Improved drug loading via spray drying of a chalcone implant for local treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Current chemotherapy of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), even the mildest forms, encompasses multiple and painful injections with toxic drugs that cause systemic adverse effects. Recently, we showed the promising use of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles loaded with an antileishmanial nitrosylated chalcone (CH8) for effective, safe, local, and single-dose treatment of CL. Here, we proposed to optimize the delivery system by increasing the CH8 loading in PLGA-microparticles using spray drying instead of emulsification-solvent evaporation.

Herbicidal activity of slow-release herbicide formulations in wheat stands infested by weeds.

The present study reports the herbicidal activity of metribuzin and tribenuron-methyl embedded in the degradable matrix of natural poly-3-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)/MET and P(3HB)/TBM]. The developed formulations were constructed as films and microgranules, which were tested against the weeds such as white sweet clover Melilotus albus and lamb's quarters Chenopodium album in the presence of soft spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Altaiskaya 70) as the subject crop for investigation.

Platelet lysate as a serum replacement for skin cell culture on biomimetic PCL nanofibers.

Platelets are a popular source of native growth factors for tissue engineering applications. The aim of the study was to verify the use of platelet lysate as a fetal bovine serum (FBS) replacement for skin cell culture. The cytokine content of the platelet lysate was characterized using the Bio-Plex system.

Cisplatin activates volume sensitive LRRC8 channel mediated currents in Xenopus oocytes.

LRRC8 proteins have been shown to underlie the ubiquitous volume regulated anion channel (VRAC). VRAC channels are composed of the LRRC8A subunit and at least one among the LRRC8B-E subunits. In addition to their role in volume regulation, LRRC8 proteins have been implicated in the uptake of chemotherapeutic agents.

Vibration-Induced Kinesthetic Illusions and Corticospinal Excitability Changes.

The authors' aim was to investigate the changes of corticospinal excitability during kinesthetic illusions induced by tendon vibration. Motor-evoked potentials in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation were recorded from the vibrated flexor carpi radialis and its antagonist, extensor carpi radialis. The illusions were evoked under vision conditions without feedback for the position of the wrist (open or closed eyes).

PPARγ non-covalent antagonists exhibit mutable binding modes with a similar free energy of binding: a case study.

The structural and dynamical properties of PPARγ receptor in a complex with either partial or full agonists have been intensively studied but little is known about the receptor antagonistic conformation. A composition of microsecond accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) simulation show that like partial agonists a non-covalent PPARγ full antagonist can bind in different modes of similar population size and free energies of binding. Four different and periodically exchanging ligand conformations are detected and described.

Transmigration characteristics of breast cancer and melanoma cells through the brain endothelium: Role of Rac and PI3K.

Brain metastases are common and devastating complications of both breast cancer and melanoma. Although mammary carcinoma brain metastases are more frequent than those originating from melanoma, this latter has the highest tropism to the brain. Using static and dynamic in vitro approaches, here we show that melanoma cells have increased adhesion to the brain endothelium in comparison to breast cancer cells.

Constructing herbicide metribuzin sustained-release formulations based on the natural polymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate as a degradable matrix.

Polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] has been used as a matrix in slow-release formulations of the herbicide metribuzin (MET). Physical P(3HB)/MET mixtures in the form of solutions, powders, and emulsions were used to construct different metribuzin formulations (films, granules, pellets, and microparticles). SEM, X-Ray, and DSC proved the stability of these formulations incubated in sterile water in vitro for long periods of time (up to 49 days).

Laser processing of polymer constructs from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).

CO2 laser radiation was used to process poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) constructs - films and 3D pressed plates. Laser processing increased the biocompatibility of unperforated films treated with moderate uniform radiation, as estimated by the number and degree of adhesion of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. The biocompatibility of perforated films modified in the pulsed mode did not change significantly.

Estimation of the error between experimental tetanic force curves of MUs of rat medial gastrocnemius muscle and their models by summation of equal successive contractions.

