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In this study, a novel non-enzymatic glucose sensor was successfully produced using nickel electrodeposition on an oil free carbon nanofiber (CNF) mat prepared by electrospinning method. The as-prepared Ni/CNF mat electrode was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The characterization results showed that not only was nickel coating electrodeposited on the CNF mat but also the nickel coating was uniformly deposited on the CNF mat electrode. The electrochemical properties of Ni/CNF mat were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry measurements. It was found that the Ni/CNF mat electrode had good electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of glucose and demonstrated a wide linear range of 0.002–5 mM, a low detection limit of 0.57 µM, a rapid response time (2 s), a high selectivity with no interference from other oxidable species, good reproducibility and long-term stability. Moreover, the prepared sensor was used to identify glucose in real sample species. Therefore, Ni/CNF mat electrode due to good analytical performance, cost effective and simple preparation method can be proposed as a promising sensor for non-enzymatic glucose detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron fortification in food is considered as an important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency. However, adding iron in food can affect flavor, color, and oxidation of fat components. Encapsulation of iron can solve the drawbacks of taste, color, and reactivity of iron in oral iron consumption without adverse effect on food quality. The aim of this work was to nanoencapsulate iron into pectin (Pec) nanoparticles (NP) by ion gelation method to prevent undesirable sensorial changes in foods and improve bioavailability of iron. The effect of different parameters including pectin concentration (Pec Con), FeSO4 concentration (Fe Con), and volumetric ratio of Fe solution to Pec solution on iron loaded Pec nanoparticles (IP NP) size was investigated. Morphology, size, surface charge, and physicochemical features of the optimized particles were characterized. The iron released from IP NP was studied, and the mathematical model of release was extracted. Pec Con exhibited a direct effect on particle size. The optimized IP NP (Pec solution 0.1% (w/w), Fe solution 0.05% (w/w), and Pec/Fe: 2) had a hydrodynamic diameter of 417 nm with zeta potential of −11.7 mV and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.13, with a nearly spherical morphology. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) represented the mean size of 58 nm. Iron loading was about 7.5 ± 1.5%. FTIR results confirmed the interaction of iron ions with the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of Pec. The results of differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) indicated the interaction of Pec with iron. The release profile of iron in all pH of 2, 6, and 7.4 showed a burst release at the beginning and then a sustained release occurred. In all three pH values, the mathematical model of release was Korsmeyer-Peppas with the highest R2 value. Therefore, encapsulation of iron using pectin have a high potential to make nanoparticles with appropriate properties, which can be helpful for iron fortification of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been huge interest in applications of nanomaterials in biomedical science, including diagnosis, drug delivery, and development of human organs. Number of these nanomaterials has been already studied in human or at pre-clinical trial. There is a growing concern on potential toxicity and adverse effects of nanomaterials on human health, including lack of standard method of assessment of toxicology of these materials. Our investigation indicated that the bare and small nanoparticle have higher toxicity than modified and bulk materials, respectively. In addition, spherical nanoparticles have less toxicity than rod nanoparticles due to immune response of body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small particles ranging from 30 - 1000 nm released by different cells to mediate cell-cell communication. The content of these particles mirrors the cellular properties of their producing cells. The extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles, could exert the same therapeutic effects as stem cell therapy. However, these stem cell-derived particles (cell-free derivatives) do not have concerns associated with stem cell-based therapies. Among various mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, Menstrual Blood Stem Cells (MenSCs) are known for their high proliferative activity, ease of harvesting, lack of moral dilemma, and high differentiation potential. Extracellular vesicles derived from MenSCs have widely been employed in various preclinical studies for regenerative purposes. This paper aims to provide an overview of the therapeutic utility of MenSCs-derived EVs in regenerative medicine. We also reviewed the current knowledge on the cellular profile, biogenesis, separation, and action mechanism of MenSCs-derived EVs in organ regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to investigate the performance of electrodes synthesized with Polyacrylonitrile-based carbon nanofibers (PAN-based CNFs). The homogenous PAN solutions with different concentrations were prepared and electrospun to acquire PAN nanofibers and then CNFs were fabricated by heat treatment. The effective parameters for the production of electrospun CNF electrode were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize electrospun nanofibers. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to investigate the changes of behavior of electrospun CNF electrodes with different diameters. The structure of CNFs was also evaluated via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results exhibited that diameter of nanofibers reduced with decreasing polymer concentration and applied voltage and increasing tip-to-collector distance, while feeding rate did not have significant effect on nanofiber diameter. The investigations of electrochemical behavior also demonstrated that cyclic voltammetric response improved as diameter of CNFs electrode decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS) injuries are partially repairable. Nerve guidance channels (NGCs) have been shown to improve the level of nerve repair after injury. In the present study, we developed a nanofiber NGC for the delivery of acetyl L carnitine (ALC) in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. NGCs were produced by electrospinning a polymer blend of polycaprolacton and gelatin. The physicochemical and biological properties of developed scaffolds were investigated using Scanning electron microscopy, surface hydrophilicity measurement, porosity measurement, tensile strength studies, cell viability assay, and cell attachment assay. ALC was included in the collagen hydrogels at three weight ratios of 1%, 3%, and 5%. Cell viability assay showed that the hydrogels containing 5% ALC demonstrated a more favorable effect on PC-12 metabolic activity. Therefore, this concentration was chosen to treat PNS injury. The NGCs were implanted in rats and then their lumen was filled with collagen hydrogel + 5%ALC. The results of histopathological examinations and functional recovery studies showed that NGCs filled with ALC containing hydrogel have significant recovery potential compared to NGCs loaded with collagen hydrogels without ALC. Our results support the potential use of ALC-delivering NGCs in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

cysteamine (CysAm) nanostructure was generated to act as an intermediate layer between gold electrode and carbon nanotubes. A bare gold electrode was placed in a solution of CysAm to create a self-assembled monolayer on its surface. The modified electrode was then incubated with a solution of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Cyclic voltammetry and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the modified electrode. The results indicated that the number of functionalized MWCNTs on the surface of the electrodes increased by enhancing incubation time. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given the global problem of antibiotic resistance among pathogens, researchers are looking for appropriate treatment alternatives to eliminate infections. Application of probiotics and their products can be a practical solution. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of cell-free supernatant (CFS) of probiotics against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Methods: The effect of CFS of eight strains of probiotics against E. coli and S. aureus was evaluated by well diffusion method. The agent with the highest inhibition diameter was selected to investigate other antibacterial properties. They included minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and timed kill effect. Surface electron micrographs were taken to compare the treated versus untreated bacteria with CFS of Lactobacillus acidophilus (SLA) LAFTI-L10 DSL. Finally, the percent viability of the Hu02 cells was investigated after 24, 48 or 72 hours of incubation with SLA at various concentrations. Results: Among the tested strains, SLA showed the highest inhibitory diameter against E. coli and S. aureus (P=0.005). Also, the MIC of SLA was equal to those of E. coli and S. aureus (12.5 mg/mL) but was different in their MBC. Almost 100% of bacteria removed after exposure to SLA (20 min.). The results of log CFU/mL demonstrated that SLA had bactericidal effect against S. aureus and E. coli. The toxicity assays showed that the percent viability of the Hu02 cells was 31.71 to 81.09 after 24, 48 or 72 hours exposure. Conclusions: Our results suggest that SLA can be a suitable, effective and safe alternative to antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] This study aims to overcome physiological barriers and increase the therapeutic index for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) tumors by using Paclitaxel (PTX) loaded Poly(lactic co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PTX-PLGA-NPs) and Doxorubicin (DOX) loaded Poly (lactic co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (DOX-PLGA-NPs). The hydrodynamic diameter of nanoparticles (NPs) was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) which was 94 ± 4 nm and 133 ± 6 nm for DOX-PLGA-NPs, and PTX-PLGA-NPs, respectively. The zeta potential for DOX-PLGA-NPs and PTX-PLGA-NPs were −15.2 ± 0.18 mV and −17.3 ± 0.34 mV, respectively. The cytotoxicity of PTX-PLGA-NPs and DOX-PLGA-NPs was augmented compared to DOX and PTX on C 6 GBM cells. The Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tests for various formulations were carried out. The results indicated that the amount of released LDH was 262 ± 7.84 U.L-1 at the concentration of 2 mg/mL in the combination therapy, which was much higher than other groups (DOX-PLGA-NPs (210 ± 6.92 U.L-1), PTX-PLGA-NPs (201 ± 8.65 U.L-1), DOX (110 ± 9.81 U.L-1), PTX (95 ± 5.02 U.L-1) and PTX + DOX (67 ± 4.89 U.L-1)). MRI results of the combination therapy of PTX-PLGA-NPs and DOX-PLGA-NPs indicated that GBM tumor size decreased considerably compared to the other formulations. Also, combination therapy of PTX-PLGA-NPs and DOX-PLGA-NPs demonstrated a longer median survival of more than 80 days compared to PTX (38 days), DOX (37 days) and PTX + DOX (48 days), PTX-NPs (58 days) and DOX-NPs (62 days). The results of locomotion, body weight, rearing and grooming assays indicated that combination therapy of PTX-PLGA-NPs and DOX-PLGA-NPs had the most positive effect on the movements of rats compared to the other formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical immunosensor based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was developed for detecting anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (anti-T. gondii) IgG in human serum. CNFs were produced using electrospinning and carbonization processes. Screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) surface was modified with CNFs and AuNPs which were electrodeposited onto the CNFs. Then, T. gondii antigen was immobilized onto the AuNPs/CNFs/SPCE. Afterward, anti-T. gondii IgG positive serum samples were coated on the modified electrode and assessed via adding anti-human IgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. The morphology of SPCE, CNFs, and AuNPs/CNFs/SPCE surface was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Characterization of CNFs was evaluated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrochemical characterization of the immunosensor was verified using cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical response of modified electrode for anti-T. gondii IgG was detected via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). This immunosensor was detected in the range 0–200 U mL−1 with a low detection limit (9 × 10−3 U mL−1). In addition, the proposed immunosensor was exhibited with high selectivity, strong stability, and acceptable reproducibility and repeatability. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between results obtained via the designed immunosensor and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as gold standard. In conclusion, the developed immunosensor is a promising route for rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) solution makes electrospun nanofibers with decreased beads and diameters in comparison with lonely chitosan (CS). The aim of this work was to find an artificial neural network (ANN) model for predicting the chitosan/PEO blend electrospun nanofiber diameter. Chitosan/PEO concentration ratio, distance between nozzle tip and collector, applied voltage, and flow rate were considered as input variables, and chitosan/PEO blend electrospun nanofiber diameter was considered as output variable. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that electrospun nanofiber diameter was approximately 50-185 nm. For increasing validity, k-fold cross validation method was applied to dataset. The ANN technique was used for training and testing via fivefold of dataset. The best results of prediction were obtained via network with three hidden layers including 10, 15, and 5 nodes in each layer, respectively. The mean square error (MSE) and correlation coefficient between the observed and predicted thickness of the nanofibers in the chosen model were about 0.0707 and 0.9630, respectively, indicating the ANN technique validity in the prediction procedure. For the analysis of interactions between the involved electrospinning parameters and nanofiber diameter, 3D graphs in various levels were plotted. In conclusion, the results indicated that using the prediction process via ANN could be relevant in the decision to produce nanofibers with desired shape and diameter via electrospinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical aptamer-based sensor was designed to detect tetracycline (Tet) in chicken ham. First, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer was used to prepare electrospun PAN nanofibers. PAN nanofibers were heat treated to form electrospun carbon nanofiber (CNF) mat. The electrospun CNF mat electrode was modified with Au and the aptamer of Tet was placed on the mat electrode. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used to identify the structure and morphology of electrospun CNFs, respectively. The behavior of CNF mat electrode was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry. The designed aptamer biosensor had a good repeatability, reproducibility, stability, and specific function for the detection of Tet in chicken ham. This biosensor was able to detect the Tet in the linear range of 1 × 10–9 M to 1 × 10–4 M with the detection limit of 1.2 × 10–10 M and preserve about 95% of its primary response after 20 days. In addition, the recoveries of Tet were achieved ranging from 96.92 to 104.31%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory responses play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) and developing new approaches to establish an anti-inflammatory environment for the promotion of neuroregeneration holds promise as a potential approach. In this study, our aim was to investigate the potential of combining an acellular spinal cord scaffold (ASCS) with quercetin-loaded bovine serum albumin (Qu/BSA) nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of SCI. The ASCS was prepared using physical and chemical methods, while the Qu/BSA NPs were prepared through a desolvation technique. The NPs exhibited favorable characteristics, including a mean size of 203 nm, a zeta potential of –38, and an encapsulation efficiency of 96%. Microscopic evaluation confirmed the successful distribution of NPs on the walls of ASCS. Animal studies revealed that Qu/BSA NPs group exhibited a significant decrease in NLRP3, ASC, and Casp1 gene expression compared to the SCI group (p < 0.0001). The findings indicated a significant decrease in the NLRP3, ASC, and Casp1 protein level between the Qu/BSA/ASCS group and the SCI group (p < 0.0001). Moreover, treatment with ASCS containing either blank BSA (B/BSA) NPs or Qu/BSA NPs effectively promoted functional recovery via increasing the amount of nestin- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells in the site of injury. Notably, Qu/BSA/ASCS exhibited superior outcomes compared to B/BSA/ASCS. Overall, the combination of ASCS with the Qu delivery system presents a promising therapeutic approach for SCI by inhibiting inflammatory responses and promoting neuroregeneration, leading to the restoration of motor function in animals. This study demonstrates the potential of utilizing biomaterials and NPs to enhance the effectiveness of SCI treatment.Note: Graphic abstract was designed with Biorender (https://biorender.com/).Graphical abstract: Inflammatory responses play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) and developing new approaches to establish an anti-inflammatory environment for the promotion of neuroregeneration holds promise as a potential approach. In this study, our aim was to investigate the potential of combining an acellular spinal cord scaffold (ASCS) with quercetin-loaded bovine serum albumin (Qu/BSA) nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of SCI. The ASCS was prepared using physical and chemical methods, while the Qu/BSA NPs were prepared through a desolvation technique. The NPs exhibited favorable characteristics, including a mean size of 203 nm, a zeta potential of –38, and an encapsulation efficiency of 96%. Microscopic evaluation confirmed the successful distribution of NPs on the walls of ASCS. Animal studies revealed that Qu/BSA NPs group exhibited a significant decrease in NLRP3, ASC, and Casp1 gene expression compared to the SCI group (p < 0.0001). The findings indicated a significant decrease in the NLRP3, ASC, and Casp1 protein level between the Qu/BSA/ASCS group and the SCI group (p < 0.0001). Moreover, treatment with ASCS containing either blank BSA (B/BSA) NPs or Qu/BSA NPs effectively promoted functional recovery via increasing the amount of nestin- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells in the site of injury. Notably, Qu/BSA/ASCS exhibited superior outcomes compared to B/BSA/ASCS. Overall, the combination of ASCS with the Qu delivery system presents a promising therapeutic approach for SCI by inhibiting inflammatory responses and promoting neuroregeneration, leading to the restoration of motor function in animals. This study demonstrates the potential of utilizing biomaterials and NPs to enhance the effectiveness of SCI treatment.Note: Graphic abstract was designed with Biorender (https://biorender.com/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An electrochemical aptasensor was designed to detect Acinetobacter baumannii in urine samples. • This aptasensor can detect Acinetobacter baumannii faster compared to the conventional method. • The stability of this aptasensor for 30 days was acceptable. Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a gram-negative bacterium that is responsible for causing a range of infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections and the detection of this bacterium is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment of infections. The purpose of this work was to design and manufacture an electrochemical biosensor based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and aptamer that could detect A. baumannii in urine samples. At first, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer was electrospun and CNFs were formed during two stages of heat treatment including stabilization and carbonization, and Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize it. Then, these CNFs were used to modify the surface of the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE), and AuNPs were placed on the SPCE modified with CNFs using the electrodeposition method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to study the surface morphology of the modified electrode to determine the carbon and gold elements, respectively. Then the aptamer related to A. baumannii was placed on this modified electrode using a simple and cost-effective process and characterized by the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. Next, the spiked A. baumannii in urine samples was detected by this aptasensor in the range of 101 to 106 cfu mL−1 and limit of detection (LOD) to 0.681 cfu mL−1 with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique. Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and E. Coli were used to perform the selectivity test. In addition, its repeatability was checked and its stability for 30 days was more than 96 %. Finally, the results of this aptasensor were compared with the conventional method of bacterial culture, and this aptasensor was able to detect A. baumannii in a less time and with more sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor accurately measures Amiodarone, a drug with a narrow therapeutic window. • The sensor successfully determines Amiodarone concentrations, potential for pharmaceutical analysis and clinical applications. • The optimized sensor exhibits linearity, reproducibility, precision, and accuracy in Amiodarone detection. • The imprinted electrochemical sensor provides efficient quantification of Amiodarone in real samples. Amiodarone, a drug associated with significant cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, and neurological complications, requires accurate measurement due to its narrow therapeutic window. However, the current analysis methods are time-consuming, complex, and expensive. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop a cost-effective and rapid solution for Amiodarone determination. In this study, a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was designed, fabricated, and evaluated to detect Amiodarone precisely. The research involved the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles coated with silica and the subsequent synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer. Carbon nanofibers were then prepared through electrospinning in a polyacrylonitrile furnace, onto which the molecularly imprinted polymer was placed. Multiple concentrations of Amiodarone were successfully determined utilizing this sensor. Following optimization, the designed sensor exhibited desirable traits such as linearity, reproducibility, precision, and accuracy. The sensor detection and quantification limit proved acceptable in whole blood and plasma samples. With its remarkable reproducibility and accurate detection of low concentrations, this molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor offers a reliable method for quantifying Amiodarone in real samples. Moreover, its swift voltammetric response outperforms existing techniques regarding time efficiency. Overall, the developed sensor presents a valuable advancement and has the potential to benefit pharmaceutical analysis and clinical applications greatly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flaxseed oil as a natural ingredient has many health benefits due to the rich contents of omega‐3 fatty acids. However, its use in food formulations is limited because of low aqueous solubility, easy oxidation owing to the unsaturated nature of the fatty acids such as omega‐3. The aim of this study was to prepare a stable nanoemulsion containing flaxseed oil and investigate the fortification of yogurt with this nanoemulsion compared with fortification with bulk flaxseed oil. The nanoemulsion of flaxseed oil‐in‐water was obtained by low‐energy emulsification method. Optimized nanoemulsion contains 3% (w/w) flaxseed vegetable oil, 36% (w/w) surfactant, 10% (w/w) co‐surfactant, and 51% (w/w) deionized water as a continuous phase. The result of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the optimal size was about 60 nm, which was stayed stable for 11 months. The results of gas chromatography (GC) indicated that the amount of omega‐3 in nanoemulsion containing flaxseed oil was 27.3% and 19.8% after 7 days and 11 months, respectively. The turbidity results indicated the transparency of nanoemulsion after 11 months as well. The results of centrifuge experiments and thermal stress cycles exhibited that the optimized nanoemulsion was physically stable without any sign of creaming, phase separation, and cracking. In addition, pH and acidity of the yogurt fortified with nanoemulsion containing flaxseed oil were 4.22 and 1.41 wt%, respectively. In conclusion, fortifying yogurt with the nanoemulsion containing flaxseed oil can be considered as a solution to increase solubility, bioavailability, and protection of omega‐3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this research, the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers through forcespinning process were successfully produced and the effective parameters for predicting nanofibers diameter using artificial neural network (ANN) were investigated. The various parameters of forcespinning process including rotational speed, orifice, distance to the collector, and polymer concentration were designed to produce PVA nanofibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the produced fibers diameter was in the range of 0.56–1.9 μm. The neural network with four input factors, three hidden layers with 5, 10, 1 nodes in each layers, respectively, and one output layer had the best performance in the testing sets. Moreover, the mean squared error (MSE) and linear regression (R) between observed and predicted nanofibers diameter were about 0.1077 and 0.9387, respectively, demonstrating a suitable performance for the prediction of nanofibers diameter using the selected neural network model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The size of polymeric nanoparticles is considered as an effective factor in cancer therapy due to enterance into tumor tissue via the EPR effect. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effective parameters on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-paclitaxel (PLGA - PTX) nanoparticles size. Methods: We prepared PLGA-PTX nanoparticles via single emulsion and precipitation methods with variable paremeters including drug concentration, aqueous to organic phase volume ratio, polymer concentration, sonication time and PVA concentration. Results: PLGA-PTX nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results exhibited that the diameter of nanoparticles enhanced with increasing drug, polymer and PVA concentrations whereas organic to aqueous phase volume ratio and sonication time required to the optimization for a given size. Conclusion: The precipitation method provides smaller nanoparticles compared to emulsion one. Variable parameters including drug concentration, aqueous to organic phase volume ratio, polymer concentration, sonication time and PVA concentration affect diameter of nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to prepare folate-targeted Erlotinib loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles (FA-ERL-HSA NPs) and investigate in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic effects using cell lines (U87MG and C6 cells) and an in vivo rat bearing C6 glioma model. The mean size of the FA-ERL-HSA NPs prepared using a desolvation method was 135 nm. In vitro MTT assays demonstrated that FA-ERL-HSA NPs had an IC 50 value of 52.18 μg/mL and 17.53 μg/mL compared to free ERL which had an IC 50 value of 119.8 μg/mL and 103.2 μg/mL for U87MG and C6 cells for 72 h, respectively. Flow cytometry results showed the apoptosis rate with FA-ERL-HSA NPs (100 μg/mL, 72 h) was higher compared to free ERL for both U87MG and C6 cells. Experiments using a rat glioblastoma model via TUNEL assay indicated that the apoptosis index of FA-ERL-HSA NPs was 48 % compared to 21 % for free ERL and the tumor size effectively decreased after a daily injection of 220 μg (2.5 mg/kg) from 87.45 mm3 (19th day) to 1.28 mm3 (60th day). The median survival rate of the rats increased after treatment to >100 days which was greater than controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor and leads to death in most patients. Chemotherapy is a common method for brain cancer in clinics. However, the recent advancements in the chemotherapy of brain tumors have not been efficient enough. With the advancement of nanotechnology, the used drugs can enhance chemotherapy efficiency and increase the access to brain cancers. Combination of therapeutic agents has been recently attracted great attention for glioblastoma chemotherapy. One of the early benefits of combination therapies is the high potential to provide synergistic effects and decrease adverse side effects associated with high doses of single anticancer drugs. Therefore, brain tumor treatments with combination drugs can be considered as a crucial approach for avoiding tumor growth. This review investigates current progress in nano-mediated co-delivery of therapeutic agents with focus on glioblastoma chemotherapy prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to fabricate an electrochemical DNA biosensor for detecting hepatitis B virus. Gold nanorods (GNRs), which are known for their conductivity, were used to increase surface area and consequently increase the immobilization of single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) on the modified gold electrode. The GNRs were characterized via transmission electron microscopy. The morphology of the gold electrode before and after modification with GNRs was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Atomic-force microscopy was used to evaluate the morphology of the GNR electrode surface before and after interaction with ss-DNA. Cyclic voltammetry was used to monitor DNA immobilization and hybridization, using [Co(phen)] as an electrochemical indicator. The target DNA sequences were quantified at a linear range from 1.0 × 10 to 10.0 × 10 mol L, with a detection limit of 2.0 × 10 mol L by 3 σ. The biosensor had good specificity for distinguishing complementary DNA in the presence of non-complementary and mismatched DNA sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restoration of defective bone tissue and complications related to surgery and fracture site infection are major concerns in orthopedic surgeries. However, it is crucial to develop osteoconductive and bacteriostatic composites. Chitosan/nano hydroxyapatite (CT/n-HAp) powder containing of Ag and Si were prepared by an in situ hybridization method. The aim of this work was to elucidate the effect of size, surface roughness, and chemical structure of mentioned nanocomposites on cytotoxicity and bacteriostatic activity via human osteoblast cells and Escherichia Coli, respectively. Particle size, surface roughness, reactive oxygen specious production, and bioactivity of nanocomposites were investigated by X ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, DPPH assay, and SEM/UV–Visible spectrophotometer, respectively. Bacterial colony counting test, MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were performed as bacteriostatic and biocompatibility tests. The results showed that CT/n-HAp/Ag with smaller particle size in the range of 1–22.6 nm (10.00 ± 0.09 nm) than CT/n-HAp/Si in the range of 3–72.5 nm (18.00 ± 0.14 nm) exhibits higher cell viability and bacteriostatic activity, and less LDH release from cell plasma membrane. Integration of Ag into the nanocomposite hindered the release of Ag+ ions and restricts cytotoxic potential on cells. Higher cytotoxic effect of CT/n-HAp/Si might be related to proton concentration derived from nanocomposite and its chemical structure. In conclusion, the strong bone regeneration potential of CT/n-HAp and good biocompatibility and bacteriostatic activity of CT/n-HAp/Ag make it as potential bacteriostatic bone filler in site of infected bone fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The aim of this work is to co-load paclitaxel (PTX) and etoposide (ETP) in methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (mPEG-PLGA NPs) to overcome pharmacokinetics and physiological limitations and enhance therapeutic efficacy for treating intracranial glioblastoma. Both drugs were loaded into mPEG-PLGA NPs by a nano-precipitation method. The resultant NPs demonstrated an enhanced cytotoxic effect indicated by lower IC 50 values and augmented cell apoptosis to U87 and C6 glioma cell lines compared to both free drugs. Additionally, blood compatibility assays showed that the PTX/ETP co-loaded mPEG-PLGA NPs did not induce blood hemolysis, blood clotting, or platelet aggregation. In vivo anti-glioma efficacy evaluation in rats bearing intracranial C6 glioma revealed a superior anti-glioma activity for the treatment with PTX/ETP co-loaded mPEG-PLGA NPs compared to other formulations, particularly a significantly longer median survival, 76 days compared to 36 days for free PTX and 37 days for free ETP treatment, respectively, and higher tumor regression, proved by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to improve the therapeutic index of chemotherapeutic drugs on glioblastoma cells through an improved co-drug delivery system. Methotrexate (MTX) and paclitaxel (PTX) were co-loaded into poly (lactic- co -glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) coated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Poloxamer188 (P188). The mean size of the NPs was about 212 nm, with a zeta potential of about −15.7 mV. Encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) were determined to be 72% and 4% for MTX and 85% and 4.9% for PTX, respectively. The prepared NPs were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, an in vitro sustained release profile was observed for both drug loaded PLGA NPs. Glioblastoma cellular uptake of the NPs was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and cell survival rate was investigated through the 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method after 48 h of incubation showing IC 50 values of 24.5 μg·mL−1 for PTX and 9.5 μg·mL−1 for MTX for the MTX/PTX co-loaded PLGA nanoparticles coated with PVA/P188 (Co-2 NPs). Apoptosis and necrosis were also studied via flow cytometry, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and the amount of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) expression. Blood compatibility of the co-delivery of PTX and MTX loaded PLGA NPs was investigated using a hemolysis method as well. The co-delivery of PTX and MTX loaded PLGA NPs is promising for the treatment of glioblastoma compared to their respective free drug formulations and, thus, should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]