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Plastic waste (PW) has received a lot of attention as a possible additional material for industrial and environmental applications, particularly cement and/or concrete production for a more environmentally and economically sound use of raw materials and energy sources. PW has been investigated as an inert and/or active hydraulic filler for cement and/or concrete by numerous scientists. Plastic garbage is cheap, abundant, and takes long period of time to degrade in the eco-system (soil and water). The main goal of the ongoing research is to offer safety and efficacy by partially substituting nano-plastic waste (NPW), incorporated with nano-titania (NT), for the composition of white cement (WC). Blends are built up by substitution of WC with different ratios of NPW incorporated with fixed ratios of nano-titania (1.0 wt.%). Workability, physical, mechanical and microstructural properties have gone through laboratory and instrumental analysis. The results showed improvement in the compressive strength, density and microstructure due to the effective impact of fillers. Consequently, a decrease in total porosity, whiteness reflection (Ry) and early-rapid expansion. Eventually, the outcomes may reduce the pandemic strength, especially in the external environment, and other epidemics.

In recent years, chalcogenide perovskites have emerged as promising candidates with favorable structural, electrical, and optical properties for photovoltaic applications. This paper explores the structural, electronic, and optical characteristics of ABSe 3 perovskites (where A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs; B = Si, Ge, Sn) in their triclinic crystallographic phases using density functional theory. The stability of these materials is ensured by calculating formation energies, tolerance factors ( T f ), and phonon dispersion. The E form values of all ABSe 3 are negative, suggesting favorable thermodynamic stability. The T f values range between 0.82 and 1.1, which is consistent with stable perovskites. The phonon dispersion analysis of the chalcogenide perovskites revealed no imaginary frequencies in any of the vibrational modes, confirming their stability. The electronic band structures and corresponding density of states are computed to unveil the semiconducting nature of the studied compounds. These perovskites are promising for high-performance solar cells due to their indirect bandgaps ( E g , 1.10–2.33 eV) and a small difference between these indirect and direct gaps (0.149–0.493 eV). The E g values increase as the ionic radii of A-site elements increase (Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs). At the B-site, Si-based chalcogenides have the largest E g values, followed by Sn-based and then Ge-based materials. Furthermore, optical properties such as the real part and imaginary part of the dielectric function, refractive index extinction coefficient, optical conductivity, absorption coefficient, reflectivity, and energy loss are predicted within the energy range of 0–50 eV. Several ABSe 3 materials, particularly LiGeSe 3 and NaGeSe 3 , demonstrated optical properties comparable to both traditional and emerging materials, suggesting their potential for effective use in solar cells.

Corrosion resistance of high strength steel (HHS) embedded in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) immersed in 3.5% NaCl solution is evaluated in the absence and presence of nano silica (NS), nano glass waste (NGW), nano rice husk ash (NRHA) and nano metakaolin (NMK) using open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) under normal and accelerated conditions. Data showed that the corrosion rate in the accelerated conditions is higher compared by the normal conditions due to the increasing in the rate of both anodic and cathodic reactions in the presence of anodic current. On the other hand, the presence of the studied nano materials decreases both the anodic and cathodic overpotentials, and shifts both the open circuit potential (E ocp ) and corrosion potential (E corr ) of HSS to more noble values, as well as decreases the values of the corrosion current densities (I corr ) in both normal and accelerated conditions. Furthermore, EIS analysis illustrates that the presence of these materials enhances both the concrete bulk resistance and the charge transfer resistance at HSS/UHPC interface, which retards the flow of the electrons between the anodic and cathodic sites, thus impeding the propagation of the corrosion process. The inhibitory effect of the studied nano materials for the corrosion of HSS is interpreted on the basis of the change in the microstructure and the compressive strength of the UHPC.

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. The virus causes an exaggerated immune response, resulting in a cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome, the leading cause of COVID-19-related mortality and morbidity. So far, no therapies have succeeded in circumventing the exacerbated immune response or cytokine storm associated with COVID-19. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), through their immunomodulatory and regenerative activities, mostly mediated by their paracrine effect and extracellular vesicle production, have therapeutic potential in many autoimmune, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases. In this paper, we review clinical studies on the use of MSCs for COVID-19 treatment, including the salutary effects of MSCs on the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and the immunomodulation of the cytokine storm. Ongoing clinical trial designs, cell sources, dose and administration, and populations are summarized, and the paracrine mode of benefit is discussed. We also offer suggestions for optimizing MSC-based therapies, including genetic engineering, strategies for cell surface modification, nanotechnology applications, and combination therapies.

