Theranostic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded With a Curcumin-Naphthoquinone Conjugate for Potential Cancer Intervention.

A novel theranostic molecule, derived from curcumin (Cur) and naphthoquinone (NQ), allowing for cancer targeting, detection and treatment was previously described and termed CurNQ. To allow for enhanced theranostic capabilities, advanced drug delivery techniques are required. To this end, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were synthesized and CurNQ was loaded into its pores to form the novel nanosystem MSN_CurNQ.

Synthesis and Properties of CurNQ for the Theranostic Application in Ovarian Cancer Intervention.

Synthesis of a novel theranostic molecule for targeted cancer intervention. A reaction between curcumin and lawsone was carried out to yield the novel curcumin naphthoquinone (CurNQ) molecule (2,2'-((((1E,3Z,6E)-3-hydroxy-5-oxohepta-1,3,6-triene-1,7-diyl) bis(2-methoxy-4,1-phenylene))bis(oxy))bis(naphthalene-1,4-dione). CurNQ's structure was elucidated and was fully characterized.

Oroactive dental biomaterials and their use in endodontic therapy.

Dental biomaterials have revolutionized modern therapies. Untreated dental caries remains the major etiological factor for endodontic treatment, and together with a decreasing rate of tooth loss escalates the importance of continuously improving the materials used for endodontic therapies. Endodontic biomaterials are used for vital pulp therapies, irrigation, intracanal medicaments, obturation and regenerative procedures.

Synthesis, Characterisation and In Vitro Permeation, Dissolution and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Ruthenium(II)-Liganded Sulpiride and Amino Alcohol.

Sulpiride (SPR) is a selective antagonist of central dopamine receptors but has limited clinical use due to its poor pharmacokinetics. The aim of this study was to investigate how metal ligation to SPR may improve its solubility, intestinal permeability and prolong its half-life. The synthesis and characterisation of ternary metal complexes [Ru(p -cymene)(L)(SPR)]PF (L1 = (R)-(+)-2-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol, L2 = ethanolamine, L3 = (S)-(+)-2-amino-1-propanol, L4 = 3-amino-1-propanol, L5 = (S)-(+)-2-pyrrolidinemethanol) are described in this work.

In situ thermo-co-electroresponsive mucogel for controlled release of bioactive agent.

The purpose of this work was to develop an in situ thermosensitive electro-responsive mucoadhesive gel loaded with bioactive agent (nanocomposite) meant for nose to brain delivery in a controllable manner when electric stimulation is applied. Nanocomposite was developed using a combinatorial blending of chitosan, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, pluronic F127 and polyaniline which was then loaded with BCNU-Nano-co-Plex (the bioactive agent). The nanocomposite was a liquid at room temperature but formed an in situ mucogel at a temperature of 27.

Chemotherapeutic Efficacy of Implantable Antineoplastic-Treatment Protocols in an Optimal Mouse Model for Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Targeting.

The present study aimed to design and develop a nanocomposite drug delivery system employing an antineoplastic-loaded antibody functionalized nanomicelle encapsulated within a Chitosan⁻Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)⁻Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (C⁻P⁻N) hydrogel to form an in situ forming implant (ISFI), responsive to temperature and pH for cancer cell-targeting following intraperitoneal implantation. The optimum nanomicelle formulation was surface-functionalized with anti-MUC 16 (antibody) for the targeted delivery of methotrexate to human ovarian carcinoma (NIH:OVCAR-5) cells in Athymic nude mice that expressed MUC16, as a preferential form of intraperitoneal ovarian cancer (OC) chemotherapy. The cross-linked interpenetrating C⁻P⁻N hydrogel was synthesized for the preparation of an in situ-forming implant (ISFI).

Functionalizing bioinks for 3D bioprinting applications.

