Incidence of severe critical events in paediatric anaesthesia (APRICOT): a prospective multicentre observational study in 261 hospitals in Europe

Background Little is known about the incidence of severe critical events in children undergoing general anaesthesia in Europe. We aimed to identify the incidence, nature, and outcome of severe critical events in children undergoing anaesthesia, and the associated potential risk factors. Methods The APRICOT study was a prospective observational multicentre cohort study of children from birth to 15 years of age undergoing elective or urgent anaesthesia for diagnostic or surgical procedures. Children were eligible for inclusion during a 2-week period determined prospectively by each centre. There were 261 participating centres across 33 European countries. The primary endpoint was the occurenc…

A Simple Entropic-Driving Separation Procedure of Low-Size Silver Clusters, Through Interaction with DNA

Abstract Synthesis and purification of metal clusters without strong binding agents by wet chemical methods are very attractive for their potential applications in many research areas. However, especially challenging is the separation of uncharged clusters with only a few number of atoms, which renders the usual techniques very difficult to apply. Herein, we report the first efficient separation of Ag2 and Ag3 clusters using the different entropic driving forces when such clusters interact with DNA, into which Ag3 selectively intercalates. After sequential dialysis of the samples and denaturalizing the DNA‐Ag3 complex, pure Ag2 can be found in the dialysate after extensive dialysis. Free Ag…

Silver Atomic Quantum Clusters of Three Atoms for Cancer Therapy: Targeting Chromatin Compaction to Increase the Therapeutic Index of Chemotherapy

Nanomaterials with very low atomicity deserve consideration as potential pharmacological agents owing to their very small size and to their properties that can be precisely tuned with minor modifications to their size. Here, it is shown that silver clusters of three atoms (Ag3 -AQCs)-developed by an ad hoc method-augment chromatin accessibility. This effect only occurs during DNA replication. Coadministration of Ag3 -AQCs increases the cytotoxic effect of DNA-acting drugs on human lung carcinoma cells. In mice with orthotopic lung tumors, the coadministration of Ag3 -AQCs increases the amount of cisplatin (CDDP) bound to the tumor DNA by fivefold without modifying CDDP levels in normal tiss…

Ag2 and Ag3 clusters: synthesis, characterization, and interaction with DNA.

Subnanometric samples, containing exclusively Ag2 and Ag3 clusters, were synthesized for the first time by kinetic control using an electrochemical technique without the use of surfactants or capping agents. By combination of thermodynamic and kinetic measurements and theoretical calculations, we show herein that Ag3 clusters interact with DNA through intercalation, inducing significant structural distortion to the DNA. The lifetime of Ag3 clusters in the intercalated position is two to three orders of magnitude longer than for classical organic intercalators, such as ethidium bromide or proflavine. Fil: Buceta, David. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; España Fil: Busto, Natalia. Unive…

Exploring the binding of Pt drugs to gold nanoparticles for controlled passive release of cisplatin.

Silver Clusters of Five Atoms as Highly Selective Antitumoral Agents Through Irreversible Oxidation of Thiols

Low atomicity clusters present properties dependent on the size, due to the quantum confinement, with well-defined electronic structures and high stability. Here it is shown that Ag5 clusters catalyze the complete oxidation of sulfur to S+6. Ag5 catalytic activity increases with different oxidant species in the order O2 ≪ H2O2 < OH•. Selective oxidation of thiols on the cysteine residues of glutathione and thioredoxin is the primary mechanism human cells have to maintain redox homeostasis. Contingent upon oxidant concentration, Ag5 catalyzes the irreversible oxidation of glutathione and thioredoxin, triggering apoptosis. Modification of the intracellular environment to a more oxidized state…

Nanomedicine: Silver Atomic Quantum Clusters of Three Atoms for Cancer Therapy: Targeting Chromatin Compaction to Increase the Therapeutic Index of Chemotherapy (Adv. Mater. 33/2018)