Search

Introduction The chronicity of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) imparts various damages resulting in metabolic dysfunction and diseases involving inflammation and oxidative stress. The use of plant extracts is of high interest in complementary medicine. Yet, extracts are multicomponent mixtures, and difficult to pinpoint their exact mechanism. Objectives We hypothesise that network pharmacology and bioinformatics can help experimental findings depict the exact active components and mechanism of action by which they induce their effects. Additionally, the toxicity and variability can be lowered and standardised with proper encapsulation methods. Methodology Here, we propose the formulation of phytoniosomes encapsulating two Artemisia species (Artemisia dracunculus and Artemisia absinthium) to mitigate AGEs and their induced cell redox dysregulation in the liver. Extracts from different solvents were identified via liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Phytoniosomes were explored for their anti-glycating effect and modulation of AGE-induced damages in THLE-2 liver cells. Network pharmacology tools were used to identify possible targets and signalling pathways implicated. Results Data demonstrated that A. absinthium phytoniosomes had a significant anti-AGE effect comparable to reference molecules and higher than A. dracunculus. They were able to restore cell dysfunction through the restoration of tumour necrosis alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), nitric oxide, and total antioxidant capacity. Phytoniosomes were able to protect cells from apoptosis by decreasing caspase 3 activity. Network pharmacology and bioinformatic analysis confirmed the induction of the effect via Akt-PI3K-MAPK and AGE-RAGE signalling pathways through quercetin and luteolin actions. Conclusion The current report highlights the potential of Artemisia phytoniosomes as strong contenders in AGE-related disease therapy., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey TUBITAK [120Z200]; Projets de Recherche-Formation Universitaire (PRFU) [D01N01UN160420180008], This project was funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey TUBITAK (120Z200). The current project was partially supported by the Projets de Recherche-Formation Universitaire (PRFU) (D01N01UN160420180008).

Supply shortage for the development and production of preventive, therapeutic, and diagnosis tools during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important issue affecting the wealthy and poor nations alike. Antibodies and antigens are especially needed for the production of immunological-based testing tools such as point-of-care tests. Here, we propose a simple and quick magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based separation/isolation approach for the repurposing of infected human samples to produce specific antibodies and antigen cocktails. Initially, an antibody cocktail was purified from serums via precipitation and immunoaffinity chromatography. Purified antibodies were conjugated onto MNPs and used as an affinity matrix to separate antigens. The characterization process was performed by ELISA, SDS-PAGE, electrochemistry, isothermal titration calorimetry, and LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analyses. The MNP-separated peptides can be used for mass spectrometry-based as well as paper-based lateral flow assay diagnostic. The exploitation of the current workflow for the development of efficient diagnostic tools, specific treatments, and fundamental research can significantly impact the present or eventual pandemic. This workflow can be considered as a two birds, one stone-like strategy., TUBITAK [120R021]; Republic of Turkey Ministry of Development [2010K120810/2020K12150700, 2016K121190], The study was supported by TUBITAK (Project number: 120R021). The Republic of Turkey Ministry of Development provided the support for the infrastructure of EGEMATAL (Ege University/Izmir) via 2010K120810/2020K12150700 and 2016K121190 grants.

The clinical application of some natural molecules in therapy is usually limited due to the lack of feasible delivery systems. Core-shell nanocarriers (polymersomes and niosomes) are interesting stable nanocarriers that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and able to produce sustainable delivery. They can be modified and functionalized according to the application needed. In this report, we describe the synthesis of a smart and pH-responsive poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(lactide) polymersome (PEO-PL) and niosomes (NIO) loaded with GSH for efficient peptide delivery and potent application against advanced glycation end-products-related damages and toxicities. PEO-PL was constructed using the one-pot sequential anionic ring-opening polymerization method, while the niosomes were prepared via the thin film layer technique. The nanocarriers were characterized for their size and morphology by DLS and SEM. The formulations demonstrated a high encapsulation rate reaching 95% and showed increased sensitivity to release their content in acidic conditions (pH 5.5) compared with physiological media. PEO-PL showed a higher retention rate compared with the NIO. The nanocarriers showed no apparent toxicity even at high concentrations (400 mu g/mL). The MTT test demonstrated that HeLa cell lines were more sensitive to GSH than U87 cell lines starting from 100 and 400 mu g/mL, respectively. Testing the synthesized core-shell nanocarriers on altered proteins showed prolonged and high prevention rates of glycation, aggregation, and oxidation without hindering the effect of GSH. These bioresponsive nanocarriers appear as an interesting platform for biomedicine and therapy.

The construction of a rapid and easy immunofluorescence bioassay for SARS-CoV-2 detection is described. We report for the first time a novel one-pot synthetic approach for simultaneous photoinduced step-growth polymerization of pyrene (Py) and ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) to produce a graft fluorescent copolymer PPy-g-PCL that was conjugated to SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies using EDC/NHS chemistry. The synthesis steps and conjugation products were fully characterized using standard spectral analysis. Next, the PPy-g-PCL was used for the construction of a dot-blot assay which was calibrated for applications to human nasopharyngeal samples. The analytical features of the proposed sensor showed a detection range of 6.03-8.7 LOG viral copy mL(-1) (Ct Scores: 8-25), the limit of detection (LOD), and quantification (LOQ) of 1.84 and 6.16 LOG viral copy mL(-1), respectively. The repeatability and reproducibility of the platform had a coefficient of variation (CV) ranging between 1.2 and 5.9%. The fluorescence-based dot-blot assay was tested with human samples. Significant differences were observed between the fluorescence intensity of the negative and positive samples, with an overall correct response of 93.33%. The assay demonstrated a high correlation with RT-PCR data. This strategy opens new insights into simplified synthesis procedures of the reporter molecules and their high potential sensing and diagnosis applications., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey [120C121]; Istanbul Technical University Research Fund [TUB-2021-43195]; Ege University Research Foundation [TOA-2020-21862]; Council of Higher Education of Turkey; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Project Number: 120C121), Istanbul Technical University Research Fund (Project Number: TUB-2021-43195), and Ege University Research Foundation (project number: TOA-2020-21862). One of the authors (T.C.) would like to thank the Council of Higher Education of Turkey for 100/2000 CoHE Doctoral Scholarship and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for financial support.

