The Fabrication and Evaluation of Retinoic Acid-Loaded Electrospun Composite Biomaterials for Tracheal Tissue Regeneration.

Although relatively rare, major trauma to the tracheal region of the airways poses a significant clinical challenge with few effective treatments. Bioengineering and regenerative medicine strategies have the potential to create biocompatible, implantable biomaterial scaffolds, with the capacity to restore lost tissue with functional neo-trachea. The main goal of this study was to develop a nanofibrous polycaprolactone-chitosan (PCL-Chitosan) scaffold loaded with a signaling molecule, all- retinoic acid (atRA), as a novel biomaterial approach for tracheal tissue engineering.

Inhalable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles encapsulating all-trans-Retinoic acid (ATRA) as a host-directed, adjunctive treatment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030 was recently listed in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals alongside HIV/AIDS and malaria as it continues to be a major cause of death worldwide. With a significant proportion of TB cases caused by resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), there is an urgent need to develop new and innovative approaches to treatment. Since 1989, researchers have been assessing the anti-bacterial effects of the active metabolite of vitamin A, all trans-Retinoic acid (ATRA) solution, in Mtb models.

3D Printed Molds Encompassing Carbon Composite Electrodes To Conduct Multisite Monitoring in the Entire Colon.

The activity of the colon is regulated by chemical signaling, of which serotonin (5-HT) is a key transmitter. Monitoring of mucosal 5-HT overflow has been achieved to date using microelectrodes on a small segment of colonic tissue; however, little is known if such measurements are reflective with regards to 5-HT signaling from the entire colon. This study focused on developing an electrochemical array device that could be utilized to conduct multisite measurements of 5-HT overflow from the entire colon.

Glucocorticoids induce production of reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species and DNA damage through an iNOS mediated pathway in breast cancer.

Background: Psychological stress increases the circulating levels of the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine (NE). Chronic exposure to elevated stress hormones has been linked to a reduced response to chemotherapy through induction of DNA damage. We hypothesize that stress hormone signalling may induce DNA damage through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and interference in DNA repair processes, promoting tumourigenesis.

Sharpening nature's tools for efficient tuberculosis control: A review of the potential role and development of host-directed therapies and strategies for targeted respiratory delivery.

Centuries since it was first described, tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health issue. Despite ongoing holistic measures implemented by health authorities and a number of new oral treatments reaching the market, there is still a need for an advanced, efficient TB treatment. An adjunctive, host-directed therapy designed to enhance endogenous pathways and hence compliment current regimens could be the answer.

Electrochemical fecal pellet sensor for simultaneous real-time ex vivo detection of colonic serotonin signalling and motility.

Various investigations have focused on understanding the relationship between mucosal serotonin (5-HT) and colonic motility, however contradictory studies have questioned the importance of this intestinal transmitter. Here we described the fabrication and use of a fecal pellet electrochemical sensor that can be used to simultaneously detect the release of luminal 5-HT and colonic motility. Fecal pellet sensor devices were fabricated using carbon nanotube composite electrodes that were housed in 3D printed components in order to generate a device that had shape and size that mimicked a natural fecal pellet.

Buckycolumn electrodes: a practical and improved alternative to conventional materials utilised for biological electrochemical monitoring.

Here we report the use of buckycolumn (BC) carbon nanotube materials as electrochemical sensors for measurement of key biological molecules. The BC electrode was able to conduct stable long-term measurements of dopamine compared to the more commonly used electrode materials for bioanalysis.