Molecular miscibility of ASD blend components: an evaluation of (the added value of) solid state NMR spectroscopy and relaxometry.

In order to evaluate the stability of an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) it is crucial to be able to accurately determine whether the ASD components are homogeneously mixed or not. Several solid-state analysis techniques are at the disposal of the formulation scientist, such as for example modulated differential scanning calorimetry (mDSC) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (ssNMR). ssNMR is a robust, versatile, and accurate analysis technique with a large number of application possibilities.

The Dissemination of Rift Valley Fever Virus to the Eye and Sensory Neurons of Zebrafish Larvae Is Stat1-Dependent.

The Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes haemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, and permanent blindness and has been listed by the WHO as a priority pathogen. To study RVFV pathogenesis and identify small-molecule antivirals, we established a novel In Vivo model using zebrafish larvae. Pericardial injection of RVFV resulted in ~4 log viral RNA copies/larva, which was inhibited by the antiviral 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine.

Exploring the influence of hydrogen bond donor groups on the microstructure and intermolecular interactions of amorphous solid dispersions containing diflunisal structural analogues.

Drug-polymer intermolecular interactions, and H-bonds specifically, play an important role in the stabilization process of a compound in an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD). However, it is still difficult to predict whether or not interactions will form and what the strength of those interactions would be, based on the structure of drug and polymer. Therefore, in this study, structural analogues of diflunisal (DIF) were synthesized and incorporated in ASDs with poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (PVPVA) as a stabilizing polymer.

Human iPSC-derived liver co-culture spheroids to model liver fibrosis.

The lack of adequate humanmodels that recapitulate the cellular composition and response of the human liver to injury hampers the development of anti-fibrotic drugs. The goal of this study was to develop a human spheroid culture model to study liver fibrosis by using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived liver cells. iPSCs were independently differentiated towards hepatoblasts (iHepatoblasts), hepatic stellate cells (iHSCs), endothelial cells (iECs) and macrophages (iMΦ), before assembly into free floating spheroids by culturing cells in 96-well U-bottom plates and orbital shaking for up to 21 days to allow further maturation.

Helicobacter pylori-derived outer membrane vesicles contribute to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis via C3-C3aR signalling.

The gut microbiota represents a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms that can influence the health of the host. Increasing evidence supports the role of the gut microbiota as a key player in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Unfortunately, the mechanisms behind the interplay between gut pathogens and AD are still elusive.