Magnetic poly epsilon-caprolactone nanoparticles containing Fe3O4 and gemcitabine enhance anti-tumor effect in pancreatic cancer xenograft mouse model.

We prepared magnetic (Fe(3)O(4)) poly epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (mean diameter 164 +/- 3 nm) containing an anticancer drug (gemcitabine) using emulsion-diffusion method in order to develop more efficient drug delivery for cancer treatment. Nanoparticles were smooth, well individualized and homogeneous in size. The values of magnetizations for the magnetic PCL nanoparticles were observed around 10.2 emu/g at 2000 Oe magnetic field intensity and showed super-paramagnetic property. In case of the drug, the drug loading contents was 18.6% and entrapment efficiency was 52.2%. The anti-tumor effects caused by these particles were examined using nude mice bearing subcutaneous human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (HPAC) in vivo. We divided that these mice were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups for experimental contrast. The antitumor effect was showed with 15-fold higher dose when compared to free gemcitabine. From the result, the magnetic PCL nanoparticles may provide a therapeutic benefit by delivering drugs efficiently to magnetically targeted tumor tissues, thus achieving safe and successful anti-tumor effects with low toxicity.

Hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens optic opacification in a diabetic patient.

PURPOSE: To report clinicopathologic and ultrastructural feature of one opacified hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) explanted from a diabetic patient. METHODS: A 48-year-old man underwent trans pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with implantation of a hydrophilic acrylic lens OS in November 2008. The patient complained of a marked decrease in visual acuity in May 2009 as a result of a milky opalescence of the IOL. Intraocular lens explantation and exchange were performed in August 2009, and the explanted IOL was submitted to our center for detailed pathologic, histochemical and ultrastructural evaluation. It was stained by the von Kossa method for calcium, and also underwent scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive radiograph spectroscopy to ascertain the nature of the deposits leading to opacification. RESULTS: Opacification of the IOL was found to be the cause of the decreased visual acuity. The opacification involved only the IOL optic, and the haptics was clear. Histochemical and ultrastructural analyses revealed that the opacity was caused by deposition of calcium and phosphate within the lens optic. CONCLUSION: We believe this report of calcification of the Akreos(®) MI-60 IOL is of clinicopathological importance. Long-term follow-up of diabetic patients implanted with this IOL should be maintained by surgeons and manufacturers.