Coadjuvant Therapy Research Articles

Comparative Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Injections for Treating Severe Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Severe pneumonia (SP) has a high mortality rate and is responsible for significant healthcare costs. Chinese herbal injections (CHIs) have been widely used in China as a novel and promising treatment option for SP. Therefore, this study assessed and ranked the effectiveness of CHIs to provide more sights for the selection of SP treatment. Method: Seven databases were searched from their inception up to April 1, 2021. The methodological quality of included study was evaluated by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Then, a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed by OpenBUGS 3.2.3 and STATA 14.0 software. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) probability values were applied to rank the examined treatments. A clustering analysis was utilized to compare the effect of CHIs between two different outcomes. Results: A total of 64 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 5,904 participants were identified for this analysis. Six CHIs including Xuebijing injection (XBJ), Tanreqing injection (TRQ), Reduning injection (RDN), Xiyanping injection (XYP), Shenfu injection (SF), and Shenmai injection (SM) were included. The results of the NMA showed that XBJ [odds ratio (OR) = 0.24, 95% credible interval (CI): 0.19, 0.30], TRQ (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.37), RDN (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.94), and SM (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.63) combined with conventional Western medicine (WM) improved the clinical effective rate more significantly than WM alone. Based on SUCRA values, TRQ + WM (SUCRA: 66.4%) ranked the highest in improving the clinical effective rate, second in four different outcomes, and third in only one. According to the cluster analysis, TRQ + WM exerted a positive effect on improving the efficacy of SP. As for safety, less than 30% (18 RCTs) of the included studies reported adverse drug reactions/adverse drug events (ADRs/ADEs), including 14 RCTs of XBJ, 3 RCTs of TRQ, and 1 RCT of RDN. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study found that the CHIs as co-adjuvant therapy could be beneficial for patients with SP. TRQ + WM showed an outstanding improvement in patients with SP considering both the clinical effective rate and other outcomes. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42021244587].

Efficacy of a new combination of a microemulsion and oral supplementation for androgenetic alopecia: an interventional multicentric study.

The aim of this study was to study new therapeutic options for the treatment of female and male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and to assess the efficacy of a possible new coadjuvant oral and topical therapy, containing a complex of natural substances. Sixty individuals affected by mild-to-moderate female and male AGA were enrolled in the study and underwent the oral and topical treatment with a microemulsion formulation for 6 months. At baseline and at 3- and 6-month follow-up, global photographs were taken and three expert operators evaluated photographs using the 7-point scale. On a subgroup of our sample, non-invasive phototrichograms with TrichoScan® HD at baseline and follow-ups were performed to collect the trichological parameters of total number of hairs, hair density/cm2, vellus hair density/cm2, terminal hair density/cm2 and hair thickness. One-way ANOVA and Unpaired Student t-test were performed to analyze the data. Using the 7-point scale, a clinically visible improvement of hair loss was observed after three and six months of treatment. A statistically significant increase of all TrichoScan® trichological parameters was observed at both 3- and 6 month-follow-up. The complex of natural and active substances tested in this work showed good efficacy in improving both male and female hair loss. These new products could represent a valid alternative or coadjuvant therapy of AGA, increasing the efficacy of conventional treatments such as minoxidil or finasteride.

Exercise and Childhood Cancer-A Historical Review.

Simple SummaryChildhood cancer survivors are at risk of developing important adverse effects, but there is growing evidence that physical exercise could help in this regard. The present review summarizes the history of pediatric exercise oncology and the main milestones achieved along the way. Overall, physical exercise appears to be safe and beneficial even during the most aggressive phases of pediatric cancer treatment and can represent an effective coadjuvant therapy for attenuating cancer-related adverse effects.Childhood cancer survivors are at risk of developing important adverse effects, many of which persist for years after the end of treatment. The implementation of interventions aiming at attenuating tumor/treatment-associated adverse effects is therefore a major issue in pediatric oncology, and there is growing evidence that physical exercise could help in this regard. The present review aims to summarize the main milestones achieved in pediatric exercise oncology. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of relevant studies written in English in the electronic database PubMed (from inception to 14 August 2021). This review traces the field of pediatric exercise oncology throughout recent history based on three fundamental pillars: (i) exercise during childhood cancer treatment; (ii) exercise during/after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; and (iii) exercise after childhood cancer treatment. Accumulating evidence––although still preliminary in many cases––supports the safety and potential benefits of regular exercise (with no major contraindications in general) in the childhood cancer continuum, even during the most aggressive phases of treatment. Exercise can indeed represent an effective coadjuvant therapy for attenuating cancer-related adverse effects.

