Search Results (52)

Background: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is the leading cause of early mortality after lung transplantation. Albumin is commonly used during lung transplantation to maintain intravascular volume while minimizing total intravenous fluid administration, given the established association between larger intravenous fluid and PGD. However, the direct impact of albumin on PGD remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of lung transplant recipients between 2018 and 2023. We calculated the corrected albumin proportion (cAP), representing the ratio of albumin to total intravenous fluid administered. We analyzed associations between cAP and PGD at 24, 48, and 72 h, as well as secondary outcomes including total fluid administration, 30-day acute kidney injury, mortality, and ICU length of stay. Results: A total of 190 patients were included in this study. A higher cAP was associated with lower total intravenous fluid administration (r = −0.15, p = 0.03), whereas a higher total intravenous fluid administration was associated with higher PGD at 72 h (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03, p = 0.04). However, cAP was not independently associated with PGD or other short-term outcomes. Conclusions: Intraoperative albumin use modestly reduced total intravenous fluid administration but was not independently associated with significant reductions in PGD or improvements in other short-term outcomes. Full article

Background: Silver fluoride medicaments effectively arrest caries progression but cause permanent staining. Nanoparticles are increasingly utilised in paediatric dentistry due to their antimicrobial properties. Aim: This study reports the synthesis and characterisation of silver and selenium nanoparticles stabilised with natural agents. Methods: Six silver and selenium nanoparticles were chemically synthesised and stabilised using biocompatible eco-friendly capping agents, including casein, bovine serum albumin, chitosan, citrate, and tannic acid. Characterisation was performed using Tyndall scattering, UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and ICP-OES. Results: The synthesised particles were spherical in shape, ranging in size from 2.5 to 24 nm for silver and 35 to 43 nm for selenium. Elemental analysis confirmed the absence of heavy metals. Conclusions: These findings highlight the successful synthesis of capped silver and selenium nanoparticles. The observed characteristics suggest potential relevance for future antimicrobial applications in paediatric dentistry. Full article

Nitrosamines, including N-nitroso diethylamine (NDEA) have emerged as pharmaceutical impurities and carcinogenic environmental contaminants of grave public health safety concerns. This study reports on the preparation and first use of cysteine–gold nanoparticles (CysAuNPs) for colorimetric detection of NDEA in human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions. Molecular docking (MD) and molecular dynamic simulation (MDS) were performed to probe the interaction between NDEA and serum albumin. UV–visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging were used to characterize the synthesized CysAuNPs. These CysAuNPs show a UV–visible absorbance wavelength maxima (λ_max) at 377 nm and emission λ_max at 623 nm. Results from DLS measurement revealed the CysAuNPs’ uniform size distribution and high polydispersity index of 0.8. Microscopic imaging using TEM showed that CysAuNPs have spherical to nanoplate-like morphology. The addition of NDEA to HSA in the presence of CysAuNPs resulted in a remarkable increase in the absorbance of human serum albumin. The interaction of NDEA–CysAuNPs–HSA is plausibly facilitated by hydrogen bonding, sulfur linkages, or by Cys–NDEA-induced electrostatic and van der Waal interactions. These are due to the disruption of the disulfide bond linkage in Cys–Cys upon the addition of NDEA, causing the unfolding of the serum albumin and the dispersion of CysAuNPs. The combined use of molecular dynamic simulation and colorimetric experiment provided complementary data that allows robust analysis of NDEA in serum samples. In addition, the low cost of the UV–visible spectrophotometer and the easy preparation and optical sensitivity of CysAuNPs sensors are desirable, allowing the low detection limit of the CysAuNPs sensors, which are capable of detecting as little as 0.35 µM NDEA in serum albumin samples, making the protocol an attractive sensor for rapid detection of nitrosamines in biological samples. Full article

