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Jagriti Narang,1 Nitesh Malhotra,2 Chaitali Singhal,1 Gajendra Singh,3 Chandra Shekhar Pundir4 1Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, 2Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 3Department of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences, 4Department of Biochemistry, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana, India Abstract: This paper reports the fabrication of highly sensitive metformin sensor based on Prussian blue (PB) nanocubes/carbon nanosphere (CNS) heterostructures composed of a perfect cube and spherical composite on a fluorine-doped tin oxide surface. Due to the excellent biocompatibility of PB nanocubes the PB/CNS based Mf sensor exhibited a wide linear range of 0.001–10 mM with a response duration of less than 5 s and a detection limit (based on signal to noise ratio) of 0.1 µM. Keywords: metformin, PB nanocubes, carbon nanospheres, sensor, FTO electrode

The COVID-19 pandemic has widely affected medical education, including the US 2020-2021 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) dermatology application cycle. The effect of COVID-19-related changes on geographical outcomes in the 2021 dermatology residency match Preliminary outcomes of 2020-1 dermatology residency application cycle and adverse effects of COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

A new electrochemical sensing device was constructed for determination of pesticides. In this report, acetylcholinesterase was bioconjugated onto hybrid nanocomposite, i.e. iron oxide nanoparticles and poly(indole-5-carboxylic acid) (Fe3O4NPs/Pin5COOH) was deposited electrochemically on glassy carbon electrode. Fe3O4NPs was showed as an amplified sensing interface at lower voltage which makes the sensor more sensitive and specific. The enzyme inhibition by pesticides was detected within concentrations ranges between 0.1–60 and 1.5–70 nM for malathion and chlorpyrifos, respectively, under optimal experimental conditions (sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0 and 25 °C). Biosensor determined the pesticides level in water samples (spiked) with satisfactory accuracy (96%–100%). Sensor showed good storage stability and retained 50% of its initial activity within 70 days at 4 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A commercial lysine oxidase (LyOx) from Trichoderma viride was immobilized covalently onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) electrodeposited onto Au electrode using 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (3-APTES) and glutaraldehyde cross linking chemistry. A lysine biosensor was fabricated using LyOx/3-APTES/AuNPs-PtNPs/Au electrode as a working electrode, Ag/AgCl (3M KCl) as standard electrode and Pt wire as auxiliary electrode connected through a potentiostat. The enzyme electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The cumulative effect of AuNPs and PtNPs showed excellent electrocatalytic activity at low applied potential for detection of H2O2, a product of LyOx reaction. The sensor showed its optimum response within 4s, when polarized at 0.2V vs. Ag/AgCl in 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5 at 30°C. The linear range and detection limit of the sensor were 1.0–600μM and 1.0μM (S/N=3), respectively. Biosensor measured lysine level in sera, milk and amino acid tablet, which correlated well with those by standard HPLC method. The enzyme electrode lost 50% of its initial activity after 200 uses over a period of 4 months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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An electrochemical sensor has received much attention due to its importance for early infection identification, hinting at its critical relevance in diagnostic applications. For the detection of field-isolated strains of Pasteurella multocida, this paper reports the development and fabrication of a DNA-based electrochemical biosensor by integrating zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) into an electrochemical paper-based analytical device (ePAD). One significant improvement over the state-of-the-art features of the sensor is the using paper, an economically viable substrate that can be manufactured in large numbers. These sensors, being categorized under precision instruments with an ecologically friendly design, are ideal for mass production of eco-sensitive substrates. The biosensor is more sensitive and specific as compared to the conventional PCR-based sensing techniques. Moreover, the biosensor exploits the inherent properties of ZnO-NRs to amplify the signal output, whereas ePAD limits detection cost. In addition, a probe targeting the KMT gene of P. multocida was first characterized using conventional PCR and then immobilized onto the ZnO nanorods-modified ePAD surface, which improved the biosensor's ability for the rapid and selective genetic material of the pathogen detection. In addition, the sensor was validated using the methods of Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV). The reported biosensor it provides Linear Response of 0.001-10 μg/ml with LOD 0.001 μg/ml within a response time of 30 s. Subsequently, the biosensor reveals fast kinetics of the reaction as a powerful tool for timely and accurate diagnostics, pointing to its contribution to further development in biosensing technologies in the diagnostic area of infectious diseases at hospitals and clinics., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Recent research