Magnetic Particles for Advanced Molecular Diagnosis

Core-shell structured magnetite carboxymethyl cellulose for cervical cancer treatment by maintaining methotrexate serum concentration

In this work, we attempted to improve the properties of magnetite carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles (Mag CMC NPs) through Ugi multicomponent reaction (MCR) to obtain magnetite carboxymethyl cellulose@functionalized carboxamide nanoparticles (Mag CMC@FCA NPs) as a new nano bio-carrier. Typically, at first Mag CMC NPs prepared by the co-precipitation method. Then by performing the Ugi MCR on Mag CMC NPs, the Mag CMC@FCA NPs achieved better properties in swelling ratio, loading efficiency and loading capacity. The prepared Mag CMC@FCA NPs characterized in detail. Evaluation of the prepared system functionality showed the swelling rate increased from 294 % to 1472 %. Furthermore, for methotrexate (MTX), loading efficiency increased from 24.62 % for Mag CMC NPs to 57.25 % for Mag CMC@FCA NPs, and the drug loading capacity increased from 1.23 % to 2.86 %. The loading of Ampicillin (AMP) and MTX has been observed to have a beneficial effect. When AMP is placed in the metabolic pathway of MTX, it prevents biodegradation of MTX up to 35 %, which results in a longer duration of high MTX concentration in the blood. Consequently, the toxicity of the prepared medication on healthy cells of the body is reduced, and the death rate is decreased to some extent.

Advances in biomacromolecule-functionalized magnetic particles for phytopathogen detection

Due to the increasing crop losses caused by common and newly emerging phytopathogens, there is a pressing need for the development of rapid and reliable methods for phytopathogen detection and analysis. Leveraging advancements in biochemical engineering technologies and nanomaterial sciences, researchers have put considerable efforts on utilizing biofunctionalized magnetic micro- and nanoparticles (MPs) to develop rapid and reliable systems for phytopathogen detection. MPs facilitate the rapid, high-throughput analysis and in-field applications, while the biomacromolecules, which play key roles in the biorecognitions, interactions and signal amplification, determine the specificity, sensitivity, reliability, and portability of pathogen detection systems. The integration of MPs and biomacromolecules provides dimensionality- and composition-dependent properties, representing a novel approach to develop phytopathogen detection systems. In this review, we summarize and discuss the general properties, synthesis and characterization of MPs, and focus on biomacromolecule-functionalized MPs as well as their representative applications for phytopathogen detection and analysis reported over the past decade. Extensively studied bioreceptors, such as antibodies, phages and phage proteins, nucleic acids, and glycans that are involved in the recognitions and interactions, are covered and discussed. Additionally, the integration of MPs-based detection system with portable microfluidic devices to facilitate their in-field applications is also discussed. Overall, this review focuses on biomacromolecule-functionalized MPs and their applications for phytopathogen detection, aiming to highlight their potential in developing advanced biosensing systems for effective plant protection.

Magnetic nanosystem a tool for targeted delivery and diagnostic application: Current challenges and recent advancement

Over the last two decades, researchers have paid more attention to magnetic nanosystems due to their wide application in diverse fields. The metal nanomaterials' antimicrobial and biocidal properties make them an essential nanosystem for biomedical applications. Moreover, the magnetic nanosystems could have also been used for diagnosis and treatment because of their magnetic, optical, and fluorescence properties. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and quantum dots (QDs) are the most widely used magnetic nanosystems prepared by a simple process. By surface modification, researchers have recently been working on conjugating metals like silica, copper, and gold with magnetic nanosystems. This hybridization of the nanosystems modifies the structural characteristics of the nanomaterials and helps to improve their efficacy for targeted drug and gene delivery. The hybridization of metals with various nanomaterials like micelles, cubosomes, liposomes, and polymeric nanomaterials is gaining more interest due to their nanometer size range and nontoxic, biocompatible nature. Moreover, they have good injectability and higher targeting ability by accumulation at the target site by application of an external magnetic field. The present article discussed the magnetic nanosystem in more detail regarding their structure, properties, interaction with the biological system, and diagnostic applications.