In cattle, the transfer of passive immunity from mother to calf across the placenta is limited. Therefore, providing quality colostrum or supplementing with additives that enhance this attribute is crucial to optimise the transfer of passive immunity (TPI). The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of capsaicin on the absorption of immunoglobulins, metabolites, and enzymes to optimise TPI in neonatal calves, and to assess its impact on selected physiological parameters. Two experimental groups were established: a control group (CON; n = 8), which received colostrum in three feedings (at 1, 12, and 20 h after calving), and a capsaicin group (CAP; n = 8) which received 40 mg of capsaicin per kilogram of body weight added to the colostrum. Birth weight (CON = 36.7 ± 1.10 kg; CAP = 36.2 ± 2.64 kg) and weight at 48 h of age (CON = 38.5 ± 1.11 kg; CAP = 38.0 ± 2.82 kg) were similar between the two experimental groups. At 48 h post-colostrum feeding, the CAP group exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of IgG, total protein, and albumin—up to 23.4 times greater than those observed in the CON group (p < 0.001). Moreover, levels of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly elevated in the CAP group compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Similarly, higher concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were observed in the CAP group. These findings suggest that the inclusion of 40 mg of capsaicin per kilogram of body weight in colostrum is safe and contributes positively to improving TPI in crossbred Holstein calves raised at altitudes higher than 2500 m above sea level. Full article

Background/Objectives: Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but accurately measuring it in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains challenging. This study examines the relationship between a recently proposed insulin resistance index and the presence of liver steatosis and fibrosis in individuals with T2D. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Patients with T2D who did not have chronic viral hepatitis or significant alcohol intake were included. The insulin sensitivity (IS) index was calculated using a formula incorporating body mass index, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, triglycerides, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Liver stiffness and steatosis were assessed through transient elastography. MASLD was defined as a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥274 decibels/meter (dB/m), while significant liver fibrosis was defined as a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) of ≥8 kPa. Multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to evaluate the association between IS and these liver outcomes. Results: A total of 1084 patients with T2D were analyzed. The prevalence of MASLD and significant liver fibrosis was 74.1% (95% CI 68.7–78.9) and 25.4% (95% CI 21.2–30.2), respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, and race/ethnicity, lower IS scores (indicating higher insulin resistance) were independently associated with increased odds of both MASLD (quartile 1 vs. quartile 4: OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.23–5.71) and significant liver fibrosis (quartile 1 vs. quartile 4: OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.45–7.51). These findings remained consistent across subgroups stratified by age, sex, and obesity status. Conclusions: This novel IS model, derived from commonly available clinical and biochemical markers, is independently associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis. Its application may help identify patients with more advanced MASLD, facilitating early intervention and risk stratification. Full article

The use of chemical pesticides has led to adverse effects on human health and the environment, prompting the exploration of alternative solutions. This study successfully biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) using chicken egg albumin, which served as reducing and capping agents, and evaluated their antifungal efficacy against Macrophomina phaseolina. The fungicidal potential of Fe₃O₄ NPs was assessed in vitro, demonstrating enhanced inhibition of M. phaseolina’s radial growth with increasing concentrations from 100 ppm to 300 ppm. Dielectric properties were also studied, revealing advantageous current conduction processes and conductive network development with temperature variation, which is particularly beneficial in the low-frequency range. At a fixed pH, dielectric studies showed increased mobile carrier movement and polarization with rising temperature at a fixed frequency. The photocatalytic activity of Fe₃O₄ NPs was assessed for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), an organic dye, under solar irradiation. In this study, Fe₃O₄ NPs photocatalysts achieved 89% (MB) degradation within 75 min. This research underscores the potential of using chicken egg albumin for the biosynthesis of Fe₃O₄ NPs. It offers a promising alternative for plant disease control and highlights their suitability for integration into eco-friendly plant protection strategies. Full article

