Green synthesis of biomass-derived carbon quantum dots for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.

Water pollution, significantly influenced by the discharge of synthetic dyes from industries, such as textiles, poses a persistent global threat to human health. Among these dyes, methylene blue, particularly prevalent in the textile sector, exacerbates this issue. This study introduces an innovative approach to mitigate water pollution through the synthesis of nanomaterials using biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from grape pomace and watermelon peel.

Antimicrobial and Virus Adsorption Properties of Y-Zeolite Exchanged with Silver and Zinc Cations.

The antimicrobial activity of silver and zinc exchanged cations in Y-zeolite (Ag/CBV-600, Zn/CBV-600) is evaluated against (gram (+)) and (gram (-)) bacteria along with their adsorption capacity for viruses: brome mosaic virus (BMV), cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), and the bacteriophage MS2. The physicochemical properties of synthesized nanomaterials are characterized by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to the obtained results, the main species associated with the exchanged ions are Ag and Zn cations with the concentration of around 1 atomic %.

Facile one-pot synthesis of lithium metal nanoparticles for superior lithium-ion anode applications.

A capable one-step method, femtosecond laser ablation of solids in liquids, was successfully applied to prepare lithium metal nanoparticles to mitigate the initial capacity loss and improve the electrochemical performance of a graphite-based electrode as a Li-host anode. Remarkably, according to the physicochemical characterization, this advanced optical method allowed to obtain uniform spheroidal and crystalline Li nanoparticles with an average particle size <20 nm. These novel ultrafine Li nanoparticles significantly decrease the initial capacity loss of a graphite-based anode, leading to reach high coulombic efficiency (>99 %), good specific charge capacity (322 mAh/g), and superior capacity retention (96 %) at an applied current density of 100 mA g after 200 cycles.

Volumetric Temperature Mapping Using Light-Sheet Microscopy and Upconversion Fluorescence from Micro- and Nano-Rare Earth Composites.

We present a combination of light-sheet excitation and two-dimensional fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) measurements as a simple and promising technique for three-dimensional temperature mapping. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated with samples fabricated with sodium yttrium fluoride nanoparticles co-doped with rare-earth ytterbium and erbium ions (NaYF:Yb/Er) incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a host material. In addition, we also evaluate the technique using lipid-coated NaYF:Yb/Er nanoparticles immersed in agar.

Photocatalytic Activity and Biocide Properties of Ag-TiO Composites on Cotton Fabrics.

Composites of Ag and TiO nanoparticles were synthesized in situ on cotton fabrics using sonochemical and solvothermal methods achieving the successive formation of Ag-NPs and Ti-NPs directly on the fabric. The impregnated fabrics were characterized using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy; high-resolution microscopy (HREM); scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS); Raman, photoluminescence, UV-Vis, and DRS spectroscopies; and by tensile tension tests. Results showed the successful formation and impregnation of NPs on the cotton fabric, with negligible leaching of NPs after several washing cycles.

Nanosized extracellular vesicles released by Neurospora crassa hyphae.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized structures containing proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, released by living cells to the surrounding medium. EVs participate in diverse processes, such as intercellular communication, virulence, and disease. In pathogenic fungi, EVs carry enzymes that allow them to invade the host or undergo environmental adaptation successfully.

Characterization and photocatalytic activity of TiO nanoparticles on cotton fabrics, for antibacterial masks.

The impregnation of two commercial cotton fabrics (lab coat and Indiolino) with TiO nanoparticles (TiO-NPs) was carried out. For this, two commercial cotton fabrics were dipped in titanium isopropoxide, titanium butoxide and titanium tetrachloride solutions to the TiO-NPs formation and in-situ TiO-NPs impregnation on the cotton fabric surface by the sonochemical, hydrothermal and solvothermal methods, respectively. The impregnated fabrics were characterized by ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, Raman, UV-Vis, DRS and tension tests.

Design and selection of peptides to block the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain by molecular docking.

The novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently one of the most contagious viruses in existence and the cause of the worst pandemic in this century, COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection begins with the recognition of the cellular receptor angiotensin converting enzyme-2 by its spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD). Thus, the use of small peptides to neutralize the infective mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 through the RBD is an interesting strategy.

Targeted Enzymatic VLP-Nanoreactors with β-Glucocerebrosidase Activity as Potential Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Gaucher's Disease.

Gaucher disease is a genetic disorder and the most common lysosomal disease caused by the deficiency of enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase). Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is successfully applied using mannose-exposed conjugated glucocerebrosidase, the lower stability of the enzyme in blood demands periodic intravenous administration that adds to the high cost of treatment. In this work, the enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase was encapsulated inside virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) from brome mosaic virus (BMV), and their surface was functionalized with mannose groups for targeting to macrophages.

Spontaneous Condensation of RNA into Nanoring and Globular Structures.

The effect of polyvalent cations, like spermine, on the condensation of DNA into very well-defined toroidal shapes has been well studied and understood. A great effort has been made to obtain similar condensed structures from RNA molecules, but so far, it has been elusive. In this work, we show that single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) molecules can easily be condensed into nanoring and globular structures on a mica surface, where each nanoring structure is formed mostly by a single RNA molecule.

Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulation into Virus Protein Cages by Self-Assembly in an Aprotic Organic Solvent.

While extensive studies of virus capsid assembly in environments mimicking conditions have led to an understanding of the thermodynamic driving forces at work, applying this knowledge to virus assembly in other solvents than aqueous buffers has not been attempted yet. In this study, Brome mosaic virus (BMV) capsid proteins were shown to preserve their self-assembly abilities in an aprotic polar solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). This facilitated protein cage encapsulation of nanoparticles and dye molecules that favor organic solvents, such as β-NaYF-based upconversion nanoparticles and BODIPY dye.

