Advancements and Perspectives in Optical Biosensors.

Optical biosensors exhibit immense potential, offering extraordinary possibilities for biosensing due to their high sensitivity, reusability, and ultrafast sensing capabilities. This review provides a concise overview of optical biosensors, encompassing various platforms, operational mechanisms, and underlying physics, and it summarizes recent advancements in the field. Special attention is given to plasmonic biosensors and metasurface-based biosensors, emphasizing their significant performance in bioassays and, thus, their increasing attraction in biosensing research, positioning them as excellent candidates for lab-on-chip and point-of-care devices. For plasmonic biosensors, we emphasize surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and its subcategories, along with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) devices and surface enhance Raman spectroscopy (SERS), highlighting their ability to perform diverse bioassays. Additionally, we discuss recently emerged metasurface-based biosensors. Toward the conclusion of this review, we address current challenges, opportunities, and prospects in optical biosensing. Considering the advancements and advantages presented by optical biosensors, it is foreseeable that they will become a robust and widespread platform for early disease diagnostics.

Effect of Polymer and Cell Membrane Coatings on Theranostic Applications of Nanoparticles: A Review.

The recent decade has witnessed a remarkable surge in the field of nanoparticles, from their synthesis, characterization, and functionalization to diverse applications. At the nanoscale, these particles exhibit distinct physicochemical properties compared to their bulk counterparts, enabling a multitude of applications spanning energy, catalysis, environmental remediation, biomedicine, and beyond. This review focuses on specific nanoparticle categories, including magnetic, gold, silver, and quantum dots (QDs), as well as hybrid variants, specifically tailored for biomedical applications. A comprehensive review and comparison of prevalent chemical, physical, and biological synthesis methods are presented. To enhance biocompatibility and colloidal stability, and facilitate surface modification and cargo/agent loading, nanoparticle surfaces are coated with different synthetic polymers and very recently, cell membrane coatings. The utilization of polymer- or cell membrane-coated nanoparticles opens a wide variety of biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hyperthermia, photothermia, sample enrichment, bioassays, drug delivery, etc. With this review, the goal is to provide a comprehensive toolbox of insights into polymer or cell membrane-coated nanoparticles and their biomedical applications, while also addressing the challenges involved in translating such nanoparticles from laboratory benchtops to in vitro and in vivo applications. Furthermore, perspectives on future trends and developments in this rapidly evolving domain are provided.

Magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic particle imaging (MPI): design and applications.

Recent advancements in medical imaging have brought forth various techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and ultrasound, each contributing to improved diagnostic capabilities. Most recently, magnetic particle imaging (MPI) has become a rapidly advancing imaging modality with profound implications for medical diagnostics and therapeutics. By directly detecting the magnetization response of magnetic tracers, MPI surpasses conventional imaging modalities in sensitivity and quantifiability, particularly in stem cell tracking applications. Herein, this comprehensive review explores the fundamental principles, instrumentation, magnetic nanoparticle tracer design, and applications of MPI, offering insights into recent advancements and future directions. Novel tracer designs, such as zinc-doped iron oxide nanoparticles (Zn-IONPs), exhibit enhanced performance, broadening MPI's utility. Spatial encoding strategies, scanning trajectories, and instrumentation innovations are elucidated, illuminating the technical underpinnings of MPI's evolution. Moreover, integrating machine learning and deep learning methods enhances MPI's image processing capabilities, paving the way for more efficient segmentation, quantification, and reconstruction. The potential of superferromagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle chains (SFMIOs) as new MPI tracers further advanced the imaging quality and expanded clinical applications, underscoring the promising future of this emerging imaging modality.

In situ synthesis of long tubular water-dispersible polyaniline with core/shell gold and silver@graphene oxide nanoparticles for gas sensor application.

