Phytolacca americana extract as a quality-enhancing factor for biodegradable double-layered films based on furcellaran and gelatin - Property assessment.

For the first time, novel active double-layered films based on furcellaran (FUR) and gelatin (GEL) with the addition of Phytolacca americana (PA) extract were obtained. The 1st layer consisted of FUR and GEL, while the aqueous extract of P. americana berries was added in three different concentrations to the 2nd FUR-based layer.

The elasticity of silicone-stabilized liposomes has no impact on their in vivo behavior.

Background: The elastomechanical properties of nanocarriers have recently been discussed as important for the efficient delivery of various therapeutics. Some data indicate that optimal nanocarriers' elasticity can modulate in vivo nanocarrier stability, interaction with phagocytes, and uptake by target cells. Here, we presented a study to extensively analyze the in vivo behavior of LIP-SS liposomes that were modified by forming the silicone network within the lipid bilayers to improve their elastomechanical properties.

Nanoscale surface defects of goethite governing DNA adsorption process and formation of the Goethite-DNA conjugates.

In urbanized areas, extracellular DNA (exDNA) is suspected of carrying genes with undesirable traits like virulence genes (VGs) or antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can spread through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Hence, it is crucial to develop novel approaches for the mitigation of exDNA in the environment. Our research explores the role of goethite, a common iron mineral with high adsorption capabilities, in exDNA adsorption processes.

Surface-grafted macromolecular nanowires with pedant fluorescein chromophores by dense non-aggregated nanoarchitectonics as versatile photoactive platforms.

In this paper, we present a facile method of synthesis and modification of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) brushes with 6-aminofluorescein (6AF) molecules. Polymer brushes were obtained using surface-grafted atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and functionalized in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) acting both as a reaction catalyst and an agent preventing aggregation of chromophores. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to study the structure and formation of obtained photoactive platforms.

Effect of Al Polishing Conditions on the Growth and Morphology of Porous Anodic Alumina Films.

The conditions applied during the electrochemical polishing of aluminum were found to be important parameters for the successive formation of nanoporous alumina films. First, a high-purity Al foil was electrochemically polished in an aqueous solution containing CHOH and HClO at various sets of conditions, such as applied potential (5-35 V), temperature (0-20 °C), and process duration (10-180 s). Extensive studies of the topography of Al after polishing by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy allow verification of the correlations between conditions applied during the substrate pretreatment and dimensions of the nanopatterns generated on the metal surface.

Improving the quality of multi-layer films based on furcellaran by immobilising active ingredients and impact assessment of the use of a new packaging material.

To improve the quality of multi-layer film, four-layer films based on furcellaran and active ingredients: gelatin hydrolysate, curcumin, capsaicin, montmorillonite and AgNPs, were produced in an innovative manner. The films were characterised by SEM and AFM analysis. Along with an increase in the concentration of active ingredients, the structure of the film becomes less homogeneous, which may affect the functional properties.

High-Entropy Perovskite Thin Film in the Gd-Nd-Sm-La-Y-Co System: Deposition, Structure and Optoelectronic Properties.

Multicomponent equimolar perovskite oxides (ME-POs) have recently emerged as a highly promising class of materials with unique synergistic effects, making them well-suited for applications in such areas as photovoltaics and micro- and nanoelectronics. High-entropy perovskite oxide thin film in the (GdNdLaSmY)CoO (RECO, where RE = GdNdLaSmY, C = Co, and O = O) system was synthesized via pulsed laser deposition. The crystalline growth in an amorphous fused quartz substrate and single-phase composition of the synthesized film was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Aerogels based on cationically modified chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) for efficient capturing of viruses.

In this study, we developed a new filtering bioaerogel based on linear polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the cationic derivative of chitosan (N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylamine) propyl] chitosan chloride, HTCC) with a potential antiviral application. A strong intermolecular network architecture was formed thanks to the introduction of linear PVA chains, which can efficiently interpenetrate the glutaraldehyde(GA)-crosslinked HTCC chains. The morphology of the obtained structures was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Incorporation of curcumin extract with lemongrass essential oil into the middle layer of triple-layered films based on furcellaran/chitosan/gelatin hydrolysates - In vitro and in vivo studies on active and intelligent properties.

