Quantum dots in imaging, drug delivery and sensor applications

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the anticancer properties of pH-responsive carvacrol-zinc oxide quantum dots on breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231)

Since most solid tumors have a low pH value, a pH-responsive drug delivery system may offer a broad method for tumor-targeting treatment. The present study is used to analyze the anticancer activity of carvacrol-zinc oxide quantum dots (CVC-ZnO QDs) against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). CVC-ZnO QDs demonstrate pH responsive and are specifically released within the acidic pH tumor microenvironment. This property enables targeted drug delivery exclusively to cancer cells while minimizing the impact on normal cells. To the synthesized ZnO QDs, the CVC was loaded and then examined by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy. For up to 20 h, CVC release was examined in different pH-buffered solutions. The results showed that carvacrol release was stable in an acidic pH solution. Further, cytotoxicity assay, antioxidant, and lipid peroxidation activity, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear damage, and the ability of CVC-ZnO QDs to cause apoptosis were all examined. Apoptosis markers such as Bcl2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9, were also studied. In conclusion, the CVC-ZnO QDs destabilized the MDA-MB-231cells under its acidic tumor microenvironment and regulated apoptosis.

Evodiamine and its nano-based approaches for enhanced cancer therapy: recent advances and challenges

Evodiamine is a bioactive alkaloid extracted from the Evodia rutaecarpa plant. It has various pharmacological effects including anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-obesity, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-depressant, and cardiac protective properties. Evodiamine demonstrates potent anti-cancer activity by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Despite the health-promoting properties of evodiamine, its clinical use is hindered by low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and toxicity. Thus, there is a need to develop alternative drug delivery systems for evodiamine to enhance its solubility, permeability, and stability, as well as to facilitate targeted, prolonged, and controlled drug release. Nanocarriers can increase the therapeutic potential of evodiamine in cancer therapy while reducing adverse side effects. To date, numerous attempts have been made through the development of smart nanocarriers to overcome the drawbacks of evodiamine. This review focuses on the pharmacological applications, anti-cancer mechanisms, and limitations of evodiamine. Various nanocarriers, including lipid-based nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, cyclodextrins, and so forth, have been discussed extensively for evodiamine delivery. Nano-drug delivery systems could increase the solubility, bioavailability, stability, and therapeutic efficacy of evodiamine. This review aims to present a comprehensive and critical evaluation of several nano-formulations of evodiamine for cancer therapy. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

First-principles calculations on monolayer WX2 (X = S, Se) as an effective drug delivery carrier for anti-tuberculosis drugs

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern, necessitating the exploration of novel drug delivery systems to combat the challenges posed by conventional approaches. We investigated the potential of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) as an innovative platform for efficient and targeted delivery of antituberculosis drugs. Specifically, the electronic and optical properties of prominent TB drugs, isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA), adsorbed on tungsten diselenide (WSe2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) monolayers were studied using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The investigation revealed that the band gaps of WSe2 and WS2 monolayers remain unaltered upon adsorption of PZA or INH, with negative adsorption energy indicating stable physisorption. We explored different vertical and horizontal configurations, and the horizontal ones were more stable. When INH and PZA drugs were horizontally adsorbed together on WSe2, the most stable configuration was found with an adsorption energy of -2.35 eV. Moreover, the adsorbed drugs could be readily released by light within the visible or near-infrared (NIR) wavelength range. This opened up possibilities for their potential application in photothermal therapy, harnessing the unique properties of these 2D materials. The comprehensive analysis of the band structures and density of states provides valuable insights into how the drug molecules contributed to the conduction and valence bands. The optical responses of anti-TB drugs adsorbed in 2D WSe2 and WS2 were similar to those of pristine 2D WSe2 and WS2. We demonstrated the temperature-dependent release mechanism of our 2D WSe2 and WS2 drug complexes, confirming the feasibility of releasing the discussed anti-tuberculosis drugs by generating heat through photothermal therapy. These findings hold significant promise for developing innovative drug delivery systems that have enhanced efficacy for targeted and low-toxic TB treatment.

Cytotoxicity of Quantum Dots in Receptor-Mediated Endocytic and Pinocytic Pathways in Yeast

Despite the promising applications of the use of quantum dots (QDs) in the biomedical field, the long-lasting effects of QDs on the cell remain poorly understood. To comprehend the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of QDs in yeast, we characterized defects associated with receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME) as well as pinocytosis using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model in the presence of cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) QDs. Our findings revealed that QDs led to an inefficient RME at the early, intermediate, and late stages of endocytic patch maturation at the endocytic site, with the prolonged lifespan of GFP fused yeast fimbrin (Sac6-GFP), a late marker of endocytosis. The transit of FM1-43, a lipophilic dye from the plasma membrane to the vacuole, was severely retarded in the presence of QDs. Finally, QDs caused an accumulation of monomeric red fluorescent protein fused carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (mRFP-Cps1), a vacuolar lumen marker in the vacuole. In summary, the present study provides novel insights into the possible impact of CdSe/ZnS QDs on the endocytic machinery, enabling a deeper comprehension of QD toxicity.

Revolutionizing eye care: the game-changing applications of nano-antioxidants in ophthalmology

Since the theory of free radical-induced aging was proposed in 1956, it has been constantly proven that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by oxidative stress play a vital role in the occurrence and progression of eye diseases. However, the inherent limitations of traditional drug therapy hindered the development of ophthalmic disease treatment. In recent years, great achievements have been made in the research of nanomedicine, which promotes the rapid development of safe theranostics in ophthalmology. In this review, we focus on the applications of antioxidant nanomedicine in the treatment of ophthalmology. The eye diseases were mainly classified into two categories: ocular surface diseases and posterior eye diseases. In each part, we first introduced the pathology of specific diseases about oxidative stress, and then presented the representative application examples of nano-antioxidants in eye disease therapy. Meanwhile, the nanocarriers that were used, the mechanism of function, and the therapeutic effect were also presented. Finally, we summarized the latest research progress and limitations of antioxidant nanomedicine for eye disease treatment and put forward the prospects of future development.

Recent advances of nanoparticles on bone tissue engineering and bone cells

With the development of biotechnology, biomaterials have been rapidly developed and shown great potential in bone regeneration therapy and bone tissue engineering. Nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researches and have applied in various fields especially in the biomedical field as the special physicochemical properties. Nanoparticles were found to regulate bone remodeling depending on their size, shape, composition, and charge. Therefore, in-depth research was necessary to provide the basic support to select the most suitable nanoparticles for bone relate diseases treatment. This article reviews the current development of nanoparticles in bone tissue engineering, focusing on drug delivery, gene delivery, and cell labeling. In addition, the research progress on the interaction of nanoparticles with bone cells, focusing on osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and the underlying mechanism were also reviewed. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions are discussed. Thus, detailed study of nanoparticles may reveal new therapeutic strategies to improve the effectiveness of bone regeneration therapy or other bone diseases.

Oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity of quantum dots and influencing factors

Quantum dots (QDs) have significant potential for treating and diagnosing CNS diseases. Meanwhile, the neurotoxicity of QDs has garnered attention. In this review, we focus on elucidating the mechanisms and consequences of CNS oxidative stress induced by QDs. First, we discussed the pathway of QDs transit into the brain. We then elucidate the relationship between QDs and oxidative stress from in vivo and in vitro studies. Furthermore, the main reasons and adverse outcomes of QDs leading to oxidative stress are discussed. In addition, the primary factors that may affect the neurotoxicity of QDs are analyzed. Finally, we propose potential strategies for mitigating QDs neurotoxicity and outline future perspectives for their development.

CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots' Impact on In Vitro Actin Dynamics

Quantum dots (QDs) are a novel type of nanomaterial that has unique optical and physical characteristics. As such, QDs are highly desired because of their potential to be used in both biomedical and industrial applications. However, the mass adoption of QDs usage has raised concerns among the scientific community regarding QDs' toxicity. Although many papers have reported the negative impact of QDs on a cellular level, the exact mechanism of the QDs' toxicity is still unclear. In this investigation, we study the adverse effects of QDs by focusing on one of the most important cellular processes: actin polymerization and depolymerization. Our results showed that QDs act in a biphasic manner where lower concentrations of QDs stimulate the polymerization of actin, while high concentrations of QDs inhibit actin polymerization. Furthermore, we found that QDs can bind to filamentous actin (F-actin) and cause bundling of the filament while also promoting actin depolymerization. Through this study, we found a novel mechanism in which QDs negatively influence cellular processes and exert toxicity.

Nanotechnology's Applications and Potential in Various Fields

Since ancient times, several sorts of nanoparticles have been employed in the quickly expanding field of nanotechnology. These features include size, shape, and chemical as well as physical properties. Because of their small size and huge surface area, carbon-based nanoparticles, including fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, and carbon-based quantum dots, have attracted a lot of attention in a variety of sectors, including biomedical applications. Lipid bilayers form the spherical vesicles known as liposomes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents are iron oxide nanoparticles. These materials are perfect for drug and delivery of genes, bioimaging, and bone repair because of their remarkable mechanical, electrical, visual, and chemical properties. However, concerns about potential asbestos-related diseases have arisen due to their length-to-width aspect ratio. Ceramic nanoparticles, on the other hand, are a common material in daily life and play a crucial role in bone repair, multiscale hybridisation, and aerospace structures. These nanoparticles can enhance osseointegration and bone development by mimicking the nanocomposition and nanoscale characteristics of bone tissue and enhance osteoconductive and osteoinductive capacities. Ceramic nanoparticles, however, have the potential to generate oxidative stress, which can result in irritation of the reticuloendothelial system, cytotoxicity to the heart, liver, and lungs, as well as toxicity to the cells that are attached. Additionally, oxidative stress, cell damage, and genotoxicity might result from the generation of free radicals by ceramic nanoparticles. Metal nanoparticles exhibit linear optical properties similar to molecular systems but arise from a different physical process. Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are made from various compounds, such as silicon and germanium. Polyandry nanoparticles are particles approximately 10 and 10000 nanometers (nm) in size that can contain active substances. They have applications in vaccine delivery, gene therapy, and polymer nanoparticles (nanomedicine) for therapeutic applications.

Recent Trends in Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery System for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, requiring innovative approaches for improved therapeutic outcomes. In recent years, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to address the limitations of conventional cancer chemotherapy. The key trends include utilizing nanoparticles for enhancing drug delivery to prostate cancer cells. Nanoparticles have some advantages such as improved drug solubility, prolonged circulation time, and targeted delivery of drugs. Encapsulation of chemotherapeutic agents within nanoparticles allows for controlled release kinetics, reducing systemic toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, site-specific accumulation within the prostate tumor microenvironment is made possible by the functionalization of nanocarrier with targeted ligands, improving therapeutic effectiveness. This article highlights the basics of prostate cancer, statistics of prostate cancer, mechanism of multidrug resistance, targeting approach, and different types of nanocarrier used for the treatment of prostate cancer. It also includes the applications of nanocarriers for the treatment of prostate cancer and clinical trial studies to validate the safety and efficacy of the innovative drug delivery systems. The article focused on developing nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems, with the goal of translating these advancements into clinical applications in the future.

Lawsonia inermis-organically modified chitosan intercalated bentonite clay: A multifunctional nanotheranostic system for controlled drug delivery, sensing and cellular imaging

This study presents the development of organo-bentonites (OBs); a cost-effective drug delivery system holding both sensing and imaging capabilities. The OBs were synthesized using quaternary ammonium cations derived from chitosan, Lawsonia inermis, and pyrene/anthracene carboxaldehyde combinations through a three-step process: Mannich reaction, quaternization, and intercalation. Physicochemical characterization confirms the organic modification of bentonite. The OBs: NQPB and NQAB hold substantial ciprofloxacin (Cipro) loading capacities (71.51 % and 78.04 %, respectively) and exhibit pH-dependent release profiles, suggesting their potential use as drug delivery platforms. Cell viability evaluation by MTT and live-dead assays indicates favourable results. Both OBs demonstrate fluorescence within the 450-500 nm range, and they display concentration-dependent fluorescence quenching and enhancement for NQPB and NQAB, respectively, in the presence of tryptophan (Trp), making them suitable for its detection. Confocal analysis further enunciates the live intracellular fluorescence upon OB uptake. In summary, the intrinsically fluorescent mesoporous OBs synthesized from Lawsonia inermis and chitosan exhibit multifunctionality, including Cipro delivery, Trp sensing, and live cell imaging. Among the OBs, NQAB could be considered as a promising theranostic platform owing to its superior cytocompatibility (>80 %), appreciable fluorescence, and controlled release profile.

