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This study presents a comprehensive look into the potential therapeutic, antibacterial, and anticancer properties of a nanocomposite (NC) of gold (Au) and zinc oxide (ZnO). In this study, we analyzed the adherence between Au nanoparticles (NPs) and ZnO NPs. X-ray diffraction analysis showed high crystallinity and small crystallite sizes of Au NPs and ZnO NPs, while transmission electron microscopy showed spherical NPs. Furthermore, histogram analysis showed that the average particle size of Au NPs is 27 nm, while that of ZnO NPs is 35 nm. The adherence of ZnO NPs on the surface of Au NPs increased their combined particle size to 51 nm and revealed a high-population core-shell structure. The activity of Au/ZnO NCs against Escherichia coli was more potent when compared to that of elemental Au and ZnO NPs alone. The cytotoxic effects of Au NPs, ZnO NPs, and Au/ZnO NCs against human breast cancer cells (AMG13) and human esophageal adenocarcinoma cancer cells (SK-GT4) were investigated in this study. We found that AMG13 is more sensitive than SK-GT4 to the activity of Au/ZnO NCs. The cytotoxicity of Au/ZnO NCs against AMG13 was 89%, while that against SK-GT4 was 85%. Less cytotoxic effects were recorded against normal cells (MCF7) when compared with those of cancer cells. Based on these findings, the synthesized Au/ZnO NCs could be used as a promising strategy for biomedical applications.

Nanoparticles of gold with zinc oxide (Au@ZnO NPs) were prepared by laser ablation and then capped with curcumin nanoparticles (Cur-Au@ZnO NPs). The synthesized NPs were characterized using different techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. In addition, the ability of NPs as a promising antibacterial agent was tested against Staphylococcus aureus through the agar well diffusion method and AO/EtBr staining assay. The results showed that the prepared nanoparticles (Cur-Au@ZnO) served as an antibacterial agent and can destroy the bacterial cells by losing the cell wall integrity and penetrating the cytoplasmic membrane. Moreover, the findings confirmed the role of the formed NPs in attenuation of the adherence and invasion of S. aureus to rat embryonic fibroblast (REF) cells. Furthermore, the activity of Cur-Au@ZnO NPs against the S. aureus α-hemolysin toxin was evaluated using the western blot technique, using human alveolar epithelial cells (A549), and through histopathology examination in a mouse model. In conclusion, the built Cur-Au@ZnO NPs can be used as a potential antibacterial agent and an inhibitor of α-hemolysin toxin secreted by S. aureus. These NPs may offer a new strategy in combating pathogen infections and in the future for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

The preparation of Au-ZnO nanocomposite involves the synthesis of Au and ZnO colloidal solutions by Nd:YAG laser (1064nm) ablation of metal targets in deionized water followed by laser irradiation of the mixed colloidal solution by a second harmonic Nd:YAG laser (532nm). The UV-visible show the gold nanoparticle (NPs) peak at 525nm while the peak of the ZnO nanoparticle (NPs) at 375nm. The Au-ZnO nanocomposite showed a blue shift in the absorption of the ZnO excited, while due to the plasomon resonance and interfacial charge transfer of Au NPs lead to redshift in the absorption, also show the intensity absorpation increases with the concentration of the metal nanoparticles. The morphological properties of nanoparticles have been characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

A synthesis is carried out with Au-ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), using fundamental laser Nd:YAG (1064 nm) of Au and ZnO colloidal solution, with the metal objectives in deionized water being extracted, accompanied by laser radiation a second harmonic Laser 532nm with the mixed colloidal solution, The UV-visible display the Au nanoparticle peak at 525nm, and the ZnO peak at 415nm. The Au-ZnO NPs show a shift of the ZnO absorption at 390nm, which is excited, and a change in the Au absorption at 530nm, as the Au NPs plasmon resonance is transmitted through an interface charge. The optical band gaps of the ZnO, Au and Au-ZnO NPs are increased with laser fluence up to 13.8 J/cm 2 . The antioxidant activities of prepared nanoparticles were measured using DPPH assay. The results showed the ability to scavenging of free radicals. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that the Au-ZnO nanocomposite could be used in future for therapeutic purposes.

