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Addressing the challenge of bone tissue regeneration requires creating an optimal microenvironment that promotes both osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Electroconductive scaffolds have emerged as promising solutions for bone regeneration; however, existing conductive polymers often lack biofunctionality and biocompatibility. In this study, we synthesized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanoparticles (PEDOT NPs) using chemical oxidation polymerization and incorporated them into gelatin/hyaluronic acid/hydroxyapatite (Gel:HA:HAp) scaffolds to develop Gel:HA:HAp:PEDOT-NP scaffolds. Morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a honeycomb-like structure with pores of 228–250 μm in diameter. The addition of the synthesized PEDOT NPs increased the conductive capabilities of the scaffolds to 1 × 10−6 ± 1.3 × 10−7 S/cm. Biological assessment of PEDOT NP scaffolds using human foetal osteoblastic 1.19 cells (hFOB), and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) revealed enhanced cell proliferation and viability compared to control scaffold without NPs, along with increased osteogenic differentiation, evidenced by higher levels of alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin (OPN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OCN) expression, as observed through immunofluorescence, and enhanced expression of osteogenic-related genes. The conductive scaffold shows interesting mineralization capacity, as shown by Alizarin red and Osteoimage staining. Furthermore, PEDOT-NP scaffolds promoted angiogenesis, as indicated by improved tube formation abilities of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), especially at the higher concentrations of NPs. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the integration of PEDOT NPs scaffold enhances their conductive properties and promotes cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and angiogenesis. Gel:HA:HAp:PEDOT-NP scaffolds exhibit promising potential as efficient biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration, offering a potential engineered platform for clinical applications.

The increasing focus on combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture sector is driving innovations and better improvements to save billions of dollars globally. Two gram- negative bacteria which cause vibriosis, Vibrio parahaemolytics and Vibrio harveyi, are now resistant to multiple antibiotics. Green technology has evolved to produce novel antimicrobials with reduced potential for AMR and sustainable synthesis. The present study utilized a one-pot biofabrication method to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Euphorbia hitra leaf aqueous extract (EHLAE) through a bottom-up approach. The qualitative phytochemical examination of EHLAE confirmed the existence of diverse components including steroids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, and phenols. These compounds have crucial role as reducing and capping AgNPs. The obtained gAgNPs were subjected to evaluate the physico-chemical properties such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), functional groups, and crystalline structure, were verified by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology, elemental composition, and size distribution of the AgNPs synthesized using a green method were confirmed using advanced techniques including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) shown potent anti-vibriocidal activity against both Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio harveyi and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for both bacteria were consistently 31.25 µg mL⁻¹. The in vitro antioxidant tests showed effective results and the found IC₅₀ values are 306 µg mL⁻¹ for DPPH and 6.46 µg mL⁻¹ for FRAP assays. Furthermore, the assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity on Vero cell lines revealed minimal toxicity, as evidenced by an IC₅₀ value of 191.51 µg mL⁻¹. The results reveals that the green synthesized AgNPs using Euphorbia hitra leaf have the potential to be used as effective alternatives for therapeutic purposes in combating the increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance in the aquaculture industry.

