PEGylated polypeptide lipid nanocapsules to enhance the anticancer efficacy of erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer.

In this study, a core-shell type polypeptide-based lipid nanocapsule was developed to enhance anticancer efficacy of erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancers. Mean particle size of PEGylated polypeptide-lipid nanocapsules (PLN) for erlotinib (ERL) delivery was ∼200nm with an effective surface charge of -20mV. Protective PEGylated polypeptide layer acted as a molecular fence and effectively controlled the diffusion of erlotinib from the lipid nanocapsule core, whereas pH-responsiveness of poly(L-aspartic acid) accelerated the release of erlotinib in acidic conditions.

Engineering of cell microenvironment-responsive polypeptide nanovehicle co-encapsulating a synergistic combination of small molecules for effective chemotherapy in solid tumors.

Unlabelled: In this study, we report a facile method to construct a bioactive (poly(phenylalanine)-b-poly(l-histidine)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) polypeptide nanoconstruct to co-load doxorubicin (DOX) and quercetin (QUR) (DQ-NV). The smart pH-sensitive nanovehicle was fabricated with precisely tailored drug-to-carrier ratio that resulted in accelerated, sequential drug release. As a result of ratiometric loading, QUR could significantly enhance the cytotoxic potential of DOX, induced marked cell apoptosis; change cell cycle patterns, inhibit the migratory capacity of sensitive and resistant cancer cells.

Potential differentiation ability of gingiva originated human mesenchymal stem cell in the presence of tacrolimus.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the potential differentiation ability of gingiva originated human mesenchymal stem cell in the presence of tacrolimus. Tacrolimus-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres were prepared using electrospraying technique. In vitro release study of tacrolimus-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres was performed in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.

Development of a decellularization method to produce nerve allografts using less invasive detergents and hyper/hypotonic solutions.

Background: Here, we describe a novel method of processing decellularized nerve grafts using osmotic effects of hypotonic and hypertonic solutions and Triton X-100 (a nonionic detergent) and CHAPS (an amphoteric detergent).

Materials And Methods: To evaluate decellularization, the devised method and Hudson's method were compared with respect to remaining cellular components (as assessed by H&E staining and S-100 immunoreactivity) and extracellular matrix structural integrity (as assessed by H&E staining and laminin immunoreactivity) by using rat sciatic nerves. In addition, a 1.

Hybrid Congregation of Islet Single Cells and Curcumin-Loaded Polymeric Microspheres as an Interventional Strategy to Overcome Apoptosis Associated with Pancreatic Islets Transplantation.

Hypoxic or near-anoxic conditions that occur in the core of transplanted islets induce necrosis and apoptosis during the early stages after transplantation, primarily due to loss of vascularization during the isolation process. Moreover, secretion of various cytokines from pancreatic islets is detrimental to the viability of islet cells in vitro. In this study, we aimed to protect pancreatic islet cells against apoptosis by establishing a method for in situ delivery of curcumin to the pancreatic islets.

Development of paclitaxel-loaded liposomal nanocarrier stabilized by triglyceride incorporation.

Studies have highlighted the challenge of developing injectable liposomes as a paclitaxel (PTX) carrier, a challenge attributable to the limitations in liposomal stability caused by PTX loading. Poor stability of PTX-loaded liposomes is caused by PTX-triggered aggregation or fusion of liposomal membranes and is exacerbated in the presence of PEGylated lipid. In the present study, the effect of triglyceride incorporation on the stability of PTX-loaded/PEGylated liposomes was explored.

Changes in Clinical Symptoms, Functions, and the Median Nerve Cross-Sectional Area at the Carpal Tunnel Inlet after Open Carpal Tunnel Release.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical symptoms and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet before and after open carpal tunnel release (CTR).

Methods: Thirty-two patients (53 hands) that underwent open CTR for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were prospectively enrolled. Median nerve CSA at the carpal tunnel inlet was measured preoperatively and at 2 and 12 weeks after CTR by high resolution ultrasonography.

Folate-Mediated Targeted Delivery of Combination Chemotherapeutics Loaded Reduced Graphene Oxide for Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Cancers.

