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1.
Environ Res ; : 119328, 2024 Jun 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38851369

The growing effects of climate change on Malaysia's coastal ecology heighten worries about air pollution, specifically caused by urbanization and industrial activity in the maritime sector. Trucks and vessels are particularly noteworthy for their substantial contribution to gas emissions, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is the primary gas released in port areas. The application of advanced analysis techniques was spurred by the air pollution resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as fuel oil, natural gas, and gasoline in vessels. The study utilized satellite photos captured by the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on the Sentinel-5P satellite to evaluate the levels of NO2 gas pollution in Malaysia's port areas and exclusive economic zone. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, unrestricted gas emissions led to persistently high levels of NO2 in the analyzed areas. Nevertheless, the temporary cessation of marine industry operations caused by the pandemic, along with the halting of vessels to prevent the spread of COVID-19, resulted in a noticeable decrease in NO2 gas pollution. In light of these favourable advancements, it is imperative to emphasize the need for continuous investigation and collaborative endeavours to further alleviate air contamination in Malaysian port regions, while simultaneously acknowledging the wider consequences of climate change on the coastal ecology. The study underscores the interdependence of air pollution, maritime activities, and climate change. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies that tackle both immediate environmental issues and the long-term sustainability and resilience of coastal ecosystems in the context of global climate challenges.

2.
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces ; 241: 114015, 2024 Jun 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38878658

The primary emphasis of this study was on the innovative and scientifically valuable hydrothermal synthesis of MIL-101(Co) as a metal-organic framework (MOF) material. Subsequently, the CuFe2O4 was incorporated into the MOF by a reduction-precipitation technique. The SrTiO3/CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co) composite was synthesized by using hydrothermal in situ growth process. The XRD and FESEM investigations of the SrTiO3/CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co) composite definitively verified its crystalline structure and proved its production with exact shape and dimensions. The data indicated that Candida albicans displayed the greatest vulnerability to all three produced materials, with reported Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of 500 µg mL-1 for MIL-101(Co). The CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co) compound, when produced, exhibits MIC values of 200 µg mL-1. Additionally, the combination of CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co) with SrTiO3, shows MIC values of 50 µg mL-1. The results also indicated that the MIC values for MIL-101(Co), and CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co) against S. aureus were 100 µg mL-1. Ultimately, SrTiO3/CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co) exhibited identical MIC values of 50 µg mL-1 against S. aureus. The concentration of the bacterial protein was increased by adding MIL-101(Co), CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co), and SrTiO3/CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co). The antibacterial capabilities of the SrTiO3/CuFe2O4/MIL-101(Co) were increased after being subjected to gamma doses of 100.0 kGy. This process paves a ways for manufacturing innovation in near future.

3.
Mar Pollut Bull ; 203: 116390, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38701600

Multivariate pollution degree indices were utilized to evaluate the environmental condition of the Uppanar and Vellar estuaries. The Trophic Index (TRIX) indicates a state of "moderate eutrophication" with a value of 4.92, while the Trophic State Index (TSI) ranged from 40.3 to 57.2, categorizing the trophic states from "oligotrophic" to "eutrophic". The Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI) showed a range of 0.13 to 0.94, classifying pollution levels from "unpolluted" to "slightly polluted". The study revealed that the Uppanar and Vellar estuaries underwent seasonal variations, transitioning from an oligotrophic state during the post-monsoon and summer periods to a eutrophic state in the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. The application of multivariate statistical tools allowed the identification of pollution indicator species to assess the estuarine systems. The insights gained from this study can be valuable for assessing other ecosystems facing similar anthropogenic activities, providing a basis for informed management and conservation strategies.


