Essential oil-mediated biocompatible magnesium nanoparticles with enhanced antibacterial, antifungal, and photocatalytic efficacies.

Emergent application of antimicrobial strategies as symptomatic treatment in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and linkage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 with microbial infections, has created colossal demand for antimicrobials. For the first time, this communication explore the physicochemical, antifungal, antibacterial, and photocatalytic properties of biogenic magnesium nanoparticles (MgNPs), synthesized using essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus's as an efficient multifunctional reducing and stabilizing/capping reagent. It is observed that MgNPs (ranging in size: 8-16 nm) of varying phytochemical compositions (MgS1, MgS2, MgS3) exhibited various useful physicochemical, antimicrobial, and photocatalytic properties.

MXenes in photomedicine: advances and prospects.

MXenes and their related nanocomposites with superior physicochemical properties such as high surface area, ease of synthesis and functionalization, high drug loading capacity, collective therapy potentials, pH-triggered drug release behavior, high photothermal conversion, and excellent photodynamic efficiency have been explored as alluring materials in photomedicine; the application of photons in medicine is facilitated for imaging and various disease treatment methods such as photothermal cancer/tumor ablation. Non-invasive theranostic strategies with synergistic activities have been developed using photothermal, photodynamic, and magnetic therapies together with remotely controlled drug/gene delivery for the diagnosis and treatment of various malignant diseases. Photothermal/photodynamic therapy and photoacoustic imaging using MXene-based structures have shown great promise in cancer phototherapy.

The Use of Real-Time PCR for the Pathogen Quantification in Breeding Winter Wheat Varieties Resistant to Eyespot.

The reaction of twenty-five winter wheat cultivars frequently grown in the Czech Republic to inoculation with and was evaluated in small plot trials from 2019 to 2021. The eyespot infection assessment was carried out visually using symptoms on stem bases and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The cultivars were also tested for the presence of the resistance gene using the STS marker .

Stability of a half-sandwich Os(II) complex with indomethacin-functionalized ligand in the presence of carboxypeptidase A.

In the presence of carboxypeptidase, the hydrolytically stable complex [Os(η-pcym)(L2)Cl]PF (2) partially released the bioactive substituent indomethacin, bound through the amide bond to the chelating 2-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)pyridine-based moiety of L2. Stability in the presence of other relevant biomolecules (GSH, NADH, GMP) and cancer cell viability were also studied.

Tau R2 and R3 are essential regions for tau aggregation, seeding and propagation.

Tauopathies are characterised by intracellular deposits of fibrillar tau tangles. However, the interneuronal spread of pathological tau species precedes the development of major tau burdens. Two amyloid motifs, VQIINK in repeat 2 and VQIVYK in repeat 3, of tau repeat domain, assemble into β-sheet-rich fibrils on their own but alone do not form seed-competent fibrils.

Immune cells-derived exosomes function as a double-edged sword: role in disease progression and their therapeutic applications.

Exosomes, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm as identified initially via electron microscopy in 1946, are one of the extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by many cells and have been the subject of many studies; initially, they were considered as cell wastes with the belief that cells produced exosomes to maintain homeostasis. Nowadays, it has been found that EVs secreted by different cells play a vital role in cellular communication and are usually secreted in both physiological and pathological conditions. Due to the presence of different markers and ligands on the surface of exosomes, they have paracrine, endocrine and autocrine effects in some cases.

The difference between semi-continuum model and Richards' equation for unsaturated porous media flow.

Semi-continuum modelling of unsaturated porous media flow is based on representing the porous medium as a grid of non-infinitesimal blocks that retain the character of a porous medium. This approach is similar to the hybrid/multiscale modelling. Semi-continuum model is able to physically correctly describe diffusion-like flow, finger-like flow, and the transition between them.

Gallium(III) Complex with Cloxyquin Ligands Induces Ferroptosis in Cancer Cells and Is a Potent Agent against Both Differentiated and Tumorigenic Cancer Stem Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells.

In this work, gallium(III) complex with cloxyquin (5-chloro-8-quinolinol, HClQ) ligands is shown to effectively inhibit proliferation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells, the frequent, aggressive, and poorly treatable cancer of children. It offers striking selectivity to cancer cells compared to noncancerous human fibroblasts. The data reveal that the complex induces ferroptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells, likely due to interfering with iron metabolism.

