Toxicity, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and DNA Cleavage Effects of Dextran-Graft-Polyacrylamide/Zinc Oxide Nanosystems.

Synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles-polymer nanocomposites is an emerging strategy in nanotechnology to improve targeted delivery and reduce the toxicity of nanoparticles. In this study, we report biological effects of previously described hybrid nanocomposites containing dextran-graft-polyacrylamide/zinc oxide nanoparticles (D-PAA/ZnO NPs) prepared from zinc sulfate (D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO)) and zinc acetate (D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc)) focusing primarily on their antimicrobial activity. D-PAA/ZnONPs(SO) and D-PAA/ZnONPs(-OAc) nanosystems were tested in a complex way to assess their antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), antidiabetic potential (α-amylase inhibition), DNA cleavage activity, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activity.

The Syntheses of Chromium Aluminum Carbide (CrAlC) MAX Phase and CrCTx MXene and Investigation of Their Antimicrobial Properties.

Chromium aluminum carbide (CrAlC) MAX phase and CrCT (MXene-Cr) were synthesized by the pressureless sintering method and hydrothermal method, respectively. In addition to this, the free radical scavenging activities (FRSA) of MAX-Cr phase and MXene-Cr compounds were tested and compared with ascorbic acid and trolox as standard compounds. The obtained FRSA results of MAX-Cr phase and MXene-Cr were 42.

Development of a CrAlC MAX phase/g-CN composite-based electrochemical sensor for accurate cabotegravir determination in pharmaceutical and biological samples.

A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor is reported that employs a modified electrode for the precise measurement of cabotegravir, a potent anti-HIV drug. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilized for this purpose. Electrode modification involved the immobilization of CrAlC MAX phase/g-CN onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to enhance its electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for cabotegravir detection.

Synthesis of PES membranes modified with polyurethane-paraffin wax nanocapsules and performance of bovine serum albumin and humic acid rejection.

Membrane fouling is a serious handicap of membrane-based separation, as it reduces permeation flux and hence increases operational and maintenance expenses. Polyurethane-paraffin wax (PU/PW) nanocapsules were integrated into the polyethersulfone membrane to manufacture a composite membrane with higher antifouling and permeability performance against humic acid (HA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) foulants. All manufactured membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), and contact angle.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of gold and silver nanoparticles in dextran-polyacrylamide copolymers.

Search for new antimicrobial agents is of great significance due to the issue of antimicrobial resistance, which nowadays has become more important than many diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and biological effects of a dextran-graft-polyacrylamide (D-PAA) polymer-nanocarrier with/without silver or gold nanoparticles (AgNPs/D-PAA and AuNPs/D-PAA, respectively) to analyze their potential to replace or supplement conventional antibiotic therapy. The toxicity of nanocomplexes against eukaryotic cells was assessed on primary dermal fibroblasts using scratch, micronucleus and proliferation assays.

Boron-based magnesium diboride nanosheets preparation and tested for antimicrobial properties for PES membrane.

Antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics for current bacterial infection treatments is a medical problem. 2D nanoparticles, which can be used as both antibiotic carriers and direct antibacterial agents due to their large surface areas and direct contact with the cell membrane, are important alternatives in solving this problem. This study focuses on the effects of a new generation borophene derivative obtained from MgB particles on the antimicrobial activity of polyethersulfone membranes.

Antifouling and antibacterial performance evaluation of polyethersulfone membranes modified with AZ63 alloy.

Antibacterial membranes have attracted researchers' interest in recent years as a possible approach for dealing with biofouling on the membrane surface. This research aims to see if blending AZ63 Mg alloy into a polyethersulphone (PES) membrane can improve antifouling and separation properties. The composite membranes' pure water flux continued to increase from pristine PES to PES/AZ63 2.

Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity study of cerium oxide nanoparticles with two different sizes.

The control over bacterial diseases requires the development of novel antibacterial agents. The use of antibacterial nanomedicines is one of the strategies to tackle antibiotic resistance. The study was designed to assess the antimicrobial activity of cerium oxide (CeO ) nanoparticles (NP) of two different sizes (CeO NP1 [1-2 nm] and CeO NP2 [10-12 nm]) and their cytotoxicity towards eukaryotic cells.

