Chondroitin sulfate liposome: clustering toward high functional efficiency.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a linear polysaccharide chain of alternating residues of glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), modified with sulfate groups. Based on the structure, CS chains bind to bioactive molecules specifically and regulate their functions. For example, CS whose GalNAc is sulfated at the C4 position, termed CSA, and CS whose GalNAc is sulfated at both C4 and C6 positions, termed CSE, bind to a malaria protein VAR2CSA and receptor type of protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (RPTPσ), respectively, in a specific manner.

Regional variations and sex-related differences of stiffness in human tracheal ligaments.

Purpose: There have been numerous studies focused on the stiffness of tracheal cartilage. However, no research has been conducted specifically on the annular ligament, nor have any regional differences in the annular ligament been identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the stiffness of the ligaments present between the thyroid, cricoid and tracheal cartilages.

Assessing site-specificity of the biomechanical properties of hamstring aponeuroses using MyotonPRO: A cadaveric study.

Background: Hamstring muscles are the most frequently reported sites of muscle strain injuries, especially near the bi-articular muscles' myotendinous junction, where aponeurosis provides a connective tissue network linking muscle fibers to the tendon. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and site-specific differences of hamstring aponeuroses under different conditions (formalin and urea) using MyotonPRO.

Methods: Eight hamstring muscle groups were dissected from four human cadavers (two males and two females) aged 83-93 years.

Thickness of the Medial Pretarsal Adipose Tissue in the Upper Eyelid among the Japanese Population.

Purpose: To investigate the medial pretarsal adipose tissue thickness of the upper eyelid in the Japanese population.

Methods: Sixty-two whole upper eyelids were harvested from 35 Japanese cadavers and fixed in paraffin. The samples were cut into 5 µm sagittal microsections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as Masson's trichrome.

Biomechanical assessment of gastrocnemii and Achilles tendon using MyotonPRO: measurements, and preliminary measurements using formalin-fixed tissues.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of using MyotonPRO to quantify the mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon unit through in vivo measurements and preliminary in situ measurements using formalin-fixed tissues.

Materials And Methods: The mechanical properties of gastrocnemii and the Achilles tendon of 12 healthy adults (six males and six females, 34.9 ± 5.

Effect of interprofessional education on cadaver dissection seminar.

In 2010, WHO published a "Framework for action on interprofessional education and collaborative practice." Interprofessional education (IPE) is now being conducted in various ways. We have been holding cadaver dissection seminars to provide opportunities for medical students, nursing students, and nurse practitioner (NP) students to learn together.

Specific acupuncture stimulation of Shenshu (BL23) affects sympathetic nervous activity-associated plasma renin concentration changes.

Objective: To examine whether specific stimulation of Shenshu (BL23) affects sympathetic nervous activity (SNA)-associated plasma renin concentration (PRC).

Methods: Eight healthy volunteers participated in three pattern conditions in random order: control (Cont), stimulation of Shenshu (BL23), and stimulation of sham point (Sham). All participants were initially in the supine position for > 60 min, and then remained in the standing position during the experimental procedure to increase SNA.

Nerve branches to the anterior tibial artery: Clinical application.

Arteries receive vascular branches (VBs) from peripheral nerves. VBs are thought to be involved in arterial constriction. Although the anterior tibial artery (ATA) receives VBs, information on their branching patterns and distribution areas remains limited.

Recurrent position and innervation pattern of recurrent peroneal nerve: A cadaveric study.

Background: The recurrent peroneal nerve (RPN) branches from the common peroneal nerve or the deep peroneal nerve and it innervates to the lower patellar region. It has recently been reported that damage to the RPN causes pain in the lower patellar region; therefore, this study examined the recurrent position and the innervation pattern of the RPN.

Methods: Cases of knee deformity or atrophy were excluded, and 50 legs (25 males and 25 females) of 34 cadavers (15 males and 19 females) were examined to assess the recurrent position and the innervation pattern of the RPN.

Physical disuse contributes to widespread chronic mechanical hyperalgesia, tactile allodynia, and cold allodynia through neurogenic inflammation and spino-parabrachio-amygdaloid pathway activation.

