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TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) are attractive nanostructures for localized drug delivery. Owing to their excel¬lent biocompatibility and physicochemical properties, numerous functionalizations of TNTs have been attempted for their use as therapeutic agent delivery platforms. In this review, we discuss the current advances in the applications of TNT-based delivery systems with an emphasis on the various functionalizations of TNTs for enhancing osteogenesis at the bone-implant interface and for preventing implant-related infection...

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are overexpressed in most prostate cancers. GRPR expression is higher in early stages while PSMA expression increases with progression. The possibility of targeting both markers with a single theranostics radiotracer could improve patient management. Three GRPR/PSMA-targeting bispecific heterodimers (urea derivative PSMA-617 and bombesin-based antagonist RM26 linked via X-triazolyl-Tyr-PEG2, X = PEG2 (BO530), (CH2 )8 (BO535), none (BO536)) were synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis...

We describe an elastographic method to circumferentially-resolve airway wall compliance using endoscopic, anatomic optical coherence tomography (aOCT) combined with an intraluminal pressure catheter. The method was first demonstrated on notched silicone phantoms of known elastic modulus under respiratory ventilation, where localized compliance measurements were validated against those predicted by finite element modeling. Then, ex vivo porcine tracheas were scanned, and the pattern of compliance was found to be consistent with histological identification of the locations of (stiff) cartilage and (soft) muscle...

Copper ferrites dopped with molybdenum were studied in an oxidative coupling reaction between methanol and ethanol in the gas phase. The catalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, where the presence of ferrite, magnetite, and tenorite phases was observed; scanning electron microscopy; UV-Vis spectroscopy; and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, which highlighted the presence of octahedral coordination of isolated molybdena species. The catalyst with the highest activity in this reaction and with the highest selectivity to hydroxyacetone is the one that presents Lewis sites with weak acidity...

Radionuclide molecular imaging is a promising tool that becomes increasingly important as targeted cancer therapies are developed. To ensure an effective treatment, a molecular stratification of the cancer is a necessity. To accomplish this, visualization of cancer associated molecular abnormalities in vivo by molecular imaging is the method of choice. ADAPTs, a novel type of small protein scaffold, have been utilized to select and develop high affinity binders to different proteinaceous targets. One of these binders, ADAPT6 selectively interacts with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) with low nanomolar affinity and can therefore be used for its in vivo visualization...

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed in prostate cancer and are suitable for targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT). We optimized the bombesin-derived GRPR-antagonist PEG2 -RM26 for labeling with 177 Lu and further determined the effect of treatment with 177 Lu-labeled peptide alone or in combination with the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab in a murine model. The PEG2 -RM26 analogue was coupled to NOTA, NODAGA, DOTA and DOTAGA chelators. The peptide-conjugates were labeled with 177 Lu and characterized in vitro and in vivo...

Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 3 (HER3) plays a crucial role in the progression of many cancer types. In vivo radionuclide imaging could be a reliable method for repetitive detection of HER3-expression in tumors. The main challenge of HER3-imaging is the low expression in tumors together with endogenous receptor expression in normal tissues, particularly the liver. A HER3-targeting affibody molecule labeled with radiocobalt via a NOTA chelator [57 Co]Co-NOTA-Z08699 has demonstrated the most favorable biodistribution profile with the lowest unspecific hepatic uptake and high activity uptake in tumors...

Evaluation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression levels in breast and gastroesophageal cancer is used for the stratification of patients for HER2‑targeting therapies. The use of radionuclide molecular imaging may facilitate such evaluation in a non‑invasive way. Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) are engineered scaffold proteins with high potential as probes for radionuclide molecular imaging. DARPin G3 binds with high affinity to HER2 and may be used to visualize this important therapeutic target...

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a modern, non-invasive therapeutic method used for the destruction of various cells and tissues. It requires the simultaneous presence of three components: a photosensitizer (PS), a light source and oxygen. Precancerous skin lesions are conditions associated with a high likelihood of malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma. Data available so far indicate that PDT is a promising treatment method which can be successfully employed in several medical fields including dermatology, urology, ophthalmology, pneumology, cardiology, dentistry and immunology...

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is an esthetic condition with varying psycho-social implications, easily accepted by some patients and tolerated only with difficulty by others. Modern therapeutic options such as 5α-reductase inhibitors have significant outcomes, but also exert significant side effects in a subset of patients. The literature describes three distinct situations regarding finasteride administration, a compound largely used for AGA. Some studies show finasteride to be very safe with minimal or no side effects...