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with graphene oxide (GO) shell (Au@GO), silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with GO shell (Ag@GO), and gold silver nanoparticles (AuAgNPs) with GO shell (AuAg@GO) were synthesized employing a cationic surfactant. The prepared core@shell structures were used for in situ synthesis of long tubular polyaniline structures employing cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a soft template. This process led to a notable enhancement in the tubular nanostructure of PANI, extending its length beyond 10 µm, in the case of using core/shell Au@GO, Ag@GO, and AuAg@GO structures. To evaluate their applicability and compatibility, the dispersibility of these nanocomposites was assessed in three distinct solvents: water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Subsequently, the dedoping of PANI within the prepared nanocomposites was scrutinized using UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, which revealed a reduction in the I750/I315 ratio from 1.00 to 0.66 when subjected to water and NMP solvents, respectively. Notably, the dedoping of the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite was predominantly observed in NMP, attributable to the presence of hydrogen bonding interactions and the basic properties of NMP. In terms of ionic conductivity, it was observed that the prepared nanocomposite exhibited its highest conductivity in a water-based medium, registering at 1982 µs. Furthermore, the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite exhibited superior sensing capabilities in comparison to PANI-based gas sensor devices, particularly when exposed to acetone, CO2, NO2, and H2S. Remarkably, at room temperature (25 °C), the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite displayed rapid response and recovery times, with values of 279 s, 431 s, 335 s, and 509 s for 1 ppm concentrations of CO2, NO2, H2S, and acetone, respectively. The sensitivity of these sensors towards acetone, CO2, NO2, and H2S, was quantified by analyzing the slope of the response versus the target gas concentration, revealing the AuAg@GO/PANI nanocomposite to exhibit the highest sensitivity, particularly towards NO2.

Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Review on Synthesis, Characterization, Functionalization, and Biomedical Applications.

Nowadays, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are applied in numerous fields, especially in biomedical applications. Since biofluidic samples and biological tissues are nonmagnetic, negligible background signals can interfere with the magnetic signals from MNPs in magnetic biosensing and imaging applications. In addition, the MNPs can be remotely controlled by magnetic fields, which make it possible for magnetic separation and targeted drug delivery. Furthermore, due to the unique dynamic magnetizations of MNPs when subjected to alternating magnetic fields, MNPs are also proposed as a key tool in cancer treatment, an example is magnetic hyperthermia therapy. Due to their distinct surface chemistry, good biocompatibility, and inducible magnetic moments, the material and morphological structure design of MNPs has attracted enormous interest from a variety of scientific domains. Herein, a thorough review of the chemical synthesis strategies of MNPs, the methodologies to modify the MNPs surface for better biocompatibility, the physicochemical characterization techniques for MNPs, as well as some representative applications of MNPs in disease diagnosis and treatment are provided. Further portions of the review go into the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of composite MNPs with core/shell structures as well as a deeper analysis of MNP properties to learn about potential biomedical applications.

Kinetic and Parametric Analysis of the Separation of Ultra-Small, Aqueous Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Suspensions under Quadrupole Magnetic Fields.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have gathered tremendous scientific interest, especially in the biomedical field, for multiple applications, including bioseparation, drug delivery, etc. Nevertheless, their manipulation and separation with magnetic fields are challenging due to their small size. We recently reported the coupling of cooperative magnetophoresis and sedimentation using quadrupole magnets as a promising strategy to successfully promote SPION recovery from media. However, previous studies involved SPIONs dispersed in organic solvents (non-biocompatible) at high concentrations, which is detrimental to the process economy. In this work, we investigate, for the first time, the magnetic separation of 20 nm and 30 nm SPIONs dispersed in an aqueous medium at relatively low concentrations (as low as 0.5 g·L-1) using our custom, permanent magnet-based quadrupole magnetic sorter (QMS). By monitoring the SPION concentrations along the vessel within the QMS, we estimated the influence of several variables in the separation and analyzed the kinetics of the process. The results obtained can be used to shed light on the dynamics and interplay of variables that govern the fast separation of SPIONs using inexpensive permanent magnets.

Comparison of the Effect of Four Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Configurations on Picture-Naming Improvement in Non-Fluent Aphasia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Anomia is a language disorder that negatively affects communication abilities in people with aphasia (PWA). We aimed to compare the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) on the picture-naming accuracy and reaction time in PWA. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled crossover trial was conducted in 2021 at Mobasher Kashani Clinic, Hamadan, Iran. Sixteen patients received both five days of real-tDCS (1 mA for 20 minutes) and five days of sham-tDCS with a seven-day washout period in between. Using the Persian aphasia naming test, picture-naming accuracy and reaction time on 50 images were assessed at baseline, real-tDCS, and sham-tDCS stages. The data were analyzed using STATA software, version 11.0. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Sixteen non-fluent PWA participated in the study. Of all patients, 64% benefited from tDCS over the STG and 18% over the IFG. The results showed that real-tDCS had a significant effect on the picture-naming accuracy (P=0.003) and the Persian-Western aphasia battery-one score (P=0.01), whereas sham-tDCS had no noticeable effects. Both the real- and sham-tDCS had no significant effect on the reaction time (P=0.28). Conclusion: Five sessions of individualized tDCS protocol (1 mA for 20 minutes) were adequate to improve picture-naming accuracy in patients with chronic aphasia.

