A graphene gold nanocomposite-based 5-FU drug and the enhancement of the MCF-7 cell line treatment

Synergistic anticancer effect of Pistacia lentiscus essential oils and 5-Fluorouracil co-loaded onto biodegradable nanofibers against melanoma and breast cancer

Chemoresistance and severe toxicities represent major drawbacks of chemotherapy. Natural extracts, including the essential oils of Pistacia lentiscus (PLEO), exhibit substantial anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities where different cancers are reported to dramatically recess following targeting with PLEO. PLEO has promising antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the therapeutic properties of PLEO are restricted by limited stability, bioavailability, and targeting ability. PLEO nanoformulation can maximize their physicochemical and therapeutic properties, overcoming their shortcomings. Hence, PLEO was extracted and its chemical composition was determined by GC-MS. PLEO and 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) were electrospun into poly-ε-caprolactone nanofibers (PCL-NFs), of 290.71 nm to 680.95 nm diameter, to investigate their anticancer and potential synergistic activities against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), human adenocarcinoma breast cancer cells (MCF-7), and human skin melanoma cell line (A375). The prepared nanofibers (NFs) showed enhanced thermal stability and remarkable physical integrity and tensile strength. Biodegradability studies showed prolonged stability over 42 days, supporting the NFs use as a localized therapy of breast tissues (postmastectomy) or melanoma. Release studies revealed sustainable release behaviors over 168 h, with higher released amounts of 5FU and PLEO at pH 5.4, indicating higher targeting abilities towards cancer tissues. NFs loaded with PLEO showed strong antioxidant properties. Finally, NFs loaded with either PLEO or 5FU depicted greater anticancer activities compared to free compounds. The highest anticancer activities were observed with NFs co-loaded with PLEO and 5FU. The developed 5FU-PLEO-PCL-NFs hold potential as a local treatment of breast cancer tissues (post-mastectomy) and melanoma to minimize their  possible recurrence.

A systematic study on the use of multifunctional nanodiamonds for neuritogenesis and super-resolution imaging

BACKGROUND

Regeneration of defective neurons in central nervous system is a highlighted issue for neurodegenerative disease treatment. Various tissue engineering approaches have focused on neuritogenesis to achieve the regeneration of damaged neuronal cells because damaged neurons often fail to achieve spontaneous restoration of neonatal neurites. Meanwhile, owing to the demand for a better diagnosis, studies of super-resolution imaging techniques in fluorescence microscopy have triggered the technological development to surpass the classical resolution dictated by the optical diffraction limit for precise observations of neuronal behaviors. Herein, the multifunctional nanodiamonds (NDs) as neuritogenesis promoters and super-resolution imaging probes were studied.

METHODS

To investigate the neuritogenesis-inducing capability of NDs, ND-containing growing medium and differentiation medium were added to the HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cells and incubated for 10 d. In vitro and ex vivo images were visualized through custom-built two-photon microscopy using NDs as imaging probes and the direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) process was performed for the super-resolution reconstruction owing to the photoblinking properties of NDs. Moreover, ex vivo imaging of the mouse brain was performed 24 h after the intravenous injection of NDs.

RESULTS

NDs were endocytosed by the cells and promoted spontaneous neuritogenesis without any differentiation factors, where NDs exhibited no significant toxicity with their outstanding biocompatibility. The images of ND-endocytosed cells were reconstructed into super-resolution images through dSTORM, thereby addressing the problem of image distortion due to nano-sized particles, including size expansion and the challenge in distinguishing the nearby located particles. Furthermore, the ex vivo images of NDs in mouse brain confirmed that NDs could penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and retain their photoblinking property for dSTORM application.

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that the NDs are capable of dSTORM super-resolution imaging, neuritogenic facilitation, and BBB penetration, suggesting their remarkable potential in biological applications.

Binding mechanism and SERS spectra of 5-fluorouracil on gold clusters

The adsorption behaviour of the 5-fluorouracil (5FU) on small gold clusters Au _N with N = 6, 8, 20 was evaluated by means of density functional theory using the PBE-D3 functional in combination with a mixed basis set, i.e. cc-pVDZ-PP for gold atoms and cc-pVTZ for non-metal elements. The binding energies between 5FU and gold clusters were determined in the range of 16-24 and 11-19 kcal/mol in gas-phase and aqueous media, respectively. The corresponding Gibbs energies were found to be around -7 to -10 kcal/mol in vacum and sigificantly reduced to -1 to -6 kcal/mol in water solution, indicating that both the association and dissociation processes are likely spontaneous. An analysis on the charge density difference tends to confirm the existence of a charge transfer from the 5FU molecule to Au atoms. Analysis of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of 5FU adsorbed on the Au surfaces shows that the stretching vibrations of N-H and C=O bonds play a major role in the SERS phenomenon. A mechanism for the drug releasing from the gold surfaces is also proposed. The process is triggered by either the low pH in cancerous tumors or the presence of cysteine residues in protein matrices.

