Exploring the bioactivity and antibacterial properties of silver and cerium co-doped borosilicate bioactive glass.

Bone defects resulting from trauma or diseases that lead to bone loss have created a growing need for innovative materials suitable for treating bone-related conditions. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to synthesize and analyse the synergistic effects of cerium (Ce) and cerium-silver (Ce-Ag) doping of borosilicate bioactive glass (BBG) on the bioactivity, antibacterial properties, and biocompatibility for potential applications in bone tissue engineering. This study utilized a sol-gel Stöber method to synthesize doped BBGs based on S49B4.

Antiproliferative Effects of and Venom Peptides on Glioblastoma Cell Lines.

This study explores the potential of natural bioactive peptides from animal venoms as targeted anti-cancer agents with reduced toxicity. Initially, we screened a broad collection of animal venoms for their antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines. From this collection, we selected venoms from and due to their promising activity.

Screening of antimicrobial activity in venom: Exploring key parameters.

The escalating challenge of antibiotic resistance significantly threatens global health, underscoring the critical need for new antimicrobial agents. Venoms, increasingly recognized as reservoirs of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological effects, have been the focus of recent research. This work evaluates the use of various screening methodologies in assessing the antimicrobial activities of 185 venoms against some gram positive and gram negative bacteria, including E.

Promising antibacterial efficacy of arenicin peptides against the emerging opportunistic pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus.

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus, a fast-growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium, is an emerging opportunistic pathogen responsible for chronic bronchopulmonary infections in people with respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Due to its intrinsic polyresistance to a wide range of antibiotics, most treatments for M. abscessus pulmonary infections are poorly effective.

Physicochemical, structural, and functional characterization of pectin extracted from quince and pomegranate peel: A comparative study.

Pectin's physicochemical, structural, and functional characteristics vary widely depending on the source of extraction. In this study, pectins were extracted from seedless quince and pomegranate peel, and their physicochemical, structural, and functional properties were investigated. A Box-Behnken Design with three factors and three levels was applied to optimize the pectin extraction yield from each matrix.

Evaluation of Time-Dependent Corrosion Inhibition Rate for f-MWCNT-BCP Composite Coatings on 316L Stainless Steel in Simulated Body Fluid for Orthopedic Implantation.

A well-developed-multiwall carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT)/biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) composites were synthesized using ultrasonication method for orthopedic implantation applications. The formation of composites and its phase was confirmed by using X-ray diffraction. The presence of various functional groups was identified by using Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

Elemental and experimental analysis of modified stent's structure under uniaxial compression load.

Additive manufacturing has enabled the fabrication of lightweight complex metamaterials that possess high energy absorption and impact resistance properties. Stents, a typical 3D auxetic material, have significant self-expanding behavior, and their mechanical properties can be finely tuned over a wide range. In this study, we systematically analyzed three distinctive elastic-plastic regions using experimental, numerical simulations, and theoretical analysis, focusing on investigating the energy absorption capability of a designed structure by varying tessellated unit cell numbers in two section views in X- and Y-direction.

The diversification of the antimicrobial peptides from marine worms is driven by environmental conditions.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a key role in the external immunity of animals, offering an interesting model for studying the influence of the environment on the diversification and evolution of immune effectors. Alvinellacin (ALV), arenicin (ARE) and polaricin (POL, a novel AMP identified here), characterized from three marine worms inhabiting contrasted habitats ('hot' vents, temperate and polar respectively), possess a well conserved BRICHOS domain in their precursor molecule despite a profound amino acid and structural diversification of the C-terminal part containing the core peptide. Data not only showed that ARE, ALV and POL display an optimal bactericidal activity against the bacteria typical of the habitat where each worm species lives but also that this killing efficacy is optimal under the thermochemical conditions encountered by their producers in their environment.

hemocompatibility studies on small-caliber stents for cardiovascular applications.

