Search

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy vectors are an accepted platform for treating severe neurological diseases. Test article (TA)-related and procedure-related neuropathological effects following administration of AAV-based vectors are observed in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Leukocyte accumulation (mononuclear cell infiltration > inflammation) may occur in brain, spinal cord, spinal nerve roots (SNRs), sensory and autonomic ganglia, and rarely nerves. Leukocyte accumulation may be associated with neuron necrosis (sensory ganglia > CNS) and/or glial changes (microgliosis and/or astrocytosis in the CNS, increased satellite glial cellularity in ganglia and/or Schwann cellularity in nerves). Axonal degeneration secondary to neuronal injury may occur in the SNR (dorsal > ventral), spinal cord (dorsal and occasionally lateral funiculi), and brainstem centrally and in nerves peripherally. Patterns of AAV-associated microscopic findings in the CNS and PNS differ for TAs administered into brain parenchyma (where tissue at the injection site is affected most) versus TAs delivered into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or systemically (which primarily impacts sensory ganglion neurons and their processes in SNR and spinal cord). Changes related to the TA and procedure may overlap. While often interpreted as adverse, AAV-associated neuronal necrosis and axonal degeneration of limited severity generally do not preclude clinical testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Last decade has witnessed impressive progress in the fields of medicine and bioengineering with the aid of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are favoured for their improved bio-chemical as well as mechanical properties with tremendous applications in biomedical domains such as disease diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, medical imaging, in vitro diagnostics, designing innovatory cross-functional implants and regenerative tissue engineering. The current situation insists upon crafting nanotools that are capable of catering to biological needs and construct more efficient biomedical strategies. In the recent years, surface functionalization and capping with biomolecules has initiated substantial interest towards research. In this regard, search of suitable biofunctionalized nanoparticles seem to be like finding pearls from ocean. Conjugating biological molecules with inorganic materials has paved the way for unravelling innovative functional materials with dramatically improved properties and a wide range of uses. Inorganic nanoparticles such as metals, metal oxides, as well as quantum dots have been hybridised or conjugated with biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. The present review reports on various biomolecule functionalized inorganic nanomaterials highlighting the biomolecule-inorganic nanoparticle interaction studies, the mechanism of functionalization, antimicrobial efficacy of the functionalised nanoconjugates and its use in various biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel polarity-control junctionless tunnel field-effect transistor (PC-JL-TFET)-based biosensor for the label-free detection of biomolecule species in efficient ways. Unlike conventional designs, the polarity-control concept induces the generation of drain (n + ) and source (p + ) regions inside the proposed structure when a bias of ∓ 1. 2 V is applied at the polarity gates-1/2 (PG-1/2), to form a conventional TFET. To capture the biomolecules, a nano-cavity is created within the source region's dielectric oxide toward the tunneling interface. The presence of biomolecules is electronically detected based on either solely the dielectric constant (neutral biomolecules) or the combination of charge density and dielectric constant (charged biomolecules). The proposed device can perform label-free recognition of biomolecules such as Uricase, Keratin, Biotin, Streptavidin and so on. To investigate the sensing performance of the proposed biosensor, significant biosensing metrics such as the electric field, energy band diagram, tunneling current, subthreshold slope, I ON / I OFF ratio and threshold voltage have been studied. The proposed PC-JL-TFET biosensor achieves a maximum sensitivity of 5. 3 1 × 1 0 1 0 for neutral biomolecules with a dielectric constant of 12 and 1. 1 1 × 1 0 1 0 for negatively charged biomolecules (− 1 × 1 0 1 2 C/cm 2) with a dielectric constant of 8. The proposed biosensor's selectivity, linearity and temperature-based analysis have also been evaluated for different biomolecules. Additionally, real-time practical scenarios, such as partially filled nano-cavities and the random position of biomolecules in the nano-cavity-based analysis, have also been incorporated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couple is effective for voltammetric detection of trace dopamine (DA). However, achieving adequate concentrations with high electroactive surface area (ECSA), DA affinity, and fast interfacial charge transfer is challenging. Consequently, most reported Fe‐based sensors have a high nanomolar range detection limit (LOD). Herein, we address these limitations by manipulating the