tellurium and Pancreatic-Neoplasms

The tellurium doped zinc imidazole framework (Te@ZIF-8) is prepared by a two-step hydrothermal strategy for the electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide. Material is characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The electrochemical characterization of the MOF modified electrode is done by a three-electrode system. Electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide is made by cyclic voltammetry, amperometry, and impedance measurements. Results demonstrate that Te@ZIF-8 shows a detection limit of 60 µM with linearity up to 0.98855. Material is stable to 1000 cycles with no significant change in electrochemical response. Amperometry depicts the recovery of hydrogen peroxide from human serum up to 101%. Impedance curve reveals the surface of Te@ZIF-8-GCE (glassy carbon electrode) as porous and rough and an interface is developed between analyte ions and the sensing material. Finally, the modified electrode is used for the quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide from serum samples of pancreatic cancer patients, diagnosed with CA 19-9.

Topics: Blood Chemical Analysis; Cells, Cultured; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Imidazoles; Limit of Detection; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Tellurium; Zinc

Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and cysteamine (Cys) capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were successfully prepared and used to investigate the combined influence of surface modification, size distribution, and interaction time on their cytotoxicity in human pancreatic carcinoma (PANC-1) cells. Results indicated that the smaller the size of MPA-CdTe QDs, the higher the cytotoxicity, which could be partly due to the difference of their distribution inside cells. Comparing with MPA-CdTe QDs, Cys-CdTe QDs had better cellular metabolizability and lower cytotoxicity. These QDs' cellular distribution and cytotoxicity were closely related to their interaction time with cells. Their cytotoxicity was found to be significantly enhanced with the increase of incubation time in medium. After QD treatments, the influence of recover time on the final cell viability was also dependent on the concentration and surface modification of QDs used in pretreatment. The combined influence of these factors discussed here might provide useful information for understanding and reducing the cytotoxicity of QDs in future biomedical applications.

Topics: Cadmium Compounds; Carcinoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Chemistry, Physical; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Microscopy, Confocal; Nanotechnology; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Quantum Dots; Surface Properties; Tellurium; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles

In novel treatment approaches, therapeutics should be designed to target cancer stem cells (CSCs). Quantum dots (QDs) are a promising new tool in fighting against cancer. However, little is known about accumulation and cytotoxicity of QDs in CSCs.. Accumulation and cytotoxicity of CdTe-MPA (mercaptopropionic acid) QDs in CSCs were assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting techniques as well as a colorimetric cell viability assay.. We investigated the expression of two cell surface-associated glycoproteins, CD44 and CD133, in four different cancer cell lines (glioblastoma, melanoma, pancreatic, and prostate adenocarcinoma). Only the melanoma cells were positive to both markers of CD44 and CD133, whereas the other cells were only CD44-positive. The QDs accumulated to a similar extent in all subpopulations of the melanoma cells. The phenotypical response after QD treatment was compared with the response after ionizing radiation treatment. The percentage of the CD44(high-)CD133(high) subpopulation decreased from 72% to 55%-58% for both treatments. The stem-like subpopulation CD44(high)CD133(low/-) increased from 26%-28% in the untreated melanoma cells to 36%-40% for both treatments.. Treatment of melanoma cells with QDs results in an increase of stem-like cell subpopulations. The changes in phenotype distribution of the melanoma cells after the treatment with QDs are comparable with the changes after ionizing radiation.

Topics: 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid; AC133 Antigen; Antigens, CD; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cadmium Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Flow Cytometry; Glioblastoma; Glycoproteins; Humans; Hyaluronan Receptors; Male; Melanoma; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Peptides; Phenotype; Prostatic Neoplasms; Quantum Dots; Tellurium

Cyclic RGD-peptide functionalized phospholipids micelle-encapsulated near-infrared CdTe/ZnSe quantum dots were synthesized as multifunctional probes for targeting and imaging tumors in live animals.

Topics: Animals; Cadmium Compounds; Diagnostic Imaging; Luminescent Agents; Luminescent Measurements; Mice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Peptides, Cyclic; Quantum Dots; Selenium Compounds; Tellurium; Zinc Compounds

Quantum dots (QDs) have been gaining popularity due to their potential application in cellular imaging and diagnosis, but their cytotoxicity under light illumination has not been fully investigated. In this study, green and red mercaptopropionic acid capped CdTe quantum dots (MPA-CdTe QDs) were employed to investigate their cytotoxicity in human pancreatic carcinoma cells (PANC-1) under UV illumination. MPA-CdTe QDs exhibited excellent photostability under UV illumination and could be easily ingested by cells. The cytotoxicity of MPA-CdTe QDs was significantly enhanced under UV illumination, which was determined by changes in cell morphology as well as by decreases in the metabolic activity and cell counting. Our results indicated that green and red QDs had different cellular distribution and exhibited distinct UV-enhanced cytotoxicity. UV illumination enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells containing QDs, and NAC antioxidant could reduce their damage to cells under UV illumination. Moreover, the influences of different UV illumination conditions on the viability of cells containing QDs were examined and discussed in detail.

Topics: Cadmium Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Luminescent Measurements; Microscopy, Confocal; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Particle Size; Quantum Dots; Reactive Oxygen Species; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Tellurium; Ultraviolet Rays