Recent Advances in Nanomaterials of Group XIV Elements of Periodic Table in Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. The elements of group XIV in the periodic table exhibit a wide range of chemical manners. Recently, there have been remarkable developments in the field of nanobiomedical research, especially in the application of engineered nanomaterials in biomedical applications. In this review, we concentrate on the recent investigations on the antiproliferative effects of nanomaterials of the elements of group XIV in the periodic table on breast cancer cells. In this review, the data available on nanomaterials of group XIV for breast cancer treatment has been documented, providing a useful insight into tumor biology and nano-bio interactions to develop more effective nanotherapeutics for cancer patients.

Surface-mediated high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin-loaded ultrathin graphene oxide film that inhibits the overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species

Background

Astaxanthin (AST) is known as a powerful antioxidant that affects the removal of active oxygen and inhibits the production of lipid peroxide caused by ultraviolet light. However, it is easily decomposed by heat or light during production and storage because of the unsaturated compound nature with a structural double bond. The activity of AST can be reduced and lose its antioxidant capability. Graphene oxide (GO) is an ultrathin nanomaterial produced by oxidizing layered graphite. The chemical combination of AST with GO can improve the dispersion properties to maintain structural stability and antioxidant activity because of the tightly bonded functionalized GO surface.

Methods

Layered GO films were used as nanocarriers for the AST molecule, which was produced via flow-enabled self-assembly and subsequent controlled solution deposition of RGD peptide and AST molecules. Synthesis of the GO-AST complex was also carried out for the optimized concentration. The characterization of prepared materials was analyzed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscope (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity was tested by 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The antibacterial effect and antioxidant effects were monitored for the ultrathin GO/RGD/AST Film. Further, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects on L-929 fibroblasts.

Results

Cotreatment of GO-AST solution demonstrated a high antioxidant combined effect with a high ABTS and DPPH radicals scavenging activity. The GO/RGD/AST film was produced by the self-assembly process exhibited excellent antibacterial effects based on physicochemical damage against E. coli and S. aureus. In addition, the GO/RGD/AST film inhibited H₂O₂-induced intracellular ROS, suppressed the toxicity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cells, and restored it, thereby exhibiting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusion

As GO nanocarrier-assisted AST exerted promising antioxidant and antibacterial reactions, presented a new concept to expand basic research into the field of tissue engineering.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40824-022-00276-4.

A Simple Route to the Complexation of Lutein with Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocarriers and Antioxidant Protection Against Blue Light

BACKGROUND

The excellent physicochemical properties of graphene-based materials, including graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO), offer significant technological potential as multifunctional nanomaterials in biomedical fields. Lutein is a type of carotenoid that forms human macular pigments in the retina, where it inhibits harmful blue light and contributes to the strengthening of the antioxidant defense of retinal pigment epithelium cells.

METHODS

Synthesis of the Lutein-rGO (Lu-rGO) complex was carried out for the optimized concentration. Then characterization of material was analyzed through ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis spectra), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antioxidant activity of Lu-rGO complex was measured by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), glutathione (GSH) oxidation assay. Then, oxidative stress induction by blue light and analyzed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Based on the FT-IR measurement, the reduction efficiency defined by area was found to be 87.3%, the ID/IG ratio of 0.98 demonstrated by the Lu-rGO complex in the Raman spectrum was slightly higher than that of the original GO. The exhibited significant decrease in the peak intensities of the oxygen functional groups of the XPS spectra of the Lu-rGO complex was observed compared with the GO. In the TEM image for the Lu-rGO complex, folded and wrinkled nanostructures over the lutein-covered rGO surface were evidenced by tight molecular binding. The Lu-rGO complex provided superior DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity than GO and lutein alone, and the oxidation of GSH was suppressed. It was confirmed that the content of intracellular ROS and lysosomes, increased by blue light, was reduced after treatment with the Lu-rGO complex on ARPE-19 cells. In summary, graphene-based nanocarriers could function as preventative antioxidants during photochemical ROS generation based on the mechanism of antioxidant action.

