Highly functionalized pH-triggered supramolecular nanovalve for targeted cancer chemotherapy.

Chemotherapeutic drug delivery systems are commonly limited by their short half-lives, poor bioavailability, and unsuccessful targetability. Herein, pH-responsive hybrid NPs consist of benzimidazole-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (BZ-MSN) loaded with naturally occurring flavonoid quercetin (QUE-BZ-MSN). The NPs were further capped with beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) to obtain our desired BCD-QUE-BZMSN, with a zeta potential around 7.05 ± 2.37 mV and diameter about 115.2 ± 19.02 nm. The abundance of BZ onto the nanoparticles facilitates targeted quercetin chemotherapy against model lung and liver cancer cell lines. FTIR, EDX, and NMR analyses revealed evidence of possible surface functionalizations. Powder XRD analysis showed that our designed BCD-QUE-BZMSN formulation is amorphous in nature. The UV and SEM showed that our designed BCD-QUE-BZMSN has high drug entrapment efficiency and a nearly spherical morphology. In vitro, drug release assessments show controlled pH-dependent release profiles that could enhance the targeted chemotherapeutic response against mildly acidic regions in cancer cell lines. The obtained BCD-QUE-BZMSN nanovalve achieved significantly higher cytotoxic efficacy as compared to QUE alone, which was evaluated by in vitro cellular uptake against liver and lung cancer cell lines, and the cellular morphological ablation was further confirmed via inverted microscopy. The outcomes of the study imply that our designed BCD-QUE-BZMSN nanovalve is a potential carrier for cancer chemotherapeutics.

Microarray needles comprised of arginine-modified chitosan/PVA hydrogel for enhanced antibacterial and wound healing potential of curcumin.

Wound healing is a multifaceted and complex process that includes inflammation, hemostasis, remodeling, and granulation. Failures in any link may cause the healing process to be delayed. As a result, wound healing has always been a main research focus across the entire medical field, posing significant challenges and financial burdens. Hence, the current investigation focused on the design and development of arginine-modified chitosan/PVA hydrogel-based microneedles (MNs) as a curcumin (CUR) delivery system for improved wound healing and antibacterial activity. The substrate possesses exceptional swelling capabilities that allow tissue fluid from the wound to be absorbed, speeding up wound closure. The antibacterial activity of MNs was investigated against S. aureus and E. coli. The results revealed that the developed CUR-loaded MNs had increased antioxidant activity and sustained drug release behavior. Furthermore, after being loaded in the developed MNs, it revealed improved antibacterial activity of CUR. Wound healing potential was assessed by histopathological analysis and wound closure%. The observed results suggest that the CUR-loaded MNs greatly improved wound healing potential via tissue regeneration and collagen deposition, demonstrating the potential of developed MNs patches to be used as an effective carrier for wound healing in healthcare settings.

Does Lipocalin-2 Affect Metabolic Syndrome in Hepatic Infections?

Background and objective Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) is an adipokine that plays a protective role in various inflammatory disorders and regulates innate immune response to acute and chronic infections. However, scant information is available regarding the relationship between serum LCN-2 levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurring concurrently with chronic hepatic infections. The present study sought to investigate the association of LCN-2 with T2DM patients with hepatic infections. Methods The association of LCN-2 with T2DM, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation was tested in 37 non-T2DM noninfectious individuals (group A, control group) and 55 age-matched patients with T2DM and chronic infection (group B). Anthropometric data were measured and the body-fat percentage was calculated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Hemoglobin (Hb), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), liver function enzymes (LFEs), lipid profile, and total leukocyte count (TLC) were measured. Serum LCN-2 levels were measured using a commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results Levels of LCN-2 were significantly elevated in group B (1896.90 ± 73.13 ng/ml) versus control group A (263.58 ± 15.66 ng/mL; p<0.001). LCN-2 correlated moderately with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r=0.369), alkaline phosphatase ALP (r=0.419), and HbA1c (r=0.341) (p<0.01). All correlations were lost when adjusted for the presence of hepatitis, indicating that liver infection exacerbates insulin resistance. Conclusion Based on our findings, circulating LCN-2 is elevated in T2DM subjects with hepatitis B co-infection and may contribute towards deranged inflammatory response.

Green synthesis of hesperidin coated silver nanoparticles for colorimetric detection of gentamicin sulfate in real samples.

Gentamicin sulfate (GEN), a well-known broad-spectrum antibiotic is mostly administered through intramuscular injections and entirely excreted in un-metabolized form through urination from patient's body. Quantitative detection of GEN by direct UV absorption is usually challenging due to lack of chromophores and fluorophores in structure. The current study described the hesperidin coated silver nanoparticles (HSPAgNPs) based novel colorimetric quantitative assay for GEN. HSPAgNPs, based colorimetric detection involved a transition from characteristic yellow colour to blackish brown upon addition of GEN, accompanied by a significant quenching in localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band at λmax 398 nm. Moreover, the synthesized HSPAgNPs were employed to rapid and quantitative detection of GEN in concentration range of 5 to 100 µM. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) was calculated by standard deviation of the ordinate intercept and slope of the regression line and estimated to be 6.89 µM and 20.88 µM respectively, with a linear correlation factor R2 equal to 0.9990 which strictly followed Beer's law. Furthermore, the utility and effectiveness of HSPAgNPs was also explored for selective recognition of GEN in tap water, serum, human blood plasma and urine.

Association of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in metabolic syndrome.

The aim of this case-control study was to assess TIMP2 level in subjects with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to associate levels with non-alcoholic fatty liver changes (NAFLD). Thirty-three MetS subjects and 55 controls were recruited. Anthropometric data, lipid and glucose profile, TIMP2 and liver ultrasound was performed. High TIMP2 was seen in MetS group (145.28 ± 23.11 pg/ml) versus controls (19.06 ± 1.19 pg/ml; p < .001). Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c and glucose levels were significantly higher in MetS subjects (p < .05). MetS individuals (72.72%) showed positive fatty liver changes versus 14.5% controls. Elevated TIMP2 positively correlated with waist circumference, body fat, blood glucose and NAFLD. Furthermore, every unit rise in waist circumference and TIMP2 and a unit decrease in HDL were associated with higher odds of developing NAFLD (p < .05). There may be concurrent relationship between TIMP2 and NAFLD in MetS that requires further evaluation to improve risk assessment and early diagnosis of MetS.

Sonographic Evaluation of Normal Liver, Spleen, and Renal Parameters in Adult Population: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal liver, spleen, and renal parameters in adult patients with no comorbidities. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Dow Institute of Radiology, Ojha Campus, LEJ Campus, and Al-Mustafa Hospital Karachi, from October 2016 to March 2017. METHODOLOGY: A total of 3,136 study participants with more than 16 years of age of either gender underwent ultrasound examination. All individuals with morbid conditions like hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), liver cirrhosis, hydronephrosis, renal cyst, and liver mass were excluded. Ultrasound scan was performed and longitudinal and transverse sections were obtained of both kidneys (in full inspiration), spleen and liver. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was observed between age and spleen size of the individuals (r=0.053, p=0.012). The correlation of BMI and liver size was also found significantly positive (r=0.237, p <0.001). The correlation of age and kidney size was found significantly negative in between age and right kidney (r=-0.074, p <0.001) and left kidney (r=-0.087, p <0.001). Similarly, the correlation of BMI and renal size was found significantly weak positive between BMI and right kidney (r=0.206, p <0.001) and BMI and left kidney (r=0.227, p <0.001). CONCLUSION: BMI was found significantly positively correlated with liver size and both kidneys in study participants. Moreover, spleen was found directly and renal size inversely correlated with age of the individuals.