Article
Polymer Science
Taif Ali Khan, Abul Kalam Azad, Shivkanya Fuloria, Asif Nawaz, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Muhammad Akhlaq, Muhammad Safdar, Kathiresan V. Sathasivam, Mahendran Sekar, Omji Porwal, Dhanalekshmi Unnikrishnan Meenakshi, Rishabha Malviya, Mireia Mallandrich Miret, Ajay Mendiratta, Neeraj Kumar Fuloria
Summary: The study developed chitosan-coated emulsions containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a model drug and evaluated their drug release and skin permeation properties. Different surfactants showed varying degrees of skin drug retention, while chitosan-modified emulsions exhibited good drug release control and skin permeation. The emulsions containing a combination of surfactants (Tween) and a co-surfactant (PEG) showed the best penetration profile and potential for transdermal drug delivery.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yuandong Xu, Yuexiao Hu, Heng Xia, Shiqiang Zhang, Hanqi Lei, Binyuan Yan, Ze Xiu Xiao, Jinjin Chen, Jun Pang, Gao-Feng Zha
Summary: This study explores the use of a novel library of 248 ionizable lipids, including 1,2-diesters, as a platform for mRNA vaccines. The top-performing lipids and formulations show faster liver clearance, increased stability, and higher safety compared to DLin-MC3-DMA. Furthermore, the lipids demonstrate superior intramuscular mRNA delivery and effective anticancer activity in different tumor models expressing specific antigens.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guo Xu, Yukuan Mao, Tianyue Jiang, Bingbing Gao, Bingfang He
Summary: This review highlights the structural design strategies and biomedical applications of microneedle-based vaccines. By selecting appropriate materials and methods, microneedle-based vaccines with strong mechanical properties and variable forms can be fabricated for monitoring or augmenting human immunity. The mechanism of skin immunity, classification and fabrication approaches of microneedles, as well as their applications in sampling and therapy, are discussed.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eleonore Coppens, Didier Desmaele, Timothee Naret, Sebastien Garcia-Argote, Sophie Feuillastre, Gregory Pieters, Catherine Cailleau, Jean-Louis Paul, Bastien Prost, Audrey Solgadi, Jean-Philippe Michel, Magali Noiray, Patrick Couvreur, Simona Mura
Summary: The study showed that inducing drug insertion into lipoproteins through chemical modification is a simple approach to achieve lipoprotein-mediated drug delivery. While the lipid moiety plays a key role in the interaction between the drug and lipoproteins, the overall physicochemical features of the nanoparticles must also be carefully considered.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nakamwi Akombaetwa, Ange B. B. Ilangala, Lorraine Thom, Patrick B. B. Memvanga, Bwalya Angel Witika, Aristote B. B. Buya
Summary: Skin delivery is a promising approach for effective drug delivery, but low skin permeability is a major challenge. Advances in skin delivery depend on overcoming the challenges associated with drug molecule permeation and skin irritation. Lipid nanosystems offer potential solutions, but their formulation requires careful consideration of factors such as particle size and surface charge.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raquel Costa, Sofia A. Costa Lima, Paula Gameiro, Salette Reis
Summary: Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds found abundantly in plants, with therapeutic properties for skin disorders, but their limited oral bioavailability and rapid degradation in the body hinder their potential. Various cutaneous delivery systems, such as lipid or polymer-based nanoparticles, have been studied to improve the delivery of flavonoids for skin applications.
