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Ultraviolet-induced photodissociation and photo-isomerization of the three most stable conformers (SSC, GAC, and AAT) of glycolic acid are investigated in a low-temperature solid argon matrix using FTIR spectroscopy and employing laser radiation with wavelengths of 212 nm, 226 nm, and 230 nm. The present work broadens the wavelength range of photochemical studies of glycolic acid, thus extending the understanding of the overall photochemistry of the compound. The proposed kinetic model for the photodissociation of glycolic acid proceeds from the lowest energy conformer (SSC). The model suggests that ultraviolet light induces isomerization only between the SSC and GAC conformers and between the SSC and AAT conformers. The relative reaction rate coefficients are reported for all proposed reactions. These results suggest that the direct photodissociation of GAC and AAT conformer does not occur in an argon matrix. The main photodissociation channel via the SSC conformer produces formaldehyde–water complexes. The proposed photodissociation mechanism emphasizes that the conformers’ relative abundancies can significantly affect the photodissociation rate of the molecule. For example, in the case of high relative GAC and AAT concentrations, the ultraviolet photodissociation of glycolic acid requires the proceeding photo-isomerization of GAC and AAT to SSC.

Funding Information: Esa Tanhola and Anna-Liisa Ruskeepää are acknowledged for expert technical assistance in mass spectrometry analytics. Dr Tomi Määttä is acknowledged for valuable comments on proteomics data analysis. Dr Jussi Jäntti is acknowledged for valuable comments on strain engineering. The Proteomics Core Facility at EMBL Heidelberg is acknowledged and especially Mandy Rettel and Frank Stein for their expert support. Paula Jouhten acknowledges funding from the Academy of Finland (decision numbers 310514, 314125, 335783, 352410, and 352412). Natalia Kakko and Merja Penttilä acknowledge funding from the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation (for the Center for Young Synbio Scientists). Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. Engineered microbial cells can produce sustainable chemistry, but the production competes for resources with growth. Inducible synthetic control over the resource use would enable fast accumulation of sufficient biomass and then divert the resources to production. We developed inducible synthetic resource-use control overSaccharomyces cerevisiae by expressing a bacterial ClpXP proteasome from an inducible promoter. By individually targeting growth-essential metabolic enzymes Aro1, Hom3, and Acc1 to the ClpXP proteasome, cell growth could be efficiently repressed during cultivation. The ClpXP proteasome was specific to the target proteins, and there was no reduction in the targets when ClpXP was not induced. The inducible growth repression improved product yields from glucose (cis,cis-muconic acid) and per biomass (cis,cis-muconic acid and glycolic acid). The inducible ClpXP proteasome tackles uncertainties in strain optimization by enabling model-guided repression of competing, growth-essential, and metabolicenzymes. Most importantly, it allows improving production without compromising biomass accumulation when uninduced; therefore, it is expected to mitigate strain stability and low productivity challenges.

The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of various acid solutions combined with ultrasonics as an aid to remove mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-based root canal filling and to assess their effect on the surface topography and microhardness of root canal dentin. Materials and Method: Fifty human permanent single rooted and single canaled freshly extracted teeth were decoronated and sectioned apically to prepare the middle third of root sections of 5 mm length. The canals were prepared in a step-back manner. OrthoMTA was packed throughout the prepared canals. These root sections were incubated for one week and subsequently randomly allocated to five groups (n = 10) according to the OrthoMTA removal method: No treatment (NT); 5% glycolic acid + ultrasonics (5% GA+U); 10% glycolic acid + ultrasonics (10% GA+U); 10% citric acid + ultrasonics (10% CA+U); Distilled water + ultrasonics (DW+U). A 1 mm deep well was created within the coronal end of the set OrthoMTA. Wells were filled with each respective test solution and left for 5 min. Thereafter, further removal of OrthoMTA used a specific ultrasonic tip. Finally, the canals were flushed using 1 mL of the respective test solutions and activated with a Controlled Memory ultrasonic tip for two cycles of 20 s each followed by flushing with 1 mL of distilled water and paper point drying of the canals. Then, specimens were longitudinally split into two halves and examined under a scanning electron microscope (1000×) to assess the residual OrthoMTA and surface topography of root canal dentin. The Vickers surface microhardness of treated radicular dentin was measured using the HMV-2 microhardness tester. Result: Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Significant differences for residual OrthoMTA were observed between (10% GA+U) with (5% GA+U), (10% CA+U), (DW+U) and (NT) (p value < 0.01). In the context of microhardness, (5% GA+U) and (10% GA+U) showed statistically significant difference compared to (NT), (10% CA+U) and (DW+U) (p value < 0.01). Conclusion: 10% GA+U was superior to other tested groups in removing OrthoMTA, but it substantially reduced dentin microhardness.

Aknė- odos pagrindinė dermatologinė problema visame pasaulyje, kuri sukelia daug psichologinių ir fizinių pasekmių. Yra įvairių gydymo, odos priežiūros būdų, tačiau vienas populiariausių tai glikollio ir salicilo taikymas aknės paveiktai odai. Tyrimo objektas. Glikolio ir salicilo rūgščių poveikis aknės paveiktai odai Tyrimo tikslas. Atlikti sisteminę literatūros apžvalgą apie glikolio ir salicilo rūgščių poveikį aknės paveiktai odai.Aknė yra lėtinė uždegiminė plaukų folikulų liga, sukelianti kosmetiškai nepalankius odos paviršiaus pažeidimus, todėl tai yra pagrindinė dermatologinė problema visame pasaulyje. Aknė gali pasireikšti neuždegiminiais komedonais, uždegiminėmis papulėmis, pustulėmis, mazgais ir cistomis. Cheminis šveitimas yra plačiai naudojama aknės ir randų po aknės gydymo procedūra. Glikolio rūgštis reaguoja su viršutiniu odos sluoksniu, suardydama jį, ištirpindama riebalus ir kitas medžiagas, kurios suriša negyvus audinius. Dėl salicilo rūgšties lipofiliškumo, veikia paviršinius epidermio sluoksnius ir riebalines liaukas, kurios yra hiperaktyvios turint aknę., Acne is the main dermatological problem of the skin worldwide, which causes many psychological and physical consequences. There are various treatments and skin care methods, but one of the most popular is the application of glycolic and salicylic to acne-affected skin. Research object. To conduct a systematic review of the literature on the effects of glycolic and salicylic acids on acne-affected skin. Research aim. To analyze the effect of glycol and salicylic acid on acne-damaged skin 1. Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicles that causes cosmetically unfavorable skin surface lesions, making it a major dermatological problem worldwide. Acne can manifest as non-inflammatory comedones, inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. Chemical peels are a widely used treatment for acne and acne scars. Glycolic acid reacts with the top layer of skin, breaking it down, dissolving oil and other substances that bind dead tissue. Due to the lipophilicity of salicylic acid, it affects the superficial layers of the epidermis and sebaceous glands, which are hyperactive in acne.

