Interleukin-4 inhibits the hypothalamic appetite control by modulating the insulin-AKT and JAK-STAT signaling in leptin mutant mice.

Our previous research identified interleukin-4 (IL-4) as a key regulator of glucose/lipid metabolism, circulatory leptin levels, and insulin action, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for obesity and related complications. This study aimed to further elucidate the role of IL-4 in regulating hypothalamic appetite-controlling neuropeptides using leptin dysfunctional Leptin145E/145E mice as the experimental model. IL-4 significantly reduces body weight, food intake, and serum glucose levels. Our data demonstrated that IL-4 exhibits multiple functions in regulating hypothalamic appetite control, including downregulating orexigenic agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y levels, promoting expression of anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin, alleviating microenvironmental hypothalamic inflammation, enhancing leptin and insulin pathway, and attenuating insulin resistance. Furthermore, IL-4 promotes uncoupling protein 1 expression of white adipose tissue (WAT), suggesting its role in triggering WAT-beige switch. In summary, this study uncovers novel function of IL-4 in mediating food-intake behaviors and metabolic efficiency by regulating hypothalamic appetite-control and WAT browning activities. These findings support the therapeutic potential of targeting hypothalamic inflammation and reducing adiposity through IL-4 intervention for tackling the pandemic increasing prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Layer by Layer Spraying Fabrication of Aggregation-Induced Emission Metal-Organic Frameworks Thin Film.

The development of new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) thin films is important for expanding their functions and applications. Herein, we first report a new kind of MOF thin film by using aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dicarboxyl ligand through a liquid-phase epitaxial (LPE) layer-by-layer (LBL) spraying method (named AIE surface-coordinated metal-organic frameworks thin film, AIE-SURMOF). The obtained AIE-SURMOF Zn4O(TPE)3 (ZnTPE) has highly growth orientation and homogeneous thin film, showing strong fluorescent property. Furthermore, by loading chiral guest in the MOF pore, the formed chiral encapsulated AIE-SURMOF can clearly indicate obvious circularly polarized luminescence performance with glum of 0.01. This study provides new MOF thin film and new strategy for expanding function and application of MOF materials.

Review of electrospun microtube array membrane (MTAM)-a novel new class of hollow fiber for encapsulated cell therapy (ECT) in clinical applications.

Encapsulated cell therapy (ECT) shows significant potential for treating neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which currently lack curative medicines and must be managed symptomatically. This novel technique encapsulates functional cells with a semi-permeable membrane, providing protection while enabling critical nutrients and therapeutic substances to pass through. Traditional ECT procedures, on the other hand, pose difficulties in terms of cell survival and retrieval. We introduce the Microtube Array Membrane (MTAM), a revolutionary technology that solves these constraints, in this comprehensive overview. Microtube Array Membrane has distinct microstructures that improve encapsulated cells' long-term viability by combining the advantages of macro and micron scales. Importantly, the MTAM platform improves biosafety by allowing the entire encapsulated unit to be retrieved in the event of an adverse reaction. Our findings show that MTAM-based ECT has a great potential in a variety of illness situations. For cancer treatment, hybridoma cells secreting anti-CEACAM 6 antibodies inhibit triple-negative breast cancer cell lines for an extended period of time. In animal brain models of Alzheimer's disease, hybridoma cells secreting anti-pTau antibodies successfully reduce pTau buildup, accompanied by improvements in memory performance. In mouse models, MTAM-encapsulated primary cardiac mesenchymal stem cells dramatically improve overall survival and heart function. These findings illustrate the efficacy and adaptability of MTAM-based ECT in addressing major issues such as immunological isolation, cell viability, and patient safety. We provide new possibilities for the treatment of neurodegenerative illnesses and other conditions by combining the potential of ECT with MTAM. Continued research and development in this subject has a lot of promise for developing cell therapy and giving hope to people suffering from chronic diseases.

Exopolysaccharides from endophytic Glutamicibacter halophytocota KLBMP 5180 functions as bio-stimulants to improve tomato plants growth and salt stress tolerance.

