Quantification of the Surface Coverage of Gold Nanoparticles with Mercaptosulfonates Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC).

This manuscript presents a comprehensive study on the quantification of modifier molecules adsorbed on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using two complementary techniques Ellman's method (UV-vis spectroscopy) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). In this paper, we compare the feasibility of using the ITC technique and Ellman's method to study the interactions of mercaptosulfonate compounds (sodium mercaptoethanesulfonate, MES, and sodium mercaptoundecanesulfonate, MUS) with the surface of AuNPs of various sizes. The thermodynamic functions of the attachment of mercaptosulfonates to AuNPs were determined, revealing a linear relationship between the number of adsorbed molecules and the surface area of the nanoparticles.

Epigallocatechin Gallate-Modified Silver Nanoparticles Show Antiviral Activity against Herpes Simplex Type 1 and 2.

(1) Background: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been recognized as a flavonoid showing antiviral activity against various types of DNA and RNA viruses. In this work, we tested if EGCG-modified silver nanoparticles (EGCG-AgNPs) can become novel microbicides with additional adjuvant properties to treat herpes infections. (2) Methods: The anti-HSV and cytotoxic activities of EGCG-AgNPs were tested in human HaCaT and VK-2-E6/E7 keratinocytes.

Functionalized Noble Metal Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Herpesvirus Infection.

Neuroinfections caused by herpesviruses, mainly by HHV-1, represent a significant problem for modern medicine due to the small number of therapeutic substances available in the pharmaceutical sector. Furthermore, HHV-1 infection has been linked to neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer's disease, which justifies the search for new effective therapies. The development of nanotechnology opens up new possibilities for the treatment of neuroinflammation.

Anti-HSV Activity of Metallic Nanoparticles Functionalized with Sulfonates vs. Polyphenols.

Metallic nanoparticles exhibit broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The antiviral activity of nanoparticles results from the multivalent interactions of nanoparticles with viral surface components, which result from the nanometer size of the material and the presence of functional compounds adsorbed on the nanomaterial surface. A critical step in the virus infection process is docking and entry of the virus into the host cell.

Lactoferrin-Conjugated Nanoparticles as New Antivirals.

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein with multiple functions in the body. Its activity against a broad spectrum of both DNA and RNA viruses as well as the ability to modulate immune responses have made it of interest in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The mechanisms of its antiviral activity include direct binding to the viruses or its receptors or the upregulation of antiviral responses by the immune system.

Fly Ash from Lignite Combustion as a Filler for Rubber Mixes-Part II: Chemical Valorisation of Fly Ash.

Fly ash (FA) fractions with a particle size of 63 µm < FA < 250 µm obtained by sieve fractionation were used as a partial carbon black (CB) replacement in a rubber mixture based on styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). In order to improve the interactions at the interface between rubber and fractionated ash, at the stage of preparing the rubber mixtures, two different vinyl silanes were added to the system: Vinyltrimethoxysilane (U-611) or Vinyl-tris (2-methoxy-ethoxy) silane (LUVOMAXX VTMOEO DL50), silane with epoxy groups: 3-(glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (U-50) or sulfur functionalized silanes: containing sulfide bridges: Bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)polysulfide silane (Si-266) or mercapto groups: Mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (Dynaslan MTMO). The conducted research confirmed the effectiveness of silanization with selected functional silanes, from the point of view of improving the processing and operational properties of vulcanizates, in which CB is partially replaced with the finest fractions of fly ash.

Plasmonic heating of protected silver nanowires for anti-frosting superhydrophobic coating.

Atmospheric frosting and icing pose significant problems for critical and common-use infrastructures. Passive anti-frosting and anti-icing strategies that require no energy input have been actively sought, with no viable and permanent solutions known yet. Bioinspired superhydrophobic (SH) materials have been considered promising path to explore; however, the outcome has been less than compelling because of their low resistance to atmospheric humidity.

Antioxidant enzymes immobilized on gold and silver nanoparticles enhance DNA repairing systems of rat skin after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

The aim of the study was to investigate in vivo whether the application of immobilized superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) could enhance DNA repairing systems and reduce level of CPD (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) and 6-4PP ((6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts), and whether the immobilization on gold (AuNPs) and silver (AgNPs) nanoparticles affects the outcome. The study presents secondary analysis of our previous research. Three-day application of SOD and CAT in all forms of solution decreased the levels of CPD and 6-4PP boosted by UV irradiation.

