In-situ sonosynthesis of cobblestone-like ZnO nanoparticles on cotton/polyester fabric improving photo,bio and sonocatalytic activities along with low toxicity and enhanced mechanical properties

For the first time in this study, in-situ sonosynthesis and deposition of ZnO nanoparticles under ultrasound irradiation was used to prepare multifunctional cotton/polyester fabric. The process was carried out at 80 ^°C in ultrasonic bath and was free from final heating of fabrics to convert zinc hydroxide to zinc oxide nanoparticles. This was due to the physical and chemical effects of ultrasound promoting the involved reactions and facilitating the nucleation and growth of ZnO nanoparticles. Central composite design was also used to statistically analyze the process, optimizing the applied condition including zinc precursor concentration, pH and the effect of dispersing agent namely cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant (CTAB). The treated samples were further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). Photocatalytic activities of the treated samples were assessed based on the ability of fabrics to degrade Methylene Blue dye stain under sunlight irradiation. The effect of synthesis parameters on photocatalytic activities (self-cleaning) was statistically optimized. Moreover, for evaluating the sonocatalytic efficiencies of the samples Reactive Blue 2 was applied and the activities were studied by visible spectroscopy. The cotton/polyester samples possessed multifunctional properties including self-cleaning, sonocatalytic, antibacterial, antifungal, low cytotoxicity and enhanced mechanical properties.     

Controlling Cellular Uptake and Toxicity of Polyphenylene Dendrimers by Chemical Functionalization

Polyphenylene dendrimers (PPDs) represent a unique class of macromolecules based on their monodisperse and shape‐persistent nature. These characteristics have enabled the synthesis of a new genre of “patched” surface dendrimers, where their exterior can be functionalized with a variety of polar and nonpolar substituents to yield lipophilic binding sites in a site‐specific way. Although such materials are capable of complexing biologically relevant molecules, show high cellular uptake in various cell lines, and low to no toxicity, there is minimal understanding of the driving forces to these characteristics. We investigated whether it is the specific chemical functionalities, relative quantities of each moiety, or the “patched” surface patterning on the dendrimers that more significantly influences their behavior in biological media.     

Assessing methods for blood cell cytotoxic responses to inorganic nanoparticles and nanoparticle aggregates

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) show great potential for medicinal therapy. However, biocompatibility studies are essential to determine if they are safe. Here, five different NPs are compared for their cytotoxicity, internalization, aggregation in medium, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, using tumoral and normal human blood cells. Differences depending on the cell type are analyzed, and no direct correlation between ROS production and cell toxicity is found. Results are discussed with the aim of standardizing the procedures for the evaluation of the toxicity.     

Detection of single photoluminescent diamond nanoparticles in cells and study of the internalization pathway

Diamond nanoparticles are promising photoluminescent probes for tracking intracellular processes, due to embedded, perfectly photostable color centers. In this work, the spontaneous internalization of such nanoparticles (diameter 25 nm) in HeLa cancer cells is investigated by confocal microscopy and time-resolved techniques. Nanoparticles are observed inside the cell cytoplasm at the single-particle and single-color-center level, assessed by time-correlation intensity measurements. Improvement of the nanoparticle signal-to-noise ratio inside the cell is achieved using a pulsed-excitation laser and time-resolved detection taking advantage of the long radiative lifetime of the color-center excited state as compared to cell autofluorescence. The internalization pathways are also investigated, with endosomal marking and colocalization analyses. The low colocalization ratio observed proves that nanodiamonds are not trapped in endosomes, a promising result in prospect of drug delivery by these nanoparticles. Low cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles in this cell line is also shown.     

