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Sung-Chan Jang,1,2,* Sung-Min Kang,1,* Jun Young Lee,3,* Seo Yeong Oh,1 AT Ezhil Vilian,4 Ilsong Lee,1,2 Young-Kyu Han,4 Jeong Hoon Park,3 Wan-Seob Cho,5,* Changhyun Roh,2,6 Yun Suk Huh1 1Department of Biological Engineering, Biohybrid Systems Research Center (BSRC), Inha University, Incheon, 2Biotechnology Research Division, 3Radiation Instrumentation Research Division, Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (ARTI), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Jeongeup, 4Department of Energy and Materials Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, 5Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Medicinal Biotechnology, College of Health Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 6Radiation Biotechnology and Applied Radioisotope Science, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea *These authors contributed equally to this work Introduction: Positron emission tomography (PET) tracers has the potential to revolutionize cancer imaging and diagnosis. PET tracers offer non-invasive quantitative imaging in biotechnology and biomedical applications, but it requires radioisotopes as radioactive imaging tracers or radiopharmaceuticals. Method: This paper reports the synthesis of 18F-nGO-PEG by covalently functionalizing PEG with nano-graphene oxide, and its excellent stability in physiological solutions. Using a green synthesis route, nGO is then functionalized with a biocompatible PEG polymer to acquire high stability in PBS and DMEM. Results and discussion: The radiochemical safety of 18F-nGO-PEG was measured by a reactive oxygen species and cell viability test. The biodistribution of 18F-nGO-PEG could be observed easily by PET, which suggested the significantly high sensitivity tumor uptake of 18F-nGO-PEG and in a tumor bearing CT-26 mouse compared to the control. 18F-nGO-PEG was applied successfully as an efficient radiotracer or drug agent in vivo using PET imaging. This article is expected to assist many researchers in the fabrication of 18F-labeled graphene-based bio-conjugates with high reproducibility for applications in the biomedicine field. Keywords: graphene oxide, nanocomposite, imaging, radiotracer

The presence of cobalt ions (Co 2 + ) and radionuclides ( 60 Co) in industrial and radioactive effluents pose serious threats to environmental ecosystems and human health. This paper presents the synthesis of dual-functional hydroxyapatite (HAp)-incorporated spherical carbon (SC) composite (HAp/SC) towards the selective adsorption of cobalt from wastewater and the utilization of the Co 2+ -adsorbed HAp/SC composite (Co 2+ - HAp/SC) as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we prepared a series of HAp/SC composites by varying HAp weight percentages of 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, and 50 %. Among the prepared composites, 20 wt% HAp/SC exhibited the highest Co 2+ adsorption capacity of 111.03 mg g⁻ 1 which was higher than those of individual HAp and SC. The excellent Co 2+ adsorption performance of 20 wt% HAp/SC composite might be due to the synergistic effects of phosphate groups in HAp, which selectively capture Co 2+ , along with large number of surface -OH and -COOH functional groups of SC through electrostatic, ion-exchange, and surface complexation mechanisms. Batch adsorption experimental data fit well with the Langmuir model (R 2 = 0.97) suggesting monolayer adsorption of Co 2+ onto the adsorption sites of HAp/SC. Also, the 20 wt% HAp/SC composite exhibited rapid Co 2+ adsorption kinetics and effectively describing the pseudo-first-order model (R 2 = 0.97) with a rate constant (k 1 ) of 0.14893 min -1 . Additionally, the Co 2+ -HAp/SC composite demonstrates potential as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), exhibiting an overpotential of 380 mV and a Tafel slope of 39.3 mV dec -1 . This dual functionality suggests the HAp/SC composite for the cobalt removal, with the resulting product serving as an electrocatalyst for OER., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Gout is a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by increased uric acid (UA) synthesis or decreased UA clearance from the bloodstream, leading to the formation of urate crystals in joints and surrounding tissues. Hyperuricemia (HUA), the underlying cause of gout, poses a growing challenge for healthcare systems in developed and developing countries. Currently, the most common therapeutic approaches for gouty HUA primarily involve the use of allopathic or modern medicine. However, these treatments are often accompanied by adverse effects and may not be universally effective for all patients. Therefore, this systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive outline of phytochemical compounds that have emerged as alternative treatments for HUA associated with gout and to examine their specific mechanisms of action. A systematic search was conducted to identify phytochemicals that have previously been evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing HUA. From a review of > 800 published articles, 100 studies reporting on 50 phytochemicals associated with the management of HUA and gout were selected for analysis. Experimental models were used to investigate the effects of these phytochemicals, many of which exhibited multiple mechanisms beneficial for managing HUA. This review offers valuable insights for identifying and developing novel compounds that are safer and more effective for treating HUA associated with gout., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Energy scarcity and environmental pollution have prompted research in hydrogen generation from solar to develop clean energy through highly efficient, effective, and long-lasting photocatalytic systems. Designing a catalyst with robust stability and an effective carrier separation rate was achieved through heterostructure assembly, but certain functionalities must be explored. In this paper we designed a ternary heterostructure assembly of CdS nanospheres wrapped with hierarchical shell walls of layered MXene-tagged MoS 2 nanoflakes, forming intimate interfaces through an in-situ growth process. An in-layered shell wall of MXene with surface-wrapped MoS 2 nanoflakes as a core-shell assembly improved the photo-corrosion resistance and accelerated the production of photocatalytic H 2 (38.5 mmol g -1  h -1 ), which is 10.7, 3.1, and 1.9 times faster than that of CdS, CdS-MXe, and CdS-MoS 2 nanostructures, respectively. The apparent quantum efficiency of the CdS-MXe 2.4 /MoS 2 heterostructure was calculated to be 34.6% at λ = 420 nm. X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies validated the electronic states, energy band alignment, and work function of the heterostructures, whilst time-resolved photoluminescence measured the