Search Results (480)

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes have gained considerable attention in bone tissue engineering due to their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix and provide a suitable environment for cell attachment and proliferation. This study investigates the fabrication, characterization, and biocompatibility of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA)-based membranes enhanced with periclase (MgO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The membranes were fabricated using an optimized electrospinning process and subsequently characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and contact angle measurements. Additionally, in vitro biodegradation studies in simulated body fluid (SBF) and cytocompatibility tests with osteoblast-like cells were conducted. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of MgO and AuNPs significantly influenced the structural and chemical properties of the membranes, improving their wettability and bioactivity. SEM imaging confirmed uniform fiber morphology with well-distributed nanoparticles. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated successful integration of bioactive components into the PLA matrix. Cytocompatibility assays showed that modified membranes promoted higher osteoblast adhesion and proliferation compared to pristine PLA membranes. Furthermore, biodegradation studies revealed a controlled degradation rate suitable for guided bone regeneration applications. These findings suggest that electrospun PLA membranes enriched with MgO and AuNPs present a promising biomaterial for GBR applications, offering improved bioactivity, mechanical stability, and biocompatibility. Full article

Nafion has long been recognized as the gold standard for proton exchange membranes, due to its exceptional ion exchange capacity and its advanced performance in chemically aggressive environments. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that Nafion is equally well-suited in complex biological conditions owing to its structural robustness, responsive functionality and intrinsic biocompatibility. These characteristics have enabled its transition into the biomedical and healthcare sectors, where it is currently being explored for a diverse and expanding range of applications. To that end, Nafion has been systematically investigated as a key component in bioelectronic systems for energy harvest, sensors, wearable electronics, tissue engineering, lab-on-a-chip platforms, implants, controlled drug delivery systems and antimicrobial surface coatings. This review examines the distinctive structural and electrochemical characteristics that underpin Nafion’s performance in these biomedical contexts, provides an overview of recent advancements, emphasizes critical performance metrics and highlights the material’s growing potential to shape the future of biomedical technology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nanoparticles (NPs) were previously explored as enhancers in electroporation due to their potential to locally amplify electric fields near cell membranes, with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in particular showing promise in improving membrane permeability and gene electrotransfer (GET). In this study, we systematically investigated the influence of NP properties—including size, shape, surface functionalization, and material—on electroporation efficacy. Methods: A combined approach using theoretical modeling and experimental validation was employed, encompassing numerical simulations, membrane permeabilization assays, transmission electron microscopy, and GET efficiency measurements. Results: Numerical results revealed that the presence of NPs alters local electric field distributions, but the amplification is highly localized, regardless of NP conductivity or geometry. Experimentally, only two out of six tested NP types produced a statistically significant, yet modest, increase in membrane permeability at one electric field intensity. Similarly, GET improvement was observed with only one NP type, with no dependence on concentration or functionalization. Conclusions: Overall, our findings demonstrate that NPs, under tested conditions, do not substantially enhance cell membrane permeability or GET efficacy. These conclusions are supported by both computational modeling and in vitro experiments. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a rare angio-proliferative mesenchymal tumor that predominantly affects the skin and mucous membranes but may involve lymph nodes and visceral organs. Clinically, it manifests as red-purple-brown papules, nodules, or plaques, either painless or painful, often with disfiguring potential. The diagnosis is traditionally based on clinical and histopathological evaluation, although non-invasive imaging techniques are increasingly used to support diagnosis and treatment monitoring. We report a case of HHV-8-negative Kaposi sarcoma evaluated with multiple non-invasive imaging modalities to highlight their diagnostic utility. Case Presentation: An 83-year-old man presented with multiple painful, violaceous papulo-nodular lesions, some ulcerated, on the lateral aspect of his left foot. Dermoscopy revealed the characteristic rainbow pattern. Dynamic Optical Coherence Tomography (D-OCT) allowed real-time visualization of microvascular abnormalities, identifying large serpentine and branching vessels with clearly delineated capsules. Line-field Optical Coherence Tomography (LC-OCT) showed irregular dermal collagen, vascular lacunae, and the presence of spindle cells and slit-like vessels. Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma, revealing a proliferation of spindle-shaped endothelial cells forming angulated vascular spaces, with red blood cell extravasation and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Conclusions: Non-invasive imaging tools, including dermoscopy, D-OCT, and LC-OCT, have emerged as valuable adjuncts in the diagnosis and monitoring of KS. These techniques enable in vivo assessment of vascular architecture and tissue morphology, enhancing clinical decision-making while reducing the need for immediate biopsy. Dermoscopy reveals polychromatic vascular features, such as the rainbow pattern, while D-OCT and LC-OCT provide high-resolution insights into vascular proliferation, tissue heterogeneity, and cellular morphology. Dermoscopy, dynamic OCT, and LC-OCT represent promising non-invasive diagnostic tools for the assessment of Kaposi sarcoma. These technologies provide detailed morphological and vascular information, enabling earlier diagnosis and more personalized management. While histopathology remains the gold standard, non-invasive imaging offers a valuable complementary approach for diagnosis and follow-up, particularly in complex or atypical presentations. Ongoing research and technological refinement are essential to improve accessibility and clinical applicability. Full article

