Mechanistic Insights into Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles at the Micro- and Macro-levels.

Titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) have been regarded as a legacy nanomaterial due to their widespread usage across multiple fields. The TiO NPs have been and are still extensively used as a food and cosmetic additive and in wastewater and sewage treatment, paints, and industrial catalysis as ultrafine TiO. Recent developments in nanotechnology have catapulted it into a potent antibacterial and anticancer agent due to its excellent photocatalytic potential that generates substantial amounts of highly reactive oxygen radicals.

A light and sound show of cancer therapy.

Nanoparticle therapy continues to be an attractive avenue of targeted and personalised therapies. A molecular nano-conjugate developed by Zeng et al. effectively targets cancer cells and aids in their diagnosis, therapy, and also optimises innate immune responses.

Formulation of Carnosic-Acid-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles: An Attempt to Endorse the Bioavailability and Anticancer Efficacy of Carnosic Acid against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered to be one of the most difficult subtypes of breast cancer (BC) to treat. The sheer absence of certain receptors makes it very tough to target, leaving high-dose chemotherapy as probably the sole therapeutic option at the cost of nonspecific toxic effects. Carnosic acid (CA) has been established as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against a range of cancer cells.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity of asiatic acid-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles: A strategy of treating breast cancer.

Asiatic acid (AA), an aglycone of pentacyclic triterpene glycoside, obtained from the leaves of Centella asiatica exerts anticancer effects by inhibiting cellular proliferation and inducing apoptosis in a wide range of carcinogenic distresses. However, its chemotherapeutic efficacy is dampened by its low bioavailability. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit therapeutic efficacy and compliance by improving tissue penetration and lowering toxicity.

ROS-Influenced Regulatory Cross-Talk With Wnt Signaling Pathway During Perinatal Development.

Over a century ago, it was found that a rapid burst of oxygen is needed and produced by the sea urchin oocyte to activate fertilization and block polyspermy. Since then, scientific research has taken strides to establish that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), besides being toxic effectors of cellular damage and death, also act as molecular messengers in important developmental signaling cascades, thereby modulating them. Wnt signaling pathway is one such developmental pathway, which has significant effects on growth, proliferation, and differentiation of cells at the earliest embryonic stages of an organism, apart from being significant role-players in the instances of cellular transformation and cancer when this tightly-regulated system encounters aberrations.

Oxidative stress imposed in vivo anticancer therapeutic efficacy of novel imidazole-based oxidovanadium (IV) complex in solid tumor.

Vanadium is a transitional metal having several therapeutic aspects that can be exploited for its anticancer activity. Herein, we have verified anticancer effectivity of synthesized novel water soluble mononuclear dipicolinic acid-1-allyl imidazole-based oxidovanadium (IV) complex [VOL(1-allylimz)] with respect to anticancer effectivity of known standard platinum-based anticancer agent cisplatin. In current work, we have verified VOL(1-allylimz) as highly potential anticancer agent selectively against human breast cancer cells.

Synthesis of carbon dots from taurine as bioimaging agent and nanohybrid with ceria for antioxidant and antibacterial applications.

Here we have synthesized water soluble and biocompatible carbon dots (CDs) from taurine via thermal decomposition method. The CDs showed nearly spherical shape with diameter less than 10 nm. The CDs exhibited excitation dependent fluorescence emission and could be used for mammalian cell imaging.

In vivo therapeutic evaluation of a novel bis-lawsone derivative against tumor following delivery using mesoporous silica nanoparticle based redox-responsive drug delivery system.

Herein, we have evaluated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy and systemic toxicity profile of a synthetic anticancer compound [3,3'-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methylene)bis(2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione)]. A multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) based drug delivery network was also fabricated which specifically showed targeting nature towards the cancer cell. The mesopores of silica nanoparticles were tagged with phenyl boronic acid (PBA) for targeted drug delivery into tumor tissue.

Nanoparticles as Smart Carriers for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of many forms of cancer by stimulating body's own immune system. This therapy not only eradicates tumor cells by inducing strong anti-tumor immune response but also prevent their recurrence. The clinical cancer immunotherapy faces some insurmountable challenges including high immune-mediated toxicity, lack of effective and targeted delivery of cancer antigens to immune cells and off-target side effects.

Tumor targeted delivery of umbelliferone via a smart mesoporous silica nanoparticles controlled-release drug delivery system for increased anticancer efficiency.

Herein, a mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) based biocompatible, targeted and controlled drug delivery system has been synthesized for tumor tissue-specific drug delivery. Umbelliferone, a natural coumarin derivative was loaded into the pores of MSN and capped with pH-sensitive poly acrylic acid (PAA). For targeted delivery of umbelliferone in tumor tissue, folic acid (FA) was grafted onto the surface of drug-loaded and PAA-coated MSN.