carrier lifespan to evaluate the effective charge migration in the CdS-MXe/MoS 2 heterostructure. The dual surface wrapping of MXe/MoS 2 over CdS nanospheres confirmed the structural durability that remained intact throughout the photocatalytic reaction, promoting approximately 93.1% of its catalytic property even after five repeatable cycles. This study examined how the MXene heterostructure template improves the catalytic efficiency and opens a new way to design MXene-based durable heterostructure catalysts for solar-energy conversion., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Recent advances in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) have highlighted the integration of metal-based nanoparticles into sophisticated therapeutic strategies. This examination delves into the potential applications of these nanoparticles, particularly in augmenting the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and targeted drug delivery systems. Metal nanoparticles, such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu), possess distinctive characteristics that make them valuable in cancer treatment. Beyond their role as drug carriers, these nanoparticles actively engage in therapeutic processes like apoptosis induction, enhancement of photothermal effects, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) crucial for tumor cell eradication. The utilization of metal nanoparticles in CRC therapy addresses significant challenges encountered with conventional treatments, such as drug resistance and systemic toxicity. For example, engineered Au nanoparticles enable targeted drug delivery, reducing off-target effects and maximizing therapeutic efficacy against cancerous cells. Their capacity to absorb near-infrared light allows for localized hyperthermia, effectively eliminating cancerous tissues. Similarly, Cu nanoparticles exhibit potential in overcoming drug resistance by enhancing the efficacy of traditional chemotherapeutic agents through ROS production and improved drug stability. This review underscores the significance of precision medicine in CRC care. Through the integration of metal nanoparticles alongside complementary biomarkers and personalized treatment strategies, a more efficient and tailored therapeutic approach can be achieved. The synergistic effect of PDT in combination with metal nanoparticles introduces a novel methodology to CRC treatment, offering a dual-action mechanism that enhances tumor targeting while minimizing undesirable effects. In conclusion, the integration of metal-based nanoparticles in CRC therapy marks a significant progress in oncological treatments. Continued research is imperative to comprehensively grasp their mechanisms, optimize their clinical utility, and address potential safety considerations. This thorough assessment aims to pave the way for future advancements in CRC treatment through the application of nanotechnology and personalized medicine strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Drug conjugation with enzymes is one of the innovative antibacterial nanocarriers used as a delivery system for cancer therapy. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was synthesized, dual encapsulated with cellulase (CL) enzyme, and resveratrol (Resv) drug formed ZIF-8@CL&Resv. Cellulase and resveratrol hydrophobic nature have bound them together and imparted a negative charge on the ZIF-8, resulting in the decrease of zeta potential from 22.7 mV (ZIF-8) to 3.82 mV (ZIF-8@CL&Resv). The cellulase like a scaffold regulated the pH-responsive release of resveratrol enhancing its bioavailability. Molecular docking studies provided evidence of the major interaction between the biofilm-related proteins with cellulase and resveratrol. The encapsulated cellulase showed high enzymatic activity and possibly exhibited antibacterial effects by dissolving the biofilm and exposing bacteria to resveratrol action. Resveratrol released sustainably exhibited significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity against selected bacterial species. ZIF-8@CL&Resv exhibited high biocompatibility and had a potent cytotoxic effect against triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA MB 231 with an IC 50 -value of 17.18 μg/mL compared to ZIF-8 control with 90.47 μg/mL. ZIF-8@CL&Resv treatment led to 61.81 % cell death, apoptosis induction, increased ROS generation, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Overall, data demonstrated that ZIF-8@CL&Resv is a novel drug release system and a potential catalytic nanoparticle for antimicrobial and anticancer applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Radiotherapy (RT) is a gold standard cancer treatment worldwide. However, RT has limitations and many side effects. Nanoparticles (NPs) have exclusive properties that allow them to be used in cancer therapy. Consequently, the combination of NP and RT opens up a new frontier in cancer treatment. Among NPs, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are the most extensively studied and are considered ideal radiosensitizers for radiotherapy due to their unique physicochemical properties and high X‑ray absorption. This review analyzes the various roles of NPs as radiosensitizers in radiotherapy of glioblastoma (GBS), prostate cancer, and breast cancer and summarizes recent advances. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of NP radiosensitization, including physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms, are discussed, which may provide new directions for next-generation GNP optimization and clinical transformation., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, following pancreatic cancer. The 5-year overall survival rate for HCC remains relatively low. Currently, there are multiple treatment options available for HCC, including systemic drugs, minimally invasive local therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and arterial radioembolization (TARE), as well as surgical interventions like liver resection or transplantation. However, the effectiveness of drug delivery to the cancerous liver is hindered by pathophysiological changes in the organ. In order to address this challenge, lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as promising platforms for delivering a diverse range of therapeutic drugs. LNPs offer various structural configurations that enhance their physical stability and enable them to accommodate different types of cargo with varying mechanical properties and degrees of hydrophobicity. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the current applications of LNPs in the development of anti-HCC therapies. By examining the existing research, we aim to shed light on the potential future directions and advancements in this field., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (©2024 The Author (s).)

