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Fulltext Outdoor Performance Analysis of a Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) Collector with Jet Impingement and Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC)

Jaaz AH, Hasan HA, Sopian K, Kadhum AAH, Gaaz TS, Al-Amiery AA

Materials (Basel), 2017 Aug 01;10(8).
PMID: 28763048 DOI: 10.3390/ma10080888

This paper discusses the effect of jet impingement of water on a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector and compound parabolic concentrators (CPC) on electrical efficiency, thermal efficiency and power production of a PVT system. A prototype of a PVT solar water collector installed with a jet impingement and CPC has been designed, fabricated and experimentally investigated. The efficiency of the system can be improved by using jet impingement of water to decrease the temperature of the solar cells. The electrical efficiency and power output are directly correlated with the mass flow rate. The results show that electrical efficiency was improved by 7% when using CPC and jet impingement cooling in a PVT solar collector at 1:00 p.m. (solar irradiance of 1050 W/m² and an ambient temperature of 33.5 °C). It can also be seen that the power output improved by 36% when using jet impingement cooling with CPC, and 20% without CPC in the photovoltaic (PV) module at 1:30 p.m. The short-circuit current ISC of the PV module experienced an improvement of ~28% when using jet impingement cooling with CPC, and 11.7% without CPC. The output of the PV module was enhanced by 31% when using jet impingement cooling with CPC, and 16% without CPC.
Fulltext Impact of Sulfuric Acid Treatment of Halloysite on Physico-Chemic Property Modification

Gaaz TS, Sulong AB, Kadhum AAH, Nassir MH, Al-Amiery AA

Materials (Basel), 2016 Jul 26;9(8).
PMID: 28773741 DOI: 10.3390/ma9080620

Halloysite (HNT) is treated with sulfuric acid and the physico-chemical properties of its morphology, surface activity, physical and chemical properties have been investigated when HNT is exposed to sulfuric acid with treatment periods of 1 h (H1), 3 h (H3), 8 h (H8), and 21 h (H21). The significance of this and similar work lies in the importance of using HNT as a functional material in nanocomposites. The chemical structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The spectrum demonstrates that the hydroxyl groups were active for grafting modification using sulfuric acid, promoting a promising potential use for halloysite in ceramic applications as filler for novel clay-polymer nanocomposites. From the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum, it can be seen that the sulfuric acid breaks down the HNT crystal structure and alters it into amorphous silica. In addition, the FESEM images reveal that the sulfuric acid treatment dissolves the AlO₆ octahedral layers and induces the disintegration of SiO₄ tetrahedral layers, resulting in porous nanorods. The Bruncher-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and total pore volume of HNTs showed an increase. The reaction of the acid with both the outer and inner surfaces of the nanotubes causes the AlO₆ octahedral layers to dissolve, which leads to the breakdown and collapse of the tetrahedral layers of SiO₄. The multi-fold results presented in this paper serve as a guide for further HNT functional treatment for producing new and advanced nanocomposites.
Fulltext Effect of Starch Loading on the Thermo-Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Polyurethane Composites

Gaaz TS, Sulong AB, Ansari MNM, Kadhum AAH, Al-Amiery AA, Nassir MH

Materials (Basel), 2017 Jul 10;10(7).
PMID: 28773134 DOI: 10.3390/ma10070777

The advancements in material science and technology have made polyurethane (PU) one of the most important renewable polymers. Enhancing the physio-chemical and mechanical properties of PU has become the theme of this and many other studies. One of these enhancements was carried out by adding starch to PU to form new renewable materials called polyurethane-starch composites (PUS). In this study, PUS composites are prepared by adding starch at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.% to a PU matrix. The mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of PU and PUS composites were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of PU and PUS fractured surfaces show cracks and agglomeration in PUS at 1.5 wt.% starch. The thermo-mechanical properties of the PUS composites were improved as starch content increased to 1.5 wt.% and declined by more starch loading. Despite this reduction, the mechanical properties were still better than that of neat PU. The mechanical strength increased as starch content increased to 1.5 wt.%. The tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of the PUS composites were found to be 9.62 MPa, 126.04 MPa, and 12.87 × 10(-3) J/mm², respectively, at 1.5 wt.% starch. Thermal studies showed that the thermal stability and crystallization temperature of the PUS composites increased compared to that of PU. The loss modulus curves showed that neat PU crystallizes at 124 °C and at 127 °C for PUS-0.5 wt.% and rises with increasing loading from 0.5 to 2 wt.%.
The effect of high UV radiation exposure environment on the novel PVC polymers

Yousif E, Ahmed DS, Ahmed AA, Hameed AS, Muhamed SH, Yusop RM, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Apr;26(10):9945-9954.
PMID: 30739295 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04323-x

Although plastic induces environmental damages, almost the consumption of poly(vinyl chloride) never stops increasing. Therefore, this work abstracted by two parts, first, synthesis of Schiff bases 1-4 compounds through the reaction of amino group with appropriate aromatic aldehyde, reaction of PVC with Schiff bases compounds 1-4 in THF to form a new modified PVC-1, PVC-2, PVC-3, and PVC-4. The structures of Schiff bases 1-4 and the modified PVC-1, PVC-2, PVC-3, and PVC-4 have been characterized by different spectroscopic analyses. Second, the influence of introducing 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole as a pendent groups into PVC chain investigated on photostability rules of tests. The modified polymers photostability investigated by observing indices (ICO, Ipo, and IOH), weight loss, UV and morphological studies, and all results obtained indicated that PVC-1, PVC-2, PVC-3 and PVC-4 gave lower growth rate of ICO, IPO, and IOH through UV exposure time. The photostability are given as PVC-4
Fulltext Heat stress modifies the lactational performances and the urinary metabolomic profile related to gastrointestinal microbiota of dairy goats

Contreras-Jodar A, Nayan NH, Hamzaoui S, Caja G, Salama AAK

PLoS One, 2019;14(2):e0202457.
PMID: 30735497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202457

The aim of the study is to identify the candidate biomarkers of heat stress (HS) in the urine of lactating dairy goats through the application of proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomic analysis. Dairy does (n = 16) in mid-lactation were submitted to thermal neutral (TN; indoors; 15 to 20°C; 40 to 45% humidity) or HS (climatic chamber; 37°C day, 30°C night; 40% humidity) conditions according to a crossover design (2 periods of 21 days). Thermophysiological traits and lactational performances were recorded and milk composition analyzed during each period. Urine samples were collected at day 15 of each period for 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) assessment with cross validation were used to identify the goat urinary metabolome from the Human Metabolome Data Base. HS increased rectal temperature (1.2°C), respiratory rate (3.5-fold) and water intake (74%), but decreased feed intake (35%) and body weight (5%) of the lactating does. No differences were detected in milk yield, but HS decreased the milk contents of fat (9%), protein (16%) and lactose (5%). Metabolomics allowed separating TN and HS urinary clusters by PLS-DA. Most discriminating metabolites were hippurate and other phenylalanine (Phe) derivative compounds, which increased in HS vs. TN does. The greater excretion of these gut-derived toxic compounds indicated that HS induced a harmful gastrointestinal microbiota overgrowth, which should have sequestered aromatic amino acids for their metabolism and decreased the synthesis of neurotransmitters and thyroid hormones, with a negative impact on milk yield and composition. In conclusion, HS markedly changed the thermophysiological traits and lactational performances of dairy goats, which were translated into their urinary metabolomic profile through the presence of gut-derived toxic compounds. Hippurate and other Phe-derivative compounds are suggested as urinary biomarkers to detect heat-stressed dairy animals in practice.
Fulltext Manufacture of Contact Lens of Nanoparticle-Doped Polymer Complemented with ZEMAX

Shaker LM, Al-Amiery AA, Kadhum AAH, Takriff MS

Nanomaterials (Basel), 2020 Oct 15;10(10).
PMID: 33076278 DOI: 10.3390/nano10102028

Many people suffer from myopia or hyperopia due to the refractive errors of the cornea all over the world. The use of high refractive index (RI), Abbe number (νd), and visible light transmittance (T%) polymeric contact lenses (CLs) holds great promise in vision error treatment as an alternative solution to the irreversible laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been suggested as a good candidate to rise the RI and maintain high transparency of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-TiO2 nanocomposite. This work includes a preparation of TiO2 NPs using the sol gel method as well as a synthesis of pure PMMA by free radical polarization and PMMA-TiO2 CLs using a cast molding method of 0.005 and 0.01 w/v concentrations and a study of their effect on the aberrated human eye. ZEMAX optical design software was used for eye modeling based on the Liou and Brennan eye model and then the pure and doped CLs were applied. Ocular performance was evaluated by modulation transfer function (MTF), spot diagram, and image simulation. The used criteria show that the best vision correction was obtained by the CL of higher doping content (p < 0.0001) and that the generated spherical and chromatic aberrations in the eye had been reduced.
Fulltext Oxygen-Releasing Antibacterial Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abudula T, Gauthaman K, Hammad AH, Joshi Navare K, Alshahrie AA, Bencherif SA, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2020 May 29;12(6).
PMID: 32485817 DOI: 10.3390/polym12061233

