Chlorotoxin-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for pH-responsive paclitaxel delivery to Glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain cancer associated with poor survival rates. We developed novel mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs)-based nanocarriers for pH-responsive delivery of a therapeutic drug Paclitaxel (PTX) to GBM tumor cells. The pores of MSNs are loaded with PTX, which is retained by β-cyclodextrin (CD) moieties covalently linked to the pore entrances through a hydrazone linkage, which is cleavable in weakly acidic environment.

Management of iron deficiency in women of childbearing age with oral iron intolerance: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial of three doses of an iron-whey-protein formulation : Prospective RandomisEd study of women of Childbearing age with gastroInteStinal Intolerance to Oral iroN (PRECISION).

Background: Nutritional deficit and oral iron gastrointestinal intolerance may be a common cause of iron deficiency, which can be managed by pharmacists.

Aim: To understand the prevalence of iron deficiency in women of childbearing age with a self-reported history of intolerance to oral iron and the tolerability of three doses of an iron-whey-protein formulation in the care of these women.

Method: Ferritin and haemoglobin levels were documented in women of childbearing age with oral iron gastrointestinal intolerance.

Bleeding and Thrombosis in Multiple Myeloma: Platelets as Key Players during Cell Interactions and Potential Use as Drug Delivery Systems.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy originated in the bone marrow and characterized by unhindered plasma cell proliferation that results in several clinical manifestations. Although the main role of blood platelets lies in hemostasis and thrombosis, platelets also play a pivotal role in a number of other pathological conditions. Platelets are the less-explored components from the tumor microenvironment in MM.

decne (capparaceae): isolation of flavonoids by high-speed countercurrent chromatography and their anti-inflammatory evaluation.

Decne. (CC) originates from the dry regions of Asia and the Mediterranean basin. In traditional medicine, tea of CC leaves is commonly used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, and gout.

Proteomics profiling identifies extracellular vesicles' cargo associated with tumour cell induced platelet aggregation.

Background: Cancer patients have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism, with up to 30% dying within a month of their development. Some cancer cells are known to induce platelet aggregation, and this interaction is understood to contribute to thrombosis and haematogenous metastasis. Many researchers have reported on extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from platelets.

The Pharmacological Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized with Eptifibatide on Platelets and Endothelial Cells.

Purpose: In the search for new drug delivery platforms for cardiovascular diseases and coating of medical devices, we synthesized eptifibatide-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-EPI) and examined the pharmacological activity of AgNPs-EPI on platelets and endothelial cells in vitro and ex vivo.

Methods: Spherical AgNPs linked to eptifibatide were synthesized and characterized. Cytotoxicity was measured in microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), platelets and red blood cells.

Fyn-kinase and caveolin-1 in the alveolar epithelial junctional adherence complex contribute to the early stages of pulmonary fibrosis.

Current pathophysiological findings indicate that damage to the alveolar epithelium plays a decisive role in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The available pharmacological interventions (i.e.

Lipoic Acid-Coated Silver Nanoparticles: Biosafety Potential on the Vascular Microenvironment and Antibacterial Properties.

To study and compare the antibacterial properties and the potential cytotoxic effects of commercially available uncoated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with lipoic acid coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPsLA) developed by our group. The antibacterial, cytotoxic, and hemolytic properties of those NPs were assessed with the main objective of investigating if AgNPsLA could maintain their antibacterial properties while improving their biosafety profile over uncoated AgNPs within the blood vessel's microenvironment. Comercially available uncoated 2.

A novel aryl-guanidinium derivative, VP79s, targets the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway, downregulates myeloid cell leukaemia-1 and exhibits preclinical activity against multiple myeloma.

Aims: We have recently described a novel guanidinium-based compound, VP79s, which induces cytotoxicity in various cancer cell lines. Here, we aim to investigate the activity of VP79s and associated mechanisms of action in multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro and ex vivo.

Main Methods: The effects of VP79s on cell viability and induction of apoptosis was examined in a panel of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant MM cell lines, as well as ex vivo patient samples and normal donor lymphocytes and platelets.

Identification and Pharmaceutical Characterization of a New Itraconazole Terephthalic Acid Cocrystal.

The crystallization of poorly soluble drug molecules with an excipient into new solid phases called cocrystals has gained a considerable popularity in the pharmaceutical field. In this work, the cocrystal approach was explored for a very poorly water soluble antifungal active, itraconazole (ITR), which was, for the first time, successfully converted into this multicomponent solid using an aromatic coformer, terephthalic acid (TER). The new cocrystal was characterized in terms of its solid-state and structural properties, and a panel of pharmaceutical tests including wettability and dissolution were performed.

An Enteric-Coated Polyelectrolyte Nanocomplex Delivers Insulin in Rat Intestinal Instillations when Combined with a Permeation Enhancer.

The use of nanocarriers is being researched to achieve oral peptide delivery. Insulin-associated anionic polyelectrolyte nanoparticle complexes (PECs) were formed that comprised hyaluronic acid and chitosan in an optimum mass mixing ratio of 5:1 (MR 5), followed by coating with a pH-dependent polymer. Free insulin was separated from PECs by size exclusion chromatography and then measured by HPLC.

Effect on Platelet Function of Metal-Based Nanoparticles Developed for Medical Applications.

