Teleost Nonapeptides, Isotocin and Vasotocin Administration Released the Milt by Abdominal Massage in Male Catfish, Clarias magur.

In the present work the nonapeptides i.e., isotocin and vasotocin alone or in a combination were tested in C. magur to evaluate their effect on stripping by abdominal massage. Also, we used chitosan-carbon nanotube nanocomposites to conjugate the nonapetides isotocin (abbreviated as COOH-SWCNTCSPeP) and isotocin and vasotocin (COOH-SWCNTCSPePs) with the aim of sustaining the effect for a longer duration. The conjugation of nonapeptides with nanocomposites was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of naked (without nanoparticles) and conjugated nonapeptides on the milt release by stripping. Both the experiments consisted of eight treatments which included four naked groups two nanoconjugated groups and two controls. Both naked and nonconjugated formulations were successful in stripping the male catfish. The mRNA expression of selected reproductive genes was analysed to decipher the effect of nanopeptides at the molecular level. Nonapeptide treatment either naked or nanoconjugated, resulted in the upregulation of the transcript level of genes. Histological analysis revealed the concentration of spermatozoa was more in peptide injected groups than in the controls. The synergistic effects of nonapeptides and Ovatide had a positive impact on GSI. Thus, the present formulations were successful in stripping the male catfish to obtain the milt with significant reproductive success. Even though the naked groups perform better but the number of males required to fertilize the eggs in nanoconjuagted groups was smaller making it worth using for the delivery of nonapeptides.

Chitosan grafting onto single-walled carbon nanotubes increased their stability and reduced the toxicity in vivo (catfish) model.

The present work was aimed to develop the tissue benign, modified acid-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (COOH-SWCNT) chitosan (CS) hybrid (COOH-SWCNT-CS). Chitosan-nanotube hybrids were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, Emission Gun-Scanning Electron Microscopes (FEG-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Micronuclei test of blood cells, comet assay of liver tissue and histological analysis of liver and kidney tissues were conducted after different treatments to evaluate the toxicity. Fish receiving COOH-SWCNT developed more numbers of micronuclei than COOH-SWCNT-CS treatments. Similarly, more DNA damage was observed in fish injected with nanotubes alone than chitosan hybrid groups. Histological observations revealed severe liver cell damage at higher concentrations of COOH-SWCNT whereas, in COOH-SWCNT-CS, no such damage was observed. However, kidney tissue remained unaffected in all groups. The study suggests that the nanohybrid developed will be safe and useful for delivery of micro or macro biomolecules in fish and higher animals.

A review on bio-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts as reductants and stabilizing agents.

In the age of technology, nanoparticles have proven to be one of the essential needs for development. These nanoparticles have the potential to be used for a wide variety of applications, thereby, development in improving the quality of nanoparticles, to make them more application specific, is still under research. In this regard, an important point to note is that the procedures employed in synthesizing nanoparticles require to be cost-effective and less-steps involved and have an additional advantage, i.e. they should be eco-friendly. This means that the synthesis procedure needs avoiding the use of harmful chemicals, and negligible generation of any noxious by-products. The green synthesis (biosynthesis) method employs simple procedures, easily available raw materials and ambiance for the synthesis process, where the precursors used are safe, with minute possibility for the production of harmful by-products. Considering these advantages, the current review includes a brief description on the various chemical and physical synthesis method of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with emphasis on the biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using plant extracts (and briefly microbes), the phytochemicals present in the plant extracts, the plausible mechanisms involved in the formation of ZnO nanoparticles and applications of the as-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles as photocatalysts and microbial inhibitors.

Fabrication and characterization of chitosan conjugated eurycomanone nanoparticles: In vivo evaluation of the biodistribution and toxicity in fish.

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) have been proven considerable delivery agents due to their remarkable physicochemical properties. Present study reports the fabrication of CNPs by ionic gelation process and their characterization by different approaches. The constructed nanoparticles were successfully conjugated with eurycomanone with significant entrapment efficiency. Particle size of chitosan and chitosan conjugated eurycomanone nanoparticles were 126.2nm and 130nm respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the particles were spherical in shape and well dispersed. Cross-linking between CNPs and eurycomanone (CENPs) were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Fluorescent nanoparticles were prepared by using Rhodamine-6G dye, characterised by SEM and confirmed for conjugation by FTIR. Biodistribution of CENPs showed the presence of fluorescent nanoparticles in liver, kidney, testes and brain of C. magur. The toxicity of CENPs was evaluated by comparing the histological sections of catfish testes collected from treated and control group. No signs of toxicity were seen in testes after the delivery of CENPs. Molecular docking study revealed high spontaneous binding ability of chitosan with eurycomanone and aromatase enzyme. The study reports that CNPs can act as a stabilizing agent for eurycomanone formulation and could be a promising approach to increase the reproductive performance of the fishes.

[Predictive factors and prognostic consequences of perioperative complications of radical cystectomies for urothelial carcinoma in patients of 80 years or more]. / Facteurs prédictifs et conséquences pronostiques des complications périopératoires lors des cystectomies totales pour carcinome urothélial chez des patients de 80ans ou plus.

