Gold Half-Shell-Coated Paclitaxel-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for the Targeted Chemo-Photothermal Treatment of Cancer.

Conventional cancer therapies suffer from nonspecificity, drug resistance, and a poor bioavailability, which trigger severe side effects. To overcome these disadvantages, in this study, we designed and evaluated the in vitro potential of paclitaxel-loaded, PLGA-gold, half-shell nanoparticles (PTX-PLGA/Au-HS NPs) conjugated with cyclo(Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe-Lys) (cyRGDfk) as a targeted chemo-photothermal therapy system in HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. A TEM analysis confirmed the successful gold half-shell structure formation. High-performance liquid chromatography showed an encapsulation efficiency of the paclitaxel inside nanoparticles of more than 90%. In the release study, an initial burst release of about 20% in the first 24 h was observed, followed by a sustained drug release for a period as long as 10 days, reaching values of about 92% and 49% for NPs with and without near infrared laser irradiation. In in vitro cell internalization studies, targeted nanoparticles showed a higher accumulation than nontargeted nanoparticles, possibly through a specific interaction of the cyRGDfk with their homologous receptors, the ανß3 y ανß5 integrins on the cell surface. Compared with chemotherapy or photothermal treatment alone, the combined treatment demonstrated a synergistic effect, reducing the cell viability to 23% for the HeLa cells and 31% for the MDA-MB-231 cells. Thus, our results indicate that these multifuncional nanoparticles can be considered to be a promising targeted chemo-photothermal therapy system against cancer.

Gold Nanorods with Mesoporous Silica Shell: A Promising Platform for Cisplatin Delivery.

The versatile combination of metal nanoparticles with chemotherapy agents makes designing multifunctional drug delivery systems attractive. In this work, we reported cisplatin's encapsulation and release profile using a mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods system. Gold nanorods were synthesized by an acidic seed-mediated method in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant, and the silica-coated state was obtained by modified Stöber method. The silica shell was modified first with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and then with succinic anhydride to obtain carboxylates groups to improve cisplatin encapsulation. Gold nanorods with an aspect ratio of 3.2 and silica shell thickness of 14.74 nm were obtained, and infrared spectroscopy and ζ potential studies corroborated surface modification with carboxylates groups. On the other hand, cisplatin was encapsulated under optimal conditions with an efficiency of ~58%, and it was released in a controlled manner over 96 h. Furthermore, acidic pH promoted a faster release of 72% cisplatin encapsulated compared to 51% in neutral pH.

Hybrid folic acid-conjugated gold nanorods-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles for simultaneous photothermal and chemotherapeutic therapy.

Hybrid nanoparticles containing both structural and functional nanocomponents might result in higher success and increased quality of life for patients suffering a disease such as cancer. In this study, we combine chemotherapy of conventional drug doxorubicin (Dox) with gold nanorods (AuNR) for photothermal therapy using multifunctional human serum albumin nanoparticles (HSA NP's) fabricated via desolvation technique with high efficiency. Folic acid (FA) was conjugated to HSA NP's trough an amidation via carbodiimide reaction for a more specific nanoplataform to HeLa cancer cells. The loading efficiency of Dox into AuNR loaded-HSA NP reached up to 2 µg Dox/mg HSA. The HSA-AuNR-Dox NP experienced photothermal heating varying laser potency (1, 0.5 and 0.2 W); reaching the bulk particle solution an increment of 16, 8 and 6 °C after 10 min of near-IR laser exposure respectively. When HeLa cells were treated with this multifunctional nanoplataform containing only AuNR, cancer cells experienced 96% cell viability without irradiation and 55% cell viability after just one irradiation session. When Dox is present in the nanoplataform, viability were 60% and 24% for non-irradiated and irradiated nanoplataforms, respectively. This study demonstrates that HSA-AuNR-Dox nanoparticles are suitable systems allowing a synergic chemo and phothothermal therapy.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for sustained release of allyl isothiocyanate: characterization, in vitro release and biological activity.

The objective of this study is to establish the ability of entrap allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) into polymeric nanoparticles to extend its shelf life and enhance its antiproliferative properties. Natural compounds, such as AITC, have showed multi-targeting activity resulting in a wide-range spectrum of therapeutic properties in chronic and degenerative diseases, conversely with most current pharmaceutical drugs showing single targeting activity and often result in drug resistance after extended administration periods. Apparently, AITC-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) reduced AITC degradation and volatility and were able to extend AITC shelf life compared with free AITC (65% vs. 20% in 24 h, respectively). Cell viability and uptake of AITC-loaded nanoparticles were studied in vitro, showing that the protection and sustained release of AITC from polymeric NPs involved a larger toxicity of tumoral cells. These nanoparticles could be used as protective systems for enhancing a biological activity.

