Search Results (1,849)

Pharyngeal infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV16, is biologically distinct from cervical infection because it occurs within the specialized lymphoepithelial environment of Waldeyer’s ring. This review evaluates nanoparticle materials for the prevention, detection, and treatment of pharyngeal HPV, with an emphasis on structure–property–function relationships, mucosal performance, and translational feasibility. Lipid nanoparticle platforms, polymeric nanoparticle platforms, inorganic systems, and hybrid platforms are compared with respect to composition, particle size distribution, surface charge, colloidal stability, biodegradability, payload compatibility, release behavior, and manufacturing complexity. Evidence suggests that lipid and polymeric systems are the most credible near-future candidates for mucosal vaccination and localized nucleic acid delivery because they offer the best balance between controllable fabrication, analytical tractability, and biologically plausible performance in mucus-exposed tissue. By contrast, the development of inorganic theranostics and CRISPR-enabled platforms remains at an earlier stage because repeated mucosal dosing, retention in lymphoid tissue, and combined product regulation impose substantial burdens. A translational roadmap is proposed in which material selection is guided by clinically relevant quality attributes, standardized saliva- and mucus-relevant assays, human tonsil organoid testing, and early attention to manufacturability, safety, and regulatory strategy. The field is promising, but direct pharyngeal HPV data remain limited; accordingly, there is an urgent need for comparative studies that connect nanoparticle architecture to measurable outcomes such as tonsillar deposition, epithelial uptake, immune activation, and local tolerability. Full article

Bumped kinase inhibitor 1708 (BKI-1708), previously demonstrated to target apicomplexan kinases and CDPK1 and MAPKL1, exhibits remarkable activity against Toxoplasma gondii infection both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, BKI-1708 does not affect the viability of mammalian cells. Upon exposure to BKI-1708, T. gondii tachyzoites form large multinucleated complexes named baryzoites and remain trapped within host cells. In this study, proteins binding to BKI-1708 were identified in soluble extracts of T. gondii ME49 tachyzoites and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) using differential affinity chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (DAC-MS). Beyond kinases, secondary interactions in T. gondii involved the binding of proteins associated with cell division, cytoskeleton, vesicular trafficking, secretory organelles, and transcriptional and translational regulators. In non-infected HFFs, BKI-1708 interactors included cytoskeletal regulators along with multiple RNA/DNA-binding proteins. Upon infection, this profile shifted, with cytoskeletal components no longer detected, while nucleic acid-binding proteins remained present, consistent with infection-induced chromatin and transcriptional remodeling. These results suggest that multi-target interference could contribute to the impaired cytokinesis and the formation of multinucleated baryzoites, aligning with the concept that antiprotozoal drugs exert efficacy through coordinated perturbation of multiple cellular processes rather than a single dominant target. Full article

Biological aerosols represent a significant challenge for modern CBRN defense due to their potential for long-range dispersion and the need for rapid threat assessment. Current stand-off detection systems are effective in recognizing anomalous aerosol clouds but often lack the molecular specificity required for reliable agent identification. This review examines the role of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy as an emerging approach for chemically resolved stand-off bioaerosol sensing. The physical principles of MIR detection are discussed, including molecular vibrational fingerprints, differential scattering (DISC), and circular intensity differential scattering (CIDS), together with their relationship to aerosol optical properties and Mie resonance effects. Existing and emerging sensing architectures are reviewed, ranging from operational CO₂ laser-based DISC systems to semiconductor-based platforms utilizing tunable differential absorption lidar (DIAL), Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), and dual-comb spectroscopy. The analysis highlights the ability of MIR sensing to access biomolecular signatures associated with proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and bacterial spores, while also addressing challenges related to atmospheric attenuation, biological variability, and signal interpretation. The reviewed literature indicates that MIR spectroscopy offers a promising pathway toward improved stand-off identification of hazardous bioaerosols, supporting early threat detection and enhanced situational awareness in applications including CBRN defense, critical infrastructure protection, environmental monitoring, public health surveillance, and emergency response. Full article

