Cellulose Nanofibers/SiO2 Nanocomposite: Preparation, Characterization and pH-Controlled Doxorubicin Delivery Properties

Cellulose nanofibers/SiO2 nanocomposite was prepared by extraction of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from Yucca leaves, followed by immobilization of SiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of cellulose nanofibers denoted as SiO2@CNFs. Prepared SiO2@CNFs nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques, including Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, and used as controlled drug delivery system for the release of doxorubicin, an anticancer drug. CNFs exhibited higher loading level of doxorubicin (79.82%) than SiO2@CNFs (72.67%), while CNFs exhibited rapid drug release, but SiO2@CNFs showed controlled drug release properties. Doxorubicin release from CNFs is not pH sensitive, as CNFs released high content of doxorubicin, 94.0% and 88.0% within 5-7 h, at both pH values of 4.5 and 7.4, respectively. However, the release of doxorubicin from SiO2@CNFs occurred slowly, and could be controlled by pH, as cumulative release percentage of doxorubicin from SiO2@CNFs were measured to be 73.5% at pH = 4.5, while 17.07% at pH = 7.4 after 48 h. Doxorubicin release kinetic was studied by fitting the experimental data with well-known kinetic models, including zero order, first order, Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas, Hixson-Corwell, Weibull and Gompertz models. Results revealed that the doxorubicin release from SiO2@CNFs is well fitted with Higuchi and Hixson–Crowell models at pH = 4.5 and Hixson–Crowell model at pH = 7.4. Fitting the date using Korsmeyer-Peppas indicated the nonFickian diffusion of doxorubicin from SiO2@CNFs at pH = 4.5 by n values of 0.4755, and Fickian type diffusion at pH = 7.4 by n values of 0.3359

Transcription factor OsHsfC1b regulates salt tolerance and development in Oryza sativa ssp. japonica

The paper describes the functional analysis of a class C heat shock transcription factor from rice (Oryza sativa). OsHsfC1b is shown to play a role in ABA-mediated salt stress tolerance and is required for plant growth under non-stress conditions

Effect of the presence of support person and routine intervention for women during childbirth in Isfahan, Iran: A randomized controlled trial

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the presence of continuous support person and routine interventions during labor and delivery in Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: One hundred pregnant women in spontaneous labor were assessed in four groups: Group 1; received routine intervention with a support person, Group 2; received routine intervention without support person, Group 3; received support person without routine intervention, Group 4; did not receive routine intervention or a support person. Sociodemographic, antenatal characteristics, length of stage of labor, instrumental delivery, the cervical laceration, perineal tear, labor pain, satisfaction and Apgar score collected and analyzed. Results: Based on the results there was no significant difference in regard to maternal age, BMI, maternal education and working statutes among the studied groups (P-value >0.05). Also, 1 and 5-min Apgar 0.05). Length of first and second stage of labor, perineal tear, satisfaction score and pain before and after labor were significant among studied groups (P-value <0.05). Conclusions: Presence of a support person and routine intervention during labor did not effect on incidence of cervical lacerations, instrumental delivery and Apgar <7. Labor pain and women′s dissatisfaction, and number women with third and fourth degree of perineal tear among women who received routine intervention were increased compare to others. Interventions makes decreased the length of first and second stage of labor. In totally, the presence of a support person during labor in Iranian women decrease length of labor and improved labor outcomes

Differential Sensitivity of Rice Cultivars to Salinity and Its Relation to Ion Accumulation and Root Tip Structure

Effects of NaCl on the growth, ion content, root cap structure and Casparian band development were examined in four rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars with different salt resistance (salt-sensitive indica-type IR 24 and japonica-type Nipponbare and salt-resistant indica-type Nona Bokra and Pokkali). Experiments were conducted to find the differences in salinity resistance during early seedling and developed seedling stages among the cultivars. For salinity treatment, sodium chloride (NaCl) was added to nutrient solution at concentrations of 0, 25 and 50 mM for 7 days from germination to the 7th day (early seedling stage) or from the 7th day to 14th day (developed seedling stage). Growth inhibition by salinity was more prominent in the early seedling stage than in the developed seedling stage. Based on the growth, the order of the sensitivity was IR24 > Nipponbare > Nona Bokra > Pokkali. The growth of NaCl-treated rice cultivars relative to control was significantly and negatively correlated with the Na+ content and Na+/K+ ratio in roots and shoots in both stages. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the root cap tissues proliferated and extended to the basal part of the root tip by salinity. The length of root cap was, however, reduced by 50 mM NaCl in sensitive cultivars due to peeling off. An endodermal Casparian band was formed in the basal region of the root tip. Development of the Casparian band was more prominent in sensitive cultivars than in tolerant cultivars. Root cap proliferation might be related to NaCl resistance in rice seedlings, but the Casparian band may not function efficiently in Na+ exclusion. Essentially the present results suggest that exclusion of Na+ from roots plays a critical role in expression of Na+ resistance in rice seedlings and the root cap is important for Na+ exclusion

