Thermodynamic model of MSWI flue gas cooling path: Effect of flue gas composition on heavy metal binding forms.

In the context of circular economy and heavy metal (HM) recovery from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash (FA), detailed knowledge of HM binding forms is required for achieving higher extraction rates. The FA mineralogy is still poorly understood due to its low grain size and low metal concentration. To investigate the HM binding forms, a sophisticated thermodynamic reactive transport model was developed to simulate ash-forming processes. The stability of different binding forms was investigated at different flue gas conditions (varying ratios of HCl, SO2, O2) by simulating the gas cooling path in closed system and dynamic open system, where the gas composition is changing upon cooling due to precipitation of solids. The simulations predict that at flue gas conditions of molar ratio S/Cl < 1, Cu and Zn precipitate as oxides (and Zn silicates) at approximately 650°C. At temperatures <300°C, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd are predicted to precipitate as easily soluble chlorides. In flue gas with molar ratio S/Cl > 1, the HM precipitate as less soluble sulphates. The results indicate that the less soluble HM fraction in the electrostatic precipitator ash represent oxides and silicates that formed in the boiler section but were transported to the electrostatic precipitator. The model provides insight into the physical-chemical processes controlling the metal accumulation in the flue gas and FA during the cooling of the flue gas. The obtained data serve as valuable basis for improving metal recovery from MSWI FA.

Nicotinamide Riboside, a Promising Vitamin B3 Derivative for Healthy Aging and Longevity: Current Research and Perspectives.

Many studies have suggested that the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is involved in an extensive spectrum of human pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiomyopathy, obesity, and diabetes. Further, healthy aging and longevity appear to be closely related to NAD+ and its related metabolites, including nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). As a dietary supplement, NR appears to be well tolerated, having better pharmacodynamics and greater potency. Unfortunately, NR is a reactive molecule, often unstable during its manufacturing, transport, and storage. Recently, work related to prebiotic chemistry discovered that NR borate is considerably more stable than NR itself. However, immediately upon consumption, the borate dissociates from the NR borate and is lost in the body through dilution and binding to other species, notably carbohydrates such as fructose and glucose. The NR left behind is expected to behave pharmacologically in ways identical to NR itself. This review provides a comprehensive summary (through Q1 of 2023) of the literature that makes the case for the consumption of NR as a dietary supplement. It then summarizes the challenges of delivering quality NR to consumers using standard synthesis, manufacture, shipping, and storage approaches. It concludes by outlining the advantages of NR borate in these processes.

Speciation of iron(II/III) at the iron-cement interface: a review.

Steel is used as reinforcement in construction materials and it is also an important component of cement-stabilized waste materials to be disposed of in deep geological repositories for radioactive waste. Steel corrosion releases dissolved Fe(II/III) species that can form corrosion products on the steel surface or interact with cementitious materials at the iron-cement interface. The thermodynamically stable Fe species in the given conditions may diffuse further into the adjacent, porous cement matrix and react with individual cement phases. Thus, the retention of Fe(II/III) by the hydrate assemblage of cement paste is an important process affecting the diffusive transport of the aqueous species into the cementitious materials. The diffusion of aqueous Fe(II/III) species from the steel surface into the adjacent cementitious material coupled with the kinetically controlled formation of iron corrosion products, such as by Fe(II) oxidation, decisively determines the extension of the corrosion front. This review summarises the state-of-the art knowledge on the interaction of ferrous and ferric iron with cement phases based on a literature survey and provides new insights and proper perspectives for future study on interaction systems of iron and cement.

