This study explores the characterization and application of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) synthesized from organic residues, specifically milk and molasses. Six PHBV samples with varying 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) content (7%, 15%, and 32%) were analyzed to assess how 3HV composition influences their properties. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including NMR, FTIR, XRD, DSC, TGA, and tensile-stress test, were used to evaluate the molecular structure, thermal properties, crystalline structure, and mechanical behavior.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOncolytic virotherapy has shown great promise in mediating targeted tumor destruction through tumor-selective replication and induction of anti-tumor immunity; however, obstacles remain for virus candidates to reach the clinic. These include avoiding neutralizing antibodies, preventing stimulation of the adaptive immune response during intravenous administration, and inducing sufficient apoptosis and immune activation so that the body's defense can work to eradicate systemic disease. We have developed a co-formulation of oncolytic viruses (OVs) with Imagent lipid-encapsulated, perfluorocarbon microbubbles (MBs) to protect the OVs from the innate and adaptive immune system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the urgent need for new antivirals to control emerging infectious diseases and potential future pandemics. Immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology and could complement the use of antivirals, but its application to infectious diseases remains largely unexplored. Nucleoside analogs are a class of agents widely used as antiviral and anti-neoplastic drugs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSurface modification of drug-loaded particles with polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains is a powerful tool that promotes better transport of therapeutic agents, provides stability, and avoids their detection by the immune system. In this study, we used a new approach to synthesize a biodegradable poly(ester amide) (PEA) and PEGylating surfactant. These were employed to fabricate micro/nanoparticles with a core-shell structure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough previous studies have suggested that subtype B HIV-1 proviruses in the brain are associated with physiological changes and immune activation accompanied with microgliosis and astrogliosis, and indicated that both HIV-1 subtype variation and geographical location might influence the neuropathogenicity of HIV-1 in the brain. The natural course of neuropathogenesis of the most widespread subtype C HIV-1 has not been adequately investigated, especially for people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa. To characterize the natural neuropathology of subtype C HIV-1, postmortem frontal lobe and basal ganglia tissues were collected from nine ART-naïve individuals who died of late-stage AIDS with subtype C HIV-1 infection, and eight uninfected deceased individuals as controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBacterial contamination is a hazard in many industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The availability of a rapid and simple method for detecting this type of contamination in sterile areas enables immediate intervention to avoid or reduce detrimental effects. Among these methods, colorimetric indicators are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, ease of use, and quick visual interpretation of the signal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjetive: this study was to determine the relationship between acute febrile illness and bacterial pathogens with zoonotic potential that cause emerging and re-emerging diseases in a central-eastern region of Peru.
Results: Out of the 279 samples analyzed, 23 (8.2%) tested positive for infection by Rickettsia spp.
Background: The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex comprises a catalytic (PRKDC) and two requisite DNA-binding (Ku70/Ku80) subunits. The role of the complex in repairing double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) is established, but its role in inflammation, as a complex or individual subunits, remains elusive. While only ~ 1% of PRKDC is necessary for DNA repair, we reported that partial inhibition blocks asthma in mice without causing SCID.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFhas been described as a cause of serious community-acquired infections in tropical countries. Currently, its implications when simultaneously identified with other pathogens are not yet adequately understood. A descriptive study was conducted on hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of moderate/severe SARS-CoV-2-induced pneumonia confirmed via real-time RT-PCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
December 2023
This review presents a comprehensive update of the biopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), emphasizing its production, properties, and applications. The overall biosynthesis pathway of PHBV is explored in detail, highlighting recent advances in production techniques. The inherent physicochemical properties of PHBV, along with its degradation behavior, are discussed in detail.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises a heterogeneous group of clinically aggressive tumors with high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Current pharmacological treatment options remain largely limited to chemotherapy. Despite promising results, the efficacy of immunotherapy and chemo-immunotherapy in TNBC remains limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The efficacy of CB-103 was evaluated in preclinical models of both ER+ and TNBC. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of combining CB-103 with fulvestrant in ER+ BC and paclitaxel in TNBC was determined.
Methods: CB-103 was screened in combination with a panel of anti-neoplastic drugs.
Medical gloves, along with masks and gowns, serve as the initial line of defense against potentially infectious microorganisms and hazardous substances in the health sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical gloves played a significant role, as they were widely utilized throughout society in daily activities as a preventive measure. These products demonstrated their value as important personal protection equipment (PPE) and reaffirmed their relevance as infection prevention tools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe human neurotropic JCPyV is the widespread opportunistic causative pathogen of the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; however, it has also been implicated in the oncogenesis of several types of cancers. It causes brain tumors when intracerebrally inoculated into rodents, and genomic sequences of different strains and expression of the viral protein large T-Antigen have been detected in a wide variety of glial brain tumors and CNS lymphomas. Here, we present a case of an AIDS-related multifocal primary CNS lymphoma in which JCPyV genomic sequences of the three regions of JCPyV and expression of T-Antigen were detected by PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, rapidly spread worldwide, causing an ongoing global pandemic. While the respiratory system is the most common site of infection, a significant number of reported cases indicate gastrointestinal (GI) involvement. GI symptoms include anorexia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGreat advances in cancer treatment have been undertaken in the last years as a consequence of the development of new antitumoral drugs able to target cancer cells with decreasing side effects and a better understanding of the behavior of neoplastic cells during invasion and metastasis. Specifically, drug delivery systems (DDS) based on the use of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp NPs) are gaining attention and merit a comprehensive review focused on their potential applications. These are derived from the intrinsic properties of HAp (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Primary intracranial rhabdomyosarcoma is an extraordinarily rare malignant tumor, with even fewer presenting with distant metastasis. To date, only five cases, including the one presented here, have been reported to present metastatic activity.
Observations: A 12-year-old boy presented with a few days of headache, nausea, vomiting, but no neurological deficit.
Unlabelled: African American (AA) families have the highest risk of prostate cancer. However, the genetic factors contributing to prostate cancer susceptibility in AA families remain poorly understood. We performed whole-exome sequencing of one affected and one unaffected brother in an AA family with hereditary prostate cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolydopamine-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate copolymer is a biocompatible coating with cell adhesion promotion and antibiofilm properties. This copolymer has been successfully applied on metallic implants, such as stainless steel and titanium implants, using several deposition techniques (. layer-by-layer, silane activation, chemical vapor deposition, or liquid-assisted plasma polymerization).
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