scholarly journals Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles Using a Gas Phase Nanocluster Device and Preliminary Biological Uses

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2574 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mery ◽  
N. Orellana ◽  
C. Acevedo ◽  
S. Oyarzún ◽  
F. Araneda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Silver Concentration ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Toxic Concentration ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Gaussian Fit

Nanoparticles can be used in a large variety of applications, including magnetic sensing, biological, superconductivity, tissue engineering, and other fields. In this study, we explore the fabrication of gas phase silver nanoparticles using a sputtering evaporation source. This setup composed of a dual magnetron cluster source holds several advantages over other techniques. The system has independent control over the cluster concentration and a wide range of cluster size and materials that can be used for the clusters and for the matrix where it can be embedded. Characterization of these silver nanoparticles was done using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We obtain a lateral width of 10.6 nm with a dispersion of 0.24 nm. With atomic force microscopy (AFM) a Gaussian fit of this distribution yields and average height of 6.3 nm with a standard deviation of 1.4 nm. We confirm that the deposited silver nanoparticles have a homogenous area distribution, that they have a defined shape and size distribution, and that they are single standing nanoparticles. Given that the scientific literature is not precise regarding the toxic concentration of the nanoparticles, devices such as ours can help clarify these questions. In order to explore further biological applications, we have done preliminary experiments of cell spreading (myoblast adhesion), obtaining interesting morphological changes correlated with the silver concentration on the surface. With a deposited silver concentration ranging from 100–620 ng/cm2, the cells showed morphological changes in a short time of 2 h. We conclude that this high precision nanoparticle fabrication technique is adequate for further biological research.

scholarly journals Effect of AgNPs on the human reconstructed epidermis

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Franková ◽  
Jana Juráňová ◽  
Vojtěch Kamarád ◽  
Bohumil Zálešák ◽  
Jitka Ulrichová
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Skin Cells ◽  
Reconstructed Epidermis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Nanoparticles are utilized in a wide range of industries. The most studied silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used in medicine and also in several wound dressings due to their antimicrobial properties. The inflammatory response or potential morphological changes of skin cells after their application are not well known yet. In our study we used the model of human reconstructed epidermis (RHE), prepared in our laboratory, to evaluate whether the AgNPs penetrate through RHE, induce some morphological changes of keratinocytes or influence the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8). After the application of three different concentrations (25 ppm, 2.5 ppm, 0.25 ppm) of AgNPs to of RHE for 24 hours we verified that AgNPs did not affect the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) and neither did they influence the expression of keratin K14 and loricrin. The morphology of the cells was likewise unchanged. Based on these results we conclude that AgNPs do not have any negative effect on the morphological changes and do not increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Intrinsic Stacking Interactions of Natural and Artificial Nucleobases

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew P. Harding ◽  
Laura J. Kingsley ◽  
Glen Spraggon ◽  
Steven Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Molecular Descriptors ◽  
Stacking Interactions ◽  
Interaction Energies ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Heavy Atoms ◽  
Wide Range

The intrinsic (gas-phase) stacking energies of natural and artificial nucleobases were explored using density functional theory (DFT) and correlated ab initio methods. Ranking the stacking strength of natural nucleobase dimers revealed a preference in binding partner similar to that seen from experiments, namely G > C > A > T > U. Decomposition of these interaction energies using symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) showed that these dispersion dominated interactions are modulated by electrostatics. Artificial nucleobases showed a similar stacking preference for natural nucleobases and were also modulated by electrostatic interactions. A robust predictive multivariate model was developed that quantitively predicts the maximum stacking interaction between natural and a wide range of artificial nucleobases using molecular descriptors based on computed electrostatic potentials (ESPs) and the number of heavy atoms. This model should find utility in designing artificial nucleobase analogs that exhibit stacking interactions comparable to those of natural nucleobases. Further analysis of the descriptors in this model unveil the origin of superior stacking abilities of certain nucleobases, including cytosine and guanine.

scholarly journals Functional Attributes of Myco-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Endophytic Fungi: A New Implication in Biomedical Applications

