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The synergistic impact of nanomaterials is critical for novel intracellular and/or subcellular drug delivery systems of minimal toxicity. This synergism results in a fundamental bio/nano interface interaction, which is discussed in terms of nanoparticle translocation, outer wrapping, embedding, and interior cellular attachment. The morphology, size, surface area, ligand chemistry and charge of nanoparticles all play a role in translocation. In this review, we suggest a generalized mechanism to characterize the bio/nano interface, as we discuss the synergistic interaction between nanoparticles and cells, tissues, and other biological systems. Novel perceptions are reviewed regarding the ability of nanoparticles to improve hybrid nanocarriers with homogeneous structures to enhance multifunctional biomedical applications, such as bioimaging, tissue engineering, immunotherapy, and phototherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent improvements in detecting and managing breast cancer (BC), it continues to be a major worldwide health concern that annually affects millions of people. Exploring the anti-BC potentials of natural compounds has received a lot of scientific attention due to their multi-target mode of action and good safety profiles because of these unmet needs. Drugs made from herbs are secure and have a lot fewer negative effects than those made from synthetic materials. Early stage patients benefit from breast-conserving surgery, but the risk of local recurrence remains, necessitating implanted scaffolds. These scaffolds provide residual cancer cell killing and tailored drug delivery. This review looks at plant extract–infused tissue engineering scaffolds, which provide a novel approach to treating BC. By offering patient individualized, safer treatments, these scaffolds could completely change how BC is treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the world is breast cancer. Despite current treatment methods, new preventative and therapeutic strategies and development of effective breast cancer treatments are required. Conventional cancer research and treatment techniques use cancer cell lines and animal models for in vivo and in vitro investigations. Monolayer cell cultures are incapable of replicating the physiology and environment of tumors. Additionally, animal models include species-to-species differences, which make them difficult to translate cancer drugs and treatments from animal models to clinical trials. Tissue-specific structures, mechanical-biochemical signals, cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions are employed by three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems in order to decrease this unreliability. Therefore, in cancer research, scaffold-based tumor models, a 3D cell culture system, can be used to study tumor microenvironment, pre-screening drugs, and to evaluate drug efficacy before in vivo trials. Among many different methods, to provide more cell-binding sites, the electrospinning method can imitate the ECM by creating a network of polymer fibers with a high surface area at nanoscale. This review concentrates on the distinct physical properties and signaling regulation of cancer cell growth within the scaffolds, the sensitivity of the breast cancer cells (BCCs) to drugs in 3D electrospun scaffolds, the cell-ECM and cell–cell interactions of BCC lines in electrospun scaffold-based cultures, and using these scaffolds for drug delivery into the tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock proteins are intracellular proteins expressed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes that help protect the cell from stress. They play an important role in regulating cell cycle and cell death, work as molecular chaperons during the folding of newly synthesized proteins, and also in the degradation of misfolded proteins. They are not only produced under stress conditions like acidosis, energy depletion, and oxidative stress but are also continuously synthesized as a result of their housekeeping functions. There are different heat shock protein families based on their molecular weight, like HSP70, HSP90, HSP60, HSP27, HSP40, etc. Heat shock proteins are involved in many cancers, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, the main primary tumor of the liver in adults. Their deregulations in hepatocellular carcinoma are associated with metastasis, angiogenesis, cell invasion, and cell proliferation and upregulated heat shock proteins can be used as either diagnostic or prognostic markers. Targeting heat shock proteins is a relevant strategy for the treatment of patients with liver cancer. In this review, we provide insights into heat shock proteins and heat shock protein-like proteins (clusterin) in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and their use as therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive cancers, such as ovarian, cervical, and endometrial carcinomas, have a poor prognosis in metastatic stages. Researchers are continuously seeking improved and safer methods to target cancer-related oncoproteins, addressing the limitations of current treatments, including their limited effectiveness, drug resistance, and off-target effects. Recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the progress of reproductive cancers have provided valuable insights into potential targeted therapies. By engaging with oncoproteins and co-chaperones, heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) regulates signaling networks and fixes protein folding errors in cancer cells. The potential of HSP90 inhibition as cancer-targeted treatments is underscored by the continuous discovery and testing of novel HSP90-targeted molecules for their antitumor properties in preclinical and clinical settings. Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the mechanism and recent research breakthroughs of HSP90, as well as provide an in-depth review of their therapeutic potential in reproductive cancers., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología (FESEO).)

In the 21st century, chemotherapy stands as a primary treatment method for prevalent diseases, yet drug resistance remains a pressing challenge. Utilizing electrospinning to support chemotherapy drugs offers sustained and controlled release methods in contrast to oral and implantable drug delivery modes, which enable localized treatment of distinct tumor types. Moreover, the core–sheath structure in electrospinning bears advantages in dual-drug loading: the core and sheath layers can carry different drugs, facilitating collaborative treatment to counter chemotherapy drug resistance. This approach minimizes patient discomfort associated with multiple-drug administration. Electrospun fibers not only transport drugs but can also integrate metal particles and targeted compounds, enabling combinations of chemotherapy with magnetic and heat therapies for comprehensive cancer treatment. This review delves into electrospinning preparation techniques and drug delivery methods tailored to various cancers, foreseeing their promising roles in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosynthetic gold nanoparticles (bAuNPs) present a promising avenue for enhancing bio-compatibility and offering an economically and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional production methods, achieved through a reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals. While the potential of bAuNPs as anticancer agents has been explored, there is a limited body of research focusing on the crucial physicochemical conditions influencing bAuNP production. In this study, we aim to identify the optimal growth phase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures that maximizes the redox potential and coordinates the formation of bAuNPs with increased efficiency. The investigation employs 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) as a redox indicator. Simultaneously, we explore the impact of temperature, pH, and incubation duration on the biosynthesis of bAuNPs, with a specific emphasis on their potential application as antitumor agents. Characterization of the resulting bAuNPs is conducted using ATR-FT-IR, TEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. To gain insights into the anticancer potential of bAuNPs, an experimental model is employed, utilizing both non-neoplastic (HPEpiC) and neoplastic (PC3) epithelial cell lines. Notably, P. aeruginosa cultures at 9 h/OD600 = 1, combined with biosynthesis at pH 9.0 for 24 h at 58 °C, produce bAuNPs that exhibit smaller, more spherical, and less aggregated characteristics. Crucially, these nanoparticles demonstrate negligible effects on HPEpiC