Structure-activity relationships of oomycete elicitins uncover the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in triggering plant defense responses.

Elicitins are proteinaceous elicitors that induce the hypersensitive response and plant resistance against diverse phytopathogens. Elicitin recognition by membrane receptors or high-affinity sites activates a variety of fast responses including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), leading to induction of plant defense genes. Beta-cryptogein (CRY) is a basic β-elicitin secreted by the oomycete Phytophthora cryptogea that shows high necrotic activity in some plant species, whereas infestin 1 (INF1) secreted by the oomycete P.

Intelligent high-tech coating of natural biopolymer layers.

Polymeric materials play a vital role in our daily life, but the growing concern for the environment demands economical and natural biopolymers that can be cross-linked to create technologically innovative lightweight materials. Their cellular matrix with extreme flexibility makes them highly acceptable for application prospects in material science, engineering, and biomedical applications. Furthermore, their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and structural diversity provide a gateway to research them to form technologically important materials.

Quantum dots against SARS-CoV-2: diagnostic and therapeutic potentials.

The application of quantum dots (QDs) for detecting and treating various types of coronaviruses is very promising, as their low toxicity and high surface performance make them superior among other nanomaterials; in conjugation with fluorescent probes they are promising semiconductor nanomaterials for the detection of various cellular processes and viral infections. In view of the successful results for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2, functional QDs could serve eminent role in the growth of safe nanotherapy for the cure of viral infections in the near future; their large surface areas help bind numerous molecules post-synthetically. Functionalized QDs with high functionality, targeted selectivity, stability and less cytotoxicity can be employed for highly sensitive co-delivery and imaging/diagnosis.

Novel Screen-Printed Sensor with Chemically Deposited Boron-Doped Diamond Electrode: Preparation, Characterization, and Application.

New screen-printed sensor with a boron-doped diamond working electrode (SP/BDDE) was fabricated using a large-area linear antenna microwave chemical deposition vapor system (LA-MWCVD) with a novel precursor composition. It combines the advantages of disposable printed sensors, such as tailored design, low cost, and easy mass production, with excellent electrochemical properties of BDDE, including a wide available potential window, low background currents, chemical resistance, and resistance to passivation. The newly prepared SP/BDDEs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy.

Remediation of pharmaceuticals from contaminated water by molecularly imprinted polymers: a review.

The release of pharmaceuticals into the environment induces adverse effects on the metabolism of humans and other living species, calling for advanced remediation methods. Conventional removal methods are often non-selective and cause secondary contamination. These issues may be partly solved by the use of recently-developped adsorbents such as molecularly imprinted polymers.

Green synthesis of novel 5-amino-bispyrazole-4-carbonitriles using a recyclable FeO@SiO@vanillin@thioglycolic acid nano-catalyst.

Bis(thioglycolic acid)-vanillin (2,2'-(((4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylene)bis(sulfanediyl))diacetic acid)-functionalized silica-coated FeO magnetic nanoparticles (FeO@SiO@vanillin@thioglycolic acid MNPs) were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetry (TGA-DTG), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), zeta potential measurements and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The ensuing MNPs offer an environmentally friendly procedure for the synthesis of novel 5-amino-pyrazole-4-carbonitriles a three-component mechanochemical reaction of synthesized azo-linked aldehydes or synthesized pyrazolecarbaldehydes, malononitrile, and phenylhydrazine or -tolylhydrazine adhering to the green chemistry principles; products were generated expeditiously in high yields. The catalyst could be quickly recovered and reused for six cycles with almost consistent activity.

Smart MXene Quantum Dot-Based Nanosystems for Biomedical Applications.

MXene quantum dots (QDs), with their unique structural, optical, magnetic, and electronic characteristics, are promising contenders for various pharmaceutical and biomedical appliances including biological sensing/imaging, cancer diagnosis/therapy, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, delivery of drugs/genes, and analytical biochemistry. Although functionalized MXene QDs have demonstrated high biocompatibility, superb optical properties, and stability, several challenging issues pertaining to their long-term toxicity, histopathology, biodistribution, biodegradability, and photoluminescence properties are still awaiting systematic study (especially the move towards the practical and clinical phases from the pre-clinical/lab-scale discoveries). The up-scalable and optimized synthesis methods need to be developed not only for the MXene QD-based nanosystems but also for other smart platforms and hybrid nanocomposites encompassing MXenes with vast clinical and biomedical potentials.

