Multiplex Lithographic SERS Aptasensor for Detection of Several Respiratory Viruses in One Pot.

Rapid and reliable techniques for virus identification are required in light of recurring epidemics and pandemics throughout the world. Several techniques have been distributed for testing the flow of patients. Polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription is a reliable and sensitive, though not rapid, tool. The antibody-based strip is a rapid, though not reliable, and sensitive tool. A set of alternative tools is being developed to meet all the needs of the customer. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provides the possibility of single molecule detection taking several minutes. Here, a multiplex lithographic SERS aptasensor was developed aiming at the detection of several respiratory viruses in one pot within 17 min. The four labeled aptamers were anchored onto the metal surface of four SERS zones; the caught viruses affect the SERS signals of the labels, providing changes in the analytical signals. The sensor was able to decode mixes of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two), influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus within a single experiment through a one-stage recognition process.

Therapeutic effect of iodised serum milk protein, lycopene and their combination on benign prostatic hyperplasia induced in rats.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic disease in ageing men. Synthetic inhibitors of 5α-reductase commonly used in BPH treatment have limited effectiveness and may cause side effects. Evaluation of iodised serum milk protein and lycopene therapeutic effect in rat BPH model was the aim of the present study. BPH was induced in male Wistar rats by surgical castration and subsequent testosterone administrations (25 mg/kg, 7 injections). Rats with induced BPH received lycopene (5 mg/kg), iodised serum milk protein (200 µg/kg) or their combination for 1 month daily. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by the prostate weight, prostatic index and ventral lobe epithelium thickness. In lycopene and iodised serum milk protein-treated rats, prostate weight and prostatic index were significantly reduced compared to control group; and lycopene and iodised serum milk protein used in combination yielded an additive effect. Thus, further investigation of combined supplementation with micronutrients and plant-derived substances in BPH models may help to find new opportunities or its safe and effective treatment.

Study of the Embryonic Toxicity of TiO2 and ZrO2 Nanoparticles.

Currently, the widespread use of TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in various industries poses a risk in terms of their potential toxicity. A number of experimental studies provide evidence of the toxic effect of TiO2 and ZrO2 NPs on biological objects. In order to supplement the level of knowledge and assess the risks of toxicity and danger of TiO2 and ZrO2 NPs, we decided to conduct a comprehensive experiment to study the embryonic toxicity of TiO2 and ZrO2 NPs in pregnant rats. For the experiment, mongrel white rats during pregnancy received aqueous dispersions of powders of TiO2 and ZrO2 NPs at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day. To characterize the effect of TiO2 and ZrO2 NPs on females and the postnatal ontogenesis of offspring, a complex of physiological and biochemical research methods was used. The results of the experiment showed that TiO2 NPs as ZrO2 NPs (100 mg/kg per os) cause few shifts of similar orientation in the maternal body. Neither TiO2 NPs nor ZrO2 NPs have an embryonic and teratogenic effect on the offspring in utero, but both modify its postnatal development.

Effects of Isoflavone-Rich NADES Extract of Pueraria lobata Roots and Astaxanthin-Rich Phaffia rhodozyma Extract on Prostate Carcinogenesis in Rats.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male malignancies worldwide. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) extract of Pueraria lobata roots rich in isoflavones (ISF) and Phaffia rhodozyma extract rich in astaxanthin (ASX) on an N-methyl-N-nitrosourea plus testosterone PCa model in rats. ISF consisted of puerarin, daidzein, genistein, formononetin and other polyphenols, while ASX contained lipids and unsaturated species in addition to astaxanthin. Extracts were administered through a whole promotion period in daily doses shown by our group to successfully inhibit benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) development - 200 mg/kg for ISF and 25 mg/kg for ASX. Though a similar effect was found for BPH processes accompanying PCa induction, the incidence of PCa in animals treated with placebo, ISF and ASX was 37%, 37% and 41%, respectively, showing no chemopreventive activity of ISF and ASX. PCa development was associated with a decrease in the Ca/Mg ratio in serum and an increase in prostate tissue. Treatment with both extracts produced a normalization effect on Ca balance in serum, which, combined with a decrease in the prostatic index, suggests some positive health effects of ISF and ASX.

