Research progress on the nucleoside/nucleotide-loaded nanomedicines / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Nucleoside drugs play an essential role in treating major diseases such as tumor and viral infections, and have been widely applied in clinics. However, the effectiveness and application of nucleoside drugs are significantly limited by their intrinsic properties such as low bioavailability, lack of targeting ability, and inability to enter the cells. Nanocarriers can improve the physiological properties of nucleoside drugs by improving drug delivery efficiency and availability, maintaining drug efficacy and system stability, adjusting the binding ability of the carrier and drug molecules, as well as modifying specific molecules to achieve active targeting. Starting from the design strategy of nucleoside drug nanodelivery systems, the design and therapeutic effect of these nanomedicines are described in this review, and the future development directions of nucleoside/nucleotide-loaded nanomedicines are also discussed.

Conversion of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into nanomedicine:application of theory of unification of medicines and excipients / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, the use of active substances as excipients or as substitutes for other excipients in the design of modern drug delivery systems has received widespread attention, which has promoted the development of the theory of unification of medicines and excipients in the design of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations. Adopting the theory of unification of medicines and excipients to design drug delivery systems can reduce the use of excipients and thus the cost of preparations, reduce drug toxicity, increase drug solubility and biocompatibility, enhance synergistic effect, and realize targeted delivery and simultaneous delivery of multiple components. However, the research on the application of this theory in the modern drug delivery system of TCM preparations is still insufficient, with few relevant articles. In addition, the TCM active substances that can be used as the excipients remain to be catalogued. In this paper, we review the types and applications of the drug delivery systems with TCM active substances as excipients and describe their common construction methods and mechanisms, aiming to provide references for the in-depth research on the modern drug delivery systems for TCM preparations.

Nanomedicina para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19: un análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones de Web of Science con la herramienta Bibliometrix de R / Nanomedicine in the struggle against COVID-19: a bibliometric analysis of Web of Science publications with the R-tool Bibliometrix

La enfermedad de COVID-19, a poco más de un año de su aparición, ha provocado más de 2 000 000 de muertes y más de 100 000 000 de contagios a nivel mundial. Ante esta situación, científicos de varias disciplinas han trabajado arduamente para luchar contra ella. Una de las disciplinas involucradas en la investigación sobre COVID-19 es la nanomedicina, que se define como la aplicación de la nanotecnología en medicina. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar, mediante un análisis bibliométrico, la producción científica sobre nanomedicina aplicada a la COVID-19. Se realizó una búsqueda de publicaciones en Web of Science para el período 2019 - 2021, la cual abarcó cinco áreas de la nanomedicina: administración de fármacos, fármacos y terapia, imagenología in vivo, biosensores y biomateriales. Los datos obtenidos de Web of Science se procesaron en Bibliometrix, una herramienta de código abierto, programada en lenguaje R, que sirve para hacer análisis bibliométricos. Se encontraron 155 publicaciones, las cuales en su mayoría son artículos y revisiones de literatura. Más del 70 por ciento de estas se concentraron en las áreas de administración de fármacos y biosensores. Las revistas científicas donde se han publicado más artículos son ACS Nano, Biosensors & Bioelectronics y Nanomaterials. Los países con mayor producción científica son Estados Unidos, India y China. Las contribuciones más relevantes de la nanomedicina en la lucha contra la COVID-19 son el desarrollo de nanovacunas y el diseño de biosensores nanoestructurados para el diagnóstico(AU)