Lack of suitable auto/allografts has been delaying surgical interventions for the treatment of numerous disorders and has also caused a serious threat to public health. Tissue engineering could be one of the best alternatives to solve this issue. However, deficiency of oxygen supply in the wounded and implanted engineered tissues, caused by circulatory problems and insufficient angiogenesis, has been a rate-limiting step in translation of tissue-engineered grafts. To address this issue, we designed oxygen-releasing electrospun composite scaffolds, based on a previously developed hybrid polymeric matrix composed of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). By performing ball-milling, we were able to embed a large percent of calcium peroxide (CP) nanoparticles into the PGS/PCL nanofibers able to generate oxygen. The composite scaffold exhibited a smooth fiber structure, while providing sustainable oxygen release for several days to a week, and significantly improved cell metabolic activity due to alleviation of hypoxic environment around primary bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Moreover, the composite scaffolds also showed good antibacterial performance. In conjunction to other improved features, such as degradation behavior, the developed scaffolds are promising biomaterials for various tissue-engineering and wound-healing applications.
Fulltext Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensor Network with an Unequal Clustering Protocol Based on a Balanced Energy Method (EEUCB)

Jasim AA, Idris MYI, Razalli Bin Azzuhri S, Issa NR, Rahman MT, Khyasudeen MFB

Sensors (Basel), 2021 Jan 25;21(3).
PMID: 33503903 DOI: 10.3390/s21030784

A hot spot problem is a problem where cluster nodes near to the base station (BS) tend to drain their energy much faster than other nodes due to the need to perform more communication. Unequal clustering methods such as unequal clustering routing (UDCH) and energy-efficient fuzzy logic for unequal clustering (EEFUC) have been proposed to address this problem. However, these methods only concentrate on utilizing residual energy and the distance of sensor nodes to the base station, while limited attention is given to enhancing the data transmission process. Therefore, this paper proposes an energy-efficient unequal clustering scheme based on a balanced energy method (EEUCB) that utilizes minimum and maximum distance to reduce energy wastage. Apart from that, the proposed EEUCB also utilizes the maximum capacity of node energy and double cluster head technique with a sleep-awake mechanism. Furthermore, EEUCB has devised a clustering rotation strategy based on two sub-phases, namely intra- and inter-clustering techniques, that considers the average energy threshold, average distance threshold, and BS layering node. The performance of the proposed EEUCB protocol is then compared with various prior techniques. From the result, it can be observed that the proposed EEUCB protocol shows lifetime improvements of 57.75%, 19.63%, 14.7%, and 13.06% against low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH), factor-based LEACH FLEACH, EEFUC, and UDCH, respectively.
Fulltext Efficient Catalyst One-Pot Synthesis of 7-(Aryl)-10,10-dimethyl-10,11-dihydrochromeno[4,3-b]chromene-6,8(7H,9H)-dione Derivatives Complemented by Antibacterial Activity

Al-Majedy YK, Al-Amiery AA, Kadhum AA, Mohamad AB

Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:5891703.
PMID: 27563671 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5891703

The problem of bacteria resistance to many known agents has inspired scientists and researchers to discover novel efficient antibacterial drugs. Three rapid, clean, and highly efficient methods were developed for one-pot synthesis of 7-(aryl)-10,10-dimethyl-10,11-dihydrochromeno[4,3-b]chromene-6,8(7H,9H)-dione derivatives. Three components are condensed in the synthesis, 4-hydroxycoumarin, 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, and aromatic aldehydes, using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB), diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAHP), or ferric chloride (FeCl3), respectively. Each method has different reaction mechanisms according to the catalyst. The present methods have advantages, including one-pot synthesis, excellent yields, short reaction times, and easy isolation of product. All catalysts utilized in our study could be reused several times without losing their catalytic efficiency. All synthesized compounds were fully characterized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity.
Fulltext The Impact of Halloysite on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites

Gaaz TS, Sulong AB, Kadhum AAH, Al-Amiery AA, Nassir MH, Jaaz AH

Molecules, 2017 May 20;22(5).
PMID: 28531126 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22050838

Nanotubular clay minerals, composed of aluminosilicate naturally structured in layers known as halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), have a significant reinforcing impact on polymer matrixes. HNTs have broad applications in biomedical applications, the medicine sector, implant alloys with corrosion protection and manipulated transportation of medicines. In polymer engineering, different research studies utilize HNTs that exhibit a beneficial enhancement in the properties of polymer-based nanocomposites. The dispersion of HNTs is improved as a result of pre-treating HNTs with acids. The HNTs' percentage additive up to 7% shows the highest improvement of tensile strength. The degradation of the polymer can be also significantly improved by doping a low percentage of HNTs. Both the mechanical and thermal properties of polymers were remarkably improved when mixed with HNTs. The effects of HNTs on the mechanical and thermal properties of polymers, such as ultimate strength, elastic modulus, impact strength and thermal stability, are emphasized in this study.
Fulltext Knowledge of the Use of Herbal Medicines among Community Pharmacists and Reporting Their Adverse Drug Reactions

Tahir M, Upadhyay DK, Iqbal MZ, Rajan S, Iqbal MS, Albassam AA

J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 10 08;12(4):436-443.
PMID: 33679090 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_263_20

Introduction: Community pharmacist's knowledge about the uses of herbal medicines and its adverse drug reactions reporting can contribute in better therapeutic outcomes and patient safety. Objectives: To evaluate community pharmacists' knowledge about the use of herbal medicines and its adverse drug reactions reporting in Kedah state, Malaysia.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 103 pharmacists from 74 different community pharmacies to assess their knowledge about the use of herbal medicines and its adverse drug reaction reporting by using a pre-validate knowledge questionnaire consisting of 12 questions related to it. The pharmacists' responses were measured at a 3-point Likert scale (Poor=1, Moderate=2, and Good=3) and data was entered in SPSS version 22. The minimum and maximum possible scores for knowledge questionnaires were 12 and 36 respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed by using One Way ANOVA and Paired t-test whereas Chi-square and Fisher exact test were used for qualitative data analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all the analyses.
Results: About 92% of the pharmacist had good knowledge regarding the use of herbal medicines and its adverse drug reaction reporting with a mean knowledge score of 32.88±3.16. One-way ANOVA determined a significant difference of employment setting (p<0.043) and years of experience (<0.008) with mean knowledge scores of Pharmacists. Pharmacists' knowledge was significantly associated with their years of experience with the Chi-square test.
Conclusion: Pharmacists exhibit good knowledge regarding the use of herbal medicines and its adverse drug reaction reporting. However, with an increasing trend of herbal medicine use and its adverse drug reaction reporting it recalls the empowerment of experienced pharmacists with training programs in this area for better clinical outcomes.
Fulltext The Impact of Different Types of Abuse on Depression

Radell ML, Abo Hamza EG, Daghustani WH, Perveen A, Moustafa AA

Depress Res Treat, 2021;2021:6654503.
PMID: 33936814 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6654503

Despite a large amount of research on depression and abuse, there is still a controversy on how abuse is measured and on childhood trauma's effect on the physiological function of adults. Here, we attempt to clarify the relationship between different types of abuse and depression while focusing on childhood abuse. This article, unlike prior research, provides an overview that addresses physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and their psychological impact on the victims. Results show that abuse is a vulnerability factor for a variety of mental and physical health problems and that psychological abuse is strongly associated with depression. More research is needed to understand (a) the role of abuse in the development and maintenance of depression and, in particular, longitudinal studies that also account for the large number of risk and protective factors that influence this relationship and (b) how different types of abuse can influence response to treatment among survivors with depression, in order to provide effective trauma-focused approaches to manage depressive symptoms.
Fulltext Sustainability assurance practices: a systematic review and future research agenda

Hazaea SA, Zhu J, Khatib SFA, Bazhair AH, Elamer AA

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2022 Jan;29(4):4843-4864.
PMID: 34787810 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17359-9

