Polylactic Acid/Saqqez Gum Blends for Chewing Gum Applications: Impact of Plasticizers on Thermo-Mechanical and Morphological Properties.

This study investigated a blend of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and Saqqez gum, with a weight ratio of 70:30, respectively, along with two plasticizers, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), at three different concentrations (14%, 16% and 18% by weight of the PLA). The blend was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile tests, water-absorption behavior (coefficients of water absorption, sorption, diffusion and permeability of the samples during 240 h) and chemical resistance (exposure to 1 mol/L HCl and 1 mol/L NaOH for 240 h). The desired elastomer blend was then used to prepare natural chewing gum, which was subsequently subjected to texture profile analyzer (TPA) tests and sensory evaluation. The results showed that the addition of both plasticizers increased the tensile properties of the blend. Compared to neat PLA, all the blends exhibited an increase in elongation at break and a decrease in yield strength, with the maximum elongation at break (130.6%) and the minimum yield strength (12.2 MPa) observed in the blend containing 16% ATBC. Additionally, all the thermal attributes studied, including Tg, Tc and Tm, were lower than those of neat PLA, and the Tg values deviated from the values predicted via Fox's equation. SEM images of the blends confirmed that plasticization improved the homogeneity and distribution of the components in the blend structure. PEG 18% and ATBC 16% exhibit the highest and lowest water-absorption behavior, respectively. Regarding chemical resistance, all blends showed weight gain when exposed to HCl, while no weight loss was observed for resistance to NaOH. The chewing gum sample obtained similar values for the mentioned tests compared to the commercial control sample. Overall, the results indicate that plasticization enhances the structure and performance of the PLA/Saqqez gum blend and further investigation is warranted.

Low Prevalence of Anti-HBc Antibody and Lack of HBV DNA Among HBsAg-Negative Blood Donors in Iran: A Cross-sectional Study and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) refers to the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum or liver of individuals who tested negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). This study aimed to determine seropositivity for antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) and the frequency of OBI among the HBsAg non-reactive blood donors in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, serum samples of HBsAg-negative blood donors were examined for anti-HBc during June and August 2018. Anti-HBc-positive samples were tested for antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs), and those with negative results were classified as isolated anti-HBc cases. The presence of HBV DNA in the C, S, and X gene regions was assessed by a qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method in all HBsAg-negative samples. OBI subjects were detected by the presence of at least one HBV genomic region. RESULTS: Of 540 HBsAg-negative donors, 29 (5.4%; 95% confidence interval: 3.6-7.6%) showed seroreactivity for anti-HBc, of whom 18 individuals were also seropositive for anti-HBs. All donors showed negative results for all three HBV genes regardless of their serum anti-HBc status. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, we suggest routine screening of Iranian blood donation volunteers for serum anti-HBc and anti-HBs but not HBV DNA.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D gene polymorphism and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Iranian individuals.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms in the Iranian population. Additionally, we performed a straightforward meta-analysis of the present articles to better understand this role. A total of 100 Iranian individuals, 50 patients with T2DM, and 50 age-matched healthy individuals were included in this study. DNA was extracted using the salting-out approach, polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, electrophoresis techniques were used, and genotyping was performed. We also searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for papers published in 2023. We found a significantly higher frequency of I/D genotype in the patient group than in the control group, and the risk of T2DM was 10 times higher in individuals with the I/D genotype (OR, 10 [95% CI, 3.7 to 27]; p < 0.0001) and also 2.85 time higher in individuals with the D allele OR, 2.85 [95% CI, 1.55 to 5.24]; p < 0.001). The ACE polymorphism alleles D and I/D genotypes may increase the risk of developing T2DM in an Iranian population.

