Status and future directions of anti-metastatic cancer nanomedicines for the inhibition of cathepsin L

Angiogenesis, tissue invasion and metastasis in the tumour microenvironment are all critical hallmarks of cancer. Upregulation of cathepsin L plays an important role in angiogenesis and metastasis through its ability to degrade the extracellular matrix, facilitating tissue remodeling and tumour cell invasion. Thus, cathepsin L is a potential therapeutic target for anticancer nanomedicine, with its inhibition emerging as an innovative and potentially promising therapeutic intervention for the development of anti-invasion and anti-metastatic enzyme therapies. Nanotechnology-based platforms have been extensively tested in the anti-cancer nanomedicine field with effective anti-tumour efficacy. These nanodrugs can suppress tumour cell proliferation, thereby reducing tumour growth. Recently, nanomedicinal approaches have also emerged as effective anti-metastatic strategies, including the use of graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles. With a focus on recent advances in developing nanotechnology to inhibit cathepsin L, this review provides an in-depth examination of this stimulating field in the context of tumour microenvironments. Innovative anti-metastatic agents may lead to new options for the treatment of cancers

A study of adverse drug reaction profile of tuberculosis patients attending DOTS center at Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar memorial hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India

Background: Tuberculosis is second leading cause of death in the world. The causative organism is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The objective was to study the adverse reactions of the patients attending the DOTS center and to assess their causality and severity of reported ADRs.Methods: Present study was a prospective observational study carried at the DOTS center of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India between August 2011 to July 2012 (One year). The patients were monitored for adverse drug reactions. The assessment of ADRs were based upon the WHO assessment scale, Naranjo scale, European A.B.O scale.Results: Total number of patients attending DOTS center was 816. The number of males (428) exceeded that of females (388). Majority of patients in this study belonged to 21-30 years (26.96%) next 31-40 years (25.24%) and 41-50 years (16.5%) of age group. Prevalence of ADRs were more in males (57%) than in females 32 (43%). Majority of ADRs reported were moderate 33 (35.22%) followed by 29 (46,77%) were mild, no severe ADRs reported. According to severity of ADRs seen were gastritis 28 (45%) followed by 10 (16% ) rashes , 10 (16,12%) of arthralgia, 3 (4.83%) of hepatitis, 6 (9.7%) of peripheral neuropathy, 2 (3%) onsets of ADRs after starting anti-tubercular drug were 12 (19.35%) in 0-1 week followed by 19 (30%) ADRs showed onset in 1-2 week and 2-3 week, 8 (13%) in 3-4 week 3 (5%) in 4-5 week and 1 (2%) in 5-6 week.Conclusions: The casual link between the ADRs and the suspected anti-tubercular drug by Naranjo scale definitely relationship was established between the anti-tubercular drug and ADRs in 7 (11.25%) patient while 22 (35.45%) probable and 33 (53.22%) ADRs were categorized as possible

Rationality verses irrationality in fixed dose combinations: at a tertiary teaching hospital of rural Chhattisgarh, India

Background: Rational drug prescribing can be defined as appropriate drugs prescribed in the right dose, at correct time intervals and for a sufficient duration. Irrational drug use is a common problem in many countries of the world.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted, total 300 patients attending various outpatient departments of tertiary health care rural hospital in Rajnandgaon district were interviewed and their prescriptions were analysed.Results: Total 350 drugs were prescribed 60 (17.14%) were prescribed by generic name and the rest 290 (82.86%) were prescribed by brand name. Only 18 (5.14%) drugs were not prescribed from hospital formulary. 264 (75.43%) drugs were dispensed from hospital pharmacy. On the basis of rationality score 53% prescriptions were rational, 30% semi rational and 17% irrational.Conclusions: In a rural hospital, where hospital formulary is based on WHO Essential medicine list, hundred percent utilization of hospital pharmacy service doctors and patients would ensure rational prescribing benefits of the patients coming from rural and uneducated background

