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Preventing bacteria from adhering to material surfaces is an important technical problem and a major cause of infection. One of nature's defense strategies against bacterial colonization is based on the biohalogenation of signal substances that interfere with bacterial communication. Biohalogenation is catalyzed by haloperoxidases, a class of metal-dependent enzymes whose activity can be mimicked by ceria nanoparticles. Transparent CeO2/polycarbonate surfaces that prevent adhesion, proliferation, and spread of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 were manufactured. Large amounts of monodisperse CeO2 nanoparticles were synthesized in segmented flow using a high-throughput microfluidic benchtop system using water/benzyl alcohol mixtures and oleylamine as capping agent. This reduced the reaction time for nanoceria by more than one order of magnitude compared to conventional batch methods. Ceria nanoparticles prepared by segmented flow showed high catalytic activity in halogenation reactions, which makes them highly efficient functional mimics of haloperoxidase enzymes. Haloperoxidases are used in nature by macroalgae to prevent formation of biofilms via halogenation of signaling compounds that interfere with bacterial cell–cell communication ("quorum sensing"). CeO2/polycarbonate nanocomposites were prepared by dip-coating plasma-treated polycarbonate panels in CeO2 dispersions. These showed a reduction in bacterial biofilm formation of up to 85% using P. aeruginosa PA14 as model organism. Besides biofilm formation, also the production of the virulence factor pyocyanin in is under control of the entire quorum sensing systems P. aeruginosa. CeO2/PC showed a decrease of up to 55% in pyocyanin production, whereas no effect on bacterial growth in liquid culture was observed. This indicates that CeO2 nanoparticles affect quorum sensing and inhibit biofilm formation in a non-biocidal manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and chemical specific method to synthesize highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) and Pd (HRG@Pd) nanocomposite is presented. The HRG surfaces are tailored with amine groups using 1-aminopyrene (1-AP) as functionalizing molecules. The aromatic rings of 1-AP sit on the basal planes of HRG through π–π interactions, leaving amino groups outwards (similar like self-assembled monolayer on 2D substrates). The amino groups provide the chemically specific binding sites to the Pd nucleation which subsequently grow into nanoparticles. HRG@Pd nanocomposite demonstrated both uniform distribution of Pd nanoparticles on HRG surface as well as excellent physical stability and dispersibility. The surface functionalization was confirmed using, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infra-red and Raman spectroscopy. The size and distribution of Pd nanoparticles on the HRG and crystallinity were confirmed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic efficiency of highly reduced graphene oxide-pyrene-palladium nanocomposite (HRG-Py-Pd) is tested towards the Suzuki coupling reactions of various aryl halides. The kinetics of the catalytic reaction (Suzuki coupling) using HRG-Py-Pd nanocomposite was monitored using gas chromatography (GC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuInS nanoparticles as the visible (wurtzite, 1.67 eV) or near infrared (chalcopyrite, 1.50 eV) light absorbing material in thin film solar cells, were synthesized using facile, one step heating up method by dissolving of CuCl, InCl and SC(NH) as precursors in oleylamine (OLA) alone or in combination with oleic acid (OA) and 1-octadecene (ODE) as solvent. The phase, size, morphology, and size distribution were controlled by the coordination ability between solvent molecules and metal precursors, reaction temperature and time. The presence of higher amounts of thiourea or OA to OLA led to the formation of chalcopyrite phase in comparison to wurtzite structure. Also, higher reaction temperatures (>240 °C) resulted in favour of more chalcopyrite phase and higher crystallinity but the nanoparticles got agglomerated. As synthesized nanoparticles was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high resolution-transmission electronic microscopy, ultraviolet-visible-near infrared, photoluminescence. The high resolution TEM confirmed the existence of chalcopyrite structure along with wurtzite structure in the nanocrystal (polytypism). Well controlled chalcopyrite CuInS triangular pyramidal shape with an average size ranging from ~10-20 nm size was obtained by using 20 ml OLA or 20 ml OLA along with 4 ml OA and ODE, respectively, with 210 °C heating up and 4 h annealing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Release of siRNA from nanoscale polyplexes is a crucial yet little investigated process, important during