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  1. Pramanik BK, Pramanik SK, Sarker DC, Suja F
    Environ Technol, 2017 Jun;38(11):1383-1389.
    PMID: 27587007 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2016.1228701
    The effects of ozonation, anion exchange resin (AER) and UV/H2O2 were investigated as a pre-treatment to control organic fouling (OF) of ultrafiltration membrane in the treatment of drinking water. It was found that high molecular weight (MW) organics such as protein and polysaccharide substances were majorly responsible for reversible fouling which contributed to 90% of total fouling. The decline rate increased with successive filtration cycles due to deposition of protein content over time. All pre-treatment could reduce the foulants of a Ultrafiltration membrane which contributed to the improvement in flux, and there was a greater improvement of flux by UV/H2O2 (61%) than ozonation (43%) which in turn was greater than AER (23%) treatment. This was likely due to the effective removal/breakdown of high MW organic content. AER gave greater removal of biofouling potential components (such as biodegradable dissolved organic carbon and assimilable organic carbon contents) compared to UV/H2O2 and ozonation treatment. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of pre-treatments for reducing OF of ultrafiltration for the treatment of drinking water.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anion Exchange Resins/chemistry*; Hydrogen Peroxide/chemistry*; Ozone/chemistry*; Water Pollutants/chemistry; Oxidants/chemistry*; Drinking Water/chemistry
  2. Ahmed AS, Mandal UK, Taher M, Susanti D, Jaffri JM
    Pharm Dev Technol, 2018 Oct;23(8):751-760.
    PMID: 28378604 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2017.1295067
    The development of hydrogel films as wound healing dressings is of a great interest owing to their biological tissue-like nature. Polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol (PVA/PEG) hydrogels loaded with asiaticoside, a standardized rich fraction of Centella asiatica, were successfully developed using the freeze-thaw method. Response surface methodology with Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to optimize the hydrogels. The hydrogels were characterized and optimized by gel fraction, swelling behavior, water vapor transmission rate and mechanical strength. The formulation with 8% PVA, 5% PEG 400 and five consecutive freeze-thaw cycles was selected as the optimized formulation and was further characterized by its drug release, rheological study, morphology, cytotoxicity and microbial studies. The optimized formulation showed more than 90% drug release at 12 hours. The rheological properties exhibited that the formulation has viscoelastic behavior and remains stable upon storage. Cell culture studies confirmed the biocompatible nature of the optimized hydrogel formulation. In the microbial limit tests, the optimized hydrogel showed no microbial growth. The developed optimized PVA/PEG hydrogel using freeze-thaw method was swellable, elastic, safe, and it can be considered as a promising new wound dressing formulation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Polyvinyl Alcohol/chemistry*; Triterpenes/chemistry; Hydrogels/chemistry*
  3. Abu Bakar AR, Manaharan T, Merican AF, Mohamad SB
    Nat Prod Res, 2018 Feb;32(4):473-476.
    PMID: 28391727 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2017.1312393
    Ficus deltoidea leaves extract are known to have good therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic. We showed that 50% ethanol-water extract of F. deltoidea leaves and its pungent compounds vitexin and isovitexin exhibited significant (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases/chemistry; Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Ficus/chemistry*; Apigenin/chemistry
  4. Abu-Serie MM, Habashy NH, Attia WE
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2018 May 10;18(1):154.
    PMID: 29747629 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2218-5
    BACKGROUND: Since oxidative stress and inflammation are two linked factors in the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Thus identification of effective treatment is of great importance. Edible mushroom and microalgae are rich in the effective antioxidant phytochemicals. Hence, their beneficial effects on oxidative stress-associated inflammation are extremely required to be investigated.

    METHODS: This study evaluated the functional constituents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Malaysian Ganoderma lucidum aqueous extract (GLE) and Egyptian Chlorella vulgaris ethanolic extract (CVE). Also, the synergistic, addictive or antagonistic activities of the combination between the two extracts (GLE-CVE) were studied. Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B, as well as levels of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes were determined using in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated white blood cells.

