Rational design of yolk–shell nanostructures for drug delivery

Yolk–shell nanoparticles (YSNPs) are a new class of hollow nanostructures, and their unique properties can be utilized in drug delivery systems. The recent progress in YSNPs-based carriers is highlighted in drug delivery systems. Doxorubicin hydrochloride, ceftriaxone sodium, and methotrexate are three of the most common drugs that are used in this field. According to the reported studies, the materials used most often as yolk–shells are magnetic nanoparticles and polymers. The used methods for synthesizing a diverse array of YSNPs are classified based on their core structures. Various properties of YSNPs include their high drug-loading capacity, and their ability to decrease drug toxicity and satisfactorily and efficiently release drugs.

The recent progress in yolk–shell nanoparticles (YSNPs) as a new class of hollow nanostructures applied for drug delivery.     

The Policy of Co–First Authorship and Co–Senior Authorship in Radiology Journals

ObjectiveIncreasingly, medical journals are recognizing “equally credited authors” (ECA) in the primary and senior authorship of articles. The aim of this study was to assess the policies of co–first authorship, co–senior authorship, and designation of a corresponding author in the radiology literature.MethodsWe identified 29 radiology journals based on impact factor ranking. Journal offices were contacted by phone and e-mail to ascertain their practices on first and senior authorship ECA designations. We surveyed the March, June, and December 2018 issues of each journal (when available) to assess the utilization of the co-designations in articles.ResultsTwenty-five of 29 journals responded to our survey (response rate: 86.2%). Of 25 journals, 20 (80%) allowed co–first authorship. Among these, 4 of 25 journals (16%) allowed more than two co–first authors. Among the 25 responses, 14 journals (56%) allowed co–senior authorship. Among the 24 journals who responded to this specific question, 23 (96%) approved designation of a corresponding author, different from the first or senior author. The review of March, June, December 2018 editions found co–first authorship and co–senior authorship ECA rates of 8.6% (range 0.0%-22.7%) and 1.8% (range 0.0%-13.3%), respectively. A corresponding author other than first or senior author was noted in 13.3% (range 0.0%-34.7%).DiscussionThere has been widespread acceptance of the concept of ECA in the policies of the top cited imaging journals particularly for first authors (80%). However, the utilization of these designations is uncommon for first authorship (8.6%) and rare (1.8%) for senior authorship based on our 2018 sampling.     

Healthcare Services During the Transitions to Adulthood Among Individuals with ASD Aged 15–25 Years Old: Stakeholders’ Perspectives

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Although previous research has shown that the transition to adulthood may be challenging, there exists a lack of research regarding perspectives of...     

Photobiomodulation therapy reduces apoptotic factors and increases glutathione levels in a neuropathic pain model

Neuropathic pain (NP) is caused by damage to the nervous system due to reactive oxygen spices (ROS) increase, antioxidants reduction, ATP production imbalance, and induction of apoptosis. In this investigation, we applied low-level laser 660 nm (photobiomodulation therapy) as a new strategy to modulate pain. In order to study the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (660 nm) on NP, chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was selected. Low-level laser of 660 nm was used for 2 weeks. Thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia were measured before and after surgery on days 7 and 14, respectively. Paw withdrawal thresholds were also evaluated. Expression of p2x3, Bax, and bcl2 protein was measured by western blotting. The amount of glutathione (GSH) was measured in the spinal cord by continuous spectrophotometric rate determination method. The results are presented as mean?±?SD. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using SPSS 21. CCI decreased the pain threshold, 2-week photobiomodulation therapy significantly increased mechanical and thermal threshold, decreased P2X3 expression (p?<?0.001), and increased bcl2 expression (p?<?0.01), but it was not effective on the Bax expression. We speculated that although photobiomodulation therapy increased ROS generation, it increased antioxidants such as GSH. Increase in bcl2 is another mitochondrial protection mechanism for cell survival and that pain relief and decrease in P2X3 expression confirm it.     

