Enhanced Glioblastoma Selectivity of Harmine via the Albumin Carrier
Glioblastoma, the most common tumor in the brain, has witnessed very little clinical progress over the last decades. Exploring and discovering new therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma has become a critical problem. Harmine (HM), belonging to the beta-carboline alkaloid, is a natural product and isolated from the seeds of L., which own notable antitumor activity . However, the poor water solubility and less selectivity of HM severely limit its clinical use. For enhancing its selective ability to tumor cells, we fabricated a kind of protein nanoparticles (BSA-HM NPs), composed of the modified bovine serum albumin (BSA) and HM. It was substantiated through and experiment that BSA-HM NPs could predominantly accumulate in tumor tissues and exhibited remarkably enhanced antitumor efficacy. This study provides a promising strategy to improve the bioavailability and avoid side effects of HM as antitumor agents by choosing BSA as carriers.
Inhibiting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants: Targeting the Spike and Envelope Proteins Using Nanomaterial Like Peptides
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused significant death, economic crisis, and the world to almost completely shut down. This present study focused on targeting the novel SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein, which has not been frequently mutating, and the S protein with a much larger peptide capable of inhibiting virus-mammalian cell attraction. In doing so, molecular dynamics software was used here to model six peptides including: NapFFTLUFLTUTE, NapFFSLAFLTATE, NapFFSLUFLSUTE, NapFFTLAFLTATE, NapFFSLUFLSUSE, and NapFFMLUFLMUME. Results showed that two of these completely hydrophobic peptides (NapFFTLUFLTUTE and NapFFMLUFLMUME) had a strong ability to bind to the virus, preventing its binding to a mammalian cell membrane, entering the cell, and replicating by covering many cell attachment sites on SARS-CoV-2. Further cell modeling results demonstrated the low toxicity and suitable pharmacokinetic properties of both peptides making them ideal for additional and investigation. In this manner, these two peptides should be further explored for a wide range of present and future COVID-19 therapeutic and prophylactic applications.
Colorimetric Aptasensor Based on Fe₃O₄-Cu Nanozyme with Intrinsic Peroxidase-Like Activity in the Detection of Breast Cancer Exosomes
Because breast cancer cells such as MCF-7, exhibit vital and developmental signs by exosome secretion, diagnosing them in the blood can provide a good index of the presence of breast cancer. However, accurate and inexpensive detection of exosomes in clinical practice faces challenges. Therefore, in the presents study, an aptasensor based on CD63 aptameriron oxide-copper ion nanozymes (Fe₃O₄-Cu-NZs) was designed with the ability of the CD63 aptamer to interact with the exosome and the release of the Fe₃O₄-Cu-NZs for peroxidase-like activity on the tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). After fabrication of CD63 aptamer-Fe₃O₄-Cu-NZs based on hydrothermal method, their physicochemical properties were investigated with the SEM, TEM, DLS, Zeta, XRD and magnetization. To investigate the interaction of CD63 aptamer-Fe₃O₄-Cu-NZs with exosomes, the required exosomes were extracted from cultured MCF-7 cells. The performance of CD63 aptamer-Fe₃O₄-Cu-NZs on TMB degradation in the presence and absence of exosomes was investigated through UV-vis adsorption and ocular observations based on colour changes on laboratory and real samples. The results show that the absence of exosomes significantly inhibited the peroxidase-like activity of CD63 aptamer-Fe₃O₄-Cu-NZs due to the aptamer coating. Under optimal conditions, the designed CD63 aptamer-Fe₃O₄-Cu-NZs is capable of detecting exosomes in the range of 1.4 × 10⁴-5.6 × 10 particles/L with a detection limit of 5.91 × 10³ particles/L. Also, this method showed a satisfactory outcome in detection of cancer cells in real samples. Overall, this colorimetric aptasensor can be used to diagnose breast cancer cells based on a simple and inexpensive approach.