phase and morphology of FeOOH/Fe2O3 heterojunctions anchored on sp2‐carbon. FeOOH/Fe2O3 is synthesized by variable temperature aging of unique Fe5H9O15/Fe2O3@sp2‐carbon colloidal nanoparticles, which form via chelation between biomass‐derived carbon nanodots (CNDs) and Fe2+ ions. At 27 °C and 120 °C, Fe5H9O15/Fe2O3@sp2‐carbon transforms into β‐FeOOH/Fe2O3 nanoparticles and α‐FeOOH/Fe2O3 nanosheet, respectively. The β‐FeOOH/Fe2O3 interface exhibits higher eg orbital electron occupancy than α‐FeOOH/Fe2O3, thereby facilitating oxygen adsorption and the generation of Fe2+/Fe3+ sites near the polarization potential of DA. This facilitates interfacial electron transfer between Fe3+ and DA. Moreover, its nanoparticle morphology enhances ECSA and DA adsorption compared to α‐FeOOH/Fe2O3 nanosheets. With a LOD of ~3.11 nM, β‐FeOOH/Fe2O3 surpasses the lower threshold in humans (~10 nM) and matches noble‐metal sensors. Furthermore, it exhibits selective detection of DA over 10 biochemicals in urine. Therefore, the β‐FeOOH/Fe2O3@sp2‐C platform holds promise as a low‐cost, easy‐to‐synthesize, and practical voltammetric DA monitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work reports a comprehensive set of scattering cross sections data of pyrimidine due to electron impact in the energy range from 1 eV to 5 keV. The elastic cross sections are calculated using the single-centre-expansion formalism employing the local potentials. A modified binary-encounter-Bethe model is applied to compute the partial ionization cross sections of cations formed due to the dissociative ionization process. The method is highly simple and yet effective in yielding partial ionization cross sections for majority of cations formed during the dissociation ionization process. We could identify the erroneous partial ionization cross section data reported for cation corresponding to m/z = 28. The total cross sections in the energy range exceeding the ionization threshold are approximated by simply summing the integral elastic and the ionization cross sections. The scattering results obtained are in good agreement with the experimental and theoretical data. We also discuss the importance of the approaches adopted and their limitations. The work is important as the molecule interactions with ionizing radiation are a major cause of incurring damage to biomolecules. The studies are also relevant in areas where electron interactions with molecules are underlying phenomena like astrophysics and plasma physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica is a foodborne pathogen commonly found in agricultural facilities; its prevalence, as well as increasing levels of disinfectant- and antibiotic-resistance, has significant costs for agriculture as well as human health. In an effort to identify potential new inhibitors of S. enterica on abiotic surfaces, we developed a biomolecule screen of nutrient-type compounds because nutrients would have lower toxicity in animal facilities and bacterial nutrient utilization pathways might prove less susceptible to the development of bacterial resistance. After screening 285 nutrient-type compounds, we identified ten that significantly inhibited the ability of S. enterica to colonize a plastic surface. After conducting a dose-response curve, salicylic acid was selected for further testing due to its low minimal inhibitory concentration (62.5 μM) as well as a low total inhibitory concentration (250 μM). Salicylic acid was also able to inhibit surface colonization of a wide range of bacterial pathogens, suggesting that our biomolecule screen might have broader application beyond S. enterica. Finally, we determined that salicylic acid was also able to inhibit S. enterica colonization of an organic surface on eggshells. Together, these results suggest that nutrient-type biomolecules may provide an avenue for preventing resistant bacteria from contaminating surfaces.

Organic matter is crucial in aerosol–climate interactions, yet the physicochemical properties and origins of organic aerosols remain poorly understood. Here we show the seasonal characteristics of submicron organic aerosols in Arctic Svalbard during spring and summer, emphasizing their connection to transport patterns and particle size distribution. Microbial-derived organic matter (MOM) and terrestrial-derived organic matter (TOM) accounted for over 90% of the total organic mass in Arctic aerosols during these seasons, comprising carbohydrate/protein-like and lignin/tannin-like compounds, respectively. In spring, aerosols showed high TOM and low MOM intensities due to biomass-burning influx in the central Arctic. In contrast, summer exhibited elevated MOM intensity, attributed to the shift in predominant atmospheric transport from the central Arctic to the biologically active Greenland Sea. MOM and TOM were associated with Aitken mode particles (100 nm diameter), respectively. This association is linked to the molecular size of biomolecules, impacting the number concentrations of corresponding aerosol classes. These findings highlight the importance of considering seasonal atmospheric transport patterns and organic source-dependent particle size distributions in assessing aerosol properties in the changing Arctic.

