Developing hydrogels for gene therapy and tissue engineering.

Hydrogels are a class of highly absorbent and easily modified polymer materials suitable for use as slow-release carriers for drugs. Gene therapy is highly specific and can overcome the limitations of traditional tissue engineering techniques and has significant advantages in tissue repair. However, therapeutic genes are often affected by cellular barriers and enzyme sensitivity, and carrier loading of therapeutic genes is essential. Therapeutic gene hydrogels can well overcome these difficulties. Moreover, gene-therapeutic hydrogels have made considerable progress. This review summarizes the recent research on carrier gene hydrogels for the treatment of tissue damage through a summary of the most current research frontiers. We initially introduce the classification of hydrogels and their cross-linking methods, followed by a detailed overview of the types and modifications of therapeutic genes, a detailed discussion on the loading of therapeutic genes in hydrogels and their characterization features, a summary of the design of hydrogels for therapeutic gene release, and an overview of their applications in tissue engineering. Finally, we provide comments and look forward to the shortcomings and future directions of hydrogels for gene therapy. We hope that this article will provide researchers in related fields with more comprehensive and systematic strategies for tissue engineering repair and further promote the development of the field of hydrogels for gene therapy.

Curcumin@Fe/Tannic Acid Complex Nanoparticles for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious public health issue because of its chronic and incurable nature. Common IBD drugs have limited efficacy and produce adverse effects, leading to an urgent need to develop new drugs and drug delivery systems. Curcumin (Cur) is a natural and nontoxic drug that is increasingly used in the treatment of IBD owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Metal-polyphenol networks constructed from metal ions and polyphenols exhibit biological functionality while acting as an adhesive nanomaterial to encapsulate nano-Cur, thereby improving its solubility and drug release behavior. In this study, we prepared a Cur@Fe&TA nanodrug delivery system by constructing an Fe3+/tannic acid (TA) metal-polyphenol network with encapsulated Cur. The Cur@Fe&TA nanodrug exhibited good stability, drug release behavior, and biocompatibility. Based on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Cur@Fe&TA, the gastrointestinal cytopathology in an IBD mouse model was effectively improved. The proposed Cur@Fe&TA nanomedicine delivery system has promising application and research value for the treatment of IBD by regulating levels of antioxidants and inflammatory cytokines.

Maternal thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity and its association with incidence of low birth weight in infants.

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease is a prevalent condition affecting women of reproductive age, leading to thyroid dysfunction and impacting pregnancy outcomes. While the critical role of thyroid hormone in pregnancy outcomes is well-established, the potential association between positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with normal thyroid function remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between maternal TPOAb positivity and adverse pregnancy outcomes with normal thyroid function. Methods: We collected baseline information from pregnant women who visited our hospital between February 2009 and June 2012. Blood samples were taken to measure thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), TPOAb, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was compared between TPOAb-positive and TPOAb-negative groups among participants with normal thyroid function. Results: A total of 7,046 pregnant women with normal thyroid function were included, comprising 6,700 with negative TPOAb and 346 with positive TPOAb. The TPOAb-positive group exhibited a higher age (26.0 vs. 27.0 years, p = 0.02) and greater serum TSH levels (1.72 vs. 1.94 mIU/L, p = 0.029), while the gestational week of blood collection was lower (31.9 vs. 26.5 weeks, p = 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed a higher incidence of low birth weight (LBW) in offspring of TPOAb-positive women compared to the TPOAb-negative group (3.5% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.035). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, gestational week of blood collection, menstrual history, education level, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, TGAb, TSH, and FT4, TPOAb positivity emerged as an independent risk factor for LBW infants (OR: 2.317, 95% CI: 1.057-5.076, p = 0.036), while other adverse pregnancy outcomes did not show a significant correlation with TPOAb positivity. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TPOAb-positive pregnant women with normal thyroid function are more likely to deliver LBW infants. Regular monitoring of TPOAb-positive pregnancies and timely interventions throughout all stages of pregnancy are crucial.

