Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Review of Conventional and Advanced Therapeutic Strategies

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are deficient in estrogen, progesterone and ERBB2 receptor expression, presenting a particularly challenging therapeutic target due to their highly invasive nature and relatively low response to therapeutics. There is an absence of specific treatment strategies for this tumor subgroup, and hence TNBC is managed with conventional therapeutics, often leading to systemic relapse. In terms of histology and transcription profile these cancers have similarities to BRCA-1-linked breast cancers, and it is hypothesized that BRCA1 pathway is non-functional in this type of breast cancer. In this review article, we discuss the different receptors expressed by TNBC as well as the diversity of different signaling pathways targeted by TNBC therapeutics, for example, Notch, Hedgehog, Wnt/b-Catenin as well as TGF-beta signaling pathways. Additionally, many epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors effectively inhibit the TNBCs, but they face challenges of either resistance to drugs or relapse. The resistance of TNBC to conventional therapeutic agents has helped in the advancement of advanced TNBC therapeutic approaches including hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy, as well as nanomedicine-based targeted therapeutics of drugs, miRNA, siRNA, and aptamers, which will also be discussed. Artificial intelligence is another tool that is presented to enhance the diagnosis of TNBC

Plasmonic/Magnetic Multifunctional nanoplatform for Cancer Theranostics

Cancer is the second leading disease which causes major mortality and morbidity worldwide1 . In cancer therapy, it is crucial to increase the drug specificity and drug efficacy to minimise or completely eradicate significant side-effects on patients2 . Cancer nanotherapeutics overcome many serious drawbacks of chemotherapy such as non-specific targeting, lower efficacy, insolubility of drug moieties in water and oral bioavailability3 . Accordingly, Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are exploited as an important nanomaterial for cancer detection as well as therapeutics4 . Such magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) gained its momentum because of their single-domain ordering along with their large surface to volume ratio (providing large surface area for attachment of biological entities). Hence, this property makes them a suitable candidate as a contrast agent, drug-carrying cargo and hyperthermal agent5

Synthesis and Biodegradation Test of a New Polyether Polyurethane Foam Produced from PEG 400, _L-Lysine Ethyl Ester Diisocyanate (L-LDI) and Bis-hydroxymethyl Furan (BHMF)

In this paper we produced a bio-based polyether-polyurethane foam PU1 through the prepolymer method. The prepolymer was obtained by the reaction of PEG 400 with L-Lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (L-LDI). The freshly prepared prepolymer was extended with 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) to produce the final polyurethane. The renewable chemical BHMF was produced through the chemical reduction of HMF by sodium borohydride. HMF was produced by a previously reported procedure from fructose using choline chloride and ytterbium triflate. To evaluate the degradation rate of the foam PU1, we tested the chemical stability by soaking it in a 10% sodium hydroxide solution. The weight loss was only 12% after 30 days. After that, we proved that enzymatic hydrolysis after 30 days using cholesterol esterase was more favoured than hydrolysis with NaOH, with a weight loss of 24%, probably due to the hydrophobic character of the PU1 and a better adhesion of the enzyme on the surface with respect to water. BHMF was proved to be of crucial importance for the enzymatic degradation assay at 37 °C in phosphate buffer solution, because it represents the breaking point inside the polyurethane chain. Soil burial degradation test was monitored for three months to evaluate whether the joint activity of sunlight, climate changes and microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, could further increase the biodegradation. The unexpected weight loss after soil burial degradation test was 45% after three months. This paper highlights the potential of using sustainable resources to produce new biodegradable materials

Direct Production of Furfural from Fructose Catalyzed by Iron(III) Sulfate Using a Simple Distillation Apparatus

We report a new, simple, and efficient procedure for the direct production of furfural from fructose using Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O through the distillation of the product under atmospheric pressure. The reaction is solvent-free; the only reagents used are fructose and catalyst, which is used in 40% molar quantity. The optimal reaction temperature is 170 °C. With the optimized reaction conditions, fructose conversion is 92% after 90 min with a furfural selectivity of 85%. The only byproducts are water and formaldehyde. Furfural can be extracted in ethyl acetate, while formaldehyde is collected at the end of the apparatus in water. This methodology offers a new opportunity to synthesize furfural using nontoxic reagents with a simple and safe apparatus

