The electronic properties of mixed valence hydrated europium chloride thin film.

We investigate the electronic properties of a model mixed-valence hydrated chloride europium salt by means of high resolution photoemission spectroscopy (HRPES) and resonant photoemission spectroscopy (RESPES) at the Eu 3d → 4f and 4d → 4f transitions. From the HRPES spectra, we have determined that the two europium oxidation states are homogeneously distributed in the bulk and that the hydrated salt film is exempt from surface mixed valence transition. From the RESPES spectra, the well separated resonant contributions characteristic of divalent and trivalent europium species (4f(6) and 4f(7) final states, respectively) are accurately extracted and quantitatively determined from the resonant features measured at the two edges. The partial absorption yield spectra, obtained by integrating the photoemission intensity in the valence-band region, can be well reproduced by atomic multiplet calculation at the M(4,5) (3d-4f) absorption edge and by an asymmetric Fano-like shape profile at the N(4,5) (4d-4f) absorption edge. The ratio of Eu(2+) and Eu(3+) species measured at the two absorption edges matches with the composition of the mixed valence europium salt as determined chemically. We have demonstrated that the observed spectroscopic features of the mixed valence salt are attributed to the mixed-valence ground state rather than surface valence transition. HRPES and RESPES spectra provide reference spectra for the study of europium salts and their derivatives.

In vitro radiosensitizing effects of ultrasmall gadolinium based particles on tumour cells.

Since radiotherapy is widely used in cancer treatment, it is essential to develop strategies which lower the irradiation burden while increasing efficacy and become efficient even in radio resistant tumors. Our new strategy is relying on the development of solid hybrid nanoparticles based on rare-earth such as gadolinium. In this paper, we then evidenced that gadolinium-based particles can be designed to enter efficiently into the human glioblastoma cell line U87 in quantities that can be tuned by modifying the incubation conditions. These sub-5 nm particles consist in a core of gadolinium oxide, a shell of polysiloxane and are functionalized by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Although photoelectric effect is maximal in the [10-100 keV] range, such particles were found to possess efficient in-vitro radiosensitizing properties at an energy of 660 keV by using the "single-cell gel electrophoresis comet assay," an assay that measures the number of DNA damage that occurs during irradiation. Even more interesting, the particles have been evidenced by MTT assays to be also efficient radiosensitizers at an energy of 6 MeV for doses comprised between 2 and 8 Gy. The properties of the gadolinium-based particles give promising opening to a particle-assisted radio-therapy by using irradiation systems already installed in the majority of hospitals.

Gadolinium-Based Nanoparticles Can Overcome the Radioresistance of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through the Induction of Autophagy.

Radiation therapy is a mainstay in the therapeutic management of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite significant progress in this field, radioresistance still accounts for most treatment failures. Gadolinium-based nanoparticles (GBNs) have shown great promises as radiosensitizers but the underlying sensitizing mechanism is still largely unknown with regards to the disparities obtained in in vitro studies. In this study, we show that a new formulation of GBNs, AGuIX®, can radiosensitize HNSCC after cell uptake and further accumulation in lysosomes. Although radiation alone triggered late apoptosis and mitochondrial impairment, the pre-treatment with GBNs led to complex DNA damage and a specific increase of autophagic cell death. In addition, a significant radio-enhancement effect was obtained after the pre-conditioning of cells with a glutathione inhibitor before GBNs treatment and radiation exposure. Overall, our results provide additional information on the radio-enhancing properties of GBNs in the management of radioresistant HNSCC.

Self-crosslinked fibrous collagen/chitosan blends: Processing, properties evaluation and monitoring of degradation by bi-fluorescence imaging.

