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Glioma is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor in adults. The development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has led to the emergence of innovative therapeutic strategies for gliomas. Therefore, our aim is to investigate the therapeutic effect of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on glioma and provide data support for future research. The therapeutic effect of CuO NPs on glioma rats was explored through the detection of inflammatory factors, oxidase, pathological sections, immunofluorescence, neurotransmitter, glioma biomarker proteins and genes, and rat behavioral tests. Additionally, the application prospect of CuO NPs was evaluated by treating U87MG human glioma cell line. In this study, it was found that CuO NPs can alleviate the inflammatory reaction in the hippocampus tissue of glioma rats, promote the production of ·OH and lead to the up-regulation of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities. Treatment with CuO NPs also inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) biomarkers in model rats and glioma cells. Moreover, it enhanced the release of neurotransmitters, which subsequently improved spatial recognition and memory ability of glioma rats. In conclusion, CuO NPs is a potential glioma treatment for ENMs, but still needs modification and modification strategies to improve its biocompatibility and targeted delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Glioma is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor in adults. The development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has led to the emergence of innovative therapeutic strategies for gliomas. Therefore, our aim is to investigate the therapeutic effect of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on glioma and provide data support for future research. The therapeutic effect of CuO NPs on glioma rats was explored through the detection of inflammatory factors, oxidase, pathological sections, immunofluorescence, neurotransmitter, glioma biomarker proteins and genes, and rat behavioral tests. Additionally, the application prospect of CuO NPs was evaluated by treating U87MG human glioma cell line. In this study, it was found that CuO NPs can alleviate the inflammatory reaction in the hippocampus tissue of glioma rats, promote the production of ·OH and lead to the up-regulation of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities. Treatment with CuO NPs also inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) biomarkers in model rats and glioma cells. Moreover, it enhanced the release of neurotransmitters, which subsequently improved spatial recognition and memory ability of glioma rats. In conclusion, CuO NPs is a potential glioma treatment for ENMs, but still needs modification and modification strategies to improve its biocompatibility and targeted delivery.

The biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are gaining attention because they are eco-friendly, non-hazardous, economical and devoid of the drawbacks of physicochemical processes. Biogenic approaches for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs) using plant leaves, seeds, bark, stems, fruits, roots and flowers are highly cost-effective compared to other methods. Silver (Ag) has been used since ancient times, but biogenic AgNPs have only been made in the last few decades. They have been employed primarily in the food and pharmaceutical industries as antimicrobials and antioxidants. Recent studies have confirmed that many molecules present in different bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter koseri, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsipneumoniaoniae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, are bound to the AgNPs and can be inhibited using multifaceted mechanisms like AgNPs inter inside the cells, free radicals, ROS generation and modulate transduction pathways. Recent breakthroughs in nanobiotechnology-based therapeutics have opened up new possibilities for fighting microorganisms. Thus, in particular, biogenic AgNPs as powerful antibacterial agents have gained much interest. Surface charge, colloidal state, shape, concentration and size are the most critical physicochemical characteristics that determine the antibacterial potential of AgNPs. Based on this review, it can be stated that AgNPs could be made better in terms of their potency, durability, accuracy, biosecurity and compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tellurium (Te) is the heaviest stable chalcogen and is a rare element in Earth's crust (one to five ppb). It was discovered in gold ore from mines in Kleinschlatten near the present-day city of Zlatna, Romania. Industrial and other applications of Te focus on its inorganic forms. Tellurium can be toxic to animals and humans at low doses. Chronic tellurium poisoning endangers the kidney, liver, and nervous system. However, Te can be effective against bacteria and is able to destroy cancer cells. Tellurium can also be used to develop redox modulators and enzyme inhibitors. Soluble salts that contain Te had a role as therapeutic and antimicrobial agents before the advent of antibiotics. The pharmaceutical use of Te is not widespread due to the narrow margin between beneficial and toxic doses, but there are differences between the measure of toxicity based on the Te form. Nano-tellurium (Te-NPs) has several applications: it can act as an adsorptive agent to remove pollutants, and it can be used in antibacterial coating, photo-catalysis for the degradation of dyes, and conductive electronic materials. Nano-sized Te particles are the most promising and can be produced in both chemical and biological ways. Safety assessments are essential to determine the potential risks and benefits of using Te compounds in various applications. Future challenges and directions in developing nano-materials, nano-alloys, and nano-structures based on Te are still open to debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic heterogeneity is one of the characteristics of tumour cells. In order to adapt to the tumour microenvironment of hypoxia, acidity and nutritional deficiency, tumour cells have undergone extensive metabolic reprogramming. Metabolites involved in tumour cell metabolism are also very different from normal cells, such as a large number of lactate and adenosine. Metabolites play an important role in regulating the whole tumour microenvironment. Taking metabolites as the target, it aims to change the metabolic pattern of tumour cells again, destroy the energy balance it maintains, activate the immune system, and finally kill tumour cells. In this paper, the regulatory effects of metabolites such as lactate, glutamine, arginine, tryptophan, fatty acids and adenosine were reviewed, and the related targeting strategies of nano-medicines were summarised, and the future therapeutic strategies of nano-drugs were discussed. The abnormality of tumour metabolites caused by tumour metabolic remodelling not only changes the energy and material supply of tumour, but also participates in the regulation of tumour-related signal pathways, which plays an important role in the survival, proliferation, invasion and metastasis of tumour cells. Regulating the availability of local metabolites is a new aspect that affects tumour progress. (The graphical abstract is by Figdraw). Metabolic heterogeneity is one of the important characteristics of tumour cells, and the metabolites of tumour cells are very different from those of normal cells. Lactate, fatty acids, glutamine, arginine, tryptophan and adenosine are all important metabolites in tumour metabolism. Nano-medicines are used to regulate tumour metabolites, affecting the energy and material supply of tumour cells, thus achieving therapeutic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, have emerged as pivotal players in cell‐to‐cell communication. Plant‐derived exosomes, in particular, are gaining attention for their potential therapeutic applications in nano‐medicine. These vesicles are naturally occurring nanoparticles that carry bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and ability to traverse biological barriers, plant‐derived exosomes present a promising alternative to synthetic nanoparticles for drug delivery, especially in cancer and microbial infection therapy. Exosomes are secreted by almost every cell and are profusely present in all living organisms, making them excellent candidates for a large spectrum of research and applications. This paper describes the highly organized and regulated biosynthesis of exosomes and the prospects of their application in cancer therapy and treatment of microbial infections.

Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, have emerged as pivotal players in cell‐to‐cell communication. Plant‐derived exosomes, in particular, are gaining attention for their potential therapeutic applications in nano‐medicine. These vesicles are naturally occurring nanoparticles that carry bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and ability to traverse biological barriers, plant‐derived exosomes present a promising alternative to synthetic nanoparticles for drug delivery, especially in cancer and microbial infection therapy. Exosomes are secreted by almost every cell and are profusely present in all living organisms, making them excellent candidates for a large spectrum of research and applications. This paper describes the highly organized and regulated biosynthesis of exosomes and the prospects of their application in cancer therapy and treatment of microbial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alopecia, a condition characterized by hair loss leading to baldness, treated with minoxidil, has the side effects of scalp irritation and lowering of blood pressure. However, administering minoxidil through remote drug loading and controlled release using lipid vesicles can be challenging, particularly for scalp applications in conditions like alopecia. Controlled release nano-medicine (CRNM) that delivers the minoxidil, using engineered nanoparticles, locally at a predetermined rate can overcome these side effects. For that, a novel minoxidil-loaded "shape anisotropic lipid nanoparticle" (SALN) is developed with a given composition and optimized for ultrasound processing conditions. That renders SALN with properties like multi-chambered bulk architecture with nano-reservoirs and shape anisotropy, with ultrasound activation, remote-loading, and controlled-release properties. The nanoparticles exhibited entrapment efficiency (32.2%) and drug release (99.01%) over 48 h and showed zero-order release kinetics. The nanoparticles are anisotropic as per HR-TEM. The HR-TEM studies showed that the SALN has a honeycomb-like bulk architecture with interconnected drug-loaded nano-reservoirs. It also revealed that the drug remains in different polymorphs at nanoscale inside the multi-chambered nano-reservoirs by DSC, TGA, and XRD. Drug release is significantly enhanced due to this nanoscale effect. The results of the design of experiments (DOE) to experimentally validated results are within 10% deviation. Moreover, the proposed controlled release system (SALN) for alopecia could improve local delivery to the hair follicle and is subjected to further studies. Subsequent research and development in this field can potentially revolutionize the management of alopecia and offer more effective and well-tolerated treatment options for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution has emerged as a serious threat to human health due to close association with spectrum of chronic ailments including cardiovascular disorders, respiratory diseases, nervous system dysfunctions, diabetes and cancer. Exposure to air-borne pollutants along with poor eating behaviours and inferior dietary quality irreversibly impacts epigenomic landscape, leading to aberrant transcriptional control of gene expression which is central to patho-physiology of non-communicable diseases. It is assumed that nutriepigenomic interventions such as vitamins can control such adverse effects through their immediate action on mitochondrial epigenomic-axis. Importantly, the exhaustive clinical utility of vitamins-interceded epigenetic synchronization is not well characterized. Therefore, improving the current limitations linked to stability and bioavailability issues in vitamin formulations is highly warranted. The present review not only sums up the available data on the role of vitamins as potential epigenetic modifiers but also discusses the importance of nano-engineered vitamins as potential epidrugs for dietary and pharmacological intervention to mitigate the long-term effects of air pollution toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tellurium (Te) is the heaviest stable chalcogen and is a rare element in Earth’s crust (one to five ppb). It was discovered in gold ore from mines in Kleinschlatten near the present-day city of Zlatna, Romania. Industrial and other applications of Te focus on its inorganic forms. Tellurium can be toxic to animals and humans at low doses. Chronic tellurium poisoning endangers the kidney, liver, and nervous system. However, Te can be effective against bacteria and is able to destroy cancer cells. Tellurium can also be used to develop redox modulators and enzyme inhibitors. Soluble salts that contain Te had a role as therapeutic and antimicrobial agents before the advent of antibiotics. The pharmaceutical use of Te is not widespread due to the narrow margin between beneficial and toxic doses, but there are differences between the measure of toxicity based on the Te form. Nano-tellurium (Te-NPs) has several applications: it can act as an adsorptive agent to remove pollutants, and it can be used in antibacterial coating, photo-catalysis for the degradation of dyes, and conductive electronic materials. Nano-sized Te particles are the most promising and can be produced in both chemical and biological ways. Safety assessments are essential to determine the potential risks and benefits of using Te compounds in various applications. Future challenges and directions in developing nano-materials, nano-alloys, and nano-structures based on Te are still open to debate.

