Resveratrol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles mediated programmed cell death in prostate cancer cells

Resveratrol (RL), a natural polyphenol, is known for its diverse biological effects against various human cancer cell lines. But low aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, and stability limit its efficacy against prostate cancer. In this study polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating resveratrol (RLPLGA) were designed and their cytotoxic and mode of apoptotic cells death against prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) was determined. Nanoparticles were prepared by solvent displacement method and characterized for particle size, TEM, entrapment efficiency, DSC and drug release study. RLPLGA exhibited a significant decrease in cell viability with 50% and 90% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ and IC₉₀) of 15.6?±?1.49 and 41.1?±?2.19?μM respectively against the LNCaP cells. This effect was mediated by apoptosis as confirmed by cell cycle arrest at G1-S transition phase, externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA nicking, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species generation in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, significantly greater cytotoxicity to LNCaP cells was observed with nanoparticles as compared to that of free RL at all tested concentrations. RLPLGA nanoparticles presented no adverse cytotoxic effects on murine macrophages even at 200?μM. Our findings support the potential use of developed resveratrol loaded nanoparticle for the prostate cancer chemoprevention/ chemotherapy with no adverse effect on normal cells.     

Informal stroke rehabilitation: what are the main reasons of Thai caregivers?

The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for the provision of informal rehabilitation services at home to stroke relatives by Thai caregivers. Twenty primary informal caregivers were individually interviewed at their homes by using semistructured questions elaborated by the researchers. All interviews were recorded on audiotape. Content analysis was used to determine the reasons for performing informal rehabilitation. Four major reasons, (i) biological, (ii) psychological, (iii) social, and (iv) spiritual, emerged from our content analysis to maintain for the stroke victims the highest possible quality of life. Improvement and prevention of further deterioration were the two main concepts in the biological and psychological reasons expressed by these Thai caregivers, whereas maintaining human relations and usual social activities were the two main considerations in the social reason. The main concepts in the spiritual reason were respecting the religious beliefs, superstitions, and culture of the caregivers or patients, improving patients' empowerment, and improving caregivers' satisfaction. These four reasons encompassed the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of a holistic approach to the definition of health. The health professional in Thailand should encourage stroke caregivers to continue providing informal rehabilitation services for their stroke relatives, as it might sustain the well being of stroke survivors during their stay at home.     

Enhancing a clenbuterol immunosensor based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/multi-walled carbon nanotube performance using response surface methodology

Clenbuterol (CLB) is an illegal antibiotic for livestock, which is misused as a growth promoter drug. In this study, an immunosensor modified with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and anti-clenbuterol antibody (Ab) was developed for the detection of CLB. A screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was modified with PEDOT/MWCNT as a sensor platform before immobilizing Ab for specific CLB binding through a competitive-type immunoassay. Free CLB in the sample solution competed with clenbuterol-horseradish peroxide (CLB–HRP) to bind with Ab. A high current signal was obtained after optimization of the electrochemical immunoassay conditions (pH, incubation temperature, antigen (Ag) incubation time and % blocking) using the response surface methodology/central composite design (RSM/CCD). The developed immunosensor is highly reproducible and sensitive with good storage stability, which are necessary for practical application. In real sample application, this immunosensor produces comparable results with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; thus, it is useful for CLB screening and monitoring in real meat samples.

A clenbuterol immunosensor was developed with a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified screen-printed carbon electrode and optimized using response surface methodology.     

Expression analysis of microRNA-155 in type 2 diabetes in Kashmiri population

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries - The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of microRNA-155 (miR-155) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and assess its...     

Attention bias in earthquake-exposed survivors: An event-related potential study

The Chinese Wenchuan earthquake, which happened on the 28th of May in 2008, may leave deep invisible scars in individuals. China has a large number of children and adolescents, who tend to be most vulnerable because they are in an early stage of human development and possible post-traumatic psychological distress may have a life-long consequence. Trauma survivors without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have received little attention in previous studies, especially in event-related potential (ERP) studies. We compared the attention bias to threat stimuli between the earthquake-exposed group and the control group in a masked version of the dot probe task. The target probe presented at the same space location consistent with earthquake-related words was the congruent trial, while in the space location of neutral words was the incongruent trial. Thirteen earthquake-exposed middle school students without PTSD and 13 matched controls were included in this investigation. The earthquake-exposed group showed significantly faster RTs to congruent trials than to incongruent trials. The earthquake-exposed group produced significantly shorter C1 and P1 latencies and larger C1, P1 and P2 amplitudes than the control group. In particular, enhanced P1 amplitude to threat stimuli was observed in the earthquake-exposed group. These findings are in agreement with the prediction that earthquake-exposed survivors have an attention bias to threat stimuli. The traumatic event had a much greater effect on earthquake-exposed survivors even if they showed no PTSD symptoms than individuals in the controls. These results will provide neurobiological evidences for effective intervention and prevention to post-traumatic mental problems.     