Triple-layered, pH-sensitive and active films based on furcellaran (FUR), chitosan (CHIT) and gelatin hydrolysates (HGEL) were obtained for the first time. Curcumin ethanol extract (CUR) enriched with lemongrass essential oil (LEO) in three concentrations was added to the middle layer of the film. SEM and AFM analysis confirmed the formation of 3 layers, and CUR-LEO was evenly dispersed in the 2nd layer.

Double-Layered Films Based on Furcellaran, Chitosan, and Gelatin Hydrolysates Enriched with AgNPs in Yerba Mate Extract, Montmorillonite, and Curcumin with Rosemary Essential Oil.

Double-layered active films based on furcellaran (1st layer-FUR), chitosan, and gelatin hydrolysates (2nd layer-CHIT+HGEL) were successfully prepared. Bioactive ingredients were added to the 1st film layer: AgNPs, which were synthesized in situ with yerba mate extract; montmorillonite clay (MMT); and different loads of ethanolic curcumin (CUR) extract enriched with rosemary essential oil (REO). SEM images confirmed the presence of AgNPs with a size distribution of 94.

Utilisation of Carp Skin Post-Production Waste in Binary Films Based on Furcellaran and Chitosan to Obtain Packaging Materials for Storing Blueberries.

The aim of the study was to develop and characterise an innovative three-component biopolymer film based on chitosan (CHIT), furcellaran (FUR) and a gelatin hydrolysate from carp skins () (HGEL). The structure and morphology were characterised using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The FT-IR test showed no changes in the matrix after the addition of HGEL, which indicates that the film components were compatible.

Control of Specific/Nonspecific Protein Adsorption: Functionalization of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films as a Potential Coating for Biosensors.

Control of nonspecific/specific protein adsorption is the main goal in the design of novel biomaterials, implants, drug delivery systems, and sensors. The specific functionalization of biomaterials can be achieved by proper surface modification. One of the important strategies is covering the materials with functional coatings.

Composite biopolymer films based on a polyelectrolyte complex of furcellaran and chitosan.

The aim of research was to develop biopolymer films based on natural polysaccharides. For the first time, biodegradable films were obtained on the basis of a furcellaran-chitosan polyelectrolyte complex. The conditions for its formation were determined by measuring the zeta potential as a function of colloid pH, the size of pure components and their mixtures.

Tuning the Surface Properties of Poly(Allylamine Hydrochloride)-Based Multilayer Films.

The layer-by-layer (LbL) method of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) fabrication is extremely versatile. It allows using a pair of any oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to ascribe a particular physicochemical property of the resulting PEM to a structural or chemical feature of a single component.

Coacervate Thermoresponsive Polysaccharide Nanoparticles as Delivery System for Piroxicam.

Low water solubility frequently compromises the therapeutic efficacy of drugs and other biologically active molecules. Here, we report on coacervate polysaccharide nanoparticles (CPNs) that can transport and release a model hydrophobic drug, piroxicam, to the cells in response to changes in temperature. The proposed, temperature-responsive drug delivery system is based on ionic derivatives of natural polysaccharides-curdlan and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Tailoring cellular microenvironments using scaffolds based on magnetically-responsive polymer brushes.

A variety of polymeric scaffolds with the ability to control cell detachment has been created for cell culture using stimuli-responsive polymers. However, the widely studied and commonly used thermo-responsive polymeric substrates always affect the properties of the cultured cells due to the temperature stimulus. Here, we present a different stimuli-responsive approach based on poly(3-acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride) (poly(APTAC)) brushes with homogeneously embedded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs).

Stabilization of liposomes with silicone layer improves their elastomechanical properties while not compromising biological features.