In the period barely exceeding one year elapsed after its emergence, COVID-19 has caused more than 100 000 000 contagions and more than 2 000 000 deaths worldwide. Faced with this situation, scientists from various disciplines have arduously struggled against the disease. One of the disciplines involved in research about COVID-19 is nanomedicine, which is defined as the medical application of nanotechnology. The purpose of the study was to describe the current status of research about COVID-19 oriented nanomedicine through a bibliometric analysis. A search was conducted for Web of Science publications from the period 2019-2021, covering five nanomedicine areas: 1) drug administration, 2) drugs and therapy, 3) in vivo imaging, 4) biosensors and 5) biomaterials. The data obtained from Web of Science were processed with Bibliometrix, an open code tool programmed in R-language useful for bibliometric analysis. A total 155 publications were found, most of which were articles and literature reviews. More than 70percent of the publications dealt with drug administration and biosensors. The scientific journals publishing the largest number of articles were ACS Nano, Biosensors & Bioelectronics and Nanomaterials. The countries with the largest scientific production were the United States, India and China. The most relevant contributions of nanomedicine to the struggle against COVID-19 are the development of nano vaccines and the design of nanostructured biosensors for diagnosis.

Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles immobilized in zinc oxide-eugenol cement against Enterococcus faecalis: an in vitro study / Actividad antibacteriana de nanopartículas de plata inmovilizadas en cemento de óxido de zinc-eugenol contra el Enterococcus faecalis: estudio in vitro

ABSTRACT Introduction: the aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial capacity of silver nanoparticles immobilized in a zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) cement against Enterococcus faecalis for potential use in endodontic treatments. Method: experimental in vitro study, performing synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and UV-visible spectroscopy to confirm presence of AgNPs in the prepared solutions. The ZOE mixture was standardized, producing the integrated AgNPs/ZOE material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the integrated material; a Kirby- Bauer assay was finally run to measure the inhibition halos produced by the compound-microorganism interaction. Results: the UV-visible spectroscopy showed presence of AgNPs in the created solution; both SEM and FTIR show that the AgNPs are integrated into the ZOE system, not altering their properties when performed under conditions like those found in the mouth. The Kirby-Bauer assay shows that all samples had inhibition halos. The AgNPs in guava extract had statistically significant differences with the halos of the other samples (p < 0.05). Conclusions: the obtained AgNPs show bactericidal activity against Enterococcus faecalis, as a statistically significant difference was found between the AgNPs suspended in guava extract and the other groups; this will be the starting point for future research.

RESUMEN Introducción: el propósito de este estudio es evaluar la capacidad antimicrobiana de las nanopartículas de plata inmovilizadas en un cemento de óxido de zinc-eugenol (OZE) contra el Enterococcus faecalis para su potencial uso en tratamientos endodónticos. Método: se utilizó un diseño experimental in vitro. Se realizó la síntesis de nanopartículas de plata (NPsAg), se efectuó espectroscopía UV-visible para confirmar que las soluciones preparadas contaran con la presencia de NPsAg, se estandarizó la mezcla de OZE y posteriormente se generó el material integrado de NPsAg y OZE. Para la caracterización del material integrado se utilizó microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) y espectroscopía infrarroja transformada de Fourier (FTIR), posteriormente se ejecutó el ensayo Kirby-Bauer para medir los halos de inhibición generados de la interacción compuesto-microorganismo. Resultados: la espectroscopía UV-visible arrojó que en la solución creada hay presencia de NPsAg; el SEM y la FTIR muestran que las NPsAg se integran en el sistema OZE y no alteran sus propiedades cuando se realizan en condiciones similares a las que se encuentran en la boca. El ensayo Kirby-Bauer revela que todas las muestras presentaron halo de inhibición; las NPsAg en suspensión de extracto de guayaba presentan diferencias estadísticamente significativas con los halos de las demás muestras (p < 0.05). Conclusiones: las NPsAg obtenidas presentan actividad bactericida contra el Enterococcus faecalis, al encontrar diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las NPsAg en suspensión en extracto de guayaba con los demás grupos. Este será el punto de partida para futuras investigaciones.

