-
Scientific Reports May 2024Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) has been widely used as biocompatible materials in tissue engineering. They have been used in mammalian cell proliferation to polarization and...
Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) has been widely used as biocompatible materials in tissue engineering. They have been used in mammalian cell proliferation to polarization and differentiation. Their modified versions had regulatory activities on mammalian macrophages in vitro. There are also studies suggesting different nanofiber diameters might alter the biological activities of these materials. Based on these cues, we examined the inflammatory activities and adherence properties of mammalian macrophages on electrospun PCL nanofibrous scaffolds formed with PCL having different nanofiber diameters. Our results suggest that macrophages could easily attach and get dispersed on the scaffolds. Macrophages lost their inflammatory cytokine TNF and IL6 production capacity in the presence of LPS when they were incubated on nanofibers. These effects were independent of the mean fiber diameters. Overall, the scaffolds have potential to be used as biocompatible materials to suppress excessive inflammatory reactions during tissue and organ transplantation by caging and suppressing the inflammatory cells.
Topics: Nanofibers; Macrophages; Animals; Mice; Inflammation; Tissue Scaffolds; Polyesters; Tissue Engineering; Biocompatible Materials; Interleukin-6; Lipopolysaccharides; RAW 264.7 Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Cell Adhesion
PubMed: 38811651
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61450-3 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases May 2024The specific benefits of Yangxinshi tablet (YXST) in the treating chronic heart failure (CHF) remain uncertain.
BACKGROUND
The specific benefits of Yangxinshi tablet (YXST) in the treating chronic heart failure (CHF) remain uncertain.
AIM
To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of YXST in the treatment of CHF.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating YXST for CHF treatment were retrieved from eight public databases up to November 2023. Meta-analyses of the included clinical studies were conducted using Review Manager 5.3.
RESULTS
Twenty RCTs and 1845 patients were included. The meta-analysis results showed that the YXST combination group, compared to the conventional drug group, significantly increased the clinical efficacy rate by 23% [relative risk (RR) = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.17-1.29], < 0.00001), left ventricular ejection fraction by 6.69% [mean difference (MD) = 6.69, 95%CI: 4.42-8.95, < 0.00001] and 6-min walk test by 49.82 m (MD = 49.82, 95%C: 38.84-60.80, < 0.00001), and reduced N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide by 1.03 ng/L [standardized MD (SMD) = -1.03, 95%CI: -1.32 to -0.74, < 0.00001], brain natriuretic peptide by 80.95 ng/L (MD = -80.95, 95%CI: -143.31 to -18.59, = 0.01), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter by 3.92 mm (MD = -3.92, 95%CI: -5.06 to -2.78, < 0.00001), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter by 4.34 mm (MD = -4.34, 95%CI: -6.22 to -2.47, < 0.00001). Regarding safety, neither group reported any serious adverse events during treatment (RR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.15-1.90, = 0.33). In addition, Egger's test results indicated no significant publication bias ( = 0.557).
CONCLUSION
YXST effectively improves clinical symptoms and cardiac function in patients with CHF while maintaining a favorable safety profile, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for CHF.
PubMed: 38808352
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i13.2218 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024To investigate the efficacy and safety profile of T-shaped pars plana scleral incision technique in removing large intraocular foreign bodies, during 23-gauge pars plana...
AIM
To investigate the efficacy and safety profile of T-shaped pars plana scleral incision technique in removing large intraocular foreign bodies, during 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.
METHODS
Retrospective interventional case series that included patients diagnosed with a large intraocular foreign body (IOFB). Possible postoperative complications were recorded 24 h, 1 month, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
RESULTS
Thirty eyes of 30 patients (48 ± 5 years old) were enrolled. All IOFBs were successfully removed: mean diameters of 7.8 ± 2.0 mm and 2.6 ± 0.3 mm. Silicone oil and sulfur hexafluoride were used in 27 and 3 eyes, respectively. Lensectomy was performed in 27 eyes. Intraocular lens was implanted at first attempt in 12 eyes; during a second operation in 12 eyes and 6 eyes remained aphakic. At any follow-up, no signs of postoperative complications were observed. Secondary retinal detachment occurred in 12 eyes. Mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 0.04, on the Snellen scale; it increased to 0.07, at last follow-up. Mean intraocular pressure was 17.97 mmHg. All eyes were preserved.
CONCLUSION
T-shaped scleral incision could be an effective, safe and easy-to-perform standard procedure to remove large IOFBs during pars plana vitrectomy, without increasing the risk of surgical complications and additional damage to the ocular tissues.
