We report a new theranostic device based on lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) with optical emission in the near infrared wavelength range decorated with affibodies (small 6.5 kDa protein-based antibody replacements) specific to the cancer biomarker human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and zinc(II) protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) to combine imaging, targeting and therapy within one nanostructure. Colloidal PbS QDs were synthesized in aqueous solution with a nanocrystal diameter of ∼5 nm and photoluminescence emission in the near infrared wavelength range. The ZHER2:432 affibody, mutated through the introduction of two cysteine residues at the C-terminus (Afb2C), was used as capping ligand to form Afb2C-PbS QDs that have a high binding affinity for HER2, which is overexpressed in several types of cancer including breast cancer. Afb2C-PbS QDs were further modified by conjugation with ZnPP, which acts as an anticancer agent. The biological activity of these QDs was tested against SKBR3 (HER2-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (HER2-normal) breast cancer cells, with results showing that ZnPP-Afb2C-functionalized PbS QDs were successfully targeted to the HER2-overexpressing cancer cells and induced cell apoptosis thanks to the conjugation with ZnPP. These results expand the use of the QD nanoplatform with the formulation of novel nanomaterials for targeted delivery and combined imaging and therapy via direct surface-protein interaction.
Background: Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL9) has an important role recruiting the T-lymphocytes and immune response after infection by inducing T-cells accumulation around the areas associated with infections. However, this role is poorly known in relation with Toxoplasma gondii infection and also in association with thyroid hormones, which the present study is focused on. Methods: Eighty-seven women were included in this study for the period between September 2021 and February 2022. Blood samples of uninfected healthy pregnant, in addition to aborted and pregnant women infected with toxoplasmosis, were collected. Sera were then obtained and stored at -10°C. Toxo-latex agglutination test was done, followed by detec
... Show MoreThis study aims to study some morphological and reproductional characteristics in eleven species of two genera belonging to the family of Asparagaceae, which are Bellevalia Lapeyrouse, 1808 and Ornithogalum Linnaeus, 1753 and the species are: Bellevalia chrisii Yildirim and Sahin, 2014; Bellevalia flexuosa Boissier, 1854; Bellevalia kurdistanica Feinbrun, 1940; Bellevalia longipes Post, 1895; Bellevalia macrobotrys Boissier, 1853; Bellevalia paradoxa Boissier, 1882; Bellevalia parva Wendelbo, 1973; Bellevalia saviczii Woronow, 1927; Ornithogalum brachystachys C. Koch, 1849; Ornithogalum neurostegium Boissier, 1882 and Ornithogalum pyrenaicum Linnaeus, 1753. These species were identified and compared with each other; the results showed th
... Show MoreThe security of information represent the available protection of information and its component and guaranty the its safety and confidentiality. The absent or lack or stop of security of information and without maximum benefit may lead to lose confidence and make it burden on the company. So we must protect the company and information from the damages which may lead to the frailer of performance and loses of the company and its workers. So the security of information considered one of the potential and controlling basis to protect individuals and companies from the damages. To insure the security and confidentiality of information there are delicate, proper and trusted ways, like FIRE WALL, PASS WORD, SYPHAR
... Show MoreThis present study is aimed at deciding the impact of exercises adapted to the ranges of movements of the arm on the performance of javelin throwing. As long as javelin throwing is quite a complex athletic event that presupposes a considerable amount of strength, speed, and biomechanical accuracy, it is crucial to learn whether the exercises designed to target the peculiarities of arm movements can have a positive effect on the performance of javelin throwers. To the study, experimental research with a single group of six youth javelin throwers was carried out. Before and after the eight-week training program, the pre-tests and post-tests were conducted to find the results of training with a specific focus on resistance exercises. Significa
... Show MoreDoxycycline hyclate is an antibiotic drug with a broad‐spectrum activity against a variety of gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria and is frequently used as a pharmacological agent and as an effector molecule in an inducible gene expression system. A sensitive, reliable and fast spectrophotometric method for the determination of doxycycline hyclate in pure and pharmaceutical formulations has been developed using flow injection analysis (FIA) and batch procedures. The proposed method is based on the reaction between the chromogenic reagent (V4+) and doxycycline hyclate in a neutral medium, resulting in the formation of a yellow compound that shows maximum absorbance at 3
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. The treatment guidelines recommend theuse of a second controller drug in addition to medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) rather than the use of high doses ICS alone in the treatment of moderate-severe persistent asthma. This study was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of three treatment regimens in Iraqi patients with moderate-severe persistent asthma.The study included three groups; each group included 15 patients. Patients were administered beclomethasone inhaler alone 1500-2000 μg/day, beclomethasone inhaler 750-1000 μg/day plus oral controlled release aminophylline tablets 450 mg/day or
... Show MoreThis work studies the role of serum apelin-36 and Glutathione S-transferases (GST) activity in association with the hormonal, metabolic profiles and their link to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in healthy and patients' ladies with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of fifty-four (PCOS) patients and thirty-one healthy woman as a control have been studied. The PCOS patients were subdivided on the basis of body-mass-index (BMI), into 2-subgroups (the first group was obese-PCOS with BMI ≥ 30 and the second group was non-obese PCOS MBI<30). Fasting-insulin-levels and Lipid-profile, Homeostatic-model assessment-of-insulin-resistance (HOMA-IR), follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH), luteinizing-hormone (LH), testosterone and
... Show MoreAnew mixed compound complexes derived from 2-phenyl-2-(o-tolylamino) Acetonitrile as primary ligand (L1) and histidine (L2) as secondary ligand have been prepared and characterized by conventional techniques, elemental microanalysis (C.H.N), Fourier transform infrared, ultra violet-visible spectra, , flame atomic absorption, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility measurement and 1H-NMR spectra. From IR data which appear chelating behavior of the amino acid ligand (L2) toward transition metal ions is via carboxylate oxygen, amino nitrogen and imidazol nitrogen as tridentate ligand while second ligand (L1) chelating through N-nitrile and N-aniline, according to all above technics the octahedral shapes were expected for these complexes as
... Show MoreAzo-ligand-(HL) ([4- ((2-hydroxyquinolin-3-yl) diazenyl) -N- (5-methylisoxazol-3yl) benzenesulfonamide]), (2- hydroxy quinolin derivative),reacts with the next metal ions (Cr (III), Fe (III),Co (II) and Cu(II)) forming stable complexes with unique geometries such as(tetrahedral for bothCo (II) and Cu (II), octahedral for both Cr (III) and Fe (III)). The creation of such complexes was detected by employing spectroscopic means involving ultraviolet-visible which proved the obtained geometries, Fourier transfer proved the involvement of coordinated water molecule in all complexes besides the pyrolysis (TGA & DSC) studies proved the coordination of water residues with metal ions inside the coordination sphere as well as chlorine atoms. Moreover
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