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Prabu Kumar Seetharaman ◽  
Rajkuberan Chandrasekaran ◽  
Rajiv Periakaruppan ◽  
Sathishkumar Gnanasekar ◽  
Sivaramakrishnan Sivaperumal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Culture Filtrate ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Xrd Analysis ◽  
Penicillium Oxalicum ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Face Centered Cubic ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Average Size

To develop a benign nanomaterial from biogenic sources, we have attempted to formulate and fabricate silver nanoparticles synthesized from the culture filtrate of an endophytic fungus Penicillium oxalicum strain LA-1 (PoAgNPs). The synthesized PoAgNPs were exclusively characterized through UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The synthesized nanoparticles showed strong absorbance around 430 nm with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and exhibited a face-centered cubic crystalline nature in XRD analysis. Proteins presented in the culture filtrate acted as reducing, capping, and stabilization agents to form PoAgNPs. TEM analysis revealed the generation of polydispersed spherical PoAgNPs with an average size of 52.26 nm. The PoAgNPs showed excellent antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens. The PoAgNPs induced a dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against human adenocarcinoma breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231), and apoptotic morphological changes were observed by dual staining. Additionally, PoAgNPs demonstrated better larvicidal activity against the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. Moreover, the hemolytic test indicated that the as-synthesized PoAgNPs are a safe and biocompatible nanomaterial with versatile bio-applications.

scholarly journals Individual Expression of Hepatitis A Virus 3C Protease Induces Ferroptosis in Human Cells In Vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7906
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Komissarov ◽  
Maria A. Karaseva ◽  
Marina P. Roschina ◽  
Andrey V. Shubin ◽  
Nataliya A. Lunina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Proteolytic Enzymes ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Potential ◽  
3C Protease ◽  
Wide Range

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a fundamental process common to nearly all living beings and essential for the development and tissue homeostasis in animals and humans. A wide range of molecules can induce RCD, including a number of viral proteolytic enzymes. To date, numerous data indicate that picornaviral 3C proteases can induce RCD. In most reported cases, these proteases induce classical caspase-dependent apoptosis. In contrast, the human hepatitis A virus 3C protease (3Cpro) has recently been shown to cause caspase-independent cell death accompanied by previously undescribed features. Here, we expressed 3Cpro in HEK293, HeLa, and A549 human cell lines to characterize 3Cpro-induced cell death morphologically and biochemically using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. We found that dead cells demonstrated necrosis-like morphological changes including permeabilization of the plasma membrane, loss of mitochondrial potential, as well as mitochondria and nuclei swelling. Additionally, we showed that 3Cpro-induced cell death was efficiently blocked by ferroptosis inhibitors and was accompanied by intense lipid peroxidation. Taken together, these results indicate that 3Cpro induces ferroptosis upon its individual expression in human cells. This is the first demonstration that a proteolytic enzyme can induce ferroptosis, the recently discovered and actively studied type of RCD.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Morphological Changes and Deformability of Suspended Red Blood Cells Prepared Using Whole Blood with Different Hemoglobin Levels of Tibetans

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Rui Zhong ◽  
Dingding Han ◽  
Xiaodong Wu ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
Wanjing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Osmotic Fragility ◽  
Spherical Shape ◽  
Hypoxic Environment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Group A ◽  
Cell Membrane Protein

Background: The hypoxic environment stimulates the human body to increase the levels of hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit and the number of red blood cells. Such enhancements have individual differences, leading to a wide range of HGB in Tibetans’ whole blood (WB). Study Design: WB of male Tibetans was divided into 3 groups according to different HGB (i.e., A: >120 but ≤185 g/L, B: >185 but ≤210 g/L, and C: >210 g/L). Suspended red blood cells (SRBC) processed by collected WB and stored in standard conditions were examined aseptically on days 1, 14, 21, and 35 after storage. The routine biochemical indexes, deformability, cell morphology, and membrane proteins were tested. Results: Mean corpuscular volume, adenosine triphosphate, pH, and deformability were not different in group A vs. those in storage (p > 0.05). The increased rate of irreversible morphology of red blood cells was different among the 3 groups, but there was no difference in the percentage of red blood cells with an irreversible morphology after 35 days of storage. Group C performed better in terms of osmotic fragility and showed a lower rigid index than group A. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE revealed similar cross-linking degrees of cell membrane protein but the band 3 protein of group C seemed to experience weaker clustering than that of group A as detected by Western Blot analysis after 35 days of storage. Conclusions: There was no difference in deformability or morphological changes in the 3 groups over the 35 days of storage. High HGB levels of plateau SRBC did not accelerate the RBC change from a biconcave disc into a spherical shape and it did not cause a reduction in deformability during 35 days of preservation in bank conditions.