PubMed: 38808133
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1399321 -
Dental Research Journal 2024This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of common gum protection and antiplaque toothpastes against () and () as important periodontal pathogens.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of common gum protection and antiplaque toothpastes against () and () as important periodontal pathogens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This experimental study investigated the antimicrobial activity of 15 commonly used toothpastes from different companies on the two common types of periopathogens, and . The antimicrobial activity of toothpaste was evaluated at three concentrations of 100%, 50%, and 25% and analyzed by agar well diffusion plate method and zone of inhibition. The obtained data were compared and statistically analyzed by SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and the least significant difference tests (α = 0.05).
RESULTS
One-way ANOVA showed that the mean diameter of the two-bacterial zone of inhibition was significantly different at 100%, 50%, and 25% concentrations of toothpastes ( < 0.001). In general, the mean diameter of the zone of inhibition was greater at 100% concentration than the other two concentrations in all toothpastes. The highest zone of inhibition of the was in the toothpastes containing tin. Further, the highest zone of inhibition of was found in the triclosan-containing toothpastes.
CONCLUSION
Toothpastes containing triclosan had the most antimicrobial activity against . Moreover, toothpastes containing tin compounds had the most antimicrobial effect against .
PubMed: 38807660
DOI: No ID Found -
Medical Ultrasonography May 2024To investigate the correlation between time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters obtained from transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (TR-CEUS) and important pathological...
AIMS
To investigate the correlation between time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters obtained from transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (TR-CEUS) and important pathological prognostic factors in rectal adenocarcinoma.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We retrospectively included 477 patients with pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma. TIC parameters were derived from preoperative dynamic TR-CEUS images. These parameters included peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP),mean transit time (MTT), slope (S), and area under the curve (AREA). Pathological prognostic factors included TN stage, tumor diameter, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion, and tumor differentiation. Spearman's correlation analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the association between TIC parameters and pathological prognostic factors.
RESULTS
pT1-2 stages rectal carcinomas exhibited higher PI-max, PI-min, S-max, S-min, AREA-max, and AREA-min than pT3-4 stages (all p<0.05). pN0 stage rectal adenocarcinomas displayed higher PI-max, S-max, AREA-max, PI-ratio, Sratio, and AREA-ratio than pN1-2 stage (all p<0.05). PI-ratio and S-ratio were higher in the LVI-negative and tumor diameter ≥4cm group compared to the LVI-positive and tumor diameter <4cm group, respectively (p<0.05). Well-differentiated rectal adenocarcinomas displayed higher PI-max, AREA-max, PI-ratio, S-ratio, and AREA-ratio than the moderate-poor differentiated group (all p<0.05). PI-max, S-max, AREA-max, PI-ratio, S-ratio, and AREA-ratio were negatively correlated with pN stage (all p<0.05). PI-ratio and S-ratio were independent predictive factors for the pN stage (OR=0.774, OR=1.048). S-ratio and AREA-ratio were independent predictive factors for tumor differentiation (OR=1.071, OR=0.911).
CONCLUSIONS
TIC parameters derived from TR-CEUS exhibit correlations with specific pathological prognostic factors in rectal adenocarcinomas. This non-invasive method may hold promise for preoperatively assessing the prognosis of rectal adenocarcinoma patients.
PubMed: 38805619
DOI: 10.11152/mu-4375 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease globally accounting for approximately 1 million new cases annually. Chemotherapy remains the main therapeutic option, but the...
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease globally accounting for approximately 1 million new cases annually. Chemotherapy remains the main therapeutic option, but the antitumor efficacy needs to be improved.
METHODS
Two multifunctional nanoparticles were developed in this paper using oleic acid and mPEG-PCL as the drug carriers. Squamocin (Squ) was employed as a chemotherapeutic agent. Resiquimod (R848) or ginsenoside Rh2 was co-encapsulated in the nanoparticles to remold the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and IR780 was coloaded as a photosensitizer to realize photothermal therapy.
