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Dmitry Kurouski, an associate professor of biomedical engineering in the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, USA, recently spoke to Spectroscopy about Raman spectroscopy's role in determining crop yield of key food items as the world population continues to increase. His paper on the subject, 'Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning for Agricultural Applications: Chemometric Assessment of Spectroscopic Signatures of Plants as the Essential Step Toward Digital Farming,' co-authored by student Charles Farber, appeared in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science in April 2022 (1). The following is transcribed from an online video interview between Spectroscopy and Kurouski in January 2024 with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) software, and has been lightly edited for length and clarity., Please briefly summarize the problem you were examining in this study and its implications in real-world applications. At its heart, the concern here is the issue of crop yield, as [...]

Abstract Microfibers from natural products are endowed with remarkable biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustainable utilization as well as environmental protection characteristics etc. Benefitting from these advantages, microfibers have demonstrated their prominent values in biomedical applications. This review comprehensively summarizes the relevant research progress of sustainable microfibers from natural products and their biomedical applications. To begin, common natural elements are introduced for the microfiber fabrication. After that, the focus is on the specific fabrication technology and process. Subsequently, biomedical applications of sustainable microfibers are discussed in detail. Last but not least, the main challenges during the development process are summarized, followed by a vision for future development opportunities.

At the forefront of advanced material technology, radiation-induced hydrogels present a promising avenue for innovation across various sectors, utilizing gamma radiation, electron beam radiation, and UV radiation. Through the unique synthesis process involving radiation exposure, these hydrogels exhibit exceptional properties that make them highly versatile and valuable for a multitude of applications. This paper focuses on the intricacies of the synthesis methods employed in creating these radiation-induced hydrogels, shedding light on their structural characteristics and functional benefits. In particular, the paper analyzes the diverse utility of these hydrogels in biomedicine and agriculture, showcasing their potential for applications such as targeted drug delivery, injury recovery, and even environmental engineering solutions. By analyzing current research trends and highlighting potential future directions, this review aims to underscore the transformative impact that radiation-induced hydrogels could have on various industries and the advancement of biomedical and agricultural practices.

Aptamers are artificial oligonucleotides with excellent molecule-targeting ability. Compared with monoclonal antibodies, aptamers have the advantages of low cost, no batch effect, and negligible immunogenicity, making them promising candidates for cancer immunotherapy. To date, a series of aptamer agonists/antagonists have been discovered and directly used to activate immune response, such as immune checkpoint blockade, immune costimulation, and cytokine regulation. By incorporating both tumor- and immune cell-targeting aptamers, multivalent bispecific aptamers were designed to pursue high tumor affinity and enhanced immune efficacy. More importantly, benefiting from feasible chemical modification and programmability, aptamers can be engineered with diverse nanomaterials (e.g., liposomes, hydrogels) and even living immune cells (e.g., NK cells, T cells). These aptamer-based assemblies exhibit powerful capabilities in targeted cargo delivery, regulation of cell–cell interactions, tumor immunogenicity activation, tumor microenvironment remodeling, etc., holding huge potential in boosting immunotherapeutic efficacy. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in aptamer-based immune drug systems (AptIDCs) and highlight their advantages in cancer immunotherapy. The current challenges and future prospects of this field are also pointed out in this paper.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from Cornell and the University of Alberta, Edmonton, have pioneered a novel technique for treating Type 1 diabetes. Their innovation involves implanting a revolutionary device, [...]