Liquid biopsy has emerged as a transformative approach in modern oncology, offering minimally invasive access to tumor-derived biomarkers through the analysis of circulating tumor DNA, cell-free DNA, and extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. Unlike conventional tissue biopsies, liquid biopsy enables real-time monitoring of tumor dynamics, molecular heterogeneity, treatment response, and the development of therapeutic resistance. Recent advances in ultra-sensitive molecular technologies, including digital droplet polymerase chain reaction, next-generation sequencing, methylation profiling, and fragmentomic analysis, have substantially improved the sensitivity and specificity of circulating nucleic acid detection, facilitating their integration into precision cancer medicine. ctDNA analysis has demonstrated significant clinical utility across multiple malignancies, including lung, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, particularly in the identification of actionable genomic alterations, minimal residual disease, and mechanisms of acquired resistance. In parallel, cell-free DNA provides broader insights into tumor biology and systemic genomic alterations, while exosomes contribute additional layers of molecular information through the transport of nucleic acids, proteins, and signaling molecules involved in intercellular communication and tumor microenvironment modulation. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches further enhances the interpretative power of liquid biopsy-derived datasets and supports the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. Despite these advances, important challenges remain, including low tumor fraction in early-stage disease, biological and technical variability, clonal hematopoiesis-associated false positives, assay standardization, and cost-effectiveness considerations. Nevertheless, the expanding clinical applicability of liquid biopsy technologies positions them as essential components of contemporary precision oncology. This review summarizes the biological foundations, analytical methodologies, current clinical applications, technological innovations, and future perspectives of circulating tumor DNA, cell-free DNA, and exosome-based liquid biopsies in cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and personalized treatment strategies. Full article

Over the past decade, the incidence of infectious syphilis has been on the rise in the general Chinese population. Consequently, Treponema Pallidum (TP) testing has been proposed as a surrogate marker for sexually transmitted pathogens and for monitoring risky sexual behaviors among blood donors globally. In addition, sexual contact with individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recognized as one of the primary routes of HBV transmission. Blood donors may acquire HBV infection through sexual contact with chronically infected partners, particularly with occult hepatitis B infections (OBIs), which are characterized by intermittent and extremely low viral loads. Therefore, the prevalence of OBIs among syphilis-positive blood donations and the corresponding risks to blood safety require further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of OBIs among syphilis-positive blood donors and assess the surrogate value of TP testing for evaluating OBI-related risks to blood supply. After routine screening using serological assays and nucleic acid testing (NAT), blood donation samples with positive anti-TP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results were collected and further confirmed by the Treponema Pallidum Particle Agglutination Assay (TPPA). For blood donations confirmed positive for syphilis, further tests were performed to characterize whether the donations had HBV co-infection, including electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLI) for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), anti-hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe), and anti-hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). Additionally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used for HBV DNA quantification, and nested PCRs for the S and basal core promoter/precore (BCP/PC) region were conducted in combination with high-volume nucleic acid extraction. Subsequently, molecular characterization of HBV DNA in these co-infected samples was carried out by DNA sequencing to analyze the viral genetic features. Of 252 anti-TP ELISA+ donations screened from 64,871 blood samples, 138 (138/250, 55.2%) donations were confirmed syphilis-positive but NAT−, among which 78 (78/138, 56.5%) were anti-HBc-positive, and 88 (88/138, 63.7%) had anti-HBs. Notably, seven donations (7/138, 5.1%) were diagnosed as OBI co-infections, and available sequence analysis revealed that three cases were genotype B and one case was genotype C. In addition, several mutations in the S region of the HBV genome were identified, including Q101R, K122R, Q129H, T131N, M133T, G145R, and Y161F mutations. Furthermore, nucleotide mutations such as T1719G, A1752T, G1896A, and A1762T/G1764A in the BCP/PC regions were also detected in these OBI donations. These mutations may contribute to the extremely low HBV viral loads and/or failure in HBsAg detection, collectively leading to OBIs. These data indicate that syphilis screening of blood donors has potential to serve as an additional safeguard measure for excluding donations co-infected with OBIs. The high prevalence of undetected OBIs in syphilis-positive blood donors further supports that syphilis screening has the potential to serve as a surrogate marker for HBV-related risks in the blood supply. Full article

