Zn(PO) shell effects on Zn uptake and cellular distribution of root applied ZnO NPs.

Touted benefits of nanoparticle-based fertilizers include enhancing crop nutrition by fortifying fruits or grains with nutrient metals and reducing environmental impacts of fertilizer use. However, the properties of the nanoparticles (NPs) and application routes required to achieve these benefits are not yet established. This study examined how a Zn-phosphate shell on ZnO NPs (ZnO_Ph NPs) affected root uptake, cellular distribution, transformation, and translocation of Zn in pepper plants (), and compared the efficacy of root- to foliarly-applied NPs.

New acridone derivatives to target telomerase and oncogenes - an anticancer approach.

In this work, two new acridone derivatives, and , were synthesized, for the first time, aiming to evaluate their potential as quadruplex stabilizers and anticancer agents. was synthesized through a very straightforward one-pot sequential chemical reaction involving the Heck cross-coupling reaction of ()-3-iodo-2-(4-methoxystyryl)-1-methylquinolin-4(1)-one with a vinyl pyridine followed by electrocyclization and oxidation, while the synthesis of involved an additional -methylation of the pyridine ring. Their ability to stabilize G-quadruplex DNA structures, which are associated with the regulation of oncogenes, was assessed using biophysical methods.

Phytochemical Study and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Along with Antitumor Activity of the Isolated -Tiliroside and Luteolin 4'--β-Xyloside.

Twelve compounds (-), kaempferol (), luteolin (), luteolin 4'--xyloside (), luteolin 4'--β-glucoside (), quercetin 4'--β-xyloside (), kaempferol-3--[6″--(E)-p-coumaroyl]-β-D-glucoside (-tiliroside) (), protocatechuic acid (), gallic acid (), methyl gallate (), ethyl gallate (), shikimic acid-3--gallate (), and 3,3',4'-tri--methyl-ellagic acid 4-sulfate (), were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of (Cav.) Pers (synonym: C. Presl.

Is Silver a Precious Metal for G-Quadruplex Stabilization Mediated by Porphyrins?

Cancer is a leading cause of death, so continuous efforts into cancer therapy are imperative. In tumor cells, telomerase and oncogene activity are key points for uncontrolled cell growth. Targeting these processes with ligands that inhibit telomerase and/or reduce oncogene expression has been identified as a promising cancer therapy.

Oncogenic and telomeric G-quadruplexes: Targets for porphyrin-triphenylphosphonium conjugates.

DNA chains with sequential guanine (G) repeats can lead to the formation of G-quadruplexes (G4), which are found in functional DNA and RNA regions like telomeres and oncogene promoters. The development of molecules with adequate structural features to selectively stabilize G4 structures can counteract cell immortality, highly described for cancer cells, and also downregulate transcription events underlying cell apoptosis and/or senescence processes. We describe here, the efficiency of four highly charged porphyrins-phosphonium conjugates to act as G4 stabilizing agents.

Combined Therapy with Dacarbazine and Hyperthermia Induces Cytotoxicity in A375 and MNT-1 Melanoma Cells.

Melanoma is a drug-resistant cancer, representing a serious challenge in cancer treatment. Dacarbazine (DTIC) is the standard drug in metastatic melanoma treatment, despite the poor results. Hyperthermia has been proven to potentiate chemotherapy.

Hyperthermia Enhances Doxorubicin Therapeutic Efficacy against A375 and MNT-1 Melanoma Cells.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and its incidence has alarmingly increased in the last few decades, creating a need for novel treatment approaches. Thus, we evaluated the combinatorial effect of doxorubicin (DOX) and hyperthermia on A375 and MNT-1 human melanoma cell lines. Cells were treated with DOX for 24, 48, and 72 h and their viabilities were assessed.

Photodynamic inactivation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on skin using a porphyrinic formulation.

Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for skin and soft tissue infections. Having in mind increased antibiotic resistance, in this study the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with a porphyrinic formulation (FORM) as photosensitizer (PS) to photoinactivate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on skin was evaluated. Potassium iodide (KI) and iodopovidone (PVP-I) were also tested in combination with FORM as potentiator agents of FORM efficacy.