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has revolutionized the production of physical 3D objects by transforming computer-aided design models into layered structures, eliminating the need for traditional molding or machining techniques. In recent years, hydrogels have emerged as an ideal 3D printing feedstock material for the fabrication of hydrated constructs that replicate the extracellular matrix found in endogenous tissues. Hydrogels have seen significant advancements since their first use as contact lenses in the biomedical field. These advancements have led to the development of complex 3D-printed structures that include a wide variety of organic and inorganic materials, cells, and bioactive substances. The most commonly used 3D printing techniques to fabricate hydrogel scaffolds are material extrusion, material jetting, and vat photopolymerization, but novel methods that can enhance the resolution and structural complexity of printed constructs have also emerged. The biomedical applications of hydrogels can be broadly classified into four categories—tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, 3D cell culture and disease modeling, drug screening and toxicity testing, and novel devices and drug delivery systems. Despite the recent advancements in their biomedical applications, a number of challenges still need to be addressed to maximize the use of hydrogels for 3D printing. These challenges include improving resolution and structural complexity, optimizing cell viability and function, improving cost efficiency and accessibility, and addressing ethical and regulatory concerns for clinical translation.

In recent years, interest in nanotechnology has increased exponentially due to enhanced progress and technological innovation. In tissue engineering, the development of metallic nanoparticles has been amplified, especially due to their antibacterial properties. Another important characteristic of metal NPs is that they enable high control over the features of the developed scaffolds (optimizing their mechanical strength and offering the controlled release of bioactive agents). Currently, the main concern related to the method of synthesis of metal oxide NPs is the environmental impact. The physical and chemical synthesis uses toxic agents that could generate hazards or exert carcinogenicity/environmental toxicity. Therefore, a greener, cleaner, and more reliable approach is needed. Green synthetic has come as a solution to counter the aforementioned limitations. Nowadays, green synthesis is preferred because it leads to the prevention/minimization of waste, the reduction of derivatives/pollution, and the use of non-toxic (safer) solvents. This method not only uses biomass sources as reducing agents for metal salts. The biomolecules also cover the synthesized NPs or act as in situ capping and reducing agents. Further, their involvement in the formation process reduces toxicity, prevents nanoparticle agglomeration, and improves the antimicrobial activity of the nanomaterial, leading to a possible synergistic effect. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the green synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, from the synthesis routes, selected solvents, and parameters to their latest application in the biomedical field.

The rapidly growing discipline of artificial intelligence (AI) seeks to develop software and computers that can do tasks that have historically required the intelligence of people. Machine learning (ML) is a subfield of AI that makes use of algorithms to "learn" from data's innate statistical patterns and structures to extrapolate information that is otherwise hidden. A growing emphasis on cosmetic dentistry has coincided with ZrO2‘s rise to prominence as a result of its improved biocompatibility, visually pleasant look, strong oxidation resistance, better mechanical properties, and lack of documented allergic responses. Advances in the field of AI and ML have led to novel applications of ZrO2 in dental devices for biological objectives. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have attracted a lot of attention in ZrO2-related research and therapeutic applications due to their ability to analyze data and discover connections between seemingly unrelated events. Specifically, their incorporation into zirconia is largely responsible for this. Zirconia's versatility in the scientific community means that how AI is used in the area varies with the specific directions in which zirconia is utilized. Therefore, this article primarily focuses on the use of AI in the biomedical use of ZrO2 in dentistry.

In this paper, the multiscale analysis of the reproduction accuracy of jaw geometry obtained via the use of selected orthodontic materials is discussed. Impressions were made from two types of impression material. An accuracy assessment of the model geometry mapping was performed using noncontact systems, including a fringe projection optical 3D scanner, computed tomography, and a focus variation microscope. Measurements were made in three modes for comparison, as were the silicone and polyether impression materials. These modes were a jaw model and impression, an impression and plaster model, and plaster and jaw models. The research results are presented as colorful maps of deviations. Data analysis showed that deviations were the smallest in the case of silicone and that the best fit occurred between the silicone impression and the plaster model. The conducted research confirmed the validity of the assumptions considering the use of multiscale analysis for geometric analysis. The use of modern multiscale measurement methods allows for shorter and more efficient prosthetic operations. At present, these devices are expensive and complicated to use, but developments in technology should simplify the process, and prosthetic professionals should be aware of the possibilities described in the paper.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common pathology among disorders of the peripheral nervous system related to median nerve compression. To our knowledge, there are limited data on the effect of tendon movement on median nerve compression. This study focuses on the understanding of the carpal syndrome by simulating the impact of tendons movement caused by fingers flexion by Finite Element Analysis. Therefore, such modeling is the step toward the development of a personalized technique for value determining median nerve compression. Open-source MRI of the human right hand was used to build patient-specific phalanges of the fingers. Carpal tunnel soft tissues were considered as hyper-elastic materials, while bone structures were considered as elastic ones. The final finite-element model had 40 solid bodies which contacted the joint. Results were obtained for four cases of wrist movements: finger flexion, hand flexion/extension, and wrist extension with subsequent by finger flexion. Compression of the median nerve ranged from 129 Pa to 227 Pa. The results show that compression of the median nerve occurs faster during wrist flexion than during wrist extension or finger flexion. A decrease in compression during finger flexion was noticed with wrist extension followed by finger flexion.

