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Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are nanocarriers in the 10–1000 nm range of a solid core, containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients. SLNs are composed of well-tolerated and biodegradable solid lipids such as mono-, di-, and triglycerides, fatty acids, waxes, and steroids, as well as lipophilic and hydrophilic emulsifying agents. This composition of biocompatible molecules makes SLNs one of the most successful options for the administration of drugs with different routes of administration. To determine its size, morphology, and surface charge, laser diffraction spectroscopy techniques, dynamic light scattering, coulter counter, scanning ion occlusion sensing, and advanced microscopy techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy are some of the most widely used methods. Surface morphology and length can be measured by electron microscopy, while dynamic light scattering and photon correlation spectroscopy determine particle size and size distribution. In addition, colloidal stability can be determined by zeta potential analysis, indirect measurement of surface charge, and differential scanning calorimetry to characterize particles and drug interactions.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • AuNPs at 100 μg/mL induce a contractile effect on isolated trachea rings of female and male rats. • Nitric oxide (NO) is a potential mediator of the AuNPs actions upon the smooth muscle of isolated rat tracheal rings. • Formation of AuNPs in physiological solution in controls with HAuCl4 trigger similar contractile effects than AuNPs., The AuNPs have been used in biomedicine as therapeutic tools for cancer. However, its role in the context of respiratory physiology has been little studied. This study aimed to determine the impact of AuNPs on respiratory smooth muscle tone, using a model of isolated tracheal rings from female and male rats precontracted with acetylcholine (ACh). AuNPs exerted a contractile effect only in the concentration of 100 ug/ml. This contractile effect was not modified by gender. The possible mediator +could be nitric oxide (NO), measured in a physiological solution containing the tracheal rings treated with different concentrations of AuNPs. The results obtained in this study show that the AuNPs are bio-inert in a concentration range of 0.1−10 μg/mL; however, 100 μg/mL could trigger airway hyperresponsiveness. Similar effects were obtained in isolated trachea rings treated with 100 μg/mL HAuCl4. An evaluation of HAuCl4 in physiological buffer at various HEPES concentrations (0–20 mM) showed the formation of AuNPs that could explain the contractile effect on the tracheal smooth muscle.

1,4−naftoquinone (NQ) molecules have been extensively evaluated as potent antibacterial compounds; however, their use is limited, since they have low water solubility and exhibit toxicities in healthy eukaryotic cells. A possible path to overcoming these challenges is the use of particulate vehicles, such as SBA-15, which is a biocompatible and biodegradable mesoporous silica material, that may enhance drug delivery and decrease dosages. In this work, an isotherm model-based adsorption of three NQs into SBA-15 microparticles was evaluated. Interactions between NQs and SBA-15 microparticles were modeled at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory to understand the nature of such interactions. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of NQ, 2NQ, and 5NQ into SBA-15 fit the Freundlich adsorption model. According to theorical studies, physisorption is mediated by hydrogen bonds, while the most stable interactions occur between the carbonyl group of NQ and silica surfaces. Both experimental and theoretical results contribute to a deeper understanding of the use of SBA-15 or similar particles as nanovehicles in such a way that NQs can be modified in carbonyl or C3 to enhance adsorptions. The theoretical and experimental results were in accordance and contribute to a deeper understanding of how interactions between NQ-type molecules and SiO2 materials occur.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor in adults. Although the overall incidence is less than 10 per 100,000 individuals, its poor prognosis and low survival rate make GBM a crucial public health issue. The main challenges for GBM treatment are related to tumor location and its complex and heterogeneous biology. In this sense, a broad range of nanoparticles with different sizes, architectures, and surface properties, have been engineered as brain drug delivery systems. Among them, lipid-based nanoparticles, such as liposomes, have been pointed out as promising materials to deliver antitumoral drugs to the central nervous system and thus, to improve brain drug targeting and therapeutic efficiency. Here, we describe the synthesis and general characteristics of lipid-based nanoparticles, as well as evidence in the past 5 years regarding their potential use to treat GBM.

