Search Results (4,461)

Background/Objectives: Nucleoside precursors and derivatives play pivotal roles in the development of antimicrobial and antiviral therapeutics. The 2022 global outbreak of monkeypox (Mpox) across more than 100 nonendemic countries underscores the urgent need for novel antiviral agents. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate a series of 5′-O-(palmitoyl) derivatives (compounds 2–6), incorporating various aliphatic and aromatic acyl groups, for their potential antimicrobial activities. Methods: The structures of the synthesized derivatives were confirmed through physicochemical, elemental, and spectroscopic techniques. In vitro antibacterial efficacy was assessed, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) determinations for the most active compounds (4 and 5). The antifungal activity was evaluated based on mycelial growth inhibition. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the electronic and structural properties, including the global reactivity, frontier molecular orbital (FMO), natural bond orbital (NBO), and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). Molecular docking studies were conducted against the monkeypox virus and the Marburg virus. The top-performing compounds (3, 5, and 6) were further evaluated via 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. ADMET predictions were performed to assess drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. Results: Compounds 4 and 5 demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity compared with the precursor molecule, while most derivatives inhibited fungal mycelial growth by up to 79%. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis highlighted the enhanced antibacterial/antifungal efficacy with CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CO– and CH₃(CH₂)₁₂CO–acyl chains. In silico docking revealed that compounds 3, 5, and 6 had higher binding affinities than the other derivatives. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the protein-ligand complexes. ADMET analyses revealed favorable drug-like profiles for all the lead compounds. Conclusions: The synthesized compounds 3, 5, and 6 exhibit promising antimicrobial and antiviral activities. Supported by both in vitro assays and comprehensive in silico analyses, these derivatives have emerged as potential candidates for the development of novel therapeutics against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, including monkeypox and Marburg viruses. Full article

Polyphenols and flavonoids are bioactive organic compounds extracted from medicinal plants. They exhibit significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which help fight several chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer. Numerous therapeutic effects and a broad spectrum of biological activities are exhibited by the following five medicinal plants traditionally utilized in medicine for the treatment of diabetes and cancer: Ginger, ephedra alata, ajuga iva, nettle, and graviola (annona muricata). The objective of the present study is to examine ethanolic and aqueous extracts exhaustively obtained from these plants through decoction and maceration using ethanol, with particular emphasis on the content of total polyphenols and flavonoids, and to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial potential. The antibacterial effect was assessed on the strains Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The study was complemented by an FTIR analysis of the different extracts. The results indicate that for ginger, graviola, and ajuga iva, as opposed to ephedra alata, maceration appears to be the more efficacious technique compared to decoction. The highest yield (27.465%) was observed in the case of the ethanolic extract of ginger. Ethanolic extracts contain higher concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids than aqueous extracts. The aqueous extracts of ajuga iva and nettle demonstrate the highest inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Full article