The next generation of lightweight, flexible electronic equipment allows mechanical bending compatible with roll-to-roll technologies. In a novel method, a hydrothermal, wide potential is applied for the synthesis of samarium selenide–multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SmSe 2 –MWCNT) composite material. The chemical and physical characteristics for SmSe 2 –MWCNT are investigated with electrochemical assessments and X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under alkaline conditions, the SmSe 2 /MWCNT electrocatalyst shows a good activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). SmSe 2 –MWCNT nanocomposites appear to be good OER candidates in alkaline environments because of high ratio of catalytically active sites and faster electron movement, which increased the material’s conductivity, with current density, overpotential, and Tafel slope of 10 mA cm −2 , 315 mV, and 73 mV dec −1 , respectively, and displayed decent stability of 20 h via chronoamperometry test. The findings demonstrate that the SmSe 2 –MWCNT electrode could be employed as a potential candidate for hydrogen production.

Rhein, a natural bioactive lipophilic compound with numerous pharmacological activities, faces limitations in clinical application due to poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. Thus, this study aimed to develop a rhein-loaded self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (RL-SNEDDS) to improve solubility and bioavailability. The RL-SNEDDS was prepared by aqueous titration method with eucalyptus oil (oil phase), tween 80 (surfactant), and PEG 400 (co-surfactant) and optimization was performed by 3 factorial design. The optimized formulation was characterized for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powdered X-ray diffraction, and Field emission scanning electron microscopy. Further, the oral bioavailability study and brain tissue pharmacokinetics study were performed on Sprague-Dawley rats. The optimized RL-SNEDDS had an average droplet size of 129.3 ±1.57 nm, zeta potential of -24.6 mV ±0.34, % transmittance of 94.82 ± 0.61, and encapsulation efficiency of 98.86 ± 0.23. Furthermore, RL-SNEDDS was transformed into solid RL-SNEDDS (RS-SNEDDS) to increase stability. In vitro release of rhein from RS-SNEDDS showed prolonged release up to 24h with 99.03± 1.04% drug release. Differential scanning calorimetry and powdered X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the reduction in drug crystallinity and supported the results of the dissolution study. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the smooth and spherical nanosized globule of SNEDDS. Moreover, the in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed a significantly higher ( ≤ 0.05) value of C and AUC of RS-SNEDDS (8 ± 0.930 μg/mL and 37.79 ± 2.01 μg/mL*hr) compared to free rhein suspension (1.96 ± 0.712 μg/mL and 7.32 ± 0.946 μg/mL*hr) which indicated the enhancement of bioavailability of RS-SNEDDS. We also examined the C and AUC of RS-SNEDDS in the brain and it was found to be 2.90 ± 0.171 μg/mL and 18.18 ± 1.68 μg/mL*hr respectively. This study concludes that the RS-SNEDDS improves brain tissue concentration and oral bioavailability, both of which increase therapeutic potential.

During lagging strand synthesis, DNA Ligase 1 (Lig1) cooperates with the sliding clamp PCNA to seal the nicks between Okazaki fragments generated by Pol δ and Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1). We present several cryo-EM structures combined with functional assays, showing that human Lig1 recruits PCNA to nicked DNA using two PCNA-interacting motifs (PIPs) located at its disordered N-terminus (PIP N-term ) and DNA binding domain (PIP DBD ). Once Lig1 and PCNA assemble as two-stack rings encircling DNA, PIP N-term is released from PCNA and only PIP DBD is required for ligation to facilitate the substrate handoff from FEN1. Consistently, we observed that PCNA forms a defined complex with FEN1 and nicked DNA, and it recruits Lig1 to an unoccupied monomer creating a toolbelt that drives the transfer of DNA to Lig1. Collectively, our results provide a structural model on how PCNA regulates FEN1 and Lig1 during Okazaki fragments maturation. In this work, Blair and co-authors used cryo-EM and in vitro assays to show that human Ligase 1 (Lig1) and Flap Endonuclease 1 (FEN1) form a toolbelt with the sliding clamp PCNA coordinating the sealing of Okazaki fragments.