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) can promote plants growth and protect them against various abiotic stresses, but the role of actinobacteria-produced EPSs in plant growth promoting is still less known. Here, we aim to explore the effect of EPSs from an endophyte Glutamicibacter halophytocota KLBMP 5180 on tomato seeds germination and seedlings growth under salt stress. Our study revealed that 2.0 g/L EPSs resulted in increased seed germination rate by 23.5 % and 11.0 %, respectively, under 0 and 200 mM NaCl stress conditions. Further pot experiment demonstrated that EPSs significantly promoted seedlings growth under salt stress, with increased height, root length and fibrous roots number. Plant physiological traits revealed that EPSs increased chlorophyll content, enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, soluble sugar, and K+ concentration in seedlings; malondialdehyde and Na+ contents were reduced. Additionally, auxin, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid were accumulated significantly in seedlings after EPSs treatment. Furthermore, we identified 1233 differentially expressed genes, and they were significantly enriched in phytohormone signal transmission, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and protein processing in endogenous reticulum pathways, etc. Our results suggest that KLBMP 5180-produced EPSs effectively ameliorated NaCl stress in tomato plants by triggering complex regulation mechanism, and showed application potentiality in agriculture.

Enhancing Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Property by Regulating Interaction between Zr4(embonate)6 Cage and N, N-Chelated Transition-Metal Cation.

Herein, the combination of anionic Zr4L6 (L = embonate) cages and N, N-chelated transition-metal cations leads to a series of new cage-based architectures, including ion pair structures (PTC-355 and PTC-356), dimer (PTC-357), and 3D frameworks (PTC-358 and PTC-359). Structural analyses show that PTC-358 exhibits a 2-fold interpenetrating framework with a 3,4-connected topology, and PTC-359 shows a 2-fold interpenetrating framework with a 4-connected dia network. Both PTC-358 and PTC-359 can be stable in air and other common solvents at room temperature. The investigations of third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties indicate that these materials show different degrees of optical limiting effects. It is surprising that increasing coordination interactions between anion and cation moieties can effectively enhance their third-order NLO properties, which can be attributed to the formation of coordination bonds that facilitate charge transfer. In addition, the phase purity, UV-vis spectra, and photocurrent properties of these materials were also studied. This work provides new ideas for the construction of third-order NLO materials.

Comparison of intraoperative imaging guided versus microelectrode recording guided deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, most centers would use microelectrode recording (MER) to refine targeting in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. In recent years, intraoperative imaging (IMG) guided DBS has become an alternative way to verify lead placement. Currently, there is still controversy surrounding the necessity of MER or IMG for DBS. This meta-analysis aims to explore lead accuracy, clinical efficacy and safety between IMG and MER guided DBS for Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library were searched up to Mar, 2021 for studies reporting comparisons between IMG and MER guided DBS for PD. Subgroup analysis was conducted to assess effects of different IMG technology and DBS targeting site. RESULTS: Six studies, comprising of 478 patients were included in our analysis. The mean difference between the two implantation techniques in stereotactic accuracy, lead passes per trajectory, improvement% of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III and levodopa equivalent daily dose were -0.45 (95% confidence interval, CI=-1.11 to 0.20), -0.18 (95% CI=-0.41 to 0.06), 3.40 (95% CI=-5.36 to 12.16), and 5.00 (95% CI=-1.40 to 11.39), respectively. No significant differences were observed in each adverse event and operation/procedure time between the two implantation techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Both IMG and MER guided DBS offered effective control of motor symptoms for PD. Besides, IMG guided is comparable to MER guided DBS, in terms of safety, accuracy and efficiency. It is recommended for each hospital to select DBS guidance technology based on available resources and equipment.