In this study, acid-modified activated carbon fibers (ACF-Ps) were synthesized by phosphorylation. Three different types of ACF-based adsorbents functionalized with PO 4 3- , P 2 O 7 4- , or P 3 O 10 5- ions, namely, ACF-P1, ACF-P2, and ACF-P3, were prepared by phosphorylating ACF with trisodium phosphate (Na 3 PO 4 ), sodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate (Na 2 H 2 P 2 O 5 ), and sodium tripolyphosphate (Na 5 P 3 O 10 ), respectively, and utilized as adsorbents to remove cesium ions (Cs + ) from aqueous solutions. Among the tested adsorbents, ACF-P3 exhibited the highest Cs + adsorption capacity of 37.59 mg g -1 at 25 °C and pH 7 which is higher than that of ACF (5.634 mg g -1 ), ACF-P1 (19.38 mg g -1 ), and ACF-P2 (30.12 mg g -1 ) under the same experimental conditions. More importantly, the Cs + removal efficiencies of ACF-P3 (82.90%), ACF-P2 (66.2%), ACF-P1 (34.2%) were 29.3-, 23.4-, and 12.11-fold higher than that of un-treated ACF (2.83%). The results suggested that the phosphorylation with Na 5 P 3 O 10 is highly suitable for Cs +  adsorption which effectively functionalizes ACF with a greater number of phosphate functional groups. Adsorption and kinetic data well-fitted the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order model, respectively, which indicated the monolayer adsorption of Cs + onto ACF-P1, ACF-P2, and ACF-P3 which were largely controlled by chemisorption. Overall, phosphoric acids containing different phosphate-based polyanions (PO 4 3- , P 2 O 7 4- , or P 3 O 10 5- ) enriched -OH and/or -COOH surface functional groups of ACF in addition to P-containing surface groups (PO, C-P-O, C-O-P, and P-O) and facilitated the Cs + adsorption through surface complexation and electrostatic interactions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recently, the availability of point-of-care sensor systems has led to the rapid development of smart and portable devices for the detection of hazardous analytes. The rapid flow of artificially ripened fruits into the market is associated with an elevated risk to human life, agriculture, and the ecosystem due to the use of artificial fruit ripening agents (AFRAs). Accordingly, there is a need for the development of "Point-of-care Sensors" to detect AFRAs due to several advantages, such as simple operation, promising detection mechanism, higher selectivity and sensitivity, compact, and portable. Traditional detection approaches are time-consuming and inappropriate for on-the-spot analyses. Presented comprehensive review aimed to reveal how such technology has systematically evolved over time (through conventional, advanced, and portable smart techniques) detection detect AFRA, till date. Moreover, focuses and highlights a framework of initiatives undertaken for technological advancements in the development of smart the portable detection techniques (kits) for the onsite detection of AFRAs in fruits with in-depth discussion over sensing mechanism and analytical performance of the sensing technology. Notably, colorimetric detection methods have the greatest potential for real-time monitoring of AFRA and its residues because they are easy to assemble, have a high level of selectivity and sensitivity, and can be read by the human eye independently. This study sought to differentiate between traditional credible strategies by presenting new prospects, perceptions, and challenges related to portable devices. This review provides systematic framework of advances in portable field recognition strategies for the on-spot AFRA detection in fruits and critical information for development of new paper-based portable sensors for fruit diagnostic sectors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they do not have any known competing interests that could have influenced the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Modifying the coordination or local environments of single-, di-, tri-, and multi-metal atom (SMA/DMA/TMA/MMA)-based materials is one of the best strategies for increasing the catalytic activities, selectivity, and long-term durability of these materials. Advanced sheet materials supported by metal atom-based materials have become a critical topic in the fields of renewable energy conversion systems, storage devices, sensors, and biomedicine owing to the maximum atom utilization efficiency, precisely located metal centers, specific electron configurations, unique reactivity, and precise chemical tunability. Several sheet materials offer excellent support for metal atom-based materials and are attractive for applications in energy, sensors, and medical research, such as in oxygen reduction, oxygen production, hydrogen generation, fuel production, selective chemical detection, and enzymatic reactions. The strong metal-metal and metal-carbon with metal-heteroatom (i.e., N, S, P, B, and O) bonds stabilize and optimize the electronic structures of the metal atoms due to strong interfacial interactions, yielding excellent catalytic activities. These materials provide excellent models for understanding the fundamental problems with multistep chemical reactions. This review summarizes the substrate structure-activity relationship of metal atom-based materials with different active sites based on experimental and theoretical data. Additionally, the new synthesis procedures, physicochemical characterizations, and energy and biomedical applications are discussed. Finally, the remaining challenges in developing efficient SMA/DMA/TMA/MMA-based materials are presented., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 is a fat-soluble vitamin, involved in regulating Ca 2+ homeostasis in the body. Its storage in adipose tissue depends on the fat content of the body. Obesity is the result of abnormal lipid deposition due to the prolonged positive energy balance and increases the risk of several cancer types. Furthermore, it has been associated with vitamin D deficiency and defined as a low 25(OH) 2 D 3 blood level. In addition, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 plays vital roles in Ca 2+ -P i and glucose metabolism in the adipocytes of obese individuals and regulates the expressions of adipogenesis-associated genes in mature adipocytes., Scope and Approach: The present contribution focused on the VDR mediated mechanisms interconnecting the obese condition and cancer proliferation due to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -deficiency in humans. This contribution also summarizes the identification and development of molecular targets for VDR-targeted drug discovery., Key Findings and Conclusions: Several studies have revealed that cancer development in a background of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 deficient obesity involves the VDR gene. Moreover, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 is also known to influence several cellular processes, including differentiation, proliferation, and adhesion. The multifaceted physiology of obesity has improved our understanding of the cancer therapeutic targets. However, currently available anti-cancer drugs are notorious for their side effects, which have raised safety issues. Thus, there is interest in developing 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -based therapies without any side effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the scientific community's interest in rational protein design. The prospect of designing an amino acid sequence that can reliably fold into a desired three-dimensional structure and exhibit the intended function is captivating. However, a major challenge in this endeavor lies in accurately predicting the resulting protein structure. The exponential growth of protein databases has fueled the advancement of the field, while newly developed algorithms have pushed the boundaries of what was previously achievable in structure prediction. In particular, using deep learning methods instead of brute force approaches has emerged as a faster and more accurate strategy. These deep-learning techniques leverage the vast