Micelles of poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] as delivery vehicles for zinc phthalocyanine photosensitizers.

Drug-loaded polymeric micelles have proven to be highly effective carrier systems for the efficient delivery of hydrophobic photosensitizers (PSs) in photodynamic therapy (PDT). This study introduces the micellization potential of poly(oligoethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) (pOEGMA) as a novel approach, utilizing the hydrophobic methacrylate segments of pOEGMA to interact with highly hydrophobic zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), thereby forming a potential micellar drug carrier system. The ZnPc molecule was synthesized from phthalonitrile derivatives and its fluorescence, photodegradation, and singlet oxygen quantum yields were determined in various solvents.

Three-Dimensional-Printed GelMA-KerMA Composite Patches as an Innovative Platform for Potential Tissue Engineering of Tympanic Membrane Perforations.

Tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, primarily induced by middle ear infections, the introduction of foreign objects into the ear, and acoustic trauma, lead to hearing abnormalities and ear infections. We describe the design and fabrication of a novel composite patch containing photocrosslinkable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and keratin methacryloyl (KerMA) hydrogels. GelMA-KerMA patches containing conical microneedles in their design were developed using the digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing approach.

Effect of polycation coating on the long-term pulsatile release of antigenic ESAT-6 peptide from PLGA nanoparticles.

The development of novel vaccine formulations against tuberculosis is necessary to reduce the number of new cases worldwide. Polymeric nanoparticles offer great potential as antigen delivery and immunostimulant systems for such purposes. In the study, we have encapsulated the antigenic peptide epitope of ESAT-6 protein of M.

Angiotensin (1-7) peptide replacement therapy with plasma transfusion in COVID-19.

Aim: To determine whether convalescent angiotensin (1-7) peptide replacement therapy with plasma (peptide plasma) transfusion can be beneficial in the treatment of critically ill patients with severe coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Study Design: Case series of 9 critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who met the following criteria: severe pneumonia with rapid progression and continuously high viral load despite antiviral treatment. Peptide plasma: Plasma with angiotensin (1-7) content 8-10 times higher than healthy plasma donors was obtained from suitable donors.

Microwave-assisted rapid conjugation of horseradish peroxidase-dextran aldehyde with Schiff base reaction and decolorization of Reactive Blue 19.

Microwave irradiation has become a routine technique in homogeneous and effective heating in organic synthesis. However, its application in enzyme-containing reactions is limited since it can cause denaturation of the enzyme. In this study, we have briefly investigated the effect of microwave heating on the conjugation reaction of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with aldehyde derivative of dextran (D-CHO).

HER2-Targeted, Degradable Core Cross-Linked Micelles for Specific and Dual pH-Sensitive DOX Release.

Here, a targeted, dual-pH responsive, and stable micelle nanocarrier is designed, which specifically selects an HER2 receptor on breast cancer cells. Intracellularly degradable and stabilized micelles are prepared by core cross-linking via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization with an acid-sensitive cross-linker followed by the conjugation of maleimide-doxorubicin to the pyridyl disulfide-modified micelles. Multifunctional nanocarriers are obtained by coupling HER2-specific peptide.

Effect of polyelectrolyte complex formation on the antibacterial activity of copolymer of alkylated 4-vinylpyridine.

Polymers bearing quaternized 4-vinylpyridine (QVP) groups are known for their antibacterial activities and these polymers can form polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) with polyanions through electrostatic interactions. PEC formation can be used to adjust the antibacterial activity of polymers of QVP, deliver active molecules, or design antibacterial supramolecular structures. However, the antibacterial activity of PECs of QVP polymers has not been investigated.

An insight into the epitope-based peptide vaccine design strategy and studies against COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 is a new member of the coronavirus family and caused the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020. It is crucial to design and produce an effective vaccine for the prevention of rapid transmission and possible deaths wcaused by the disease. Although intensive work and research are being carried out all over the world to develop a vaccine, an effective and approved formulation that can prevent the infection and limit the outbreak has not been announced yet.

Discovery and evaluation of inhibitory activity and mechanism of arylcoumarin derivatives on Theileria annulata enolase by in vitro and molecular docking studies.

