Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dorota Lachowicz, John Stroud, Janusz H. Hankiewicz, River Gassen, Angelika Kmita, Joanna Stepien, Zbigniew Celinski, Marcin Sikora, Jan Zukrowski, Marta Gajewska, Marek Przybylski
Summary: In this study, copper-zinc ferrite nanoparticles coated with a poly(ethylene glycol) layer were synthesized and embedded into agarose gel, successfully designing a novel temperature-sensitive contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The experimental results showed a strong correlation between temperature and image intensity in MR images of the contrast agent under a temperature gradient.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Mengmeng Zhang, Tianze Wu, Hui Zhang, Zhenxia Chen, Yannan Yang, Yun Ling, Yaming Zhou
Summary: Fe-Gd/CHS exhibits enhanced photothermal properties compared to symmetric Fe-Gd/CS, showing satisfactory MR/PA imaging-guided photothermal therapy.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shehzahdi S. Moonshi, Karla X. Vazquez-Prada, Joyce Tang, Nicholas J. Westra J. van Holthe, Gary Cowin, Yuao Wu, Huong D. N. Tran, Ryan Mckinnon, Andrew C. Bulmer, Hang Thu Ta
Summary: In this study, a novel nanohybrid, silver-iron oxide nanoparticles (AgIONPs), was designed for effective photothermal treatment and dual imaging strategy using MRI and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) in a cancer model. The combination of the inherent anticancer activity of silver and photothermal therapy demonstrated excellent therapeutic capability of AgIONPs. The in vivo imaging studies showed preferential uptake of folate-targeted NPs in a cancer mice model, indicating their selective targeting efficiency.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ruru Zhang, Kuan Lu, Li Xiao, Xuelan Hu, Wu Cai, Linjiang Liu, Yan Liu, Weihua Li, Hui Zhou, Zhiyuan Qian, Sixia Wang, Can Chen, Jianfeng Zeng, Mingyuan Gao
Summary: This study utilized ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to achieve early and noninvasive diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaques. The experiment demonstrated that the nanoparticles could enhance the signal at the plaque sites, providing a means for dynamic evaluation over a specific time frame.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Chiara Turrina, Max Schoenen, Davide Milani, Anna Klassen, Diana M. Rojas Gonzalez, Gerhard Cvirn, Petra Mela, Sonja Berensmeier, Ioana Slabu, Sebastian P. Schwaminger
Summary: Coated iron oxide nanoparticles have potential applications in nanomedicine, such as imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, and drug delivery. This study demonstrates the importance of coating material and thickness in influencing the behavior and performance of these nanoparticles in the human body, and highlights their potential in nanomedicine.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Li Wu, Chunting Wang, Yu Li
Summary: This review discusses the targeting mechanisms, toxicity issues, and applications of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) in tumor MRI and therapy. The authors highlight the advantages of targeting IONPs and aim to increase the possibility of converting them from biomedical applications to clinical applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdulkader Baki, Amani Remmo, Norbert Loewa, Frank Wiekhorst, Regina Bleul
Summary: The colloidal stability of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP) in physiological environments is crucial for their (bio)medical application. By modifying and coating the MNP, they can be suitable contrast agents for multimodal imaging.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chu Shi, Jingyi Sheng, Guangxiang Si, Yan Li, Yan Shen, Ning Gu
Summary: This study developed a method based on Spy chemistry for rapid and stable protein immobilization on small-sized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). The SpyCatcher peptide was coated on the IONPs surface through cross-linking with activated groups, and then the SpyTag peptide fused with a model protein (EGFP) was directly coupled to the SpyCatcher-modified IONPs by self-assembly. This strategy provides a simple and efficient approach for protein immobilization on IONPs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeff W. M. Bulte, Chao Wang, Ali Shakeri-Zadeh
