Hybrid assemblies composed of phospholipids and amphiphilic polymers have been investigated previously as a biomimetic model of biological cells. However, these studies focused on the functions of ...polymers in a sea of membrane lipids. Here, we prepared a highly stable peptide-lipid hybrid vesicle from a combination of an amphiphilic polypeptide and the phospholipid, 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, with a mixing molar ratio of 1:1. The phase-separated structure of the hybrid vesicle was demonstrated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. The lipid domain of the hybrid vesicle had a phase-transition temperature of 38 °C and allowed the permeation of a hydrophilic molecule, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled polyethylene glycol (M w: 2000), above 38 °C. The designed peptide-lipid hybrid vesicle and a “lipidic gate” are a promising tool for smart drug delivery.
The main contaminants in aqueous solutions that bio-magnify in living organisms include (but are not limited to) heavy metal-based toxic oxo-anions (CrO
4
2−
, MnO
4
−
, ReO
4
−
, HAsO
4
−
etc.
), ...anionic radioactive pollutants (such as
129
I
−
,
99
TcO
4
−
,
79
SeO
3
2−
,
79
SeO
4
2−
,
etc.
), and organic pollutants (including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs and pharmaceuticals) that are often generated as industrial waste. These pollutants pose serious health hazards to humans and other animals upon passing through their respective food chains. This report details the design of a new ionic covalent organic framework (iCOF-2) obtained
via
a facile Schiff base reaction for efficient and selective capture of certain radioactive species and other metal based pollutants (such as oxo-anions) that are often present in industrial effluents. Desired qualities such as a charged and porous framework as well as excellent radiation and physicochemical stabilities present in iCOF-2 render this material a viable adsorbent for removal of hazardous pollutants in an economical and ecologically safe manner. iCOF-2 demonstrates extremely fast sieving kinetics for various oxo-anions and other inorganic radioactive/organic pollutants. Simultaneously, iCOF-2 also exhibits a high capture capacity for ReO
4
−
(325 mg g
−1
), I
3
−
(1705 mg g
−1
), MnO
4
−
(334 mg g
−1
), CrO
4
2−
(253 mg g
−1
), and diclofenac (235 mg g
−1
). The distribution coefficient (
K
d
) is greater than 10
4
mg L
−1
, which is one of the prime criteria expected in a superior adsorbate material. iCOF-2 also demonstrates good selectivity in the presence of other interfering anions with high removal efficacy (>90%). iCOF-2 can also capture toxic anionic pollutants present in various water samples such as underground water (tap water) and surface water (river, sea, lake and pond) with rapid sequestration efficiency. iCOF-2 can be reused for at least five regeneration cycles without any appreciable decrease in its pollutant removal efficiency.
The schematic representation of iCOF-2 as an effective adsorbent for trapping of toxic and radioactive species from aqueous solutions.
Cell-derived small extracellular vesicles have been exploited as potent drug vehicles. However, significant challenges hamper their clinical translation, including inefficient cytosolic delivery, ...poor target-specificity, low yield, and inconsistency in production. Here, we report a bioinspired material, engineered fusogen and targeting moiety co-functionalized cell-derived nanovesicle (CNV) called eFT-CNV, as a drug vehicle. We show that universal eFT-CNVs can be produced by extrusion of genetically modified donor cells with high yield and consistency. We demonstrate that bioinspired eFT-CNVs can efficiently and selectively bind to targets and trigger membrane fusion, fulfilling endo-lysosomal escape and cytosolic drug delivery. We find that, compared to counterparts, eFT-CNVs significantly improve the treatment efficacy of drugs acting on cytosolic targets. We believe that our bioinspired eFT-CNVs will be promising and powerful tools for nanomedicine and precision medicine.
Artificial tubular networks are promising structures for biomaterial applications because of their large surface areas. A tubular network was formed by co-assembling two different amphiphilic ...polypeptides, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(l-Leu-Aib)6 (PL12) and polysarcosine-b-(l-Leu-Aib)6 (SL12). They both have the same hydrophobic 12-mer helical block (l-Leu-Aib)6 but different hydrophilic chains, poly(ethylene glycol) and polysarcosine. In water, both polypeptides self-assembled into a tubular structure having a uniform 80 nm diameter that was formed by packing among the hydrophobic L12 blocks. The SL12 nanotubes were short (200 nm), straight, and robust. PL12 formed long (>1 μm), bendable, and fusogenic nanotubes. The amphiphiles were then co-assembled with various mixing ratios to form tubular networks. Higher concentrations of PL12 made the nanotubes more bendable and fusogenic between open tube ends, which produced branching junctions under heat treatment.
