Review
Polymer Science
Mahak Fatima, Afsana Sheikh, Nazeer Hasan, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Yassine Riadi, Prashant Kesharwani
Summary: Nano carriers, such as PAMAM dendrimers, play a crucial role in overcoming the challenges of cancer chemotherapy by reducing cytotoxicity, non-specificity, and drug resistance. These nano-sized molecules encapsulate drugs and target tumor cells specifically, while minimizing impact on normal cells. The PAMAM dendrimer structure allows for high solubility of hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs, and its periphery can be modified for tumor specificity. Folic acid conjugated dendrimers are widely studied for targeting cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Madison K. Brod, Shashwat Anand, G. Jeffrey Snyder
Summary: In recent years, the excellent performance of n-type Mg3Sb2 as a thermoelectric material has gained much attention. The high performance is attributed to the high valley degeneracy (NV) of the electron transport edge, resulting from the conduction band minimum (CBM) located at a low symmetry point in the first Brillouin zone. Bi alloying on the Sb site has been shown to improve electron mobility and performance. Previous studies have overlooked the importance of Sb orbitals in the low-symmetry CBM. This work demonstrates that the low-symmetry CBM is due to the interactions between Mg-s and Sb-p orbitals.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alberto Martinez-Munoz, Jose Correa-Basurto, Martiniano Bello
Summary: In this study, the mechanism of how indomethacin forms complexes with folate-G4-PAMAM dendrimer was explored using ligand diffusion molecular dynamic simulations (LDMDSs) and molecular mechanics-generalized-born surface area (MMGBSA) approach. The results showed that the folate-G4-PAMAM dendrimer can bind indomethacin more effectively, indicating better encapsulation.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jing Wang, Shiyu Han, Zhanteng Zhang, Jiao Wang, Guangmei Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrated the potential therapeutic effects of chemotherapy agent-loaded FA-GO nanosheets against ovarian cancer with high FBP expression levels, showing increased cancer cell death through promoting DNA damage and apoptotic pathway activation.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Igor Pereira, Joseph Monaghan, Lucas R. Abruzzi, Chris G. Gill
Summary: The paper surface functionalization with PAMAM dendrimers enhanced the sensitivity of protein analysis using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS). PAMAM could electrostatically interact with negatively charged residues on the protein surface and also form hydrogen bonds with protein surface oxygens, making it a useful material for protein extraction. Experimental results showed that PAMAM-functionalized paper substrates exhibited higher sensitivity for albumin, hemoglobin, insulin, and lysozyme compared to unmodified paper strips.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Edoardo Donadoni, Paulo Siani, Giulia Frigerio, Cristiana Di Valentin
Summary: Strategies based on the active targeting of tumor cells are emerging as smart and efficient nanomedical procedures. This study focuses on the functionalization of TiO2 nanoparticles with folic acid (FA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacers for tumor targeting. The researchers use Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Dynamics simulations to analyze the behavior of the nanoconjugates in different environments and determine the optimal density of FA molecules and the mode of anchoring to the carrier. The results provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
N. Nouri, Z. Nourbakhsh, Gh. Rashedi
Summary: Using the multi-orbital (sp3) tight-binding (TB) model, the band structure of the Antimony monolayer with a hexagonal array of holes, known as Antimony antidot lattice (AAL), was obtained. The band structure depends on the size of embedded holes in the Antimony monolayer as points of the antidot lattice. Spin-orbit coupling significantly affects the band gap for the Antimony antidot lattice in different ranges of hole radius. The effect of distance between holes, as well as the variation of the band gap due to strain, and the influence of substrate on the electronical properties of Antimony monolayer with and without holes were also investigated.
PHYSICA B-CONDENSED MATTER
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ebru Cetin, Ali Rana Atilgan, Canan Atilgan
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a global health problem caused by mutations that render drugs ineffective. This study aims to understand the working mechanisms of resistant mutants of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase using molecular dynamics simulations. The findings suggest that the entire enzyme is synchronized with the substrate, and mutations affect the hydrogen bond dynamics. The mutants are categorized based on the observed mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sourav Barman, Rajat Chakraborty
Summary: By transforming fly ash and cooked rice water into a high value-added product 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), it can effectively reduce harmful environmental impacts.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chun Kwan Chen, Jing Zhang, Advait Bhingarde, Tanzia Matotek, Justine Barrett, Britta D. Hardesty, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Bee Luan Khoo
Summary: The study introduces a MPC technology which can enrich and filter microplastics simultaneously from various samples with high recovery rates. The innovative design allows for minimal equipment requirements and potential for routine use in microplastic research, particularly in areas with limited resources, offering a low-cost and convenient method for on-site applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soumi Ghosh, E. Neil G. Marsh
Summary: A study has revealed that a high salt diet may make mice more susceptible to carrying viruses, attributed to a decrease in the levels of the antiviral protein viperin caused by salt. These findings provide further insights into the regulation of proteins involved in the cellular antiviral response.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sheikh Tanzina Haque, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury
Summary: Inorganic nanocarriers have excellent properties but only a few have been approved for clinical applications due to drug release issues, poor target specificity, and toxicity. Understanding loading mechanisms and enhancing sustainability and targetability are crucial for overcoming these barriers.
