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Polysaccharide nanoparticles are promising materials in the wide range of disciplines such as medicine, nutrition, food production, agriculture, material science and others. They excel not only in their non-toxicity and biodegradability but also in their easy preparation. As well as inorganic particles, a protein corona (PC) around polysaccharide nanoparticles is formed in biofluids. Moreover, it has been considered that the overall response of the organism to nanoparticles presence depends on the PC. This review summarises scientific publications about the structural chemistry of polysaccharide nanoparticles and their impact on theranostic applications. Three strategies of implementation of the PC in theranostics have been discussed: I) Utilisation of the PC in therapy; II) How the composition of the PC is analysed for specific disease markers; III) How the formed PC can interact with the immune system and enhances the immunomodulation or immunoelimination. Thus, the findings from this review can contribute to improve the design of drug delivery systems. However, it is still necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of nano-bio interactions and discover new connections in nanoscale research.

Silver nanoparticles are the most important nanoparticles in connection with the antimicrobial effect. Nowadays, the green synthesis of various types of nanoparticles is rapid, effective and produce less toxic nanoparticles often with specific properties. In our experiment we have developed and described in details various types of silver nanoparticles synthesized chemically or by the green synthesis. Nine different silver nanoparticles were synthesized, three by citrate method at different pHs (8; 9; 10), four using gallic acid at alkaline pHs (10; 11), and two by green synthesis using green tea and coffee extracts, both at pH 9. Characterisation of silver nanoparticles was performed using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. Silver nanoparticles prepared by green synthesis showed the highest antioxidant activity and also ability for quenching of free radicals. Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was determined on bacterial cultures such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Silver nanoparticles synthesized using green tea and coffee extracts showed the highest antibacterial activity for both bacterial strains. Minimal inhibition concentration for both strains was found to be 65 μM at each silver nanoparticle synthesized using green synthesis.

Modern anticancer therapy aims to increase the effectiveness of tumor treatment. The aim of this work was to propose a new nanotransporter for targeted delivery of anthracycline antibiotics, which is characterized by its bioavailability, increased uptake of the drug from the bloodstream at the site of tumor tissue and as well as low toxicity to non-target tissue. Chitosan nanoparticles have attracted great attention in the field of drug delivery due to their stability, low toxicity and easy preparation. Deacetylated chitosan skeleton is composed of glucosamine units and has a high density of charged amino groups which allow strong electrostatic interactions with biomolecules, transition metals (Zn, Se) and peptides. We obtained the encapsulation effectiveness of chitosan 20%. Electrochemical detection of the bounded Zn2+ ions into the chitosan structure showed shift from -0.99 to -0.93 V. This result proved the formation of a chitosan-zinc complex. The ability of metallothione in to quench the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylradicalin the presence of 50 {aelig}M doxorubicin was confirmed by the change of relative absorbance in the range of 50 to 60%.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently become very attractive for the scientific community due to their broad spectrum of applications in the biomedical field. The main advantages of AgNPs include a simple method of synthesis, a simple way to change their morphology and high surface area to volume ratio. Much research has been carried out over the years to evaluate their possible effectivity against microbial organisms. The most important factors which influence the effectivity of AgNPs against microorganisms are the method of their preparation and the type of application. When incorporated into fabric wound dressings and other textiles, AgNPs have shown significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and inhibited biofilm formation. In this review, the different routes of synthesizing AgNPs with controlled size and geometry including chemical, green, irradiation and thermal synthesis, as well as the different types of application of AgNPs for wound dressings such as membrane immobilization, topical application, preparation of nanofibers and hydrogels, and the mechanism behind their antimicrobial activity, have been discussed elaborately.

The aim of this study was to synthesize cadmium telluride nanoparticles (CdTe NPs) modified apoferritin, and examine if apoferritin is able to accommodate CdTe NPs. Primarily, the thermostability of horse spleen apoferritin was tested and it's unfolding at 70 °C was observed. Cadmium telluride nanoparticles (CdTe NPs) were synthesized both within apoferritin protein cage and on its surface. The thermal treatment of apoferritin with CdTe NPs resulted in the aggregation of cores, which was indicated by changes in the absorption spectra and the shape of apoferritin tryptophan fluorescence. The apoferritin modified with CdTe NPs was additionally modified with gold nanoparticles and attached to magnetic particles via oligonucleotide using gold affinity to thiol group. This anchor system was used to separate the construct using external magnetic field and to analyse the molecules attached to apoferritin.

