Dynamic Light Scattering Analysis Research Articles

Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles for Controlling Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) Infection in Faba Bean Plants.

The faba bean plant (Vicia faba L.) is one of the world's most important legume crops and can be infected with various viral diseases that affect its production. One of the more significant viruses in terms of economic impact is bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV). The current study used the molecularly identified Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 33504-Borg1, a nitrogen-fixing bacteria, to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to control BYMV disease in faba bean plants. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a particle size analyzer (PSA) with dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the prepared AgNPs. The DLS, SEM, and TEM analyses revealed that the AgNPs were spherical and rough, with sizes ranging from 13.7 to 40 nm. The FTIR analysis recognized various functional groups related to AgNP capping and stability. Under greenhouse conditions, spraying faba bean leaves with the AgNPs (100 µg/mL) 24 h before BYMV inoculation induced plant resistance and reduced plant disease severity and virus concentration levels. Contrarily, the AgNP treatment enhanced plant health by raising photosynthetic rates, increasing the fresh and dry weight of the faba bean plants, and increasing other measured metrics to levels comparable to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) inhibited the development of BYMV in the faba bean plants treated with the AgNPs. The AgNPs decreased oxidative stress markers (H2O2 and MDA) in the faba bean plants. The plants treated with the AgNPs showed higher expression levels of PR-1 and HQT than the control plants. The study findings could be used to develop a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method of protecting the faba bean plant from BYMV.

Spectroscopic investigations on the interaction between nano plastic and catalase on molecular level

As an emerging pollutant that is easily bonded with some functional proteins and the effects of their physiological expressions, nano plastics (NPs) have been widely detected in various environmental mediums, even in human blood. Compared to microplastics, less information on the interactions between NPs and proteins has been reported. Here, the interaction mechanism between common polystyrene nano plastics (PSNPs) and catalase (CAT) under two typical physiological conditions, pH 7.4 and 4.0, was investigated by UV–visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Compared with the enhanced catalytic effects when increasing PSNPs at pH 7.4, a trend of initial inhibition and enhanced activity was observed at pH 4.0. Spectroscopic analysis and calculation results indicated that their binding was static, with only one binding site and stronger interactions under acidic conditions. UV–visible and CD spectra analysis demonstrated that the difference in enzymatic activity could be mainly attributed to the conformational alternation of CAT in the presence of PSNPs, which is obviously affected by solution chemistry. The change was also revealed by the hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potentials of the complexes supplied by DLS analysis. This study will help understand the health risks of nano plastic pollution and provide a theoretical basis for studying their toxicological effects.

Experience of Using DLS to Study the Particle Sizes of Active Component in the Catalysts Based on the Oxide and Non-Oxide Supports

The present study reports the use of the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method to analyze metal nanoparticle sizes in supported catalysts (as a model system for different metal-oxide nanocomposites, ceramics, etc.). The selective dissolution of matrices has been used to transform solids to sols for DLS analysis. DLS/STS (from solid to sol) technique was tested on a wide number of different sets of supported metal catalysts (Pt, Pd, Ru metals and Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, C3N4, carbon and polymers as supports). The transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (TEM/XRD) results for the initial supported catalysts and the DLS results for the sols prepared from them showed good agreement with each other. Moreover, it has been shown that this approach can identify the minor contamination of catalysts by large particles or aggregates which are difficult to detect by TEM/XRD.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel, pH-responsive sustained release nanocarrier using polyethylene glycol, graphene oxide, and natural silk fibroin protein by a green nano emulsification method to enhance cancer treatment

