First report of grapevine Flavescence dorée phytoplasma in the Czech Republic.

Viticulture is a traditional branch of agriculture in the Czech Republic. Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) are cultivated on more than 18,000 hectares in the wine-growing regions of Bohemia and South Moravia.

Intracellular Trafficking of Cationic Carbon Dots in Cancer Cell Lines MCF-7 and HeLa-Time Lapse Microscopy, Concentration-Dependent Uptake, Viability, DNA Damage, and Cell Cycle Profile.

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) are potential tools for the labeling of cells with many advantages such as photostability, multicolor emission, small size, rapid uptake, biocompatibility, and easy preparation. Affinity towards organelles can be influenced by the surface properties of CDs which affect the interaction with the cell and cytoplasmic distribution. Organelle targeting by carbon dots is promising for anticancer treatment; thus, intracellular trafficking and cytotoxicity of cationic CDs was investigated.

Raman imaging of cellular uptake and studies of silver nanoparticles effect in BJ human fibroblasts cell lines.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely studied for their beneficial antimicrobial effect and have been considered by some to be a safe ingredient, as penetration of metal nanoparticles through the skin in vivo has not been proven. However, AgNPs are becoming a commonly applied nanomaterial for surface modifications of medical products which come into contact with damaged skin. In our experiments, we tested two commercially available AgNPs samples manufactured by electrolysis.

Adverse Phototoxic Effect of Essential Plant Oils on NIH 3T3 Cell Line after UV Light Exposure.

Aim: Natural or artificial substances have become an inseparable part of our lives. It is questionable whether adequate testing has been performed in order to ensure these substances do not pose a serious health risk. The principal aim of our research was to clarify the potential risk of adding essential oils to food, beverages and cosmetic products.

The effect of silver nanoparticles and silver ions on mammalian and plant cells in vitro.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most frequently applied nanomaterials. In our experiments, we tested AgNPs (size 27 nm) manufactured by the Tollens process. Physico-chemical methods (TEM, DLS, AFM and spectrophotometry) were used for characterization and imaging of AgNPs.

Effect of Porphyrin Sensitizer MgTPPS4 on Cytoskeletal System of HeLa Cell Line-Microscopic Study.

Metalloporphyrins are an important group of sensitizers with a porphyrin skeleton. Their photophysical properties are significantly affected by the nature of the central ion. In this work, we focus on the mechanical properties of a cervix carcinoma cell line which underwent photodynamic treatment (PDT) with MgTPPS4 photosensitzer.

Reprint of: Cytotoxicity, cell uptake and microscopic analysis of titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles in vitro.

Commercially manufactured nanomaterials are used massively for modification of products of everyday use, including products intended for children. Therefore their potential risks have to be ultimately studied. Aside from toxicity of nanomaterials with known specific parameters, the end-consumer is potentially endangered by materials with unknown specification.

Characteristics of silver nanoparticles in vehicles for biological applications.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used for decades as anti-bacterial agents in various industrial fields such as cosmetics, health industry, food storage, textile coatings and environmental applications, although their toxicity is not fully recognized yet. Antimicrobial and catalytic activity of AgNPs depends on their size as well as structure, shape, size distribution, and physico-chemical environment. The unique properties of AgNPs require novel or modified toxicological methods for evaluation of their toxic potential combined with robust analytical methods for characterization of nanoparticles applied in relevant vehicles, e.

Cytotoxicity, cell uptake and microscopic analysis of titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles in vitro.

Commercially manufactured nanomaterials are used massively for modification of products of everyday use, including products intended for children. Therefore their potential risks have to be ultimately studied. Aside from toxicity of nanomaterials with known specific parameters, the end-consumer is potentially endangered by materials with unknown specification.

In vitro cytotoxicity analysis of doxorubicin-loaded/superparamagnetic iron oxide colloidal nanoassemblies on MCF7 and NIH3T3 cell lines.

One of the promising strategies for improvement of cancer treatment is based on magnetic drug delivery systems, thus avoiding side effects of standard chemotherapies. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have ideal properties to become a targeted magnetic drug delivery contrast probes, named theranostics. We worked with SPIO condensed colloidal nanocrystal clusters (MagAlg) prepared through a new soft biomineralization route in the presence of alginate as the polymeric shell and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX).

Study of photodynamic, sonodynamic and antioxidative influence on HeLa cell line.

