Magnetic Nanoparticles Conjugated with Peptides Derived from Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 as a Tool for Targeting Atherosclerosis

Advances in nano-delivery systems based on diagnosis and theranostics strategy for atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease, where early diagnosis and theranostics strategy for AS are crucial for improving outcomes. However, conventional diagnostic techniques are limited in identifying early AS lesions, failing to stop the progression of AS in time. Nano-delivery systems have shown significant potential in AS diagnosis and treatment, offering distinct advantages in plaque identification and enhancing drugs concentration at lesion sites, thereby advancing new-generation theranostics strategy. This review discusses the application of nano-delivery systems based on imaging technology in AS diagnosis, and we further explore recent advancements in combining different imaging technologies with emerging theranostics strategy. In addition, we also discuss the challenges faced by nano-delivery systems for AS diagnosis and theranostics in clinical translation, such as nanoparticle targeting efficiency, cytotoxicity and long-term accumulation, immune clearance and inaccurate disease modelling. Finally, we also provide prospects on nano-delivery systems based on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Isotherm, kinetics and ANN analysis of methylene blue adsorption onto nitrogen doped Ulva lactuca Biochar

This study investigates the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions using a novel adsorbent, green algae (Ulva lactuca)-derived biochar-ammonia (NDULB), produced through activation with 85% sulfuric acid and hydrothermal treatment with ammonium hydroxide. The characterization of NDULB was carried out through various techniques, including BET surface area analysis and scanning electron microscopy, confirming its high surface area and effective porosity for dye adsorption. This work thoroughly examines the effects of initial MB dye concentration, solution pH, contact time, and NDULB dose on adsorption. The adsorption data were modeled using Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms, with the Freundlich model showing the best fit, indicating multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. According to the investigation's findings, with an initial MB concentration of 200 ppm and an NDULB dosage of 1.25 g L-1, the adsorption capacity at equilibrium (qe) is 966.31 mg g-1. Kinetic analysis revealed that the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for the experimental data, suggesting chemisorption as the dominant adsorption mechanism. The artificial neural network modeling has been studied and reported. The study clarifies the effects of multiple variables on adsorption, which might lead to key insights to enlighten the development of effective wastewater treatment strategies. The study demonstrates that NDULB offers a promising, sustainable alternative for MB dye removal in wastewater treatment, with significant implications for large-scale application.

Current targeting strategies and advanced nanoplatforms for atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and it is closely related to many cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, myocardial infraction and angina. Although traditional surgical and pharmacological interventions can effectively retard or slow down the progression of atherosclerosis, it is very difficult to prevent or even reverse this disease. In recent years, with the rapid development of nanotechnology, various nanoagents have been designed and applied to different diseases including atherosclerosis. The unique atherosclerotic microenvironment with signature biological components allows nanoplatforms to distinguish atherosclerotic lesions from normal tissue and to approach plaques specifically. Based on the process of atherosclerotic plaque formation, this review summarises the nanodrug delivery strategies for atherosclerotic therapy, trying to provide help for researchers to understand the existing atherosclerosis management approaches as well as challenges and to reasonably design anti-atherosclerotic nanoplatforms.

Nanomedicine: A great boon for cardiac regenerative medicine

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a significant global health challenge, remaining the leading cause of illness and mortality worldwide. The adult heart's limited regenerative capacity poses a major obstacle in repairing extensive damage caused by conditions like myocardial infarction. In response to these challenges, nanomedicine has emerged as a promising field aimed at improving treatment outcomes through innovative drug delivery strategies. Nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles (NPs), offer a revolutionary approach by facilitating targeted delivery of therapeutic agents directly to the heart. This precise delivery system holds immense potential for treating various cardiac conditions by addressing underlying mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, cell death, extracellular matrix remodeling, prosurvival signaling, and angiogenic pathways associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the fundamental mechanisms involved in cardiac remodeling and regeneration. We explore how nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can effectively target the afore-mentioned mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss clinical trials that have utilized nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems specifically designed for cardiac applications. These trials demonstrate the potential of nanomedicine in clinical settings, paving the way for future advancements in cardiac therapeutics through precise and efficient drug delivery. Overall, nanomedicine holds promise in revolutionizing the treatment landscape of cardiovascular diseases by offering targeted and effective therapeutic strategies that address the complex pathophysiology of cardiac injuries.