Medical Relevance, State-of-the-Art and Perspectives of "Sweet Metacode" in Liquid Biopsy Approaches

This review briefly introduces readers to an area where glycomics meets modern oncodiagnostics with a focus on the analysis of sialic acid (Neu5Ac)-terminated structures. We present the biochemical perspective of aberrant sialylation during tumourigenesis and its significance, as well as an analytical perspective on the detection of these structures using different approaches for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We also provide a comparison to other established liquid biopsy approaches, and we mathematically define an early-stage cancer based on the overall prognosis and effect of these approaches on the patient's quality of life. Finally, some barriers including regulations and quality of clinical validations data are discussed, and a perspective and major challenges in this area are summarised.

Development and application of a universal extraction-free reagent based on an algal glycolipid

In this study, we independently developed a universal nasopharyngeal swab extraction-free reagent based on a trehalose lipid for the rapid detection of pathogen nucleic acids in respiratory infectious diseases. By comparing the isothermal amplification results of a 2019-nCoV pseudovirus solution treated with different components of the extraction-free reagent, we determined the optimal composition of the extraction-free reagent to be a mixed solution of 10 mmol L-1 tris-HCl containing 0.05 mmol L-1 EDTA (TE solution), 5% glycine betaine, 0.5% Triton X-100, and 1.5% trehalose lipid. The results showed that the extraction-free reagent could cleave DNA viruses, RNA viruses, and bacteria to release nucleic acids and did not affect the subsequent nucleic acid amplification. Its efficiency was consistent with that of magnetic bead extraction. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to analyze the stability and repeatability of the detection results of the samples treated with the extraction-free reagent and the sensitivity of the extraction-free reagent. The results showed that the extraction-free kit could stably store the pathogen nucleic acid for at least 24 hours, the detection repeatability was satisfactory, and there was no incompatibility with the detection limits of various manufacturers' nucleic acid detection reagents. In conclusion, the established nucleic acid extraction-free method can effectively lyse respiratory infectious disease pathogens to release nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) at room temperature and can directly amplify nucleic acids without extraction steps. This method takes a short time and has high efficiency. The released nucleic acid met the requirements of molecular biological detection methods such as real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and isothermal nucleic acid amplification (INAA).

Ultrasensitive Electroanalytical Detection of Pb2+ and H2O2 Using Bi and Fe-Based Nanoparticles Embedded into Porous Carbon Xerogel-The Influence of Nanocomposite Pyrolysis Temperatures

Multifunctional materials based on carbon xerogel (CX) with embedded bismuth (Bi) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles are tested for ultrasensitive amperometric detection of lead cation (Pb2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The prepared CXBiFe-T nanocomposites were annealed at different pyrolysis temperatures (T, between 600 and 1050 °C) and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron microscopies (SEM/EDX and TEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWV) performed at glassy carbon (GC) electrodes modified with chitosan (Chi)-CXBiFe-T evidenced that GC/Chi-CXBiFe-1050 electrodes exhibit excellent analytical behavior for Pb2+ and H2O2 amperometric detection: high sensitivity for Pb2+ (9.2·105 µA/µM) and outstanding limits of detection (97 fM, signal-to-noise ratio 3) for Pb2+, and remarkable for H2O2 (2.51 µM). The notable improvements were found to be favored by the increase in pyrolysis temperature. Multi-scale parameters such as (i) graphitization, densification of carbon support, and oxide nanoparticle reduction and purification were considered key aspects in the correlation between material properties and electrochemical response, followed by other effects such as (ii) average nanoparticle and Voronoi domain dimensions and (iii) average CXBiFe-T aggregate dimension.

