RESUMO
In forensic paint examination, paint traces retrieved on a crime scene are regularly compared to painted objects seized from a suspect. Less often, traces are only observed on the seized objects and compared to a damaged painted object on the crime scene. In some specific cases, paint traces may be found both on the crime scene and on one or multiple seized painted objects. The latter may be the result of a cross-transfer that occurred during the illicit act. However, mere coincidence is another possible explanation for these observations and may not be neglected. Proper consideration of the relevant populations and sufficient analytical data permits the evaluation of the results given activity level propositions. This allows the forensic expert to present a transparent and well-balanced statement on the value of their findings concerning the disputed issues in court.
RESUMO
LipoParticles, core-shell assemblies consisting of a polymer core coated by a lipid membrane, are promising carriers for drug delivery applications with intracellular targets. This is of great interest since it is actually challenging to treat infections involving intracellular bacteria such as bone and joint infections where the bacteria are hidden in osteoblast cells. The present work reports for the first time to the best of our knowledge the proof of enhanced internalization of particles in osteoblast cells thanks to a lipid coating of particles (= LipoParticles). The ca. 300 nm-sized assemblies were elaborated by reorganization of liposomes (composed of DPPC/DPTAP 10/90 mol/mol) onto the surface of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles, and were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zetametry. Optimization of these assemblies was also performed by adding poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains on their surface (corresponding to a final formulation of DPPC/DPTAP/DPPE-PEG5000 8/90/2 mol/mol/mol). Interestingly, this provided them colloidal stability after their 20-fold dilution in PBS or cell culture medium, and made possible their freeze-drying without forming aggregates after their re-hydration. Their non-cytotoxicity towards a human osteoblast cell line (MG63) was also demonstrated. The enhanced internalization of LipoParticles in this MG63 cell line, in comparison with PLGA particles, was proven by observations with a confocal laser scanning microscope, as well as by flow cytometry assays. Finally, this efficient internalization of LipoParticles in MG63 cells was confirmed by TEM on ultrathin sections, which also revealed localization close to intracellular Staphylococcus aureus.