In this work, lateral deformation of human eosinophil cell during the lateral indentation by an optically trapped microbead of diameter 4.5 µm is studied. The images were captured using a CCD camera and the Boltzmann statistics method was used for force calibration. Using the Hertz model, we calculated and compared the elastic moduli resulting from the lateral force, showing that the differences are important and the force should be considered. Besides the lateral component, the setup also allows us to examine the lateral cell-bead interaction. The mean values of the properties obtained, in particular the elastic stiffness and the shear stiffness, were Eh = (37.76 ± 2.85) µN/m and Gh = (12.57 ± 0.32) µN/m. These results show that the lateral indentation can therefore be used as a routine method for cell study, because it enabled us to manipulate the cell without contact with the laser.
Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed male malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide.Since the advent of screening methods such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) assay, digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate biopsy, its incidence has increased significantly.The aim of our study was to analyse aspects of bone scintigraphy (BS) as part of the metastatic extension assessment of prostate cancer in Senegal.Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study, running from January 1 er 2022 to August 31 2023.Patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer were included.Wholebody scans (WBS) were performed using a dual-head SPECT gamma camera (Mediso Nucline TM Spirit DH-V type), 3 hours after intravenous injection of 8 MBq/kg (555 to 740 MBq) of 99m Tc-HMDP.Results: A total of 288 patients with a mean age of 68.37 ± 7.79 years were included.The median total PSA level was 97.6 ng/ml, with 144 patients having a level greater than or equal to 20 ng/ml.All patients had adenocarcinoma, and the Gleason score was available in 202 (70.13%) patients, 75.75% of whom had a score greater than or equal to 7. BS was contributory in 70.48% of cases, with 30.90% positive and 39.58% negative.The result was inconclusive in 85 patients (29.51%).The mean PSA for patients with a positive scan was 190.2 ng/ml and 40.6 ng/ml for those with a negative scan.Multiple metastatic lesions predomi-
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections caused by normal skin or rectum bacteria that get into the urethra and infect the urinary tract.Although the infection can affect various parts of the tract, bladder infections are the most prevalent kind.Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli (UPEC) is the most common pathogen associated with UTI development.Therefore, inhibiting the UPEC protein target (PDB ID: 8BVD) appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy.Therefore, in this study, molecular docking and dynamics were conducted to examine the antibacterial activity of Aloe barbadensis miller against UPEC bacteria.The Aloe barbadensis miller natural compounds licochalcone A, palmidin B and palmidin C were downloaded from PubChem with amoxicillin, which was used as a control drug and studied against the target molecule.The potential parameters examined were the docking scores, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity (ADMET), bioavailability, root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), hydrogen bonding, radius of gyration, and potential energy of the system.Docking scores showed that all ligands demonstrated an admirable candidature as an inhibitor to 8BVD molecule, and the score hierarchy is licochalcone A (-6.4 kcal/mol), palmidin C (-6.1 kcal/mol), palmidin B (-6.0 kcal/mol), and amoxicillin (-5.9 kcal/mol).All ligands appeared to have good drug-like properties and oral bioavailability.Molecular dynamic studies showed that all ligands exhibited an excellent nominee as inhibitors in their vicinity at 20 ns.However, there is a relatively high fluctuation of palmidin B compared with other compounds, which seems to be more stable.This work suggests that the selected phytoconstituents could be used as inhibitors of the 8BVD protein in the fight against UTIs.However, further
