Sensitive detection of cardiac biomarker using ZnS nanoparticles as novel signal transducers

Recent advances in nanomaterials-based optical sensors for detection of various biomarkers (inorganic species, organic and biomolecules)

This review briefly emphasizes the different detection approaches (electrochemical sensors, chemiluminescence, surface-enhanced Raman scattering), functional nanostructure materials (quantum dots, metal nanoparticles, metal nanoclusters, magnetic nanomaterials, metal oxide nanoparticles, polymer-based nanomaterials, and carbonaceous nanomaterials) and detection mechanisms. Further, this review emphasis on the integration of functional nanomaterials with optical spectroscopic techniques for the identification of various biomarkers (nucleic acids, glucose, uric acid, oxytocin, dopamine, ascorbic acid, bilirubin, spermine, serotonin, thiocyanate, Pb²⁺ , Cu²⁺ , Hg²⁺ , F^- , peptides, and cancer biomarkers (mucin 1, prostate specific antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA15-3, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6). Analytical characteristics of nanomaterials-based optical sensors are summarized in Tables, providing the insights of nanomaterials-based optical sensors for biomarkers detection. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of nanomaterials-based optical analytical approaches for the detection of various biomarkers (inorganic, organic, biomolecules, peptides and proteins) are discussed.

Nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular aging and related diseases

Aging-induced alternations of vasculature structures, phenotypes, and functions are key in the occurrence and development of vascular aging-related diseases. Multiple molecular and cellular events, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, cellular senescence, and epigenetic alterations are highly associated with vascular aging physiopathology. Advances in nanoparticles and nanotechnology, which can realize sensitive diagnostic modalities, efficient medical treatment, and better prognosis as well as less adverse effects on non-target tissues, provide an amazing window in the field of vascular aging and related diseases. Throughout this review, we presented current knowledge on classification of nanoparticles and the relationship between vascular aging and related diseases. Importantly, we comprehensively summarized the potential of nanoparticles-based diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in vascular aging and related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, as well as chronic kidney diseases, and discussed the advantages and limitations of their clinical applications.

A Mechanochemical Route for ZnS Nanocrystals, and Batch Sorting along Size Distribution

The assistances of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and aging treatment were introduced to further improve the room-temperature mechanochemical synthesis of the quantum-sized zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanocrystals. As a result, a green strategy for synthesizing the monodisperse nanocrystals with tunable size and crystallinity was developed, holding convenient, highly efficient and low pollution. Size evolution shows a gradually increasing trend along the aging-temperature. A model that the independent reaction cells constructed by SDBS-wrapped reactant packages (solid state vesicles, SSVs) for the confined growth of ZnS nanocrystals was proposed to access the formation mechanism of ZnS quantized crystal in a solid-state synthesis system. The band gaps and band-edge luminescent emissions of as-prepared ZnS nanocrystals experienced the size-dependent quantum confinement effect, while the trap-state emissions exhibited the lattice integrity-dependence. Furthermore, ZnS quantum-sized nanocrystals with narrower size distribution can be obtained by a batch-sorting process through adjusting the centrifugal speed.

Bio-effect of nanoparticles in the cardiovascular system

Nanoparticles (NPs; < 100 nm) are increasingly being applied in various fields due to their unique physicochemical properties. The increase in human exposure to NPs has raised concerns regarding their health and safety profiles. The potential correlation between NP exposure and several cardiovascular (CV) events has been demonstrated. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the current knowledge regarding the bio-toxic impacts of titanium oxide, silver, silica, carbon black, carbon nanotube, and zinc oxide NPs exposure on the CV system in terms of in vivo and in vitro experiments, which is not fully understood presently. Moreover, the potential toxic mechanisms of NPs in the CV system that are still being questioned are elaborately discussed, and the underlying capacity of NPs used in medicine for CV events are summarized. It will be an important instrument to extrapolate relevant data for human CV risk evaluation and management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2881-2897, 2016.

Magnetic chemiluminescent immunoassay for human C-reactive protein on the centrifugal microfluidics platform

Schematic of the LabDisk-based hCRP MCIA. The antibody-coated dynabeads are sequentially transported through the immunoassay buffers by magnetic actuation. Finally the chemiluminescence signal is acquired from a detection cavity.

Prospects and advancements in C-reactive protein detection

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the earliest proteins that appear in the blood circulation in most systemic inflammatory conditions and this is the reason for its significance, even after identification of many organ specific inflammatory markers which appear relatively late during the course of disease. Earlier methods of CRP detection were based on the classical methods of antigen-antibody interaction through precipitation and agglutination reactions. Later on, CRP based enzymatic assays came into the picture which were further modified by integration of an antigen-antibody detection system with surface plasma spectroscopy. Then came the time for the development of electrochemical biosensors where nanomaterials were used to make a highly sensitive and portable detection system based on silicon nanowire, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor/bipolar junction transistor, ZnS nanoparticle, aptamer, field emission transmitter, vertical flow immunoassay etc. This editorial attempts to summarize developments in the field of CRP detection, with a special emphasis on biosensor technology. This would help in translating the latest development in CRP detection in the clinical diagnosis of inflammatory conditions at an early onset of the diseases.

Current analytical strategies for C-reactive protein quantification in blood

The measurement of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels has been given particular interest as a marker of inflammation associated with cardiovascular diseases. CRP belongs to the pentraxin family of proteins and the routine clinical analysis of CRP in blood samples is used as an important factor in primary prevention programmes together with causative and predisposing factors. This review focuses on the most representative methodologies and strategies for CRP detection and quantification that have been recently proposed, as well as reviewing those that are currently being developed for the specific, sensitive, inexpensive and high-throughput blood analysis of this protein.