Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology最新文献

Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) could improve the hypoxic state of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and increase radiotherapy sensitivity. We assessed the in vitro effects of nano-HBOC + irradiation therapy (IR) on NSCLC cells and the in vivo effect on a mouse model. H385 human NSCLC cell line was used to evaluate the nano-HBOC effect + IR on the cellular partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂), cell activity and changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) 1-2 h post-exposure. An NSCLC tumour-bearing mouse model was established to evaluate nano-HBOC+IR efficacy 28 d post-exposure. In vitro, pO₂ tended to increase in nano-HBOC groups versus control, cell activity decreased (p < 0.01) and ROS level increased (p < 0.05). Post-irradiation, pO₂ increased in nano-HBOC+IR groups versus control (p < 0.01), viability decreased (p < 0.01) and ROS increased (p < 0.01). No significant difference between nano-HBOC groups was observed. In vivo, nano-HBOC was most abundant at the tumour site and pO₂ increased 6 h post-injection (p > 0.05). Tumour size was smaller in the IR and nano-HBOC+IR groups versus control. ROS levels and cell death were significantly increased. Nano-HBOC can improve pO₂, enhance radiotherapy's inhibitory ability on NSCLC cell lines and tumour-bearing mouse models, and promote ROS release.

In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were bio-fabricated using the water extract of marine brown seaweed Hizikia fusiformis (Hfs), commonly eaten as food in Southeast Asia, Korea, China, and Japan, and in other parts of the world. This process offers massive potential for the manufacture of new-generation nanomaterials utilizing sustainable seaweed components and explores its biological (tyrosinase, antidiabetic, antioxidant) and environmental (photocatalytic degradation of toxic industrial dyes) applications. Different spectroscopic approaches were employed to characterize and confirm the fabrication of Hfs-AuNPs. UV-Vis spectroscopy displayed the Hfs-AuNP's surface plasmon resonance at 534 nm. The XRD result revealed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticle. According to FT-IR analysis, various phytoconstituents like polyphenols and polysaccharides from the Hfs extract contributed to the reduction and stabilization of Hfs-AuNPs. Hfs-AuNPs displayed a spherical form with a zeta potential of -18.6 mV. Notably, Hfs-AuNPs exhibited encouraging tyrosinase inhibition (31.74 % inhibition while kojic acid showed 52.40 % inhibition at 100 µg/ml), antidiabetic effect (56.38 % α-amylase activity while acarbose exhibited 61.19 % activity at 100 µg/ml), and antioxidant properties (82.89 % of DPPH scavenging while 60.04 % scavenging by BHT and 63.73 SOD effect while 61.77 % scavenging by BHT at 100 µg/ml). Besides, Hfs-AuNPs also displayed positive photocatalytic degradation of toxic industrial dyes like methylene blue (29.20 % degradation at 5 h) and methyl orange (21.26 % degradation at 3 h). The above eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable synthesis method can be explored further for large-scale production and future substantial applications in therapeutic and industrial needs.

Ageing significantly contributes to osteoarthritis (OA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) pathogenesis, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to identify ageing-related biomarkers in OA patients with MetS. OA and MetS datasets and ageing-related genes (ARGs) were retrieved from public databases. The limma package was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) screened gene modules, and machine learning algorithms, such as random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), generalised linear model (GLM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB), were employed. The nomogram and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assess the diagnostic value, and CIBERSORT analysed immune cell infiltration. We identified 20 intersecting genes among DEGs of OA, key module genes of MetS, and ARGs. By comparing the accuracy of the four machine learning models for disease prediction, the SVM model, which includes CEBPB, PTEN, ARPC1B, PIK3R1, and CDC42, was selected. These hub ARGs not only demonstrated strong diagnostic values based on nomogram data but also exhibited a significant correlation with immune cell infiltration. Building on these findings, we have identified five hub ARGs that are associated with immune cell infiltration and have constructed a nomogram aimed at early diagnosing OA patients with MetS.

Zirconia-based composites are promising materials for medical and dental applications. They are widely used due to their osteoconductivity and chemical stability. Moreover, when modified with beneficial fillers, they combine mechanical strength with bioactivity. This study addresses the interplay between bioactive fillers, cytotoxicity, antibacterial activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ZrO₂ composites. The composites were tested for their biological properties. Thanks to hydrothermally obtained zirconia used in ZrO₂/HAp composites the sintering temperature was reduced, which limited hydroxyapatite decomposition. However, ZrO₂/HAp composites revealed higher cytotoxicity and ROS levels, linked to calcium ion release resulting from the partial HAp decomposition. Composites with BGCu exhibited strong antibacterial activity and acceptable cytotoxicity due to copper ions disrupting microbial structures and inducing oxidative stress. hBN-containing composites displayed moderate bacteriostatic activity but higher cytotoxicity than BGCu composites. These findings highlight the potential of ZrO₂/BGCu composites as bioactive materials for bone regeneration and antimicrobial applications. While composites with hydroxyapatite demonstrate a balance between bioactivity and cytotoxicity, BGCu emerge as a promising modification to enhance antibacterial properties with controlled cytotoxicity. Further research is needed to optimise filler compositions to balance ion release, biological stability, and functionality.

