232 research outputs found
Dual imaging gold nanoplatforms for targeted radiotheranostics
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are interesting for the design of new cancer theranostic tools, mainly due to their biocompatibility, easy molecular vectorization, and good biological half-life. Herein, we report a gold nanoparticle platform as a bimodal imaging probe, capable of coordinating Gd3+ for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and 67Ga3+ for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. Our AuNPs carry a bombesin analogue with anity towards the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPr), overexpressed in a variety of human cancer cells, namely PC3 prostate cancer cells. The potential of these multimodal imaging nanoconstructs was thoroughly investigated by the assessment of their magnetic properties, in vitro cellular uptake, biodistribution, and radiosensitisation assays. The relaxometric properties predict a potential T1-and T2-MRI application. The promising in vitro cellular uptake of 67Ga/Gd-based bombesin containing particles was confirmed through biodistribution studies in tumor bearing mice, indicating their integrity and ability to target the GRPr. Radiosensitization studies revealed the therapeutic potential of the nanoparticles. Moreover, the DOTA chelating unit moiety versatility gives a high theranostic potential through the coordination of other therapeutically interesting radiometals. Altogether, our nanoparticles are interesting nanomaterial for theranostic application and as bimodal T1-and T2-MRI / SPECT imaging probes.This research was funded by FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology), grant
numbers EXCL/QEQ-MED/0233/2012, UID/Multi/04349/2013 and PTDC/MED-QUI/29649/2017. CFGCG and
MMCAC thank FCT and FEDER through the COMPETE Program for funding the CQC (UID/QUI/00313/2013 and
PEst-OE/QUI/UI0313/2014). P.L-L. thanks Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiviy for SAF2017-83043-R,
and Comunity of Madrid, FEDER and FSE for S2017/BMD-368
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Ocimum canum Sims. and Ocimum selloi Benth.
Technology for sugarcane agroindustry waste reuse as granulated organomineral fertilizer
Neutrophil elastase promotes Leishmania donovani infection via interferon-β
Visceral leishmaniasis is a deadly illness caused by Leishmania donovani that provokes liver and spleen inflammation and tissue destruction. In cutaneous leishmaniasis, the protein of L. major named inhibitor of serine peptidases (ISP2) inactivates neutrophil elastase (NE) present at the macrophage surface, resulting in blockade of TLR4 activation, prevention of TNF and IFN production and parasite survival. We report poor intracellular growth of L. donovani in macrophages from knock-out mice for NE (ela-/-), TLR4 or TLR2. NE and TLR4 co-localized with the parasite in the parasitophorous vacuole. Parasite load in the liver and spleen of ela-/- mice were reduced and accompanied by increased nitric oxide and decreased TGF production. Expression of ISP2 was not detected in L. donovani and a transgenic line constitutively expressing ISP2, displayed poor intracellular growth in macrophages and decreased burden in mice. Infected ela-/- macrophages displayed significantly lower IFN mRNA than background mice macrophages and the intracellular growth of was fully restored by exogenous IFN. We propose that L. donovani utilizes the host NE-TLR machinery to induce IFN necessary for parasite survival/growth during early infection. Low or absent expression of parasite ISP2 in L. donovani is necessary to preserve the activation of the NE-TLR pathway
Fusarium wilt incidence and common bean yield according to the preceding crop and the soil tillage system
Reproductive efficiency of asymptomatic Theileria equi carriers mares submitted to an embryo transfer program
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