Environmental Monitoring , Estuaries , Eutrophication , Ecosystem , Seasons , Multivariate Analysis , Animals , Water Pollution/statistics & numerical data
4.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 11042, 2024 05 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38745058

Nickel (Ni) is a heavy metal that adversely affects the growth of different crops by inducing oxidative stress and nutrient imbalance. The role of rhizobacteria (RB) is vital to resolve this issue. They can promote root growth and facilitate the uptake of water and nutrients, resulting in better crop growth. On the other hand, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can maintain the osmotic balance and scavenge the reactive oxygen species under stress conditions. However, the combined effect of GABA and RB has not been thoroughly explored to alleviate Ni toxicity, especially in fenugreek plants. Therefore, in the current pot study, four treatments, i.e., control, A. fabrum (RB), 0.40 mM GABA, and 0.40 mM GABA + RB, were applied under 0Ni and 80 mg Ni/kg soil (80Ni) stress. Results showed that RB + 0.40 mM GABA caused significant improvements in shoot length (~ 13%), shoot fresh weight (~ 47%), shoot dry weight (~ 47%), root length (~ 13%), root fresh weight (~ 60%), and root dry weight (~ 15%) over control under 80 Ni toxicity. A significant enhancement in total chlorophyll (~ 14%), photosynthetic rate (~ 17%), stomatal CO2 concentration (~ 19%), leaves and roots N (~ 10 and ~ 37%), P (~ 18 and ~ 7%) and K (~ 11 and ~ 30%) concentrations, while a decrease in Ni (~ 83 and ~ 49%) concentration also confirmed the effectiveness of RB + 0.40 mM GABA than control under 80Ni. In conclusion, fabrum + 0.40 mM GABA can potentially alleviate the Ni toxicity in fenugreek plants. The implications of these findings extend to agricultural practices, environmental remediation efforts, nutritional security, and ecological impact. Further research is recommended to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, assess long-term effects, and determine the practical feasibility of using A. fabrum + 0.40GABA to improve growth in different crops under Ni toxicity.


Nickel , Trigonella , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid , Nickel/toxicity , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism , Plant Roots/drug effects , Plant Roots/growth & development , Plant Roots/metabolism , Soil Pollutants/toxicity
5.
Environ Res ; 252(Pt 3): 118858, 2024 Jul 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38609066

Crucial to the Earth's oceans, ocean currents dynamically react to various factors, including rotation, wind patterns, temperature fluctuations, alterations in salinity and the gravitational pull of the moon. Climate change impacts coastal ecosystems, emphasizing the need for understanding these currents. This study explores multibeam echosounder (MBES), specifically R2-Sonic 2020 instrument, offering detailed seabed information. Investigating coral reefs, rocky reefs and artificial reefs aimed to map seafloor currents movement and their climate change responses. MBES data viz. Bathymetry and backscatter were classified and acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) ground data were validated using random forest regression. Results indicated high precision in currents speed measurement i.e. coral reefs with 0.96, artificial reefs with 0.94 and rocky reefs with 0.97. Currents direction accuracy was notable in coral reefs with 0.85, slightly lower in rocky reefs with 0.72 and artificial reefs with 0.60. Random forest identified sediment and backscatter as key for speed prediction while direction relies on bathymetry, slope and aspect. The study emphasizes integrating sediment size, backscatter, bathymetry and ADCP data for seafloor current analysis. This multibeam data on sediments and currents support better marine spatial planning and determine biodiversity patterns planning in the reef area.


Climate Change , Coral Reefs , Water Movements , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Acoustics , Doppler Effect
6.
MycoKeys ; 103: 71-95, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38560534

The tropical areas in southern and south-western Yunnan are rich in fungal diversity. Additionally, the diversity of seed flora in Yunnan Province is higher than in other regions in China and the abundant endemic species of woody plants provide favourable substrates for fungi. Rubber plantations in Yunnan Province are distributed over a large area, especially in Xishuangbanna. During a survey of rubber-associated fungi in Yunnan Province, China, dead rubber branches with fungal fruiting bodies were collected. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2 and tef1-α) revealed four distinct new species, described herein as Melomastiapuerensis, Nigrogranalincangensis, Pseudochaetosphaeronemalincangensis and Pseudochaetosphaeronemaxishuangbannaensis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic trees are provided to show the taxonomic placements of these new species.

