Mamata Chahar

Stem cell-based tissue engineering offers transformative solutions for regenerating damaged tissues, such as bone, cartilage, and neural tissues. Chitosan and cellulose nanoparticles have emerged as promising biomaterials for enhancing stem cell delivery and scaffold performance due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable properties. Chitosan, with its antimicrobial and bioadhesive properties, supports stem cell adhesion and differentiation in soft tissue scaffolds. Cellulose nanoparticles, including cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), nanofibrils (CNFs), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), provide mechanical strength for hard tissue regeneration. This review examines their synthesis, properties, and interactions with stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), in tissue engineering applications. A comparative analysis highlights their complementary roles, while challenges like physiological stability and scalability are addressed. Recent advancements, such as 3D bioprinting and growth factor functionalization, enhance their potential. Future research should focus on optimizing stem cell-scaffold interactions and ensuring clinical safety.

The leading form of cancer affecting females globally is breast cancer, characterized by an unregulated growth of cells within the breast. Therefore, examining breast tissue is crucial in accurately identifying and treating this disease. Exosomes are very small enclosures bounded by a layer of cells and produced by a variety of cells present in the cancerous tissue surroundings. They play a crucial role in several biological functions in cancerous tumors. These exosomes carry non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and are discharged into the TME, where they are instrumental in the development and advancement of tumors. Additionally, the ncRNAs enclosed in exosomes act as significant mediators of communication within cells. Consequently, there is limited comprehension regarding the precise roles and targets of exosomal RNA in regulation, as research in this area is still in its preliminary phases. This piece provides a comprehensive overview of the latest studies on exosomes, delving into their impact on the behavior of cancer cells and immune cells. Moreover, it presents a compilation of the diverse forms of non-coding RNA molecules found in exosomes released by both cancerous and supportive cells, including circular RNAs, microRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs. Current research has proven the noteworthy influence that non-coding RNA molecules have on the progression, proliferation, drug resistance, and immune responses of breast cancer cells.

Plant-derived carbon dots (P-CDs) are gaining attention in environmental remediation due to their cost-effectiveness, availability, and lower toxicity compared with chemically synthesized carbon dots. This review comprehensively examines the recent advancements in the synthesis and application of P-CDs, with a particular emphasis on their efficacy in the sensing of heavy metals, which are among the most pervasive environmental contaminants. A detailed comparative analysis is presented by evaluating the performance of P-CDs against their chemically synthesized counterparts based on key parameters, such as optimal operating conditions and detection limits. Furthermore, sensing the potential of P-CDs towards every heavy metal ion has been discussed with in-depth mechanistic insights. Additionally, this review explores the industrial applications and future directions of P-CDs. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of -P-CDs for heavy metal sensing, aiming to enhance their sensitivity and selectivity toward heavy metal ions.