Microbiota-Accessible Boron-Containing Compounds in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis has garnered increasing attention in recent years for its role in various health conditions, including neuroinflammatory disorders like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS is a debilitating condition characterized by chronic neuropathic pain, and its etiology and pathophysiology remain elusive. Emerging research suggests that alterations in the gut microbiota composition and function could play a significant role in CRPS development and progression. Our paper explores the implications of microbiota in CRPS and the potential therapeutic role of boron (B). Studies have demonstrated that individuals with CRPS often exhibit dysbiosis, with imbalances in beneficial and pathogenic gut bacteria. Dysbiosis can lead to increased gut permeability and systemic inflammation, contributing to the chronic pain experienced in CRPS. B, an essential trace element, has shown promise in modulating the gut microbiome positively and exerting anti-inflammatory effects. Recent preclinical and clinical studies suggest that B supplementation may alleviate neuropathic pain and improve CRPS symptoms by restoring microbiota balance and reducing inflammation. Our review highlights the complex interplay between microbiota, inflammation, and neuropathic pain in CRPS and underscores the potential of B as a novel therapeutic approach to target the microbiota-gut-brain axis, offering hope for improved management of this challenging condition.

New Insights into Boron Essentiality in Humans and Animals.

Boron (B) is considered a prebiotic chemical element with a role in both the origin and evolution of life, as well as an essential micronutrient for some bacteria, plants, fungi, and algae. B has beneficial effects on the biological functions of humans and animals, such as reproduction, growth, calcium metabolism, bone formation, energy metabolism, immunity, and brain function. Naturally organic B (NOB) species may become promising novel prebiotic candidates. NOB-containing compounds have been shown to be essential for the symbiosis between organisms from different kingdoms. New insights into the key role of NOB species in the symbiosis between human/animal hosts and their microbiota will influence the use of natural B-based colon-targeting nutraceuticals. The mechanism of action (MoA) of NOB species is related to the B signaling molecule (autoinducer-2-borate (AI-2B)) as well as the fortification of the colonic mucus gel layer with NOB species from B-rich prebiotic diets. Both the microbiota and the colonic mucus gel layer can become NOB targets. This paper reviews the evidence supporting the essentiality of the NOB species in the symbiosis between the microbiota and the human/animal hosts, with the stated aim of highlighting the MoA and targets of these species.

Porewater compositions of Portland cement with and without silica fume calculated using the fine-tuned CASH+NK solid solution model.

The CASH+ sublattice solid solution model of C-S-H aims to predict the composition of C-S-H and its ability to take up alkalis. It was originally developed for dilute systems with high water-solid ratios, and thus in this paper further optimized and benchmarked against measured pore solution compositions of hydrated Portland cement (PC) and PC blended with silica fume (SF) at realistic water-binder ratios. To get an improved agreement with the pore solution data, the stability of two CASH+ model endmembers, TCKh and TCNh, has been fine-tuned with standard Gibbs energy corrections of + 7.0 and + 5.0 kJ·mol-1, respectively (at 1 bar, 25 °C). The agreement was maintained with the experiments used to originally parameterize the CASH+ model for the uptake of K and Na in dilute systems. The K and Na concentrations predicted using the fine-tuned CASH+NK model are in a good agreement with the measured values for PC and PC + SF system at different water to binder ratios, silica fume additions, and at temperatures up to 80 °C. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1617/s11527-022-02045-0.

Enhanced Internalization of Nanoparticles Following Ionizing Radiation Leads to Mitotic Catastrophe in MG-63 Human Osteosarcoma Cells.

This study aims to investigate whether ionizing radiation combined with doxorubicin-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles (NP-DOX) improves the internalization and cytotoxic effects of the nano-carrier-mediated drug delivery in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. NP-DOX was designed and synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Highly stable and crystalline nanoparticles conjugated with DOX were internalized in MG-63 cells through macropinocytosis and located in the perinuclear area. Higher nanoparticles internalization in MG-63 cells previously exposed to 1 Gy X-rays was correlated with an early accumulation of cells in G2/M, starting at 12 h after treatment. After 48 h, the application of the combined treatment led to higher cytotoxic effects compared to the individual treatment, with a reduction in the metabolic capacity and unrepaired DNA breaks, whilst a low percent of arrested cells, contributing to the commitment of mitotic catastrophe. NP-DOX showed hemocompatibility and no systemic cytotoxicity, nor histopathological alteration of the main organs.

The Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Antioxidant/Pro-Oxidant Balance in a Murine Model.

This study aimed to evaluate the subacute effect of two types of Ag-NPs(EG-AgNPs and PVP-EG-AgNPs) on antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance in rats. Seventy Wistar rats (35 males and 35 females) were divided in 7 groups and intraperitoneally exposed for 28 days to 0, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg bw/day EG-Ag-NPs and 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg bw/day PVP- EG-Ag-NPs. After 28 days, the blood was collected, and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric reactive species (TBARS),protein carbonyl (PROTC) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) activity were determined. EG-Ag-NPs determined protective antioxidant effects in a dose-dependent manner. The exposure to the 4 mg/kg bw/day EG-Ag-NPs determines both in males and females a significant increase in TAC and CAT and a significant decrease in TBARS and PROTC only in females. The PVP-EG-AgNPs showed a different trend compared to EG-AgNPs. At 4 mg/kg bw/day the PVP-EG-AgNPs induce increased PROTC levels and decreased GSH (males and females) and TAC levels (males). The different mechanisms of EG-AgNPs and PVP-EG-AgNPs on antioxidant-/pro-oxidant balance can be explained by the influence of coating agent used for the preparation of the nanoparticles in the formation and composition of protein corona that influence their pathophysiology in the organism.

Performance Evaluation of Energy-Autonomous Sensors Using Power-Harvesting Beacons for Environmental Monitoring in Internet of Things (IoT).

Environmental conditions and air quality monitoring have become crucial today due to the undeniable changes of the climate and accelerated urbanization. To efficiently monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and the levels of pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, and to collect data covering vast geographical areas, the development of cheap energy-autonomous sensors for large scale deployment and fine-grained data acquisition is required. Rapid advances in electronics and communication technologies along with the emergence of paradigms such as Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have led to the development of low-cost sensor devices that can operate unattended for long periods of time and communicate using wired or wireless connections through the Internet. We investigate the energy efficiency of an environmental monitoring system based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons that operate in the IoT environment. The beacons developed measure the temperature, the relative humidity, the light intensity, and the CO2 and VOC levels in the air. Based on our analysis we have developed efficient sleep scheduling algorithms that allow the sensor nodes developed to operate autonomously without requiring the replacement of the power supply. The experimental results show that low-power sensors communicating using BLE technology can operate autonomously (from the energy perspective) in applications that monitor the environment or the air quality in indoor or outdoor settings.

Fabrication and Cytotoxicity of Gemcitabine-Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology has been successfully used for the fabrication of targeted anti-cancer drug carriers. This study aimed to obtain Fe3O4 nanoparticles functionalized with Gemcitabine to improve the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapeutic substance on cancer cells. The (un) functionalized magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method. The nanoconjugate characterization was performed by XRD, SEM, SAED and HRTEM; the functionalizing of magnetite with anti-tumor substances has been highlighted through TGA. The interaction with biologic media has been studied by means of stability and agglomeration tendency (using DLS and Zeta Potential); also, the release kinetics of the drug in culture media was evaluated. Cytotoxicity of free-Gemcitabine and the obtained nanoconjugate were evaluated on human BT 474 breast ductal carcinoma, HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma and MG 63 osteosarcoma cells by MTS. In parallel, cellular morphology of these cells were examined through fluorescence microscopy and SEM. The localization of the nanoparticles related to the cells was studied using SEM, EDX and TEM. Hemolysis assay showed no damage of erythrocytes. Additionally, an in vivo biodistribution study was made for tracking where Fe3O4@Gemcitabine traveled in the body of mice. Our results showed that the transport of the drug improves the cytotoxic effects in comparison with the one produced by free Gemcitabine for the BT474 and HepG2 cells. The in vivo biodistribution test proved nanoparticle accumulation in the vital organs, with the exception of spleen, where black-brown deposits have been found. These results indicate that our Gemcitabine-functionalized nanoparticles are a promising targeted system for applications in cancer therapy.

