Development and Validation of an Improved HPLC-MS/MS Method for Quantifying Total and Unbound Lenalidomide in Human Plasma
This study aimed to develop a fully validated HPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying total and unbound lenalidomide concentrations in human plasma.
Prescribing Pattern and Safety Profile of Biological Agents for Psoriasis in Real-World Practice: A Four-Year Calabrian Pharmacovigilance Analysis
The treatment of psoriasis has made considerable progress with biologicals, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, and recently, monoclonal antibodies inhibiting directly interleukin (IL) 17, IL-23, or both IL-12/23. Newer biologicals are directed to the interleukin pathway and appear to improve complete or near-complete clearance. The newer biologicals have also been shown to have an excellent safety profile. However, despite experience with patients having confirmed the results obtained in clinical trials, there are still few data on using the newer biologicals.
Recent Advances in the Drugs and Glucose-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Diabetes is a common chronic metabolic disease. Different types of drugs play important roles in controlling diabetes and its complications, but there are some limitations. The glucose-responsive drug delivery system is a novel technology with potential in diabetes treatment. It could automatically release drugs in response to changes in glucose levels in the body to maintain blood glucose within a normal range. The emergence of a glucose-sensitive drug delivery system provides a more intelligent and precise way to treat diabetes. The review is carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA 2020) guidelines This review focuses on the recent advances in the drugs and different systems of glucose-sensitive drug delivery, including glucose oxidase, phenylboronic acid, Concanavalin A, and other glucose-reactive systems. Furthermore, the glucose-responsive drug delivery system combined with the application applied in hydrogels, microneedles, and nanoparticles is also explored and summarized. The new platforms to sustain the release of anti-diabetic drugs could be desirable for patients. It could lead to increased adherence and glycemic outcomes for the detection and treatment of diabetes. Furthermore, given the limitations of glucose-responsive drug delivery systems, solutions and perspectives are proposed to help the understanding and application of these systems. This review will be helpful for drug discovery and treatment of diabetes from a new perspective.
A Novel Hydrogel Sponge for Three-Dimensional Cell Culture
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies allow us to overcome the constraints of two-dimensional methods in different fields like biochemistry and cell biology and in pharmaceutical in vitro tests. In this study, a novel 3D hydrogel sponge scaffold, composed of a crosslinked polyacrylic acid forming a porous matrix, has been developed and characterized.
Nanomaterial-Enhanced Microneedles: Emerging Therapies for Diabetes and Obesity
Drug delivery systems (DDS) have improved therapeutic agent administration by enhancing efficacy and patient compliance while minimizing side effects. They enable targeted delivery, controlled release, and improved bioavailability. Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) offer non-invasive medication administration and have evolved to include methods such as chemical enhancers, iontophoresis, microneedles (MN), and nanocarriers. MN technology provides innovative solutions for chronic metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity using various MN types. For diabetes management, MNs enable continuous glucose monitoring, diabetic wound healing, and painless insulin delivery. For obesity treatment, MNs provide sustained transdermal delivery of anti-obesity drugs or nanoparticles (NPs). Hybrid systems integrating wearable sensors and smart materials enhance treatment effectiveness and patient management. Nanotechnology has advanced drug delivery by integrating nano-scaled materials like liposomes and polymeric NPs with MNs. In diabetes management, glucose-responsive NPs facilitate smart insulin delivery. At the same time, lipid nanocarriers in dissolving MNs enable extended release for obesity treatment, enhancing drug stability and absorption for improved metabolic disorder therapies. DDS for obesity and diabetes are advancing toward personalized treatments using smart MN enhanced with nanomaterials. These innovative approaches can enhance patient outcomes through precise drug administration and real-time monitoring. However, widespread implementation faces challenges in ensuring biocompatibility, improving technologies, scaling production, and obtaining regulatory approval. This review will present recent advances in developing and applying nanomaterial-enhanced MNs for diabetes and obesity management while also discussing the challenges, limitations, and future perspectives of these innovative DDS.