all stages of therapeutic research. Here we develop new methods to characterize polyplex stability early on in the development of new materials. Methods: We used double fluorescent labeled siRNA to compare binding and stability of a panel of chemically highly diverse nanoscale polyplexes, including peptides, lipids, nanohydrogels, poly-L-lysine brushes, HPMA block copolymers and manganese oxide particles. Conventional EMSA and heparin competition methods were contrasted with a newly developed microscale thermophoresis (MST) assay, a near-equilibrium method that allows free choice of buffer conditions. Integrity of FRET-labeled siRNA was monitored in the presence of nucleases, in cell culture medium and inside living cells. This approach characterizes all relevant steps from polyplex stability, over uptake to in vitro knockdown capability. Results: Diverging polyplex binding properties revealed drawbacks of conventional EMSA and heparin competition assays, where MST and FRET-based siRNA integrity measurements offered a better discrimination of differential binding strength. Since cell culture medium left siRNA in all polyplexes essentially intact, the relevant degradation events could be pinpointed to occur inside cells. Differential binding strength of the variegated polyplexes correlated only partially with intracellular degradation. The most successful compounds in RNAi showed intermediate binding strength in our assays. Conclusions: We introduce new methods for the efficient and informative characterization of siRNA polyplexes with special attention to stability. Comparing FRET-labeled siRNA in different polyplexes associates successful knockdown with intermediate siRNA stability in various steps from formulation to intracellular persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel macromolecular prodrugs of the second-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic ofloxacin were fabricated based on the hydrophilic biopolymers hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC). HPC - and HEC -ofloxacin conjugates were synthesized by activation of ofloxacin with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride under homogeneous reaction conditions at 70 °C in a one-pot synthesis. Structures of HPC - and HEC-ofloxacin conjugates were confirmed by spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Covalent drug loading was determined by UV/Vis spectrophotometry after hydrolysis of the conjugates. The results indicated significant covalent ofloxacin -loading (degree of substitution, 0.53-0.71 and 0.38-0.47) on HPC and HEC, respectively. All prodrugs were soluble in organic and aqueous solvents. Transmission electron microscopic analysis indicated formation of nanoparticles in the size range 100-250 nm and 150-210 nm for HPC- and HEC-ofloxacin conjugates, respectively. Ofloxacin, HPC-ofloxacin conjugate, and HEC-ofloxacin conjugate were orally administered to healthy male albino rabbits to determine pharmacokinetic parameters. Both HPC- and HEC-ofloxacin conjugates showed sustained release, with an increase in ofloxacin (control 1-3) half-life from 2.59, 4.56 and 4.63 h to 18.07 and 20.71 h, respectively. The relative AUC values clearly indicate ofloxacin oral bioavailability from conjugates that is enhanced, 1.6-1.8 and 2.1-2.3 times that of control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macromolecular prodrugs (MPDs) of aspirin and salicylic acid were synthesized by covalent attachment to hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) using p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in N, N-dimethylacetamide. The present synthesis strategy resulted in organo-soluble MPDs with 78-86 % yield and degree of drug substitution 0.53-1.96 and 0.68-2.10 for aspirin and salicylic acid, respectively. The size exclusion chromatography showed DP 192 and 214 for HPC-aspirin and HPC-salicylic acid conjugates, respectively. HPC-aspirin and HPC-salicylic acid conjugates were found thermally more stable than native drugs. The activation energy ( Ea) of thermal degradation of drugs, polymer and prodrugs was calculated with the help of Broido and Chang kinetic models. Order of reaction ( n) was calculated from thermal data using Chang model. Various thermodynamic parameters, i.e., enthalpy (Δ H), Gibbs free energy (Δ G) and entropy (Δ S) were also calculated. Doyle's method was employed on thermal data of MPDs to calculate integral procedural decomposition temperature and comprehensive index of intrinsic thermal stability. Amphiphilic HPC-aspirin conjugates showed formation of nanoparticles at water/DMSO interface with size distribution from ~500 to 750 nm by transmission electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysosomal TLR-9 is stimulated in A549 lung epithelial cells through administration of nanoparticles (NPs) either based on γ-Fe 2O 3 or MnO. Synthetic