A characteristic of many neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, is amyloidogenic protein aggregation, for which there are currently no proven cures. Aging, mutation, and physiological stress can cause proteins to deviate from their natural folding patterns, potentially leading to the formation of hazardous protein aggregates. Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs), due to their unique physicochemical properties, have emerged as promising tools in biomedicine, with applications ranging from tissue engineering to drug delivery and diagnostics. Although concerns regarding cytotoxicity exist, small‐sized silver (Ag) NPs (AgNPs) have demonstrated potential in antiviral, anticancer, and antibacterial therapies. This study investigated the development of biocompatible AgNPs using a green synthesis approach and examined their chaperone‐like activity against protein aggregation, emphasizing the role of meticulous in vitro design. Human lysozyme (HLZ) served as a model protein for aggregation inhibition assays. Biogenic AgNPs exhibited a concentration‐dependent effect on HLZ aggregation, demonstrating an optimal inhibitory concentration, followed by a decrease in efficacy at higher concentrations. Furthermore, astrocytes treated with AgNPs displayed reduced protein aggregation, suggesting a chaperone‐like behavior. The initial phase focused on the detailed characterization of AgNPs synthesized using orange juice extract. Subsequently, this study explored the mechanistic understanding of AgNP‐mediated inhibition of protein aggregation under controlled conditions. A battery of biophysical techniques, including circular dichroism (CD), 8‐anilino‐1‐naphthalene‐sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence, thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, Congo red (CR) assay, and turbidity measurements, was employed to meticulously assess the inhibitory effect on HLZ aggregation in vitro.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) is responsible for the majority of cold sores, herpetic keratitis‐induced blindness, profound skin lesions, and encephalitis that can be fatal. Currently, acyclovir and its derivatives are the first‐line therapy for the treatment of HSV‐1 infection. But there are drawbacks to these treatments: limited efficacy against drug‐resistant strains of the virus. Hence, it is of critical importance to explore and develop new antiviral drugs for HSV‐1. In the present study, we explored whether tungsten oxide nanoparticles (WO3NPs) were potent inhibitors of HSV‐1 infection as a new class of agent. WO3NPs were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. Cytotoxicity of Vero cells caused by WO3NPs was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) assay was utilized for further verification of the action of the WO3NPs on HSV‐1. The cytotoxicity test showed low toxicity (<20%) of the rod‐shaped WO3NPs when they were assayed on Vero cells at concentrations of up to 700 μg/mL. When HSV‐1 was treated with WO3NPs at 700 µg/mL [20% cytotoxicity concentration (CC20); the concentration causing 20% cytotoxicity, ~80% cell viability] and 1000 µg/mL [50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50); the concentration causing 50% cytotoxicity, ~50% cell viability] for 3 h, the viral load was significantly reduced, achieving inhibition rates of 99.4% and 99.9%, respectively. Additionally, experiments conducted after HSV‐1 infection of Vero cells (post‐treatment assays) indicated that WO3NPs at concentrations of 250, 500, and 750 µg/mL significantly suppressed viral replication, with inhibition rates of 82%, 87.5%, and 96.5%, respectively. WO3NPs have potent inhibitory effects on HSV‐1. Therefore, they can be considered potential candidates for therapeutic development against infections caused by this virus.

