Sodium alginate encapsulated iron oxide decorated with thymoquinone nanocomposite induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells via PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway.

The present study investigated the cytotoxicity and proapoptotic properties of iron oxide-sodium-alginate-thymoquinone nanocomposites against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and in silico. This study used chemical synthesis to formulate the nanocomposite. Electron microscopies such as scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-Visible, Photoluminescence spectroscopy, selected area (electron) diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and X-ray diffraction studies (XRD) were used to characterize the synthesized ISAT-NCs and the average size of them was found to be 55 nm.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Effects of CuO-TiO-Chitosan-Escin Nanocomposites on Human Leukemic MOLT4 Cells.

Nanocomposites comprised of CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin, which has adjustable physicochemical properties, provide a solution for therapeutic selectivity in cancer treatment. By controlling the intrinsic signaling primarily through the mitochondrial signaling pathway, we desired nanocomposites with enhanced anticancer activity by containing CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin. The metal oxides CuO and TiO2, the natural polymer chitosan, and a phytochemical compound escin were combined to form CuO-TiO2-chitosan-escin nanocomposites.

Hyperglycemia and steroid use increase the risk of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis regardless of COVID-19 hospitalization: Case-control study, India.

Background: In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an increased incidence of ROCM was noted in India among those infected with COVID. We determined risk factors for rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) post Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among those never and ever hospitalized for COVID-19 separately through a multicentric, hospital-based, unmatched case-control study across India.

Methods: We defined cases and controls as those with and without post-COVID ROCM, respectively.

The Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and PHA-Based Nanoparticles.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are storage granules found in bacteria that are essentially hydroxy fatty acid polyesters. PHA molecules appear in variety of structures, and amongst all types of PHAs, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is used in versatile fields as it is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and ecologically safe thermoplastic. The unique physicochemical characteristics of these PHAs have made them applicable in nanotechnology, tissue engineering, and other biomedical applications.

Mechanisms and Impact of Biofilms and Targeting of Biofilms Using Bioactive Compounds-A Review.

Biofilms comprising aggregates of microorganisms or multicellular communities have been a major issue as they cause resistance against antimicrobial agents and biofouling. To date, numerous biofilm-forming microorganisms have been identified, which have been shown to result in major effects including biofouling and biofilm-related infections. Quorum sensing (which describes the cell communication within biofilms) plays a vital role in the regulation of biofilm formation and its virulence.

Transient characteristics of universal cells on human-induced pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated cells derived from foetal stem cells with mixed donor sources.

Introduction: It is important to prepare 'hypoimmunogenic' or 'universal' human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) with gene-editing technology by knocking out or in immune-related genes, because only a few hypoimmunogenic or universal hPSC lines would be sufficient to store for their off-the-shelf use. However, these hypoimmunogenic or universal hPSCs prepared previously were all genetically edited, which makes laborious processes to check and evaluate no abnormal gene editing of hPSCs.

Methods: Universal human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were generated without gene editing, which were reprogrammed from foetal stem cells (human amniotic fluid stem cells) with mixing 2-5 allogenic donors but not with single donor.

Dental pulp stem cells therapy overcome photoreceptor cell death and protects the retina in a rat model of sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration.

Blindness and vision loss contribute to irreversible retinal degeneration, and cellular therapy for retinal cell replacement has the potential to treat individuals who have lost light sensitive photoreceptors in the retina. Retinal cells are well characterized in function, and are a subject of interest in cellular replacement therapy of photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium. However, retinal cell transplantation is limited by various factors, including the choice of potential stem cell source that can show variability in plasticity as well as host tissue integration.

Clinical trials in India: Where do we stand globally?

Aims: To evaluate the trend of clinical trials in India over the last 4 years compared to the well-established countries using clinical trial registries since the advent of clinical trial registry of India (CTRI).

Materials And Methods: The data of clinical trials registered in India, United States (US), and European Union (EU) were obtained from websites of CTRI, clinicaltrial.gov and EU clinical trial registry, respectively from July 20, 2007 to August 29, 2011 for a period of 4 years.

The combined influence of substrate elasticity and surface-grafted molecules on the ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) for transplantation. However, the low number of HSPCs from a single UCB donor limits the direct transplantation of UCB to patients. Because little is known about the effects of the physical microenvironment on HSPC expansion, we investigated the ex vivo expansion of HSPCs cultured on biomaterials with different elasticities and grafted with different nanosegments.

Primary tuberculous appendicitis presented with caecal perforation: a case report.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis accounts for 3% of the extrapulmonary tuberculosis with ileocaecal region being the common site of involvement up to 75%. Primary involvement of appendix is very rare and accounts for only 0.6% to 2.

Postoperative hypertension following radical neck dissection.

Baroreflex failure results in wide excursions of blood pressure and heart rate. We report two cases that developed severe postoperative hypertension after radical neck dissection. Carotid sinus denervation during neck dissection may be the cause of the reflex hypertension once general anesthesia-induced vasodilatation has ended.