The objectives of this study are to understand the mechanisms involved in the stabilization of water/oil interfaces by polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) (Eudra-git®).Eudragit L100 NPs of various sizes and Zeta potentials were studied and compared at a water/cyclohexane model interface using a droplet tensiometer (Tracker Teclis, Longessaigne, France).The progressive interfacial adsorption of the NPs in the aqueous phase was monitored by tensiometry.The model interface was maintained and observed in a drop tensiometer, analyzed via axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA), to determine the interfacial properties.Given the direct relationship between the stability of Pickering emulsions (emulsions stabilized by solid nanoparticles) and the interfacial properties of these layers, different nanoparticle systems were compared.Specifically, Eudragit NPs of different sizes were examined.Moreover, the reduction of the Zeta potential with PEG-6000 induces partial aggregation of the NPs (referred to as NP flocs), significantly impacting the stability of the interfacial layer.Dynamic surface tension measurements indicate a significant decrease in interfacial tension with Eudragit® nanoparticles (NPs).This reduction correlates with the size of the NPs, highlighting that this parameter does not operate in isolation.Other factors, such as the contact angle and wettability of the nanoparticles, also play a critical role.Notably, larger NPs further diminished the interfacial tension.This study enhances our understanding of the stability of Pickering emulsions stabilized by Eudragit® L100 polymeric na-
Background: EMulate Therapeutics has developed a system for emulating the effects of small solvated molecules via their magnetic field recordings. Recordings of magnetic field emissions of select small inhibitor RNAs (siRNAs; murine targeting CTLA-4 and murine targeting PD-1) were tested on C57Bl/6 mice implanted subcutaneously with the GL261 murine tumor cell line. Methods: A signal composed of the concatenated recordings of siRNA molecules targeting the murine CTLA-4 and PD-1 receptors (labeled A2) was used in immune competent C57Bl/6 mice. The mice were flank implanted with the murine glioblastoma cell line GL261. Mice were exposed to the signal continuously (24 hours a day) until tumor volumes reached the designated volume limit. Tumors were excised and analyzed via PAGE/Western blot for the expression of CTLA-4, PD-1, Ki67, Caspase 3, CD4 and CD8. Terminal blood draws were used for CBCs. Results: We report the down regulation of the checkpoint inhibitors CTLA-4 in the exposed mice. Significant tumor volume reduction was observed in mice exposed to the siRNA signal compared to control mice; no adverse events were recorded. Cell blood counts (CBC) and protein expression patterns were observed to correlate with the expected function of protein expression inhibition of the targets. Conclusions: The effect of the magnetic field emission targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 demonstrates the ability to emulate the effects of siRNA and support previously published work using this technology.
Introduction: Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Its treatment uses synthetic antithyroid drugs but the use of aggressive radical therapy such as surgery or non-aggressive therapy such as iodine-131 is not uncommon. Treatment of Graves’ disease with radioactive iodine or iratherapy is a simple, inexpensive, well-tolerated treatment. It was introduced in Senegal in 2016. We report through this work the preliminary assessment of the only nuclear medicine service in Senegal in the management of Graves’ disease by iodine-131. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study of the first cases of Graves’ disease treated with iratherapy in Senegal. Socio-demographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects were studied. Radiation protection rules have been implemented and contraception has been effective for six months in women of childbearing age. Results: 25 patients were collected with a mean age of 45 years, twenty women (80%), a family goiter in 24% and a psycho-affective context in 64% of cases. Thyrotoxicosis syndrome was associated with goiter in 68% of patients and exophthalmos in 64%. Thyroid ultrasound performed in 20 patients showed vascular goiter in 80% and thyroid scintigraphy in 3 patients, homogeneous and diffuse hyperfixation. TRAK dosed in 8 patients was still positive. All patients had received first-line medical treatment. The average duration of this treatment was more than 18 months in 92%. The empirically used iodine-131 activity averaged 15.35 mCi. Oral corticosteroid therapy was prescribed in 7 patients for the prevention of malignant orbitopathy. No early side effects were noted. The remission rate at 3 months was 52% and at 6 months was 88% to 92%. Conclusion: The effectiveness of radioactive iodine, in particular ablative doses in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, is no longer to be demonstrated. Taking into account our socioeconomic context, iratherapy should be a treatment of choice for hyperthyroidism with a good quality/price ratio and excellent tolerance.