OBJECTIVE: To define the predictive factors and the prognostic consequences of perioperative complications occurrence while radical cystectomies for urothelial carcinoma treatment in patients older than 80 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective analysis of clinical and biological preoperative data and outcome of eighty patients of 80 years or more, treated with radical cystectomy between 1990 and 2010 in one centre. Perioperative complications were graded according to the classification from Clavien-Dindo. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (35%) had a single perioperative complication and nineteen (24%) had multiple (≥2) perioperative complications. Overall survival of patients with multiple perioperative complications was significantly lower than that of patients who had no complications (Log-rank P=0.0004). The occurrence of multiple perioperative complications was associated with Charlson and ASA scores, with pelvic irradiation and induction chemotherapy histories. However, in multivariate analysis, only the existence of respiratory comorbidity was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of multiple perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of multiple perioperative complications was associated with reduced overall survival in elderly patients after radical cystectomy. The existence of respiratory comorbidity was the only independent risk factor for the occurrence of multiple perioperative complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

[Tumor-to-tumor metastasis in a renal carcinoma: A rare and surprising event]. / Métastase d'une tumeur primitive dans un carcinome rénal : un évènement rare et surprenant.

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a very rare event. We report three cases of tumor metastasizing in a clear cell renal cell carcinoma: two breast carcinomas and a sigmoid carcinoma. So we objectified a prevalence of 1.5% of renal tumors in our series. It's a rare situation but to be considered in daily practice because it changes oncological management offered to the patient. According to the literature, clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common tumor recipient of metastasis. Several physiopathological mechanisms can explain this phenomenon, but many of them are still unknown. A better understanding of this phenomenon makes it possible to improve the diagnosis and thus the management of patients with several cancers.

Fuel mediated solution combustion synthesis of ZnO supported gold clusters and nanoparticles and their catalytic activity and in vitro cytotoxicity.

Nanocomposites of gold nanoparticles and semiconductor ZnO with wurtzite structure, made by solution combustion synthesis (SCS), as a function of the Zn/fuel ratio with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as fuel exhibit the presence of both nanoparticles and clusters. Atomic gold clusters present on the surface of ZnO nanorods which can be identified by XPS and SEM are easily monitored and characterized by positive ion MALDI experiments as mostly odd numbered clusters, Au3 to Au11 in decreasing amounts. Low concentrations of the fuel produce AuClO and nanoparticles (NPs), with no clusters. Au-ZnO nanocomposites at all [Au] exhibit single blue shifted plasmon absorption and corresponding photoluminescence (PL). Increasing particle size prefers surface plasmon resonance (SPR) scattering of metal that could lead to PL enhancement; however, available ZnO surface in the Au-ZnO composite becomes more important than the particle size of the composite with higher [Au]. The catalytic activity of these Au-ZnO nanocomposites tested on 4-nitrophenol clearly revealed the presence of an intermediate with both NPs and clusters playing different roles. An in vitro study of cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cell lines revealed that these gold nanostructures have turned out to be powerful nanoagents for destruction of cancer cells even with small amounts of gold particles/clusters. The nanorods of ZnO, known to be nontoxic to normal cells, play a lesser role in the anticancer activity of these Au-ZnO nanocomposites.

[Initial experience combinating transobturator male sling and penile implant after radical prostatectomy]. / Chirurgie combinée par bandelette transobturatrice Advance et prothèse pénienne après prostatectomie totale: une première expérience.

PURPOSE: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are two major complications following radical prostatectomy (RP). In case of failure of medical treatment, Advance™ retrourethral male sling and penile implant are validated options to manage respectively SUI and ED. Our goal was to assess the feasibility and results of the combination of these two devices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four patients were treated for SUI and DE following RP in our institution by retrourethral sling and penile prosthesis, after failure of medical management. Each patient was preoperatively evaluated by age, complete medical history, ASA score, endoscopy, pad-test, and urodynamics. The first two patients were implanted with the two devices in a two-stage procedure: retrourethral sling then penile prosthesis for one, and penile prosthesis then retrourethral sling for the other. The two other patients underwent a one-stage procedure: one received the two devices, and the other had retrourethral sling implantation and replacement of a penile prosthesis. Post-operative follow-up was focused on complications and efficacy (evaluated by pad use and PGI-I questionnaire for continence, and patient auto-evaluation for sexual function). RESULTS: No perioperative complication occurred. After a minimum of 6 months follow-up, all the four patients were pad-free with no leakage reported, feeling very much better after the procedure according to the PGI-I. The four patients were fully satisfied of the penile implant device. CONCLUSIONS: According to our initial experience, surgery combining the transobturator Advance male sling and a penile prosthesis is feasible, successively or simultaneously, and leads to excellent functional results with no complications.

Surface-modified CdS nanoparticles as a fluorescent probe for the selective detection of cysteine.

We present a novel method for the selective detection of cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, which plays a crucial role in many important biological functions such as protein folding. Surface-modified colloidal CdS nanoparticles have been used as a fluorescent probe to selectively detect cysteine in the presence of other amino acids in the micromolar concentration range. Cysteine quenches the emission of CdS in the 0.5-10 µM concentration range, whereas the other amino acids do not affect its emission. Among the other amino acids, histidine is most efficient in quenching the emission of the CdS nanoparticles. The sulfur atom of cysteine plays a crucial role in the quenching process in the 0.5-10 µM concentration range. Cysteine is believed to quench the emission of the CdS nanoparticles by binding to their surface via its negatively charged sulfur atom. This method can potentially be applied for its detection in biological samples.