Use In Various Medical Applications Research Articles

Enhanced Identification of Valvular Heart Diseases through Selective Phonocardiogram Features Driven by Convolutional Neural Networks (SFD-CNN)

Valvular Heart Disease (VHD) is a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Although extensive research has been conducted to address this issue, practical implementation of existing VHD detection results in medicine still falls short of optimal performance. Recent investigations into machine learning for VHD detection have achieved commendable accuracy, sensitivity, and robustness. To address this limitation, our research proposes utilizing Selective Phonocardiogram Features Driven by Convolutional Neural Networks (SFD-CNN) to enhance VHD detection. Notably, SFD-CNN operates on phonocardiogram (PCG) signals, distinguishing itself from existing methods based on electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. We present two experimental scenarios to assess the performance of SFD-CNN: one under default parameter conditions and another with hyperparameter tuning. The experimental results demonstrate that SFD-CNN surpasses other existing models, achieving outstanding accuracy (96.80%), precision (93.25%), sensitivity (91.99%), specificity (98.00%), and F1-score (92.09%). The outstanding performance of SFD-CNN in VHD detection suggests that it holds great promise for practical use in various medical applications. Its potential lies in its ability to accurately identify and classify VHD, enabling early detection and timely intervention. SFD-CNN could significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. With further development and refinement, SFD-CNN has the potential to revolutionize the field of VHD detection and become an indispensable tool for healthcare professionals.

Hydrophilic and hydrophobic shape memory polymer networks in high-intensity focused ultrasound fields

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been investigated as a remote and controlled activation method to noninvasively actuate shape memory polymers (SMPs), specifically in biomedical applications. However, the effects of aqueous environment on shape recoverability of in vivo HIFU-actuated SMPs have yet to be explored. HIFU directs sound waves into a millimeter-sized tightly focused region. In this study, the response of hydrophilic and hydrophobic photopolymerized thermoset SMP networks under HIFU activation in an aqueous environment was investigated. Acrylate-based SMP networks were copolymerized in specific ratios to produce networks with independently adjusted glass transition temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 °C and two distinct water uptake behaviors. The results link the polymer swelling behavior to shape recoverability in various acoustic fields. The presence of absorbed water molecules enhances the performance of SMPs in terms of their shape memory capabilities when activated by HIFU. Overall, understanding the interplay between water uptake and HIFU-actuated shape recovery is essential for optimizing the performance of SMPs in aqueous environments and advancing their use in various medical applications.

A Thermal Sublimation Generator of 131mXe

Stable and unstable isotopes of the heavy noble gas xenon find use in various medical applications. However, apart from 133Xe, used for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, radioactive isotopes of xenon are currently complicated to obtain in small quantities. With the GAMMA-MRI project in mind, we investigated a thermal sublimation generator of the long-lived excited state (isomer) 131mXe. This production method utilized the decay of 131I, obtained commercially from a hospital supplier in the form of Na131I powder. Heat treatments of the Na131I powder and cryogenic trapping of released 131mXe allowed us to collect up to 88% of the produced xenon. Our method provides an isomeric mixture of 131mXe and 131Xe. With improvements in scalability and chemical purification, this method could be a cost-effective source of 131mXe for small-scale experiments.

DNA biodots based targeted theranostic nanomedicine for the imaging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

The light absorption and emission characteristics of DNA biodots (DNA-BD), along with biocompatibility, give them a high potential for use in various medical applications, particularly in diagnostic purpose. DNA, under high pressure and temperature, condenses to form luminescent biodots. The objective of this research is to develop DNA-biodots (BD) loaded and cetuximab conjugated targeted theranostic liposomes of etoposide for lung cancer imaging and therapy. Theranostic liposomes were prepared by using the solvent injection method and characterized for their particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and pH-dependent in-vitro release, SEM, TEM AFM, EDX, and XRD. The t50% (time at which 50% of the drug releases from the preparation) of the formulations was pH-dependent, with a significant increase in the release at lower pH (5.5). To kill A549 adenocarcinoma cells, the etoposide (control) required significantly (p < 0.05) higher drug concentrations in comparison to non-targeted and; the non-targeted formulation required more concentrations in comparison to targeted liposomes. The in-vivo results demonstrated that CTX-TPGS decorated theranostic liposomes could be a promising carrier for lung theranostics due to their nano-size and selectivity towards EGFR overexpressed cells which provided an improved NSCLC targeted delivery of ETP in comparison to the non-targeted and control formulations.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from Olea dioica Roxb., leaf extracts and its biological activity

Introduction and Aim: The silver nanoparticles have attained a special place in the area of nanotechnology because of their different biological applications. Fabrication of nanoparticles using green synthesis is done because of its wide applications in different fields such as biomedical, medicine, agriculture and food engineering. This study is to develop an easy and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of Ag-NPs using leaf extracts of the medicinal plant.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The medicinal plants are rich sources of various medicinal properties. Olea dioica Roxb., leaf extract was used to investigate the effects of Ag-NPs having antibacterial activity and antioxidant capacity. The plant leaf extract contains flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and phenolic compounds which acts as reducing and stabilizing agents. The green synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques like UV- visible spectrophotometer, FTIR spectroscopy, and SEM analysis.&#x0D; Results: The synthesis of sliver nanoparticles from plant source, and analysis of nano particles by UV-Vis spectra, SEM and FTIR. The biological evaluations of Ag-NPs indicated an excellent inhibitory efficacy, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity for their future applications in medicine.&#x0D; Conclusion: The synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The silver (Ag-NPs) nanoparticles synthesized by the pot green synthesis method proves its potential use in various medical applications.&#x0D; Keywords: Silver nanoparticles; Medicinal plants; Ag-NPs; Olea dioica Roxb.,

