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A recent study conducted in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, evaluated the effectiveness of a technology-assisted intervention aimed at improving water quality and addressing related health issues in communities around key water bodies. The intervention targeted health concerns associated with water contamination, including chronic kidney diseases, skin conditions, hypertension, and neurological symptoms. The study included water quality assessments and health evaluations of 586 residents and implemented a Learning Innovation Platform (LIP) across 13 communities. Results showed significant improvements in the community, including a decrease in hypertension and skin-related health issues, as well as enhanced community awareness and proficiency in implementing simple water quality assessments and treatment. The study demonstrated the value of a comprehensive, technology-driven community approach, effectively enhancing water quality and health outcomes, and promoting greater community awareness and self-sufficiency in managing environmental health risks.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are worthy of attention and development for nutritional supplementation due to their health benefits in both animals and humans with low toxicity, improved bioavailability, and controlled release, being greater than the Se inorganic and organic forms. Our previous study reported that Anoectochilus burmannicus extract (ABE)-synthesized SeNPs (ABE-SeNPs) exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, ABE could stabilize and preserve the biological activities of SeNPs. To promote the ABE-SeNPs as supplementary and functional foods, it was necessary to carry out a safety assessment. Cytotoxicity testing showed that SeNPs and ABE-SeNPs were harmless with no killing effect on Caco2 (intestinal epithelial cells), MRC-5 (lung fibroblasts), HEK293 (kidney cells), LX-2 (hepatic stellate cells), and 3T3-L1 (adipocytes), and were not toxic to isolated human PBMCs and RBCs. Genotoxicity assessments found that SeNPs and ABE-SeNPs did not induce mutations in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 (Ames test) as well as in Drosophila melanogaster (somatic mutation and recombination test). Noticeably, ABE-SeNPs inhibited mutation in TA98 and TA100 induced by AF-2, and in Drosophila induced by urethane, ethyl methanesulfonate, and mitomycin c, suggesting their anti-mutagenicity ability. This study provides data that support the safety and anti-genotoxicity properties of ABE-SeNPs for the further development of SeNPs-based food supplements.

With the help of laser ablation, a technology for obtaining nanosized crystalline selenium particles (SeNPs) has been created. The SeNPs do not exhibit significant toxic properties, in contrast to molecular selenium compounds. The administration of SeNPs can significantly increase the viabilities of SH-SY5Y and PCMF cells after radiation exposure. The introduction of such nanoparticles into the animal body protects proteins and DNA from radiation-induced damage. The number of chromosomal breaks and oxidized proteins decreases in irradiated mice treated with SeNPs. Using hematological tests, it was found that a decrease in radiation-induced leukopenia and thrombocytopenia is observed when selenium nanoparticles are injected into mice before exposure to ionizing radiation. The administration of SeNPs to animals 5 h before radiation exposure in sublethal and lethal doses significantly increases their survival rate. The modification dose factor for animal survival was 1.2. It has been shown that the introduction of selenium nanoparticles significantly normalizes gene expression in the cells of the red bone marrow of mice after exposure to ionizing radiation. Thus, it has been demonstrated that SeNPs are a new gene-protective and radioprotective agent that can significantly reduce the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

Anoectochilus burmannicus is an orchid that contains phenolic compounds and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties. This study aimed to investigate whether its ethanolic extract (ABE) can be used as a reducing agent and/or a stabilizer of nano-selenium (SeNP) synthesis. SeNPs exhibited higher antioxidant activity than ABE-SeNPs. In contrast, ABE-SeNP (4 µM Se) had greater anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced macrophages than SeNPs. Interestingly, ABE acted as a stabilizer for SeNPs by preventing particle aggregation and preserving its antioxidant activity after long-term storage (90 days). Moreover, after the freeze-drying process, ABE-SeNPs could be completely reconstituted to suspension with significantly stable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities compared to freshly prepared particles, suggesting the cryoprotectant and/or lyoprotectant role of ABE. The present study shows the potential of ABE as an effective stabilizer for nanoparticles and provides evidence for the development of ABE-SeNPs as a food supplement or novel functional ingredient for health benefits.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized to overcome the limitations of selenium, such as its narrow safe range and low water solubility. SeNPs reduce the toxicity and improve the bioavailability of selenium. Chitosan-coated SeNPs (Cs-SeNPs) were developed to further stabilize SeNPs and to test their effects against glioma cells. The effects of Cs-SeNPs on cell growth were evaluated in monolayer and 3D-tumor spheroid culture. Cell migration and cell invasion were determined using a trans-well assay. The effect of Cs-SeNPs on chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity of glioma cells was determined in tumor spheroids. An in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model was established to test the permeability of Cs-SeNPs. SeNPs and Cs-SeNPs can reduce the cell viability of glioma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with SeNPs, Cs-SeNPs more strongly inhibited 3D-tumor spheroid growth. Cs-SeNPs exhibited stronger effects in inhibiting cell migration and cell invasion than SeNPs. Improved 5-FU sensitivity was observed in Cs-SeNP-treated cells. Cellular uptake in glioma cells indicated a higher uptake rate of coumarin-6-labeled Cs-SeNPs than SeNPs. The capability of coumarin-6 associated Cs-SeNPs to pass through the BBB was confirmed. Taken together, Cs-SeNPs provide exceptional performance and are a potential alternative therapeutic strategy for future glioma treatment.

