Phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared by green synthesis using sage leaves (Salvia officinalis).

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely investigated with regard to their physical, chemical, but also biological properties. Antibacterial and antitumor properties of AgNPs have been intensively studied. In addition, the synthesis using a green approach brings further significant biological properties. However, it is also necessary to monitor the potential toxicity of such nanoparticles in different ecosystems. In this study, the effect of AgNO3 and AgNPs on germinated plants of Zea mays was studied. Effects on basic growth and physiological parameters were observed. There was a statistically significant difference between the variants tested

Zinc-modified nanotransporter of doxorubicin for targeted prostate cancer delivery.

This work investigated the preparation of chitosan nanoparticles used as carriers for doxorubicin for targeted cancer delivery. Prepared nanocarriers were stabilized and functionalized via zinc ions incorporated into the chitosan nanoparticle backbone. We took the advantage of high expression of sarcosine in the prostate cancer cells. The prostate cancer targeting was mediated by the AntiSar antibodies decorated surface of the nanocage. Formation of the chitosan nanoparticles was determined using a ninhydrin assay and differential pulse voltammetry. Obtained results showed the strong effect of tripolyphosphine on the nanoparticle formation. The zinc ions affected strong chitosan backbone coiling both in inner and outer chitosan nanoparticle structure. Zinc electrochemical signal depended on the level of the complex formation and the potential shift from -960 to -950 mV. Formed complex is suitable for doxorubicin delivery. It was observed the 20% entrapment efficiency of doxorubicin and strong dependence of drug release after 120 min in the blood environment. The functionality of the designed nanotransporter was proven. The purposed determination showed linear dependence in the concentration range of Anti-sarcosine IgG labeled gold nanoparticles from 0 to 1000 µg/mL and the regression equation was found to be y = 3.8x - 66.7 and R2 = 0.99. Performed ELISA confirmed the ability of Anti-sarcosine IgG labeled chitosan nanoparticles with loaded doxorubicin to bind to the sarcosine molecule. Observed hemolytic activity of the nanotransporter was 40%. Inhibition activity of our proposed nanotransporter was evaluated to be 0% on the experimental model of S. cerevisiae. Anti-sarcosine IgG labeled chitosan nanoparticles, with loaded doxorubicin stabilized by Zn ions, are a perspective type of nanocarrier for targeted drug therapy managed by specific interaction with sarcosine and metallothionein for prostate cancer

3D-printed CdTe QDs-based sensor for sensitive electrochemical detection of viral particles.

Preventing the spread of dangerous viral diseases such as flu, Ebola or HIV requires rapid and effective diagnostic approaches to detect these diseases at an early stage. Quantum dots (QDs) are nanocrystals that exhibit a variety of unique properties and are suitable for biomolecule labelling due to their high stability, ease of preparation, and biocompatibility. Modified QDs can be used to label nucleic acids or antibodies. Green synthesis method of QDs provides a platform for preparation of unique materials with new chemical or physical properties as compared to the original material. In this work, CdTe QDs were produced in the presence of plant extract which acted as a modifying agent. The Zea mays extract was added during the CdTe QDs synthesis at different time intervals and CdTe QDs showed a wide range of colors. The stability of the prepared QDs, including their application onto paper, was evaluated. The QDs were observed to show a remarkable electrochemical response for sensor applications and were also employed to label virus-specific antibody. The entire procedure was miniaturized and the viral particles were analyzed in a 3D-printed chip

Biophysical analysis of silver nanoparticles prepared by green synthesis and their use for 3D printing of antibacterial material for health care.

The resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics is growing steadily. The development of new antibacterial agents is highly topical. Metal nanoparticles have shown significant antibacterial activity similar to the plant/animal materials used in traditional medicine. The study focuses on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) modified with biomolecules from used plant extracts (T. serpyllum, S. officinalis, T. pratense). The obtained nanoparticles were studied in detail by physicochemical methods. In addition, they were deposited on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). We created unique antibacterial material using 3D printing. 20-40% inhibition of S. aureus and E. coli was observed in the evaluation of their efficacy

Addition of Amines to a Carbonyl Ligand: Syntheses, Characterization, and Reactivities of Iridium(III) Porphyrin Carbamoyl Complexes

Treatment of (carbonyl)chloro(meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)iridium(III), (TTP)Ir(CO)Cl (1), with excess primary amines at 23 °C in the presence of Na2CO3 produces the trans-amine-coordinated iridium carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(NH2R)[C(O)NHR] (R = Bn (2a), n-Bu (2b), i-Pr (2c), t-Bu (2d)) with isolated yields up to 94%. The trans-amine ligand is labile and can be replaced with quinuclidine (1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, ABCO), 1-methylimidazole (1-MeIm), triethyl phosphite (P(OEt)3), and dimethylphenylphosphine (PMe2Ph) at 23 °C to afford the hexacoordinated carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (for R = Bn: L = ABCO (3a), 1-MeIm (4a), P(OEt)3 (5a), PMe2Ph (6a)). On the basis of ligand displacement reactions and equilibrium studies, ligand binding strengths to the iridium metal center were found to decrease in the order PMe2Ph \u3e P(OEt)3 \u3e 1-MeIm \u3e ABCO \u3e BnNH2 ≫ Et3N, PCy3. The carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (L = RNH2 (2a,b), 1-MeIm (4a)) undergo protonolysis with HBF4 to give the cationic carbonyl complexes [(TTP)Ir(NH2R)(CO)]BF4 (7a,b) and [(TTP)Ir(1-MeIm)(CO)]BF4 (8), respectively. In contrast, the carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (L = P(OEt)3 (5a), PMe2Ph (6a,c)) reacted with HBF4 to afford the complexes [(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)]BF4 (9) and [(TTP)IrP(OEt)3]BF4 (10), respectively. The carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (L = RNH2 (2a–d), 1-MeIm (4a), P(OEt)3 (5b), PMe2Ph (6c)) reacted with methyl iodide to give the iodo complexes (TTP)Ir(L)I (L = RNH2 (11a–d), 1-MeIm (12), P(OEt)3(13), PMe2Ph (14)). Reactions of the complexes [(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)]BF4 (9) and [(TTP)IrP(OEt)3]BF4 (10) with [Bu4N]I, benzylamine (BnNH2), and PMe2Ph afforded (TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)I (14), (TTP)Ir[P(OEt)3]I (13), [(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)(NH2Bn)]BF4 (16), and trans-[(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)2]BF4 (17), respectively. Metrical details for the molecular structures of 4a and17 are reported

Use of Dynamic Shear Rheology to Understand Soy Protein Dispersion Properties

Soy flour dispersions are used as adhesives for bonding interior wood laminates, but the high viscosity of these dispersions requires low solids in the adhesive formulations; the greater water content causes excessive steam pressure during hot press manufacturing. This limits the utility of soy adhesives in replacing urea–formaldehyde adhesives; thus, understanding the cause of high soy viscosities is important. Lack of literature on aqueous soy flour dispersion rheology led to our dynamic rheology studies of these dispersions to understand high viscosity and the effect of various additives. Even at low soy solids, the elastic nature outweighs the viscous properties at low shear, although increasing the shear results in shear-thinning behavior after the yield point. At even higher shear, beyond the flow point where the storage and loss moduli cross, some of the dispersions show an additional shear thinning transition. The comparison of the rheological properties of aqueous dispersions of the soy flour and protein isolate, and another natural protein, ovalbumin from egg whites, led to a better understanding of different types of rheological behaviors. The experimental observations of two observed shear thinning events for soy are consistent with the model of dispersed particles, forming clusters that then form large scale flocculants