Cationic nanocarriers: A potential approach for targeting negatively charged cancer cell.

Cancer, a widespread and lethal disease, necessitates precise therapeutic interventions to mitigate its devastating impact. While conventional chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment, its lack of specificity towards cancer cells results in collateral damage to healthy tissues, leading to adverse effects. Thus, the quest for targeted strategies has emerged as a critical focus in cancer research. This review explores the development of innovative targeting methods utilizing novel drug delivery systems tailored to recognize and effectively engage cancer cells. Cancer cells exhibit morphological and metabolic traits, including irregular morphology, unchecked proliferation, metabolic shifts, genetic instability, and a higher negative charge, which serve as effective targeting cues. Central to these strategies is the exploitation of the unique negative charge characteristic of cancer cells, attributed to alterations in phospholipid composition and the Warburg effect. Leveraging this distinct feature, researchers have devised cationic carrier systems capable of enhancing the specificity of therapeutic agents towards cancer cells. The review delineates the underlying causes of the negative charge in cancer cells and elucidates various targeting approaches employing cationic compounds for drug delivery systems. Furthermore, it delves into the methods employed for the preparation of these systems. Beyond cancer treatment, the review also underscores the multifaceted applications of cationic carrier systems, encompassing protein and peptide delivery, imaging, photodynamic therapy, gene delivery, and antimicrobial applications. This comprehensive exploration underscores the potential of cationic carrier systems as versatile tools in the fight against cancer and beyond.

Cell-Penetrating Peptides as Keys to Endosomal Escape and Intracellular Trafficking in Nanomedicine Delivery.

This review article discusses the challenges of delivering cargoes to the cytoplasm, for example, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids, and the mechanisms involved in endosomal escape. Endocytosis, endosomal maturation, and exocytosis pose significant barriers to effective cytoplasmic delivery. The article explores various endosomal escape mechanisms, such as the proton sponge effect, osmotic lysis, membrane fusion, pore formation, membrane destabilization/ disruption, and vesicle budding and collapse. Additionally, it discusses the role of lysosomes, glycocalyx, and molecular crowding in the cytoplasmic delivery process. Despite the recent advances in nonviral delivery systems, there is still a need to improve cytoplasmic delivery. Strategies such as fusogenic peptides, endosomolytic polymers, and cell-penetrating peptides have shown promise in improving endosomal escape and cytoplasmic delivery. More research is needed to refine these strategies and make them safer and more effective. In conclusion, the article highlights the challenges associated with cytoplasmic delivery and the importance of understanding the mechanisms involved in endosomal escape. A better understanding of these processes could result in the creation of greater effectiveness and safe delivery systems for various cargoes, including proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids.

A Comprehensive Review on Nanoparticles as a Targeted Delivery System for the Treatment of Lung Cancer.

The second most common type of cancer is lung cancer, impacting the human population. Lung cancer is treated with a number of surgical and non-surgical therapies, including radiation, chemotherapy, and photodynamic treatment. However, the bulk of these procedures are costly, difficult, and hostile to patients. Chemotherapy is distinguished by inadequate tumour targeting, low drug solubility, and insufficient drug transport to the tumour site. In order to deal with the issues related to chemotherapy, extensive efforts are underway to develop and investigate various types of nanoparticles, both organic and inorganic, for the treatment of lung cancer. The subject of this review is the advancements in research pertaining to active targeted lung cancer nano-drug delivery systems treatment, with a specific emphasis on receptors or targets. The findings of this study are expected to assist biomedical researchers in utilizing nanoparticles (NPs) as innovative tools for lung cancer treatment, offering new methods for delivering drugs and reliable solid ligands.

Drug Delivery System Approaches for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: A Review.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that has traditionally been treated using a variety of pharmacological compounds. However, the effectiveness of these treatments is often limited due to challenges associated with their administration. Oral and parenteral routes of drug delivery are often restricted due to issues such as low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, poor absorption, first-pass effect, and severe side effects. In recent years, nanocarrier-based delivery methods have emerged as a promising alternative for overcoming these challenges. Nanocarriers, including nanoparticles, dendrimers, micelles, nanoemulsions, and stimuli-sensitive carriers, possess unique properties that enable efficient drug delivery and targeted therapy. Using nanocarriers makes it possible to circumvent traditional administration routes' limitations. One of the key advantages of nanocarrier-based delivery is the ability to overcome resistance or intolerance to traditional antirheumatic therapies. Moreover, nanocarriers offer improved drug stability, controlled release kinetics, and enhanced solubility, optimizing the therapeutic effect. They can also protect the encapsulated drug, prolonging its circulation time and facilitating sustained release at the target site. This targeted delivery approach ensures a higher concentration of the therapeutic agent at the site of inflammation, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes. This article explores potential developments in nanotherapeutic regimens for RA while providing a comprehensive summary of current approaches based on novel drug delivery systems. In conclusion, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising solution for improving the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Further advancements in nanotechnology hold promise for enhancing the efficacy and safety of RA therapies, offering new hope for patients suffering from this debilitating disease.