Article
Biophysics
Shan Zhu, Zhiyue Zhao, Wenxiao Qin, Tao Liu, Yi Yang, Zijing Wang, Hongfei Ma, Xiang Wang, Tao Liu, Dongli Qi, Pan Guo, JiaXin Pi, BaoCheng Tian, Han Zhang, Nan Li
Summary: Oxidative stress damage caused by sun exposure is a major cause of skin aging and skin cancer. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) have been shown to improve drug permeability and stability in the skin. This study prepared NLC loaded with Oroxylin A (OA) and found that it had better therapeutic effects compared to OA solution in a cellular model of UVB radiation. Additionally, immobilizing OA-NLC in a hydrogel matrix protected the skin from damage after UV radiation.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinxin Lan, Jinnan Guo, Jing Li, Weidong Qiang, Linna Du, Tingting Zhou, Xiaokun Li, Zhuofu Wu, Jing Yang
Summary: This study developed a drug delivery system, called oil body microgel emulsion (OBEME), by fusing human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) with safflower oil bodies and mixing with xanthan gum. OBEME showed stable physicochemical properties, enhanced skin permeability, and slow-release effect. It demonstrated potential in accelerating skin regeneration and wound healing, making it a low-cost alternative wound care treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Srishti Shetty, Saritha Shetty
Summary: Nanotechnology has revolutionized skincare formulations by using robust delivery systems like lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) to effectively deliver therapeutic agents to the targeted site of action. Cubosomes, which are a type of LLC, are being investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles in skincare due to their biocompatible and biodegradable nature. This review aims to describe the structure, preparation methods, and potential application of cubosomes for successful delivery of cosmetic agents.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Boyang Sun, Georgios Paraskevopoulos, Jiwei Min, Robert Rossdeutcher, Sanjana Ghosh, Breandan Quinn, Meng-Hsuan Lin, Debanjan Sarkar, Dinesh Sukumaran, Yuefei Wang, Katerina Vavrova, Jonathan F. Lovell, Yumiao Zhang
Summary: This study finds that cabazitaxel (CTX) can be dissolved in alpha-tocopherol at high concentrations exceeding 100 mg mL(-1). The addition of 30% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the alpha-tocopherol/CTX solution improves its permeation through human skin. Topical application of CTX using a DMSO and alpha-tocopherol solvent shows significant suppression of tumor growth in nude mice bearing skin cancer xenografts.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Luca Casula, Rosa Pireddu, Maria Cristina Cardia, Elena Pini, Donatella Valenti, Michele Schlich, Chiara Sinico, Salvatore Marceddu, Nina Dragicevic, Anna Maria Fadda, Francesco Lai
Summary: Combining microneedle arrays with nanosuspensions can enhance the skin delivery of water insoluble drugs by temporarily disrupting the stratum corneum.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Deepak Kulkarni, Fouad Damiri, Satish Rojekar, Mehrukh Zehravi, Sarker Ramproshad, Dipali Dhoke, Shubham Musale, Ashiya A. Mulani, Pranav Modak, Roshani Paradhi, Jyotsna Vitore, Md Habibur Rahman, Mohammed Berrada, Prabhanjan S. Giram, Simona Cavalu
Summary: Microneedle (MNs) technology is a recent advancement in biomedical science that has gained popularity worldwide due to its multifaceted and broad-spectrum applications in drug delivery. The limitations of conventional drug delivery, such as poor absorption and bioavailability, can be overcome by MN-based drug delivery. Nanotechnology has played a significant role in the fabrication techniques and design of microneedles.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Thuy Trang Nguyen, Thi Thuy Dung Nguyen, Nguyen-Minh-An Tran, Giau Van Vo
Summary: The skin is a potential target for drug delivery and hormone transmission, but the transdermal route is restricted by the skin's barrier properties. Microneedle technology, with micro-sized needles, shows promise in bypassing the stratum corneum and delivering hormones to the dermis. This review highlights the research advancements in microneedle-based therapeutics for hormone delivery and discusses the challenges in translating this technology from the lab to clinical practice.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antonio Jose Guillot, Miquel Martinez-Navarrete, Teresa M. Garrigues, Ana Melero
Summary: Lipid vesicles offer cost-effective improvement in skin drug absorption when the production process is optimized. Designing the ideal vesicle is a significant challenge as their properties are interrelated. Size, deformability degree, and drug loading are the key features that determine transdermal drug absorption. Interest in this technology is growing exponentially, although commercialization has been limited by preservation and scalability issues, which can be overcome with freeze-drying and modern escalation methods. This predicts wider use of these technologies in the market and clinical practice.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Y. Han, Z. Y. Jin, D. S. Zhang, B. B. Hu, Z. Q. Li, Y. S. Jing, S. G. Sun
Summary: The transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) can increase patient compliance, but many drugs are not easily absorbed through the skin due to the barrier function. Polymers can promote transdermal absorption as a chemical penetration promoter or as a raw material, and this article introduces the structure and mechanism of the skin, as well as the classification of polymers.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Letter
Anesthesiology
Kuo-Chuan Hung, Jen-Yin Chen, Chin-Chen Chu, Cheuk-Kwan Sun
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MONITORING AND COMPUTING
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yuh-Shin Chang, Chung-Han Ho, Chin-Chen Chu, Jhi-Joung Wang, Ren-Long Jan
Summary: This study revealed an increased risk of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), even after adjusting for potential confounders. Besides controlling blood pressure, educating DM patients about RVO is recommended to prevent its occurrence.