espanolDentro de la actividad de acuicultura, que es de las mas importantes del mundo, existen factores que impiden el desarrollo esperado y causan perdidas de millones de dolares. Uno de estos factores es la vibriosis, una de las enfermedades mas infecciosas y que tiene un gran impacto en esta actividad. El objetivo de este articulo es exponer las caracteristicas de esta enfermedad que dana los peces de las zonas tropicales y subtropicales en todo el mundo, ademas de exponer todas las vacunas que existen para tratar de erradicarla. Actualmente existen 26 vacunas de uso comercial, pero la mayoria estan dirigidas para el salmon del Atlantico y se ha dejado desprotegidas a muchas otras especies de peces, ademas de los altos costos de produccion de vacunas. A pesar de que existen estos antibioticos para la trata de la vibriosis, el uso inadecuado ha traiado como consecuencia la creacion de cepas mas daninas. EnglishAmong the aquaculture activity, which is among the most important in the world, there are factors that impede the expected development and cause losses of millions of dollars. One of these factors is vibriosis, one of the most infectious diseases and it has a great impact on this activity. The objective of this article is to expose the characteristics of this disease that damages fish in tropical and subtropical zones around the world, in addition to exposing all the existent vaccines to try to eradicate it. There are currently 26 vaccines in commercial use, but most are aimed at the Atlantic salmon and many other fish species have been left unprotected, in addition to the high costs of vaccine production. In spite of the existence of these antibiotics to treat vibriosis, improper use has resulted in the creation of more harmful strains.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor in adults. Although the overall incidence is less than 10 per 100,000 individuals, its poor prognosis and low survival rate make GBM a crucial public health issue. The main challenges for GBM treatment are related to tumor location and its complex and heterogeneous biology. In this sense, a broad range of nanoparticles with different sizes, architectures, and surface properties, have been engineered as brain drug delivery systems. Among them, lipid-based nanoparticles, such as liposomes, have been pointed out as promising materials to deliver antitumoral drugs to the central nervous system and thus, to improve brain drug targeting and therapeutic efficiency. Here, we describe the synthesis and general characteristics of lipid-based nanoparticles, as well as evidence in the past 5 years regarding their potential use to treat GBM.

Although vaccination has prevented millions of deaths, the development of highly immunogenic subunit vaccines is still required. Since the number of adjuvants approved for human use is limited, the new paths for the development of delivery vehicles offered by nanotechnology are of key relevance. Areas covered: Herein, the potential of silica nanoparticles (SP) as both adjuvants and vaccine delivery vehicles is discussed based on the analysis of the current biomedical literature. Expert commentary: SP are reported not only as biodegradable and biocompatible material but also as easy to modify and with a low production cost. Additionally, several reports suggest that SP enhance the immune response. Therefore, SP are a promising delivery vehicle and/or adjuvant in vaccines. However, knowledge on the industrial production and specific aspects of immunity are still required.

A collection of evidence suggests that conjugation of double bonds of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), increases their anticarcinogenic activity; however, the effect of such conjugation on vascular tone activity remains unknown. We propose that the mixture of conjugated PUFAs exerts higher vasorelaxation activity than the corresponding mixture of nonconjugated PUFAs. The vascular response to different concentrations of conjugated and nonconjugated isomers of EPA and DHA, among other fatty acids (FAs) naturally present in shark oil, and the role of nitric oxide (NO) as a vasorelaxant agent were investigated. Both conjugated EPA (CEPA) and conjugated DHA (CDHA) were prepared by alkaline isomerization of all PUFAs contained in shark oil. Different concentrations of conjugated and nonconjugated PUFAs were placed in contact with precontracted aortic rings of Wistar rats to assess their effect on vascular tone. All tested samples exerted a vasorelaxant effect. Compared to nonconjugated PUFAs, conjugated isomers exhibited an increase in the dilatation of the aortic rings (P

Vaccinology faces the challenge of developing improved immunization approaches that are able to induce long-term immunity with the desired Th profile according to the pathology. In this context, new vehicles for efficient antigen delivery that exert adjuvant effects play a critical role in addressing this goal. Herein, mesoporous silicon particles (PSiP) were assessed as carriers for a peptide-based vaccine targeting the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), which is a relevant receptor in Alzheimer&acute, s disease and other diseases. A RAGE peptide was adsorbed onto PSiP (PSiP vaccine) and administered to BALB/c mice, leading to immune responses that were similar in magnitude to those induced by the soluble peptide. However, the response induced by PSiP lasted for a significantly longer period when compared with the behavior of the group immunized with the peptide alone. Therefore, PSiP are proposed as carriers to enhance immune memory, which is critical in vaccination. This study opens interesting perspectives related to the application of PSiP in vaccinology.

