An Unexpected Giant: A Case of Massive Paratesticular Extra-mammary Myofibroblastoma.

Mammary-type myofibroblastomas (MFBs) are benign spindle cell tumors, typically presenting in common locations such as the breast, abdomen, and inguinal region. We present a case of a 66-year-old male with a four-year history of painless scrotal swelling. The preoperative diagnosis was challenging, with an initial suspicion of soft tissue sarcoma. A complete surgical excision was performed, revealing a well-circumscribed, encapsulated mass. The tumor measured 30 x 20 x 14 cm, weighing 5.28 kg. Histopathology confirmed an MFB. This exceptionally large paratesticular MFB emphasizes the diagnostic difficulty of such tumors. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice, with an excellent prognosis. This case highlights the importance of considering MFB in the differential diagnosis of scrotal masses, even with atypical presentations.

Turbulent characteristics of momentum flux in the marine atmospheric boundary layer of North Bay of Bengal.

We use a 16-month-long, 20 Hz wind data from a mooring deployed in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) to study the characteristics of turbulent wind stress ( u ' w ' ) events in the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). Quadrant analysis of the motion-corrected u ' and w ' suggests that sweep and ejections, representing downward stress transfer into the ocean, dominate the u ' w ' (~ 140%). In comparison, outward and inward interactions representing an upward stress transfer into the atmosphere provide the counter-contribution (~ 40%). We found a wind speed (ws) dependency on stress transfer for ws > 3 m/s, while for low ws, the swell-dominated ocean state modulates the u ' w ' with a significant reverse stress transfer into the atmosphere, especially during intermonsoon periods. It is found that for weak winds ( ws < 3 m/s), the number of turbulent events (N) is less, but they frequently repeat with more considerable flux per event ( f ^ ) , with outward and inward interactions (sweeps and ejections) dominating during intermonsoon periods (monsoon periods). For medium to strong winds, sweeps and ejections dominate u ' w ' . Ejections are found to be the most efficient method of stress transfer in the BoB, contributing 80% of u ' w ' , compared to sweeps contributing ~ 60% and interaction processes contributing ~ - 20% each to the u ' w ' . Though the duration of sweep events is larger than ejections and with comparable flux energy per event ( f ^ ), the larger number N of ejection events makes it the dominant stress transfer mechanism in the Bay in all seasons.

The Efficacy of Thumb Spica Casting With or Without Corticosteroid Injection for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis.

Background and objective De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a highly prevalent wrist pathology primarily caused by chronic thumb overuse. Its management typically begins with conservative methods, progressing to corticosteroid injections or surgery if necessary. This study compares the efficacy of thumb spica casting plus corticosteroid injection versus casting alone for treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Materials and methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, and enrolled adults aged 18-50 who presented with De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Patients were assigned to receive either corticosteroid injection plus thumb spica cast (Group A) or thumb spica cast alone (Group B). The primary outcome assessed the treatment success rate, while the secondary outcome evaluated the treatment effectiveness using visual analog scale (VAS) scores and Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH). Results Of the initial 65 patients enrolled, 61 completed the study. Group A demonstrated a significantly higher treatment success rate (83.9%, n=26) compared to Group B (40%, n=12) (p<0.001). Pain reduction, as measured by VAS, was markedly greater in Group A (8.4 ± 1.0 to 0.4 ± 0.5) than in Group B (9.0 ± 0.8 to 5.9 ± 1.3) (p<0.001). Similarly, functional improvement assessed by QuickDASH favored Group A (89.6 ± 8.2 to 8.9 ± 6.8) over Group B (84.3 ± 10.1 to 49.1 ± 12.3) (p<0.001). No serious adverse effects related to treatments were noted in either of the groups. Conclusions This study supports the superiority of thumb spica casting along with local corticosteroid injection over casting alone for treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis. The combined approach led to significantly better pain relief and functional outcomes, highlighting its effectiveness as a treatment option despite the positive outcomes observed with casting alone.

