Preparation and in vitro evaluation of biological agents based on Zinc-laponite- curcumin incorporated in alginate hydrogel.

Due to their outstanding structures and properties, three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels and nanoparticles have been widely studied and indicated a very high potential for medical, therapeutic, and diagnostic applications. However, hydrogels and nanoparticles systems have particular drawbacks that limit their widespread applications. In recent years, the incorporation of nanostructured systems into hydrogel has been developed as a novel way for the formation of new biomaterials with various functions to solve biomedical challenges.

The recent development of carbon-based nanoparticles as a novel approach to skin tissue care and management - A review.

Since the skin is the first barrier of the body's defense against pathogens, delays in the healing process are affected by infections. Therefore, applying advanced substitute assistance improves the patient's quality of life. Carbon-based nanomaterials show better capabilities than conventional methods for managing skin wound infections.

Preparation and characterization of propolis reinforced eggshell membrane/ GelMA composite hydrogel for biomedical applications.

Gelatin methacrylate-based hydrogels (GelMA) were widely used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, to manipulate their various chemical and physical properties and create high-efficiency hydrogels, different materials have been used in their structure. Eggshell membrane (ESM) and propolis are two nature-derived materials that could be used to improve the various characteristics of hydrogels, especially structural and biological properties.

PCL-based nanoparticles for doxorubicin-ezetimibe co-delivery: A combination therapy for prostate cancer using a drug repurposing strategy.

Introduction: Drug repurposing is an effective strategy for identifying the use of approved drugs for new therapeutic purposes. This strategy has received particular attention in the development of cancer chemotherapy. Considering that a growing body of evidence suggesting the cholesterol-lowering drug ezetimibe (EZ) may prevent the progression of prostate cancer, we investigated the effect of EZ alone and in combination with doxorubicin (DOX) on prostate cancer treatment.

Plasmonic photothermal therapy in the near-IR region using gold nanostars.

Photothermal therapy using nanoparticles is a prominent technique for cancer treatment. The principle is to maximize the heat conversion efficiency using plasmonic nanoparticle-light interaction. Due to their unique optical characteristics derived from their anisotropic structure, gold nanostars (GNSs) have gotten significant attention in photothermal therapy.

Recent advances in nano-scaffolds for tissue engineering applications: Toward natural therapeutics.

Among the promising methods for repairing or replacing tissue defects in the human body and the hottest research topics in medical science today are regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. On the other hand, nanotechnology has been expanded into different areas of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to its essential benefits in improving performance in various fields. Nanotechnology, a helpful strategy in tissue engineering, offers new solutions to unsolved problems.

An overview on the treatments and prevention against COVID-19.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to plague the world. While COVID-19 is asymptomatic in most individuals, it can cause symptoms like pneumonia, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), and death in others. Although humans are currently being vaccinated with several COVID-19 candidate vaccines in many countries, however, the world still is relying on hygiene measures, social distancing, and approved drugs.

Assessment of tricalcium phosphate/titanium dioxide (TCP/TiO2) nanocomposite scaffold compared with bone autograft and hydroxyapatite (HA) on the healing of segmental femur bone defect in rabbits.

Bone healing is a tissue process after a surgical operation. Many formulated materials have been designed for improving these procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocomposite tricalcium phosphate scaffolds combined with Titanium dioxide scaffold (TCP/TiO2) for femoral defects regeneration in rabbits.

In vitro efficacy of albendazole-loaded β-cyclodextrin against protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a widespread helminthic disease caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus represents a public health concern in humans. Albendazole (ABZ) is the first-line treatment for CE; however therapeutic failure of ABZ against CE occurs because of size and location of formed cysts as well its low aqueous solubility and consequently its erratic bioavailability in plasma. Serious adverse effects have also been observed following the long-term use of ABZ in vivo.

Antibacterial activity of green gold and silver nanoparticles using ginger root extract.

Recent studies demonstrated that the speed of synthesis, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) metals is enhanced when biosynthesized in nano-sized particles. In the present study, Au- and Ag-based nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a biological process using aqueous Ginger root extract and characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The NPs have hexagonal and spherical shapes.

