Silica microparticles for sustained zero-order release of an anti-CD40L antibody.

Silica microparticle hydrogel depot (HG) formulation was prepared using spray drying of silica-based sol-gels for the sustained delivery of MR1 antibody which binds to CD40 ligand (CD40L). The formulation was tested in vitro for antibody release, surface morphology, particle size, rheology, and injectability. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation was performed for the microparticle formulation and free MR1 antibody in BALB/c female mice.

All ileo-cecal ulcers are not Crohn's: Changing perspectives of symptomatic ileocecal ulcers.

Aim: To investigated clinical, endoscopic and histopathological parameters of the patients presenting with ileocecal ulcers on colonoscopy.

Methods: Consecutive symptomatic patients undergoing colonoscopy, and diagnosed to have ulcerations in the ileocecal (I/C) region, were enrolled. Biopsy was obtained and their clinical presentation and outcome were recorded.

Inverse problem for multi-body interaction of nonlinear waves.

The inverse problem is studied in multi-body systems with nonlinear dynamics representing, e.g., phase-locked wave systems, standard multimode and random lasers.

Urodynamic effects of intravenous and intrathecal administration of E-series prostaglandin 1 receptor antagonist on detrusor overactivity in rats with spinal cord injury.

Aims: We examined the effect of an E-series prostaglandin 1 (EP1) receptor antagonist on bladder activity using a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Six weeks after spinal cord transection, conscious-filling cystometry was performed.

MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers to predict the risk of urinary retention following intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxin-A injection.

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRs) control post-transcriptional gene expression, and this is relevant in understanding better chronic diseases and treatment outcomes. The role of miRs in the pathology and treatment outcomes of overactive bladder (OAB) is unknown. In this study, we assessed the differential expression of miRs in OAB patients responding with either normal or elevated post-void residual volumes (PVRs) ≥200 mL following intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxin-A (onaBoNT-A).

Effect of Intravesical Liposome-Based Nerve Growth Factor Antisense Therapy on Bladder Overactivity and Nociception in a Rat Model of Cystitis Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether liposome-based local suppression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the bladder has effects on bladder hypersensitivity in a rat cystitis model induced by intravesical instillation of hydrogen peroxide (HP). HP (1.5%) was intravesically administered to adult female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Novel contrast mixture improves bladder wall contrast for visualizing bladder injury.

Here, we tested whether combined contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CCE-MRI), using a mixture of gadolinium- and iron oxide-based contrast agents, can segment the bladder wall from the bladder lumen. CCE-MRI relies on the differences in particle size and contrast mechanisms of two agents for improved image contrast. Under isoflurane anesthesia, T1-weighted imaging of adult female Sprague-Dawley rat bladder was performed using standard turbospin echo sequences at 7 Tesla, before and after transurethral instillation of 0.

The Contribution of Solar Brightening to the US Maize Yield Trend.

Predictions of crop yield under future climate change are predicated on historical yield trends, hence it is important to identify the contributors to historical yield gains and their potential for continued increase. The large gains in maize yield in the US Corn Belt have been attributed to agricultural technologies, ignoring the potential contribution of solar brightening (decadal-scale increases in incident solar radiation) reported for much of the globe since the mid-1980s. In this study, using a novel biophysical/empirical approach, we show that solar brightening contributed approximately 27% of the US Corn Belt yield trend from 1984 to 2013.

Intravesical liposome therapy for interstitial cystitis.

Over the past two decades, there has been lot of interest in the use of liposomes as lipid-based biocompatible carriers for drugs administered by the intravesical route. The lipidic bilayer structure of liposomes facilitates their adherence to the apical membrane surface of luminal cells in the bladder, and their vesicular shape allows them to co-opt the endocytosis machinery for bladder uptake after instillation. Liposomes have been shown to enhance the penetration of both water-soluble and insoluble drugs, toxins, and oligonucleotides across the bladder epithelium.

Addressing challenges in underactive bladder: recommendations and insights from the Congress on Underactive Bladder (CURE-UAB).

Underactive bladder (UAB) is an expanding troublesome health issue, exerting a major influence on the health and independence of older people with a disproportionally low level of attention received. The 2nd International Congress on Underactive Bladder (CURE-UAB 2) convened in Denver, CO on December 3 and 4, 2015, and comprised of top clinicians, scientists, and other stakeholders to address the challenges in UAB. A series of workshops aimed to define UAB and its phenotype, define detrusor underactivity (DU) and create a subtyping of DU, evaluate existing animal models for DU, and lastly to establish research priorities for UAB.

Optimization, characterization, and efficacy evaluation of 2% chitosan scaffold for tissue engineering and wound healing.

Objective: To develop a chitosan-based scaffold and carry out a complete comprehensive study encompassing optimization of exact chitosan strength, product characterization, toxicity evaluation, validation in cell culture experiments, and finally efficacy in animal excision wound model.

Materials And Methods: Developed chitosan scaffolds (CSs) were optimized for tissue engineering and wound healing efficacy by means of microstructure, toxicity, and biocompatibility evaluation.

Results: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies revealed that porosity of CS decreased with increase in chitosan concentration.

Effects of liposome-based local suppression of nerve growth factor in the bladder on autonomic dysreflexia during urinary bladder distention in rats with spinal cord injury.

Purpose: To examine (1) whether spinal cord injury (SCI) time-dependently increases the severity of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) and expression levels of bladder nerve growth factor (NGF) protein, and (2) whether local suppression of NGF in the bladder improves SCI-induced AD in rats.

