MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous ∼23 nt RNAs that play important gene-regulatory roles in animals and plants by pairing to the mRNAs of protein-coding genes to direct their posttranscriptional repression. This review outlines the current understanding of miRNA target recognition in animals and discusses the widespread impact of miRNAs on both the expression and evolution of protein-coding genes.

MicroRNAs: Target Recognition and Regulatory Functions

Sensors are becoming increasingly significant in our daily life because of the rapid development in electronic and information technologies, including Internet of Things, wearable electronics, home automation, intelligent industry, etc. There is no doubt that their performances are primarily determined by the sensing materials. Among all potential candidates, layered nanomaterials with two-dimensional (2D) planar structure have numerous superior properties to their bulk counterparts which are suitable for building various high-performance sensors. As an emerging 2D material, MXenes possess several advantageous features of adjustable surface properties, tunable bandgap, and excellent mechanical strength, making them attractive in various applications. Herein, we particularly focus on the recent research progress in MXene-based sensors, discuss the merits of MXenes and their derivatives as sensing materials for collecting various signals, and try to elucidate the design principles and working mechanisms of the corresponding MXene-based sensors, including strain/stress sensors, gas sensors, electrochemical sensors, optical sensors, and humidity sensors. In the end, we analyze the main challenges and future outlook of MXene-based materials in sensor applications.

Ti3C2TX MXene for Sensing Applications: Recent Progress, Design Principles, and Future Perspectives.

Various fields of study consider MXene a revolutionary 2D material. Particularly in the field of sensors, the metal-like high electrical conductivity and large surface area of MXenes are desirable characteristics as an alternative sensor material that can transcend the boundaries of existing sensor technology. This critical review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in MXene-based sensor technology and a roadmap for commercializing MXene-based sensors. The existing sensors are systematically categorized as chemical, biological, and physical sensors. Each category is then classified into various subcategories depending on the electrical, electrochemical, structural, or optical sensing mechanism, which are the four fundamental working mechanisms of sensors. Representative structural and electrical approaches for boosting the performance of each category are presented. Finally, factors that hinder commercializing MXene-based sensors are discussed, and several breakthroughs in realizing commercially available MXene-based sensors are suggested. This review provides broad insights pertaining to previous and existing MXene-based sensor technology and perspectives on the future generation of low-cost, high-performance, and multimodal sensors for soft-electronics applications.

Sensing with MXenes: Progress and Prospects.

With the increasing demand for wound care and treatment worldwide, traditional dressings have been unable to meet the needs of the existing market due to their limited antibacterial properties and other defects. Electrospinning technology has attracted more and more researchers’ attention as a simple and versatile manufacturing method. The electrospun nanofiber membrane has a unique structure and biological function similar to the extracellular matrix (ECM), and is considered an advanced wound dressing. They have significant potential in encapsulating and delivering active substances that promote wound healing. This article first discusses the common types of wound dressing, and then summarizes the development of electrospun fiber preparation technology. Finally, the polymers and common biologically active substances used in electrospinning wound dressings are summarized, and portable electrospinning equipment is also discussed. Additionally, future research needs are put forward.

Electrospun Medicated Nanofibers for Wound Healing: Review

2D titanium carbide MXenes as emerging optical biosensing platforms

A 2D transition metal carbide MXene-based SPR biosensor for ultrasensitive carcinoembryonic antigen detection.

Herein, we report on a two-dimensional amino-functionalized Ti3C2-MXene (N-Ti3C2-MXene)-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for detecting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) utilizing a sandwich format signal amplification strategy. Our biosensor employs an N-Ti3C2-MXene nanosheet-modified sensing platform and a signal enhancer comprising N-Ti3C2-MXene-hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNPs)-staphylococcal protein A (SPA) complexes. Ultrathin Ti3C2-MXene nanosheets were synthesized and functionalized with aminosilane to provide a hydrophilic-biocompatible nanoplatform for covalent immobilization of the monoclonal anti-CEA capture antibody (Ab1). The N-Ti3C2-MXene/HGNPs nanohybrids were synthesized and further decorated with SPA to immobilize the polyclonal anti-CEA detection antibody (Ab2) and serve as signal enhancers. The capture of CEA followed by the formation of the Ab2-conjugated SPA/HGNPs/N-Ti3C2-MXene sandwiched nanocomplex on the SPR chip results in the generation of a response signal. The fabricated N-Ti3C2-MXene-based SPR biosensor exhibited a linear detection range of 0.001-1000 PM with a detection limit of 0.15 fM. The proposed biosensor showed high sensitivity and specificity for CEA in serum samples, which gives it application potential in the early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. We believe that this work also opens new avenues for development of MXene-based highly sensitive biosensors for determining various biomolecules.

Ultrasensitive and Selective Determination of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Using Multifunctional Ultrathin Amino-Functionalized Ti3C2-MXene Nanosheets.

Due to the clear efficacy of peer support as a means of improving emotional well-being and healthy behaviors in a highly cost-effective manner, this program is widely used. Controversy remains, however, with regard to its efficacy in breast cancer patients. Given the heterogeneity of peer support interventions, this review aimed to categorize, assess, and synthesize the existing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to clarify the effects of different types of peer support on breast cancer patients. We searched Pubmed, EMBase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data for English and Chinese language RCTs. The Cochrane Collaboration ‘risk of bias’ tool for systematic reviews was used to assess the methodological quality of each RCT. Of the 1494 studies screened, 15 studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion, comprising 1695 breast cancer patients. Overall, there were more positive effects than invalid or negative effects across peer interventions, with notable exceptions: unmoderated and unstructured group peer support interventions as well as Internet-based models without peer training had no effect or adverse effects on proximal and distal outcomes. However, adding other peer roles to the peer support structure or using one-on-one models could significantly improve the patients’ negative emotions. Peer education showed promising effects on stress management, quality of life, and healthy behaviors. This systematic review found that different types of peer support have different effects on outcomes for breast cancer patients. Web-based group peer support without peer training must be avoided or used with caution in the future. Peer education is recommended for breast cancer patient support models, given its excellent results and cost-effectiveness.

Peer support interventions for breast cancer patients: a systematic review.

Incorporation of metal-organic frameworks into electrospun chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofibrous membrane with enhanced antibacterial activity for wound dressing application.

The expression of legumain which has been shown overexpressed in patients with metastatic gastric cancer is positively correlated to both disease progression and outcome, and negatively correlated to microRNA (miR)-3978 expression. The RNA-binding protein, poly r(C) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) was the most downregulated protein in the metastatic tissue specimens. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that PCBP1 expression is transcriptionally downregulated in peritoneal metastasis tissues. RNA immunoprecipitation experiments showed that PCBP1 and miR-3978 are sequestered in normal peritoneal tissue, but the complex is disrupted following metastatic progression. PCBP1 expression mimicked miR-3978 expression across gastric cancer patients. Finally, replenishment of PCBP1 or miR-3978 expression in the peritoneal metastasis cell line MKN45 decreased legumain protein expression and chemosensitized the cells to treatment with docetaxel. However, replenishment of one and concomitant depletion of the other failed to induce chemosensitivity to docetaxel. Replenishment of miR-3978 also resulted in induction of PCBP1 protein expression, potentially indicating that miR-3978 expression might downregulate a negative regulator targeting PCBP1. Our current study reveals PCBP1 as an additional biomarker in peritoneal metastasis. PCBP1 and miR-3978 expression were correlated and suggests a potential interplay of differential miRNA biogenesis and RNA binding protein during metastatic progression.

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Fangfang Chen

Papers

A 2D transition metal carbide MXene-based SPR biosensor for ultrasensitive carcinoembryonic antigen detection.

Ultrasensitive and Selective Determination of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Using Multifunctional Ultrathin Amino-Functionalized Ti3C2-MXene Nanosheets.

Peer support interventions for breast cancer patients: a systematic review.

Incorporation of metal-organic frameworks into electrospun chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofibrous membrane with enhanced antibacterial activity for wound dressing application.

Expression of both poly r(C) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) and miRNA-3978 is suppressed in peritoneal gastric cancer metastasis.