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Biochemical and Biophysical Research... Dec 2023The prospective contribution of phyto-nanotechnology to the synthesis of silver nanomaterials for biomedical purposes is attracting increasing interest across the world.... (Review)
Review
The prospective contribution of phyto-nanotechnology to the synthesis of silver nanomaterials for biomedical purposes is attracting increasing interest across the world. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) through plants has been extensively examined recently, and it is now seen to be a green and efficient path for future exploitation and development of practical nano-factories. Fabrication of Ag-NPs is the process involves use of plant extracts/phyto-compounds (e.g.alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds) to synthesise nanoparticles in more economical and feasible. Several findings concluded that in the field of medicine, Ag-NPs play a major role in pharmacotherapy (infection and cancer). Indeed, they exhibits novel properties but the reason is unclear (except some theoretical interpretation e.g. size, shape and morphology). But recent technological advancements help to address these questions by predicting the unique properties (composition and origin) by characterizing physical, chemical and biological properties. Due to increased list of publications and their application in the field of agriculture, industries and pharmaceuticals, issues relating to toxicity are unavoidable and question of debate. The present reviews aim to find out the role of plant extracts to synthesise Ag-NPs. It provides an overview of various phytocompounds and their role in the field of biomedicine (antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory etc.). In addition, this review also especially focused on various applications such as role in infection, oxidative stress, application in medical engineering, diagnosis and therapy, medical devices, orthopedics, wound healing and dressings. Additionally, the toxic effects of Ag-NPs in cell culture, tissue of different model organism, type of toxic reactions and regulation implemented to reduce associated risk are discussed critically. Addressing all above explanations, this review focus on the detailed properties of plant mediated Ag-NPs, its impact on biology, medicine and their commercial properties as well as toxicity.
Topics: Silver; Metal Nanoparticles; Prospective Studies; Plant Extracts; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37951153
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149126 -
EMBO Reports Oct 2023To fuel accelerated proliferation, leukaemic cells undergo metabolic deregulation, which can result in specific nutrient dependencies. Here, we perform an amino acid...
To fuel accelerated proliferation, leukaemic cells undergo metabolic deregulation, which can result in specific nutrient dependencies. Here, we perform an amino acid drop-out screen and apply pre-clinical models of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) to identify arginine as a nutrient essential for primary human CML cells. Analysis of the Microarray Innovations in Leukaemia (MILE) dataset uncovers reduced ASS1 levels in CML compared to most other leukaemia types. Stable isotope tracing reveals repressed activity of all urea cycle enzymes in patient-derived CML CD34 cells, rendering them arginine auxotrophic. Thus, arginine deprivation completely blocks proliferation of CML CD34 cells and induces significantly higher levels of apoptosis when compared to arginine-deprived cell lines. Similarly, primary CML cells, but not normal CD34 samples, are particularly sensitive to treatment with the arginine-depleting enzyme, BCT-100, which induces apoptosis and reduces clonogenicity. Moreover, BCT-100 is highly efficacious in a patient-derived xenograft model, causing > 90% reduction in the number of human leukaemic stem cells (LSCs). These findings indicate arginine depletion to be a promising and novel strategy to eradicate therapy resistant LSCs.
Topics: Humans; Arginine; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Apoptosis; Stem Cells; Neoplastic Stem Cells
PubMed: 37489735
DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256279 -
Cancer Metastasis Reviews Mar 2024Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces... (Review)
Review
Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, is often affected by two main types of cancer: the pre-dominant ductal adenocarcinoma and the less common neuroendocrine tumors. These cancers are difficult to treat due to their complex biology characterized by cellular plasticity leading to therapy resistance. Cellular plasticity refers to the capability of cancer cells to change and adapt to different microenvironments within the body which includes acinar-ductal metaplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal/epigenetic/metabolic plasticity, as well as stemness. This plasticity allows heterogeneity of cancer cells, metastasis, and evasion of host's immune system and develops resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. To overcome this resistance, extensive research is ongoing exploring the intrinsic and extrinsic factors through cellular reprogramming, chemosensitization, targeting metabolic, key survival pathways, etc. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of cellular plasticity involving cellular adaptation and tumor microenvironment and provided a comprehensive understanding of its role in therapy resistance and ways to overcome it.
