A comprehensive review on the applications of nano-biosensor-based approaches for non-communicable and communicable disease detection.

The outstretched applications of biosensors in diverse domains has become the reason for their attraction for scientific communities. Because they are analytical devices, they can detect both quantitative and qualitative biological components through the generation of detectable signals. In the recent past, biosensors witnessed significant changes and developments in their design as well as features. Nanotechnology has revolutionized sensing phenomena by increasing biodiagnostic capacity in terms of specificity, size, and cost, resulting in exceptional sensitivity and flexibility. The steep increase of non-communicable diseases across the world has emerged as a matter of concern. In parallel, the abrupt outbreak of communicable diseases poses a serious threat to mankind. For decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with various communicable and non-communicable diseases, early detection and subsequent treatment are indispensable. Detection of different biological markers generates quantifiable signals that can be electrochemical, mass-based, optical, thermal, or piezoelectric. Speculating on the incumbent applicability and versatility of nano-biosensors in large disciplines, this review highlights different types of biosensors along with their components and detection mechanisms. Moreover, it deals with the current advancements made in biosensors and the applications of nano-biosensors in detection of various non-communicable and communicable diseases, as well as future prospects of nano-biosensors for diagnostics.

Antifungal and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Photochemically Synthesized Heparin-Coated Gold and Silver Nanoparticles.

Heparin-based silver nanoparticles (AgHep-NPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuHep-NPs) were produced by a photochemical method using silver nitrate and chloroauric acid as metal precursors and UV light at 254 nm. UV-Vis spectroscopy graphs showed absorption for AgHep-NPs and AuHep-NPs at 420 nm and 530 nm, respectively. TEM revealed a pseudospherical morphology and a small size, corresponding to 10-25 nm for AgHep-NPs and 1.5-7.5 nm for AuHep-NPs. Their antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Issatchenkia orientalis (Candida krusei), and Candida parapsilosis was assessed by the microdilution method. We show that AgHep-NPs were effective in decreasing fungus density, whereas AuHep-NPs were not. Additionally, the viability of human gingival fibroblasts was preserved by both nanoparticle types at a level above 80%, indicating a slight cytotoxicity. These results are potentially useful for applications of the described NPs mainly in dentistry and, to a lesser extent, in other biomedical areas.

Nano based drug delivery systems: recent developments and future prospects.

Nanomedicine and nano delivery systems are a relatively new but rapidly developing science where materials in the nanoscale range are employed to serve as means of diagnostic tools or to deliver therapeutic agents to specific targeted sites in a controlled manner. Nanotechnology offers multiple benefits in treating chronic human diseases by site-specific, and target-oriented delivery of precise medicines. Recently, there are a number of outstanding applications of the nanomedicine (chemotherapeutic agents, biological agents, immunotherapeutic agents etc.) in the treatment of various diseases. The current review, presents an updated summary of recent advances in the field of nanomedicines and nano based drug delivery systems through comprehensive scrutiny of the discovery and application of nanomaterials in improving both the efficacy of novel and old drugs (e.g., natural products) and selective diagnosis through disease marker molecules. The opportunities and challenges of nanomedicines in drug delivery from synthetic/natural sources to their clinical applications are also discussed. In addition, we have included information regarding the trends and perspectives in nanomedicine area.

Heparin assisted photochemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their performance as SERS substrates.

Reactive and pharmaceutical-grade heparins were used as biologically compatible reducing and stabilizing agents to photochemically synthesize colloidal gold nanoparticles. Aggregates and anisotropic shapes were obtained photochemically under UV black-light lamp irradiation (λ = 366 nm). Heparin-functionalized gold nanoparticles were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The negatively charged colloids were used for the Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) analysis of differently charged analytes (dyes). Measurements of pH were taken to inspect how the acidity of the medium affects the colloid-analyte interaction. SERS spectra were taken by mixing the dyes and the colloidal solutions without further functionalization or addition of any aggregating agent.