Aknė yra uždegiminė liga, pasireiškianti komedonais, papulėmis, pustulėmis. Po uždegiminių procesų atsiranda odos pažeidimai, tokie kaip, randai, eritema, hiperpigmentacija. Visa tai žmogui sukelia daugybę neigiamų padarinių psichologinei būklei bei gyvenimo kokybei (Fook T. C., et al., 2020). Autorius Cho N. J., ir kt. (2020) moksliniuose straipsniuose rašo, jog procedūros su glikolio rūgštimi efektyviai mažina uždegiminius procesus. Todėl kyla probleminis klausimas - koks yra procedūrų su glikolio rūgštimi poveikis aknės paveiktai veido odai? Tyrimo dalyvei buvo atlikas 6 procedūrų su glikolio rūgštimi kursas, kuris pritaikytas aknės paveiktai veido odai. Veido odos būklės pokyčiai buvo stebimi, matuojant ir testuojant su „Callegari Soft Plus“ diagnostiniu aparatu. Odos drėgmės lygis kaktos zonoje lyginant su rezultatais savaitę prieš procedūrų kursą ir savaitę po procedūrų kurso, pakilo nuo 44 iki 52 matavimo vienetų., What is the effect of procedures with glycolic acid on acne affected facial skin? The study participant underwent a course of 6 procedures with glycolic acid, which was applied to acneaffected facial skin. Changes in facial skin condition were monitored by measuring and testing with the Callegari Soft Plus diagnostic device. The level of skin moisture in the forehead area, compared to the results one week before the treatment course and one week after the treatment course, rose from 44 to 52 measurement units.

Purpose: Traditional dosage forms of granisetron (GRN) decrease patient compliance associated with repeated drug administration because of the short half-life of the drug. Methods: In this study, novel GRN-loaded Polylactic-co-glycolic Acid (PLGA) sustained-release microspheres were prepared for the first time via a dropping-in-liquid emulsification technique. The effects of various factors, such as pH of the outer phase, Tween 80, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) concentrations, and hardening process, on the Encapsulation Efficiency (EE), Drug Loading (DL), and particle size of microspheres were extensively studied. The physicochemical properties, including drug release, surface morphology, crystallinity, thermal changes, and molecular interactions, were also studied. Results: GRN has a pH-dependent solubility and it exhibits a remarkably high solubility under acidic condition. The EE of the alkaline medium (pH 8) was higher than that of the acidic medium (pH 4.0). EE and DL decreased in the presence of Tween 80 in the outer phase, whereas EE significantly increased during hardening. The particle size of microspheres was not affected by PVA and Tween 80 concentrations, but it was influenced by PVA volume and hardening. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the physical state of the drug changed from a crystalline form to an amorphous form, thereby confirming that the drug was encapsulated into the PLGA matrix. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy confirmed that some molecular interactions occurred between the drug and the polymer. GRN-loaded PLGA microspheres showed sustained release profiles of over 90% on week 3. Conclusion: GRN-loaded PLGA microspheres with sustained-release were successfully prepared, and they exhibited a relatively high EE without Tween 80 as an emulsifier and with the hardening process.

Nanoparticles (NPs) that can activate macrophages infected with the tuberculosis causative pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, could be an effective host directed therapy for the disease. In this study, curdlan was conjugated to poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to produce immunotherapeutic NPs. Various physicochemical characterizations were used to evaluate the curdlan-PLGA copolymer and the NPs. Molecular dynamics and simulation studies were used to characterize the interaction between curdlan, on the polymer and on NPs, with the Dectin-1 macrophage receptor. NPs with varying curdlan densities were evaluated for their effects on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in M. tuberculosis infected RAW264.7 macrophages. The killing efficacy of the NPs against intracellular M. tuberculosis was assessed. Physicochemical characterization of the curdlan-PLGA copolymer and NPs indicated successful formation of curdlan-PLGA copolymer and NPs of varying curdlan density (0 - 8% w/w) had sizes between 330 – 453 nm. Modelling studies showed curdlan to have a strong affinity for Dectin-1. Cytotoxicity assays showed the NPs to be non-toxic over 72 h. The proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α was found to be significantly upregulated by the NPs. The NPs reduced intracellular M. tuberculosis burden over 72 h. These NPs are a promising host directed therapy for intracellular eradication of M. tuberculosis.

Lycopene contributes to the red-colored pigmentation of fruits and vegetables, and it is a fat-soluble carotenoid with antioxidant properties. Epidemiological studies have shown the significant health benefits associated to the consumption of lycopene rich foods, because of the anti-cancer properties. Degradative losses of lycopene during processing is a grave concern, hence encapsulation provides a remedy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the encapsulation efficiency of two biodegradable polymers (PLGA and PCL) as for controlled release of lycopene in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. The nanoparticles (NP) were synthesized by emulsion evaporation method and physicochemical properties was determined using a Dynamic Light Scattering spectroscopy. The results show the hydrodynamic diameter of the lycopene NP synthesized in PCL (200 mg) and 3500 mg surfactant and sonicated for 15 min was 79.23±0.85 nm (Lowest). PLGA (500 mg) and 500 mg surfactant with 15 min sonication was observed to have the lowest NP diameter (108.2±2.66 nm) among the others. Significant difference result found in PDI value (0.12±0.07) when PCL of 200mg dissolve in 3500 mg of surfactant. On the other hands the zeta potential values were much smaller in case of PCL NP ranged between -1.3±0.046 and -4.21±0.08 mV compared to the PLGA NP -72.36±2.17 to 107.66±3.15 mV in all experiments. Thus, NP synthesized with PCL and surfactant provide a smaller sized nano-solution than PLGA and surfactant. As the degradation rate for PCL is lower than PLGA so PCL can be considered as a potential biodegradable polymer than PLGA to encapsulate lycopene. .