Porous collagen/chitosan scaffolds with different Collagen:Chitosan (Coll:Ch) ratios were prepared by freeze-drying followed by self-crosslinking via dehydrothermal treatment (DHT) and characterized as biomaterials for tissue engineering. Cy7 and Cy5.5 fluorochromes were covalently grafted to collagen and chitosan, respectively. Thus, it was possible, using optical fluorescence imaging of the two fluorochromes, to simultaneously track their in vivo biodegradation, in a blend scaffold form. The fluorescence signal evolution, due to the bioresorption, corroborated with histological analysis. In vitro cytocompatibility of Coll:Ch blend scaffolds were evaluated with standardized tests. In addition, the scaffolds showed a highly interconnected porous structure. Extent of crosslinking was analyzed by convergent analysis using thermogravimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and PBS uptake. The variations observed with these techniques indicate strong interactions between collagen and chitosan (covalent and hydrogen bonds) promoted by the DHT. The mechanical properties were characterized to elucidate the impact of the different processing steps in the sample preparation (DHT, neutralization and sterilization by ß-irradiation) and showed a robust processing scheme with low impact of Coll:Ch composition ratio.

Molecular cloning, expression, and chromosome 19 localization of a human Ro/SS-A autoantigen.

Ro/SS-A antibodies are found in a number of human autoimmune disorders including Sjogren's syndrome and several systemic lupus erythematosus-related disorders. These heterogeneous autoantibodies are known to recognize several distinct cellular antigens. With synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding to amino acid sequence information we have isolated a full-length cDNA clone which encodes a human Ro ribonucleoprotein autoantigen. The 1,890-base pair clone contains an open reading frame that encodes a 417-amino acid, 48-kD polypeptide that migrates aberrantly at 60 kD by SDS-PAGE. Rabbit antibodies raised against this protein's recently described amino-terminal epitope react with a previously identified 52-kD human Ro protein and immunoprecipitate the human cytoplasmic RNAs. Ultraviolet light cross-linking studies suggest that this Ro protein binds each of the four major human cytoplasmic RNAs. The deduced amino acid sequence is 63% homologous to an Onchocerca volvulus antigen. Southern filter hybridization analysis indicates that this gene is not highly polymorphic and exists as a single copy in the human genome. Chromosomal localization studies place this gene on the short arm of chromosome 19 near the gene encoding the low density lipoprotein receptor.

Serological cross-reactivity between a human Ro/SS-A autoantigen (calreticulin) and the lambda Ral-1 antigen of Onchocerca volvulus.

We have cloned and sequenced a 46-kD Ro/SS-A autoantigen gene that is the human homologue of the calcium-binding protein, calreticulin. The sequence of this 46-kD Ro/SS-A protein (calreticulin) has significant homology to lambda Ral-1, a recombinant cDNA clone corresponding to a major antigen of the nematode, Onchocerca volvulus, the infectious agent of onchocerciasis. We therefore sought to determine whether antibodies produced by onchocerciasis patients might crossreact with the human 46-kD Ro/SS-A autoantigen (calreticulin). 20 of 22 sera from Liberian onchocerciasis patients who had no known evidence of autoimmune disease were found to contain antibodies that reacted with the 46-kD Ro/SS-A (calreticulin) by immunoblot analysis. Characteristic of sera reactive with Ro/SS-A antigens, some onchocerciasis sera also immunoprecipitated the Ro/SS-A-associated hY RNAs. In addition, a monoclonal antibody raised against O. volvulus organisms reacted to purified human WiL-2 cell 46 kD Ro/SS-A antigen (calreticulin) by ELISA. These results strongly suggest that onchocerciasis patients produce antibodies that crossreact with the 46-kD human Ro/SS-A autoantigen (calreticulin) and raise the possibility that infectious organisms such as O. volvulus might play a triggering or exacerbating role in the human Ro/SS-A autoimmune response.

