents, to selective DNA-binding and photocleaving agents. Objective: In the present study we describe the synthesis and antioxidant activity in vitro of new 7-chloroN(arylselanyl)quinolin-4-amines 5 by the reaction of 4,7-dichloroquinoline 4 with (arylselanyl)-amines 3. Methods: For the synthesis of 7-chloro-N(arylselanyl)quinolin-4-amines 5, we performed the reaction of (arylselanyl)- amines 3 with 4,7-dichloroquinoline 4 in the presence of Et3N at 120 °C in a sealed tube. The antioxidant activities of the compounds 5 were evaluated by the following in vitro assays: 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) scavenging and superoxide dismutase-like activity (SOD-Like). Results: 7-Chloro-N(arylselanyl)quinolin-4-amines 5a-d has been synthesized in yields ranging from 68% to 82% by the reaction of 4,7-dichloroquinoline 4 with arylselanyl-amines 3a-d using Et3N as base, at 120 °C, in a sealed tube for 24 hours and tolerates different substituents, such as -OMe and -Cl, in the arylselanyl moiety. The obtained compounds 5a-d presented significant results with respect to the antioxidant potential, which had effect in the tests of inhibition of radical’s DPPH, ABTS+ and NO, as well as in the test that evaluates the capacity (FRAP) and in the superoxide dismutase-like activity assay (SOD-Like). It is worth mentioning that 7-chloro-N(arylselanyl)quinolin-4-amine 5b presented excellent results, demonstrating a better antioxidant capacity when compared to the others. Conclusion: According to the obtained results 7-chloro-N(arylselanyl)quinolin-4-amines 5 were synthesized in good yields by the reaction of 4,7-dichloroquinoline with arylselanyl-amines and tolerates different substituents in the arylselanyl moiety. The tested compounds presented significant antioxidant potential in the tests of inhibition of DPPH, ABTS+ and NO radicals, as well as in the FRAP and superoxide dismutase-like activity assays (SOD-Like).

Interference of Gold Nanoparticles with In vitro Endotoxin Detection Assays

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Vetten ◽  
Mary Gulumian
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Gold Nanoparticle ◽  
Surface Reactivity ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Limulus Amebocyte Lysate ◽  
Chromogenic Assay ◽  
Nanoparticle Suspensions ◽  
Endotoxin Contamination ◽  
Factor C

Background: Endotoxin-free engineered nanoparticle suspensions are imperative for their successful applications in the field of nanomedicine as well as in the investigations in their toxicity. Gold nanoparticles are known to interfere with various in vitro assays due to their optical properties and potential for surface reactivity. In vitro endotoxin testing assays are known to be susceptible to interference caused by the sample being tested. Objective: This study aimed to identify a preferred assay for the testing of endotoxin contamination in gold nanoparticle suspensions. Methods: The interference by gold nanoparticles on three assays namely, the commonly used limulus amebocyte lysate chromogenic assay, the limulus amebocyte lysate gel-clot method, and the less common recombinant Factor C (rFC) assay, was tested. Results: Possible interference could be observed with all three assays. The interference with the absorbance- based chromogenic assay could not be overcome by dilution; whilst the qualitative nature of the gel-clot assay excluded the possibility of distinguishing between a false positive result due to enhancement of the sensitivity of the assay, and genuine endotoxin contamination. However, interference with the rFC assay was easily overcome through dilution. Conclusion: The rFC assay is recommended as an option for endotoxin contamination detection in gold nanoparticle suspensions.

Recent Progress in Prediction Systems for Drug-induced Liver Injury Using in vitro Cell Culture

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shogo Ozawa ◽  
Toshitaka Miura ◽  
Jun Terashima ◽  
Wataru Habano ◽  
Seiichi Ishida
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Protein Adducts ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Drug Induced Liver Injury ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Cell Culture Systems

Background: In order to avoid drug-induced liver injury (DILI), in vitro assays, which enable the assessment of both metabolic activation and immune reaction processes that ultimately result in DILI, are needed. Objective: In this study, the recent progress in the application of in vitro assays using cell culture systems is reviewed for potential DILI-causing drugs/xenobiotics and a mechanistic study on DILI, as well as for the limitations of in vitro cell culture systems for DILI research. Methods: Information related to DILI was collected through a literature search of the PubMed database. Results: The initial biological event for the onset of DILI is the formation of cellular protein adducts after drugs have been metabolically activated by drug metabolizing enzymes. The damaged peptides derived from protein adducts lead to the activation of CD4+ helper T lymphocytes and recognition by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which destroy hepatocytes through immunological reactions. Because DILI is a major cause of drug attrition and drug withdrawal, numerous in vitro systems consisting of hepatocytes and immune/inflammatory cells, or spheroids of human primary hepatocytes containing non-parenchymal cells have been developed. These cellular-based systems have identified DILIinducing drugs with approximately 50% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Conclusion: Different co-culture systems consisting of human hepatocyte-derived cells and other immune/inflammatory cells have enabled the identification of DILI-causing drugs and of the actual mechanisms of action.

The Molecular and Enzyme Kinetic Basis for Altered Activity of Three Cytochrome P450 2C19 Variants Found in the Chinese Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-244
Author(s):  
Amelia Nathania Dong ◽  
Nafees Ahemad ◽  
Yan Pan ◽  
Uma Devi Palanisamy ◽  
Beow Chin Yiap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome P450 ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Accessible Surface Area ◽  
Solvent Accessible Surface Area ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Access Channel ◽  
Cytochrome P450 2C19

Background: There is a large inter-individual variation in cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) activity. The variability can be caused by the genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 gene. This study aimed to investigate the molecular and kinetics basis for activity changes in three alleles including CYP2C19*23, CYP2C19*24 and CYP2C19*25found in the Chinese population. Methods: The three variants expressed by bacteria were investigated using substrate (omeprazole and 3- cyano-7-ethoxycoumarin[CEC]) and inhibitor (ketoconazole, fluoxetine, sertraline and loratadine) probes in enzyme assays along with molecular docking. Results: All alleles exhibited very low enzyme activity and affinity towards omeprazole and CEC (6.1% or less in intrinsic clearance). The inhibition studies with the four inhibitors, however, suggested that mutations in different variants have a tendency to cause enhanced binding (reduced IC50 values). The enhanced binding could partially be explained by the lower polar solvent accessible surface area of the inhibitors relative to the substrates. Molecular docking indicated that G91R, R335Q and F448L, the unique mutations in the alleles, have caused slight alteration in the substrate access channel morphology and a more compact active site cavity hence affecting ligand access and binding. It is likely that these structural alterations in CYP2C19 proteins have caused ligand-specific alteration in catalytic and inhibitory specificities as observed in the in vitro assays. Conclusion: This study indicates that CYP2C19 variant selectivity for ligands was not solely governed by mutation-induced modifications in the active site architecture, but the intrinsic properties of the probe compounds also played a vital role.

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