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Vaccines Jun 2024Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor. Standard treatments including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have failed... (Review)
Review
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor. Standard treatments including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have failed to significantly improve the prognosis of glioblastoma patients. Currently, immunotherapeutic approaches based on vaccines, chimeric antigen-receptor T-cells, checkpoint inhibitors, and oncolytic virotherapy are showing promising results in clinical trials. The combination of different immunotherapeutic approaches is proving satisfactory and promising. In view of the challenges of immunotherapy and the resistance of glioblastomas, the treatment of these tumors requires further efforts. In this review, we explore the obstacles that potentially influence the efficacy of the response to immunotherapy and that should be taken into account in clinical trials. This article provides a comprehensive review of vaccine therapy for glioblastoma. In addition, we identify the main biomarkers, including isocitrate dehydrogenase, epidermal growth factor receptor, and telomerase reverse transcriptase, known as potential immunotherapeutic targets in glioblastoma, as well as the current status of clinical trials. This paper also lists proposed solutions to overcome the obstacles facing immunotherapy in glioblastomas.
PubMed: 38932383
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060655 -
Viruses Jun 2024Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are widespread human pathogens that establish chronic latent infections leading to recurrent episodes. Current...
Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are widespread human pathogens that establish chronic latent infections leading to recurrent episodes. Current treatments are limited, necessitating the development of novel antiviral strategies. This study aimed to assess the antiviral efficacy of novel topical formulations containing interferon alpha-2b (IFN α-2b) against HSV-1 and HSV-2. The formulations, Oftalmoferon forte (eye drops) and Interferon Vaginal Tablets, demonstrated potent antiviral effects against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Vero cells, respectively, with concentration-dependent inhibition of viral replication. Subsequently, their efficacy was tested in animal models: HSV-1 keratitis in the rabbit eye model and HSV-2 genital herpes in mice. Oftalmoferon forte effectively treated HSV-1 keratitis, reducing clinical symptoms and ulcerations compared to virus control. Interferon Vaginal Tablets showed promising results in controlling HSV-2 genital herpes in mice, improving survival rates, reducing clinical signs, weight loss and viral replication. The novel IFN α-2b formulations exhibited significant antiviral activity against HSV infections in cell culture and animal models. These findings suggest the potential of these formulations as alternative treatments for HSV infections, particularly in cases resistant to current therapies. Further studies are warranted to optimize treatment regimens and assess clinical efficacy in humans.
Topics: Animals; Rabbits; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Antiviral Agents; Mice; Herpes Genitalis; Disease Models, Animal; Keratitis, Herpetic; Chlorocebus aethiops; Female; Vero Cells; Interferon alpha-2; Virus Replication; Administration, Topical; Ophthalmic Solutions; Interferon-alpha; Humans
PubMed: 38932280
DOI: 10.3390/v16060989 -
Viruses Jun 2024Cervical cancer, along with other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) conditions, poses a significant burden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Despite...
Cervical cancer, along with other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) conditions, poses a significant burden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Despite the availability of effective preventive methods such as vaccinations, particularly against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), awareness about such preventive methods and HPV vaccination remains alarmingly low in the KSA, even with governmental effort and support. While many women are aware of the risks, the uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below 10% (7.6%) at the country level. This highlights the urgent need for Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) at the community level to raise awareness, dispel misconceptions, and empower women to embrace vaccinations. Additionally, there is a need to revitalize the cancer registry system to better track and monitor cervical cancer cases. This short communication aims to map these barriers while identifying opportunities for impactful research. Drawing from the scientific literature, government reports, and expert insights, we highlight the challenges surrounding the tackling of HPV. By exploring diverse sources of knowledge, this paper not only highlights current obstacles but also proposes actionable solutions for future interventions.
Topics: Humans; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Female; Papillomavirus Infections; Saudi Arabia; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Vaccination; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Papillomaviridae
PubMed: 38932266
DOI: 10.3390/v16060974 -
Viruses Jun 2024Shah and colleagues [...].
Shah and colleagues [...].
Topics: Phylogeography; Phylogeny; Genome, Viral; Humans; Animals
PubMed: 38932219
DOI: 10.3390/v16060927 -
Polymers Jun 2024Increasing concern over the safety of consumable products, particularly aquatic products, due to freshness issues, has become a pressing issue. Therefore, ensuring the...