A review of the first 100 robotic cholecystectomies with a new cart-based surgical robot at a tertiary care centre.

Background: Robotic cholecystectomy appears to be a natural evolution of the well-established gold standard procedure for gallstones, namely laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Akin to the early days of laparoscopy, robotic surgery is associated with a learning curve. We present our experiences in adapting to robotic surgery after the first 100 robotic cholecystectomies at a minimal access surgery tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: The first consecutive 100 robotic cholecystectomies performed by a single surgeon on the Versius robotic surgical system (CMR Surgical, UK) were included in the study. Patients unwilling to give consent and complex pathologies such as gangrene, perforation and cholecystoenteric fistulas were excluded from the study. Operative time, robotic setup time, incidence and indication for conversion to manual (laparoscopic) procedure were recorded while subjective assessment of interruptions due to machine alarms and errors was made. All data were compared between the first 50 and last 50 procedures. Results: Our data revealed a gradual reduction in operative time from 28.53 min for the first 50 procedures to 22.06 min for the last 50 procedures. An improvement in draping and setup times was also noted, reducing from 7.74 to 5.14 min and 7.96 to 5.32 min, respectively. There were no conversions during the last 50 procedures, though the first 50 procedures resulted in 3 conversions to a laparoscopic procedure. In addition, we also noted a subjective reduction in the incidence of machine errors and alarms as we became more versed with the robotic system. Conclusion: Our single-centre experience indicates that newer modular robotic systems present a rapid and natural progression for experienced surgeons looking to venture into robotic surgery. The well-established advantages of robotic surgery in the form of enhanced ergonomics, three-dimensional vision and improved dexterity are validated as indispensable aids in a surgeon's armamentarium. Our initial experience reveals that robotic surgery for more common surgical procedures such as cholecystectomies will be rapidly accepted, safe and effective. There is a need to innovate and expand the range of instrumentation and energy devices available.

Cissus quadrangularis (Hadjod) Inhibits RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis and Augments Bone Health in an Estrogen-Deficient Preclinical Model of Osteoporosis Via Modulating the Host Osteoimmune System.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterised by low bone mineral density (BMD), degeneration of bone micro-architecture, and impaired bone strength. Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), popularly known as Hadjod (bone setter) in Hindi, is a traditional medicinal herb exhibiting osteoprotective potential in various bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and fractures. However, the cellular mechanisms underpinning its direct effect on bone health through altering the host immune system have never been elucidated. In the present study, we interrogated the osteoprotective and immunoporotic (the osteoprotective potential of CQ via modulating the host immune system) potential of CQ in preventing inflammatory bone loss under oestrogen-deficient conditions. The current study outlines the CQ's osteoprotective potential under both ex vivo and in vivo (ovariectomized) conditions. Our ex vivo data demonstrated that, in a dose-dependent manner CQ, suppresses the RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis (p < 0.001) as well as inhibiting the osteoclast functional activity (p < 0.001) in mouse bone marrow cells (BMCs). Our in vivo µ-CT and flow cytometry data further showed that CQ administration improves bone health and preserves bone micro-architecture by markedly raising the proportion of anti-osteoclastogenic immune cells, such as Th1 (p < 0.05), Th2 (p < 0.05), Tregs (p < 0.05), and Bregs (p < 0.01), while concurrently lowering the osteoclastogenic Th17 cells in bone marrow, mesenteric lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, and spleen in comparison to the control group. Serum cytokine analysis further supported the osteoprotective and immunoporotic potential of CQ, showing a significant increase in the levels of anti-osteoclastogenic cytokines (p < 0.05) (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10) and a concurrent decrease in the levels of osteoclastogenic cytokines (p < 0.05) (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17). In conclusion, our data for the first time delineates the novel cellular and immunological mechanism of the osteoprotective potential of CQ under postmenopausal osteoporotic conditions.