In this study, for the first time, by employing a simple and efficient double nano-emulsification method and using sweet almond oil as the organic phase, polyethylene glycol (PEG)/graphene oxide (GO)/silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel-nanocomposite was synthesized. The aim of the research was to fabricate a biocompatible targeted pH-sensitive sustained release carrier, improve the drug loading capacity and enhance the anticancer effect of doxorubicin (DOX) drug. The obtained values for the entrapment (%EE) and loading efficacy (%LE) were 87.75 ± 0.7 % and 46 ± 1 %, respectively, and these high values were due to the use of GO with a large specific surface area and the electrostatic interaction between the drug and SF. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the presence of all the components in the nanocomposite and the suitable interaction between them. Based on the results of dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS) and zeta potential analysis, the mean size of the carrier particles and its surface charge were 293.7 nm and −102.9 mV, respectively. The high negative charge was caused by the presence of hydroxyl groups in GO and SF and it caused proper stability of the nanocomposite. The spherical core-shell structure with its homogeneous surface was also observed in the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) image. The cumulative release percentage of the nanocarrier reached 95.75 after 96 h and it is higher in the acidic environment at all times. The results of fitting the release data to the kinetic models suggested that the mechanism of release was dissolution-controlled anomalous at pH 7.4 and diffusion-controlled anomalous at pH 5.4. The results of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry showed an increase in toxicity on MCF-7 cells and improved apoptotic cell death compared to the free drug. Consequently, the findings of this research introduced and confirmed PEG/GO/SF nanocomposite as an attractive novel drug delivery system for pH-sensitive and sustained delivery of chemotherapeutic agents in biomedicine.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles: Incorporated couroupita guianensis flower petal extract for biomedical applications

Recently, numerous plant-based synthesis techniques have been used to develop metal nanoparticles. The current study uses the medicinal plant extract of couroupita guianensis (CG) petals to create biogenic silver nanoparticles in an environmentally friendly manner. Different techniques, including ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis, are used to evaluate synthesized silver nanoparticles. From the XRD results confirm the emergence of nanosilver crystalline arrangement with the characteristic peaks at the glancing angles of 38.04°, 44.22°, 64.40°, and 77.37°. UV–vis spectroscopy displays the spectral absorption at λmax = 282 nm and shows the formation of silver nanoparticles. Images of produced Ag NPs taken with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) show the creation of flower-shaped particles. The functional behavior of flavones, triterpenoids, and polyphenols belonging to couroupita guianensis has been observed by ensuring their selective absorptions in FTIR spectral analysis silver nanoparticles had a substantial antibacterial effect on Gram-positive (B. subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria in general. It is found to become effective when symbiotic with the extract of couroupita guianensis flower petals for enhancing their antibacterial properties. This composite product gives a new and cost-effective formulation with more therapeutic possibilities. The observed results wide open the avenues of research possibilities with a lot of future scopes. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of CG-Ag NPs on methylene blue (MB) dye was evaluated under visible light irradiation and produced indications of the synthesized material for photocatalytic applications.

Potential effects of nano-cellulose and nano-silica/polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites in the strengthening of dyed paper manuscripts with madder: an experimental study

In the present work, the composite cross-linked were used to consolidate the dyed paper manuscripts. Nanocomposites of mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MPSNP)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/PVA, which have never been used before, have been evaluated for the consolidation process of the dyed paper manuscripts with madder extract. Three concentrations 1%, 3%, and 5% have been prepared. Analysis and investigation methods like scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS), X-Ray diffraction Analysis (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and total color difference (ΔE) by spectrophotometer have been used in order to characterize the prepared nano-sized composites and evaluate the treated dyed paper samples before and after the aging process. The results of surface morphology by SEM revealed the effectiveness of MPSNP/PVA core–shell nanocomposite at 5% in the consolidation process, where the improvement of properties of the aged dyed paper samples. The fibers of the treated paper became strong and appeared clearly. The result of ΔE measurements showed that the treated sample with MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite at 5% gave the lowest ΔE (5.22), while, the treated sample with CNF/PVA nanocomposite at 5% gave the highest ΔE value (11.66). Mechanical measurements (tensile strength and elongation) revealed the efficiency of MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite at 5% in the treatment of the aged dyed paper samples. The treated sample with the mentioned material gave tensile strength and elongation values of 84.8 N/nm2 and 1.736%, respectively. In contrast, the treated sample with CNF/PVA nanocomposite at 1% gave the lowest tensile strength and elongation values 38.2 N/nm2, and 1.166%, respectively. FTIR analysis revealed an increase was noticed in the CH2 stretching band (refers to the crystallinity of cellulose), where the intensity of the treated sample with MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite was at a 5% increase compared to the control sample. The FTIR results supported the results of mechanical measurements. The intensity of the CH2 stretching band, which refers to the crystallinity index of cellulose, was increased with the use of MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite at 3% and 5%, which explains the improvement in mechanical properties. This may be due to the nano-mineral particles, which improve the mechanical properties. Additionally, they reduce the effect of accelerated thermal aging on the cellulosic fibers and give them stability. The detailed analysis of analytical methods used for evaluation revealed the novelty of MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite, especially at 5%. It has a potential role in strengthening and improving different properties of the dyed paper manuscripts with madder extract.