Evaluation of people's satisfaction with botulinum toxin injection for facial rejuvenation based on age.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A injections are widely used for facial rejuvenation; however, research on people's satisfaction based on age is limited. This study assessed patient satisfaction with botulinum toxin injections for forehead, glabella, and periorbital wrinkles in Birjand, Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current study examined 150 people aged 18 to 70 who requested botulinum toxin type A injection in the forehead, glabellar, and periorbital area in 2022, who visited the plastic surgery clinic and the authors' offices in Birjand City. To check patients' satisfaction, Facial Lines Treatment Satisfaction (FTS) Questionnaire was used. One month after botulinum toxin type A injection, this questionnaire was completed by the clients. Also, the brand type of botulinum toxin, age, gender of the clients, frequency of visits, and complications were collected in the relevant checklist. RESULTS: The average age of participants was 38.8 ± 8.29 years with 73.3% being female. Masport botulinum toxin (MasoonDarou Pharmaceutical Company, I.R. Iran) was the most frequently used botulinum toxin brand at 66.7%. The average satisfaction score with the result of botulinum toxin injection in the forehead/glabella and periorbital area, in the age group under 30 years and 30-40 years, was significantly higher than in the age group over 50 years. The same indicators in the age group under 30 years old were significantly higher than in the 30-40 age group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, brand selection and the number of visits (first-time vs. second-time clients) demonstrated varied outcomes in satisfaction. There was a total of 62.7% side effects postinjection, with varying degrees of severity.

Transport and retention of functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles in saturated/unsaturated porous media: Effects of flow velocity, ionic strength and initial particle concentration.

The widespread use of nanomaterials has raised the threat of nanoparticles (NPs) infection of soils and groundwater resources. This research aims to investigate three parameters including flow velocity, ionic strength (IS), and initial particle concentration effects on transport behavior and retention mechanism of functionalization form of graphene oxide with polyvinylpyrrolidone (GO-PVP). The transport of GO-PVP was investigated in a laboratory-scale study through saturated/unsaturated (Saturation Degree = 0.91) sand columns. Experiments were conducted on flow velocity from 1.20 to 2.04 cm min-1, initial particle concentration from 10 to 50 mg L-1, and IS of 5-20 mM. The retention of GO-PVP was best described using the one-site kinetic attachment model in HYDRUS-1D, which accounted for the time and depth-dependent retention. According to breakthrough curves (BTCs), the lower transport related to the rate of mass recovery of GO-PVP was obtained by decreasing flow velocity and initial particle concentration and increasing IS through the sand columns. Increasing IS could improve the GO-PVP retention (based on katt and Smax) in saturated/unsaturated media; katt increases from 2.81 × 10-3 to 3.54 × 10-3 s-1 and Smax increases from 0.37 to 0.42 mg g-1 in saturated/unsaturated conditions, respectively. Our findings showed that the increasing retention of GO-PVP through the sand column under unsaturated condition could be recommended for the reduction of nanoparticles danger of ecosystem exposure.

Impact of a 50bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of the superoxide dismutase-1 on oxidative stress status and risk of keratoconus.

Keratoconus (KC) is characterized by the predominant primary ectatic disease, affecting the cornea, necessitating corneal transplants in some cases. While some loci associated with KC risk have been identified, the understanding of the disease remains limited. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes play a crucial role in countering the reactive oxygen species and providing protection against oxidative stress (OS). Accordingly, the objective of this study was to investigate a potential association of a 50 nucleotide base pairs (bp) insertion/deletion (I/D) within the SOD1 promoter, and the located 1684 bp upstream of the SOD1 ATG, with KC in the Iranian population. Additionally, an assessment was conducted on SOD activity and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as determined by the ferric reducing-antioxidant power assay, along with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In this case-control study, genomic DNA was extracted from the blood cells of KC (n = 402) and healthy (n = 331) individuals. The genotype of this gene was determined using the PCR technique. Furthermore, the amount of SOD enzyme activity and the MDA and TAC levels were measured in the serum of the study groups. The (I/I) genotype was present in 84.23%, the (I/D) genotype in 15.06%, and the (D/D) genotype in 0.69% of both groups. A statistically significant relationship was seen between different genotypes and TAC, MDA, and SOD1 activity indices (P < 0.05). Individuals with the D/D genotype exhibited a decrease in total antioxidant capacity, an increase in the amount of MDA, and a decrease in SOD1 enzyme activity (P < 0.05). Moreover, the logistic regression analysis of KC development indicated that elevated levels of MDA increased the risk of KC incidence in the patient group compared to the healthy group, while a higher activity of SOD1 and greater values of TAC decreased the KC risk. The removal of the 50 bp fragment reduced SOD1 activity and elevated OS levels, thereby impacting the oxidant-antioxidant balance. This could potentially play a significant role in individuals afflicted by KC.

