Hydrophilic nanofibrous structure of polylactide; fabrication and cell affinity

Bhattarai, Shanta Raj,Bhattarai, Narayan,Viswanathamurthi, Periasamy,Yi, Ho Keun,Hwang, Pyoung Han,Kim, Hak Yong Wiley Publishers 2006 Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Vol. No.

<P>Microstructure and architecture of the scaffolds along with the surface chemistry exert profound effect on biological activity (cell distribution, proliferation, and differentiation). For the biological activity, scaffolds in tissue engineering have been widely designed. The objective of this study was to develop hydrophilic nanofibrous structure of polylactides (PLLA) polymer in the form of nonwoven mat by electrospinning technique, and further evaluate the fibroblast NIH3T3 cell proliferation, morphology, and cell–matrix interaction. Hydrophilicity of the PLLA fibers was improved by adding small fraction of low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) into the electrospinning solution. Four different ratio types (100/0, 80/20, 70/30, and 50/50) of PLLA/PEG electrospun matrices were fabricated, and the pore characteristics, tensile properties, contact angle, and hydrolytic degradation were observed. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fluorescence actin staining images were used for micro-observation of cell–matrix interaction and cell morphology. It was found that the electrospun mat of PLLA/PEG (80/20), composed of fibers with diameters in the range 540–850 nm, majority of pore diameter less than 100 μm, tensile strength 8 MPa, elongation 150%, porosity more than 90%, and improved hydrophilicity with slow hydrolytic degradation, is favorable for biological activity of NIH3T3 fibroblast cell. Based on these results, the correct composition of PLLA and PEG in the porous electrospun matrix (i.e., PLLA/PEG (80/20)) will be a better candidate rather than other compositions of PLLA/PEG as well as hydrophobic PLLA for application in tissue engineering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006</P>

Amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol), enhancement of gene expression and inhibition of lung metastasis by aerosol delivery

Bhattarai, S R,Kim, S Y,Jang, K Y,Yi, H K,Lee, Y H,Bhattarai, N,Nam, S-Y,Lee, D Y,Kim, H Y,Hwang, P H Nature Publishing Group 2007 Gene Therapy Vol.14 No.6

<P>We describe the development of an aerosol system for topical gene delivery to the lungs of C57BL/6 mice. This system is based on the combination of the commercial cationic lipid Lipofectin with a novel amphiphilic triblock copolymer, poly(p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PPDO/PLLA-b-PEG, and abbreviated in the text as polymeric micelles). After optimizing conditions for DNA delivery to the lungs of mice using the combination of polymeric micelles with Lipofectin and LacZ DNA, we used the Lipofectin/polymeric micelle system to deliver the tumor suppressor gene PTEN to the lungs of C57BL/6 mice bearing the B16-F10 melanoma. Lipofectin/PTEN/polymeric micelles significantly improved gene expression of PTEN in the lungs of mice with no evidence of cell toxicity or acute inflammation. Importantly, lung metastasis, as measured by lung weight, was significantly reduced (P<0.001), as were total tumor foci in the lungs (P<0.001) and size of individual tumor nodules in animals treated with Lipofectin/PTEN/polymeric micelles compared with control animals. Survival time was also extended. These results suggest that the Lipofectin/polymeric micelle system is appropriate for enhancing gene delivery in vivo and that it can be applied as a non-invasive gene therapy for lung cancer.</P>

Effect of long term high altitude exposure on cardiovascular autonomic adjustment during rest and post-exercise recovery

Prem Bhattarai,Bishnu H. Paudel,Dilip Thakur,Balkrishna Bhattarai,Bijay Subedi,Rita Khadka 대한직업환경의학회 2018 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.30 No.-

Background: Despite the successful adaptation to high altitude, some differences do occur due to long term exposure to the hypoxic environment. The effect of long term high altitude exposure on cardiac autonomic adjustment during basal and post-exercise recovery is less known. Thus we aimed to study the differences in basal cardiac autonomic adjustment and its response to exercise in highlanders and to compare it with lowlanders. Methods: The study was conducted on 29 healthy highlander males who were born and brought up at altitude of 3000 m and above from the sea level, their cardiac autonomic adjustment was compared with age, sex, physical activity and ethnicity-matched 29 healthy lowlanders using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) during rest and recovery from sub-maximal exercise (3 m step test). Intergroup comparison between the highlanders and lowlanders and intragroup comparison between the rest and the postexercise recovery conditions were done. Results: Resting heart rate and HRV during rest was comparable between the groups. However, heart rate recovery after 3 min step test was faster in highlanders (p 〈 0.05) along with significantly higher LF power and total power during the recovery phase. Intragroup comparison of highlanders showed higher SDNN (p 〈 0.05) and lower LF/HF ratio (p〈 0.05) during recovery phase compared to rest which was not significantly different in two phases in lowlanders. Further highlander showed complete recovery of RMSSD, NN50, pNN50 and HF power back to resting level within five minutes, whereas, these parameters failed to return back to resting level in lowlanders within the same time frame. Conclusion: Highlanders completely recovered back to their resting state within five minutes from cessation of step test with parasympathetic reactivation; however, recovery in lowlanders was delayed.

Antihyperglycemic Effects of Methylenedisalicylic Acid

Bhattarai, Bharat Raj,Lee, Keun-Hyeung,Cho, Hyeong-Jin Korean Chemical Society 2009 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.30 No.12

Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Copolymers Derived from p-dioxanone, L-lactide and Poly(ethylene glycol)

Bhattarai Narayan,Khil Myung Seob,Oh Seung Jin,Kim Hak Yong,Kim Kwan Woo The Korean Fiber Society 2004 Fibers and polymers Vol.5 No.4

The kinetic parameters, including the activation energy E, the reaction order n, and the pre-exponential factor Z, of the degradation of the copolymers based on the poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) or poly(p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide) (PDO/PLLA) and diol-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments have been evaluated by the single heating methods of Friedman and Freeman-Carroll. The experimental results showed that copolymers exhibited two degradation steps under nitrogen that can be ascribed to PLLA or PDO/PLLA and PEG segments, respectively. However, copolymers exhibited almost single degradation step in air. Although the values of initial decomposition temperature were scattered, copolymers showed the lower maximum weight loss rate and degradation-activation energy in air than in nitrogen whereas the higher value of temperature at the maximum rate of weight loss was observed in air.

Inhibition of IκB Kinase β (IKKβ) and Anti-diabetic Effect of SA51

Bhattarai, Bharat Raj,Kafle, Bhooshan,Hwang, Ji-Sun,Han, Inn-Oc,Cho, Hyeongjin Korean Chemical Society 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.8

SA51, a medium potency inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), was identified to be a potent inhibitor of $I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\beta}$ ($IKK{\beta}$). Consistent with this, SA51 prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced breakdown of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in macrophages. The effects of SA51 in mice were compared with those of structurally related compounds, SA18 and SA32, which were previously reported as inhibitors of both enzymes - less potent against $IKK{\beta}$ but more potent against PTP1B compared to SA51. SA51 improved glucose tolerance and lipid parameters in mice, consistent with the results reported for $IKK{\beta}^{+/-}$ mice. In contrast, SA18 and SA32 showed anti-obesity effects without anti-diabetic effects. Collectively, the effects of SA51 could be due largely to the inhibition of $IKK{\beta}$, whereas SA18 and SA32 may be more likely to inhibit PTP1B, consistent with their relative in vitro inhibitory effects.

Serotonin acts through 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors to exert biphasic actions on GnRH neuron excitability in the mouse.

Bhattarai, Janardhan P,Roa, Juan,Herbison, Allan E,Han, Seong Kyu The Endocrine Society 2014 Endocrinology Vol.155 No.2

<P>The effect of serotonin (5-HT) on the electrical excitability of GnRH neurons was examined using gramicidin perforated-patch electrophysiology in transgenic GnRH-green fluorescent protein mice. In diestrous female, the predominant effect of 5-HT was inhibition (70%) with 50% of these cells also exhibiting a late-onset excitation. Responses were dose dependent (EC(50) = 1.2μM) and persisted in the presence of amino acid receptor antagonists and tetrodotoxin, indicating a predominant postsynaptic action of 5-HT. Studies in neonatal, juvenile, peripubertal, and adult mice revealed that 5-HT exerted less potent responses from GnRH neurons with advancing postnatal age in both sexes. In adult male mice, 5-HT exerted less potent hyperpolarizing responses with more excitations compared with females. In addition, adult proestrous female GnRH neurons exhibited reduced inhibition and a complete absence of biphasic hyperpolarization-excitation responses. Studies using 5-HT receptor antagonists demonstrated that the activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors mediated the inhibitory responses, whereas the excitation was mediated by the activation of 5-HT(2A) receptors. The 5-HT-mediated hyperpolarization involved both potassium channels and adenylate cyclase activation, whereas the 5-HT excitation was dependent on protein kinase C. The effects of exogenous 5-HT were replicated using fluoxetine, which enhances endogenous 5-HT levels. These studies demonstrate that 5-HT exerts a biphasic action on most GnRH neurons whereby a fast 5HT(1A)-mediated inhibition occurs alongside a slow 5-HT(2A) excitation. The balance of 5-HT-evoked inhibition vs excitation is developmentally regulated, sexually differentiated, and variable across the estrous cycle and may play a role in regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis throughout postnatal development.</P>

Microwave Drying of Sawdust for Pellet Production: Kinetic Study under Batch Mode

Bhattarai, Sujala,Oh, Jae-Heun,Choi, Yun Sung,Oh, Kwang Cheol,Euh, Seung Hee,Kim, Dae Hyun Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2012 바이오시스템공학 Vol.37 No.6

Purpose: Drying characteristics of sawdust was studied under batch mode using lab scale microwave dryer. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of material load and microwave output power on drying characteristics of sawdust. Methods: Material load and microwave output power were varied from 23 to 186 g and 530 to 370 W respectively. Different kinetic models were tested to fit the drying rates of sawdust. Similarly, the activation energy was calculated by employing the Arrhenius equation. Results: The drying efficiency increased considerably, whereas the specific energy consumption significantly decreased with increase in material load and microwave output power. The cumulative energy efficiency increased by 9%, and the specific energy consumption decreased by 8% when the material load was increased from 23 to 186 g. The effective diffusivity increased with decrease in material load and increase in microwave output power. The previously published model gave the best fit for data points with $R^2$ and RMSE values of 0.999 and 0.01, respectively. Conclusions: The data obtained from this study could be used as a basis for modeling of large scale industrial microwave dryers for the pellet production.

