Development of Human Rhinovirus RNA Reference Material Using Digital PCR.

The human rhinovirus (RV) is a positive-stranded RNA virus that causes respiratory tract diseases affecting both the upper and lower halves of the respiratory system. RV enhances its replication by concentrating RNA synthesis within a modified host membrane in an intracellular compartment. RV infections often occur alongside infections caused by other respiratory viruses, and the RV virus may remain asymptomatic for extended periods.

Antiviral Effects of Secondary Metabolites from Leaves against the Pseudotyped Virus of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron.

holds a longstanding place in traditional herbal medicine, primarily utilized for addressing skin infections, acting as antipyretics, diuretics, and purgatives. In this study, our primary objective was to investigate the secondary metabolites present in leaves, with the aim of pinpointing natural compounds exhibiting potential antiviral activities. Five secondary metabolites (-), including an auronol glycoside (), two coumarins ( and ), a chromane () and a gallotannin (), were isolated from leaves.

Evaluation of Granulated Lactose as a Carrier for Dry Powder Inhaler Formulations 2: Effect of Drugs and Drug Loading.

Previously, granulated lactose carriers were shown to improve uniformity and aerosolization of a low-dose model drug. In the present study, the blending uniformity and aerosol dispersion performance were assessed for 2 model drugs salbutamol sulfate (SS) and rifampicin (RIF), blended at high loadings (10% or 30% drug) with granulated lactose carriers. The model drug powders differed in particle size distribution, morphology, density, and surface energies.

Formulation of a novel fixed dose combination of salmeterol xinafoate and mometasone furoate for inhaled drug delivery.

Co-administration of an inhaled corticosteroid and long acting beta agonist for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has reduced mortality compared to either drug alone. This combination reduces exacerbations, hospitalization, emergency department visits and health care costs. A novel fixed-dose combination of the long acting beta-2 agonist salmeterol xinafoate (SX) and the corticosteroid mometasone furoate (MF) were prepared in a composite particle formulation as brittle matrix powder (BMP) and investigated for suitability as an inhaled combination product.

[Relationship between CCL20/CCR6/Th17 axis and vascular invasion and metastasis in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the role of CCL20/CCR6/Th17 axis in vascular invasion and metastasis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Expression levels of CCL20 mRNA in the normal human liver cell line L-02, and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines Hep3B, Huh7 and HepG2 were quantified by using SYBR green real time PCR. CCL20 secretions from these cell lines were quantified by using ELISA.

Improved Biofilm Antimicrobial Activity of Polyethylene Glycol Conjugated Tobramycin Compared to Tobramycin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms.

The objective of this study was to develop a functionally enhanced antibiotic that would improve the therapeutic activity against bacterial biofilms. Tobramycin was chemically conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) via site-specific conjugation to form PEGylated-tobramycin (Tob-PEG). The antibacterial efficacy of Tob-PEG, as compared to tobramycin, was assessed on the planktonic phase and biofilms phase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Effect of platelet-derived growth factor-B on renal cell carcinoma growth and progression.

Background: Platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) expression promotes the proliferation of mural cells surrounding the blood vessels during angiogenesis. The effect of PDGF-B involved in angiogenesis on tumor growth and progression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is unknown.

Methods: We examined the expression of PDGF-B and its receptor PDGFR-β in 174 patients with ccRCC by microarray analysis.

Swellable ciprofloxacin-loaded nano-in-micro hydrogel particles for local lung drug delivery.

Incorporation of drug-loaded nanoparticles into swellable and respirable microparticles is a promising strategy to avoid rapid clearance from the lung and achieve sustained drug release. In this investigation, a copolymer of polyethylene glycol grafted onto phthaloyl chitosan (PEG-g-PHCs) was synthesized and then self-assembled with ciprofloxacin to form drug-loaded nanoparticles. The nanoparticles and free drug were encapsulated into respirable and swellable alginate micro hydrogel particles and assessed as a novel system for sustained pulmonary drug delivery.

Evaluation of granulated lactose as a carrier for DPI formulations 1: effect of granule size.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of large granulated lactose carrier particle systems on aerosol performance of dry powder inhaler formulations. Granulated lactose carriers with average sizes ranging from 200 to 1,000 μm were prepared and subsequently fractionated into separate narrow size powders. The fractionated granulated lactose (GL) samples were characterized in terms of size, specific surface area, surface roughness, morphology, density, flowability, and solid-state.

Hydrogels for controlled pulmonary delivery.

A significant number of research articles have focused on pulmonary delivery as an alternative administration route owing to no first-pass metabolism, low protease activity, thin epithelium barrier and large surface area in the lung system. Controlled release in the pulmonary delivery system further reduces loading dose, frequency of dosing and systemic side effects, and also increases duration of action and patient compliance. Compared with other microparticles used in controlled-release pulmonary administration, hydrogels (3D polymeric matrix networks) have recently been investigated due to their swelling and mucoadhesive properties that could help bypass pulmonary delivery barriers.

