Nutritional status of under-five children from urban low-income families in Xiangtan and Jilin in China

Unveiling the potential of photodynamic therapy with nanocarriers as a compelling therapeutic approach for skin cancer treatment: current explorations and insights

Skin carcinoma is one of the most prevalent types of carcinomas. Due to high incidence of side effects in conventional therapies (radiotherapy and chemotherapy), photodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained huge attention as an alternate treatment strategy. PDT involves the administration of photosensitizers (PS) to carcinoma cells which produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) on irradiation by specific wavelengths of light that result in cancer cells' death via apoptosis, autophagy, or necrosis. Topical delivery of PS to the skin cancer cells at the required concentration is a challenge due to the compounds' innate physicochemical characteristics. Nanocarriers have been observed to improve skin permeability and enhance the therapeutic efficiency of PDT. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), metallic NPs, and lipid nanocarriers have been reported to carry PS successfully with minimal side effects and high effectiveness in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Advanced carriers such as quantum dots, microneedles, and cubosomes have also been addressed with reported studies to show their scope of use in PDT-assisted skin cancer treatment. In this review, nanocarrier-aided PDT in skin cancer therapies has been discussed with clinical trials and patents. Additionally, novel nanocarriers that are being investigated in PDT are also covered with their future prospects in skin carcinoma treatment.

Unveiling the Bio-corona Fingerprinting of Potential Anticancer Carbon Nanotubes Coupled with D-Amino Acid Oxidase

The oxidation therapy, based on the controlled production of Reactive Oxygen Species directly into the tumor site, was introduced as alternative antitumor approach. For this purpose, d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) from the yeast Rhodotorula gracilis, an enzyme able to efficiently catalyze the production of hydrogen peroxide from d-amino acids, was adsorbed onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), previously functionalized with polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) at different degrees to reduce their toxicity, to be targeted directly into the tumor. In vitro activity and cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that DAAO-functionalized nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) produced H2O2 and induced toxic effects to selected tumor cell lines. After incubation in human plasma, the protein corona was investigated by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry analysis. The enzyme nanocarriers generally seemed to favor their biocompatibility, promoting the interaction with dysopsonins. Despite this, PLGA or high degree of PEGylation promoted the adsorption of immunoglobulins with a possible activation of immune response and this effect was probably due to PLGA hydrophobicity and dimensions and to the production of specific antibodies against PEG. In conclusion, the PEGylated MWCNTs at low degree seemed the most biocompatible nanocarrier for adsorbed DAAO, preserving its anticancer activity and forming a bio-corona able to reduce both defensive responses and blood clearance.

The Emergence and Evolution of Borophene

Neighboring carbon and sandwiched between non-metals and metals in the periodic table of the elements, boron is one of the most chemically and physically versatile elements, and can be manipulated to form dimensionally low planar structures (borophene) with intriguing properties. Herein, the theoretical research and experimental developments in the synthesis of borophene, as well as its excellent properties and application in many fields, are reviewed. The decade-long effort toward understanding the size-dependent structures of boron clusters and the theory-directed synthesis of borophene, including bottom-up approaches based on different foundations, as well as up-down approaches with different exfoliation modes, and the key factors influencing the synthetic effects, are comprehensively summarized. Owing to its excellent chemical, electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties, borophene has shown great promise in supercapacitor, battery, hydrogen-storage, and biomedical applications. Furthermore, borophene nanoplatforms used in various biomedical applications, such as bioimaging, drug delivery, and photonic therapy, are highlighted. Finally, research progress, challenges, and perspectives for the future development of borophene in large-scale production and other prospective applications are discussed.

