Thrombus-Targeting Polymeric Nanocarriers and Their Biomedical Applications in Thrombolytic Therapy

Due to the high morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases, there is an urgent need for research on antithrombotic strategies. In view of the short half-life, insufficient drug penetration, poor targeting capabilities, and hemorrhagic side-effects of traditional thrombus treatment methods, the combination of thrombolytic therapy and nanocarriers brought by the development of nanotechnology in recent years may provide effective solutions for these undesirable side-effects caused by insufficient targeting. Polymeric nanocarriers, based on macromolecules and various functional groups, can connect specific targeting molecules together through chemical modification to achieve the protection and targeted delivery of thrombolytic drugs. However, simple chemical molecular modifications may be easily affected by the physiological environment encountered in the circulatory system. Therefore, the modification of nanocarriers with cell membranes can provide camouflage to these platforms and help to extend their circulation time while also imparting them with the biological functions of cell membranes, thus providing them with precise targeting capabilities, among which the most important is the biological modification of platelet membranes. In addition, some nanoparticles with their own therapeutic functions have also been developed, such as polypyrrole, which can exhibit a photothermal effect to induce thrombolysis. Herein, combined with the mechanism of thrombosis and thrombolysis, we outline the recent advances achieved with thrombus-targeting nanocarriers with regard to thrombosis treatment. On this basis, the design considerations, advantages, and challenges of these thrombolytic therapies in clinical transformation are discussed.

Biological Modification of Pentosans in Wheat B Starch Wastewater and Preparation of a Composite Film

Background: Petrochemical resources are becoming increasingly scarce, and petroleum-based plastic materials adversely impact the environment. Thus, an urgent need exists to replace petroleum-based materials with new and effective renewable materials.Results: In this study, we isolated a wheat pentosan-degrading bacterium (MXT-1) from wheat-processing plant wastewater. The MXT-1 strain was identified using molecular biology techniques. We then analyzed the degradation characteristics of the bacteria in wheat pentosan. We found that wheat pentosan was effectively degraded by bacteria. The molecular weight of fermented wheat pentosan decreased from 1730 to 257 kDa. The pentosan before and after the biological modification was mixed with chitosan to prepare a composite film. After fermentation, the water-vapor permeability of the wheat pentosan film decreased from 0.2769 g·mm·(m2·h·KPa)-1 to 0.1286 g·mm·(m2·h·KPa)-1. The smooth and dense surface morphologies of the film was observed by scanning electron microscopy after fermentation. The tensile strength of the film decreased after fermentation modification, whereas the flexibility increased.Conclusion: The results of this study have proved that the modified pentosan film could be a potential candidate for edible packaging films.

Bio-Separated and Gate-Free 2D MoS2 Biosensor Array for Ultrasensitive Detection of BRCA1

2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based thin film transistors are widely used in biosensing, and many efforts have been made to improve the detection limit and linear range. However, in addition to the complexity of device technology and biological modification, the compatibility of the physical device with biological solutions and device reusability have rarely been considered. Herein, we designed and synthesized an array of MoS2 by employing a simple-patterned chemical vapor deposition growth method and meanwhile exploited a one-step biomodification in a sensing pad based on DNA tetrahedron probes to form a bio-separated sensing part. This solves the signal interference, solution erosion, and instability of semiconductor-based biosensors after contacting biological solutions, and also allows physical devices to be reused. Furthermore, the gate-free detection structure that we first proposed for DNA (BRCA1) detection demonstrates ultrasensitive detection over a broad range of 1 fM to 1 μM with a good linear response of R2 = 0.98. Our findings provide a practical solution for high-performance, low-cost, biocompatible, reusable, and bio-separated biosensor platforms.

Microalgae Cultivation and Industrial Waste: New Biotechnologies for Obtaining Silver Nanoparticles

Industrial effluents containing heavy metals can have harmful effects on organisms and the ecosystem. Silver is a waste from textile, galvanic and photographic industries, and when released into the environment, it can harm human health and cause biological modification. Removal of metals, such as silver, has been traditionally carried out using physicochemical methods that produce a high concentration of sludge and expend a significant amount of energy. Researchers are seeking innovative technologies for more efficient removal of silver or for using this heavy metal to obtain new products. The use of microalgae is a promising alternative to traditional remediation methods because several species can absorb and assimilate heavy metals. When exposed to toxic substances, microalgae excrete molecules in the medium that induce the reduction of silver particles to nanoparticles. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be used in medicine, food packaging, the production of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, civil engineering, sensors and water purification. Thus, microalgal biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles has the capacity to bioremediate metals and subsequently convert them into non-toxic forms in the cell. In this context, this review addresses the use of microalgal biotechnology for industrial waste remediation of silver, which includes the simultaneous biosynthesis of AgNPs. We also discuss the potential applications of these nanoparticles.