Development of antimicrobial nanocomposite scaffolds via loading CZTSe quantum dots for wound dressing applications.

The antimicrobial properties of scaffolds designed for use in wound healing are accepted as an important factor in the healing process to accelerate the wound healing process without causing inflammation. For this purpose, chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol composite membranes loaded with CuZnSnSequantum dots (CZTSe QDs) as an antibacterial and cytocompatible biomaterial to regulate the wound healing process were produced. CZTSe QDs particles were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions.

Antimicrobial Effects of Nanostructured Rare-Earth-Based Orthovanadates.

The search for novel antimicrobial agents is of huge importance. Nanomaterials can come to the rescue in this case. The aim of this study was to assess the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial effects of rare-earth-based orthovanadate nanoparticles.

Experimental confirmation of antimicrobial effects of GdYVO:Eu nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology can be applied to design antibacterial agents to combat antibiotic resistance. The aim of the present study was to assess the antimicrobial effects and cytotoxicity of GdYVO:Eu nanoparticles (NPs). Biofilm inhibition activity, antimicrobial activity, bacterial viability inhibition and DNA cleavage activity of GdYVO:Eu NPs were studied.

Water-Based Synthesis of Copper Chalcogenide Structures and Their Photodynamic Immunomodulatory Activities on Mammalian Macrophages.

Generation of novel and versatile immunomodulatory agents that could suppress excessive inflammation has been crucial to fight against chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Immunomodulatory agents regulate the function of immune system cells to manage their activities. Current therapy regimens for the inflammatory and autoimmune disorders rely on immunomodulatory drug molecules but they are also associated with unwanted and severe side effects.

Molecular mechanism of direct electron transfer in the robust cytochrome-functionalised graphene nanosystem.

Construction of green nanodevices characterised by excellent long-term performance remains high priority in biotechnology and medicine. Tight electronic coupling of proteins to electrodes is essential for efficient direct electron transfer (DET) across the bio-organic interface. Rational modulation of this coupling depends on in-depth understanding of the intricate properties of interfacial DET.

Imidazole substituted Zinc(II) phthalocyanines for co-catalyst-free photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution: influence of the anchoring group.

Novel zinc phthalocyanine derivatives, ZnPc-1 and ZnPc-2, consisting of one and four imidazole units, respectively, have been synthesized and utilized as panchromatic photosensitizers for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical H evolution. The effect of the imidazole-anchoring group on the photocatalytic H production has been compared with ZnPc-3, which possesses a carboxylic acid unit as the anchoring group. ZnPc-1/TiO shows the best photoactivity with the highest H evolution rate of 0.

Development of a Novel Nanoarchitecture of the Robust Photosystem I from a Volcanic Microalga on Single Layer Graphene for Improved Photocurrent Generation.

Here, we report the development of a novel photoactive biomolecular nanoarchitecture based on the genetically engineered extremophilic photosystem I (PSI) biophotocatalyst interfaced with a single layer graphene via pyrene-nitrilotriacetic acid self-assembled monolayer (SAM). For the oriented and stable immobilization of the PSI biophotocatalyst, an His-tag was genetically engineered at the -terminus of the stromal PsaD subunit of PSI, allowing for the preferential binding of this photoactive complex with its reducing side towards the graphene monolayer. This approach yielded a novel robust and ordered nanoarchitecture designed to generate an efficient direct electron transfer pathway between graphene, the metal redox center in the organic SAM and the photo-oxidized PSI biocatalyst.

Antiinflammatory photodynamic therapy potential of polyoxyethylene-substituted perylene diimide, nitrocatechol, and azo dye.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications enable light-controlled activation of drug candidates instead of their constitutive activities to prevent undesired side effects associated with their constant activities. A specific wavelength of light is utilized to enable electron mobility in the chemical structure, which results in differential activities that may alter cell viability and cellular functions. Canonical photodynamic therapy applications mostly focus on cytotoxicity-based antimicrobial and anticancer properties of the PDT agents.