Antiviral therapy in shrimp through plant virus VLP containing VP28 dsRNA against WSSV.

The white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), currently affecting cultured shrimp, causes substantial economic losses to the worldwide shrimp industry. An antiviral therapy using double-stranded RNA interference (dsRNAi) by intramuscular injection (IM) has proven the most effective shrimp protection against WSSV. However, IM treatment is still not viable for shrimp farms.

Asparaginase-Phage P22 Nanoreactors: Toward a Biobetter Development for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment.

Asparaginase (ASNase) is a biopharmaceutical for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatment. However, it shows undesirable side effects such as short lifetimes, susceptibility to proteases, and immunogenicity. Here, ASNase encapsidation was genetically directed in bacteriophage P22-based virus-like particles (VLPs) (ASNase-P22 nanoreactors) as a strategy to overcome these challenges.

Virus-Based Nanoreactors with GALT Activity for Classic Galactosemia Therapy.

Enzymatic nanoreactors were obtained by galactose-1-phosphate uridylyl-transferase (GALT) encapsulation into plant virus capsids by a molecular self-assembly strategy. The aim of this work was to produce virus-like nanoparticles containing GALT for an enzyme-replacement therapy for classic galactosemia. The encapsulation efficiency and the catalytic constants of bio-nanoreactors were determined by using different GALT and virus coat protein ratios.

Brome mosaic virus-like particles as siRNA nanocarriers for biomedical purposes.

There is an increasing interest in the use of plant viruses as vehicles for anti-cancer therapy. In particular, the plant virus brome mosaic virus (BMV) and cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) are novel potential nanocarriers for different therapies in nanomedicine. In this work, BMV and CCMV were loaded with a fluorophore and assayed on breast tumor cells.

Biocatalytic virus capsid as nanovehicle for enzymatic activation of Tamoxifen in tumor cells.

Most of the drugs used in chemotherapy should be activated by a transformation catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In this work, bacteriophage P22 virus-like particles (VLPs) containing CYP activity, immunologically inert and functionalized in order to be recognized by human cervix carcinoma cells and human breast adenocarcinoma cells were designed. The CYP was encapsulated inside the virus capsid obtained from the bacteriophage P22.

Physicochemical Study of Viral Nanoparticles at the Air/Water Interface.

The assembly of most single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses into icosahedral nucleocapsids is a spontaneous process driven by protein-protein and RNA-protein interactions. The precise nature of these interactions results in the assembly of extremely monodisperse and structurally indistinguishable nucleocapsids. In this work, by using a ssRNA plant virus (cowpea chlorotic mottle virus [CCMV]) as a charged nanoparticle we show that the diffusion of these nanoparticles from the bulk solution to the air/water interface is an irreversible adsorption process.

Design of a VLP-nanovehicle for CYP450 enzymatic activity delivery.

Background: The intracellular delivery of enzymes for therapeutic use has a promising future for the treatment of several diseases such as genetic disorders and cancer. Virus-like particles offer an interesting platform for enzymatic delivery to targeted cells because of their great cargo capacity and the enhancement of the biocatalyst stability towards several factors important in the practical application of these nanoparticles.

Results: We have designed a nano-bioreactor based on the encapsulation of a cytochrome P450 (CYP) inside the capsid derived from the bacteriophage P22.

The separation between the 5'-3' ends in long RNA molecules is short and nearly constant.

RNA molecules play different roles in coding, decoding and gene expression regulation. Such roles are often associated to the RNA secondary or tertiary structures. The folding dynamics lead to multiple secondary structures of long RNA molecules, since an RNA molecule might fold into multiple distinct native states.

Chemotherapy pro-drug activation by biocatalytic virus-like nanoparticles containing cytochrome P450.

This work shows, for the first time, the encapsulation of a highly relevant protein in the biomedical field into virus-like particles (VLPs). A bacterial CYP variant was effectively encapsulated in VLPs constituted of coat protein from cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV). The catalytic VLPs are able to transform the chemotherapeutic pro-drug, tamoxifen, and the emerging pro-drug resveratrol.

Reconstituted plant viral capsids can release genes to mammalian cells.

The nucleocapsids of many plant viruses are significantly more robust and protective of their RNA contents than those of enveloped animal viruses. In particular, the capsid protein (CP) of the plant virus Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV) is of special interest because it has been shown to spontaneously package, with high efficiency, a large range of lengths and sequences of single-stranded RNA molecules. In this work we demonstrate that hybrid virus-like particles, assembled in vitro from CCMV CP and a heterologous RNA derived from a mammalian virus (Sindbis), are capable of releasing their RNA in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells.

In vitro quantification of the relative packaging efficiencies of single-stranded RNA molecules by viral capsid protein.

While most T=3 single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses package in vivo about 3,000 nucleotides (nt), in vitro experiments have demonstrated that a broad range of RNA lengths can be packaged. Under the right solution conditions, for example, cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) capsid protein (CP) has been shown to package RNA molecules whose lengths range from 100 to 10,000 nt. Furthermore, in each case it can package the RNA completely, as long as the mass ratio of CP to nucleic acid in the assembly mixture is 6:1 or higher.

Self-assembly of viral capsid protein and RNA molecules of different sizes: requirement for a specific high protein/RNA mass ratio.

Virus-like particles can be formed by self-assembly of capsid protein (CP) with RNA molecules of increasing length. If the protein "insisted" on a single radius of curvature, the capsids would be identical in size, independent of RNA length. However, there would be a limit to length of the RNA, and one would not expect RNA much shorter than native viral RNA to be packaged unless multiple copies were packaged.