Temperature-triggered in situ forming lipid mesophase gel for local treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that strongly affects patient quality of life. Side effects of current therapies necessitate new treatment strategies that maximise the drug concentration at the site of inflammation, while minimizing systemic exposure. Capitalizing on the biocompatible and biodegradable structure of lipid mesophases, we present a temperature-triggered in situ forming lipid gel for topical treatment of colitis. We show that the gel is versatile and can host and release drugs of different polarities, including tofacitinib and tacrolimus, in a sustained manner. Further, we demonstrate its adherence to the colonic wall for at least 6 h, thus preventing leakage and improving drug bioavailability. Importantly, we find that loading known colitis treatment drugs into the temperature-triggered gel improves animal health in two mouse models of acute colitis. Overall, our temperature-triggered gel may prove beneficial in ameliorating colitis and decreasing adverse effects associated with systemic application of immunosuppressive treatments

Genus Sergentomyia and its role in the transmission of Leishmania

Sand flies, members of the subfamily Phlebotominae do not occur in the CzechRepublic, but as near as in the Mediterraneantheir fauna is quite abundant. Sand flies can be found approximately between 50řN and 40řS. Species of genus Phlebotomus, Sergentomyia and Lutzomyia include medically and veterinary important vectors of viral and bacterial diseases as well as leishmaniasis, one of the most important human protozoal diseases. 321 years have passed since the first sand fly was described, but only 110 years ago intensive taxonomic work began. Over the years many classification systems have been proposed, mainly based on division of morphological characters. The classification is not clearly settled even after several taxonomic revisions and many questions remain, especially about genus Sergentomyia, which is repeatedly mentioned in connection with transmission of mammals' leishmaniasis. This bachelor thesis gives contemporary summary of taxonomic knowledge of sand flies; special attention is given to genus Sergentomyia

Genus Sergentomyia and its role in the transmission of Leishmania

Sand flies, members of the subfamily Phlebotominae do not occur in the CzechRepublic, but as near as in the Mediterraneantheir fauna is quite abundant. Sand flies can be found approximately between 50řN and 40řS. Species of genus Phlebotomus, Sergentomyia and Lutzomyia include medically and veterinary important vectors of viral and bacterial diseases as well as leishmaniasis, one of the most important human protozoal diseases. 321 years have passed since the first sand fly was described, but only 110 years ago intensive taxonomic work began. Over the years many classification systems have been proposed, mainly based on division of morphological characters. The classification is not clearly settled even after several taxonomic revisions and many questions remain, especially about genus Sergentomyia, which is repeatedly mentioned in connection with transmission of mammals' leishmaniasis. This bachelor thesis gives contemporary summary of taxonomic knowledge of sand flies; special attention is given to genus Sergentomyia

Molecular identification of phlebotomine sand flies

This diploma thesis is focused on species identification of sand flies belonging to two genera of the subfamily Phlebotominae, genus Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. Genus Phlebotomus together with the genus Lutzomyia of New World include the only proven vectors of Leishmania parasites and they are also carriers of viral and bacterial infections. Species of the genus Sergentomyia are proven vectors of sister genus Sauroleishmania that infects reptiles, but for several decades there have been speculations about their possible involvement in the transmission of mammalian Leishmania species. These suspicions arise mainly from repeated findings of mammalian Leishmania parasites in their digestive system. Correct species determination of medically significant hematophagous arthropods is very important especially for purposes of epidemiological studies so that efficient vector control may be correctly set. Routine identification of sand flies is based on morphological characters located mainly on their heads and genitalia. However, these characters may be variable within a species, they require certain expertise and in the field samples they may be damaged, making proper species identification impossible. This thesis therefore presents two alternatives of sand fly identification based on molecular..

Temperature-triggered in situ forming lipid mesophase gel for local treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that strongly affects patient quality of life. Side effects of current therapies necessitate new treatment strategies that maximise the drug concentration at the site of inflammation, while minimizing systemic exposure. Capitalizing on the biocompatible and biodegradable structure of lipid mesophases, we present a temperature-triggered in situ forming lipid gel for topical treatment of colitis. We show that the gel is versatile and can host and release drugs of different polarities, including tofacitinib and tacrolimus, in a sustained manner. Further, we demonstrate its adherence to the colonic wall for at least 6 h, thus preventing leakage and improving drug bioavailability. Importantly, we find that loading known colitis treatment drugs into the temperature-triggered gel improves animal health in two mouse models of acute colitis. Overall, our temperature-triggered gel may prove beneficial in ameliorating colitis and decreasing adverse effects associated with systemic application of immunosuppressive treatments.ISSN:2041-172