Biocompostable poly (glycolic acid) (PGA) crystallizes slowly under fast cooling condition, leading to poor mechanical performance of the final products. In this work, a self-nucleation (SN) route was carried out to promote the crystallization of PGA by regulating only the thermal procedure without any extra nucleating agents. When self-nucleation temperature (Ts) decreased from 250 oC to 227 oC, the nuclei density was increased, and the non-isothermal crystallization temperature (Tc) of PGA was increased from 156 oC to 197 oC and the half-life time (t0.5) of isothermal crystallization at 207 oC was decreased by 89%. Consequently, the tensile strength and the elongation at break of the PGA were increased by 12% and 189%, respectively. According to the change of Tc as a function of Ts, a three-stage temperature domain map (Domain I, II and III) was protracted and the viscoelastic behavior of the self-nucleation melt and the homogeneous melt was studied. The results indicated that interaction among PGA chains was remained in Domain IIb, which can act as pre-ordered structure to accelerate the overall crystallization rate. This work utilizes a simple and effective SN method to regulate the crystallization behavior and the mechanical properties of PGA, which may broaden the application range of resulting materials.

This present work reports the facile sol-gel synthesis of Y3+ doped Ba(Ce,Zr)O3 with composition of BaCe0.54Zr0.36Y0.10O2.95 (BCZY). Series of six samples were prepared using various chelating agents namely citric acid (denoted as S1, 210 g/mol), tartaric acid (S2, 150 g/mol), glycolic acid (S3, 70 g/mol), nitriloacetic acid (S4, 191 g/mol), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (S5, 292 g/mol) and triethylenetetramine (TETA) (S6, 146 g/mol). The influence of chelating agents’ molecular weight (Mw) and functional group on thermal decomposition, phase formation and morphology of BCZY were explored. The reaction products obtained after heat treatment were characterized by Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometer. TGA along with FTIR analysis confirmed that the thermal decomposition of all samples achieved almost completion at processing temperature below 1000 °C. TGA verified the weight loss of intermediate compounds increased with an increase in the Mw of the chelating agents in the following trend: S3 (28%)

In this study, the kinetics of the esterification of glycolic acid with ethanol homogeneously autocatalyzed and heterogeneously catalyzed are investigated.

Sour is one of the fundamental taste modalities that enable taste perception in animals. Chemoreceptors embedded in taste organs are pivotal to discriminate between different chemicals to ensure survival. Animals generally prefer slightly acidic food and avoid highly acidic alternatives. We recently proposed that all acids are aversive at high concentrations, a response that is mediated by low pH as well as specific anions in Drosophila melanogaster. Particularly, some carboxylic acids such as glycolic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid are highly attractive to Drosophila compared with acetic acid. The present study determined that attractive carboxylic acids were mediated by broadly expressed Ir25a and Ir76b, as demonstrated by a candidate mutant library screen. The mutant deficits were completely recovered via wild-type cDNA expression in sweet-sensing gustatory receptor neurons. Furthermore, sweet gustatory receptors such as Gr5a, Gr61a, and Gr64a-f modulate attractive responses. These genetic defects were confirmed using binary food choice assays as well as electrophysiology in the labellum. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that at least two different kinds of receptors are required to discriminate attractive carboxylic acids from other acids.

In this work, a highly selective and active gold-based catalyst for the oxidation of high concentrated monoethylene glycol (MEG) in aqueous solution (3 M, 20 wt%) is described. High glycolic acid (GA) selectivity was achieved under mild reaction conditions. The optimization of the catalyst composition and of the reaction conditions for the oxidation of MEG in semi-batch mode under alkaline conditions led to a GA yield of >80% with a GA selectivity of about 90% in short reaction time. The bimetallic catalyst 0.1 wt% AuPt (9:1)/CeO2 showed very high activity (>2000 mmolMEG/gmetalmin) in the oxidation of MEG and, contrary to other studies, an extremely high educt to metal mole ratio of >25,000 was used. Additionally, the gold–platinum catalyst showed a high GA selectivity over more than 10 runs. A very efficient and highly selective process for the GA production from MEG under industrial relevant reaction conditions was established. In order to obtain a GA solution with high purity for the subsequent polymerization, the received reaction solution containing sodium glycolate, unreacted MEG and sodium oxalate is purified by a novel down-stream process via electrodialysis. The overall GA yield of the process exceeds 90% as unreacted MEG can be recycled.

The glycerol electro-oxidation reaction (GEOR) can economically convert glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, to glycolic acid. Herein, nanostructured Au catalysts were fabricated on a Si ...

Xanthelasmas are localized accumulations of lipids, mainly cholesterol, that can occur in the epidermis, dermis, and muscle of the eyelids. They are the most common cutaneous presentation of xanthoma and occur most commonly on the upper eyelid near the inner canthus. Despite their benign presence, xanthelasmas can be cosmetically concerning. With this in mind, several treatment modalities have been described to eliminate the appearance. We report the first case to describe a cicatricial ectropion from the topical treatment, "Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Mandelic acid, Salicylic acid, Resorcinol, Jessners peel" (XanthelR, 483 Green Lanes, London, N13 4BS).

The usefulness of sirolimus (SIR) in the treatment of diseases that involve retinal degeneration like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been well documented. However, the problem still remains probably owing to the peculiar environment of the eye and/or unfavourable physiochemical profile of SIR. In the present work, we aimed to fabricate sirolimus loaded PLGA nanoparticles (SIR-PLGA-NP) and chitosan decorated PLGA nanoparticles (SIR-CH-PLGA-NP) to be administered via non-invasive subconjunctival route. Both the nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, DSC, FTIR and XRD analysis. Quality by Design (QbD) approach was employed during the preparation of nanoparticles and the presence of chitosan coating was confirmed through thermogravimetric analysis and contact angle studies. Cationic polymer modification showed sustained in-vitro SIR release and enhanced ex-vivo scleral permeation and penetration. Further, SIR-CH-PLGA-NP revealed enhanced cellular uptake and thus, reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced free-radicals generation by RAW 264.7 cells. The prepared nanoparticles were devoid of residual solvent and were found to be safe in HET-CAM analysis, RBCs damage analysis and histopathology studies. Moreover, high anti-angiogenic potential was observed in SIR-CH-PLGA-NP compared with SIR-PLGA-NP in chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test. Overall, the current work opens up an avenue for further investigation of CH-PLGA-NP as SIR nanocarrier in the treatment of AMD.