The doping of biologically meaningful ions into biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bioceramics, which exhibit biocompatibility with human body parts, has led to their effective use in biomedical applications in recent years. Doping with metal ions while changing the characteristics of the dopant ions, an arrangement of various ions in the Ca/P crystal structure. In our work, small-diameter vascular stents based on BCP and biologically appropriate ion substitute-BCP bioceramic materials were developed for cardiovascular applications.

A review on borate bioactive glasses (BBG): effect of doping elements, degradation, and applications.

Because of their excellent biologically active qualities, bioactive glasses (BGs) have been extensively used in the biomedical domain, leading to better tissue-implant interactions and promoting bone regeneration and wound healing. Aside from having attractive characteristics, BGs are appealing as a porous scaffold material. On the other hand, such porous scaffolds should enable tissue proliferation and integration with the natural bone and neighboring soft tissues and degrade at a rate that allows for new bone development while preventing bacterial colonization.

Myotoxin-3 from the Pacific Rattlesnake Venom Is a New Microtubule-Targeting Agent.

Microtubule targeting agents (MTA) are anti-cancer molecules that bind tubulin and interfere with the microtubule functions, eventually leading to cell death. In the present study, we used an in vitro microtubule polymerization assay to screen several venom families for the presence of anti-microtubule activity. We isolated myotoxin-3, a peptide of the crotamine family, and three isoforms from the venom of the Northern Pacific rattlesnake , which was able to increase tubulin polymerization.

Adrenomedullin Secreted by Melanoma Cells Promotes Melanoma Tumor Growth through Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis.

Introduction: Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive tumor and can constitute a real therapeutic challenge despite the significant progress achieved with targeted therapies and immunotherapies, thus highlighting the need for the identification of new therapeutic targets. Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide with significant expression in multiple types of tumors and is multifunctional. AM impacts angiogenesis and tumor growth and binds to calcitonin receptor-like receptor/receptor activity-modifying protein 2 or 3 (CLR/RAMP2; CLR/RAMP3).

Screening an In-House Isoquinoline Alkaloids Library for New Blockers of Voltage-Gated Na Channels Using Voltage Sensor Fluorescent Probes: Hits and Biases.

Voltage-gated Na (Na) channels are significant therapeutic targets for the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, thus promoting the search for novel Na channel ligands. With the objective of discovering new blockers of Na channel ligands, we screened an In-House vegetal alkaloid library using fluorescence cell-based assays. We screened 62 isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) for their ability to decrease the FRET signal of voltage sensor probes (VSP), which were induced by the activation of Na channels with batrachotoxin (BTX) in GH3b6 cells.

Acellular bioactivity and drug delivery of new strontium doped bioactive glasses prepared through a hydrothermal process.

This work aims to study the kinetics of apatite layer formation on the surface of strontium doped binary bioactive glasses (BG: 63S37C) prepared for the first time by a hydrothermal process and evaluate their potential for drug loading and release using ibuprofen (IBU) as an anti-inflammatory drug vector. First, the binary glass 63S37C was doped with various amounts of strontium, from 0.2 to 1 mol%.

Strengthening Anti-Glioblastoma Effect by Multi-Branched Dendrimers Design of a Scorpion Venom Tetrapeptide.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and invasive form of central nervous system tumors due to the complexity of the intracellular mechanisms and molecular alterations involved in its progression. Unfortunately, current therapies are unable to stop its neoplastic development. In this context, we previously identified and characterized AaTs-1, a tetrapeptide (IWKS) from scorpion venom, which displayed an anti-proliferative effect against U87 cells with an IC value of 0.

Pharmacological Dissection of the Crosstalk between Na and Ca Channels in GH3b6 Cells.

Thanks to the crosstalk between Na and Ca channels, Na and Ca homeostasis interplay in so-called excitable cells enables the generation of action potential in response to electrical stimulation. Here, we investigated the impact of persistent activation of voltage-gated Na (Na) channels by neurotoxins, such as veratridine (VTD), on intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca]) in a model of excitable cells, the rat pituitary GH3b6 cells, in order to identify the molecular actors involved in Na-Ca homeostasis crosstalk. By combining RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and patch-clamp techniques, we showed that GH3b6 cells predominantly express the Na1.

