Bioinspired micro- and nanostructured systems for cancer therapy.

Numerous organisms in nature have demonstrated enhanced biocompatibility, precise tumor targeting capabilities, and efficient tissue traversal within the human body. Drawing inspiration from these organisms, researchers have employed bioengineering, bioconjugation, and micro- or nanotechnology to fabricate bioinspired micro- and nanostructured systems. These systems play a crucial role in addressing the limitations of conventional anticancer drugs and nanomaterials concerning biocompatibility, effective penetration of physiological barriers, as well as selective tumor targeting, thereby leading to improved therapeutic efficacy while minimizing nonspecific adverse effects on healthy cells.

Emulsifying and ethanol-induced gelling properties of capsicum pectin: The impact of capsicum variety and deproteinization using the Sevag method.

This study investigated the emulsifying and ethanol-induced gelling properties of capsicum pectins from bell pepper and chili pepper, and also examined the effect of deproteinization (using the Sevag method). The research revealed that bell pepper pectin (BPP) formed smaller aggregates (337 nm at pH 2) with a higher hydrophobicity in solution due to its lower molecular weight (2.02 × 10 g/mol) and higher degree of esterification (82.

Pectin from steam explosion-treated citrus peel exhibits good emulsion properties and bioavailability-promoting effect in vitro of nobiletin.

Steam explosion (SE) is a potential method to modify pectin structure, which might be connected to its emulsifying characteristics and the bioavailability of encapsulated polymethoxyflavone like nobiletin. However, the relationship between SE-modified pectin and the bioavailability of encapsulated nobiletin is still unclear. In this study, nobiletin-loaded emulsion was fabricated using citrus pectin modified with SE (0.

The Interaction Effect of Obesity with Sleep Duration on Urinary Incontinence in Adult Females: A Cross-Sectional Study of the NHANES Database.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the interaction between obesity and sleep duration on urinary incontinence (UI) in adult women.

Methods: Data of adult females were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) database in 2005-2018 in this cross-sectional study. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to screen covariates and investigate the associations of obesity and sleep duration with 3 types of UI, including stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI).

Shikonin reduces M2 macrophage population in ovarian cancer by repressing exosome production and the exosomal galectin 3-mediated β-catenin activation.

Background: Shikonin (SK), a naphthoquinone with anti-tumor effects, has been found to decrease production of tumor-associated exosomes (exo). This study aims to verify the treatment effect of SK on ovarian cancer (OC) cells, especially on the production of exo and their subsequent effect on macrophage polarization.

Methods: OC cells SKOV3 and A2780 were treated with SK.

Constructing a Prognostic Model of Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma and Predicting Drug-Sensitivity Responses Using Programmed Cell Death-Related Pathways.

Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) is the most common type of cancer that develops in the uterus, specifically originating from the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a highly regulated process that eliminates damaged, aged, or unwanted cells in the body. Dysregulation of PCD pathways can contribute to the formation and progression of various cancers, including UCEC.

The role of inflammatory factors and T-cell subsets in the diagnosis of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the effect of olaparin treatment on them.

Background: The aim of the study is to investigate the role of serum inflammatory factors and T-cell subsets in the diagnosis of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the effect of olaparib on inflammatory factor and T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods: In this study, 100 patients diagnosed as recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer in our hospital and 100 patients without recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer in the same period were selected. According to the treatment plan, the recurrent patients were divided into conventional therapy group (Paclitaxel and Carboplatin) and combined therapy group (Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and olaparib).

Clear cell carcinoma arising in an ovarian remnant 19 years after oophoerctomy: case report.

Background: Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) is a rare complication that occurs after oophorectomy, characterized by residual ovarian tissue causing pelvic pain, masses, and various symptoms. The clinical manifestations of ORS are nonspecific, and its diagnosis relies on histological examination. Since ORS typically represents a benign ovarian lesion, there have been few reported cases of malignant transformation.

CT radiomics prediction of CXCL9 expression and survival in ovarian cancer.

Background: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), which is involved in the pathological processes of various human cancers, has become a hot topic in recent years. We developed a radiomic model to identify CXCL9 status in ovarian cancer (OC) and evaluated its prognostic significance.

Methods: We analyzed enhanced CT scans, transcriptome sequencing data, and corresponding clinical characteristics of CXCL9 in OC using the TCIA and TCGA databases.

Gelling properties of lysine-amidated citrus pectins: The key role of pH in both amidation and gelation.

