Metal-Organic Frameworks: Versatile Platforms for Biomedical Innovations

This review article explores the multiple applications and potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the biomedical field. With their highly versatile and tunable properties, MOFs present many possibilities, including drug delivery, biomolecule recognition, biosensors, and immunotherapy. Their crystal structure allows precise tuning, with the ligand typology and metal geometry playing critical roles. MOFs' ability to encapsulate drugs and exhibit pH-triggered release makes them ideal candidates for precision medicine, including cancer treatment. They are also potential gene carriers for genetic disorders and have been used in biosensors and as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Despite the complexities encountered in modulating properties and interactions with biological systems, further research on MOFs is imperative. The primary focus of this review is to provide a comprehensive examination of MOFs in these applications, highlighting the current achievements and complexities encountered. Such efforts will uncover their untapped potential in creating innovative tools for biomedical applications, emphasizing the need to invest in the continued exploration of this promising field.

[194 laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anesthetic and surgical details]

In this clinic and prospective study we investigated the anesthetic and surgical particularities in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for 194 patients. Approximately the two third of patients have had a great mortality risk (ASA III and IV). 139 patients have had severe comorbid conditions. All patients were under general anesthesia with oro-tracheal intubation. The surgical time was between 27 and 148 minutes. The subjects of this study were old patients with acute cholecystitis and severe comorbid conditions. No significant incident or complication were noted, all patients have had a good outcome.

[The potentials for immunization against influenza using liposome-incorporated viral surface antigens]

Studies were conducted using uni- and multilamellar liposomes to establish optimum conditions for influenza antigen incorporation in view of their transport to the target cells for experimental influenza prophylaxis in hybrid white mice. Radiometric determinations showed a good level of preparation purification, a good efficiency of incorporation in liposomes of the active biological material, the liposome linked radioactivity distribution among different organs. Charged liposomes induced solid and long lasting resistance against influenza control infection.

The effects of TAB and of adrenergic blocking drugs on the course of the experimental irradiation disease

The experiment is aimed at establishing the consequences of the endotoxic stress (TAB) associated with alpha- or beta-adrenergic selective blocking drugs on the course of the acute irradiation disease in rats (700R, gamma rad Co60). TAB administered before or after irradiation, alone or associated with propranolol, increases the surviving rate at 30 and 60 days from exposure as compared to the controls (LD 95/30 days). Generally, dibenzyline has unfavourable effects on mortality and survival rate at the mentioned intervals. Based on the data obtained, an adrenergic component is analysed in achieving the survival increase by TAB and beta-adrenergic blocking substances; a hypothesis about the mechanisms involved is advanced.

Effects of cobalt-60 gamma-irradiation in association with prostaglandin E1 treatment on the cyclic AMP levels of some radiosensitive tissues

The amounts of cyclic AMP in brain, liver and intestinal mucosa have been measured in rats, at constant intervals, up to 18 days after whole-body exposure to either a unique moderate dose (500 rd) or a unique lethal dose (750 rd) of cobalt-60 gamma-radiation in association with a preliminary intraperitoneally treatment with prostaglandin E1 (5 microgram/100 g body weight/day) during five days. The amounts of tissular cyclic AMP in these two experimental groups were compared with those obtained from control groups identically irradiated or treated with prostaglandin E1. The effects of gamma-irradiation and prostaglandin E1 treatment on the cyclic AMP levels were found to be quite specific in these organs, suggesting that they contain different adenyl cyclase-cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase systems: a cerebral system which is influenced by both gamma-radiation and prostaglandin E1, a hepatic system which is "radioresistant" and an intestinal system which is not influenced by prostaglandin E1. When associated with gamma-radiation, this prostaglandin is capable, on the one hand, to annul the "radioresistance" of the hepatic cyclic AMP system and, on the other hand, to annul the "radiosensitivity" of the intestinal cyclic AMP system.

Changes in the activities of blood and tissue adenosinetriphosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase after exposure to 60Co gamma-rays in association with some drug treatments

Experiments in rats exposed to a moderate dose of 60Co gamma-radiation and treated with either cystamine, AET, complamin or alpha-methyldopa suggested that the efficiency of a radioprotective drug might be related to its ability to maintain low levels of ATP-ase activity in blood and tissues after irradiation.

Endogenous biochemical factors affecting the efficiency of some radioprotective or radiosensitizing drugs: sulfhydryl groups and lipid peroxides

The changes in the amounts of blood and tissular sulfhydryl groups and lipid peroxides were investigated in lethally gamma-irradiated rats treated with cystamine, AET (radioprotectors) or alpha-methyl-dopa (a radiosensitizer). The results of experiments revealed the following findings: 1. The ionizing radiation generally causes increases in the levels of tissular sulfhydryl groups and lipid peroxides (excepting the hepatic levels of these compounds). 2. AET and, especially, cystamine are able to reverse the radiation-induced changes in the tissular amounts of sulfhydryl groups and lipid peroxides; there are close relationships between this effect (including its intensity and extension) and the radioprotective action of these drugs. 3. In spite of its radiosensitizing action, alpha-methyl-dopa induces approximately similar changes in the tissular amounts of sulfhydryl groups and lipid peroxides, suggesting that biochemical processes other than an excessive yield of free radicals are also involved in radiosensitivity.