Quantum Dot Imaging Agents: Haematopoietic Cell Interactions and Biocompatibility

Quantum dots (QDs) are semi-conducting nanoparticles that have been developed for a range of biological and non-biological functions. They can be tuned to multiple different emission wavelengths and can have significant benefits over other fluorescent systems. Many studies have utilised QDs with a cadmium-based core; however, these QDs have since been shown to have poor biological compatibility. Therefore, other QDs, such as indium phosphide QDs, have been developed. These QDs retain excellent fluorescent intensity and tunability but are thought to have elevated biological compatibility. Herein we discuss the applicability of a range of QDs to the cardiovascular system. Key disease states such as myocardial infarction and stroke are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and there is an opportunity to improve clinical imaging to aide clinical outcomes for these disease states. QDs offer potential clinical benefits given their ability to perform multiple functions, such as carry an imaging agent, a therapy, and a targeting motif. Two key cell types associated with CVD are platelets and immune cells. Both cell types play key roles in establishing an inflammatory environment within CVD, and as such aid the formation of pathological thrombi. However, it is unclear at present how and with which cell types QDs interact, and if they potentially drive unwanted changes or activation of these cell types. Therefore, although QDs show great promise for boosting imaging capability, further work needs to be completed to fully understand their biological compatibility.

Exploring the current landscape of chitosan-based hybrid nanoplatforms as cancer theragnostic

In the last decade, investigators have put significant efforts to develop several diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against cancer. Many novel nanoplatforms, including lipidic, metallic, and inorganic nanocarriers, have shown massive potential at preclinical and clinical stages for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Each of these nano-systems is distinct with its own benefits and limitations. The need to overcome the limitations of single-component nano-systems, improve their morphological and biological features, and achieve multiple functionalities has resulted in the emergence of hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs). These HNPs integrate multicomponent nano-systems with diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single nano-system serving as promising nanotools for cancer theragnostic applications. Chitosan (CS) being a mucoadhesive, biodegradable, and biocompatible biopolymer, has emerged as an essential element for the development of HNPs offering several advantages over conventional nanoparticles including pH-dependent drug delivery, sustained drug release, and enhanced nanoparticle stability. In addition, the free protonable amino groups in the CS backbone offer flexibility to its structure, making it easy for the modification and functionalization of CS, resulting in better drug targetability and cell uptake. This review discusses in detail the existing different oncology-directed CS-based HNPs including their morphological characteristics, in-vitro/in-vivo outcomes, toxicity concerns, hurdles in clinical translation, and future prospects.

Antibacterial Activity and Cytotoxicity Screening of Acyldepsipeptide-1 Analogues Conjugated to Silver/Indium/Sulphide Quantum Dots

The continuous rise in bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance is the driving force behind the search for new antibacterial agents with novel modes of action. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have recently gained attention as promising antibiotic agents with the potential to treat drug-resistant infections. Several AMPs have shown a lower propensity towards developing resistance compared to conventional antibiotics. However, these peptides, especially acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) present with unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, such as high toxicity and low bioavailability. Different ways to improve these peptides to be drug-like molecules have been explored, and these include using biocompatible nano-carriers. ADEP1 analogues (SC005-8) conjugated to gelatin-capped Silver/Indium/Sulfide (AgInS2) quantum dots (QDs) improved the antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. The ADEP1 analogues exhibited minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) between 63 and 500 µM, and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) values between 125 and 750 µM. The AgInS2-ADEP1 analogue conjugates showed enhanced antibacterial activity as evident from the MIC and MBC values, i.e., 1.6-25 µM and 6.3-100 µM, respectively. The AgInS2-ADEP1 analogue conjugates were non-toxic against HEK-293 cells at concentrations that showed antibacterial activity. The findings reported herein could be helpful in the development of antibacterial treatment strategies.

A fluorescence-based immunochromatographic assay using quantum dot-encapsulated nanoparticles for the rapid and sensitive detection of fetuin-B

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Earlier detection of CAD improves treatment outcomes and secondary prevention. The circulating fetuin-B protein is considered to be a promising biomarker for the early detection of CAD. However, a facile and reliable clinical test for fetuin-B is still lacking. Herein, we describe a reliable fluorescent biosensor for detecting fetuin-B in plasma that combines quantum dots-doped polystyrene nanoparticles with an immunochromatographic assay strip (QNPs-ICAS). The QNPs served as detection signals in the QNPs-ICAS sensor system, which was based on a double-antibody sandwich structure. Under optimum experimental conditions, the biosensor exhibited a broad linear range of 1-200 ng mL-1 and a low detection limit of 0.299 ng mL-1. Furthermore, the proposed immunosensor demonstrated high sensitivity, satisfactory selectivity, good reproducibility, and excellent recovery. Finally, the performance and applicability of our QNPs-based ICAS system were validated in clinical samples using a commercial ELISA kit with excellent correlations (r = 0.98451, n = 116). To conclude, the proposed sensor served as a rapid, sensitive, and accurate method for detecting fetuin-B in actual clinical samples, thereby demonstrating its potential for preliminary CAD screening and diagnosis.

Carbon quantum dots derived from polysaccharides: Chemistry and potential applications

Since the beginning of 21th century, nanoscience and nanotechnology become the most promising topics in various fields, attributing to the superior characters of nanoscaled structures. The conventional quantum dots are substituted with new family of luminescent nanostructures, owing to their interchanged optical properties, low-cost of fabrication, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, ecofriendly, hydrophilicity and superior chemical stability. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were recently investigated for their simple synthesis, bio-consonance, and different revelation applicability. Obeying the green chemistry aspects, this review demonstrates an overview about CQDs generated from polysaccharides in brief, with a background on CQDs discovery, chemical composition, green synthesis via exploitation of different polysaccharides (cellulose, starch, pectin, chitin, etc) as biocompatible/biodegradable abundant biopolymers. Additionally, applications of CQDs originated from polysaccharides in environmental purposes, textiles industry and medical activities were also presented.

Applications of Bioengineered Polymer in the Field of Nano-Based Drug Delivery

The most favored route of drug administration is oral administration; however, several factors, including poor solubility, low bioavailability, and degradation, in the severe gastrointestinal environment frequently compromise the effectiveness of drugs taken orally. Bioengineered polymers have been developed to overcome these difficulties and enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents. Polymeric nanoparticles, including carbon dots, fullerenes, and quantum dots, have emerged as crucial components in this context. They provide a novel way to deliver various therapeutic materials, including proteins, vaccine antigens, and medications, precisely to the locations where they are supposed to have an effect. The promise of this integrated strategy, which combines nanoparticles with bioengineered polymers, is to address the drawbacks of conventional oral medication delivery such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, and early degradation. In recent years, we have seen substantially increased interest in bioengineered polymers because of their distinctive qualities, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and flexible physicochemical characteristics. The different bioengineered polymers, such as chitosan, alginate, and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), can shield medications or antigens from degradation in unfavorable conditions and aid in the administration of drugs orally through mucosal delivery with lower cytotoxicity, thus used in targeted drug delivery. Future research in this area should focus on optimizing the physicochemical properties of these polymers to improve their performance as drug delivery carriers.