医用敷料用柔性金属电极的制备及其细胞毒性分析

为研究用于医用敷料的柔性金属电极的制备可行性和安全性,以涤纶非织造布为基布,通过丝网印刷技术,制备以锌为负电极、银为正电极的柔性微电流生物医用敷料。探讨了电极制备过程中的分散剂种类、分散剂含量及黏合剂含量对金属电极电学性能的影响,并分析了金属电极可能引起的细胞毒性问题。实验结果表明:丝网印刷技术能在基布表面均匀地负载锌、银微纳米颗粒;1%的羧甲基纤维素钠和0.5%的吐温-80分别作为锌、银颗粒的分散剂,能使金属颗粒具有良好的分散性;5%和15%的水性丙烯酸乳液分别作为锌、银金属电极的黏合剂,可使电极具有优良的电性能;当金属质量分数为0.5%~1.0%时,金属电极表现出良好的细胞相容性,可作为生物医用敷料为伤口提供外源性微电流。     

Synthesis of Novel 2-Thiouracil-5-Sulfonamide Derivatives as Potent Inducers of Cell Cycle Arrest and CDK2A Inhibition Supported by Molecular Docking

In an effort to discover potent anticancer agents, 2-thiouracil-5-sulfonamides derivatives were designed and synthesized. The cytotoxic activity of all synthesized compounds was investigated against four human cancer cell lines viz A-2780 (ovarian), HT-29 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), and HepG2 (liver). Compounds 6b,d–g, and 7b showed promising anticancer activity and significant inhibition of CDK2A. Moreover, they were all safe when tested on WI38 normal cells with high selectivity index for cancer cells. Flow cytometric analysis for the most active compound 6e displayed induction of cell growth arrest at G1/S phase (A-2780 cells), S phase (HT-29 and MCF-7 cells), and G2/M phase (HepG2 cells) and stimulated the apoptotic death of all cancer cells. Moreover, 6e was able to cause cycle arrest indirectly through enhanced expression of cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27. Finally, molecular docking of compound 6e endorsed its proper binding to CDK2A, which clarifies its potent anticancer activity.     

Synthesis and biological activity of medium molecular weight polymers containing 3,6‐endo‐methylene‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalimidobutanoyl‐5‐fluorouracil

A new monomer, 3,6‐endo‐methylene‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalimidobutanoyl‐5‐fluorouracil (ETBFU), was synthesized by reaction of 3,6‐endo‐methylene‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalimidobutanoyl chloride and 5‐fluorouracil. The homopolymer of ETBFU and its copolymers with acrylic acid (AA) or vinyl acetate (VAc) were prepared by photopolymerization using 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone as an initiator at 25 °C. The synthesized ETBFU and its polymers were identified by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The ETBFU content in poly(ETBFU‐co‐AA) and poly(ETBFU‐co‐VAc) was 43 and 14 mol%, respectively. The apparent number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of the polymers determined by GPC ranged from 8400 to 11 300. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the samples against mouse mammary carcinoma (FM3A), mouse leukaemia (P388), and human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) cancer cell lines decreased in the order 5‐FU ≥ ETBFU > poly(ETBFU) > poly(ETBFU‐co‐AA) > poly(ETBFU‐co‐VAc). The in vivo antitumour activity of the polymers against Balb/C mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumour cells was greater than that of 5‐fluorouracil at all doses tested. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Functional Studies of Plant Latex as a Rich Source of Bioactive Compounds: Focus on Proteins and Alkaloids

Latex, a sticky emulsion produced by specialized cells called laticifers, is a crucial part of a plant’s defense system against herbivory and pathogens. It consists of a broad spectrum of active compounds, which are beneficial not only for plants, but for human health as well, enough to mention the use of morphine or codeine from poppy latex. Here, we reviewed latex’s general role in plant physiology and the significance of particular compounds (alkaloids and proteins) to its defense system with the example of Chelidonium majus L. from the poppy family. We further attempt to present latex chemicals used so far in medicine and then focus on functional studies of proteins and other compounds with potential pharmacological activities using modern techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Despite the centuries-old tradition of using latex-bearing plants in therapies, there are still a lot of promising molecules waiting to be explored.