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The aim of our study was to obtain the data on the exposure of breast-fed infants to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the Wielkopolska province (Poland). The levels of indicator PCBs, and selected OCPs, including two DDT metabolites (HCB, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE and alpha,beta,gamma-HCH) were determined in 27 human milk samples, collected in 2000-2001, according to WHO protocol. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of all analytes were calculated. Our results were compared with those obtained by an analysis of human milk samples from other European and non-European countries, collected in the same period time. We have stated that median exposure of Wielkopolska first breast-fed infants to OCPs is comparable (EDI(HCB) = 0.086 microg/kgbw/day; EDI(beta-HCH)=0.063 microg/kgbw/day) or higher (EDI(p,p'-DDE) = 3.495 microg/kgbw/day) than in other European countries, while exposure to PCBs (EDI(Sigma7PCB) = 0.364 microg/kgbw/day) is situated at the low end of the intake of these xenobiotics by breast-fed infants from different regions of Europe.

The present work was aimed to the development of a fluorescence assay using the universal 96-well microplate format, for the measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH) in yeast cells. The method relies upon the reaction between GSH and a highly selective fluorogenic probe, i.e. naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA). The optimization of the method included the extraction step of GSH from cultured yeast cells in a cold perchloric acid solution, derivatization conditions (10-min reaction at pH 8.6 and at 20 ± 2 °C in darkness) and stability studies of the resulting fluorescent adduct. Full selectivity was observed versus other endogenous thiols (except for γ-glutamylcysteine), glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and enzymatic reducing reagents of GSSG. Linearity was verified in the range 0.3–6.5 μM (R2 > 0.98) and limits of quantification and detection were 0.3 and 0.05 μM, respectively. Relative standard deviation corresponding to repeatability (n = 3) and inter-day precision (n = 5) were 2.8 and 6.1%, respectively. Mean GSH recovery from cell extracts was 95%. The method appeared highly correlated (R2 = 0.96) with a previously reported HPLC method. The method was then applied to the monitoring of GSH in the yeast strain Kluyveromyces lactis during its growth period and in the presence of an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis. The method presents the main advantage of a high throughput for the measurement of biological samples. The extent of the method to the study of the redox couple GSSG/GSH by including an enzymatic reduction step and the enhancement of the fluorescence signal using cyclodextrins were discussed.

Topological parameters (Balaban index and electrotopological index) were used as structural parameters in the structure-retention relationships (SRRs). These relationships were found to be statistically valid and useful in the prediction of retention data of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) despite of the temperature program used in the gas chromatographic experiment.

Two mesoporous silica materials: MCM-41 and SBA-15 were applied as potential nanocarriers for poorly soluble drug—nimodipine. Drug incorporation was performed using modified adsorption from the solution method and loaded samples before and after washing procedure were studied. The physical properties were verified by: differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopies (SEM/TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). FT-IR results for bulk nimodipine were interpreted on the basis of first principles calculations (DFT). As a result of encapsulation process, in both matrices nimodipine appeared simultaneously in two forms: crystalline and amorphous, but the first one turned out to be easily removable during washing procedure. The in vitro dissolution and release tests were performed with ultra pure water under supersaturating conditions. The release rate of the amorphous nimodipine from mesoporous silica materials was at least 70 times higher than dissolution rate of bulk drug, thus revealed a potential usefulness of such carrier in future pharmaceutical applications in terms of delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

Semiconductor QDs are tiny light-emitting crystals, and are emerging as a new class of fluorescent labels for medicine and biology. The aim of this work was to develop a new class of non-toxic QDs probes with essential attributes such as water dispersibility, photostability, biocompatibility, high luminescence and possible excitation with low-energy visible light, using simple processing method. Such nanoprobes could be used for bio-imaging of cancer cells. In the performed studies, I focused on ZnS and ZnSe QDs as they are cadmium-free and might be excited biphotonically.The synthesis protocols of ZnS and ZnSe QDs doped with two ions such as Mn or Cu and stabilized by 3-mercaptopropionic acid or 1-thioglycerol were established, followed by NCs characterization (diameter, surface charge, photophysical properties) using analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry UV-vis, fluorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), infra-red analysis (FT-IR), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The cytotoxicity of synthesized bare and conjugated NPs was evaluated on cancer cell lines using MTT, XTT and ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange assay.Finally, chosen well fluorescent and weakly toxic types of as-prepared and characterized QDs were used for bio-imaging of cancer cells. In these experiments, FA-functionalized NCs were excited biphotonically. The performed experiments showed the potential of QDs as cancer cells fluorescent markers and that they accumulate around the cell nuclei.; Les Quantum Dots (QDs) sont des particules cristallines de semi-conducteur ou du métal de forme sphérique et de dimension nanométrique. L'intérêt majeur des QDs réside dans leur grande adaptabilité à de nombreuses applications biologiques.Le but de mon travail était de développer une nouvelle classe de QDs de faible toxicité afin de les utiliser pour la bio-imagerie des cellules cancéreuses. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de préparer des sondes hydrosolubles, photostables, biocompatibles, de luminescence élevée et possédant une faible toxicité. La synthèse des coeurs de type ZnS and ZnSe dopés au manganèse ou au cuivre et stabilisés par l'acide 3-mercapropropionique ou par le 1-thioglycérol a été réalisée par la voie hydrothermale. Les techniques analytiques de caractérisation utilisées sont la spectroscopie UV-visible, la spectroscopie de fluorescence, la diffraction des rayons X (XRD), la spectroscopie photoélectronique de rayon X (XPS), la microscopie électronique à transmission (TEM), la diffusion dynamique de la lumière DLS, la spectroscopie infra-rouge (IR), et la résonance paraélectronique (RPE). La toxicité des QDs a été déterminée sur des cellules cancéreuses. Les différents test de cytotoxicité (MTT, XTT et ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange) ont été réalisés. Finalement, les QDs de type ZnS:Mn conjugués à l'acide folique ont été utilisés pour la bio-imagerie des cellules cancéreuses par le biais d'une excitation biphotonique.