scholarly journals Influence of Alumina Nanofibers Sintered by the Spark Plasma Method on Nickel Mechanical Properties

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonid Agureev ◽  
Valeriy Kostikov ◽  
Zhanna Eremeeva ◽  
Svetlana Savushkina ◽  
Boris Ivanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Strength Properties ◽  
Alumina Nanoparticles ◽  
Metal Powders ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Spark Plasma ◽  
Average Size

The article presents the study of alumina nanoparticles’ (nanofibers) concentration effect on the strength properties of pure nickel. The samples were obtained by spark plasma sintering of previously mechanically activated metal powders. The dependence of the grain size and the relative density of compacts on the number of nanofibers was investigated. It was found that with an increase in the concentration of nanofibers, the average size of the matrix particles decreased. The effects of the nanoparticle concentration (0.01–0.1 wt.%) on the elastic modulus and tensile strength were determined for materials at 25 °C, 400 °C, and 750 °C. It was shown that with an increase in the concentration of nanofibers, a 10–40% increase in the elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength occurred. A comparison of the mechanical properties of nickel in a wide range of temperatures, obtained in this work with materials made by various technologies, is carried out. A description of nanofibers’ mechanisms of influence on the structure and mechanical properties of nickel is given. The possible impact of impurity phases on the properties of nickel is estimated. The tendency of changes in the mechanical properties of nickel, depending on the concentration of nanofibers, is shown.

scholarly journals Estimating the number of usability problems affecting medical devices: modelling the discovery matrix

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Vandewalle ◽  
Alexandre Caron ◽  
Coralie Delettrez ◽  
Renaud Périchon ◽  
Sylvia Pelayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Usability Testing ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Usability Problems ◽  
Usability Problem ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Problem Detection

Abstract Background Usability testing of medical devices are mandatory for market access. The testings’ goal is to identify usability problems that could cause harm to the user or limit the device’s effectiveness. In practice, human factor engineers study participants under actual conditions of use and list the problems encountered. This results in a binary discovery matrix in which each row corresponds to a participant, and each column corresponds to a usability problem. One of the main challenges in usability testing is estimating the total number of problems, in order to assess the completeness of the discovery process. Today’s margin-based methods fit the column sums to a binomial model of problem detection. However, the discovery matrix actually observed is truncated because of undiscovered problems, which corresponds to fitting the marginal sums without the zeros. Margin-based methods fail to overcome the bias related to truncation of the matrix. The objective of the present study was to develop and test a matrix-based method for estimating the total number of usability problems. Methods The matrix-based model was based on the full discovery matrix (including unobserved columns) and not solely on a summary of the data (e.g. the margins). This model also circumvents a drawback of margin-based methods by simultaneously estimating the model’s parameters and the total number of problems. Furthermore, the matrix-based method takes account of a heterogeneous probability of detection, which reflects a real-life setting. As suggested in the usability literature, we assumed that the probability of detection had a logit-normal distribution. Results We assessed the matrix-based method’s performance in a range of settings reflecting real-life usability testing and with heterogeneous probabilities of problem detection. In our simulations, the matrix-based method improved the estimation of the number of problems (in terms of bias, consistency, and coverage probability) in a wide range of settings. We also applied our method to five real datasets from usability testing. Conclusions Estimation models (and particularly matrix-based models) are of value in estimating and monitoring the detection process during usability testing. Matrix-based models have a solid mathematical grounding and, with a view to facilitating the decision-making process for both regulators and device manufacturers, should be incorporated into current standards.

scholarly journals Reactivity and Chemical Sintering of Carey Lea Silver Nanoparticles

Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1525
Author(s):  
Sergey Vorobyev ◽  
Elena Vishnyakova ◽  
Maxim Likhatski ◽  
Alexander Romanchenko ◽  
Ivan Nemtsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Flexible Electronics ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Colloidal Solutions ◽  
Ag Nps ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Carboxylic Groups ◽  
The Media ◽  
Sulfide Ions

