Sustained release of VEGF from PLGA nanoparticles embedded thermo-sensitive hydrogel in full-thickness porcine bladder acellular matrix

We fabricated a novel vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-nanoparticles (NPs)-embedded thermo-sensitive hydrogel in porcine bladder acellular matrix allograft (BAMA) system, which is designed for achieving a sustained release of VEGF protein, and embedding the protein carrier into the BAMA. We identified and optimized various formulations and process parameters to get the preferred particle size, entrapment, and polydispersibility of the VEGF-NPs, and incorporated the VEGF-NPs into the (poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic®) F127 to achieve the preferred VEGF-NPs thermo-sensitive gel system. Then the thermal behavior of the system was proven by in vitro and in vivo study, and the kinetic-sustained release profile of the system embedded in porcine bladder acellular matrix was investigated. Results indicated that the bioactivity of the encapsulated VEGF released from the NPs was reserved, and the VEGF-NPs thermo-sensitive gel system can achieve sol-gel transmission successfully at appropriate temperature. Furthermore, the system can create a satisfactory tissue-compatible environment and an effective VEGF-sustained release approach. In conclusion, a novel VEGF-loaded PLGA NPs-embedded thermo-sensitive hydrogel in porcine BAMA system is successfully prepared, to provide a promising way for deficient bladder reconstruction therapy

N′-(5-Bromo-2-hy­droxy­benzyl­idene)-4-nitro­benzohydrazide methanol monosolvate

In the title compound, C14H10BrN3O4·CH4O, the benzohydrazide mol­ecule is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.110 (2) Å]. The mean planes of the two benzene rings make a dihedral angle of 8.4 (3)°. In the benzohydrazide mol­ecule, there is an intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond and the NH group is hydrogen bonded to the methanol solvent mol­ecule. In the crystal, inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the methanol solvent mol­ecule link the benzohydrazide mol­ecules to form chains which propagate along the a axis

Expression of Oct-4 in oncogenic miR-155-positive oral squamous carcinoma cells

Purpose: To identify effective molecular diagnostic methods for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to facilitate treatment of the disease in its initial stages.Methods: To identify molecular markers, OSCC tissue samples were collected from cancer patients and healthy controls. CD44+ cells were sorted using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry and immunostaining experiments were performed to identify markers for OSCC.Results: The qRT-PCR data confirmed the presence of oncogenic miR-155 in the OSCC samples. The immunohistochemical and immunostaining results confirmed the expression of Oct-4, an important target for the early diagnosis of OSCC, in oncogenic miR-155-positive OSCCs.Conclusion: Detection of the expression of miR-155 and Oct-4, which are key molecular markers, may be useful in improving the early diagnosis of OSCC.Keywords: CD44, oral squamous cell carcinoma, oncogenic miR-155, Oct-

2,5-Dibromo­terephthalic acid dihydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C8H4Br2O4·2H2O, contains one half-mol­ecule of 2,5-dibromo­terephthalic acid (DBTA) and one water mol­ecule. The DBTA mol­ecule is centrosymmetric. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules, forming a three-dimensional framework

A study of instability in a miniature flying-wing aircraft in high-speed taxi

AbstractThis study investigates an instability that was observed during high-speed taxi tests of an experimental flying-wing aircraft. In order to resolve the reason of instability and probable solution of it, the instability was reproduced in simulations. An analysis revealed the unique stability characteristics of this aircraft. This aircraft has a rigid connection between the nose wheel steering mechanism and an electric servo, which is different from aircraft with a conventional tricycle landing gear system. The analysis based on simulation results suggests that there are two reasons for the instability. The first reason is a reversal of the lateral velocity of the nose wheel. The second reason is that the moment about the center of gravity created by the lateral friction force from the nose wheel is larger than that from the lateral friction force from the main wheels. These problems were corrected by changing the ground pitch angle. Simulations show that reducing the ground pitch angle can eliminate the instability in high-speed taxi

(S)-Ethyl 2-[4-(6-chloro­quinoxalin-2-yl­oxy)phen­oxy]propanoate

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C19H17ClN2O4, the quinoxaline ring system is planar [maximum deviation = 0.013 (3) Å] and oriented at a dihedral angle of 80.18 (3)° with respect to the benzene ring. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular C—H⋯N inter­actions link mol­ecules into chains. π–π contacts between the quinoxaline systems [centroid–centroid distance = 3.654 (1) Å] may further stabilize the structure

2,2′-(p-Phenyl­ene)bis­(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium) bis­(3-nitro­benzoate)

In the title compound, C12H16N4 +·2C7H4NO4 −, the complete 2,2′-(p-phenyl­ene)bis­(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-ium) (bib) dication is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The bib cations reside on crystallographic inversion centers, which coincide with the centroids of the respective benzene rings. In the cation, the imidazole ring adopts an envelop conformation with the flap atom displaced by 0.082 (3) Å from the plane through the other ring atoms. In the crystal, the cations and anions are linked through inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains running along the a axis. C—H⋯O inter­actions also occur. Weak π–π contacts between the imidazole rings of bib and between the benzene rings of NB [centroid–centroid distances = 3.501 (1) and 3.281 (2) Å, respectively] may further stabilize the structure

Combined 3D-QSAR Modeling and Molecular Docking Studies on Pyrrole-Indolin-2-ones as Aurora A Kinase Inhibitors

Aurora kinases have emerged as attractive targets for the design of anticancer drugs. 3D-QSAR (comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA)) and Surflex-docking studies were performed on a series of pyrrole-indoline-2-ones as Aurora A inhibitors. The CoMFA and CoMSIA models using 25 inhibitors in the training set gave r2cv values of 0.726 and 0.566, and r2 values of 0.972 and 0.984, respectively. The adapted alignment method with the suitable parameters resulted in reliable models. The contour maps produced by the CoMFA and CoMSIA models were employed to rationalize the key structural requirements responsible for the activity. Surflex-docking studies revealed that the sulfo group, secondary amine group on indolin-2-one, and carbonyl of 6,7-dihydro-1H-indol-4(5H)-one groups were significant for binding to the receptor, and some essential features were also identified. Based on the 3D-QSAR and docking results, a set of new molecules with high predicted activities were designed