7.
Saudi Pharm J ; 32(5): 102062, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38601975

This research describes the synthesis by an environmentally-friendly method, microwave irradiation, development and analysis of three novel and one previously identified Schiff base derivative as a potential inhibitor of bovine xanthine oxidase (BXO), a key enzyme implicated in the progression of gout. Meticulous experimentation revealed that these compounds (10, 9, 4, and 7) have noteworthy inhibitory effects on BXO, with IC50 values ranging from 149.56 µM to 263.60 µM, indicating their good efficacy compared to that of the standard control. The validation of these results was further enhanced through comprehensive in silico studies, which revealed the pivotal interactions between the inhibitors and the catalytic sites of BXO, with a particular emphasis on the imine group (-C = N-) functionalities. Intriguingly, the compounds exhibiting the highest inhibition rates also showcase advantageous ADMET profiles, alongside encouraging initial assessments via PASS, hinting at their broad-spectrum potential. The implications of these findings are profound, suggesting that these Schiff base derivatives not only offer a new vantage point for the inhibition of BXO but also hold considerable promise as innovative therapeutic agents in the management and treatment of gout, marking a significant leap forward in the quest for more effective gout interventions.

8.
ACS Omega ; 9(15): 17137-17142, 2024 Apr 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38645367

In certain low-income nations, the hepatitis Delta virus and hepatitis B virus (HBV) pose a serious medical burden, where the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is greater than 8%. Especially in rural places, irregular diagnostic exams are the main restriction and reason for underestimation. Utilizing serum samples from a Pakistani isolate, an internal ELISA for the quick identification of anti-HDV was created, and the effectiveness of the test was compared to a commercial diagnostic kit. HDV-positive serum samples were collected, and a highly antigenic domain of HDAg antigen was derived from them. This antigenic HDAg was expressed in a bacterial expression system, purified by Ni-chromatography, and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The purified antigen was utilized to develop an in-house ELISA assay for anti-HDV antibody detection of the patient's serum samples at very low cost. Purified antigens and positive and negative controls can detect anti-HDV (antibodies) in ELISA plates. The in-house developed kit's efficiency was compared with that of a commercial kit (Witech Inc., USA) by the mean optical density values of both kits. No significant difference was observed (a P value of 0.576) by applying statistical analysis. The newly developed in-house ELISA is equally efficient compared to commercial kits, and these may be useful in regular diagnostic laboratories, especially for analyzing local isolates.

9.
MycoKeys ; 104: 113-132, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38665974

Morphological comparisons and multi locus phylogenetic analyses (base on the combined genes of ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub) demonstrated that three new saprobic taxa isolated from bamboo belong to Cainiaceae. These taxa comprise a novel genus Paramphibambusa (P.bambusicolasp. nov.) and two new species, Arecophilaxishuangbannaensis and A.zhaotongensis. The three new taxa belong to Cainiaceae (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes) a poorly studied family, which now comprises eight genera. Paramphibambusa can be distinguished from other Cainiaceae genera in having ascomata with a neck and ascospores lacking longitudinal striation, germ slits or germ pores. The two new Arecophila species clustered in a clade with Arecophila sp. and A.bambusae. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and an updated phylogenetic tree are provided for the new taxa.

10.
Front Plant Sci ; 15: 1255979, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38481405

Background: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis is an annual or biennial herbaceous vegetable plant in the Brassicaceae family notable for its edible blossom head. A lot of effort has gone into finding defense-associated proteins in order to better understand how cauliflower and pathogens interact. Endophytes are organisms that live within the host plant and reproduce. Endophytes are bacteria and fungi that reside in plant tissues and can either help or harm the plant. Several species have aided molecular biologists and plant biotechnologists in various ways. Water is essential for a healthy cauliflower bloom. When the weather is hot, this plant dries up, and nitrogen scarcity can be detrimental to cauliflower growth. Objective: The study sought to discern plant growth promoting (PGP) compounds that can amplify drought resilience and boost productivity in cauliflower. Methods: Investigations were centered on endophytes, microorganisms existing within plant tissues. The dual role of beneficial and detrimental Agrobacterium was scrutinized, particularly emphasizing the ethylene precursor compound, 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACCA). Results: ACCA possessed salient PGP traits, particularly demonstrating a pronounced enhancement of drought resistance in cauliflower plants. Specifically, during the pivotal marketable curd maturity phase, which necessitates defense against various threats, ACCA showcased a binding energy of -8.74 kcal/mol. Conclusion: ACCA holds a significant promise in agricultural productivity, with its potential to boost drought resistance and cauliflower yield. This could be particularly impactful for regions grappling with high temperatures and possible nitrogen shortages. Future research should explore ACCA's performance under diverse environmental settings and its applicability in other crops.