Melasma is an acquired hyperpigmentation disease characterized by hyperpigmented patches in sun-exposed areas that significantly impairs life quality. Topical treatments such as hydroquinone, retinoic acid, azelaic acid, chemical peels and laser treatments are among the main treatment options. In our study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of Jessner peeling and 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in melasma treatment. For this purpose, Jessner peeling was applied to 20 patients and 1064 nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser was applied to 19 patients of 39 melasma patients who applied to the cosmetology unit of Ege University department of dermatology and venereal diseases between November 2018-March 2020. Thirty seven patients completed the study. Changes in MASI, pigment and erythema scores measured by mexameter before and after treatment were compared for two groups. A statistically significant decrease in MASI scores, pigment and erythema scores was observed in both groups with no significant difference between two groups. In conclusion, in our study, it has been shown that Jessner peeling and 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser are equally effective in treatment of melasma., Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, Izmir, Turkey [17-TIP-047], Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, Izmir, Turkey, Grant/Award Number: 17-TIP-047

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of chlorhexidine (CHX)-loaded poly-L-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles as a modifier of a commercial orthodontic adhesive via the assessment of physicochemical, biological, and mechanical properties at tooth-bracket interface. CHX-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were synthesized using double emulsion-solvent evaporation method and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and Raman analysis. CHX-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in Transbond XT orthodontic adhesive were prepared using two different concentrations of the CHX (25 and 50%) and characterized for degree of conversion (DC), antimicrobial, and cytotoxicity testing. Bonded specimens were tested for shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) at tooth-bracket interface. The synthesized PLGA nanoparticles averaged between 60 and 80 nm in size. After loading CHX inside PLGA nanoparticles, the morphology of the PLGA nanoparticles was considerably changed. Orthodontic bracket bonded with 25% CHX-loaded PLGA-modified adhesive demonstrated DC scores similar to control group. Both 25 and 50% CHX-loaded PLGA-modified adhesive specimens showed higher antibacterial activity against S. mutans compared to control group. The least mean SBS values were exhibited by 50% CHX-loaded PLGA-modified adhesive samples, while a statistically significant difference was observed in the mean ARI values among all study groups at all-time points (p = .018). This study indicates that the addition of CHX-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in Transbond XT achieved stable bonds with enhanced antimicrobial and mechanical properties.

Polymers have become an integral part of novel drug delivery system. One such successful biodegradable polymer is poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) which consists of polyesters of lactic acid and glycolic acid. It is one of the FDA-approved biodegradable polymers which is extensively used for therapeutic purposes in recent times.The aim. To illuminate researchers on the chemistry, novel properties and applications of PLGA in pharmaceutical fields.Materials and methods. Various internet sources like Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and google scholar were used as the data source. The key words search was carried out for the following words and combinations: PLGA, Novel drug delivery, PLGA Nano particles, biomedical applications of PLGA.Results. Pharmaceutical and biomedical industries are flooded with the use of synthetic and natural polymers. The mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the polymers make them suitable for the temporal and spatial delivery of therapeutic agents for an extended period. Employment of copolymerization techniques lead to the modification of water solubility of the polymers and make them suitable for various applications of drug delivery systems. Biodegradable polymers due to their biocompatibility and biodegradable property have attracted their use in novel drug delivery systems. PLGA is one of them. PLGA is versatile as it can be fabricated into any size, shape, and can be used to encapsulate small molecules, tissue engineering, and bone repair, etc.Conclusion. The sensitivity and biodegradability of PLGA makes it a smart polymer for targeted and sustained delivery of drugs and in various biomedical applications.

Objectives This study evaluated the effect of embedding simvastatin (SIM) on the osteoinductive capacity of PLGA + HA/βTCP scaffolds in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). Materials and methods Scaffolds were produced by PLGA solvent dissolution, addition of HA/βTCP, solvent evaporation, and leaching of sucrose particles to impart porosity. Biphasic ceramic particles (70% HA/30% βTCP) were added to the PLGA in a 1:1 (w:w) ratio. Scaffolds with SIM received 1% (w:w) of this medication. Scaffolds were synthesized in a disc-shape and sterilized by ethylene oxide. The experimental groups were (G1) PLGA + HA/βTCP and (G2) PLGA + HA/βTCP + SIM in non-osteogenic culture medium, while (G3) SHED and (G4) MC3T3-E1 in osteogenic culture medium were the positive control groups. The release profile of SIM from scaffolds was evaluated. DNA quantification assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and osteonectin proteins, extracellular calcium detection, von Kossa staining, and X-ray microtomography were performed to assess the capacity of scaffolds to induce the osteogenic differentiation of SHED. Results The release profile of SIM followed a non-liner sustained-release rate, reaching about 40% of drug release at day 28. Additionally, G2 promoted the highest osteogenic differentiation of SHED, even when compared to the positive control groups. Conclusions In summary, the osteoinductive capacity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and biphasic ceramic scaffolds was expressively enhanced by embedding simvastatin. Clinical relevance Bone regeneration is still a limiting factor in the success of several approaches to oral and maxillofacial surgeries, though tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells, scaffolds, and osteoinductive mediators might collaborate to this topic.

Formic acid is one of the most desirable liquid hydrogen carriers. The selective production of formic acid from monosaccharides in water under mild reaction conditions using solid catalysts was investigated. Calcium oxide, an abundant solid base catalyst available from seashell or limestone by thermal decomposition, was found to be the most active of the simple oxides tested, with formic acid yields of 50 % and 66 % from glucose and xylose, respectively, in 1.4 % H2O2 aqueous solution at 343 K for 30 min. The main reaction pathway is a sequential formation of formic acid from glucose by C−C bond cleavage involving aldehyde groups in the acyclic form. The reaction also involves base‐catalyzed aldose‐ketose isomerization and retroaldol reaction, resulting in the formation of fructose and trioses including glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone. These intermediates were further decomposed into formic acid or glycolic acid. The catalytic activity remained unchanged for further reuse by a simple post‐calcination., Formic acid as a hydrogen carrier was produced via oxidative transformation of various monosaccharides including glucose by using calcium oxide, an abundant solid base catalyst available from seashell or limestone, under mild reaction conditions. While the reaction involves isomerization and retroaldol reaction, the main reaction pathway is a sequential formation of formic acid from glucose by C−C bond cleavage involving aldehyde groups.

Choline chloride (ChCl) / glycolic acid (GA) deep eutectic solvent (DES) media with high water content but without any additional catalyst are introduced in furfural and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production. The effects of water content, reaction time, and reaction temperature are investigated with two feedstocks: a glucose/xylose mixture and birch sawdust. Based on the results, 10 equivalent quantities of water (32.9 wt.%) were revealed to be beneficial for conversions without rupturing the DES structure. The optimal reaction conditions were 160 °C and 10 minutes for the sugar mixture and 170 °C and 10 minutes for birch sawdust in a microwave reactor. High furfural yields were achieved, namely 62 % from the sugar mixture and 37.5 % from birch sawdust. HMF yields were low, but since the characterization of the solid residue of sawdust, after DES treatment, was revealed to contain only cellulose (49 %) and lignin (52 %), the treatment could be potentially utilized in a biorefinery concept where the main products are obtained from the cellulose fraction. Extraction of products into the organic phase (methyl isobutyl ketone, MIBK) during the reaction enabled the recycling of the DES phase, and yields remained high for three runs of recycling., Acidic choline chloride/glycolic acid/water deep eutectic solvent showed promise in furfural production and sawdust fractionation, without any additional catalyst. The achieved furfural yields were high, 62 % from the sugar mixture and 37.5 % from the sawdust. While 5‐Hydroxyfurfural (HMF) yields were low, this is beneficial in the case of sawdust since the treatments appeared to fractionate the sawdust hemicellulose to furfural while most cellulose and lignin remained solid.