A series of lanthanide–quinoxaline-2,3(1H,4H)-dione complexes containing 1D chiral Ln2O3 (Ln = Eu,Tb, Sm,Dy) chains: luminescent properties and response to small molecules

Five new isostructural lanthanide–organic complexes, [Ln₂O₂(OH)(HQXD)(H₂QXD)₂]·H₂O (Ln = Eu 1, Tb 2, Sm 3 Dy 4 and Gd 5; H₂QXD = quinoxaline-2,3(1H,4H)-dione), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. These complexes are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), elemental analysis (EA), thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and photo-luminescent spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of complex 1 revealed that the structure featured in 1D chiral “Eu₂O₃” chains surrounded by coordinating organic ligands. These chains are interconnected via hydrogen bonding and offset π⋯π stacking interactions of the ligands to form the 3D supramolecular frameworks. The photo-luminescence studies for complexes 1–5 disclosed that the ligand (H₂QXD) showed an antenna effect to transfer energy toward the lanthanide cations. The energy transfer mechanism investigations show that the energy transition from the triplet energy level (³ππ*) of ligand H₂QXD to the Tb³⁺ cation is more effective than to the Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions; therefore it has been selected as a representative to examine the potential for sensing small molecules. Complex 2′, which was obtained by the heating treatment of 2 at 150 °C, displayed a high luminescence sensitivity towards small solvent molecules. Tertiary butanol (t-butanol) was found to be an excellent sensitizer, while tetrahydrofuran (THF) was a highly quenching species. Complex 2′ could regain a higher photo-luminescence intensity after treating for 5 cycles with t-butanol, revealing a prospect for reusability.

A series of isostructural lanthanide–quinoxaline-2,3(1H,4H)-dione containing 1D chiral chains shows high sensing effect toward the small solvent molecules, in which tertiary butanol was an excellent sensitizer, while tetrahydrofuran was a highly quenching species.     

Characterization of Organosolv Lignins and Their Application in the Preparation of Aerogels

The production of novel materials and value-added chemicals from lignin has received considerable attention in recent years. Due to its abundant occurrence in nature, there is a growing interest in utilizing lignin as a feedstock for functional materials production, for example aerogels. Much like in the synthesis of phenol-based resins, the vacant ortho positions of the aromatic rings in lignin can crosslink with formaldehyde and form polymeric gels. After drying the hydrogels with supercritical CO₂, highly porous aerogels are obtained. Current study focuses on the preparation and thorough parametrization of organosolv lignins from different types of lignocellulosic biomass (aspen, pine, and barley straw) as well as their utilization for the preparation of lignin-5-methylresorcinol-formaldehyde aerogels. The thorough structural characterization of the obtained aerogels was carried out by gas adsorption, IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained lignin-based monolithic mesoporous aerogels had specific surface areas and total pore volumes in the upward ranges of 450 m²/g and 1.4 cm³/g, respectively.     

trans‐resveratrol alone and hydroxystilbenes of rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum L.) root reduce liver damage induced by chronic ethanol administration: a comparative study in mice

The hepatoprotective effects and pharmacokinetics of trans‐resveratrol and hydroxystilbenes of the garden rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum L., R. rhaponticum) root ethanol extract were studied. Ethanol was administered to male BALB/c mice for 35 days in an inhalation chamber. During this time vehicle, trans‐resveratrol (20 mg/kg per day) or R. rhaponticum extract was intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered and mice were sacrificed for the collection of liver and blood. In an additional experiment, the level of parent compounds and metabolites was estimated in the blood after acute i.p. administration of trans‐resveratrol or R. rhaponticum extract. The levels of hydroxystilbenes, their metabolites and fatty acid oxy‐metabolites (oxylipins) were studied by LC‐tandem DAD‐MS/MS. Ethanol induced hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by histological changes and accumulation of oxylipins in the blood. Both trans‐resveratrol and R. rhaponticum extract reduced the extent of these changes. The pharmacokinetics of trans‐resveratrol was characterized by a rapid removal from the blood and metabolism to sulfates and glucuronides. After the administration of R. rhaponticum extract, in addition to trans‐resveratrol glucoside and its metabolites, several other hydroxystilbenes were found. Inhibition of oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids is proposed as a basis of the hepatoprotective effect of both trans‐resveratrol and R. rhaponticum extract. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of acupressure on procedural pain before heel lancing in neonates

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of acupres-sure applied to UB60 and K3 acupuncture points in order to relieve the procedural pain caused by heel lancing blo...