Search Results (18,735)

Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in promoting precision agriculture and environmental management. This review integrates the latest advances in nanotechnology in the fields of pollution detection, agrochemicals, and stress resistance, and quantifies the significant enhancements brought by nanomaterials (NMs). NMs used in biosensors enable highly sensitive, low detection limit, and highly accurate detection of environmental pollution, plant growth status, and soil conditions, while achieving precise drug delivery and reducing environmental pollution. Furthermore, NMs can be combined with agrochemicals or directly act on plants to promote growth, reduce pests and diseases, and enhance stress resistance by altering plant physiological processes and microbial functions. This review focuses on the application value of nanotechnology in detection, smart chemicals, and stress resistance, and analyzes current challenges and risks in technology, biosafety, regulatory challenges, and scalability. Finally, it points out future directions for utilizing nanotechnology to advance smart agriculture, precision agriculture, and green bio-industrialization. Full article

Cardiometabolic phenotypes such as obesity and impaired insulin action are key determinants of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Growing evidence highlights the postprandial state as a critical window in metabolic regulation, where epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation in insulin-sensitive tissues, may play pivotal roles. However, their dynamics across prandial states in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) remain unclear. We analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation in paired fasting and postprandial SAT biopsies from 29 asymptomatic, drug-naïve individuals classified as controls (n = 8), prediabetes n = 9), or T2D (n = 12). Postprandial samples followed a standardized mixed-meal test. DNA methylation was quantified using the Illumina MethylationEPIC array and analyzed through the Chip Analysis Methylation Pipeline (ChAMP) pipeline. Differential methylation was more pronounced postprandially, especially in the T2D group. After adjusting for age and sex, 4599 differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCs) were identified, with increased hypermethylation in T2D. A total of 130 DMCs across 99 genes, including LCLAT1, HLA-C, ZNF714, and HOOK2, were shared by prediabetes and T2D groups. Over-representation analysis revealed 202 enriched pathways related to insulin resistance, AMPK signaling, and immune responses. Additionally, 110 Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs), including ZNF577 and AGPAT1, were detected. These findings reveal early, prandial-dependent epigenetic alterations in SAT that precede overt dysglycemia, offering insights into personalized prevention in T2D. Full article

Significant efforts have been devoted to discovering novel metal-based complexes with better cytotoxicity and specificity to tumor cells. Within the range of complexes studied for cytotoxic activity, Ru complexes have gained significant attention as one of the most promising classes of compounds offering advantages such as good scaffolds for the construction of new bioactive molecules with a variety of ligands. Ruthenium-based compounds demonstrate efficient penetration into cancer cells and show affinity for DNA binding with antitumor mechanisms, other than those of cisplatin. They were identified as perfect chemotherapeutics for cancer treatment due to their good tolerance by normal cells, negligible toxic effects and stronger activity towards Pt-drug-resistant tumor cell lines. Ru-based complexes may interact with multiple targets and show selective accumulation in cancer cells, which enhances their therapeutic potential. In recent years, the design of polynuclear complexes has aroused considerable interest in drug discovery research. The strategy to incorporate two or more metal centers into one precise molecular structure may result in better cytotoxic activity compared to the mononuclear precursors. That is why ruthenium-based multinuclear anticancer organometallic and complex compounds have attracted lots of attention. The objective of the current review is to highlight the key results obtained in research on ruthenium complexes, presenting the up-to-date advances of multinuclear homometallic ruthenium complexes as promising anticancer candidates. The reported outcomes shed new light on the fundamental biological interactions and antineoplastic modes of action of ruthenium-based complexes and organometallic compounds as well as significant information for the prediction of novel anticancer drugs. Full article

