Layer-by-Layer Investigation of Ultrastructures and Biomechanics of Human Cornea.

The cornea is an avascular, innervated, and transparent tissue composed of five layers: the epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. It is located in the outermost fraction of the eyeball and is responsible for the refraction of two-thirds of light and protection from external mechanical damage. Although several studies have been done on the cornea on the macroscopic scale, there is a lack of studies on the micro-nanoscopic scale, especially an analysis evaluating the cornea layer by layer. In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to assess four layers that form the cornea, analyzing: adhesion, stiffness, and roughness. The results showed microvilli in the epithelial and endothelial layers, pores in the basement membrane, and collagen fibers in the Stroma. These data increase the knowledge about the human cornea layers' ultrastructures and adds new information about its biophysical properties.

[223Ra] RaCl2 nanomicelles showed potent effect against osteosarcoma: targeted alpha therapy in the nanotechnology era.

The treatment of bone metastatsis as primary bone cancer itself is still a challenge. The use od radium dichloride ([223Ra] RaCl2) has emerged in the last few years as one of the best treatment choice for bone cancer, with especial focus in bone metastasis. The alpha-emitter radiopharmaceutical has showed potent and efficient results in several clinical trials. In this study we have formulated radium dichloride ([223Ra] RaCl2) nanomicelles in order to evaluate and compare with pure radium dichloride ([223Ra] RaCl2). The results showed that nanomicelles at the same dose had a superior effect (20% higher efficient) when compared with pure radium dichloride ([223Ra] RaCl2). The results corroborated the effectiveness of the nanosystem validating the application of nanotechnology in alpha-radiotherapy with radium dichloride ([223Ra] RaCl2).