Effects of Cannabis in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The legalization of cannabis in many countries has allowed many Parkinson's disease (PD) patients to turn to cannabis as a treatment. As such there is a growing interest from the PD community to be properly guided by evidence regarding potential treatment benefits of cannabis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compile the best available evidence to help guide patients and their family, clinicians and researchers make informed decisions.

PRES-like presentation in MOG antibody-related demyelination (MARD).

A 33-year-old male presented with a progressive four-week history of frontal headache and left visual field impairment. MRI brain confirmed bilateral, asymmetric, occipital vasogenic oedema, suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Serum testing for MOG antibodies was positive, confirming a diagnosis of MOG antibody-related demyelination (MARD).

Development of Critical-size Abdominal Defects in a Rabbit Model to Mimic Mature Ventral Hernias.

Background/aim: Mesh hernioplasty is one of the most frequently performed procedures in the United States. Abdominal rigidity and chronic inflammation, among other factors, contribute to long-term complications including chronic pain, abdominal wall stiffness and fibrosis. Acute models do not replicate the chronic environment associated with most hernias, limiting the ability to improve products.

Injectable in situ forming controlled release implant composed of a poly-ether-ester-carbonate and applications in the field of chemotherapy.

Polymeric controlled delivery systems hold great promise in the field of modern medicine. Such technology has already been converted into commercially viable products in a myriad of fields. Chemotherapy is an example of such an area where constant efficacious levels of drug can greatly enhance clinical outcomes.

Absorbable microparticulate cation exchanger for immunotherapeutic delivery.

An absorbable microparticulate cation exchanger was synthesized as a versatile carrier for biologically active proteins. In this work, acid-terminated polyglycolide (or polyglycolic acid) microparticulates (PG-MP) were surface modified for either sustained release of cytokines or as a platform for immunomodulation. The intended goal was to achieve in situ recruitment/maturation of dendritic cells and activation of T cells for tumor immunotherapy.

Development of novel substrates for tumor immunotherapy.

Acid-terminated polyglycolide microparticles (PG-MP) were prepared as a versatile substrate that could be surface-modified for either immobilization of anti-cd3 and anti-cd28 mAb to activate T cells or sustained release of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for dendritic cell (DC) recruitment and maturation. PG-MP were prepared with a volume-weighted mean diameter of 56 or 57 microm. Accessible carboxylic acid group concentration was determined by potentiometric titration to be 0.