Synthesis, Characterization and in vitro Anti-Tumoral Evaluation of Erlotinib-PCEC Nanoparticles

Barghi, Leila,Asgari, Davoud,Barar, Jaleh,Nakhlband, Aylar,Valizadeh, Hadi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Background: Development of a nanosized polymeric delivery system for erlotinib was the main objective of this research. Materials and Methods: Poly caprolactone-polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PCEC) copolymers with different compositions were synthesized via ring opening polymerization. Formation of triblock copolymers was confirmed by HNMR as well as FT-IR. Erlotinib loaded nanoparticles were prepared by means of synthesized copolymers with solvent displacement method. Results: Physicochemical properties of obtained polymeric nanoparticles were dependent on composition of used copolymers. Size of particles was decreased with decreasing the PCL/PEG molar ratio in used copolymers. Encapsulation efficiency of prepared formulations was declined by decreasing their particle size. Drug release behavior from the prepared nanoparticles exhibited a sustained pattern without a burst release. From the release profiles, it can be found that erlotinib release rate from polymeric nanoparticles is decreased by increase of CL/PEG molar ratio of prepared block copolymers. Based on MTT assay results, cell growth inhibition of erlotinib has a dose and time dependent pattern. After 72 hours of exposure, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of erlotinib hydrochloride was appeared to be $14.8{\mu}M$. Conclusions: From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the prepared PCEC nanoparticles in this study might have the potential to be considered as delivery system for erlotinib.

Determining the Prevalence of Retinopathy and Its Related Factors among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Kerman, Iran

Reza Valizadeh,Mahmood Moosazadeh,Kambiz Bahaadini,Leila Vali,Tahereh Lashkari,Mohammadreza Amiresmaili 질병관리본부 2016 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.7 No.5

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of retinopathy and its associated factors in diabetic patients referred to a diabetes center in an Iranian city. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study in which a researcher-made checklist was used to collect the data of patients with type 2 diabetes in 2015. The statistical population consisted of 11,770 health records of diabetic patients registered in a second-level diabetes center. Of the 11,770 health records, 206 records with the most complete data about patients with type 2 diabetes were selected through census method. Chi-square test and logistic regression through SPSS were used for data analysis. Results: In this study, 93/206 diabetic patients (45.1%) had retinopathy. Female sex, age over 60, lower education level, being housewife, family history of having diabetes, longer years of having the disease, and higher level of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were associated with higher risk of retinopathy. However, the association was statistically significant only for the HbA1c level (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, HbA1c level is a predictor of diabetes complications. Therefore, it is necessary for health authorities to improve diabetes management through different strategies to prevent complications to control blood sugar effectively.

Robust siloxane/graphene oxide thin film membranes: Siloxane size adjustment for improved separation performance and flux recovery

Solmaz Valizadeh,Leila Naji,Mohammad Karimi 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.12

Siloxane/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites were synthesized by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate in the presence of GO nanosheets through a sol-gel process. The influence of synthesis parameters on the properties of the siloxane/GO samples was studied and their structural, morphological and physicochemical characteristics were compared using various techniques. Polyether sulfone-supported GO and siloxane/GO thin film membranes were prepared using a pressure-assisted self-assembly method using a dead-end cell, and their separation performance and antifouling ability were evaluated. Siloxane/GOs appeared to have higher interlayer spacing, higher zeta potential and thus higher dispersion stability in aqueous media compared to GO. This gave rise to slower and more uniform sedimentation of the siloxane/GOs during the filtration process and formation of thin film membranes possessing denser and smoother morphology. The porosity, mean pore radius, water contact angle and pure water flux of the prepared membranes were compared. The separation performance of the prepared membranes to remove methylene blue (MB) and penicillin G-procaine (PG-P) from water was evaluated as a function of used GO solution concentration. The antifouling ability of membranes was studied by determining reversible fouling (Rr), irreversible fouling (Rir) resistances and flux recovery ratio (FRR). The siloxane/GO thin film membranes containing larger siloxane network exhibited the highest rejection percentage for MB (~99%) and PG-P (~88%), which were about 40% and 90% higher than that achieved for GO thin film membranes, while the water flux remained as high as 78.1 l·m2h1. Furthermore, these membranes exhibited the highest chlorine resistance, stability under ultrasonication, FRR (89%) and Rr (57%) values, implying higher chemical and mechanical stability, flux recovery capacity and antifouling ability.

Emotional Labour of Caring for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients: Iranian Nurses’ Experiences

Vahid Zamanzadeh,Leila Valizadeh,Leila Sayadi,Fariba Taleghani,Fuchsia Howard,Alireza Jeddian 한국간호과학회 2013 Asian Nursing Research Vol.7 No.2

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the emotional labour experienced by nurses who care for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients in Iran. Methods: Eighteen nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis methods. Results: Three main categories described the emotional labour involved, namely, emotional intimacy, feeling overwhelmed with the sadness and suffering, and changing self. Nurses had compassion for their patients, contributing to a close nurse-patient relationship. The nurses’ emotional labour resulted in their feeling overwhelmed with sadness and suffering. Five subcategories described this emotional toll: (a) witnessing suffering, (b) struggling mentally, (c) hurting emotionally, (d) feeling drained of energy, and (e) escaping grief. Dealing with death and dying on an ongoing basis promoted the nurses’ changing self. Conclusion: Iranian nurses who care for HSCT patients experience a range of positive and negative emotions. Establishing appropriate support systems for nurses might help mediate the negative aspects of emotional labour. thereby improving nursing work life and ultimately the quality of patient care. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the emotional labour experienced by nurses who care for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients in Iran. Methods: Eighteen nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis methods. Results: Three main categories described the emotional labour involved, namely, emotional intimacy, feeling overwhelmed with the sadness and suffering, and changing self. Nurses had compassion for their patients, contributing to a close nurse-patient relationship. The nurses’ emotional labour resulted in their feeling overwhelmed with sadness and suffering. Five subcategories described this emotional toll: (a) witnessing suffering, (b) struggling mentally, (c) hurting emotionally, (d) feeling drained of energy, and (e) escaping grief. Dealing with death and dying on an ongoing basis promoted the nurses’ changing self. Conclusion: Iranian nurses who care for HSCT patients experience a range of positive and negative emotions. Establishing appropriate support systems for nurses might help mediate the negative aspects of emotional labour. thereby improving nursing work life and ultimately the quality of patient care.