Optical properties of metasurfaces infiltrated with liquid crystals.

Optical metasurfaces allow the ability to precisely manipulate the wavefront of light, creating many interesting and exotic optical phenomena. However, they generally lack dynamic control over their optical properties and are limited to passive optical elements. In this work, we report the nontrivial infiltration of nanostructured metalenses with three respective nematic liquid crystals of different refractive index and birefringence.

Hydrogen gas sensing using aluminum doped ZnO metasurfaces.

Hydrogen (H) sensing is crucial in a wide variety of areas, such as industrial, environmental, energy and biomedical applications. However, engineering a practical, reliable, fast, sensitive and cost-effective hydrogen sensor is a persistent challenge. Here we demonstrate hydrogen sensing using aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) metasurfaces based on optical read-out.

Assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials of a mononuclear Fe(II) Schiff base complex with photocatalytic activity in Trigonella.

Background: In recent times, coordination complexes of iron in various oxidation states along with variety of ligand systems have been designed and developed for effective treatment of cancer cells without adversely affecting the normal cell and tissues of various organs.

Methods: In this study, we have evaluated the mechanism of action of a Fe(II) Schiff base complex in the crop plant Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek) as the screening system by using morphological, cytological, biochemical and molecular approaches.

Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning Presenting like Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Young Girl.

Aluminium phosphide poisoning is very common in India. It is one of the most fatal poisons. The clinical spectrum of poisoning varies depending upon the dosage and duration of consumption.

Manipulating acoustic and plasmonic modes in gold nanostars.

In this contribution experimental evidence of plasmonic edge modes and acoustic breathing modes in gold nanostars (AuNSs) is reported. AuNSs are synthesized by a surfactant-free, one-step wet-chemistry method. Optical extinction measurements of AuNSs confirm the presence of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), while electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) using a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) shows the spatial distribution of LSPRs and reveals the presence of acoustic breathing modes.

pH-responsive and targeted delivery of curcumin via phenylboronic acid-functionalized ZnO nanoparticles for breast cancer therapy.

Nanoparticle-mediated targeted delivery of bioactive natural compounds has recently been gaining much interest for breast cancer therapy. Herein, phenyl boronic acid (PBA)-conjugated and pH-responsive ZnO nanoparticles (diameter ∼40 nm) were synthesized for the tumor tissue-specific delivery of curcumin. PBA conjugation facilitates the targeted delivery of curcumin to the sialic acid overexpressed in breast cancer cell membranes.

Targeting the crosstalks of Wnt pathway with Hedgehog and Notch for cancer therapy.

Wnt pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway determining patterning of animal embryos, cell fate, cell polarity, and a substantial role in the origin and maintenance of stem cells. It has been found to crosstalk with two other major developmental pathways, Hedgehog and Notch, in many embryological development cascades and in maintaining stemness of stem cells Research has shown that all the three pathways are potent in inducing tumorigenesis, driving tumor progression and aiding epithelial to mesenchymal transition in malignant cells, apart from maintaining cancer stem cells population inside the tumor tissue. Cancer stem cells are thought to aid in the process of tumor relapse, as they survive therapy by displaying drug resistance and then repopulating tumor tissues.

Heterodimeric Plasmonic Nanogaps for Biosensing.

We report the study of heterodimeric plasmonic nanogaps created between gold nanostar (AuNS) tips and gold nanospheres. The selective binding is realized by properly functionalizing the two nanostructures; in particular, the hot electrons injected at the nanostar tips trigger a regio-specific chemical link with the functionalized nanospheres. AuNSs were synthesized in a simple, one-step, surfactant-free, high-yield wet-chemistry method.

Prognostic Significance of Inferior Vena Caval Diameter in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: Heart failure is a major public health problem with rising prevalence and accounts for a substantial number of OPD and emergency visits. Despite advances in pharmacotherapy and various devices being added to the armamentarium in managing heart failure the mortality continue to remain high. Therefore, we seek to find an easy bedside tool for risk stratification and prognostication of patients suffering from chronic heart failure for identifying patients with high risk and tailoring appropriate therapy for better outcome.

A Rare Case of Dense Spontaneous Echo Contrast within Inferior Vena Cava.

A 33-year-old gentleman was examined because of fatigue and progressive right heart failure. A striking finding in his echocardiogram was intense and slow-moving dense echo contrast in the inferior vena cava (IVC). Cardiac catheterization revealed constrictive pericarditis, and pericardiectomy was performed.

Rhabdoid Meningioma of Brain - A Rare Aggressive Tumor.

Rhabdoid meningioma is a rare aggressive variant of meningioma, regarded as WHO Grade III type. Histologically and cytologically, it is distinctive type having abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, cytoplasmic inclusion with eccentrically placed vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli. High recurrence rate and poor outcome are important features.