Modular Nanotransporters Deliver Anti-Keap1 Monobody into Mouse Hepatocytes, Thereby Inhibiting Production of Reactive Oxygen Species
The study of oxidative stress in cells and ways to prevent it attract increasing attention. Antioxidant defense of cells can be activated by releasing the transcription factor Nrf2 from a complex with Keap1, its inhibitor protein. The aim of the work was to study the effect of the modular nanotransporter (MNT) carrying an R1 anti-Keap1 monobody (MNT) on cell homeostasis. The murine hepatocyte AML12 cells were used for the study. The interaction of fluorescently labeled MNT with Keap1 fused to hrGFP was studied using the Fluorescence-Lifetime Imaging Microscopy-Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FLIM-FRET) technique on living AML12 cells transfected with the gene. The release of Nrf2 from the complex with Keap1 and its levels in the cytoplasm and nuclei of the AML12 cells were examined using a cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively. The effect of MNT on the formation of reactive oxygen species was studied by flow cytometry using 6-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. MNT is able to interact with Keap1 in the cytoplasm, leading to the release of Nrf2 from the complex with Keap1 and a rapid rise in Nrf2 levels both in the cytoplasm and nuclei, ultimately causing protection of cells from the action of hydrogen peroxide. The possibility of cleavage of the monobody in endosomes leads to an increase in the observed effects. These findings open up a new approach to specifically modulating the interaction of intracellular proteins, as demonstrated by the example of the Keap1-Nrf2 system.
Effectiveness of Lyoprotectants in Protein Stabilization During Lyophilization
Proteins are commonly used in the healthcare industry to treat various health conditions, and most proteins are sensitive to physical and chemical changes. Lyophilization, also known as freeze-drying, involves sublimating water in the form of ice from a substance at low pressure, forming a freeze-dried powder that increases its shelf life. Extreme pressure and varying temperatures in the freeze-drying process may damage the protein's structural integrity. Lyoprotectants are commonly used to protect protein conformations. It is important to choose a suitable lyoprotectant to ensure optimal effectiveness. Twenty articles screened from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were included in this review that discussed potential lyoprotectants and their effectiveness with different protein models. Lyoprotectants were categorized into sugars, polyols, surfactants, and amino acids. Lyoprotectants can exhibit significant protective effects towards proteins, either singularly or in combination with another lyoprotectant. They exert various interactions with the protein to stabilize it, such as hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, and osmoprotection. This review concludes that disaccharides are the most effective lyoprotectants, while other groups of lyoprotectants are best used in combination with other lyoprotectants.
Development of a Multilayer Film Including the Soluble Eggshell Membrane Fraction for the Treatment of Oral Mucosa Lesions
Oral diseases causing mucosal lesions are normally treated with local or systemic anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial agents. The development of topical formulations, including wound-healing promoters, might speed up the recovery process, improving patients' quality of life, and reduce the risk of deterioration in health conditions. In this study, a mucoadhesive multilayer film, including a novel biocompatible substance (solubilized eggshell membrane, SESM), was rationally designed.
Applications of Novel Microscale and Nanoscale Materials for Theranostics: From Design to Clinical Translation
The growing global prevalence of chronic diseases has highlighted the limitations of conventional drug delivery methods, which often suffer from non-specific distribution, systemic toxicity, and poor bioavailability. Microscale and nanoscale materials have emerged as innovative solutions, offering enhanced targeting, controlled release, and the convergence of therapeutic and diagnostic functions, referred to as theranostics. This review explores the design principles, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications of various novel micro- and nanomaterials in diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and infectious diseases. These materials enable real-time monitoring of therapeutic responses and facilitate precision medicine approaches. Additionally, this paper addresses the significant challenges hindering clinical translation, including biocompatibility, potential toxicity, and regulatory issues. Ongoing clinical trials demonstrate the potential of nanomaterials in theranostic applications, but further research is needed to overcome the barriers to widespread clinical adoption. This work aims to contribute to the acceleration of integrating nanomedicine into clinical practice, ultimately enhancing the efficacy and safety of therapeutic interventions.
Correction: Simionescu et al. The Multifaceted Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Glioblastoma: microRNA Nanocarriers for Disease Progression and Gene Therapy. 2021, , 988
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Enhancing Gentamicin Antibacterial Activity by Co-Encapsulation with Thymoquinone in Liposomal Formulation
Gentamicin (GEN) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that cannot be prescribed freely because of its toxicity. Thymoquinone (THQ), a phytochemical, has antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity-reducing properties. However, its hydrophobicity and light sensitivity make it challenging to utilize. This incited the idea of co-encapsulating GEN and THQ in liposomes (Lipo-GEN-THQ).