amount of data available in protein databases to extract meaningful patterns and predict protein structures with improved precision. In this article, we explore the recent developments in the field of protein structure prediction. We delve into the newly developed methods that leverage deep learning approaches, highlighting their significance and potential for advancing our understanding of protein design., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most severe monogenic hemoglobinopathy caused by a single genetic mutation that leads to repeated polymerization and depolymerization of hemoglobin resulting in intravascular hemolysis, cell adhesion, vascular occlusion, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Hemolysis causes oxidative damage indirectly by generating reactive oxygen species through various pathophysiological mechanisms, which include hemoglobin autoxidation, endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling, reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, and elevated levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine. Red blood cells have a built-in anti-oxidant system that includes enzymes like sodium dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, along with free radical scavenging molecules, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione, which help them to fight oxidative damage. However, these anti-oxidants may not be sufficient to prevent the effects of oxidative stress in SCD patients. Therefore, in line with a recent FDA request that the focus to be placed on the development of innovative therapies for SCD that address the root cause of the disease, there is a need for therapies that target oxidative stress and restore redox balance in SCD patients. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the role of oxidative stress in SCD and the potential benefits of anti-oxidant therapies. It also discusses the challenges and limitations of these therapies and suggests future directions for research and development., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Hydrogel encapsulation is a promising carrier for cell and drug delivery due to its ability to protect the encapsulated entities from harsh physiological conditions and enhance their therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability. However, there is not yet consensus on the optimal hydrogel type, encapsulation method, and clinical application. Therefore, a systematic review of hydrogel encapsulation techniques and their potential for clinical application is needed to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview. In this systematic review, we searched electronic databases for articles published between 2008 and 2023 that described the encapsulation of cells or drug molecules within hydrogels. Herein, we identified 9 relevant studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of our study. Our analysis revealed that the physicochemical properties of the hydrogel, such as its porosity, swelling behavior, and degradation rate, play a critical role in the encapsulation of cells or drug molecules. Furthermore, the encapsulation method, including physical, chemical, or biological methods, can affect the encapsulated entities' stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy. Challenges of hydrogel encapsulation include poor control over the release of encapsulated entities, limited shelf life, and potential immune responses. Future directions of hydrogel encapsulation include the development of novel hydrogel and encapsulation methods and the integration of hydrogel encapsulation with other technologies, such as 3D printing and gene editing. In conclusion, this review is useful for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers who are interested in this field of drug delivery and regenerative medicine that can serve as a guide for the future development of novel technologies that can be applied into clinical practice., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Background: Solute carrier (SLC) transporters, a diverse family of membrane proteins, are instrumental in orchestrating the intake and efflux of nutrients including amino acids, vitamins, ions, nutrients, etc, across cell membranes. This dynamic process is critical for sustaining the metabolic demands of cancer cells, promoting their survival, proliferation, and adaptation to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Amino acids are fundamental building blocks of cells and play essential roles in protein synthesis, nutrient sensing, and oncogenic signaling pathways. As key transporters of amino acids, SLCs have emerged as crucial players in maintaining cellular amino acid homeostasis, and their dysregulation is implicated in various cancer types. Thus, understanding the intricate connections between amino acids, SLCs, and cancer is pivotal for unraveling novel therapeutic targets and strategies., Scope of Review: In this review, we delve into the significant impact of amino acid carriers of the SLCs family on the growth and progression of cancer and explore the current state of knowledge in this field, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms that underlie these relationships and highlighting potential avenues for future research and clinical interventions., Major Conclusions: Amino acids transportation by SLCs plays a critical role in tumor progression. However, some studies revealed the tumor suppressor function of SLCs. Although several studies evaluated the function of SLC7A11 and SLC1A5, the role of some SLC proteins in cancer is not studied well. To exert their functions, SLCs mediate metabolic rewiring, regulate the maintenance of redox balance, affect main oncogenic pathways, regulate amino acids bioavailability within the TME, and alter the sensitivity of cancer cells to therapeutics. However, different therapeutic methods that prevent the function of SLCs were able to inhibit tumor progression. This comprehensive review provides insights into a rapidly evolving area of cancer biology by focusing on amino acids and their transporters within the SLC superfamily., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors have no competing interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

Hybrid nanomaterials have attracted considerable interest in biomedicine because of their fascinating characteristics and wide range of applications in targeted drug delivery, antibacterial activity, and cancer treatment. This study developed a gelatin-coated Titanium oxide/palladium (TiO 2 /Pd) hybrid nanomaterial to enhance the antibacterial and anticancer capabilities. Morphological and structural analyses were conducted to characterize the synthesized hybrid nanomaterial. The surface texture of the hybrid nanomaterials was examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The FE-SEM image revealed the bulk of the spherically shaped particles and the aggregated tiny granules. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed Ti, Pd, C, and O. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the gelatin-coated TiO 2 /Pd to be in the anatase form. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy examined the interactions among the gelatin-coated TiO 2 /Pd nanoparticles. The gelatin-coated TiO 2 /Pd nanomaterials exhibited high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (22 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (17 mm) compared to individual nanoparticles, confirming the synergistic effect. More importantly, the gelatin-coated TiO 2 /Pd hybrid nanomaterial exhibited remarkable cytotoxic effects on A549 lung cancer cells which shows a linear increase with the concentration of the nanomaterial. The hybrid nanomaterials displayed higher toxicity to cancer cells than the nanoparticles alone. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells was verified by the generation of reactive oxygen species and nuclear damage. Therefore, gelatin-coated TiO 2 /Pd nanomaterials have potential uses in treating cancer and bacterial infections.