Topics: Humans; Cell Plasticity; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreas; Cellular Reprogramming; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38194153
DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10164-5 -
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine Nov 2023This article introduces core topics in health equity scholarship and provides examples of how diversity, equity, and inclusion impact the aging population and emergency... (Review)
Review
This article introduces core topics in health equity scholarship and provides examples of how diversity, equity, and inclusion impact the aging population and emergency care of older adults. It offers strategies for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion to both strengthen the patient-clinician therapeutic relationship and to address operations and systems that impact care of the geriatric emergency department patient.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Geriatrics; Emergency Service, Hospital; Emergency Medical Services; Aging
PubMed: 37798072
DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2023.04.009 -
The Surgeon : Journal of the Royal... Dec 2023High quality surgical lighting is central to successful performance in the operating room and therefore to both patient care and treatment. This article discusses the... (Review)
Review
High quality surgical lighting is central to successful performance in the operating room and therefore to both patient care and treatment. This article discusses the origins of surgical lighting from the 1800s to today, with a focus on the four main forms. Their uses, advantages, and disadvantages are evaluated in an effort to identify the improvements required to improve today's current state of surgical lighting. Whilst these four mainstream types have served well for the past thirty years, the literature exposes opportunities for improvement and can be used to guide the pathway to transition from manual conventional methods to a more automated lighting (AL) approach. The concept of AL has been proposed using established and known technical approaches such as artificial intelligence (AI), 3D sensor tracking algorithms and thermal imaging. Whilst AL seems incredibly promising, further focused research must be undertaken to maximise its' effectiveness and allow for successful integration of this new technology into operating rooms today.
Topics: Humans; Lighting; Artificial Intelligence; Operating Rooms; Algorithms
PubMed: 37328393
DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2023.05.004 -
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 2023Pharmacological strategies might influence bone healing in terms of time to union or quality of mature bone. This expert opinion discussed the current level I evidence... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Pharmacological strategies might influence bone healing in terms of time to union or quality of mature bone. This expert opinion discussed the current level I evidence on the experimental pharmacological agents used to favor bone fracture healing.
AREAS COVERED
This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the 2020 PRISMA statement. In April 2023, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase. All the randomized clinical trials investigating pharmacological agents for bone fracture healing were accessed. No time constraint was set for the search. The search was restricted to RCTs. No additional filters were used in the database search. Data from 19 RCTs (4067 patients) were collected. 78% (3160 of 4067) were women. The mean length of the follow-up was 9.3 months (range, 1-26 months). The mean age of the patients was 64.4 years (range, 8-84 years).
EXPERT OPINION
Calcitonin could favor bone fracture healing. Bisphosphonates (alendronate, zoledronate, clodronate), monoclonal antibodies (denosumab, romosozumab), statins, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, strontium ranelate, and ibuprofen did not influence bony healing. Concerning the effect of parathormone, current level I evidence is controversial, and additional studies are required.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level I, systematic review of RCTs.
Topics: Humans; Female; Child; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Fracture Healing; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Diphosphonates; Alendronate; Vitamin D
PubMed: 37740660
DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2263352 -
The Lancet. Global Health Oct 2023Pandemic preparedness and response have relied primarily on market dynamics to drive development and availability of new health products. Building on calls for... (Review)
Review
Pandemic preparedness and response have relied primarily on market dynamics to drive development and availability of new health products. Building on calls for transformation, we propose a new value proposition that instead prioritises equity from the research and development (R&D) stage and that strengthens capacity to control outbreaks when and where they occur. Key elements include regional R&D hubs free to adapt well established technology platforms, and independent clinical trials networks working with researchers, regulators, and health authorities to better study questions of comparative benefit and real-world efficacy. Realising these changes requires a shift in emphasis: from pandemic response to outbreak control, from one-size-fits-all economies of scale to R&D and manufacture for local need, from de novo product development to last-mile innovation through adaptation of existing technologies, and from proprietary, competitive R&D to open science and financing for the common good that supports collective management and sharing of technology and know-how.
