Palladium anchored to BisPyP@bilayer-SiO2@NMP organic-inorganic hybrid as an efficient and recoverable novel nanocatalyst in suzuki and stille C-C coupling reactions.

The palladium anchored to BisPyP@bilayer-SiO2@NMP organic-inorganic hybrid was employed as an effective and recyclable organometallic catalyst in Suzuki and Stille C-C coupling reactions. The structure of this magnetic nanocatalyst was determined using various techniques such as SEM, TEM, FT-IR, EDS, ICP-OES, VSM, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, XRD, and TGA. In both of the mentioned coupling paths, the yields of the products were very favorable and ranged from 90 to 98%. Also, they had significant features compared to previous reports, such as very short reaction time (5-15 and 7-20 min respectively in the Suzuki and Stille reactions), easy work-up, broad substrate scope, ease of separation of the catalyst using a magnet, suitable reproducibility of the catalyst in 6 runs, heterogeneous nature of the catalyst and not washing it during consecutive runs with confirmation of hot filtration and ICP-OES methods.

TiO2/PEG as smart anticorrosion and drug-eluting platforms in inflammatory conditions.

The failure of a titanium implant is often attributed to inflammatory reactions following implantation. This study focuses on the synthesis of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer on porous titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). This PEG layer serves as a foundation for a drug-eluting platform designed to respond to pH stimuli during inflammation. Betamethasone (BET), a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, was loaded onto the pH-responsive functional PEG layers. The application of the PEG-BET layer onto TiO2 coatings through the vacuum dip coating method resulted in a pH-sensitive sustained release of BET over a 30-day period. Notably, the release rates were 81% at pH 5.0 and 55% at pH 7.2. Electrochemical corrosion tests conducted in both normal and acidic inflammatory solutions demonstrated that duplex composite coatings offer superior protection compared to simple oxide coatings. In a pH 5.0 solution, corrosion current density measurements revealed values of 1.75 µA cm-2 (PEO/PEG-BET), 8.87 µA cm-2 (PEO), and 49.17 µA cm-2 (bare titanium). These results highlight the effectiveness of the PEO/PEG-BET layer in sealing pores within PEO coatings, subsequently reducing the infiltration of corrosive ions in inflammatory environments.

Biochemical and thermodynamic properties of de novo synthesized urease from Vicia sativa seeds with enhanced industrial applications.

Urease is one of the most significant enzymes in the industry. The objective of this research was to isolate and partially purify urease from Vicia sativa seeds with urease characterization. With a 6.4 % yield, the purification fold was 9.0. By using chromatography, it was determined that the isolated urease had a molecular weight of 55 kDa. The maximum urease activity was found following a 60-s incubation period at 40 °C and pH 8. The activity of urease was significantly boosted by a mean of calcium, barium, DL-dithiothreitol, Na2EDTA, and citrate (16.9, 26.6, 18.6, 13.6, and 31 %), respectively. But nickel and mercury caused inhibitory effects and completely inhibited urease activity, indicating the presence of a thiol (-SH) group in the enzyme active site. The Arrhenius plot was used to analyze the thermodynamic constants of activation, Ea, ΔH*, ΔG*, and ΔS*. The results showed that the values were 30 kJ/mol, 93.14 kJ/mol, 107.17 kJ/mol/K, and -40.80 J/mol/K, respectively. The significance of urease extraction from various sources may contribute to our understanding of the metabolism of urea in plants. The current report has novelty as it explained for the first time the kinetics and thermodynamics of hydrolysis of urea and inactivation of urease from V. sativa seeds.

