Engineered nanomicelles inhibit the tumour progression via abrogating the prostaglandin-mediated immunosuppression

Cancer treatment is challenged due to immunosuppressive inflammatory tumour microenvironment (TME) caused by infiltration of tumour-promoting and inhibition of tumour-inhibiting immune cells. Here, we report the engineering of chimeric nanomicelles (NMs) targeting the cell proliferation using docetaxel (DTX) and inflammation using dexamethasone (DEX) that alters the immunosuppressive TME. We show that a combination of phospholipid-DTX conjugate and PEGylated-lipid-DEX conjugate can self-assemble to form sub-100 nm chimeric NMs (DTX-DEX NMs). Anti-cancer activities against syngeneic and xenograft mouse models showed that the DTX-DEX NMs are more effective in tumour regression, enhance the survival of mice over other treatment modes, and alter the tumour stroma. DTX-DEX NMs cause a significant reduction in myeloid-derived suppressor cells, alter the polarization of macrophages, and enhance the accumulation of cytotoxic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumour tissues, along with alterations in cytokine expression. We further demonstrated that these DTX-DEX NMs inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, especially PGE2, by targeting the cyclooxygenase 2 that is partly responsible for immunosuppressive TME. Therefore, this study presents, for the first time, the engineering of lithocholic acid-derived chimeric NMs that affect the prostaglandin pathway, alter the TME, and mitigate tumour progression with enhanced mice survival.

Insights into molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in cancer

Cancer heterogeneity poses a significant hurdle to the successful treatment of the disease, and is being influenced by genetic inheritance, cellular and tissue biology, disease development, and response to therapy. While chemotherapeutic drugs have demonstrated effectiveness, their efficacy is impeded by challenges such as presence of resilient cancer stem cells, absence of specific biomarkers, and development of drug resistance. Often chemotherapy leads to a myriad of epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional alterations in gene expression as well as changes in protein expression, thereby leading to massive metabolic reprogramming. This review seeks to provide a detailed account of various transcriptional regulations, proteomic changes, and metabolic reprogramming in various cancer models in response to three primary chemotherapeutic interventions, docetaxel, carboplatin, and doxorubicin. Discussing the molecular targets of some of these regulatory events and highlighting their contribution in sensitivity to chemotherapy will provide insights into drug resistance mechanisms and uncover novel perspectives in cancer treatment.

A localized hydrogel-mediated chemotherapy causes immunogenic cell death via activation of ceramide-mediated unfolded protein response

Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is challenging because of its "COLD" tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Here, we present a hydrogel-mediated localized delivery of a combination of docetaxel (DTX) and carboplatin (CPT) (called DTX-CPT-Gel therapy) that ensured enhanced anticancer effect and tumor regression on multiple murine syngeneic and xenograft tumor models. DTX-CPT-Gel therapy modulated the TIME by an increase of antitumorigenic M1 macrophages, attenuation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and increase of granzyme B+CD8+ T cells. DTX-CPT-Gel therapy elevated ceramide levels in tumor tissues that activated the protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR). This UPR-mediated activation of apoptotic cell death led to release of damage-associated molecular patterns, thereby activating the immunogenic cell death that could even clear the metastatic tumors. This study provides a promising hydrogel-mediated platform for DTX-CPT therapy that induces tumor regression and effective immune modulation and, therefore, can be explored further for treatment of TNBC.

Unique sphingolipid signature identifies luminal and triple-negative breast cancer subtypes

Breast cancer (luminal and triple-negative breast cancer [TNBC]) is the most common cancer among women in India and worldwide. Altered sphingolipid levels have emerged as a common phenomenon during cancer progression. However, these alterations are yet to be translated into robust diagnostic and prognostic markers for cancer. Here, we present the quantified sphingolipids of tumor and adjacent-normal tissues from patients of luminal (n = 70) and TNBC (n = 42) subtype from an Indian cohort using targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. We recorded unique sphingolipid profiles that distinguished luminal and TNBC tumors in comparison to adjacent normal tissue by six-sphingolipid signatures. Moreover, systematic comparison of the profiles of luminal and TNBC tumors provided a unique five-sphingolipid signature distinguishing the two subtypes. We further identified key sphingolipids that can stratify grade II and grade III tumors of luminal and TNBC subtype as well as their lymphovascular invasion status. Therefore, we provide the right evidence to develop these candidate sphingolipids as widely acceptable marker/s capable of diagnosing luminal vs TNBC subtype of breast cancer, and predicting the disease severity by identifying the tumor grade.