Rejuvenating bone marrow hematopoietic reserve prevents regeneration failure and hepatic decompensation in animal model of cirrhosis.

Background and aim: Bone marrow stem cells (BM-SCs) and their progeny play a central role in tissue repair and regeneration. In patients with chronic liver failure, bone marrow (BM) reserve is severally compromised and they showed marked defects in the resolution of injury and infection, leading to liver failure and the onset of decompensation. Whether BM failure is the cause or consequence of liver failure during cirrhosis is not known. In this study, we aimed to determine the underlying relationship between BM failure and regeneration failure in cirrhosis. Methodology: C57Bl/6(J) mice were used to develop chronic liver injury through intra-peritoneal administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 15 weeks (0.1-0.5 ml/kg). Animals were sacrificed to study the transition of cirrhosis and BM defects. To restore the BM-SC reserve; healthy BM cells were infused via intra-BM infusion and assessed for changes in liver injury, regeneration, and BM-SC reserve. Results: Using a CCl4-induced animal - model of cirrhosis, we showed the loss of BM-SCs reserve occurred before regeneration failure and the onset of non-acute decompensation. Intra-BM infusion of healthy BM cells induced the repopulation of native hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in cirrhotic BM. Restoring BM-HSCs reserve augments liver macrophage-mediated clearance of infection and inflammation dampens neutrophil-mediated inflammation, accelerates fibrosis regression, enhances hepatocyte proliferation, and delays the onset of non-acute decompensation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that loss of BM-HSCs reserve underlies the compromised innate immune function of the liver, drives regeneration failure, and the onset of non-acute decompensation. We further provide the proof-of-concept that rejuvenating BM-HSC reserve can serve as a potential therapeutic approach for preventing regeneration failure and transition to decompensated cirrhosis.

The Frequency of Hypoglycemia and Its Symptoms in Preterm Neonates in the First 24 Hours.

Introduction Hypoglycemia is a critical concern in neonatal care, particularly among preterm infants. This study aims to investigate the frequency of hypoglycemia within the first 24 hours of life in preterm neonates, considering factors such as gestational age (GA), birth weight, and gender. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2021. The sample comprised 186 preterm infants selected through consecutive sampling. Data collection involved demographic information, glucose level monitoring, and symptom assessment. Results Of the 186 preterm neonates, 31.7% (n=59) experienced hypoglycemia within the first 24 hours, with feeding refusal being the predominant symptom. There was a significant difference in hypoglycemia occurrence between infants born before and after 32 weeks of gestation (p<0.05). Males were slightly more affected than females, although not statistically significant. Infants weighing less than 2 kg showed a higher susceptibility to hypoglycemia. Conclusion The early detection and management of hypoglycemia are crucial in preterm neonatal care. Close monitoring, especially in the initial four hours, is essential to prevent complications. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings and improve understanding and management strategies for hypoglycemia in preterm neonates, particularly within the first 24 hours of life.

Modulating the hAM/PCL Biocomposite for Expedited Wound Healing: A Chemical-Free Approach for Boosting Regenerative Potential.