Effects of Self-Administered Acupressure on Fatigue Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common symptom after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and may persist for weeks or years. However, nonpharmacological management strategies for fatigue alleviations are almost nonexistent; thus, effective fatigue management programs are needed urgently. PURPOSES: We aimed to evaluate the effects of self-administered acupressure programs on post-TBI fatigue and heart rate variability and identify the possible correlation between the improvements in fatigue symptoms and the changes in heart rate variability. DESIGN: This randomized controlled trial included 2-point acupressure (TPA; n = 27), 5-point acupressure (FPA; n = 27), and usual care (UC, control; n = 27) groups who underwent several assessments before and after the study intervention. Heart rate variability was evaluated at baseline, weeks 2 and 3, and treatment completion. METHODS: The TPA and FPA groups self-administered acupressure (3 minutes per acupoint; bilateral), thrice daily for 4 weeks, whereas the UC group received routine treatment without acupressure. RESULTS: Both the TPA and FPA groups exhibited substantial improvements in fatigue symptoms compared with the baseline findings in the UC group. In addition, the TPA and FPA groups exhibited increased high-frequency power and mean number of times per hour in which the changes in successive normal sinus intervals (RR) gradually exceeded 50 ms (pNN50). Changes in high-frequency power and pNN50 were correlated with improvements in post-TBI fatigue symptoms. CONCLUSION: Acupressure may alleviate chronic fatigue and enhance parasympathetic activity in TBI survivors. The enhancement of parasympathetic activity may be correlated with improvements in post-TBI fatigue symptoms. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Healthcare providers should incorporate self-administered acupressure into the care plans for TBI survivors to improve their fatigue symptoms.

Bark-stripping Behavior of Formosan Sambar (Rusa unicolor swinhoii) at Tataka, Yushan National Park in Taiwan.

The bark-stripping behavior of Formosan sambar, Rusa unicolor swinhoii, has become conspicuous in recent years in the Tataka area of Yushan National Park in Taiwan and a cause for concern to visitors and ecologists. We conducted a monthly survey of 537 tagged trees of 21 species and monitored the abundance of sambar using camera traps from October 2018 to January 2021, aiming to interpret possible causes of the bark-stripping behavior in Tataka. We also used a generalized linear model to evaluate factors that may affect the probability of a tree having its bark stripped. Both our observations and the model predictions showed that sambar has a strong preference for bark of Pinus armandii, Photinia niitakayamensis, and Salix fulvopubeseens and for trees with diameter at breast height around 14 cm. Bark stripping mainly occurred between July and October when major forage was most abundant. However, sambar's need for bark surged in May when sambar abundance was moderate and decreased in October when sambar abundance was high. The seasonality of bark stripping was synchronized with the peak periods of antler development, fawn nursing, and spread of gastrointestinal parasites, suggesting that sambar strips bark to ingest minerals for their physiological needs and/or to acquire plant secondary metabolites to repel gastrointestinal parasites. Sambar abundance alone was not sufficient to predict the overall intensity of bark stripping. Rather, the product of sambar abundance and the necessity index (average wound size) were strongly correlated with the overall bark-stripping intensity. Therefore, controlling sambar abundance is essential but it alone may not be the optimal strategy for controlling bark stripping. A combination of population control and relaxing of sambar's parasite loading and/or physiological needs for minerals is an important strategy to control the overall bark stripping. Future research could use the necessity index to investigate the synchronicity of the bark-stripping behavior, deer's physiological state, environmental factors and phenology to better understand the cause of this behavior.

The Relationship between Self-Perceived Health and Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Frozen Shoulders.

Current healthcare is centered on the perception of people's health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-perceived health (physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions) and two main clinical symptoms (shoulder pain and restricted shoulder motion) in patients with frozen shoulders. A total of 49 patients diagnosed with frozen shoulders were recruited and divided into high- and low-disability groups according to the severity of their frozen shoulders. Participants were measured for shoulder passive range of motion, pain intensity, and self-perceived health, using a brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. The results showed that the high-disability group had poorer self-perceived health (lower quality of life scores) than the low-disability group (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the quality of life scores and the two clinical symptoms in either the high- or low-disability group. Our findings revealed that the multidimensional self-perceived health of frozen shoulder patients could not be inferred from the severity of shoulder pain and restricted shoulder motions. This study suggests that healthcare providers should pay more attention to patients' self-perceived health needs while addressing the clinical symptoms in patients with frozen shoulders.

Abundant and diverse endophytic bacteria associated with medicinal plant Arctium lappa L. and their potential for host plant growth promoting.

