Electrochemical aptasensor for sensitive detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin type A in milk and fruit juice.

An aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for the sensitive detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin type A (SEA) is presented. The truncated aptamer AptSEA1.4 used in this work was screened using computational techniques, which reduced the cost of the SELEX screening process.

Effect of precipitant on pro-oxidative and antibacterial properties of CeO nanoparticles - an experimental study.

In this study, the synthesis of pro-oxidative cerium-oxide nanozymes (CeO NZs) is reliably performed the co-precipitation method using ceric ammonium nitrate as a precursor and ammonium carbonate as a precipitating agent. Different samples of CeO NZs were prepared by varying the amount of the precipitant. The synthesized NZs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and then checked for their pro-oxidative (peroxidase and oxidase) activity.

The effects of conjugating anti-MUC1 aptamers on gold nanobipyramids and nanostars for photothermal cancer ablation.

To ascertain the impact of shape and surface modification of anisotropic nanoparticles on the toxicity and photothermal efficiency toward cancerous cell lines. Gold nanobipyramids and nanostars surface modified with MUC1 aptamer were used in the current study to explore the toxicity and photothermal efficiency on MCF7 breast cancer cell lines via MTT assay. Surface functionalization with MUC1 aptamer showed significant reduction in % cytotoxicity and increase in % specific internalization of nanostructures into MCF7 cell lines.

Current strategies for early epithelial ovarian cancer detection using miRNA as a potential tool.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive and significant malignant tumor forms in the female reproductive system. It is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers owing to its metastasis. Since its preliminary disease symptoms are lacking, it is imperative to develop early diagnostic biomarkers to aid in treatment optimization and personalization.

Virtual screening of truncated single stranded DNA aptamers for Staphylococcal enterotoxin type A.

Single stranded DNA (ssDNA)/RNA aptamers, are screened through the labor intensive, iterative Systematic Evolution of Ligand by Exponential Enrichment process (SELEX) method. Complete sequence of screened aptamers never interacts with target or participates in final structure. Hence, tools can be used to redesign a short length aptamer from previously reported aptamers which can have high affinity and specificity to the target.

Humic acid-mediated reduction in toxicity of CoO NPs towards freshwater and marine microalgae in surfactant mixed medium.

The ever-increasing applications of CoO nanoparticles (NPs) have posed a serious concern about their discharge in the aquatic environment and ecotoxic implications. Being toxic towards aquatic species, the impact of other aquatic components such as dissolved organic matter (DOM), salinity, and surfactants are not studied sufficiently for their effect on the stability and ecotoxicity of CoO NPs. The present study aims at the influence of humic acid (HA) on the toxicity of CoO NPs in freshwater (C.

Recent Trends in Composite Nanozymes and Their Pro-Oxidative Role in Therapeutics.

Nanozymes are inorganic nanostructures whose enzyme mimic activities are increasingly explored in disease treatment, taking inspiration from natural enzymes. The catalytic ability of nanozymes to generate reactive oxygen species can be used for designing effective antimicrobials and antitumor therapeutics. In this context, composite nanozymes are advantageous, particularly because they integrate the properties of various nanomaterials to offer a single multifunctional platform combining photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and chemodynamic therapy (CDT).

Gold nanotheranostics: future emblem of cancer nanomedicine.

Cancer nanotheranostics aims at providing alternative approaches to traditional cancer diagnostics and therapies. In this context, plasmonic nanostructures especially gold nanostructures are intensely explored due to their tunable shape, size and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), better photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) ability, effective contrast enhancing ability in Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scan. Despite rapid breakthroughs in gold nanostructures based theranostics of cancer, the translation of gold nanostructures from bench side to human applications is still questionable.

Identification and characterization of DNA aptamers specific to VP2 protein of canine parvovirus.

Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) is ubiquitously distributed in dog population worldwide causing a severe and often fatal gastroenteritis. Owing to its highly contagious nature, rapid detection of CPV is crucial in effective control of the disease. Aptamers have emerged as potential alternative to antibodies as affinity reagents in diagnostic field.

Exposure-based ecotoxicity assessment of CoO nanoparticles in marine microalgae.

The exposure-effect study was conducted to evaluate the effect of CoO nanoparticles on Tetraselmis suecica. The growth suppressing effect has been observed during the interaction between nanoparticles and microalgae as indicated by 72 h EC (effective concentration of a chemical at which 50% of its effect is observed) value (45.13±3.

AuPeroxidase nanozymes: Promises and applications in biosensing.

Nanozymes or enzyme mimetic nanostructures possessing intrinsic catalytic activity circumvent various limitations of natural enzymes and hence have emerged as their promising alternative. Gold nanostructures or their hybrids with other metals are popular nanozymes because of their easy synthesis, facile surface modifications, stability, and possessing excellent peroxidase activity. Since 2004, when peroxidase activity was reported for the first time in gold nanoparticles, numerous researches have been done on assessing their peroxidase activity with changing morphology, and making hybrid with different metals.

Aptamer-gold nanozyme based competitive lateral flow assay for rapid detection of CA125 in human serum.

For several decades, point-of-care technology (POCT) has proven its potential regarding swift and cost-efficient detection of analytes. Lateral flow assay is a highly popular POC technology that needs improvisation to increase its sensitivity, cost effectiveness and quantification so that it becomes more user friendly and affordable technology. In this context, the present study has investigated the use of aptamers and nanozymes together for the first time in developing an Aptamer-nanozyme lateral flow assay (ALFA).

Novel ssDNA Ligand Against Ovarian Cancer Biomarker CA125 With Promising Diagnostic Potential.

The diagnostic industry is always striving to explore specific and high-affinity recognition entities, sensitive probes, and newer technology or platforms to develop disease detection methods with lower production and time costs and with minimum interference or variability. Aptamers suffice as a reliable recognition element by addressing the issues mentioned earlier. Hence, this work focuses on screening high-affinity ssDNA ligands to capture an exemplary biomarker CA125 using membrane-SELEX technology coupled with aptainformatics (translational bioinformatics using aptamers).

Exposure of synthesized CoO nanoparticles to Chlorella minutissima: An ecotoxic evaluation in freshwater microalgae.

The current study focuses on the ecotoxicity of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoO NPs) in the aquatic environment towards freshwater microalgae, Chlorella minutissima. The interaction of CoO NPs with microalgae shows the growth suppressing effect. The 72 h EC (effective concentration of a chemical having 50% of its impact) values of CoO NPs for C.

Theranostic Nanostructures for Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) has emerged as one of the leading causes of death in women due to the lack of early-stage diagnosis resulting in impairment and delay in treatment of malignancy, which raises the morality rate. Existing diagnostic (pelvic examination, CA125, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or therapeutic modalities (radiotherapy, abdominal pelvic radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) are insufficient to decrease the 5-year survival rate. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively explored as probes for imaging or therapy of cancer.

Gold nanostructures as cancer theranostic probe: promises and hurdles.

Gold nanostructures (GNSts) have emerged as substitute for conventional contrast agents in imaging techniques and therapeutic probes due to their tunable surface plasmon resonance and optical properties in near-infrared region. Thus GNSts provide platform for the amalgamation of diagnosis and treatment (theranostics) into a single molecule for a more precise treatment. Hence, the article talks about the application of GNSts in imaging techniques and provide a holistic view on differently shaped GNSts in cancer theranostics.

Recent advancements in lateral flow immunoassays: A journey for toxin detection in food.

Biotechnology embraces various physical and chemical phenomena toward advancement of health diagnostics. Toward such advancement, detection of toxins plays an important role. Toxins produce severe health impacts on consumption with high mortality associated in acute cases.

Colorimetric sensing of malathion using palladium-gold bimetallic nanozyme.

