Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) represents one of the most aggressive and metastatic brain tumors, with a dismal success rate of less than three percent after five years, particularly in tumors with active immune checkp...Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) represents one of the most aggressive and metastatic brain tumors, with a dismal success rate of less than three percent after five years, particularly in tumors with active immune checkpoints. This necessitates the development of targeted endogenous agents for precise GBM treatment. Previous experiments utilizing Chemovar Specific Cannabis Extractions (CSCEs), fractionated with polar solvents and quantified using Liquid and Gas Column Chromatography combined with Mass Spectrometry (LC/GCMS), have shown reduced viability and motility in human GBM cell lines. However, the complexity of the botanical substance has hindered the personalization of standard cannabis medicines for GBM due to unknown synergistic effects of multiple compounds. To address this limitation, our study focuses on exposing AM251 cells to chemovar fractions extracted using a non-polar solvent, thereby isolating a broader spectrum of constituents. By employing LC/GCMS in conjunction with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), we have identified and quantified nine* compounds present in the non-polar CSCE that exhibit significant efficacy (0.1 μM) in inducing cytotoxicity* in GBM tumor cells. Conversely, the polar fraction in our experiment did not demonstrate efficacy against UM251 cells. The quantification of individual compounds within a cannabis extraction that selectively induces cell death in brain tumors holds promise for guiding future research and facilitating the development of a standardized CSCE for GBM therapy.展开更多
This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV-1 and -2 among three selected secondary schools in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Three hundred students were recruited for this stud...This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV-1 and -2 among three selected secondary schools in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Three hundred students were recruited for this study representing 120 males (40%) and 180 females (60%) with their age ranging from 12 to 20 years from September to November, 2010. Samples of blood were collected and processed using standard laboratory procedures. All the students were screened for the presence of antibodies to HIV-1 and -2 using 2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) rapid screening kits, based on WHO systems-2 for detecting antibodies to HIV-1 and -2. The diagnosis of HIV infection was further confirmed by Western blot. The results showed that out of the 300 students who were enrolled into the study, 6 (2%) were positive for HIV-1 and -2 antibodies including two males (0.7%) and four females (1.3%). Statistically, there is a significant difference in the distribution of HIV infections by gender (P 0.05). Although its prevalence is low, the presence of HIV-1 and -2 antibodies in Secondary School students of Udenu L.G.A. of Enugu State should be worrisome because it can easily be transmitted to other healthy individuals in the nearest future. Therefore, this calls for a concerted and synergistic effort to nip the spread in the bud so that it cannot spread to other teenagers and the larger community.展开更多
Nanocomposites of high-density polyethylene(HDPE)modified with 0.2 phr graphene-zinc oxide(GN-ZnO)exhibited optimal mechanical properties and thermal stability.Two other nano-materials—GN and nano-ZnO—were also used...Nanocomposites of high-density polyethylene(HDPE)modified with 0.2 phr graphene-zinc oxide(GN-ZnO)exhibited optimal mechanical properties and thermal stability.Two other nano-materials—GN and nano-ZnO—were also used to compare them with GN-ZnO.increasing the content of GN-ZnO gradually enhanced the antibacterial and barrier properties,but the addition of 0.3 phr GN-ZnO led to agglomeration that caused defects in the nanocomposites.Herein,we investigated the antibacterial and barrier properties of HDPE nanocomposites infused with different nanoparticles(GN,ZnO,GN-ZnO)of varying concentrations.HDPE and the nanoparticles were meltblended together in a Haake-Buchler Rheomixer to produce a new environment-friendly nano-material with improved physical and chemical properties.The following characterizations were conducted:tensile test,thermogravimetric analysis,morphology,differential scanning calorimetry,X-ray diffraction,antibacterial test,and oxygen and water vapor permeation test.The results showed that the crystallinity of HDPE was affected with the addition of GN-ZnO,and the nanocomposites had effective antibacterial capacity,strong mechanical properties,high thermal stability,and excellent barrier performance.This type of HDPE nanocomposites reinforced with GN-ZnO would be attractive for packaging industries.展开更多
Globally,it is evident that glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)is an aggressive malignant cancer with a high mortality rate and no effective treatment options.Glioblastoma is classified as the stage-four progression of a gli...Globally,it is evident that glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)is an aggressive malignant cancer with a high mortality rate and no effective treatment options.Glioblastoma is classified as the stage-four progression of a glioma tumor,and its diagnosis results in a shortened life expectancy.Treatment options for GBM include chemotherapy,immunotherapy,surgical intervention,and conventional pharmacotherapy;however,at best,they extend the patient’s life by a maximum of 5 years.GBMs are considered incurable due to their high recurrence rate,despite various aggressive therapeutic approaches which can have many serious adverse effects.Ceramides,classified as endocannabinoids,offer a promising novel therapeutic approach for GBM.Endocannabinoids may enhance the apoptosis of GBM cells but have no effect on normal healthy neural cells.Cannabinoids promote atypical protein kinase C,deactivate fatty acid amide hydrolase enzymes,and activate transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)and TRPV2 to induce pro-apoptotic signaling pathways without increasing endogenous cannabinoids.In previous in vivo studies,endocannabinoids,chemically classified as amide formations of oleic and palmitic acids,have been shown to increase the pro-apoptotic activity of human cancer cells and inhibit cell migration and angiogenesis.This review focuses on the biological synthesis and pharmacology of endogenous cannabinoids for the enhancement of cancer cell apoptosis,which have potential as a novel therapy for GBM.展开更多
文摘Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) represents one of the most aggressive and metastatic brain tumors, with a dismal success rate of less than three percent after five years, particularly in tumors with active immune checkpoints. This necessitates the development of targeted endogenous agents for precise GBM treatment. Previous experiments utilizing Chemovar Specific Cannabis Extractions (CSCEs), fractionated with polar solvents and quantified using Liquid and Gas Column Chromatography combined with Mass Spectrometry (LC/GCMS), have shown reduced viability and motility in human GBM cell lines. However, the complexity of the botanical substance has hindered the personalization of standard cannabis medicines for GBM due to unknown synergistic effects of multiple compounds. To address this limitation, our study focuses on exposing AM251 cells to chemovar fractions extracted using a non-polar solvent, thereby isolating a broader spectrum of constituents. By employing LC/GCMS in conjunction with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), we have identified and quantified nine* compounds present in the non-polar CSCE that exhibit significant efficacy (0.1 μM) in inducing cytotoxicity* in GBM tumor cells. Conversely, the polar fraction in our experiment did not demonstrate efficacy against UM251 cells. The quantification of individual compounds within a cannabis extraction that selectively induces cell death in brain tumors holds promise for guiding future research and facilitating the development of a standardized CSCE for GBM therapy.