Pretargeting is a promising strategy to reach high imaging contrast in a shorter time than by targeting with directly radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). One of problems in pretargeting is a site-specific, reproducible and uniform conjugation of recognition tags to mAbs. To solve this issue we propose a photoconjugation to covalently couple a recognition tag to a mAb via a photoactivatable Z domain. The Z-domain, a 58-amino acid protein derived from the IgG-binding B-domain of Staphylococcus aureus protein A, has a well-characterized binding site in the Fc portion of IgG...

This study deals with the behavior of molybdenum⁻vanadium (Mo/V) mixed oxides catalysts in both disproportionation and selective oxidation of toluene. Samples containing different Mo/V ratios were prepared by a modified method using tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and acetic acid. The catalysts were characterized using several techniques: nitrogen adsorption⁻desorption isotherms, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (TPD-NH₃), temperature-programmed reduction by hydrogen (H₂-TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared-spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies (UV⁻VIS)...

The aim of this paper was to present a parallel investigation of the poly(dopamine) (DP) and nitrodopamine (NDP) structures deposited on titanium surface (Ti) and titanium oxide nanotubes (NT-TiO2 /Ti) and to highlight their advantages and drawbacks to serve as an intermediary layer for bone regeneration applications. This study outlines some hypotheses regarding the manner in which these compounds are able to form a stable film that could serve as bioadhesive. The paper is also a study of structuring and evolution of film architecture for two coatings, polydopamine and nitrodopamine in terms of surface structure, stability, wettability, morphology, adhesion and ability to protect the titanium surface...

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory, polygenic skin disorder affecting approximately 2% of the population. It has a great impact on quality of life; patients often experience depression, anxiety, stigma as well as suicidal behavior. Even though psoriasis is one of the most studied dermatological conditions, the pathogenesis of the disease is still not completely elucidated. The complex interactions between keratinocytes, dendritic cells, T-lymphocytes, neutrophils and mast cells are responsible for the histopathological changes seen in psoriasis...

Calcium carbonate from marble and seashells is an eco-friendly, sustainable, and largely available bioresource for producing natural bone-like calcium phosphates (CaPs). Based on three main objectives, this research targeted the: (i) adaptation of an indirect synthesis route by modulating the amount of phosphorus used in the chemical reaction, (ii) comprehensive structural, morphological, and surface characterization, and (iii) biocompatibility assessment of the synthesized powdered samples. The morphological characterization was performed on digitally processed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images...

Lichen planus (LP) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that particularly affects the skin and mucous membranes. Its etiology remains elusive, however some trigger factors, including viral or bacterial antigens, drugs and metals, have been postulated. There is a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with LP, with some geographical variations. HCV is an enveloped RNA virus that belongs to the Flaviviridae family and in most instances causes chronic liver infections. It has been hypothesized that HCV may contribute to LP development, but the link between the two disorders is not fully understood...

Recent data suggest that severe psoriasis is an independent risk factor for chronic renal disease. In the present study, we investigated the role of related-purine derivatives as predictors of renal dysfunctions in patients with psoriasis. A prospective study was conducted on a group of 45 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 45 control cases, monitored over a 5-year period. Alterations of renal function, albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR, mg/g) and UA/creatinine ratio (UACR, mg/mg) were determined in spontaneous urine samples...

Radionuclide molecular imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) expression using affibody molecules could be used for patient stratification for HER3-targeted cancer therapeutics. We hypothesized that the properties of HER3-targeting affibody molecules might be improved through modification of the radiometal-chelator complex. Macrocyclic chelators NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid), NODAGA (1-(1,3-carboxypropyl)-4,7-carboxymethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid), and DOTAGA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododececane,1-(glutaric acid)-4,7,10-triacetic acid) were conjugated to the C-terminus of anti-HER3 affibody molecule Z08698 and conjugates were labeled with indium-111...

Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) are small engineered scaffold proteins which can be selected for binding to desirable molecular targets. High affinity and small size of DARPins render them promising probes for radionuclide molecular imaging. However, detailed knowledge on many factors influencing their imaging properties are still lacking. We have evaluated two human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-specific DARPins with different size and binding properties. DARPins 9_29-H6 and G3-H6 were radiolabeled with iodine-125 and tricarbonyl technetium-99m and evaluated in vitro...

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common tumour of the oral cavity, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is a multifactorial condition, both genetic and environmental factors being involved in its development and progression. Its pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, but a pivotal role has been attributed to inflammation, strong evidence supporting the association between chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have investigated the role of different mediators of inflammation in the early detection of OSCC...