Evaluation of the Active Targeting of Melanin Granules after Intravenous Injection of Dendronized Nanoparticles.

The biodistribution of dendronized iron oxides, NPs10@D1_DOTAGA and melanin-targeting NPs10@D1_ICF_DOTAGA, was studied in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and planar scintigraphy through [177Lu]Lu-radiolabeling. MRI experiments showed high contrast power of both dendronized nanoparticles (DPs) and hepatobiliary and urinary excretions. Little tumor uptake could be highlighted after intravenous injection probably as a consequence of the negatively charged DOTAGA-derivatized shell, which reduces the diffusion across the cells' membrane. Planar scintigraphy images demonstrated a moderate specific tumor uptake of melanoma-targeted [177Lu]Lu-NPs10@D1_ICF_DOTAGA at 2 h post-intravenous injection (pi), and the highest tumor uptake of the control probe [177Lu]Lu-NPs10@D1_DOTAGA at 30 min pi, probably due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect. In addition, ex vivo confocal microscopy studies showed a high specific targeting of human melanoma samples impregnated with NPs10@D1_ICF_Alexa647_ DOTAGA.

How a grafting anchor tailors the cellular uptake and in vivo fate of dendronized iron oxide nanoparticles.

Superparamagnetic spherical iron oxide nanoparticles of 10 nm diameter have been synthesized by thermal decomposition and grafted through a direct ligand exchange protocol with two dendrons bearing respectively a monophosphonic anchor (D2) or a biphosphonic tweezer (D2-2P) at their focal point. Physico-chemical characterization techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry were used to assess their composition, colloidal stability and magnetic properties. High-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy studies have been conducted to understand the organic shell composition and to determine both the grafting rate of the dendrons onto the nanoparticle surface and the influence of the remaining oleic acid originating from the synthesis protocol on the cellular uptake. Both dendronized IONPs showed moderate in vitro toxicity (MTT and LDH tests) in human cancer and primary cell lines. Furthermore, in vivo MRI studies showed high contrast enhancement as well as renal and hepatobiliary excretions and highlighted the influence of the grafting anchor (mono- versus bi-phosphonate) on the in vivo fate of dendronized magnetic iron oxides.

[Thinoptix implant--the last border in modern cataract surgery. After 7 months, results of first implants in România]. / Implantul ThinOptX--ultima frontiera în implantologia contemporana a cataractei; rezultate la 7 luni dupa primele implantari în România.

PURPOSE: To present the rollable implant and the firsts results after 7 months of usage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The implant: ThinOptX Ultra Choice 001 in a rolled state can be implanted through 1.34 mm. 53 patients: 86.8% RF capsulorhexis, cold phacoemulsification, followed for 21 days-7 months. One implantation on broken posterior capsule. RESULTS: The objective astigmometry was unchanged in 51.3% and slightly altered in the rest of cases. In most cases, both distance UCVA and BCVA was under 5/10 in the first 3 days and better than 5/10 afterwards. Unlike the "fat" lens implanted patients, most of ThinOptX implanted patients continued to read the last line even after the correction was changed with 1.5-2 D. The near UCVA in 79.2% = J3, but for a long and comfortable reading the patients needed an addition of 0 D in 32 cases, 1 D in 8 cases, 1.5 D in 6 cases, 2 D in 6 cases and 3 D in one case. CONCLUSIONS: 1. ThinOptX Ultra Choice 001 solves the greatest part of aberrations so that the quality of vision is almost identical with the one of an emmetropic eye with 4 mm pupil and better than when the pupil is 6 mm wide; 2. Both UCVA and BCVA are in good concordance with biometry data; 3. Due to pseudo-accommodation and to an increased focus deepness, the UCVA covers both distance, intermediate and--frequently--the near vision; 4. ThinOptX implant does not put pressure on capsule equator, so that it can be implanted in a broken capsular bag without the risk of break enlargement; 5. The only discomfort, rarely observed, consists in the perception of colored halos around light sources.

[Tenoplasty by marginal scleral division (author's transl)]. / "La ténoplastie par clivage scléral marginal".

