Mitigation of Quantum Dot Cytotoxicity by Microencapsulation

When CdSe/ZnS-polyethyleneimine (PEI) quantum dots (QDs) are microencapsulated in polymeric microcapsules, human fibroblasts are protected from acute cytotoxic effects. Differences in cellular morphology, uptake, and viability were assessed after treatment with either microencapsulated or unencapsulated dots. Specifically, QDs contained in microcapsules terminated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) mitigate contact with and uptake by cells, thus providing a tool to retain particle luminescence for applications such as extracellular sensing and imaging. The microcapsule serves as the “first line of defense” for containing the QDs. This enables the individual QD coating to be designed primarily to enhance the function of the biosensor

The effects of Fe- and Mn-oxides and imogolite in the presence of kaolinite on organic nitrogen mineralization and soil enzyme activities

An incubation experiment was conducted to study the effect of clay content and composition on organic nitrogen mineralization. The experiment measured the mineralization of organic nitrogen from alfalfa residues, enzyme activities, and microbial biomass nitrogen in mixtures of sand, kaolinite, and non-layered colloids (NLCs) with sand as a control. The study found that as the contents of kaolinite and NLCs increased, the mineralization of organic nitrogen and enzyme activity decreased, but microbial biomass nitrogen increased. The maximum decrease in organic nitrogen mineralization was 88.6%, and microbial biomass nitrogen increased from 4.7 to 15.5%. The acid and alkaline phosphatase activities also decreased by 86.0 and 93.6%, respectively, with an increase in clay content. The specific surface area (SSA) of the mixtures showed an inverse relationship with enzyme activity and mineralization of organic nitrogen. Inactivation of extracellular enzymes by adsorption on the surfaces of kaolinite and NLCs, and decreased accessibility of organic nitrogen substrate molecules due to adsorption, reduced the mineralization of organic nitrogen. Microbial biomass nitrogen increased as the water holding capacity of the mixtures increased, indicating the importance of waterfilled pores in accommodating active microbial biomass and protecting it from desiccation and predators

Atmospheric pressure plasma accelerates tail regeneration in tadpoles Xenopus laevis

Atmospheric pressure plasma is a partially ionized gas composed of neutral and charged particles, including electrons and ions, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recently, it is utilized as possible therapy in oncology, sterilization, skin diseases, wound healing and tissue regeneration. In this study we focused on effect of plasma exposure on tail regeneration of tadpoles, Xenopus leavis with special emphasis on role of ROS, antioxidant defenses and morphological features of the regenerate. When amputated region of the tail was exposed to the helium plasma it resulted in a faster rate of growth, elevated ROS and increase in antioxidant enzymes in the regenerate compared to that of untreated control. An increase in nitric oxide (free radical) as well as activity of nitric oxide synthase(s) were observed once the cells of the regeneration blastema – a mass of proliferating cells are ready for differentiation. Microscopically the cells of the regenerate of plasma treated tadpoles show altered morphology and characteristics of cellular hypoxia and oxidative stress. We summarize that plasma exposure accelerates the dynamics of wound healing and tail regeneration through its effects on cell proliferation and differentiation as well as angiogenesis mediated through ROS signaling