This research explored the potential of pressurised liquid extraction techniques for valorising herbal orange peel dust (OPD) waste from the filter tea industry. A series of experiments were conducted, varying the temperature (120–220 °C) and solvent (water and 50% (v/v) ethanol), while pressure and time were kept constant. Afterward, the obtained extracts were analysed by LC-ESI-MS/MS for determining the chemical composition. The highest concentrations of the most dominant compounds, the antioxidants hesperidin (662.82 ± 22.11 mg/L) and naringin (62.37 ± 2.05 mg/L), were found at specific temperatures using subcritical water extraction. In silico studies indicated that these compounds could interact with sirtuin-1 and growth factor beta receptors, suggesting potential anti-ageing benefits for skin. In vitro experiments on rat hepatoma cells (H4IIE) revealed that OPD extracts had antitumor potential, inhibiting cell proliferation and altering cell morphology. These findings underscore the importance of temperature and extraction technique in obtaining antioxidant-rich extracts with pharmacological potential. The resulting extracts, obtained using green solvents, show promise for cosmetic applications, though further in vivo studies are needed to confirm their therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Background/Objectives: The absence of standardized protocols for assessing in vitro drug release from nanocarriers poses significant challenges in nanoformulation development. This study evaluated three in vitro methods: sample and separate without medium replacement (independent batch), sample and separate with medium replacement, and a dialysis bag method, to characterize the release of rhodamine B from mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). Methods: Each method was examined under varying agitation conditions (shaking versus stirring). MSNs were synthesized via the sol-gel method, exhibiting a hydrodynamic diameter of 202 nm, a zeta potential of −23.5 mV, and a surface area of 688 m²/g, with a drug loading efficiency of 32.4%. Results: Release profiles revealed that the independent batch method exhibited a rapid initial burst followed by a plateau after 4 h, attributed to surface saturation effects. Conversely, the sample and separate with medium replacement method sustained the release up to 60% over 48 h, maintaining sink conditions. The dialysis method showed agitation-dependent variability, with magnetic stirring using a longer stir bar enhancing release. Kinetic analyses indicated first-order kinetics with non-Fickian diffusion. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicate that both the selection of the in vitro method and the agitation technique play a crucial role in determining the apparent drug release kinetics from nanocarriers. These findings highlight the critical role of experimental design in interpreting nanocarrier release kinetics, advocating for tailored protocols to improve reproducibility and in vitro–in vivo correlations in nanoformulation. Full article

With advancing age, blood vessels undergo deterioration that causes structural and functional changes, including a progressive increase in arterial wall stiffness. Since arterial stiffness is closely linked to the potential risks of cardiovascular diseases, which remains the leading cause of global mortality, it has become essential to develop effective techniques for early diagnosis and continuous monitoring over time. Photoplethysmography, a low-cost and non-invasive technology that measures blood volume changes, has gained increasing popularity in recent years and has proven to be a potential valuable tool for estimating arterial stiffness. This study employs an in vitro experimental setup designed to simulate the cardiovascular system performing under controlled velocity and pressure conditions, in which silicone phantom models with different geometric and mechanical properties were implemented to evaluate their stiffness using a pair of photoplethysmographic sensors. These were employed to measure the pulse wave velocity, currently considered the reference technique for estimating arterial stiffness, correlated through the well-known Moens–Korteweg equation. Photoplethysmographic sensors were placed at three specific distances to determine an optimal configuration for assessing arterial stiffness. Results showed the best performance for softer vascular models at a 15 cm sensor distance, with measurements demonstrating satisfactory accuracy. Variability and standard deviation values increased with model stiffness. The aim of this study is to improve the use of photoplethysmographic sensors for monitoring the mechanical properties of blood vessels and, therefore, to prevent potential cardiovascular diseases. Full article

Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, also known as mortiño, is of cultural, gastronomic, pharmaceutical and ecological importance in the Andes due to its regenerative capacity to preserve vegetation after destructive fires. The main limitation for the production of mortiño fruits is that the plant has not been domesticated or cultivated, which could pose risks to the species and the paramos where it lives. In vitro culture is a crucial technique for propagating horticultural crops where factors such as the concentration, growth regulators, medium and explant parameters must be optimized to ensure the success of in vitro propagation techniques. This review uses the Prisma methodology, identifying 47 studies on the in vitro cultivation of Vaccinium, but only five studies on the domestication of V. floribundum Kunth using three in vitro cultivation techniques (axillary buds, seed germination and induced callogenesis) were published in Scopus and ScienceDirect. Therefore, the objective is to provide information on in vitro propagation techniques for the domestication of V. floribundum Kunth. Full article

