Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibition, Acute Toxicity, In Silico Molecular Docking and Dynamic Analysis of Apis mellifera Propolis as Antidiabetic Supplement

This study aims to identification of phytochemical profile of Apis mellifera propolis and explore potential of its anti-diabetic activity through inhibition on α-amylase (α-AE), α-glucosidase(α-GE) and finally identified the novel antidiabetic compounds from propolis. Apis mellifera propolis extract (AMPE) exhibited elevated polyphenol 33.26 ± 0.17 (mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (15.45 ± 0.13 mg RE/g), while its also indicated moderate strong antioxidant activity (EC50 793.09 ±1.94 µg/ml). This study found that AMPE displayed promising α-AE and α-GE inhibition through in vitro study. Based on LC-MS/MS screening, 18 unique AMPE compounds were identified, majorly belonging to anthraquinone and flavonoid compounds. In silico study determined that 8 compounds of AMPE compounds exhibited strong binding to α-AE, interacting to catalytic residue of ASP197. Moreover, 2 compounds exhibit potential inhibition of α-AG, by interacting to crucial amino acids of ARG315, ASP352, and ASP69. Finally, we suggested 2,7-Dihydroxy-1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene and 3(3-(3,4-Dihydroxybenzyl)-7-hydroxychroman-4-one as novel inhibitors of α-AE and α-GE. Notably, these compounds were initially discovered in Apis mellifera propolis, and molecular dynamic analysis confirmed their stable binding with both enzymes over 100 ns simulations. In vivo acute toxicity test reveals AMPE as a practically non-toxic product with LD50 value of 16050mg/kg.

Revealing curcumin therapeutic targets on SRC, PPARG, MAPK8 and HSP90 as liver cirrhosis therapy based on comprehensive bioinformatic study

Cirrhosis naturally progresses through three stages: compensated, decompensated, and late decompensated, which carry an elevated risk of death. Although curcumin's anti-cirrhosis effects have been studied, underlying mechanism in preventing cirrhosis progression and the correlation between curcumin's action with upregulated genes remains insufficiently explored. In this study, we employed network pharmacology approach to construct a drug-target-disease network through bioinformatics and validate the findings with molecular docking and dynamic simulation. The curcumin-targeted liver cirrhosis network encompassed 54 nodes with 282 edges in protein-protein interactions (PPI) network. By utilizing network centrality analysis, we identified eight crucial genes. KEGG enrichment pathway revealed that these crucial genes are involved in pathway of cancer, endocrine resistance, estrogen signaling, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, lipid metabolism, and atherosclerosis. Notably, these eight genes predominantly participate in cancer-related pathways. Further investigation revealed upregulation of four genes and downregulation of four others in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. These upregulated genes-MAPK8, SRC, PPARG, and HSP90AA1-strongly correlated with reduced survival probability in liver hepatocellular carcinoma patients with survival times approximately under 4000 days (∼11 years). Molecular docking and molecular dynamic results exhibited curcumin's superior binding affinities and stability compared to native ligands of MAPK8, SRC, PPARG, and HSP90AA1 within 50 ns simulations. Moreover, MM-GBSA analysis showed stronger binding energy of curcumin to MAPK8, SRC, and HSP90AA1 than native ligand. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into curcumin's potential mechanisms in preventing liver cirrhosis progression, specifically in HCC. These findings offer a theoretical basis for further pharmacological research into anti-HCC effect of curcumin.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Waste acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) incorporated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for potential water filtration membrane

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is one of the most common fused-filament feedstocks for 3D printing. The rapid growth of the 3D printing industry has resulted in huge demand for ABS filaments; however, it generates a large amount of waste. This study developed a novel method using waste ABS to fabricate electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) for water filtration. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was employed to modify the properties of waste ABS, and the effect of PVP addition in the range of 0-5 wt% was investigated. The results showed that adding PVP increased the viscosity and surface tension but decreased the conductivity of the precursor solution. After electrospinning, PVP could reduce the number of beads, increase the porosity and fiber diameter, and improve the wettability of the fabricated fibers. Moreover, the bilayer of ABS ENMs achieved a high flux value between 2951 and 48 041 L m^-2 h^-1 and a high rejection rate of 99%. Our study demonstrates a sustainable strategy to convert waste plastics to inexpensive materials for wastewater treatment membranes.

