Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 22, Issue 11, 2016
Volume 22, Issue 11, 2016
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Targeted Drug Delivery and Imaging Using Mobile Milli/Microrobots: A Promising Future Towards Theranostic Pharmaceutical Design
Authors: Ajay Vikram Singh and Metin SittiMiniature untethered medical robots have been receiving growing attention due to technological advances in microactuation, microsensors, and microfabrication and have significant potential to reduce the invasiveness and improve the accessibility of medical devices into unprecedented small spaces inside the human body. In this review, we discuss therapeutic and diagnostic applications of untethered medical microrobots. Wirelessly controlled milli/microrobots with integrated sensors are revolutionizing micromanipulation based medical interventions and are enabling doctors to perform minimally invasive procedures not possible before. 3D fabrication technologies enabling milli/microrobot fabrication at the single cell scale are empowering high-resolution visual imaging and in vivo manipulation capabilities. Swallowable millirobots and injectabale ocular microrobots allow the gastric ulcer imaging, and performance of vitreoretinal microsurgery at previously inaccessible ocular sites. Many invasive excision and incision based diagnostic biopsy, prostrate, and nephrolgical procedures can be performed minimally or almost noninvasively due to recent advancements in microrobotic technology. Advances in biohybrid microrobot systems are pushing microrobotic systems even smaller, using biological cells as on-board microactuators and microsensors using the chemical energy. Such microrobotic systems could be used for local targeted delivery of imaging contrast agents, drugs, genes, and mRNA, minimally invasive surgery, and cell micromanipulation in the near future.
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Multiple Roles of Biosurfactants in Biofilms
Microbial growth and biofilms formation are a continuous source of contamination on most surfaces with biological, inanimate, natural or man-made. The use of chemical surfactants in daily practice to control growth, presence or adhesion of microorganisms and ultimately the formation of biofilms and biofouling is therefore becoming essential. Synthetic surfactants are, however, not preferred or ideal and biologically derived surface active biosurfactants (BSs) molecules produced mainly by microorganisms are therefore becoming attractive and sought by many industries. The search for innovative and interesting BS molecules that have effective antimicrobial activities and to use as innovative alternatives to chemical surfactants with added antimicrobial value among many other advantages has been ongoing for some time. This review discusses the various roles of BS molecules in association with biofilm formation. Recent updates on several mechanisms involved in biofilm development and control are presented vide this article.
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Coagulation Factor XIIIA (F13A1): Novel Perspectives in Treatment and Pharmacogenetics
Factor XIII (FXIII) is a key molecule in the field of blood coagulation and in the last decades it has weakened attention within the field of angiogenesis and tissue repair. FXIII positively influences wound healing in several tissues by exerting multiple plasma and cellular functions. In the field of haemostasis, FXIII cross-links the neo formed fibrin fibers and supports platelet adhesion to the damaged sub-endothelium warranting a solid architecture. In addition, the pro-angiogenic functions of FXIII are directed by the interaction of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and the integrin αVβ3, on the cell membrane, favouring an important step in the formation of granulation tissue at the wound site for optimal tissue healing. Conversely, the same mechanisms could lead to undesired increased neovascularisation, for example in inflammatory bowel disease or in the retinal degenerative pathologies. The classical symptoms of FXIII deficiency span from intracranial haemorrhage to delay bleeding or the staying of chronic wounds in the skin including impaired mucosal healing. In this view, FXIII bridges primary haemostasis, coagulation and definite tissue healing. Another important recently discovered function ascribed to FXIII is its ability to limit bacterial spreading from the lesion by incorporating specific macromolecules addressed to cellular infiltration, favouring in turn cell migration and survival, as observed also in fibrin-heart cultures for stem cell recruitment. In the field of the novel prognostic biomarkers, the monitoring of the residual circulating FXIII level during acute myocardial infarction has been considered predictive of the post-myocardial infarction healing. Accordingly, adequate FXIII levels can drive and predict the prognosis of complex diseases and the outcome of the associated therapies or interventions. In addition, peculiar pharmacogenetics aspects of the FXIII gene are of extraordinary interest. The present review accounts for the recognized role of FXIII in the healing process and gives some examples on how to use it as prognostic biological/ molecular marker or as potential tailored therapeutic molecule in complex diseases.
