Bio and photoactive starch/MnO2 and starch/MnO2/cotton hydrogel nanocomposite.

Here a starch and starch hydrogel nanocomposite and superabsorbent cotton fabric was fabricated and characterized. The optimized starch hydrogel nanocomposite was synthesized by using 0.008 M potassium permanganate, 0.7 g starch and 0.6 M sodium hydroxide at 50-55 °C. potassium permanganate as a strong and inexpensive oxidizing agent were used to potentially nano cross-link the starch molecular chains and graft the starch to cellulose molecular chains along with synthesizing manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO2) to further obtain antibacterial, antifungal and photocatalytic properties. The stability of products in water and the water absorption indicated the highest water content of 800% for the optimum sample. The same materials and conditions were also applied to the cotton fabric to produce a superabsorbent fabric. The simple one-step synthesis procedure, in-situ production of nanoparticles, cost-effectiveness and having desired features including photocatalytic, antibacterial properties of 93% against S. aureus, and biocompatibility make the starch hydrogel nanocomposite a suitable candidate for various applications such as agriculture, medical, textile engineering and water treatment.

Morphometry and Modeling of Label-Free Human Melanocytes and Melanoma Cells.

A combination of light microscopy and image processing was applied to investigate morphology of label-free primary-melanocytes and melanoma cells. A novel methodological approach based on morphology of nuclear body was used to find those single cells, which were at the same phase of cell cycle. The area and perimeter of melanocytes and melanoma cells were quantified. We found that there was a significant difference between area and perimeter of adendritic-shaped melanocytes with melanoma cells and the reason(s) of this finding was speculated. Finally, a theoretical model based on losing dendrites was proposed, which was in agreement with our experimental data.

Biologically active PET/polysaccharide-based nanofibers post-treated with selenium/Tragacanth Gum nanobiocomposites.

Polysaccharide-based nanofibers from Tragacanth Gum (TG) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were post-treated with selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) and also stabilized with TG (SeNPs/TG). DLS, FE-SEM, EDX, TEM, and XRD were employed to verify the synthesis of Se NPs. The relatively narrow size distribution of SeNPs/TG showed through TEM and DLS investigations comparing with Se NPs. The Se NPs formation with and without TG was studied with FTIR confirmed the final stabilized solution due to the bonded hydroxyl groups of TG with Se NPs. Also, a relatively higher antioxidant reported on SeNPs/TG at 0.5-5 mg/mL using DPPH scavenging ability. The Se NPs and SeNPs/TG solutions specified remarkable inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; however, no significant antibacterial activities observed on the treated nanofibers. Finally, the uniform migration of fibroblast cells in wound healing of the treated nanofibers with SeNPs/TG proved the value of the products in medical applications.

Facile fabrication of cytocompatible polyester fiber composite incorporated via photocatalytic nano copper ferrite/myristic-lauric fatty acids coating with antibacterial and hydrophobic performances.

Benign polymeric and textile based materials having multifaceted features such as antibacterial performance, hydrophobic property and photocatalytic activity are highly interesting from the both human health and environment observations. Herein, a cytocompatible polyester fiber composite incorporated via photocatalytic nano copper ferrite/myristic-lauric fatty acids coating with antibacterial and hydrophobic performances was prepared through one-pot facile fabrication route. X-ray diffraction analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, mapping images, Field-emission scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectra were accomplished to indemnify the prepared composites. An appropriate hydrophobic feature with maximum water contact angle of 143° was achieved for the fabricated sample. Moreover, the prepared samples demonstrated excellent antibacterial effect (100%) toward pathogenic bacteria comprising Escherichia coli as Gram-negative and Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria. The impact of the prepared samples on normal human skin fibroblast was further verified according to the cytotoxicity test (MTT). Adjusting the copper ferrite dosage in the composite as well as presence of fatty acids as benign materials surrounding nanoparticles led to decline the cytotoxicity of the fabricated samples. The prepared composite also showed excellent activity against degradation of methylene blue dye under daylight irradiation. On the whole, cytocompatible nano copper ferrite/fatty acids/polyester composites with bio and photo catalytic activities and hydrophobic property fabricated by effective and one-pot approach could be useful for applying in various industries such as medical, polymers, textiles and water treatment industries.

Low toxic antibacterial application with hydrophobic properties on polyester through facile and clean fabrication of nano copper with fatty acid.

