Exosomes as delivery tools in cancer therapy: Future perspectives

Exosomes, which are one of the extracellular vesicles, are considered necessary tools of intracellular communication that abundant in our body in physiological and pathological conditions with a diameter of 30-150 nm. The nanotubes, dendrimeric, metallic, nanoparticles have been used in the medical area. However, these nano-based systems are lack of standardized manufacturing methods and therefore, it has toxic effects on cells. The delivery methods of growth factors, exosomes, cells, and engineered tissues have notably advanced in the medical area. The fact that they contain bioactive molecules such as protein, lipid, RNA and DNA revealed that these structures may play an important role in the treatment of cancer. Here, we review work on the contribution exosomal mediated cancer treatment in two main topics as exogenous molecule carrier and self-use. We also emphasize the development of exosome-based systems by referring to the advantages and disadvantages of using exosomes and future perspectives in cancer therapy. © 2021 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All Rights Reserved

Acanthosis Nigricans in a Patient with Lung Cancer: A Case Report

Some skin lesions may accompany malignancies. Acanthosis nigricans, one such lesion, is a paraneoplastic dermatosis characterized by hyperpigmented and velvety verrucose plaques observed as symetric eruptions. With this report, we aim to present a rare case of concomitant lung cancer and acanthosis nigricans. Malignant acanthosis nigricans is most commonly associated with intra-abdominal malignancies. A 65-year-old patient who had hyperpigmented, hypertrophic and symmetric verrucose lesions at the flexor surfaces of the lower and upper extremities, face, palms and the axillary region. Thoracic computed tomography demonstrated a hypodense mass lesion with a dimension of 5 × 5.5 cm at the center of basal segment bronchi of the left pulmonary lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed that the access to the lower left lobe was almost completely obstructed by the endobronchial lesion. The result of the histopathologic examination of the endobronchial tissue biopsy was reported as non-small cell (adenocarcinoma) lung cancer. Result of the histopathologic analysis of the punch biopsy of the skin lesions was reported as acanthosis nigricans .There are no pathognomonic dermatological findings for lung cancer. In conclusion, there are skin lesions that accompany lung cancer and we believe that these should be considered for differential diagnosis

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

The Cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, Irinotecan, and Gemcitabine Treatment in Resistant 2D and 3D Model Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line: ABCG2 Expression Data

Background: Chemotherapeutics have been commonly used in cancer treatment. Objective: In this study, the effects of Cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, Irinotecan, and Gemcitabine have been evaluated on two-dimensional (2D) (sensitive and resistance) cell lines and three dimensional (3D) spheroid structure of MDA-MB-231. The 2D cell culture lacks a natural tissue-like structural so, using 3D cell culture has an important role in the de-velopment of effective drug testing models. Furthermore, we analyzed the ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 (ABCG2) gene and protein expression profile in this study. We aimed to establish a 3D breast cancer model that can mimic the in vivo 3D breast cancer microenvironment. Methods: The 3D spheroid structures were multiplied (globally) using the three-dimensional hanging drop method. The cultures of the parental cell line MDA-MB-231 served as the controls. After adding the drugs in different amounts, we observed a clear and well-differentiated spheroid formation for 24 h. The viability and proliferation capacity of 2D (sensitive and resistant) cell lines and 3D spheroid cell treatment were assessed by the XTT assay. Results: Cisplatin, Irinotecan, 5-Fu, and Gemcitabine-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells were observed to begin to disinte-grate in a three-dimensional clustered structure at 24 hours. Additionally, RT-PCR and protein assay showed overex-pression of ABCG2 when compared to the parental cell line. Moreover, MDA-MB-231 cells grown in 3D showed decreased sensitivity to chemotherapeutics treatment. Conclusion: More resistance to chemotherapeutics and altered gene expression profile were shown in 3D cell cultures when compared with the 2D cells. These results might play an important role to evaluate the efficacy of anticancer drugs to explore the mechanisms of MDR in the 3D spheroid forms

Nurturing creativity and playfulness in early childhood pre-service teacher education

