Stability enhanced polyelectrolyte-coated gold nanorod-photosensitizer complexes for high/low power density photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment modality for cancer and other malignant diseases, however safety and efficacy improvements are required before it reaches its full potential and wider clinical use. Herein, we investigated a highly efficient and safe photodynamic therapy procedure by developing a high/low power density photodynamic therapy mode (high/low PDT mode) using methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) thiol (mPEG-SH) modified gold nanorod (GNR)-AlPcS4 photosensitizer complexes. mPEG-SH conjugated to the surface of simple polyelectrolyte-coated GNRs was verified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; this improved stability, reduced cytotoxicity, and increased the encapsulation and loading efficiency of the nanoparticle dispersions. The GNR-photosensitizer complexes were exposed to the high/low PDT mode (high light dose = 80 mW/cm² for 0.5 min; low light dose = 25 mW/cm² for 1.5 min), and a high PDT efficacy leads to approximately 90% tumor cell killing. Due to synergistic plasmonic photothermal properties of the complexes, the high/low PDT mode demonstrated improved efficacy over using single wavelength continuous laser irradiation. Additionally, no significant loss in viability was observed in cells exposed to free AlPcS4 photosensitizer under the same irradiation conditions. Consequently, free AlPcS4 released from GNRs prior to cellular entry did not contribute to cytotoxicity of normal cells or impose limitations on the use of the high power density laser. This high/low PDT mode may effectively lead to a safer and more efficient photodynamic therapy for superficial tumors.     

PEGylated PAMAM dendrimer–doxorubicin conjugate-hybridized gold nanorod for combined photothermal-chemotherapy

We prepared pH-sensitive drug–dendrimer conjugate-hybridized gold nanorod as a promising platform for combined cancer photothermal-chemotherapy under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Poly(ethylene glycol)-attached PAMAM G4 dendrimers (PEG–PAMAM) were first covalently linked on the surface of mercaptohexadecanoic acid-functionalized gold nanorod (MHA-AuNR), with subsequent conjugation of anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) to dendrimer layer using an acid-labile-hydrazone linkage to afford PEG–DOX–PAMAM–AuNR particles. The particles with a high PEG–PAMAM dendrimer coverage density (0.28 per nm² AuNR) showed uniform sizes and excellent colloidal stability. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated that DOX released from PEG–DOX–PAMAM–AuNR was negligible under normal physiological pH, but it was enhanced significantly at a weak acidic pH value. The efficient intracellular acid-triggered DOX release inside of lysosomes was confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. Furthermore, the combined photothermal-chemo treatment of cancer cells using PEG–DOX–PAMAM–AuNR for synergistic hyperthermia ablation and chemotherapy was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo to exhibit higher therapeutic efficacy than either single treatment alone, underscoring the great potential of PEG–DOX–PAMAM–AuNR particles for cancer therapy.     

Regulation of human endothelial progenitor cell maturation by polyurethane nanocomposites

The mobilization and homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are critical to the development of an antithrombotic cardiovascular prosthesis. Polyurethane (PU) with superior elasticity may provide a mechanical environment resembling that of the natural vascular tissues. The topographical cues of PU were maximized by making nanocomposites with a small amount of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The nanocomposites of PU-AuNPs (“PU-Au”) with a favorable response of endothelial cells were previously established. In the current study, the effect of PU and PU-Au nanocomposites on the behavior of human peripheral blood EPCs was investigated in vitro and in vivo. It was found that PU-Au promoted EPCs to become differentiated endothelial cells in vitro, confirmed by the increased expressions of CD31 and VEGF-R2 surface markers. The increased maturation of EPCs was significantly more remarkable on PU-Au, probably through the stromal derived factor 1α (SDF-1α)/CXCR4 signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed that EPCs seeded on PU-Au coated catheters effectively reduced thrombosis by differentiation into endothelial cells. Surface endothelialization with CD31 and CD34 expression as well as intimal formation with α-SMA expression was significantly accelerated in the group receiving EPC-seeded PU-Au catheters. Moreover, the analysis of collagen deposition revealed a reduction of fibrosis in the group receiving EPC-seeded PU-Au catheters as compared to the other groups. These results suggest that EPCs engineered with a proper elastic substrate may provide unique endothelialization and antithrombogenic properties that benefit vascular tissue regeneration.     