cells while significantly impacting PC3 cells, resulting in reduced viability, migration, and lower IL-6 levels. This research lays the groundwork for the development of more specialized, economical, and ecologically friendly treatment modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a predominant member among Heat shock proteins (HSPs), playing a central role in cellular protection and maintenance by aiding in the folding, stabilization, and modification of diverse protein substrates. It collaborates with various co‐chaperones to manage ATPase‐driven conformational changes in its dimer during client protein processing. Hsp90 is critical in cellular function, supporting the proper operation of numerous proteins, many of which are linked to diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, neurodegenerative conditions, and infectious diseases. Recognizing the significance of these client proteins across diverse diseases, there is a growing interest in targeting Hsp90 and its co‐chaperones for potential therapeutic strategies. This review described biological background of HSPs and the structural characteristics of HSP90. Additionally, it discusses the regulatory role of heat shock factor‐1 (HSF‐1) in modulating HSP90 and sheds light on the dynamic chaperone cycle of HSP90. Furthermore, the review discusses the specific contributions of HSP90 in various disease contexts, especially in cancer. It also summarizes HSP90 inhibitors for cancer treatment, offering a thoughtful analysis of their strengths and limitations. These advancements in research expand our understanding of HSP90 and open up new avenues for considering HSP90 as a promising target for therapeutic intervention in a range of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to produce new variants, the demand for diagnostics and a better understanding of COVID-19 remain key topics in healthcare. Skin manifestations have been widely reported in cases of COVID-19, but the mechanisms and markers of these symptoms are poorly described. In this cross-sectional study, 101 patients (64 COVID-19 positive patients and 37 controls) were enrolled between April and June 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19, in São Paulo, Brazil. Enrolled patients had skin imprints sampled non-invasively using silica plates; plasma samples were also collected. Samples were used for untargeted lipidomics/metabolomics through high-resolution mass spectrometry. We identified 558 molecular ions, with lipids comprising most of them. We found 245 plasma ions that were significant for COVID-19 diagnosis, compared to 61 from the skin imprints. Plasma samples outperformed skin imprints in distinguishing patients with COVID-19 from controls, with F1-scores of 91.9% and 84.3%, respectively. Skin imprints were excellent for assessing disease severity, exhibiting an F1-score of 93.5% when discriminating between patient hospitalization and home care statuses. Specifically, oleamide and linoleamide were the most discriminative biomarkers for identifying hospitalized patients through skin imprinting, and palmitic amides and N-acylethanolamine 18:0 were also identified as significant biomarkers. These observations underscore the importance of primary fatty acid amides and N-acylethanolamines in immunomodulatory processes and metabolic disorders. These findings confirm the potential utility of skin imprinting as a valuable non-invasive sampling method for COVID-19 screening; a method that may also be applied in the evaluation of other medical conditions. Key messages: Skin imprints complement plasma in disease metabolomics. The annotated markers have a role in immunomodulation and metabolic diseases. Skin imprints outperformed plasma samples at assessing disease severity. Skin imprints have potential as non-invasive sampling strategy for COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can result in tissue damage and multiple organ dysfunction, especially in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) receiving immunosuppressive drugs. Presently, single-cell research on COVID-19-induced ARDS is considerably advanced, yet knowledge about ARDS in KTRs is still constrained. Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed to construct a comprehensive single-cell immune landscape of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of eight patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS, five KTRs with COVID-19-induced ARDS, and five healthy individuals. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, including cell clustering, enrichment analysis, trajectory analysis, gene regulatory network analysis, and cell–cell interaction analysis, to investigate the heterogeneity of the immune microenvironment in KTRs with ARDS. Result: Our study revealed that KTRs exhibit significant heterogeneity with COVID-19-induced ARDS compared with those of other individuals, with significant reductions in T cells, as well as an abnormal proliferation of B cells and monocytes. In the context of dual influences from immunosuppression and viral infection, KTRs exhibited more specific plasma cells, along with significant enrichment of dysfunctional GZMB and XAF1 double-positive effector T cells and IFI27-positive monocytes. Additionally, robust communication existed among T cells and monocytes in cytokine signaling. These effects impede the process of immune reconstitution in KTR patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KTRs with COVID-19-induced ARDS show elevated antibody levels, impaired T cell differentiation, and dysregulation of innate immunity. In summary, this study provides a theoretical foundation for a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19-induced ARDS in KTRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has progressively decreased lately, mainly due to the great effectivity of vaccines. Furthermore, no new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants able to circumvent the protection of these vaccines, while presenting high transmissibility and/or lethality, have appeared. However, long COVID has emerged as a huge threat to human health and economy globally. The human microbiota plays an important role in health and disease, participating in the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Thus, multiple studies have found that the nasopharyngeal microbiota is altered in COVID-19 patients, with these changes associated with the onset and/or severity of the disease. Nevertheless, although dysbiosis has also been reported in long COVID patients, mainly in the gut, little is known about the possible involvement of the microbiota in the development of this disease. Therefore, in this work, we aim to fill this gap in the knowledge by discussing and comparing the most relevant studies that have been published in this field up to this point. Hence, we discuss that the relevance of long COVID has probably been underestimated, and that the available data suggest that the microbiota could be playing a pivotal role on the pathogenesis of the disease. Further research to elucidate the involvement of the microbiota in long COVID will be essential to explore new therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of the microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have impressively shown their efficacy in targeting and therapy of cancer. The present research was designated to investigate the potential of ZnONP nanocomposites as a cancer chemotherapeutic-based drug delivery system and to assess the anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effectiveness of ZnONP nanocomposites combination with systemic chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and folic acid (FA) in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor cell line both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Anti-tumor potential of ZnONP nanocomposites: ZnONPs, ZnONPs/FA, ZnONPs/DOX and ZnONPs/DOX/FA against EAC tumor cell line was evaluated in vitro by MTT assay. Anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory efficacy of ZnONP nanocomposites were analyzed in vivo by examination of the proliferation rate and apoptosis rate of EAC tumor cells by flow cytometry, splenocytes count, level of inflammatory markers interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as liver and kidney function in EAC-challenged mice. Results: In vitro results showed that ZnONP nanocomposites showed a high anti-proliferative potency against EAC tumor cells. Furthermore, the in vivo study revealed that the treatment EAC-challenged mice with ZnONPs, ZnONPs/DOX, ZnONPs/FA and ZnONPs/DOX/FA hindered the proliferation rate of implanted EAC tumor cells through lowering their number and increasing their apoptosis