Background: Ovarian cancer has the poorest prognosis of all gynecological malignancies, largely due to its chemoresistance, which poses significant treatment challenges. In this context, drug repurposing emerges as an innovative strategy that employs non-cancer treatments to interact with various signaling pathways, enhancing chemotherapy efficacy while minimizing toxicity. This study investigated the cytotoxic effects of galanthamine, currently used as an Alzheimer’s disease, as a potential treatment for high-grade serous carcinoma, both individually and in combination with paclitaxel. Methods: The Presto Blue assay, viability marker assessments, immunocytochemical analysis of apoptosis, and a cumulative assay were employed to evaluate the functionality of P-glycoprotein. Results: The results indicated that galanthamine did not demonstrate cytotoxic or synergistic effects in either high-grade serous carcinoma cell line tested, suggesting that it is not a viable strategy for overcoming paclitaxel resistance in this context. The immunocytochemistry analysis indicated that galanthamine does not affect the expression of proteins related to cell viability and proliferation and is not associated with chemoresistance. Additionally, functional assays showed that galanthamine treatment did not affect its drug efflux function at the cellular level. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicate that galanthamine is unsuitable for reversing paclitaxel resistance despite some literature suggesting its potential interaction with P-glycoprotein. Full article

Background: Antiretroviral adherence for incarcerated individuals living with HIV/AIDS in correctional service facilities remains a challenge. This study examined the experiences of professional nurses related to this issue in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach was employed in the Correctional Services Department facilities within the Vhembe District. The professional nurses were purportedly sampled. Data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews and analysed thematically. Results: Three themes emerged: (1) professional nurses’ experiences with incarcerated individuals from foreign countries; (2) manipulative behaviours; and (3) misuse of antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication by incarcerated individuals. Conclusion: For public policy, the findings require the development of standardised guidelines for the management of foreign national incarcerated individuals and the implementation of anti-diversion strategies to prevent misuse of medications. For nursing practice, the results emphasise the importance of specialised training programmes that equip nurses to manage manipulative behaviours, enhanced supervision systems addressing moral distress, and structured adherence monitoring, including direct observed therapy for high-risk incarcerated individuals. These evidence-based interventions are essential to improve the outcomes of ART adherence, reduce treatment failure and drug resistance, and decrease HIV-related mortality in correctional settings while protecting general public health. Full article

Actinidia arguta, also known as mini kiwi (due to its small size) or hardy kiwi (due to its frost resistance), is becoming an increasingly popular fruit alongside its commercially older siblings, i.e., A. deliciosa (green kiwi fruit) and A. chinensis (golden kiwifruit), from the Actinidiaceae family. This review paper discusses the biological and pharmacological properties of A. arguta fruits, with a special focus on methods of the bioactive component analysis. Mini kiwi is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, which contribute to its health-promoting properties, among others: antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticholinergic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiobesity as well as antiatherosclerotic ones. They are briefly discussed, illustrating the action of bioactive ingredients and the methods of analysis, which are presented in the tables. This review includes a concise characterization of A. arguta and updates the current field of knowledge about its diverse biological activities, which are undoubtedly related to the content of bioactive components and the methods used for their isolation and analysis. The information included in this review paper will be helpful in perceiving mini kiwi not only as a tasty fruit but also as a source of bioactive ingredients with beneficial, health-promoting effects on the body. Effective isolation of these components can contribute to the future development of antiaging and anticancer drugs, which undoubtedly will lead to further research and promote this species. Full article

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) comprise more than 190 species capable of causing severe pulmonary, lymphatic, cutaneous, and disseminated infections, particularly in immunocompromised populations. Over the past two decades, the global incidence of NTM infections has risen steadily, underscoring an urgent unmet medical need. Treatment remains highly challenging due to intrinsic antimicrobial resistance and the requirement for prolonged multidrug regimens that are often poorly tolerated and associated with unsatisfactory outcomes. At the same time, the development of novel therapies has lagged behind other disease areas, hindered by the high costs of antimicrobial drug discovery and the relatively low commercial return compared with treatments for chronic conditions. Over the past decade, discovery and development have diversified across novel small molecules, next-generation analogues of existing classes, and adjunctive or host-directed strategies. While most candidates remain preclinical, several agents have advanced clinically in other infections, including gepotidacin (topoisomerase inhibitor; FDA-approved 2025 for urinary tract infection (UTI)), sulbactam–durlobactam (DBO β-lactamase inhibitor; FDA-approved 2023 for Acinetobacter baumannii complex), and contezolid, supporting repurposing opportunities for NTM. Conversely, SPR720 (gyrase B prodrug) was suspended after not meeting its Phase 2 endpoint in 2024, underscoring translational risk. Overall, the NTM pipeline is expanding, with near-term progress most likely from repurposed agents and optimised combinations, alongside earlier-stage candidates that target biofilms or resistance mechanisms. This review aims to provide a critical and up-to-date overview of emerging antimicrobial strategies against NTM, highlighting recent advances, translational challenges, and opportunities to accelerate the development of effective therapeutics. Full article

