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Biomedicines Jun 2021Due to the unique properties of lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNP) under near-infrared (NIR) light, the last decade has shown a sharp progress in their... (Review)
Review
Due to the unique properties of lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNP) under near-infrared (NIR) light, the last decade has shown a sharp progress in their biomedicine applications. Advances in the techniques for polymer, dye, and bio-molecule conjugation on the surface of the nanoparticles has further expanded their dynamic opportunities for optogenetics, oncotherapy and bioimaging. In this account, considering the primary benefits such as the absence of photobleaching, photoblinking, and autofluorescence of UCNPs not only facilitate the construction of accurate, sensitive and multifunctional nanoprobes, but also improve therapeutic and diagnostic results. We introduce, with the basic knowledge of upconversion, unique properties of UCNPs and the mechanisms involved in photon upconversion and discuss how UCNPs can be implemented in biological practices. In this focused review, we categorize the applications of UCNP-based various strategies into the following domains: neuromodulation, immunotherapy, drug delivery, photodynamic and photothermal therapy, bioimaging and biosensing. Herein, we also discuss the current emerging bioapplications with cutting edge nano-/biointerfacing of UCNPs. Finally, this review provides concluding remarks on future opportunities and challenges on clinical translation of UCNPs-based nanotechnology research.
PubMed: 34210059
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070756 -
Biomedicines Oct 2023Many potential immune therapeutic targets are similarly affected in adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's (AD) disease, Parkinson's disease (PD),... (Review)
Review
Many potential immune therapeutic targets are similarly affected in adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's (AD) disease, Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as well as in a seemingly distinct Niemann-Pick type C disease with primarily juvenile onset. This strongly argues for an overlap in pathogenic mechanisms. The commonly researched immune targets include various immune cell subsets, such as microglia, peripheral macrophages, and regulatory T cells (Tregs); the complement system; and other soluble factors. In this review, we compare these neurodegenerative diseases from a clinical point of view and highlight common pathways and mechanisms of protein aggregation, neurodegeneration, and/or neuroinflammation that could potentially lead to shared treatment strategies for overlapping immune dysfunctions in these diseases. These approaches include but are not limited to immunisation, complement cascade blockade, microbiome regulation, inhibition of signal transduction, Treg boosting, and stem cell transplantation.
PubMed: 37893165
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102793 -
Biomedicines May 2023Metastasis and resistance to cancer therapeutics are critical barriers to curing cancer. This special issue entitled "Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance"...
Metastasis and resistance to cancer therapeutics are critical barriers to curing cancer. This special issue entitled "Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance" contains nine original contributions. The articles span a variety of human cancers, including breast, lung, brain, prostate, and skin and touch upon significant areas of interest such as cancer stem cell function, cancer immunology, and glycosylation.
PubMed: 37239018
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051347 -
Biomedicines Jul 2023The lunar dust problem was first formulated in 1969 with NASA's first successful mission to land a human being on the surface of the Moon. Subsequent Apollo missions... (Review)
Review
The lunar dust problem was first formulated in 1969 with NASA's first successful mission to land a human being on the surface of the Moon. Subsequent Apollo missions failed to keep the dust at bay, so exposure to the dust was unavoidable. In 1972, Harrison Schmitt suffered a brief sneezing attack, red eyes, an itchy throat, and congested sinuses in response to lunar dust. Some additional Apollo astronauts also reported allergy-like symptoms after tracking dust into the lunar module. Immediately following the Apollo missions, research into the toxic effects of lunar dust on the respiratory system gained a lot of interest. Moreover, researchers believed other organ systems might be at risk, including the skin and cornea. Secondary effects could translocate to the cardiovascular system, the immune system, and the brain. With current intentions to return humans to the moon and establish a semi-permanent presence on or near the moon's surface, integrated, end-to-end dust mitigation strategies are needed to enable sustainable lunar presence and architecture. The characteristics and formation of Martian dust are different from lunar dust, but advances in the research of lunar dust toxicity, mitigation, and protection strategies can prove strategic for future operations on Mars.
PubMed: 37509559
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071921 -
Biomedicines Jul 2023Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide [...].
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide [...].
PubMed: 37509522
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071883 -
Biomedicines Jun 2022This Special Issue was designed to attract articles that focused on different facets of biology relating to insulin resistance, defined as reduced cellular and...
This Special Issue was designed to attract articles that focused on different facets of biology relating to insulin resistance, defined as reduced cellular and organismal response to the insulin hormone, and its underlying mechanisms [...].
PubMed: 35884776
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071471 -
Biomedicines Oct 2022Infectious parasitic diseases that affect humans and animals remain a central health concern worldwide [...].
Infectious parasitic diseases that affect humans and animals remain a central health concern worldwide [...].
PubMed: 36289809
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102547 -
Biomedicines May 2023This Special Issue of highlights many important scientific findings in aneurysm research [...].
This Special Issue of highlights many important scientific findings in aneurysm research [...].
PubMed: 37239016
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051345 -
Biomedicines Jan 2023In recent years, nanomedicine has provided several high-performance tools for overcoming biomedical challenges, resulting in numerous patents [...].
In recent years, nanomedicine has provided several high-performance tools for overcoming biomedical challenges, resulting in numerous patents [...].
PubMed: 36830935
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020399 -
Biomedicines Dec 2022Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent the largest part of the transcriptional production of the human genome and play key roles in health and disease processes [...].
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent the largest part of the transcriptional production of the human genome and play key roles in health and disease processes [...].
PubMed: 36672521
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010014