Novel Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Ferroptosis in a Panel of Cancer Cell Lines.

The use of nanomaterials rationally engineered to treat cancer is a burgeoning field that has reported great medical achievements. Iron-based polymeric nano-formulations with precisely tuned physicochemical properties are an expanding and versatile therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment. Recently, a peculiar type of regulated necrosis named ferroptosis has gained increased attention as a target for cancer therapy. Here, we show for the first time that novel iron oxide nanoparticles coated with gallic acid and polyacrylic acid (IONP-GA/PAA) possess intrinsic cytotoxic activity on various cancer cell lines. Indeed, IONP-GA/PAA treatment efficiently induces ferroptosis in glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and fibrosarcoma cells. IONP-GA/PAA-induced ferroptosis was blocked by the canonical ferroptosis inhibitors, including deferoxamine and ciclopirox olamine (iron chelators), and ferrostatin-1, the lipophilic radical trap. These ferroptosis inhibitors also prevented the lipid hydroperoxide generation promoted by the nanoparticles. Altogether, we report on novel ferroptosis-inducing iron encapsulated nanoparticles with potent anti-cancer properties, which has promising potential for further in vivo validation.

DNA-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Conjugates: Functional Magnetic Nanoplatforms in Biomedical Applications.

The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), such as iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), in biomedicine is considered to be a valuable alternative to the more traditional materials due to their chemical stability, cost-effectiveness, surface functionalization, and the possibility to selectively attach and transport targeted species to the desired location under a magnetic field. One of the many main applications of MNPs is DNA separation, which enables genetic material manipulation; consequently, MNPs are used in numerous biotechnological methods, such as gene transfection and molecular recognition systems. In addition, the interaction between the surfaces of MNPs and DNA molecules and the magnetic nature of the resulting composite have facilitated the development of safe and effective gene delivery vectors to treat significant diseases, such as cancer and neurological disorders. Furthermore, the special recognition properties of nucleic acids based on the binding capacity of DNA and the magnetic behavior of the nanoparticles allowing magnetic separation and concentration of analytes have led to the development of biosensors and diagnostic assays; however, both of these applications face important challenges in terms of the improvement of selective nanocarriers and biosensing capacity. In this review, we discuss some aspects of the properties and surface functionalization of MNPs, the interactions between DNA and IONPs, the preparation of DNA nanoplatforms and their biotechnological applications, such as the magnetic separation of DNA, magnetofection, preparation of DNA vaccines, and molecular recognition tools.

Comportamiento del consumo de drogas en adolescentes de noveno grado / Drug Use Behavior among Adolescents in Ninth School Year

Introducción: a nivel mundial, el consumo de alcohol y tabaco comienza desde edades muy tempranas. Cuba no queda aislada de este fenómeno. Objetivo: caracterizar el consumo de drogas en adolescentes de noveno grado de la Secundaria Básica “28 de septiembre”, de la Comunidad de Párraga. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 116 adolescentes de dicha secundaria.Resultados: de los adolescentes encuestados, 45 consumían alcohol. De ellos, siete también eran consumidores de tabaco. Se detectó que la edad de inicio de consumo tanto de tabaco como de alcohol, era de 14 años. El consumo de alcohol lo realizaban fundamentalmente en actividades recreativas. Se observó que el 71,5 por ciento de los adolescentes reconoce al alcohol y al tabaco como droga. Conclusiones: la edad de inicio de consumo tanto de tabaco como de alcohol resultó ser de 14 años, con mayor tendencia al consumo en las adolescentes del sexo femenino(AU)

Introduction: in many countries, the consumption of alcohol and tobacco starts from early age. Cuba is not isolated from this phenomenon. Objective: tocharacterize the consumption of drugs in the “28 de Septiembre“ school of Arroyo Naranjo Municipality in Havana City.Methods: a transversal descriptive study in the 9th of “28 de Septiembre“ school of Arroyo Naranjo Municipality in Havana City was made. 116 adolescents (58.6 %) were surveyed in order to know their behavior in relation with drugs dependence. Results: 45 adolescents declared to drink alcohol and seven of them also smoke. All adolescents that consume alcohol and tobacco had begun at 14 years old. Parties were the principal place in which they drank alcohol and smoke cigarettes. On the other hand, only 71.5 percent of them recognize the alcohol and tobacco as drugs. Conclusions: the beginning of consumption of tobacco and alcohol were 14 years old. The feminine adolescent has more tendencies to consume in this age

Lectin histochemical aspects of the ovarian lamellae epithelium of Genypterus blacodes (Schneider, 1801) / Padrão de reação lectino-histoquímico do epitélio laminar ovariano em Genypterus blacodes (Schneider, 1801)

The composition and distribution of the glycoconjugates (GCs) secreted by the epithelium of ovarian lamellae with reference to the reproductive biology of Genypterus blacodes (Schneider, 1801) through lectin hi stochemistry is here discussed. In this species, the epithelial cells that line the ovarian cavity presented sharp morphological variations along the reproductive cycle related to the mucus secretion that accompanies oocyte ma turation. During sp awning season, residues of mannose and N-acetylglucosamine were detected in the glycocalyx of those cells using lectinhistochemistry. N- acetylgalactosamine and fucose were also observed in the same zone. The greatest variations in the lectinhistochemical pattern were found in the apical cytoplasm composition in comparison to the basal zone of the cells. The results of the present study were discussed by comparing their possible functional implications.

