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Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as the most common cancer among women in the world. Although overexpression of the EGFR1 gene is observed in more than 70% of patients, medications based on inhibitors of this receptor are ineffective. This is due to the fact that the protein remains active, even after administration with inhibitory drugs. We used siRNA to silence the EGFR1 gene in this study. The siRNA was packaged in a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) that was functionalized with poly ethyleneimine (PEI), PEGylated folic acid (FA-PEG), and β-cyclodextrin (βCD). Multi-functionalized FA-PEG/βCD functionalized PEI-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@CD-PEI/FA-PEG) were produced by post-surface modification. This multi-functionalized magnetic nanocarrier was structurally verified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) were used as a precise tool in gene therapy in this study to remove EGFR1 gene mRNA. siRNA molecules are about 21 nucleotides that cause cleavage in the complementary sequence of the target mRNA. The capacity to deliver siRNAs against EGFR1 to the breast cancer cell line (MD-MBA-231) was evaluated. According to flow cytometry, siRNA was efficiently delivered to the cells, with an absorption rate of 62%. In addition, confocal microscopy confirmed the cell uptake and endosomal escape. Also, the expression level of the EGFR1 gene was measured by the quantitative PCR method, which showed a 78% knockdown of this gene at the mRNA level. The fate of the siRNA@[Fe3O4@βCD-PEI/FA-PEG] complex after endocytosis. (1) siRNA@[Fe3O4@βCD-PEI/FA-PEG] entering the cell (early endosome) through endocytosis. (2) Entry of siRNA@[Fe3O4@βCD-PEI/FA-PEG] into the late endosome. (3a) Endosomal escape and cargo survival (siRNA). (3b) Lysosomal digestion pathway. (4) Release of siRNA to cytosol and interaction with RISC after rupture of endosome membrane. (5) mRNA degradation and EGFR1 gene silencing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) play an essential and necessary role in sustainable agriculture. Using slow-release and environment friendly fertilizers can increase the growth of plants and reduce the loss of nutrients. Considering the deficiency of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in calcareous soils, a slow-release fertilizer was prepared based on the polymeric nanocomposite, which contains NPK, Fe, and Zn. Its potential was evaluated on tomato plant growth by conducting an experiment in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. Two levels of salinity (2 and 5 ds m−1, two types of soil texture) clay loam and sandy loam) and five levels of fertilizers were examined in the experiment. To this, the graphene oxide-chitosan coated-humic acid@Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@HA@GO-Cs), and the graphene oxide-chitosan coated-ammonium zinc phosphate (AZP@GO-Cs) were used as Fe and Zn sources, respectively. Then, the optimal Fe and Zn fertilizers in the presence of urea, phosphorus, and potassium slow- release fertilizers (SRF) were investigated under greenhouse conditions. The results indicated that the best improvement in growth and nutrient uptake in plants was achieved by using the SRF. Notably, in the shoots of tomato plants, the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, Fe, and Zn concentration increased by 44, 66, 46, 75, and 74% compared to the control. The use of nanofertilizer can be an effective, biocompatible, and economical option to provide Fe and Zn demand in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical compounds with a toxic nature are released into the aquatic environment and can lead to adverse effects on ecological sustainability. Thus, enhancing the separation and treatment of the toxic compounds seem necessary. In this study, uptake and removal efficiency for the adsorption of two pharmaceutical compounds, ibuprofen (IBU) and penicillin G (PEN G), from aqueous solutions by Fe3O4@GO-IL were investigated. However, the effect of main effective variables including pH, concentrations, adsorbent dosage, and contact time were investigated. Isotherm and kinetic models also were studied. The maximum IBU removal rate was achieved about 97.58 (~5 mg/g) under optimal condition, pH 6.5, adsorbent dose 0.120 g/L, contact time 60 min, initial concentration 12.7 mg/L. At a condition of pH 4, adsorbent dose 0.3 g/L, contact time 97.5 min, initial concentration 32.43 mg/L, the maximum PEN G was 95% (9.14 mg/g). The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms and pseudo-second-order models gave the best-fit to equilibrium experimental adsorption data. The findings of the study showed that new modified magnetic nanoparticles-graphene using ionic liquid (ILMNPs) can use as a high potential, simple, rapid separation, and re-generable material for adsorption pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]