The liposomes are among the most promising types of drug delivery systems but low stability significantly limits their application. Some approaches proposed to overcome this drawback may affect the liposomes toxicity profile. It is assumed that developed by us and presented here stabilization method involving formation of silicone network within the liposomal bilayer will improve elastomechanical properties of vesicles while not deteriorating their biocompatibility.

Structural evolution of supported lipid bilayers intercalated with quantum dots.

Hypothesis: Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) embedded with hydrophobic quantum dots (QDs) undergo temporal structural rearrangement.

Experiments: Synchrotron X-ray reflectivity (XRR) was applied to monitor the temporal structural changes over a period of 24 h of mixed SLBs of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) / 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine (POPE) intercalated with 4.9 nm hydrophobic cadmium sulphide quantum dots (CdS QDs).

Nanohydrogels Based on Self-Assembly of Cationic Pullulan and Anionic Dextran Derivatives for Efficient Delivery of Piroxicam.

A cationic derivative of pullulan was obtained by grafting reaction and used together with dextran sulfate to form polysaccharide-based nanohydrogel cross-linked via electrostatic interactions between polyions. Due to the polycation-polyanion interactions nanohydrogel particles were formed instantly and spontaneously in water. The nanoparticles were colloidally stable and their size and surface charge could be controlled by the polycation/polyanion ratio.

Homogeneous Embedding of Magnetic Nanoparticles into Polymer Brushes during Simultaneous Surface-Initiated Polymerization.

Here we present a facile and efficient method of controlled embedding of inorganic nanoparticles into an ultra-thin (<15 nm) and flat (~1.0 nm) polymeric coating that prevents unwanted aggregation. Hybrid polymer brushes-based films were obtained by simultaneous incorporation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with diameters of 8⁻10 nm into a polycationic macromolecular matrix during the surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) reaction in an ultrasonic reactor.

Magnetically Navigated Core-Shell Polymer Capsules as Nanoreactors Loadable at the Oil/Water Interface.

Polymer core-shell nanocapsules with magnetic nanoparticles embedded in their oil cores were fabricated and applied as nano(photo)reactors. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with oleic acid were first synthesized and characterized structurally, and their magnetic properties were determined. The capsules with chitosan-based shells were then formed in a one-step process by sonication-assisted mixing of (1) an aqueous solution of the hydrophobically derived chitosan and (2) oleic acid containing the dispersed SPIONs.

Fabrication of Functional Carbon/Magnetic Nanocomposites as A Promising Model of Utilization of Used Crosslinked Polymers.

The utilization of used crosslinked functional polymers (CFP) applied as sorbents or ion-exchangers is a great challenge arising from the need to protect the environment. In this paper we report a very promising way of obtaining carbon/magnetic composites based on metal (Co; Ni; Fe) derivatives of butadiene rubber-based phosphorus-containing polymer, which were treated as the model used CFP. We proposed a facile one-step thermal degradation approach to transform used CFP into carbon/magnetic composites (CMC).

Supported lipid bilayers with encapsulated quantum dots (QDs) via liposome fusion: effect of QD size on bilayer formation and structure.

Understanding interactions between functional nanoparticles and lipid bilayers is important to many emerging biomedical and bioanalytical applications. In this paper, we report incorporation of hydrophobic cadmium sulphide quantum dots (CdS QDs) into mixed 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE) liposomes, and into their supported bilayers (SLBs). The QDs were found embedded in the hydrophobic regions of the liposomes and the supported bilayers, which retained the QD fluorescent properties.

Label-Free Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging of Single Phospholipid Bilayers with Nanoscale Resolution.

Mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy has been used extensively to study the molecular properties of cell membranes and model systems. Most of these studies have been carried out on macroscopic samples or on samples a few micrometers in size, due to constraints on sensitivity and spatial resolution with conventional instruments that rely on far-field optics. Properties of membranes on the scale of nanometers, such as in-plane heterogeneity, have to date eluded investigation by this technique.