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Biolmpacts - Volume:8 Issue: 4, Dec 2018

Biolmpacts
Volume:8 Issue: 4, Dec 2018

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1397/07/28
  • تعداد عناوین: 9
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  • Abdollah Abdollahi, Aghdam , Mir Reza Majidi , Yadollah Omidi* Pages 237-240
    Through the development of analytical techniques, microscaled devices have displayed attractive advantages, including ultrasensitive detection and analysis, cost-effectiveness, portability, process integrity, multi-process functionality, and in-situ analysis. In the last decade, a new generation of analytical devices has emerged based on the cellulose materials – so-called microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) – a field that will change the face of the diagnosis of different diseases and sensing of a wide range of biological/chemical/biochemical phenomena. The main aim of the current editorial is to highlight the importance of the µPADs in the research and development of diagnostic devices and pharmaceuticals.
    Keywords: Analytical techniques, Paper-based microfluidics, µPADs, Sensing, Monitoring of diseases, Molecular diagnosis
  • Maryam Monajati , Shirin Tavakoli , Samira Sadat Abolmaali , Gholamhossein Yousefi , AliMohammad Tamaddon * Pages 241-252
    Introduction
    Sorafenib (SFB) is an FDA-approved chemotherapeutic agent with a high partition coefficient (log P = 4.34) for monotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The oral bioavailability is low and variable, so it was aimed to study the application of the polymeric nanoassembly of cholesterol conjugates of branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) for micellar solubilization of SFB and to investigate the impact of the polymer PEGylation on the physicochemical and cellular characteristics of the lipopolymeric dispersions.
    Methods
    Successful synthesis of cholesterol-PEI lipopolymers, either native or PEGylated, was confirmed by FTIR, 1H-NMR, pyrene assay methods. The nanoassemblies were also characterized in terms of morphology, particle size distribution and zeta-potential by TEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The SFB loading was optimized using general factorial design. Finally, the effect of particle characteristics on cellular uptake and specific cytotoxicity was investigated by flow cytometry and MTT assay in HepG2 cells.
    Results
    Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that PEGylation of the lipopolymers reduces the size and changes the morphology of the nanoassembly from rod-like to spherical shape. However, PEGylation of the lipopolymer increased critical micelle concentration (CMC) and reduced the drug loading. Moreover, the particle shape changes from large rods to small spheres promoted the cellular uptake and SFB-related cytotoxicity.
    Conclusion
    The combinatory effects of enhanced cellular uptake and reduced general cytotoxicity can present PEGylated PEI-cholesterol conjugates as a potential carrier for delivery of poorly soluble chemotherapeutic agents such as SFB in HCC that certainly requires further investigations in vitro and in vivo.
    Keywords: Poly ethyleneimine, Cholesterol, Lipopolymer, PEGylation, Polymeric micelles, Sorafenib tosylate, Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Ravi Ranjan Kumar*_Vasantba J Jadeja Pages 253-261
    Introduction
    The inevitable rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a global health problem. These pathogens erode the utility of available antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major causes of community-acquired infections. The aim of work was to evaluate the marine actinomycetes for production of the antibacterial agent against pathogens.
    Methods
    Halophilic actinomycetes were isolated, characterized and screened for production of antibacterial agent against pathogenic bacteria. The antibacterial compounds were extracted by solvent extraction and separated by TLC based bioautography. Antibacterial compound was further purified by flash chromatography followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. The active fraction was characterized by spectroscopy techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentration of antibiotic was determined against pathogens.
    Results
    A new halophilic actinomycetes strain rsk4 was isolated from marine water. It was designated as Kocuria sp. based on the physiological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequencebased characters. It was able to produce broad-spectrum antibacterial compound and exhibited significant inhibitory activities against antibiotic-resistant S. aureus. The antibacterial compound was secreted optimally at 5% NaCl and neutral pH in the starch casein medium during stationary phase. The crude ethyl acetate extract was separated by chloroform-methanol, 24:1, v/v having Rf value 0.45. Bioassay of HPLC fractions confirms the presence of antibiotics picks at retention time: 3.24 minutes. The UV-Visible and mass spectra of the compound revealed that the active compound was different from other known antibiotics. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded against S. aureus (30 µg/mL).
    Conclusion
    The result suggests that a broad-spectrum antibacterial compound obtained from halophilic actinomycetes is effective against pathogenic bacteria. This compound may be a good alternative treatment against antibiotic-resistant pathogen S. aureus.
    Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Halophiles, Kocuria, Minimum inhibitory concentration
  • Mohammad Johari, Ahar , Jaleh Barar , Pari Karami , Davoud Asgari , Soodabeh Davaran , Mohammad, Reza Rashidi * Pages 263-270
    Introduction
    Dopamine is one of the key neurotransmitters (NTs) in nature, which plays a crucial role in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Its selective determination in the biological fluids is an essential need in the field of biomedicine studies.
    Methods
    In this work, an amperometric sensor was developed using Nafion-coated cadmium pentacyanonitrosylferrate (CdPCNF) modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode (Nafion|CdPCNF|GC electrode) as an electrocatalyst to detect dopamine (DA) in human serum samples. To develop this sensor, the surface of bare GC electrode was coated with the film of CdPCNF through an electropolymerization method and then the modified electrode was coated with Nafion to minimize interferences, especially those arising from the presence of anionic compounds. The electrocatalytic behavior of the modified electrodes was studied using the cyclic voltammetry and amperometry, and then the ability of the sensor for the determination of DA in synthetic and biological samples was investigated.
    Results
    The modified electrode was showed a significant electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of DA at pH 7.4. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.7 µM and also no interference effects arose from ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) or the other biological NTs was observed in the DA detection using the modified Nafion|CdPCNF|GC electrode.
    Conclusion
    In comparison with the bare electrode, the Nafion|CdPCNF|GC electrode could determine DA in the biological samples with adequate sensitivity and selectivity. Therefore, we propose that the modified electrode is utilizable as an amperometric DA sensor for the biological sample analysis.
    Keywords: Amperometric sensor, Dopamine, Nafion, Cadmium pentacyanonitrosylferrate
  • Mohammad T. Shervani, Tabar*, Babak Farzaneh , Reza Ahrabi , Seyed E. Razavi Pages 271-279
    Introduction
    Employing of gaseous plugs inside a vein for preventing of blood flow to the damaged or cancerous tissues has been known as a gas embolism in the medicine. In this research, a numerical investigation has been carried out on the delivery of the liquid drug DDFP, encapsulated in the microlipidcoated spheres (MLCSs), to target the human vein for construction of the gaseous plug inside the veins.
    Methods
    The encapsulated liquid drug DDFP were delivered to the vein by injection of an emulsion. Releasing of the liquid drug DDFP results in an explosive growth of a gaseous plug inside the vein. The targeted vein was served as a rigid cylinder with a compliant coating. The boundary integral equation method has been employed for the numerical simulation of the hydrodynamic behavior of the gaseous plug inside the vein.
    Results
    Numerical results showed that in the case of a rigid cylinder vein with an internal compliant coating, the maximum volume of the gaseous plug was smaller than the case of just a rigid cylinder vein. Furthermore, its elapsed time from the instant of bubble generation to the instant when the bubble reaches its maximum volume was shorter. Numerical results also showed that the compliant coating on the internal wall of the rigid cylindrical vein had a tendency of reducing the impact of the explosive growth of the gaseous plug.
    Conclusion
    This numerical research showed that the compliant coating on the internal wall of the rigid cylindrical vein had the tendency of reducing the impact of the impulsive growth of the gaseous plug. Therefore, in the case of having severed arteriosclerosis, treatment of the cancerous or damaged tissues by use of the gaseous embolism must be done very carefully in order to prevent the hazardous effects of the gaseous plug’s impulsive growth.
    Keywords: Gaseous plug, Impulsive growth, Embolism, Boundary integral equation, Cylindrical vein, Compliant coating
  • Hassan Rasouli , Amir Hossein Norooznezhad , Tahereh Rashidi , Zohreh Hoseinkhani , Azadeh Mahnam , Mitra Tarlan , Narges Moasefi , Ali Mostafaei*, Kamran Mansouri * Pages 281-294
    Introduction
    Date palm pollen (DPP) is the male reproductive soft powder from date flowers widely used as the valuable dietary supplement to fortify the size of testis and ovarian to increase the power of sex. This part of date palm significantly exhibited anti-diabetic, anti-inflammation and protective effects against male and female infertility. Though the anticancer activity of date fruits was previously reported, the DPP anti-angiogenic effects were not reported, and as the first study, its inhibitory effects were examined in the current study.
