Efficient Agent Research Articles

Enhanced Photothermal Tumor Ablation Using Polypyrrole-Gold Nanocomposites Activated by Polarized Polychromatic Low-Energy Light: An InVivo Study.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) offers a minimally invasive approach for cancer treatment, using light energy to selectively heat and destroy cancer cells. Success in PTT depends on efficient, stable, and biocompatible photothermal agents. This study investigates polypyrrole@gold nanocomposites (PPy@Au NCs) as photothermal agents combined with polarized polychromatic low-energy light (PPLEL) to target tumors and limit disease progression. Invivo experiments on Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing female Swiss albino mice demonstrated that PPy@Au NCs selectively accumulated in tumor tissue and, when activated by PPLEL, generated sufficient heat for effective tumor ablation. This approach enhanced treatment efficacy and presented a cost-effective solution due to the affordability of both the nanocomposite and light source. Histopathological analysis confirmed significant tumor reduction, suggesting that this synergistic combination offers a promising cancer treatment strategy. Findings support further research and potential clinical applications in photothermal cancer therapy.

Ethylene Glycol-Based Oxide Tri-Hybrid Nanofluid Flow over a Curved Riga Permeable Medium for the Impact of Thermal Radiation

In various industries, for advanced cooling, electronic device thermal management, and solar thermal systems ethylene glycol (EG)-based nanofluids are presented as efficient heat transfer agents. The proposed oxide tri-hybrid nanofluids comprising multiple oxide nanoparticles, i.e., Al2O3, TiO2 and SiO2 have significantly enhanced thermal properties and stability compared to mono and binary nanofluids. The current investigation aims at the transportation of heat characteristics of an EG-based tri-hybrid nanofluid over a curved Riga surface filled with a porous substance. The study focuses on thermal radiation effects. Moreover, the Riga plate is a magnetic device with alternating electrodes and magnets that provide a significant electromagnetic forcing mechanism for flow behavior. The designed mathematical model with their dimensional form needs transformation to their corresponding dimensionless form with the utility of similarity rules. Further, a numerical technique based on shooting is employed for the solution of the model for the attainment of physical factors. The physical properties of these factors are presented briefly through graphs followed by a comparative analysis.

Ketomalonate‐Based Lithium Replenishment Reagents for Lithium‐Ion Batteries With Stable Electrode Structural

AbstractThe loss of active lithium during the initial charge process significantly reduces both the energy density and cycle life of lithium‐ion batteries. Cathode lithium replenishment is a promising alternative to lithium metal‐based prelithiation; however, the development of efficient cathode replenishment agents remains limited. Organic lithium replenishment agents offer advantages over inorganic counterparts, including superior air stability, abundant resources, and minimal solid residue after oxidation, providing high specific capacity comparable to lithium metal after degassing. Nevertheless, there is a need for diverse and effective organic agents. Herein, ketomalonate‐based organic lithium replenishment agents: dilithium ketomalonate (DLMT) and tetralithium ketomalonate (TLMT) with uniform spherical particles of ≈1 µm are developed. Both DLMT and TLMT demonstrate high lithium replenishment capacities and excellent compatibility with standard battery manufacturing processes. Their complete decomposition, coupled with uniformly distributed pores, preserves the structural integrity of the cathode and ensures stable electrochemical performance. Incorporating these agents into cathodes led to a 20.5% improvement in capacity retention after 500 cycles for LFP||Gr full cells and increased energy density by 5.7% for LFP||Gr and 7.2% for LMFP||Gr cells. The design of these novel sacrificial salts, emphasizing stability and high lithium replenishment efficiency, underscores their potential in high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries.

Influence of oncology nurses' decision-making and personality traits on missed nursing care and related factors: a correlational study.

