scholarly journals Surface-Functionalized Nanoparticles as Efficient Tools in Targeted Therapy of Pregnancy Complications

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 3642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baozhen Zhang ◽  
Ruijing Liang ◽  
Mingbin Zheng ◽  
Lintao Cai ◽  
Xiujun Fan
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Pregnancy Complications ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Functionalized Nanoparticles ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Clinical Tools ◽  
Surface Modified ◽  
Review Current ◽  
Target Effects

Minimizing exposure of the fetus to medication and reducing adverse off-target effects in the mother are the primary challenges in developing novel drugs to treat pregnancy complications. Nanomedicine has introduced opportunities for the development of novel platforms enabling targeted delivery of drugs in pregnancy. This review sets out to discuss the advances and potential of surface-functionalized nanoparticles in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications. We first describe the human placental anatomy, which is fundamental for developing placenta-targeted therapy, and then we review current knowledge of nanoparticle transplacental transport mechanisms. Meanwhile, recent surface-functionalized nanoparticles for targeting the uterus and placenta are examined. Indeed, surface-functionalized nanoparticles could help prevent transplacental passage and promote placental-specific drug delivery, thereby enhancing efficacy and improving safety. We have achieved promising results in targeting the placenta via placental chondroitin sulfate A (plCSA), which is exclusively expressed in the placenta, using plCSA binding peptide (plCSA-BP)-decorated nanoparticles. Others have also focused on using placenta- and uterus-enriched molecules as targets to deliver therapeutics via surface-functionalized nanoparticles. Additionally, we propose that placenta-specific exosomes and surface-modified exosomes might be potential tools in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications. Altogether, surface-functionalized nanoparticles have great potential value as clinical tools in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications.

scholarly journals Onco-Receptors Targeting in Lung Cancer via Application of Surface-Modified and Hybrid Nanoparticles: A Cross-Disciplinary Review

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 621
Author(s):  
Fakhara Sabir ◽  
Maimoona Qindeel ◽  
Mahira Zeeshan ◽  
Qurrat Ul Ain ◽  
Abbas Rahdar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Folate Receptor ◽  
Delivery Systems ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hybrid Nanoparticles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Surface Modified

Lung cancer is among the most prevalent and leading causes of death worldwide. The major reason for high mortality is the late diagnosis of the disease, and in most cases, lung cancer is diagnosed at fourth stage in which the cancer has metastasized to almost all vital organs. The other reason for higher mortality is the uptake of the chemotherapeutic agents by the healthy cells, which in turn increases the chances of cytotoxicity to the healthy body cells. The complex pathophysiology of lung cancer provides various pathways to target the cancerous cells. In this regard, upregulated onco-receptors on the cell surface of tumor including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), integrins, transferrin receptor (TFR), folate receptor (FR), cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) receptor, etc. could be exploited for the inhibition of pathways and tumor-specific drug targeting. Further, cancer borne immunological targets like T-lymphocytes, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and dendritic cells could serve as a target site to modulate tumor activity through targeting various surface-expressed receptors or interfering with immune cell-specific pathways. Hence, novel approaches are required for both the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancers. In this context, several researchers have employed various targeted delivery approaches to overcome the problems allied with the conventional diagnosis of and therapy methods used against lung cancer. Nanoparticles are cell nonspecific in biological systems, and may cause unwanted deleterious effects in the body. Therefore, nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs) need further advancement to overcome the problem of toxicity in the treatment of lung cancer. Moreover, the route of nanomedicines’ delivery to lungs plays a vital role in localizing the drug concentration to target the lung cancer. Surface-modified nanoparticles and hybrid nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in the field of theranostics. This cross-disciplinary review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathways implicated in the different classes of lung cancer with an emphasis on the clinical implications of the increasing number of actionable molecular targets. Furthermore, it focuses specifically on the significance and emerging role of surface functionalized and hybrid nanomaterials as drug delivery systems through citing recent examples targeted at lung cancer treatment.

