Relation between frailty and adverse outcomes in elderly patients with gastric cancer: a scoping review.

Background: Playing an exemplary role, frailty have crucial effect on the preoperative evaluation of elderly patients. Previous studies have shown that frailty is associated with complications and mortality in patients with gastric cancer (GC). However, with the development of the concept of "patient-centered", the range of health-related outcomes is broad.

Prevalence and unfavorable outcome of frailty in older adults with gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Previous studies reported inconsistent results on the prevalence and prognostic implications of frailty among older adults with gastric cancer. This systematic review synthesized available literature pertaining on this topic to establish the prevalence and unfavorable outcomes of frailty in older adults with gastric cancer.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple English databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science as well as Chinese databases, namely, CNKI, Wan Fang, and CBM, from inception to July 4, 2023, to identify potential studies.

The clip-segment of the von Willebrand domain 1 of the BMP modulator protein Crossveinless 2 is preformed.

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are secreted protein hormones that act as morphogens and exert essential roles during embryonic development of tissues and organs. Signaling by BMPs occurs via hetero-oligomerization of two types of serine/threonine kinase transmembrane receptors. Due to the small number of available receptors for a large number of BMP ligands ligand-receptor promiscuity presents an evident problem requiring additional regulatory mechanisms for ligand-specific signaling.

Folate-modified poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) as hydrophilic corona in polymeric micelles for enhanced intracellular doxorubicin delivery.

The transmembrane transport of drug loaded micelles to intracellular compartment is quite crucial for efficient drug delivery. In the current study, we investigated the cellular internalization and anticancer activity of doxorubicin loaded micelles with folate modified stealthy PEOz corona. Folate-decorated micelles incorporating doxorubicin were characterized for particle size, degree of folate decoration, drug loading content and encapsulation efficiency, morphology, and surface charge.

An overview of the pharmacokinetics of polymer-based nanoassemblies and nanoparticles.

Advancements in the design and synthesis of polymer-based nanoassemblies and nanoparticles, combined with achievements in nanotechnology and medicine, have resulted in remarkable applications of polymer nanosystems in the areas of nanomedicine and pharmaceutical sciences. However, a complete understanding of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) processes of such polymer nanosystems in living systems has not been achieved. The influences of the pharmacokinetic parameters of polymer nanomaterials on the ADME processes are reviewed in this article, with discussions of the absorption and transportation of polymer nanoparticles across biological barriers, the factors affecting the bodily distribution of polymer nanocarriers, the transformation of polymer nanomaterials in vivo, the elimination pathway of polymer nanoparticles from biological systems, and perspectives of future pharmacokinetics and safety investigations of polymer-based nanoassemblies.

[The functional changes in L-type Ca2+ channel of hypertrophied cardiomyocytes in neonatal rats induced by angiotensin II].

Objective: To investigate the molecular and functional changes in L-type Ca2+ channel of hypertrophied cardiomyocytes in neonatal rats induced by angiotensin II (Ang II).

Methods: The in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was established in cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats. Whole cell patch clamp was used to measure the L-type Ca2+ currents.

Application of liposome encapsulation technique to improve anti-carcinoma effect of resveratrol.

Aim: The promising anti-tumor effect of resveratrol (RES) has aroused much interest in recent years, but its clinical application was seriously hindered due to its poor solubility in water. The aim of this study was to improve the water solubility of RES by liposome encapsulation technique for effective tumor treatment.

Methods: This study develops two liposomal formulations to solubilize RES by reverse-phase evaporation method with or without poly(ethylene glycol-2000)-grafted distearolyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE-PEG(2000)).

Binding between Crossveinless-2 and Chordin von Willebrand factor type C domains promotes BMP signaling by blocking Chordin activity.

Background: Crossveinless-2 (CV2) is an extracellular BMP modulator protein of the Chordin family, which can either enhance or inhibit BMP activity. CV2 binds to BMP2 via subdomain 1 of the first of its five N-terminal von Willebrand factor type C domains (VWC1). Previous studies showed that this BMP binding is required for the anti-, but not for the pro-BMP effect of CV2.

Beta-cyclodextrin-centered star-shaped amphiphilic polymers for doxorubicin delivery.

Aim: Delivery of doxorubicin could be achieved by a novel micellar system based on beta-cyclodextrin-centered star-shaped amphiphilic polymers (sPEL/CD). This study specifically explored the effect of polylactide segments in sPEL/CD on various micelle properties, such as the critical micelle concentration, size, drug loading, cytotoxicity and drug resistance reversing effect.

Method: The sPEL/CD was synthesized by the arm-first method.

Anti-hepatitis B virus X protein in sera is one of the markers of development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer mediated by HBV.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the significance of circulating antibody to hepatitis B virus X antigen (anti-HBx) in sera remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the titers of anti-HBx (IgG) in the sera from 173 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 106 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 61 HCC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

Biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers as drug delivery system.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-PEG) copolymers are important synthetic biomedical materials with amphiphilicity, controlled biodegradability, and great biocompatibility. They have great potential application in the fields of nanotechnology, tissue engineering, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry. This review introduced several aspects of PCL-PEG copolymers, including synthetic chemistry, PCL-PEG micro/nanoparticles, PCL-PEG hydrogels, and physicochemical and toxicological properties.

PAMAM-triamcinolone acetonide conjugate as a nucleus-targeting gene carrier for enhanced transfer activity.

The excellent transfection efficiency and viability are essential for successful gene therapy. It suggested that when bound to its glucocorticoid receptor, glucocorticoid steroid can dilate the nuclear pore complexes and facilitated the transport of pDNA into the nucleus. In this research, the two different degrees of substitution of PAMAM-triamcinolone acetonide (PAMAM-TA) conjugates were synthesised for efficient translocation of pDNA into the nucleus.

Polymeric nanoparticles of cholesterol-modified glycol chitosan for doxorubicin delivery: preparation and in-vitro and in-vivo characterization.

Objectives: Polymeric nanoparticles have been extensively studied as drug carriers. Chitosan and its derivatives have attracted significant attention in this regard but have limited application because of insolubility in biological solution. In this work, we attempted to utilize cholesterol-modified glycol chitosan (CHGC) self-aggregated nanoparticles to increase aqueous solubility, and to reduce side effects and enhance the antitumour efficacy of the anticancer drug doxorubicin.

Constructing doxorubicin-loaded polymeric micelles through amphiphilic graft polyphosphazenes containing ethyl tryptophan and PEG segments.

By changing the molar ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, a series of novel amphiphilic graft polyphosphazenes (PEG/EtTrp-PPPs) was synthesized via thermal ring-opening polymerization and a subsequent two-step substitution reaction of hydrophilic methoxyl polyethylene glycol (MPEG) and hydrophobic ethyl tryptophan (EtTrp). (1)H-Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared studies validated the expected synthesis of copolymers. The copolymer composition was also confirmed by UV-visible spectrophotometry.

Doxorubicin-loaded polymeric micelles based on amphiphilic polyphosphazenes with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) and ethyl glycinate as side groups: synthesis, preparation and in vitro evaluation.

Purpose: To construct novel doxorubicin-loaded polymeric micelles based on polyphosphazenes containing N-isopropylacrylamide copolymers and evaluate their various properties as well as in vitro anticancer effect.

Methods: These amphiphilic graft polyphosphazenes PNDGP were synthesized via thermal ring-opening polymerization and subsequent two-step substitution reaction of hydrophilic and hydrophobic side groups. Micellization behavior in an aqueous phase was confirmed by fluorescence technique, DLS and TEM.

Self-assembled honokiol-loaded micelles based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer.

Self-assembled polymeric micelles are widely applied in drug delivery system (DDS). In this study, honokiol (HK) loaded micelles were prepared from biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCEC) copolymers. Micelles were prepared by self-assembly of triblock copolymer PCEC in distilled water triggered by its amphiphilic character without any organic solvent.

Crystal structure analysis reveals how the Chordin family member crossveinless 2 blocks BMP-2 receptor binding.