Metabolic-associated disorders such as blood pressure and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are some of modern society's widespread problems. While there are many beneficial treatments, the quest for safe alternatives using natural products (e.g., cereals) is of great promise, especially plant-based peptides containing inherently endogenous bioactivities that can provide multiple health-promoting effects. Here, we aimed to purify and identify potential endogenous peptides of barley sprouts through an activity-guided process with a potential T2D therapeutical effect. Barley seeds were germinated, and sprouts were fractionated through ultrafiltration followed by RP-HPLC. All peptide fractions were examined for various bioactivities (alpha-glucosidase/DPP4 inhibition, antiglycation, antioxidant and metal chelation activities). LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was employed for sequence identification of the fraction with the highest activity level. The data demonstrated that fractions with molecular weights lower than 3 kDa were the only ones with antiglycation activities. The RP-HPLC of the 3 kDa fraction resulted in 11 fractions, including 4 having significant IC50/EC50 levels. F11 demonstrated the highest potential as T2D treatment, and the sequence identification provided the sequences SQQENELTSLIVESNNRFNNASNT. Natural bioactive peptides from easy to procure and cheap sources are promising molecules for therapeutic applications. Further in vivo and clinical testing are necessary to validate the current findings., Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit [17-EGEMATAL-001], This study was supported by the Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project Number: 17-EGEMATAL-001).

The use of polymeric structures coupled with intelligent targeting properties is an integral part of the current chemotherapeutic strategies. In the current report, a polyplex polymersome decorated with histatin 5 (Hst5) is proposed as a smart doxorubicin (DOX) nanocarrier for targeted treatment and imaging of cancer cells. The approach consists of the synthesis of a methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-b-(polycaprolactone)-based polymersome (mPEG-b-PCL). The formulations are characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). They are tested for their pH-dependent drug release and effect on cancer cells and imaging through fluorescence. The data demonstrate a pH-induced drug release in the presence of Hst5. This was further shown through cell culture data where Hst5 increased its effect by 26–41%. The advantages of polymeric encapsulation and Hst5 functionalization are further appreciated at high DOX doses where Hst5 could overcome drug tolerance. The dual features of DOX allow the imaging and tracking of the treatment due to its inherent fluorescence. The combination of natural peptides possessing special functions such as pH-responsiveness and cell penetration with novel polymeric-based nanocarriers offers an important tool for chemotherapy and biomedicine applications.

Drug abuse is an alarming subject affecting modern society. Unlike alcohol consumption control, substance abuse monitoring still lacks standardized, non-invasive, and efficient biosensors for on-site diagnostics. Most of the approaches are based on blood sampling and traditional chromatographical techniques. Here, we propose two colorimetric lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) using Rhodamine B-loaded polymersomes for cocaine (COC) and methamphetamine (METH) detection on saliva samples. Polymersomes were synthesized from methoxy polyethylene glycol and polycaprolactone and then loaded with the dye. Furthermore, the bioconjugation of the specific antibodies on the surface was confirmed via various analytical methods. The LFIA platform was based on a competitive type that is more suitable for detecting small-sized molecules. The sensitivity of the LFIA was quantitatively measured using smartphone-assisted imaging analysis and showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.49 ng/mL (COC) and 0.37 ng/mL (METH). Moreover, the specificity was also investigated against various interferents. The analytical performance of the LFIA platform was tested over synthetic and real human saliva, which showed an overall accuracy of 97% and 98.4%, respectively. The LFIA offers excellent stability under various salivary conditions (pH and incubation time) and keeps steady performance when comparing spiked buffer with synthetic and human saliva. The use of non-invasive sampling such as saliva in combination with on-site sensing devices can be of great potential for future applications and implementation of portable biosensors., Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development [2016K121190], This work was supported by the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development through the Infrastructure of EGE MATAL, Ege University, Izmir, under Grant 2016K121190.

Artemisia herba-alba (AHA) is a traditionally used plant to treat various diseases, including diabetes and metabolic dysfunctions. Plant extracts are generally explored empirically without a deeper assessment of their mechanism of action. Here, we describe a combinatorial study of biochemical, molecular, and bioinformatic (metabolite-protein pharmacology network) analyses to elucidate the mechanism of action of AHA and shed light on its multilevel effects in the treatment of diabetes-related advanced glycation end-products (AGE)-induced liver damages. The extract's polyphenols and flavonoids content were measured and then identified via LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Active compounds were used to generate a metabolite-target interaction network via Swiss Target Prediction and other databases. The extract was tested for its antiglycation and aggregation properties. Next, THLE-2 liver cells were challenged with AGEs, and the mechanistic markers were measured [TNF-alpha, IL-6, nitric oxide, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and caspase 3]. Metabolite and network screening showed the involvement of AHA in diabetes, glycation, liver diseases, aging, and apoptosis. Experimental confirmation showed that AHA inhibited protein modification and AGE formation. Additionally, AHA reduced inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF alpha), oxidative stress markers (NO, LPO), and apoptosis (Caspase 3). On the other hand, cellular total antioxidant capacity was restored to normal levels. The combinatorial study showed that AHA regulates AGE-induced liver damages through MAPK-AKT and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways. This report highlights the combination of experimental and network pharmacology for the exact elucidation of AHA mechanism of action as a multitarget option in the therapy of diabetes and AGEs-related diseases., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey-TUBITAK [120Z200]; Projets de Recherche-Formation Universitaire (PRFU) [D01N01UN160420180008], This project was funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey-TUBITAK (120Z200). The current project was partially funded by the Projets de Recherche-Formation Universitaire (PRFU) (D01N01UN160420180008). EGE MATAL (EGE University) is acknowledged for the LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analyses and cell culture experiments.