Towards the aim of a comprehensive play-work provision and profession the authYoung children have an innate ability to pose questions, bring out new ideas, and use variety of materials in unusual and divergent ways. During the early years, children have the potential to express themselves openly and creatively. They enjoy when they are allowed to think divergently which is considered hallmarks of being a creative and playful individual. Hereby, early childhood teachers play a critical role in encouraging children’s creative instinct in the classroom while realizing the child’s potential and arranging an environment that has dramatic impact on the child’s creative experiences. To promote creativity and playfulness in early childhood classrooms, pre-service teacher education is one avenue worth exploring the beliefs and attitudes toward creative process and the pedagogical practices to enhance prospective teacher’s content knowledge about creativity and playfulness in general. This study aimed to make an in-depth investigation on the beliefs of pre-service teachers about creativity and their perceived barriers toward creative process. The study also aimed to examine the extent to which the pre-service teachers reflected their creativity and playfulness on their pedagogical practices. The data was collected through the pre- and post-questionnaires, document analyses of the lesson plans and in-class activities and the focus group interviews held at the end of the semester. The study results shed light on understanding the barriers in creative process and fostering variety of pedagogical practices during pre-service teacher education. Moreover, the results revealed the need for more courses on creativity and play to familiarize the pre-service teachers with different approaches to incorporate creative activities across curriculum. Nurturing Creativity and Playfulness in Early Childhood Pre-service Teacher Education Kastamonu University, Turkey Abstract book of the 27th ICCP World Play Conference “Researching Play - Challenges and Opportunities” 74 Psychological Evaluation of Toys and Games Elena Sheina and Elena Smirnova Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Russia The paper is devoted to scientific ground of psychological and pedagogical evaluation of children toys. We introduce approach which is developed in The Centre for Psychological and Pedagogical Expertise of Games and Toys of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education. A toy is the most traditional cultural tool created by adults to develop children. The cultural-historical and activity theory of mental development is the theoretical basis of our evaluation approach. The developmental potential of a toy depends on the character and variability of play action and its relation to the needs and potential of the age. The specific types of child’s activities (cognitive-explorative activity, play, productive and physical activity), types of objects / toys for each activity and the criteria of their evaluation are described

Creativity in early childhood teacher education: beliefs and practices

The aim of this study was twofold: (a) To carry out an in-depth investigation of pre-service teachers (PTs) beliefs regarding creativity and the perceived barriers of creative processes within early childhood education, and (b) To examine the extent to which PTs reflect their creativity within their pedagogical practices. The participants (n = 45) were university seniors attending an early childhood education programme. The study results demonstrated a lack of knowledge and experience regarding creativity in education as one of the most stated inadequacies among PTs, and as a result, a need for additional coursework and/or practice-based courses regarding creativity in order to more adequately familiarise PTs with a breadth of approaches that incorporate creativity across the curriculum. The results also revealed that the most common barrier recognised in creative processes of PTs was pressure on teachers due to the parents’ expectations regarding student outcomes. The results of this study provided a more comprehensive look into the nature of creativity from a holistic perspective as well as how to improve early childhood teacher education programmes in terms of effective teaching strategies for creativity

In vivo, in vitro and Molecular Modelling Analysis of Isoquercetin, Roseo-side, Coreximine, Anonaine, and Arianacin Molecules

Introduction: Annona muricata is a member of the Annonaceae family. This plant has a high concentration of acetogenin, which gives it excellent therapeutic property. Researchers have tested this miraculous herb in breast cancer cells treatment and observed that it could be a source of anti-cancer agents. The proposed study focused on screening the anticancer biological activity of Annona muricata plant by using the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods. Methods: In in vitro analysis, the IC50 was determined on two-dimensional and three-dimensional breast cancer cells. 2D cells were cultured on flat dishes typically made of plastic, while 3D cells were cultured using the hanging drop method. In in vivo analysis, Drosophila melanogaster was preferred, and the LC50 was determined. In in silico analysis, molecular docking studies have been carried out on the different classes of Annona muricata acetogenins against the target proteins. Nearly, five acetogenins were selected from the literature, and docking was performed against human Bcl-2, Bad and Akt-1 proteins. Results: In vitro and in vivo results revealed the IC50 value of 2D MDA-MB-231 cells as 330 μg.mℓ-1, of 2D MCF-7 cells as290 μg.mℓ-1, and of 3D MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells about 0.005 g.mℓ-1; the LC50 value of Drosophila melanogaster was determined as 0.1 g.mℓ-1. In silico results revealed that the docked complex formed by Isoquercetin showed better binding affinity towards target proteins. Conclusion: As a result of the analysis, the Annona muricata plant has been observed to be effective against cancer and likely to be a potential drug. © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers

Evaluation of Sleep Quality in Asthmatic Children with the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ)

Considering the high prevalence of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) in asthmatic patients, we aimed to compare asthmatic children and healthy children in terms of SRBD according to Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) scores. A questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and the PSQ, which evaluates sleep quality and consists of 22 questions, was administered. During the data collection process, 180 patients in the patient group and 170 patients in the control group were included. The patient group showed statistically significantly higher total scores and subscale scores for snoring, sleepiness, and inattention compared to the control group. Statistically significant correlations were found between the sleepiness subscale and body mass index z score in a negative direction and between age at presentation and duration of asthma in a positive direction. Our findings endorse employing the PSQ as a screening instrument in the outpatient environment to ensure timely referral of asthma patients to a sleep specialist for SRBD evaluation. Considering the widespread occurrence of snoring and asthma, this tool could aid in identifying patients with an elevated risk of SRBD and expedite the scheduling of nocturnal polysomnography for these children