Brain targeted lactoferrin coated lipid nanocapsules for the combined effects of apocynin and lavender essential oil in PTZ induced seizures.

Apocynin (APO) is a plant derived antioxidant exerting specific NADPH oxidase inhibitory action substantiating its neuroprotective effects in various CNS disorders, including epilepsy. Due to rapid elimination and poor bioavailability, treatment with APO is challenging. Correspondingly, novel APO-loaded lipid nanocapsules (APO-LNC) were formulated and coated with lactoferrin (LF-APO-LNC) to improve br ain targetability and prolong residence time. Lavender oil (LAV) was incorporated into LNC as a bioactive ingredient to act synergistically with APO in alleviating pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures. The optimized LF-APO-LAV/LNC showed a particle size 59.7 ± 4.5 nm with narrow distribution and 6.07 ± 1.6mV zeta potential) with high entrapment efficiency 92 ± 2.4% and sustained release (35% in 72 h). Following subcutaneous administration, LF-APO-LAV/LNC brought about ⁓twofold increase in plasma AUC and MRT compared to APO. A Log BB value of 0.2 ± 0.14 at 90 min reflects increased brain accumulation. In a PTZ-induced seizures rat model, LF-APO-LAV/LNC showed a Modified Racine score of 0.67 ± 0.47 with a significant increase in seizures latency and decrease in duration. Moreover, oxidant/antioxidant capacity and inflammatory markers levels in brain tissue were significantly improved. Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment of brain tissue sections further supported these findings. The results suggest APO/LAV combination in LF-coated LNC as a promising approach to counteract seizures.

Correction: Youssef et al. Glibenclamide Nanocrystal-Loaded Bioactive Polymeric Scaffolds for Skin Regeneration: In Vitro Characterization and Preclinical Evaluation. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 1469.

Figure Correction [...].

Glibenclamide Nanocrystal-Loaded Bioactive Polymeric Scaffolds for Skin Regeneration: In Vitro Characterization and Preclinical Evaluation.

Skin restoration following full-thickness injury poses significant clinical challenges including inflammation and scarring. Medicated scaffolds formulated from natural bioactive polymers present an attractive platform for promoting wound healing. Glibenclamide was formulated in collagen/chitosan composite scaffolds to fulfill this aim. Glibenclamide was forged into nanocrystals with optimized colloidal properties (particle size of 352.2 nm, and polydispersity index of 0.29) using Kolliphor as a stabilizer to allow loading into the hydrophilic polymeric matrix. Scaffolds were prepared by the freeze drying method using different total polymer contents (3-6%) and collagen/chitosan ratios (0.25-2). A total polymer content of 3% at a collagen/chitosan ratio of 2:1 (SCGL3-2) was selected based on the results of in vitro characterization including the swelling index (1095.21), porosity (94.08%), mechanical strength, rate of degradation and in vitro drug release. SCGL3-2 was shown to be hemocompatible based on the results of protein binding, blood clotting and percentage hemolysis assays. In vitro cell culture studies on HSF cells demonstrated the biocompatibility of nanocrystals and SCGL3-2. In vivo studies on a rat model of a full-thickness wound presented rapid closure with enhanced histological and immunohistochemical parameters, revealing the success of the scaffold in reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing without scar formation. Hence, SCGL3-2 could be considered a potential dermal substitute for skin regeneration.

The Relative Utility of Concurrent Sources of Information for Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Early Childhood.

