Exploring the Potential of Montmorillonite as an Antiproliferative Nanoagent against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Unlike MCF-7 cells, MDA-MB-231 cells are unresponsive to hormone therapy and often show resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Here, the antiproliferative effect of biocompatible montmorillonite (Mt) nanosheets on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR. The results showed that the Mt IC50 for MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells in a fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free medium was ~50 and ~200 µg/mL, and in 10% FBS medium ~400 and ~2000 µg/mL, respectively. Mt caused apoptosis in both cells by regulating related genes including Cas-3, P53, and P62 in MDA-MB-231 cells and Bcl-2, Cas-8, Cas-9, P53, and P62 in MCF-7 cells. Also, Mt arrested MCF-7 cells in the G0/G1 phase by altering Cyclin-D1 and P21 expression, and caused sub-G1 arrest and necrosis in both cells, possibly through damaging the mitochondria. However, fewer gene expression changes and more sub-G1 arrest and necrosis were observed in MDA-MB-231 cells, confirming the higher vulnerability of MDA-MB-231 cells to Mt. Furthermore, MDA-MB-231 cells appeared to be much more vulnerable to Mt compared to other cell types, including normal lung fibroblast (MRC-5), colon cancer (HT-29), and liver cancer (HepG2) cells. The higher vulnerability of MDA-MB-231 cells to Mt was inferred to be due to their higher proliferation rate. Notably, Mt cytotoxicity was highly dependent on both the Mt concentration and serum level, which favors Mt for the local treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells. Based on these results, Mt can be considered as an antiproliferative nanoagent against MDA-MB-231 cells and may be useful in the development of local nanoparticle-based therapies.

Multifunctional plant virus nanoparticles: An emerging strategy for therapy of cancer

Cancer therapy requires sophisticated treatment strategies to obtain the highest success. Nanotechnology is enabling, revolutionizing, and multidisciplinary concepts to improve conventional cancer treatment modalities. Nanomaterials have a central role in this scenario, explaining why various nanomaterials are currently being developed for cancer therapy. Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) have shown promising performance in cancer therapy due to their unique features. VNPs possess morphological homogeneity, ease of functionalization, biocompatibility, biodegradability, water solubility, and high absorption efficiency that are beneficial for cancer therapy applications. In the current review paper, we highlight state-of-the-art properties and potentials of plant viruses, strategies for multifunctional plant VNPs formulations, potential applications and challenges in VNPs-based cancer therapy, and finally practical solutions to bring potential cancer therapy one step closer to real applications. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.

Critical parameters to translate gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizing agents into the clinic

Radiotherapy is an inevitable choice for cancer treatment that is applied as combinatorial therapy along with surgery and chemotherapy. Nevertheless, radiotherapy at high doses kills normal and tumor cells at the same time. In addition, some tumor cells are resistant to radiotherapy. Recently, many researchers have focused on high-Z nanomaterials as radiosensitizers for radiotherapy. Among them, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have shown remarkable potential due to their promising physical, chemical, and biological properties. Although few clinical trial studies have been performed on drug delivery and photosensitization with lasers, GNPs have not yet received Food and Drug Administration approval for use in radiotherapy. The sensitization effects of GNPs are dependent on their concentration in cells and x-ray energy deposition during radiotherapy. Notably, some limitations related to the properties of the GNPs, including their size, shape, surface charge, and ligands, and the radiation source energy should be resolved. At the first, this review focuses on some of the challenges of using GNPs as radiosensitizers and some biases among in vitro/in vivo, Monte Carlo, and clinical studies. Then, we discuss the challenges in the clinical translation of GNPs as radiosensitizers for radiotherapy and proposes feasible solutions. And finally, we suggest that certain areas be considered in future research. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > NA.

Immunotherapies targeting tumor vasculature: challenges and opportunities

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer biology, and neoadjuvant therapies targeting either tumor vasculature or VEGF signaling have been developed to treat solid malignant tumors. However, these therapies induce complete vascular depletion leading to hypoxic niche, drug resistance, and tumor recurrence rate or leading to impaired delivery of chemo drugs and immune cell infiltration at the tumor site. Achieving a balance between oxygenation and tumor growth inhibition requires determining vascular normalization after treatment with a low dose of antiangiogenic agents. However, monotherapy within the approved antiangiogenic agents' benefits only some tumors and their efficacy improvement could be achieved using immunotherapy and emerging nanocarriers as a clinical tool to optimize subsequent therapeutic regimens and reduce the need for a high dosage of chemo agents. More importantly, combined immunotherapies and nano-based delivery systems can prolong the normalization window while providing the advantages to address the current treatment challenges within antiangiogenic agents. This review summarizes the approved therapies targeting tumor angiogenesis, highlights the challenges and limitations of current therapies, and discusses how vascular normalization, immunotherapies, and nanomedicine could introduce the theranostic potentials to improve tumor management in future clinical settings.

