A simple method for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid coated magnetic nanoparticles for highly efficient cell labelling and in vivo imaging

Highly stable colloidal hyaluronic acid coated magnetic nano-particles were prepared via a ligand exchange method. These particles exhibited excellent cell labeling efficiencies and superior potential as MRI contrast agents, which are useful to target tumor cells expressing hyaluronic acid receptors such as CD44.     

Glyco-nanomaterials: translating insights from the "sugar-code" to biomedical applications

Over the past decade, diagnostics and therapeutics have changed gradually towards the use of more specific and targeted approaches. The most profound impact has been in the nanotechnology sectors, where an explosion in directing biomolecules to specific biomarkers has illustrated great potentials not only in detection but also in targeted therapy. Increased knowledge of the diseases at the molecular level catalyzed a shift towards identifying new biological indicators. In particular, carbohydrate-mediated molecular recognitions using nano-vehicles are likely to increasingly affect medicine opening a new area of biomedical applications. This article provides an overview of the recent progress made in recruiting the "sugar code" functionalized on various nano-platforms to decipher cellular information for both in vitro and in vivo applications. Today's glyco-technologies are enabling better detection with great therapeutic potentials. Tomorrow they are likely to bring a full understanding of the "cell-glyconanomaterial bio-conversation" where major biomedical problems will be overcome translating insights from the "glyco-nanoworld" into clinical practice.     

Tumour-like lesions of the infrapatellar fat pad

Three different tumour-like lesions within the infrapatellar fat pad, an osteochondroma, a localised pigmented villonodular synovitis and a synovial cyst are reported. The osteochondroma and the pigmented villonodular synovitis were treated by marginal excision, and the synovial cyst was resected using arthroscopy.     

Synthesis of novel hybrid mesoporous gold iron oxide nanoconstructs for enhanced catalytic reduction and remediation of toxic organic pollutants

The development of highly efficient, rapid, and recyclable nanocatalysts for effective elimination of toxic environmental contaminants remains a high priority in various industrial applications. Herein, we report the preparation of hybrid mesoporous gold–iron oxide nanoparticles (Au–IO NPs) via the nanocasting “inverse hard-templated replication” approach. Dispersed Au NPs were anchored on amine-functionalized iron oxide incorporated APMS (IO@APMS-amine), followed by etching of the silica template to afford hybrid mesoporous Au–IO NPs. The obtained nanoconstructs were fully characterized using electron microscopy, N₂ physisorption, and various spectroscopic techniques. Owing to their magnetic properties, high surface areas, large pore volumes, and mesoporous nature (S_BET = 124 m² g⁻¹, V_pore = 0.33 cm³ g⁻¹, and d_pore = 4.5 nm), the resulting Au–IO mesostructures were employed for catalytic reduction of nitroarenes (i.e. nitrophenol and nitroaniline), two of the most common toxic organic pollutants. It was found that these Au–IO NPs act as highly efficient nanocatalysts showing exceptional stabilities (>3 months), enhanced catalytic efficiencies in very short times (∼100% conversions within only 25–60 s), and excellent recyclabilities (up to 8 cycles). The kinetic pseudo-first-order apparent reaction rate constants (k_app) were calculated to be equal to 8.8 × 10⁻³ and 23.5 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ for 2-nitrophenol and 2-nitroaniline reduction, respectively. To our knowledge, this is considered one of the best and fastest Au-based nanocatalysts reported for the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes, promoted mainly by the synergistic cooperation of their high surface area, large pore volume, mesoporous nature, and enhanced Au-NP dispersions. The unique mesoporous hybrid Au–IO nanoconstructs synthesized here make them novel, stable, and approachable nanocatalyst platform for various catalytic industrial processes.

Development of highly-efficient, rapid, and recyclable hybrid mesoporous Au–IO NPs nanocatalysts for elimination of toxic environmental contaminants. Thanks to synergistic cooperation of their well-dispersed AuNPs, large surface area/pore volume, and mesoporosity.     

New Contrast Enhancement Method for Multiple Sclerosis Lesion Detection

Journal of Digital Imaging - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most serious neurological diseases. It is the most frequent reason of non-traumatic disability among young adults. MS is...     

Diversity of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Structures in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus Strains among Outpatients from Four Countries

In staphylococci, methicillin (meticillin) resistance (MR) is mediated by the acquisition of the mecA gene, which is carried on the size and composition variable staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). MR has been extensively studied in Staphylococcus aureus, but little is known about MR coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS). Here, we describe the diversity of SCCmec structures in MR-CoNS from outpatients living in countries with contrasting environments: Algeria, Mali, Moldova, and Cambodia. Their MR-CoNS nasal carriage rates were 29, 17, 11, and 31%, respectively. Ninety-six MR-CoNS strains, comprising 75 (78%) Staphylococcus epidermidis strains, 19 (20%) Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains, 1 (1%) Staphylococcus hominis strain, and 1 (1%) Staphylococcus cohnii strain, were analyzed. Eighteen different SCCmec types were observed, with 28 identified as type IV (29%), 25 as type V (26%), and 1 as type III (1%). Fifteen strains (44%) were untypeable for their SCCmec. Thirty-four percent of MR-CoNS strains contained multiple ccr copies. Type IV and V SCCmec were preferentially associated with S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus, respectively. MR-CoNS constitute a widespread and highly diversified MR reservoir in the community.     

Interaction Effects of Plasma Vitamins A,E, D,B9, and B12 and Tobacco Exposure in Urothelial Bladder Cancer: A Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction Analysis

The study aimed to examine circulating vitamins A, E, D, and B12 and folate in patients with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) and detect potential interaction effects of these micronutrients on UBC risk. A case–control study was conducted on 262 UBC patients and 254 matched controls. Vitamins A and E were assessed by ultra performance liquid chromatography, and vitamins D and B12 and folate were assessed by immunological methods. Binary logistic regression models were used to test associations of plasma vitamins tertiles with UBC risk. A multifactor dimensionality reduction method (MDR) was applied to assess interactive effects of the vitamins and tobacco on UBC risk. Higher levels in vitamins A, E, and D were associated with lower occurrence of UBC. No significant association was observed in plasma folate or vitamin B12 with UBC. There were redundancy interactions of plasma vitamin D with tobacco and with plasma vitamin A on UBC risk. Even though the study could not ascertain causality, the findings suggest that vitamins A, E, and D might be protective against UBC. Vitamins A and D interact antagonistically with each other’s and with tobacco to modulate UBC risk. These interactions should be taken in consideration for the prevention of UBC.