Silver Nanowires and Silanes in Hybrid Functionalization of Aramid Fabrics.

New functionalization methods of - and -aramid fabrics with silver nanowires (AgNWs) and two silanes (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)) and diethoxydimethylsilane (DEDMS) were developed: a one-step method (mixture) with AgNWs dispersed in the silane mixture and a two-step method (layer-by-layer) in which the silanes mixture was applied to the previously deposited AgNWs layer. The fabrics were pre-treated in a low-pressure air radio frequency (RF) plasma and subsequently coated with polydopamine. The modified fabrics acquired hydrophobic properties (contact angle Θ of 112-125°).

Lactoferrin-Functionalized Noble Metal Nanoparticles as New Antivirals for HSV-2 Infection.

(1) Background: Lactoferrin has been recognized as a potent inhibitor of human herpetic viruses, such as herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2). In this work, we tested if silver and gold nanoparticles modified with lactoferrin (LF-Ag/AuNPs) can become novel microbicides with additional adjuvant properties to treat genital herpes infection. (2) Methods: The antiviral and cytotoxic activities of LF-Ag/AuNPs were tested in human skin HaCaT and vaginal VK-2-E6/E7 keratinocytes.

Influence of Modified Epoxy Resins on Peroxide Curing, Mechanical Properties and Adhesion of SBR, NBR and XNBR to Silver Wires. Part I: Application of Monoperoxy Derivative of Epoxy Resin (PO).

The research was aimed at checking the effect of monoperoxy derivative of epoxy resin (PO) on the possibility of rubber crosslinking and a subsequent adhesion of the modified rubber to silver wires. Three of the commonly industrially used rubbers were selected for the study: styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (XNBR), together with the popular, commercially available Epidian 6 epoxy resin, subjected to the functionalization. An improvement in the adhesion of rubbers to silver wires was observed when using the modified resin.

Influence of Modified Epoxy Resins on Peroxide Curing, Mechanical Properties and Adhesion of SBR, NBR and XNBR to Silver Wires-Part II: Application of Carboxy-Containing Peroxy Oligomer (CPO).

This research was aimed at verifying the effect of carboxy-containing peroxy oligomer (CPO) addition on the possibility of rubber crosslinking and a subsequent adhesion of the modified rubber to silver wires. Three commonly industrially used rubbers were selected for the study: styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (XNBR), together with carboxy-containing peroxy oligomer (CPO). An improvement in the adhesion of rubbers to silver wires was observed when applying the oligomeric peroxide with functional groups, with no deterioration of mechanical properties of the vulcanizates.

Facile synthesis of SnO shell followed by microwave treatment for high environmental stability of Ag nanoparticles.

This study describes a new method for passivating Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) with SnO layer and their further treatment by microwave irradiation. The one-step process of SnO layer formation was carried out by adding sodium stannate to the boiling aqueous AgNPs solution, which resulted in the formation of core@shell Ag@SnO nanoparticles. The coating formation was a tunable process, making it possible to obtain an SnO layer thickness in the range from 2 to 13 nm.

Polyphenol-Conjugated Bimetallic Au@AgNPs for Improved Wound Healing.

Background: Polyphenols possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and have been used in the treatment of skin wounds and burns. We previously showed that tannic acid-modified AgNPs sized >26 nm promote wound healing, while tannic acid-modified AgNPs sized 13 nm can elicit strong local inflammatory response. In this study, we tested bimetallic Au@AgNPs sized 30 nm modified with selected flavonoid and non-flavonoid compounds for wound healing applications.

Influence of Low-Pressure RF Plasma Treatment on Aramid Yarns Properties.

The aim of the study was to modify the surface free energy (SFE) of meta- (mAr) and para-aramid (pAr) yarns by their activation in low-pressure air radio frequency (RF) (40 kHz) plasma and assessment of its impact on the properties of the yarns. After 10 and 90 min of activation, the SFE value increased, respectively, by 14% and 37% for mAr, and by 10% and 37% for pAr. The value of the polar component increased, respectively by 22% and 57% for mAr and 20% and 62% for pAr.

