ZnO/CeO₂ Nanocomposites:Metal-Organic Framework-Mediated Synthesis, Characterization, and Estimation of Cellular Toxicity toward Liver Cancer Cells

The Zinc-doped cerium oxide nanocomposite (ZnO/CeO2 NC) was synthesized using a metal-organic framework as a precursor through the combustion method. It was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and ξ-potential. The PXRD demonstrated the successful synthesis of ZnO/CeO2 NC with a crystallite size of 31.9 nm. FESEM and TEM images displayed hexagonal and spherical morphologies, and the solid-phase size was 65.03 ± 30.86 nm for ZnO/CeO2 NCs. DLS, TEM, and FESEM showed that the NCs have a high tendency for agglomeration/aggregation in both aqueous media and solid phase. The anticancer attributes of ZnO/CeO2 NC were investigated against Liver cancer cells (HepG2), which showed inhibition of cancer cell growth on a concentration-dependent gradient. The cell toxicity effects of ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposites were also studied toward NIH-3T3, in which the data displayed the lower toxicity of NC compared to the HepG2 cell line

Factors associated with psychological disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic:Multicountry online study

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of individuals. However, the susceptibility of individuals to be impacted by the pandemic is variable, suggesting potential influences of specific factors related to participants' demographics, attitudes, and practices. Objective: We aimed to identify the factors associated with psychological symptoms related to the effects of the first wave of the pandemic in a multicountry cohort of internet users. Methods: This study anonymously screened 13,332 internet users worldwide for acute psychological symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 29 to April 14, 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic amidst strict lockdown conditions. A total of 12,817 responses were considered valid. Moreover, 1077 participants from Europe were screened a second time from May 15 to May 30, 2020, to ascertain the presence of psychological effects after the ease down of restrictions. Results: Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric conditions, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable factors associated with increased psychological symptoms during the first wave of COVID-19 (P<.001). The same factors, in addition to being related to someone who died due to COVID-19 and using social media more than usual, were associated with persistence of psychological disturbances in the limited second assessment of European participants after the restrictions had relatively eased (P<.001). Optimism, ability to share concerns with family and friends like usual, positive prediction about COVID-19, and daily exercise were related to fewer psychological symptoms in both assessments (P<.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at the worldwide level on the mental health of internet users and elucidates prominent associations with their demographics, history of psychiatric disease risk factors, household conditions, certain personality traits, and attitudes toward COVID-19

Wpływ masy nanocząsteczek Al2O3Al_2O_3 na kiełkowanie i wzrost siewek Cynara scolymus