Synthesis of Electrospun PAN/TiO2/Ag Nanofibers Membrane As Potential Air Filtration Media with Photocatalytic Activity

The PAN/TiO₂/Ag nanofibers membrane for air filtration media was successfully synthesized with electrospinning method. The morphology, size, and element percentage of the nanofiber were characterized by a scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, while X-ray fluorescence and FTIR were used to observe the chemical composition. The water contact angle and UV-vis absorption were measured for physical properties. Performance for air filtration media was measured by pressure drop, efficiency, and quality factor test. TiO₂ and Ag have been successfully deposited in nonuniform 570 nm PAN/TiO₂/Ag nanofibers. The nanofiber membrane had hydrophilic surface after TiO₂ and Ag addition with a water contact angle of 34.58°. UV-vis data showed the shifting of absorbance and band gap energy of nanofibers membrane to visible light from 3.8 to 1.8 eV. The 60 min spun PAN/TiO₂/Ag nanofibers membrane had a 96.9% efficiency of PM_2.5, comparable to results reported in previous studies. These properties were suitable to be applied on air filtration media with photocatalytic activity for self-cleaning performance.

REASSEMBLING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN INDONESIA

This article aims to provide a dynamic picture of the technology transfer process in public research institutions in Indonesia that has been updated by establishing the National Research and Innovation Agency in August 2021. This body is directly under the President of the Republic of Indonesia based on Presidential Regulation number 78 of 2021. During the research period, there was a change in the landscape of technology transfer actors. Some of these changes are in line with the results of the analysis, namely increasing the role of GFRI and research and development agencies under the ministry. This change is referred to as technology transfer reassembly. The arrangement of technology transfer leads to a new form. The research was initiated in October 2017 using the AHP to determine the best institutional arrangement for integrating research. The AHP results show the rank of institutional arrangements from highest to lowest as Government Funded Research Institutes (GFRI) (0.27833), a research division under the Ministerial Office (0.24890), universities (0.17966), private R&D (0.13589) and foreign agencies (0.07214). Government Funded Research Institutes are the top choice of experts for having a significant role in the technology transfer process. The core function of GFRI in the technology transfer system is to plan, conduct and develop technology and they have contributed significantly to the policy-making process by providing information and policy recommendations. This research enriched the application of the recommendations by establishing the National Research and Innovation Agency as the most influential actor in building a national technology transfer system.

Marine-Derived Biowaste Conversion into Bioceramic Membrane Materials: Contrasting of Hydroxyapatite Synthesis Methods

Marine-derived biowaste increment is enormous, yet could be converted into valuable biomaterial, e.g., hydroxyapatite-based bioceramic. Bioceramic material possesses superiority in terms of thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. Bioceramic material also has a high level of biocompatibility when projected into biological tissues. Tuning the porosity of bioceramic material could also provide benefits for bioseparation application, i.e., ultrafiltration ceramic membrane filtration for food and dairy separation processes. This work presents the investigation of hydroxyapatite conversion from crab-shells marine-based biowaste, by comparing three different methods, i.e., microwave, coprecipitation, and sol-gel. The dried crab-shells were milled and calcinated as calcium precursor, then synthesized into hydroxyapatite with the addition of phosphates precursors via microwave, coprecipitation, or sol-gel. The compound and elemental analysis, degree of crystallinity, and particle shape were compared. The chemical compounds and elements from three different methods were similar, yet the degree of crystallinity was different. Higher Ca/P ratio offer benefit in producing a bioceramic ultrafiltration membrane, due to low sintering temperature. The hydroxyapatite from coprecipitation and sol-gel methods showed a significant degree of crystallinity compared with that of the microwave route. However, due to the presence of Fe and Sr impurities, the secondary phase of Ca9FeH(PO4)7 was found in the sol-gel method. The secondary phase compound has high absorbance capacity, an advantage for bioceramic ultrafiltration membranes. Furthermore, the sol-gel method could produce a snake-like shape, compared to the oval shape of the coprecipitation route, another benefit to fabricate porous bioceramic for a membrane filter.

