Advancements in the nanodelivery of azole-based fungicides to control oil palm pathogenic fungi.

The cultivation of oil palms is of great importance in the global agricultural industry due to its role as a primary source of vegetable oil with a wide range of applications. However, the sustainability of this industry is threatened by the presence of pathogenic fungi, particularly spp., which cause detrimental oil palm disease known as basal stem rot (BSR).

Effects of anthocyanidins on the conformational transition of Aβ peptide: Insights from molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

Recent evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies has shown that anthocyanins and anthocyanidins can reduce and inhibit the amyloid beta (Aβ) species, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their inhibition mechanisms on Aβ species at molecular details remain elusive. Therefore, in the present study, molecular modelling methods were employed to investigate their inhibitory mechanisms on Aβ peptide.

Calcium l-Malate and d-Tartarate Frameworks as Adjuvants for the Sustainable Delivery of a Fungicide.

Agrichemical adjuvants that combine a highly selective, efficient, and active mode of operation are critically needed to realize a more sustainable approach to their usage. Herein, we report the synthesis and full characterization of two new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), termed UPMOF-1 and UPMOF-2, that were constructed from eco-friendly Ca ions and naturally occurring, low-molecular weight plant acids, l-malic and d-tartaric acid, respectively. Upon structural elucidation of both MOFs, a widely used fungicide, hexaconazole (Hex), was loaded on the structures, reaching binding affinities of -5.

Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Co-Loaded with Docetaxel and Magnetic Nanoparticles: Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation.

Lung cancer is currently the most prevalent cause of cancer mortality due to late diagnosis and lack of curative therapies. Docetaxel (Dtx) is clinically proven as effective, but poor aqueous solubility and non-selective cytotoxicity limit its therapeutic efficacy. In this work, a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) and Dtx (Dtx-MNLC) was developed as a potential theranostic agent for lung cancer treatment.

Exploring the Potential of a Highly Scalable Metal-Organic Framework CALF-20 for Selective Gas Adsorption at Low Pressure.

In this study, the ability of the highly scalable metal-organic framework (MOF) CALF-20 to adsorb polar and non-polar gases at low pressure was investigated using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results from the simulated adsorption isotherms revealed that the highest loading was achieved for SO and Cl, while the lowest loading was found for F molecules. The analysis of interaction energies indicated that SO molecules were able to form the strongest adsorbent-adsorbate interactions and had a tight molecular packing due to their polarity and angular structure.

MOF-Derived Cobalt@Mesoporous Carbon as Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction: Impact of Organic Linker.

Water electrolysis has attracted scientists' attention as a green route for energy generation. However, the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remarkably increases the reaction overpotential. In this work, we developed Co-based nanomaterials as cost-effective, highly efficient catalysts for OER.

ZIF-90 nanoparticles modified with a homing peptide for targeted delivery of cisplatin.

To improve the selective delivery of cisplatin (Cis) to cancer cells, we report and establish the significance of active, targeting drug delivery nanosystems for efficient treatment of lung cancer. Specifically, pH-responsive nano-sized zeolitic imidazolate framework (nZIF-90) was synthesized, post-synthetically modified with an Arg-Gly-Asp peptide motif (RGD@nZIF-90), a known cancer cell homing peptide, and loaded with a large amount of Cis (RGD@Cis⊂nZIF-90). RGD@Cis⊂nZIF-90 was shown to be highly stable under physiological conditions (pH = 7.

Adsorptive Removal of Naproxen from Water Using Polyhedral Oligomeric Silesquioxane (POSS) Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs).

Covalent organic frameworks are porous crystalline compounds made up of organic material bonded together by strong reversible covalent bonds (these are novel types of materials which have the processability of extended or repeated structures with high performance, like those of thermosets and thermoplastics that produce high surface coverage). These have a long-term effect on an arrangement's geometry and permeability. These compounds are entirely made up of light elements like H, B, C, N, O and Si.

Dissolution and Biological Assessment of Cancer-Targeting Nano-ZIF-8 in Zebrafish Embryos.

Cancer-targeting nanotherapeutics offer promising opportunities for selective delivery of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics to cancer cells. However, the understanding of dissolution behavior and safety profiles of such nanotherapeutics is scarce. In this study, we report the dissolution profile of a cancer-targeting nanotherapeutic, gemcitabine (GEM) encapsulated within RGD-functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (GEM⊂RGD@nZIF-8), in dissolution media having pH = 6.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions optimisation using response surface methodology from Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil leaves.

The optimisation of the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) method was investigated by employing the Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The UAE method was based on a simple ultrasound treatment using methanol as the extraction medium to facilitate the cell disruption of Mitragyna speciosa leaves for optimum extraction yield and Total Phenolic Content (TPC). Three different parameters comprising extraction temperature (X: 25-50 °C), sonication time (X: 15-50 min), and solvent to solid ratio (X: 10-30 mL/g), and were selected as the independent variables, while two response variables were selected, namely extraction yield (Y) and TPC (Y).