Involvement of microRNAs as a Response to Phototherapy and Photodynamic Therapy: A Literature Review.

The current knowledge about the mechanisms of action of light-based treatments (chiefly photodynamic therapy and phototherapy) in skin diseases leans to the possible involvement of epigenetic and oxidative stress mechanisms. To better understand and exploit, to the fullest, these relatively safe and reproducible treatments, several studies have focused on miRNAs, small non-encoding RNAs (22–24 nucleotides), after light-based treatments. The current narrative review focused on 25 articles. A meta-analysis was not deemed appropriate. The results gather the most recurrent skin-related miRNAs up- or downregulated after light treatment. Five of these, miR-21, -29, -125, -145 and -155, are either the most consistently related to efficacy/resistance to treatment or identified as helpful diagnostic tools. A specific class of miRNAs (angioMIRs) requires further studies. Future treatments and imaging techniques could benefit greatly from the use of antagomirs as a possible co-adjuvant therapy along with light-based treatments.

Co-Adjuvant Therapy Efficacy of Catechin and Procyanidin B2 with Docetaxel on Hormone-Related Cancers In Vitro.

Prostate (PC) and breast cancer (BC) are heterogeneous hormonal cancers. Treatment resistance and adverse effects are the main limitations of conventional chemotherapy treatment. The use of sensitizing agents could improve the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs as well as obviate these limitations. This study analyzes the effect of single catechin (CAT), procyanidin B2 (ProB2) treatment as well as the co-adjuvant treatment of each of these compounds with docetaxel (DOCE). We used PC- and BC-derived cell lines (PC3, DU-145, T47D, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). The short and long-term pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects were analyzed. RT-qPCR was used to discover molecular bases of the therapeutic efficacy of these compounds. ProB2 treatment induced a two- to five-fold increase in anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects compared to single DOCE treatment, and also had a more sensitizing effect than DOCE on DU145 cells. Regarding BC cells, ProB2- and CAT-mediated sensitization to DOCE anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects was cell-independent and cell-dependent, respectively. Combined treatment led to high-efficacy effects on MCF-7 cells, which were associated to the up-regulation of CDKN1A, BAX, caspase 9 and E-cadherin mRNA under combined treatment compared to single DOCE treatment. CAT and ProB2 can enhance the efficacy of DOCE therapy on PC and BC cells by the sensitizing mechanism.

The Use of Antioxidants as Potential Co-Adjuvants to Treat Chronic Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the flagellated protozoa Trypanosome cruzi. This illness affects to almost 8–12 million people worldwide, however, is endemic to Latin American countries. It is mainly vectorially transmitted by insects of the Triatominae family, although other transmission routes also exist. T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes at the chronic stage of the disease display severe mitochondrial dysfunction and high ROS production, leading to chronic myocardial inflammation and heart failure. Under cellular stress, cells usually can launch mitochondrial biogenesis in order to restore energy loss. Key players to begin mitochondrial biogenesis are the PGC-1 (PPARγ coactivator 1) family of transcriptional coactivators, which are activated in response to several stimuli, either by deacetylation or dephosphorylation, and in turn can serve as coactivators for the NRF (nuclear respiratory factor) family of transcription factors. The NRF family of transcriptional activators, namely NRF1 and NRF2, can activate gene expression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) components, mitochondrial transcriptional factor (Tfam) and nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins, leading to mitochondrial biogenesis. On the other hand, NRF2 can activate gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in response to antioxidants, oxidants, electrophile compounds, pharmaceutical and dietary compounds in a mechanism dependent on KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1). Since a definitive cure to treat Chagas disease has not been found yet; the use of antioxidants a co-adjuvant therapy has been proposed in an effort to improve mitochondrial functions, biogenesis, and the antioxidant defenses response. Those antioxidants could activate different pathways to begin mitochondrial biogenesis and/or cytoprotective antioxidant defenses. In this review we discuss the main mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis and the NRF2-KEAP1 activation pathway. We also reviewed the antioxidants used as co-adjuvant therapy to treat experimental Chagas disease and their action mechanisms and finish with the discussion of antioxidant therapy used in Chagas disease patients.

Highly colloidal luminescent Er3+, Yb3+-codoped KY3F10 nanoparticles for theranostic applications

Highly colloidal luminescent nanoparticles (NPs) 5 at% Er3+, 20 at% Yb3+:KY3F10 were prepared by EDTA assisted hydrothermal method. Spherical and monodispersed Er3+, Yb3+:KY3F10 nanoparticles with highly pure cubic phase exhibit attractive optical properties for their use in long-term biological studies because of the high chemical photo-stability and strong emissions in the visible and near infrared (NIR) regions. The luminescence spectra of Er3+, Yb3+:KY3F10 as dried powder and dispersed in physiologic medium show intense green upconversion emission transition in between 510 and 570 nm (2H11/2→4I15/2 and 4S3/2→4I15/2) and red upconversion emission transition in between 635 and 680 nm (4F9/2→4I15/2) under NIR light excitation (980 nm). The cellular nontoxicity of as-prepared Er3+, Yb3+ codoped KY3F10 to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells, were reported for the first time to our knowledge. This nanomaterial shows potential use for theranostic applications in early detection of brain cancer, acting as biomarkers in the visible and NIR ranges, and as drug activators for some photobiological response as a coadjuvant therapy for cancer treatment, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT).

The Use of Antihypertensive Drugs as Coadjuvant Therapy in Cancer.

Cancer is a complex group of diseases that constitute the second largest cause of mortality worldwide. The development of new drugs for treating this disease is a long and costly process, from the discovery of the molecule through testing in phase III clinical trials, a process during which most candidate molecules fail. The use of drugs currently employed for the management of other diseases (drug repurposing) represents an alternative for developing new medical treatments. Repurposing existing drugs is, in principle, cheaper and faster than developing new drugs. Antihypertensive drugs, primarily belonging to the pharmacological categories of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptors, direct aldosterone antagonists, β-blockers and calcium channel blockers, are commonly prescribed and have well-known safety profiles. Additionally, some of these drugs have exhibited pharmacological properties useful for the treatment of cancer, rendering them candidates for drug repurposing. In this review, we examine the preclinical and clinical evidence for utilizing antihypertensive agents in the treatment of cancer.

FLTX2: A Novel Tamoxifen Derivative Endowed with Antiestrogenic, Fluorescent, and Photosensitizer Properties.

Tamoxifen is the most widely used selective modulator of estrogen receptors (SERM) and the first strategy as coadjuvant therapy for the treatment of estrogen-receptor (ER) positive breast cancer worldwide. In spite of such success, tamoxifen is not devoid of undesirable effects, the most life-threatening reported so far affecting uterine tissues. Indeed, tamoxifen treatment is discouraged in women under risk of uterine cancers. Recent molecular design efforts have endeavoured the development of tamoxifen derivatives with antiestrogen properties but lacking agonistic uterine tropism. One of this is FLTX2, formed by the covalent binding of tamoxifen as ER binding core, 7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) as the florescent dye, and Rose Bengal (RB) as source for reactive oxygen species. Our analyses demonstrate (1) FLTX2 is endowed with similar antiestrogen potency as tamoxifen and its predecessor FLTX1, (2) shows a strong absorption in the blue spectral range, associated to the NBD moiety, which efficiently transfers the excitation energy to RB through intramolecular FRET mechanism, (3) generates superoxide anions in a concentration- and irradiation time-dependent process, and (4) Induces concentration- and time-dependent MCF7 apoptotic cell death. These properties make FLTX2 a very promising candidate to lead a novel generation of SERMs with the endogenous capacity to promote breast tumour cell death in situ by photosensitization.