A composição e distribuição dos glicoconjugados (GCs) secretado pelo epitélio do ovário de lamelas com referência à biologia reprodutiva de Genypterus blacodes (Schneider, 1801) através da histoquímica com lectinas é aqui discutida. Nesta espécie, as células epiteliais que revestem a cavidade do ovário apresentou acentuada variação morfológica ao longo do ciclo reprodutivo relacionados com a secreção de muco que acompanha a maturação do oócito. Durante a época de desova, de resíduos de manose e N-acetilglicosamina foram detectados no glicocálix dessas células usando histoquímica de lectinas. N-acetilgalactosamina e fucose também foram observados na mesma zona. As maiores variações no padrão de lectinas foram encontradas na composição do citoplasma apical, em comparação com a zona basal das células. Os resultados do presente estudo foram discutidos, comparando as suas possíveis implicações funcionais.

Gold nanoparticles enhancing dismutation of superoxide radical by its bis(dithiocarbamato)copper(II) shell.

In the past few years three topics in nanoscience have received great attention: catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), their electron transfer properties, and magnetism. Although these properties could have much in common no report on their synergism has been published. Here we present 10-nm gold nanoparticles conveniently capped with a mixed self-assembled monolayer containing bis(dithiocarbamato)copper(II) complexes, which dismutate superoxide radical with extremely high efficiency (IC(50) = 0.074 µM). This behavior is interpreted as the result of an electron transfer (ET) process between AuNP core and the analyte when associated to copper(II). The ET process involving a charged AuNP core was detected by EPR and UV-vis spectroscopy.

Interaction of nitric oxide with gold nanoparticles capped with a ruthenium(II) complex.

Gold nanoparticles capped with a cis-(4-aminothiophenol)bis(bipyridyl)(chloro)ruthenium(II) complex that are able to coordinate nitric oxide, become fluorescent and then liberate it by photolabilization when irradiated at 430 nm is reported.

Gross morphology and surface ultrastructure of the gills of Odontesthes argentinensis (Actinopterygii, Atherinopsidae) from a Southwestern Atlantic coastal lagoon.

Odontesthes argentinensis was collected from Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon, the Southernmost coastal Atlantic Lagoon of Argentina. The morphology of the gills was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of the superficial structures of the gill filaments and pharyngeal region of the gill arch was discussed and related to their functional aspects. The gills arches are structurally similar to those of other teleosts and bring out the osmoregulatory capacity of this species. The epithelium that covers the surface of the filaments and the pharyngeal region of the gill arch is formed by polygonal pavement cells with conspicuous microridges. These folds in the membrane are not denoted in the epithelium of the respiratory lamellae. Apical crypts of chloride cells are present on the afferent and interlamellar filament surfaces, but are absent elsewhere on the gill arch. The highest density of mucous cells is observed into the gill filament and the pharyngeal region which indicates the existence of a protective strategy of the respiratory lamellae and the pharynx. The epithelium of the gill arches and the rakers is studded with spines. There are taste buds along the whole pharyngeal region that may be associated with their participation in tasting at this zone.

Protein splicing of a Pyrococcus abyssi intein with a C-terminal glutamine.

Protein splicing involves the excision of an intervening polypeptide sequence, the intein, from a precursor protein and the concomitant ligation of the flanking polypeptides, the exteins, by a peptide bond. Most reported inteins have a C-terminal asparagine residue, and it has been shown that cyclization of this residue is coupled to peptide bond cleavage between the intein and C-extein. We show that the intein interrupting the DNA polymerase II DP2 subunit in Pyrococcus abyssi, which has a C-terminal glutamine, is capable of facilitating protein splicing. Substitution of an asparagine for the C-terminal glutamine moderately improves the rate and extent of protein splicing. However, substitution of an alanine for the penultimate histidine residue, with either asparagine or glutamine in the C-terminal position, prevents protein splicing and facilitates cleavage at the intein N terminus. The intein facilitates in vitro protein splicing only at temperatures above 30 degrees C and can be purified as a nonspliced precursor. This temperature dependence has enabled us to characterize the optimal in vitro splicing conditions and determine the rate constants for splicing as a function of temperature.