A nanoencapsulated oral formulation of fenretinide promotes local and metastatic breast cancer dormancy in HER2/neu transgenic mice.

Background: Prevention and treatment of metastatic breast cancer (BC) is an unmet clinical need. The retinoic acid derivative fenretinide (FeR) was previously evaluated in Phase I-III clinical trials but, despite its excellent tolerability and antitumor activity in preclinical models, showed limited therapeutic efficacy due to poor bioavailability. We recently generated a new micellar formulation of FeR, Bionanofenretinide (Bio-nFeR) showing enhanced bioavailability, low toxicity, and strong antitumor efficacy on human lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma xenografts.

Ammonium oxidation from concentrated synthetic wastewater and landfill leachate using partial nitritation in sequencing batch reactor.

Partial nitritation (PN) is a novel treatment for nitrogen removal using aerobic ammonium oxidation with reduced oxygen requirements compared to conventional nitrification. This study evaluated the performance of the PN process and the factors influencing nitrogen removal from landfill leachate. During the reactivation of biomass, the results showed 70% ammonium removal, but only 20% total nitrogen removal.

Validated LC-MS/MS Assay for the Quantitative Determination of Fenretinide in Plasma and Tumor and Its Application in a Pharmacokinetic Study in Mice of a Novel Oral Nanoformulation of Fenretinide.

We describe the development and validation of a HPLC-MS/MS method to assess the pharmacokinetics and tumor distribution of fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid chemically related to all-trans-retinoic acid, after administration of a novel oral nanoformulation of fenretinide, called bionanofenretinide (BNF). BNF was developed to overcome the major limitation of fenretinide: its poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability due to its hydrophobic nature. The method proved to be reproducible, precise and highly accurate for the measurement of the drug and the main metabolites.

Quantitative Evaluation of Gene Expression: A Comparison between Relative Quantification by Real-Time PCR and Absolute Quantification by Droplet Digital PCR.

In the precision medicine era of cystic fibrosis (CF), therapeutic interventions, by the so-called modulators, target the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The levels of targetable CFTR proteins are a main variable in the success of patient-specific therapy. In turn, the CFTR protein level depends, at least in part, on the level of mRNA.

L1077P CFTR pathogenic variant function rescue by Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor in cystic fibrosis patient-derived air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures and organoids: in vitro guided personalized therapy of non-F508del patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by defects of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR-modulating drugs may overcome specific defects, such as the case of Trikafta, which is a clinically approved triple combination of Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor (ETI) that exhibited a strong ability to rescue the function of the most frequent F508del pathogenic variant even in genotypes with the mutated allele in single copy. Nevertheless, most rare genotypes lacking the F508del allele are still not eligible for targeted therapies.

Risk factors for surgical site infection after abdominal hysterectomy, New York State, 2015-2018.

Background: To identify risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal hysterectomy (HYST) procedures using National Health care Safety Network (NHSN) data augmented with diagnosis codes available using administrative data.

Methods: We analyzed 66,001 HYST procedures in 166 New York State hospitals between January 2015 and December 2018, reported in NHSN, and matched to billing data. Risks factors for SSI after abdominal HYST were identified using logistic regression models.

A Postsynaptic Density Immediate Early Gene-Based Connectome Analysis of Acute NMDAR Blockade and Reversal Effect of Antipsychotic Administration.

Although antipsychotics' mechanisms of action have been thoroughly investigated, they have not been fully elucidated at the network level. We tested the hypothesis that acute pre-treatment with ketamine (KET) and administration of asenapine (ASE) would modulate the functional connectivity of brain areas relevant to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, based on transcript levels of , an immediate early gene encoding a key molecule of the dendritic spine. Sprague-Dawley rats ( = 20) were assigned to KET (30 mg/kg) or vehicle (VEH).

Mobile App to Enhance Patient Activation and Patient-Provider Communication in Major Depressive Disorder Management: Collaborative, Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Background: Enhanced patient-provider engagement can improve patient health outcomes in chronic conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD).

Objective: We evaluated the impact of a digitally enabled care mobile app, Pathway, designed to improve MDD patient-provider engagement. Patients used a mobile interface to assess treatment progress and share this information with primary care providers (PCPs).

Lung Cancer Organoids: The Rough Path to Personalized Medicine.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite significant advances in research and therapy, a dismal 5-year survival rate of only 10-20% urges the development of reliable preclinical models and effective therapeutic tools. Lung cancer is characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity in its histology, a genomic landscape, and response to therapies that has been traditionally difficult to reproduce in preclinical models.

