Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeted delivery of an anti-cancer agent via steroid coupled liposomes

In the present investigation, testosterone (T) was evaluated as a targeting ligand to direct the site-specific delivery of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) bearing liposomes to the androgen receptor (ARs) positive tumors and other organs like prostate, brain, and testis. The testosterone was conjugated with the distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DSPE) and then this lipid conjugate, Testosterone-DSPE (T-DSPE) was used as one of the components of the liposome. The liposomes were prepared by cast film method using T-DSPE, egg PC, and cholesterol. Further these liposomes were characterized for vesicle shape, average size, polydispersity index, drug entrapment, and in vitro drug release. It was observed that the prepared liposomes were spherical in shape with an average size of 232 ± 21 nm and 0.181 ± 0.064 polydispersity index. The in vitro drug release study showed 79.50 ± 2.81 percent drug release in 24 h. In vivo performance of the developed liposomes was evaluated using organ distribution study in male albino rats. Moreover the fluorescent microscopy was also performed using 6-Carboxyfluorescein (6-CF) as a fluorescent marker. The organ distribution and fluorescent uptake studies confirm that T-DSPE coupled liposomes were effectively taken up by various ARs expressing tissues. Thus, it may be concluded that the testosterone may be used as an effective ligand for the site-specific delivery of anti-cancer agents to various ARs positive carcinomas.
Implementing hand hygiene strategies in the operating suite

Abstract Background As the five moments of hand hygiene for the operating suite (OS) and post acute care unit (PACU) had not been defined, we were finding it difficult to communicate expectations for hand hygiene. Hand hygiene auditing was undertaken when reviewing infection control practice in our OS.Weobserved that although hand rub was accessible, understanding hand hygiene compliance was limited and inconsistent. The challenge was to feedback results to the OS and PACU teams using a consistent methodology. Methods Monitoring hand hygiene compliance in the operating suite commenced in 2007 and was aimed at establishing a baseline and identifying areas for improvement. A hand hygiene improvement project for the OS commenced in 2009 which involved engagement of OS staff to work with infection control staff to monitor practice, provide education and implement changes. Hand profiling was used to demonstrate hand hygiene technique, monthly infection control meetings to review project achievements and regular hand hygiene auditing of the five moments were undertaken by OS staff. Results This project resulted in the development of anOStool, adapted from the Hand Hygiene Australia audit tool. An education package was also developed that explained the five moments of hand hygiene, the patient environment specific to the OS, cleaning requirements between each patient and instruction on appropriate glove use, correct hand hygiene technique and hand care. Hand hygiene compliance improved from 11% in 2007 to 59% in 2011 ( P Conclusion Infection control collaboration with OS staff was constructive and assisted in the implementation of change. Our project enabled expectations to be communicated and understood with the development of a specific tool and education package. We now have the opportunity to benchmark across our 28 operating rooms and with others.
VEGF neutralizing aerosol therapy in primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma with K-ras activating-mutations

K-ras mutations promote angiogenesis in lung cancer and contribute to the drug resistance of cancer cells. It is not clear whether K-ras mutated adenocarcinomas are sensitive to anti-angiogenic therapy with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Anti-angiogenic mAbs are usually delivered systemically, but only a small proportion reaches the lung after intravenous injection. We investigated the relevance of a non-invasive pulmonary route for the delivery of anti-VEGF mAbs in the mouse K-rasLA1 model. We found that pulmonary delivery of these mAbs significantly reduced the number of tumor lesions and inhibited malignant progression. The antitumor effect involves the VEGFR2-dependent inhibition of blood vessel growth, which impairs tumor proliferation. Pharmacokinetic analysis of aerosolized anti-VEGF showed its low rate of passage into the bloodstream, suggesting that this delivery route is associated with reduced systemic side effects. Our findings highlight the value of the aerosol route for administration of anti-angiogenic mAbs in pulmonary adenocarcinoma with K-ras activating-mutations.
Determination of Low Density Lipoprotein Particle Size by Polyacrylamide Gradient Gel Electrophoresis in Patients with Coronary Artery Stenosis

Many studies have recently shown that coronary artery disease (CAD) risk was increased 2 to 3 fold in patients with small dense LDL (sdLDL). Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of LDL particle size in patients with coronary artery stenosis and healthy individuals. This is a cross-sectional and case-control study. Eighty-six patients with coronary artery stenosis, 35 patients without coronary artery stenosis identified by angiography, and 30 healthy individuals were studied. LDL particle sizes were measured using 2%–16% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. All values are expressed as the mean ±SD. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean values among groups. In this study, mean LDL particle size was significantly smaller in patients with coronary artery stenosis (25.29 nm ± 0.38 nm) than patients without coronary artery stenosis (25.63 nm ± 0.2 nm) and healthy individuals (25.95 nm ± 0.4 nm) ( P <0.001). The results of this study have shown that sdLDL can increase the risk of coronary artery stenosis.
IBC’s 22nd Annual Antibody Engineering and 9th Annual Antibody Therapeutics International Conferences and the 2011 Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society, December 5–8, 2011, San Diego, CA