Monochrome computer vision for detecting common external defects of mango

Lack of rapid, non-destructive, and precision sorting and grading automatic tools for quality and safety assurance of mango fruit, in India, limits its share in the global market (< 1%) despite being the world's largest producer. External defects on the surface of mango fruit are very common and a major cause of quality deterioration as well as degradation of market value. The goal of this work is, thus, to develop a computer vision system for defect detection of mangoes using monochrome cameras and to check its potential for detecting the defect. Considering the above facts an algorithm was developed and its performance was evaluated based on accuracy, efficiency, and average inspection time. The average accuracy and efficiency of the developed algorithm for defect detection was obtained as 88.75% and 97.88%, respectively. Monochrome computer vision systems are very successful and have great potential to detect various common external defects such as a black lesions, mechanical damage, etc.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version of this article (10.1007/s13197-020-04939-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nonimmunogenic Hydrogel-Mediated Delivery of Antibiotics Outperforms Clinically Used Formulations in Mitigating Wound Infections

Treatment of chronic wound infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus is highly challenging due to the low efficacy of existing formulations, thereby leading to drug resistance. Herein, we present the synthesis of a nonimmunogenic cholic acid-glycine-glycine conjugate (A6) that self-assembles into a supramolecular viscoelastic hydrogel (A6 gel) suitable for topical applications. The A6 hydrogel can entrap different antibiotics with high efficacy without compromising its viscoelastic behavior. Activities against different bacterial species using a disc diffusion assay demonstrated the antimicrobial effect of the ciprofloxacin-loaded A6 hydrogel (CPF-Gel). Immune profiling and gene expression studies after the application of the A6 gel to mice confirmed its nonimmunogenic nature to host tissues. We further demonstrated that topical application of CPF-Gel clears S. aureus-mediated wound infections more effectively than clinically used formulations. Therefore, cholic acid-derived hydrogels are an efficacious matrix for topical delivery of antibiotics and should be explored further.

Hypercalcaemic encephalopathy as a presenting manifestation of sarcoidosis

A 66-year-old woman presented to us with features of encephalopathy with asterixis, preceded by unsteadiness of gait and behavioural abnormalities. On subsequent investigations, hypercalcaemic crisis and compromised renal function were noted. Stepwise approach to determine the cause behind hypercalcaemia with compromised renal function revealed underlying granulomatous disease (sarcoidosis). Later, development of maculopapular rash and subsequent biopsy from the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Her clinical and biochemical parameters improved considerably on initiation of conservative pharmacological therapy.

Bile Acid Tethered Docetaxel-Based Nanomicelles Mitigate Tumor Progression through Epigenetic Changes

In this study, we describe the engineering of sub-100 nm nanomicelles (DTX-PC NMs) derived from phosphocholine derivative of docetaxel (DTX)-conjugated lithocholic acid (DTX-PC) and poly(ethylene glycol)-tethered lithocholic acid. Administration of DTX-PC NMs decelerate tumor progression and increase the mice survivability compared to Taxotere (DTX-TS), the FDA-approved formulation of DTX. Unlike DTX-TS, DTX-PC NMs do not cause any systemic toxicity and slow the decay rate of plasma DTX concentration in rodents and non-rodent species including non-human primates. We further demonstrate that DTX-PC NMs target demethylation of CpG islands of Sparcl1 (a tumor suppressor gene) by suppressing DNA methyltransferase activity and increase the expression of Sparcl1 that leads to tumor regression. Therefore, this unique system has the potential to improve the quality of life in cancer patients and can be translated as a next-generation chemotherapeutic.