FRONTIERS OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Zhang, Dipesh Khanal, Mark M. Banaszak Holl
Summary: The development of effective drug delivery systems requires in-depth characterization of the micro- or nanostructure of the material vectors with high spatial resolution, resulting in a deep understanding of the design-function relationship and maximum therapeutic efficacy. AFM-IR, combining the high spatial resolution of AFM and the capabilities of IR spectroscopy, is a powerful tool for the detailed characterization of drug delivery systems at the nanoscale, including identification of chemical composition. This review highlights the applications of AFM-IR in various drug delivery systems and discusses the challenges and future perspectives for its application in drug delivery vector characterization.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Md Emranul Karim, Sheikh Tanzina Haque, Hamed Al-Busaidi, Athirah Bakhtiar, Kyi Kyi Tha, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury
Summary: Messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as an appealing alternative for treating and preventing various diseases. Despite significant progress, there are still challenges in terms of structure, biology, and technology. Advances in designing and manufacturing mRNA, as well as selecting delivery vehicles, are crucial for overcoming these challenges.
ARCHIVES OF PHARMACAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
April K. Kaneshiro, Prathamesh M. Datar, E. Neil G. Marsh
Summary: This study presents a detailed kinetic analysis of the reaction between FDC catalyst and styrene and phenylacrylic acid, proposing a two-stroke kinetic model in which negative cooperativity plays a crucial role in catalysis. The study also notes the need for further experiments to confirm or refute the proposed mechanism.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dipesh Khanal, Jinhee Kim, Jing Zhang, Wei-Ren Ke, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Hak Kim Chan
Summary: The aim of this research was to use optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (OPTIR) to analyse the chemical composition of pharmaceutical dry powder inhalation (DPI) aerosol particles. The study confirmed the presence of specific chemical peaks related to the drugs and excipients in the size-segregated particles of DPI formulations. It also found that the drug to excipient distribution ratio varied in different formulations, indicating heterogeneity. The results showed that OPTIR can serve as a valuable analytical platform for screening the physicochemical properties of DPI aerosols in solid state.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gihane Nasr, Sanaa Daakour, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Carla Attallah, Aline Hamade, Helene Greige-Gerges
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yizhihao Lu, Huacheng Zhang, Shasha Liu, Fanmengjing Wang, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Philip J. Marriott, Huanting Wang
Summary: In this study, cyclodextrins (CDs) were used as building blocks to fabricate a microporous polyester layer superposed on a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) layer through an interfacial polymerization method. The resulting composite membrane showed ultimate enantioselectivity and the highest flux.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Izabela Milogrodzka, Duy Tue Nguyen Pham, Gopal R. Sama, Hajar Samadian, Jiali Zhai, Liliana de Campo, Nigel M. Kirby, Timothy F. Scott, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Leonie van't Hag
Summary: Biomimetic cubic phases have various applications including protein encapsulation for biosensors and drug delivery. In this study, we obtained cubic phases with high concentrations of cholesterol and phospholipids. The results show that the cubic phase structure can be maintained with higher concentrations of biomimetic membrane additives than previously reported.
Article
Biology
Kevin H. Putera, Jinhee Kim, So Young Baek, Stephen H. Schlecht, Melanie L. Beaulieu, Victoria Haritos, Ellen M. Arruda, James A. Ashton-Miller, Edward M. Wojtys, Mark Banaszak M. Holl
Summary: Approximately 300,000 ACL tears occur annually in the US, with 50% leading to knee osteoarthritis within a decade. Repetitive loading causes collagen unravelling and structural failure, but the relationship between tissue changes is poorly understood. This study shows that submaximal loading of cadaver knees leads to collagen unravelling and tissue compliance increase, particularly in highly mineralized regions at the ACL femoral enthesis.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rahul Sharma, Kevin Putera, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Gil Garnier, Victoria S. Haritos
Summary: Fine nanocellulose fibers were obtained through a tandem enzyme reaction using carboxylated cellulose, as an alternative to the conventional toxic chemical process. The combination of fungal laccases and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) mimicked nature and resulted in hydrolyzed and oxidized cellulose, leading to the formation of nanofibers.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mostafa Dehghani, Mahdi Naseri, Humayun Nadeem, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Warren Batchelor
Summary: This study reports the use of ZnO/cellulose nanofiber composites for the photodegradation of PFAS in a continuous flow photoreactor under sunlight irradiation. The results demonstrate that this method can effectively reduce the concentration of PFAS in water and is sustainable and industrially feasible.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Jinhee Kim, So Young Baek, Stephen H. Schlecht, Melanie L. Beaulieu, Lindsay Bussau, Junjie Chen, James A. Ashton-Miller, Edward M. Wojtys, Mark M. Banaszak Holl
Summary: The study used a confocal laser endomicroscope (CLEM) to capture changes in ACL autofluorescence (AF) and collagen microstructures during fatigue damage development. The results showed that there is a large increase in AF and a decrease in SHG signal intensity in the loaded knees as compared to the control knees. Additionally, the anisotropy of collagen fibers increased in the loaded knees. The study suggests that existing microfatigue damage can accumulate to induce mechanical failure in ACL injuries.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ORTHOPAEDICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mostafa Dehghani, Mahdi Naseri, Humayun Nadeem, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Warren Batchelor
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of a ZnO/cellulose nanofiber continuous flow photoreactor for fast and effective degradation of industrial pollutants. The results show that this technology can efficiently degrade pollutants under sunlight irradiation with low energy consumption.