Electrospun Scaffolds Enriched with Nanoparticle-Associated DNA: General Properties, DNA Release and Cell Transfection.

Biomaterial-mediated, spatially localized gene delivery is important for the development of cell-populated scaffolds used in tissue engineering. Cells adhering to or penetrating into such a scaffold are to be transfected with a preloaded gene that induces the production of secreted proteins or cell reprogramming. In the present study, we produced silica nanoparticles-associated pDNA and electrospun scaffolds loaded with such nanoparticles, and studied the release of pDNA from scaffolds and cell-to-scaffold interactions in terms of cell viability and pDNA transfection efficacy.

Luminescence study of nanosized AlO:Tb obtained by gas-dispersed synthesis.

Terbium-doped AlO samples were obtained by gas-dispersed synthesis. It was shown that the resulting powders, with particle sizes of 10-70 nm, consist of a mixture of transition aluminas, among which the δ -polymorph is dominant. The luminescence properties of AlO:Tb have been studied upon excitation in the UV-visible range of the spectrum.

Vascular toxicity of silver nanoparticles to developing zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Nanoparticles (NPs, 1-100 nm) can enter the environment and result in exposure to humans and other organisms leading to potential adverse health effects. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of early life exposure to polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles (PVP-AgNPs, 50 nm), particularly with respect to vascular toxicity on zebrafish embryos and larvae (Danio rerio). Previously published data has suggested that PVP-AgNP exposure can inhibit the expression of genes within the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway, leading to delayed and abnormal vascular development.