Biological Applications Research Articles

Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks as a Photoluminescent Platform for Bioimaging and Biosensing Applications.

The tracking of nanomedicines in their concentration and location inside living systems has a pivotal effect on the understanding of the biological processes, early-stage diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring of diseases. Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nano MOFs) possess high surface areas, definite structure, regulated optical properties, rich functionalized sites, and good biocompatibility that allow them to excel in a wide range of biomedical applications. Controllable syntheses and functionalization endow nano MOFs with better properties as imaging agents and sensing units for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This minireview summarizes the tunable synthesis strategies of nano MOFs with controllable size, shape, and regulated luminescent performance, and pinpoints their recent advanced applications as optical elements in bioimaging and biosensing. The current limitations and future development directions of nano MOF-contained materials in bioimaging and biosensing applications are also discussed, aiming to expand the biological applications of nano MOF-based nanomedicine and facilitate their production or clinical translation.

Recent Advances of Natural Pentacyclic Triterpenoids as Bioactive Delivery System for Synergetic Biological Applications.

Bioactive compounds have drawn much attention according to their various health benefits. However, poor dissolvability, low stability and limited bioavailability largely narrow their applications. Although a variety of nontoxic ingredients have been rapidly developed as vehicles to deliver bioactive compounds in the last few years, most of them are non-bioactive. Pentacyclic triterpenoids, owing to their unique self-assembly and co-assembly behaviors and different physiological functions, can construct bioactive carriers due to their higher biodegradability, biocompatibility and lower toxicity. In this paper, the basic classification, biological activities and physicochemical properties of pentacyclic triterpenoids were summarized. Additionally, applications of self-assembled and co-assembled pentacyclic triterpenoids as bioactive delivery systems to load bioactive components and future research directions were discussed. This study emphasizes the potential of pentacyclic triterpenoids as bioactive delivery systems, offering a new perspective for constructing self- or co-assemblies for further synergetic biological applications.

Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Mediated Biomolecule Transportation in Artificial Lipid Vesicles and Living Cells.

Signal transduction and homeostasis are regulated by complex protein interactions in the intracellular environment. Therefore, the transportation of impermeable macromolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, and drugs) that control protein interactions is essential for modulating cell functions and therapeutic applications. However, macromolecule transportation across the cell membrane is not easy because the cell membrane separates the intra/extracellular environments, and the types of molecular transportation are regulated by membrane proteins. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are expected to be carriers for molecular transport. CPPs can transport macromolecules into cells through endocytosis and direct translocation. The transport mechanism remains largely unclear owing to several possibilities. In this review, we describe the methods for investigating CPP conformation, translocation, and cargo transportation using artificial membranes. We also investigated biomolecular transport across living cell membranes via CPPs. Subsequently, we show not only the biochemical applications but also the synthetic biological applications of CPPs. Finally, recent progress in biomolecule and nanoparticle transportation via CPPs into specific tissues is described from the viewpoint of drug delivery. This review provides the opportunity to discuss the mechanism of biomolecule transportation through these two platforms.

Performance of graphene-functionalized nano chitosan in ternary polymeric nanocomposites for physical and biological applications

Performance of graphene-functionalized nano chitosan in ternary polymeric nanocomposites for physical and biological applications

Unravelling the optoelectronic and biological properties of phenanthroimidazo [1,2‐c] quinazoline‐based donor‐acceptor materials

Imidazo[1,2‐c]quinazoline is widely established as biologically spectral active materials, while their optoelectronic properties were seldom investigated in the literature. In this context, this research work introduced two donors of varying strength, such as triphenylamine (TP) and phenothiazine (PZ) units, into the phenanthroimidazo [1,2‐c] quinazoline acceptor unit to form donor‐acceptor type luminescence materials such as TPQZ and PZQZ, respectively and were characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy. Both these materials exhibited intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) type absorption (∼380−450 nm) and emission (∼540−600 nm) characteristics, which attributed to the electronic transition occurring from the HOMO of the PZ/TP donor to the LUMO+1 and LUMO+2 of the imidazo [1,2‐c] quinazoline acceptor unit, as predicted using DFT calculations. Increasing the electron donor strength was not only limited to fine‐tuning the π→π* based localized (∼400−450 nm) to ICT (∼450−650 nm) emission characteristics in both the solution and solid‐state conditions but also found to improve the zone of inhibition to 16 mm against Staphylococcus aureus/Bacillus subtilis bacterial species. The scope of realizing the luminescence nature of this acceptor unit is further expanded towards tagging biological samples such as E. coli. This work opens up a new paradigm in developing luminescent materials for optoelectronic and biological applications.

Molecular identification and GC-MS analysis of a newly isolated novel bacterium (Lysinibacillus sp. VCRC B655) for mosquito control.