Materials And Methods: SCI was produced by the transection of the T2/3 spinal cord in female Sprague-Dawley rats. At 4 or 8weeks after SCI, differences in the mean arterial blood pressure (ΔMAP) and heart rate (ΔMHR) during graded increases in intravesical pressure to 20, 40 and 60cm HO from those before bladder distention and NGF protein levels in the bladder wall were evaluated in spinal intact and SCI rats under urethane anesthesia.

Effects of low energy shock wave therapy on inflammatory moleculars, bladder pain, and bladder function in a rat cystitis model.

Aims: Low energy shock wave (LESW) is known to facilitate tissue regeneration with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. We examined the effects of LESW on the expression of inflammatory molecules, pain behavior, and bladder function in a rat cystitis model.

Methods: Control and experimental animals were injected with saline or cyclophosphamide (CYP; 75 mg/kg intraperitoneally) on day 1 and 4.

Past, Present and Future of Chemodenervation with Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder.

Purpose: We systematically reviewed preclinical and clinical studies on bladder chemodenervation with onabotulinumtoxin A to highlight current limitations and future drug delivery approaches.

Materials And Methods: We identified peer reviewed basic and clinical research studies of onabotulinumtoxin A in the treatment of neurogenic bladder and refractory idiopathic overactive bladder published between March 2000 and March 2016. Paired investigators independently screened 125 English language articles to identify controlled studies on onabotulinumtoxin A administration in the MEDLINE® database and abstracts presented at annual American Urological Association meetings.

Bladder overactivity involves overexpression of MicroRNA 132 and nerve growth factor.

Aim: Here, we assessed the expression of non-protein coding microRNAs (miRs), nerve growth factor and inflammatory molecules in the rat model of acetic acid induced bladder overactivity.

Main Methods: Under isoflurane anesthesia, adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were instilled for 30min with either saline or NGF antisense oligonucleotide complexed with liposomes. 24h later, treated rats were exposed to either intravesical infusion of saline or saline containing 0.

Post-injury bladder management strategy influences lower urinary tract dysfunction in the mouse model of spinal cord injury.

Aims: To examine the effects of a different number of daily bladder squeezes on bladder dysfunction in mice with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Spinal cord was transected at the Th8/9 in female C57BL/6N mice. Their bladders were manually squeezed to eliminate urine inside every day for 4 weeks.

Effects of an alpha1A/D-adrenoceptor antagonist, naftopidil, and a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, tadalafil, on urinary bladder remodeling in rats with spinal cord injury.

Aims: In order to clarify whether an alpha1A/D-adrenoceptor (α A/D-AR) antagonist, naftopidil, or a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, tadalafil, prevents bladder wall remodeling after spinal cord injury (SCI), we examined the bladder and urethral activity as well as ischemic and fibrotic changes in the bladder using SCI rats with or without naftopidil or tadalafil treatment.

Methods: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) normal (spinal cord intact); (2) vehicle SCI; (3) naftopidil SCI; and (4) tadalafil SCI groups. In SCI groups, rats underwent Th9-10 spinal cord transection followed by oral application of vehicle, naftopidil (20 mg/kg/day) or tadalafil (2 mg/kg/day) for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Synthesis, characterization of 1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derived 3d-metal complexes: Induces cytotoxicity in HepG2, MCF-7 cell line, BSA binding fluorescence and DFT study.

Two novel Schiff base ligands HL and HL have been synthesized by condensation reaction of amine derivative of 1,2,4-triazole moiety with 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde. Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) of the synthesized Schiff bases were prepared by using a molar ratio of ligand:metal as 1:1. The structure of the Schiff bases and synthesized metal complexes were established by H NMR, UV-Vis, IR, Mass spectrometry and molar conductivity.

Failed common bile duct cannulation during pregnancy: Rescue with endoscopic ultrasound guided rendezvous procedure.

Common bile duct (CBD) stones can lead to serious complications and require intervention with either endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or laparoscopic techniques for urgent relief. On an average 10%-20% of the patients with gall bladder stones can have associated CBD stones. CBD stones during pregnancy can be associated with hazardous complications for both the mother and the fetus.

Combinational effects of muscarinic receptor inhibition and β3-adrenoceptor stimulation on neurogenic bladder dysfunction in rats with spinal cord injury.

Aims: To investigate the effects of combined therapy with an anticholinergic agent and a β3-adrenoceptor agonist on bladder dysfunction and proliferation-related molecule expression in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: The spinal cord was transected at the level of T8-9 in female Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into four groups; A: Vehicle, B: 10 mg/kg/day of oxybutynin, C: 10 mg/kg/day of mirabegron, and D: combined administration of oxybutynin and mirabegron. Drugs were administered by oral gavage from 2 to 4 weeks after spinal cord transection.

Monitoring the efficacy of antimalarial medicines in India via sentinel sites: Outcomes and risk factors for treatment failure.

Background & Objectives: To combat the problem of antimalarial drug resistance, monitoring the changes in drug efficacy over time through periodic surveillance is essential. Since 2009, systematic and continuous monitoring is being done through nationwide sentinel site system. Potential early warning signs like partner drug resistance markers were also monitored in the clinical samples from the study areas.

Association of anemia and mineral and bone disorder with health-related quality of life in Asian pre-dialysis patients.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The association of CKD-related complications such as anemia and mineral and bone disorders (MBD) with HRQoL in pre-dialysis patients is not well-studied. As such, this study aimed to determine the association of anemia and MBD with HRQoL in pre-dialysis patients.

Elevated CXC chemokines in urine noninvasively discriminate OAB from UTI.

Overlapping symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary tract infection (UTI) often complicate the diagnosis and contribute to overprescription of antibiotics. Inflammatory response is a shared characteristic of both UTI and OAB and here we hypothesized that molecular differences in inflammatory response seen in urine can help discriminate OAB from UTI. Subjects in the age range of (20-88 yr) of either sex were recruited for this urine analysis study.