Recent advances in co-delivery nanosystems for synergistic action in cancer treatment

Nanocarrier delivery systems have been widely studied to carry unique or dual chemical drugs. The major challenge of chemotherapies is to overcome the multidrug-resistance (MDR) of cells to antineoplastic medicines. In this context, nano-scale technology has allowed researchers to develop biocompatible nano-delivery systems to overcome the limitation of chemical agents. The development of nano-vehicles may also be directed to co-deliver different agents such as drugs and genetic materials. The delivery of nucleic acids targeting specific cells is based on gene therapy principles to replace the defective gene, correct genome errors or knock-down a particular gene. Co-delivery systems are attractive strategies due to the possibility of achieving synergistic therapeutic effects, which are more effective in overcoming the MDR of cancer cells. These combined therapies can provide better outcomes than separate delivery approaches carrying either siRNA, miRNA, pDNA, or drugs. This article reviews the main design features that need to be associated with nano-vehicles to co-deliver drugs, genes, and gene-drug combinations with efficacy. The advantages and disadvantages of co-administration approaches are also overviewed and compared with individual nanocarrier systems. Herein, future trends and perspectives in designing novel nano-scale platforms to co-deliver therapeutic agents are also discussed.

Child dietary diversity and food (in)security as a potential correlate of child anthropometric indices in the context of urban food system in the cases of north-central Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relation of child dietary diversity and household food insecurity along with other socio-demographic with child anthropometric indices in north-central Ethiopia, an area with a high level of food insecurity and inadequate diet quality.

DESIGN

A community-based cross-sectional study was used.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted in Dessie and Combolcha towns of north-central Ethiopia from April to May 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

Randomly selected 512 mother-child pairs with child's age range of 6-59 months.

RESULTS

The mean (± SD) scores of weight-for-height/length, height/length-for-age, weight-for-age, and BMI-for-age Z-scores were 1.35 (± 2.03), - 1.89 (± 1.79), 0.05 (± 1.54), and 1.39 (± 2.06), respectively. From all anthropometric indicators, stunting and overweight/obesity remained the severe public issues hitting 43% and 42% of the children, respectively. In the model, mothers' age and education and child's age, sex, and dietary diversity were significantly related with child height-for-age Z-score while place of residence, sex of household head, child's age, and dietary diversity score were the predictors of child BMI-for-age Z-score in the urban contexts of the study area. Nevertheless, food insecurity was not related to any of the child anthropometric indices.

CONCLUSION

The double burden of malnutrition epidemics (stunting and obesity) coexisted as severe public health concerns in urban settings. Anthropometric statuses of children were affected by multidimensional factors and seek strong integration and immediate intervention of multiple sectors.

Carbon fibers for treatment of cancer metastasis in bone

When cancer metastasizes to bone, the resulting pain and functional disorders due to bone destruction adversely affect the patient's quality of life. We have developed a new cancer metastasis control system consisting of anticancer agents conjugated to carbon fibers (CFs), which are nonbiodegradable, carriers of a wide variety of molecules with extremely high affinity for bone. In the evaluation of cancer suppression effects on Walker 256 cancer cells, cisplatin (CDDP)-conjugated CFs (CF-CDDP) were found to be as effective in cancer suppression as CDDP. In the evaluation of the cancer suppression effects of local injection in the rat model of tibial cancer bone metastasis, similar cancer suppression was noted in the CF-CDDP group and CDDP group; however, blood Pt concentrations were significantly lower in the CF-CDDP group. Experiments with CDDP and CF-CDDP injected into bone actually destroyed by cancer metastases revealed the presence of significantly more newly formed bone tissue with the administration of CF-CDDP. Local administration of CF-CDDP is expected to become the first therapy to suppress cancer growth with low prevalence of adverse reactions, and to repair bone damaged by metastasis.

Local administration of cisplatin-conjugated carbon fibers is expected to become the first therapy to suppress cancer growth with low prevalence of adverse reactions, and to repair bone damaged by metastasis.

