Multifunctional Probes with High Utilization Rates: Self-Assembled Merocyanine Nanoparticles in Water as Acid-Base Indicators and Mitochondrion-Targeting Chemotherapeutic Agents.

Multifunctional probes with high utilization rates have great value in practical applications in various fields such as cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here we have synthesized two organic molecules based on merocyanine. They can self-assemble in water to form ∼1.5 nm nanoparticles. Both of them have good application potential in fluorescent anticounterfeit printing ink and pH detection. More importantly, they have excellent mitochondrial targeting ability, intracellular red light and near-infrared dual-channel imaging ability, strong antiphotobleaching ability, and in vivo and in vitro near-infrared imaging capabilities, showing superior chemotherapy capabilities and biocompatibility in the 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model.

Irukandji syndrome case series from Australia's Tropical Northern Territory.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We describe Irukandji syndrome (a painful hypercatecholaminergic condition caused by jellyfish envenoming) in Australia's Northern Territory. METHODS: We collected prospectively a standardized data set on patients presenting to health facilities in the Northern Territory. Additional cases were identified retrospectively. Data collected included demographic, geographic, seasonal, and environmental features, as well as sting details, clinical manifestations, investigations, management, and outcomes. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2007, Irukandji syndrome affected 87 people. Age ranged from 1 to 51 years (64% male victims; 41% children [63% indigenous]). Activities associated with stings included snorkeling or scuba diving (35%) and swimming (29%). Stings commonly occurred in water greater than 2 m deep (63%), with fine weather (73%) and still or light breeze (70%). Seasonal variation was bimodal; peaks in May and October corresponded to prevailing offshore winds in the Darwin and Gove areas, respectively. Pain was severe (65%), with rapid onset (<30 minutes in 79%). Sting lesions (visible in 63%) were mild, and nematocysts (detected in 7 cases) had variable morphology. Systemic features were common, including hypertension and ECG abnormalities. Severe complications included troponin-level increases (2 cases) and cardiomyopathy with ventricular tachycardia (1 case), but no fatalities. Management included vinegar as first aid (66%), parenteral opioids (70%) (range 2 to 82.5 mg morphine equivalents in adults), and magnesium sulfate (3 cases). Hospital admission (49%) and aeromedical retrieval (16%) were commonplace. CONCLUSION: Irukandji syndrome in the Northern Territory was clinically consistent with previous studies but had distinct seasonal, geographic, and environmental features. Indigenous children in remote coastal communities are at risk, and there is room for improvement in prevention and management.

Complete regression of experimental prostate cancer in nude mice by repeated hyperthermia using magnetite cationic liposomes and a newly developed solenoid containing a ferrite core.

BACKGROUND: Magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs) can be used to induce hyperthermia because they generate heat in an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This study aimed at developing more practical method for MCL hyperthermia examining the effect of MCL-induced hyperthermia on human prostate cancer in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A newly developed AMF generator incorporating a solenoid with a ferrite core (FC) was used. Human prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and LNCap) were injected subcutaneously into nude mice. MCLs were injected into tumor nodule and the mice were exposed into AMF three times at 24-hr intervals (repeated hyperthermia; RH) until complete tumor regression was observed. RESULTS: Irradiation with an AMF generated by newly developed device can adequately increase the temperature of tumor tissue. Frequent RH resulted in complete tumor regression in all nude mice. CONCLUSION: RH using MCLs may be a promising new therapy for hormone-refractory human prostate cancer in the future.