Photodynamic treatment (PDT) in combination with sonodynamic treatment (SDT) can be used as suitable methods to treat malignant and benign diseases or combat resistant bacteria. Both methods affect the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the other hand, antioxidants are useful for cell protection against ROS.

The application of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on S. aureus and E. coli using porphyrin photosensitizers bound to cyclodextrin.

Photodynamic therapy is usually used against malignant and non-malignant tumors. Nowadays, due to resistance of bacterial strains, we are looking for a new antimicrobial strategy to destroy bacteria with minimal invasive consequences. The worldwide increase in antibiotic resistance among different classes of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria has led to the search for alternative anti-microbial therapies such as antimicrobial PDT (aPDT).

The effect of photodynamic treatment on the morphological and mechanical properties of the HeLa cell line.

High resolution imaging of biological structures and changes induced by various agents such as drugs and toxins is commonly performed by fluorescence and electron microscopy (EM). Although high-resolution imaging is possible with EM, the requirements for fixation and staining of samples for image contrast severely limits the study of living organisms. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), on the other hand, is capable of simultaneous nanometer spatial resolution and piconewton force detection, allowing detailed study of cell surface morphology and monitoring cytomechanical information.

Comparing biocompatibility of gingival fibroblasts and bacterial strains on a different modified titanium discs.

The modification of implant surface situated in the area of peri-implant sulcus has important role in bacterial and cell adhesion. Six different chemically and physically modified titanium discs were prepared: glazed (Tis-MALP), unglazed (Tis-O), unglazed and alkali-etched (Tis-OA), unglazed and coated with ZrN (Tis-OZ), unglazed, sand blasted, and acid etched (Tis-OPAE), and unglazed, sand blasted, acid, and alkali etched (Tis-OPAAE). Analysis of surface topography was determined using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Study of photodynamic effects on NIH 3T3 cell line and bacteria.

Background: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a constantly growing challenge. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a new approach to the treatment of bacterial and viral diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of photosensitizers used in PDT applied to cell lines and bacterial strains.

Surface design of core-shell superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles drives record relaxivity values in functional MRI contrast agents.

Core-shell hydrophilic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, surface functionalized with either terephthalic acid or 2-amino terephthalic acid, showed large negative MRI contrast ability, validating the advantage of using low molecular weight and π-conjugated canopies for engineering functional nanostructures with superior performances.

Photodynamic therapy for enhancing antitumour immunity.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new modality in cancer treatment. It is based on the tumour-selective accumulation of a photosensitizer followed by irradiation with light of a specific wavelength. PDT is becoming widely accepted owing to its relative specificity and selectivity along with absence of the harmful side-effects of chemo and radiotherapy.

The targeted antibacterial and antifungal properties of magnetic nanocomposite of iron oxide and silver nanoparticles.

Two types of magnetic binary nanocomposites, Ag@Fe(3)O(4) and γ-Fe(2)O(3)@Ag, were synthesized and characterized and their antibacterial activities were tested. As a magnetic component, Fe(3)O(4) (magnetite) nanoparticles with an average size of about 70 nm and monodisperse γ-Fe(2)O(3) (maghemite) nanoparticles with an average size of 5 nm were used. Nanocomposites were prepared via in situ chemical reduction of silver ions by maltose in the presence of particular magnetic phase and molecules of polyacrylate serving as a spacer among iron oxide and silver nanoparticles.

Study of the photodynamic effect on the A549 cell line by atomic force microscopy and the influence of green tea extract on the production of reactive oxygen species.

We studied the morphology of the A549 cell line (human lung carcinoma cells) before and after photodynamic therapy (PDT) by atomic force microscopy. PDT was induced by an efficient light-emitting diode source with total light dose of 15 J cm(-2) in the presence of the sensitizer zinc-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrine. In the presence of molecular oxygen, light activation of the photosensitizer, which accumulates in cancer cells, leads to the local production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Photodynamic and sonodynamic treatment by phthalocyanine on cancer cell lines.

Photodynamic therapy is a modality of treatment for tumors. The photochemical interactions of sensitizer, light and molecular oxygen produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as singlet oxygen, peroxide, hydroxyl radical and superoxide ion. The tumor is destroyed either by the formation of highly reactive singlet oxygen (type II mechanism) or by the formation of radical products (type 1 mechanism) generated in an energy transfer reaction.