Novel anionic surfactant-modified chlorhexidine and its potent antimicrobial properties.

Chlorhexidine dodecyl sulfate (CHX-DS) was synthesized and characterized single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, H nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The solid-state structure, comprising a 1 : 2 stoichiometric ratio of chlorhexidine cations [CHClN] to dodecyl sulfate anions [CHSO], is the first report of chlorhexidine isolated with a surfactant. CHX-DS exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and demonstrates superior efficacy for reducing bacteria-generated volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) as compared to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).

Naringin@Metal-Organic Framework as a Multifunctional Bioplatform.

Naringin, a natural product, can be used as a therapeutic agent due to its low systemic toxicity and negligible adverse effect. However, due to its hydrophobic nature and thereby low solubility, high-dose treatment is required when used for human therapy. Herein, we demonstrate the employment of a metal-organic framework (MOF) as a nontoxic loading carrier to encapsulate naringin, and the afforded nairngin@MOF composite can serve as a multifunctional bioplatform capable of treating Gram-positive bacteria and certain cancers by slowly and progressively releasing the encapsulated naringin as well as improving and modulating immune system functions through synergy between naringin and the MOF.

Cetylpyridinium Trichlorostannate: Synthesis, Antimicrobial Properties, and Controlled-Release Properties via Electrical Resistance Tomography.

Cetylpyridinium trichlorostannate (CPC-Sn), comprising cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and stannous chloride, was synthesized and characterized via single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements indicating stoichiometry of CHNSnCl where the molecules are arranged in a 1:1 ratio with a cetylpyridinium cation and a [SnCl] anion. CPC-Sn has shown potential for application as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, to reduce bacteria-generated volatile sulfur compounds and to produce advanced functional materials. In order to investigate its controlled-release properties, electrical resistance tomography was implemented.

Dual Roles of Polymeric Capping Ligands in the Surface-Protected Etching of Colloidal Silica.

In this work, we reveal the dual roles of polymeric capping ligands in the hollowing of silica nanospheres during their surface-protected etching. We first show that polymeric capping ligands, if they have a stronger interaction with the surface Si-OH groups than water, can reduce the condensation of the silica network, allowing the diffusion of OH ions through the shell to dissolve the inner silica. Also, the polymeric ligands can passivate the surface silica, making it less likely to be dissolved by OH ions.

Stabilization of cationic aluminum hydroxide clusters in high pH environments with a CaCl/l-arginine matrix.

We present a way of stabilizing cationic partially hydrolyzed aluminum clusters in a non-acidic environment, through Ca2+ and l-Arginine doping. The Keggin Al13-mer (ε-AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)127+) aluminum cluster can be stabilized with CaCl2 and l-arginine in a way to preserve the metal clusters. We use size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to demonstrate that positively-charged Keggin structures are preserved and that the conversion to Al(OH)3 materials is halted even at alkaline pH.

One-Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of Benzalkonium-Templated Mesostructured Silica Antibacterial Agents.

Novel mesostructured silica microparticles are synthesized, characterized, and investigated as a drug delivery system (DDS) for antimicrobial applications. The materials exhibit a relatively high density (0.56 g per 1 g SiO) of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), pore channels of 18 Å in width, and a high surface area (1500 m/g).

Hybrid Materials and Nanocomposites as Multifunctional Biomaterials.

This review article provides an overview of hybrid and nanocomposite materials used as biomaterials in nanomedicine, focusing on applications in controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensors and theranostic systems. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of tuning the properties of nanocomposites, which can be achieved by choosing appropriate synthetic methods and seeking synergy among different types of materials, particularly exploiting their nanoscale nature. The challenges in fabrication for the nanocomposites are highlighted by classifying them as those comprising solely inorganic phases (inorganic/inorganic hybrids), organic phases (organic/organic hybrids) and both types of phases (organic/inorganic hybrids).

Facile Preparation of Ultrafine Aluminum Hydroxide Particles with or without Mesoporous MCM-41 in Ambient Environments.

An aqueous suspension of nanogibbsite was synthesized via the titration of aluminum aqua acid [Al(H2O)6] with L-arginine to pH 4.6. Since the hydrolysis of aqueous aluminum salts is known to produce a wide array of products with a wide range of size distributions, a variety of state-of-the-art instruments (i.