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ABSTRACT In recent years, significant attention has been given to the strategy of linking novel active molecules with different biological targets and antitumor mechanisms to the axial positions of Pt(IV) complexes, aiming to synthesize new Pt(IV) antitumor complexes with excellent properties. In this study, Satraplatin analogs and the highly lipophilic bioactive molecule cannabidiol (CBD) were chosen as the main research subjects. By combining these two and introducing other bioactive small molecules, we aimed to enrich the functionalities of Pt(IV) antitumor complexes. Five new multifunctional Pt(IV) antitumor complexes, P1–P5, were prepared. All Pt(IV) prodrugs demonstrated antitumor effects in various tumor cell lines. Notably, compound P1 exhibited significant inhibitory effects, with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values that were 2.1, 1.5, and 1.3 times higher than those of satraplatin in HCT‐116, A549, and HeLa cell lines, respectively, and 2.4, 1.5, and 2.0 times higher than those of the combination of satraplatin and CBD. The cytotoxicity of P1 toward cancer cell lines is significantly higher than that of the combination therapy group, providing preliminary evidence that the strategy of combining CBD and platinum‐based antitumor drugs into a complex is highly effective in simultaneously enhancing the cytotoxicity of both, resulting in a good synergistic antitumor effect. Further research shows that after treating cells with P1, the induced ROS generation increases in a dose‐dependent manner, disrupting the cell's redox homeostasis, leading to oxidative stress, and ultimately causing cell apoptosis. This strategy of introducing the bioactive molecule CBD into platinum‐based drug formation complexes to improve efficacy has been shown to be feasible and deserves further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To attain a thorough examination of the dynamic interaction mechanism between China's utilization of water resources and its economic and social development, this paper innovatively introduces a Western theoretical framework within an Eastern context. The aim is to quantify the process of decoupling and synergistic evolution from 2006 to 2020. Decoupling signifies achieving economic growth while reducing resource use or mitigating environmental impacts, whereas synergy denotes enhancing economic efficiency while contributing to environmental protection. This paper employs the Tapio elastic coefficient method to construct a decoupling model. A collaborative model, based on the entropy weight Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and weighted average methods, also assesses the organization and coordination of subsystems within the complex water‐economic‐social system. The findings reveal a strong decoupling between China's water resource management and economic and social systems, as indicated by a consistently negative decoupling index. Similarly, the economic system exhibits a degree of inefficiency influenced by factors like economic cyclicality and resource allocation. In contrast, the social system experienced a decline, particularly during the pandemic (2019–2020), leading to a social instability. This study provides valuable policy formulation and sustainable development insights, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics between water utilization, economy, and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to investigate the synergistic and antagonistic interactions of combined application of Phosphorus and Zinc fertilizers on sweet pepper in net house conditions. Pot experiment consists of thirteen treatments combinations set up in a completely randomized design. The treatment combinations comprising of four levels of phosphorus (0, 237.5, 355.5 and 475 kg Single Super Phosphate ha−1) and three levels of Zn (5, 7.5 and 10 kg Zinc Sulfate ha−1) including one control (100% NPK). The available macro and micronutrients content in potting mixture was confirmed in medium range before conducting the experiment. The results clearly demonstrate the treatment comprising 475 kg SSP ha−1 with 10 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 (T13) showed synergistic effects on vegetative characteristics, above and below ground nutrient content as well as nutrient uptake. When balanced phosphatic and zinc fertilizers (T13) are applied to soil, there is a low possibility of an antagonistic reaction. Antagonism problems arise most frequently when the soil's Zn content is extremely low in combination with excess application of P fertilizer limiting their availability to plants. To avoid P-Zn antagonism in the soil system, utilization of appropriate fertilizer methods, supplies, and rates was done. As a result, the present study confirms that recommended fertilizer doses combined with phosphorus @ 475 kg SSP ha−1 and zinc @ 10 kg ZnSO4 ha−1, is the best nutrient combination for improving plant growth parameters; however, in terms of soil parameters, P and Zn fertilizers affected micronutrient content in soil, which further interacted antagonistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Organic insecticides against Aedes aegypti L. mosquitoes are regarded as one of the most important tools for containing arboviruses transmitted by this species, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in tropical countries including Thailand, considering the development of mosquito resistance to synthetic chemical larvicides. The most critical way to contain outbreaks is to control the vector that transmits pathogens. Monoterpenes are new, effective, and eco-friendly alternatives. This study investigated the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of two monoterpenes—geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde—and their combinations. The efficacies of each formulation were compared against each other and temephos. Binary mixtures were significantly more effective than single formulations or temephos. They are safe for the non-target aquatic predator, guppies (Poecilia reticulata). These combinations make excellent insecticides for both larvae and pupae mosquito vector control, and the results open up the opportunity for both compounds to be developed into eco-friendly products. Monoterpenes are effective and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical larvicides. We tested single and binary mixtures of monoterpenes—geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde—for their larvicidal and pupicidal activities against Aedes aegypti L. and for non-target toxicity on guppies (Poecilia reticulata Peters), using 1% (w/w) temephos as a reference. Geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde at 250 ppm showed stronger larvicidal and pupicidal activities with a 100% mortality rate and an LT50 ranging from 0.3 to 0.6 h. All combinations were strongly synergistic against larvae and pupae compared to single formulations, with an increased mortality value (IMV) of 6% to 93%. The combination of geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde (1:1) at 200 ppm showed the highest impact, with an IMV of 93%. The strongest larvicidal and pupicidal activities, a 100% mortality rate, and an LT50 of 0.2 h were achieved by geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde (1:1) 500 ppm. They were thirty times more effective than a 1% temephos solution (LT50 ranging from 6.7 to 96 h) and caused obviously shriveled cuticles and a swollen respiratory system. All single and binary mixtures were not toxic to the guppies. Thus, the combination of geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde has great potential as a safe insecticide for controlling mosquito larvae and pupae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important problems and the main obstacle of this process is the transformation of the complex structure of lignocellulose. One of the ways to break the lignocellulosic structure is to use suitable pretreatment compounds and nanoparticles with appropriate concentration. For this purpose, the synergistic effect of 6%NaOH pretreatment with different magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) concentrations was assessed for maximizing the biogas production. In this study, the optimal mixing ratio of MSW and SS codigestion was determined from our previous studies (MSW:SS 60:40). Application of the 6%NaOH pretreatment alone increased biogas and methane production by 24.6 and 35.4%, respectively, compared to the control. Also, the 6%NaOH pretreatment alone elevated cellulose by 85% while reducing lignin and hemicellulose by 64 and 33%, respectively. The greatest biogas and methane production was obtained in the reactor of 6%NaOH with an MNP concentration of 110 ppm, experiencing an 86 and 162% increase compared to the control. The greatest reduction in total solids and volatile solids was also obtained in this digestor by 76.6 and 79%, respectively, compared to the control reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The gelation properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) directly affect the texture, taste and water‐holding capacity (WHC) of meat products. To enhance the gelation properties of single‐species meat MP, the present study investigated the influence of different proportions of beef, pork and chicken MP on the physicochemical properties, structure and gelation properties of the MP.The results revealed that, when the proportion reached 5:2:3, the particle size decreases, leading to the maximum decomposition and unfolding of MPs, which exposes a greater number of hydrophobic amino acid residues. These changes promote interactions between protein molecules, especially the unfolding of α‐helices and the formation of β‐sheets during the heating process, which provides favorable conditions for the formation of protein gels and improves the gel strength and WHC of MP gels. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that the mixed MP gels are more compact and have more uniform gel networks and pores compared to single‐species MP gels.Based on these results, the synergistic effect is induced by the interactions between proteins from different. This research provides a method for the subsequent development of new meat products and improvement of meat product quality, and also lays a theoretical foundation for composite research of proteins from different sources. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the MTT 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the ability to increase the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cells, the protective effects of ethanolic extract of tamarillo were assessed in the current study. The cells were pre-treated with tamarillo ethanolic extract at 10 g/mL for 4 h before being exposed to 0.6 mM H2O2 for 3 h showed the greatest protection, with a significant increase (P 0.05) in cell viability of 79% compared to the control (57%). The results support a role that cyto-protective effect of tamarillo and doxorubicin which low in toxicity opens a new possible approach for possible future use in conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and evaluate the biological capabilities of the essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves and stems of wild Aeschynomene indica L. plants by the hydrodistillation method. By using GC-FID/MS, fifty-six and fifty-five compounds, representing 95.1 and 97.6% of the essential oils in the leaves and stems, respectively, were characterized. The predominant constituents of A. indica EOs were (E)-caryophyllene, linalool, viridiflorol, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, trans-verbenol, and α-guaiene. The antibacterial and synergistic activities of the EOs were assessed by microdilution and checkerboard assays. The results revealed a potent inhibition and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with MICs of 0.312–0.625 mg/mL. When combined with traditional antibiotics, the essential oils of A. indica possessed excellent synergistic effects against all tested bacteria. Additionally, the EOs of A. indica leaves showed higher antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.11 ± 0.01 µg/mL) compared to the stem oil (IC50 = 0.19 ± 0.01 µg/mL) using the ABTS radical scavenging assay. The in vitro cytotoxicity of EOs against human cancer cell lines HepG2, MCF-7, A-549, and HCT-116 was examined, and MTT assays showed that the EOs possessed a significant cytotoxic potential against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with IC50 values of 10.04 ± 1.82 and 15.89 ± 1.66 μg/mL, and a moderate cytotoxic activity against other tested cells. In conclusion, the A. indica EOs could be considered a potential source of pharmacologically active compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of drug‐resistant strains in tuberculosis treatment underscores the urgency for novel therapeutic approaches. This study investigates the anti‐tuberculosis activity of green‐synthesized copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) using garlic and astragalus extracts. The physicochemical characterization of the nanoparticles confirms successful synthesis, followed by assessment of their antibacterial properties and safety profile. Rats infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis are treated with nanocomposites derived from garlic extract at doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight. Evaluation includes the analysis of Early secreted antigenic target of 6 kDa (ESAT‐6) expression and confirmation of antibodies through molecular assays. Administration of garlic and nanocomposites demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on tuberculosis progression in rats, validated by safety assessments and antibacterial efficacy. Notably, the 100 mg/kg dosage exhibits pronounced mitigation of tuberculosis‐induced oxidative stress and lung damage. In conclusion, the combined administration of garlic extracts and green‐synthesized nanocomposites shows promising efficacy in reducing tuberculosis infection, highlighting a potential avenue for anti‐tuberculosis interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spaceflight poses a myriad of environmental stressors to astronauts´ physiology including microgravity and radiation. The individual impacts of microgravity and radiation on the immune system have been extensively investigated, though a comprehensive review on their combined effects on immune system outcomes is missing. Therefore, this review aims at understanding the synergistic, additive, and antagonistic interactions between microgravity and radiation and their impact on immune function as observed during spaceflight-analog studies such as rodent hindlimb unloading and cell culture rotating wall vessel models. These mimic some, but not all, of the physiological changes observed in astronauts during spaceflight and provide valuable information that should be considered when planning future missions. We provide guidelines for the design of further spaceflight-analog studies, incorporating influential factors such as age and sex for rodent models and standardizing the longitudinal evaluation of specific immunological alterations for both rodent and cellular models of spaceflight exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy drugs are commonly used in cancer treatment, despite their numerous negative side effects. Today, there are studies to reduce the side effects of these drugs and to increase their benefits by combining them with natural substances. Our study investigated the antioxidant and antiradical activities of Ellagic acid (EA), a natural substance, DOC and MIX, commonly used chemotherapeutics, as well as their combinations (EA+DOC, EA+MIX). For this purpose, the methods of DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity, Fe3+ -Fe2+ and Cu2+-Cu1+ reduction capacity were used. After the study, the interactions were analysed with the combination index using Compusyn software. Concentrations with maximum synergy in combinations have been identified. For this purpose, firstly, the combination concentrations used in the antioxidant activity methods and the absorbance values were entered into the Compusyn programme. When DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity results were entered into the programme, more effective synergistic effect was observed for EA+DOC at lower concentrations (7:7µg/mL), (0.125:1µg/mL) respectively. For EA+MIX, no synergistic effect was observed with the application of DPPH scavenging activity results to the programme, while for ABTS•+ scavenging activity, more effective synergistic effect was observed at higher concentrations within the applied doses (0.750:6µg/ml). When Fe3+ -Fe2+ and Cu2+ -Cu1+ reduction results were applied to the programme; synergistic effect was observed at higher concentrations (17:17µg/mL) for both EA+DOC and EA+MIX and even strong synergistic effect was observed in many of them. The obtained results provide guidance for the use of these combinations in further studies, such as anticancer and enzyme studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Old-World bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant threat to crops worldwide and has become resistant to traditional synthetic insecticides. The present study investigated the pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Metarhizium robertsii (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) strain WG-04 or Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) strain WG-10, and an entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against the second and fourth instar larvae of H. armigera. Both fungal species and H. bacteriophora were evaluated, singly or in combination. After 24 and 48 h post-application of the fungal spores (106 spores/mL), H. bacteriophora was introduced at a rate of 50 infective juveniles/mL, and mortality was observed at 3-, 5-, and 7-days post-treatment. Adult emergence, egg hatching, and percentage pupation were recorded. The integration of both types of biocontrol agents exhibited additive and synergistic interactions in larval stages, and enhanced mortality was recorded when EPF was used in combination with the nematodes. In the individual application of all three biocontrol agents alone, the order of efficacy was H. bacteriophora > B. bassiana > M. robertsii; however, in joint treatments, the increase in mortality and decrease in percentage egg hatching, pupation, and adult emergence was determined to be directly linked to the exposure period of the H. bacteriophora. The results of this study suggest that combining H. bacteriophora with EPF could provide a solid foundation for an economically viable method for managing H. armigera larvae in chickpea fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the combined administration of docetaxel (DOC) and erlotinib (ERL) using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), with folic acid (FA) conjugation to enhance their synergistic anticancer efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer. NLCs were developed through hot melt homogenization–ultrasound dispersion, and optimized by a quality-by-design (QbD) approach using Plackett–Burman design and Box–Behnken design. Plots were generated based on maximum desirability. Spherical, nanosized dispersions (<200 nm) with zeta potential ranging from −16.4 to −14.15 mV were observed. These nanoformulations demonstrated ~95% entrapment efficiency with around 5% drug loading. Stability tests revealed that the NLCs remained stable for 6 months under storage conditions at 4 °C. In vitro release studies indicated sustained release over 24 h, following Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas models for NLCs and FA NLCs, respectively. Additionally, an in vitro pH-stat lipolysis model exhibited a nearly fivefold increase in bioaccessibility compared to drug-loaded suspensions. The DOC–ERL-loaded formulations exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, revealing synergism at a 1:3 molar ratio in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells, with combination indices of 0.35 and 0.37, respectively. Co-treatment with DOC–ERL-loaded FA NLCs demonstrated synergistic anticancer effects in various in vitro assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel oxide (NiOx)‐based inverted perovskite solar cells stand as promising candidates for advancing perovskite photovoltaics towards commercialization, leveraging their remarkable stability, scalability, and cost‐effectiveness. However, the interfacial redox reaction between high‐valence Ni4+ and perovskite, alongside the facile conversion of iodide in perovskite into I2, significantly deteriorates the performance and reproducibility of NiOx‐based perovskite photovoltaics. Here, potassium borohydride (KBH4) is introduced as a dual‐action reductant, which effectively avoids the Ni4+/perovskite interface reaction and mitigates the iodide‐to‐I2 oxidation within perovskite film. This synergistic redox modulation significantly suppresses nonradiative recombination and increases the carrier lifetime. As a result, an impressive power conversion efficiency of 24.17% for NiOx‐based perovskite solar cells is achieved, and a record efficiency of 20.2% for NiOx‐based perovskite solar modules fabricated under ambient conditions. Notably, when evaluated using the ISOS‐L‐2 standard protocol, the module retains 94% of its initial efficiency after 2000 h of continuous illumination under maximum power point at 65 °C in ambient air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated proteomic divergence in the hemolymph of early fourth instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera fed with triflumuron (TFM) and a synergistic growth inhibitory combination of TFM and β-sitosterol (BS) in a 1:1 ratio. LC-MS analysis identified 65 proteins differentially downregulated in larvae fed with TFM and 75 in larvae fed with TFM + BS, essential for maintaining homeostasis and performing physiological and metabolic activities in H. armigera, when compared to untreated controls. In the TFM-fed larvae, deletions comprised 7 DNA processing, 11 RNA processing, 7 protein processing, 6 metabolic, 5 transport, 11 structural, 8 signal transduction, and 10 stress response proteins. TFM + BS-fed larvae showed relative deletions of 8 DNA processing, 14 RNA processing, 6 protein processing, 7 metabolic, 7 transport, 13 structural proteins, 7 signal transduction, and 12 stress response proteins. Both diets resulted in differential expression of 10 and 6 proteins, respectively, with TFM-fed larvae expressing proteins related to defense and detoxification, while TFM + BS-fed larvae expressing primarily upregulated proteins involved in sensory stimulus perception, particularly olfaction, along with one stress protein. Thus, analysis of the overall protein expression of the organism could provide an insight into important proteins suppressed and activated which can be future targets protein to control the pest population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous investigation has established the formation of tribofilm is influenced by tribochemical reactions between the electrolyte and the articulating surface of cobalt alloy through sliding tests in various simulated fluids. Although it has successfully characterized the film composition via spectroscopy analysis and indicated to have impact on material loss, a comprehensive understanding of the material degradation mechanism in tribocorrosion condition was still lacking. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role of protein in the tribocorrosive degradation of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy in different simulated physiological electrolytes. Using a similar testing protocol, tribocorrosion tests were conducted with reciprocating ceramic ball against CoCrMo samples immersed in saline and culture medium, compared to both electrolytes diluted with 25% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Synergistic and mechanistic approaches were employed to model the tribocorrosive degradation. Results reveal that protein plays a beneficial role in reducing corrosive (electrochemical) surface degradation under tribocorrosion condition, whilst increasing mechanical wear degradation in the process. Despite studies have shown that tribocorrosion behavior in metal alloys is highly influenced by the presence of organic matter, this study provides a more clarity of the roles played by protein in tribocorrosive degradation on CoCrMo surface as its novel finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly efficient and low-cost bio-oil upgrading process is critical for the realization of renewable biomass as the substitution for fossil oil in the production of biofuel. In this study, a highly dispersed Co/SiO2–Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by simple wet impregnation, and its catalytical activity in the hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol, one of the most key reactions of bio-oil upgrading, was evaluated. The as-prepared catalyst could provide a full conversion of guaiacol (100%) and 96.8% selectivity of cyclohexane under relatively mild conditions (250 °C, 2-MPa H2, 1 h). The characterizations of the as-prepared Co/SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst confirmed a highly dispersed Co particle with the SiO2–Al2O3 support, which favored the selectivity of cyclohexane. In addition, both the synergy of Co0 and Coδ+ species and the medium-strength acidic sites contributed to the high catalytical performance of the catalyst. According to the distribution of the products, the reaction path from guaiacol to cyclohexane was speculated. Furthermore, the Co/SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst also possessed high stability and versatility. The above properties together with the easy preparation method entitled the Co/SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst great potential as a non-noble metal catalyst for the scale-up applications in bio-oil upgrading process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrolysis behaviors of polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and their mixtures are investigated by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) under varying heating rates to research the co-pyrolysis kinetic and synergistic effect. Model-free methods (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method, and Starink method) and model-fitting techniques (Malek method, Coats-Redfern method) were utilized to determine key kinetic parameters. The average activation energy are 224.69–225.19 kJ/mol for PP, 186–188.5 kJ/mol for LDPE, 195.64–197.48 kJ/mol for PP/LDPE composites. Model-fitting analysis was employed to elucidate the thermal pyrolysis mechanisms. For PP and LDPE, the A3/2 mechanism was found to be the governing pathway, whereas the PP/LDPE blends exhibited the A1 mechanism. Subsequently, compensation effect equations were derived to elucidate the synergistic interactions between PP and LDPE during co-pyrolysis process. The co-pyrolysis of PP and LDPE mixtures exhibit a lower pyrolysis temperature compared to the individual materials. Furthermore, the activation energy and pre-exponential factor results indicate a promotion effect in the early stage and an inhibiting effect in the later stage of the pyrolysis process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, phytochemical analyzes and investigations for in vitro antimicrobial activity of two endemic species Achillea schischkinii Sosn. and A. teretifolia Willd. were carried out. The essential oils and fatty acids as well as the different solvents extracts were obtained from aerial parts of the plants. Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC / MS) techniques were used to analyze the phytochemical composition of the volatiles and fatty acid methyl esters. In vitro antimicrobial evaluations of the plant extracts were determined against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019, C. tropicalis ATCC 750, and C. glabrata ATCC 90030 by microdilution method. The antifungal combination of infusion of A. schischkinii with fluconazole was determined by the checkerboard method againts Candida species. Chemical compositions of A. schischkinii and A. teretifolia were determined as 1,8-cineol (25.2-30.4 %), and camphor (7.0-5.5 %). Antimicrobial evaluation of different extracts of A. teretifolia, were performed for the first time in this study. The MIC values were observed between at 156.25-5000 μg / mL for both of the plant extracts. The combination showed a synergistic effect (FIC =0.5) against C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An effective method was applied for the synergistic recovery of valuable elements. • High leaching efficiencies of REEs, Co, and B in the spent NdFeB magnets. • Mechanically induced lattice strain enhancing activity of NdFeB magnets. • The new process reduced the activation energy as well as the roasting temperature. The efficient and sustainable recovery of rare earth resources from spent NdFeB magnets has received considerable and increasing attention. However, the currently prevalent NdFeB magnets recovery techniques focus only on the recovery for rare earth elements (REEs), some of which also recover cobalt (Co) or boron (B). Herein, a simple mechanochemical strategy was proposed to recover REE, Co, and B from spent NdFeB magnets by mixing the NdFeB magnets powder and FeCl 3 6H 2 O through the grinding-roasting-water leaching technological route. The results indicated high leaching efficiencies of 98.94 % for REEs, 99.99 % for Co, and 93.36 % for B from the NdFeB magnets. Additionally, iron remains in the leaching residue as iron oxide (96.73 wt %), achieving the complete separation of REEs, Co, B, and Fe. This mechanochemical based technology offers a green and efficient recovery process, facilitating more effective synergistic recovery of valuable elements from spent NdFeB magnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the development of chiral D‐/L‐CuxOS nanoparticle‐engineered metal–organic frameworks (Fe‐MIL‐88B‐NH2), denoted as D‐/L‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOFs, for cuproptosis and ferroptosis synergistic therapy is described. The D‐/L‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOF displayed intense circular dichroism (CD) bands at 488 nm due to the chirality transfer from chiral penicillamine ligands. Chiral D‐/L‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOF showed tumor microenvironment‐triggered catalytic therapeutic activity by simultaneously depleting L‐glutathione (GSH) and generating potent reactive oxygen species in cancer cells. In vivo experimental results synchronously demonstrated D‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOF with higher efficiency of cancer therapy. The findings revealed that copper/iron ions released from chiral D‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOF induced augmented oxidative stress and potent ferroptosis, which synergizes with cuproptosis for enhanced cancer therapy. The synergistic index for D‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOF is determined to be 1.94, while L‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOF and D,L‐CuxOS@Fe‐MOF with 1.75 and 1.84, respectively. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first report of a chiral nanomaterial capable of inducing synergistic ferroptosis‐cuproptosis therapy for cancers. The results should invigorate studies pursuing the rational design of chiral nanomaterials for efficacious cancer therapy based on cuproptosis and ferroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the potency of uranium extraction by dibutyl carbitol solvent has been investigated. The cheapness of this solvent is advantageous. Response surface methodology was applied to design the experiments and analyze the results to evaluate the effects of four effective variables, i.e., nitric acid concentration, dibutyl carbitol concentration, temperature, and mixing time to determine optimal conditions. The optimal conditions of uranium extraction were obtained at nitric acid concentration 30%, dibutyl carbitol concentration 60%, and T = 20 °C. Under these conditions, uranium extraction was 50.12%. The synergistic extraction with a mixture of dibutyl carbitol and tributyl phosphate improved to 88.42%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) exhibits the ability to form biofilms as a means of adapting to its adverse surroundings. K. pneumoniae in this biofilm state demonstrates remarkable resistance, evades immune system attacks, and poses challenges for complete eradication, thereby complicating clinical anti-infection efforts. Moreover, the precise mechanisms governing biofilm formation and disruption remain elusive. Recent studies have discovered that fingolimod (FLD) exhibits biofilm properties against Gram-positive bacteria. Therefore, the antibiofilm properties of FLD were evaluated against multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae in this study. The antibiofilm activity of FLD against K. pneumoniae was assessed utilizing the Alamar Blue assay along with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and crystal violet (CV) staining. The results showed that FLD effectively reduced biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide (EPS), motility, and bacterial abundance within K. pneumoniae biofilms without impeding its growth and metabolic activity. Furthermore, the inhibitory impact of FLD on the production of autoinducer-2 (AI-2) signaling molecules was identified, thereby demonstrating its notable anti-quorum sensing (QS) properties. The results of qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that FLD significantly decreased the expression of genes associated with the efflux pump gene (AcrB, kexD, ketM, kdeA, and kpnE), outer membrane (OM) porin proteins (OmpK35, OmpK36), the quorum-sensing (QS) system (luxS), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) production (wzm), and EPS production (pgaA). Simultaneously, FLD exhibited evident antibacterial synergism, leading to an increased survival rate of G. mellonella infected with MDR K. pneumoniae. These findings suggested that FLD has substantial antibiofilm properties and synergistic antibacterial potential for colistin in treating K. pneumoniae infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Calycosin may be a potential candidate regarding chemotherapeutic agent, because already some studies against multivarious cancer have been made with this natural compound. Aim: This review elucidated a brief overview of previous studies on calycosin potential effects on various cancers and its potential mechanism of action. Methodology: Data retrieved by systematic searches of Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus by using keywords including calycosin, cancer types, anti‐cancer mechanism, synergistic, and pharmacokinetic and commonly used tools are BioRender, ChemDraw Professional 16.0, and ADMETlab 2.0. Results: Based on our review, calycosin is available in nature and effective against around 15 different types of cancer. Generally, the anti‐cancer mechanism of this compound is mediated through a variety of processes, including regulation of apoptotic pathways, cell cycle, angiogenesis and metastasis, oncogenes, enzymatic pathways, and signal transduction process. These study conducted in various study models, including in silico, in vitro, preclinical and clinical models. The molecular framework behind the anti‐cancer effect is targeting some oncogenic and therapeutic proteins and multiple signaling cascades. Therapies based on nano‐formulated calycosin may make excellent nanocarriers for the delivery of this compound to targeted tissue as well as particular organ. This natural compound becomes very effective when combined with other natural compounds and some standard drugs. Moreover, proper use of this compound can reverse resistance to existing anti‐cancer drugs through a variety of strategies. Calycosin showed better pharmacokinetic properties with less toxicity in human bodies. Conclusion: Calycosin exhibits excellent potential as a therapeutic drug against several cancer types and should be consumed until standard chemotherapeutics are available in pharma markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Blueberries and apples exhibit favorable bioactivity and health benefits as a result of their rich phytochemicals. Natural phytochemicals exist in complex forms, but there are few reports on whether have additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects between different phytochemicals. The present study aimed to elucidate the synergistic effects of blueberry extract (BE) and apple peel extract (APE) together with respect to inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 liver cancer cells. Meanwhile, phytochemical characterization of BE and APE was conducted by HPLC, and total antioxidant activity was determined via a cellular antioxidant activity assay, oxygen radical absorption capacity assay and peroxy radical scavenging capacity assay. RESULTS: The results showed that BE and APE were rich in phytochemicals and had potent antioxidant activities, which synergistically inhibited cell proliferation. In the bilateral combination, the dose reduction index value increased by two‐fold, and the combination index value at 95% inhibition was less than 1. Additionally, BE + APE supplementation could promote the expression levels of p53 and c‐myc genes. In conclusion, the BE and APE had strong antioxidant activity and exhibited synergistic inhibition against proliferation of HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: The present study can provide a theoretical basis for the synergistic effect of different phytochemicals in health care. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impairment of fish growth and immune system due to stress and disease are major constraints in aquaculture industry. Traditionally, antibiotic was used as prophylactic agent in the health management of aquaculture species. However, antibiotic only provide a temporary solution to the problem of disease outbreak. Over-reliance on antibiotic also has led to the increasing cases of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria from aquaculture sites and contamination of antibiotic residues into human food chain. Probiotic, prebiotic and symbiotic are therefore suggested as alternatives to prophylactic antibiotic to be used in the aquaculture industry. A potential prophylactic agent is polysaccharide that could be developed into an alternative antibiotic for aquatic animals. In this review paper, definition, sources, and mode of action of polysaccharide are presented. The roles of polysaccharides in fish farming with emphasis on growth improvement, immune system enhancement, disease resistance stimulation in tilapia farming, and the effects of polysaccharides on abiotic stressors are summarized and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoids have been widely used as an important class of insecticides for controlling sap-feeding insects. However, increasing application scope and duration have led to the development of neonicotinoid resistance, decreasing their efficacy. In this study, a series of biphenyl eight-membered oxabridge neonicotinoid analogues were developed based on our previous work. The synergistic activities of target compounds in combination with imidacloprid against the cowpea aphid (Aphis Craccivora) were evaluated, and the results showed that they could effectively enhance the insecticide activities of imidacloprid against A. Craccivora. Notably, compound D3 exhibited obvious synergistic action, causing a 4.04-fold increase in the insecticide activity of imidacloprid against A. Craccivora at a combination concentration of 1 mg/L. This work holds great significance for addressing the resistance issues faced by traditional neonicotinoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of the essential oil (GE-EO) isolated from Gelsemium elegans (Gardner & Champ.) Benth. aerial parts by GC/FID and GC/MS, and to evaluate its antibacterial, cytotoxic, and synergistic antibacterial properties. A total of 40 compounds were characterized, representing 95.1% of the total oil. The major constituents were identified as α-terpineol (18.8%), n-pentadecanal (11.5%), methyl hexadecanoate (7.2%), n-tetradecanol (5.2%) and linalool (4.1%). In microbroth dilution tests, GE-EO demonstrated antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.16 to 0.32 mg/mL. In addition, significant synergistic effects were observed in both combinations of GE-EO with chloramphenicol and streptomycin. Based on the MTT assay, GE-EO was found to have broad-spectrum cytotoxicities against the A-549, MCF-7, HepG2, HCT-116, and HL-7702 cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 60.51 ± 1.08 to 159.56 ± 9.13 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterial ability to form biofilm had been complicated the infection healing process, due to antibiotic resistance. Urinary tract infection is an optimal example of such infections that caused by bacterial biofilms. So the current study aimed to find an alternative method to inhibit the uropathogenic bacteria using nanotechnology. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) was isolated from 110 clinical samples. These bacterial isolated were tested for their ability to form biofilm by two methods: Microtiter plate and congo red agar. Antibiotic susceptibility was detected to determine the multidrug-resistant isolates. An ecofriendly green method was depended for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii yellow root. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques, and it was detected with a diameter of 44.89 nm. Anti-biofilm activity of AgNPs alone and with antibiotic was detected and the Scanning electron microscopy observations clearly indicated that 7.1825 mg/ml AgNPs prevented the biofilm formation. This is the first worldwide evidence-based research study about the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from alcoholic yellow root extract of plant Lepidium meyenii and use it against UPEC biofilm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus strains have prompted this study to be able to opt in for an alternative. This study aims to evaluate the combined antibacterial effect of ethanol extracts of Persea americana and Psidium guajava leaves against Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The powdered plant material was extracted using a cold maceration process using 80% v/v ethanol. Standard operating protocols were employed to analyze the phytochemical findings. The antibacterial sensitivity of the extracts was tested using the agar diffusion method. Ethanol extracts of Persea americana and Psidium guajava were subjected to an antibacterial test separately and combined antibacterial effect against isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, (MRSA), by determining their zones of inhibition using the agar cup diffusion method. Results show varying zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC for Ethanol extracts for Persea americana and Psidium guajava leaves when tested against isolates of MRSA. Zones of inhibition ranging from 4-12mm and MIC ranged from 50mg/ml to 200mg/ml, while that of ethanol extract of Psidium guajava zones of inhibition ranged from 4mm to 12mm, and minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC ranged from 12.5mg/ml to 200mg/ml. The combined antibacterial effect of the ethanol extracts of Persea americana and Psidium guajava leaves revealed a synergistic effect with the zones of inhibition ranging from 20-30mm. In conclusion, the combined antibacterial effect of both plants showed a synergistic antibacterial effect with very high antibacterial activity and this could be a good candidate to combat MRSA and also prevent drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the extreme environmental conditions of temperature and radiation faced by silicon carbide Metal–Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (SiC MOSFETs) in aerospace electronic systems, the damage characteristics induced by high-temperature stress and Total Ionizing Dose (TID) radiation were compared. Moreover, the synergistic effect of temperature stress and TID on the performance of SiC MOSFETs was studied. The impact of temperature stress and radiation on threshold voltage and static power current is consistent; However, the degradation trend of on-resistance is opposite. The research shows that after temperature stress removal, the change in device performance parameters can be recovered. The total ionizing dose radiation can cause permanent damage to the device; In the environment of temperature stress and radiation, the increase of temperature can weaken or restrain part of radiation damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a continuous effort to develop efficient treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other viral respiratory diseases. Among the different strategies, inhaled treatment is considered one of the most logical and efficient approaches to treating COVID-19, as the causative "SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA" predominantly infects the respiratory tract. COVID-19 treatments initially relied on repurposed drugs, with a few additional strategies developed during the last two years, and all of them are based on monotherapy. However, drug combinations have been found to be more effective than monotherapy in other viral diseases such as HIV, influenza, and hepatitis C virus. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, in vitro studies have shown synergistic antiviral activity combining remdesivir with ebselen, an organoselenium compound. Therefore, these drug combinations could ensure better therapeutic outcomes than the individual agents. In this study, we developed a dry powder formulation containing remdesivir and ebselen using a spray-drying technique and used L-leucine as an aerosolization enhancer. The prepared dry powders were spherical and crystalline, with a mean particle size between 1 and 3 µm, indicating their suitability for inhalation. The emitted dose (ED) and fine particle fraction (FPF) of remdesivir- and ebselen-containing dry powders were ~80% and ~57% when prepared without L-leucine. The ED as well as the FPF significantly increased with values of >86% and >67%, respectively, when L-leucine was incorporated. More importantly, the single and combinational dry powder of remdesivir and ebselen showed minimal cytotoxicity (CC50 > 100 μM) in Calu-3 cells, retaining their anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties (EC50 2.77 to 18.64 μM). In summary, we developed an inhalable dry powder combination of remdesivir and ebselen using a spray-drying technique. The spray-dried inhalable microparticles retained their limited cytotoxicity and specific antiviral properties. Future in vivo studies are needed to verify the potential use of these remdesivir/ebselen combinational spray-dried inhalable microparticles to block the SARS-CoV-2 replication in the respiratory tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lethal and repellent effect of the synthetic insecticide amitraz and the botanical insecticides eugenol and thymol separately and together in binary mixtures was tested against late‐stage nymphs of a susceptible strain of Triatoma infestans, the main vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, in the Southern Cone of America. For the lethality study, the LD50 was determined for each insecticide alone and in binary mixture by topical application. The combination index (CI) was established to quantify interactions occurring between the insecticides. The repellent effect was tested using the area preference technique. The lethal effect of amitraz was 11 and 34 times more potent than that of thymol and eugenol, respectively. Only the combination of eugenol and amitraz at high concentrations showed a synergistic effect (CI: 0.3). The repellent activity of monoterpenes after 30 min of exposure was significant at 780 and 78 μg/cm2 for eugenol and thymol, respectively. The residual repellent effect of eugenol lasted for one week at the concentrations of 1170 and 1560 μg/cm2, whereas thymol managed to retain its repellent effect for two weeks at concentrations of 1560 and 3900 μg/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Synergistic therapies of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) via metal-organic frameworks (MOF) for cancer treatment have recently attracted a lot of attentions because of the limitations of insufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) in single-modality approaches. However, few studies explored on the use of increased ROS synergized with chemotherapy (CT) to address the issue of inadequate anti-tumor efficacy in single-modality regimens. Here, the desired cascade nanoplatforms (noted as MOF(Cu)@Dox-PL NPs) were fabricated by a solvothermal method using tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) and zirconyl(di)chloride octahydrate (ZrOCl 2 ·8H 2 O) as raw material, followed by Cu2+ introduced into the porphyrin ring and doxorubicin (DOX) loaded into the nanoframework. In addition, the nanoparticles (NPs) were electrostatically and hydrophobically coated with phospholipid (PL) to improve the biocompatibility of the nanosystems. Singlet oxygen (1O 2) was created by the MOF(Cu)@Dox-PL NPs to disturb intracellular redox equilibrium. The acidic microenvironment in cancer cells may cause the prior release of DOX, which encourages the production of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2). And the doped Cu2+ could deplete overexpressed reduced glutathione (GSH) to produce hydroxyl radicals (·OH) by catalyzing H 2 O 2 , further causing redox dyshomeostasis. In vivo experiments revealed that MOF(Cu)@Dox-PL nanosystem possessed good biosafety and a compelling therapeutic effect in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. As a novel nanosystem, MOF(Cu)@Dox-PL NPs showed great potential in synergistic therapy based on redox dyshomeostasis for improving anti-tumor efficacy with high specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus has considerably increased among non-clinical or asymptomatic individuals. The formation of biofilms denies antimicrobial access to its targets present on the surface and inside the cell. The present study tested the effect of the combination of flavonoids and antibiotics over the preformed biofilms of S. aureus. The eradication of the preformed biofilms was analyzed using the crystal violet method. It has shown that 2500 µg mL−1 Rutin and 100 µg mL−1 Erythromycin (MIC Concentration) combination efficiently reduced the growth of the cells, which were adhered to the surfaces forming the biofilms. Fluorescence microscopic analysis indicated that the Rutin and Erythromycin (MIC value) combinations could eradicate the preformed biofilm cells more efficiently than other combinations. We found that the flavonoids and antibiotics with MIC concentration show a significant effect over the preformed biofilms cells of S. aureus. In addition, the semi-quantitative real-time PCR analysis for the sRNAs under the treatment of Rutin and Erythromycin combinations showed that few small RNAs expression (SprF, SprG, ArtR, Teg49, Teg41, and RNAIII) are getting downregulated upon the treatment; but again recovers with the incubation time interval increases. Combinations have a significant effect on Teg49 where there is a very faint intensity of the band, but for other small RNAs, there is an irregular pattern on the gel image. It has been concluded that at the initial period of incubation, the combinations have an effect on all the sRNAs but once the incubation increases, the effects have been slowly decreasing. It has been concluded that the combination has been able to reduce the doubling time of S. aureus upon treatment. Whereas, the small RNAs used in the study can be further evaluated for expression profiling through qRT-PCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proton-functionalized g-C 3 N 4 (p-C 3 N 4) nanosheets were prepared by a facile chemical exfoliation method. • Protonated g-C 3 N 4 augments the exposure of sharp edges and facilitates the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. • The photoinduced sterilization activities can be enhanced by the synergistic of oxidative damage and physical destruction. • p-C 3 N 4 exhibits efficient photocatalytic sterilization in water. Photocatalytic disinfection is an eco-friendly strategy for countering bacterial pollution in aquatic environments. Numerous strategies have been devised to facilitate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within photocatalysts, ultimately leading to the eradication of bacteria. However, the significance of the physical morphology of photocatalysts in the context of sterilization is frequently obscured, and the progress in the development of physical-chemical synergistic sterilization photocatalysts has been relatively limited. Herein, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) is chemically protonated to expose more sharp edges. PL fluorescence and EIS results indicate that the protonation can accelerate photogenerated carrier separation and enhance ROS production. Meanwhile, the sharp edges on the protonated g-C 3 N 4 facilitate the physical disruption of cell walls for further promoting oxidative damage. Protonated C 3 N 4 demonstrated superior bactericidal performance than that of pristine g-C 3 N 4 , effectively eliminating Escherichia coli within 40 minutes under irradiation. This work highlights the significance of incorporating physical and chemical synergies in photocatalyst design to enhance the disinfection efficiency of photocatalysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both edible fungal polysaccharides (Auricularia and Tremellan) and Crataegus flavonoids promote the balance of dyslipidemia, which have a positive biological regulating effect on intestinal flora. In this study, the extraction of water‐soluble polysaccharides from Auricularia and Tremellan was investigated and optimized firstly. Polysaccharides and flavonoids were then combined to study the effects on the mediating role of abnormal blood lipid concentration and intestinal flora in vivo. The rats were divided into 10 groups, the NC (normal control), HM (model), PCI (Simvastatin control), PCII (Fenofibrate control), AAP (Auricularia auricular Polysaccharide), TFP (Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharide), HF (Crataegus Flavonoid), LDC (Low‐dose combination), MDC (Medium dose combination), and HDC (High‐dose combination), used to explore the impact of polysaccharides and flavonoids complex on state of blood lipid, liver, and intestinal flora of dyslipidemia rats. The results showed that the combination of polysaccharides and flavonoids could significantly decrease the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐C), and increase the level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). It also significantly decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and improved liver morphology. What is more, the HDC favorably alters the intestinal microflora balance, promotes intestinal integrity and mobility, and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli/Shigella and Clostridium compared with HM group. In brief, the combination of polysaccharides and flavonoids had a synergistic effect on the remission of dyslipidemia, and promoted health by improving lipid metabolism, protecting liver tissue, and regulating the intestinal flora in hyperlipidemia rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecologists routinely use statistical models to detect and explain interactions among ecological drivers, with a goal to evaluate whether an effect of interest changes in sign or magnitude in different contexts. Two fundamental properties of interactions are often overlooked during the process of hypothesising, visualising and interpreting interactions between drivers: the measurement scale – whether a response is analysed on an additive or multiplicative scale, such as a ratio or logarithmic scale; and the symmetry – whether dependencies are considered in both directions. Overlooking these properties can lead to one or more of three inferential errors: misinterpretation of (i) the detection and magnitude (Type‐D error), and (ii) the sign of effect modification (Type‐S error); and (iii) misidentification of the underlying processes (Type‐A error). We illustrate each of these errors with a broad range of ecological questions applied to empirical and simulated data sets. We demonstrate how meta‐analysis, a widely used approach that seeks explicitly to characterise context dependence, is especially prone to all three errors. Based on these insights, we propose guidelines to improve hypothesis generation, testing, visualisation and interpretation of interactions in ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aging is responsible for the majority of skin and soft tissue remolding in humans. Retinol and its derivatives or retinoids effectively intervene skin aging process. Nevertheless, retinoids usually induce skin intolerance, especially among the Chinese, and thus, their application to prevent skin aging is yet to be well accepted. The study of optimal composition and concentration of retinoids is necessary to offer strong antiaging efficacies with minimum irritations. Therefore, a better understanding of retinol and its derivatives is acutely needed to develop strategies to combat skin aging. Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal ratio of two retinol derivatives—hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR) and retinyl propionate (RP) in terms of dermal remodeling and skin aging prevention—and to investigate their synergistic antiaging effects both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: An in vitro human foreskin fibroblast (HFF‐1) cell model was established to evaluate the cell viability of HPR and/or RP treatment. In addition, the antiaging and retinol receptor genes expressions in HFF‐1 cells cotreated with HPR and RP were quantified. The in vivo adverse reaction evaluation of skincare serums containing various levels of retinol or the optimal HPR and RP combination termed Gravi‐A was performed by 24 h patch tests in 33 subjects prior to the clinical research. Last but not the least, clinical research with 42 Chinese urban women was conducted to assess the in vivo antiaging efficacy of the skincare serum containing this optimal retinoid combination. Results: The combination of HPR and RP at the weight ratio of 5:9 was shown to achieve the optimal in vitro antiaging performance. Coadministration of 5 μg/mL HPR and 9 μg/mL RP to HFF‐1 cells promoted their proliferation at 24 h and synergistically enhanced the expressions of type IV collagen, CRBP‐I, and RARB genes. In addition, the skincare serum containing HPR and RP combination at 5:9 weight ratio demonstrated superior in vivo anti‐wrinkle and skin elasticity improvement benefits without any adverse reactions, while retinol in the same concentration exerted much higher adverse effect. Skin wrinkles, skin smoothness, TEWL, skin elasticity R2 and R5 were improved by 8.3%, 11.9%, 25.7%, 14.5%, and 22.6%, respectively, after 8‐week use. Conclusion: Our results indicated the advanced antiaging effect of HPR and RP combination both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, little adverse effect was observed in this study, in comparison with retinol. This combination named as Gravi‐A is a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent skin aging, especially for Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naproxen is widely used for anti-inflammatory treatment but it can lead to serious side effects. To improve the anti-inflammatory activity and safety, a novel naproxen derivative containing cinnamic acid (NDC) was synthesized and used in combination with resveratrol. The results showed that the combination of NDC and resveratrol at different ratios have a synergistic anti-inflammatory efficacy in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. It was indicated that the combination of NDC and resveratrol at a ratio of 2:1 significantly inhibited the expression of carbon monoxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) without detectable side effects on cell viability. Further studies revealed that these anti-inflammatory effects were mediated by the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways, respectively. Taken together, these results highlighted the synergistic NDC and resveratrol anti-inflammatory activity that could be further explored as a strategy for the treatment of inflammatory disease with an improved safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus (CCEO), Cymbopogon khasianus (CKEO), and Mentha arvensis (MAEO) against two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis) microbial strains and their combination with antibiotics (chloramphenicol, ampicillin, erythromycin) to observe the synergistic behavior between them. The essential oils (EOs) were investigated by the GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) method. The synergistic effect between EOs and antimicrobial agents was analyzed by broth dilution assay. (-)-carvone (52.48%), geraniol (57.66%), and citral (37.83%) were the major components identified in EOs of MAEO, CKEO, and CCEO, respectively. According to the antibacterial activity, EOs demonstrated strong antibacterial activity with MIC values ranging from 0.7 to 18 mg/mL. The interaction between the combination of EOs and antibiotics was determined in terms of FICI (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index). Some combinations displayed a partial synergistic effect, and some showed a synergistic and others displayed no effect against bacterial strains. The best synergistic action was shown by the combination of CCEO and Chloramphenicol against E. coli with a FICI value of 0.4. Three to four fold reductions in the MIC value of both essential oil and antibiotics were observed. Therefore, this synergistic interaction of the most active EOs with synthetic antibiotics could lead to new combination therapies for combating infections caused by multidrug-resistant microbes at sufficiently low concentrations in the pharmaceutical and food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This exploratory study, using mixed methods research, aimed to (1) examine the associations among self‐efficacy, social support and regular leisure‐time physical activity of nursing staff, and (2) identify motivators and barriers to leisure‐time physical activity. Background: It is important to engage nursing staff in regular leisure‐time physical activity as a countermeasure against high occupational stress and poor health. Limited research has examined nursing staff's participation in leisure‐time physical activity and associated factors. Methods: Nursing staff employed at a community hospital in the northeastern United States were invited to participate in this cross‐sectional survey with close‐ and open‐ended questions in March 2016. Results: A total of 363 nurses and nursing assistants responded, among whom, 59.8% reported regular leisure‐time physical activity. Poisson regression models suggested that self‐efficacy and social support had an interactive association with increased prevalence of regular leisure‐time physical activity. Conclusion: Self‐efficacy and social support have an important synergistic association with regular leisure‐time physical activity of nursing staff. Effective interventions intending to facilitate nursing staff's leisure‐time physical activity should consider improving their self‐efficacy and social support. Qualitative comments suggested that work‐out areas in the workplace with release time and organized activity may promote regular leisure‐time physical activity of nursing staff. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Leisure‐time physical activity is beneficial to both physical and mental health.Self‐efficacy and social support have been reported as independent predictors of leisure‐time physical activity in the general population.There is limited evidence regarding nursing staff's level of participation in leisure‐time physical activity and associated factors. What this paper adds? There is a higher level of participation in leisure‐time physical activity among nursing staff than the general population.Exercise self‐efficacy and social support have a synergistic association with regular leisure‐time physical activity among nursing staff.Support and promoting physical and mental fitness are motivators, whereas lack of time and energy and physical illnesses are barriers to regular leisure‐time physical activity reported by nursing staff. The implications of this paper: Findings indicate effective interventions designed to improve both self‐efficacy and social support might help facilitate nursing staff's participation in regular leisure‐time physical activity.Findings suggest organizational support through installing work‐out areas in the workplace with release time and organized activity might enhance nursing staff's capacity to engage in leisure‐time physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the human bacteriome and virome have gained a great deal of attention over the years, the human mycobiome has been far more neglected despite having significant value and implications in human health. In women, mycobiome profiles in breastmilk, vaginal regions, the gut, skin, and the oral cavity can provide insight into women's health, diseases, and microbiome dysbiosis. Analyses of mycobiome composition under factors, such as health, age, diet, weight, and drug exposure (including antibiotic therapies), help to elucidate the various roles of women's mycobiome in homeostasis, microbiome interactions (synergistic and antagonistic), and health. This review summarizes the most recent updates to mycobiome knowledge in these critical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to emergence of multidrug resistance, alternative approaches are practiced and needed in conventional antimicrobial therapies. Drug combination therapies have been used like synergism for better results with decreased drug dosage to avoid toxicity than monotherapy, but results can be additive and antagonistic depending on their combined effect. The present project was therefore designed to assess the effects of already reported bioactive fractions of B. clausii KP10 with each other and with antibiotics in synergistic manner to combat microbes. Different solvents were used for the extraction and fractionations. Antimicrobial activities were performed against different available bacterial and fungal strains. In our experiments crude methanolic extract (CME), n-hexane fraction (n-HF), chloroform (CLF), ethyl acetate (EAF), Methanol Soluble (MSF) and water soluble fractions (WSF) were obtained and then combinations of each were prepared with (1:1, v/v) each other and with reported antibacterial and antifungal drugs streptomycin (STM) and Terbinafine (TER) separately (1:1:1). Single extract with drug combination was also prepared (1:1). Maximum zone of inhibition was shown by combination of n-HEF:MSF (24 mm) against S. aureus. CLF:WSF:STM showed maximum ZOI (37.2 mm) against E. coli. WSF: STM showed maximum ZOI (33 mm) against S. aureus. Maximum antifungal activity was shown by CME:WSF:TER (26 mm) and EAF:TER with maximum ZOI (17 mm) against Fusarium solani. n-HEF:EAF:TER showed maximum ZOI (18 mm) against Aspergillus niger. Combination of extracts with each other usually showed antagonistic behavior but extracts with standard drugs have shown synergy which could be a better approach in the development of antimicrobials therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death, so we should be concerned and look for effective/less-harmful treatments than chemotherapeutics already clinically in application. Aspirin works well ''in conjunction'' with other therapies for HCC since aspirin can