Crosstalk between autophagy and insulin resistance: evidence from different tissues.

Insulin is a critical hormone that promotes energy storage in various tissues, as well as anabolic functions. Insulin resistance significantly reduces these responses, resulting in pathological conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The management of insulin resistance requires better knowledge of its pathophysiological mechanisms to prevent secondary complications, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recent evidence regarding the etiological mechanisms behind insulin resistance emphasizes the role of energy imbalance and neurohormonal dysregulation, both of which are closely regulated by autophagy. Autophagy is a conserved process that maintains homeostasis in cells. Accordingly, autophagy abnormalities have been linked to a variety of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, T2DM, obesity, and CVDs. Thus, there may be a link between autophagy and insulin resistance. Therefore, the interaction between autophagy and insulin function will be examined in this review, particularly in insulin-responsive tissues, such as adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle.

Immune response to COVID-19 vaccines among people living with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection: a retrospective cohort study from Iran.

The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination is still unclear in individuals with underlying diseases such as HTLV-1 infection. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the humoral response of COVID-19 vaccines among people living with HTLV-1 (PLHTLV) in northeastern Iran. From December 2021 to October 2022, eighty-six HTLV-1+ subjects (50 males and 36 females; 47.7 ± 11.2 years) and 90 HTLV-1 seronegative individuals (age- and sex-matched convenient samples) were enrolled. The humoral immune response was evaluated by measuring different COVID-19 Abs in serum samples at least 28 days after receiving 2nd or 3rd doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Throughout all three rounds of immunization, Sinopharm was the most commonly used COVID-19 vaccine across all three immunization rounds. Compared to the HTLV-1- group, a significantly lower frequency of all four Abs activity was observed among PLHTLV:anti-nucleocapsid (66.3% vs 86.7%, p = 0·001), anti-spike (91.9% vs 98.9%, p = 0·027), RBD (90.7% vs 97.8%, p = 0·043), and neutralizing Abs (75.6% vs 95.5%, p < 0·001). Also, the frequency of all Abs in 28 patients with HAM/TSP was higher than that of 58 asymptomatic carriers, although this difference was statistically significant only in the case of anti-spike Abs (p = 0.002). Notably, PLHTLV-vaccinated against COVID-19 demonstrated significantly lower antibody activities, indicating a reduced humoral immune response to COVID-19 vaccines.

Rate of occult hepatitis B virus infection among individuals with tuberculosis in northeastern Iran: A molecular epidemiological study.

One third of the world population has a history of exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and two billion people are infected with latent tuberculosis (TB). Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of replicative-competent HBV DNA in the liver with detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum of individuals testing negative for the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Screening with HBV DNA could identify OBI and significantly reduce carriers and complications of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aims to assess HBV serological markers and OBI molecular diagnosis among people with TB in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. We have performed HBV serological markers (HBsAg, HBc antibodies (Ab) and HBs Ab) in 175 participants. Fourteen HBsAg+ sera were excluded for further analysis. The presence of HBV DNA (C, S, and X gene regions) was assessed by the qualitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method. Frequencies of HBsAg, HBc, and HBs Ab were 8% (14/175), 36.6% (64/175), and 49.1% (86/175), respectively. Among these 42.9% (69/161) were negative for all HBV serological markers. The S, C, and X gene regions were positive in 10.3% (16/156), 15.4% (24/156), and 22.4% (35/156) of participants, respectively. The total OBI frequency was estimated at 33.3% (52/156) when based on detecting one HBV genomic region. Twenty-two and 30 participants had a seronegative and seropositive OBI, respectively. Thorough screening of high-risk groups with reliable and sensitive molecular methods could lead to OBI identification and decrease CHB long-term complications. Mass immunization remains critical in preventing, reducing, and potentially eliminating HBV complications.

