New Strategies in the Design of Paramagnetic CAs

Nowadays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the first diagnostic imaging modality for numerous indications able to provide anatomical information with high spatial resolution through the use of magnetic fields and gradients. Indeed, thanks to the characteristic relaxation time of each tissue, it is possible to distinguish between healthy and pathological ones. However, the need to have brighter images to increase differences and catch important diagnostic details has led to the use of contrast agents (CAs). Among them, Gadolinium-based CAs (Gd-CAs) are routinely used in clinical MRI practice. During these last years, FDA highlighted many risks related to the use of Gd-CAs such as nephrotoxicity, heavy allergic effects, and, recently, about the deposition within the brain. These alerts opened a debate about the opportunity to formulate Gd-CAs in a different way but also to the use of alternative and safer compounds to be administered, such as manganese- (Mn-) based agents. In this review, the physical principle behind the role of relaxivity and the T1 boosting will be described in terms of characteristic correlation times and inner and outer spheres. Then, the recent advances in the entrapment of Gd-CAs within nanostructures will be analyzed in terms of relaxivity boosting obtained without the chemical modification of CAs as approved in the chemical practice. Finally, a critical evaluation of the use of manganese-based CAs will be illustrated as an alternative ion to Gd due to its excellent properties and endogenous elimination pathway

Pembuatan Fruit Leather dari Campuran Buah Sirsak (Annoma Muricata L.)dan Buah Melon (Cucumis Melo L.)

Theaim of this study wasto get the best treatment fruit leather from mixed soursop (Annoma muricata L.) and melon (Cucumis melo L.). The study used a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with 6 treatments and 3 replications.The treatments were SM1 (soursop 100 : melon 0), SM2 (soursop80 : melon 20), SM3 (soursop60 : melon40), SM4 (soursop40 : melon60) SM5 (soursop20 : melon80) and SM6 (soursop 0 : melon 100). The data were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and DNMRT at 5%. Thestudyshowed that treatment significantly influence on water, ash content, degree of acidity (pH), crude fiber,and organoleptic test. The best treatment offruit leather from this research wasSM2 which have water 12,16%, ash 0,75%, degree of acidity (pH) 3,98, crude fiber content 1,91%, , reddish yellow color,little fruit soursop and melonflavour, sweetness taste, the texture clay and overall assesment of fruit leather was preferred by the panelist

In vitro strategies for mimicking dynamic cell–ECM reciprocity in 3D culture models

The extracellular microenvironment regulates cell decisions through the accurate presentation at the cell surface of a complex array of biochemical and biophysical signals that are mediated by the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). On the one hand, the cells actively remodel the ECM, which on the other hand affects cell functions. This cell–ECM dynamic reciprocity is central in regulating and controlling morphogenetic and histogenetic processes. Misregulation within the extracellular space can cause aberrant bidirectional interactions between cells and ECM, resulting in dysfunctional tissues and pathological states. Therefore, tissue engineering approaches, aiming at reproducing organs and tissues in vitro, should realistically recapitulate the native cell–microenvironment crosstalk that is central for the correct functionality of tissue-engineered constructs. In this review, we will describe the most updated bioengineering approaches to recapitulate the native cell microenvironment and reproduce functional tissues and organs in vitro. We have highlighted the limitations of the use of exogenous scaffolds in recapitulating the regulatory/instructive and signal repository role of the native cell microenvironment. By contrast, strategies to reproduce human tissues and organs by inducing cells to synthetize their own ECM acting as a provisional scaffold to control and guide further tissue development and maturation hold the potential to allow the engineering of fully functional histologically competent three-dimensional (3D) tissues

Red blood cell as an adaptive optofluidic microlens

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Produksi Kemangi di Desa Ciaruteun Ilir, Kecamatan Cibungbulang, Bogor

Kemangi is one of indigenous plants that is widely consumed in West Java. It is planted by most farmers in Ciaruteun Ilir, which is the centre of its plantations in Bogor region. The main objective of this study was to analyse the production factors of kemangi in Ciaruteun Ilir. Thirty one respondents were needed in this study, using the method of Purposive Sampling. The production factors were analysed using Maximum Likelihood methods in Cobb-Douglas model. Based on the level of significance 5%, the results showed that seeds, Urea, labours, and land size significantly affected the production

Direct, precise, enzyme-free detection of miR-103–3p in real samples by microgels with highly specific molecular beacons

