Optimizing Amphipathic Antimicrobial Peptides via Helical Wheel Rotation.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising candidates for combating drug-resistant pathogens and certain cancer types. However, their therapeutic applications are often limited by undesired hemolytic activity, while many AMPs exhibit only moderate potency. Herein, the "helical wheel rotation" strategy as a simple, cost-effective, and modular approach to optimize the pharmacological properties of amphipathic α-helical AMPs without altering their amino acid composition is explored.

A novel diterpene and six new sesquiterpenes from the sea hare .

Aplydactylonin D (1), a diterpene possessing an unprecedented carbon skeleton with a 3-(-tolyl)-7,7a-dihydrocyclopenta[]pyran-6(2)-one core, and six new brominated sesquiterpenes, aplydactylonins E-K (2-7), were isolated from the sea hare . Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by the interpretation of spectroscopic data, quantum chemical calculations, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analyses. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HepG2, A549 and MCF7 cells.

A one-step chemical treatment to directly isolate microcrystalline cellulose from lignocellulose source.

In the study, we report an effective and one-step chemical treatment for directly isolating microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with a width of 10-50 μm and length of 100-1000 μm from various agricultural waste sources. This chemical treatment uses a peracetic acid solution combined with 2% H₂SO₄ at 80 °C for 2 h. After this one -step chemical treatment, we observed significant changes in chemical composition.

Direct Isolation of Carboxylated Cellulose Nanocrystals from Lignocellulose Source.

In this study, we report an effective, one-step chemical treatment to directly isolate carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CCNCs) from a lignocellulosic source using a mixture of peracetic acid and 10% HSO solution. We used infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy to characterize all the materials. The obtained CCNCs exhibited needle-like shapes with a width of 10-50 nm and a length of 200-500 nm, a high crystalline index (71.

Synergistic anti-tumor effect of fenbendazole and diisopropylamine dichloroacetate in immunodeficient BALB/c nude mice transplanted with A549 lung cancer cells.

Background: Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Recent studies suggest that fenbendazole (FZ), even at micromolar doses, shows promising anticancer potential but can cause liver toxicity in some patients. Diisopropylamine dichloroacetate or vitamin B15 (DADA), known for its hepatoprotective properties, has also demonstrated antitumor properties and may reduce FZ-induced liver injury.

First data on dissolved black carbon in the coastal Northwestern Mediterranean Sea.

The spatial distribution of dissolved black carbon (DBC) concentrations was investigated using the benzene-polycarboxylic acid (BPCA) method applied to 28 subsurface seawater samples collected in the Rhone-Fos-Marseille area (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, Southern France), a coastal zone heavily influenced by the Rhone River and maritime traffic. DBC concentrations, ranging from 9 to 27 µg C L, showed clear spatial differences across the sampling sites. Significantly higher concentrations were observed at the mouth of the Rhone River and in the harbour areas.

Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment.

The presence of microplastics (MPs) and cyanobacterial toxins (microcystin, MC) in drinking water is a growing public health concern. This study investigated their occurrence and distribution in a tropical reservoir from June 2023 to May 2024. MPs were found at all sites, with an abundance ranging from 1.

Nitidine Isolated from the Bark of Zanthoxylum myriacanthum and its Effects on NTERA-2 Cancer Stem Cells.

Nitidine (NIT) was isolated from the bark of and assessed for anti-proliferative effects on NTERA-2 cancer stem cells using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, spheroid assay, DNA and lysosome staining, flow cytometry, caspase assay, immunoblotting, and molecular docking studies. Moreover, nitidine suppresses stemness properties like tumorsphere forming, c-myc, Oct4, Nanog proteins of NTERA-2 cancer stem cells after 48-hour treatment. Nitidine selectively induced anti-survival activities by triggering the intrinsic apoptotic process through p53 signaling and lysosome-dependent cell death (LDCD).

Facile synthesis of C-TiO-MoS nanocomposite based on commercial TiO nanopowder for photodegradation of methylene blue.