The growing demand for sustainable solutions in agriculture, which are critical for crop productivity and food quality in the face of climate change and the need to reduce agrochemical usage, has brought biostimulants into the spotlight as valuable tools for regenerative agriculture. With their diverse biological activities, biostimulants can contribute to crop growth, nutrient use efficiency, and abiotic stress resilience, as well as to the restoration of soil health. Biomolecules include humic substances, protein lysates, phenolics, and carbohydrates have undergone thorough investigation because of their demonstrated biostimulant activities. Here, we review the process of the discovery and development of extract-based biostimulants, and propose a practical step-by-step pipeline that starts with initial identification of biomolecules, followed by extraction and isolation, determination of bioactivity, identification of active compound(s), elucidation of mechanisms, formulation, and assessment of effectiveness. The different steps generate a roadmap that aims to expedite the transfer of interdisciplinary knowledge from laboratory-scale studies to pilot-scale production in practical scenarios that are aligned with the prevailing regulatory frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectroscopy has developed significantly since its discovery and has become an important analytical vibrational technique for investigating the sample's chemical and structural properties. Today, great emphasis is placed on detecting low-concentrated samples of small volumes, which is a problematic task considering the weak intensity of the Raman signal. To improve the sensitivity significantly, resonance Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy were employed. However, they face certain limitations and cannot generally be applied to any molecule. Here, we focus on drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) spectroscopy that offers a general solution. DCDR lies in a droplet deposition of a liquid sample on an ideally solvophobic substrate where the subsequent drying process results in a preconcentrated deposit. After focusing on the preconcentrated dried parts in the deposit under the Raman micro-spectrometer, this offers high-quality classical Raman spectra even from a low-concentrated sample. Besides the overview of the method, its potential and the applications to biomolecules, biologically significant molecules and contaminants will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nerve growth factor (NGF), the first neurotrophin to be discovered, has a long and eventful research journey with a series of turning points, setbacks, and achievements. Since the groundbreaking investigations led by Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi-Montalcini, advancements in the comprehension of NGF's functions have revolutionized the field of neuroscience, offering new insights and opportunities for therapeutic innovation. However, the clinical application of NGF has historically been hindered by challenges in determining appropriate dosing, administration strategies, and complications related to the production process. Recent advances in the production and scientific knowledge of recombinant NGF have enabled its clinical development, and in 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved cenegermin-bkbj, a recombinant human NGF, for the treatment of all stages of neurotrophic keratitis. This review traces the evolutionary path that transformed NGF from a biological molecule into a novel therapy with potential research applications beyond the eye. Special emphasis is put on the studies that advanced NGF from discovery to the first medicinal product approved to treat a human disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence-based probes have been the key interest of researchers working at the intersection of chemistry and biology. Such probes are crucial for strengthening our understanding about biochemical processes, drug delivery, and fluorescence-guided surgery. A challenge in this regard is optimizing the probe's aqueous solubility while maintaining its lipophilicity to allow cell membrane permeation. This review summarizes the recent progress in water-soluble fluorescence-based probes for different types of biomolecules including carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, amino acids, neurotransmitters and biologically relevant reactive species. A comprehensive overview of the crucial parameters for such probes' design, potential sensing mechanism for specific analytes, and experimental conditions for sensing has been provided. Incorporation of hydrophilic functional groups, ionic charge(s), absorption-emission characteristics and pH-stability in biological window are pivotal to develop optimized probes with high sensitivity for target biomarkers. We further underline the limitations of the probes that hinder their translation to clinical research and also indicate major research gap in optimizing any single probe for a certain biomarker.

Due to its excellent material performance, the AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) provides a wide platform for biosensing. The high density and mobility of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the AlGaN/GaN interface induced by the polarization effect and the short distance between the 2DEG channel and the surface can improve the sensitivity of the biosensors. The high thermal and chemical stability can also benefit HEMT-based biosensors' operation under, for example, high temperatures and chemically harsh environments. This makes creating biosensors with excellent sensitivity, selectivity, reliability, and repeatability achievable using commercialized semiconductor materials. To synthesize the recent developments and advantages in this research field, we review the various AlGaN/GaN HEMT-based biosensors' structures, operations mechanisms, and applications. This review will help new researchers to learn the basic information about the topic and aid in the development of next-generation of AlGaN/GaN HEMT-based biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies on the management of obesity are centered on the ability of small compounds to modulate fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO). This study is aimed at investigating the inhibitory effects of flavonoid biomolecules on fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) in silico. The studied ligands from methanol flavonoid-rich fraction of lime juice (MFLJ) and ethylacetate flavonoid-rich fraction of honey (EAFH) include quercetin, Epigallocatechin, p-Coumarin, Caffeic acid, Naphthoresorcinol, Gallic acid, and Sinapic acid. The ligands were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Molecular docking of the ligands and the FTO protein was performed using AutoDock Vina software. Results show that Ser-229, Tyr-108, Asp-233, and Glu-234 are the catalytic sub-units of the FTO protein, which were essential in hydrogen bond formation and interactions between ligands and the FTO protein. The G value of binding affinity for all ligands revealed their potential as inhibitors of FTO protein. Quercetin (-8.2 Kcal/mol), epigallocatechin (-8.0 Kcal/mol), and p-coumarin (-7.3 Kcal/mol) possessed the highest inhibitory effect on the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein compared to the standard drugs (atorvastatin: -7.5 Kcal/mol and orlistat: -6.6 Kcal/mol). In conclusion, quercetin, epigallocatechin, and p-coumarin exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against FTO protein. This reveals their potential as anti-obesity agents that could be used in the treatment of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents a biosensor based on a dielectrically modulated (DM) silicon on insulator (SOI) junctionless fin-shaped field-effect transistor (FinFET) (DM-SOI-JL-FinFET) for the detection of biomolecules. This biosensor is integrated with a label free detection of neutral biomolecules such as biotin (k = 2.53), APTES (k = 3.57), ferro-cyt C (k = 4.7), bacteriophages (k = 6.3), and keratin (k = 8). By etching the gate oxide, a nanocavity with a thickness of 5 nm and a height of 35 nm is created for immobilized biomolecules. The presence of biomolecules is determined by observing variations in the dielectric constant. Various important parameters including threshold voltage, the ratio of on-state and off-state current (ION/IOFF) sensitivity, drain current, transconductance, and surface potential are thoroughly investigated for different biomolecules with a function of dielectric constant, fin height, and fin width. The study demonstrates a threshold voltage sensitivity (Sv) of 0.1552 (biotin, k = 2.53) and 0.5628 (keratin, k = 8), as well as an ION/IOFF current sensitivity (SI) of 1.1609 (biotin, k = 2.53) and 3.9774 (keratin, k = 8) for the simulated structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chalcone represents a vital biosynthetic scaffold owing to its numerous therapeutic effects. The present study was intended to synthesize 17 chalcone derivatives (3a–q) by direct coupling of substituted acetophenones and benzaldehyde. The target chalcones were characterized by spectroscopic analyses followed by their in vitro antimicrobial, and antileishmanial investigations with reference to standard drugs. The majority of the chalcones displayed good to excellent biological activities. Chalcone 3q (1000 µg ml−1) exhibited the most potent antibacterial effect with its zone of inhibition values of 30, 33 and 34 mm versus Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. The results also confirmed chalcone 3q to be the most potent versus Leishmania major with the lowest IC50 value of 0.59 ± 0.12 µg ml−1. Chalcone 3i (500 µg ml−1) was noticed to be the most potent antifungal agent with its zone of inhibition being 29 mm against Candida albicans. Computational studies of chalcones 3i and 3q supported the preliminary in vivo results. The existence of the amino moiety and bromine atom on ring-A and methoxy moieties on ring-B caused better biological effects of the chalcones. In brief, the investigations reveal that chalcones (3i and 3q) can be employed as building blocks to discover novel antimicrobial agents.

In this work, we propose a novel Gate and Drain Engineered Schottky Barrier (SB) FET (GDE-SBFET) for biosensing application with significant sensitivity improvement. Two different gate materials are employed by the proposed SB device having work functions of 3.9 eV (Al) and 4.72 eV (Cu) and electrostatically doped drain (work function of 3.9 eV). Etching out the oxide on both sides of the gate creates a nano-gap cavity that is used to detect the biomolecule. The biomolecule electrical characteristics such as charge density and dielectric constant can modify the SB on either side of the gate, which can alter the device‘s driving current. The Drain Current sensitivity ( $S_{drain}$ ) parameter are extensively analyzed at $V_{DS} = V_{GS} = 0.5$ V and a comparison between state of the art devices and conventional devices has been carried out. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that proposed device sensitivity is much superior for negatively charged and neutral biomolecules (maximum of 460 for biomolecules with negative charge, maximum of 128 for neutral biomolecule and maximum of 35 for positively charged biomolecules, at K = 12). These are the highest values of sensitivity observed for SB-FETs.

Epithelial tissue regeneration may be favored if the tissue receives both therapeutic agents such as recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and, simultaneously, antibacterial materials capable of reducing the risk of infections. Herein, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are well-known antibacterial materials, and impregnate them with rhEGF in order to study a bio-nanomaterial of potential interest for epithelial tissue regeneration. A suspension of Ag NPs is prepared by the chemical reduction method, employing sodium citrate as both a reducer and capping agent. The AgNPs suspension is mixed with a saline solution containing rhEGF, producing rhEGF-coated Ag NPs with rhEGF loadings between 0.1 and 0.4% w/w. ELISA assays of supernatants demonstrate that, in all studied cases, over 90% of the added rhEGF forms part of the coating, evidencing a high efficiency in impregnation. During the preparation of rhEGF-coated Ag NPs, no significant changes are observed on the nanoparticles, which are characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectroscopy. The liberation of rhEGF in vitro was followed for 72 h, finding that approximately 1% of rhEGF that is present is released. The rhEGF-coated AgNPs shows antibacterial activity against E. coli, although such activity is decreased with respect to that observed from naked AgNPs. Having confirmed the possibility of simultaneously liberating rhEGF and reducing the proliferation of bacteria, this work helps to support the use of rhEGF-loaded metallic nanoparticles for tissue regeneration.

