Polyherbal formulation conjugated to gold nanoparticles induced ferroptosis in drug-resistant breast cancer stem cells through ferritin degradation

Aim: Due to their minimal side effects, the anti-cancer properties of the polyherbal formulation are being investigated. However, due to their low absorption potential, the administration of polyherbal formulations is restricted. Loading the polyherbal formulation into gold nanoparticles enhances the bioavailability of the polyherbal formulation (PHF) accompanied by reducing the concentration of doxorubicin (dox). Ferroptosis is one of the novel pathways that specifically target cancer stem cells due to high ferritin levels. Hence, in the present study, we conjugated polyherbal formulation with gold nanoparticles and studied its effect on inducing ferroptosis in drug-resistant breast cancer cell lines.Materials and methods: PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, DLS, particle size analyzer, and XRD. The drug entrapment and efficiency studies were performed to assess the biodegradable potential of the synthesized gold nanoparticles. Paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer stem cells were generated, and an MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity potential of AuNP-PHF and AuNP-dox. Scratch assay and clonogenic assay were performed to assess the migration and proliferation of the cells after treatment with chosen drug combinations. The ability of PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles to induce ferritinophagy was evaluated by RT-PCR. Finally, image analysis was performed to check apoptosis and cellular ROS using inverted fluorescent microscope. The ability to induce cell cycle arrest was assessed by cell cycle analysis using flow cytometer.Results and conclusion: PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles showed high stability and showed to induce ferritin degradation in drug resistant breast cancer stem cells through ferritin degradation. AuNP-PHF in combination with low dose of AuNP-Dox nanoconjugate could be used as an effective cancer therapeutic agent, by targeting the autophagy necroptosis axis

A replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal ingredient for African catfish, Clarias gariepinus: A review

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. This industry supplies half of the fisheries products consumed annually, and future global demand can only be supplied by increasing aquaculture production, which, in turn, requires more aquafeed. Alternative ingredients must be increasingly used to supply significant proportions of protein and energy in aquafeeds, creating both challenges and opportunities for researchers and industry. Nowadays, there are too many researches on fish disease, growth and health but less in a fish feed especially a replacement of protein from plant sources in the fish feed. One of the alternative ways to optimise the growth and health condition of the fish is provide them a good protein from plant as a replacement in fish meal with the natural source protein instead of giving a good rearing condition and caring of the fish. The present article was constructed to highlight a replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal for fish feed in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus that has been done by researchers. However, the application of replacement from plant protein sources in fish meal is now gradually gaining importance in commercial aquaculture practices and opened the door for the researchers to expend of this application, thus more detailed studies on molecular basis should be looked as to get the quality and enough nutrient fish feed for good production of aquaculture industry

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ALKYL-THIOLS MONOLAYER ON GLASS SUBSTRATES BY MICROCONTACT PRINTING

ABSTRACT Surface modification is a fascinating method to tailor the surface of material properties such as hydrophilicity, roughness, surface charge and many more. The modification is not only limited to solid materials, but could be possibly extended to particular liquid surfaces. In this paper, surface modification of glass slides with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) was conducted by using a simple method of microcontact printing. Characterizations of the self-assembled monolayer were realized by 3 techniques; (1) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to determine the height of self-assembled monolayer and obtain the topography image, (2) X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to further confirm the thiol groups were grafted on the surface and (3) Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy (CFM) to visualize the reaction between thiol terminal groups and fluorescent probe. From the experiment conducted, the result showed that the MPTMS was successfully stamped on glass substrates. AFM scanning images displayed the 0.8±0.2nm height of MPTMS, which matching the size of the MPTS molecules (0.7±0.05nm). XPS spectra indicated the appearance of the doublet structure in the S2p region (S2p3/2 and S2p1/2 levels of the S energy levels) with two peaks in binding energy of 162.8 and 163.8eV respectively. CFM imaging indicated the fluorescent patterns on glass substrates

Preparation and characterization of calcium hydroxyphosphate (hydroxyapatite) from tilapia fish bones and scales via calcination method

