Novel Nanoencapsulation Technology and its Potential Role in Bile Acid-Based Targeted Gene Delivery to the Inner Ear

Hearing loss impacts a large proportion of the global population. Damage to the inner ear, in particular the sensitive hair cells, can impact individuals for the rest of their lives. There are very limited options for interventions after damage to these cells has occurred. Targeted gene delivery may provide an effective means to trigger appropriate differentiation of progenitor cells for effective replacement of these sensitive hair cells. There are several hurdles that need to be overcome to effectively deliver these genes. Nanoencapsulation technology has previously been used for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, proteins and nucleic acids, and may provide an effective means of delivering genes to trigger appropriate differentiation. This review investigates the background of hearing loss, current advancements and pitfalls of gene delivery, and how nanoencapsulation may be useful.     

Novel self-assembled mesalamine–sucralfate complexes: preparation,characterization, and formulation aspects

Two well-known active agents, mesalamine (MES) and sucralfate (SUC), were investigated for possible utilization as fixed-dose combination product. The anti-inflammatory action of MES in association with bioadhesiveness and mucosal healing properties of SUC were considered promising for the development of a new compound containing both molecules, aimed as an improved treatment of ulcerative colitis. The present study investigates the capacity of the two active agents to interact and generate a new and stable entity via self-assembling. Spray-drying was used to co-process the two active principles from an aqueous mixture where the ratio MES:SUC was in the range 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25. The structural data (X-Ray, FTIR, SEM, DSC, and ¹H NMR) have shown that MES and SUC are interacting leading to complexes with properties differing from those of each separate active agent and from their physical blends. ¹H NMR results indicated that complexation occurred when the aqueous suspensions of drugs were mixed, prior to spray-drying. Drug–drug self-assembling was the driving mechanism in the formation of the new entity. Based on the structural data, a hypothetical structure of the complex was proposed. Co-processing of MES and SUC represents a simple and useful procedure to prepare new self-assembled compounds by valorizing the ionic interactions between the two entities. Preliminary studies with oral solid dosage forms based on MES–SUC complexes tested in vitro have shown a controlled MES release, opening the perspective of a new colon-targeted delivery system and a novel class of compounds with therapeutic application in inflammatory bowel diseases.     

Automated imaging, identification, and counting of similar cells from digital hologram reconstructions

This paper presents our method, which simultaneously combines automatic imaging, identification, and counting with the acquisition of morphological information for at least 1000 blood cells from several three-dimensional images of the same sample. We started with seeking parameters to differentiate between red blood cells that are similar but different with respect to their development stage, i.e., mature or immature. We highlight that these cells have different diffractive patterns with complementary central intensity distribution in a given plane along the propagation axis. We use the Fresnel approximation to simulate propagation through cells modeled as spheroid-shaped phase objects and to find the cell property that has the dominant influence on this behavior. Starting with images obtained in the reconstruction step of the digital holographic microscopy technique, we developed a code for automated simultaneous individual cell image separation, identification, and counting, even when the cells are partially overlapped on a slide, and accurate measuring of their morphological features. To find the centroids of each cell, we propose a method based on analytical functions applied at threshold intervals. Our procedure separates the mature from the immature red blood cells and from the white blood cells through a decision based on gradient and radius values.     

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles in collagen gel improves their medical use in periodontitis treatment

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) suspensions were biosynthesized by silver ions reduction in the presence of collagen, a nontoxic, organic polymer, intending to improve their medical use in periodontitis treatment. Spectrophotometric measurements showed a time- and concentration-dependent increase of AgNP formation in each suspension variant. Transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical morphology of AgNP in collagen and their mean diameter size was around 30?nm. The particle size distribution and zeta potential values of AgNP in collagen were determined by dynamic light scattering measurements. The surface charge of AgNP in collagen was positive, while commercial AgNP stabilized in citrate had negative surface charge. In vitro cytotoxicity testing of AgNP in collagen showed that they were biocompatible with human gingival fibroblasts in a wider range of concentrations than commercial nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of AgNP in collagen against two pathogenic strains present in the periodontal pocket was dose-dependent and higher than that of AgNP in citrate. All these results demonstrated that AgNP prepared in collagen gel had improved properties, like small diameter, positive surface charge, high biocompatibility in human gingival fibroblasts, efficiency against bacterial growth and, thus, better therapeutic potential in periodontal disease treatment.     

