Protective effect of locally applied carvacrol gel on ligature‐induced periodontitis in rats: a tapping mode AFM study

The aims of this study were to test a locally applied carvacrol gel and determine its efficacy preventing alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats by regular methodology to validate applicability the atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a novel morphology method on this model. Wistar rats were subjected to ligature around second, upper‐left molars. Animals were treated carvacrol gel topically (CAG), immediately after Experimental Periodontitis Disease induction for 1′ three‐times/day for 11 days. A vehicle gel was utilized as control. The periodontium and the surrounding gingivae were examined at regular histopathology and by AFM method; the neutrophil influx into the gingivae was also assayed using myeloperoxidase activity. The bacterial flora was assessed through culture of the gingival tissue. Alveolar bone loss was significantly inhibited by CAG group compared to the Vehicle (V) group, the carvacrol gel treatment reduced tissue lesion at histopathology, with preservation of the periodontium, coupled to decreased myeloperoxidase activity in gingival tissue and also prevented the proliferation of periodontal microorganisms and the weight loss. The GAC treatment preserved alveolar bone resorption and showed anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial activities in experimental periodontitis. Topographical changes in histological sections were seen bringing into high relief the periodontal structures, being a simple and cost‐effective method for periodontal evaluation with ultrastructural resolution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

纳米金标芯片检测用于前列腺癌多基因诊断的实验研究

目的利用纳米金标基因芯片检测前列腺癌（prostatic cancer,PCa）特异性多基因,探讨其临床意义。方法应用纳米金标基因芯片对11个PCa特异性基因靶标（IGF1、P27、AR、PSMA、KLK3、PCNA、Ki-67、KLK1、KLK2、TMPRSS2、SREBF2）进行检测,对各基因表达进行研究。结果纳米金标基因芯片检测单链核酸的灵敏度达到80f mol/L,在优化条件下,目标上调基因呈阳性表达,下调及阴性对照无显色,可肉眼分辨。结论纳米金标基因芯片技术检测PCa特异性基因方法快速简单,灵敏度高,特异性好,可对选定的11个目标基因定性及半定量检测,不需要借助于特殊仪器,操作简单,样本保存时间长,在普通实验室即可完成。纳米金标基因芯片检测有望成为PCa早期诊断的新一代芯片检测系统。     

现行结核菌检测技术应用于泌尿系统结核诊断的研究进展

泌尿系统结核居于肺外结核第三位,其中最主要的是肾结核。肾结核是由结核分枝杆菌引起的慢性、进行性、破坏性病变,常因其结核症状不典型致使临床诊疗上易漏诊误诊,从而延误治疗时机,给患者泌尿系统带来很大损伤。目前泌尿系统结核的确诊主要依赖于临床表现结合实验室检查、影像学检查等。但是横跨在现有技术与泌尿系统结核临床诊断需要之间的鸿沟依旧为其早期诊断、病情评估和预后监测带来了不可避免的影响,这也阻碍了泌尿系统结核诊断方式更新的探索与发展。伴随着纳米技术和微流体技术的飞速发展,很多检测结核分枝杆菌的生物传感器应运而生。近年来纳米/微流体技术已经被广泛应用于发展现场检测多种疾病的诊断和监测技术方面,这预示着在结核病诊断方面应用纳米/微流体技术也是不可避免的趋势,更为诊断泌尿系统结核寻找更为可靠准确的依据和方法提供了新的契机。以下对泌尿系统结核的临床表现、诊断方法、横跨在现有技术与泌尿系统结核临床诊断之间的鸿沟、结核病诊断的纳米/微流体技术以及纳米/微流体技术能否为泌尿系统结核诊断与监测提供未来前景等方面进行综述。     

Nano-silver – a review of available data and knowledge gaps in human and environmental risk assessment

Nano-silver is used in an increasing number of products. Some of the applications have resulted in the concern of governments and the public, since little is known about the potential risks of nano-silver. In this review, an inventory is made to identify knowledge gaps that have to be filled before risks for both man and the environment can be assessed as reliable as for ‘non-nanosized’ chemicals. It is hypothesized that the toxic effects of nano-silver are due to a combination of the specific properties of silver nanoparticles and the generation of ions from them. The main topic for future research is validation of our ‘0-hypothesis’ that toxic effects of nano-silver are proportional to the activity of free silver ions released by the nanoparticles. Furthermore, it must be determined whether – or to what extent – nano-silver particles will enter the body. The outcomes of these tests will determine the requirements for further toxicity testing.     

