Designing Configurable Soft Microgelsomes as a Smart Biomimetic Protocell.

Self-assembly is an intriguing aspect of primitive cells. The construction of a semipermeable compartment with a robust framework of soft material capable of housing an array of functional components for chemical changes is essential for the fabrication of synthetic protocells. Microgels, loosely cross-linked polymer networks, are suitable building blocks for protocell capsule generation due to their porous structure, tunable properties, and assembly at the emulsion interface. Here, we present an interfacial assembly of microgel-based microcompartments (microgelsomes, MGC) that are defined by a semipermeable, temperature-responsive elastic membrane formed by densely packed microgels in a monolayer. The water-dispersible microgelsomes can thermally shuttle between 10 and 95 °C while retaining their structural integrity. Importantly, the microgelsomes exhibited distinct properties of protocells, such as cargo encapsulation, semipermeable membrane, DNA amplification, and membrane-gated compartmentalized enzymatic cascade reaction. This versatile approach for the construction of biomimetic microcompartments augments the protocell library and paves the way for programmable synthetic cells.

Advances in paper based isothermal nucleic acid amplification tests for water-related infectious diseases.

Water-associated or water-related infectious disease outbreaks are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which can be transmitted through contaminated water sources, poor sanitation practices, or insect vectors. Low- and middle-income countries bear the major burden of these infections due to inadequate hygiene and subpar laboratory facilities, making it challenging to monitor and detect infections in a timely manner. However, even developed countries are not immune to these diseases, as inadequate wastewater management and contaminated drinking water supplies can also contribute to disease outbreaks. Nucleic acid amplification tests have proven to be effective for early disease intervention and surveillance of both new and existing diseases. In recent years, paper-based diagnostic devices have made significant progress and become an essential tool in detecting and managing water-associated infectious diseases. In this review, we have highlighted the importance of paper and its variants as a diagnostic tool and discussed the properties, designs, modifications, and various paper-based device formats developed and used for detecting water-associated pathogens.

Bactericidal and biocatalytic temperature responsive microgel based self-cleaning membranes for water purification.

The present study focuses on creating an antimicrobial and biocatalytic smart gating membrane by synthesizing unique core-shell microgels. The core-shell microgels are synthesized by grafting short chains of poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) onto a poly((N-isopropyl acrylamide)-co-glycidyl methacrylate)) (P(NIPAm-co-GMA)) core. Subsequently, the produced microgels are utilized as a substrate for synthesizing and stabilizing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) through an in-situ approach. These Ag NPs immobilized microgels are then suction filtered over a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track-etched support to create cross-linked composite microgel membranes (CMMs). After structural and permeation characterization of the prepared CMMs, the laccase enzyme is then covalently grafted to the surface of the membrane and tested for its effectiveness in degrading Reactive red-120 dye. The laccase immobilized biocatalytic CMMs show effective degradation of the Reactive red-120 by 71%, 48%, and 34% at pH 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Furthermore, the immobilized laccase enzyme showed better activity and stability in terms of thermal, pH, and storage compared to the free laccase, leading to increased reusability. The unique combination of Ag NPs and laccase on a thermoresponsive microgel support resulted in a responsive self-cleaning membrane with excellent antimicrobial and dye degradation capabilities for environmentally friendly separation technology.

Biocatalytic self-assembled synthetic vesicles and coacervates: From single compartment to artificial cells.

Compartmentalization is an intrinsic feature of living cells that allows spatiotemporal control over the biochemical pathways expressed in them. Over the years, a library of compartmentalized systems has been generated, which includes nano to micrometer sized biomimetic vesicles derived from lipids, amphiphilic block copolymers, peptides, and nanoparticles. Biocatalytic vesicles have been developed using a simple bag containing enzyme design of liposomes to multienzymes immobilized multi-vesicular compartments for artificial cell generation. Additionally, enzymes were also entrapped in membrane-less coacervate droplets to mimic the cytoplasmic macromolecular crowding mechanisms. Here, we have discussed different types of single and multicompartment systems, emphasizing their recent developments as biocatalytic self-assembled structures using recent examples. Importantly, we have summarized the strategies in the development of the self-assembled structure to improvise their adaptivity and flexibility for enzyme immobilization. Finally, we have presented the use of biocatalytic assemblies in mimicking different aspects of living cells, which further carves the path for the engineering of a minimal cell.

Assessment of Success and Ease of Insertion of ProSeal™ Laryngeal Mask Airway versus I-gel™ Insertion by Paramedics in Simulated Difficult Airway Using Cervical Collar in Different Positions in Manikins.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation, a critical intervention, performed by paramedics for airway management in trauma, has an unacceptably low success rate due to difficult airway, restricted access, and inexperience. Thus, the use of supraglottic devices to achieve ventilation has gained popularity. AIMS: We aimed to compare the success rate, time to achieve ventilation, and ease of insertion of two popular supraglottic devices, ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) and I-gel™, in simulated difficult airway with limited access in manikins in different positions which were supine, head against the wall, and sitting position like in car seat. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective interventional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a brief training, 35 paramedics were asked to insert I-gel™ and PLMA in a manikin with cervical collar in 3 positions: head end free (Group A), head against the wall (Group B), and sitting position (Group C), to simulate difficult airway. Success rate and time to achieve ventilation in each position were noted. Each participant graded ease of insertion. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0. Categorical variables were analyzed using a Pearson's Chi-square test. Continuous variables were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. If there was a normal distribution, a paired t-test was performed. Otherwise, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Success rate with I-gel™ was significantly higher than PLMA, 91% versus 77% in Group A, 100% versus 88% in Group B, and 100% versus 74% in Group C. Time to achieve ventilation was shorter with I-gel™ than PLMA, 8.9 versus 15 s in Group A (P < 0.001), 13.1 versus 21.3 s in Group B (P < 0.01), and 18.5 versus 30.3 s in Group C (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: I-gel™ can be an effective device to achieve ventilation in difficult airway with limited access in trauma. More studies are required to validate its success and safety.

Physiological Root End Closure in a Traumatized Young Permanent Tooth Using Collagen Particles as Pulpal Dressing.

The management of traumatized young permanent teeth has always been a challenge to the clinician, considering the importance of retaining the vitality of the tooth. Recently, collagen particles have been successfully used as pulpotomy medicaments in primary teeth. This case report shows the use of collagen particles as pulpal dressing in a traumatized young permanent tooth of a nine-year-old child presenting with complicated fracture of young permanent left maxillary central incisor. Partial pulpotomy was performed with collagen particles (Biofil-AB) as pulpal dressing. At six months follow up, apexogenesis was found to be nearly complete. Thus, collagen can be considered as a potential pulpal medicament for apexogenesis procedures.