Cell toxicity studies of albumin-based nanosized magnetic beads.

The aim of this study was to prepare bovine serum albumin-based beads containing maghemite nanoparticles incorporated via ionic magnetic fluid and to evaluate the cell toxicity of this biocompatible system using the J774-A1 cell line. Transmission electron micrographs obtained from the magnetic fluid sample were used to estimate the average particle diameter around 7.6 nm and diameter dispersion of 0.22. The BSA-based magnetic beads were prepared using the heat protein denaturation route. The nanoparticle concentration in the magnetic fluid sample used for the synthesis of the magnetic beads was in the range of 1.2 x 10(16) to 2.3 x 10(17) particle/ml. The methodology used to investigate the cell toxicity of the magnetic beads was the classical MTT assay. Our observation showed that the toxicity against the J774-A1 cell line depends upon the amount of magnetic material incorporated into the magnetic nanobeads and was found to be 14, 11, 9, 5, and 3% for 2.3 x 10(17), 1.2 x 10(17), 4.6 x 10(16), 2.3 x 10(16), and 1.2 x 10(16) particle/ml, respectively.

[Marijuana, health, disease, and freedom: analysis of an Internet forum]. / Maconha, saúde, doença e liberdade: análise de um fórum na Internet.

This paper takes a Health Education perspective to analyze a debate forum on the Brazilian Internet site entitled "Universo On-Line", in which the following questions were addressed: "Do you believe that marijuana is harmful to one's health?" "In your opinion, should marijuana use be decriminalized?" By applying qualitative discourse analysis techniques to responses from the forum, we were able to identify six main types of discourse, reflecting the opinions of six "collective subjects" concerning drugs, health, disease, and freedom and existing as social representations in the current Brazilian collective imagination. Research on these social representations allows one to establish criteria for intervention in the field of Health Education.

Rabbit retinal neovascularization induced by latex angiogenic-derived fraction: an experimental model.

PURPOSE: To create a retinal neovascularization experimental model using intravitreal injection of microspheres loaded with latex-derived angiogenic fraction. METHODS: Thirty-two albino New Zealand rabbits, divided in 4 groups of 8 animals, were enrolled in this study. Rabbits in groups I, II, and III received one intravitreal injection of PLGA (L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres with 10, 30, and 50 microg of latex-derived angiogenic fraction into their right eyes, respectively, and group IV received 0.1 ml of microspheres without the angiogenic fraction. Weekly follow-up with ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography was performed; the rabbits were sacrificed in the 4th week and their eyes processed for light microscopy. RESULTS: All eyes from group I demonstrated increased retinal vascular tortuosity, observed from 14 days after injection and maintained for 28 days, otherwise without new vessels detection. All group II eyes showed vascular changes similar to group I. Fifty percent of the eyes from group II rabbits developed retinal neovascularization 21 days after injection. All eyes from group III demonstrated significant vascular tortuosity and retinal new vessels 2 weeks after injection, progressing to fibrovascular proliferation and tractional retinal detachment. No vascular changes or retinal new vessels were observed in group IV eyes. Light microscopy confirmed the existence of new vessels previously seen on fluorescein angiography, in retinal sections adjacent to the optic disc, not observed in sections at the same area in the control group. CONCLUSION: Thirty- and 50-microg microspheres containing latex-derived angiogenic fraction injected into the vitreous cavity induced retinal neovascularization in rabbits.

In vitro photodynamic therapy on human oral keratinocytes using chloroaluminum-phthalocyanine.

In this study, oral carcinoma cells were used to evaluate chloroaluminum-phthalocyanine encapsulated in liposomes as the photosensitizer agent in support of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity behavior of the encapsulated photosensitizer in both dark and under irradiation using the 670-nm laser were investigated with the classical trypan blue cell viability test, the acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining organelles test, micronucleus formation frequency, DNA fragmentation, and cell morphology. The cell morphology investigation was carried out using light and electronic microscopes. Our findings after PDT include reduction in cell viability (95%) associated with morphologic alterations. The neoplastic cell destruction was predominantly started by a necrotic process, according to the assay with acridine orange and ethidium bromide, and this was confirmed by electronic microscopy analysis. Neither the PDT agent nor laser irradiation alone showed cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or even morphologic alterations. Our results reinforce the efficiency of light-irradiated chloroaluminum-phthalocyanine in inducing a positive effect of PDT.