The applications of hydrogels in biomedical field has been since multiple decades. Discoveries in biology and chemistry render this platform endowed with much engineering potentials and growing continuously. Novel approaches in constructing these materials have led to the production of complex hybrid hydrogels systems that can incorporate both natural and synthetic polymers and other functional moieties for mediated cell response, tunable release kinetic profiles, thus they are used and research for diverse biomedical applications. Recent advancement in this field has established promising techniques for the development of biorelevant materials for construction of hybrid hydrogels with potential applications in the delivery of cancer therapeutics, drug discovery, and re-generative medicines. In this review, recent trends in advanced hybrid hydrogels systems incorporating nano/microstructures, their synthesis, and their potential applications in tissue engineering and anticancer drug delivery has been discussed. Examples of some new approaches including click reactions implementation, 3D printing, and photopatterning for the development of these materials has been briefly discussed. In addition, the application of biomolecules and motifs for desired outcomes, and tailoring of their transport and kinetic behavior for achieving desired outcomes in hybrid nanogels has also been reviewed.

Traditional treatments have a poor effect on alcoholic liver diseases. Linderae radix (LR), the dried root of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm., has been frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating various diseases, and has been shown to exhibit a protective effect on liver injury. In the present study, LR extracts were made using various solvents, and then administrated to rats to establish a model of ethanol-induced liver injury. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of LR extracts on acute alcoholic liver injury. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycercide (TG), cholesterol (TC), methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. In addition, pathological examination was performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of MDA and SOD, and the expression levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in liver tissue were investigated immunohistochemically. The expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) mRNA was quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that LR extracts improved the histopathological status and decreased the serum levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC and MDA. Furthermore, the levels of MDA and inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β) were decreased in liver tissues, and the overexpression of CYP2E1 mRNA induced by ethanol treatment. LR extracts exhibited a protective effect on alcoholic liver injury and the mechanism may be associated with the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative action.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether IL-6 polymorphisms correlate with sepsis. According to the inclusion criteria, the association of IL-6 polymorphisms with sepsis was searched in databases and analysed using comprehensive meta-analysis software. A total of 16 studies were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant association between the IL-6-174G/C polymorphism and sepsis risk in the total population (C vs. G: OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.79–1.38; CC vs. GG: OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.53–1.41; CG vs. GG: OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.79–1.24; dominant model: OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.74–1.29; recessive model: OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.61–1.39). When patients were stratified according to ethnicity, a statistically significant association was observed in Asians and Africans. As for the -572G/C polymorphism, the results showed that the IL-6-572C/G polymorphism was not associated with sepsis susceptibility (G vs. C: OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.79–1.22; GG vs. CC: OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.53–4.03; GC vs. CC: OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.54–1.27; dominant model: OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.55–1.41; recessive model: OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 0.82–2.92). The data indicated that the IL-6-174G/C polymorphism may contribute to sepsis risk, especially in Africans and Asians. No significant association was observed between the IL-6-572G/C polymorphism and sepsis risk.

Abstract. Candida krusei (C. krusei) pneumonia is a rare infection that is frequently associated with a poor outcome. The present study reports an unusual case of C. krusei pneumonia that was initially suspected to be a Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) case. A 64-year-old Saudi Arabian male patient was admitted to our hospital with complaints of cough and dyspnea that persisted for 6 days. The patient presented fever (oral temperature, 38.5˚C) and slight tachypnea (25 respirations/min). A chest computerized tomography demonstrated unclear lung fields, diffuse pathological changes in the two lungs and multiple lymphadenectasis in the retrocaval and para-aortic arch area. The patient received 95-98% oxygen (6 l/min) for 24 h, as well as sulbactam sodium/cefoperazone sodium (1:1) injection (3.0 g) every 12 h, oral oseltamivir capsules (75 mg/time) twice a day, medaron injection (80 mg/time) and 750 ml fluid infusion; however, he succumbed to the disease on day 2 after admission. The infection was diagnosed by sputum smear and culture subsequent to patient mortality. A sputum smear showed a large fungal infection and sputum culture revealed the presence of C. krusei infection. Serum procalcitonin concentrations were 4.73 µg/l and 7.23 µg/l on days 2 and 3 after admission, respectively. In conclusion, the diagnosis of Candida pneumonia should be strongly considered in the presence of growth of Candida from a sputum culture and based on a suggestive computed tomography image. Tumescent diaphragmatic lymph nodes may also be an important symptom of Candida pneumonia. Treatment should be initiated immediately to improve tissue oxygenation, restore cardiovascular function and improve other organ functions.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory disease that occurs in the arterial wall and is characterized by progressive lipid accumulation within the intima of large arteries, leading to the dysfunction of endothelial cells and further destruction of the endothelial barrier and vascular tone. Arterial intima injury accelerates the adhesion and activation of platelets at the injury site. The activation of platelets results in the secretion of growth factors, leading to the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), promoting the formation of plaque, resulting in the formation of thrombus. The present study found that vorapaxar could alleviate the inflammatory response induced by a high concentration of cholesterol stimulation and increase the release of nitric oxide (NO) via the protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway and regulation of the intracellular concentration of Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] i ). We also found that vorapaxar could reduce the damage of DNA caused by cholesterol stimulation and regulate the cell cycle via the AKT/JNK signaling pathway and its downstream molecules glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and connexin 43, maintaining the integrity of the endothelial barrier and proliferation of endothelial cells, serving a protective role in endothelial cells.