Magnetic Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles Functionalized by Aromatic Polyamide Chains for Hyperthermia Applications

A new magnetic nanocomposite with a statistical star polymer structure was designed and synthesized. Nanocomposite fabrication is based on the polymerization of aromatic polyamide chains on the surface of functionalized magnetic copper ferrite nanoparticles (CuFe₂O₄ MNPs). This magnetic nanostructure was characterized by several analysis methods. All the analytical methods used, for instance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, vibrating-sample magnetometer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirmed the formation of polyamide chains. The obtained images from SEM imaging showed a unique nanoflower morphology which was the proper orientation results of synthesized nanoplates. Finally, the magnetic nanostructure showed a good potential for hyperthermia applications, with a maximum specific absorption rate of 7 W/g for 1 mg/mL of the sample under a magnetic field in different frequencies (100, 200, 300, and 400 MHz) and 5 to 20 min time intervals.

The controlled synthesis and DFT investigation of novel (0D)-(3D) ZnS/SiO2 heterostructures for photocatalytic applications

A ZnS/SiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized using a low-cost sol-gel wet chemical procedure. The as-synthesized ZnS/SiO2 nanocomposites with different molar ratios exhibited superior performance in the photodegradation of two organic dyes under UV irradiation, with complete degradation of both dyes after 2 hours of exposure to UV irradiation. The photocatalyst structure, microstructure, and surface area were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and nitrogen adsorption (S BET) studies. The results demonstrate that the ZnS/SiO2 photocatalyst with 15% ZnS content has a bandgap energy similar to that of ZnS alone with a higher surface area of approximately 150 m2 g-1, which effectively increases the number of active sites and improves the photocatalytic activity of the prepared material. The measured bandgap energies were compared with the theoretical values obtained using the density functional theory (DFT) method, and the values were found to be very similar, with a low error percentage. In the case of a high ZnS content (greater than 15%), active site blocking occurred, and the removal rate dropped below 50%. The obtained results indicate that the photocatalytic data are in good agreement with the experimental characterization results for the prepared materials, including the BET and XRD results, confirming a close association between the photocatalytic activity and the surface area of the fabricated photocatalyst.

Enhanced Apoptosis by Functionalized Highly Reduced Graphene Oxide and Gold Nanocomposites in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Graphene nanocomposites have gained significant interest in a variety of biological applications due to their unique properties. Herein, we have studied the apoptosis-inducing ability and anticancer properties of functionalized highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)-based nanocomposites (AP-HRG-Au). Samples were prepared under facile conditions via simple stirring and ultrasonication. All the samples were tested for their anticancer properties against different human cancer cell lines including lung (A549), liver (HepG2), and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells using doxorubicin as a positive control. In order to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of the sample, HRG was functionalized with 1-aminopyrene (1-AP) as a stabilizing ligand. The ligand also facilitated the homogeneous growth of Au NPs on the surface of HRG by offering chemically specific binding sites. The synthesis of nanocomposites and the surface functionalization of HRG were confirmed by UV-Vis, powder X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared nanocomposites were established by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Because of the functionalization, the AP-HRG-Au nanocomposite exhibited enhanced physical stability and high dispersibility. A comparative anticancer study of pristine HRG, nonfunctionalized HRG-Au, and 1-AP-functionalized AP-HRG-Au nanocomposites revealed the enhanced apoptosis ability of functionalized nanocomposites compared to the nonfunctionalized sample, whereas the pristine HRG did not show any anticancer ability against all tested cell lines. Both HRG-Au and AP-HRG-Au have induced a concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability in all tested cell lines after 48 h of exposure, with a significantly higher response in MCF-7 cells compared to the remaining cells. Therefore, MCF-7 cells were selected to perform detailed investigations using apoptosis assay, cell cycle analysis, and reactive oxygen species measurements. These results suggest that AP-HRG-Au induces enhanced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

A protein-sulfosalicylic acid/boswellic acids @metal-organic framework nanocomposite as anticancer drug delivery system

