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The effect of Berhi date extract on the ultrastructure of Candida albicans was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Exposure of yeast to 5% (w/v) date extract showed evidence of weakening in the cell wall with indications of cell distortion and partial collapse in some cases as seen by scanning electron microscopy. Increasing the concentration of date extract (20%, w/v) led to more drastic damage to the yeast with cell lysis and concurrent leakage of cytoplasmic material with eventual cell death. Ultrastructural investigation showed irregular shapes of cells treated with date extract, with prominent effects on cell wall layers. Cell membranes lost their integrity, aggregation of the cytoplasmic contents and large detachment of plasmalemma from cell wall was observed in the treated cells. These results suggest that date extract may have multiple effects on Candida with an increasing potential of using it for prophylaxis purposes.

Short Mph-GNR show high brain accumulation percentage, while long GNR show low brain accumulation and high delivery into other organs.

Human platelet lysate (hPL) has been considered as the preferred supplement for the xeno-free stem cell culture for many years. However, the biological effect of hPL on the proliferation and differentiation of dental stem cells combined with the use of medical grade synthetic biomaterial is still under investigation. Thus, the optimal scaffold composition, cell type and specific growth conditions, yet need to be formulated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the regenerative potential of dental stem cells seeded on synthetic scaffolds and maintained in osteogenic media supplemented with either hPL or xeno-derived fetal bovine serum (FBS). Two types of dental stem cells were isolated from human impacted third molars and intact teeth; stem cells of apical papilla (SCAP) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Cells were expanded in cell culture media supplemented with either hPL or FBS. Consequently, proliferative capacity, immunophenotypic characteristics and multilineage differentiation potential of the derived cells were evaluated on monolayer culture (2D) and on synthetic scaffolds fabricated from poly ’lactic-co-glycolic’ acid (PLGA) (3D). The functionality of the induced cells was examined by measuring the concentration of osteogenic markers ALP, OCN and OPN at different time points. Our results indicate that the isolated dental stem cells showed similar mesenchymal characteristics when cultured on hPL or FBS-containing culture media. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and H&E staining revealed the proper adherence of the derived cells on the 3D scaffold cultures. Moreover, the increase in the concentration of osteogenic markers proved that hPL was able to produce functional osteoblasts in both culture conditions (2D and 3D), in a way similar to FBS culture. These results reveal that hPL provides a suitable substitute to the animal-derived serum, for the growth and functionality of both SCAP and PDLSCs. Thus the use of hPL, in combination with PLGA scaffolds, can be useful in future clinical trials for dental regeneration.

Objectives:To study any possible correlation between blood lead levels and some oxidative stress parameters of selected groups of lead-exposed automobile occupational Jordanian workers. Material and Methods: Blood lead levels were determined for a total of 90 male automobile workers aged within the range of 25-45 years old along with the group of 20 agematched healthy males control. To get an idea about the antioxidant status of controls and lead-exposed workers, and to estimate the oxidative stress caused by exposure to lead, we measured the hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity of controls and workers. Results: The study showed that lead levels in the case of workers were approximately 4-5 times as high as in controls 14.5-21 μg×dl -1 vs. 4.3 μg×dl -1, respectively. There was a significant decrease (16-25%) in the level of plasma reduced glutathione and 21-33% decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in all worker groups, as compared to controls. The results showed that the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma was higher (120-333%) in the case of workers than controls being the highest in automobile electronics and the lowest -in mechanics. Furthermore, there was 149-221% increase in hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) concentration, and 26-38% increase in SOD activity in the case of workers compared to the control group. Conclusions: There is a strong evidence for the associations between occupational lead exposure and various markers of oxidative stress in Jordanian automobile occupational workers. Thus, there is an urgent need to raise awareness and to initiate suitable protection guidelines for workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(4):517 -525

The influence of inhibitors of respiration (KCN), glycolysis (2-deoxy-D-glucose alone or in combination with monoiodo-acetate) and anaerobic conditions (N2 or 95% N2 + 5% CO2), as well as the effect of application of appropriate substrates (D-glucose, sodium acetate, alpha-ketoglutarate and pyruvate) on contraction behavior (of plasmodia) of Physarum polycephalum was investigated under low intensity red-light illumination. Application of inhibitors of respiration or glycolysis leads to significantly different periods of the force oscillations (2.0 +/- 0.4 min and 4.1 +/- 0.5 min, in the presence of inhibitors of glycolysis and respiration, respectively). In both cases, the force amplitude of oscillations is diminished in comparison to undisturbed energy production. The persistence of oscillations in the presence of inhibitors of glycolysis seems to rule out an exclusively glycolytic origin of the force oscillations. A continuous production of ATP is necessary since a blockade of the energy production causes a cessation of the oscillations. Application of substrates for respiration in the presence of inhibitors of glycolysis leads to an increase in the force amplitude and a slight prolongation of the oscillation period. In contrast, an application of glucose in the presence of a respiration inhibitor has no effect on the force amplitude and period.

Background and aims: Smoking posse’s serious health problems because there is no specific substance alleviate its toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effective plant extract containing antioxidants(turmeric and cocoa), that may reduce the cytotoxicity induced by secondhand exposure of cigarettes and waterpipe smoking. Material and Methods: Seventy-two adult male albino rats were equally divided into 9 group (n=8 per group). Extracts were delivered to each group intraperitoneal, and the exposure to cigarette and waterpipe smoking was performed using a smoking machine for a period of 30 days. After the exposure period, tissues of interest (liver and small intestine) were removed and processed for transmission electron microscopy. Results: Oral treatment of turmeric and cocoa extract with smoking exposure showed less vacuolization and better cellular architecture with regular nuclear envelope of hepatocytes, reduce or absence of blebbing, retain the normal shape and size of mitochondria, increase the proportion of euchromatic chromatin in nuclei,but turmeric extract showed better enhancement in term of reducing vacuolization. turmeric or cocoa crude extract preserve the typical length of microvilli with a uniform organization from the apical part of enterocytes and decreased vacuolization in the cytosol of enterocytes. However, mitochondria appeared less polymorphic in shapes with distinct cristae and matrix in enterocytes of the turmeric treated group than the cocoa once. Conclusion: Tobacco smoking-induced adverse effects on hepatocytes and enterocytes, this study showed that treatment with turmeric and cocoa attenuatethe toxicity of tobacco smoking.

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