Combined effect of silver nanoparticles and aluminium chloride, butylparaben or diethylphthalate on the malignancy of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and tumor-specific immune responses of human macrophages and monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

The aim of this study was to assess whether silver nanoparticles (AgNP) or selected cosmetic ingredients may modify functions of various immunocompetent cell populations. To this end, the effect of two AgNP (size of 15 nm or 45 nm), alone and in combination with aluminium chloride, butyl paraben, di-n-butyl phthalate or diethyl phthalate was assessed on: (1) migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells; (2) M1/M2 polarization of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-differentiated THP-1 macrophages (M0) and (3) activation/maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). The results of this study showed that neither any of the test chemicals alone nor the mixtures significantly changed the migration or invasion ability of MDA-MB-231 cells following, both 72-h and 21-day exposure.

The effect of immobilized antioxidant enzymes on the oxidative stress in UV-irradiated rat skin.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) immobilized on gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and silver nanoparticles (AgNP) nanoparticles were used to reduce UV radiation-induced oxidative stress in rat skin. The antioxidant influence of the enzymes was investigated on level of malondialdehyde, 8-hydroksy-2'deoksyguanozine, myeloperoxidase, total antioxidant capacity, SOD2 and CAT activity and expression, and glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity. The application of immobilized SOD and CAT on UV-irradiated skin reduced malondialdehyde and 8-hydroksy-2'deoksyguanozine levels also SOD and CAT activity and expression increased.

The synthesis of monodisperse silver nanoparticles with plant extracts.

Plant extracts are known for their antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties. These biological properties make plant extracts interesting surface modifiers of nanoparticles (NPs), which are also known for their unique features. Plant extracts can play a multifunctional role in the synthesis of NPs (i.

A Study of the Activity of Recombinant Mn-Superoxide Dismutase in the Presence of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the best characterized enzyme maintaining the redox state in the cell. A bacterial expression system was used to produce human recombinant manganese SOD with a His-tag on the C-end of the protein for better purification. In addition, gold and silver nanoparticles were chemically synthesized in a variety of sizes, and then mixed with the enzyme for immobilization.

Antiviral Activity of Tannic Acid Modified Silver Nanoparticles: Potential to Activate Immune Response in Herpes Genitalis.

(1) Background: Tannic acid is a plant-derived polyphenol showing antiviral activity mainly because of an interference with the viral adsorption. In this work, we tested whether the modification of silver nanoparticles with tannic acid (TA-AgNPs) can provide a microbicide with additional adjuvant properties to treat genital herpes infection. (2) Methods: The mouse model of the vaginal herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection was used to test immune responses after treatment of the primary infection with TA-AgNPs, and later, after a re-challenge with the virus.

Comparison of the antioxidant activity of catalase immobilized on gold nanoparticles via specific and non-specific adsorption.

In this study, we present a comparison of the antioxidant activity of catalase immobilized on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by two methods: i) directly on the surface of AuNPs (non-specific immobilization), and ii) via chemical bonding using a linker (specific immobilization). Quantification of the enzyme amount adsorbed on the nanoparticle surface was determined by native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (native-PAGE). Colloidal stability of AuNPs before and after the enzyme immobilization was monitored with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-vis spectroscopy.

Tannic acid-modified silver nanoparticles for wound healing: the importance of size.

Introduction: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to promote wound healing and to exhibit antimicrobial properties against a broad range of bacteria. In our previous study, we prepared tannic acid (TA)-modified AgNPs showing a good toxicological profile and immunomodulatory properties useful for potential dermal applications.

Methods: In this study, in vitro scratch assay, antimicrobial tests, modified lymph node assay as well as a mouse splint wound model were used to access the wound healing potential of TA-modified and unmodified AgNPs.

Multifunctional Tannic Acid/Silver Nanoparticle-Based Mucoadhesive Hydrogel for Improved Local Treatment of HSV Infection: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Mucoadhesive gelling systems with tannic acid modified silver nanoparticles were developed for effective treatment of herpes virus infections. To increase nanoparticle residence time after local application, semi solid formulations designed from generally regarded as safe (GRAS) excipients were investigated for their rheological and mechanical properties followed with ex vivo mucoadhesive behavior to the porcine vaginal mucosa. Particular effort was made to evaluate the activity of nanoparticle-based hydrogels toward herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 infection in vitro in immortal human keratinocyte cell line and in vivo using murine model of HSV-2 genital infection.