Secondary Structure-Dependent Physicochemical Interaction of Oligonucleotides with Gold Nanorod and Photothermal Effect for Future Applications: A New Insight

We investigate the physicochemical interactions of gold nanorod (GNR) with single-stranded, double-stranded, and hairpin DNA structures to improve the biological compatibility as well as the therapeutic potential, including the photothermal effect of the conjugates. Studies have demonstrated that different DNA secondary structures, containing thiol group, have different patterns of physicochemical interaction. Conjugation efficiency of paired oligonucleotides are significantly higher than that of oligonucleotides with naked bases. Furthermore, hairpin-shaped DNA structures are most efficient in terms of conjugation and increased dispersion, with least interference on GNR near-infrared absorbance and photothermal effect. Our conjugation method can successfully exchange the overall coating of the GNR, attaching the maximum number of DNA molecules, thus far reported. Chemical mapping depicted uniform attachment of thiolated DNA molecules without any topological preference on the GNR surface. Hairpin DNA-coated GNR are suitable for intracellular uptake and remain dispersed in the cellular environment. Finally, we conjugated GNR with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-containing DNA hairpin and the conjugate demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against human cervical cancer cell line (KB). Thus, hairpin DNA structures could be utilized for optimal dispersion and photothermal effect of GNR, along with the delivery of cytotoxic nucleotides, developing the concept of multimodality approach

Microencapsulation of Flaxseed Oil by Lentil Protein Isolate-κ-Carrageenan and -ι-Carrageenan Based Wall Materials through Spray and Freeze Drying

Lentil protein isolate (LPI)-κ-carrageenan (κ-C) and -ι-carrageenan (ι-C) based microcapsules were prepared through spray-drying and freeze-drying to encapsulate flaxseed oil in order to reach final oil levels of 20% and 30%. Characteristics of the corresponding emulsions and their dried microcapsules were determined. For emulsion properties, all LPI-κ-C and LPI-ι-C emulsions remained 100% stable after 48 h, while the LPI emulsions destabilized quickly (p < 0.05) after homogenization mainly due to low emulsion viscosity. For spray-dried microcapsules, the highest yield was attributed to LPI-ι-C with 20% oil, followed by LPI-κ-C 20% and LPI-ι-C 30% (p < 0.05). Flaxseed oil was oxidized more significantly among the spray-dried capsules compared to untreated oil (p < 0.05) due to the effect of heat. Flaxseed oil was more stable in all the freeze-dried capsules and showed significantly lower oil oxidation than the untreated oil after 8 weeks of storage (p < 0.05). As for in vitro oil release profile, a higher amount of oil was released for LPI-κ-C powders under simulated gastric fluid (SGF), while more oil was released for LPI-ι-C powders under simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid (SGF + SIF) regardless of drying method and oil content. This study enhanced the emulsion stability by applying carrageenan to LPI and showed the potential to make plant-based microcapsules to deliver omega-3 oils

Isolated Hepatobiliary Involvement in an Infant with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Case Report with Review of Literature

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare condition in which there is the proliferation of cells of the monocyte-dendritic cell lineage, including Langerhan's cells, with variable clinical manifestations and outcomes. Hepatic involvement is often seen as a part of multi-system LCH and is associated with a fulminant course. Isolated hepatobiliary involvement in LCH is rare. Clinical Description: We report an 11-month-old female infant presenting with prolonged fever associated with progressive jaundice, clay-colored stools, and a massive hepatomegaly. Liver biopsy showed CD1a and Langerin positivity. There was no other system involvement, and hence, the infant was diagnosed with a case of single-system LCH with isolated hepato-biliary LCH. Management and Outcome: A customized chemotherapeutic regimen was started with cytarabine and prednisolone. The patient has responded and there has been gradual improvement in the general clinical condition as well as the laboratory parameters. Conclusions: This case report creates the awareness of possible presentation of pediatric LCH with isolated liver involvement. A high index of suspicion, carefully customized chemotherapeutic regimen may help in the timely diagnosis and successful management

Addison′s disease

Addison′s disease is a rare endocrinal disorder, with several oral and systemic manifestations. A variety of pathological processes may cause Addison′s disease. Classically, hyperpigmentation is associated with the disease, and intraoral pigmentation is perceived as the initial sign and develops earlier than the dermatological pigmentation. The symptoms of the disease usually progress slowly and an event of illness or accident can make the condition worse and may lead to a life-threatening crisis. In this case, several oral as well as systemic manifestation of the Addison′s disease was encountered

Robustness of network controllability to degree-based edge attacks

\u3cp\u3eWe analyze the tolerance of network controllability to degree-based edge attacks as well as random edge failure. In particular, we leverage both control-based and reachability-based robustness metrics to investigate the case when a fixed number of controls are allowed to change locations following each attack. This ability to change the locations of controls models the more realistic scenario in which operators may have a fixed budget of resources but that these resources can be redeployed in response to attacks on the system. We also identify that the most potent targeted attack for network controllability selects edges (on average) based on betweenness centrality.\u3c/p\u3