11.
Food Chem ; 448: 139000, 2024 Aug 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38547706

C-Phycocyanin and sugar (C-PC/S) blended agar hydrocolloid was prepared and its rheological, thermo-functional and morphological properties were examined based on the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix profile. Sucrose (40%, w/v) determined as a superior preservative, maintaining the native conformation of C-PC effectively. C-PC/S exhibited enhanced structural integrity with high storage modulus (G') and 86.4% swelling index. FT-IR demonstrated strong intramolecular bonding. TGA revealed that the presence of sucrose prolonged the devolatilization peak up to 325 °C, with a degradation rate of -2.273 mg/min, it the thermal stability. C-PC/S fortified hydrocolloid in ice cream (5.0% w/w), reduced melting rate up to five times. In conclusion, sucrose as a promising enhancer of color stability and structural integrity for C-PC, and this combination effectively improves the functional and rheological properties. Further, the findings exposed the agar hydrocolloid as a potential enhancer of color retention and improved performance for various food and cosmetic products.

12.
MycoKeys ; 101: 275-312, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38333551

Pestalotiopsissensu lato, commonly referred to as pestalotiopsis-like fungi, exhibit a broad distribution and are frequently found as endophytes, saprobes and pathogens across various plant hosts. The taxa within pestalotiopsis-like fungi are classified into three genera viz. Pestalotiopsis, Pseudopestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis, based on the conidial colour of their median cells and multi-locus molecular phylogenies. In the course of a biodiversity investigation focusing on pestalotiopsis-like fungi, a total of 12 fungal strains were identified. These strains were found to be associated with stromata of Beauveria, Ophiocordyceps and Tolypocladium in various regions of Taiwan from 2018 to 2021. These strains were evaluated morphologically and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the ITS (internal transcribed spacer), tef1-α (translation elongation factor 1-α) and tub2 (beta-tubulin) gene regions were conducted for genotyping. The results revealed seven well-classified taxa and one tentative clade in Pestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis. One novel species, Pestalotiopsismanyueyuanani and four new records, N.camelliae-oleiferae, N.haikouensis, P.chamaeropis and P.hispanica, were reported for the first time in Taiwan. In addition, P.formosana and an unclassified strain of Neopestalotiopsis were identified, based on similarities of phylogeny and morphology. However, the data obtained in the present study suggest that the currently recommended loci for species delimitation of pestalotiopsis-like fungi do not deliver reliable or adequate resolution of tree topologies. The in-vitro mycelial growth rates of selected strains from these taxa had an optimum temperature of 25 °C, but growth ceased at 5 °C and 35 °C, while all the strains grew faster under alkaline than acidic or neutral pH conditions. This study provides the first assessment of pestalotiopsis-like fungi, associated with entomopathogenic taxa.

13.
Mar Pollut Bull ; 200: 116154, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38364646

The concentration and bioaccumulation of heavy metals were investigated in four distinct components (water, sediment, benthic organisms, and fish) in the Ennore estuary. The average concentration of studied metals in water is 2-5 times higher in the sediment. The geoaccumulation index in the sediment, particularly for Cd, 55 folds greater than WHO and USEPS standards. The indices like MI, Cdeg, PLI, and PERI demonstrated low contamination levels, whereas Igeo and Cf revealed elevated levels of cadmium (Cd), signifying a moderate degree of contamination. Human health indices like Target Hazard Quotation (THQ) values generally fell within permissible limits (<1), except for lead (Pb) and iron (Fe). However, HI values exceeded 1, indicating a non-carcinogenic health risk for consumers. The Target Risk for lead (TRPb) value for Oreochromis urolepis was 1.0 × 10-5, suggesting a significant cancer risk and may leads to other fish species in future if carcinogenic metals bioaccumulation.


Cichlids , Metals, Heavy , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Animals , Humans , Cadmium , Estuaries , Bioaccumulation , Food Chain , Lead , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Environmental Monitoring , Metals, Heavy/analysis , India , Water , Risk Assessment
14.
MycoKeys ; 102: 29-54, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38356850

The Inonotuslinteus complex, predominantly reported from East Asia, Mesoamerica and Caribbean countries, was circumscribed into Tropicoporus as one of the new genera, based on morphological and phylogenetic data. The present paper describes four new species of Tropicoporus from India. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses, based on ITS and nLSU data, delimited the new species, which are named T.cleistanthicola, T.indicus, T.pseudoindicus and T.tamilnaduensis. The pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) test was done to confirm the distinctive nature of the new species. The traits of Indian species remain distinct from one another, except for the pileate basidiome with the mono-dimitic hyphal system, cystidioles and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. Descriptions, illustrations, PHI test results and a phylogenetic tree to show the position of the new species are provided. In addition, an identification key to Tropicoporus in Asia and an African species is given.