Interpenetrated hybrid thiol-ene/epoxy network were obtained via UV-induced polymerization. By combining the network structure derived from epoxy curing with that of thiol-ene system we could expect an important toughening effect due to the presence of the polysulfide moieties. It is proposed the use of a penta-allylic triamine curing agent which can react with multifunctional thiols to produce polysulfides in situ, and at the same time has the ability to initiate the anionic polymerization of an epoxy resin. The higher the concentration of polysulfides in the resultant polymer, the better the toughness achieved.

This study focuses on a mathematical description of elution of aromatic species in a 30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm BPX5 capillary column. Experimental studies involve the detection of chemical species at the capillary column outlet. Using the recorded peaks, statistical moments of different orders are calculated for both toluene and naphthalene. Modeling studies involve a laminar flow model with an equilibrium coefficient (Ks) and a solute diffusion coefficient in the stationary phase (Ds). Model validation is developed by performing experiments at different carrier gas velocities and GC oven temperatures. Under the conditions, neither the first statistical moment (M1) nor the second statistical moment (M2) is affected by the carrier gas velocity. Thus, the interface equilibrium coefficients (Ks) and the diffusion coefficients (Ds) solely depend on the solute and the capillary column polymer coating properties. Furthermore, the statistical moments of different orders show that the proposed interface equilibrium based model in the “narrow bore” 30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm BPX5 capillary column is adequate for aromatic species such as toluene and naphthalene.

Vaccination is a crucial approach to eradicate and control amyriad of infectious and non-communicable diseases. Subunit vaccines are considered the most convenient approach for vaccine formulation; however, the development of new adjuvants and vaccine delivery vehicles to improve the immunogenicity of such formulations is needed. The authors of this review describe the recent application of porous silicon particles (PSiP) as both a potential vaccine delivery vehicle and adjuvant. PSiP are attractive for this application due to its safety, biodegradability and compatibility for functionalization. Herein, the development of multi-epitope cancer vaccines is discussed as an example on how PSiP are promising materials for the development of innovative vaccines.

Hoy en día uso de nanomateriales (NMs), ha proporcionado aplicaciones en múltiples áreas como la medicina, cosmetología, electrónica y otras, dando lugar a la generación de exitosos productos comerciales. Sin embargo, aún existe controversia en la toxicología promovida por los NMs, debido a que la naturaleza del material, su tamaño, concentración e interacción con estructuras fisiológicas, podría afectar de manera negativa al organismo. En este sentido, las investigaciones en nanotoxicología, incluyen modelos fisiológicos ex vivo, que permiten obtener información del efecto biológico de los NMs en órganos y tejidos, por ejemplo corazón, hígado, riñón, vasos sanguíneos, aparato digestivo, respiratorio, entre otros. Los resultados de dichos abordajes fisiológicos se obtienen de forma relativamente rápida, con un costo comparativamente bajo y proporcionan información importante de los mecanismos de acción involucrados en el órgano diana. En esta revisión, se describen algunos modelos fisiológicos que pueden aportar información relevante en el campo de la nanotoxicolgía y como se podrían complementar a través de modelos in silico. Asimismo, se presenta como caso de estudio, el trabajo realizado por nuestro grupo de investigación en referencia al efecto biológico de las nanopartículas de plata (AgNPs) haciendo uso modelos de corazón aislado y perfundido, anillos aislados de vasos sanguíneos y de vías respiratorias.

In this study is reported a new method to photocure epoxy resins rapid and quantitatively. It was combined the thiol-ene photopolymerization with the anionic polymerization of an epoxy resin. A tetrallylic tertiary diamine was used as the curing agent. The basic character of the diamine initiated the anionic polymerization of the epoxy resin and at the same time, the allylic groups of the curing agent reacted with a multifunctional thiol. It was found that increasing the concentration of the thiol-ene system in the epoxy formulation resulted in a higher photopolymerization rate and conversion of the epoxy groups. The moduli of the polymers with increasing concentrations of the thiol-ene system were higher than the modulus of a polymer cured with diethylenetriamine which is a conventional curing agent. A study with model compounds revealed that tertiary amine and multifunctional thiol, as well as the polythioethers formed in the thiol-ene reaction induced the anionic polymerization of the epoxy resin.