In guided bone regeneration (GBR), a barrier membrane is applied to provide a space for bone regeneration to promote cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and bone regeneration by inducing cell migration to the surface of the bone-deficient site. We prepared a non-woven absorbable membrane for GBR comprised of a copolymer of L-lactic acid and glycolic acid (PLLGA) using the dry spinning method. A thin and dense membrane comprising unsintered hydroxyapatite (uHA) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) was used for comparison. Osteoblast TMS-12 cells were seeded onto the membranes, and cell adhesion and proliferation rates were examined. Calcification levels were quantified by Alizarin Red S staining after cell culture in calcification induction medium. Osteoblastic gene expression was examined by RT-PCR. Cell adhesion and proliferation rates and calcification on PLLGA membranes were significantly higher than those on uHA/PLLA membranes. PLLGA membranes upregulated osteogenic gene expression compared to on uHA/PLLA membranes. Non-woven PLLGA membranes may be useful in GBR for promoting bone formation and maturation.

Background and Objectives Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) plate has been recognized for its biocompatibility and biomechanical properties and used widely in various clinical fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of PLGA plate as a graft material in septorhinoplasty.Subjects and Method Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for patients who underwent septorhinoplasty including extracorporeal septoplasty from January 2017 to June 2020. We evaluated demographics, diagnosis, operation techniques, and complications of PLGA plate as a graft material used in these patients.Results A total of 33 patients were enrolled in this study. Twenty-eight were male and 5 were female. The median age was 32 years old. The follow-up period after surgery was 6-32 months, and the mean follow-up period was 18.03 months. The PLGA plate was used in unilateral spreader graft (n=17), bilateral spreader graft (n=10), batten graft (n=3), strengthening of septal extension graft (n=2) and columellar strut graft (n=3), and fixing L-strut during extracorporeal septoplasty (n=12). During the follow-up period, no patient experienced extrusion or exposure of the grafts. Mild complications, such as redness of the columella skin, granulation in the marginal incision site, and pain on the nasal dorsum were observed in three patients; these complications were temporary and patients improved with conservative treatments.Conclusion The PLGA plate may be a useful graft material in correcting deviated nose especially when the harvested septal cartilage is insufficient and if used carefully in limited locations such as L-strut and columella.

Nanotechnology and material science developments emerge in the manufacturing of various novel modes of drug delivery, which have proven scientifically promising. Polymer nanoparticles have high stability, high specificity, high drug-carrying power, control release, and potential to be used in various pathways. They usually supply hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules with medicines. In this review, we have discussed the different types of brain tumour, different PLGA (Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) nanostructures, PLGA in brain tumour targeting, and the recent advancement of PLGA based nanoparticles. This review focused on the method of preparation of polymeric nanoparticles, the significance of EPR (Enhanced Permeability and Retention) effect with PLGA, the significance of TPGS in cancer, and discussed the pharmaceutical application of PLGA nanoparticles. We expect these polymeric nanoparticles will be very successful and efficient for disease targeting in the future and new techniques will emerge.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical 3% tranexamic acid gel vs 35% glycolic acid peel in the treatment of melasma over face. Materials and Methods: This is an open labelled, Randomised Controlled Trial(RCT) conducted on 60 patients. Patients were randomly divided equally into 2 groups – Group A and Group B. Patients of Group A used topical 3% tranexamic acid gel twice a day and Group B patients were treated with 35% glycolic acid peel with a contact period of 5 minutes once in every 2 weeks. Patients were assessed every month for a period of 3 months and recurrence was assessed for the next consecutive 3 months following the treatment. Patients were asked to use a broad spectrum sunscreen before sun exposure during the entire study. Assessment of reduction in pigmentation was made by MASI score, subjective and objective valuation (blind observer) and photographic comparison. Safety profile was assessed by the side effects. Results: The mean value of Melasma Area and Severity Index(MASI) score for glycolic acid group at baseline was 14.41 which reduced to 7.05 at end of 3rd month. In tranexamic acid group, the mean value of MASI score at baseline was 14.58 which reduced to 5.96 at the end of 3rd month. The mean percentage of improvement in MASI score in glycolic acid group 52% whereas in tranexamic acid group it is 61%. The side effects were minimal in this study. Side effects were more in glycolic acid group than tranexamic acid group. A total of 8 patients had recurrence during follow up. In glycolic acid group, 5 patients had recurrence whereas in tranexamic acid group, only 3 patients had recurrence. The percentage of recurrence in glycolic acid group is 16.7 % whereas in glycolic acid group it is 10.7%. Conclusion: Tranexamic acid is a novel emerging therapy for melasma. In this study it has been found that topical 3% tranexamic acid is equally efficacious as 35% glycolic acid peel with minimal side effects in the treatment of melasma.

New stationary phases for hydrophilic chromatography (HILIC) with functional layers formed by the multicomponent Ugi reaction have been obtained. Acetone, glycolic acid, ethyl isocyanacetate, and 3‑aminopropyl silica, which also act as adsorbent matrices, were used as reaction components. The study of the effect of solvent on the reaction yield showed that a high degree of coverage of the matrix was achieved when the reaction was carried out in ethanol. The new adsorbents’ chromatographic properties compared with the initial matrix were assessed using the Tanaka tests for hydrophilic phases and by studying the retention of polar analytes from various classes. The synthesized adsorbents have demonstrated high efficiency and selectivity in separating model mixtures of sugars, amino acids, and water-soluble vitamins in the HILIC mode.