A narrative review of the effects of dexamethasone on traumatic brain injury in clinical and animal studies: focusing on inflammation.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of brain injury resulting from a sudden physical force to the head. TBI can range from mild, such as a concussion, to severe, which might result in long-term complications or even death. The initial impact or primary injury to the brain is followed by neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, and oxidative stress, which are the hallmarks of the secondary injury phase, that can further damage the brain tissue. Dexamethasone (DXM) has neuroprotective effects. It reduces neuroinflammation, a critical factor in secondary injury-associated neuronal damage. DXM can also suppress the microglia activation and infiltrated macrophages, which are responsible for producing pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to neuroinflammation. Considering the outcomes of this research, some of the effects of DXM on TBI include: (1) DXM-loaded hydrogels reduce apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and lesion volume and improves neuronal cell survival and motor performance, (2) DXM treatment elevates the levels of Ndufs2, Gria3, MAOB, and Ndufv2 in the hippocampus following TBI, (3) DXM decreases the quantity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, (4) DXM reduces the expression of IL1, (5) DXM suppresses the infiltration of RhoA + cells into primary lesions of TBI and (6) DXM treatment led to an increase in fractional anisotropy values and a decrease in apparent diffusion coefficient values, indicating improved white matter integrity. According to the study, the findings show that DXM treatment has neuroprotective effects in TBI. This indicates that DXM is a promising therapeutic approach to treating TBI.

A thorough and current study of miR-214-related targets in cancer.

Cancer is a complex genetic anomaly involving coding and non-coding transcript structural and expressive irregularities. A class of tiny non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) regulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by binding only to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Due to their capacity to target numerous genes, miRNAs have the potential to play a significant role in the development of tumors by controlling several biological processes, including angiogenesis, drug resistance, metastasis, apoptosis, proliferation, and drug resistance. According to several recent studies, miRNA-214 has been linked to the emergence and spread of tumors. The human genome's q24.3 arm contains the DNM3 gene, which is about 6 kb away and includes the microRNA-214. Its primary purpose was the induction of apoptosis in cancerous cells. The multifaceted and complex functions of miR-214 as a modulator in neoplastic conditions have been outlined in the current review.

Advances in preparation, biomedical, and pharmaceutical applications of chitosan-based gold, silver, and magnetic nanoparticles: A review.

During the last decades, the ever-increasing incidence of various diseases, like cancer, has led to a high rate of death worldwide. On the other hand, conventional modalities (such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy) have not indicated enough efficiency in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Thus, potential novel approaches should be taken into consideration to pave the way for the suppression of diseases. Among novel approaches, biomaterials, like chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs, N-acetyl-glucosamine and D-glucosamine), have been approved by the FDA for some efficient pharmaceutical applications. These NPs owing to their physicochemical properties, modification with different molecules, biocompatibility, serum stability, less immune response, suitable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, etc. have received deep attention among researchers and clinicians. More importantly, the impact of CS polysaccharide in the synthesis, preparation, and delivery of metallic NPs (like gold, silver, and magnetic NPs), and combination of CS with these metallic NPs can further facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Metallic NPs possess some features, like converting NIR photon energy into thermal energy and anti-microorganism capability, and can be a potential candidate for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in combination with CS NPs. These combined NPs would be efficient pharmaceuticals in the future.

Oxidative stress affects the beginning of the growth of cancer cells through a variety of routes.

Oxidative stress is a physiological condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cell's antioxidant defense system. ROS are highly reactive molecules that can cause damage to cellular structures such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. the regulation of ROS levels and the antioxidant defense system is crucial for cancer prevention and treatment. Strategies to enhance antioxidant defenses or induce oxidative stress selectively in cancer cells are being developed as potential therapeutic approaches. targeting oxidative stress in cancer treatment is an active area of research with several potential therapeutic approaches being investigated. Developing selective and effective therapies that target oxidative stress in cancer cells while sparing normal cells will be crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Breast cancer vaccines; A comprehensive and updated review.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, breast cancer is more common than lung cancer globally. By 2040, mortality from breast cancer will rise by 50% and 40%, respectively. Despite advances in chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and HER2-targeted therapy, breast cancer metastases and recurrences remain challenging to treat. Cancer vaccines are an effective treatment option because they stimulate a long-lasting immune response that will eliminate tumor cells. In studies on the breast cancer vaccine, no appreciable advantages were discovered. A recent study claims that immune checkpoint inhibitors or anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies may be used in vaccinations. This vaccination strengthens the immune system to fight off breast cancer cells. Clinical trials have been conducted on DNA, dendritic cells, and peptide-based breast cancer vaccines. Studies on the breast cancer vaccine have employed subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intradermal injections. Clinical studies have shown that these efforts have not been successful. Several factors might have slowed the development of a breast cancer vaccine. The complexity of the immune system makes it challenging to create cancer vaccines. Given the heterogeneity of breast cancer, there may be a need for different vaccination strategies. Despite these obstacles, research into breast cancer vaccines continues. Effective methods for creating vaccines include immune checkpoint inhibition and anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies. Research is also being done on specialized tumor vaccinations.

