scholarly journals Plantago media L.—Explored and Potential Applications of an Underutilized Plant

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 265
Author(s):  
Radu Claudiu Fierascu ◽  
Irina Fierascu ◽  
Alina Ortan ◽  
Alina Paunescu
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
In Vivo Assays ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Plantago Media

The search of valuable natural compounds should be directed towards alternative vegetal resources, and to the re-discovery of underutilized plants. Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, the hoary plantain (Plantago media L.) represents one of the lesser studied species from the Plantago genus. The literature study revealed the under-utilization of the hoary plantain, a surprising aspect, considering its widespread. If the composition of Plantago media L. is rather well established, its applications are not nearly studied as for other Plantago species. The goal of the present paper is to summarize the findings regarding the applications of P. media, and, having as starting point the applications of related species, to propose new emerging areas of research, such as the biomedical applications validation through in vivo assays, and the evaluation of its potential towards industrial applications (i.e., development of food or personal care products), pisciculture or zootechny, phytoremediation and other environmental protection applications, or in the nanotechnology area (materials phytosynthesis). The present work constitutes not only a brief presentation of this plant’s present and potential applications, but also an invitation to research groups world-wide to explore the available vegetal resources.

scholarly journals Graphene Family Nanomaterials: Properties and Potential Applications in Dentistry

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyu Ge ◽  
Luming Yang ◽  
Fang Xiao ◽  
Yani Wu ◽  
Tingting Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
New Materials ◽  
Clinical Reality ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
Potential Applications

Graphene family nanomaterials, with superior mechanical, chemical, and biological properties, have grabbed appreciable attention on the path of researches seeking new materials for future biomedical applications. Although potential applications of graphene had been highly reviewed in other fields of medicine, especially for their antibacterial properties and tissue regenerative capacities, in vivo and in vitro studies related to dentistry are very limited. Therefore, based on current knowledge and latest progress, this article aimed to present the recent achievements and provide a comprehensive literature review on potential applications of graphene that could be translated into clinical reality in dentistry.

Calcium Carbonate and Cellulose/Calcium Carbonate Composites: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications

2016 ◽  
Vol 875 ◽  
pp. 24-44
Author(s):  
Ming Guo Ma ◽  
Shan Liu ◽  
Lian Hua Fu
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Precipitation Method ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Water Pretreatment ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Co Precipitation

CaCO3 has six polymorphs such as vaterite, aragonite, calcite, amorphous, crystalline monohydrate, and hexahydrate CaCO3. CaCO3 is a typical biomineral that is abundant in both organisms and nature and has important industrial applications. Cellulose could be used as feedstocks for producing biofuels, bio-based chemicals, and high value-added bio-based materials. In the past, more attentions have been paid to the synthesis and applications of CaCO3 and cellulose/CaCO3 nanocomposites due to its relating properties such as mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradation, and bioactivity, and potential applications including biomedical, antibacterial, and water pretreatment fields as functional materials. A variety of synthesis methods such as the hydrothermal/solvothermal method, biomimetic mineralization method, microwave-assisted method, (co-) precipitation method, and sonochemistry method, were employed to the preparation of CaCO3 and cellulose/CaCO3 nanocomposites. In this chapter, the recent development of CaCO3 and cellulose/CaCO3 nanocomposites has been reviewed. The synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications of CaCO3 and cellulose/CaCO3 nanocomposites are summarized. The future developments of CaCO3 and cellulose/CaCO3 nanocomposites are also suggested.

scholarly journals Neutral high-generation phosphorus dendrimers inhibit macrophage-mediated inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (37) ◽  
pp. E7660-E7669 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Posadas ◽  
L. Romero-Castillo ◽  
N. El Brahmi ◽  
D. Manzanares ◽  
S. Mignani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Human Monocyte ◽  
Mononuclear Phagocytes ◽  
Monocytes And Macrophages ◽  
Potential Applications

Inflammation is part of the physiological response of the organism to infectious diseases caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Innate immunity, mediated by mononuclear phagocytes, including monocytes and macrophages, is a first line of defense against infectious diseases and plays a key role triggering the delayed adaptive response that ensures an efficient defense against pathogens. Monocytes and macrophages stimulation by pathogen antigens results in activation of different signaling pathways leading to the release of proinflammatory cytokines. However, inflammation can also participate in the pathogenesis of several diseases, the autoimmune diseases that represent a relevant burden for human health. Dendrimers are branched, multivalent nanoparticles with a well-defined structure that have a high potential for biomedical applications. To explore new approaches to fight against the negative aspects of inflammation, we have used neutral high-generation phosphorus dendrimers bearing 48 (G3) or 96 (G4) bisphosphonate groups on their surface. These dendrimers show no toxicity and have good solubility and chemical stability in aqueous solutions. Here, we present data indicating that neutral phosphorus dendrimers show impressive antiinflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, these dendrimers reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from mice and human monocyte-derived macrophages. In addition, these molecules present efficient antiinflammatory activity in vivo in a mouse model of subchronic inflammation. Taken together, these data suggest that neutral G3-G4 phosphorus dendrimers have strong potential applications in the therapy of inflammation and, likely, of autoimmune diseases.