Here, I describe a part of our efforts to develop synthetic strategies to construct bioactive natural products having a fused ring system. We have designed four chiral building blocks bearing contiguous quaternary stereocenters for the syntheses of bioactive C17-oxygenated steroids/triterpenoids and C9-oxygenated labdane diterpenoids. The compounds were stereoselectively synthesized from α-substituted glycolic acid (R)-3-methylcyclohex-2-enyl esters through Ireland-Claisen rearrangement to construct the stereocenters simultaneously. Synthetic utility of a β-type building block is highlighted by total syntheses of marrubiin (11 steps, 22%) and related seven labdane diterpene lactones, cyllenine C (12 steps, 29%), marrulactone (13 steps, 11%), marrulanic acid (14 steps, 10%), marrubasch F (12 steps, 14%), marrulibacetal (14 steps, 4%), marrulibacetal A (14 steps, 2%), and desertine (15 steps, 0.5%). These syntheses feature the construction of the [6.6.5]-tricyclic ring portion via a Pauson-Khand reaction, cleavage of the resultant cyclopentenone ring and an elongation of the C9 side chain by an epoxide opening reaction. The relative stereochemistry of desertine was determined to be 13R, 14S, 15S, 16R by some chemical conversions and NMR analysis. Further efforts toward total syntheses of oxygenated terpenoids using three other chiral building blocks and structure-activity relationship study of synthesized labdane diterpene lactones are currently underway in our laboratory and will be reported in due course.

Summary Armed with both hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, glycolic acid is an especially high-value-added chemical applied in diverse areas. However, its large-scale production suffers heavily from harsh synthetic conditions and poor selectivity. Here, an electrocatalytic approach has been developed for glycolic-acid production by electro-oxidation of ethylene glycol in alkaline solution on a PdAg electrocatalyst in situ grown on nickel foam (PdAg/NF). Resultantly, as low as 0.57 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode at 10 mA cm−2 is needed for ethylene glycol electro-oxidation, which is markedly (980 mV) lower than that of oxygen evolution in the same electrolyte without ethylene glycol. Moreover, glycolic acid can be electro-catalytically produced most efficiently at an extremely high current density of 300 mA cm−2 without the occurrence of oxygen evolution. When coupled with a Pt cathodic catalyst, a cell potential of 1.02 V is necessary for cathodic hydrogen production at faradic efficiency of 100%.

Because of its speed, sensitivity, and ability to scrutinize individual species, mass spectrometry (MS) has become an essential tool in analytical strategies aimed at studying the degradation behavior of polyesters. MS analyses can be performed prior to the degradation event for structural characterization of initial substrates or after it has occurred to measure the decreasing size of products as a function of time. Here, we show that MS can also be usefully employed during the degradation process by online monitoring the chain solvolysis induced by reactive desorption electrospray ionization (DESI). Cleavage of ester bonds in random copolymers of lactic acid (LA) and glycolic acid (GA) was achieved by electrospraying methanol-containing NaOH onto the substrates. Experimental conditions were optimized to generate methanolysis products of high abundance so that mass spectra can be conveniently processed using Kendrick-based approaches. The same reactive-DESI performance was demonstrated for two sample preparations, solvent casting for soluble samples or pressed pellets for highly crystalline substrates, permitting to compare polymers with LA/GA ratios ranging from 100/0 to 5/95. Analysis of sample fractions collected by size exclusion chromatography showed that methanolysis occurs independently of the original chain size, so data recorded for poly(LA-co-GA) (PLAGA) copolymers with the average molecular weight ranging from 10 to 180 kDa could be safely compared. The average mass of methanolysis products was observed to decrease linearly (R2 = 0.9900) as the GA content increases in PLAGA substrates, consistent with the susceptibility of ester bonds toward solvolysis being higher in GA than in LA. Because DESI only explores the surface of solids, these data do not reflect bulk degradability of the copolymers but, instead, their relative degradability at the molecular level. Based on a "reactive-DESI degradability scale" such as that established here for PLAGA, the proposed method offers interesting perspectives to qualify intrinsic degradability of different polyesters and evaluate their erosion susceptibility or to determine the degradability of those polymers known to degrade via erosion only.

To quickly and drastically reduce CO2 emissions and meet our ambitions of a circular future, we need to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilization (CCU) to deal with the CO2 that we produce. While we have many alternatives to replace fossil feedstocks for energy generation, for materials such as plastics we need carbon. The ultimate circular carbon feedstock would be CO2 . A promising route is the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formic acid derivatives that can subsequently be converted into oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is a potential new platform chemical for material production as useful monomers such as glycolic acid can be derived from it. This work is part of the European Horizon 2020 project "Ocean" in which all these steps are developed. This Review aims to highlight new developments in oxalic acid production processes with a focus on CO2 -based routes. All available processes are critically assessed and compared on criteria including overall process efficiency and triple bottom line sustainability.

The structure and metal complexation studies using dispersion-corrected density functional theory methods are performed for four stable glycolic acid conformers named SSC, GAC, SAC, and AAT. The condensed Fukui functions are calculated to study the favourable reactive site for metal binding on the glycolic acid conformers. The interaction of alkali metal ions (Na+, K+) with different binding sites (carboxyl, hydroxyl oxygen) of the glycolic acid conformers in the gas phase is investigated at the same level of theory. Our calculations show that the order of stability changes into SSC > AAT > GAC = SAC due to the binding of the metal ion. The relative energy values indicate that the AAT conformer is more stable than the GAC and SAC conformers. This occurs when a metal ion (Na+, K+) is bound with the carboxyl oxygen atom of glycolic acid. The QTAIM, RDG, NCI, ELF, LOL, and NBO analysis are employed in this work to understand the strength of intra- and intermolecular interactions in the glycolic acid metal complexes.

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the anticancer potential of curcumin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) based nanoparticles (NPs) in MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cells. Methods: Curcumin-loaded PLGA NPs were developed using a modified solvent evaporation technique. Physical characterization was performed on the formulated NPs. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were conducted to study the biological activity of the curcumin-loaded NPs. Results: Curcumin-loaded PLGA NPs demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency and sustained payload release. Moreover, the NPs exhibited a significant reduction in cell viability, cell migration and cell invasion in the MDA-MB231 cells. Conclusion: The study revealed that the formulated curcumin-loaded PLGA NPs possessed significant anti-metastatic properties. The findings showcased the possible potential of curcumin-loaded NPs in the management of debilitating conditions such as cancer. In addition, this study could form the basis for further research and advancements in this area.

The main problem of manufacturing with traditional biodegradable plastics is that it is more expensive than manufacturing with polymers derived from petroleum, and the application scope is currently limited due to poor comprehensive performance. In this study, a novel biodegradable poly(butylene adipic acid/terephthalate-co-glycolic acid) (PBATGA) copolyester with 25–60% glycolic acid units was successfully synthesized by esterification and polycondensation using cheap coal chemical byproduct methyl glycolate instead of expensive glycolic acid. The structure of the copolyester was characterized by ATR-FTIR, 1H NMR, DSC, and XRD; and its barrier property, water contact angle, heat resistance, and mechanical properties were tested. According to the experiment result, the PBATGA copolyesters showed improved oxygen (O2) and water vapor barrier character, and better hydrophilicity when compared with PBAT. The crystallization peaks of PBATGAs were elevated from 64 °C to 77 °C when the content of the GA unit was 25 mol %, meanwhile, the elongation at the break of PBATGA25 was more than 1300%. These results indicate that PBATGA copolyesters have good potentiality in high O2 and water vapor barrier and degradable packaging material.