Tumor-tropic Trojan horses: Using mesenchymal stem cells as cellular nanotheranostics

Various classes of nanotheranostics have been developed for enhanced tumor imaging and therapy. However, key limitations for a successful use of nanotheranostics include their targeting specificity with limited off-site tissue accumulation as well as their distribution and prolonged retention throughout the entire tumor. Due to their inherent tumor-tropic properties, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a "Trojan horse" has recently been proposed to deliver nanotheranostics more effectively. This review discusses the current status of "cellular nanotheranostics" for combined (multimodal) imaging and therapy in preclinical cancer models. Emphasis is placed on the limited knowledge of the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of MSC tumor-tropism, and how such information may be exploited to engineer MSCs in order to further improve tumor homing and nanotheranostic delivery using image-guided procedures.

Quantum technology for development framework as a tool for science diplomacy

The state-of-the-art quantum technologies leverage the unique principles of quantum mechanics, which include quantization, uncertainty principle, interference, entanglement and decoherence, to produce useful devices and scientific advancements not possible with classical technologies. As a result, quantum technologies, in particular, offer specific advantages that make communications networks secure and unbreakable and devices with unprecedented levels of accuracy, responsiveness, reliability, scalability and efficiency than classical emerging technologies. These capabilities can contribute significantly to addressing energy, agriculture, climate change, national security, healthcare, education and economic growth challenges. Unfortunately, these developments in these areas have not been evenly distributed between the Global North and the Global South, inadvertently creating a societal and economic gap. Closing this gap is critical to creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for all, thus delivering key sustainable goals. Therefore, to close this gap, this article proposes a quantum diplomacy framework as a means to deliver science diplomacy. Moreover, we discuss how emerging quantum technologies could profoundly impact all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We consider this work a timely and vital intervention to prevent the gap from increasing.

The Impact of Cadmium Selenide Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots on the Proteomic Profile of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Quantum dots (QDs) have been highly sought after in the past few decades for their potential to be used in many biomedical applications. However, QDs' cytotoxicity is still a major concern that limits the incorporation of QDs into cutting-edge technologies. Thus, it is important to study and understand the mechanism by which QDs exert their toxicity. Although many studies have explored the cytotoxicity of quantum dots through the transcriptomic level and reactive species generation, the impact of quantum dots on the expression of cellular protein remains unclear. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism, we studied the effect of cadmium selenide zinc sulfide quantum dots (CdSe/ZnS QDs) on the proteomic profile of budding yeast cells. We found a total of 280 differentially expressed proteins after 6 h of CdSe/ZnS QDs treatment. Among these, 187 proteins were upregulated, and 93 proteins were downregulated. The majority of upregulated proteins were found to be associated with transcription/RNA processing, intracellular trafficking, and ribosome biogenesis. On the other hand, many of the downregulated proteins are associated with cellular metabolic pathways and mitochondrial components. Through this study, the cytotoxicity of CdSe/ZnS QDs on the proteomic level was revealed, providing a more well-rounded knowledge of QDs' toxicity.

Nanotechnology-based techniques for hair follicle regeneration

The hair follicle (HF) is a multicellular complex structure of the skin that contains a reservoir of multipotent stem cells. Traditional hair repair methods such as drug therapies, hair transplantation, and stem cell therapy have limitations. Advances in nanotechnology offer new approaches for HF regeneration, including controlled drug release and HF-specific targeting. Until recently, embryogenesis was thought to be the only mechanism for forming hair follicles. However, in recent years, the phenomenon of wound-induced hair neogenesis (WIHN) or de novo HF regeneration has gained attention as it can occur under certain conditions in wound beds. This review covers HF-specific targeting strategies, with particular emphasis on currently used nanotechnology-based strategies for both hair loss-related diseases and HF regeneration. HF regeneration is discussed in several modalities: modulation of the hair cycle, stimulation of progenitor cells and signaling pathways, tissue engineering, WIHN, and gene therapy. The HF has been identified as an ideal target for nanotechnology-based strategies for hair regeneration. However, some regulatory challenges may delay the development of HF regeneration nanotechnology based-strategies, which will be lastly discussed.

Temperature- and Size-Dependent Photoluminescence of CuInS2 Quantum Dots

We present the results of a temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy study on CuInS2 quantum dots (QDs). In order to elucidate the influence of QD size on PL temperature dependence, size-selective precipitation was used to obtain several nanoparticle fractions. Additionally, the nanoparticles' morphology and chemical composition were studied using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The obtained QDs showed luminescence in the visible-near infrared range. The PL energy, linewidth, and intensity were studied within an 11-300 K interval. For all fractions, a temperature decrease led to a shift in the emission maximum to higher energies and pronounced growth of the PL intensity down to 75-100 K. It was found that for large particle fractions, the PL intensity started to decrease, with temperature decreasing below 75 K, while the PL intensity of small nanoparticles remained stable.

Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Extended-Release Delivery of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): A Comprehensive Review

There has been a significant shift in the perception of hypertension as an important contributor to the global disease burden. Approximately 6 % and 8 % of pregnancies are affected by hypertension, which can adversely affect the mother and the fetus. Furthermore, a hypertensive individual is at increased risk of developing kidney disease, arterial hardening, eye damage, and strokes. Using angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is widespread in treating hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and diabetic nephropathy. Despite this, some ARBs have limited use due to their poor oral bioavailability and water solubility. To tackle this, a variety of nanoparticle (NP)-based systems, such as polymeric NPs (i. e., dendrimers), polymeric micelles, polymer-drug conjugates, lipid NPs, nanoemulsions, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS), solid lipid NPs (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), carbon-based nanocarriers, inorganic NPs, and nanocrystals, have been recently developed for efficient delivery of losartan, Valsartan (Val), Olmesartan (OLM), Telmisartan (TEL), Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, and Azilsartan to target cells. This review article provides a literature-based comparison of the various classes of ARBs, their mechanisms of action, and an overview of the nanoformulations developed for ARB delivery and successfully applied to managing hypertension, diabetic complications, and other conditions.

