Caco-2 Monolayer as a Model of the Intestinal Barrier: Permeability of Magnesium Salts.

Magnesium, an essential mineral for various physiological functions, is subject to tight regulation within the body. Understanding its absorption across epithelial cell monolayers is crucial for optimizing dietary magnesium intake and therapeutic strategies. The Caco-2 monolayer model, widely recognized for its relevance to the human intestinal epithelium, provides a suitable platform for this investigation.

Extraction of collagen morphological features from second-harmonic generation microscopy images via GLCM and CT analyses: A cross-laboratory study.

Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy provides a high-resolution label-free approach for noninvasively detecting collagen organization and its pathological alterations. Up to date, several imaging analysis algorithms for extracting collagen morphological features from SHG images-such as fiber size and length, order and anisotropy-have been developed. However, the dependence of extracted features on experimental setting represents a significant obstacle for translating the methodology in the clinical practice.

Postmodification with Polycations Enhances Key Properties of Alginate-Based Multicomponent Microcapsules.

Postmodification of alginate-based microspheres with polyelectrolytes (PEs) is commonly used in the cell encapsulation field to control microsphere stability and permeability. However, little is known about how different applied PEs shape the microsphere morphology and properties, particularly . Here, we addressed this question using model multicomponent alginate-based microcapsules postmodified with PEs of different charge and structure.

Effects of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac Pre-Treatment on Viability and Apoptosis Processes in Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells.

: Stem cell-based regeneration strategies have shown therapeutic efficacy in various fields of regenerative medicine. These include bone healing after bone augmentation, often complicated by pain, which is managed by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, information is limited about how NSAIDs affect the therapeutic potential of stem cells.

Gross morphology and adhesion-associated physical properties of Drosophila larval salivary gland glue secretion.

One of the major functions of the larval salivary glands (SGs) of many Drosophila species is to produce a massive secretion during puparium formation. This so-called proteinaceous glue is exocytosed into the centrally located lumen, and subsequently expectorated, serving as an adhesive to attach the puparial case to a solid substrate during metamorphosis. Although this was first described almost 70 years ago, a detailed description of the morphology and mechanical properties of the glue is largely missing.

Modifications of DAMPs levels in extracellular environment induced by aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy of esophageal cancer cells.

Purpose: Immunogenic cell death plays an important role in anticancer treatment because it combines cell death with appearance of damage associated molecular patterns that have the potential to activate anticancer immunity. Effects of damage associated molecular patterns induced by aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy were studied mainly on dendritic cells. They have not been deeply studied on macrophages that constitute the essential component of the tumor microenvironment.

Mg Doping of N-Polar, In-Rich InAlN.

Metal organic chemical vapor deposition was used to grow N-polar InAlN on sapphire substrates. P-doping was provided by a precursor flow of CpMg between 0 and 130 nmol/min, reaching a CpMg/III ratio of 8.3 × 10.

Characterisation of collagen type I matrices for pathophysiologically relevant spatial cancer cell cultures.

Specific cues provided to cells by the extracellular matrix (ECM) are determined by its composition. Except of collagens other naturally occurring ECM components should be considered in designing 3D models of diseases. We used spectrophotometric and rheological measurements and confocal imaging to characterise collagen matrices of human origin that can be modified by clinically relevant ECM components.

Redox features of hexaammineruthenium(III) on MXene modified interface: Three options for affinity biosensing.

In this article we describe construction of a bioreceptive interface for detection of a breast cancer biomarker carbohydrate antigen CA15-3. The conductive interface was patterned by a 2D nanomaterial MXene, to which a mixed layer containing sulfobetaine and carboxybetaine was electrochemically grafted through a diazonium moiety. Such a modified interface was then applied for covalent immobilisation of anti-CA15-3 antibody as a bioreceptive probe for detection of a breast cancer biomarker.

Suppression of resistance to aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy in esophageal cell lines by administration of iron chelators in collagen type I matrices.

Purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes visible light to activate the cytotoxic effects of photosensitizing drugs. PDT protocols require optimization to overcome treatment resistance and induce a beneficial anti-tumor immune response. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility to suppress the resistance of esophageal cell lines to aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-PDT by administration of iron chelators to induce sufficient cell cytotoxicity under pathophysiologically relevant conditions, mimicking the advanced stages of cancer.

Spectrally and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Imaging of 22-NBD-Cholesterol in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

The interaction of the fluorescent probe 22-NBD-cholesterol with membranes of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was tested by time- and spectrally resolved fluorescence imaging to monitor the disturbance of lipid metabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its treatment with statins. Blood samples from healthy volunteers (HV) and CKD patients, either treated or untreated with statins, were compared. Spectral imaging was done using confocal microscopy at 16 spectral channels in response to 458 nm excitation.

Phenotypical modifications of immune cells are enhanced by extracellular matrix.

Immune cells not only constitute tumour microenvironment but they may even affect disease prognosis as a result of dual functional roles that they may play in tumour tissues. Two frequently used established immune cell lines (lymphocytic Jurkat and monocytic THP-1) were used to test whether microenvironmental factors, especially molecular components of extracellular matrix, can shape the phenotype of immune cells. Proliferation, morphological and phenotypical analyses were applied to compare behaviour of the immune cells, typically cultured as suspensions in culture medium, with their behaviour in collagen type I-based and Matrigel-based 3D cultures.

Time-Resolved Imaging of Mitochondrial Flavin Fluorescence and Its Applications for Evaluating the Oxidative State in Living Cardiac Cells.

Time-resolved fluorescence spectrometry is a highly valuable technological tool to detect and characterize mitochondrial metabolic oxidative changes by means of endogenous fluorescence. Here, we describe detection and measurement of endogenous mitochondrial flavin fluorescence directly in living cardiac cells using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) after excitation with 473 nm picoseconds (ps) laser. Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) method is employed.

Effect of Dexamethasone on Thermoresponsive Behavior of Poly(2-Oxazoline) Diblock Copolymers.

Thermoresponsive polymers play an important role in designing drug delivery systems for biomedical applications. In this contribution, the effect of encapsulated hydrophobic drug dexamethasone on thermoresponsive behavior of diblock copolymers was studied. A small series of diblock copoly(2-oxazoline)s was prepared by combining thermoresponsive 2--propyl-2-oxazoline (PrOx) and hydrophilic 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOx) in two ratios and two polymer chain lengths.

Modulation of aminolevulinic acid-based photoinactivation efficacy by iron in vitro is cell type dependent.

Iron availability to cells may be modified in the tumour microenvironment, which may be involved in treatment response. Iron availability affects the conversion of protoporphyrin IX to heme, which likely determines the efficacy of aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-based PDT). We compared photoinactivation efficacy in three oesophageal cell lines in culture media differing in iron content, DMEM and RPMI 1640, and in RPMI 1640 supplemented with iron to understand the importance of iron presence for ALA-based PDT outcome.

Electrochemical Investigation of Interfacial Properties of TiCT MXene Modified by Aryldiazonium Betaine Derivatives.

For efficient and effective utilization of MXene such as biosensing or advanced applications, interfacial modification of MXene needs to be considered. To this end, we describe modification of TiCT MXene by aryldiazonium-based grafting with derivatives bearing a sulfo- (SB) or carboxy- (CB) betaine pendant moiety. Since MXene contains free electrons, betaine derivatives could be grafted to MXene spontaneously.

Impact of N-substitution on structural, electronic, optical, and vibrational properties of a thiophene-phenylene co-oligomer.

Properties of the organic semiconductors can be finely tuned changes in their molecular structure. However, the relationship between the molecular structure, molecular packing, and (opto)electronic properties of the organic semiconductors to guide their smart design remains elusive. In this study, we address computationally and experimentally the impact of subtle modification of a thiophene-phenylene co-oligomer CF-PTTP-CF on the molecular properties, crystal structure, charge transport, and optoelectronic properties.

