Poly(lactic acid)/cholecalciferol based composites for active food packaging application

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based sustainable composites incorporated with cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) (CC) at different concentrations (1, 3, 5 and 10 wt%) were prepared using solvent casting method. Performance analysis of PLA/CC composite films in terms of food packaging properties like thermal, optical, oxygen barrier, mechanical, anti-bacterial as well as anti-oxidant effect is carried out. The PLA/CC-5 composite showed complete blockage of UV-B light at 320 nm, which is known to significantly induce the photo-chemical degradation of polymers. The incorporation of CC in the PLA matrix brought in improvement in mechanical and oxygen barrier properties. The PLA composite films showed effective antibacterial activity against food borne bacteria (S. aureus and E. coli), in addition to excellent antioxidant activity. All these important traits exhibited by PLA/CC composite films suggest its potential for food packaging application.

MutT Homolog1 has multifaceted role in glioma and is under the apparent orchestration by Hypoxia Inducible factor1 alpha

AIMS

The study focused on the expression and role of a recent potential cancer therapeutic target protein, MutT Homolog1 (MTH1). MTH1 gets activated in an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) environment and removes the oxidized nucleotides from the cell. The study aimed to check the role of MTH1 in DNA damage and apoptosis, migration and angiogenesis and also to examine its regulation in glioma.

MAIN METHODS

The experiments were carried out in human glioma tissue samples and brain tissues of epilepsy patients (non-tumor control). We used two human glioblastomas cell lines, U87MG and U251MG cells. In order to study the role of MTH1 in glioma and to analyze the relation of MTH1 with Hif1α, we have used MTH1 siRNA and Hif1α siRNA respectively.

KEY FINDINGS

We found an increased expression of MTH1 in glioma tissues compared to the non-tumor brain tissues. Correlation analysis revealed that those samples showing reduced expression of MTH1 also had high levels of DNA damage and apoptotic markers, while diminished expression of angiogenesis regulators and levels of migration. MTH1 knockdown in vitro by siRNA in tumor cell lines corroborates the above observation. This justifies the emergence of MTH1 inhibitors as potential first-in-class drugs. Mechanistically, our observations suggest that Hif1α may modulate MTH1 expression.

SIGNIFICANCE

We found elevated MTH1 expression in glioma irrespective of their grades, while its inhibition affects multiple tumor progression pathways, and that targeting Hif1α could simulate the same.

Choroidal Nevus and Melanoma in Patients with Oculocutaneous Albinism

Background

There are limited reports of uveal "melanocytic" lesions in patients with oculocutaneous albinism, with no reports from Asia.

Objectives

In this study, we report 3 eyes with uveal "melanocytic" lesions in Asian patients with oculocutaneous albinism.

Methods

Retrospective small case series. Three eyes of 2 Asian patients with oculocutaneous albinism were included. Case 1 was a 54-year-old female who presented with juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma and underwent enucleation. Case 2 was a 39-year-old male with pigmented choroidal nevus in the right eye and suspicious nevus/choroidal variegation in the left eye.

Results

For case 1, metastatic workup including ultrasound of the abdomen, liver function test, and chest X-ray was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cranium ruled out extraocular extension. The left eye was enucleated due to the large tumor size and poor visual potential, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma with mixed cell type. At the last follow-up 6 months after enucleation, there was no evidence of metastasis. Case 2 was observed.

Conclusion

Pigmented choroidal nevus and melanoma are rarely observed in patients with oculocutaneous albinism.

Outcome of Sutured Scleral-Fixated Intraocular Lens in Blunt and Penetrating Trauma in Children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To determine the anatomical and functional outcomes of sutured scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SSFIOL) implantation in children with blunt and penetrating injuries to the eye.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective, interventional case series study. Case records of children who underwent SSFIOL implantation in a tertiary eye care facility for traumatic aphakia, cataract, or subluxation were screened. Relevant data on demographics, visual acuity (VA) outcomes, and complications and their management were collected. Results for blunt and penetrating trauma were compared.

RESULTS

There was stability or improvement of vision in 88.9% of eyes during the follow-up period. Young age at time of trauma (P = .031) and SSFIOL implantation (P = .002), history of retinal detachment (RD) before SSFIOL implantation (P = .019), poor preoperative best-corrected VA (BCVA) (P = .004), and development of RD in the follow-up period (P = .046) were independent risk factors for low final BCVA on univariate regression analysis. RD rate was 6.53% and was comparable in open and closed globe injuries. Intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation rate was 3.9%, and probability of survival was higher for open globe (0.78) as compared to closed globe (0.64) injuries (P = .042).

CONCLUSIONS

SSFIOL implantation results in good VA improvement in both open and closed globe injuries. RD remains an important vision-threatening complication. IOL dislocation is more likely to occur in closed globe injuries. A prospective study evaluating the outcomes would better elucidate the role of these IOLs. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:757-764.].

Adrenal Schwannoma: A Rare Incidentaloma

Adrenal schwannomas are very rare tumours that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. A 42-year-old male presented with epigastric pain and indigestion. He had history of repeated operations for recurrent facial swelling on both sides of face diagnosed as Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia (ALHE). Physical examination revealed right facial swelling. Laboratory tests showed no evidence of hormonal hypersecretion. CECT abdomen showed a well-defined heterogenously enhancing right adrenal mass (5x4cm). Patient underwent right adrenalectomy. Histopathology revealed adrenal schwannoma, confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) showing diffuse expression of S-100. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of facial lesion confirmed ALHE recurrence. Less than 35 cases have been reported. Diagnosis of adrenal schwannoma on imaging studies is very difficult and surgical resection when performed for non-functioning adrenal masses >4cm clinches the diagnosis. Adrenal schwannoma is highly uncommon and was incidentally associated with recurrent ALHE.

Design and evaluation of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of flutamide

Flutamide (FLT) is an antiandrogen drug for the treatment of prostate cancer. It has the drawback of poor water solubility and needs enhancement of its dissolution rate in simulated gastric fluids. Hence, it is prepared as self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) with an aim to enhance its dissolution rate. The objectives of the study are to develop SNEDDS of FLT and to characterize for particle size, self-nanoemulsification, and dissolution enhancement. Solubility of FLT was determined in various oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants. Sesame oil was selected as an oil phase, Tween 20 as surfactant, and PEG400 as cosurfactant due to their higher solubilization effect. Various formulations were prepared by simple mixing followed by vortexing. From studies, the optimized SNEDDS formulation was composed of FLT (8.04% w/w), sesame oil (24.12% w/w), Tween 20 (53.38% w/w), and PEG400 (14.46% w/w). The selected SNEDDS could be self-emulsified without precipitation upon simple mixing. The mean particle size of the SNEDDS was 148.7 nm and percent drug content was 99.66. The dissolution rate of FLT from SNEDDS was faster and higher in three different dissolution media such as 2% sodium lauryl sulfate (97.85%), simulated gastric fluid (0.1 N HCl containing 0.5% Tween 20) (95.71%), and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8 buffer) (96.21%).

Antenatal Bartter syndrome: a rare cause of unexplained severe polyhydramnios

A woman presented with polyhydramnios at 22 weeks of gestation with a structurally normal fetus and placenta. Biochemical analysis of amniotic fluid detected a very high level of chloride (582 mmol/L), which led to the diagnosis of Bartter syndrome. With serial amniocentesis and indomethacin therapy, the pregnancy continued to 36 weeks. Neonatal and subsequent investigations further supported the diagnosis of Bartter syndrome. The infant was well at birth and now, at 5 months of age, is gaining weight normally on indomethacin.