Developing a simple and clean technique for imparting low antibacterial properties with water-repellent application is highly desirable with regarding to the both environmental and economic concerns. Herein, we suggest a facile and green technique to fabricate a novel composite by one-step in situ green creation of copper nanoparticles into the fatty acid absorbed on the polyester fibers for antibacterial and hydrophobic applications. Fourier transforms infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction analysis, Field-emission scanning electron microscope, mapping images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were performed to characterize the prepared composite. The samples exhibited proper hydrophobic properties with maximum water contact angle of 143°. Furthermore, excellent antibacterial performances (100%) were reported toward both Escherichia coli as a Gram-negative and Staphylococcus aureus as a Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. MTT test was also used to evaluate the influence of the composite on human skin. The results indicated that the presence of fatty acids as safe and natural materials helps to diminish the cytotoxicity of the nano copper/fatty acids/polyester composite compared to the sample without fatty acids while it maintained very good antibacterial activities. Furthermore, the treatment was associated with an upgrade of mechanical properties and a hardening effect on the hand feeling of the treated samples. The introduced route may contribute to develop a simple and green technique for fabrication of novel polymeric composites in durable and safe antibacterial and superhydrophobic usages.

Preparation of nano cationic liposome as carrier membrane for polyhexamethylene biguanide chloride through various methods utilizing higher antibacterial activities with low cell toxicity.

This study suggested successful encapsulation of polyhexamethylene biguanide chloride (PHMB) into nano cationic liposome as a biocompatible antibacterial agent with less cytotoxicity and higher activities. Phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and stearylamine were used to prepare nano cationic liposome using thin film hydration method along with sonication or homogeniser. Sonication was more effective in PHMB loaded nano cationic liposome preparation with smaller size (34 nm). FTIR, 1H NMR and XRD analyses were used to confirm the encapsulation of PHMB into nano cationic liposome. PHMB inclusion in nano cationic liposome was beneficial for increased antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. PHMB-loaded cationic liposome enables to deliver high concentrations of the antibacterial agent into the infectious cell. The cytotoxicity of PHMB entrapped in positively charged liposome was prominently reduced showing no significant visible detrimental effect on normal primary human skin fibroblast cell lines morphology confirming the effective role of cationic liposome encapsulation. Comparing with PHMB alone, encapsulation of PHMB in nano cationic liposome resulted in significant increase in cell viability from 2.4 to 63%.

Encapsulation of Aloe Vera extract into natural Tragacanth Gum as a novel green wound healing product.

Application of natural materials in wound healing is an interest topic due to effective treatment with no side effects. In this paper, Aloe Vera extract was encapsulated into Tragacanth Gum through a sonochemical microemulsion process to prepare a wound healing product. FESEM/EDX and FT-IR proved the successfully formation of the nanocapsules with spherical shape by cross-linking aluminum ions with Tragacanth Gum. The therapeutic characteristics of the prepared wound healing product were investigated using antimicrobial, cytotoxicity and wound healing assays. Relative high antimicrobial activities with the microbial reduction of 84, 91 and 80% against E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans, a cell viability of 98% against human fibroblast cells and a good wound healing activity with considerable migration rate of fibroblast cells are the important advantages of the new formed wound healing product.

Ultrasound mediation for one-pot sonosynthesis and deposition of magnetite nanoparticles on cotton/polyester fabric as a novel magnetic, photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, antibacterial and antifungal textile.

A magnetic cotton/polyester fabric with photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, antibacterial and antifungal activities was successfully prepared through in-situ sonosynthesis method under ultrasound irradiation. The process involved the oxidation of Fe(2+) to Fe(3+) via hydroxyl radicals generated through bubbles collapse in ultrasonic bath. The treated samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Photocatalytic and sonocatalytic activities of magnetite treated fabrics were also evaluated toward Reactive Blue 2 decoloration under sunlight and ultrasound irradiation. Central composite design based on response surface methodology was applied to study the influence of iron precursor, pH and surfactant concentration to obtain appropriate amount for the best magnetism. Findings suggested the potential of one-pot sonochemical method to synthesize and fabricate Fe3O4 nanoparticles on cotton/polyester fabric possessing appropriate saturation magnetization, 95% antibacterial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and 99% antifungal effect against Candida albicans, 87% and 70% dye photocatalytic and sonocatalytic decoloration along with enhanced mechanical properties using only one iron rich precursor at low temperature.