Fabrication, Characterization, and Evaluation of Bionanocomposites Based on Natural Polymers and Antibiotics for Wound Healing Applications.

The aim of our research activity was to obtain a biocompatible nanostructured composite based on naturally derived biopolymers (chitin and sodium alginate) loaded with commercial antibiotics (either Cefuroxime or Cefepime) with dual functions, namely promoting wound healing and assuring the local delivery of the loaded antibiotic. Compositional, structural, and morphological evaluations were performed by using the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analytical techniques. In order to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the biocompatibility of the obtained composites, we performed the tetrazolium-salt (MTT) and agar diffusion in vitro assays on the L929 cell line. The evaluation of antimicrobial potential was evaluated by the viable cell count assay on strains belonging to two clinically relevant bacterial species (i.e., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus).

Bioactive ZnO Coatings Deposited by MAPLE-An Appropriate Strategy to Produce Efficient Anti-Biofilm Surfaces.

Deposition of bioactive coatings composed of zinc oxide, cyclodextrin and cefepime (ZnO/CD/Cfp) was performed by the Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The obtained nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The efficient release of cefepime was correlated with an increased anti-biofilm activity of ZnO/CD/Cfp composites. In vitro and in vivo tests have revealed a good biocompatibility of ZnO/CD/Cfp coatings, which recommend them as competitive candidates for the development of antimicrobial surfaces with biomedical applications. The release of the fourth generation cephalosporin Cfp in a biologically active form from the ZnO matrix could help preventing the bacterial adhesion and the subsequent colonization and biofilm development on various surfaces, and thus decreasing the risk of biofilm-related infections.

Biocompatible Fe3O4 increases the efficacy of amoxicillin delivery against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of amoxicillin- functionalized magnetite nanostructures (Fe3O4@AMO), revealing and discussing several biomedical applications of these nanomaterials. Our results proved that 10 nm Fe3O4@AMO nanoparticles does not alter the normal cell cycle progression of cultured diploid cells, and an in vivo murine model confirms that the nanostructures disperse through the host body and tend to localize in particular sites and organs. The nanoparticles were found clustered especially in the lungs, kidneys and spleen, next to the blood vessels at this level, while being totally absent in the brain and liver, suggesting that they are circulated through the blood flow and have low toxicity. Fe3O4@AMO has the ability to be easily circulated through the body and optimizations may be done so these nanostructures cluster to a specific target region. Functionalized magnetite nanostructures proved a great antimicrobial effect, being active against both the Gram positive pathogen S. aureus and the Gram negative pathogen E. coli. The fabricated nanostructures significantly reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the active drug. This result has a great practical relevance, since the functionalized nanostructures may be used for decreasing the therapeutic doses which usually manifest great severe side effects, when administrated in high doses. Fe3O4@AMO represents also a suitable approach for the development of new alternative strategies for improving the activity of therapeutic agents by targeted delivery and controlled release.

Efficiency of vanilla, patchouli and ylang ylang essential oils stabilized by iron oxide@C14 nanostructures against bacterial adherence and biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains.

Biofilms formed by bacterial cells are associated with drastically enhanced resistance against most antimicrobial agents, contributing to the persistence and chronicization of the microbial infections and to therapy failure. The purpose of this study was to combine the unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles with the antimicrobial activity of three essential oils to obtain novel nanobiosystems that could be used as coatings for catheter pieces with an improved resistance to Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains adherence and biofilm development. The essential oils of ylang ylang, patchouli and vanilla were stabilized by the interaction with iron oxide@C14 nanoparticles to be further used as coating agents for medical surfaces. Iron oxide@C14 was prepared by co-precipitation of Fe+2 and Fe+3 and myristic acid (C14) in basic medium. Vanilla essential oil loaded nanoparticles pelliculised on the catheter samples surface strongly inhibited both the initial adherence of S. aureus cells (quantified at 24 h) and the development of the mature biofilm quantified at 48 h. Patchouli and ylang-ylang essential oils inhibited mostly the initial adherence phase of S. aureus biofilm development. In the case of K. pneumoniae, all tested nanosystems exhibited similar efficiency, being active mostly against the adherence K. pneumoniae cells to the tested catheter specimens. The new nanobiosystems based on vanilla, patchouli and ylang-ylang essential oils could be of a great interest for the biomedical field, opening new directions for the design of film-coated surfaces with anti-adherence and anti-biofilm properties.

