Selective entrance of gold nanoparticles into cancer cells

We report that Au(0) nanoparticles, stabilized by 5-aminovaleric acid, selectively penetrate into K562 cancer cells in a short time. These experiments were carried out in order to verify the specific recognition of gold sol by abnormal cells. The observed selectivity towards gold nanoparticles by K562 makes the metallic system attractive for cancer therapy

Biochemical evidence of phenoloxidase activity (pro-PO system) in larvae of Allogamus auricollis (Insecta, Trichoptera)

1. Allogamus auricollis cell-free hemolymph proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Under reducing conditions the gel pattern showed two main components (83 and 76 kDa) and some lesser bands. 2. After native PAGE, a single band showed phenoloxidase activity by in situ enzymatic staining. 3. Spectrophotometric analysis of the cell-free plasma fraction was carried out with substrate and PTU as inhibitor

proPO system of Allogamus auricollis (Insecta): effects of various compounds on phenoloxidase activity

The phenoloxidase activity in the hemolymph cell-free fraction from Allogamus auricollis was studied in the presence of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae beta-1,3-glucans. The proPO system seems to be strongly activated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The basic activation observed in this model appears not to be affected by the use of protease inhibitors (cut macroglobulin, soybean trypsin inhibitor), and, in addition, the LPS-activated proPO system is not inhibited by their presence. Calcium ions at high concentrations inhibit the phenoloxidase activity, and EDTA chelation strongly enhances dopachrome formation. Analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of the hemolymph cell-free fraction showed two main components, with a molecular mass of 76 and 80 kDa. After electro-elution from a native PAGE of L-dihydroxy-phenylalanine positive bands, the analytical SDS-PAGE again showed the same two major bands

Gold nanoparticles capped by peptides

Two dipeptides (GK and GC) and two 15-aminoacid peptides (GK15 and GC15) were used as capping agents in the preparation of monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (MPCs). They were characterized by TEM microscopy, UV–vis, NMR and IR spectroscopy

Growth factors, CD34 positive cells, and fibrin network analysis in concentrated growth factors fraction

An interesting clinical option for optimizing healing tissue is the use of platelet concentrate. Platelets contain high quantities of growth factors, among these TGF-??1 and VEGF, which are known to be implicated in tissue regeneration. CGF is produced by processing blood samples with a special centrifuge device; three layers are formed: top acellular plasma (PPP), middle CGF and bottom red blood cells (RBC) layers. Given that to date there are no data concerning the biological characteristic of CGF, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of TGF-??1 and VEGF in CGF and also in PPP and RBC layers. In addition, since circulating stem cells are recruited from blood to injured tissue for healing we also evaluated the presence of CD34 positive cells. Our data show the presence of TGF-??1 and VEGF in CGF and RBC layers. In addition, we show CD34 positive cells in CGF