Nanomedicine

About: Nanomedicine is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4287 publications have been published within this topic receiving 200647 citations.

Silicon Nanoparticles as Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging Agents

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized nuclei provides high image contrast with little or no background signal. To date, in vivo applications of prehyperpolarized materials have been limited by relatively short nuclear spin relaxation times. Here, we investigate silicon nanoparticles as a new type of hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging agent. Nuclear spin relaxation times for a variety of Si nanoparticles are found to be remarkably long, ranging from many minutes to hours at room temperature, allowing hyperpolarized nanoparticles to be transported, administered, and imaged on practical time scales. Additionally, we demonstrate that Si nanoparticles can be surface functionalized using techniques common to other biologically targeted nanoparticle systems. These results suggest that Si nanoparticles can be used as a targetable, hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging agent with a large range of potential applications.

Recent Advances in Nanomaterial-Based Wound-Healing Therapeutics

Abstract: Nanomaterial-based wound healing has tremendous potential for treating and preventing wound infections with its multiple benefits compared with traditional treatment approaches. In this regard, the physiochemical properties of nanomaterials enable researchers to conduct extensive studies on wound-healing applications. Nonetheless, issues concerning the use of nanomaterials in accelerating the efficacy of existing medical treatments remain unresolved. The present review highlights novel approaches focusing on the recent innovative strategies for wound healing and infection controls based on nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and scaffolds, which are elucidated in detail. In addition, the efficacy of nanomaterials as carriers for therapeutic agents associated with wound-healing applications has been addressed. Finally, nanomaterial-based scaffolds and their premise for future studies have been described. We believe that the in-depth analytical review, future insights, and potential challenges described herein will provide researchers an up-to-date reference on the use of nanomedicine and its innovative approaches that can enhance wound-healing applications.

Graphene quantum dots: multifunctional nanoplatforms for anticancer therapy

Abstract: Graphene quantum dots, the next generation carbon based nanomaterials, due to their outstanding physical, chemical and biological properties, have shown potential in revolutionizing the future of nanomedicine and biotechnology. Their strong size-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and the presence of reactive groups on the GQD surface, which allow their multimodal conjugation with various functional groups and biologically active molecules, make them ideal candidates for cancer diagnosis and treatment. GQDs have been loaded with drugs and labeled with tumor-targeting ligand units that are able to specifically recognize cancer receptors exposed on the cancer cell surface by generating new therapies that are able to allow a more efficient targeted delivery of anticancer agents while minimizing their distribution in healthy tissues, as well as the development of new imaging agents for the in vitro and in vivo diagnosis of several types of cancer. Here, we review the recent advances in the study of the application of GQDs as nanoplatforms for anticancer therapy, taking into account the methods used for their synthesis and functionalization procedures, which can deeply affect their biocompatibility and their electronic and optical features. The biosafety and toxicity aspects of these nanomaterials at cellular and animal levels, mainly related to their size and the kind and degree of surface functionalization, are also discussed.