Biomedical Tools Research Articles

DNA Origami Incorporated into Solid-State Nanopores Enables Enhanced Sensitivity for Precise Analysis of Protein Translocations.

The rapidly advancing field of nanotechnology is driving the development of precise sensing methods at the nanoscale, with solid-state nanopores emerging as promising tools for biomolecular sensing. This study investigates the increased sensitivity of solid-state nanopores achieved by integrating DNA origami structures, leading to the improved analysis of protein translocations. Using holo human serum transferrin (holo-hSTf) as a model protein, we compared hybrid nanopores incorporating DNA origami with open solid-state nanopores. Results show a significant enhancement in holo-hSTf detection sensitivity with DNA origami integration, suggesting a unique role of DNA interactions beyond confinement. This approach holds potential for ultrasensitive protein detection in biosensing applications, offering advancements in biomedical research and diagnostic tool development for diseases with low-abundance protein biomarkers. Further exploration of origami designs and nanopore configurations promises even greater sensitivity and versatility in the detection of a wider range of proteins, paving the way for advanced biosensing technologies.

Investigation of mechanical properties on functionally graded material reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets for biomedical applications

ABSTRACT This research focuses on the mechanical characterization of FG material graded with Graphene nano-platelets (GPLs) in the transverse direction. Different weight percentages of GPL (0–2 wt. %) were incorporated into epoxy resin for manufacturing the FGM using a simple casting method and the effects were analyzed. This paper aims to enhance the material’s performance, especially focusing on its potential use in biomedical tools. Mechanical tests including assessment on tensile, flexural, impact strength, and microhardness demonstrated substantial improvement in strength and stiffness as compared to other nanocomposite structures. Microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis which hint at the strong chemical interaction and physical association of GPL nanofiller with the epoxy resin. Thermal analysis was conducted using the Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) test, which revealed enhanced thermal stability of the FG specimen with a higher glass transition temperature than other carbon nanofillers mixed in epoxy resin. This is advantageous for the FG material to maintain its glassy state, maintaining safety and reliability during high-temperature medical applications. All these findings indicate that the proposed FG-GPL material possesses the necessary mechanical properties, suggesting that customized nanofiller integration could lead to significant advancements in medical procedures, such as in vivo stomach biopsy treatments, drug delivery systems, etc. The material also meets specific anatomical requirements and reduces the risk of malfunction, thereby ensuring patient safety as justified by current experimental investigations.

Giving a voice to “the silent killer”: a knowledge, attitude and practice study of diabetes among French Guiana’s Parikweneh people

BackgroundThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the French overseas department of French Guiana, South America, nearly doubles that in its European counterpart, Metropolitan France. This region is demographically diverse and includes several populations of Indigenous Peoples. Although such populations are at particular risk of developing T2D across the Americas, very little is known about their health status in French Guiana, and accurate numbers of diabetic patients do not exist.MethodsIn light of a potential public health crisis, an ethnomedicinal study of diabetes experienced by Indigenous Parikweneh was conducted to provide better insight into the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to this quickly emerging disease in French Guiana. Altogether, 75 interviews were conducted with community members and Elders, as well as healthcare professionals and administrators providing services to the Parikweneh population of Macouria and Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock.ResultsInterviews suggest a high incidence of T2D in this population, with cases that have risen quickly since the mid-twentieth century. Parikweneh participants linked the development of the illness to dietary changes, notably through the introduction of new and sweet foods. Recognizing the complexity of diabetes and its symptoms, diabetic patients highlighted the importance of biomedical treatments and follow-ups, though they frequently alternated or used them concomitantly with Parikweneh medicines. With the help of biomedical tools (i.e. glucometer), local medicinal practices mirrored biomedical approaches through dietary adaptation and the use of medicinal animals and plants for glycaemic control and the treatment of complications from the disease.ConclusionParikweneh are appropriating T2D into their knowledge system and adapting their health system in response to this relatively new health concern. A greater understanding of local practices and perceptions relating to T2D among medical staff may therefore be beneficial for meeting patients’ needs, providing greater autonomy in their health path, and improving treatment outcomes.