rate. Moreover, the treatment of EAC-challenged mice with ZnONPs/DOX/FA markedly decreased the level of IL-6 and TNF-α and remarkably ameliorated the liver and kidney damages that were elevated by implantation of EAC tumor cells, restoring the liver and kidney functions to be close to the naïve mice control. Conclusion: ZnONP nanocomposites may be useful as a cancer chemotherapeutic-based drug delivery system. ZnONP nanocomposites: ZnONPs/DOX, ZnONPs/FA and ZnONPs/DOX/FA regimen may have anti-inflammatory approaches and a great potential to increase anti-tumor effect of conventional chemotherapy, overcoming resistance to cancer systemic chemotherapeutics and reducing their side effects, offering a promising regimen for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, exerts a considerable effect on quality of life. The inflammatory mechanism involved in rheumatoid arthritis is not clearly known, and therefore the need to develop effective medicines as well as new methods for early detection is a challenge. In this study, we developed PLGA nanoparticles containing gold and methotrexate in core and anti-CD64 antibody conjugated to nanoparticle surface via coupling process. The nanoparticles were examined for their surface morphology using SEM and TEM. The mean particle size, zeta potential, and PDI values of nanoparticles were 413.6 ± 2.89 nm, −10.12 ± 2.12 mV, and 0.23 ± 0.04, respectively, indicating good stability and particle homogeneity. In vitro drug release revealed a controlled release pattern with 93.44 ± 1.60% up to 72 h of release in the presence of pH 5.8, indicating the influence of pH and NIR on drug release. In vivo results on adjuvant-induced arthritis on Wistar rats indicated that animals receiving antibody-conjugated nanoparticles showed improvement in clinical indices and arthritic score as compared to non-conjugated nanoparticles and free drugs. This innovative drug delivery system will be an excellent strategy to maximize therapeutic effectiveness by limiting dosage-related side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phototherapies induced by photoactive nanomaterials have inspired and accentuated the importance of nanomedicine in cancer therapy in recent years. During these light-activated cancer therapies, a nanoagent can produce heat and cytotoxic reactive oxygen species by absorption of light energy for photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, PTT is limited by the self-protective nature of cells, with upregulated production of heat shock proteins (HSP) under mild hyperthermia, which also influences PDT. To reduce HSP production in cancer cells and to enhance PTT/PDT, small HSP inhibitors that can competitively bind at the ATP-binding site of an HSP could be employed. Alternatively, reducing intracellular glucose concentration can also decrease ATP production from the metabolic pathways and downregulate HSP production from glucose deprivation. Other than reversing the thermal resistance of cancer cells for mild-temperature PTT, an HSP inhibitor can also be integrated into functionalized nanomaterials to alleviate tumor hypoxia and enhance the efficacy of PDT. Furthermore, the co-delivery of a small-molecule drug for direct HSP inhibition and a chemotherapeutic drug can integrate enhanced PTT/PDT with chemotherapy (CT). On the other hand, delivering a glucose-deprivation agent like glucose oxidase (GOx) can indirectly inhibit HSP and boost the efficacy of PTT/PDT while combining these therapies with cancer starvation therapy (ST). In this review, we intend to discuss different nanomaterial-based approaches that can inhibit HSP production via ATP regulation and their uses in PTT/PDT and cancer combination therapy such as CT and ST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospun nanofibers (NFs)-based drug delivery approaches are of particular interest as a hopeful implantable nanoplatform for localized cancer therapy and treating tissue defect after resection, allowing the on-site drug delivery with minimal side effect to healthy cells. To maintain therapeutic concentrations of anticancer molecules for a relatively long time through a combination of burst and sustained drug release mechanisms, a hybrid of polycaprolactone and gelatin (PCL/GEL) was used for co-encapsulation of free curcumin (CUR) and CUR-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CUR@MSNs) via electrospinning, resulting in a novel drug-loaded nanofibrous scaffold, CUR/CUR@MSNs-NFs. The as-prepared MSNs and composite NFs were characterized via TGA, FTIR, FE-SEM, TEM, and BET. In vitro release profile of CUR from CUR/CUR@MSNs-NFs was examined, and the in vitro antitumor efficacy against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was also evaluated through MTT, scratch assay, DAPI staining, and real-time PCR. The results disclosed that the smooth, bead-free, and randomly oriented CUR/CUR@MSNs-NFs displayed a combination of initial rapid discharge and sustained release for CUR, which led to higher cytotoxicity, lower migration as well as a more pronounced effect on apoptosis induction than CUR-NFs and CUR@MSNs-NFs. The present study illustrated that the dual drug release mechanisms through MSN/NF-mediated drug delivery systems might have a highly hopeful application as a localized implantable scaffold for potential postoperative breast cancer therapy., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine, the accessibility of engineered scaffolds that modulate inflammatory states is extremely necessary. The aim of the current work was to assess the efficacy of metformin (MET) incorporated in PLGA/Collagen nanofibers (Met-PLGA/Col NFs) to modulate RAW264.7 macrophage phenotype from pro-inflammatory status (M1) to anti-inflammatory status (M2). Given this, MET-PLGA/Col NFs were fabricated using an electrospinning technique. Structural characterization such as morphology, chemical and mechanical properties, and drug discharge pattern were assessed. MTT assay test exposed that MET-PLGA/Col NFs remarkably had increased cell survival in comparison with pure PLGA/Collagen NFs and control (p < 0.05) 72 h after incubation. Based on the qPCR assay, a reduction in the expression of iNOS-2 and SOCS3 was found in the cells seeded on MET-PLGA/Col NFs, demonstrating the substantial modulation of the M1 phenotype to the M2 phenotype. Moreover, it was determined a main decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediator's expression but the growth factors amount related to anti-inflammatory M2 were meaningfully upregulated. Finally, MET-PLGA/Col NFs possibly will ensure a beneficial potential for effective variation of the macrophage response from an inflammatory phase (M1) to a pro-regenerative (M2) phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the oldest marine species on the planet, the genus Salinispora is often encountered inhabiting sediments and other marine creatures in tropical and subtropical marine settings. This bacterial genus produces a plethora of natural products. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential for salinispora-based natural products (NPs) to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The RCSB PDB was used to obtain the crystal structures of proteins 3CLpro and PLpro. All 125 NPs were obtained from online databases. Using Autodock Vina software v1.2.0 the molecular docking process was carried out after the proteins and ligands were prepared. Assessments of binding affinities and interacting amino acids were rigorously examined prior to MD simulations. The docking experiments revealed 35 NPs in total for both 3CLpro and PLpro, with high docking scores ranging from −8.0 kcal/mol to −9.0 kcal/mol. However, a thorough binding residue analyses of all docked complexes filtered nine NPs showing strong interactions with HIS: 41 and CYS: 145 of 3CLpro. Whereas, for PLpro, merely six NPs presented good interactions with residues CYS: 111, HIS: 272, and ASP: 286. Further research was conducted on residue–residue and ligand–residue interactions in both the filtered docked complexes and the Apo-protein structures using the Protein Contacts Atlas website. All complexes were found to be stable in CABS-flex 2.0 MD simulations conducted at various time frames (50, 125, 500, and 1000 cycles). In conclusion, salinaphthoquinone B appears to be the most promising metabolite, based on favorable amino acid interactions forming stable confirmations towards 3CLpro and PLpro enzymes, acting as a dual inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained considerable attention in nanotechnology due to their desirable properties and potential applications. However, their long-term stability poses a bottleneck to their application. The objective of this study is to improve