Posted on November 21, 2011 by: Florice E. Pressman
According to a presentation at this week’s American Heart Association meeting, a Japanese research team led by cardiologist Dr. Yoshihiko Saito of Nara Medical University in Kashihara has developed a nano-sized packaging for the drug used to dissolve blot clots, known as tPA. The main drawback of tPA is currently a high risk of internal bleeding. By using a packaging of gelatin-based nanoparticles, the tPA is able to bind to a common clotting compound in the body, and thus better target the actual source of heart attacks.
tPA works through injection into the blood stream. The new nanoparticle tPA is injected in tiny blobs, which are then burst with ultrasound waves once they reach the clot.
The Dr. Saito’s team found that 30 minutes after injection, the nano tPA improved blood flow through obstructed blood vessels by 90 percent, whereas the traditional tPA only improved blood flow by 10 percent. The scientists also found less stray tPA in the bloodstream afterward with the nanoparticles.
Although the technology has been tested only in pigs, some doctors find the early results promising, particularly for use in rural areas. Approximately half of all heart attack fatalities occur before the patient reaches the hospital for angioplasty, a process in which doctors use a catheter and balloon to prop open blocked coronary arteries and insert stents. Each minute after a heart attack increases damage to the heart from lack of blood through the blocked artery.
Posted on November 11, 2011 by: Vahbiz P. Karanjia
Appearing before the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Philadelphia-based Iroko Pharmaceuticals delivered clinical trial results of its Phase 2 research into the use of nano-formulations to deliver a large class of pain medicines known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). In three presentations before the ACR in Chicago, the drug manufacturer presented evidence on how its applied proprietary nanotechnology reformulates certain products within available NSAIDs.
Posted on November 07, 2011 by: Vahbiz P. Karanjia
As previously posted on The Nano Newswire, throughout November, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the University of Albany is hosting “NANOvember” a month-long celebration of nanotechnology. To kick things off, CNSE hosted a Community Day on November 5th that attracted a record crowd of 1,200 visitors! The event offered an opportunity for residents and revelers to have an up-close look at the world of nanotechnology. From tours of CNSE’s cleanroom facilities to a Kid’s Corner featuring kid-friendly activities related to nanotechnology, the event offered a one-of-a-kind educational experience. Specifically, CNSE’s NANOvember underscore’s New York State’s and specifically its residents’ commitment to becoming a hot spot for nanotechnology.
A complete schedule of events and activities during NANOvember is available at http://cnse.albany.edu/Outreach/NANOvember.aspx.
Posted on October 24, 2011 by: Jeffrey A. Clopeck
On October 20, 2011, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) released its 2011 Environmental, Health and Safety Research Strategy (the "Strategy"), and held a webinar to discuss the development of the Strategy and its main areas of focus. The Strategy is a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safe, effective, and responsible development and use of nanotechnology.
The Strategy provides an integrated research framework to guide all Federal agencies participating in the NNI. The Strategy identifies six core categories of research that together can contribute to the responsible development of nanotechnology: (1) Nanomaterial Measurement Infrastructure, (2) Human Exposure Assessment, (3) Human Health, (4) Environment, (5) Risk Assessment and Risk Management, and (6) Informatics and Modeling.
Posted on October 18, 2011 by: David T. Bomzer
NANOvember is coming thanks to SUNY Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE). The schedule for this fourth annual event includes a "Nano Discovery" event, which is a collaboration with Police Athletic League (PAL) chapters in Albany and Troy, which will provide students with hands-on nanotechnology related activities. "NanoQuin World" will launch at Albany’s Crossgates Mall, which will highlight the numerous applications of nanoscale know-how in today’s society. In addition, lectures will be provided to discuss the emergence of nanotechnology, its growing impact on all facets of society, and the leadership provided by CNSE and New York State for this rapidly expanding industry.