EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND BIOFERTILIZATION, SEAWEED EXTRACT AND THIAMINE ON GROWTH, YIELD AND ESSENTIAL OIL OF PARSLEY PLANT

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of reducing the recommended dose of mineral N fertilizer on parsley (Petroselinum sativum, Hoffm.) plants. To achieve this aim, some bio-stimulants commercial product (Minia azotein) which contain N fixing bacteria, seaweeds extract at 100 and 200 ppm and thiamine (Vit. B1) at 100 and 200 ppm, separately or in combinations were used. Results revealed that mineral N at 50 to 75% + Minia azotein significantly stimulated the vegetative growth traits, yield components, essential oil content, photosynthetic pigments and N % relatively to control plants (recommended dose of mineral N). Using mineral N fertilizer at 25% and Minia azotein significantly reduced the above-mentioned characters compared to check treatment. All treatments of seaweeds extract and/or thiamine (Vit. B1) significantly augmented the vegetative growth parameters, yield components, essential oil photosynthetic pigments and N % compared with control plants. The most effective treatment was seaweeds extract and Vit. B1 both at 200 ppm. The best results with regard to the herb dry and, fruit weight and essential oil productivity were obtained as a result of using N fertilizer at 50% plus Minia azotein in combinations with seaweeds extract + Vit. B1 each at 200 pp

Nanoparticules de TiO2 couplées à des photosensibilisateurs pour des applications en photocatalyse et en thérapie photodynamique

This work addresses the development of dye-sensitized TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) for application in photocatalysis and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The NPs were either coated with a polysiloxane shell or modified by aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) alone. Monocarboxylic tetraphenyl porphyrin (P1-COOH) or chlorin e6 (Ce6) PSs were coupled to the NPs by amide bond. In photocatalysis, The APTES-modified sensitized NPs, particularly TiO2-APTES-Ce6, exhibit a superior activity towards the degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange over the core-shell systems under solar and visible light. For PDT, in vitro tests were conducted on the glioblastoma cell line U87 at different NPs’ concentrations illuminated at 652 nm. TiO2-APTES-Ce6 revealed a good phototoxicity as the cell viability decreased by 89% after illumination. The cellular uptake and localization of those NPs and their silica analogues were explored. The ROS involved in photocatalysis and PDT were investigatedCe travail concerne le développement de nanoparticules de TiO2 et de SiO2 sensibilisées aux photosensibilisateurs pour application dans la photocatalyse et la thérapie photodynamique (PDT). Les NP ont été soit recouverts d'une coquille de polysiloxane, soit modifiés par l'aminopropyltriéthoxysilane (APTES) seul. Les PSs de tétraphényl monocarboxylphosphine (P1-COOH) ou de chlorine e6 (Ce6) ont été couplés aux NP par liaison amide. En photocatalyse, les NP hybrides modifiées par l'APTES, en particulier TiO2-APTES-Ce6, présentent une activité photocatalytique supérieure vis-à-vis de la dégradation du bleu de méthylène et de l’orange de méthyle sur les systèmes cœur-coquille sous lumière solaire et visible. Pour la PDT, des tests in vitro ont été désignés sur la lignée cellulaire de glioblastome U87 à différentes concentrations de NP éclairées à 652 nm. TiO2-APTES-Ce6 a révélé une bonne phototoxicité car la viabilité cellulaire a diminué de 89% après illumination. L'incorporation cellulaire et la localisation de ces NP et de leurs analogues de la silice ont été explorées. Les ROS impliqués dans la photocatalyse et la PDT ont été étudié

TiO2 Nanoparticles Coupled To Photosensitizers For Applications In Photocatalysis And Photodynamic Therapy