An In vivo Investigation of Ascorbic Acid Tethered Polymeric Nanoparticles for Effectual Brain Transport of Rivastigmine.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to see if ascorbic acid grafted polylactic glycolic acid-b-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles (PLGA-b-PEG NPs) might boost the carrying or transport capacity of rivastigmine(RSM) to the brain via choroid plexus Sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 (SVCT2 transporters). The IR and 1H NMR, were used to characterise the PLGA-b-PEG copolymer. METHODS: Nanoprecipitation method was used to make PLGA-b-PEG NPs. To promote SVCT2- mediated transportation of ascorbic acid (Asc) into the brain, PLGA-b-PEG NPs of acceptable size, polydispersity, and drug loading were bound with ascorbic acid (PLGA-b-PEG-Asc). When compared to PLGA-b-mPEG NPs, the surface functionalization of NPs with ascorbic acid dramatically improved the cellular uptake of NPs in SVCT2 expressing NIH/3T3 cells. Radial Arm Maze Test, and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in scopolamine-induced amnetic rats were used to assess in vivo pharmacodynamic effectiveness. RESULTS: In vivo pharmacodynamic tests revealed that drug loaded PLGA-b-PEG-Asc NPs had much greater therapeutic and sustained activity than free drugs, and PLGA-b-mPEG NPs to the brain. CONCLUSION: As a consequence, the findings revealed that using ascorbic acid grafted PLGA-b-PEG NPs to deliver bioactives to the brain is a potential strategy.

Bioconjugate-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for enhanced anticancer drug delivery to brain cancer cells: An in vitro evaluation.

Background & objectives: The treatment of brain cancer is still challenging for an oncologist due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) which inhibits the entry of more than 98 per cent of drugs used during the treatment of brain disease. The cytotoxic drugs used in chemotherapy for brain cancer treatment also affect the normal cells due to lack of targeting. Therefore, the objective of the study was to develop tween 80-coated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with folic acid-doxorubicin (FAD) conjugate for site-specific drug delivery to brain cancer cells. Methods: The FAD conjugate was synthesized by the conjugation of folic acid with doxorubicin and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. SLNs loaded with FAD were prepared by the solvent injection method. The SLNs were characterized by the particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, etc. Results: The average particle size of FAD conjugate-loaded SLNs (SLN-C) was found to be 220.4±2.2 nm, with 36.2±0.6 per cent entrapment efficiency. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake were determined on U87 MG cell lines. Half maximal inhibitory concentration value of the SLN-C was found to be 2.5 µg/ml, which confirmed the high antitumour activity against brain cancer cells. Interpretation & conclusions: The cell line studies confirmed the cytotoxicity and internalization of SLN-C in U87 MG brain cancer cells. The results confirmed that tween 80-coated SLNs have the potential to deliver the doxorubicin selectively in the brain cancer cells.

Nisin and nisin-loaded nanoparticles: a cytotoxicity investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Nisin is an antibacterial peptide with anticancer properties, but the main drawback is its rapid enzymatic degradation and limited permeation across the cell membrane. This research aims to overcome these drawbacks by developing nisin-loaded nanoparticles (NPN) with improved cytotoxic effects. SIGNIFICANCE: PLGA nanoparticles are one of the most effective biodegradable and biocompatible drug delivery carriers. In the present study, nisin-loaded nanoparticles showed enhanced anticancer effects. METHODS: NPN was prepared by a double emulsion solvent evaporation method and characterized for different parameters. The cytotoxic investigation of NPN was carried out on various cell lines, including A549, SW-620, HT-29, PC-3, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MiaPaca-2, and fR2 by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Mechanistic investigation of cellular cytotoxicity was performed by using bright-field microscopy, DAPI staining, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), Western blotting and cellular uptake study. A comparative cytotoxicity study of nisin and NPN was performed on normal breast epithelial cells (fR2). RESULTS: NPN showed spherical shape, 289.09 ± 3.63 nm particle size, and 63.37 ± 3.12% entrapment efficiency. NPN was more cytotoxic to the MDA-MB-231 cell line, showing higher nuclear fragmentation, ROS generation, depletion of ΔΨm, and enhanced intracellular uptake with apoptosis signs compared with nisin and with no cytotoxicity on normal cells. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that nisin delivery via PLGA nanoparticles can be used to treat cancer without significant effects on healthy cells.