has revolutionized our understanding of memory consolidation by emphasizing the critical role of astrocytes, microglia, and immune cells in through cytokine signaling. Cytokines, compact proteins, play pivotal roles in neuronal development, synaptic transmission, and normal aging. This review explores the cellular mechanisms contributing to cognitive decline in inflammaging and Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the paradoxical effects of most studied cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) in brain function, which act as a double-edged sword in brain physiology, acting both as facilitators of healthy cognitive function and as a potential contributor to cognitive decline., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All the authors declare there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The current work shows the advancement of an additive manufactured multiplex immunosensor for the detection of dengue serotypes 1&2 in dengue patients on a single device with the LOD of 12.5 ng/ml. In this work, we created a QR-Code enabled additive manufactured case comprised of a paper-based electrode coated with ZnO NPs, which helps to enhance the detection signal and make it more selective, both serotype antibodies (DENV1-Ab & DENV2-Ab) were employed against DENV serotypes (DENV1-Ag & DENV2-Ag. QR-code technology was also integrated with the established platform to deliver sensor supporting information so that anybody may quickly obtain supporting sensing result details by scanning with a smartphone. The proposed highly advanced platform successfully detected DENV serotypes in dengue patients and showing a wide range of detection from 12.5 to 200 ng/ml with a LOD of 12.5 ng/ml.The results were also validated with conventional testing, i.e., Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT), so the developed multiplex-sensor became more applicable for the detection of DENV serotypes on a single tool having high sensitivity and selectivity, with a potential of commercialization., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no conflicts of interest amongst any authors., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The increasing use of illicit drugs has become a major global concern. Illicit drugs interact with the brain and the body altering an individual's mood and behavior. As the substance-of-abuse (SOA) crisis continues to spread across the world, in order to reduce trafficking and unlawful activity, it is important to use point-of-care devices like biosensors. Currently, there are certain conventional detection methods, which include gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS), surface ionization, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), electrochemiluminescence (ECL), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), etc., for the detection of abused drugs. These methods have the advantage of high accuracy and sensitivity but are generally laborious, expensive, and require trained operators, along with high sample requirements, and they are not suitable for on-site drug detection scenarios. As a result, there is an urgent need for point-of-care technologies for a variety of drugs that can replace conventional techniques, such as a biosensor, specifically an immunosensor. An immunosensor is an analytical device that integrates an antibody-based recognition element with a transducer to detect specific molecules (antigens). In an immunosensor, the highly selective antigen-antibody interaction is used to identify and quantify the target analyte. The binding event between the antibody and antigen is converted by the transducer into a measurable signal, such as electrical, optical, or electrochemical, which corresponds to the presence and concentration of the analyte in the sample. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of various illicit drugs, the conventional methods employed for their detection, and the advantages of immunosensors over conventional techniques. It highlights the critical need for on-site detection and explores emerging point-of-care testing methods. The paper also outlines future research goals in this field, emphasizing the potential of advanced technologies to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and convenience of drug detection.

Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer amongst females, constituting more than one-third of all cancer cases affecting women. It causes aberrant cell development, which can assault or spread to other sections of the body, perhaps leading to the patient's death. Based on research findings, timely detection can diminish the likelihood of mortality and enhance the quality of healthcare provided for the illness. However, current technologies can only identify cancer at an advanced stage. Consequently, there is a substantial demand for rapid and productive approaches to detecting breast cancer. Researchers are actively pursuing precise and timely methods for the diagnosis of breast cancer, aiming to achieve enhanced accuracy and early detection. Biosensor technology can allow for the speedy and accurate diagnosis of cancer-related cells, as well as a more sensitive and specialized technique for generating them. Additionally, numerous treatments for breast cancer are depicted such as herbal therapy, nanomaterial-based drug delivery, miRNA targeting, CRISPR technology, immunotherapy, and precision medicine. Early detection and efficient therapy are necessary to manage such a severe illness properly.