The stem rust disease caused by obligate biotrophic fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is a worldwide threat to the global wheat production with frequent epidemics leading to widespread reliance on chemical fungicides such as cyproconazole. To reduce fungicide risks on human health and environmental integrity, chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) and novel chitosan–cyproconazole nanocomposite (Chi‐Cyp) were synthesized. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the size of 80–90 nm and surface charge and uniformity. To evaluate their efficacy against the disease, various concentrations of CNP and Chi‐Cyp were applied via irrigation, foliar spray, and a combination of both methods. Wheat seedlings were treated 24 h prior to inoculation, as well as at 48‐ and 96‐h post‐inoculation with Pgt urediniospores. Phenotypic assessments conducted 2 weeks post‐inoculation revealed that CNPs (100 μg/mL) and Chi‐Cyp (1 μg/mL), along with the positive control cyproconazole (10 μg/mL), significantly suppressed stem rust infection. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis corroborated these findings, demonstrating a substantial reduction in fungal biomass in treated plants. Additionally, the impact of the nanomaterials on plant growth parameters was examined. Notably, Chi‐Cyp treatment at 50 μg/mL significantly enhanced seedling growth, as evidenced by increased shoot and root lengths, and elevated fresh and dry biomass accumulation. This study highlights the potential of the Chi‐Cyp nanocomposite, which contains a 10‐fold lower concentration of cyproconazole, to effectively control stem rust with comparable efficacy to the fungicide alone. These findings underscore the promise of nanotechnology‐based strategies in sustainable plant disease management.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is widely utilized in tumor research. However, platform-specific technical biases may impact data interpretation. This study compared the performance of droplet- and microwell-based scRNA-seq platforms in the analysis of clinical samples. Despite the similarities after batch effect correction, significant differences were observed in multiple aspects, including mRNA preference, cell type restoration, and gene expression patterns. The droplet-based platform captured a higher proportion of immune cells, whereas the microwell-based platform provided a more accurate immune cell representation. Differential gene expression, pseudotime, and cell-cell communication analyses further revealed platform-dependent variations across multiple aspects. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into platform selection and optimization for cross-platform data integration in single-cell transcriptomics.

Abstract Diagnosis of ovarian cancer is often carried out at late‐stage, thus requiring more effective treatment strategies. Kushenol E (KE) as a poorly soluble drug exhibits strong antiproliferative activity in cancer cells but no related studies have reported in anti‐ovarian cancer. It is very beneficial to enhance antineoplastic properties of KE to establish an ovarian tumor‐targeting nanoparticle system modified with tumor‐homing c(RGDfK) peptides. In the current study, PLGA‐PEG‐c(RGDfK)‐KE micelles (PPCKM) were prepared to overcome poor water solubility of KE to meet the requirement of tumor active targeting. The PPCKM showed a higher drug cumulative release ratio (82.16 ± 7.69 % vs 34.96 ± 3.05 %, at 1.5 h) with good morphology, particle size (93.41 ± 2.84 nm), and entrapment efficiency (89.7% ± 1.3%). The cell viability, migration and apoptosis analysis of SKOV‐3 cells demonstrated that PPCKM retained potent anti‐tumor effects, and promoted apoptosis at early and advanced stage with concentration‐dependent. Based on establishment of xenograft models in BALB/c nude mice, we discovered that PPCKM reduced tumor volume and weight, inhibited PCNA and Ki67 expression, as well as promoted apoptosis by targeting the tumor site. Collectively, these findings suggest that PPCKM may serve as an effective therapeutic option for ovarian cancer. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with radiotherapy (RT) being a cornerstone of treatment. However, the efficacy of RT is significantly hindered by hypoxic tumor microenvironments (TMEs) and nonselective toxicity to healthy tissues. Recent advancements in combining bacteria and nanoparticles have shown promise in addressing these limitations. Cyanobacteria, with their oxygen-producing capabilities, alleviate tumor hypoxia, while anaerobic bacteria selectively target hypoxic regions. Nanoparticles complement these approaches by enhancing bacterial localization and amplifying radiosensitization through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and other synergistic therapies. Unlike previous reviews that have mainly focused on either bacterial therapy or nanoparticle-assisted radiosensitization separately, this review provides a comparative and integrative perspective on their combined use, emphasizing the novelty of synergistic strategies. This review explores innovative bacterial–nanoparticle integrations, highlighting their roles in overcoming hypoxia and improving RT outcomes. The potential of these strategies to transform cancer treatment is discussed, alongside challenges and future directions.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1049/nbt2.12107.].