Antimicrobial Applications of Green Synthesized Bimetallic Nanoparticles from Ocimum basilicum.

Antibiotic resistance is an important and emerging alarm for public health that requires development of new potential antibacterial strategies. In recent years, nanoscale materials have emerged as an alternative way to fight pathogens. Many researchers have shown great interest in nanoparticles (NPs) using noble metals, such as silver, gold, and platinum, even though numerous nanomaterials have shown toxicity. To overcome the problem of toxicity, nanotechnology merged with green chemistry to synthesize nature-friendly nanoparticles from plants. Here, we describe the synthesis of NPs using silver (AgNPs) and platinum (PtNPs) alone or in combination (AgPtNPs) in the presence of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) leaf extract. O. basilicum is a well-known medicinal plant with antibacterial compounds. A preliminary chemical-physical characterization of the extract was conducted. The size, shape and elemental analysis were carried out using UV-Visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed polydisperse NPs with spherical shape. The size of the particles was approximately 59 nm, confirmed by DLS analysis, and the polydisperse index was 0.159. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) demonstrated an effective and selective capping of the phytoconstituents on the NPs. The cytotoxic activities of AgNPs, PtNPs and AgPtNPs were assessed on different epithelial cell models, using the 3-[4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay, and discovered low toxicity, with a cell viability of 80%. The antibacterial potential of the NPs was evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays showed AgPtNP activity till the least concentration of NPs (3.15-1.56 µg/mL) against ATCC, MS, and MDR E. coli, E. faecalis, and S. aureus and the Kirby-Bauer method showed that AgPtNPs gave a zone of inhibition for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in a range of 9-25 mm. In addition, we obtained AgPtNP synergistic activity in combination with vancomycin or ampicillin antibiotics. Taken together, these results indicate that bimetallic nanoparticles, synthesized from O. basilicum leaf extract, could represent a natural, ecofriendly, cheap, and safe method to produce alternative antibacterial strategies with low cytotoxicity.

Characterization of NiONPs synthesized by aqueous extract of orange fruit waste and assessed their antimicrobial and antioxidant potential

This research was performed to evaluate the nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) fabricating potential of orange fruit waste (OFW) aqueous extract. Moreover characterize the synthesized OFW-NiONPs through standard techniques such as UV–vis. spectrophotometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of OFW-NiONPs were studied against most common microbial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Aspergillus niger) and free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2, OH, and FRAP). A sharp absorbance peak was obtained at 324 nm under UV–vis spectrum analysis that confirmed that the synthesis of OFW-NiONPs and it has been capped and stabilized by numbers of active functional groups studied through FTIR analysis. SEM and DLS analyses revealed that the cubic and triangle shaped OFW-NiONPs with the size intensity distribution was ranging from 21 nm to 130 nm. Interestingly, the OFW-NiONPs showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against the common microbial pathogens in the order of E. coli > A. niger > K. pneumoniae > B. subtilis > S. aureus at increased concentration of 200 μg mL−1. Similarly, the synthesized OFW-NiONPs also possess significant free radicals scavenging activity against DPPH, OH, and FRAP. These results conclude that this OFW-NiONPs can be considered for some biomedical applications after the investigations of some in-vivo research.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Mutagenic and Other Inhibitory Potentials of Green Synthesized Chitosan Nanoparticles