DIABETES RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chun-Jen Huang, Tai-Ling Liu, Yu-Ting Huang, Hui-Min Hsieh, Chih-Cheng Chang, Chin-Chen Chu, Chun-Wang Wei, Shih-Feng Weng
Summary: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and schizophrenia had significantly higher healthcare utilization and expenditure compared to those without schizophrenia. Factors such as age, income level, complications, and severity of diabetes complications influenced the number of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and medical expenditure for the patients. Women had a higher number of outpatient visits but lower hospitalization and medical expenditure, indicating potential neglect in medical evaluation and treatment for schizophrenia patients by non-psychiatrist healthcare providers.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
I-Chia Teng, Ying-Jen Chang, Yao-Tsung Lin, Chin-Chen Chu, Jen-Yin Chen, Zhi-Fu Wu
Summary: Sugammadex can help with extubation post-surgery and reduce postoperative pulmonary complications, but it may also cause bradycardia and hypotension. Immediate treatment and appropriate management are necessary to prevent adverse events.
Article
Anesthesiology
Kuo-Chuan Hung, Chin-Chen Chu, Chung-Hsi Hsing, Yang-Pei Chang, Yu-Yu Li, Wei-Cheng Liu, I-Wen Chen, Jen-Yin Chen, Cheuk-Kwan Sun
Summary: Meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials showed that perioperative intravenous lidocaine significantly improved postoperative quality of recovery and reduced intraoperative remifentanil consumption, without increasing the risk of chronic postsurgical pain in patients undergoing elective surgery.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ANESTHESIA
(2021)
Article
Anesthesiology
Chia-Hung Yu, Yi-Chen Chen, I-Yin Hung, Jen-Yin Chen, Ying-Jen Chang, Chung-Han Ho, Chin-Chen Chu
Summary: Neuraxial anesthesia may be associated with lower rates of long-term analgesic and opioid prescription after some surgeries, especially herniorrhaphy and lower-limb ORIF.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ANESTHESIA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chin-Chen Chu, Shih-Ying Chen, Charng-Cherng Chyau, Shu-Chen Wang, Heuy-Ling Chu, Pin-Der Duh
Summary: In this study, the protective effects of djulis water extracts and their bioactive compounds on PM-induced oxidative injury in A549 cells were investigated. The results showed that the extracts exhibited cytoprotective effects by reducing ROS generation and TBARS formation, as well as increasing SOD activity and GSH contents. The extracts also upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in A549 cells, and this upregulation was attenuated by JNK and ERK inhibitors. Rutin and quercetin, the most abundant bioactive compounds in the extracts, alleviated PM-induced oxidative stress in the cells. Overall, the bioactive compounds in djulis water extracts can protect A549 cells from PM-induced oxidative injury by activating the ERK and JUN signaling pathways.
