Antibacterial Activity of Partially Oxidized Ag/Au Nanoparticles against the Oral Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis

Advances in nanotechnology provide opportunities for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. While physicochemical properties of Ag containing nanoparticles (NPs) are known to influence the magnitude of their toxicity, it is thought that nanosilver can be made less toxic to eukaryotes by passivation of the NPs with a benign metal. Moreover, the addition of other noble metals to silver nanoparticles, in the alloy formulation, is known to alter the silver dissolution behavior. Thus, we synthesized glutathione capped Ag/Au alloy bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) via the galvanic replacement reaction between maltose coated Ag NPs and chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) in 5% aqueous triblock F127 copolymer solution. We then compared the antibacterial activity of the Ag/Au NPs to pure Ag NPs on Porphyromonas gingivalis W83, a key pathogen in the development of periodontal disease. Only partially oxidized glutathione capped Ag and Ag/Au (Au : Ag ≈ 0.2) NPs inhibited the planktonic growth of P. gingivalis W83. This effect was enhanced in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which simulates the oxidative stress environment in the periodontal pocket during chronic inflammation

Altered Expression of Insulin Receptor Isoforms in Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling through human insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A) contributes to tumorigenesis and intrinsic resistance to anti-IGF1R therapy. In the present study, we (a) developed quantitative TaqMan real time-PCR-based assays (qRT-PCR) to measure human insulin receptor isoforms with high specificity, (b) evaluated isoform expression levels in molecularly-defined breast cancer subtypes, and (c) identified the IR-A:IR-B mRNA ratio as a potential biomarker guiding patient stratification for anti-IGF therapies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: mRNA expression levels of IR-A and IR-B were measured in 42 primary breast cancers and 19 matched adjacent normal tissues with TaqMan qRT-PCR assays. The results were further confirmed in 165 breast cancers. The tumor samples were profiled using whole genome microarrays and subsequently subtyped using the PAM50 breast cancer gene signature. The relationship between the IR-A:IR-B ratio and cancer subtype, as well as markers of proliferation were characterized. RESULTS: The mRNA expression levels of IR-A in the breast tumors were similar to those observed in the adjacent normal tissues, while the mRNA levels of IR-B were significantly decreased in tumors. The IR-A:IR-B ratio was significantly higher in luminal B breast cancer than in luminal A. Strong concordance between the IR-A:IR-B ratio and the composite Oncotype DX proliferation score was observed for stratifying the latter two breast cancer subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in IR-B expression is the key to the altered IR-A:IR-B ratio observed in breast cancer. The IR-A:IR-B ratio may have biomarker utility in guiding a patient stratification strategy for an anti-IGF therapeutic

Type I Interferon: Potential Therapeutic Target for Psoriasis?

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease characterized by aberrant epidermal differentiation, surface scale formation, and marked cutaneous inflammation. To better understand the pathogenesis of this disease and identify potential mediators, we used whole genome array analysis to profile paired lesional and nonlesional psoriatic skin and skin from healthy donors. Methodology/Principal Findings: We observed robust overexpression of type I interferon (IFN)–inducible genes and genomic signatures that indicate T cell and dendritic cell infiltration in lesional skin. Up-regulation of mRNAs for IFN-a subtypes was observed in lesional skin compared with nonlesional skin. Enrichment of mature dendritic cells and 2 type I IFN–inducible proteins, STAT1 and ISG15, were observed in the majority of lesional skin biopsies. Concordant overexpression of IFN-c and TNF-a–inducible gene signatures occurred at the same disease sites. Conclusions/Significance: Up-regulation of TNF-a and elevation of the TNF-a–inducible gene signature in lesional skin underscore the importance of this cytokine in psoriasis; these data describe a molecular basis for the therapeutic activity of anti–TNF-a agents. Furthermore, these findings implicate type I IFNs in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Consistent and significant up-regulation of type I IFNs and their associated gene signatures in psoriatic skin suggest that type I IFNs may b

Right to land and constitutional status of French Overseas Seas

Partie intégrante de la République Française, les collectivités d’outre-mer oscillent entre identité institutionnelle avec la métropole et quête d'une certaine forme d'autonomie identitaire. Cette particularité trouve sa traduction dans les différentes réformes constitutionnelles depuis leur inscription dans les constitutions de 1946 et 1958. Avec la révision constitutionnelle de 28 mars 2003 sur l'organisation décentralisée de la République, une nouvelle donne institutionnelle s'ouvre pour ces collectivités d'Outre-Mer. Les consultations référendaires sur le statut de la Martinique organisées le 7 décembre 2003, puis les 10 et 24 janvier 2010 s'inscrivaient dans cette logique là.C’est dans ce contexte de mise en place d’une collectivité unique dotée d’une assemblée unique qu’il convient d'aborder les problématiques d’aménagement du territoire. Une telle approche passe par l’analyse des principaux textes relatifs à l’aménagement du territoire ainsi que des évolutions législatives dans ce domaine. Il est important de souligner la volonté sans cesse exprimée par les élus locaux pour l’exercice de plus de responsabilité notamment au regard des politiques d’aménagement du territoire. Pourtant, à ce niveau, le rôle de l’État demeure toujours aussi prépondérant et ce, en dépit des lois de décentralisation. D’où la nécessité d'approfondir l'étude des rapports entre collectivités territoriales et l’État. L’approche comparative des statuts juridiques de Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyane, Saint-Martin, Polynésie française, s’impose dès lors comme une étape incontournable dans une telle analyse.Integral part of the French Republic, communities overseas range from corporate identity with the city and looking for some form of self-identity . This feature is its translation into the various constitutional reforms since their inscription in the constitutions of 1946 and 1958. With the constitutional revision of 28 March 2003 on the decentralized organization of the Republic, a new institutional opens for these overseas communities. The referendums on the status of Martinique held December 7, 2003 , then on 10 and 24 January 2010 were part of this logic is in this context of establishing a unique community with a meeting only appropriate to address land issues. Such an approach requires an analysis of key texts relating to planning and legislative developments in this area. It is important to note the willingness constantly expressed by local elected officials to exercise more responsibility especially with regard to land use policies. However, at this level, the role of the state remains as dominant and , despite the decentralization laws. Hence the need for further study of the relationship between local authorities and the state. The comparative approach to legal status of Martinique , Guadeloupe , Guyana, Saint- Martin, French Polynesia , is therefore needed as an essential step in such an analysis

Bodlanmè entre contraintes juridiques et enjeux de developpement

Louis Boutrin présente d\u27abord notre "Bodlanmè" comme un espace juridiquement contraint. Il retourne à cette effet sur la législation ayant régi et régissant actuellement les 50 pas géométriques. Il revient également sur la délimitation des 50 pas géométriques. Il s\u27intéresse dans un second temps au "Bodlanmè" comme un espace économiquement convoité. Il aborde alors les conséquences dommageable sur l\u27environnement naturel, suite à la littorisation massive

A study of the antibacterial effect(s) of phospholipases in experimental African sleeping sickness

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