A Time-Course Evaluation of DNA Damage and Neurotoxicity Induced by PEGylated Graphene Oxide Nanoparticle in Swiss Albino Mice
PEGylated graphene oxide nanoparticle (PEG-nGO) has been commonly used as a carrier for therapeutic drugs and vaccines, because of its unique properties, such as high solubility, more stability and increased biocompatibility in physiological solutions. This study aimed to examine the DNA damage and neurotoxicity in young mice after up to 4 h of the treatment with PEG-nGO. A single dose (5 mg/kg) of intravenous injection was administered through the tail vein of adult mice. Total genomic DNA was isolated from the control and treated animals after 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h of treatments and examined for DNA damage by diphenyl assay, DNA fragmentation Assay, and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) techniques. DNA damage studies indicated DNA fragmentation after 1 h and 2 h of treatments followed by recovery at 4 h. FTIR analysis further supported these results and showed a detailed molecular effect of the treatments that caused single and double-strand DNA breaks at 1 to 2 h after the treatments and indicated DNA damage response and recovery at 4 h. Histopathology showed neuronal apoptosis and lesions in the brain after 1 to 2 h and invasion of inflammatory response and chromatolysis after 4 h. PEG-nGO caused immediate DNA damage and cytotoxicity to the brain and its future use as a drug carrier should be considered with caution.
Novel Bioengineered Antibacterial and Anticancer ZnO Nanoparticles
Transition metal oxide NPs have delivered wide applications in various fields. Therefore, in this study, a novel fungus, . (NCBI Accession No: MT982648) was isolated and characterized from the vicinity of medicinal plants. Eventually, in this method extracted proteins from isolated fungus were utilized to synthesize highly biocompatible zinc nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The various physical techniques including UV-visible spectroscopy, TEM, HR-TEM, XRD, DLS, zeta potential, and FTIR were used to characterize particles. The UV-visible absorption (λ) and binding energy for the as-synthesized particles were found to be 329 nm and 3.91 eV, respectively. Further, the polydispersed particles were revealed to have regular crystallinity with hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO with the spacing of ~2.46 Å under XRD and HR-TEM. The average size of a particle under TEM was found to be ~18 nm. The evaluation of various surface functional groups of particles was done by FTIR. The average hydrodynamic diameter of particles was found to be ~57 d. nm with 0.44 particle distribution index whereas the nanoemulsion stability was explained by Zeta potential (-9.47 mV). These particles were found to exhibit potential antibacterial and anticancer activities. They were found to be bactericidal against (MIC 5.73 g/mL); (MIC 6.64 g/mL); (MIC 14.4 g/mL); (MIC 8.7 g/mL); (MIC 5.63 g/mL) and (MIC 12.04 g/mL). Further, they are also found to be concentration-dependent anticancer and inhibited the growth of A549 cells (IC-65.3 g/mL) whereas they were found to demonstrate no any cytotoxicity against NRK normal kidney cell line. The internalization of particles into the nucleus (i.e., nuclear fragmentation and DNA damage) was confirmed by DAPI staining. The intracellular particles were found to generate excessive ROS. Further, the anticancer potential was also estimated by noticing a hike in oxidative stress parameters, cell viability, cell morphology, and change in mitochondrial membrane potential. We effectively synthesized potentially potent antibacterial and anticancer novel bioengineered ZnO NPs.
