scholarly journals Cancer Nano-Immunotherapy from the Injection to the Target: The Role of Protein Corona

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 519
Author(s):  
Idoia Mikelez-Alonso ◽  
Antonio Aires ◽  
Aitziber L. Cortajarena
Keyword(s):  
Protein Corona ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Immune Reactivity ◽  
Target Tissue ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Cancer Remission ◽  
New Strategies

Immunotherapy has become a promising cancer therapy, improving the prognosis of patients with many different types of cancer and offering the possibility for long-term cancer remission. Nevertheless, some patients do not respond to these treatments and immunotherapy has shown some limitations, such as immune system resistance or limited bioavailability of the drug. Therefore, new strategies that include the use of nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies. NPs present very different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties compared with free drugs and enable the use of lower doses of immune-stimulating molecules, minimizing their side effects. However, NPs face issues concerning stability in physiological conditions, protein corona (PC) formation, and accumulation in the target tissue. PC formation changes the physicochemical and biological properties of the NPs and in consequence their therapeutic effect. This review summarizes the recent advances in the study of the effects of PC formation in NP-based immunotherapy. PC formation has complex effects on immunotherapy since it can diminish (“immune blinding”) or enhance the immune response in an uncontrolled manner (“immune reactivity”). Here, future perspectives of the field including the latest advances towards the use of personalized protein corona in cancer immunotherapy are also discussed.

scholarly journals New Strategies to Enhance Myocardial Regeneration: Expectations and Challenges from Preclinical Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 696-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Rurali ◽  
Maria Cristina Vinci ◽  
Beatrice Bassetti ◽  
Veronica Barbagallo ◽  
Giulio Pompilio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Tissue ◽  
Cardiac Regeneration ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Myocardial Remodeling ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Preclinical Trials ◽  
New Strategies

Nowadays, cardiac regeneration is an emerging topic in the cardiovascular field because of the compelling need for effective therapies for repairing or replacing cardiac tissue damaged by pathological or physiological conditions. Indeed, irreversible myocardial remodeling which follows acute myocardial infarction represents a serious burden of this century. In this context, a great improvement in pharmacological and interventional techniques is accompanied by a big challenge of cardiac regenerative medicine. In the last 20 years, several clinical trials tried to investigate the role of different types of stem cells in promoting cardiac repair. However, the promising results obtained in the preclinical trials have not yet been reproduced in patients. Thus, the development of novel strategies to improve stem cell efficiency became imperative. Here, an overview of the more recent cell types proposed for cardiac regeneration is presented, together with the most interesting approaches to enhance cell regenerative potential as well as cell-free approaches.

Innovatory role of nanomaterials as bio-tools for treatment of cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khuram Shahzad Ahmad ◽  
Muntaha Talat ◽  
Shaan Bibi Jaffri ◽  
Neelofer Shaheen
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Cancerous Cells

AbstractConventional treatment modes like chemotherapy, thermal and radiations aimed at cancerous cells eradication are marked by destruction pointing the employment of nanomaterials as sustainable and auspicious materials for saving human lives. Cancer has been deemed as the second leading cause of death on a global scale. Nanomaterials employment in cancer treatment is based on the utilization of their inherent physicochemical characteristics in addition to their modification for using as nano-carriers and nano-vehicles eluted with anti-cancer drugs. Current work has reviewed the significant role of different types of nanomaterials in cancer therapeutics and diagnostics in a systematic way. Compilation of review has been done by analyzing voluminous investigations employing ERIC, MEDLINE, NHS Evidence and Web of Science databases. Search engines used were Google scholar, Jstore and PubMed. Current review is suggestive of the remarkable performance of nanomaterials making them candidates for cancer treatment for substitution of destructive treatment modes through investigation of their physicochemical characteristics, utilization outputs and long term impacts in patients.

scholarly journals How are Kawaii (Cute) Fictional Characters Used in Japanese Advertising

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1 (39)) ◽  
pp. 55-78
Author(s):  
Oana-Maria BÎRLEA
Keyword(s):  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Fictional Characters ◽  
Japanese Company ◽  
The Public ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Government ◽  
Commercial Advertising

This article aims to explain the use and role of cute, adora- ble characters in Japanese advertising. Kawaii culture or the “culture of cute” has become known worldwide mainly because of Hello Kitty, the cat which led the “pink globalization”, as Yano (2013) states. In this paper we have attempted to reveal the symbolism of these apparent meaning- less cute signs and characters. Starting from Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions (2001, 2003, 2010), which shows how a society’s culture influ- ences the values of its members, we intended to show how are these kawaii characters used in Japanese advertising and how they fit cultural specif- ics. Used either in non-commercial, educational or commercial advertising, cute personae can make the target audience feel more comfortable, secure and cooperating (Murakami, 2005). In this paper we have discussed the role of three iconic characters: the emblematic Hello Kitty, Kumamon, the lovely bear created by the government of Kumamoto Prefecture (Japan) and Gudetama, a lazy egg yolk produced by the Japanese company Sanrio in 2014. The selected characters reflect different types and personalities and each of them serves a specific purpose, but via the analysis conveyed we conclude that perhaps their main aim is to persuade and create a long-term relationship with the public.