    Methods
    The DPP soft powder was collected to prepare its hydro-alcoholic extract to examine its anti-angiogenic activity in an in vitro model. At different concentrations, the cytotoxicity of the prepared extract was examined on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using lactate dehydrogenase method. Cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay and cytodex-3D model in collagen gel was used to assay its possible anti-angiogenic activity. The expression of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, molecular docking simulation was used to highlight the possible role of DPP polyphenols to interact with the associated receptors.
    Results
    The prepared hydro-alcoholic extract exhibited significant anti-angiogenic activity in a dose-dependent manner and decreased the endothelial cell proliferation. The calculated IC50 value for the examined extract in angiogenesis model was 260 µg·mL, respectively. Also, the expression of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes were significantly decreased. Docking simulation results unveiled that the isolated DPP polyphenols have the affinity to interact with ctDNA, VEGF and its receptors.
    Conclusion
    The DPP is the new source of non-toxic anti-cancer agents to use as a dietary supplement in the pre-treatment of cancer.
    Keywords: Angiogenesis, Date palm pollen, Docking simulation, Polyphenols
  • Bryson C. Lochte _Sean A Guillory _Craig A. H. Richard*_William M. Kelley Pages 295-304
    Introduction
    The "autonomous sensory meridian response" (ASMR) is a neologism used to describe an internal sensation of deep relaxation and pleasant head tingling which is often stimulated by gentle sounds, light touch, and personal attention.
    Methods
    An fMRI-based methodology was employed to examine the brain activation of subjects prescreened for ASMR-receptivity (n=10) as they watched ASMR videos and identified specific moments of relaxation and tingling.
    Results
    Subjects who experienced ASMR showed significant activation in regions associated with both reward (NAcc) and emotional arousal (dACC and Insula/IFG). Brain activation during ASMR showed similarities to patterns previously observed in musical frisson as well as affiliative behaviors.
    Conclusion
    This is the first study to measure the activation of various brain regions during ASMR and these results may help to reveal the mechanistic underpinnings of this sensation.
    Keywords: Autonomous sensory meridian response, ASMR, fMRI, Frisson, Whole brain imaging, ROI analysis
  • Shahram Emami , Mohammadreza Siahi, Shadbad , Khosro Adibkia , Mohammad Barzegar, Jalali * Pages 305-320
    Introduction
    Oral drug delivery is the most favored route of drug administration. However, poor oral bioavailability is one of the leading reasons for insufficient clinical efficacy. Improving oral absorption of drugs with low water solubility and/or low intestinal membrane permeability is an active field of research. Cocrystallization of drugs with appropriate coformers is a promising approach for enhancing oral bioavailability.
    Methods
    In the present review, we have focused on recent advances that have been made in improving oral absorption through cocrystallization. The covered areas include supersaturation and its importance on oral absorption of cocrystals, permeability of cocrystals through membranes, drug-coformer pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions, conducting in vivo-in vitro correlations for cocrystals. Additionally, a discussion has been made on the integration of nanocrystal technology with supramolecular design. Marketed cocrystal products and PK studies in human subjects are also reported.
    Results
    Considering supersaturation and consequent precipitation properties is necessary when evaluating dissolution and bioavailability of cocrystals. Appropriate excipients should be included to control precipitation kinetics and to capture solubility advantage of cocrystals. Beside to solubility, cocrystals may modify membrane permeability of drugs. Therefore, cocrystals can find applications in improving oral bioavailability of poorly permeable drugs. It has been shown that cocrystals may interrupt cellular integrity of cellular monolayers which can raise toxicity concerns. Some of coformers may interact with intestinal absorption of drugs through changing intestinal blood flow, metabolism and inhibiting efflux pumps. Therefore, caution should be taken into account when conducting bioavailability studies. Nanosized cocrystals have shown a high potential towards improving absorption of poorly soluble drugs.
    Conclusions
    Cocrystals have found their way from the proof-of-principle stage to the clinic. Up to now, at least two cocrystal products have gained approval from regulatory bodies. However, there are remaining challenges on safety, predicting in vivo behavior and revealing real potential of cocrystals in the human.
    Keywords: Bioavailability, Cocrystal, Oral absorption, Permeability, Pharmacokinetic, Poorly soluble drug
  • Zohreh Ebrahimnezhad , Nosratollah Zarghami*, Manoutchehr Keyhani , Soumaye Amirsaadat , Abolfazl Akbarzadeh , Mohammad Rahmati , Zohreh Mohammad Taheri , Kazem Nejati, Koshki Page 321