Review of Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties, Shapes, Cellular Uptake, Targeting, Release Mechanisms and Applications in Drug Delivery and Therapy
The remarkable versatility of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) makes them innovative agents across various fields, including drug delivery, biosensing, catalysis, bioimaging, and vaccine development. This paper provides a detailed review of the important role of AuNPs in drug delivery and therapeutics. We begin by exploring traditional drug delivery systems (DDS), highlighting the role of nanoparticles in revolutionizing drug delivery techniques. We then describe the unique and intriguing properties of AuNPs that make them exceptional for drug delivery. Their shapes, functionalization, drug-loading bonds, targeting mechanisms, release mechanisms, therapeutic effects, and cellular uptake methods are discussed, along with relevant examples from the literature. Lastly, we present the drug delivery applications of AuNPs across various medical domains, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, ocular diseases, and diabetes, with a focus on in vitro and in vivo cancer research.
Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Different Species from Bosnia and Herzegovina
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has urged researchers to explore new antimicrobial agents, such as essential oils (EOs). The aim of this study was to examine chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the EOs from the needles and green cones of four species ( Turra., J.F., L., and Miller) from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In Vitro Analysis of Aerodynamic Properties and Co-Deposition of a Fixed-Dose Combination of Fluticasone Furoate, Umeclidinium Bromide, and Vilanterol Trifenatate
Effective airway delivery of a fixed-dose combination of triple-aerosolized inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting beta agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) is likely to positively affect therapeutic responses predicted in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to conduct in vitro fluticasone furoate, vilanterol trifenatate, and umeclidinium bromide depositions in a Next Generation Impactor. The aerodynamic properties of these inhaled medications influence the spatial distribution and drug abundance, particularly in the smaller airways, to reverse or alleviate disease pathology.
Innovations in Nanoemulsion Technology: Enhancing Drug Delivery for Oral, Parenteral, and Ophthalmic Applications
Nanoemulsions (NEs) are submicron-sized heterogeneous biphasic liquid systems stabilized by surfactants. They are physically transparent or translucent, optically isotropic, and kinetically stable, with droplet sizes ranging from 20 to 500 nm. Their unique properties, such as high surface area, small droplet size, enhanced bioavailability, excellent physical stability, and rapid digestibility, make them ideal for encapsulating various active substances. This review focuses on recent advancements, future prospects, and challenges in the field of NEs, particularly in oral, parenteral, and ophthalmic delivery. It also discusses recent clinical trials and patents. Different types of in vitro and in vivo NE characterization techniques are summarized. High-energy and low-energy preparation methods are briefly described with diagrams. Formulation considerations and commonly used excipients for oral, ocular, and ophthalmic drug delivery are presented. The review emphasizes the need for new functional excipients to improve the permeation of large molecular weight unstable proteins, oligonucleotides, and hydrophilic drugs to advance drug delivery rapidly.
The Key Role of Wettability and Boundary Layer in Dissolution Rate Test
The present work proposes a mathematical model able to describe the dissolution of poly-disperse drug spherical particles in a solution (Dissolution Rate Test-DRT). DRT is a pivotal test performed in the pharmaceutical field to qualitatively assess drug bioavailability.
The Design of Novel 3D-Printed, Moulded, and Oral Viscous Budesonide Formulations for Paediatrics: A Comparative Evaluation of Their Mucoadhesive Properties
Paediatric eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) treatment is challenging due to the limited number of age-appropriate formulations. This study aims to develop and evaluate oral viscous suspensions and solid formulations of budesonide (BUD), focusing on their in vitro mucoadhesive properties, to enhance drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes in paediatric EoE.
Development of an Eco-Friendly Nanogel Incorporating Essential Oil as a Larvicidal Agent Against
Arboviruses, transmitted by mosquitoes like , pose significant public health challenges globally, particularly in tropical regions. The rapid spread and adaptation of viruses such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya have emphasized the need for innovative control methods. Essential oils from plants, such as (Gardner) Sch.Bip. (), have emerged as potential alternatives to conventional insecticides.
Correction: Maarof et al. Biodegradable Carbonate Apatite Nanoparticle as a Delivery System to Promote Afatinib Delivery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment. 2022, , 1230
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Correction: Elalouf et al. Bioinformatics-Driven mRNA-Based Vaccine Design for Controlling Tinea Cruris Induced by . 2024, , 983
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Correction: Ibarra et al. Selective Photo-Assisted Eradication of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells through Aptamer Decoration of Doped Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles. 2022, , 626
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