The increasing mutation frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the emergence of successive variants have made correct diagnosis hard to perform. Developing efficient and accurate methods to diagnose infected patients is crucial to effectively mitigate the pandemic. Here, we developed an electrochemical immunosensor based on SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktail-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for the sensitive and accurate detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants in nasopharyngeal swabs. The application of the antibody cocktail was compared with commercially available anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 (anti-S1) and anti-S2 monoclonal antibodies. After optimization and calibration, the limit of detection (LOD) determination demonstrated a LOD = 0.53-0.75 ng/ mL for the antibody cocktail-based sensor compared with 0.93 ng/mL and 0.99 ng/mL for the platforms using anti-S1 and anti-S2, respectively. The platforms were tested with human nasopharyngeal swab samples pre diagnosed with RT-PCR (10 negatives and 40 positive samples). The positive samples include the original, alpha, beta, and delta variants (n = 10, for each). The polyclonal antibody cocktail performed better than commercial anti-S1 and anti-S2 antibodies for all samples reaching 100% overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. It also showed a wide range of variants detection compared to monoclonal antibody-based platforms. The present work proposes a versatile electrochemical biosensor for the indiscriminate detection of the different variants of SARS-CoV-2 using a polyclonal antibody cocktail. Such diagnostic tools allowing the detection of variants can be of great efficiency and economic value in the fight against the ever-changing SARS-CoV-2 virus., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [120R021]; Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development [2016K121190], This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project Grant No: 120R021) and Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development (Project Grant No: 2016K121190) . The authors are thankful to the EGE-MATAL for providing its facilities for all experimental stages.

Nanotechnology has seen an outburst in biomedicine applications through the use of nanoparticles of different sources in therapy and diagnostics. The needs of theranostics evolved through the years for the development of tailored treatments. In this regard, nanocarriers have shown a great impact on the field via the use of natural lipidic vesicles for drug delivery. This breakthrough allowed the medical field to protect the drug from undesired interactions in the bloodstream and lowered the drug load usually given to reach therapeutical doses. Nanocarriers further continued by using block polymers to create more stable structures with higher protection levels of their content. In this review, we introduce both lipidic and polymeric vesicles with their specific characteristics and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type which was taken as a base to introduce the newly known lipid-polymer hybrids that take the advantages from both sides to present an interesting approach to regulate the physicochemical features, pharmacokinetics and other parameters used in tailoring treatments for cancer therapy. In addition, from the many hybrids proposed we have focused our efforts in discussing two major groups that are lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles LPHNs (polymersomes inside liposomes), and capsosomes (liposomes inside polymersomes) showing the many potential benefits of combining lipids and polymers for biomedicine.

Real-time detection of substance use is an approach of high interest leading to the optimization of behavioral interventions and drug abuse intervention. the current methods in use suffer many limitations and need high logistical and laboratory requirements. Biosensors have shown a great potential in overcoming these limitations. in the present study, the electrochemical biosensor composed of a screen-printed electrode (SPE) was designed for the detection of synthetic cannabinoid (SC). Antibody-immobilized magnetic nanoparticles were also used to create a surface on the transducer with magnetic interactions in order to detect JWH-073 as a SC model. the use of immobilized magnetic nanoparticles to create working surfaces makes the electrode a reusable SPE which can be reutilized after the cleansing. To examine and observe any possible changes on the surface due to its interaction with the analyte, different electrochemical techniques such as differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectrometry were applied. Based on the obtained results, the linearity of the biosensor was found between 5 and 400 ng/mL, and the detection limit was calculated as 22 ng/mL (n = 6) using the 3 Sb/m formula. the biosensor functionality was studied in the presence of some related interferents that showed lower responses than JWH-073, thus demonstrating the good selectivity of the prepared biosensor. Finally, the sensory platform was used to test synthetic urine sample, and the results were compared with obtained results from liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS), which showed that the proposed method could be utilized to identify abuse drugs., Republic of Turkey, Ministry of DevelopmentTurkiye Cumhuriyeti Kalkinma Bakanligi [2016K121190]; Ege University, Aliye USTER FoundationEge University, This work was funded by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development (Project Grant No: 2016K121190). SEM and Chromatographic analyses were performed at EGE MATAL (Ege University/Izmir). Ege University, Aliye USTER Foundation is also acknowledged for the financial support.

Protein modification and alteration are important factors in many age-related diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Modifications like the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) can cause harm to the organism and may contribute to protein aggregation and amyloid fibrils formation. Carnosine was used as a potential solution for protein modification complications. Furthermore, some organs like the brain are difficult to reach due to the blood-brain barrier. As such, new nano-engineered formulations were sought to bypass unwanted interactions and degradation. Thus, we propose the encapsulation of carnosine in niosomes as a potential solution. Initially, carnosine niosomes were synthesized and characterized. Then, modifications of bovine serum albumin (glycation, oxidation, and aggregation) were induced in vitro where carnosine and carnosine niosomes were added at different concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 mM) to the reactions. In addition, biocomputational and docking studies were performed to elucidate the potential interactions. Data showed a dose-dependent inhibition of AGE, AOPP, and aggregation for both carnosine and niosome carnosine. Furthermore, the results suggest that carnosine interacts with specific amino acids implicated in the protein modification process. Carnosine nano-formulation shows promising potential in age-related protein modification and needs further exploration of its mechanisms.

Reliable onsite biosensors for detecting drugs of abuse are of critical importance for the current society. Electrochemical sensors, especially screen-printed electrode (SPE)-based sensors, are a strong candidate for onsite drug detection. Although many SPE-based sensors are being developed, enhancing these tools' sensitivity and analytical capacity is a continuous endeavor. Here, we propose a novel approach for SPE surface modification using a combination of hydrogel, ionic liquid, and specific antibodies to detect methamphetamine in human saliva samples. The hydrogel-ionic liquid (ionogel) was synthesized from gelatin, PEG, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. FTIR and SEM were used to characterize the material before it was applied over a screen-printed gold electrode for electrochemical measurements using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). After optimization, the calibration of the proposed sensor showed a detection range between 5.0 and 1000 ng/mL with a LOD = 0.56 ng/mL in PBS. Application of the sensor with spiked human saliva demonstrated enhanced sensitivity with a LOD = 0.72 ng/mL. The repeatability and reproducibility of the proposed biosensor demonstrated a coefficient of variance (CV%) reaching 6.92% and 2.53%, respectively. The biosensor showed a high specificity toward methamphetamine compared to other interferents. The current ionogel-based electrochemical immunosensor offers a promising and versatile tool for sensitive onsite detection of substance abuse. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Republic of Turkey-Ministry of Development [2016K121190], The Republic of Turkey-Ministry of Development supported the infrastructure of EGE MATAL (Ege University/Izmir) via the 2016K121190 grant.