Elucidating the Aromatic Properties of Covalent Organic Frameworks Surface for Enhanced Polar Solvent Adsorption.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have a distinguished surface as they are mostly made by boron, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. Many applications of COFs rely on polarity, size, charge, stability and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of their surface. In this study, two frequently used COFs sheets, COF-1 and covalent triazine-based frameworks (CTF-1), are studied.

Binding of tetrabutylammonium bromide based deep eutectic solvent to DNA by spectroscopic analysis.

The binding characteristics of DNA in deep eutectic solvents (DESs), particularly the binding energy and interaction mechanism, are not widely known. In this study, the binding of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr) based DES of different hydrogen bond donors (HBD), including ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol (Gly), 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) and 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PD), to calf thymus DNA was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that the shorter the alkyl chain length (2 carbons) and higher EG ratios of TBABr:EG (1:5) increased the binding constant (K) between DES and DNA up to 5.

Efficacy of Afatinib in the Treatment of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated the afatinib efficacy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). This review systemically outlined and meta-analyzed the afatinib efficacy in NSCLC and R/M HNSCC in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) endpoints. Records were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect from 2011 to 2020.

Surface peptide functionalization of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 for autonomous homing and enhanced delivery of chemotherapeutic agent to lung tumor cells.

Chemotherapeutic agents used in treating certain cancer types operate in a non-selective manner tending to accumulate in normal, healthy tissue when high doses are used. To mitigate the toxicity effect resulting from this, there is an urgent need to develop active nano delivery systems capable of regulating optimal doses specifically to cancer cells without harming adjacent normal cells. Herein, we report a versatile nanoparticle - zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (nZIF-8) - that is loaded with a chemotherapeutic agent (gemcitabine; GEM) and surface-functionalized with an autonomous homing system (Arg-Gly-Asp peptide ligand; RGD) via a straightforward, one-pot solvothermal reaction.

Progress in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Agents for Cancer Treatment.

Cancer treatment and therapy have made significant leaps and bounds in these past decades. However, there are still cases where surgical removal is impossible, metastases are challenging, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy pose severe side effects. Therefore, a need to find more effective and specific treatments still exists.

Aerosolized Niosome Formulation Containing Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Lung Cancer Treatment: Optimization, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation.

Gemcitabine (Gem) and cisplatin (Cis) are currently being used for lung cancer treatment, but they are highly toxic in high dosages. This research aimed to develop a niosome formulation containing a low-dosage Gem and Cis (NGC), as an alternative formulation for lung cancer treatment. NGC was prepared using a very simple heating method and was further optimized by D-optimal mixture design.

Imidazole-rich copper peptides as catalysts in xenobiotic degradation.

Laccases, oxidative copper-enzymes found in fungi and bacteria were used as the basis in the design of nona- and tetrapeptides. Laccases are known to be excellent catalysts for the degradation of phenolic xenobiotic waste. However, since solvent extraction of laccases is environmentally-unfriendly and yields obtained are low, they are less preferred compared to synthetic catalysts.

Molecular simulation on the stability and adsorption properties of choline-based ionic liquids/IRMOF-1 hybrid composite for selective HS/CO capture.

The compatibility and performance of an Isoreticular Metal-Organic Frameworks (IRMOF-1) impregnated with choline-based ionic liquids (ILs) for selective adsorption of HS/CO, were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Cholinium alanate ([Chl][Ala]) was nominated as the suitable IL for impregnation into IRMOF-1, consistent with the low RMSD values (0.546 nm, 0.

Optimization of nanoemulsion containing gemcitabine and evaluation of its cytotoxicity towards human fetal lung fibroblast (MRC5) and human lung carcinoma (A549) cells.

Background: Gemcitabine (GEM) is a chemotherapeutic agent, which is known to battle cancer but challenging due to its hydrophilic nature. Nanoemulsion is water-in-oil (W/O) nanoemulsion shows potential as a carrier system in delivering gemcitabine to the cancer cell.

Methods: The behaviour of GEM in MCT/surfactants/NaCl systems was studied in the ternary system at different ratios of Tween 80 and Span 80.

Spray-dried immobilized lipase from sp. strain ARM in sago.

Sago starch is traditionally used as food especially in Southeast Asia. Generally, sago is safe for consumption, biodegradable, easily available and inexpensive. Therefore, this research was done to expand the potential of sago by using it as a support for enzyme immobilization.

Histidine-based copper tetrapeptides as enantioselective catalysts for aldol reactions.

Copper(ii)-peptides are widely used as industrial catalysts such as in the aerobic oxidation of organic molecules, formation of new C-H bonds and in the azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. The length of peptides and the effect of adding copper metal into peptides were questioned in their field of applications. Five novel histidine-based tetrapeptides with the sequences HAAD (P1), HAFD (P2), HAVD (P3), AGHD (P4) and PGHD (P5) were synthesized using the solid phase peptide scheme and analysed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with percentage purities as high as 99.