Systemic Evaluation of Mechanism of Cytotoxicity in Human Colon Cancer HCT-116 Cells of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Marine Algae Ulva lactuca Extract

In the current study, biogenic silver nanoparticles (U-AgNPs) were synthesized using marine green macro-algal Ulva lactuca extract, and evaluated mechanism behind its anticancer activity against the Human colon cancer (HCT-116). The biogenic U-AgNPs were characterized using various physiochemical techniques. The TEM micrographs confirmed the spherical morphology of synthesized U-AgNPs, with a mean size of 8–14 nm. EDX spectrum as well as ICP-OES confirmed that AgNPs was nearly 90% purity for silver. FTIR Spectra analysis of U-AgNPs confirmed U. lactuca extract bioactive molecules presence over U-AgNPs surface as a stabilizing agent, thereby improving biocompatibility. The cytotoxicity study revealed the dose dependent cell death in colon cancer cells with no loss of viability in normal human colon epithelial cells. Furthermore, the fluorescence micrographs of nucleus staining assay revealed the DNA fragmentation and nucleus condensation of cancer cells treated with U-AgNPs, indicating an apoptosis-mediated cell death. The western bolt and RT-PCR analysis of U-AgNPs treated cancer cells showed the rise in proapoptotic markers (P53, Bax, and P21) and decline in anti-apoptotic markers (Bcl-2), thus confirming the p53-dependent apoptosis mediated cell death in HCT-116. Overall, our study concluded that novel biogenic U-AgNPs nanoparticles, synthesized using marine green macro-algal U. lactuca extract showed efficient anticancer activity against HCT-116 cell line and hence could work as potential therapeutic agent for targeted anti-cancer therapy.

     

Large-Area Si Solar Cells Based on Molybdenum Oxide Hole Selective Contacts

Silicon - Carrier selective contacts based heterojunction Si solar cells are an emerging photovoltaic technology. This paper reports the fabrication of large area Si solar cells based on molybdenum...     

A Chimeric Peptide Inhibits Red Blood Cell Invasion by Plasmodium falciparum with Hundredfold Increased Efficacy**

Inhibiting the formation of a tight junction between two malaria parasite proteins, apical membrane antigen 1 and rhoptry neck protein 2, crucial for red blood cell invasion, prevents progression of the disease. In this work, we have used a unique approach to design a chimeric peptide, prepared by fusion of the best features of two peptide inhibitors, that has displayed parasite growth inhibition ex vivo with nanomolar IC₅₀, which is 100 times better than any of its parent peptides. Furthermore, to gain structural insights, we computationally modelled the hybrid peptide on its receptor.     

Enabling computer-aided food process engineering: Property estimation equations for transport phenomena-based models

During processing of a food, its temperature, moisture and other compositions, structure, etc., can change, continuously changing its physical properties. Realistic simulation of food processes require dynamic estimation of the food physical properties as they continue to change during the process. Having a few data points for a few states of the material, as is true for the majority of food properties data, is not sufficient for realistic process simulations. The goal of this article is a practical one: it is to develop a concise resource for the equations that can estimate food properties as they change during processing. Such a resource should make computer-aided food product, process and equipment design one step closer to reality by making the necessary input parameters available in one location and in a format that can be readily used in a simulation software. Several equilibrium, transport and electrical properties are included. The estimation equations for any property are chosen from among the most successful and accurate, staying away from property estimators that have theoretical basis but have not been as successful for food materials. For each property, implementation of its prediction equations in a computer model has also been discussed. Accuracy of each property estimation process have been included from the literature, showing most properties can be estimated to within 10% accuracy, sufficient for modeling purposes. Having such reasonable prediction models has the important implication that unavailability of sufficient data, that is expected to be always true due to the variety and complexity of food materials and processes, is not a bottleneck for computer-aided food process engineering.     

Pathways to improve nephrologist comfort in managing patients on in-center or home self-care dialysis

In end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), patient engagement and empowerment are associated with improved survival and complications. However, patients lack education and confidence to participate in self-care. The development of in center self-care hemodialysis can enable motivated patients to allocate autonomy, increase satisfaction and engagement, reduce human resource intensiveness, and cultivate a curiosity about home dialysis. In this review, we emphasize the role of education to overcome barriers to home dialysis, strategies of improving home dialysis utilization in the COVID 19 era, the significance of in-center self-care dialysis (e.g., cost containment and empowering patients), and implementation of an in-center self-care dialysis as a bridge to home hemodialysis (HHD).