Arctium lappa L. is one of the medicinal and food homologous plants in China, which is rich in nutrients and medicinal ingredients. The use of plant growth-promoting (PGP) endophytic bacteria is an alternative to reducing chemical fertilizers in agricultural production. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of endophytic bacteria in different cultivars of A. lappa L. collected from two geographical locations in China and evaluate PGP traits of the isolates and their potential PGP ability in greenhouse condition. Endophytic bacterial community was investigated by culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Isolates were screened and investigated for multiple PGP traits, and representative strains were inoculated host seedlings to evaluate the growth promoting effect. A total of 348 endophytic bacteria were obtained and they were distributed into 4 phyla and 30 genera. In addition, high throughput sequencing revealed more abundant bacterial community, including 17 bacterial phyla and 207 genera. A high proportion of PGP traits were detected, including production of indole acetic acid, siderophore, ammonia and phosphate solubilization. Four representative strains with multiple PGP traits of the most dominant genera (Bacillus, Pantoea, Microbacterium and Pseudomonas) were further selected for host inoculation and growth promoting evaluation, and they significantly increase seedlings length, root length and fresh weight. This study demonstrated that A. lappa L. harbors abundant endophytic bacteria, and some endophytic bacteria showed good potential for the development of microbial fertilizer in the future.

Synthesis of a Zr4(embonate)6-cobalt based superstructure for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Herein, we report an efficient method to construct cage-based MOF materials with exposed metal active sites for catalysis. By employing Zr4L6 (L = embonate) cages as precursors for assembly with N-containing ligands and Co2+ ions, a new Zr4L6-Co based chain structure (PTC-318) has been generated through two-step reactions. Interestingly, in the absence of a photosensitizer, PTC-318 exhibits notable photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution under visible-light irradiation.

Microtube Array Membrane Encapsulated Cell Therapy: A Novel Platform Technology Solution for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent form of dementia in aging population and is presently the world's sixth largest cause of mortality. With the advancement of therapies, several solutions have been developed such as passive immunotherapy against these misfolded proteins, thereby resulting in the clearance. Within this segment, encapsulated cell therapy (ECT) solutions that utilize antibody releasing cells have been proposed with a multitude of techniques under development. Hence, in this study, we utilized our novel and patented Microtube Array Membranes (MTAMs) as an encapsulating platform system with anti-pTau antibody-secreting hybridoma cells to study the impact of it on Alzheimer's disease. In vivo results revealed that in the water maze, the mice implanted with hybridoma cell MTAMs intracranially (IN) and subcutaneously (SC) showed improvement in the time spent the goal quadrant and escape latency. In passive avoidance, hybridoma cell loaded MTAMs (IN and SC) performed significantly well in step-through latency. At the end of treatment, animals with hybridoma cell loaded MTAMs had lower phosphorylated tau (pTau) expression than empty MTAMs had. Combining both experimental results unveiled that the clearance of phosphorylated tau might rescue the cognitive impairment associated with AD.

Ceftazidime-avibactam and intrapleural amikacin therapy for extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa thoracic empyema: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic empyema and concomitant bronchopleural fistula are serious complications of pneumonia. The treatment of empyema caused by extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (XDR-PA) has become increasingly challenging. PATIENTS CONCERNS AND IMPORTANT CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 57-year-old woman with controlled schizophrenia developed hospital-associated bacterial pneumonia secondary to P. aeruginosa on day 13 of hospitalization for brain meningioma surgery. DIAGNOSIS: Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed right-sided necrotizing pneumonia with pneumothorax, a focal soft tissue defect over the right lower chest wall, and a mild right-sided encapsulated pleural effusion with consolidation. XDR-PA was isolated on empyema cultures. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with intrapleural amikacin as a bridge to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, followed by novel ceftazidime-avibactam therapy. OUTCOMES: On the 104th day of admission, the patient underwent chest wall debridement and closure. The patient was discharged on day 111. Twenty-eight days after discharge, there were no observable sequelae of empyema. CONCLUSION: Although the minimum inhibitory concentration of ceftazidime-avibactam for XDR-PA is relatively high (8 mg/L), this report emphasizes the efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam treatment for XDR-PA empyema, as well as the importance of source control.

The Effectiveness of Group-Based Core Stability Exercise and Educational Booklet for Hospital Workers in Taiwan with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study.