Congestion and Fiscal Policy in a Two-Sector Economy with Public Capital: A Quantitative Assessment

This paper analyzes the role of public capital when the services it yields is subject to two forms of congestion, which we characterize as relative and aggregate. We employ a two-sector growth model in which there are conventional profit-maximizing private firms, together with “public firms”, whose objective is to produce a specified quantity of government investment goods – determined by government policy – at minimum cost. We characterize the equilibrium dynamics, and analyze two forms of fiscal disturbances – an increase in public investment, and a decrease in the tax on capital income – by simulating a calibrated economy. We contrast the effects of these two types of congestion on both the existing steady-state equilibrium, as well as for the effectiveness of fiscal policy.     

Effects of Economic Pressure on Marital Conflict in Romania.

This study examined the interrelationships among economic pressure, maternal depression, social support, and marital conflict in a sample of 239 mothers in Romania. Data were collected through a school-based survey. Findings indicated that higher levels of economic pressure were associated with higher levels of marital conflict. Economic pressure was also associated with higher marital conflict indirectly through increased maternal depression and lowered social support. The present results were similar to those obtained in studies conducted among U.S. samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Berry Leaves and Their Inhibitory Effect on Lipid Peroxidation of Thigh Meat from Broiler Chickens

The present study is designed to evaluate the antioxidant compounds from bilberry, cranberry, and raspberry leaves in connection with their radical scavenging activities, and their potential in inhibiting the lipid peroxidation of thigh meat from broiler chickens. For this purpose, plant extracts are analyzed regarding the content in bioactive compounds, antioxidant properties analysis including 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activities. Lipid peroxidation is induced by an Fe⁺³/ascorbic acid system and the inhibitory effects of plants extracts are assessed using thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) as biomarkers for quantifying lipid oxidation in meat. The overview of the analyzed antioxidant compounds shows that cranberry leaves present the highest concentrations of vitamin E, β‐carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, and polyphenols and a total antioxidant capacity with 52% higher than bilberry and 360% than raspberry. Bilberry leaves extract shows the strongest effect (p  < 0.0001) in inhibiting meat lipid peroxidation. Practical Applications: The results demonstrate the positive effect of the selected berry leaves in the oxidative stability of broiler chicken meat under in vitro conditions, and may be suggested as an alternative source of natural antioxidants for animal nutrition, with benefits in inhibiting and delaying oxidation, and also enhancing the nutritional value of meat.     

The Influence of UV Light on Photodegradation of Acetylsalicylic Acid

Photodegradation of the aqueous solutions of acetylsalicylic acid, in the absence (ASA) and the presence of excipients (ASE), is demonstrated by the photoluminescence (PL). A shift of the PL bands from 342 and 338 nm to 358 and 361–397 nm for ASA and ASE in solid state and as aqueous solutions was reported. By exposure of the solution of ASA 0.3 M to UV light, a decrease in the PL band intensity was highlighted. This behavior was revealed for ASA in the presence of phosphate buffer (PB) having the pH equal to 6.4, 7, and 8 or by the interaction with NaOH 0.3 M. A different behavior was reported in the case of ASE. In the presence of PB, an increase in the intensity of the PL band of ASE simultaneously with a change of the ratio between the intensities of the bands at 361–364 and 394–397 nm was highlighted. The differences between PL spectra of ASA and ASE have their origin in the presence of salicylic acid (SAL). The interaction of ASE with NaOH induces a shift of the PL band at 405–407 nm. Arguments for the reaction of ASA with NaOH are shown by Raman scattering and FTIR spectroscopy.