Search

World Health Organization estimates that 30–50% of cancers are preventable by healthy lifestyle choices, early detection and adequate therapy. When the conventional therapeutic strategies are still regulated by the lack of selectivity, multidrug resistance and severe toxic side effects, nanotechnology grants a new frontier for cancer management since it targets cancer cells and spares healthy tissues. This review highlights recent studies using biotin molecule combined with functional nanomaterials used in biomedical applications, with a particular attention on biotinylated chitosan-based nanosystems. Succinctly, this review focuses on five areas of recent advances in biotin engineering: (a) biotin features, (b) biotinylation approaches, (c) biotin functionalized chitosan based nanosystems for drug and gene delivery functions, (d) diagnostic and theranostic perspectives, and (e) author's inputs to the biotin-chitosan based tumour-targeting drug delivery structures. Precisely engineered biotinylated-chitosan macromolecules shaped into nanosystems are anticipated to emerge as next-generation platforms for treatment and molecular imaging modalities applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Functionalized magnetic composites based on block copolymers poly(succinimide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) have been obtained by immobilization of biotin on composites particles via activation with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC). Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that hydrodynamic mean diameters of the functionalized particles were about 500nm and indicate their potential to be formulated as injectable suspensions. These particles exhibit a superparamagnetic behavior and good magnetic saturation, characteristics that recommend them for magnetic separation techniques. Blood coagulation assays indicated that functionalized magnetic composites did not induce thrombogenic reactions in contact with blood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Chickens were inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis deletion mutant strains. [•] A Salmonella Enteritidis ΔhilAssrAfliG deletion mutant is safe for use in broilers. [•] Treated chickens were inoculated with a Salmonella Enteritidis challenge strain. [•] Treatment protects broilers against colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: To screen hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and associated basal core promoter (BCP; T1762A/A1764) and precore (PC; A1896) mutations among the 100 HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positive voluntary blood donors in France. Methods: HBV genotypes were determined by using direct sequence analysis. Three methods were used to detect G1896A mutation: non-commercial real-time PCR (PCRTR°, line probe assay (InnoLiPA HBV PreCore, INNOGENETICS®) and direct sequencing of precore gene. HBV viral load was quantified with two commercial real-time PCR (COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® TaqMan® HBV Test/Roche and Real Time HBV/M2000/Abbott). Results: The mean age of donors was 30 (18–64). Patients were from Africa (42%), Europa (50%), and Asia (8%). HBV/D was the most predominant (37%) genotype followed by HBV/A (31%) and HBV/E (22%). PC and BCP mutants were found in 57% with Inno-LIPA HBV test and 59% with both PCRTR and sequencing methods. A significant difference in the viral load of blood donors with wild and PC mutants was observed with the Taqman Cobas real time PCR (3,19 Log10 UI/ml versus 4,93 Log10 UI/ml, p < 0.05). Precore phenotype determination was in agreement with the three PC mutation detection methods in 56% of cases. Conclusions: Non-Caucasian genotype E was present in the French blood donors. PC mutation was more common than BCP mutations in this study. As HBV infected blood donors were more often asymptomatic carriers, we could speculate that the G1896A mutation may favour the asymptomatic state, supporting previous observations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]