The development of effective screening methods for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in early childhood remains a public health priority for communities around the world. Little is known regarding the concurrence between parent concerns about ASD and formal ASD diagnostic methods. This study aimed to examine the relationships among a priori parental ASD concern, ADOS classification, and a physician specialist's diagnosis. One hundred and thirty-four toddlers (74% male; mean age = 31.8 months, SD 4.4) received an evaluation at a university center specializing in ASD and neurodevelopmental disorders. Correspondence between a priori parental ASD suspicion and physician diagnosis of ASD was 61% (p = 0.028). Correspondence between a priori parental suspicion of ASD and ADOS ASD classification was 57% (p = 0.483). Correspondence between ADOS classification and physician diagnosis of ASD was 88% (p = 0.001). Our results have implications for evaluations in low resource regions of the world where access to physician specialists may be limited; the high correspondence between ADOS classification and a physician specialist's diagnosis supports the use of trained ADOS evaluators, such as field health workers or early childhood educators, in a tiered screening process designed to identify those most in need of a specialist's evaluation. Our results also have implications for public health efforts to provide parent education to enable parents to monitor their child's development and share concerns with their providers. Parent awareness and expression of concern coupled with timely responses from providers may lead toward earlier identification of ASD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and hence, generate opportunities for earlier and more personalized intervention approaches, which in turn may help improve long-term outcomes. Empowering parents and community members to screen for ASD may be especially important in regions of the world where access to formal diagnosis is limited.

Assessing Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity in Families of Toddlers With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity Scale (PPPAS).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine a new tool (PPPAS = Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity Scale-Preschool) developed to study parental perceptions of physical activity (PA) among parents of toddler and preschool age children. METHOD: 143 children (mean age 31.65 months; 75% male) and their parents were recruited from a neurodevelopmental clinic. Parents completed questionnaires, and both a psychologist and a physician evaluated the children. Eighty-three percent of the children received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder; 20% of the children had a BMI > 85th percentile. Analyses were conducted to evaluate the reliability, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and predictive validity of PPPAS scores. RESULTS: Results supported a two-factor structure: Perceptions of the Benefits of PA and the Barriers to PA. The internal consistency of scores was good for both PPPAS subscales, derived from the two factors. Parent perceptions of barriers to PA were significantly correlated with delays in overall adaptive functioning, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills. When a child's motor skills were delayed, parents were less likely to believe PA was beneficial and perceived more barriers to PA. Parent perceptions of barriers to PA predicted parent-reported weekly unstructured PA and ratings of how physically active their child was compared with other children. CONCLUSION: We present the PPPAS-Preschool for use in pediatric exercise research and discuss potential applications for the study of parent perceptions of PA in young children.

Relationship of serum ferritin levels to sleep fragmentation and periodic limb movements of sleep on polysomnography in autism spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Although children with autism spectrum disorders experience a range of sleep disturbances, exact mechanisms are not well-characterized. We investigated the association of serum-ferritin to sleep fragmentation and periodic limb movements of sleep using polysomnography in children with autism spectrum disorders. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with autism spectrum disorders followed from 1990 to 2010. Inclusion criteria were availability of polysomnography data and ferritin levels within 12 months of each other. The following variables on polysomnography characterized sleep fragmentation: increased arousal index, alpha intrusions, and reduced sleep efficiency. The data were compared with age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS: Of 9791 children with autism spectrum disorders identified, 511 had a ferritin level, 377 had polysomnography data, and 53 had both ferritin and polysomnography data. As compared with the controls (86 ng/mL), the median ferritin level was 27 ng/mL in the study autism spectrum disorders population (53 patients) (P < 0.01), 27 ng/mL in autism spectrum disorder subjects with periodic limb movements of sleep (25 patients) (P = 0.01), and 24 ng/mL in autism spectrum disorders subjects with sleep fragmentation (21 patients) (P = 0.02). Within the autism spectrum disorders population, median ferritin levels were significantly lower in patients with poor sleep efficiency (7 ng/mL) versus those with normal sleep efficiency (29 ng/mL) (P = 0.01). The prevalence of periodic limb movements of sleep was 47% in autism spectrum disorders compared with 8% in controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Children with autism spectrum disorders had significantly lower ferritin levels compared with controls. In addition, they experience a higher prevalence of sleep fragmentation, obstructive sleep apnea, and periodic limb movements of sleep than children with ASD and no sleep complaints. Our preliminary observations, which have not been described before, need to be validated in multicenter prospective studies.