Oxygen releasing patches based on carbohydrate polymer and protein hydrogels for diabetic wound healing: A review.

Diabetic wounds are among the major healthcare challenges, consuming billions of dollars of resources and resulting in high numbers of morbidity and mortality every year. Lack of sufficient oxygen supply is one of the most dominant causes of impaired healing in diabetic wounds. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated positive outcomes as a result of delivering oxygen at the diabetic wound site, including enhanced angiogenesis, antibacterial and cell proliferation activities.

Lipoprotein-induced cell growth and hemocyanin biosynthesis in rhogocytes.

Rhogocyte is a unique molluscan cell that synthesises a supramolecular respiratory protein known as hemocyanin. Its ability to synthesise the protein has eluded the scientists despite hemocyanin's importance as a carrier protein and complex molecule with anti-viral activity. Although a hypothetical model of hemocyanin release from the rhogocytes lacunae was proposed based on colloid-osmotic pressure mechanism, lack of in vitro studies limits further validation of this model.

3D-printed bioresorbable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and quantum-dot nanocomposites: Scaffolds for enhanced bone mineralization and inbuilt co-monitoring.

Multifunctional 3D-printed nanocomposites based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), that is, PLGA (RESOMER® LG857S) were developed for simultaneous monitoring of cells and scaffold as a function of time and spectral responses. These were achieved by impregnating carbon quantum dots (CQDs) on PLGA using melt-blending, plasticating extrusion, and 3D-printing. The nanocomposites enabled enhanced bio-affinity and cellular interactions for bone tissue engineering (TE).

Additive-Free All-Carbon Composite: A Two-Photon Material System for Nanopatterning of Fluorescent Sub-Wavelength Structures.

The major bottleneck in fabrication of engineered 3D nanostructures is the choice of materials. Adding functionality to these nanostructures is a daunting task. In order to mitigate these issues, we report a two-photon patternable all carbon material system which can be used to fabricate fluorescent 3D micro/nanostructures using two-photon lithography, with subwavelength resolution.

Franz cells for facile biosensor evaluation: A case of HRP/SWCNT-based hydrogen peroxide detection via amperometric and wireless modes.

Reducing animal use in biosensor research requires broader use of in vitro methods. In this work, we present a novel application of Franz cells suitable for biosensor development and evaluation in vitro. The work describes how Franz cell can be equipped with electrodes enabling characterization of biosensors in close proximity to skin.

Two-photon active nucleus-targeting carbon dots: enhanced ROS generation and photodynamic therapy for oral cancer.

Novel conjugated carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized as two-photon active photosensitisers to unleash lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS) for nucleus-targeting photodynamic therapy (PDT). To enhance the therapeutic efficiency and preclude non-specific CD uptake, we employed a combination of folic acid and curcumin for two-photon NIR-triggered ROS generation and enhanced internalization in the nucleus. Consequently, enhanced destruction of cancer cells occurred by directly attacking the DNA.

Interactions at scaffold interfaces: Effect of surface chemistry, structural attributes and bioaffinity.

Effective regenerative medicine relies on understanding the interplay between biomaterial implants and the adjoining cells. Scaffolds contribute by presenting sites for cellular adhesion, growth, proliferation, migration, and differentiation which lead to regeneration of tissues over desired periods of time. The fabrication and recruitment of scaffolds often fail to consider the interactions that occur at the interfaces, thereby risking rejection.

Conjugated carbon quantum dots: Potent nano-antibiotic for intracellular pathogens.

A common theme in the persistence of microbial infections involves intracellular survival of microbial pathogens within host cells where they stay sheltered from attack by antimicrobial agents. In order to improve antimicrobial access inside host cells, we developed nanoparticles intracellular delivery of antibiotics. Using an intracellular infection model with the periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.

Two-Photon Active Boron Nitride Quantum Dots for Multiplexed Imaging, Intracellular Ferric Ion Biosensing, and pH Tracking in Living Cells.

Nanoparticles are key vehicles for targeted therapies because they can pass through biological barriers, enter into cells, and distribute within cell structures. We investigated the synthesis of blue and green emissive hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots (hBNQDs) using a liquid-exfoliation technique followed by hydrothermal treatment. A distinct shift from blue to bright-green emission was observed upon surface passivating the dots using poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG under the same UV irradiation.

Doped graphene/Cu nanocomposite: A high sensitivity non-enzymatic glucose sensor for food.

An amperometric non-enzymatic glucose sensor was developed based on nitrogen-doped graphene with dispersed copper nanoparticles (Cu-NGr). The sensing element was tested in conjunction with a modified glassy carbon electrode for glucose detection. The Cu-NGr composite was prepared by one pot synthesis from a mixture of graphene oxide, copper nitrate and uric acid, followed by thermal annealing at 900°C for 1h.

Abalone Hemocyanin Blocks the Entry of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 into Cells: a Potential New Antiviral Strategy.

A marine-derived compound, abalone hemocyanin, from Haliotis rubra was shown to have a unique mechanism of antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infections. In vitro assays demonstrated the dose-dependent and inhibitory effect of purified hemocyanin against HSV-1 infection in Vero cells with a 50% effective dose (ED50) of 40 to 50 nM and no significant toxicity. In addition, hemocyanin specifically inhibited viral attachment and entry by binding selectively to the viral surface glycoproteins gD, gB, and gC, probably by mimicking their receptors.

Co-Doping of Activated Graphene for Synergistically Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Doping of graphene has emerged as a key strategy to improve the electrocatalytic performance of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Activated graphene co-doped with iodine and nitrogen atoms (NIG) was developed in this work using a facile scalable approach. The onset potential, current density, and four-electron reduction pathway of the newly developed catalyst were significantly improved.

Distribution and characterization of rhogocyte cell types in the mantle tissue of Haliotis laevigata.

Molluscan rhogocytes are known to be the only cells able to synthesize hemocyanin that is one of the largest respiratory proteins in nature. However, investigation of rhogocyte cells in vitro is limited due to difficulty in isolating and establishing marine cell culture. The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and distribution of rhogocyte cells of Haliotis laevigata in the mantle tissue with respect to the expression of the two known isoforms of hemocyanin.

Edge-enriched graphene quantum dots for enhanced photo-luminescence and supercapacitance.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with their edge-bound nanometer-size present distinctive properties owing to quantum confinement and edge effects. We report a facile ultrasonic approach with chemical activation using KOH to prepare activated GQDs or aGQDs enriched with both free and bound edges. Compared to GQDs, the aGQDs we synthesized had enhanced BET surface area by a factor of about six, the photoluminescence intensity by about four and half times and electro-capacitance by a factor of about two.

Formulation of abalone hemocyanin with high antiviral activity and stability.

Hemocyanin has been shown to have potential antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type-1. However, current liquid formulations have short shelf life and high risk of bacterial contamination. The aim of our study was to develop a stable functional formulation.

High-yield aqueous phase exfoliation of graphene for facile nanocomposite synthesis via emulsion polymerization.

Aqueous phase exfoliation was developed for producing high-yield graphene nanosheets from expanded graphite (EG). The process included ultrasonication with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) emulsion in aqueous phase. The high throughput exfoliation process was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).