Dendrimer-mediated targeting of angiogenic biomarkers: therapeutic intervention against cancer.

Introduction: Development of novel vascular networks is a fundamental requirement for tumor growth and progression. In the last decade, biomarkers and underlying molecular pathways of angiogenesis have been intensely investigated to disrupt the initiation and progression of tumor angiogenesis. However, the clinical applications of anti-angiogenic agents are constrained due to toxic side effects, acquired drug resistance, and unavailability of validated biomarkers.

Quality by design (QbD) approach-based development of optimized nanocarrier to achieve quality target product profile (QTPP)-targeted lymphatic delivery.

Insulin, commonly used for diabetes treatment, needs better ways to improve its effectiveness and safety due to its challenges with poor permeability and stability. Various system has been developed for oral peptide delivery. The non-targeted system can prevent gastric and enzymatic degradation of peptides but cannot increase the bulk transport of peptides across the membrane.

A Novel Neuroimaging Phenotype in the X-Linked Intellectual Disability with a Missense Mutation of CNKSR2 Gene.

Background: Mental retardation, X-linked, syndromic, Houge type (MRXSHG) is a form of mental retardation characterized by intellectual disability, speech and language impairments, and early-onset seizures. It has been recently recorded in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and only 10 cases have been reported in the literature so far.

Objective: To highlight the novel neuroimaging findings in the pediatric X-linked intellectual disability with a missense mutation of connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of RAS2 (CNKSR2) gene.

Isolated unilateral thalamic venous infarct in a toddler.

Isolated deep cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), especially involving only the right thalamus, is one of the rarest forms of intracranial venous thrombosis in a child. The anatomy and flow patterns of the deep cerebral venous system are complex and usually, the thrombosis of the internal cerebral veins (ICV) results in thalamic infarction bilaterally. The focal infections, thalamic tumours and vascular malformations may have overlapping clinicoradiological patterns.

Selecting the Appropriate First-Line Strategy Based on Hyperdense Vessel Sign in Acute Ischemic Stroke Increases First Pass Recanalization: A Tertiary Center Experience.

 The data pertaining to selecting an optimal first-line strategy (stent retriever [SR] vs. contact aspiration [CA]) based on noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) in cases of acute ischemic stroke consequent to large vessel occlusion (LVO) is lacking.  This article studies the influence of hyperdense vessel sign (HVS) in selecting optimal first-line strategy, with intention of increasing first-pass recanalization (FPR).

Pharmaceutical Applications of Quantum Dots.

Nanotechnology has been utilized in developing novel drug formulations with minimal adverse effects. Nanoparticles in a lower size range with great surface area, increased potency, and easy permeability could be an approach for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Unlike other nanoparticles, quantum dots have specific functional groups, have charges over their surface, and are extremely small in size (2-10nm), which makes them more permeable through tight junctions.

Advances in green synthesis of nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology is a developing branch of pharmaceutical sciences wherein the particles extend in nanosizes and turn out to be more responsive when contrasted with their unique counter parts. In the past numerous years, the utilization of synthetic concoctions and physical strategies were in mould; however, the acknowledgment of their toxic impacts on human well-being and condition influenced serious world view for the researchers. Presently, green synthesis is the watch word for the combination of nanoparticles (NPs) by plants or their metabolites.

Biomedical Applications and Toxicological Aspects of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes.

Currently, nanomedicines exhibit implausible capability in overcoming the hurdles faced in gene therapy, cancer treatments, as well as other life-threatening diseases. Worldwide, the unique features of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are still being explored by researchers to tap their potential. Different types of CNTs exhibit capabilities in the transportation of vaccines, bioactives, and nucleic acids deep into the cell to previously unreachable targets.

Pharmaceutical potential of quantum dots.

Quantum dots (QDs) or fluorescent nanocrystals are designed nanoparticles that are promising for several biological and bio-medical applications as well as drug delivery and simultaneous cellular imaging. QD's have exhibited promising potential primarily in receptor based targeting as a result of their distinctive physicochemical properties. Functionalized QDs (f-QDs) have been developed as effective, safe, nano-sized smart systems to deliver a wide range of bio-actives.

CT Angiography of Peripheral Arterial Disease by 256-Slice Scanner: Accuracy, Advantages and Disadvantages Compared to Digital Subtraction Angiography.

Background: Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) may cause disabling claudication or critical limb ischemia. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) technology has evolved to the level of 256-slice CT scanners which has significantly improved the spatial and temporal resolution of the images. This has provided the capability of chasing the contrast bolus at a fast speed enabling angiographic imaging of long segments of the body.

Advances in siRNA delivery in cancer therapy.

RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutic approaches are under vibrant scrutinisation to seek cancer cure. siRNA suppress expression of the carcinogenic genes by targeting the mRNA expression. However, in vivo systemic siRNA therapy is hampered by the barriers such as poor cellular uptake, instability under physiological conditions, off-target effects and possible immunogenicity.

Radiological evaluation of sphenozygomatic suture fixation for restoration of orbital volume: A retrospective study.

Purpose: Lateral displacement of fracture zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) can cause significant increase in orbital volume leading to enophthalmos. The aim of this study was to radiologically evaluate the efficacy of sphenozygomatic (SZ) suture fixation for restoration of orbital volume after elevation of the temporalis in cases of fracture ZMC where the fixation of zygomatic arch (ZA) was deemed necessary through latero-posterior approach.

