Production of nanocrystalline cellulose from bleached soda bagasse pulp

The cellulose used in this study was prepared from bleached soda bagasse obtained from the Pars paper factory. To prepare nanocellulose, the sample was subjected to alkaline pretreatment and then acid hydrolysis using 54% sulfuric acid at several temperatures (35, 50, 60, and 65 °C) and different times (30, 60, 90, and 120 min). Then, they were prepared using a centrifuge, dialysis bag, ultrasound, and freezer, respectively. The produced nanocellulose was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). According to the results, temperatures of 50 and 90 °C were selected for the preparation of nanocellulose. The crystallization index of the hydrolyzed pulp and produced nanocellulose was 53 and 61%, respectively. The produced nanocellulose had a fibrillar shape.

Metagenome-based comparisons of decay rates and host-specificity of fecal microbial communities for improved microbial source tracking

Fecal material in the environment is a primary source of pathogens that cause waterborne diseases and affect over a billion people worldwide. Microbial source tracking (MST) assays based on single genes (e.g., 16S rRNA) do not always provide the resolution needed to attribute fecal contamination sources. In this work, we used dialysis bag mesocosms simulating a freshwater habitat that were spiked separately with cow, pig, or human feces to monitor the decay of host-specific fecal signals over time with metagenomics, traditional qPCR, and culture-based methods. Sequencing of the host fecal communities used as inocula recovered 79 non-redundant metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) whose abundance patterns showed that the majority of the fecal community signal was not detectable in the mesocosm metagenomes after four days. Several MAGs showed high host specificity, and thus are promising candidates for biomarkers for their respective host type. Traditional qPCR methods varied in their correlation with MAG decay kinetics. Notably, the human-specific Bacteroides assay, HF183/BFDRev, consistently under-estimated fecal pollution due to not being present in all hosts and/or primer mismatches. This work provides new insights on the persistence and decay kinetics of host-specific gut microbes in the environment and identifies several MAGs as putative biomarkers for improved MST.

Aerosolized Niosome Formulation Containing Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Lung Cancer Treatment: Optimization, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation

Gemcitabine (Gem) and cisplatin (Cis) are currently being used for lung cancer treatment, but they are highly toxic in high dosages. This research aimed to develop a niosome formulation containing a low-dosage Gem and Cis (NGC), as an alternative formulation for lung cancer treatment. NGC was prepared using a very simple heating method and was further optimized by D-optimal mixture design. The optimum NGC formulation with particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of 166.45 nm, 0.16, and −15.28 mV, respectively, was obtained and remained stable at 27 °C with no phase separation for up to 90 days. The aerosol output was 96.22%, which indicates its suitability as aerosolized formulation. An in vitro drug release study using the dialysis bag diffusion technique showed controlled release for both drugs up to 24 h penetration. A cytotoxicity study against normal lung (MRC5) and lung cancer (A549) cell lines was investigated. The results showed that the optimized NGC had reduced cytotoxicity effects against both MRC5 and A549 when compared with the control (Gem + Cis alone) from very toxic (IC50 < 1.56 µg/mL) to weakly toxic (IC50 280.00 µg/mL) and moderately toxic (IC50 = 46.00 µg/mL), respectively, after 72 h of treatment. These findings revealed that the optimized NGC has excellent potential and is a promising prospect in aerosolized delivery systems to treat lung cancer that warrants further investigation.

Preparation of konjac oligoglucomannans with different molecular weights and their in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities

In this paper, konjac oligoglucomannan (KOGM) was obtained with a hydrolysis rate of 56.24% by controlling the hydrolysis conditions. KOGM was passed through a 0.2 kDa dialysis bag, a 3 kDa ultrafiltration tube, and a 5 kDa ultrafiltration tube, creating samples with molecular weights of 0.2–3 kDa (IV), 3–5 kDa (III), and >5 kDa (II), respectively. The in vitro antioxidant activities of the KOGM samples were tested by measuring their removal effects on ˙OH, {\text{O}}_{2}^{-}, and DPPH˙. The in vivo antioxidant activities of the samples were analyzed by measuring their impacts on the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity in mice. The results show that the KOGM samples in groups III and IV could effectively remove ˙OH, {\text{O}}_{2}^{-}, and DPPH˙; the KOGM samples in all three groups could enhance the SOD and GSH-PX activities and reduce the MDA content in the liver tissues of mice; finally, the antioxidant activity of KOGM is negatively correlated with the molecular weight.

Peritoneal Dialysis with Marked Pneumoperitoneum

Pneumoperitoneum, the presence of free air within the peritoneal cavity, is often caused by the perforation of gas-containing viscus and commonly requires surgical treatment. However, in patients with peritoneal dialysis, free air is commonly seen on X-ray. We present the case of a patient with peritoneal dialysis with marked pneumoperitoneum. A 75-year-old Japanese male with end-stage renal disease due to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antigen-associated vasculitis had been receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 9 years. He had a poor appetite and general malaise without abdominal pain or fever. These symptoms gradually worsened, and he was hospitalized. At the time of admission, chest X-ray revealed bilateral free air in the abdomen. Subsequent computed tomography of the abdomen revealed marked pneumoperitoneum. Peritonitis due to perforation of the digestive tract was considered; however, the absence of abdominal pain, fever, and turbidity of dialysis drainage indicated that peritonitis was unlikely. Insufficient air venting during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis bag replacement was suspected. The bag was carefully changed, resulting in a gradual decrease in the free air. We encountered a patient with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis who had significant free air in the abdominal cavity in the absence of peritonitis. The source of the air was determined to be the dialysis bag due to insufficient venting during replacement. This case underscores the importance of instructing patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis on the thorough removal of air from the bag during replacement.