文摘This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV-1 and -2 among three selected secondary schools in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Three hundred students were recruited for this study representing 120 males (40%) and 180 females (60%) with their age ranging from 12 to 20 years from September to November, 2010. Samples of blood were collected and processed using standard laboratory procedures. All the students were screened for the presence of antibodies to HIV-1 and -2 using 2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) rapid screening kits, based on WHO systems-2 for detecting antibodies to HIV-1 and -2. The diagnosis of HIV infection was further confirmed by Western blot. The results showed that out of the 300 students who were enrolled into the study, 6 (2%) were positive for HIV-1 and -2 antibodies including two males (0.7%) and four females (1.3%). Statistically, there is a significant difference in the distribution of HIV infections by gender (P 0.05). Although its prevalence is low, the presence of HIV-1 and -2 antibodies in Secondary School students of Udenu L.G.A. of Enugu State should be worrisome because it can easily be transmitted to other healthy individuals in the nearest future. Therefore, this calls for a concerted and synergistic effort to nip the spread in the bud so that it cannot spread to other teenagers and the larger community.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the following organizations:Wuliangye Group Co.,Ltd.(No.CXY2019ZR001)Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program(No.2019JDRC0029)+2 种基金Zigong City Science and Technology(Nos.2017XC16,2019CXRC01)Opening Project of Material Corrosion and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province(Nos.2016CL10,2017CL03,2019CL05,2018CL08,2018CL07)Opening Project of Sichuan Province,the Foundation of Introduced Talent of Sichuan University of Science and Engineering(Nos.2014RC31,2017RCL31,2017RCL36,2017RCL16,2019RC05,2019RC07).Appreciation is also extended to Apex Nanotek Co.,Ltd.
文摘Nanocomposites of high-density polyethylene(HDPE)modified with 0.2 phr graphene-zinc oxide(GN-ZnO)exhibited optimal mechanical properties and thermal stability.Two other nano-materials—GN and nano-ZnO—were also used to compare them with GN-ZnO.increasing the content of GN-ZnO gradually enhanced the antibacterial and barrier properties,but the addition of 0.3 phr GN-ZnO led to agglomeration that caused defects in the nanocomposites.Herein,we investigated the antibacterial and barrier properties of HDPE nanocomposites infused with different nanoparticles(GN,ZnO,GN-ZnO)of varying concentrations.HDPE and the nanoparticles were meltblended together in a Haake-Buchler Rheomixer to produce a new environment-friendly nano-material with improved physical and chemical properties.The following characterizations were conducted:tensile test,thermogravimetric analysis,morphology,differential scanning calorimetry,X-ray diffraction,antibacterial test,and oxygen and water vapor permeation test.The results showed that the crystallinity of HDPE was affected with the addition of GN-ZnO,and the nanocomposites had effective antibacterial capacity,strong mechanical properties,high thermal stability,and excellent barrier performance.This type of HDPE nanocomposites reinforced with GN-ZnO would be attractive for packaging industries.
文摘Globally,it is evident that glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)is an aggressive malignant cancer with a high mortality rate and no effective treatment options.Glioblastoma is classified as the stage-four progression of a glioma tumor,and its diagnosis results in a shortened life expectancy.Treatment options for GBM include chemotherapy,immunotherapy,surgical intervention,and conventional pharmacotherapy;however,at best,they extend the patient’s life by a maximum of 5 years.GBMs are considered incurable due to their high recurrence rate,despite various aggressive therapeutic approaches which can have many serious adverse effects.Ceramides,classified as endocannabinoids,offer a promising novel therapeutic approach for GBM.Endocannabinoids may enhance the apoptosis of GBM cells but have no effect on normal healthy neural cells.Cannabinoids promote atypical protein kinase C,deactivate fatty acid amide hydrolase enzymes,and activate transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)and TRPV2 to induce pro-apoptotic signaling pathways without increasing endogenous cannabinoids.In previous in vivo studies,endocannabinoids,chemically classified as amide formations of oleic and palmitic acids,have been shown to increase the pro-apoptotic activity of human cancer cells and inhibit cell migration and angiogenesis.This review focuses on the biological synthesis and pharmacology of endogenous cannabinoids for the enhancement of cancer cell apoptosis,which have potential as a novel therapy for GBM.