Purpose: Larger surface area for drug incorporation and superior optical activity makes reduced graphene oxide (rGO) a suitable drug carrier for combination chemotherapeutics delivery. And folate receptors are potential mediators for cancer targeted delivery. This study mainly aimed to prepare irinotecan (IRI)- and docetaxel (DOC)-loaded, folate (FA)-conjugated rGO (FA-P407-rGO/ID) for synergistic cancer therapy.

Development and application of quantitative detection method for nervous necrosis virus (NNV) isolated from sevenband grouper Hyporthodus septemfasciatus.

Objective: To develop the rapid and efficient quantitative detection tool for nervous necrosis virus isolated from sevenband grouper Hyporhodus septemfasciatus.

Methods: The viral genes of the NNV (SGYeosu08) isolated from sevenband grouper were phylogenetically analyzed. In addition, novel quantitative PCR primers based on the genomic sequence of SGYeosu08 isolate were designed and compared it with the conventional bio-assay method (TCID50) using in vitro and in vivo samples.

Development of polymeric irinotecan nanoparticles using a novel lactone preservation strategy.

Irinotecan (IRT) is an important part of the first- and second-line regimen for metastatic colorectal and some other cancers. However, IRT suffers the constraints of pH-dependent conversion of active lactone form to inactive carboxylate form, burst release owing to its aqueous solubility, short half-life and dose-dependent side effects. In this study, we developed polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) that not only deliver IRT to tumor sites, but also overcome its drawbacks by preserving active lactone conformation, prolonging the plasma circulation time, and by providing sustained release.

A novel prototype of albumin nanoparticles fabricated by supramolecular cyclodextrin-adamantane association.

Albumin has been viewed as one of the most attractive biomacromolecules for making nanoparticulate systems due to its biocompatibility and chemical functionality. Thus far, albumin nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared by several limited methods, such as, desolvation, emulsification or high-pressure homogenization. In this article, we introduce a new albumin NPs prototype fabricated via a 'host' (β-cyclodextrin)-'guest' (adamantane) supramolecular association.

Development of a novel l-sulpiride-loaded quaternary microcapsule: Effect of TPGS as an absorption enhancer on physicochemical characterization and oral bioavailability.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) on the physicochemical characterization and oral bioavailability of a novel l-sulpiride-loaded quaternary microcapsule (QMC). The effect of carriers on drug solubility was investigated. Among the carriers tested, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and TPGS were selected as polymer, surfactant and absorption enhancer, respectively, due to their high drug solubility.

Management of Distal Ulnar Fracture Combined with Distal Radius Fracture.

The distal ulna is composed of the ulnar styloid, ulnar head, and distal ulnar metaphyseal area. Most of distal ulnar metaphyseal fractures are associated with distal radius fractures and this incidence tends to be greater in osteoporotic elderly. Consideration of the treatment of distal ulna metaphyseal fracture should be addressed after treating a distal radius fracture.

Development of novel prasugrel base microsphere-loaded tablet with enhanced stability: Physicochemical characterization and in vivo evaluation in beagle dogs.

The objective of this study was to develop a novel prasugrel base microsphere-loaded tablet (PBMST) with enhanced stability as a bioequivalent to the commercial prasugrel hydrochloride-loaded tablet. Numerous prasugrel base-loaded microspheres were prepared with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), colloidal silica and various acidifying agents using a spray-drying process, and the physicochemical properties, solubility and stability were investigated. The PBMSTs were prepared and their dissolution, pharmacokinetics in beagle dogs and stability were evaluated compared to commercial prasugrel hydrochloride-loaded tablets.

Liquid crystalline nanoparticles encapsulating cisplatin and docetaxel combination for targeted therapy of breast cancer.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death. A combination of anticancer agents can effectively kill cancer through multiple pathways; however, improvements to their delivery are needed. Hence, docetaxel and cisplatin-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles with folic acid were prepared for effective and targeted anticancer therapy.

Preparation and Optimization of Immediate Release/Sustained Release Bilayered Tablets of Loxoprofen Using Box-Behnken Design.