Trends in Nanoparticles for Leishmania Treatment: A Bibliometric and Network Analysis

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical illness with a wide variety of clinical signs ranging from visceral to cutaneous symptoms, resulting in millions of new cases and thousands of fatalities reported annually. This article provides a bibliometric analysis of the main authors' contributions, institutions, and nations in terms of productivity, citations, and bibliographic linkages to the application of nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of leishmania. The study is based on a sample of 524 Scopus documents from 1991 to 2022. Utilising the Bibliometrix R-Tool version 4.0 and VOSviewer software, version 1.6.17 the analysis was developed. We identified crucial subjects associated with the application of NPs in the field of antileishmanial development (NPs and drug formulation for leishmaniasis treatment, animal models, and experiments). We selected research topics that were out of date and oversaturated. Simultaneously, we proposed developing subjects based on multiple analyses of the corpus of published scientific literature (title, abstract, and keywords). Finally, the technique used contributed to the development of a broader and more specific "big picture" of nanomedicine research in antileishmanial studies for future projects.

An Update on Strategies to Deliver Protein and Peptide Drugs to the Eye

In the past few decades, advancements in protein engineering, biotechnology, and structural biochemistry have resulted in the discovery of various techniques that enhanced the production yield of proteins, targetability, circulating half-life, product purity, and functionality of proteins and peptides. As a result, the utilization of proteins and peptides has increased in the treatment of many conditions, including ocular diseases. Ocular delivery of large molecules poses several challenges due to their high molecular weight, hydrophilicity, unstable nature, and poor permeation through cellular and enzymatic barriers. The use of novel strategies for delivering protein and peptides such as glycoengineering, PEGylation, Fc-fusion, chitosan nanoparticles, and liposomes have improved the efficacy, safety, and stability, which consequently expanded the therapeutic potential of proteins. This review article highlights various proteins and peptides that are useful in ocular disorders, challenges in their delivery to the eye, and strategies to enhance ocular bioavailability using novel delivery approaches. In addition, a few futuristic approaches that will assist in the ocular delivery of proteins and peptides were also discussed.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) delivery approaches in regenerative medicine

The utilization of growth factors in the process of tissue regeneration has garnered significant interest and has been the subject of extensive research. However, despite the fervent efforts invested in recent clinical trials, a considerable number of these studies have produced outcomes that are deemed unsatisfactory. It is noteworthy that the trials that have yielded the most satisfactory outcomes have exhibited a shared characteristic, namely, the existence of a mechanism for the regulated administration of growth factors. Despite the extensive exploration of drug delivery vehicles and their efficacy in delivering certain growth factors, the development of a reliable predictive approach for the delivery of delicate growth factors like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) remains elusive. VEGF plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis; however, the administration of VEGF demands a meticulous approach as it necessitates precise localization and transportation to a specific target tissue. This process requires prolonged and sustained exposure to a low concentration of VEGF. Inaccurate administration of drugs, either through off-target effects or inadequate delivery, may heighten the risk of adverse reactions and potentially result in tumorigenesis. At present, there is a scarcity of technologies available for the accurate encapsulation of VEGF and its subsequent sustained and controlled release. The objective of this review is to present and assess diverse categories of VEGF administration mechanisms. This paper examines various systems, including polymeric, liposomal, hydrogel, inorganic, polyplexes, and microfluidic, and evaluates the appropriate dosage of VEGF for multiple applications.

Interactions between Quantum Dots and G-Actin

Quantum dots (QDs) are a type of nanoparticle with excellent optical properties, suitable for many optical-based biomedical applications. However, the potential of quantum dots to be used in clinical settings is limited by their toxicity. As such, much effort has been invested to examine the mechanism of QDs' toxicity. Yet, the current literature mainly focuses on ROS- and apoptosis-mediated cell death induced by QDs, which overlooks other aspects of QDs' toxicity. Thus, our study aimed to provide another way by which QDs negatively impact cellular processes by investigating the possibility of protein structure and function modification upon direct interaction. Through shotgun proteomics, we identified a number of QD-binding proteins, which are functionally associated with essential cellular processes and components, such as transcription, translation, vesicular trafficking, and the actin cytoskeleton. Among these proteins, we chose to closely examine the interaction between quantum dots and actin, as actin is one of the most abundant proteins in cells and plays crucial roles in cellular processes and structural maintenance. We found that CdSe/ZnS QDs spontaneously bind to G-actin in vitro, causing a static quenching of G-actin's intrinsic fluorescence. Furthermore, we found that this interaction favors the formation of a QD-actin complex with a binding ratio of 1:2.5. Finally, we also found that CdSe/ZnS QDs alter the secondary structure of G-actin, which may affect G-actin's function and properties. Overall, our study provides an in-depth mechanistic examination of the impact of CdSe/ZnS QDs on G-actin, proposing that direct interaction is another aspect of QDs' toxicity.

Unleashing novel horizons in advanced prostate cancer treatment: investigating the potential of prostate specific membrane antigen-targeted nanomedicine-based combination therapy

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignancy with increasing incidence in middle-aged and older men. Despite various treatment options, advanced metastatic PCa remains challenging with poor prognosis and limited effective therapies. Nanomedicine, with its targeted drug delivery capabilities, has emerged as a promising approach to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce adverse effects. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) stands as one of the most distinctive and highly selective biomarkers for PCa, exhibiting robust expression in PCa cells. In this review, we explore the applications of PSMA-targeted nanomedicines in advanced PCa management. Our primary objective is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge nanomedicine research and clinical practice, making it accessible to the medical community. We discuss mainstream treatment strategies for advanced PCa, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, in the context of PSMA-targeted nanomedicines. Additionally, we elucidate novel treatment concepts such as photodynamic and photothermal therapies, along with nano-theragnostics. We present the content in a clear and accessible manner, appealing to general physicians, including those with limited backgrounds in biochemistry and bioengineering. The review emphasizes the potential benefits of PSMA-targeted nanomedicines in enhancing treatment efficiency and improving patient outcomes. While the use of PSMA-targeted nano-drug delivery has demonstrated promising results, further investigation is required to comprehend the precise mechanisms of action, pharmacotoxicity, and long-term outcomes. By meticulous optimization of the combination of nanomedicines and PSMA ligands, a novel horizon of PSMA-targeted nanomedicine-based combination therapy could bring renewed hope for patients with advanced PCa.