Transferrin-Conjugated Nanocarriers as Active-Targeted Drug Delivery Platforms for Cancer Therapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 454-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele R. Nogueira-Librelotto ◽  
Cristiane F. Codevilla ◽  
Ammad Farooqi ◽  
Clarice M. B. Rolim
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Active Targeting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Passive Targeting ◽  
The Right ◽  
Review Current ◽  
Target Effects

A lot of effort has been devoted to achieving active targeting for cancer therapy in order to reach the right cells. Hence, increasingly it is being realized that active-targeted nanocarriers notably reduce off-target effects, mainly because of targeted localization in tumors and active cellular uptake. In this context, by taking advantage of the overexpression of transferrin receptors on the surface of tumor cells, transferrin-conjugated nanodevices have been designed, in hope that the biomarker grafting would help to maximize the therapeutic benefit and to minimize the side effects. Notably, active targeting nanoparticles have shown improved therapeutic performances in different tumor models as compared to their passive targeting counterparts. In this review, current development of nano-based devices conjugated with transferrin for active tumor-targeting drug delivery are highlighted and discussed. The main objective of this review is to provide a summary of the vast types of nanomaterials that have been used to deliver different chemotherapeutics into tumor cells, and to ultimately evaluate the progression on the strategies for cancer therapy in view of the future research.

scholarly journals Cord Blood-Based Approach to Assess Candidate Vaccine Adjuvants Designed for Neonates and Infants

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Daisuke Tokuhara ◽  
Norikatsu Hikita
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Current System ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Vaccine Adjuvants ◽  
Adult Humans ◽  
Neonates And Infants ◽  
Induced Immunity ◽  
Review Current

Neonates and infants are particularly susceptible to infections, for which outcomes tend to be severe. Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing infectious diseases, but the protective immunity achieved through vaccination typically is weaker in infants than in healthy adults. One possible explanation for the poor acquisition of vaccine-induced immunity in infants is that their innate immune response, represented by toll-like receptors, is immature. The current system for developing pediatric vaccines relies on the confirmation of their safety and effectiveness in studies involving the use of mature animals or adult humans. However, creating vaccines for neonates and infants requires an understanding of their uniquely immature innate immunity. Here we review current knowledge regarding the innate immune system of neonates and infants and challenges in developing vaccine adjuvants for those children through analyses of cord blood.

scholarly journals Meteorite Orbits from Observations by Camera Networks

1983 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Halliday ◽  
Arthur A. Griffin ◽  
Alan T. Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Great Difficulty ◽  
Camera Networks ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Lost City ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Physically Identical ◽  
Review Current ◽  
Visual Observations

Camera networks for the study of bright fireballs now have a history approaching two decades• It was hoped that the networks would produce a statistically significant group of recovered meteorites with accurate orbits. Due to the great difficulty in locating the meteorites from a photographed event, there are still only three meteorites with orbits determined from suitable photographs; Pribram, Lost City and Innisfree (Ceplecha I96I, McCrosky et al. 1971, Halliday et al. 1978, respectively). Networks do, however, provide an alternative approach to the problem. Instead of determining approximate orbits from visual observations of recovered meteorite falls, it is now preferable to use reliable orbits from the camera networks for fireballs which are believed to have dropped meteorites that could not be located, or, that are believed to have been physically identical to meteorites, although no appreciable mass survived the atmospheric flight. This paper will review current knowledge based on this approach to the problem.

scholarly journals New trends in botulinum toxin use in dermatology

2018 ◽  
pp. 277-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Guida ◽  
Francesca Farnetani ◽  
Steven P. Nisticò ◽  
Caterina Giorgio Mariarosaria ◽  
Graziella Babino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Botulinum Toxin ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxin ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Hypertrophic Scars ◽  
Skin Disorders ◽  
Facial Flushing ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Raynaud Phenomenon ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
Review Current

Background: Recent studies have highlighted new botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) applications in the field of dermatology. Objective: To review current knowledge of BoNT use in dermatology. Methods: The literature of the last 5 years has been reviewed. Results: We describe interesting protocols of BoNT treatment for hyperhidrosis (HH), hypertrophic scars and keloids, Raynaud phenomenon, facial flushing, oily skin, psoriasis, Hailey-Hailey disease, and cutaneous lesions like painful lesions and periorbital syringomas. Conclusions: Several skin conditions eligible for BoNT treatment have been described. After the wide application for HH treatment, scars as well as vascular and inflammatory skin disorders, oily skin and cutaneous lesions represent fields of application of BoNT.

scholarly journals Synthetic protocell biology: from reproduction to computation

2007 ◽  
Vol 362 (1486) ◽  
pp. 1727-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricard V Solé ◽  
Andreea Munteanu ◽  
Carlos Rodriguez-Caso ◽  
Javier Macía
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Biochemical Networks ◽  
Cellular Structures ◽  
Biological Complexity ◽  
Artificial Cell ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Cooperative Dynamics ◽  
The Origin Of Life ◽  
Review Current