Semiconductor QDs are tiny light-emitting crystals, and are emerging as a new class of fluorescent labels for medicine and biology. The aim of this work was to develop a new class of non-toxic QDs probes with essential attributes such as water dispersibility, photostability, biocompatibility, high luminescence and possible excitation with low-energy visible light, using simple processing method. Such nanoprobes could be used for bio-imaging of cancer cells. In the performed studies, I focused on ZnS and ZnSe QDs as they are cadmium-free and might be excited biphotonically.The synthesis protocols of ZnS and ZnSe QDs doped with two ions such as Mn or Cu and stabilized by 3-mercaptopropionic acid or 1-thioglycerol were established, followed by NCs characterization (diameter, surface charge, photophysical properties) using analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry UV-vis, fluorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), infra-red analysis (FT-IR), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The cytotoxicity of synthesized bare and conjugated NPs was evaluated on cancer cell lines using MTT, XTT and ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange assay.Finally, chosen well fluorescent and weakly toxic types of as-prepared and characterized QDs were used for bio-imaging of cancer cells. In these experiments, FA-functionalized NCs were excited biphotonically. The performed experiments showed the potential of QDs as cancer cells fluorescent markers and that they accumulate around the cell nuclei., Les Quantum Dots (QDs) sont des particules cristallines de semi-conducteur ou du métal de forme sphérique et de dimension nanométrique. L'intérêt majeur des QDs réside dans leur grande adaptabilité à de nombreuses applications biologiques.Le but de mon travail était de développer une nouvelle classe de QDs de faible toxicité afin de les utiliser pour la bio-imagerie des cellules cancéreuses. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de préparer des sondes hydrosolubles, photostables, biocompatibles, de luminescence élevée et possédant une faible toxicité. La synthèse des coeurs de type ZnS and ZnSe dopés au manganèse ou au cuivre et stabilisés par l'acide 3-mercapropropionique ou par le 1-thioglycérol a été réalisée par la voie hydrothermale. Les techniques analytiques de caractérisation utilisées sont la spectroscopie UV-visible, la spectroscopie de fluorescence, la diffraction des rayons X (XRD), la spectroscopie photoélectronique de rayon X (XPS), la microscopie électronique à transmission (TEM), la diffusion dynamique de la lumière DLS, la spectroscopie infra-rouge (IR), et la résonance paraélectronique (RPE). La toxicité des QDs a été déterminée sur des cellules cancéreuses. Les différents test de cytotoxicité (MTT, XTT et ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange) ont été réalisés. Finalement, les QDs de type ZnS:Mn conjugués à l'acide folique ont été utilisés pour la bio-imagerie des cellules cancéreuses par le biais d'une excitation biphotonique.