Skin cancer is increasing worldwide, with melanoma being its most aggressive and lethal form due to its high metastatic potential. Despite therapeutic advances, drug resistance remains a challenge, highlighting the need to explore new anticancer agents. Leptocarpha rivularis is a native plant of Chile, locally called “Palo negro”, and is traditionally used in medicine by the Mapuche people. L. rivularis produces bioactive germacrene sesquiterpenoids with cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties. This study reports for the first time the isolation of ovatifolin from aerial parts of L. rivularis and its identification by NMR and X-ray diffraction, together with its antiproliferative activity against two melanoma cell lines. The results show that ovatifolin has cytotoxic activity against the cell lines A2058 and A375, with an IC₅₀ of 27.6 (90.2 µM) and 18.4 µg/mL (60.1 µM), respectively, evaluated by live-cell IncuCyte^® analysis. Moreover, ovatifolin arrests colony formation in a clonogenic assay, with an IC₅₀ of 3.26 (10.6 μM) and 3.65 µg/mL (11.9 μM) in these same cell lines. Therefore, ovatifolin increased intracellular ROS and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ m). Cell death studies using Annexin V showed that its cytotoxic activity is partially caused by non-specific apoptosis, which was corroborated by the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD with an incomplete recovery of the cell death process. Full article

Intracellular targeting is the missing dimension in contemporary oncology, and nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) uniquely aim to deliver it. By charging membranes on sub-microsecond timescales, nsPEF bypasses plasma-membrane shielding to porate organelles, collapse mitochondrial potential, perturb ER calcium, and transiently open the nuclear envelope. This mechanism reprograms malignant fate while preserving tissue architecture. This review synthesizes the most recent evidence to frame nsPEF as a programmable intracellular therapy, mapping mechanistic design rules that link pulse width, amplitude, repetition, and rise time to specific organelle responses. We outline therapeutic applications, including the induction of apoptosis in resistant tumors, immunogenic cell death with systemic memory, and synergy with checkpoint blockade. We also survey integrations with nanoparticles, calcium, and chemotherapeutic drugs for improved outcomes. We critically appraise safety, selectivity, and scalability, distill translational bottlenecks in dosimetry and standardization, and propose an actionable roadmap to accelerate clinical adoption. Viewed through this lens, nsPEF is not merely another ablation tool but a platform for precision intracellular oncotherapy, capable of drug-sparing efficacy and immune convergence when engineered with rigor. Full article

The study presents the potential application of three essential oils (EOs) obtained from various mint species: peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), as alternative agents against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from poultry. The aim of research was to determine the effectiveness of EOs from these mint species and their main chemical components (menthol, menthone, carvone, pulegone) against 19 clinical E. coli strains with varying drug susceptibility and the reference strain E. coli ATCC 25922. GC-MS analysis revealed a unique chemical profile for each mint species. In M. piperita, menthol (35.14%), trans-menthone (23.11%), and menthyl acetate (6.96%) were the dominant compounds. In M. spicata, the main components were carvone (58.61%) and 1,8-cineole (18.74%), while in M. pulegium, pulegone was the dominant ingredient (76.54%). Antibacterial activity tests showed that all tested E. coli strains, both susceptible and multidrug-resistant, were sensitive to the EOs. The strongest antibacterial activity was observed for peppermint oil (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration–MIC 0.5–2.0% v/v), which was attributed to its high menthol content. Menthol was also the most effective single component (MIC 0.125–0.5% v/v). The essential oils containing carvone and pulegone showed lower activity (MIC ≥ 2% v/v). Research indicates that mint EOs, particularly those rich in menthol, represent a promising alternative or complement in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant E. coli strains. Full article

