Bioactive Compounds in the Ethanol Extract of Marine Sponge Stylissa carteri Demonstrates Potential Anti-Cancer Activity in Breast Cancer Cells

Objective: Despite advanced treatment options available, drug resistance develops in breast cancer (BC) patientsrequiring novel effective drugs. Stylissa carteri, a marine sponge predominantly living in Indonesia territories, hasnot been extensively studied as anti-cancer. Therefore, this study targeted to assess the anti-tumor activity of theethanol extract of S. carteri in BC cells. Methods: S. carteri was collected from Pramuka Island, at Kepulauan SeribuNational Park, Jakarta, Indonesia and extracted using ethanol. Different BC cells including MDA MB 231, MDAMB 468, SKBR3, HCC-1954 and MCF-7 cells were treated with this extract for cytotoxic analysis using MTT assay.Spheroid growth assay and apoptosis assay were conducted in HCC-1954 cells. In addition, cell migration analysis andsynergistic activity with doxorubicin or paclitaxel were conducted in MDA MB 231 cells. This extract was subjectedalso for GC-MS analysis. Results: The results show that ethanol extract of S. carteri demonstrated a cytotoxic activityin BC cells. The IC50 of this extract was lower 15 μg/ml in MDA MB 231, MDA MB 468, SKBR3, and HCC-1954cells. Moreover, this extract inhibited spheroids growth and induced apoptosis in HCC-1954 cells. It inhibited cellmigration and demonstrated a synergistic activity with doxorubicin or paclitaxel on triggering cell death in MDA MB231 cells. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis indicated that this extract contained 1,2-Benzenediol, Dibutyl phthalate and9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester. Conclusion: Our preliminary data indicate a potential anti-tumor activity ofethanol extract of S. carteri in breast cancer cells.     

Timing of Uterine Artery Embolization for Leiomyoma during the Menstrual Cycle

PurposeTo investigate differences in outcomes of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyoma when performed during different phases of the menstrual cycle.Materials and MethodsIn this single-institution retrospective analysis, 111 premenopausal patients (median [range] age, 44 [33–52] years) undergoing UAE for symptomatic leiomyoma between June 2014 and February 2020 were included. Twenty-one patients underwent UAE in the menstrual phase (the early follicular phase), 27 in the late follicular phase, and 63 in the luteal phase. Baseline characteristics and technical and peri-procedural outcomes were compared among groups. Leiomyoma infarction on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging 1 week after UAE and 4-month outcomes, including changes in the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life questionnaire scores, the volume reduction rates of the uterus and largest leiomyoma, follicle stimulating hormone values, adverse events, and amenorrhea, were compared among groups.ResultsA 4-month follow-up was completed for all patients. No significant differences were observed among groups in baseline characteristics or technical and peri-procedural outcomes. There were no significant differences in the multivariate-adjusted 1-week infarction rates of all leiomyoma volumes (P = .161) or multivariate-adjusted 4-month outcomes, including changes in the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life questionnaire symptoms and total scores (P = .864 and P = .798, respectively), the volume reduction rates of the uterus and the largest leiomyoma (P = .865 and P = .965, respectively), and follicle stimulating hormone values (P = .186) among the groups. No significant differences were noted in the 4-month adverse events (P = .260) or amenorrhea (P = .793) among the groups.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated no significant differences in the outcomes of UAE for leiomyoma when performed during different phases of the menstrual cycle.     

丹银海绵对糖尿病大鼠皮肤溃疡创面愈合的影响

目的:探讨丹银海绵对糖尿病大鼠皮肤溃疡创面愈合的影响。方法:将雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为8组。除空白对照组外,其余7组大鼠,通过手术在其背部形成一10mm×10mm相同大小,深达肌层的溃疡,分别给予抗生素、生长因子凝胶、纳米银、丹黄散,以及不同浓度的丹银海绵处理溃疡面。给药28d后处死大鼠,取溃疡部位新生肉芽组织,HE染色观察组织形态的变化;WesternBlot检测大鼠创面组织中AGEs、hs-CRP、IL-1、IL-6、bFGF、PDGF、VEGF表达水平。结果:病理切片观察显示适宜浓度的丹银海绵可以促进血管新生并伴扩张,同时生成大量新生成纤维细胞。WesternBlot检测显示高浓度的丹银海绵可以显著上调创面组织中生长因子表达(P<0.05),降低AGEs水平及炎症因子表达(P<0.05)。结论:适宜浓度的丹银海绵对于糖尿病大鼠皮肤溃疡的愈合有明显的促进作用,提高治疗效果。     

Biodegradable Polydioxanone Microspheres for Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: Proof of Principle

PurposeTo evaluate feasibility, embolization success, biodegradability, reperfusion, and biocompatibility of biodegradable microspheres (MS) made from polydioxanone (PDO) for transcatheter arterial embolization.Materials and MethodsUnilateral selective renal embolization of a segmental artery was performed in 16 New Zealand White rabbits with PDO-MS (100–150 μm and 90–315 μm). Animals were randomly assigned to different observation periods and underwent control digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MR imaging immediately (n = 3), 1 week (n = 2), 4 weeks (n = 2), 8 weeks (n = 2), 12 weeks (n = 5), and 16 weeks (n = 2) after embolization. Kidneys were harvested for macroscopic and histologic analysis of embolization success, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.ResultsEmbolization was technically successful in 15 of 16 animals. One animal died of anesthesia-related circulatory failure. The 100–150 μm MS were injected easily through 3-F catheters; the 90–315 μm MS tended to clog with intermittent catheter obstruction. DSA and MR imaging showed successful target embolization in 13 of 15 animals. In 2 animals, the entire kidney was affected owing to catheter clogging, including a reflux of MS while flushing. Control DSA and MR imaging showed increasing vascular reperfusion with time. Macroscopic and histologic analysis revealed necrosis/infarction in areas in which embolization was achieved. MS were extensively degraded after 16 weeks, and overall inflammatory reaction was mild.ConclusionsBiodegradable PDO-MS induced effective embolization of target vessels while demonstrating good biocompatibility. MS increasingly dissolved at 16 weeks, partial reperfusion started at week 1, and complete reperfusion started at week 8, thus offering possible advantages as a temporary embolic agent.     