In this work, a simple, sensitive and selective label free colorimetric assay using palladium-gold nanorod as nanozyme is reported for malathion detection. Study investigates the peroxidase potential of the nanozyme on colorimetric substrates and explores the effect of selected organophosphates on their enzyme mimetic activity. Palladium-gold nanozyme shows excellent peroxidase mimetic activity with O-phenylenediamine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Methylation of the Sox9 and Oct4 promoters and its correlation with gene expression during testicular development in the laboratory mouse.

Sox9 and Oct4 are two important regulatory factors involved in mammalian development. Sox9, a member of the group E Sox transcription factor family, has a crucial role in the development of the genitourinary system, while Oct4, commonly known as octamer binding transcription factor 4, belongs to class V of the transcription family. The expression of these two proteins exhibits a dynamic pattern with regard to their expression sites and levels.

Evaluation of gold nanoparticle based lateral flow assays for diagnosis of enterobacteriaceae members in food and water.

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are advantageous over conventional detection methods in terms of their simplicity and rapidity. These assays have been reported using various types of labels but colloidal gold nanoparticles are still the preferred choice as a label because of their easy synthesis, visual detection and stability. Bacterial contamination of food and drinking water is a major threat and hindrance towards ensuring food and water safety.

Study of promoter DNA methylation of Sox11 and its correlation with tissue-specific expression in the laboratory mouse.

Sox11, a member of the group C Sox transcription factor family, is predominantly expressed in the neurogenic areas of the adult brain. In the embryo, Sox11 is expressed in the developing nervous system in both glial and neuronal lineages. Its expression exhibits a dynamic pattern with respect to both expression sites and expression levels.

A competitive immunochromatographic strip assay for 17-α-hydroxy progesterone using colloidal gold nanoparticles.

Background: A rapid and competitive immunochromatographic strip (ICS) test has been developed using colloidal gold as nanoprobe for measuring 17-α-hydroxy progesterone in serum which is a marker for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an inborn error of metabolism.

Methods: Colloidal gold nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by reducing chloroauric acid with sodium citrate. The corresponding protein conjugate was prepared by passive adsorption of 17-α-hydroxy progesterone-3-carboxymethyl-bovine serum albumin (17-OHP-3-CMO-BSA) immunogen on the colloidal gold surface.

Colloidal gold probe based rapid immunochromatographic strip assay for cortisol.

A rapid and semi-quantitative immunochromatographic strip (ICS) test for cortisol analysis in serum was developed. The test strip was based on a competitive assay format. Colloidal gold nanoparticles were synthesized and coupled with cortisol-3-carboxymethyloxime-adipic acid dihydrazide-bovine serum albumin (F-3-CMO-ADH-BSA) antigen to directly compete with cortisol in human serum samples.

Development of ELISA for measurement of progesterone employing 17-alpha-OH-P-HRP as enzyme label.

The present study was aimed to develop a highly specific and sensitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to measure progesterone in human serum using a heterologous combination of immunogen and enzyme conjugate. The antiserum was raised against Progesterone-3-O-carboxymethyloxime bovine serum albumin (P-3-O-CMO-BSA) in New Zealand white rabbits. The enzyme conjugate was prepared by labeling 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone-3-O-carboxymethyloxime (17-alpha-OH-P-3-O-CMO) with Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) to form 17-alpha-OH-P-3-CMO-HRP.

A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cortisol using a long-chain biotinylated cortisol-3-CMO derivative.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using streptavidin-biotin system as a bridge between antibodies bound antigen and reporter molecule (horseradish peroxidase enzyme) has been described. The cortisol antiserum was generated against cortisol-3-O-carboxylmethyl oxime-bovine serum albumin (F-3-CMO-BSA). We have prepared biotin-labelled cortisol as a primary probe and utilized streptavidin-labelled horseradish peroxidase (SA-HRP) as secondary probe to monitor the antigen-antibody interaction.