RESULTS
The obtained Squ-R848-IR780 nanoparticles and Squ-Rh2-IR780 nanoparticles were uniformly spherical and approximately (162.200 ± 2.800) nm and (157.300 ± 1.1590) nm, respectively, in average diameter, with good encapsulation efficiency (above 85% for each drug), excellent stability in various physiological media and high photothermal conversion efficiency (24.10% and 22.58%, respectively). After intravenous administration, both nanoparticles quickly accumulated in the tumor and effectively enhanced the local temperature of the tumor to over 45 °C when irradiated by an 808 nm laser. At a low dose of 0.1 mg/kg, Squ nanoparticles treatment alone displayed a tumor inhibition rate of 55.28%, pulmonary metastasis inhibition rate of 59.47% and a mean survival time of 38 days, which were all higher than those of PTX injection (8 mg/kg) (43.64%, 25 days and 37.25%), indicating that Squ was a potent and effective antitumor agent. Both multifunctional nanoparticles, Squ-Rh2-IR780 nanoparticles and Squ-R848-IR780 nanoparticles, demonstrated even better therapeutic efficacy, with tumor inhibition rates of 90.02% and 97.28%, pulmonary metastasis inhibition rates of 95.42% and 98.09, and mean survival times of 46 days and 52 days, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The multifunctional nanoparticles coloaded with squamocin, R848 and IR 780 achieved extraordinary therapeutic efficacy and excellent antimetastasis activity and are thus promising in the future treatment of breast tumors and probably other tumors.
Topics: Female; Breast Neoplasms; Animals; Nanoparticles; Humans; Indoles; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice; Drug Carriers; Antineoplastic Agents; Photothermal Therapy; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Photosensitizing Agents; Imidazoles; Lung Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38803997
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S448860 -
Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic... 2024Twin pregnancy is associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. It is necessary to estimate the weight difference of the fetuses with a reliable method to...
BACKGROUND
Twin pregnancy is associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. It is necessary to estimate the weight difference of the fetuses with a reliable method to prevent possible complications. This study was conducted to compare the association between the Estimated fetal weight (EFW) discord-ance and the Abdominal Circumference (AC) discordance with birth weight in twins.
METHODS
This was a descriptive-analytical and retrospective study. The statistical population was all twin pregnant mothers referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz from 2017 to 2019. The sample size was determined with a census (540 people). Based on AC , the size of head circumference (HC), femur length (FL), and the Biparietal Diameter (BPD), EFW was calculated. Then the EFW Dis-cordance and AC Discordance were calculated and compared with the birth weight. Data were analyzed using SPSS18. Unpaired, Two-Tailed T-test and Pearson correlation test were used.
RESULTS
The results showed that the mean discordance of fetal weight in twin pregnancies in the EFW method was 9.25%, in the AC method was 9.89% and finally, at birth, was 10.72%. The correla-tion of the weight difference between the two embryos in the AC method with the time of birth (r = 0.922 and < 0.001) was higher than in the EFW method with the time of birth (r = 0.69 and < 0.001) and finally, it was found that in detecting the discordance more than 20% and 25%, AC diagnostic power was good, but EFW was moderate.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, to evaluate the weight and weight difference in twin embryos, the AC method has the appropriate accuracy and compatibility. Another major prospective study to evaluate the diagnostic performance of AC and EFW mismatch based on gestational age at scan, incision point, and maternal and placental characteristics to determine true ultrasound diagnostic accuracy in predict-ing growth mismatch in twin pregnancy and optimal post-case management option is needed.
PubMed: 38803389
DOI: 10.47176/mjiri.38.30 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... May 2024We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system (3DVAPS) in ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation...
Value of the three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system in ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for malignant adrenal tumors: A clinical comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the three-dimensional visualization ablation planning system (3DVAPS) in ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (US-PMWA) for malignant adrenal tumors (MATs).
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 62 unilateral MAT cases from March 2011 to November 2022. There were a total of 62 lesions, with a mean maximum diameter of 5.4 ± 2.7 cm (range, 1.4-15.7 cm). The patients were categorized into the following, based on the pre-operative planning method: 3D planning (n = 32) and 2D planning (n = 30) groups. A comparative analysis was performed on various parameters, including ablation techniques, tumor-related prognosis, and incidence of complications. This analysis encompassed indicators, such as overall survival (OS) rate and local tumor progression (LTP), among others.
