Fabrication and characterisation of super-paramagnetic responsive PLGA–gelatine–magnetite scaffolds with the unidirectional porous structure: a physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro evaluation
Architecture and composition of Scaffolds are influential factors in the regeneration of defects. Herein, synthesised iron oxide (magnetite) nanoparticles (MNPs) by co-precipitation technique were evenly distributed in polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-gelatine Scaffolds. Hybrid structures were fabricated by freeze-casting method to the creation of a matrix with tunable pores. The synthesised MNPs were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer analysis. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of porous Scaf...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Investigation of the morphological cell structures and their optical significances of Aeshna cyanea
The transparent wing of the dragonfly Aeshna cyanea has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OPM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and reflectance spectroscopy. Four cells (D1-D4) were studied and classified according to their general morphology. The OPM depicted the vein-joint characterised by the distribution of resilin. EDS technique showed common elements such as carbon, oxygen, and chlorine. SEM analysis revealed thin membranes reinforced with a network of hallow veins. Spikes and round shape of microstructures were identified. The roughness of the pruinosity was e...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Structural characteristics analysis of the hind wings in a bamboo weevil (Cyrtotrachelus buqueti)
The finite element method is a powerful tool for evaluating the experimental results. It can help to study the flight mechanism of insects and the structural characteristics of flying wings. Therefore, the research object based on the hind wings of Cyrtotrachelus buqueti (C. buqueti) was completed here. A finite element model with a length of 45 mm in the spanwise direction and a 16 mm width in the chordwise direction were established. We used a three-dimensional (3D) scanner to scan a real hind wing to obtain point cloud images. The physical model of the hind wing was carried out by using both the software Imageware and U...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Highly efficient polyethylene glycol-functionalised gold nanorods for photothermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
In this study, the authors achieved photothermal ablation by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-functionalised GNRs. Well-dispersed and uniform GNRs were produced through a seed-mediated growth method. A thermal camera was used to scrutinise the temperature distribution and efficiency of the photothermal properties of the GNRs, which were irradiated by an 808 nm laser on a silicon chip. They observed that the GNRs provided about a 5°C temperature increase and produced hyperthermia efficiently. Since GNRs need to be surface tailored with a biocompatible material rather than cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), they chose me...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Facile synthesis of mesoporous alumina using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) as template: simplified sol-gel approach
Herein the authors present the synthesis of surface functionalised mesoporous alumina (MeAl) for textural characterisation by a simplified sol-gel method obtained by using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide as a template. Etoricoxib (ETOX) was used as a model drug for the study. Alumina supported mesoporous material containing drug was characterised using instrumental technique namely Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, Fourier transform-infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Diffusion study using a dialysis bag met...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Trastuzumab-conjugated nanoparticles composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) prepared by electrospraying technique for targeted delivery of docetaxel
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is overexpressed in 20-30% of human breast cancers, associated with poor prognosis and tumour aggression. The aim of this study was the production of trastuzumab-targeted Ecoflex nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with docetaxel and in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxicity and cellular uptake. The NPs were manufactured by electrospraying and characterised regarding size, zeta potential, drug loading, and release behaviour. Then their cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay against an HER-2-positive cell line, BT-474, and an HER-2-negative cell line, MDA-MB-468. The cellular uptake ...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

5 Fluorouracil-loaded biosynthesised gold nanoparticles for the in vitro treatment of human pancreatic cancer cell
In this study, green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was performed by a sunlight irradiation method using the Borassus flabellifer fruit extract as a reducing agent. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded GG capped AuNPs (5FU-G-AuNPs) was prepared. The nanoparticles was further characterised by UV-visible spectra, particle size analysis, zeta potential, SAED, HRTEM, and XRD. The MTT assay results showed the suitability 5-FU-G-AuNPs. In this study, 5-FU-G-AuNPs exhibited potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on (MiaPaCa-2) cell line. (Source: IET Nanobiotechnology)
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Biocompatibility enhancement of graphene oxide-silver nanocomposite by functionalisation with polyvinylpyrrolidone