Variant-proof high affinity ACE2 antagonist limits SARS-CoV-2 replication in upper and lower airways

SARS-CoV-2 has the capacity to evolve mutations that escape vaccine- and infection-acquired immunity and antiviral drugs. A variant-agnostic therapeutic agent that protects against severe disease without putting selective pressure on the virus would thus be a valuable biomedical tool that would maintain its efficacy despite the ongoing emergence of new variants. Here, we challenge male rhesus macaques with SARS-CoV-2 Delta—the most pathogenic variant in a highly susceptible animal model. At the time of challenge, we also treat the macaques with aerosolized RBD-62, a protein developed through multiple rounds of in vitro evolution of SARS-CoV-2 RBD to acquire 1000-fold enhanced ACE2 binding affinity. RBD-62 treatment equivalently suppresses virus replication in both upper and lower airways, a phenomenon not previously observed with clinically approved vaccines. Importantly, RBD-62 does not block the development of virus-specific T- and B-cell responses and does not elicit anti-drug immunity. These data provide proof-of-concept that RBD-62 can prevent severe disease from a highly virulent variant.

Effect of halloysite addition on the dynamic mechanical and tribological properties of carbon and glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites

Composite materials have become prominent in the aerospace, automotive, wind energy, biomedical, and machine tool industries. This has demanded the evaluation of the dynamic mechanical and tribological behaviour of composites to understand their performance and ensure their reliability and safety in varied operating conditions. In this study, the effect of halloysite nano-clay addition on the dynamic mechanical and tribological properties of the carbon/glass hybrid composites was investigated. The composites were produced with the vacuum assisted resin infusion process. by varying the content of halloysite nano-clay (1, 3, and 5 wt%). The dynamic mechanical properties of the manufactured composites were examined at temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 180 °C. The tribological properties of the specimens were assessed by varying the applied load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding speed (1.5, 3, and 4.5 m/s) and sliding distance (500, 1000, and 1500 m). Box-Behnken design was utilized to optimize the number of experiments. The results showed that the halloysite-added samples had better dynamic mechanical and tribological properties than the carbon/glass hybrid composites. Especially, hybrid composites containing 3 wt% halloysite outperformed the other composites investigated. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the worn surface and wreckage in the investigated composite specimens.

Cohorte Cantabria - A biomedical research tool open to the world.

The contribution of large population-based study cohorts to the knowledge of disease risk factors and causes is unquestionable. The Framingham Cohort, a paradigm for the population-based studies that changed the history of medicine, emerged after the antibiotic revolution, the decrease in infection-related mortality, and the boom in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Fluorescent Nanocable as a Biomedical Tool: Intracellular Self-Assembly Formed by a Natural Product Interconnects and Synchronizes Mitochondria.

Self-assembly processes commonly occur in various biological contexts to form functional biological structures. However, the self-assembly of nanofibers within cells by heterologous molecules showing a biological function is rare. In this work, we reported the intracellular formation of fluorescent nanofibers by a natural small molecule, lycobetaine (LBT), which facilitated the direct physical connection between mitochondria and synchronized their membrane potential oscillations. The luminescent properties of LBT enabled the real-time observation of nanofiber formation, while the semiconductive nature of the LBT nanofiber facilitated electrical signal transduction among the connected mitochondria. This study introduces an approach to modulate mitochondrial connectivity within cells using "nano-cables" which facilitate studies on synchronized mitochondrial operations and the underlying mechanisms of drug action.

Extracellular Vesicle-Inspired Therapeutic Strategies for the COVID-19.

Emerging infectious diseases like coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) present significant challenges to global health, extensively affecting both human society and the economy. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have demonstrated remarkable potential as crucial biomedical tools for COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment. However, due to limitations in the performance and titer of natural vesicles, their clinical use remains limited. Nonetheless, EV-inspired strategies are gaining increasing attention. Notably, biomimetic vesicles, inspired by EVs, possess specific receptors that can act as "Trojan horses," preventing the virus from infecting host cells. Genetic engineering can enhance these vesicles by enabling them to carry more receptors, significantly increasing their specificity for absorbing the novel coronavirus. Additionally, biomimetic vesicles inherit numerous cytokine receptors from parent cells, allowing them to effectively mitigate the "cytokine storm" by adsorbing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Overall, this EV-inspired strategy offers new avenues for the treatment of emerging infectious diseases. Herein, this review systematically summarizes the current applications of EV-inspired strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. The current status and challenges associated with the clinical implementation of EV-inspired strategies are also discussed. The goal of this review is to provide new insights into the design of EV-inspired strategies and expand their application in combating emerging infectious diseases.