LncRNA PVT1: as a therapeutic target for breast cancer.

A significant number of women are identified with breast cancer (BC) every year, making it among the most prevalent malignancies and one of the leading causes of mortality globally. Despite significant progress in understanding BC pathogenesis and treatment options, there is still a need to identify new therapeutic targets and develop more effective treatments. LncRNAs have been discovered as biomarkers and a promising target for various cancers, including BC. PVT1 is a particular one of these lncRNAs, and research has indicated that it has a significant impact on the appearance and progression of BC.PVT1 is an attractive therapeutic target for BC due to its role in promoting cancer cell growth, metastasis and invasion. In addition to its potential as a treatment strategy, PVT1 may also have diagnostic value in BC. In this article, we will discuss targeting PVT1 as a treatment strategy for BC.

The mechanisms, functions and clinical applications of miR-542-3p in human cancers.

MicroRNAs, as a major type of noncoding RNAs, have crucial roles in various functions during development. Available data have shown that miR-542-3p decreased in various types of cancers. MiR-542-3p is engaged in various cancer-related behaviors like glycolysis, metastasis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell cycle, apoptosis, and proliferation via targeting at least 18 genes and some important signaling pathways like Wnt/ß-catenin, Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) signaling, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling. Current studies have proposed that the level of miR-542-3p could be modulated by several upstream regulators like transcription factors, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). In addition, the level of miR-542-3p or its related lncRNAs/circRNAs are correlated with poor prognosis and clinicopathological features of cancer-affected patients. Here, we have discussed the biogenesis, function, and regulation of miR-542-3p as well as its aberrant expression in various types of neoplastic cells. Moreover, we have discussed the prognostic value of miR-542-3p in cancer. Finally, we have added the underlying molecular mechanism of miR-542-3p in cancer pathogenesis.

Metabolic syndrome in relation to dietary acid load: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background and aim: Several studies have identified that dietary acid load (DAL) may be associated with the odds of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, the evidence is inconclusive. This dose-response meta-analysis aimed to examine the relation of DAL to MetS. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed and Scopus up to April 2023 for pertinent studies evaluating the relation of DAL scores, including potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP), to the odds of MetS. The odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis to test the association. Results: Eight studies, with an overall sample size of 31,351 participants, were included in this meta-analysis. Higher DAL scores were significantly related to the elevated odds of MetS (NEAP: OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.12-1.79; PRAL: OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.11-2.78), with significant evidence of heterogeneity across studies. The linear dose-response analysis proposed that a 10 mEq/day elevation in NEAP and PRAL was linked to a 2% (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.001-1.05) and 28% (OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.11-1.47) increased odds of MetS, respectively. No non-linear association was observed between MetS and NEAP (P-non-linearity = 0.75) and PRAL (P-non-linearity = 0.92). Conclusion: This study revealed a significant direct relationship between DAL and MetS. Therefore, lower acidogenic diets are suggested for the prevention of MetS.

Chitosan-gelatin hydrogel incorporating polyvinyl alcohol and MnFe double-layered hydroxide nanocomposites with biological activity.

In this research, a novel nanocomposite scaffold was developed based on a natural chitosan-gelatin (CS-Ge) hydrogel by incorporating synthetic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and MnFe layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The CS-Ge/PVP/MnFe LDH nanocomposite hydrogels was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The biological tests conducted showed cell viability of the healthy cell line exceeding 95 % after 48 and 72 h. Additionally, the nanocomposite demonstrated high antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa bacteria biofilm, as confirmed through Anti-biofilm assays. Furthermore, mechanical tests revealed that the storage modulus was greater than the loss modulus (G'/G" > 1), confirming the appropriate elastic state of the nanocomposite.

