A Comparative and Critical Analysis for In Vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation of Magneto-Crystalline Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles Using MTT, Crystal Violet, LDH, and Apoptosis Assay.

Zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZFO NPs) are a promising magneto-crystalline platform for nanomedicine-based cancer theranostics. ZFO NPs synthesized using co-precipitation method are characterized using different techniques. UV-visible spectroscopy exhibits absorption peaks specific for ZFO. Raman spectroscopy identifies Raman active, infrared active, and silent vibrational modes while Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) spectra display IR active modes that confirm the presence of ZFO. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) exhibits the crystalline planes of single-phase ZFO with a face-centered cubic structure that coincides with the selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED). The average particle size according to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) is 5.6 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) signals confirm the chemical states of Fe, Zn, and O. A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) displays the magnetic response of ZFO NPs, showing a magnetic moment of 45.5 emu/gm at 70 kOe. These ZFO NPs were then employed for comparative cytotoxicity evaluation using MTT, crystal violet, and LDH assays on breast adenocarcinoma epithelial cell (MCF-7), triple-negative breast cancer lines (MDA-MB 231), and human embryonic kidney cell lines (HEK-293). Flow cytometric analysis of all the three cell lines were performed in various concentrations of ZFO NPs for automated cell counting and sorting based on live cells, cells entering in early or late apoptotic phase, as well as in the necrotic phase. This analysis confirmed that ZFO NPs are more cytotoxic towards triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) as compared to breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and normal cell lines (HEK-293), thus corroborating that ZFO can be exploited for cancer therapeutics.

Has the mist been peered through? Revisiting the building blocks of human health risk assessment for electronic cigarette use.

Background: Electronic cigarettes, battery-powered nicotine delivery devices, have been increasingly used in the past decade. However, human health risks associated with E-vapor inhalation have not been fully characterized. Aims: This critical review aims at revisiting the building blocks of human health risk assessment, summarizing the state of the science, and identifying major knowledge gaps in exposure assessment and toxicity assessment. Approach: A qualitative research synthesis was conducted based on scientific findings reported to date in peer-reviewed publications and our own preliminary experimental results. Results: There are a limited number of studies across all lines of evidence on E-vapor exposure and the health impacts of E-vapor inhalation. E-cigarette may be as efficient as traditional cigarettes in nicotine delivery, especially for experienced users, and studies suggest lower emissions of air toxics from E-cigarette vapor and lower second- and third-hand vapor exposures. But some toxic emissions may surpass those of traditional cigarettes, especially under high voltage vaping conditions. Experimentally, E-vapor/E-liquid exposures reduce cell viability and promote pro-inflammatory cytokine release. User vulnerability to concomitant environmental agent exposures, such as viruses and bacteria, may potentially be increased. Conclusion: While evidence to date suggests that e-cigarettes release fewer toxins and carcinogens and compared to cigarettes, E-vapor is not safe and might adversely affect human immune functions. Major knowledge gaps hinder risk quantification and effective regulation of E-cigarette products including: 1) lack of long-term exposure studies; 2) lack of understanding of biological mechanisms associated with exposure; and 3) lack of integration of exposure and toxicity assessments.,. Better data are needed to inform human health risk assessments and to better understand the public health impact of E-vapor exposures.

Passive administration of purified secretory IgA from human colostrum induces protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a murine model of progressive pulmonary infection.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A is the most abundant isotype in secretions from mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitourinary tracts and in external secretions such as colostrum, breast milk, tears and saliva. The high concentration of human secretory IgA (hsIgA) in human colostrum strongly suggests that it should play an important role in the passive immune protection against gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human secretory IgA was purified from colostrum. The reactivity of hsIgA against mycobacterial antigens and its protective capacity against mycobacterial infection was evaluated. RESULTS: The passive administration of hsIgA reduces the pneumonic area before challenge with M. tuberculosis. The intratracheal administration of M. tuberculosis preincubated with hsIgA to mice greatly reduced the bacterial load in the lungs and diminished lung tissue injury. CONCLUSIONS: HsIgA purified from colostrum protects against M. tuberculosis infection in an experimental mouse model.

Loxocelismo: a proposito de un caso clinico / Loxoscelismo: aproposal of a clinical case

Loxoscelismo Laeta es una araña que está extendida en los valles del Rímac y Lurín. El Loxocelismo puede producir mortalidad de hasta 15%, cuando al cuadro de necrosis cutánea se asocia el síndrome viscerohemolítico. Se presenta el cuadro de un paciente de sexo femenino de 17 años de edad, procedente de zona urbana, quien sufre mordedura de araña en pabellon auricular izquierdo, el cual evolucionó a la necrosis. Se asocia insuficiencia respiratoria aguda que requirió ventilación asistida, e insuficiencia renal que -con hematuria, oliguria, y retención nitrogenada de 21 días- requirió diálisis peritoneal y hemodiálisis. La paciente recibió suero antiloxocélico a las 10 horas de la agresión pero no se logró evitar la necrosis ni el síndrome viscerohemolítico. A los 42 días se dio de alta a la paciente con recuperación total