Poly-L-arginine Coated Silver Nanoprisms and Their Anti-Bacterial Properties

The aim of this study was to test the effect of two different morphologies of silver nanoparticles, spheres, and prisms, on their antibacterial properties when coated with poly-L-arginine (poly-Arg) to enhance the interactions with cells. Silver nanoparticle solutions were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, as well as antimicrobial tests. These ultimately showed that a prismatic morphology exhibited stronger antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica. The minimum bactericidal concentration was found to be 0.65 μg/mL in the case of a prismatic AgNP-poly-Arg-PVP (silver nanoparticle-poly-L-arginine-polyvinylpyrrolidone) nanocomposite. The anticancer cell activity of the silver nanoparticles was also studied, where the maximum effect against a HeLa cell line was 80% mortality with a prismatic AgNP-poly-Arg-PVP nanocomposite at a concentration of 11 μg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of these silver nanocomposites demonstrates the potential of such coated silver nanoparticles in the area of nano-medicine

Poly-L-arginine Coated Silver Nanoprisms and Their Anti-Bacterial Properties

The aim of this study was to test the effect of two different morphologies of silver nanoparticles, spheres, and prisms, on their antibacterial properties when coated with poly-L-arginine (poly-Arg) to enhance the interactions with cells. Silver nanoparticle solutions were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, as well as antimicrobial tests. These ultimately showed that a prismatic morphology exhibited stronger antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica. The minimum bactericidal concentration was found to be 0.65 μg/mL in the case of a prismatic AgNP-poly-Arg-PVP (silver nanoparticle-poly-L-arginine-polyvinylpyrrolidone) nanocomposite. The anticancer cell activity of the silver nanoparticles was also studied, where the maximum effect against a HeLa cell line was 80% mortality with a prismatic AgNP-poly-Arg-PVP nanocomposite at a concentration of 11 μg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of these silver nanocomposites demonstrates the potential of such coated silver nanoparticles in the area of nano-medicine

Colorimetric Detection of Mercury Ions in Water with Capped Silver Nanoprisms

The emission of mercury (II) from coal combustion and other industrial processes may have impacts on water resources, and the detection with sensitive but rapid testing methods is desirable for environmental screening. Towards this end, silver nanoprisms were chemically synthesized resulting in a blue reagent solution that transitioned towards red and yellow solutions when exposed to Hg2+ ions at concentrations from 0.5 to 100 µM. A galvanic reduction of Hg2+ onto the surfaces is apparently responsible for a change in nanoprism shape towards spherical nanoparticles, leading to the change in solution color. There were no interferences by other tested mono- and divalent metal cations in solution and pH had minimal influence in the range of 6.5 to 9.8. The silver nanoprism reagent provided a detection limit of approximately 1.5 µM (300 µg/L) for mercury (II), which compared reasonably well with other reported nanoparticle-based techniques. Further optimization may reduce this detection limit, but matrix effects in realistic water samples require further investigation and amelioration

Antioxidant Effects of Amino Acids-Capped Silver Nanoprisms Against Cadmium-Induced Toxicity: Modified Silver Nanoprisms with Enhanced Potential

The surface functionality of nanomaterials (NMs) with suitable biomolecules may enhance their biocompatibility and make them more effective for biological applications. Furthermore, the functionalization of various materials with biomolecules would also yield more secure and biocompatible nanomaterials for different applications. The present research was designed to evaluate the amino acids-based surface functionality of silver nanoprisms (AgNPrs). Silver nanoprisms were prepared by chemical method and further capped with amino acids such as L-cystine (Cys), L-glycine (Gly), and L-tyrosine (Tyr). Characterization of the newly-synthesized NMs was performed by using various techniques. Prepared nanomaterials (NMs) were assessed for their in vitro antioxidant activity using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing power (FRP), and hydrogen peroxide (HP) scavenging assays. In vivo, the antioxidant potential of the same was evaluated in the cadmium-intoxicated Mus musculus model. Tyr-AgNPrs (p < 0.05), Cys-AgNPrs (p < 0.05), and Gly-AgNPrs (p > 0.05) showed enhanced DPPH scavenging activity. Whereas the Cys-AgNPrs displayed enhanced FRP activity and Tyr-AgNPrs displayed enhanced HP scavenging activity. The AgNPrs and cadmium-exposed mice displayed a decreased (p<0.05) catalase (CAT) activity in G2 and G3, whereas it increased in G4. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was decreased in the G2 (p < 0.05) and G5 (p > 0.05) groups, whereas it increased in the G3 (p < 0.05), G4, and G6 groups of mice. The G2 showed a slightly decreased glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity (p > 0.05). The levels of reduced glutathione (p<0.05) and metallothioneins (p>0.05) were elevated in the cadmium-intoxicated group. The results revealed that the cystine-AgNPrs and tyrosine-AgNPrs demonstrated higher antioxidant potential in comparison to other treatments. It is concluded that biomolecule-conjugated AgNPrs can work efficiently with more biocompatibility for various nanotechnological and biomedical applications

Association between CYP1A2 gene variants −163 C/A (rs762551) and −3860 G/A (rs2069514) and bladder cancer susceptibility

Abstract Background Bladder cancer (BLCA) poses a significant global health challenge due to its high incidence, poor prognosis, and limited treatment options. Aims and objectives This study aims to investigate the association between two specific polymorphisms, CYP1A2-163 C/A and CYP1A2-3860G/A, within the Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene and susceptibility to BLCA. Methods The study employed a case-control design, genotyping 340 individuals using Polymerase Chain Reaction-High-Resolution Melting Curve (PCR-HRM). Various genetic models were applied to evaluate allele and genotype frequencies. Genetic linkage analysis was facilitated using R packages. Results The study reveals a significant association with the − 163 C/A allele, particularly in the additive model. Odds ratio (OR) analysis links CYP1A2-163 C/A (rs762551) and CYP1A2-3860G/A(rs2069514) polymorphisms to BLCA susceptibility. The rs762551 C/A genotype is prevalent in 55% of BLCA cases and exhibits an OR of 2.21. The A/A genotype has an OR of 1.54. Regarding CYP1A2-3860G/A, the G/A genotype has an OR of 1.54, and the A/A genotype has an OR of 2.08. Haplotype analysis shows a predominant C-C haplotype at 38.2%, followed by a C-A haplotype at 54.7%, and a less frequent A-A haplotype at 7.1%. This study underscores associations between CYP1A2 gene variants, particularly rs762551 (CYP1A2-163 C/A), and an increased susceptibility to BLCA. Haplotype analysis of 340 individuals reveals a predominant C-C haplotype at 38.2%, followed by a C-A haplotype at 54.7%, and a less frequent A-A haplotype at 7.1%. Conclusion In conclusion, the − 163 C/A allele, C/A genotype of rs762551, and G/A genotype of rs2069514 emerge as potential genetic markers associated with elevated BLCA risk