Highly Adaptable Dendrimer Gel Nanoparticles with Dual Targeting of uPAR and Ribonucleotide Reductase R2 for Better Retention and Improved Therapeutic Outcomes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 15% of breast cancers and lacks estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), rendering it unresponsive to hormonal or anti-HER2 therapies. Due to its poor prognosis and limited treatment options, there is an urgent need for targeted therapies. In this study, we developed highly adaptable polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer-based gel nanoparticles with dual-targeting capabilities against urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and ribonucleotide reductase R2 (R2).

Intravitreal therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration-adapting to increasing demand and changing times.

Aims: To report the outcomes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) at Palmerston North Eye Clinic (PNEC) during 2020 and 2021, comparing time to treatment initiation based on nurse-injector availability and during COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods: Data were recorded from a prospective database for patients with nAMD at PNEC. Each patient's electronic health record was reviewed to ensure the accuracy of the database and to fill in missing data points.

Liposomes-Encapsulating Double-Stranded Nucleic Acid (Poly I:C) for Head and Neck Cancer Treatment.

Polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) serves as a synthetic mimic of viral double-stranded dsRNA, capable of inducing apoptosis in numerous cancer cells. Despite its potential, therapeutic benefits, the application of Poly I:C has been hindered by concerns regarding toxicity, stability, enzymatic degradation, and undue immune stimulation, leading to autoimmune disorders. To address these challenges, encapsulation of antitumor drugs within delivery systems such as cationic liposomes is often employed to enhance their efficacy while minimizing dosages.

Diagnostic Uses of Common Eye Drops.

Medicated eye drops may have dual therapeutic and diagnostic uses that form part of the ophthalmic assessment paradigm. In this review article, commonly administered and prescribed eye drops were analyzed for their use as a diagnostic tool. It examines the common categories of eye drops-antimicrobial agents, topical anesthetics, mydriatics, and ocular anti-hypertensives, with respect to their therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Palmerston North Interventional Rapid Avastin Treat and Extend (PIRATE) study protocol; meeting the medical retina service needs of our ageing population.

Introduction: As the rates of age-related macular denegation exponentially increase, new innovation is required to address the challenges faced by our ageing population. The aim of the Palmerston North Interventional Rapid Avastin Treat and Extend (PIRATE) study is to establish the safety and efficacy of rapid treatment extension of bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with low-risk neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods And Analysis: The PIRATE study is a monocentric, non-blinded, open-label randomised control trial.

Visual recovery following surgical intervention for pituitary apoplexy correlated with preoperative optical coherence tomography.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but potentially fatal endocrinological emergency which can be difficult to diagnose as presenting symptoms vary significantly. Optimal management requires early diagnosis and collaboration between ophthalmology, endocrinology and neurosurgical services. We present a case of pituitary apoplexy in a 52-year-old Caucasian female who was referred by her optometrist to Palmerston North Hospital Eye Clinic with a three-week history of sudden onset moderate bifrontal headaches, two weeks of non-specific peripheral visual changes and dense bitemporal inferior quadrantanopia on formal visual field testing.

Observational study of the visibility of branded tobacco packaging and smoking at outdoor bars/cafes in Wellington, New Zealand.

Aim: To collect data on tobacco brand visibility on packaging on outdoor tables at bars/cafes in a downtown area, prior to a proposed plain packaging law.

Method: The study was conducted in the Central Business District of Wellington City in March 2014. Observational data were systematically collected on tobacco packaging visibility and smoking by patrons at 55 bars/cafes with outdoor tables.