Exploring the potential of exosomes in diagnosis and drug delivery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a cancer of the digestive system, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for approximately 90% of all PC cases. Exosomes derived from PDAC (PDAC-exosomes) promote PDAC development and metastasis. Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles secreted by most cells, which can carry biologically active molecules and mediate communication and cargo transportation among cells. Recent studies have focused on transforming exosomes into good drug delivery systems (DDSs) to improve the clinical treatment of PDAC. This review considers PDAC as the main research object to introduce the role of PDAC-exosomes in PDAC development and metastasis. This review focuses on the following two themes: (a) the great potential of PDAC-exosomes as new diagnostic markers for PDAC, and (b) the transformation of exosomes into potential DDSs.     

Accuracy of intentionally tilted implant placement in the maxilla using dynamic navigation: a retrospective clinical analysis

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the accuracy of dynamic navigation for the placement of intentionally tilted implants in the posterior maxilla. The study included 12 patients with edentulism or continuous multiple tooth loss, who had 48 implants inserted under dynamic navigation guidance in the posterior maxilla. Twenty-four implants near maxillary sinuses were intentionally tilted. The average platform deviation was 1.3 ± 0.4 mm (range 0.8–2.3 mm), apex deviation was 1.1 ± 0.5 mm (range 0.2–2.3 mm), and axis deviation was 3.1 ± 1.0° (range 1.8–6.7°). The other 24 implants were axially positioned. The average platform deviation was 1.5 ± 0.5 mm (range 0.7–3.1 mm), apex deviation was 1.3 ± 0.7 mm (range 0.5–3.1 mm), and axis deviation was 3.2 ± 1.5° (range 1.5–7.7°). There was no significant difference in platform deviation, apex deviation, or axis deviation between the tilted implants and implants in the axial position (P > 0.05). This analysis indicates that a dynamic navigation system can be used as a method of guidance to place intentionally tilted implants as accurately as axially positioned implants in the posterior maxilla, thereby preventing damage to the maxillary sinuses and the need to graft bone.     

膝骨关节炎中医药系统生物学研究述评＊

膝骨关节炎（Knee Osteoarthritis， KOA）属于临床难治性疾病，其高发病率、高致残性给国民健康、社会发展造成了沉重的负担。在这种不利局面下，中医药在KOA的临床防治上发挥了巨大的作用，其根据“辨证施治”理念的指导对患者采用个体化治疗往往能够取得良好的临床疗效 。然而中医学在传统认知上作为经验医学的集成，现有的KOA中医药基础研究结果尚未完全阐明其客观化、现代化的属性，阻碍了中医药防治KOA科学内涵的揭示以及全面、系统的临床研究的开展和新药研发，如何开展完善、合理、可行的基础研究以进行KOA中医药客观化和现代化探索成为研究者不得不解决的重大难题。随着系统生物学知识结构和研究手段的完善与更新，其与中医药的结合已经成为阐释并创新中医药理论内核、突破中医药研究瓶颈的重要方法。本文通过总结、分析目前KOA中医药基础研究的现状与不足，突出系统生物学在目前KOA中医药研究中的关键作用及应用趋势，以期为今后KOA的中医药研究和发展提供新的思路与对策。     

MicroARN: la biología molecular como herramienta de predicción en preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a disease with a significant incidence worldwide that is directly associated with 15% of maternal deaths. This is usually characterized by the presence of hypertension and proteinuria, which manifests itself from the middle of pregnancy. MicroRNAs are single-stranded RNA molecules that act primarily by degrading transcribed messenger RNA or inhibiting microRNA translation. Placental microRNAs play a role in the growth and function of the placenta, their potential use as diagnostic biomarkers is considered feasible due to the ability to enter the maternal circulation and be detectable in maternal plasma.     

High-performance multiplex drug-gated CAR circuits

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Collaborating toward equity in Pennsylvania: The Age-Friendly Care,PA project

Objective

To collaboratively implement the age-friendly health systems framework, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, at The Primary Health Network (PHN), a federally qualified health center.

Data Sources

Data were collected from PHN electronic medical records (EMRs) for individuals over age 65 from December 30, 2019 to December 24, 2021 and from Project ECHO© attendance and evaluation surveys.

Study Design

The telementoring educational program, Project ECHO©, was used to engage PHN health care professionals working in rural areas of Pennsylvania to incorporate the 4Ms into their practice starting with the annual wellness visit (AWV). Project ECHO© was launched at three primary care sites. After 18 months, it was then disseminated to an additional 18 sites creating pilot and comparison groups. Outcomes included codesigned patient process metrics using EMR data and project ECHO© participant data.

Data Collection Methods

EMR data were generated by system reports created by PHN's quality assurance program manager. Project ECHO© data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools. Outcomes were aggregated, analyzed for trends over time, and compared between groups.

Principal Findings

All nine process outcomes increased from baseline to follow-up at the three initial sites, ranging from 4% to 43% g. At year two, the three initial sites had higher rates on AWVs (pilot 24%, comparison 12%; p < 0.0001), Advance Care Planning (New on file, pilot 8%, comparison 2%; Discussed with patient, pilot 18%, comparison 13%; Patient declined, pilot 0%, comparison 0%; p = 0.0001), Dementia Screening (pilot 24%, comparison 12%; p < 0.0001), Fall Risk Management (pilot 43%, comparison 10%; p < 0.0001), and Mobility Goal (pilot 19%, comparison 9%; p < 0.0001); and lower rates on High-Risk Medication Elimination (pilot 54%, comparison, 63%, p < 0.02).

Conclusions

Access to high-quality geriatric care for rural older adults can be improved by increasing health care professionals' knowledge of the 4Ms, beginning with its incorporation into the AWV.