Development of Nanobodies as Theranostic Agents against CMY-2-Like Class C β-Lactamases.

Three soluble single-domain fragments derived from the unique variable region of camelid heavy-chain antibodies (VHHs) against the CMY-2 β-lactamase behaved as inhibitors. The structure of the complex VHH cAb(254)/CMY-2 showed that the epitope is close to the active site and that the CDR3 of the VHH protrudes into the catalytic site. The β-lactamase inhibition pattern followed a mixed profile with a predominant noncompetitive component.

----Delivery of siRNA therapeutics: PLGA nanoparticles approach.

RNA interference is currently one of the most advanced genomic tools providing promising insight to manage countless pathophysiological conditions that seemed unapproachable few years ago. Researchers across the globe have devised numerous methods in which small RNA molecules can be administered into target cells to manipulate cellular functions at the molecular level and eradicate defects that lead to pronounced phenotypes, which might sometimes be as fatal as malignant tumors. The present review provides an overview of the non-viral delivery approaches for siRNA therapeutics with an emphasis on the PLGA polymeric strategy and its use in different biological applications.

Formulation and Interaction of Rhodamine-B Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles with Cardiac Myocytes.

This study aims to characterize rhodamine B (Rh B) loaded poly(D,L-lactide--glycolide; PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and their interactions with cardiac myocytes. PLGA NPs were formulated using single emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The influence of varying parameters such as the stabilizer concentration, the sonication time, and the organic to aqueous ratio were investigated.

A review on B-type natriuretic peptide monitoring: assays and biosensors.

Since its discovery in 1988, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been recognized as a powerful cardiovascular biomarker for a number of disease states, specifically heart failure. Concurrent with such a discovery, much effort has been allocated to the precise monitoring of physiological BNP levels. Thus, it can be used to guide the therapy of heart failure and determine the patient's stage of disease.

20-HETE and EETs in diabetic nephropathy: a novel mechanistic pathway.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a major complication of diabetes, is characterized by hypertrophy, extracellular matrix accumulation, fibrosis and proteinuria leading to loss of renal function. Hypertrophy is a major factor inducing proximal tubular epithelial cells injury. However, the mechanisms leading to tubular injury is not well defined.

Novel carbocyclic nucleoside analogs suppress glomerular mesangial cells proliferation and matrix protein accumulation through ROS-dependent mechanism in the diabetic milieu.

The synthesis of a series of novel 3,4-cis- and 3,4-trans-substituted carbocyclic nucleoside analogs from protected uracil and thymine is described. The key reaction in the followed synthetic protocols utilized the Mitsunobu reaction to couple 3,4-substituted cyclopentanols to (3)N-benzoyl uracil or (3)N-benzoyl thymine. These molecules were evaluated with regard to their ability to treat diabetic nephropathy.

Nox4-derived reactive oxygen species mediate cardiomyocyte injury in early type 1 diabetes.

Oxidative stress contributes to diabetic cardiomyopathy. This study explored the role of the NADPH oxidase Nox4 as a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Phosphorothioated antisense (AS) or sense (S) oligonucleotides for Nox4 were administered for 2 wk to rats made diabetic by streptozotocin.

Mechanisms of podocyte injury in diabetes: role of cytochrome P450 and NADPH oxidases.

Objective: We investigated the role of cytochrome P450 of the 4A family (CYP4A), its metabolites, and NADPH oxidases both in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis of podocytes exposed to high glucose and in OVE26 mice, a model of type 1 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Apoptosis, albuminuria, ROS generation, NADPH superoxide generation, CYP4A and Nox protein expression, and mRNA levels were measured in vitro and in vivo.

Results: Exposure of mouse podocytes to high glucose resulted in apoptosis, with approximately one-third of the cells being apoptotic by 72 h.

Label-free detection of bacteria by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy: comparison to surface plasmon resonance.

The low but known risk of bacterial contamination has emerged as the greatest residual threat of transfusion-transmitted diseases. Label-free detection of a bacterial model, Escherichia coli, is performed using nonfaradic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Biotinylated polyclonal anti-E.

Amperometric and impedimetric characterization of a glutamate biosensor based on Nafion and a methyl viologen modified glassy carbon electrode.

An electrochemical biosensor based on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode chemically modified with the perfluorinated cation-exchange polymer Nafion and methyl viologen (MV) is described. The enzyme was immobilized by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), methyl viologen and Nafion. Operating variables such as the enzyme/BSA ratio, cross-linking time in glutaraldehyde vapor, methyl viologen and Nafion percentages were investigated with regard to their influence on the biosensor sensitivity by using glucose oxidase as the enzyme model due to its high stability and low cost.