Quercetin, a flavonoid known for its antioxidant properties, has recently garnered attention as a potential neuroprotective agent for treatment of the injured nervous system. The repair of peripheral nerve injuries hinges on the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells, which play a crucial role in supporting axonal growth and myelination. In this study we synthesized Quercetin-derived carbon dots (QCDs) and investigated their effects on cultured Schwann cells and the NG108-15 cell line. QCDs was obtained by solvothermal synthesis and characterized via UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The particles demonstrated significant dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, supported in vitro proliferation and migration of Schwann cells, expression of neurotrophic and angiogenic growth factors, and stimulated neurite outgrowth from NG108-15 cells. Thus, QCDs could serve as a potential novel treatment strategy to promote regeneration in the injured peripheral nervous system.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) and Vibrio harveyi (Vh) are two pathogenic vibriosis causing agents which are prevalent in commercial aquaculture practices. In spite of the increasing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in pathogenic organisms due to inappropriate usage of conventional antibiotics, there is an urgent need of alternative therapeutic antimicrobials. Metallic nanoparticles, particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are considered effective antimicrobials against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. Tunable properties such as size, shape, and surface functionalization enhance the properties and activities of AgNPs. Studies have explored the use of carbon dots (CDs) as an alternative source for reducing and capping AgNPs, given the limitations of using plant extracts as reducing agents for AgNP synthesis. Most of the studies synthesized CDs using various chemical precursors; however, plant-derived or biomass-derived CDs offer several advantages, such as biocompatibility, easy availability of precursors, renewability, hydrophilicity, and no requirement of heteroatom doping. In the present study, an eco-friendly hydrothermal technique was employed to synthesize high fluorescent, Biomass derived carbon dots (CDs) from the leaves of two medicinal plants, Aegle marmelos (AM) and Euphorbia hitra (EH). These CDs were then used as reducing agents for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The absorbance peaks of synthesized AM CDs and EH CDs were at 267 nm and 274 nm, indicating π–π* electronic transitions. Upon adding CDs to AgNO₃ led to a decline in CD absorption peaks and the emergence of AgNP SPR peaks at 467 nm and 479 nm, confirming AgNP formation. AM CDs showed a narrow peak at 530 nm (excitation at 360 nm), while EH CDs had a broad peak at 560 nm and AM CDs exhibited a narrow peak at 530 nm. AgNP@CD NCs did not emit luminescence, likely due to quenching during the AgNPs reduction. FTIR identified O-H, C≡C, and N-H functional groups in CDs. AgNP@AM CD NCs showed minor vibrational signals, while AgNP@EH CD NCs showed a complete reduction. The average particle sizes of the synthesized AgNPs were 8.51 nm and 23.59 nm for AM and EH, respectively. The synthesized AgNP@CD nanocomposites showed effective antivibriocidal activity with the lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 3.9 μg/mL on Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) by EH AgNP@CD NCs. The in vitro antioxidant studies revealed effective radical scavenging activity with the lowest IC₅₀ value of 5.29 μg/mL on DPPH nitrogen free radical by AM AgNP@CD NCs. The present study found effective antivibriocidal and antioxidant properties of biomass derived AgNP@CD NCs.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging cancer with high mortality rates, limited predictability, and a lack of effective prognostic indicators. The relationship between small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and HCC is poorly understood. Based on the literature data, snoRNA studies were primarily focused on viral-related causes of HCC, such as Hepatitis B or C viruses (HBV or HCV). According to these studies, we selected four snoRNAs (snoRA12, snoRA47, snoRA80E, and snoRD126) for exploration in the context of non-viral-related causes, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and alcohol steatohepatitis. The primary goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how snoRNA expression affects patient outcomes and whether it can serve as a prognostic tool for non-viral HCC. We conducted a study on tissue samples from 35 HCC patients who had undergone resection at Pilsen University Hospital. SnoRA12, snoRA47, snoRA80E, and snoRD126 were studied by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissue (NTAT) samples. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess the association of snoRNAs expression levels with patient outcomes: time to recurrence (TTR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). In tumor tissues, snoRA12, snoRA47 and snoRA80E were upregulated, while snoRD-126 was downregulated compared to NTAT. Low expression of snoRA47 and snoRD126 in patients was associated with longer TTR and DFS. The individual expression of snoRA12 and snoRA80E did not show associations with TTR and DFS. However, a combination of medium expression of snoRD126 and snoRA80E was associated with longer TTR and DFS, while high and low expressions of the combined snoRA126 and snoRA80E showed no significant association with TTR, DFS, and OS. Conversely, a combination of high expression of snoRA12 and snoRD126 was associated with shorter TTR. In conclusion, the results indicate that snoRA47 and snoRD126 exhibit good prognostic power specifically for non-viral related HCC. Both snoRA47 and snoRD126 showed favorable prognostication in single and combined analysis when assessing patient outcomes. Also, in combination analysis, snoRA80E and snoRA12 showed favorable prognosis, but not alone.