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In nanotechnology, compounds containing metal materials are used in pharmaceutical sciences. The main purpose of this research was to introduce a novel method to control the amount of zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF) in water by forming a protective layer such as layered double hydroxide (LDH). Firstly, ZIF was synthesised as the nucleus of the nanocomposite, and then LDH was formed by in situ synthesis as a protective layer. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐Ray Diffraction, and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller techniques were used to determine (ZIF‐8@LDH chemical structure and morphology. Our findings revealed that the ZIF‐8@LDH‐MTX complex could interact with carboxyl groups and trivalent cations by creating a bifurcation bridge, clarity, and high thermal stability. The antibacterial test indicated that ZIF‐8@LDH was able to inhibit pathogenic growth. 2,5‐Diphenyl‐2H‐Tetrazolium Bromide assay results showed that ZIF‐8@LDH alone had no notable cytotoxic effect on Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) cancer cells. However, the cytotoxicity rate was significantly increased in treated MCF‐7 cells with ZIF‐8@LDH‐MTX compared to that of treated cells with methotrexate alone, which can be reasoned by the protection of drug structure and increasing its permeability. The drug release profile was constant at pH = 7.4. All findings indicated that the ZIF‐8@LDH complex could be considered a newly proposed solution for effective anti‐cancer drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to screen alpha-amylase producing microorganisms from honey as a low water activity medium, a suitable source for selecting stable and cost-beneficial bacterial enzyme production systems. Plackett–Burman method was used to select twelve effective factors including pH, inoculum size, temperature, time, corn starch, KH2PO4, peptone, MgSO4, CaCl2, NaCl, glycerin, and yeast extract concentrations on bacterial alpha-amylases production yield. The Box–Behnken method was utilized to optimize the level of selected significant factors. The stability of bacterial alpha-amylases was also determined in low pH and high-temperature conditions. In addition, in silico study was used to create the alpha-amylase structure and study the stability in high-temperature and low water available condition. Among all isolated and characterized microorganisms, Bacillus megaterium produced the highest amount of alpha-amylases. The in silico data showed the enzyme 3D structure similarity to alpha-amylase from Halothermothrix orenii and highly negative charge amino acids on its surface caused the enzyme activity and stability in low water conditions. Based on Box–Behnken results, the temperature 35 °C, pH 6 and starch 40 g/l were determined as the optimum level of significant factors to achieve the highest alpha-amylases unit (101.44 U/ml). This bacterial alpha-amylases enzyme showed stability at pH 5 and a range of temperatures from 40 to 60 °C that indicates this enzyme may possess the potential for using in industrial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of Camellia sinensis -loaded nanocomposite hydrogel based on modified gelatin/iron-metal-organic framework was developed as an antibacterial wound dressing. Gelatin as a biocompatible natural polymer was modified with methacrylate anhydride to produce gelatin methacrylate. Thereafter, acrylic acid and acrylamide were grafted on gelatin methacrylate during an aqueous polymerization process. To enhance the porosity, mechanical strength, and drug loading capability of the hydrogel and reduce its toxicity, iron- based metal-organic framework was incorporated within the hydrogel. To add more functionality to the final wound dressing, Camellia sinensis , an antibacterial herbal drug was loaded on the hydrogel. The structural and chemical properties of prepared nanocomposite hydrogel were investigated by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TGA techniques. The incorporation of iron-based metal-organic framework within the hydrogel matrix led to an increase in its water absorption value from 400.10 to 547.96 (g/g). The release study of Camellia sinensis (CS) extract from the prepared nanocomposite hydrogel exhibited a sustained release manner. The antibacterial test revealed the nanocomposite hydrogel contain extract has an effective antibacterial function against " Bacillus serous ", " Staphylococcus aureus ", " Streptococcus mutans "," Escherichia coli ", " Klebsiella pneumoniae ", and " Pseudomonas aeruginosa " bacteria. Therefore, the synthesized nanocomposite is a good candidate as an antibacterial hydrogel wound dressing.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protease is a kind of enzyme with different applications in medicine and industry. The limitation of the enzymes in industry is lack of tolerance for harsh conditions (high temperature, pH, and low water condition). This study intends to evaluate in silico study and screen the alkaline serine protease producing bacteria from honey and optimize the production of low water active alkaline serine protease. Plackett–Burman method was applied to improve effective factors on protease production, including pH, inoculum size, temperature, time, soybean protein, KH2PO4, MgSO4, CaCl2, NaCl, Glycerin and glucose concentration. Further, the Box–Behnken method was used to optimize the significant level of selected factors. Besides, in silico study was utilized to create the enzyme structure and investigate the stability in harsh conditions. The results showed that the highest protease production belongs to Bacillus sp. Khoz1 closed Bacillus safensis, Also temperature, glucose and soybean protein concentration were three significant factors for protease production and the optimized level for them were 35 °C, 0.5 g/l, and 38.32 g/l, respectively. The microorganism was able to produce protease until 98.36 U/ml and it was 98.68% similar to B. safensis. The stability