Chemotherapy has seen great progress in the development of performant treatment strategies. Nanovesicles such as liposomes and polymersomes demonstrated great potential in cancer therapy. However, these nanocarriers deliver their content passively, which faces a lot of constraints during blood circulation. The main challenge resides in degradation and random delivery to normal tissues. Hence, targeting drug delivery using specific molecules (such as antibodies) grafted over the surface of these nanocarriers came as the answer to overcome many problems faced before. The advantage of using antibodies is their antigen/antibody recognition, which provides a high level of specificity to reach treatment targets. This review discusses the many techniques of nanocarrier functionalization with antibodies. The aim is to recognize the various approaches by describing their advantages and deficiencies to create the most suitable drug delivery platform. Some methods are more suitable for other applications rather than drug delivery, which can explain the low success of some proposed targeted nanocarriers. In here, a critical analysis of how every method could impact the recognition and targeting capacity of some nanocarriers (liposomes and polymersomes) is discussed to make future research more impactful and advance the field of biomedicine further.

The pursuit of novel materials to enhance specific features and the analytical efficiency of sensors is a hot topic in the biomaterial engineering field. Hydrogels are an important material category that has a good value in biosensing applications due to their immobilization and protection capabilities that enhance their biocompatibility. Progress in development allowed the production of intelligent hydrogel materials that can function as a stimuli-responsive medium in sensing signal actuation. A novel concept in hydrogel-enabled biosensing development is the addition of ionic liquids (ILs) to create unique structures called ionic gels that possess both the intrinsic features of hydrogels and ILs. The current review is a straightforward overview of the two materials (hydrogels and ion gels) with a strong interest in their potential in biosensing applications. A highlight of the most recent and impactful research is analyzed to provide a solid standing reference point for future development.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthetic cannabinoids are one of the many substances of abuse widely spreading in modern society. Medical practitioners and law enforcement alike highly seek portable, efficient, and reliable tools for on-site detection and diagnostics. Here, we propose a colorimetric lateral flow assay (LFA) combined with dye-loaded polymersome to detect the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-073 efficiently. Rhodamine B-loaded polymersome was conjugated to antibodies and fully characterized. Two LFA were proposed (sandwich and competitive), showing a high level of sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) reaching 0.53 and 0.31 ng/mL, respectively. The competitive assay was further analyzed by fluorescence, where the LOD reached 0.16 ng/mL. The application of the LFA over spiked synthetic saliva or real human saliva demonstrated an overall response of 94% for the sandwich assay and 97% for the competitive LFA. The selectivity of the system was assessed in the presence of various interferents. The analytical performance of the LFA system showed a coefficient of variation below 6%. The current LFA system appears as a plausible system for non-invasive detection of substance abuse and shows promise for synthetic cannabinoid on-site sensing., Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development [2016K121190], Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development, provided the support for the infrastructure of EGE MATAL (Ege University/Izmir) via 2016K121190 grant.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 continues to be an important threat, especially with the fast transmission rate observed after the discovery of novel mutations. In this perspective, prompt diagnosis requires massive economical and human resources to mitigate the disease. The current study proposes a rational design of a colorimetric lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) based on the repurposing of human samples to produce COVID-19-specific antigens and antibodies in combination with a novel dye-loaded polymersome for naked-eye detection. A group of 121 human samples (61 serums and 60 nasal swabs) were obtained and analyzed by RT-PCR and ELISA. Pooled samples were used to purify antibodies using affinity chromatography, while antigens were purified via magnetic nanoparticles-based affinity. The purified proteins were confirmed for their specificity to COVID-19 via commercial LFA, ELISA, and electrochemical tests in addition to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. Polymersomes were prepared using methoxy polyethylene glycol-b-polycaprolactone (mPEG-b-PCL) diblock copolymers and loaded with a Coomassie Blue dye. The polymersomes were then functionalized with the purified antibodies and applied for the preparation of two types of LFA (antigen test and antibody test). Overall, the proposed diagnostic tests demonstrated 93 and 92.2% sensitivity for antigen and antibody tests, respectively. The repeatability (92-94%) and reproducibility (96-98%) of the tests highlight the potential of the proposed LFA. The LFA test was also analyzed for stability, and after 4 weeks, 91-97% correct diagnosis was observed. The current LFA platform is a valuable assay that has great economical and analytical potential for widespread applications., EGE University, Research Foundation [TOA2020-21862]; Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development [2010K120810/2020K12150700, 2016K121190], We send our acknowledgment to the staff of EGE University Hospital who are on the front line fighting against the COVID19 pandemic. FTIR and SEM analyses were performed at EGE MATAL (Ege University/Izmir). EGE University, Research Foundation was acknowledged for the financial support (TOA2020-21862). Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development provided the support for the infrastructure of EGE MATAL (Ege University/Izmir) via 2010K120810/2020K12150700 and 2016K121190 grants.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are biomimetic materials that garnered great interest in many fields including biomedicine. MIPs can mimic physiologic recognition units such as antibodies and receptors giving a resourceful platform for biomedical applications. They possess attractive advantages due to their high specificity and selectivity, stability under critical conditions, long shelf life, and their economic efficiency compared to routinely used molecules such as antibodies, proteins, and aptamers. MIPs can be prepared for targets lacking any available recognizing molecules. MIPs have been used for many applications such as biosensors, nanocarriers, and drug delivery systems, diagnostic and imaging. Of interest to the current chapter, the use of MIPs as nanoprobes for targeting, diagnosis, and treatments are discussed. An overview of the synthesis methods is summarized while a comprehensive highlight of MIP-based probing applications is presented. MIPs utilization is still in its infancy, and given the positive results seen through the current research present in the field, we believe that many interesting discoveries will be uncovered in the next future. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.

