Publications by authors named "F Pittella"

Current treatments for retinal disorders are anti-angiogenic agents, laser photocoagulation, and photodynamic therapies. These conventional treatments focus on reducing abnormal blood vessel formation in the retina, which, in a low-oxygen environment, can lead to harmful proliferation of endothelial cells. This results in dysfunctional, leaky blood vessels that cause retinal edema, hemorrhage, and vision loss.

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This study aims to develop and characterize poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles decorated with chitosan (CS) for the encapsulation of dexamethasone (DEX) (NP-DEX-CS), targeting improved efficacy in the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) associated with COVID-19. The nanoparticles were systematically characterized for size, zeta potential (ZP), morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release. Incorporation of CS resulted in significant modifications in the nanoparticles' physical properties, notably an increase in size (from 207.

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Background: Acquired resistance and adverse effects are some of the challenges faced by thousands of Luminal A breast cancer patients under tamoxifen (TMX) treatment. Some authors associate the overexpression of HOXB7 with TMX resistance in this molecular subtype, and the knockdown of this gene could be an effective strategy to regain TMX sensitivity. Therefore, we used calcium phosphate hybrid nanoparticles (HNP) for the delivery of short interfering RNA molecule (siRNA) complementary to the HOXB7 gene and evaluated the RNA interference (RNAi) effects associated with TMX treatment in breast cancer in vivo.

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Article Synopsis
  • Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss issue affecting many, with current treatments often causing unwanted side effects, especially with oral medications.
  • This study introduced new formulations using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) made from fruit seed lipids, designed to deliver finasteride more effectively with fewer side effects.
  • Testing in a rat model of AGA showed that the NLC formulation increased hair follicle activity and restoration while ensuring safety for topical use, indicating a promising advancement in AGA treatment.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, largely due to the limited efficacy of anticancer drugs, which is primarily attributed to insufficient doses reaching the lungs. Additionally, patients undergoing treatment experience severe systemic adverse effects due to the distribution of anticancer drugs to non-targeted sites. In light of these challenges, there has been a growing interest in pulmonary administration of drugs for the treatment of lung cancer.

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