Background. Nanoparticles have been applied worldwide, posing substantial effects on the environment and its living organisms. Plants as sessile organisms are always exposed to considerable fluctuations of nanoparticles concentrations. Here, the effects of different concentrations of bulk and nanosized $Al_2O_3$ on seed germination and seedling growth of Cynara scolymus were investigated in a randomized completely design with four replications. Material and methods. The experimental treatments included four concentrations of bulk $Al_2O_3$ (10, 50, 100 and 500 ppm), four concentrations of nanosized $Al_2O_3$ (10, 50, 100 and 500 ppm), and control without any $Al_2O_3$. Results. The results indicated that among the Cynara scolymus germination indices, only mean germination time and weighted germination index was not affected by treatments. In addition, plumule length, radicle length, seedling fresh and dry weight were affected by bulk and nanosized $Al_2O_3$concentrations, significantly. Radicle length at 50 ppm concentration of nanosized $Al_2O_3$ was higher than those of the untreated control and bulk $Al_2O_3$Al 2O3 at 10, 100 and 500 ppm concentrations. It is concluded that treatment with bulk $Al_2O_3$ treatments have more inhibitory effects on germination indices of Cynara scolymus in comparison to nanosized $Al_2O_3$. Conclusion. Overall, we found through our study that bulk and nano sized $Al_2O_3$ in high concentrations have a negative impact on the seed germination and seedling growth of Cynara scolymus. We saw an overall significant reduction in plumule length, seedling dry biomass, and vigor index of Cynara scolymus seedlings after being exposed to different concentrations of bulk and nano sized $Al_2O_3$, but no significant change in the mean germination time, weighted germination index and radicle length of the seedlings. The two common possibilities are either the bulk and nano sized $Al_2O_3$ will adhere to the roots impeding any uptake of water and nutrients, or that the nanoparticles are up taken and translocated within the plant therefore causing toxicity internally.Nanocząstki są stosowane na całym świecie, wywierając znaczny wpływ na środowisko i żywe organizmy. Rośliny jako organizmy ukorzenione są zawsze narażone na znaczne wahania stężeń nanocząstek. Zbadano wpływ różnych stężeń $Al_2O_3$ w masie i nanocząsteczkach na kiełkowanie nasion i wzrost siewek Cynara scolymus w całkowicie losowym projekcie z czterema powtórzeniami. Zabiegi doświadczalne obejmowały cztery stężenia $Al_2O_3$ w masie (10, 50, 100 i 500 ppm), cztery stężenia $Al_2O_3$ w postaci nanocząstek (10, 50, 100 i 500 ppm) oraz kontrolę (bez $Al_2O_3$). Wyniki wskazują, że spośród wskaźników kiełkowania Cynara scolymus zabiegi nie miały wpływu na średni czas kiełkowania i ważony wskaźnik kiełkowania. Na długość pędu embrionalnego, długość korzonków, świeżą i suchą masę siewek istotnie wpływały stężenia $Al_2O_3$ w masie i nanoskali. Długość rodnika przy stężeniu 50 ppm $Al_2O_3$ w postaci nanocząstek była wyższa w porównaniu z kontrolą i masowym $Al_2O_3$ przy stężeniach 10, 100 i 500 ppm. Stwierdzono, że traktowanie dużą ilością $Al_2O_3$ ma bardziej hamujący wpływ na wskaźniki kiełkowania Cynara scolymus niż stosowanie $Al_2O_3$ w postaci nanocząstek. W badaniach określono, że Al2O 3 w dużych ilościach i w wysokich stężeniach nanocząsteczek ma negatywny wpływ na kiełkowanie nasion i wzrost siewek Cynara scolymus. Zaobserwowano znaczne zmniejszenie długości pędu embrionalnego, suchej masy sadzonek i wskaźnika wigoru siewek Cynara scolymus po ekspozycji na różne stężenia $Al_2O_3$ w rozmiarze masowym i nano, ale bez znaczących zmian w średnim czasie kiełkowania, ważonym wskaźniku kiełkowania i długości korzonków siewek. Wynika to albo z przywierania $Al_2O_3$ do korzeni w rozmiarze masowym i nanometrowym, utrudniając wchłanianie wody i składników odżywczych, albo nanocząsteczki są pobierane i przemieszczane w obrębie rośliny, powodując w ten sposób toksyczność wewnętrzną

Evaluation of the biological activity of nanoemulsions fabricated by walnut oil (Juglans regia L.)

Abstract Herbal medicines are currently attracting much attention as a potential cancer treatment. Juglans regia’s wide variety of anticancer actions have been demonstrated. The aim of this study is evaluating the cytotoxic and antioxidant effects of walnut oil (J. regia) nanoemulsion (WO‐NE) on CT26 colon cancer cell line. The dimensions and structure of the nanoemulsion were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) technique was used to determine whether or not the nanoemulsions had any antioxidant properties. The cytotoxic effects of 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl‐2‐5‐[diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) on CT26 colon cancer cells and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as normal cells were measured. The DPPH experiment demonstrated that the manufactured nanoemulsion had the ability to scavenge free radicals in a dose‐dependent manner, with an IC50 of approximately 500 µg/mL. The WO‐NE were found to be toxic to both HUVEC and CT26 cancer cells, with an IC50 of 10 ± 2.6 µg/mL for the CT26 and 160 ± 7.1 µg/mL for the HUVEC after 24 h of incubation. For comparison the effects of walnut oil also have been investigated. Due to their antioxidant and anticancer capabilities, the WO‐NE synthesized here have been proposed for future study as potential anti‐tumour agents

Silver‐coated copper nanocomposites synthesis using the essence of Foeniculum vulgare mill and estimation of its antibacterial and cytotoxicity effects

Abstract The Cu3.96Ag0.04 nanoparticles were synthesized using the essence of Foeniculum vulgare Mill for the first time. The particles were fully analysed by conventional characterization methods such as powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results have shown the crystal structure of silver copper particles and the crystallite size obtained by the Scherer equation was 23.2 nm. The TEM images interestingly displayed the formation of nanorods in the solid phase with nearly 5 nm widths and different lengths up to 100 nm. The hydrodynamic size is also compatible with the solid phase and crystallite sizes. Biologically, the particles were tested against infective gram negative and gram positive bacteria. The synthetic NPs show strong antibacterial properties against gram negative bacteria. Also, the synthesized nanoparticles had an inhibitory effect on the growth of cancer cells, which was dose‐ and time‐dependent