[A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast in a patient with Crohn's disease taking azathioprine].

Azathioprine (AZA) treatment in transplant or autoimmune patients and subsequent appearance squamous cell carcinomas at various sites, particularly skin and cervix, has shown a close relationship. However, it remains uncertain whether this is true for the patients with Crohn's disease. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast occurred in a 35-year-old female with Crohn's disease taking AZA.

Dry powder insufflation of crystalline and amorphous voriconazole formulations produced by thin film freezing to mice.

Attention has begun to focus on the pulmonary delivery of antifungal agents for invasive fungal infections as inhalation of the fungal spores is often the initial step in the pathogenesis of many of these infections, including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). IPA in immunocompromised patients has high mortality rates despite current systemic (oral or intravenous) therapies. In this study, particulate voriconazole (VRC) formulations were designed with suitable properties for inhalation using thin film freezing (TFF), a particle engineering process capable of producing low-density porous aggregate particles.

PEGylated Poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-based dual-targeting carrier for treating brain tumors.

A dual-targeting drug carrier (PAMAM-PEG-WGA-Tf) based on the PEGylated fourth generation (G = 4.0) PAMAM dendrimer with transferrin (Tf) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) on the periphery and doxorubicin (DOX) loaded in the interior was synthesized and its BBB penetration and tumor targeting properties were explored. DLS and TEM measurements revealed the size of PAMAM-PEG-WGA-Tf was in the range of 14-20 nm.

Effects of stealth liposomal daunorubicin plus tamoxifen on the breast cancer and cancer stem cells.

Purpose: The cancer stem cells play an important role in the invasion, metastasis and relapse of cancers as they are resistant to regular chemotherapy. In the present study, stealth liposomal daunorubicin plus tamoxifen was developed for eradicating breast cancer cells together with cancer stem cells.

Methods: Inhibitory effects were performed on the bulk human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), the sorted MCF-7 cancer stem-like cells (side population, SP), and the sorted MCF-7 cancer cells (NSP), respectively.

Enhanced efficacy of functionalized epirubicin liposomes in treating brain glioma-bearing rats.

Purpose: The restriction of drug transporting across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the limit of drug penetrating into the tumor tissue remain the major obstacles for brain tumor chemotherapy. In the present study, we developed a functionalized liposomal nanoconstruct, epirubicin liposomes modified with tamoxifen (TAM) and transferrin (TF), for transporting drug across the BBB and afterwards targeting the brain glioma.

Methods: Evaluations were performed on the murine C6 glioma cells, the C6 glioma spheroids, the BBB model in vitro and the brain glioma-bearing rats.

Dual-targeting daunorubicin liposomes improve the therapeutic efficacy of brain glioma in animals.

Chemotherapy for brain glioma has been of limited value due to the inability of transport of drug across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poor penetration of drug into the tumor. For overcoming these hurdles, the dual-targeting daunorubicin liposomes were developed by conjugating with p-aminophenyl-alpha-D-manno-pyranoside (MAN) and transferrin (TF) for transporting drug across the BBB and then targeting brain glioma. The dual-targeting effects were evaluated on the BBB model in vitro, C6 glioma cells in vitro, avascular C6 glioma tumor spheroids in vitro, and C6 glioma-bearing rats in vivo, respectively.

Dual-targeting topotecan liposomes modified with tamoxifen and wheat germ agglutinin significantly improve drug transport across the blood-brain barrier and survival of brain tumor-bearing animals.

Chemotherapy of brain tumors remains a big challenge owing to the low drug transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), multidrug resistance (MDR), and poor penetration into the tumor tissue. We developed a novel dual-targeting liposomal carrier that enabled drug to transport across the BBB and then target the brain tumor. In the dual-targeting liposomal carrier, tamoxifen (TAM) was incorporated into the lipid bilayer membrane of liposomes and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) was conjugated to the liposomes' surface.

A potential target associated with both cancer and cancer stem cells: a combination therapy for eradication of breast cancer using vinorelbine stealthy liposomes plus parthenolide stealthy liposomes.

The cancer stem cells play a critical role in both initiation and relapse of the cancers as they are resistant to the most of cytotoxic agents and able to proliferate indefinitely. Vinorelbine stealthy liposomes and parthenolide stealthy liposomes were developed for providing beneficial pharmacological properties and to eradicate cancer stem cells and non-stem cancer cells together by a combination therapy. Cytotoxicity and cancer stem-like cells (side population, SP) identification were performed on human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231.

Pulmonary gemcitabine delivery for treating lung cancer: pharmacokinetics and acute lung injury aspects in animals.

Gemcitabine, a nucleoside analogue for treating lung cancer, is clinically administered as an intravenous infusion. To achieve better patient compliance and more direct effect on the lung, we explored a new gemcitabine pulmonary delivery route and evaluated the pharmacokinetics and acute lung injury aspects in animals. Pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats after intravenous (i.