Preparation and Pharmaco-Mechanical Characterization of Ketoprofen- Polyvinyl Alcohol Cryogel for Medical Applications

Polyvinyl alcohol is a biocompatible polymer used very commonly both in pharmaceutical and medical fields. Being a water-soluble polymer, it is suitable for the manufacture of hydrogels as well as cryogels used for various medical applications. The present work describes the preparation, structural and physico-mechanical characterization of polyvinyl alcohol cryogels loaded with ketoprofen. By cryogenic technique the polymeric solutions are transformed under certain conditions into porous, elastic and very compressible structures. They are able to absorb a large amount of liquids that they give off by gentle compression. The prepared cryogels were evaluated for different physical, chemical and structural properties, as following: internal morphology, equilibrium swelling ratio and mechanical testing. The cryogel structures show good elasticity and optimal swelling at different temperatures. Due to these properties the studied cryogels are suitable for use in various medical applications involving liquid absorption, mechanical resistance and anti-inflammatory effect.

Packaging of DNA origami in viral capsids.

Here we show the encapsulation of 35 nm diameter, nearly-spherical, DNA origami by self-assembly of SV40-like (simian virus 40) particles. The self-assembly of this new type of nanoparticles is highly reproducible and efficient. The structure of these particles was determined by cryo-EM. The capsid forms a regular SV40 lattice of T = 7d icosahedral symmetry and the structural features of encapsulated DNA origami are fully visible. These particles are a promising biomaterial for use in various medical applications.

Development of solid dispersions of β-lapachone in PEG and PVP by solvent evaporation method

β-lapachone (βlap) has shown potential use in various medical applications. However, its poor solubility has limited its systemic administration and clinical applications. The aim of this work is to develop solid dispersions of βlap using poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG 6000) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) as hydrophilic polymers and evaluate the dissolution rate in aqueous medium. Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different weight ratios of βlap and hydrophilic polymer (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3). Characterization performed by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy showed that βlap was molecularly dispersed within the polymer matrix. The in vitro dissolution tests showed an enhancement in the dissolution profile of βlap as solid dispersions prepared in both PVP and PEG, although the former showed better results. The drug:polymer ratio influenced βlap dissolution rate, as higher amounts of hydrophilic polymer led to enhanced drug dissolution. Thus, this study demonstrated that solid dispersions of βlap in PVP offers an effective way to overcome the poor dissolution of βlap.

Ionic Substitutions in Non-Apatitic Calcium Phosphates.

Calcium phosphate materials (CaPs) are similar to inorganic part of human mineralized tissues (i.e., bone, enamel, and dentin). Owing to their high biocompatibility, CaPs, mainly hydroxyapatite (HA), have been investigated for their use in various medical applications. One of the most widely used ways to improve the biological and physicochemical properties of HA is ionic substitution with trace ions. Recent developments in bioceramics have already demonstrated that introducing foreign ions is also possible in other CaPs, such as tricalcium phosphates (amorphous as well as α and β crystalline forms) and brushite. The purpose of this paper is to review recent achievements in the field of non-apatitic CaPs substituted with various ions. Particular attention will be focused on tricalcium phosphates (TCP) and “additives” such as magnesium, zinc, strontium, and silicate ions, all of which have been widely investigated thanks to their important biological role. This review also highlights some of the potential biomedical applications of non-apatitic substituted CaPs.

Novel Poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate)/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) blends for medical applications

Novel Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) blends were developed with varying amounts of Poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate), P(3HO) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB) for their potential use in various medical applications. These blend films exhibited higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus values compared to neat P(3HO). The overall protein adsorption and % cell viability was also found to be significantly higher in the blend films than the neat P(3HO) film. Hydrolytic degradation was faster in the blend films and the degradation rate could potentially be tailored to achieve the optimum rate required for a particular medical application. Hence, these novel blends were found to be highly biocompatible with surface, mechanical and thermal properties suitable for a range of potential medical applications, a great step forward in the area of medical materials.

Physical Properties of Different Gold Nanoparticles: Ultraviolet-Visible and Fluorescence Measurements

Background: The light absorption and emission characteristics of Gold Nanoparticles (GNPs) are exploited in detection and treatment of cancer. The properties of Nanoparticles (NPs) give them high potential for use in various medical applications, particularly in diagnostics and therapy where they promise increased sensitivity, speed, and costeffectiveness. The Ultraviolet-Visible and fluorescence properties of non-functionalized GNPs have not thus far been comprehensively documented. This study evaluated the absorption and fluorescence spectra for solutions of GNPs at different concentrations. Methods: The mean sizes of these GNPs were calculated from Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images, which were also used to study the morphology of the GNPs. UV–Visible and fluorescence measurements, were made from 250-700 nm using 1 cm quartz cuvettes. Results: When the GNP size changed from 10 nm to 50 nm, the maximum extinction of the Surface Plasmon Band (SPB) shifted from 517 nm to 532 nm in the visible region which may be attributed to the surface plasmon oscillation of free electrons. At constant GNP size, the absorbance was found to be proportional to the concentration of gold. This is because an increased number of GNPs also increases the total surface for surface plasmon resonance. The Photoluminescence (PL) band centre appears at 423 nm. An increase in fluorescence intensity with increase in GNP size was observed. At a fixed GNP size of 10 nm, and with increasing GNP concentration, the intensity of the emission band increased, which was consistent with the changes observed for the surface plasmon band of GNPs. Conclusions: The absorption intensity and maxima are particle size dependent. The surface plasmon resonance of the gold particles is red shifted (from 517 to 532 nm) with increasing particle size. These results indicate that the fluorescence intensity and the absorption band of GNPs were concentration and particle size dependent.