Glycerosome of Melissa officinalis L. Essential Oil for Effective Anti-HSV Type 1

Essential oils are complex mixtures of strongly active compounds, very volatile and sensitive to light, oxygen, moisture and temperature. Loading inside nanocarriers can be a strategy to increase their stability and successfully use them in therapy. In the present study, a commercial Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil (MEO) was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, loaded inside glycerosomes (MEO-GS) and evaluated for its anti-herpetic activity against HSV type 1. MEO-GS analyses were prepared by the thin layer evaporation method and they were characterized by light scattering techniques, determining average diameter, polydispersity index and ζ-potential. By transmission electron microscopy, MEO-GS appeared as small nano-sized vesicles with a spherical shape. MEO encapsulation efficiency inside glycerosomes, in terms of citral and β-caryophyllene, was found to be ca. 63% and 76% respectively, and MEO release from glycerosomes, performed by dialysis bag method, resulted in less than 10% within 24h. In addition, MEO-GS had high chemical and physical stability during 4 months of storage. Finally, MEO-GS were very active in inhibiting HSV type 1 infection of mammalian cells in vitro, without producing cytotoxic effects. Thus, MEO-GS could be a promising tool in order to provide a suitable anti-herpetic formulation.

Immunomodulatory and Antioxidant Activities of a Polysaccharide from Ligustrum vicaryi L. Fruit

Ligustrum vicaryi L. is a hybrid of Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. var. aureo-marginatum and Ligustrum vulgale L., belonging to the Oleaceae family. It is often used as an ornamental shrub due to its golden leaves. However, its medical value is yet to be discovered. Recently, plant polysaccharides have attracted comprehensive attention owing to their biological properties, including immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to extract, purify, and characterize the polysaccharide from the Ligustrum vicaryi L. fruit and investigate its immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. The Ligustrum vicaryi L. fruit polysaccharide (LVFP) was obtained by ultrasonic extraction, ethanol precipitation, macroporous resin separation, and dialysis bag purification. The physicochemical properties of the LVFP were elucidated using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, high-performance ion chromatography, and high-performance gel filtration chromatography. The results indicated that the LVFP consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, and glucose in a ratio of 1.79 : 7.55 : 4.58 : 1.54, and its molecular weight was 88,949 Da. The immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities of the LVFP were investigated using a cyclophosphamide- (Cy-) induced immunosuppressed mouse model. The results demonstrated that the LVFP significantly increased spleen and thymus indexes, enhanced the phagocytic function of neutrophils, activated B and T lymphocytes, and upregulated serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α. Moreover, we observed that the LVFP relieved Cy-induced liver damage by increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) levels. These results suggested that the LVFP has the immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities, therefore laying a foundation for the application of the LVFP in the pharmaceutical and functional food industries.

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A POLOXAMER- AND CHITOSAN-BASED IN SITU GEL-FORMING INJECTABLE DEPOT

Objective: The present study is intended to investigate the applicability of poloxamer- and chitosan-based temperature induced in situ injectable gelling depot for once a week therapy as an intramuscular injection employing olanzapine as a model drug. Methods: The thermosetting gel was prepared by admixture of a solution of poloxamer P127 and a solution of olanzapine and chitosan in aqueous acetic acid. The resultant formulation was characterized for gelation temperature, gelation time, viscosity, syringeability, pH, drug content, and in vitro drug release. The in vitro release of olanzapine from the gelled depot was followed using USP paddle type II apparatus in conjunction with a dialysis bag. The gel was injected ex vivo into chicken muscle and observed by subsequent dissection. Results: The formulation was designed to have a phase transition temperature of 34°C and gelled in <10 s at 37°C. Addition of chitosan imparted favorable rheological properties to the poloxamer gel and resulted in a pseudoplastic mixture with low viscosity in the sol state and higher viscosity post gelation. The preparation had a pH of 5.4, appropriate drug content and readily passed through a 20 gauge needle. The release of olanzapine was unhindered by the dialysis bag. Following an initial bust, a sustained, zero-order release of the remainder of drug was observed up to 9 days. The injectable was found to form a compact depot when evaluated ex vivo. Conclusion: The developed system showed several features which make it a suitable vehicle for sustained intramuscular delivery of drugs.

Development of Usnic Acid Embedded Eudragit Microspheres for Alleviation of Nosocomial Infections

Background: Usnic Acid has been progressively reported in the literature as one of the chiefly significant lichen metabolites exemplified by an ample diversity of applications such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal agents, etc. Herein, we shed a light on nosocomial infections and formulated topical microspheres loaded with Usnic acid for improved antimicrobial activity. Recent patents and novel researches were referred to pursue the present work. Methods: Usnic acid embedded Eudragit microspheres were designed applying solvent evaporation method, investigated for topography and drug-polymer compatibility studies. Dialysis bag method was utilized for studying drug release kinetics. In vitro antibacterial assay was carried out against the virulent bacterial strain of Staphylococcus aureus using the disc diffusion method. Results: Topography studies revealed the formation of regular, micro-sized, smooth surface microspheres. Well defined and specific structural peaks were obtained from FTIR and TGA studies, revealing drugpolymer compatibility. The dissolution profile suggested Korsmeyer Peppas kinetic and Fickian kind of diffusion from microspheres. The pre-eminent activity of formulated microspheres was visualized from the disc diffusion study against Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: The strong biological activity of Usnic acid –loaded Eudragit RS and Eudragit RL microspheres provides a promising application for corresponding material as a bactericidal agent for the alleviation of nosocomial infection. Findings paid attention to the potential of usnic acid microspheres for effective treatment of dermal and nosocomial infections caused by S. aureus.