Recent Breakthroughs in Using Quantum Dots for Cancer Imaging and Drug Delivery Purposes

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Because each person's cancer may be unique, diagnosing and treating cancer is challenging. Advances in nanomedicine have made it possible to detect tumors and quickly investigate tumor cells at a cellular level in contrast to prior diagnostic techniques. Quantum dots (QDs) are functional nanoparticles reported to be useful for diagnosis. QDs are semiconducting tiny nanocrystals, 2-10 nm in diameter, with exceptional and useful optoelectronic properties that can be tailored to sensitively report on their environment. This review highlights these exceptional semiconducting QDs and their properties and synthesis methods when used in cancer diagnostics. The conjugation of reporting or binding molecules to the QD surface is discussed. This review summarizes the most recent advances in using QDs for in vitro imaging, in vivo imaging, and targeted drug delivery platforms in cancer applications.

Arthritic Microenvironment-Dictated Fate Decisions for Stem Cells in Cartilage Repair

The microenvironment and stem cell fate guidance of post-traumatic articular cartilage regeneration is primarily the focus of cartilage tissue engineering. In articular cartilage, stem cells are characterized by overlapping lineages and uneven effectiveness. Within the first 12 weeks after trauma, the articular inflammatory microenvironment (AIME) plays a decisive role in determining the fate of stem cells and cartilage. The development of fibrocartilage and osteophyte hyperplasia is an adverse outcome of chronic inflammation, which results from an imbalance in the AIME during the cartilage tissue repair process. In this review, the sources for the different types of stem cells and their fate are summarized. The main pathophysiological events that occur within the AIME as well as their protagonists are also discussed. Additionally, regulatory strategies that may guide the fate of stem cells within the AIME are proposed. Finally, strategies that provide insight into AIME pathophysiology are discussed and the design of new materials that match the post-traumatic progress of AIME pathophysiology in a spatial and temporal manner is guided. Thus, by regulating an appropriately modified inflammatory microenvironment, efficient stem cell-mediated tissue repair may be achieved.

Biopolymer-Based Nanosystems: Potential Novel Carriers for Kidney Drug Delivery

Kidney disease has become a serious public health problem throughout the world, and its treatment and management constitute a huge global economic burden. Currently, the main clinical treatments are not sufficient to cure kidney diseases. During its development, nanotechnology has shown unprecedented potential for application to kidney diseases. However, nanotechnology has disadvantages such as high cost and poor bioavailability. In contrast, biopolymers are not only widely available but also highly bioavailable. Therefore, biopolymer-based nanosystems offer new promising solutions for the treatment of kidney diseases. This paper reviews the biopolymer-based nanosystems that have been used for renal diseases and describes strategies for the specific, targeted delivery of drugs to the kidney as well as the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles that affect the targeting success.

Hybrid Nanoplatforms Comprising Organic Nanocompartments Encapsulating Inorganic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Drug Delivery and Bioimaging Applications

Organic and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention due to their unique physico-chemical properties, which have paved the way for their application in numerous fields including diagnostics and therapy. Recently, hybrid nanomaterials consisting of organic nanocompartments (e.g., liposomes, micelles, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) NPs, dendrimers, or chitosan NPs) encapsulating inorganic NPs (quantum dots, or NPs made of gold, silver, silica, or magnetic materials) have been researched for usage in vivo as drug-delivery or theranostic agents. These classes of hybrid multi-particulate systems can enable or facilitate the use of inorganic NPs in biomedical applications. Notably, integration of inorganic NPs within organic nanocompartments results in improved NP stability, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced systemic toxicity. Moreover, these hybrid nanomaterials allow synergistic interactions between organic and inorganic NPs, leading to further improvements in therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, these platforms can also serve as multifunctional agents capable of advanced bioimaging and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, with great potential for clinical applications. By considering these advancements in the field of nanomedicine, this review aims to provide an overview of recent developments in the use of hybrid nanoparticulate systems that consist of organic nanocompartments encapsulating inorganic NPs for applications in drug delivery, bioimaging, and theranostics.

Biosynthesized nanoparticles: a novel approach for cancer therapeutics

Nanotechnology has become one of the most rapid, innovative, and adaptable sciences in modern science and cancer therapy. Traditional chemotherapy has limits owing to its non-specific nature and adverse side effects on healthy cells, and it remains a serious worldwide health issue. Because of their capacity to specifically target cancer cells and deliver therapeutic chemicals directly to them, nanoparticles have emerged as a viable strategy for cancer therapies. Nanomaterials disclose novel properties based on size, distribution, and shape. Biosynthesized or biogenic nanoparticles are a novel technique with anti-cancer capabilities, such as triggering apoptosis in cancer cells and slowing tumour growth. They may be configured to deliver medications or other therapies to specific cancer cells or tumour markers. Despite their potential, biosynthesized nanoparticles confront development obstacles such as a lack of standardisation in their synthesis and characterization, the possibility of toxicity, and their efficiency against various forms of cancer. The effectiveness and safety of biosynthesized nanoparticles must be further investigated, as well as the types of cancer they are most successful against. This review discusses the promise of biosynthesized nanoparticles as a novel approach for cancer therapeutics, as well as their mode of action and present barriers to their development.

Detection of enrofloxacin residues in dairy products based on their fluorescence quenching effect on AgInS2 QDs

Water-soluble AgInS₂ (AIS) quantum dots (QDs) were successfully prepared through the one-pot water phase method with thioglycolic acid (TGA) as the stabilizing agent. Because enrofloxacin (ENR) effectively quenches the fluorescence of AIS QDs, a highly-sensitive fluorescence detection method is proposed to detect ENR residues in milk. Under optimal detection conditions, there was a good linear relationship between the relative fluorescence quenching amount (ΔF/F₀) of AgInS₂ with ENR and ENR concentration (C). The detection range was 0.3125-20.00 μg/mL, r = 0.9964, and the detection limit (LOD) was 0.024 μg/mL (n = 11). The average recovery of ENR in milk ranged from 95.43 to 114.28%. The method established in this study has advantages including a high sensitivity, a low detection limit, simple operation and a low cost. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of AIS QDs with ENR was discussed and the dynamic quenching mechanism of light-induced electron transfer was proposed.

Association of nanoparticles and Nrf2 with various oxidative stress-mediated diseases

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that regultes the cellular antioxidant defense system at the posttranscriptional level. During oxidative stress, Nrf2 is released from its negative regulator Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and binds to antioxidant response element (ARE) to transcribe antioxidative metabolizing/detoxifying genes. Various transcription factors like aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) and epigenetic modification including DNA methylation and histone methylation might also regulate the expression of Nrf2. Despite its protective role, Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling is considered as a pharmacological target due to its involvement in various pathophysiological conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, hepatotoxicity and kidney disorders. Recently, nanomaterials have received a lot of attention due to their unique physiochemical properties and are also used in various biological applications, for example, biosensors, drug delivery systems, cancer therapy, etc. In this review, we will be discussing the functions of nanoparticles and Nrf2 as a combined therapy or sensitizing agent and their significance in various diseases such as diabetes, cancer and oxidative stress-mediated diseases.