Research on Mechanism of Nanometric Bone Pulp Activated with Double Gene as Bone Morphogenetic Protein 1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor for Improving the Strength of Centrum in Osteoporosis
The aim of this study was assessing the mechanism of nanometric bone pulp activated with double gene as bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in improving the strength of centrum in osteoporosis (OP). The model of nanometric bone pulp activated with BMP-1 and VEGF double gene was established and validated. Under maximum condition of load and collapsed fragments, the model was analyzed through biomechanical test. The conditions for ALP, BGP, MLL and BMD in the model were also analyzed, and three-dimensional structural transformation was analyzed. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the effect of adding or not adding dual gene activated nano-bone stickers on OC-specific protein and mRNA; ELISA kits were used to detect the changes of RANKL pathway RANKL, OPG and TRACP5b. The maximum conformed quality and condensed intensity were strengthened with the nanometric bone pulp activated with BMP-1 and VEGF double gene. The maximum load in centrum was extremely elevated in the model, and the condition of ALP and its effect on bone was partly improved in the model. The precision and efficiency in the quality of BMD were continuously decreased. The BMD and MLF were strengthened notably in the model, and their effect on the bone was extremely improved. There was tight displayed model of trabecular in centrum and porosity was also continuously reduced. After adding the double-gene activated nano-bone stickers, the results from qRTPCR and Western blot showed that the changes of osteoclast-related genes and protein expressions were significantly down-regulated. The nanometric bone pulp activated with BMP-1 and VEGF double gene was one of ideal filled criterion. The BMD and bone strength were also elevated.
Targeted Therapy of Lung Adenocarcinoma by the Nanoplatform Based on Milk Exosomes Loaded with Paclitaxel
Lung cancer is the most common cancer throughout the world. Currently, most lung cancer therapies are still limited by serious side effects caused. This paper reports a biocompatible drug delivery system that utilizes milk-derived exosomes to deliver paclitaxel to treat lung adenocarcinoma. First, milk-derived exosomes were modified with integrin ₃, -binding peptide iRGD so that they could successfully target lung adenocarcinoma cells. Then, iRGD modified exosomes were loaded with paclitaxel (PAC) via electroporation and used for tumor therapy. These modified exosomes proved effective in killing lung adenocarcinoma cells, and the exosome-based nanoplatform showed no obvious toxicity to normal cells. Further more, the exosome-based nanoplatform could effectively penetrate the interior of the 3D tumor sphere, reaching more tumor cells and demonstrating that it is a promising tool for lung adenocarcinoma therapy.
The Application of Sensitive Nano-Confined Nanoparticle System Using siRNA Targeting Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK)/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Pathway in Gastrointestinal Cancer
In this study we tried to develop a Sensitive Nano-Confined Nanoparticles (S-NCN) system using siRNA against Programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL-1) and Polo Like Kinase 1 (Plk1) to treat gastrointestinal cancer. In this regard, we first synthesized the corresponding materials, prepared the S-NCN system, and verified its functionality. Subsequently, we demonstrated that S-NCN delivery of siPlk1 could effectively downregulate the expression of Plk1 gene in GC1436 cells and lead to significant apoptosis of tumor cells. Xenografted gastrointestinal cancer model mice were used to evaluate the efficacy of the nanoparticle. We have demonstrated that the developed S-NCN system can efficiently bind siRNA and deliver it into target tumor cells, solving the main obstacle of siRNA delivery and effectively silencing target genes with a very potential delivery option.
Targeting the Conserved Sequence of the Substrate for the Proteinase of Severe-Acute-Respiratory-Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Using Nano-Networks: Efficacy, Stability, and No Cytotoxicity
Herein, we designed a nano peptide that contains three important motifs for targeting the chemotrypsin-like cysteine protease (3CL) which is the enzyme responsible for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication. The novel nano peptide contains the Nap Phe-Phe motif that is responsible for peptide self-assembly, an octapeptide (Ser-Ala-Val-Leu-Gln-Ser-Gly-Phe) motif where the enzyme recognizes the substrate and induces enzyme sensitivity, and a tetrapeptide motif which is positively charged containing the peptide (Lys)₄ that facilitates penetration into a cell. The nano peptide was characterized using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-NMR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) to confirm its structure. results showed that the presently formulated nano peptide was not cytotoxic to fibroblasts for up to 72 hours, bound to 3CL, inhibited SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant virus replication, and was stable for binding for up to one week in culture. In this manner, this timely study demonstrates that this novel nano peptide should be studied for a wide range of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) prophylactic or therapeutic applications.