Growing needs in biomedical applications have driven the development of multifunctional nanoparticles towards theranostically-engineered multimodal platforms. Many strategies for point-effective cellular uptake of theranostics have been described. in this report, multifunctional nanostructures were designed and synthesized as a novel theranostic platform. Liposomes were loaded with curcumin as a therapeutic agent and carbon dots (CDs) as a contrast molecule. Anti-CD44 antibodies were bioconjugated on the liposomal surface to obtain an active targeting nanocarrier. After synthesis, the relative characterization of the vesicles was performed using DLS and TEM techniques. in vitro analysis was conducted to investigate the multimodal properties of the theranostic via testing its toxicity, cell uptake, bioimaging, and chemo/radiotherapy applications on two different cell lines. 3D holographic microscopy was employed to track the treatment effects during experimentation. Results indicated that these particles are efficient tools for clinical applications due to their fluorescent characteristic and increased bioperformance., Ege University, Scientific Research FoundationEge University [2017 FEN 007], Ege University, Scientific Research Foundation is acknowledged for the support (Project no: 2017 FEN 007) .

Plant-derived bioactive peptides demonstrate great potential given their availability and cost-effectiveness. In this study, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain proteins were explored for bioactive peptides with potential health applications. Gross grain proteins were obtained through aqueous extraction, after which, trypsin hydrolysis was performed. The hydrolysis process provided high peptide yields reaching 11%. The peptide hydrolysates were evaluated for their antioxidant and metal chelating activities, DPP4 inhibition, deglycation, and antimicrobial activity. The obtained results demonstrated biological activity levels of great importance and comparable to reference molecules. To confirm the experimental results, barley grain protein sequences were simulated for hydrolysis and explored for potential bioactive peptides using the FeptideDB. Indeed, barley grain proteins contain a great diversity of bioactive peptides with various biological activities. The current data highlights the promising therapeutic application of barley-derived bioactive peptides. Further molecular and sequencing approaches are necessary to identify and characterize these peptides. Practical applications: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain proteins are widely used cereals for nutrition and beverages. Their availability and low-cost make them good sources for functional food exploration. We have described the potential of bioactive peptides obtained from barley grain proteins that have various activities including DPP4 inhibitory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, metal chelating, and deglycation activities. This data supports the potential of these peptides in biomedicine applications as a treatment option or as food supplement. Hence, the described peptide sequences could be exploited and industrialized by artificial synthesis and be proposed as food supplements or included in protein mixes for athletes. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

A quick and easy colorimetric sensor based on gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and aptamers for the detection of cocaine was developed. the sensor was named as 'GAPTA' and showed extremely interesting results regarding cocaine detection with a sensitivity to doses of 0.2 nM. the experimental approach consisted of creating a conjugate between GNPs (10 nm size) and aptamers as a sensing base with the addition of an electrolyte (NaCl) that plays the role of aggregation inducer. in the absence of the aptamer, the electrolyte was able to induce aggregation of the GNPs turning the color of the solution from red to blue while the presence of the aptamer is able to hinder the charges attraction and protects the GNPs from aggregating. the optimization of the aptamer and electrolyte concentration was determined to be 118 nM and 55 mM, respectively, and the resultant GAPTA sensor had a detection limit of 0.97 nM. Furthermore, the selectivity of the platform was tested in the presence of different interferents and showed a specific response towards cocaine while interference ranged between 20 and 40%. the applicability of the GAPTA biosensor was tested on synthetic saliva and demonstrated a sensitivity range between 0.2 and 25 nM. These results suggest the potential of the current colorimetric sensor in abuse drugs screening and creates a stable base for new routine platforms for biomedical and toxicology applications. Graphical abstract, Republic of Turkey, Ministry of DevelopmentTurkiye Cumhuriyeti Kalkinma Bakanligi [2016 K121190]; Aliye Uster Foundation, This work was supported by the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development (Project Grant No: 2016 K121190). Part of the work was funded by Aliye Uster Foundation.

Marine organisms represent a great source of natural bioactive molecules, from which bioactive peptides are of great importance in biomedicine application in many diseases such as diabetes and its related complications. in this study, greater weever (Trachinus Draco) myofibrillar proteins were sequentially hydrolyzed and the different RP-HPLC purified fractions were tested for potential inhibitory activities of ACE and DPP4, in addition to metal chelation and antioxidant activities. Four fractions were found to have high levels of activity (with two peptides being multifunctional) and were subsequently sequenced using the de novo sequencing method. the results indicate that the peptides are novel and highly effective for each related activity compared to reference molecules. the current findings suggest these multifunctional peptides as promising therapeutics against oxidative stress, hypertension, and diabetes. Practical applications We have described the finding of two multifunctional bioactive peptides from Trachinus Draco (greater weever) myofibrillar proteins having two or more activities. They have ACE inhibitory, DPP4 inhibitory, antioxidant, and metal chelation activities. These new peptides could be used for future biomedicine applications as a stand-alone treatment, in combination with other molecules, or as a supplement. Furthermore, after identification of their sequence in our work, it would have a great potential to be artificially synthesized. the field of food supplements could be explored further., Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [Short Term R and D Funding Program (1002), 215Z486] Funding Source: Medline

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is a trending subject in recent therapy approaches despite its described toxicity. In this work, we have investigated the use of arsenic trioxide in a murine model of chemically induced inflammatory bowel disease “colitis.” Male mice were randomly separated into four different groups. Controls received vehicle, arsenic group had a daily injection of As2O3 (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) for 2 days. Colitis was induced through intra-rectal instillation of 4% (v/v) solution of acetic acid in the second day. The treatment group (As2O3 + acetic acid) received the same treatment as the two previous groups. Twenty-four hours after colitis challenge, animals were sacrificed and organs (colons, livers, and kidneys) were taken for analysis. Disease-related macroscopic and microscopic symptoms, as well as histologic observations, showed a high index in the colitis group, which was greatly reduced by the As2O3 pretreatment. Similarly, colon length was reduced during colon inflammation, which was prevented in the presence of As2O3. Inflammatory cells and oxidative stress markers significantly increased during inflammation accompanied by a considerable reduction of antioxidants. As2O3 treatment managed to reverse these observations to normal levels. Mitochondrial implication was observed through mPTP opening phenomena and semi-quantitative cell death estimation. Low-dose As2O3 use as a mean of preventing the acute phase of colitis can be seen as an interesting approach which counts as a great addition to IBD available treatments.