Efficient dispersive solid-phase extraction of methylprednisolone from exhaled breath of COVID-19 patients.

In the current study, bismuth ferrite nano-sorbent was synthesized and utilized as a sorbent for the dispersive solid-phase extraction of methylprednisolone from exhaled breath samples. The size and morphology of the nano-sorbent were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Following its desorption with acetonitrile, methylprednisolone was quantified by a high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detector. Factors affecting the extraction of methylprednisolone were optimized. Under optimized experimental conditions, a linear relationship between the analytical signals and methylprednisolone concentration was obtained in the range of 0.001-0.2 µg mL-1 for exhaled breath condensate samples and 0.002-0.4 µg per filter for filter samples. A pre-concentration factor of 6.4-fold, corresponding to an extraction recovery of 96.0%, was achieved. The validated method was applied for the determination of methylprednisolone in real samples taken from the exhaled breath of COVID-19 patients under mechanical ventilation.

Determination of optimal operating conditions for AC-powered electrocoagulation process coupling green additive Tartaric Acid to remove Ni2+: Pyomo and RSM approach.

A novel Python-based open-source optimization framework, namely Pyomo (Python optimization modeling objects), alongside a conventional optimization method, RSM (response surface methodology), was utilized to determine the optimal operating conditions of an alternating current-powered electrocoagulation (ACPE) process for nickel removal. In this regard, four mutable operating factors, current density (5-9 mA/cm2), initial nickel concentration (200-400 mg/L), initial pH of the solution (5-9), and electrolysis time (30-60 min), along with a fixed amount of an additional eco-friendly substance, Tartaric Acid (155 mg/L) were considered. Metal removal efficiency (OF1) and operating costs (OF2) were monitored and evaluated as objective functions with the aim of maximization and minimization, respectively. Experiments were conducted according to the central composite design (CCD), and validation outcomes established a reasonable agreement between the predicted models and the experimental data. The multi-objective optimization process yielded two sets of 30-optimal-solution obtained through Pyomo and RSM. Accordingly, the proposed solutions by the Pyomo were found to be more flexible and eclectic, supplying the local decision maker(s) with a diverse spectrum of optimal operating conditions. Adding TA was also effective in reducing electrical energy consumption by up to 46%.

Opium may affect coronary artery disease by inducing inflammation but not through the expression of CD9, CD36, and CD68.

The molecular mechanisms of opium action with regard to coronary artery disease (CAD) have not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of opium on the expression of scavenger receptors including CD36, CD68, and CD9 tetraspanin in monocytes and the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in CAD patients with and without opium addiction. This case-control study was conducted on three groups: (1) opium-addicted CAD patients (CAD + OA, n = 30); (2) CAD patients with no opium addiction (CAD, n = 30); and (3) individuals without CAD and opium addiction as the control group (Ctrl, n = 17). The protein and mRNA levels of CD9, CD36, and CD68 were evaluated by the flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methods, respectively. The consumption of atorvastatin, aspirin, and glyceryl trinitrate was found be higher in the CAD groups compared with the control group. The plasma level of TNF-α was significantly higher in the CAD + OA group than in the CAD and Ctrl groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). MDA levels significantly increased in CAD and CAD + OA patients in comparison with the Ctrl group (p = 0.010 and p = 0.002, respectively). No significant differences were found in CD9, CD36, CD68, IFN-γ, and NOx between the three groups. The findings demonstrated that opium did not have a significant effect on the expression of CD36, CD68, and CD9 at gene and protein levels, but it might be involved in the development of CAD by inducing inflammation through other mechanisms.

The role of the current waveform in mitigating passivation and enhancing electrocoagulation performance: A critical review.