Although firms increasingly publish sustainability reports, assuring such reports is relatively new. This study reviews the literature of sustainability assurance to evaluate the intellectual development of the field and provide recommendations for future studies. It also demonstrates the role of assurance to enhance the credibility of sustainability reports and corporate reputation. This paper systematically reviews 94 papers obtained from the Scopus database between 1993 and August 2021. Our study shows that there is an increase in the number of studies published in recent years. We also found that some countries have received limited attention, such as the USA. The scant literature examining sustainability assurance in private institutions and non-profit organisations should be reinforced. Likewise, the sustainability research also provides limited evidence on the governance debate. The vast majority of research is not based on theoretical grounds. The need for assurance of sustainability reports not only enhances the reputation but also adds more value to the organisation's planning, monitoring, and accountability. We highlight several new research suggestions that may enhance the understanding of sustainability assurance practices.
Fulltext Synthesis and characterization of some new 4-hydroxy-coumarin derivatives

Al-Majedy YK, Kadhum AA, Al-Amiery AA, Mohamad AB

Molecules, 2014 Aug 07;19(8):11791-9.
PMID: 25105917 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190811791

Some novel coumarins were synthesized starting from 4-hydroxycoumarin and methyl bromoacetate. The structures of the newly obtained compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, mass, IR and NMR spectra.
Fulltext Effect of multipath laser shock processing on microhardness, surface roughness, and wear resistance of 2024-T3 Al alloy

Kadhim A, Salim ET, Fayadh SM, Al-Amiery AA, Kadhum AA, Mohamad AB

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:490951.
PMID: 24737973 DOI: 10.1155/2014/490951

Laser shock processing (LSP) is an innovative surface treatment technique with high peak power, short pulse, and cold hardening for strengthening metal materials. LSP is based on the application of a high intensity pulsed laser beam (I > 1 GW/cm(2); t < 50 ns) at the interface between the metallic target and the surrounding medium (a transparent confining material, normally water) forcing a sudden vaporization of the metallic surface into a high temperature and density plasma that immediately develops inducing a shock wave propagating into the material. The shock wave induces plastic deformation and a residual stress distribution in the target material. In this paper we study the increase of microhardness and surface roughness with the increase of laser pulse energy in 2024-T3 Al alloy. The influence of the thickness of the confining layer (water) on microhardness and surface roughness is also studied. In addition, the effect of LSP treatment with best conditions on wear behaviors of the alloy was investigated.
Fulltext High frequency of Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance marker (pfcrt T76 mutation) in Yemen: an urgent need to re-examine malaria drug policy

Al-Mekhlafi AM, Mahdy MA, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Azazy AA, Fong MY

Parasit Vectors, 2011;4:94.
PMID: 21619624 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-94

Malaria remains a significant health problem in Yemen with Plasmodium falciparum being the predominant species which is responsible for 90% of the malaria cases. Despite serious concerns regarding increasing drug resistance, chloroquine is still used for the prevention and treatment of malaria in Yemen. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of choloroquine resistance (CQR) of P. falciparum isolated from Yemen based on the pfcrt T76 mutation.
Fulltext Digital Device Use, Risk of Cognitive Impairment, and Cognition in Healthy Older Adults: The Role of Cognitive Reserve

Liang C, Subramaniam P, Mohd Ridzwan Goh NS, Kok Wai T, Moustafa AA

Healthcare (Basel), 2023 Oct 25;11(21).
PMID: 37957967 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11212822

Neuroprotective factors are essential to successful ageing. As such, digital device use was proposed as an easily accessible and stimulating available cognitive activity to enhance brain function. Nonetheless, there was a lack of studies inspecting the connection between digital device use and cognitive reserve, the risk of cognitive impairment, and cognition. This study aims to investigate the potential mediator and moderator of the association between digital device use, cognitive reserve, the risk of cognitive impairment, and cognition among healthy older adults. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the relationship between digital device use and cognitive reserve, the risk of cognitive impairment, and cognition. A total of 210 healthy older adults were recruited through purposive sampling. The results obtained from this study revealed that there was a significant difference in cognitive reserve and cognition between healthy older adults who use a digital device for communication purpose only and who use a digital device for multiple purposes. A significant relationship was also found between cognitive reserve, the risk of cognitive impairment, and cognition. Although digital device use was found to be significantly associated with cognitive reserve and cognition, it was not significantly associated with the risk of cognitive impairment. Cognitive reserve partially mediated the relationship between digital device use and cognition, supporting the notion that cognitive reserve acts as an underlying mechanism in the relationship between digital device use and cognition. Hence, digital device use was suggested to be a good daily intervention for healthy older adults to build on their cognitive reserve and potentially protect their cognition from declining. Nevertheless, relying on digital device use alone is not sufficient, and other activities should be explored to enhance cognitive reserve among healthy older adults.
Fulltext Corrosion inhibition properties of schiff base derivative against mild steel in HCl environment complemented with DFT investigations