Precipitation of marine biogenic CaCO 3 minerals occurs at specialist sites, typically with elevated pH and dissolved inorganic carbon, and in the presence of biomolecules which control the nucleation, growth, and morphology of the calcium carbonate structure. Here we explore aragonite precipitation in vitro under conditions inferred to occur in tropical coral calcification media under present and future atmospheric CO 2 scenarios. We vary pH, Ω Ar and pCO 2 between experiments to explore how both HCO 3 − and CO 3 2− influence precipitation rate and we identify the effects of the three most common amino acids in coral skeletons (aspartic acid, glutamic acid and glycine) on precipitation rate and aragonite morphology. We find that fluid Ω Ar or [CO 3 2−] is the main control on precipitation rate at 25 °C, with no significant contribution from HCO 3 − or pH. All amino acids inhibit aragonite precipitation at 0.2–5 mM and the degree of inhibition is inversely correlated with Ω Ar and, in the case of aspartic acid, also inversely correlated with seawater temperature. Aspartic acid inhibits precipitation the most, of the tested amino acids (and generates changes in aragonite morphology) and glycine inhibits precipitation the least. Previous work shows that ocean acidification increases the amino acid content of coral skeletons and probably reduces calcification media Ω Ar , both of which can inhibit aragonite precipitation. This study and previous work shows aragonite precipitation rate is exponentially related to temperature from 10 to 30 °C and small anthropogenic increases in seawater temperature will likely offset the inhibition in precipitation rate predicted to occur due to increased skeletal aspartic acid and reduced calcification media Ω Ar under ocean acidification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three Schiff base Cu(II) complexes, (N,N'-bis(acetylacetone)propylenediimine) copper(II) complex, [Cu(acac2pn)] (1), (N,N'-bis-(benzoylacetone) propylenediimine)copper(II) complex, [Cu(phacac2pn)] (2) and (N,N'-bis-(trifluoroacetylacetone)propylenediimine)copper(II) complex, [Cu(tfacac2pn)] (3), were used to investigate the interactions with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) using the electronic absorption and spectroscopic fluorescence methods. UV--Vis absorption studies showed that studied complexes interact with DNA molecule and exhibit moderate binding affinity. Fluorescence studies of complexes 1-3 also showed a possibility for DNA intercalation as well as a relatively high binding ability toward BSA. Among the tested complexes, the highest affinity for DNA and BSA molecules was shown by complex 1. Cytotoxic analyses, performed on human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 and healthy lung fibroblast MRC-5 cell lines, showed that complex 2 exhibited activity on both cell lines, while complexes 1 and 3 did not show any activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial tissue regeneration may be favored if the tissue receives both therapeutic agents such as recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and, simultaneously, antibacterial materials capable of reducing the risk of infections. Herein, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are well-known antibacterial materials, and impregnate them with rhEGF in order to study a bio-nanomaterial of potential interest for epithelial tissue regeneration. A suspension of Ag NPs is prepared by the chemical reduction method, employing sodium citrate as both a reducer and capping agent. The AgNPs suspension is mixed with a saline solution containing rhEGF, producing rhEGF-coated Ag NPs with rhEGF loadings between 0.1 and 0.4% w/w. ELISA assays of supernatants demonstrate that, in all studied cases, over 90% of the added rhEGF forms part of the coating, evidencing a high efficiency in impregnation. During the preparation of rhEGF-coated Ag NPs, no significant changes are observed on the nanoparticles, which are characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectroscopy. The liberation of rhEGF in vitro was followed for 72 h, finding that approximately 1% of rhEGF that is present is released. The rhEGF-coated AgNPs shows antibacterial activity against E. coli, although such activity is decreased with respect to that observed from naked AgNPs. Having confirmed the possibility of simultaneously liberating rhEGF and reducing the proliferation of bacteria, this work helps to support the use of rhEGF-loaded metallic nanoparticles for tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is widely utilized to visualize the molecular motions of biomolecules. Comparison of experimentally measured AFM images with simulated AFM images based on known structures of biomolecules is often necessary to elucidate what is actually resolved in the images. Experimental AFM images are generated by force measurements; however, conventional AFM simulation has been based on geometrical considerations rather than calculating forces using molecular dynamics simulations due to limited computation time. This letter summarizes recently developed methods to simulate topographic and three-dimensional AFM (3D-AFM) images of biopolymers such as chromosomes and cytoskeleton fibers. Scanning such biomolecules in AFM measurements usually results in nonequilibrium-type work being performed. As such, the Jarzynski equality was employed to relate the nonequilibrium work to the free energy profiles, and the forces were calculated by differentiating the free energy profiles. The biomolecules and probes were approximated using a supra-coarse-grained model, allowing the simulation of force-distance curves in feasible time. It was found that there is an optimum scanning velocity and that some of polymer structures are resolved in the simulated 3D-AFM images. The theoretical background adopted to rationalize the use of small probe radius in the conventional AFM simulation of biomolecules is clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmasterol has been studied for its numerous biological effects on various metabolic diseases, but its potential role as a ubiquitous biomolecule in the plant kingdom is still in its infancy. Efficient utilization of stigmasterol's properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and