In this study, the inhibition potential of 3- and 4-arylcoumarin derivatives on Theileria annulata enolase (TaENO) was assessed for the first time in the literature. Firstly, protein stabilization analyses of TaENO were performed and it was found that the enzyme remains stable with the addition of 6 M ethylene glycol at + 4 °C. Inhibitor screening analyses were carried out using 25 coumarin derivatives on highly purified TaENO (> 95%), and four coumarin derivatives [4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one (C8); 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7,8 dihydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one (C9); 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-2H-chromen-2 one (C21); and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7,8-dihydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one (C23)] showed the highest inhibitory effects with the IC values of 10.

A new approach for development of vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis: Lipophosphoglycan and polyacrylic acid conjugates.

Objective: To determine the antileishmanial vaccine effectiveness of lipophosphoglycan (LPG) and polyacrylic acids (PAA) conjugates on in vivo mice models.

Methods: LPG molecule was isolated and purified from large-scale Leishmania donovani parasite culture. Protection efficacies of LPG alone, in combination with Freund's adjuvant, in a physical mixture and in conjugate (consisting of various LPG concentrations) with PAA, were comparatively determined by various techniques, such as cultivation with the micro-culture method, assessment of in vitro infection rates of peritoneal macrophages, determination of parasite load in liver with Leishman-Donovan Units, and detection of cytokine responses.

Thermo-Responsive Complexes of c-Myc Antisense Oligonucleotide with Block Copolymer of Poly(OEGMA) and Quaternized Poly(4-Vinylpyridine).

Solution behavior of thermo-responsive polymers and their complexes with biological macromolecules may be affected by environmental conditions, such as the concentration of macromolecular components, pH, ion concentration, etc. Therefore, a thermo-responsive polymer and its complexes should be characterized in detail to observe their responses against possible environments under physiological conditions before biological applications. To briefly indicate this important issue, thermo-responsive block copolymer of quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) and poly(oligoethyleneglycol methyl ether methacrylate) as a potential nonviral vector has been synthesized.

Comprehensive structural analysis of the open and closed conformations of Theileria annulata enolase by molecular modelling and docking.

Theileria annulata is an apicomplexan parasite which is responsible for tropical theileriosis in cattle. Due to resistance of T. annulata against commonly used antitheilerial drug, new drug candidates should be identified urgently.

Thermal Destabilization of Rhizomucor miehei Rennet with Aldehyde Dextran Sulfate: Purification, Bioconjugation and Milk-Clotting Activities.

High thermal stability of Rhizomucor miehei Rennet, which is a thermostable enzyme used in cheese production, causes undesired cases at elevated temperatures. This study aims to decrease the thermal stability of the R. miehei Rennet at high temperatures.

Biochemical and in silico Characterization of Recombinant L-Lactate Dehydrogenase of Theileria annulata.

Theileria annulata is a parasite that causes theileriosis in cattle. Reports about drug resistance made essential to develop new drug. LDH of Theileria schizonts is the vital enzyme for its anaerobic metabolism.

Cloning of intron-removed enolase gene and expression, purification, kinetic characterization of the enzyme from Theileria annulata.

Tropical theileriosis is a disease caused by infection with an apicomplexan parasite, Theileria annulata, and giving rise to huge economic losses. In recent years, parasite resistance has been reported against the most effective antitheilerial drug used for the treatment of this disease. This emphasizes the need for alternative methods of treatment.

Conjugation, characterization and toxicity of lipophosphoglycan-polyacrylic acid conjugate for vaccination against leishmaniasis.

Research on the conjugates of synthetic polyelectrolytes with antigenic molecules, such as proteins, peptides, or carbohydrates, is an attractive area due to their highly immunogenic character in comparison to classical adjuvants. For example, polyacrylic acid (PAA) is a weak polyelectrolyte and has been used in several biomedical applications such as immunological studies, drug delivery, and enzyme immobilization. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies that document immune-stimulant properties of PAA in Leishmania infection.

The Fluorescence Study of Interaction Between Bovine Serum Albumin and Polyacrylic Acid.

The complex formation of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) with anionic polyelectrolyte (polyacrylic acid, PAA) in aqueous solution was studied by a fluorescence technique, pH titration and HPLC analysis. The character of the interactions and solubility of the polycomplex particles depends on the BSA/PAA ratios and the pH of solution. The interaction at pH > pI (isoelectric point of BSA) (pH 6.