Shielding siRNA by peptide-based nanofibers: An efficient approach for turning off EGFR gene in breast cancer.

Peptide-based self-assembled nanosystems show great promise as non-viral gene and siRNA delivery vectors. In the current study, we designed and functionalized nanofibers for the delivery of siRNA, targeting and silencing EGFR gene overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer. The nanofiber-mediated siRNA delivery was characterized in terms of zeta potential, morphology, and structural stability by circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Mild-Temperature Catalyzed Hydrosilylation for Simplified Carbohydrate Functionalization of Porous Silicon Nanoparticles.

Porous silicon is one of the most explored nanostructured materials in various biomedical applications owing to its remarkable properties. However, its inherent chemical instability mandates a robust surface modification procedure, and proper surface bioengineering is essential to ensure its effectiveness in the biomedical field. In this study, we introduce a one-pot functionalization strategy that simultaneously stabilizes porous silicon nanoparticles and decorates their surface with carbohydrates through hydrosilylation chemistry, combining mild temperatures and a Lewis acid catalyst.

A systematic review of microneedles technology in drug delivery through a bibliometric and patent overview.

The transdermal drug delivery (TDD) route has gathered considerable attention for its potential to improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects. Among transdermal technologies, microneedle (MN) devices have proven to be a promising approach that combines the advantages of traditional needle injections and non-invasive topical applications. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of progress in transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) via MN from 2000 to 2023, integrating bibliometric analysis and patent landscape to present a multi-faceted perspective on the evolution of this technology.

Characterization of bovine serum albumin immobilization on surface modified glass slides in case of pyro-electrohydrodynamic spots.

Background: Pyro-electrohydrodynamic jetting (p-jet) has emerged recently as a promising technique for biosensing applications, through the concentration of highly diluted biomolecules in fluorescent spots at microscale. However, a great challenge still remains in optimizing the binding strategy for the sensing interface, enabling the detection of low abundance proteins through immunofluorescence protocols. Indeed, the surface of reaction can be functionalized with different chemical groups able to bind the target molecule with a strong interaction, prior to the p-jet spots decreasing the possibility to lose sensitivity after the common rinsing steps.

Sensitive colorimetric immunosensor using AuNP-functionalized polymer film for picogram-level detection of Tau protein intermediate aggregates.

Here we demonstrate for the first time that an antibody-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-polymer conjugate thin-film biosensor can easily be fabricated to selectively capture Tau protein. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are employed as sensing elements, thus capitalizing on their propensity to undergo assembly or disassembly in response to the adsorption or conjugation of various biomolecules on their surface, thereby forming robust interactions with the target analyte. We show that the Tau protein in its different aggregation phases can be detected, by restricting the reaction area on the solid thin polymer film and thus reducing the diffusion effects usually encountered in immunosensors.

Human ferritin nanocarriers for drug-delivery: A molecular view of the disassembly process.

Ferritins are natural proteins which spontaneously self-assemble forming hollow nanocages physiologically deputed to iron storage and homeostasis. Thanks to their high stability and easy production in vitro, ferritins represent an intriguing system for nanobiotechnology. Here we investigated the mechanism of disassembly and reassembly of a human recombinant ferritin constituted by the heavy chain (hHFt) exploiting a new procedure which involves the use of minimal amounts of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and assessed its effectiveness in comparison with two commonly used protocols based on pH shift at highly acidic and alkaline values.

Highly sensitive detection of the neurodegenerative biomarker Tau by using the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jetting.

It is largely documented that neurodegenerative diseases can be effectively treated only if early diagnosed. In this context, the structural changes of some biomolecules such as Tau, seem to play a key role in neurodegeneration mechanism becoming eligible targets for an early diagnosis. Post-translational modifications are responsible to drive the Tau protein towards a transition phase from a native disorder conformation into a preaggregation state, which then straight recruits the final fibrillization process.

Protocol for synthesis of spherical silver nanoparticles with stable optical properties and characterization by transmission electron microscopy.

