Enhancement of the anticancer potential and biosafety of BSA-modified, bacterial membrane-coated curcumin nanoparticles.

Bacteria and bacterial components have been widely used as bionanocarriers to deliver drugs to treat tumors. In this study, we isolated bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) with good stability and high yield for macrophage polarization and cell recruitment. Using ultrasound baths, these bacterial OMVs were combined with curcumin nanoparticles (OMV CUR NPs), following which these nanoparticles were modified with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to achieve high biosafety and tumor-targeting effects. The particle size, PDI, and zeta potential of the BSA-OMV CUR NPs were 157.9 nm, 0.233, and -15.1 mV, respectively. The BSA-OMV CUR NPs exhibited high storage stability, low cytotoxicity, sustained release, enhanced cellular uptake of CUR, induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and migration. By determining the survival rate, body length, heart rate, head size, eye size, and pericardium size of the zebrafish, we found that the BSA-OMV CUR NPs were safe for application in vivo. Moreover, an increase in antiproliferation, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic effects of BSA-OMV CUR NPs was demonstrated in wild-type and transgenic tumor-transplanted zebrafish embryos.

Purple sweet potato polysaccharide ameliorates concanavalin A-induced hepatic injury by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a prevalent liver disease that can potentially lead to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. The prolonged administration of immunosuppressive medications carries significant risks for patients. Purple sweet potato polysaccharide (PSPP), a macromolecule stored in root tubers, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-enhancing, and intestinal flora-regulating properties. Nevertheless, investigation into the role and potential mechanisms of PSPP in AIH remains notably scarce. PURPOSE: Our aim was to explore the possible protective impacts of PSPP against concanavalin A (Con A)-induced liver injury in mice. METHODS: Polysaccharide was isolated from purple sweet potato tubers using water extraction and alcohol precipitation, followed by purification through DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. A highly purified component was obtained, and its monosaccharide composition was characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mouse and cellular models induced by Con A were set up to investigate the impacts of PSPP on hepatic histopathology, apoptosis, as well as inflammation- and oxidative stress-related proteins in response to PSPP treatment. RESULTS: The administration of PSPP significantly reduced hepatic pathological damage, suppressed elevation of ALT and AST levels, and attenuated hepatic apoptosis in Con A-exposed mice. PSPP was found to mitigate Con A-induced inflammation by suppressing the TLR4-P2X7R/NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice. Furthermore, PSPP alleviated Con A-induced oxidative stress by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in mice. Additionally, PSPP demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells induced by Con A in vitro. CONCLUSION: PSPP has the potential to ameliorate hepatic inflammation via the TLR4-P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway and inhibit hepatic oxidative stress through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway during the progression of Con A-induced hepatic injury. The results of this study have unveiled the potential hepatoprotective properties of purple sweet potato and its medicinal value for humans. Moreover, this study serves as a valuable reference, highlighting the potential of PSPP-1 as a drug candidate for the treatment of immune liver injury.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of single-stage vs two-stage revision for periprosthetic joint infection: a call for a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a severe complication of joint arthroplasty that causes significant pain and economic loss. This study aimed to determine whether the current evidence supports single-stage revision for PJI based on reinfection and reoperation rates. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, EBSCO, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to 30 May 2023 to identify studies that compared single-stage revision and two-stage revision for PJI. Data on reinfection and reoperation rates were pooled. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included a total of 40 studies with 8711 patients. Overall, there was no significant difference between single- and two-stage revision regarding the postoperative reinfection rate and reoperation rate. Subgroup analysis by surgery period and different surgical sites revealed no difference between the two groups in the reinfection and reoperation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the available evidence, our study did not identify a significant difference in reinfection and reoperation rates between single- and two-stage revision for PJI. Given the limitations in inclusion/exclusion criteria and the observed heterogeneity, we acknowledge the complexity of drawing strong conclusions. Therefore, we suggest that the choice between single- and two-stage revision should be carefully considered on an individual basis, taking into account patient-specific factors and further research developments.

Cervical Spondylosis as a Potential Cause of Venous Hypertensive Myelopathy: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Venous hypertensive myelopathy (VHM) is generally closely related to spinal vascular malformations, but a small number of other causes of VHM have been reported. CASE REPORT This rare case report describes a 74-year-old man with a C3 to C7 disc herniation, posterior spondylolisthesis (degree I) with spinal stenosis, exhibiting comparatively swift decline in neurological function as well as abnormal expansion of the high-signal intensity region on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which progressed to the medulla oblongata. Whether spinal cord degeneration is caused by cervical spondylotic myelopathy remains uncertain. Lumbar puncture was not performed because of spinal stenosis. An acute inflammatory process was also considered and the patient received hormone therapy. However, the effect was not significant, and his symptoms worsened after his hormone levels decreased. Repeat cervical MRI demonstrated interval development of diffuse intramedullary increased T2 signal in the spinal cord, which gradually increased to the pons, with cord swelling and degeneration more apparent. His medical history, negative laboratory results, evoked potential examination results, and poor effects of hormone therapy indicated a low probability of spinal inflammatory disease. Posterior C3-C6 expansive open-door cervical laminoplasty with lateral mass screw insertion and C2 and C7 decompression surgeries were performed. The neurological symptoms and abnormal T2-weighted MRI signals significantly improved after the operation. CONCLUSIONS VHM can be caused by spondylotic cord compression, leading to spinal cord injury. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis and timely surgery are essential.