Cells are the building blocks of biological complexity. They are complex systems sustained by the coordinated cooperative dynamics of several biochemical networks. Their replication, adaptation and computational features emerge as a consequence of appropriate molecular feedbacks that somehow define what life is. As the last decades have brought the transition from the description-driven biology to the synthesis-driven biology, one great challenge shared by both the fields of bioengineering and the origin of life is to find the appropriate conditions under which living cellular structures can effectively emerge and persist. Here, we review current knowledge (both theoretical and experimental) on possible scenarios of artificial cell design and their future challenges.

scholarly journals Lung Interstitial Macrophages: Past, Present, and Future

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joey Schyns ◽  
Fabrice Bureau ◽  
Thomas Marichal
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Alveolar Macrophages ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Allergic Airway Inflammation ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Review Current

For a long time, investigations about the lung myeloid compartment have been mainly limited to the macrophages located within the airways, that is, the well-known alveolar macrophages specialized in recycling of surfactant molecules and removal of debris. However, a growing number of reports have highlighted the complexity of the lung myeloid compartment, which also encompass different subsets of dendritic cells, tissue monocytes, and nonalveolar macrophages, called interstitial macrophages (IM). Recent evidence supports that, in mice, IM perform important immune functions, including the maintenance of lung homeostasis and prevention of immune-mediated allergic airway inflammation. In this article, we describe lung IM from a historical perspective and we review current knowledge on their characteristics, ontogeny, and functions, mostly in rodents. Finally, we emphasize some important future challenges for the field.

scholarly journals HYPOXIA AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: The presence and role of hypoxia in the endometrium

Reproduction ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. F1-F17
Author(s):  
Rocío Martínez-Aguilar ◽  
Lucy E Kershaw ◽  
Jane J Reavey ◽  
Hilary O D Critchley ◽  
Jacqueline A Maybin
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hypoxic Episode ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Review Current

The endometrium is a multicellular tissue that is exquisitely responsive to the ovarian hormones. The local mechanisms of endometrial regulation to ensure optimal function are less well characterised. Transient physiological hypoxia has been proposed as a critical regulator of endometrial function. Herein, we review the literature on hypoxia in the non-pregnant endometrium. We discuss the pros and cons of animal models, human laboratory studies and novel in vivo imaging for the study of endometrial hypoxia. These research tools provide mounting evidence of a transient hypoxic episode in the menstrual endometrium and suggest that endometrial hypoxia may be present at the time of implantation. This local hypoxia may modify the inflammatory environment, influence vascular remodelling and modulate endometrial proliferation to optimise endometrial function. Finally, we review current knowledge of the impact of this hypoxia on endometrial pathologies, with a focus on abnormal uterine bleeding. Throughout the manuscript areas for future research are highlighted with the aim of concentrating research efforts to maximise future benefits for women and society.

scholarly journals Oral iron administration in suckling piglets – a review

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Svoboda ◽  
Karolína Píšťková
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Oral Iron ◽  
Iron Dextran ◽  
Iron Chelates ◽  
Iron Administration ◽  
Iron Salts ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
Review Current

Iron deficiency is presently a serious problem in suckling piglets on pig farms. The most often used method of anaemia prevention in piglets is parenteral administration of iron dextran. Oral iron represents an alternative to this method. The goal of this article is to review current knowledge on oral iron administration in suckling piglets. The substances that can be used for this purpose include iron dextran, iron salts, iron chelates, carbonyl iron, an iron polymaltose complex and iron microparticles. The different methods of oral iron administration in piglets are discussed.

Small vessel disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 203-212
Author(s):  
Fergus N Doubal ◽  
Anna Poggesi ◽  
Leonardo Pantoni ◽  
Joanna M Wardlaw
Keyword(s):  
Small Vessel Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Intrinsic Disorder ◽  
Small Vessel ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
World Region ◽  
Vessel Disease ◽  
Cerebral Arterioles ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Review Current

‘Small vessel disease’ describes a combination of neuroradiological and clinical features that are due to an intrinsic disorder of the small cerebral arterioles, capillaries, and venules in varying proportions. It is very common, usually sporadic, although rare monogenic forms are well described. The commonest presentations are with stroke or cognitive impairment. The cause of the small vessel abnormalities in the sporadic form is not well understood and the brain damage is generally attributed to ischaemia secondary to the vessel abnormality. However, evidence for altered microvessel function and blood brain barrier failure is accumulating. The commonest risk factors are increasing age, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes, but environmental and lifestyle factors are also important although poorly understood. Whether the imaging features or incidence of small vessel-related stroke or dementia vary by world region is unknown. We review current knowledge on presentation, aetiology, incidence, and prevalence of sporadic small vessel disease.

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