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The objective of this study was to explore the applicability of biocompatible quince seed mucilage hydrogel as a promising material for drug delivery systems. In this investigation, the hydrogel was synthesized through the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and allyl polyvinyl alcohol onto quince seed mucilage in an aqueous solution under an argon atmosphere. Characterization of the synthesized hydrogel was performed using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Subsequently, the developed hydrogel served as a carrier for ceftriaxone antibiotic release in both distilled water and a buffer solution with a pH of 7.4. The results demonstrated an impressive encapsulation efficiency of 96.1% for ceftriaxone within the hydrogel matrix. Additionally, the adsorption properties of ceftriaxone onto the proposed hydrogel structures (I, II, and III) were theoretically investigated in the aqueous phase using Monte Carlo adsorption locator calculations in Materials Studio2017. Our findings revealed strong adsorption on structure (III) compared to structures (I and II), with respective theoretical energies of −2.836 kcal/mol, −2.840 kcal/mol, and −2.127 kcal/mol. Therefore, the proposed hydrogel structure (III) emerges as a promising candidate for drug delivery applications, emphasizing its potential as an efficient carrier system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oral antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of green synthesized novel titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) using Iranian propolis extracts were investigated on oral bacteria and fibroblast cells. In this study, propolis was sampled, and alcoholic extracts were prepared. The TiO2 NPs were biosynthesized using propolis extracts. The synthesized TiO2 NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction analysis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), transmission electron microscope, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and zeta potential. MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), minimal inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration, biofilm formation, and degradation tests were studied to clarify the oral antimicrobial properties of green synthesized TiO2 NPs. According to the FTIR analysis, the propolis extract contained flavonoids and phenolic compounds in addition to TiO2 NPs. Additionally, UV‐Vis revealed that intense bands had formed NPs. EDX spectra and SEM images revealed that the stabilizing agent was in perfect quasi‐spherical shapes around 21 nm. An EDX spectrum was used to verify the presence of titanium and oxygen. There were no significant cytotoxicity effects. The antibacterial results showed that Pro1TiO2 (Khalkhal sample) had better effects than Pro2TiO2 (Gilan sample) and TiO2 NPs. The present study presents a new process for synthesizing TiO2 NPs from propolis extracts with less toxic effects and user‐friendly, eco‐friendly, and economical materials. Pro1TiO2 NPs may be considered the best candidate for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An association between heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) antigen with cardiovascular risk factors has been shown previously. Furthermore, higher levels of serum anti-HSP27 antibodies are also related to higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In the current study, we looked at the relationship between serum Hsp27 antibodies and hypertension, as an important cardiovascular risk factor, in individuals without evidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) . Methods: A sub-population of hypertensive patients (HTN+) without underlying CVD were recruited from the Mashhad stroke and atherosclerosis heart disease (MASHAD) study to assess the association between serum Hsp27 antibodies and hypertension; independent of other cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 1599 people were studied of whom 288 individuals had hypertension and 1311 were used as controls (HTN-) . Results: Mean serum Hsp27 antibody titers were 0.20 (0.27) OD in the whole population sample and was not significantly different in the normotensive (HTN-) compared to HTN+ individuals with different degrees of hypertension . Conclusion: There were no significant associations between serum anti-Hsp27 concentrations and either the presence or severity of hypertension. Future studies are warranted to explore the association of anti-Hsp27 antibody and antigen levels and other cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cells are resistant to apoptosis and this is one of the most obvious symptoms of cancer in humans. One of the most exciting strategies for treating cancer is to design regulators that increase cell death and stop cell growth. Members of the BCL‐2 family of proteins play an important role in the regulation of apoptosis. In this study, an attempt was made to improve the performance of one of the anticancer drugs by designing new analogs of venetoclax (VNT). For this purpose, molecular docking studies were performed to determine the best binding state of VNT and its newly designed derivatives at the protein‐binding site to estimate the binding energy. The best analog in terms of free energy was VNT‐12 with the lowest energy (−12.15 kcal/mol). Finally, to investigate the inhibitory effect of the compounds on BCL‐2 protein, molecular dynamics simulation was used, and by performing the relevant analyses during the simulation, it was observed that the newly designed ligand had better performance in inhibiting BCL‐2 protein compared to VNT. Significance statement: This article introduces new derivatives of venetoclax (VNT) and compares their performance. Some of these derivatives have far better performance on the inhibition of BCL‐2 protein than the original drug. After calculating and comparing the free binding energy of these structures, VNT‐12, having a negative binding energy of −12.15 kcal/mol, an inhibitory constant of 1.24 nM, and 15 hydrophobic bonds, was identified as the most stable BCL‐2 protein inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) is the common scale for clinical and functional evaluation of sensorimotor conditions and related Upper Extremity (UE) dysfunction after stroke. This study was done to translate and cross-culturally adjust the original upper extremity FMA (FMA-UE) into Persian and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the translated version. Methods: A procedure of forward/backward translation based on the published guidelines was adopted and two independent bilingual translators performed the translations in each stage. The conceptual and semantic equivalence was obtained through a consensus between experts. Consecutive stroke patients (n=47, male=63%) with a mean age of 61.54±10.9 years were recruited. Content, face, and concurrent validity was calculated using the content validity index, a cognitive interview, and correlation with the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). Internal consistency and intra-rater reliability were determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha and the Intra-Class Correlation coefficient (ICC2.1). Results: During the forward translation and cultural adjustment, some wording changes were performed. In the forward translation, the most challenging clarifications are related to anatomical terms and positions. The total FMA-Persian score demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (a=0.86) and intra-rater reliability (ICC2.1=0.96). Joint passive motion showed the lowest reliability among all domains. The FMA motor subscales showed a floor effect, while sensation, joint passive motion, and pain domains showed ceiling effects. The correlation between the FMA-UE score and the WMFT was 0.78 (P<0.001). Discussion: The FMA-UE translation and adjustment were performed successfully into the Persian language. The results of the current study found FMA-UE as an acceptable, reliable, and valid instrument for evaluating the upper limb function after stroke in Persian-speaking patients. However, it should be noted that floor and ceiling effects are respectively present in the domains of the motor subscales and for sensation, passive motion, and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose SiO2 and SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposites were coated by sol–gel dipping method on carbon steel 178 (178 CS). Nanostructure and phase properties of nanocomposite coating were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared studies. Electrochemical polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were used to study the corrosion behavior of 178 CS that was coated with SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite and SiO2 coating in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution. The results indicated that SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating performed better in terms of corrosion resistance compared with SiO2 coating. The corrosion resistance of SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating could be increased significantly in by approximately three and seven times of that of SiO2 coating and bare 178 CS, respectively.Design/methodology/approach SiO2 and SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposites were coated using sol–gel dipping method on carbon steel 178. Electrochemical polarization and EIS tests have been used to study the corrosion behavior of 178 CS that was coated with SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite and SiO2 coating in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution.Findings Results indicated that SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating performed better in terms of corrosion resistance compared with SiO2 coating. The corrosion resistance of SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating could be increased significantly in by approximately three and seven times of that of SiO2 coating and bare 178 CS, respectively.Originality/value The SiO2-ZrO2 nanocomposite coating film showed significant improvement in corrosion resistance of 178 CS. The highest polarization resistance of the nanocomposite coating film was 10,600 Ω/cm2 from SiO2-0.2 ZrO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]