Moxibustion pre-treatment attenuates seizure severity during status epilepticus and counteracts the proconvulsant function of the purinergic P2X7 receptor.

Moxibustion, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, involves the warming of specific acupuncture points of the body using ignited herbal materials. Evidence suggests beneficial effects of moxibustion in several brain diseases including epilepsy, however, whether moxibustion pretreatment impacts on seizures and what are the underlying mechanisms remains to be established. Evidence has suggested the purinergic ATP-gated P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) to be involved in the actions of moxibustion.

Red Blood Cell-Hitchhiking Delivery of Simvastatin to Relieve Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to address the high mortality and poor prognosis associated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), conditions characterized by acute and progressive respiratory failure. The primary goal was to prolong drug circulation time, increase drug accumulation in the lungs, and minimize drug-related side effects.

Methods: Simvastatin (SIM) was used as the model drug in this study.

Keratin Formed Bioadhesive Ophthalmic Gel for the Bacterial Conjunctivitis Treatment.

Keratin has the potential to function as the gel matrix in an ophthalmic formulation for the encapsulation of the macrolide antibiotic azithromycin. The quality of this formulation was thoroughly evaluated through various analyses, such as in vitro release assessment, rheological examination, intraocular retention studies in rabbits, assessment of bacteriostatic efficacy, and safety evaluations. It is worth mentioning that the gel demonstrated shear thinning properties and exhibited characteristics of an elastic solid, thereby confirming its structural stability.

A microthrombus-driven fixed-point cleaved nanosystem for preventing post-thrombolysis recurrence via inhibiting ferroptosis.

Thrombus-induced cardiovascular diseases threaten human health. Current treatment strategies often rely on urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) for its efficacy, yet it has such limiting factors as short half-life, lack of thrombus targeting, and systemic side effects leading to unintended bleeding. In addition, thrombolytic interventions can trigger inflammation-induced damage at thrombus sites, which affects endothelial function.

Spatiotemporally sequential delivery of biomimetic liposomes potentiates glioma chemotherapy.

As one of the most challenging cancers, glioma still lacks efficient therapeutic treatment in clinics. The dilemmas of nanodrug-based therapies for glioma are due not only the limited permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) but also the deficiency of targeting tumor lesions. Thus, spatiotemporally sequential delivery of therapeutics from BBB-crossing to glioma accumulation is considered a strategy to obtain better outcomes.

Medulloblastoma targeted therapy: From signaling pathways heterogeneity and current treatment dilemma to the recent advances in development of therapeutic strategies.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a major pediatric malignant brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum. MB tumors exhibit highly heterogeneous driven by diverse genetic alterations and could be divided into four major subgroups based on their different biological drivers and molecular features (Wnt, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), group 3, and group 4 MB). Even though the therapeutic strategies for each MB subtype integrate their pathogenesis and were developed to focus on their specific target sites, the unexpected drug non-selective cytotoxicity, low drug accumulation in the brain, and complexed MB tumor microenvironment still be huge obstacles to achieving satisfied MB therapeutic efficiency.

Recent Advances on Key Enzymes of Microbial Origin in the Lycopene Biosynthesis Pathway.

Lycopene is a common carotenoid found mainly in ripe red fruits and vegetables that is widely used in the food industry due to its characteristic color and health benefits. Microbial synthesis of lycopene is gradually replacing the traditional methods of plant extraction and chemical synthesis as a more economical and productive manufacturing strategy. The biosynthesis of lycopene is a typical multienzyme cascade reaction, and it is important to understand the characteristics of each key enzyme involved and how they are regulated.

Nano-vaccines combining customized in situ anti-PD-L1 depot for enhanced tumor immunotherapy.

Low response rate of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has limited its clinical application. A promising strategy to overcome this limitation is the use of therapeutic cancer vaccines, which aim to induce robust immune responses that synergize with ICB through immune enhancement and immune normalization strategies. Herein, we developed a combination immunotherapy by combining nano-vaccines consisting of whole tumor cell lysates/CpG liposomes (LCLs) with an anti-PD-L1 loaded lipid gel (aPD-L1@LG).

A micro sample pretreatment technique combined with ion chromatography and its application in the determination of polyvinyl chloride.

A method for the determination of polyvinyl chloride was developed by the use of a micro sample pretreatment technique combined with ion chromatography. Polyvinyl chloride sample was placed in a sealed glass capillary containing 10 μL deionized water. As a micro pyrolysis reactor, the sealed glass capillary was maintained at 300 °C for 2 min in an oven.

Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Adenosine A Receptors.

As an invasive nuclear medical imaging technology, positron emission tomography (PET) possess the possibility to imaging the distribution as well as the density of selective receptors via specific PET tracers. Inspired by PET, the development of radio-chemistry has greatly promoted the progress of innovative imaging PET tracers for adenosine receptors, in particular adenosine A2A receptors (ARs). PET imaging of A2A receptors play import roles in the research of adenosine related disorders.

(DU20)-penetrating- (GB7) acupuncture inhibits apoptosis in the perihemorrhagic penumbra.

Baihui (DU20)-penetrating-Qubin (GB7) acupuncture can inhibit inflammatory reactions and activate signaling pathways related to proliferation after intracerebral hemorrhage. However, there is no research showing the relationship between this treatment and cell apoptosis. Rat models of intracerebral hemorrhage were established by injecting 60 μL of autologous blood into the right side of the caudate-putamen.