Modular Synthetic Approach to Carboranyl‒Biomolecules Conjugates

The development of novel, tumor-selective and boron-rich compounds as potential agents for use in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) represents a very important field in cancer treatment by radiation therapy. Here, we report the design and synthesis of two promising compounds that combine meta-carborane, a water-soluble monosaccharide and a linking unit, namely glycine or ethylenediamine, for facile coupling with various tumor-selective biomolecules bearing a free amino or carboxylic acid group. In this work, coupling experiments with two selected biomolecules, a coumarin derivative and folic acid, were included. The task of every component in this approach was carefully chosen: the carborane moiety supplies ten boron atoms, which is a tenfold increase in boron content compared to the l-boronophenylalanine (l-BPA) presently used in BNCT; the sugar moiety compensates for the hydrophobic character of the carborane; the linking unit, depending on the chosen biomolecule, acts as the connection between the tumor-selective component and the boron-rich moiety; and the respective tumor-selective biomolecule provides the necessary selectivity. This approach makes it possible to develop a modular and feasible strategy for the synthesis of readily obtainable boron-rich agents with optimized properties for potential applications in BNCT.     

Synthesis and antibody conjugation of magnetic nanoparticles with improved specific power absorption rates for alternating magnetic field cancer therapy

Bionized nanoferrite (BNF) particles with high specific power absorption rates were synthesized in the size range of 20–100 nm by high-pressure homogenization for targeted cancer therapy with alternating magnetic fields. Several strategies were used to conjugate antibodies to the BNF particles. These strategies were compared using an immunoassay to find optimal conditions to reach a high immunoreactivity of the final antibody–particle conjugate.     

Efficacy of the accent method of voice therapy

The management of voice disorders may follow one of four approaches: surgical, pharmacological, technical aid, and/or voice therapy. The latter approach offers a wide variety of techniques, each based on certain theoretical beliefs. One of these techniques is the Smith Accent Method. The principles and goals of the Accent Method are presented. The results of its application are discussed. This technique proved effective for cases of functional voice disorders, vocal nodules, and some degrees of vocal fold paralysis.     

硼中子俘获治疗的蒙特卡罗方法模拟

用通用蒙特卡罗程序MCNP模拟了粒子在人脑中的输运过程. 吸收剂量率主要来自以下四个反应:¹⁰B(n,α)⁷Li,¹⁴N(n,p)¹⁴C,¹H(n,γ)²D,快中子弹性散射反应.对肿瘤区的贡献主要来自硼中子吸收反应.结果表明,超热中子比热中子适合于深肿瘤的治疗,而热中子对浅肿瘤的治疗有优越性,比如皮肤癌.同确定论方法的结果相比,蒙特卡罗方法不失为一种模拟中子俘获治疗的好工具.     

Behavioral therapy for spasmodic dysphonia

This paper presents a general schema for classifying treatment approaches for both functional and organic voice disorders. It's use is illustrated by a review of treatments for Spasmodic Dysphonia. Most behavioral approaches have been found to be unsuccessful except for mild cases. Inhalation speech as a compensatory technique has been reported as somewhat successful for those mild/moderate cases for whom medical/surgical treatment has not been available. The fact that organic treatment levels have been more successful in the treatment of Spasmodic Dysphonia may lend support to an organic etiology     

BNCT蒙特卡洛剂量计算的混合网格算法研究

在硼中子俘获治疗(BNCT)的蒙特卡洛(MC)剂量计算中,通常使用单一的网格模式,如16mm,8mm,4mm.使用细网格计算资源太大,使用粗网格,计算精度不够,为此,根据粒子穿透深度和计数量的变化梯度,采用混合网格模拟计算,达到了细网格的精度,时间仅为细网格的37%.     