Gentamycin-loaded halloysite-based hydrogel nanocomposites for bone tissue regeneration: fabrication, evaluation of the antibacterial activity and cell response.

Biocompatible hydrogels are promising approaches for bone repair and engineering. A novel therapeutic nanocomposite hydrogel was designed based on triblock copolymer poly e-caprolactone (PCL)-polyethylene glycol-PCL and natural gelatin (PCEC/GEL) and reinforced with halloysite nanotube (HNT). Gentamicin (GM) loaded HNT was immobilized in polymeric hydrogel matrix to fabricate scaffolds using the freeze-drying method.

The fabrication of halloysite nanotube-based multicomponent hydrogel scaffolds for bone healing.

Bone tissue engineering, as an alternative for common available therapeutic approaches, has been developed to focus on reconstructing of the missing tissues and restoring their functionality. In this work, three-dimensional (3D) nanocomposite scaffolds of polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCEC/Gel) were prepared by freeze-drying method. Biocompatible nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), iron oxide nanoparticle (FeO) and halloysite nanotube (HNT) powders were added to the polymer matrix aiming to combine the osteogenic activity of nHA or FeO with high mechanical strength of HNT.

Chemotherapeutic effects of Apigenin in breast cancer: Preclinical evidence and molecular mechanisms; enhanced bioavailability by nanoparticles.

This review highlights using nanotechnology in increasing the bioavailability of AP (Apigenin) to enhance its therapeutic efficacy in breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer is one of the most leading causes of cancer death in women both in developed and developing countries. According to several epidemiological and clinical trial studies that indicate progestin-stimulated breast cancer in post-menopausal women; it is necessary to determine compounds to suppress or attenuate the tumor-promoting effects of progestins in breast cells.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles with high efficiency and stability by culture supernatant of Bacillus ROM6 isolated from Zarshouran gold mine and evaluating its antibacterial effects.

Background: The use of bacteria to synthesize nanoparticles as an environment-friendly method has recently been considered by researchers. Bacteria residing in different mines have shown high potential in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles due to their compatibility with the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Zarshouran gold mine bacteria to synthesize silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity.

A novel multifunctional bilayer scaffold based on chitosan nanofiber/alginate-gelatin methacrylate hydrogel for full-thickness wound healing.

Due to their lack of multifunctionality, the majority of traditional wound dressings do not support all the clinical requirements. Bilayer wound dressings with multifunctional properties can be attractive for effective skin regeneration. In the present study, we designed a multifunctional bilayer scaffold containing Chitosan-Polycaprolactone (PC) nanofiber and tannic acid (TA) reinforced methacrylate gelatin (GM)/alginate (Al) hydrogel (GM/Al/TA).

Solvent effect on the absorption and emission spectra of carbon dots: evaluation of ground and excited state dipole moment.

Background: Carbon dots (C-dots) are photoluminescent nanoparticles with less than 10 nm in size. Today, many studies are performed to exploit the photoluminescence (PL) property of carbon dots, and our focus in this study is to estimate the dipole moment of carbon dots. For reaching our aims, C-dots were synthesized and dissolved in the different solvents.

Anticancer Effect of Alginate-chitosan Hydrogel Loaded with Curcumin and Chrysin on Lung and Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Background: Cancer, which is defined as abnormal cell growth, is one of the biggest public health problems in the world. Natural compounds, such as polyphenols, are used as chemo- preventive and chemotherapeutic agents in different types of cancer owing to their antioxidant, antineoplastic, and cytotoxic properties. To improve their bioavailability and releasing behavior, hydrogel systems with high drug loadingg, stability and hydrophilic nature have been designed.

Design and fabrication of M-SAPO-34/chitosan scaffolds and evaluation of their effects on dental tissue engineering.

This research aimed to design innovative therapeutic bio-composites that enhance odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-DPSCs) in-vitro regeneration. Herein, we report the fabrication of scaffolds containing chitosan, Ca-SAPO-34 monometallic and/or Fe-Ca-SAPO-34 bimetallic nanoparticles by freeze-drying technique. The scaffolds and nanoparticles were characterized using ICP-AES, FT-IR, XRD, TGA, TEM, BET, SEM, and EDS methods.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the weight-related experiential avoidance (AAQW): overweight and obese treatment seeker at the clinical setting.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the weight-related experiential avoidance (AAQW) in overweight and obese treatment seeker in the clinical setting.