Increasing concern over the safety of consumable products, particularly aquatic products, due to freshness issues, has become a pressing issue. Therefore, ensuring the quality and safety of aquatic products is paramount. To address this, a dual-mode colorimetric-fluorescence sensor utilizing Ce-MOF as a mimic peroxidase to detect HS was developed. Ce-MOF was prepared by a conventional solvothermal synthesis method. Ce-MOF catalyzed the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by hydrogen peroxide (HO) to produce blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB). When dissolved, hydrogen sulfide (HS) was present in the solution, and it inhibited the catalytic effect of Ce-MOF and caused the color of the solution to fade from blue to colorless. This change provided an intuitive indication for the detection of HS. Through steady-state dynamic analysis, the working mechanism of this sensor was elucidated. The sensor exhibited pronounced color changes from blue to colorless, accompanied by a shift in fluorescence from none to light blue. Additionally, UV-vis absorption demonstrated a linear correlation with the HS concentration, ranging from 200 to 2300 µM, with high sensitivity (limit of detection, LOD = 0.262 μM). Fluorescence intensity also showed a linear correlation, ranging from 16 to 320 µM, with high selectivity and sensitivity (LOD = 0.156 μM). These results underscore the sensor's effectiveness in detecting HS. Furthermore, the sensor enhanced the accuracy of HS detection and fulfilled the requirements for assessing food freshness and safety.
PubMed: 38932098
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121747 -
Polymers Jun 2024Six differently charged amphoteric polyamidoamines, synthesized by the polyaddition of ,'-methylenebisacrylamide to alanine, leucine, serine, arginine (M-ARG), glutamic...
Six differently charged amphoteric polyamidoamines, synthesized by the polyaddition of ,'-methylenebisacrylamide to alanine, leucine, serine, arginine (M-ARG), glutamic acid (M-GLU) and a glycine/cystine mixture, were screened for their short-term phytotoxicity using a seed germination test. L. seeds were incubated in polyamidoamine water solutions with concentrations ranging from 0.156 to 2.5 mg mL at 25 ± 1 °C for 120 h. The seed germination percentage (%), an indicator of acute toxicity, and both root and shoot elongation, related to plant maturation, were the considered endpoints. The germination index () was calculated as the product of relative seed germination times relative radical growth. The % values were in all cases comparable to those obtained in water, indicating no detectable acute phytotoxicity of the polyamidoamines. In the short term, the predominantly positively charged M-ARG proved to be phytotoxic at all concentrations ( < 0.8), whereas the predominantly negatively charged M-GLU proved to be biostimulating at intermediate concentrations ( > 1) and slightly inhibitory at 2.5 mg mL (0.8 < < 1). Overall, polyamidoamine phytotoxicity could be correlated to charge distribution, demonstrating the potential of the test for predicting and interpreting the eco-toxicological behavior of water-soluble polyelectrolytes.
PubMed: 38932092
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121744 -
Polymers Jun 2024In this study, we report an easy approach for the production of aqueous dispersions of C fullerene with good stability. Maleic acid copolymers, poly(styrene--maleic...
In this study, we report an easy approach for the production of aqueous dispersions of C fullerene with good stability. Maleic acid copolymers, poly(styrene--maleic acid) (SM), poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone--maleic acid) (VM) and poly(ethylene--maleic acid) (EM) were used to stabilize C fullerene molecules in an aqueous environment by forming non-covalent complexes. Polymer conjugates were prepared by mixing a solution of fullerene in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) with an aqueous solution of the copolymer, followed by exhaustive dialysis against water. The molar ratios of maleic acid residues in the copolymer and C were 5/1 for SM and VM and 10/1 for EM. The volume ratio of NMP and water used was 1:1.2-1.6. Water-soluble complexes (composites) dried lyophilically retained solubility in NMP and water but were practically insoluble in non-polar solvents. The optical and physical properties of the preparations were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, DLS, TGA and XPS. The average diameter of the composites in water was 120-200 nm, and the ξ-potential ranged from -16 to -20 mV. The bactericidal properties of the obtained nanostructures were studied. Toxic reagents and time-consuming procedures were not used in the preparation of water-soluble C nanocomposites stabilized by the proposed copolymers.