Objectives: The widespread adoption of three-dimensional (3D)-printed resins in restorative dentistry has introduced significant challenges in establishing strong and lasting bonds with resin-based cements. Despite the development of numerous surface treatment techniques designed to improve adhesion, a clear consensus on the most effective approach remains elusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis critically examined the impact of various surface treatment protocols on the bond strength of 3D-printed resins. By comparing treated versus untreated surfaces, the study aimed to determine the most reliable strategies for enhancing adhesion, ultimately offering evidence-based guidance to inform clinical decision-making. Methods: This review identified relevant studies through a comprehensive search of MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, Scielo, Scopus, and EMBASE databases, supplemented by manual reference checks, to identify in vitro studies published up to February 2025. Studies assessing the bonding of 3D-printed resins following various surface treatments and bonding protocols were included. Data on bond strength outcomes, such as shear bond strength, microtensile bond strength, and microshear bond strength, were extracted. Data extraction included study details, type of 3D-printed resin and printing technology, surface treatment protocols, bond strength testing methods, storage conditions, and results. The quality of included studies was assessed using the ROBDEMat tool. Meta-analyses were performed using the Review Manager Software (version 5.4, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Statistical heterogeneity among studies was evaluated using the Cochran Q test and the I² inconsistency test. Results: Nine studies met the criteria for qualitative analysis, with eight included in the meta-analysis. The findings revealed that surface treatment protocols significantly enhanced the immediate bond strength to 3D-printed resins (p = 0.01), with only sandblasting and silane demonstrating a statistically significant effect (p < 0.007). Similarly, after aging, surface treatments continued to improve bond strength (p = 0.01), with sandblasting and hydrofluoric acid being the only methods to produce a significant increase in bond strength values (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This meta-analysis underscores the importance of combining mechanical and chemical surface treatments, especially sandblasting and silane application, to achieve reliable and durable bonding to 3D-printed resins. Full article

Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of heart muscle diseases that can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Traditional animal models and in vitro systems have limitations in replicating the complex pathology of human cardiomyopathies. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a transformative platform by enabling the generation of patient-specific cardiomyocytes, thus opening new avenues for disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative therapy. This process involves reprogramming somatic cells into iPSCs and subsequently differentiating them into functional cardiomyocytes, which can be characterized using techniques such as electrophysiology, contractility assays, and gene expression profiling. iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte (iPSC-CM) platforms are also being explored for drug screening and personalized medicine, including high-throughput testing for cardiotoxicity and the identification of patient-tailored therapies. While iPSC-CMs already serve as valuable models for understanding disease mechanisms and screening drugs, ongoing advances in maturation and bioengineering are bringing iPSC-based therapies closer to clinical application. Furthermore, the integration of multi-omics approaches and artificial intelligence (AI) is enhancing the predictive power of iPSC models. iPSC-based technologies are paving the way for a new era of personalized cardiology, with the potential to revolutionize the management of cardiomyopathies through patient-specific insights and regenerative strategies. Full article

The suite of fungi that associate with mosses, bryophilous fungi, can be explored further to provide insights into the symbiotic functionality of mosses as well as the ecosystems in which they reside. So far, in-depth studies on the taxonomic diversity, ecology, and physiological functions of bryophilous fungi associated with the Australasian moss species Leucobryum candidum are lacking. To generate information on the physiology, biology, and ecology of these organisms and their interactions with the moss host, the combined use of selective isolation and molecular characterisation of the fungal associates was carried out. Once the pure cultures of the fungal associates were obtained, a bioactivity assay was used to investigate the effect of fungal metabolites on moss growth in vitro. Overall, L. candidum species collected from six different locations within Southeast Queensland exposed to different environmental parameters were found to have a highly diverse community of fungal species from 10 orders and 17 families. A total of 25 of the 33 isolates that were identified using molecular sequencing techniques were unique species, confirming high beta diversity of the fungal associates of L. candidum collected from coastal, forest, and urban environments in Southeast Queensland. The highest numbers of culturable isolates came from coastal and forest sites. Urban sites accounted for the lowest numbers of culturable isolates. The taxonomic matches for these associates were known to have diverse endophytic, saprophytic, and parasitic roles within vascular plants. Selected moss samples were inoculated with fermentation extracts of fungal isolates (USC-F426 and USC-F427) and their effects on the moss samples were observed for any change in heights, weights, diameters, and morphological characteristics. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference in the heights of the in vitro-assessed L. candidum between treatments was observed. No significant differences, however, were seen between the weights and diameters and no discernible host symptoms were detected, other than a few morphological change observations. Full article