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Nanofibre Based Smart Pharmaceutical Scaffolds for Wound Repair and Regenerations
Authors: Charu Dwivedi, Himanshu Pandey, Avinash C. Pandey and Pramod W. RamtekeChronic wounds and ulcers are posing a devastating manifestation on the socioeconomic status across the globe along with the patient compliance. It reinforces a need for the development of successful alternative treatments for the chronic wound care and ulcer management practices. This review explores the progressive developments being made in the fabrication of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds towards elimination of microbial infection from chronic wounds to accelerate the wound healing process. Functional three dimensional nanofibrous scaffolds produced by electrospinning have great potential in a wide spectrum of biomedical practices, such as tissue engineering, drug/gene delivery and wound dressing. Moreover, this review also highlights the materials and post modification methods, such as the functionaliation of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds using growth factors, so that such smart and bioactive nanofibrous scaffolds could be made suitable for wound healing applications.
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Nanomaterials in the Pharmaceuticals: Occurrence, Behaviour and Applications
Authors: Imran Uddin, Siddarthan Venkatachalam, Arka Mukhopadhyay and Mohd Amil UsmaniNanoparticles are an emerging class of multi-functional materials defined by size-dependent properties. The ever-growing interest in nanotechnology research has been attributed to the significant properties and parameters of the nanoparticles that make them more versatile than their bulk counter parts that are expected to have large spectrum impact on existing technologies such as drug delivery, biomedical, therapeutics, healthcare and pharmaceutical. The main objectives of this review are to study the impact, occurrence and behaviour of nanomaterials and their applications in pharmaceuticals. Nano-approaches are being explored globally to enhance bioavailability of drugs and diagnostics. This is due to the extremely small size and large specific surface areas of the nanoparticles that may interact directly with cellular system. Biomacromolecule surface recognition by nanoparticles acts as artificial receptors, which provide a potential tool for controlling cellular and extracellular processes for numerous biological applications such as diagnostics, therapy, drug delivery and biosensing. This review article is expected to broaden our understanding towards the development of nanoparticles based diagnostics, combination therapies in treating different diseases and other pharmaceutical applications.
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Gold Nanomaterials: From Preparation to Pharmaceutical Design and Application
Authors: Michele Rossi, Cristina Della Pina and Ermelinda FallettaThe present mini review offers a brief overview on the preparation and modification of gold nanomaterials (AuNMs) designed for biomedical applications, including biosensors, bioimaging, phototherapy and importantly gene/drug delivery. As biocompatibility is a prerequisite for safe pharmaceutical application, the potential risk of AuNMs to biological systems is also assessed.
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Fighting Diabetes: Lessons from Xenotransplantation and Nanomedicine
Authors: Shabir Hassan, Anha Bhat, Ramesh R. Bhonde and Museer A. LoneIncreasing incidence of diabetes and shortage of specific beta cells, hormonal switches like that of delta and PP cells of the islets for transplantation, have forced the scientific community to look for alternative sources through xenotransplantation and nanomedicine. The Edmonton protocol of islet transplantation has shown proof of principle of long term survival of islets in type I diabetic patients, leading to insulin prick free life. Copious volume of literature exists on the use of mammalian islets, especially of porcine origin for diabetes reversal in humans with follow-up studies upto 10 yrs. There is an obvious lack of pre-clinical results and data in the pig-to-primate model. The difficulty is in reproducing regularly the successful porcine islet isolation. Although some of the parameters have been taken, making xenotransplantation an attractive and viable alternative therapy. However, scarcity of islets is the main hurdle in the success of islet transplantation programs. Since the islet cell receptor and the insulin molecule have remained conserved throughout the evolution of vertebrates, we reviewed islet studies from other vertebrates especially, jawless fish, cartilaginous as well as bony fishes and chick islets. The similarities of chick B islets with human islets in terms of Streptozotocin insensitivity and retention of glucose responsiveness by new born chick islets tempted us to hypothesize the use of fish and chick islets as alternative sources for transplantation to reverse experimental diabetes. Since ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, the islets recovered from lower vertebrates are likely to be less immunogenic and may open possibility of using them without immunosuppression. Complementing xenotransplantation, nanotechnology offers an excellent module for addressing the diabetes problem from detection and treatment points of view. This review attempts to throw some light on both these approaches for an effective management and cure of diabetes.