The poor bioavailability of antibiotics at infection sites is one of the leading causes of treatment failure and increased bacterial resistance. Therefore, developing novel, non-conventional antibiotic delivery strategies to deal with bacterial pathogens is essential. Here, we investigated the encapsulation of two fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, into polymer-based nano-carriers (nano-antibiotics), with the goal of increasing their local bioavailability at bacterial infection sites. The formulations were optimized to achieve maximal drug loading. The surfaces of nano-antibiotics were modified with anti-staphylococcal antibodies as ligand molecules to target S. aureus pathogens. The interaction of nano-antibiotics with the bacterial cells was investigated via fluorescent confocal microscopy. Conventional tests (MIC and MBC) were used to examine the antibacterial properties of nano-antibiotic formulations. Simultaneously, a bioluminescence assay model was employed, revealing the rapid and efficient assessment of the antibacterial potency of colloidal systems. In comparison to the free-form antibiotic, the targeted nano-antibiotic exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity against both the planktonic and biofilm forms of S. aureus. Furthermore, our data suggested that the efficacy of a targeted nano-antibiotic treatment can be influenced by its antibiotic release profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most fatal malignancies. Several chemotherapies employing fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine were attempted, but the survival rate was extremely low. Resveratrol (RVT), known as a polyphenol compound and phytoalexin, was demonstrated to induce intrinsic apoptosis in cancer cells. However, its low delivery performance and efficiency at tumor sites remain an obstacle to exploit RVT as a drug. To address these problems, we bio-conjugated resveratrol with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) via polyvinylpyrrolidone as a cross-linker (RVT@PVP-GNPs) and investigated whether the fabrications could enhance the delivery performance and anti-tumor efficacy of RVT. Results The fabrication of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and bio-conjugated with resveratrol (RVT@PVP-GNPs) was conducted firstly. TEM image, spectrophotometry and zeta-potential revealed that the GNPs and RVT@PVP-GNPs having a size of approximately 40 nm were successfully synthesized and exhibited moderate stability. GNPs alone represented no damage in PANC-1 cells and moreover diminished the cytotoxicity of RVT in Raw264.7 murine macrophage cells, demonstrating the superiority of gold nanoparticles as a drug carrier. Evaluation using dialysis showed a burst release rate of RVT within 96 h at pH 5.0, demonstrating the possibility of enhanced efficiency of RVT delivery through blood vessels to the tumor. The RVT@PVP-GNPs induced increased rates of S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis compared with free RVT. Notably, RVT@PVP-GNPs diminished the proportion of necrotic cells, whereas free RVT increased it. We also demonstrated that the RVT@PVP-GNPs may induce an apoptosis via intrinsic mitochondria with higher degree compared with free RVT, indicating the possibility of enhanced anti-tumor agents. In animal studies, RVT@PVP-GNPs conjugated with AS1411 aptamer induced efficient tumor volume suppression without accumulation in or damage to the kidneys in vivo. Conclusions The results demonstrate that RVT@PVP-GNPs enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of free RVT by activating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and could be considered as potential anti-tumor drug candidates against pancreatic cancer cells.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in revolutionizing drug delivery systems, offering innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in pharmaceutical therapy. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the latest innovations, advancements, and challenges in nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery. We discuss the diverse array of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and nanostructured lipid carriers, highlighting their unique properties and applications in targeted drug delivery. Emphasis is placed on the role of nanotechnology in enhancing drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability, as well as its potential for achieving site-specific drug delivery and controlled release kinetics. Furthermore, we explore the strategies employed to overcome biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, mucosal barriers, and cellular uptake mechanisms, enabling efficient drug delivery to target tissues or cells while minimizing off-target effects. Regulatory and safety considerations in the development and commercialization of nanomedicines are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of thorough characterization, preclinical safety assessment, and compliance with regulatory guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper, the essential element required for the human body is well-known for its profound antibacterial properties, yet salts and oxides of copper metals in the copper mine tailings are reported to be a big burden in the modern era. Among other copper oxides, CuO, in particular, is known to have beneficial effects on humans, while its slight nanoengineering viz., surface functionalization of the nanometer-sized oxide is shown to make some paradigm shift using its inherent redox property. Here, we have synthesized nanometer-sized CuO nanoparticles and functionalized it with a citrate ligand for an enhanced redox property and better solubility in water. For structural analysis of the nanohybrid, standard analytical tools, such as electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and X-ray diffraction studies were conducted. Moreover, FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy studies were performed to confirm its functionalization. The antibacterial study results, against a model bacteria (S. hominis), show that CuO nanohybrids provide favorable outcomes on antibiotic-resistant organisms. The suitability of the nanohybrid for use in photodynamic therapy was also confirmed, as under light its activity increased substantially. The use of CuO nanoparticles as antibiotics was further supported by the use of computational biology, which reconfirmed the outcome of our experimental studies. We have also extracted CuO nanogranules (top-down technique) from copper mine tailings of two places, each with different geographical locations, and functionalized them with citrate ligands in order to characterize similar structural and functional properties obtained from synthesized CuO nanoparticles, using the bottom-up technique. We have observed that the extracted functionalized CuO from copper tailings offers similar properties compared to those of the synthesized CuO, which provides an avenue for the circular economy for the utilization of copper waste into nanomedicine, which is known to be best for mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global anxiety and economic crisis causes the deadly pandemic coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID 19) affect millions of people right now. Subsequently, this life threatened viral disease is caused due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, morbidity and mortality of infected patients are due to cytokines storm syndrome associated with lung injury and multiorgan failure caused by COVID 19. Thereafter, several methodological advances have been approved by WHO and US-FDA for the detection, diagnosis and control of this wide spreadable communicable disease but still facing multi-challenges to control. Herein, we majorly emphasize the current trends and future perspectives of nano-medicinal based approaches for the delivery of anti-COVID 19 therapeutic moieties. Interestingly, Nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with drug molecules or vaccines resemble morphological features of SARS-CoV-2 in their size (60–140 nm) and shape (circular or spherical) that particularly mimics the virus facilitating strong interaction between them. Indeed, the delivery of anti-COVID 19 cargos via a nanoparticle such as Lipidic nanoparticles, Polymeric nanoparticles, Metallic nanoparticles, and Multi-functionalized nanoparticles to overcome the drawbacks of conventional approaches, specifying the site-specific targeting with reduced drug loading and toxicities, exhibit their immense potential. Additionally, nano-technological based drug delivery with their peculiar characteristics of having low immunogenicity, tunable drug release, multidrug delivery, higher selectivity and specificity, higher efficacy and tolerability switch on the novel pathway for the prevention and treatment of COVID 19.