Lithographic SERS Aptasensor for Ultrasensitive Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Biological Fluids.

In this paper, we propose a technology for the rapid and sensitive detection of the whole viral particles of SARS-CoV-2 using double-labeled DNA aptamers as recognition elements together with the SERS method for detecting the optical response. We report on the development of a SERS-aptasensor based on a reproducible lithographic SERS substrate, featuring the combination of high speed, specificity, and ultrasensitive quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 virions. The sensor makes it possible to identify SARS-CoV-2 in very low concentrations (the limit of detection was 100 copies/mL), demonstrating a sensitivity level comparable to the existing diagnostic golden standard-the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Efficacy and Safety of Systemic and Locoregional Cisplatin Chronotherapy in Rats with Ovarian Carcinoma.

AIM: Alterations in circadian rhythms caused by tumor growth are thought to be clinically relevant as they affect the prognosis and treatment response. We aimed to evaluate the chronotherapeutic approach in rats with ovarian cancer receiving cisplatin intravenously (IV) or with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) and to assess daily variations in tumor and intestinal epithelium proliferation. METHODS: In the pilot study, we used 12 intact rats and 12 rats with transplantable ovarian cancer, which were euthanized at ZT0 (08:00, lights on), ZT6, ZT12 and ZT18. In the main study, we used 45 rats with transplantable ovarian cancer. Animals were randomized into five groups: control, HIPEC with cisplatin at ZT0 (08:00), HIPEC with cisplatin at ZT12 (20:00), IV cisplatin at ZT0 and IV cisplatin at ZT12. We assessed the proliferation rate of tumor and small intestinal epithelium, apoptosis in small intestinal epithelium, and levels of γ-H2AX (DNA damage/repair marker) in kidneys and liver. Survival was calculated in each group. RESULTS: Ascitic ovarian cancer disrupted daily variations in intestinal epithelium proliferation and DNA damage/repair in rats. Ovarian carcinoma exhibited no daily variation in mitotic activity. In animals receiving IV cisplatin, massive cell damage in the renal medulla and cystic changes within renal tubules were observed, unlike in rats receiving HIPEC. Tumor mitotic activity was lower in morning-treated groups. The median survival of rats in the control group was 8.5 days (95% CI 6.0-22.0), in HIPEC at ZT0 40.5 days (95% CI 28.0-47.0, p<0.001) and in HIPEC at ZT12 32.0 days (95% CI 28.0-37.0, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In a rat model, ovarian tumor growth disrupted daily variations in intestinal epithelium proliferation and caused genotoxic stress in tumor-free tissues. HIPEC with cisplatin at ZT0 had a better efficacy/toxicity profile than HIPEC with cisplatin at ZT12 and IV administration at both time points.

Astaxantin and Isoflavones Inhibit Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Normalizing Ca/Mg Balance.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common pathology among aging men. Despite the broad pharmacological interventions, the available remedies to treat BPH are yet not devoid of side effects. Herbal compounds are suggested to be an alternative option for the BPH treatment. In our study, we evaluated the effect of kudzu isoflavones and astaxanthin on the BPH animal model. The animals were randomly divided into five groups: control; testosterone-induced BPH group; and three BPH-induced groups, which received intragastrically for 28 days finasteride (5 mg/kg) as a positive control, isoflavones (200 mg/kg), and astaxanthin (25 mg/kg). BPH was induced by castration of animals and subsequent subcutaneous injections of prolonged testosterone (25 mg/kg). Prostate index and histology, biochemical parameters, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. A significant decrease in prostate weight, immunohistochemical markers, and normalization of prostate Ca/Mg ratio was found in all treatment groups. Astaxanthin treatment also resulted in decreased epithelial proliferation and normalized superoxide dismutase activity. In conclusion, both isoflavones and astaxanthin inhibited BPH development at a level comparable to finasteride in terms of prostate weight, prostatic epithelium proliferation, and prostate tissue cumulative histology score. These results suggest that isoflavones and especially astaxanthin could serve as a potential alternative therapy to treat BHP.