Nanomaterials have been recently introduced as potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the medical field. One of the main concerns in relation to the use of nanomaterials in humans is their potential toxicity profile and blood compatibility. In fact, and due to their small size, NPs can translocate into the systemic circulation even after dermal contact, inhalation, or oral ingestion.

Effects of functionalized silver nanoparticles on aggregation of human blood platelets.

Purpose: We studied the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on human blood platelet function. We hypothesized that AgNPs, a known antimicrobial agent, can be used as blood-compatible, "ideal material'' in medical devices or as a drug delivery system. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate if functionalized AgNPs affect platelet function and platelets as well as endothelial cell viability in vitro.

Impact of polyethylene glycol polymers on the physicochemical properties and mucoadhesivity of itraconazole nanoparticles.

Itraconazole (ITR) is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug with a very low solubility. In this work, the application of a heat induced evaporative antisolvent nanoprecipitation process yielded disordered nanoparticles (NPs) of ITR. The inclusion of different types of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) allowed PEGylation of NPs by adsorption to be achieved.

Freeze drying of polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles: Effect of nanoparticle composition and cryoprotectant selection.

This work investigates the impact of nanoparticle (NP) composition and effectiveness of cryo-/lyo-protectants in a freeze drying process, which was employed to convert liquid dispersions of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) NPs into completely redispersible powders. PEC NPs, with and without peptide, were produced by complex coacervation. The cryo-/lyo-protectants investigated were mannitol, trehalose (TRE) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG).

Role of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, toll-like receptor 4 and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation in sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia.

Background: The development of thrombocytopenia in sepsis is a poor prognostic indicator associated with a significantly increased mortality risk. Mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be clearly elucidated. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that regulate the turnover of the extra-cellular matrix.

Platelet microaggregation in sepsis examined by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation technology.

Antiplatelet therapies remain an area of potential interest for the treatment of sepsis; however, studies of platelet aggregation in sepsis have yielded conflicting results. We examined platelet aggregation patterns in patients with septic shock using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation technology, a microfluidic device capable of measuring platelet microaggregate formation under flow conditions. Platelet aggregation was increased in the washed platelet samples of septic patients.

Differential eNOS-signalling by platelet subpopulations regulates adhesion and aggregation.

Aims: In addition to maintaining haemostasis, circulating blood platelets are the cellular culprits that form occlusive thrombi in arteries and veins. Compared to blood leucocytes, which exist as functionally distinct subtypes, platelets are considered to be relatively simple cell fragments that form vascular system plugs without a differentially regulated cellular response. Hence, investigation into platelet subpopulations with distinct functional roles in haemostasis/thrombosis has been limited.

Self-assembled hyaluronate/protamine polyelectrolyte nanoplexes: synthesis, stability, biocompatibility and potential use as peptide carriers.

This work investigates a new type of polyelectrolyte complex nanocarrier composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and protamine (PROT). Small (approximately 60 nm) and negatively charged nanoparticles (NPs) with a polydispersity index of less than 0.2 were obtained with properties that were dependent on the mixing ratio, concentration of polyelectrolytes and molecular weight of HA.

Nanodiagnostics, nanopharmacology and nanotoxicology of platelet-vessel wall interactions.

In physiological conditions, the interactions between blood platelets and endothelial cells play a major role in vascular reactivity and hemostasis. By contrast, increased platelet activation contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular pathology such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and carcinogenesis. Nanomedicine, including nanodiagnostics and nanotherapeutics is poised to be used in the management of vascular diseases.

Chondroitin-based nanoplexes as peptide delivery systems--Investigations into the self-assembly process, solid-state and extended release characteristics.

A new type of self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex nanocarrier composed of chondroitin (CHON) and protamine (PROT) was designed and the ability of the carriers to bind salmon calcitonin (sCT) was examined. The response of sCT-loaded CHON/PROT NPs to a change in the properties of the liquid medium, e.g.

CuO nanoparticles induce apoptosis by impairing the antioxidant defense and detoxification systems in the mouse hippocampal HT22 cell line: protective effect of crocetin.

Several studies have reported that CuO nanoparticles (CuONPs) have the capacity to cross the blood brain barrier and exert a toxic effect. The aims of our study were to investigate mechanisms underlying CuONPs-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and neuroprotective effects of crocetin. We investigated the toxicological effects of exposure of HT22 hippocampal cells to CuONPs (31 nm) in the presence or absence of crocetin.

Pegylation increases platelet biocompatibility of gold nanoparticles.

The increasing use of gold nanoparticles in medical diagnosis and treatment has raised the concern over their blood compatibility. The interactions of nanoparticles with blood components may lead to platelet aggregation and endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, medical applications of gold nanoparticles call for increased nanoparticle stability and biocompatibility.

Pharmacological and toxicological effects of co-exposure of human gingival fibroblasts to silver nanoparticles and sodium fluoride.

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and fluoride (F) are pharmacological agents widely used in oral medicine and dental practice due to their anti-microbial/anti-cavity properties. However, risks associated with the co-exposure of local cells and tissues to these xenobiotics are not clear. Therefore, we have evaluated the effects of AgNPs and F co-exposure on human gingival fibroblast cells.