of microbial alkaline serine protease was also determined in high pH and temperature conditions. The best stable condition for isolated protease was pH 9 and temperature at 50 °C. The in silico data showed that this protease has similar 3D structure to Bacillus subtilis Subtilisin E and highly charge amino acids on its surface were that caused this enzyme still activate and stable in low water condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the development of anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, cervical cancer is still a common disease in women, especially in developing countries. The presence of a hypoxic microenvironment causes traditional treatments to fail. In this study, we presented a combined treatment method based on the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin and Clostridium novyi-NT spores to treat normoxic and hypoxic areas of the tumor. Methods: TC-1 Cell line capable of expressing HPV-16 E6/7 oncoproteins was subcutaneously transplanted into female 6-8 week old C57/BL6 mice. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated with different methods after selecting a control group. Group 1: Control without treatment (0.1 mL sterile PBS intratumorally), Group: C. novyi-NT (107 C. novyi- NT). Group 3: Receives cisplatin intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg). Fourth group: Intratumoral administration of C. novyi-NT spores + intraperitoneal cisplatin. Western blot analysis was used to examine the effects of anti-hypoxia treatment and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins. Results: The results clearly showed that combined treatment based on C. novyi-NT and cisplatin significantly reduced the expression of HIF-1 alpha and VEGF proteins compared to cisplatin alone. At the same time, the amount of necrosis of tumor cells in the combined treatment increased significantly compared to the single treatment and the control. At the same time, the mitotic count decreased significantly. Conclusion: Our research showed that developing a combined treatment method based on C. novyi-NT and cisplatin against HPV-positive cervical cancer could overcome the treatment limitations caused by the existence of hypoxic areas of the tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study highlights the fabrication of novel food-grade hydrogel particles based on pectin and starch for probiotic colon delivery. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC:13643 ( L. plantarum ) cells were encapsulated in pectin/starch hydrogels by extrusion method. Four batches were formulated with different ratios of starch/pectin solutions. Optical and scanning electron microscopy obviously showed the random distribution of L. plantarum throughout the hydrogel network. The viability of encapsulated cells in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and bile salt solution was significantly higher when compared to nonencapsulated cells. Results demonstrated that encapsulated cells in pectin/starch hydrogels were resistant against adverse conditions of the gastro–intestinal tract and bile salt solution compared to non-encapsulated cells. After sequential exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) for 2 h almost complete death of free cells was observed however the numbers of surviving cells were 5.15 and 6.67 Log CFU/g for pectin and pectin/starch hydrogel, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a serious debilitating disease and one of the most common causes of death. In recent decades the high risk of various cancers enforced scientists to discover novel prevention and treatment methods to diminish the mortality of this terrifying disease. Accordingly, its prevention can be possible in near future. Based on epidemiological evidence, there is a clear link between pathogenic fungal infections and cancer development. This association is often seen in people with weakened immune systems such as the elderly and people with acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). Carcinoma in these people is first seen chronically and then acutely. Although the different genetic and environmental risk factors are involved in carcinogenesis, one of the most important risk factors is fungal species and infections associating with cancers etiology. Now it is known that microbial infection is responsible for initiating 2.2 million new cancer cases. In this way, many recent studies have focused on investigating the role and mechanism of fungal infections in diverse cancers occurrence. This review provides a comprehensive framework of the latest clinical findings and the association of fungal infections with versatile cancers including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, lung, cervical, skin, and ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is a public health problem globally and is the most frequent cancer world wide. Currently, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs are of prime interest in treating some cancers especially breast cancer and have become an exciting challenge for researchers. The use of layered structures consisting of anions and cations called layered double hydroxides (LDHs) has attracted the attention of many researchers in the field of biomedical and pharmaceuticals. LDHs-nanostructures can be used as drug carriers, especially anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs to treat cancers. Thus, the LDHs should have a number of physicochemical properties to act as a desirable drug carrier. Among the primary factors to increase the efficiency of LDHs are their surface characteristics and size, number and type of ions, rapid clearance from the body after drug release, and non-toxicity. All of these properties make LDHs nano-carriers for carrying anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs to treat a variety of cancers. Therefore, we focus on reviewing the nature of LDH nano-carriers and evaluating the desirable properties for drug delivery, drug loading methods into LDH and anti-inflammatory drug delivery methods, their