The current study was performed with aim of evaluating antioxidant, cytotoxicity, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and mutagenicity properties of Martynia annua mediated Chitosan nanoparticles (MAL-CNPs). The green synthesized MAL-CNPs were characterized and confirmed through several characterization techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The HR-TEM analysis exhibited that the as-synthesized chitosan nanoparticles are spherical in shape. Furthermore, the DLS analysis exhibited that the average size of MAL-CNPs was 53 nm and the maximum diameter was 130.7 nm. The antioxidant activity results revealed that the MAL-CNPs showed DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (66.78%) and H2O2 (91.65%) scavenging activities at 50 µg/mL concentration. The IC50 values were 2.431 μg/mL and 50 µg/mL for DPPH and H2O2, respectively. MTT (3-4, 5 dimethylthiazol-2yl-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay results exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity found from 50 μg/mL concentration of MAL-CNPs. The MAL-CNPs showed remarkable α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 1.981 μg/mL and 161.8 μg/mL). No toxic effect of MAL-CNPs was found through the Ames test. Further, the study concluded that MAL-CNPs are non-toxic and possess adequate antioxidants and cytotoxicity activity against cancer cells, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibitory activity. Hence, the MAL-CNPs were considered for biomedical applications after the assessment of their efficiency and safety.

Comparison of the Antibacterial Effect of Different Biological Silver Nanoparticles Synthetized and Integrated with Honeys

This study compares the morphologies, zeta potentials, and antibacterial effects a total 12 different microcompounds containing honey and silver nanoparticles, in a novel study of the difference between honey samples in nanoparticle synthesis, as well as the antibacterial interaction that those honey samples can have with the silver nanoparticles synthetized using them. Microcompounds were synthetized by combining silver nitrate solution with a honey sample and performing one of methods of biogenic synthesis: sunlight exposure, basification to pH 5 or basification to pH 10. Samples of each microcompound were also submitted to heat treatment, obtaining thus heated variants. Morphology and size data were obtained by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); while zeta potential was measured by Electrophoretic Light Scattering. Broth microdilution, time-kill curves and SEM were used to access the antibacterial effect. Mean diameter of particles inside all microcompounds varied between 100 nm and 150 nm; and the zeta potential varied depending on the honey used. Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of microcompounds were between 15 μM and 500 μM. Time-kill curves showed that microcompounds had a faster and stronger effect against Escherichia coli than Staphylococcus aureus. Microcompounds obtained by basification to pH 5 or by sunlight were bactericidal, as they were capable of inhibiting bacterial growth (resulting in an antibacterial efficiency of 100% in 24 hours) at 125 μM against S. aureus and 62.5 μM against E. coli. SEM micrographs showed bacterial cells with lower cell density, blebs and other alteration after microcompound treatment.

Ocimum basilicum-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Induces Innate Immune Responses against Cucumber Mosaic Virus in Squash.

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) causes a significant threat to crop output sustainability and human nutrition worldwide, since it is one of the most prevalent plant viruses infecting most kinds of plants. Nowadays, different types of nanomaterials are applied as a control agent against different phytopathogens. However, their effects against viral infections are still limited. In the current study, the antiviral activities of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) mediated by aqueous extract of Ocimum basilicum against cucumber mosaic virus in squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) were investigated. The prepared Ag-NPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and zeta potential distribution techniques. DLS, SEM, and TEM analyses showed that the Ag-NPs were spherical, with sizes ranging from 26.3 to 83 nm with an average particle size of about 32.6 nm. FTIR identified different functional groups responsible for the capping and stability of Ag-NPs. The zeta potential was reported as being −11.1 mV. Under greenhouse conditions, foliar sprays of Ag-NPs (100 µg/mL) promoted growth, delayed disease symptom development, and significantly reduced CMV accumulation levels of treated plants compared to non-treated plants. Treatment with Ag-NPs 24 h before or after CMV infection reduced CMV accumulation levels by 92% and 86%, respectively. There was also a significant increase in total soluble carbohydrates, free radical scavenging activity, antioxidant enzymes (PPO, SOD, and POX), as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content. Furthermore, systemic resistance was induced by significantly increasing the expression levels of pathogenesis-related genes (PR-1 and PR-5) and polyphenolic pathway genes (HCT and CHI). These findings suggest that Ag-NPs produced by O. basilicum could be used as an elicitor agent and as a control agent in the induction and management of plant viral infections.

