IL-34 Suppresses Candida albicans Induced TNFα Production in M1 Macrophages by Downregulating Expression of Dectin-1 and TLR2.

Candida albicans is a fungus that is an opportunistic pathogen of humans. Normally, C. albicans exists as a harmless commensal and does not trigger inflammatory responses by resident macrophages in skin mucosa, which may be caused by a tolerance of skin macrophage to C.

The prevention of restenosis in vivo with a VEGF gene and paclitaxel co-eluting stent.

Long-term clinical studies of drug-eluting stents (DES) have reported high incidence of late thrombosis. Given the growing concern over the clinical application of this technology, we have developed a stent coated with bi-layered PLGA nanoparticles (BL-PLGA NPs) containing VEGF plasmid in the outer layer and paclitaxel (PTX) in the inner core (VEGF/PTX NPs). We hypothesized that early release of VEGF gene would promote re-endothelialization, while slow release of PTX would suppress smooth muscle cell proliferation.

[Surface-modified paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles as local delivery system for the prevention of vessel restenosis].

The novel paclitaxel-loaded nanopaticle through surface modification with didodecylmethylammonium bromide (DMAB) was prepared and its prevenative against neointimal formation in a rabbit carotid artery injury model was tested. Paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles were prepared from oil-water emulsions using biodegradable poly (lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Specific additive for surface conjugation was added after particle formation.

[Preparation and evaluation of microbubble ultrasound contrast agent with N-carboxymethyl chitosan].

Objective: To prepare microbubble, made of N-carboxymethyl chitosan, as ultrasound contrast agent and evaluate its characteristics and acoustic effects in vivo.

Methods: Oil-Water-Oil multiple emulsion/solvent evaporation method was used to prepare the microbubble contrast agent. Both optical micrography and scanning electron micrography were performed to determine the bubble size and morphology.

[Influence of water-soluble additives on drug release kinetics from biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) matrix].

Aim: To evaluate the effects of an array of additives on drug release from double-layered poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrices.

Methods: Additives differing in molecular size, hydrophilicity and steric configuration were selected for this study. An anti-proliferative 2-aminochromone, U-86983 (U-86, Pharmacia and Upjohn), was used as a model agent because of our interest in investigating local drug delivery systems for the inhibition of restenosis.

[Endovascular microcoil applied for gene delivery system].

Objective: To explore the possibility of using an endovascular microcoil as a gene delivery system.

Methods: Anti-adenoviral monoclonal antibodies were covalently attached to the collagen-coated surface of platinum microcoil. These antibodies were used to tether adenovirus encoding green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP).