Effect of 1-MHz ultrasound on the proinflammatory interleukin-6 secretion in human keratinocytes.

Keratinocytes, the main cell type of the skin, are one of the most exposed cells to environmental factors, providing a first defence barrier for the host and actively participating in immune response. In fact, keratinocytes express pattern recognition receptors that interact with pathogen associated molecular patterns and damage associated molecular patterns, leading to the production of cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin (IL)-6. Herein, we investigated whether mechanical energy transported by low intensity ultrasound (US) could generate a mechanical stress able to induce the release of inflammatory cytokine such IL-6 in the human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT.

Effect of doxepin on quality of life in Labradors with laryngeal paralysis: A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Laryngeal paralysis commonly affects older Labrador retrievers. Currently, dogs with severe disease require surgical intervention, most commonly arytenoid lateralization. Anecdotally, doxepin has been proposed to help dogs with laryngeal paralysis.

In vitro analysis of the trajectories of adhesive microbubbles approaching endothelial cells.

Adhesion is a key process when ultrasound contrast agents, i.e. microbubbles, approach pathological tissues.

In Vivo Toxicity Study of Engineered Lipid Microbubbles in Rodents.

Real-time intraoperative imaging for brain tumor surgery is crucial for achieving complete resection. We are developing novel lipid-based microbubbles (MBs), engineered with specific ligands, which are able to interact with the integrins overexpressed in the endothelium of the brain tumor vasculature. These MBs are designed to visualize the tumor and to carry therapeutic molecules into the tumor tissue, preserving the ultrasound acoustic properties of the starting plain lipid MBs.

In Vivo Biodistribution of Engineered Lipid Microbubbles in Rodents.

Maximal resection of intrinsic brain tumors is a major prognostic factor for survival. Real-time intraoperative imaging tools, including ultrasound (US), are crucial for maximal resection of such tumors. Microbubbles (MBs) are clinically used in daily practice as a contrast agent for ultrasound and can be further developed to serve combined therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.