Ferromagnetic Vortex Iron Oxide Nanorings Modified with Integrin 1 Antibody for Targeted MRI Tracking of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated great potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Noninvasive and real-term tracking of transplanted MSCs is crucial for studying the distribution and migration of MSCs, and their role in tissue injury repair. This study reports on the use of ferrimagnetic vortex iron oxide (FVIO) nanorings modified with anti-human integrin 1 for specific recognition and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking of human MSCs (hMSCs). Integrin 1 is highly expressed at all stem cell proliferation and differentiation stages. Therefore, the anti-integrin 1 antibody (Ab) introduced in FVIO targets integrin 1, thus enabling FVIO to target stem cells at any stage. This is unlike the traditional MRI-based monitoring of transplanted stem cells, which usually requires pre-labeling the stem cells with tracers before injection. Because of the ability to recognize hMSCs, the Ab-modified FVIO nanotracers (FVIO-Ab) have the advantage of not requiring pre-labeling before stem cell transplantation. Furthermore, the FVIO-Ab nanotracers have high T₂ contrast resulting from the unique magnetic properties of FVIO which can improve the MRI tracking efficiency of stem cells. This work may provide a new way for stem cell labeling and MRI tracking, thus reducing the risks associated with stem cell transplantation and promoting clinical translation.
Protective Effect of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Periodontal Injury in Rats by Inhibiting Collagenase-1 and Alkaline Phosphatase Expression
This study intends to assess whether iron oxide nanoparticles affect periodontal injury and collagenase-1 (COL-1), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in rats. In this study, the ALP activity and Col-1 concentration in rats with periodontal injury were determined.We detected the periodontal histopathological changes and expression of periodontal pocket depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL) by Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.We also detected Col-1 and ALP proteins in periodontal tissues by Western blot. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected Col-1 and ALP mRNA level in periodontal tissues of rats in each group, while ALP activity and Col-1 concentration in gingival crevicular fluid in model group increased compared to sham group ( < 0.05). After intervention by iron oxide nanoparticles, ALP activity and Col-1 concentration in the gingival crevicular fluid of model rats decreased greatly ( < 0.05). The gingival atrophy was more serious in model group, and many inflammatory cells infiltrated into the tissue and destroyed the alveolar tissue. Meanwhile, the periodontal tissue from rats in intervention group was greatly improved, and the degree of alveolar bone destruction was also significantly reduced, while the PD and AL periodontal indexes were significantly inhibited ( < 0.05). The protein and relative expression showed that the protein and mRNA expressions of ALP and Col-1 in periodontal tissue from model group were lower than those in sham group ( < 0.05). After intervention by iron oxide nanoparticles, the protein and mRNA expressions of ALP and Col-1 in the periodontal tissues in intervention group increased ( < 0.05). Iron oxide nanoparticles can thus inhibit the expression of ALP and COL-1 in periodontal injury rats, and improve the periodontal injury tissue.
Cyclovirobuxine D Brain-Targeted Liposomes Improve Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Anti-Oxidant Stress and Activating Autophagy
One of the main issues faced by nervous system diseases is that drugs are difficult to enter the brain. The previous study suggested that Cyclovirobuxine D (CVBD) encapsulated in Angiopep-conjugated Polysorbate 80-Coated Liposomes showed a better brain targeting by intranasal administration. Therefore, this study concentrated on the protection and mechanism of CVBD brain-targeted liposomes in treating CIRI. Middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion induced CIRI model rats to explore the protective effect of CVBD brain-targeted liposome on CIRI. Moreover, the protective effect of CVBD liposomes on OGD/R-injured HT22 cells was examined by cell fusion degree, cell proliferation curve and cell viability. OGD/R-injured HT22 cell was infected by mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus. The autophagosome and autophagy flow were observed by laser confocal microscopy, and autophagy-related protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot. The classic autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine, was used to explore the autophagy-regulatedmechanism of CVBD brain-targeted liposomes in treating CIRI. CVBD liposomes increased cell viability and decreased ROS level, improved oxidative stress protein expressions and activated autophagy . Furthermore, CVBD liposomes reversed the decrease of cell viability, increase of ROS level, and reduction of protein expressions associated with anti-oxidative stress and autophagy induced by chloroquine. Collectively, CVBD liposomes inhibited CIRI via regulating oxidative stress and enhancing autophagy level and .