Nanoparticles as a Novel Platform for Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis and Therapy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health issue with high mortality and morbidity rates. With the advances in nanotechnology, nanoparticles are receiving increasing attention in diagnosing and treating CVD. Previous studies have explored the use of nanoparticles in noninvasive diagnostic technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Nanoparticles have been extensively studied as drug carriers and prognostic factors, demonstrating synergistic efficacy. This review summarized the current applications of nanoparticles in CVD and discussed their opportunities and challenges for further exploration.

Molecular imaging nanoprobes and their applications in atherosclerosis diagnosis

Molecular imaging has undergone significant development in recent years for its excellent ability to image and quantify biologic processes at cellular and molecular levels. Its application is of significance in cardiovascular diseases, particularly in diagnosing them at early stages. Atherosclerosis is a complex, chronic, and progressive disease that can lead to serious consequences such as heart strokes or infarctions. Attempts have been made to detect atherosclerosis with molecular imaging modalities. Not only do imaging modalities develop rapidly, but research of relevant nanomaterials as imaging probes has also been increasingly studied in recent years. This review focuses on the latest developments in the design and synthesis of probes that can be utilized in computed tomography, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging and combined modalities. The challenges and future developments of nanomaterials for molecular imaging modalities are also discussed.

Ultrafine CuO/graphene oxide cellulose nanocomposites with complementary framework for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants removal

Efficient and sustainable methods for eliminating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants (PAHPs) are in highly desired. Proven technologies involve physical and chemical reactions that absorb PAHPs, however they encounter formidable challenges. Here, a bottom-up refining-grain strategy is proposed to rationally design ultrafine CuO/graphene oxide-cellulose nanocomposites (LCelCCu) with a mirror-like for tetracycline (TC) to substantially improve the efficient of the purification process by active integrated-sorption. The LCelCCu captures TC with a higher affinity and lower energy demand, as determined by sorption kinetic, isotherms, thermodynamics, and infrared and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The resulting material could achieve ultra-high sorption capacity (2775.23 mg/g), kinetic (1.2499 L g-1 h-1) and high selectivity (up to 99.9 %) for TC, nearly surpassing all recent adsorbents. This study simultaneously unveils the pioneering role of simultaneous multi-site match sorption and subsequent advanced oxidation synergistically, fundamentally enhancing understanding of the structure-activity-selectivity relationship and inspires more sustainable water purification applications and broader material design considerations.

Advances in the treatment of atherosclerosis with ligand-modified nanocarriers

Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease associated with metabolism, poses a significant risk to human well-being. Currently, existing treatments for atherosclerosis lack sufficient efficiency, while the utilization of surface-modified nanoparticles holds the potential to deliver highly effective therapeutic outcomes. These nanoparticles can target and bind to specific receptors that are abnormally over-expressed in atherosclerotic conditions. This paper reviews recent research (2018-present) advances in various ligand-modified nanoparticle systems targeting atherosclerosis by specifically targeting signature molecules in the hope of precise treatment at the molecular level and concludes with a discussion of the challenges and prospects in this field. The intention of this review is to inspire novel concepts for the design and advancement of targeted nanomedicines tailored specifically for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Nickel and cobalt-based tungstate nanocomposites as promising electrocatalysts in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells

In this work, a non-precious group metal (non-PGM) electrocatalyst based on transition metals is introduced as a promising solution for enhancing the efficiency of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Nickel-cobalt mixed tungstate was prepared using a simple co-precipitation method with different molar ratios of Ni, Co and W. The prepared materials were tested and validated using different characterization techniques. It was observed using SEM that the materials are agglomerated amorphous random circular nanocomposite structures. The electrochemical performance of the prepared electrocatalysts revealed that the best nanocomposite was the one with the Ni : Co : W ratio of 1 : 1 : 1.5 (W1.5). This composite showed a higher current density of 229 mA cm-2 towards methanol oxidation at a scan rate of 50 mV s-1 in 1 M methanol at 0.6 V, with the lowest onset potential of 0.33 V. The obtained results present a new strong non-PGM material for direct methanol electro-oxidation reactions and open new doors for economic and earth-abundant electrocatalysts as an alternative to expensive commercially available catalysts.