Cancer represents one of the main causes of human death in developed countries. Most current therapies, unfortunately, carry a number of side effects, such as toxicity and damage to healthy cells, as well as the risk of resistance and recurrence. Therefore, cancer research is trying to develop therapeutic procedures with minimal negative consequences. The use of nanomaterial-based systems appears to be one of them. In recent years, great progress has been made in the field of possible use of nanomaterials with high potential in biomedical applications. Carbon nanomaterials, thanks to their unique physicochemical properties, are gaining more and more popularity in cancer therapy. They are valued especially for their ability to deliver drugs or small therapeutic molecules to these cells. Through surface functionalization, they can specifically target tumor tissues, increasing the therapeutic potential and significantly reducing the adverse effects of therapy. Their potential future use could, therefore, as vehicles for drug delivery. This review presents the latest findings of research studies using carbon nanomaterials in the treatment of various types of cancer. To carry out this study, different databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar were employed. The findings of research studies chosen from more than 2000 viewed scientific publications from the last 15 years were compared.

Traditional supplements of selenium generally have a low degree of absorption and increased toxicity. Therefore, it is imperative to develop innovative systems as transporters of selenium compounds, which would raise the bioavailability of this element and allow its controlled release in the organism. Nanoscale selenium has attracted a great interest as a food additive especially in individuals with selenium deficiency, but also as a therapeutic agent without significant side effects in medicine. This review is focused on the incorporation of nanotechnological applications, in particular exploring the possibilities of a more effective way of administration, especially in selenium-deficient organisms. In addition, this review summarizes the survey of knowledge on selenium nanoparticles, their biological effects in the organism, advantages, absorption mechanisms, and nanotechnological applications for peroral administration.

Drugs are important xenobiotics in the environment. Their use increases with the growth of the human population, but also in agricultural primary production. Paracetamol (PAR) is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic and its production is still growing. Commonly available drug production technologies are being developed very intensively with nanotechnological modifications for their gradual and targeted release. Nanoparticles (ST/PAR) from starch were prepared: PAR (0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 mg/L) was mixed with citric acid ester in a 1:8 v/v ratio for 30 min at 25 °C. By the centrifugation (16.000 g, 30 min) ST/PAR were obtained in the pellet. The effect of PAR was studied on Daphnia magna Straus (Cladocera, Crustacea). Adult females (70-400 mg) were used for self-evaluation. The EC50 was 3.749 mg/L after 48 h of PAR treatment. Total protein values determined by Lowry method were between 0.5-2.2 mg/mL and by Bradford method between 190-676 mg/L. Antioxidant activity values determined by CUPRAC method were between 4-15 μg/mL GAE and by ABTS method ranged between 40-103 μg/mL GAE. PAR values were between 9-40 μM. Subsequently, the biological activity of the prepared nanoparticles was tested.

11th International Conference on Nanomaterials - Research and Application, NANOCON 2019 -- 16 October 2019 through 18 October 2019 -- -- 159862 2-s2.0-85097204138 The AgNPs have considerable industrial potential and are intensively studied with regard to their antibacterial properties. Using green synthesis, the nanoparticle surface can be coated with molecules that exhibit biologically significant properties. Increased use of nanoparticles enhances the risk of their release into the environment. However, there is still little known about the behaviour of AgNPs in the eco-environment. In this study, the effect of AgNPs prepared by green synthesis on germinated plants of maize was investigated. The effects on germination, basic growth and physiological parameters of the plant were monitored. AgNPs and silver nitrate were applied to maize seedlings (5 days in hydroponics system) at concentrations of 1 mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 150 mg/L. Chlorophyll a and b content was determined. We found that the growth inhibition of the above-ground parts of plants was about 40 % and AgNPs and silver nitrate had a significant effect on photosynthetic pigments. Chlorophyll a and b content changed with time and concentration. © NANOCON 2019.All right reserved.

Cardiotoxicity is a serious complication of anticancer therapy by anthracycline antibiotics. Except for intercalation into DNA/RNA structure, inhibition of DNA-topoisomerase and histone eviction from chromatin, the main mechanism of their action is iron-mediated formation of various forms of free radicals, which leads to irreversible damage to cancer cells. The most serious adverse effect of anthracyclines is, thus, cardiomyopathy leading to congestive heart failure, which is caused by the same mechanisms. Here, we briefly summarize the basic types of free radicals formed by anthracyclines and the main processes how to scavenge them. From these, the main attention is paid to metallothioneins. These low-molecular cysteine-rich proteins are introduced and their functions and properties are reviewed. Further, their role in detoxification of metals and drugs is discussed. Based on these beneficial roles, their use as a new therapeutic agent against oxidative stress and for cardioprotection is critically evaluated with respect to their ability to increase chemoresistance against some types of commonly used cytostatics.

