Intradermal Injection of a Thermoresponsive Polymeric Dexamethasone Prodrug (ProGel-Dex) Ameliorate Dermatitis in an Imiquimod (IMQ)-Induced Psoriasis-like Mouse Model.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, affecting ∼ 3% of the US population. Although multiple new systemic therapies have been introduced for the treatment of psoriatic skin disease, topical and intralesional glucocorticoids (GCs) continue to be used as effective psoriasis therapies. Their clinical utility, however, has been hampered by significant adverse effects, including skin atrophy and pigmentation as well as elevated blood glucose levels and hypertension.

Identification of formulation parameters that affect the analgesic efficacy of ProGel-Dex - A thermoresponsive polymeric dexamethasone prodrug for chronic arthritis pain relief.

The relief of joint pain is one of the main objectives in the clinical management of arthritis. Although significant strides have been made in improving management of rheumatoid and related forms of inflammatory arthritis, there are still major unmet needs for therapies that selectively provide potent, sustained and safe joint pain relief, especially among patients with osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis. We have recently developed ProGel-Dex, an N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-based thermoresponsive dexamethasone (Dex) prodrug, which forms a hydrogel upon intra-articular administration and provides sustained improvement in pain-related behavior and inflammation in rodent models of arthritis.

Access Barriers, Trusted Channels, and Misconceptions About the COVID-19 Vaccine Among Rural Immigrant Farmworkers.

Although COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted immigrant agricultural workers, vaccination efforts have been challenging. Barriers to immunization include language, visa status, and access to medical care. Additionally, vaccine hesitancy, mistrust, and misinformation contributed to low uptake.

PTH treatment before cyclic joint loading improves cartilage health and attenuates load-induced osteoarthritis development in mice.

Osteoarthritis (OA) treatment is limited by the lack of effective nonsurgical interventions to slow disease progression. Here, we examined the contributions of the subchondral bone properties to OA development. We used parathyroid hormone (PTH) to modulate bone mass before OA initiation and alendronate (ALN) to inhibit bone remodeling during OA progression.

Thermoresponsive Polymeric Hydromorphone Prodrug Provides Sustained Local Analgesia without Apparent Adverse Effects.

The extensive use of opioids for chronic pain management has contributed significantly to the current opioid epidemic. While many alternative nonopioid analgesics are available, opioids remain the most potent analgesics for moderate to severe pain management. In addition to the implementation of multimodal analgesia, there is a pressing need for the development of more effective and safer opioids.