Label-free colorimetric estimation of proteins using nanoparticles of silver

Metallic nanoparticles have received considerable attention in bioassays and diagnostics due to their unique surface plasmon resonance(SPR) properties.Gold nanoparticles have been employed for the development of SPR-based colorimetric bioassays.In the present report we have described a sensitive colorimetric approach for estimation of proteins,within a detection limit of 10?80 μg/m L,using unmodified silver nanoparticles.Besides the common advantages of colorimetric assay such as simplicity,high sensitivity,and low cost,our method has a label-free design and provides an important and attractive alternative to classical sensing probes and systems.The present work will contribute to the development of nanotechnology-based diagnostic tools.

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Growth of Eukaryotic Green Algae

Silver nanoparticles,endowed with powerful antimicrobial property,are the most widely used nanomaterial in consumer products,with associated risk of their easy access to environment and freshwater ecosystems by surface runoff.Although toxic effects of nanosilver on bacterial,fungal and mammalian cells have been documented,its impact on algal growth remains unknown.Pithophora oedogonia and Chara vulgaris are predominant members of photosynthetic eukaryotic algae,which form major component of global aquatic ecosystem.Here we report for the first time that nanosilver has significant adverse effects on growth and morphology of these filamentous green algae in a dose-dependent manner.Exposure of algal thalli to increasing concentrations of silver nanoparticles resulted in progressive depletion in algal chlorophyll content,chromosome instability and mitotic disturbance,associated with morphological malformations in algal filaments.SEM micrographs revealed dramatic alterations in cell wall in nanoparticle-treated algae,characterized with cell wall rupture and degradation in Pithophora.Although these observations underscore severe deleterious effects of nanosilver on aquatic environment,the information can also be exploited as a bioengineering strategy to control unwanted and persistent growth of noxious algal weeds that clog the municipal water supply and water channels and produce fouling of water bodies.

Thin and crush: The new mantra in left main stenting?

Complex bifurcations have been suggested to be better approached by a planned double stent technique; however, recent randomized trials have shown better outcomes of provisional compared to planned twostent strategy, in terms of both short-term efficacy and safety. In left main(LM) bifurcations, double kissing(DK)-Crush has demonstrated its superiority over Culotte and provisional-T in terms of restenosis and stent thrombosis, gaining respect as one of the most performant techniques for bifurcations stenting. On the other hand, the Nano-Crush technique has recently become part of the repertoire of double stenting techniques, providing evidence that the use of ultrathin strut stents and very minimal crush would be beneficial for both the physiological and rheological properties of the complex bifurcations, even in LM scenario, leading to a lower rate of thrombosis and restenosis at both side branch and true carina. Finally, the newest generation of ultrathin strut stents are gaining a reputation for its safe and effective use in LM treatment thanks to improved design with increased expansion rate capable of LM treatment up to 5-6 mm diameter. The modern crush techniques, such as DK-Crush and Nano-Crush, are providing excellent results on mid and long-term follow up, suggesting that minimal crushing obtained using ultra-thin stents is a good way to obtain surgical-like outcomes in the treatment of complex LM bifurcation disease.

Intravascular Ultrasound Classification of Plaque in Angiographic True Bifurcation Lesions of the Left Main Coronary Artery

Background： Accurately, characterizing plaques is critical for selecting the optimal intervention strategy for the left main coronary artery （LMCA） bifurcation. Coronary angiography cannot precisely assess the location or nature of plaques in bifurcation lesions. Few intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） classification scheme has been reported for angiographic imaging of true bifurcation lesions of the unprotected LMCA thus far. In addition, the plaque composition at the bifurcation has not been elucidated. This study aimed to detect plaque composition at LMCA bifurcation lesions by IVUS. Methods： Fifty-eight patients were recruited. The location, concentricity or eccentricity, site of maximum thickness, and composition of plaques of the distal LMCA, ostial left anterior descending （LAD） coronary artery and, left circumflex （LCX） coronary artery were assessed using IVUS and described using illustrative diagrams. Results： True bifurcation lesions of the unprotected LMCA were classified into four types： Type A, with continuous involvement from the distal LMCA to the ostial LAD and the ostial LCX with eccentric plaques; Type B, with concentric plaques at the distal LMCA, eccentric plaques at the ostial LAD, and no plaques at the LCX; Type C, with continuous involvement from the distal LMCA to the ostial LCX, with eccentric plaques, and to the ostial LAD, with eccentric plaques; and Type D, with continuous involvement from the distal LMCA to the ostial LAD, with eccentric plaques, and to the ostial LCX, with concentric plaques. The carina was involved in only 3.5% of the plaques. A total of 51.7% of the plaques at the ostium of the LAD were soft, while 44.8% and 44.6% were fibrous in the distal LMCA and in the ostial LCX, respectively. Conclusions： We classified LMCA true bifurcation lesions into four types. The carina was always free from disease. Plaques at the ostial LAD tended to be soft, whereas those at the ostial LCX and the distal LMCA tended to be fibrous.

Relief from vascular occlusion using photothermal ablation of tlhrombus with a multimodal perspective

Fibrinolytic therapy for arterial or venous thrombotic disorders involves the systemic administration of thrombolytics such as streptokinase, which is associated with serious bleeding complications. With this study, we provide a proof-of-concept of photothermal thrombus ablation with gold nanorods exposed to near-infrared irradiation, both in vitro using materials generated from purified fibrinogen or plasma and in vivo in murine blood vessels. This is the first report of the application of photothermal therapy as an anti-thrombotic measure. Remarkably, the addition of streptokinase had a multimodal additive effect with regard to acceleration of photothermal lysis of thrombi even at a dose significantly below the therapeutic concentration, thus minimizing the life- threatening side effects and adverse complications. This combinatorial approach exhibits great promise for lysing pathological clots while effectively overcoming the drawbacks of existing therapies.