Targeted delivery of melittin to cancer cells by AS1411 anti-nucleolin aptamer.

Melittin, a small water-soluble cationic amphipathic α-helical linear peptide, consisted of 26 amino acids, is the honeybee venom major constituent. Several reports have proved the lytic and apoptotic effects of melittin in several cancerous cell lines. In this study, we aimed to fabricate an AS1411 aptamer-melittin to specifically deliver melittin to nucleolin positive cells (A549).

Enrichment of cellulose acetate nanofibre assemblies for therapeutic delivery of l-tryptophan.

The essential amino acid l-tryptophan is naturally present in the body, and is also available as a water soluble dietary supplement. The feasibility of preparing enriched cellulose acetate (CA)-based fibres as a vehicle for therapeutic delivery of such biomolecules was investigated. A new ternary solvent system consisting of acetone: N,N-dimethylacetamide: methanol (2:1:2) has been demonstrated to permit the solution blending of CA with the water soluble l-tryptophan.

Graphene grown on stainless steel mesh as a highly efficient sorbent for sorptive microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water samples.

In this study, graphene grown on stainless steel mesh efficiently incorporates the advanced properties of graphene in the form of an ultra-thin coating with the open geometry of the substrate, resulting in a highly sensitive and fast sorptive device capable of extracting target analytes directly from sample matrices. The synthesis of graphene on the stainless steel mesh was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The advantages of the new microextraction device have been investigated for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental water samples in combination with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID).

Phase behavior, rheological characteristics and microstructure of sodium caseinate-Persian gum system.

In this study, the phase behavior of sodium caseinate-Persian gum mixtures was investigated. The effect of thermodynamic incompatibility on phase distribution of sodium caseinate fractions as well as the flow behavior and microstructure of the biopolymer mixtures were also studied. The phase diagram clearly demonstrated the dominant effect of Persian gum on the incompatibility of the two biopolymers.

Rheological characteristics of binary composite gels of wheat flour and high amylose corn starch.

Unlabelled: The effect of addition of high amylose corn starch (Hylon VII or H) to wheat flour (WF) on the mechanical properties of the resulting binary composite gels (BCG) under small and large deformations was evaluated. To this end, the composite gels at different ratios of WF/H including 95:5, 90:10, and 85:15 were tested under a linear viscoelastic regime (LVE) in oscillatory angular frequency and a texture profile analysis in compression mode. However, the gel firmness was increased by Hylon VII addition, but the springiness was reduced.

Gum tragacanth-polyvinyl alcohol cryogel and xerogel blends for oral delivery of silymarin: Structural characterization and mucoadhesive property.

In this study silymarin (SM) loaded cryo- and xerogels of gum tragacanth-polyvinyl alcohol (GT-PVA) were prepared and their physico-mechanical, microstructural and release properties were investigated. The results showed that unlike cryogels, which were highly porous, xerogels exhibited a densely packed agglomerated microstructure with a continuous network of cracks. The bulk density, mechanical strength and SM retention of xerogels were also much higher than those of cryogels.

Apta-nanosensors for detection and quantitative determination of acetamiprid - A pesticide residue in food and environment.

In an effort to achieve high sensitive and selective detection of pesticide residues, numerous nanomaterial-based aptasensors are currently being developed for acetamiprid analysis. Recently, aptamers as a potent alternative of antibodies are used in biosensing platforms. There is tremendous interest in utilizing of nanomaterial as basic building blocks and signaling elements in aptasensors.

A novel red pigment from marine Arthrobacter sp. G20 with specific anticancer activity.

Aims: Bacterial pigments are promising compounds in the prevention and treatment of various cancers. In the current study, the antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of a red pigment obtained from a marine bacterial strain were investigated.

Methods And Results: Optimization of the pigment production by the marine strain was conducted using the one-factor-at-a-time approach.

Application of whey protein-pectin nano-complex carriers for loading of lactoferrin.

