Search Results (469)

Curcumin has good anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability limit its application in food products. This study constructed a nanostructured lipid carrier (Cur-CLA-NLC) encapsulating curcumin using conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as the liquid lipid and stearic acid as the solid lipid. Cur-CLA-NLC exhibits significantly enhanced bioaccessibility, antioxidant activity, and cytocompatibility. CLA, as a liquid lipid in Cur-CLA-NLC, has a dual role as a structural stabilizer and bioactive agent, and synergistically enhances antioxidant activity with curcumin. In vitro simulated digestion studies showed that the bioaccessibility of curcumin in Cur-CLA-NLC (85.7%) was much higher than that in the pure curcumin (11.7%) and curcumin lipid mixtures (9.3%). In addition, the Cur-CLA-NLC system showed anti-lipid peroxidation ability and good biocompatibility. Therefore, CLA-NLC can serve as a potential delivery system for enhancing health benefits via functional foods. Full article

Curcumin is a natural bioactive compound of plant origin, characterised by a wide variety of properties that make it useful in numerous industries. Furthermore, due to its health-promoting properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects, it has found applications in medicine and animal husbandry. Unfortunately, curcumin has low bioavailability; its hydrophobic nature means it is poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, and it is rapidly metabolised in the liver. In recent years, research has been conducted into adding nanoencapsulated active ingredients, such as curcumin, to animal feed. This research aims to improve the bioavailability and stability of these ingredients, extend their shelf life, and enhance their absorption. These effects are expected to improve overall animal health, increase production efficiency, and enhance the quality of animal products. However, a significant challenge remains: the irreversible aggregation and chemical instability of bioactive substances due to the hydrolysis of their polymeric encapsulants, which can lead to toxic effects. This study utilised peripheral whole blood from five Blanc de Termonde rabbits. In vitro cell exposure was conducted using three distinct concentrations of nanoencapsulated curcumin (C1–C3: 10, 5.0, and 2.5 µg/mL) and a control. Cytotoxicity was determined by assessing viability using trypan blue exclusion, the comet assay, and the micronucleus assay. The results indicated that all tested concentrations of nanocurcumin significantly decreased the viability of blood cells to approximately 1–9%. In contrast, the encapsulation matrices themselves were not toxic (results were statistically significant). In the comet assay, the nanocurcumin formulations were toxic at all concentrations, and the results were statistically significant. Following exposure, the micronucleus assay revealed cell damage and a high percentage of apoptotic cells (up to 30% for Cur1 at 10 ug/mL). A significant number of binucleated cells with two micronuclei (BNCs + 2MN) were also observed, again for Cur1. In view of the considerable variation in the results from the individual tests, it is advisable to repeat the research using different matrix forms and concentrations of curcumin. Full article

Background: Although electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) consistently provides drug-encapsulation efficiencies (DEE) far above those of conventional bottom-up nanotechnologies, the question of how to systematically push that efficiency even higher remains largely unexplored. Methods: This study introduces a modified triaxial electrospinning protocol tailored to the application and benchmarks it against two conventional techniques: single-fluid blending and coaxial electrospinning. Ethylcellulose (EC) served as the polymeric matrix, while curcumin (Cur) was chosen as the model drug. In the triaxial setup, an electrospinnable, drug-free EC solution was introduced as an intermediate sheath to act as a molecular barrier, preventing Cur diffusion from the core fluid. Ethanol alone was used as the outermost fluid to guarantee a stable and continuous jet. Results: This strategy provided a DEE value of 98.74 ± 6.45%, significantly higher than the 93.74 ± 5.39% achieved by coaxial electrospinning and the 88.63 ± 7.36% obtained with simple blending. Sustained-release testing revealed the same rank order: triaxial fibers released Cur the most slowly and exhibited the smallest initial burst release effect, followed by coaxial and then blended fibers. Mechanistic models for both fiber production and drug release are proposed to clarify how the tri-layer core–shell structure translates into superior performance. Conclusions: The modified triaxial electrospinning was able to open a new practical route to produce core-sheath nanofibers. These nanofibers could provide a higher DEE and a better sustained drug release profile than those from the coaxial and blending processes. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the preoperative monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and clinicopathological parameters for predicting survival outcomes in patients undergoing curative-intent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 304 patients with histopathologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent curative-intent gastrectomy with standardized D1+ or D2 lymphadenectomy. The MHR was calculated using preoperative monocyte counts and HDL cholesterol levels. Patients were dichotomized based on the optimal MHR cutoff determined via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with the Youden index. Survival outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), were assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and compared with log-rank tests. Results: ROC analysis determined an optimal MHR cutoff of ≥11.02 (AUC: 0.654; 95% CI: 0.59–0.718), yielding sensitivities and specificities of 62.6% and 62.4%, respectively. Patients with an elevated MHR (≥11.02) had worse 5-year OS (51.4 vs. 72.2%; p < 0.001) and PFS (65.2 vs. 80.5%; p = 0.003). In the multivariate Cox regression model, elevated MHR emerged as an independent predictor of disease progression (HR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.17–3.18; p = 0.010), while parameters such as signet ring cell histology, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion were significant in univariate analyses but not in the adjusted multivariate model. Conclusions: MHR should not be regarded as a definitive predictor in isolation but rather as a cost-effective, readily obtainable adjunct within a broader preoperative risk assessment framework. Integration with other inflammation-based and clinicopathological factors may enhance predictive performance and clinical applicability. Full article