To investigate the effectiveness of health promotion strategies for nonspecific low back pain in hospital workers, we compared the therapeutic effects of group-based core stability exercises and an educational booklet. Subjects participated in a 60-min core stability exercise on a weekly basis for 8 weeks (N = 24) or consulted an educational booklet for advice (N = 22). The numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the brief version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) were used as outcome measures. The ODI, as well as the total score and domains of overall, physical, and psychological health in the WHOQOL-BREF were significantly improved in the exercise group (p < 0.05). The NRS score significantly improved in the booklet group (p < 0.05). The total score, psychological domain, and environmental domain of the WHOQOL-BREF improved significantly in the exercise group compared with the booklet group (p < 0.05). Group-based core stability exercises and educational booklets are helpful to hospital workers in different ways for nonspecific low back pain. In contrast to the pain reduction by the educational booklet, more active participation in group-based core stability exercise can provide a better outcome in the overall quality of life, especially in the psychological and environmental domains of hospital workers.

Freshwater Clam Extract Mitigates Neuroinflammation and Amplifies Neurotrophic Activity of Glia: Insights from In Vitro Model of Neurodegenerative Pathomechanism.

BACKGROUND: An extensive body of research suggests that brain inflammation and oxidative stress are the underlying causes of Parkinson's disease (PD), for which no potent therapeutic approach exists to mitigate the degradation of dopamine neurons. Freshwater clams, an ancient health food of Chinese origin, have been documented to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. We previously reported that freshwater clam extract (FCE) can attenuate astrocytic activation and subsequent proinflammatory cytokine production from substantia nigra in an MPTP-induced PD mouse model. This article provides insight into the potential mechanisms through which FCE regulates neuroinflammation in a glia model of injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 1 µg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 200 µM rotenone were conducted in primary glial cell cultures to mimic the respective neuroinflammation and oxidative stress during injury-induced glial cell reactivation, which is relevant to the pathological process of PD. RESULTS: FCE markedly reduced LPS-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing NO and TNF-α production and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, FCE was effective at reducing rotenone-induced toxicity by diminishing ROS production, promoting antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, and GPx) and minimizing the decline in glial-cell-secreted neurotrophic factors (GDNF, BDNF). These impacts ultimately led to a decrease in glial apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence reveals that FCE is capable of stabilizing reactive glia, as demonstrated by reduced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, the increased release of neurotrophic factors and the inhibition of apoptosis, which provides therapeutic insight into neurodegenerative diseases, including PD.

L-Theanine Ameliorated Rotenone-Induced Parkinsonism-like Symptoms in Rats.

Rotenone (RO)-induced neurotoxicity exhibits pathophysiological features similar to those reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), such as nitrosative and oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neural cytoarchitecture alterations in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc)/striatum (ST), which has been used for decades as an animal model of PD in humans. L-Theanine (LT), a major amino acid component of green tea, exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and protects against various neural injuries. We investigated the potential therapeutic effects of LT on RO-induced behavioral and neurochemical dysfunction in rats and the neuroprotective mechanisms underlying these effects. Unilateral stereotaxic intranigral infusion of RO into the SNpc to induce PD-like manifestations induced significant behavioral impairment as evaluated using an open field test, rotarod test, grip strength measurement, and beam-crossing task in rats. LT treatment (300 mg/kg i.p., 21 days) ameliorated most RO-induced behavioral impairments. In addition, LT treatment reduced nitric oxide level and lipid peroxidation production, increased mitochondrial function and integrity, as well as the activities of mitochondrial complexes I, II, IV, and V, and reduced the levels of neuroinflammatory and apoptotic markers in the SNpc and ameliorated the levels of catecholamines, GABA and glutamate in the ST induced by RO. These results demonstrate the possible therapeutic effects of LT against RO-induced behavioral impairments, including antioxidative effects, prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction, prevention of neurochemical deficiency, anti-neuroinflammatory effects, and anti-apoptotic effects. This is the first report on the neuroprotective effect of LT against RO-induced behavioral impairments, and the above evidence provides a potential clinically relevant role for LT in the management of human PD.