Atopic Disease and Anemia in Korean Patients: Cross-Sectional Study with Propensity Score Analysis

Atopic disease is associated with chronic inflammation, and anemia has been reported in patients with inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and irritable bowel disease. The objective of this study was to determine whether atopic disease is associated with an increased risk of anemia. A cross-sectional study with propensity score weighting was conducted using a health insurance review agency claims dataset comprised of randomized patients who used the Korean national health system at least once in 2016. The association between atopic disease (asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis) and anemia (iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and/or anemia of inflammation (AI)) was examined. A total of 1,468,033 patients were included in this study. The IDA/AI prevalence was 3.1% (45,681 patients). After propensity score weighting, there were 46,958 and 45,681 patients in the non-anemic and anemic groups, respectively. The prevalence of IDA/AI in patients with atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, or asthma had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.40 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33–1.48; p < 0.001), 1.17 (95% CI, 1.14–1.21; p < 0.001), and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.28–1.36; p < 0.001), respectively. In addition, the prevalence of IDA increased with higher numbers of atopic diseases. In conclusion, the prevalence of IDA/AI was higher in patients with atopic disease, even after adjusting for demographic characteristics and other risk factors. Further study is needed to distinguish between IDA and AI and to enhance understanding of the etiology of anemia in patients with inflammatory conditions.

Household Food Insecurity, Dietary Diversity, Stunting, and Anaemia among Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of China

Left-behind children (LBC) are a newly emerged social group in China. Poor nutritional status is particularly prominent in this population. However, their food insecurity tends to attract very little attention. This study aims to investigate the relationship between food insecurity and undernutrition (stunting and anaemia) in 3 to 5-year-old LBC in rural China. Face-to-face interviews were administered to 553 LBC caregivers in 40 rural villages of Hunan Province, China. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to assess household food insecurity (HFI). Dietary diversity score (DDS) and food group consumption frequency were measured by 24 h-recall and food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). Hemoglobin tests and anthropometric measurements including height and weight were measured by trained health professionals. Logistic regression was constructed to assess the association between household food insecurity and dietary diversity, stunting, and anaemia. A high prevalence of household food insecurity was determined (67.6%). The weighted prevalence of stunting and anaemia were 16.6% and 26.5%, respectively. Food insecurity was positively associate with LBC stunting (severe HFI: OR = 6.50, 95% CI: 2.81, 15.00; moderate HFI: OR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.60, 7.54), and anaemia (severe HFI: OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.57). LBC with food insecurity had significantly lower dietary diversity than those who were food-secure (p < 0.001). The prevalence of household food insecurity among LBC in poor rural China is high and is associated with low DDS, stunting, and anaemia. Nutritional intervention programs and policies are urgently needed to reduce household food insecurity and undernutrition for this vulnerable population.

Raman spectrum spectral imaging revealing the molecular mechanism of Berberine-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis and the receptor-mediated Berberine delivery system

Berberine (BBR), a traditional Chinese herb extract medicine, reveals some anticancer effects in leukemia, but it remains controversial about the molecular mechanism of BBR-induced leukemia cell apoptosis. In this study, combining Raman spectrum and spectral imaging, both the biochemical changes of BBR-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis and the precise distribution of BBR in single cell are presented. In contrast, we also show the corresponding results of Jatrorrhizine (JTZ) and Palmatine (PMT), two structural analogues of BBR. It is found that all three structural analogues can induce cell apoptosis by breaking DNA and the main action sites are located in phosphate backbone and base pair groups, but their action on cell cycle are different, in which BBR leads to the S phase arrest while JTZ and PMT are on the G2 phase arrest. Moreover, from the Raman spectra of DNA treated with different drugs, we find that the content of phosphate backbone and base pair groups in BBR-treated DNA are larger than those in JTZ or PMT. And this result reflects the strong capability of BBR breaking DNA backbone relative to JTZ or PMT, suggesting that the existence of methylene-dioxy on the 2, 3 units of A ring on the quinoline ring can greatly enhance the capability of BBR breaking DNA backbone, so the action effect of BBR-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis is better than those of PMT or JTZ. Further, by using Raman spectral imaging approach, we achieve the precise distribution of BBR in single cell, it is found that the receptor-mediated BBR targeting delivery based single-wall carbon nanotube and folic acid (SWNT/FA) reveals excellent performance in BBR targeting delivery relative to the conventional BBR diffusion approach. Importantly, these results demonstrate that Raman spectrum and spectral imaging should be a powerful tool to study the molecular mechanism of drug-induced cell apoptosis and evaluate the efficiency of drug delivery system.