The role of MSX1 in tooth agenesis in Iranians

INTRODUCTION: MSX1 gene has a critical role in craniofacial development, the aim of this case-control study is to test the hypothesis that MSX1 mutation contributes to congenital tooth agenesis in Iranians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 20 affected individuals with tooth agenesis of lower second premolars or upper lateral incisors with mean age of 24.6. The control group consisted of 20 unaffected individuals. DNA was extracted from all 40 individuals; the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for MSX1 was carried out with Phenol: Chloroform: Isoamylalchol (PCI) extraction method. Ban II restriction digest and agarose gel electrophoresis of the 20 affected individuals verified the presence of mutation in all 20 affected individuals. The unaffected controls did not show any mutation. Statistical analysis performed by the chi-squared method. RESULTS: Ban II did not digest PCR product (DNA) in the control group (195 bp band on electrophoresis gel) but digested the affected allele (106 bp and 89 bp bands). There is a statistically significant correlation between tooth agenesis and MSX1 mutation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that MSX1 gene mutation contributes to tooth agenesis in Iranian individuals. As the timing of tooth calcification can vary, radiographic finding of congenital tooth agenesis can be confirmed by this molecular method during different dental ages to achieve certainty.     

Site-specific, dose-dependent, and sex-related responses to the experimental pain model induced by intradermal injection of capsaicin to the foreheads and forearms of healthy humans

AIMS: To investigate whether trigeminal manifestations of pain, sensitization, and vasomotor responses following the intradermal injection of capsaicin to the foreheads differ from manifestations following injection of capsaicin in the forearms of healthy humans. Dose dependency and sex-related differences of the evoked responses were also studied. METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (14 women, 14 men) participated in 2 separate experiments: (1) Features of pain and vasomotor responses following intradermal injection of capsaicin (100 microg/100 microL) to the forehead and forearm were compared. (2) The features after intradermal injection of 2 different doses of capsaicin (50, 100 microg/100 microL) to the forehead were also studied. In both experiments the effect of sex was also investigated. RESULTS: Experiment 1 showed that peak pain intensity (F [1,104] = 24.4, P < .001) and duration (F [1,104] = 13.3, P < .001) were greater in the forehead. However, the areas of visible flare (F [1,104] = 5.7, P < .05) and secondary pinprick hyperalgesia (F [1,104] = 155.1, P < .001) were significantly larger in the forearm. Experiment 2 indicated that peak pain intensity in the forehead was not affected by the capsaicin dose (F [1,52] = 1.6, P = .214), but duration of pain (F [1,52] = 6.0, P < .05) and perceived pain area (F [1,52] = 13.5, P < .001) were greater for the higher dose. The areas of visible flare (F [1,52] = 27.5, P < .001) and secondary pinprick hyperalgesia (F [1,52] = 65.6, P < .001) were also larger for the higher dose. In both experiments, women showed greater manifestations in several responses. CONCLUSION: Capsaicin-evoked sensory and vasomotor manifestations were different in the forehead and forearm. The differences are most likely due to the differences in innervation density and neurovascular activity. The capsaicin-induced effects were demonstrated to be dose-dependent and sex-related phenomena.     

Sperm ubiquitination and DNA fragmentation in men with occupational exposure and varicocele

Assessment of sperm ubiquitination and DNA fragmentation as sperm functional markers are proposed to complement routine semen analysis. This study focuses on the evaluation of these markers in infertile men with varicocele or exposed to occupational background. The results were compared with normozoospermic men. Semen parameters in both groups were lower than those in the control group. Ubiquitination median, as a marker for functionality of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, was also lower in both groups. The ubiquitination median showed a significant positive correlation with motility in both groups, while it showed only a negative correlation with sperm morphology in the varicocele group. DNA fragmentation showed a significant correlation with semen parameters, in total varicocele and also total exposure groups. In conclusion, significant difference of sperm ubiquitination between normal and study groups further validates that sperm ubiquitination as a potential molecular marker for sperm evaluation in addition to routine semen analysis in clinical laboratories.     

Cyproterone acetate-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: effect of particle size on skin penetration and follicular targeting

Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, hirsutism, and alopecia. Due to the limited skin penetration of CPA, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) with different size ranges were considered in this study in order to enhance skin penetration and to target hair follicles. Drug loading, drug release and morphological assessment were evaluated for each targeted size (100, 300, and 600?nm). Ex vivo skin penetration was also investigated using Franz diffusion cells. Finally, in vivo follicular targeting was evaluated using rhodamine B-loaded micro and nanoparticles. Results revealed that 60–85% of drug was slowly released from lipid nanoparticles within 72?h. CPA-NLC with average diameter of 600?nm had better penetration and deposition in dermis-epidermis layer, also CPA-NLC 100 and 300?nm significantly increased drug penetration in dermis-epidermis in comparison to free CPA. Follicular targeting results revealed that NLC 300?nm had the best accumulation capacity in hair follicles. CPA-NLC with average diameter of 300?nm could be a promising topical novel drug delivery system for specific targeting of hair follicles and sebaceous glands to treat androgenic skin disorders such as acne, hirsutism, and alopecia.