Several materials such as silver are used to enhance graphene oxide (GO) sheets antimicrobial activity. However, these toxic materials decrease its biocompatibility and hinder its usage in many biological applications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop nanocomposites that can preserve both the antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility simultaneously. This work highlights the importance of functionalisation of GO sheets using Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and decorating them with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in order to enhance their antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility at the same time. The structural and...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Effects of silver nanoparticles coated with anti-HER2 on irradiation efficiency of SKBR3 breast cancer cells
Breast cancer is the second cause of death in the world. Ionising radiation is a potent mutagen that can cause DNA damage, chromosomes breakage, and cell death. In the present study, radiotherapy and nanoparticle-antibodies (ABs) have been combined to enhance the efficacy of cancer cell treatment. Silver nanoparticles (SNP) were synthesised, coated with anti-HER2, and then characterised with different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. SKBR3 cells were irradiated with cobalt-60 in the presence of nanoparticle...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Photothermal inactivation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: anti-biofilm mediated by a polypyrrole–carbon nanocomposite
In this study, antimicrobial effects of a polypyrrole-carbon nanocomposite (PPy-C) upon laser irradiation in order to destroy the pathogenic gram-positive bacterium, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were assessed. The bacterial cells were incubated with 500, 750 and 1000 μg ml-1 concentrations of PPy-C and irradiated with an 808-nm laser at a power density of 1.0 W cm-2. To indicate the biocompatibility and toxic effect of the nanocomposite without and with laser irradiation, the authors counted the number of CFUs and compared it to an untreated sample. Antibacterial mechanisms of PPy-C were assess...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Antibacterial magnetic nanoparticles for therapeutics: a review
Along with the extensive range of exotic nanoparticle (NPs) applications, investigation of magnetic NPs (MNPs) in vitro has ushered modern antibacterial studies into an increasingly attractive research area. A great number of microorganisms exist in the size scales from nanometre to micrometre regions. The enormous potential of engineered MNPs in therapeutic procedures against various drug-resistant bacteria has declined the menace of fatal bacterial infections. Many biocompatible MNPs have been introduced that possess remarkable impacts on various bacterial strains. Conventional synthesis methods such as co-precipitation ...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Development of nanotechnology for advancement and application in wound healing: a review
Wound healing is a series of different dynamic and complex phenomena. Many studies have been carried out based on the type and severity of wounds. However, to recover wounds faster there are no suitable drugs available, which are highly stable, less expensive as well as has no side effects. Nanomaterials have been proven to be the most promising agent for faster wound healing among all the other wound healing materials. This review briefly discusses the recent developments of wound healing by nanotechnology, their applicability and advantages. Nanomaterials have unique physicochemical, optical, and biological properties. S...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Metal nanoparticles synthesis through natural phenolic acids
For being applied in medicine as therapeutic agents, nanostructures need to be biocompatible and eco-friendly. Plant-derived phenolic acids have been utilised for green synthesis of metallic or metallic oxide nanoparticles (NPs). The phenolic acids play role as both reducing agents and stabilisers in the process of NPs synthesis. Many experiments have been dedicated to develop efficient green synthesis techniques for producing metal NPs. Using phenolic acids represents a reproducible, simple, profitable, and cost-effective strategy to synthesise metal NPs. As a phytochemical for metal NPs synthesis, phenolic acids are anti...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - October 23, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Redox/pH dual stimuli-responsive ZnO QDs-gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles as carriers in cancer therapy
New drug delivery system (ZnO@CMS) of the redox and pH dual-stimuli responsive based on colloidal mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CMS) has been designed, in which zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) as a capping agent was conjugated on the surface of nanoparticles by amide bonds. The release behaviour of doxorubicin (DOX) as the model drug from ZnO@CMS (ZnO@CMS-DOX) indicated the redox and pH dual-stimuli responsive properties due to the acidic dissolution of ZnO QDs and cleavage of the disulphide bonds. The haemolysis and bovine serum albumin adsorption assays showed that the modification of ZnO QDs on the mesoporous silic...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 9, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research

Penetration Depth in Nanoparticles Incorporated Radiofrequency Hyperthermia into the Tissue: Comprehensive Study with Histology and Pathology Observations
In present study, the effective penetration of radiofrequency (RF) induced gold decorated iron oxide nanoparticles (GS@IONPs) hyperthermia was investigated. The effective penetration depth of RF also the damage potency of hyperthermia was evaluated during histopathology observations which were done on the chicken breast tissue and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models. The thermal damages are well- documented in our previous cellular study which was engaged with potency of RF hyperthermia in Epithelial adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and fibroblast (L-929) cells deaths [1]. In recent work, PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs)...
Source: IET Nanobiotechnology - August 9, 2019 Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research