Hybrid Nanosystems Research Articles

Hybrid nanogels by direct mixing of chitosan, tannic acid and magnetite nanoparticles: processes involved in their formation and potential catalytic properties.

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (MNPs) as nanocatalysts have drawn considerable attention because of their unique properties such as peroxidase-like activity. However, their biodistribution and availability for specific treatments still need to be improved. In this study, a simple and convenient strategy for the synthesis of hybrid nanogels (NGs) is described, which involves direct mixing of biomaterials such as chitosan (Ch) and tannic acid (TA), with the incorporation of MNPs, under oxidising conditions, using the inverse nanoemulsion method. The different processes involved in the formation of these hybrid nanosystems as well as their morphological and chemical structure are investigated using optical, spectroscopic, and electron microscopic techniques (DLS, UV-VIS, FT-IR, XPS, TEM, and SEM-EDS). It is demonstrated that ∼11 nm synthesized MNPs, post-functionalized with oxidised TA, act as covalent crosslinkers. As a proof of concept, the potential use of these materials in nanocatalytic medicine was evaluated using a colorimetric method based on the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in hydrogen peroxide. The results show that these hybrid nanogels have the same peroxidase-like activity as bare MNPs, indicating that the organic nanostructure stabilises the inorganic nanoparticles without any significant change in the catalytic properties. Therefore, this kind of nanomaterial has promising potential for use in nanocatalytic medicine with improved biocompatibility and biodistribution.

Drug Encapsulated Lipid-Polymeric Nanohybrid as a Chemo-therapeutic Platform of Cancer.

The focus of this research is to design a bioengineered drug delivery vehicle that is efficient in anti-cancer drug delivery in a controlled manner. The experimental work focuses on constructing a methotrexate-loaded nano lipid polymer system (MTX-NLPHS) that can transport methotrexate (MTX) in MCF-7 cell lines in a controlled manner through endocytosis via phosphatidylcholine. In this experiment, MTX is embedded with polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) in phosphatidylcholine, which acts as a liposomal framework for regulated drug delivery. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were utilized to characterize the developed nanohybrid system. The particle size and encapsulation efficiency of the MTX-NLPHS were found to be 198 ± 8.44 nm and 86.48 ± 0.31 %, respectively, which is suitable for biological applications. The polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of the final system were found to be 0.134 ± 0.048 and -28 ± 3.50 mV, respectively. The lower value of PDI showed the homogenous nature of the particle size, whereas higher negative zeta potential prevented the system from agglomeration. An in vitro release kinetics was conducted to see the release pattern of the system, which took 250 h for 100% drug release This kind of system may carry the drug for a long time in the circulatory system and prevent the drug discharge. Other cell culture assays such as 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) monitoring were used to see the effect of inducers on the cellular system. MTT assay showed cell toxicity of MTX-NLPHS reduced at the lower concentration of the MTX, however, toxicity increased at the higher concentration of the MTX as compared to free MTX. ROS monitoring c revealed more scavenging of ROS using MTX-NLPHS as compared to free MTX. Confocal microscopy suggested the MTX-NLPHS induced more nuclear elongation with cell shrinkage comparatively.

Albumin-Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Theranostics: Engineering and Long-Term In Situ Imaging.

Magnetic nanosystems (MNSs) consisting of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) coated by human serum albumin (HSA), commonly used as a component of hybrid nanosystems for theranostics, were engineered and characterized. The HSA coating was obtained by means of adsorption and free radical modification of the protein molecules on the surface of IONPs exhibiting peroxidase-like activity. The generation of hydroxyl radicals in the reaction of IONPs with hydrogen peroxide was proven by the spin trap technique. The methods of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electron magnetic resonance (EMR) were applied to confirm the stability of the coatings formed on the surface of the IONPs. The synthesized MNSs (d ~35 nm by DLS) were intraarterially administered in tumors implanted to rats in the dose range from 20 to 60 μg per animal and studied in vivo as a contrasting agent for computed tomography. The long-term (within 14 days of the experiment) presence of the MNSs in the tumor vascular bed was detected without immediate or delayed adverse reactions and significant systemic toxic effects during the observation period. The peroxidase-like activity of MNSs was proven by the colorimetric test with o-phenylenediamine (OPD) as a substrate. The potential of the synthesized MNSs to be used for theranostics, particularly, in oncology, was discussed.

Oromucosal delivery of macromolecules: Challenges and recent developments to improve bioavailability.