    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry; Antioxidants/chemistry; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Ganoderma/chemistry*; Chlorella vulgaris/chemistry*; Phytochemicals/chemistry
  5. Musa SF, Yeat TS, Kamal LZM, Tabana YM, Ahmed MA, El Ouweini A, et al.
    J Sci Food Agric, 2018 Feb;98(3):1197-1207.
    PMID: 28746729 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8573
    BACKGROUND: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become widely practiced worldwide. In this study, AgNPs were synthesized using a hot-water extract of the edible mushroom Pleurotus sajor-caju. The product, PSC-AgNPs, was characterized by using UV-visible spectra, dynamic light scattering analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. To assess its antifungal activity against Candida albicans, gene transcription and protein expression analyses were conducted for CaICL1 and its product, ICL, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively.

    RESULTS: PSC-AgNPs with an average particle size of 11.68 nm inhibited the growth of the pathogenic yeast C. albicans. Values for minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration were 250 and 500 mg L-1 , respectively. TEM images revealed that the average particle size of PSC-AgNPs was 16.8 nm, with the values for zeta potential and the polydispersity index being -8.54 mV and 0.137, respectively. XRD and FTIR spectra showed PSC-AgNPs to have a face-centered cubic crystalline structure. The polysaccharides and amino acid residues present in P. sajor-caju extract were found to be involved in reducing Ag+ to AgNP. Both CaICL1 transcription and ICL protein expression were found to be suppressed in the cells treated with PSC-AgNPs as compared with the control.

    CONCLUSION: Our PSC-AgNP preparation makes for a promising antifungal agent that can downregulate isocitrate lyase. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

    Matched MeSH terms: Antifungal Agents/chemistry; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Silver/chemistry; Pleurotus/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry; Green Chemistry Technology
  6. Baidurah S, Murugan P, Joyyi L, Fukuda J, Yamada M, Sudesh K, et al.
    J Chromatogr A, 2016 Nov 04;1471:186-191.
    PMID: 27769532 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.10.019
    Thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation-gas chromatography (THM-GC) in the presence of an organic alkali was validated for the compositional analysis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] accumulated in whole bacterial cells. Recombinant Cupriavidus necator Re2058/pCB113 was grown in a batch fermentation with different concentration of palm oil and fructose in order to control the molar fraction of 3HHx in P(3HB-co-3HHx) produced in the cells. Trace amounts (30μg) of freeze-dried cells were directly subjected to THM-GC in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) at 400°C. The obtained chromatograms clearly showed nine characteristic peaks, attributed to the THM products from 3HB and 3HHx units in the polymer chains, without any appreciable interference by the bacterial matrix components. Based on these peak intensities, the copolymer compositions were determined rapidly without using any cumbersome and lengthy sample pretreatment as in conventional GC method. Moreover, the compositions thus obtained were strongly correlated with those by NMR and conventional GC involving solvent extraction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Caproates/chemistry; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical/instrumentation; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical/methods*; Cupriavidus necator/chemistry*; 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid/chemistry
  7. Ab Halim MH, Nor Anuar A, Abdul Jamal NS, Azmi SI, Ujang Z, Bob MM
    J Environ Manage, 2016 Dec 15;184(Pt 2):271-280.
    PMID: 27720606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.09.079
    The effect of temperature on the efficiency of organics and nutrients removal during the cultivation of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in biological treatment of synthetic wastewater was studied. With this aim, three 3 L sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) with influent loading rate of 1.6 COD g (L d)(-1) were operated at different high temperatures (30, 40 and 50 °C) for simultaneous COD, phosphate and ammonia removal at a complete cycle time of 3 h. The systems were successfully started up and progressed to steady state at different cultivation periods. The statistical comparison of COD, phosphate and ammonia for effluent from the three SBRs revealed that there was a significant difference between groups of all the working temperatures of the bioreactors. The AGS cultivated at different high temperatures also positively correlated with the accumulation of elements including carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, silicon, iron, aluminium, calcium and magnesium that played important roles in the granulation process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ammonia/chemistry; Carbon/chemistry; Nitrogen/chemistry; Phosphates/chemistry; Phosphorus/chemistry; Waste Water/chemistry
  8. Salar U, Khan KM, Chigurupati S, Syed S, Vijayabalan S, Wadood A, et al.
    Med Chem, 2019;15(1):87-101.
    PMID: 30179139 DOI: 10.2174/1573406414666180903162243
    BACKGROUND: Despite many side effects associated, there are many drugs which are being clinically used for the treatment of type-II diabetes mellitus (DM). In this scenario, there is still need to develop new therapeutic agents with more efficacy and less side effects. By keeping in mind the diverse spectrum of biological potential associated with coumarin and thiazole, a hybrid class based on these two heterocycles was synthesized.

