Development and Characterization of Modified Chitosan Lipopolyplex for an Effective siRNA Delivery.

Cytotoxicity, speedy degradation, and limited cellular absorption are the foremost features influencing the successful delivery of RNAs. Chitosan (Cs) is a polymer that offers an advantage due to its bio-compatibility and biodegradable nature, making it an ideal polycationic vector for delivering siRNA. In this study, chitosan has been modified with arginine in order to increase its encapsulation of siRNA and improve cellular absorption.

Analysis of RNA Interference Targeted Against Human Antigen R (HuR) to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Protein Expression in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

VEGF-A or vascular endothelial growth factor-A is an important factor in enabling neovascularization and angiogenesis. VEGF-A is regulated transcriptionally as well as post transcriptionally. Human antigen R (HuR) belonging to the embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAV) family is a key regulator promoting stabilization of VEGF-A mRNA.

Liposome-polyethylenimine complexes for the effective delivery of HuR siRNA in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a vision-impairing complication of diabetes, damaging the retinal microcirculatory system. Overexpression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is implicated in the pathogenesis of DR. Human antigen R (HuR) is an RNA-binding protein that favorably regulates VEGF protein expression by binding to VEGF-encoding mRNA.

Formulation development and evaluation of therapeutic contact lens loaded with ganciclovir.

Purpose: In the present investigation ganciclovir (GAN) loaded microparticles dispersed in hydrogel-based contact lenses were fabricated, characterized and evaluated for eye irritation.

Methods: GAN-Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) microparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation method and evaluated for entrapment efficiency, drug content and drug release. The Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) contact lenses were synthesized by free radical polymerization reaction using crosslinkers like ethylene glycoldimethacrylate and photoinitiator such as IRGACURE 1173, in UVB light, λ 365 nm.

Efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin after futile recanalisation therapy in patients with severe stroke.

Introduction: Golden standard of acute stroke treatment is recanalisation therapy. However, opening the occluded blood vessel sometimes does not show the expected clinical result or leads to haemorrhagic complications. As neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity play an important role in the pathophysiology of stroke, neuroprotective agents might preserve brain tissue after futile recanalisation.

Role of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in targeting ocular neovascularization: A review.

Ocular neovascularization (NV) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of various ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinoblastoma, retinitis pigmentosa and may lead to loss of vision if not controlled in time. Several clinical trials elucidate the central role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of the ocular neovascularization. The advent and extensive use of ocular anti-VEGF therapy heralded a new age in the treatment of retinal vascular and exudative diseases.

Methods for evaluating penetration of drug into the skin: A review.

Background: Skin being the largest organ of the human body plays a very important role in the permeation and penetration of the drug. In addition, the transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) plays a major role in managing dermal infections and attaining sustained plasma drug concentration. Thus, evaluation of percutaneous penetration of the drug through the skin is important in developing TDDS for human use.

Long-Term Prognosis for Patients with Metabolic Syndrome after Recanalization Therapy for Stroke.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of interrelated factors that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between MetS and its diagnostic criteria with the severity and outcome of stroke after recanalization therapy. Ninety four patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the study.

A multimodal pharmacological agent in combination with recanalization therapy (thrombolysis and thrombectomy) in severe stroke patients.

This case report highlights a case of large ischemic stroke and indication for anticoagulant therapy treated with thrombolysis and pharmacological intervention for neurological recovery with a multimodal agent (Cerebrolysin) as add-on therapy to recanalization techniques, including IV thrombolysis. We observed a significant clinical improvement after one year of follow-up. Based on our experience, we can assert that Cerebrolysin can be safely administered in stroke patients, even in complicated cases, with a good chance for improvement of their clinical status.

Therapeutic time window for angiotensin-(1-7) in acute lung injury.

Background And Purpose: There is presently no proven pharmacological therapy for the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Recently, we and others discovered that the heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] shows significant beneficial effects in preclinical models of acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we aimed to identify the best time window for Ang-(1-7) administration to protect rats from oleic acid (OA) induced ALI.

Clinical Application of Genotype-guided Dosing of Warfarin in Patients with Acute Stroke.

Background: Patients with certain types of stroke need urgent anticoagulation and it is extremely important for them to achieve fast and stable anticoagulant effect and receive individualized treatment during the initiation of warfarin therapy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study among 210 acute stroke patients who had an indication for anticoagulation and compared the impact of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype-guided warfarin dosing (PhG) with fixed dosing (NPhG) on anticoagulation control and clinical outcome between groups.

Results: PhG achieved target INR values earlier, i.

Translation and validation of the questionnaire on current status of physiotherapy practice in the cancer rehabilitation.

Background: The translation and cultural adaptation of psychometrically tested tools is an essential component of effective evaluation of the intended purpose. The English questionnaire had been designed to measure current status of physiotherapy practice in cancer rehabilitation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to culturally adapt, including translation and preliminary validation of the questionnaire for the cancer patients.

Economic evaluation of pharmacogenomic-guided warfarin treatment for elderly Croatian atrial fibrillation patients with ischemic stroke.

Background & Methods: Economic evaluation in genomic medicine is an emerging discipline to assess the cost-effectiveness of genome-guided treatment. Here, we developed a pharmaco-economic model to assess whether pharmacogenomic (PGx)-guided warfarin treatment of elderly ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation in Croatia is cost effective compared with non-PGx therapy. The time horizon of the model was set at 1 year.