Modern medicine is facing a significant challenge in dealing with infections caused by Candida spp. and the biofilms they form. Although there are numerous treatment methods available for Candida species, standard therapeutic protocols are increasingly failing, particularly in cases of chronic local infections, such as those affecting immunocompromised patients (e.g., due to immunosuppression or diabetes). In such cases, a promising approach is to use nanomaterials to inactivate and eradicate Candida spp. and their biofilms. In order to limit the spread of Candida spp. and their biofilms within the healthcare environment, thereby reducing the risk of patient infection, photocatalysis appears to be a noteworthy method for improving therapeutic outcomes. Candida spp. biofilms are difficult to eradicate because they possess multiple resistance mechanisms—including protective extracellular matrix, efflux pumps, quorum sensing, persister and Goliath cells—which collectively enhance drug tolerance, adhesion, and survival rates under antifungal treatment. The use of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, carbon dots, or nanozymes for photocatalytic processes, seems to be a promising solution, showing outstanding results in Candida spp. biofilm disruption and inactivation. This is due to their superior biofilm penetration, effective destruction of proteins and enzymes, destabilization of EPS, degradation of nucleic acids, and reduced drug resistance. We collected the most important nanomaterials useful in combating Candida spp. biofilm and organized the photocatalysis mechanism of action in its disruption. Based on current research, we have compiled modern strategies involving nanomaterials and their photocatalytic activity for potential application in the healthcare environment, with the aim of reducing the presence of Candida spp. biofilms and, consequently, lowering the incidence of Candida spp.-related infections. Full article

Background: Mobile antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) on plasmids or other elements enable Salmonella Typhimurium to spread resistance across hosts and environments. The emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) Salmonella Typhimurium has raised global concern, yet little is reported about these mobile elements from the Thailand pork supply chain, where this risk of transfer to humans remains largely uncharacterized. Methods: Between March 2023 and February 2024, 25 S. Typhimurium isolates were collected from pig carcasses in slaughterhouses and pork swabs from retail markets in northeastern Thailand. Nine representative isolates, sampled across three seasons, were subjected to Illumina whole-genome sequencing. Assemblies were analyzed for sequence types, phylogenetic relationships, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants, plasmid replicons and mobilization features, functional annotation based on COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins) classification, and comparative genomics against a reference strain. Results: Genome assemblies ranged from 4.76 to 5.00 Mb with consistent GC (guanine-cytosine) content (52.0–52.2%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed three sequence types: ST34 (77.8%), ST19, and ST1543. ST34 isolates displayed the broadest AMR gene repertoires, carrying tetracycline (tetA/tetB), sulfonamide (sul1/sul2/sul3), aminoglycoside (aadA, aph(6)-Id, aph(3″)-Ib), phenicol (floR, catA1), and β-lactam (bla_TEM-1B) genes, whereas non-ST34 isolates harbored fewer determinants. ARGs frequently co-localized with IncQ1 and Col-type plasmid replicons, MOB_H/MobA relaxases (enzymes that initiate plasmid transfer), and conjugation modules (type IV secretion and coupling proteins), often alongside virulence loci and metal resistance operons. Functional annotation showed highly conserved metabolic and housekeeping functions, while comparative genomics confirmed >90% core genome conservation, with variability concentrated in genomic islands encoding hypothetical proteins. These genomic patterns were inferred from a limited WGS dataset (nine isolates) and should therefore be considered exploratory and require confirmation in larger collections. Conclusions: Multi-drug resistant ST34 Salmonella Typhimurium predominated in the northeastern Thailand pork supply chain, with diverse resistance genes carried on IncQ1/Col-type plasmids linked to MOB_H relaxases and conjugation modules. The stability of these mobilizable elements underscores their role in sustaining MDR traits and highlights the risk of foodborne AMR transmission, reinforcing the need for continuous genomic surveillance under a One Health framework. Full article

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide. Despite therapeutic advances, disease relapse and metastasis remain major challenges and drivers of mortality. Fascin, an actin-bundling protein, promotes BC progression by enhancing drug resistance. However, the role of fascin in proliferation, a hallmark of cancer, and the underlying mechanism remain poorly elucidated. In this study, bioinformatics analysis of publicly available BC datasets, gene manipulation (gain and loss of function) in BC cell lines, flow cytometry, Western blots, and a real-time cell analyzer (RTCA) were employed to assess the role of fascin in proliferation. The clinical relevance of bioinformatics data and in vitro findings was assessed in BC patient samples using immunohistochemistry. FSCN1 expression exhibited a significant correlation with proliferation signature scores in BC datasets. Ectopic expression of fascin in fascin-negative SK-BR-3 and its silencing in fascin-positive MDA-MB-231 BC cell lines demonstrated its direct role in driving proliferation. In-depth bioinformatics analyses revealed a significant correlation between FSCN1 and the cell cycle signature score, particularly the G1-S signature score gene set. Indeed, fascin accelerated the cell cycle progression of synchronized cells from the G to S phase. Mechanistically, fascin upregulated nuclear SKP2 levels and reduced p27 expression—important G1-S cell cycle checkpoint regulators. Immunohistochemistry in samples from 68 patients demonstrated significant correlations between fascin and Ki-67 expression, in addition to SKP2 overexpression and p27 downregulation. Collectively, these data demonstrate the role of fascin as a driver of the G1-S-phase transition during cell cycle proliferation, thereby revealing new opportunities for targeted therapeutic intervention. Full article