Clinical evaluation of polymerase chain reaction coupled with quantum dot fluorescence analysis in the identification of bacteria and yeasts in patients with suspected bloodstream infections

Bloodstream infections are serious and complex infectious diseases that often require a rapid diagnosis. Polymerase chain reaction coupled with quantum dot fluorescence analysis (PCR-QDFA) is a novel diagnostic technique. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PCR-QDFA for pathogen detection in patients with suspected bloodstream infections (BSIs). It evaluates 29 kinds of common pathogens (24 bacteria and 5 yeasts) from blood culture bottles. The results of PCR-QDFA identification and traditional microbial laboratory identification were compared, and the latter was used as the 'gold standard' to analyse the diagnostic performance of the PCR-QDFA. In total, 517 blood culture bottles were included in this study. The PCR-QDFA identified microorganisms in 368/422 (87.2%) samples with monomicrobial growth. For the pathogens on the PCR-QDFA list, the assay showed a higher sensitivity of 97.4% (368/378). When polymicrobial growth was analysed, the PCR-QDFA successfully detected 19/25 (76%) microorganisms on the PCR-QDFA list. In addition, 82/82 negative blood culture bottles also showed no pathogens by PCR-QDFA with a specificity of 100%. In conclusion, the PCR-QDFA assay could identify a majority of the common pathogens encountered in clinical practice, showing excellent diagnostic performance for pathogen detection in patients with suspected BSIs.

Super-resolution fluorescence microscopic imaging in pathogenesis and drug treatment of neurological disease

Since super-resolution fluorescence microscopic technology breaks the diffraction limit that has existed for a long time in optical imaging, it can observe the process of synapses formed between nerve cells and the protein aggregation related to neurological disease. Thus, super-resolution fluorescence microscopic imaging has significantly impacted several industries, including drug development and pathogenesis research, and it is anticipated that it will significantly alter the future of life science research. Here, we focus on several typical super-resolution fluorescence microscopic technologies, introducing their benefits and drawbacks, as well as applications in several common neurological diseases, in the hope that their services will be expanded and improved in the pathogenesis and drug treatment of neurological diseases.

Gold nanoclusters Cys-Au NCs as selective fluorescent probes for "on-off-on" detection of Fe3+ and ascorbic acid

Gold nanoclusters exhibit attractive properties owing to their excellent biocompatibility and strong photostability in the biomedical domain. In this research, cysteine-protected fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Cys-Au NCs) were synthesized via decomposing Au(i)-thiolate complexes for the detection of Fe³⁺ and ascorbic acid in a bidirectional "on-off-on" mode. Meanwhile, the detailed characterization confirmed that the mean particle size of the prepared fluorescent probe was 2.43 nm and showed a fluorescence quantum yield of 3.31%. In addition, our results indicate that the fluorescence probe for ferric ions exhibited a broad detection scope ranging from 0.1 to 2000 μM and excellent selectivity. The as-prepared Cys-Au NCs/Fe³⁺ was demonstrated to be an ultrasensitive and selective nanoprobe for the detection of ascorbic acid. This study indicated that the "on-off-on" fluorescent probes Cys-Au NCs held a promising application for the bidirectional detection of Fe³⁺ and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, our novel "on-off-on" fluorescent probes provided insight into the rational design of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters for biochemical analysis of high selectivity and sensitivity.

Engineered Sericin-Tagged Layered Double Hydroxides for Combined Delivery of Pemetrexed and ZnO Quantum Dots as Biocompatible Cancer Nanotheranostics

Despite extensive progress in the field of cancer nanotheranostics, clinical development of biocompatible theranostic nanomedicine remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we engineered biocompatible silk-sericin-tagged inorganic nanohybrids for efficient treatment and imaging of cancer cells. The developed nanocarriers are anticipated to overcome the premature release of the chemotherapeutic drug pemetrexed (PMX), enhance the colloidal stability of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and maintain the luminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots (QDs). Materials and Methods: PMX-intercalated LDHs were modified with sericin and coupled to ZnO QDs for therapy and imaging of breast cancer cells. Results: The optimized nanomedicine demonstrated a sustained release profile of PMX, and high cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells compared to free PMX. In addition, high cellular uptake of the engineered nanocarriers into MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was accomplished. Conclusions: Conclusively, the LDH-sericin nanohybrids loaded with PMX and conjugated to ZnO QDs offered a promising cancer theranostic nanomedicine.

Combined Cancer Immunotheranostic Nanomedicines: Delivery Technologies and Therapeutic Outcomes

Cancer is among the main causes of mortality all over the world. The delayed diagnosis is directly related to the decrease in survival rate. The use of immunotherapy has dramatically changed the treatment outcomes of different types of cancers. However, many patients still do not respond to immunotherapies, and many also suffer from severe immune-related side effects. Recent advances in the fields of nanomedicine bioengineering and in particular imaging offered new approaches which can enhance not only the safety but also the efficacy of immunotherapy. Theranostics has showed great progress as a branch of medicine which integrates both diagnosis and therapy in a single system. The outcomes from animal studies demonstrated an improvement in the diagnostic and immunotherapeutic potential of nanoparticles within the theranostic framework. Herein, we discuss the most recent developments in the application of nanotheranostics for combining tumor imaging and cancer immunotherapies.

Nanocarriers based novel and effective drug delivery system

Nanotechnology has ultimately come into the domain of drug delivery. Nanosystems for delivery of drugs are promptly emerging science utilizing different nanoparticles as carriers. Biocompatible and stable nanocarriers are novel diagnosis tools or therapy agents for explicitly targeting locates with controllable way. Nanocarriers propose numerous advantages to treat diseases via site-specific as well as targeted delivery of particular therapeutics. In recent times, there are number of outstanding nanocarriers use to deliver bio-, chemo-, or immuno- therapeutic agents to obtain effectual therapeutic reactions and to minimalize unwanted adverse-effects. Nanoparticles possess remarkable potential for active drug delivery. Moreover, conjugation of drugs with nanocarriers protects drugs from metabolic or chemical modifications, through their way to targeted cells and hence increased their bioavailability. In this review, various systems integrated with different types of nanocarriers (inorganic. organic, quantum dots, and carbon nanotubes) having different compositions, physical and chemical properties have been discussed for drug delivery applications.

