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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the only cancer for which non-invasive diagnosis is recognized by international guidelines. Contrast agent free ultrasound imaging, computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging are techniques used for early detection and confirmation. Clinical evidence depicts that CT is 30% less precise as compared to MRI for detection of small tumors. In our work, we have reported some novel tools that can enhance the sensitivity and precision of CT applied to preclinical research (micro-CT). Our system, containing non-toxic nano-droplets loaded with iodine has high contrasting properties, liver and hepatocyte specificity and strong liver persistence. Micro-CT was performed on HCC model implanted in nude mice by intrahepatic injection. Contrast agent was administrated intravenously. This method allows an unprecedented high precision of detection, quantitative measurement of tumor volume and quantitative follow-up of the tumor development.

International audience; Objective: The role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) and type I interferons (IFNs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains a subject of controversy. This study was undertaken to explore the contribution of PDCs and type I IFNs to RA pathogenesis using various animal models of PDC depletion and to monitor the effect of localized PDC recruitment and activation on joint inflammation and bone damage.Methods: Mice with K/BxN serum-induced arthritis, collagen-induced arthritis, and human tumor necrosis factor transgene insertion were studied. Symptoms were evaluated by visual scoring, quantification of paw swelling, determination of cytokine levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and histologic analysis. Imiquimod-dependent therapeutic effects were monitored by transcriptome analysis (using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and flow cytometric analysis of the periarticular tissue.Results: PDC-deficient mice showed exacerbation of inflammatory and arthritis symptoms after arthritogenic serum transfer. In contrast, enhancing PDC recruitment and activation to arthritic joints by topical application of the Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) agonist imiquimod significantly ameliorated arthritis in various mouse models. Imiquimod induced an IFN signature and led to reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells.Conclusion: The therapeutic effects of imiquimod on joint inflammation and bone destruction are dependent on TLR-7 sensing by PDCs and type I IFN signaling. Our findings indicate that local recruitment and activation of PDCs represents an attractive therapeutic opportunity for RA patients.

Prospects of therapeutic applications of nanotechnologies in veterinary medicine The advent of the nanotechnologies opened vast prospects for the development of new products and applications in many industrial fields and consumption. Following the example of other fields, the nanotechnologies promised to revolutionize human medicine, veterinary medicine, the whole food chain – production, transformation, storage and clarification of applications thanks to new materials and products. However, whereas the possibilities of application of the nanotechnologies are considerable, its current use in the fields of human and animal health, food and agriculture is relatively restricted because of the emergent character of this science. Like any other field, food industry evolves with the liking of the innovations, competition and profitability. It is thus always in search of new technologies to improve the administration, the taste, the flavour and the texture of its products, to prolong the shelf life of it and to improve the security and the traceability of it. This is why the emergence of the nanotechnology gave rise to the hope that it could satisfy several of these industrial needs. The main advantages of the nanotechnologies compared to other technologies follow from the features improved or innovative of materials and substances on a nanometric scale (indicated collectively by the “nanomaterial” term) which also have a much higher surface/ mass rate compared to their equivalents in bulk. The very small size of nanomaterials allows the dispersion of insoluble substances in water (like the active ingredients, the dyes, the perfumes and the preservatives) in pharmaceutical products and food without it being necessary to add additional lipids or surfactants. The reduction on a nanometric scale of the bioactive substances would improve also the acceptance, the absorption and the bioavailability in the organization compared to the substances in the bulk., L’avènement des nanotechnologies a ouvert de vastes perspectives pour le développement de nouveaux produits et applications dans de nombreux secteurs industriels et de la consommation. À l’instar d’autres secteurs, les nanotechnologies ont permis de révolutionner la médecine humaine, vétérinaire, la chaîne alimentaire tout entière – production, transformation, entreposage grâce à la mise au point de nouveaux matériaux et produits. Pourtant, alors que les possibilités d’application des nanotechnologies sont énormes, leur utilisation actuelle dans les secteurs de la santé humaine et animale, de l’alimentation et de l’agriculture est relativement restreinte en raison du caractère émergent de cette science. Comme tout autre secteur, l’industrie alimentaire évolue au gré des innovations, de la concurrence et de la rentabilité. Elle est donc toujours à la recherche de nouvelles technologies pour améliorer l’administration, le goût, la saveur et la texture de ses produits, en prolonger la durée de conservation et en perfectionner la sécurité et la traçabilité. C’est pourquoi l’arrivée des nanotechnologies a fait naître l’espoir qu’elles pourraient satisfaire bon nombre de ces besoins industriels. Les principaux avantages des nanotechnologies par rapport aux autres technologies découlent des fonctionnalités améliorées ou novatrices de matériaux et de substances à l’échelle nanométrique (désignés collectivement par le terme «nanomatériaux» ) qui disposent également d’un taux beaucoup plus élevé surface/masse par rapport à leurs équivalents en vrac. La très petite taille des nanomatériaux permet la dispersion de substances insolubles dans l’eau (comme les principes actifs, les colorants, les parfums et les agents de conservation) dans des produits pharmaceutiques et alimentaires sans qu’il soit nécessaire d’ajouter des graisses ou des agents tensioactifs supplémentaires. La réduction à l’échelle nanométrique des substances bioactives améliorerait aussi l’acceptation, l’absorption et la biodisponibilité dans l’organisme par rapport aux substances en vrac., Vandamme Thierry F. Perspectives d’application thérapeutique des nanotechnologies en médecine vétérinaire. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 166 n°2, 2013. pp. 141-145.