CRIPTO Is a Marker of Chemotherapy-Induced Stem Cell Expansion in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Chemotherapy is the mainstay for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, NSCLC cells are either intrinsically chemoresistant or rapidly develop therapy resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are widely recognized as the cell population responsible for resistance to systemic therapies, but the molecular responses of CSCs to chemotherapeutic agents are largely unknown.

Correction: Using the Goal Attainment Scale adapted for depression to better understand treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder switching to vortioxetine: a phase 4, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.

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Irradiation of Lung Cancer Stem Cells Identifies the Lowest Therapeutic Dose Needed for Tumor Growth Arrest and Mass Reduction .

Radiotherapy represents a first-line treatment for many inoperable lung tumors. New technologies offer novel opportunities for the treatment of lung cancer with the administration of higher doses of radiation in smaller volumes. Because both therapeutic and toxic treatment effects are dose-dependent, it is important to identify a minimal dose protocol for each individual patient that maintains efficacy while decreasing toxicity.

Cross-border reproductive healthcare attitudes and behaviours among women living in Florence, Italy.

Background: The number of women living in Italy and seeking cross-border reproductive care (CBRC), especially for medically assisted reproduction (MAR), has increased. The purpose of this study was to explore CBRC attitudes and behaviours among a cohort of reproductive-aged women who have never engaged in CBRC to gauge social and cultural perceptions and gain a deeper understanding of family planning discourse.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted during May - June 2018 with 30 women aged 18-50 living in or around Florence, Italy and enrolled in the Italian healthcare system.

Using the Goal Attainment Scale adapted for depression to better understand treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder switching to vortioxetine: a phase 4, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Response to pharmacologic treatment is generally evaluated by traditional clinician- and patient-reported rating scales. Assessing therapeutic efficacy using the Goal Attainment Scale offers a complementary measure that focuses on recovery-oriented outcomes that patients consider valuable and vital to their well-being.

Theratyping cystic fibrosis in ALI culture and organoid models generated from patient-derived nasal epithelial conditionally reprogrammed stem cells.

Question: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is due to pathogenic variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Recent improvements have enabled pharmacological therapy aiming at restoring mutated CFTR expression and function. CFTR "modulators" have revolutionised the CF therapeutic landscape, particularly the last approved, Trikafta.

Targeting Melanoma-Initiating Cells by Caffeine: In Silico and In Vitro Approaches.

The beneficial effects of coffee on human diseases are well documented, but the molecular mechanisms of its bioactive compounds on cancer are not completely elucidated. This is likely due to the large heterogeneity of coffee preparations and different coffee-based beverages, but also to the choice of experimental models where proliferation, differentiation and immune responses are differently affected. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of one of the most interesting bioactive compounds in coffee, i.

Metabolically Active Prokaryotes and Actively Transcribed Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Sewer Systems: Implications for Public Health and Microbially Induced Corrosion.

Sewer systems are reservoirs of pathogens and bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, most recent high-throughput studies rely on DNA-based techniques that cannot provide information on the physiological state of the cells nor expression of ARGs. In this study, wastewater and sewer sediment samples were collected from combined and separate sanitary sewer systems.

Real-time virtual infection prevention and control assessments in skilled nursing homes, New York, March 2020-A pilot project.

Objective: To describe a pilot project infection prevention and control (IPC) assessment conducted in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in New York State (NYS) during a pivotal 2-week period when the region became the nation's epicenter for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Design: A telephone and video assessment of IPC measures in SNFs at high risk or experiencing COVID-19 activity.

Participants: SNFs in 14 New York counties, including New York City.

Sewer biofilm microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes as function of pipe material, source of microbes, and disinfection: field and laboratory studies.

Wastewater systems are recognized pathways for the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, but relatively little is known about the microbial ecology of the sewer environment. Sewer biofilm colonization by antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) carrying bacteria may impact interpretations of sewage epidemiology data, water quality during sewer overflows, and hazard to utility workers. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the (1) microbiome of real and simulated sewer biofilms and their potential to accumulate ARGs and (2) susceptibility of simulated sewer biofilms to bleach disinfection.

The Effects of Antipsychotics on the Synaptic Plasticity Gene Depend on a Combination of Their Receptor Profile, Dose, Duration of Treatment, and Brain Regions Targeted.

Background: Antipsychotic agents modulate key molecules of the postsynaptic density (PSD), including the gene, implicated in dendritic spine architecture. How the antipsychotic receptor profile, dose, and duration of administration may influence synaptic plasticity and the pattern of expression is yet to be determined.

Methods: In situ hybridization for was performed on rat tissue sections from cortical and striatal regions of interest (ROI) after acute or chronic administration of three antipsychotics with divergent receptor profile: Haloperidol, asenapine, and olanzapine.