Portable sensing systems are increasingly important in biological and chemical analyses because they can provide analytical information at the point of decision-making. While traditional laboratory methods remain crucial for reference measurements, regulatory validation, and high-precision quantification, portable systems emphasize rapid response, convenience, cost-effectiveness, robustness, and relevance to decision-making. This paper views portable sensing systems as integrated analytical platforms rather than isolated sensing elements. The paper discusses recognition elements, including enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acid probes, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, nanomaterials, and hybrid recognition interfaces, as well as electrochemical, optical, mass-sensitive, thermal, field-effect, and hybrid sensing technologies. Furthermore, this paper reviews platform designs, including paper-based analytical devices, chip lab systems, smartphone-assisted sensors, wearable and flexible sensors, handheld instruments, and wireless sensor networks. It explores their applications in sample handling, calibration, data processing, and field deployment. Applications of this technology include point-of-care diagnostics, pathogen detection, wearable health monitoring, agriculture, veterinary medicine, environmental monitoring, food safety, industrial process control, forensic analysis, public safety, and occupational exposure assessment. The report focuses on sample acquisition, miniaturized preparation, reagent storage, matrix interference, calibration transfer, signal conditioning, machine learning, cloud platforms, analytical validation, and decision support. Furthermore, it identifies key obstacles to translating academic prototypes into industrial products, including reproducibility, stability, manufacturability, ease of use, cybersecurity, regulatory approval, and market acceptance. Future development requires fully integrated sample-to-result systems, multimodal sensing, artificial intelligence, sustainable single-use materials, self-powered devices, and system-level validation under real-world operating conditions. Full article

Sulfadimethoxine (SDM) is a sulfonamide antibiotic widely used in the aquaculture of aquatic organisms. Its excessive residues in animal-derived food products can cause irreversible harm to human health and the environment. Current primary detection methods for SDM, such as instrumental methods and Immunoassay techniques, demonstrate high sensitivity and accuracy. However, their industrial application is impeded by laborious sample pretreatment, reliance on specific equipment, and dependence on specially trained personnel. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a simple and rapid method for detecting SDM residues. In this study, we constructed a novel colorimetric sensing platform based on functional nucleic acids for SDM detection. This sensor incorporates a nucleic acid aptamer capable of specifically recognizing SDM, a G-quadruplex/Hemin complex with peroxidase-like catalytic activity, and a shielding sequence that suppresses catalytic activity while undergoing SDM-induced conformational changes. The colorimetric signal was generated using a 3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) chromogenic substrate, and the sensor’s performance was evaluated via absorbance measurements with a microplate reader. After optimizing detection conditions, the sensor exhibited a linear response to SDM concentrations ranging from 0.155 to 3.10 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 0.0796 ng/mL. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity and achieved recoveries of 83.0% to 107% in spiked aquaculture water and fish samples, with coefficients of variation below 10.4%, confirming its superior practicality for real-world sample analysis. Full article

SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N protein) binds nucleic acids and packages viral RNA. DNA aptamers that specifically bind the N protein have been used in antigen-based COVID-19 detection and have potential clinical applications for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the complex structures of the N protein with DNA aptamers and the mechanisms by which aptamers recognize the N protein remain unclear. Here, we report the NMR-derived complex structure of the N-terminal domain of the N protein (N-NTD) with a 58 nt DNA aptamer, A48. The complex structure reveals a distinct topology with a large contact area between A48 and N-NTD. The N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of N-NTD forms close contact with A48, primarily stabilized by hydrophilic interactions. Deletion of the N-terminal IDR or substitution of positively charged arginine residues with negatively charged glutamate residues in the IDR region substantially reduced the binding affinity for A48. Because most previously determined N protein structures were obtained using constructs lacking the N-terminal IDR, this study reveals a topology of the N protein-nucleic acid complex and highlights the importance of the N-terminal IDR in nucleic acid binding. Full article