Dual-functional S/N (sulfur and nitrogen) doped graphene-tagged zinc oxide nanograins were synthesized for bioimaging applications and light-dependent photocatalytic activity. Applying the green synthesis approach, graphene was synthesized from kimchi cabbage through a hydrothermal process followed by tagging it with synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). The 2D/0D heterostructure prepared by combining both exhibited exceptional advantages. Comprehensive characterizations such as TEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS, and UV-Vis spectra have been performed to confirm the structures and explore the properties of the synthesized nanocomposite. The graphene/ZnO-NP composite produced exhibited more intense fluorescence, greater chemical stability and biocompatibility, lower cytotoxicity, and better durability than ZnO NPs conferring them with potential applications in cellular imaging. While tagging the ZnO NPs with carbon derived from a natural source containing hydroxyl, sulfur, and nitrogen-containing functional group, the S/N doped graphene/ZnO heterostructure evidences the high photocatalytic activity under UV and visible irradiation which is 3.2 and 3.8 times higher than the as-prepared ZnO-NPs. It also demonstrated significant antibacterial activity which confers its application in removing pathogenic contaminant bacteria in water bodies. In addition, the composite had better optical properties and biocompatibility, and lower toxicity than ZnO NPs. Our findings indicate that the synthesized nanocomposite will be suitable for various biomedical and pollutant remediation due to its bright light-emitting properties and stable fluorescence., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Biocompatible and bioactive carbon-based nanocomposites are ingeniously designed and fabricated with the aim of enhancing drug delivery applicability in breast cancer treatment. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are utilized as nanocarriers for increasing penetrability into cells and the loading capacity. What sets our study apart is the strategic incorporation of the two different complexes of silver (AgL 2 ) and palladium (PdL 2 ) with the carboxamide-based ligand C 9 H 7 N 3 OS (L), which have been synthesized and decorated on nanocarriers alongside doxorubicin (DOX) for stabilizing DOX by π-π interactions and hydrogen bonding. Although DOX is a well-known cancer therapy agent, the efficacy of DOX is hindered owing to drug resistance, poor internalization, and limited site specificity. Aside from stabilizing DOX on nanocarriers, our carbon-based nanocarriers are tailored to act as a precision-guided missile, strategically by adorning with target-sensitive complexes. Based on the literature, carboxamide ligands can connect to overexpressed receptors on cancerous cells and inhibit them from proliferation signaling. Also, the complexes have an antibacterial activity that can control the infection caused by decreasing white blood cells and necrosis of cancerous cells. A high-concentration cytotoxicity assay revealed that decorating PdL 2 on a DOX-containing nanocarrier not only increased cytotoxicity to breast cancerous cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) but also revealed higher cell viability on a normal cell line (MCF-10A). The drug release screening results showed that the presence of PdL 2 led to 72 h correlate release behavior in acidic and physiological pH profiles, while the AgL 2- containing nanocomposite showed an analogue behavior for just 6 h and the release of DOX continued and after about 100 h hit the top., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Currently, cancer is one of the main research topics, due to its high incidence and drug resistance to existing anti-cancer drugs. Formononetin, a natural product with phytoestrogenic properties and diverse biological functions, has attracted the attention of researchers working on anticancer drugs. Formononetin emerges as an intriguing bioactive substance compared to other isoflavones as it exhibits potent chemotherapeutic activity with less toxicity. Formononetin effectively plays a significant role in inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion, and metastatic abilities of cancer cells by targeting major signaling pathways at the junction of interconnected pathways. It also induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by modulating mediator proteins. It causes upregulation of key factors such as p-AKT, p38, p21, and p53 and downregulation of NF-κB. Furthermore, formononetin regulates the neoplastic microenvironment by inactivating the ERK1/2 pathway and lamin A/C signaling and has been reported to inactivate JAK/STAT, PKB or AKT, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and to suppress cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in human cancer cells. To assist researchers in further exploring formononetin as a potential anticancer therapeutic candidate, this review focuses on both in vitro and in vivo proof of concept studies, patents, and clinical trials pertinent to formononetin's anticancer properties. Overall, this review discusses formononetin from a comprehensive perspective to highlight its potential benefits as an anticancer agent., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Water treatment is crucial in solving the rising people's appetite for water and global water shortages. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have considerable promise for water treatment because of their adjustable and distinctive arbitrary, physical, as well as chemical characteristics. This illustrates the benefits and risks of integrating CNT into the traditional water treatment resource. Due to their outstanding adsorbent ability and chemical and mechanical properties, CNTs have gained global consideration in environmental applications. The desalination and extraction capability of CNT were improved due to chemical or physical modifications in pure CNTs by various functional groups. The CNT-based composites have many benefits, such as antifouling performance, high selectivity, and increased water permeability. Nevertheless, their full-scale implementations are still constrained by their high costs. Functionalized CNTs and their promising nanocomposites to eliminate contaminants are advised for marketing and extensive water/wastewater treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

In this work, we initially prepared layered lithium titanate (Li 2 TiO 3 ) using a solid-state reaction. Then Li + of Li 2 TiO 3 were acid-eluded with Hydrochloric acid to obtain hydrated titanium oxide (H 2 TiO 3 ). Different weight percentages (50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%) of the as-prepared H 2 TiO 3 were deposited on a conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) matrix to obtain a series of rGO/ H 2 TiO 3 composites. Of the prepared composites, rGO/H 2 TiO 3 -60% showed excellent current density, high specific capacitance, and rapid ion diffusion. An asymmetric MCDI (membrane capacitive deionization) cell fabricated with activated carbon as the anode and rGO/H 2 TiO 3 -60% as the cathode displayed outstanding Li + electrosorption capacity (13.67 mg g -1 ) with a mean removal rate of 0.40 mg g -1 min -1 in a 10 mM LiCl aqueous solution at 1.8 V. More importantly, the rGO/H 2 TiO 3 -60% composite electrode exhibited exceptional Li + selectivity, superior cyclic stability up to 100,000 s, and a Li + sorption capacity retention of 96.32% after 50 adsorption/desorption cycles. The excellent Li + extraction obtained by MCDI using the rGO/H 2 TiO 3 -60% negative electrode was putatively attributed to: (i) ion exchange between Li + and H + of H 2 TiO 3 ; (ii) the presence of narrow lattice spaces in H 2 TiO 3 suitable for selective Li + capture; (iii) capture of Li + by isolated and hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl groups of H 2 TiO 3 ; and (iv) enhanced interfacial contact and transfer of large numbers of Li + ions from the electrolyte to H 2 TiO 3 achieved by compositing H 2 TiO 3 with a highly conductive rGO matrix., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Improving the energy share of renewable energy technologies is the only solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. The high-performing green battery energy storage technologies are critical for storing energy to address the intermittent nature of renewable energy resources. In recent years, aqueous batteries, particularly Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs), have achieved and shown great potential for stationary energy storage systems owing to their low cost and safer operation. However, the practical applications of the ZIBs have significantly been impeded due to the gap between the breakthroughs achieved in academic