the stability of AgNPs using surfactants as an additional capping agent. First, biogenic AgNPs were synthesized using Salvia rosmarinus extract (R-AgNPs). Subsequently, a comprehensive characterization of their physicochemical properties and long-term stability was conducted. R-AgNPs were found to be quasi-spherical with a diameter of 31.1 ± 6.5 nm. However, despite a low zeta potential of − 34.45 ± 0.41 mV, R-AgNPs were found to be unstable after 2 weeks of storage. To improve their long-term stability, the R-AgNPs were subsequently capped using low concentrations of surfactants with varying charges: Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic surfactant; sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an anionic surfactant; and Tween 80, a non-ionic surfactant. All surfactants were effective in stabilizing R-AgNPs, particularly using 7 µM of SDS, which significantly enhanced R-AgNP stability even after 6 months without affecting their size and morphology. Nevertheless, the addition of surfactants to R-AgNPs might affect their antibacterial activities and cause toxicity to mammalian cells. Therefore, the surfactant-stabilized R-AgNPs were evaluated against pathogenic bacteria and mammalian cells. Both R-AgNPs and surfactant R-AgNPs displayed significant antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Moreover, an eightfold increase in antibacterial activity against S. aureus was achieved CTAB-stabilized R-AgNPs at 3 µM of CTAB. Importantly, both R-AgNPs and surfactant-stabilized R-AgNPs showed no cytotoxic effects against mouse fibroblasts at concentrations effective against all the tested bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug-eluting stents (DES) are the best choice of the current era to open the occluded arteries. Its success depends upon the concentration of the drug and overall release kinetics, which in turn is subjected to the polymeric drug carrier and mechanism of drug release at the target area. Each generation of DES possess different characteristics based on different aspects i.e., polymer type, coating layer thickness, and drug concentration have been discussed. This review paper discusses all the polymers utilized in DES systems and their release profiles when combined with multiple drugs for the treatment of coronary heart disease. Drug-coated metal stents are used to support and improve the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular diseases. This review describes the properties of drug-eluting stent from different generations and challenges they offered. Nature of polymeric drug carriers affects the inflammation, lesion healing, rate of restenosis, and thrombosis. Ongoing research in DES technology aims to avoid the challenges offered by non-erodible polymeric drug carriers. Third-generation DES utilizes PLA-based polymers which are biocompatible, flexible, and erodible. Bioresorbable DES is future of DES technology; however, it is still in primitive stages and overcoming the issues of mechanical strength and corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever since the discovery of cancer stem cells (CSCs), they have progressively attracted more attention as a therapeutic target. Like the mythical hydra, this subpopulation of cells seems to contribute to cancer immortality, spawning more cells each time that some components of the cancer cell hierarchy are destroyed. Traditional modalities focusing on cancer treatment have emphasized apoptosis as a route to eliminate the tumor burden. A major problem is that cancer cells are often in varying degrees of dedifferentiation contributing to what is known as the CSCs hierarchy and cells which are known to be resistant to conventional therapy. Differentiation therapy is an experimental therapeutic modality aimed at the conversion of malignant phenotype to a more benign one. Hyperthermia therapy (HT) is a modality exploiting the changes induced in cells by the application of heat produced to aid in cancer therapy. While differentiation therapy has been successfully employed in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, it has not been hugely successful for other cancer types. Mounting evidence suggests that hyperthermia therapy may greatly augment the effects of differentiation therapy while simultaneously overcoming many of the hard-to-treat facets of recurrent tumors. This review summarizes the progress made so far in integrating hyperthermia therapy with existing modules of differentiation therapy. The focus is on studies related to the successful application of both hyperthermia and differentiation therapy when used alone or in conjunction for hard-to-treat cancer cell niche with emphasis on combined approaches to target the CSCs hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are caused by mutations in the KIT and PDGFRA genes. Avapritinib (BLU-285) is a targeted selective inhibitor for mutated KIT and PDGFRA receptors that can be used to treat these tumors. However, there are subtypes of GISTs that exhibit resistance against BLU-285 and thus require other treatment strategies. This can be addressed by employing a drug delivery system that transports a combination of drugs with distinct cell targets. In this work, we present the synthesis of esterase-responsive polyglycerol-based nanogels (NGs) to overcome drug resistance in rare GISTs. Using inverse nanoprecipitation mediated with inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder cyclizations (iEDDA) between dPG-methyl tetrazine and dPG-norbornene, multi-drug-loaded NGs were formed based on a surfactant-free encapsulation protocol. The obtained NGs displayed great stability in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and did not trigger hemolysis in red blood cells over a period of 24 h. Exposing the NGs to Candida Antarctica Lipase B (CALB) led to the degradation of the NG network, indicating the capability of targeted drug release. The bioactivity of the loaded NGs was tested in vitro on various cell lines of the GIST-T1 family, which exhibit different drug resistances. Cell internalization with comparable uptake kinetics of the NGs could be confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry for all cell lines. Cell viability and live cell imaging studies revealed that the loaded NGs are capable of intracellular drug release by showing similar IC50 values to those of the free drugs. Furthermore, multi-drug-loaded NGs were capable of overcoming BLU-285 resistance in T1-α-D842V + G680R cells, demonstrating the utility of this carrier system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers (NFs) with practical drug‐loading capacities, high stability, and controllable release have caught the attention of investigators due to their potential applications in on‐demand drug delivery devices. Developing novel and efficient multidisciplinary management of locoregional cancer treatment through the design of smart NF‐based systems integrated with combined chemotherapy and hyperthermia could provide stronger therapeutic advantages. On the other hand, implanting directly at the tumor area is a remarkable benefit of hyperthermia NF‐based drug delivery approaches. Hence, implantable smart hyperthermia NFs might be very hopeful for tumor treatment in the future and provide new avenues for developing highly efficient localized drug delivery systems. Indeed, features of the smart NFs lead to the construction of a reversibly flexible nanostructure that enables hyperthermia and facile switchable release of antitumor agents to eradicate cancer cells. Accordingly, this study covers recent updates on applications of implantable smart hyperthermia NFs regarding their current scope and future outlook. This article is categorized under:Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stable aqueous colloid of 4-quinonimine (4-QI) functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was successfully employed for the selective colorimetric sensing of fluoride ion in water. The significant decrease in intensity of the surface Plasmon absorption band at 535 nm was observed in ultra violet visible spectra of the AuNPs towards increasing concentration of fluoride ion. This decrease of intensity was distinguished with in the pH range from 3 to 10 as compare to the decrease of intensity by addition of water or chloride ion. From the straight line fitting calibration plot, the sensitivity of the 4-QI functionalized AuNPs was obtained as ~ 340 μM−1 with a detection limit of 0.17 μM for fluoride ion and only ~ 64 μM−1 with a detection limit of 0.93 μM for chloride ion. An immediate selective decolorization of 0.5 mL 4-QI functionalized AuNPs colloid of 880 mM was observed from purple-red by addition of 1 mL aqueous fluoride ion solution