Metal nanostructure-assisted solar-driven interfacial evaporation systems have emerged as a promising solution to achieve sustainable water production. Herein, we fabricated photothermal films of a bumpy gold nanoshell with controlled shell thicknesses (11.7 nm and 16.6 nm) and gap structures to enhance their photothermal conversion efficiency. FDTD simulation of bumpy nanoshell modeling revealed that thinner nanoshells exhibited higher absorption efficiency across the visible–NIR spectrum. Photothermal films prepared by a three-phase self-assembly method exhibited superior photothermal conversion, with films using thinner nanoshells (11.7 nm) achieving higher surface temperatures and faster water evaporation under both laser and sunlight irradiation. Furthermore, evaporation performance was evaluated using different support layers. Films on PVDF membranes with optimized hydrophilicity and minimized heat convection achieved the highest evaporation rate of 1.067 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under sunlight exposure (937.1 W/m²), outperforming cellulose and PTFE supports. This work highlights the critical role of nanostructure design and support layer engineering in enhancing photothermal conversion efficiency, offering a strategy for the development of efficient solar-driven desalination systems. Full article

While multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is known to be a specific and reliable modality for the diagnosis of non-metastatic prostate cancer (PC), positron emission tomography (PET) using ⁶⁸Ga labeled ligands targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is known for its reliable detection of prostate cancer, being the most sensitive modality for the assessment of the extra-prostatic extension of the disease and the establishment of a diagnosis, even before biopsy. Background/Objectives: Here, we compared these modalities in regards to the localization of intraprostatic cancer lesions prior to local HDR brachytherapy. Methods: A cohort of 27 patients received both mpMRI and PSMA-PET/CT. Based on 24 intraprostatic segments, two readers each scored the risk of tumor-like alteration in each imaging modality. The detectability was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The histopathological findings from biopsy were used as the gold standard in each segment. In addition, we applied a patient-based “congruence” concept to quantify the interobserver and intermodality agreement. Results: For the ROC analysis, we included 447 segments (19 patients), with their respective histological references. The two readers of the MRI reached an AUC of 0.770 and 0.781, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.75). The PET/CT readers reached an AUC of 0.684 and 0.608, respectively, with a significant difference (p < 0.001). The segment-wise intermodality comparison showed a significant superiority of MRI (AUC = 0.815) compared to PET/CT (AUC = 0.690) (p = 0.006). Via a patient-based analysis, a superiority of MRI in terms of relative agreement with the biopsy result was observed (n = 19 patients). We found congruence scores of 83% (MRI) and 76% (PET/CT, p = 0.034), respectively. Using an adjusted “near total agreement” score (adjacent segments with positive scores of 4 or 5 counted as congruent), we found an increase in the agreement, with a score of 96.5% for MRI and 92.7% for PET/CT, with significant difference (p = 0.024). Conclusions: This study suggests that in a small collective of low-/intermediate risk prostate cancer, mpMRI is superior for the detection of intraprostatic lesions as compared to PSMA-PET/CT. We also found a higher relative agreement between MRI and biopsy as compared to that for PET/CT. However, further studies including a larger number of patients and readers are necessary to draw solid conclusions. Full article