Carrier-Free Nanomedicine for Cancer Immunotherapy
With the rapid development of nanotechnology, carrier-based nano-drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been widely studied due to their advantages in optimizing pharmacokinetic and distribution profiles. However, despite those merits, some carrier-related limitations, such as low drug-loading capacity, systematic toxicity and unclear metabolism, usually prevent their further clinical transformation. Carrier-free nanomedicines with non-therapeutic excipients, are considered as an excellent paradigm to overcome these obstacles, owing to their superiority in improving both drug delivery efficacy and safety concern. In recent years, carrier-free nanomedicines have opened new horizons for cancer immunotherapy, and have already made outstanding progress. Herein, in this review, we are focusing on making an integrated and exhaustive overview of lately reports about them. Firstly, the major synthetic strategies of carrier-free nanomedicines are introduced, such as nanocrystals, prodrug-, amphiphilic drug-drug conjugates (ADDCs)-, polymer-drug conjugates-, and peptide-drug conjugates (PepDCs)-assembled nanomedicines. Afterwards, the typical applications of carrier-free nanomedicines in cancer immunotherapy are well-discussed, including cancer vaccines, cytokine therapy, enhancing T-cell checkpoint inhibition, as well as modulating tumor microenvironment (TME). After that, both the advantages and the potential challenges, as well as the future prospects of carrier-free nanomedicines in cancer immunotherapy, were discussed. And we believe that it would be of great potential practiced and reference value to the relative fields.
Two New 3D Supramolecular Complexes: Photocatalytic Properties and Treatment Activity for Gastric Cancer
Two new coordination polymers, [Cu₂(5-MeO-Hip)₄(py)₄] () and [Co(5-EtO-ip)(4,4'-bipy)]·n(MeOH) () (5-MeO-H₂ip is 5-methoxyisophthalic acid, 5-EtO-H₂ip is 5-ethoxyisophthalic acid, py is pyridine, and 4,4'-bipy is 4,4'-bipyridine), were created via solvothermal self-assembly. The thermal steadiness and photocatalytic functions of and were detected, and their application values in gastric cancer and the related mechanism were discussed. CCK-8 assay was used to determine the inhibitory activity toward gastric cancer cells' viability, and real-time RT-PCR was employed to examine the gastric cancer cells' Notch signaling pathway activity.
Novel Au-Se Nanoprobes for Specific Thrombin Detection in Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Thrombin is associated with malignant tumors and promotes tumor development, metastasis, and angiogenesis, therefore its identification especially in lung cancer cells is crucial. Because the interference of biothiols caused false positive findings with prior gold fluorescent nanoprobes, in this manuscript, an Au-selenol(Se) nanoprobe (5-FAM-peptide-Se-AuNPs) that could specifically detect thrombin was designed and compared to traditional Au-S nanoprobes. For reaching this goal, fluorophore-bearing thrombin-specific peptide containing selenol at the end was synthesized. The nanoprobe may be broken by thrombin to regain its fluorescence in lung cancer cells, allowing for high-sensitivity thrombin detection. Since the Au-Se bond is more stable than the Au-S bond, the accuracy of the detection results can be guaranteed. The probe synthesis method is simple and cost-effective, as well as having high biocompatibility. Low concentrations of thrombin can be detected and imaged in lung cancer cells. The synthetic method of this probe opens up new avenues for the application of Au-Se bonds.