Water is essential to all living forms, shaping both our planet and the human body. But their great toxicity makes dangerous contaminants like new chemicals, antibiotics, heavy metals, and microbes major dangers to water systems. This article looks at the creation and use of UiO-66, a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), as a dual-function material for rifampicin adsorption and antibacterial action. Using solvothermal techniques, UiO-66 MOFs were created and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Batch testing maximized factors like pH, starting concentration, adsorbent amount, and contact time to improve rifampicin removal effectiveness. The findings showed a maximum adsorption capacity (q max ) of 542 mg/g under ideal circumstances, suggesting UiO-66 MOF as a reasonably priced and sustainable choice for treating contaminated wastewater. Further research confirmed UiO-66’s potential as a good adsorbent for rifampicin under different settings. At lower doses, UiO-66 nanoparticle cytotoxicity on HL-7702 liver cells revealed great biocompatibility; at higher levels, it caused significant viability loss. The antibacterial effectiveness of UiO-66 MOF nanoparticles, rifampicin, and their combination against Klebsiella pneumoniae and MRSA was assessed; the combination greatly boosted antibacterial activity in comparison to separate therapies. The biocompatibility of the composite with human cells and capacity to damage bacterial cell membranes point to its possible use as an antibacterial and medication delivery system. The research offers a sustainable environmental remediation option by demonstrating that UiO-66, a zirconium-based MOF, efficiently adsorbs rifampicin from wastewater. Its high adsorption capacity of 542 mg/g points to possible treatment of MRSA and K. pneumoniae. See Fig.  1 for more details. Future studies should include property optimization, industrial application scalability, and drug interaction research.

Investigation of a unique and fast method for the determination and separation of a mixture of three drugs viz ., ciprofloxacin (CIP), Ibuprofen (IBU), and diclofenac sodium (DIC) in actual samples of human plasma. Also, the technique was used to look at their pharmacokinetics study. Hydrocortisone was chosen as the internal standard (IS). The drugs were chromatographically separated using an Acquity ultra-performance liquid chromatography UPLC ® BEH C18 1.7 µm (2.1 × 150 mm) column with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile: water (65:35, v/v) adjusted to pH 3 with diluted acetic acid. Plasma proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile. The separated drugs ranged from 0.3 to 10, 0.2–11, and 1–25 µg/mL for CIP, IBU, and DIC, respectively. Calibration curves were discovered to achieve linearity with acceptable correlation coefficients (0.99%). Examination of quality assurance samples showed exceptional precision and accuracy. Following the successful application of this improved technique to plasma samples, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of each selected drug were evaluated using (UPLC) with UV detection at 210 nm. Two green metrics were applied, the Analytical Eco-scale and the Analytical GREEnness Calculator (AGREE). Separation was achieved in only 4-min analysis time. The method's validation agreed with the requirements of the FDA, and the results were sufficient.