Biochar‐C‐TETA as a superior adsorbent to acid yellow 17 dye from water: isothermal and kinetic studies

Adsorbents from local materials with high adsorption capacity (Qm) are strongly needed. In this study, mandarin peels (MP) as a local waste material were refluxed in 80% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to produce a novel biochar, which was oxidized by boiling in 50% hydrogen perioxide (H2O2) and then aminated via refluxing in tetraacetic acid (TETA) to produce mandarin biochar‐C‐TETA (MBCT). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermgravimetric analysis (TGA) studied various characterizations of MBCT. The optimal pH for AY17 dye absorption was discovered to be 1.5 using 0.75 g L−1 MBCT, the maximum absorption capacity predicted for the MBCT was 1250 mg g−1. The high new absorption peaks at 1439.89 and 1362.38 cm−1 in MBCT imply that amino groups were successfully generated onto the surface of MBCT due to TETA treatment. The experimental data were examined using the Langmuir (LNR) and Freundlich (FRH) isotherm models. The FRH best explained the experimental MBCT data. The pseudo‐first‐order (PFOM) and pseudo‐second‐order (PSOM) models, intraparticle diffusion (INDM) and film diffusion (FDM) models were applied to calculate the kinetic data. The PFOM rate model ideally defined the absorption of AY17 dye to MBCT with a linear regression coefficient (R2 > 0.99). The key mechanism for absorbing AY17 dye molecules to MBCT was chemisorption, which entails the distribution or exchange of electrons between the absorbent and the dye due to the valency force. According to the findings, the novel MBCT adsorbent had a remarkable adsorption capacity (Qm = 1250 mg g−1) and could be reused without losing its absorption effectiveness. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Fabrication of Pea pods biochar-NH2 (PBN) for the adsorption of toxic Cr6+ ion from aqueous solution

Chromium (Cr) ion is regarded as a particularly hazardous contaminant due to its high toxicity and potential carcinogens. The Cr6+ ions were removed in the current work using a new fabricated low-cost adsorbent called Pea pods biochar-NH2 (PBN). PBN was characterized using BET, BJH, SEM, FTIR, TGA, DSC, XRD, XPS and EDX. The surface area and the pore size of PBN were decreased due to the amination process on the pea pods’ biochar-H2O2 (PBO). Optimized condition of different parameters of Cr6+ ions adsorption by PBN was observed at the pH 1.5, contact time (180 min), starting concentration (100 mg/L), and 0.1 g of PBN. The maximal adsorption capacity (Qm) of PBN is 384.62 mg/g. Different error models were used to test the isotherm models’ results. The mechanism of the adsorption was proposed based on the XPS analysis. The adsorption process had an R2 value of 0.999 as the best fit with the Freundlich isotherm (FIM) and pseudo-second-order kinetic (PSOM) models. These obtained data explored that the generated PBN can be a novel, cost-effective material for the adsorption of Cr6+ ions from an aqueous solution.

Molecularly targeted nanomedicine enabled by inorganic nanoparticles for atherosclerosis diagnosis and treatment

Atherosclerosis, a chronic cardiovascular disease caused by plaque development in arteries, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by the expression and regulation of key molecules such as cell surface receptors, cytokines, and signaling pathway proteins, potentially facilitating precise diagnosis and treatment on a molecular level by specifically targeting the characteristic molecules. In this review, we highlight the recent progress in the past five years on developing molecularly targeted nanomedicine for imaging detection and treatment of atherosclerosis with the use of inorganic nanoparticles. Through targeted delivery of imaging contrast nanoparticles to specific molecules in atherogenesis, atherosclerotic plaque development at different stages could be identified and monitored via various molecular imaging modalities. We also review molecularly targeted therapeutic approaches that target and regulate molecules associated with lipid regulation, inflammation, and apoptosis. The review is concluded with discussion on current challenges and future development of nanomedicine for atherosclerotic diagnosis and treatment.

