| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- M. Siribbal, Shifaa, et al.
(author)
-
Biocompatible Hollow Gadolinium Oxide Nanocarriers for the Transport of Bioactive Molecules to Cells
- 2024
-
In: ACS Applied Nano Materials. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 2574-0970.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Integrating imaging and therapeutic capabilities into a single entity can offer enhanced diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy in clinically effective formulations. Due to the diversity of chemical structures and/or limited solubility of inhibitors or fluorophores, it is essential to employ a robust delivery carrier that can facilitate drug absorption and distribution during its circulation in the blood. This study explores the potential of hollow gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanocarriers in imaging and drug delivery applications. The citric acid (CA)-capped hollow gadolinium oxide nanocarriers were synthesized via urea-assisted precipitation and hydrothermal methods using carbon spheres as sacrificial templates. The resulting nanosized hollow spheres displayed a spherical morphology and demonstrated relaxation rates in the longitudinal and transverse directions, as indicated by their r 1 and r(2) values of 1.8 and 5.3 s(-1) mM(-1), respectively. To mimic the physiological conditions, the hollow gadolinium oxide spheres were loaded separately with antibiotic sparfloxacin and the azo dye Congo red at neutral pH (7.4) and body temperature (37 degrees C). The CR-loaded nanospheres exhibited a time-dependent internalization behavior with HeLa cells, suggesting their imaging potential for intracellular drug delivery. Furthermore, the SP-loaded nanospheres demonstrated antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, demonstrating their therapeutic potential against bacterial infections. To mitigate the risk of leaching of Gd3+ ions and their inherent toxicity, a CA coating was applied to hollow gadolinium oxide surface which resulted in outstanding cell viability of the surface functionalized nanocarriers. In addition, the CA coating offered additional support for the increased encapsulation and continuous release of drug molecules until 1 week (168 h). The characterization data provide evidence for the potential of CA-capped hollow gadolinium oxide spheres as positive MR contrast agents and their applicability as safe and controlled drug carriers.
|
|
| 4. |
- Scherhaufer, S., et al.
(author)
-
Environmental assessment of the valorisation and recycling of selected food production side flows
- 2020
-
In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 161
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Residues from the food manufacturing industry require management options with the best overall environmental outcome. The identification of sustainable solutions depends however, on many influencing factors such as energy input, transport distance, and substituted product. This study shows the influence of the choice of substituted products on the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for three specific food side-flows and their treatment in the European Union: animal blood, apple pomace and brewers’ spent grain (BSG). In a direct comparison of possible treatment options, it is notable that the conversion to food ingredients (valorisation) does not always result in reduced environmental net impacts (GHG savings), which means that other options at lower levels of the waste hierarchy might be more beneficial to the environment. The further use of apple pomace or BSG for the production of food ingredients is only advantageous if the processing emissions are smaller than the emissions from the substituted products. The use of food side-flows as animal feed shows environmental advantages in all scenarios, as the use of conventional feed, such as soybean meal or hay, is reduced and so are the GHG emissions. The anaerobic digestion of food side-flows is associated with significant GHG emissions, but alternative energy also display a high GHG factor when based on fossil resources. The measuring of circularity in the food sector is a challenge in itself due to the complexity of renewable materials. This study shall help to understand the interwoven influences of certain parameters to the results. © 2020 The Author(s)
|
|
| 5. |
- Sebastianutto, Irene, et al.
(author)
-
D1-mGlu5 heteromers mediate noncanonical dopamine signaling in Parkinson’s disease
- 2020
-
In: Journal of Clinical Investigation. - 0021-9738. ; 130:3, s. 1168-1184
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dopamine receptor D1 modulates glutamatergic transmission in cortico-basal ganglia circuits and represents a major target of L-DOPA therapy in Parkinson’s disease. Here we show that D1 and metabotropic glutamate type 5 (mGlu5) receptors can form previously unknown heteromeric entities with distinctive functional properties. Interacting with Gq proteins, cell-surface D1-mGlu5 heteromers exacerbated PLC signaling and intracellular calcium release in response to either glutamate or dopamine. In rodent models of Parkinson’s disease, D1-mGlu5 nanocomplexes were strongly upregulated in the dopamine-denervated striatum, resulting in a synergistic activation of PLC signaling by D1 and mGlu5 receptor agonists. In turn, D1-mGlu5–dependent PLC signaling was causally linked with excessive activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinases in striatal neurons, leading to dyskinesia in animals treated with L-DOPA or D1 receptor agonists. The discovery of D1-mGlu5 functional heteromers mediating maladaptive molecular and motor responses in the dopamine-denervated striatum may prompt the development of new therapeutic principles for Parkinson’s disease.
|
|
| 6. |
- Shamba, Donat, et al.
(author)
-
Barriers and enablers to routine register data collection for newborns and mothers: EN-BIRTH multi-country validation study.
- 2021
-
In: BMC pregnancy and childbirth. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2393. ; 21:Suppl 1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Policymakers need regular high-quality coverage data on care around the time of birth to accelerate progress for ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths. With increasing facility births, routine Health Management Information System (HMIS) data have potential to track coverage. Identifying barriers and enablers faced by frontline health workers recording HMIS source data in registers is important to improve data for use.The EN-BIRTH study was a mixed-methods observational study in five hospitals in Bangladesh, Nepal and Tanzania to assess measurement validity for selected Every Newborn coverage indicators. We described data elements required in labour ward registers to track these indicators. To evaluate barriers and enablers for correct recording of data in registers, we designed three interview tools: a) semi-structured in-depth interview (IDI) guide b) semi-structured focus group discussion (FGD) guide, and c) checklist assessing care-to-documentation. We interviewed two groups of respondents (January 2018-March 2019): hospital nurse-midwives and doctors who fill ward registers after birth (n = 40 IDI and n = 5 FGD); and data collectors (n = 65). Qualitative data were analysed thematically by categorising pre-identified codes. Common emerging themes of barriers or enablers across all five hospitals were identified relating to three conceptual framework categories.Similar themes emerged as both barriers and enablers. First, register design was recognised as crucial, yet perceived as complex, and not always standardised for necessary data elements. Second, register filling was performed by over-stretched nurse-midwives with variable training, limited supervision, and availability of logistical resources. Documentation complexity across parallel documents was time-consuming and delayed because of low staff numbers. Complete data were valued more than correct data. Third, use of register data included clinical handover and monthly reporting, but little feedback was given from data users.Health workers invest major time recording register data for maternal and newborn core health indicators. Improving data quality requires standardised register designs streamlined to capture only necessary data elements. Consistent implementation processes are also needed. Two-way feedback between HMIS levels is critical to improve performance and accurately track progress towards agreed health goals.
|
|
