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Objectives Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention by researchers worldwide in recent years for their small dimensions and unique architecture, and for having immense potential in nanomedicine as biocompatible and supportive substrates, as a novel tool for the delivery of therapeutic molecules including peptides, RNA and DNA, and also as sensors, actuators and composites. Key findings CNTs have been employed in the development of molecular electronic, composite materials and others due to their unique atomic structure, high surface area-tovolume ratio and excellent electronic, mechanical and thermal properties. Recently they have been exploited as novel nanocarriers in drug delivery systems and biomedical applications. Their larger inner volume as compared with the dimensions of the tube and easy immobilization of their outer surface with biocompatible materials make CNTs a superior nanomaterial for drug delivery. Literature reveals that CNTs are versatile carriers for controlled and targeted drug delivery, especially for cancer cells, because of their cell membrane penetrability. Summary This review enlightens the biomedical application of CNTs with special emphasis on utilization in controlled and targeted drug delivery, as a diagnostics tool and other possible uses in therapeutic systems. The review also focuses on the toxicity aspects of CNTs, and revealed that genotoxic potential, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of different types of CNTs must be explored and overcome by formulating safe biomaterial for drug delivery. The review also describes the regulatory aspects and clinical and market status of CNTs.

The plasticity region of the Helicobacter pylori genome comprises strain-specific gene loci. We performed genotyping and functional biology analysis of one such locus (jhp940) that was previously found to be functionally unknown but present in gastric cancer-associated strains from many different countries. We found its geographic prevalence to be independent of cagA presence and disease status. Cloning, expression, and purification of JHP940 revealed a novel, ϳ36-kDa protein in a biologically active form which elicited strong and significant levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-8 in human macrophages. Also, JHP940 was able to induce enhanced translocation of the transcription factor NF-B complex in cultured macrophages. The induction of the proinflammatory cytokines by JHP940, therefore, points to its putative role in chronic gastric inflammation and, possibly, the various other outcomes of H. pylori infection, including gastric cancer.

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