Synthetic anthelmintic drugs not only contribute to the development of pathogen resistance and environmental pollution but also to the development of pathogen resistance. Therefore, identifying the anthelmintic properties of widely used medicinal plants could be of great practical interest to veterinary and human medicine. In our experiment, we evaluated the in vitro survivability of the noninvasive and invasive (L_1–2 and L_3, respectively) larvae of Strongyloides papillosus and Haemonchus contortus subject to aqueous solutions of ethanolic tinctures of traditional medicinal plants (46 species). Most of the plant species we studied belonged to the families Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Artemisia absinthium, Bidens tripartita, Calendula officinalis, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, Echinacea purpurea, Helichrysum arenarium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Silybum marianum, Tanacetum vulgare, Taraxacum officinale, Tragopogon porrifolius), Rosaceae (Agrimonia eupatoria, Fragaria vesca, Sanguisorba officinalis), and Lamiaceae (Leonurus cardiaca, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris). Other plant families were represented by 1–3 species: Fabaceae (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedysarum alpinum, Trifolium pratense), Salicaceae (Populus nigra, P. tremula, Salix alba), Fagaceae (Quercus robur), Betulaceae (Betula pendula), Juglandaceae (Juglans regia), Rhamnaceae (Frangula alnus), Acoraceae (Acorus calamus), Apiaceae (Foeniculum vulgare), Caprifoliaceae (Valeriana officinalis), Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbita pepo), Equisetaceae (Equisetum arvense), Ericaceae (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), Gentianaceae (Centaurium erythraea), Hypericaceae (Hypericum perforatum), Malvaceae (Althaea officinalis), Plantaginaceae (Linaria vulgaris, Plantago major), Poaceae (Zea mays), Polygonaceae (Polygonum aviculare), and Ranunculaceae (Nigella sativa). We determined Artemisia absinthium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia officinalis, and Populus nigra, whose aqueous solutions of alcohol tinctures demonstrated nematocidal properties. The other plants we studied did not affect the viability of parasitic nematode larvae. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the inappropriate use of antibiotics, amplifying the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings. This study investigated AMR patterns in a tertiary care hospital, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on invasive bacterial pathogens. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, analyzing AMR data from invasive bacterial isolates collected between 2015 and 2024, and assessing correlations between antibiotic utilization and resistance patterns during the study periods. Results: Among 4718 invasive bacterial isolates, Acinetobacter spp. (26.7%) and K. pneumoniae (20.8%) were the most prevalent. A significant increase in invasive isolates was observed during the COVID-19 period, particularly for K. pneumoniae (p = 0.003), P. aeruginosa (p = 0.017), Acinetobacter spp. (p = 0.013), and E. faecium (p = 0.028). The highest multidrug-resistant (MDR) rates were observed in Acinetobacter spp. (97% during COVID-19) and K. pneumoniae (>80% post-COVID-19). Resistance increased significantly in K. pneumoniae to cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems, and in P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. to carbapenems, while P. aeruginosa resistance to aminoglycosides declined. Strong correlations were found between carbapenems use and Acinetobacter spp. resistance (r = 0.861, p = 0.001), and vancomycin use and E. faecalis resistance (r = 0.798, p = 0.006). Moderate correlations were also observed between carbapenems use and resistance of K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. Conclusions: These findings highlight the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMR dynamics, particularly among Gram-negative pathogens, and underscore the urgent need for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship and targeted surveillance to curb the spread of MDR pathogens, especially in resource-limited hospitals. Full article