In recent years, carbon nanomaterials have been intensively investigated for their possible applications in biomedical studies, especially as drug delivery vehicles. Several surface modifications can modulate the unique molecular structure of [60]fullerene derivatives, as well as their physicochemical properties. For this reason, covalent modifications that would enable a greater water solubilization of the fullerene buckyball have been rapidly investigated. The most exciting applications of fullerene nanomaterials are as drug delivery vectors, photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT), astransfection or MRI contrast agents, antimicrobials and antioxidants. From these perspectives, the glucose derivatives of [60]fullerene seem to be an interesting carbon nanomaterial for biological studies. It is well-known that cancer cells are characterized by an increased glucose uptake and it has also been previously reported that the glucose transporters (GLUTs) are overexpressed in several types of cancers, which make them attractive molecular targets for many drugs. This study explored the use of a highly water-soluble glycofullerene (called Sweet-C60) in pancreatic cancer studies. Here, we describe the PANC-1 cell proliferation, migration, metabolic activity and glycolysis rate after incubations with different concentrations of  Sweet-C60. The final results did not show any influence of the Sweet-C60 on various cancer cellular events and glycolysis, suggesting that synthesized glycofullerene is a promising drug delivery vehicle for treating pancreatic cancer.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a working diagnosis in about 10% of cases presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial ischaemia and no significant atherosclerotic plaques in coronary angiography. It is a heterogenous clinical entity with a complex aetiology and always requires a challenging work-up. The final diagnosis may confirm any coronary pathology (dissection, spasm, thrombus) or significantly differ from the previous one (myocarditis, takotsubo cardiomyopathy). This paper focuses on the current knowledge on MINOCA, guidelines on the management of patients, and indicates new research areas to further elucidate this issue. The most important message is that MINOCA is a serious condition with outcomes at least as serious as in myocardial infarction resulting from coronary atherosclerosis. Streszczenie Zawał serca bez istotnych zmian w nasierdziowych tętnicach wieńcowych (MINOCA) to robocze rozpoznanie ustalane w ok. 10% przypadków, w których w koronarografii nie stwierdza się istotnych zwężeń miażdżycowych, a objawy kliniczne silnie sugerują podłoże niedokrwienne. Choroba stanowi istotne wyzwanie diagnostyczne ze względu na heterogenną etiologię i zawsze wymaga uważnego podejścia. Ostateczna diagnoza może potwierdzić przyczynę wieńcową (dysekcja, skurcz, zakrzep) lub znacznie różnić się od wstępnego rozpoznania (zapalenie mięśnia serca, kardiomiopatia takotsubo). W artykule przedstawiono zarys współczesnej wiedzy na temat MINOCA, obowiązujące zalecenia dotyczące diagnostyki i terapii oraz wskazano nowe kierunki badań niezbędnych do pełnego wyjaśnienia tego zagadnienia. Najważniejszym przesłaniem pracy jest wniosek, że mimo braku zwężeń w tętnicach wieńcowych MINOCA jest zespołem chorobowym o rokowaniu co najmniej tak poważnym jak w zawale serca o podłożu miażdżycowym.