Update Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

Background: Male androgenetic alopecia (MAGA), also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common hair loss in males who have a genetic predisposition. The pattern of baldness in MAGA starts from the frontal area in a triangular pattern, followed by progressive thinning of the vertex until baldness occurs. Generally, the diagnosis of MAGA is established by clinical examination. FDA has approved a combination of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for MAGA treatment. Currently, there is another treatment option like dutasteride, a prostaglandin analog, ketoconazole, and co-adjuvant therapy like laser therapy, hair transplantation, and so on. Purpose: To provide an updated treatment for MAGA. Review: Etiopathogenesis of MAGA is influenced by genetic susceptibility and hormonal factors. The European Consensus Group set the evaluation diagnosis of MAGA to include a historyof hair fall, physical examination, hair examination, supporting examination, and clinical documentation. There are therapeutic options for MAGA, including antiandrogen therapies, androgen-independent therapies, and co-adjuvant therapies. The FDA has approved a combination of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for MAGA treatment. MAGA may affect patients’ quality of life and self-esteem. In general, patients expect higher. Conclusion: MAGA is the most common progressive hair loss in males. The MAGA therapy is expected to achieve cosmetically significant regrowth and to slow additional hair loss.

Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Microbiota: Which Impact on Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer still represents the leading cause of cancer-related death, globally. Likewise, malnutrition and inactivity represent a major risk for loss of functional pulmonary capacities influencing overall lung cancer severity. Therefore, the adhesion to an appropriate health lifestyle is crucial in the management of lung cancer patients despite the subtype of cancer. This review aims to summarize the available knowledge about dietary approaches as well as physical activity as the major factors that decrease the risk towards lung cancer, and improve the response to therapies. We discuss the most significant dietary schemes positively associated to body composition and prognosis of lung cancer and the main molecular processes regulated by specific diet schemes, functional foods and physical activity, i.e., inflammation and oxidative stress. Finally, we report evidence demonstrating that dysbiosis of lung and/or gut microbiome, as well as their interconnection (the gut–lung axis), are strictly related to dietary patterns and regular physical activity playing a key role in lung cancer formation and progression, opening to the avenue of modulating the microbiome as coadjuvant therapy. Altogether, the evidence reported in this review highlights the necessity to consider non-pharmacological interventions (nutrition and physical activity) as effective adjunctive strategies in the management of lung cancer.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell co-adjuvant therapy with albendazole for managing Toxocara vitulorum-rat model.

Background and Aim:Toxocara vitulorum is a bovine intestinal nematode. Immune pictures following infection are conflicting and stopping anthelmintic albendazole treatment recording reversed liver abnormalities. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) therapy, subsequent to albendazole administration in rats infected with T. vitulorum.Materials and Methods:The ultrasonographic and histopathological examinations as well as serum liver enzymes activity and the kinetics of recovery were investigated. The correlation of cell-mediated and humoral immune pictures was assessed by assaying immunoglobulins, splenocytes viability, phagocytic index, and Th1/Th2 cytokines.Results:The cultured BMMSCs counting were 4.21×104 cells/cm2 with 96.03% viability. Flow-cytometric analysis indicated positive CD90 (82%), CD105 (79%) and negative CD34 (0.37%), CD45 (0.42%), attesting to the suitability of the isolated BMMSCs for use in therapy. Transplantation of BMMSCs after albendazole administration significantly reduced the release of liver enzymes (p<0.05) indicating liver cellularity improvement. The ultrasonographic, macroscopic, and histopathological findings confirmed the biochemical results. Significant elevation in the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (INF)-γ with a decline in interleukin (IL)-4 was observed in the untreated model (p<0.05). However, albendazole treatment followed by BMMSCs therapy significantly lowered the release of TNF-α and INF-γ, associated with significant production of IL-4 and IL-10 (p<0.05).Conclusion:The final results indicated that the liver functions, histopathological findings, and immune parameters were aggravated after experimental T. vitulorum infection. Albendazole treatment followed by BMMSCs therapy was found to assist in regeneration of injured hepatic tissue. Besides, it appeared to modulate host defensive immune responses against T. vitulorum antigens. This work could define more clearly the events that manipulate the host immune, histopathological, and biochemical responses to minimize obstacles in using stem cell therapy in animal toxocariosis.

