Biofunctionalized Capillary Flow Channel Platform Integrated with 3D Nanostructured Matrix to Capture Circulating Tumor Cells

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from peripheral blood account genetic information for cancer diagnosis and overall disease monitoring. Analysis of “liquid biopsy” holds immense promise as it may lead to new approaches for cancer treatment. The study reports effective and continuous flow microchannel system for isolating CTCs using transferrin conjugated 3D matrix synthesized by crosslinking polyethylene glycol-Fe3O4 nanostructures for rapid and efficient capturing of CTCs. The platform provides option of using multiple microchannel units in series that can influence higher cell-capture efficiency due to increasing cell-substrate contact frequency. CTCs are captured with high efficiency even at low concentration of target cells (~90% at 25 cells per mL blood). Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the cell-capture performance is influenced by topographic interactions between nanostructure based matrix and cancer cells of interest. In addition, this study demonstrates the “proof of concept” using 3D microchannel system having capacity of simultaneously capturing and permanently eliminating CTCs from peripheral blood samples. Further, the study evaluates clinical samples of colon and breast cancer patients for rapid isolation of CTCs. Conclusively, the present platform demonstrates inordinate capacity for cancer cell sorting, biological studies of CTCs, and cancer metastasis, potentially benefiting the real time liquid biopsy and early prognosis of cancer

Psychosis in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are common; however, psychosis per se is bit uncommon. They may be cognitive deficit, lupus headache, psychoses, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and cerebrovascular events. Psychiatric symptoms in SLE can be functionally independent psychiatric disorders. It can be due to drugs (steroids) used for SLE or secondary to SLE because of its brain involvement, which is termed as neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). No single clinical, laboratory, neuropsychological, and imaging test can be used to differentiate NPSLE from non-NPSLE patients with similar neuropsychiatric manifestations. Presently we are discussing about three cases of SLE with psychosis and which had different clinical presentation. The present reports also depict the approach to case differential diagnosis and management of the same

A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study of Prevalence and Nature of Psychiatric Referrals from Intensive Care Units in a Multispecialty Hospital

Context: The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in general hospital range from 20% to 60%. Presence of psychiatric morbidity compounds the disability and suffering in medical patients. There is a limited literature on the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in patients admitted in the intensive care units (ICUs). Aims: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and nature of comorbid psychiatric illness in the cases referred from ICUs. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Materials and Methods: This study included all the consecutive patients referred from different ICUs to psychiatry department for consultation during the four-year period from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2003, assessment was done by psychiatrist and diagnosis was made using ICD-10. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics. Results: There were 309 (1.97%) referrals from ICUs to psychiatry department during the period of study. Among the referred patients, diagnosis of organic mental disorders was the commonest psychiatric diagnosis present in 104 (33.65%) patients followed by suicidal attempt in 101 (32.69%); anxiety disorders in 40 (12.94%); depressive disorders in 21 (6.8%); Psychotic illness in 10 (3.24%); other psychiatric illnesses in 28 (9.06%); and nil psychiatric illness in 5 (1.62%) patients. Conclusion: Prevalence of psychiatric referrals from ICUs was low. This could be due to stigma and lack of awareness among physicians. There is increased need for recognition and treatment of comorbid psychiatric illness by the treating physicians which may help to decrease morbidity and overall cost of the treatment

A short term prospective study of the effects of the commonly used antipsychotic drugs on ECG parameters

Context: Psychiatric patients have been identified as a population at risk for cardiovascular problems. Mortality rates are higher among psychiatric patients than in the general population and pharmacological treatment may produce side-effects that affect morbidity and mortality. Most of the previous studies are cross-sectional and are done without taking the base line values and they do not mention clearly the effects of antipsychotic drugs when used for a short period. Aims: To compare the effects of Olanzapine (OLZ), Risperidone (RSP), Trifluperazine (TFP) and Haloperidol (HPL) antipsychotic drugs on various ECG Parameters. Settings and Design: Short term prospective study. Materials and Methods: All the consecutive patients attending the hospital, who mandated the use of antipsychotic drugs, were recruited. A baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded on Day 0, before starting the antipsychotic drug. ECGs were repeated on Days 1, 5 and 10 after starting the drug. A total of 71 patients were included (N = 71), of which 33 were in OLZ group (N = 33), 14 in the RSP group (N = 14), 13 in the TFP group (N = 13) and 11 in HPL group (N = 11). Statistical analysis used: The data was analysed using SPSS Ver. 14 software. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in the ECG parameters in patients on OLZ, RSP, TFP and HPL. Conclusions: Our study shows that there are no significant changes in ECG parameters after administration of OLZ, RSP, TFP and HPL. Thus all the four drugs are equally safe in healthy adults for short-term use

Optimizing Circulating Tumor Cells’ Capture Efficiency of Magnetic Nanogels by Transferrin Decoration

Magnetic nanogels (MNGs) are designed to have all the required features for their use as highly efficient trapping materials in the challenging task of selectively capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the bloodstream. Advantageously, the discrimination of CTCs from hematological cells, which is a key factor in the capturing process, can be optimized by finely tuning the polymers used to link the targeting moiety to the MNG. We describe herein the relationship between the capturing efficiency of CTCs with overexpressed transferrin receptors and the different strategies on the polymer used as linker to decorate these MNGs with transferrin (Tf). Heterobifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers with different molecular weights were coupled to Tf in different ratios. Optimal values over 80% CTC capture efficiency were obtained when 3 PEG linkers with a length of 8 ethylene glycol (EG) units were used, which reveals the important role of the linker in the design of a CTC-sorting system

Transferrin Decorated Thermoresponsive Nanogels as Magnetic Trap Devices for Circulating Tumor Cells

A rational design of magnetic capturing nanodevices, based on a specifi c interaction withcirculating tumor cells (CTCs), can advance the capturing effi ciency and initiate the developmentof modern smart nanoformulations for rapid isolation and detection of these CTCsfrom the bloodstream. Therefore, the development and evaluation of magnetic nanogels(MNGs) based on magnetic nanoparticles and linear thermoresponsive polyglycerol forthe capturing of CTCs with overexpressed transferrin (Tf + )receptors has been presented in this study. The MNGs aresynthesized using a strain-promoted ?click? approachwhich has allowed the in situ surface decoration withTf?polyethylene glycol (PEG) ligands of three different PEGchain lengths as targeting ligands. An optimal value ofaround 30% of cells captures is achieved with a linker ofeight ethylene glycol units. This study shows the potentialof MNGs for the capture of CTCs and the necessity of precisecontrol over the linkage of the targeting moiety to thecapturing device.Fil: Asadian Birjand, Mazdak. Universität zu Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Biglione, Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Bergueiro, Julian. Universität zu Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Cappelletti, Ariel Leonardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Rahane, Chinmay. Maeers Maharashtra Institute Of Pharmacy; IndiaFil: Chate, Govind. Maeers Maharashtra Institute Of Pharmacy; IndiaFil: Khandare, Jayant. Maeers Maharashtra Institute Of Pharmacy; IndiaFil: Klemke, Bastian. Helmholtz-zentrum Berlin Für Materialien Und Energie Gm; AlemaniaFil: Strumia, Miriam Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Calderon, Marcelo. Freie Universität Berlin; Alemani