Ce travail concerne le développement de nanoparticules de TiO2 et de SiO2 sensibilisées aux photosensibilisateurs pour application dans la photocatalyse et la thérapie photodynamique (PDT). Les NP ont été soit recouverts d'une coquille de polysiloxane, soit modifiés par l'aminopropyltriéthoxysilane (APTES) seul. Les PSs de tétraphényl monocarboxylphosphine (P1-COOH) ou de chlorine e6 (Ce6) ont été couplés aux NP par liaison amide. En photocatalyse, les NP hybrides modifiées par l'APTES, en particulier TiO2-APTES-Ce6, présentent une activité photocatalytique supérieure vis-à-vis de la dégradation du bleu de méthylène et de l’orange de méthyle sur les systèmes cœur-coquille sous lumière solaire et visible. Pour la PDT, des tests in vitro ont été désignés sur la lignée cellulaire de glioblastome U87 à différentes concentrations de NP éclairées à 652 nm. TiO2-APTES-Ce6 a révélé une bonne phototoxicité car la viabilité cellulaire a diminué de 89% après illumination. L'incorporation cellulaire et la localisation de ces NP et de leurs analogues de la silice ont été explorées. Les ROS impliqués dans la photocatalyse et la PDT ont été étudiésThis work addresses the development of dye-sensitized TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) for application in photocatalysis and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The NPs were either coated with a polysiloxane shell or modified by aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) alone. Monocarboxylic tetraphenyl porphyrin (P1-COOH) or chlorin e6 (Ce6) PSs were coupled to the NPs by amide bond. In photocatalysis, The APTES-modified sensitized NPs, particularly TiO2-APTES-Ce6, exhibit a superior activity towards the degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange over the core-shell systems under solar and visible light. For PDT, in vitro tests were conducted on the glioblastoma cell line U87 at different NPs’ concentrations illuminated at 652 nm. TiO2-APTES-Ce6 revealed a good phototoxicity as the cell viability decreased by 89% after illumination. The cellular uptake and localization of those NPs and their silica analogues were explored. The ROS involved in photocatalysis and PDT were investigate

J Pharm Policy Pract

INTRODUCTION: The ongoing multi-country outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) that emerges in non-endemic areas is a rare and unprecedented event that has sparked a widespread public health concern. Lebanon has reported four confirmed cases of MPX so far. Since good knowledge about the MPX virus and its associated disease is paramount for helping the Lebanese population prepare for a possible outbreak, therefore, it is important to assess their current level of knowledge regarding MPX and to identify its associated factors to highlight any knowledge gaps that need to be filled. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was conducted over the first 2 weeks of August 2022 among adults aged 18 years and above recruited from all Lebanese provinces using a convenience sampling technique. An anonymous, Arabic, self-reported questionnaire covering all main aspects of knowledge regarding MPX was developed and adapted based on the available literature. The Chi-square test was used to determine the associations between knowledge levels and independent variables including baseline characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression was also carried out on the significant variables in the bivariate analyses to identify the factors associated with the good knowledge level. RESULTS: A total of 793 Lebanese adults participated in the study. The overall level of knowledge level regarding human MPX was poor among the Lebanese population; with only 33.04% of them having a good knowledge level ≥ 60%. Knowledge gaps and a substantial poor knowledge level were found in the majority of MPX knowledge domains especially those related to the routes of transmission (76.67%), clinical presentation and symptoms (71.63%), treatment (86.25%), and severity of the disease (91.3%). Interestingly, participants have a good knowledge level of the precautionary measures (80.45%), and the response to a suspected infection (65.20%). Female gender [(aOR = 0.870, CI 95% (0.613-0.941)], increased age 49 [aOR = 0.743, CI 95% (0.381-0.908)], and living in rural areas [aOR = 0.412, CI 95% (0.227-0.861)] were found negatively associated with a good level of knowledge. However, participants with higher educational levels [aOR = 1.243, CI 95% (1.032-3.801)], those working in the medical field [aOR = 1.932, CI 95% (1.331-3.419)], those suffering from chronic disease/immunodeficiency [aOR = 1.231, CI 95% (1.128-2.002)], and participants with moderate/high economic situations [aOR = 2.131, CI 95% (1.431-4.221)] were more likely to have a good knowledge score compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The current study pointed out to poor knowledge level regarding MPX among the Lebanese population with substantial knowledge gaps in most aspects of MPX knowledge. The findings stress the urgent need to raise awareness and proactively fill the unveiled gaps, especially among less informed groups

