Paeonol Disrupts the Integrity of Aspergillus flavus Cell Walls via Releasing Surface Proteins, Inhibiting the Biosynthesis of β-1,3-Glucan and Promoting the Degradation of Chitin, and an Identification of Cell Surface Proteins

Paeonol can effectively inhibit Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) via damaging cell walls. In this work, paeonol treatment remarkably destroyed both the outer amorphous layer and the inner fibrous layer of cell walls. Furthermore, FT-IR and XPS characterization showed that OH functional groups were altered and proteins in the outer layer were released. According to proteomic analysis, 605 proteins have been identified and annotated. The activities of β-1,3-glucan synthase and chitinase were prohibited and promoted, respectively, by paeonol treatment, however, the activities of β-1,3-glucanase and chitin synthase were not influenced. QRT-PCR results suggested that FKSP, CHIIII, and CHIV genes might be the antifungal targets of paeonol. In addition, paeonol can effectively restrain the pathogenicity of A. flavus on peanut butter. This study provided a new elucidation on the mode of action of paeonol against cell walls of A. flavus, facilitating the application of paeonol in the preservation of agricultural products.

The effect of surface morphology on endothelial and smooth muscle cells growth on blow-spun fibrous scaffolds

This study aimed to analyze the growth of two types of blood vessel building cells: endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) on surfaces with different morphology. Two types of materials, differing in morphology, were produced by the solution blow spinning technique. One-layer materials consisted of one fibrous layer with two fibrous surfaces. Bi-layer materials consisted of one fibrous-solid layer and one fibrous layer, resulting in two different surfaces. Additionally, materials with different average fiber diameters (about 200, 500, and 900 nm) were produced for each group. It has been shown that it is possible to obtain structures with a given morphology by changing the selected process parameters (working distance and polymer solution concentration). Both morphology (solid versus fibrous) and average fiber diameter (submicron fibers versus microfibers) of scaffolds influenced the growth of ECs. However, this effect was only visible after an extended period of culture (6 days). In the case of SMCs, it was proved that the best growth of SMCs is obtained for micron fibers (with an average diameter close to 900 nm) compared to the submicron fibers (with an average diameter below 900 nm).

Preparation of a Hydrogel Nanofiber Wound Dressing

The study addressed the production of a hydrogel nanofiber skin cover and included the fabrication of hydrogel nanofibers from a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and alginate. The resulting fibrous layer was then crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, and, after 4 h of crosslinking, although the gelling component, i.e., the alginate, crosslinked, the polyvinyl alcohol failed to do so. The experiment included the comparison of the strength and ductility of the layers before and after crosslinking. It was determined that the fibrous layer following crosslinking evinced enhanced mechanical properties, which acted to facilitate the handling of the material during its application. The subsequent testing procedure proved that the fibrous layer was not cytotoxic. The study further led to the production of a modified hydrogel nanofiber layer that combined polyvinyl alcohol with alginate and albumin. The investigation of the fibrous layers produced determined that following contact with water the polyvinyl alcohol dissolved leading to the release of the albumin accompanied by the swelling of the alginate and the formation of a hydrogel.

Polarization of macrophage cellular center during endometrioid cyst evolution

Introduction. Macrophages are the center of homeostasis regulation in endometrioid heterotopia tissue. Being one of the most important elements in understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis, macrophages control the changes in the cooperation of cellular elements.Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the location, nature, and strength of correlation relationships between the macrophages/ siderophages and other cell populations in the endometrioid cysts wall at various stages of their formation.Material and Methods. The study comprised 57 patients with a histologically verified diagnosis of endometrioid ovarian cyst. All the studied endometrioid cysts were divided into “young”, “mature”, and “old” based on the morphological features. The macrophages/siderophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils were counted in 10 visual fields in the cyst wall after staining with hematoxylin and eosin at ×400 magnification at the different layers of cyst wall.Results. The dynamics of changes in the location, direction, and strength of correlations showed that the functional destruction of macrophage cell center occurred during maturation and aging of the ovarian endometrioid cyst. This process was caused by an insufficient vascularization of endometrioid heterotopia, increasing pressure inside the cyst, and the gradual compaction of underlying fibrous layer, which lead to the atrophy of endometrioid lining and inability of macrophage cell center to maintain homeostasis. These changes caused a complete depletion of macrophage cell center due to macrophage polarization and subsequent formation of siderophages.Conclusion. In the absence of endometrium-associated macrophage pool renewal, endometrioid heterotopia eventually subside due to the destruction of macrophage cell center that controls its homeostasis.

Second Look After Retromuscular Repair With the Combination of Absorbable and Permanent Meshes

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the macroscopic features and histologic details observed after retromuscular abdominal wall reconstruction with the combination of an absorbable mesh and a permanent mesh.Methods: We have considered all patients that underwent abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) with the combination of two meshes that required to be reoperated for any reason. Data was extracted from a prospective multicenter study from 2012 to 2019. Macroscopic evaluation of parietal adhesions and histological analysis were carried out in this group of patients.Results: Among 466 patients with AWR, we identified 26 patients that underwent a reoperation after abdominal wall reconstruction using absorbable and permanent mesh. In eight patients, the reoperation was related to abdominal wall issues: four patients were reoperated due to recurrence, three patients required an operation for chronic mesh infection and one patient for symptomatic bulging. A miscellanea of pathologies was the cause for reoperation in 18 patients. During the second surgical procedures made after a minimum of 3 months follow-up, a fibrous tissue between the permanent mesh covering and protecting the peritoneum was identified. This fibrous tissue facilitated blunt dissection between the permanent material and the peritoneum. Samples of this tissue were obtained for histological examination. No case of severe adhesions to the abdominal wall was seen. In four cases, the reoperation could be carried out laparoscopically with minimal adhesions from the previous procedure.Conclusions: The reoperations performed after the combination of absorbable and permanent meshes have shown that the absorbable mesh acts as a protective barrier and is replaced by a fibrous layer rich in collagen. In the cases requiring new hernia repair, the layer between peritoneum and permanent mesh could be dissected without special difficulty. Few intraperitoneal adhesions to the abdominal wall were observed, mainly filmy, easy to detach, facilitating reoperations.