Biopolymeric Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/Calcium Alginate Aerogel for the Decontamination of Pharmaceutical Drug and Microbial Pollutants from Wastewater

The ubiquitous presence of pharmaceutical drugs and microbes in the water is leading to the development of drug resistant microbes. Therefore, efficient materials that can remove or inactivate the drug and microbe contaminants are required. In this work, nickel sulfide/calcium alginate (Ni3S4/CA), silver sulfide/calcium alginate (Ag2S/CA), modified titanium dioxide/calcium alginate (TiO2/CA), and Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/calcium alginate (Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA) aerogels have been synthesized for the removal of the oxytetracycline (OTC) drug and microbial contaminants from real beverage industry wastewater. The results revealed that Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA aerogel is highly efficient for OTC adsorption and inactivation of microbes compared to Ni3S4/CA, Ag2S/CA and TiO2/CA aerogels. The OTC adsorption depends greatly on the solution pH, and optimum OTC removal was observed at pH 6 in its zwitterionic (OTC±) form. The formation of H-bonding and n-π electron donor-acceptors is possible to a considerable extent due to the presence of the double bond benzene ring, oxygen and nitrogen, sulfur-containing functional groups on the OTC molecules, and the Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA aerogel. Based on the statistical analysis, root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), chi square (χ2) values, and higher correlation coefficient (R2) values, the Redlich−Peterson isotherm model and Elovich kinetic model are most suited to modelling the OTC adsorption onto Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA. The prepared aerogels’ excellent antimicrobial activity is observed in the dark and with solar light irradiation. The zone of inhibition analysis revealed that the antimicrobial activity of the aerogels is in the following order: Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA > TiO2/CA > Ag2S/CA > Ni3S4/CA, respectively. Moreover, the antimicrobial results demonstrated that reactive oxygen species, electrons, and active radical species are responsible for growth inhibition and killing of the microbes. These results indicated that Ni3S4/Ag2S/TiO2/CA aerogel is highly efficient in decontaminating pollutants from wastewater.

Progress in Stimuli-Responsive Biomaterials for Treating Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) describe abnormal vascular system conditions affecting the brain and heart. Among these, ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide, resulting in 16% and 11% of deaths globally. Although several therapeutic approaches are presented over the years, the continuously increasing mortality rates suggest the need for more advanced strategies for their treatment. One of these strategies lies in the use of stimuli-responsive biomaterials. These "smart" biomaterials can specifically target the diseased tissue, and after "reading" the altered environmental cues, they can respond by altering their physicochemical properties and/or their morphology. In this review, the progress in the field of stimuli-responsive biomaterials for CCVDs in the last five years, aiming at highlighting their potential as early-stage therapeutics in the preclinical scenery, is described.

Targeted Imaging in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease involved in plaque rupture, stroke, thrombosis, and heart attack (myocardial infarction), which is a leading cause of sudden cardiovascular events. In the past decades, various imaging strategies have been designed and employed for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Targeted imaging can accurately distinguish pathological tissues from normal tissues and reliably reveal biological information in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. By taking advantage of versatile imaging techniques, rationally designed imaging probes targeting biomarkers overexpressed in plaque microenvironments and targeting activated cells by modifying specific ligands accumulated in lesion regions have attracted increasing attention. This Perspective elucidates comprehensively the targeted imaging strategies, current challenges, and future development directions for precise identification and diagnosis of atherosclerosis, which is beneficial to better understand the physiological and pathological progression and exploit novel imaging strategies.

