Nano-Ghosts: Biomimetic membranal vesicles, technology and characterization.

Currently, nano-carriers for anti-cancer drug delivery are complex systems, which struggle with immunogenicity and enhanced permeability effect (EPR)-related problems that halt the clinical translation of many therapeutics. Consequently, a rapidly growing field of research has been focusing on biomimetic nano-vesicles (BNVs) as an effective delivery alternative. Nevertheless, the translation of many BNVs is limited due to scalability problems, inconsistent production process, and insufficient loading efficiency. Here we discuss the process of our previously published BNVs, termed Nano-Ghosts (NGs), which are produced from the membrane of mesenchymal stem cells. We demonstrate the flexibility of the process, while alternating physical methodologies (sonication or extrusion) to produce the NGs while preserving their desired characteristics. We also show that our NGs can be labeled using multiple methods (fluorescence, radiolabeling, and genetic engineering) for tracking and diagnostic purposes. Lastly, we demonstrate that the loading efficiency can be improved by using electroporation to accommodate a range of therapeutics (small molecules, peptides and DNA) that can be delivered by the NGs. Our results emphasize the robustness of the NGs technology, its versatility and a vast range of applications, differentiating it from other BNVs and leading the way towards clinical translation.

Nanoghosts as a Novel Natural Nonviral Gene Delivery Platform Safely Targeting Multiple Cancers.

Nanoghosts derived from mesenchymal stem cells and retaining their unique surface-associated tumor-targeting capabilities were redesigned as a selective and safe universal nonviral gene-therapy platform. pDNA-loaded nanoghosts efficiently targeted and transfected diverse cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo, in subcutaneous and metastatic orthotopic tumor models, leading to no adverse effects. Nanoghosts loaded with pDNA encoding for a cancer-toxic gene inhibited the growth of metastatic orthotopic lung cancer and subcutaneous prostate cancer models and dramatically prolonged the animals' survival.

Protein engineering by random mutagenesis and structure-guided consensus of Geobacillus stearothermophilus Lipase T6 for enhanced stability in methanol.

The abilities of enzymes to catalyze reactions in nonnatural environments of organic solvents have opened new opportunities for enzyme-based industrial processes. However, the main drawback of such processes is that most enzymes have a limited stability in polar organic solvents. In this study, we employed protein engineering methods to generate a lipase for enhanced stability in methanol, which is important for biodiesel production. Two protein engineering approaches, random mutagenesis (error-prone PCR) and structure-guided consensus, were applied in parallel on an unexplored lipase gene from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T6. A high-throughput colorimetric screening assay was used to evaluate lipase activity after an incubation period in high methanol concentrations. Both protein engineering approaches were successful in producing variants with elevated half-life values in 70% methanol. The best variant of the random mutagenesis library, Q185L, exhibited 23-fold-improved stability, yet its methanolysis activity was decreased by one-half compared to the wild type. The best variant from the consensus library, H86Y/A269T, exhibited 66-fold-improved stability in methanol along with elevated thermostability (+4.3°C) and a 2-fold-higher fatty acid methyl ester yield from soybean oil. Based on in silico modeling, we suggest that the Q185L substitution facilitates a closed lid conformation that limits access for both the methanol and substrate excess into the active site. The enhanced stability of H86Y/A269T was a result of formation of new hydrogen bonds. These improved characteristics make this variant a potential biocatalyst for biodiesel production.

[Outpatient psychotherapy in suburban Buenos Aires: rate of use, costs, practices and patient characteristics]. / Psicoterapia ambulatoria en el Conurbano Bonaerense: tasa de su utilización, costo y características de las psicoterapias y sus usuarios.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the rate of use, costs and details of psychotherapeutic treatment in general population of suburban Buenos Aires along with patient demographic characteristics. METHODS: A survey was conducted between September and November 2007 among 899 inhabitants of 11 districts in greater Buenos Aires. RESULTS: During the previous month 14,2% of the population received psychotherapy treatment. Lifetime prevalence of psychotherapy was 42,8%. Use of psychotherapy was higher among women, the widowed, middle aged individuals and persons with higher socioeconomic status and levels of education. Almost 40% of the individuals in psychotherapy at the time of the survey reported receiving psychoanalytic treatment, 10% reported receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy while 41% was not aware of the type of psychotherapy received. Treatments were conducted mainly by psychologists (85%) and the majority consisted of individual psychotherapy in a private practice setting. Mean duration of a psychotherapy session was 52 minutes. A positive correlation was found between the duration of a session and its cost . There were no overall differences in the rate of use of psychotherapy between different areas of greater Buenos Aires, nor between these areas and previous estimates of prevalence in the city of Buenos Aires. CONCLUSIONS: Psychotherapy use in greater Buenos Aires is higher than in other countries. However, the rate of use is lower for certain socioeconomic and age groups. Further research is needed to determine whether the treatments observed are appropriate for the mental health needs of this population.

