Photocatalytic Activity of Sulfanyl Porphyrazine/Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposites in Degradation of Organic Pollutants.

Magnesium(II) sulfanyl porphyrazine with peripheral morpholinethoxy substituents was embedded on the surface of titanium(IV) dioxide nanoparticles. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized with the use of particle size and distribution (NTA analysis), electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA), FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The measured particle size of the obtained material was 327.4 ± 15.5 nm. Analysis with XRD showed no visible changes in the crystallinity of the material after deposition of porphyrazine on the TiO2 surface. However, SEM images revealed noticeable changes in the morphology of the obtained hybrid material: higher aggregation and less ordered structure of the aggregates. The TGA analysis revealed the lost 3.6% (0.4 mg) of the mass of obtained material in the range 250-550 °C. In the FTIR-ATR analysis, C-H stretching vibratins in the range of 3000-2800 cm-1, originating from porphyrazine moieties, were detected. The photocatalytic applicability of the nanomaterial was assessed in photodegradation studies of methylene blue and bisphenol A as reference environmental pollutants. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation of carbamazepine with porphyrazine/TiO2 hybrids as photocatalysts was studied, accompanied by an HPLC chromatography assessment of photodegradation. In total, 43% of the initial concentration was achieved in the case of bisphenol A, after 4 h of irradiation, whereas 57% was achieved in the case of carbamazepine. In each photodegradation reaction, the activity of the obtained photocatalytic nanomaterial was proved with almost linear degradation. The photodegradation reaction rate constants were calculated, and revealed 5.75 × 10-5 s-1 for bisphenol A and 5.66 × 10-5 s-1 for carbamazepine.

Gallic Acid-Functionalized, TiO2-Based Nanomaterial-Preparation, Physicochemical and Biological Properties.

Wound healing and skin tissue regeneration remain the most critical challenges faced by medical professionals. Titanium(IV) oxide-based materials were proposed as components of pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds and unsightly scarring. A gallic acid-functionalized TiO2 nanomaterial (TiO2-GA) was obtained using the self-assembly technique and characterized using the following methods: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetry (TG). Additionally, physicochemical and biological tests (DPPH assay, Microtox® acute toxicity test, MTT assay) were performed to assess antioxidant properties as well as to determine the cytotoxicity of the novel material against eukaryotic (MRC-5 pd19 fibroblasts) and prokaryotic (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Aliivibrio fischeri) cells. To determine the photocytotoxicity of the material, specific tests were carried out with and without exposure to visible light lamps (425 nm). Following the results, the TiO2-GA material could be considered an additive to dressings and rinsing suspensions for the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds that are at risk of bacterial infections.

Evaluation of circulating CD34+ stem cells in peripheral venous blood in patients with varying degrees of periodontal disease.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontal disease presents a challenge for modern medicine, and research on the use of stem cells as a treatment is currently underway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 45 patients who were given a thorough physical examination. Additionally, an evaluation of their medical history of the disease, degree of progression of periodontal disease, and the level of CRP in the blood was carried out. Patients were divided into 4 groups: 4 patients were in the first group with no periodontal disease, 8 patients in the second group with a moderate level, 20 patients in the third group with an advanced level, and 13 patients in the fourth group were toothless. For each group, the use of stem cells as a treatment of antibody-labeled CD34+ stem cells, lymphocytes, and leukocytes was conducted. RESULTS: A statistically significant positive correlation was observed in CD34+ stem cells in proportion to lymphocytes in the moderate (0.80), in the advanced (0.75), and in the toothless groups (0.70). The ratio of CD34+ stem cells to leukocytes was statistically significant in the toothless group (0.92) and in the advanced group (0.91). A statistically significant increase was noted in the level of CRP in the previously mentioned groups of patients, and the highest concentration of CD34+ stem cells in the advanced group. CONCLUSIONS: The highest concentration of CD34+ cells was observed in the group of patients with advanced periodontal disease.

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Food and Personal Care Products-What Do We Know about Their Safety?

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a material of diverse applications commonly used as a food additive or cosmetic ingredient. Its prevalence in products of everyday use, especially in nanosize, raises concerns about safety. Current findings on the safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) used as a food additive or a sunscreen compound are reviewed and systematized in this publication. Although some studies state that TiO2 NPs are not harmful to humans through ingestion or via dermal exposure, there is a considerable number of data that demonstrated their toxic effects in animal models. The final agreement on the safety of this nanomaterial has not yet been reached among researchers. There is also a lack of official, standardized guidelines for thorough characterization of TiO2 NPs in food and cosmetic products, provided by international authorities. Recent advances in the application of 'green-synthesized' TiO2 NPs, as well as comparative studies of the properties of 'biogenic' and 'traditional' nanoparticles, are presented. To conclude, perspectives and directions for further studies on the toxicity of TiO2 NPs are proposed.