HORMESIS: A Fundamental Concept with Widespread Biological and Biomedical Applications

Gerontology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 530-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J. Calabrese ◽  
Gaurav Dhawan ◽  
Rachna Kapoor ◽  
Ivo Iavicoli ◽  
Vittorio Calabrese
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Biological Organization ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Temporal Window ◽  
Adaptive Processes ◽  
Challenging Dose ◽  
Biological Plasticity ◽  
Hormetic Response

Hormesis is a biphasic dose response with specific quantitative features for the amplitude and width of the stimulation. It is highly generalizable and independent of biological model, endpoint, inducing agent, level of biological organization and mechanism. Hormesis may be induced via a direct stimulation or by overcompensation to a disruption of homeostasis. The induction of hormesis by low-level stressor agents not only rapidly upregulates adaptive processes to repair damage but also protects the adapted system from damage due to a subsequent challenging dose (toxic) within a definable temporal window. The striking consistency of the amplitude of hormetic response suggests that hormesis provides a quantitative description of biological plasticity. Knowledge of hormesis has particular potential biomedical significance with respect to slowing or retarding both normal aging processes and the progression of severe neurological diseases.

scholarly journals Distribution in the brain and possible neuroprotective effects of intranasally delivered multi-walled carbon nanotubes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzia Soligo ◽  
Fausto Maria Felsani ◽  
Tatiana Da Ros ◽  
Susanna Bosi ◽  
Elena Pellizzoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Electrochemical Properties ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Active Investigation

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are currently under active investigation for their use in several biomedical applications, especially in neurological diseases and nervous system injury due to their electrochemical properties.

scholarly journals Functionalized, Vertically Super-Aligned Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Potential Biomedical Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick P. Komane ◽  
Pradeep Kumar ◽  
Yahya E. Choonara ◽  
Viness Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Multiwalled Carbon ◽  
Vacuum Oven ◽  
Carbon Based

Currently, there is a lack of ultrasensitive diagnostic tool to detect some diseases such as ischemic stroke, thereby impacting effective and efficient intervention for such diseases at an embryonic stage. In addition to the lack of proper detection of the neurological diseases, there is also a challenge in the treatment of these diseases. Carbon nanotubes have a potential to be employed in solving the theragnostic challenges in those diseases. In this study, carbon nanotubes were successfully synthesized for potential application in the detection and treatment of the neurological diseases such as ischemic stroke. Vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (VA-MWCNTs) were purified with HCl, carboxylated with H2SO4:HNO3 (3:1) and acylated with SOCl2 for use in potential targeting studies and for the design of a carbon-based electrode for possible application in the diagnosis of neurological diseases, including ischemic stroke. MWCNTs were washed, extracted from the filter membranes and dried in a vacuum oven at 60 °C for 24 h prior to functionalization and PEGylation. CNTs were characterized by SEM, TEM, OCA, DLS, CV and EIS. The HCl-treated CNT obtained showed an internal diameter, outer diameter and thickness of 8 nm, 34 nm and 75 µm, while these parameters for the H2SO4-HNO3-treated CNT were 8 nm, 23 nm and 41µm, respectively. PEGylated CNT demonstrated zeta potential, polydispersive index and particle size distribution of 6 mV, 0.41 and 98 nm, respectively. VA-MWCNTs from quartz tube were successfully purified, carboxylated, acylated and PEGylated for potential functionalization for use in targeting studies. For designing the carbon-based electrode, VA-MWCNTs on silicon wafer were successfully incorporated into epoxy resin for diagnostic applications. Functionalized MWCNTs were nontoxic towards PC-12 neuronal cells. In conclusion, vertically super-aligned MWCNTs have been successfully synthesized and functionalized for possible theragnostic biomedical applications in neurological disorders such as ischemic stroke.

scholarly journals Transcranial electrical stimulation over visual cortex evokes phosphenes with a retinal origin

2012 ◽  
Vol 108 (8) ◽  
pp. 2173-2178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohitij Kar ◽  
Bart Krekelberg
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Frequency Tuning ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Transcranial Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Direct Stimulation

