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Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common form of dementia, characterized by production and deposition of β-amyloid peptide in the brain. Thus, β-amyloid peptide is a potentially promising biomarker used to diagnose and monitor the progression of AD. Objective: The study aims to develop a biosensor based on a molecularly imprinted poly-pyrrole for detection of β-amyloid. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, an imprinted poly-pyrrole was employed as an artificial receptor synthesized by electro-polymerization of pyrrole on screen-printed carbon electrodes in the presence of β-amyloid. β-amyloid acts as a molecular template within the polymer. The biosensor was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry using ferro/ferricyanide marker. The parameters influencing the biosensor performance, including electro-polymerization cycle umbers and β-amyloid binding time were optimized to achieve the best biosensor sensitivity. Results: The β-amyloid binding affinity with the biosensor surface was evaluated by the Freundlich isotherm, and Freundlich constant and exponent were obtained as 0.22 ng mL-1 and 10.60, respectively. The biosensor demonstrated a detection limit of 1.2 pg mL-1. The biosensor was applied for β-amyloid determination in artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Conclusion: The biosensor is applicable for early Alzheimer's disease detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, nanoparticles of copper and copper oxides were synthesized and their antibacterial activity was evaluated and compared with silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using facile chemical reactions, and then characterized using field emission scanning microscopy. The nanoparticles were stable for at least two weeks. The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcusfaecalis and Escherichia coli was investigated based on inhibition zone in disk diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the nanoparticles were also reported. Antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles showed better inhibitory activity against gram positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]