"El uso de nanopartículas en Vacunología ha aumentado en los últimos años debido a su capacidad para estimular o suprimir las respuestas inmunitarias. En este contexto, las nanopartículas de oro (AuNPs) han sido ampliamente investigadas para tratar múltiples padecimientos. Las AuNPs se han empleado para tratar desde cáncer hasta enfermedades causadas por virus o bacterias, como es el caso de Vibrio parahaemolyticus. La bacteria marina V. parahaemolyticus es responsable de causar vibriosis en camarones y peces. Recientemente V. parahaemolyticus adquirió un plásmido (plásmido pVA). El plásmido pVA posee una toxina binaria (Toxina A y Toxina B) y está asociado al Síndrome de la Necrosis Aguda del Hepatopáncreas. Un estudio, realizado en nuestro grupo de investigación, encontró que la Toxina A posee propiedades inmunomoduladoras y protectoras contra V. parahaemolyticus. Siguiendo esta línea de investigación, un sistema basado en AuNPs y epítopes de la Toxina A representa una potencial nanovacuna oral en peces. En este trabajo, un epítope de la Toxina A (Ta2) se adsorbió sobre la superficie de AuNPs por medio de interacciones electrostáticas (AuNPs-Ta2). Este sistema fue caracterizado mediante DLS, potencial Z, espectrofotometría UV-vis y Microscopía Electrónica. Además, su citotoxicidad y su potencial como inmunoestimulante, se evaluó en pruebas in vitro en leucocitos de bazo de pez (Seriola rivoliana). AuNPs-Ta2 no mostró citotoxicidad en células expuestas a concentraciones de 5.1 y 10.1 nM (con respecto a AuNPs). Se analizó la actividad de enzimas asociadas a la respuesta inmune (fagocitosis, superóxido dismutasa, catalasa, mieloperoxidasa, explosión respiratoria, óxido nítrico). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la actividad catalasa y mieloperoxidasa de los leucocitos estimulados con el prototipo de la nanovacuna con respecto al control. El conocimiento sobre la inmunomodulación en las mucosas por AuNPs modificadas con subunidades permitirá elucidar las células, mecanismos (inductores, reguladores y efectores) y actividades funcionales. Esto contribuye al conocimiento para la manipulación del sistema inmune de las mucosas en modelo de pez. " "Nanoparticles possess the ability to stimulate or suppress immune responses. In this context, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively investigated to treat multiple conditions. AuNPs show the potential to treat from cancer to diseases caused by viruses or bacteria, such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus. V. parahaemolyticus is a marine bacterium responsible of vibriosis in shrimp and fish. Recently, V. parahaemolyticus acquired a plasmid (plasmid pVA). Plasmid pVA encodes a binary toxin (Toxin A and Toxin B), which was associated with the acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease. Our research group demonstrated that Toxin A in fish had immunomodulatory and protective effects against V. parahaemolyticus. Following this line of research, a system based on AuNPs and Toxin A peptides represents a potential oral nanovaccine in fish. In this study, a system of an epitope of Toxin A (Ta2) adsorbed onto the surface of AuNPs through electrostatic interactions (AuNPs-Ta2) was characterized by DLS, Z potential, UV-vis spectrophotometry, and Electron Microscopy. Furthermore, the AuNPs-Ta2 cytotoxicity and the immunostimulant effects were evaluated. In vitro tests were performed on fish spleen leukocytes (Seriola rivoliana). AuNPs-Ta2 showed no cytotoxicity in cells exposed to concentrations of 5.1 and 10.1 nM (concerning AuNPs). The activity of enzymes associated with the immune response (phagocytosis, superoxide dismutase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, respiratory explosion, nitric oxide) was analyzed. Stimulated leukocytes with AuNPs-Ta2 increased significantly the activity of catalase and myeloperoxidase for the control. Knowledge of immunomodulation in the mucosa by subunit-modified AuNPs will allow elucidating cells, mechanisms (inductors, regulators and effectors) and functional activities, as a basis for the manipulation of the mucosal immune system in a fish model."