Experimental solubility of aripiprazole in supercritical carbon dioxide and modeling

The solubility of compounds in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-[Formula: see text]) has found crucial significance in the fabrication of micro/nano-scaled drugs. In this research, the solubility of Aripiprazole was measured in SC-[Formula: see text] at various temperatures (308-338 K) and pressures (12-30 MPa). Moreover, the experimental solubility results were correlated with several semi-empirical models (Chrastil, Bartle et al., Kumar & Johnston, Menden-Santiago & Teja, Sodeifian et al., and Jouyban et al.) as well as the modified Wilson model. The molar fraction of the drug in SC-[Formula: see text] varied in the range of [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. The solubility highly depended on the operating pressure and temperature. The Chrastil (0.994), Jouyban et al. (0.993) and Sodeifian et al. (0.992) models showed the highest consistency with the obtained values. Furthermore, self-consistency tests were performed on the solubility of Aripiprazole in SC-[Formula: see text]. The approximate total enthalpy ([Formula: see text]), vaporization enthalpy ([Formula: see text]), and solubility enthalpy ([Formula: see text]) were also calculated.

Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens in Burn Wound, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Approaches (Conventional Antimicrobials and Nanoparticles)

Multidrug-resistant pathogens are one of the common causes of death in burn patients and have a high risk of nosocomial infections, especially pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and cellulitis. The role of prolonged hospitalization and empirical antibiotics administration in developing multidrug-resistant pathogens is undeniable. In the early days of admitting burn patients, Gram-positive bacteria were the dominant isolates with a more sensitive antibiotic pattern. However, the emergence of Gram-negative bacteria that are more resistant later occurs. Trustworthy guideline administration in burn wards is one of the strategies to prevent multidrug-resistant pathogens. Also, a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach is an effective way to avoid antibiotic resistance that involves infectious disease specialists, pharmacists, and burn surgeons. However, the emerging resistance to conventional antimicrobial approaches (such as systemic antibiotic exposure, traditional wound dressing, and topical antibiotic ointments) among burn patients has challenged the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections, and using nanoparticles is a suitable alternative. In this review article, we will discuss different aspects of multidrug-resistant pathogens in burn wounds, emphasizing the full role of these pathogens in burn wounds and discussing the application of nanotechnology in dealing with them. Also, some advances in various types of nanomaterials, including metallic nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels, carbon quantum dots, and solid lipid nanoparticles in burn wound healing, will be explained.

Multifunctional nanostructures: Intelligent design to overcome biological barriers

Over the past three decades, nanoscience has offered a unique solution for reducing the systemic toxicity of chemotherapy drugs and for increasing drug therapeutic efficiency. However, the poor accumulation and pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles are some of the key reasons for their slow translation into the clinic. The is intimately linked to the non-biological nature of nanoparticles and the aberrant features of solid cancer, which together significantly compromise nanoparticle delivery. New findings on the unique properties of tumors and their interactions with nanoparticles and the human body suggest that, contrary to what was long-believed, tumor features may be more mirage than miracle, as the enhanced permeability and retention based efficacy is estimated to be as low as 1%. In this review, we highlight the current barriers and available solutions to pave the way for approved nanoformulations. Furthermore, we aim to discuss the main solutions to solve inefficient drug delivery with the use of nanobioengineering of nanocarriers and the tumor environment. Finally, we will discuss the suggested strategies to overcome two or more biological barriers with one nanocarrier. The variety of design formats, applications and implications of each of these methods will also be evaluated.

Bioceramics/Electrospun Polymeric Nanofibrous and Carbon Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Bone tissue engineering integrates biomaterials, cells, and bioactive agents to propose sophisticated treatment options over conventional choices. Scaffolds have central roles in this scenario, and precisely designed and fabricated structures with the highest similarity to bone tissue have shown promising outcomes. On the other hand, using nanotechnology and nanomaterials as the enabling options confers fascinating properties to the scaffolds, such as precisely tailoring the physicochemical features and better interactions with cells and surrounding tissues. Among different nanomaterials, polymeric nanofibers and carbon nanofibers have attracted significant attention due to their similarity to bone extracellular matrix (ECM) and high surface-to-volume ratio. Moreover, bone ECM is a biocomposite of collagen fibers and hydroxyapatite crystals; accordingly, researchers have tried to mimic this biocomposite using the mineralization of various polymeric and carbon nanofibers and have shown that the mineralized nanofibers are promising structures to augment the bone healing process in the tissue engineering scenario. In this paper, we reviewed the bone structure, bone defects/fracture healing process, and various structures/cells/growth factors applicable to bone tissue engineering applications. Then, we highlighted the mineralized polymeric and carbon nanofibers and their fabrication methods.

Fabrication, characterization and biological properties evaluation of bioactive scaffold based on mineralized carbon nanofibers

Tissue engineering as an innovative approach aims to combine engineering, biomaterials and biomedicine to eliminate the drawbacks of conventional bone defect treatment. In the current study, we fabricated bioengineered electroactive and bioactive mineralized carbon nanofibers as the scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications. The scaffold was fabricated using the sol-gel method and thoroughly characterized by SEM imaging, EDX analysis and a 4-point probe. The results showed that the CNFs have a diameter of 200 ± 19 nm and electrical conductivity of 1.02 ± 0.12 S cm-1. The in vitro studies revealed that the synthesized CNFs were osteoactive and supported the mineral crystal deposition. The hemolysis study confirmed the hemocompatibility of the CNFs and cell viability/proliferation sassy using an MTT assay kit showed the proliferative activities of mineralized CNFs. In conclusion, this study revealed that the mineralized CNFs synthesized by the combination of sol-gel and electrospinning techniques were electroactive, osteoactive and biocompatible, which can be considered an effective bone tissue engineering scaffold.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Antibacterial activity of green gold and silver nanoparticles using ginger root extract