The synthesis of metallic plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) faces challenges in stability and reproducibility, especially with silver. Here, we present a protocol for tunable synthesis of spherical silver NPs (AgNPs) with stable optical properties. We describe steps for preparing solutions, morphological characterization of AgNPs by transmission electron microscopy, and testing stability.

Effect of the molecular weight on the sensing mechanism in polyethylene glycol diacrylate/gold nanocomposite optical transducers.

The combination of plasmonic nanoparticles and hydrogels results in nanocomposite materials with unprecedented properties that give rise to powerful platforms for optical biosensing. Herein, we propose a physicochemical characterization of plasmonic hydrogel nanocomposites made of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels with increasing molecular weights (700-10000 Da) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, ∼60 nm). The swelling capability, mechanical properties, and thermal responses of the nanocomposites are analyzed and the combination with the resulting optical properties is elucidated.

Oscillation Dynamics of Dielectric Polymer Droplets during Electrohydrodynamic Jetting in a Wide Range of Viscosities.

The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jetting of fluids is used for several applications such as inkjet printing, atomization of analyte in mass spectrometry, liquid metal alloy ion sources, and electrospinning of polymer fibers. Historically, the bulk of research has focused on nonviscous, highly conductive fluids which are most suitable for EHD spray and printing, while there is relatively little experimental work on EHD jetting of highly viscous liquid dielectrics. We studied the dynamics of oscillation and pulsating jetting from a suspended drop of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers in an electric field, with particular attention to the viscosity dependence of the oscillation period and meniscus elongation and contraction time over a wide viscosity range (10-10 cSt).

SERS-based pH-Dependent detection of sulfites in wine by hydrogel nanocomposites.

Sulfur dioxide (SO) and sulfites are well-known additives in winemaking due to their preservative properties. Although they can prevent oxidation and inhibit microbial growth, they pose health risks and require limitations on their use. Consequently, the total level of SO is regulated and several quantification strategies have been proposed.

Insights into the Semiconductor SERS Activity: The Impact of the Defect-Induced Energy Band Offset and Electron Lifetime Change.

The significant boost in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by the chemical enhancement of semiconducting oxides is a pivotal finding. It offers a prospective path toward high uniformity and low-cost SERS substrates. However, a detailed understanding of factors that influence the charge transfer process is still insufficient.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Micro/Nanophotonic Devices in Europe.

Photonics has often been defined as the key technology of the 21st century [...

Optical Second Harmonic Generation on LaAlO/SrTiO Interfaces: A Review.

As we approach the limits of semiconductor technology, the development of new materials and technologies for the new era in electronics is compelling. Among others, perovskite oxide hetero-structures are anticipated to be the best candidates. As in the case of semiconductors, the interface between two given materials can have, and often has, very different properties, compared to the corresponding bulk compounds.

Recent Advances in -Responsive Hydrogel-Based Wound Dressing.

Polymeric materials have found increasing use in biomedical applications in the last decades. Among them, hydrogels represent the chosen class of materials to use in this field, in particular as wound dressings. They are generally non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable, and they can absorb large amounts of exudates.

An Investigation about Modern Deep Learning Strategies for Colon Carcinoma Grading.

Developing computer-aided approaches for cancer diagnosis and grading is currently receiving an increasing demand: this could take over intra- and inter-observer inconsistency, speed up the screening process, increase early diagnosis, and improve the accuracy and consistency of the treatment-planning processes.The third most common cancer worldwide and the second most common in women is colorectal cancer (CRC). Grading CRC is a key task in planning appropriate treatments and estimating the response to them.

An Introduction to Nonlinear Integrated Photonics: Structures and Devices.

The combination of integrated optics technologies with nonlinear photonics, which has led to growth of nonlinear integrated photonics, has also opened the way to groundbreaking new devices and applications. In a companion paper also submitted for publication in this journal, we introduce the main physical processes involved in nonlinear photonics applications and discuss the fundaments of this research area. The applications, on the other hand, have been made possible by availability of suitable materials with high nonlinear coefficients and/or by design of guided-wave structures that can enhance a material's nonlinear properties.

