Advancements in biosensors for cancer detection: revolutionizing diagnostics.

Cancer stands as the reigning champion of life-threatening diseases, casting a shadow with the highest global mortality rate. Unleashing the power of early cancer treatment is a vital weapon in the battle for efficient and positive outcomes. Yet, conventional screening procedures wield limitations of exorbitant costs, time-consuming endeavors, and impracticality for repeated testing. Enter bio-marker-based cancer diagnostics, which emerge as a formidable force in the realm of early detection, disease progression assessment, and ultimate cancer therapy. These remarkable devices boast a reputation for their exceptional sensitivity, streamlined setup requirements, and lightning fast response times. In this study, we embark on a captivating exploration of the most recent advancements and enhancements in the field of electrochemical marvels, targeting the detection of numerous cancer biomarkers. With each breakthrough, we inch closer to a future where cancer's grip on humanity weakens, guided by the promise of personalized treatment and improved patient outcomes. Together, we unravel the mysteries that cancer conceals and illuminate a path toward triumph against this daunting adversary. This study celebrates the relentless pursuit of progress, where electrochemical innovations take center stage in the quest for a world free from the clutches of carcinoma.

Anticancer effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared by varying entry time of ion carriers against A431 skin cancer cells in vitro.

Although, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZRTs) as an anti-cancer agent have been the subject of numerous studies, none of the reports has investigated the impact of the reaction entry time of ion-carriers on the preparation of ZRTs. Therefore, we synthesized variants of ZRTs by extending the entry time of NaOH (that acts as a carrier of hydroxyl ions) in the reaction mixture. The anti-proliferative action, morphological changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and nuclear apoptosis of ZRTs on human A431 skin carcinoma cells were observed. The samples revealed crystallinity and purity by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of ZRT-1 (5 min ion carrier entry) and ZRT-2 (10 min ion carrier entry) revealed microtubule like morphology. On prolonging the entry time for ion carrier (NaOH) introduction in the reaction mixture, a relative ascent in the aspect ratio was seen. The typical ZnO band with a slight shift in the absorption maxima was evident with UV-visible spectroscopy. Both ZRT-1 and ZRT-2 exhibited non-toxic behavior as evident by RBC lysis assay. Additionally, ZRT-2 showed better anti-cancer potential against A431 cells as seen by MTT assay, ROS generation and chromatin condensation analyses. At 25 µM of ZRT-2, 5.56% cells were viable in MTT test, ROS production was enhanced to 166.71%, while 33.0% of apoptotic cells were observed. The IC50 for ZRT-2 was slightly lower (6 µM) than that for ZRT-1 (8 µM) against A431 cells. In conclusion, this paper presents a modest, economical procedure to generate ZRT nano-structures exhibiting strong cytotoxicity against the A431 cell line, indicating that ZRTs may have application in combating cancer.

Phytochemical Analysis and Binding Interaction of Cotton Seed Cake Derived Compounds with Target Protein of Meloidogyne incognita for Nematicidal Evaluation.

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most damaging plant-parasitic nematodes and is responsible for significant crop losses worldwide. Rising human health and environmental concerns have led to the withdrawal of commonly used chemical nematicides. There has been a tremendous demand for eco-friendly bio-nematicides with beneficial properties to the nematode hosting plants, which encourages the need for alternative nematode management practices. The current study was undertaken to determine the nematicidal potential of cotton seed cake (CSC) against second-stage juvenile (J2) hatching, J2 mortality, and J2 penetration of M. incognita in tomato plants in vitro. J2s and egg masses of M. incognita were exposed to four concentrations (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/L) of CSC extracts. The higher J2 mortality and inhibition of J2 hatching were found at 1000 mg/L, while the least effective result was observed at 250 mg/L of the CSC extract. The CSC extract applied with the concentrations mentioned above also showed inhibition of J2 penetration in tomato roots; 1000 mg/L showed the highest inhibition of penetration, while 250 mg/L displayed the least inhibition. Using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, we identified 11 compounds, out of which 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, and Tetradecanoic acid were found as major compounds. Subsequently, in silico molecular docking was conducted to confirm the nematicidal behavior of CSC based on binding interactions of the above three major compounds with the targeted protein acetylcholine esterase (AChE) of M. incognita. The values of binding free energy are -5.3, -4.5, and -4.9 kcal/mol, observed for 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, and Tetradecanoic acid, respectively, suggesting that 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid binds with the receptor AChE more efficiently than the other two ligands. This study indicates that CSC has nematicidal potential that can be used to control M. incognita for sustainable agriculture.