Background: Sarcosine is an amino acid that is formed by methylation of glycine and is present in trace amounts in the body. Increased sarcosine concentrations in blood plasma and urine are manifested in sarcosinemia and in some other diseases such as prostate cancer. For this purpose, sarcosine detection using the nanomedicine approach was proposed. In this study, we have prepared superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with different modified surface area. Nanoparticles (NPs) were modified by chitosan (CS), and sarcosine oxidase (SOX). SPIONs without any modification were taken as controls. Methods and Results: The obtained NPs were characterized by physicochemical methods. The size of the NPs determined by the dynamic light scattering method was as follows: SPIONs/Au/NPs (100⁻300 nm), SPIONs/Au/CS/NPs (300⁻700 nm), and SPIONs/Au/CS/SOX/NPs (600⁻1500 nm). The amount of CS deposited on the NP surface was found to be 48 mg/mL for SPIONs/Au/CS/NPs and 39 mg/mL for SPIONs/Au/CS/SOX/NPs, and repeatability varied around 10%. Pseudo-peroxidase activity of NPs was verified using sarcosine, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as a substrate. For TMB, all NPs tested evinced substantial pseudo-peroxidase activity at 650 nm. The concentration of SPIONs/Au/CS/SOX/NPs in the reaction mixture was optimized to 0⁻40 mg/mL. Trinder reaction for sarcosine detection was set up at 510 nm at an optimal reaction temperature of 37 °C and pH 8.0. The course of the reaction was linear for 150 min. The smallest amount of NPs that was able to detect sarcosine was 0.2 mg/well (200 µL of total volume) with the linear dependence y = 0.0011x − 0.0001 and the correlation coefficient r = 0.9992, relative standard deviation (RSD) 6.35%, limit of detection (LOD) 5 µM. The suggested method was further validated for artificial urine analysis (r = 0.99, RSD 21.35%, LOD 18 µM). The calculation between the detected and applied concentrations showed a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.99). NPs were tested for toxicity and no significant growth inhibition was observed in any model system (S. cerevisiae, S. aureus, E. coli). The hemolytic activity of the prepared NPs was similar to that of the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) control. The reaction system was further tested on real urine specimens. Conclusion: The proposed detection system allows the analysis of sarcosine at micromolar concentrations and to monitor changes in its levels as a potential prostate cancer marker. The whole system is suitable for low-cost miniaturization and point-of-care testing technology and diagnostic systems. This system is simple, inexpensive, and convenient for screening tests and telemedicine applications.

Nanofluidics is becoming an extensively developing technique in the field of bioanalytical chemistry. Nanoscale hole embed in an insulating membrane is employed in a vast variety of sensing platforms and applications. Although, biological nanopores have several attractive characteristics, in this paper, we focused on the solid-state nanopores due to their advantages as high stability, possibility of diameter control, and ease of surface functionalizing. A detection method, based on the translocation of analyzed molecules through nanochannels under applied voltage bias and resistive pulse sensing, is well established. Nevertheless, it seems that the new detection methods like measuring of transverse electron tunneling using nanogap electrodes or optical detection can offer significant additional advantages. The aim of this review is not to cite all related articles, but highlight the steps, which in our opinion, meant important progresses in solid-state nanopore analysis.

A DNA-based biosensor is presented that can be applied to the detection of DNA damage caused by UV-C radiation (254 nm) in the presence of CdTe quantum dots (QDs). The sensor is composed of a glassy carbon electrode whose surface was modified with a layer of dsDNA and an- other layer of CdTe QDs. The response of this sensor is based on (a) the intrinsic anodic signal of the guanine moiety in the DNA that is measured by square-wave voltammetry, and (b) thecyclicvoltammetricresponseoftheredoxindicatorsystem hexacyanoferrate(III/II). Depending on the size of the QDs, they exert a significant effect on the rate of the degradation of dsDNA by UV-C light, and even by visible light. Time- dependent structural changes of DNA include opening of the doublehelix (as indicated byanincrease inthe redox response of the guanine moiety due to easy electron exchange with the electrode when compared to the original helix state and by an increase in the voltammetric peak current of the hexacyanoferrate(III/II) anion after degradation of the nega- tively charged DNA backbone on the electrode). The effects of QDs were verified for salmon sperm DNA and calf thymus DNA,andfurthercorroboratedbyexperimentsinwhichDNA solutions were irradiated in the presence of QDs.