The author proposes a new technique consisting of lengthening the tendon of the hyperactive muscle by means of two small superficial scleral longues positioned at two extremities of the insertion, each being 1.5 to 2 mm in width and having a length that varies according th the degree of deviation to be corrected. The tendon is cut level with the sclera, between the two scleral tongues. Results in 27 cases were favorable (residual deviation of less than 10 degrees) in 70 p. cent of cases after one tenoplasty operation and 85 p. cent after a repeat tenoplasty. The length of the tenoplasty and the effect obtained vary with the type of strabismus: for each millimetre of tenoplasty the resulting correction is 2.2 degrees in monocular strabismus, 2.7 degrees in alternating strabismus, and 3.3 degrees in residual strabismus.

[Corneal incision in inverse step (author's transl)]. / L'incision cornéenne en "marche d'escalier" inverse dans l'opération de la cataracte.

The author presents a corneal incision similar to that of Charleux, but the "biseau" was replaced by a step. Thus the wound is easier closed by the intraocular pressure because the thin posterior plane is moulded over the irregularities of the superficial plane easier than the short slope of Charleux's incision. As a proof, without reducing the postoperative security, the suture consists only of 3 points -- thus inducing a favourable influence on the cicatrisation --, the knotting force is diminished -- avoiding thus the risk of thread cutting the tissue, and the conjunctival covering is rarely used -- leaving thus the entire draining way of the aqueous humour unaffected. The 80 patients operated on left the hospital in the 4th day (41%), 10th day (50%) or in the 14th-21st day (9%), with satisfactory late results: visual acuity superior to 5/10 (87%) and astigmatism inferior to 1D (89%).

[The appropriateness of our therapeutic attitude to expulsive hemorrhage]. / La justesse de notre attitude thérapeutique dans l'hémorragie expulsive.

Documented data on etiopathogenicity and treatment of expulsive hemorrhage are reviewed and a case reported. Validity of a new therapeutic approach to this lesion was confirmed after treatment consisting mainly of posterior choriodialysis combined with a wide Z-shaped scleral incision.

The pathogenic classification of glaucomas.

On the basis of a pathogenic definition, our classification distinguished for each of the first intersections a main--mostly determinant mechanism and a secondary mechanism, mostly modulating the damages: hydrodynamic alteration and tissue resistance alteration--for the second intersection, outflow block and hypersecretion--for the third. Reflecting the state of present knowledge, from the corresponding forms of the disease, only outflow block glaucoma is completely analysed, the exogenous, trabecular, pretrabecular and mixed glaucomas being described. In order to permit the correct framing of all pretrabecular block glaucomas, the posterior push forms (retrovitreal or parietal) were introduced besides the anterior already described forms (pupillary or angular). As for low tissue resistance glaucomas, genetic, cardiovascular, metabolic, haematologic and ocular influences are mentioned. This classification avoids the theoretical inadvertencies of previous classifications offering the synthetic frame of a coherent system, open to any new developments, all inclusive, terminologically clear and with direct therapeutic references.

[Cancer of the cervix uteri in young people]. / Cancerul colului uterin la tinere.

The age-group distribution, risk factors, histopathological aspects, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of 111 diagnosed and/or treated cervical carcinomas in women aged up to 40 years out of 478 cases with the same diagnosis were reviewed. It is considered that the incidence of 23.2% in this series is situated at the extreme of the high frequencies reported in the literature. Nineteen per cent of the cases were diagnosed in stages O and Ia, a well organize program for early detection being required. In our series, the 5-year survival rate was 73.3%. This finding, although in a small series of cases, supports the opinion that age has no influence upon the prognosis of this disease.

[Clinico-epidemiological considerations on an outbreak of Q fever in the Arges region]. / Consideratii clinicoepidemiologice asupra unui episod de febra Q din judetul Arges.

The present paper reports on a Q fever episode, including 45 subjects (caretakers, technicians, workers building stables) in a zootechnical cooperative in the district of Arges. In the new unit milch and reproduction cows were brought from various parts of the district. None of the animals showed visible signs of the disease. No cases of Q fever had been reported in man or animals in the locality until then. The episode had an explosive character, the outbreak occurring during the calving season. The diagnosis was established clinically, epidemiologically, radiologically and serologically.