Zinc is a trace element widely known for its marked antioxidant properties. To gain more insight into the site- and time- specific mechanisms by which it induces chemoprevention, this study was elaborated over a pre-cancerous model of colon carcinogenesis. Colon cancer was induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in mice (20 mg/kg for 2 weeks) and groups of animals were supplemented with or without zinc sulfate (ZnSO4, 200 mg/L) in drinking water for 4, 10 or 14 weeks. Colon tissues were collected for pathological observation, analyzing aberrant crypt (AC) and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formations, multiplicity and distribution. Similarly, histological assessment and mucin production, as well as oxidative stress markers estimation was performed for the different groups. Results showed a significant increase in ACF and AC numbers, ACF multiplicity and demonstrated stronger distal occurrence than in the proximal after DHM administration. Histopathological analysis presented marked structural alterations and mucin loss in the distal than the proximal colons. A significant increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), L-ornithine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was observed followed by a significant decrease in antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH)). Oral ZnSO4 supplementation (continuous or partial) induced significant decrease in ACF, AC numbers and multiplicity, restored histological architecture and mucin production, and a significant decrease in proinflammatory markers while it reduced antioxidants to normal levels. From this study, insight was obtained on the use of ZnSO4 as a chemopreventive agent and shed light on its potential, as a supplement in nutraceutical approaches.

WOS: 000436017700004, PubMed ID: 30090573, Arsenic poisoning is a worldwide problem. Thus, we studied the effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) administration on a 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced preneoplasic colon carcinogenesis model. Mice were separated into four study groups; the control group received only vehicles. The ATO group received daily a 2.5 mg kg(-1) dose for 4 weeks. The DMH group received DMH (20 mg kg(-1)) twice in two weeks. The third group (D-ATO) had the same as the DMH group with ATO administration starting at week 10. At the end of 14 weeks, colons from sacrificed mice were taken, segmented into distal and proximal and subjected to aberrant crypt foci (ACF), aberrant crypt (AC) counting, alcian blue, H&E and Hoechst histological study and lastly oxidative stress marker analysis as well as mitochondrial swelling assessment. Data showed a significant increase in ACF and AC after DMH treatment, which was further increased after ATO addition. A perturbed histological structure was observed and loss of mucin producing cells in the colon tissue was observed. An important impact on the distal colon compared to the proximal one was noticed. The oxidative stress balance showed a similar pattern with an increase in MPO, NO/L-ornithine balance and MDA, while a decrease was observed in the antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GSH). In all parameters analyzed, the distal colons showed higher values than proximal. Furthermore, histological cell death analysis in combination with mitochondrial permeability pore opening suggested ATO contribution in the pathological effect. Our study has shown that ATO administration accelerated colon cancer development suggesting the heaviness of such treatments and the need to explore combinations and cycle type formulas., Programme National de Recherche en Sciences Fondamentales, 2011, DGRSDT (Direction Generale de la Recherche Scientifique et du Developpement Technologique) Algiers, Algeria [305]; Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie bureau Europe centrale et orientale (AUF-Beco), Romania, This work was supported by the "Programme National de Recherche en Sciences Fondamentales", 2011, DGRSDT (Direction Generale de la Recherche Scientifique et du Developpement Technologique) Algiers, Algeria under the reference ATRSS/PNR 08/No 305. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie bureau Europe centrale et orientale (AUF-Beco), Romania.

Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assays are the gold standard for virus diagnosis. Point-of-care (POC) technologies have shown great progress during this period. Herein, we propose a novel fuchsine dye-loaded polymersome for a colorimetric paper-based dot blot spike protein diagnostic assay for COVID-19 via smartphone-assisted sensing. The prepared platform aimed to create an adaptable tool that competes with traditional nanoparticle-based assays employing gold and silver. Analytical characterization and application of the testing platform showed high sensitivity (10 times better than gold nanoparticles), stability, fast turnaround, and reproducibility. The potential and possibilities demonstrated by the current platform could be observed in its adaptability for different markers and pathologies. In addition, smartphone-assisted sensing emphasizes the ability to use the tool at home by common peoples which can lower the burden on the healthcare facilities and reach more underdeveloped regions., Research Foundation of Ege University, Turkey [TOA-2020-21862]; Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development [2010K120810/2020K12150700, 2016K121190], The research project was supported by the Research Foundation of Ege University, Turkey (Project number: TOA-2020-21862) . Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development provided the support for the infra-structure of EGE MATAL (Ege University/Izmir) via 2010K120810/2020K12150700 and 2016K121190 grants.