ObjectivesTo identify Missed Nursing Care (MNC) and related factors, as well as analyze the influence of nurses’ decision-making and personality traits on MNC in two Portuguese hospitals dedicated to cancer care. MethodsA cross-sectional, multicentric, descriptive-correlational study was conducted using a convenience sample of 298 nurses working in two hospitals dedicated to cancer care. Data were collected in the first semester of 2023 using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic and professional questions and the Portuguese versions of the MISSCARE Survey, the Nursing Decision-Making Instrument (NDMI-PT), and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI-P). ResultsNurses missed care occasionally, namely in the dimensions related to Patient empowerment/autonomy care and Efficacy of feeding and medication. Staffing, Patient volume and acuity, and Management and organization were moderate to significant reasons for MNC. The flexible decision-making style was predominant (81.5%). The most prevalent personality traits were Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness to experience. Significant correlations were found between the four stages of the decision-making process and the personality traits and several dimensions of MNC. Data collection to assess a patient’s condition was negatively correlated with Team communication and Material resources. Similarly, the Emotional stability trait was negatively correlated with Team communication and Patient volume and acuity. ConclusionsThis study identified MNC and factors that can influence the quality of care. It is crucial to promote nurses’ training and specialization within healthcare teams, with a particular focus on enhancing some of their personality traits to make them more effective and efficient therapeutic agents.

Evaluating the effectiveness of Thiel embalming solution for preserving cadavers in anatomy and surgical education

Cadavers have played a crucial role in anatomy teaching, owing to their resemblance to the anatomical structures found in living individuals. To optimize the utilization of cadavers, embalming procedures that involve the application of chemical fixative agents are needed. The "soft embalming" approach, which involves various salts as fixating agents, was first developed by Walter Thiel. Although the Thiel solution has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing tissue elasticity, consistency, and color, a study is needed to find the most suitable for embalming with this solution to maximize its utility in the context of anatomy and surgical education. The study results show that the Thiel solution produces the best outcomes for its flexibility, uniformity, and color, which is optimal for anatomical and surgical teaching. The efficacy of Thiel's solution for preserving cadavers for educational intentions is noteworthy for the study of anatomy and surgical procedures. The advantageous characteristics of Thiel embalming include flexibility, consistency, and natural coloring. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consider the restrictions associated with preserving the brain, spinal cord, eye, and musculoskeletal tissues. In conclusion, the utilization of Thiel solution has proven to be an efficient embalming agent for preserving cadavers in the fields of anatomy and surgery education, besides brain, spinal cord, eye, and musculoskeletal systems, should be reconsidered.

Investigation on the Heating Effects of Intra-Tumoral Injectable Magnetic hydrogels (IT-MG) for Cancer Hyperthermia.

Capacitive-based radiofrequency (Rf) radiation at 27 MHz offers a non-invasive approach for inducing hyperthermia, making it a promising technique for thermal cancer therapy applications. To achieve focused and site-specific hyperthermia, external material is required that efficiently convert Rf radiation into localized heat. Nanomaterials capable of absorbing Rf energy and convert into heat for targeted ablation are of critical importance. In this study, we developed and evaluated an intra-tumoral injectable magnetic hydrogel (IT-MG) composed of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) impregnated in low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid (HA) forming HA-SPIONs. Our systematic investigation revealed that HA-SPIONs exposed to Rf radiation produced significant temperature increases, reaching up to 50 °C. Further testing in tissue-mimicking phantom models showed consistent heating, with temperatures stabilizing at 43oC, ideal for localized hyperthermia. The ability of HA-SPIONs to act as an efficient localized heating agent when exposed to 27 MHz Rf radiation, reaching apoptosis-inducing temperature has not been previously reported. In conclusion, synergistic effects of IT-MG in both in-vitro and tumour mimicking phantom model demonstrates improved and localized hyperthermia facilitating adjuvant cancer treatment. &#xD.

Evaluation of the Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils and Cecropin A Natural Peptide on Gram-Negative Bacteria.