Pharmaceutical Applications of Biomass Polymers: Review of Current Research and Perspectives.

Polymers derived from natural biomass have emerged as a valuable resource in the field of biomedicine due to their versatility. Polysaccharides, peptides, proteins, and lignin have demonstrated promising results in various applications, including drug delivery design. However, several challenges need to be addressed to realize the full potential of these polymers. The current paper provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research and perspectives in this area, with a particular focus on developing effective methods and efficient drug delivery systems. This review aims to offer insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of natural polymers in biomedicine and to provide a roadmap for future research in this field.

Unveiling Nanoparticles: Recent Approaches in Studying the Internalization Pattern of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Mono- and Multicellular Biological Structures.

Nanoparticle (NP)-based solutions for oncotherapy promise an improved efficiency of the anticancer response, as well as higher comfort for the patient. The current advancements in cancer treatment based on nanotechnology exploit the ability of these systems to pass biological barriers to target the tumor cell, as well as tumor cell organelles. In particular, iron oxide NPs are being clinically employed in oncological management due to this ability. When designing an efficient anti-cancer therapy based on NPs, it is important to know and to modulate the phenomena which take place during the interaction of the NPs with the tumor cells, as well as the normal tissues. In this regard, our review is focused on highlighting different approaches to studying the internalization patterns of iron oxide NPs in simple and complex 2D and 3D in vitro cell models, as well as in living tissues, in order to investigate the functionality of an NP-based treatment.

Zinc-Boron Complex-Based Dietary Supplements for Longevity and Healthy Life.

The nutritional role of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in the plant-animal-human food chain is highly topical worldwide research. Our data indicated that Zn-B complex (ZBC)-based dietary supplements can be used as stable non-toxic formulations, with high intestinal absorption rate, inducing alpha2-macroglobulin (A2M) expression for longevity and healthy life. ZBC is metabolized by hydrolysis, mainly at the absorption site (intestinal level), and most of it is excreted in the urine. Within seven hours from the administration in mice, almost the entire amount of orally absorbed ZBC is eliminated in a metabolized form. The highest amount of A2M protein in mouse liver was determined by immunoabsorbance assay in the chronic experiment (1000mg/kg of ZBC), followed by the subchronic experiment (at the same dose of ZBC), and by the acute experiment (5000mg/kg of ZBC).

Zinc-Boron-PLGA biocomposite material: preparation, structural characterization, and in vitro assessment.

Nowadays, the state-of-the-art discoveries in the field of delivery systems for therapeutic purposes have redefined the importance of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanocomposites. The study aimed to obtain a biocomposite material, with improved properties of its constituents [zinc-boron (Zn-B) complex and PLGA], by a simple, cost-effective method. The water∕oil∕water double emulsion technique allowed the adjustment of the synthesis parameters, to maximize the degree of Zn-B complex encapsulation. The morphological aspects of the samples were established by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particle size distribution was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Morphology was typical for PLGA, spherical one. Depending on the synthesis conditions, the obtained particles have diameters between 10-450 nm. Zeta potential (ZP) showed that the particles have electronegative surface charge, offering a favorable perspective on aggregation, flocculation, and dispersion phenomena. It was observed, applying the design of experiments, that the particles size increased with increasing amounts of PLGA and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), while ZP increased with higher PLGA and smaller PVA amounts in the formulation. The encapsulation efficiency was determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography∕mass spectrometry (UHPLC∕MS). The in vitro assessment was performed using Vero CCL-81 epithelial cell line and the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Zn-B-PLGA biocomposite has promising characteristics and can be used for future biomedical applications.