Low abundance, small size, and sequence similarities render microRNA (miRNAs) detection challenging, particularly in real samples, where quantifying weakly expressed miRNAs can be arduous due to interference of more abundant molecules. The standard quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) requires multiple steps, thermal cycles, and costly enzymatic reactions that can negatively affect results. Here we present a direct, precise, enzyme-free assay based on microgels particles conjugating molecular beacons (MB) capable of optically detecting low abundant miRNAs in real samples. We validate the applicability of microgels assay using qRT-PCR as a reference technology. As a relevant case, we chose miR-103-3p, a valuable diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer, both in serum samples and MCF7 cells. As a result, microgels assay quantifies miRNA molecules at room temperature in a single step, 1 h (vs. 4 hrs for qRT-PCR) without complementary DNA synthesis, amplification, or expensive reagents. Microgels assay exhibits femtomolar sensitivity, single nucleotide specificity, and a wide linear range (10(2)-10(7) fM) (wider than qRT-PCR), with low sample consumption (2 mu L) and excellent linearity (R-2= 0.98). To test the selectivity of the microgel assay in real samples, MCF7 cells were considered where the pool of 8 other miRNAs were further upregulated with respect to miRNA 103-3p. In such complex environments, microgels assay selectively detects the miRNA target, mainly due to MB advanced stability and specificity as well as high microgel antifouling properties. These results show the reliability of microgels assay to detect miRNAs in real samples

Flow chamber analysis of size effects in the adhesion of spherical particles

The non-specific adhesion of spherical micro- and nano-particles to a cell substrate is investigated in a parallel plate flow chamber. Differently from prior in-vitro analyses, the total volume of the particles injected into the flow chamber is kept fixed whilst the particle diameter is changed in the range 0.5–10 μm. It is shown that: (i) the absolute number of particles adherent to the cell layer per unit surface decreases with the size of the particle as d−1.7; (ii) the volume of the particles adherent per unit surface increases with the size of the particles as d+1.3. From these results and considering solely non-specific particles, the following hypothesis are generated (i) use the smallest possible particles in biomedical imaging and (ii) use the largest possible particles in drug delivery

Hybrid core-shell (HyCoS) nanoparticles produced by complex coacervation for multimodal applications

Multimodal imaging probes can provide diagnostic information combining different imaging modalities. Nanoparticles (NPs) can contain two or more imaging tracers that allow several diagnostic techniques to be used simultaneously. In this work, a complex coacervation process to produce core-shell completely biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles (HyCoS) for multimodal imaging applications is described. Innovations on the traditional coacervation process are found in the control of the reaction temperature, allowing a speeding up of the reaction itself, and the production of a double-crosslinked system to improve the stability of the nanostructures in the presence of a clinically relevant contrast agent for MRI (Gd-DTPA). Through the control of the crosslinking behavior, an increase up to 6 times of the relaxometric properties of the Gd-DTPA is achieved. Furthermore, HyCoS can be loaded with a high amount of dye such as ATTO 633 or conjugated with a model dye such as FITC for in vivo optical imaging. The results show stable core-shell polymeric nanoparticles that can be used both for MRI and for optical applications allowing detection free from harmful radiation. Additionally, preliminary results about the possibility to trigger the release of a drug through a pH effect are reported

Small oligonucleotides detection in three-dimensional polymer network of dna-peg hydrogels

The control of the three-dimensional (3D) polymer network structure is important for permselective materials when specific biomolecule detection is needed. Here we investigate conditions to obtain a tailored hydrogel network that combines both molecular filtering and molecular capture capabilities for biosensing applications. Along this line, short oligonucleotide detection in a displacement assay is set within PEGDA hydrogels synthetized by UV radical photopolymerization. To provide insights on the molecular filter capability, diffusion studies of several probes (sulforho-damine G and dextrans) with different hydrodynamic radii were carried out using NMR technique. Moreover, fluorometric analyses of hybridization of DNA oligonucleotides inside PEGDA hydrogels shed light on the mechanisms of recognition in 3D, highlighting that mesh size and crowding effect greatly impact the hybridization mechanism on a polymer network. Finally, we found the best probe density and diffusion transport conditions to allow the specific oligonucleotide capture and detection inside PEGDA hydrogels for oligonucleotide detection and the filtering out of higher molecular weight molecules

Local/topical antibiotics for peri-implantitis treatment: a systematic review

Most studies indicate that the mechanical removal of the bacterial biofilm from the implant surface is the central goal of peri-implantitis therapy. However, controversial results in the treatment of peri-implantitis have led to the consideration of additional strategies that include surgical approaches and chemical adjuvants. Local/topical antibiotics, such as minocycline, azithromycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, doxycycline, and metronidazole, may improve the efficacy of the definitive treatment of the disease, but the lack of conclusive findings prevents their use in clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of local/topical antibiotics for peri-implantitis treatment. Randomised controlled studies (RCT) on patients with peri-implantitis and comparing the efficacy of local/topical antibiotics vs. placebo or mechanical debridement were included. A systematic search strategy was carried out using three registered databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus). RoB2 was used to assess risk of bias. Five RCTs were identified (n = 250 patients and 333 implants). Contrast results emerged among the included studies, and a high heterogeneity level was observed. Risk of bias revealed some concerns for three studies out of five, while one study was judged at high risk. Only one study analysed the limitations of its findings. Overall, local antibiotic use can be considered a valid approach in the treatment of peri-implantitis. Therefore, future long-term clinical trials with standardised protocols and antibiotics with similar biological activity profiles should be tested to achieve a valid and definitive conclusion