Design of pH-responsive polymeric nanocarrier for targeted delivery of pyrogallol with enhanced antitumor potential in colon cancer

PurposeTo synthesize a polymeric pH-sensitive nanocarrier for the delivery of pyrogallol and investigate the anti-tumor activity of pyrogallol-loaded polymeric nanogel against colon cancer in rats. MethodsPoly(ethylene glycol)/polyacrylic acid (PEG/PAAc) nanogel was performed using gamma irradiation technique at irradiation doses; 30,40, and 50 kGy. The particle size distribution and diameter were investigated under the influence of various parameters by using dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS). The particle size was diminished by increasing AAc content and irradiation dose. Characterization of the performed nanogel was performed by (FT-IR) and (TEM). In vitro drug release behavior of the nanogel towards pyrogallol drug was assessed. Furthermore, the anti-cancer therapeutic efficiency of pyrogallol loaded PEG/PAAc nanogel was evaluated in a chemically induced colon cancer model in rats. ResultsPyrogallol/PEG/PAAc significantly reduced tumor incidence and volume as compared to DMH group. Also, it activated apoptotic pathway via up-regulating Bax, cytochrome C, cleaved caspase-3, p53, and down-regulating Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, it attenuated cell cycle progression via reducing Cyclin A, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E expression. It exhibited anti-proliferative activity through inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling and downregulating the phosphorylation of AKT. It reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Results were confirmed by histopathological examination of colonic tissue. Interestingly, pyrogallol/PEG/PAAc demonstrated anti-tumor potential more efficiently than free pyrogallol, revealing localized drug delivery. ConclusionThis formulation could be considered as a promising agent in the treatment of colon cancer.

Stability and sedimentation characteristics of water based Al2O3 and TiO2 nanofluids

Nanofluids are regarded as promising heat transfer fluid due to their ultrafast cooling capability. However, stability analysis of nanofluids is very critical before its application in heat transfer .The present paper reports about an investigation on the stability of water-based Al2O3 and TiO2 nanofluids at ambient temperature. Nanoparticles, namely Al2O3 and TiO2 at different concentrations of 1, 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, and 0.01 wt.% respectively were directly dispersed in water without adding any dispersant and placed in a static container to observe gravitation settling. Change of sedimentation height with respect to time was measured using the sedimentation photograph capturing method. DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) and zeta potential analysis were also executed to examine the stability of nanofluids. The results show that the visualization method, DLS and zeta potential analysis are in good correspondence to each other. Sedimentation velocity increases with an increase in nanoparticle concentration and aging. Brownian motion of nanoparticles resist the sedimentation in nanofluids. It is observed that TiO2nanofluid is more stable as compared to Al2O3 nanofluid due to its smaller particle size. Finally authors recommend smaller particle size, optimized sonication time, low nanoparticle concentration and use of surfactant to obtain better dispersion stability of nanofluids

Nanoparticles Based-Plant Protein Containing Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil; Fabrication, Characterization, and Evaluation

The toxicity risks, instability of essential oil, and complex composition are principal obstacles to using essential plant oil for clinical applications. Solving stability-related problems, providing targeted drug delivery, and decreasing plant essential oil toxicity, encapsulation can be used successfully. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family with various healing properties. However, the rosemary essential oil, as volatile oil, is fast evaporated, which limits its applications. This study’s goal is to boost the prevent evaporation and bioactivity of rosemary essential oil by developing zein-NPs as a promising NDS (nano-drug-delivery system) and assessing the effect of NPs on the rosemary essential oil efficacy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed NPs sizes between 70–200 nm. With dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS), the average size of zein nanoparticle-containing rosemary essential oil (NPZLA) was obtained at ca. 154.5 nm. The entrapment efficiency (EE) on rosemary essential oil was ca. 71% inside the zein NPs. The in vitro release suggests that the polymeric barrier can control the rosemary essential oil release. Zein-NPs can be potentially used as NC (nanocarrier) for enhancing the evaporation inhibitor of ether oil of rosemary essential oil to enhance its bioavailability and performance further. It can be concluded that rosemary plant can be used as the core inside the nanoparticle by biological production method due to its medicinal properties and other properties. Based on the stated content, it is clear that in the future, by conducting more extensive research, the necessary platform can be provided for the use of this medicinal plant as much as possible in the pharmaceutical industry.