Analysis of the Mechanism of Ophiopogon japonicus in Treating Pneumonia Based on Network Pharmacology

This study explores the mechanism of Ophiopogon japonicus in treating pneumonia through network pharmacology, establishes a physiological and pharmacological relationship between the two based on targets, and emphasizes the interaction between signaling pathways and targets. By utilizing Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, specific biological processes and signaling pathways are utilized to enhance the understanding of the medicinal properties of traditional Chinese medicine through the use of bioinformatics and biomedical tools. This method aims to identify the key targets and signaling pathways of Ophiopogon japonicus affecting pneumonia status, providing insights into its anti-inflammatory effect in the lungs. The active application of network pharmacology methods in the field of pneumonia is a new trend in the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Barriers and facilitators to uptake and persistence on prep among key populations in Southern Province, Zambia: a thematic analysis

BackgroundEspecially in high HIV prevalence contexts, such as Zambia, effective biomedical prevention tools are needed for priority populations (PPs), including key populations (KPs), who are at higher risk. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been scaled up nationally in Zambia, but little is known about barriers to PrEP use among specific PPs to date.MethodsTo understand barriers and facilitators to PrEP use in Zambia, we conducted a qualitative case study of PrEP services to PPs including sero-discordant couples (SDCs), female sex workers (FSWs), and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Livingstone. The study conducted in 2021 included in-depth interviews (n = 43) guided by the socio-ecological model, and focus group discussions (n = 4) with clinic and community-based providers and PrEP-eligible clients including users and non-users across PP groups. We used thematic analysis to analyze data using codes derived both deductively and inductively.ResultsWe found multilevel barriers and facilitators to PrEP use. Cross-cutting barriers shared across PP groups included amplifying effects of PrEP being mistaken for antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV, including anticipated stigma, and concerns about side-effects based on both misinformation and experience. In addition, stigmatized identities, particularly that of MSM, served as a barrier to PrEP use. The fear of being mislabeled as having HIV was of greatest concern for FSWs. Facilitators to PrEP use primarily included the importance of confidential, KP-sensitive services, and the role of informed, supportive family, friends, and peers. Participants across all PP groups urged expanded education efforts to increase awareness of PrEP within the general population toward mitigating concerns of being mislabeled as living with HIV.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study of the PrEP cascade among multiple PPs in Zambia. This study provides important explanation for the low rates of PrEP continuation found in earlier demonstration trials among KPs in Zambia. The study also offers recommendations for programming efforts going forward such as inclusive PrEP awareness campaigns, expanded KP sensitivity training, and related efforts to thwart PrEP stigma while expanding access.

A Kinetic Approach to Synergize Bactericidal Efficacy and Biocompatibility in Silver-Based Sol-Gel Coatings.

Silver ions are antimicrobial agents with powerful action against bacteria. Applications in surface treatments, as Ag+-functionalized sol-gel coatings, are expected in the biomedical field to prevent contaminations and infections. The potential cytotoxicity of Ag+ cations toward human cells is well known though. However, few studies consider both the bactericidal activity and the biocompatibility of the Ag+-functionalized sol-gels. Here, we demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of Ag+ cations is circumvented, thanks to the ability of Ag+ cations to kill Escherichia coli (E. coli) much faster than normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). This phenomenon was investigated in the case of two silver nitrate-loaded sol-gel coatings: one with 0.5 w/w% Ag+ cations and the second with 2.5 w/w%. The maximal amount of released Ag+ ions over time (0.25 mg/L) was ten times lower than the minimal inhibition (MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) concentrations (respectively, 2.5 and 16 mg/L) for E. coli and twice lower to the minimal cytotoxic concentration (0.5 mg/L) observed in NHDFs. E. coli were killed 8-18 times, respectively, faster than NHDFs by silver-loaded sol-gel coatings. This original approach, based on the kinetic control of the biological activity of Ag+ cations instead of a concentration effect, ensures the bactericidal protection while maintaining the biocompatibility of the Ag+ cation-functionalized sol-gels. This opens promising applications of silver-loaded sol-gel coatings for biomedical tools in short-term or indirect contacts with the skin.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe for differentiating cancer cells from normal cells and early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis

BackgroundCirrhosis represents the terminal stage of liver disease progression and timely intervention in a diseased liver can enhance the likelihood of recovery. Viscosity, a crucial parameter of the cellular microenvironment, is intricately linked to the advancement of cirrhosis. However, viscosity monitoring still faces significant challenges in achieving non-invasive and rapid early diagnosis of cirrhosis. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has the advantages of high sensitivity, non-destructive detection, and ignoring background fluorescence interference, plays an important role in diagnosing and treating various biological diseases. Hence, monitoring cellular viscosity changes with NIR fluorescence probe holds great significance in the early diagnosis of cirrhosis. ResultsIn this study, the NIR fluorescence probe based on the intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) mechanism was developed for imaging applications in mouse model of liver cirrhosis. A molecular rotor-type viscosity-responsive probe was synthesized by linking dioxanthracene groups via carbon-carbon double bonds. The probe demonstrated remarkable sensitivity, high selectivity and photostability, with its responsiveness to viscosity largely unaffected by factors such as polarity, pH, and interfering ions. The probe could effectively detect various drug-induced changes in cellular viscosity, enabling the differentiation between normal cells and cancerous cells. Furthermore, the enhanced tissue penetration capabilities of probe facilitated its successful application in mouse model of liver cirrhosis, allowing for the assessment of liver disease severity based on fluorescence intensity and providing a powerful tool for early diagnosis of cirrhosis. SignificanceA NIR viscosity-sensitive fluorescent probe was specifically designed to effectively monitor alterations in cellular and organ viscosity, which could advance the understanding of the biological characteristics of cancer and provide theoretical support for the early diagnosis of cirrhosis. Overall, this probe held immense potential in monitoring viscosity-related conditions, expanding the range of biomedical tools available.

Factors Influencing Engagement Across the Motivational PrEP Cascade Among Latino SMM: A Mixed-Methods Analysis from the Perspectives of Community Providers and Latino SMM.

Latino sexual minority men (SMM) are a highly vulnerable population to HIV, and while pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as a promising biomedical tool for HIV prevention among them, its utilization remains disproportionately low in this community despite its potential. Understanding the barriers along the PrEP continuum of care, known as the "PrEP cascade," is crucial for effectively implementing PrEP interventions. Therefore, the objective of our study was twofold: first, to explore the stage of Latino SMM in the PrEP cascade by examining disparities in demographics, social factors, and healthcare aspects; second, to gain insights from healthcare providers who have direct clinical experience with our population regarding the challenges faced by Latino SMM in accessing and adhering to PrEP. Based on the study findings, the majority of participants (n = 74; 49%) were in the contemplation stage, and only one in ten Latino SMM (10.6%) were currently adherent to PrEP. Compared to those who were at least second-generation, first-generation status had a positive association (B = 0.699, SE = 0.208, β = 0.351, p < .001) with engagement along the PrEP Contemplation Ladder. Conversely, having at least one parent who did not have legal residency, relative to those whose parents were both U.S. citizens or held legal residency documentation, was found to have a negative association (B = - 0.689, SE = 0.245, β = 0.245, p = .006) with engagement along the PrEP Contemplation Ladder. Additionally, discussing PrEP with a healthcare provider had a positive association (B = 0.374, SE = 0.179, β = 0.185, p = .038) with engagement along the PrEP Contemplation Ladder. Qualitative results from our study suggest that some Latinos who initially agreed to start using PrEP ended up getting lost in the care pipeline and failed to attend their scheduled appointments. Providers also noted that many patients lacked access to a pharmacy where they felt comfortable obtaining their PrEP prescription, leading them to discontinue use after only a few months. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the unique needs, culture, and background of Latinos, including care delivery and provider attitudes that can facilitate progress through the PrEP cascade.

Assessing the Effect of Surface Coating on the Stability, Degradation, Toxicity and Cell Endocytosis/Exocytosis of Upconverting Nanoparticles

Lanthanide-doped up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have emerged as promising biomedical tools in recent years. Most research efforts were devoted to the synthesis of inorganic cores with the optimal physicochemical properties. However, the careful design of UCNPs with the adequate surface coating to optimize their biological performance still remains a significant challenge. Here, we propose the functionalization of UCNPs with four distinct types of surface coatings, which were compared in terms of the provided colloidal stability and resistance to degradation in different biological-relevant media, including commonly avoided analysis in acidic lysosomal-mimicking fluids. Moreover, the influence of the type of particle surface coating on cell cytotoxicity and endocytosis/exocytosis was also evaluated. The obtained results demonstrated that the functionalization of UCNPs with poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) grafted with dodecylamine (PMA-g-dodecyl) constitutes an outstanding strategy for their subsequent biomedical application, whereas poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) coating, although suitable for colloidal stability purposes, hinders extensive cell internalization. Conversely, surface coating with small ligand were found not to be suitable, leading to large degradation degrees of UCNPs. The analysis of particle’ behavior in different biological media and in vitro conditions here performed pretends to help researchers to improve the design and implementation of UCNPs as theranostic nanotools.

