Biological Response to Carbon-Family Nanomaterials: Interactions at the Nano-Bio Interface

During the last few decades, several studies have suggested that carbon-based nanomaterials, owing to their unique properties, could act as promising candidates in biomedical engineering application. Wide-ranging research efforts have investigated the cellular and molecular responses to carbon-based nanomaterials at the nano-bio interfaces. In addition, a number of surface functionalization strategies have been introduced to improve their safety profile in the biological environment. The present review discusses the general principles of immunological responses to nanomaterials. Then, it explains essential physico-chemical properties of carbon-familynanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, fullerene, carbon quantum dots (CDs), diamond-like carbon (DLC), and mesoporous carbon biomaterials (MCNs), which significantly affect the immunological cellular and molecular responses at the nano-bio interface. The discussions also briefly highlight the recent studies that critically investigated the cellular and molecular responses to various carbon-based nanomaterials. It is expected that the most recent perspective strategies for improving the biological responses to carbon-based nanomaterials can revolutionize their functions in emerging biological applications

Using Bioactive Glasses in the Management of Burns

The management of burn injuries is considered an unmet clinical need and, to date, no fully satisfactory solution exists to this problem. This mini-review aims to explore the potential of bioactive glasses (BGs) for burn care due to the therapeutic effects of their ionic dissolution products. BGs have been studied for more than 40 years and boast a long successful history in the substitution of damaged tissues, especially bone. Considering their exceptional versatility and attractive characteristics, these synthetic materials have also recently been proposed in the treatment of soft tissue-related disorders such as skin wounds. Specifically, improving fibroblast proliferation, inducing angiogenesis, and eliciting antibacterial activity (with the additional advantage of avoiding administration of antibiotics) are all considered as key added values carried by BGs in the treatment of burn injuries. However, some issues deserve careful consideration while proceeding with the research, including the selection of suitable BG compositions, appropriate forms of application (e.g., BG fibers, ointments or composite patches), as well as the procedures for reliable in vivo testing

Effect of Laser Irradiation on Cell Cycle and Mitosis

Introduction: In this research, low-level helium-neon (He-Ne) laser irradiation effects on monkey kidney cells (Vero cell line) mitosis were studied.Methods: The experiment was carried out on a monkey kidney cell line “Vero (CCL-81)”. This is a lineage of cells used in cell cultures and can be used for efficacy and media testing. The monolayer cells were formed on coating glass in a spectral cuvette (20×20×30 mm). The samples divided into two groups. The first groups as irradiated monolayer cells were exposed by a He-Ne laser (PolyaronNPO, L’vov, Ukraine) with λ = 632.8 nm, max power density (P) = 10 mW/cm2, generating linearly polarized and the second groups as the control monolayer cells were located in a cuvette protected by a lightproof screen from the first cuvette and also from the laser exposure. Then, changing functional activity of the monolayer cells, due to the radiation influence on some physical factors were measured.Results: The results showed that low-intensity laser irradiation in the range of visible red could make meaningful changes in the cell division process (the mitosis activity). These changes depend on the power density, exposure time, the presence of a magnetic field, and the duration of time after exposure termination. The stimulatory effects on the cell division within the power density of 1-6 mW/(cm2) and exposure time in the range of 1-10 minutes was studied. It is demonstrated that the increase in these parameters (power density and exposure time) leads to destructing the cell division process.Conclusion: The results are useful to identify the molecular mechanisms caused by low-intensity laser effects on the biological activities of the cells. Thus, this study helps to optimize medical laser technology as well as achieving information on the therapeutic effects of low-intensity lasers

The Efficacy of Ivabradine of Beta Blockers in Comparison of Atenolol and Metoprolol in Patients with Mitral Stenosis in Sinus Rhythm: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction The Mitral Stenosis is a common disease, which increased heart rate can be a sign of deterioration. Patient heart rate regulation, especially during exercise, is very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Ivabradine in comparison with Atenolol and Metoprolol beta-blockers by examining Maximum exercise heart rate in patients with Mitral Valve Stenosis. Methods and Results In order to evaluate the efficacy of Ivabradine in comparison with beta-blockers, the systematic search was conducted using PICO keywords in the most important electronic databases, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, CRD, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The articles were selected separately by reviewing the titles, abstract and full text of the articles, and extracting unrelated and repetitive articles by two individuals. Extracting the article information based on the measured outcome of Maximum exercise heart rate was done by two individuals independently.  In cases where there was disagreement, the decision was made by a third person. To evaluate the quality of the articles, the Cochrane tool and the Revman software version 5.3 were used. The I2 index was used to investigate the heterogeneity of the products. The publication bias between studies was evaluated using a Funnel Plot and Egger's Regression Test. The results of the fixed effects model were used to combine the results and the mean difference with 95% confidence interval for the consequences was calculated. This meta-analysis was performed using the Meta Package R software. Finally, four studies entered meta-analysis. The total number of patients treated with Ivabradine and beta-blockers was 128 and 132, respectively. Homogeneity between studies was not significant (I2 = 36%; P-value = 0.20). The results of meta-analysis showed that the difference in mean Max Exercise HR of patients was 3.73, which was statistically significant (Mean Difference = 3.73; 95% CI: 1.52; 5.94; P-value = 0.001). Conclusions The administration of Ivabradine, in contrast to Atenolol and Metoprolol, greatly increases the ability of a person to test exercise, administration of this drug in patients with mitral valve stenosis can lead to a decrease in heart rate, which in turn causes reducing the risk of heart attacks in these patients