Theranostics Based on Liposome: Looking Back and Forward / 대한핵의학회잡지

Liposome is one of the oldest yet most successful nanomedicine platforms. Doxil®, PEGylated liposome loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), was approved by the FDA in 1995 for the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, and it was the first approval for nanomedicine. Since then, liposome-based therapeutics were approved for the treatment of various diseases and many clinical trials are underway. The success of the liposome-based therapeutics was due to following factors: (1) ease of synthesis, (2) biocompatibility, (3) the ability to load both hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents, and (4) long circulation property after application of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Recently, more functionalities are introduced to liposome platform, which are (1) in vivo imaging probes for optical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), (2) pH and temperature-sensitive lipid moiety, and (3) novel agents for photodynamic and photothermal therapies (PDT, PTT). These conventional and newly tested advantages make the liposome to be one of the most promising nanoplatforms for theranostics.

Usos terapéuticos de nanomateriales y nano partículas / Therapeutic uses of nanomaterials and nanoparticles

La síntesis de nanomateriales y nanopartículas para usos médicos ha llevado a la generación de la nanomedicina, rama de la nanotecnología que permite diagnosticar, tratar y prevenir enfermedades y traumatismos, aliviar el dolor, preservar y mejorar la salud humana utilizando herramientas y conocimientos moleculares del cuerpo humano. Este artículo revisa las aplicaciones actuales y futuras de los nanomateriales en áreas biomédicas y presenta los riesgos de toxicidad que se podrían generar por su uso indiscriminado.

The synthesis of nanomaterials and nanoparticles for medical uses has given rise to nanomedicine, a branch of nanotechnology that allows for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases, easement of pain, and maintenance and improvement of human health, using molecular tools and knowledge of the human body. This article reviews the current and future applications of nanotechnology in the area of biomedicine and presents the risks of toxicity that could arise through its indiscriminate use.

Sistemas de nanopartículas poliméricas i: de biodetección y monitoreo de glucosa en diabetes a bioimagen, nano-oncología, terapia génica, ingeniería de tejidos / regeneración a nano-odontología / Polymer nanoparticle systems: from biodetection and glucose monitoring in diabetes to bioimaging, nano-oncology, gene therapy, tissue engineering / regeneration to nano-dentistry

Nanotecnología es la ciencia que involucra la síntesis de materiales en escala entre 1-100 nm (nanomateriales) es aplicable en diferentes áreas tales como medio ambiente, electrónica, alimentos, energía, entre otros. Los campos que serán relevantes dentro de esta revisión y explicados en detalle son la nanomedicina y la nano-odontología. Actualmente, en estas áreas los tres principales temas en desarrollo son específicamente en el sub-área de la nanobiotecnología y corresponden a: sensorización (biosensores/biodetección), diagnóstico (biomarcadores/bioimagen) y transportes de genes, proteínas o fármacos (sistemas de intercambio controlado en blancos sistémicos versus localizados). También se han presentado avances en bioaplicaciones como modelamientos de membranas, marcaje celular, entrega de agentes a blancos específicos, estrategias para prevención de enfermedades, ingeniería de tejidos, regeneración de órganos, estrategias de inmunoensayos y nano-oncología. Este artículo de revisión pretende abordar algunos de los aportes más relevantes, que tienen algunos de los trabajos recientes, sobre los sistemas de nanopartículas, principalmente aquellos dirigidos a terapias en áreas como diabetes, nano-oncología, terapia de fármacos y genes, mediante la técnica layer-by-layer y autoensamblado, muy utilizados también en ingeniería de tejidos y regeneración tisular, junto a un breve resumen de los avances que existen en el campo de la nano-odontología.

Nanotechnology is the science that involves the synthesis of materials in scale between 1-100 nm (nanomaterials) and is applicable in different areas such as environment, electronics, food, energy, among others. The fields that will be relevant within this review and explained in detail are nanomedicine and nano-dentistry. Currently, in these areas, the three main topics under development are specifically in the sub-area of nanobiotechnology and correspond to: sensorization (biosensors / biosensing), diagnostics (biomarkers / bioimaging) and transport of genes, proteins or drugs (exchange systems) controlled in systemic versus localized targets). Advances have also been presented in bioapplications such as membrane modeling, cell marking, delivery of agents to specific targets, strategies for disease prevention, tissue engineering, organ regeneration, immunoassay strategies and nano-oncology. This review article aims to address some of the most relevant contributions, some of the recent work, on nanoparticle systems, mainly those aimed at therapies in areas such as diabetes, nanooncology, drug and gene therapy, through the layer-by-layer and self-assembled technique, also widely used in tissue engineering and tissue regeneration, together with a brief summary of the advances that exist in the field of nano-dentistry.