Microwave-Assisted Silanization of Magnetite Nanoparticles Pre-Synthesized by a 3D Microfluidic Platform

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) are among the most investigated nanomaterials, being recognized for their biocompatibility, versatility, and strong magnetic properties. Given that their applicability depends on their dimensions, crystal morphology, and surface chemistry, Fe3O4 NPs must be synthesized in a controlled, simple, and reproducible manner. Since conventional methods often lack tight control over reaction parameters and produce materials with unreliable characteristics, increased scientific interest has been directed to microfluidic techniques. In this context, the present paper describes the development of an innovative 3D microfluidic platform suitable for synthesizing uniform Fe3O4 NPs with fine-tuned properties. On-chip co-precipitation was performed, followed by microwave-assisted silanization. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized from the compositional and microstructural perspectives by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, supplementary physicochemical investigations, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Kaiser Test, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Thermogravimetry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) analyses, demonstrated the successful surface modification. Considering the positive results, the presented synthesis and functionalization method represents a fast, reliable, and effective alternative for producing tailored magnetic nanoparticles.

Microfluidic Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles for the Controlled Release of Antibiotics

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have been intensively studied for biomedical applications, especially as drug delivery systems for the treatment of infections. Additionally, they are characterized by intrinsic antimicrobial properties owing to their capacity to disrupt or penetrate the microbial cell wall and induce cell death. However, the current focus has shifted towards increasing the control of the synthesis reaction to ensure more uniform nanoparticle sizes and shapes. In this context, microfluidics has emerged as a potential candidate method for the controlled synthesis of nanoparticles. Thus, the aim of the present study was to obtain a series of antibiotic-loaded MNPs through a microfluidic device. The structural properties of the nanoparticles were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), the morphology was evaluated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM), the antibiotic loading was assessed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and, and thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analyses, and. the release profiles of both antibiotics was determined through UV-Vis spectroscopy. The biocompatibility of the nanoparticles was assessed through the MTT assay on a BJ cell line, while the antimicrobial properties were investigated against the S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans strains. Results proved considerable uniformity of the antibiotic-containing nanoparticles, good biocompatibility, and promising antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study represents a step forward towards the microfluidic development of highly effective nanostructured systems for antimicrobial therapies.

Nanotechnology-based diagnostic methods for coronavirus: From nucleic acid extraction to amplification

The recent emergence of human coronaviruses (CoVs) causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is posing a great threat to global public health. Therefore, the rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic viruses plays a vital role in selecting appropriate treatments, saving people's lives and preventing epidemics. Nucleic acids, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), are natural biopolymers composed of nucleotides that store, transmit, and express genetic information. Applications of nucleic acid detection range from genotyping and genetic prognostics, to expression profiling and detection of infectious disease. The nucleic acid detection for infectious diseases is widely used, as evidenced by the widespread use of COVID-19 tests for the containment of the pandemic. Nanotechnology influences all medical disciplines and has been considered as an essential tool for novel diagnostics, nanotherapeutics, vaccines, medical imaging, and the utilization of biomaterials for regenerative medicine. In this review, the recent advances in the development of nanotechnology-based diagnostic methods for coronavirus, and their applications in nucleic acid detection are discussed in detail. The techniques for the amplification of nucleic acids are summarized, as well as the use of magnetic nanoparticles for nucleic acid extraction. Besides, current challenges and future prospects are proposed, along with the great potential of nanotechnology for the effective diagnosis of coronavirus.

Emerging trends in the nanomedicine applications of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as novel therapies for acute and chronic diseases

High-quality point-of-care is critical for timely decision of disease diagnosis and healthcare management. In this regard, biosensors have revolutionized the field of rapid testing and screening, however, are confounded by several technical challenges including material cost, half-life, stability, site-specific targeting, analytes specificity, and detection sensitivity that affect the overall diagnostic potential and therapeutic profile. Despite their advances in point-of-care testing, very few classical biosensors have proven effective and commercially viable in situations of healthcare emergency including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. To overcome these challenges functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as key players in advancing the biomedical and healthcare sector with promising applications during the ongoing healthcare crises. This critical review focus on understanding recent developments in theranostic applications of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Given the profound global economic and health burden, we discuss the therapeutic impact of functionalized MNPs in acute and chronic diseases like small RNA therapeutics, vascular diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer, as well as for COVID-19 testing. Lastly, we culminate with a futuristic perspective on the scope of this field and provide an insight into the emerging opportunities whose impact is anticipated to disrupt the healthcare industry.