Influence of segment width on plan quality for volumetric modulated arc based stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Aim: To study the influence of segment width on plan quality for volumetric modulated arc based stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Background: The redundancy of modulation for regularly shaped small volume tumors results in creation of many small segments and an increase of monitor units, with a consequent prolongation of treatment and uncertainty in treatment delivery.

Materials And Methods: Six cases each in lung, abdomen and liver were taken for the study.

Prevalence of genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 - implications for warfarin management and outcome in Croatian patients with acute stroke.

Background: Data on the prevalence of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes and their influence on anticoagulant effect and warfarin dose in stroke patients are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and significance of these gene polymorphisms and to establish pharmacogenetic algorithm to estimate the dose of introduction. Also, the goal was to determine tailored safety and intensity of anticoagulation response depending on the allelic variants and their impact on the clinical outcome in acute stroke patients in Croatia.

Calibration of (192)Ir high dose rate brachytherapy source using different calibration procedures.

Aim: To calibrate Ir-192 high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy source using different calibration methods and to determine the accuracy and suitability of each method for routine calibrations.

Background: The source calibration is an essential part of the quality assurance programme for dosimetry of brachytherapy sources. The clinical use of brachytherapy source requires an independent measurement of the air kerma strength according to the recommendations of medical physics societies.

Forward versus inverse planning in oropharyngeal cancer: A comparative study using physical and biological indices.

Context: Possible benefits of inverse planning.

Aims: To analyze possible benefits of inverse planning intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) over field-in-field 3D conformal radiation therapy (FIF-3DCRT) and to evaluate the differences if any, between low (6 Million Volts) and high energy (15 Million Volts) IMRT plans.

Materials And Methods: Ten patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx, previously treated with 6 MV step and shoot IMRT were studied.

A simple method for evaluating stereotactic accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Imaging in Frame Based Radiosurgery.

Purpose: To design a simple and reproducible method with minimum uncertainty for evaluating the stereotactic accuracy of Computed Tomography imaging and Magnetic Reso-nance Imaging and to compare the results.

Methods: 3D phantom has been designed with 1 mm diameter targets in eight sectors for stereotactic MR imaging and CT imaging. The phantom was connected to Leksell stereotactic frame and the images obtained are exported to treatment planning system.

Angiotensin-(1-7) protects from experimental acute lung injury.

Objectives: Recently, recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was shown to protect mice from acute lung injury, an effect attributed to reduced bioavailability of angiotensin II. Since angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 metabolizes angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1-7), we hypothesized that this effect is alternatively mediated by angiotensin-(1-7) and activation of its receptor(s).

Design: To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of intravenously infused angiotensin-(1-7) in three experimental models of acute lung injury.

Prevalence of fatigue among cancer patients receiving various anticancer therapies and its impact on quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Fatigue is disabling and continuous phenomenon in cancer patients during and after various anticancer treatments which can continue for many years after treatment and definitely it has profound effect on Quality of Life (QOL). However, determining its severity is still underestimated among the cancer patients and also very few studies in the literature exist reporting on Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF) among Indian population.

Aims: To find out the prevalence of rate of fatigue in cancer patient receiving various anti cancer therapies.

Trends in oesophagus and Stomach cancer incidence in Bangalore, India.

Background: During recent decades, an increase in the incidence of certain oesophago-gastric cancer has been reported in some countries and in India. This study sought to analyze oesophageal and gastric cancer incidence trends in Bangalore by sex and morphology for the period 1982-2007.

Patients And Methods: Oesophageal and gastric cancer cases were drawn from Bangalore population-based cancer registry locating in Kidwai memorial Institute of Oncology started in 1982 under national cancer Registry Programme funded by Indian Council of Medical Research.

Dosimetric comparison between bone marrow sparing intensity-modulated radiation therapy and conventional techniques in the treatment of cervical cancer: a retrospective study.

Purpose: To investigate enlargement of prostate volume by edema during brachytherapy seed implantation and develop a nomogram model to calculate air-kerma strength (AKS) required for implantation of the enlarged transient prostatic volume.

Materials And Methods: The prostate volume was measured prior and after seed implantation using trans-rectal ultrasound imaging in the operating room to obtain volume enlargement. A nomogram model was developed that calculates AKS required for implantation of the enlarged transient prostate volume with optimal dose coverage.

An infrequent type of stroke with an unusual cause and successful therapy: basilar artery occlusion caused by a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma recanalized 12 hours after onset.

We herein report the case of a 32-year-old woman with sudden onset ataxia, limb dysmetria and somnolence. Emergency radiological findings showed bilateral cerebellar and thalamic infarctions as a result of a basilar artery occlusion. The patient was treated with intra-arterial (IA) and mechanical thrombolysis 12 hours after symptom onset and showed an excellent recovery.

A comprehensive review of head and neck cancer rehabilitation: physical therapy perspectives.

Rehabilitation in relation to cancer can be preventative, restorative, supportive, and palliative. It is recognized that patients may have rehabilitation needs throughout their care pathway. The role of physiotherapy in the cancer rehabilitation is less understood and particularly in the head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.