Lung cancer is among the most common and lethal cancers and warrants novel therapeutic approaches to improving patient outcomes. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated substantial clinical benefits, most patients remain unresponsive to currently approved ICIs or develop resistance after initial response. Many ongoing clinical studies are investigating combination therapies to address the limited efficacy of ICIs. Here, we have assessed whether p53 gene therapy via a tumor-targeting nanomedicine (termed SGT-53) can augment anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) immunotherapy to expand its use in non-responding patients. Using syngeneic mouse models of lung cancers that are resistant to anti-PD-1, we demonstrate that restoration of normal p53 function potentiates anti-PD-1 to inhibit tumor growth and prolong survival of tumor-bearing animals. Our data indicate that SGT-53 can restore effective immune responses against lung cancer cells by reducing immuno-suppressive cells (M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells) and by downregulating immunosuppressive molecules (e.g., galectin-1, a negative regulator of T cell activation and survival) while increasing activity of cytotoxic T cells. These results suggest that combining SGT-53 with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy could increase the fraction of lung cancer patients that responds to anti-PD-1 therapy and support evaluation of this combination particularly in patients with ICI-resistant lung cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most fatal malignancies. Several chemotherapies employing fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine were attempted, but the survival rate was extremely low. Resveratrol (RVT), known as a polyphenol compound and phytoalexin, was demonstrated to induce intrinsic apoptosis in cancer cells. However, its low delivery performance and efficiency at tumor sites remain an obstacle to exploit RVT as a drug. To address these problems, we bio-conjugated resveratrol with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) via polyvinylpyrrolidone as a cross-linker (RVT@PVP-GNPs) and investigated whether the fabrications could enhance the delivery performance and anti-tumor efficacy of RVT. Results: The fabrication of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and bio-conjugated with resveratrol (RVT@PVP-GNPs) was conducted firstly. TEM image, spectrophotometry and zeta-potential revealed that the GNPs and RVT@PVP-GNPs having a size of approximately 40 nm were successfully synthesized and exhibited moderate stability. GNPs alone represented no damage in PANC-1 cells and moreover diminished the cytotoxicity of RVT in Raw264.7 murine macrophage cells, demonstrating the superiority of gold nanoparticles as a drug carrier. Evaluation using dialysis showed a burst release rate of RVT within 96 h at pH 5.0, demonstrating the possibility of enhanced efficiency of RVT delivery through blood vessels to the tumor. The RVT@PVP-GNPs induced increased rates of S-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis compared with free RVT. Notably, RVT@PVP-GNPs diminished the proportion of necrotic cells, whereas free RVT increased it. We also demonstrated that the RVT@PVP-GNPs may induce an apoptosis via intrinsic mitochondria with higher degree compared with free RVT, indicating the possibility of enhanced anti-tumor agents. In animal studies, RVT@PVP-GNPs conjugated with AS1411 aptamer induced efficient tumor volume suppression without accumulation in or damage to the kidneys in vivo. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that RVT@PVP-GNPs enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of free RVT by activating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and could be considered as potential anti-tumor drug candidates against pancreatic cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor bioavailability of antibiotics at infection sites is one of the leading causes of treatment failure and increased bacterial resistance. Therefore, developing novel, non-conventional antibiotic delivery strategies to deal with bacterial pathogens is essential. Here, we investigated the encapsulation of two fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, into polymer-based nano-carriers (nano-antibiotics), with the goal of increasing their local bioavailability at bacterial infection sites. The formulations were optimized to achieve maximal drug loading. The surfaces of nano-antibiotics were modified with anti-staphylococcal antibodies as ligand molecules to target S. aureus pathogens. The interaction of nano-antibiotics with the bacterial cells was investigated via fluorescent confocal microscopy. Conventional tests (MIC and MBC) were used to examine the antibacterial properties of nano-antibiotic formulations. Simultaneously, a bioluminescence assay model was employed, revealing the rapid and efficient assessment of the antibacterial potency of colloidal systems. In comparison to the free-form antibiotic, the targeted nano-antibiotic exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity against both the planktonic and biofilm forms of S. aureus. Furthermore, our data suggested that the efficacy of a targeted nano-antibiotic treatment can be influenced by its antibiotic release profile.

This is a short communication where we present a theoretical model of a swarm of wireless robots that can be used for cellular-level diagnosis and treatment of a variety of life threatening diseases such as cancer. Based on this model, we illustrate a distributed position and orientation tracking algorithm that constructs digitized images from a set of pixels transmitted by the robots of the swarm model that are in motion. Simulation results are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vincenzo Quagliariello,1,* Raffaele Vecchione,2,* Alberta De Capua,2 Elena Lagreca,2 Rosario Vincenzo Iaffaioli,3 Gerardo Botti,4 Paolo A Netti,2 Nicola Maurea1 1Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italia; 2Center for Advanced Biomaterial for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, Naples, Italy; 3Multidisciplinary Studies in Oncology and Mediterranean Diet, Piazza Nicola Amore, Naples, Italy; 4Scientific Direction, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Vincenzo QuagliarielloDivision of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, ItaliaTel +390815903349Email quagliariello.enzo@gmail.comIntroduction: CoenzymeQ10 (CoQ10) is a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with cardioprotective properties. However, clinical trials based on its oral administration have failed to provide significant effect on cardiac functionality. The main limitation of CoQ10 is based on its very low oral bioavailability and instability that limit dramatically its effects as a cardioprotective agent. Herein, we loaded CoQ10 in high bioavailable nano-emulsions (NEs) coated with chitosan or chitosan and hyaluronic acid in order to improve its performance.Methods: We tested cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects of CoQ10-loaded nano-carriers against Doxorubicin and Trastuzumab toxicities in cardiomyocytes and liver cells through analysis of cell viability, lipid peroxidation, expression of leukotrienes, p65/NF-kB and pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in anticancer-induced cardio and hepatotoxicity.Results: Nano-carriers showed high stability and loading ability and increased cell viability both in hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes during anticancer treatments. We observed that these effects are mediated by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reduction of the inflammation. CoQ10-loaded nano-emulsions showed also strong anti-inflammatory effects reducing leukotriene B4 and p65/NF-κB expression and Interleukin 1β and 6 production during anticancer treatments.Discussion: Anthracyclines and Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) inhibitors have shown significant anticancer effects in clinical practice but their use is characterized by cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Nano-carriers loaded with CoQ10 showed cardio and hepatoprotective properties mediated by reduction of oxidative damages and pro-inflammatory mediators. These results set the stage for preclinical studies of cardio and hepatoprotection in HER2+ breast cancer-bearing mice treated with Doxorubicin and Trastuzumab.Keywords: cardio-oncology, nano-medicine, Coenzyme Q10, doxorubicin, trastuzumab, inflammation

Abstract Thrombosis is a global health issue and one of the leading factors of death. However, its diagnosis has been limited to the late stages, and its therapeutic window is too narrow to provide reasonable and effective treatment. In addition, clinical thrombolytics suffer from a short half-life, allergic reactions, inactivation, and unwanted tissue hemorrhage. Nano-medicines have gained extensive attention in diagnosis, drug delivery, and photo/sound/magnetic-theranostics due to their convertible properties. Furthermore, diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis using nano-medicines have also been widely studied. This review summarizes the recent advances in this area, which revealed six types of nanoparticle approaches: (1) in vitro diagnostic kits using “synthetic biomarkers”; (2) in vivo imaging using nano-contrast agents; (3) targeted drug delivery systems using artificial nanoparticles; (4) microenvironment responsive drug delivery systems; (5) drug delivery systems using biological nanostructures; and (6) treatments with external irradiation. The investigations of nano-medicines are believed to be of great significance, and some of the advanced drug delivery systems show potential applications in clinical theranotics.

