Redox-sensitive and hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles for improving breast cancer treatment by cytoplasmic 17 alpha-methyltestosterone delivery

Novel reduction-responsive hyaluronic acid-chitosan-lipoic acid nanoparticles (HACSLA-NPs) were designed and synthesized for effective treatment of breast cancer by targeting Cluster of Differentiation 44 (CD44)-overexpressing cells and reduction-triggered 17 alpha-Methyltestosterone (MT) release for systemic delivery. The effectiveness of these nanoparticles was investigated by different assays, including release rate, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), caspase-3 activity, Rhodamine 123 (RH-123), and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). In vitro experiments revealed that Methyltestosterone/Hyaluronic acid-chitosan-lipoic acid nanoparticles (MT/HACSLA-NPs) illustrated a sustained drug release in the absence of glutathione (GSH), while the presence of GSH led to fast MT release. HACSLA-NPs also showed high cellular internalization via CD44 receptors, quick drug release inside the cells, and amended cytotoxicity against positive CD44 BT-20 breast cancer cell line as opposed to negative CD44, Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell line. These findings supported that these novel reduction-responsive NPs can be promising candidates for efficient targeted delivery of therapeutics in cancer therapy.Imaging- and therapeutic targets in neoplastic and musculoskeletal inflammatory diseas

Distribution into the quadrupole mass filter with round rods.

Potential field distribution of a quadrupole mass filter with circular cross-section electrodes is described. At first, using superposition principle, we calculate potential around a round rod which is subjected to a given potential. By standard separation method, we then able to obtain the potential distribution into the quadrupole mass filter with circular rods. The results are compared with those obtained with a conventional hyperbolic rod set. Also, the results show that, for the same equivalent operating point in two stability diagrams (having the same βy) the associated modulated secular ion frequencies behavior are the same

Evaluation of the efficacy of two doses of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic, lipidemic and oxidative stress biomarkers during pregnancy: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is common and is likely to be associated with metabolic complications in the mother. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of two doses of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and cord blood vitamin D status and metabolic and oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods: The eligible pregnant women (n = 84) invited to participate in the study and randomly allocated to one of the two supplementation groups (1000 IU/d vitamin D and 2000 IU/d). Biochemical assessments of mothers including serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphate, iPTH, fasting serum sugar (FBS), insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were done at the beginning and 34 weeks of gestation. Cord blood serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, iPTH, MDA and TAC were assessed at delivery as well. To determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic markers 1-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. Between groups comparisons was done by using Independent-samples Student�s t-test or Mann-Whitney test. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Supplementation with 1000 IU/d and 2000 IU/d vitamin D resulted in significant changes in vitamin D status over pregnancy (24.01 ± 21.7, P < 0.001 in 1000 IU/d group and 46.7 ± 30.6 nmol/L, P < 0.001 in 2000 IU/d group). Daily intake of 2000 compared with 1000 IU/d tended to increase the serum concentration of HDL-C (10 ± 8.37, P < 0.001 in 1000 IU/d group and 9.52 ± 11.39 mg/dL, P < 0.001 in 2000 IU/d group). A significant decrement in serum concentration of iPTH observed in both groups (� 4.18 ± 7.5, P = 0.002 in 1000 IU/d group and � 8.36 ± 14.17, P = 0.002 in 2000 IU/d group). Conclusions: Supplementation with 2000 IU/d vitamin D as compared with 1000 IU/d, is more effective in promoting vitamin D status and HDL-C serum concentration and in decreasing iPTH over pregnancy. Trial registration: This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03308487). Registered 12 October 2017 �retrospectively registered�. © 2020, The Author(s)

A standard of care for individuals with PIK3CA ‐related disorders: an international expert consensus statement

Growth promoting variants in PIK3CA cause a spectrum of developmental disorders, depending on the developmental timing of the mutation and tissues involved. These phenotypically heterogeneous entities have been grouped as PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum disorders (PROS). Deep sequencing technologies have facilitated detection of low-level mosaic, often necessitating testing of tissues other than blood. Since clinical management practices vary considerably among healthcare professionals and services across different countries, a consensus on management guidelines is needed. Clinical heterogeneity within this spectrum leads to challenges in establishing management recommendations, which must be based on patient-specific considerations. Moreover, as most of these conditions are rare, affected families may lack access to the medical expertise that is needed to help address the multi-system and often complex medical issues seen with PROS. In March 2019, macrocephaly-capillary malformation (M-CM) patient organizations hosted an expert meeting in Manchester, United Kingdom, to help address these challenges with regards to M-CM syndrome. We have expanded the scope of this project to cover PROS and developed this consensus statement on the preferred approach for managing affected individuals based on our current knowledge

Effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on the process of active phase of labor in nulliparas women

Introduction.The reduction of the duration and pain of the active phase of labor is a very important issue and therefore always under serious investigation. Objective.The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on the duration and pain of the active phase of labor in nulliparas women. Method.A single blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 eligible nulliparas women who were at the beginning of active phase of labor (34cm dilatation of cervix plus proper uterine contractions). The women were randomly assigned into two groups. The case group (n60), received acupressure at Sanyinjiao point (above the ankle), for 30min during contractions. In the control group (n60), simply a touch at this point without massage was performed. Two hours later a second pelvic examination was performed and in the absence of good forceful contractions oxytocin in the classical form was infused. Finally, duration of active phase, severity of pain (using the Visual Analogue Scale), the amount of necessary oxytocin and necessity to administer oxytocin and the route of delivery were compared between the two groups and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 15. Results.The mean duration of active phase was shorter in the case group (252.37±108.50min vs. 441.38±155.88, p0.0001). Six patients (10) in the case group and 25 patients (41.7) in the control group delivered via cesarean section (p0.0001). The severity of pain in the case group was less than the control group (5.87±1.77 vs. 6.79±1.52, p0.003). Twenty-five women (41.7) in the case group and 38 women (63.3) in the control group needed oxytocin (p0.017) The amount of necessary oxytocin in the case group was less than the control group (73.33±97.19ml vs. 126.6±97.19ml, p0.003). Conclusion.Acupressure at Sanyinjiao point (SP6) reduced the duration and severity of pain of the active phase of labor, cesarean section rates, and necessity and amount of oxytocin. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd

Comparison between the adverse effects of interrupted versus continuous subcuticular sutures for transverse skin incision closure in cesarean section

Introduction: Cesarean section is one of the most common obstetric operations and paying attention to incision complications and determining its effective causes in reducing the complications is under serious concern. The purpose of this study was to compare incision complications of two different incision closure techniques (interrupted versus continuous subcuticular) in cesarean section. Methods: The study was performed in 2010 as a single blind randomized clinical trial on 1044 women who were candidates for cesarean delivery. The women were randomly assigned into two groups. In the first group, the skin was repaired using percutaneous interrupted sutures and in the second group, subcutaneous continuous suture was performed. Skin was repaired by 2-0 nylon sutures in all women. Two groups were compared in term of incision complications including infection, dehiscence, erythema and pain intensity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17 and statistical tests including t-test and chi-square test. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of patients was 27.8±5.8 years. Incision complications were seen in 28 patients (42.42) of continuous group and 38 patients (57.57) of interrupted group that the difference was not significant (p=0.152). Incision infection was observed in 21 women (4.1) in interrupted group and 10 women (1.9) in continuous group (p=0.034). 2 patients (0.4) of continuous group and 6 women (1.2) in interrupted group had skin dehiscence without significant difference (p=0.140). Both groups had no significant differences in term of wound erythema (p=0.382). Severe pain was less in continuous group (p<0.001). Conclusion: TheContinuous subcuticular techniques of skin repair followed less pain and infection in compare of interrupted sutures and is considered as the preferred techniques. © 2013 All Rights Reserved

Effect of prenatal recommendations of Traditional Persian Medicine on obstetric outcomes: A randomized clinical trial

wufjhjdkf Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) is an ancient medical system that provides suggestions to improve the health of mothers and children during pregnancy and labor. Persian physicians believed that these instructions made labor easier, safer, and less painful. The present randomized clinical trial was conducted among women at 33-38 weeks of pregnancy in Tehran, Iran. TPM instructions consisted of diet, bathing, and application of oil from the 38th week of pregnancy to the onset of labor. The primary outcome was the duration of the active phase of labor. The mean duration of the active phase was 331.60 ± 151.48 min for the intervention group and 344.40 ± 271.46 min for the control groups, but it was not statistically significant. The active phase was significantly shorter in women who had better compliance (p=0.03). The need for oxytocin augmentation was 53.3 in the control group and 38.5 in the intervention group (p=0.17). The rate of perineal infection was 13 in the control group and 0 in the intervention group (p=0.11). The active phase was not different in the intervention and control groups, but it was shorter in compliant women. It is possible that prolonged use of these recommendations in combination with a sitz baths and a larger sample size could result in more significant outcomes. © 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston