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ABSTRACTFeOOH nanoparticles are commonly synthesized at very high temperature and pressure that makes the process energy consuming and non-economic. Recently, novel approaches were developed for the fabrication of these particles at room temperature. But, the main problem with these methods is that the prepared structures are aggregates of ultra-small nanoparticles where no intact separate nanoparticles are formed. In this study, for the first time, secretory compounds from Chlorella vulgariscells were employed for the controlled synthesis of FeOOH nanoparticles at room atmosphere. Obtained particles were found to be goethite (α-FeO(OH)) crystals. Controlled synthesis of FeOOH nanoparticles resulted in uniform spherical nanoparticles ranging from 8 to 17 nm in diameter with 12.8 nm mean particle size. Fourier-transform infrared and elemental analyses were indicated that controlled synthesized nanoparticles have not functionalized with secretory compounds of C. vulgaris,and these compounds just played a controlling role over the synthesis reaction.

Background: Gastric cancer is a dominant source of cancer-related death around the globe and a serious threat to human health. However, there are very few practical diagnostic approaches and biomarkers for the treatment of this complex disease. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the association between differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which may function as potential biomarkers, and the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer (GC). We constructed a protein-protein interaction network from DEGs followed by network clustering. Members of the two most extensive modules went under the enrichment analysis. We introduced a number of hub genes and gene families playing essential roles in oncogenic pathways and the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Enriched terms for Biological Process were obtained from the “GO” repository. Results: A total of 307 DEGs were identified between GC and their corresponding normal adjacent tissue samples in GSE63089 datasets, including 261 upregulated and 261 downregulated genes. The top five hub genes in the PPI network were CDK1, CCNB1, CCNA2, CDC20, and PBK. They are involved in focal adhesion formation, extracellular matrix remodeling, cell migration, survival signals, and cell proliferation. No significant survival result was found for these hub genes. Conclusions: Using comprehensive analysis and bioinformatics methods, important key pathways and pivotal genes related to GC progression were identified, potentially informing further studies and new therapeutic targets for GC treatment.

Background: Broth microdilution is the only available microscale endpoint technique used to evaluate the antimicrobial potency of nanostructures. In the case of unstable nanostructures or at high concentrations of nanostructures, this technique is not applicable due to aggregation and sedimentation issues. Most nanostructures can absorb visible light, and this optical feature can interfere with the OD600 measurement that is commonly employed for the evaluation of microbial cells growth. The demand for high-tech plate readers is another limitation of the broth microdilution procedure. Agar microdilution can be a promising novel procedure to overcome all these technical difficulties. Objective: In the current experiment, the agar microdilution procedure was developed and introduced to be employed for the evaluation of antimicrobial potency of colloidally unstable nanostructures even at extremely high concentrations. Methods: Thymus daenensis herbal nanoparticles (HrbNPs) were fabricated through a top-down approach and were tested against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Also, the particles were fortified with povidone-iodine and peracetic acid as potent antimicrobial compounds to achieve the enhanced antimicrobial activity. Results: Viscose molten agar media prevented the particles from sedimentation during 96-well plate preparation. By agar solidification, the nanoparticles were immobilized in the media, and no aggregation or sedimentation could occur. After incubation, the bacterial growth was recognizable in the well as a thin creamy layer. The MIC of HrbNPs against MRSA was found to be 20 mg/ml. Fortification with povidone- iodine had no impact on the antimicrobial potency of HrbNPs. However, fortification of HrbNPs with peracetic acid resulted in a four-fold increase in the antimicrobial potency of nanoparticles, and MIC was reduced to 5 mg/mL. Conclusion: Results indicated that agar microdilution can be a promising procedure for the antimicrobial susceptibility test of nanostructures at extremely high concentrations. Also, colloidally unstable nanostructures can be tested via this procedure without any concern for possible aggregation and sedimentation. On the other hand, it was found that fortification with antimicrobial compounds can be an effective approach to increasing the antimicrobial potency of HrbNPs against superbugs.

Major causatives for cutaneous leishmaniasis, the most common form of leishmaniasis, in the old world are Leishmania majorand Leishmania tropica. Investigating the leishmanicidal effects of essential oils and preparing their nano/formulation is a promising approach for developing new green drugs. In this study, the ingredients of Cinnamomum zeylanicumessential oil were investigated using GC/MS analysis, and its antioxidant effect was then evaluated using the DPPH assay. Moreover, the leishmanicidal effect of the essential oil against L. majorand L. tropicawas investigated; obtained half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50)s were 16.53 and 7.56 μg/mL. After that, a practical dosage form of C. zeylanicum,i.e., the nanoemulsion with a 52 ± 4 nm droplet size and a low droplet size distribution index (SPAN = 0.97), was prepared. Interestingly, after treatment of both species with nanoemulsion, their viability was reduced to 0%. The prepared nanoformulation could be considered a potent anti-leishmanial agent for other species and in vivostudies.