Nanotechnology: Nanomedicine, Nanotoxicity and Future Challenges

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Kumar ◽  
Ashish K. Choudhary ◽  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
Saurabh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Drug Delivery ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Hybrid Nanostructures ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Molecular Framework

Introduction: This review gives an overview of interesting properties of nanoparticles finding potential applications in nanomedicines and their considerations that need to be made such as toxicity while developing a nanomedicine by providing an understanding of a relationship between nanocarrier, targeting moieties and drugs with optical and magnetic properties. Here, we correlate the interesting properties of nanomaterials to their applications in living cells/body simultaneously promises, prospects and toxicity challenges of nanomedicines have also been discussed in detail. Exemplifying the usage of gold nanoparticles and its derivatives such as hetero and homo hybrid nanostructures that allow their use as contrast agents, therapeutic entities and supports to attach functional molecules and targeting ligand along with molecular framework structures. Here, we present the future prospects for potential applications in nanomedicines. These nanomaterials have been used for varieties of biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery, photothermal cancer therapies, MRI, optical imaging, etc. in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: In summary, this review provides innumerable aspects in the emerging field of nanomedicine and possible nanotoxicity.

scholarly journals Paradigm shift in eukaryotic biocrystallization

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Pilatova ◽  
Tomas Panek ◽  
Miroslav Obornik ◽  
Ivan Cepicka ◽  
Peter Mojzes
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Crystalline Inclusions ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
Cellular Inclusions ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Scant Attention

Despite the widespread occurrence of crystalline inclusions in unicellular eukaryotes, scant attention has been paid to their composition, functions, and evolutionary origins, assuming just their inorganic contents. The advent of Raman microscopy, still scarcely used for biological samples, allowed chemical characterization of cellular inclusions in vivo. Using this method, herein we provide a substantial revision of the cellular crystalline inclusions across the broad diversity of eukaryotes examining all major supergroups. Surprisingly, here we show that 80 % of these crystalline inclusions contain purines, mostly anhydrous guanine (62 %), guanine monohydrate (2 %), uric acid (12 %) and xanthine (4 %). Hence, our findings indicate that purine biocrystallization is a very general and an ancestral eukaryotic process operating by an as-yet-unknown mechanism. Purine crystalline inclusions are high-capacity and rapid-turnover reserves of nitrogen of a great metabolic importance, as well as optically active elements, e.g., present in the light sensing eyespots of flagellates, possessing even more hypothetical functions. Thus, we anticipate our work to be a starting point for more in-depth studies of this phenomenon on the detailed level spanning from cell biology to global ecology, with further potential applications in biotechnologies, bio-optics or in human medicine.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Microswimmers for Biomedical Applications

Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1048
Author(s):  
Ada-Ioana Bunea ◽  
Rafael Taboryski
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Clinical Translation ◽  
Cargo Transport ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Fast Pace ◽  
Potential Applications

Microswimmers are a rapidly developing research area attracting enormous attention because of their many potential applications with high societal value. A particularly promising target for cleverly engineered microswimmers is the field of biomedical applications, where many interesting examples have already been reported for e.g., cargo transport and drug delivery, artificial insemination, sensing, indirect manipulation of cells and other microscopic objects, imaging, and microsurgery. Pioneered only two decades ago, research studies on the use of microswimmers in biomedical applications are currently progressing at an incredibly fast pace. Given the recent nature of the research, there are currently no clinically approved microswimmer uses, and it is likely that several years will yet pass before any clinical uses can become a reality. Nevertheless, current research is laying the foundation for clinical translation, as more and more studies explore various strategies for developing biocompatible and biodegradable microswimmers fueled by in vivo-friendly means. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the reported biomedical applications of microswimmers, with focus on the most recent advances. Finally, the main considerations and challenges for clinical translation and commercialization are discussed.

Biomedical applications: Pitfalls in the practice

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 378-379
Author(s):  
J. D. Shelburne ◽  
Peter Ingram ◽  
Victor L. Roggli ◽  
Ann LeFurgey
Keyword(s):  
Operating Room ◽  
Liquid Nitrogen ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Microprobe Analysis ◽  
Tissue Sample ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Asbestos Fibers

At present most medical microprobe analysis is conducted on insoluble particulates such as asbestos fibers in lung tissue. Cryotechniques are not necessary for this type of specimen. Insoluble particulates can be processed conventionally. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that conventional processing is unacceptable for specimens in which electrolyte distributions in tissues are sought. It is necessary to flash-freeze in order to preserve the integrity of electrolyte distributions at the subcellular and cellular level. Ideally, biopsies should be flash-frozen in the operating room rather than being frozen several minutes later in a histology laboratory. Electrolytes will move during such a long delay. While flammable cryogens such as propane obviously cannot be used in an operating room, liquid nitrogen-cooled slam-freezing devices or guns may be permitted, and are the best way to achieve an artifact-free, accurate tissue sample which truly reflects the in vivo state. Unfortunately, the importance of cryofixation is often not understood. Investigators bring tissue samples fixed in glutaraldehyde to a microprobe laboratory with a request for microprobe analysis for electrolytes.