ZnO Nano-swirlings for Azo Dye AR183 photocatalytic degradation and antimycotic activity.

The sol-gel technique was used to fabricate ZnO Nano-swirlings (ZNsw) at a predetermined agitation rate (of >> 1900 rpm), with around 21.94 gm of zinc acetate dihydrate and 0.2 g cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) and a cationic surfactant (drop-wise). The impact of the predetermined agitation condition on the molecular size and morphology of ZNsw is examined, and the outcomes are dissected by useful characterization tools and techniques viz. XRD, SEM embedded with EDS, TEM, FT-IR and UV-visible. The SEM and TEM results suggest that the product formed into a big cluster of adequate ZNsw, containing a significant quantity of folded long thread-lengths. Each group indicated a fair amount of the volume of these lengths. The photocatalytic process of ZNsw was carried out as a result of the irradiation time due to the deterioration of Azo Dye AR183, resulting in approximately 79 percent dye discoloration following an 80-min UV light irradiation in the presence of ZNsw. Additionally, the synthesized ZNsw was tested for antagonistic activity, and the growth hindrance of two plant pathogenic fungal strains found. Per cent inhibition in growth of Rhizoctonia solani and Alternaria alternata were observed in response to ZNsw.

Isolation and optimization of extracellular PHB depolymerase producer Aeromonas caviae Kuk1-(34) for sustainable solid waste management of biodegradable polymers.

Bioplastics, synthesized by several microbes, accumulates inside cells under stress conditions as a storage material. Several microbial enzymes play a crucial role in their degradation. This research was carried to test the biodegradability of poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) utilizing PHB depolymerase, produced by bacteria isolated from sewage waste soil samples. Potent PHB degrader was screened based on the highest zone of hydrolysis followed by PHB depolymerase activity. Soil burial method was employed to check their degradation ability at different incubation periods of 15, 30, and 45 days at 37±2°C, pH 7.0 at 60% moisture with 1% microbial inoculum of Aeromonas caviae Kuk1-(34) (MN414252). Without optimized conditions, 85.76% of the total weight of the PHB film was degraded after 45 days. This degradation was confirmed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The presence of bacterial colonies on the surface of the degraded film, along with crest, holes, surface erosion, and roughness, were visible. Media optimization was carried out in statistical mode using Plackett Burman (PB) and Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) by considering ten different factors. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pareto chart, response surface plots, and F-value of 3.82 implies that the above statistical model was significant. The best production of PHB depolymerase enzyme (14.98 U/mL) was observed when strain Kuk1-(34) was grown in a media containing 0.1% PHB, K2HPO4 (1.6 gm/L) at 27 ℃ for seven days. Exploiting these statistically optimized conditions, the culture was found to be a suitable candidate for the management of solid waste, where 94.4% of the total weight of the PHB film was degraded after 45 days of incubation.

Anti-quorum Sensing and Anti-biofilm Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanospikes.