research and industrial developments. The present review discusses the ZIB's advantages, possibilities, and shortcomings for stationary energy storage systems. The Review begins with a brief introduction to the ZIBs and their charge storage mechanisms based on the structural properties of cathode materials. The scientific and technical challenges that obstruct the commercialization of the ZIBs are discussed in detail concerning their impact on accelerating the utilization of the ZIBs for real-life applications. The final section highlights the outlook on research in this flourishing field., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Designing a heterostructure nanoscale catalytic site to facilitate N 2 adsorption and photogenerated electron transfer would maximize the potential for photocatalytic activity and N 2 reduction reactions. Herein, we have explored the interfacial TiO 2 nanograins between the Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene-WS 2 heterostructure and addressed the beneficial active sites to expand the effective charge transfer rate and promote sonophotocatalytic N 2 fixation. Benefiting from the interfacial contact and dual heterostructure interface maximizes the photogenerated carrier separation between WS 2 and MXene/TiO 2 . The sonophotocatalytic activity of the MXene@TiO 2 /WS 2 hybrid, which was assessed by examining the photoreduction of N 2 with ultrasonic irradiation, was much higher than that of either sonocatalytic and photocatalytic activity because of the synergistic sonocatalytic effect under photoirradiation. The Schottky junction between the MXene and TiO 2 on the hybrid MXene/TiO 2 -WS 2 heterostructure resulted in the sonophotocatalytic performance through effective charge transfer, which is 1.47 and 1.24 times greater than MXene-WS 2 for nitrogen fixation and pollutant degradation, respectively. Under the sonophotocatalytic process, the MXene/TiO 2 -WS 2 heterostructure exhibits a decomposition efficiency of 98.9 % over tetracycline in 90 min, which is 5.46, 1.73, and 1.10 times greater than those of sonolysis, sonocatalysis, and photocatalysis, respectively. The production rate of NH 3 on MXene/TiO 2 -WS 2 reached 526 μmol g -1 h -1 , which is 3.17, 3.61, and 1.47 times higher than that of MXene, WS 2 , and MXene-WS 2 , respectively. The hybridized structure of MXene-WS 2 with interfacial surface oxidized TiO 2 nanograins minimizes the band potential and improves photocarrier use efficiency, contributing directly to the remarkable catalytic performance towards N 2 photo fixation under visible irradiation under ultrasonic irradiation. This report provides the strategic outcome for the mass carrier transfer rate and reveals a high conversion efficiency in the hybridized heterostructure., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Microplastics (MPs) have become the major global concern due to their adverse effects on the environment, human health, and hygiene. These complex molecules have numerous toxic impacts on human well-being. This review focuses on the methods for chemically quantifying and identifying MPs in real-time samples, as well as the detrimental effects resulting from exposure to them. Biopolymers offer promising solutions for reducing the environmental impact caused by persistent plastic pollution. The review also examines the significant progress achieved in the preparation and modification of various biobased polymers, including polylactic acid (PLA), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), lignin-based polymers, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), and poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHA), which hold promise for addressing the challenges associated with unplanned plastic waste disposal., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tritium is a sustainable next-generation prime fuel for generating nuclear energy through fusion reactions to fulfill the increasing global energy demand. Owing to the scarcity-high demand tradeoff, tritium must be bred inside a fusion reactor to ensure sustainability and must therefore be separated from its isotopes (protium and deuterium) in pure form, stored safely, and supplied on demand. Existing multistage isotope separation technologies exhibit low separation efficiency and require intensive energy inputs and large capital investments. Furthermore, tritium-contaminated heavy water constitutes a major fraction of nuclear waste, and accidents like the one at Fukushima Daiichi leave behind thousands of tons of diluted tritiated water, whose removal is beneficial from an environmental point of view. In this review, the recent progress and main research trends in hydrogen isotope storage and separation by focusing on the use of metal hydride (e.g., intermetallic, and high-entropy alloys), porous (e.g., zeolites and metal organic frameworks (MOFs)), and 2-D layered (e.g., graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and MXenes) materials to separate and store tritium based on their diverse functionalities are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future directions for implementing tritium storage and separation are summarized in the reviewed materials., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

In this work, different mass loadings of MXene-coupled MIL-101(Cr) (MXe/MIL-101(Cr)) nanocomposites were generated through a hydrothermal process in order to investigate the potential of this nanocomposite as a novel sonocatalyst for the elimination of sulfadiazine (SD) and acetaminophen (AAP) in aqueous media. The sonocatalytic activity of different MXe/MIL-101(Cr) compositions and surface functionalities was investigated. In addition, the sonocatalytic activities at various pH values, temperatures, pollutant concentrations, catalyst dosages, initial H 2 O 2 concentrations, and organic matter contents were investigated. The experiments on the sonocatalytic elimination of SD and AAP revealed that MXe/MIL-101(Cr) exhibited a catalytic efficiency of ∼ 98% in 80 min when the MXene loading was 30 wt% in the nanocomposite. Under optimized reaction conditions, the degradation efficiency of MXe/MIL-101(Cr) reached 91.5% for SD and 90.6% for AAP in 60 min; these values were 1.2 and 1.8 times greater than those of MXene and MIL-101(Cr), respectively. The high surface area of the MXe/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposite increased from 4.68 m 2 /g to 294.21 m 2 /g, and the band gap of the tagged MIL-101(Cr) on the MXene surface was minimized. The superior sonocatalytic activity of MXe/MIL-101(Cr) was attributed to the effective contact interface, the effective separation rate of e - - h + pairs through the type II heterostructure interface, and the favorable high free •OH radical production rates that promoted the degradation of SD and AAP. The solid heterointerface between MIL-101(Cr) and MXene was confirmed through Raman and FTIR analysis and was found to promote accessible •OH radical production under sonication, thus maximizing the catalytic activity of nanocomposites. The present results present an effective strategy for the design of a highly efficient, low-cost, reliable sonocatalyst that can eradicate pharmaceutical pollutants in our environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers in males and the fifth leading reason of death. Age, ethnicity, family history, and genetic defects are major factors that determine the aggressiveness and lethality of PC. The African population is at the highest risk of developing high-grade PC. It can be challenging to distinguish between low-risk and high-risk patients due to the slow progression of PC. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a revolutionary discovery for the identification of PC. However, it has led to an increase in over diagnosis and over treatment of PC in the past few decades. Even if modifications are made to the standard PSA testing, the specificity has not been found to be significant. Our understanding of PC genetics and proteomics has improved due to advances in different fields. New serum, urine, and tissue biomarkers, such as PC antigen 3 (PCA3), have led to various new diagnostic tests, such as the prostate health index, 4K score, and PCA3. These tests significantly reduce the number of unnecessary and repeat biopsies performed. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and prostatectomy are standard treatment options. However, newer novel hormone therapy drugs with a better response have been identified. Androgen deprivation and hormonal therapy are evolving as new and better options for managing hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant PC. This review aimed to highlight and discuss epidemiology, various risk factors, and developments in PC diagnosis and treatment regimens., (© 2023. YUMED Inc. and BioMed Central Ltd.)

