Nanotechnology in veterinary medicine: a review

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this review was to address the applicability of nanotechnology in veterinary medicine, with an emphasis on research in Brazil from 2013 to 2020. Firstly, we introduced to the general aspects of applicability of nanotechnology in veterinary medicine, and lately we pointed the research involving nanoscience performed in Brazil, in the studied period. Nanotechnology is the field of science that has the capacity to organize matter in nanoscale structures (1 to 100 nm), enabling innovations in different areas including biotechnology, agriculture, disease diagnosis, food and clothing industry, electronics, and pharmacological therapies. In veterinary medicine, several studies are being carried out in the world, mainly in the areas that involve search of new treatment options and the development of immunotherapy, as well as in the diagnosis of diseases. In Brazil, it is clear that the use of nanotechnology in veterinary medicine is still incipient, but it can be considered a growing area. In addition, several points have to be reflected and researched, including some adverse effects and implications to validate the safe use of nanotechnology in veterinary medicine. Therefore, this review highlighted the nanotechnology as a promise alternative in the current context of Brazilian technological innovation involving animal health, as well as a possible diagnostic tool and highlighting its potential therapeutic use in disease control in veterinary medicine. Regarding future perspectives, we believed that greater investment in science and technology could contribute to the advancement and strengthening of nanotechnology in Brazil.

What is new about hallux rigidus?

Hallux rigidus (HR) represents one of the most frequent forefoot disorders, together with hallux valgus and lateral toe deformities, being the most frequent degenerative process in the foot and ankle.This publication is the result of the collaboration of colleagues of the Spanish Society of Medicine and Foot and Ankle Surgery (Sociedad Española de Medicina y Cirugía del Pie y Tobillo, SEMCPT) and the Argentinean Society of Medicine and Foot and Leg Surgery (Sociedad Argentina de Medicina y Cirugía de Pie y Pierna, SAMCPP). It is an honor for us to have this work edited in the Journal of the Foot & Ankle, a journal with a marked Latin identity. We really thank Alexandre Leme Godoy-Santos, Chairman of the Editorial Board, for his help and contribution. This update topic has been coordinated by R. Viladot Pericé and A. Viladot Voegeli, together with M. Herrera and M. Núñez-Samper.Considering the interest and the extent of this topic and, according to the coordinators, we have divided the publication into two parts. The first one describes general aspects (definition, etiology, classification, treatment algorithm, etc.) and the conservative treatment of HR, whereas the second one addresses the different surgical techniques described to treat this disease.The aim of this work is to review our knowledge on HR and to perform an update on the innovations that have emerged during the last years.

Multiple meningiomas

Multiple meningiomas are rare conditions that refer to the presentation of two or more meningiomas, simultaneous or not, without the association of neurofibromatosis. We report a case of a 83-year-old woman with a clinical presentation of loss of right visual acuity. After imaging exams, she was diagnosed with three meningiomas, located in the olfactory groove, left temporal-parietal convexity and parasagittal. In addition, a comprehensive review of the literature on pathophysiology, histology, risk factors, clinical presentation, and treatment of multiple meningiomas was carried out, in order to highlight the peculiarities of this condition and to associate it with our reported case. Therefore, this article made it possible to compare the characteristics presented in this patient with general aspects of the conditions reported in the literature review.

Immune Response to COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) invades the host’s cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). ACE2 and TMPRSS2 molecules are highly expressed on the respiratory tract but are also expressed in other organs such as kidneys, heart, and intestine, which could partially explain the multiple organ infection, damage, and failure. During the COVID-19 disease course, patients may develop a dysregulation in the immune response, with an exacerbated production of pro-inflammatory molecules and hypercoagulation, which can collaborate to the increase in tissue damage and death. This chapter will cover general aspects of the innate and adaptive immune response during COVID-19, the impact of comorbidities on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, and the immune response generated by COVID-19 vaccines.

Status and progress of ion-implanted βNMR at TRIUMF

Beta-detected NMR is a type of nuclear magnetic resonance that uses the asymmetric property of radioactive beta decay to provide a “nuclear” detection scheme. It is vastly more sensitive than conventional NMR on a per nuclear spin basis but requires a suitable radioisotope. I briefly present the general aspects of the method and its implementation at TRIUMF, where ion implantation of the NMR radioisotope is used to study a variety of samples including crystalline solids and thin films, and more recently, soft matter and even room temperature ionic liquids. Finally, I review the progress of the TRIUMF βNMR program in the period 2015–2021.