Poly (lactide‑co‑glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) are biodegradable carriers that participate in the transport of neuroprotective drugs across the blood brain barrier (BBB). Targeted brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) delivery across the BBB could provide neuroprotection in brain injury. We tested the neuroprotective effect of PLGA nanoparticle‑bound BDNF in a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model of ischemia in rats. Sprague‑Dawley rats were subjected to pMCAO. Four hours after pMCAO, two groups were intravenously treated with BDNF and NP‑BDNF, respectively. Functional outcome was assessed at 2 and 24 h after pMCAO, using the modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) and rotarod performance tests. Following functional assessments, rats were euthanized blood was taken to assess levels of the neurobiomarkers neuron‑specific enolase and S100 calcium‑binding protein β (S100β), and the brain was evaluated to measure the infarct volume. The NP‑BDNF‑treated group showed significant improvement in mNSS compared with pMCAO and BDNF‑treated groups and showed improved rotarod performance. The infarct volume in rats treated with NP‑BDNFs was also significantly smaller. These results were further corroborated by correlating differences in estimated NSE and S100β. NP‑BDNFs exhibit a significant neuroprotective effect in the pMCAO model of ischemia in rats.
Polymer blends have attracted significant research interest due to their potential use as power cable insulating materials. Specifically, polypropylene (PP) blends offer improved dielectric properties over conventional crosslinked polyethylene insulating materials attributable to PP's high melting temperatures, hence high rated voltages. Despite numerous promising findings have been reported regarding the potential application of PP blends as power cable insulating materials, there have been relatively less investigations into the dielectric effects of incorporating nanofillers into PP blends. The current work therefore explores the influence of calcined magnesia (MgO) nanofiller on the structure and dielectric properties of PP blended with ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC). Nanofiller-wise, calcination of MgO does not significantly affect the structure of MgO, albeit that water-related molecules are removed from MgO. Upon adding the calcined MgO to the PP/EOC blend, the breakdown performance of the PP/EOC/MgO blend nanocomposites becomes jeopardized, especially under the direct current field. This is primarily attributed to the presence of residue water molecules within the PP/EOC/MgO blend nanocomposites, even after MgO calcination. Although the addition of the calcined MgO to the PP blend does not result in favorable dielectric properties, the findings suggest that nanostructuration of PP blends could be further explored to pave the way for the development of nanostructured PP blends for use in advanced power cable insulation applications.