The effects of gold nanoparticles on the human blood functions

<p>The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely used as drug delivery systems at several biomedical fields. However, the effect of AuNPs on the components of human blood is not well characterized. AuNPs firstly interacted with blood when using AuNPs as the drug delivery carries. Therefore, it is urgent to investigate the effect of AuNPs (including the ligands of AuNPs) on human blood, especially its components. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of polyethylene glycol-coated AuNPs (PEG@AuNPs) and citric acid-coated AuNPs (CT-AuNPs) on the blood cell function and distribution of those nanoparticles in blood components including erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets (PLTs) cells and plasma. We found that the amount of CT-AuNPs engulfed by leukocytes was four folds more compared to PEG@AuNPs, indicating that PEGylation might have the ability to escape the immune system. We found that each individual leukocyte uptaked more AuNPs particles than individual platelet. However, there are more PLTs than leukocytes in the blood. The total amount of AuNPs including PEG@AuNPs and CT-AuNPs accumulation in PLTs were more than in leukocytes. Moreover, we found that both CT-AuNPs and PEG@AuNPs-induced PLTs activation at high concentration. We therefore concluded that the interactions between nanodrug delivery systems (AuNPs) and human blood components, especially the PLTs should be careful evaluated prior to their clinical applications.</p

Application of Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor-Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Near-Infrared II Dual-Modal Probe in Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Surgical Resection

There has been an increase in the use of molecular probe diagnostic techniques for lung cancer, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers specific advantages for diagnosing pulmonary carcinoma. Furthermore, advancements in near-infrared II (NIR-II) fluorescence have provided a new method for precise intraoperative tumor resection. However, few probes combine preoperative diagnosis with intraoperative imaging. This study aims to fill this research void by employing a dual-modal probe that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor for MR and NIR-II imaging, enabling the preoperative diagnosis of lung cancer using MRI and precise intraoperative tumor localization using NIR-II with a single probe. The imaging effects and targeting ability of the probe were confirmed in cell lines, mouse models, and clinical samples. The MR signal decreased within 24 h in the patient-derived xenograft mouse model. The average signal-to-background ratio of NIR-II reached 3.98 ± 0.27. The clinical sample also showed a decrease in the T2 signal using MRI, and the NIR-II optical signal-to-background ratio was 3.29. It is expected that this probe can improve the diagnostic rate of lung cancer using MRI and enable precise intraoperative tumor resection using NIR-II

2-DE analysis and immunoblot patterns using TG proteins of adult <i>S</i>. <i>japonicum</i> as antigens and sera collected from rabbits at stages of uninfected, infected with <i>S. japonicum</i>, and post-treatment of praziquantel as the primary antibodies.

<p>(A) 2-DE separation of TG proteins on CBB stained gel over the pH range 10–3. (B) Immunoproteomics using sera of uninfected rabbit. (C-D) Immunoproteomics using sera of rabbits at 2 (C) and 6 (D) weeks post-infection. (E-L) Immunoproteomics using sera of rabbits at 1 (E), 2 (F), 3 (G), 4 (H), 5 (I), 6 (J), 7 (K) and 8 (L) months post-treatment.</p

Screening Diagnostic Candidates for Schistosomiasis from Tegument Proteins of Adult <i>Schistosoma japonicum</i> Using an Immunoproteomic Approach

<div><p>Background</p><p>Schistosomiasis is one of the world’s most prevalent zoonotic diseases and a serious worldwide public health problem. Since the tegument (TG) of <i>Schistosoma japonicum</i> is in direct contact with the host and induces a host immune response against infection, the identification of immune response target molecules in the schistosome TG is crucial for screening diagnostic antigens for this disease.</p><p>Methodology/Principal Findings</p><p>In this study, an immunoproteomics approach used TG proteins as screening antigens to identify potential diagnostic molecules of <i>S</i>. <i>japonicum</i>. Ten spots corresponding to six proteins were identified that immunoreacted with sera from <i>S</i>. <i>japonicum</i>-infected rabbits but not sera from uninfected rabbits and their specific IgG antibody levels declined quickly after praziquantel treatment. Recombinant phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM) and UV excision repair protein RAD23 homolog B (RAD23) proteins were expressed and their diagnostic potential for schistosomiasis was evaluated and compared with schistosome soluble egg antigen (SEA) using ELISA. The results showed high sensitivity and specificity and low crossreactivity when rSjPGM-ELISA and rSjRAD23-ELISA were used to detect water buffalo schistosomiasis. Moreover, antibodies to rSjPGM and rSjRAD23 might be short-lived since they declined quickly after chemotherapy.</p><p>Conclusion/Significance</p><p>Therefore, the two schistosome TG proteins SjPGM and SjRAD23 were identified as potential diagnostic markers for the disease. The two recombinant proteins might have the potential to evaluate the effectiveness of drug treatments and for distinguishing between current and past infection.</p></div

Expression and purification analysis of rSjPGM (A) or rSjRAD23 (B) protein using SDS-PAGE (12%).

<p>Lane M: Molecular mass markers. Lane 1: Total extract from pET28a(+) after induction with 1 mM IPTG. Lane 2: Total extract from rSjPGM or rSjRAD23 after induction with 1 mM IPTG. Lane 3: rSjPGM or rSjRAD23 purified through Ni²⁺-charged column chromatography.</p

MALDI-TOF-TOF MS identification of some TG proteins which may be potential diagnostic antigens for schistosomiasis japonicum.

<p>^<i>a</i> The percentage coverage was defined as the ratio (%) of the protein sequence covered by the matched peptides.</p><p>MALDI-TOF-TOF MS identification of some TG proteins which may be potential diagnostic antigens for schistosomiasis japonicum.</p

ELISA analysis of rSjPGM (A), rSjRAD23 (B) and SEA (C) for diagnosis of buffaloes schistosomiasis.

<p>Sera from 104 schistosome infected buffaloes and 60 noninfected buffaloes.</p

The recombinant plasmid pET28a(+)–SjPGM (A) and pET28a(+)–SjRAD23 (B) were identified by enzyme digestion.

<p>Lane 1: The blank plasmid pET28a(+). Lane 2: The recombinant plasmid pET28a(+)–SjPGM or pET28a(+)–SjRAD23. Lane 3: The recombinant plasmid pET28a(+)–SjPGM and pET28a(+)–SjRAD23 digested with <i>Bam</i>HI and <i>Xho</i>I restriction enzymes. Lane M: Marker DL2000 DNA Ladder.</p

Immunolocalization of SjPGM and SjRAD23 in adult worm of <i>S</i>.<i>japonicum</i>.

<p>The sections were probed with anti-rSjPGM mice serum (A), anti-rSjRAD23 mice serum (C) and naive mice serum (B, D).</p

Agency and discourse Recruiting consultants in a life assurance company

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