Recent studies demonstrated that the speed of synthesis, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) metals is enhanced when biosynthesized in nano-sized particles. In the present study, Au- and Ag-based nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a biological process using aqueous Ginger root extract and characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The NPs have hexagonal and spherical shapes. The average particle size for Au and Ag NPs was 20 and 15 nm, respectively. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique has shown that the zeta potential values of synthesized NPs were 4.8 and - 7.11 mv, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of Ginger root extract revealed 25 compounds. The synthesized NPs showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia (E). coli in vitro, with IC50 and IC90 values for Au and Ag NPs, respectively, noted to be 7.5 and 7.3 µg/ml and 15 and 15.2 µg/ml for both bacterial strains. The protein leakage level was tremendous and morphological changes occurred in bacteria treated with biosynthesized NPs. These results suggest that the biosynthesized metallic NPs have the suitable potential for application as antibacterial agents with enhanced activities.

Synthesis, surface modifications, and biomedical applications of carbon nanofibers: Electrospun vs vapor-grown carbon nanofibers

Engineered nanostructures are materials with promising properties, enabled by precise design and fabrication, as well as size-dependent effects. Biomedical applications of nanomaterials in disease-specific prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery monitoring require precise, specific, and sophisticated approaches to yield effective and long-lasting favorable outcomes for patients. In this regard, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been indentified due to their interesting properties, such as good mechanical strength, high electrical conductivity, and desirable morphological features. Broadly speaking, CNFs can be categorized as vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) and carbonized CNFs (e.g., electrospun CNFs), which have distinct microstructure, morphologies, and physicochemical properties. In addition to their physicochemical properties, VGCNFs and electrospun CNFs have distinct performances in biomedicine and have their own pros and cons. Indeed, several review papers in the literature have summarized and discussed the different types of CNFs and their performances in the industrial, energy, and composites areas. Crucially however, there is room for a comprehensive review paper dealing with CNFs from a biomedical point of view. The present work therefore, explored various types of CNFs, their fabrication and surface modification methods, and their applications in the different branches of biomedical engineering.

Use of traditional medicine and control of hypertension in 12 Sub-Saharan African countries: the EIGHT cross-sectional study

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Camille Lassale is supported by a fellowship from “La Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434). The fellowship code is LCF/BQ/PR21/11840003

Background

Use of traditional medicine (TM), is widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa as treatment option for a wide range of disease. We aimed to describe the profile of TM users and estimate the association with blood pressure (BP) and control of hypertension among hypertensive patients in a pan-African study.

Methods

We included 2128 participants in the cross-sectional EIGHT study, who attended an outpatient consultation in the cardiology departments of 12 Sub-Saharan African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Togo). We describe patients’ characteristics according to TM use. We modelled the odds of uncontrolled hypertension, severe hypertension, and complications of hypertension by multivariable mixed logistic regression, and the linear association with systolic and diastolic BP by linear regression, all adjusted for age, sex, individual wealth index, adherence to hypertension conventional treatment, and country.

Results

A total of 512 (24%) of participants reported using TM, and this percentage varied drastically across countries from 10% in the Congo to 48% in Guinea. TM users were more likely to be male, with poor treatment adherence, reporting missing treatment because it is too expensive, and presenting any complication of hypertension. TM use was associated with greater odds of hypertension (OR=1.30; 95% confidence interval: 0.99, 1.70), severe hypertension (OR=1.34; 1.04, 1.74) and of any complication of hypertension (OR=1.27; 1.01, 1.60), driven by renal complication (OR=1.57; 1.07, 2.29). Use of TM was associated with a 3.87 mmHg higher systolic BP and 1.75 mm Hg higher diastolic BP compared to no use.

Conclusions

In this cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension in 12 Sub-Saharan African countries, we identified that the use of traditional medicine was associated with a poorer control of hypertension and more complications.

Immune evader cancer stem cells direct the perspective approaches to cancer immunotherapy

Exploration of tumor immunity leads to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and cell-based immunotherapies which improve the clinical outcomes in several tumor types. However, the poor clinical efficacy of these treatments observed for other tumors could be attributed to the inherent complex tumor microenvironment (TME), cellular heterogeneity, and stemness driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSC-specific characteristics provide the bulk tumor surveillance and resistance to entire eradication upon conventional therapies. CSCs-immune cells crosstalk creates an immunosuppressive TME that reshapes the stemness in tumor cells, resulting in tumor formation and progression. Thus, identifying the immunological features of CSCs could introduce the therapeutic targets with powerful antitumor responses. In this review, we summarized the role of immune cells providing CSCs to evade tumor immunity, and then discussed the intrinsic mechanisms represented by CSCs to promote tumors' resistance to immunotherapies. Then, we outlined potent immunotherapeutic interventions followed by a perspective outlook on the use of nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems for controlled modulation of the immune system.

