Architecture of β-lactoglobulin coating modulates bioinspired alginate dialdehyde-gelatine/polydopamine scaffolds for subchondral bone regeneration.

In this study, we developed polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized alginate dialdehyde-gelatine (ADA-GEL) scaffolds for subchondral bone regeneration. These polymeric scaffolds were then coated with β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) at concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. Morphological analysis indicated a homogeneous coating of the β-LG layer on the surface of network-like scaffolds.

Oxali-palladium nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, protein binding, and apoptosis induction in colorectal cancer cells.

This paper focuses on the synthesis of nano-oxali-palladium coated with turmeric extract (PdNPs) using a green chemistry technique based on the reduction in the Pd (II) complex by phytochemicals inherent in turmeric extract. PdNPs were examined and characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Using different spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulations, a protein-binding analysis of the produced nanoparticle was conducted by observing its interaction with human serum albumin (HSA).

Superparamagnetic Composite Nanobeads Anchored with Molecular Glues for Ultrasensitive Label-free Proteomics.

Mass spectrometry has emerged as a mainstream technique for label-free proteomics. However, proteomic coverage for trace samples is constrained by adsorption loss during repeated elution at sample pretreatment. Here, we demonstrated superparamagnetic composite nanoparticles functionalized with molecular glues (MGs) to enrich proteins in trace human biofluid.

PepDRED: De Novo Peptide Design with Strong Binding Affinity for Target Protein.

De novo design of peptides that bind specifically to functional proteins is beneficial for diagnostics and therapeutics. However, complex permutations and combinations of amino acids pose significant challenges to the rational design of peptides with desirable stability and affinity. Herein, we develop a computational-based evolution method, namely, peptidomimetics-driven recognition elements design (PepDRED), to derive hemoglobin-inspired peptidomimetics.

Advances in Peptide-Based Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering.

The development of peptide-based materials has emerged as one of the most challenging aspects of biomaterials in recent years. It has been widely acknowledged that peptide-based materials can be used in a broad range of biomedical applications, particularly in tissue engineering. Among them, hydrogels have been attracting considerable interest in tissue engineering because they mimic tissue formation conditions by providing a three-dimensional environment and a high water content.

Progress of Microfluidic Hydrogel-Based Scaffolds and Organ-on-Chips for the Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Cartilage degeneration is among the fundamental reasons behind disability and pain across the globe. Numerous approaches have been employed to treat cartilage diseases. Nevertheless, none have shown acceptable outcomes in the long run.

Mesenchymal stem cells encapsulation in chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels to enhance osteo-differentiation.

Background: Recently biomaterials utilized for designing scaffolds in tissue engineering are not cost-effective and eco-friendly. As a result, we design and develop biocompatible and bioactive hydrogels for osteo-tissue regeneration based on the natural polysaccharide chitosan. Three distinct hydrogel components were used for this.

Injectable light-assisted thermo-responsive methylcellulose-sodium humate hydrogel proposed for photothermal ablation and localized delivery of cisplatin.

This study aimed to develop injectable light-assisted thermo-responsive methylcellulose hydrogels filled with sodium humate, which were proposed for photothermal ablation and localized cisplatin delivery. Sodium humate converts light energy from laser beams into thermal energy, which causes methylcellulose to gel, thereby controlling the release of chemotherapy agents. Meanwhile, light emission causes to the photothermal ablation of tumor cells.

Mussel-inspired polydopamine decorated alginate dialdehyde-gelatin 3D printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering application.

This study utilized extrusion-based 3D printing technology to fabricate calcium-cross-linked alginate dialdehyde-gelatin scaffolds for bone regeneration. The surface of polymeric constructs was modified with mussel-derived polydopamine (PDA) in order to induce biomineralization, increase hydrophilicity, and enhance cell interactions. Microscopic observations revealed that the PDA layer homogeneously coated the surface and did not appear to induce any distinct change in the microstructure of the scaffolds.

The Dibenzyl Isoquinoline Alkaloid Berbamine Ameliorates Osteoporosis by Inhibiting Bone Resorption.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a kind of primary osteoporosis that is characterized by decreased bone density and strength. Berbamine is a nonbasic quaternary benzylisoquinoline plant alkaloid that has been widely used in the clinic to treat leukopenia in China. We found that berbamine inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) , which mainly occurred in the middle phase and late phase.

2'--Methyl modified guide RNA promotes the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discrimination ability of CRISPR-Cas12a systems.

The CRISPR-Cas12a system has been widely applied to genome editing and molecular diagnostics. However, off-target cleavages and false-positive results remain as major concerns in Cas12a practical applications. Herein, we propose a strategy by utilizing the 2'--methyl (2'-OMe) modified guide RNA (gRNA) to promote the Cas12a's specificity.