Global demand for lithium (Li) resources has dramatically increased due to the demand for clean energy, especially the large-scale usage of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) is an energy and cost-efficient electrochemical technology at the forefront of Li extraction from natural resources such as brine and seawater. In this study, we designed high-performance MCDI electrodes by compositing Li + intercalation redox-active Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles with highly conductive porous activated carbon (AC) matrix for the selective extraction of Li + . Herein, we prepared a series of PB-anchored AC composites (AC/PB) containing different percentages (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) of PB by weight (AC/PB-20%, AC/PB-40%, AC/PB-60%, and AC/PB-80%, respectively). The AC/PB-20% electrode with uniformly anchored PB nanoparticles over AC matrix enhanced the number of active sites for electrochemical reaction, promoted electron/ion transport paths, and facilitated abundant channels for the reversible insertion/de-insertion of Li + by PB, which resulted in stronger current response, higher specific capacitance (159 F g -1 ), and reduced interfacial resistance for the transport of Li + and electrons. An asymmetric MCDI cell assembled with AC/PB-20% as cathode and AC as anode (AC//AC-PB20%) displayed outstanding Li + electrosorption capacity of 24.42 mg g -1 and a mean salt removal rate of 2.71 mg g min -1 in 5 mM LiCl aqueous solution at 1.4 V with high cyclic stability. After 50 electrosorption-desorption cycles, 95.11% of the initial electrosorption capacity was retained, reflecting its good electrochemical stability. The described strategy demonstrates the potential benefits of compositing intercalation pseudo capacitive redox material with Faradaic materials for the design of advanced MCDI electrodes for real-life Li + extraction applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are considered "green" and "sustainable" alternatives to conventional organic solvents and ionic liquids (ILs) due to their characteristic properties and relatively low costs. DESs are considered IL analogs and have attracted consideration as benign media formulations for the synthesis of novel polymers because they satisfy the principle of sustainability. Over the past few years, the use of DESs has resulted in novel pathways for the synthesis of novel materials, biomaterials, functional materials, and ionic soft materials. Furthermore, DESs have been widely applied in the science, industrial, engineering, and technological fields. On the other hand, stimulus-responsive (smart) polymers have been widely utilized in intelligent devices owing to their virtues of good processibility, stimuli and environmental sensitivity, responsivity, and so on. With the introduction of a DES into the smart polymeric matrices, their potential characteristics, biocompatibility, and flexibility endow the corresponding DES-based polymeric materials with intriguing properties, which in turn will broaden their applications in various domains of polymer science and material chemistry. Substantial research has been done in the fabrication of DES-based polymeric materials. Numerous studies have extensively investigated the effects of DESs on biomolecules such as proteins/enzymes and nucleic acids, whereas few have addressed the impact of DESs on the aggregation and phase transition behaviors of smart polymers. This review focuses on mechanistic insights, aggregation behavior, and interactions between smart polymers and DESs. Opportunities and future research perspectives in this blossoming arena are also discussed. It is hoped that this review will pave futuristic pathways for the design and development of advanced DES-based polymeric materials and biomaterials for various applications.

Cancer is a major global public health concern that affects both industrialized and developing nations. Current cancer chemotherapeutic options are limited by side effects, but plant-derived alternatives and their derivatives offer the possibilities of enhanced treatment response and reduced side effects. A plethora of recently published articles have focused on treatments based on cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs and reported that they positively affect healthy cell growth and reverse cancer-related abnormalities by targeting aberrant tumor microenvironments (TMEs), lowering tumorigenesis, preventing metastasis, and/or boosting the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Furthermore, TME modulating systems are receiving much interest in the cancer immunotherapy field because it has been shown that TMEs have significant impacts on tumor progression, angiogenesis, invasion, migration, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, metastasis and development of drug resistance. Here, we have reviewed the effective role of cannabinoids, their analogs and cannabinoid nano formulations on the cellular components of TME (endothelial cells, pericytes, fibroblast and immune cells) and how efficiently it retards the progression of carcinogenesis is discussed. The article summarizes the existing research on the molecular mechanisms of cannabinoids regulation of the TME and finally highlights the human studies on cannabinoids' active interventional clinical trials. The conclusion outlines the need for future research involving clinical trials of cannabinoids to demonstrate their efficacy and activity as a treatment/prevention for various types of human malignancies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Liposomes have been extensively adopted in drug delivery systems with clinically approved formulations. However, hurdles remain in terms of loading multiple components and precisely controlling their release. Herein, we report a vesosomal carrier composed of liposomes encapsulated inside the core of another liposome for the controlled and sustained release of multiple contents. The inner liposomes are made of lipids with different compositions and are co-encapsulated with a photosensitizer. Upon induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the contents of the liposomes are released, with each type of liposome displaying distinct kinetics due to the variance in lipid peroxidation for differential structural deformation. In vitro experiments demonstrated immediate content release from ROS-vulnerable liposomes, followed by sustained release from ROS-nonvulnerable liposomes. Moreover, the release trigger was validated at the organismal level using Caenorhabditis elegans . This study demonstrates a promising platform for more precisely controlling the release of multiple components.

