Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of global mortality, highlighting the need for accurate diagnostic tools and the detection of specific cardiac biomarkers. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has proved to be a promising alternative diagnostic tool to detect relevant biomarkers compared to traditional methods. To our knowledge, SERS methodology has never been used to detect galectin-3 (Gal-3), a crucial biomarker for cardiovascular conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this work, hybrid materials within the polydimethylsiloxane-silica (PDMS-SiO) system, synthesized via the sol-gel method, were developed and characterized for their potential to incorporate and release the bioactive compound resveratrol (RES). RES was incorporated into the materials with a high loading efficiency (>75%) using the rotary evaporator technique. This incorporation induced the amorphization of RES, resulting in enhanced solubility and release when compared to the free polyphenolic compound.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increasing use of molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanoparticles (NPs) raises concerns regarding their accumulation in soil ecosystems, with limited studies on their impact on soil organisms. Study aim: To unravel the effects of MoS nanosheets (two-dimensional (2D) MoS NPs) and bulk MoS (156, 313, 625, 1250, 2500 mg/kg) on and . The organisms' survival and avoidance behavior remained unaffected by both forms, while reproduction and DNA integrity were impacted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFN-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a myocardial stress biomarker that can be found in serum or plasma, saliva, and urine in the context of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we developed a rapid (~25 min) and straightforward localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based assay for detecting NT-proBNP in urine. The assay employs citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and an aptamer specific for NT-proBNP, which initially interacts with NT-proBNP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMelanoma incidence, a type of skin cancer, has been increasing worldwide. There is a strong need to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve melanoma treatment. Morin is a bioflavonoid with the potential for use in the treatment of cancer, including melanoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGalectin-3 (Gal-3) is a carbohydrate-binding protein associated with the development and progress of heart failure. Here, we report the first colorimetric and low-cost approach for detecting and quantifying Gal-3 using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) bioconjugated with Gal-3 antibody. The interaction of Gal-3 with the resulting nanoprobes led to a linear response of the absorbance ratio / to Gal-3 concentration, accompanied by a change in color intensity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disease with an alarming global prevalence, is associated with several serious health threats, including cardiovascular diseases. Current diabetes treatments have several limitations and disadvantages, creating the need for new effective formulations to combat this disease and its associated complications. This motivated the development of therapeutic strategies to overcome some of these limitations, such as low therapeutic drug bioavailability or poor compliance of patients with current therapeutic methodologies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanomaterials (Basel)
December 2022
The use of gold nanoparticles for drug delivery, photothermal or photodynamic therapy, and biosensing enhances the demand for knowledge about the protein corona formed on the surface of nanoparticles. In this study, gold nanospheres (AuNSs), gold nanorods (AuNRs), and gold nanoflowers (AuNFs) were incubated with saliva or urine. After the interaction, the surface of gold nanoparticles was investigated using UV-VIS spectroscopy, zeta potential, and dynamic light scattering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMelanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer with a high prevalence in the population. An early diagnosis is crucial to cure this disease. Still, when this is not possible, combining potent pharmacological agents and effective drug delivery systems is essential to achieve optimal treatment and improve patients' quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe need for fresh and conveniently treated water has become a major concern in recent years. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanomaterials are attracting attention in various fields, such as energy, hydrogen production, and water decontamination. This review provides an overview of the recent developments in MoS-based nanomaterials for water treatment via adsorption and photodegradation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Tito Trindade and colleagues at the University of Aveiro. The image depicts dendritic magneto-plasmonic substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. Read the full text of the article at 10.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater is the most important resource for all kind forms of live. It is a vital resource distributed unequally across different regions of the globe, with populations already living with water scarcity, a situation that is spreading due to the impact of climate change. The reversal of this tendency and the mitigation of its disastrous consequences is a global challenge posed to Humanity, with the scientific community assuming a major obligation for providing solutions based on scientific knowledge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChemical analyses in the field using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) protocols are expected to be part of several analytical procedures applied to water quality monitoring. To date, these endeavors have been supported by developments in SERS substrate nanofabrication, instrumentation portability, and the internet of things. Here, we report distinct chemical strategies for preparing magneto-plasmonic (Fe O : Au) colloids, which are relevant in the context of trace-level detection of water contaminants due to their inherent multifunctionality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