Application of Allogeneic Fibroblast Cultured on Acellular Amniotic Membrane for Full-thickness Wound Healing in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Utilization of the autologous and allogeneic skin substitutes seems to be a promising treatment option. In this study, the authors used amniotic membrane covered with cultured allogenic fibroblast as a skin substitute in the treatment of acute wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Full-thickness wounds were created on rats' dorsum regions and treated with cultured allogenic fibroblast on an acellular amniotic membrane (AAM+F), an acellular amniotic membrane (AAM) alone, an allogenic fibroblast suspension (AFS), or normal saline as a control (C). Specimen biopsies were obtained 7 days after wounding. Quantitative wound healing parameters including the epidermal thickness, the mean number of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and lymphocytes were assessed. RESULTS: All transplanted wounds exhibited significantly further contraction compared with the nontransplanted wounds. Wounds transplanted with AAM+F and AAM showed a significant increase in epidermal thickness compared to nontransplanted wounds. Wounds transplanted with AAM+F or AAM showed improved epidermal healing compared to nongrafted wounds. Furthermore, granulation of tissue formation in the AAM+F group was more organized when compared to AFS and the normal saline groups. CONCLUSION: Quantitative assessment of the full-thickness wounds showed transplantation of AAM+F and AAM better improve wound healing parameters when compared to treatment with AFS and the normal saline groups.

In Situ Photo Sonosynthesis of Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposites on Wool Fabric Introducing Multifunctional Properties.

Here, a novel and efficient process is introduced for producing wool fabric with multifunctional features through facile in situ photosonochemical synthesis of organic/inorganic nanocomposites. The fabric was treated with titanium isopropoxide, silver nitrate and ammonia in a sonobath for 1 h at 75-80°C. The crystal phase of the sono-treated samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The uniform distribution of the nanocomposite on the fiber surface was proved by field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray and mapping patterns. Further, the composition of the nanocomposites was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sono-treated wool fabrics illustrated excellent photocatalytic activities toward discoloration of Methylene Blue under sunlight and UV-A irradiation. Also the fabrics indicated reasonable antibacterial/antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The tensile properties of the sono-treated fabrics enhanced comparing to the untreated and even conventional stirrer-treated fabrics. Moreover, a central composite design based on response surface methodology was used to study the influence of titanium isopropoxide and silver molar ratio on the prepared nanocomposites sonobath. Finally, the optimum molar ratio was reported for the best responses.

Tragacanth gum biopolymer as reducing and stabilizing agent in biosonosynthesis of urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays: A low cytotoxic photocatalyst with antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Tragacanth, a natural gum, has been used for centuries as emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer and binder in various fields such as food, medical and cosmetic industries. In this study, Tragacanth gum was used as a clean and natural reducing and stabilizing agent for preparation of urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays at low-temperature using ultrasonic irradiation. The morphology and structure of urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays was investigated by XRD, FESEM images, EDX, UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The hexagonal zinc oxide nanorods were synthesized with the average diameter of 55-80 nm and length of 240 nm. The peak appeared in 447 cm(-1) in FTIR spectra and the peak around 362.3 nm in UV-vis spectra of ZnO nanorods confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO nanorods. The urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays indicated a good photocatalytic activity through degradation of methylene blue with 92.2% efficiency and rate constant of 0.0027 min(-1) at 120 min. Finally, the synthesized urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays indicated 100% antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli and 93% antifungal activity against C. albicans with a low cytotoxicity.

Tragacanth gum as a natural polymeric wall for producing antimicrobial nanocapsules loaded with plant extract.

Tragacanth gum as a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer with good properties including emulsifying, viscosity and cross-linking ability can be used as the wall material in encapsulation of different compounds, specifically plant extracts. In this paper, for the first time, Tragacanth gum was used to produce nanocapsules containing plant extract through microemulsion method. The effect of different parameters on the average size of prepared nanocapsules in presence of aluminum and calcium chloride through ultrasonic and magnetic stirrer was investigated. The high efficient nanocapsules were prepared with spherical shape and smooth surface. The average size of nanocapsules prepared through ultrasonic using aluminum chloride (22nm) was smaller than other products. The structure of prepared nanocapsules was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. Antimicrobial activity of different nanocapsules against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans was investigated by shake flask method during their release showed 100% microbial reduction after 12h stirring.

Expression of TGF-ß3 in isolated fibroblasts from foreskin.

BACKGROUND: The multifunctional transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) is a glycoprotein that exists in three isoforms. TGF-ß3 expression increases in fetal wound healing and reduces fibronectin and collagen I and III deposition, and also improves the architecture of the neodermis which is a combination of blood vessels and connective tissue during wound healing. Fibroblasts are key cells in the wound healing process. TGF-ß3 plays a critical role in scar-free wound healing and fibroblast actions in the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to express the TGF-ß3 gene (tgf-b3) in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF's). METHODS: We obtained HFF's from a newborn and a primary fibroblast culture was prepared. The cells were transfected with TGF-ß3-pCMV6-XL5 plasmid DNA by both lipofection and electroporation. Expression of TGF-ß3 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The highest TGF-ß3 expression (8.3-fold greater than control) was obtained by lipofection after 72 hours using 3 µl of transfection reagent. Expression was 1.4-fold greater than control by electroporation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we successfully increased TGF-ß3 expression in primary fibroblast cells. In the future, grafting these transfected fibroblasts onto wounds can help the healing process without scarring.

