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Kalaimathi Murugesan,1 Padmapriya Srinivasan,1,* Raghunandan Mahadeva,1,* Chhitar M Gupta,1 Wahajul Haq2 1Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bangalore, India; 2Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, Lucknow, India*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Kalaimathi MurugesanInstitute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bangalore 560100, IndiaTel +919585986415Email mathi.biotech@gmail.comBackground: Targeted multidrug-loaded delivery systems have emerged as an advanced strategy for cancer treatment. In this context, antibodies, hormones, and small peptides have been coupled to the surface of drug carriers, such as liposomes, polymeric and metallic nanoparticles loaded with drugs, as tumor-specific ligands. In the present study, we have grafted a natural macrophage stimulating peptide, tuftsin, on the surface of the liposomes (LPs) that were loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and/or curcumin (CUR), by attaching to its C-terminus a palmitoyl residue (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-CO-NH-(CH2)2-NH-COC15H31, P.Tuft) to enable its grafting within the liposome’s bilayer.Methods: The prepared drug-loaded liposomes (DOX LPs, CUR LPs, DOX-CUR LPs, P.Tuft-LPs, P.Tuft-DOX LPs, P.Tuft-CUR LPs, P.Tuft-DOX-CUR LPs) were thoroughly characterised in terms of particle size, drug content, encapsulation efficiency and structural properties using UV–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The anti-cancer activity and drug toxicity of the liposomal formulations were examined on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor-induced mice model.Results: A significant reduction in the tumor weight and volume was observed upon treating the tumor-bearing mice with palmitoyl tuftsin-grafted dual drug-loaded liposomes (P.Tuft-DOX-CUR LPs), as compared to the single drug/peptide-loaded formulation (DOX LPs, CUR LPs, DOX-CUR LPs, P.Tuft- LPs, P.Tuft-DOX LPs, P.Tuft-CUR LPs). Western blot analysis revealed that the tumor inhibition was associated with p53-mediated apoptotic pathway. Further, the biochemical and histological analysis revealed that the various liposomal preparation used in this study were non-toxic to the animals at the specified dose (10mg/kg).Conclusion: In conclusion, we have developed a targeted liposomal formulation of P.Tuftsin-bearing liposomes co-encapsulated with effective anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin and curcumin. In experimental animals, tumor inhibition by P.Tuft-DOX-CUR LPs indicates the synergistic therapeutic effect of the peptide and the dual drug.Keywords: palmitoyl-tuftsin, antitumor, doxorubicin, curcumin

Murugesan K, Koroth J, Srinivasan PP, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:5257–5270. The Editor and Publisher of International Journal of Nanomedicine wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised regarding the alleged duplication of H&E images in Figure 8. Specifically, Figure 8, ST06, Tumor image appears to be partly duplicated with the Figure 8, ST06-AgNPs, Tumor image. The authors responded to our queries but were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the alleged duplication, nor were they able to provide original data that could adequately verify the findings. The Editor requested to retract the article and the authors agreed with this decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”. This retraction relates to this paper