Utilidad diagnóstica del dímero-D en el tromboembolismo pulmonar de pacientes COVID-19 / DiagnosticutilityofD-dimerin pulmonarythromboembolism in COVID-19 patients

Resumen Introducción: El aumento de la concentración de dímero-D en pacientes COVID-19 se ha asociado a mayor gravedad y peor pronóstico; sin embargo, su rol en predecir el diagnóstico de tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP), aún es incierto. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del dímero-D plasmático en el diagnóstico de TEP en pacientes con COVID-19. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio observacional analítico. Se incluyó a pacientes COVID-19 que tenían una angiotomografía computada de tórax (AngioTAC). Se registraron datos clínicos, niveles plasmáticos de dímero-D de ingreso y previo al momento de realizar la AngioTAC. Se identificó la presencia o ausencia de TEP. Resultados: Se incluyeron 163 pacientes; 37(23%) presentaron TEP. Al comparar la serie de pacientes con TEP versus sin TEP, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en características clínicas, ni mortalidad. Hubo diferencias significativas en el nivel plasmático del dímero-D previo a realizar la AngioTAC (3.929 versus 1.912 μg/L; p = 0,005). El área bajo la curva ROC del dímero-D para TEPfue de 0,65. El mejor punto de corte del dímero-D fue de 2.000 μg/L, con una baja sensibilidad y valor predictivo positivo. El valor de corte con el mejor valor predictivo negativo (VPN)fue de 900 μg/L (96%), el cual fue mejor que la estrategia de corte de dímero D ajustado por edad (VPN 90%). Conclusión: La capacidad discriminativa del dímero D para diagnosticar TEP fue baja. En cambio, el dímero D mantiene un alto valor predictivo negativo para descartar TEP, el cual es mayor al valor descrito clásicamente en los pacientes no COVID.

Introduction: Increased D-dimer concentration in COVID-19 patients has been associated with greater severity and worse prognosis; however its role in predicting the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), is still uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of plasma D-dimer in the diagnosis of PTE in patients with COVID-19. Method: Analytical observational study. COVID-19 patients who had a chest computed tomography angiography (CTA) were included. Clinical data, Ddimer plasma levels on admission and prior to CTA were recorded. The presence or absence of PTE was identified. Results: 163 patients were included, 37 (23%) presented PTE. After comparing the series of patients with PTE versus the series without PTE, no significant differences were found in clinical characteristics or mortality. There were significant differences in the plasma level of D-dimer prior to performing CTA (3,929 μg/L versus. 1,912 μg/L; p = 0.005). The area under the D-dimer ROC curve for PTEprediction was 0.65. The best D-dimer cutoffpoint was 2.000μg/L, with a low sensitivity and positivepredictive value. The cutoff value with the best negativepredictive value (NPV) was 900 μg/L (96%), which was better than the age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff strategy (NPV 90%). Conclusion: The discriminative ability of D-dimer to diagnose PTE was low. In contrast, D-dimer maintains a high negative predictive value to rule out PTE, which is higher than the value classically described in non-COVID patients.

Neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica en pacientes con neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2 / Ventilation associated pneumonia in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

Introducción: Los pacientes con COVID-19 pueden evolucionar hacia una falla respiratoria aguda grave y requerir ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI). La complicación más frecuente en estos pacientes es la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM), con incidencias reportadas más altas que en la época pre-COVID. El objetivo de este estudio es reportar la incidencia, tasa de incidencia y microbiología de la NAVM en pacientes en VMI con COVID-19. Métodos: Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes con neumonía grave y PCR (+) para SARS-CoV-2 que ingresaron y requirieron VMI entre marzo y julio del 2021 en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax (INT). Se recolectaron datos demográficos, clínicos y de laboratorio de la ficha electrónica. Se registraron y caracterizaron los casos de neumonía asociado a la ventilación mecánica. Resultados: Se incluyeron 112 pacientes de los cuales el 42,8% presentó NAVM, con una tasa de incidencia de 28,8/1.000 días de VMI. Los microorganismos aislados más frecuentes fueron Klebsiella pneumoniae (29,6%), Staphylococcus aureus (21,8%) y Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12,5%). Los pacientes que cursaron NAVM estuvieron casi el doble de tiempo en VMI, pero sin presentar aumento de la mortalidad. Conclusión: La NAVM es una complicación frecuente en los pacientes con neumonía grave asociada a COVID-19. La microbiología de estas entidades no ha cambiado respecto a la era pre-pandémica. Estos resultados cobran relevancia en el inicio y suspensión de antibióticos en este grupo de pacientes.

Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 can progress to severe acute respiratory failure and require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The most frequent complication in these patients is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), with higher reported incidences than in the pre-COVID era. The objective of this study is to report the prevalence, incidence rate and microbiology of VAP in patients on IMV with COVID-19. Methods: Patients with severe pneumonia and PCR (+) for SARS-CoV-2 who were admitted to IMV between march and july 2021 at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax (Chile) were included. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data from electronic records were collected. Cases of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation were recorded and characterized. Results: 112 patients were included, 42.8% of them presented VAP with an incidence rate of 28.8/1,000 IMV days. The most frequent isolated microorganisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (21.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.5%). Patients who underwent VAP spent almost twice as long on IMV, although they had not increase in mortality. Conclusion: VAP is a common complication in patients with severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19. The microbiology of these entities has not changed from the pre-pandemic era. These results become relevant in the initiation and suspension of antibiotics in this group of patients.

3D Imaging of Nanoparticle Distribution in Biological Tissue by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.

Nanomaterials represent a rapidly expanding area of research with huge potential for future medical applications. Nanotechnology indeed promises to revolutionize diagnostics, drug delivery, gene therapy, and many other areas of research. For any biological investigation involving nanomaterials, it is crucial to study the behavior of such nano-objects within tissues to evaluate both their efficacy and their toxicity. Here, we provide the first account of 3D label-free nanoparticle imaging at the entire-organ scale. The technology used is known as laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and possesses several advantages such as speed of operation, ease of use and full compatibility with optical microscopy. We then used two different but complementary approaches to achieve 3D elemental imaging with LIBS: a volume reconstruction of a sliced organ and in-depth analysis. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the quantitative imaging of both endogenous and exogenous elements within entire organs and paves the way for innumerable applications.

Minor changes in the macrocyclic ligands but major consequences on the efficiency of gold nanoparticles designed for radiosensitization.

Many studies have been devoted to adapting the design of gold nanoparticles to efficiently exploit their promising capability to enhance the effects of radiotherapy. In particular, the addition of magnetic resonance imaging modality constitutes an attractive strategy for enhancing the selectivity of radiotherapy since it allows the determination of the most suited delay between the injection of nanoparticles and irradiation. This requires the functionalization of the gold core by an organic shell composed of thiolated gadolinium chelates. The risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis induced by the release of gadolinium ions should encourage the use of macrocyclic chelators which form highly stable and inert complexes with gadolinium ions. In this context, three types of gold nanoparticles (Au@DTDOTA, Au@TADOTA and Au@TADOTAGA) combining MRI, nuclear imaging and radiosensitization have been developed with different macrocyclic ligands anchored onto the gold cores. Despite similarities in size and organic shell composition, the distribution of gadolinium chelate-coated gold nanoparticles (Au@TADOTA-Gd and Au@TADOTAGA-Gd) in the tumor zone is clearly different. As a result, the intravenous injection of Au@TADOTAGA-Gd prior to the irradiation of 9L gliosarcoma bearing rats leads to the highest increase in lifespan whereas the radiophysical effects of Au@TADOTAGA-Gd and Au@TADOTA-Gd are very similar.

Genetic interactions at the FLA10 locus: suppressors and synthetic phenotypes that affect the cell cycle and flagellar function in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Through the isolation of suppressors of temperature-sensitive flagellar assembly mutations at the FLA10 locus of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we have identified six other genes involved in flagellar assembly. Mutations at these suppressor loci, termed SUF1-SUF6, display allele specificity with respect to which fla10- mutant alleles they suppress. An additional mutation, apm1-122, which confers resistance to the plant herbicides amiprophos-methyl and oryzalin, was also found to interact with mutations at the FLA10 locus. The apm1-122 mutation in combination with three fla10- mutant alleles results in synthetic cold-sensitive cell division defects, and in combination with an additional pseudo-wild-type fla10- allele yields a synthetic temperature-sensitive flagellar motility phenotype. Based upon the genetic interactions of these loci, we propose that the FLA10 gene product interacts with multiple components of the flagellar apparatus and plays a role both in flagellar assembly and in the cell cycle.