Control the fate of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with dual‐enzymatically cross‐linked gelatin hydrogels for potential applications in nerve regeneration

Stem‐cell‐based therapy is a promising strategy to treat challenging neurological diseases, while its application is hindered primarily by the low viability and uncontrolled differentiation of stem cell. Hydrogel can be properly engineered to share similar characteristics with the target tissue, thus promoting cell viability and directing cell differentiation. In this study, we proposed a new dual‐enzymatically cross‐linked and injectable gelatin hydrogel for regulating survival, proliferation, and differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC‐MSCs) in a three‐dimensional matrix. This injectable gelatin hydrogel was formed by oxidative coupling of gelatin–hydroxyphenyl acid conjugates catalyzed by hydrogen horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and choline oxidase (ChOx). Modulus and H₂O₂ release can be well controlled by ChOx activity. Results from calcein‐AM/PI staining and Ki67 immunofluorescence tests demonstrated that the survival and proliferation behavior of hUC‐MSCs were highly enhanced in HRP_1UChOx_0.25U hydrogel with lower modulus and less H₂O₂ release compared with other groups. Attractively, the expression of neuron‐specific markers β‐III tubulin, neurofilament light chain (NFL), and synapsin‐1 was significantly increased in HRP_1UChOx_0.25U hydrogel as well. Additionally, in vitro hemolysis test and in vivo HE staining data highlighted the good biocompatibility. Undoubtedly, this injectable gelatin hydrogel's ability to control hUC‐MSCs' fate holds enormous potentials in nervous disorders' therapy and nerve regeneration.     

Using online content uniformity measurements for rapid automated process development exemplified via an X-ray system

This paper addresses the relevance of automated content testing for the rapid automated process development (RAPD). Our previous work demonstrated that RAPD allowed a fast and efficient development of a continuous capsule-filling process. Target was the mean weight and the relative standard deviation of the weight. Likewise important are the content and the content uniformity. However, an implementation demands a certain level of automation. In general, technology is available that can detect active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) inside the capsules but the final application is linked to additional development and investment in machinery. To eliminate doubts regarding the benefits of an automated content check within the RAPD we present an application example. First, an X-ray system was used to detect barium sulfate accurately inside capsules. Second, a process was developed where barium sulfate was filled. The concentration of excipients was modified in the experiments, as well as the setting of the process parameter. The obtained model provided an explicit understanding of the process. Subsequently, the content uniformity model was compared to a model of the capsule weight relative standard deviation, confirming the benefits of an automated content check in the RAPD. Moreover, we presented another example illustrating the advantages of a connected continuous filling process, which permits evaluation of all process steps and their interactions (i.e. evaluation of the entire process).     

超高效液相色谱-三重四级杆质谱法检测阿归养血糖浆中阿胶及牛皮源成分

目的：建立阿归养血糖浆中阿胶及掺杂牛皮源成分的专属性检测方法。方法：用胰蛋白酶对阿归养血糖浆处方中胶类成分进行酶解，采用超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱（UPLC-QQQ/MS），选择阿胶特征分子离子峰m/z 540.0（双电荷）→612.2、m/z 540.0（双电荷）→924.4及牛皮源特征离子对m/z 641.3（双电荷）→726.2、m/z 641.3（双电荷）→783.3作为检测离子对，离子化模式为ESI⁺，进行多反应监测。结果：26批阿归养血糖浆中未检出阿胶的有13批，其中3批检出牛皮源成分，1批检出牛皮源成分但未超出限度，9批均未检出阿胶及牛皮源成分；26批样品检出阿胶的有13批，其中同时检出牛皮源成分的有1批，未检出牛皮源成分的为12批。结论：该检测方法专属性强，可用于阿归养血糖浆中阿胶及牛皮源的检测。     

Chitosan-Gelatin Hydrogel Crosslinked With Oxidized Sucrose for the Ocular Delivery of Timolol Maleate

Ocular hypertension due to increased intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for the development of glaucoma. Rapid clearance and low ocular bioavailability are drawbacks of conventional ocular treatments. This requires frequent and long-term application of antiglaucoma drugs which in turn cause local side effects and are a major cause of therapeutic failure due to loss of persistence in using glaucoma therapy. In this study, a semisynthetic, biocompatible, oxidized sucrose crosslinker was developed and used in the formulation of chitosan-gelatin hydrogel for the sustained release of timolol to control ocular hypertension. The swelling properties of the hydrogel showed a strong relationship with the oxidized sucrose concentration. Mucoadhesive properties of the hydrogel were studied and the in vitro release profiles demonstrated that crosslinking with oxidized sucrose reduced the release rate of the entrapped timolol. The results of both in vitro and in vivo studies supported that the formulated hydrogel maintained the release and in turn the efficacy of timolol for a longer period of time compared to the conventional eye drops. This is expected to reduce the frequency of drug application onto the eye surface and in turn enhances patients’ convenience. In conclusion, the developed formulation represents a promising platform for an effective and compliant treatment of ocular hypertension.