Nanotechnology for cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases have become the major killers in today's world, among which coronary artery diseases (CADs) make the greatest contributions to morbidity and mortality. Although state-of-the-art technologies have increased our knowledge of the cardiovascular system, the current diagnosis and treatment modalities for CADs still have limitations. As an emerging cross-disciplinary approach, nanotechnology has shown great potential for clinical use. In this review, recent advances in nanotechnology in the diagnosis of CADs will first be elucidated. Both the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors for biomarker detection and molecular imaging strategies, such as magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, nuclear scintigraphy, and multimodal imaging strategies, have been greatly increased with the assistance of nanomaterials. Second, various nanomaterials, such as liposomes, polymers (PLGA), inorganic nanoparticles (AuNPs, MnO2, etc.), natural nanoparticles (HDL, HA), and biomimetic nanoparticles (cell-membrane coating) will be discussed as engineered as drug (chemicals, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids) carriers targeting pathological sites based on their optimal physicochemical properties and surface modification potential. Finally, some of these nanomaterials themselves are regarded as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of atherosclerosis because of their intrinsic antioxidative/anti-inflammatory and photoelectric/photothermal characteristics in a complex plaque microenvironment. In summary, novel nanotechnology-based research in the process of clinical transformation could continue to expand the horizon of nanoscale technologies in the diagnosis and therapy of CADs in the foreseeable future.

Monocytes as a convergent nanoparticle therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases

Due to the increasing population of individuals with cardiovascular diseases and related comorbidities, there is an increasing need for development of synergistic therapeutics. Monocytes are implicated in a broad spectrum of diseases and can serve as a focal point for therapeutic targeting. This review discusses the role of monocytes in cardiovascular diseases and highlights trends in monocyte targets nanoparticles in three cardiovascular-related diseases: Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, and HIV. Finally, the review offers perspectives on how to develop nanoparticle monocyte targeting strategies that can be beneficial for treating co-morbidities.

Improving the properties of Fe2O3 by a sparking method under a uniform magnetic field for a high-performance humidity sensor

Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) thin films are promising semiconductors for electronic applications because Fe₂O₃ is an earth-abundant semiconductor with an appropriate band gap. However, many methods for the synthesis of Fe₂O₃ thin films require a corrosive source, complex procedures, and many types of equipment. Here, we report, for the first time, a simple method for Fe₂O₃ deposition using sparking under a uniform magnetic field. The morphology of Fe₂O₃ displayed an agglomeration of particles with a network-like structure. The crystallite size, % Fe content, and optical bandgap of Fe₂O₃ were influenced by changes in the magnitude of the magnetic field. For application in humidity sensors, Fe₂O₃ at a magnetic field of 200 mT demonstrated a sensitivity of 99.81%, response time of 0.33 s, and recovery time of 2.57 s. These results can provide references for new research studies.

Fe₂O₃ deposition by a sparking method under a uniform magnetic field.

The Application of Nanoparticles in Diagnosis and Treatment of Kidney Diseases

Nanomedicine is currently showing great promise for new methods of diagnosing and treating many diseases, particularly in kidney disease and transplantation. The unique properties of nanoparticles arise from the diversity of size effects, used to design targeted nanoparticles for specific cells or tissues, taking renal clearance and tubular secretion mechanisms into account. The design of surface particles on nanoparticles offers a wide range of possibilities, among which antibodies play an important role. Nanoparticles find applications in encapsulated drug delivery systems containing immunosuppressants and other drugs, in imaging, gene therapies and many other branches of medicine. They have the potential to revolutionize kidney transplantation by reducing and preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury, more efficiently delivering drugs to the graft site while avoiding systemic effects, accurately localizing and visualising the diseased site and enabling continuous monitoring of graft function. So far, there are known nanoparticles with no toxic effects on human tissue, although further studies are still needed to confirm their safety.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

In recent years, many promising nanotechnological approaches to biomedical research have been developed in order to increase implementation of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering in clinical practice. In the meantime, the use of nanomaterials for the regeneration of diseased or injured tissues is considered advantageous in most areas of medicine. In particular, for the treatment of cardiovascular, osteochondral and neurological defects, but also for the recovery of functions of other organs such as kidney, liver, pancreas, bladder, urethra and for wound healing, nanomaterials are increasingly being developed that serve as scaffolds, mimic the extracellular matrix and promote adhesion or differentiation of cells. This review focuses on the latest developments in regenerative medicine, in which iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) play a crucial role for tissue engineering and cell therapy. IONPs are not only enabling the use of non-invasive observation methods to monitor the therapy, but can also accelerate and enhance regeneration, either thanks to their inherent magnetic properties or by functionalization with bioactive or therapeutic compounds, such as drugs, enzymes and growth factors. In addition, the presence of magnetic fields can direct IONP-labeled cells specifically to the site of action or induce cell differentiation into a specific cell type through mechanotransduction.

