Background and Aims: Disc displacement is the most common temporomandibular joint disorder and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard in its diagnosis. This disorder can lead to changes in signal intensity of Magnetic resonance (MR). The purpose of this study was evaluation of correlation between relative signal intensity of MR images of retrodiscal tissue, superior and inferior head of lateral ptrygoid muscle with type of anterior disk displacement and condylar head flattening in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD).Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 31 MR images of patients who had anterior disc displacement were evaluated. After relative signal intensity measurement for retrodiscal tissue, superior and inferior head of lateral ptrygoid muscle, the correlation between relative signal intensity and type of anterior disc displacement was evaluated with repeated measure ANOVA test. In each of these 3 areas, t-test was used to compare the groups with and without condylar head flattening.Results: The correlation between relative signal intensity of MR images and type of anterior disc displacement in retrodiscal tissue, superior and inferior head of lateral ptrygoid muscle was not significant. There was also no statistically significant correlation between relative signal intensity of MR images and flattening of condylar head in retrodiscal tissue, superior and inferior head of lateral ptrygoid muscle (P>0.05).Conclusion: According to findings of this study, relative signal intensity of MR images in retrodiscal tissue, superior and inferior head of ptrygoid muscle is not a good predictor for type of anterior disc displacement and flattening of condylar head. It seems that this cannot be used as a diagnostic marker for TMD progression.

Alpha-1antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency, an inherited disorder, has been shown to be the cause of lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One of the treatment strategies to provide appropriate and adequate concentrations of A1AT in the lungsis the application of nanoparticles (NPs) in pulmonary drug delivery. In the current study, biocompatible nanohydrogels were prepared using chemically cross-linked chitosan with ginepin, a natural cross linker reagent, and used as a carrier to deposit A1AT into the lung tissue. Colloidal and monodispersed NPs were synthesized through reverse microemulsion. Nanohydrogels were characterized with TEM, LLS, FTIR, ZTEA potential, UV spectrum, and swelling test. Encapsulation efficacy was determined at different concentrations of A1AT using Bradford assay. Effect of processing variables such as pH, loading efficiency, and release media components on drug release profile was determined in simulated lung fluids. To evaluate the inhibitory activity of the A1AT after release from NPs, trypsin inhibitory capacity assay was carried out. Results from FTIR and UV spectrum confirmed the development of chitosan cross linkage. Spherical chitosan-genipin NPs were sized from 30-100 nm . NPs exhibited the ability to release 49% of the drug within 12-dayperiodatpH 7. However, there were variations with the drug release profile due to pH variations and loading efficacy. Drug release was higher in pseudo alveolar fluid in comparison with saline solution. These data indicate that application of chitosan nanohydrogels can be a useful tool for sustained release of A1AT in the lung tissue.

Basil seed with mucilage shell contains carbohydrates (BSG) which can be extracted to produce natural hydrogel compatible with the human body. In this study, a Magnetic natural hydrogel was synthesized by copolymerization between the double bonds of vinyl-modified Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles, methacrylic acid (MA) as a monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker monomer, and vinylated BSG through free radical addition polymerization for delivery of naproxen (NPX) as a model drug. The product of each reaction step was identified by FTIR technique and the morphology of nanoparticles and Magnetic nano-hydrogels was investigated using the SEM technique. SEM image analysis of dry Magnetic hydrogels shows the existence of a porous structure with pore size in the range of 100–, 300 nm. The porosity of the hydrogels used in drug delivery systems can be useful in producing a large surface area, enhancing water absorption, and facilitating drug release. The swelling behavior of nano-hydrogels, a significant feature for drug delivery systems, was investigated at different pHs in buffer solutions. Also, drug loading and delivery experiments were performed by monitoring the concentration of loaded and released NPX by absorption at 245 nm on a UV–, Vis spectrophotometer. The cumulative release behavior of hydrogels was investigated and the in vitro NPX release was achieved in the range of 98% at pH 7. 4 after 24 h.

Research Subject: Superabsorbent hydrogel is a three-dimensional hydrophilic polymer that can absorb and store large amounts of water and aqueous solutions. Among various polymers, the chitosan as a biodegradable and non-toxic polymer has been widely used to fabricate superabsorbent hydrogels. In this research, a nanohydrogel composed of chitosan, acrylic acid as water absorbent with/without silver nanoparticles was synthesized by radical polymerization and the hydrogels coated on paper surfaces. Then the hydrogels and its coated papers water uptakes were measured. Research Approach: Swelling properties of chitosan/Nano silver/ acrylic acid hydrogel were studied and then this hydrogel was treated under ultra-sonication. Finally, this hydrogel was coated on paper samples with 1. 5, 1, 0 and 2 w % of hydrogels. FTIR spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups and dynamic light scattering method (DLS) was applied to identify the size of hydrogel’ s nano and micro particles Main Results: The images of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a hydrogel coating layer on paper and water uptake tests revealed that adding 1. 5 w% of nano hydrogels to the paper surface increased its water absorption from to %95. 5 compared to the blank (%64. 3). Particles with dimension of 100-50 nm were observed in DLS monographs and FTIR spectra approved the functional groups in hydrogels. Other worthwhile fact was that that the addition of silver nanoparticles effectively facilitated the formation of a threedimensional hydrogel structure and increased the water swelling in nanohydrogel from 130 ± 10 g / g to 232 ± 7 g / g.

Background and Aim: Lesions of the skin can impair its vital function to protect humans against external pathogens. Therefore, producing a suitable wound dressing to repair injuries is always one of the challenges of researchers. The present study aims to Synthesize a hydrogel film for wound dressing applications. Methods: In this research, a hydrogel film of polyvinyl alcohol / hyaluronic acid / nano zinc oxide was fabricated for application as a wound dressing. For this purpose, three films with different percentages were prepared using the solvent casting method. The synthesized samples were characterized using FTIR, SEM, XRD, and tensile tests. Results: Evaluation of the morphology of the samples showed that the increase of zinc oxide nanoparticles led to porosity and growth of their size in the films. It was also characterized that the percentage of film elongation increased with increasing nanoparticles of zinc oxide and hyaluronic acid. The elongation percentage from the lowest amount of nano zinc oxide to the maximum (5, 10 and 15% of weight was 159%, 166%, and 230%, respectively. The MTT study indicated the cell viability above 80% in all three films. Conclusion: A film containing 15% zinc oxide can be a suitable option for using in tissue engineering and wound dressing.