The development of rapid, sensitive and cost-effective lateral flow assays is crucial for the detection of mycotoxins, ideally at the point-of-care level. This study presents the design and optimization of a competitive lateral flow assay based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the detection of zearalenone in food samples. Beginning with the synthesis and functionalization of gold nanoparticles, it proceeds to compare the immobilization of antibodies using chemical conjugation and physical adsorption binding strategies, upon optimizing parameters including the pH, antibody concentration and blocking conditions to enhance the stability of the prepared bioconjugates. The bioconjugates are characterized using UV–visible absorption spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering to monitor changes in the spectra and hydrodynamic size of AuNPs upon the addition of antibodies. The assessment of these bioconjugates is based on their ability to bind and manifest a color, developed due to nanoparticle binding with the test zone on the strip with the toxin–protein conjugate. The lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) strips are then prepared by dispensing a control line (IgG) and test line (toxin–protein conjugate) on a nitrocellulose membrane using a lateral flow strip dispenser. The sensitivity of the LFIA strips is evaluated after standardizing the conditions by varying the concentration of zearalenone in the spiked samples and optimizing the running buffer solution. The limit of detection and limit of quantification under optimized conditions are determined to be 0.7 ng/mL and 2.37 ng for zearalenone-spiked samples. Furthermore, the mean pixel intensity and RGB values are plotted against the concentration of zearalenone, which can be used in a colorimetric smartphone-based application for the quantification of the amount of mycotoxin in the sample. Full article

Background/Objectives: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale, membrane-enclosed structures that play key roles in intercellular communication and biological regulation. Among them, Lactobacillus paracasei-derived EVs (Lp-EVs) have attracted attention for their anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, making them promising candidates for therapeutic and cosmetic use. However, methods for specific detection and quantitative evaluation of Lp-EVs are still limited. This study aims to develop a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based sensor system for the precise and selective detection of Lp-EVs. Methods: Anti-p40 antibodies were immobilized on gold thin films to construct an SPR sensing platform. The overexpression of the p40 protein on Lp-EVs was confirmed using flow cytometry and Western blotting. For functional evaluation, Lp-EVs were applied to an artificial skin membrane mounted on a Franz diffusion cell, followed by SPR-based quantification and fluorescence imaging to assess their skin penetration behavior. Results: The developed SPR sensor demonstrated high specificity and a detection limit of 0.12 µg/mL, with a linear response range from 0.1 to 0.375 µg/mL. It successfully discriminated Lp-EVs from other bacterial EVs. In the skin diffusion assay, Lp-EVs accumulated predominantly in the epidermal layer without penetrating into the dermis, likely due to their negative surface charge and interaction with the hydrophobic epidermal lipid matrix. Fluorescence imaging confirmed this epidermal confinement, which increased over 24 h. Conclusions: This study presents a sensitive and selective SPR-based platform for detecting Lp-EVs and demonstrates their potential for targeted epidermal delivery. These findings support the use of Lp-EVs in skin-focused therapeutic and cosmetic applications. Future studies will explore strategies such as microneedle-assisted delivery to enhance transdermal penetration and efficacy. Full article