Optimization of PAMAM-gold nanoparticle conjugation for gene therapy

The development of efficient and biocompatible non-viral vectors for gene therapy remains a great challenge, and exploiting the properties of both nanoparticle carriers and cationic polymers is an attractive approach. In this work, we have developed gold nanoparticle (AuNP) polyamidoamine (PAMAM) conjugates for use as non-viral transfection agents. AuPAMAM conjugates were prepared by crosslinking PAMAM dendrimers to carboxylic-terminated AuNPs via EDC and sulfo-NHS chemistry. EDC and sulfo-NHS have been utilized widely and in numerous applications such as amino acid coupling; however, their use in the coupling of PAMAM dendrimers to AuNPs presents new challenges to form effective and stable constructs for delivery that have not yet been examined. Enhanced colloidal stability and DNA condensation ability was established by probing two critical synthetic parameters: the reaction rate of the PAMAM crosslinking step, and the amine to carboxyl ratio. Based on this work, increasing the amine to carboxyl ratio during conjugation of PAMAM onto AuNPs yielded the optimal vector with respect to colloidal stability and transfection efficiency in vitro. AuPAMAM conjugates present attractive candidates for non-viral gene delivery due to their commercial availability, ease of fabrication and scale-up, high yield, high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity.     

A multi-stimuli responsive gold nanocage–hyaluronic platform for targeted photothermal and chemotherapy

Noninvasive and pinpointed intracellular drug release that responds to multiple stimulus is still a formidable challenge for cancer therapy. Herein, we reported a multi-stimuli responsive platform based on drug loaded gold nanocages @ hyaluronic acid (AuNCs-HA) for pinpointed intracellular drug release. These well-prepared nanohybrids could specifically recognize cancer cells via HA-CD44 interactions and be efficiently endocytosed by receptor-mediated process. Subsequently, the coated HA molecules could be degraded in lysosomes, resulting in the release of encapsulated drug. In addition, by taking advantage of the excellent photothermal properties, the AuNCs could accelerate the release of encapsulated drug and induce a higher therapeutic efficacy upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. In vitro results confirmed that the encapsulated drug could only be pinpointedly released in intracellular environments, which permitted high therapeutic efficacy against cancer cells and minimized the side effects. Importantly, as compared to that of the two therapies independently, a complete inhibition of tumor growth treated with the combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy was observed in vivo. Taken together, our present study provides new insights into developing pinpointed, multi-stimuli responsive intracellular drug release systems for synergistic cancer therapy.     

~(125)I标记重组融合蛋白dTMP-GH在小鼠体内分布的实验研究

目的研究重组融合蛋白dTMP-GH在小鼠体内的分布情况,明确其是否具有靶向分布特点。方法实验室制备dTMP-GH重组融合蛋白;用放射性125I标记融合蛋白dTMP-GH后,按100μg/kg的标准小鼠尾静脉注射125I-dTMP-GH,分别于给药后5 min、15 min、30 min、1 h、2 h、4 h、8 h、12 h、24 h取心、肝、脾、肾、股骨、甲状腺等进行放射性计数。结果制备得到纯度大于98%的重组融合蛋白dTMP-GH;125I标记率为71.53%,放化纯度为96.53%,比活度为0.22 MBq/μl;尾静脉注射125I标记的dTMPGH后30 min股骨的放射性计数占到注射总量的10%,并随时间推移经肝脏和肾脏代谢。结论融合蛋白dTMP-GH经尾静脉注射后在小鼠体内主要分布于骨髓,具有骨髓组织偏向分布特点。     

金纳米材料的可控制备、组装及在生物医学上的应用

金纳米材料具有独特的光、电、热、催化等物理与化学性质,生物相容性好,是构筑新型复合功能材料的重要组元,在生物传感、细胞及活体成像、癌细胞的光热治疗、靶向载药、光化学催化等领域展现出了广阔的应用前景。我们结合本课题组前期研究中遇到的问题和积累的经验,从金纳米材料的可控制备、组装及其在生物医学上的应用等方面的最新研究进展进行了全面综述,分析了其中存在的不足,展望了金纳米材料的发展趋势。     

Accuracy and Reliability of Working Length Determination by Gold Reciproc Motor in Reciprocating Movement

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of the apex locator function of the Gold Reciproc Motor (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) during reciprocating movement.