Micropropagation of blackberry (Rubus spp.) has emerged as a key technique for large-scale production of genetically uniform, disease-free plants. This review summarizes more than half a century of in vitro blackberry culture research, covering fundamental aspects such as establishment, proliferation, rooting, acclimation, genetic stability and conservation. Optimization of culture media, plant growth regulators and environmental conditions has significantly improved the efficiency of micropropagation. Recent advances, including bioreactors, cryopreservation and biostimulants, have further improved plant growth and stress tolerance. In addition, studies on bioactive compounds in micropropagated blackberries highlight their potential nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. Despite progress, challenges such as microbial contamination, somaclonal variation, and response variability among cultivars remain critical areas for future research. The integration of nanotechnology, alternative culture systems (i.e., bioreactors), synthetic seed technology should represent the future research trend of blackberry micropropagation, ensuring sustainable production and conservation of genetic resources. Full article

There are two types of noninvasive biomarkers of human embryo developmental potential: those based on a direct assessment of embryo morphology over time and those using spent media after embryo in vitro culture as source of information. Both are derived from previously acquired knowledge on different aspects of pre-implantation embryo development. These aspects include embryo morphology and kinetics, chromosomal ploidy status, metabolism, and embryonic gene transcription, translation, and expression. As to the direct assessment of morphology and kinetics, pertinent data can be obtained by analyzing sequential microscopic images of in vitro cultured embryos. Spent media can serve a source of genomic, metabolomic, transcriptomic and proteomic markers. Methods used in the early pioneering studies, such as microscopy, fluorescence in situ hybridization, autoradiography, electrophoresis and immunoblotting, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, are too subjective, invasive, and/or time-consuming. As such, they are unsuitable for the current in vitro fertilization (IVF) practice, which needs objective, rapid, and noninvasive selection of the best embryo for uterine transfer or cryopreservation. This has been made possible by the use of high-throughput techniques such as time-lapse (for direct embryo evaluation), next-generation sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, high-performance liquid chromatography, nanoparticle tracking analysis, flow cytometry, mass spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (for spent culture media analysis). In this review, individual markers are presented systematically, with each marker’s history and current status, including available methodologies, strengths, and limitations, so as to make the essential information accessible to all health professionals, even those whose expertise in the matter is limited. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare the elimination of the smear layer and microhardness of dentin in root canals after sequential versus continuous chelation using different agitation techniques. Methods: Sixty-four palatal roots of upper first molars were instrumented to size X3 (Protaper Next files). According to the irrigant solution, samples were assigned to two groups (N = 32/group), 3% NaOCl irrigation followed by 17% EDTA (sequential chelation (SC)), or dual-rinse (3% NaOCl/9% HEDP) irrigation (continuous chelation (CC)). Each group has been divided into four subgroups (n = 8/subgroup), based on agitation techniques used: conventional needle (CN) (control group), EndoActivator (EA), ultrasonic agitation (UAI), and Er.Cr.YSGG 2780 nm (laser). SEM images assessed the smear layer, and Vicker microhardness (VHN) was performed at 50 and 100 µm depths. Data were analyzed using: Kruskal–Wallis, Wilcoxon, and the Mann–Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: In the UAI and laser agitation, CC significantly reduced the smear layer presence compared to SC in the apical and coronal thirds, respectively (p < 0.05), and no significant differences were observed in the CN and EA groups between SC and CC (p > 0.05). There were significantly higher VHNs of dentine in CC groups than in SC groups in all sections and depths, except in the apical of the CN group at 50 µm and the coronal section of EA and UAI groups at 100 µm. Conclusions: CC was comparable to SC in smear layer removal. CC had a less detrimental effect on dentin compared with SC. Full article

Coenzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant with anti-tumor and mitochondrial protective effects. However, its unstable physicochemical properties and large molecular weight result in low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop an effective technique for constructing nanoliposomes to improve the physicochemical properties of CoQ10 by using high-pressure microfluidic homogenization. Liposomes were prepared using the ethanol injection method and homogenized by high-pressure microfluidics to optimize their physicochemical properties. Liposome morphology and microstructure were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size distribution, polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation efficiency were assessed, while effects on cell viability and antioxidant properties were investigated in HepG2 cells. The results indicate that the prepared liposomes exhibit favorable characteristics, including high encapsulation efficiency (>96%) and low PDI (<0.3), indicating uniform particle size distribution and good stability. The storage stability of liposomes at room temperature was significantly enhanced compared to liposomes not subjected to high pressure homogenization. In vitro cell experiments confirmed the liposomes’ non-cytotoxicity and substantial antioxidant activity, ensuring their safety for biomedical applications. This study introduced a liposome preparation method combining ethanol injection and high-pressure microfluidic homogenization, offering a novel approach for liposome modification with potential for development and application in innovative drug delivery systems and antioxidant therapy. Full article

Grapes are commonly processed into shelf-stable products such as raisins, wine, juice, and syrup-canned syrup goods. During processing, byproducts like skins and seeds are generated, which contain bioactive compounds including polysaccharides and polyphenols that exhibit diverse biological activities. The objective of this work was to thoroughly evaluate the impact of ultrasound technology on both the extraction efficiency and in vitro hypoglycemic activity of the polysaccharides derived from grape skin. The isolation and purification of the polysaccharides were carried out using chromatographic column techniques, and the monosaccharide components were determined through HPLC. The hypoglycemic activity of the polysaccharides from grape skin in vitro was analyzed in vitro considering their inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The polysaccharides from grape skins were extracted via an ultrasound-assisted methodology (under the following conditions: 50 °C, 50 min, 20 mL/g ratio, and 210 W), resulting in an 11.82% extraction yield of GSPs. Monosaccharide constituent analysis revealed that GSP-1-1 consisted of galacturonic acid, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid, mannose, and xylose in a molar ratio of 40.26:26.99:13.58:12.2:2.24:1.97:1.63:1.42. In vitro evaluations indicated that both GSP and GSP-1-1 exhibited notable suppression of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities, two key enzymes in carbohydrate digestion. This dual inhibitory action positions these compounds as potential therapeutic agents for blood glucose management strategies. This work provides a new direction for addressing the byproducts of the grape canning industry and also offers a theoretical basis for the development of functional grape products. Full article

This study employed response surface methodology to optimize the conditions for ultrahigh-pressure-assisted enzymatic extraction (UHPEE) of pectin from hawthorn using cellulase. The effects of this method on the characteristics of the extracted pectin were investigated. The optimal extraction parameters were determined to be a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:70 g/mL, an extraction pressure of approximately 300 MPa, and a holding time of roughly 600 s, yielding a pectin recovery of 4.02%. The optimized UHPEE process resulted in reductions in both the degree of esterification and molecular weight of the pectin, while concurrently increasing the content of total galacturonic acid and total polyphenols. Ion chromatography analysis identified five monosaccharides in the hawthorn pectin, with galacturonic acid being the most predominant. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed the presence of characteristic absorption peaks of pectin and a rough surface topology with a loose, flaky structure, respectively. Rheological measurements demonstrated that the hawthorn pectin exhibited shear-thinning behavior, characteristic of a pseudoplastic fluid. In vitro antioxidant assays showed that hawthorn pectin scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals with a rate of 92.72%, comparably to vitamin C at the same concentration (96.30%). These results indicate that the optimized UHPEE method is a more efficient technique for extracting hawthorn pectin and effectively enhances its antioxidant activity, suggesting its potential application in the food industry. Full article