[Ultrasmall nanoparticles for radiotherapy: AGuIX]. / Nanoparticules ultrafines en radiothérapie : le cas des AGuIX.

Since twenty years, many nanoparticles based on high atomic number elements have been developed as radiosensitizers. The design of these nanoparticles is limited by the classical rules associated with the development of nanoparticles for oncology and by the specific ones associated to radiosensitizers, which aim to increase the effect of the dose in the tumor area and to spare the health tissues. For this application, systemic administration of nanodrugs is possible. This paper will discuss the development of AGuIX nanoparticles and will emphasize on this example the critical points for the development of a nanodrug for this application. AGuIX nanoparticles display hydrodynamic diameters of a few nanometers and are composed of polysiloxane and gadolinium chelates. This particle has been used in many preclinical studies and is evaluated for a further phase I clinical trial. Finally, in addition to its high radiosensitizing potential, AGuIX display MRI functionality and can be used as theranostic nanodrug for personalized medicine.

Evaluation of a Gadolinium-Based Nanoparticle (AGuIX) for Contrast-Enhanced MRI of the Liver in a Rat Model of Hepatic Colorectal Cancer Metastases at 9.4 Tesla.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare a Gd-based nanoparticle (AGuIX) with a standard extracellular Gd-based contrast agent (Gd-DOTA) for MRI at 9.4 T in rats with hepatic colorectal cancer metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 rats with hepatic metastases were subjected to MRI using a 9.4 T animal scanner. T1w self-gated FLASH sequences (TR/TE = 45/2.5 ms, alpha = 45°, TA = 1: 23 min, FOV = 5.12 × 5.12 cm(2), matrix = 256 × 256) were acquired before and at 10 time points after contrast injection. Each animal received 0.1 mmol/kg BW Gd-DOTA i.v. 2 days later AGuIX was applied at 0.01 mmol/kg BW (representing equal Gd doses). The SNR of normal liver (SNRliver), hyper- and hypoenhancing parts of tumors (SNRtumor, hyperenh/SNRtumor, hypoenhanc), erector spinae muscle (SNRmuscle), CNR and lesion enhancement (LE) were calculated based on ROI measurements. RESULTS: Mean SNRliver (Gd-DOTA: 14.6 +/- 0.7; AGuIX: 28.2+/- 2.6, p < 0.001), SNRtumor, hyperenhanc (Gd-DOTA: 18.6 +/- 1.2; AGuIX: 29.6 +/- 2.8, p < 0.001), SNRtumor, hypoenhanc (Gd-DOTA: 12.0 +/- 0.7; AGuIX: 15.4 +/- 0.7, p < 0.001), SNRmuscle (Gd-DOTA: 12.3 +/- 0.3; AGuIX: 14.0 +/- 0.7, p < 0.001), mean CNR (Gd-DOTA: -2.5 +/- 0.2; AGuIX: -7.5 +/- 1.0, p < 0.001) and LE (Gd-DOTA: 3.8 +/- 0.7; AGuIX: 14.9 +/- 2.8, p = 0.001) were significantly higher using AGuIX. Regardless of the larger molecular size, AGuIX demonstrates an early peak enhancement followed by a continuous washout. CONCLUSION: AGuIX provides better enhancement at 9.4 T compared to Gd-DOTA for equal doses of applied Gd. This is based on the molecule structure and the subsequent increased interaction with protons leading to a higher relaxivity. AGuIX potentially ameliorates the conspicuity of focal liver lesions and may improve the sensitivity in diagnostic imaging of malignant hepatic tumors. KEY POINTS: AGuIX provides superior enhancement as compared to the extracellular compound Gd-DOTA at 9.4 T. AGuIX may improve the detection and diagnostic sensitivity of malignant focal liver lesions. The small size of AGuIX allows for fast renal clearance and prevents undesirable accumulation in the body.

Anticancer drugs: estrophilic cisplatin derivatives.

