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Fibrillar fibronectin (FFN) is a biological active form of FN which form linear and branched meshwork around cells and support cellular activities. Previous studies have demonstrated that shear stress can induce cell-free FN fibrillogenesis. In this study, we further examined the effect of shear stress conditions on morphology of formed FFN and preliminarily looked for relationship between FFN's morphology and cell adhesion. Plasma FN at 50 µg/ml was perfused through channel slides at shear rates of 500 s-1 or 4000 s-1. Our results showed that there were four FFN structures formed: (1) FN nodules, (2) fibril in different sizes (3) with or without nodule attachment, and (4) fibrillar matrix. At 4000 s-1, FFN fibrils was formed within the first 10 min and reached the highest surface coverage only after 20 min. In contrast, FFN formation was significant more slowly at 500 s-1 at which only FN nodules and small fibrils were formed. Platelets bound on thin layer of FN and rarely found on large FN fibrils. In contrast, fibroblast stretched their shape on platform of FFN matrix and bound actively to all types of FFNs. Taken together, our data suggests a morphological dependent biological activity of FFN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a preliminary study of a material comprising gelatin (Gel), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and curcumin (Cur) aimed for wound-healing treatment. Gelatin was used to stabilize AgNPs and encapsulate curcumin to form a therapeutic composite (GelCurAg) for their strong bactericidal and antioxidant properties. GelCurAg formulations with different gelatin concentrations were characterized to attain information about their physiochemical properties and the loading efficiency of therapeutic agents. In vitro assessment of GelCurAg focused on antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic aspects. The results suggested that Gel1CurAg (synthesized from 1% gelatin solution) could be utilized as potential therapeutic agents in treating infectious wound owing to its bactericidal and antioxidant effects and low toxicity for clinical uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to fabricate chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/Ag nanoparticles (CPA) gels with microwave-assistance for skin applications. Microwave irradiation was employed to reduce silver ions to silver nanoparticles and to crosslink chitosan (CS) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The presence of silver nanoparticles in CPA gels matrix was examined using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The interaction of CS and PVA was analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The release of silver ions was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The antimicrobial properties of CPA gels against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were investigated using agar diffusion method. Finally, the biocompatibility and wound-healing ability of the gels were studied using fibroblast cells (in vitro) and mice models (in vivo). In conclusion, the results showed that CPA gels were successfully fabricated using microwave irradiation method. These gels can be applied to heal an open wound thanks to their antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper ultrafine copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were prepared from copper salt via chemical reduction method with sodium citrate dispersant and polyvinylalcol (PVA) capping polymer. The colloidal CuNPs were characterized by using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. Our obtained results indicated that the CuNPs were produced ranging from 2 to 4 nm in diameter. The colloidal solution at 7 ppm of CuNPs exhibited a powerful antifungal activity against Corticium salmonicolor (C. Salmonicolor). Fungal killing assays showed colloid solutions containing 10 ppm of CuNPs killed entirely the cultured fungus. A highly killing activity against the fungus was also performed when the CuNPs were sprayed on pink disease-infected rubber trees. These positive results may offer a great potential to produce CuNPs-based eco-fungicide for pink disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]