Gold nanoparticles (GNs) have unique characteristics, for example, stability, biocompatibility, small dimensions, and low toxicity. Several clinical applications have been suggested for GNs, such as diagnosis, imaging, and drug delivery. GNs absorb infrared light, indicating their potential value for imaging. There is growing evidence showing the therapeutic application of GN for drug delivery because of their interaction with the blood-brain barrier and DNA, the latter being associated with their genotoxic effects. GN can also be stimulated to produce high local temperatures, indicating their potential value in photodynamic therapy in the treatment of tumors. The aim of the current review is to summarize the potential applications of GNs in the biomedical field, specifically in neurodegenerative diseases. K E Y W O R D S electrical conductivity properties, gold nanoparticle, membrane sealant, neuroregeneration, polyethylene glycol (PEG)

Hypospadias is among the most common congenital malformations in male neonates. It results from abnormal penile and urethral development, but is a multifactorial disorder that is highly heterogeneous, with several genetic and environmental determinants.Monogenic and chromosomal abnormalities are present in approximately 30% of cases, although the genetic factors contributing to hypospadias remain unknown in 70% of cases. While defects in androgen synthesis can lead to this malformation, mutational analyses have shown several genes, such as sonic hedgehog, fibroblast growth factors, bone morphogenetic proteins, homeobox genes, and the Wnt family, are involved in the normal development of male external genitalia. Mutations in the genes of penile development (e.g., HOX, FGF, Shh) and testicular determination (e.g., WT1, SRY), luteinizing hormone receptor, and androgen receptor have also been proposed to be implicated in hypospadias. Here we review the recent advances in this field and discuss the potential genes that could determine the risk of hypospadias. K E Y W O R D S environmental factors, genetics, hypospadias, polymorphism J Cell Physiol. 2019;234:5519-5523.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jcp

Brain tumors are the most common form of solid tumors in children and is presently a serious therapeutic challenge worldwide. Traditional treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy was shown to be unsuccessful in targeting brain tumor cancer stem cells (CSCs), leading to recurrent, treatment-resistant secondary malignancies. Oncolytic virotherapy (OV) is an effective antitumor therapeutic strategy which offers a novel, targeted approach for eradicating pediatric brain tumor CSCs by utilizing mechanisms of cell killing that differ from conventional therapies. A number of studies and some clinical trials have therefore investigated the effects of combined therapy of radiations or chemotherapies with oncolytic viruses which provide new insights regarding the effectiveness and improvement of treatment responses for brain cancer patients. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the therapeutic potency of OVs-induced CSCs targeting in the treatment of brain tumors for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease. K E Y W O R D S brain tumor, cancer stem cell (CSC), oncolytic virotherapy (OV) J Cell Biochem. 2019;120:2766-2773. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jcb 2766 |