Mosquitoes are widespread globally and have contributed to transmitting pathogens to humans and the burden of vector-borne diseases. They are effectively controlled at their larval stages by biocontrol agents. Unravelling natural sources for microbial agents can lead us to novel potential candidates for managing mosquito-borne diseases. In the present study, an attempt was made to isolate a novel bacterium from the field-collected agricultural soil for larvicidal activity and promising bacterial metabolites for human healthcare. Field-collected soil samples from the Union territory of Puducherry, India, have been used as the source of bacteria. Isolate VCRC B655 belonging to the genus Lysinibacillus was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and exhibited promising larvicidal activity against different mosquito species, including Culex (Cx.) quinquefasciatus, Anopheles (An.) stephensi, and Aedes (Ae.) aegypti. The lethal concentration (LC) of Lysinibacillus sp. VCRCB655 was observed to be high for Cx. quiquefasciatus: LC50 at 0.047mg/l, LC90 at 0.086mg/l, followed by An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti (LC50: 0.6952mg/l and 0.795mg/l) respectively. Additionally, metabolic profiling of the culture supernatant was carried out through Gas chromatography and Mass spectrophotometry (GC/MS) and identified 15 major secondary metabolites of different metabolic classes. Diketopiperazine (DKPs), notably pyro lo [1, 2-a] pyrazine1, 4-dione, are the abundant compounds reported for antioxidant activity, and an insecticide compound benzeneacetic acid was also identified. A new bacterial isolate, Lysinibacillus sp. VCRC B655 has been identified with significant larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae with no observed in non-target organisms. GC-MS analysis revealed diverse bioactive compounds with substantial biological applications. In conclusion, Lysinibacillus sp. VCRC B655 showed promise as an alternative biocontrol agent for mosquito vector control, with additional biological applications further enhancing its significance.

Application of liquid biopsy in lung cancer management.

Current advances in the understanding of the lung cancer landscape have drastically changed the approach to treating a patient with lung carcinoma. The field has progressed from analyzing single gene to using advanced techniques like next-generation sequencing and microarray technology. While a tumor tissue sample is considered the gold standard, it has several limitations. The limitations of invasive procedures, long processing periods, inaccessibility, and sample inadequacy are being addressed by sampling biofluids, termed 'liquid biopsy,' which offers a less invasive and more accessible way to obtain tumor-related information. Liquid biopsy has transformed the care of lung cancer patients by directly targeting somatic alterations from tumors. This article provides insights into the biology, technical aspects, limitations, and practical applications of 'liquid biopsy,' focusing on cell-free DNA and circulating tumor DNA in the context of lung cancer.

Fabrication and characterization of prednisolone-loaded chitosan and oxidized sodium alginate hydrogel for drug delivery and its biological applications

Fabrication and characterization of prednisolone-loaded chitosan and oxidized sodium alginate hydrogel for drug delivery and its biological applications

Efficient and stable NIR-II phosphorescence of metallophilicmolecular oligomers for in vivo single-cell tracking and time-resolved imaging.

Molecular phosphorescence in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) holds promise for deep-tissue optical imaging with high contrast by overcoming background fluorescence interference. However, achieving bright and stable NIR-II molecular phosphorescence suitable for biological applications remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report a new series of symmetric isocyanorhodium(I) complexes that could form oligomers and exhibit bright, long-lived (7-8 μs) phosphorescence in aqueous solution via metallophilic interaction. Ligand substituents with enhanced dispersion attraction and electron-donating properties were explored to extend excitation/emission wavelengths and enhanced stability. Further binding the oligomers with fetal bovine serum (FBS) resulted in NIR-II molecular phosphorescence with high quantum yields (up to 3.93%) and long-term stability in biological environments, enabling in vivo tracking of single-macrophage dynamics and high-contrast time-resolved imaging. These results pave the way for the development of highly-efficient NIR-II molecular phosphorescence for biomedical applications.

Effect of biological and chemical application for the control of the red spot vector in banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) crops

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of biological and chemical application for the control of the red spot vector in banana (Musa paradisiaca L.). The experimental design was randomized complete blocks (RCB), composed of three treatments, each with 20 experimental units or banana plants. The study was based on two types of red spot control, being chemical control and biologicalcontrol, as well as a referential control. Bowties impregnated with the insecticides were used on the banana bunches. The use of chlorpyrifos was used as chemical control, while for biologicalcontrol a commercial product based on Metarhizium anisopliae 1x109 strains was applied. The study variables were: number of hands, length of fingers, incidence of red spot, percentage of damage, bunch weight, crop yield and cost benefit analysis. The data were statistically evaluated using the analysis of variance and the comparison of measures was carried out using the Tukey test at 5% probability. The results show that there are no significant differences between the treatments that control the red spot of the banana fruit, obtaining 796 boxes of bananas from the chemical control and 787 boxes of bananas from the biologicalcontrol, in the same way the profitability was higher $ 2.24 and $ 2,19 respectively.