Drug resistance is a serious problem for human health worldwide. Day by day this drug resistance is increasing and creating an anxious situation for the treatment of both cancer and infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Researchers are trying to solve this terrible situation to overcome drug resistance. Biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could be a promising agent for controlling drug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms and cancer cells. AuNPs can be synthesized via chemical and physical approaches, carrying many threats to the ecosystem. Green synthesis of AuNPs using biological agents such as plants and microbes is the most fascinating and attractive alternative to physicochemical synthesis as it offers many advantages, such as simplicity, non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. Plant extracts contain numerous biomolecules, and microorganisms produce various metabolites that act as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents during the synthesis of AuNPs. The characterization of green-synthesized AuNPs has been conducted using multiple instruments including UV–Vis spectrophotometry (UV–Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), DLS, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). AuNPs have detrimental effects on bacterial and cancer cells via the disruption of cell membranes, fragmentation of DNA, production of reactive oxygen species, and impairment of metabolism. The biocompatibility and biosafety of synthesized AuNPs must be investigated using a proper in vitro and in vivo screening model system. In this review, we have emphasized the green, facile, and eco-friendly synthesis of AuNPs using plants and microorganisms and their potential antimicrobial and anticancer applications and highlighted their antibacterial and anticancer mechanisms. This study demonstrates that green-synthesized AuNPs may potentially be used to control pathogenic bacteria as well as cancer cells. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pharmaceutical companies are aware of the ongoing effort to satisfy the increasing global demand for therapeutic-grade monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), an especially difficult challenge for poor and developing countries. We present a simple, economical, single-step purification approach at neutral pH for polyclonal human IgG (hIgG), which does not require any expensive ligands, chromatography columns, polymers, or membranes. Methods/Results: Instead, porous precipitates of commercial, recyclable aromatic [bathophenanthroline:cation] complexes were found to efficiently capture impurity proteins from CHO cells or E. coli lysate while maintaining the majority of the highly concentrated hIgG (5–15 mg/mL) in the supernatant. [(Batho)₃:Zn²⁺] complexes were the most promising, resulting in hIgG with a purity of ≈95%, by SDS-PAGE. This purified hIgG is monomeric (by dynamic light scattering, DLS) and preserves the native secondary structure (by far UV circular dichroism spectroscopy, CD). The process yield is >90% (by densitometry) and is maintained after a 100-fold increase in the reaction volume, which required only proportional increases in reagents. Conclusions: Although Protein A chromatographic columns, the industry gold standard, have a limited binding capacity, are costly, and require familiarity with column maintenance, we are attempting, by our efforts, to help to produce a more efficient, simple, and economical purification platform. Full article

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are a significant clinical challenge, often resulting in persistent sensory and motor deficits despite surgical repair. Autologous nerve grafts remain the gold standard for repair; however, outcomes are frequently suboptimal due to donor site morbidity and inconsistent functional recovery. A major obstacle in nerve regeneration is the formation of postoperative adhesions and fibrosis, which impede healing and necessitate revision surgeries. Nerve protectors from biological, synthetic, and hybrid materials offer a promising tissue engineering strategy to enhance nerve regeneration. These protectors are applied as a protective barrier when a nerve is severed without the gap, allowing for direct repair. They provide mechanical support and reduce scarring. Biocompatible biological wraps, including vascularized fat flaps, vein wraps, collagen-based materials, human amniotic membrane (hAM), porcine small intestinal submucosa (PSIS), and chitosan, modulate immune responses and promote vascularization. Synthetic alternatives, like polycaprolactone (PCL), provide mechanical stability with controlled degradation. Hybrid wraps, such as PCL-amnion, combine the benefits of both. Despite optimistic results, the heterogeneity of study methodologies hinders direct comparisons and standardization. This review highlights the latest developments in nerve wraps, their clinical applications, limitations, and future potential, guiding clinicians in selecting the most appropriate materials for peripheral nerve repair. Full article

Metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) are gaining attention as promising components of nanopesticides, offering innovative solutions to enhance agricultural pest management while addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional pesticides. MNPs, such as silver, copper, zinc, nickel, gold, iron, aluminum, and titanium, exhibit unique nanoscale properties. These properties enable the formulation of MNPs for controlled and sustained release, thereby reducing application frequency and minimizing environmental runoff. This controlled release mechanism not only improves pest management efficacy but also reduces risks to non-target organisms and beneficial species, aligning with the principles of sustainable crop protection. This review examines nanopesticides based on their specific targets, such as nanoinsecticide, nanobactericide, nanofungicide, nanonematicide, and nanoviricide. It also explores the mechanisms of action of metal-based nanoparticles, including physical disruption, chemical interactions, and biological processes. Additionally, the review details how MNPs compromise cellular integrity through mechanisms such as membrane damage, DNA disruption, mitochondrial impairment, and protein denaturation. Despite these advantages, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the environmental impact of MNPs, their long-term effects on soil health and ecosystem dynamics, and potential risks to human safety. Addressing these challenges is crucial for realizing the full potential of MNPs in sustainable agriculture. Full article