Towards more effective advanced drug delivery systems

This position paper discusses progress made and to be made with so-called advanced drug delivery systems, particularly but not exclusively those in the nanometre domain. The paper has resulted from discussions with a number of international experts in the field who shared their views on aspects of the subject, from the nomenclature used for such systems, the sometimes overwrought claims made in the era of nanotechnology, the complex nature of targeting delivery systems to specific destinations in vivo, the need for setting standards for the choice and characterisation of cell lines used in in vitro studies, to attention to the manufacturability, stability and analytical profiling of systems and more relevant studies on toxicology. The historical background to the development of many systems is emphasised. So too is the stochastic nature of many of the steps to successful access to and action in targets. A lacuna in the field is the lack of availability of data on a variety of carrier systems using the same models in vitro and in vivo using standard controls. The paper asserts that greater emphasis must also be paid to the effective levels of active attained in target organs, for without such crucial data it will be difficult for many experimental systems to enter the clinic. This means the use of diagnostic/imaging technologies to monitor targeted drug delivery and stratify patient groups, identifying patients with optimum chances for successful therapy. Last, but not least, the critical importance of the development of science bases for regulatory policies, scientific platforms overseeing the field and new paradigms of financing are discussed.     

免疫交联剂在肿瘤治疗中的应用

目前肿瘤治疗的焦点之一是靶向运送,其可使抗癌制剂靶向运送到作用部位,避免对正常组织的损伤。单克隆抗体越来越多地用于肿瘤治疗,其中免疫交联剂可以将抗体靶向性和所交联物质的治疗作用联系起来,达到靶向和(或)协同作用。当前主要的免疫交联剂有抗体与化疗药物、毒素、放射性物质及纳米物质等交联,展现了较好的肿瘤治疗作用和前景。     

纤维增强纳米材料体内外成骨的实验研究

目的探索纤维增强纳米相羟基磷灰石胶原复合材料（nano-hydroxyapatite collagen／chitin fibres，nHAC／CF）的体外细胞相容性及体内成骨的情况，探讨其临床应用的可行性。方法采用纳米技术制备nHAC／CF，在体外与羊骨髓基质干细胞（bone mesenchymal stem cell，BMSC）复合培养，观察BMSC在材料上的生长、增殖情况；取22只山羊，制备羊胫骨25mm骨缺损模型，随机分3组：A组：植入BMSC复合nHAC／CF；B组：植入自体髂骨；C组：空白对照组。分期行X线、组织学、生物力学测定观察各组成骨情况。结果BMSC能在nHAC／CF材料上良好地粘附、增殖和生长。8周时X线、组织学检查显示A、B组完全修复了骨缺损区，C组未见有骨修复。A、B组生物力学测定显示最大应力值差异无显著性意义（P〉0．05）。结论nHAC／CF具有良好的细胞相容性，并能成功的修复山羊大面积骨缺损，有望成为骨组织工程理想的细胞外基质和骨移植的替代材料。     

Laparoscopic nephrectomy using the EnSeal Tissue Sealing and Hemostasis System: successful therapeutic application of nanotechnology.

The potential impact of nanotechnology in the field of urology is broad with diagnostic and therapeutic benefits that have only recently begun to be explored. Application of nanotechnology principles to tissue and vessel sealing during laparoscopic procedures may reduce associated thermal injury and inflammatory response. We report our initial experience using the EnSeal Tissue Sealing and Hemostasis System during laparoscopic nephrectomy and discuss its potential advantages and disadvantages compared with those of contemporary technologies.     

Developments in the use of nanocapsules in oncology

The application of nanotechnology to medicine can provide important benefits, especially in oncology, a fact that has resulted in the emergence of a new field called Nanooncology. Nanoparticles can be engineered to incorporate a wide variety of chemotherapeutic or diagnostic agents. A nanocapsule is a vesicular system that exhibits a typical core-shell structure in which active molecules are confined to a reservoir or within a cavity that is surrounded by a polymer membrane or coating. Delivery systems based on nanocapsules are usually transported to a targeted tumor site and then release their contents upon change in environmental conditions. An effective delivery of the therapeutic agent to the tumor site and to the infiltrating tumor cells is difficult to achieve in many cancer treatments. Therefore, new devices are being developed to facilitate intratumoral distribution, to protect the active agent from premature degradation and to allow its sustained and controlled release. This review focuses on recent studies on the use of nanocapsules for cancer therapy and diagnosis.     

Nanorobots: Future in dentistry

The purpose of this paper is to review the phenomenon of nanotechnology as it might apply to dentistry as a new field called nanodentistry. Treatment possibilities might include the application of nanotechnology to local anesthesia, dentition renaturalization, the permanent cure for hypersensitivity, complete orthodontic realignment in a single visit, covalently bonded diamondized enamel, and continuous oral health maintenance using mechanical dentifrobots. Dental nanorobots could be constructed to destroy caries-causing bacteria or to repair tooth blemishes where decay has set in, by using a computer to direct these tiny workers in their tasks. Dental nanorobots might be programed to use specific motility mechanisms to crawl or swim through human tissue with navigational precision, to acquire energy, to sense and manipulate their surroundings, to achieve safe cytopenetration, and to use any of a multitude of techniques to monitor, interrupt, or alter nerve-impulse traffic in individual nerve cells in real time.