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Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2024Repeated and widespread use of single chemical pesticides raises concerns about efficiency and safety, developing multi-component synergistic pesticides provides a new...
Repeated and widespread use of single chemical pesticides raises concerns about efficiency and safety, developing multi-component synergistic pesticides provides a new route for efficient control of diseases. Most commercial compound formulations are open systems with non-adjustable released rates, resulting in a high frequency of applications. Meanwhile, although nano pesticide delivery systems constructed with different carrier materials have been extensively studied, realizing their actual scale-up production still has important practical significance due to the large-scale field application. In this study, a boscalid and pyraclostrobin dual-loaded nano pesticide system (BPDN) was constructed with industrial-grade carrier materials to facilitate the realization of large-scale production. The optimal industrial-scale preparation mechanism of BPDN was studied with surfactants as key factors. When agricultural emulsifier No.600 and polycarboxylate are used as the ratio of 1:2 in the preparation process, the BPDN has a spherical structure with an average size of 270 nm and exhibits superior physical stability. Compared with commercial formulation, BPDN maintains rate-stabilized release up to 5 times longer, exhibits better dispersion and spreading performance on foliar, has more than 20% higher deposition amounts, and reduces loss. A single application of BPDN could efficiently control tomato gray mold during the growing period of tomatoes due to extended duration and combinatory effectiveness, reducing two application times and labor costs. Toxicology tests on various objects systematically demonstrated that BPDN has improved safety for HepG2 cells, and nontarget organism earthworms. This research provides insight into creating safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly pesticide production to reduce manual operation times and labor costs. Accompanied by production strategies that can be easily scaled up industrially, this contributes to the efficient use of resources for sustainable agriculture.
Topics: Pesticides; Humans; Strobilurins; Drug Carriers; Animals; Carbamates; Surface-Active Agents; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Solanum lycopersicum; Biphenyl Compounds; Niacinamide
PubMed: 38902761
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02628-9 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2024Chemotherapy and immunotherapy have shown no significant outcome for unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Multi-drug combination therapy has become a...
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy have shown no significant outcome for unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Multi-drug combination therapy has become a consensus in clinical trials to explore how to arouse anti-tumor immunity and meanwhile overcome the poorly tumoricidal effect and the stroma barrier that greatly hinders drug penetration. To address this challenge, a comprehensive strategy is proposed to fully utilize both the ferroptotic vulnerability of PDAC to potently irritate anti-tumor immunity and the desmoplasia-associated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to wholly improve the immunosuppressive microenvironment via sustained release of drugs in an injectable hydrogel for increasing drug penetration in tumor location and averting systematic toxicity. The injectable hydrogel ED-M@CS/MC is hybridized with micelles loaded with erastin that exclusively induces ferroptosis and a FAK inhibitor defactinib for inhibiting stroma formation, and achieves sustained release of the drugs for up to 12 days. With only a single intratumoral injection, the combination treatment with erastin and defactinib produces further anti-tumor performance both in xenograft and Kras-engineered primary PDAC mice and synergistically promotes the infiltration of CD8 cytotoxic T cells and the reduction of type II macrophages. The findings may provide a novel promising strategy for the clinical treatment of PDAC.
Topics: Animals; Hydrogels; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Mice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Humans; Cell Line, Tumor; Tumor Microenvironment; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Drug Synergism; Micelles; Immunotherapy
PubMed: 38902759
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02646-7 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2024Cancer recurrence following surgical resection is a major cause of treatment failure. Finding effective methods to prevent postoperative recurrence and wound infection...
BACKGROUND
Cancer recurrence following surgical resection is a major cause of treatment failure. Finding effective methods to prevent postoperative recurrence and wound infection is an important component of successful surgery. With the development of new nanotechnology, more treatment options have been provided for postoperative adjuvant therapy. This study presents an innovative hydrogel system that stimulates tumoricidal immunity after surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and prevents cancer relapse.
