Facile and greener hydrothermal honey-based synthesis of Fe3O 4/Au core/shell nanoparticles for drug delivery applications

In the present research, we report a greener, faster, and low-cost synthesis of gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/Au-NPs) by different ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 molar ratio) of iron oxide and gold with natural honey (0.5% w/v) under hydrothermal conditions for 20 minutes. Honey was used as the reducing and stabilizing agent, respectively. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The XRD analysis indicated the presence of Fe₃O₄/Au-NPs, while the TEM images showed the formation of Fe₃O₄/Au-NPs with diameter range between 3.49 nm and 4.11 nm. The VSM study demonstrated that the magnetic properties were decreased in the Fe₃O₄/Au-NPs compared with the Fe₃O₄-NPs. The cytotoxicity threshold of Fe₃O₄/Au-NPs in the WEHI164 cells was determined by using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. It was demonstrated no significant toxicity in higher concentration up to 140.0 ppm which can become the main candidates for biological and biomedical applications, such as drug delivery.     

Effect of Reduced Sulfur Species on Chemolithoautotrophic Pyrite Oxidation with Nitrate

We compared the response at neutral pH of some denitrifiers to different electron donors such as reduced sulfur (pyrite, S(0), and marcasite) and reduced Fe. Chemolithoautotrophic oxidation of pyrite with nitrate as electron acceptor was not possible when the pyrite was in a pure crystalline form, whereas oxidation of synthesized FeS₂ of low crystallinity and of S(0) with nitrate as electron acceptor was possible. Neither nitrite nor sulfate was formed when Fe(II)-oxidizing strain Acidovorax sp. BoFeN1 was tested. Microbial reduction of nitrate appears to be induced via S oxidation but not via Fe oxidation.     

PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer: Sensitivity prediction and resistance mechanisms

Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have provided great clinical benefits to ovarian cancer patients. To date, three PARP inhibitors, namely, olaparib, rucaparib and niraparib have been approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer in the United States. Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and platinum sensitivity are prospective biomarkers for predicting the response to PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancers. Preclinical data have focused on identifying the gene aberrations that might generate HRD and induce sensitivity to PARP inhibitors in vitro in cancer cell lines or in vivo in patient‐derived xenografts. Clinical trials have focused on genomic scar analysis to identify biomarkers for predicting the response to PARP inhibitors. Additionally, researchers have aimed to investigate mechanisms of resistance to PARP inhibitors and strategies to overcome this resistance. Combining PARP inhibitors with HR pathway inhibitors to extend the utility of PARP inhibitors to BRCA‐proficient tumours is increasingly foreseeable. Identifying the population of patients with the greatest potential benefit from PARP inhibitor therapy and the circumstances under which patients are no longer suited for PARP inhibitor therapy are important. Further studies are required in order to propose better strategies for overcoming resistance to PARP inhibitor therapy in ovarian cancers.     

Deep-water bivalves from the oxygen minimum zone area off the western Peninsula of Baja California,Mexico

ABSTRACT

Eighteen species of deep-sea bivalves were collected below the Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) core off western Mexico. This material was obtained during the research cruises XVI, XVIB (off the northwestern Peninsula of Baja California), and VIII (Gulf of California) of the TALUD project aboard the R/V El Puma. The samples were taken with an epibenthic sledge (710–2077?m deep) and with a box corer (750–2600?m). The species belong to 10 families: Solemyidae, Nuculanidae, Malletiidae, Tindariidae, Limopsidae, Propeamussiidae, Tellinidae, Periplomatidae, Poromyidae and Lyonsiellidae. Environmental parameters (oxygen, salinity, sediments composition and temperature) are given for each sampling station. Tolerance to oxygen depletion is analysed for all deep-water species collected by the TALUD survey off the Baja California Peninsula. The additional file includes shell characteristics and distributional information for each species.     

A simple and efficient method for cultivation of limbal explant stem cells with clinically safe potential

Background

Several methods to cultivate limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) in vitro with the support of feeder layers and different growth medium formulations have been established for several years. The initial green medium consists of various ingredients that exhibit a non-optimal level of biosafety, therefore, different modifications have been made to suit it to safe clinical applications. However, the question of which formulation is the most appropriate remains to be answered.

益气安神膏对心脾两虚型失眠患者睡眠质量及中医证候疗效的影响

目的:观察益气安神膏对心脾两虚型失眠患者睡眠质量及中医症候疗效的影响,为膏方应用于失眠调理提供理论依据。方法:选取2016年10月至2017年10月来广州中医药大学第一附属医院就诊的70例心脾两虚型失眠患者作为研究对象,按照就诊顺序,由电脑产生随机数字,根据数字奇偶性分为对照组(35例)和试验组(35例)。在认知行为治疗(CBT-I)干预基础上,试验组予口服益气安神膏1匙(约15g)/次,每日2次,对照组予口服归脾丸10丸/次,每日3次,4周为1疗程,两组均连续服用8周2疗程。采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)、中医证候评分量表评分评估睡眠质量及中医证候疗效。结果:试验组总有效率为94.3%(治愈2例,有效31例),高于对照组的77.1%(治愈1例,有效26例),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗前,两组PSQI评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,试验组得分(8.1±2.8)分,对照组得分(10.4±3.8)分,前者明显低于后者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。中医证候疗效方面,相较于对照组,试验组疗效更佳,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:益气安神膏在改善睡眠质量及中医证候疗效方面均优于归脾丸,其临床疗效明显,服用方便,可适用于临床慢性失眠患者的调理。     

Integrins in periodontal disease

Cell surface integrin receptors mediate cell adhesion, migration and cellular signaling in all nucleated cells. They are activated by binding to extracellular ligands or by intracellular proteins, such as kindlins that engage with their cytoplasmic tails. Cells in the periodontal tissues express several integrins with overlapping ligand-binding capabilities. A distinct phenotype in the periodontium has only been described for knockouts or mutations of three integrin subunits, α11, β6 and β2. Integrin α11β1 appears to have some regulatory function in the periodontal ligament of continuously erupting incisors in mice. Integrin αvβ6 is expressed in the junctional epithelium (JE) of the gingiva. Animals deficient in this receptor develop classical signs of periodontal disease, including inflammation, apical migration of the JE and bone loss, suggesting that it plays a role in the regulation of periodontal inflmmation, likely through activation of transforming growth factor-β1. Lack of integrin activation in the JE is also associated with periodontitis. Patients with kindlin-1 mutations have severe early-onset periodontal disease. Finally, patients with mutations in the leukocyte-specific β2 integrin subunit have severe periodontal problems due to lack of transiting neutrophils in the periodontal tissues.     

Metabolic Flexibility and Substrate Preference by the Fe(II)-Oxidizing Purple Non-Sulphur Bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris Strain TIE-1

It is unknown to which extent phototrophic Fe(II) oxidation takes place in the simultaneous presence of organic electron donors (e.g., acetate/lactate). Therefore, the photoferrotrophic strain Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 was inoculated with various combinations of Fe(II), acetate and lactate to understand metabolic substrate preference. When acetate was provided together with Fe(II), TIE-1 consumed acetate first before Fe(II). When provided lactate plus Fe(II), TIE-1 consumed both substrates in parallel. When all three substrates were provided in one culture, TIE-1 used all substrates simultaneously. Our study suggests that the availability of alternative electron donors in addition to ferrous iron limits phototrophic iron oxidation.