Semitendinosus and Gracilis autografts are commonly used for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, its main drawback is individual variation in the tendon diameter. This study ...aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the anthropometric measurements for the prediction of Semitendinosus and Gracilis combined (quadrupled) strands graft diameter in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction among the Bengali population. Sixty consecutive patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between July 2019 to June 2020 were observed in this cross-sectional study. In all cases, the doubled (2 strands) Gracilis and Semitendinosus tendons were combined to get the final quadrupled (combined 4 strands) graft for use. Anthropometries such as body mass index (BMI), body weight, and height were recorded preoperatively and quadrupled combined tendon diameter was measured at the operating theater. The relationship between these parameters was statistically determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and scatter diagrams were plotted. Among the study subjects, most (54) were male, and the mean age of all subjects was 24 ± 6.92 years. The average graft diameter was 7.20 ± 0.76 mm. Correlations between the mean graft diameter with BMI ( r = 0.018, and P = .891), body height ( r = 0.011 and P = .933), and weight ( r = 0.028 and P = .832) were not significant. Scatter diagrams also showed that the variables were not correlated. Anthropometries like BMI, body weight, or body height cannot be used in predicting Semitendinosus and Gracilis tendon graft diameter for arthroscopic ACL reconstruction among the Bengali population.
The global concern over trace and heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments necessitates the development of effective remediation strategies. Using aquatic plants for heavy metal removal is a ...relatively economical and sustainable technology worldwide. This study involved collecting sediment and aquatic plant samples (Acanthus ilicifolius, Typha elephantina, and Cynodon dactylon) from a highly urbanized estuary to analyze metal concentrations in sediment, assess ecological risks, and explore the phytoremediation potential. Trace and heavy metals were detected using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (EDXRF). The sediment metal concentrations were found in decreasing order of Fe, Ti, Mn, Rb, Zr, Zn, Sr, Cu, Co, and As. Fe, Sr, and As concentrations were below certified values, whereas Cu, Zn, and Rb exceeded them. Cumulatively, the pollution load index (PLI) values were close to 1 (0.845), indicating that the study area is likely experiencing metal pollution. The Contamination Factor (CF) values, ranging from 1 to 3, indicated a moderate degree of sediment pollution for Ti, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Rb. The Enrichment Factor (EF) values similarly showed moderate enrichment for these metals, with Cu exhibiting the highest degree of enrichment. Ecological risk assessment highlighted the only metal, Cu, as posing the greatest risk among the studied metals. In terms of phytoremediation potential, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) followed the decreasing order of C. dactylon > A. ilicifolius > T. elephantina for most metals, with low BCF values (<1) indicating low accumulator potential. However, the translocation factor (TF) values for Zn (1.464) and Rb (1.299) in A. ilicifolius species were greater than 1, indicating low accumulation potential but hyper-metabolizing capabilities, allowing the plant to accumulate metals in its aerial parts, making it effective for phytostabilization.
Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease caused by Mesomycetozoea Rhinosporidium seeberi. This highly recurrent polypoid lesion has a predilection for the nose and nasopharynx, ...although other organ systems may be affected. Involvement of the tracheobronchial tree is very rare, and poses a challenge for diagnosis and management. In this report, we present a 30‐year‐old man with a history of recurrent nasal polyp who presented with cough, shortness of breath, haemoptysis, and a radiological feature of right lung collapse on imaging. He was diagnosed with rhinosporidiosis based on histopathological examination of bronchoscopic biopsy specimen taken from the right principal bronchial mass. Shortly after hospitalization, he developed acute respiratory distress requiring emergency bronchoscopic intervention. A pinkish mulberry‐like tracheal and right bronchial mass was removed endoscopically with cauterization of the base of the lesion. On long‐term follow‐up, the patient was free of symptoms without recurrence of airway disease.
Tracheobronchial rhinosporidiosis is a rare benign cause of endobronchial obstruction and poses challenge for diagnosis and management. We report a 30‐year‐old man who developed acute hypoxaemia by a rapidly growing rhinosporidial mass causing central airway obstruction. Emergency bronchoscopic intervention saved his life.
