Efficient multi-phenotype genome-wide analysis identifies genetic associations for unsupervised deep-learning-derived high-dimensional brain imaging phenotypes.

Brain imaging is a high-content modality that offers dense insights into the structure and pathology of the brain. Existing genetic association studies of brain imaging, typically focusing on a number of individual image-derived phenotypes (IDPs), have successfully identified many genetic loci. Previously, we have created a 128-dimensional Unsupervised Deep learning derived Imaging Phenotypes (UDIPs), and identified multiple loci from single-phenotype genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for individual UDIP dimensions, using data from the UK Biobank (UKB).

Development and evaluation of novel taste-masking tilmicosin microcapsules containing octenylsuccinic anhydride modified starch and maltodextrin as wall materials.

Tilmicosin (TMS) is an important antibiotic in veterinary medicine, but its extreme bitter taste limits its use. In this study, TMS was encapsulated in octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch/maltodextrin (HI-CAP/MD) composite capsules with a spray drying method. The TMS microcapsules (TMS-MC) exhibited good drug loading performance with drug loading (DL) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 9.

Design and Self-Assembly of Peptide-Copolymer Conjugates into Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing in Diabetes.

Background: Delayed wound healing in skin injuries has become a significant problem in clinics, seriously affecting and even threatening life and health. Recently, research interest has increased in developing wound dressings containing bioactive compounds capable of improving outcomes for complex healing needs.

Methods: In this study, -loaded nanoparticles (Pue-NPs) were prepared using the cell-penetrating peptide-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (CPP-PLGA) as a drug carrier by the emulsified solvent evaporation method.

Separable and Inseparable Silk Fibroin Microneedles for the Transdermal Delivery of Colchicine: Development, Characterization, and Comparisons.

Colchicine is the first-line option for both the treatment and prophylaxis of gout flares. However, due to potentially severe side effects, the clinical use of colchicine is limited. A well-tolerated and safe delivery system for colchicine is widely desired.

A Novel Oral Drugs Delivery System for Borneol Based on HiCap100 and Maltodextrin: Preparation, Characterization, and the Investigation as an Intestinal Absorption Enhancer.

The objective of this study was to create a new method for delivering oral borneol (BN) drug that would improve stability. This was accomplished through microencapsulation using HiCap100 and maltodextrin (MD), resulting in HiCap100/MD/BN microcapsules (MCs). The HiCap100/MD/BN MCs were evaluated in terms of encapsulation efficiency (EE%), drug loading (DL%), morphological observations, particle size distribution, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, drug degradation rate studies, and in vitro release behavior.

Improving intestinal absorption and antibacterial effect of florfenicol via nanocrystallisation technology.

To study the effects of nanocrystallisation technology on the intestinal absorption properties and antibacterial activity of florfenicol (FF). The florfenicol nanocrystals (FF-NC) were prepared by wet grinding and spray drying. Additionally, changes in particle size, charge, morphology, and dissolution of FF-NC in the long-term stability were monitored by laser particle sizer, TEM, SEM, paddle method, and the structure of FF-NC powder was characterised by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) test.

Age-Associated Dysregulation of Integrin Function in Vascular Smooth Muscle.

Arterial aging results in a progressive reduction in elasticity of the vessel wall and an impaired ability of aged blood vessels to control local blood flow and pressure. Recently, a new concept has emerged that the stiffness and decreased contractility of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells are important contributors to age-induced arterial dysfunction. This study investigated the hypothesis that aging alters integrin function in a matrix stiffness-dependent manner, which contributes to decreased VSM contractility in aged soleus muscle feed arteries (SFA).

Determination of the number of observers needed to evaluate a subjective test and its application in two PD-L1 studies.

In pathological studies, subjective assays, especially companion diagnostic tests, can dramatically affect treatment of cancer. Binary diagnostic test results (ie, positive vs negative) may vary between pathologists or observers who read the tumor slides. Some tests have clearly defined criteria resulting in highly concordant outcomes, even with minimal training.

Efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy with alpha-blockers and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors compared with monotherapy for lower urinary tract symptoms: Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of combination therapy consisting of α-blockers and different phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) by performing a network meta-analysis.

Method: Relevant articles were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed with a random-effect model to compare the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with α-blockers and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for LUTS.

Diagnostic accuracy of photodynamic diagnosis for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) by performing a meta-analysis.

Method: Relevant articles were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases. Studies evaluating the accuracy of PDD for the diagnosis of upper UTUC were included.

Enhancing Betulinic Acid Dissolution Rate and Improving Antitumor Activity via Nanosuspension Constructed by Anti-Solvent Technique.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate betulinic acid nanosuspension (BA-NS) for new drug delivery to enhance its solubility and in vitro anti-tumor activity.

Methods: BA-NS was formulated by an anti-solvent precipitation method using the Box-Behnken design (BBD). Particle size (PS) and Zeta potential were measured by laser particle size analysis.

Increased bioaffinity and anti-inflammatory activity of florfenicol nanocrystals by wet grinding method.