Our aim was to entrap lactoferrin (LF) in complex nano-particles of whey protein isolate (WPI)-high methoxyl pectin (HMP) with the ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 through acidification at pH values of 3, 3.5, and 4. The zeta-potential, size, sedimentable-complex yield, LF content, encapsulation efficiency, SEM, AFM, FTIR, and DSC of nano-particles were investigated.

Preparation and evaluation of BSA-based hydrosol nanoparticles cross-linked with genipin for oral administration of poorly water-soluble curcumin.

One of the most interesting functions of albumin is the ability to interact with bioactive compounds. This study describes preparation of protein-based nanoparticles (NPs) for the preparation of solid dispersion of curcumin (CN). Fabrication of hydrosol system of dispersed CN in bovine serum albumin (BSA) was approached, followed by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (Gta).

Functional characteristics, wettability properties and cytotoxic effect of starch film incorporated with multi-walled and hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Two types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT and CNT-OH) at different levels (0.1-0.9wt%) were introduced into starch matrix in order to modify its functional properties.

Physicochemical, functional, and nutritional characteristics of stabilized rice bran form tarom cultivar.

Extrusion is a multistep thermal process which has been utilized in a wide spectrum of food preparations. The effect of extrusion processing on the physicochemical, nutritional, and functional properties of Tarom cultivar rice bran was studied. However, the color of rice bran was improved by extrusion processing, but the protein content was reduced in the stabilized rice bran, which can be related to the denaturation of protein.

Effects of high amylose corn starch and microbial transglutaminase on the textural and microstructural properties of wheat flour composite gels at high temperatures.

Unlabelled: Textural and microstructural properties of composite gels (CGs), along with wheat flour and high amylose corn starch (Hylon VII) mixed with microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) at different levels and temperatures were investigated. The results showed by increasing Hylon starch content, the firmness increased and adhesiveness decreased. Indeed, high level of amylose and cross-linking formed by MTGase enhanced the gel elasticity and reduced adhesiveness.

Eco-friendly soluble soybean polysaccharide/nanoclay Na bionanocomposite: Properties and characterization.

The impact of montmorillonite (MMT) as a nanofiller at different concentrations (5, 10, 15wt.%) on the physicochemical and functional properties of nanocomposite film based on soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) was investigated. The results showed that an increase in MMT concentration was accompanied by a decrease in water solubility, thickness, and elongation at break.

TiO2-based Mitoxantrone Imprinted Poly (Methacrylic acid-co-polycaprolctone diacrylate) Nanoparticles as a Drug Delivery System.

Background: Light delivery in photodynamic therapy is a challenging issue in deep cancer treatment. To solve this problem, photosensitizers are conjugated to X-ray luminescent nanoparticles. When the complexes are stimulated by X-rays during radiotherapy, the nanoparticles generate light and activate the photosensitizers.

Characterization of nanocomposite film based on chitosan intercalated in clay platelets by electron beam irradiation.

Different electron beam doses (10, 20, 30 and 40kGy) were tested with the purpose of investigating their influences on chitosan/clay (cloisite 20A) nanocomposite film to improve its functional performance by providing a crosslinked matrix. Water resistance, water contact angle and water barrier property of nanocomposite film were increased up to 30kGy, and then drastically decreased at the level of 40kGy. Characteristic diffraction peak of chitosan shifted to low angle with an increase in the interlayer spacing of the nanoclay after 30kGy irradiation, indicating a superlative intercalation.

Fabrication of basil seed gum nanoparticles as a novel oral delivery system of glutathione.

Plant derived polymers like mucilage have evoked great attention in the field of functional food ingredient delivery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of basil seed gum nanoparticles (BSG NPs) as an oral delivery system for glutathione (GSH). BSG NPs (1-0.

α-Tocopherol-loaded niosome prepared by heating method and its release behavior.