December 2022
In this work, we report the synthesis of magneto-plasmonic dendrimer-based nanosorbents containing Au nanostars and we demonstrate that they can be used as versatile optical sensors for the detection of pesticides in spiked water samples. The magnetic hybrid nanoparticles were obtained by conjugating silica-functionalized G5-NH PAMAM dendrimers to silica-coated magnetite cores. The resulting magnetic-PAMAM conjugates were then used to reduce and sequester Au seeds for the subsequent in situ growth of Au nanostars.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this work, we present a simple method for label-free detection of C-reactive protein (CRP) in diluted saliva samples without the use of specific molecules against CRP. We use the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique and silica-coated FeO nanoparticles (∼50 nm in diameter) functionalized with amino carboxylate moieties (FeO@SiO/COOH) as probes. After contact with the sample, the particles could be easily separated with a handy magnet and redispersed for DLS analysis simply by vortex shaking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch on paper substrates prepared by inkjet deposition of metal nanoparticles for sensing applications has become a hot topic in recent years; however, the design of such substrates based on the deposition of alloy nanoparticles remains less explored. Herein, we report for the first time the inkjet printing of dendrimer-stabilized colloidal metal nanoalloys for the preparation of paper substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. To this end, nanoassemblies containing variable molar ratios of Au:Ag were prepared in the presence of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM), resulting in plasmonic properties that depend on the chemical composition of the final materials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUrine is a biofluid easy to collect through a non-invasive technique that allows collecting a large volume of sample. The use of urine for disease diagnosis is not yet well explored. However, it has gained attention over the last three years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChemotherapy has limited success in the treatment of malignant melanoma due to fast development of drug resistance and the low bioavailability of chemotherapeutic drugs. Resveratrol (RES) is a natural polyphenol with recognized preventive and therapeutic anti-cancer properties. However, poor RES solubility hampers its bioactivity, thus creating a demand for suitable drug delivery systems to improve it.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGold nanorods (AuNR) have been explored for many applications, including innovative nanomedicines, which also might contribute to its increase in the environment, namely due to inadequate disposable of wastes into aquatic environments. Early-life stages of amphibians are usually aquatic and sensitive to chemical contamination. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the sublethal effects of CTAB functionalized AuNR on Xenopus laevis tadpoles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFC-reactive protein (CRP) is a clinical biomarker for inflammatory diseases. In this work, we present a simple and fast colorimetric method for CRP detection that employs citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a CRP-binding aptamer as sensing elements. The aptamer consisted in a guanine rich single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that adsorbs onto the surface of the AuNPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSilica nanoparticles (SiONPs) are one of the most used in commercial products and biomedical tools, however, their environmental effects have not been fully described. Although negative effects of SiONPs on the behavior of freshwater invertebrates have been reported, the knowledge is limited, especially the effect of nanopowders in terrestrial organisms. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to understand the effects of SiONPs on the avoidance behavior of five soil species, whose niche may differ thus contributing to differential harmful SiONPs effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmunoglobulin G (IgG) has been used in the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders, however, the current technologies to purify and recover IgG from biological media are of high-cost and time-consuming, resulting in high-cost products. In this sense, the search for cost-effective technologies to obtain highly pure and active IgG is highly required. The present work proposes a simple and efficient method for the purification and recovery of IgG from rabbit serum using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (magnetite, FeO) coated with hybrid shells of a siliceous material modified with the anionic polysaccharide κ-carrageenan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis work aims at the preparation of multifunctional titania-based photocatalysts with inherent capabilities for thermal co-activation and stabilisation of anatase polymorph, by designing the phase composition and microstructure of rutile-silicon carbide mixture. The processing involved a conventional solid state route, including partial pre-reduction of rutile by SiC in inert Ar atmosphere, followed by post-oxidation in air. The impacts of processing conditions on the phase composition and photocatalytic activity were evaluated using Taguchi planning.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDoxorubicin is one of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs, but side effects and selectivity problems create a demand for alternative drug delivery systems. Herein we describe a hybrid magnetic nanomaterial as a pH-dependent doxorubicin release carrier. This nanocarrier comprises magnetic iron oxide cores with a diameter of 10 nm, enveloped in a hybrid material made of siliceous shells and ĸ-carrageenan.
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