Formulation and evaluation of cetuximab functionalized phospholipid modified nanocrystals of paclitaxel for non-small cell lung cancer therapy.

Present work aims to prepare Soluplus stabilized, phospholipid-modified, and cetuximab-conjugated paclitaxel nanocrystals (NCs) as stable nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. The NCs, prepared using concurrent antisolvent precipitation cum cold crystallization method followed by probe sonication, were found to be monodispersed particles with sub-200 nm size. The microscopic analysis uncovered rod and spherical anisotropy for Soluplus stabilized (PTX-NCs) and phospholipid modified (Lipid/PTX-NCs) nanocrystals, respectively.

Correlation of surface properties with dissolution behavior of amorphous solid dispersion of Riluzole and its pharmacodynamic evaluation.

Formulation of amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of any poorly water-soluble drug is among the most promising techniques to increase the dissolution profile of drug and hence its bioavailability. Various literatures give evidences of the role of drug-polymer interactions in the ASD systems, very little information is available about the surface properties of the drug molecule and their ASDs which contributes to a higher dissolution profile. Current work focuses on exploring the surface behavior of a poorly water-soluble drug Riluzole (RLZ) and its ASDs prepared with two highly hydrophilic polymers, polyacrylic acid (PAA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate (PVP VA).

In-silico exploration of Attukal Kizhangu L. compounds: Promising candidates for periodontitis treatment.

A medicinal pteridophyte known as Attukal Kizhangu L. has been used to cure patients for centuries by administering plant parts based on conventional and common practices. Regarding its biological functions, significant use and advancement have been made.

Hyaluronic acid-oleylamine and chitosan-oleic acid conjugate-based hybrid nanoparticle delivery via. dissolving microneedles for enhanced treatment efficacy in localized breast cancer.

Microneedle technology offers a minimally invasive treatment strategy to deliver chemotherapeutics to localized tumors. Amalgamating the surface functionalized nanoparticles with microneedle technology can potentially deliver drugs directly to tumors and subsequently target cancer cells via, overexpressed receptors on the cell surface, thereby enhancing the treatment efficacy while reducing side effects. Here, we report cetuximab anchored hyaluronic acid-oleylamine and chitosan-oleic acid-based hybrid nanoparticle (HA-OA/CS-OA NPT)-loaded dissolving microneedles (MN) for targeted delivery of cabazitaxel (CBT) in localized breast cancer tumor.

Lipid-coated nanocrystals of paclitaxel as dry powder for inhalation: Characterization, in-vitro performance, and pharmacokinetic assessment.

Background: Nanocrystals can be produced as a dry powder for inhalation (DPIs) to deliver high doses of drug to the lungs, owing to their high payload and stability to the shear stress of aerosolization force. Furthermore, lipid-coated nanocrystals can be formulated to improve the drug accumulation and retention in lung.

Objective: The present work involved the fabrication of paclitaxel nanocrystals using hydrophilic marine biopolymer fucoidan as a stabilizer.

Biopolymer-based tumor microenvironment-responsive nanomedicine for targeted cancer therapy.

Nanomedicine has opened up new avenues for cancer treatment by enhancing drug solubility, permeability and targeted delivery to cancer cells. Despite its numerous advantages over conventional therapies, nanomedicine may exhibit off-target drug distribution, harming nontarget regions. The increased permeation and retention effect of nanomedicine in tumor sites also has its limitations, as abnormal tumor vasculature, dense stroma structure and altered tumor microenvironment (TME) may result in limited intratumor distribution and therapeutic failure.

Fabrication of gelatin coated polycaprolactone nanofiber scaffolds co-loaded with luliconazole and naringenin for treatment of Candida infected diabetic wounds.

The current study focuses on the development of gelatin-coated polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers co-loaded with luliconazole and naringenin for accelerated healing of infected diabetic wounds. Inherently, PCL nanofibers have excellent biocompatibility and biodegradation profiles but lack bioadhesion characteristics, which limits their use as dressing materials. So, coating them with a biocompatible and hydrophilic material like gelatin can improve bioadhesion.

Formulation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan composite nanofiber co-loaded with silver nanoparticle & luliconazole encapsulated poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticle for treatment of diabetic foot ulcer.

Chronic wounds are prone to fungal infections, possess a significant challenge, and result in substantial mortality. Diabetic wounds infected with Candida strains are extremely common. It can create biofilm at the wound site, which can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Fabrication of dual drug-loaded polycaprolactone-gelatin composite nanofibers for full thickness diabetic wound healing.

Design of moxifloxacin and ornidazole co-loaded polycaprolactone and gelatin nanofiber dressing for diabetic wounds. The composite nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning technique and characterized for drug release, antibacterial activity, laser doppler and wound healing. The optimized nanofiber demonstrated an interconnected bead free nanofiber with average diameter <200 nm.

In Vivo Cancer Microenvironment Responsive Glycan Receptor-Targeted Nanoparticles for Gemcitabine Delivery to Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Lung Cancer Model.

Targeted gemcitabine (GEB) loaded 5-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) assembled chitosan nanoparticles (CA-NPs) were formulated by ionotropic gelation process and evaluated for physicochemical and morphological characterization, in vitro and in vivo studies in A-549 cells and lung cancer mice model, respectively. The mean diameter of GEB-CA-Neu5Ac-NPs determined by dynamic light scattering was 161.16 ± 7.