A Localized Chimeric Hydrogel Therapy Combats Tumor Progression through Alteration of Sphingolipid Metabolism

Rapid proliferation of cancer cells assisted by endothelial cell-mediated angiogenesis and acquired inflammation at the tumor microenvironment (TME) lowers the success rate of chemotherapeutic regimens. Therefore, targeting these processes using localized delivery of a minimally toxic drug combination may be a promising strategy. Here, we present engineering of a biocompatible self-assembled lithocholic acid-dipeptide derived hydrogel (TRI-Gel) that can maintain sustained delivery of antiproliferating doxorubicin, antiangiogenic combretastatin-A4 and anti-inflammatory dexamethasone. Application of TRI-Gel therapy to a murine tumor model promotes enhanced apoptosis with a concurrent reduction in angiogenesis and inflammation, leading to effective abrogation of tumor proliferation and increased median survival with reduced drug resistance. In-depth RNA-sequencing analysis showed that TRI-Gel therapy induced transcriptome-wide alternative splicing of many genes responsible for oncogenic transformation including sphingolipid genes. We demonstrate that TRI-Gel therapy targets the reversal of a unique intron retention event in β-glucocerebrosidase 1 (Gba1), thereby increasing the availability of functional Gba1 protein. An enhanced Gba1 activity elevates ceramide levels responsible for apoptosis and decreases glucosylceramides to overcome drug resistance. Therefore, TRI-Gel therapy provides a unique system that affects the TME via post-transcriptional modulations of sphingolipid metabolic genes, thereby opening a new and rational approach to cancer therapy.

Modeling the solid-to-plasma transition for laser imprinting in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

Laser imprinting possesses a potential danger for low-adiabat and high-convergence implosions in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Within certain direct-drive ICF schemes, a laser picket (prepulse) is used to condition the target to increase the interaction efficiency with the main pulse. Whereas initially the target is in a solid state (of ablators such as polystyrene) with specific electronic and optical properties, the current state-of-the-art hydrocodes assume an initial plasma state, which ignores the detailed plasma formation process. To overcome this strong assumption, a model describing the solid-to-plasma transition, eventually aiming at being implemented in hydrocodes, is developed. It describes the evolution of main physical quantities of interest, including the free electron density, collision frequency, absorbed laser energy, temperatures, and pressure, during the first stage of the laser-matter interaction. The results show that a time about 100 ps is required for the matter to undergo the phase transition, the initial solid state thus having a notable impact on the subsequent plasma dynamics. The nonlinear absorption processes (associated to the solid state) are also shown to have an influence on the thermodynamic quantities after the phase transition, leading to target deformations depending on the initial solid state. The negative consequences for the ICF schemes consist in shearing of the ablator and possibly preliminary heating of the deuterium-tritium fuel.

Attitude of Indian Medical Students Towards Homosexuality

INTRODUCTION

It is important to understand the attitude of medical students towards homosexuality, as this may affect patient care.

METHODS

Year 2 and 3 students at Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, India were asked to selfadminister an 18-item questionnaire anonymously. Internal consistency of the questionnaire statements was high (Cronbach's alpha of 0.91). There were five responses for each statement: strongly agree, generally agree, unsure, generally disagree, and strongly disagree.

RESULTS

Of 290 students, 270 (93.1%) [148 males and 122 females] completed the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Overall, 55.6% strongly disagreed that homosexuality was an illness; 70.8% agreed that homosexuals were capable of forming stable relationships. Only 31.1% believed that homosexual doctors would better understand homosexual patients. About 71.8% reported that talking about homosexuality did not embarrass them, and 81.8% believed that problems associated with homosexuality could be reduced if society was more liberal. Nonetheless, negative attitudes were reflected in the stereotypical image of homosexuality. About 15.9% of respondents believed that homosexuality was an illness; 24.8% considered homosexuals neurotic, 28.1% considered homosexuals promiscuous; and 8.2% thought that they posed a danger to children.

CONCLUSION

Although the overall attitude of Indian medical students towards homosexuality is positive, the percentage of students with negative attitudes remains quite high. Further work on the medical curriculum is needed to change these negative attitudes so that patients receive appropriate care.

Vacuum impregnation: a promising way for mineral fortification in potato porous matrix (potato chips)

Potato chips can be considered as an ideal carrier for targeted nutrient/s delivery as mostly consumed by the vulnerable group (children and teen agers). The present study was planned to fortifiy potato chips with calcium (Calcium lactate) and zinc (Zinc sulphate) using vacuum impregnation technique. At about 70-80 mm Hg vacuum pressure, maximum level of impregnation of both the minerals was achieved. Results showed that after optimization, calcium lactate at 4.81%, zinc sulphate at 0.72%, and vacuum of 33.53 mm Hg with restoration period of 19.52 min can fortify potato chips that can fulfil 10 and 21% need of calcium and zinc, respectively of targeted group (age 4-17 years). The present research work has shown that through this technique, fortification can be done in potato chips which are generally considered as a poor source of minerals. Further to make potato chips more fit to health conscious consumers, rather frying microwaving was done to develop mineral fortified low fat potato chips.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Laser surface modification of medical grade alloys for reduced heating in a magnetic resonance imaging environment