Artificial intelligence in diagnosis and monitoring of atopic dermatitis: From pixels to predictions

In any ailment, the identification of the symptoms, detection, and diagnosis plays a pivotal role in treatment and therapy. However, certain diseases share similar symptoms, lacking signature key indicators, which can lead to fallacious or incorrect inferences. Skin disorders, such as pruritus, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and ichthyosis, all present similar symptoms, which confound clinicians. One such commonly misunderstood condition is atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by its relapsing nature, which heightens the importance of diagnosis and disease monitoring for effective management. Recent strides in artificial intelligence (AI) have opened avenues for precise diagnosis and continuous monitoring of AD. This review explores and evaluates current applications of AI in the diagnosis and monitoring of individuals with AD emphasizing the need to address challenges and collaborate across intra-, inter-, trans-, and multi-disciplinary domains to maximize the benefits of AI in enhancing the precision of AD diagnosis, ultimately leading to improved patient care and satisfaction through technologically-driven biomedical tools in customized healthcare.

Abstract 3985: Immune-competent “NoGlow” transgenic mice overcome restrictive tolerance to multiple xenoantigens and simultaneously permit identification, tracking, and temporal gene expression in tumor cells

Abstract The ability to temporally regulate gene expression and track labeled cells make animal models powerful biomedical tools. However, sudden exposure to xenobiotic genes (e.g. GFP, luciferase (luc), or rtTA3) triggers inadvertent immune responses that can significantly suppress foreign gene expression or result in complete rejection of transplanted cells. Although germline expression of foreign genes somewhat addresses these challenges, native fluorescence and bioluminescence abrogates their utility as cellular reporters and spatiotemporally restricted expression can lead to suboptimal xenoantigen tolerance. Even in endogenous cancer models, we find that the means of tissue-directed expression of the same foreign gene yield significant differences in overall tolerance. Thus, the degree of tolerance to foreign genes strongly impacts the utility of different genetic modification and can strongly influence experimental outcomes and interpretations. To overcome these unwanted immune responses and enable reliable cell tracking/gene regulation, we developed a novel mouse model that selectively expresses antigen-intact but non-functional forms of GFP, luc, and rtTA3. These "NoGlow" mice possess no detectable background fluorescence or luminescence and mount limited adaptive immune responses against transgenic xenoantigens even after vaccination. Furthermore, we demonstrate that NoGlow mice allow tracking and tetracycline inducible gene regulation of triple-transgenic cells expressing GFP/luc/rtTA3, in contrast to transgene-negative immune competent mice which completely eliminate these cells. Notably, this model enables de novo metastasis from orthotopically implanted, triple-transgenic tumor cells, despite high xenoantigen expression. Finally, we observed model and sex-based differences in immune tolerance to the encoded xenoantigens after activation by different tissue-specific CREs, illustrating the obstacles of tolerizing animals to foreign genes and validating the utility of NoGlow mice to dissect the mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance. Altogether, the NoGlow model provides a critical resource for in vivo studies across multiple disciplines, including oncology, developmental biology, infectious disease, autoimmunity, and transplantation. Citation Format: Timothy N. Trotter, Andrea Wilson, Jason McBane, Carina Dagotto, Xiao Yang, Junping Wei, Gangjun Lei, Hannah Thrash, H. Kim Lyerly, Zachary Hartman. Immune-competent “NoGlow” transgenic mice overcome restrictive tolerance to multiple xenoantigens and simultaneously permit identification, tracking, and temporal gene expression in tumor cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3985.

Core-shell diamond-graphene needles with silicon-vacancy color centers

Color centers in diamond nanostructures open new horizons in biomedicine, offering a biocompatible material platform for sensing temperature, pH, and magnetic field. Covering of the color centers enriched diamonds with graphene shell can essentially extend their application potential. Specifically, under irradiation with ultrashort laser pulses, the highly absorptive graphene shell can be used for excitation of a shock acoustic wave which can be used for cancer cell destruction or drug photoactivation through the Joule heating. In this study, we present a novel method for creating diamond-graphite core-shell structures. Through precise control of the growth of the graphitic layer on Single Crystal Diamond Needles (SCDNs) via vacuum annealing at 900°C for 30 minutes, we preserved 57% of the light emission from silicon-vacancy (SiV-) centers while maintaining their spectral peaks. Contrary to our expectations of reduced SiV- luminescence due to the presence of the graphitic shell, we observed that the initial high brightness of SiV- in the diamond needles persisted. This enabled us to detect SiV- luminescence spectrally, even within the core-shell structures. Our results underscore the tunability of these structures’ properties through temperature and duration control, suggesting promising prospects for their application in advanced biomedical tools with sensing capabilities.

PrEP Uptake and Methamphetamine Use Patterns in a 4-Year U.S. National Prospective Cohort Study of Sexual and Gender Minority People, 2017-2022.

Methamphetamine use is on the rise among sexual and gender minority people who have sex with men (SGMSM), escalating their HIV risk. Despite pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) being an effective biomedical HIV prevention tool, its uptake in relation to methamphetamine use patterns in SGMSM has not been studied. In a U.S. cohort study from 2017 to 2022, 6,253 HIV-negative SGMSM indicated for but not using PrEP were followed for four years. Methamphetamine use was categorized (i.e., newly initiated, persistently used, never used, used but quit), and PrEP uptake assessed using generalized estimating equation (GEE), adjusted for attrition. Participants had a median age of 29, with 51.9% White, 11.1% Black, 24.5% Latinx, and 12.5% other races/ethnicities. Over the four years, PrEP use increased from 16.3 to 27.2%. GEE models identified risk factors including housing instability and food insecurity. In contrast, older age, health insurance, clinical indications, and prior PrEP use increased uptake. Notably, Latinx participants were more likely to use PrEP than Whites. Regarding methamphetamine use, those who newly initiated it were more likely to use PrEP compared to non-users. However, those who quit methamphetamine and those who persistently used it had PrEP usage rates comparable to those of non-users. Though PrEP uptake increased, it remained low in SGMSM. Methamphetamine use was associated with PrEP uptake. Healthcare providers should assess methamphetamine use for harm reduction. Prioritizing younger, uninsured SGMSM and addressing basic needs can enhance PrEP uptake and reduce HIV vulnerabilities.

Longitudinal predictors of post-exposure prophylaxis awareness among latino sexual minority men in South Florida.

Biomedical tools for HIV prevention such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) continue to be underutilized by subgroups experiencing significant HIV inequities. Specifically, factors associated with both PEP awareness and uptake both cross-sectionally and longitudinally are under-researched, despite PEP being a part of the United States' Plan for Ending the HIV Epidemic. The current study examined longitudinal predictors of PEP awareness among Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) living in South Florida. This current study (N = 290) employed hierarchal linear modeling across three timepoints (baseline, 4-months, 8-months) to assess within-person and between-person effects over time for several psychosocial and structural factors. Most participants (67.5%) reported little to no awareness of PEP at baseline with general PEP awareness growing slightly across the study (60.5% reporting little to no awareness of PEP at 8 months). Results of the final conditional model suggest significant within-person effects of PrEP knowledge (p = 0.02) and PrEP self-efficacy (p < 0.001), as well as a significant positive between-person effect of PrEP knowledge (p < 0.01) on PEP awareness. Between-person HIV knowledge was also a significant predictor in this model (p = 0.01). This longitudinal analysis of LSMM's PEP awareness indicates that more must be done to increase PEP awareness among this subgroup. Future studies should explore how to build on existing interventions focused on HIV and PrEP knowledge and PrEP self-efficacy to incorporate information about PEP to increase the reach of this effective biomedical HIV prevention tool.

Synthetization and Functionalization of Natural, Polymer, and Quantum‐Based Carbon Nanodots and Their Application in Biomedicine

AbstractCarbon nanodots (CNDs) are a developing branch of nanomaterials and nanoscience. This has generated much more interest in the field and class of biomedicine science by way of unique particular properties, such as high stability, great photoluminescence, easy green synthesis, and simple surface modification. Numerous applications, such as bioimaging, biosensing, and treatment, have made use of CNDs. This review describes the most recent developments in CND research and talks about major changes in the understanding of CNDs and their prospects as biomedical tools. The importance of this work lies in the ability of CNDs to overcome many of the limitations associated with traditional materials used in biomedicine, such as toxicity, poor biocompatibility, and limited functionality. Furthermore, the use of CNDs as drug carriers, imaging agents, and sensors has shown great potential in improving the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The novelty of this work lies in the diversity of approaches used in the synthesis and functionalization of CNDs, and the unique properties of CNDs that make them versatile tools for biomedicine. In particular, the ability to tune the size, shape, and surface chemistry of CNDs allows for the creation of tailored materials with specific biomedical applications. The review also discusses the challenges and future prospects of CNDs in biomedicine, including the need for standardization and optimization of CND synthesis, functionalization, and characterization protocols.