In the last decade, nanosized metal organic frameworks (NMOFs) have gained an increasing applicability as multifunctional nanocarriers for drug delivery in cancer therapy. However, only a limited number of platforms have been reported that can serve as an effective targeted drug delivery system (DDSs). Herein, we report rational design and construction of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded nanoscale Zr (IV)-based NMOF (NH 2 -UiO-66) decorated with active tumor targeting moieties; folic acid (FA), lactobionic acid (LA), glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), and dual ligands of LA and GA, as efficient multifunctional DDSs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. The success of modification was exhaustively validated by various structural, thermal and microscopic techniques. Biocompatibility studies indicated the safety of pristine NH 2 -UiO-66 against HSF cells whereas DOX-loaded dual-ligated NMOF was found to possess superior cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells which was further confirmed by flow cytometry. Moreover, fluorescence microscopy was used for monitoring cellular uptake in comparison to the non-ligated and mono-ligated NMOF. Additionally, the newly developed dual-ligated NMOF depicted a pH-responsiveness towards the DOX release. These findings open new avenues in designing various NMOF-based DDSs that actively target hepatic cancer to achieve precise therapy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the acaricidal activity of two forms of geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ) (PG). These two forms were the P. graveolens essential oil nanoemulsion (PGN), and the PG in combination with the sesame oil (SO), PGSO). These forms were first evaluated in vitro for their adulticidal, ovicidal, and larvicidal activities against the different stages of acaricide-resistant Rhipicephalus annulatus (Say). Geranium nanoemulsion was prepared and then characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometer, and zeta droplet size measurement. The results revealed that LC 50 of the PG against the adult ticks was attained at concentration of 7.53% while it was decreased to 1.91% and 5.60% for PGSO and PGN, respectively. Also, the LC 50 of PGN and PGSO were reached at concentrations of 1.688 and 0.944%, respectively against the larvae while the LC 50 of the PG was reached at concentration of 3.435% for. The combination of PGN with PG exhibited non-significant ovicidal effect meanwhile PGSO showed significant ovicidal effect even at the low concentration (2.5%). The PGSO and PGN formulations were applied in a field trial to control the ticks of the naturally infested cattle. PGSO and PGN significantly reduced the tick burden to 74.83% and 87.97%, respectively at 3 weeks post-application with performance better than the deltamethrin (29.88%). In conclusion, the two PG forms can be used as suitable alternatives to control R. annulatus tick and they need further modifications for effective field application.

In this work, the preparation of a PEG@ multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite has shown a great potential effect in tumor therapy using graphite powder at room temperature. PEGylated MWCNTs were created and used as a carrier for targeting the antineoplastic drug Ixazomib to myeloma cancer cells (abnormal plasma cells). Ixazomib (MLN2238) was covalently encapsulated into functionalized carbon nanotubes modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG 600) to obtain MWCNTs-PEG-MLN2238. The Ixazomib@ MWCNTs-PEG composite shows promising results as an effective nanocarrier and using a small amount of MWCNTs-PEG-Ixazomib that has a low toxicity compared with that of Ixazomib alone. A multifunctional MWCNTs-PEG-Ixazomib composite is used to test biological effects on multiple myeloma cell lines RPMI 8226 using the MTT assay to enhance treatment efficiency. The cytotoxicity of free Ixazomib citrate (69% cell viability of RPMI8226 cells) was higher than that of MWCNTs-PEG-Ixazomib (91% cell viability) at the same maximum concentration of Ixazomib citrate (50 µg/ml). In this work, we performed a study of preparation of MWCNTs with an acceptable Ixazomib loading efficiency and determination of the drug systemic toxicity for the first time. In this study, the preparation of MWCNTs with acceptable Ixazomib loading efficiency and determination of the drug systemic toxicity was performed for the first time. The MTT assay results show decreasing the toxicity of Ixazomib after loading with the MWCNTs-PEG composite. The MWCNTs-PEG @ Ixazomib show promising results as an effective carrier of Ixazomib and lead to a decrease in the cost of using Ixazomib.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) represent a promising inorganic platform for multiple biomedical applications. Previous studies have reported MSNs-induced hepatic and renal toxicity; however, the toxic mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate MSNs-induced hepatic and nephrotoxicity and test the hypothesis that altered TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, JAK2/STAT3, and Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathways mediate oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis induced by MSNs. Rats were administered 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg MSNs for 30 days, and samples were collected for analyses. MSNs induced functional and histologic alterations, increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide, suppressed antioxidants, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in the liver and kidney of rats. MSNs up-regulated the expression of liver and kidney TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB p65, and caspase-3 and increased serum pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, MSNs activated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, down-regulated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and promoted fibrosis evidenced by the increased collagen expression and deposition. In conclusion, this study conferred novel information on the role of ROS and deregulated TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, JAK2/STAT3, PPARγ, and Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathways in MSNs hepatic and nephrotoxicity. These findings provide experimental evidence for further studies employing genetic and pharmacological strategies to evaluate the safety of MSNs for their use in nanomedicine.