Review
Anesthesiology
Kuo-Chuan Hung, Ying-Jen Chang, I-Wen Chen, Tien-Chou Soong, Chun-Ning Ho, Chung-Hsi Hsing, Chin-Chen Chu, Jen-Yin Chen, Cheuk-Kwan Sun
Summary: This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of high flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) on the risk of hypoxemia during gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures (GEPs) under sedation. The results indicate that HFNO significantly reduces the risk of hypoxemia, severe hypoxemia, other airway interventions, and procedural interruption.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ANESTHESIA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jhi-Joung Wang, Yu-Roo Chu, Shu-Fang Teng, Chin-Chen Chu, Chung-Han Ho, Li-Ling Chu
Summary: The study examined the use of opioids in Taiwan and found that the number of prescriptions gradually increased annually, with morphine being the most commonly used opioid. Cancer patients consumed more opioids than noncancer patients, and most of the prescriptions in the noncancer group were for acute pain services. The use of opioids also increased with age in both cancer and noncancer patients.
JOURNAL OF THE CHINESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pei-Han Fu, Chia-Hung Yu, Yi-Chen Chen, Chin-Chen Chu, Jen-Yin Chen, Fu-Wen Liang
Summary: Nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy is associated with negative fetal outcomes, including prematurity, low birth weight, low Apgar scores, neonatal and infant death. Third trimester surgery is associated with a higher rate of prematurity compared to first trimester surgery.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Yu-Yu Li, Jhi-Joung Wang, Sheng-Han Huang, Chi-Lin Kuo, Jen-Yin Chen, Chung-Feng Liu, Chin-Chen Chu
Summary: This study developed a machine learning-based application to assist anesthesiologists in assessing the risk of complications in patients after hip surgery. The results showed that the machine learning model outperformed traditional assessment methods in predicting adverse outcomes. The web-based application gained high satisfaction from anesthesiologists after clinical use.
BMC ANESTHESIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Anesthesiology
I-Chia Teng, Cheuk-Kwan Sun, Chun-Ning Ho, Li-Kai Wang, Yao-Tsung Lin, Ying-Jen Chen, Jen-Yin Chin, Chin-Chen Chu, Chung-Hsi Hsing, Kuo-Chuan Hung
Summary: This meta-analysis found that combined epidural anaesthesia/analgesia (EAA) did not have a significant impact on the incidence of postoperative delirium/cognitive dysfunction (POD/POCD) in patients following major non-cardiac surgery. However, it was associated with lower pain scores at postoperative 24 hours and a decreased risk of postoperative nausea/vomiting (PONV).
ANAESTHESIA CRITICAL CARE & PAIN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ting-Chia Chang, Wei-Chih Kan, Kuo-Chen Cheng, Chung-Han Ho, Yi-Chen Chen, Chin-Chen Chu, Chien-Chin Hsu, Hsing-Tao Kuo, Hung-Jung Lin, Chien-Cheng Huang
Summary: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have an increased risk of gastrointestinal perforation (GIP), especially female patients. More attention should be paid to female population and those with independent predictors for the prevention of GIP.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Kuo-Chuan Hung, Jen-Yin Chen, Chung-Hsi Hsing, Chin-Chen Chu, Yao-Tsung Lin, Yu-Li Pang, I-Chia Teng, I-Wen Chen, Cheuk-Kwan Sun
Summary: This study compared the merits and safety between conscious sedation/monitored anesthesia (CS/MAC) and general anesthesia (GA) for patients receiving transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The results showed that CS/MAC was associated with lower risks of 30-day mortality, adverse peri-procedural and post-procedural outcomes compared to GA. However, more evidence is needed to support these findings due to the inclusion of mostly retrospective studies.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jhi-Joung Wang, Shu-Fang Teng, Yu-Roo Chu, Chin-Chen Chu, Chung-Han Ho, Li-Ling Chu
Summary: This study evaluated the trend of opioid consumption for pain management in Taiwan and compared it with neighboring Asian countries. The findings showed that opioid consumption in Taiwan has slowly increased from 2008 to 2018, with fentanyl and morphine being the most commonly used opioids. Compared with neighboring Asian countries, Taiwan's opioid consumption level was between Japan and Singapore.
JOURNAL OF FOOD AND DRUG ANALYSIS
(2022)