Evaluation of adding platelet-rich plasma to combined medical therapy in androgenetic alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss disorder. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in androgenetic alopecia. This study was done on 126 AGA patients, 42 patients survived as control group who received medical treatment, only other 84 patients were subdivided into two groups, and they received PRP sessions as co-adjuvant therapy using different methods administration. Patients were evaluated clinically, by dermoscopy and by digital dermoscopy to measure hair density and diameters before and after treatment. PRP-treated patients showed statistically significant increase in hair density and diameter measurements than control group. These results increased by using microneedling as a method of PRP administration. In AGA, the addition of "PRP with microneedling" to the combined medical treatment increases its efficacy and shortens the time needed for optimum improvement. Single-blinded randomized controlled study.

Physical Activity as an Imperative Support in Breast Cancer Management.

Simple SummaryDuring the recent years, the field of exercise and physical activity have expanded prominently, not only for the prevention but also for the management of different pathologies, including breast cancer. A broad range of studies have been conducted to analyze this relationship, in aim to find the best routines and use of exercise in breast cancer management. Although many works provide contradictory results in these terms, there is less doubt regarding the role of physical activity as a central support for breast cancer patients, due to the systemic benefits of exercise in these women, therefore decreasing the risk of breast cancer-related complications and increasing their quality of life and survival. Future research should be established in order to individualize the physical activity performed by these women based on the available scientific evidence in a multidisciplinary context to maximize the success of breast cancer management. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy and the second cause of cancer-related death among women. It is estimated that 9 in 10 cases of BC are due to non-genetic factors, and approximately 25% to 30% of total breast cancer cases should be preventable only by lifestyle interventions. In this context, physical activity represents an excellent and accessible approach not only for the prevention, but also for being a potential support in the management of breast cancer. The present review will collect the current knowledge of physical activity in the background of breast cancer, exploring its systemic and molecular effects, considering important variables in the training of these women and the evidence regarding the benefits of exercise on breast cancer survival and prognosis. We will also summarize the various effects of physical activity as a co-adjuvant therapy in women receiving different treatments to deal with its adverse effects. Finally, we will reveal the impact of physical activity in the enhancement of quality of life of these patients, to conclude the central role that exercise must occupy in breast cancer management, in an adequate context of a healthy lifestyle.

Cerebellar and cortical TLR4 activation and behavioral impairments in Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: Pharmacological effects of oleoylethanolamide

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder whose etiology is a thiamine deficiency (TD), with alcoholism being the main underlying cause. Previous evidence suggests the presence of initial neuroinflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress in the physiopathology, although the specific molecular mechanisms underlying TD-induced brain damage and behavioral disabilities are unknown.We explored the specific role of the innate immune receptor TLR4 in three murine models of WKS, based on the combination of a thiamine-deficient diet and pyrithiamine injections (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) over time. The Symptomatic Model (SM) allowed us to describe the complete neurological/neurobehavioral symptomatology over 16 days of TD. Animals showed an upregulation of the TLR4 signaling pathway both in the frontal cortex (FC) and cerebellum and clear motor impairments related with cerebellar dysfunction. However, in the Pre-Symptomatic Model (PSM), 12 days of TD induced the TLR4 pathway upregulation in the FC, which correlated with disinhibited-like behavior, but not in the cerebellum, and no motor impairments. In addition, we tested the effects of the biolipid oleoylethanolamide (OEA, 10 mg/kg, i.p., once daily, starting before any symptom of the pathology is manifested) through the Glucose-Precipitated Model (GPM), which was generated by glucose loading (5 g/kg, i.v., last day) in thiamine-deficient animals to accelerate damage. Pretreatment with OEA prevented the TLR4-induced signature in the FC, as well as an underlying incipient memory disability and disinhibited-like behavior.This study suggests a key role for TLR4 in TD-induced neuroinflammation in the FC and cerebellum, and it reveals different vulnerability of these brain regions in WKS over time. Pre-treatment with OEA counteracts TD-induced TLR4-associated neuroinflammation and may serve as co-adjuvant therapy to prevent WKS-induced neurobehavioral alterations.

