Preparation of monodisperse microspheres by electrospray and their biomedical applications / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Electrospray technology is a method to prepare microspheres by electrostatic force. Electrospray technology has the advantages of simple operation and mild reaction conditions. The polymer microspheres prepared by electrospray technology have uniform morphology and good monodispersity, which is a new and promising method. In this paper, the devices and principles of electrospray technology, the factors affecting the morphology and particle size of the prepared polymer microspheres by the electrospray process, and the types of polymer solutions commonly used in electrospray technology were described, and the applications of electrospray technology for drug delivery, loaded nanoparticles, cell therapy, and bioactive substance delivery were reviewed. It can be concluded that electrospray technology has a broad application prospect and potential application value.

Medical micro- and nanomotors in the body

Attributed to the miniaturized body size and active mobility, micro- and nanomotors (MNMs) have demonstrated tremendous potential for medical applications. However, from bench to bedside, massive efforts are needed to address critical issues, such as cost-effective fabrication, on-demand integration of multiple functions, biocompatibility, biodegradability, controlled propulsion and in vivo navigation. Herein, we summarize the advances of biomedical MNMs reported in the past two decades, with particular emphasis on the design, fabrication, propulsion, navigation, and the abilities of biological barriers penetration, biosensing, diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery and targeted cargo delivery. Future perspectives and challenges are discussed as well. This review can lay the foundation for the future direction of medical MNMs, pushing one step forward on the road to achieving practical theranostics using MNMs.

Development of Films, Based on Oxidized Ipomea Batatas Starch, with Protein Encapsulation / Desarrollo de Películas, Basadas en Almidón Oxidado de Ipomea Batatas, con Encapsulación de Proteínas

ABSTRACT Dialdehyde starches (DAS) have been used as biomaterials due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability; nonetheless, sweet potato (Ipomea batatas L.) starch has not been researched. Films based on sweet potato DAS, mixed with native starch (NS), poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) and glycerin have been developed with protein encapsulation, using central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Input variables were oxidation degree, NS concentration and polymeric mixture volume, while output variables were film's thickness, equilibrium swelling and BSA (Bovine serum albumin) release. DAS was obtained through hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidation, and the oxidation degree is referred to as H2O2 concentration. Films presented rough surfaces, and formulations containing 10% H2O2 DAS presented micropores. Water uptake was greater with higher DAS content. Film thickness depended on the volume of the polymeric suspension and influenced swelling capacity. According to RSM, the optimal formulation was DAS with 5% H2O2 and 35% NS. These results demonstrate that oxidized sweet potato starch has potential for protein encapsulation and delivery.

RESUMEN Almidones dialdehído (DAS) se han utilizado como biomateriales por su biocompatibilidad y biodegradabilidad; sin embargo, el almidón de camote (Ipomea batatas L.) no ha sido investigado. Se han desarrollado películas de DAS de camote, con almidón nativo (NS), alcohol polivinílico (PVA) y glicerina con encapsulación de proteínas, utilizando un diseño central compuesto (CCD) y metodología de superficie de respuesta (RSM). Las variables de entrada fueron: grado de oxidación, concentración de NS y volumen de la mezcla polimérica, mientras que las variables de salida fueron: espesor de la película, hinchamiento y liberación de BSA (Albúmina de Suero Bovino) en equilibrio. DAS se obtuvo mediante oxidación con peróxido de hidrógeno (H2O2), y el grado de oxidación se define como concentración de H2O2. Las películas presentaron superficies rugosas y las formulaciones con 10% H2O2 DAS presentaron microporos. La absorción de agua fue mayor con mayor contenido de DAS. El espesor de la película dependió del volumen de la mezcla polimérica e influyó en la capacidad de hinchamiento. Según RSM, la formulación óptima fue DAS con 5% H2O2 y 35% NS. Estos resultados demuestran que el almidón de camote oxidado tiene potencial para aplicaciones en la encapsulación y liberación de proteínas.

Biomedical applications of bionic untethered micro-nano robots / 生物医学工程学杂志

Bionic untethered micro-nano robots, due to their advantages of small size, low weight, large thrust-to-weight ratio, strong wireless mobility, high flexibility and high sensitivity, have very important application values in the fields of biomedicine, such as disease diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery, targeted therapy, etc. This review article systematically introduced the manufacturing methods and motion control, and discussed the biomedical applications of bionic untethered micro-nano robots. Finally, the article discussed the possible challenges for bionic untethered micro-nano robots in the future. In summary, this review described bionic untethered micro-nano robots and their potential applications in biomedical fields.