Nanoscale surface modification of medical grade metallic alloys was conducted using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser-based dopant diffusion technique. The objective of this approach was to minimize the induction heating by reducing the absorbed radio frequency field. Such an approach is advantageous in that the dopant is diffused into the alloy and is not susceptible to detachment or spallation as would an externally applied coating, and is expected to not deteriorate the mechanical and electrical properties of the base alloy or device. Experiments were conducted using a controlled environment laser system with the ability to control laser properties (i.e., laser power, spot size, and irradiation time) and dopant characteristics (i.e., temperature, concentration, and pressure). The reflective and transmissive properties of both the doped and untreated samples were measured in a radio frequency (63.86 MHz) magnetic field using a system comprising a high power signal generator, a localized magnetic field source and sensor, and a signal analyzer. The results indicate an increase in the reflectivity of the laser-treated samples compared to untreated samples. The effect of reflectivity on the heating of the alloys is investigated through a mathematical model incorporating Maxwell's equations and heat conduction.

Periplogenin, isolated from Lagenaria siceraria, ameliorates L-T₄-induced hyperthyroidism and associated cardiovascular problems

The importance of glycoside in the regulation of thyroid dysfunction is not well understood. In the present investigation, effects of periplogenin-3- O-D-glucopyranosyl (1→6)(1→4)-D-cymaropyranoside, isolated from the vegetable, LAGENARIA SICERARIA, in L-thyroxine (L-T₄)-induced hyperthyroidism and in related cardiovascular abnormalities have been revealed in Wistar albino rats. L-T₄ (500 μg/kg, s. c./d) administration for 12 days significantly increased serum concentrations of thyroxine (T₄), triidothyronine (T₃), and hepatic 5'-deiodinase I (5'-DI) activity with a parallel increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in different organs such as heart, liver and kidney; serum glucose and insulin concentrations and a decrease in cardiac Na (+)-K (+)-ATPase activity as well as serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Most of these adverse effects were reversed following the administration of isolated periplogenin. However, out of its 3 different concentrations (5.0, 10, and 25 mg/kg), 5 mg/kg appeared to be the most effective one as it could nearly normalize the level of T₃, glucose, insulin, Na (+)-K (+)-ATPase activity, tissue LPO and different serum lipids suggesting the protective role of periplogenin against thyrotoxicosis and associated cardiovascular problems. It appears that the periplogenin actions are mediated through its direct antithyroidal and/or LPO inhibiting properties.

Fruit and vegetable peels: Paving the way towards the development of new generation therapeutics

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer, and thyroid abnormalities are major health problems prevalent around the world and are responsible for a large portion of morbidity and mortality out of health problems overall. Advances in genomics and proteomics in recent years have led to an explosion in the number of possible therapeutic targets and drug candidates through use of molecular approaches, chemical synthesis, traditional medicinal chemistry, and phyto-chemistry and through the exploration of novel herbal preparations. However, virtually none of these candidates are devoid of potential adverse drug reaction(s) or undesirable side effects. Therefore, the clear need is to look to alternative ways to develop novel drug candidates with fewer side effects and less cost. Interestingly, the last few years have seen an increase in the number of available reports on fruits and vegetable peels, and particularly on their biological activity, their content of different bioactive compounds, their chemical characterization, understanding of their structure-activity relationships, isolation and purification of commercially important chemicals without using high throughput techniques, etc. Therefore, research in the field of fruit and vegetable peels should present immense possibilities for drug discovery and development of cost-effective therapies that have fewer or practically no side effects. This virtual explosion of interest in fruit and vegetable peels as a source of medicinal and nutritional value has led to the present review.