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Biosystems Engineering of Prokaryotes with Tumor-Killing Capacities
Authors: Ebuzer Kalyoncu, Tolga T. Olmez, Alper D. Ozkan and Omer F. SariogluCertain bacteria selectively attack tumor tissues and trigger tumor shrinkage by producing toxins and modulating the local immune system, but their clinical utility is limited because of the dangers posed by systemic infection. Genetic engineering can be used to minimize the risks associated with tumor-targeting pathogens, as well as to increase their efficiency in killing tumor cells. Advances in genetic circuit design have led to the development of bacterial strains with enhanced tumor-targeting capacities and the ability to secrete therapeutics, cytotoxic proteins and prodrug-cleaving enzymes, which allows their safe and effective use for cancer treatment. The present review details the recent advances in the design and application of these modified bacterial strains.
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Calcium Phosphate System for Gene Delivery: Historical Background and Emerging Opportunities
Authors: Babak Mostaghaci, Brigitta Loretz and Claus-Michael LehrCalcium phosphate system has been used widely in in vitro gene delivery for almost four decades. Excellent biocompatibility and simple application have motivated the researchers to always consider this system in their transfection experiments. However, there was a major drawback regarding the low transfection efficiency of calcium phosphate. Hence, there have been many efforts in order to increase the gene delivery potential of this system. In this paper, the application of calcium phosphate in gene delivery is introduced. Moreover, the recent progresses in the application of calcium phosphate in the delivery of (oligo)nucleotides and different approaches to improve the properties of this system are reviewed.
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Top-Down Versus Bottom-Up Nanoengineering Routes to Design Advanced Oropharmacological Products
Authors: Ajay V. Singh and Krunal K. MehtaEnergy intensive and chemical routes predominately govern modern dental material fabrication involving complex physicochemical approaches. Current interest in dental material design is shifting towards biomineralization method and green chemistry synthesis to support oral tissue biocompatibility and oropharmacology. This review article describes the context of biophysical approaches based on development in nanoengineering to design advance nanomaterials for clinical dentistry. We particularly focus on approaches governing surface texture and hierarchical assembly emphasis based on micro-nanoscale tooth anatomy. Further, this article provides an overview about the merit of micro-nanoscale material design techniques exchanging the traditional dental material. In this context, top-down and bottom-up approaches involving biomimetic nanoengineering route, opportunities and challenges are discussed.
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Pathophysiology of Metastatic Bone Disease and the Role of the Second Generation of Bisphosphonates: From Basic Science to Medicine
Authors: Reham F. Barghash and Wafaa M. AbdouBone metastasis is one of the most common causes of skeletal morbidity in patients with advanced cancer and is manifested as osteoblastic and osteolytic lesions. Bone metastasis occurs as an organized and multistep process involving tumor intravasation and the survived tumor cells in circulation. Extravasation into the secondary site, initiation of tumorgenesis and angiogenesis are also included in developing the bone metastasis. Several studies demonstrated that Zoledronic acid, which belongs to the second generation of BP (nitrogen-containing BPs) class agents, is an important and well-established drug in the treatment of wide range of cancer patients, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma associated with bone metastases.
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Volumes & issues
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Volume 31 (2025)
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Volume 30 (2024)
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Volume 29 (2023)
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Volume 28 (2022)
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Volume 27 (2021)
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Volume 26 (2020)
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Volume 25 (2019)
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Volume 24 (2018)
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Volume 23 (2017)
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Volume 22 (2016)
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Volume 21 (2015)
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Volume 20 (2014)
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Volume 19 (2013)
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Volume 18 (2012)
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Volume 17 (2011)
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Volume 16 (2010)
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Volume 15 (2009)
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Volume 14 (2008)
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Volume 13 (2007)
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Volume 12 (2006)
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Volume 11 (2005)
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Volume 10 (2004)
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Volume 9 (2003)
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Volume 8 (2002)
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Volume 7 (2001)
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Volume 6 (2000)
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