Physical disuse could lead to a state of chronic pain typified by complex regional pain syndrome type I due to fear of pain through movement (kinesiophobia) or inappropriate resting procedures. However, the mechanisms by which physical disuse is associated with acute/chronic pain and other pathological signs remain unresolved. We have previously reported that inflammatory signs, contractures, disuse muscle atrophy, spontaneous pain-like behaviors, and chronic widespread mechanical hyperalgesia based on central plasticity occurred after 2 weeks of cast immobilization in chronic post-cast pain (CPCP) rat model.

Developing spray-freeze-dried particles containing a hyaluronic acid-coated liposome-protamine-DNA complex for pulmonary inhalation.

The liposome-protamine-DNA complex (LPD) is an effective cationic carrier of various nucleic acid constructs such as plasmid DNA and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Hyaluronic acid coated on LPD (LPDH) reduces cytotoxicity and maintains the silencing effect of LPD-encapsulated siRNA. Herein, we aim to develop LPD- or LPDH-containing spray-freeze-dried particles (SFDPs) for therapeutic delivery of siRNA to the lungs.

High-Pressure Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen Mixture is Effective for Lung Preservation.

(1) Background: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) degrades heme and generates carbon monoxide (CO), producing various anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic effects. This study aimed to confirm the effects of CO on the ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of donor lungs using a high-pressure gas (HPG) preservation method. (2) Methods: Donor rat and canine lungs were preserved in a chamber filled with CO (1.

Different effects of partial pressure in a high-pressure gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen for rat heart preservation.

We maintained the function of an extracted rat heart after 24-48 h preservation in a high-pressure gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O). Here, we assessed the effects of different partial pressures of hyperbaric CO and O for 24-48 h at 4 °C on rat heart preservation and compared conditions including immersion in University of Wisconsin solution. Preserved hearts were transplanted into recipient rats via heterotopic cervical heart transplantation for in vivo evaluation and perfused using the Langendorff system for ex vivo evaluation.

Preparation of Curcumin-Containing α-, β-, and γ-Cyclodextrin/Polyethyleneglycol-Conjugated Gold Multifunctional Nanoparticles and Their in Vitro Cytotoxic Effects on A549 Cells.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have promising properties such as photothermal effects and could be useful for imaging and as multifunctional nanocarriers for various drugs. In this study, we synthesized polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-grafted GNPs and conjugated them with cyclodextrin (CD) to incorporate curcumin. Curcumin has anticancer effects but its therapeutic application is limited due to poor water solubility.

Defined drug release from 3D-printed composite tablets consisting of drug-loaded polyvinylalcohol and a water-soluble or water-insoluble polymer filler.

3D-printed tablets are a promising new approach for personalized medicine. In this study, we fabricated composite tablets consisting of two components, a drug and a filler, by using a fused deposition modeling-type 3D printer. Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) polymer containing calcein (a model drug) was used as the drug component and PVA or polylactic acid (PLA) polymer without drug was used as the water-soluble or water-insoluble filler, respectively.

3D Printing Factors Important for the Fabrication of Polyvinylalcohol Filament-Based Tablets.

Three-dimensional (3D) printers have been applied in many fields, including engineering and the medical sciences. In the pharmaceutical field, approval of the first 3D-printed tablet by the U.S.

Fabrication of nanocomposite particles using a two-solution mixing-type spray nozzle for use in an inhaled curcumin formulation.

A unique two-solution mixing-type spray nozzle is useful for producing nanocomposite particles (microparticles containing drug nanoparticles) in one step. The nanocomposite particles can prevent nanoparticle aggregation. Curcumin has many reported pharmacological effects.

Enhanced dissolution of inhalable cyclosporine nano-matrix particles with mannitol as matrix former.

This study aims to improve the dissolution of inhalable cyclosporine A nanoparticles by formulating the drug with mannitol as a hydrophilic nano-matrix former. The effect of mannitol content on the aerosol performance of the nano-matrix particles was also examined. Cyclosporine A nanosuspensions were produced by anti-solvent precipitation using a multi-inlet vortex mixer.