Biological and biomedical applications of collagenous biomaterials

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 856-857
Author(s):  
Yasushi P. Kato ◽  
Michael G. Dunn ◽  
Frederick H. Silver ◽  
Arthur J. Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Collagen Fibers ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Cover Slip ◽  
Fibroblast Migration ◽  
Cellular Expression ◽  
Defect Repair

Collagenous biomaterials have been used for growing cells in vitro as well as for augmentation and replacement of hard and soft tissues. The substratum used for culturing cells is implicated in the modulation of phenotypic cellular expression, cellular orientation and adhesion. Collagen may have a strong influence on these cellular parameters when used as a substrate in vitro. Clinically, collagen has many applications to wound healing including, skin and bone substitution, tendon, ligament, and nerve replacement. In this report we demonstrate two uses of collagen. First as a fiber to support fibroblast growth in vitro, and second as a demineralized bone/collagen sponge for radial bone defect repair in vivo.For the in vitro study, collagen fibers were prepared as described previously. Primary rat tendon fibroblasts (1° RTF) were isolated and cultured for 5 days on 1 X 15 mm sterile cover slips. Six to seven collagen fibers, were glued parallel to each other onto a circular cover slip (D=18mm) and the 1 X 15mm cover slip populated with 1° RTF was placed at the center perpendicular to the collagen fibers. Fibroblast migration from the 1 x 15mm cover slip onto and along the collagen fibers was measured daily using a phase contrast microscope (Olympus CK-2) with a calibrated eyepiece. Migratory rates for fibroblasts were determined from 36 fibers over 4 days.

Enzyme Promiscuous Activity: How to Define it and its Evolutionary Aspects

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 400-410
Author(s):  
Valentina De Luca ◽  
Luigi Mandrich
Keyword(s):  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Enzyme Promiscuity ◽  
Primary Activity ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Main Activity

: Enzymes are among the most studied biological molecules because better understanding enzymes structure and activity will shed more light on their biological processes and regulation; from a biotechnological point of view there are many examples of enzymes used with the aim to obtain new products and/or to make industrial processes less invasive towards the environment. Enzymes are known for their high specificity in the recognition of a substrate but considering the particular features of an increasing number of enzymes this is not completely true, in fact, many enzymes are active on different substrates: this ability is called enzyme promiscuity. Usually, promiscuous activities have significantly lower kinetic parameters than to that of primary activity, but they have a crucial role in gene evolution. It is accepted that gene duplication followed by sequence divergence is considered a key evolutionary mechanism to generate new enzyme functions. In this way, promiscuous activities are the starting point to increase a secondary activity in the main activity and then get a new enzyme. The primary activity can be lost or reduced to a promiscuous activity. In this review we describe the differences between substrate and enzyme promiscuity, and its rule in gene evolution. From a practical point of view the knowledge of promiscuity can facilitate the in vitro progress of proteins engineering, both for biomedical and industrial applications. In particular, we report cases regarding esterases, phosphotriesterases and cytochrome P450.

Conjugates of Classical DNA/RNA Binder with Nucleobase: Chemical, Biochemical and Biomedical Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (30) ◽  
pp. 5609-5624
Author(s):  
Dijana Saftić ◽  
Željka Ban ◽  
Josipa Matić ◽  
Lidija-Marija Tumirv ◽  
Ivo Piantanida
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
New Class ◽  
Rna Targets ◽  
Covalently Linked ◽  
Structural Aspects

: Among the most intensively studied classes of small molecules (molecular weight < 650) in biomedical research are small molecules that non-covalently bind to DNA/RNA, and another intensively studied class is nucleobase derivatives. Both classes have been intensively elaborated in many books and reviews. However, conjugates consisting of DNA/RNA binder covalently linked to nucleobase are much less studied and have not been reviewed in the last two decades. Therefore, this review summarized reports on the design of classical DNA/RNA binder – nucleobase conjugates, as well as data about their interactions with various DNA or RNA targets, and even in some cases protein targets are involved. According to these data, the most important structural aspects of selective or even specific recognition between small molecule and target are proposed, and where possible related biochemical and biomedical aspects were discussed. The general conclusion is that this, rather new class of molecules showed an amazing set of recognition tools for numerous DNA or RNA targets in the last two decades, as well as few intriguing in vitro and in vivo selectivities. Several lead research lines show promising advancements toward either novel, highly selective markers or bioactive, potentially druggable molecules.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document