Poly(ε-Caprolactone)-Based Composites Modified With Polymer-Grafted Magnetic Nanoparticles and L-Ascorbic Acid for Bone Tissue Engineering.

The aim of this study was to develop multifunctional magnetic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) mats with antibacterial properties for bone tissue engineering and osteosarcoma prevention. To provide good dispersion of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs), they were first grafted with PCL using a novel three-step approach. Then, a series of PCL-based mats containing a fixed amount of ION@PCL particles and an increasing content of ascorbic acid (AA) was prepared by electrospinning.

Study of the effects of mineral salts on the biofilm formation on polypropylene fibers using three quantification methods.

The microbial biofilms are ubiquitous in nature and represent important biological entities that affect various aspects of human life. As such, they attracted considerable attention during last decades, with the factors affecting the biofilm development being among the frequently studied topics. In our work, the biofilm was cultivated on the surface of polypropylene fibers in a nutrient medium inoculated by the suspension of two unsterile soils.

Biofilm and planktonic microbial communities in highly acidic soil (pH < 3) in the Soos National Nature Reserve, Czech Republic.

Biofilm formation is a typical life strategy used by microorganisms populating acidic water systems. The same strategy might be used by microbes in highly acidic soils that are, however, neglected in this regard. In the present study, the microbial community in such highly acidic soil in the Soos National Nature Reserve (Czech Republic) has been investigated using high-throughput DNA sequencing and the organisms associated with biofilm life mode and those preferring planktonic life were distinguished using the biofilm trap technique.

Fungi, a neglected component of acidophilic biofilms: do they have a potential for biotechnology?

Fungi from extreme environments, including acidophilic ones, belong to biotechnologically most attractive organisms. They can serve as a source of enzymes and metabolites with potentially uncommon properties and may actively participate within bioremediation processes. In respect of their biotechnological potential, extremophilic fungi are mostly studied as individual species.

Soil-derived organic particles and their effects on the community of culturable microorganisms.

Soil microbial community interacts with a range of particulate material in the soil, consisting of both inorganic and organic compounds with different levels of water solubility. Though sparingly water-soluble and insoluble organic compounds in the soil may affect living organisms, they are difficult to introduce into microbiological media. Their biological activity (i.