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most fatal disease and is the prime cause of cancer allied female deaths. BC is caused by aberrant tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes regulated by transcription factors (TFs) like NF-κB. NF-κB is a pro-inflammatory TF that crucially alters the expressions of various genes associated with inflammation, cell progression, metastasis, and apoptosis and modulates a network of genes that underlie tumorigenesis. Herein, we focus on NF-κB signaling pathways, its regulators, and the rationale for targeting NF-κB. This review also includes TFs that maintain NF-κB crosstalk and their roles in promoting angiogenesis and metastasis. In addition, we discuss the importance of combination therapies, resistance to treatment, and potential novel therapeutic strategies including nanomedicine that targets NF-κB., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

The rising demands of the growing population have raised two significant global challenges viz. energy crisis and solid-waste management, ultimately leading to environmental deterioration. Agricultural waste (agro-waste) contributes to a large amount of globally produced solid waste, contaminating the environment, and raising human-health issues on improper management. It is essential for a circular economy to meet sustainable development goals and to design strategies to convert agro-waste into energy using nanotechnology-based processing strategies, by addressing the two significant challenges. This review illustrates the nano-strategic aspects of state-of-the-art agro-waste applications for energy harvesting and storage. It details the fundamentals related to converting agro-waste into energy resources in the form of green nanomaterials, biofuels, biogas, thermal energy, solar energy, triboelectricity, green hydrogen, and energy storage modules in supercapacitors and batteries. Besides, it highlights the challenges associated with agro-waste-to-green energy modules with their possible alternate solutions and advanced prospects. This comprehensive review will serve as a fundamental structure to guide future research on smart agro-waste management and nanotechnological innovations dedicated to its utilization for green energy applications without harming the environment. The nanomaterials assisted generation and storage of energy from agro-waste is touted to be the near-future of smart solid-waste management strategy for green and circular economy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare no conflict of interest associated with this work., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pesticide exposure can pose a serious risk to nontarget animals. Cartap is being broadly used in agricultural fields. The toxic effects of cartap on the levels of hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity have not been properly studied in mammalian systems. Therefore, the present work focused on the effect of cartap on the liver and brain of Wistar rats and made an assessment of the ameliorating potential of A. vera . The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups, comprising six rats in each: Group 1-Control; Group 2- A. vera ; Group 3-Cartap; and Group 4- A. vera + Cartap. The animals orally given cartap and A. vera were sacrificed after 24 h of the final treatment and histological and biochemical investigations were conducted in liver and brain of Wistar rats. Cartap at sublethal concentrations caused substantial decreases in CAT, SOD, and GST levels in the experimental rats. The activity levels of transaminases and phosphatases in cartap group were also found to be substantially altered. The AChE activity was recorded as decreasing in RBC membrane and brain of the cartap-treated animals. The TNF-α and IL-6 level in serum were increased expressively in the cartap challenged groups. Histological investigation of liver showed disorganized hepatic cords and severely congested central veins due to cartap. However, the A. vera extract was observed to significantly protect against the effects of cartap toxicity. The protective impact of A. vera against cartap toxicity may be due to the existence of antioxidants in it. These findings suggest that A. vera may be developed as a potential supplement to the appropriate medication in the treatment of cartap toxicity.

Basella alba , a green leafy vegetable with remarkable nutraceutical potential is widely used since ancient times to maintain a healthy colon. This plant has been investigated for its medicinal potential due to the increase in young adult cases of colorectal cancer each year. This study was accomplished to investigate  Basella alba  methanolic extract (BaME) antioxidant and anticancer properties. BaME consisted of a substantial amount of both phenolic and flavonoid compounds which exhibited significant antioxidant reactivity. Both colon cancer cell lines experienced a cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase after receiving treatment with BaME, which inhibited pRb and cyclin D1 and raised p21 expression levels. This was associated with the survival pathway molecule inhibition and downregulation of E2F-1. The results of the current investigation confirm that BaME inhibits CRC cell survival and expansion. To conclude, the bioactive principles in the extract act as potential antioxidants and antiproliferative agents against colorectal cancer., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is an oncogenic non-coding RNA whose expression is strongly correlated with the tumor grade and prognosis of a variety of carcinomas including breast cancer (BC). HOTAIR regulates various target genes via sponging and epigenetic mechanisms and controls various oncogenic cellular and signaling mechanisms including metastasis and drug resistance. In BC cells, HOTAIR expression is regulated by a variety of transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. In this review, we describe the regulatory mechanisms that govern HOTAIR expression during cancer development and explore how HOTAIR drives BC development, metastasis, and drug resistance. In the final section of this review, we focus on the role of HOTAIR in BC management, therapeutic treatment, and prognosis, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Cathepsin B, a cysteine protease, is considered a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. Therefore, more feasible and effective diagnostic method may be beneficial for monitoring of cancer or related diseases., Results: A phage-display library was biopanned against biotinylated cathepsin B to identify a high-affinity peptide with the sequence WDMWPSMDWKAE. The identified peptide-displaying phage clones and phage-free synthetic peptides were characterized using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and electrochemical analyses (impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry). Feasibilities of phage-on-a-sensor, peptide-on-a-sensor, and peptide-on-a-AuNPs/MXene sensor were evaluated. The limit of detection and binding affinity values of the peptide-on-a-AuNPs/MXene sensor interface were two to four times lower than those of the two other sensors, indicating that the peptide-on-a-AuNPs/MXene sensor is more specific for cathepsin B (good recovery (86-102%) and %RSD (< 11%) with clinical samples, and can distinguish different stages of Crohn's disease. Furthermore, the concentration of cathepsin B measured by our sensor showed a good correlation with those estimated by the commercially available ELISA kit., Conclusion: In summary, screening and rational design of high-affinity peptides specific to cathepsin B for developing peptide-based electrochemical biosensors is reported for the first time. This study could promote the development of alternative antibody-free detection methods for clinical assays to test inflammatory bowel disease and other diseases., (© 2023. The Author(s).)