In the present study, poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) hybrid nanoparticles were developed for intranasal delivery of galantamine, a drug used in severe to moderate cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Galantamine (GAL) was adsorbed first in hierarchical porous carbon (HPC). Formulations were characterized by FT-IR, which showed hydrogen bond formation between GAL and HPC. Furthermore, GAL became amorphous after adsorption, as confirmed by XRD and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies. GAL was quantified to be 21.5% w/w by TGA study. Adsorbed GAL was nanoencapsulated in PLLA and PLGA, and prepared nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques. Their sizes varied between 182 and 394 nm, with an exception that was observed in nanoparticles that were prepared by PLLA and adsorbed GAL that was found to be 1302 nm in size. DSC thermographs showed that GAL was present in its crystalline state in nanoparticles before its adsorption to HPC, while it remained in its amorphous phase after its adsorption in the prepared nanoparticles. It was found that the polymers controlled the release of GAL both when it was encapsulated alone and when it was adsorbed on HPC. Lastly, PLGA hybrid nanoparticles were intranasally-administered in healthy, adult, male Wistar rats. Administration led to successful delivery to the hippocampus, the brain area that is primarily and severely harmed in Alzheimer’s disease, just a few hours after a single dose.

Mesh-augmented hernia repair is the gold standard in abdominal wall and hiatal/diaphragmatic hernia management and ranks among the most common procedures performed by general surgeons. However, it is associated with a series of drawbacks, including recurrence, mesh infection, and adhesion formation. To address these weaknesses, numerous biomaterials have been investigated for mesh coating. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous agent that promotes tissue healing through numerous cytokines and growth factors. In addition, many reports highlight its contribution to better integration of different types of coated meshes, compared to conventional uncoated meshes. The use of PRP-coated meshes for hernia repair has been reported in the literature, but a review of technical aspects and outcomes is missing. The aim of this comprehensive review is to report the experimental studies investigating the synergistic use of PRP and mesh implants in hernia animal models. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus without chronological constraints. In total, fourteen experimental and three clinical studies have been included. Among experimental trials, synthetic, biologic, and composite meshes were used in four, nine, and one study, respectively. In synthetic meshes, PRP-coating leads to increased antioxidant levels and collaged deposition, reduced oxidative stress, and improved inflammatory response, while studies on biological meshes revealed increased neovascularization and tissue integration, reduced inflammation, adhesion severity, and mechanical failure rates. Finally, PRP-coating of composite meshes results in reduced adhesions and improved mechanical strength. Despite the abundance of preclinical data, there is a scarcity of clinical studies, mainly due to the absence of an established protocol regarding PRP preparation and application. To this point in time, PRP has been used as a coating agent for the repair of abdominal and diaphragmatic hernias, as well as for mesh fixation. Clinical application of conclusions drawn from experimental studies may lead to improved results in hernia repair.

Oxaliplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Despite its many beneficial aspects in fighting many malignancies, it shares an aversive effect of neuropathy. Many substances have been used to limit this oxaliplatin-driven neuropathy in patients. This study evaluates the neuroprotective role of a grape pomace extract (GPE) into an oxaliplatin induced neuropathy in rats. For this reason, following the delivery of the substance into the animals prior to or simultaneously with oxaliplatin, their performance was evaluated by behavioral tests. Blood tests were also performed for the antioxidant activity of the extract, along with a histological and pathological evaluation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells as the major components of the neuropathy. All behavioral tests were corrected following the use of the grape pomace. Oxidative stressors were also limited with the use of the extract. Additionally, the morphometrical analysis of the DRG cells and their immunohistochemical phenotype revealed the fidelity of the animal model and the changes into the parvalbumin and GFAP concentration indicative of the neuroprotective role of the pomace. In conclusion, the grape pomace extract with its antioxidant properties alleviates the harmful effects of the oxaliplatin induced chronic neuropathy in rats.

Tissue-engineered oral epithelium (ΤΕΟΕ) was developed after comparing various culture conditions, including submerged- and air-liquid interface (ALI) human cell expansion options. Barrier formation was evaluated via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and calcein permeation via spectrofluorometry. TEOE was further assessed for long-term viability via live/dead staining and development of intercellular connections via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tissue architecture was evaluated via histochemistry and the expression of pancytokeratin (pCK) via immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effect of two commonly used dental resinous monomers on TEOE was evaluated for alterations in cell viability and barrier permeability. ALI/keratinocyte growth factor-supplemented (ALI-KGS) culture conditions led to the formation of an 8-20-layer thick, intercellularly-connected epithelial barrier. TEER values of ALI-KGS-developed TEOE decreased compared to all other tested conditions, and the established epithelium intensively expressed pCK. Exposure to dental monomers affected the integrity and architecture of TEOE, and induced cellular vacuolation, implicating hydropic degeneration. Despite structural modifications, the permeability of TEOE was not substantially affected after exposure to the monomers. In conclusion, the biological properties of the TEOE mimicking the physiological functional conditions and its value as biocompatibility assessment tool for dental materials were characterized.