Summary: Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeling of cells for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cell tracking has a long history, but studies have shown that the labeled cells may have different behaviors compared to unlabeled cells. With the emergence of magnetic particle imaging (MPI) cell tracking, there has been a renaissance in the formulation of SPIO nanoparticles optimized for MPI. Lessons learned from past experiences with SPIO-labeling for MRI could potentially facilitate the clinical translation of (combined) MRI/MPI cell tracking.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Can Chen, Jianxian Ge, Yun Gao, Lei Chen, Jiabin Cui, Jianfeng Zeng, Mingyuan Gao
Summary: USPIO nanoparticles, with their excellent MRI performance and remarkable biosafety profile, have shown considerable applications in developing T-1 contrast agents and T-2/T-1 switchable contrast agents, and have been widely used in the diagnosis of vascular pathological changes, inflammations, and malignant tumors.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mike Jeon, Mackenzie Halbert, Zachary R. Stephen, Miqin Zhang
Summary: Gadolinium-based chelates are commonly used contrast agents for MRI, but their toxicity and potential retention in patients' bodies have raised safety concerns. Iron oxide nanoparticles have emerged as a promising alternative due to their non-toxic and biodegradable nature, but their development as T-1 contrast agents is complex and challenging. Progress is being made in exploring IONPs as safe and improved alternatives, but there are still many hurdles to overcome before they can be used clinically.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vasiliki Tsampasian, Ioannis Merinopoulos, Donnie Cameron, Pankaj Garg, Vassilios S. Vassiliou
Summary: Myocardial inflammation is proposed as a common mechanism underlying the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a non-invasive technique that allows direct visualization of the myocardium. The use of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) in CMR is gaining research interest and can provide valuable information for identifying active inflammation in the myocardium, which is hypothesized to be the substrate for adverse remodeling and heart failure.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lei Yang, Mohammad Javad Afshari, Jianxian Ge, Dandan Kou, Lei Chen, Dandan Zhou, Cang Li, Shuwang Wu, Leshuai Zhang, Jianfeng Zeng, Jian Zhong, Roland H. Stauber, Mingyuan Gao
Summary: Hypoxia is a common condition in malignant solid tumors, and its assessment is important for predicting tumor development and evaluating prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers unique features such as no ionizing radiation and high spatial resolution, making it a potential tool in tumor diagnosis. This study developed a fluorescent traceable and hypoxia-sensitive MRI probe by conjugating a hypoxia-sensitive metronidazole moiety and a dye with iron oxide nanoparticles. The probe showed excellent performance in terms of relaxivity, biocompatibility, and hypoxia specificity, with noticeable signal enhancement in hypoxic areas, indicating its feasibility for sensing tumor hypoxia via T1-weighted MRI.
Article
Physics, Applied
Gonzalo G. Rodriguez, Eustaquio M. Erro, Esteban Anoardo
Summary: Dynamic images acquired by proton fast field-cycling magnetic resonance imaging for the first time are presented, discussing image contrast mediated by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and relaxation times. Real-time recording of exemplary physical situations evolving in a compatible time-scale is allowed within 8 seconds through fast MRI acquisition and processing. This study represents an initial step in the development of field-cycling functional MRI for biomedical and physical applications.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Franciele da Silva Bruckmann, Carlos Eduardo Schnorr, Theodoro da Rosa Salles, Franciane Batista Nunes, Luiza Baumann, Edson Irineu Mueller, Luis F. O. Silva, Guilherme L. Dotto, Cristiano Rodrigo Bohn Rhoden
Summary: This study reports on the adsorption of tetracycline using magnetic chitosan as the adsorbent. The highest adsorption capacity was achieved at pH 7.0, and the efficiency of the adsorbent depended on pH, initial concentration, and dosage. Ionic strength significantly affected the process. The Sips and Elovich models provided the best fit for the experimental data, indicating heterogeneous surface adsorption predominantly through chemical mechanisms. The adsorption of tetracycline was governed by hydrogen bonds and cation-pi interactions, and the incorporation of magnetite on the chitosan surface enhanced its removal efficiency. Thermodynamic parameters suggested a spontaneous and exothermic process. Magnetic chitosan proved to be effective in tetracycline removal even after multiple adsorption/desorption cycles.