The metal-organic frameworks (MOF) have shown fascinating possibilities in biomedical applications, designing a multifunctional drug delivery system based on the MOF is important. In this study, 5-sulfosalicylic acid and boswellic acids (BAs) were loaded to the pH sensitive zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanocomposite containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the center. The ZIF layer acts as a capsule for the nontoxic storage of 5-sulfosalicylic acid and boswellic acids (BAs) under physiological conditions. The results of the characterization demonstrated the performance of the nanocarrier formation. The pH-sensitive drug release of 5-sulfosalicylic acid was detected due to the innate pH-dependent stability of ZIF-8. An effective pH-sensitive drug delivery system using a 5-sulfosalicylic acid/BSA@ZIF-8, and 5-sulfosalicylic acid/BSA/BAs@ZIF-8, in which the 5-sulfosalicylicacid is not free in physiological pH but it is released at acidic pH (5.0) has been fabricated. The best biocompatibility has been found in 5-sulfosalicylic acid/BSA/BAs@ZIF-8 comparing to the 5-sulfosalicylic acid/BSA, 5-sulfosalicylic acid /BSA/BAs, and 5-sulfosalicylic acid/BSA@ZIF-8. Additionally, 5-sulfosalicylic acid/BSA /BAs@ZIF-8 exhibited higher effectiveness than other compounds against the breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, with less toxicity. It is concluded from the results of the current study that the fabricated ZIF-8 based nanocarrier may potentially provide therapeutic effects on breast cancer cells.

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity applications of grafted copolymer alginate-g-poly(N-vinyl imidazole)

N-Vinyl imidazole was grafted onto sodium alginate (PNVI-g-NaAlg) through a free radical polymerization technique in aqueous solution using potassium persulfate (K2S2O8, KPS) initiator material. The conditions of the grafting process onto sodium alginate were adjusted to obtain a grafted copolymer with a high percentage of poly(N-vinyl imidazole). The prepared grafted copolymer sodium alginate (NaAlg-g-PNVI), with high percentage yield, was investigated and characterized under certain conditions in order to detect its antibacterial effect. The prepared grafted copolymer was considered by means of several systems such as Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 1H NMR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The change in the morphology of the alginate distinguished after the grafting process was confirmed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The biological activity of the grafted material was considered using Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gram-negative), Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) and Candida albicans antifungal activities through the agar diffusion method. The obtained results show excellent improvement in antimicrobial activity of the alginate by grafting against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Candida albicans.

Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide as a Versatile Tool for Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in human history with extremely poor prognosis. Although many traditional therapeutic modalities-such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy-have proved to be successful in inhibiting the growth of tumor cells, their side effects may vastly limited the actual benefits and patient acceptance. In this context, a nanomedicine approach for cancer therapy using functionalized nanomaterial has been gaining ground recently. Considering the ability to carry various anticancer drugs and to act as a photothermal agent, the use of carbon-based nanomaterials for cancer therapy has advanced rapidly. Within those nanomaterials, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a graphene family 2D carbon nanomaterial, emerged as a good candidate for cancer photothermal therapy due to its excellent photothermal conversion in the near infrared range, large specific surface area for drug loading, as well as functional groups for functionalization with molecules such as photosensitizers, siRNA, ligands, etc. By unique design, multifunctional nanosystems could be designed based on rGO, which are endowed with promising temperature/pH-dependent drug/gene delivery abilities for multimodal cancer therapy. This could be further augmented by additional advantages offered by functionalized rGO, such as high biocompatibility, targeted delivery, and enhanced photothermal effects. Herewith, we first provide an overview of the most effective reducing agents for rGO synthesis via chemical reduction. This was followed by in-depth review of application of functionalized rGO in different cancer treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, photothermal therapy and/or photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, chemotherapy/phototherapy, and photothermal/immunotherapy.

Manganese doped iron-carbon composite for synergistic persulfate activation: Reactivity, stability, and mechanism

The heterogeneous catalytic process has been under development for aqueous pollutant degradation, yet electron transfer efficiency often limits the effectiveness of catalytic reactions. In this study, a novel composite material, manganese doped iron-carbon (Mn-Fe-C), was tailor designed to promote the catalytic electron transfer. The Mn-Fe-C composite, synthesized via a facile carbothermal reduction method, was characterized and evaluated for its performance to activate persulfate (PS) and degrade Rhodamine Blue (RhB) dye under different pH, catalyst dosages, PS dosages, and pollutant concentrations. Electron spin resonance, along with quenching results by ethanol, tert-butanol, phenol, nitrobenzene and benzoquinone, indicated that surface bounded SO₄^•- was the main contributor for RhB degradation, while the roles of aqueous SO₄^•- and ^•OH were very minor. Through characterization by XRD, XPS and FTIR analysis, it was determined that the electron transfer during activation of PS was accelerated by the oxygen functional groups on catalyst surface and the promoted redox cycle of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ by Mn. Finally, the Mn-Fe-C composite catalyst exhibited an excellent reusability and stability with negligible leached Fe and Mn ions in solutions. Results of this study provide a promising design for heterogeneous catalysts that can effectively activate PS to remove organic pollutants from water at circumneutral pH conditions.