RESULTS
The hydrogel system is based on the excellent photothermal conversion performance of single-atom platinum (CN-Pt) along with the delivery and release of the chemotherapy drug, gemcitabine (GEM). The system is coated onto the wound surface after tumor removal with subsequent near-infrared (NIR) photothermal therapy, which efficiently induces necroptosis of residual cancer cells, amplifies the levels of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and increases the number of M1 macrophages. The significantly higher levels of phagocytic macrophages enhance tumor immunogenicity and sensitize cancer cells to CD8 + T-cell immunity to control postoperative recurrence, which has been verified using an animal model of postoperative lung cancer recurrence. The CN-Pt-GEM-hydrogel with NIR can also inhibit postoperative wound infection.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings introduce an alternative strategy for supplementing antitumor immunity in patients undergoing resection of NSCLC tumors. The CN-Pt-GEM-hydrogel with the NIR system also exhibits good biosafety and may be adaptable for clinical application in relation to tumor resection surgery, wound tissue filling, infection prevention, and recurrence prevention.
Topics: Animals; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Deoxycytidine; Hydrogels; Gemcitabine; Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Necroptosis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Cell Line, Tumor; Immunotherapy; Photothermal Therapy; Wound Infection; Macrophages; Mice, Inbred C57BL; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38902678
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02568-4 -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2024Low mechanical properties are the main limitation of glass ionomer cements (GICs). The incorporation of elastomeric micelles is expected to enhance the strength of GICs... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Low mechanical properties are the main limitation of glass ionomer cements (GICs). The incorporation of elastomeric micelles is expected to enhance the strength of GICs without detrimentally affecting their physical properties and biocompatibility. This study compared the chemical and mechanical properties, as well as the cytotoxicity, of elastomeric micelles-containing glass ionomer cement (DeltaFil, DT) with commonly used materials, including EQUIA Forte Fil (EF), Fuji IX GP Extra (F9), and Ketac Molar (KT).
METHOD
Powder particles of GICs were examined with SEM-EDX. Setting kinetics were assessed using ATR-FTIR. Biaxial flexural strength/modulus and Vickers surface microhardness were measured after immersion in water for 24 h and 4 weeks. The release of F, Al, Sr, and P in water over 8 weeks was analyzed using a fluoride-specific electrode and ICP-OES. The toxicity of the material extract on mouse fibroblasts was also evaluated.
RESULTS
High fluoride levels in the powder were detected with EF and F9. DT demonstrated an initial delay followed by a faster acid reaction compared to other cements, suggesting an improved snap set. DT also exhibited superior flexural strength than other materials at both 24 h and 4 weeks but lower surface microhardness (p < 0.05). EF and F9 showed higher release of F, Al, and P than DT and KT. There was no statistically significant difference in fibroblast viability among the tested materials (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Elastomeric micelles-containing glass ionomer cement (DT) exhibited satisfactory mechanical properties and cytocompatibility compared with other materials. DT could, therefore, potentially be considered an alternative high-strength GIC for load-bearing restorations.
Topics: Glass Ionomer Cements; Animals; Mice; Materials Testing; Micelles; Fibroblasts; Hardness; Elastomers; Flexural Strength; Aluminum; Fluorides; Strontium; Polycarboxylate Cement; Cell Survival; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Surface Properties; Pliability; Kinetics; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Stress, Mechanical; Time Factors; Biocompatible Materials
PubMed: 38902666
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04468-3 -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Jun 2024This study aimed to develop a pan-genotypic and multifunctional small interfering RNA (siRNA) against hepatitis B virus (HBV) with an efficient delivery system for...