Porphyrins and their derivatives have been widely used in catalysis, energy conversion, photonics, and biomedicine; however, their use in biological applications is restricted by their limited solubility in aqueous systems. We have prepared a water-soluble copolymer containing moieties of naturally occurring protoporphyrin IX using direct copolymerization of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) methacrylate monomer with protoporphyrin IX via free-radical polymerization. The content of protoporphyrin IX in the copolymer was determined by[.sup.1H] NMR and UV-vis absorption spectroscopies. Their solution properties and the photostability of the protoporphyrin IX moiety in the copolymer provide direct evidence of the covalent incorporation of protoporphyrin IX within the copolymer. The copolymer showed a reversible phase transition in aqueous solution due to the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The phase transition temperature varies with the pH of the solutions because of the protonation of the carboxylic acid groups. This copolymer may be useful as an alternative thermoresponsive material for biomedical applications. Key words: protoporphyrin IX, porphyrin copolymer, thermoresponsive properties, pH sensitivity. Les porphyrines et leurs derives ont ete largement utilises en catalyse, en conversion de l'energie, en photonique et en biomedecine, mais leur utilisation dans le domaine de la biologie est restreinte en raison de leur solubilite limitee dans les systemes aqueux. Nous avons prepare un copolymere soluble dans l'eau comportant des motifs de protoporphyrine IX d'origine naturelle par copolymerisation directe du methacrylate de poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) avec la protoporphyrine IX en presence d'un amorceur de polymerisation radicalaire. Nous avons determine la teneur du copolymere en protoporphyrine IX par spectros-copie RMN [.sup.1H] et spectroscopie d'absorption UV-vis. La solubilite du copolymere et la photostabilite du fragment protoporphy-rine IX dans celui-ci constituent une demonstration directe de l'incorporation covalente de la protoporphyrine IX dans le copolymere. Ce dernier a presente une transition de phase reversible en solution aqueuse en raison de sa temperature de solution critique inferieure (en anglais LCST pour lower critical solution temperature). La temperature de transition de phase varie selon le pH des solutions, en raison de la protonation des groupes acide carboxylique. Ce copolymere pourrait trouver des applications biomedicales comme nouveau materiau thermosensible. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : protoporphyrine IX, copolymere de porphyrine, proprietes thermosensibles, sensibilite au pH., Introduction Porphyrins and their derivatives have shown to be promising for biomedical applications, because their photosensitizing properties make them suitable for photodynamic therapy [.sup.13C]-3) and antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation. (4-8) They [...]

Biomedical Raman Imaging 2019 (https://lasie.ap.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp/bri/) was held in Osaka, Japan, November 24-26, 2019. The symposium was aimed to discuss recent advances and technological developments in Raman imaging and its application in biological and medical research. In total, 129 participants gathered from Asia, Europe, and the United States and introduced their recent research progress and shared the perspectives on the research field. The technical program was accompanied by an exhibition that included 14 companies providing instruments and devices for Raman microscopy and spectroscopy and their application., Raman spectroscopy has been utilized as a powerful technique for material analysis, but due to the low scattering efficiency of the technique, its contribution to the biomedical field has been [...]

Optogenetics uses light to control and observe the activity of neurons, often using a focused laser beam. As brain tissue is a scattering medium, beams are distorted and spread with propagation through neural tissue, and the beam's degradation has important implications in optogenetic experiments. To address this, we present an analysis of scattering and loss of intensity of focused laser beams at different depths within the brains of zebrafish larvae. Our experimental set-up uses a 488 nm laser and a spatial light modulator to focus a diffraction-limited spot of light within the brain. We use a combination of experimental measurements of back-scattered light in live larvae and computational modelling of the scattering to determine the spatial distribution of light. Modelling is performed using the Monte Carlo method, supported by generalised Lorenz-Mie theory in the single-scattering approximation. Scattering in areas rich in cell bodies is compared to that of regions of neuropil to identify the distinct and dramatic contributions that cell nuclei make to scattering. We demonstrate the feasibility of illuminating individual neurons, even in nucleus-rich areas, at depths beyond 100 μm using a spatial light modulator in combination with a standard laser and microscope optics.

BackgroundTreatment with daunorubicin (DNR) in acute myeloid leukemia is moderately effective and associated with significant side effects, including cardiac toxicity. We recently developed a nanomicellar formulation of DNR that specifically targets acute myeloid leukemia stem cells.Materials & methodsPharmacokinetics analysis of free DNR, DNR in nanomicellar formulations was performed in Balb/c mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. Histochemical staining, caspase 3/7, troponin and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme were used to assess toxicity.ResultsCompared with free DNR, the nanomicellar formulations of DNR had less cardiotoxicity as evidenced by milder histopathological changes, lower caspase 3/7 activity in heart tissue (p = 0.002), lower plasma creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (p = 0.002) and troponin concentrations (p = 0.001) postinjection. The area under curve concentration of DNR in micelles increased by 31.9-fold in mice (p < 0.0001) and 22.0-fold higher in rats (p < 0.001).ConclusionLeukemia stem cell-targeting micelles dramatically change the pharmacokinetics and reduce the cardiac toxicity of DNR, which may enable improved DNR-based treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

In recent years, hydrogel-based research in biomedical engineering has attracted more attention. Cellulose-based hydrogels have become a research hotspot in the field of functional materials because of their outstanding characteristics such as excellent flexibility, stimulus-response, biocompatibility, and degradability. In addition, cellulose-based hydrogel materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties and designable functions through different preparation methods and structure designs, demonstrating huge development potential. In this review, we have systematically summarized sources and types of cellulose and the formation mechanism of the hydrogel. We have reviewed and discussed the recent progress in the development of cellulose-based hydrogels and introduced their applications such as ionic conduction, thermal insulation, and drug delivery. Also, we analyzed and highlighted the trends and opportunities for the further development of cellulose-based hydrogels as emerging materials in the future.

Hydrogels, which are hydrophilic polymer networks, have attracted great attention, and significant advances in their biological and biomedical applications, such as for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and models for medical studies, have been made. Due to their similarity in physiological structure, hydrogels are highly compatible with extracellular matrices and biological tissues and can be used as both carriers and matrices to encapsulate cellular secretions. As small extracellular vesicles secreted by nearly all mammalian cells to mediate cell–cell interactions, exosomes play very important roles in therapeutic approaches and disease diagnosis. To maintain their biological activity and achieve controlled release, a strategy that embeds exosomes in hydrogels as a composite system has been focused on in recent studies. Therefore, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the use of composite hydrogels for embedding exosomes in medical applications, including the resources for making hydrogels and the properties of hydrogels, and strategies for their combination with exosomes.

In the biological microenvironment, cells are surrounded by an extracellular matrix (ECM), with which they dynamically interact during various biological processes. Specifically, the physical and chemical properties of the ECM work cooperatively to influence the behavior and fate of cells directly and indirectly, which invokes various physiological responses in the body. Hence, efficient strategies to modulate cellular responses for a specific purpose have become important for various scientific fields such as biology, pharmacy, and medicine. Among many approaches, the utilization of biomaterials has been studied the most because they can be meticulously engineered to mimic cellular modulatory behavior. For such careful engineering, studies on physical modulation (e.g., ECM topography, stiffness, and wettability) and chemical manipulation (e.g., composition and soluble and surface biosignals) have been actively conducted. At present, the scope of research is being shifted from static (considering only the initial environment and the effects of each element) to biomimetic dynamic (including the concepts of time and gradient) modulation in both physical and chemical manipulations. This review provides an overall perspective on how the static and dynamic biomaterials are actively engineered to modulate targeted cellular responses while highlighting the importance and advance from static modulation to biomimetic dynamic modulation for biomedical applications.

Bone is an outstanding, well-designed composite. It is constituted by a multi-level structure wherein its properties and behavior are dependent on its composition and structural organization at different length scales. The combination of unique mechanical properties with adaptive and self-healing abilities makes bone an innovative model for the future design of synthetic biomimetic composites with improved performance in bone repair and regeneration. However, the relation between structure and properties in bone is very complex. In this review article, we intend to describe the hierarchical organization of bone on progressively greater scales and present the basic concepts that are fundamental to understanding the arrangement-based mechanical properties at each length scale and their influence on bone’s overall structural behavior. The need for a better understanding of bone’s intricate composite structure is also highlighted.

The evolution of nature created delicate structures and organisms. With the advancement of technology, especially the rise of additive manufacturing, bionics has gradually become a popular research field. Recently, researchers have concentrated on soft robotics, which can mimic the complex movements of animals by allowing continuous and often responsive local deformations. These properties give soft robots advantages in terms of integration and control with human tissue. The rise of additive manufacturing technologies and soft matters makes the fabrication of soft robots with complex functions such as bending, twisting, intricate 3D motion, grasping, and stretching possible. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the additive manufacturing process, including fused deposition modeling, direct ink writing, inkjet printing, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering, are discussed. The applications of 3D printed soft matter in bionics, soft robotics, flexible electronics, and biomedical engineering are reviewed.

PEG-dendritic block copolymer (telodendrimer) is a unique class of polymers with well-defined structures and tunable aggregation properties, which have been recently developed as novel micelle-based nanocarriers. This new class of nanocarrier is highly versatile, robust, multifunctional and has many unique properties for drug delivery that are superior to most other nanocarriers reported in the literature. Reversible crosslinking of micelles is able to minimize the premature drug release during circulation. These crosslinks can be reversed with endogenous and/or exogenous stimuli. To further facilitate the precise delivery of nanoparticle drugs to cancer cells, the nanoparticles surface can be decorated with ovarian cancer targeting ligands. This review is focused on the various strategies used for the design, preparation, pharmacokinetic, biodistribution and preclinical therapeutic applications of telodendrimer-based nanocarriers for drug delivery in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Lastly, future perspectives for the development of ovarian cancer-targeting telodendrimer nanotherapeutics are also explored.

Nanostructured materials with feature sizes in tens of nanometers have enhanced the performance of several technologies, including fuel cells, biosensors, biomedical device coatings, and drug delivery tools. Nanoporous gold (np-Au), produced by a nano-scale self-assembly process, is a relatively new material that exhibits large effective surface area, high electrical conductivity, and catalytic activity. These properties have made np-Au an attractive material to scientific community. Most studies on np-Au employ macro-scale specimens and focus on fundamental science of the material and its catalytic and sensor applications. The macro-scale specimens limit np-Au's potential in miniaturized systems, including biomedical devices. In order to address these issues, we initially describe two different methods to micropattern np-Au thin films on rigid substrates. The first method employs manually-produced stencil masks for creating millimeter-scale np-Au patterns, while the second method uses lift-off photolithography to pattern sub-millimeter-scale patterns. As the np-Au thin films are obtained by sputter-deposition process, they are compatible with conventional microfabrication techniques, thereby amenable to facile integration into microsystems. These systems include electrically-addressable biosensor platforms that benefit from high effective surface area, electrical conductivity, and gold-thiol-based surface bioconjugation. We describe cell culture, immunostaining, and image processing techniques to quantify np-Au's interaction with mammalian cells, which is an important performance parameter for some biosensors. We expect that the techniques illustrated here will assist the integration of np-Au in platforms at various length-scales and in numerous applications, including biosensors, energy storage systems, and catalysts.

Mosquito-borne diseases are one of the major threats to human health. The long-term use of synthetic repellents has made mosquitoes resistant to them leading to search for novel methods of mosquito control. In the present study, we have developed a low cost, safe and effective formulation to impart mosquito larvicidal and antibacterial effect using essential oils. Oil in water nanoemulsion of three different oils: Lemongrass (cymbopogon flexuosus steud.) wats (CF) oil, Eucalyptus oil (EO) and Chrysnathemum Indicum were prepared using high shear homogenization of the organic with the aqueous phase in presence of surfactant. The oil biocomponents were studied using GCMS. An experimental study of oil in water nanoemulsion preparation, process optimization and stability based on the required size distribution and accelerated stability was performed with surfactant oil ratio (SOR), stirring time and speed as the variables for nanoemulsion preparation. The storage stability of the nanoemulsion was also studied in terms of particle size, pH, viscosity and zeta potential at room temperature and refrigeration temperature for a period of 6 months. The optimized emulsion was also tested for its mosquito larvicidal effect against both the susceptible and resistant species of mosquitoes. The antimicrobial efficacy of the emulsion was also assessed.In the present study, nylon net fabric was treated with Cymbopogon flexuosus (CF) oil nanoemulsion by depositing polyelectrolyte multilayers through the layer by layer (LBL) technique. The nanoemulsion was characterized for particle size, zeta potential, viscosity, pH and Poly Dispersity Index. Mosquito antennal response to pure CF oil and its nanoemulsion was noted. The application technique was optimized for the concentration of nanoemulsion used and the number of polymeric layers applied. The treated samples were tested against mosquito bioassays, microbial growth and fragrance retention. Wash durability of the treated samples was also analysed. GCMS and SEM analysis of the treated and washed samples was done to ensure the presence of active ingredient and finish on the fabric. The fabrics showed good mosquito repellency, fragrance retention and antimicrobial efficacy even after 25 washes, though the percentage mortality dropped. The repellent and anti-microbial fabrics developed may provide a safe, environment-friendly and effective alternative to the chemical-based repellents for achieving protection against mosquito bites.

Gel contraction of alginate during ionic crosslinking at sol phase was reduced by blending with gelatin solution due to intermolecular interaction and chain entanglement. The semi-interpenetrated network (semi-IPN) of wound dressing hydrogels were prepared by overlaid alginate/gelatin blend with 1.0% (w/w) CaCl2 solution under ambient temperature for 2 h. Results showed that gel contraction was significantly reduced with increasing gelatin content i.e. from 40.5 ± 5.8% for pure alginate to as low as 5.8 ± 1.2% for alginate/gelatin of 1:7 (w/w). It seems that gelatin successfully inhibited alginate chains mobility during their network re-arrangement by Ca2+ cation. The FTIR spectra of hydrogels showed combination of characteristic vibration of alginate and gelatin. Increasing gelatin content also significantly improved elasticity and tensile strength at break of dried hydrogels. Swelling kinetics of dried hydrogels were fitted Schott’s second-order power-law model. Increasing gelatin fraction increased the swelling rate while decreased the swelling at equilibrium. Their absorptive capacity were of interval for management of moderate to heavily exudating wound.