Liposomal form of 2-alkylthioimidazolone-based copper complexes for combined cancer therapy.

Aim: To develop an optimized approach for encapsulating a 2-alkylthioimidazolone-based copper coordination compound within liposomes, which could offer treatment of cancer and bacterial infections by reactive oxygen species generation toxicity mechanisms. Materials & methods: For drug-loaded liposome preparation, lipids and drug mixture in organic solvents was injected into copper salt solution, forming a coordination compound simultaneously embedded in the lipid bilayer. In vitro tests were performed on MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Results: Liposomes had a loading capacity of up to 1.75% (molar drug-to-lipid ratio). In vitro tests showed increased viability and accumulation of the liposomal formulation compared with free drug as well as lack of cytotoxicity in hepatocytes. Conclusion: This optimized technique for encapsulating large copper complexes in liposomes could be used to improve their delivery and better treat cancer and bacterial infections.

This work introduces a new technique for copper-containing drugs encapsulation in a drug-delivery system. The drug, a promising copper compound, is embedded in lipid nanovesicles ­ tiny fat particles ­ for intravenous injection. In addition to chemical characterization of the obtained drug form, tests on cancer cells showed a noticeable effect, whereas healthy cell types were not harmed. Copper possesses not only anticancer effects but also antimicrobial properties, which are also shown by the drug form, and a test of combined suppression of cancer cell lines and bacteria was successful. Hence, the obtained drug form has the potential for dual treatment of cancer and bacterial infections.

Surface Modification of Biomedical Ti-18Zr-15Nb Alloy by Atomic Layer Deposition and Ag Nanoparticles Decoration.

Superelastic biocompatible alloys attract significant attention as novel materials for bone tissue replacement. These alloys are often composed of three or more components that lead to the formation of complex oxide films on their surfaces. For practical use, it is desirable to have a single-component oxide film with a controlled thickness on the surface of biocompatible material. Herein we investigate the applicability of the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique for surface modification of Ti-18Zr-15Nb alloy with TiO2 oxide. It was found that a 10-15 nm thick, low-crystalline TiO2 oxide layer is formed by ALD method over the natural oxide film (~5 nm) of the Ti-18Zr-15Nb alloy. This surface consists of TiO2 exclusively without any additions of Zr or Nb oxides/suboxides. Further, the obtained coating is modified by Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with a surface concentration up to 1.6% in order to increase the material's antibacterial activity. The resulting surface exhibits enhanced antibacterial activity with an inhibition rate of more than 75% against E. coli bacteria.

Neutrophil Activation by Mineral Microparticles Coated with Methylglyoxal-Glycated Albumin.

Hyperglycemia-induced protein glycation and formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and pathological biomineralization. Receptors for AGEs (RAGEs) mediate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via activation of NADPH-oxidase. It is conceivable that binding of glycated proteins with biomineral particles composed mainly of calcium carbonate and/or phosphate enhances their neutrophil-activating capacity and hence their proinflammatory properties. Our research managed to confirm this hypothesis. Human serum albumin (HSA) was glycated with methylglyoxal (MG), and HSA-MG was adsorbed onto mineral microparticles composed of calcium carbonate nanocrystals (vaterite polymorph, CC) or hydroxyapatite nanowires (CP). As scopoletin fluorescence has shown, H2O2 generation by neutrophils stimulated with HSA-MG was inhibited with diphenyleneiodonium chloride, wortmannin, genistein and EDTA, indicating a key role for NADPH-oxidase, protein tyrosine kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and divalent ions (presumably Ca2+) in HSA-MG-induced neutrophil respiratory burst. Superoxide anion generation assessed by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (Luc-CL) was significantly enhanced by free HSA-MG and by both CC-HSA-MG and CP-HSA-MG microparticles. Comparing the concentrations of CC-bound and free HSA-MG, one could see that adsorption enhanced the neutrophil-activating capacity of HSA-MG.

Finasteride in the treatment of female pattern (androgenic) alopecia: a case report and review of the literature.

We describe a case of a 44-year-old woman with biopsy-proven female androgenic alopecia (FAGA), or female pattern alopecia, who was nonresponsive to topical minoxidil. After careful consideration and discussion with the patient, the decision was made to introduce oral finasteride 1.25 mg daily. After only 3.5 months of therapy there was a remarkable reduction in hair shedding and increased hair regrowth without any reported side effects. We also present a comprehensive review of the limited studies and case series that have reported finasteride use for FAGA.

Update on the pathogenesis, genetics and medical treatment of patterned hair loss.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA), or pattern hair loss, is a common condition that affects both men and women has been gradually increasing. The discovery of the androgen receptor (AR) gene and related genes has expanded the knowledge on the genetics of hair loss. These basic science studies, combined with more recent clinical studies, have led to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of AGA in both men and women. These genetic advances have also led to the development of a new screening test for AGA. Recently, in addition to the two currently approved U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) medications (minoxidil and finasteride), a novel device was FDA-approved for the treatment of hair loss, the laser hair comb. Further studies are needed to verify the accuracy and validity of the genetic screening test and the efficacy of the laser hair comb.