Association between third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

To study the effects of third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia (serum low free thyroxine and normal thyroid stimulating hormone level) on pregnancy outcomes, we performed a retrospective cohort study in women with singleton pregnancy between February 2009 and June 2012. Pregnant women were assigned to two groups, a hypothyroxinemia group (with maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia in the third trimester and normal thyroid function in the first and second trimesters) and a control group (with normal serum thyroid functions). The pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, fetal distress, birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, and Apgar score at one minute after the birth, were recorded and compared between the two groups. A total of 3,945 pregnant women (median age 26 year old) were included in the study, with 195 women in the hypothyroxinemia group and 3,750 women in the control group. Compared with the women in the control group, women in the hypothyroxinemia group had higher incidences of premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score at one minute after the birth. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the low third trimester serum thyroxine level was the independent risk factor for the premature rupture of membranes and low Apgar score. There were no statistically significant differences in preterm birth, macrosomia, and intrauterine fetal distress between two groups. Third trimester maternal isolated hypothyroxinemia was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The maternal serum thyroxine level should be monitored during late pregnancy and necessary management should be applied to improve the pregnancy outcomes.

Effect of Linagliptin on Glycemic Control in Chinese Patients with Newly-Diagnosed, Drug-Naïve Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of linagliptin (a novel dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor) on glucose metabolism and ß-cell function in Chinese patients with newly-diagnosed, drug-naïve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIAL AND METHODS Newly-diagnosed and drug-naïve T2DM patients were enrolled. After 4-week lifestyle modulation and 2-week placebo run-in, 57 patients were randomized to double-blind treatment with linagliptin (n=34) or placebo (n=23). The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) after 24 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (2h-PPG), fasting insulin, proinsulin-to-insulin ratio, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA-ß) were also evaluated. RESULTS Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Compared with placebo, linagliptin therapy resulted in a significant decrease in HbA1C (-1.2±0.7% vs. -0.4±0.4%, P<0.001), FBG (-0.98±1.17 vs. -0.32±0.51 mmol/L, P=0.011, and 2h-PPG (-2.02±0.94 vs. -0.97±0.63 mmol/L, P<0.001). Significant differences were observed for the proinsulin/insulin ratio (P<0.001) and HOMA-ß index (P=0.001). Rates of adverse events were similar between the 2 groups (30.3% vs. 27.3%). All adverse events were mild. One patient discontinued participation due to pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Linagliptin treatment resulted in a significant and clinically meaningful improvement of glycemic control in drug-naïve Chinese patients with T2DM, as well as improved parameters of b-cell function. Linagliptin had an excellent safety profile.

[Clinical distribution and antimicrobial resistance analysis of 754 pathogenic bacteria in diabetic foot infection].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the microbiological profiles and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of organisms isolated from diabetic foot ulcers so as to provide selection rationales of antibiotics. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on the microbiological profiles and antibiotic susceptibilities in 754 strains of pathogens isolated from 519 patients with diabetic foot ulcers at our hospital from January 2010 to August 2013. The inter-group data were compared by Chi-square test. RESULTS: There were 322 (62.0%) males and 197 (38.0%) females. Their mean age was (67.7 ± 12.3) (30-93) years, duration of diabetes 10 (0-40) years, duration of lower-limb lesion 1.0 (0.0-72.0) months and HbA1c (9.09% ± 2.28%). Among 444 (85.5%) cases, a total of 754 strains of pathogens were isolated. Gram-positive aerobes were the most frequently isolated (47.3%, 357 strains) and followed by gram-negative aerobes and fungus (40.3% vs 12.3%, 304 vs 93 strains respectively). With rising Wagner's grades, bacterial floras transformed from Gram-positive cocci to Gram-negative rods while fungus and composite infections increased. And 122 strains were of multi drug resistant organisms (MDRO). Among 357 strains of Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis were dominating floras. Staphylococcus was highly resistant to penicillin G, erythromycin, and oxacillin while vancomycin and linezolid were the most effective agents against gram-positive bacteria. Among 304 strains of gram-negative bacteria, enterobacteria were the most prevalent, including 48 strains of Escherichia coli, 34 strains of Proteus mirabilis and 31 strains of Proteus vulgaris. And there were 29 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Enterobacteria were highly resistant to ampicillin, followed by bactrim and furadantin while meropenem, imipenem, piperacillin/sulbactam, sulperazone and cefepime were the most effective agents. The predominant fungus was Blastomyces albicans. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe diabetic foot ulcers, Gram-negative rods predominate while the prevalence of fungus and composite infections increases. Vancomycin and imipenem maintain highly antibacterial activity. It is essential to pay attention to pathogen survey and use antibiotics more rationally.