Exploring the Relationship Between Serum Phosphate Levels and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Correlational Analysis.

Background Compelling observational data suggest that heightened levels of fasting blood phosphate are linked to a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease, spanning across both the general populace and individuals grappling with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to explore the possible correlation between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and blood phosphate levels among those afflicted with chronic renal dysfunction. Objective The primary goal of this study is to determine the potential association between blood phosphate levels and CIMT in patients with CKD. Methodology In the department of nephrology, prospective research was conducted among patients who had a history of CKD. A total of 30 patients were included, with 20 males and 10 females. Every case had a thorough physical examination and history. Every patient underwent a laboratory evaluation, which included measurements of the CIMT and renal function testing. At a distance of 1 cm from the carotid bulb, the CIMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. After compilation, the data were examined. Results The majority of the patients, according to this study, were male and over 50 years old. The Stage II patients in the study had a higher mean systolic blood pressure; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with Stage V (D) disease exhibited higher diastolic blood pressure, but not statistically significant. An increase in the mean serum creatinine level that was statistically significant was linked to Stage V (D) renal disease. A higher mean blood urea was linked to Stage V (D) sickness; however, this relationship was not statistically significant. There was no statistical difference in the mean serum calcium levels between the different stages of renal disease. Higher mean blood phosphate levels were linked to Stage III renal disease, but not in a statistically meaningful way. Although it was higher in Stage IV kidney disease, the mean CIMT was not statistically significant between the stages of renal illness. Conclusions Although a positive correlation was shown, a direct relationship between serum phosphate levels was not established by this investigation. The severity of renal disease has been demonstrated to correlate with elevated serum phosphate levels.

Targeted Nanoparticles Based on Alendronate Polyethylene Glycol Conjugated Chitosan for the Delivery of siRNA and Curcumin for Bone Metastasized Breast Cancer Applications.

Bone metastasized breast cancer reduces the quality of life and median survival. Targeted delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and chemotherapeutic drugs using nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising strategy to overcome current limitations in treating these metastatic breast cancers. This research develops alendronate conjugated polyethylene glycol functionalized chitosan (ALD-PEG-CHI) NP for the delivery of cell death siRNA (CD-siRNA) and curcumin (CUR) and explores its targeting ability and in vitro cell cytotoxicity. Polyethylene glycol functionalized CHI (mPEG-CHI) NPs serve as control. The size of CD-siRNA loaded NPs is below 100 nm while CUR loaded NPs is below 200 nm, with near neutral zeta potential for all NPs. The CUR encapsulation efficiency (EE) is 70% and 88% for targeted and control NPs, respectively, while complete encapsulation of CD-siRNA is achieved in both NP systems. The bone targeting ability of CY5-dsDNA loaded ALD-PEG-CHI NPs using hydroxyapatite discs is fivefold compared to control indicating ALD presentation at the targeting NP surface. Delivery of CD-siRNA loaded NPs and CUR loaded NPs show synergistic and additive growth inhibition effects against MCF-7 cells by mPEG-CHI and ALD-PEG-CHI NPs, respectively. Overall, these in vitro results illustrate the potential of the targeted NPs as an effective therapeutic system toward bone metastasized breast cancer.

GastroNet: A Custom Deep Learning Approach for Classification of Anomalies in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Images.

INTRODUCTION: Among all cancer forms, gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is the most serious condition that spreads quickly and requires early detection. GI disorders claim the lives of up to nearly two million people worldwide. To lower the mortality rate from GI cancer, early detection is essential. METHOD: For the identification of GI illnesses, such as polyps, stomach ulcers, and bleeding, endoscopy is the gold standard in the medical imaging industry. The numerous images produced by endoscopy require an enormous amount of time for the specialist to diagnose the disease. It makes manual diagnosis difficult and has sparked research on automatic computer-based approaches to diagnose all the generated images quickly and accurately. AI-based algorithms have already been used in endoscopy images with promising outcomes and have enhanced disease identification and classification with precision. However, there are still a lot of issues to be solved, including figuring out potential biases in algorithms and improving interpretability and generalizability. RESULT: The proposed GastroNet model creates a system for classifying digestive problems for the Kvasir Version 1 dataset. The framework consists of different CNN layers with multiple filters, and average max-pooling is used to extract image features. The optimization of network parameters is done using the Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) algorithm. CONCLUSION: Finally, the robustness of the proposed model is compared with other state-of-the-art models like VGG 19, ResNet 50, Inception, and Xception in terms of evaluation metrics.