Topics: Humans; Public Health; Motivation; Pandemics; Research; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 37652070
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00328-5 -
Applied Optics Nov 2023Free-space optics (FSO) and visible light communication (VLC) are interesting solutions for last mile access due to their benefits over conventional wired and wireless...
Free-space optics (FSO) and visible light communication (VLC) are interesting solutions for last mile access due to their benefits over conventional wired and wireless communication systems, including easy installation, low latency, high bandwidth, and low cost. This study aims to present last mile access using hybrid FSO/VLC, addressing the shortcomings of each technology. A hybrid system might, for instance, use VLC to give last meter connectivity to specific buildings and FSO to provide high-bandwidth outdoor connectivity across vast distances. In this paper, three proposed scenarios are designed using Optisystem and Matlab software, employing pulse amplitude modulation with four levels (PAM-4). The first scenario involves designing the last mile of the FSO-VLC system. In contrast, the second uses wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology to increase the data transmission capacity by enabling multiple optical signals at various wavelengths. The last scenario entails using VLC systems and the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) approach to accommodate several users simultaneously. The simulation results show that the proposed system can fulfill outdoor link distances of more than 10 km and indoor coverage of about 2 m with a bit-error rate (BER) of 1.5×10 for a 10 Gbps data rate. However, the proposed systems can achieve the same data rate with a reduced FSO distance under different turbulence and weather conditions.
PubMed: 38037945
DOI: 10.1364/AO.503272 -
British Medical Bulletin Sep 2023It is unclear whether hydrodilatation is beneficial in the management of frozen shoulder compared with other common conservative management modalities. This systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
It is unclear whether hydrodilatation is beneficial in the management of frozen shoulder compared with other common conservative management modalities. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of hydrodilatation for the management of frozen shoulder.
SOURCES OF DATA
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. An extensive search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Web of Science and CINAHL databases using multiple keyword combinations of 'shoulder', 'rotator', 'adhesive capsulitis', 'hydrodilatat*', 'distension' since inception of the databases to June 2023 was implemented.
AREAS OF AGREEMENT
Hydrodilatation leads to at least transient more marked improvements in shoulder disability and passive external rotation compared with intra-articular corticosteroid injections.
AREAS OF CONTROVERSY
Hydrodilatation improves passive external rotation in the longer term. Moreover, hydrodilatation may be a preferable option over manipulation under anaesthesia, given its lower cost and better patient convenience.
GROWING POINTS
Intensive mobilization after hydrodilatation is a promising adjuvant treatment option for patients suffering from a frozen shoulder.
AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH
Although current evidence suggests that hydrodilatation provides a transient improvement in disability in patients with frozen shoulder, its clinical relevance remains unclear. Further research is necessary to establish its role in the management of the condition.
Topics: Humans; Shoulder Joint; Bursitis; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Injections, Intra-Articular; Anesthesia; Range of Motion, Articular
PubMed: 37496207
DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldad018 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Jul 2023Hydrogen production from water electrolysis provides a green and sustainable route. Platinum (Pt)-based materials have been regarded as efficient electrocatalysts for... (Review)
Review
Hydrogen production from water electrolysis provides a green and sustainable route. Platinum (Pt)-based materials have been regarded as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the large-scale commercialization of Pt-based catalysts suffers from the high cost. Therefore, ultralow-Pt-loading electrocatalysts, which can reach the balance of low cost and high HER performance, have attracted much attention. In this review, representative promising synthetic strategies, including wet chemistry, annealing, electrochemistry, photochemistry, and atomic layer deposition are summarized. Further, the interaction between different electrocatalyst components (transition metals and their derivatives) and Pt is discussed. Notably, this interaction can effectively accelerate the kinetics of the HER, enhancing the catalytic activity. At last, current challenges and future perspectives are briefly discussed.
PubMed: 37162251
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301098