Hypoxia-induced brain damage can cause consciousness, memory failure and death. HK2 and TPI1 were investigated to see how they change hypoxia sensitivity in neurons and non-neurons. Hypoxia sensitivity is determined by the differential overexpression of both important glycolytic enzymes in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. C6 glioma cells expressed greater HK2 and TPI1 protein than neuro 2A cells, which were more sensitive to hypoxia-induced cell death by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay. After 48 h of hypoxia, C6 glioma cells displayed substantial protein upregulation of HK2 and TPI1 glycolytic proteins but not mRNA. Hypoxia did not raise HK2 and TPI1 mRNA transcription, pointing at post-transcriptional protein regulation. Using di-cistronic and promoter-less di-cistronic assays, we discovered significant IRES regions in HK2 and TPI1 mRNA's 5'UTR, more active in C6 glioma cells with polypyrimidine tract binding (PTB) protein. We concluded that non-neuronal cells varied in HK2 and TPI1 overexpression, altering their vulnerability to hypoxia-induced cell death. Adjusting HK2, TP1 and PTB levels may prevent hypoxia-induced brain cell death. These results offer new information on glycolytic enzyme modulation under hypoxia, crucial for comprehending cell survival in hypoxic situations. This could affect situations like neurodegenerative illnesses or ischaemic injuries, where hypoxia-induced cell death is crucial.

Purpose: This study aims to identify potential RNA polymerase (RNAP) inhibitors using a comprehensive computational approach, addressing the challenges in drug discovery related to stability, affinity, and accurate binding predictions.

Patients and methods: The research workflow involved virtual screening to narrow down candidate compounds, molecular docking to predict optimal binding poses, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to evaluate interaction stability over time, and MM-PBSA analysis to calculate binding energies. These steps ensured that only compounds with strong and stable binding profiles were selected for further evaluation.

Results: The selected compounds, ZINC001286671821, ZINC000253654686, and ZINC000252693842, demonstrated varying degrees of stability and affinity. MM-PBSA analysis revealed that ZINC000252693842 had the most favourable binding energy at -106.097 ± 24.664 kJ/mol, followed by ZINC001286671821 at -89.201 ± 22.647 kJ/mol, and ZINC000253654686 at -43.832 ± 23.748 kJ/mol. Van der Waals forces were the main contributors to stability, with values of -221.032 ± 27.721 kJ/mol, -187.136 ± 23.796 kJ/mol, and -157.232 ± 19.676 kJ/mol, respectively. These findings confirm the strong binding potential of ZINC000252693842 as an RNAP inhibitor.

Conclusion: This study highlights the effectiveness of combining virtual screening, molecular docking, MD simulations, and MM-PBSA analysis in identifying promising RNAP inhibitors. The results establish a strong foundation for further experimental validation, advancing the development of effective therapeutic agents targeting RNA polymerase.

Mass spectrometry-based profiling of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) root extracts by high-resolution LC-ESI-TOF-MS was conducted to identify the constituting compounds including ginsenosides, terpenoids and sugars. The constituting compounds were identified by accurate mass measurement and MS/MS patterns. Both extracts were successfully applied for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Mostly spherical-shaped AuNPs were identified and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed their face-centred cubic crystallinity. The average size was in the range of 10.5 ± 2.4 nm ∼ 13.9 ± 5.1 nm. The AuNPs retained colloidal stability at 4 °C in the dark for 7 days. Cell viability was assessed with human breast adenocarcinoma and human epithelial cervix adenocarcinoma cells. At Au concentrations up to 200 ∼ 240 μM, no significant cytotoxicity was observed, suggesting the potential applications of the AuNPs as drug delivery carriers. 4-Nitrophenol, methyl orange and methylene blue degradation reactions were carried out to study the catalytic activity of the AuNPs. The rate constants varied in a range of 2.14 × 10^-3/sec ∼ 16.81 × 10^-3/sec. The catalytic activity of the AuNPs was the most effective in the methyl orange degradation reaction. The convergence strategy combining nanotechnology and natural products can increase the applicability of Korean red ginseng with prospective applications in nanomedicine and catalysis.