Liposomes encapsulation by pH driven improves the stability, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of urolithin A: A comparative study.

Urolithin A (UroA) is gut metabolites of ellagitannins possessing a vast range of biological activities, but its poor water solubility and low bioavailability hinder its potential applications. This study utilized the pH dependent dissolution characteristics of UroA and employed a simple pH-driven method to load UroA into liposomes. The characterization and stability of obtained liposomes under different conditions were evaluated, and their oral bioavailability was tested by pharmacokinetics, and compared with UroA liposomes prepared using traditional thin film dispersion (TFM-ULs). Results indicated that liposomes could effectively encapsulate UroA. The UroA liposomes prepared by the pH-driven method (PDM-ULs) showed lower particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and higher encapsulation efficiency than TFM-ULs. Interestingly, better thermal stability, storage stability, in vitro digestion stability, and higher bioaccessibility were also found on PDM-ULs. Moreover, pharmacokinetic experiments in rats demonstrated that PDM-ULs could significantly improve the bioavailability of UroA, with an absorption efficiency 1.91 times that of TFM-ULs. Therefore, our findings suggest that liposomes prepared by pH-driven methods have great potential in improving the stability and bioavailability of UroA.

Serum bilirubin levels in primary Sjögren's syndrome: an association with interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the association between serum bilirubin levels and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospectively analysis included 89 consecutive patients with pSS, we collected the clinical materials of pSS patients from the electronic medical records, and all pSS patients were divide into pSS with ILD group and pSS without ILD group. RESULTS: Serum bilirubin levels were significantly lower in pSS patients with ILD than those without ILD (p = 0.010). Serum bilirubin levels showed a significant negative correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = -0.321, p = 0.002) in patients with pSS. A multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that serum bilirubin presented an independent association with ILD in patients with pSS (OR = 0.841, 95%CI:0.728-0.972, p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Serum bilirubin is independently associated with ILD and therefore may be a promising marker of ILD in patients with pSS.

Combined transoral and endoscopic approach for cervical spine tumor resection.

This study aimed to explore the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of a combined transoral and endoscopic approach for the removal of benign cervical spine tumors.First, we obtained detailed anatomical measurements of the atlantoaxial joint from 20 fresh cadaveric specimens and performed simulated surgeries with the combined transoral and endoscopic approach on 10 cadaveric specimens. Then, we applied the combined approach for the resection of benign cervical spine tumors in 8 patients at our hospital from October 2013 to October 2015. All patients underwent enhanced axial, coronal, and sagittal computed tomography (CT) examination before and after surgery. Preoperative 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and printing models were used in 5 cases.On the basis of CT measurements of fresh cadaveric atlantoaxial anatomy and practical experiences from simulated surgeries on the cadaveric specimens with latex perfusion, cervical tumors were completely removed from 8 patients without complications. The average surgery time was 73 minutes, and the average intraoperative bleeding volume was 34 mL. The average hospital stay was 6.5 days. The average NRS score of patients was 2.25 points at 3 days postoperation. At the 12-month postoperative follow-up, the atlantoaxial vertebral bone had been largely repaired, and no recurrence was observed by cervical CT examination.The combined transoral and endoscopic approach could be used safely and effectively to excise cervical spine tumors with substantial advantages, including direct surgical access, relatively simple operation, short operative time, quick postoperative recovery, a reliable curative effect, and few complications.