Rapid and accurate identification of Candida species is critical for guiding antifungal therapy, especially with the emergence of intrinsically resistant pathogens. However, diagnostics using culture-based methods remain slow and labor-intensive, limiting timely treatment decisions. This systematic review evaluated the diagnostic performance and clinical applicability of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for Candida species identification using a PubMed search completed on 23 June 2025. A total of 888 records were screened, 333 full-text articles were assessed, and 158 studies were included based on criteria including comparison with standard diagnostic methods, diagnostic performance reporting, and involvement of clinical samples. PCR-based approaches were the most widely used, including conventional, nested, multiplex, real-time, and droplet digital PCR. Isothermal methods such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) were increasingly represented. Common molecular targets included the ITS and 18S/28S rDNA regions. The risk of bias assessment was completed with the QUADAS-2 tool. Diagnostic performance varied depending on assay design, specimen type, gene target, and reference method. Excellent specificity and low limits of detection were achieved, especially with isothermal platforms offering the shortest turnaround times and greatest potential for point-of-care implementation. Multiplex assays were particularly advantageous for detecting mixed-species samples, while highly specific assays were optimal for distinguishing clinically important species such as Candidozyma auris, Nakaseomyces glabratus, and Pichia kudriavzevii. Overall, NAATs represent a promising diagnostic tool for Candida species identification, but broader clinical adoption will require improved standardization, validation across diverse patient populations, and clearer interpretation of fungal burden in the context of colonization versus infection. Full article

Global trade faces increasing biosecurity threats from pests like mealybugs and plant viruses, yet conventional detection methods are usually time-consuming and lab-dependent, creating an urgent need for an efficient portable platform. This study developed a microfluidic chip-based assay to simultaneously identify two mealybug species (Planococcus minor and Dysmicoccus neobrevipes) and Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae (tomato spot wilt virus, TSWV). Species-specific primers targeting conserved genetic regions (28S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer ITS, and nucleocapsid protein gene) were designed. The assay achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 10³ copies/µL (based on plasmids) and 2.30 × 10⁻³ ng/µL (based on real samples) for P. minor, 10⁴ copies/µL and 1.16 × 10⁻² ng/µL for D. neobrevipes, and 10³ copies/µL and 2.07 × 10⁻² ng/µL for TSWV, with no cross-reactivity against non-target species and good producibility both intrassay and interassay. Parallel detection was also successful with complex nucleic acid mixtures. The clinical specificity and sensitivity was 100% and 92.31%. Integrated with isothermal amplification and microfluidic pattern, the quadruple-sector chip enables on-site screening of a maximum of eight samples within 30–60 min. This rapid, sensitive, and portable tool overcomes limitations of conventional phytosanitary methods, supporting real-time customs monitoring and risk-based biosecurity measures. Full article

Messenger RNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP)-based drug products represent a promising platform for prophylactic and therapeutic applications. However, their limited stability poses significant challenges for storage and global distribution. The instability of mRNA-LNP products makes them dependent on ultra-cold chain systems. This instability is driven by various physicochemical factors, including temperature, pH, light exposure, oxidation, aggregation, shear stress, and humidity. These factors destabilize the physical and chemical integrity of both mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) components, leading to reduced vaccine potency and potentially increasing the risk of adverse safety outcomes. Understanding these factors and their mechanisms is crucial for retaining mRNA-LNP efficacy. This review discusses the key physicochemical instability factors and molecular degradation mechanisms responsible for the structural and functional deterioration of mRNA-LNP formulations. Further, we summarize the stabilization strategies and analytical methods used to detect and quantify the degradation of mRNA-LNP products. Addressing these challenges is critical for advancing next-generation nucleic acid-based drug products and LNP-based delivery systems. Full article

Exosomes and small extracellular vesicles are promising liquid-biopsy biomarkers because they carry molecular information from their cells of origin and can be accessed from minimally invasive biofluids. Reliable separation and detection are made more difficult by their small size, low abundance, diverse composition, and co-occurrence with lipoproteins, protein aggregates, and other extracellular particles. To improve exosome enrichment, capture, and sensing, nanomaterial-assisted techniques have become crucial. Using a mechanism-based approach that differentiates between non-gravimetric signal amplification and genuine physical mass loading, this study offers an organized comparison of nanomaterial-enabled exosome sensing techniques. This distinction is helpful because different transducers measure different physical quantities: while optical, electrochemical, fluorescent, catalytic, and nucleic acid-based platforms typically benefit from enhanced signal generation rather than increased mass, resonant and gravimetric sensors benefit from increased inertial or surface-bound mass. In terms of amplification mechanism, transducer compatibility, sample-matrix tolerance, workflow complexity, and translational maturity, the review contrasts metallic nanoparticles, magnetic systems, metal–organic frameworks, carbon and two-dimensional materials, quantum dots, upconversion nanomaterials, DNA nanostructures, and polymer-based platforms. The gap between analytical sensitivity and clinical utility, including separation purity, recovery, biological heterogeneity, pre-analytical variability, interference from complex biofluids, and the need for uniform validation, is given special focus. The review concludes that no single nanomaterial or amplification method is universally optimal; instead, platform-aware, application-specific integration of isolation, amplification, and validation techniques is necessary for clinically meaningful exosome sensing. Full article