scholarly journals Pancreatic α and β cells are globally phase-locked

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huixia Ren ◽  
Yanjun Li ◽  
Chengsheng Han ◽  
Yi Yu ◽  
Bowen Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Islet Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Phase Oscillators ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Oscillation Modes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Glucagon And Insulin ◽  
Different Cell Types

ABSTRACTThe Ca2+ modulated pulsatile secretions of glucagon and insulin by pancreatic α and β cells play a key role in glucose metabolism and homeostasis. However, how different types of islet cells couple and coordinate via paracrine interactions to produce various Ca2+ oscillation patterns are still elusive. By designing a microfluidic device to facilitate long-term recording of islet Ca2+ activity at single cell level and simultaneously identifying different cell types in live islet imaging, we show heterogeneous but intrinsic Ca2+ oscillation patterns of islets upon glucose stimulation. The α and β cells oscillate in antiphase and are globally phase locked to various phase delays, causing fast, slow or mixed oscillations. A mathematical model of coupled phase oscillators quantitatively agrees with experiments and reveals the essential role of paracrine regulations in tuning the oscillation modes. Our study highlights the importance of cell-cell interactions to generate stable but tunable islet oscillation patterns.

scholarly journals Oxidized Cell-Free DNA Is a Factor of Stress Signaling in Radiation-Induced Bystander Effects in Different Types of Human Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina S. Konkova ◽  
Andrew A. Kaliyanov ◽  
Vasilina A. Sergeeva ◽  
Margarita S. Abramova ◽  
Svetlana V. Kostyuk
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Bystander Effect ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Stress Signaling ◽  
Cell Free Dna ◽  
Free Dna ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Radiation Induced

In pathology or under damaging conditions, the properties of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) change. An example of such change is GC enrichment, which drastically alters the biological properties of cfDNA. GC-rich cfDNA is a factor of stress signaling, whereas genomic cfDNA is biologically inactive. GC-rich cfDNA stimulates TLR9-MyD88-NF-κB signaling cascade, leading to an increase in proinflammatory cytokine levels in the organism. In addition, GC-rich DNA is prone to oxidation and oxidized cfDNA can stimulate secondary oxidative stress. This article is a review of works dedicated to the investigation of a low-dose ionizing radiation effect, a bystander effect, and the role of cfDNA in both of these processes.

scholarly journals Learning to interpret novel eHMI: The effect of vehicle kinematics and eHMI familiarity on pedestrians' crossing behaviour

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yee Mun Lee ◽  
Ruth Madigan ◽  
Chinebuli Uzondu ◽  
Jorge Garcia ◽  
Richard Romano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Traffic ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
The Road ◽  
Implicit Communication ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Pedestrian Crossing ◽  
Kinematic Information ◽  
Vehicle Deceleration

In current urban traffic, pedestrians attempting to cross the road at un-signalised locations are thought to mostly use implicit communication, such as deceleration cues, to interpret a vehicle’s intention to yield. There is less reliance on explicit driver- or vehicle-based messages, such as hand/head movements, or flashing lights/beeping horns. With the impending deployment of Automated Vehicles (AV), especially those at SAE Level 4 and 5, where the driver is no longer in control of the vehicle, there has been a surge in interest in the value of new forms of communication for AVs, for example, via different types of external Human Machine Interfaces (eHMIs). However, there is still much to be understood about how quickly a novel eHMI affects pedestrian crossing decisions, and whether it provides any additional aid, above and beyond implicit/kinematic information from the vehicle. The aim of this between-participant study, funded by the H2020 interACT project, was to investigate how the combination of kinematic information from a vehicle (e.g. Speed and Deceleration), and eHMI designs, play a role in assisting the crossing decision of pedestrians in a cave-based pedestrian simulator. Using an existing, well-recognised, message for yielding (Flashing Headlights - FH) as a benchmark, this study also investigated how quickly a novel eHMI (Slow Pulsing Light Band – SPLB) was learned. To investigate the effect of eHMI visibility on crossing decisions, the distance at which each eHMI was perceivable was also measured. Results showed that, compared to SPLB, the FH led to earlier crossings during vehicle deceleration, especially at lower approaching speeds, and smaller time gaps. However, although FH was visible earlier than SPLB, this visibility does not appear to be the only reason for earlier crossings, with message familiarity thought to play a role. Participants were found to learn the meaning conveyed by FH relatively quickly, crossing around 1 second earlier in its presence (compared to the no eHMI condition), across the three blocks of trials. On the other hand, it took participants at least one block of 12 trials for the new SPLB signal to affect crossing, which only accelerated crossing initiations by around 200ms, compared to the no eHMI condition. The role of comprehension, long-term exposure, and familiarity of novel messages in this context is therefore important, if AVs are to provide safe, trustworthy communication messages, which will enhance traffic flow and efficiency.