Health technology assessment of Bevacizumab compare with combination of Bevacizumab with Erlotinib for treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Introduction: Effective and efficient treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that can increase survival rate with limited side effects, is important. The purpose of this study was health technology assessment of Bevacizumab compare with combination of Bevacizumab with Erlotinib for treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods and Results:In the present investigation first a systematic review on finding the studies was conducted. To reach this goal a comprehensive search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CRD, American Society of Clinical Oncology and European Society for Medical Oncology databases using the PICO based keywords was performed. Then, a retrieved study by means of two independent and expert reviewer during several steps (based on title, abstract and full-text, excluding of duplicated or unrelated cases) was chosen and non-qualified studies was exiled from the study. After that, 20 chosen randomized trial studies were evaluated by two experienced evaluators by Cochrane tool in terms of types of Bias. Eventually obtained data from the investigation was meta-analyzed by Revman5.3 software and safety, effectiveness and economical evaluation of the device were studied based on this data. To calculate the expenses of Bevacizumab and Erlotinib, Cost-effectiveness Analysis with the perspective of the service provider in the public sector was performed. In total, three randomized controlled trials with 682 patients met the inclusion criteria.  The combination of Bevacizumab with Erlotinib for maintenance therapy of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer improved progression free survival by 0.19 and overall survival by 0.22. Degree three and four side effects of developed during treatment were limited and manageable. The combination of the two drugs was cost effective from the perspective of the service provider. Conclusions:Based on current evidence, prescribing the combination of Bevacizumab and Erlotinib in the maintenance treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients is cost effective from the perspective of service provider in the public sector, and the use of this combination in the health system is economically viable

Evaluation of Leptin and Adiponectin Levels in Patients with Stable Angina Pectoris

<p class="abstract"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Leptin and adiponectin are two adipose tissue hormones and their association with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is under evaluation. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of leptin and adiponectin with coronary artery diseases.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS:</strong><strong> </strong>One hundred and seventy patients with angina pectoris and indications of coronary angiography underwent angiography. Serum levels of blood lipids, leptin, and adiponectin were measured. The gathered data was evaluated using SPSS software, V. 15, by multivariate variance analysis.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS:</strong> Analysis of the data demonstrated that 45.1% of the patients had positive angiographic findings. The serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were significantly lower than the minimum levels specified by the kit. However, the two groups, i.e., patients with positive angiographic findings and those with negative findings were not significantly different according to the serum levels of the hormones. Moreover, no significant correlation between the serum levels of the hormones and serum lipids was observed.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Various studies have demonstrated that high serum level of leptin and the incidence of coronary artery diseases are correlated. On the other hand, they have reported that adiponectin has cardioprotective role. Confirmation of these findings requires more detailed studies.</p> <p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td width="35" height="12"><br /></td></tr> <tr><td><br /></td> <td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Keywords:</strong> Leptin, Adiponectin, Coronary artery disease<br /

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOACTIVE GLASS/FORSTERITE NANOCOMPOSITES FOR BONE AND DENTAL IMPLANTS

In this research, bioactive glass (BG) of the type CaO–P2O5–SiO2 and nanocrystalline forsterite (NF) bioceramic were successfully synthesized via sol–gel processing method. Heat-treatment process was done to obtain phase-pure nanopowders. After characterization of each sample, the nanocomposite samples were prepared by cold pressing method and sintered at 1000°C. The samples were fully characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The average nanocrystallite size was determined using the Debye-Scherrer’s formula 19.6 nm. The bioactivity was examined in vitro with respect to the ability of hydroxyapatite (HAp) layer to form on the surfaces as a result of contact with simulated body fluid (SBF). According to the obtained results, the prepared nanocomposite enhances the fracture toughness of the BG matrix without deteriorating its intrinsic properties as bioactivity

Synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of fluoride (F)- and silver (Ag)-substituted sol-gel mesoporous bioactive glasses

Abstract Synthesis and use of novel compositions of bioactive glasses (BGs) for hard tissue engineering are of important significance in the biomedical field. In this study, we successfully synthesized a series of 58S-based BGs containing fluoride (F−) and silver (Ag+) ions through a sol-gel method for possible use in bone/dental regeneration and antibacterial strategies. Characterizations of samples were performed by using thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), textural analysis (N2 adsorption-desorption), and morphological observations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained data revealed that the fabricated BGs are in a glassy state before incubation in the Kokubo's simulated body fluid (SBF), and an apatite-like layer is formed on their surface after 7 days of immersion in SBF. The size of the glass particles was in the nano-range (about 100 nm or below), and their pore size was in the mesoporous range (15-25 nm). These early results suggest that the F- and Ag-doped glasses show promise as multifunctional bioactive materials for bone/dental tissue engineering

Biological Response of Biphasic Hydroxyapatite/Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds Intended for Low Load-Bearing Orthopaedic Applications:

In this study, a calcium phosphate scaffold of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) for application in osteoconductive and osteoinductive scaffolds was synthesized and characterized. The important note is that the prepared composites converted to HAp/tricalcium phosphate (TCP) after heat-treatment. This class of composites is interesting because porous HAp/TCP generally degrade more rapid than HAp due to the increased resorption rate of TCP. According to the obtained results, the values of elastic modulus, compressive strength and density of the samples reduced with increasing the percentage of the DCPD phase. It is worth mentioning that the mechanical properties of the prepared samples were near the natural compact bone. The samples were examined in vitro to confirm the apatite forming ability of the composites. Also, in vivo examination in a rabbit model was employed. After fully observation it was concluded that new bone formed on the pore walls, as osteoids and osteoclasts were evident two months postoperatively. Based on the obtained results, the prepared scaffolds seem to be a promising biomaterial for low weight bearing orthopaedic applications