Smart and sustainable 3D-printed electrochemical device for diclofenac remediation and monitoring in water.

In recent years, emerging contaminants in water, such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals, have gained significant attention, underscoring the need for innovative purification and monitoring solutions. Diclofenac, a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has become an important environmental contaminant due to its widespread use and the poor efficiency of conventional wastewater treatment systems. This study focuses on the development of an innovative all-in-one 3D printed device for small-scale monitoring and remediation of emerging contaminants such as diclofenac, with the potential to be adapted to others as well.

From genotype to phenotype: decoding mutations in blasts by holo-tomographic flow cytometry.

Cup-like nuclear morphological alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts have been widely correlated with Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutations. NPM1-mutated AML has earned recognition as a distinct entity among myeloid tumors, but the absence of a thoroughly established tool for its morphological analysis remains a notable gap. Holographic tomography (HT) can offer a label-free solution for quantitatively assessing the 3D shape of the nucleus based on the volumetric variations of its refractive indices (RIs).

Hybrid Se/melanin-like nanoparticles as ROS quenchers and inhibitors of amyloid aggregation.

Hybrid selenium/melanin-like nanoparticles offer different therapeutic strategies against amyloid aggregation. In this study, novel Se-based nanostructures are synthesized, characterized, and preliminarily employed as modulators of amyloid aggregation. In detail, two types of Se NPs are tested: one containing only Se(0), named Se NPs, and the second hybrid Se/melanin structures, indicated as SeMel NPs.

On-body electrochemical measurement of sweat lactate with the use of paper-based fluidics and 3D-printed flexible wearable biosensor.

Real-time monitoring of sweat lactate provides valuable physiological insights for assessing exercise outcomes and athletic performance. Conventional lactate detection methods, while sensitive, often lack portability and real-time capability for use in wearable or in-body applications. To address these limitations, electrochemical biosensing has emerged as a leading approach, enabling non-invasive and real-time analysis.

Characterization of bovine serum albumin immobilization on surface modified glass slides in case of pyro-electrohydrodynamic spots.

Background: Pyro-electrohydrodynamic jetting (p-jet) has emerged recently as a promising technique for biosensing applications, through the concentration of highly diluted biomolecules in fluorescent spots at microscale. However, a great challenge still remains in optimizing the binding strategy for the sensing interface, enabling the detection of low abundance proteins through immunofluorescence protocols. Indeed, the surface of reaction can be functionalized with different chemical groups able to bind the target molecule with a strong interaction, prior to the p-jet spots decreasing the possibility to lose sensitivity after the common rinsing steps.

Sensitive colorimetric immunosensor using AuNP-functionalized polymer film for picogram-level detection of Tau protein intermediate aggregates.

Here we demonstrate for the first time that an antibody-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-polymer conjugate thin-film biosensor can easily be fabricated to selectively capture Tau protein. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are employed as sensing elements, thus capitalizing on their propensity to undergo assembly or disassembly in response to the adsorption or conjugation of various biomolecules on their surface, thereby forming robust interactions with the target analyte. We show that the Tau protein in its different aggregation phases can be detected, by restricting the reaction area on the solid thin polymer film and thus reducing the diffusion effects usually encountered in immunosensors.

Biomimetic Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions as a Suitable Drug Delivery System to Target Inflamed Endothelial Cells.

Currently, the biomimetic approach of drawing inspiration from nature has frequently been employed in designing drug nanocarriers (NCs) of actively target various diseases, ranging from cancer to neuronal and inflammation pathologies. The cell-membrane coating can confer upon the inner nanomaterials a biological identity and the functions exhibited by the cells from which the membrane is derived. Monocyte- and macrophage-membrane-coated nanomaterials have emerged as an ideal delivery system to target inflamed vasculature.

PEGylated SOCS3 Mimetics Encapsulated into PLGA-NPs as Selective Inhibitors of JAK/STAT Pathway in TNBC Cells.

Introduction: SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3) protein is a crucial regulator of cytokine-induced inflammation, and its administration has been shown to have therapeutic effects. Recently, we designed a chimeric proteomimetic of SOCS3, mimicking the interfacing regions of a ternary complex composed of SOCS3, JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) and gp130 (glycoprotein 130) proteins. The derived chimeric peptide, KIRCONG chim, demonstrated limited mimetic function owing to its poor water solubility.