Psicoterapia ambulatoria en el Conurbano Bonaerense: tasa de su utilización, costo y características de las psicoterapias y sus usuarios / Outpatient psychotherapy in suburban Buenos Aires: rate of use, costs, practices and patient charac-teristics

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la frecuencia de tratamiento psicoterapéutico en la población adulta del Conurbano Bonaerense, su costo, particularidades de las terapias y características demográficas de los usuarios. Metodología: Se realizaran encuestas a 899 habitantes de 11 partidos del Gran Buenos Aires entre septiembre y noviembre del año 2007. Resultados: El 14,2 por ciento de los entrevistados había realizado psicoterapia en el último mes. El 42,8 por ciento de los encuestados había asistido alguna vez o asistía a tratamiento psicoterapéutico. La concurrencia es mayor entre las mujeres, viudos y personas de edad media y nivel educativo y socioeconómico elevado. Casi el 40 por ciento de los que están actualmente en psicoterapia realiza tratamiento psicoanalítico, 10 por ciento tratamiento cognitivo-conductual y 41 por ciento desconoce el tipo de psicoterapia que realiza. Los tratamientos son conducidos principalmente por psicólogos (85 por ciento), en su mayoría son de tipo individual y se realizan en forma privada. La duración promedio de la entrevista psicoterapéutica es de 52 minutos. Existe una relación positiva entre duración de la entrevista y su costo. No existen diferencias significativas en la frecuencia de uso de tratamiento psicoterapéutico entre las distintas zonas del Conurbano, como así tampoco con la frecuencia de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Conclusiones: La asistencia a tratamiento psicoterapéutico en el Gran Buenos Aires es mayor que en otros países, sin embargo es menor en ciertos grupos sociales y etarios. Se necesitan estudios más detallados para dilucidar la adecuación de los tratamientos a los problemas mentales de la población.(AU)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the rate of use, costs and details of psychotherapeutic treatment in general population of suburban Buenos Aires along with patient demographic characteristics. Methods: A survey was conducted between September and November 2007 among 899 inhabitants of 11 districts in greater Buenos Aires. Results: During the previous month 14, 2 percent of the population received psychotherapy treatment. Lifetime prevalence of psychotherapy was 42, 8 percent. Use of psychotherapy was higher among women, the widowed, middle aged individuals and persons with higher socioeconomic status and levels of education. Almost 40 percent of the individuals in psychotherapy at the time of the survey reported receiving psychoanalytic treatment, 10 percent reported receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy while 41 percent was not aware of the type of psychotherapy received. Treatments were conducted mainly by psychologists (85 percent) and the majority consisted of individual psychotherapy in a private practice setting. Mean duration of a psychotherapy session was 52 minutes. A positive correlation was found between the duration of a session and its cost. There were no overall differences in the rate of use of psychotherapy between different areas of greater Buenos Aires, nor between these areas and previous estimates of prevalence in the city of Buenos Aires. Conclusions: Psychotherapy use in greater Buenos Aires is higher than in other countries. However, the rate of use is lower for certain socioeconomic and age groups. Further research is needed to determine whether the treatments observed are appropriate for the mental health needs of this population.(AU)

Psicoterapia ambulatoria en el Conurbano Bonaerense: tasa de su utilización, costo y características de las psicoterapias y sus usuarios / Outpatient psychotherapy in suburban Buenos Aires: rate of use, costs, practices and patient charac-teristics

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la frecuencia de tratamiento psicoterapéutico en la población adulta del Conurbano Bonaerense, su costo, particularidades de las terapias y características demográficas de los usuarios. Metodología: Se realizaran encuestas a 899 habitantes de 11 partidos del Gran Buenos Aires entre septiembre y noviembre del año 2007. Resultados: El 14,2 por ciento de los entrevistados había realizado psicoterapia en el último mes. El 42,8 por ciento de los encuestados había asistido alguna vez o asistía a tratamiento psicoterapéutico. La concurrencia es mayor entre las mujeres, viudos y personas de edad media y nivel educativo y socioeconómico elevado. Casi el 40 por ciento de los que están actualmente en psicoterapia realiza tratamiento psicoanalítico, 10 por ciento tratamiento cognitivo-conductual y 41 por ciento desconoce el tipo de psicoterapia que realiza. Los tratamientos son conducidos principalmente por psicólogos (85 por ciento), en su mayoría son de tipo individual y se realizan en forma privada. La duración promedio de la entrevista psicoterapéutica es de 52 minutos. Existe una relación positiva entre duración de la entrevista y su costo. No existen diferencias significativas en la frecuencia de uso de tratamiento psicoterapéutico entre las distintas zonas del Conurbano, como así tampoco con la frecuencia de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Conclusiones: La asistencia a tratamiento psicoterapéutico en el Gran Buenos Aires es mayor que en otros países, sin embargo es menor en ciertos grupos sociales y etarios. Se necesitan estudios más detallados para dilucidar la adecuación de los tratamientos a los problemas mentales de la población.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the rate of use, costs and details of psychotherapeutic treatment in general population of suburban Buenos Aires along with patient demographic characteristics. Methods: A survey was conducted between September and November 2007 among 899 inhabitants of 11 districts in greater Buenos Aires. Results: During the previous month 14, 2 percent of the population received psychotherapy treatment. Lifetime prevalence of psychotherapy was 42, 8 percent. Use of psychotherapy was higher among women, the widowed, middle aged individuals and persons with higher socioeconomic status and levels of education. Almost 40 percent of the individuals in psychotherapy at the time of the survey reported receiving psychoanalytic treatment, 10 percent reported receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy while 41 percent was not aware of the type of psychotherapy received. Treatments were conducted mainly by psychologists (85 percent) and the majority consisted of individual psychotherapy in a private practice setting. Mean duration of a psychotherapy session was 52 minutes. A positive correlation was found between the duration of a session and its cost. There were no overall differences in the rate of use of psychotherapy between different areas of greater Buenos Aires, nor between these areas and previous estimates of prevalence in the city of Buenos Aires. Conclusions: Psychotherapy use in greater Buenos Aires is higher than in other countries. However, the rate of use is lower for certain socioeconomic and age groups. Further research is needed to determine whether the treatments observed are appropriate for the mental health needs of this population.