Background and Purpose: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is currently the mainstay of renal anaemia treatment. Recently, rHuEPO has been shown to provide pleiotrophic tissue protection in various pathological conditions. However, the benefits of rHuEPO beyond anaemia treatment are limited because it increases red blood cell mass. Carbamylated erythropoietin (CEPO) is the first rHuEPO derivative that lacks erythropoietic activity but retains tissue protection properties. Since carbamylation targets lysine residues on rHuEPo, we hypothesized that targeted lysine modifications of rHuEPO may result in a novel non-erythropoietic erythropoietin., Experimental Approach: rHuEPO was subjected to various targeted lysine modifications. In vitro cytoprotection and apoptosis were evaluated using P19 and HEK293 cells. In vivo erythropoiesis was performed by administering the derivatives to animals for 2 weeks. Renoprotection was tested on an ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) model., Key Results: We synthesized a novel derivative, a glutaraldehyde erythropoietin (GEPO). This construct abolished in vivo erythropoiesis. Biochemical characterization showed that GEPO was more electrostatically negative than rHuEPO. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that GEPO bound to the IL3RB/EPOR heterotrimeric receptor and ameliorated cellular apoptosis via the activation of Bcl-2. Notably, Bcl-2 activation was suppressed by the JAK2 inhibitor, tyrphostin AG490. In vivo experiments showed that GEPO also ameliorated kidney damage due to I/R injury both functionally and histologically., Conclusions and Implications: Herein, we describe a novel lysine-modified rHuEPO, glutaradehyde-EPO (GEPO), obtained from a simple reaction. This derivative has no erythropoietic properties but retains cell-protective characteristics both in vitro and in vivo, with promise for future use as an adjunctive treatment of kidney disease., (© 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential of magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) core/polyethyleneimine (PEI) shell (mag-PEI) nanoparticles, which possess high saturation magnetization for gene delivery. By using mag-PEI nanoparticles as a gene carrier, this study focused on evaluation of transfection efficiency under magnetic induction. The potential role of this newly synthesized nanosphere for therapeutic delivery of the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH-2) gene was also investigated in cultured neuronal LAN-5 cells., Methods: The mag-PEI nanoparticles were prepared by one-step emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization, generating highly loaded and monodispersed magnetic polymeric nanoparticles bearing an amine group. The physicochemical properties of the mag-PEI nanoparticles and DNA-bound mag-PEI nanoparticles were investigated using the gel retardation assay, atomic force microscopy, and zeta size measurements. The gene transfection efficiencies of mag-PEI nanoparticles were evaluated at different transfection times. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed intracellular uptake of the magnetoplex. The optimal conditions for transfection of TPH-2 were selected for therapeutic gene transfection. We isolated the TPH-2 gene from the total RNA of the human medulla oblongata and cloned it into an expression vector. The plasmid containing TPH-2 was subsequently bound onto the surfaces of the mag-PEI nanoparticles via electrostatic interaction. Finally, the mag-PEI nanoparticle magnetoplex was delivered into LAN-5 cells. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate TPH-2 expression in a quantitative manner., Results: The study demonstrated the role of newly synthesized high-magnetization mag-PEI nanoparticles for gene transfection in vitro. The expression signals of a model gene, luciferase, and a therapeutic gene, TPH-2, were enhanced under magnetic-assisted transfection. An in vitro study in neuronal cells confirmed that using mag-PEI nanoparticles as a DNA carrier for gene delivery provided high transfection efficiency with low cytotoxicity., Conclusion: The mag-PEI nanoparticle is a promising alternative gene transfection reagent due to its ease of use, effectiveness, and low cellular toxicity. The mag-PEI nanoparticle is not only practical for gene transfection in cultured neuronal cells but may also be suitable for transfection in other cells as well.

The core-shell nanoparticles possessing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) core coated with chitosan (CS), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and chitosan-mixed-polyethyleneimine (CS/PEI) shells were synthesized in this work. The emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization triggered by a redox initiating system from t-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) and amine groups on CS and/or PEI was used as a synthetic method. In the CS/PEI systems, the amount of CS was kept constant (0.5g), while the amount of PEI was varied from 0.1 to 0.5g. The surface and physico-chemical properties of prepared nanoparticles were then examined. FTIR spectra indicated the presence of grafted PMMA on CS and/or PEI, and the weight fraction of incorporated PEI in the CS/PEI nanoparticles. All nanoparticles were spherical in shape with uniform size distribution illustrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduction of PEI to CS nanoparticles yielded the higher monomer conversion, grafting efficiency, and grafting percentage compared with the CS nanoparticles. The size of CS/PEI nanoparticles was smaller than the original CS and PEI nanoparticles, and tended to decrease with increasing amount of PEI introduced. The introduction of PEI also brought the higher colloidal stability to the nanoparticles as indicated by zeta-potential measurement and isoelectric point analysis. The nanoparticles exhibited a promising antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The nanoparticle-bacteria interaction was studied via SEM. The results suggested that they would be useful as effective antibacterial agents., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The urine pregnancy test is an easily available diagnostic test in the present day and is routinely performed. The test is based on an immunochromatography technique. Here, we used an advanced nanomedicine technique for modification of the urine pregnancy test., Materials and Methods: The preparation of gold nanoparticle solution in this study followed the standard method. We performed an experiment on both pregnancy-positive and -negative urine samples. First, a mixture with an equal amount (500 microliters) of gold nanoparticle solution and urine sample was prepared. Then, it was further tested for pregnancy by the urine pregnancy test strip., Results: The pregnancy-positive mixture became pink, while the pregnancy-negative mixture became gray. The urine pregnancy test strip for a positive mixture had two lines, while the negative mixture had one line., Conclusion: This application can help the diagnosis of pregnancy and can be an alternative method for a urine pregnancy test. To our knowledge, this is the first report on this application.