Interiorización de ideales estéticos y preocupación corporal en hombres y mujeres usuarios de gimnasio / Internalization of aesthetic ideals and body concern in males and females gym users

Este estudio exploró la interiorización del modelo estético corporal de delgadez y la preocupación por la musculatura y por la delgadez entre cuatro grupos: dos de hombres y dos de mujeres (usuarios y no usuarios de gimnasio). Particularmente, se examinó la presencia de sintomatología de dismorfia muscular en los cuatro grupos; se comparó la preocupación por la delgadez, por la musculatura y la interiorización del ideal de delgadez entre los grupos; y se analizó la relación entre las variables para cada grupo. Participaron 467 hombres y mujeres (169 usuarios de gimnasio y 298 no usuarios de gimnasio) de 13 a 53 años de edad, quienes completaron tres medidas: Cuestionario de Influencias del Modelo Estético Corporal, Cuestionario de Imagen Corporal y Escala de Motivación por la Musculatura. La presencia de sintomatología de dismorfia muscular en varones usuarios de gimnasio fue de 15%, y menor de 3% en mujeres usuarias de gimnasio y participantes no usuarios de gimnasio de ambos sexos. Las usuarias de gimnasio puntuaron más alto en el Cuestionario de Imagen Corporal en comparación con los hombres y se observó una asociación positiva y significativa entre la interiorización de ideales corporales y la preocupación por la delgadez y por la musculatura. La relación entre el Cuestionario de Imagen Corporal y la Escala de Motivación por la Musculatura puede interpretarse como el deseo que existe en los dos grupos de hombres y en el grupo de mujeres usuarias de gimnasio, de tener ambas, musculatura y poca grasa en el cuerpo; las dos vías conducen a la práctica de conductas alimentarias no saludables.

This study explored the internalization of thinness aesthetic body model, and the muscularity and thinness concern, in four groups: two of men and two of women (gym and non-gym users). Specifically, it was explored the presence of symptoms of muscle dysmorphia in four groups, the muscularity -and body shape concern and internalization of thin ideals in the four groups were compared, and the relationship between variables for each group was analyzed. The sample included 467 men and women (169 gym users and 299 non-gym users) from 13 to 53 years-old, who completed three measures: The Influence of the Body Shape Model Questionnaire, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Drive for Muscularity Scale. The presence of symptoms of muscle dysmorphia in males gym users was 15% and lower than 3% in women gym users, as well as in -males and females non-gym users. The women gym users scored higher in the Body Shape Questionnaire compared to the men, and a positive and significant association was observed between the internalization of the body ideals, the thinness concern, and drive for muscularity. The relationship between Body Shape Questionnaire and Drive for Muscularity Scale can be interpreted as the desire in both groups of men and in the gym-users women to have both, muscularity and leanness in body; both ways lead to the practice of unhealthy eating behaviors.

[Viability of the parietal bone autografts preserved in adipose tissue. Preliminary report of an experimental study in rats]. / Viabilidad del auto injerto de hueso parietal conservado en tejido adiposo. Informe preliminar de un estudio experimental en ratas.

INTRODUCTION: Decompressive craniectomy is an alternative in cases where there is increased intracranial pressure. Bone autografts are accepted as a method of reconstruction of the skull. The aim of this paper is to describe the macroscopic and radiological findings of autologous parietal bone in rats after storage in adipose tissue as a reservoir. METHODS: We used 20 Wistar rats which underwent a craniectomy. 4 groups were formed: group I, the bone flap fat remained for 14 days, group II, the flap remained for 21 days, in group III, for 28 days and in group IV for 35 days. They were euthanized 70 days after reattached. RESULTS: When removing the flap of subcutaneous fat, a high bright whitish microvasculature and presence in 11 of the flaps. Following 70 days of re-injertarse was found that 56.25% of the animals presented terraced edges, reflecting some consolidation in the radiological analysis 31.25% of cases showed areas of consolidation. Animals in group II and III findings showed more consolidation. CONCLUSIONS: The bone flap remained viable during their stay in adipose tissue. Fibrous tissue and neovasculature were important findings that reflect the proper process of bone healing. You need the histological studies complemented biomechanics, neurological and bioacoustics.

Spectrographic cry analysis in newborns with profound hearing loss and perinatal high-risk newborns.

BACKGROUND: Crying is the first neurophysiological demonstration of the newborn. The acoustic analysis of crying episodes can provide useful information in the early diagnosis of several pathologies. METHODS: We carried out a spectrographic cry analysis of 40 infants with several diseases such as neonatal asphyxia, breathing disorders, deafness and neurological disorders. Statistical t-test was used in order to compare means of fundamental frequencies (F0) of cries among pathologies, as well as contingency tables for qualitative variables and melodic form. RESULTS: No significant differences of F0 were found by applying the t-test among pathologies. Time of inspiration in breathing disorders is higher compared with other groups. Infants with deafness and neurological disorders present poor melodic forms. Qualitative analysis revealed more often glottal roll and vibrato. CONCLUSIONS: Cry analysis is clinically useful for early detection of diseases in newborns as a result of alterations in the central nervous system that are reflected in phonoarticulatory and respiratory functions for sound emission.