S-layers: from a serendipitous discovery to a toolkit for nanobiotechnology.

Prokaryotic microorganisms, comprising and , exhibit a fascinating diversity of cell envelope structures reflecting their adaptations that contribute to their resilience and survival in diverse environments. Among these adaptations, surface layers (S-layers) composed of monomolecular protein or glycoprotein lattices are one of the most observed envelope components. They are the most abundant cellular proteins and represent the simplest biological membranes that have developed during evolution.

Organoid development and applications in gynecological cancers: the new stage of tumor treatment.

Gynecologic cancers (GCs), including cervical cancer (CC), ovarian cancer (OC), endometrial cancer (EC), as well as vulvar and vaginal cancers, represent major health threats to women, with increasing incidence rates observed globally. Conventional treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, are often hindered by challenges such as drug resistance and recurrence, contributing to high mortality rates. Organoid technology has emerged as a transformative tool in cancer research, offering in vitro models that closely replicate the tumor cell architecture and heterogeneity of primary cancers.

Critical updates on oral insulin drug delivery systems for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Exogenous insulin can counteract the diminished response to insulin and effectively controlling blood glucose levels, thereby minimizing diabetes-related complications. However, given the injectable nature of exogenous insulin, apprehensions regarding its safety and the difficulties associated with its administration have hindered its widespread and prompt utilization.

Lipid-encapsulated gold nanoparticles: an advanced strategy for attenuating the inflammatory response in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: Nanodrugs play a crucial role in biomedical applications by enhancing drug delivery. To address safety and toxicity concerns associated with nanoparticles, lipid-nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising approach for developing next-generation smart nanomedicines. Ginseng has traditionally been used for various therapeutic purposes, including antiviral activity.

A ROS-responsive hydrogel encapsulated with matrix metalloproteinase-13 siRNA nanocarriers to attenuate osteoarthritis progression.

RNA interference (RNAi) and oxidative stress inhibition therapeutic strategies have been extensively utilized in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent degenerative joint disease. However, the synergistic effects of these approaches on attenuating OA progression remain largely unexplored. In this study, matrix metalloproteinase-13 siRNA (siMMP-13) was incorporated onto polyethylenimine (PEI)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified FeO nanoparticles, forming a nucleic acid nanocarrier termed si-Fe NPs.

Size effect-based improved antioxidant activity of selenium nanoparticles regulating Anti-PI3K-mTOR and Ras-MEK pathways for treating spinal cord injury to avoid hormone shock-induced immunosuppression.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a critical condition affecting the central nervous system that often has permanent and debilitating consequences, including secondary injuries. Oxidative damage and inflammation are critical factors in secondary pathological processes. Selenium nanoparticles have demonstrated significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties via a non-immunosuppressive pathway; however, their clinical application has been limited by their inadequate stability and functionality to cross the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB).

Physiological accumulation of lipid droplets in newborn liver during breastfeeding is driven by TLR4 ligands.

Background: The liver plays a central role in fat storage, but little is known about physiological fat accumulation during early development. Here we investigated a transient surge in hepatic lipid droplets observed in newborn mice immediately after birth.

Methods: We developed a novel model to quantify liver fat content without tissue processing.

Engineered biomimetic cisplatin-polyphenol nanocomplex for chemo-immunotherapy of glioblastoma by inducing pyroptosis.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by pronounced immune escape and resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Preliminary investigations revealed a marked overexpression of gasdermin E (GSDME) in GBM. Notably, cisplatin (CDDP) demonstrated a capacity of inducing pyroptosis by activating caspase-3 to cleave GSDME, coupled with the release of proinflammatory factors, indicating the potential as a viable approach of inducing anti-tumor immune activation.

Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) for biodiesel production from rapeseed oil; evaluation of the effect of immobilization protocol.

The catalytic performance of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) immobilized on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles was evaluated for biodiesel production via methanolysis of rapeseed oil. Two different covalent immobilization approaches were compared to assess the effect of immobilization protocols on lipase efficiency. The first approach involved immobilization of CALB on amine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which targeted the Lys-rich regions of the enzyme.

Metal-Coordinated Histidine-Functionalized Redox-Responsive Polyethyleneimine as a Smart Gene Delivery Vector.

Despite significant advancements in gene delivery and CRISPR technology, several challenges remain. Chief among these are overcoming serum inhibition and achieving high transfection efficiency with minimal cytotoxicity. To address these issues, there is a need for novel vectors that exhibit lower toxicity, maintain stability in serum-rich environments, and effectively deliver plasmids of various sizes across diverse cell types.

Dietary Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds oil supplementation augments growth performance and gut microbial composition in Labeo rohita fingerlings.

The present study investigates the supplemental effects of chia seed oil (CSO) on the growth performance and modulation of intestinal microbiota in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Four diets were formulated with graded levels of CSO: 1.0%, 2.

Neuronal LAG3 facilitates pathogenic α-synuclein neuron-to-neuron propagation.

Lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3) is a key receptor involved in the propagation of pathological proteins in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study investigates the role of neuronal LAG3 in mediating the binding, uptake, and propagation of α-synuclein (αSyn) preformed fibrils (PFFs). Using neuronal LAG3 conditional knockout mice and human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons, we demonstrate that LAG3 expression is critical for pathogenic αSyn propagation.

Innovative capsulation and microencapsulation of plant hormones: a strategy to combat plant pathogens.

One of the prevailing trends in contemporary agriculture is the application of biological control. Nevertheless, several reports suggest that biocontrol bacteria exhibit poor survival rates in host plants. Consequently, the concept of shielding biological control agents by encapsulating them in outer coatings has gained popularity.

miR-217-5p NanomiRs Inhibit Glioblastoma Growth and Enhance Effects of Ionizing Radiation via EZH2 Inhibition and Epigenetic Reprogramming.

: CSCs are critical drivers of the tumor and stem cell phenotypes of glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Chromatin modifications play a fundamental role in driving a GBM CSC phenotype. The goal of this study is to further our understanding of how stem cell-driving events control changes in chromatin architecture that contribute to the tumor-propagating phenotype of GBM.

Special Issue on Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine.

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A reactive oxygen species-responsive hydrogel loaded with Apelin-13 promotes the repair of spinal cord injury by regulating macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a chronic condition whereby persistent aberrant macrophage activation hinders the repair process. During acute trauma, dominant M1 macrophages produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to increased apoptosis in neurons, glial cells, and oligodendrocytes. This study investigated the specific effects of a ROS-responsive hydrogel loaded with Apelin-13 (Apelin-13@ROS-hydrogel) on macrophage polarization and neuroinflammation, thereby exploring its role in boosting SCI repair.

Silk-engineered bioactive nanoparticles for targeted alleviation of acute inflammatory disease via macrophage reprogramming.

Significant progress has been made in the development of potential therapies for diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, the availability of effective clinical treatments remains limited. Herein, we introduce a novel silk-based bioactive material, TPSF, developed by sequentially conjugating Tempol and phenylboronic acid pinacol ester to silk fibroin.

Histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) as a potential auxiliary biomarker for predicting adaptability to anti-HER2 drug treatment in breast cancer patients.

Background: Up to 23% of breast cancer patients recurred within a decade after trastuzumab treatment. Conversely, one trial found that patients with low HER2 expression and metastatic breast cancer had a positive response to trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-Dxd). This indicates that relying solely on HER2 as a single diagnostic marker to predict the efficacy of anti-HER2 drugs is insufficient.

Modeling ethanol/water adsorption in all-silica zeolites using the real adsorbed solution theory.

A comprehensive set of single-component and binary isotherms were collected for ethanol/water adsorption into the siliceous forms of 185 known zeolites using grand-canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Using these data, a systematic analysis of ideal/real adsorbed-solution theory (IAST/RAST) was conducted and activity coefficients were derived for ethanol/water mixtures adsorbed in different zeolites based on RAST. It was found that activity coefficients of ethanol are close to unity while activity coefficients of water are larger in most zeolites, indicating a positive excess free energy of the mixture.

Pharmacological Vitamin C-induced high HO generation mediates apoptotic cell death by caspase 3/7 activation in breast cancer tumor spheroids.

Background: Pharmacological vitamin C (Vit-C), or high-dose Vit-C has recently gained attention as a potential cancer therapeutic. However, the anticancer activity of Vit-C has not been investigated in realistic 3D models of human cancers, especially with respect to breast cancer (BC), and its potential benefits remain under debate. Herein, we investigate the activity and mechanism of action of pharmacological Vit-C on two BC tumor spheroids.

Genetically engineered biomimetic ATP-responsive nanozyme for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

Background: Cardiac fibrosis plays a critical role in the progression of various forms of heart disease, significantly increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death. However, currently, there are no therapeutic strategies available to prevent the onset of cardiac fibrosis.

Methods And Results: Here, biomimetic ATP-responsive nanozymes based on genetically engineered cell membranes are adapted to specifically recognize activated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

Ultrafast enzyme-responsive hydrogel for real-time assessment and treatment optimization in infected wounds.

Monitoring wound infection and providing appropriate treatment are crucial for achieving favorable outcomes. However, the time-consuming nature of laboratory culture tests may delay timely intervention. To tackle this challenge, a simple yet effective HDG hydrogel, composed of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), dopamine, and GelMA polymer, is developed for the ultrafast detection and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infections.

In Silico Method for ssDNA Aptamer Binding with Aurora Kinase A Protein.

While traditional assay methods face challenges in detecting specific proteins, aptamers, known for their high specificity and affinity, are emerging as a valuable biomarker detection tool. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) plays a role in cell division and influences stem cell reprogramming. In this study, an in silico approach method was conducted for a random ssDNA aptamer sequence selection and its binding with AURKA.

Regulation of Cell-Nanoparticle Interactions through Mechanobiology.

Bio-nano interactions have been extensively explored in nanomedicine to develop selective delivery strategies and reduce systemic toxicity. To enhance the delivery of nanocarriers to cancer cells and improve the therapeutic efficiency, different nanomaterials have been developed. However, the limited clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapies, largely due to issues associated with poor targeting, requires a deeper understanding of the biological phenomena underlying cell-nanoparticle interactions.