Comparative Analysis of the Inhibitory Mechanism of Aβ Aggregation by Diruthenium Complexes.

There is a growing interest in the search for metal-based therapeutics for protein misfolding disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). A novel and largely unexplored class of metallodrugs is constituted by paddlewheel diruthenium complexes, which exhibit unusual water solubility and stability and unique coordination modes to proteins. Here, we investigate the ability of the complexes [RuCl(DPhF)(OCCH)]·HO (), [RuCl(DPhF)(OCCH)]·HO (), and K[Ru(DPhF)(CO)]·3HO () (DPhF = ,'-diphenylformamidinate) to interfere with the amyloid aggregation of the Aβ peptide.

The effects of histidine substitution of aromatic residues on the amyloidogenic properties of the fragment 264-277 of nucleophosmin 1.

Histidine (His) plays a key role in mediating protein interactions and its unique side chain determines pH responsive self-assembling processes and thus in the formation of nanostructures. In this study, To identify novel self-assembling bioinspired sequences, we analyzed a series of peptide sequences obtained through the point mutation of aromatic residues of 264-277 fragment of nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) with single and double histidines. Through several orthogonal biophysical techniques and under different pH and ionic strength conditions we evaluated the effects of these substitutions in the amyloidogenic features of derived peptides.

Highly sensitive detection of the neurodegenerative biomarker Tau by using the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jetting.

It is largely documented that neurodegenerative diseases can be effectively treated only if early diagnosed. In this context, the structural changes of some biomolecules such as Tau, seem to play a key role in neurodegeneration mechanism becoming eligible targets for an early diagnosis. Post-translational modifications are responsible to drive the Tau protein towards a transition phase from a native disorder conformation into a preaggregation state, which then straight recruits the final fibrillization process.

A Diruthenium Metallodrug as a Potent Inhibitor of Amyloid-β Aggregation: Synergism of Mechanisms of Action.

The physical and chemical properties of paddlewheel diruthenium compounds are highly dependent on the nature of the ligands surrounding the bimetallic core. Herein, we compare the ability of two diruthenium compounds, [RuCl(D--FPhF)(OCCH)]·HO () (D--FPhF = -bis(4-fluorophenyl)formamidinate) and K[Ru(OCO)]·3HO (), to act as inhibitors of amyloid aggregation of the Aβ peptide and its peculiar fragments, Aβ and Aβ. A wide range of biophysical techniques has been used to determine the inhibition capacity against aggregation and the possible mechanism of action of these compounds (Thioflavin T fluorescence and autofluorescence assays, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and electron scanning microscopy).

Ruthenium complexes bearing glucosyl ligands are able to inhibit the amyloid aggregation of short histidine-peptides.

Neurodegenerative diseases are often characterized by the formation of aggregates of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins, facilitating the formation of neurofibrillary plaques. In this study, we investigate a series of Ru-complexes sharing three-legged piano-stool structures based on the arene ring and glucosylated carbene ligands. The ability of these complexes to bind amyloid His-peptides was evaluated by ESI-MS, and their effects on the aggregation process were investigated through ThT and Tyr fluorescence emission.

PLGA microparticle formulations for tunable delivery of a nano-engineered filamentous bacteriophage-based vaccine: in vitro and in silico-supported approach.

Unlabelled: Bacteriophages have attracted great attention in the bioengineering field in diverse research areas from tissue engineering to therapeutic and clinical applications. Recombinant filamentous bacteriophage, carrying multiple copies of foreign peptides on protein capsid has been successfully used in the vaccine delivery setting, even if their plasma instability and degradation have limited their use on the pharmaceutical market. Encapsulation techniques in polymeric materials can be applied to preserve bacteriophage activity, extend its half-life, and finely regulate their release in the target environment.

Levels of 24-hydroxycholesteryl esters in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: In this context, our study aimed to ascertain whether the esterification of 24-hydroxycholesterol, a process heavily affected by oxidative stress, is altered in ALS.