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.

Sparsely tested group of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) may have a comparable effect as complex platinum compounds. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of PtNPs in in vitro amplification of DNA fragment of phage λ, on the bacterial cultures (Staphylococcus aureus), human foreskin fibroblasts and erythrocytes. In vitro synthesized PtNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (PtNPs size range 4.8-11.7 nm), zeta potential measurements (-15 mV at pH 7.4), X-ray fluorescence, UV/vis spectrophotometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. The PtNPs inhibited the DNA replication and affected the secondary structure of DNA at higher concentrations, which was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing and DNA denaturation experiments. Further, cisplatin (CisPt), as traditional chemotherapy agent, was used in all parallel experiments. Moreover, the encapsulation of PtNPs in liposomes (LipoPtNPs) caused an approximately 2.4x higher of DNA damage in comparison with CisPt, LipoCisPt and PtNPs. The encapsulation of PtNPs in liposomes also increased their antibacterial, cytostatic and cytotoxic effect, which was determined by the method of growth curves on S. aureus and HFF cells. In addition, both the bare and encapsulated PtNPs caused lower oxidative stress (determined by GSH/GSSG ratio) in the human erythrocytes compared to the bare and encapsulated CisPt. CisPt was used in all parallel experiments as traditional chemotherapy agent.

Hyperglycemia, a major metabolic disturbance present in diabetes, promotes oxidative stress. Activation of antioxidant defense is an important mechanism to prevent cell damage. Levels of heavy metals and their binding proteins can contribute to oxidative stress. Antiradical capacity and levels of metallothionein (MT), metals (zinc and copper), and selected antioxidants (bilirubin, cysteine, and glutathione) were determined in 70 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects and 80 healthy subjects of Caucasian origin. Single nucleotide polymorphism (rs28366003) in MT gene was detected. Antiradical capacity, conjugated bilirubin, and copper were significantly increased in diabetics, whereas MT and glutathione were decreased. Genotype AA of rs28366003 was associated with higher zinc levels in the diabetic group. The studied parameters were not influenced by renal function. This is the first study comprehensively investigating differences in MT and metals relevant to oxidative stress in T2DM. Ascertained differences indicate increased oxidative stress in T2DM accompanied by abnormalities in non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems.

Liposome-based drug delivery systems hold great potential for cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to design a nanodevice for targeted anchoring of liposomes (with and without cholesterol) with encapsulated anticancer drugs and antisense N-myc gene oligonucleotide attached to its surface. To meet this main aim, liposomes with encapsulated doxorubicin, ellipticine and etoposide were prepared. They were further characterized by measuring their fluorescence intensity, whereas the encapsulation efficiency was estimated to be 16%. The hybridization process of individual oligonucleotides forming the nanoconstruct was investigated spectrophotometrically and electrochemically. The concentrations of ellipticine, doxorubicin and etoposide attached to the nanoconstruct in gold nanoparticle-modified liposomes were found to be 14, 5 and 2 µg•mL(-1), respectively. The study succeeded in demonstrating that liposomes are suitable for the transport of anticancer drugs and the antisense oligonucleotide, which can block the expression of the N-myc gene. Systémy transportu léčiv pomocí liposomů udržují velký potenciál pro léčbu rakoviny. Cílem této studie bylo navrhnout nanozařízení pro cílené ukotvení liposomů (s a bez cholesterolu) s enkapsulovanými protinádorovými léky a k povrchu připojeným antisense oligonukleotidem pro gen n-myc. K dosažení tohoto hlavního cíle byly připraveny liposomy s enkapsulovaným doxorubicinem, ellipticinem a etoposidem. Byly charakterizovány měřením intenzity fluorescence, zatímco účinnost enkapsulace byla odhadována na 16 %. Proces hybridizace jednotlivých oligonukleotidů tvořících nanokonstrukt byl sledován spektrofotometricky a elektrochemicky. Koncentrace ellipticinu, doxorubicinu a etoposidu připojených k nanokonstruktu v liposomech modifikovaných zlatými nanočásticemi byly 14, 5 a 2 µg•ml(-1). Autorům studie se podařilo prokázat, že liposomy jsou vhodné pro transport protinádorových léků a antisense oligonukleotidu, který může blokovat expresi n-myc genu.

