Magnetic Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Selective miRNA Separation and Recovery.

In this study, we developed magnetic graphene oxide composites by chemically attaching FeO nanoparticles to graphene oxide nanosheets. Characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirmed the successful synthesis of FeO@GO composites with desirable properties. The resulting composites exhibited superparamagnetic behavior, solubility, and compatibility for efficient miRNA separation.

Development of a High-Accuracy, Low-Cost, and Portable Fluorometer with Smartphone Application for the Detection of Urinary Albumin towards the Early Screening of Chronic Kidney and Renal Diseases.

This study presents the development of a portable fluorometer with a smartphone application designed to facilitate the early screening of chronic kidney and renal diseases by enabling the sensitive detection of urinary albumin. Utilizing a fluorescence-based aptasensor, the device achieved a linear calibration curve (0.001-1.

Isothermal Amplification Technology for Disease Diagnosis.

Isothermal amplification (IA) is a nucleic acid amplification technology (NAAT) that has contributed significantly to the healthcare system. The combination of NAAT with a suitable detection platform resulted in higher sensitivity, specificity, and rapid disease diagnosis. Traditional NAAT, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is widely applied in the general healthcare system but is rarely accessed in resource-limited hospitals.

Detection of a miRNA biomarker for cancer diagnosis using SERS tags and magnetic separation.

Detection of miR-29a, a biomarker of cancers, using SERS tags and magnetic separation is described. The assay was designed to detect the miR-29a sequence by taking the complementary sequence and splitting it into a capture and detection probe. The SERS tags comprised the highly Raman active molecule 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) and DNA detection probes assembled onto the surface of gold nanorods (AuNRs) through the self-assembly process.

Albuminuria detection using graphene oxide-mediated fluorescence quenching aptasensor.

A simple and sensitive graphene oxide-mediated fluorescence quenching aptasensor is developed to quantify albuminuria in urine samples. The developed aptasensor used the specific target binding property of aptamer and fluorescence quenching property of graphene oxide to determine the concentration of human serum albumin in urine. The limit of detection of the developed platform is 0.

Sensitive detection of albuminuria by graphene oxide-mediated fluorescence quenching aptasensor.

Albuminuria is a pathological condition wherein the human serum albumin (HSA) protein is present in abnormally excess amounts in the urine. A simple and sensitive graphene oxide-mediated fluorescence quenching aptasensor is developed to quantify albumin in urine samples and HSA in serum samples. The aptamer-bound HSA used in this aptasensor has hairpin structures, which are characteristic of the aptamer binding site.

Ultrasensitive detection of lung cancer-associated miRNAs by multiple primer-mediated rolling circle amplification coupled with a graphene oxide fluorescence-based (MPRCA-GO) sensor.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in gene regulation and have been reported as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis. Herein, we develop an isothermal miRNA detection platform based on the highly efficient, multiple primer-mediated rolling circle amplification method coupled with a graphene oxide-based fluorescence (MPRCA-GO) assay, using lung cancer-associated miRNAs (miR-21 and miR-210) and a reference miRNA (miR-16) as model targets. The combination of the designed ssDNA probe and T4 RNA ligase (T4 Rnl2) used in the MPRCA-GO assay allowed for single-base mismatch discrimination.

Rolling circle amplification and graphene-based sensor-on-a-chip for sensitive detection of serum circulating miRNAs.

In this study, we developed a simple multiplex miRNA detection platform based on rolling circle amplification and the fluorescence quenching property of reduced graphene oxide. The detection platform could be applied on a microfluidics chip with a mobile system controller to eliminate contamination and to facilitate potential use in remote areas. As a proof of concept, two fluorescence-labeled ssDNA tags were used for detection of miR-29a and miR-144*, two miRNAs that are highly expressed in the blood circulation of some patients with cancer or tuberculosis.

Graphene based aptasensor for glycated albumin in diabetes mellitus diagnosis and monitoring.

We selected and modified DNA aptamers specifically bound glycated human serum albumin (GHSA), which is an intermediate marker for diabetes mellitus. Our aptamer truncation study indicated that the hairpin-loop structure with 23 nucleotides length containing triple G-C hairpins and 15-nucleotide loop, plays an important role in GHSA binding. Fluorescent quenching graphene oxide (GO) and Cy5-labeled G8 aptamer were used in this study to develop simple and sensitive graphene based aptasensor for GHSA detection.

In Vitro and In Vivo Response to Low-Modulus PMMA-Based Bone Cement.

The high stiffness of acrylic bone cements has been hypothesized to contribute to the increased number of fractures encountered after vertebroplasty, which has led to the development of low-modulus cements. However, there is no data available on the in vivo biocompatibility of any low-modulus cement. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of two types of low-modulus acrylic cements, one modified with castor oil and one with linoleic acid, were evaluated using human osteoblast-like cells and a rodent model, respectively.