Critical parameters for design and development of multivalent nanoconstructs: recent trends.

A century ago, the groundbreaking concept of the magic bullet was given by Paul Ehrlich. Since then, this concept has been extensively explored in various forms to date. The concept of multivalency is among such advancements of the magic bullet concept. Biologically, the concept of multivalency plays a critical role in significantly huge numbers of biochemical interactions. This concept is the sole reason behind the higher affinity of biological molecules like viruses to more selectively target the host cell surface receptors. Multivalent nanoconstructs are a promising approach for drug delivery by the active targeting principle. Designing and developing effective and target-specific multivalent drug delivery nanoconstructs, on the other hand, remain a challenge. The underlying reason for this is a lack of understanding of the crucial interactions between ligands and cell surface receptors, as well as the design of nanoconstructs. This review highlights the need for a better theoretical understanding of the multivalent effect of what happens to the receptor-ligand complex after it has been established. Furthermore, the critical parameters for designing and developing robust multivalent systems have been emphasized. We have also discussed current advances in the design and development of multivalent nanoconstructs for drug delivery. We believe that a thorough knowledge of theoretical concepts and experimental methodologies may transform a brilliant idea into clinical translation.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric surgery in India: An obesity and metabolic surgery society of India survey of 1307 patients.

BACKGROUND: Although safe practice guidelines were issued by the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) in the end of May 2020, surgeons have been in a dilemma about risk of subjecting patients to hospitalisation and bariatric surgery. This survey was conducted with the objective to evaluate the risk of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection in peri- and post-operative period after bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS). METHODS: A survey with OSSI members was conducted from 20 July 2020 to 31 August 2020 in accordance with EQUATOR guidelines. Google Form was circulated to all surgeon members through E-mail and WhatsAppTM. In the second phase, clinical details were captured from surgeons who reported positive cases. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred and seven BMS were reported from 1 January 2020 to 15 July 2020. Seventy-eight per cent were performed prior to 31 March 2020 and 276 were performed after 1 April 2020. Of these, 13 (0.99%) patients were reported positive for COVID-19 in the post-operative period. All suffered from a mild disease and there was no mortality. Eighty-seven positive cases were reported from patients who underwent BMS prior to 31 December 2019. Of these, 82.7% of patients had mild disease, 13.7% of patients had moderate symptoms and four patients succumbed to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: BMS may be considered as a safe treatment option for patients suffering from clinically severe obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due care must be taken to protect patients and healthcare workers and all procedures must be conducted in line with the safe practice guidelines.

COVID-19 Infection: Targeting Possibilities for Treatment.

The outbreak of novel coronavirus (nCoV) or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, has posed an international public health emergency worldwide and forced people to be confined in their homes. This virus is of high-risk category and is declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The worldwide researchers and various health professionals are working together to determine the best way to stop its spread or halt this virus's spread and circumvent this pandemic condition threatening millions of human lives. The absence of definitive treatment is possible to explore to reduce virus infection and enhance patient recovery. Along with off-label medicines, plasma therapy, vaccines, the researchers exploit the various plants/herbs and their constituents to effectively treat nCoV infection. The present study aimed to present brief and most informative salient features of the numerous facts regarding the SARS-CoV-2, including the structure, genomic sequence, recent mutation, targeting possibility, and various hurdles in research progress, and off-labeled drugs, convalescent plasma therapy, vaccine and plants/herbs for the treatment of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Results showed that off-labeled drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, dexamethasone, tocilizumab, antiviral drug (remdesivir, favipiravir), etc., give positive results and approved for use or approved for restricted use in some countries like India. Future research should focus on these possibilities that may allow the development of an effective treatment for COVID-19.

Carbopol-olive oil-based bigel drug delivery system of doxycycline hyclate for the treatment of acne.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate the doxycycline hyclate containing bigel for the effective treatment of acne. METHODS: Bigels are biphasic systems formed by water-based hydrogels and oil-based organogel. Carbopol 940 was used to prepare the hydrogel phase, whereas Span-60 and olive oil for the oleogel phase. RESULTS: The microstructure of bigel confirmed the oil in water type emulsion formation. The average droplet size of formulations was found 15-50 µm, and a bell-shaped droplet distribution curve, rheological, or viscosity studies suggested that the consistency and stability of bigel decrease with high organogel concentration. Three formulations (F1, F2, and F3) of the different ratios of hydrogel:oleogel (60:40, 70:30, and 80:20) were prepared in which F1 was less stable compared to F2 and F3. The drug content of F2 and F3 was respectively 79.94 and 71.33%. Formulation F2 was found more effective as compared to F3 based on in vitro drug release studies. Bigel also showed better results during in vivo studies at the rabbit ear model, which reduce acne diameter up to 1.10 mm from 4.9 mm while gel reduced it up to 1.20 mm.

Phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soil by Bidens pilosa L.: impact of pine needle biochar amendment.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of pine needle biochar as a soil amendment to promote the growth of Bidens pilosa L. and enhance its ability to phytoextract the cadmium from soil. Pot experiments (50 d) were designed as control experiment (C); metal treatment (MT), 20 mg Cd kg-1; biochar treatment (BT100 or BT200), 100 or 200 mg kg-1; and metal-biochar treatment (MBT100 or MBT200), 20 mg Cd kg-1 and 100 or 200 mg biochar kg-1. The Cd (20 mg kg-1) or biochar treatment (100 mg kg-1) increased the dry weight and root length of B. pilosa. The biochar amendment enhanced the metal concentration in root and shoot of the plant. The plant could accumulate 39.47±5.44 mg Cd kg-1 in shoots (MT), which increased to 45.96±17.3 mg Cd kg-1 and 55.01±5.65 mg Cd kg-1 under biochar treatment sets MBT100 and MBT200, respectively. The Cd uptake by B. pilosa in MT, MBT100, and MBT200 treatments were 67.81 µg/plant, 78.58 µg/plant, and 76.13 µg/plant, respectively. The biochar amendments increased the proline concentrations while decreased the chlorophyll content in leaves indicating the stress on the plant. Overall, the result indicates that soil amended with pine needle biochar at 100 mg kg-1 increased the phytoremediation ability of B. pilosa.

Role of DiaRem Score in Preoperative Prediction of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Remission After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Indian Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has emerged as the most effective treatment in reversing insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A number of models and statistical tools have been proposed to predict patients likely to experience diabetes remission post-RYGB. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the preoperative accuracy of DiaRem score in predicting T2DM remission at 1 year of follow-up in a retrospective analysis of diabetic morbidly obese patients who underwent RYGB. METHODS: One hundred and forty-three patients underwent RYGB between January 2018 and December 2018. We conducted a retrospective analysis in 55 patients (38.46%) with T2DM with 1 year of follow-up. DiaRem score was calculated, and patients were stratified in five groups. RESULT: At a 1-year follow-up, we found a higher proportion of patients with T2DM remission in the lower score group compared to a lower proportion of patients with remission in the higher score group. We derived a DiaRem cut-off score of 6.5 that had high sensitivity and specificity to predict T2DM remission preoperatively. We found a significant decrease in BMI and HbA1C values post-operatively at 1 year following RYGB. CONCLUSION: DiaRem score is an easy to determine score based on basic clinical parameters that could identify patients with T2DM who would achieve maximal benefit in terms of remission after bariatric surgery. The development of a suitable scoring tool would be clinically useful as it would enable clinicians to better triage patients for RYGB.

Hybrid approach for ventral incisional hernias of the abdominal wall: A systematic review of the literature.

With increasing complexity of ventral incisional hernias being operated on, the treatment strategy has also evolved to obtain optimal results. Hybrid ventral hernia repair is a promising technique in management of complex/difficult ventral incisional hernias. The aim of this article is to review the literature and analyse the results of hybrid technique in management of ventral incisional hernia and determine its clinical status and ascertain its role. We reviewed the literature on hybrid technique for incisional ventral hernia repair on PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar database published between 2002 and 2019 and out of 218 articles screened, 10 studies were included in the review. Selection of articles was in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. Variables analysed were seroma, wound infection, chronic pain and recurrence. Qualitative analysis of the variables was carried out. In this systematic review, the incidence of complications associated within this procedure were seroma formation (5.47%), wound infections (6.53%) and chronic pain (4.49%). Recurrence was seen in 3.29% of patients. Hybrid ventral hernia repair represents a natural evolution in advancement of hernia repair. The judicious use of hybrid repair in selected patients combines the safety of open surgery with several advantages of the laparoscopic approach with favourable surgical outcomes in terms of recurrence, seroma and incidence of chronic pain. However, larger multi-centric prospective studies with long term follow up is required to standardise the technique and to establish it as a procedure of choice for this complex disease entity.

