n-Butylidenephthalide recovered calcium homeostasis to ameliorate neurodegeneration of motor neurons derived from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis iPSCs.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle atrophy and primarily targets motor neurons (MNs). Approximately 20% of familial ALS cases are caused by gain-of-function mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), leading to MN degeneration and ion channel dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that n-Butylidenephthalide (BP) delays disease progression and prolongs survival in animal models of ALS.

Engineered Exosomes Containing microRNA-29b-2 and Targeting the Somatostatin Receptor Reduce Presenilin 1 Expression and Decrease the β-Amyloid Accumulation in the Brains of Mice with Alzheimer's Disease.

Purpose: Exosomes are membrane vesicles secreted by various cells and play a crucial role in intercellular communication. They can be excellent delivery vehicles for oligonucleotide drugs, such as microRNAs, due to their high biocompatibility. MicroRNAs have been shown to be more stable when incorporated into exosomes; however, the lack of targeting and immune evasion is still the obstacle to the use of these microRNA-containing nanocarriers in clinical settings.

Liposome Consolidated with Cyclodextrin Provides Prolonged Drug Retention Resulting in Increased Drug Bioavailability in Brain.

Although butylidenephthalide (BP) is an efficient anticancer drug, its poor bioavailability renders it ineffective for treating drug-resistant brain tumors. However, this problem is overcome through the use of noninvasive delivery systems, including intranasal administration. Herein, the bioavailability, drug stability, and encapsulation efficiency (EE, up to 95%) of BP were improved by using cyclodextrin-encapsulated BP in liposomal formulations (CDD1).

Exosomes in clinical trial and their production in compliance with good manufacturing practice.

Exosomes, 60-200-nm extracellular vesicles secreted from cells, have been used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient or drug carrier in disease treatment. Human- and plant-derived exosomes are registered in clinical trials, but more complete reports are available for human-derived exosomes. Because exosomes act as vesicles and carry cell secreting components, they have been used as drug or peptide vehicles to treat diseases.

Integration of PEG 400 into a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system improves drug loading capacity and nasal mucosa permeability and prolongs the survival of rats with malignant brain tumors.

Kolliphor EL (K-EL) is among the most useful surfactants in the preparation of emulsions. However, it is associated with low hydrophobic drug loading in the resulting emulsified formulation. In this study, a formulation for intranasal administration of butylidenephthalide (Bdph), a candidate drug against glioblastoma (GBM), was prepared.

Social and built-environment factors related to children's independent mobility: The importance of neighbourhood cohesion and connectedness.

This study examines aspects of neighbourhood social environments (namely, neighbourhood safety, cohesion and connection) and child-specific built environment attributes in relation to children's independent mobility. The results suggest that children aged 8-13 years with parents who perceive their neighbourhood as more cohesive and more connected, and are located closer to school, engaged in higher levels of independently mobile trips. The qualitative component of this research revealed that for NZ European, Māori, Samoan and other Pacific parents, 'people danger' was the most common concern for letting their children go out alone, whereas for Asian and Indian parents, 'traffic danger' was the most common reason for their concern.

Associations between the neighbourhood built environment and out of school physical activity and active travel: An examination from the Kids in the City study.

This study's aim was to examine selected objectively-measured and child specific built environment attributes in relation to proportion of out-of-school time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (%MVPA) and active travel in a group of ethnically and socio-economically diverse children (n=236) living in Auckland, New Zealand. Street connectivity and distance to school were related to the proportion of trips made by active modes. Ratio of high speed to low speed roads and improved streetscape for active travel were related to %MVPA on weekdays only.

Neighbourhood matters: perceptions of neighbourhood cohesiveness and associations with alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use.

Introduction And Aims: To examine relationships between perceived neighbourhood cohesion and alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consumption in New Zealand.

Design And Methods: A two-level random intercept regression model was used to examine the extent to which perception of neighbourhood cohesion (at the individual and area level) was associated with the frequency of substance (alcohol, tobacco and cannabis) consumption, after controlling for demographics and deprivation. This study is based on data from two national Health Behaviours Surveys (Drugs and Alcohol) conducted in 2003 and 2004 in New Zealand.

Kids in the city study: research design and methodology.

Background: Physical activity is essential for optimal physical and psychological health but substantial declines in children's activity levels have occurred in New Zealand and internationally. Children's independent mobility (i.e.