A highly tumor-targeted nanoparticle of podophyllotoxin penetrated tumor core and regressed multidrug resistant tumors

Podophyllotoxin (PPT) exhibited significant activity against P-glycoprotein mediated multidrug resistant (MDR) tumor cell lines; however, due to its poor solubility and high toxicity, PPT cannot be dosed systemically, preventing its clinical use for MDR cancer. We developed a nanoparticle dosage form of PPT by covalently conjugating PPT and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with acetylated carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Ac) using one-pot esterification chemistry. The polymer conjugates self-assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) of variable sizes (20–120 nm) depending on the PPT-to-PEG molar ratio (2–20). The conjugate with a low PPT/PEG molar ratio of 2 yielded NPs with a mean diameter of 20 nm and released PPT at ∼5%/day in serum, while conjugates with increased PPT/PEG ratios (5 and 20) produced bigger particles (30 nm and 120 nm respectively) that displayed slower drug release (∼2.5%/day and ∼1%/day respectively). The 20 nm particles exhibited 2- to 5-fold enhanced cell killing potency and 5- to 20-fold increased tumor delivery compared to the larger NPs. The biodistribution of the 20 nm PPT-NPs was highly selective to the tumor with 8-fold higher accumulation than all other examined tissues, while the larger PPT-NPs (30 and 120 nm) exhibited increased liver uptake. Within the tumor, >90% of the 20 nm PPT-NPs penetrated to the hypovascular core, while the larger particles were largely restricted in the hypervascular periphery. The 20 nm PPT-NPs displayed significantly improved efficacy against MDR tumors in mice compared to the larger PPT-NPs, native PPT and the standard taxane chemotherapies, with minimal toxicity.     

DNA酶Ⅰ的研究进展

1905年人类首次在牛胰腺中发现DNA酶Ⅰ。目前已发现DNA酶Ⅰ存在6种编码蛋白的基因多态性、单核苷酸多态性和内含子4的可变串联重复序列。DNA酶Ⅰ不仅水解双链DNA，参与外源DNA的代谢、而且与细胞凋亡、坏死细胞染色质降解及系统性红斑狼疮、胃肠道肿瘤和心肌梗死发生密切相关。DNA酶Ⅰ是亲子鉴定及犯罪学鉴定良好的生化标志物，血清DNA酶Ⅰ活性升高可以作为一种新的高敏感性的急性心肌缺血标志物、酶表型分析可用于预测疾病易感性。     

Ferulic acid enhances insulin secretion by potentiating L-type Ca2+ channel activation

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of ferulic acid, a natural compound, on pancreatic beta cell viability, Ca²⁺ channels, and insulin secretion.MethodsWe studied the effects of ferulic acid on rat insulinoma cell line viability using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide viability assay. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were also used to examine the action of ferulic acid on Ca²⁺ channels and insulin secretion, respectively.ResultsFerulic acid did not affect cell viability during exposures up to 72 h. The electrophysiological study demonstrated that ferulic acid rapidly and concentration-dependently increased L-type Ca²⁺ channel current, shifting its activation curve in the hyperpolarizing direction with a decreased slope factor, while the voltage dependence of inactivation was not affected. On the other hand, ferulic acid have no effect on T-type Ca²⁺ channels. Furthermore, ferulic acid significantly increased insulin secretion, an effect inhibited by nifedipine and Ca²⁺-free extracellular fluid, confirming that ferulic acid-induced insulin secretion in these cells was mediated by augmenting Ca²⁺ influx through L-type Ca²⁺ channel. Our data also suggest that this may be a direct, nongenomic action.ConclusionThis is the first electrophysiological demonstration that acute ferulic acid treatment could increase L-type Ca²⁺ channel current in pancreatic β cells by enhancing its voltage dependence of activation, leading to insulin secretion.     

内镜下全腹膜外Sublay修补在腹壁疝中的应用

目的评价腹壁疝内镜下全腹膜外Sublay(TES)手术的效果并总结经验。方法回顾性总结国内10所医院自2016年3月至2019年7月115例腹壁疝内镜下TES手术的患者资料。分析患者情况、疝的特点、手术经过和结果。结果115例计划实施TES的患者中,因严重腹膜破损中转为IPOM修补患者1例,其余均成功手术。可以缝合缺损患者108例(94.74%),需要永久补片固定患者15例(13.16%)。放置引流患者76例(66.67%),中位手术时间为144 min,术中无严重并发症发生。随访时间3~45个月,总并发症发生率为20例(17.54%),其中出现血清肿患者5例(4.38%)。绝大多数患者术后仅出现轻微疼痛,未出现慢性疼痛。结论在腹壁疝的治疗中,对熟悉腹壁解剖的外科医师而言,TES是一种有效、安全的修复手段。在熟悉手术的基础上适应症可逐步拓展。     

Effects of escitalopram on menopause-specific quality of life and pain in healthy menopausal women with hot flashes: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of escitalopram 10–20 mg/day on menopause-related quality of life and pain in healthy menopausal women with hot flashes.Study designA double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of escitalopram 10–20 mg/day vs. identical placebo was conducted among 205 women ages 40–62 years with an average of ≥4 daily hot flashes recruited at 4 clinical sites from July 2009 to June 2010.Main outcome measuresThe primary trial outcomes, reported previously, were the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms at 8 weeks. Here, we report on the pre-specified secondary endpoints of total and domain scores from the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) and the pain intensity and interference scale (PEG).ResultsOutcome data were collected on 97% of randomized women and 87% of women took at least 70% of their study medication. Treatment with escitalopram resulted in significantly greater improvement in total MENQOL scores (mean difference at 8 weeks of −0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.71 to −0.11; p < 0.001), as well as Vasomotor, Psychosocial, and Physical domain scores with the largest difference seen in the Vasomotor domain (mean difference −0.75; 95% CI −1.28 to −0.22; p = 0.02). There was no significant treatment group difference for the Sexual Function domain. Escitalopram treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in PEG scores compared to placebo (mean treatment group difference at 8 weeks of −0.33; 95% CI −0.81 to 0.15; p = 0.045).ConclusionsTreatment with escitalopram 10–20 mg/day in healthy women with vasomotor symptoms significantly improved menopause-related quality of life and pain.