15.
BMC Plant Biol ; 24(1): 63, 2024 Jan 23.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38262953

Salinity stress adversely affects agricultural productivity by disrupting water uptake, causing nutrient imbalances, and leading to ion toxicity. Excessive salts in the soil hinder crops root growth and damage cellular functions, reducing photosynthetic capacity and inducing oxidative stress. Stomatal closure further limits carbon dioxide uptake that negatively impact plant growth. To ensure sustainable agriculture in salt-affected regions, it is essential to implement strategies like using biofertilizers (e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi = AMF) and activated carbon biochar. Both amendments can potentially mitigate the salinity stress by regulating antioxidants, gas exchange attributes and chlorophyll contents. The current study aims to explore the effect of EDTA-chelated biochar (ECB) with and without AMF on maize growth under salinity stress. Five levels of ECB (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%) were applied, with and without AMF. Results showed that 0.8ECB + AMF caused significant enhancement in shoot length (~ 22%), shoot fresh weight (~ 15%), shoot dry weight (~ 51%), root length (~ 46%), root fresh weight (~ 26%), root dry weight (~ 27%) over the control (NoAMF + 0ECB). A significant enhancement in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance was also observed in the condition 0.8ECB + AMF relative to control (NoAMF + 0ECB), further supporting the efficacy of such a combined treatment. Our results suggest that adding 0.8% ECB in soil with AMF inoculation on maize seeds can enhance maize production in saline soils, possibly via improvement in antioxidant activity, chlorophyll contents, gas exchange and morphological attributes.


Mycorrhizae , Antioxidants , Zea mays , Charcoal , Edetic Acid , Chlorophyll A , Salt Stress , Chlorophyll , Soil
16.
Arch Pharm (Weinheim) ; 357(3): e2300604, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38148299

In the past, efforts have been made to find a cure for diabetes, mainly evaluating new classes of compounds to explore their potency. In this study, we present the synthesis and evaluation of carbonylbis(hydrazine-1-carbothioamide) derivatives as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors, employing both in vivo and in silico investigations. The in vitro experiments revealed that all tested compounds were significantly potent for α-glucosidase inhibition, with the lead compound 3a displaying approximately 80 times higher activity than acarbose. To delve deeper, in silico induced fit docking, pharmacokinetics, and molecular dynamics studies were conducted. Significantly, compound 3a exhibited a docking score of -7.87 kcal/mol, surpassing acarbose, which had a docking score of -6.59 kcal/mol. The in silico ADMET indicated that most of the synthesized compounds have properties conducive to drug development. Molecular dynamics analysis demonstrated that, when the ligand 3a was coupled with the target 3TOP, Cα-RMSD backbone RMSD values below 2.4 Å and "Lig_fit_Prot" values below 2.7 Å were observed. QSAR analysis demonstrates that the "fOC8A" descriptor positively correlates with α-glucosidase inhibition activity, while "lipoplus_AbSA" positively contributes and "notringC_notringO_8B" negatively contributes to this activity.


Acarbose , Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors , Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Molecular Docking Simulation , alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism , Structure-Activity Relationship
17.
Heliyon ; 9(11): e21992, 2023 Nov.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38034709

The air separation (O2/N2) based on polymeric membranes is critical because it is more energy efficient than traditional methods. Dense polymeric membranes are now the main stay of industrial processes that generate oxygen and nitrogen enriched gas. Though, regular polymeric membranes often fall short of selective pressure demands because O2 and N2 gases have such comparable equivalent diameters. While polymer composites have their benefits, nanocomposite (NCs) allows for the production of high-performance barriers. Utilising Matrimid® 5218 (Matrimid) as the base framework and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as the filler, a novel NCs for O2/N2 separation was developed. Both matrimid and MWCNTs were chemically modified quaternization and functionalizing the MWCNTs. The membranes were casted using solution casting with a combination of quaternized matrimid and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT). When f-MWCNT was added to quaternized matrimid, it created interfacial compatibility, which increased O2/N2 selectivity and permeability by 65 % and 35 %, respectively. In the current study, increasing O2 diffusivity and O2/N2 solubility selectivity resulted in improved performance, this paves a way for manufacturing innovation.