of 175 mM. No such decolorization was noted for the other anions, cations or biomolecules of same concentration at same volume. The sensing mechanism of fluoride ion was explained by considering the aggregation of AuNPs caused by the breaking of dipolar interaction between 4-QI and AuNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising and decisive technologies in the world. Nanomaterials, as the primary research aspect of nanotechnology, are quite different from macroscopic materials because of their unique optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal properties, and more robust mechanical properties, which make them play an essential role in the field of materials science, biomedical field, aerospace field, and environmental energy. Different preparation methods for nanomaterials have various physical and chemical properties and are widely used in different areas. In this review, we focused on the preparation methods, including chemical, physical, and biological methods due to the properties of nanomaterials. We mainly clarified the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of different preparation methods. Then, we focused on the applications of nanomaterials in biomedicine, including biological detection, tumor diagnosis, and disease treatment, which provide a development trend and promising prospects for nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the leading causes of mortality for women is gynecologic cancer (GC). Numerous molecules (tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes) are involved in this form of cancer's invasion, metastasis, tumorigenic process, and therapy resistance. Currently, there is a shortage of efficient methods to eliminate these diseases, hence it is crucial to carry out more extensive studies on GCs. Novel pharmaceuticals are required to surmount this predicament. Highly conserved molecular chaperon, heat shock protein (HSP) 90, is essential for the maturation of recently produced polypeptides and offers a refuge for misfolding or denatured proteins to be turned around. In cancer, the client proteins of HSP90 play a role in the entire process of oncogenesis, which is linked to all the characteristic features of cancer. In this study, we explore the various functions of HSPs in GC progression. We also discuss their potential as promising targets for pharmacological therapy., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained significant attention in biosensor development due to their unique physical, chemical, and optical properties. When incorporated into biosensors, AuNPs offer several advantages, including a high surface area-to-volume ratio, excellent biocompatibility, ease of functionalization, and tunable optical properties. These properties make them ideal for the detection of various biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and bacterial and viral biomarkers. Traditional methods for detecting bacteria and viruses, such as RT-PCR and ELISA, often suffer from complexities, time consumption, and labor intensiveness. Consequently, researchers are continuously exploring novel devices to address these limitations and effectively detect a diverse array of infectious pathogenic microorganisms. In light of these challenges, nanotechnology has been instrumental in refining the architecture and performance of biosensors. By leveraging advancements in nanomaterials and strategies of biosensor fabrication the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors can be enhanced, enabling more precise detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. This review explores the versatility of AuNPs in detecting a variety of biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and bacterial and viral biomarkers. Furthermore, it evaluates recent advancements in AuNPs-based biosensors for the detection of pathogens, utilizing techniques such as optical biosensors, lateral flow immunoassays, colorimetric immunosensors, electrochemical biosensors, and fluorescence nanobiosensors. Additionally, the study discusses the existing challenges in the field and proposes future directions to improve AuNPs-based biosensors, with a focus on enhancing sensitivity, selectivity, and their utility in clinical and diagnostic applications., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The present study reports highly stable polymeric nanoparticles comprising curcumin and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and then conjugated with gold nanoparticles, resulting in C-PVP and C-PVP-Au, respectively. The synthesized conjugates C-PVP and C-PVP-Au were investigated for amyloid aggregation inhibition activity, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing applications. The anti-amyloidogenic capacity of nanoconjugates were studied for model protein, hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL). The ThT binding assay, fibril size measurement, and electron microscopy results revealed that conjugates suppress fibrillogenesis in HEWL. The highest amyloid inhibition activity obtained against C-PVP and C-PVP-Au was 31 μg.mL -1 and 30 μg.mL -1 , respectively. The dissociation activity for amyloid aggregation was observed against Q-PVP and Q-PVP-Au at 29 μg.mL -1 and 27 μg.mL -1 , respectively. The antibacterial studies show significant efficacy against Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the presence of C-PVP and C-PVP-Au. The substantial antibacterial potential of C-PVP@PVA and C-PVP-Au@PVA membranes shows promising wound healing applications. The PVA membranes with nanoparticles promote the antibacterial activity and wound healing activity in the Drosophila model. C-PVP-Au@PVA membrane healed the wound faster than the C-PVP@PVA, and it can be used for better results in wound healing. Thus, C-PVP-Au and C-PVP have higher bioavailability and stability and can act as multifunctional therapeutic agents for amyloid-related diseases and as wound healing agents. Graphical abstract C-PVP, and C-PVP-Au conjugates for inhibition of HEWL aggregation, antibacterial and wound healing activity., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study investigates the potential of digital finance to mitigate the environmental impact of economic development. Utilizing panel data from 290 Chinese cities between 2011 and 2019, we employ a two-way fixed effects model to control for unobservable city characteristics and time-invariant macro factors. Our findings reveal that cities with higher proportions of value-added tax and secondary industries (mainly for manufacturing) tend to experience increased air pollution. Conversely, cities characterized by higher economic efficiency exhibit better air quality, underscoring the significance of prioritizing technology-intensive sectors during economic development. Pollution control technologies, such as centralized wastewater treatment systems and harmless treatment systems for household waste, also play positive roles. Moreover, technological and educational investments correlate with increased urban green coverage and lower air pollution, highlighting the pivotal role of technology development and residents' literacy in fostering sustainable practices. Although we initially observed a positive association between the index of digital financial technology and air pollution, which could be attributed to the influence of economic growth, our study employs instrumental variable regression to unveil their true correlation. The results suggest the application of digital financial technology may enhance environmental awareness, contributing to the mitigation of air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of dyes in water can have severe health and environmental implications; consequently, effective technologies are required to remove them. In this research, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by eco‐friendly methods, using Arctostaphylos pungens extract, for use in water treatment via photocatalysis. The extract concentration strongly influenced the properties of ZnO NPs, the bandgap values revealed a direct dependence as the extract concentration increased, obtaining 2.81, 2.88, and 2.92 eV for 1%, 2%, and 4% w/v (weight/volume), respectively. In contrast, the NPs presented quasi‐spherical morphologies with a decrease in size from 24, 20, and 17 nm in response to extract concentration variations. The ZnO formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, energy‐dispersive x‐ray, and x‐ray diffraction. ZnO NPs showed high photocatalytic activity with the dyes methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) under UV light, achieving 96% photodegradation of MB in just 60 min. Meanwhile, MO showed 93% of degradation at 180 min. Additionally, under