In an era dominated by the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, it is increasingly important to look for alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. In light of these considerations, the synergistic use of essential oils and Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) seems a viable strategy. In this study, we assessed the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) of three Essential Oils (EOs): winter savory (Satureja montana), bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and of the insect antimicrobial peptide Cecropin A (CecA), alone and in combination with EOs, against two Gram-negative ATCC bacterial strains: Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The MIC results showed that winter savory EO (SmEO) and cinnamon EO (CzEO) exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains, whereas bergamot EO (CbEO) and CecA demonstrated comparatively lower antibacterial efficacy. These results were also confirmed by the MBC values. The FIC Indices (FICI) revealed that the most effective synergies were observed with the combinations SmEO/CzEO and SmEO/CbEO against E. coli, while against S. enterica Typhimurium the best combinations were CbEO/CzEO and SmEO/CzEO. Regarding CecA, although it was not the most efficient agent either individually or in combination, it is noteworthy that, when combined, it exhibited antibacterial activity even at a 1:64 dilution.

Photosynthesis-Inspired NIR-Triggered Fe₃O₄@MoS₂ Core-Shell Nanozyme for Promoting MRSA-Infected Diabetic Wound Healing.

Bacterial infections can lead to severe medical complications, including major medical incidents and even death, posing a significant challenge in clinical trauma repair. Consequently, the development of new, efficient, and non-resistant antimicrobial agents has become a priority for medical practitioners. In this study, a stepwise hydrothermal reaction strategy is utilized to prepare Fe3O4@MoS2 core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) with photosynthesis-like activity for the treatment of bacterial infections. The Fe3O4@MoS2 NPs continuously catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from hydrogen peroxide through photosynthesis-like reactions and convert light energy into heat with a photothermal efficiency of 30.30%. In addition, the photosynthetically generated ROS, combined with the iron-induced cell death mechanism of the Fe3O4@MoS2 NPs, confer them with exceptional and broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, achieving antimicrobial activities of up to 98.62% for Staphylococcus aureus, 99.22% for Escherichia coli, and 98.55% for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The composite exhibits good cell safety and hemocompatibility. Finally, a full-thickness diabetic wound model validates the significant pro-healing properties of Fe3O4@MoS2 in chronic diabetic wounds. Overall, the design of photosynthesis-inspired Fe3O4@MoS2 presents new perspectives for developing efficient photothermal nano-enzymatic compounds, offering a promising solution to the challenges of antimicrobial drug resistance and antibiotic misuse.

Towards more efficient, more specific, and safer MRI contrast agents: a Portuguese–French collaborative journey

Towards more efficient, more specific, and safer MRI contrast agents: a Portuguese–French collaborative journey

Chitosan and Its Nanoparticles: A Multifaceted Approach to Antibacterial Applications.

Chitosan, a multifaceted amino polysaccharide biopolymer derived from chitin, has extensive antibacterial efficacy against diverse pathogenic microorganisms, including both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, in addition to fungi. Over the course of the last several decades, chitosan nanoparticles (NPs), which are polymeric and bio-based, have garnered a great deal of interest as efficient antibacterial agents. This is mostly due to the fact that they are used in a wide variety of applications, including medical treatments, food, chemicals, and agricultural products. Within the context of the antibacterial mechanism of chitosan and chitosan NPs, we present a review that provides an overview of the synthesis methods, including novel procedures, and compiles the applications that have been developed in the field of biomedicine. These applications include wound healing, drug delivery, dental treatment, water purification, agriculture, and food preservation. In addition to this, we focus on the mechanisms of action and the factors that determine the antibacterial activity of chitosan and its derivatives. In conjunction with this line of inquiry, researchers are strongly urged to concentrate their efforts on developing novel and ground-breaking applications of chitosan NPs.