Article
Psychiatry
Iveta Pavlova, Eva Drazanova, Lucie Kratka, Petra Amchova, Ondrej Macicek, Jana Starcukova, Zenon Starcuk, Jana Ruda-Kucerova
Summary: This study validated the animal model of depression - bilateral olfactory bulbectomy in rats - using two nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The metabolic state of the brain was indirectly detected, and potential differences in brain laterality were explored.
WORLD JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karel Lacina, Jakub Vzznik, Jakub Sopousek, Zdenek Farka, Veronika Lacinova, Petr Skladal
Summary: Nanoporous surfaces show promise for label-free electrochemical biosensing. This study successfully formed nanopores on electrode surfaces using nonconductive nanoparticles. The permeation characteristics of the redox probe differed based on its concentration, and controlling these parameters is crucial in immunosensing applications.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Marie Tomandlova, Tomas Novotny, Robert Staffa, Jindra Smutna, Tomas Krivka, Peter Kruzliak, Ondrej Slaby, Lubos Kubicek, Robert Vlachovsky, Lenka Radova, Josef Tomandl
Summary: This study investigates the perioperative kinetics of D-lactate and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and their predictive value in early diagnosis of acute intestinal ischemia. The results suggest that serum levels of IMA and D-lactate can serve as influential predictive markers for postoperative intestinal ischemia, especially after 3 hours from complete declamping of vascular reconstruction.
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Amirmohammad Shamaei, Jana Starcukova, Iveta Pavlova, Zenon Starcuk
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility and efficiency of unsupervised deep learning-based frequency and phase correction (FPC) methods for magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data. The results show that deep learning models trained with prior physics domain knowledge can efficiently correct large-scale MRS data in a shorter time.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jaroslav Juracek, Marie Madrzyk, Michal Stanik, Michaela Ruckova, Karolina Trachtova, Hana Malcikova, Eva Lzicarova, Dominik A. Barth, Martin Pichler, Ondrej Slaby
Summary: This study identified a miRNA expression pattern associated with disease aggressiveness in prostate cancer patients and established a prognostic score combining miRNA levels and serum PSA level that can distinguish between benign and aggressive prostate cancer.
Article
Oncology
Ivana Roskova, Marek Vecera, Lenka Radova, Karolina Trachtova, Frantisek Siegl, Marketa Hermanova, Michal Hendrych, Leos Kren, Vaclav Vybihal, Hana Valekova, Petra Kasparova, Ivana Kolouskova, Tomas Kazda, Ondrej Slaby, Radim Jancalek, Jiri Sana, Martin Smrcka
Summary: This study aimed to discover novel biomarkers for the origin of brain metastases (BMs) and develop a diagnostic classifier. The study used miRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR validation, and identified 6 miRNAs as diagnostic markers for BMs.
CANCER GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Katerina Slaba, Marta Jezova, Petra Pokorna, Hana Palova, Jana Tuckova, Jan Papez, Dagmar Prochazkova, Petr Jabandziev, Ondrej Slaby
Summary: Cardiac-urogenital syndrome is a rare syndrome associated with pathogenic variants in the MYRF gene, leading to loss of protein function. It is characterized by complex congenital cardiac defects, pulmonary hypoplasia, diaphragmatic hernia, and urogenital malformations. We report a case of two siblings with extensive developmental defects, who were found to have a novel splicing pathogenic variant in the MYRF gene. The presence of the identical de novo event in siblings suggests gonadal mosaicism, which mimics recessive inheritance. This is the first published case indicating gonadal mosaicism in familial cardiac-urogenital syndrome.