Hydrogen peroxide-generating nanomedicine for enhanced chemodynamic therapy

Chemodynamic therapy(CDT) is an emerging endogenous stimulation activated tumor treatment approach that exploiting iron-containing nanomedicine as catalyst to convert hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2)into toxic hydroxyl radical(·OH) through Fenton reaction.Due to the unique characteristics(weak acidity and the high H_2O_2 level) of the tumor microenvironment,CDT has advantages of high selectivity and low side effect.However,as an important substrate of Fenton reaction,the endogenous H_2O_2 in tumor is still insufficient,which may be an important factor limiting the efficacy of CDT.In order to optimize CDT,various H_2O_2-generating nanomedicines that can promote the production of H_2O_2 in tumor have been designed and developed for enhanced CDT.In this review,we summarize recently developed nanomedicines based on catalytic enzymes,nanozymes,drugs,metal peroxides and bacteria.Finally,the challenges and possible development directions for further enhancing CDT are prospected.     

The Role of Chemistry in the Development of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy of Cancer

A therapeutic method that selectively destroys malignant cells in the presence of normal cells is a highly valued goal of oncologists and the possible salvation of cancer patients afflicted with some incurable forms of the disease. Selective cell destruction is, in principle, possible with a binary therapeutic strategy based upon the neutron capture reaction observed with the ¹⁰B nucleus and a neutron of low kinetic energy (thermal neutron). This nuclear fission reaction produces both ⁴He and ⁷Li⁺ nuclei along with about 2.4 MeV of kinetic energy and weak γ-radiation. Since the energetic and cytotoxic product ions travel only about one cell diameter in tissue one may specify the cell type to be destroyed by placing innocent ¹⁰B nuclei on or within only the doomed cells. This article describes the current status of chemical research aimed at the eventual adoption of this therapeutic method (boron neutron capture therapy or BNCT). The multidisciplinary nature of this research effort involves chemistry, biology, nuclear physics, medicine, and related specialties. Methods devised for bringing ¹⁰B nuclei to tumor cells in therapeutic amounts are correlated with the structure of a generalized cell and the various cellular compartments available for boron localization. The synthesis methods employed for the creation of boron-containing biomolecules and drugs are presented along with representative data concerning their efficacy in tumor localization. The outlook for BNCT is especially bright at this time because of rapid developments in the fields of bioorganometallic chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and nuclear science, to name but a few. Very effective boron delivery vehicles have been demonstrated, and through the interaction of chemistry and biology these species are undergoing further improvement and evaluation of their suitability for BNCT.     

Chromatography of plasmid DNA

Liquid chromatography plays a central role in process-scale manufacturing of therapeutic plasmid DNA (pDNA) for gene therapy and DNA vaccination. Apart from its use as a preparative purification step, it is also very useful as an analytical tool to monitor and control pDNA quality during processing and in final formulations. This paper gives an overview of the use of pDNA chromatography. The specificity of pDNA purification and the consequent limitations to the performance of chromatography are described. Strategies currently used to overcome those limitations, as well as other possible solutions are presented. Applications of the different types of chromatography to the purification of therapeutic pDNA are reviewed, and the main advantages and disadvantages behind each technique highlighted.     

Progress on phthalocyanine-conjugated Ag and Au nanoparticles: Synthesis,characterization, and photo-physicochemical properties

Phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes are an important class of dyes with numerous (e.g., biological, photophysical, and analytical) applications. Among the methods used to improve the properties of these complexes, one should mention the introduction of different substituents, variation of the central metal ion, ligand exchange, and conjugation to nanomaterials (e.g., carbon-based nanomaterials and metal nanoparticles (NPs)). This work briefly reviews Pc complex conjugation to Ag and Au NPs, highlights the different NP shapes, and discusses the diversity of conjugation approaches. Moreover, the use of UV–Vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to characterize Pc-NP hybrids is summarized. The effect of conjugation on Pc photo-physicochemical properties (fluorescence, singlet oxygen generation, triplet state formation, and optical limiting behavior) is discussed, and future perspectives for the synthesis and applications of new hybrids are provided.