Copper, the essential element required for the human body is well-known for its profound antibacterial properties, yet salts and oxides of copper metals in the copper mine tailings are reported to be a big burden in the modern era. Among other copper oxides, CuO, in particular, is known to have beneficial effects on humans, while its slight nanoengineering viz., surface functionalization of the nanometer-sized oxide is shown to make some paradigm shift using its inherent redox property. Here, we have synthesized nanometer-sized CuO nanoparticles and functionalized it with a citrate ligand for an enhanced redox property and better solubility in water. For structural analysis of the nanohybrid, standard analytical tools, such as electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and X-ray diffraction studies were conducted. Moreover, FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy studies were performed to confirm its functionalization. The antibacterial study results, against a model bacteria (S. hominis), show that CuO nanohybrids provide favorable outcomes on antibiotic-resistant organisms. The suitability of the nanohybrid for use in photodynamic therapy was also confirmed, as under light its activity increased substantially. The use of CuO nanoparticles as antibiotics was further supported by the use of computational biology, which reconfirmed the outcome of our experimental studies. We have also extracted CuO nanogranules (top-down technique) from copper mine tailings of two places, each with different geographical locations, and functionalized them with citrate ligands in order to characterize similar structural and functional properties obtained from synthesized CuO nanoparticles, using the bottom-up technique. We have observed that the extracted functionalized CuO from copper tailings offers similar properties compared to those of the synthesized CuO, which provides an avenue for the circular economy for the utilization of copper waste into nanomedicine, which is known to be best for mankind.

Lung cancer is among the most common and lethal cancers and warrants novel therapeutic approaches to improving patient outcomes. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated substantial clinical benefits, most patients remain unresponsive to currently approved ICIs or develop resistance after initial response. Many ongoing clinical studies are investigating combination therapies to address the limited efficacy of ICIs. Here, we have assessed whether p53 gene therapy via a tumor-targeting nanomedicine (termed SGT-53) can augment anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) immunotherapy to expand its use in non-responding patients. Using syngeneic mouse models of lung cancers that are resistant to anti-PD-1, we demonstrate that restoration of normal p53 function potentiates anti-PD-1 to inhibit tumor growth and prolong survival of tumor-bearing animals. Our data indicate that SGT-53 can restore effective immune responses against lung cancer cells by reducing immuno-suppressive cells (M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells) and by downregulating immunosuppressive molecules (e.g., galectin-1, a negative regulator of T cell activation and survival) while increasing activity of cytotoxic T cells. These results suggest that combining SGT-53 with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy could increase the fraction of lung cancer patients that responds to anti-PD-1 therapy and support evaluation of this combination particularly in patients with ICI-resistant lung cancers.

Gold (Au) compounds were used as an effective therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases; however, the use of Au compounds becomes limited because of its association with several side effects. Hence, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were developed as a new option for the medical proposes. However, the safety evaluation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment remains vague. This study aimed to biosynthesize, characterize and evaluate the therapeutic effects of biosynthesized AuNPs and/or Diacerein® (DIA) in experimental OA. OA was induced by a single injection of monosodium iodoacetate (3 mg/joint) in the intra-articular knee of female rats. Normal rats (N-rats) and OA-rats were treated orally for 5 weeks as follow: untreated N-rats; untreated OA-rats; N-rats received DIA (50 mg/kg b.w); N-rats received AuNPs (30 μg/kg b.w.); N-rats received AuNPs plus DIA; OA-rats received DIA; OA-rats received AuNPs, and OA-rats received AuNPs plus DIA. Blood, knee cartilage, liver and kidney samples were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. The synthesized AuNPs were nearly spherical with average size of 20 nm and zeta potential of 33 mV. AuNPs and DIA induced a significant improvement in serum inflammatory cytokines, biochemical parameters, estrogen level, hepatic and renal oxidative markers, hepatic DNA fragmentation, genomic template stability and cartilage joint histology of OA-rats. AuNPs were more effective than DIA and the combined treatment was more effective than the single treatment. It could be concluded that AuNPs are promising for the treatment of OA alone or in combination with DIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Breakthrough nanoplatform to enhance local therapy and inhibit metastasis in triple negative breast cancer. • Utilizing ultrasound, photoacoustic, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques for precise guidance of tumor treatment. • Novel strategy for early diagnosis and synergistic treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with high invasiveness and the worst prognosis. Immunotherapy has demonstrated significant potential in its treatment. However, the response rate remains unsatisfactory. In this work, we prepared multifunctional theranostic nanoplatforms (P-R@P/U-V) with synergetic ferroptosis and photothermal therapy (PTT) in improving TNBC tumor microenvironment for improving local treatment in situ, and synergistic anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy to prevent distant metastasis. With P-R@P/U-V, real-time monitoring of the specific distribution in tumors is possible due to the greatly improved ultrasound imaging (US), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities. Moreover, P-R@P/U-V has excellent photothermal conversion ability. Whereas PTT killed TNBC cells after laser irradiation, the liquid–gas phase transition not only improved US but also triggered controllable release of RSL3 in situ, enhancing ferroptosis of TNBC cells. Besides, the release of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) increased via PTT and ferroptosis, strongly stimulating T cell activation, dendritic cell maturation, and anti-tumor cytokine secretion. The lung metastases of TNBC were significantly inhibited following the combined use of P-R@P/U-V and PD-L1 inhibitors. The multimodal and multifunctional nanoplatforms demonstrated excellent effects in early diagnosis and synergistic treatment of TNBC. This represents a novel strategy based on local treatment for additional enhanced anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, with high clinical application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim is to develop an antiepileptic drug based on polymer nanoparticles with 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-oxypyridine succinate to facilitate the drug transport through the blood-brain barrier.Materials and methods. The nano-drug was created using the biologically active substance 2-ethyl-6-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine succinate and polybutyl cyanoacrylate (PBCA) nanoparticles. The advantages of this nano-form over the active ingredient of the same drug were studied using experimental models: the maximum electroshock test (MES), the antagonism test with corazol, models with a cobaltinduced epileptic focus and secondary generalized convulsions, and models of status epilepticus.Results. The antiseizure effects of the nanoform on the experimental models of epilepsy are identified.Conclusion. The nano-drug reduces the number of secondary generalized clonic-tonic seizures by 7.8 times; it also reduces 10-fold the animal mortality and diminishes the seizure manifestations that occur in the interictal period of the epileptic status.

