The Effects of Parenteral K1 Administration in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Patients Versus Controls. A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene. Vitamin K1 is involved in the posttranslational carboxylation of some proteins related to inhibition of the calcification process. Our aim was to investigate, in patients affected by PXE, baseline levels of vitamin K-dependent proteins and -metabolites and whether parenteral administration of phytomenadione was effective in modulating their levels.

Cation Exchange Strategy for the Encapsulation of a Photoactive CO-Releasing Organometallic Molecule into Anionic Porous Frameworks.

The encapsulation of the photoactive, nontoxic, water-soluble, and air-stable cationic CORM [Mn(tacn)(CO)3]Br (tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane) in different inorganic porous matrixes, namely, the metalorganic framework bio-MOF-1, (NH2(CH3)2)2[Zn8(adeninate)4(BPDC)6]·8DMF·11H2O (BPDC = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate), and the functionalized mesoporous silicas MCM-41-SO3H and SBA-15-SO3H, is achieved by a cation exchange strategy. The CO release from these loaded materials, under simulated physiological conditions, is triggered by visible light. The results show that the silica matrixes, which are unaltered under physiological conditions, slow the kinetics of CO release, allowing a more controlled CO supply.

Apomaghemite as a doxorubicin carrier for anticancer drug delivery.

Protein cages have well-defined structures and can be chemically and biologically engineered in many ways, making them useful platforms for drug delivery applications. Taking advantage of the unique structure feature of apoferritin, a new theranostic nanocarrier is proposed herein. The apoferritin protein is effective for the encapsulation of maghemite nanoparticles and for loading a significant dose of doxorubicin (DOX) drug.

Nanopatterning of Magnetic CrNi Prussian Blue Nanoparticles Using a Bacterial S-Layer as a Biotemplate.

We have developed a simple process to fabricate on a bioplatform patterns of nanoparticles of a molecule-based magnet. Nanoparticles of the ferromagnetic Prussian blue derivative CsxNi[Cr(CN)6] were orderly deposited onto S-layers of Lysinibacillus sphaericus, forming a dense carpet of nanoparticles following the square lattice (p4) pattern of the biotemplate. These results are encouraging to extend this approach by focusing on molecule-based magnets patterned into domains with controlled shapes and positions on a biosurface.

MRI relaxation properties of water-soluble apoferritin-encapsulated gadolinium oxide-hydroxide nanoparticles.

We have prepared water-soluble gadolinium oxide nanoparticles that show potential as MRI contrast agents. The particles were built into the apoferritin cavity and have an average size of 5 nm. After seven days a loss of 5% of Gd was detected compared with the as-prepared samples; after that the Gd remained constant and stabilized inside the apoferritin, indicating that the apoferritin capsid acts as a Gd store, avoiding metal delivery and consequent toxicity.

Comparative structural and chemical studies of ferritin cores with gradual removal of their iron contents.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES), Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy (EELS), Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and SQUID magnetic studies were performed in a batch of horse spleen ferritins from which iron had been gradually removed, yielding samples containing 2200, 1200, 500, and 200 iron atoms. Taken together, findings obtained demonstrate that the ferritin iron core consists of a polyphasic structure (ferrihydrite, magnetite, hematite) and that the proportion of phases is modified by iron removal. Thus, the relative amount of magnetite in ferritin containing 2200 to 200 iron atoms rose steadily from approximately 20% to approximately 70% whereas the percentage of ferrihydrite fell from approximately 60% to approximately 20%.

Screening of urocanic acid isomers in human basal and squamous cell carcinoma tumors compared with tumor periphery and healthy skin.

Trans-urocanic acid is a major chromophore for ultraviolet (UV) radiation in human epidermis. The UV induces photoisomerization of trans-urocanic acid (tUCA) form to cis-urocanic acid (cUCA) and has been reported as an important mediator in the immunosuppression induced by UV. This immunomodulation has been recognized as an important factor related to skin cancer development.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer in ferritin labeled with multiple fluorescent dyes.

We simultaneously labeled ferritin with two Alexa Fluor fluorophores (AF350 and AF430). When both fluorophores label the same ferritin subunit, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) takes place from the excited AF350 to the acceptor AF430. By varying the number and the ratio of labeling fluorophores, we can modulate FRET such that the ferritin particles can exhibit multiple colors under UV illumination.

Preparation of Cu and CuFe Prussian Blue derivative nanoparticles using the apoferritin cavity as nanoreactor.

Copper and CuFe Prussian Blue nanoparticles have been prepared by using a Cu(II)-loaded apoferritin as a chemically and spatially confined environment for their construction.

Catechol releases iron(III) from ferritin by direct chelation without iron(II) production.

It has been traditionally considered that catechols release iron from ferritin by reduction to iron(II), which diffuses through the ferritin channels into the intracellular milieu where it participates in the Fenton reaction, producing highly toxic hydroxyl radicals. However, in the present work we have proved that the mechanism of the release of iron from ferritin by catechol does not take place by iron(II) reduction but by direct iron(III) chelation and therefore without iron(II) production. A possible extension of these findings to other catechols is discussed on the basis of the stability with respect to the internal redox reaction of the iron(III)-catechol complexes.

Presence of Leishmania organisms in specific and non-specific skin lesions in HIV-infected individuals with visceral leishmaniasis.

Background: Leishmania coinfection is frequently seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in endemic areas, and from time to time the protozoan is detected in cutaneous biopsies.

Objective: To establish the characteristics and possible ethiologic role of the presence of Leishmania in these lesions.

Methods: We studied 12 cutaneous biopsies with Leishmania organisms from nine HIV-infected patients (seven men and two women) with visceral leishmaniasis, diagnosed by bone marrow examination, seen over a period of 9 years.

Primary cutaneous CD30 (Ki-1)-positive non-anaplastic B-cell lymphoma.

Background: The CD30 (Ki-1)-positive lymphoproliferative disorders show a non-epidermotropic infiltrate of large-sized pleomorphic T cells, being extremely rare those that develop from B cells.

Clinical Case: A 51-year-old white man presented with a 8x10 cm lobulated scalp tumor that had developed during the previous 8 months. Histopathology demonstrated a proliferation of medium and large-sized non-anaplasic lymphocytes.