Comparative analysis of free radical scavenging potential of several fruit peel extracts by in vitro methods

We studied the radical scavenging potential of several fruit peel extracts using various standard chemical and biochemical in vitro methods. Peel extracts of C. sinensis (CS), P. granatum (PG), M. paradisiaca (MP), C. vulgaris (CV), C. melo (CM), M. indica (MI), and C. papaya (CP) were used in the present study and butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) was used as a standard. Marked 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was observed with 25 μg/mL of CS and MP and 50 μg/mL of PG, while all the studied doses of CP were found to be pro-oxidative. β-Carotene bleaching revealed a higher singlet oxygen scavenging potential of all the peel extracts except MI. High NO-radical scavenging activity was observed at 25 μg/mL of PG and MP. Inhibition test of H2O2-induced LPO in erythrocytes or in liver tissue showed that all the peels tested were effective on peroxy-radicals at one or other doses. The present study revealed the radical scavenging activity of the test peel extracts in a manner that was dose- and radical/methodspecific. Therefore, evaluation of the efficacy of herbal extracts should be carried out using different methods and not merely a single in vitro method.

Thyroid inhibitory, antiperoxidative and hypoglycemic effects of stigmasterol isolated from Butea monosperma

Stigmasterol, isolated from the bark of Butea monosperma was evaluated for its thyroid hormone and glucose regulatory efficacy in mice. Its administration at 2.6 mg/kg/d for 20 days reduced serum triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxin (T(4)) and glucose concentrations as well as the activity of hepatic glucose-6-phophatase (G-6-Pase) with a concomitant increase in insulin indicating its thyroid inhibiting and hypoglycemic properties. A decrease in the hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) suggested its antioxidative potential. The highest concentration tested (5.2 mg/kg) evoked pro-oxidative activity.

Annona squamosa seed extract in the regulation of hyperthyroidism and lipid-peroxidation in mice: possible involvement of quercetin

Annona squamosa (Custard apple) seeds are generally thrown away as waste materials. The extract of these seeds was evaluated for its possible ameliorative effect in the regulation of hyperthyroidism in mouse model. Serum triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)) concentrations, hepatic glucose-6-phospatase (G-6-Pase) and 5'-mono-deiodinase (5'DI) activity were considered as the end parameters of thyroid function. Simultaneously hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were investigated to observe its hepatotoxic effect, if any. L-T(4) administration (0.5 mg/kg/d for 12 days, i.p.) increased the levels of serum T(3) and T(4), activity of hepatic G-6-Pase, 5'DI and LPO with a parallel decrease in SOD and CAT activities. However, simultaneous administration of the Annona seed extract (200 mg/kg) or quercetin (10 mg/kg) to T(4)-induced hyperthyroid animals for 10 days, reversed all these effects indicating their potential in the regulation of hyperthyroidism. Further, the seed extract did not increase, but decreased the hepatic LPO suggesting its safe and antiperoxidative nature. Quercetin also decreased hepatic LPO. When relative efficacy was compared with that of propyl thiouracil (PTU), a standard antithyroidic drug, experimental seed extract appeared to be more effective. Phytochemical analyses including HPLC revealed the presence of quercetin in the seed extract and the results on the effects of quercetin suggested the involvement of this phytochemical in the mediation of antithyroidal activity of Annona squamosa seed extract.

Disability in Indian patients with haemophilia

Chronic shortage of clotting factor concentrates, exorbitant treatment costs and the poor economic status of patients makes disability an inevitable consequence of haemophilia in India. The prevalence and risk factors for disability were studied in 148 patients with severe haemophilia A registered at five haemophilia clinics in the country. Disability was measured using a scoring method that used a compilation of functional ability, mobility and range-of-motion scores for each patient. Patients ranged in age from 5 to 55 years. Only nine of 148 patients were free of disability. The proportion of disability free patients in the 5-12, 13-24 and 25+ age groups were 14.3%, 4.4% and 0% respectively. The risk factors significantly associated with disability were patients age, socio-economic status, number of persons in the family, family history of haemophilia, frequency of physiotherapy exercises, home use of coagulation factor concentrate and type of blood product(s) used, that is clotting factor concentrate or cryoprecipitate. The study highlights the need to provide coagulation factor concentrates in sufficient amounts to prevent disability, the beneficial role of physiotherapy exercises and the advantage of older patients as peer educators for younger patients. The most important utility of the data is to demonstrate the widespread prevalence of disability amongst patients, its social costs in terms of incomplete education and unemployment, which justifies the need to include haemophilia as one of the conditions under the Disability Act of India.