A novel facile synthesis of metal nitride@metal oxide (BN/Gd2O3) nanocomposite and their antibacterial and anticancer activities.

In this study, a novel core/shell nanocomposite structure (h-BN@Gd2O3 NCs) was created for the first time by combining hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with doped gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) using different laser pulse numbers, i.e., 150, 338, and 772 pulses. We employed various analytical techniques, including mapping analysis, FE-SEM, EDS, HRTEM, SAED, XRD, zeta potential analysis, DLS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and PL measurements, to characterize the synthesized h-BN, c-Gd2O3, and h-BN@Gd2O3 NCs (338 pulses). XRD results indicated hexagonal and cubic crystal structures for BN and Gd2O3, respectively, while EDS confirmed their chemical composition and elemental mapping. Chemical bonds between B-N-Gd, B-N-O, and Gd-O bands at 412, 455, 474, and 520 cm-1 were identified by FTIR analysis. The antimicrobial and anticancer activities of these NCs using agar well diffusion and MTT assays. They exhibited potent antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Furthermore, NCs have reduced the proliferation of cancerous cells, i.e., human colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29) and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), while not affecting the proliferation of the normal breast cell line (MCF-10). The anticancer efficacy of NCs was validated by the AO/EtBr assay, which confirmed apoptotic cell death. Blood compatibility on human erythrocytes was also confirmed by hemolytic and in vitro toxicity assessments. The compiled results of the study proposed these nanoparticles could be used as a promising drug delivery system and potentially in healthcare applications.

Optimized selection of neodymium laser parameters for successful enlarged veins treatment.

Full clearance and no side effects method of treating enlarged veins was successfully accomplished by one laser session. This is the ambition and dream of both dermatologists and patients. Most vascularity treatment protocols had shown some unpleasant adverse effects. The purpose of the present work is to work out, in advance, the accurate dose of laser pulse duration and fluence in order to treat varicose veins in the face, arms and legs with no adverse effects. This mission required the calculation of the exact rise in temperature of the enlarged vein; prior to laser treatment. These pre-calculated temperature rise values were tested on 20 subjects in order to have the best clinical outcomes; using fundamental frequency (1064 nm) pulsed Nd: YAG laser. This work necessitated the use of pulse length (15-30 ms), spot size (3, 5 mm), fluence (110-190 J/cm2) and skin cooling temperature (3-18 °C). Cooling of the skin before and after the treatment was needed to guarantee ultimate impactful results without side effects.

Copper Oxide Nanoparticle-Decorated Carbon Nanoparticle Composite Colloidal Preparation through Laser Ablation for Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Actions against Breast Cancer Cell Line, MCF-7.

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle- (NP-) decorated carbon NPs (CNPs) were produced as colloidal suspension through pulsed laser ablation technique in liquid (PLAL) medium. The antimicrobial activity of the produced NPs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), and anticancer activity was tested against breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, together with the biocompatibility assessment of these NPs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the obtained CNPs showed peaks at 26.58° and 43.78° (2θ) identical to (002) and (111) planes, respectively, of the carbon phases. It also displayed new peaks at 38.5° and 48.64° (2θ) after doping with CuO NPs. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images revealed the crystalline nature with the spherical shape of the prepared CNPs with 5-40 nm diameter ranges. In addition, the NP effects on the bacterial cell walls and nucleic acid were confirmed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and microscopic fluorescence analysis. The NPs showed antibacterial activity through SEM examinations against the pathogenic microbial species, S. aureus and E. coli. In the cellular material release assay, the optical density of the bacterial cells, treated with NPs, displayed a significant increase with the time of exposure to NPs, and the cytotoxicity reached more than 80% of the level for the CNPs decorated with CuO NPs. The morphology of the MCF-7 cells treated with NPs decreased numbers, and the loss of contact with the surrounding cells was observed. These results confirmed that the CNPs decorated with CuO NPs have no observable side effects and can be safely used for therapeutic applications. It is also noteworthy that it is the first report of preparation of CuO NPs decorated with CNPs (CuO NPs-CNPs) by PLAL, and the produced NPs showed antimicrobial antiproliferative activities against breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7. The main advantage of the PLAL technique of synthesizing CuO NPs-CNPs provided a two-step, cost-effective, and eco-friendly method.

Gold Nanoparticles and Graphene Oxide Flakes Enhance Cancer Cells' Phagocytosis through Granzyme-Perforin-Dependent Biomechanism.

The study aimed to investigate the roles of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and graphene oxide flakes (GOFs) as phagocytosis enhancers against cancer cells. The nanomaterials were characterized through SEM and UV-VIS absorptions. The GNPs and GOFs increased the macrophages' phagocytosis ability in engulfing, thereby annihilating the cancer cells in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The GNPs and GOFs augmented serine protease class apoptotic protein, granzyme, passing through the aquaporin class protein, perforin, with mediated delivery through the cell membrane site for the programmed, calibrated, and conditioned cancer cells killing. Additionally, protease inhibitor 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin (DCI) significantly reduced granzyme and perforin activities of macrophages. The results demonstrated that the GOFs and GNPs increased the activation of phagocytic cells as a promising strategy for controlling cancer cells by augmenting the cell mortality through the granzyme-perforin-dependent mechanism.

Preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanotube using laser ablation in liquid and their antimicrobial activity.

The antimicrobial activity was investigated for iron oxide IO nanoparticles (NPs)-decorated carbon nanotubes CNT prepared successfully by Nd:YAG-pulsed laser ablation in the liquid process. TEM reveals the composite NP and exhibits semispherical of iron oxide NPs, which aggregate around rolled and unrolled graphene sheet. XRD pattern proved the presence of carbon and different phases of IO NPs. Then, the antibacterial activity of the NPs was examined against different bacteria using nutrient broth and nutrient agar methods, which was enhanced using IO. In addition, the wound-healing activity for the best antibacterial concentration is tested by using animal models successfully.