Objective: To investigate the survival prediction probability of the nomogram from retro-EMBRACE and the T-score in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Materials and Methods: A total of 204 patients with LACC who underwent curative chemoradiotherapy and brachytherapy (BT) between 2010 and 2021 were included in our single-center retrospective study. Clinical records, examinations, and magnetic resonance images (MRI) before and after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) were retrospectively reviewed to obtain information on age, tumor size, parametrial involvement, ureteral involvement, bladder invasion, uterine involvement, high-risk clinical target volume at the first brachytherapy application, lymph node involvement, vaginal involvement, recurrence, metastasis, and last follow-up. The 5-year overall survival probabilities of the patients were determined by nomogram. T-score was calculated separately at diagnosis (TS_D) and brachytherapy (TS_BT), and their effects on local recurrence-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival were analyzed. Results: The median age was 52 (29–89). The 5-year survival rate of the patients was calculated to be 90.18%. The median nomogram’s survival estimate for 60 months was 70.35% (20.9–87.1). The median TS_D and TS_BT were 5.5 (1–16) and 1 (0–6), respectively. According to the multivariate Cox regression models, TS_D (HR = 1.203, 95% CI 1.021–1.417, p = 0.024) was significantly associated with local recurrence-free survival. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the nomogram’s predictions for 60-month overall survival are underestimates. Prognosis can be estimated using the TS_D, which can be easily obtained with a clinical examination and detailed MRI examination. Full article

Background: Gastric cancer is increasingly being diagnosed at early stages, enabling the application of curative oncological and surgical approaches. With the growing adoption of minimally invasive techniques, robotic surgery is gaining increasing prominence in the operating rooms. As described by Stoyanova et al., the robotic completely intracorporeal jejunal pouch reconstruction after gastrectomy offers potential benefits, including technical feasibility without significant intraoperative challenges or prolonged operative times, as well as long-term advantages such as a reduced incidence of midline incision hernias. Objectives: This retrospective, single-center study is the first to compare the clinical and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic versus robotic completely intracorporeal jejunal pouch reconstruction following gastrectomy. Methods: A total of 27 patients who underwent gastrectomy between 2018 and 2025 were included in the study, and were divided into two groups: 12 patients in the robotic and 15 patients in the laparoscopic group. The study evaluated mean operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of hospital and ICU stay, and certain oncological outcomes. Results: A main purpose of the robotic method is the avoidance of an unfavourable midline incision due to the completely intracorporeal pouch reconstruction without substantial technical or clinical disadvantages. Conclusions: Further research involving larger patient cohorts and extended follow-up periods is necessary to draw more definitive conclusions about the relative advantages of this surgical technique. Full article

Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is an innovative non-thermal sterilization and preservation method that has recently emerged as a safe, effective, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative for biomedical applications. Curcumin (Cur), a commonly used food additive, possesses photosensitizing properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of curcumin-mediated photodynamic treatment (Cur-PDT) on the preservation of fresh wolfberries. Our experimental data revealed that a Cur-PDT treatment using a cur concentration of 500 μmol/L for 30 min, with 20 W irradiation, achieved the best preservation effect on fresh wolfberries. This intervention significantly slowed the decline in post-harvest hardness and delayed the progression of decay. It also reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (•O₂⁻). Notably, at day 3, the enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in Cur-PDT-treated wolfberries were 1.12 and 1.88 times higher, respectively, than those in the control group. These elevated enzyme activities promoted the biosynthesis and recycling of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), leading to their substantial accumulation under oxidative stress conditions. By modulating the antioxidant defense system, Cur-PDT has the potential to extend the shelf-life of post-harvest wolfberries and enhance their overall quality attributes, thereby maintaining physiological homeostasis during storage. Full article

Background/Objectives: Curcumin (CUR) is well known for its therapeutic properties, particularly attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in managing chronic diseases such as arthritis. While CUR application for biomedical purposes is well known, the phytochemical has several restrictions given its poor water solubility, physicochemical instability, and low bioavailability. These limitations have led to innovative formulations, with nanocarriers emerging as a promising alternative. For this reason, this study aimed to address the potential advantages of associating CUR with nanocarrier systems in managing arthritis through a scoping review. Methods: A systematic literature search of preclinical (in vivo) and clinical studies was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (December 2024). General inclusion criteria include using CUR or natural derivatives in nano-based formulations for arthritis treatment. These elements lead to the question: “What is the impact of the association of CUR or derivatives in nanocarriers in treating arthritis?”. Results: From an initial 536 articles, 34 were selected for further analysis (31 preclinical investigations and three randomized clinical trials). Most studies used pure CUR (25/34), associated with organic (30/34) nanocarrier systems. Remarkably, nanoparticles (16/34) and nanoemulsions (5/34) were emphasized. The formulations were primarily presented in liquid form (23/34) and were generally administered to animal models through intra-articular injection (11/31). Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) was the most frequently utilized among the various models to induce arthritis-like joint damage. The findings indicate that associating CUR or its derivatives with nanocarrier systems enhances its pharmacological efficacy through controlled release and enhanced solubility, bioavailability, and stability. Moreover, the encapsulation of CUR showed better results in most cases than in its free form. Nonetheless, most studies were restricted to the preclinical model, not providing direct evidence in humans. Additionally, inadequate information and clarity presented considerable challenges for preclinical evidence, which was confirmed by SYRCLE’s bias detection tools. Conclusions: Hence, this scoping review highlights the anti-arthritic effects of CUR nanocarriers as a promising alternative for improved treatment. Full article

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a worldwide challenge. There are an estimated 17–24 million patients worldwide, with an estimated 60 percent or more who have not been diagnosed. Without a known cure, no specific curative medication, disability lasting years to being life-long, and disagreement among healthcare providers as to how to most appropriately treat these patients, ME/CFS patients are in need of assistance. Appropriate healthcare provider education would increase the percentage of patients diagnosed and treated; however, in-school healthcare provider education is limited. To address the latter issue, the New Jersey Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association (NJME/CFSA) has developed an independent, incentive-driven, learning program for students of the health professions. NJME/CFSA offers a yearly scholarship program in which applicants write a scholarly paper on an ME/CFS-related topic. The efficacy of the program is demonstrated by the 2024–2025 first place scholarship winner’s essay, which addresses the biological basis of ME/CFS and how the healthcare provider can improve the quality of life of ME/CFS patients. For the reader, the essay provides an update on what is known regarding the biological underpinnings of ME/CFS, as well as a medical student’s perspective as to how the clinician can provide care and support for ME/CFS patients. The original essay has been slightly modified to demonstrate that ME/CFS is a worldwide problem and for publication. Full article

Acalitus simplex is an eriophyoid mite pest of the ornamental plant Ruellia simplex. Acalitus simplex compromises the esthetics of R. simplex by inducing erinea formation. Management practices for A. simplex are currently lacking. This study assessed the potential of commercial biorational (citric acid, potassium salt of fatty acids, garlic, thyme, and mineral oil) and conventional (abamectin, fenpyroximate, bifenthrin, spiromesifen) pesticides under laboratory conditions, using two types of spray applications: (A) curative, after erinea formation, and (B) prophylactic, before erinea formation. In the curative application, abamectin, garlic oil, and mineral oil were most effective; in the prophylactic application, abamectin and mineral oil showed the highest efficacies. Abamectin and mineral oil were further tested under greenhouse conditions. Both treatments effectively controlled A. simplex by preventing erinea formation over a four-week post-application period, regardless of the application type. At the end of the experiment, mites were extracted from R. simplex plants. In the curative application, significantly fewer mites were extracted from abamectin and mineral oil treatments than in the control. In the prophylactic application, mites were absent in abamectin and mineral oil treatments but present in the control. Abamectin and mineral oil can be used to manage A. simplex in landscapes. Full article

Background and Purpose: Stratification based on specific image biomarkers applicable in clinical settings could help optimize treatment outcomes for recurrent non-small cell lung cancer patients. For this purpose, we aimed to determine the clinical impact of positive delta changes (any difference above zero > 0) between baseline [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT metrics before the first treatment course and reirradiation. Material/Methods: Forty-seven patients who underwent thoracic reirradiation with curative intent at our institute between 2013 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria. All patients had histologically verified NSCLC, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) ≤ 2, and underwent [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT for initial staging and re-staging before primary radiotherapy and reirradiation, respectively. The time interval between radiation treatments was at least nine months. Quantitative metabolic volume and intensity parameters were measured before first irradiation and before reirradiation, and the difference above zero (>0; delta change) between them was statistically correlated to locoregional control (LRC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Patients were followed for a median time of 33 months after reirradiation. The median OS was 21.8 months (95%-CI: 16.3–27.3), the median PFS was 12 months (95%-CI: 6.7–17.3), and the median LRC was 13 months (95%-CI: 9.0–17.0). Multivariate analysis revealed that the delta changes in SULpeak, SUVmax, and SULmax of the lymph nodes significantly impacted OS (SULpeak p = 0.017; SUVmax p = 0.006; SULmax p = 0.006), PFS (SULpeak p = 0.010; SUVmax p = 0.009; SULmax p = 0.009), and LRC (SULpeak p < 0.001; SUVmax p = 0.003; SULmax p = 0.003). Conclusions: Delta changes in SULpeak, SUVmax, and SULmax of the metastatic lymph nodes significantly impacted all clinical endpoints (OS, PFS and LRC) in recurrent NSCLC patients treated with reirradiation. Hence, these imaging biomarkers could be helpful with regard to patient selection in this challenging clinical situation. Full article

In the context of critical challenges in curcumin-modified polyurethane synthesis—including limited curcumin bioavailability and suboptimal biodegradability/biocompatibility—a novel polyurethane material (Cur-PU) with good mechanical, shape memory, pH-responsive, and biocompatibility was synthesized via a one-pot, two-step synthetic protocol in which HO-PCL-OH served as the soft segment and curcumin was employed as the chain extender. The experimental results demonstrate that with the increase in Cur units, the crystallinity of the Cur-PU material decreases from 32.6% to 5.3% and that the intensities of the diffraction peaks at 2θ = 21.36°, 21.97°, and 23.72° in the XRD pattern gradually diminish. Concomitantly, tensile strength decreased from 35.5 MPa to 19.3 MPa, and Shore A hardness declined from 88 HA to 65 HA. These observations indicate that the sterically hindered benzene ring structure of Cur imposes restrictions on HO-PCL-OH crystallization, leading to lower crystallinity and retarded crystallization kinetics in Cur-PU. As a consequence, the material’s tensile strength and hardness are diminished. Except for the Cur-PU-3 sample, all other variants exhibited exceptional shape-memory functionality, with R_f and R_r exceeding 95%, as determined by three-point bending method. Analogous to pure curcumin solutions, Cur-PU solutions demonstrated pH-responsive chromatic transitions: upon addition of hydroxide ion (OH⁻) solutions at increasing concentrations, the solutions shifted from yellow-green to dark green and finally to orange-yellow, enabling sensitive pH detection across alkaline gradients. Hydrolytic degradation studies conducted over 15 weeks in air, UPW, and pH 6.0/8.0 phosphate buffer solutions revealed mass loss <2% for Cur-PU films. Surface morphological analysis showed progressive etching with the formation of micro-to-nano-scale pores, indicative of a surface-erosion degradation mechanism consistent with pure PCL. Biocompatibility assessments via L929 mouse fibroblast co-culture experiments demonstrated ≥90% cell viability after 72 h, while relative red blood cell hemolysis rates remained below 5%. Collectively, these findings establish Cur-PU as a biocompatible material with tunable mechanical properties, and pH responsiveness, underscoring its translational potential for biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems and tissue engineering scaffolds. Full article

This study investigated the effects of curdlan (CUR) with different helical conformations on the gelling behavior and mechanisms of heat-induced soy protein isolate (SPI) gels. The results demonstrated that CUR significantly improved the functional properties of SPI gels, including water-holding capacity (0.31–5.06% increase), gel strength (7.01–240.51% enhancement), textural properties, viscoelasticity, and thermal stability. The incorporation of CUR facilitated the unfolding and cross-linking of SPI molecules, leading to enhanced network formation. Notably, SPI composite gels containing CUR with an ordered triple-helix bundled structure exhibited superior gelling performance compared to other helical conformations, characterized by a more compact and uniform microstructure. This improvement was attributed to stronger hydrogen bonding interactions between the triple-helix CUR and SPI molecules. Furthermore, the entanglement of triple-helix CUR with SPI promoted the formation of a denser and more homogeneous interpenetrating polymer network. These findings indicate that triple-helix CUR is highly effective in optimizing the gelling characteristics of heat-induced SPI gels. This study provides new insights into the structure–function relationship of CUR in SPI-based gel systems, offering potential strategies for designing high-performance protein–polysaccharide composite gels. The findings establish a theoretical foundation for applications in the food industry. Full article

Natural products possess potent pharmacological activities and health benefits. However, drawbacks such as water insolubility, poor stability, and low bioavailability limit their practical applications. This research is dedicated to the development of suitable natural self-assembled nano-delivery systems to encapsulate natural molecule drugs, improving their dispersion and stability in aqueous solution. As a model drug, curcumin (Cur) was encapsulated in zinc–adenine nanoparticles (Zn–Adenine), based on the self-assembly of a coordination matrix material. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was further functionalized on the surface of Cur@(Zn–Adenine) to realize a tumor-targeted delivery system. The morphology was characterized through TEM and zeta potential analyses, while the encapsulation mechanism of the nanoparticles was researched via XRD and FTIR. The formed Cur@(Zn–Adenine)@HA nanoparticles exhibited good drug loading efficiency and drug loading rate. Moreover, compared to free Cur, Cur-loaded (Zn–Adenine)@HA showed enhanced pH stability and thermal stability. In particular, Cur@(Zn–Adenine)@HA demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and strong specificity for targeting CD44 protein on cancer cells. The above results indicate that (Zn–Adenine)@HA NPs can serve as an effective nano-delivery system for hydrophobic substances. Full article

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a pivotal treatment modality for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), offering highly precise, high-dose radiation delivery. However, several clinical challenges remain, particularly in the treatment of central or ultracentral tumors, which are located near critical structures such as the heart, bronchi, and great vessels. The introduction of MRI-guided SBRT has significantly improved targeting precision, allowing for better assessment of tumor motion and adjacent organ structures. Additionally, SBRT has demonstrated efficacy in multifocal NSCLC, providing an effective option for patients with multiple primary tumors. Recent advances also highlight the role of SBRT in locally advanced NSCLC, where it is increasingly used as a complementary approach to concurrent chemotherapy or in cases where surgery is not feasible. Moreover, the combination of SBRT with immunotherapy has shown promising potential, enhancing tumor control and immunological responses. Furthermore, SBRTs application in SCLC is gaining momentum as a palliative and potentially curative option for selected patients. This narrative review explores these evolving clinical scenarios, the technical innovations supporting SBRT, and the integration of immunotherapy, providing an in-depth look at the new frontiers of SBRT in lung cancer treatment. Despite the challenges, the ongoing development of personalized approaches and technological advancements continues to push the boundaries of SBRTs clinical utility in lung cancer. Full article