PubMed: 38932086
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121736 -
Polymers Jun 2024Car manufacturers are currently challenged with increasing the sustainability of their products and production to comply with sustainability requirements and...
Car manufacturers are currently challenged with increasing the sustainability of their products and production to comply with sustainability requirements and legislation. One way to enhance product sustainability is by reducing the carbon footprint of fossil-based plastic parts. Particle foams are a promising solution to achieve the goal of using lightweight parts with minimal material input. Ongoing developments involve the use of expanded particle foam beads made from engineering plastics such as polyamide (EPA). To achieve this, a simulated life cycle was carried out on virgin EPA, including mechanical recycling. The virgin material was processed into specimens using a steam-free method. One series was artificially aged to replicate automotive life cycle stresses, while the other series was not. The mechanical recycling and re-foaming of the minipellets were then carried out, resulting in an EPA particle foam with 100% recycled content. Finally, the thermal and chemical material properties were comparatively analysed. The study shows that the recycled EPA beads underwent polymer degradation during the simulated life cycle, as evidenced by their material properties. For instance, the recycled beads showed a more heterogeneous molecular weight distribution (an increase in PDI from two to three), contained carbonyl groups, and exhibited an increase in the degree of crystallization from approximately 24% to 36%.
PubMed: 38932080
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121730 -
Polymers Jun 2024This study addresses the need for enhanced antimicrobial properties of electrospun membranes, either through surface modifications or the incorporation of antimicrobial...
This study addresses the need for enhanced antimicrobial properties of electrospun membranes, either through surface modifications or the incorporation of antimicrobial agents, which are crucial for improved clinical outcomes. In this context, chitosan-a biopolymer lauded for its biocompatibility and extracellular matrix-mimicking properties-emerges as an excellent candidate for tissue regeneration. However, fabricating chitosan nanofibers via electrospinning often challenges the preservation of their structural integrity. This research innovatively develops a chitosan/polycaprolactone (CH/PCL) composite nanofibrous membrane by employing a layer-by-layer electrospinning technique, enhanced with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized through a wet chemical process. The antibacterial efficacy, adhesive properties, and cytotoxicity of electrospun chitosan membranes were evaluated, while also analyzing their hydrophilicity and nanofibrous structure using SEM. The resulting CH/PCL-AgNPs composite membranes retain a porous framework, achieve balanced hydrophilicity, display commendable biocompatibility, and exert broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with their efficacy correlating to the AgNP concentration. Furthermore, our data suggest that the antimicrobial efficiency of these membranes is influenced by the timed release of silver ions during the incubation period. Membranes incorporated starting with AgNPs at a concentration of 50 µg/mL effectively suppressed the growth of both microorganisms during the early stages up to 8 h of incubation. These insights underscore the potential of the developed electrospun composite membranes, with their superior antibacterial qualities, to serve as innovative solutions in the field of tissue engineering.
PubMed: 38932079
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121729 -
Polymers Jun 2024The roll coating method is of considerable significance in several industries, as it is applied practically in the production of paint, the manufacturing of PVC-coated...
The roll coating method is of considerable significance in several industries, as it is applied practically in the production of paint, the manufacturing of PVC-coated cloth, and the plastic industry. The current study theoretically and computationally analyses the Powell-Eyring fluids with variable viscosity during the non-isothermal roll-over web phenomenon. Based on the lubrication approximation theory (LAT), the problem was formulated. The system of partial differential equations (PDEs) obtained from the mathematical modeling was further simplified to a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using suitable transformations. A regular perturbation method was implemented to obtain the solution in terms of velocity, pressure gradient, pressure, and flow rate per unit width. This study also captures important engineering characteristics such as coating thickness, Nusselt number, shear stress, roll/sheet separating force, and roll-transmitted power to the fluid. Along with a comparison between the present work and published work, both graphical and tabular representations wer made to study the effects of various factors. It was observed that the velocity profile is the decreasing function of non-Newtonian and Reynold viscosity parameters. In addition, the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the sensitivity of the shear stress and the Nusselt number.
PubMed: 38932073
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121723