Use of Cyclodextrins in Anticancer Photodynamic Therapy Treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is mainly used to destroy cancerous cells; it combines the action of three components: a photoactivatable molecule or photosensitizer (PS), the light of an appropriate wavelength, and naturally occurring molecular oxygen. After light excitation of the PS, the excited PS then reacts with molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cellular damage. One of the drawbacks of PSs is their lack of solubility in water and body tissue fluids, thereby causing low bioavailability, drug-delivery efficiency, therapeutic efficacy, and ROS production. To improve the water-solubility and/or drug delivery of PSs, using cyclodextrins (CDs) is an interesting strategy. This review describes the in vitro or/and in vivo use of natural and derived CDs to improve antitumoral PDT efficiency in aqueous media. To achieve these goals, three types of binding modes of PSs with CDs are developed: non-covalent CD–PS inclusion complexes, covalent CD–PS conjugates, and CD–PS nanoassemblies. This review is divided into three parts: (1) non-covalent CD-PS inclusion complexes, covalent CD–PS conjugates, and CD–PS nanoassemblies, (2) incorporating CD–PS systems into hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) using up-converting or other types of NPs, and (3) CDs with fullerenes as PSs

New targeted gold nanorods for the treatment of glioblastoma by photodynamic therapy

International audienceThis study describes the employment of gold nanorods (AuNRs), known for their good reputation in hyperthermia-based cancer therapy, in a hybrid combination of photosensitizers (PS) and peptides (PP). We report here, the design and the synthesis of this nanosystem and its application as a vehicle for the selective drug delivery and the efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT). AuNRs were functionalized by polyethylene glycol, phototoxic pyropheophorbide-a (Pyro) PS, and a “KDKPPR” peptide moiety to target neuropilin-1 receptor (NRP-1). The physicochemical characteristics of AuNRs, the synthesized peptide and the intermediate PP-PS conjugates were investigated. The photophysical properties of the hybrid AuNRs revealed that upon conjugation, the AuNRs acquired the characteristic properties of Pyro concerning the extension of the absorption profile and the capability to fluoresce (Φf = 0.3) and emit singlet oxygen (ΦΔ = 0.4) when excited at 412 nm. Even after being conjugated onto the surface of the AuNRs, the molecular affinity of “KDKPPR” for NRP-1 was preserved. Under irradiation at 652 nm, in vitro assays were conducted on glioblastoma U87 cells incubated with different PS concentrations of free Pyro, intermediate PP-PS conjugate and hybrid AuNRs. The AuNRs showed no cytotoxicity in the absence of light even at high PS concentrations. However, they efficiently decreased the cell viability by 67% under light exposure. This nanosystem possesses good efficiency in PDT and an expected potential effect in a combined photodynamic/photothermal therapy guided by NIR fluorescence imaging of the tumors due to the presence of both the hyperthermic agent, AuNRs, and the fluorescent active phototoxic PS

Inclusion complex vs. conjugation of hydrophobic photosensitizers with β-cyclodextrin: Improved disaggregation and photodynamic therapy efficacy against glioblastoma cells

International audienceSelf-aggregation of hydrophobic porphyrin-based photosensitizers (PSs) in aqueous biological environment decreases their bioavailability and in vivo therapeutic efficacy, which hampers their clinical use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In the current study, we explore three new supramolecular systems based of hydrophobic PSs (i.e. 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (mTHPP) or 5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (P1COOH)) non-covalently or covalently attached to β-CD. The two non-covalent solid inclusion complexes (β-CD)2/mTHPP and [(β-CD)/P1COOH]4 are prepared by a new co-precipitation@lyophilization combined method and the covalent conjugate β-CD-P1 by click chemistry. The binding type effect and effectiveness on the disaggregation in aqueous medium and in vitro PDT efficacy against glioblastoma cancer cells of PSs are investigated for the three β-CD/PS systems. The findings reveal a remarkable improvement of the disaggregation and in vitro PDT activity of these β-CD/PS systems compared to the free PSs, except for [(β-CD)/P1COOH]4 inclusion complex caused by J-type self-aggregation of the inclusion complex in tetrameric form. β-CD-P1 conjugate shows the higher in vitro PDT efficacy compared to the other β-CD/PS systems. Overall, the results indicate that the disaggregation in aqueous medium and in vitro PDT activity of hydrophobic PSs can be improved by their binding to β-CD and the covalent binding is the best approach

Using X-rays in photodynamic therapy: an overview

International audienc