Bio-efficacy of a native strain of entomopathogenic nematode, <i>Steinernema siamkayai</i> against fall armyworm, <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious pest known for its ability to feed on various crops, particularly maize, inflicting significant reduction in maize yield. Farmers have traditionally dependent on chemical insecticides to manage this pest. These insecticides are frequently ineffective because the pest’s hidden feeding habits hinder the chemicals from reaching their intended target. In response to this challenge, an in vitro bioassay was performed to evaluate the virulence of an entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema siamkayai against third-instar larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda and wax moth (Galleria mellonella) at different concentrations of infective juveniles. Mortality rates were monitored from 24 to 96 h post-inoculation, with S. siamkayai demonstrating notable effectiveness against both insect species. For the fall armyworm, mortality rates risen progressively, beginning at 16.66% for 100 IJs larva-1 after 24 h, reaching 83.33% at 48 h, and achieving 100% by 96 h for doses of 30 IJs larva-1 or more. Wax moth larvae, on the other hand, showed greater susceptibility, with 22.91% mortality at 5 IJs larva-1 within 24 h and 100% mortality at 100 IJs larva-1 by the 48-hour mark. After 96 h, complete mortality was recorded in both species at doses of 30 IJs larva-1 or higher. Probit analysis indicated lower LC50 values for G. mellonella (1.83 and 0.87 IJs larva-1 at 72 and 96 h) compared to FAW (9.83 and 5.47 IJs larva-1). These findings suggest that S. siamkayai is a highly efficient bio-control agent, especially for managing S. frugiperda, and shows potential for integration into pest management programs.

Current Insights into Various In Vitro Dihaploidization Techniques Used in Brassica Oil Crops

Brassicas are considered the third most important source of vegetable oil globally. With the escalating production of Brassica varieties, there is growing demand for high-yielding genotypes. Doubled haploid (DH) techniques have become very popular in various Brassica breeding programs. Such DH techniques can play a significant role in plant breeding by accelerating the production of homozygous lines and increasing selection efficiency. Among these methods, isolated microspore culture stands out as the most effective, facilitating the generation of a higher number of embryos compared to conventional methods of plant breeding. Different chemical compounds such as herbicides, brassinosteroids, and polyethylene glycol have an antimitotic effect and have been found to generate DH plants and improve microspore embryogenesis in Brassica species. Colchicine and trifluralin have proven to be efficient chromosome-doubling agents as well as important supplements that can increase the rate of embryogenesis. This review serves as a comprehensive summary and effectiveness evaluation of the latest research findings in the Brassica oil crops to help increase efficiency of the future research focusing on DH methods and application of antimitotic agents in the various oilseed species of the genus Brassica.

Use of Ozone to Reduce the Proportion of Mesophilic and Psychrotrophic Bacteria Among Aquatic Organisms: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACTMesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria are agents of spoilage in aquatic organisms. Aquaculture aims to provide safe and nutritious foods from microbiological, physico–chemical, and sensory perspectives. Ozone (O3) is a gas used as an efficient antimicrobial agent for inactivating microorganisms in various foods. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether O3 is effective in reducing or eliminating mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria in fish and seafood. To this end, a systematic review was performed to evaluate the data obtained from published primary studies. Articles were retrieved from the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SciELO databases, and papers published between 2002 and 2024 were considered. A total of 1415 studies were identified, 11 of which met all eligibility criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis. The results indicated that O3 reduced mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria counts by 0.31 log CFU g−1 in fish and seafood. Significant heterogeneity persisted in the data set even after separation into subgroups, indicating that the studies were significantly diverse in terms of methodology. Therefore, the data obtained in this meta‐analysis indicates low inactivation of the microorganisms studied using O3. However, more research into the O3 treatment of aquatic organisms should be encouraged, since the included studies had methodological variations in the forms of O3 used, and investigated species, since all species have their own specificities.

Formation of a Novel Antagonistic Bacterial Combination to Enhance Biocontrol for Cucumber Fusarium Wilt.