More accurate muscle models require appropriate modelling of individual twitches of motor units (MUs) and their unfused tetanic contractions. It was shown in our previous papers, using a few MUs, that modelling of unfused tetanic force curves by summation of equal twitches is not accurate, especially for slow MUs. The aim of this study was to evaluate this inaccuracy using a statistical number of MUs of the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle (15 of slow, 15 of fast resistant and 15 of fast fatigable type).

Localized movement and morphology of UBF1-positive nucleolar regions are changed by γ-irradiation in G2 phase of the cell cycle.

The nucleolus is a well-organized site of ribosomal gene transcription. Moreover, many DNA repair pathway proteins, including ATM, ATR kinases, MRE11, PARP1 and Ku70/80, localize to the nucleolus (Moore et al., 2011 ).

Chlorophyll a is the crucial redox sensor and transmembrane signal transmitter in the cytochrome b6f complex. Components and mechanisms of state transitions from the hydrophobic mismatch viewpoint.

The cytochrome (cyt) b6f complex is involved in the transmembrane redox signaling that triggers state transitions in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. However, the components and molecular mechanisms are still unclear. In an attempt to solve this long-standing problem, we first focused on the unknown role of a single chlorophyll a (Chla) in cyt b6f with a new approach based on Chla structural properties.

Haberlea rhodopensis: pharmaceutical and medical potential as a food additive.

This review discusses the potential of Haberlea rhodopensis as a food additive. The following are described: plant distribution, reproduction, cultivation, propagation and resurrection properties; extraction, isolation and screening of biologically active compounds; metabolite changes during dehydration; phytotherapy-related properties such as antioxidant potential and free radical-scavenging activities, antioxidant skin effect, antibacterial activity, cytotoxic activity and cancer-modulating effect, radioprotective effect, chemoprotective effect, immunologic effect; present use in homoeopathy and cosmetics, pharmacological and economical importance; perspectives based on the ethnobotanical data for medicinal, cosmetic or ritual attributes. H.

Cell differentiation along multiple pathways accompanied by changes in histone acetylation status.

Post-translational modification of histones is fundamental to the regulation of basic nuclear processes and subsequent cellular events, including differentiation. In this study, we analyzed acetylated forms of histones H2A, H2B, and H4 during induced differentiation in mouse (mESCs) and human (hESCs) embryonic stem cells and during induced enterocytic differentiation of colon cancer cells in vitro. Endoderm-like differentiation of mESCs induced by retinoic acid and enterocytic differentiation induced by histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate were accompanied by increased mono-, di-, and tri-acetylation of histone H2B and a pronounced increase in di- and tri-acetylation of histone H4.

Electrospinning of polyhydroxyalkanoate fibrous scaffolds: effects on electrospinning parameters on structure and properties.

In this study, electrospinning was used to prepare ultrafine fibers from PHAs with different chemical compositions: P(3HB) and copolymers: P(3HB-co-4HB), P(3HB-co-3HV), and P(3HB-co-3HHx). The main process parameters that influence ultrafine fiber diameter and properties (polymer concentration, solution feeding rate, working distance, and applied voltage) have been investigated and their effects evaluated. The study revealed electrospinning parameters for the production of high-quality ultrafine fibers and determined which parameters should be varied to tailor the properties of the products.

Effects of Oxidation Agents and Metal Ions on Binding of p53 to Supercoiled DNA.

Summary Wild type human full length (f.1.) tumor suppressor p53 protein binds preferentially to super-coiled (sc) DNA in vitro both in the presence and absence of the p53 consensus sequence (p53CON).

Direct determination of diene conjugation and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oxidative damage can explain the role of DTPA-Fe(2+)-O2 complex in a linoleic acid-DNA system.

Exposure of linoleic acid to diethylenetriminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Fe(2+) complexes resulted in fast diene conjugation and peroxidized products which could further react with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to cause DNA oxidative damage. In this paper, we have detected diene conjugation and DNA oxidative damage in a linoleic acid-DNA model system driven by DTPA-Fe(2+) and found that: 1. in air or oxygen-saturated reaction systems, addition of hydrogen peroxide resulted in a decrease in diene conjugation and double-stranded DNA content, but had no obvious effects on the formation of DNA fluorescent products; 2.