Betti N, Al-Amiery AA, Al-Azzawi WK, Isahak WNRW

Sci Rep, 2023 Jun 02;13(1):8979.
PMID: 37268687 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36064-w

There is growing interest in using corrosion inhibitors and protective treatments to limit the degradation of mild steel, leading to the development of numerous Schiff bases as cutting-edge inhibitors. In this study, the effectiveness of a Schiff base, 3-((5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)imino)indolin-2-one (MTIO), to prevent mild steel corrosion in HCl was investigated using weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, and surface characterization. The experimental results showed that 0.5 mM MTIO exhibited a satisfactory inhibitor efficiency of 96.9% at 303 K. The MTIO molecules physically and chemically adsorbed onto the mild steel surface following the Langmuir model, forming a compact protective film attributed to the presence of a thiazole ring in the MTIO structure. Theoretical calculations were combined with experimental techniques to investigate the anticorrosion performance and mechanism of inhibition.
Fulltext Hepatoprotective effects of Gynura procumbens against thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis in rats: Targeting inflammatory and oxidative stress signalling pathways

Jabbar AAJ, Alamri ZZ, Abdulla MA, Salehen NA, Salim Amur Al Sinawi Z, Alfaifi SM

Heliyon, 2023 Sep;9(9):e19418.
PMID: 37662795 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19418

Gynura procumbens is an edible flowering plant that has been utilized as traditional therapy for numerous diseases. The current experiment investigates the hepatoprotective potentials of the ethanol extract of Gynura procumbens leaf (EEGPL) against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver cirrhosis in rats. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 clusters: A, rats received orally 10% Tween 80 and intraperitoneal (i.p) inoculation of sterile distal water; B, rats received orally10% Tween 80; C, rats received orally daily 50 mg/kg of silymarin, while groups; D and E, rats received orally daily doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of EEGPL, respectively. Furthermore, B-E clusters received 200 mg/kg thioacetamide (i.p) three times a week for 60 days. The liver gross morphology of rats that received only TAA (B) revealed irregular rough surface layers compared to smoother livers of rats that received EEGPL. Histopathology of group B revealed clear hepatic necrosis and fibrous connective tissue, which were significantly reduced in C-E groups. EEGPL treatment caused a significant down-regulation of PCNA and α-SMA protein expressions. Antioxidant (SOD and CAT) enzymes in hepatic homogeneity were meaningfully lower, and MDA levels were significantly higher in TAA controls compared to those of C-E groups. Moreover, EEGPL treatment caused a reduction of TNF-α and IL-6 and increased expression of IL-10 cytokines. Therefore, the hepatoprotective potentials of EEGPL might be contributed to its modulation of detoxification enzymes, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.
Fulltext 3D hydrogel/ bioactive glass scaffolds in bone tissue engineering: Status and future opportunities

Aldhaher A, Shahabipour F, Shaito A, Al-Assaf S, Elnour AAM, Sallam EB, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Jul;9(7):e17050.
PMID: 37483767 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17050

Repairing significant bone defects remains a critical challenge, raising the clinical demand to design novel bone biomaterials that incorporate osteogenic and angiogenic properties to support the regeneration of vascularized bone. Bioactive glass scaffolds can stimulate angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In addition, natural or synthetic polymers exhibit structural similarity with extracellular matrix (ECM) components and have superior biocompatibility and biodegradability. Thus, there is a need to prepare composite scaffolds of hydrogels for vascularized bone, which incorporate to improve the mechanical properties and bioactivity of natural polymers. In addition, those composites' 3-dimensional (3D) form offer regenerative benefits such as direct doping of the scaffold with ions. This review presents a comprehensive discussion of composite scaffolds incorporated with BaG, focusing on their effects on osteo-inductivity and angiogenic properties. Moreover, the adaptation of the ion-doped hydrogel composite scaffold into a 3D scaffold for the generation of vascularized bone tissue is exposed. Finally, we highlight the challenges and future of manufacturing such biomaterials.

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