Two-color symmetry breaking in laser-based secondary neutral mass spectrometry.

Rationale: An alternative method of analysis for laser-based secondary neutral mass spectrometry is introduced.

Methods: By mixing a fundamental 1240 nm wavelength of the near-infrared laser field with an intensity of 1 × 10  W/cm with its second harmonic generation wavelength of 620 nm, control is attained over the ion yield in secondary neutral mass spectrometry for a native silver surface and a surface covered with silver nanoparticles.

Results: The ion yields of selected species in the mass spectra, such as a C H O surfactant fragment ion and the Ag ion, are enhanced or suppressed by a factor of 8 or 23, respectively, in comparison with single color post-ionization.

Time-resolved endogenous chlorophyll fluorescence sensitivity to pH: study on Chlorella sp. algae.

To better understand pH-dependence of endogenous fluorescence of algae, we employed spectroscopy and microscopy methods, including advanced time-resolved fluorescence imaging microscopy (FLIM), using green algae Chlorella sp. as a model system. Absorption spectra confirmed two peaks, at 400-420 nm and 670 nm.

Fluorescence responsiveness of unicellular marine algae Dunaliella to stressors under laboratory conditions.

We examined the responsiveness of unicellular green alga Dunalliela tertiolecta to selected stressors employing confocal- and time-resolved imaging of endogenous fluorescence. Our aim was to monitor cell endogenous fluorescence changes under exposure to heavy metal Cd, acidification, as well as light by laser-induced photobleaching. The accumulation of Cd in algae cells was confirmed by the secondary ion mass spectroscopy technique.

Remarkable differences in the voltammetric response towards hydrogen peroxide, oxygen and Ru(NH) of electrode interfaces modified with HF or LiF-HCl etched TiCT MXene.

An electrochemical study was performed on the behavior of TiCT MXenes prepared by using either HF (MXene1) or LiF/HCl as etchants (MXene2). The use of two redox probes indicates the presence of a higher negative charge density on MXene2 in comparison to MXene1. The characterization of two nanomaterials shows that titanium and fluoride are present higher by one order of magnitude at the interface of MXene2, compared to MXene1.

A Graphene-Based Glycan Biosensor for Electrochemical Label-Free Detection of a Tumor-Associated Antibody.

The study describes development of a glycan biosensor for detection of a tumor-associated antibody. The glycan biosensor is built on an electrochemically activated/oxidized graphene screen-printed electrode (GSPE). Oxygen functionalities were subsequently applied for covalent immobilization of human serum albumin (HSA) as a natural nanoscaffold for covalent immobilization of Thomsen-nouvelle (Tn) antigen (GalNAc--Ser/Thr) to be fully available for affinity interaction with its analyte-a tumor-associated antibody.

Effect of Iodination on the Photophysics of the Laser Borane -BH: Generation of Efficient Photosensitizers of Oxygen.

Treatment of the laser borane -BH (compound ) with iodine in ethanol gives the monoiodinated derivative 7-I--BH (compound ) in 67% yield, or, by reaction with iodine or ICl in the presence of AlCl in dichloromethane, the diiodinated derivative 4,4'-I--BH (compound ) in 85% yield. On excitation with 360 nm light, both compounds and give strong green phosphorescent emissions (λ = 525 nm, Φ = 0.41 and λ = 545 nm, Φ = 0.

Encapsulation of anticancer drug curcumin and co-loading with photosensitizer hypericin into lipoproteins investigated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are natural occurring vehicles attractive for drug delivery and targeting tumor cells. Here we have investigated the encapsulation and interaction of a well-known anticancer agent curcumin with LDL and HDL. LDL particles have been found to accumulate more curcumin molecules inside their structure than HDL.