Au@AuPd Core-Alloyed Shell Nanoparticles for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity and Selectivity under Visible Light Excitation.

Plasmonic catalysis has been employed to enhance molecular transformations under visible light excitation, leveraging the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in plasmonic nanoparticles. While plasmonic catalysis has been employed for accelerating reaction rates, achieving control over the reaction selectivity has remained a challenge. In addition, the incorporation of catalytic components into traditional plasmonic-catalytic antenna-reactor nanoparticles often leads to a decrease in optical absorption.

Ultralow Catalytic Loading for Optimised Electrocatalytic Performance of AuPt Nanoparticles to Produce Hydrogen and Ammonia.

The hydrogen evolution and nitrite reduction reactions are key to producing green hydrogen and ammonia. Antenna-reactor nanoparticles hold promise to improve the performances of these transformations under visible-light excitation, by combining plasmonic and catalytic materials. However, current materials involve compromising either on the catalytic activity or the plasmonic enhancement and also lack control of reaction selectivity.

HPLC-ESI/MS-MS characterization of compounds in Dolomiaea costus extract and evaluation of cytotoxic and antiviral properties: molecular mechanisms underlying apoptosis-inducing effect on breast cancer.

Background: Dolomiaea costus (syn: Saussurea costus; Family Asteraceae) occupies an important place in the traditional Chinese medicinal plants and is prescribed for a wide range of disorders. The current study aimed to tentatively identify the phytoconstituents of D. costus extract and to explore antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cells and its possible apoptotic mechanism along with antiviral activity against human adenovirus 5 (Adv-5).

A promising microbial α-amylase production, and purification from Bacillus cereus and its assessment as antibiofilm agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogen.

Background And Aim: The purpose of the current study is to isolate a heavily amylase-producing bacteria of the genus Bacillus from soil samples, optimize the production of the enzyme, purify it, and evaluate its activity against biofilm-producing bacteria. A total of 12 soil samples were collected and screened for promising Bacillus species with good amylolytic activity. Isolation was done by serial dilution and plating technique and amylolytic activity was determined by starch agar plate method.

Cancer Stem Cells as a Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target Using Curcumin/ Piperine Extract for Multiple Myeloma.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological bone marrow malignancy that can be treated but is usually fatal. Medication resistance is the major cause of relapses due to cancer stem cells (CSCs). As a result, this study aimed to identify multiple myeloma cancer stem cells (MMCSCs) in the bone marrow of twelve MM patients with pathological complete response (pCR) after chemotherapy and to investigate the potential effect of Curcumin/Piperine (C/P) extract as an anti-MMCSCs treatment in twenty newly diagnosed patients.

Potential implementation of trees to remediate contaminated soil in Egypt.

Soil and water in Egypt have become contaminated with multiple pollutants. These contaminants arise from diverse sources, including misuse of fertilizers, industrial effluent discharged into irrigation water, discharge of wastewater in rural areas, and mining activities discharging wet and dry atmospheric deposits and heavy metal contamination. The pollutants can directly affect the quality of air, water, and food and have an adverse effect on human health.

Copper oxide nanostructures as a potential method for control of zucchini yellow mosaic virus in squash.

Background: Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infects cucurbits and has been identified as a major limiting factor in their production. The purpose of this study was to create copper oxide nanostructures (CONS) to control ZYMV in squash plants. Protection of squash against ZYMV was assessed in terms of virus severity, ZYMV concentration, transcription of pathogenesis-related genes and growth enhancement of treated squash.

Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Luffa Cylindrica Leaves Extract against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemic Stem Cells.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive malignancy defined by accumulation of lymphoblasts in the bone marrow. Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are the major cause of the recurrence and metastasis of ALL. This study aimed to develop an effective anti-cancer agent targeting these LSCs.

Cytotoxic effect of aqueous ethanolic extract of Luffa cylindrica leaves on cancer stem cells CD44/24 in breast cancer patients with various molecular sub-types using tissue samples in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem is a climbing plant its parts have been used as traditional medicine for the treatment of different types of diseases including diarrhea, inflammation, cancer and viral infections.

Cytotoxicity of Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem. extract against circulating cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem.

Chemical Composition of Aqueous Ethanol Extract of Luffa cylindrica Leaves and Its Effect on Representation of Caspase-8, Caspase-3, and the Proliferation Marker Ki67 in Intrinsic Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer in Vitro.

Breast cancer constitutes the second most prevalent cancer in Egypt, the problem needs more trends in treatment and treatment development either by regimen modification or introducing new drugs, and the main objective of this study is to screen the effects of the aqueous ethanol herbal extract of Luffa cylindrica leaves on different types of breast cancer cell lines representing different molecular subtypes of the disease. The major active constituents of the extract were tentatively identified by LC/MS which revealed the presence of phenolic compound derivatives and saponin that may be responsible in part for the activity of the extract. The emphasis was laid on the main apoptotic pathways as well as the extract effect on the normal cell line.

First-line paclitaxel and cisplatin used sequentially or in combination in metastatic breast cancer: A phase II randomized study.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the commonest cancer among females worldwide. Some patients present initially at advanced stages and more than 50% of them will develop metastasis (MBC) at some point. Compared to single agents, combination chemotherapy produces higher response rates (RR), longer progression-free survival (PFS) than single agents.

Tissue and serum EGFR as prognostic factors in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an asbestos related aggressive tumor. Asbestos causes genetic modifications and cell signaling events that favor resistance to chemotherapy. A variety of receptor tyrosine kinases have been identified to play a central role in various aspects of tumorigenesis.

Studies on the application of immobilization technique for the production of cyclosporin A by a local strain of Aspergillus terreus.

The formation of cyclosporin A (Cy A) by immobilized spores and mycelia of Aspergillus terreus was investigated. Different carriers were tested as immobilizing carriers, whereby Ca-alginate was selected for further experimentation. The role of alginate concentration, biomass weight, pH value of the cultivation medium, repeated utilization of the immobilized fungus as well as the supplementation of different amino acid precursors were studied.

Role of some fermentation parameters on cyclosporin A production by a new isolate of Aspergillus terreus.

A local isolate of Aspergillus terreus was selected among different microorganisms as a new cyclosporin A (Cy A) producing culture. The formation of Cy A was investigated under different fermentation conditions (including selection of the cultivation medium, fermentation time course, inoculum nature, medium volume, agitation rate, pH value). Relatively high Cy A productivities were maintained when the fermentation process was carried out using a medium composed of (g/L): glucose, 50; bactopeptone, 10; KH(2)PO(4), 5; KCl, 2.