single-stranded immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) are covalently attached to fluorescently labelled γ-Fe 2O 3- and MnO-NPs in order to monitor the impact of TLR-9 activation on motility and cell morphology employing time-resolved impedance spectroscopy. In contrast to cytotoxic MnO-based particles, particles made from Fe 2O 3 are non-toxic carriers for pathogen-mimicking CpG-ODNs, which efficiently stimulate endogenous TLR-9, resulting in enhanced micromotility and a loss of barrier properties. Compared to neat CpG-ODNs administered in the absence of particles, the nucleotides displayed by NPs are found to be considerably more efficient in stimulating A549 cells attributed to a larger local concentration of ligands on the particles’ surface. The study shows that particle-based CpG-ODNs added to tumour cells increase their motility even further and therefore might also enhance their invasiveness and metastatic potential, foiling the original strategy of immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents synthesis of novel macromolecular prodrugs of aceclofenac (an anti-inflammatory drug) onto hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC). The HPC-aceclofenac conjugates were prepared using an acylating agent 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) under homogenous reaction conditions. Aceclofenac was first activated by using CDI to form its N-acylimidazole. The N-acylimidazole of aceclofenac was then reacted with HPC polymer at 80 °C for 24 h. Highly pure prodrugs of aceclofenac were synthesized with a wide range of moderate to high degree of substitution (DS 0.41-2.12) as calculated by H NMR spectroscopy. The UV spectroscopic analysis has also revealed that the active drug aceclofenac was found in different conjugates from 28 to 67 mg/100 mg of HPC-aceclofenac conjugates which are in good agreement with DS calculated by H NMR spectroscopy. The gel permeation chromatography showed unimodal absorption that indicates no significant degradation in polymer chains during the reaction. The macromolecular prodrugs of aceclofenac were characterized using different spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. The thermal analysis has revealed that HPC-aceclofenac conjugates (prodrugs) are 92 and 96 °C more stable than pure aceclofenac regarding their initial (Tdi) and maximum degradation temperatures (Tdm), respectively. The activation energy ( Ea) and frequency factor ( Z) of the degradation reactions were evaluated using Friedman, Broido and Chang methods. Degradation followed first order ( n) kinetics. Transmission electron microscopy has revealed the formation of sponge like nano aggregates with population size distribution of around 80-150 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine biofouling-the colonization of small marine microorganisms on surfaces that are directly exposed to seawater, such as ships' hulls-is an expensive problem that is currently without an environmentally compatible solution. Biofouling leads to increased hydrodynamic drag, which, in turn, causes increased fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Tributyltin-free antifouling coatings and paints based on metal complexes or biocides have been shown to efficiently prevent marine biofouling. However, these materials can damage the environment through metal leaching (for example, of copper and zinc) and bacteria resistance. Here, we show that vanadium pentoxide nanowires act like naturally occurring vanadium haloperoxidases to prevent marine biofouling. In the presence of bromide ions and hydrogen peroxide, the nanowires catalyse the oxidation of bromide ions to hypobromous acid (HOBr). Singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) is formed and this exerts strong antibacterial activity, which prevents marine biofouling without being toxic to marine biota. Vanadium pentoxide nanowires have the potential to be an alternative approach to conventional anti-biofouling agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonanuclear coordination compound [Mo{(CN)Fe(3-methyl-saldptn)}]Cl exhibits multiple spin transitions (3-methyl-saldptn = N,N′-bis(3′′-methyl-2′′-hydroxy-benzyliden)-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane). This spin crossover cluster is bound via a self-assembled monolayer onto a two dimensional array gold surface. Mössbauer spectroscopy indicates that the thermally and optically induced spin crossover of the compound is maintained. Thereby, the foundation for its potential practical application (e.g. in the field of information storage) was laid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the synthesis of novel hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)-aspirin (ASP) conjugates, i.e. macromolecular prodrugs, through the reaction of HPMC with ASP after its in situ activation by 4-methylbenzenesulfonyl chloride. The highly pure ASP prodrugs obtained by this homogeneous and elegant esterification method were characterized using different spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Nanoparticulate drug design was successfully achieved by the conversion of free hydroxyls of the polymer into acetates. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed nanoparticle formation with the major population size distribution of around 450 nm. Nevertheless, the pharmacokinetics of the HPMC conjugates were studied using high performance liquid chromatography. The pharmacokinetic data indicated that a single dose of 132.6 mg of HPMC-ASP was well tolerated in animal studies without any adverse effects. The maximum plasma concentration ( C) of HPMC-ASP was found to be 14.6 μg·L with a t of 1 h. The plasma half-life and clearance and the volume of HPMC-ASP distribution were 4.6 h, 3.23 L·h, and 21.8 L·kg, respectively. The elimination of HPMC-ASP followed first-order kinetics with r of 0.9643. The results presented in this paper show the great potential of HPMCASP as a more effective, safe, and stable prodrug. [InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic fullerene-(IF)-like nanoparticles made of metal dichalcogenides (IF-MoS, IF-WS) have been known to be effective as anti-wear and friction modifier additives under boundary lubrication. The lubrication mechanism of these nanoparticles has been widely investigated in the past and it is now admitted that their lubrication properties are attributed to a gradual exfoliation of the external sheets of the particles during the friction process leading to their transfer onto the asperities of the reciprocating surfaces. However, the chemical interaction between these molecular sheets and the rubbing surfaces has so far never been investigated in detail. In this study, the tribochemistry of the IF nanoparticles was carefully investigated. A series of friction test experiments on different rubbing surfaces (Steel, Alumina, Diamond-Like Carbon) were performed with IF-MoS nanoparticles. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the tribostressed areas on rubbing surfaces. A tribofilm composed of hexagonal 2H-MoS nanosheets was only observed on the steel surface. This transfer film was found to be incorporated into an iron oxide layer. A tribochemical reaction between the 2H-MoS nanolayers and the iron/iron oxide has been proposed as an explanation for the adhesion of this tribofilm. The tribochemical mechanism of the IF-MoS nanoparticles is discussed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primmorphs (a three-dimensional sponge primary cell culture system) have been revealed to be a cell/tissue nano-factory for the production of tailor-made hybrid nanostructures. Growth of primmorphs is stimulated by the presence of a titanium alkoxide precursor tolerating titania (TiO2) concentrations up to 250 μM. The presence and activity of silicatein in primmorphs has been analyzed by gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Results of studies by scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy have revealed silica and titania to be co-localized on nanosized spicules. Our findings suggest that the incorporation of titania into the nanosized spicule is enzymatically mediated via active silicatein in an orchestrated mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most forms of multicellular life have developed a calcium-based skeleton, a few specialized organisms complement their body plan with silica. However, of all recent animals, only sponges (phylum Porifera) are able to polymerize silica enzymatically mediated in order to generate massive siliceous skeletal elements (spicules) during a unique reaction, at ambient temperature and pressure. During this biomineralization process (i.e., biosilicification) hydrated, amorphous silica is deposited within highly specialized sponge cells, ultimately resulting in structures that range in size from micrometers to meters. Spicules lend structural stability to the sponge body, deter predators, and transmit light similar to optic fibers. This peculiar phenomenon has been comprehensively studied in recent years and in several approaches, the molecular background was explored to create tools that might be employed for novel bioinspired biotechnological and biomedical applications. Thus, it was discovered that spiculogenesis is mediated by the enzyme silicatein and starts intracellularly. The resulting silica nanoparticles fuse and subsequently form concentric lamellar layers around a central protein filament, consisting of silicatein and the scaffold protein silintaphin-1. Once the growing spicule is extruded into the extracellular space, it obtains final size and shape. Again, this process is mediated by silicatein and silintaphin-1, in combination with other molecules such as galectin and