Characterization of New Small-Spored Species Isolated from in Algeria.

Although large-spored species of the section are considered to be the major agents responsible for leaf spot and blight of , small-spored species are also frequently isolated from symptomatic tissues. A survey of the north-western regions of Algeria during the 2017-2018 growing seasons revealed that amongst the 623 isolates from tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant and black nightshade, 8% could not be morphologically assigned to either section or section . In order to more precisely determine the taxonomic position of these isolates, detailed morphological characterizations and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses were performed.

[Performance of orthodontic aligners in the aging process: systematic review and in vitro study].

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate, through a systematic review of the literature and an in vitro study, the alteration of the mechanical and chemical properties of aligners after aging in artificial saliva and in the oral cavity.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out, through an electronic consultation of three databases: PubMed, EBSCO and Sciencedirect, between September 2018 and January 2020. The search was guided by the use of several specific keywords.

Role of the Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-2 in Mediating Adrenomedullin Proangiogenic Activity in Solid Tumors.

VE-cadherin is an essential adhesion molecule in endothelial adherens junctions, and the integrity of these complexes is thought to be regulated by VE-cadherin tyrosine phosphorylation. We have previously shown that adrenomedullin (AM) blockade correlates with elevated levels of phosphorylated VE-cadherin (pVE-cadherin) in endothelial cells, associated with impaired barrier function and a persistent increase in vascular endothelial cell permeability. However, the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown.

Self-Reported Smoking Status 10-Months After a Single Session Intervention Including an Education Conference About Smoking Harms and Announcement of Spirometric Lung-Age.

Background: Studies investigating the effects of announcing spirometric lung-age (SLA) on the smokers' self-reported smoking status reported conflicting results.

Main Objective: To evaluate the effects of a single session intervention including an education conference about smoking harms and announcement of SLA on the participants' self-reported smoking status.

Methodology: An interventional study was conducted in a cable factory.

Investigation on exopolysaccharide production by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus P14 isolated from Moroccan raw cow's milk.

Twenty-four strains were isolated from 50 samples of raw cow's milk originated from different regions of Morocco. After different screening methods, one strain was selected as the highest exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing isolate and was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus P14. Moreover, the EPS-producing ability, bacterial growth, and pH of the medium were monitored.

Metabarcoding analysis and fermentation performance of the dominant fungal microbiota associated with the Algerian traditional date product "Btana".

The study highlights the fungal diversity of the traditional Algerian date's product "Btana" prepared with direct Btana method (DBM) and undirect Btana method (UBM). Btana fungal populations were analyzed through 28S metabarcoding. Data treatment resulted in 122,997 reads representing three Phyla in which 76% reads (46 OTUs) belong to Ascomycota phylum.

Occurrence of Leaf Spot Disease Caused by (Sacc.) Rands on Jimson Weed and Potential Additional Host Plants in Algeria.

A leaf spot pathogen sp. was recovered from jimson weed, tomato, parsley, and coriander collected during surveys of blight diseases on and in Algeria. This species produced large conidial body generating long apical beaks that tapered gradually from a wide base to a narrow tip and short conidiophores originating directly from the agar surface.

Isolation of an Anti-Tumour Disintegrin: Dabmaurin-1, a Peptide Lebein-1-Like, from Venom.

In the soft treatment of cancer tumours, consequent downregulation of the malignant tissue angiogenesis constitutes an efficient way to stifle tumour development and metastasis spreading. As angiogenesis requires integrin-promoting endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and vessel tube formation, integrins represent potential targets of new therapeutic anti-angiogenic agents. Our work is a contribution to the research of such therapeutic disintegrins in animal venoms.

Worms' Antimicrobial Peptides.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are natural antibiotics produced by all living organisms. In metazoans, they act as host defense factors by eliminating microbial pathogens. But they also help to select the colonizing bacterial symbionts while coping with specific environmental challenges.