Cisplatin-loaded albumin nanoparticle and study their internalization effect by using ß-cyclodextrin.

The present study with aim at enhancing the therapeutic and anti-cancer properties of cisplatin (CPT)-loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles. The BSA nanoparticles containing CPT (CPT-BSANPs) were successfully prepared by the desolvation technique. The physicochemical characterization of the CPT-BSANPs were used by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The particle size of CPT-BSANPs was found less than 200 nm with 75.02 ± 0.15% entrapment efficiency (EE), while zeta potential and PDI were -17.6 mV and 0.2, respectively. In vitro release behavior of the CPT from the carrier suggests that about 64% of the drug gets released after 48 hrs. The anti-cancer activities of the CPT-BSANPs were tested on MCF-7 cell lines. Our studies show that CPT-BSANPs nanoparticles showed specific targeting and enhanced cytotoxicity to MCF-7 cells when compared to the bare CPT. Thus results suggest that CPT-BSANPs fallowed caveolae-mediated endocytosis, it may become better option for intracellular delivery of anticancer drug.

Recent advances in tumor microenvironment associated therapeutic strategies and evaluation models.

As per a report of the world health organization, an estimated 9.6 million people died due to cancer in 2018, globally. Most of the cancer death attributed to the lack of early detection and effective treatment. In the case of solid tumors, various factors such as leaky vasculature, angiogenesis, interstitial fluid pressure and lymphatic drainage are important in cancer chemotherapy. The poor penetration and retention of the drug/drug delivery system in tumor tissue are most critical issues in the way of effective treatment. In this scenario, the challenges are to design the specific nano-therapeutics with the potential to penetrate inside the adverse condition of tumor microenvironment (TME) including high interstitial pressure region and abnormal vasculature. The modification of nanocarriers surfaces with enzymes, peptides, pH-responsive moieties, antibodies etc. could be a promising strategy to improve the nanocarriers penetration inside the solid tumor. The priming with the drug before the administration of nanotherapeutics may also represents an efficient approach for solid tumor treatment. Further, the growth factors including fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their pathways could offer potential targeting opportunities for anticancer treatment. Recently, there is a surge in various approaches and formulation design directed towards abnormal TME for more effective cancer therapy. In this review, various factors related to the poor penetration, retention and specific delivery of chemotherapeutics inside tumor cells/tissues are discussed. The emerging formulations strategies directed to the TME and various methodologies for evaluation of their efficacy are also included in this review.

Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) Recommendations for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS), the only effective option for patients with obesity with or without comorbidities, has been stopped temporarily due to the ongoing novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there has been a recent change in the governmental strategy of dealing with this virus from 'Stay at Home' to 'Stay Alert' in many countries including India. A host of health services including elective surgeries are being resumed. In view of the possibility of resumption of BMS in near future, Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) constituted a committee of experienced surgeons to give recommendations about the requirements as well as precautions to be taken to restart BMS with emphasis on safe delivery and high-quality care.

Surface modified silk fibroin nanoparticles for improved delivery of doxorubicin: Development, characterization, in-vitro studies.

Silk fibroin nanoparticles possess the hydrophobic nature which assists them to become a good substrate for reticulo-endothelial system (RES) and macrophageal uptake. Surface coating of these nanoparticles with hydrophilic stabilizers, like Tween-80 make them long circulating and facilitate their uptake by low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors to cross blood brain barrier (BBB). Surface modified silk fibroin nanoparticles bearing anti-cancer agent doxorubicin (DOX) were fabricated by desolvation method and coated with Tween-80 as surface modifier. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized for various physicochemical parameters, like particle size, surface charge, surface morphology by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and in vitro drug release along with in vitro cell cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and cellular uptake studies by flourocytometry on glioblastoma cell lines. Entrapment efficiency for the silk fibroin nanoparticles were found to be >85% for coated and uncoated nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with average diameter less than 150 nm having negative charge were found to show no toxicity of its own. The pro-inflammatory response of nanoparticles was observed by determining the cytokines level, such as TNF-α and IL-1ß. Sustained drug release pattern from the nanoparticles with better cytotoxicty as compared to free drug was observed, signifying their potential ability to work as a drug delivery system.