Owing to their biological diversity, high potency, good tolerability, low immunogenicity, site-specific activity, and great efficacy, macromolecular drugs (i.e., proteins and peptides, antibodies, hormones, nucleic acids, vaccines, etc.) are extensively used as diagnostics, prophylactics, and therapeutics in various diseases. To overcome drawbacks associated with parenteral (invasive) delivery of macromolecules as well as to preserve their therapeutic integrity, oromucosal route (sublingual and buccal) has been proven efficient alternate port of delivery. This review aims to summarize challenges associated with oromucosal route and overtime developments in conventional delivery systems with special emphasis on most recent delivery strategies. Over the past few decades, significant efforts have been made for improving the oromucosal absorption of macromolecules by employing chemical penetration enhancers (CPE), enzyme inhibitors, chemical modification of drug structure (i.e., lipidation, PEGylation, etc.), and mucoadhesive materials in the form of buccal tablets, films (or patches), sprays, fast disintegrating tablets, and microneedles. Adaptation of adjunct strategies (e.g., iontophoresis in conjunction with CPE) has shown significant improvement in oromucosal absorption of macromolecules; however, these approaches were also associated with many drawbacks. To overcome these shortcomings and to further improve therapeutic outcomes, specialized delivery devices called "hybrid nanosystems" have been designed in recent times. This newer intervention showed promising potential for promoting oromucosal absorption and absolute bioavailability of macromolecules along with improved thermostability (cold chain free storage), enabling self-administration, site-specific activity, improving therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. We anticipate that tailoring of hybrid nanosystems to clinical trials as well as establishing their short- and long-term safety profile would substantiate their therapeutic value as pharmaceutical devices for oromucosal delivery of macromolecules.

DFTB investigation of strain affecting the combination of C60 and graphene having single-vacancy on electronic-scale

Density functional tight-binding calculations have been employed to study the effect of applying strain on the combination of C 60 and defective graphene with different coverage. Charge density difference indicate that in the more stable configurations, the active 6:6 bond atoms in C 60 combine with carbon atoms with dangling bonds in graphene by forming two typical C C covalent bonds for chemisorption, where more charge are transferred from the s or p orbitals of bonded C atoms in graphene to C atoms in C 60 whereas the charge transfer occurs only on the atoms near the defect in graphene for the physisorption case. For the comparison of different coverages of C 60 on graphene, strain engineering under smaller coverage was more likely to achieve a stable chemisorption configuration via the newly formed two C C bonds. The magnitudes and directions of the applied strain, and whether it is uniaxial or biaxial, significantly affect the combination of C 60 /graphene nanohybrid systems. • The active 6:6 bond atoms in C 60 combine with carbon atoms with dangling bonds in graphene by forming two typical C C covalent bonds for chemisorption. • Strain engineering under smaller coverage was more likely to achieve a stable chemisorption configuration via the newly formed C C bonds. • The magnitudes and directions of the applied strain, and whether it is uniaxial or biaxial, significantly affect the combination of C 60 /graphene nanohybrid system.

Photo-Induced Microfluidic Production of Ultrasmall Glyco Gold Nanoparticles.

Ultra-small gold nanoparticles (UAuNPs) are extremely interesting for applications in nanomedicine thanks to their good stability, biocompatibility, long circulation time and efficient clearance pathways. UAuNPs engineered with glycans (Glyco-UAuNPs) emerged as excellent platforms for many applications since the multiple copies of glycans can mimic the multivalent effect of glycoside clusters. Herein, we unravel a straightforward photo-induced synthesis of Glyco-UAuNPs based on a reliable and robust microfluidic approach. The synthesis occurs at room temperature avoiding the use of any further chemical reductant, templating agents or co-solvents. Exploiting 1 H NMR spectroscopy, we showed that the amount of thiol-ligand exposed on the UAuNPs is linearly correlated to the ligand concentration in the initial mixture. The results pave the way towards the development of a programmable synthetic approach, enabling an accurate design of the engineered UAuNPs or smart hybrid nano-systems.

Amphiphilic Copolymer-Lipid Chimeric Nanosystems as DNA Vectors.

Lipid-polymer chimeric (hybrid) nanosystems are promising platforms for the design of effective gene delivery vectors. In this regard, we developed DNA nanocarriers comprised of a novel poly[(stearyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] [P(SMA-co-OEGMA)] amphiphilic random copolymer, the cationic 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(trimethylammonium) propane (DOTAP), and the zwitterionic L-α-phosphatidylcholine, hydrogenated soybean (soy) (HSPC) lipids. Chimeric HSPC:DOTAP:P[(SMA-co-OEGMA)] nanosystems, and pure lipid nanosystems as reference, were prepared in several molar ratios of the components. The colloidal dispersions obtained presented well-defined physicochemical characteristics and were further utilized for the formation of lipoplexes with a model DNA of linear topology containing 113 base pairs. Nanosized complexes were formed through the electrostatic interaction of the cationic lipid and phosphate groups of DNA, as observed by dynamic, static, and electrophoretic light scattering techniques. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy disclosed the strong binding affinity of the chimeric and also the pure lipid nanosystems to DNA. Colloidally stable chimeric/lipid complexes were formed, whose physicochemical characteristics depend on the N/P ratio and on the molar ratio of the building components. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) revealed the formation of nanosystems with vesicular morphology. The results suggest the successful fabrication of these novel chimeric nanosystems with well-defined physicochemical characteristics, which can form stable lipoplexes.

