Size-Dependent Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Uptake on Maturation and Antitumor Functions of Human Dendritic Cells In Vitro

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are claimed as outstanding biomedical tools for cancer diagnostics and photo-thermal therapy, but without enough evidence on their potentially adverse immunological effects. Using a model of human dendritic cells (DCs), we showed that 10 nm- and 50 nm-sized GNPs (GNP₁₀ and GNP₅₀, respectively) were internalized predominantly via dynamin-dependent mechanisms, and they both impaired LPS-induced maturation and allostimulatory capacity of DCs, although the effect of GNP₁₀ was more prominent. However, GNP₁₀ inhibited LPS-induced production of IL-12p70 by DCs, and potentiated their Th2 polarization capacity, while GNP₅₀ promoted Th17 polarization. Such effects of GNP₁₀ correlated with a stronger inhibition of LPS-induced changes in Ca²⁺ oscillations, their higher number per DC, and more frequent extra-endosomal localization, as judged by live-cell imaging, proton, and electron microscopy, respectively. Even when released from heat-killed necrotic HEp-2 cells, GNP₁₀ inhibited the necrotic tumor cell-induced maturation and functions of DCs, potentiated their Th2/Th17 polarization capacity, and thus, impaired the DCs'' capacity to induce T cell-mediated anti-tumor cytotoxicity in vitro. Therefore, GNP₁₀ could potentially induce more adverse DC-mediated immunological effects, compared to GNP₅₀.     

Apport de la Prostaglandine E1 dans l’exploration et le traitement de l’impuissance: A propos de 980 cas dont 510 traites par auto-injections

Since 1982, many substances have been injected intracavernosally to produce erections in impotent men. Because the first-generation drugs (phenoxybenzamine, papaverine) were associated with severe side-effects, including priapism and penile fibrosis, it was essential that a safe and effective substance be found for this application. In a series of 980 patient with erectile dysfunction who received prostaglandin E1 intracavernosal injections, 70 % developped an erection lasting more than 30 minutes with minimal side-effects. All the 510 men who entered a self-administration protocol were capable of engaging in intercourse and experienced no major sideeffects. Prostaglandin E1 is effective, safe and preferable to all other drugs currently used for intracavernosal injection.     

Weight Loss,Weight Maintenance,and Improved Cardiovascular Risk Factors after 2 Years Treatment with Orlistat for Obesity

Objective: To determine the effect of orlistat, a new lipase inhibitor, on long‐term weight loss, to determine the extent to which orlistat treatment minimizes weight regain in a second year of treatment, and to assess the effects of orlistat on obesity‐related risk factors. Research Methods and Procedures: This was a 2‐year, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Obese patients (body mass index 28 to 43 kg/m²) were randomized to placebo or orlistat (60 or 120 mg) three times a day, combined with a hypocaloric diet during the first year and a weight maintenance diet in the second year of treatment to prevent weight regain. Changes in body weight, lipid profile, glycemic control, blood pressure, quality of life, safety, and tolerability were measured. Results: Orlistat‐treated patients lost significantly more weight (p < 0.001) than placebo‐treated patients after Year 1 (6.6%, 8.6%, and 9.7% for the placebo, and orlistat 60 mg and 120 mg groups, respectively). During the second year, orlistat therapy produced less weight regain than placebo (p = 0.005 for orlistat 60 mg; p < 0.001 for orlistat 120 mg). Several obesity‐related risk factors improved significantly more with orlistat treatment than with placebo. Orlistat was generally well tolerated and only 6% of orlistat‐treated patients withdrew because of adverse events. Orlistat leads to predictable gastrointestinal effects related to its mode of action, which were generally mild, transient, and self‐limiting and usually occurred early during treatment. Discussion: Orlistat administered for 2 years promotes weight loss and minimizes weight regain. Additionally, orlistat therapy improves lipid profile, blood pressure, and quality of life.     

Additions and corrections to “The Muscidae of Central Europe” III. A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coenosia</Emphasis> Meigen, 1826 from Central Europe (Diptera: Muscidae)

Coenosia bohemica sp. n. is described from the Bohemian Forest in the Czech Republic. Its relationships to similar species are discussed and its diagnostic characters are illustrated.     

BBLN-1 is essential for intermediate filament organization and apical membrane morphology

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16β-Hydroxycholestanol als biogenetische vorstufe der steroidsapogenine

It has been shown that 5,6-³H,16β-hydroxycholestanol is used in the biogenesis of the steroid sapogenins, tigogenin and gitogenin, by plants of Digitalis lanata but not for the formation of tomatidine by Solanum lycopersicum.