Diversity of Extracellular Vesicles in Human Follicular Fluid: Morphological Analysis and Quantification.

The oocyte microenvironment constituted by the follicular fluid (FF) is a key for the optimal development of female gametes. Its composition reflects the physiological state of the ovarian follicle. The particularity of FF is to contain a huge diversity of extracellular vesicles specific to women, in the same way as seminal plasma in men. Here, we described and compared morphological aspects of broad subcategories of human FF-related Extracellular Vesicles (EVs). EVs participate in physiological and pathological processes and have potential applications in diagnostics or therapeutics. EVs isolated from FF are involved in different biological functions related to follicular growth, oocyte maturation, and embryo development. However, knowledge on the morphology of FF-derived EVs is limited, mainly due to their sub-micrometer size and to intrinsic limitations in methods applied for their characterization. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive morphological description of EVs from FF of healthy subjects and quantification. EVs separation was realized by centrifugation, with comparison of the EV yield obtained from differential centrifugation and one-step ultracentrifugation. Cryo-Transmission Electron Microscopy was used to reveal the morphology, size, and phenotype of EVs. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) were used to quantify and analyze the size distribution for each centrifugation step. We performed a comprehensive inventory of human follicular fluid EVs. We show that human FF contains a huge diversity of EVs. This study brings novel insights on EVs from normal FF and provides a reference for further studies of EVs in ovarian diseases.

Preparation and characterization of a novel magnetized nanosphere as a carrier system for drug delivery using Plantago ovata Forssk. hydrogel combined with mefenamic acid as the drug model

The aim of the present study was to magnetize Plantago ovata Forssk. hydrogel and produce a nanosphere system to carrier mefenamic acid as the drug model. For this propose, P. ovata seeds hydrogel (POSH) was extracted and magnetized by Fe 3 O 4 being functionalized using tetraethyl orthosilicate and trimethoxyvinysilane. Thereafter, mefenamic acid (MFA) was loaded on the carrier system. The final product, as the magnetic drug loaded nanosphere (Fe/POSH/MFA), was fully characterized through different techniques involving X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and FT-IR spectroscopy. The results confirmed the successful production of the drug loaded nanosphere system with particles magnetization of 25 emu/g over a range size of 40–50 nm. However, the size distribution less than 100 nm was measured through DLS analysis. The hydrogel showed a pH sensitivity swelling behavior representing the best efficacy at pH 7.4. The efficiency of the drug encapsulation was found to be 64.35%. The drug releasing was studied using a dialysis bag at pH = 7.4. The highest in vitro drug releasing was found to be 57.3 ± 0.6% after 72 h, as well. The findings of the current report account for the potential use of P. ovata hydrogel as an effective delivery system for encapsulation of water insoluble basic drugs, e.g. , MFA in a magnetized carrier system.

Biosynthesis of zirconium nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) by Phyllanthus niruri extract: Characterization and its photocatalytic dye degradation activity.

The present study focused on microwave assisted synthesis of zirconium nanoparticles (ZrO2NPs) using leaf extract of Phyllanthus niruri as ecofriendly approach and assessed its antimicrobial and bioremediation efficiency. Visual color transition from yellow to brown indicates the formation of ZrO2NPs which was further substantiated by UV-Visible absorption peak at 300nm. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis revealed that the average particle size of ZrO2NPs as 121.5nm with negative zeta potential of -22.6 mv. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed spherical shaped nanoparticles with an average size of 125.4nm. Results of photocatalytic studies revealed that ZrO2NPs exhibited 74%, 62% and 57%, dye degradation for methyl red, methyl orange, and methyl blue respectively. Antimicrobial studies depicted that ZrO2NPs exhibited bactericidal activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Aspergillus niger at dose of 200μg/mL. Overall results of the present study revealed biogenic synthesis of ZrO2 NPs with potent bioremediation and antimicrobial properties.