There is an arising need for effective wound dressings that retain the bioactivity of a cellular treatment, but without the high costs and complexities associated with manufacturing, storing, and applying cell-based products. As skin wound recovery is a dynamic and complicated process, a significant obstacle to the healing of skin wounds is the lack of an appropriate wound dressing that can imitate the microenvironment of healthy skin and prevent bacterial infection. It requires the well-orchestrated integration of biological and molecular events. In this study, we have fabricated full-thickness skin graft biocomposite membranes to target full-thickness skin excision wounds. We reinforced human amniotic membrane (hAM) with electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) to develop composite membranes, namely, PCL/hAM and PCL/hAM/PCL. Composite membranes were compared for physical, biological, and mechanical properties with the native counterpart. PCL/hAM and PCL/hAM/PCL displayed improved stability and delayed degradation, which further synergically improved the rapid wound healing property of hAM, driven primarily by wound closure analysis and histological assessment. Moreover, PCL/hAM displayed a comparable cellular interaction to hAM. On application as a wound dressing, histological analysis demonstrated that hAM and PCL/hAM promoted early epidermis and dermis formation. Studies on in vivo wound healing revealed that although hAM accelerates cell development, the overall wound healing process is similar in PCL/hAM. This finding is further supported by the immunohistochemical analysis of COL-1/COL-3, CD-31, and TGF-ß. Overall, this conjugated PCL and hAM-based membrane has considerable potential to be applied in skin wound healing. The facile fabrication of the PCL/hAM composite membrane provided the self-regenerating wound dressing with the desired mechanical strength as an ideal regenerative property for skin tissue regeneration.

Comparison of Partial Meniscectomy With Meniscal Repair With Respect to Functional Outcome.

Introduction Meniscus tear is a commonly encountered sports-related injury requiring surgical intervention due to knee mobility dysfunction and discomfort. Previously, it has been thought that these are non-functional vestigial structures and they used to be excised commonly. Recent studies have shown that meniscal repair gives superior results when compared with partial meniscectomy. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Orthopedics Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 92 patients of both genders with meniscal injuries were included. Forty-six of them underwent meniscal repair (Group A), and 46 underwent partial meniscectomy (Group B). Functional outcome was noted after 12 weeks and recorded. Results The age range was from 18 to 50 years with a mean of 28.630±6.64 years in Group A and 29.630±8.12 years in Group B. Functional outcome was excellent in 44 (95.7%) patients who underwent meniscal repair as compared to 23 (50%) patients who underwent partial meniscectomy (P= 0.000). Conclusion It is concluded that meniscal repair should be pursued over partial meniscectomy when surgically treating meniscal tears.

Comparison of the Latarjet Procedure With the Modified Putti-Platt Surgery for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Dislocation With Respect to Functional Outcome.

Introduction Shoulder dislocation is the most common injury encountered in orthopedic outpatient department. The choice of procedure depends on the expertise of surgeons. The objective of this study was to compare the Latarjet procedure with the modified Putti-Platt surgery for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation in terms of functional outcomes. Materials and methods A quasi-experimental study evaluated 60 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Patients were assigned to either Latarjet or modified Putti-Platt surgery. Functional outcomes were assessed at six months using the Constant-Murley shoulder score. Results This study encompassed 60 patients (mean age: 23.93±5.88 years) undergoing shoulder procedures. Functional outcomes exhibited a majority of 55% excellent, 35% good, 6.7% fair, and 3.3% poor outcomes. No significant differences in functional outcomes were found between the procedures. Conclusion Both procedures may be viable options for recurrent shoulder instability. The choice may depend on patient factors and surgeon preference. Further research is needed to refine techniques and identify ideal candidates.

Effect of Coca-Cola on the Dissolution of Persimmon-Related Phytobezoar in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction Bezoars, masses of indigestible foreign bodies formed in the gastrointestinal tract, pose challenges in their management. Phytobezoars are particularly problematic due to their difficult diagnosis and resilience towards treatment. Recently, Coca-Cola has emerged as a potential solution due to its acidic composition and mucolytic properties. However, existing evidence is limited, highlighting the need for comprehensive studies. This research explores the efficacy of Coca-Cola in dissolving persimmon-related phytobezoars, aiming to contribute valuable insights to non-invasive treatment options. Material and methods Conducted as a descriptive case series, this study employed gastric cola lavage using non-probability purposive sampling. Patients aged 18-70 with persimmon-related phytobezoars were included. Two nasogastric tubes were inserted for cola lavage over 12 hours, utilizing three liters of cola until the disappearance of symptoms. When the bezoar disappeared, it was considered as complete success to the treatment. Results Out of 31 patients, 45.2% were male and 54.8% were female, with a mean age of 56.77 ± 9.01 years. Efficacy was noted in 54.8% of cases. Age less than 50 and no history of diabetes mellitus were associated with higher chances of treatment success (p-value ≤0.05). Conclusion Ingestion of Coca-Cola was highly effective, safe, and reliable for the dissolution of persimmon-related phytobezoars, as the frequency of efficacy was high in our study. Coca-Cola ingestion is a non-invasive and cost-effective mode of phytobezoar dissolution that should be taken as a first-line initial treatment option to attain desired outcomes.

