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Cristiana Maria Grapa,1,* Teodora Mocan,1,2,* Diana Gonciar,1,3,* Claudiu Zdrehus,1,3,* Ofelia Mosteanu,1,3,* Teodora Pop,1,* Lucian Mocan1,3,* 1Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 2Physiology Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 33rd Surgery Clinic, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania*All authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Teodora MocanPhysiology Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1 Clinicilor Street, Cluj-Napoca 40006, RomaniaTel +40264598575Fax +40264599814Email teodora.mocan@umfcluj.roAbstract: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease with a high incidence and a dreary prognosis. Its lack of symptomatology and late diagnosis contribute to the dearth and inefficiency of therapeutic schemes. Studies show that overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a common occurrence, linking this to the progression of pancreatic cancer, although the association between its expression and the survival rate is rather controversial. EGFR-targeted therapy has not shown the results expected, leaving at hand more questions than answers; clearly, there is a need for a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved. Nanoparticles have been used in trying to improve the efficacy of antitumor treatment; thus, using EGFR’s ligand, EGF, for nanoconjugation, showed promising results in increasing the cellular uptake mechanisms and apoptosis of the targeted cells.Keywords: pancreatic adenocarcinoma, EGFR, nanoparticles, targeted therapy

Cristian T Matea,1,* Teodora Mocan,1,2,* Flaviu Tabaran,1,3,* Teodora Pop,1,4,* Ofelia Mosteanu,1,4,* Cosmin Puia,1,5,* Cornel Iancu,1,5,* Lucian Mocan1,5,* 1Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Octavian Fodor”, 2Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 3Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 4Department of Gastroenterology, 5Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Quantum dots (QDs), also known as nanoscale semiconductor crystals, are nanoparticles with unique optical and electronic properties such as bright and intensive fluorescence. Since most conventional organic label dyes do not offer the near-infrared (>650 nm) emission possibility, QDs, with their tunable optical properties, have gained a lot of interest. They possess characteristics such as good chemical and photo-stability, high quantum yield and size-tunable light emission. Different types of QDs can be excited with the same light wavelength, and their narrow emission bands can be detected simultaneously for multiple assays. There is an increasing interest in the development of nano-theranostics platforms for simultaneous sensing, imaging and therapy. QDs have great potential for such applications, with notable results already published in the fields of sensors, drug delivery and biomedical imaging. This review summarizes the latest developments available in literature regarding the use of QDs for medical applications. Keywords: quantum dots, biomedical applications, nanoprobes, theranostic platforms

Lucian Mocan,1,2 Flaviu A Tabaran,3 Teodora Mocan,2,4 Teodora Pop,5 Ofelia Mosteanu,5 Lucia Agoston-Coldea,6 Cristian T Matea,2 Diana Gonciar,2 Claudiu Zdrehus,1,2 Cornel Iancu1 13rd Department of General Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2Department of Nanomedicine, “Octavian Fodor” Gastroenterology Institute, 3Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 4Department of Physiology, 53rd Gastroenterology Department, 6Department of Internal Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Abstract: The issue of multidrug resistance (MDR) has become an increasing threat to public health. One alternative strategy against MDR bacteria would be to construct therapeutic vectors capable of physically damaging these microorganisms. Gold nanoparticles hold great promise for the development of such therapeutic agents, since the nanoparticles exhibit impressive properties, of which the most important is the ability to convert light into heat. This property has scientific significance since is exploited to develop nano-photothermal vectors to destroy bacteria at a molecular level. The present paper summarizes the latest advancements in the field of nanotargeted laser hyperthermia of MDR bacteria mediated by gold nanoparticles. Keywords: bacteria, photo-thermal ablation, gold nanoparticles, antibiotic resistance

Lucian Mocan,1,2 Cristian Matea,1 Flaviu A Tabaran,3 Ofelia Mosteanu,1,4 Teodora Pop,1,4 Teodora Mocan,1,5 Cornel Iancu1,2 1Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Octavian Fodor”, 2Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 3Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 4Department of Gastroenterology, 5Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Croitorilor, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Abstract: We present a method of enhanced laser thermal ablation of HepG2 cells based on a simple gold nanoparticle (GNP) carrier system such as serum albumin (Alb), and demonstrate its selective therapeutic efficacy compared with normal hepatocyte cells. HepG2 or hepatocytes were treated with Alb-GNPs at various concentrations and various incubation times, and further irradiated using a 2 W, 808 nm laser. Darkfield microscopy and immunochemical staining was used to demonstrate the selective internalization of Alb-GNPs inside the HepG2 cells via Gp60 receptors targeting. The postirradiation apoptotic rate of HepG2 cells treated with Alb-GNPs ranged from 25.8% (for 5 µg/mL) to 48.2% (for 50 µg/mL) at 60 seconds, while at 30 minutes the necrotic rate increased from 35.7% (5 µg/mL) to 52.3% (50 µg/mL), P-value

Mocan L, Matea C, Tabaran FA, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2015;10:5435-5445Page 5445, the Author contributions section shown below should have been included before the Disclosure section.Author contributionsAll authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation ofdata; took part in either drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. All authors contributed equally to this paper.Read the original article

With the increase in energy demand, the necessity for photovoltaic panels to be as efficient as possible has also increased. In order to achieve the highest possible performance, solar cells depend on a number of environmental elements such as: temperature, shading, cloudy weather, deposits on the surface, dust, solar irradiation, nighttime darkness, etc. All these factors ultimately result in a decline in photovoltaic panels performances. With the help of modeling and simulation programs, complex systems with high performance can be designed and realized, considering the advantage of avoiding manufacturing costs through their physical testing. Based on the electrical and thermal characteristics extracted from the Sanyo producer's data sheet, the proposed commercial photovoltaic module HIT-240HDE4, is implemented in the MATLAB environment under standard and real test conditions. The article presents the modeling and simulation in the MATLAB program of the proposed photovoltaic module, for the analysis of the electrical performances under the described conditions. Also, the article addresses the analysis issue of the operation considering the chosen module, under the same conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives. Since the first laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy performed by Clayman in 1991, the surgical technique has improved and the indications of laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy can be extended to locally advanced diseases . The first radical cystectomy performed for bladder cancer was reported by Sanchez de Badajoz in 1995. Laparoscopic approach has been increasingly used as an alternative to open radical cystectomy with promising functional and oncological results. Materials and Methods. We present a case of laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy and anterior pelvic exenteration with extended lymphadenectomy in a patient with high-grade upper urinary tract carcinoma, recurrent highgrade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, and a previous left open nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff removal and lymphadenectomy. The partial exenteration and the extended lymphadenectomy were successfully performed with laparoscopic approach in this particular case of high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Results. The final histopathology exam revealed high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis pT3N0MxL0V0R0, urothelial carcinoma non-invasive of the ureter pTaG2, urothelial carcinoma microinvasive pT1G1 of the urinary bladder with squamous cell carcinoma in situ pTis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the cervix. We discuss the operative steps and the techniques performed to optimize the oncological results in the laparoscopic approach for high risk urothelial carcinoma. Conclusions. Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy accompanying radical cystectomy, hysterectomy, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for multifocal high-risk urothelial carcinoma is oncologically safe, technically feasible, and can safely be performed for urinary system exenteration in patients with multifocal urothelial tumors, even though the patient will be anephric at the end of the surgery with need for hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]