High antibacterial properties of green synthesized gold nanoparticles using Uncaria gambir Roxb. leaf extract and triethanolamine

The development of antibacterial agents is increasingly gaining much attention due to the expansion activity ofmulti-drug resistant bacteria in causing many diseases. Metallic nanoparticles especially gold nanoparticles in thefield of nanotechnology is one of the new and significant materials to be developed as antibacterial agents. Goldnanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using Uncaria gambir Roxb. leaf extract as a bioreducing agent andtriethanolamine as a capping agent, through reduction of Au+3 by flavonoid compound in the leaf extract. The effect oftriethanolamine and hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) acid concentration on the stability and size of nanoparticles wasstudied. The presence of triethanolamine 1% as a capping agent successfully maintained the stability of colloidal goldnanoparticles with a concentration of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) acid at 100 ppm. X-Ray Diffraction analysisshowed peak patterns corresponding to the metallic gold standard with a crystallite size of 32.52 nm. TransmissionElectron Microscope analysis showed that particles were spherical, hexagonal, and triangular, where the smallestparticle size was 7 nm. Synthesized gold nanoparticles showed great antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.The stability and antibacterial activity of synthesized gold nanoparticles showed good potential to be developed inbiomedical applications

Current applications of proteomics: a key and novel approach

Proteomics represented vital applications of technologies in the identification and quantification of high to moderate proteins (cellular signalling networks) found in biological matrix such as tissues, cells and fluids. Proteomics based technical knowledge is applied and verified in several preclinical research settings such as invention of diagnostic markers for specific disease and have shown to be increased in clinical applications. Extensive studies on proteomics resulted in detection of biomarkers that have been highly advanced in using diseases for cancer, lungs, cardiovascular, renal and neuro-regenerative and Parkinson's disease by introducing human origins for biocompatibility such as urine and serum. Advancement in the proteomic methods is conferring candidate right direction for clinical usage. In this review, recent developments and widely used proteomics approaches such as Mass Spectrometry (MS), Microarray chips are elaborately addressed and also focused merits and demerits of commonly used advanced approaches such as Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM), Parallel Reaction Monitoring (PRM) and Data Independent Acquisition (DIA) and other used proteomics and that roles, in order to aid clinicians, were also discussed in the light of biomedical applications.

Green Combustion Synthesis of CeO2 and TiO2 Nanoparticles Doped with Same Oxide Materials of ZrO2: Investigation of in vitro Assay with Antibiotic Resistant Bacterium (ARB) and Anticancer Effect

This article reports the synthesis, characteristics and biomedical applications of CeO2-ZrO2 and TiO2-ZrO2 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are synthesized by Green combustion method. Aloe Vera, dates and pomegranate extracts are used as mediators to avoid toxicity instead of chemical reagents. Hence it is biocompatible, non-toxic and avoiding adverse effect in biomedical applications. The nanoparticles are characterized by XRD to confirm the physical structure. The FTIR, Raman and SEM with EDAX analyses the chemical composition and their morphology. The antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles is assayed by well diffusion method against the bacterial pathogens of Stephylococcusaureus, Shigillaflexneri and Bacillus sp. The anticancer effect of the nanoparticles is investigated on A549 cell line by In Vitro assay. The conceivable purpose is the hydroxyl radicals which are easily produced by oxidizing more hydroxide ions in alkaline solution. Thus the competence of the development is rationally improved at pH is 9.

Recent advances of microneedles for biomedical applications: drug delivery and beyond

The microneedle (MN), a highly efficient and versatile device, has attracted extensive scientific and industrial interests in the past decades due to prominent properties including painless penetration, low cost, excellent therapeutic efficacy, and relative safety. The robust microneedle enabling transdermal delivery has a paramount potential to create advanced functional devices with superior nature for biomedical applications. In this review, a great effort has been made to summarize the advance of microneedles including their materials and latest fabrication method, such as three-dimensional printing (3DP). Importantly, a variety of representative biomedical applications of microneedles such as disease treatment, immunobiological administration, disease diagnosis and cosmetic field, are highlighted in detail. At last, conclusions and future perspectives for development of advanced microneedles in biomedical fields have been discussed systematically. Taken together, as an emerging tool, microneedles have showed profound promise for biomedical applications.

