Salivary SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection using S1-RBD protein-immobilized 3D melt electrowritten poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds

A review on the immobilization of bromelain

This review shows the endeavors performed to prepare immobilized formulations of bromelain extract, usually from pineapple, and their use in diverse applications. This extract has a potent proteolytic component that is based on thiol proteases, which differ depending on the location on the fruit. Stem and fruit are the areas where higher activity is found. The edible origin of this enzyme is one of the features that determines the applications of the immobilized bromelain to a more significant degree. The enzyme has been immobilized on a wide diversity of supports via different strategies (covalent bonds, ion exchange), and also forming ex novo solids (nanoflowers, CLEAs, trapping in alginate beads, etc.). The use of preexisting nanoparticles as immobilization supports is relevant, as this facilitates one of the main applications of the immobilized enzyme, in therapeutic applications (as wound dressing and healing components, antibacterial or anticancer, mucus mobility control, etc.). A curiosity is the immobilization of this enzyme on spores of probiotic microorganisms via adsorption, in order to have a perfect in vivo compatibility. Other outstanding applications of the immobilized enzyme are in the stabilization of wine versus haze during storage, mainly when immobilized on chitosan. Curiously, the immobilized bromelain has been scarcely applied in the production of bioactive peptides.

Progress in Treatment and Diagnostics of Infectious Disease with Polymers

In this era of advanced technology and innovation, infectious diseases still cause significant morbidity and mortality, which need to be addressed. Despite overwhelming success in the development of vaccines, transmittable diseases such as tuberculosis and AIDS remain unprotected, and the treatment is challenging due to frequent mutations of the pathogens. Formulations of new or existing drugs with polymeric materials have been explored as a promising new approach. Variations in shape, size, surface charge, internal morphology, and functionalization position polymer particles as a revolutionary material in healthcare. Here, an overview is provided of major diseases along with statistics on infection and death rates, focusing on polymer-based treatments and modes of action. Key issues are discussed in this review pertaining to current challenges and future perspectives.

Improvement of catalytic activity of aluminum complexes for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone: aluminum thioamidate and thioureidate systems

In this study, a series of Al complexes bearing amidates, thioamidates, ureidates, and thioureidates were synthesized and their catalytic activity for ε-caprolactone (CL) polymerization was evaluated. SPr-Al exhibited a higher catalytic activity than OPr-Al (3.2 times as high for CL polymerization; [CL] : [SPr-Al] : [BnOH] = 100 : 0.5 : 2; [SPr-Al] = 10 mM, conv. = 93% after 14 min at 25 °C), and USCl-Al exhibited a higher catalytic activity than UCl-Al (4.6 times as high for CL polymerization; [CL] : [USCl-Al] : [BnOH] = 100 : 0.5 : 2; [USCl-Al] = 10 mM, conv. = 90% after 15 min at 25 °C). Regardless of whether aluminum amidates or ureidates were present, thioligands improved the polymerization rate of aluminum catalysts. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the eight-membered ring [SPr-AlOMe2]2 decomposed into the four-membered ring SPr-AlOMe2. However, [OPr-AlOMe2]2 did not decompose because of its strong bridging Al-O bond. The overall activation energy required for CL polymerization was lower when using [SPr-AlOMe2]2 (18.1 kcal mol-1) as a catalyst than when using [OPr-AlOMe2]2 (23.9 kcal mol-1). This is because the TS2a transition state of SPr-AlOMe2 had a more open coordination geometry with a small N-Al-S angle (72.91°) than did TS3c of [OPr-AlOMe2]2, the crowded highest-energy transition state of [OPr-AlOMe2]2 with a larger N-Al-O angle (99.63°).

Engineered adult stem cells: Current clinical trials status of disease treatment

Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field involving the process of replacing and regenerating cells/tissues or organs by integrating medicine, science, and engineering principles to enhance the intrinsic regenerative capacity of the host. Recently, engineered adult stem cells have gained attention for their potential use in regenerative medicine by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system. This chapter introduces adult stem cell engineering and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T) gene therapy and summarises current engineered stem cell- and extracellular vesicles (EVs)-focused clinical trial studies that provide the basis for the proposal of a personalised medicine approach to diseases diagnosis and treatment.