• Exposure to Nanoparticle Rexo induced antigen (Ag)-specific Tregs. • Rexo increases αvβ6 expression in Ag-primed CD4+ T cells. • αvβ6 was required in activating TGF-β in CD4+ T cells. • Administration of Rexo efficiently inhibited experimental airway allergy. Integrin αvβ6 can convert the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β precursor to the mature form. Resiquimod (R848) can generate TGF-β-producing regulatory T cells (Treg). Thus, to concurrent administration of specific antigen and R848 may generate antigen-specific Tregs, that is expected to restore immune tolerance in subjects with airway allergic diseases (AAD). A bio-nanoparticle, designated Rexo, containing an antigen/MHC II complex and R848, was naturally assembled in dendritic cells, that was released as an exosome. An AAD mouse model was developed used to test the effects of Rexo on restoring the immune tolerance in the airways. Exposure to R848 failed to induce Tregs in the β6-deficient mouse airway tissues, that were successfully induced in wild type mice. The results were validated in in vitro experiments. R848 activated the TLR7/MyD88/p38 signal pathway to increase the αvβ6 levels in CD4+ T cells, the αvβ6 then converted the TGF-β precursor to its mature form, and thus, induced Treg generation. Administration of Rexo restored the antigen-specific immune tolerance in the airways manifesting efficiently suppressing experimental AAD by inducing antigen-specific Tregs in the airways and inhibiting antigen-specific Th2 response. Rexos can inhibit experimental AAD via inducing antigen-specific Tregs to restore immune tolerance in the airway tissues, suggesting that Rexos have the translational potential to be used in the treatment of AAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis using nano-medicine are summarized in this review. The diagnosis system based on biomarkers and imaging nanoprobes could enable the detection in early state of thrombosis. The targeted drug delivery nanosystems serve as clinically translatable theranostics for thrombosis treatment with minor side effects.Thrombosis is a global health issue and one of the leading factors of death. However, its diagnosis has been limited to the late stages, and its therapeutic window is too narrow to provide reasonable and effective treatment. In addition, clinical thrombolytics suffer from a short half-life, allergic reactions, inactivation, and unwanted tissue hemorrhage. Nano-medicines have gained extensive attention in diagnosis, drug delivery, and photo/sound/magnetic-theranostics due to their convertible properties. Furthermore, diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis using nano-medicines have also been widely studied. This review summarizes the recent advances in this area, which revealed six types of nanoparticle approaches: (1) in vitro diagnostic kits using “synthetic biomarkers”; (2) in vivo imaging using nano-contrast agents; (3) targeted drug delivery systems using artificial nanoparticles; (4) microenvironment responsive drug delivery systems; (5) drug delivery systems using biological nanostructures; and (6) treatments with external irradiation. The investigations of nano-medicines are believed to be of great significance, and some of the advanced drug delivery systems show potential applications in clinical theranotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-biotechnology research has become extremely important due to the possibilities in manipulation and characterization of biological molecules through nanodevices. Nanomaterials exhibit exciting electrical, optoelectronic, magnetic, mechanical and chemical properties that can be exploited to develop efficient biosensors or bio-probes. Those unique properties in nanomaterials can also be used in bioimaging and cancer therapeutics, where biomolecules influence the inherent properties in nanomaterials. Effective manipulation of nanomaterial properties can lead to many breakthroughs in nanotechnology applications. Nowadays, 2D nanomaterials have emerged as viable materials for nanotechnology. Large cross-section area and functional availability of 2D or 1D quantum limit in these nanomaterials allow greater flexibility and better nanodevice performance. 2D nanomaterials enable advanced bioelectronics to be more easily integrated due to their atomic thickness, biocompatibility, mechanical flexibility and conformity. Furthermore, with the development of 2D material heterostructures, enhanced material properties can be obtained which can directly influence bio-nanotechnology applications. This article firstly reviews the development of various types of 2D heterostructures in a wide variety of nano-biotechnology applications. Furthermore, future 2D heterostructure scopes in bioimaging, nanomedicine, bio-markers/therapy and bioelectronics are discussed. This paper can be an avenue for providing a wide scope for 2D van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures in bio- and medical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous Mg scaffolds are promising for bone repair but are limited by high corrosion rates and challenges in preserving coating integrity. We used Directed Plasma Nanosynthesis (DPNS) at 400 eV and a fluence of 1 × 1018 cm−2 to augment the bioactivity and corrosion resistance of porous Mg scaffolds, maintaining their overall material integrity. DPNS creates nanostructures that increase surface area, promote apatite nucleation, and enhance osseointegration, improving the bioactivity and corrosion resistance of porous Mg scaffolds without compromising their structure. Our findings indicate a decrease in surface roughness, with pre-irradiated samples having Rq = 60.4 ± 5.3 nm andRa = 48.2 ± 3.1 nm, and post-DPNS samples showing Rq = 36.9 ± 0.3 nm andRa = 28.6 ± 0.8 nm. This suggests changes in topography and wettability, corroborated by the increased water contact angles (CA) of 129.2 ± 3.2 degrees. The complexity of the solution influences the CA: DMEM results in a CA of 120.4 ± 0.1 degrees, while DMEM + SBF decreases it to 103.6 ± 0.5 degrees, in contrast to the complete spreading observed in non-irradiated samples. DPNS-treated scaffolds exhibit significantly reduced corrosion rates at 5.7 × 10−3 ± 3.8 × 10−4 mg/cm²/day, compared to the control's 2.3 × 10−2 ± 3.2 × 10−4 mg/cm²/day over 14 days (P < 0.01). The treatment encourages the formation of a Ca-phosphate-rich phase, which facilitates cell spreading and the development of focal adhesion points in hBM-MSCs on the scaffolds. Additionally, J774A.1 murine macrophages show an enhanced immune response with diminished TNF-α cytokine expression. These results offer insights into nanoscale modifications of Mg-based biomaterials and their promise for bone substitutes or tissue engineering scaffolds. [Display omitted] • Ar+ bombardment modifies surface topography and chemistry, maintaining scaffold architecture. • Ar+ bombardment treatment leads to hydrophobic properties and nanostructures, angle > 100°. • Plasma radiation controls Mg2+ release, significantly reducing corrosion rates in porous Mg. • Plasma treatment affects hBM-MSC and J774 cells, influencing macrophage behavior. • In DMEM, plasma treatment controls Mg2+ and OH- ion release, aiding Ca-phosphate layer formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal Stem Cells are potent therapeutic candidates in the field of regenerative medicine, owing to their immunomodulatory and differentiation potential. However, several complications come with their translational application like viability, duration, and degree of expansion, long-term storage, and high maintenance cost. Therefore, drawbacks of cell-based therapy can be overcome by a novel therapeutic modality emerging in translational research and application, i.e., exosomes. These small vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells are emerging as new avenues in the field of nano-medicine. These nano-vesicles have caught the attention of researchers with their potency as regenerative medicine both in nanotherapeutics and drug delivery systems. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge in the biology and handling of exosomes, with their limitations and future applications. Additionally, we highlight current perspectives that primarily focus on their effect on various diseases and their potential as a drug delivery vehicle.