α-Tocopherol-loaded niosome was developed using modified heating method. The influence of surfactants (Span60 and Tween60) in different mole ratios, presence or absence of cholesterol (Chol) and dicetyl phosphate (DCP) as well as different concentration of α-tocopherol (α-TOC) on mean size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency (EE) was evaluated. The results showed that α-TOC loaded niosomes exhibited a small mean size (73.

Adsorption of Speckled Sugar bean protein isolate at oil-water interface: Effect of ionic strength and pH.

Speckled Sugar bean protein (0-4%) was used to stabilize sunflower oil in water emulsion (30% oil). To investigate the effect of other components on emulsion properties different salt concentrations (0-0.5M) and pH (3-7) were used.

The influence of temperature, sucrose and lactose on dilute solution properties of basil (Ocimumbasilicum) seed gum.

Hydrocolloid interactions with solvent/cosolutes play a vital role in the resolution of their functional properties. Basil seed gum (BSG) is a plant-derived hydrocolloid which has been found many applications in food formulations as stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener and gelling agents. Sucrose and lactose are the most effective sugars in textural and sensorial properties of bakery and dairy products which adding them to solutions containing hydrocolloids can be helpful to approach a proper formula.

Physico-mechanical analysis data in support of compatibility of chitosan/κ-carrageenan polyelectrolyte films achieved by ascorbic acid, and the thermal degradation theory of κ-carrageenan influencing the properties of its blends.

This article presents the complementary data regarding compatibilization of chitosan/κ-carrageenan polyelectrolyte complex for synthesizing of a soft film using ascorbic acid. It includes the thermal-theory for estimating the degradation of κ-carrageenan, as reflected in alteration of the structural properties of the blend. The data has been provided to demonstrate that the blend solution based on chitosan, a polycation, and κ-carrageenan, a polyanion polymer, produces an incompatible polyelectrolyte composite, susceptible to coaservative phase separation.

Factors affecting microstructure, physicochemical and textural properties of a novel Gum tragacanth-PVA blend cryogel.

Gum tragacanth (GT) gels are usually formed by using chemical crosslinkers which cause safety concerns owing to their toxicity. This study introduces a novel and safe method for gelation of GT in the presence of small amounts of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) followed by successive freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. Gel formation was performed at two GT: PVA mixing ratios (1:1 and 3:1), four F-T consecutive cycles and two different thawing temperatures (25 and 5°C).

Controlling the morphology and material characteristics of electrospray generated calcium alginate microhydrogels.

Electrospraying nano- and micro-particle fabrication is a one-step, non-invasive process, which has application in encapsulating of thermosensitive functional, bioactive materials and cells and making microhydrogels. This study investigates the effect of various electrospraying process parameters on the characteristics of calcium alginate microhydrogel particles. The alginate solution concentration, CaCl coagulation bath concentration, voltage, nozzle diameter, distance between nozzle and collecting bath (D), alginate delivery pressure (∼H) were examined.

Sol-gel dip coating of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia dental ceramic by aluminosilicate nanocomposite as a novel technique to improve the bonding of veneering porcelain.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of silica and aluminosilicate nanocomposite coating of zirconia-based dental ceramic by a sol-gel dip-coating technique on the bond strength of veneering porcelain to the yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) in vitro. Thirty Y-TZP blocks (10 mm ×10 mm ×3 mm) were prepared and were assigned to four experimental groups (n=10/group): C, without any further surface treatment as the control group; S, sandblasted using 110 μm alumina powder; Si, silica sol dip coating + calcination; and Si/Al, aluminosilicate sol dip coating + calcination. After preparing Y-TZP samples, a 3 mm thick layer of the recommended porcelain was fired on the coated Y-TZP surface.

Development of antioxidant active films containing sodium ascorbate (SA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) to extend the shelf life of peanut.

In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing oxygen scavenger based on sodium ascorbate (SA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) at 5, 10 and 15 % concentrations were produced through extrusion method. In addition, the effect of size of SA, thickness LDPE (7.5, 15, 30 and 45 μm), and number of layers (monolayer, two-layers, three-layers and four-layers) were investigated.