Green chemistry applications in nanoparticle synthesis using plant extracts is an ecofriendly approach in material science. Metallic nanoparticles with potent bioactivities have been synthesized using plant extracts. Here, we describe an environmental-friendly approach for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous leaf extract of kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.). The extract was first analyzed for its content, after which it was utilized for the AgNPs synthesis. The synthesis optimization was performed via the adjustment of different parameters such as the concentrations of components and reaction time using UV-visible spectroscopy. The NPs characterization was performed using DLS, SEM, FTIR, XRF, and SEM-EDS techniques. The antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic effects of AgNPs were tested. Results demonstrated the rich content of the extract in terms of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. AgNPs were spherical-shaped with a size ranging between 50-70 nm. They demonstrated distinct antioxidant (EC50=32.91 mu g/mL) and deglycation (IC50=41.62 mu g/mL) activities as well as a potent antimicrobial activity against various pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans). The current findings highlight the potential of Quercus coccifera L. as a biological material for various biomedical applications. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Colon cancer is thought to develop in a stepwise fashion. In this study, the relationship between aberrant crypt foci (ACF) regional distribution and oxidative stress evolution was studied in a murine model of initial colon carcinogenesis induced by dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Mice were given 2 weekly subcutaneous injections of DMH (20 mg/kg) and killed at the 10th, 12th or 14th week. ACF was scored for number, distribution and crypt multiplicity after methylene-blue coloration and histologically analyzed afterwards. Oxidative stress evaluation was assessed through myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), l-ornithine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as antioxidant CAT, SOD and GSH. DMH treatment showed a shift from small to large ACF but also from distal to proximal colon between week 10 and 14 (p

On-site detection of substance abuse is an important approach in the preventive and intervention protocols implementations. It is known that the traditional methods are heavy, time-consuming, and need a high level of logistical requirements. As such, biosensors represent great potential to simplify and improve substance abuse detection. in this study, we have designed a functionalized screen-printed electrode (SPE) electrochemical biosensor with cobalt oxide nanoparticles and single-chain antibody fragments (scFvs) for cocaine detection. Different electrochemical techniques such as differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectrometry were used to examine the functionality of the designed biosensor. Furthermore, SEM observations were performed to observe the surface changes after functionalization. the results showed that the linearity ranged between 5.0 and 250 ng/mL and a detection limit of 3.6 ng/mL (n = 6). These results were compared to results obtained from Q-TOF/MS where four different matrices (serum, sweat, urine, and saliva) were spiked with 100 ng/mL cocaine and were analyzed by both methods (Biosensor and Q-TOF/MS). Results showed a higher performance of the biosensor compared to traditional methods. in addition, the selectivity of the biosensor was shown in the presence of different interferents where the designed platform showed a specific response to only cocaine. in conclusion, the designed biosensor proposes great potential for portable and on-site substance abuse detection in addition to boasting the capability of reuse of the SPE and thus, reducing the costs related to such applications., Republic of Turkey, Ministry of DevelopmentTurkiye Cumhuriyeti Kalkinma Bakanligi [2016K121190]; Aliye Uster Foundation, This work was supported by the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Development (Project Grant No: 2016K121190). Part of the work was funded by Aliye Uster Foundation.

Peptides are considered very important due to the diversity expressed through their amino acid sequence, structure variation, large spectrum, and their essential role in biological systems. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) emerged as a potent tool in therapy owing to their antimicrobial properties but also their ability to trespass the membranes, specificity, and low toxicity. They comprise a variety of peptides from which specific amino acid-rich peptides are of interest to the current review due to their features in metal interaction and cell penetration. Histidine-rich peptides such as Histatins belong to the metal binding salivary residing peptides with efficient antibacterial, antifungal, and wound-healing activities. Furthermore, their ability to activate in acidic environment attracted the attention to their potential in therapy. The current review covers the current knowledge about AMPs and critically assess the potential of associating with metal ions both structurally and functionally. This review provides interesting hints for the advantages provided by AMPs and metal ions in biomedicine, making use of their direct properties in brain diseases therapy or in the creation of new bio-functionalized nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Artificial nanostructures using polymers to produce polymeric vesicles are inspired by the many intricate structures found in living organisms. Polymersomes are a class of self-assembled vesicles known for their great stability and application in drug delivery. They can be tuned according to their intended use by changing their components and introducing activable block copolymers that transform these polymersomes into smart nanocarriers. In this study, we propose the synthesis of a poly (ethylene oxide)-poly (?-caprolactone)-based polymersome (PEO-PCL) loaded with GSH as a pH-responsive drug delivery molecule for cancer and protein alteration inhibition. Initially, the nanocarrier was synthesized and characterized by DLS, TEM/SEM microscopy as well as gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1H NMR. Their CMC formation, encapsulation efficiency, and pH responsiveness were analyzed. In addition, empty and GSH-loaded PEO-PCL polymersomes were tested for their toxicity and therapeutic effect on normal and cancer cells via an MTT test. Subsequently, protein alteration models (aggregation, glycation, and oxidation) were performed in vitro where the polymersomes were tested. Results showed that other than being non-toxic and able to highly encapsulate and release the GSH in response to acidic conditions, the nanocomposites do not hinder its content's ameliorative effects on cancer cells and protein alterations. This infers that polymeric nanocarriers can be a base for future smart biomedicine applications and theranostics. © 2020, Ege Üniversitesi, The authors thank Prof. Serap Teksoz from the Nuclear Sciences Institute, Ege University (Izmir/TURKEY) for DLS analysis. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Point-of-care approaches are in constant need of novel and highly performant portable devices. Doping is a constant issue seen in the athletic field, and a need for mobile and trustable methods for detection are highly sought. The current work proposes a portable biosensor based on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) and functionalized magnetic particles for testosterone detection. The functionalized magnetic particles were characterized with SEM and the designed biosensor was analyzed amperometrically (Pulse Voltammetry (DPV), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectrometry (EIS)). Results demonstrate linearity between 50-1000 ng/mL with a LOD of 23.68 ng/mL. Q-TOF/MS method was performed to compare with the biosensor over serum and urine. Furthermore, the selectivity of the biosensor was tested in the presence of various interferents. The designed biosensor shows good potential in doping detection and prevention of illicit use due to the versatility of application that it covers., Ege University Research FoundationEge University [18-EGEMATAL-001], Ege University Research Foundation is acknowledged for the financial support (18-EGEMATAL-001). SEM and chromatographic analyses were performed at EGE MATAL (Ege University/Izmir).