Recent advances in nanomaterials for therapy and diagnosis for atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by lipid accumulation in arteries, leading to narrowing and thrombosis. It affects the heart, brain, and peripheral vessels and is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Researchers have strived to design nanomaterials of various functions, ranging from non-invasive imaging contrast agents, targeted therapeutic delivery systems to multifunctional nanoagents able to target, diagnose, and treat atherosclerosis. Therefore, this review aims to summarize recent progress (2017-now) in the development of nanomaterials and their applications to improve atherosclerosis diagnosis and therapy during the preclinical and clinical stages of the disease.

Targeted Molecular Imaging of Cardiovascular Diseases by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major contributors to global disease burden. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process that involves the accumulation of lipids and fibrous elements in the large arteries, forming an atherosclerotic plaque. Rupture of unstable plaques leads to thrombosis that triggers life-threatening complications such as myocardial infarction. Current diagnostic methods are invasive as they require insertion of a catheter into the coronary artery. Molecular imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, have been developed to image atherosclerotic plaques and thrombosis due to its high spatial resolution and safety. The sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging can be improved with contrast agents, such as iron oxide nanoparticles. This review presents the most recent advances in atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and myocardial infarction molecular imaging using iron oxide-based nanoparticles. While some studies have shown their effectiveness, many are yet to undertake comprehensive testing of biocompatibility. There are still potential hazards to address and complications to diagnosis, therefore strategies for overcoming these challenges are required.

Fabrication of Anisotropic Cu Ferrite-Polymer Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Ablation of Cervical Cancer Cells

In this work we developed methylene blue-immobilized copper-iron nanoparticles (MB-CuFe NPs) through a facile one-step hydrothermal reaction to achieve a better phototherapeutic effect. The Fe/Cu ratio of the CuFe NPs was controllable by merely changing the loading amount of iron precursor concentration. The CuFe NPs could serve as a Fenton catalyst to convert hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into reactive oxygen species (ROS), while the superparamagnetic properties also suggest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potential. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MB photosensitizer could strongly adsorb onto the surface of CuFe NPs to facilitate the drug delivery into cells and improve the photodynamic therapy at 660 nm via significant generation of singlet oxygen species, leading to enhanced cancer cell-damaging efficacy. An MTT (thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide) assay proved the low cytotoxicity of the CuFe NPs to cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells), namely above 80% at 25 ppm of the sample dose. A slight dissolution of Cu and Fe ions from the CuFe NPs in an acidic environment was obtained, providing direct evidence for CuFe NPs being degradable without the risk of long-term retention in the body. Moreover, the tremendous photo-to-thermal conversion of CuFe NPs was examined, which might be combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for promising development in the depletion of cancer cells after a single pulse of deep-red light irradiation at high laser power.

Magnetic nanoparticles: A new diagnostic and treatment platform for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by articular synovitis that eventually leads to the destruction of cartilage and bone in the joints with resulting pain and disability. The current therapies for RA are divided into 4 categories: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, nonbiological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biological DMARDs. Each drug grouping is beset with significant setbacks that not only include limited drug bioavailability and high clearance, but also varying degrees of drug toxicity to normal tissues. Recently, nanotechnology has provided a promising tool for the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic systems in the area of malignant and inflammatory diseases. Among these, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have provided an attractive carrier option for delivery of therapeutic agents. Armed with an extra magnetic probe, MNPs are capable of more accurately targeting the local lesion with avoidance of unpleasant systemic side effects. This review aims to provide an introduction to the applications of magnetic nanoparticles in RA, focusing on the latest advances, challenges, and opportunities for future development.

