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Myocardial infarction (MI) is highly related to cardiac arrest leading to death and organ damage. Radiological techniques and electrocardiography have been used as preliminary tests to diagnose MI; however, these techniques are not sensitive enough for early‐stage detection. A blood biomarker‐based diagnosis is an immediate solution, and due to the high correlation of troponin with MI, it has been considered to be a gold‐standard biomarker. In the present research, the cardiac biomarker troponin I (cTnI) was detected on an interdigitated electrode sensor with various surface interfaces. To detect cTnI, a capture aptamer‐conjugated gold nanoparticle probe and detection antibody probe were utilized and compared through an alternating sandwich pattern. The surface metal oxide morphology of the developed sensor was proven by microscopic assessments. The limit of detection with the aptamer‐gold‐cTnI‐antibody sandwich pattern was 100 aM, while it was 1 fM with antibody‐gold‐cTnI‐aptamer, representing 10‐fold differences. Further, the high performance of the sensor was confirmed by selective cTnI determination in serum, exhibiting superior nonfouling. These methods of determination provide options for generating novel assays for diagnosing MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a highly infectious bacterium and the major cause of pneumonia especially in school‐going children. Mycoplasma pneumoniae affects the respiratory tract, and 25% of patients experience health‐related problems. It is important to have a suitable method to detect M. pneumoniae, and gold nanoparticle (GNP)‐based colorimetric biosensing was used in this study to identify the specific target DNA for M. pneumoniae. The color of GNPs changes due to negatively charged GNPs in the presence of positively charged monovalent (Na+) ions from NaCl. This condition is reversed in the presence of a single‐stranded oligonucleotide, as it attracts GNPs but not in the presence of double‐stranded DNA. Single standard capture DNA was mixed with optimal target DNA that cannot be adsorbed by GNPs; under this condition, GNPs are not stabilized and aggregate at high ionic strength (from 100 mM). Without capture DNA, the GNPs that were stabilized by capture DNA (from 1 μM) became more stable under high ionic conditions and retaining their red color. The GNPs turned blue in the presence of target DNA at concentrations of 1 pM, and the GNPs retained a red color when there was no target in the solution. This method is useful for the simple, easy, and accurate identification of M. pneumoniae target DNA at higher discrimination and without involving sophisticated equipment, and this method provides a diagnostic for M. pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterial on the sensing area elevates the biomolecular immobilization by its right orientation with a proper alignment, and zeolite is one of the suitable materials. In this research, the zeolite nanoparticles were synthesized using rice hush ash as the basic source and the prepared zeolite by the addition of sodium silicate was utilized to attach antibody as a probe on a gap‐fingered dielectrode surface to identify the colon cancer biomarker, "colon cancer‐secreted protein‐2" (CCSP‐2). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscopy images confirmed the size of the nanoparticle to be ∼15 nm and the occurrence of silica and alumina. Zeolite was modified on the electrode surface through the amine linker, and then anti‐CCSP‐2 was attached by an aldehyde linker. On this surface, CCSP‐2 was detected and attained the detection limit to be 3 nM on the linear regression curve with 3–5 nM of CCSP‐2. Estimated by the determination coefficient of y = 2.3952x – 4.4869 and R2 = 9041 with 3δ (n = 3). In addition, control proteins did not produce the notable current response representing the specific sensing of CCSP‐2. This research is suitable to identify CCSP‐2 at a lower level in the bloodstream under the physiological condition of a colon cancer patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

17β‐Estradiol‐E2 (17β‐E2) is a steroid hormone that plays a major role in the reproductive endocrine system and is involved in various processes, such as pregnancy, fertility, and menopause. In this study, the performance of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 17β‐E2 quantification was enhanced by using a gold nanoparticle (GNP)‐conjugated aptamer. An anti‐17β‐E2–aptamer–GNP antibody was immobilized on an amine‐modified ELISA surface. Then, 17β‐E2 was allowed to interact with and be sandwiched by antibodies. Aptamer–GNP conjugation was confirmed by colorimetric assays via the naked eye and UV–visible light spectroscopy. The detection limit based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) of 3 was estimated to be 1.5 nM (400 pg/mL), and the linear range was 1.5–50 nM. Control experiments (without 17β‐E2/with a complementary aptamer sequence/with a nonimmune antibody) confirmed the specific detection of 17β‐E2. Moreover, 17β‐E2 spiking of human serum did not interrupt the interaction between 17β‐E2 and its antibody and aptamer. Thus, the developed ELISA can be used as an alternate assay for quantification of 17β‐E2 and assessment of endocrine‐related gynecological problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea, a culturally significant beverage, originated around 2700 B.C. in ancient Chinese civilization, with a profound understanding of its therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines from diverse plant sources have been esteemed for their phytochemical content. Today, tea's appeal spans the globe, with various processing techniques creating distinct tea varieties. This review article comprehensively explores tea and herbal teas, encompassing their origins, types, trade history, health benefits, chemical composition, and market and future dynamics. This review examines tea's evolution from ancient China to its global significance and analyzes the impact of tea trade routes on cultural exchanges and trade dynamics. The review covers conventional teas (black, green, and oolong), blended teas, and herbal teas. It primarily focuses on herbal beverages' chemical composition and active components derived from diverse plants and botanicals, highlighting their traditional uses and health‐promoting applications. The review provides valuable insights into the dynamic herbal tea market, growth, consumer preferences, industry trends, and future aspects of the herbal beverage. Additionally, it explores the proper classification and preparation of herbal drinks for maximum benefits, shedding light on tea manufacturing and preparation processes. This review is a valuable resource for tea enthusiasts, health‐conscious individuals, and industry stakeholders, offering profound insights into teas and their multifaceted allure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Because benzodiazepines (BZDs) may be abused, prescribing them is debatable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prescription of BZDs to explore the current status of BZD use at discharge and at 4 months after discharge. Methods From 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2006, prescribed doses for BZDs at discharge and at 4 months after discharge were recorded for all discharged inpatients with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and major depressive disorder. Two-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of severe mental illness and co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence on BZD doses at discharge and at 4 months after discharge. Results Patients with severe mental illness prescribed with significantly higher rates and higher doses of BZDs at discharge and at 4 months after discharge are more likely to have major depressive disorder and to have co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence problems. No significant interactions were found between severe mental illness and co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence. Conclusions These findings suggest that caution should be applied in prescribing BZDs to patients with severe mental illness, particularly those with major depressive disorder and co-occurring alcohol abuse/dependence. Future studies require being conducted in many different mental health-care systems in Taiwan to generalize the findings. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]