The study aims to fabricate eco‐friendly, biogenic magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) mediated by ethanol‐guar gum extract, which acts as both a reducing and coating/stabilizing agent. The prepared MgO NPs were first synthesized and characterized by various analytical techniques, including UV–visible, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM‐energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) crystallography. Bioactivity studies included antibacterial studies focusing on the inhibition of a dental caries‐causing pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis, by MIC, MBC, well diffusion (WD) agar, antibiofilm, and time‐kill (TK) assays. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of MgO NPs were examined. A bacterial adherence study was conducted as the main aim by exposing the bacteria to human teeth in vitro. Findings demonstrated that biogenic MgO NPs were successfully synthesized with flaky morphologies, with an average size of 20–30 nm and the desired purity. FTIR showed possible functional groups, confirming the involvement of guar metabolites in NP formation. The XRD pattern elucidated the crystalline phase of MgO NPs to be a cubic (FCC) periclase structure with a crystallite size of 16.5 nm. Antibacterial experiments showed that MgO NPs had a moderate effect on Enterococcus faecalis, with MIC and MBC of 32 and 64 µg/mL, respectively. In contrast, chlorhexidine (CHX), doxycycline (Dox), and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) were more effective, while the guar extract showed the weakest inhibition; additionally, antibiofilm assessments were followed by antibacterial outcomes. However, cytotoxicity studies exhibited the least toxicity for MgO NPs compared with other compounds. The dental adherence test also showed that MgO NPs can inhibit bacterial interactions with the dental surface without inhibiting bacterial growth at sub‐MIC concentrations. Meanwhile, other groups killed them rapidly before they could adhere to teeth. Here, biocompatibility and long‐term antibacterial effectiveness were advantages of biogenic MgO NPs over other compounds that have been shown to be toxic to the host over long‐term consumption. Therefore, guar extract‐mediated MgO NPs demonstrated that they can be a favorable alternative for biofilm control in dental health without toxicity to related tissues in the oral cavity.

Introduction: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising approach that combines low-intensity ultrasound (LIUS) with a sensitizing agent to induce therapeutic effects. Curcumin-coated silver nanoparticles (Cur@AgNPs) have shown potential as a sensitizer, demonstrating adverse effects on cancer cell survival. This study examined the apoptotic effects of US waves in the presence of Cur@AgNPs on MCF7 breast cancer cells.Methods and Materials: MCF7 cells were cultured and divided into different treatment groups. Cur@AgNPs were synthesized and characterized using various techniques, confirming their size to be approximately 29.3 ± 5.6 nm. The IC50 of Cur@AgNPs in MCF7 cells was determined to be 48.23 µg/ml through the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. LIUS radiation was applied to the cells in different modes, both with and without Cur@AgNPs. Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT assay and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured. Colony formation assay and real-time PCR were conducted to evaluate cell death and changes in gene expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Caspase-3, respectively.Results: The findings confirmed the successful synthesis of Cur@AgNPs with a uniform size of approximately 29.3 ± 5.6 nm. In the continuous wave (CW) and pulse wave (PW) modes, 50% and 25%, cell viability was measured at 65.01% ± 1.35%, 73.75% ± 1.80%, and 80.76% ± 1.57%, respectively. Cell viability in CW with Cur@AgNPs was 16.9% ± 4%. The plating efficiency (PE) of the combined treatment group was 13.66 ± 1.24, compared to 39.33 ± 1.24 for the US.CW group and 68.66 ± 2.62 for the Cur@AgNPs group. Also, the expression of proapoptotic genes, such as Bax and Caspase-3, increased, while the expression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 decreased in MCF7 cells treated with the SDT. Flow cytometry analysis revealed increased rates of early apoptosis (21.22% ± 3.82%) and late apoptosis (36.59% ± 4.5%) in the US.CW + Cur@AgNPs.Conclusion: This study provides novel insights into the induction of apoptosis in MCF7 breast cancer cells through SDT in the presence of Cur@AgNPs as a sonosensitizer. These findings support the potential of SDT as an effective therapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment using nonionizing and noninvasive methods.