Peptide functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) attracts great attention in cellular and molecular imaging due to its non-invasive and multidimensional tomographic capabilities. Development of new contrast agents is necessary to enhance the MRI signal in tissues of interest. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used as contrast agents for signal enhancement as they have revealed extraordinary magnetic properties at the nanometre size and their toxicity level is very low compared to other commercial contrast agents. In this study, we developed a new method to functionalize the surface of SPIONs. Peptide amphiphile molecules are used to coat SPIONs non-covalently to provide water solubility and to enhance biocompatibility. Superparamagnetic properties of the peptide-SPION complexes and their ability as contrast agents are demonstrated. In vitro cell culture experiments reveal that the peptide-SPION complexes are biocompatible and are localized around the cells due to their peptide coating

2,000 Families: identifying the research potential of an origins-of-migration study

Despite recent advances, critical areas in the analysis of European migration remain underdeveloped. We have only a limited understanding of the consequences of migration for migrants and their descendants, relative to staying behind; and our insights of intergenerational transmission is limited to two generations of those living in the destination countries. These limitations stem from a paucity of studies that incorporate comparison with non-migrants – and return migrants – in countries of origin and which trace processes of intergenerational transmission over multiple generations. This paper outlines the theoretical and methodological discussions in the field, design and data of the 2,000 Families study. The study comprises almost 50,000 members of migrant and non-migrant Turkish families across three family generations, living in Turkey and eight European countries. We provide indicative findings from the study, framed within a theoretical perspective of “dissimilation” from origins, and reflect on its potential for future migration research

An ECVAG† trial on assessment of oxidative damage to DNA measured by the comet assay

The increasing use of single cell gel electrophoresis (the comet assay) highlights its popularity as a method for detecting DNA damage, including the use of enzymes for assessment of oxidatively damaged DNA. However, comparison of DNA damage levels between laboratories can be difficult due to differences in assay protocols (e.g. lysis conditions, enzyme treatment, the duration of the alkaline treatment and electrophoresis) and in the end points used for reporting results (e.g. %DNA in tail, arbitrary units, tail moment and tail length). One way to facilitate comparisons is to convert primary comet assay end points to number of lesions/106 bp by calibration with ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-laboratory variation in assessment of oxidatively damaged DNA by the comet assay in terms of oxidized purines converted to strand breaks with formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG). Coded samples with DNA oxidation damage induced by treatment with different concentrations of photosensitizer (Ro 19-8022) plus light and calibration samples irradiated with ionizing radiation were distributed to the 10 participating laboratories to measure DNA damage using their own comet assay protocols. Nine of 10 laboratories reported the same ranking of the level of damage in the coded samples. The variation in assessment of oxidatively damaged DNA was largely due to differences in protocols. After conversion of the data to lesions/106 bp using laboratory-specific calibration curves, the variation between the laboratories was reduced. The contribution of the concentration of photosensitizer to the variation in net FPG-sensitive sites increased from 49 to 73%, whereas the inter-laboratory variation decreased. The participating laboratories were successful in finding a dose–response of oxidatively damaged DNA in coded samples, but there remains a need to standardize the protocols to enable direct comparisons between laboratories

Canakinumab: New treatment choice for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) accounts for 6-15% of the patients. It was found that there was spontaneous expression of IL-1ß in patients with sJIA. Canakinumab (ACZ885, Canakinumab) is a human anti-IL-1ß monoclonal antibody. Its mode of action is based on the neutralization of IL-1ß signaling which may result in the suppression of inflammation process in patients with disorders of autoinflammatory origin including sJIA. In addition to its use in the treatment of CAPS (cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes) and acute gouty arthritis flares in many countries, the drug provides significant advantages over existing competitive therapies, including monthly SC administration and favorable safety profile. © 2015 Future Medicine Ltd

A phenomenological comparison of elderly depression and adult depression

Objective: Phenomenological differences which are seen in elderly depression difficulties in the diagnosis of depression in elderly people. In this study, it was aimed to compare the phenomenological features of elderly depression and adult depression. Methods: This study included 40 patients aged 18-60 years with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 40 patients over 60 years of age with major depressive disorder (MDD). The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE) were applied to the patients. Results: Both groups participating in the study consisted of the patients with moderate depressive symptoms and without psychotic symp- toms. There was no difference between the elderly and adult groups with MDD in terms of the HAM-D and HAM-A total scores. The MADRS and BPRS total scores were higher in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The HAM-D difficulty in falling asleep, midnight awakening, early morning awakening and hypochondriasis subscores were higher but the HAM-D suicidal ideation subscore was lower in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The MADRS total score and the MADRS inner tension and difficulty in sustaining attention subscores were higher but the MADRS suicidal ideation subscore was lower in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The rate of the first depressive episode was 40% in the elderly group with MDD and 52.5% in the adult group with MDD, respectively. The history of depression in first-degree relatives was lower in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The HAM-D feeling of guilt subscore was lower, however, the HAM-D midnight awakening and early morning awakening subscores were higher in the elderly patients with the first depressive episode compared to the elderly patients with recurrent major depressive episodes. Discussion: Our results show that sleep disturbances, attention problems and hypochondriacal symptoms were higher; however, suicidal ideation was lower in elderly depression compared to adult depression. Our results also show that feeling of guilt in elderly people may give a clue for previous depressive episodes

A phenomenological comparison of elderly depression and adult depression

Objective: Phenomenological differences which are seen in elderly depression difficulties in the diagnosis of depression in elderly people. In this study, it was aimed to compare the phenomenological features of elderly depression and adult depression. Methods: This study included 40 patients aged 18-60 years with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 40 patients over 60 years of age with major depressive disorder (MDD). The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE) were applied to the patients. Results: Both groups participating in the study consisted of the patients with moderate depressive symptoms and without psychotic symp- toms. There was no difference between the elderly and adult groups with MDD in terms of the HAM-D and HAM-A total scores. The MADRS and BPRS total scores were higher in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The HAM-D difficulty in falling asleep, midnight awakening, early morning awakening and hypochondriasis subscores were higher but the HAM-D suicidal ideation subscore was lower in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The MADRS total score and the MADRS inner tension and difficulty in sustaining attention subscores were higher but the MADRS suicidal ideation subscore was lower in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The rate of the first depressive episode was 40% in the elderly group with MDD and 52.5% in the adult group with MDD, respectively. The history of depression in first-degree relatives was lower in the elderly group with MDD compared to the adult group with MDD. The HAM-D feeling of guilt subscore was lower, however, the HAM-D midnight awakening and early morning awakening subscores were higher in the elderly patients with the first depressive episode compared to the elderly patients with recurrent major depressive episodes. Discussion: Our results show that sleep disturbances, attention problems and hypochondriacal symptoms were higher; however, suicidal ideation was lower in elderly depression compared to adult depression. Our results also show that feeling of guilt in elderly people may give a clue for previous depressive episodes