Carey Lea silver hydrosol is a rare example of very concentrated colloidal solutions produced with citrate as only protective ligands, and prospective for a wide range of applications, whose properties have been insufficiently studied up to now. Herein, the reactivity of the immobilized silver nanoparticles toward oxidation, sulfidation, and sintering upon their interaction with hydrogen peroxide, sulfide ions, and chlorocomplexes of Au(III), Pd(II), and Pt(IV) was investigated using SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The reactions decreased the number of carboxylic groups of the citrate-derived capping and promoted coalescence of 7 nm Ag NPs into about 40 nm ones, excluding the interaction with hydrogen peroxide. The increased nanoparticles form loose submicrometer aggregates in the case of sulfide treatment, raspberry-like micrometer porous particles in the media containing Pd(II) chloride, and densely sintered particles in the reaction with inert H2PtCl6 complexes, probably via the formation of surface Ag-Pt alloys. The exposure of Ag NPs to HAuCl4 solution produced compact Ag films along with nanocrystals of Au metal and minor Ag and AgCl. The results are promising for chemical ambient temperature sintering and rendering silver-based nanomaterials, for example, for flexible electronics, catalysis, and other applications.

NOHSO4/HF – A Novel Etching System for Crystalline Silicon

2007 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
pp. 1411-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Patzig ◽  
Gerhard Roewer ◽  
Edwin Kroke ◽  
Ingo över
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Chemical Etching ◽  
Silicon Surface ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Etching Solution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
Wet Chemical ◽  
Wet Chemical Etching ◽  
Etching System

Solutions consisting of HF - NOHSO4 - H2SO4 exhibit a strong reactivity towards crystalline silicon which is controlled by the concentrations of the reactive species HF and NO+. Selective isotropic and anisotropic wet chemical etching with these solutions allows to generate a wide range of silicon surface morphology patterns. Traces of Ag+ ions stimulate the reactivity and lead to the formation of planarized (polished) silicon surfaces. Analyses of the silicon surface, the etching solution and the gas phase were performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), DR/FT-IR (diffusive reflection Fourier transform infra-red), FT-IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy, respectively. It was found that the resulting silicon surface is hydrogen-terminated. The gas phase contains predominantly SiF4, NO and N2O. Furthermore, NH4+ is produced in solution. The study has confirmed the crucial role of nitrosyl ions for isotropic wet chemical etching processes. The novel etching system is proposed as an effective new way for selective surface texturing of multi- and monocrystalline silicon. A high etching bath service lifetime, besides a low contamination of the etching solution with reaction products, provides ecological and economical advantages for the semiconductor and solar industry.

Ni Content Surface Layer Produced by Laser Surface Treatment on Amorphisable Cu Base Alloy

2010 ◽  
Vol 649 ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Mária Svéda ◽  
Dóra Janovszky ◽  
Kinga Tomolya ◽  
Jenő Sólyom ◽  
Zoltán Kálazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Surface Treatment ◽  
Laser Cladding ◽  
Base Alloy ◽  
Laser Surface ◽  
Laser Alloying ◽  
Laser Surface Treatment ◽  
Ni Content ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Matrix

The aim of our research was to comparatively examine Ni content surface layers on amorphisable Cu base alloy produced by different laser surface treatments. Laser surface treatment (LST) techniques, such as laser surface melting, laser alloying and laser cladding, provide a wide range of interesting solutions for the production of wear and corrosion resistant surfaces. [1,2] With LST techniques, the surface can be: i) coated with a layer of another material by laser cladding, ii) the composition of the matrix can be modified by laser alloying. [3] Two kinds of laser surface treatment technologies were used. In the case of coating-melting technology a Ni content surface layer was first developed by galvanization, and then the Ni content layer was melted together with the matrix. In the case of powder blowing technology Ni3Al powder was blown into the layer melted by laser beam and Argon gas. LST was performed using an impulse mode Nd:YAG laser. The laser power and the interaction time were 2 kW and 20÷60 ms. The characterization of the surface layer microstructure was performed by XRD, scanning electron microscopy and microhardness measurements.

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