The 22nd Annual Antibody Engineering and 9th Annual Antibody Therapeutics international conferences, and the 2011 Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society, organized by IBC Life Sciences with contributions from The Antibody Society and two Scientific Advisory Boards, were held December 5–8, 2011 in San Diego, CA. The meeting drew ~800 participants who attended sessions on a wide variety of topics relevant to antibody research and development. As a preview to the main events, a pre-conference workshop held on December 4, 2011 focused on antibodies as probes of structure. The Antibody Engineering Conference comprised eight sessions: (1) structure and dynamics of antibodies and their membrane receptor targets; (2) model-guided generation of binding sites; (3) novel selection strategies; (4) antibodies in a complex environment: targeting intracellular and misfolded proteins; (5) rational vaccine design; (6) viral retargeting with engineered binding molecules; (7) the biology behind potential blockbuster antibodies and (8) antibodies as signaling modifiers: where did we go right, and can we learn from success? The Antibody Therapeutics session comprised five sessions: (1)Twenty-five years of therapeutic antibodies: lessons learned and future challenges; (2) preclinical and early stage development of antibody therapeutics; (3) next generation anti-angiogenics; (4) updates of clinical stage antibody therapeutics and (5) antibody drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies.
Nanoparticle mediated brain targeted delivery of gallic acid: in vivo behavioral and biochemical studies for protection against scopolamine-induced amnesia

Abstract Context: Gallic acid (GA) has well-documented antioxidant and CNS effects affecting glutathione, catalase and malonaldehyde levels in brain. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the anti-amnesic activity of pure GA in scopolamine (SC)-induced amnesic models and to enhance its effects using Tween 80®-coated nanoparticles. Methods: GA-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (GANP) and corresponding Tween 80®-coated batch (cGANP) were formulated. Amnesia was induced by using SC (0.4 mg/kg, i.v.). GA, GANP, cGANP (dose equivalent to GA 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and positive control Piracetam (400 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered for successive 7 days to male Swiss albino mice. The in vivo pharmacodynamic study was performed using Morris water maze (MWM) and elevated plus maze (EPM) models; locomotor activity using photoactometer and brain acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity was also studied. Key findings: GA-treated mice exhibited significant decrease in transfer latency in the EPM test; increase in time spent in target quadrant in MWM and reduced AChE activity. GA significantly reversed SC-induced amnesic activity. There was no significant change in locomotor activity of the mice by GA and its nanoparticle formulations. These effects were significantly increased by the administration of cGANP compared with pure GA administration but no significant change was observed for GANP. Conclusion: GA possesses anti-amnesic activity by reversing the SC-induced amnesia which may be attributed to its anti-cholinesterase activity. Tween 80®-coated nanoparticle approach with improved brain targeting may serve as an effective approach to enhance its anti-amnesic effect.
Needs assessment: an Internet information system for Taiwan's professionals working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

The problem of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) continues as a serious public health issue in Taiwan. However, the current service delivery systems in Taiwan are fragmented and fraught with a variety of problems, similar to those reported in Western society. Because of the sensitive nature of CSA, the development of an internet information system may be helpful in treatment efforts. The Delphi method was used to collect data from 15 professionals in the field of CSA in order to assess the need for such an information system. The needed resources, limitations, and implications of the study are discussed.
Roles of chromatin insulator proteins in higher-order chromatin organization and transcription regulation

Eukaryotic chromosomes are condensed into several hierarchical levels of complexity: DNA is wrapped around core histones to form nucleosomes, nucleosomes form a higher-order structure called chromatin, and chromatin is subsequently compartmentalized in part by the combination of multiple specific or unspecific long-range contacts. The conformation of chromatin at these three levels greatly influences DNA metabolism and transcription. One class of chromatin regulatory proteins called insulator factors may organize chromatin both locally, by setting up barriers between heterochromatin and euchromatin, and globally by establishing platforms for long-range interactions. Here, we review recent data revealing a global role of insulator proteins in the regulation of transcription through the formation of clusters of long-range interactions that impact different levels of chromatin organization.
O papel da informação como medida preventiva ao uso de drogas entre jovens em situação de risco

