A nanoporous surface is essential for glomerular podocyte differentiation in three-dimensional culture.

Although it is well recognized that cell-matrix interactions are based on both molecular and geometrical characteristics, the relationship between specific cell types and the three-dimensional morphology of the surface to which they are attached is poorly understood. This is particularly true for glomerular podocytes - the gatekeepers of glomerular filtration - which completely enwrap the glomerular basement membrane with their primary and secondary ramifications. Nanotechnologies produce biocompatible materials which offer the possibility to build substrates which differ only by topology in order to mimic the spatial organization of diverse basement membranes.

Design, development and characterization of multi-functionalized gold nanoparticles for biodetection and targeted boron delivery in BNCT applications.

The aim of this study is to optimize targeted boron delivery to cancer cells and its tracking down to the cellular level. To this end, we describe the design and synthesis of novel nanovectors that double as targeted boron delivery agents and fluorescent imaging probes. Gold nanoparticles were coated with multilayers of polyelectrolytes functionalized with the fluorescent dye (FITC), boronophenylalanine and folic acid.

Experimental modified orthotopic piggy-back liver autotransplantation.

Unlabelled: The classical orthotopic liver autotransplantation is a very challenging and time wasting technique; it includes the division of major hepatic vessels and choledocus, and subsequent reconnection by end to end anastomoses. The caval end to end anastomoses are the most difficult to be performed and the interposition of a prosthesis can be required. We adopted the classical orthotopic liver autotransplantation technique in 2 patients affected with diffused liver metastases from colorectal cancer, for extracorporeal neutron capture therapy (BNCT).

Feasibility study on the utilization of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in a rat model of diffuse lung metastases.

In order for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to be eligible for application in lung tumour disease, three fundamental criteria must be fulfilled: there must be selective uptake of boron in the tumour cells with respect to surrounding healthy tissue, biological effectiveness of the radiation therapy and minimal damage or collateral effects of the irradiation on the surrounding tissues. In this study, we evaluated the biological effectiveness of BNCT by in vitro irradiation of rat colon-carcinoma cells previously incubated in boron-enriched medium. One part of these cells was re-cultured in vitro while the other was inoculated via the inferior vena cava to induce pulmonary metastases in a rat model.

Surface properties and implantation site affect the capsular fibrotic overgrowth.

Transplantation of encapsulated pancreatic islets is a promising approach for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Large-scale application of this technique, however, is hampered by insufficient biocompatibility of the capsules. In this study, we have evaluated the biocompatibility of a new synthetic material with six different chemical groups on their surface (amino, carboxy-sulfate, carboxylate, hydroxylate, sulfate, and PMMA) used for the fabrication of the microcapsules.