Our approach to develop platinum complexes with a selective effect on the hormone-dependent MC by exchanging the two NH3 groups of cisplatin by an 1,2-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)ethylenediamine derivative which possesses estrogenic activity, was successful. The most interesting compound of this new platinum complex series, meso-(1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine)dichloroplati num(II) (meso-1-PtCl2) and its water soluble sulfatoplatinum(II) derivative (meso-1-PtSO4) were significantly more active on the DMBA-MC and the receptor positive MXT-MC than cisplatin and the related ligand 1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine (meso-1). According to our proposed mechanism of action, meso-1-PtX (X = Cl2 or SO4) should be enriched in the nuclei of mammary tumor cells, which possess an intact ER system (i.e. an intact cytoplasma nucleus translocation process), thereby causing very strong tumor growth inhibition. Preliminary studies of meso-1-PtSO4 on the DMBA-MC confirm this assumption. In the tumor tissue we found higher Pt-levels than in uterine tissue, which also contains ERs. The Pt-levels of the tumor tissue are much higher than those of skeletal muscle and of blood. In therapeutic dosages meso-1-PtSO4 does not cause kidney damages in rats.

Ring-substituted [1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]dichloroplatinum (II) complexes: compounds with a selective effect on the hormone-dependent mammary carcinoma.

[1,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]dichloroplatinum (II) complexes with one substituent in the 2-position (CH3, CF3, F, Cl, Br, I: meso- and d,l-1-PtCl2, meso-(3-5)-PtCl2, meso-(7 and 8)-PtCl2) or two substituents in the 2,6-positions (CH3, Cl: meso-2-PtCl2, meso- and d,l-6-PtCl2) in both benzene rings were synthesized and tested for estrogenic and cytotoxic activities. Two complexes (meso-6-PtCl2 and meso-7-PtCl2) possess both effects. In comparative tests on estrogen receptor positive and negative mammary tumors in cell culture (MCF 7, ER+ and MDA-MB 231, ER-) and in animals (MXT, ER+ and MXT, ER-, mouse), meso-6-PtCl2 shows a selective effect on the estrogen receptor positive mammary carcinoma. A further increase of efficacy was achieved with the water-soluble (sulfato)platinum(II) derivative (meso-6-PtSO4). On the DMBA-induced hormone dependent mammary carcinoma of the SD rat, meso-6-PtSO4 is significantly more active than its ligand (meso-6) and cisplatin.

Chemosensitivity of human MCF-7 breast cancer cells to diastereoisomeric diaqua(1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) platinum(II) sulfates and specific platinum accumulation.

Cisplatin, raceme-diaqua[1,2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)ethylenediamine]platinu m(II) sulfate (compound I), meso-diaqua[1,2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)ethylenediamine]-platinum(II) sulfate (compound II), and meso-diaqua[1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4- hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]platinum(II) sulfate (compound III) were compared with regard to their effect on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line in vitro. At equimolar concentrations (5 microM), cisplatin, compound I, and compound II were equiactive after 231 h drug exposure, whereas compound III was ineffective. Although compounds I and II showed markedly greater inactivation than did cisplatin after 6 h incubation with culture medium, compound I (but not compound II) exhibited antitumor activity equivalent to that of cisplatin when cells were exposed to the drugs for 6 h. Platinum measurements by neutron-activation analysis revealed that compound I was selectively and rapidly accumulated by MCF-7 cells, resulting in a high degree of DNA platination within the first few hours of drug exposure. However, when the drug-exposure period was long enough, platinum enrichment was not reflected in an overall difference in the cytotoxicity of compound I vs cisplatin. Nevertheless, compound I should be superior to cisplatin in vivo, provided that effective plasma levels can be maintained for about 6 h.

Antagonism of antinociception in mice by glucose and fructose: comparison of subcutaneous and intrathecal morphine.

Determination of the ED50s of glucose and fructose, administered i.p., for antagonizing the antinociceptive action of morphine (4 mg/kg s.c. or 0.5 micrograms i.t.) and determination of the ED50s for i.t. morphine after i.p. pretreatment with saline, glucose (5 g/kg) or fructose (5 g/kg) in the mouse tail-flick test indicated that fructose was more potent than glucose in antagonizing antinociception after either route or morphine administration. It is concluded that the antagonism of morphine-induced antinociception by glucose and fructose is due to a direct effect of these sugars or their metabolic products within the central nervous system.