Background
The bitter gourd fruit yields are not at a desirable level due to maleness. Maleness is one of the biggest difficulties with bitter gourd, reducing fruit yields substantially. On the other ...hand, plant stages are the most important consideration for PGR application because of their sensitive responsiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to determine how bitter gourd plants respond to plant growth regulators, namely PGR
0
(control: application of water as control treatment), PGR
1
(GA
3
-Gibberellic acid, 100 mgL
−1
), PGR
2
(NAA-Naphthalene acetic acid, 100 mgL
−1
), and PGR
3
(MH- Maleic hydrazide, 100 mgL
−1
) at three application phases, S
1
: soaking of seeds; S
2
: four-leaf; and S
3
: flower bud in terms of vegetative development, male–female flower sex alteration, and fruit features including bioactive compounds.
Results
Physiological, floral and yield characteristics of bitter gourd exposed significant changes by GA
3
and MH at various stages. The number of leaves plant
−1
, the fresh mass of the plant, and the fresh mass of fruit and fruit dry matter content were enhanced remarkably for MH application at the seed soaking stage except for plant height and the number of branches plant
−1
. MH increased the number of female flowers plant
−1
, the number of fruits plant
−1
and the yield at the 4-leaf stage of application. PGRs substantially influenced the quantity of sugar, chlorophyll, total carotenoids, protein, and water content at various phases of their application but not on ascorbic acid, TSS, or total phenol concentration.
Conclusions
For sex expression and yield attributes, 100 mgL
−1
MH at the 4-leaf stage would be effective in bitter gourd. Exogenous NAA showed a considerable dual influence on plant development and antioxidant enzyme activity in bitter gourd fruits.
The present study investigated the critical thermal maxima (CTmax) of red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara under different acclimation temperatures (Tacc). Fish were acclimated at 24°C, 28°C, and ...32°C water temperature for 2 weeks. Water temperature was increased at a rate of 1°C/h and CTmax level was measured following the critical thermal methodology (Paladino et al., 1980). The results showed that CTmax values of E. akaara were 35.61°C, 36.83°C, and 37.65°C for fish acclimated at 24°C, 28°C, and 32°C, respectively. The acclimation response ratio (ARR) was 0.26. The CTmax values were significantly correlated with body size. Collectively, it is said that the CTmax value of red-spotted grouper can be affected by different adaptation temperature (24°C, 28°C, and 32°C) and the fish acclimated to a higher temperature has a higher CTmax level. Besides, the CTmax value of 35.61°C−37.65°C indicating the upper thermal tolerance limit for E. akaara under different Tacc (24°C, 28°C, and 32°C). Understanding the thermal tolerance of E. akaara is of ecological importance in the conservation of this species.
The concern over ensuing freshwater scarcity has forced the developing countries to delve for alternative water resources. In this study, we examined the potential of stagnant surface water bodies ...(SSWBs) as alternative freshwater resources in the densely populated Chittagong metropolitan area (CMPA) of Bangladesh--where there is an acute shortage of urban freshwater supply. Water samples were collected at 1-month intervals for a period of 1 year from 12 stations distributed over the whole metropolis. Samples were analyzed for pH, water temperature (WTemp), turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, total solids, total hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), chloride, orthophosphates, ammonia, total coliforms (TC), and trace metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, As, and Fe) concentrations. Based on these parameters, different types of water quality indices (WQIs) were deduced. WQIs showed most of CMPA-SSWBs as good or medium quality water bodies, while none were categorized as bad. Moreover, it was observed that the minimal water quality index (WQIm), computed using five parameters: WTemp, pH, DO, EC, and turbidity, gave a reliable estimate of water quality. The WQIm gave similar results in 72% of the cases compared with other WQIs that were based on larger set of parameters. Based on our finding, we suggest the wider use WQIm in developing countries for assessing health of SSWBs, as it will minimize the analytical cost to overcome the budget constraints involved in this kind of evaluations. It was observed that except turbidity and TC content, all other quality parameters fluctuated within the limit of the World Health Organization suggested standards for drinking water. From our findings, we concluded that if the turbidity and TC content of water from SSWBs in CMPA are taken care of, they will become good candidates as alternative water resources all round the year.
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