Desarrollo y Aplicación de Nanopartículas en la Anticoncepción del Nuevo Milenio / Development and Application of Nanoparticles in the Contraception of the New Millennium

Introducción: La nanotecnología es un nuevo campo de estudio y de exploración en la Medicina que además nos ofrece grandes oportunidades y aplicaciones en Anticoncepción evitando además de los embarazos, la propagación de infecciones de transmisión sexual y las complicaciones asociadas a corto y a largo plazo en la población vulnerable. Método: El presente trabajo es una revisión de la literatura. Los artículos revisados se obtuvieron de Pubmed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scielo, Elsevier, Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, Medigraphic. Resultados y discusión: La nanotecnología aplicada en la anticoncepción reproductiva tiene como finalidad evitar la fecundación del óvulo, ya que hoy en día no es un método exclusivo de las mujeres, si bien es cierto la población cuenta con mayor variedad de los mismos. Conclusiones: La nanotecnología se está convirtiendo en una herramienta cada vez más esencial en el campo de la medicina, al participar en la anticoncepción, y al combatir enfermedades de transmisión sexual.

Background: Nanotechnology is a new field of study and exploration in medicine that also offers us great opportunities and applications in contraception, preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections and the associated short and long-term complications in the vulnerable population. Objective: To know about the advances of nanotechnology in contraception, achieved in the last decade. Methodology: he present work is a literature review. Reviewed articles were obtained from Pubmed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scielo, Elsevier, Virtual Health Library, Medigraphic. Results and discusión:Applied nanotechnology in reproductive contraception has the purpose of avoiding fertilization of the ovule, since nowadays it is not an exclusive method for women, although it is true that the population has a greater variety of them. Conclusions: Nanotechnology is becoming an increasingly essential tool in the field of medicine, by participating in contraception, and by combating sexually transmitted diseases.

Platelet membrane-based and tumor-associated platelettargeted drug delivery systems for cancer therapy / 医学前沿

Platelets have long been known to play critical roles in hemostasis by clumping and clotting blood vessel injuries. Recent experimental evidence strongly indicates that platelets can also interact with tumor cells by direct binding or secreting cytokines. For example, platelets have been shown to protect circulating cancer cells in blood circulation and to promote tumor metastasis. In-depth understanding of the role of platelets in cancer progression and metastasis provides promising approaches for platelet biomimetic drug delivery systems and functional platelet-targeting strategies for effective cancer treatment. This review highlights recent progresses in platelet membrane-based drug delivery and unique strategies that target tumor-associated platelets for cancer therapy. The paper also discusses future development opportunities and challenges encountered for clinical translation.

Nanotechnology and multipotent adult progenitor cells in Reparative Medicine: therapeutic perspectives / Nanotecnologia e as células progenitoras adultas multipotentes na Medicina Reparativa: perspectivas terapêuticas

ABSTRACT The biology of stem cells is one of the most dynamic and promising fields of the biological sciences, since it is the basis for the development of organisms. Its biological complexity demands efforts from several lines of research aimed mainly at its therapeutic use. Nanotechnology has been emerging as a new field of study, which shows great potential in the treatment of various diseases. This new area of health has been called "Nanomedicine" or "Bionanotechnology", which can be applied in Medicine by transport and drug delivery systems, robotic tools to be used in diagnostic and surgical processes, nanobiomaterials, gene therapies, nanobiomedical devices, among others. Because stem cells and Nanotechnology are two areas of extremely promising science, a new field of study, called "stem cell Nanotechnology", has gradually emerged. In this, Nanotechnology is used to help the stem cells apply their therapeutic potential in the treatment, cure, and repair of the damaged tissues, in an effective and safe way. In this way, stem cell Nanotechnology has generated great interest, since it may result in significant contributions to Regenerative Medicine and tissue engineering. The present work aims to present the state-of-the-art regarding its therapeutic use in Human Medicine.