Bacterial Polyglucuronic Acid/Alginate/Carbon Nanofibers Hydrogel Nanocomposite as a Potential Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

3D nanocomposite scaffolds have attracted significant attention in bone tissue engineering applications. In the current study, we fabricated a 3D nanocomposite scaffold based on a bacterial polyglucuronic acid (PGU) and sodium alginate (Alg) composite with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) as the bone tissue engineering scaffold. The CNFs were obtained from electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers through heat treatment. The fabricated CNFs were incorporated into a PGU/Alg polymeric solution, which was physically cross-linked using CaCl2 solution. The fabricated nanocomposites were characterized to evaluate the internal structure, porosity, swelling kinetics, hemocompatibility, and cytocompatibility. The characterizations indicated that the nanocomposites have a porous structure with interconnected pores architecture, proper water absorption, and retention characteristics. The in vitro studies revealed that the nanocomposites were hemocompatible with negligible hemolysis induction. The cell viability assessment showed that the nanocomposites were biocompatible and supported bone cell growth. These results indicated that the fabricated bacterial PGU/Alg/CNFs hydrogel nanocomposite exhibited appropriate properties and can be considered a new biomaterial for bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

Assessment of deep learning algorithms to predict histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer: first Moroccan prospective study on a private dataset

Objective

Breast cancer is a critical public health issue and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Its early diagnosis and detection can effectively help in increasing the chances of survival rate. For this reason, the diagnosis and classification of breast cancer using Deep learning algorithms have attracted a lot of attention. Therefore, our study aimed to design a computational approach based on deep convolutional neural networks for an efficient classification of breast cancer histopathological images by using our own created dataset. We collected overall 328 digital slides, from 116 of surgical breast specimens diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma of non-specific type, and referred to the histopathology department of the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat, Morocco. We used two models of deep neural network architectures in order to accurately classify the images into one of three categories: normal tissue-benign lesions, in situ carcinoma or invasive carcinoma.

Results

Both Resnet50 and Xception models achieved comparable results, with a small advantage to Xception extracted features. We reported high degrees of overall correct classification accuracy (88%), and sensitivity (95%) for detection of carcinoma cases, which is important for diagnostic pathology workflow in order to assist pathologists for diagnosing breast cancer with precision. The results of the present study showed that the designed classification model has a good generalization performance in predicting diagnosis of breast cancer, in spite of the limited size of the data. To our knowledge, this approach can be highly compared with other common methods in the automated analysis of breast cancer images reported in literature.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Radiologic Intervention of Biliary Complications following Liver Transplantation: A Single-center Experience

Background

Biliary complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergo¬ing Liver Transplantation (LT). Post-biliary transplantation strictures (BSs) are a severe problem with a high risk of graft failure. However, management of these BSs has remained controversial, and consid¬erable variability has been reported in Percutaneous Transhepatic Radiological Interventions (PTRIs) related to broad differences in technical procedures.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous treatments in managing post-LT BSs in a center in Shiraz.

Methods

PTRIs including balloon dilatation, metallic stent, and internal or internal-external hand-made plastic stent insertion were done for 34 transplanted patients with BSs referring to the Interventional Radiology Unit of Shiraz Namazi Hospital. Technical success rate, patency rates, and complications were evaluated.

Results

The. In this study, 31 strictures were successfully treated without any significant difference between the anastomotic and non-anastomotic types of stricture (success rate: 91.2%). Based on the results, 12- , 24-, and 36-month primary patency rates were 90.1%, 84.5%, and 76.8%, respectively. The secondary patency rate was 100% at 12 and 24 months and 93.3% at 36 and 60 months. The rate of minor complica¬tions (mild cholangitis and hemobilia) was 6.4%, and no major complications were detected.

Conclusion

According to the findings, PTRI is an effective method for treating anastomotic and non-anas- tomotic strictures with a high success rate and low complications.

Inhibiteurs du système-rénine-angiotensine au cours de la covid-19 : protecteurs ou dangereux ?

La COVID-19 est liée de près au système rénine-angiotensine (SRA), puisque la pénétration du SARS-CoV-2 dans les cellules se fait via l’enzyme de conversion de l’angiotensine 2 (ACE2). L’ACE2 tire son nom d’une homologie de séquence avec l’angiotensin-converting enzyme1 (ACE1) qui clive l’Ang I en Ang II et est inhibée par les IEC qui en revanche n’inhibent pas l’ACE2. L’ACE2 clive l’Ang II en Ang (1-7) et l’Ang I en Ang (1-9), qui est ensuite convertie en Ang (1-7) par l’ACE1. L’Ang (1-7) s’oppose aux actions de l’Ang II. L’infection par le SARS-CoV-2 entraine une baisse de l’ACE-2, internalisé pour permettre au virus d’entrer dans les cellules. Ceci a pour conséquence une dérégulation de l’équilibre entre l’Ang II et l’Ang (1-7), entrainant une augmentation de l’inflammation, une endothélite avec une dysfonction endothéliale, responsable d’un phénotype vasculaire pro-thrombotique, et une fibrose tissulaire accélérée. Après une inquiétude initiale, il a été montré que les bloqueurs du SRA ne favorisent ni l’infection par le SARS-CoV-2, ni en aggravent le pronostic. Il est donc recommandé par toutes les sociétés savantes de ne pas arrêter les IEC ou ARA2 chez les patients atteints de COVID-19, en dehors des indications d’arrêt classiques (insuffisance rénale aigüe, déshydratation sévère, état de choc). Il reste à élucider un éventuel effet bénéfique chez les patients initialement sans indication pour un traitement par IEC ou ARA2 atteints de COVID-19.

