scholarly journals Engineered nanomaterials and human health: Part 1. Preparation, functionalization and characterization (IUPAC Technical Report)

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1283-1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Gubala ◽  
Linda J. Johnston ◽  
Ziwei Liu ◽  
Harald Krug ◽  
Colin J. Moore ◽  
...  

Abstract Nanotechnology is a rapidly evolving field, as evidenced by the large number of publications on the synthesis, characterization, and biological/environmental effects of new nano-sized materials. The unique, size-dependent properties of nanomaterials have been exploited in a diverse range of applications and in many examples of nano-enabled consumer products. In this account we focus on Engineered Nanomaterials (ENM), a class of deliberately designed and constructed nano-sized materials. Due to the large volume of publications, we separated the preparation and characterisation of ENM from applications and toxicity into two interconnected documents. Part 1 summarizes nanomaterial terminology and provides an overview of the best practices for their preparation, surface functionalization, and analytical characterization. Part 2 (this issue, Pure Appl. Chem. 2018; 90(8): 1325–1356) focuses on ENM that are used in products that are expected to come in close contact with consumers. It reviews nanomaterials used in therapeutics, diagnostics, and consumer goods and summarizes current nanotoxicology challenges and the current state of nanomaterial regulation, providing insight on the growing public debate on whether the environmental and social costs of nanotechnology outweigh its potential benefits.

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1325-1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Gubala ◽  
Linda J. Johnston ◽  
Harald F. Krug ◽  
Colin J. Moore ◽  
Christopher K. Ober ◽  
...  

AbstractResearch on engineered nanomaterials (ENM) has progressed rapidly from the very early stages of studying their unique, size-dependent physicochemical properties and commercial exploration to the development of products that influence our everyday lives. We have previously reviewed various methods for synthesis, surface functionalization, and analytical characterization of ENM in a publication titled ‘Engineered Nanomaterials: Preparation, Functionalization and Characterization’. In this second, inter-linked document, we first provide an overview of important applications of ENM in products relevant to human healthcare and consumer goods, such as food, textiles, and cosmetics. We then highlight the challenges for the design and development of new ENM for bio-applications, particularly in the rapidly developing nanomedicine sector. The second part of this document is dedicated to nanotoxicology studies of ENM in consumer products. We describe the various biological targets where toxicity may occur, summarize the four nanotoxicology principles, and discuss the need for careful consideration of the biodistribution, degradation, and elimination routes of nanosized materials before they can be safely used. Finally, we review expert opinions on the risk, regulation, and ethical aspects of using engineered nanomaterials in applications that may have direct or indirect impact on human health or our environment.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 4762-4762
Author(s):  
Martin Strandberg-Larsen

Abstract Abstract 4762 Introduction: The challenges faced by the hemophilia community because of economic constraints will increase in the future. Without disease specific pharmacoeconomic models to inform the decision process important decisions may be taken without taking hemophilia specific issues into account. Objectives: To investigate recent advances and current state-of-the-art knowledge in pharmacoeconomic modeling of hemophilia care we conducted a targeted literature review. Methods: Searches were conducted in MEDLINE®, and NHS Economic Evaluation Database using combinations of disease, and economic-related key words, limited to articles published in English between January 1970 and June 2010 (inclusive). A total of 127 articles (from 284 abstracts retrieved) were selected for detailed consideration. Results: Prior to the year 2000 the focus of the cost side of hemophilia treatment was not given much attention in the scientific literature. However in the last decade pharmacoeconomics have grown in importance and an increasing number of publications specific for this aspect of hemophilia reflect this trend. Still there is limited data on probabilities, costs and outcomes and remarkably few studies comparing QALY estimates of factor VIII prophylaxis in hemophilia. More studies are available specific for the limited inhibitor segment. Recommendations for reporting economic evaluations of hemophilia prophylaxis has been proposed and important ground clearing work has been published on theoretical aspects of hemophilia modeling. Conclusion: Economic analyses in hemophilia care are limited, but are increasingly in demand to examine the costs and outcomes associated with various treatment regimens. Unresolved questions critical to hemophilia remains such as the appropriate weighting of short term vs. future benefits and equity considerations associated with hemophilia being a rare genetic disease affecting children. Trials designed with pharmacoeconomic objectives in mind will be imperative. Data on generic and disease specific quality of life and resource use/cost data will provide whole new insights to how hemophilia impacts the lives of people living with this rare disease and will provide the data needed to assess the total value of different treatment regimens relevant for hemophilia. Disclosures: Strandberg-Larsen: Novo Nordisk A/S: Employment.