Application of CE-QUAL-W2 [v3.2] to Andong Reservoir: Part I: Simulations of Hydro-thermal Dynamics, Dissolved Oxygen and Density Current

Bhattarai Prasid Ram,김윤희,Heo Woo Myung 한국하천호수학회 2008 생태와 환경 Vol.41 No.2

A two-dimensional (2D) reservoir hydrodynamics and water quality model, CEQUAL- W2, is employed to simulate the hydrothermal behavior and density current regime in Andong Reservoir. Observed data used for model forcing and calibration includes: surface water level, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and suspended solids concentration. The model was calibrated to the year of 2003 and verified with continuous run from 2000 till 2004. Without major adjustments, the model accurately simulated surface water levels including the events of large storm. Deep-water reservoirs, like Andong Reservoir, located in the Asian Monsoon region begin to stratify in summer and overturn in fall. This mixing pattern as well as the descending thermocline, onset and duration of stratification and timing of turnover phenomenon were well reproduced by the Andong Model. The temperature field and distinct thermocline are simulated to within 2 C of observed data. The model performed well in simulating not only the dissolved oxygen profiles but also the metalimnetic dissolved minima phenomenon, a commonly occurring phenomenon in deep reservoirs of temperate regions. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of model calibration for surface water elevation, temperature and dissolved oxygen were 0.0095 m, 1.82 C, and 1.13 mg L-1, respectively. The turbid storm runoff, during the summer monsoon, formed an intermediate layer of about 15 m thickness, moved along the metalimnion until being finally discharged from the dam. This mode of transport of density current, a common characteristic of various other large reservoirs in the Asian summer monsoon region, was well tracked by the model.A two-dimensional (2D) reservoir hydrodynamics and water quality model, CEQUAL- W2, is employed to simulate the hydrothermal behavior and density current regime in Andong Reservoir. Observed data used for model forcing and calibration includes: surface water level, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and suspended solids concentration. The model was calibrated to the year of 2003 and verified with continuous run from 2000 till 2004. Without major adjustments, the model accurately simulated surface water levels including the events of large storm. Deep-water reservoirs, like Andong Reservoir, located in the Asian Monsoon region begin to stratify in summer and overturn in fall. This mixing pattern as well as the descending thermocline, onset and duration of stratification and timing of turnover phenomenon were well reproduced by the Andong Model. The temperature field and distinct thermocline are simulated to within 2 C of observed data. The model performed well in simulating not only the dissolved oxygen profiles but also the metalimnetic dissolved minima phenomenon, a commonly occurring phenomenon in deep reservoirs of temperate regions. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of model calibration for surface water elevation, temperature and dissolved oxygen were 0.0095 m, 1.82 C, and 1.13 mg L-1, respectively. The turbid storm runoff, during the summer monsoon, formed an intermediate layer of about 15 m thickness, moved along the metalimnion until being finally discharged from the dam. This mode of transport of density current, a common characteristic of various other large reservoirs in the Asian summer monsoon region, was well tracked by the model.

Simulation and Model Validation of a Pneumatic Conveying Drying for Wood Dust Particles

Bhattarai, Sujala,Kim, Dae-Hyun,Oh, Jae-Heun Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2012 바이오시스템공학 Vol.37 No.2

Purpose: The simulation model of a pneumatic conveying drying (PCD) for sawdust was developed and verified with the experiments. Method: The thermal behavior and mass transfer of a PCD were modeled and investigated by comparing the experimental results given by a reference (Kamei et al. 1952) to validate the model. Momentum, energy and mass balance, one dimensional first order ordinary differential equations, were coded and solved into Matlab V. 7.1.0 (2009). Results: The simulation results showed that the moisture content reduced from 194% to 40% (dry basis), air temperature decreased from $512^{\circ}C$ to $128^{\circ}C$ with the particle residence time of 0.7 seconds. The statistical indicators, root mean square error and R-squared, were calculated to be 0.079, and 0.998, respectively, between the measured and predicted values of moisture content. The relative error between the measured and predicted values of the final pressured drop, air temperature, and air velocity were only 8.96%, 0.39% and 1.05% respectively. Conclusions: The predicted moisture content, final temperature, and pressure drop values were in good agreement with the experimental results. The developed model can be used for design and estimation of PCD system for drying of wood dust particles.