self-assembly, is necessary for the food industry to effectively prevent microbial growth in food., in addition, to delaying rancidity by slowing down lipid oxidation. The need for safer alternatives in postharvest disease mitigation is driving scientists to consider stigmasterol as a potential solution to tackle a wide array of food-related dilemmas. This comprehensive review paper examines the roles of stigmasterol in the context of the food industry. Moreover, it encompasses its identification, content levels, and production pathways, and suggests future research directions for natural alternatives in food preservation. In addition, exogenous stigmasterol treatment not only delayed quality deterioration, ripening, and senescence but also enhanced cold stress tolerance and defense mechanisms against diseases relevant to food items. The multiple biological functions of stigmasterol in food have been attributed to its induction and interaction with reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, which improved antioxidant and defense systems, decreased oxidative and microbial damage, and stigmasterol also possesses a safety profile. However, in-depth research is needed to uncover stigmasterol's full potential in food science and technology, particularly for ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dextran is an exopolysaccharide synthesized in reactions catalyzed by enzymes obtained from microbial agents of specific species and strains. Products of dextran polysaccharides with different molecular weights are suitable for diverse pharmaceutical and clinical uses. Dextran solutions have multiple characteristics, including viscosity, solubility, rheological, and thermal properties; hence, dextran has been studied for its commercial applications in several sectors. Certain bacteria can produce extracellular polysaccharide dextran of different molecular weights and configurations. Dextran products of diverse molecular weights have been used in several industries, including medicine, cosmetics, and food. This article aims to provide an overview of the reports on dextran applications in blood transfusion and clinical studies and its biosynthesis. Information has been summarized on enzyme-catalyzed reactions for dextran biosynthesis from sucrose and on the bio-transformation process of high molecular weight dextran molecules to obtain preparations of diverse molecular weights and configurations.

Functional nucleic acid (FNA) probes have been widely used in environmental monitoring, food analysis, clinical diagnosis, and biological imaging because of their easy synthesis, functional modification, flexible design, and stable properties. However, most FNA probes are designed based on one-photon (OP) in the ultraviolet or visible regions, and the effectiveness of these OP-based FNA probes may be hindered by certain factors, such as their potential for photodamage and limited light tissue penetration. Two-photon (TP) is characterized by the nonlinear absorption of two relatively low-energy photons of near-infrared (NIR) light with the resulting emission of high-energy ultraviolet or visible light. TP-based FNA probes have excellent properties, including lower tissue self-absorption and autofluorescence, reduced photodamage and photobleaching, and higher spatial resolution, making them more advantageous than the conventional OP-based FNA probes in biomedical sensing. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of TP-excited and -activated FNA probes and detail their applications in biomolecular detection. In addition, we also share our views on the highlights and limitations of TP-based FNA probes. The ultimate goal is to provide design approaches for the development of high-performance TP-based FNA probes, thereby promoting their biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is associated with high rates of mortality in the intensive care unit and accompanied by systemic inflammatory reactions, secondary infections, and multiple organ failure. Biological macromolecules are drugs produced using modern biotechnology to prevent or treat diseases. Indeed, antithrombin, antimicrobial peptides, interleukins, antibodies, nucleic acids, and lentinan have been used to prevent and treat sepsis. In vitro, biological macromolecules can significantly ameliorate the inflammatory response, apoptosis, and multiple organ failure caused by sepsis. Several biological macromolecules have entered clinical trials. This review summarizes the sources, efficacy, mechanism of action, and research progress of macromolecular drugs used in the prevention and treatment of sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) spectroscopy introduces a simple and easily accessible approach to studying biologically important molecules and their mixtures. The method is based on drying a small drop of solution or suspension of studied molecules deposited on a special hydrophobic surface. The drying process efficiently accumulates the molecules in the 'coffee‐ring' or any small pattern from which the Raman spectrum can be measured. In this way, a significant (several orders of magnitude) improvement of the Raman detection sensitivity compared with Raman measurement from solution can be reached. Therefore, a small sample volume (several microliters), as well as a low initial concentration of studied molecules in deposited droplets, are important advantages of the DCDR method over the normal Raman one. Recently, many relevant DCDR applications on biomolecules and related molecules have been reported. The mini‐review covers a brief overview of the DCDR method (principle, short history, suitable hydrophobic surfaces and state‐of‐the‐art). It will be followed by a summary of the studies over the last 15–20 years on different biologically important molecules, including proteins, lipids (in the form of liposomes) and small molecules (e.g., porphyrins, anthrax marker dipicolinic acid and food and environmental contaminants). Finally, the application potential and further perspectives of the DCDR method for biomolecular studies will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transistor-based sensors have been widely recognized to be highly sensitive and reliable for point-of-care/bed-side diagnosis. In this line, a range of cutting-edge