Synchronous Signal Transmission Method of Minimally Invasive Renal Failure Surgery Based on Nano Molecular Image Probe
The synchronous signal transmission can promote the successful completion of minimally invasive renal failure surgery, so the synchronous signal transmission method of minimally invasive renal failure surgery based on nano molecular image probe is studied. The nanoprobe is constructed by loading different signal molecules, photosensitizers, acoustic sensitizers and thermosensitives through the method of double emulsion or film hydration; the near-infrared confocal endoscope molecular image diagnosis and treatment equipment is designed based on the nanoprobe, and the intraoperative highfrequency image is obtained through the diagnosis and treatment equipment; the high-frequency injection energy and signal synchronous transmission method is adopted, and the signal is added to the primary and secondary resonance circuit. In the coupling module, a higher frequency alternating signal is added into the resonant coupling voltage to modulate the signal into the transmission resonance system, which is transmitted from the energy transmission coupling coil to the secondary end, and the injected signal part of the coupling coil is demodulated at the other end to complete the transmission of the signal coupling transmission loop, so as to realize the high-frequency image energy and index data signal of minimally invasive renal failure surgery. The experimental results show that the designed nano molecular image probe has good stability, and the simulated signal transmission waveform is consistent with the transmission waveform of the principle analysis. Applying the proposed method to the minimally invasive surgery of renal failure, it is found that the success rate and image signal transmission efficiency of the minimally invasive surgery of patients 1-5 are higher than 99.5%, and the operation image transmission accuracy is high and the operation effect is excellent.
Resveratrol Nanoparticles Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells by Inhibiting Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Expression and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of Resveratrol nanoparticles on migration/invasion capacity of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells and its mechanism. Human RCC cells were exposed to dimethyl sulfoxide or gradient concentrations of Resveratrol nanoparticles respectively, and U0126 were also added in some experiments. We examined renal cell viability by MTT assay, and wound healing test and Transwell assays were used detect invasion and migration capability of RCC cells. We used Western blotting assay to analyze the protein levels in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. We also detected the enzymatic capacity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in cells by gelatin enzymatic profiling. Resveratrol nanoparticles treatment significantly suppressed cell viability to migrate and invade RCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Also, notably were reduced MMP-2 activity and expression, and elevated TIMP-2 level were observed in RCC cells exposed with Resveratrol nanoparticles. Further, Resveratrol nanoparticles treatment significantly decreased only the expression of p-ERK1/2, but not p-p38 and p-JNK. Moreover, U0126, which is the ERK inhibitor, exerted similar role as Resveratrol nanoparticles did. Of note was that, combined use of U0126 and Resveratrol nanoparticles displayed a more intense suppression of MMP-2 activity and expression, and also the viability to migrate and invade the RCC cells, compared with Resveratrol nanoparticles treatment alone. The Resveratrol nanoparticles inhibited RCC cells migration and invasion by regulating MMP2 expression and ERK pathways.
Antibacterial Properties of Ag-Cu Alloy Nanoparticles Against Multidrug-Resistant Through Inhibition of Quorum Sensing Pathway and Virulence-Related Genes
: To evaluate the application of Ag-Cu NPs as quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors and attenuate virulence expression to overcome the global crisis of multidrug-resistant (MDR) . : Ag-Cu NPs were synthesized by co-reduction of silver-nitrate and copper-nitrate (Ag:Cu = 1:1 0.75 M). In this cross-sectional study, a total of eighty clinical strains of were collected from patients with burns. The antibacterial and resistance pattern of the clinical isolated was determined using the microdilution and Kirby Bauer disk methods. The effect of sub-MIC of Ag-Cu NPs on the expression of lasI, exoS and toxA in five clinical isolates of imipenem-resistant was performed using qRT-PCR. : The characterization methods confirm the formation of the Ag-Cu alloy NPs with agglomerated spherical morphology and particle sizes of about 30-40 nm. We observed that the MIC and MBC of Ag-Cu alloy NPs against MDR was found to be 2.5 and 5 g ml, respectively. The effects of a sub-inhibitory concentration of Ag-Cu NPs on MDR QS and virulence-related genes showed that the expression level of QS regulatory and virulence genes significantly decreased in both MDR and reference strain under Ag-Cu sub-MIC treatment. : Ag-Cu NPs could be potentially used as a promising QS inhibitor and anti-virulence compound against .