Growth rates of dynamic dermal model exposed to laminar flow and magnetic fields

Abstract Introduction Ongoing research in the use of electromagnetic stimulation as coadjuvant in fracture healing has led the authors to begin generating computer models in order to predict cellular growth changes when cells are electromagnetically stimulated. By generating these models, scientists will be able to better understand how electromagnetic fields affect cellular development. The experimental design integrated a cellular culture bioreactor along with an external magnetic stimulation system, which allowed for dermal models to be exposed to controlled magnetic fields. Methods Initially, it was necessary to analyze the static growth of Normal Human Skin Fibroblast (NHSF) cells when they were exposed to Extremely Low Frequency – Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs). Using optimal conditions for the NHSF culture, from stimulation signal to scaffolding material, we were able to perform the dynamic flow stimulation experiments. Results The following systems were developed: (1) a bioreactor aimed at cellular tissue culture, and (2) Helmholtz coils capable of generating stimulation signals for the cultured tissue. The authors were able to appreciate the quantified values of cellular density diluted in all the experiment samples that were taken and overall, the irradiated samples displayed an average increase of 53% higher cellular density for the same amount of initial cellular seeding when the cells were exposed to a 1 mT, 60 Hz magnetic field signal. Conclusion ELF-EMF’s indeed alter NHSF cell growth rates and it is the challenge of the authors to continue investigating what cellular mechanisms are altered when cells are exposed to ELF-EMF’s.

Aspectos físicos e biológicos de nanopartículas de ferritas magnéticas / Physical and biological aspects of ferrite magnetic nanoparticles

Nanopartículas de óxidos magnéticos são compostas principalmente de Fe3O4 (magnetita) e Fe2O3 (maghemita), Também são muito utilizadas as de CoFe2O4 (ferrita de cobalto), NiFe2O4 (ferrita de níquel), entre outras, As nanopartículas de ferrita apresentam diversas aplicações na área biomédica, entre as quais a liberação controlada de fármacos, agentes de contraste para imagem de ressonância nuclear magnética, transportadores de fármacos guiados por campo magnético, tratamento de tumores via hipertermia, separação biomolecular magnética e diagnóstico, Para que as nanopartículas possam ser utilizadas devem possuir características magnéticas adequadas além de controle no tamanho e composição da superfície, Nesta revisão foi descrito um novo método de síntese e caracterização de nanopartículas de óxidos magnéticos os quais podem ser usados em aplicações biomédicas...

Nanoparticles of magnetic oxides are mainly composed of Fe3O4 (magnetite) and Fe2O3 (maghemite). However, CoFe2O4 (cobalt ferrite) and NiFe2O4 (Niguel ferrite), among others, are highly used. These ferrite nanoparticles show many biomedical applications, among them the controlled drug-release, contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic guided drug carriers to tumors treatment by hyperthermia, magnetic biomolecular separation and diagnostics. For these nanoparticles can be used, it should present adequate magnetic characteristics as well as controlled particle size and surface composition. In this review it was described a new method of synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles, as well as magnetic behavior and biomedical applications of nanoparticles...

Properties of films obtained from biopolymers of different origins for skin lesions therapy

In this study, the effects of the origin of xanthan used, in combination with chitosan, to prepare films for the treatment of skin lesions were evaluated. The characteristics of the films obtained with xanthan commercially available for the food industry sector and xanthan originated from a fermentation process conducted in a pilot plant were compared. Results showed that the source did not strongly interfere in many of the properties of the films, such as the mechanical properties, cytotoxicity to L929 cells, absorption of simulated body fluid and culture medium, stability in water and saline solution. Hence, even though the properties of biopolymers of different sources might vary, the films prepared with two distinct types of xanthan gum could be considered as potentially safe and similar in terms of relevant characteristics considering the aimed application.

Current view on biomedical applications of synthetic metal-polymer nanocomposites

Recent advances in the field of nanotechnology led several groups to recognize the promise of recruiting nanocomposities to the ongoing battle against pathogenic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and metal-polymer nanocomposites are a typical example. On the basis of recent literature, the nanocomposities are synthesized mainly by two techniques i.e. in-situ and ex-situ technique and these nanocomposities have great biomedical applications in terms of their antibacterial activity. A large battery of newly developed and discovered nanocomposities has been accumulating during the last decade.