Analyzing stochastic algorithms for comprehensive performance and comparison across diverse contexts is essential. By evaluating and adjusting algorithm effectiveness across a wide spectrum of test functions, including both classical benchmarks and CEC-C06 2019 conference functions, distinct patterns of performance emerge. In specific situations, underscoring the importance of choosing algorithms contextually. Additionally, researchers have encountered a critical issue by employing a statistical model randomly to determine significance values without conducting other studies to select a specific model for evaluating performance outcomes. To address this concern, this study employs rigorous statistical testing to underscore substantial performance variations between pairs of algorithms, thereby emphasizing the pivotal role of statistical significance in comparative analysis. It also yields valuable insights into the suitability of algorithms for various optimization challenges, providing professionals with information to make informed decisions. This is achieved by pinpointing algorithm pairs with favorable statistical distributions, facilitating practical algorithm selection. The study encompasses multiple nonparametric statistical hypothesis models, such as the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, single-factor analysis, and two-factor ANOVA tests. This thorough evaluation enhances our grasp of algorithm performance across various evaluation criteria. Notably, the research addresses discrepancies in previous statistical test findings in algorithm comparisons, enhancing result reliability in the later research. The results proved that there are differences in significance results, as seen in examples like Leo versus the FDO, the DA versus the WOA, and so on. It highlights the need to tailor test models to specific scenarios, as p-value outcomes differ among various tests within the same algorithm pair.

Ultrafiltration membranes are often considered a highly efficient technique for purifying oily wastewater. The primary objective of this research was to improve the performance and antifouling properties of PLA/PBAT membranes used in oily wastewater treatment by incorporating banana peel (BP) nanoparticles. Various characterization techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), wettability analysis, pure water flux measurement, porosity assessment, tensile analysis, and FTIR analysis, were employed to describe the prepared membranes. The results of the FT-IR test revealed that BP nanoparticles were effectively integrated into the PLA/PBAT membrane matrix. The contact angle decreased from 73.7° for the pristine PLA/PBAT membrane to 38.99° for the membrane incorporating 0.05 wt.% BP-NPs, indicating that the nanoparticles enhanced the hydrophilic characteristics of the membranes. A similar trend was observed for the pure water flux of PLA/PBAT/BP membranes, suggesting that membranes with a BP-NP concentration of 0.05 weight percent exhibited the highest pure water flux. This improvement can be attributed to the synergistic effects of the nanoparticles. Additionally, the presence of BP-NPs enhanced the mechanical properties of the membranes. Finally, an ultrafiltration system using oily wastewater as feed was employed to evaluate the performance of the prepared membranes. The finding demonstrated that PLA/PBAT/BP membranes exhibited a higher flux and a greater oil removal efficiency of 105.3 L/m2h and 95.2% compared to neat PLA/PBAT membranes (62 L/m2h and 88%), respectively.

The rapid advancement of sensor technologies has sparked significant interest in intelligent physiotherapy monitoring systems, which hold immense potential for improving assessment quality. Despite this promise, existing sensor technologies for physiotherapy evaluation often need to be expanded in their versatility and robustness. This research introduces an innovative approach using spike train feature extraction to enhance patient progression tracking for physiotherapy assessment. developed a novel approach that reveals distinctive patterns for each physiotherapy exercise by implementing spike trains as the primary feature extraction method. The methodology used three datasets: UI-PRMD, K3Da, and a Self-Collected dataset, which were encoded into spike train formal representations, generating around 415 unique spike patterns. The study uses raster plot patterns as inputs for a sophisticated Deep Learning framework to assess pattern uniqueness. A key innovation was utilising spike occurrence frequency (firing rate) to differentiate movement correctness, where the derived mean error percentage (MPE) was used as a supportive metric complementing the classification process, and validated against DL evaluation metrics. The proposed framework demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving recognition rates of 99.44% (UI-PRMD), 98.21% (K3Da), and 100.00% (self-collected datasets) across various convolutional neural network architectures. Comprehensive evaluation metrics were used to validate the effectiveness of the rehabilitation movement assessment, including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. Spike-train encoding combined with a tailored CNN is promising for physiotherapy movement recognition and correctness assessment, but clinical utility remains provisional and requires validation in patient populations like stroke and Parkinson’s disease.