In silico investigation of potential inhibitors to main protease and spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in propolis

Docking analysis of propolis's natural compound was successfully performed against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and spike protein subunit 2 (S2). Initially, the propolis's protein was screened using chromatography analysis and successfully identified 22 compounds in the propolis. Four compounds were further investigated, i.e., neoblavaisoflavone, methylophiopogonone A, 3'-Methoxydaidzin, and genistin. The binding affinity of 3'-Methoxydaidzin was -7.7 kcal/mol, which is similar to nelfinavir (control), while the others were -7.6 kcal/mol. However, we found the key residue of Glu A:166 in the methylophiopogonone A and genistin, even though the predicted binding energy slightly higher than nelfinavir. In contrast, the predicted binding affinity of neoblavaisoflavone, methylophiopogonone A, 3'-Methoxydaidzin, and genistin against S2 were -8.1, -8.2, -8.3, and -8.3 kcal/mol, respectively, which is far below of the control (pravastatin, -7.3 kcal/mol). Instead of conventional hydrogen bonding, the π bonding influenced the binding affinity against S2. The results reveal that this is the first report about methylophiopogonone A, 3'-Methoxydaidzin, and genistin as candidates for anti-viral agents. Those compounds can then be further explored and used as a parent backbone molecule to develop a new supplementation for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections during COVID-19 outbreaks.

Nanochitosan antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans dual-species biofilms

Objective

Chitosan nanoparticle (nanochitosan) has a broad antimicrobial spectrum against diverse pathogenic microorganisms. However, its effect on dental caries-associated microorganisms, such as Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans is yet to be explored. These microorganisms are known for causing early childhood caries. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating nanochitosan inhibition capacity against dual-species biofilms of S. mutans and C. albicans. In this study, nanochitosan antimicrobial activity is reported against mono and dual biofilm species of S. mutans and/or C. albicans at 3 and 18 h incubation time. Nanochitosan inhibition capacity was observed through biofilm mass quantity and cell viability.

Results

The present study successfully synthesized nanochitosan with average diameter of approximately 20–30 nm, and also established dual-species biofilms of S. mutans and C. albicans in vitro. With nanochitosan treatment, the cell viability of both microorganisms significantly decreased with the increasing concentration of nanochitosan. There was no significant decrease in biofilm mass both in the dual and single-species biofilms after 3 h of incubation. However, greater inhibition of biofilm was observed at 18 h incubation.

Enhanced bone regeneration capability of chitosan sponge coated with TiO2 nanoparticles

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Chitosan hybridized with titanium dioxide nanoparticles improves its bone regeneration capability.

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Nano titanium dioxide addition to the matrix of chitosan sponges was done successfully, as depicted from an even distribution of nano titanium dioxide on the surface of the sponges.

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Chitosan – nanoTiO₂ scaffold results in significantly improved sponge robustness, biomineralization, and bone regeneration capability, as indicated by DMP1 and OCN gene upregulation in chitosan-50% nanoTiO₂ sample.

Chitosan has been a popular option for tissue engineering, however exhibits limited function for bone regeneration due to its low mechanical robustness and non-osteogenic inductivity. Here we hybridized chitosan with TiO₂ nanoparticles to improve its bone regeneration capability. Morphology and crystallographic analysis showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles in anatase-type were distributed evenly on the surface of the chitosan sponges. Degradation test showed a significant effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles addition in retaining its integrity. Biomineralization assay using simulated body fluid showed apatite formation in sponges surface as denoted by PO⁴⁻ band observed in FTIR results. qPCR analysis supported chitosan - TiO₂ sponges in bone regeneration capability as indicated by DMP1 and OCN gene upregulation in TiO₂ treated group. Finally, cytotoxicity analysis supported the fact that TiO₂ nanoparticles added sponges were proved to be biocompatible. Results suggest that chitosan-50% TiO₂ nanoparticles sponges could be a potential novel scaffold for bone tissue engineering.