We have previously shown that ethanolic extract from bark (EEB) of Salix aegyptiaca (Musk Willow) can inhibit proliferation and motility and induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Tandem mass spectrometry revealed EEB to be rich in catechin, catechol, and salicin. The present study investigated the chemopreventive effect of HPLC-fingerprinted EEB on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation in mice. DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) was weekly injected subcutaneously to mice for the first 2 weeks. EEB (100 and 400 mg/kg body weight) was provided orally from the 7th to 14th week, after which colon tissues were evaluated histologically and biochemically. DMH treatment induced high number of ACF; EEB significantly reduced the number and multiplicity of ACF, along with a restoration in goblet cells and mucin accumulation. EEB supplementation improved the markers of inflammation (myeloperoxidase and neutrophil infiltration) and oxidative stress. More importantly, EEB amplified apoptosis of neoplastic cells in the colon mucosa of DMH-treated mice. It also lowered levels of markers for early transformation events such as EGFR, nuclear β-catenin, and COX-2 in colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and HCT-116. The innocuity of EEB (up to 1600 mg/kg) to mice reinforces its potential as a chemopreventive agent.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are seen as liquids with great and novel potential in various applications such as separation materials, reaction medium, and energy devices. They have garnered great interest in their potential as a liquid-based molecular self-assembly medium that can produce innovative materials with distinctive criteria that have never been observed in traditional soft materials such as water and solvents. Here, recent advances and practical application of block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly in ILs are discussed focusing on the formation of the microstructure depending on dilute or concentrated BCPs. On the other hand, ion gels prepared from self-assembled BCPs attracted significant interest due to the outstanding tenability features (physical, viscoelasticity, and solution processability) without hindering ILs properties (nonvolatility, nonflammability, and high ionic conductivity). Lastly, the applicability of such technology is already in progress with a great interest seen in electrochemistry, batteries, actuators, electrolyte-gated transistors, and nano-delivery vehicles.

As COVID-19 has reached pandemic status and the number of cases continues to grow, widespread availability of diagnostic testing is critical in helping identify and control the emergence of this rapidly spreading and serious illness. However, a lacking in making a quick reaction to the threat and starting early development of diagnostic sensing tools has had an important impact globally. In this regard, here we will review critically the current developed diagnostic tools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and compare the different types through the discussion of their pros and cons such as nucleic acid detection tests (including PCR and CRISPR), antibody and protein-based diagnosis tests. In addition, potential technologies that are under development such as on-site diagnosis platforms, lateral flow, and portable PCR units are discussed. Data collection and epidemiological analysis could also be an interesting factor to incorporate with the emerging technologies especially with the wide access to smartphones. Lastly, a SWOT analysis and perspectives on how the development of novel sensory platforms should be treated by the different decision-makers are analyzed., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • COVID 19 has become a major issue for society recently. • Developing performant diagnostic tools is crucial. • Many technologies have the potential to answer the needs for quick diagnostics. • On-site tools and smartphones needs more focus to stop viral spread. • A collaboration between law and decision makers is needed for better disease control.

Bioelectronics devices are seeing great improvement. After the earliest generations of sensors and biosensors, the current generation is attracting great interest due to the advantages that it showed. Despite the positive advantages, some drawbacks linked to the technologies used in the construction process are still seen. Therefore, the scientific community is giving its best to further develop the current biosensor knowledge and bypass the disadvantages seen before. In this review, we will be examining the current approaches taken by research in order to avoid the already seen drawbacks in sensors development. Many tools and methodologies are being used ranging from conducting polymers, conducting polymer nanowires, embedded metal nanoparticles in polymeric films, to conducting polymers synthesis in ionic liquids and polymeric ionic liquids. These approaches permitted the fabrication of highly simplistic and low-cost biosensors stressing on their potential in biological samples detection. The dynamic seen between polymers and protein opens the door to many possibilities to use novel materials or devising new techniques for the next generation biosensor systems. Despite all the efforts been made, the subject of modification of electrodes by chemical reactions is still a remarkable area of research activity. Hence, in this review, the considerable emphasis has been placed on the recent approaches of electrical active polymer modified electrodes specialized for application in biosensing devices and in particular amperometric biosensors. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.

This study investigated the potential of gadolinium chloride (GdCl3), an inhibitor of kupffer cells on the myeloperoxidase (MPO) function, both in vivo on colon inflammation model and in vitro on thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal neutrophils. Colon inflammation was induced in mice (n = 7) by 4% acetic acid (AA) enema. GdCl3 (10 mg/kg) treatment was given 24 h before AA challenge. Clinical changes during the protocol were scored. Colons were segmented into distal and proximal parts for histological and biochemical assessment. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzymes were extracted and analyzed by western blot. Short-term GdCl3 treatment inhibited dose-dependently superoxide anion (O2·−), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and MPO release and promoted neutrophil apoptosis. In vivo, low-dose GdCl3 improved colitis scores and inhibited acute phagocyte recruitment and colon damage within the mucosa as revealed by the decrease in MPO, nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. At the same time, GdCl3 restored catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, thus reversing the MDA/GSH ratio in both distal and proximal colons. Compared to proximal, distal colon was more altered and displayed higher pathological manifestations. Lastly, the induction of apoptosis and regulation of the major nitrosative and oxidative functions of neutrophils by GdCl3 suggests its consideration as a beneficial tool in attenuating colon inflammation.

Substance use disorders are a widely recognized problem, which affects various levels of communities and influenced the world socioeconomically. Its source is deeply embedded in the global population. In order to fight against such an adversary, governments have spared no efforts in implementing substance abuse treatment centers and funding research to develop treatments and prevention procedures. In this review, we will discuss the use of immunological-based treatments and detection kit technologies. We will be detailing the steps followed to produce performant antibodies (antigens, carriers, and adjuvants) focusing on cocaine and methamphetamine as examples. Furthermore, part of this review is dedicated to substance use detection. Owing to novel technologies such as bio-functional polymeric surfaces and biosensors manufacturing, detection has become a more convenient method with the fast and on-site developed devices. Commercially available devices are able to test substance use disorders in urine, saliva, hair, and sweat. This improvement has had a tremendous impact on the prevention of driving under influence and other illicit behaviors. Lastly, substance abuse became a major issue involving the cooperation of experts on all levels to devise better treatment programs and prevent abuse-based accidents, injury and death. Keywords: Substance use disorder, Cocaine/methamphetamine, Drug detection, Biosensors, Immunotherapy