solar radiation, significant photocatalytic activity was also observed, obtaining 92% and 81% photodegradation for MB and MO, respectively. The results indicate that ZnO NPs green synthesized using A. pungens extract can be used in water treatment as a friendly and efficient catalyst for the photodegradation of dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most suitable potential clean energy power generation technology, biophotovoltaics (BPV) not only inherits the advantages of traditional photovoltaics, such as safety, reliability and no noise, but also solves the disadvantages of high pollution and high energy consumption in the manufacturing process, providing new functions of self-repair and natural degradation. The basic idea of BPV is to collect light energy and generate electric energy by using photosynthetic autotrophs or their parts, and the core is how these biological materials can quickly and low-loss transfer electrons to the anode through mediators after absorbing light energy and generating electrons. In this mini-review, we summarized the biological materials widely used in BPV at present, mainly cyanobacteria, green algae, biological combinations (using multiple microorganisms in the same BPV system) and isolated products (purified thylakoids, chloroplasts, photosystem I, photosystem II), introduced how researchers overcome the shortcomings of low photocurrent output of BPV, pointed out the limitations that affected the development of BPV’ biological materials, and put forward reasonable assumptions accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sodium salt of 5-aminoisothalate (5-AIT), which has –NH2 and –COO–Na+ functions, is a highly water-soluble compound. It was used as reducing and capping agents to develop AuNPs. When sodium borohydride (SBH) was not used as a reducing agent, the developed methodology resulted in particles that were larger in size (5-AIT-AuNPs-L, 14 ± 1.83 nm) than those obtained by the SBH-reduction method (5-AIT-AuNPs-S, 10 ± 2.03 nm). The surface plasmon resonance band for the smaller particles is centered at 520 nm, but it is positioned at 528 nm for the bigger particles. The particles have a wide window of pH tolerable range, i.e., pH 3–10. The capping agents adsorb onto the surface of particles, as evidenced by emission and the Raman spectroscopies and computation analysis. The binding energy increases with the increase of cluster atoms and it is –1.85 eV for 5-AIT-Au5 cluster. The efficacy of the particles as dye-degradation nanocatalysts for not only well-reputed dye, Methyl Orange (MO) but also synthetic promising dyes (Uazo-1 and Uazo-2) based on 6-aminouracil was assessed. The degradation kinetics follow pseudo-first-order reactions. According to the findings, the smaller particles degrade the dyes more rapidly than the larger particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection (AA/AD) are critical aortic diseases with a hidden onset and sudden rupture, usually resulting in an inevitable death. Several pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that induce new capillary formation in the existing blood vessels regulate angiogenesis. In addition, aortic disease mainly manifests as the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells of the adventitia vasa vasorum. An increasing number of studies have shown that angiogenesis is a characteristic change that may promote AA/AD occurrence, progression, and rupture. Furthermore, neocapillaries are leaky and highly susceptible to injury by cytotoxic agents, which promote extracellular matrix remodeling, facilitate inflammatory cell infiltration, and release coagulation factors and proteases within the wall. Mechanistically, inflammation, hypoxia, and angiogenic factor signaling play important roles in angiogenesis in AA/AD under the complex interaction of multiple cell types, such as smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and neutrophils. Therefore, based on current evidence, this review aims to discuss the manifestation, pathological role, and underlying mechanisms of angiogenesis involved in AA/AD, providing insights into the prevention and treatment of AA/AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Au decorated with type I collagen (Col) was used as a core material to cross-link with stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α) in order to investigate biological performance. The Au-based nanoparticles were subjected to physicochemical determination using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were used to evaluate the biocompatibility of this nanoparticle using the MTT assay and measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Also, the biological effects of the SDF-1α-conjugated nanoparticles (Au-Col-SDF1α) were assessed and the mechanisms were explored. Furthermore, we investigated the cell differentiation-inducing potential of these conjugated nanoparticles on MSCs toward endothelial cells, neurons, osteoblasts and adipocytes. We then ultimately explored the process of cell entry and transportation of the nanoparticles. Using a mouse animal model and retro-orbital sinus injection, we traced in vivo biodistribution to determine the biosafety of the Au-Col-SDF1α nanoparticles. In summary, our results indicate that Au-Col is a promising drug delivery system; it can be used to carry SDF1α to improve MSC therapeutic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections have attracted the attention of researchers in recent decades, especially due to the special problems they have faced, such as their increasing diversity and resistance to antibiotic treatment. The emergence and development of the SARS-CoV-2 infection stimulated even more research to find new structures with antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Among the heterocyclic compounds with remarkable therapeutic properties, benzimidazoles, and triazoles stand out, possessing antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, anti-Alzheimer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, or anti-ulcer activities. In addition, the literature of the last decade reports benzimidazole-triazole hybrids with improved biological properties compared to the properties of simple mono-heterocyclic compounds. This review aims to provide an update on the synthesis methods of these hybrids, along with their antimicrobial and antiviral activities, as well as the structure–activity relationship reported in the literature. It was found that the presence of certain groups grafted onto the benzimidazole and/or triazole nuclei (-F, -Cl, -Br, -CF3, -NO2, -CN, -CHO, -OH, OCH3, COOCH3), as well as the presence of some heterocycles (pyridine, pyrimidine, thiazole, indole, isoxazole, thiadiazole, coumarin) increases the antimicrobial activity of benzimidazole-triazole hybrids. Also, the presence of the oxygen or sulfur atom in the bridge connecting the benzimidazole and triazole rings generally increases the antimicrobial activity of the hybrids. The literature mentions only benzimidazole-1,2,3-triazole hybrids with antiviral properties. Both for antimicrobial and antiviral hybrids, the presence of an additional triazole ring increases their biological activity, which is in agreement with the three-dimensional binding mode of compounds. This review summarizes the advances of benzimidazole triazole derivatives as potential antimicrobial and antiviral agents covering articles published from 2000 to 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a retrospective analysis of 477 fatal COVID-19 cases hospitalised at a single medical centre during the period from 6 March 2020 to 30 June 2022, several factors defining those patients at admission were assessed, as well as the course of the hospitalisation and factors contributing to death. There was a predominance of men (59.3% (283)) burdened by comorbidities, with increased inflammation at admission. Patients aged ≥ 81 years were significantly more likely to be admitted to and die in infectious diseases units (IDU) due to respiratory failure, their hospital stays were shorter, and they were most likely not to receive specialist treatment. The most common COVID-19 complications included acute kidney injury in 31.2% (149) patients and thromboembolic complications in 23.5% (112). The course of hospitalisation was complicated by healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in 33.3% (159) of cases, more often in those treated with baricitinib (p < 0.001). The initial use of an antibiotic, although common (94.8% (452)), was unwarranted in almost half of the cases (47.6% (215)). Complications of hospitalisation (46.1% (220)) and adverse events involving staff (49.7% (237)) were found in almost half of the patients. In 