We present a facile synthesis method for a C-TiO-MoS-based photocatalytic nanocomposite designed for the efficient degradation of pollutant dyes, specifically methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB). Few-layered MoS nanosheets were exfoliated from natural bulk MoS urea-assisted ball milling. These nanosheets were then mixed with TiO nanopowder and sodium deoxycholate (SDC) surfactant, followed by thermal annealing at 600 °C in argon (Ar) gas.

Nanocarrier-enabled delivery of natural antiobesity agents.

Obesity has become a global epidemic, significantly impacting public health and contributing to the rise of metabolic syndrome, which is closely linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and certain cancers. Despite the availability of lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery, current treatment strategies often face limitations, including poor efficacy, adverse effects, and low patient compliance. Natural compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, saponins, and anthraquinones have emerged as promising alternatives because of their multitargeted actions and relatively favorable safety profiles.

Hydrogen adsorption and dissociation on Au Y ( = 1-12) nanoclusters: a DFT investigation.

The interaction between nanomaterial systems and hydrogen has recently emerged as a compelling study model, offering valuable insights for designing materials with applications in nanotechnology, catalysis, and energy storage. Among these, transition metal-doped gold clusters exhibits intriguing stability and electronic properties, making them promising candidates for hydrogen related processes. In this study, we employ density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the interaction between H molecules and small-sized gold clusters doped with yttrium.

Application of Citral Nanoemulsion to Enhance Physicochemical Properties and Extend the Shelf Life of Fresh-Cut Longkong during Low-Temperature Storage.

Minimally processed longkong fruits are highly perishable due to their susceptibility to enzymatic browning, oxidative stress, and quality deterioration during storage. Citral nanoemulsion has shown promise in mitigating these challenges by enhancing antioxidant defenses and inhibiting browning-related processes. This study investigated the effects of citral nanoemulsion treatments at different concentrations (0.

A novel glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase 13 is involved in the phosphate starvation-induced phospholipid degradation in rice.

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and productivity. However, its limited bioavailability in soil poses a major constraint to crop performance. To cope with Pi deficiency, plants have evolved a wide range of physiological and biochemical strategies, including membrane lipid remodeling, to optimize Pi acquisition and internal recycling.

Animal models of psoriasis for novel drug discovery: a literature update.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder with a multifactorial pathogenesis involving keratinocyte proliferation, dysregulated immune responses, and vascular remodeling. The development of effective therapeutics mainly relies on preclinical models that can reproduce disease-relevant mechanisms.

Areas Covered: This review outlines current in vivo psoriasis models, including spontaneous mutation models, transgenic and knockout mice, xenotransplantation systems, and cytokine-induced and imiquimod-induced models.

Seasonal microplastics and meiofauna distributions in sediments along the Van Uc estuary in Vietnam.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in marine sediments, and they have become an emerging global pollutant due to their potential threats to marine ecosystems. However, there is limited research on the distribution of MPs and meiofauna in estuarine sediments. MPs and meiofauna abundances were identified in sediments of 12 stations along the Van Uc estuary in rainy and dry seasons.

Stemness reducible effects of glyasperin A against NCCIT teratocarcinomas.

There is a great deal of interest in cancer stem cells (CSCs) in cancer therapy related to hallmarks of stemness and capacity for tumor relapse. Inhibition of CSCs by natural compounds represents a potential therapeutic approach. Thus, this study aimed to investigate potential effects of glyasperin A (GlyA) against CSCs by regulating possible stemness markers and signaling pathways as well.

Toward a Kinh Vietnamese Reference Genome: Constructing a De Novo Genome Assembly Using Long-Read Sequencing and Optical Mapping.

Population-specific reference genomes are essential for improving the accuracy and reliability of genomic analyses across diverse human populations. Although Vietnam ranks as the 16th most populous country in the world, with more than 86% of its population identifying as Kinh, studies specifically focusing on the Kinh Vietnamese reference genome remain scarce. Therefore, constructing a Kinh Vietnamese reference genome is valuable in the genetic research of Vietnamese.

Therapeutic effects of and its active compound eupatilin in rheumatoid arthritis: and validation.

The 50% ethanol extract of the aerial parts of (CZ extract) was evaluated for its inhibitory effects on the production of NO, TNF-α, and XO, and seven isolated flavonoids were tested for COX-2 inhibitory activity. The ethanol extract of exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on NO and XO overproduction, with IC values of 6.91 µg/mL and 83.

High-efficiency microfluidic chip integrated with micro-patterned planar spiral sensors for magnetic nanoparticle detection.

Magnetic nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in the biomedical field due to their remarkable biocompatibility and diverse applications. However, existing methodologies for quantifying magnetic-labeled samples face limitations, particularly regarding the stringent requirements for magnetic sensors and the complexities associated with integrating these systems into microfluidic platforms. This study introduces an innovative planar magnetoimpedance sensor for magnetic nanoparticle detection, designed with a micropatterned spiral configuration and integrated into a microfluidic channel.

Optimization of the Extraction Conditions and Evaluation of Bioactivities of the Phenolic Enrichment From Leaves.

This study investigates the optimal conditions to enrich the phenolic content of the extract from leaves and evaluates the bioactivities of this enrichment. The phenolic enrichment was prepared under optimized conditions using the response surface methodology (RSM) with the Box-Behnken design. The antioxidant properties were assessed using DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, while the NO production inhibition was measured in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.

A novel approach for the fabrication of SERS substrates based on 3D urchin-like TiO@Gr-AuNPs architecture.

3D urchin-like titanium dioxide@graphene-gold nanoparticles (UT@Gr-AuNPs) architectures with a core@shell structure of UT@Gr were successfully synthesized on silicon substrates thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique using sodium deoxycholate surfactant (SDC) as a carbon source, followed by depositing AuNPs onto the surface of UT@Gr a cold plasma (CP) process. The as-prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Thanks to the hot spots created by the AuNPs onto the surface of UT@Gr, the UT@Gr-AuNPs SERS substrates show significantly enhanced SERS sensitivity to detect hazardous pollutants and pesticide residue substances, , rhodamine 6G (R6G) and malathion with a low detection limit (LOD) of about 5.

Isolation and characterization of a novel lytic bacteriophage Pv27 with biocontrol potential against infections in shrimp.

Background: is a major disease-causing species of that is pathogenic to both farmed shrimp and humans. With the increasing spread of antibiotic-resistant strains, bacteriophages (or phages) are considered potential agents for biocontrol as an alternative to antibiotics. In this study, a bacteriophage capable of lysing , named Pv27, was isolated, characterized, and evaluated for its potential to control infections as a natural therapy.

Genomic insights into virulence, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance of multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori strains of novel sequence types isolated from Vietnamese patients with gastric diseases.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a clinically important pathogen associated with gastric diseases. Here, we characterized the genome of multidrug-resistant H.

Comparative stabilization mechanism of self-assembling fattigated gelatin, micellar polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether, and electrostatic interactive xanthan gum for aqueous labile decitabine.

Decitabine (DCB) is very unstable in aqueous solutions because of the opening of the N-5 and C-6 aza-ring. The objective of this study was to investigate a stabilization mechanism of aqueous-labile decitabine (DCB) with three different materials by preparing binary spray dried powders (SDs): self-assembling fattigated gelatin-oleic acid conjugate (GOC), micellar polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (Brij® 58), nonionic surfactant and electrostatically interactive xanthan gum (XA), an anionic polysaccharide. GOC was synthesized by covalently conjugating oleic acid with gelatin.

Chemical composition and anticancer activity of Psychotria montana on MCF7 breast cancer cells: insights from in vitro (2D & 3D) studies and in silico analysis.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of Psychotria montana extract (PME) and evaluate its inhibitory effects on MCF7 breast cancer cells.

Methods: The chemical composition of PME was analyzed using UPLC-QToF-MS. The effects of PME on cell proliferation were evaluated using the MTT assay.