RESULTS
The median follow-up period was 30 months (range, 3-84 months). Notably, compared with the 2D planning group, the 3D planning group exhibited significant disparities in the number of punctures (P = 0.035) and incidence of complications (P = 0.029) and had no significant difference in the OS (P > 0.05) but had a significantly lower LTP rate (6.2% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.033). In the 3D planning group, the sub-group with a tumor diameter of < 5 cm exhibited a significantly less number of punctures (P = 0.039), lower input energy (P = 0.002), and a shorter ablation time (P = 0.001), compared with the sub-group with a tumor diameter of ≥ 5 cm, but there was no significant difference in the LTP and OS rates between the two sub-groups (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The use of 3DVAPS in US-PMWA of MATs was advantageous, especially in lesions with a diameter of ≥ 5 cm. It can help in developing more rational surgical plans, reducing the incidence of complications, and extending the local recurrence-free survival time of patients and can add a certain value for precise treatment and expand the indications for ablation.
PubMed: 38801760
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2315_23 -
Accuracy of orthodontic movements with 3D printed aligners: A prospective observational pilot study.Korean Journal of Orthodontics May 2024Owing to the availability of 3D software, scanners, and printers, clinicians are encouraged to produce in-office aligners. Recently, a new directprinting resin (Tera...
OBJECTIVE
Owing to the availability of 3D software, scanners, and printers, clinicians are encouraged to produce in-office aligners. Recently, a new directprinting resin (Tera Harz TC-85DAC) has been introduced. Studies on its mechanical characteristics and biological effects have been published; however, evidence on its efficacy in orthodontic treatment remains scarce. This pilot study aimed to investigate the accuracy of teeth movement achieved with directprinted aligners.
METHODS
Seventeen patients (eight males and nine females) with a mean age of 27.67 ± 8.95 years, presenting with dental rotations < 30° and spaces/crowding < 5 mm, were recruited for this study. The teeth movement was planned starting from a T0 digital dental cast. The 3D direct-printed aligners were produced using Tera Harz TC-85DAC resin. Once the orthodontic treatment was completed, a final digital cast was obtained (T1). The planned teeth positions were then superimposed onto the T0 and T1 digital models. The differences between the programmed movements and the achieved overall torque, tip, rotation, and transverse dimensions were assessed using the paired t test or Wilcoxon's signed rank test.
RESULTS
The overall accuracies for torque, tip, and rotation were 67.6%, 64.2%, and 72.0%, respectively. The accuracy of the change in transverse diameter was 99.6%.
CONCLUSIONS
Within the limits of the present pilot study (difficulties with abnormally shaped teeth and use of attachments), it can be concluded that 3D printed aligners can be successfully printed in-house and utilized for mildly crowded cases, with a comparable accuracy of tooth movement to that of other aligners.
PubMed: 38800861
DOI: 10.4041/kjod23.268 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Medical imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and fluorescence imaging, have gained widespread acceptance in clinical practice for...
BACKGROUND
Medical imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and fluorescence imaging, have gained widespread acceptance in clinical practice for tumor diagnosis. Each imaging modality has its own unique principles, advantages, and limitations, thus necessitating a multimodal approach for a comprehensive disease understanding of the disease process. To enhance diagnostic precision, physicians frequently integrate data from multiple imaging modalities, driving research advancements in multimodal imaging technology research.
METHODS
In this study, hematoporphyrin-poly (lactic acid) (HP-PLLA) polymer was prepared via ring-opening polymerization and thoroughly characterized using FT-IR, H-NMR, XRD, and TGA. HP-PLLA based nanoparticles encapsulating perfluoropentane (PFP) and salicylic acid were prepared via emulsion-solvent evaporation. Zeta potential and mean diameter were assessed using DLS and TEM. Biocompatibility was evaluated via cell migration, hemolysis, and cytotoxicity assays. Ultrasonic imaging was performed with a dedicated apparatus, while CEST MRI was conducted using a 7.0 T animal scanner.
RESULTS
We designed and prepared a novel dual-mode nanoimaging probe SA/PFP@HP-PLLA NPs. PFP enhanced US imaging, while salicylic acid bolstered CEST imaging. With an average size of 74.43 ± 1.12 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.175 ± 0.015, and a surface zeta potential of -64.1 ± 2.11 mV. These NPs exhibit excellent biocompatibility and stability. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the SA/PFP@HP-PLLA NP's ability to improve tumor characterization and diagnostic precision.
CONCLUSION
The SA/PFP@HP-PLLA NPs demonstrate promising dual-modality imaging capabilities, indicating their potential for preclinical and clinical use as a contrast agent.
Topics: Fluorocarbons; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Animals; Polyesters; Nanoparticles; Humans; Salicylic Acid; Hematoporphyrins; Mice; Ultrasonography; Contrast Media; Cell Line, Tumor; Multimodal Imaging; Pentanes
PubMed: 38799695
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S454486