Methods: The study examined the level of 24-hydroxycholesteryl esters in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of 18 ALS patients by spectroscopic technique as Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS).

Results: The level of 24-hydroxycholesteryl esters in cerebrospinal fluid was found to be lower as the brain-blood barrier was damaged.

Modulation of hydrogel networks by metal ions.

Self-assembling hydrogels are receiving great attention for both biomedical and technological applications. Self-assembly of protein/peptides as well as organic molecules is commonly induced in response to external triggers such as changes of temperature, concentration, or pH. An interesting strategy to modulate the morphology and mechanical properties of the gels implies the use of metal ions, where coordination bonds regulate the dynamic cross-linking in the construction of hydrogels, and coordination geometries, catalytic, and redox properties of metal ions play crucial roles.

Insights into Network of Hot Spots of Aggregation in Nucleophosmin 1.

In a protein, point mutations associated with diseases can alter the native structure and provide loss or alteration of functional levels, and an internal structural network defines the connectivity among domains, as well as aggregate/soluble states' equilibria. Nucleophosmin (NPM)1 is an abundant nucleolar protein, which becomes mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. NPM1-dependent leukemogenesis, which leads to its aggregation in the cytoplasm (NPMc+), is still obscure, but the investigations have outlined a direct link between AML mutations and amyloid aggregation.

Hydrogelation tunability of bioinspired short peptides.

Supramolecular assemblies of short peptides are experiencing a stimulating flowering. Herein, we report a novel class of bioinspired pentapeptides, not bearing Phe, that form hydrogels with fibrillar structures. The inherent sequence comes from the fragment 269-273 of nucleophosmin 1 protein, that is normally involved in liquid-liquid phase separation processes into the nucleolus.

Type C mutation of nucleophosmin 1 acute myeloid leukemia: Consequences of intrinsic disorder.

Background: Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) protein is a multifunctional nucleolar chaperone and its gene is the most frequently mutated in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML mutations cause the unfolding of the C-terminal domain (CTD) and the protein delocalizing in the cytosol (NPM1c+). Marked aggregation endowed with an amyloid character was assessed as consequences of mutations.

Recent Fabrication Methods to Produce Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Matrices (Experimental and In Silico Approaches).

The study of novel drug delivery systems represents one of the frontiers of the biomedical research area. Multi-disciplinary scientific approaches combining traditional or engineered technologies are used to provide major advances in improving drug bioavailability, rate of release, cell/tissue specificity and therapeutic index. Biodegradable and bio-absorbable polymers are usually the building blocks of these systems, and their copolymers are employed to create delivery components.

Engineered Bacterial Cellulose Nanostructured Matrix for Incubation and Release of Drug-Loaded Oil in Water Nanoemulsion.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure form of cellulose produced by bacteria, which possesses numerous advantages such as good mechanical properties, high chemical flexibility, and the ability to assemble in nanostructures. Thanks to these features, it achieved a key role in the biomedical field and in drug delivery applications. BC showed its ability to modulate the release of several drugs and biomolecules to the skin, thus improving their clinical outcomes.

Targeting Ship2-Sam with peptide ligands: Novel insights from a multidisciplinary approach.

The lipid phosphatase Ship2 binds the EphA2 receptor through a heterotypic Sam-Sam (Sterile alpha motif) interaction. Inhibitors of the Ship2-Sam/EphA2-Sam complex hold a certain potential as novel anticancer agents. The previously reported "KRI3" peptide binds Ship2-Sam working as a weak antagonist of the EphA2-Sam/Ship2-Sam interaction.

Glucosyl Platinum(II) Complexes Inhibit Aggregation of the C-Terminal Region of the Aβ Peptide.

Neurodegenerative diseases are often caused by uncontrolled amyloid aggregation. Hence, many drug discovery processes are oriented to evaluate new compounds that are able to modulate self-recognition mechanisms. Herein, two related glycoconjugate pentacoordinate Pt(II) complexes were analyzed in their capacity to affect the self-aggregation processes of two amyloidogenic fragments, Aβ and Aβ, of the C-terminal region of the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, the major component of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuronal plaques.