Rheology and thermal conductivity of graphene oxide and coal fly ash hybrid nanofluids for various particle mixture ratios for heat transfer applications: Experimental study

This work presents the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) and coal fly ash (CFA) nanoparticles (NP) to produce water base mono and hybrid nanofluids (HNF) for different particle mixture ratios of 50:50 and 30:70. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy analysis (UV–Vis), and zeta-potential tests were carried out. The non-ionic surfactant polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is added to the nanofluid (NF) to improve stability. The thermal conductivity (TC) and rheology experiments are carried out for the concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 vol% in the temperature range of 30 to 60 °C. The results show that TC and viscosity (VST) enhancement of GO NF is higher than the studied HNF. The maximum VST enhancement of 177%, 152%, and 113% are observed for GO, and GO/CFA (50:50) and, GO/CFA (30:70), respectively for a concentration of 1 vol% at 30°C relative to water. Based on the obtained data, regression analysis is formed to estimate the TC and VST of the studied HNF. The performance enhancement ratio (PER) results show that GO NF and HNF with a mixture ratio of 30:70 are beneficial for thermal applications at all temperatures, whereas HNF with a mixture ratio of 50:50 is only at 45°C and above.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using extract of Rumex nepalensis for bactericidal effect against food-borne pathogens and antioxidant activity.

The evolution and incidence of multidrug-resistant food-borne pathogens still become a critical public health global issue. To avert this challenge there is great interest in medical applications of silver nanoparticles. Thus, this study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Rn-AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Nepal Dock (Rumex nepalensis Spreng) and evaluate their antibacterial potential against food-borne pathogens and antioxidant activity. The Rn-AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial activities of the Rn-AgNPs were evaluated using agar well diffusion (zone of inhibition, ZOI) and microdilution (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration, MBC) methods. The antioxidant property of the Rn-AgNPs was investigated using radical scavenging (DPPH and hydroxyl) assays. The UV-Vis spectra of Rn-AgNPs elucidated the absorption maxima at 425 nm and FTIR detected numerous functional groups of biological compounds that are responsible for capping and stabilizing Rn-AgNPs. DLS analysis displayed monodispersed Rn-AgNPs of 86.7 nm size and highly negative zeta potential (-32.5 mV). Overall results showed that Escherichia coli was the most sensitive organism, whereas Staphylococcus aureus was the least sensitive against Rn-AgNPs. In the antioxidant tests, the AgNPs radical scavenging activity reached 95.44% at 100 μg/ml. This study indicates that Rn-AgNPs exhibit a strong antimicrobial on L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, S. typhimurium, and E. coli and antioxidant and thus might be developed as a new type of antimicrobial agent for the treatment of multidrug-resistant foodborne pathogens and extensible applications in nanomaterial food- and nanocomposite-based antimicrobial packaging and/or as an antioxidant.

Larvicidal Effects of Nanoliposomes Containing Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils, Eugenol, and Cinnamaldehyde against the Main Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston

The use of larvicides, especially in endemic regions, is recommended for malaria control. However, due to the excessive use of synthetic larvicides, resistance in mosquitoes and environmental pollution have been challenges. In the current study, nanoliposome containing clove and cinnamon essential oils and their major ingredients, i.e., eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, were first prepared; particle size and successful loading were investigated using DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) and ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform InfraRed) analysis. Larvicidal effects of the nanoliposomes and nonformulated samples were then investigated against Anopheles stephensi. The best-observed efficacy (LC50 5.4 μg/mL) was related to nanoliposomes containing eugenol with a particle size of 109 ± 4 nm. However, LC50 values of the other three nanoformulations were also around 10 μg/mL; all four prepared nanoformulations were thus introduced as natural larvicides for further investigations in the field conditions.