Michael R Hamblin

The concept of smart drug delivery vehicles involves designing and preparing a nanostructure (or microstructure) that can be loaded with a cargo, this can be a therapeutic drug, a contrast agent for imaging, or a nucleic acid for gene therapy. The nanocarrier serves to protect the cargo from degradation by enzymes in the body, to enhance the solubility of insoluble drugs, to extend the circulation half-life, and to enhance its penetration and accumulation at the target site. Importantly, smart nanocarriers can be designed to be responsive to a specific stimulus, so that the cargo is only released or activated when desired. In this volume we cover smart nanocarriers that respond to externally applied stimuli that usually involve application of physical energy. This physical energy can be applied from outside the body and can either cause cargo release, or can activate the nanostructure to be cytotoxic, or both. The stimuli covered include light of various wavelengths (ultraviolet, visible or infrared), temperature (increased or decreased), magnetic fields (used to externally manipulate nanostructures and to activate them), ultrasound, and electrical and mechanical forces. Finally we discuss the issue of nanotoxicology and the future scope of the field.

The ability to arrange precisely designed patterns of nanoparticles into a desired spatial configuration is the key to creating novel nanoscale devices that take advantage of the unique properties of nanomaterials. While two-dimensional arrays of nanoparticles have been demonstrated successfully by various techniques, a controlled way of building ordered arrays of three-dimensional (3D) nanoparticle structures remains challenging. This book describes a new technique called the 'nanoscopic lens' which is able to produce a variety of 3D nano-structures in a controlled manner. This ebook describes the nanoscopic lens technique and how it can serve as the foundation for device development that is not limited to a variety of optical, magnetic and electronic devices, but can also create a wide range of bio-nanoelectronic devices.

This book focuses on skin photoaging, the premature aging of skin due to environmental effects such as exposure to UV (UVA, UVB) radiation from the sun. Slowing the aging process and rejuvenation have been one of the major goals of medicine and are in high demand as consumers seek agents or treatments that can prevent or reverse age associated changes in the skin. Skin Photoaging reviews the compounds and modalities that have been show (or have potential) to improve the appearance of prematurely aged skin. Skin aging is a complex process resulting in functional and aesthetic changes and can be divided into two simple processes: intrinsic or programmed aging, and photoaging. Intrinsic aging tends to occur inevitably as a natural consequence of aging. Photoaging accounts for premature aging due to exposure to UV radiation from the sun and artificial sources. The development of cosmetically pleasing sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB irradiation as well as cosmeceuticals that resist the UV signaling pathways leading to photoaging are major steps forward in preventing and reversing photoaging. Treatments such as cosmetological injections and filling, chemical peeling, laser radio-frequency, and photodynamic therapy also demonstrate significant improvement. This book focuses on causes, prevention, and treatments.

This book focuses on skin photoaging, the premature aging of skin due to environmental effects such as exposure to UV (UVA, UVB) radiation from the sun.

The ability to arrange precisely designed patterns of nanoparticles into a desired spatial configuration is the key to creating novel nanoscale devices that take advantage of the unique properties of nanomaterials. While two-dimensional arrays of nanoparticles have been demonstrated successfully by various techniques, a controlled way of building ordered arrays of three-dimensional (3D) nanoparticle structures remains challenging. This book describes a new technique called the 'nanoscopic lens' which is able to produce a variety of 3D nano-structures in a controlled manner. This ebook describes the nanoscopic lens technique and how it can serve as the foundation for device development that is not limited to a variety of optical, magnetic and electronic devices, but can also create a wide range of bio-nanoelectronic devices.