RESUMO A biologia das células-tronco é um dos campos mais dinâmicos e promissores das ciências biológicas, pois é a base do desenvolvimento dos organismos. Sua complexidade biológica demanda esforços de diversas linhas de pesquisa, visando principalmente à sua utilização terapêutica. A Nanotecnologia surge como um novo campo de estudo, o qual demonstra grande potencial no que tange ao tratamento de diversas doenças. Esta nova área da saúde vem sendo denominada "Nanomedicina" ou "Bionanotecnologia", a qual pode ser aplicada na Medicina por meio da utilização de sistemas de transporte e liberação de fármacos, ferramentas robóticas a serem utilizadas em processos de diagnóstico e cirurgia, nanobiomateriais, terapias gênicas, dispositivos nanobiomédicos, entre outros. Em razão das células-tronco e a Nanotecnologia serem duas áreas da ciência extremante promissoras, um novo campo de estudo, denominado "Nanotecnologia das células-tronco", surge gradativamente. Neste, a Nanotecnologia é utilizada de forma a auxiliar as células-tronco a exercerem seu potencial terapêutico no tratamento, na cura e na reparação dos tecidos lesionados, de forma eficaz e segura. A Nanotecnologia das células-tronco tem gerado grande interesse, podendo resultar em contribuições significativas na Medicina Regenerativa e na engenharia de tecidos. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo apresentar o estado da arte visando à sua utilização terapêutica na Medicina Humana.

Current Status and Future Direction of Nanomedicine: Focus on Advanced Biological and Medical Applications / 대한핵의학회잡지

Nanotechnology is the engineering and manipulation of materials and devices with sizes in the nanometer range. Colloidal gold, iron oxide nanoparticles and quantum dot semiconductor nanocrystals are examples of nanoparticles, with sizes generally ranging from 1 to 20 nm. These nanotechnologies have been researched tremendously in the last decade and this has led to a new area of “nanomedicine” which is the application of nanotechnology to human healthcare for diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, prediction and prevention of diseases. Recently progress has been made in overcoming some of the difficulties in the human use of nanomedicines. In the mid-1990s, Doxil was approved by the FDA, and now various nanoconstructs are on the market and in clinical trials. However, there are many obstacles in the human application of nanomaterials. For translation to clinical use, a detailed understanding is needed of the chemical and physical properties of particles and their pharmacokinetic behavior in the body, including their biodistribution, toxicity, and biocompatibility. In this review, we provide a broad introduction to nanomedicines and discuss the preclinical and clinical trials in which they have been evaluated.

Microbubbles used for contrast enhanced ultrasound and theragnosis: a review of principles to applications

Ultrasound was developed several decades ago as a useful imaging modality, and it became the second most popular diagnostic tool due to its non-invasiveness, real-time capabilities, and safety. Additionally, ultrasound has been used as a therapeutic tool with several therapeutic agents and in nanomedicine. Ultrasound imaging is often used to diagnose many types of cancers, including breast, stomach, and thyroid cancers. In addition, ultrasound-mediated therapy is used in cases of joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Microbubbles, when used as ultrasound contrast agents, can act as echo-enhancers and therapeutic agents, and they can play an essential role in ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-mediated therapy. Recently, various types of ultrasound contrast agents made of lipid, polymer, and protein shells have been used. Air, nitrogen, and perfluorocarbon are usually included in the core of the microbubbles to enhance ultrasound imaging, and therapeutic drugs are conjugated and loaded onto the surface or into the core of the microbubbles, depending on the purpose and properties of the substance. Many research groups have utilized ultrasound contrast agents to enhance the imaging signal in blood vessels or tissues and to overcome the blood–brain barrier or blood-retina barrier. These agents are also used to help treat diseases in various regions or systems of the body, such as the cardiovascular system, or as a cancer treatment. In addition, with the introduction of targeted moiety and multiple functional groups, ultrasound contrast agents are expected to have a potential future in ultrasound imaging and therapy. In this paper, we briefly review the principles of ultrasound and introduce the underlying theory, applications, limitations, and future perspectives of ultrasound contrast agents.