To explore the degradation, drug release, and mechanical properties of drug-incorporated films made of different ratios of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and different amounts of paclitaxel (PTX), which may serve as the material platform for the manufacturing of biodegradable drug-eluting biliary stents. PLGA of different lactic acid/glycolic acid ratios (50/50, 70/30, and 80/20) and 0%, 10, 20, and 30% weight by weight (w/w) PTX was mixed to make PLGA films, which were then cut into small pieces for further testing. Films were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) for a maximum of 11 weeks. Samples were taken randomly at Day 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and weekly thereafter until Week 11 to test tensile strength, weight loss, pH value of the soaking solution, and drug release. The morphology of films was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). At Week 10 of degradation, PLGA 80/20 still withstood a tensile strength of 9.7 newton (N), while PLGA 50/50 and 70/30 cracked spontaneously since Day 4. At Week 11, weight loss of PLGA 50/50, 70/30, and 80/20 was 95.15, 82.32, and 16.17%, respectively; and the lowest pH value of soaking solution was 1.87, 1.95, and 6.58, respectively. Drug release of 10, 20, and 30% PTX groups was 3.52–4.48%, 1.90–2.26%, and 1.44–2.06%, respectively. SEM proved smooth films before degradation; however, after the tensile strength was lost, cracks could be seen. The degradation rate of PLGA can be controlled by altering lactic acid/glycolic acid ratio. Overall, PLGA 50/50 and 70/30 degrade significantly faster than 80/20. PLGA can serve as an effective drug carrier for PTX while being the stent strut, and PTX can be slowly released as PLGA degrades.

In regulated and targeted drug distribution, biodegradable polymers have played a significant portion. Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has been an important desirable polymer in tissue engineering to meet a new drug delivery system. PLGAs, show a broad spectrum of erosion cycles and have tuning mechanical characteristics. Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has been the most successful polymeric biomaterial for use in controlled drug delivery systems. PLGA has been extensively studied, in particular, in the production of equipment for controlled distribution in industrial and research applications of small molecules, protein, and other macromolecules. PLGA is biocompatible and biodegradable, exhibits a wide range of erosion times, has tunable mechanical properties and most importantly, is a FDA approved polymer. PLGA has many properties such as controlled and sustained release, low cancerinducing, long-standing biomedical applications, biocompatibility with tissues and cells, and prolonged residence time. It is otherwise called as 'Smart Polymer' because improvements are fragile to conduct PLGA that has been widely examined in industrial and academic applications to produce instruments for the target delivery of tiny molecular drugs, proteins, and other large molecules. An introduction about the chemistry, physicochemical properties, manufacturing techniques of the devices, toxicity, and the reason influencing their decrease and release of the drug was given in the present study. Mathematical modelling is a useful tool for identifying, characterizing, and predicting the mechanisms of controlled release. Mathematical modelling applied against the target from PLGA – the devices has been clarified by discussing in the review, by explaining the underlying mathematical models and how this is used. KEY WORDS Biodegradable Polymers, PLGA, Biodegradability, Macromolecules

Objective: To evaluate the biological activity of chemical peeling substances based on enzymatic and Arrhenius kinetics using Spirostomum ambiguum as an alternative approach to animal experiments. Methods: The Spirotox method was used to analyze the mechanism of «xenobiotic-cell» interaction, similar to the Michaelis-Menten enzymatic kinetics. The Hill-Langmuir equation was used to determine the degree of cooperativity in the binding of xenobiotics to cellular receptors. Using the Arrhenius kinetics, the observed activation energy obsEa of cell death in the model solutions of glycolic and carbolic acids was determed, which will allow predicting the toxicity parameters of any peeling substances. Results: The relationship Spirostomum ambiguum lifetime tL-lgC concentration of peeling compound solution made it possible to characterize the moment of cellular transition from the intermediate state C•Ln to the dead state DC, characterized by irreversible structural and functional changes in the cell/death. The values were 5.3 mmol•l-1 for glycolic acid solutions and 2.8 mmol•l-1 for carbolic acid solutions. Equilibrium constants Keq of complexation, the rate of infusoria death fm, and the degree of ligand cooperativity n were calculated. The activation energy °bsEa of cell death was determined in Arrhenius coordinates, which were 210±0.39 kJ·mol-1 and 108±0.09 kJ·mol-1 for glycolic and carbolic acids respectively. The correlation between the values ​​of activation energy and DL50 of mammals (rats) was discovered. Conclusion: The obtained kinetic parameters made it possible, without animals and humans testing, to characterize the mechanisms of interaction of peeling substances with the living cell.

The ability of sol-gel micro-nano biphasic calcium stent to repair oral alveolar bone defects was investigated in this study, and its osteogenesis performance was also analyzed. Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) was synthesized by wet method, which was combined with chitosan (CS), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polylactic acid-glycolic acid (PLGA). Then, the BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA nanocomposite stent was prepared by vacuum freeze-drying technology. The micro-nano composite stent was combined with the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) gene, so as to obtain the sol-gel micro-nano biphasic calcium BMP-2/BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA composite stent. Besides, the composite stent should be measured in terms of compressive strength, porosity, structure, and morphological features. The healthy female rhesus monkeys were taken as the research animals, and the iliac bone marrow was extracted by puncture. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were obtained by density gradient centrifugation, and their osteogenic differentiation ability was observed. The MSCs were cultured in vitro with BMP-2/BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA composite stent, methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) was applied to detect cell adhesion and proliferation, and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was employed to analyze its osteogenic properties on stent materials. In addition, the expression of BMP-2 was detected by Western blot. The alveolar bone defect models were established and divided into group A (MSCs + BMP-2/BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA), group B (BMP-2/BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA), group C (BCP/CS/PAN/PLG), and group D (control group, reposition of gingival flap and suture) according to different implant materials. The changes of bone defect area in different groups were detected by gross examinations and X-ray, so that the new bone density was analyzed. The results showed that the BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA composite stent exhibited a porous structure combining multiple pores/small pores, with an average pore diameter (PD) of 400–500 µm, maximum compressive strength of 6.02 Mpa, and porosity of 86.82%. MSCs differentiated into osteoblasts under osteogenic induction conditioned medium, and the optical density (OD) of CS + MSCs/BMP-2/BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA cells was greater in contrast to that of MSCs/BMP-2/BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA cells on the 1st and 7th day of culture, showing a statistical difference (P < 0.05). The gross examination and X-ray of bone defect area in group A showed that its bone structure and density were very close to those of normal bone (all materials were absorbed, and newly formed bone cells were active); the CT value of alveolar bone in groups A, B, C, and D was 1,092.45± 15.87 g/cm3, 932.26± 16.75 g/cm3, 859.51 ±17.86 g/cm3, and 787.96± 16.54 g/cm3, respectively. There was no marked difference in CT values between group A and normal alveolar bone (P > 0.05), while the CT value of alveolar bone in group A was higher obviously than the value of groups C and D (P < 0.05). It indicated that the composite stent based on sol–gel micro-nano biphasic calcium BMP-2/BCP/CS/PAN/PLGA could promote the repair of oral alveolar bone defect and its osteogenesis, thereby providing a reference for the oral clinical treatment of periodontal bone defects.