    METHOD: Hydrazinyl thiazole substituted coumarins 4-20 were synthesized via two step reaction. First step was the acid catalyzed reaction of 3-formyl/acetyl coumarin derivatives with thiosemicarbazide to form thiosemicarbazone intermediates 1-3, followed by the reaction with different phenacyl bromides to afford products 4-20. All the synthetic analogs 4-20 were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques such as EI-MS, HREI-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Stereochemical assignment of the iminic double bond was carried out by the NOESY experiments. Elemental analysis was found in agreement with the calculated values.

    RESULTS: Compounds 4-20 were screened for α-amylase inhibitory activity and showed good activity in the range of IC50 = 1.829 ± 0.102-3.37 ± 0.17 µM as compared to standard acarbose (IC50 = 1.819 ± 0.19 µM). Compounds were also investigated for their DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and displayed good radical scavenging potential. In addition to that molecular modelling study was conducted on all compounds to investigate the interaction details of compounds 4- 20 (ligands) with active site (receptor) of enzyme.

    CONCLUSION: The newly identified hybrid class may serve as potential lead candidates for the management of diabetes mellitus.

    Matched MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases/chemistry; Coumarins/chemistry*; Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry*; Hydrazines/chemistry*; Thiazoles/chemistry*; Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry*
  9. Halim ALA, Kamari A, Phillip E
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2018 Dec;120(Pt A):1119-1126.
    PMID: 30176328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.08.169
    In this work, chitosan, gelatin and methylcellulose films incorporated with tannic acid (TA) were synthesised, characterised and applied for the first time to preserve cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) and grapes (Vitis vinifera). The addition of TA at 15% (w/w) increased the transparency value of biopolymer films. The highest increment of transparency value was obtained for MC-TA film, increased from 0.572 to 4.73 A/mm. Based on antimicrobial study, the addition of TA improved the antibacterial properties of biopolymers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The ability of films to preserve both fruits was evaluated in a 14-day preservation study. The application of biopolymer films treated with TA has decreased the weight loss and browning index of fruits, as compared to control films. A significant reduction in the weight loss of cherry tomatoes wrapped with chitosan (from 21.3 to 19.6%), gelatin (from 22.1 to 15.5%) and methylcellulose (26.2 to 20.5%) films were obtained following TA treatment. Overall, results obtained from this study highlight the effects of TA on physiochemical properties of biopolymer films and their ability to preserve fruits.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Biopolymers/chemistry; Gelatin/chemistry*; Methylcellulose/chemistry*; Tannins/chemistry; Chitosan/chemistry*
  10. Boukhalfa N, Boutahala M, Djebri N, Idris A
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Feb 15;123:539-548.
    PMID: 30447356 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.11.102
    Magnetic beads (AO-γ-Fe2O3) of alginate (A) impregnated with citrate coated maghemite nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3) and oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (OMWCNTs) were synthesized and used as adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue from water. The XRD analysis revealed that the diameter of γ-Fe2O3 is 10.24 nm. The mass saturation magnetization of AO-γ-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3 were found to be 27.16 and 42.63 emu·g-1, respectively. The adsorption studies revealed that the data of MB isotherm were well fitted to the Freundlich model. The Langmuir isotherm model exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 905.5 mg·g-1. The adsorption was very dependent on initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature. The beads