Advancements in Retinoblastoma Treatment: Unraveling the Potential of Intravitreal Chemotherapy.

Retinoblastoma necessitates urgent attention due to its potential fatality if untreated. Multiple treatment options are available and should be employed according to size, location, and the extent of dissemination. This review emphasizes the need for increased awareness, advanced diagnostic tools, and innovative treatment approaches, especially intravitreal chemotherapy (IVitC) to address the diverse manifestations and aggressive nature of retinoblastoma. Timely diagnosis and commitment to treatment are pivotal, as delays and reluctance to undergo enucleation contribute to unfavorable outcomes. The evolving treatment landscape, spanning from traditional interventions to modern targeted therapies such as intravitreal melphalan, holds promise for improved outcomes. While the intravitreal approach presents challenges, ongoing research aims to establish its definitive role in retinoblastoma treatment. In the treatment of retinoblastoma, IVitC raises considerations about side effects. The risk of tumor spread beyond the eye is rare, emphasising the potential of IVitC in carefully selected cases. Intravitreal injections exhibit fewer local adverse effects compared to intra-arterial chemotherapy, with careful measures reducing significant ocular complications. The evaluation of ocular toxicity, particularly with melphalan, underscores the importance of a nuanced approach to achieve the right balance between therapeutic efficacy and ocular safety. This comprehensive analysis of studies on IVitC and its ocular and systemic complications provides valuable insights for enhanced patient care. The review concludes with a focus on balancing safety and efficacy in local chemotherapeutic drugs, highlighting the need for thoughtful measures and continued research to optimise treatment modalities globally.

An integrated buoy-satellite based coastal water quality nowcasting system: India's pioneering efforts towards addressing UN ocean decade challenges.

The Indian coastal waters are stressed due to a multitude of factors, such as the discharge of industrial effluents, urbanization (municipal sewage), agricultural runoff, and river discharge. The coastal waters along the eastern and western seaboard of India exhibit contrasting characteristics in terms of seasonality, the magnitude of river influx, circulation pattern, and degree of anthropogenic activity. Therefore, understanding these processes and forecasting their occurrence is highly necessary to secure the health of coastal waters, habitats, marine resources, and the safety of tourists. This article introduces an integrated buoy-satellite based Water Quality Nowcasting System (WQNS) to address the unique challenges of water quality monitoring in Indian coastal waters and to boost the regional blue economy. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has launched a first-of-its-kind WQNS, and positioned the buoys at two important locations along the east (Visakhapatnam) and west (Kochi) coast of India, covering a range of environmental conditions and tourist-intensive zones. These buoys are equipped with different physical-biogeochemical sensors, data telemetry systems, and integration with satellite-based observations for real-time data transmission to land. The sensors onboard these buoys continuously measure 22 water quality parameters, including surface current (speed and direction), salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter, chlorophyll-a, turbidity, dissolved methane, hydrocarbon (crude and refined), scattering, pCO2 (water and air), and inorganic macronutrients (nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, silicate). This real-time data is transmitted to a central processing facility at INCOIS, and after necessary quality control, the data is disseminated through the INCOIS website. Preliminary results from the WQNS show promising outcomes, including the short-term changes in the water column oxic and hypoxic regimes within a day in coastal waters off Kochi during the monsoon period, whereas effluxing of high levels of CO2 into the atmosphere associated with the mixing of water, driven by local depression in the coastal waters off Visakhapatnam. The system has demonstrated its ability to detect changes in the water column properties due to episodic events and mesoscale processes. Additionally, it offers valuable data for research, management, and policy development related to coastal water quality.

The Impact of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation Prior to Thyroidectomy on Mitigating Postoperative Hypocalcemia.

Background Hypocalcemia remains the most frequent complication after thyroidectomy. It can either be transient or permanent, and patients often find it unpleasant due to its association with prolonged hospitalization. The objective of this study was to determine the role of preoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation in preventing hypocalcemia after subtotal/total thyroidectomy. Material and methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan, from January 2023 to July 2023. We utilized non-probability purposive sampling. Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were recruited and followed until discharge to ascertain outcomes. They were divided into two groups: Group A received vitamin D (200,000 IU) one week preoperatively as single intramuscular dose and calcium (1 gm) orally two times daily for one week preoperatively, while Group B served as the control. Venous blood samples were taken post-surgery, on the second and seventh day and at day 30 to assess hypocalcemia. Chi-square test was employed, comparing hypocalcemia in both groups with a p-value ≤0.05 considered significant. Results One hundred thirty-two patients underwent subtotal/total thyroidectomy, with 46.2% (n = 61) being male and 53.8% (n = 71) female. The mean age of these patients was 37.12 ± 6.22 years, ranging from 20 to 50 years, and 57.6% (n = 76) were aged over 35 years. More than half (55.3%, n = 73) hailed from rural areas, while 4.7% (n = 59) resided in urban locales. Among the patients, 15.9% (n = 21) had a history of diabetes, and 24.2% (n = 32) were hypertensive. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.32 ± 2.41 kg/m2, with 7.6% (n = 10) classified as obese. The mean preoperative serum calcium level was 9.87 ± 1.07 mg/dL. Postoperatively, the mean serum calcium level was 8.74 ± 0.83 mg/dL. Both Group A (preoperative vitamin D and calcium supplementation) and Group B (control) demonstrated comparable baseline characteristics before undergoing thyroidectomy. The incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia was notably lower in Group A, with only 4.5% (n = 3) experiencing this complication. By contrast, 24.2% (n = 16) of patients in Group B, the control group, developed hypocalcemia (P = 0.001). Conclusion Our study supports the use of preoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation in patients undergoing thyroidectomy to combat hypocalcemia. The treated group showed significantly lower hypocalcemia compared to the untreated group B. We recommend preoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation for all thyroidectomy patients to reduce related morbidities and hospitalization duration.

Surgical Strategies for Ingrown Toenails: A Comprehensive Review of Techniques, Outcomes, and Advancements.

Ingrown toenail (IGTN), known as onychocryptosis or unguis incarnatus, is a painful condition affecting the big toe, with symptoms including pain, inflammation, and infection. This review explores surgical options for IGTN, categorized into altering the nail plate or diminishing periungual tissues. Conservative treatments alleviate early-stage symptoms, while surgical interventions are reserved for severe cases. Various surgical techniques are discussed, such as the Winograd technique, Vandenbos procedure, chemical matricectomy, radiofrequency ablation, bipolar diathermy, carbon dioxide laser ablation, Zadik's procedure, Howard-Dubois procedure, Super U procedure, Noël's procedure, knot technique, and toenail paronychium flap. The choice of procedure depends on the severity and recurrence of IGTN.

Observational evidence of salt finger in the diurnal thermocline.

Due to strong turbulent mixing, the ocean surface boundary layer region is generally not conducive to double diffusion. However, vertical microstructure profiles observations in the northeastern Arabian Sea during May 2019 imply the formation of salt fingers in the diurnal thermocline (DT) region during the daytime. In the DT layer, conditions are favorable for salt fingering: Turner angle values are between 50 and 55° with both temperature and salinity decreasing with depth; shear-driven mixing is weak with a turbulent Reynolds number of about 30. The presence of salt fingering in the DT is confirmed by the presence of staircase-like structures with step sizes larger than the Ozmidov length and by the dissipation ratio that is larger than the mixing coefficient. The unusual daytime salinity maximum in the mixed layer that supports salt fingering is primarily due to a daytime reduction in vertical entrainment of fresh water along with minor contributions from evaporation and horizontal advection and a significant contribution from detrainment processes.

