Label-free electrochemical microfluidic biosensors: futuristic point-of-care analytical devices for monitoring diseases.

The integration of microfluidics with electrochemical analysis has resulted in the development of single miniaturized detection systems, which allows the precise control of sample volume with multianalyte detection capability in a cost- and time-effective manner. Microfluidic electrochemical sensing devices (MESDs) can potentially serve as precise sensing and monitoring systems for the detection of molecular markers in various detrimental diseases. MESDs offer several advantages, including (i) automated sample preparation and detection, (ii) low sample and reagent requirement, (iii) detection of multianalyte in a single run, (iv) multiplex analysis in a single integrated device, and (v) portability with simplicity in application and disposability. Label-free MESDs can serve an affordable real-time detection with a simple analysis in a short processing time, providing point-of-care diagnosis/detection possibilities in precision medicine, and environmental analysis. In the current review, we elaborate on label-free microfluidic biosensors, provide comprehensive insights into electrochemical detection techniques, and discuss the principles of label-free microfluidic-based sensing approaches.

Effect of Incorporating Hydroxyapatite and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on the Compressive Strength of White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Many efforts have been made to improve the properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), including the incorporation of nanoparticles. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incorporation of zinc oxide and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on the compressive strength of white MTA (WMTA). MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this in vitro study, the following materials were evaluated: MTA, MTA+5% zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, MTA+10% zinc oxide nanoparticles, MTA+5% hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles, MTA+10% zinc oxide nanoparticles. The compressive strength of the groups under investigation was measured on days 4 and 21 after mixing the MTA using a universal testing machine. Two-way ANOVA test was used to compare the groups and determine the significance of the effect of time and material on the compressive strength (p<0.05). RESULTS: The highest and lowest compressive strength values were respectively measured for the second group, MTA/21 days, and the fourth group, MTA+Nano ZnO/4 days. Two-way ANOVA indicated that incorporation of zinc oxide and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles into MTA did not have a significant effect on compressive strength (p= 0.05). Compressive strength in all the groups increased over time from day 4 to day 21. However, this increase was not statistically significant (p= 0.06) except for the MTA group, which exhibited significant increase in compressive strength over time from day 4 to day 21 (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Incorporation of HA and ZnO nanoparticles into MTA had no detrimental effects on its strength and these nanoparticles can be used to improve the other properties of MTA.

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for ultrasensitive detection of CA125 in ovarian cancer.

In the current study, we report on the design and development of a novel electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) oncomarker. Polyamidoamine/gold nanoparticles (PAMAM/AuNPs) were used to increase the conductivity and enhance the number of antibodies (Abs) immobilized on the electrode surface. Three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide-multiwall carbon nanotubes (3DrGO-MWCNTs) were used to modify the glassy carbon electrode to improve the electrode conductivity and specific surface area. Ab and toluidine blue attached to O-succinyl-chitosan-magnetic nanoparticles (Suc-CS@MNPs) as a tracer. The poor solubility of chitosan (CS) was improved by succinic anhydride using a novel modification method. Under optimum condition, the developed immunosensor exhibited a wide linear range (0.0005-75 U/mL) and an excellent limit of detection around 6 µU/mL. The reliability of the engineered immunosensor in detecting CA125 was verified by standard addition recovery method, which was further compared to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proposed immunosensor exhibited excellent stability, high selectivity and sensitivity, and good reproducibility. Based on the great performance of the engineered immunosensor, it is proposed as a robust and reliable diagnostic tool for the detection of CA125 in the clinic.

Electrochemical immunosensor based on chitosan-gold nanoparticle/carbon nanotube as a platform and lactate oxidase as a label for detection of CA125 oncomarker.

In this work, a novel simple and sensitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed based on lactate oxidase as a single electrochemical probe for the detection of carcinoma antigen 125 (CA125). Chitosan-gold nanoparticle/multiwall carbon nanotube/graphene oxide (CS-AuNP/MWCNT/GO) was used as the electrode substrate to increase the electrode specific surface area and improve the protein immobilization and the electrochemical performance of the electrode in terms of oxidation of H2O2. Due to the peroxidase-like function of CS-AuNP, the oxidation peak of H2O2 was observed at a very low potential (0.034 V). The lactate oxidase is used, for the first time, as the single-enzyme label in a sandwich type immunosensor. In the optimum condition, the designed immunosensor exhibited two linear ranges (0.01-0.5 U/mL and 0.5-100 U/mL) by chronoamperometry (CHA). The limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be 0.002 U/mL. The immunosensor displayed excellent reproducibility and stability with remarkable selectivity in terms of the detection of CA125 even in the human serum samples as compared to the ELISA. In conclusion, the engineered immunosensor is proposed as an ultra-sensitive tool for the detection and monitoring of CA125 in the human serum.

A highly sensitive and reliable detection of CA15-3 in patient plasma with electrochemical biosensor labeled with magnetic beads.

An early on-time detection of breast cancer can effectively affect the outcome of the treatment. Here, we developed an ultrasensitive, simple and reliable immunosensor to detect the lowest alteration of CA 15-3, the standard biomarker of breast cancer patients. The proposed immunosensor was achieved by modification of gold electrode by streptavidin to immobilize the biotinylated anti-CA 15-3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Bovine serum albumin was used to prevent nonspecific binding. To improve the sensitivity of modified immunosensor, the sandwich signal enhancer consisting of streptavidin-coated magnetic beads conjugated with biotinylated horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and anti-CA 15-3 biotinylated mAb was applied. The electrochemical measurements were obtained in the presence of hydroquinone as a redox agent and H2O2 as the activating agent of HRP. Under optimized condition and using square wave voltammetry, the lower limit of quantification was obtained as 15 × 10-6 U/mL and the linear CA 15-3 concentration range was 50-15 × 10-6 U/mL. While showing significant stability, the immunosensor displayed an excellent sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CA 15-3 even in the human serum as compared to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a gold standard method. Based on our findings, the engineered immunosensor is proposed as a robust diagnostic tool for the clinical determination of CA 15-3 and other cancer biomarkers.