MOLECULAR GENETICS & GENOMIC MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Julian C. Brandmeier, Natalia Jurga, Tomasz Grzyb, Antonin Hlavacek, Radka Oborilova, Petr Skladal, Zdenek Farka, Hans H. Gorris
Summary: This article investigates a novel approach using upconversion nanoparticles for the detection of the COVID-19 virus and its SARS-CoV-2 variant. The upconversion-linked immunosorbent assay (ULISA) demonstrated a higher sensitivity than conventional assays, with a limit of detection of 1.3 pg/mL. Furthermore, the digital ULISA improved the detection limit by a factor of 10 compared to analog readout for SARS-CoV-2.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lucie Kuntova, Ivana Maslanova, Radka Oborilova, Hana Simeckova, Adela Finstrlova, Pavol Bardy, Marta Siborova, Liudmyla Troianovska, Tibor Botka, Petr Gintar, Ondrej Sedo, Zdenek Farka, Jiri Doskar, Roman Pantucek
Summary: This study describes a resistance mechanism targeting kayviruses that is encoded by a prophage. The mechanism belongs to a broader group of abortive infections, characterized by suicidal behavior of infected cells that are unable to produce phage progeny, thus ensuring the survival of the host population. Since the majority of staphylococcal strains are lysogenic, our findings are relevant for the advancement of phage therapy.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Larisa Chmelikova, Peter Fecko, Jiri Chmelik, Josef Skacel, Alexandr Otahal, Zdenka Fohlerova
Summary: Cells generate mechanical forces, and the traction force can be estimated using a polymeric micropillar array. A transparent membrane of high aspect ratio (AR) parylene-C micro pillars is developed using a molding method. The array serves as a mechanosensor for cellular processes, as shown by measuring the traction force of cancerous cells and the volume and surface area of the cells using a digital holographic microscope (DHM).
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michal Vasina, David Kovar, Jiri Damborsky, Yun Ding, Tianjin Yang, Andrew deMello, Stanislav Mazurenko, Stavros Stavrakis, Zbynek Prokop
Summary: Nowadays, there is a growing demand for novel biotechnological products, and biocatalytic applications are playing a vital role in providing sustainable alternatives to chemical processes. However, the characterization of enzyme variants for industrial processes remains a limiting factor. While there are a few microfluidic systems available for enzyme analysis, the transformation of prototypes into commercial platforms needs to be streamlined. This review discusses the state-of-the-art microfluidic tools for the analysis of biocatalysts, their advantages, disadvantages, and potential for leveraging machine learning.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Adrian Drozdowski, Natalia Jurga, Dominika Przybylska, Julian C. Brandmeier, Zdenek Farka, Hans H. Gorris, Tomasz Grzyb
Summary: This study presents the synthesis, properties, and applications of tetragonal LiYbF4:Tm3+@LiYF4 core@shell nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exhibit intense emission in the ultraviolet range under 975 nm excitation, making them suitable for disease prevention and treatment in biomedicine.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Jiri Vitous, Radovan Jirik, Tibor Stracina, Michal Hendrych, Jaroslav Nadenicek, Ondrej Macicek, Ye Tian, Lucie Kratka, Eva Drazanova, Marie Novakova, Petr Babula, Roman Panovsky, Edward DiBella, Zenon Starcuk
Summary: The aim of this study was to design a method for myocardial T1 quantification in small laboratory animals and investigate the effects of spatiotemporal regularization and acquisition duration. The proposed compressed-sensing approach showed accurate T1 estimates and the ability to distinguish between normal and remodeling myocardial tissue. The study also demonstrated the impact of image-reconstruction regularization weights and acquisition length on the T1 estimates.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zdenek Farka, Julian C. Brandmeier, Matthias J. Mickert, Matej Pastucha, Karel Lacina, Petr Skladal, Tero Soukka, Hans H. Gorris
Summary: This review discusses the potential and application of nanoparticles in replacing current labels in bioaffinity assays. Nanoparticles can be used as capture support, signal generation, and signal amplification elements, and have been successfully applied in SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests. However, the limited application of nanoparticles in current commercial assays is attributed to the challenges associated with analyzing real samples.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hans H. Gorris, Zdenek Farka, Niko Hildebrandt
Summary: This Perspective provides a concise overview of Luminescence Sensing, which is known for its high sensitivity, selectivity, and versatility in measurements. The continuous growth of this field in recent years is attributed to the development of new luminescent nanomaterials and the potential use of luminescence-based detection schemes in addressing real-world problems such as medical diagnosis, food safety, and environmental sciences. The contributions to the Special Collection on Luminescence Sensing, particularly focusing on the versatility and advantages of lanthanide complexes for advanced biosensing, serve as a solid foundation to showcase and discuss recent developments and challenges.
ANALYSIS & SENSING
(2023)