Enhancing Documentation Precision in Ophthalmic Surgery: A Quality Improvement Project.

Background Effective clinical documentation, particularly operative notes, is essential for maintaining healthcare standards and fostering interdisciplinary communication. This study focuses on improving the quality of ophthalmic operative notes by adopting the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) guidelines for good surgical practice. Methodology A retrospective cross-sectional audit at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Pakistan, assessed 138 operative notes against the RCS criteria. After an educational session and the placement of memory aids in operation theaters, a re-audit of 125 notes was conducted. Parameters were selectively applied based on relevance to specific cases, and omissions were discussed with the local ethical committee. Results The initial audit revealed deficiencies in 10 critical areas, with only three parameters exceeding 85% accuracy. The re-audit showed significant improvement across these parameters, achieving documentation of 85.3% of all criteria. Paired t-test results indicated a substantial difference in documentation quality before and after interventions. Conclusions A combined strategy involving surgeon education, memory aids, and adherence to established standards significantly enhances operative note quality. The study underscores the importance of sustained reinforcement mechanisms for continuous improvements in documentation practices.

Comparative proteomic profiling of Small Extracellular vesicles derived from iPSCs and tissue specific mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Small Extracellular vesicles (EV) are emerging as crucial intercellular messengers that contribute to the physiological processes. EVs contain numerous functional proteins and nucleic acids derived from their parent cells and have different roles depending on their origin. Functionally, EVs transfer these biological materials from the parent cell to the recipient and thus exhibits a novel therapeutic platform for delivering therapeutics molecules to the target tissue. In this regard, EVs derived from stem cells such as Mesenchymal Stem Cells and iPSCs have demonstrated a higher ability to benefit regenerative medicine. Even though these stem cells share some common properties, due to the differences in their origin (cell sources, the hierarchy of potency, etc) the EVs cargo profiling and functionality may vary. METHOD: We used iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis to conduct a comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of EVs derived from iPSCs and various tissue-specific MSCs in this study. Additionally, the data was analyzed using a variety of bioinformatic tools, including ProteinPilot for peptide and protein identification and quantification; Funrich, GO, Reactome, and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) for pathway enrichment; the STRING database, and the inBio Discover tool for identifying known and predicted Protein-Protein networks. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analysis revealed 223 differentially expressed proteins in these EVs; however, Wharton's jelly MSC-EV contained more exclusive proteins with higher protein expression levels. Additionally, 113 proteins were abundant in MSC-EVs, while others were shared between MSC-EVs and iPSC-EVs. Further, based on an in-depth examination of the proteins, their associated pathways, and their interactions with other proteins, it was determined that these proteins are involved in bone regeneration (9.3%), wound healing (4.4%), immune regulation (8.9%), cardiac regeneration (6.6%), neuro regeneration (8.9%), and hepatic regeneration (3.5%). CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of our proteomic analysis indicate that EVs derived from MSCs have a more robust profile of proteins with higher expression levels than iPSCs. This is a significant finding, as it demonstrates the critical therapeutic role of EVs in a variety of diseases, as demonstrated by enrichment analysis, their versatility, and broad application potential.