Globally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasingly prevalent public health challenge. The current kidney function tests, which include serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria, are highly useful in clinical practice. Nevertheless, they are characterized by substantial limitations that prevent the early detection of CKD. In contrast, urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) may offer an effective alternative for the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic kidney disease if successfully translated. Urinary extracellular vesicles are a wide range of nanosized membrane vesicles that are excreted by cells that line the nephron and urinary tract. These uEVs contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that reflect the pathophysiological state of their cells of origin. This review summarizes the biological evidence for uEV biomarkers in major CKD entities, including diabetic kidney disease, FSGS, IgA nephropathy, ADPKD, and lupus nephritis. From a clinical laboratory perspective, we critically examine pre-analytical variables, analytical factors and validation requirements aligned with ISO 15189 accreditation. We discuss regulatory pathways and the balance between laboratory-developed tests and commercial IVD platforms. Moreover, we conclude that there is an essential need for reference materials, internal quality control, and external quality assessment. Finally, we outline a practical implementation pathway for transitioning uEV assays from research use to routine diagnostics. If successfully translated, uEV-based assays could facilitate earlier detection of CKD, more precise phenotyping, and personalized therapeutic monitoring. Full article

Feline panleukopenia is an acute, highly contagious, and fatal infectious disease, posing a serious threat to the health and conservation of felids. It is necessary to develop diagnostic tools suitable for point-of-care testing (POCT). Herein, a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the FPV VP2 gene was developed using cresol red as a colorimetric indicator. The colorimetric LAMP enables result interpretation by visual observation of a color change from violet to yellow after amplification at 64 °C for 40 min. The limit of detection was 18.38 copies/µL for pMD-VP2 plasmid and 10^1.62 TCID₅₀/mL for crudely extracted nucleic acids. This method exhibits no cross-reactivity with other common feline pathogens, and shows good repeatability. Nevertheless, this method is unable to differentiate FPV from canine parvovirus (CPV) owing to their high genetic similarity. Testing of 153 clinical samples revealed a 40.52% (62/153) positive rate, with 98.04% agreement compared to a commercial qPCR kit (42.48% positive rate). Collectively, the developed colorimetric LAMP assay offers a specific, sensitive, simple and visual approach for FPV detection, demonstrating great potential for field point-of-care applications. Full article

Cancer diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring increasingly depend on biosensing technologies capable of detecting low-abundance, heterogeneous, and dynamic biomarkers in complex biological samples. Hydrogel-based biosensors offer a distinctive materials platform for this purpose because their hydrated, porous, tunable, and biomolecule-compatible networks can integrate molecular recognition, antifouling protection, nanomaterial-assisted signal amplification, and three-dimensional biological interfaces within a single sensing architecture. Across cancer-focused applications, hydrogels have been engineered to detect nucleic acids, soluble protein markers, tumor-associated enzymes, extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, metabolic products, redox signals, and tumor microenvironmental cues in matrices such as serum, plasma, saliva, urine, sweat, blood, cell lysates, and three-dimensional cancer models. Their functional value extends beyond passive immobilization: hydrogels can serve as programmable recognition networks, gated reservoirs, conductive interfaces, optical and plasmonic scaffolds, degradable enzyme-responsive matrices, and cell-compatible microenvironments. These attributes support sensitive biomarker detection, multiplexed profiling, portable and smartphone-assisted formats, wearable or minimally invasive systems, and dynamic monitoring of tumor behavior and treatment response. Nevertheless, the field remains uneven in translational maturity, with many platforms still requiring broader clinical validation, standardized benchmarking, manufacturable device designs, reproducible fabrication, and practical assessment of assay complexity, storage stability, and patient-sample performance. This review positions biomarker-responsive hydrogels as a convergence point between advanced materials engineering and clinically oriented cancer biosensing, with particular promise for liquid biopsy, decentralized diagnostics, and tumor-state-resolved monitoring. Full article