Long-term unemployment

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 713-727
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Apergis ◽  
Nicholas Apergis
Keyword(s):  
Working Environment ◽  
Employment Relations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Uk ◽  
First Time ◽  
Robustness Check ◽  
Modelling Approach

PurposeThis paper empirically explores the role of skill losses during unemployment behind firms' behaviour in interviewing long-term unemployedDesign/methodology/approachThe analysis makes use of the Work Employment Relations Survey in the UK, while it applies a panel probit modelling approach to estimate the empirical findings.FindingsThe findings document that skill losses during long-term unemployment reduce the likelihood of an interview, while they emphasize the need for certain policies that could compensate for this deterioration of skills. For robustness check, the estimation strategy survives the examination of the same predictors under different types of the working environment.Originality/valueThe original values of the work 1 combines for the first time both duration and technology as predictors of interview probability. Until now, the independent variables were used to test whether an individual has managed to exit unemployment, thus skipping the step of the interview process.

scholarly journals The Role of Chitosan and Graphene Oxide in Bioactive and Antibacterial Properties of Acrylic Bone Cements

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1616
Author(s):  
Mayra Eliana Valencia Zapata ◽  
Carlos David Grande Tovar ◽  
José Herminsul Mina Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Bone Cements ◽  
Biomedical Field ◽  
Antibiotic Release ◽  
Defect Filling

Acrylic bone cements (ABC) are widely used in orthopedics for joint fixation, antibiotic release, and bone defect filling, among others. However, most commercially available ABCs exhibit a lack of bioactivity and are susceptible to infection after implantation. These disadvantages generate long-term loosening of the prosthesis, high morbidity, and prolonged and expensive treatments. Due to the great importance of acrylic bone cements in orthopedics, the scientific community has advanced several efforts to develop bioactive ABCs with antibacterial activity through several strategies, including the use of biodegradable materials such as chitosan (CS) and nanostructures such as graphene oxide (GO), with promising results. This paper reviews several studies reporting advantages in bioactivity and antibacterial properties after incorporating CS and GO in bone cements. Detailed information on the possible mechanisms by which these fillers confer bioactive and antibacterial properties to cements, resulting in formulations with great potential for use in orthopedics, are also a focus in the manuscript. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that presents the improvement in biological properties with CS and GO addition in cements that we believe will contribute to the biomedical field.

scholarly journals Ayn Rand’s Objectivist Ethics Applied to Video Game Business

2019 ◽  
Vol 167 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tuomas Harviainen ◽  
Janne Paavilainen ◽  
Elina Koskinen
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Game Development ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Online Business ◽  
Game Developers

AbstractThis article analyzes the business ethics of digital games, using Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism. It identifies different types of monetization options as virtuous or nonvirtuous, based on Rand’s views on rational self-interest. It divides the options into ethical Mover and unethical Looter designs, presents those logics in relation to an illustrative case example, Zynga, and then discusses a view on the role of players in relation to game monetization designs. Through our analysis of monetization options in the context of Objectivist ethics, the article contributes to discussions on game revenue ethics. It also expands the still understudied area of applying Rand’s ethics to business, in the context of a new sector, game development, and business. This research enables ethicists to apply a wider-than-before perspective on virtue ethics to online business, and helps game developers act in a virtuous manner, which provides them with a long-term business advantage.

scholarly journals Surface Charge-Dependent Cellular Uptake of Polystyrene Nanoparticles

Nanomaterials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soyeon Jeon ◽  
Jessica Clavadetscher ◽  
Dong-Keun Lee ◽  
Sunay Chankeshwara ◽  
Mark Bradley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zeta Potential ◽  
Surface Charge ◽  
Cellular Uptake ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Protein Corona ◽  
Polystyrene Nanoparticles ◽  
Biological Impact ◽  
Corona Formation ◽  
Different Types

The evaluation of the role of physicochemical properties in the toxicity of nanoparticles is important for the understanding of toxicity mechanisms and for controlling the behavior of nanoparticles. The surface charge of nanoparticles is suggested as one of the key parameters which decide their biological impact. In this study, we synthesized fluorophore-conjugated polystyrene nanoparticles (F-PLNPs), with seven different types of surface functional groups that were all based on an identical core, to evaluate the role of surface charge in the cellular uptake of nanoparticles. Phagocytic differentiated THP-1 cells or non-phagocytic A549 cells were incubated with F-PLNP for 4 h, and their cellular uptake was quantified by fluorescence intensity and confocal microscopy. The amount of internalized F-PLNPs showed a good positive correlation with the zeta potential of F-PLNPs in both cell lines (Pearson’s r = 0.7021 and 0.7852 for zeta potential vs. cellular uptake in THP-1 cells and nonphagocytic A549 cells, respectively). This result implies that surface charge is the major parameter determining cellular uptake efficiency, although other factors such as aggregation/agglomeration, protein corona formation, and compositional elements can also influence the cellular uptake partly or indirectly.

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