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A self-actuating and self-sensing microcantilever sensor modified by rGO-COOH@CuNPs@Ce-MOF nanocomposites for rapid detection of ALV-J
No full textpeer reviewedAvian Leukosis Virus-J (ALV-J) poses significant challenges to poultry health and food safety, highlighting the need for innovative detection technologies due to existing limitations in detection time, sensitivity, and selectivity. This study presents a self-actuating and self-sensing microcantilever sensor that uses reduced graphene oxide functionalized with carboxylic groups, copper nanoparticles, and cerium-based metal–organic frameworks (rGO-COOH@CuNPs@Ce(III, IV)-MOF) nanocomposites to enhance signal amplification. The sensing platform design integrates a piezoelectric actuator and sensors, using both positive and inverse piezoelectric effects of piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) to facilitate real-time tracking via OpenCV. The fabrication process effectively combines the actuator and sensors, optimizing piezoelectric effects for improved sensitivity and rapid response. Signal amplification is achieved through the incorporation of rGO-COOH@CuNPs@Ce(III, IV)-MOF nanocomposites, which significantly enhance conductivity and dispersibility, promoting the formation of a conductive network with CuNPs. Additionally, Ce(III, IV)-MOF serves as a catalyst for the CuNPs, promoting electron transfer and enhancing the efficiency of antigen–antibody interactions. The sensor demonstrates a linear detection range from 2.1 × 10-1 to 1.0 × 101 ng mL−1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.3 × 10-1 ng mL−1 and rapid detection capabilities, yielding results within seconds. Furthermore, it exhibits satisfactory selectivity, storage stability, and reproducibility, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.57 %. This self-actuating and self-sensing microcantilever sensor shows significant potential for the detection of ALV-J in clinical diagnostics
Theranostic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeted Boron Delivery and Imaging-Guided BNCT in Head and Neck Cancers
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CogniScan : Présentation d’un Inventaire de plaintes cognitives
No full textÀ partir de 55 ans, la moitié de la population rapporte des plaintes cognitives[1]. Les plaintes cognitives subjectives (PCS) se définissent par une perception de déclin cognitif par rapport à un fonctionnement antérieur, malgré des performances normales lors de tests standardisés[2]. Leur présence semble augmenter le risque de développer un trouble neurocognitif mineur[3], rendant crucial leur identification rapide. Toutefois, les outils disponibles en français pour investiguer les PCS sont peu développés ou axés sur une seule sphère cognitive, souvent mnésique, alors que les PCS peuvent toucher toutes les fonctions cognitives. Dès lors, nous avons créé un outil permettant de sonder plus largement ces plaintes, le CogniScan. Il se compose de 40 items couvrant cinq fonctions cognitives : mémoire, attention, fonctions exécutives, langage et orientation. Deux versions ont été constituées pour confronter la plainte rapportée par une personne (auto-évaluation) à la perception d’un membre de son entourage (hétéro-évaluation). La complétion en échelle de type Likert à cinq niveaux (de « beaucoup plus difficile » à « beaucoup plus facile ») permet de statuer sur la perception d’un changement dans le fonctionnement cognitif par rapport aux cinq dernières années. Sa passation rapide permet d’obtenir un score par domaine cognitif ainsi qu’un score global. La validité de contenu a été évaluée auprès de 10 neuropsychologues. Pour la validité de surface, 7 néophytes ont jugé de la clarté et de la compréhension des items. Les résultats préliminaires auprès de 26 personnes (19 femmes, 7 hommes, 62.2 ans +/- 6.9 ans) montrent un score moyen de 6.65/80 (σ = 13.56) au score global du CogniScan et de 2.23 (σ = 3.36) au sous-domaine mémoire, 1.23 (σ = 4.51) pour les fonctions exécutives, 2.65 (σ = 3.62) pour l’attention, 0.42 (σ = 2.5) pour le langage et enfin, 0.12 (σ = 1.28) pour l’orientation. Ces résultats préliminaires, à considérer avec précaution, semblent indiquer que les plaintes attentionnelles et mnésiques sont les plus fréquentes, quel que soit l’âge. Cet outil innovant fera l’objet d’une normalisation à large échelle pour pouvoir le mettre à disposition du terrain. Sa rapidité d’administration en fait un outil pratique pour les cliniciens. Références :
[1] Haute Autorité de Santé. (2014). Réponse à la saisine du 30 octobre 2014 en application de l’article L.161-39 du code de la sécurité sociale : Identification des troubles mnésiques et stratégie d’intervention chez les séniors de 70 ans et plus [Argumentaire]. https://www.has-sante.fr/upload/docs/application/pdf/2015- 02/argumentaires_art_53_troublesmnesiquesdusujetage_vf_2015-02-16_15-31-37_875.pd