Synergistic effect of cell and molecule - imprinted substrates for bone tissue engineering.

Background: The purpose of this research was to investigate the in vitro osteogenic induction of MG-63 cells using topography and collagen protein printed on polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS).

Methods: ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALP) assay, calcium content, alizarin red staining, immunocytochemistry (ICC), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to evaluate the osteo-differentiation of human adipose stem cells on the MG-63 cell pattern, MG-63 cells/collagen pattern, and collagen pattern. Also, the differentiated cell shape was studied by crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Protein-Based Hydrogels: Promising Materials for Tissue Engineering.

The successful design of a hydrogel for tissue engineering requires a profound understanding of its constituents' structural and molecular properties, as well as the proper selection of components. If the engineered processes are in line with the procedures that natural materials undergo to achieve the best network structure necessary for the formation of the hydrogel with desired properties, the failure rate of tissue engineering projects will be significantly reduced. In this review, we examine the behavior of proteins as an essential and effective component of hydrogels, and describe the factors that can enhance the protein-based hydrogels' structure.

Recent Progresses in Electrochemical DNA Biosensors for MicroRNA Detection.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as the small, non-coding, evolutionary conserved, and post-transcriptional gene regulators of the genome, have been highly associated with various diseases such as cancers, viral infections, and cardiovascular diseases. Several techniques have been established to detect miRNAs, including northern blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and fluorescent microarray platform. However, it remains a significant challenge to develop sensitive, accurate, rapid, and cost-effective methods to detect miRNAs due to their short size, high similarity, and low abundance.

A Facile Method to Synthesize 3D Pomegranate-like Polydopamine Microspheres.

Nanospheres have found versatile applications in the biomedical field; however, their possible harmful effects on immune and inflammatory systems are also a crucial concern. Inspired by a pomegranate structure, we demonstrated a novel structure for the nanostructured microspheres to overcome the drawbacks of nanospheres without compromising their merits. In this study, 3D pomegranate-like polydopamine microspheres (PDAMS) were synthesized by self-oxidative polymerization of dopamine hydrochloride.

Poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) modification mitigates plasma protein corona formation on phosphomolybdate-based nanoparticles.

Phosphomolybdate-based nanoparticles (PMo-based NPs) have been commonly applied in nanomedicine. However, upon contact with biofluids, proteins are quickly adsorbed onto the NPs surface to form a protein corona, which induces the opsonization and facilitates the rapid clearance of the NPs by macrophage uptake. Herein, we introduce a family of structurally homologous PMo-based NPs (CDS-PMo@PVP(x = 0 ~ 1) NPs) capping diverse content of zwitterionic polymer poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) to regulate the protein corona formation on PMo-based NPs.

Determinants of gold nanoparticle interactions with Proteins: Off-Target effect study.

Photothermal therapy is one of the promising approaches toward cancer treatment. To date, several compounds have been developed for this application, among which nanoparticles are attracting ever-increasing attention. One of the obstacles in developing efficient photothermal nanoparticle agents is their off-target effect which is mainly mediated via non-specific interactions with proteins.

Encountering and Wrestling: Neutrophils Recognize and Defensively Degrade Graphene Oxide.

The boosting exploitation of graphene oxide (GO) increases exposure risk to human beings. However, as primary defender in the first immune line, neutrophils' mechanism of defensive behavior toward GO remains unclear. Herein, we discovered that neutrophils recognize and defensively degrade GO in a lateral dimension dependent manner.

Polydopamine nanospheres coated with bovine serum albumin permit enhanced cell differentiation: fundamental mechanism and practical application for protein coating formation.

Protein coating is a strategy for modifying and improving the surface functional properties of nanomaterials. However, the underlying mechanism behind protein coating formation, which is essential for its practical applications, remains largely unknown. Herein, we investigate the fundamental molecular mechanism of protein coating formation.

Tuning the biomimetic behavior of hybrid scaffolds for bone tissue engineering through surface modifications and drug immobilization.

Bone defects arising from injury and/or disease are a common and debilitating clinical lesion. While the development of tissue microenvironments utilizing biomimetic constructs is an emerging approach for bone tissue engineering. In this context, bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGNPs) were embedded within polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds.

A turn-on fluorescence sensor based on Cu modulated DNA-templated silver nanoclusters for glyphosate detection and mechanism investigation.

The abuse application of glyphosate can result in a potential hazard for environment and human, however its ultrasensitive detection remains challenging. Herein, a Cu modulated DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) sensor was constructed to sensitively determine glyphosate based on the turn-on fluorescence strategy. The fluorescence quenching of DNA-AgNCs occurred with the existence of Cu.