technologies has been generated to elevate the role of transistors for biomolecule detection. Detection of a wide range of clinical biomarkers has been reported using various configurations of transistors. The inordinate sensitivity of transistors to the field-effect imparts high sensitivity toward wide range of biomolecules. This overview has gleaned the present achievements with the technological advancements using high performance transistor-based sensors. This review encloses transistors incorporated with a variety of functional nanomaterials and organic elements for their excellence in selectivity and sensitivity. In addition, the technological advancements in fabrication of these microdevices or nanodevices and functionalization of the sensing elements have also been discussed. The technological gap in the realization of sensors in transistor platforms and the resulted scope for research has been discussed. Finally, foreseen technological advancements and future research perspectives are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glasses and nanodiamonds have been widely used as biomaterials, particularly in orthopedics. Biomolecule-derived materials are also gaining popularity in biomedical applications. Therefore, a biomolecule-derived glass with in situ formed nanodiamonds could be interesting material. The biomolecule-derived glass obtained in this study was synthesized by melt-quenching adenosine triphosphate-disodium. According to spectroscopic studies such as Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and XPS, the glass formed from the phosphate groups of ATP is predominantly made of metaphosphate. The TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopic analysis confirm the in situ conversion of the organic portion of the ATP molecule into nanodiamonds. The confocal microscopy also reveals the fluorescence property of the nanodiamonds. In vitro experiments further demonstrate that the glass is non-cytotoxic, bioactive, and angiogenic, implying that it could be used in bone repair. This study also establishes that phosphate glass supports nanodiamonds formation and that biomolecule can form glass and nanodiamonds under the right conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are currently under progressive development as a tool for non-viral biomolecule delivery. Biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids can be encapsulated in MOFs for therapeutic purposes. The favorable physicochemical properties of MOFs make them an attractive choice for delivering a wide range of biomolecules including nucleic acids. Herein, a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-expressing plasmid DNA (pDNA) is used as a representative of a biomolecule to encapsulate within a Zn-based metal–organic framework (MOF) called a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF). The synthesized biocomposites are coated with positively charged amino acids (AA) to understand the effect of surface functionalization on the delivery of pDNA to prostate cancer (PC-3) cells. FTIR and zeta potential confirm the successful preparation of positively charged amino acid-functionalized derivatives of pDNA@ZIF (i.e., pDNA@ZIFAA). Moreover, XRD and SEM data show that the functionalized derivates retain the pristine crystallinity and morphology of pDNA@ZIF. The coated biocomposites provide enhanced uptake of genetic material by PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. The AA-modulated fine-tuning of the surface charge of biocomposites results in better interaction with the cell membrane and enhances cellular uptake. These results suggest that pDNA@ZIFAA can be a promising alternative tool for non-viral gene delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we use NEGF quantum transport simulations to study the fundamental detection limit of ultra-scaled Si nanowire FET (NWT) biosensors. A N-doped NWT is found to be more sensitive for negatively charged analytes as explained by the nature of the detection mechanism. Our results predict threshold voltage shifts due to a single-charge analyte of tens to hundreds of mV in air or low-ionic solutions. However, with typical ionic solutions and SAM conditions, the sensitivity rapidly drops to the mV/q range. Our results are then extended to the detection of a single 20-base-long DNA molecule in solution. The impact of front- and/or back-gate biasing on the sensitivity and limit of detection is studied and a signal-to-noise ratio of 10 is predicted. Opportunities and challenges to reach down to single-analyte detection in such systems are also discussed, including the ionic and oxide-solution interface-charge screening and ways to recover unscreened sensitivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks with a variety of structures and functions that have a remarkable ability to absorb huge amounts of water or biological fluids. They can incorporate active compounds and release them in a controlled manner. Hydrogels can also be designed to be sensitive to external stimuli: temperature, pH, ionic strength, electrical or magnetic stimuli, specific molecules, etc. Alternative methods for the development of various hydrogels have been outlined in the literature over time. Some hydrogels are toxic and therefore are avoided when obtaining biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, or therapeutic products. Nature is a permanent source of inspiration for new structures and new functionalities of more and more competitive materials. Natural compounds present a series of physico-chemical and biological characteristics suitable for biomaterials, such as biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, biodegradability, and nontoxicity. Thus, they can generate microenvironments comparable to the intracellular or extracellular matrices in the human body. This paper discusses the main advantages of the presence of biomolecules (polysaccharides, proteins, and polypeptides) in hydrogels. Structural aspects induced by natural compounds and their specific properties are emphasized. The most suitable applications will be highlighted, including drug delivery, self-healing materials for regenerative medicine, cell culture, wound dressings, 3D bioprinting, foods, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimetic surface modification of scaffolds with osteoinductive molecules is a promising strategy for improving the bioactivity of scaffold and stimulating stem cell signals in bone tissue engineering. Zirconia (ZrO2) offers excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but its bio-inert nature hinders its use in bone regeneration applications. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 7 (rhBMP-7) and arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptide were investigated for their potential use as surface-modifying biomolecules on the ZrO2 scaffold. Our results showed that human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were induced to osteogenic differentiation by rhBMP-7 and RGD in a dose-dependent manner. Significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and up-regulated expression of osteogenic genes in hDPSCs were associated with rhBMP-7 and RGD grafting onto the ZrO2 scaffold. Western blot analysis revealed that rhBMP-7 and RGD grafting led to activation of the SMAD1/5, p38 MARK, and ERK signaling pathways during hDPSCs differentiation. After 4 and 8 weeks of transplantation, the hDPSCs-seeded ZrO2-RGD-BMP-7 scaffold facilitated osteogenic differentiation and enhanced in vivo bone formation in critical-sized calvarial bone defects. The results support the simultaneous use of rhBMP-7 and RGD as surface-modifying biomolecules and hDPSCs as a source of osteogenic stem cells in conjugation with ZrO2-based porous scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Due to its excellent material performance, the AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) provides a wide platform for biosensing. The high density and mobility of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the AlGaN/GaN interface induced by the polarization effect and the short distance between the 2DEG channel and the surface can improve the sensitivity of the biosensors. The high thermal and chemical stability can also benefit HEMT-based biosensors’ operation under, for example, high temperatures and chemically harsh environments. This makes creating biosensors with excellent sensitivity, selectivity, reliability, and repeatability achievable using commercialized semiconductor materials. To synthesize the recent developments and advantages in this research field, we review the various AlGaN/GaN HEMT-based biosensors’ structures, operations mechanisms, and applications. This review will help new researchers to learn the basic information about the topic and aid in the development of next-generation of AlGaN/GaN HEMT-based biosensors.

With the increasing demand for biomarker detection in wearable electronic devices, flexible biosensors have garnered significant attention. Additionally, graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) have emerged as key components for constructing biosensors, owing to their high sensitivity, multifunctionality, rapid response, and low cost. Leveraging the advantages of flexible substrates, such as biocompatibility, adaptability to complex environments, and fabrication flexibility, flexible GFET sensors exhibit promising prospects in detecting various biomarkers. This review provides a concise summary of design strategies for flexible GFET biosensors, including non-encapsulated gate without dielectric layer coverage and external gate designs. Furthermore, notable advancements in sensing applications of biomolecules, such as proteins, glucose, and ions, are highlighted. Finally, we discuss the future challenges and prospects in this field, aiming to inspire researchers to address these issues in their further investigations.

• Copper oxide nanoparticles effectively synthesized by chemical method. • Synthesized CuO nanomaterials are actively characterized by typical approach. • Synthesized CuO NPs significantly degrade the EBT dye by photocatalysis. • Phytotoxicity was achieved & found less/no toxicity evidenced by biometric profile. • Essential biomolecules content in Vigna radiata L. also determined. Wastewater refers to water of substandard quality that originates from urban and suburban regions. The water in question is used for cultivation in regions where there is a limited water supply for agricultural activities. The utilisation of marginal quality water for farming spans about 20 million hectares of land globally, with around 10 % of the global population consuming food crops that have been irrigated with this kind of water. The CuONPs was synthesized by a chemical method, followed by their characterization using many methods including UV–Vis spect., FTIR, DLS, XRD, and SEM. The photocatalytic degradation of EBT dye and its adsorption kinetic studies were performed. Furthermore, impact of CuONPs, and wastewater on green gram seedlings under in-vitro conditions. The chemical methods effectively synthesized CuONPs as well as under ideal phytocatalytic condition CuONPs degraded the EBT dye up to 51.09 % in 5 h of treatment. The inclusion of CuONPs at a dosage of 100 mg L−1 in the wastewater proceeded in a notable improvement in the green gram seed germination by 50 %, and notable biometric profile as well as essential biomolecule (chlorophyll a&b, total soluble phenolics, and lycopene) profiles. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the isolation of graphene in 2004, two-dimensional (2D) materials such as transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) have attracted numerous interests due to their unique van der Waals structure, atomically thin body, and thickness-dependent properties. In recent years, the applications of TMD in public health have emerged due to their large surface area and high surface sensitivities, as well as their unique electrical, optical, and electrochemical properties. In this review, we focus on state-of-the-art methods to modulate the properties of 2D TMD and their applications in biosensing. Particularly, this review provides methods for designing and modulating 2D TMD via defect engineering and morphology control to achieve multi-functional surfaces for molecule capturing and sensing. Furthermore, we compare the 2D TMD-based biosensors with the traditional sensing systems, deepening our understanding of their action mechanism. Finally, we point out the challenges and opportunities of 2D TMD in this emerging area.