Curcumin (Cur) possesses remarkable pharmacological properties, including cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. However, the utilization of Cur in pharmaceuticals faces constraints owing to its inadequate water solubility and limited bioavailability. To overcome these hurdles, there has been notable focus on exploring innovative formulations, with nanobiotechnology emerging as a promising avenue to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of these complex compounds. We report a novel safe, effective method for improving the incorporation of anticancer curcumin to induce apoptosis by reducing the expression levels of miR20a and miR21. The established method features three aspects that, to our knowledge, have not been formally verified: (1) use of a novel formula to incorporate curcumin, (2) use of all biocompatible biodegradable materials to produce this formula without leaving harmful residues, and (3) an incorporation process at temperatures of approximately 50 °C. The formula was prepared from lecithin (LE), and chitosan (CH) with an eco-friendly emulsifying agent and olive oil as the curcumin solvent. The formula was converted to nanoscale through ultrasonication and probe sonication at a frequency of 20 kHz. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nano formula was spherical in shape with sizes ranging between 49.7 nm in diameter and negative zeta potentials ranging from 28 to 34 mV. Primers miR20a and miR21 were designed for molecular studies. Nearly complete curcumin with an encapsulation efficiency of 91.1% was established using a straight-line equation. The nano formula incorporated with curcumin was used to prepare formulations that exhibited anticancer activities. The apoptosis pathway in cancer cells was activated by the minimum inhibitory concentration of the nano formula. These findings suggest the potential of this nanoformulation as an effective and selective cancer treatment that does not affect the normal cells.
With the increasing demands to use remote sensing approaches, such as aerial photography, satellite imagery, and LiDAR in archaeological applications, there is still a limited number of studies assessing the differences between remote sensing methods in extracting new archaeological finds. Therefore, this work aims to critically compare two types of fine-scale remotely sensed data: LiDAR and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) derived Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. To achieve this, aerial imagery and airborne LiDAR datasets of Chun Castle were acquired, processed, analyzed, and interpreted. Chun Castle is one of the most remarkable ancient sites in Cornwall County (Southwest England) that had not been surveyed and explored
... Show MoreThe early childhood stage, which is usually described as establishing the development and growth of most of the child’s mental, psychological, moral, and physical abilities, so scientists and researchers have been interested in the growth and upbringing of the child, especially for the specified period between (6 until the age of 11) due to the importance of education in this stage. The age stage in terms of developing the child’s senses and experiences, because he is by nature inclined to play and draw in his instinctive activity, according to which his natural responses to stimuli and his contemplation of what surrounds him change. Since drawing plays an important role in raising a child from an emotional and intellectual point of vie
... Show MoreHard-grade asphalt binders like AC20-30 typically exhibit excessive stiffness, reduced penetration, and compromised workability, necessitating modification before use in paving applications. This study evaluates the efficacy of regular polyalphaolefin (PAO), a synthetic olefin-based lubricant, as a performance-enhancing modifying agent for such binders. AC20-30 was blended with PAO at dosages ranging from 2 wt.% to 10 wt.%, and the modified binders were characterized via penetration, ductility, softening point, and rotational viscosity measurements, alongside advanced rheological and chemical-morphological analyses. Incorporating PAO in AC20-30 asphalt progressively reduced the binder stiffness and enhanced its flexibility, with all modifie
... Show MoreThis is the first record of a new species of cyanobacteria Westiellopsis akinetica in the Iraqi environment, Samples were collected on June 2013 and the existence of it was not documented before. We isolated and purified this species ten years ago in Iraq, but we couldn't identify accurately based on all taxonomic handbooks. This is due to the species features being different from the other documented species in the available taxonomic lectures. It resembled many species by morphological characteristics such as Fischerella muscicola, Fischerella thermalis, Westiellopsis biateralis SA16. Westiellopsis interrupta, Westiellopsis persica SA33, Westiellopsis prolifica and Symphyonema bifilamentata. Describing a new species of the Westiellops
... Show MoreSmall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq have experienced low performance due to the limited usage of accounting information systems (AIS) and the inability to exploit knowledge of management capabilities (KMC). These deficiencies have led to competitive pressures in the marketplace that have adversely affected their sales and production. This study investigates the role of AIS in terms of operation support, knowledge support, regulatory support, and the role of KMC, including knowledge acquisition, knowledge transfer, and knowledge utilized to enhance organizational performance in Iraqi SMEs. The target population was managers and owners in SMEs using AIS in Iraq’s cities. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was use
... Show MoreA colorectal polyp (CRP) is a growth on the lining of the colon or rectum. The incidence of CRPs is rapidly increasing with age. They are most often benign. The rectum is the most commonly affected site.
To determine the incidence, clinical presentation, and histopathologic types of CRP in Iraqi patients.
It is a cross-sectional screening study conducted in the medical c
This study aimed to assess the possible association of oxytocin (OXT) gene with reproductive traits in two groups of Awassi ewes that differ in their reproductive potentials. Sheep were genotyped using PCR—single-stranded conformation polymorphism approach. Three genotypes were detected in exon 2, CC, CA, and AA, and a novel SNP was identified with a missense effect on oxytocin (c.188C > A → p.Arg55Leu). A significant (p < 0.01) association of p.Arg55Leu with the twinning rate was found as ewes with AA and CA genotypes exhibited, respectively a lower twinning ratio than those with the wild-type CC genotype. The deleterious impact of p.Arg55Leu was demonstrated by all in silico tools that were utilized to assess the effect of this varian
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