Selenium is an essential trace element important for many physiological processes, especially for the functions of immune and reproductive systems, metabolism of thyroid hormones, as well as antioxidant defense. Selenium deficiency is usually manifested by an increased incidence of retention of placenta, metritis, mastitis, aborts, lowering fertility and increased susceptibility to infections. In calves, lambs and kids, the selenium deficiency demonstrates by WMD (white muscle disease), in foals and donkey foals, it is associated with incidence of WMD and yellow fat disease, and in pigs it causes VESD (vitamin E/selenium deficiency) syndrome. The prevention of these health disorders can be achieved by an adequate selenium supplementation to the diet. The review summarizes the survey of knowledge on selenium, its biological significance in the organism, the impact of its deficiency in mammalian livestock (comparison of ruminants vs. non-ruminants, herbivore vs. omnivore) and possibilities of its peroral administration. The databases employed were as follows: Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar.

Hyperglycemia, a major metabolic disturbance present in diabetes, promotes oxidative stress. Activation of antioxidant defense is an important mechanism to prevent cell damage. Levels of heavy metals and their binding proteins can contribute to oxidative stress. Antiradical capacity and levels of metallothionein (MT), metals (zinc and copper), and selected antioxidants (bilirubin, cysteine, and glutathione) were determined in 70 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects and 80 healthy subjects of Caucasian origin. Single nucleotide polymorphism (rs28366003) in MT gene was detected. Antiradical capacity, conjugated bilirubin, and copper were significantly increased in diabetics, whereas MT and glutathione were decreased. Genotype AA of rs28366003 was associated with higher zinc levels in the diabetic group. The studied parameters were not influenced by renal function. This is the first study comprehensively investigating differences in MT and metals relevant to oxidative stress in T2DM. Ascertained differences indicate increased oxidative stress in T2DM accompanied by abnormalities in non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems.

The majority of carcinomas that were developed due to the infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) are caused by high-risk HPV types, HPV16 and HPV18. These HPV types contain the E6 and E7 oncogenes, so the fast detection of these oncogenes is an important point to avoid the development of cancer. Many different HPV tests are available to detect the presence of HPV in biological samples. The aim of this study was to design a fast and low cost method for HPV identification employing magnetic isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrochemical detection. These assays were developed to detect the interactions between E6-HPV16 oncogene and magnetizable particles (MPs) using commercial Dynabeads M-280 Streptavidin particles and laboratory-synthesized “homemade” particles called MANs (MAN-37, MAN-127 and MAN-164). The yields of PCR amplification of E6-HPV16 oncogene bound on the particles and after the elution from the particles were compared. A highest yield of E6-HPV16 DNA isolation was obtained with both MPs particles commercial M-280 Streptavidin and MAN-37 due to reducing of the interferents compared with the standard PCR method. A biosensor employing the isolation of E6-HPV16 oncogene with MPs particles followed by its electrochemical detection can be a very effective technique for HPV identification, providing simple, sensitive and cost-effective analysis. Většina karcinomů, které byly vyvolané v důsledku infekce lidským papilomavirem (HPV), jsou způsobeny vysoce rizikovými typy HPV, HPV16 a HPV18. Tyto typy HPV obsahují E6 a E7 onkogeny, takže rychlá detekce těchto onkogenů je důležitý bod k zabránění rozvoje rakoviny. Mnoho různých HPV testů je k dispozici pro detekci přítomnosti HPV v biologických vzorcích. Cílem této studie bylo navrhnout rychlou a levnou metodu pro identifikaci HPV využívající magnetickou izolaci, polymerázovou řetězovou reakci (PCR) a elektrochemickou detekci. Tyto testy byly vyvinuty s cílem odhalit interakce mezi E6-HPV16 onkogenem a magnetizovatelnými částicemi (MPS) s použitím komerčních částic Dynabeads M-280 Streptavidin a laboratorně syntetizovaných "homemade" částic zvaných MAN (MAN-37, MAN-127 a MAN-164). Byly porovnány výnosy z PCR amplifikace onkogenu E6-HPV16 vázaného na částicích a po eluci z částic. Nejvyšším výnos z izolace E6-HPV16 DNA byl získán s oběma komerčními MPs částicemi M-280 Streptavidin a MAN-37 v důsledku snížení interferencí ve srovnání se standardní metodou PCR. Biosenzor používající izolaci E6-HPV16 onkogenu s MPs částicemi následovaný jeho elektrochemickou detekci může být velmi účinná technika pro identifikaci HPV, která umožňuje jednoduchou, citlivou a nákladově efektivní analýzu.