boost the sensitivity of anti-cancer activity. Vitamin C also was shown to have antitumor effects. In this study, we examined the anti-HCC activities of synergistic combination (aspirin and vitamin C) vs. doxorubicin on HCC-bearing rats and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cells. Methods: In vitro, we evaluated IC50 and selectivity index (SI) using HepG-2 and human lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell lines. In vivo, four rat groups were used: Normal, HCC (intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 200 mg thioacetamide/kg/twice a week), HCC + DOXO (HCC-bearing rats i.p. administered 0.72 mg doxorubicin (DOXO)/rat/once a week), and HCC + Aspirin + Vit. C (i.p. administered vitamin C (Vit. C) 4 g/kg/day after day concomitant with aspirin 60 mg/kg/orally day after day). We evaluated biochemical factors [aminotransferases (ALT and AST), albumin, and bilirubin (TBIL) spectrophotometrically, caspase 8 (CASP8), p53, Bcl2 associated X protein (BAX), caspase 3 (CASP3), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cancer antigen 19.9 (CA19.9), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using ELISA], and liver histopathologically. Results: HCC induction was accompanied by significant time-dependent elevations in all measured biochemical parameters except the p53 level significantly declined. Liver tissue architecture organization appeared disturbed with cellular infiltration, trabeculae, fibrosis, and neovascularization. Following drug medication, all biochemical levels significantly reversed toward normal, with fewer signs of carcinogenicity in liver tissues. Compared to doxorubicin, aspirin & vitamin C therapy ameliorations were more appreciated. In vitro, combination therapy (aspirin & vitamin C) exhibited potent cytotoxicity (HepG-2 IC50 of 17.41 ± 1.4 µg/mL) and more excellent safety with a SI of 3.663. Conclusions: Based on our results, aspirin plus vitamin C can be considered reliable, accessible, and efficient synergistic anti-HCC medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse beetle is the most harmful pest attacking stored grains and affecting quality and marketability. Continuous use of chemical-based pesticides against pulse beetle led to the development of insecticidal resistance; essential oils (EOs) can be an effective natural alternative against this pest. The main objective was to study the chemical composition of seven EOs viz., Acorus calamus, Hedychium spicatum, Lavandula angustifolia, Juniperus recurva, Juniperus communis, Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana, their insecticidal and enzyme inhibition activities against pulse beetle. The primary compounds present in these EOs were cis-asarone, 1,8-cineole, linalyl isobutyrate, 2-β-pinene, camphene, α-dehydro-ar-himachalene and camphene. A. calamus oil showed promising fumigant toxicity to Callosobruchus maculatus and C. chinensis (LC50 = 1357.86 and 1379.54 µL/L, respectively). A combination of A. calamus + L. angustifolia was effective against C. maculatus and C. chinensis (LC50 = 108.58 and 92.18 µL/L, respectively). All the combinations of EOs showed synergistic activity. In the repellency study, A. calamus showed more repellence to C. maculatus and C. chinensis (RC50 = 53.98 and 118.91 µL/L, respectively). A. calamus and L. angustifolia oil at 2500, 5000 and 10,000 µL/L significantly inhibited the AChE and GST enzymes in C. maculatus and C. chinensis after 24 and 48 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Disease outbreaks pose a major challenge for farmers in sustaining carp farming. Antibiotics and chemicals are the conventional solutions to improve carp growth and health performance. Nonetheless, the consistent use of antibiotics as an antimicrobial agent in aquaculture could lead to pathogen resistance, harm the beneficial gut microorganisms and environment, and cause the build-up of excess antibiotics in the fish muscle that is dangerous to humans. Alternatively, polysaccharides could improve growth performances, active innate immunity and disease resistance, and alleviate abiotic stress in carp and other aquatic species. The application of polysaccharides in carp farming varies depending on the dosage and combination with other agents. Therefore, a comprehensive study is essential to reveal the molecular and cellular pathways that regulate the immune responses of carp to different pathogens and abiotic stressors. Carp is an important aquaculture species globally, and the production is expected to increase with the growing market demands. Despite that, disease outbreaks remain a major challenge, impeding the development of sustainable carp farming. Moreover, the application of antibiotics, a common prophylactic agent, can adversely impact public health and the environment. Therefore, polysaccharide has been recognized as a novel prophylactic agent in the health management of carp farming, as well as gaining consumers' confidence in carp farming products. In this review, the definition, sources, and main roles of polysaccharides in improving growth performance, stimulating the immune system, enhancing disease resistance, and alleviating abiotic stresses in carp farming are discussed and summarized. In addition, the use of polysaccharides in combination with other prophylactic agents to improve carp farming production is also highlighted. This review aims to highlight the roles of polysaccharides and provide valuable information on the benefits of polysaccharides in carp farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria with CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases (bla CTX-M) has become the greatest challenge in public health care. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic antibacterial potential of N-alkylaminated chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) combined with conventional β-lactam antibiotics (BLAs) against multidrug-resistant pathogen with bla CTX-M gene. The results of this study showed that the developed nano-formulation resensitized the studied E. coli MDR strain (E001) to ampicillin (AMP) and piperacillin (PIP) by causing a 1000–10,000-fold decrease in their MIC values (5000–50,000 mg/L to 5 mg/L). The conjugation of CNPs with cefoxitin (FOX) and ceftazidime (CAZ) showed a comparatively lower synergistic inhibitory effect owing to the higher susceptibility (MIC value = 0.5 mg/L–5 mg/L) of E001 to these antibiotics. The results indicate that CNPs could be effectively employed as an additive to augment the antibacterial effect of the BLAs for which MDR strains exhibit higher MIC values. • β-Lactams added with chitosan derivative (CNP) inhibited drug-resistant bacteria. • Combinatorial treatment reduced the MIC of tested β-lactams by 100–10,000 fold. • Ampicillin/piperacillin combined with CNP exhibited a stronger synergetic effect. • Combined therapy is less effective for β-lactams to which bacteria is susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notoginseng and safflower are commonly used traditional Chinese medicines for benefiting qi and activating blood circulation. A previous study by our group showed that the compatibility of the effective components of total saponins of notoginseng (NS) and total flavonoids of safflower (SF), named NS–SF, had a preventive effect on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. However, the therapeutic effect on MI and the synergistic mechanism of NS–SF are still unclear. Therefore, integrated metabolomics, combined with immunohistochemistry and other pharmacological methods, was used to systematically research the therapeutic effect of NS–SF on MI rats and the synergistic mechanism of NS and SF. Compared to NS and SF, the results demonstrated that NS–SF exhibited a significantly better role in ameliorating myocardial damage, apoptosis, easing oxidative stress and anti-inflammation. NS–SF showed a more significant regulatory effect on metabolites involved in sphingolipid metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and tricarboxylic acid cycle, such as sphingosine, lysophosphatidylcholine (18:0), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (22:5/0:0), chenodeoxycholic acid, L-valine, glycine, and succinate, than NS or SF alone, indicating that NS and SF produced a synergistic effect on the treatment of MI. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the clinical development of NS–SF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin self-standing films with potential antimicrobial synergistic activity have been produced by a simple green chemical synthesis with overnight thermal treatment. Their properties have been studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and other techniques to understand their potential range of applications. In this work, the focus was set on the development of a potential novel and effective alternative to conventional antimicrobial materials. By creating an antimicrobial polymer blend, and using it to develop and immobilize fine (~25 nm) silver nanophases, we further aimed to exploit its film-forming properties and create a solid composite material. The resulting polymer matrix showed improved water uptake percentage and better stability in the presence of water. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the films, which is due to both organic and inorganic components, has been evaluated by Kirby–Bauer assay against common foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica) and resulted in a clear inhibition zone of 1.2 cm for the most complex nanocomposition. The excellent performance against bacteria of fresh and 6-month-old samples proves the prospects of this material for the development of smart and biodegradable food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]