Role of magnetic nanoparticles in targeted drug delivery for central nervous system

Introduction: The treatment of neurological disease, such as brain cancer or neurodegenerative diseases, is one of the most difficult challenges in medicine. The major limitation in this therapy is caused by asthenia of some drugs injected to the blood vessel to reach the main tissue of brain. There are three substrate obstacles that adjust molecular exchange in junction between blood and neurotic tissue or its steep spaces: the brain endothelium which makes blood-brain barrier (BBB), the arachnoids epithelium which makes intermediate substrate of meninges and the choroid plexus epithelium, which secretes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods: In recent years, some significant researches showed that magnetic nanoparticles (through conjugation of iron oxide NPs with hydrophilic polymer coatings of dextran) can be administered for impressive systemic and territorial transfer of therapeutics to the CNS. Nanoparticles also have the potential to revolutionize conventional imaging techniques. Conventional epitomize condition lack the association of high delicacy and high spatial precision required for molecular imaging. Results: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has high resolution, but lacks sensitivity to molecular signals, while high sensitivity nuclear medicine modalities such as Individual photon ejaculation calculated tomography and position emission tomography (PET) provide superb sensitivity, at the cost of reduced spatial resolution. Using nanoparticles in some conditions such as MRI can amazingly enhance delicacy, presenting the potential for high resolution molecular imaging. MRI has high spatial resolution, is non-invasive in nature and offers multiplanar tomographic capabilities. Nanoparticles can be managed to have magnetized specifications that can be acquired by MRI at low condensations and at the same time include lingads which target specific molecules. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been widely researched for MRI, as there are several types, namely magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3), among which magnetite is very promising, because of its proven biocompatibility. For molecular imaging purposes, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) need to bind to a range of drugs, proteins, enzymes, antibodies, or other molecular targets. In conclusion, using magnetized nanoparticles as a drug delivering system is still determined by its biocompatibility and optional aiming to the favorable cell or tissue under the guidance of external magnetic field (MRI scanner). Conclusion: Advances in current technologies and the expansion of magnetized nanoparticles as medicine transfer device to transfer medicine to tumor hypoxic zones have fast tracked in the past decade and led to the development of various magnetic nanoformulations such as liposomes, metallic, and polymeric nanoparticles. This technology will not only minimize invasive methods, nut also decrease side effects to intact fiber which are two primary concerns in conventional cancer therapies. The field of magnetic drug delivery is still at infancy, and combination of better magnetized medicine transfer device and association of multifunctional ligands are being continuously investigated so as to carry it from the bench-top to the clinic. Until Then the worries about the omission and long term toxicity remain barriers to clinical entry

Role of diffusion tensor imaging as an imaging biomarker and theranostic tool in structural imaging of traumatic brain injury

Neuroimaging technology is at a "newborn" stage in the evaluation of TBI. While additional literature are obviously required to decide whether these modalities and progress in knowledge with noninvasive monitors will allow early and consistent recognition of revocable secondary brain damages, the final query is whether these new modalities will help in treatment plans that will absolutely mark result. DTI is an influential instrument for assessing white matter anatomy and related anomalies. DTI was formerly an investigation tool, but is using clinical practice. Accepting the terms and basic ideas of this method can aid in the clinical implementation and interpretation of this blend of structural and physiologic white matter evaluation. In conclusion, although DTI is as a diagnostic tool for severity of TBI and as an outcome predictor, but severe preclinical and clinical validation of each imaging method should be a top importance

Idiopathic generalized epilepsies and efficiency of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques in present era; perspectives in future

Epilepsy is a common disorder worldwide, with a prevalence of 4.5/1000 (0.45%) for youngsters and youths, and 1.54/1000 (0.15%) for the adult Chinese population in Hong Kong. up to 15% of epileptic patients can still leak the screening process of any structural lesion. In addition, the structural lesions detected on structural MR images may not reveal the correct degree and practical position of the abnormalities, especially with respect to malformations of cortical development. These include magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and perfusion weighted imaging (PWI). The widespread application of most of these techniques in clinical practice depends on the availability of high-performance MR imagers with the ability to accomplish fast echo-planar pulse sequences (echo-planar imaging), as well as substantial data processing capabilities. Using and PWI in study of microcirculation of tissues and vascular of lesional area on mechanisms by which selective drugs work and will provide new treatment targets for drug development. Finally, there is coupling of cerebral blood flow and metabolism, MR perfusion can act as a surrogate marker of metabolism as measured by MRS