Bullying, Mental Health, and the Moderating Role of Supportive Adults: A Cross-National Analysis of Adolescents in 45 Countries.

Relationships with supportive adults during adolescence may be a protective factor that lowers the risks associated with bullying. The current study aimed to examine the moderating role of supportive adults in the associations between bullying involvement (in-person and cyber) and mental health problems (psychological symptoms and low life satisfaction). Data from 45 countries and regions taking part in the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study ( = 230,757) were used.

Recent Developments in Multi-component Synthesis of Lawsone Derivatives.

Background: 2-Hydroxy-1,4-Naphthoquinone (HNQ; Lawsone) is one of the most useful and the simplest naturally occurring naphthoquinones and has stimulated a resurgence of interest in the past decades due to a wide range of pharmacological activities.

Introduction And Methods: This activity has led to the unusually large emphasis being placed on the design of more efficient multi-component reactions (MCRs) in the synthesis of bioactive lawsone derivatives.

Results And Conclusion: This review highlights the recent developments in multi-component synthesis of biologically relevant naphthoquinone linked and fused heterocyclic derivatives carried out from 2015 till now.

Improving the air quality with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes: Sensing and remediation applications in the real world.

With the world developing exponentially every day, the collateral damage to air is incessant. There are many methods to purify the air but using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as adsorbents remains one of the most efficient and reliable methods, due to their high maximum adsorption capacity which renders them extremely useful for removing pollutants from the air. The different types of CNTs, their synthesis, functionalization, purification, functioning, and advantages over conventional filters are deliberated along with diverse types of CNTs like single-walled (SWCNTs), multiwalled (MWCNTs), and others, which can be functionalized and deployed for the removal of harmful gases like oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, and ozone, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among others.

Structural Characterization of Mannoglucan Isolated from and Its Antioxidant Activities.

A novel polysaccharide structure (PS-T80) was collected from biomass and characterized via a combination of chemical and spectral analyses. Employing high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), the average molecular weight is proven to be 7.4 × 10 Da.

How to make healthy early childhood development more likely in marginalized Roma communities: a concept mapping approach.

Background: This study aims to assess which measures could improve the healthy early childhood development of children from marginalized Roma communities and to identify priority measures.

Methods: Concept mapping approach was used, using mixed methods. In total 54 professionals, including social workers, educators, health care providers, municipality representatives, and project managers participated in our study.

Restoration of antibacterial activity of inactive antibiotics via combined treatment with a cyanographene/Ag nanohybrid.

The number of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is increasing due to the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics, which are therefore becoming ineffective. Here, we report an effective way of enhancing and restoring the antibacterial activity of inactive antibiotics by applying them together with a cyanographene/Ag nanohybrid, a nanomaterial that is applied for the first time for restoring the antibacterial activity of antibiotics. The cyanographene/Ag nanohybrid was synthesized by chemical reduction of a precursor material in which silver cations are coordinated on a cyanographene sheet.

Compatible interaction of Brachypodium distachyon and endophytic fungus Microdochium bolleyi.

Brachypodium distachyon is a useful model organism for studying interaction of cereals with phytopathogenic fungi. The present study tested the possibility of a compatible interaction of B. distachyon with the endophytic fungus Microdochium bolleyi originated from wheat roots.

Graphene and graphene oxide with anticancer applications: Challenges and future perspectives.

Graphene-based materials have shown immense pertinence for sensing/imaging, gene/drug delivery, cancer therapy/diagnosis, and tissue engineering/regenerative medicine. Indeed, the large surface area, ease of functionalization, high drug loading capacity, and reactive oxygen species induction potentials have rendered graphene- (G-) and graphene oxide (GO)-based (nano)structures promising candidates for cancer therapy applications. Various techniques namely liquid-phase exfoliation, Hummer's method, chemical vapor deposition, chemically reduced GO, mechanical cleavage of graphite, arc discharge of graphite, and thermal fusion have been deployed for the production of G-based materials.