An Introduction to Nonlinear Integrated Photonics Devices: Nonlinear Effects and Materials.

The combination of integrated optics technologies with nonlinear photonics, which has led to the growth of nonlinear integrated photonics, has also opened the way to groundbreaking new devices and applications. Here we introduce the main physical processes involved in nonlinear photonics applications, and we discuss the fundaments of this research area, starting from traditional second-order and third-order phenomena and going to ultrafast phenomena. The applications, on the other hand, have been made possible by the availability of suitable materials, with high nonlinear coefficients, and/or by the design of guided-wave structures, which can enhance the material's nonlinear properties.

Thermally Mendable Self-Healing Epoxy Coating for Corrosion Protection in Marine Environments.

Polymeric coatings represent a well-established protection system that provides a barrier between a metallic substrate and the environment. The development of a smart organic coating for the protection of metallic structures in marine and offshore applications is a challenge. In the present study, we investigated the use of self-healing epoxy as an organic coating suitable for metallic substrates.

Beyond conventional microscopy: Observing kidney tissues by means of fourier ptychography.

Kidney microscopy is a mainstay in studying the morphological structure, physiology and pathology of kidney tissues, as histology provides important results for a reliable diagnosis. A microscopy modality providing at same time high-resolution images and a wide field of view could be very useful for analyzing the whole architecture and the functioning of the renal tissue. Recently, Fourier Ptychography (FP) has been proofed to yield images of biology samples such as tissues and cells while providing high resolution and large field of view, thus making it a unique and attractive opportunity for histopathology.

Characterization of a Collection of Colored Lentil Genetic Resources Using a Novel Computer Vision Approach.

The lentil ( Medik.) is one of the major pulse crops cultivated worldwide. However, in the last decades, lentil cultivation has decreased in many areas surrounding Mediterranean countries due to low yields, new lifestyles, and changed eating habits.

Effect of microneedles shape on skin penetration and transdermal drug administration.

Microneedle (MN) patches are highly efficient and versatile tools for transdermal drug administration, in particular for pain-free, self-medication and rapid local applications. Diffraction ultraviolet (UV) light lithography offers an advanced method in fabricating poly(ethylene glycol)-based MNs with different shapes, by changing both the UV-light exposure time and photomask design. The exposure time interval is limited at obtaining conical structures with aspect ratio < 1:3, otherwise MNs exhibit reduced fracture load and poor indentation ability, not suitable for practical application.

Thalamo-hippocampal pathway regulates incidental memory capacity in mice.

Incidental memory can be challenged by increasing either the retention delay or the memory load. The dorsal hippocampus (dHP) appears to help with both consolidation from short-term (STM) to long-term memory (LTM), and higher memory loads, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Here we find that female mice, despite having the same STM capacity of 6 objects and higher resistance to distraction in our different object recognition task (DOT), when tested over 1 h or 24 h delays appear to transfer to LTM only 4 objects, whereas male mice have an STM capacity of 6 objects in this task.

Video-Based Automatic Baby Motion Analysis for Early Neurological Disorder Diagnosis: State of the Art and Future Directions.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are impairments of the growth and development of the brain and/or central nervous system. In the light of clinical findings on early diagnosis of NDD and prompted by recent advances in hardware and software technologies, several researchers tried to introduce automatic systems to analyse the baby's movement, even in cribs. Traditional technologies for automatic baby motion analysis leverage contact sensors.

SERS Sensing of Bacterial Endotoxin on Gold Nanoparticles.

Engineered gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) find application in several fields related to human activities (, food and cosmetic industry or water purification) including medicine, where they are employed for diagnosis, drug delivery and cancer therapy. As for any material/reagent for human use, the safety of AuNPs needs accurate evaluation. AuNPs are prone to contamination by bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), a potent elicitor of inflammatory responses in mammals.