Medical devices have progressed from their initial bulky forms to smart devices. However, their rigidity hampers their seamless integration into everyday life. The fields of stretchable, textile, and flexible electronics are emerging research areas with the potential to drive significant technological progress. This research presents a laboratory-based technique to produce highly sensitive and flexible biosensors for detecting the chikungunya virus. These biosensors are based on 0D nanomaterials and demonstrate significant advancements in voltammetry. The electrochemical platform was created utilizing the stencil printing (StPE) technique. Adapting the biosensor setup involved the selection of aptamer as the biorecognition element bound with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This biosensor was employed in the voltammetric identification of the Chikungunya virus antigen (CHIKV-Ag) within a solution containing 0.5 mM potassium ferro/ferri cyanide, a redox pair. The biosensor was employed to evaluate CHIKV-Ag within a human serum sample. It demonstrated a linear detection span ranging from 0.1 ng/mL to 1 μg/mL, with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/mL for CHIKV-Ag. The proposed approach, due to its flexibility in production and the electrocatalytic attributes displayed by the zero-dimensional nanostructure, presents innovative opportunities for cost-effective and tailored aptamer-based bioelectronics, thereby broadening the scope of this domain.

Smartphones' widespread availability and worldwide connection are advancing the idea of mobile-based healthcare and promise to transform the business of biosensors. Biosensors based on smartphones have been investigated in several ways, including employing a smartphone in place of a detector or as an instrumental interface. The current work demonstrates the first successful detection of dengue virus using a smartphone-based pocket sensor combined with a wireless potentiostat. The platform developed comprises a smartphone, a wireless portable potentiostat, an Android app, and a three-electrode setup. The combination of portable diagnostic with electronic application is referred to as "Portronicx", and this is the first time that the term "Portronicx" has been used in a dengue sensor, so the current study has the potential to be commercialized in the market with the tag line "Portronicx-commercialization" in the future. Miniaturization improves alternative setup options in terms of instrument size, affordability, mobility, touch-mobile display, and design versatility. The current work proved the excellent combination of a wireless potentiostat with an aptasensor to detect dengue antigen within 20 s with good LOD (0.1 μg/mL) and easy to carry in their pockets. The created platform also performed effectively in human serum. This study replaced all of the instruments with a lightweight touch smartphone, paving the way for the production of fifth-generation electrochemical aptasensors, with potential implications for healthcare applications on the verge of commercialization.

Kirigami is one of the interesting paper art forms and the modified sub-class of origami. Kirigami paper art is widely employed in a variety of applications, and it is currently being used in biosensors because of its outstanding advantages. This is the first study on the use of a Kirigami-based aptasensor for DENV (Dengue virus)-antigen detection. In this study, the kirigami approach has been utilized to develop a stretchable, movable, and flexible sensor. The constructed stretchable-kirigami electrode helps in adjusting the connection of electrodes without disturbing the electrochemical cell zone during the experiment. To increase the sensitivity of this biosensor we have synthesized Ag-NPs (Silver nanoparticles) via chemical methods and characterized their results with the help of TEM & UV-Vis Spectroscopy. Different electrochemical approaches were used to validate the sensor response i.e., CV (Cyclic voltammetry) and LSV (Linear sweep voltammetry), which exhibited great detection capability towards dengue virus with the range of 0.1 µg/ml to 1000 µg/ml along with a detection limit of 0.1 µg/ml and showing no reactivity to the chikungunya virus antigen, making it more specific to the DENV antigen. Serum (healthy-human) was also successfully applied to validate the results of the constructed aptasensor. Integration of the Kirigami approach form with the electrochemical aptasensor that utilizes a 3-E setup (three-electrode setup) which is referred to as a tripod and collectively called Kirigami-tripod-based aptasensor. Thus, the developed integrated platform improves the sensors capabilities in terms of cost efficiency, high stretchability, and sensitivity., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Ketamine is one of the most commonly abused drugs globally, posing a severe risk to social stability and human health, not only it is being used for recreational purposes, but this tasteless, odourless, and colourless drug also facilitates sexual assaults when it is mixed with drinks. Ketamine abuse is a threat for safety, and this misuse is one of the main uses of the drug. The crucial role of ketamine detection is evident in its contributions to forensic investigations, law enforcement, drug control, workplace integrity, and public health. Electrochemical sensors have gained considerable interest among researchers due to their various advantages, such as low cost and specificity, and particularly screen-printed paper-based electrode (SPBE) biosensors have gained attention. Here, we reported an ePAD (electrochemical paper-based analytical device) for detecting the recreational drug ketamine. The advantages of using a paper-based electrode are that it reduces the electrode's production costs and is disposable and environmentally friendly. At the same time, nanographite sheets (NGSs) assisted in amplifying the signals generated in the cyclic voltammetry system when ketamine was present. This ePAD was developed by immobilizing a ketamine aptamer on NGS electrodes. The characterization of proper synthesized NGSs was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Electrochemical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), were employed to validate the results and confirm each attachment. Furthermore, the versatility of the proposed sensor was explored in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The developed sensor showed a low LOD of about 0.01 μg/mL, and the linear range was between 0.01 and 5 μg/mL. This approach offers a valid diagnostic technique for onsite service with minimal resources. This cost effective and portable platform offers desirable characteristics like sensitivity and selectivity and can also be used for POC (point of care) testing to help in the quick identification of suspicious samples and for testing at trafficking sites, amusement parks, and by the side of the road.

Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest A.P.F. has received fees from AbbVie (research, consulting and speaking); Biogen (consulting); BMS (consulting); Novartis (research, consulting); Mallinckrodt (research, consulting, unbranded speaking); Kyowa Kirin (unbranded speaking); Pfizer (grant support); and UCB (­consulting). The remaining authors report no conflicts of interest.

There is currently a lot of interest in the construction of point-of-care devices stemming from paper-based origami biosensors. These devices demonstrate how paper's foldability permits the construction of sensitive, selective, user-friendly, intelligent, and maintainable analytical devices for the detection of several ailments. Herein, the first example of the electrochemical aptasensor-based polyvalent dengue viral antigen detection using the origami paper-folding method is presented. Coupling it with an aptamer leads to the development of a new notation known as OBAs, or origami-based aptasensor, that presents a multitude of advantages to the developed platform, such as assisting in safeguarding the sample from air-dust particles, providing confidentiality, and providing a closed chamber to the electrodes. In this paper, gold-decorated nanocomposites of zinc and graphene oxide (Au/ZnO/GO) were synthesized via the chemical method, and characterization was conducted by Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope, UV-Vis, and XRD which reveals the successful formation of nanocomposites, mainly helping to enhance the signal and specificity of the sensor by employing aptamers, since isolation and purification procedures are not required. The biosensor that is being demonstrated here is affordable, simple, and efficient. The reported biosensor is an OBA detection of polyvalent antigens of the dengue virus in human serum, presenting a good range from 0.0001 to 0.1 mg/mL with a limit of detection of 0.0001 mg/mL. The reported single-folding ori-aptasensor demonstrates exceptional sensitivity, specificity, and performance in human serum assays, and can also be used for the POC testing of various viral infections in remote areas and underdeveloped countries, as well as being potentially effective during outbreaks. Highlights: (1) First report on origami-based aptasensors for the detection of polyvalent antigens of DENV; (2) In-house construction of low-cost origami-based setup; (3) Gold-decorated zinc/graphene nanocomposite characterization was confirmed via FESEM/UV-Vis/FTIR; (4) Cross-reactivity of dengue-aptamer has been deduced; (5) Electrochemical validation was conducted through CV.

Illicit drug misuse has become a widespread issue that requires continuous drug monitoring and diagnosis. Wearable electrochemical drug detection devices possess the potential to function as potent screening instruments in the possession of law enforcement personnel, aiding in the fight against drug trafficking and facilitating forensic investigations conducted on site. These wearable sensors are promising alternatives to traditional detection methods. In this study, we present a novel wearable electrochemical glove-based analytical device (eGAD) designed especially for detecting the club drug, methamphetamine. To develop this sensor, we immobilized meth aptamer onto silver nanoparticle (AgNPs)-modified electrodes that were printed onto latex gloves. The characteristics of AgNPs, including their shape, size and purity were analysed using FTIR, SEM and UV vis spectrometry, confirming the successful synthesis. The developed sensor shows a 0.1 µg/mL limit of detection and 0.3 µg/mL limit of quantification with a linear concentration range of about 0.01-5 µg/mL and recovery percentages of approximately 102 and 103%, respectively. To demonstrate its applicability, we tested the developed wearable sensor by spiking various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink samples. We found that the sensor remains effective for 60 days, making it a practical option with a reasonable shelf-life. The developed sensor offers several advantages, including its affordability, ease of handling and high sensitivity and selectivity. Its portable nature makes it an ideal tool for rapid detection of METH in beverages too.

We present the development of an electrochemical paper-based analytical device (ePAD) for the detection of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a stimulant that young people use as an addictive narcotic, and it must be detected quickly since it may be hazardous. The suggested ePAD has the advantages of being simple, affordable, and recyclable. This ePAD was developed by immobilizing a methamphetamine-binding aptamer onto Ag-ZnO nanocomposite electrodes. The Ag-ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized via a chemical method and were further characterized via scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectrometry in terms of their size, shape, and colloidal activity. The developed sensor showed a limit of detection of about 0.1 μg/mL, with an optimum response time of about 25 s, and its extensive linear range was between 0.01 and 6 μg/mL. The application of the sensor was recognized by spiking different beverages with methamphetamine. The developed sensor has a shelf life of about 30 days. This cost-effective and portable platform might prove to be highly successful in forensic diagnostic applications and will benefit those who cannot afford expensive medical tests.

Integrating electronic applications with paper, placed next to or below printed images or graphics, can further expand the possible uses of paper substrates. Consuming paper as a substrate in the field of electronics can lead to significant innovations toward papertronics applications as paper comprises various advantages like being disposable, inexpensive, biodegradable, easy to handle, simple to use, and easily available. All of these advantages will definitely spur the advancement of the electronics field, but unfortunately, putting electronics on paper is not an easy task because, compared to plastics, the paper surface is not just rough but also porous. For example, in the case of lateral flow assay testing the sensor response is delayed if the pore size of the paper is enormous. This might be a disadvantage for most electrical devices printed directly on paper. Still, some methods make it compatible when fit with a rough, absorbent surface of the paper. Building electronic devices on a standard paper substrate have sparked much interest because of its lightweight, environmental friendliness, minimal cost, and simple fabrication. A slew of improvements have been achieved in recent years to make paper electronics perform better in various applications, including transistors, batteries, and displays. In addition, flexible electronics have gained much interest in human-machine interaction and wireless sensing. This review briefly examines the origins and fabrication of paper electronics and then moves on to applications and exciting possible paths for paper-based electronics.

This article discusses the interplay between the gut-brain axis and stroke, a multifaceted neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network linking the central nervous system (CNS) to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including the enteric nervous system (ENS), vagus nerve, and gut microbiota. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota, alterations in the ENS and vagus nerve, and gut motility changes have been linked to increased inflammation and oxidative stress, which are contributing factors in the development and progression of stroke. Research on animals has shown that modifying the gut microbiota can impact the results of a stroke. Germ-free mice displayed improved neurological function and decreased infarct volumes, indicating a positive effect. Furthermore, studies in stroke patients have shown alterations in the gut microbiota composition, indicating that targeting dysbiosis could be a potential therapeutic strategy for stroke. The review suggests that targeting the gut-brain axis may represent a potential therapeutic approach to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with stroke., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Murthy et al.)