Investigation of the antifouling properties of polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes by blending of boron nitride quantum dots.

This study aims to investigate the modification of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane with boron nitride quantum dots (BNQD) for improving the antifouling performance. The composite membranes were synthesized by blending different amounts of BNQD (0.50, 1.

Enhancement of direct electron transfer in graphene bioelectrodes containing novel cytochrome c variants with optimized heme orientation.

The highly efficient bioelectrodes based on single layer graphene (SLG) functionalized with pyrene self-assembled monolayer and novel cytochromec(cytc)peptide linker variants were rationally designed to optimize the direct electron transfer (DET) between SLG and the heme group of cyt. Through a combination of photoelectrochemical and quantum mechanical (QM/MM) approaches we show that the specific amino acid sequence of a short peptide genetically inserted between the cytcholoprotein and thesurface anchoring C-terminal His-tag plays a crucial role in ensuring the optimal orientation and distance of the heme group with respect to the SLG surface. Consequently, efficient DET occurring between graphene and cyt c leads to a 20-fold enhancement of the cathodic photocurrent output compared to the previously reported devices of a similar type.

Detection of Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 4 with a Label-free Electrochemical Impedance Biosensor Based on a Zinc(II) Phthalocyanine Tetracarboxylic Acid-Functionalized Disposable Indium Tin Oxide Electrode.

A new impedimetric biosensing system based on kallikrein-related peptidase 4 (KLK 4) antigen-specific antibodies and a zinc(II) phthalocyanine tetracarboxylic acid (Zn-PcTCa) matrix material was developed for the first time in this study. First, a Zn-PcTCa-coated indium tin oxide surface was used as an interface matrix material for the immobilization of anti-KLK 4 antibodies, and they bound to the platform via amide bonds. In the presence of KLK 4 antigens, the anti-KLK 4 antibodies specifically captured these antigens and caused changes in the electrochemical properties of the system.

Immunoactive photosensitizers had photodynamic immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory effects on mammalian macrophages.

Photodynamic compounds have great potential in biological applications. Their controlled and localized activation with specific wavelength of light provides opportunities to potentially evade the side effects of today's cancer therapies. Biologically compatible photosensitizers can be used in therapy against cancer, infections as well as inflammatory and immune disorders.

Subphthalocyanine-sensitized TiO photocatalyst for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

A series of SubPcs comprising a carboxylic acid anchoring group at the peripheral (SubPcs 1, 2) or axial position (SubPc 3) were synthesized and used as sensitizers for photocatalytic H2 production, for the first time. SubPc 3/TiO2 shows the best photocatalytic activity with a hydrogen evolution rate of 1396 μmol h-1, which is much higher than that of SubPcs 1 and 2 (771 and 658 μmol g-1, respectively). This work clearly shows that considering their optical and redox properties, SubPcs are promising candidates for light-driven water splitting systems.

Radiolabeling, Cell Uptake, and Photodynamic Therapy Potential of Targeted Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Containing Zinc Phthalocyanine.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive therapy based on the photodynamic effect. In this study, we sought to determine intracellular uptake and photodynamic therapy potential of Zn phthalocyanine-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNP5) against pancreatic cancer cells. MSNP5 were labeled with I; the radiolabeling efficiency was found to 95.

Antifungal photodynamic activities of phthalocyanine derivatives on Candida albicans.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the treatment of infectious diseases worldwide. Candida albicans is one of the most virulent and common species of fungi to cause invasive fungal infections on humans. Alternative treatment strategies, including photodynamic therapy, are needed for controlling these infectious diseases.

Differential effects of aminochlorin derivatives on the phagocytic and inflammatory potentials of mammalian macrophages.

Chlorin derivatives have been known for their biological activities. Especially due to their advanced electron transfer capacity they have been used as photodynamic therapy agent both at clinical and laboratory scales. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancer or an infectious disease aims the development of less side effect on the patient since the activation of the inert drug molecule will start only after the light treatment.