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Using gold-silica nanoshell as a reference nano-agent, this work has performed preliminary numerical parametric study to investigate the feasibility and if feasible the efficiency of using a single nano-agent to achieve theranostic goals. In total, seven generics of gold-silica nanoshells have been tested including the R[50,10] (radius of the silica core is 50 nm and thickness of the gold shell is 10 nm), R[40,15], R[55,25], R[40,40], R[75,40], R[104,23], and R[154,24] nanoshells. A planar tissue model has been constructed as the platform for parametric study. For mathematical modeling, radiant transport equation (RTE) has been applied to describe the interactions among laser lights, the hosting tissue, and the hosted nanoshells and Penne's bio-heat equation has been applied to describe the hyperthermia induced by such interactions. Effects of different nanoshell generics on the diffuse reflectance signal and hyperthermia temperature transition have been simulated, basing on which the potential of a certain nanoshell generic as theranostic nano-agent has been evaluated. It has been found that it is highly feasible for gold-silica nanoshells to be engineered for theranostic purpose and nanoshell generics that are preferentially scattering should be explored for good theranostic candidates. On the condition that nanoshell generic with the right optical properties has been located, a moderate nanoshell retention in the target tissue site is already sufficient to induce effective theranostic effects, which indicates that theranostic nano-medicine might not have a stringent requirement for the delivery technique. Among nanoshells that have been tested, the R[55,25] nanoshell seems to be a promising candidate as theranostic nano-agent. Further testing on it is highly recommended. Nanoshells that are preferentially absorbing such as the R[50,10] and R[40,15] nanoshells are efficient photothermal agent and could be used for therapeutic purpose only. However, it is not recommended that preferentially absorbing nanoshells being used for theranostic purpose due to possible negative effects such nanoshells might bring to the diffuse reflectance signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endothelium is a thin innermost layer of flat cells which release various mediators including endothelin-1 (ET-1), prostanoids, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF; nitric oxide) to regulate vascular tone. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a key enzyme that generates nitric oxide (NO). NO maintains vascular homeostasis and cardiac functions by influencing major vascular protective properties such as anti-platelet, anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action in vessels. Abnormal endothelial production and release of NO lead to vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) and further leads to pathogenesis in myocardial and other tissues. Numerous pharmacological agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, statins, calcium channel blockers, ET-1 receptor antagonists, insulin sensitizers, antioxidants and supplements like tetrahydrobiopterin, arginine and folate have been implicated in the treatment of VED, but their therapeutic potency was restricted due to some unavoidable adverse effects. The new era with advances in nanotechnology and its ability to target a specific disease, nano-medicine explored an innovative gateway for advanced therapy for VED. The present commentary reveals the various available, pipeline nano-medicine, their interaction with endothelium and in other associated pathological conditions and their delivery strategies for target-specific treatment of VED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Targeting at category memory characteristics and preparation methods of functionalized nano drugs, preparation technology of functionalized nano drug carriers is studied, and then important role of functionalized nano drug carrier in preparation of medicine is studied. Methods: Carry out the relevant literature search with computer, change limited language in the paper to Chinese and necessarily remove repetitive studies. Results: After first review of 1260 retrieved literature, it can be found that nano drug is with accurate quantity, relatively good targeting, specificity and absorbency. Necessary research of nano drug carriers can prevent and treat disease to a certain extent. Conclusion: Preparation of functionalized nanocarrier is simple and convenient, which can improve frequency of use of nano preparation technology and provide better development space for medical use. Therefore, nanocarriers should be combined with drugs with relatively strong specificity in clinics, in order to be able to conduct effective research on nanometer intelligent drug, effectively promote long-term development of nano biotechnology, and then provide favorable, reliable basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Xueyun Jiang,1 Ming Zhao,1,2 Yuji Wang,1 Haimei Zhu,1 Shurui Zhao,1 Jianhui Wu,1 Yuanbo Song,3 Shiqi Peng1 1Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Faculty of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 3Guangxi Pusen Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China Abstract: Dexamethasone (Dex) is an effective glucocorticoid in treating inflammation and preventing rejection reaction. However, the side effects limit its clinical application. To improve its druggable profile, the conjugates of RGD-peptide-modified Dex were presented and their enhanced anti-inflammation activity, minimized osteoporotic action, and nanoscaled assembly were explored. (RGD stands for Arg-Gly-Asp. Standard single letter biochemical abbreviations for amino acids have been used throughout this paper.) In respect of the rejection reaction, the survival time of the implanted myocardium of the mice treated with 1.43 µmol/kg/d of the conjugates for 15 consecutive days was significantly longer than that of the mice treated with 2.5 µmol/kg/d of Dex, and the conjugates, but not Dex, exhibited no toxic action. At a single dose of 14.3 µmol/kg (100 times minimal effective dose, 0.143 µmol/kg), the conjugates induced no liver, kidney, or systemic toxicity. At the dose of 1.43 µmol/kg, the conjugates, but not Dex, prolonged the bleeding time of the mice, and inhibited the thrombosis of the rats. In water and rat plasma, the conjugates formed nanoparticles of 14–250 and 101–166 nm in diameter, respectively. Since the nanoparticles of ~100 nm in size cannot be entrapped by macrophages in the circulation, RGDF-Dex would particularly be worthy of development, since its nanoparticle diameter is 101 nm. Keywords: Dexamethasone, immunosuppression, coagulation, thrombus, acute toxicity, nanomedicine, development