exhibited high adsorption stability in large domain of pH (4-10). The thermodynamic parameters determined at 283, 293, 303, and 313 K revealed that the adsorption occurring was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Adsorption kinetic data followed the intraparticle diffusion model. The AO-γ-Fe2O3 beads were used for six cycles without significant adsorptive performance loss. Therefore, the eco-friendly prepared AO-γ-Fe2O3 beads were considered as highly recyclable and efficient adsorbent for methylene blue as they can be easily separated from water after treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alginates/chemistry; Cations/chemistry; Coloring Agents/chemistry*; Ferric Compounds/chemistry; Methylene Blue/chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry*
  11. Tabbassum M, Zeeshan F
    Pharm Dev Technol, 2019 Jun;24(5):649-662.
    PMID: 30474456 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2018.1551902
    This study was conducted to investigate the influence of formulation development methods on the stability (secondary structure, aggregation, and biological activity) of protein drugs embedded in lipid matrices. Catalase, horseradish peroxidase, and α-chymotrypsin were employed as model proteins, while Precirol® AT05 (glyceryl palmitostearate) was used as lipid matrix. Protein-loaded lipid matrices were prepared using melting and mixing and wet granulation methods. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and biological activity analyses were performed. ATR FT-IR analysis indicated significant interference of the lipid with the protein amide-I band, which was eliminated using spectral subtraction. Wet granulation method induced more changes in protein secondary structure compared to melting and mixing method. SEC analysis gave evidence of protein aggregation for catalase upon adopting the wet granulation method. The biological activity of catalase was found to reduce significantly than other two proteins upon using wet granulation method, which might be ascribed to both secondary structure alterations and the formation of aggregates. Horseradish peroxidase and α-chymotrypsin did not form any soluble aggregates. In conclusion, melting and mixing method emerged as a better incorporation method compared to wet granulation because of better stability shown by the formulated proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Catalase/chemistry; Chymotrypsin/chemistry; Diglycerides/chemistry*; Horseradish Peroxidase/chemistry; Proteins/chemistry*; Pharmaceutical Vehicles/chemistry*
  12. Subramanian P, Rajnikanth PS, Kumar M, Chidambram K
    Curr Drug Deliv, 2020;17(1):74-86.
    PMID: 31721703 DOI: 10.2174/1567201816666191112111610
    OBJECTIVE: A novel, Supersaturable Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (S-SNEDDS) has been prepared to improve the Dutasteride's poor aqueous solubility.

    METHODS: By adding Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) as a precipitation inhibitor to conventional SNEDDS, a supersaturable system was prepared. Firstly, the prepared SNEDDS played an important role in increasing the aqueous solubility and hence oral absorption due to nano-range size. Secondly, the S-SNEDDS found to be advantageous over SNEDDS for having a higher drug load and inhibition of dilution precipitation of Dutasteride. Formulated S-SNEDDS (F1-F9) ranged from 37.42 ± 1.02 to 68.92 ± 0.09 nm with PDI 0.219-0.34 and drug loading of over 95 percent.

    RESULTS: The study of in-vitro dissolution revealed higher dissolution for S-SNEDDS compared to SNEDDS and Avodart soft gelatin capsule as a commercial product. In addition, higher absorption was observed for S-SNEDDS showing approximately 1.28 and 1.27 fold AUC (0-24h) and Cmax compared to commercial products. Therefore, S-SNEDDS has proven as a novel drug delivery system with a higher drug load, higher self-emulsification efficiency, higher stability, higher dissolution and pronounced absorption.

    CONCLUSION: In conclusion, S-SNEDDS could be a newly emerging approach to enhance aqueous solubility in many folds for drugs belonging to BCS Class II and IV and thus absorption and oral bioavailability.