Materials & Methods: 43 operated cases of fracture ZMC using 4-point fixation were divided into two groups.

Targeting luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: A potential therapeutics to treat gynecological and other cancers.

Cancer is a prime healthcare problem that is significantly responsible for universal mortality. Despite distinguished advancements in medical field, chemotherapy is still the mainstay for the treatment of cancers. During chemotherapy, approximately 90% of the administered dose goes to normal tissues, with mere 2-5% precisely reaching the cancerous tissues.

Transferrin functionalized chitosan-PEG nanoparticles for targeted delivery of paclitaxel to cancer cells.

The present investigation was aimed to utilize the stealth property of polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) and active targeting function of transferrin (Tf) by transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis to promote drug delivery to cancer cells. Paclitaxel (PTX) loaded nanoparticles (PTX-NP) were prepared by solvent evaporation method; PEGylation was carried out by coupling amine group present on the surface of NPs with hydroxyl group present on the PEG (NP-PEG). Tf conjugation was carried out by coupling carboxylic group present on the surface of ligand and hydroxyl group present on the PEG (NP-PEG-Tf).

Ligand anchored poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers for brain targeting: Comparative in vitro and in vivo assessment.

The present investigation was aimed at developing various ligands-anchored dendrimers and comparing their brain targeting potential at one platform. Sialic acid (S), glucosamine (G) and concanavalin A (C) anchored poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendritic nanoconjugates were developed and evaluated for delivery of anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel (PTX) to the brain. MTT assay on U373MG human astrocytoma cells indicated IC50 values of 0.

The application of susceptibility-weighted MRI in pre-interventional evaluation of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Background And Purpose: Detection and characterization of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is important to plan appropriate therapeutic management. The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of susceptibility-weighted MRI (SWI) in the pre-therapeutic assessment of DAVF in comparison with gold standard digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

Materials And Methods: Prospectively, 26 patients with DAVFs underwent a thorough clinical examination and MRI including SWI followed by cerebral DSA.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone peptide tethered nanoparticulate system for enhanced antitumoral efficacy of paclitaxel.

Aim: Paclitaxel (PTX) is an effective anticancer agent used in the therapy of a wide variety of cancers. However, the drug is difficult to formulate due to its low solubility, and therefore, it is administered under slow infusion with castor oil/ethanol solution as surfactant that causes serious side effects. This investigation investigates leutinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH)-tethered nanparticulate system as modality for cancer-specific delivery of PTX and therefore minimizing the adverse effects.

Significance of Various Experimental Models and Assay Techniques in Cancer Diagnosis.

The experimental models are of vital significance to provide information regarding biological as well as genetic factors that control the phenotypic characteristics of the disease and serve as the foundation for the development of rational intervention stratagem. This review highlights the importance of experimental models in the field of cancer management. The process of pathogenesis in cancer progression, invasion and metastasis can be successfully explained by employing clinically relevant laboratory models of the disease.

Experimental Models for Evaluation of Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy.

Nanoparticles (NPs), the submicron-sized colloidal particles, have recently generated enormous interest among biomedical scientists, particularly in cancer therapy. A number of models are being used for exploring NPs safety and efficacy. Recently, cancer cell lines have explored as prominent experimental models for evaluating pharmacokinetic parameters, cell viability, cytotoxicity and drug efficacy in tumor cells.

Development and evaluation of targeting ligand-anchored CNTs as prospective targeted drug delivery system.

Our main investigation in the present research was to developt and evaluate targeting ligand-anchored multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as prospective targeted drug delivery system, with a special focus on the MWCNTs surface functionalization (FA-PEG bis-amine functionalized, carboxylated MWCNTs). In vitro release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was studied at pH 7.4 phosphate buffer and 5.

Effect of functionalization on drug delivery potential of carbon nanotubes.

The main aim of the present investigation was to explore the effect of functionalization on drug delivery potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and to compare the in vitro and in vivo cancer targeting potential of doxorubicin HCL (DOX)-loaded ox-/multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), DOX-loaded PEG-MWCNTs and DOX-loaded FA-PEG-MWCNTs. The DOX/PEG-FA-MWCNTs showed enhanced cytotoxicity and were most preferentially taken up by the cancerous cells. The obtained results also support the extended resistance time and sustained release profile of drug-loaded surface-engineered MWCNTs.

Lyophilized mucoadhesive-dendrimer enclosed matrix tablet for extended oral delivery of albendazole.

Dendrimers are multifunctional carriers widely employed for delivering drugs in a variety of disease conditions including HIV/AIDS and cancer. Albendazole (ABZ) is a commonly used anthelmintic drug in human as well as veterinary medicine. In this investigation, ABZ was formulated as a "muco-dendrimer" based sustained released tablet.

Design of multifunctional nanocarriers for delivery of anti-cancer therapy.

Chemotherapy is the major and most widely used therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. The non-specific/non-targeted drug delivery in chemotherapy leads to undesired side effects in normal and healthy tissues, and insufficient dosages to kill cancerous cells. Now-a-days, smart and intelligent multifunctional targeted nanomedicines based on various nanocarriers (dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanoparticles, quantum dots, self-emuslifying lipidic systems and carbon nanohorns etc) are being investigated promisingly in cancer treatment.