Abstract Endothelial activation with up-regulation of E-selectin adhesion molecules mediates leukocyte rolling along the vascular wall and controls inflammation in many diseases including atherosclerosis and heart failure. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypothesis that inhibition of E-selectin-mediated interactions by a new E-selectin-targeted copolymer could inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis. To target E-selectin on activated endothelium, we developed a new N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA)-based E-selectin binding copolymer with or without dexamethasone (Dex) (designated P-(Esbp)-Dex and P-Esbp, respectively). To determine the effect of P-(Esbp)-Dex and P-Esbp on atherosclerosis, we allocated ApoE (−/−) mice on a high fat diet, to weekly intra-peritoneal injections of either 1) P-Esbp; 2) P-(Esbp)-Dex; 3) free Dex (1 mg/kg) or 4) saline, for four weeks. Aortic atherosclerosis and left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function were assessed by serial ultrasound studies and histology. Monocytes and macrophages were characterized by flow cytometry. After four weeks of treatment, P-Esbp effectively targeted aortic atherosclerotic lesions. Both P-Esbp and P-(Esbp)-Dex reduced wall thickening of the ascending aortas. However, only the drug-free copolymer (P-Esbp) significantly decreased the areas of necrotic core in the plaques and switched spleen macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype. Furthermore, P-Esbp attenuated adverse LV remodeling and dysfunction in ApoE (−/−) mice. In summary, P-Esbp copolymer targets activated endothelial cells, regresses and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques, and prevents adverse LV remodeling and dysfunction in ApoE (−/−) mice. Our results suggest a new, drug-free macromolecular therapy to treat vascular inflammation. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A "drug-free" E-selectin-targeted copolymer binds to the surface of atherosclerotic plaques. • Stabilizes and regresses atherosclerotic plaques • Switches spleen macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype • Attenuates adverse cardiac remodeling and dysfunction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), a major health issue of the present era. The bacterium inhabits the host macrophage and other immune cells where it modulates the lysosome trafficking protein, hinders the formation of phagolysosome, and blocks the TNF receptor-dependent apoptosis of host macrophage/monocytes. Other limitations such as resistance to and low bioavailability and bio-distribution of conventional drugs aid to their high virulence and human mortality. This review highlights the use of nanotechnology-based approaches for drug formulation and delivery which could open new avenues to limit the pathogenicity of tuberculosis. Moreover phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids, extracted from terrestrial plants and mangroves seem promising against M. tuberculosis through different molecular mechanisms. Further understanding of the genomics and proteomics of this pathogenic microbe could also help overcome various research gaps in the path of developing a suitable therapy against tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advances are leading to the possibility of remotely controlled or veven completely autonomous delivery of anesthesia. Advances in other specialties, as well as the paradigm shift towards functional medicine, are promising improvement in overall state of health, and reducing the numbers and types of surgical procedures, thereby reducing the required numbers of the relevant workforce, including anesthetists, in future. The specialty of anesthesia needs to transform into a more over-arching role of perioperative medicine in order to stay relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of death in cancer patients, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential step in tumor metastasis. Unfortunately, during the chemotherapy, EMT could be induced under the selective pressure of clinical cytotoxic drugs. Here, to solve this problem, we have synthesized multi-functional epigallocatechin gallate/iron nano-complexes (EIN) as a versatile coating material to improve conventional therapies. In vitro studies showed that this strategy could eliminate EMT-type cancer cells. Mechanism studies also revealed that EIN was able to down-regulate the downstream expression of metastasis-associated factors, decrease the migration ability of cancer cells and prevent cancer cells from gaining drug resistance. In vivo investigation revealed that EIN had superior ability to enhance the therapeutic effect of conventional nanomedicines and inhibit the EMT process. Our study indicates the promising use of EIN to make up for the deficiencies of chemotherapy may provide insights into systematic cancer therapy to overcome tumor metastasis and drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanorods in nanotechnology called a specific type of morphology of nanoscale materials that their dimensions range is from 1 to 100 nm. Nanorods can be synthesized from metal or semi-conductive material with a surface to volume ratio of 3-5. One method of making nanorods is direct chemical method. Ligands compounds as a shape control agents cause growth the nanorods and create stretched and extended modes of them. In recent years, magnetic nanorods are one of the nanorods that have been raised in the field of nano medicine [Nath S, Kaittanis C, Ramachandran V, Dalal NS, Perez JM. Synthesis, magnetic characterization, and sensing applications of novel dextran-coated iron oxide nanorods. Chem Mater. 2009;21:1761-7.]. Superparamagnetic properties of magnetic nanorods causes to sensing be done with high accuracy. In addition, other applications of magnetic nanorods are in the field of separation and treatment [Hu B, Wang N, Han L, Chen ML, Wang JH. Magnetic nanohybrids loaded with bimetal core-shell-shell nanorods for bacteria capture, separation, and near-infrared photothermal treatment. Chemistry. 2015;21:6582-9.]. Therefore, in biomedical applications, the nanorods are used usually with biological molecules such as antibodies [Schrittwieser S, Pelaz B, Parak WJ, Lentijo-Mozo S, Soulantica K, Dieckhoff J, et al. Homogeneous protein analysis by magnetic core-shell nanorod probes. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2016;8:8893-9.]. For this purpose, in the present work we will try to introduce magnetic nanorods and mention their different methods of synthesis and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]