Electrocoagulation (EC) can be an efficient alternative to existing water and wastewater treatment methods due to its eco-friendly nature, low footprint, and facile operation. However, the electrodes applied in the EC process suffer from passivation or fouling, an issue resulting from the buildup of poorly conducting materials on the electrode surface. Indeed, such passivation gives rise to various operational problems and restricts the practical implementation of EC on a large scale. Therefore, it has been suggested that using pulsed direct current (PDC), alternating pulse current (APC), and sinusoidal alternating current (AC) waveforms in EC as alternatives to conventional direct current (DC) can help mitigate passivation and alleviate its associated detrimental effects. This paper presents a critical review of the impact of the current waveform on the EC process towards the capabilities of the PDC, APC, and AC waveforms in de-passivation and performance enhancement while comparing them to the conventional DC. Additionally, current waveform parameters influencing the surface passivation of electrodes and process efficiency are elaborately discussed. Meanwhile, the performance of the EC process is evaluated under different current waveforms based on pollutant removal efficiency, energy consumption, electrode usage, sludge production, and operating cost. The proper current waveforms for treating various water and wastewater matrices are also explained. Finally, concluding remarks and outlooks for future research are provided.

Machine learning-assisted analysis for agronomic dataset of 49 Balangu (Lallemantia iberica L.) ecotypes from different regions of Iran.

The Balangu (Lallemantia iberica) species have a high gastronomical impact in the Middle East and Balkan region. It is widely used in the local food industry, such as confectionery, edible oil, and protein food. In this study, 49 ecotypes were collected from different regions of Iran. 37 agronomic traits were measured during the growing season and at harvest time. To find the correlation between the grain yield per unit area, grain yield per single plant (GYSP), oil percent (OP), and protein percent (PP) with other measured traits, which these were utilized as the labels of different machine learning (ML) procedures including Linear Regression (LR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), and Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Regression (GBDTR). It was observed that there is a linear relationship between the measured agronomic traits and the considered labels. So, the LR, RFR, and GBDTR models showed the lowest mean absolute error, mean square error, and root mean square error than SVR models and good prediction ability of the test data. Although, the RFR and GBDTR have naturally lower bias than other methods in this study, but the GBDTR scheme is preferred because of the over-fitting shortcoming of the RFR technique. The GBDTR method showed better results rather than the other ML regression methods according to the RMSE 3.302, 0.040, 0.028, and 0.060 for GYUA, GYSP, OP, and PP, respectively.

Fouling mechanisms in anoxic-aerobic sequencing batch membrane bioreactor based on adapted Hermia models and main foulant characteristics.

Various derivatives of Hermia models (complete pore blocking, intermediate pore blocking, cake layer formation, and standard pore blocking) and different assessments of foulant characteristics have long been used to determine the membrane fouling mechanisms. Accordingly, this study aims to adapt Hermia models and their combination according to the operating conditions of an anoxic-aerobic sequencing batch membrane bioreactor (A/O-SBMBR). In addition, fouling mechanisms of the A/O-SBMBR were assessed using these models along with the main foulant characteristics. Models fitting with the transmembrane pressure (TMP) data indicated that the intermediate-standard model was accounting for the increased fouling during the whole regular operating period, with the residual sum of squares (RSS) of 58.3. A more detailed study on the distinct stages of TMP curve showed that the intermediate-standard model had the best fit in stages of 2 and 3, with the RSS equal to 2.6 and 2.8, respectively. Also, the complete-standard model provided the best description of the fouling mechanism in stage 4, with the RSS of 12.5. Different analyzes revealed how the main foulant characteristics affect the occurrence of intermediate, complete and standard fouling mechanisms in the A/O-SBMBR, which is consistent with the fitting results of the adapted Hermia models. The modeling and experimental methods used in the presented study provided a valuable basis to prevent and control membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors.

Applications of synthetic yeast consortia for the production of native and non-native chemicals.