Neuroprotective effect of l-theanine in a rat model of chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve-induced neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: We investigated the protective efficacy of l-theanine (LT), the major amino acid components of green tea, on chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve-induced neuropathic pain (NP) development and neuronal functional changes in rats. METHODS: Rats with NP induced by CCI of the left sciatic nerve and sham-operated rats received LT or saline solution, with pain sensitive tests of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities were measured after surgery. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed; the sciatic nerve was excised, homogenized, prepared and subjected for estimation of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and caspase-3. RESULTS: CCI produced a significant increase in hyperalgesia and allodynia, an increase in SFI, a decrease in nerve conduction velocity, increases in NO, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, MPO, and caspase-3 levels, as well as reduction of GSH, SOD, and CAT in the rat sciatic nerve. LT treatment significantly and dose-dependently alleviated CCI-induced nociceptive pain thresholds and ameliorated abnormal nerve conduction and functional loss in rats with CCI. Moreover, LT treatment reduced NO and MDA levels, increased antioxidative strength, and markedly suppressed the levels of neuroinflammatory and apoptotic markers in injured sciatic nerves. CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the ameliorative effect of LT in CCI-induced NP in rats. This effect might be attributed to its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective, thus making it potentially useful as an adjuvant to conventional treatment.

Coordination Assembly of Tetrahedral Zr4(embonate)6 Cages with Eu3+ Ions.

Herein we systematically investigated the coordination assembly behavior of Zr4L6 cages with Eu3+ ions at room temperature. Through adjustment of the concentration of Eu salt and changes of the type and molar ratio of the solvent, a series of Zr4L6-Eu structures with different structure dimensionalities have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In addition, we also studied the optical properties of these materials in detail, including the fluorescent and third-order nonlinear-optical properties. Most notably, a 2D layer structure with a strong aromatic π···π-stacking force exhibits a good optical-limiting effect.

Enhanced Anti-Tumor Activity in Mice with Temozolomide-Resistant Human Glioblastoma Cell Line-Derived Xenograft Using SN-38-Incorporated Polymeric Microparticle.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has remained one of the most lethal and challenging cancers to treat. Previous studies have shown encouraging results when irinotecan was used in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) for treating GBM. However, irinotecan has a narrow therapeutic index: a slight dose increase in irinotecan can induce toxicities that outweigh its therapeutic benefits. SN-38 is the active metabolite of irinotecan that accounts for both its anti-tumor efficacy and toxicity. In our previous paper, we showed that SN-38 embedded into 50:50 biodegradable poly[(d,l)-lactide-co-glycolide] (PLGA) microparticles (SMPs) provides an efficient delivery and sustained release of SN-38 from SMPs in the brain tissues of rats. These properties of SMPs give them potential for therapeutic application due to their high efficacy and low toxicity. In this study, we tested the anti-tumor activity of SMP-based interstitial chemotherapy combined with TMZ using TMZ-resistant human glioblastoma cell line-derived xenograft models. Our data suggest that treatment in which SMPs are combined with TMZ reduces tumor growth and extends survival in mice bearing xenograft tumors derived from both TMZ-resistant and TMZ-sensitive human glioblastoma cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that combining SMPs with TMZ may have potential as a promising strategy for the treatment of GBM.

Kyphoplasty with intravertebral reduction devices associated with better height restoration and greater kyphosis correction than kyphoplasty with balloons.

Kyphoplasty (KP) with intravertebral reduction devices (IRD) was reported to be associated with better radiological outcomes than KP with balloons (BK) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). However, the mechanical factors that contribute to the radiological benefits of IRDs require further investigation. To probe the mechanical factors, this retrospective matched cohort study was designed, including the older patients with painful OVCFs and treated with KP. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes between KP with an IRD and BK, where vertebral body height and kyphotic angle of the cemented vertebrae were measured pre- and postoperatively; clinical outcomes were collected by telephone interviews. The restoration and maintenance ratio suggested that IRDs were associated with favorable effects long-term wise in anterior to middle vertebral body and kyphosis than BK in patients. The gathered results concluded the radiological benefits of IRD regarding both its efficient restoration and maintenance in vertebrae.