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a promising therapeutic tool for a range of neurological diseases. Understanding how the small currents used in tES spread across the scalp and penetrate the brain will be important for the rational design of tES therapies. Alternating currents applied transcranially above visual cortex induce the perception of flashes of light (phosphenes). This makes the visual system a useful model to study tES. One hypothesis is that tES generates phosphenes by direct stimulation of the cortex underneath the transcranial electrode. Here, we provide evidence for the alternative hypothesis that phosphenes are generated in the retina by current spread from the occipital electrode. Building on the existing literature, we first confirm that phosphenes are induced at lower currents when electrodes are placed farther away from visual cortex and closer to the eye. Second, we explain the temporal frequency tuning of phosphenes based on the well-known response properties of primate retinal ganglion cells. Third, we show that there is no difference in the time it takes to evoke phosphenes in the retina or by stimulation above visual cortex. Together, these findings suggest that phosphenes induced by tES over visual cortex originate in the retina. From this, we infer that tES currents spread well beyond the area of stimulation and are unlikely to lead to focal neural activation. Novel stimulation protocols that optimize current distributions are needed to overcome these limitations of tES.

Introduction to Cell Membranes at Molecular Resolution

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-502
Author(s):  
R.J. Barrnett
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membranes ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Cellular Membranes ◽  
Short History ◽  
Biological Organization ◽  
Macromolecular Assemblies ◽  
The Past

This subject, is like observing the panorama of a mountain range, magnificent towering peaks, but it doesn't take much duration of observation to recognize that they are still in the process of formation. The mountains consist of approaches, materials and methods and the rocky substance of information has accumulated to such a degree that I find myself concentrating on the foothills in the foreground in order to keep up with the advance; the edifices behind form a wonderous, substantive background. It's a short history for such an accumulation and much of it has been moved by the members of the societies that make up this International Federation. My panel of speakers are here to provide what we hope is an interesting scientific fare, based on the fact that there is a continuum of biological organization from biochemical molecules through macromolecular assemblies and cellular membranes to the cell itself. Indeed, this fact explains the whole range of towering peaks that have emerged progressively during the past 25 years.

Applications of Scanning Microscopy in Biomedical Research

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 354-355
Author(s):  
T. L. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Information Content ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dental Enamel ◽  
Resolving Power ◽  
Whole Mount ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Content Information ◽  
Sectioned Tissue

Biomedical applications of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) have increased in number quite rapidly over the last several years. Studies have been made of cells, whole mount tissue, sectioned tissue, particles, human chromosomes, microorganisms, dental enamel and skeletal material. Many of the advantages of using this instrument for such investigations come from its ability to produce images that are high in information content. Information about the chemical make-up of the specimen, its electrical properties and its three dimensional architecture all may be represented in such images. Since the biological system is distinctive in its chemistry and often spatially scaled to the resolving power of the SEM, these images are particularly useful in biomedical research.In any form of microscopy there are two parameters that together determine the usefulness of the image. One parameter is the size of the volume being studied or resolving power of the instrument and the other is the amount of information about this volume that is displayed in the image. Both parameters are important in describing the performance of a microscope. The light microscope image, for example, is rich in information content (chemical, spatial, living specimen, etc.) but is very limited in resolving power.

How SIMS microscopy can be used in medicine

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1602-1603
Author(s):  
Philippe Fragu
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Biological Applications ◽  
The Past ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Secondary Ion ◽  
Chemical Integrity ◽  
Scientific Endeavour

The identification, localization and quantification of intracellular chemical elements is an area of scientific endeavour which has not ceased to develop over the past 30 years. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) microscopy is widely used for elemental localization problems in geochemistry, metallurgy and electronics. Although the first commercial instruments were available in 1968, biological applications have been gradual as investigators have systematically examined the potential source of artefacts inherent in the method and sought to develop strategies for the analysis of soft biological material with a lateral resolution equivalent to that of the light microscope. In 1992, the prospects offered by this technique are even more encouraging as prototypes of new ion probes appear capable of achieving the ultimate goal, namely the quantitative analysis of micron and submicron regions. The purpose of this review is to underline the requirements for biomedical applications of SIMS microscopy.Sample preparation methodology should preserve both the structural and the chemical integrity of the tissue.