Vertical Distribution of Sodium in Roots of Rice Plants Exposed to Salinity as Analyzed by Cryo Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Distribution of Na+ along the root axis under salinity stress was analyzed in two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars with different salt resistance (salt-sensitive IR 24 and salt-resistant Pokkali). Rice plants were grown hydroponically and NaCl was applied with nutrient solution at concentrations of 0, 25 and 50 mM for 7 d after germination. The distribution of Na+ in roots under salinity was analyzed by the cryo time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (cryo TOF-SIMS). The Na+ content in the root was higher in salt-sensitive IR 24 than in salt-resistant Pokkali under NaCl stress. The content was highest at the root tip and was decreased basipetally along the root axis. The difference in Na+ content between the cultivars was apparent in all regions from the root tip

Phenotypic and Genotypic Isolation of MRSA from Burn Wound Infected Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Patients of burn wound are generally more susceptible to infection due to concurrent status of malnutrition and immunosuppression. Among many bacteria, MRSA has appeared as a challenging pathogen irrespective of effective antibiotic therapy.&#x0D; Objective: The purpose of the present study was to detect the prevalence and antibiogram of MRSA in burn wound infected patients.&#x0D; Methodology: The present cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Microbiology in Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The samples were collected from Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, for a period of one year. Phenotypic detection of MRSA were done by cefoxitin disc diffusion method and genotype (mecA gene) was detected by PCR which was conducted at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka among all the S. aureus isolates.&#x0D; Result: A total of 212 wound swabs were subjected to bacteriological culture media for isolation of MRSA and other organisms. As a whole 89.62% samples yielded growth in culture of which Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant pathogen (34.18%). Out of 21 S.aureus isolates, 07(33.33%) were detected as MRSA by cefoxitin resistance and presence of mecA gene. Although over 85% MRSA were resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, but the present study could not detect any vancomycin resistant MRSA.&#x0D; Conclusion: The high prevalence and decreased sensitivity of MRSA to commonly used antibiotics has been observed in Burn Unit of RMCH. Therefore it is necessary to establish an antimicrobial surveillance system in hospital settings to prevent the spread of MRSA.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;7(1):12-17</jats:p

Correlation Between pH of Saliva and Dental Caries among Children of Rajshahi City

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the salivary pH in dental caries children. The study was carried out with the objective of evaluation of pH of saliva by pH scale among healthy and caries children.&#x0D; Materials &amp; Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of Rajshahi in collaboration with Dental unit, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi for a period between January to December 2017. All the cases were purposively selected from whom salivary sample were collected to measure pH using a chair side test strip. pH paper was rolled over the saliva on slide. Compare the colour against the standard to obtain a measurement.&#x0D; Results: The present study suggests that there is a significant relation between salivary pH and caries.&#x0D; Conclusion: We hypothesize that low salivary pH are associated with a higher dental caries rate.&#x0D; TAJ 2020; 33(1): 31-34</jats:p

Melatonin in Plant Defense against Abiotic Stress

Abiotic stress adversely affects plant growth and metabolism and as such reduces plant productivity. Recognized as a major contributor in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it hinders the growth of plants through induction of oxidative stress. Biostimulants such as melatonin have a multifunctional role, acting as a defense strategy in minimizing the effects of oxidative stress. Melatonin plays important role in plant processes ranging from seed germination to senescence, besides performing the function of a biostimulant in improving the plant’s productivity. In addition to its important role in the signaling cascade, melatonin acts as an antioxidant that helps in scavenging ROS, generated as part of different stresses among plants. The current study was undertaken to elaborate the synthesis and regulation of melatonin in plants, besides emphasizing its function under various abiotic stress namely, salt, temperature, herbicides, heavy metals, and drought. Additionally, a special consideration was put on the crosstalk of melatonin with phytohormones to overcome plant abiotic stress.</jats:p