88.7% (423) of the cases, death was due to respiratory failure in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Adverse events during hospitalisation should be considered as an additional factor that, in addition to the infection itself, may have influenced the death of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety related to drug residues in food has become a widespread public concern. Small-molecule drug residue analysis often relies on mass spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Some of these techniques have limited sensitivity and accuracy, while others are time-consuming, costly, and rely on specialized equipment that requires skilled operation. Therefore, the development of a sensitive, fast, and easy-to-operate biosensor could provide an accessible alternative to conventional small-molecule analysis. Here, we developed a nanocup array-enhanced metasurface plasmon resonance (MetaSPR) chip coupled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) (MSPRAN) to detect small molecules. As sulfamethazine drug residues in poultry eggs may cause health issues, we selected this as a model to evaluate the feasibility of using MSPRAN for small-molecule detection. The MSPRAN biosensor employed competitive immunoassay technology for sulfamethazine detection. The limit of detection was calculated as 73 pg/mL, with sensitivity approximately twice that of previously reported detection methods. Additionally, the recovery rate of the biosensor, tested in egg samples, was similar to that measured using ELISA. Overall, this newly developed MSPRAN biosensor platform for small-molecule detection provides fast and reliable results, facile operation, and is relatively cost-effective for application in food safety testing, environmental monitoring, or clinical diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant-derived compounds that have been shown to have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects. However, their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases has been limited due to their low bioavailability. The nanoparticle-mediated delivery of flavonoids has been proposed as a potential solution to this issue, as it allows the sustained release of the flavonoids over time. There are several different nanoparticle systems that have been developed for flavonoid delivery, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, and inorganic nanoparticles. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of nanoparticle-mediated delivery of flavonoids on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in various diseases. We analyzed the performance of flavonoid-encapsulated nanoparticles in regulating cytokine production in different in vitro and in vivo studies. To this end, we followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to conduct a comprehensive search of the literature and to assess the quality of the included studies. The results showed that flavonoid-encapsulated nanoparticles significantly downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18. In some cases, this effect was significantly greater than that observed with non-encapsulated flavonoids These findings suggest that nanoparticle-mediated delivery of flavonoids may have potential as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metformin (Metf), a biguanide widely used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus, has recently entered the spotlight as a hopeful anti-tumor agent. In this work, because of the hyaluronic acid (HA) capability to specifically target CD44 receptors over-expressed on the surface of non-small lung cancer cells, a tumor-targeted drug delivery nanocarrier-based HA-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been used for active targeting and efficient delivery of Metf. For this purpose, the synthesized MSNs-HA were characterized using BET, FE-EM, DLS, and FTIR. Confocal microscopy was applied to show the enhanced cellular uptake of the FITC-labelled MSNs-HA compared to MSNs without HA coating. MTT and qPCR results also revealed superior cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic effects of Metf-loaded MSNs-HA (Metf@MSNs-HA) against the A549 lung cancer cells compared to the free Metf and MSNs@Metf due to the efficient CD44-targeting capability and delivery of Metf@MSNs-HA. Besides, it was demonstrated that Metf@MSNs-HA could effectively trigger the AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) pathway and inhibit the mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR), increasing the growth suppression. In conclusion, this preliminary work disclosed the great potential of Metf@MSNs-HA in targeted therapy of lung cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progress in nanotechnology has effectively tackled and overcome numerous global issues, including climate change, environmental contamination, and various lethal diseases. The nanostructures being a vital part of nanotechnology have been synthesized employing different physicochemical methods. However, these methods are expensive, polluting, eco-unfriendly, and produce toxic byproducts. Green chemistry having exceptional attributes, such as cost-effectiveness, non-toxicity, higher stability, environment friendliness, ability to control size and shape, and superior performance, has emerged as a promising alternative to address the drawbacks of conventional approaches. Plant extracts are recognized as the best option for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles due to adherence to the environmentally benign route and sustainability agenda 2030 of the United Nations. In recent decades, phytosynthesized nanoparticles have gained much attention for different scientific applications. Eucalyptus globulus (blue gum) is an evergreen plant belonging to the family Myrtaceae, which is the targeted point of this review article. Herein, we mainly focus on the fabrication of nanoparticles, such as zinc oxide, copper oxide, iron oxide, lanthanum oxide, titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, lead oxide, nickel oxide, gold, silver, and zirconium oxide, by utilizing Eucalyptus globulus extract and its essential oils. This review article aims to provide an overview of the synthesis, characterization results, and biomedical applications of nanoparticles synthesized using Eucalyptus globulus. The present study will be a better contribution to the readers and the students of environmental research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is primarily transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets and aerosols. It is also possible for the virus to be transmitted indirectly through environmental contamination. The likelihood of environmental transmission depends on several factors, including the survival time of the virus in respiratory secretions. However, the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory secretions has not been investigated. In this study, we compared the half-life of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in respiratory secretion under different conditions. We applied respiratory secretion (5 µL) to glass slides, air-dried the slides for 1 h, and kept them at 24 °C or 4 °C for 10 days. Respiratory secretions were also placed in test tubes (sealed to preserve moisture) and in normal saline for 10 days. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in all samples was simultaneously measured using colloidal gold immunochromatography, and the half-life of the antigen was calculated. The half-life of the antigen in the wet (sealed tube) and saline samples at room temperature was 5.0 and 2.92 days, respectively. The half-life of the antigen in the air-dried sample at room temperature and at 4 °C was 2.93 and 11.4 days, respectively. The half-life was longer in respiratory secretions than that in normal saline. The half-life was also longer in respiratory secretions, at a lower temperature, and under wet conditions. Therefore, environmental transmission can also play a significant role in the spread of the virus. Robust prevention and control strategies could be developed based on the half-life of the antigen in respiratory secretions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulated delivery of drugs plays a key role in control and treatment of diabetes type II. The lack of patient compliance is one of the main hurdles of successful regulated drug delivery. Extended release drug delivery systems are one of the best solutions for this problem. Electrospinning is an easy method for production of nanofibers as drug delivery systems capable of being tailored for various release kinetics, including extended release form. Response surface methodology is employed to fine tune input variables, including