The application of microbial consortia is a new approach in synthetic biology. Synthetic yeast consortia, simple or complex synthetic mixed cultures, have been used for the production of various metabolites. Cooperation between the members of a consortium and cross-feeding can be applied to create stable microbial communication. These consortia can: consume a variety of substrates, perform more complex functions, produce metabolites in high titer, rate, and yield (TRY), and show higher stability during industrial fermentations. Due to the new research context of synthetic consortia, few yeasts were used to build these consortia, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, and Yarrowia lipolytica. Here, application of the yeasts for design of synthetic microbial consortia and their advantages and bottlenecks for effective and robust production of valuable metabolites from bioresource, including: cellulose, xylose, glycerol and so on, have been reviewed. Key trends and challenges are also discussed for the future development of synthetic yeast consortia.

Investigating the Antimicrobial Activity of Vancomycin-Loaded Soy Protein Nanoparticles.

Developing targeted and slow-release antibiotic delivery systems can effectively reduce drug overdose and side effects. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of vancomycin-loaded soy protein nanoparticles (vancomycin-SPNs). For the preparation of SPNs, the desolvation method was applied in different concentrations of vancomycin and soy protein (15:5, 10:15, 6:20, 8:25, and 10:30 of vancomycin:soy protein). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and FTIR were used for nanoparticle characterization. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by the radial diffusion assay (RDA) and absorbance methods. Proper synthesis was demonstrated by characterization. The best drug loading (% entrapment efficiency = 90.2%), the fastest release rate (% release = 88.2%), and the best antibacterial activity were observed in ratio 10:30 of vancomycin:SPNs. Results showed that SPNs are a potent delivery system for antibiotic loading and slow release to control antibiotic use.

Carnosol Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammation of Cardiomyoblasts by Inhibiting NF-κB: A Mechanistic in Vitro and in Silico Study.

Carnosol possesses several beneficial pharmacological properties. However, its role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation and cardiomyocyte cell line (H9C2) has never been investigated. Therefore, the effect of carnosol and an NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 was examined, and the underlying role of the NF-κB-dependent inflammatory pathway was analyzed as the target enzyme. Cell viability, inflammatory cytokines levels (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2)), and related gene expression (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)) were analyzed by ELISA and real-time PCR. In addition, docking studies analyzed carnosol's molecular interactions and binding modes to NF-κB and IKK. We report that LPS caused the reduction of cell viability while enhancing both cytokines protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.001, for all cases). However, the BAY 11-7082 pretreatment of the cells and carnosol increased cell viability and reduced cytokine protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.001 vs. LPS, for all cases). Furthermore, our in silico analyses also supported the modulation of NF-κB and IKK by carnosol. This evidence highlights the defensive effects of carnosol against sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction and, contextually, paved the rationale for the next in vitro and in vivo studies aimed to precisely describe its mechanism(s) of action.

Isothermal Amplification of Nucleic Acids Coupled with Nanotechnology and Microfluidic Platforms for Detecting Antimicrobial Drug Resistance and Beyond.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the serious health-threatening issues globally, the control of which is indispensable for rapid diagnosis and treatment because of the high prevalence and risks of pathogenicity. Traditional and molecular techniques are relatively expensive, complex, and non-portable, requiring facilities, trained personnel, and high-tech laboratories. Widespread and timely-detection is vital to the better crisis management of rapidly spreading infective diseases, especially in low-tech regions and resource-limited settings. Hence, the need for inexpensive, fast, simple, mobile, and accessible point-of-care (POC) diagnostics is highly demanding. Among different biosensing methods, the isothermal amplification of nucleic acids is favorite due to their simplicity, high sensitivity/specificity, rapidity, and portability, all because they require a constant temperature to work. Isothermal amplification methods are utilized for detecting various targets, including DNA, RNA, cells, proteins, small molecules, ions, and viruses. In this paper, we discuss various platforms, applications, and potentials of isothermal amplification techniques for biosensing of antimicrobial resistance. We also evaluate the potential of these methods, coupled with the novel and rapidly-evolving platforms offered by nanotechnology and microfluidic devices.