    Matched MeSH terms: Dutasteride/chemistry*; Drug Carriers/chemistry; Emulsions/chemistry; Nanoparticles/chemistry*; 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors/chemistry*; Hypromellose Derivatives/chemistry*
  13. Alipour E, Alimohammady F, Yumashev A, Maseleno A
    J Mol Model, 2019 Dec 13;26(1):7.
    PMID: 31834504 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-019-4267-1
    Today, drug delivery systems based on nanostructures have become the most efficient to be studied. Recent studies revealed that the fullerenes can be used as drug carriers and transport drugs in a target cell. The aim of the present work is to study the interaction of C60 fullerene containing porphyrin-like transition metal-N4 clusters (TMN4C55, TM = Fe, Co, and Ni) with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen (Ibp)) by employing the method of the density functional theory. Results showed that the C60 fullerene with TMN4 clusters could significantly enhance the tendency of C60 for adsorption of ibuprofen drug. Also, our ultraviolet-visible results show that the electronic spectra of Ibp/TMN4C55 complexes exhibit a blue shift toward lower wavelengths (higher energies). It was found that the NiN4C55 fullerene had high chemical reactivity, which was important for binding of the drug onto the carrier surface. In order to gain insight into the binding features of Ibp/TMN4C55 complexes, the atoms in molecules analysis was also performed. Our results exhibit the electrostatic features of the Ibp/TMN4C55 bonding. Consequently, this study demonstrated that the TMN4C55 fullerenes could be used as potential carriers for delivery of Ibp drug in the nanomedicine domain. Graphical Abstract The TMN4C55 (TM=Fe, Co, and Ni) fullerenes could be used as potential carriers for delivery of ibuprofen drug in the nanomedicine domain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ibuprofen/chemistry*; Metals/chemistry; Porphyrins/chemistry*; Fullerenes/chemistry*; Nanostructures/chemistry; Coordination Complexes/chemistry
  14. Che Sulaiman IS, Chieng BW, Osman MJ, Ong KK, Rashid JIA, Wan Yunus WMZ, et al.
    Mikrochim Acta, 2020 01 15;187(2):131.
    PMID: 31940088 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-019-3893-8
    This review (with 99 refs.) summarizes the progress that has been made in colorimetric (i.e. spectrophotometric) determination of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) using gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs). Following an introduction into the field, a first large section covers the types and functions of organophosphate pesticides. Methods for colorimetric (spectrophotometric) measurements including RGB techniques are discussed next. A further section covers the characteristic features of gold and silver-based NPs. Syntheses and modifications of metal NPs are covered in section 5. This is followed by overviews on enzyme inhibition-based assays, aptamer-based assays and chemical (non-enzymatic) assays, and a discussion of specific features of colorimetric assays. Several Tables are presented that give an overview on the wealth of methods and materials. A concluding section addresses current challenges and discusses potential future trends and opportunities. Graphical abstractSchematic representation of organophosphate pesticide determinations based on aggregation of nanoparticles (particular silver or gold nanoparticles). This leads to a color change which can be determined visually and monitored by a red shift in the absorption spectrum.
    Matched MeSH terms: Gold/chemistry; Pesticides/chemistry; Organophosphates/chemistry; Silver/chemistry; Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  15. Azri FA, Eissa S, Zourob M, Chinnappan R, Sukor R, Yusof NA, et al.
    Mikrochim Acta, 2020 04 12;187(5):266.
    PMID: 32279134 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-020-4218-7
    An electrochemical aptasensor is described for determination of the phytohormone of zearalenone (ZEA). The gold electrode was modified with ZEA via covalent attachment using cysteamine-hydrochloride and 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate linker. A truncated ZEA aptamer with a dissociation constant of 13.4 ± 2.1 nM was used in an aptasensor. The electrochemical property was investigated using square wave voltammetry for monitoring the change in the electron transfer using the ferro/ferricyanide system as redox probe. Under optimal experimental conditions, the response was best measured at a potential of 0.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The signals depended on the competitive mechanism between the immobilised ZEA and free ZEA for the aptamer binding site. The aptasensor works in the range 0.01 to 1000 ng·mL-1 ZEA concentration, with a detection limit of 0.017 ng·mL-1. High degree of cross-reactivity with the other analogues of ZEA was observed, whereas none towards other mycotoxins. The aptasensor was further applied for the determination of ZEA in the extract of maize grain and showed good recovery percentages between 87 and 110%. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the electrochemical determination of zearalenone based on indirect competitive assay. Step a Immobilisation of ZEA on the surface of gold electrode via covalent attachment, b competition for the ZEA aptamer binding site between immobilised and free ZEA, and c current signal of the binding event based on SWV technique.