Synthesis of polysubstituted pyrazoles and their biological applications

Novel library of pyrazole derivatives (6a–k) from substituted 4-dioxaborolanyl-1H-pyrazole and halo benzaldehyde through simultaneous Suzuki reaction, nucleophilic addition, and hydrolysis under moderate reaction conditions. The desired compounds 6a–k have been formed in good to high yield. All the compound structures were characterized by analytical and spectral (1H NMR,13C NMR and MS) studies. Furthermore, the evaluation of biological activity of synthesized molecules.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Pyridone ribo‐C‐Nucleosides via Heck Reaction and Oxidation

AbstractNucleosides find applications in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology and diagnostics. Among the nucleosides, C‐nucleosides have attracted particular attention because their carbon‐carbon bond between nucleobase and ribose provides stability against degradation. While several well‐established methods exist for the synthesis of 2′‐deoxy‐C‐nucleosides, the preparation of their ribofuranosyl counterparts is more challenging. Established methods for their synthesis give mixtures of anomers and require harsh reagents or conditions. Here we report a diastereoselective glycosylation method involving a Heck reaction between a glycal and an aryl iodide, followed by oxidation of the silyl enol ether with methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane (TFDO). The resulting ketone is then diastereoselectively reduced to the ribonucleoside. The new route has been applied to pyridones and is expected to also yield other ribo‐C‐nucleosides in diastereoselective fashion.

Modular Synthesis of Azines Bearing a Guanidine Core from N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-Derived Selenoureas and Diazo Reagents.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-derived selenoureas comprise a fundamentally important class of NHC derivatives, with key applications in coordination chemistry and the determination of NHC electronic properties. Considering the broad reactivity of chalcogen-containing compounds, it is surprising to note that the use of NHC-derived selenoureas as organic synthons remains essentially unexplored. The present contribution introduces a novel, straightforward transformation leading to azines bearing a guanidine moiety, through the reaction of a wide range of NHC-derived selenoureas with commercially available diazo compounds, in the presence of triphenylphosphine. This transformation offers a new approach to such products, having biological, materials chemistry, and organic synthesis applications. The guanidine-bearing azines are obtained in excellent yields, with all manipulations taking place in air. A reaction mechanism is proposed, based on both experimental mechanistic findings and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A one-pot, multicomponent transesterification reaction between selenoureas, α-diazoesters, alcohols, and triphenylphosphine was also developed, providing highly functionalized azines.

Green synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Monoon longifolium leave extract for biological applications

The present study deals with the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the Monoonlongifolium (M. longifolium) leaf extract. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized by XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, TGA/DTA, and SEM. The synthesis parameters, such as plant extract volume (10–50 mL), heating duration (15 min), zinc nitrate concentration (1 mM), reaction time (1 h), and temperature (60 °C), were optimized. The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcusaureus (22 ± 0.57 mm) and Escherichiacoli (19 ± 1 mm), as well as antifungal activity against Candidaalbicans (21 ± 0.16 mm), as determined by the agar-well-diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ZnO-NPs against S. aureus (6.25µg/mL) and E. coli (12.5 µg/mL), respectively, while the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was 25 µg/mL against Candidaalbicans. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the ZnO NPs ranged from 0 to 78% (IC50 = 12.5 μg/mL). These results demonstrate the potential of the synthesized ZnO NPs as effective antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant agents.

Potential mechanism of gallic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles against associated genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule, antibacterial and antibiofilm.

Antibiotic resistance has increased in recent years, especially for pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae. Discovering and developing new drugs is challenging due to the high resistance of pathogens. Metal nanoparticles have been widely used in recent years to overcome and treat infections. Gallic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs-GA) were synthesized in a simple and cost-effective method. The morphology characteristics of synthesized IONPs-GA were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. IONPs were mostly spherical in shape with sizes ranging between 32 and 61 nm. All analyses used in this study confirmed the successful coating of gallic acid to iron oxide. Biological activities were studied phenotypically and on the molecular level, including antibacterial, antibiofilm, and mRNA levels of capsule-associated genes. The results showed high antimicrobial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles against different G+ve and G-ve bacteria. The highest activity was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus (43 mm) and K. pneumoniae (22 mm). The MIC of IONPs against K. pneumoniae was 3.12 mg/mL and SEM analysis showed adhering the IONPs-GA to the cell surface of K. pneumoniae resulted in disrupting the cell membrane. Different concentrations of sub-MIC inhibited K. pneumoniae biofilm formation with the highest inhibition percentage at ½ × MIC (66.86%). Also, the synthesized IONPs-GA differently affected the regulation and mRNA level of capsule-associated genes in K. pneumoniae. The results indicated that IONPs-GA could be useful in biological applications such as in drug delivery and treatment wide range of pathogens. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Gallic acid was successfully coated into iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized in a simple way. IONPs-GA was morphologically characterized using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Evaluation the activity of IONPs-GA as antibacterial, antibiofilm, and study the potential level of mRNA affected by IONPs-GA.