Development and Evaluation of Amorphous Solid Dispersion of Riluzole with PBPK Model to Simulate the Pharmacokinetic Profile.

In the current work, screening of polymers viz. polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone vinyl acetate (PVP VA), and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMC AS) based on drug-polymer interaction and wetting property was done for the production of a stable amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of a poorly water-soluble drug Riluzole (RLZ). PAA showed maximum interaction and wetting property hence, was selected for further studies.

Dual targeting pH responsive chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced active cellular internalization of gemcitabine in non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer (LC), related with the enhanced expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and sialic acid binding receptors (glycan) brought about the development of EGFR and glycan receptor specific anticancer therapeutics. The current study assessed the formulation, physiochemical characterization, in vitro and in vivo effects of sialic acid (SA) and cetuximab (Cxmab) decorated chitosan nanoparticles (CSN-NPs) loaded with gemcitabine (GMC) targeted to glycan and EGFR over-expressing non-small-cell lung-cancer (NSCLC) A-549 cells. Chitosan (CSN) was conjugated with sialic acid via EDC/NHS chemistry followed by gemcitabine loaded sialic acid conjugated chitosan nanoparticles (GMC-CSN-SA-NPs) were prepared by ionic gelation method decorated with Cxmab by electrostatic interaction.

Status of Government-Funded Radiotherapy Services in Nigeria.

Purpose: Access to radiotherapy (RT) is now one of the stark examples of global cancer inequities. More than 800,000 new cancer cases require potentially curative or palliative RT services in Africa, arguably <15% of these patients currently have access to this important service. For a population of more than 206 million, Nigeria requires a minimum of 280 RT machines for the increasing number of cancer cases.

Study on airway assessment practices for elective procedures during pre-anesthetic evaluation in COVID-19 pandemic- A national online survey (SAFE PAC Survey).

Background And Aims: A pilot study among anesthesiologists, revealed a wide variation among individual practices including skipping pre-anesthetic airway assessment during COVID-19 pandemic because of the fear of getting infected. Risk of infection during pre-anesthetic airway assessment has not been studied. The primary objective of the survey was to evaluate the practices of airway examination by anesthesiologists during this pandemic period.

Penile Paraffinoma.

Penile augmentation with injection of paraffin is a common practice in South East Asia. Penile paraffinoma occurring due to injection of liquid paraffin to enhance the size of the penis is an uncommon condition. Normally, this procedure is carried out by nonmedical personnel, without the prior knowledge or consultation of any urologist.

Predicted equations for ventilatory function among Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia) population.

Spirometry data of 869 individuals (males and females) between the ages of 10 to 60 years were analyzed. The analysis yielded the following conclusions: 1. The pattern of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1) for the selected subgroups seems to be gender dependant: in males, the highest values were seen in the Chinese, followed by the Malay, and then the Dayak; in females, the highest values were seen in the Chinese, followed by the Dayak, and then the Malay.

Self care abilities of patients in a referral hospital of North India.

A descriptive study was undertaken to assess the self-care abilities among the admitted patients at Nehru Hospital, PGIMER Chandigarh during the year 2004. Various self-care abilities studied were regarding feeding, bathing, dressing and toileting. Out of total 650 patients included in the study, 394 (45.

Sinonasal malignant melanocytic melanoma: a rare case report.

Malignant melanocytic melanoma is a rare sinonasal malignancy. We present a case report of an elderly lady who presented with epistaxis and intranasal polyps. Computed tomography revealed soft tissue mass in the oropharynx, nasopharynx, left ethmoid and entire maxillary sinus.

Dengue has a benign presentation in renal transplant patients: a case series.

Aim: Dengue fever and its complications are a poorly described entity in the renal transplant population. Previous reports in renal transplant patients suggest a high mortality rate.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective study of six cases of dengue fever in renal transplant patients during a dengue outbreak in Singapore in 2005 which involved a total of 1400 cases in the city state.

Pitfall in diagnostic trauma laparoscopy.

The resurging interest in diagnostic laparoscopy has witnessed its increasing application in trauma surgery. Such unbridled enthusiasm has at times overlooked its shortcoming in the diagnosis and management of certain in abdominal injuries. We report and discuss one such conspicuous limitation and advocate that the use laparoscopy in abdominal trauma should be tempered with caution.

Pulmonary resection for metastatic breast cancer.

The management of pulmonary metastasis from breast carcinoma is challenging and often consists of palliation of symptoms. Surgical resection of pulmonary metastasis is considered inappropriate in view of the disseminated nature of the disease and limited life expectancy. It can however be a worthwhile option if imaging, including bone scans rule out metastatic disease in other part of the body.

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhydrosis: the Penang Hospital experience.

Background: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a functionally and socially disabling condition. The choice of treatment is controversial.

Objective: To examine the clinical presentation of primary palmar hyperhidrosis and the results of treatment with thoracoscopic sympathectomy in a local setting.

Thoracoplasty with acrylic plate-marlex mesh combination following near total resection of sternum: a case of chondrosarcoma of sternum.

Removal of the whole sternum for malignant tumours results in a large defect, causing severe deformity and possible paradoxical movements of the chest wall. The reconstruction of the resultant large defect of the chest wall is often complex and difficult. Commonly used materials include rib autograft, steel strus acrylic plate and various synthetic meshes such as Goretex or Marlex mesh, with a myocutaneous flap for coverage.