Comparative effect of thermo/pH-responsive polymer-coated gold nanocages and hollow nanostars on chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer cells

Background

Combination chemo-photothermal therapy appears to be one of the next generations of cancer treatment. In this study hollow gold nanostars (HGNSs) and gold nanocages (GNCs) were synthesized and stabilized with thermo-pH-sensitive thiol-end capped ABC triblock copolymer poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(N isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly (e-caprolactone)-SH; PAA-b-PNIPAAm-b-PCL-SH (GNSs@Pol). Doxorubicin (Dox) was conjugated to the GNSs@Pol nanostructures via ionic interaction, covalent attachment and hydrogen bonding (GNSs@Dox-Pol). The physicochemical characteristics of prepared GNSs@Pol and GNSs were assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential techniques. Cytocompatibility of the GNSs@Pol was studied by hemolysis assay and MTT assay. The chemo-photothermal therapy (PTT) potential of GNSs@Dox-Pol was compared on MCF7 cells using MTT assay, cell cycle, DAPI staining and Annexin-V apoptosis assay techniques.

Results

Cell internalization results showed an almost complete uptake of GNSs@Pol by MCF-7 cells in the first 3 h of treatment. The heat generation measurement results showed that both of GNSs have a potential for light to heat conversion (∆T = 23–27 ºC) and HGNSs demonstrated better efficiency than GNCs after 10-min exposure to NIR irradiation. Following chemo-photothermal treatment, the highest cell mortality (90%) and apoptotic effects (97% apoptosis) were observed in HGNSs@Dox-Pol received laser irradiation treatment group.

Conclusions

This work highlights the potential application of designed GNSs@Dox-Pol in a combinational chemo-PTT to treat breast cancer cells.

Graphic abstract

Modulation of LXR signaling altered the dynamic activity of human colon adenocarcinoma cancer stem cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

The expansion and metastasis of colorectal cancers are closely associated with the dynamic growth of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This study aimed to explore the possible effect of LXR (a regulator of glycolysis and lipid hemostasis) in the tumorgenicity of human colorectal CD133 cells.

METHODS

Human HT-29 CD133⁺ cells were enriched by MACS and incubated with LXR agonist (T0901317) and antagonist (SR9243) for 72 h. Cell survival was evaluated using MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis of Annexin-V. The proliferation rate was measured by monitoring Ki-67 positive cells using IF imaging. The modulation of LXR was studied by monitoring the activity of all factors related to ABC transporters using real-time PCR assay and western blotting. Protein levels of metabolic enzymes such as PFKFB3, GSK3β, FASN, and SCD were also investigated upon treatment of CSCs with LXR modulators. The migration of CSCs was monitored after being exposed to LXR agonist using scratch and Transwell insert assays. The efflux capacity was measured using hypo-osmotic conditions. The intracellular content of reactive oxygen species was studied by DCFH-DA staining.

RESULTS

Data showed incubation of CSCs with T0901317 and SR9243 reduced the viability of CD133 cells in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control group. The activation of LXR up-regulated the expression and protein levels of ABC transporters (ABCA1, ABCG5, and ABCG8) compared to the non-treated cells (p < 0.05). Despite these effects, LXR activation suppressed the proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of CD133 cells, and increased hypo-osmotic fragility (p < 0.05). We also showed that SR9243 inhibited the proliferation and clonogenicity of CD133 cells through down-regulating metabolic enzymes PFKFB3, GSK3β, FASN, and SCD as compared with the control cells (p < 0.05). Intracellular ROS levels were increased after the inhibition of LXR by SR9243 (p < 0.05). Calling attention, both T0901317 and SR9243 compounds induced apoptotic changes in cancer stem cells (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The regulation of LXR activity can be considered as a selective targeting of survival, metabolism, and migration in CSCs to control the tumorigenesis and metastasis in patients with advanced colorectal cancers.

Synthesis of Self-Targeted Carbon Dot with Ultrahigh Quantum Yield for Detection and Therapy of Cancer

This study aims to engineer a new type of ultrahigh quantum yield carbon dots (CDs) from methotrexate (MTX-CDs) with self-targeting, imaging, and therapeutic effects on MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells. CDs were synthesized via a straightforward thermal method using a methotrexate (MTX) drug source. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared MTX-CDs were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM and DLS revealed which MTX-CDs have homogeneous spherical morphology with a smaller average size of 5.4 ± 2.2 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.533, and positive surface charge of around +3.93 mV. Results of FT-IR spectroscopy and high-resolution XPS indicated the presence of residues of MTX on CDs. Therefore, the synthesized MTX-CDs could be targeted and be taken up by FR-positive cell lines without the aid of additional targeting molecules. In vitro epifluorescence images demonstrated high-contrast cytoplasm biodistribution of MTX-CDs after 2 h of treatment. A much stronger fluorescent signal was detected in MDA-MB 231 compared to MCF 7, indicating their ability to precisely target FR. The highest cytotoxic and apoptotic effects were observed in MTX-CDs compared to free MTX obtained by the MTT assay, cell cycle arrest, and annexin V-FITC apoptosis techniques. Results revealed that the novel engineered MTX-CDs were capable of inducing apoptosis (70.2% apoptosis) at a lower concentration (3.2 μM) compared to free MTX, which was proved by annexin V and cell cycle. This work highlights the potential application of CDs for constructing an intelligent nanomedicine with integration of diagnostic, targeting, and therapeutic functions.

Interactions Between Tumor Biology and Targeted Nanoplatforms for Imaging Applications

Although considerable efforts have been conducted to diagnose, improve, and treat cancer in the past few decades, existing therapeutic options are insufficient, as mortality and morbidity rates remain high. Perhaps the best hope for substantial improvement lies in early detection. Recent advances in nanotechnology are expected to increase the current understanding of tumor biology, and will allow nanomaterials to be used for targeting and imaging both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Owing to their intrinsic physicochemical characteristics, nanostructures (NSs) are valuable tools that have received much attention in nanoimaging. Consequently, rationally designed NSs have been successfully employed in cancer imaging for targeting cancer-specific or cancer-associated molecules and pathways. This review categorizes imaging and targeting approaches according to cancer type, and also highlights some new safe approaches involving membrane-coated nanoparticles, tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNAs, and cancer stem cells in the hope of developing more precise targeting and multifunctional nanotechnology-based imaging probes in the future.

The Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in the Metastatic Cascade: Biology, Technical Challenges, and Clinical Relevance

Metastases and cancer recurrence are the main causes of cancer death. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and disseminated tumor cells are the drivers of cancer cell dissemination. The assessment of CTCs’ clinical role in early metastasis prediction, diagnosis, and treatment requires more information about their biology, their roles in cancer dormancy, and immune evasion as well as in therapy resistance. Indeed, CTC functional and biochemical phenotypes have been only partially characterized using murine metastasis models and liquid biopsy in human patients. CTC detection, characterization, and enumeration represent a promising tool for tailoring the management of each patient with cancer. The comprehensive understanding of CTCs will provide more opportunities to determine their clinical utility. This review provides much-needed insights into this dynamic field of translational cancer research.

Advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus gold nanoparticles enhanced the osteogenic capacity of human mesenchymal stem cells

Objectives

There is still insufficient clinical evidence of platelet-rich fibrin beneficial effects on bone regeneration. Gold nanoparticles have been shown to enhance osteogenic differentiation and bone mineralization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of advanced-platelet-rich fibrin modified by gold nanoparticles on the osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Results

MTT assay revealed 0.0125 mM gold nanoparticles had no cytotoxic effects on stem cells after 7 days. The addition of 0.0125 mM gold nanoparticle to advanced-platelet-rich fibrin clot increased cell viability compared to the non-treated control group (p < 0.05). 7-day incubation of stem cells with advanced-platelet-rich fibrin modified by gold nanoparticles conditioned media was shown to promote alkaline phosphatase activity compared to the control cells and group treated with advanced-platelet-rich fibrin condition media (p < 0.05). By using Alizarin Red S staining, red-colored calcium deposits were observed in the group treated with advanced-platelet-rich fibrin and gold nanoparticles conditioned media in comparison with non-treated cells (p < 0.05). Advanced-platelet-rich fibrin conditioned medium was unable to promote calcium deposition compared to the combination of advanced-platelet-rich fibrin and gold nanoparticles (p < 0.05). Adding gold nanoparticles to advanced-platelet-rich fibrin and fibrin and platelet byproducts could be an alternative strategy to improve osteogenic capacity of stem cells.

P4554Central-acting aminopeptidase a inhibitors for new treatment of hypertension: from discovery to clinical trial

Acknowledgement/Funding

INSERM, College de France, ANR LabCom, Quantum Genomics

P4567Factors associated with poor adherence to medication among hypertensive patients in twelve low and middle income sub-Saharan countries

Background

Over the past few decades, the prevalence of hypertension has dramatically increased in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poor adherence has been identified as a major cause of failure to control hypertension. Scarce data are available in Africa.

Purpose

We assessed adherence to medication and identified socioeconomics, clinical and treatment factors associated with low adherence among hypertensive patients in 12 sub-Saharan African countries.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics of both low and middle income countries. Data were collected by physicians on demographics, treatment and clinical data among hypertensive patients attending the clinics. Adherence was assessed by questionnaires completed by the patients. Factors associated with low adherence were investigated using logistic regression with a random effect on countries.

Results

There were 2198 individuals from 12 countries enrolled in the study. Overall, 678 (30.8%), 738 (33.6%), 782 (35.6%) participants had respectively low, medium and high adherence to antihypertensive medication. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of traditional medicine (OR: 2.28, 95% CI [1.79–2.90]) and individual wealth index (low vs. high wealth: OR: 1.86, 95% CI [1.35–2.56] and middle vs. high wealth: OR: 1.42, 95% CI [1.11–1.81]) were significantly and independently associated with poor adherence to medication. In stratified analysis, these differences in adherence to medication according to individual wealth index were observed in low-income countries (p<0.001) but not in middle-income countries (p=0.17). In addition, 26.5% of the patients admitted having stopped their treatment due to financial reasons and this proportion was 4 fold higher in the lowest than highest wealth group (47.8% vs 11.4%) (p<0.001).

Conclusion

This study revealed the high frequency of poor adherence in African patients and the associated factors. These findings should be useful for tailoring future programs to tackle hypertension in low income countries that are better adapted to patients, with a potential associated enhancement of their effectiveness.

Figure 1. Percentage of patients according to their adherence level by patient wealth index stratified by country-level income.

1405Sequential nephron blockade with diuretics improves diastolic dysfunction in patients with resistant hypertension, a substudy a the PHARES trial

Introduction

Hypertension is one of the major contributors to cardiac diastolic dysfunction as observed in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Different therapeutics strategies have been proposed to control blood pressure (BP) but their independent impact on cardiac function remain undetermined. In patients referred to our center for uncontrolled hypertension, we compared changes in cardiac parameters between two strategies consisting of sequential nephron blockade with intensive diuretics (NBD) or sequential renin angiotensin blockade (RAB).

Purpose

To determine evolution of BNP levels and echocardiographic (TTE) parameters of diastolic dysfunction according to strategies to control BP.

Methods

After 4-weeks treatment with 300mg irbesartan + 12.5mg hydrochlorothiazide + 5mg amlodipine, 140 patients with uncontrolled hypertension were randomized to either complete nephron blockade with sequential introduction of 25mg spironolactone, 20 to 40mg furosemide and 5mg amiloride (NBD group, n=74) or complete RAAS blockade with 5 to 10mg ramipril and 5 to 10mg bisoprolol (RAB group, n=67). BNP levels and TTE parameters according to ESC guidelines were assessed at baseline and week 12.

Results

BNP levels were not significantly different in the two groups at baseline (mean±SD 30.1±37.0pg/mL in NBD versus 22.6±22.3pg/mL in RAB, p=0.147) but significantly decreased in NBD at week 12 (20.1±22.7pg/mL in NBD versus 55.2±60.4pg/mL in RAB, p<0.0001). At week 12, only 9 (12%) patients in NBD presented BNP levels >35pg/mL versus 37 (55%) in RAB (p<0.001).

Concordantly, TTE parameters such as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (mean±SD, 49±4mm in NBD and 52±5mm in RAB, p=0,004) and left atrial area (16.9±3.6cm2 in NBD and 19.1±3.7cm2 in RAB, p=0,003) improved significantly in NBD group. The proportions of patients presenting ≥2 criteria of diastolic dysfunction according to ESC guidelines in NBD and RAB group respectively were 31.2% and 19.3% at baseline vs. 3.1% and 32.2% after 12 weeks (p=0.001). In a multivariate analysis, NBD treatment was significantly associated with a decline in BNP levels (p<0.01) even after adjustment on daytime systolic BP lowering, heart rate, renal function, age and gender.

Conclusion

In patients with uncontrolled hypertension, intensive nephron blockade with sequential addition of diuretics improves markers of diastolic dysfunction independently of BP lowering.

Bothersome menopausal symptoms amongst postmenopausal Iranian women

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of menopause on middle-eastern women.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 1520 women, aged 40-64 years, living in Sari, Northern Iran, recruited by multistage cluster sampling between October 2016 and April 2017. All women completed the Menopause Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).

RESULTS

Of all the women, 54.5% were perimenopausal or postmenopausal. The prevalences of any vasomotor symptom (VMS) and moderate-severely bothersome VMS were greatest for postmenopausal women aged <55 years (66.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 59.9-72.3% and 13.5%, 95% CI 9.6-18.6%, respectively). Having moderate-severe VMS was associated with moderate-severe depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.9; 95% CI 1.6-5.2; p < 0.001). Symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) were reported by 41.1% (95% CI 37.4-45.0%) of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, with 22.9% (95% CI 19.8-26.3%) reporting their symptoms as moderate-severely bothersome. In women with moderate-severe VMS, the proportion with both moderate-severe depressive symptoms and moderate-severe VVA symptoms (12.1%) was four times that in women with no or mild VMS (3.3%) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

One in seven perimenopausal and postmenopausal women has moderate-severely bothersome VMS and few women receive appropriate therapy. The reporting of moderate-severe VMS should alert clinicians to the likelihood of significant concurrent VVA and depressive symptoms.

Effects of breast milk on pain severity during muscular injection of hepatitis B vaccine in neonates in a teaching hospital in Iran

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Human breast milk is a natural pain reliever that contains endorphins. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of breast milk and powdered milk on pain severity after a muscular injection in 1-day-old neonates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred neonates admitted to a teaching hospital in Ilam city, Iran, participated in a randomized clinical trial in 2016. One-day-old neonates were divided into four equal groups including: the control group (no feeding); the breastfed group; the bottle-fed mother's milk group and the powdered formula group. All infants received the hepatitis B vaccine by muscle injection in the same position of the thigh. The severity and duration of pain were compared among all groups during and after injection using the DAN scoring method (evaluation behavioral scale of acute pain in newborn infant).