The current immunooncology artificially ignores the connection with lymphopoiesis, though is only its derivative. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) provide physiological regeneration of biomass of the host, fetus, and malignant tumors, as well, as the cells’ reparation after sub-lethally injuring in any tissues and their renewal. HSC, especially of lymphoid lineage, are the most vulnerable of those, which are responsible for viability of organism. Natural and artificial deficits of HSC determine aging, multi-organs syndromes and death of the host, because their current proliferative resource (CPR) is individually limited at birth, and is spending irreversibly during wounds’ healing, pregnancy, tumor growth, and on. CPR, being an integral value of the number of stem cells along the length of their telomeres, is a “shagreen skin”, for which the tumor competes with normal tissues as a quasi-embryonic favorite and winner, especially in the final period of a shortening the life. The primary approach to cancer treatment must prioritize the preservation of CPR remnants, rather than their destruction, in order to temporarily halt the malignant process. The re-targeting of HSC from tumors in favor of normal tissues is the immediate objective of competitive therapy, which allows for preserving the rest of the CPR host’s resources, especially in patients with advanced cancer. However, the contradictory and insignificant practically, the dogma of antitumor cellular immunity continues to dominate and hinder progress in oncology.
Introduction: In hyperthyroidism, selective irradiation of the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine is a radical treatment and an alternative to surgery. The aim of this review is to assess the medium-term efficacy of outpatient treatment of hyperthyroidism with iodine-131 in Africa. Methods: We identified the studies carried out in Africa on outpatient radiation therapy between 2016 and 2020. For each article included, we noted the country concerned and the year of publication, the numbers studied, the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, the indications for radio iodine therapy, the dose administered, the results of the hormonal dosage 6 months after radiation. Results: 13 retrospective studies were included to constitute a total population of 925 patients. The average age was 40.77 years, the sex ratio of 1/5.4 with a clear female predominance. The 3 main etiologies of hyperthyroidism justifying outpatient radio iodine therapy were Graves’ disease (55.89%), toxic multinodular goiter (22.70%) and toxic adenoma (21.40%). The average dose of iodine 131 administered per course is 13.7 mCi. No short-and medium-term complications were reported. The radio iodine therapy was effective in 86.08% (n = 796) of the patients with extremes of 72% and 100%. Conclusion: Radio iodine therapy is effective in Africa. It is simple, inexpensive on an outpatient basis and well tolerated. The introduction of outpatient radio iodine therapy could improve the management of patients with hyperthyroidism in Burkina Faso.
Introduction: Near-infrared fluorescence imaging is a technique that will establish itself in the short term at the international level because it is recognized for its potential to improve the performance of surgical interventions, its moderate investment and operating costs and its portability.Although the technology is now mature, there is currently the problem of the availability of contrast agents to be injected IV.The aim of this methodology article is to propose an alternative solution to the need for contrast agents for clinical research, particularly in oncology.Methodology: They consist of coupling a fluorescent marker in the form of an NHS derivative, such as IR DYE manufactured in compliance with GMP, with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies having marketing authorization for molecular imaging.For a given antibody, the marking procedure must be the subject of a validation file on the final preparation filtered on a sterilizing membrane at 0.22 µm.Once the procedure has been validated, it would be unnecessary to repeat the tests before each clinical research examination.A check of the marking by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and place it in a sample bank at +4˚C for 1 month of each injected formulation would be sufficient for additional tests if necessary.Conclusion: Molecular near-infrared fluorescence imaging is experiencing development, the process of which could be accelerated by greater availability of clinical contrast agents.Alternative solutions are therefore necessary to promote clinical research in this area.These methods must be shared to make it easier for researchers.
Numerous preclinical results have been verified, and clinical results have validated the advantages of modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT). This method uses the nonthermal effects of the electric field in addition to thermal energy absorption. Modulation helps with precisely targeting and immunogenically destroying malignant cells, which could have a vaccination-like abscopal effect. A new additional modulation (high-power pulsing) further develops the abilities of the mEHT. My objective is to present the advantages of pulsed treatment and how it fits into the mEHT therapy. Pulsed treatment increases the efficacy of destroying the selected tumor cells; it is active deeper in the body, at least tripling the penetration of the energy delivery. Due to the constant pulse amplitude, the dosing of the absorbed energy is more controllable. The induced blood flow for reoxygenation and drug delivery is high enough but not as high as increasing the risk of the dissemination of malignant cells. The short pulses have reduced surface absorption, making the treatment safer, and the increased power in the pulses allows the reduction of the treatment time needed to provide the necessary dose.