[2] Jessen, F., Amariglio, R. E., Van Boxtel, M., Breteler, M., Ceccaldi, M., Chételat, G., Dubois, B., Dufouil, C., Ellis, K. A., Van Der Flier, W. M., Glodzik, L., Van Harten, A. C., De Leon, M. J., McHugh, P., Mielke, M. M., Molinuevo, J. L., Mosconi, L., Osorio, R. S., Perrotin, A., … Subjective Cognitive Decline Initiative (SCD I) Working Group. (2014). A conceptual framework for research on subjective cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 10(6), 844 852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2014.01.001
[3] Liew, T. M. (2020). Trajectories of subjective cognitive decline, and the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 12(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-020-00699-
Targeted peptide strategy against anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: EGFR-mediated delivery and PIP3-driven inhibition of the PAM pathway
Full text linkBackground:
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare but highly aggressive malignant neoplasm with a median survival of only four months post-diagnosis. Despite its low incidence (1–2% of all the thyroid cancers), it accounts for up to 39% of thyroid cancer-related deaths. Current treatments offer limited survival benefits, highlighting the urgent need for novel targeted therapies. One of the hallmarks of ATC is the dysregulation of key signaling cascades, particularly the PI3K/AKT/mTOR (PAM) pathway, which is critically involved in tumor cell survival, proliferation, and therapy resistance. EGFR overexpression and aberrant PAM signaling are major contributors to ATC aggressiveness.
Methods:
We developed a therapeutic peptide (TP) that disrupts PIP3-dependent protein interactions, thereby inhibiting AKT activation. To enhance specificity and reduce systemic toxicity, a vectoring peptide (VP) was designed to bind EGFR, which is overexpressed in ATC cells. Both peptides, identified via phage display technology, were chemically linked to form a peptide complex (PC). EGFR and AKT expression were assessed by western blot, immunofluorescence (IF), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in ATC cell lines (8505c, Cal-62) compared to normal thyroid cells (Nthy-ori 3-1). Apoptosis was evaluated via Annexin V flow cytometry and activated caspase-3 detection. Subcellular trafficking was analyzed by IF co-localization of EGFR–endoplasmic reticulum (ER), VP–ER, and VP–caveolae. In vivo safety of VP was assessed in NMRI mice, while therapeutic efficacy of PC was tested in athymic nude mice bearing Cal-62 or 8505c tumors. Biodistribution was evaluated by optical imaging using IRDye800CW-conjugated VP.
Results:
ATC cells showed elevated EGFR and AKT activation, with nuclear localization of p-AKT (S473). PC induced significantly greater apoptosis than TP alone, with an EC₅₀ of 5 µM (vs. IC₅₀ of 24 µM for TP). IF co-localization studies revealed retrograde intracellular trafficking of the VP and nuclear accumulation of p-AKT. In vivo, PC treatment reduced tumor size and enhanced apoptosis, confirmed by activated caspase-3 (IF). Masson’s Trichrome staining corroborated apoptotic features, including pyknotic nuclei.
Toxicological analyses showed no morphological damage in major organs, suggesting minimal systemic toxicity. Liver alterations revealed by caspase-3 activation and elevated AST/ALT ratio were likely anesthesia-related. Elevated BUN levels indicated possible proteolysis and metabolic imbalance. Overall, histology and plasma biomarkers confirmed low systemic toxicity. CYP450 screening showed CYP3A4 inhibition by both PC and TP, suggesting potential interaction with hepatic metabolism. In vitro, KRAS and BRAF proteins exhibited increased nuclear localization especially in Cal-62 cells, reflecting their aggressive phenotype. In vivo fluorescence imaging confirmed tumor-specific accumulation of VP, validating its targeting capacity.
Conclusion:
This EGFR/PIP3-targeted peptide complex shows strong potential for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic agent in ATC cancer cells and demonstrates potent antitumor activity and limited toxicity in ATC models by selectively inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Study of PFAS pollution affecting a groundwater pumping site in a chalk aquifer (Mons - Belgium)
Full text linkPEO coatings for Additively Manufactured AlSi7Mg0.6 alloy: Unveiling the influence of surface morphology
Full text linkpeer reviewed5525 - OptiSurfAM - Optimisation de la durabilité mécanique et chimique par modification de la surface de pièces en Ti et en Al élaborées_x000D_par fabrication additive - Région wallonn