Characterisation of products from EDC-mediated PEG substitution of chitosan allows optimisation of reaction conditions.

PEGylation is a common method use to modify the physiochemical properties and increase the solubility of chitosan (CHI). Knowledge of optimal reaction conditions for PEGylation of CHI underpins its ongoing use in nanomedicine. This study synthesised methoxy polyethyleneglycol grafted CHI (mPEG-CHI) using carbodiimide-mediated coupling. The effect of reagent concentrations and pH on the degree of substitution (DS) and the PEGylation yield (conversion of free PEG to conjugated PEG) was evaluated through detailed chemical characterisation. Within the parameter space investigated, optimised reaction conditions (NH2: COOH:NHS:EDC of 3.5:1:1:10, pH = 5) resulted in a DS of 24 % and a PEGylation yield of 84 %. An EDC-derived adduct formed at pH ≥ 5.5 and at a 15-fold excess of EDC relative to COOH. The adduct was evaluated to be a guanidine derivative formed by the reaction of the amine group of CHI directly with EDC. DS ≥ 12 % imparted water solubility to CHI at physiological pH and mPEG-CHI (0.2-1.0 mg/mL) was not cytotoxic against the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, indicating its suitability for medical applications.

Diabetes-specific Dementia Risk Score (DSDRS) as Predictor of Cognitive Performance of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Presenting at Teritiary Care Centre, Tamaka, Kolar.

The type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) specific dementia risk score (DSDRS) was conceived to assess the stake of Dementia in older adults with T2DM. Factors associated withT2DM- are shown to increase the risk of age-related conditions, which also can increase threat of Dementia. Hence, in the study here, we assess the correlation of DSDRS with frailty, disability, quality of life (QoL) and cognitive assessment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus coming to the tertiary care centre. MATERIAL: In this study we assessed 286 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus to assess the correlation between DSDRS and Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Isaac's set-test (IST), clock drawing test (CDT), quality of life (SF-36), risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment or MNA), as well as frailty, Katz' and Lawton-Brody scores. We also evaluated the phenotype and correlates of high estimated dementia risk by doing assessing of individuals with DSDRS >75th age specific percentiles. OBSERVATION: Study population mean age was 77.0 ± 5.2 years. in this study DSDRS was seen to have a significant correlation with MMSE test, IST, CDT, SF-36, MNA, Lawton-Brody and Katz scores, and an increasing number of frailty components. DSDRS was found to be more among frail, pre-frail, and subjects with limited ADL and IADL (p < 0.001). Study population with DSDRS >75th age specific percentiles had lower education, MMSE, IST, SF-36, MNA, Katz, Lawton-Brody, and higher frailty scores. High estimated 10 year dementia risk was associated with ADL and IADL disability, frailty and risk of malnutrition. When evaluating separate components of DSDRS, T2DM related microvascular complications were related to all outcome measures. CONCLUSION: The DSDRS is associated with frailty, disability, malnutrition and lower cognitive performance. These findings support that T2DM-related factors have significant burden on functional status, QoL, disability and dementia risk.

Evaluation of the in vivo fate of ultrapure alginate in a BALB/c mouse model.

The linear anionic polysaccharide alginate (ALG) has been comprehensively studied for biomedical applications, yet thus far the in vivo fate of this polymer has not been explored in detail. The current study therefore evaluates the biodistribution of ultrapure ALG (M/G ratio ≥ 0.67 with a measured Mw of 530 kg/mol and polydispersity index; PDI of 1.49) over a 14-day period in BALB/c mice. The biodistribution pattern over 2-days after sample administration using PET imaging with 64Cu-labelled ALG showed liver and spleen uptake. This was confirmed by the 14-day biodistribution profile of cyanine 5-labelled ALG from in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence imaging. Using MacGreen mice confirmed the uptake of the ALG by macrophages in the spleen at the 2-day time point. This extended biodistribution study confirmed the clearance of only a portion of the administered ALG biopolymer, but also uptake by macrophage populations in the spleen over a 14-day period.

Chitosan Nanomedicine in Cancer Therapy: Targeted Delivery and Cellular Uptake.