High-resolution observations of metastable γ’ precipitation in Al-15at.%Ag

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 1004-1005
Author(s):  
N. V. Larcher ◽  
I. G. Solorzano
Keyword(s):  
Discontinuous Precipitation ◽  
Equilibrium Phase ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Α Phase ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Aging Sequence ◽  
Matrix Precipitation ◽  
Considerable Detail ◽  
Kinetics Of

It is currently well established that, for an Al-Ag alloy quenched from the α phase and aged within the metastable solvus, the aging sequence is: supersaturated α → GP zones → γ’ → γ (Ag2Al). While GP zones and plate-shaped γ’ are metastable phases, continuously distributed in the matrix, formation of the equilibrium phase γ takes place at grain boundaries by discontinuous precipitation (DP). The crystal structure of both γ’ and γ is hep with the following orientation relationship with respect to the fee α matrix: {0001}γ′,γ // {111}α, <1120>γ′,γ, // <110>α.The mechanisms and kinetics of continuous matrix precipitation (CMP) in dilute Al-Ag alloys have been studied in considerable detail. The quantitative description of DP kinetics, however, has received less attention. The present contribution reports the microstructural evolution resulting from aging an Al-Ag alloy with Ag content higher than those previously reported in the literature, focusing the observations of γ' plate-shaped metastable precipitates.

Biomedical applications: Pitfalls in the practice

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 378-379
Author(s):  
J. D. Shelburne ◽  
Peter Ingram ◽  
Victor L. Roggli ◽  
Ann LeFurgey
Keyword(s):  
Operating Room ◽  
Liquid Nitrogen ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Microprobe Analysis ◽  
Tissue Sample ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Asbestos Fibers

At present most medical microprobe analysis is conducted on insoluble particulates such as asbestos fibers in lung tissue. Cryotechniques are not necessary for this type of specimen. Insoluble particulates can be processed conventionally. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that conventional processing is unacceptable for specimens in which electrolyte distributions in tissues are sought. It is necessary to flash-freeze in order to preserve the integrity of electrolyte distributions at the subcellular and cellular level. Ideally, biopsies should be flash-frozen in the operating room rather than being frozen several minutes later in a histology laboratory. Electrolytes will move during such a long delay. While flammable cryogens such as propane obviously cannot be used in an operating room, liquid nitrogen-cooled slam-freezing devices or guns may be permitted, and are the best way to achieve an artifact-free, accurate tissue sample which truly reflects the in vivo state. Unfortunately, the importance of cryofixation is often not understood. Investigators bring tissue samples fixed in glutaraldehyde to a microprobe laboratory with a request for microprobe analysis for electrolytes.

Biological and biomedical applications of collagenous biomaterials

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 856-857
Author(s):  
Yasushi P. Kato ◽  
Michael G. Dunn ◽  
Frederick H. Silver ◽  
Arthur J. Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Collagen Fibers ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Cover Slip ◽  
Fibroblast Migration ◽  
Cellular Expression ◽  
Defect Repair

Collagenous biomaterials have been used for growing cells in vitro as well as for augmentation and replacement of hard and soft tissues. The substratum used for culturing cells is implicated in the modulation of phenotypic cellular expression, cellular orientation and adhesion. Collagen may have a strong influence on these cellular parameters when used as a substrate in vitro. Clinically, collagen has many applications to wound healing including, skin and bone substitution, tendon, ligament, and nerve replacement. In this report we demonstrate two uses of collagen. First as a fiber to support fibroblast growth in vitro, and second as a demineralized bone/collagen sponge for radial bone defect repair in vivo.For the in vitro study, collagen fibers were prepared as described previously. Primary rat tendon fibroblasts (1° RTF) were isolated and cultured for 5 days on 1 X 15 mm sterile cover slips. Six to seven collagen fibers, were glued parallel to each other onto a circular cover slip (D=18mm) and the 1 X 15mm cover slip populated with 1° RTF was placed at the center perpendicular to the collagen fibers. Fibroblast migration from the 1 x 15mm cover slip onto and along the collagen fibers was measured daily using a phase contrast microscope (Olympus CK-2) with a calibrated eyepiece. Migratory rates for fibroblasts were determined from 36 fibers over 4 days.

Multifunctional metal–organic framework heterostructures for enhanced cancer therapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jintong Liu ◽  
Jing Huang ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Jianping Lei
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
General Principle ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Functional Modulation ◽  
Organic Framework

We review the general principle of the design and functional modulation of nanoscaled MOF heterostructures, and biomedical applications in enhanced therapy.

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