18.
ACS Omega ; 8(38): 34458-34470, 2023 Sep 26.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37779929

Some new transition metal complexes were prepared by reacting metal(II) salts with Schiff base azines, which were prepared via condensation of 5-(diethylamino) salicylaldehyde and hydrazine with pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde. Their structures were confirmed based on CHN, UV-visible, FT-IR, and EPR measurements. The complexes were also assessed for their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Some of these chemicals were said to be extraordinarily effective in this respect. The antibacterial activities of the complexes in vitro demonstrated their potential, although the [Cu(L)(bpy] complex was suggested to exhibit moderate activity against pathogens compared to all other in this series. The cytotoxic activity of the prepared analogues showed better cell viability compared with standard cisplatin. Moreover, there is a good agreement between the experimental and theoretical findings from docking and theoretical investigations done using DFT at the B3LYP level.

19.
Eur J Pharm Biopharm ; 192: 88-111, 2023 Nov.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37797680

Prostate cancer is the leading and most aggressive cancer around the world, several therapeutic approaches have emerged but none have achieved the satisfactory result. However, these therapeutic approaches face many challenges related to their delivery to target cells, including their in vivo decay, the limited uptake by target cells, the requirements for nuclear penetration (in some cases), and the damage caused to healthy cells. These barriers can be avoided by effective, targeted, combinatorial approaches, with minimal side effects, which are being investigated for the treatment of cancer. Here, we developed a combinatorial nanomedicine comprising abiraterone and enzalutamide bioconjugated survivin-encapsulated gold nanoparticles (AbEzSvGNPs) for targeted therapy of prostate cancer. AbEzSvGNPs were characterized by different biophysical techniques such as UV visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, transmission electron microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Interestingly, the effect of abiraterone, enzalutamide and surviving encapsulated gold nanoparticles was found to be synergistic in nature in AbEzSvGNPs against DU 145 (IC50 = 4.21 µM) and PC-3 (IC50 = 5.58 µM) cells and their potential was observed to be greatly enhanced as compared with the combined effect of the drugs (abiraterone and enzalutamide) in their free form. Furthermore, AbEzSvGNPs were found to be highly safe and did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity against normal rat kidney cells. The observed effects of AbEzSvGNPs involved the modulation of different signaling pathways in prostate cancer cells. This delivery system employed non-androgen receptor-dependent delivery of abiraterone and enzalutamide. The anionic AbEzSvGNPs delivered abiraterone and enzalutamide unaltered into the nucleus through caveolae mediated internalization to act nonspecifically on DNA; internalization of the anionic nanoparticles into the cytoplasm was also observed via other routes. AbEzSvGNPs synthesized and evaluated in this study are promising candidates for prostate cancer therapy.


Metal Nanoparticles , Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant , Humans , Male , Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant/drug therapy , Survivin , Gold , Nanomedicine
20.
Bioresour Technol ; 390: 129837, 2023 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37839648

Biofuel production from cellulosic biomass is a promising approach; however, the cost-intensive utilization of cellulolytic enzymes is a major roadblock to economic production. This study reports the preparation of a nanocatalyst using date seed and evaluates the impact of nanocatalysts on cellulolytic enzyme production using solid-state fermentation of date pulp waste through bacterial co-cultivation. Under optimized conditions, 30 IU/gds filter paper activity is produced in the presence of 2 mg of nanocatalyst. Cellulase showed thermal stability at 50 °C and pH 7 up to 10 h in the presence of nanocatalyst, and it produced 32.31 g/L glucose through the hydrolysis of acidic-pretreated date seeds in 24 h. Subsequently, 1788 mL/L of cumulative H2 in 24 h through cocultured dark fermentation could be produced. The approach presented in this study can be effective for multiple value additions, including nanocatalyst preparation, cellulase enzyme, and biohydrogen production.


Cellulase , Sugars , Fermentation , Hydrolysis , Seeds , Biomass
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