The aim of our current study was to characterize and optimize loxoprofen immediate release (IR)/sustained release (SR) tablet utilizing a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) combined with a desirability function. The independent factors included ratio of drug in the IR layer to total drug (X ), ratio of HPMC to drug in the SR layer (X ), and ratio of Eudragit RL PO to drug in the SR layer (X ). The dependent variables assessed were % drug released in distilled water at 30 min (Y ), % drug released in pH 1.

Comparison of solvent-wetted and kneaded l-sulpiride-loaded solid dispersions: Powder characterization and in vivo evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to compare the powder properties, solubility, dissolution and oral absorption of solvent-wetted (SWSD) and kneaded (KNSD) l-sulpiride-loaded solid dispersions. The SWSD and KNSD were prepared with silicon dioxide, sodium laurylsulfate and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) using a spray dryer and high shear mixer, respectively. Their powder properties, solubility, dissolution and oral absorption were assessed compared to l-sulpiride powder.

Engineering of caveolae-specific self-micellizing anticancer lipid nanoparticles to enhance the chemotherapeutic efficacy of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer cells.

Unlabelled: Novel nanomaterials for the intracellular transport of therapeutic cargos have been actively sought to effectively breach cell-membrane barriers. In this study we developed novel self-micellizing anticancer lipid (SMAL)-based pro-apoptotic nanoparticles (NPs) that enhance the accumulation and chemotherapeutic efficacy of oxaliplatin (OL) in colorectal cancer cells (CRCs). We demonstrated that NPs with special affinity to caveolae could be designed and based on this specificity, NPs effectively differentiated between endothelial cells (tumor cells) and epithelial cells, without the need for a cell-specific targeting moiety.

Adsorption of As(III), As(V) and Cu(II) on zirconium oxide immobilized alginate beads in aqueous phase.

A composite adsorbent to remove arsenite [As(III)], arsenate [As(V)], and copper [Cu(II)] from aqueous phase was synthesized by immobilizing zirconium oxide on alginate beads (ZOAB). The composition (wt%) of ZOAB (Zr-34.0; O-32.

Four-dimensional dose reconstruction through in vivo phase matching of cine images of electronic portal imaging device.

Purpose: A method is proposed to reconstruct a four-dimensional (4D) dose distribution using phase matching of measured cine images to precalculated images of electronic portal imaging device (EPID).

Methods: (1) A phantom, designed to simulate a tumor in lung (a polystyrene block with a 3 cm diameter embedded in cork), was placed on a sinusoidally moving platform with an amplitude of 1 cm and a period of 4 s. Ten-phase 4D computed tomography (CT) images of the phantom were acquired.

Receptor-targeted, drug-loaded, functionalized graphene oxides for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although different chemotherapeutic agents have been developed to treat cancers, their use can be limited by low cellular uptake, drug resistance, and side effects. Hence, targeted drug delivery systems are continually being developed in order to improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents.

Cationic drug-based self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex micelles: Physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and anticancer activity analysis.

Nanofabrication of polymeric micelles through self-assembly of an ionic block copolymer and oppositely charged small molecules has recently emerged as a promising method of formulating delivery systems. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the interaction of cationic drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and mitoxantrone (MTX) with the anionic block polymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PEO-b-PAA) and to study the influence of these interactions on the pharmacokinetic stability and antitumor potential of the formulated micelles in clinically relevant animal models. To this end, individual DOX and MTX-loaded polyelectrolyte complex micelles (PCM) were prepared, and their physicochemical properties and pH-responsive release profiles were studied.

Development of ciclopirox nail lacquer with enhanced permeation and retention.

Onychomycosis is a prevailing disease caused by fungal infection of nails that mostly affects athletes and the elderly. Ciclopirox is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the topical treatment of onychomycosis. However, the desired penetration of ciclopirox into the nail bed has not been achieved via topical application for efficient treatment.

Influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone quantity on the solubility, crystallinity and oral bioavailability of fenofibrate in solvent-evaporated microspheres.

The objective of this study is to explore the influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) quantity on the solubility, crystallinity and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble fenofibrate in solvent-evaporated microspheres. Numerous microspheres were prepared with fenofibrate, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and PVP using the spray-drying technique. Their aqueous solubility, dissolution, physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics in rats were assessed.