Biogenic synthesis and cytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles mediated by white rot fungi

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized using silver nitrate via the biological route using the culture filtrate of Ganoderma enigmaticum as well as Trametes ljubarskyi white rot fungi materials at room temperature. The proposed synthetic technique was applied for the first time for AgNPs preparation via the biological route through a low-cost pathway, which considered as an adequate direction of preparation compared to the commercial methods. This study reports the in vitro cytotoxic effect of biologically synthesized AgNPs in disposing of the human lung cancer cell line (A549) and human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) by using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, the viability of the tested cell lines was tested after treatment for 24 h in the presence of the prepared nanoparticles. The obtained results indicated the reduced viability of cancer cell lines with improving concentrations of AgNPs (40-120 μg/mL) at 24 h. Furthermore, at 120 μg/mL concentration, the fungal nanoparticles showed substantial cytotoxic effects toward the treated cells. Consequently, the results designated that the biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles have effective behavior for treating A549 and MCF-7 cancer cells from the laboratory experiment approach; however, additional studies are required to validate these results in vivo models as anticancer agents depending on their cytotoxic activity.

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes of cellulose acetate containing hydroxyapatite co-doped with Ag/Fe: morphological features, antibacterial activity and degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution

Cellulose acetate nanofiber membranes containing hydroxyapatite co-doped with Ag/Fe are effective towards the degradation of MB dye in aqueous solutions.

Functionalized magnetic PAMAM dendrimer as an efficient nanocatalyst for a new synthetic strategy of xanthene pigments

A green protocol has been developed for preparation of the wide variety of colored xanthene derivatives using a new efficient magnetic solid acid catalyst bearing polyamidoamine dendrimer moiety as a nanoscopic compound. Dendrimers, highly symmetric molecules around a core and 3D spherical morphology, show interesting traits based on their functionalized groups on the branched surface. They can be designed to provide water soluble structures or pseudo-active sites of biomolecules. The catalyst was assembled via a polyamidoamine dendrimer immobilized on the surface of γ-Fe₂O₃ followed by the sulfonylation of the amine groups by chlorosulfonic acid resulting in γ-Fe₂O₃@PAMAM-SO₃H. Herein, PAMAM dendrimer with repeating amine/amide branches as catchable sites of sulfonic acid groups was introduced as transformer of homogeneous to heterogeneous acidic catalysts. The physicochemical properties of synthesized catalyst were studied using by FT-IR, FE-SEM, XRD, VSM, EDS, TGA/DTG, and TEM. Finally, the catalytic activity of γ-Fe₂O₃@PAMAM-SO₃H was evaluated for the preparation of xanthene derivatives via a one-pot, three components reaction of aromatic aldehydes with i) β-naphthol, ii) cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl, iii) β-naphthol and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, iv) 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, leading to the eco-riendly preparation of the target compounds in good to excellent yields. The catalyst could be easily recycled for at least five consecutive runs without significant loss in its catalytic activity.

A New Computational Approach to Evaluating Systemic Gene–Gene Interactions in a Pathway Affected by Drug LY294002

In this study, we investigate how drugs systemically affect genes via pathways by integrating information from interactions between chemical compounds and molecular expression datasets, and from pathway information such as gene sets using mathematical models. First, we adopt drug-induced gene expression datasets; then, employ gene set enrichment analysis tools for selecting candidate enrichment pathways; and lastly, implement the inverse algorithm package for identifying gene–gene regulatory networks in a pathway. We tested LY294002-induced datasets of the MCF7 breast cancer cell lines, and found a CELL CYCLE pathway with 101 genes, ERBB signaling pathway consisting of 82 genes, and MTOR pathway consisting of 45 genes. We consider two interactions: quantity strength depending on number of interactions, and quality strength depending on weight of interaction as positive (+) and negative (−) interactions. Our methods revealed ANAPC1-CDK6 (−0.412) and ORC2L- CHEK1(0.951) for the CELL CYCLE pathway; INS-RPS6 (−3.125) and PRKAA2-PRKAA2 (+1.319) for the MTOR pathway; and CBLB-RPS6KB1 (−0.141), RPS6KB1-CBLC (+0.238) for the ERBB signaling pathway to be top quality interactions. Top quantity interactions discovered include 12; the CDC (−,+) gene family for the CELL CYCLE pathway, 20; PIK3 (−), 23; PIK3CG (+) for the MTOR pathway, 11; PAK (−), 10; PIK3 (+) for the ERBB signaling pathway.