Background: There is an urgent need to identify new biomarkers for early diagnosis and development of therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients who have invasive breast cancer (BC). We previously reported the increased activated form of 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (phospho-p70S6K1) in a triple-negative BC (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231 exposed to glycated albumin (GA) and in invasive ductal carcinoma tissues from T2DM patients, compared to untreated cells and their non-diabetic counterparts, respectively. Objective: We aimed to explore the function of p70S6K1 in GA-promoted TNBC progression. Methods: By employing small interference (si)RNA technology or blocking its kinase activity using its specific pharmacological inhibitor, we monitored cell invasion using Transwell^® inserts and the expression levels of activated signaling proteins and cancer-related proteins using Western blot. Results: In silico analysis revealed that high mRNA levels of p70S6K1 were associated with an unfavorable prognosis and progression to advanced stages of TNBC in DM patients. The downregulation/blockade of p70S6K1 inhibited GA-promoted MDA-MB-231 cell invasion and the phosphorylation of protein S6 and ERK1/2, the p70S6K1 downstream effector, and the key oncogenic signaling protein, respectively. The suppression of the expression of GA-upregulated cancer proteins, including enolase-2, capping protein CapG, galectin-3, and cathepsin D, was observed after p70S6K1 downregulation/blockade. Further in silico validation analyses revealed increased gene expression of galectin-3 in DM TNBC patients, resulting in poor overall survival and disease-free survival. Conclusions: Targeting p70S6K1 may present a valuable therapeutic strategy, while galectin-3 could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for invasive BC progression in DM patients. Full article

The liver has many important functions, including the biotransformation of drugs and detoxification of the human organism. As such, it is also exposed to many harmful substances, which leads to disorders and diseases such as cirrhosis. For these reasons, it seems important to consider liver metabolism and the direct effects on the liver when evaluating the efficacy of new drugs. Accordingly, we have developed an advanced in vitro liver model using an organ-on-a-chip approach that replicates many of the morphological and functional features of the liver in vivo. The model we created can metabolize drugs, which we demonstrated using two widely used anticancer drugs, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and capecitabine (CAP). In addition, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first who evaluate the direct effects of these drugs not only on the viability of liver model-building cells but on their functions, such as cytochrome P450 activity and albumin production. Our study brings new hope to properly evaluating drug efficacy at the in vitro level. Full article

The management of hyperparathyroidism (intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) serum levels > 585 pg/mL), frequently focuses on the appropriate control of mineral and bone markers, with the decrease in serum and dietary phosphorus as two of the targets. We aimed to investigate the association between iPTH, serum phosphorus levels and dietary intake. This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study with 561 patients on hemodialysis treatment. Clinical parameters, body composition and dietary intake were assessed. For the analysis, patients were divided into three groups: (a) iPTH < 130, (b) iPTH between 130 and 585 and (c) iPTH > 585 pg/mL. The association between PTH, serum phosphorus and dietary intake was analyzed using linear regression models. In the whole sample, 23.2% of patients presented an iPTH > 585 pg/mL. Patients with higher iPTH levels were those with longer HD vintage and lower ages, higher serum phosphorus, serum calcium, Ca/P product, albumin and caffeine intake, and a lower dietary intake of phosphorus, fiber, riboflavin and folate. Higher serum phosphorus predicted higher iPTH levels, even in the adjusted model. However, lower dietary phosphorus and fiber intake were predictors of higher iPTH levels, including in the adjusted model. Our results bring new data to the relationship between dietary intake and iPTH values. Despite higher serum phosphorus being observed in patients with HPTH, an opposite association was noted regarding dietary phosphate and fiber. Full article

This study examined the effectiveness of coating demineralized bone matrix (DBM) with amorphous calcium phosphate (DBM + CaP), as well as a composite of DBM, calcium phosphate, and serum albumin (DBM + CaP + BSA). The intact structure of DBM promotes the transformation of amorphous calcium phosphate (CaP) into dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) with a characteristic plate shape and particle size of 5–35 µm. The inclusion of BSA in the coating resulted in a better and more uniform distribution of CaP on the surface of DBM trabeculae. MG63 cells showed that both the obtained forms of CaP and its complex with BSA did not exhibit cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 10 mg/mL in vitro. Ectopic (subcutaneous) implantation in rats revealed pronounced biocompatibility, as well as strong osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic effects for both DBM + CaP and DBM + CaP + BSA, but more pronounced effects for DBM + CaP + BSA. In addition, for the DBM + CaP + BSA samples, there was a pronounced full physiological intrafibrillar biomineralization and proangiogenic effect with the formation of bone-morrow-like niches, accompanied by pronounced processes of intramedullary hematopoiesis, indicating a powerful osteogenic effect of this composite. Full article