Paenibacillus polymyxa strain PJH16, isolated and tested by our team, suppresses cucumber Fusarium wilt as an efficient biocontrol agent. For further investigation, the strain has been combined with two other Bacillus strains (Bacillus velezensis VJH504 and Bacillus subtilis JNF2) to enhance biocontrol ability, which formed high-efficiency microbial agents in the current study. The methodological target taken is based on achieving the optimal growth conditions of the combined microbial agents; hence, the medium composition and culture conditions were optimized through a single-factor test, orthogonal test and response surface methodology. Following this, the effectiveness of the microbial combination was assessed through pot experiments, which provided a theoretical foundation for the synthesis of microbial flora to significantly control cucumber Fusarium wilt. The results showed excellent compatibility, proving suitable for the proliferation and growth of Paenibacillus polymyxa PJH16, Bacillus velezensis VJH504, and Bacillus subtilis JNF2 strains together, specifically, when the inoculation amounts were adjusted to 4% of each. Using the single-factor test and orthogonal test analysis, the optimum composition of culture medium for the composite strain was identified as 3% glucose as the optimal carbon source, 2% yeast extract powder as the preferred nitrogen source, and 1% dipotassium hydrogen phosphate as the most suitable inorganic salt. Furthermore, the optical density (OD600) of the composite strain solution reached its highest level at 3.16 under the following culture conditions: inoculation volume of 200 µL, 171 rpm culture speed, 21.6 h culture time, 30 °C cultural temperature, and an initial pH of 7.0. The pot experiment demonstrated that the mixed bacterial solution achieved a relative control efficacy of 93.4% against cucumber Fusarium wilt, which was significantly superior to that of single- strain or pesticide treatment, and also promoted cucumber growth. In summary, the microbial flora synthesized by the three Bacillus strains displayed a high bacterial concentration, following the optimization of culture conditions, and exerted remarkable control and growth-promoting effects on cucumber Fusarium wilt. This finding holds great significance for future developments of composite microbial agents.

Mechanism of Amplified Photoacoustic Effect for Silica-Coated Spherical Gold Nanoparticles.

Plasmonic nanomaterials are effective photoacoustic (PA) contrast agents with diverse biomedical applications. While silica coatings on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been demonstrated to increase PA efficiency, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we systematically investigated the impact of silica coatings on PA generation under picosecond and nanosecond laser pulses. Experimentally, we demonstrated a record high PA amplification of up to 400% under noncavitation conditions with a thin silica coating and only under picosecond laser pulses. We provide a clear mechanism for the observed PA amplification that identifies two competing effects, including transient absorption, which reduces photon energy absorption, and electron-phonon energy transfer at the gold-silica interface, which partly reverses the transient absorption effect. This study provides the first evidence and mechanistic insight on the impact of nonlinear optical effects on the nanomaterial-property relationship in PA contrast agents and offers insights for designing highly efficient contrast agents for biomedical applications.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Alkenes and Related Compounds with Potential Anticancer Activity.

In search of efficient anticancer agents, we aimed at the design and synthesis of a library of tetrasubstituted alkenes. These are structural analogues of tamoxifen, one of the widely used anticancer therapeutics. Our small organic compound library was prepared via a chemical synthesis in the solution using the Larock three-component coupling reaction, which is known to tolerate diverse functional groups. Further, we have integrated this synthetic approach to four- and fivecomponent alkene assembly by using Sonogashira coupling, A3 and AHA reactions. The final products were isolated through preparative LC/MS station and characterized by NMR, MS, and X-ray crystallography. The biological activity of all novel compounds was tested by luciferase reporter assays against estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR). Our combinatorial synthetic approach was based on structurally diverse internal alkynes, arylboronic acids and aryl halides. After experiment optimization a "one-pot" single synthetic procedure was developed. This allowed us to prepare a small-sized screening library of novel tetrasubstituted alkenes quickly and efficiently without laborious intermediate isolation. In most cases, we isolated the final product as a single isomer, and in selected cases, we confirmed their chemical structure via X-ray crystallography. High throughput screening of the novel tetrasubstituted alkenes revealed a dozen hits with predominant agonistic ERα- and antagonistic AR-activity in the micromolar range. The proposed combinatorial approach is applicable for the synthesis of diversified organic compound libraries and for the discovery of new tamoxifen analogues with an improved therapeutic profile.

