Electroanalytical study of five carbosilane dendrimers at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions.

This work is focused on the electroanalytical study of a family of five imidazolium-terminated carbosilane dendrimers (from generation G1 to G3) at the polarized liquid-liquid interface formed between water and 1,2-dichloroethane solutions. All dendrimers with permanently and positively charged imidazolium groups located at the periphery within the branched carbosilane core were found to be electrochemically active. Based on the concentration and scan rate dependencies we have concluded that these molecules undergo interfacial ion transfer processes accompanied by interfacial adsorption/desorption rather than the electrochemically induced interfacial formation of the macromolecule-anion (tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate) from the organic phase complex. Also, we report several physicochemical and electroanalytical parameters (e.g. diffusion coefficients, LODs, and detection sensitivities) for the studied family of dendrimers. Our work aims to contribute to the understating of the interaction between branched macromolecules and biomimetic interfaces.

A proposed modification to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification for knee osteoarthritis using a compartment-specific approach.

Purpose: Since Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) originally classified knee osteoarthritis, several authors have reported varying levels of reliability and a lack of uniformity in the use of this classification system. We propose several modifications to the KL classification including the use of a compartment-specific approach that we hypothesize will lead to a better understanding of knee OA while maintaining an adequate interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Methods: We propose the addition of the lateral and skyline-view radiographs to the standard anteroposterior (AP) and lateral projections in the evaluation. Also suggest a more precise definition of the evaluated parameters; the addition of the subchondral cancellous bone as parameter of evaluation; and the assessment of medial tibiofemoral compartment (MTFC), lateral tibiofemoral compartment (LTFC) and patellofemoral compartment (PFC) separately resulting in a compartment-specific KL staging score rather than a single overall KL score. Six evaluators (two knee surgeons, two radiologists and two knee fellows) used the modified KL classification to classify 230 randomly selected knees on two separate occasions. Reliabilities were assessed by calculating Krippendorff's ⍺ coefficients. Results: Two hundred and ten knees were included for final evaluation and analyses (53% left knees; 65% females; mean age 56 years old). Average interobserver reliability was moderate for all compartments (0.51 for the MTFC; 0.51 for the LTFC; and 0.56 for the PFC). Average intraobserver reliability was substantial for all compartments (0.63 for the MTFC; 0.65 for the LTFC; and 0.7 for the PFC). Experienced evaluators showed a higher intraobserver reliability than less-experienced evaluators. Conclusions: A modified compartment-specific KL classification enables a practical and detailed description of knee OA involvement and demonstrates acceptable interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Level of Evidence: Level III.

Ruthenium dendrimers as carriers for anticancer siRNA.

Dendrimers, which are considered as one of the most promising tools in the field of nanobiotechnology due to their structural organization, showed a great potential in gene therapy, drug delivery, medical imaging and as antimicrobial and antiviral agents. This article is devoted to study interactions between new carbosilane-based metallodendrimers containing ruthenium and anti-cancer small interfering RNA (siRNA). Formation of complexes between anti-cancer siRNAs and Ru-based carbosilane dendrimers was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism and fluorescence. The zeta-potential and the size of dendriplexes were determined by dynamic light scattering. The internalization of dendriplexes were estimated using HL-60 cells. Results show that ruthenium dendrimers associated with anticancer siRNA have the ability to deliver siRNA as non-viral vectors into the cancer cells. Moreover, dendrimers can protect siRNA against nuclease degradation. Nevertheless, further research need to be performed to examine the therapeutic potential of ruthenium dendrimers as well as dendrimers complexed with siRNA and anticancer drugs towards cancer cells.