Two-Phase Biofluid Flow Model for Magnetic Drug Targeting

Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) is a noninvasive method for the medical treatment of various diseases of the cardiovascular system. Biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles loaded with medicinal drugs are carried to a tissue target in the human body (in vivo) under the applied magnetic field. The present study examines the MDT technique in various microchannels geometries by adopting the principles of biofluid dynamics (BFD). The blood flow is considered as laminar, pulsatile and the blood as an incompressible and non-Newtonian fluid. A two-phase model is adopted to resolve the blood flow and the motion of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The numerical results are obtained by utilizing a meshless point collocation method (MPCM) alongside with the moving least squares (MLS) approximation. The numerical results are verified by comparing with published numerical results. We investigate the effect of crucial parameters of MDT, including (1) the volume fraction of nanoparticles, (2) the location of the magnetic field, (3) the strength of the magnetic field and its gradient, (4) the way that MNPs approach the targeted area, and (5) the bifurcation angle of the vessel.

Applications of inorganic nanoparticles in the diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive disease, which may result in serious clinical outcomes, such as acute heart events or stroke with high mortality. At present, the clinical problems of atherosclerosis mainly consist of the difficulty in confirming the plaques or identifying the stability of the plaques in the early phase and the shortage of valid treatments. Fortunately, with the development of nanotechnology, various inorganic nanoparticles with imaging enhancement and noninvasive therapy functions have been studied in the imaging and treatment of atherosclerosis, which has brought new hope to patients. This review focuses on the recent progress in the use of inorganic nanoparticles in the diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis, including the key processes in the development of atherosclerosis and the mainly involved cells, inorganic nanoparticle-based dual-mode imaging methods classified by the types of targeting cells, and inorganic nanoparticle-based therapeutic approaches, such as photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), drug delivery, gene therapy and imaging-guided therapy for atherosclerosis. Finally, this review discusses the challenges and directions of inorganic nanoparticles in potential clinical translation of anti-atherosclerosis in future. We believe this review will enable readers to systematically understand the progress of the inorganic nanoparticle-based imaging and therapy of atherosclerosis and therefore promote the further development of anti-atherosclerosis.

Protein Engineering for Improved Health: Technological Perspectives

Protein engineering has enabled development of novel proteins aimed at disease diagnosis, alleviation and improved health attributes. The present article provides an overview of recent approaches and techniques used to modify proteins at diverse levels, which find therapeutically relevant applications. There is immense interest among researchers to discover new and increasingly valuable solutions for various health related issues and protein engineering could be a possible venue to sort out such problems. In this mini review we have tried to decipher some of the novel aspects of protein engineering in terms of protein-based therapeutics and diagnostics, in-silico tools and related approaches. A special emphasis has been given for some innovative aspects of protein-nanoparticle conjugates; use of artificial intelligence (AI)- based tools and post-translational modifications. Utilization of such approaches in protein engineering might be ground breaking in future research endeavor of researchers across the world.

Atherosclerosis: orchestrating cells and biomolecules involved in its activation and inhibition

The term atherosclerosis refers to the condition of deposition of lipids and other substances in and on the artery walls, called as plaque that restricts the normal blood flow. The plaque may be stable or unstable in nature. Unstable plaque can burst and trigger clot formation adding further adversities. The process of plaque formation involves various stages including fatty streak, intermediate or fibro-fatty lesion and advanced lesion. The cells participating in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque include endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), monocytes, monocytes derived macrophages, macrophages and dendritic cells and regulatory T cells (T_REG). The role of a variety of cytokines and chemokines have been studied which either help in progression of atherosclerotic plaque or vice versa. The cytokines involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation include IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, IL-20, IL-25, IL-27, IL-33, IL-37, TNF-α, TGF-β and IFN-γ; whereas amongst the chemokines (family of small cytokines) are CCL2, CCL3, CXCL4, CCL5, CXCL1, CX3CL1, CCL17, CXCL8, CXCL10, CCL20, CCL19 and CCL21 and macrophage migration-inhibitory factor. These are involved in the atherosclerosis advancements, whereas the chemokine CXCL12 is play atheroprotective roles. Apart this, contradictory functions have been documented for few other chemokines such as CXCL16. Since the cytokines and chemokines are amongst the key molecules involved in orchestrating the atherosclerosis advancements, targeting them might be an effective strategy to encumber the atherosclerotic progression. Blockage of cytokines and chemokines via the means of broad-spectrum inhibitors, neutralizing antibodies, usage of decoy receptors or RNA interference have been proved to be useful intervention against atherosclerosis.