This study evaluates the impact of two separate incubation periods (4 and 6 weeks) on the morphology of sol-gel-fabricated ZnO nanospikes (ZNs), that is, ZN1 and ZN2, respectively. We further analyzed the inhibitory effects of ZN1 and ZN2 on quorum sensing (QS) and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) and Chromobacterium violaceum (strains 12472 and CVO26). The size of the synthesized ZNs was in the range of 40-130 nm, and finer nanoparticles were synthesized after an incubation period of 6 weeks. Treatment with ZNs decreased the production of violacein in the pathogen without affecting the bacterial growth, which indicated that ZNs inhibited the QS signaling regulated by N-acyl homoserine lactone. ZN2 had a higher inhibitory action on the virulence factor productivity than ZN1. Furthermore, ZN2-treated cells displayed a substantial decrease in azocasein-degrading protease activity (80%), elastase activity (83%), and pyocyanin production (85%) relative to untreated P. aeruginosa PAO1 cells. Treatment with ZN2 decreased swarming motility and exopolysaccharide production by 89 and 85%, respectively. ZN2 was effective against both the las & pqs systems of P. aeruginosa and exhibited broad-spectrum activity. Additionally, ZN2 was more efficient in inhibiting the biofilm formation at the attachment stage than ZN1. These findings revealed that in P. aeruginosa, ZN2 demonstrated inhibitory effects on QS as well as on the development of biofilms. Thus, ZN2 can be potentially used to treat drug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections.

Sol-gel synthesis of thorn-like ZnO nanoparticles endorsing mechanical stirring effect and their antimicrobial activities: Potential role as nano-antibiotics.

The effect of mechanical stirring on sol-gel synthesis of thorn-like ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and antimicrobial activities is successfully reported in this study. The in-house synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, TGA, DSC and UV-visible spectroscopy. The X-Ray Diffraction analysis revealed the wurtzite crystal lattice for ZnO-NPs with no impurities present. The diametric measurements of the synthesized thorn-like ZnO-NPs (morphology assessed by SEM) were well accounted to be less than 50 nm with the help of TEM. Relative decrease in aspect ratio was observed on increasing the agitation speed. The UV-visible spectroscopy showed the absorption peaks of the ZnO-NPs existed in both UVA and UVB region. A hypsochromic shift in λmax was observed when stirring pace was increased from 500 rpm to 2000 rpm. The FTIR spectroscopy showed the absorption bands of the stretching modes of Zn-O between 500 cm(-1) to 525 cm(-1). The Thermal analysis studies revealed better stability for ZnO-NPs prepared at 2000 rpm (ZnO-2000 rpm). TGA revealed the weight loss between two main temperatures ranges viz. around (90 °C-120 °C) and (240 °C-280 °C). Finally, the effect of ZnO-NPs prepared at different stirring conditions on the growth of Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis), Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and a fungi (Candida albicans) were examined; which showed good antibacterial as well as antifungal properties. These findings introduce a simple, inexpensive process to synthesize ZnO-NPs using conventional methods without the use of sophisticated equipments and its application as a potent nano-antibiotic.

Flower-shaped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by a novel approach at near-room temperatures with antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Due to enormous applications of metal oxide nanoparticles in research and health-related applications, metal oxide nanoparticles are increasingly being developed through cheaper and more user-friendly approaches. We have formulated a simple route to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) by a sol-gel method at near-room temperatures 25°C, 35°C, 55°C, and 75°C. The results are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. The effect of different temperature conditions (25°C-75°C) on the particulate sizes (23.7-88.8 nm), pH levels (11.7-11.9), and morphologies (slender needle-broad arrow) of flower-shaped ZNP colonies is studied. A possible mechanism depicting the growth rates at different temperatures and of different facets, mainly towards the <0 0 0 I> and <0 I I 0> planes of the ZNPs has also been discussed. The values of λmax (293-298 nm) suggest that ZNPs prepared at 55°C are the most effective ultraviolet B absorbers, and that they can be used in sunscreens. Highly significant antimicrobial activity against medically important Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and fungi (Candida albicans) by these ZNPs was also revealed. As S. aureus and C. albicans are responsible for many contagious dermal infections such as abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles, cellulitis, and candidiasis, we can postulate that our fabricated ZNPs may be useful as antimicrobial agents in antiseptic creams and lotions for the treatment of skin diseases.