A New Gold Nanoparticles and Paclitaxel Co-Delivery System for Enhanced Anti-Cancer Effect Through Chemo-Photothermal Combination
Limited chemotherapeutic efficiency, drug resistance and side effect are primary obstacles for cancer treatment. The development of co-delivery system with synergistic treatment modes should be a promising strategy. Here, we fabricated a multi-functionalized nanocarrier with a combination of chemotherapeutic agent and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which could integrate chemo-photothermal therapy and improve entire anti-cancer index. Particularly, Paclitaxel nanocrystals (PTX NC) were first fabricated as a platform, on surface of which AuNPs were decorated and polydopamine (PDA) layer act as capping, stabilizing and hydrophilic agents for PTX NC, providing a bridge connecting AuNPs to PTX. These AuNPs decorated PTX NC exhibited good physico-chemical properties like optimal sizes, stability and photothermal efficiency. Compared to other PTX formulations, they displayed considerably improved biocompatibility, selectivity, intracellular uptake, cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction activity and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) inhibitory capability, owing to a synergistic/ cooperative effect from AuNPs, PTX and NIR treatment, photothermal-triggered drug release and nano-scaled structure. Mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway is underlying mechanism for cytotoxic and apoptotic effect from AuNPs decorated PTX NC, in terms of Mitochondria damage, a loss of Mitochondrial membrane potential, intensified oxidative stress, DNA breakage, Caspase 3 activation, up-regulated expression in pro-apoptotic genes like , and and down-regulated level in anti-apoptotic gene like .
Preliminary Study of an Adjustable, Wearable, Noninvasive Vest Providing Chest Compression to Assist with Breathing
Respiratory muscle paralysis caused by acute cervical spinal cord injury usually leads to pulmonary ventilation dysfunction and even death from respiratory failure. In addition to invasive treatments such as mechanical ventilation, the utilization of noninvasive respiratory support equipment plays an important role in long-term assisted breathing. In this study, we describes a wearable, noninvasive vest with adjustable pressure that enables assisted breathing and with an automatic alarm, and we aims to explore its safety and effectiveness on healthy adult participants. The vest monitors the human heart rate and the blood oxygen index data in real time, the alarm is automatically activated when the data is abnormal. Eight healthy participants had no obvious discomfort during the test while wearing the vest. Lung volumes, antero-posterior diameters, and left-right diameters at the second, fourth, and sixth ribs levels were acquired before and after inflation of the vest airbag, the data acquired by the imaging analysis using chest computed tomography showed significant differences before and after the inflation ( < 0.05). Thus, The vest designed for this study can achieve uniform and effective compression of the thorax, significantly changed the size of the thorax and lungs. It is expected to be applied as noninvasive support for patients with respiratory dysfunction.
Effect of Porous Zirconia Coating on Human Gingival Fibroblasts and Its Mechanism
Gingival fibroblasts play an important role in the constitution of soft tissue attachment. This study aims to investigate whether porous zirconia coating has a positive effect on promoting human gingival fibroblast attachment. The porous zirconia coating was loaded on zirconia surface by the dip coating method, surface morphology and composition were confirmed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer; Tested the tensile bond strength by universal testing machine; Tested the surface roughness by roughness analyzer; Human gingival fibroblast proliferation, integrin 1 and F-actin immunofluorescence staining explored the influence of porous zirconia on the adhesion and proliferation of human gingival fibroblast. Zirconia0.2 group showed spherical zirconia particles with diameters of 3-8 m are distributed on the surface; The bonding strength of zirconia particle coating group reached 16.1±0.1 MPa, and the surface roughness was 0.715±0.091 m; In comparison with control group ( < 0.01), the percentage of human gingival fibroblasts adhering to zirconia was markedly higher. In zirconia group, integrin-1 and F-actin fluoresced more obvious than in control group. Porous zirconia coating can form a porous structure on the surface and the porous structure can promote the attachment and proliferation of human gingival fibroblast, it will be more beneficial for soft tissue early sealing.