potential applications in biomedical and their toxicity and antimicrobial effects in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis and application of layered nanomaterials are known as emerging field in nanotechnology. Inorganic layered nanomaterials with nanometer scale, high aspect ratios, and large-surface area generate various scientific and technological interests in several potential areas of application such as separation technology, medical sciences, chromatography drug delivery, and catalysis. In this research, naproxen was opted as a unique model of the drug to intercalate into three-dimensional layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanostructures by calcination–reconstruction method. The designed-naproxen nanostructures were synthesized and used as novel drug nanocarriers. The synthesized nanomaterial characteristics were confirmed by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The results of antibacterial activity indicated that homemade nanostructure can inhibit bacterial growth. Furthermore, MTT assay analysis showed that synthesized-nanostructure in physiological concentration has not cytotoxicity on C2C12 myoblast cells in vitro. Subsequent to intercalation with naproxen according to calcination–reconstruction method, the basal spacing of LDH increased to 2.62 nm from primary 0.77 nm in diameter, which confirms successful intercalation of naproxen into inserted layer of LDH by bridging interaction. Also, in-vitro drug release tests in PBS (pH 7.4) showed constant release profile for naproxen. Consequently, due to the facile and low-cost fabrication of three-dimensional LDH nanostructure, it can be considered as a potential alternative for traditional and high cost drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initiation of cancer is interconnected with different factors like infections. It has been estimated that infections, particularly viruses, participate in about 20% of all cancers. Bacteria as the most common infectious agents are also reported to be emerging players in the establishment of malignant cells. Microbial infections are able to modulate host cell transformation for promoting malignant features through the production of carcinogenic metabolites participating in inflammation responses, disruption of cell metabolism, and integrity and also genomic or epigenetic manipulations. It seems that the best example of the role of bacteria in cancer promotion is Helicobacter pylori infection, which is related to gastric cancer. World Health Organization (WHO) describes bacterium as class I carcinogens. Several bacterial infections have been reported in association with prevalent cancers. In this review, we will summarize the role of known bacterial infections in the initiation of the main common cancers, which show high mortality in the world. Examining the microbiomes in cancer patients is important and necessary to better understand the pathogenesis of this disease and also to plan therapeutic interventions. • Microbial infections as the most common infectious agents are reported to be emerging players in the establishment of malignant cells. • World Health Organization (WHO) describes bacterium as class I carcinogens and several bacterial infections have been reported in association with prevalent cancers. • In this review, we will summarize the role of known bacterial infections in the initiation of the main common cancers. • Examining the microbiomes in cancer patients is important and necessary to better understand the pathogenesis of this disease and also to plan therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-amylase reputes for starch modification by breaking of 1-4 glycosidic bands and is widely applied in different industrial sectors. Microorganisms express unique alpha-amylases with thermostable and halotolerant characteristics dependent on the microorganism's intrinsic features. Likewise, genetic engineering methods are applied to produce enzymes with higher stability in contrast to wild types. As there are widespread application of α-amylase in industry, optimization methods like RSM are used to improve the production of the enzyme ex vivo. This study aimed to review the latest researches on the production improvement and stability of α-amylase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnetic nanocomposites with a core–shell nanostructure have huge applications in different sciences especially in the release of the drugs, because of their exclusive physical and chemical properties. In this research, magnetic@layered double hydroxide multicore@shell nanostructure was synthesized by the facile experiment and is used as novel drug nanocarrier. Methods: Magnetic nanospheres were synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal route, and then, layered double hydroxide nanoflakes were prepared on the magnetic nanospheres by coprecipitation experiment. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, VSM, and TEM, respectively. After intercalation with Ibuprofen and Diclofenac as anti-inflammatory drugs and using exchange anion experiment, the basal spacing of synthesized layered double hydroxides was compared with brucite nanosheets from 0.48 nm to 2.62 nm and 2.22 nm, respectively. Results: The results indicated that Ibuprofen and Diclofenac were successfully intercalated into the interlay space of LDHs via bridging bidentate interaction. In addition, in-vitro drug release experiments in pH 7.4, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) showed constant release profiles with Ibuprofen and Diclofenac as model drugs with different lipophilicity, water solubility, size, and steric effect. Conclusion: The Fe3O4@LDH-ibuprofen and Fe3O4@LDH-diclofenac had the advantage of the strong interaction between the carboxyl groups with higher trivalent cations by bridging bidentate, clarity, and high thermal stability. It is confirmed that Fe3O4@LDH multicore-shell nanostructure may have potential application for constant drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]