Transcriptome Metabolic Characterization of SP1-A New Spanish Strain for In Vitro Studies of the Bianchetto Truffle.

Truffles are ascomycete hypogeous fungi belonging to the family of the order that grow in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with tree roots, and they are known for their peculiar aromas and flavors. The axenic culture of truffle mycelium is problematic because it is not possible in many cases, and the growth rate is meager when it is possible. This limitation has prompted searching and characterizing new strains that can be handled in laboratory conditions for basic and applied studies.

Influence of droplet size on the antibacterial efficacy of citral and citronella oil nanoemulsions in polysaccharide coated fresh-cut apples.

Fresh-cut fruits are highly perishable and susceptible to bacterial contamination. Polysaccharides edible coating loaded with essential oils nanoemulsions have the potential to extend shelf life and improve quality of fruits. The effectiveness of this approach is dependent on the properties of the nanoemulsions, such as droplet size (DS) and stability.

Low efficacy of NcGRA7, NcSAG4, NcBSR4 and NcSRS9 formulated in poly-ε-caprolactone against Neospora caninum infection in mice.

The protective efficacy of vaccination with Neospora caninum recombinant antigens was evaluated in Balb/c pregnant and non-pregnant mouse models of neosporosis. A major immunodominant dense granule protein (NcGRA7) and three bradyzoite-specific surface antigens (NcSAG4, NcBSR4 and NcSRS9) were expressed in Escherichia coli and encapsulated within poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles for the first time. Good efficiencies of entrapment (greater than 50%) were obtained for all encapsulated proteins.

Oral administration of paclitaxel with pegylated poly(anhydride) nanoparticles: permeability and pharmacokinetic study.

The aim of this work was to study the potential of pegylated poly(anhydride) nanoparticles as carriers for the oral delivery of paclitaxel (PTX). Paclitaxel is an anticancer drug, ascribed to the class IV of the Biopharmaceutical Classification system, characterised for its low aqueous solubility and to act as a substrate of the P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450. For the pegylation of nanoparticles, three different poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were used: PEG 2000 (PTX-NP2), PEG 6000 (PTX-NP6) and PEG 10,000 (PTX-NP10).

Bioadhesive properties of poly(anhydride) nanoparticles coated with different molecular weights chitosan.

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize the bioadhesive properties of poly(anhydride) nanoparticles coated with two types of low-molecular weight chitosan (CH20 of 20 kDa or CH50 of 50 kDa) or their thiolated conjugates. Nanoparticles were prepared by a solvent displacement method and characterized by measuring the size, zeta potential, morphology and composition. For bioadhesion studies, nanoparticles were fluorescently labelled with rhodamine B isothiocyanate.

Poly(anhydride) nanoparticles as adjuvants for mucosal vaccination.

In the last years, many efforts have been directed toward the enhancement of vaccine delivery by using polymeric nanoparticles as adjuvants for mucosal immunization. However, conventional nanoparticles usually display a low capability to target specific sites within the gut and, thus, the elicited immune responses are not as high as necessary to offer the adequate protection to the host. To overcome these drawbacks, one possible strategy can be the association of nanoparticles with compounds involved in the colonization process of microorganisms.

Immunoadjuvant capacity of flagellin and mannosamine-coated poly(anhydride) nanoparticles in oral vaccination.

Bioadhesive poly(anhydride) nanoparticles coated with mannose (M-NP) or Salmonella Enteritidis derived flagellin (F-NP) were designed to be applied in oral vaccination strategies using ovalbumin (OVA) as antigen model. Nanoparticles formulations (OVA-M-NP, OVA-F-NP and control OVA-NP) were characterized and evaluated in BALB/c mice. OVA-M-NP and OVA-F-NP displayed a size of about 300-400 nm and were efficiently coated with the respective ligand, Systemic and mucosal immune responses reported after S.

Bioadhesive properties and biodistribution of cyclodextrin-poly(anhydride) nanoparticles.

This work describes the preparation, characterization and evaluation of the nanoparticles formed by the copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (Gantrez) AN) and cyclodextrins, including beta-cyclodextrin (CD) hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD) and 6-monodeoxy-6-monoamino-beta-cyclodextrin (NHCD). The cyclodextrin-poly(anhydride) nanoparticles were prepared by a solvent displacement method and characterized by measuring the size, zeta potential, morphology and composition. For bioadhesion studies, nanoparticles were fluorescently labelled with rhodamine B isothiocianate (RBITC).

Evaluation of bioadhesive capacity and immunoadjuvant properties of vitamin B(12)-Gantrez nanoparticles.

Purpose: To design bioadhesive Gantrez AN (poly[methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride], PVM/MA) nanoparticles (NP) coated with vitamin B(12) (Vit B(12)), and investigate their application in oral antigen delivery.

Methods: The association of Vit B(12) to Gantrez AN nanoparticles was performed by the direct attachment of reactive Vit B(12) to the surface of the nanoparticles (NPB), or linking to the copolymer chains in dimethylformamide prior to NP formation (NPB-DMF). Nanoparticles were characterized by measuring the size, zeta potential, Vit B(12) association efficacy, and stability of Vit B(12) on the surface of the nanoparticles.

Mannose-targeted systems for the delivery of therapeutics.

Background: The specific targeting of nanomedicines to mannose receptors, highly expressed in cells of the immune system, performs a useful strategy for improving the efficacy of vaccines and chemotherapy.

Objective: This review discusses the potential of mannose-targeted drug/antigen delivery systems for vaccination and treatment of diseases localized in macrophages and other antigen-presenting cells.

Methods: The first part of the review describes the characteristics, localization and functions of mannose receptors.

Bioadhesive capacity and immunoadjuvant properties of thiamine-coated nanoparticles.

The general aim of this work was to develop polymeric nanoparticle carriers with bioadhesive properties, and to evaluate its adjuvant potential for oral vaccination. Thiamine was used as specific ligand-nanoparticle conjugate (TNP) to target specific sites within the gastrointestinal tract, enterocytes and Peyer's patches. The affinity of nanoparticles to the gut mucosa was studied in orally inoculated rats.

Bioadhesive mannosylated nanoparticles for oral drug delivery.

The aim of this work was to design mannosylated Gantrez AN nanoparticles (M-NP) and to describe their gut bioadhesive properties in order to develop a promising carrier for future applications in oral drug delivery. For that purpose, the process of the nanoparticles coating with mannosamine was optimized by the incubation of Gantrez AN nanoparticles with different volumes of mannosamine aqueous solutions at different times. Then, the nanoparticles were characterized by measuring the size, zeta potential, mannosamine content, and concanavalin A (Con A) binding.

Salmonella-like bioadhesive nanoparticles.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the bioadhesive potential of a polymeric vector obtained by the association between Gantrez AN nanoparticles and flagella-enriched Salmonella enteritidis extract. Fluorescently labelled nanoparticles (SE-NP) were prepared, after incubation between the polymer and the extract, by a solvent displacement method and cross-linkage with 1,3-diaminopropane. SE-NP displayed a size close to 280 nm and the amount of associated bacterial extract was 18 mug/mg nanoparticle.