Kalaimathi Murugesan,*,1 Jinsha Koroth,*,1,2 Padma Priya Srinivasan,1 Amrita Singh,3 Sanjana Mukundan,1 Subhas S Karki,4 Bibha Choudhary,1 Chhitar M Gupta11Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bangalore, India; 2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India; 3Water Analysis Laboratory, Nanomaterial Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India; 4KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research, KLE College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, KN, India*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: In recent years, green synthesized silver nanoparticles have been increasingly investigated for their anti-cancer potential. In the present study, we aimed at the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a curcumin derivative, ST06. Although, the individual efficacies of silver nanoparticles or curcumin derivatives have been studied previously, the synergistic cytotoxic effects of curcumin derivative and silver nanoparticles in a single nanoparticulate formulation have not been studied earlier specifically on animal models. This makes this study novel compared to the earlier synthesized curcumin derivative or silver nanoparticles studies. The aim of the study was to synthesize ST06 coated silver nanoparticles (ST06-AgNPs) using ST06 as both reducing and coating agent.Methods: The synthesized nanoparticles AgNPs and ST06-AgNPs were characterised for the particle size distribution, morphology, optical properties and surface charge by using UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Elemental composition and structural properties were studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The presence of ST06 as capping agent was demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).Results: The synthesized nanoparticles (ST06-AgNPs) were spherical and had a size distribution in the range of 50–100 nm. UV-Vis spectroscopy displayed a specific silver plasmon peak at 410 nm. The in vitro cytotoxicity effects of ST06 and ST06-AgNPs, as assessed by MTT assay, showed significant growth inhibition of human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). In addition, studies carried out in EAC tumor-induced mouse model (Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma) using ST06-AgNPs, revealed that treatment of the animals with these nanoparticles resulted in a significant reduction in the tumor growth, compared to the control group animals.Conclusion: In conclusion, green synthesized ST06-AgNPs exhibited superior anti-tumor efficacy than the free ST06 or AgNPs with no acute toxicity under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The tumor suppression is associated with the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Together, the results of this study suggest that ST06-AgNPs could be considered as a potential option for the treatment of solid tumors.Keywords: silver nanoparticles, anticancer, Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma, apoptosis

Treatment of dentofacial deformities with jaw osteotomies has an effect on airway anatomy and therefore mandibular setback surgery has the potential to diminish airway size. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mandibular setback surgery on airway size. 8 consecutive patients were examined prospectively. All patients underwent mandibular setback surgery. Cephalometric analysis was performed preoperatively and 3 months post operatively with particular attention to pharyngeal airway changes. Pharyngeal airway size decreased considerably in all, patients thus predisposing to development of obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, large anteroposterior discrepancies should be corrected by combined maxillary and mandibular osteotomies.

The present experimental program was planned to investigate the effect of type of mineral admixture, pre-load and the presence of confining reinforcement on the spalling behaviour of heated high performance concrete (HPC). Reinforced concrete cylindrical short columns were cast and exposed to four different target temperatures. A compressive preload equal to 25% of the ultimate load capacity of column was maintained on the specimens during heating and cooling. The test results mainly focus on the influence of above said variables on spalling behaviour of reinforced HPC columns. Interesting observations have been made in the paper on the subject matter of the workshop.

Introduction: Manual palpation has traditionally been used to locate the intercristal line and corresponding vertebral level for administering subarachnoid blocks. However, ultrasound examination provides an alternative approach for accurate vertebral identification. Aim: To determine the vertebral structure using ultrasound at the manually marked midpoint of the intercristal line in pregnant women at term. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital (GDMCH) in Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India from March 20, 2023 to April 18, 2023. It involved 100 pregnant women at term. Two independent observers estimated the vertebral space at the intercristal line - one using manual palpation and the other using ultrasound guidance. The primary outcome assessed was the determination of the vertebral structure using ultrasound examination at the manually marked midpoint of the intercristal line in pregnant women at term. The secondary outcome assessed included evaluating the accuracy of manual palpation in identifying vertebral levels compared to ultrasound examination and assessing factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI) that may influence the accuracy of vertebral level identification. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the mean±SD of continuous variables among more than two groups. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 100 pregnant women with a mean age of 22.91±3.74 years and a mean BMI of 25.87±3.98 kg/m2. The ultrasonographic assessment revealed that the manually palpated intercristal line corresponded to the L4 vertebra level in 50% of cases, the L3-L4 intervertebral space level in 30%, the intended L4-L5 intervertebral space level in 15%, the L5 vertebra level in 3%, and the L3 vertebra level in 2%. Notably, the ultrasound examination showed that the manually palpated intercristal line was higher than the L4 vertebra or L4-L5 intervertebral space in 32% of the pregnant women. Conclusion: The study indicates that ultrasound examination may offer a more accurate method for identifying vertebral structures in pregnant women at term compared to traditional manual palpation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]