Polymeric nanoparticles have been considered to have the potential to improve drug delivery to the desired site of action and to enable delivery of poorly soluble, poorly absorbed or unstable drugs. In this work, two types of active substances have been chosen for encapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles: fluorogenic probes for intracellular targeting of the reduced glutathione (GSH), namely ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA), as well as salmon calcitonin (sCT) which is a polypeptide hormone. The probe or sCT-loaded nanoparticles were obtained using a simple or double emulsion solvent evaporation method, respectively. The obtained nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized, e.g. in terms of the size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug (probe) release, cytotoxicity or microscopic morphology and thermal properties. NDA-loaded nanoparticles were incubated with yeast cells and intracellular NDA-GSH adduct levels increased by about 9-times in comparison with the free probe. In the case of sCT, the in vivo study was conducted in rats, and it was demonstrated that after subcutaneous injection of sCT-loaded nanoparticles, elevated serum sCT levels could be sustained for 3 days. In conclusion, the active molecules incorporated in polymeric nanoparticles achieved the better cellular uptake (NDA) and bioavailability (sCT) that the non encapsulated ones.; Les nanoparticules polymériques présentent la capacité d'améliorer le transport et le ciblage des médicaments vers un site d'action défini mais également la capacité de transporter des substances actives peu solubles, faiblement absorbées ou fragiles. Dans ce travail, deux types de substances actives ont été encapsulées au sein de nanoparticules: d'une part des sondes fluorogéniques pour le ciblage du glutathion réduit (GSH) intracellulaire, à savoir l'ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) et le naphtalène-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA), et d'autre part la calcitonine de saumon (sCT) qui est une hormone polypeptidique. Les nanoparticules d'OPA ou de NDA ainsi que des nanoparticules de sCT ont été préparées respectivement à l'aide de techniques de simple ou de double émulsion avec évaporation du solvant. Les nanoparticules obtenues ont été caractérisées en terme de taille, potentiel zêta, taux d'encapsulation, libération in vitro du principe actif, cytotoxicité, morphologie ou encore au niveau de leurs propriétés thermiques. Les nanoparticules chargées de NDA ont été incubées en présence de levures et la concentration en adduit NDA-GSH intracellulaire était augmentée environ 9 fois par rapport à la concentration en adduits formés à partir de la sonde libre. Dans le cas de la sCT, l'étude in vivo menée chez des rats a démontré que, après une injection sous-cutanée de nanoparticules, les taux sériques élevés obtenus pouvaient être maintenus pendant 3 jours. En conclusion, les substances actives incorporées au sein des nanoparticules ont permis une meilleure pénétration cellulaire du NDA et une meilleure biodisponibilité de la sCT par rapport à ces mêmes molécules non encapsulées.

Polymeric nanoparticles have been considered to have the potential to improve drug delivery to the desired site of action and to enable delivery of poorly soluble, poorly absorbed or unstable drugs. In this work, two types of active substances have been chosen for encapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles: fluorogenic probes for intracellular targeting of the reduced glutathione (GSH), namely ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA), as well as salmon calcitonin (sCT) which is a polypeptide hormone. The probe or sCT-loaded nanoparticles were obtained using a simple or double emulsion solvent evaporation method, respectively. The obtained nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized, e.g. in terms of the size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug (probe) release, cytotoxicity or microscopic morphology and thermal properties. NDA-loaded nanoparticles were incubated with yeast cells and intracellular NDA-GSH adduct levels increased by about 9-times in comparison with the free probe. In the case of sCT, the in vivo study was conducted in rats, and it was demonstrated that after subcutaneous injection of sCT-loaded nanoparticles, elevated serum sCT levels could be sustained for 3 days. In conclusion, the active molecules incorporated in polymeric nanoparticles achieved the better cellular uptake (NDA) and bioavailability (sCT) that the non encapsulated ones.; Les nanoparticules polymériques présentent la capacité d'améliorer le transport et le ciblage des médicaments vers un site d'action défini mais également la capacité de transporter des substances actives peu solubles, faiblement absorbées ou fragiles. Dans ce travail, deux types de substances actives ont été encapsulées au sein de nanoparticules: d'une part des sondes fluorogéniques pour le ciblage du glutathion réduit (GSH) intracellulaire, à savoir l'ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) et le naphtalène-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA), et d'autre part la calcitonine de saumon (sCT) qui est une hormone polypeptidique. Les nanoparticules d'OPA ou de NDA ainsi que des nanoparticules de sCT ont été préparées respectivement à l'aide de techniques de simple ou de double émulsion avec évaporation du solvant. Les nanoparticules obtenues ont été caractérisées en terme de taille, potentiel zêta, taux d'encapsulation, libération in vitro du principe actif, cytotoxicité, morphologie ou encore au niveau de leurs propriétés thermiques. Les nanoparticules chargées de NDA ont été incubées en présence de levures et la concentration en adduit NDA-GSH intracellulaire était augmentée environ 9 fois par rapport à la concentration en adduits formés à partir de la sonde libre. Dans le cas de la sCT, l'étude in vivo menée chez des rats a démontré que, après une injection sous-cutanée de nanoparticules, les taux sériques élevés obtenus pouvaient être maintenus pendant 3 jours. En conclusion, les substances actives incorporées au sein des nanoparticules ont permis une meilleure pénétration cellulaire du NDA et une meilleure biodisponibilité de la sCT par rapport à ces mêmes molécules non encapsulées.