Stimuli-responsive nanoparticle-nanofiber hybrids for drug delivery and photodynamic therapy.

Hybrid nanomaterials possess integrated multi-components to syncretize various properties and functions within a single entity. Owing to this synergistic effect, they promise efficient anti-cancer therapy. In line with this target, we produced stimuli-responsive nanoparticle-nanofiber hybrids (NNHs) via embedding photoresponsive natural melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) within a biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber matrix.

Emerging Biosensing Technologies for the Diagnostics of Viral Infectious Diseases.

Several viral infectious diseases appear limitless since the beginning of the 21 century, expanding into pandemic lengths. Thus, there are extensive efforts to provide more efficient means of diagnosis, a better understanding of acquired immunity, and improved monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers, as these are all crucial for controlling the spread of infection while aiding in vaccine development and improving patient outcomes. In this regard, various biosensors have been developed recently to streamline pathogen and immune response detection by addressing the limitations of traditional methods, including isothermal amplification-based systems and lateral flow assays.

Microfluidic Roadmap for Translational Nanotheranostics.

Nanotheranostic materials (NTMs) shed light on the mechanisms responsible for complex diseases such as cancer because they enable making a diagnosis, monitoring the disease progression, and applying a targeted therapy simultaneously. However, several issues such as the reproducibility and mass production of NTMs hamper their application for clinical practice. To address these issues and facilitate the clinical application of NTMs, microfluidic systems have been increasingly used.

Controlled release of doxorubicin from polyethylene glycol functionalized melanin nanoparticles for breast cancer therapy: Part I. Production and drug release performance of the melanin nanoparticles.

In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared (PEG-MNPs). A model chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin (DOX), was loaded into the PEG-MNPs with varied concentrations (0.125, 0.

A comparative study of single-needle and coaxial electrospun amyloid-like protein nanofibers to investigate hydrophilic drug release behavior.

In this study, nanofibers containing an amyloid-like bovine serum albumin (AL-BSA) carrier and a model drug (ampicillin) were produced by electrospinning. The release behavior of ampicillin was compared from electrospun nanofibers prepared as either coaxial or single-needle types. SEM images showed that the membranes had a uniform and smooth structure and the core/shell fibers were found to be thicker than the core fibers.

Controlled release of a hydrophilic drug from electrospun amyloid-like protein blend nanofibers.

In this study, a controlled drug release platform, amyloid-like bovine serum albumin (AL-BSA) with ampicillin sodium salt (amp), was developed. To develop this platform, 5%, 10%, and 20% (w/w) ratios of amp:BSA were used with electrospinning to prepare nanofibers with average diameters of 132±69, 159±60, and 179±42nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that AL-BSA could entrap large amounts of drug inside the nanofibers, which was attributed to the antimicrobial activity of the released drug against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Amyloid-like protein nanofibrous membranes as a sensing layer infrastructure for the design of mass-sensitive biosensors.

Quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs) have been used in the literature for mass sensitive biosensor applications. However, their performance, reliability and stability have been limited by the chemical treatment steps required for the functionalization and activation of the QCM surface, prior to antibody immobilization. Specifically, these steps cause increased film thickness, which diminishes performance by mass overload, and create a harsh environment, which reduces biological activity.

Controlled release of a hydrophilic drug from coaxially electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibers.

A recent approach for controlled release of drugs is the production of core-shell fibers via modified coaxial electrospinning where a shell solution which is not fully electrospinnable can be used. In this study, this technique was used for achieving the controlled release of a model hydrophilic drug (ampicillin) which is known to have a low compatibility with the polymer (polycaprolactone). A partially electrospinnable shell fluid (4% (w/v) polycaprolactone (PCL) solution) and a fully electrospinnable core fluid (10% (w/v) PCL, 2% (w/v) ampicillin solution) were used in order to create ampicillin-loaded PCL nanofibers covered by a PCL shield.