This study aimed to develop a pan-genotypic and multifunctional small interfering RNA (siRNA) against hepatitis B virus (HBV) with an efficient delivery system for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and explore combined RNA interference (RNAi) and immune modulatory modalities for better viral control. Twenty synthetic siRNAs targeting consensus motifs distributed across the whole HBV genome were designed and evaluated. The lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation was optimized by adopting HO-PEG-DMG lipid and modifying the molar ratio of traditional polyethylene glycol (PEG) lipid in LNP prescriptions. The efficacy and safety of this formulation in delivering siHBV (tLNP/siHBV) along with the mouse IL-2 (mIL-2) mRNA (tLNP/siHBVIL2) were evaluated in the rAAV-HBV1.3 mouse model. A siRNA combination (terms "siHBV") with a genotypic coverage of 98.55% was selected, chemically modified, and encapsulated within an optimized LNP (tLNP) of high efficacy and security to fabricate a therapeutic formulation for CHB. The results revealed that tLNP/siHBV significantly reduced the expression of viral antigens and DNA (up to 3log reduction; vs PBS) in dose- and time-dependent manners at single-dose or multi-dose frequencies, with satisfactory safety profiles. Further studies showed that tLNP/siHBVIL2 enables additive antigenic and immune control of the virus, via introducing potent HBsAg clearance through RNAi and triggering strong HBV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses by expressed mIL-2 protein. By adopting tLNP as nucleic acid nanocarriers, the co-delivery of siHBV and mIL-2 mRNA enables synergistic antigenic and immune control of HBV, thus offering a promising translational therapeutic strategy for treating CHB.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Hepatitis B virus; Interleukin-2; Humans; RNA, Small Interfering; Nanoparticles; RNA, Messenger; Hepatitis B, Chronic; RNA Interference; Hepatitis B; RNAi Therapeutics; Liposomes
PubMed: 38902241
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01871-8 -
Journal of Materials Science. Materials... Jun 2024Tissue engineering holds promise for developing therapeutic applications using viscous materials e.g. hydrogels. However, assessing the cytotoxicity of such materials... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Tissue engineering holds promise for developing therapeutic applications using viscous materials e.g. hydrogels. However, assessing the cytotoxicity of such materials with conventional assays can be challenging due to non-specific interactions. To address this, we optimized a live/dead staining method for quantitative evaluation and compared it with the conventional CCK8 assay. Our MicroDrop method involved seeding droplets containing 5000 cells in 10 µl medium on 12-well plates. After allowing them to adhere for 4 h, various viscous samples were applied to the cells and measurements were conducted using a fluorescence microscope immediately and at daily intervals up to 72 h. A sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) dilution series compared the MicroDrop with the CCK8 assay. The findings revealed a cell-type specific pattern for 10 mg/ml hyaluronic acid (HA), wherein MC3T3-E1 cells maintained 95% viability until 72 h, while L929 cells experienced a gradual decline to 17%. 2 mg/ml HA exhibited consistent viability above 90% across all time points and cell lines. Similarly, fibrin demonstrated 90% viability across dilutions and time points, except for undiluted samples showing a decrease from 85% to 20%. Gelatin-methacrylol sustained viability above 70% across all time points at both 5% and 10% concentrations. The comparison of the SDS dilution series between viability (MicroDrop) and metabolic activity (CCK8) assay showed a correlation coefficient of 0.95. The study validates the feasibility of the established assay, providing researchers with an efficient tool for assessing cytotoxicity in viscous materials. Additionally, it holds the potential to yield more precise data on well-known hydrogels.
Topics: Hydrogels; Mice; Animals; Cell Survival; Hyaluronic Acid; Viscosity; Cell Line; Materials Testing; Biocompatible Materials; Tissue Engineering; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Gelatin; Fibrin
PubMed: 38900233
DOI: 10.1007/s10856-024-06800-3 -
Drug Delivery Dec 2024Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. However, its surgical treatment, in particular via trabeculectomy, can be complicated by fibrosis. In current...
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. However, its surgical treatment, in particular via trabeculectomy, can be complicated by fibrosis. In current clinical practice, application of the drug, Mitomycin C, prevents or delays fibrosis, but can lead to additional side effects, such as bleb leakage and hypotony. Previous drug screening and testing has identified the known antibiotic, josamycin, as a possible alternative antifibrotic medication with potentially fewer side effects. However, a suitable ocular delivery mechanism for the hydrophobic drug to the surgical site does not yet exist. Therefore, the focus of this paper is the development of an implantable drug delivery system for sustained delivery of josamycin after glaucoma surgery based on crosslinked γ-cyclodextrin. γ-Cyclodextrin is a commonly used solubilizer which was shown to complex with josamycin, drastically increasing the drug's solubility in aqueous solutions. A simple γ-cyclodextrin crosslinking method produced biocompatible hydrogels well-suited for implantation. The crosslinked γ - cyclodextrin retained the ability to form complexes with josamycin, resulting in a 4-fold higher drug loading efficiency when compared to linear dextran hydrogels, and prolonged drug release over 4 days.
Topics: Hydrogels; Delayed-Action Preparations; gamma-Cyclodextrins; Solubility; Drug Liberation; Drug Delivery Systems; Glaucoma; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Carriers; Animals; Humans; Cross-Linking Reagents
PubMed: 38899440
DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2024.2361168 -
BioMed Research International 2024In a research experiment, 48 male Wistar rats were anesthetized and second-degree burns were induced on their backs. The rats' wounds were then uniformly inoculated with...