Novel epigenetic therapeutic strategies and targets in cancer

The critical role of dysregulated epigenetic pathways in cancer genesis, development, and therapy has typically been established as a result of scientific and technical innovations in next generation sequencing. RNA interference, histone modification, DNA methylation and chromatin remodelling are epigenetic processes that control gene expression without causing mutations in the DNA. Although epigenetic abnormalities are thought to be a symptom of cell tumorigenesis and malignant events that impact tumor growth and drug resistance, physicians believe that related processes might be a key therapeutic target for cancer treatment and prevention due to the reversible nature of these processes. A plethora of novel strategies for addressing epigenetics in cancer therapy for immuno-oncological complications are currently available - ranging from basic treatment to epigenetic editing. - and they will be the subject of this comprehensive review. In this review, we cover most of the advancements made in the field of targeting epigenetics with special emphasis on microbiology, plasma science, biophysics, pharmacology, molecular biology, phytochemistry, and nanoscience

Assessment of knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics amongst medical undergraduates of a tertiary care teaching hospital of Chhattisgarh, India: a questionnaire based study

Background: Knowledge of pharmacology forms the basis of rational pharmacotherapy practice. Teaching the medical students about systematic application of pharmacology in patients’ care forms an essential component. It facilitates the medical students to develop a methodical approach in solving patients’ clinical problems.Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted, at Government Medical College Rajnandgaon involving second year MBBS students. Total 100 students participated in the study.Results: Hundred percent of the students responded that pharmacology was presently taught to them, seventy nine percent of them agreed with the fact that pharmacology was preferred to pass the MBBS, eighty eight percent of them responded that in pharmacokinetics was the least preferred topic, ninety seven of them were not aware of the essential drug list. Their suggestions regarding the change in teaching methodology was recorded.Conclusions: This study concludes that efforts are needed to develop a curriculum that encompasses important aspects of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics along with incorporation of the useful suggestions by the undergraduate students

Novel Au–SiO2–WO3 Core–Shell Composite Nanoparticles for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Potential Application in Cancer Cell Imaging

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordWith the rapid development of nanotechnology during the last decades, the ability to detect and control individual objects at the nanoscale has enabled to deal with complex biomedical challenges. In cancer imaging, novel nanoparticles (NPs) offer promising potential to identify single cancer cells and precisely label larger areas of cancer tissues. Herein, a new class of size tunable core-shell composite (Au-SiO2-WO3) nanoparticles is reported. These nanoparticles display an easily improvable ∼ 103 surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement factor (EF) with a double Au shell for dried samples over Si wafers and several orders of magnitude for liquid samples. WO3 core nanoparticles of 20-50 nm in diameter are sheathed by an intermediate 10-60 nm silica layer, produced by following the Stöber basedprocess and Turkevich method, followed by a 5-20 nm thick Au outer shell. By attaching 4- mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) molecules as Raman reporters to the Au, high-resolution Raman maps which pinpoint the nanoparticles’ location are obtained. Our preliminary results confirm their advantageous SERS properties for single-molecule detection, significant cell viability after 24 h and in vitro cell imaging using coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering (CARS). Our long-term objective is to measure SERS nanoparticles in vivo using NearInfrared light.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Porous Graphene Composite Polymer Fibres

Since the isolation of graphene, there have been boundless pursuits to exploit the many superior properties that this material possesses; nearing the two-decade mark, progress has been made, but more is yet to be done for it to be truly exploited at a commercial scale. Porous graphene (PG) has recently been explored as a promising membrane material for polymer composite fibres. However, controlling the incorporation of high surface area PG into polymer fibres remain largely unexplored. Additionally, most polymer-graphene composites suffer from low production rates and yields. In this paper, graphene-loaded microfibres, which can be produced at a very high rate and yield have been formed with a carrier polymer, polycaprolactone. For the first time, PG has been incorporated into polymer matrices produced by a high-output manufacturing process and analysed via multiple techniques; scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Raman spectra showed that single layer graphene structures were achieved, evidence for which was also backed up by the other techniques. Fibres with an average diameter ranging from 3–8 μm were produced with 3–5 wt% PG. Here, we show how PG can be easily processed into polymeric fibres, allowing for widespread use in electrical and ultrafiltration system