Whole-genome sequencing and secondary metabolite exploration of the novel Bacillus velezensis BN with broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against fungal plant pathogens.

The utilization of chemical pesticides recovers 30%-40% of food losses. However, their application has also triggered a series of problems, including food safety, environmental pollution, pesticide resistance, and incidents of poisoning. Consequently, green pesticides are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to their chemical counterparts. Among these, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), which are found within plant rhizosphere, stand out for their capacity to stimulate plant growth. Recently, we isolated a strain, BN, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity from the rhizosphere of Lilium brownii. Identification revealed that this strain belongs to the species Bacillus velezensis and exhibits significant inhibitory effects against various fungal plant pathogens. The complete genome sequence of B. velezensis BN consists of a circular chromosome with a length of 3,929,791 bp, includes 3,747 protein-coding genes, 81 small RNAs, 27 rRNAs, and 86 tRNAs. Genomic analysis revealed that 29% of the genes are directly involved in plant growth, while 70% of the genes are indirectly involved. In addition, 12 putative biosynthetic gene clusters were identified, responsible for the synthesis of secondary metabolites, such as non-ribosomal peptides, lanthipeptides, polyketides, siderophores, and terpenes. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development of efficient antimicrobial agents and the construction of biopesticide production platforms in chassis cells.

Influence of Different Mixing Methods for Cementitious Capillary Crystalline Waterproofing Materials on the Self-Healing Capacity of Concrete Under Various Damage Types.

Cementitious Capillary Crystallization Waterproofing Material (CCCW), as an efficient self-healing agent, can effectively repair damage in concrete structures, thereby extending their service life. To address the various types of damage encountered in practical engineering applications, this study investigates the impact of different mixing methods for CCCW (including internal mixing, curing, and post-crack repair) on the multi-dimensional self-healing performance of concrete. The self-healing capacity of concrete was evaluated through water pressure damage self-healing tests, freeze-thaw damage self-healing tests, mechanical load damage self-healing tests, and crack damage self-healing tests. The results show that the curing-type CCCW mixing method exhibited the best self-healing effect in repairing water pressure, freeze-thaw, and load damages, with corresponding healing rates of 88.9%, 92.7%, and 90.5%, respectively. The internally mixed CCCW method was also effective for repairing load damage in concrete, while the repair-type CCCW mixing method demonstrated the weakest repair effect on these types of damage. For concrete with induced pre-existing cracks, the internally mixed CCCW method, after 28 days of water-immersion curing, exhibited a significantly higher crack self-healing ability, with a self-healing ratio of 333.8%. Optical microscopy observations revealed that the crack surfaces were almost fully sealed, with a substantial deposition of white crystalline material at the crack sites. Further analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) provided insights into the surface morphology and phase characteristics of the self-healed cracks, indicating that calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) were the main products responsible for crack healing.

Cyclometalated half-sandwich iridium(iii) and rhodium(iii) complexes as efficient agents against cancer stem-cell mammospheres

Four cyclometalated Rh(iii) and Ir(iii) piano-stool complexes were synthesized and fully characterized, including single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. Their potential anticancer properties were evaluated using cancer stem-cell mammospheres.

Trimethylsulfoxonium iodide: a green methylating agent for site-selective methylation of carbohydrates

It was reported that trimethylsulfonium iodide [(CH3)3S(O)I], utilized as an eco-friendly and efficient methylating agent for carbohydrates, achieved moderate to excellent yields and site selectivity when combined with an iron catalytic system.