Safety and efficacy of coronary laser ablation as an adjunctive therapy in percutaneous coronary intervention: a single-centre experience.

Coronary laser is a long-established coadjuvant therapy in interventional cardiology. This study aimed to present our experience regarding the safety and efficacy of laser assistance to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in different scenarios of coronary artery disease. We used coronary laser as an adjunctive therapy for PCI between May 2014 and March 2020. The safety of laser ablation was evaluated by studying any complication associated with the laser application. Besides, the laser contribution to PCI and 1 year of follow-up for adverse cardiac events was studied. Coronary laser was performed in 81 lesions and 75 patients in different scenarios to assist PCI. The average age was 66 ± 11.7 years and 72 (88.9%) were men. Coronary laser was used in 30 (37%) cases for in-stent-material debulking; 26 (32.1%) in primary angioplasty, 19 (23.4%) in chronic total occlusion and 5 (6.2%) in saphenous vein grafts. Procedural success was achieved in 77 (95.1%) with 1 (1.2%) type III coronary perforation. One year of follow-up for combined adverse cardiac events consisting of death due to any cause, myocardial infarction or target vessel failure showed an event-free rate of 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.91). Our preliminary experience reveals the safety and efficacy of the current modality of coronary laser as a coadjuvant therapy in PCI with a low rate of adverse cardiac events in 1-year of follow-up. Further studies are needed to establish more precisely the contribution of laser application in different contexts of coronary artery disease.

Implication of anti-angiogenic VEGF-A165b in angiogenesis and systolic function after reperfused myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Angiogenesis participates in re-establishing microcirculation after myocardial infarction (MI). Purpose In this study, we aim to further understand the role of the anti-angiogenic isoform vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A165b after MI and explore its potential as a co-adjuvant therapy to coronary reperfusion. Methods Two mice MI models were formed: 1) permanent coronary ligation (non-reperfused MI), 2) transient 45-min coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion (reperfused MI); in both models, animals underwent echocardiography before euthanasia at day 21 after MI induction. Serum and myocardial VEGF-A165b levels were determined. In both experimental MI models, functional and structural implication of VEGF-A165b blockade was assessed. In a cohort of 104 ST-segment elevation MI patients, circulating VEGF-A165b levels were correlated with cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived left ventricular ejection fraction at 6-months and with the occurrence of adverse events (death, heart failure and/or re-infarction). Results In both models, circulating and myocardial VEGF-A165b presence was increased 21 days after MI induction. Serum VEGF-A165b levels inversely correlated with systolic function evaluated by echocardiography. VEGF-A165b blockage increased capillary density, reduced infarct size, and enhanced left ventricular function in reperfused, but not in non-reperfused MI experiments. In patients, higher VEGF-A165b levels correlated with depressed ejection fraction and worse outcomes. Conclusions In experimental and clinical studies, higher serum VEGF-A165b levels associates with a worse systolic function. Its blockage enhances neoangiogenesis, reduces infarct size, and increases ejection fraction in reperfused, but not in non-reperfused MI experiments. Therefore, VEGF-A165b neutralization represents a potential co-adjuvant therapy to coronary reperfusion. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This study was funded by “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” and “Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional FEDER” (Exp. PIE15/00013, PI17/01836, PI18/00209 and CIBERCV16/11/00486).

