Resveratrol as Chemosensitizer Agent: State of Art and Future Perspectives

Resistance to chemotherapy still remains a major challenge in the clinic, impairing the quality of life and survival rate of patients. The identification of unconventional chemosensitizing agents is therefore an interesting aspect of cancer research. Resveratrol has emerged in the last decades as a fascinating molecule, able to modulate several cancer-related molecular mechanisms, suggesting a possible application as an adjuvant in cancer management. This review goes deep into the existing literature concerning the possible chemosensitizing effect of resveratrol associated with the most conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Despite the promising effects observed in different cancer types in in vitro studies, the clinical translation still presents strong limitations due to the low bioavailability of resveratrol. Recently, efforts have been moved in the field of drug delivery to identifying possible strategies/formulations useful for a more effective administration. Despite the necessity of a huge implementation in this research area, resveratrol appears as a promising molecule able to sensitize resistant tumors to drugs, suggesting its potential use in therapy-refractory cancer patients.     

Single-Cell Microgels for Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Cell encapsulation within hydrogel droplets is transforming what is feasible in multiple fields of biomedical science such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in vitro modeling, and cell-based therapies. Recent advances have allowed researchers to miniaturize material encapsulation complexes down to single-cell scales, where each complex, termed a single-cell microgel, contains only one cell surrounded by a hydrogel matrix while remaining <100 μm in size. With this achievement, studies requiring single-cell resolution are now possible, similar to those done using liquid droplet encapsulation. Of particular note, applications involving long-term in vitro cultures, modular bioinks, high-throughput screenings, and formation of 3D cellular microenvironments can be tuned independently to suit the needs of individual cells and experimental goals. In this progress report, an overview of established materials and techniques used to fabricate single-cell microgels, as well as insight into potential alternatives is provided. This focused review is concluded by discussing applications that have already benefited from single-cell microgel technologies, as well as prospective applications on the cusp of achieving important new capabilities.     

Characterization of Dog Glutathione Transferase P1-1, an Enzyme Relevant to Veterinary Medicine

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) form a family of detoxication enzymes instrumental in the inactivation and elimination of electrophilic mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds. The Pi class GST P1-1 is present in most tissues and is commonly overexpressed in neoplastic cells. GST P1-1 in the dog, Canis lupus familiaris, has merits as a marker for tumors and as a target for enzyme-activated prodrugs. We produced the canine enzyme CluGST P1-1 by heterologous bacterial expression and verified its cross-reactivity with antihuman-GST P1-1 antibodies. The catalytic activity with alternative substrates of biological significance was determined, and the most active substrate found was benzyl isothiocyanate. Among established GST inhibitors, Cibacron Blue showed positive cooperativity with an IC₅₀ value of 43 nM. Dog GST P1-1 catalyzes activation of the prodrug Telcyta, but the activity is significantly lower than that of the human homolog.     

Gastroprotective effects of herbal medicines (roots)

Herbal medicines are now commonly used all over the world and this has increased global demand. Quality, safety, and efficacy of these drugs have become a serious concern. This review presents the medicinal plants cited in folklore that are used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers. Electronic databases, that is, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to identify the gastroprotective effects of each plant. Ethnopharmacological studies have reported various botanical products with antiulcer activities, but there has been limited scientific research, presenting clinical data to validate the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs as gastroprotective agents. Most studies centered on pharmacological properties of medicinal herbs as used animals models. This information has prompted us to compile a list of the medicinal herbs cited in folklore with gastroprotective activity.     

酸枣仁油的研究与开发进展

酸枣仁油取自药食同源的酸枣仁,是一种安全的保健食用油,综述近年来有关酸枣仁油的提取工艺、组成成分分析及其生物活性研究,为酸枣仁油的进一步开发与应用提供参考。现有研究表明,酸枣仁油生产工艺简单,成品油中含有大量不饱和脂肪酸,其中油酸和亚油酸含量最高,同时还含有多种脂溶性成分。酸枣仁油具有多种生物活性,如镇静催眠、改善记忆力、抗抑郁、抗氧化、血脂调节及抗肿瘤等,但其发挥生物活性的物质基础及作用机理尚未完全明确,有待进一步研究。酸枣仁油的安全及多活性特点赋予其巨大的开发与应用潜力,相关产品具有广阔的市场前景。     

All the players in the game: driving home the global commitment for legitimate drugs

Substandard, falsified, and counterfeit medications are a concern for the industry and for the public’s health. Data collection and research on these illegitimate drugs must continue to be a priority and common recommendations must be implemented immediately. The health of the public continues to be at risk, and as such global consensus and collaboration must be swift. Process improvements and policy decisions can support expert recommendations while technology and research continue to drive home change. Addressing counterfeit and substandard drugs is cost effective, feasible, and the right thing to do.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of cajazeira leaves (Spondias mombin) extracts

Cajazeira leaves (Spondias mombin) have their highlighted use as antioxidant and natural antimicrobial, which justifies the objective of this work to evaluate the biological activities of different extracts. In order to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of the cajazeira leaves, extractions at low pressure and high pressure were performed. The low pressure extractions (PLE) were carried out using Soxhlet (SOX) and tip ultrasound, using different solvents. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was evaluated at temperature of 40?60°C and pressure of 150?300 bar besides extraction with cosolvent. Higher yields were obtained with the use of more polar solvents at LPE. The extracts obtained by SOX with ethanol and others polar solvents presented the best TPC values and antioxidant activity. The extracts at LPE with hexane and ethyl acetate and SFE presented better antimicrobial activity. Through liquid chromatography of high efficiency, it was possible to identify compounds with recognized biological activity, like ellagic acid, gallic acid and catechin.     

BCLA CLEAR - Evidence-based contact lens practice

Evidence-based contact lens practice involves finding, appraising and applying research findings as the basis for patient management decisions. These decisions should be informed by the strength of the research study designs that address the question, as well as by the experience of the practitioner and the preferences and environment of the patient. This reports reviews and summarises the published research evidence that is available to inform soft and rigid contact lens history and symptoms taking, anterior eye health examination (including the optimised use of ophthalmic dyes, grading scales, imaging techniques and lid eversion), considerations for contact lens selection (including the ocular surface measurements required to select the most appropriate lens parameter, lens modality and material selection), evaluation of lens fit, prescribing (teaching self-application and removal, adaptation, care regimen and cleaning instructions, as well as minimising risks of lens wear through encouraging compliance) and an aftercare routine.     

临床血流动力学30年

从肺动脉漂浮导管第一次介绍到中国开始,临床血流动力学在我国已经发生了天翻地覆的变化。从监测指标的临床应用,到对血流动力学理论的系统认识;从仅限于循环系统内,到指标遍布整个机体;从对血流动力学无处不在的临床认识,到对重症治疗每一个细节的把控;从对临床治疗与再损伤的认识,到通过血流动力学指标对临床行为的定量管理;终于使血流动力学监测走向治疗。继而,在此基础上,新指标的出现不仅拓宽了视野,并导致对已有体系的重新认识。血流动力学连续与动态特征和目标与目的的实施策略可以付诸实践,才使得"临床血流动力学治疗"的概念,以完整的理论体系、规范的临床应用,终于破茧而出。在深入地植根于临床实践后,今天的临床血流动力学治疗正在从微循环走向器官功能,从个体化走向器官化。