A new route for synthesis of silver:gold alloy nanoparticles loaded within phosphatidylcholine liposome structure as an effective antibacterial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Ag:Au alloy nanoparticles were successfully synthesized through the new route using co-reduction method with silver nitrate, chloroauric acid, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium borohydride at room temperature. The Ag:Au alloy nanoparticles were then loaded within the phosphatidylcholine (97%) liposome structure. Various molar ratios of phosphotidylcholine and CTAB to the total metals were investigated showing its importance on the stability of nanocomposites suspension. The size distribution and morphology of encapsulated nanoparticles within the liposome structure were studied via ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectrum, transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs, and dynamic light scattering data. The synthesis of alloy nanoparticles were confirmed with formation of single band at 430, 465 and 500 nm for 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 Ag:Au mole ratios, respectively. The TEM micrographs of different samples indicated formation of three various nanocomposite structures with size of 82-300 nm. The antibacterial activities of Ag:Au nanocomposites were studied against Pseudomonas aeruginosa through well-diffusion agar. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by Broth microdilution method. The results showed that 10 ppm nanocomposite reasonably killed the above bacteria.

Rapid sonosynthesis of N-doped nano TiO2 on wool fabric at low temperature: introducing self-cleaning, hydrophilicity, antibacterial/antifungal properties with low alkali solubility, yellowness and cytotoxicity.

Nano nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide was rapidly prepared by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide at 75-80°C using in situ sonochemical synthesis by introducing ammonia. Various concentrations of titanium isopropoxide were examined to deposit nano nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide through impregnation of the wool fabric in ultrasound bath followed by curing. The antibacterial/antifungal activities of wool samples were assessed against two common pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and the diploid fungus Candida albicans. The sonotreated wool fabrics indicated no adverse effects on human dermal fibroblasts. The presence of nanoparticles on the sonotreated wool fabrics were confirmed by FE-SEM images and EDS patterns and X-ray mapping and the crystalline size of nanoparticles were estimated through XRD results. The role of both pH and precursor concentration on the various properties of the fabric was investigated and the optimized conditions introduced using response surface methodology.

The effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 gene therapy and cell transplantation on rat acute wound model.

BACKGROUND: Wound healing is a complex process. Different types of skin cells, extracellular matrix and variety of growth factors are involved in wound healing. The use of recombinant growth factors in researches and production of skin substitutes are still a challenge. OBJECTIVES: Much research has been done on the effects of gene therapy and cell therapy on wound healing. In this experimental study, the effect of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) gene transfer in fibroblast cells was assessed on acute dermal wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fibroblasts were cultured and transfected with IGF-1. Lipofectamine 2000 was used as a reagent of transfection. Transgene expression levels were measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To study in vivo, rats (weighing 170-200 g) were randomly divided into three groups (five/group) and full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum region. Suspensions of transfected fibroblast cells were injected into the wound and were compared with wounds treated with native fibroblast cells and normal saline. For the microscopic examination, biopsy was performed on day seven. RESULTS: In vitro, the maximum expression of IGF1 (96.95 pg/mL) in transfected fibroblast cells was 24 hours after gene transfer. In vivo, it was clear that IGF-1 gene therapy caused an increase in the number of keratinocyte cells during the wound healing process (mean of group A vs. group B with P value = 0.01, mean of group A vs. group C with P value = 0.000). Granulation of tissue formation in the transfected fibroblast group was more organized when compared with the normal saline group and native fibroblast cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that the optimization of gene transfer increases the expression of IGF-1. High concentrations of IGF-1, in combination with cell therapy, have a significant effect on wound healing.

Identification of Candida species associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis by multiplex PCR.

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common infection. The aim of this study was to identify the species of vaginal Candida isolates by using multiplex PCR technique. METHODS: 191 isolates from patients admitted to Mahdieh hospital were identified. The vaginal swab specimens were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. The ITS1 region between the 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes and a specific DNA fragment within the ITS2 region were amplified. The multiplex PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel, visualized by staining with ethidium bromide, and photographed. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Spearman correlation were used to summarize the findings. RESULTS: C. albicans and C. glabrata were the most common species isolated from the specimens. A mix of C. glabrata and C. albicans was the most common mixed infection isolated from the samples. The analysis revealed a significant positive association between older age and infection with C. glabrata isolates (Spearman's rho = 0.89, P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Multiplex PCR is a fast, yet reliable method to identify Candida species. C. albicans and then C. glabrata are the two most common causes of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The number of mixed fungal infections is higher among Iranian population compared to international reports.