Nanomedicina y su impacto en la práctica médica / Nanomedicine and its impact on medical practice

Uno de los principios fundamentales en la práctica clínica es la detección mediante el examen clínico del paciente de los signos y síntomas relacionados con una entidad específica; su presencia implica alteraciones en procesos a nivel molecular, celular y tisular sucedidos en un lapso de tiempo denominado periodo de incubación de la enfermedad. La detección precoz y el rápido establecimiento de un tratamiento se asocian con una mejoría en el pronóstico de la evolución y por ende en las condiciones de salud y calidad de vida del paciente.

One of the fundamental principles in clinical practice is the detection by means of the clinical examination of the patient of the signs and symptoms related to a specific entity; its presence implies alterations in processes at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels that occurred in a period of time called the incubation period of the disease. Early detection and the rapid establishment of a treatment are associated with an improvement in the prognosis of the evolution and therefore in the conditions of health and quality of life of the patient.

Potency dependent activity of homeopathic nanomedicine- classical and quantum electrodynamical approach

The effect of homeopathic medicine on biological and physical system is directly related to its potency [1]. However, from physico-chemical point of view it is difficult to explain this effect at such high dilution, as then the existence of even trace amount of particle is questionable. It has been reported that during the process of potentization, a large amount of mechanical energy gets transferred to the medium due to succussion [2]. This energy in all probability reduces the size of the drug aggregates. The drug then penetrates easily through the membrane barrier, and thereby gives rise to enhanced activity of the medicine. It has been experimentally proved by us and supported by others that indeed a reduction of size of the aggregates takes place with increase in potency [3]. Using five different homeopathic medicines, their sizes at three different potencies have been estimated and a general mathematical expression relating the size of the particle (Y) and the corresponding potency (X) has been derived as follows Y = a X -n. (AU)

Efecto inmunomodulador de nanopartículas usadas en nanomedicina / Immunomodulating effect of nanoparticles used in nanomedicine / Efeito imunomodulador de nanopartículas usadas na nanomedicina

Las nanopartículas (NP) son estructuras con tamaño en la escala nanométrica (1 x 10-9 m). Por sus características, en los últimos años ha crecido su potencial para usarlas en los campos biotecnológico y biomédico en una amplia gama de aplicaciones, tales como el diagnóstico, la terapia y la medicina regenerativa. El sistema inmunológico es el responsable de la defensa del cuerpo ante organismos patógenos y otros agentes extraños, como las NP que pueden ser reconocidas por dicho sistema, interactuar con él y modular su función induciendo efectos inmunosupresores o inmunoestimuladores. Las primeras se podrían utilizar como agentes terapéuticos antinflamatorios o para tratar las enfermedades autoinmunes, y las que activan el sistema inmune, como adyuvantes en vacunación o potenciadores de la respuesta inmune en cáncer y otras enfermedades humanas. Sin embargo, su uso en nanomedicina debe estar sujeto a ensayos previos que determinen su efecto en la respuesta inmune antes de aplicarlas a los sistemas biológicos. Por esta razón es importante conocer su composición, tamaño y características superficiales, entre otras propiedades fisicoquímicas, directamente implicadas en los efectos sobre el sistema inmune. Se presenta una visión general de la relación entre las propiedades fisicoquímicas de las NP candidatas para ser usadas en los campos biomédico y biotecnológico y su actividad inmunomoduladora.