In a ground-breaking recent study, we unveiled the remarkable cellular uptake of 60 nm ZnO and TiO₂ nanoparticles by NIH/3T3 mouse skin fibroblasts under microwave irradiation. Even more stimulating is our current demonstration of the potent ability of Ag nanoparticles (147 nm) and Au nanoparticles (120 nm) to stifle the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli—a prokaryote whose cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles), vastly smaller than the NIH/3T3 cells, when exposed to significantly optimized low-power microwave irradiation conditions. Our rigorous assessment of the method’s effectiveness involved scrutinizing the growth rate of E. coli bacteria under diverse conditions involving silver and gold nanoparticles. This indisputably underscores the potential of microwave–nanoparticle interactions in impeding bacterial proliferation. Furthermore, our noteworthy findings on the uptake of fluorescent organosilica nanoparticles by E. coli cells following brief, repeated microwave irradiation highlight the bacteria’s remarkable ability to assimilate extraneous substances. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this study, AuDNs/EPLE composite electrodes with hierarchical dendritic nanogold structures were fabricated using the in situ electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles through the i-t method. Methods: A conductive polymer composite membrane, PEDOT, was synthesized via the electropolymerization of EDOT and the negatively charged PSS⁻. The negatively charged SO₃⁻ groups on the surface of the PEDOT membrane were electrostatically adsorbed with the glucose oxidase (GOD) enzyme and a positively charged chitosan co-solution (GOD/chit⁺). Using a layer-by-layer self-assembly approach, GOD was incorporated into the multilayers of the composite electrode to create the composite GOD/chit⁺/PEDOT/AuDNs/EPLE. Results: Electrochemical analysis revealed a GOD surface coverage of 8.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² and an electron transfer rate of 1.394 ± 0.02 s⁻¹. The composite electrode exhibited a linear response to glucose in the concentration range of 6.923 × 10⁻² mM to 1.54 mM, with an apparent Michaelis constant of 0.352 ± 0.02 mM. Furthermore, the GOD/chit⁺/PEDOT/AuDNs/EPLE also showed good accuracy of glucose determination in human serum samples. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of the GOD/chit⁺/PEDOT/AuDNs/EPLE composite electrode in the development of efficient enzymatic biofuel cells for glucose sensing and energy harvesting applications. Full article

Background: Sinus-lift (SL) is a pre-prosthetic procedure with the objective of increasing bone height to achieve implant insertion primary stability in implant-supported prostheses. The biomechanical properties of SL augmentation materials are influenced by their origin, manufacture, bioactive substances addition, receiver, and surgical procedure. This systematic review provides insights into state-of-the-art SL biomaterials, focusing on autologous bone grafting as the gold standard. Methods: The study followed the PRISMA flow diagram, searching WoS (Web of Science), Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases using the search terms «sinus lift» OR «sinus augmentation» OR «bone graft» OR «bovine» OR «porcine» OR «autologous» OR «allogenic» OR «xenogeneic» OR «alloplastic» OR «hydroxyapatite» OR «β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)» OR «equine» OR «PRF». Results: The highest bone gain was provided by Bioglass at 42%. Articles written between 2014 and 2024 in English or French, containing human studies and with full text available, were included. Participants were required to be in good general health, without acute, chronic, or congenital diseases, or substance abuse (drugs, alcohol, or nicotine). SL surgery was performed using the lateral approach, with no Schneiderian membrane perforation or postoperative complications. The network meta-analysis was conducted using the R statistical computing environment. To assess the inconsistency between direct and indirect evidence, we used a net heat plot. To evaluate heterogeneity across studies, we used the chi-squared-based Q-test and I² statistic. A significance level of 0.05 was applied throughout all analyses. Results: Allogeneic bovine bone and hydrox yapatite demonstrated the lowest resorption rates. Significant differences were found for residual graft and connective tissue between allogenous bovine bone (ABB) + AlB vs. β-TCP + PRF (p = 0.028); ABB + AlB vs. β-TCP (p = 0.034); ABB + AlB vs. BCP (p = 0.037). Meta-analysis showed that the overall heterogeneity was 51.8% (6.9–75%; p = 0.019), with significant heterogeneity within designs (p = 0.007) and no significant heterogeneity between designs (p = 0.39). AB had a better bone regeneration ratio compared to many of the other interventions, but only two passed the threshold of significance: A1B and B-TCP + AB. Conclusions: A grafting material’s superiority is determined by its new bone formation ratio, connective tissue integration, residual graft content, and bone resorptionratio. Although autologous bone grafting has exhibited superior bone regeneration compared to other biomaterials, it was not favored due to its unpredictable connective tissue concentration and bone resorption ratio. Additionally, autologous bone exhibited the fastest metabolic turnover among all grafting materials. Full article