Discrepancy between cytotoxicity, platinum accumulation, and DNA platination in MCF-7 breast cancer cells treated with diaqua (1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) platinum (II) sulfates and cisplatin.

Cisplatin (cis), raceme-diaqua[1,2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)ethylenediamine] platinum(II) sulfate (r-4F-PtSO4), meso-diaqua[1,2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)ethylenediamine]platinum(II) sulfate (m-4F-PtSO4), and meso-diaqua[1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine] platinum(II) sulfate (m-2,6Cl2-4OH-PtSO4) were compared with regard to their growth inhibitory effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. At concentrations of 5 microM, cis, r-4F-PtSO4, and m-4F-PtSO4 were essentially equiactive, whereas m-2,6Cl2-4OH-PtSO4 was ineffective. Platinum measurements by neutron activation analysis showed that a 24-h treatment of the MCF-7 cells with r-4F-PtSO4 and m-4F-PtSO4 caused a 22.3- and 10.3-fold accumulation, respectively, whereas the accumulation factors for cis (2.55) and m-2,6Cl2-4OH-PtSO4 (1.83) were very low. The comparison of DNA-associated platinum revealed a similar tendency. After 24 h of drug exposure, the base pair/ platinum ratios were: 2.1.10(4) for r-4F-PtSO4, 3.7.10(4) for m-4F-PtSO4, 6.1.10(4) for cisplatin, and 8.1. 10(4) for m-2,6Cl2-4OH-PtSO4. Thus, the grade of cytotoxicity was correlated neither with the extent of cellular platinum enrichment nor with the degree of genomic DNA platination.

Laser spectrometry for multi-elemental imaging of biological tissues.

An increasing interest has arisen in research focused on metallic and organic ions that play crucial roles in both physiological and pathological metabolic processes. Current methods for the observation of trace elements in biological tissues at microscopic spatial resolution often require equipment with high complexity. We demonstrate a novel approach with an all-optical design and multi-elemental scanning imaging, which is unique among methods of elemental detection because of its full compatibility with standard optical microscopy. This approach is based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which allows the elements in a tissue sample to be directly detected and quantified under atmospheric pressure. We successfully applied this method to murine kidneys with 10 µm resolution and a ppm-level detection limit to analyze the renal clearance of nanoparticles. These results offer new insight into the use of laser spectrometry in biomedical applications in the field of label-free elemental mapping of biological tissues.

The use of theranostic gadolinium-based nanoprobes to improve radiotherapy efficacy.

A new efficient type of gadolinium-based theranostic agent (AGuIX®) has recently been developed for MRI-guided radiotherapy (RT). These new particles consist of a polysiloxane network surrounded by a number of gadolinium chelates, usually 10. Owing to their small size (<5 nm), AGuIX typically exhibit biodistributions that are almost ideal for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For example, although a significant proportion of these particles accumulate in tumours, the remainder is rapidly eliminated by the renal route. In addition, in the absence of irradiation, the nanoparticles are well tolerated even at very high dose (10 times more than the dose used for mouse treatment). AGuIX particles have been proven to act as efficient radiosensitizers in a large variety of experimental in vitro scenarios, including different radioresistant cell lines, irradiation energies and radiation sources (sensitizing enhancement ratio ranging from 1.1 to 2.5). Pre-clinical studies have also demonstrated the impact of these particles on different heterotopic and orthotopic tumours, with both intratumoural or intravenous injection routes. A significant therapeutical effect has been observed in all contexts. Furthermore, MRI monitoring was proven to efficiently aid in determining a RT protocol and assessing tumour evolution following treatment. The usual theoretical models, based on energy attenuation and macroscopic dose enhancement, cannot account for all the results that have been obtained. Only theoretical models, which take into account the Auger electron cascades that occur between the different atoms constituting the particle and the related high radical concentrations in the vicinity of the particle, provide an explanation for the complex cell damage and death observed.