The Therapeutic Potential of Nanoparticles to Reduce Inflammation in Atherosclerosis

Chronic inflammation is one of the main determinants of atherogenesis. The traditional medications for treatment of atherosclerosis are not very efficient in targeting atherosclerotic inflammation. Most of these drugs are non-selective, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents that have adverse effects and very limited anti-atherosclerotic effects, which limits their systemic administration. New approaches using nanoparticles have been investigated to specifically deliver therapeutic agents directly on atherosclerotic lesions. The use of drug delivery systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, and carbon nanotubes are attractive strategies, but some limitations exist. For instance, nanoparticles may alter the drug kinetics, based on the pathophysiological mechanisms of the diseases. In this review, we will update pathophysiological evidence for the use of nanoparticles to reduce inflammation and potentially prevent atherogenesis in different experimental models.

Methylene-Blue-Encapsulated Liposomes as Photodynamic Therapy Nano Agents for Breast Cancer Cells

Methylene blue (MB) is a widely used dye and photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent that can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) after light exposure, triggering apoptosis. However, it is hard for the dye to penetrate through the cell membrane, leading to poor cellular uptake; thus, drug carriers, which could enhance the cellular uptake, are a suitable solution. In addition, the defective vessels resulting from fast vessel outgrowth leads to an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, which gives nanoscale drug carriers a promising potential. In this study, we applied poly(12-(methacryloyloxy)dodecyl phosphorylcholine), a zwitterionic polymer-lipid, to self-assemble into liposomes and encapsulate MB (MB-liposome). Its properties of high stability and fast intracellular uptake were confirmed, and the higher in vitro ROS generation ability of MB-liposomes than that of free MB was also verified. For in vivo tests, we examined the toxicity in mice via tail vein injection. With the features found, MB-liposome has the potential of being an effective PDT nano agent for cancer therapy.

Circulating natural antibodies to inflammatory cytokines are potential biomarkers for atherosclerosis

Background

Inflammatory cytokines contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Natural antibodies in the circulation have protective effects on common diseases including atherosclerosis-related conditions.

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate the possible involvement of circulating IgG antibodies against inflammatory cytokines in atherosclerosis.

Methods

A total of 220 patients with diagnosis of atherosclerosis and 200 healthy controls were recruited. Seven linear peptide antigens were used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in-house for detection of plasma IgG antibodies against interleukin 1β (fragments IL1β-1 and IL1β-2), IL6, IL8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (fragments TNFα-1 and TNFα-2) and IL1α.

Results

Atherosclerotic patients had an increase in the levels of circulating IgG to TNFα-1(adjusted r² = 0.038, p < 0.001) and IL1α (adjusted r² = 0.025, p = 0.002) compared with control subjects. Female patients mainly contributed to increased anti-TNFα-1 IgG levels (adjusted r² = 0.073, p < 0.001) and anti-IL1α IgG levels (adjusted r² = 0.044, p = 0.003). In addition, female patients showed higher anti-IL1β-2 IgG levels than controls (adjusted r² = 0.023, p = 0.026). There was no significant change of circulating IgG antibodies to other cytokines. ROC curve analysis showed an AUC of 0.564 for anti-TNFα-1 IgG assay with 22.8% sensitivity against a specificity of 90.0%, and an AUC of 0.539 for anti-IL1α IgG assay with 17.8% sensitivity against a specificity of 90.0%; the anti-IL1β-2 IgG assay had an AUC of 0.580 with 26.3% sensitivity against a specificity of 89.8% in female patients. There was no correlation between plasma IgG levels and carotid intima-media thickness.

Conclusion

Natural antibodies to inflammatory cytokines may be potential biomarkers for atherosclerosis.