An Eco-Benign Biomimetic Approach for the Synthesis of Ni/ZnO Nanocomposite: Photocatalytic and Antioxidant Activities.

With the increasing demand for wastewater treatment and multidrug resistance among pathogens, it was necessary to develop an efficient catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial applications. The present study proposes a facile and green strategy for synthesizing zinc oxide (ZnO) decorated nickel (Ni) nanomaterials. The synthesized Ni/ZnO nanocomposite displays a high crystallinity and spherical morphology, which was systematically characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy, EDX, HRTEM, and XPS techniques. In addition, the bacteriological tests indicated that Ni/ZnO nanocomposite exhibits potent antibacterial activity against human pathogens, i.e., Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The inhibition zone observed in light and dark conditions for E. coli was 16 (±0.3) mm and 8 (±0.4) mm, respectively, which confirms the high efficacy of the nanocomposite in the presence of light compared to dark conditions. The detailed inhibition mechanism of said bacterium and damage were also studied through fluorescence spectroscopy and SEM analysis, respectively. Evaluation of antioxidant activity based on free radical scavenging activity revealed that the Ni/ZnO nanocomposite effectively scavenges DPPH. In the photocatalytic performance, the Ni/ZnO nanocomposite exhibited a remarkable degradation ability under the optimized condition, which was attributed to their controllable size, high surface area, and exceptional morphology. Good selectivity, high photodegradation, and antibacterial activities and satisfactory hemolytic behavior of the as-prepared nanocomposite make them able to become a potential candidate for superior biological performance and environmental remediation.

A comprehensive review on Covid-19 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant.

The world has been combating different variants of SARS-COV-19 since its first outbreak in Wuhan city. SARS-COV-19 is caused by the coronavirus. The corona virus mutates and becomes more transmissible than earlier variants as the day passes. Till 24 November 2021, SARS-COV-19 has four variants Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, respectively. Among them, the delta variant caused severe havoc across the world. South Africa registered a new variant with the World Health Organization (WHO) on 24 November 2021, which is much more transmissible than previous variants. The WHO classified it as a variant of concern (VOC) on 26 November 2021 and called it the Greek letter Omicron (B.1.1.529), the fifteenth letter in the alphabet. Here a serious attempt was made to comprehend the omicron variant's origin, nomenclature, characteristics, mutations, the difference between delta and omicron variant, epidemiology, transmission, clinical features, impact on immunity, immune evasion, vaccines efficacy, etc.

Facile synthesis of silver modified zinc oxide nanocomposite: An efficient visible light active nanomaterial for bacterial inhibition and dye degradation.

The present study reports the synthesis of silver (Ag) decorated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite via green synthesis method by using Acacia arabica plant leaves extract as both reducing and capping agent. The results clearly indicate a uniform distribution of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) over ZnO surface. Various analytical and spectroscopic techniques were used for investigating the formation and morphology of as-synthesized Ag/ZnO nanocomposites. Emergence of SPR at 424 and 378 nm confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs and ZnO respectively. The confirmation of elemental composition and crystal structure of prepared nanomaterials (NMs) was carried out via EDX and XRD analysis. Results obtained from HRTEM and SEM analysis indicated small sized spherically shaped NMs. The as-synthesized was checked for its photocatalytic activity towards degradation of MB in the presence as well as absence of light irradiation. Results of degradation study revealed that Ag/ZnO exhibits remarkable photocatalytic activity in the presence of light whereby removing 90% of MB within 80 min. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of synthesized nanocomposite was examined in both visible light and dark conditions. The experiment showed that nanomaterial depicts enhanced antibacterial activity in light in comparison to dark. The results showed that the inhibition diameter of Ag/ZnO nanocomposite in light was found to be 18 (±0.2), 22 (±0.3) against E. coli and S. aureus respectively. The inhibition zone of the said nanomaterial against E. coli and S. aureus in dark was 11 (±0.3), 14 (±0.5) respectively. These results conclude that activity is delivered both in the presence of visible light and dark but efficiency of antibacterial activity is found to be more in visible light in comparison.