The amidation of pectin by amino acids has been widely applied due to its safety and excellent gelling properties. This study systematically examined the effects of pH on the gelling properties of lysine-amidated pectin during amidation and gelation. Pectin was amidated over the range of pH 4-10, and the amidated pectin obtained at pH 10 showed the highest degree of amidation (DA, 27.

Expression and significance of serum vitamin D and LL-37 levels in infants with bacterial pneumonia.

Objective: To investigate the significance of vitamin D and human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in the occurrence and development of bacterial pneumonia in infants.

Methods: From January 2021 to January 2022, 80 infants with bacterial pneumonia were selected, including 33 cases of gram-positive bacterial infection (GP) and 47 cases of gram-negative bacterial infection (GN). During the same period, 40 infants who underwent health examination in The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University served as the healthy control group.

IGF2BP2 promotes the progression of ovarian endometriosis by regulating m6A-modified MEIS2 and GATA6.

Background: m6A-RNA modification mediated by the N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation-related molecule methyltransferase-like 3 has been implicated in the progression of endometriosis. However, the functions of other m6A regulators, especially in ovarian endometriosis, remain unknown.

Methods: Three datasets (GSE7305, GSE7307, and GSE37837) with diagnosed ovarian endometriosis were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.

Serum Exosomes MicroRNAs Are Novel Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.

Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is closely related to the occurrence of adverse outcomes. Currently, total bile acids (TBAs) are the only diagnostic index for ICP, and its sensitivity and specificity have certain limitations. In this study, we aimed to develop potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of ICP.

Significant winter CO uptake by saline lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Direct measuring of CO  flux remains challenging for global lakes. The traditional sampling and gas transfer models used to estimate lake CO  fluxes are variable and uncertain, and ice-covered periods are often excluded from the annual carbon budget. Here, the first longtime (2013-2017) direct measurement of CO  flux by eddy covariance system over the largest saline lake (Qinghai lake) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) revealed that ice-covered period draws large amounts of CO from the atmosphere (-0.

Studies on Novel Diagnostic and Predictive Biomarkers of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy Through Metabolomics and Proteomics.

Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) usually occurs in the third trimester and is associated with increased risks in fetal complications. Currently, the exact mechanism of this disease is unknown. The purpose of this study was to develop potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prediction of ICP.

Phytoestrogens for the Management of Endometriosis: Findings and Issues.

Endometriosis, a chronic disease characterized by recurrent pelvic pain and infertility, severely impacts the health and life quality of many women worldwide. Since phytoestrogens are commonly found in a variety of foods, and estrogen is a major pathological factor for the pathogenesis of endometriosis, their possible involvement cannot be ignored. This review summarizes data on the relationship between phytoestrogen intake and endometriosis risk, and analyzes the findings from in vitro experiments, rodent endometriotic models, and human intervention trials.

Effects of High-Pressure Homogenization on Pectin Structure and Cloud Stability of Not-From-Concentrate Orange Juice.

Not-from-concentrate (NFC) juice is popular with consumers due to its similarity to fresh fruit juice in taste, flavor, and beneficial nutrients. As a commonly used technology in fruit juice production, high-pressure homogenization (HPH) can enhance the commercial value of juice by improving the color, flavor, taste, and nutrient contents. In this study, the effects of HPH on the pectin structural properties and stability of NFC orange juice were investigated.

Upper digestion fate of citrus pectin-stabilized emulsion: An interfacial behavior perspective.

Citrus pectin can serve as a naturally digestion-resistant emulsifier, although how it achieves this effect is still unknown. In this study, the upper digestion fate of an emulsion stabilized by different concentrations of citrus pectin, and changes in its interfacial properties during digestion, were investigated. Emulsions stabilized by high-concentration citrus pectin (3 %) were relatively stable during digestion and had a lower free fatty acid (FFA) release rate than emulsions stabilized by low-concentration citrus pectin (1 %).

STK17B promotes the progression of ovarian cancer.

Background: Protein kinase is increasingly receiving widespread attention because of its role in the tumor progression. Serine/threonine protein kinase (STK) is an important family involved in the development of a variety of cancers. Many studies have shown that serine/threonine kinase 17B (STK17B) is highly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors and participate in proliferation and metastasis.

Osthole Inhibits Breast Cancer Progression through Upregulating Tumor Suppressor GNG7.

Osthole (OST) is a plant-derived compound that can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and has a tumor-suppressive effect in multiple types of cancers. However, the mechanisms of OST-mediated breast cancer (BrCa) inhibition were still largely unknown. In this study, we made full use of the GSE85871 dataset to identify potential targets of OST in BrCa multiple bioinformatics analysis.