The main objective of the current study is to improve the water solubility of florfenicol (FF) and evaluate changes in its pharmacokinetics and anti-inflammatory activity. Florfenicol nanocrystals (FF-NC) were prepared by wet grinding combined with spray drying. The characterisations, pharmacokinetics, and anti-inflammatory activity of FF-NC were evaluated.

Ruthenium complex delivery using liposomes to improve bioactivity against HeLa cells via the mitochondrial pathway.

Aim: The aim of this study was to encapsulate a ruthenium complex [Ru(ttbpy)PIP](ClO) (Ru) in liposomes to enhance their antitumor effect on human cervical cancer.

Methods: The Ru-loaded PEGylated liposomes (Ru-Lip) were prepared using thin-film hydration method. The mechanism of action was studied.

Preliminary study on conjugation of formononetin with multiwalled carbon nanotubes for inducing apoptosis via ROS production in HeLa cells.

Background: The present work was conducted to prepare and evaluate multiwalled carbon nanotube-formononetin (MWCNT-FMN) composite for sustained delivery and inducing apop-tosis via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HeLa cells.

Methods: The composite was prepared by solution mixing with short carboxylic group-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH). Then the composite was characterized by laser particle size analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy.

Iridium (III) complex-loaded liposomes as a drug delivery system for lung cancer through mitochondrial dysfunction.

Background And Aim: Iridium (Ir)-based complex is a potential antitumor ingredient, but its poor physicochemical properties such as hydrophobicity and low biocompatibility hamper further application. Liposome provides a potential delivery approach for improving the poor physicochemical property and reducing the side effects of antitumor drug. In this study, we aimed at incorporating Ir ([Ir(ppy)(BTCP)]PF) into liposomes to enhance the biocompatibility and sustained release of Ir for intravenous administration and to elucidate the mechanism in A549 cells.

An iridium (III) complex as potent anticancer agent induces apoptosis and autophagy in B16 cells through inhibition of the AKT/mTOR pathway.

A new ligand THPDP (THPDP = 11-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydrophenazin-2-yl)dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) and its iridium(III) complex [Ir(ppy)(THPDP)]PF (Ir-1) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESI-MS, H NMR and C NMR. The cytotoxicity in vitro of the complex against cancer cells B16, A549, Eca-109, SGC-7901, BEL-7402 and normal NIH 3T3 cell lines was evaluated using MTT method. The IC values of the complex toward B16, A549 and Eca-109 cells are 1.

Synthesis and anticancer properties of ruthenium (II) complexes as potent apoptosis inducers through mitochondrial disruption.

A new ligand MHPIP (MHPIP = 2-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) and its three ruthenium (II) complexes [Ru(N-N)(MHPIP)](ClO) (N-N = phen: 1,10-phenanthroline 1; dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline 2; ttbpy = 4,4'-ditertiarybutyl-2,2'-bipyridine 3) were synthesized and characterized. The cytotoxic activity in vitro was studied by MTT method. The complexes 1-3 show moderate cytotoxic effects on the cell growth in HepG2 cells with an IC value of 25.

Enzymatic synthesis and in vitro evaluation of folate-functionalized liposomes.

In this study, folate-poly(ethylene glycol)-cholesterol conjugates (FA-PEG-Chol) were enzymatically synthesized in one step and incorporated into liposomes to prepare folate (FA)-functionalized liposomes for targeted drug delivery. The FA-functionalized liposomes loaded with betulinic acid (BA) (FA-L-BA) were prepared by thin lipid film method. The FA-L-BA was characterized by their morphology, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), stability, cell cytotoxicity and cellular uptake.

Pharmacokinetics of liver-targeted docetaxel liposomes modified with 6--acyl-D-galactose esters in rabbits.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel liposomes modified with 6--acyl-D-galactose esters (Gal-DOC-L) in rabbits. A simple, rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of docetaxel. Gal-DOC-L was intravenously administered to rabbits with norethisterone as the internal standard and the blood samples were collected from ear marginal veins at 0.

Dissolution enhancement of cefdinir with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.

The solid state properties and dissolution behavior of binary systems of cefdinir (CEF) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) were investigated. CEF-HP-β-CD interaction in the solution state was studied by phase-solubility analysis and demonstrates the ability of HP-β-CD to complex with CEF giving A(L) type profile with 65.28 ± 1.

In vitro and in vivo studies of galactose-modified liver-targeting liposomes.

Oridonin (ORI) is a bioactive diterpenoid compound extracted from the well known Chinese traditional medicine Rabdosia rubescens. The aim of this study was to prepare ORI loaded liposomes surface-modified with galactose (NOH-ORI-LP) and evaluate their characteristics compared with ORI loaded liposomes (ORI-LP) and ORI solution in vitro and in vivo. The NOH-ORI-LP was prepared by ethanol injection method.

HPLC assay and pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of glycyrrhetinic acid liposomes modified with galactosylated lipid.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) liposome modified with galactosylated lipid (NOH-GA-LP), compared with GA conventional liposome (GA-LP) and GA solution in mice. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of liposomal and solution formulation of GA in mice were studied after intravenous administration. Plasma and tissues were treated using liquid-liquid extraction and determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.