Designing Functional Bionanoconstructs for Effective In Vivo Targeting

The progress achieved over the last three decades in the field of bioconjugation has enabled the preparation of sophisticated nanomaterial–biomolecule conjugates, referred to herein as bionanoconstructs, for a multitude of applications including biosensing, diagnostics, and therapeutics. However, the development of bionanoconstructs for the active targeting of cells and cellular compartments, both in vitro and in vivo, is challenged by the lack of understanding of the mechanisms governing nanoscale recognition. In this review, we highlight fundamental obstacles in designing a successful bionanoconstruct, considering findings in the field of bionanointeractions. We argue that the biological recognition of bionanoconstructs is modulated not only by their molecular composition but also by the collective architecture presented upon their surface, and we discuss fundamental aspects of this surface architecture that are central to successful recognition, such as the mode of biomolecule conjugation and nanomaterial passivation. We also emphasize the need for thorough characterization of engineered bionanoconstructs and highlight the significance of population heterogeneity, which too presents a significant challenge in the interpretation of in vitro and in vivo results. Consideration of such issues together will better define the arena in which bioconjugation, in the future, will deliver functional and clinically relevant bionanoconstructs.

Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Point-of-Care Medical Diagnostics

The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the need to move from traditional lab-centralized diagnostics to point-of-care (PoC) settings. Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) platforms facilitate the translation to PoC settings via the miniaturization, portability, integration, and automation of multiple assay functions onto a single chip. For this purpose, paper-based assays and microfluidic platforms are currently being extensively studied, and much focus is being directed towards simplifying their design while simultaneously improving multiplexing and automation capabilities. Signal amplification strategies are being applied to improve the performance of assays with respect to both sensitivity and selectivity, while smartphones are being integrated to expand the analytical power of the technology and promote its accessibility. In this chapter, we review the main technologies in the field of LoC platforms for PoC medical diagnostics and survey recent approaches for improving these assays.

A Comprehensive Updated Review on Magnetic Nanoparticles in Diagnostics

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been studied for diagnostic purposes for decades. Their high surface-to-volume ratio, dispersibility, ability to interact with various molecules and superparamagnetic properties are at the core of what makes MNPs so promising. They have been applied in a multitude of areas in medicine, particularly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are the most well-accepted based on their excellent superparamagnetic properties and low toxicity. Nevertheless, IONPs are facing many challenges that make their entry into the market difficult. To overcome these challenges, research has focused on developing MNPs with better safety profiles and enhanced magnetic properties. One particularly important strategy includes doping MNPs (particularly IONPs) with other metallic elements, such as cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn), to reduce the iron (Fe) content released into the body resulting in the creation of multimodal nanoparticles with unique properties. Another approach includes the development of MNPs using other metals besides Fe, that possess great magnetic or other imaging properties. The future of this field seems to be the production of MNPs which can be used as multipurpose platforms that can combine different uses of MRI or different imaging techniques to design more effective and complete diagnostic tests.

In-Silico Conceptualisation of Continuous Millifluidic Separators for Magnetic Nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles are researched intensively not only for biomedical applications, but also for industrial applications including wastewater treatment and catalytic processes. Although these particles have been shown to have interesting surface properties in their bare form, their magnetisation remains a key feature, as it allows for magnetic separation. This makes them a promising carrier for precious materials and enables recovery via magnetic fields that can be turned on and off on demand, rather than using complex (nano)filtration strategies. However, designing a magnetic separator is by no means trivial, as the magnetic field and its gradient, the separator dimensions, the particle properties (such as size and susceptibility), and the throughput must be coordinated. This is showcased here for a simple continuous electromagnetic separator design requiring no expensive materials or equipment and facilitating continuous operation. The continuous electromagnetic separator chosen was based on a current-carrying wire in the centre of a capillary, which generated a radially symmetric magnetic field that could be described using cylindrical coordinates. The electromagnetic separator design was tested in-silico using a Lagrangian particle-tracking model accounting for hydrodynamics, magnetophoresis, as well as particle diffusion. This computational approach enabled the determination of separation efficiencies for varying particle sizes, magnetic field strengths, separator geometries, and flow rates, which provided insights into the complex interplay between these design parameters. In addition, the model identified the separator design allowing for the highest separation efficiency and determined the retention potential in both single and multiple separators in series. The work demonstrated that throughputs of ~1/4 L/h could be achieved for 250–500 nm iron oxide nanoparticle solutions, using less than 10 separator units in series.