Medical imaging modalities: Prevention of unnecessary orders and non-optimized radiation exposure

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a constant magnetic field and radio waves, a non-invasive method for examining tissues, organs and the skeletal system. The advantages and disadvantages of MRI is not fully understood. In the computerized tumor (CT) scan, as an invasive method, the x-rays of the body is used for tomography; which different x-ray attenuation coefficient in tissues as well as the reconstruction of images could affect on the scanning of the patient and the received amount of radiation by the patient. However, compared to other radiographical diagnostic methods, CT scan could lead to the exposure of the patients against substantial radiation dosage, which may have several radiobiological effects such as delayed effects of radiation (possible effect) with the result of a variety of cancers, chromosomal failures and potential genetic abnormalities in the future generations. It is recommended that these tests would prescribe for the patients with greater accuracy and caution; with application of magnetic dosimeter for monitoring exposure of people who working with MRI (as its application for X-ray and CT scan)

A Comparison Between the Effect of Cuminum Cyminum and Vitamin E on the Level of Leptin, Paraoxonase 1, HbA1c and Oxidized LDL in Diabetic Patients.

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases in the world. Vitamin E reduces protein glycation and improves insulin sensitivity, while cumin is effective in remission of diabetes. Therefore this study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E and cumin essential oil, on the blood level of leptin,glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and also on lipid profile in diabetic patients.In this double blind clinical trial, 95 diabetic patients were selected and randomly dividedinto three groups.The first group received cumin essential oil in capsule form. The second group received Vitamin E, and the third group was used ascontrol receiving oral gelatin capsules as placebo for three months period.Blood glucose, lipid profile, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), leptin, HbA1c, oxidized LDL (oxLDL), and paraoxonase1 activity were measured. The results showed reduction in oxLDL and significant increase in paraoxonase 1 in Vitamin E group by the end of the third month period (P<0.05). Cumin group showed decrease in blood glucose, HbA1C, triglyceride, leptin and ox-LDL. ApoA1 and paraoxonase1 were also increased by cumin treatment (P<0.05).Diabetic complications may have been reduced by intake of Vitamin E and cumin essential oil. Cumin in comparison with vitamin E has broader impact and it is more beneficial in terms of ability to reduce the diabetic index

Technical Feasibility of Recycling Waste Cooking Oils (WCO) Produced in Qom to Biodiesel

Background: The aim of this research was to study the technical feasibility of recycling waste cooking oils (WCO) produced in Qom to biodiesel. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Qom in the first half of 2013. In this study, 147 domestic, commercial, and industrial sources producing WCO were identified, selected, and asked to collect and deliver the WCO produced by them within a week. The samples obtained from the sources were mixed separately at a ratio of one to one, and finally, a WCO sample was obtained from each source. Then, some characteristics of samples such as chemical profiles were analyzed and the esterification and transesterification process were used to convert WCO into biodiesel. Finally, some of the technical characteristics of produced biodiesel such as flash point, viscosity, density, moisture, and acidic number were determined and compared with the standard. Results: In terms of basic properties, domestic WCO had the best quality for conversion to biodiesel. Also, in terms of viscosity, density, acidic number and flash point, biodiesel produced from domestic WCO had more favorable conditions. In terms of the percentage of humidity, biodiesel produced from industrial WCO was the best one. Conclusion: WCO produced from domestic and commercial sources has the potential to be converted into biodiesel with standard features but WCO produced from industrial sources due to their very poor quality needs more pre-treatment processes

Efficiency of electrical coagulation process using aluminum electrodes for municipal wastewater treatment: a case study at Karaj wastewater treatment plant

Background: The reuse of treated municipal wastewater is an important source of water for different purposes. This study evaluated the efficiency of the electrocoagulation process in removing turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate, and phosphate from wastewater at the treatment facility in Karaj, Iran. Methods: This experimental study was performed at a pilot scale and in a batch system. A 4-liter tank made from safety glass with 4 plate electrodes made from aluminum was unipolarly connected to a direct current power supply with a parallel arrangement. Wastewater samples were taken from the influent at the Karaj wastewater treatment facility. Rates of turbidity, TSS, COD, nitrate, and phosphate removal under different conditions were determined. Results: The highest efficiency of COD, TSS, nitrate, turbidity, and phosphate elimination was achieved at a voltage of 30 volts and a reaction time of 30 minutes. The rates were 88.43%, 87.39%, 100%, 80.52%, and 82.69%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, electrocoagulation is an appropriate method for use in removing nitrate, phosphate, COD, turbidity, and TSS from wastewater