Calcium hydroxyphosphate (hydroxyapatite) is a calcium phosphate that is widely used in biomedical application. Hydroxyapatite is an excellent component for bone substitutes for their chemical and structural similarity to natural bone component. In this research, hydroxyapatite was synthesized from tilapia fish bones and scales using calcination method with 3 different temperatures namely 1000 °C, 900 °C and 800 °C. The obtained hydroxyapatite powder was characterized using several techniques such as Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy Attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), proximate analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that temperature 1000 °C has the highest weight loss with 21.825 g compared to the temperature 800 °C and 900 °C. From FTIR-ATR analysis, the presence of characteristic peaks for hydroxyl group, phosphate groups and water molecule indicated that the powder were hydroxyapatite. SEM results showed that increasing temperature had led to more dense structure. The hydroxyapatite powder were further analysed for their proximate analysis. The results proved that the highest contents of ash, fat, moisture and crude protein were observed at 1000 °C as compared to 900 °C and 800 °C. Based on this study, it revealed that produced pure hydroxyapatite from natural resources could be a potential candidate for food industry as protein enhancer

Effect of fish meal substitution with fermented soy pulp on growth performance, digestive enzyme, amino acid profile, and immune-related gene expression of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Fermented soy pulp (FSP) is currently capturing attention worldwide because of the high price of fish meal and its inconsistent supply in recent years. FSP replaces fish meal as a source of protein and energy towards improved fish health and growth. The protein replacement was employed in this study to assess the growth and health status, digestive enzyme, amino acid profile, and immune-related gene expression of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The duration of the feeding experiment was 70 days. Five isonitrogenous. (32% crude protein) diets were prepared with FSP replacing D1 (0% FSP), D2 (25% FSP), D3 (50% FSP), D4 (75% FSP) and D5 (100% FSP) to FM component of the diets. D1 diet with 0% FSP was considered as a control. The fermentation process of FSP was carried out for three weeks. This resulted in the experimental diets having significantly different (p \u3c 0.05) growth parameters. The D3 diet showed the highest weight gain and SGR with a mean and standard deviation of 1552.41 ± 81.67% and 1.73 ± 0.03%, respectively. D3 diet had better relative protein digestibility (RPD) value of 92.33 ± 2.19 compared with fish fed with the control diet. Amylase and lipase activities were found to be significantly higher in the D3 diet. The muscle amino acid profiles (arginine, isoleucine, histidine, and leucine) and gene expression (TGF-β1, lyzg, NF-kβ, and hsp90a) were significantly highest (p \u3c 0.05) in the D3 diet. Fresh insights have been demonstrated by the findings of the study into the production of FSP as a replacement product. These insights would efficiently enhance the generation of aquafeed, which are low in cost and healthy towards the production of African catfish and other freshwater species. In conclusion, a new theory on using FSP as a plant-based replacement material and a protein replacement for fish growth and health status booster may be achieved at 50% of FSP inclusion

Non-Conformity to Social Distancing Rules Give Rise to Various COVID-19 Clusters in Malaysia

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) can be transmitted via contact with affected individuals and social distancing is widely practiced as a public preventive measure to contain the disease. Social distancing implementation includes maintaining at least one-meter distance between every individual, avoiding mass gatherings and staying out of crowded places. To ensure successful implementation of social distancing, many countries including Malaysia have opted for Movement Control Order (MCO). Under MCO, mass assembly of cultural, religious, and social events are prohibited, education institutions, government, and public premises are closed and there are strict restrictions on leaving and entering the country. Here, we report on several clusters of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia that emerged due to non-conformity toward social distancing. Our report thus provides information for policy makers for designing a better pandemic response plan in the country

Methyl orange adsorption from aqueous solution by corn cob based activated carbon

Water is essential to the ecosystem for the energy required to stay alive. Nowadays, rapid development in technology can cause pollution to the environment such as water quality pollution and then faced by society. A dangerous source in wastewater such as dyes poses a severe problem due to its toxicity and it was hard to treat. Based on the adsorption ability, activated carbon from corn cob was made for the removal of dyes in wastewater treatment. Activated carbon from corn cob was developed by using alkaline solution treatment of potassium hydroxide (KOH) with different mass ratios, and then was characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The synthesized activated carbon was also used for removal of methyl orange from aqueous solution. In this research, the obtained char yield after pre-carbonization at 500 °C was 74.20%, while activated carbon yields were 53.60% to 78.80%, based on its difference mass ratios of KOH. The activated carbon without an activation agent gave adsorption capacities of 14.63%. However, when the char was introduced to KOH, the adsorption was increased from 41.09% to 80.36%. The percentage of dye removal increased when the mass ratios of KOH increased. The produce activated carbon from corn cob by using KOH can be effectively used for wastewater treatment