Methods: This sample consists of 220 male and female overweight or obesity treatment seeker from Overweight and obesity centers who agreed to fill out the self-reported measures.

Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported 3-factor structures of AAQW, including (weight as a barrier to living, Food as Control, and weight-stigma).

A Lysine-Functionalized Graphene Oxide-Based Nanoplatform for Delivery of Fluorouracil to A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells: A Comparative Study.

Background: Today, increasing attention is being paid to the application of biocompatible polymers as drug carriers with low cytotoxicity in drug delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic effects of anticancer agents.

Materials And Methods: In this study, a biocompatible synthetic polymer (grafted on graphene oxide), composed of N-isopropylacrylamide and 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone with L-lysine segments (Lys/PNIPAM-PVP/GO), was developed as a nano-vehicle for the drug. This platform was used for the delivery of fluorouracil (FU) to A549 human lung cancer cells.

An improved method in fabrication of smart dual-responsive nanogels for controlled release of doxorubicin and curcumin in HT-29 colon cancer cells.

The combination therapy which has been proposed as the strategy for the cancer treatment could achieve a synergistic effect for cancer therapies and reduce the dosage of the applied drugs. On account of the the unique properties as the high absorbed water content, biocompatibility, and flexibility, the targeting nanogels have been considred as a suitable platform. Herein, a non-toxic pH/thermo-responsive hydrogel P(NIPAAm-co-DMAEMA) was synthesized and characterized through the free-radical polymerization and expanded upon an easy process for the preparation of the smart responsive nanogels; that is, the nanogels were used for the efficient and controlled delivery of the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and chemosensitizer curcumin (CUR) simultaneously like a promising strategy for the cancer treatment.

Multifunctional hydrogels for wound healing: Special focus on biomacromolecular based hydrogels.

Hydrogels are widely used for wound healing applications due to their similarity to the native extracellular matrix (ECM) and ability to provide a moist environment. However, lack of multifunctionality and low mechanical properties of previously developed hydrogels may limit their ability to support skin tissue regeneration. Incorporating various biomaterials and nanostructures into the hydrogels is an emerging approach to develop multifunctional hydrogels with new functions that are beneficial for wound healing.

Targeted nanomedicines for the treatment of bone disease and regeneration.

Targeted delivery by either passive or active targeting of therapeutics to the bone is an attractive treatment for various bone related diseases such as osteoporosis, osteosarcoma, multiple myeloma, and metastatic bone tumors. Engineering novel drug delivery carriers can increase therapeutic efficacy and minimize the risk of side effects. Developmnet of nanocarrier delivery systems is an interesting field of ongoing studies with opportunities to provide more effective therapies.

Hepatic cell-sheet fabrication of differentiated mesenchymal stem cells using decellularized extracellular matrix and thermoresponsive polymer.

Purpose: Liver tissue engineering via cell sheet technology would open new doors for treatment of patients with liver failure. Decellularized tissues could provide sufficient extracellular matrix (ECM) to support development of hepatocytes in in vivo niches. Besides, with the potential of temperature responsive polymer (pNIPAAm) as an intelligent surface for controlling the attachment/detachment of cell, we set out to generate three in vitro microenvironments models including I: pNIPAAm hydrogel (pN hydrogel), II: decellularized ECM incorporated into pNIPAAm hydrogel (dECM + pN hydrogel) and III: decellularized ECM scaffold (dECM scaffold) to investigate the structural and function cues of hepatocyte-like cells after differentiation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) on the surface of these models.

Lysine-embedded cellulose-based nanosystem for efficient dual-delivery of chemotherapeutics in combination cancer therapy.

Combination therapy by two or multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action is a promising strategy in cancer treatment. In this regard, a wide range of chemotherapeutics has used simultaneously to achieve the synergistic effect and overcome the adverse side effects of single-drug therapy. Herein, we developed a biocompatible nanoparticle-based system composed of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and amino acid l-lysine for efficient co-delivery of model chemotherapeutic methotrexate (MTX) and polyphenol compound curcumin (CUR) to the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.