electrical field intensity, base polymer ratio, and total polymer concentration to study the behavior of output parameters. The study validates the feasibility of using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polycaprolctone (PCL) nanofibers drug delivery systems as an extended time release medium for metformin and glibenclamide co-delivery. A new drug release model is presented and its parameters indicate the possibility of using drug for at least T 60 = 60 h with average and sustained release rate of 5.37 μ g drug / g solid h . The system traps as little as 10% of loaded metformin and 23% of loaded glibenclamide. The mathematical model presented in this study can be used to predict the release behavior of various drug release systems. Because it can account for the varying beginning slope of the release profile, it is capable of correctly assessing the release behavior of slow release to burst release drug delivery systems. The degree of swelling and weight loss (2.48 ± 0.26% and 0.44 ± 0.02%) of prepared samples and the effect of slightly acidic pH was investigated showed that these formulations could be considered for trans dermal delivery of metformin and glibenclamide. In-vitro study of L6 myotube cells also indicated that the delivery system is capable of retaining acceptable glucose intake at 72 and 168 h (65.95 ± 4.59 % and 45.17 ± 5.12 % respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, amount of evidence suggests that silibinin (SLB), an active constituent isolated from the seeds of Silybum marianum, possesses pleiotropic anticancer effects in different cancers. In this study, poly (lactic-coglycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer was used to fabricate SLB containing nanofibers (NFs) by the electrospinning method. The NFs were characterized by their unique morphological features, degradation rate, and drug release profile. The cytotoxic effects, production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the gene expression of apoptotic proteins were investigated in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells and normal human lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B cells) treated with free SLB and SLB-loaded PLGA NFs. The results indicated that both free SLB and SLBloaded NFs had no effect on BEAS-2B cells, but were cytotoxic against A549 cells, increasing intracellular ROS levels in cancer cells. In addition, both agents induced the gene expression of apoptotic proteins, and the SLB-loaded NFs acted more efficiently than the free SLB. With further study, hence, the SLB-loaded NFs could be potentially used as an anti-cancer agent against human lung adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock protein (HSP) 90 plays a crucial role in correcting the misfolded three-dimensional structure of proteins, assisting them in folding into proper conformations. HSP90 is critical in maintaining the normal functions of various proteins within cells, as essential factors for cellular homeostasis. Contrastingly, HSP90 simultaneously supports the maturation of cancer-related proteins, including mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) within tumor cells. All osteosarcoma cell lines had elevated MET expression in the cDNA array in our possession. MET, a tyrosine kinase receptor, promotes proliferation and an anti-apoptotic state through the activation of the MET pathway constructed by HSP90. In this study, we treated osteosarcoma cells with an HSP90 inhibitor, 17- demethoxygeldanamycin hydrochloride (17-DMAG), and assessed the changes in the MET signaling pathway and also the antitumor effect of the drug. The cell cycle in osteosarcoma cells administered 17-DMAG was found to be halted at the G2/M phase. Additionally, treatment with 17-DMAG inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Inhibition of tumor cell proliferation was also observed in an in vivo model system, mice that were treated with 17- DMAG. Based on the results of this study, we were able to confirm that 17-DMAG promotes inhibition of osteosarcoma cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis by inhibition of MET, a protein highly expressed in osteosarcoma cells. This approach may be useful for the establishment of a new treatment strategy for patients resistant to the standard treatment for osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal gold particles have been extensively studied for their potential in hyperthermia treatment due to their ability to become excited in the presence of an external laser. However, their light-to-heat efficiency is affected by the physiologic environment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ability of gold sphere, rod, and star-shaped colloids to elevate the temperature of blood plasma and breast cancer-simulated fluid under laser stimulation. Additionally, the dependence of optical properties and colloid stability of gold nanostructures with physiological medium, particle shape, and coating was determined. The light-to-heat efficiency of the gold particle is shape-dependent. The light-to-heat conversion efficiency of a star-shaped colloid is 36% higher than that of sphere-shaped colloids. However, the raised temperature of the surrounding medium is the lowest in the star-shaped colloid. When gold nanostructures are exited with a laser stimulation in a physiological fluid, the ions/cations attach to the surface of the gold particles, resulting in colloidal instability, which limits electron oscillation and diminishes the energy generated by the plasmonic excitation. Fluorescein (Fl) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to gold spheres enhances their colloidal stability and light-to-heat efficiency; post-treatment, they remand their optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is one of the serious cancer in the world that treatment methods of this tumor through conventional methods such as surgery and chemotherapeutics are challenging due to difficult accessibility and blood–brain barrier (BBB). Here, in order to have appropriate efficacy of glioblastoma treatment with radiotherapy we developed targeted nanoradiosensitizer, which can be a promising procedure in favor of decreasing dosage of radiation. In this study, bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) as a radiosensitizer agent with high atomic number coated with bovine serum albumin, which introduced high chemical stability, nontoxicity, and biodegradability to synthesized nanoparticles. Glutathione is also employed in this designing as the BBB shuttle peptide. After characterization of this designing through the FeSEM, DLS, FTIR and XRD, whose efficacy of treatment on cancer cell line (U87) is accomplished through the MTT, apoptosis, ROS and calcein AM/PI in presence and absence of X-ray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have drawn substantial interest as drug nanocarriers for breast cancer therapy. Nevertheless, because of the hydrophilic surfaces, the loading of well-known hydrophobic polyphenol anticancer agent curcumin (Curc) into MSNs is usually very low. Methods: For this purpose, Curc molecules were loaded into amine-functionalized MSNs (MSNs-NH2-Curc) and characterized using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fouriertransform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). MTT assay and confocal microscopy, respectively, were used to determine the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of the MSNs-NH2-Curc in the MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Besides, the expression levels of apoptotic genes were evaluated via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot. Results: It was revealed that MSNs-NH2 possessed high values of drug loading efficiency and exhibited slow and sustained drug release compared to bare MSNs. According to the MTT findings, while the MSNs-NH2-Curc were nontoxic to the human non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells at low concentrations, it could considerably decrease the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells compared to the free Curc in all concentrations after 24, 48 and 72 hours exposure times. A cellular uptake study using confocal fluorescence microscopy confirmed the higher cytotoxicity of MSNs-NH2-Curc in MCF-7 cells. Further, it was found that the MSNs-NH2-Curc could drastically affect the mRNA and protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase 3, caspase 9, and hTERT relative to the free Curc treatment. Conclusion: Taken together, these preliminary results suggest the amine-functionalized MSNsbased drug delivery platform as a promising alternative approach for Curc loading and safe breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]