Hypoxia preconditioning elicit differential response in tissue-specific MSCs via immunomodulation and exosomal secretion.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are emerging as an ideal candidate for regenerative medicine. It is known that the culture conditions impact the cellular properties of MSCs and their therapeutic behavior. Moreover, maintenance of MSCs in low oxygen tension for a short duration has shown to be beneficial for MSCs as it is similar to that of their physiological niche. However, the precise mechanism through which hypoxia pre-conditioning affects MSCs is not clear yet. Thus, in this study, we have investigated the effect of hypoxia exposure (1% O2) on tissue-specific MSCs over a period of time under serum-free culture conditions and evaluated the changes in expression of immuno-modulatory molecules and exosome biogenesis and secretion markers. It was observed that all MSCs responded differentially towards hypoxia exposure as indicated by the expression of HIF-1α. Moreover, this short-term exposure did not induce any changes in MSCs cellular morphology, proliferation rate, and surface marker profiling. In addition, we observed an enhancement in the expression of immunomodulatory factors (HLA-G, PGE-2, and IDO) after hypoxia exposure of 12 to 24 h in all tissue-specific MSCs. Interestingly, we have also observed the upregulation in exosome secretion that was further corelated to the upregulation of expression of exosome biogenesis and secretion markers (ALIX, TSG101, RAB27a, RAB27b). Though there was a differential response of MSCs where WJ-MSCs and BM-MSCs showed upregulation of these markers at 6-12 h of hypoxia pre-conditioning, while AD-MSCs showed similar changes beyond 24 h of hypoxia exposure.

Engineering Cellular Membrane for Dual Mode Therapy Using NIR Responsive Photosensitizer and Reversible Topoisomerase Inhibition Activity.

Extensive research over past few decades has highlighted the challenges of chemotherapy and prompted the need for multimodality therapy because chemotherapy alone cannot fully eradicate the tumor due to physiological barriers in its effective delivery and systemic side effects. It can be mitigated by adopting nanoparticles as more effective delivery method, but none of them completely prevents drug toxicities. Utilizing multiple therapeutic modes such as phototherapy that can act synergistically with chemotherapy in controlling tumor growth, while reducing the overall dosage, could become a preferred route for cancer management. Careful selection of nanoparticle system, which can simultaneously deliver both drug and photosensitizer, can significantly enhance the therapeutic outcome. Therefore, in this paper, we report development and potential of immune-compatible and long circulating nanoerythrosomes for enhancing the therapeutic potential of camptothecin and indocyanine green against murine cancer model. The RBCs membrane simultaneously loaded the nonpolar drug and amphiphilic photosensitizer in its lipid bilayer, which self-assembled to form stable nanoparticles. These nano constructs absorbed light in the near-infrared region and hence are suitable for targeting deep seated tissues. The dual chemo-phototherapy had great effect on cell viability and had therapeutic value.

Comparative Evaluation of Anti-Fibrotic Effect of Tissue Specific Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Extracellular Vesicles for the Amelioration of CCl4 Induced Chronic Liver Injury.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have emerged as an effective candidate for amelioration of liver fibrosis. However, the effect and the mechanisms of MSC-EVs in liver repair remains elusive. In this study, we have evaluated the differential regenerative efficacy of EVs derived from two different human tissue-specific MSCs (Adipose tissue; AD-MSC and Wharton's Jelly; WJ-MSC), in a murine model of chronic liver fibrosis. Mouse model of chronic liver injury was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection, followed by administration of EVs via the tail vein. Both quantitative and qualitative assessment was done to evaluate the hepatic regenerative potential of tissue specific MSC-extracellular vesicles. EVs, regardless of their MSC source, were found to be effective in alleviating chronic liver fibrosis, as demonstrated by macroscopic alterations in the liver. According to the findings of the comprehensive study, there were subtle variations in the tissue specific MSCs-EVs mediated approaches. A greater anti-fibrotic impact was demonstrated by AD-MSC derived EVs through extracellular matrix alteration and hepatocyte proliferation. WJ-MSC EVs, on the other hand, have an anti-inflammatory effect, as evidenced by alterations in the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, cargo profiling of these EVs revealed differences in the miRNA and protein expression, as well as the pathways that they were associated. Comparative overview of regression of fibrosis using tissue specific MSC derived EVs (credits BioRender.com ).