Pathogen removal from municipal wastewater in constructed soil filter

In this work, a Constructed Soil Filter (CSF) system has been configured for the treatment of wastewater wherein we recreate a soil ecosystem for water purification. Purification capacity and seasonal variability of three such CSF facilities for indicator organisms as well as enteric pathogens monitored over 9–17 months are presented. Indicator organisms include total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococci, heterotrophic plate count, Enterococcus fecalis, actinomycetes, and coliphage. Enteric pathogens include Escherichia coli 25922, E. coli O157:H7, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis. All three sites show bacterial removal rate constant (kd) in the range of 0.4–1.3 h−1 which is very high in comparison to the reported values from field as well as lab studies. Log removal for pathogens is typically 2–3 log orders. However, by extended recycling up to 5 log orders removal could be achieved. Among the three sites, kd values were in the order of site II > site I > site III, which is also the order of their commissioning, suggesting that these system matures with age. Low hydraulic retention time (0.5–2.0 h), no pretreatment, high removal efficiency, no mechanical aeration, very low energy requirement, and green ambience are the unique features of CSF.© Elsevie

Municipal wastewater treatment using novel constructed soil filter system

The study gives a new approach for contaminant removal from municipal wastewater using constructed soil filter (CSF) and presents performance of two CSF units located in Mumbai, India. In this system, natural weathered rock is formulated which combines sedimentation, infiltration and biochemical processes to remove suspended solids and oxidisable organics and inorganics of the wastewater. Results show elevated dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, removal of COD (136–205 to 38–40 mg l−1) and BOD (80–125 to less than 12 mg l−1) suspended solids from 135–203 to 13–18 mg l−1 and turbidity from 84–124 to 8–11 NTU, bacterial removal of 2.4–3.1 log order for Total coliform and Fecal coliform from site I which is almost 8 years old facility, and site II which is 3 years old. Estimated hydraulic retention time of 0.5–1.0 h, hydraulic loading of 0.036–0.047 m3 m−2 h−1, no pretreatment, high DO levels in the effluent, no bio-sludge production, no mechanical aeration, low energy requirement (0.04 kW h m−3) and green aesthetic ambience are its unique features.© Elsevie

High Energy Ball-Milling Synthesis of Nanostructured Ag-Doped and BiVO 4 -Based Photocatalysts

International audienc

Distinguishing between type II and S-scheme heterojunction materials: A comprehensive review

In the evolving field of photocatalysis, heterojunction photocatalysts, especially Type II and S-scheme, the latter being also known as direct-Z scheme heterojunctions, are gaining increasing recognition for their pivotal role in enhancing photocatalytic efficiency. These heterojunctions, characterized by similar band alignments but distinct charge transfer mechanisms, play a crucial role in facilitating enhanced charge separation and transfer. This comprehensive review delves into the experimental methodologies essential for characterizing these heterojunctions, with a focus on understanding their unique charge transfer mechanisms. Key methods such as Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), radical trapping experiments, Photoluminescence (PL) probing, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) transformation, Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy (SPS), photodeposition of metals, and in-situ X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (in-situ XPS) analysis are discussed in detail. Each technique is presented with necessary guidelines and accompanying information to ensure their appropriate and effective use in pinpointing the specifics of charge transfer processes. The review concludes that the right selection of experimental techniques is crucial in understanding the charge transfer mechanism in staggered type heterojunctions and achieving further advancements in the field of photocatalysis

Multidisciplinary Investigations on <i>Galphimia glauca</i>: A Mexican Medicinal Plant with Pharmacological Potential

Galphimia glauca (Cav.) Kuntze is an important endemic plant species, which possesses many medicinal properties and has been used in the Mexican traditional medicine for its sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antiasthmatic and antiallergic properties. The therapeutic properties of this plant are mainly due to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolics. Several triterpenoids and flavonoids compounds have been isolated and identified. Modern studies have demonstrated many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, gastroenteritis, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities. Nevertheless, many studies are restricted to the crude extract, and many bioactive compounds are yet to be identified and validated according to its traditional use. However, its commercial exploitation and use are highly limited due to the non-availability of enough plant material and lack of knowledge about its agronomical practices. Moreover, the misinterpretation and mislabeling of closely related species of the genus Galphimia Cav. as G. glauca or G. gracilis is a common problem for its rigorous scientific study and commercial exploitation. The present review provides comprehensive knowledge based on the available scientific literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review on G. glauca. This comprehensive information will certainly provide a guide for the better understanding and utilization of G. glauca for its scientific and industrial exploitation

Optical Detection of Cancer Cells Using Lab-on-a-Chip

The global need for accurate and efficient cancer cell detection in biomedicine and clinical diagnosis has driven extensive research and technological development in the field. Precision, high-throughput, non-invasive separation, detection, and classification of individual cells are critical requirements for successful technology. Lab-on-a-chip devices offer enormous potential for solving biological and medical problems and have become a priority research area for microanalysis and manipulating cells. This paper reviews recent developments in the detection of cancer cells using the microfluidics-based lab-on-a-chip method, focusing on describing and explaining techniques that use optical phenomena and a plethora of probes for sensing, amplification, and immobilization. The paper describes how optics are applied in each experimental method, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. The discussion includes a summary of current challenges and prospects for cancer diagnosis