i-Perception ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 204166952110203
Author(s):  
Jonas K. Olofsson ◽  
Ingrid Ekström ◽  
Maria Larsson ◽  
Steven Nordin

Olfaction, the sense of smell, is characterized by a notable age-dependency such that aging individuals are more likely to have poor olfactory abilities. These impairments are considered to be mostly irreversible and as having potentially profound effects on quality of life and food behavior, as well as constituting warning signs of mortality, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. Here, we review the current state of research on aging and olfaction, focusing on five topics which we regard to be of particular relevance for the field: nutrition and health, cognition and dementia, mortality, environment and genetics, and training-based enhancement. Under each of these headlines, we provide a state-of-the-art overview and discuss gaps in our knowledge which might be filled by further research. Understanding how olfactory abilities are diminished in aging, and how they may be alleviated or recovered, involves a set of challenging tasks for researchers in the years to come.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5212
Author(s):  
Andrzej Bak

A key question confronting computational chemists concerns the preferable ligand geometry that fits complementarily into the receptor pocket. Typically, the postulated ‘bioactive’ 3D ligand conformation is constructed as a ‘sophisticated guess’ (unnecessarily geometry-optimized) mirroring the pharmacophore hypothesis—sometimes based on an erroneous prerequisite. Hence, 4D-QSAR scheme and its ‘dialects’ have been practically implemented as higher level of model abstraction that allows the examination of the multiple molecular conformation, orientation and protonation representation, respectively. Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since the eminent work of Hopfinger appeared on the stage; therefore the natural question occurs whether 4D-QSAR approach is still appealing to the scientific community? With no intention to be comprehensive, a review of the current state of art in the field of receptor-independent (RI) and receptor-dependent (RD) 4D-QSAR methodology is provided with a brief examination of the ‘mainstream’ algorithms. In fact, a myriad of 4D-QSAR methods have been implemented and applied practically for a diverse range of molecules. It seems that, 4D-QSAR approach has been experiencing a promising renaissance of interests that might be fuelled by the rising power of the graphics processing unit (GPU) clusters applied to full-atom MD-based simulations of the protein-ligand complexes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6182
Author(s):  
Marijana Pantić ◽  
Saša Milijić

An agreement of cooperation and transmission of knowledge regarding the nomination for the European Green Capital Award (EGCA) was signed between the mayors of Belgrade and Ljubljana (EGCA 2016 winner) in September 2018. The candidacy of Belgrade was finally realized in October 2019. Great hope was placed in this endeavour because internationally recognized awards, such as the EGCA, represent enormous capital for both the city and the state. The EGCA requires serious preparation and significant fulfilment of preconditions. Many economically strong and environmentally responsible cities competed for the award, but did not win. On the other hand, the capital of Serbia does not appear to be an obvious winning candidate, especially as it is differentiated from the previous winners by being a non-EU city and by the fact that it is still undergoing an intense urban transformation, characteristic of transitional countries. Therefore, the main aim of this article is to present a review of the current state of Belgrade’s environmental qualities and its comparison with the EGCA criteria and with Grenoble as one of the winning competitors. The article gives a full overview of the EGCA requirements with certain details on required indicators, gives relevant insight into the procedure, which could be of use for any future candidacy, and discusses potential benefits for winners, losers and repeat candidacies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 950-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent I. Fox ◽  
Bill G. Felkey

While not necessarily a new idea, precision medicine has recently gained traction as the future of health care. The potential benefits are almost difficult to believe, while the challenges are multifaceted. We provide an overview of the current state of precision medicine.