Phytoassisted synthesis and characterization of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs); with enhanced antibacterial, antioxidant and hemolytic activities.

With increasing demand for the treatment of microbial resistance around the globe, it is necessary to develop metallic nanoparticles , ideally by the use of nontoxic medium i.e. plant constituents, that could arrest the microbial growth. For this reason, small and highly crystalline PdNPs were effectively synthesized by using Eryngium caeruleum leaf extract as both the reducing and capping agent. During the synthesis of PdNPs, the size and shape were made controlled by using different solvents i.e., ethanol, methanol and aqueous extract of Eryngium caeruleum. A series of physicochemical characterizations were applied to inquire the synthesis, crystal structure, particles size, and surface morphology of PdNPs. Furthermore, the PdNPs demonstrated excellent potential for the inactivation of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, where the methanol-PdNPs exhibited maximum growth inhibition zones against tested bacteria as compared to ethanol-PdNPs and aqueous-PdNPs. Besides, PdNPs showed better antioxidant activity to effectively scavenge 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). More importantly, the synthesized PdNPs are not only active for ROS generation but also show no hemolytic activity. We believe that this greener approach uncovered the useful and efficient applications of highly active PdNPs and their biocompatibility.

Photoinhibition and photocatalytic response of surfactant mediated Pt/ZnO nanocomposite.

Water pollution and bacterial resistance are universal problems. Drugs and protocols have been employed to deal with involved microbes and pollutants but these customary chemicals have many limitations. It is essential to produce new methods and materials to deal with these deleterious microbes. In the present contribution, highly efficient and stable nanocomposite of platinum activated zinc oxide was synthesized by a new plant extract and surfactant assisted protocol. The cetylpyridinium chloride was applied as surfactant to obtain high dispersion of spherical ZnO. The platinum ions were reduced on the ZnO surface by the use of Rhazya stricta plant extract. The prepared nanomaterial was used for photoinactivation of multidrug resistant bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). The synthesized nanomaterial showed strong E. coli inhibition efficiency in the presence of light and the observed diameter of zone of inhibition was 21 ±0.4. The effect of light on the inhibition of E.coli was studied by measuring the activated oxygen radicals inside the bacterium cell. The surface morphology of E.coli before and after treatment with Pt/ZnO was studied by SEM. Such effect was not observed in dark. The toxicity of the synthesized nanomaterials was also studied through haemolytic activity and the result shows that the nanomaterial prepared by the said method has very low toxicity. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) was also investigated in the presence of the synthesized nanomaterials. Effect of different parameters such as concentration of Pt/ZnO, Irradiation time and dye concentrations were also studied. An incredible photocatalytic deprivation of MB (98 %) was observed for Pt/ZnO nanocomposite as compared to individual Pt (48%) and ZnO (71%) nanoparticles after 5 minutes of irradiations. Further research is required to investigate the applications of Pt/ZnO nanocomposite.

Synthesis, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Evaluation of Novel Series of Condensed Thiazoloquinazoline with Pyrido, Pyrano, and Benzol Moieties as Five- and Six-Membered Heterocycle Derivatives.

A novel synthesis of thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolines 4(a-e), pyrido[2',3':4,5]thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolines {5(a-e), 6(a-e), and 7(a-e)}, pyrano[2',3':4,5]thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazolines 8(a-e), and benzo[4,5]thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazoloine9(a-e) derivatives starting from 2-(Bis-methylsulfanyl-methylene)-5,5-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,3-dione 2 as efficient α,α dioxoketen dithioacetal is reported and the synthetic approaches of these types of compounds will provide an innovative molecular framework to the designing of new active heterocyclic compounds. In our study, we also present optimization of the synthetic method along with a biological evaluation of these newly synthesized compounds as antioxidants and antibacterial agents against the bacterial strains, like S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. Among all the evaluated compounds, it was found that some showed significant antioxidant activity at 10 µg/mL while the others exhibited better antibacterial activity at 100 µg/mL. The results of this study showed that compound 6(c) possessed remarkable antibacterial activity, whereas compound 9(c) exhibited the highest efficacy as an antioxidant. The structures of the new synthetic compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR.