Self-actuated microfluidic chiplet for two-stage multiplex nucleic acid amplification assay.

Effective diagnosis of comorbidities and infectious diseases that present similar symptoms requires point-of-need assays capable of co-detecting and differentiating among multiple co-endemic pathogens to enable timely, precision medicine and effective control measures. We previously developed a two-stage isothermal amplification assay dubbed Penn-RAMP to address this need. Penn-RAMP's first stage comprises a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), which amplifies all targets of interest in a single reaction chamber for a short duration.

Advanced bioengineering of male germ stem cells to preserve fertility.

In modern life, several factors such as genetics, exposure to toxins, and aging have resulted in significant levels of male infertility, estimated to be approximately 18% worldwide. In response, substantial progress has been made to improve in vitro fertilization treatments (e.g.

Microfluidics-Integrated Sensors toward Rapid Detection of Single Nucleotide Variations.

Rapid detection of single nucleotide variations (SNVs) is of critical importance to early diagnosis of several diseases and the prediction of diverse responses to a specific treatment. Based on the information published in the literature, discrimination of SNVs is a developing area of study with great research enthusiasm and is also an area that can benefit from microfluidics-integrated designs. This review provides a brief overview of different microfluidics-based strategies for rapid detection of SNVs and mismatched bases.

Nanophytomedicines for the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome: A Pharmacological and Biopharmaceutical Review.

Metabolic syndrome includes a series of metabolic abnormalities that leads to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Plant extracts, due to their unique advantages like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin sensitizing properties, are interesting therapeutic options to manage MetS; however, the poor solubility and low bioavailability of lipophilic bioactive components in the herbal extracts are two critical challenges. Nano-scale delivery systems are suitable to improve delivery of herbal extracts.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of cinnamaldehyde on U87MG cells alone and in combination with doxorubicin.

Background And Purpose: In the present study, we tried for the first time to examine whether cinnamaldehyde (CA), with herbal nature, can be co-administrated with doxorubicin (DOX, as an anticancer drug) toward U87MG glioblastoma cells to potentiate its cytotoxic effect and overcome or reduce its side effects.

Experimental Approach: The cytotoxic effect of DOX and CA, either individually or in combination, were evaluated on U87MG cells using the MTT method. The mechanism of action was studied by investigating the mode of cell death using caspase-3 and 9 activations, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as well as sub G1 analysis.

Microfluidic-assisted preparation of PLGA nanoparticles for drug delivery purposes: experimental study and computational fluid dynamic simulation.

This study, for the first time, tries to provide a simultaneous experimental and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation investigation for production of uniform, reproducible, and stable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. CFD simulation was carried out to observe fluid flow behavior and micromixing in microfluidic system and improve our understanding about the governing fluid profile. The major objective of such effort was to provide a carrier for controlled and sustained release profile of different drugs.

Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Apoptogenic Effects of Glabridin and Its Effect on Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Induced by Doxorubicin Toward Cancerous Cells.

In the present study, we tried for the first time to examine the anti-proliferative and anti-apoptogenic effect of Glabridin (Glab) toward three groups of cancer cells (SKNMC, H1299, and A2780). Furthermore, the possibility of co-administration of Glab with doxorubicin (DOX) to these cells was also examined to find out whether Glab can potentiate the cytotoxic effect of this chemotherapy agent. Different cellular assays (MTT, caspase-3 activity, MMP, RT-PCR analysis) were carried out on the cancer cells treated with Glab.

Nanoformulations of natural products for management of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a common metabolic disorder which has become a public health challenge worldwide. There has been growing interest in medications including natural products as complementary or alternative choices for common chemical therapeutics regarding their limited side effects and ease of access. Nanosizing these compounds may help to increase their solubility, bioavailability, and promisingly enhance their efficacy.

Hesperidin as a Neuroprotective Agent: A Review of Animal and Clinical Evidence.

Neuroprotection is the preservation of function and networks of neural tissues from damages caused by various agents, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's diseases, and multiple sclerosis. Hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside, is a natural phenolic compound with a wide range of biological effects. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that hesperidin possesses inhibitory effect against development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Natural product-based nanomedicines for wound healing purposes: therapeutic targets and drug delivery systems.

Wound healing process is an intricate sequence of well-orchestrated biochemical and cellular phenomena to restore the integrity of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Several plant extracts and their phytoconstituents are known as a promising alternative for wound healing agents due to the presence of diverse active components, ease of access, and their limited side effects. The development of nanotechnological methods can help to improve the efficacy of different therapeutics as well as herbal-based products.

Acute and Subchronic Toxicological Evaluations of Allium rotundum L.: A Dietary Plant from Iran.

Allium rotundum L. is a dietary plant with diverse nutritional and herbal applications. According to its widespread application in Iranians' diets, understanding the possible adverse effects and toxic activities could be of major importance.

Green Synthesis of Carbon Dots Derived from Walnut Oil and an Investigation of Their Cytotoxic and Apoptogenic Activities toward Cancer Cells.

This paper introduces a green and simple hydrothermal synthesis to prepare carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from walnut oil with a high quantum yield. In addition, cytotoxic and apoptogenic properties of the CQDs were analyzed on human cancer cell lines. The optical properties and morphological characteristic were investigated by the TEM, XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL).

The Protective Effect of Different Extracts of Three Species against HO-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in PC12 Neuronal Cells.

Background: Oxidative stress causes cell damage and is involved in many neurological diseases. The antioxidant properties of plant materials for the maintenance of health and protecting against different diseases stimulated scientist to investigate different herbs. Different species have exhibited antioxidant activity.

Dietary Plants for the Prevention and Management of Kidney Stones: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms.

Kidney stones are one of the oldest known and common diseases in the urinary tract system. Various human studies have suggested that diets with a higher intake of vegetables and fruits play a role in the prevention of kidney stones. In this review, we have provided an overview of these dietary plants, their main chemical constituents, and their possible mechanisms of action.

Preparation and characterization of retinoic acid-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) micelles.

In order to achieve the controlled release of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL) copolymer with average molecular weight of 5.34 kDa was synthesized. The nanosized micelles were prepared from copolymer by nano-precipitation method.

Preparation and characterization of silk fibroin hydrogel as injectable implants for sustained release of Risperidone.

The principal objective of the present study is to achieve a depot formulation of Risperidone by gelation of silk fibroin (SF). For this purpose, hydrochloric acid (HCl)/acetone-based and methanol-based hydrogels were prepared with different drug/polymer ratios (1:3, 1:6, and 1:15). For all the drug-loaded methanol-based hydrogels, gel transition of SF solutions occurred immediately and the gelation time was 1 min, while the gelation time of HCL/acetone-based hydrogels was around 360 min.

Preparation and Characterization of Gum Nanoparticles Using Response Surface Method: Evaluation of Its Anti-Bacterial Performance and Cytotoxicity.

This study aims to prepare a novel, natural nanoparticle (NP) as a drug carrier, which also has inherent therapeutic effects. Pistacia khinjuk gum NPs were prepared and Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for statistical analysis of data and optimizing the size of NPs. NPs were in the range of 75.

Preparation of a reproducible long-acting formulation of risperidone-loaded PLGA microspheres using microfluidic method.

The aim of the present study is to prepare risperidone-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres within microfluidic system and to achieve a formulation with uniform size and monotonic and reproducible release profile. In comparison to batch method, T-junction and serpentine chips were utilized and optimizing study was carried out at different processing parameters (e.g.