Kuo-Sheng Liu,1 Ching-Wei Kao,2 Yuan-Yun Tseng,3 Shih-Kuang Chen,4 Yu-Ting Lin,4 Chia-Jung Lu,4,5 Shih-Jung Liu4,5 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 2Department of Anesthesiology, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; 3Department of Neurosurgery, New Taipei Municipal Tu-Cheng Hospital (Built and Operated by Chang Gung Medical Foundation), New Taipei City, Taiwan; 4Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 5Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bone and Joint Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, TaiwanCorrespondence: Shih-Jung LiuBiomaterials Lab, Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, 259, Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan 333, TaiwanTel +886-3-2118166Fax +886-3-2118558Email shihjung@mail.cgu.edu.twBackground: Postoperative tissue adhesion is a major concern for most surgeons and is a nearly unpreventable complication after abdominal or pelvic surgeries. This study explored the use of sandwich-structured antimicrobial agents, analgesics, and human epidermal growth factor (hEGF)-incorporated anti-adhesive poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibrous membranes for surgical wounds.Materials and Methods: Electrospinning and co-axial electrospinning techniques were utilized in fabricating the membranes. After spinning, the properties of the prepared membranes were assessed. Additionally, high-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were utilized in assessing the in vitro and in vivo liberation profiles of the pharmaceuticals and the hEGF from the membranes.Results: The measured data suggest that the degradable anti-adhesive membranes discharged high levels of vancomycin/ceftazidime, ketorolac, and hEGF in vitro for more than 30, 24, and 27 days, respectively. The in vivo assessment in a rat laparotomy model indicated no adhesion in the peritoneal cavity at 14 days post-operation, demonstrating the anti-adhesive capability of the sandwich-structured nanofibrous membranes. The nanofibers also released effective levels of vancomycin, ceftazidime, and ketorolac for more than 28 days in vivo. Histological examination revealed no adverse effects.Conclusion: The outcomes of this study implied that the anti-adhesive nanofibers with sustained release of antimicrobial agents, analgesics, and growth factors might offer postoperative pain relief and infection control, as well as promote postoperative healing of surgical wounds.Keywords: nanofibrous anti-adhesive membrane, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), extended release, vancomycin, ceftazidime, ketorolac, hEGF

Background Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a common gynecological cancer with high mortality rates. The main objective of this study was to investigate the serum amino acid and organic acid profiles to distinguish key metabolites for screening EOC patients. Methods In total, 39 patients with EOC and 31 healthy controls were selected as the training set. Serum amino acid and organic acid profiles were determined using the targeted metabolomics approach. Metabolite profiles were processed via multivariate analysis to identify potential metabolites and construct a metabolic network. Finally, a test dataset derived from 29 patients and 28 healthy controls was constructed to validate the potential metabolites. Results Distinct amino acid and organic acid profiles were obtained between EOC and healthy control groups. Methionine, glutamine, asparagine, glutamic acid and glycolic acid were identified as potential metabolites to distinguish EOC from control samples. The areas under the curve for methionine, glutamine, asparagine, glutamic acid and glycolic acid were 0.775, 0 778, 0.955, 0.874 and 0.897, respectively, in the validation study. Metabolic network analysis of the training set indicated key roles of alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism as well as D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism in the pathogenesis of EOC. Conclusions Amino acid and organic acid profiles may serve as potential screening tools for EOC. Data from this study provide useful information to bridge gaps in the understanding of the amino acid and organic acid alterations associated with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Aphthous stomatitis is a disease that often reappears, causing irritation and pain. Common topical medications to treat aphthous stomatitis are fast-dissolving synthetic drugs, sometimes with limited therapeutic effectiveness. In this study, a patch, composed of a stingless bee honey incorporated cellulose hydrogel layer and a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) layer, was fabricated as an alternative treatment for aphthous stomatitis. The composition of the honey patches was verified by the presence of a distinct physical structure, considerable wettability records and lower degradation percentages on the layers containing higher PLGA concentrations. The honey patches were capable to retard Eschericia coli in the early hours (0.5-2 hours) and Staphylococcus aureus in the late hours (2-4 hours) of application, with tolerable cell viability and cell closure. The therapeutic values of the honey patches in retarding bacterial growth and inducing cell closure recommend the developed patches to be used in aphthous stomatitis treatment.

Many scientific efforts have been made to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and target glioblastoma cells, but the outcomes have been limited. More attention should be given to local inhibition of recurrence after glioblastoma resection to meet real medical needs. A biodegradable wafer containing the chemotherapeutics carmustine (1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, BCNU) was the only local drug delivery system approved for clinical glioblastoma treatment, but with a prolonged survival time of only two months and frequent side effects. In this study, to improve the sustained release and prolonged therapeutic effect of drugs for inhibiting tumor recurrence after tumor resection, both free BCNU and BCNU- poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (the ratio of lactic acid groups to glycolic acid groups is 75/25) nanoparticles were simultaneously loaded into natural extracellular matrix hydrogel from pigskin to prepare BCNU gels. The hydrogel was injected into the resection cavity of a glioblastoma tumor immediately after tumor removal in a fully characterized resection rat model. Free drugs were released instantly to kill the residual tumor cells, while drugs in nanoparticles were continuously released to achieve a continuous and effective inhibition of the residual tumor cells for 30 days. These combined actions effectively restricted tumor growth in rats. Thus, this strategy of local drug implantation and delivery may provide a reliable method to inhibit the recurrence of glioblastoma after tumor resection in vivo.