University of Puerto Rico System

Hydrophobicity has limited the efficiency of many drugs. To improve this, gold-silver alloy nanocomposites covered with carbon-based quantum dots were synthesized as a platform to reduce the drugs' hydrophobicity. Using the hydrophobic drug Andrographolide as a model, it was demonstrated that these nanocomposites can decrease Andrographolide's hydrophobicity (Log P from 2.632 to 0.56) without encapsulating the drug. Entry within prostate cancer (PC-3) cells and in vitro localization of the nanocomposites and Andrographolide was observed qualitatively via confocal microscopy and their identity confirmed by SERS inside the PC-3 cells. MTS assays demonstrated the carbon-based quantum dot layer covering the metal core of the nanocomposites stabilizes the oxidation rate of the nanocomposite's core metals. This was observed by a decrease in cytotoxicity in PC-3 cells when compared to other gold or silver nanosystems for similar timeframes published in the literature.

Abstract Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal type of primary brain tumors, with a median survival time of only 12 to 15 months after diagnosis. Despite numerous research efforts, treatment options have remained largely unchanged for decades, with the Stupp Protocol combining surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy remaining as the gold standard. This persistent poor prognosis underscores the need for novel therapy approaches. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, have gained attention as potential therapeutic targets for GBM. Specifically, miR-92b is notably overexpressed in GBM tissue samples and GBM cell lines, contributing to tumor growth, resistance to treatment, and increased malignancy. Targeting miR-92b with Oligonucleotide MicroRNA Inhibitors (OMIs) has demonstrated promising tumor-suppressing effects in preclinical models. However, delivering these inhibitors efficiently across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a significant challenge. To overcome this, we developed five modified Rabies Virus Glycoprotein (RVG) peptides that bind to α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed on both BBB and GBM cells to facilitate targeted delivery. Methods: The wild-type and modified RVG peptide sequences were bound to liposomal nanoparticles to achieve targeted delivery. OMIs against miR-92b were then encapsulated inside RVG-functionalized liposomes, creating the lipid-based nanocarrier system. Results: GBM cells treated with modified RVG functionalized liposomes showed significantly enhanced uptake of the nanoparticle formulation compared to those treated with plain (non-functionalized) or RVG wild-type functionalized liposomes. This indicates that modifications of the RVG peptide enhance both cellular internalization efficiency and the downregulation of miR-92b. These results, along with high stability, are vital factors for successful therapeutic delivery. Conclusion: This study introduces a novel, targeted delivery platform capable of transporting stable miR-92b inhibitors directly to GBM cells. The modified RVG-functionalized gold liposomes offer a promising RNA-based therapeutic strategy for GBM, potentially paving the way for more effective treatments against this aggressive cancer. Citation Format: Diego E. Garcia Ortiz, Angel G. Rodriguez Monroig, Annelis O. Sanchez Alvarez, Fatma A. Valiyeva, Pablo E. Vivas Mejia. Modified RVG Functionalized Liposome Gold Nanoparticles for specific microRNA delivery Against Glioblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Brain Cancer; 2026 Mar 23-25; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(6_Suppl):Abstract nr A038.

Latinos experience disproportionate adverse HIV outcomes. Viral suppression is a key strategy to end the HIV epidemic. In Puerto Rico (PR), systemic disadvantages contribute to health inequities, yet limited research has examined how social determinants of health affect viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the archipelago. To help fill this gap, we used data from the Medical Monitoring Project, a population-based surveillance system that combines interviews and medical record abstraction of PLWH. We analyzed the relationship between social determinants and viral suppression, defined as a viral load (VL) of <200 copies/mL, using logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, and sexual orientation. Among 1424 participants, 22.98% were not virally suppressed. Needing transportation, having a lower level of education than high school, and being unable to work were significantly associated with not achieving viral suppression. These results illustrate how social factors are key barriers to achieving viral suppression. Addressing these social determinants is essential to improving health outcomes for Latinos with HIV in PR.

Calcium silicate‐based and glass ionomer cements are often used in caries‐affected dentine. This study investigated the remineralising and physicochemical properties of two calcium silicates and a glass ionomer cement. Human molars with Class I cavities were subjected to pH cycling to simulate caries lesions. These were restored using two different calcium silicate cements (CTR–MTA or MTA‐VOCO) or a glass ionomer cement (GIC). After storage in artificial saliva, Knoop microhardness (KHN) was measured within a 300‐µm zone from the interface. Solubility, pH, calcium ion release, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–energy‐dispersive x‐ray (EDX) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were also conducted. Data were statistically analysed with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Both MTAs promoted greater remineralisation (KHN) compared to GIC. GIC showed the lowest solubility, whereas CTR–MTA demonstrated the highest solubility, followed by MTA‐VOCO; the latter had the highest calcium release. Apatite deposition was observed only in the MTA groups (SEM–EDX and FTIR). MTA‐VOCO demonstrated superior calcium ion release and increased dentine microhardness, although some signs of collagen degradation were also visible. Clinical relevance: GIC and calcium silicate cements may enhance mineral deposition in caries‐affected dentine, though the alkalinity of MTAs might compromise collagen integrity at the bonding interface.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that frequently presents with multiorgan involvement. We report a diagnostically challenging case of a female in her late 40s presenting with otomastoiditis, brain abscess and bilateral cavitary lung lesions. A positive serum galactomannan led to empiric antifungal therapy for presumed disseminated aspergillosis. However, tissue biopsies were negative for infection, and histopathology ultimately confirmed PTCL-NOS. This case highlights a rare presentation of PTCL-NOS, involving both the lungs and central nervous system, mimicking invasive fungal disease.

Stroke has been a topic of extensive research due to its debilitating consequences and high mortality. New findings offer a deeper understanding of specific factors that affect post-stroke recovery and identify therapies that may facilitate this process. One such factor is post-stroke neuroinflammation, a complex and time-dependent process in which acute immune responses can cause significant secondary inflammatory damage if the process is prolonged. Microglia are neuronal immune cells that are highly reactive to cytokines in the neuroenvironment and can, in turn, affect the inflammatory cascades that originate after stroke, making them ideal candidates for immunomodulation in the brain. Many FDA-approved immunotherapies have been found to target distinct inflammatory signaling molecules and responders, including IL-6 inhibitors, IL-13 inhibitors, IL-12/IL-23 inhibitors, B-cell modulators, type I interferon inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, calcineurin inhibitors, complement inhibitors, and JAK-STAT pathway inhibitors. The FDA-approved immunotherapies discussed in this review demonstrate potential in modulating the immune response after stroke by targeting key inflammatory pathways involved in secondary brain injury. Future research should focus on defining optimal therapeutic windows, identifying suitable patient populations, determining the most appropriate timing of therapy, and targeting specific immune mechanisms to balance the attenuation of harmful inflammation with the preservation of reparative processes.

The solid–liquid hydrodynamics in a novel tower crystallizer consisting of seven vertically stacked spherical mixed-suspension, mixed-product removal crystallizers is reported. Mixing in spherical geometries remains underexplored. Therefore, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations (Eulerian–Eulerian multiphase approach with Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes closure at steady state) were performed to systematically assess in silico the impact of stirring rate, impeller type, blade geometry and number, dual-impeller configurations, and baffles on the mixing performance. Results demonstrate the best suspension mixing for representative pharmaceutical crystals (100 μm, 20% solids loading) using an axial-flow pitched blade impeller (four blades, 30° blade angle). Adding baffles further improves mixing, achieving homogeneity (relative standard deviation, σ < 0.2). While mixing is often overlooked in lab-scale crystallizers, possibly due to their small volumes (≤100 mL), this study highlights the critical role of mixing as a fundamental parameter for achieving suspension uniformity, which significantly alters the crystallization performance. The developed and generalizable framework provides mechanistic insights into the solid–liquid mixing, offering a data-driven foundation toward the rational design and scale-up of crystallizers. Ultimately, integrating these CFD findings with population balance modeling in future work will contribute to model-predictive crystallizers, bridging the gap from the lab to industrial scale.

Esta investigación se realizó en la Zona Escolar 125 de educación primaria, ubicada en Cd. Delicias, Chihuahua, México; tiene como objetivo identificar los enfoques didácticos predominantes en el proceso de alfabetización inicial, implementados por los docentes en el contexto del Marco Curricular 2022. Es un estudio de corte cuantitativo, con un método no experimental con un alcance descriptivo. Los resultados reflejan una variabilidad en la implementación de los distintos enfoques didácticos, pues un 27.82% de las prácticas de alfabetización, se apegan al enfoque constructivista, seguido del enfoque integral, luego el enfoque directo y las prácticas menos privilegiadas, son las apegadas al enfoque sociocultural con un 21.96%, mismo que se requiere fortalecer para alinearse con el marco curricular actual.