Magnetite nanoparticles: Synthesis methods - A comparative review

Iron oxide-based nanoparticles have gathered tremendous scientific interest towards their application in a variety of fields. Magnetite has been particularly investigated due to its readily availability, versatility, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and special magnetic properties. As the behavior of nano-scale magnetite is in direct relation to its shape, size, and surface chemistry, accurate control over the nanoparticle synthesis process is essential in obtaining quality products for the intended end uses. Several chemical, physical, and biological methods are found in the literature and implemented in the laboratory or industrial practice. However, non-conventional methods emerged in recent years to bring unprecedented synthesis performances in terms of better-controlled morphologies, sizes, and size distribution. Particularly, microfluidic methods represent a promising technology towards smaller reagent volume use, waste reduction, precise control of fluid mixing, and ease of automation, overcoming some of the major drawbacks of conventional bulk methods. This review aims to present the main properties, applications, and synthesis methods of magnetite, together with the newest advancements in this field.

Nanomaterials Synthesis through Microfluidic Methods: An Updated Overview

Microfluidic devices emerged due to an interdisciplinary "collision" between chemistry, physics, biology, fluid dynamics, microelectronics, and material science. Such devices can act as reaction vessels for many chemical and biological processes, reducing the occupied space, equipment costs, and reaction times while enhancing the quality of the synthesized products. Due to this series of advantages compared to classical synthesis methods, microfluidic technology managed to gather considerable scientific interest towards nanomaterials production. Thus, a new era of possibilities regarding the design and development of numerous applications within the pharmaceutical and medical fields has emerged. In this context, the present review provides a thorough comparison between conventional methods and microfluidic approaches for nanomaterials synthesis, presenting the most recent research advancements within the field.

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Therapies: An Up-To-Date Overview

Despite the many advancements in the pharmaceutical and medical fields and the development of numerous antimicrobial drugs aimed to suppress and destroy pathogenic microorganisms, infectious diseases still represent a major health threat affecting millions of lives daily. In addition to the limitations of antimicrobial drugs associated with low transportation rate, water solubility, oral bioavailability and stability, inefficient drug targeting, considerable toxicity, and limited patient compliance, the major cause for their inefficiency is the antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms. In this context, the risk of a pre-antibiotic era is a real possibility. For this reason, the research focus has shifted toward the discovery and development of novel and alternative antimicrobial agents that could overcome the challenges associated with conventional drugs. Nanotechnology is a possible alternative, as there is significant evidence of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of nanomaterials and nanoparticles in particular. Moreover, owing to their considerable advantages regarding their efficient cargo dissolving, entrapment, encapsulation, or surface attachment, the possibility of forming antimicrobial groups for specific targeting and destruction, biocompatibility and biodegradability, low toxicity, and synergistic therapy, polymeric nanoparticles have received considerable attention as potential antimicrobial drug delivery agents. In this context, the aim of this paper is to provide an up-to-date overview of the most recent studies investigating polymeric nanoparticles designed for antimicrobial therapies, describing both their targeting strategies and their effects.

Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Point-of-Care Medical Diagnostics

The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the need to move from traditional lab-centralized diagnostics to point-of-care (PoC) settings. Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) platforms facilitate the translation to PoC settings via the miniaturization, portability, integration, and automation of multiple assay functions onto a single chip. For this purpose, paper-based assays and microfluidic platforms are currently being extensively studied, and much focus is being directed towards simplifying their design while simultaneously improving multiplexing and automation capabilities. Signal amplification strategies are being applied to improve the performance of assays with respect to both sensitivity and selectivity, while smartphones are being integrated to expand the analytical power of the technology and promote its accessibility. In this chapter, we review the main technologies in the field of LoC platforms for PoC medical diagnostics and survey recent approaches for improving these assays.