Synthesis, characterization and photothermal analysis of nanostructured hydrides of Pd and PdCeO2

Hyperthermia was shown to be an important co-adjuvant therapy to conventional cancer treatments. Nanoparticles can be used in the hyperthermia therapy to improve the localized absorption of energy imposed by external sources, in order to kill tumor cells solely by the effect of heat and with minimum thermal damage to surrounding healthy cells. Nanoparticles can also serve as carriers of drugs that specifically act on the tumor when heated, including hydrogen that can be desorbed to locally promote an antioxidant effect and reduce the viability of cancer cells. In this context, palladium hydride nanoparticles emerge as promising materials for the hyperthermia therapy. In this study, palladium nanocubes (PdNC) and PdCeO2 nanoparticles were synthesized. Nanofluids produced with these nanomaterials were hydrogenated and then tested to examine their photothermal effects. Nanofluids made of PdHx nanoparticles presented significant temperature increases of more than 30 °C under 3 min of diode-laser irradiation. On the other hand, nanofluids with PdCeO2H nanoparticles presented temperature increases around 11 °C under the same experimental conditions. The behavior observed with the PdCeO2H nanofluids can be attributed to the effect of H+ in reducing Ce+4 to Ce+3.

Effects of autologous micrografts on stable bilateral vitiligo: A focus on hand lesions.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by depigmented patches of the skin associated with, among several factors, dysregulation and death of melanocytes. Currently, the treatment of vitiligo is based both on the arrest of the progression of active disease and on the stimulation of the skin repigmentation. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of autologous micrografts and narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy for skin repigmentation of patients with bilateral stable vitiligo. Autologous micrografts are derived from mechanical disaggregation of small pieces of the patient's own skin, while phototherapy is a strategy treatment already used. Twenty patients with stable bilateral vitiligo were treated, showing a mean percentage rate of 59.1% at baseline. Combined treatment by autologous micrografts and NBUVB was performed only on the lesions of the hands, and the clinical follow up was performed after 3 and 6months by photographs taken under Wood's light. After 6months, we classed 100% of patients as responders. We also reported a mean of repigmentation rate of 36.7% after 3months and 64.6% after 6months of treatment. In particular, six of the 20 patients reached a marked repigmentation rate (75-100%), four moderate (51-75%) and 10 mild (26-50%). No adverse effects were observed and no drugs were administrated as co-adjuvant therapy. These results are suggestive of a potential wide use of autologous micrografts associated with NBUVB phototherapy for the treatment of stable vitiligo.

Implicación de la isoforma antiangiogénica VEGF-A165b en la angiogénesis y la función sistólica tras un infarto de miocardio reperfundido

Introduction and objectivesAngiogenesis helps to reestablish microcirculation after myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we aimed to further understand the role of the antiangiogenic isoform vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A165b after MI and to explore its potential as a coadjuvant therapy to coronary reperfusion. MethodsTwo mice MI models were formed: a) permanent coronary ligation (nonreperfused MI); b) transient 45-minute coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion (reperfused MI); in both models, animals underwent echocardiography before euthanasia at day 21 after MI induction. We determined serum and myocardial VEGF-A165b levels. In both experimental MI models, we assessed the functional and structural role of VEGF-A165b blockade. In a cohort of 104 ST-segment elevation MI patients, circulating VEGF-A165b levels were correlated with cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months and with the occurrence of adverse events (death, heart failure, and/or reinfarction). ResultsIn both models, circulating and myocardial VEGF-A165b levels were increased 21 days after MI induction. Serum VEGF-A165b levels inversely correlated with systolic function evaluated by echocardiography. VEGF-A165b blockade increased capillary density, reduced infarct size, and enhanced left ventricular function in reperfused, but not in nonreperfused, MI experiments. In patients, higher VEGF-A165b levels correlated with depressed ejection fraction and worse outcomes. ConclusionsIn experimental and clinical studies, higher serum VEGF-A165b levels are associated with worse systolic function. Their blockade enhances neoangiogenesis, reduces infarct size, and increases ejection fraction in reperfused, but not in nonreperfused, MI experiments. Therefore, VEGF-A165b neutralization represents a potential coadjuvant therapy to coronary reperfusion.