collagen. The molecular toolbox generated so far allows the fabrication of novel micro- and nanostructured composites, contributing to the economical and sustainable synthesis of biomaterials with unique characteristics. In this context, first bioinspired approaches implement recombinant silicatein and silintaphin-1 for applications in the field of biomedicine (biosilica-mediated regeneration of tooth and bone defects) or micro-optics (in vitro synthesis of light waveguides) with promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The siliceous sponge Monorhaphis chuni (Hexactinellida) synthesizes the largest biosilica structures on earth (3 m). Scanning electron microscopy has shown that these spicules are regularly composed of concentrically arranged lamellae (width: 3–10 μm). Between 400 and 600 lamellae have been counted in one giant basal spicule. An axial canal (diameter: ~2 μm) is located in the center of the spicules; it harbors the axial filament and is surrounded by an axial cylinder (100–150 μm) of electron-dense homogeneous silica. During dissolution of the spicules with hydrofluoric acid, the axial filament is first released followed by the release of a proteinaceous tubule. Two major proteins (150 kDa and 35 kDa) have been visualized, together with a 24-kDa protein that cross-reacts with antibodies against silicatein. The spicules are surrounded by a collagen net, and the existence of a hexactinellidan collagen gene has been demonstrated by cloning it from Aphrocallistes vastus. During the axial growth of the spicules, silicatein or the silicatein-related protein is proposed to become associated with the surface of the spicules and to be finally internalized through the apical opening to associate with the axial filament. Based on the data gathered here, we suggest that, in the Hexactinellida, the growth of the spicules is mediated by silicatein or by a silicatein-related protein, with the orientation of biosilica deposition being controlled by lectin and collagen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The siliceous skeleton of demosponges is constructed of spicules. We have studied the formation of spicules in primmorphs from Suberites domuncula. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron-microscopical (TEM) analyses have revealed, in the center of the spicules, an axial canal that is 0.3–1.6 μm wide and filled with an axial filament. This filament is composed of the enzyme silicatein, which synthesizes the spicules. TEM analysis has shown that spicule formation starts intracellularly and ends extracellularly in the mesohyl. At the initial stage, the axial canal is composed only of silicatein, whereas membranous structures and fibrils (10–15 nm in width) can later also be identified, suggesting that intracellular components protrude into the axial canal. Antibodies against silicatein have been applied for Western blotting; intracellularly, silicatein is processed to the mature form (24 kDa), whereas the pro-enzyme with the propeptide (33 kDa) is detected extracellularly. Silicatein undergoes phosphorylation at five sites. Immunohistological analysis has shown that silicatein exists in the axial canal (axial filament) and on the surface of the spicules, suggesting that they grow by apposition. Finally, we have demonstrated that the enzymic reaction of silicatein is inhibited by anti-silicatein antibodies. These data provide, for the first time, a comprehensive outline of spicule formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pottery was a traditional art and technology form in pre-colonial Amazonian civilizations, widely used for cultural expression objects, utensils and as cooking vessels. Abundance and workability of clay made it an excellent choice. However, inferior mechanical properties constrained their functionality and durability. The inclusion of reinforcement particles is a possible route to improve its resistance to mechanical and thermal damage. The Amazonian civilizations incorporated freshwater tree sponge spicules (cauixí) into the clay presumably to prevent shrinkage and crack propagation during drying, firing and cooking. Here we show that isolated siliceous spicules are almost defect-free glass fibres with exceptional mechanical stability. After firing, the spicule Young's modulus increases (from 28 ± 5 GPa to 46 ± 8 GPa) inferring a toughness increment. Laboratory-fabricated ceramic models containing different inclusions (sand, glass-fibres, sponge spicules) show that mutually-oriented siliceous spicule inclusions prevent shrinkage and crack propagation leading to high stiffness clays (E = 836 ± 3 MPa). Pre-colonial amazonian potters were the first civilization known to employ biological materials to generate composite materials with enhanced fracture resistance and high stiffness in the history of mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]