SARS-CoV-2 getting into the brain;neurological phenotype of COVID-19,and management by nano-biotechnology

Human coronavirus infection getting into the brain:By February 2022,the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection,causing the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)outbreak,has infected around 415 million people,and caused~5.8 million deaths worldwide(WHO,https://covid19.who.int/).As SARS-CoV-2 replicates during the infection,it undergoes genetic mutation to generate variants with varying characteristics and mutation frequencies.The emerging,over time,new variants that differ with transmissibility,immunity,and infection severity pose continuous challenges to established COVID-19 management strategies and regulations.Several SARS-CoV-2 variants such as Omicron(B.1.1.529),Delta(B.1.617.2),UK(B.1.17),South Africa(B.1.351),Brazil(P.1),and New York B.1.525-B.1.526 were detected worldwide and accelerated severity of COVID-19 pandemic(Figure 1A;McQuaid et al.,2021).

MXene‑Graphene Composites:A Perspective on Biomedical Potentials

MXenes,transition metal carbides and nitrides with graphene-like structures,have received considerable attention since their first discovery.On the other hand,Graphene has been extensively used in biomedical and medicinal applications.MXene and graphene,both as promising candidates of two-dimensional materials,have shown to possess high potential in future biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties such as superior electrical conductivity,high biocompatibility,large surface area,optical and magnetic features,and extraordinary thermal and mechanical properties.These special structural,functional,and biological characteristics suggest that the hybrid/composite structure of MXene and graphene would be able to meet many unmet needs in different fields;particularly in medicine and biomedical engineering,where high-performance mechanical,electrical,thermal,magnetic,and optical requirements are necessary.However,the hybridization and surface functionalization should be further explored to obtain biocompatible composites/platforms with unique physicochemical properties,high stability,and multifunctionality.In addition,toxicological and long-term biosafety assessments and clinical translation evaluations should be given high priority in research.Although very limited studies have revealed the excellent potentials of MXene/graphene in biomedicine,the next steps should be toward the extensive research and detailed analysis in optimizing the properties and improving their functionality with a clinical and industrial outlook.Herein,different synthesis/fabrication methods and performances of MXene/graphene composites are discussed for potential biomedical applications.The potential toxicological effects of these composites on human cells and tissues are also covered,and future perspectives toward more successful translational applications are presented.The current state-of-the-art biotechnological advances in the use of MXene-Graphene composites,as well as their developmental challenges and future prospects are also deliberated.Due to the superior properties and multifunctionality of MXene-graphene composites,these hybrid structures can open up considerable new horizons in future of healthcare and medicine.

Biomedical applications of engineered heparin-based materials

Heparin is a negatively charged polysaccharide with various chain lengths and a hydrophilic backbone.Due to its fascinating chemical and physical properties,nontoxicity,biocompatibility,and biodegradability,heparin has been extensively used in different fields of medicine,such as cardiovascular and hematology.This review highlights recent and future advancements in designing materials based on heparin for various biomedical applications.The physicochemical and mechanical properties,biocompatibility,toxicity,and biodegradability of heparin are discussed.In addition,the applications of heparin-based materials in various biomedical fields,such as drug/gene delivery,tissue engineering,cancer therapy,and biosensors,are reviewed.Finally,challenges,opportunities,and future perspectives in preparing heparin-based materials are summarized.

A Novel Vision of Reinforcing Nanofibrous Masks with Metal Nanoparticles:Antiviral Mechanisms Investigation

Prevention of spreading viral respiratory disease,especially in case of a pandemic such as coronavirus disease of 2019(COVID-19),has been proved impossible without considering obligatory face mask-wearing protocols for both healthy and contaminated populations.The widespread application of face masks for long hours and almost everywhere increases the risks of bacterial growth in the warm and humid environment inside the mask.On the other hand,in the absence of antiviral agents on the surface of the mask,the virus may have a chance to stay alive and be carried to different places or even put the wearers at risk of contamination when touching or disposing the masks.In this article,the antiviral activity and mechanism of action of some of the potent metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in the role of promising virucidal agents have been reviewed,and incorporation of them in an electrospun nanofibrous structure has been considered an applicable method for the fabrication of innovative respiratory protecting materials with upgraded safety levels.

To manage long COVID by selective SARS-CoV-2 infection biosensing

According to the National Institutes of Health(NIH),the initiative of The Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Tech and Advanced Technology Platforms(RADxTech/ATP)program was established to promote research and development(R&D)in the field of investigating selective,sensitive,and affordable sensing technologies for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)diagnostics.This is a goaloriented approach toward point-of-care testing(POCT)and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection management applications.Till May 2022,RADxTech/ATP has been involved in 1.9 billion tests production,44 FDA authorized tests,first over-the-counter test for POCT and home-based testing,and>100 companies dedicated to smart sensor development(https://www.nibib.nih.gov/covid-19/radx-tech-program/radx-tech-dashboard).Despite such outstanding growth,COVID-19 management is far from in control due to SARS-CoV-2 mutations,virus presence in life systems(including human-to-human transmission,water,food,animal,and air[mainly indoor premises])。