Advances in nanotechnology and antibacterial properties of biodegradable food packaging materials

A large number of non-biodegradable and non-renewable materials are produced daily for application as food packaging materials. These waste materials have a greatly negative effect on our health and the ecosystem. The idea of a bio-based economy is steadily gaining attention from the scientific, societal, and financial communities, so there are several areas in which the intended approaches can be improved for this reason. Therefore, creating biopolymer-based materials from natural sources, including polysaccharides and proteins, is a good alternative to non-renewable fossil resources. In the current review paper, we plan to summarize the major recent findings in food biodegradable packaging materials that include nanotechnology either directly or indirectly. Several natural nano-materials applied in food packaging applications such as polymers, polysaccharides, and protein-based nano-materials have been included in order to make special biopolymer hosts for nanocomposites. Finally, this review will highlight the antibacterial properties of commonly used nanoparticles or nanomaterials.

Quantum Dot Bioconjugates for Diagnostic Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) are a special type of engineered nanomaterials with outstanding optoelectronic properties that make them as a very promising alternative to conventional luminescent dyes in biomedical applications, including biomolecule (BM) targeting, luminescence imaging and drug delivery. A key parameter to ensure successful biomedical applications of QDs is the appropriate surface modification, i.e. the surface of the nanomaterials should be modified with the appropriate functional groups to ensure stability in aqueous solutions and it should be conjugated with recognition elements capable of ensuring an efficient tagging of the BMs of interest. In this review we summarize the most relevant strategies used for surface modification of QDs and for their conjugation to BMs in preparation of their application in nanoplatforms for luminescent BM sensing and imaging-guided targeting. The applications of conjugations of photoluminescent QDs with different BMs in both in vitro and in vivo chemical sensing, immunoassays or luminescence imaging are reviewed. Recent progress in the application of functionalized QDs in ultrasensitive detection in bioanalysis, diagnostics and imaging strategies are reported. Finally, some key future research goals in the progress of bioconjugation of QDs for diagnosis are identified, including novel synthetic approaches, the need for exhaustive characterization of bioconjugates and the design of signal amplification schemes.

Carbon Nanotubes in Biomedicine

Nowadays, biomaterials have become a crucial element in numerous biomedical, preclinical, and clinical applications. The use of nanoparticles entails a great potential in these fields mainly because of the high ratio of surface atoms that modify the physicochemical properties and increases the chemical reactivity. Among them, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a powerful tool to improve biomedical approaches in the management of numerous diseases. CNTs have an excellent ability to penetrate cell membranes, and the sp² hybridization of all carbons enables their functionalization with almost every biomolecule or compound, allowing them to target cells and deliver drugs under the appropriate environmental stimuli. Besides, in the new promising field of artificial biomaterial generation, nanotubes are studied as the load in nanocomposite materials, improving their mechanical and electrical properties, or even for direct use as scaffolds in body tissue manufacturing. Nevertheless, despite their beneficial contributions, some major concerns need to be solved to boost the clinical development of CNTs, including poor solubility in water, low biodegradability and dispersivity, and toxicity problems associated with CNTs' interaction with biomolecules in tissues and organs, including the possible effects in the proteome and genome. This review performs a wide literature analysis to present the main and latest advances in the optimal design and characterization of carbon nanotubes with biomedical applications, and their capacities in different areas of preclinical research.

Gold, Silver and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Bionanoconjugation Strategies Aimed at Electrochemical Applications

Nanomaterials have revolutionized the sensing and biosensing fields, with the development of more sensitive and selective devices for multiple applications. Gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles have played a particularly major role in this development. In this review, we provide a general overview of the synthesis and characteristics of gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles, along with the main strategies for their surface functionalization with ligands and biomolecules. Finally, different architectures suitable for electrochemical applications are reviewed, as well as their main fabrication procedures. We conclude with some considerations from the authors' perspective regarding the promising use of these materials and the challenges to be faced in the near future.