Entre os jovens, o uso de drogas ilicitas e um problema de saude coletiva que desperta atencao. Poucos estudos sobre motivos para o nao-uso de drogas exploram o real papel da informacao como metodo preventivo. Este estudo pretende analisar, entre adolescentes e jovens em situacao de risco, os motivos para o nao-uso de drogas ilicitas destacando o impacto da informacao como fator protetor. Atraves de metodologia qualitativa, adotou-se uma amostra intencional, selecionada por informantes-chave e por "bola-de-neve". Foram entrevistados 62 adolescentes e jovens entre 16 e 24 anos, de baixa classe socioeconomica. Destes, 32 eram nao-usuarios de drogas (NU) e 30 eram usuarios pesados (U). Entre o grupo NU, a informacao destacou-se como principal motivo de nao-uso, atraves do conhecimento de aspectos positivos e negativos. O principal meio de veiculacao foi a familia, seguido da observacao da experiencia negativa vivenciada por amigos que ja faziam abuso. Em contrapartida, no grupo U, prevaleceu a falta de informacao ou a disponibilidade de conhecimentos vagos. Dispor de informacoes adequadas sobre o tema "drogas" parece essencial a prevencao do uso experimental entre adolescentes e jovens em situacao de risco. No entanto, a informacao que mais parece eficaz e a transmitida pela familia.
Formulation and characterization of floating microballoons of Nizatidine for effective treatment of gastric ulcers in murine model

Abstract Background: The purpose of the present study was to formulate and characterize Nizatidine-encapsulated microballoons for enhancing bioavailability and increasing the residence time of drug in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Microballoons were prepared using emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit S-100 and HPMC as the polymer. The formulation process was optimized for polymer ratio, drug: polymer ratio, emulsifier concentration, stirring speed, stirring time. Optimized formulation was subjected to scanning electron microscopy, drug entrapment, buoyancy studies, in-vitro drug release and in-vivo floating efficiency (X-ray) study. In-vivo antiulcer activity was assessed by ethanol-induced ulcer in murine model. Results: The microballoons were smooth and spherical in shape and were porous in nature due to hollow core. A sustained release of drug was observed for 12 h. Examination of the sequential X-ray images taken during the study clearly indicated that the optimized formulation remained buoyant and uniformly distributed in the gastric contents for a period of 12 h. In ethanol-induced ulcer model, drug-loaded Microballoon-treated group showed significant (p < 0.01) ulcer protection index as compared to free drug-treated group. Conclusion: Nizatidine-loaded floating microballoons may serve as a useful drug delivery system for prolonging the gastric residence time and effective treatment of gastric ulcers.
New generation QuIC assays for prion seeding activity

The ability of abnormal TSE-associated forms of PrP to seed the formation of amyloid fibrils from recombinant PrPSen has served as the basis for several relatively rapid and highly sensitive tests for prion diseases. These tests include rPrP-PMCA (rPMCA), standard quaking-induced conversion (S-QuIC), amyloid seeding assay (ASA), real-time QuIC (RT-QuIC) and enhanced QuIC (eQuIC). Here, we summarize recent improvements in the RT-QuIC-based assays that enhance the practicality, sensitivity and quantitative attributes of assays QuIC and promote the detection of prion seeding activity in dilute, inhibitor-laden fluids such as blood plasma.
Nanostructured lipid carriers based temozolomide and gene co-encapsulated nanomedicine for gliomatosis cerebri combination therapy

Abstract Background: Co-delivery of gene and anticancer drug into the same cancer cells or tissues by multifunctional nanocarriers may provide a new paradigm in cancer treatment. In this study, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were constructed as multifunctional nanomedicine for co-delivery of enhanced green fluorescence protein plasmid (DNA) and temozolomide (TMZ). Methods: TMZ- and DNA-loaded NLCs (TMZ/DNA-NLCs) were prepared. Their particle size, zeta potential, gene-loading capacity (GL) and drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) were evaluated. In vitro cytotoxicity study TMZ/DNA-NLCs was tested in U87 malignant glioma cells (U87 MG cells). In vivo gene transfection and anti-tumor efficacy of the carriers were evaluated on mice bearing malignant glioma model. Results: The optimum TMZ/DNA-NLCs formulations with the particle size of 179 nm and with a +23 mV surface charge; got 91% of GL and 83% of EE. The growth of U87 MG cells in vitro was obviously inhibited. TMZ/DNA-NLCs also displayed the highest gene transfection efficiency and the best antitumor activity than other formulations in vivo. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that TMZ/DNA-NLCs were efficient in selective delivery to malignant glioma cells. Also TMZ/DNA-NLCs transfer both drug and gene to the gliomatosis cerebri, enhance the antitumor capacity and gene transfection efficacy. Thus, TMZ/DNA-NLCs could prove to be a superior co-delivery nanomedicine to achieve therapeutic efficacy and this report could be a new promising strategy for treatment in malignant gliomatosis cerebri.
Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Prevention among an Indian-Immigrant Population in Canada: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: To broaden understanding of the vulnerability to HIV of Indian immigrant communities in Canada. This study focused on the exploration of (a) selected population of Indian immigrants’ perceptions of HIV risk, risk behaviour, and utilization of HIV/AIDS-related services, and (b) the effects of cultural norms of these communities in shaping their capacity for and experiences of responding to HIV in Canada. Methods: A total of 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with selected population of the Indian-immigrant community. Participants were recruited purposively through a South Asian Punjabi community health service. Each interview lasted from one to two hours and was conducted in English or Punjabi depending on the preference of the participant. Tapes were transcribed verbatim and translated to English. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using N-Vivo software. Final themes and sub-themes were decided on by consensus among researchers. Results: Participants discussed cultural taboos and stigma associated with any topic that was perceived to be connected to sexual behaviour. Participants identified that these cultural taboos and the resulting stigma has reduced opportunities for members of the Indian immigrant population to obtain accurate information related to HIV. Although participants agreed that knowledge of HIV was important for prevention, participants discussed a reluctance to talk openly about issues or to seek information publically. Conclusions: Social taboos that limit discourse around sexuality and sexual behaviour negatively impact the effectiveness of HIV prevention education efforts which have targeted mainstream Canadians. This study points to the need for innovative strategies that address social norms and influences among a diverse group of people who maintain close ties with family and friends living in India. Social network theory can provide guidance for carefully planned peer outreach initiatives which may provide an effective means to reach this underserved community.
Analysis of protein transport in the Brassica oleracea vasculature reveals protein-specific destinations