    Matched MeSH terms: Zea mays/chemistry; Gold/chemistry; Mycotoxins/chemistry; Zearalenone/chemistry; Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry*; Immobilized Nucleic Acids/chemistry
  16. Maluin FN, Hussein MZ, Azah Yusof N, Fakurazi S, Idris AS, Zainol Hilmi NH, et al.
    J Agric Food Chem, 2020 Apr 15;68(15):4305-4314.
    PMID: 32227887 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b08060
    The rise of environmental and health concerns due to the excessive use of the conventional fungicide urges the search for sustainable alternatives of agronanofungicides where the latter is aimed to enhance plant uptake and minimize the volatilization, leaching, and runoff of fungicides. With this in mind, fungicides of hexaconazole and/or dazomet were encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles for the formulation of chitosan-based agronanofungicides. In the present study, chitosan nanoparticles (2 nm), chitosan-hexaconazole nanoparticles (18 and 168 nm), chitosan-dazomet nanoparticles (7 and 32 nm), and chitosan-hexaconazole-dazomet nanoparticles (5 and 58 nm) were synthesized and used as potent antifungal agents in combating the basal stem rot (BSR) disease caused by Ganoderma boninense in which they were evaluated via an artificial inoculation of oil palm seedlings with the rubber woodblock, which was fully colonized with the fungal Ganoderma boninense mycelium. The results revealed that chitosan nanoparticles could act as dual modes of action, which are themselves as a biocide or as a nanocarrier for the existing fungicides. In addition, the particle size of the chitosan-based agronanofungicides plays a crucial role in suppressing and controlling the disease. The synergistic effect of the double-fungicide system of 5 nm chitosan-hexaconazole-dazomet nanoparticles can be observed as the system showed the highest disease reduction with 74.5%, compared to the untreated infected seedlings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Drug Carriers/chemistry; Fungicides, Industrial/chemistry; Thiadiazines/chemistry; Triazoles/chemistry; Chitosan/chemistry*; Nanoparticles/chemistry
  17. Jeningsih, Tan LL, Ulianas A, Heng LY, Mazlan NF, Jamaluddin ND, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2020 Mar 25;20(7).
    PMID: 32218202 DOI: 10.3390/s20071820
    A DNA micro-optode for dengue virus detection was developed based on the sandwich hybridization strategy of DNAs on succinimide-functionalized poly(n-butyl acrylate) (poly(nBA-NAS)) microspheres. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with an average diameter of ~20 nm were synthesized using a centrifugation-based method and adsorbed on the submicrometer-sized polyelectrolyte-coated poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) (PSA) latex particles via an electrostatic method. The AuNP-latex spheres were attached to the thiolated reporter probe (rDNA) by Au-thiol binding to functionalize as an optical gold-latex-rDNA label. The one-step sandwich hybridization recognition involved a pair of a DNA probe, i.e., capture probe (pDNA), and AuNP-PSA reporter label that flanked the target DNA (complementary DNA (cDNA)). The concentration of dengue virus cDNA was optically transduced by immobilized AuNP-PSA-rDNA conjugates as the DNA micro-optode exhibited a violet hue upon the DNA sandwich hybridization reaction, which could be monitored by a fiber-optic reflectance spectrophotometer at 637 nm. The optical genosensor showed a linear reflectance response over a wide cDNA concentration range from 1.0 × 10-21 M to 1.0 × 10-12 M cDNA (R2 = 0.9807) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 × 10-29 M. The DNA biosensor was reusable for three consecutive applications after regeneration with mild sodium hydroxide. The sandwich-type optical biosensor was well validated with a molecular reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique for screening of dengue virus in clinical samples, e.g., serum, urine, and saliva from dengue virus-infected patients under informed consent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acrylates/chemistry; DNA, Viral/chemistry; Gold/chemistry; Polymers/chemistry; Succinimides/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry
  18. Chong WL, Chupradit K, Chin SP, Khoo MM, Khor SM, Tayapiwatana C, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 Sep 20;26(18).
    PMID: 34577167 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185696
    Protein-protein interaction plays an essential role in almost all cellular processes and biological functions. Coupling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) assay offered a simple, rapid, and direct approach in monitoring the protein-protein binding process and predicting the binding affinity. Our case study of designed ankyrin repeats proteins (DARPins)-AnkGAG1D4 and the single point mutated AnkGAG1D4-Y56A for HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) were investigated. As reported, AnkGAG1D4 bound with CA for inhibitory activity; however, it lost its inhibitory strength when tyrosine at residue 56 AnkGAG1D4, the most key residue was replaced by alanine (AnkGAG1D4-Y56A). Through NTA, the binding of DARPins and CA was measured by monitoring the increment of the hydrodynamic radius of the AnkGAG1D4-gold conjugated nanoparticles (AnkGAG1D4-GNP) and AnkGAG1D4-Y56A-GNP upon interaction with CA in buffer solution. The size of the AnkGAG1D4-GNP increased when it interacted with CA but not AnkGAG1D4-Y56A-GNP. In addition, a much higher binding free energy (∆GB) of AnkGAG1D4-Y56A (-31 kcal/mol) obtained from MD further suggested affinity for CA completely reduced compared to AnkGAG1D4 (-60 kcal/mol). The possible mechanism of the protein-protein binding was explored in detail by decomposing the binding free energy for crucial residues identification and hydrogen bond analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acids/chemistry; Gold/chemistry; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry; HIV-1/chemistry; Capsid Proteins/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  19. Azman KF, Aziz CBA, Zakaria R, Ahmad AH, Shafin N, Ismail CAN
    Molecules, 2021 Sep 06;26(17).
    PMID: 34500857 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175424
    Tualang honey has been shown to protect against neurodegeneration, leading to improved memory/learning as well as mood. In addition, studies have also demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, a substantial part of this research lacks systematization, and there seems to be a tendency to start anew with every study. This review presents a decade of research on Tualang honey with a particular interest in the underlying mechanisms related to its effects on the central nervous system. A total of 28 original articles published between 2011 and 2020 addressing the central nervous system (CNS) effects of Tualang honey were analysed. We identified five main categories, namely nootropic, antinociceptive, stress-relieving, antidepressant, and anxiolytic effects of Tualang honey, and proposed the underlying mechanisms. The findings from this review may potentially be beneficial towards developing new therapeutic roles for Tualang honey and help in determining how best to benefit from this brain supplement.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*; Antidepressive Agents/chemistry; Antioxidants/chemistry*; Phenols/chemistry; Anti-Anxiety Agents/chemistry; Protective Agents/chemistry*
  20. Latiff NA, Ong PY, Abd Rashid SNA, Abdullah LC, Mohd Amin NA, Fauzi NAM
    Sci Rep, 2021 08 27;11(1):17297.
    PMID: 34453075 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96623-x
    Cosmos caudatus (C. caudatus) is a medicinal plant that is high in bioactive compounds such as phenolics. In this study, an ultrasound extraction method was used to optimise the extraction of bioactive compounds from C. caudatus leaves. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied to obtain the optimum extraction parameters which is solid-liquid ratio (10-30 g/mL), particle size (180-850 µm) and extraction time (20-30 min) for maximal quercitrin and total phenolic content (TPC) yields. Analysis of antimicrobial activity was performed against two human pathogenic microbes: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) by the agar well diffusion method. The optimal ultrasonic extraction condition was as follow: solvent-liquid ratio of 1:28 (g/mL), particle size of 485 µm, and duration of 30 min, respectively. Remarkably, extraction using ultrasonic method had recovered more bioactive content and antioxidant activity than the Soxhlet method. The extract also exhibited good antimicrobial activities. Due to the above findings, the ultrasonic extraction was found to be suitable to improve recovery extraction of quercitrin and TPC from C. caudatus leaves. It also opens the possibility that the plant extract can be used for functional food and antimicrobial agents in various applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemistry*; Phenols/chemistry*; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Quercetin/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Asteraceae/chemistry*
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