RESULTS

One hundred neonates (57% boys) participated in this study. The mean±SD age and weight for participants were 39.15±0.05 weeks and 3016±28g, respectively. Crying duration either during or after the injection in breastfed infants was significantly shorter compared to the control and powdered formula groups (9.2±3.9 and 16±4.6s vs. 38.2±8.9 and 30.0±4.4s, respectively, during injection, P<0.003); (11.8±3.4 and 20.6±5.1s vs. 56.2±6.5 and 49.8±9.6s, respectively, after injection, P<0.006). There was also a significant relationship between behavioral variations and pain during injection (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that breastfeeding decreases pain severity during painful experiences in neonates, which is in accordance with other reports. Based on this finding, neonates are advised to be breastfed if a painful intervention such as vaccination is needed. The pain-relieving effect of breast milk could also be added to its other suitable effects.

Long-term evaluation of osteoarthritis sheep knee, treated with TGF-β3 and BMP-6 induced multipotent stem cells

BACKGROUND

Hyaline articular cartilage, which protects the bones of diarthrodial joints from forces associated with load bearing, frictions, and impacts has very limited capacities for self-repair. Over the years, the trend of treatments has shifted to regenerations and researchers have been on the quest for a lasting regeneration. We evaluated the treatment of osteoarthritis by chondrogenically induced ADSCs and BMSCs for a long time functional recovery.

METHODS

Osteoarthritis was induced at the right knee of sheep by complete resection of ACL and medial meniscus. Stem cells from sheep were induced to chondrogenic lineage. Test sheep received 5 mls single doses of 2 × 10⁷ autologous PKH26-labelled ADSCs or BMSCs, while controls received basal medium. Functional recovery of the knees was evaluated via electromyography.

RESULTS

Induced ADSCs had 625, 255, 393, 908, 409, 157 and 1062 folds increases of collagen I, collagen II, aggrecan, SOX9, cartilage oligomeric protein, chondroadherin and fibromodullin compare to uninduced cells, while BMSCs had 702, 657, 321, 276, 337, 233 and 1163 respectively; p = .001. Immunocytochemistry was positive for these chondrogenic markers. 12 months post-treatment, controls scored 4 in most regions using ICRS, while the treated had 8; P = .001. Regenerated cartilages were positive to PKH26 and demonstrated the presence of condensing cartilages on haematoxylin and eosin; and Safranin O. OA degenerations caused significant amplitude shift from right to left hind limb. After treatments, controls persisted with significant decreases; while treated samples regained balance.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ADSCs and BMSCs had increased chondrogenic gene expressions using TGF-β3 and BMP-6. The treated knees had improved cartilage scores; PKH26 can provide elongated tracking, while EMG results revealed improved joint recoveries. These could be suitable therapies for osteoarthritis.

Depressive symptoms and their risk factors in midlife women in the Middle East: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Women may experience different menopausal symptoms across different cultures around the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of depression in midlife women in the Middle East.

METHODS

Electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google scholar were searched. The quality of articles was assessed by using the risk of bias tool.

RESULTS

Sixteen articles were used for this review. The prevalence for depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women is higher than in premenopausal women. The overall data also suggest that depressive symptoms may be more prevalent in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. Studies reported sociodemographic, physical, psychological, cultural and sexual risk factors for depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. Risk of bias for a majority of the studies conducted in the Middle Eastern region on depression in midlife was moderate.

CONCLUSION

Consistent with other areas in the world, midlife women in the Middle East region are at higher risk for depression due to the presence of different factors. High-quality longitudinal studies of representative samples, using validated questionnaires, are needed to provide more accurate prevalence data and the association between menopause and menopausal symptoms in women in the Middle East.

Protective effects of Smyrnium cordifolium boiss essential oil on pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice: involvement of benzodiazepine and opioid antagonists

Smyrnium cordifolium as a wild plant is used in traditional medicine in Iran for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. The anticonvulsant effect of this plant has not been studied to date, therefore this study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant effects of its essential oil and curzerene on seizure. Essential oil of the Smyrnium cordifolium plant was prepared by the hydro-distillation method. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of the essential oil revealed its main components. Anticonvulsant effects of Smyrnium cordifolium essential oil (SCEO) and curzerene were examined on mice using the pentylentetrazole model (PTZ). Flumazenil (2 mg/kg, i.p) and naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p) were injected into the relevant groups of mice to realize the anticonvulsant mechanism of SCEO and curzerene, respectively. The main identified components of the plant were curzerene (65.26%), δ-Cadinene (14.39%) and γ-elemene (5.15%), which comprised approximately 85.28% of SCEO. The ED50 values of SCEO and curzerene in the PTZ model were 223±15 and 0.25±0.09 mg/kg, respectively. Curzerene at the dosage of 0.4 mg/kg prolonged the onset time of seizure and decreased the duration of seizure among treated group compared to the saline group. At the dosage of 0.4 mg/kg, seizure and mortality protection rates for the treated group were 100%. Flumazenil and naloxone could suppress the anticonvulsant effects of SCEO and curzerene. It seems that SCEO and curzerene are useful for the treatment of absence seizure and this effect may be related to their effects on GABAergic and opioid systems.