Methods

Forty extracted incisors with mature apices were included in the study. The canal length was determined by introducing #10 file into the canal until it emerged at the apical foramen. The incisal edge of each tooth was adjusted to obtain 18 mm standard length and to produce a flat reference point. The teeth were embedded in Plexiglas tubes filled with alginate and measured by Root ZX (J. Morita Corp, Tokyo, Japan) and Bingo 1020 (Forum Engineering Technologies, Rishon Lezion, Israel) apex locators. The root canals were instrumented in a reciprocating mode using an R25 Reciproc file in the Gold Reciproc Motor until the green LEDs and orange LED were reached. According to the manufacturer, these LEDs represent the zone between the apical constriction and the apical foramen.

Results

No statistically significant differences were found between the length measurements of the 2 electronic apex locators and the third green LED, which is suggested by the manufacturers as the recommended working length.

Conclusions

With the limitation of this ex vivo study, the Gold Reciproc Motor's integrated electronic apex locator was found to be as reliable and accurate as the Root ZX and Bingo 1020 apex locators in terms of length control during root canal preparation in the reciprocation mode.     

Gold nanoparticles ameliorate acetaminophen induced hepato-renal injury in rats

Valuable effects of gold particles have been reported and used in complementary medicine for decades. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) against acetaminophen (APAP) induced toxicity. Albino rats were administered APAP at a dose of 2 g/kg p.o. once only. After 24 h of APAP intoxication, animals were treated with three different doses of AuNPs (50 μg/kg, 100 μg/kg, 150 μg/kg) orally or silymarin at a dose of 50 mg/kg p.o., once only. Animals of all the groups were sacrificed after 24 h of last treatment. APAP administered group showed a significant rise in the AST, ALT, SALP, LDH, cholesterol, bilirubin, albumin, urea and creatinine in serum which indicated the hepato-renal damage. A significantly enhanced LPO and a depleted level of GSH were observed in APAP intoxicated rats. Declined activities of SOD and Catalase, after acetaminophen exposure indicated oxidative stress in liver and kidney. The activities of ATPase and glucose-6-Phosphatase were significantly inhibited after APAP administration. AuNPs treatment reversed all variables significantly towards normal level and was found nontoxic. Thus it is concluded that gold nanoparticles played a beneficial role in reducing acetaminophen induced toxicity and can be used in the development of drug against hepatic as well as renal diseases, after further preclinical and clinical studies.     

微量动态浊度法检测细菌内毒素方法的建立与验证

目的 建立使用微量动态浊度法检测细菌内毒素的方法，并进行验证。方法 采用动态浊度法鲎试剂，每孔样品和鲎试剂加样量25 μL，检测波长405 nm，预设OD值0.03，使用半孔酶标板检测，并经过4个实验室协作验证方法的准确度、重现性、线性和范围、耐用性以及重组新型冠状病毒疫苗、重组新型冠状病毒疫苗(5型腺病毒载体)、重组乙型肝炎疫苗、麻腮风联合减毒疫苗、双价肾综合征出血热灭活疫苗、四价流感病毒裂解疫苗共计6种疫苗的品种适用性。结果 高、中、低3个剂量组在4个实验室的共计24次试验总平均回收率分别为100.8%，150.0%，125.3%，RSD值分别为5.3%，11.0%，20.7%；标准曲线在0.01~10 EU·mL^-1内相关系数平均值为0.990，耐用度考察2个来源的鲎试剂对检测的影响符合规定；6个品种的共计18批样品的干扰试验回收率均在50%~200%，干扰试验符合规定。结论 建立了使用微量动态浊度法检测细菌内毒素的方法，该方法具有良好的准确度、重现性、线性和范围、耐用性，并且在6种生物制品中具有良好的品种适用性。该方法可用于常规样品的细菌内毒素检测。