Nanomedicine has gained much attention for the management and treatment of cancers due to the distinctive physicochemical properties of the drug-loaded particles. Chitosan's cationic nature is attractive for the development of such particles for drug delivery, transfection, and controlled release. The particle properties can be improved by modification of the polymer or the particle themselves. The physicochemical properties of chitosan particles are analyzed in 126 recent studies, which allows to highlight their impact on passive and active targeted drug delivery, cellular uptake, and tumor growth inhibition (TGI). From 2012 to 2019, out of 40 in vivo studies, only 4 studies are found reporting a reduction in tumor size by using chitosan particles while all other studies reported tumor growth inhibition relative to controls. A total of 23 studies are analyzed for cellular uptake including 12 studies reporting cellular uptake mechanisms. Understanding and exploiting the processes involved in targeted delivery, endocytosis, and exocytosis by controlling the physicochemical properties of chitosan particles are important for the development of safe and efficient nanomedicine. It is concluded based on the recent literature available on chitosan particles that combination therapies can play a pivotal role in transformation of chitosan nanomedicine from bench to bedside.

Evaluation of surface layer stability of surface-modified polyester biomaterials.

Surface modification of biomaterials is a strategy used to improve cellular and in vivo outcomes. However, most studies do not evaluate the lifetime of the introduced surface layer, which is an important aspect affecting how a biomaterial will interact with a cellular environment both in the short and in the long term. This study evaluated the surface layer stability in vitro in buffer solution of materials produced from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (50:50) and polycaprolactone modified by hydrolysis and/or grafting of hydrophilic polymers using grafting from approaches. The data presented in this study highlight the shortcomings of using model substrates (e.g., spun-coated films) rather than disks, particles, and scaffolds. It also illustrates how similar surface modification strategies in some cases result in very different lifetimes of the surface layer, thus emphasizing the need for these studies as analogies cannot always be drawn.

Protein adsorption to poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membranes modified with grafted poly(acrylic acid) chains.

Protein adsorption to biomaterial surfaces is important for the function of such materials with anchorage-dependent cell adhesion requiring the presence of adsorbed proteins. The current study evaluated five solid surfaces with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) grafted from the surface of a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane with respect to the adsorption of serum albumin (SA), lactoferrin (Lf), and lysozyme (Lys) from a phosphate buffer and NaCl solution or water for specific combinations. With the use of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the relative amounts and protein layer thickness were evaluated. SA adsorption was governed by ionic repulsive forces and hydrophobic interactions as evidenced from an increase in the protein adsorption at lower pH (6.5 compared to 7.4) and a correlation with surface coverage when water (pH 6.5) was used as the medium. The adsorption of Lf and Lys followed similar trends for all samples. In general, ionic attractive forces dominated and a strong correlation of increasing protein adsorption with the PAA chain length was evident. This study concluded that all surfaces appear suitable for use in biomaterial applications where tissue ingrowth is desired and that the enhanced protein adsorption in a medium with high ionic strength (e.g., biological fluid) correlates with the PAA chain length rather than the surface coverage.

Bioinspired Composite Matrix Containing Hydroxyapatite-Silica Core-Shell Nanorods for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Development of multifunctional bioinspired scaffolds that can stimulate vascularization and regeneration is necessary for the application in bone tissue engineering. Herein, we report a composite matrix containing hydroxyapatite (HA)-silica core-shell nanorods with good biocompatibility, osteogenic differentiation, vascularization, and bone regeneration potential. The biomaterial consists of a crystalline, rod-shaped nanoHA core with uniform amorphous silica sheath (Si-nHA) that retains the characteristic phases of the individual components, confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The nanorods were blended with gelatinous matrix to develop as a porous, composite scaffold. The viability and functionality of osteogenically induced mesenchymal stem cells as well as endothelial cells have been significantly improved through the incorporation of Si-nHA within the matrix. Studies in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane and rat models demonstrated that the silica-containing scaffolds not only exhibit good biocompatibility, but also enhance vascularization in comparison to the matrix devoid of silica. Finally, when tested in a critical-sized femoral segmental defect in rats, the nanocomposite scaffolds enhanced new bone formation in par with the biomaterial degradation. In conclusion, the newly developed composite biomimetic scaffold may perform as a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.