Robust and Biocompatible Functionalization of ZnS Nanoparticles by Catechol-Bearing Poly(2-Methyl-2-Oxazoline)s.

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles (NPs) are particularly interesting materials for their electronic and luminescent properties. Unfortunately, their robust and stable functionalization and stabilization, especially in aqueous media, has represented a challenging and not yet completely accomplished task. In this work, we report the synthesis of colloidally stable, photoluminescent and biocompatible core\u2013polymer shell ZnS and ZnS:Tb NPs by employing a water-in-oil miniemulsion (ME) process combined with surface functionalization via catechol-bearing poly-2-methyl-2-oxazoline (PMOXA) of various molar masses. The strong binding of catechol anchors to the metal cations of the ZnS surface, coupled with the high stability of PMOXA against chemical degradation, enable the formation of suspensions presenting excellent colloidal stability. This feature, combined with the assessed photoluminescence and biocompatibility, make these hybrid NPs suitable for optical bioimaging

Time-resolved EPR investigation of oxygen and temperature effects on synthetic eumelanin

Synthetic eumelanin produced using 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid as precursor and H2O2/horseradish peroxidase as oxidative reagent, in form of dry powder, has been investigated under photoexcitation by TR-EPR spectroscopy. The formation of spin polarized radical pairs from triplet excited states of melanin has been observed both in absence and in presence of oxygen and has been followed as a function of the temperature in the range 140–290 K. The triplet mechanism explains the observed polarization pattern in net emission. In the presence of oxygen new radical pairs are formed by interaction of melanin with molecular oxygen

Modeling Fungal Melanin Buildup: Biomimetic Polymerization of 1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene Mapped by Mass Spectrometry

Due to the emerging biomedical relevance and technological potential of fungal melanins, and prompted by the virtual lack of information about their structural arrangement, an optimized synthetic protocol has been devised for a potential structural model of Ascomyces allomelanin through enzyme-catalyzed oxidative polymerization of 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,8-DHN). Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) measurements of freshly synthesized DHN-polymer recorded in the negative ion mode allowed detection of oligomers up to m/z 4000, separated by 158 Da, corresponding to the in-chain DHN-unit. The dominant peaks were assigned to singly-charged distribution, up to 23 repeating units, whereas a doubly charged polymer distribution was also detectable. Chemical derivatization, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-ESI MS, and MS/MS data confirmed that oxidative polymerization of 1,8-DHN proceeds through C−C coupling of the naphthalene rings. The new insights reported here into synthetic 1,8-DHN oligomers/polymers as a mimic of fungal melanins may guide novel interesting advances and applications in the field of biomimetic functional material

A Cost-Utility Analysis of Prostate Cancer Screening in Australia

Background and Objectives: The Göteborg randomised population-based prostate cancer screening trial demonstrated that Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) based screening reduces prostate cancer deaths compared with an age matched control group. Utilising the prostate cancer detection rates from this study we have investigated the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a similar PSA-based screening strategy for an Australian population of men aged 50-69 years. Methods: A decision model that incorporated Markov processes was developed from a health system perspective.The base case scenario compared a population-based screening programme with current opportunistic screening practices. Costs, utility values, treatment patterns and background mortality rates were derived from Australian data. All costs were adjusted to reflect July 2015 Australian dollars. An alternative scenario compared systematic with opportunistic screening but with optimisation of active surveillance (AS) uptake in both groups. A discount rate of 5% for costs and benefits was utilised. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the effect of variable uncertainty on model outcomes. Results: Our model very closely replicated the number of deaths from both prostate cancer and background mortality in the Göteborg study. The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) for PSA screening was $AU147,528. However, for years of life gained (LYGs) PSA based screening ($AU45,890/LYG) appeared more favourable. Our alternative scenario with optimised AS improved cost-utility to $AU45,881/QALY, with screening becoming cost-effective at a 92$AU50,000/QALY. It appears more cost-effective if LYGs are used as the relevant outcome, and is more cost effective than the established Australian breast cancer screening programme on this basis. Optimised utilisation of AS increases the cost-effectiveness of prostate cancer screening dramatically

Zinc ion dyshomeostasis increases resistance of prostate cancer cells to oxidative stress via upregulation of HIF1α.

Zinc ions (Zn2+) are known to influence cell survival and proliferation. However the homeostatic regulation of Zn2+ and their role in prostate cancer (PC) progression is poorly understood. Therefore the subcellular distribution and uptake of Zn2+ in PC cells were investigated. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and fluorescent microscopy with the Zn2+-specific fluorescent probe FluoZin-3 were used to quantify total and free Zn2+, respectively, in the normal prostate epithelial cell line (PNT1A) and three human PC cell lines (PC3, DU145 and LNCaP). The effects of Zn2+ treatment on proliferation and survival were measured in vitro using MTT assays and in vivo using mouse xenografts. The ability of Zn2+ to protect against oxidative stress via a HIF1α-dependent mechanism was investigated using a HIF1α knock-down PC3 model. Our results demonstrate that the total Zn2+ concentration in normal PNT1A and PC cells is similar, but PC3 cells contain significantly higher free Zn2+ than PNT1A cells (p < 0.01). PNT1A cells can survive better in the presence of high concentrations of Zn2+ than PC3 cells. Exposure to 10 µM Zn2+ over 72 hours significantly reduces PC3 cell proliferation in vitro but not in vivo. Zn2+ increases PC3 cell survival up to 2.3-fold under oxidative stress, and this protective effect is not seen in PNT1A cells or in a HIF1α-KD PC3 cell model. A state of Zn2+ dyshomeostasis exists in PC. HIF1α is an integral component of a Zn2+-dependent protective mechanism present in PC3 cells. This pathway may be clinically significant through its contribution to castrate-resistant PC survival

Experimental rat models for contrast-induced nephropathy; A comprehensive review

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an iatrogenic disease caused by the parenteral administration of iodinated contrast media (CM). A number of agents are currently being assessed to minimise or prevent CIN. Such agents are typically assessed using rat models. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the rat models of CIN used in pre-clinical research. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were systematically searched. Articles reporting rat models of CIN were included for assessment. Study designs, contrast agents and outcome measures were assessed. Of the assessed studies, a majority report a requirement for pre-existing renal impairment prior to the administration of CM. Outcome measures are heterogenous between studies, but typically include assessment and quantification of serum biochemical markers, cellular oxidative stress and histopathological changes. The significant variation in methodology reported in the current literature highlights the lack of consensus. The use of a reliable pre-contrast insult appears critical to result in the development of contrast nephropathy. The use of acceptable outcome measures appears to include serum laboratory markers, quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and objective histopathological outcomes