Transport Properties of Electro-Sprayed Polytetrafluoroethylene Fibrous Layer Filled with Aerogels/Phase Change Materials

This work is the first attempt to prepare microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibrous layers embedded with aerogels/phase change materials. For preparation of this layer, the needle-less electrospray technology of water dispersion of individual components is used. Microstructure characteristics, including surface morphology and particle size distribution, and various properties of the prepared materials were investigated and explained. Transport performance of the fibrous layers embedded with aerogels/phase change materials, such as the transmission of heat, air, and water vapor was evaluated and discussed in details. It was found that the electro-sprayed materials composed by spherical particles with rough surface had compact disordered stacking structure. Aerogels and phase change materials (PCMs) play different roles in determining structural parameters and transport properties of the materials. Those parameters and properties could be flexibly adjusted by optimizing the spinning parameters, changing the content or proportion of the fillers to meet specific requirements.

Effects of Locally Delivered Morin Hydrate on Iodoacetate-induced Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis in Rats

Objectives: morin hydrate has been reported to possess many beneficial pharmacological potentialities including antioxidant and anti-osteoarthritic effects. The antiosteoarthritic properties of locally administrated morin have not been investigated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the locally delivered morin on the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in rat. Materials and methods: thirty young adult female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly arranged into three groups; control, osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis with morin. Both the iodoacetate for osteoarthritis induction and morin hydrate therapy were delivered unilaterally via intra-articular route. Results: morin reduced osteoarthritis manifestations with prominent thickening of both condylar fibrous layer and articular disc accompanied with discal cells hypertrophy that ultimately acquired chondrocytes features. The condylar cartilage matrix showed enhancement of extracellular matrix production with morin administration. Discussion: the present study has elucidated antiosteoarthritic effect of intraarticular injection of morin hydrate. Although morin has managed to prevent the propagation and advancing some of the recorded osteoarthritic manifestations; however, it showed some failure in managing others. The administration of morin hydrate modulated the structure of the joint rather than restore it back to its typical configuration. Conclusion: the morin hydrate administration to osteoarthritic animals showed relieve in some of osteoarthritic features and modulated the structure of some joint components to compensate the unhandled manifestations.KEYWORDSIodoacetate; Morin; Osteoarthritis; OARSI Score; Temporomandibular joint.

Design of Eco-Friendly Geo-Composite Liner for Fly ash Ponds

This paper aims to design of geocomposite liner for fly ash ponds. Our country has many thermal plants, which generates huge amount of flyash as a waste and their disposal require some of the crucial treatment and engineered flyash pond. The problems from coal based thermal plants is disposal of such flyash. In the present research, Clayey soils, Sodium bentonite and black cotton soils used as a liner for fly ash pond, instead of HDPE sheet to reduce the heavy metal contaminants leachate. Recent GCL, HDPE or Geocomposite liners as bottom lining layers are a suggestive solution for preventing toxic materials from seepage into the surrounding areas. The obtained results of this research indicate that the more percentage of concentration of heavy metals like Arsenic, lead, cadmium and chromium are retained in sodium bentonite layer than the black cotton soil. Hence it is, recommended that among the different liners, sodium bentonite is the most appropriate geocomposite liner, as it’s self-healing and swelling properties provides more retention capacity of toxic heavy metals. The present invention relates to a geocomposite liner system for fly ash pond to reduce the leaching of toxic metals in ground water. The geocomposite liner system comprises of at least one fibrous layer having a layer of sodium bentonite material; a non-fibrous layer mechanically and non-adhesively affixed between fibrous layers. A suitable thickness of bentonite clay is encapsulated between the fibrous and non-fibrous layers, it can retain the Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium and Lead metals in it. This Geo composite liner is most suitable, economical and easy to install over CCLs and GCLs.

Oriented inner fabrication of bi-layer biomimetic tendon sheath for anti-adhesion and tendon healing

Introduction: Synthetic fibrous membranes unveil a promising field in anti-adhesion of tendons. Meanwhile, oriented nanofiber structures have been widely studied and used in the application of biomedical engineering, particularly in repairing and strengthening effects. Methods: In this study, a bi-layer poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) electrospun membrane was fabricated, in which the inner oriented fibrous layer was designed to promote tendon healing while outer random aligned layer was designed to prevent peritendinous adhesion. Results: It was found that fibroblasts were aligned along the oriented fiber of membranes in vitro and in a Leghorn chicken model. In biomechanical tests of repaired tendons, no significant difference was found between oriented fibrous membrane and blank control in maximum tensile strength; both oriented fibrous membranes and random fibrous membranes showed lower work of flexion than blank control, which was consistent with gross assessment. Conclusion: It was practicable to promote tendon healing while preventing adhesion via bi-layer PLLA membranes with an inner-oriented-fiber fabricated structure.