Selenium 0 (Se⁰) is a powerful anti-proliferative agent in cancer research. We investigated the impact of sub-toxic concentrations of Se⁰ functionalized nanoparticles (SeNPs) on prostate cancer PC-3 cells and determined their intracellular localization and fate. An in-depth characterization of functionalized selenium nanoparticles composition is proposed to certify that no chemical bias relative to synthesis issues might have impacted the study. Selenium is an extremely diluted element in the biological environment and therefore requires high-performance techniques with a very low detection limit and high spatial resolution for intracellular imaging. This was explored with state-of-the-art techniques, but also with cryopreparation to preserve the chemical and structural integrity of the cells for spatially resolved and speciation techniques. Monodisperse solutions of SeNPs capped with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were shown to slow down the migration capacity of aggressive prostate cancer cells compared to polydisperse solutions of SeNPs capped with chitosan. BSA coating could prevent interactions between the reactive surface of the nanoparticles and the plasma membrane, mitigating the generation of reactive oxygen species. The intracellular localization showed interaction with mitochondria and also a localization in the lysosome-related organelle. The SeNPs-BSA localization in mitochondria constitute a possible explanation for our result showing a very significant dampening of the PC-3 cell proliferation capabilities. The purpose of the use of sublethal compound concentrations was to limit adverse effects resulting from high cell death to best evaluate some cellular changes and the fate of these SeNPs on PC-3. Our findings provide new insight to further study the various mechanisms of cytotoxicity of SeNPs. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as a promising tool for cancer treatment due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties. However, their clinical applications are limited by their potential cytotoxicity caused due to oxidation stress and non-specific cellular uptake pathways. To overcome these barriers, surface modifications of AgNPs have been proposed as an effective strategy to enhance their biocompatibility and specificity toward cancer cells. In this study, AgNPs were synthesised using the chemical reduction method and subsequently conjugated with various capping agents such as Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Further, this study involves the synthesis of liposomes by using dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine lipid (DPPC) and cholesterol to increase the biocompatibility and bioavailability of AgNPs to MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In vitro, cytotoxicity studies were performed to determine which surface modification method exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect on the MCF-7 breast cancer cells, which was determined through the MTT assay. The AgNPs conjugated with BSA exhibited the highest cytotoxicity at the lowest dosage, with an IC₅₀ of 2.5 μL/mL. The BSA-AgNPs induced a dose-dependent rise in cytotoxicity through the enhancement of nucleophilic dissolution of the AgNPs in cancer cells. In comparison, the unmodified AgNPs had an IC₅₀ value of 3.0 μL/mL, while the PVP-modified AgNPs had an IC₅₀ of 4.24 μL/mL. AgNPs encapsulated in liposomes had an IC₅₀ value of 5.08 μL/mL, which shows that the encapsulation of AgNPs in liposomes controls their entry into cancer cells. The findings of this research have provided insights into the potential use of surface-modified AgNPs and liposomal encapsulated AgNPs as novel therapeutic tools to overcome the conventional treatment limitations of breast cancer cells. Full article

This study involves the fabrication and characterization of a multifunctional therapeutic nanocomposite system, as well as an assessment of its in vitro efficacy for breast cancer treatment. The nanocomposite system combines gold nanorods (GNRs) and gold nanoclusters (GNCs) to enable a combination of photothermal therapy and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. GNRs of various sizes but exhibiting similar absorbance spectra were synthesized and screened for photothermal efficiency. GNRs exhibiting the highest photothermal efficiency were selected for further experiments. GNCs were synthesized in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and integrated into citrate-capped GNRs using layer-by-layer assembly. Glutaraldehyde crosslinking with the lysine residues in BSA was employed to immobilize the GNCs onto the GNRs, forming a stable “soft gel-like” structure. This structure provided binding sites for doxorubicin through electrostatic interactions and enhanced the overall structural stability of the nanocomposite. Additionally, the presence of GNCs allowed the nanocomposite system to emit robust fluorescence in the range of ~520 nm to 700 nm for self-detection. Hyaluronic acid was functionalized on the exterior surface of the nanocomposite as a targeting moiety for CD44 to improve the cellular internalization and specificity for breast cancer cells. The developed nanocomposite system demonstrated good stability in vitro and exhibited a pH- and near-infrared-responsive drug release behavior. In vitro studies showed the efficient internalization of the nanocomposite system and reduced cellular viability following NIR irradiation in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Together, these results highlight the potential of this nanocomposite system for targeted breast cancer therapy. Full article

