This study delves into the intricate interaction between DNA and nanosystems, exploring its potential implications for biomedical applications. The focus lies in understanding the adsorption geometry of DNA when in proximity to plasmonic nanoparticles, utilizing ultrasensitive vibrational spectroscopy techniques. Employing a combined Raman-SERS analysis, we conducted an in-depth examination to clarify the molecular geometry of interactions between DNA and silver nanoparticles. Our findings also reveal distinctive spectral features regarding DNA samples due to their distinctive genome stability. To understand the subtle differences occurring between normal and cancerous DNA, their thermal stability was investigated by means of SERS measurement performed before and after a thermal treatment at 94 °C. It was proved that thermal treatment did not affect DNA integrity in the case of normal cells. On the other hand, due to epimutation pattern that characterizes cancerous DNA, variations between spectra recorded before and after heat treatment were observed, suggesting genome instability. These findings highlight the potential of DNA analysis using SERS for cancer detection. They demonstrate the applicability of this approach to overcoming challenges associated with low DNA concentrations (e.g., circulating tumor DNA) that occur in biofluids. In conclusion, this research contributes significant insights into the nanoscale behavior of DNA in the presence of nanosystems.

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic hallmark of cancer development but the experimental methods able to prove nanoscale modifications are very scarce. Over time, Raman and its counterpart, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), became one of the most promising techniques capable to investigate nanoscale modifications of DNA bases. In our study, we employed Raman/SERS to highlight the differences between normal and leukemia DNA samples and to evaluate the effects of a 5-azacytidine treatment on leukemia cells. To obtain spectral information related to DNA base modifications, a DNA incubation step of 4 min at 94 °C, similar to the one performed in the case of RT-PCR experiments, was conducted prior to any measurements. In this way, reproducible Raman/SERS spectra were collected for all genomic DNA samples. Our Raman results allowed discrimination between normal and cancer DNAs based on their different aggregation behavior induced by the distinct methylation landscape present in the DNA samples. On the other hand, the SERS spectra collected on the same DNA samples show a very intense vibrational band located at 1008 cm⁻¹ assigned to a rocking vibration of 5-methyl-cytosine. The intensity of this band strongly decreases in cancer DNA due to the modification of the methylation landscape occurring in cancers. We believe that under controlled experimental conditions, this vibrational band could be used as a powerful marker for demonstrating epigenetic reprogramming in cancer by means of SERS.

Background/Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major global health problem, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Its high morbidity and mortality rates impose substantial psychosocial and financial burdens on patients and healthcare systems. In the emergency setting, managing acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) poses a major clinical challenge, as these patients often present with multi-organ dysfunction secondary to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers could improve early risk stratification, guide therapeutic decisions, and enhance patient outcomes. Methods: This multicenter, prospective, observational study aims to evaluate the prognostic significance of several novel biomarkers—resistin, club cell secretory protein 16 (CC16), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), S100β protein—alongside conventional markers such as N-terminal-pro–B-type-Natriuretic-Peptide (NT-proBNP), D-dimer, high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin in patients with AECOPD admitted to the Emergency Department (ED). Blood samples will be collected at admission. The novel biomarkers (resistin, CC16, IL-6, TNF-α, S100β) will be measured using standardized ELISA kits, while conventional biomarkers (NT-proBNP, troponin I, CRP, procalcitonin) will be analyzed using routine automated clinical laboratory methods. Correlations between biomarker levels, clinical and imaging data, severity scores (GCS, SOFA, CFS, Ottawa COPD Risk Scale, DECAF, BAP-65), and short-term outcomes (hospital discharge status and 28-day survival) will be assessed. The study has received approval from the Ethics Committee of the “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, and all participating hospitals. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants or their legal representatives. Results: This study protocol does not report results, as data collection and analysis are ongoing. Conclusions /Expected Impact: By identifying novel biomarkers with prognostic and pathophysiological relevance, this research aims to inform the development of early risk stratification tools and support future evidence-based approaches to the management of critically ill COPD patients in the ED.

This systematic review explores the application of Raman spectroscopy (RS) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, emphasizing the need for innovative and efficient diagnostic tools. The development of such techniques aims to alleviate healthcare costs while providing timely assessment of injury severity. A systematic literature search for the use of RS in TBI was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to July 28, 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. We included only original English-language studies (animals and humans) in free full-text format. Risk of bias was assessed using specific tools for both animal and human models. Findings were classified according to the cohorts, and spectroscopic technique alongside their particularities. The initial search found 261 articles, with 26 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Among them: 15 were animal studies and 11 translational/human-relevant studies. Among animal studies, 3 focused on in-situ monitoring and TBI classification, 2 on blast-induced models, 5 on blood biomarker analysis, 2 on retinal-based point-of-care diagnostics, and 3 on Raman microscopy. The translational research studies aimed to identify and validate TBI biomarkers for developing future diagnostic strategies in human patients. RS distinguished injured from control tissue through spectral changes reflecting protein and lipid alterations and differentiated lesion areas by revealing astrogliosis-related reorganization. Instantaneous in-situ RS devices achieved >92% accuracy in severity classification and detected biomarker-related molecular changes. Point-of-care RS platforms using lateral flow strips enabled rapid detection of specific TBI biomarkers (GFAP, NAA, NSE, S100B, UCH-L1), showing performance comparable to ELISA while offering faster, simpler, and cost-efficient testing.

Background/Objectives: Extubation failure remains clinically important despite apparent readiness for extubation. Previous diaphragm-ultrasound syntheses have largely addressed broader weaning or ventilator-liberation outcomes, leaving uncertainty about its role in refining residual extubation-failure risk. We evaluated whether diaphragm ultrasound can refine residual risk of extubation failure after standard readiness assessment in invasively ventilated adults. Methods: We performed a PROSPERO-registered systematic review and prognostic test-accuracy meta-analysis (CRD420261396412). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched on 18 May 2026. The primary evidence was organised by the diaphragm ultrasound index and clinically compatible extubation-failure endpoints; a broader cross-index synthesis was considered exploratory. Results: Of 1997 records, 1034 unique records were screened, 303 underwent full-text or potential eligibility assessment, and 201 were retained: 10 core DTA studies, 10 additional expanded-sensitivity records, 74 structured secondary records, and 107 narrative records. The core dataset included 729 patients and 161 events. Three studies evaluated DTF/TFdi (338 patients), five DE (225 patients), one DSF (82 patients), and one contraction velocity (84 patients). In the index-specific analyses, DTF/TFdi yielded sensitivity 0.808 (95% CI 0.661–0.900) and specificity 0.752 (0.245–0.966), whereas DE yielded sensitivity 0.831 (0.724–0.902) and specificity 0.911 (0.819–0.959). The exploratory 10-study cross-index synthesis yielded sensitivity 0.789 (0.712–0.849) and specificity 0.810 (0.620–0.918). Evidence of independent incremental value beyond SBT, rapid shallow breathing index, or usual readiness assessment was indirect. Conclusions: Diaphragm ultrasound indices provide potentially useful prognostic information about extubation failure; their accuracy requires index-specific interpretation. Current evidence does not justify stand-alone extubation decisions, universal thresholds, or established independent incremental clinical value.