Author(s):  
Johanna K. DiStefano ◽  
Glenn S. Gerhard

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pervasively transcribed in the genome, exhibit a diverse range of biological functions, and exert effects through a variety of mechanisms. The sheer number of lncRNAs in the human genome has raised important questions about their potential biological significance and roles in human health and disease. Technological and computational advances have enabled functional annotation of a large number of lncRNAs. Though the number of publications related to lncRNAs has escalated in recent years, relatively few have focused on those involved in hepatic physiology and pathology. We provide an overview of evolving lncRNA classification systems and characteristics and highlight important advances in our understanding of the contribution of lncRNAs to liver disease, with a focus on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cholestatic liver disease. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease, Volume 17 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Tait ◽  
◽  
Pia Ruisi-Besares ◽  
Matthias Sirch ◽  
Alyx Belisle ◽  
...  

Shifts in disturbance patterns across the Northeast are of increasing concern as the climate continues to change. In particular, changes in patterns of frequency, severity and extent of disturbance event may have detrimental cascading impacts on forest ecosystems and human communities. To explore how changing disturbance regimes might impact future forest health and management it is necessary to understand the historical trends and impacts of disturbance in the region. Although individual types of disturbance have already been analyzed, there is a need for a consolidated overview of the current state of disturbance in northeastern forests. To address this need, the Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative (FEMC) developed the FEMC: Tracking Shifts in Disturbance Regimes web portal for users to explore changes over time of key disturbance drivers, identify important disturbance responses, and discover where monitoring is happening for both drivers and responses. In collaboration with our advisory committee, we identified key disturbance drivers—flood, high winds, fire, drought, pests—and responses—macroinvertebrates, cold-water fisheries, invasive plants—that are of particular concern in the region. For each of the drivers we identified a suitable regional dataset and analyzed changes over time in frequency, severity, and extent. We also created a structured framework to catalogue programs across the region that are monitoring for these disturbance drivers and responses. Version 1.0 of the FEMC: Tracking Shifts in Disturbance Regimes (https://uvm.edu/femc/disturbance) web portal, first released in October 2021, contains 272 data programs, 11 drivers and three responses. Through the web portal users can browse programs by state, driver type or response type, and explore where monitoring is happening across the region. Driver-specific analyses allow users to quickly see the trends in severity, frequency and extent of selected disturbances and compare the impacts in selected states to regional data. We hope that this collection of programs and the analysis of trends provide researchers and land managers with an easy way to understand the current state of disturbance in northeastern forests that enables them to analyze and plan for future impacts.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad Eslamkhah ◽  
Nazila Alizadeh ◽  
Khalil Hajiasgharzadeh ◽  
Masoud Eslamkhah ◽  
Ahad Mokhtarzadeh ◽  
...  

A series of cases of pneumonia occurred in China in late 2019. For this type of coronavirus, the WHO formally identified the condition as a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). They announced that this disease is the recent main concern of health problems in the world. Transfer of this novel coronavirus (nCoV) from human to human exists predominantly among family members, who have close contact with each other. This review article is provided based on the recent findings of COVID-19, which were retrieved by searching PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 2020. Here, we highlighted the coronaviruses types, COVID-19 symptoms, epidemiology of the disease, transmission ways, and nCoV related pneumonia pathogenesis and continue with characteristic features and treatment methods. While no approved treatments are available for this type of infection therapy but several drugs may have potential benefits. It seems that identifying the detailed characteristics of the novel coronavirus disease offers the foundation for further research into the production of effective anti-COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.


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