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for all mammals and plays an important role in maintaining human physiological functions. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been shown to demonstrate antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study was to explore whether SeNPs have the potential to be used as food preservatives with which to reduce food spoilage. SeNPs were synthesized through ascorbic acid reduction of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a capping and stabilizing agent. The chemically synthesized SeNPs had a spherical conformation with an average diameter of 22.8 ± 4.7 nm. FTIR analysis confirmed that the nanoparticles were covered with BSA. We further tested the antibacterial activity of these SeNPs against ten common food-borne bacteria. A colony-forming unit assay showed that SeNPs exhibited inhibition on the growth of Listeria Monocytogens (ATCC15313) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 700583) starting at 0.5 µg/mL, but higher concentrations were required to slow down the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC12600), Vibrio alginolyticus (ATCC 33787), and Salmonella enterica (ATCC19585). No inhibition was observed on the growth of the other five test bacteria in our study. Our data suggested that the chemically synthesized SeNPs were able to inhibit the growth of some food-borne bacteria. The size and shape of SeNPs, method of synthesis, and combination of SeNPs with other food preservatives should be considered when SeNPs are to be used for the prevention of bacteria-mediated food spoilage. Full article

Background: Immunoglobulin-E(IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity to cow’s milk allergens is a frequent cause of severe and life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Besides case histories and controlled food challenges, the detection of the IgE antibodies specific to cow’s milk allergens is important for the diagnosis of cow-milk-specific IgE sensitization. Cow´s milk allergen molecules provide useful information for the refined detection of cow-milk-specific IgE sensitization. Methods: A micro-array based on ImmunoCAP ISAC technology was developed and designated milk allergen micro-array (MAMA), containing a complete panel of purified natural and recombinant cow’s milk allergens (caseins, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin-BSA and lactoferrin), recombinant BSA fragments, and α-casein-, α-lactalbumin- and β-lactoglobulin-derived synthetic peptides. Sera from 80 children with confirmed symptoms related to cow’s milk intake (without anaphylaxis: n = 39; anaphylaxis with a Sampson grade of 1–3: n = 21; and anaphylaxis with a Sampson grade of 4–5: n = 20) were studied. The alterations in the specific IgE levels were analyzed in a subgroup of eleven patients, i.e., five who did not and six who did acquire natural tolerance. Results: The use of MAMA allowed a component-resolved diagnosis of IgE sensitization in each of the children suffering from cow’s-milk-related anaphylaxis according to Sampson grades 1–5 requiring only 20–30 microliters of serum. IgE sensitization to caseins and casein-derived peptides was found in each of the children with Sampson grades of 4–5. Among the grade 1–3 patients, nine patients showed negative reactivity to caseins but showed IgE reactivity to alpha-lactalbumin (n = 7) or beta-lactoglobulin (n = 2). For certain children, an IgE sensitization to cryptic peptide epitopes without detectable allergen-specific IgE was found. Twenty-four children with cow-milk-specific anaphylaxis showed additional IgE sensitizations to BSA, but they were all sensitized to either caseins, alpha-lactalbumin, or beta-lactoglobulin. A total of 17 of the 39 children without anaphylaxis lacked specific IgE reactivity to any of the tested components. The children developing tolerance showed a reduction in allergen and/or peptide-specific IgE levels, whereas those remaining sensitive did not. Conclusions: The use of MAMA allows for the detection, using only a few microliters of serum, of IgE sensitization to multiple cow’s milk allergens and allergen-derived peptides in cow-milk-allergic children with cow-milk-related anaphylaxis. Full article