Azaspiroketal as Novel Auxochrome for Enhancing the Fluorescence Brightness and Solubility of Naphthalimide and Nitrobenzoxadiazole Dyes

AbstractThe majority of fluorescence imaging techniques make considerable use of fluorescent dyes. Nevertheless, many structural modification techniques currently in use could not adjust the fluorophores′ properties (such as brightness, photostability, water solubility, and permeability). Herein, we report azaspiroketal‐based auxochrome on naphthalimide and nitrobenzoxadiazole dyes. Their photophysical parameters revealed higher brightness and solubility than their azetidine counterparts in aqueous solution. Computational experiments were performed to study the electronic effect of azetidine and azaspiroketal on both dyes. Cytotoxicity assay indicated that azaspiroketal‐based fluorophores are safe to use for their biological application. The photobleaching studies and successful application of new dyes in bioimaging were demonstrated in MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines.

Highly Regio-/Stereoselective Synthesis of Carbohydrates with Unsaturated Glycosyl Donors under Mild Conditions

AbstractCarbohydrates and their conjugates play important roles in life activities and drug development. Our group was committed to the general and effective glycosylation methods and their application in chemical biology using unsaturated glycosyl donors. In the past five years, we have reported several synthetic strategies with high stereoselectivity and milder conditions compared with previous works. In particular, high chemo-/regio- and stereoselective O-glycosylation, C-glycosylation and S-glycosylation could be achieved via palladium catalysis under open-air conditions at room temperature. In this Account, we will introduce our research progress in constructing four types of glycosides.1 Introduction2 Stereoselective Synthesis of O-Glycosides3 Stereoselective Synthesis of C-Glycosides4 Stereoselective Synthesis of N-Glycosides5 Stereoselective Synthesis of S-Glycosides6 Conclusion

A Comprehensive Review of Promising Phytoconstituents as Anti-Cancer Agents: Biological Mechanisms and Applications Across Different Cancers

A Comprehensive Review of Promising Phytoconstituents as Anti-Cancer Agents: Biological Mechanisms and Applications Across Different Cancers

Biological Basis and Computer Vision Applications of Image Phase Congruency: A Comprehensive Survey.

The concept of Image Phase Congruency (IPC) is deeply rooted in the way the human visual system interprets and processes spatial frequency information. It plays an important role in visual perception, influencing our capacity to identify objects, recognize textures, and decipher spatial relationships in our environments. IPC is robust to changes in lighting, contrast, and other variables that might modify the amplitude of light waves yet leave their relative phase unchanged. This characteristic is vital for perceptual tasks as it ensures the consistent detection of features regardless of fluctuations in illumination or other environmental factors. It can also impact cognitive and emotional responses; cohesive phase information across elements fosters a perception of unity or harmony, while inconsistencies can engender a sense of discord or tension. In this survey, we begin by examining the evidence from biological vision studies suggesting that IPC is employed by the human perceptual system. We proceed to outline the typical mathematical representation and different computational approaches to IPC. We then summarize the extensive applications of IPC in computer vision, including denoise, image quality assessment, feature detection and description, image segmentation, image registration, image fusion, and object detection, among other uses, and illustrate its advantages with a number of examples. Finally, we discuss the current challenges associated with the practical applications of IPC and potential avenues for enhancement.

Gentian Violet Modulates Cytokines Levels in Mice Spleen toward an Anti-inflammatory Profile

Introduction: Gentian Violet (GV) is a triphenylmethane industrial dye that is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-helminthic, and anti-tumor effects. Although many studies focused on determining the biological and pharmacological applications of GV, its exact effect on the immune response has not been elucidated yet. Methods: In this study, we investigate the immunomodulatory effects of GV in BALB/c mice after intraperitoneal injection of the dye by assessing cytokines levels in the spleen. Results: Our data show that GV-treated mice have decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4) in their spleens. In addition, IFN-γ which can modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production was upregulated in GV-treated mice. Conclusion: Together, these findings suggest an anti-inflammatory activity of GV that warrants further studies investigating the potential of GV in immunotherapy.