Hybrid FePt/SiO2/Au nanoparticles as a theranostic tool: in vitro photo-thermal treatment and MRI imaging.

We have produced an innovative, theranostic material based on FePt/SiO2/Au hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) for both, photo-thermal therapy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, a new synthesis approach, i.e., Au double seeding, for the preparation of Au nanoshells around the FePt/SiO2 cores, is proposed. The photo-thermal and the MRI response were first demonstrated on an aqueous suspension of hybrid FePt/SiO2/Au NPs. The cytotoxicity together with the internalization mechanism and the intracellular fate of the hybrid NPs were evaluated in vitro on a normal (NPU) and a half-differentiated cancerous cell line (RT4). The control samples as well as the normal cell line incubated with the NPs showed no significant temperature increase during the in vitro photo-thermal treatment (ΔT < 0.8 °C) and thus the cell viability remained high (∼90%). In contrast, due to the high NP uptake by the cancerous RT4 cell line, significant heating of the sample was observed (ΔT = 4 °C) and, consequently, after laser irradiation the cell viability dropped significantly to ∼60%. These results further confirm that the hybrid FePt/SiO2/Au NPs developed in the scope of this work were not only efficient but also highly selective photo-thermal agents. Furthermore, the improvement in the contrast and the easier distinction between the healthy and the cancerous tissues were clearly demonstrated with in vitro MRI experiments, proving that hybrid NPs have an excellent potential to be used as contrast agents.

Non-surgical treatment of pubic overload and groin pain in amateur football players: a prospective double-blinded randomised controlled study.

PURPOSE: The incidence of groin pain in athletes is steadily increasing. Symptomatic pubic overload with groin pain and aseptic osteitis pubis represent well-known and frequently misdiagnosed overuse injuries in athletes. This study investigated the benefits of standardised non-surgical treatment for swift return-to-football. METHODS: In a prospective double-blinded controlled study, 143 amateur football players with groin pain as well as radiological signs and clinical symptoms of pubic overload were analysed for 1 year. Two randomised study groups participated in an intensive physical rehabilitation programme, either with or without shock wave therapy. The control group did not participate in any standardised rehabilitation programme but only stopped participating in sports activity. Follow-up examinations took place 1, 3 months and 1 year after the beginning of therapy. Endpoints were visual analogue scale (VAS), functional tests, the time of return-to-football, recurrent complaints and changes in the MR image. RESULTS: Forty-four football players with groin pain and aseptic osteitis pubis were randomised into two study groups; 26 received shock wave therapy, 18 did not. Clinical examination showed pubic overload as a multi-located disease. Players receiving shock wave therapy showed earlier pain relief in the VAS (p < 0.001) and returned to football significantly earlier (p = 0.048) than players without this therapy. Forty-two of 44 players of both study groups returned to football within 4 months after the beginning of therapy and had no recurrent groin pain within 1 year after trauma. Fifty-one players of the control group returned to football after 240 days (p < 0.001), of whom 26 (51%) experienced recurrent groin pain. Follow-up MRI scans did not show any effect of shock wave therapy. CONCLUSION: Non-surgical therapy is successful in treating pubic overload and osteitis pubis in athletes. Shock wave therapy as a local treatment significantly reduced pain, thus enabling return-to-football within 3 months after trauma. Early and correct diagnosis is essential for successful intensive physiotherapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.