30 research outputs found
Comparative study on cellular entry of incinerated ancient gold particles (Swarna Bhasma) and chemically synthesized gold particles
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used for a number of imaging and therapeutic applications in east and western part of the world. For thousands of years, the traditional Indian Ayurvedic approach to healing involves the use of incinerated gold ash, prepared with a variety of plant extracts and minerals depending on the region. Here, we describe the characterization of incinerated gold particles (IAuPs) in HeLa (human cells derived from cervical cancer) and HFF-1 (human foreskin fibroblast cells) in comparison to synthesized citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). We found that while individual IAuP crystallites are around 60 nm in size, they form large aggregates with a mean diameter of 4711.7 nm, some of which can enter cells. Fewer cells appeared to have IAuPs compared to AuNPs, although neither type of particle was toxic to cells. Imaging studies revealed that IAuPs were in vesicles, cytosol, or in the nucleus. We found that their nuclear accumulation likely occurred after nuclear envelope breakdown during cell division. We also found that larger IAuPs entered cells via macropinocytosis, while smaller particles entered via clathrin-dependent receptor-mediated endocytosis
Rhabdomyolysis diagnosed in an older woman with dementia on examination after a wandering episode
Healing the orphaned heart: heart failure in a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Cationic CaMKII Inhibiting Nanoparticles Prevent Allergic Asthma
Asthma
is a common lung disease affecting over 300 million people
worldwide and is associated with increased reactive oxygen species,
eosinophilic airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus production.
Targeting of novel therapeutic agents to the lungs of patients with
asthma may improve efficacy of treatments and minimize side effects.
We previously demonstrated that Ca<sup>2+</sup>/calmodulin-dependent
protein kinase (CaMKII) is expressed and activated in the bronchial
epithelium of asthmatic patients. CaMKII inhibition in murine models
of allergic asthma reduces key disease phenotypes, providing the rationale
for targeted CaMKII inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach
for asthma. Herein we developed a novel cationic nanoparticle (NP)-based
system for delivery of the potent and specific CaMKII inhibitor peptide,
CaMKIIN, to airways. CaMKIIN-loaded NPs
abrogated the severity of allergic asthma in a murine model. These
findings provide the basis for development of innovative, site-specific
drug delivery therapies, particularly for treatment of pulmonary diseases
such as asthma