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Hemme CL, Carley R, Norton A, Ghumman M, Nguyen H, Ivone R, Menon JU, Shen J, Bertin M, King R, Leibovitz E, Bergstrom R, Cho B. Developing virtual and augmented reality applications for science, technology, engineering and math education. Biotechniques 2023; 75:343-352. [PMID: 37291856 PMCID: PMC10505987 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2023-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rhode Island IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Molecular Informatics Core at the University of Rhode Island Information Technology Services Innovative Learning Technologies developed virtual and augmented reality applications to teach concepts in biomedical science, including pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, cell culture and nanotechnology. The apps were developed as full virtual reality/augmented reality and 3D gaming versions, which do not require virtual reality headsets. Development challenges included creating intuitive user interfaces, text-to-voice functionality, visualization of molecules and implementing complex science concepts. In-app quizzes are used to assess the user's understanding of topics, and user feedback was collected for several apps to improve the experience. The apps were positively reviewed by users and are being implemented into the curriculum at the University of Rhode Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Hemme
- Rhode Island IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (RI-INBRE)
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Rachel Carley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Arielle Norton
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Moez Ghumman
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Hannah Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Ryan Ivone
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Jyothi U Menon
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- College of Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Jie Shen
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- College of Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Matthew Bertin
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Roberta King
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | | | - Roy Bergstrom
- Information Technology Services, Innovative Learning Technologies Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Bongsup Cho
- Rhode Island IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (RI-INBRE)
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
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Gonsalves A, Sorkhdini P, Bazinet J, Ghumman M, Dhamecha D, Zhou Y, Menon JU. Development and characterization of lung surfactant-coated polymer nanoparticles for pulmonary drug delivery. Biomater Adv 2023; 150:213430. [PMID: 37104963 PMCID: PMC10187589 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage where tumors are usually inoperable and first-line therapies are inefficient and have off-targeted adverse effects, resulting in poor patient survival. Here, we report the development of an inhalable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid polymer-based nanoparticle (PLGA-NP) formulation with a biomimetic Infasurf® lung surfactant (LS) coating, for localized and sustained lung cancer drug delivery. The nanoparticles (188 ± 7 nm) were stable in phosphate buffered saline, serum and Gamble's solution (simulated lung fluid), and demonstrated cytocompatibility up to 1000 μg/mL concentration and dose-dependent uptake by lung cancer cells. The LS coating significantly decreased nanoparticle (NP) uptake by NR8383 alveolar macrophages in vitro compared to uncoated NPs. The coating, however, did not impair NP uptake by A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. The anti-cancer drug gemcitabine hydrochloride encapsulated in the PLGA core was released in a sustained manner while the paclitaxel loaded in the LS shell demonstrated a rapid or burst release profile over 21 days. The drug-loaded NPs significantly decreased cancer cell survival and colony formation in vitro compared to free drugs and single drug-loaded NPs. In vivo studies confirmed greater retention of LS-coated NPs in the lungs of C57BL/6 WT mice compared to uncoated NPs, at 24 h and 72 h following intranasal administration. The overall results confirm that LS coating is a unique strategy for cloaking polymeric NPs to potentially prevent their rapid lung clearance and facilitate prolonged pulmonary drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gonsalves
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Parand Sorkhdini
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Jasmine Bazinet
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Moez Ghumman
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Dinesh Dhamecha
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Jyothi U Menon
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
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Ghumman M, Dhamecha D, Gonsalves A, Fortier L, Sorkhdini P, Zhou Y, Menon JU. Emerging drug delivery strategies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2021; 164:1-12. [PMID: 33882301 PMCID: PMC8154728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating and fatal condition that causes severe scarring of the lungs. While the pathogenesis of IPF continues to be extensively studied and several factors have been considered, an exact cause has yet to be established. With inadequate treatment options and no cure available, overall disease prognosis is still poor. Existing oral therapies, pirfenidone and nintedanib, may attempt to improve the patients' quality of life by mitigating symptoms and slowing disease progression, however chronic doses and systemic deliveries of these drugs can lead to severe side effects. The lack of effective treatment options calls for further investigation of restorative as well as additional palliative therapies for IPF. Nanoparticle-based sustained drug delivery strategies can be utilized to ensure targeted delivery for site-specific treatment as well as long-acting therapy, improving overall patient compliance. This review provides an update on promising strategies for the delivery of anti-fibrotic agents, along with an overview of key therapeutic targets as well as relevant emerging therapies currently being evaluated for IPF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moez Ghumman
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Dinesh Dhamecha
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Andrea Gonsalves
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Lauren Fortier
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Parand Sorkhdini
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Jyothi U Menon
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
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Francois F, Roper J, Goodman AJ, Pei Z, Ghumman M, Mourad M, de Perez AZO, Perez-Perez GI, Tseng CH, Blaser MJ. The association of gastric leptin with oesophageal inflammation and metaplasia. Gut 2008; 57:16-24. [PMID: 17761783 DOI: 10.1136/gut.2007.131672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease complications may reflect imbalances between protective and injurious factors. Through its effects on cell growth, leptin may influence oesophageal mucosal homeostasis. AIMS To determine whether leptin receptors are present in the oesophagus, and whether serum or gastric leptin levels are associated with oesophageal inflammation and metaplasia. METHODS From patients referred for upper endoscopy, biopsies were obtained from the stomach and distal oesophagus, and serum samples were collected. Patients were classified as having normal, inflamed or Barrett's oesophagus. Quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed on representative sections, and leptin levels in plasma and gastric biopsy samples were determined by specific immunoassay. RESULTS Of 269 individuals enrolled, 105 were Helicobacter pylori-negative. Of the 88 patients with complete oesophageal biopsies, 44 were normal, 24 were inflamed and 20 were Barrett's oesophagus. Receptors for leptin were highly expressed on oesophageal epithelial cells, with similar density and staining pattern in all three conditions, and plasma and antral leptin levels did not differ significantly. Patients with Barrett's had significantly (p = 0.01) higher fundic leptin levels (median 202 (interquartile range 123-333) pg/mg) compared with normal (126 (78-221) pg/mg) or inflamed (114 (76-195) pg/mg) oesophagus. In multivariate analysis, for every twofold increase in fundic leptin, the odds of having Barrett's was 3.4 times (95% CI 1.5 to 7.6) higher compared with having a normal oesophagus. CONCLUSIONS Leptin receptor expression on oesophageal epithelial cells provides a pathway for leptin-mediated signal transduction. Variation in gastric leptin production could contribute to differential oesophageal healing and metaplasia progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Francois
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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