Giant Magnetoresistance Based Biosensors for Cancer Screening and Detection.

Early-stage screening of cancer is critical in preventing its development and therefore can improve the prognosis of the disease. One accurate and effective method of cancer screening is using high sensitivity biosensors to detect optically, chemically, or magnetically labeled cancer biomarkers. Among a wide range of biosensors, giant magnetoresistance (GMR) based devices offer high sensitivity, low background noise, robustness, and low cost. With state-of-the-art micro- and nanofabrication techniques, tens to hundreds of independently working GMR biosensors can be integrated into fingernail-sized chips for the simultaneous detection of multiple cancer biomarkers (i.e., multiplexed assay). Meanwhile, the miniaturization of GMR chips makes them able to be integrated into point-of-care (POC) devices. In this review, we first introduce three types of GMR biosensors in terms of their structures and physics, followed by a discussion on fabrication techniques for those sensors. In order to achieve target cancer biomarker detection, the GMR biosensor surface needs to be subjected to biological decoration. Thus, commonly used methods for surface functionalization are also reviewed. The robustness of GMR-based biosensors in cancer detection has been demonstrated by multiple research groups worldwide and we review some representative examples. At the end of this review, the challenges and future development prospects of GMR biosensor platforms are commented on. With all their benefits and opportunities, it can be foreseen that GMR biosensor platforms will transition from a promising candidate to a robust product for cancer screening in the near future.

Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy for Point-of-Care: A Review on Recent Advances.

Since its first report in 2006, magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS)-based biosensors have flourished over the past decade. Currently, MPS are used for a wide range of applications, such as disease diagnosis, foodborne pathogen detection, etc. In this work, different MPS platforms, such as dual-frequency and mono-frequency driving field designs, were reviewed. MPS combined with multi-functional magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been extensively reported as a versatile platform for the detection of a long list of biomarkers. The surface-functionalized MNPs serve as nanoprobes that specifically bind and label target analytes from liquid samples. Herein, an analysis of the theories and mechanisms that underlie different MPS platforms, which enable the implementation of bioassays based on either volume or surface, was carried out. Furthermore, this review draws attention to some significant MPS platform applications in the biomedical and biological fields. In recent years, different kinds of MPS point-of-care (POC) devices have been reported independently by several groups in the world. Due to the high detection sensitivity, simple assay procedures and low cost per run, the MPS POC devices are expected to become more widespread in the future. In addition, the growth of telemedicine and remote monitoring has created a greater demand for POC devices, as patients are able to receive health assessments and obtain results from the comfort of their own homes. At the end of this review, we comment on the opportunities and challenges for POC devices as well as MPS devices regarding the intensely growing demand for rapid, affordable, high-sensitivity and user-friendly devices.

The effect of risperidone and electroconvulsive therapy on corrected QT interval in electrocardiogram of psychiatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Some types of antidepressants and antipsychotic medications have cardiovascular side effects that can be life-threatening. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is capable of generating physiological stress and may lead to increased QT interval followed by arrhythmias. Risperidone can also increase the risk of arrhythmia by increasing the corrected QT (QTc) interval. Since many patients require co-administration of risperidone and ECT, this study aimed to investigate the concurrent effect of ECT and risperidone administration on the QTc interval. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, 60 patients (18-65 years) admitted in 22 Bahman Psychiatric Hospital (Qazvin, Iran) that were candidate for treatment with risperidone, ECT, or both methods were concurrently divided into three groups. The groups included patients treated with ECT, risperidone, and combination treatment (risperidone and ECT). At the beginning of the study, electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained for all patients and QT was performed manually, and finally, QTc interval was measured two times for each group. Required information was collected through medical records. Then, inferential statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), was used to determine differences between different variables. RESULTS: A significant increase in heart rate (HR) in the third group compared to first and second groups was observed. None of the treatments had a significant effect on QTc interval, but the QTc interval increased slightly in groups treated with the ECT alone and particularly, the ECT plus risperidone in comparison to the baseline values. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that risperidone, ECT, and their concomitant combination did not affect the QTc interval. Therefore, risperidone and ECT are safe and their combination can also be a good option for refractory patients undergoing ECG monitoring and cardiopulmonary devices.