Management of patients with advanced prostate cancer-metastatic and/or castration-resistant prostate cancer: Report of the Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference (APCCC) 2022.

BACKGROUND: Innovations in imaging and molecular characterisation together with novel treatment options have improved outcomes in advanced prostate cancer. However, we still lack high-level evidence in many areas relevant to making management decisions in daily clinical practise. The 2022 Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference (APCCC 2022) addressed some questions in these areas to supplement guidelines that mostly are based on level 1 evidence. OBJECTIVE: To present the voting results of the APCCC 2022. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The experts voted on controversial questions where high-level evidence is mostly lacking: locally advanced prostate cancer; biochemical recurrence after local treatment; metastatic hormone-sensitive, non-metastatic, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer; oligometastatic prostate cancer; and managing side effects of hormonal therapy. A panel of 105 international prostate cancer experts voted on the consensus questions. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The panel voted on 198 pre-defined questions, which were developed by 117 voting and non-voting panel members prior to the conference following a modified Delphi process. A total of 116 questions on metastatic and/or castration-resistant prostate cancer are discussed in this manuscript. In 2022, the voting was done by a web-based survey because of COVID-19 restrictions. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The voting reflects the expert opinion of these panellists and did not incorporate a standard literature review or formal meta-analysis. The answer options for the consensus questions received varying degrees of support from panellists, as reflected in this article and the detailed voting results are reported in the supplementary material. We report here on topics in metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), non-metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), and oligometastatic and oligoprogressive prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These voting results in four specific areas from a panel of experts in advanced prostate cancer can help clinicians and patients navigate controversial areas of management for which high-level evidence is scant or conflicting and can help research funders and policy makers identify information gaps and consider what areas to explore further. However, diagnostic and treatment decisions always have to be individualised based on patient characteristics, including the extent and location of disease, prior treatment(s), co-morbidities, patient preferences, and treatment recommendations and should also incorporate current and emerging clinical evidence and logistic and economic factors. Enrolment in clinical trials is strongly encouraged. Importantly, APCCC 2022 once again identified important gaps where there is non-consensus and that merit evaluation in specifically designed trials. PATIENT SUMMARY: The Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference (APCCC) provides a forum to discuss and debate current diagnostic and treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer. The conference aims to share the knowledge of international experts in prostate cancer with healthcare providers worldwide. At each APCCC, an expert panel votes on pre-defined questions that target the most clinically relevant areas of advanced prostate cancer treatment for which there are gaps in knowledge. The results of the voting provide a practical guide to help clinicians discuss therapeutic options with patients and their relatives as part of shared and multidisciplinary decision-making. This report focuses on the advanced setting, covering metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and both non-metastatic and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. TWITTER SUMMARY: Report of the results of APCCC 2022 for the following topics: mHSPC, nmCRPC, mCRPC, and oligometastatic prostate cancer. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: At APCCC 2022, clinically important questions in the management of advanced prostate cancer management were identified and discussed, and experts voted on pre-defined consensus questions. The report of the results for metastatic and/or castration-resistant prostate cancer is summarised here.

Influence of Polymer Shell Molecular Weight on Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Morphology and In Vivo Biodistribution.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been extensively used in different biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and magnetic properties. However, different functionalization approaches have been developed to improve their time-life in the systemic circulation. Here, we have synthesized IONPs using a modified Massart method and functionalized them in situ with polyethylene glycol with different molecular weights (20 K and 35 K). The resulting nanoparticles were characterized in terms of morphology, structure, and composition using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). In vivo biodistribution was evaluated in Balb/c mice, the presence of IONP being evidenced through histopathological investigations. IONP morphological characterization showed a change in shape (from spherical to rhombic) and size with molecular weight, while structural characterization proved the obtaining of highly crystalline samples of spinel structured cubic face-centered magnetite. In vivo biodistribution in a mice model proved the biocompatibility of all of the IONP samples. All NPs were cleared through the liver, spleen, and lungs, while bare IONPs were also evidenced in kidneys.