Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Imaging Guided Interventions

We describe multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) encapsulated in thermosensitive, drug-bearing shells and delivered to the tumor site by genetically modified and non-pathogenic strains of bacteria with known affinity to tumors for an effective and minimally invasive protocol for tumor management. The magnetic nanoparticles also serve as a non-invasive imaging contrast agent, heating agent as well as thermometry monitoring agents. We have shown an efficient tumor management on a mouse model utilizing the MNPs. Our studies showed that these novel MNPs significantly reduce the progress of tumor and prolong the animal life and function as an imaging contrast to visually monitor the tumor treatment and evolution

Leucine supplementation attenuates macrophage foamâ cell formation: Studies in humans, mice, and cultured macrophages

Whereas atherogenicity of dietary lipids has been largely studied, relatively little is known about the possible contribution of dietary amino acids to macrophage foamâ cell formation, a hallmark of early atherogenesis. Recently, we showed that leucine has antiatherogenic properties in the macrophage model system. In this study, an inâ depth investigation of the role of leucine in macrophage lipid metabolism was conducted by supplementing humans, mice, or cultured macrophages with leucine. Macrophage incubation with serum obtained from healthy adults supplemented with leucine (5 g/d, 3 weeks) significantly decreased cellular cholesterol mass by inhibiting the rate of cholesterol biosynthesis and increasing cholesterol efflux from macrophages. Similarly, leucine supplementation to C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks) resulted in decreased cholesterol content in their harvested peritoneal macrophages (MPM) in relation with reduced cholesterol biosynthesis rate. Studies in J774A.1 murine macrophages revealed that leucine doseâ dependently decreased cellular cholesterol and triglyceride mass. Macrophages treated with leucine (0.2 mM) showed attenuated uptake of very lowâ density lipoproteins and triglyceride biosynthesis rate, with a concurrent downâ regulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferaseâ 1, a key enzyme catalyzing triglyceride biosynthesis in macrophages. Similar effects were observed when macrophages were treated with αâ ketoisocaproate, a key leucine metabolite. Finally, both in vivo and in vitro leucine supplementation significantly improved macrophage mitochondrial respiration and ATP production. The above studies, conducted in human, mice, and cultured macrophages, highlight a protective role for leucine attenuating macrophage foamâ cell formation by mechanisms related to the metabolism of cholesterol, triglycerides, and energy production. © 2018 BioFactors, 44(3):245â 262, 2018Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144642/1/biof1415.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144642/2/biof1415_am.pd

Stakeholder participation in greywater management in the Jordanian Badia

The aim of this chapter is to illustrate the process of stakeholder participation in greywater (GW) management in the Badia of Jordan. The work was carried out as a part of a project entitled Integrated Wastewater Management Policies and Technologies in Marginal Communities in Jordan, described more fully in Chapter 4. The objectives of the project were to improve the quality of life and well-being for rural Jordanians, strategically support GW use and improve hygienic conditions. The stakeholders participating in GW management included local people, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), governmental authorities and scientists and experts from universities as well as research institutions. Local people were involved in different capacity-building programs, including technical field visits, a participatory rapid (or rural) appraisal (PRA) training course and awareness campaigns. Local people were also involved in data collection, community selection, GW quality and quantity assessment, treatment technology, construction and operation. Experts and governmental authorities participated in treatment technology selection and design. The study revealed that combining the strengths of different stakeholders made up for the scarce learning resources and human and financial resources that are needed to develop GW treatment technology for the Badia region. It was concluded that incorporation of inputs from different stakeholders enhanced the quality, ownership and sustainability of the project

Greywater Management in the North Eastern Badia of Jordan

This chapter looks at the feasibility of adopting non-conventional GW management policies for small, rural communities in the north-eastern Badia of Jordan. The north-eastern Badia comprises 33 small clusters (communities), all of which lack public sewerage networks. The most common wastewater collection method is the use of pit latrines and unlined cesspools. About two-thirds of the population separate GW from blackwater, but use the GW for irrigation in an uncontrolled manner and without any treatment. A local stakeholder committee (LSC) formed of and including community members and officials was engaged in all project activities, including field visits to wastewater/GW treatment-and-use projects as well as a training workshop on public participation concepts and participatory rapid (or rural) appraisal (PRA) tools and methodologies. Relevant social, economic, and environmental data and information were collected utilizing PRA tools as well as formal surveys. One of the clusters – Rawdat Al-Amir Ali – was appointed as a research site based on specific criteria set by the research team and the LSC. Greywater quality and quantities generated from different fixtures of six households at the research site were investigated during the period March–August 2005. Different cost-effective and technologically-sound alternative treatment options were assessed, taking into consideration potential reuse opportunities. Two different treatment options were considered: 1) septic tank followed by intermittent sand filter; 2) up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). Two pilot plants were designed, installed and operated in two households at the research site

Heparanase Inhibition Reduces Glucose Levels, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress in Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice

Background. Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial process. Emerging evidence highlights a role of the enzyme heparanase in various disease states, including atherosclerosis formation and progression. Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of heparanase inhibition on blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and oxidative stress in apoE−/− mice. Methods. Male apoE−/− mice were divided into two groups: one treated by the heparanase inhibitor PG545, administered intraperitoneally weekly for seven weeks, and the other serving as control group (injected with saline). Blood pressure was measured a day before sacrificing the animals. Serum glucose levels and lipid profile were measured. Assessment of oxidative stress was performed as well. Results. PG545 significantly lowered blood pressure and serum glucose levels in treated mice. It also caused significant reduction of the serum oxidative stress. For safety concerns, liver enzymes were assessed, and PG545 caused significant elevation only of alanine aminotransferase, but not of the other hepatic enzymes. Conclusion. Heparanase inhibition by PG545 caused marked reduction of blood pressure, serum glucose levels, and oxidative stress in apolipoprotein E deficient mice, possibly via direct favorable metabolic and hemodynamic changes caused by the inhibitor. Possible hepatotoxic and weight wasting effects are subject for future investigation

Ventricular septal rupture: insights into an old disease

International audienceVentricular septal rupture (VSR) is a serious complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and surgery is the reference treatment. We aimed at describing trends in management and mortality during the last four decades and reporting mortality predictors in these patients. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of patients sustaining a VSR from 1981 to 2020. We screened 274 patients and included 265 for analysis. The number of patients decreased over the years: 80, 88, 56, and 50 in each 10-year time span. In-hospital mortality decreased significantly since 1990 (logrank 0.007). The median age was 72.0 years IQR [66-78] and 188 patients (70.9%) were operated on. IABP was used more routinely (p 2 HR 2.5 IC [1.9-3.4] p 20 HR 2.4 IC [1.8-3.2] p < 0.0001. A "time from MI to surgery" of 8 days offers the best ability to discriminate between patients with or without mortality. The ability of "Euroscore 2 and Killip" to detect the patients most likely to wait 8 days for surgery was at 0.81 [0.73-0.89] p < 0.0001. Mortality remains high over the years. Euroscore 2, Killip class, and time from MI to surgery are the main mortality predictors. Patients with a Killip < 3 and a Euroscore < 20 should be monitored at least 8 days since MI before being referred to surgery