Isolation of the Antifungal Compound Alliodorin from the Heartwood of Cordia elaeagnoides A. DC. and the In Silico Analysis of the Laccase.

Cordia elaeagnoides A. DC. is an endemic species of Mexico valued for its timber. Renowned for its durability, resistance, and versatile applications in medicine, this tree holds significant commercial importance. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) extract from the heartwood of C. elaeagnoides was studied. Through chromatographic column purification, the compound 8-(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal, also known as alliodorin, was successfully isolated. Identification of alliodorin was confirmed through comprehensive analysis utilizing NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry techniques. Inhibition tests were conducted using both the THF extract and alliodorin against the rotting fungus Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd, employing the agar well diffusion assay. Remarkably, alliodorin exhibited 100% inhibition with a median lethal concentration of 0.079 mg/mL and a total lethal concentration of 0.127 mg/mL, in comparison to the commercial fungicide benomyl, which requires a concentration of 1 mg/mL. In silico analysis through molecular docking on the laccase enzyme was proposed in order to explain the inhibitory activity against the fungus T. versicolor, as this enzyme is one of the main sources of nutrients and development for the fungus. Based on these findings, we deduced that alliodorin holds promise as a potent antifungal agent, potentially applicable in a wide array of technological and environmentally friendly initiatives.

Advances of Nanotechnology in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising technology in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), specifically in the implementation of diagnosis and treatment strategies. Nanotechnology-based approaches, such as nanoparticle-based contrast agents and nanoscale imaging techniques, have shown great potential for enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of HCC detection. These approaches provide high-resolution imaging and allow for the detection of molecular markers and alterations in cellular morphology associated with HCC. In terms of treatment, nanotechnology has revolutionized HCC therapy by enabling targeted drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing off-target effects. Nanoparticle-based drug carriers can be functionalized with ligands specific to HCC cells, allowing for selective accumulation of therapeutic agents at the tumor site. Furthermore, nanotechnology can facilitate combination therapy by co-encapsulating multiple drugs within a single nanoparticle, allowing for synergistic effects and overcoming drug resistance. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advances in nanotechnology-based approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Further research is needed to optimize the design and functionality of nanoparticles, improve their biocompatibility and stability, and evaluate their long-term safety and efficacy. Nonetheless, the integration of nanotechnology in HCC management holds great promise and may lead to improved patient outcomes in the future.

DFT Study of Adsorption Behavior of Nitro Species on Carbon-Doped Boron Nitride Nanoribbons for Toxic Gas Sensing.

The modifications of the electronic properties on carbon-doped boron nitride nanoribbons (BNNRs) as a response to the adsorption of different nitro species were investigated in the framework of the density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. Calculations were performed using the SIESTA code. We found that the main response involved tuning the original magnetic behavior to a non-magnetic system when the molecule was chemisorbed on the carbon-doped BNNR. It was also revealed that some species could be dissociated through the adsorption process. Furthermore, the nitro species preferred to interact over nanosurfaces where dopants substituted the B sublattice of the carbon-doped BNNRs. Most importantly, the switch on the magnetic behavior offers the opportunity to apply these systems to fit novel technological applications.

Electronic properties and reactivity of oxidized graphene nanoribbons and their interaction with phenol.

The effect of the oxidized functional groups on the structural, electronic, and reactivity properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons has been investigated in the framework of the density functional theory. The presence of functional groups near the edges stabilizes the oxidized graphene nanoribbons (OGNRs) more than substituting near the center. Overall, we found slight differences in the electronic properties of OGNRs concerning the pristine ones. The oxygen contribution of functional groups to the DOS is found in the conducting energy bands far from the Fermi level. Consequently, the semiconducting behavior is maintained after doping. Based on the reactivity of OGNRs, the most promising nanostructures were proposed as adsorbents studying the interaction and complexation with phenol, a critical pollutant removed mainly by hydrotreating processes (HDO) to produce bio-oil. Parallel and perpendicular phenol conformations were found towards the OGNRs in the optimized complexes driven by a physisorption process. These results provide significant insights for catalytic processes that use biomass derivatives containing phenolic compounds. The physisorption of streams containing pollutants on OGNRs could be adapted to new technological applications for the remotion of aromatic compounds under environmentally friendly operational conditions.

Synthesis of graphene oxide from agave fiberTequilana Weberby hydrothermal method.

Lignocellulosic residues are an important biomass source in Mexico, which can be considered as starting materials for obtaining carbon materials. In this work, carbon materials were produced by pyrolysis of agave fiber (AF). The results obtained revealed that the hydrothermal process was successfully used for the synthesis of carbon fibers and subsequently potentiate the production of graphite sheets and graphene oxide (GO), after determining and optimizing the reaction conditions. The formation of graphite and GO was indicated by XRD, Raman spectroscopy and TGA thermal analysis, the latter evaluated the carbon oxidation range. Scanning electron microscope showed the samples morphology and microstructure of the AFTequilana Weberand the synthesized products (Graphite-600 °C, GO-800 °C and GO-1000 °C), being all of them carbon allotropes, they presented size and variable thickness, with potential surface characteristics useful in various industrial applications. The hydrothermal and thermal processes were considered an economic and environmental way of obtaining materials under inert conditions, especially to produce GO, which is a material that has many useful properties and a plethora of new applications, like a more affordable support for catalysts, absorbent, semiconductor.