Targeting bacterial biofilms using vancomycin and multivalent cell-penetrating peptide labeled quantum dots

Bacterial biofilms are highly resilient microbial musters that are difficult to eradicate, driving the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The current study aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of cell-penetrating peptide-based targeted delivery of vancomycin functionalized quantum dots in eradicating biofilm formation in gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. The conjugate was characterized using fluorimetry, UV-visible spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, and zeta potential. The conjugate was then tested for antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, and it demonstrated excellent antimicrobial as well as antibiofilm activity against all the tested strains. The findings indicated that the conjugate was capable of overcoming bacterial resistance of bacteria in addition to the eradication of biofilms at effective concentrations.

Chemical, physical, and biological stimuli-responsive nanogels for biomedical applications (mechanisms, concepts, and advancements): A review

The development of nanotechnology has influenced the advancements in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. The design and formulation of stimuli-responsive nano-drug delivery systems, also called smart drug delivery systems, have attracted significant research worldwide and have been seen as a breakthrough in nanomedicines. The ability of these nanocarriers to respond to external and internal stimuli, such as pH, temperature, redox, electric and magnetic fields, enzymes, etc., has allowed them to deliver the cargo at targeted sites in a controlled fashion. The targeted drug delivery systems limit the harmful side effects on healthy tissue by toxic drugs and furnish spatial and temporal control drug delivery, improved patient compliance, and treatment efficiency. The polymeric nanogels (hydrogel nanoparticles) with stimuli-responsive characteristics have shown great potential in various biomedical, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical fields. It is primarily because of their small size, biocompatibility, biodegradability, stimuli-triggered drug deliverability, high payload capacity, and tailored functionality. This comprehensive review deals distinctively with polymeric nanogels, their chemical, physical, and biological stimuli, the concepts of nanogels response to different stimuli, and recent advancements. This document will further improve the current understanding of stimuli-responsive materials and drug delivery systems and assist in exploring advanced potential applications of these intelligent materials.

Emerging application of nanotechnology for mankind

Nanotechnology has proven to be the greatest multidisciplinary field in the current years with potential applications in agriculture, pollution remediation, environmental sustainability, as well as most recently in pharmaceutical industries. As a result of its physical, chemical, and biological productivity, resistance, and matricular organization at a larger scale, the potential of nanocomposites revealed different sorts of assembling structures via testing. Biosensors are known some specifically promising inventions whereas carbon nanotube, magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), quantum dots, and gold NPs showed capability to repair damaged cells, molecular docking, drug-delivery, and nano-remediation of toxic elements. PEGylated(Poly ethyl glycol amyl gated) redox-responsive nanoscale COFs drug delivery from AgNPs and AuNPs are known to be sun blockers in sunscreen lotions. The emerging trends and yet more to be discovered to bridge the gaps forming in the field of nanotechnology, especially insights into environmental concerns and health issues most importantly the food web which is connected with the well beings of mankind to perform its tasks giving necessary results. The current review detailed emerging role of nanomaterials in human life.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42247-023-00461-8.

Rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2: The gradual boom of lateral flow immunoassay

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still in an epidemic situation, which poses a serious threat to the safety of people and property. Rapid diagnosis and isolation of infected individuals are one of the important methods to control virus transmission. Existing lateral flow immunoassay techniques have the advantages of rapid, sensitive, and easy operation, and some new options have emerged with the continuous development of nanotechnology. Such as lateral flow immunoassay test strips based on colorimetric-fluorescent dual-mode and gold nanoparticles, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering, etc., these technologies have played an important role in the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. In this paper, we summarize the current research progress of lateral flow immunoassay in the field of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection diagnosis, analyze the performance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 lateral flow immunoassay products, review the advantages and limitations of different detection methods and markers, and then explore the competitive CRISPR-based nucleic acid chromatography detection method. This method combines the advantages of gene editing and lateral flow immunoassay and can achieve rapid and highly sensitive lateral flow immunoassay detection of target nucleic acids, which is expected to be the most representative method for community and clinical point-of-care testing. We hope that researchers will be inspired by this review and strive to solve the problems in the design of highly sensitive targets, the selection of detection methods, and the enhancement of CRISPR technology, to truly achieve rapid, sensitive, convenient, and specific detection of novel coronaviruses, thus promoting the development of novel coronavirus diagnosis and contributing our modest contribution to the world's fight against epidemics.

A facile and high-sensitive bio-sensing of the V617F mutation in JAK2 gene by GSH-CdTe-QDs FRET-based sensor

This study aimed to directly detect the V617F point mutation of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene in the target DNA using a FRET-based biosensor. The water-soluble GSH-CdTe-QDs were synthesized by a one-step process, then GSH-QD conjugated to the termini amino-modified oligonucleotides target via carboxylic groups on the QD surface. The prepared QDs-DNA biosensor was applied in the quantitative and rapid detection of V617F mutation with a detection limit of 3 × 10^-9 mol L^-1 based on the FRET mechanism. In other words, detecting the V617F mutation by bio-sensing technology would be much simpler, cheaper, time-saving, highly sensitive, and more convenient than molecular diagnostic tools. Furthermore, the nano-biosensor was applied to detect the V617F mutation in clinical samples compared to the common ARMS-PCR (Amplification Refractory Mutation System-Polymerase Chain Reaction) standard method. The results revealed that the GSH-capped biosensors would be effective for V617F mutation detection in samples distinguished with satisfactory analytical outcomes. Therefore, the designed fluorescence nanoprobe is suitable for the specific detection of V617F mutation of the JAK2 gene in clinical samples.

New insight into brain disease therapy: nanomedicines-crossing blood-brain barrier and extracellular space for drug delivery

INTRODUCTION

Brain diseases including brain tumor, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc. are difficult to treat. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle for drug delivery into the brain. Although nano-package and receptor-mediated delivery of nanomedicine markedly increases BBB penetration, it yet did not extensively improve clinical cure rate. Recently, brain extracellular space (ECS) and interstitial fluid (ISF) drainage in ECS have been found to determine whether a drug dissolved in ISF can reach its target cells. Notably, an increase in tortuosity of ECS associated with slower ISF drainage induced by the accumulated harmful substances, such as: amyloid-beta (Aβ), α-synuclein, and metabolic wastes, causes drug delivery failure.

AREAS COVERED

The methods of nano-package and receptor-mediated drug delivery and the penetration efficacy of nanomedicines across BBB and ECS are assessed.

EXPERT OPINION

Invasive delivering drug via ECS and noninvasive near-infrared photo-sensitive nanomedicines may provide a promising benefit to patients with brain disease.