3D bioprinting has emerged as the intersection between chemistry, biology and technology. Through its integration of cells, biocompatible materials and robotic-controlled dispensing systems, the process enables the production of structures that are biomimetic and functional, thus revolutionizing the concept of tissue engineering. One of the biggest limitations of 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering is the lack of printable materials (bioinks) with all-inclusive properties desirable for the construction of engineered 'bio-physico-functional' tissues and organs.

Nanotechnology and Glycosaminoglycans: Paving the Way Forward for Ovarian Cancer Intervention.

Ovarian cancer (OC) has gained a great deal of attention due to its aggressive proliferative capabilities, high death rates and poor treatment outcomes, rendering the disease the ultimate lethal gynaecological cancer. Nanotechnology provides a promising avenue to combat this malignancy by the niche fabrication of optimally-structured nanomedicines that ensure potent delivery of chemotherapeutics to OC, employing nanocarriers to act as "intelligent" drug delivery vehicles, functionalized with active targeting approaches for precision delivery of chemotherapeutics to overexpressed biomarkers on cancer cells. Recently, much focus has been implemented to optimize these active targeting mechanisms for treatment/diagnostic purposes employing nanocarriers.

Hypothesis: apo-lactoferrin-Galantamine Proteo-alkaloid Conjugate for Alzheimer's disease Intervention.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known to be caused by the accumulation of deformed beta amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins resulting into formation and aggregation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Additionally, AD is associated with the accumulation of iron or metal ions in the brain which causes oxidative stress. Galantamine (Gal) is one of the therapeutic agents that has been approved for the treatment of AD, but still saddled with numerous side effects and could not address the issue of iron accumulation in the brain.

Alternative fluorophores designed for advanced molecular imaging.

Fluorescent molecular imaging has advanced drastically over the past decade. With the development of high-resolution microscopy techniques and the ability to visualize intracellular molecular events, there is a growing need for new fluorophores to accompany these fast-developing techniques. Therefore, there has been substantial development of alternative fluorophores for single-molecule detection and molecular imaging.

Targeted nanotechnologies for cancer intervention: a patent review (2010-2016).

In recent years, several active targeting nanostrategies have been patented for application in cancer theranostics. The versatility of nanostructures in terms of composition, manufacturability, functionalization, and matrix formation make them ideal for carrying large dose of bioactive contents, high density of targeting ligands on their surface, efficient delivery to the site of interest, and capable of forming multicomponent platforms. Areas covered: The patents were classified into polymeric and non-polymeric nanostructures and their applicability in addressing the targeting paradigm related to cancer intervention was explored.

Multi-target therapeutics for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Historically, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disease treatments focused on the 'magic bullet' concept; however multi-targeted strategies are increasingly attractive gauging from the escalating research in this area. Because these diseases are typically co-morbid, multi-targeted drugs capable of interacting with multiple targets will expand treatment to the co-morbid disease condition. Despite their theoretical efficacy, there are significant impediments to clinical success (e.

"On-The-Spot" Arresting of Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycans: Implications for Ovarian Adenocarcinoma Recognition and Intervention.

Ovarian Cancer (OC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death among women. The underlying biochemical cause of OC proliferation is usually attributed to the over-expression of Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycans (CSPGs) wherein the CS-E subgroup plays a major role in tumor cell proliferation by over-expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We hereby hypothesize that by targeting the OC extracellular matrix using a CS-E-specific antibody, GD3G7, we could provide spatial delivery of crosslinkers and anti-VEGF agents to firstly induce in vivo crosslinking and complexation (arresting) of CS-E into a "biogel mass" for efficient and effective detection, detachment and reduction of tumorous tissue, and secondly inhibit angiogenesis in OC.

3-Methyl-1-tosyl-1H-indole-2-carbaldehyde.

The title indole derivative, C(17)H(15)NO(3)S, crystallizes with two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The benzene ring of the tosyl group is almost perpedicular to the indole ring in both mol-ecules, with inter-planar angles of 82.60 (5)° and 81.