Nanoparticles (NP) are structures with a size on the nanometer scale (1 x 10-9 m). Due to their characteristics, their potential use in the fields of biotechnology and biomedicine has grown in recent years with a wide range of applications, such as diagnosis, therapy and regenerative medicine. The immune system is responsible for defending the body against pathogenic organisms and other foreign agents, such as NP, which can be recognized by such system, interact with it and modulate its function inducing immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive effects. The latter could be used as anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents or to treat autoimmune diseases, and those that activate the immune system, as adjuvants in vaccination or enhancers of the immune response in cancer and other human diseases. However, their use in nanomedicine should be submitted to preliminary tests to determine their effects on the immune response before being applied to biological systems. For this reason it is important to know their composition, size and surface characteristics, as well as other physicochemical properties, directly involved in the effects on the immune system. We present an overview about the relationship between the physicochemical characteristics of NP candidates to be used in the biomedical and biotechnological fields and their immunomodulatory activity.

As nanopartículas (NP) são estruturas com um tamanho na escala nanométrica (1 x 10-9 m). Por suas características, nos últimos anos há crescido seu potencial para ser usadas no campo biotecnológico e biomédico em uma ampla gama de aplicações, tais como o diagnóstico, a terapia e a medicina regenerativa. O sistema imunológico é o responsável da defensa do corpo ante organismos patógenos e outros agentes estranhos, como as NP, que podem ser reconhecidas pelo sistema imunológico, interatuar com elee modular sua função induzindo um efeito imunossupressor ou imunoestimulador. As NP com efeitos imunossupressores poderiam ser utilizadas como agentes terapêuticos anti-inflamatórios ou para tratar as doenças autoimunes e as NP que ativam o sistema imune, como adjuvantes em vacinação ou potenciadores da resposta imune no câncer e outras patologias humanas. Porém, seu uso na nanomedicina deve estar sujeito a ensaios prévios que determinem seu efeito na resposta imune antes de ser aplicadas aos sistemas biológicos. Por esta razão é importante conhecer seu composição, tamanho e características da superfície, entre outras propriedades físico-químicas, diretamente implicadas nos efeitos sobre o sistema imune. Aqui recopilamos uma visão geral da relação entre as propriedades físico-químicas das NP candidatas para ser usadas no campo biomédico e biotecnológico e sua atividade imunomoduladora.

Nanomedicine Approaches for Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms

No abstract available.

Nanoimaging in cardiovascular diseases: Current state of the art.

Nanotechnology has been integrated into healthcare system in terms of diagnosis as well as therapy. The massive impact of imaging nanotechnology has a deeper intervention in cardiology i.e. as contrast agents , to target vulnerable plaques with site specificity and in a theranostic approach to treat these plaques, stem cell delivery in necrotic myocardium, etc. Thus cardiovascular nanoimaging is not limited to simple diagnosis but also can help real time tracking during therapy as well as surgery. The present review provides a comprehensive description of the molecular imaging techniques for cardiovascular diseases with the help of nanotechnology and the potential clinical implications of nanotechnology for future applications.

Antimicrobial properties of nanomolecules: potential candidates as antibiotics in the era of multi-drug resistance / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of multi-drug resistance among various microbial pathogens has been a cause of serious concern to the medical world, limiting the choice of antibiotics. Considering that it may take decades to synthesize new antimicrobial drugs that combat resistant pathogens, the search for alternatives to conventional antimicrobial agents has begun. METHODS: In his paper we attempted to review the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles, their modes of action and potential use in medicine and research with special reference to antimicrobial properties. RESULTS: Nanomolecules and nanoparticles have in recent years been extensively studied for their utility not only as antibiotics but also as vehicles to carry antibiotics or other agents such as cancer chemotherapeutics to target sites and limit damage to host cells. CONCLUSION: Nanomolecules were positively evaluated for their antimicrobial activities. Anti-biofilm activities of nanoparticles, utility of nanomaterials as carrier agents of drugs signifies their importance in medicine and research.