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In a research experiment, 48 male Wistar rats were anesthetized and second-degree burns were induced on their backs. The rats' wounds were then uniformly inoculated with MRSA. Various treatments were applied to the burn wounds daily, including Myrtus ointment, silver nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles-Myrtus ointment, silver sulfadiazine-Myrtus ointment, silver sulfadiazine 1%, mupirocin ointment, and a positive control. The study measured the antimicrobial effects, wound area, percentage of wound healing, antioxidant capacities, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide concentrations in the serum of the rats. Data analysis was performed using GraphPad software, with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests used to determine the statistical significance of the results.
RESULTS
Rats treated with Myrtus ointment, silver nanoparticles-Myrtus ointment, and mupirocin had reduced bacterial growth compared to the positive control group, nanoparticle ointment, and silver sulfadiazine ( < 0.05). The wound area of the Myrtus ointment group decreased significantly on the seventh and fourteenth days, as well as the level of MDA and nitric oxide, compared to the other groups. In Myrtus and silver sulfadiazine-Myrtus ointment increased the thickness of the epidermis and dermis compared to the other groups.
CONCLUSION
Based on the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound healing properties of Myrtus, with further studies, an ointment of this plant may be used as a main or complementary treatment for burn wound infections caused by MRSA.
Topics: Animals; Wound Healing; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Burns; Plant Extracts; Male; Ointments; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Plant Leaves; Myrtus; Anti-Infective Agents; Wound Infection; Staphylococcal Infections; Metal Nanoparticles; Silver Sulfadiazine
PubMed: 38899039
DOI: 10.1155/2024/6758817 -
Cell Reports. Medicine Jun 2024Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and mediates its internalization and degradation, resulting in...
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and mediates its internalization and degradation, resulting in an increase in LDL cholesterol levels. Recently, PCSK9 emerged as a therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. In this study, we develop a PCSK9 nanoparticle (NP) vaccine by covalently conjugating the catalytic domain (aa 153-aa 454, D374Y) of PCSK9 to self-assembled 24-mer ferritin NPs. We demonstrate that the PCSK9 NP vaccine effectively induces interfering antibodies against PCSK9 and reduces serum lipids levels in both a high-fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia model and an adeno-associated virus-hPCSK9-induced hypercholesterolemia model. Additionally, the vaccine significantly reduces plaque lesion areas in the aorta and macrophages infiltration in an atherosclerosis mouse model. Furthermore, we discover that the vaccine's efficacy relied on T follicular help cells and LDLR. Overall, these findings suggest that the PCSK9 NP vaccine holds promise as an effective treatment for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.
Topics: Proprotein Convertase 9; Animals; Hypercholesterolemia; Nanoparticles; Vaccines; Mice; Receptors, LDL; Disease Models, Animal; Atherosclerosis; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Humans; Diet, High-Fat; Male; Nanovaccines
PubMed: 38897173
DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101614 -
Science Advances Jun 2024Satisfactory healing following acute tendon injury is marred by fibrosis. Despite the high frequency of tendon injuries and poor outcomes, there are no pharmacological...
Satisfactory healing following acute tendon injury is marred by fibrosis. Despite the high frequency of tendon injuries and poor outcomes, there are no pharmacological therapies in use to enhance the healing process. Moreover, systemic treatments demonstrate poor tendon homing, limiting the beneficial effects of potential tendon therapeutics. To address this unmet need, we leveraged our existing tendon healing spatial transcriptomics dataset and identified an area enriched for expression of (TRAP) and subsequently demonstrated robust TRAP activity in the healing tendon. This unexpected finding allowed us to refine and apply our existing TRAP binding peptide (TBP) functionalized nanoparticle (NP) drug delivery system (DDS) to facilitate improved delivery of systemic treatments to the healing tendon. To demonstrate the translational potential of this DDS, we delivered niclosamide (NEN), an inhibitor. While systemic delivery of free NEN did not alter healing, TBP-NP enhanced both functional and mechanical recovery, demonstrating the translational potential of this approach to enhance the tendon healing process.
Topics: Animals; Wound Healing; Tendon Injuries; Tendons; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanoparticles; Mice; Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System; Disease Models, Animal; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Humans
PubMed: 38896625
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn2332