Crossveinless 2 (CV-2) is an extracellular BMP modulator protein belonging to the Chordin family. During development it is expressed at sites of high BMP signaling and like Chordin CV-2 can either enhance or inhibit BMP activity. CV-2 binds to BMP-2 via its N-terminal Von Willebrand factor type C (VWC) domain 1.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the complex of the first von Willebrand type C domain bound to bone morphogenetic protein 2.

Crossveinless 2 (CV2) is a member of the chordin family, a protein superfamily that modulates the activity of bone morphogenetic proteins such as BMP2. The BMPs represent a large group of secreted proteins that control many steps during embryonal development and in tissue and organ homeostasis in the adult organism. The gene encoding the first von Willebrand type C domain (VWC1) of CV2 was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity.

Identification of a natural mutant of HBV X protein truncated 27 amino acids at the COOH terminal and its effect on liver cell proliferation.

Aim: To identify mutants of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) X (HBx) gene and investigate the effect of the natural mutant on liver cell proliferation.

Methods: We identified natural mutants of the HBx gene from 188 sera and 48 tissues of Chinese patients infected with HBV by PCR, respectively. Based on the identification of the mutants of HBx gene, we cloned the fragments of the mutants into the pcDNA3 vector.

Physicochemical characterization, in vitro, and in vivo evaluation of indomethacin-loaded nanocarriers self-assembled by amphiphilic polyphosphazene.

Copolymeric nanocarriers assembled by amphiphilic polyphosphazene bearing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and ethyl glycinate (EtGly) as substitutes, were investigated as drug vehicles for indomethacin (IND). The physicochemical characteristics of the novel nanocontainers were studied, including lower critical solution temperature (LCST), critical micelle concentration (CMC) and drug loading capacity. LCST measurements revealed that copolymer is more sensitive to the introduction of salts into aqueous solution compared with homopolymer.

[The role of nitric oxide in ethylene-induced stomatal closure in Vicia faba L].

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) and ethylene on Vicia faba L. stomatal movement were studied. The results showed that NO donor SNP (sodium nitroprusside) 10 micromol/L and ethylene 0.

Self-assembled polyethylenimine-graft-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) micelles as potential dual carriers of genes and anticancer drugs.

A series of amphiphilic cationic graft polymers (PEC) were synthesized by coupling poly(epsilon-caprolactone) of differing molecular weights (MW) to low MW branched polyethylenimine via an amide group. IR, (1)H-NMR and GPC were employed to characterize the graft copolymers. The self-assembly characteristics of these copolymers in an aqueous solution were studied by fluorescence techniques.

Local delivery of indomethacin to arthritis-bearing rats through polymeric micelles based on amphiphilic polyphosphazenes.

Purpose: Preparation, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of indomethacin-loaded polymeric micelles based on amphiphilic polyphosphazene.

Methods: Amphiphilic polyphosphazenes (PNIPAAm/EAB-PPPs) with poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and ethyl 4-aminobenzoate (EAB) as side groups were synthesized through thermal ring-opening polymerization and subsequent substitution reactions. Indomethacin (IND) loaded polymeric micelles based on PNIPAAm/EAB-PPPs were prepared by dialysis procedure.

von Willebrand factor type C domain-containing proteins regulate bone morphogenetic protein signaling through different recognition mechanisms.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) function is regulated in the extracellular space by many modulator proteins, including those containing a von Willebrand factor type C (VWC) domain. The function of the VWC domain-containing proteins in development and diseases has been extensively studied. The structural basis, however, for the mechanism by which BMP is regulated by these proteins is still poorly understood.

Epitope analysis of the malaria surface antigen pfs48/45 identifies a subdomain that elicits transmission blocking antibodies.

Pfs48/45, a member of a Plasmodium-specific protein family, displays conformation-dependent epitopes and is an important target for malaria transmission-blocking (TB) immunity. To design a recombinant Pfs48/45-based TB vaccine, we analyzed the conformational TB epitopes of Pfs48/45. The Pfs48/45 protein was found to consist of a C-terminal six-cysteine module recognized by anti-epitope I antibodies, a middle four-cysteine module recognized by anti-epitopes IIb and III, and an N-terminal module recognized by anti-epitope V antibodies.