We investigated the vascular transport properties of exogenously applied proteins to Brassica oleracea plants and compared their delivery to various aerial parts of the plant with carboxy fluorescein (CF) dye. We identified unique properties for each protein. Alexafluor-tagged bovine serum albumin (Alexa-BSA) and Alexafluor-tagged Histone H1 (Alexa-Histone) moved slower than CF dye throughout the plant. Interestingly, Alexa-Histone was retained in the phloem and phloem parenchyma while Alexa-BSA moved into the apoplast. One possibility is that Alexa-Histone sufficiently resembles plant endogenous proteins and is retained in the vascular stream, while Alexa-BSA is exported from the cell as a foreign protein. Both proteins diffuse from the leaf veins into the leaf lamina. Alexa-BSA accumulated in the leaf epidermis while Alexa-Histone accumulated mainly in the mesophyll layers. Fluorescein-tagged hepatitis C virus core protein (fluorescein-HCV) was also delivered to B. oleracea plants and is larger than Alexa-BSA. This protein moves more rapidly than BSA through the plant and was restricted to the leaf veins. Fluorescein-HCV failed to unload to the leaf lamina. These combined data suggest that there is not a single default pathway for the vascular transfer of exogenous proteins in B. oleracea plants. Specific protein properties appear to determine their destination and transport properties within the phloem.
Illuminating the wall

Plant cell walls are the most abundant biomaterials on Earth and serve a multitude of purposes in human society. These complex extracellular matrices are mainly composed of polysaccharides, including cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins, which cannot be cytologically examined using conventional techniques. Click chemistry, which exploits a bio-orthogonal cycloaddition reaction between alkynyl and azido groups, has proven to be useful for the metabolic incorporation and detection of modified sugars in polysaccharides in animals, fungi, and bacteria, but its use to interrogate the biosynthesis or dynamics of plant cell walls has not been previously reported. Recently, we found that an alkynylated analog of fucose can be metabolically incorporated into Arabidopsis thaliana cell walls and click labeled with fluorescent probes, facilitating imaging of cell wall carbohydrates. Despite the presence of fucose in several classes of wall polysaccharides, fucose-alkyne was primarily incorporated into rhamnogalacturonan-I, a type of pectin. Using timecourse and pulse-labeling experiments, we observed the dynamics of pectin delivery and reorganization in expanding cell walls. The use of click chemistry to investigate plant cell wall architecture should help bridge the gap between biochemical characterization of isolated cell wall components and an understanding of how those components interact in intact cell walls.
Outcome of Occupational Therapy in a Psychiatric Day Care Unit for Long-Term Mentally Ill Patients

Twenty patients, receiving group based psychiatric outpatient occupational therapy, were assessed at admission and discharge regarding psychiatric symptoms (SCL-90-R), global mental health (HSRS), quality of life (SQoL), and occupational performance (AOF). The patients were in treatment from 4 to 30 months. There were statistically significant improvements from admission to discharge on all variables except quality of life. Thirteen of the patients were judged as showing clinically significant improvement and exhibiting normal functioning at discharge. On the basis of medical records the outcome of the occupational therapy group was compared with a matched group of 20 patients receiving treatment-as-usual, which implied verbal therapy weekly or less frequently. The occupational therapy group improved significantly more on the Global Assessment Scale but did not improve more on scores for the Strauss-Carpenter criteria.