Non-Ionic Surfactant Effects on Innate Pluronic 188 Behavior: Interactions, and Physicochemical and Biocompatibility Studies.

The aim of this research was to prepare novel block copolymer-surfactant hybrid nanosystems using the triblock copolymer Pluronic 188, along with surfactants of different hydrophilic to lipophilic balance (HLB ratio-which indicates the degree to which a surfactant is hydrophilic or hydrophobic) and thermotropic behavior. The surfactants used were of non-ionic nature, of which Tween 80® and Brij 58® were more hydrophilic, while Span 40® and Span 60® were more hydrophobic. Each surfactant has unique innate thermal properties and an affinity towards Pluronic 188. The nanosystems were formulated through mixing the pluronic with the surfactants at three different ratios, namely 90:10, 80:20, and 50:50, using the thin-film hydration technique and keeping the pluronic concentration constant. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared nanosystems were evaluated using various light scattering techniques, while their thermotropic behavior was characterized via microDSC and high-resolution ultrasound spectroscopy. Microenvironmental parameters were attained through the use of fluorescence spectroscopy, while the cytotoxicity of the nanocarriers was studied in vitro. The results indicate that the combination of Pluronic 188 with the above surfactants was able to produce hybrid homogeneous nanoparticle populations of adequately small diameters. The different surfactants had a clear effect on physicochemical parameters such as the size, hydrodynamic diameter, and polydispersity index of the final formulation. The mixing of surfactants with the pluronic clearly changed its thermotropic behavior and thermal transition temperature (Tm) and highlighted the specific interactions that occurred between the different materials, as well as the effect of increasing the surfactant concentration on inherent polymer characteristics and behavior. The formulated nanosystems were found to be mostly of minimal toxicity. The obtained results demonstrate that the thin-film hydration method can be used for the formulation of pluronic-surfactant hybrid nanoparticles, which in turn exhibit favorable characteristics in terms of their possible use in drug delivery applications. This investigation can be used as a road map for the selection of an appropriate nanosystem as a novel vehicle for drug delivery.

Engineering hybrid nanosystems for efficient and targeted delivery against bacterial infections.

Hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging as superior alternatives to conventional nanocarriers for enhancing the delivery of antibiotics and improving their targeting at the infection site, resulting in the eradication of bacterial infections and overcoming antimicrobial resistance. They can specifically control the release of antibiotics when reaching the targeted site of infection, thus enhancing and prolonging their antimicrobial efficacy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and an up-to-date overview of the recent advances and contributions of lipid-polymer hybrid NPs; organic-inorganic hybrid NPs; metal-organic frameworks; cell membrane-coated hybrid NPs; hybrid NP-hydrogels; and various others, that have been reported in the literature for antibacterial delivery, with emphasis on their design approaches; the nanomaterials constructed; the mechanisms of drug release; and the enhanced antibacterial efficacy of the reported hybrid nanocarriers. This review also highlights future strategies that can be used to improve the potential of hybrid nanosystems to treat bacterial infections and overcome antibiotic resistance.

Porous Aluminum Oxide for Medical Applications Including Targeted Drug Delivery

A comprehensive review of the current level of research in the development of intelligent hybrid nanosystems based on porous inorganic materials, in particular porous alumina, has been carried out. Porous materials are of great interest for the development of controlled drug delivery platforms due to their high effective surface area and controlled pore size. One of the main determinants of the overall pore drug loading and release profile is pore geometry. Three-dimensional pore structures with complex pore geometries and increasing surface area are promising platform designs for sustained drug release. But there are certain structural and financial difficulties in their manufacture. Porous anodic alumina, which is easily and economically produced by electrochemical anodization, allows complex and reproducible three-dimensional pore geometries to be obtained. The unique physical and chemical properties of porous anodic alumina make this material a promising platform for controlled drug release. Porous anodic alumina has a highly ordered pore distribution, and its well-known electrochemical fabrication methods allow precise control of pore spacing, diameter, length, and pore geometry. The purpose of this work is to analyze the current level of research in the development of intelligent hybrid nanosystems based on porous alumina with different characteristics for use in medicine. The presented works have shown interesting opportunities for the development of intelligent, multifunctional optical devices with a microchip design. The design of implantable biosensors with the ability to monitor biological systems in vivo and in real time is promising for the use of porous anodic alumina immunosensors.

Effective uptake of folate-functionalized ethionamide-loaded hybrid system: targeting alveolar macrophages.

Aim: To assess the targeting ability of hybrid nanosystems functionalized with folate. It also aimedto reduce stomach intolerance by substituting the oral route for parenteral delivery. Method: The nanosystems, prepared by nanoprecipitation technique, utilized aone-step method to prepare nanoparticles followed by surface functionalization through adsorption. The prepared nanosystems underwent physical characterization, invitro and in vivo evaluations. Result: The nanosystems were effective in targeting the alveolar macrophages. Ethionamide was released from the formulation over 5days. Fourier-transform infraredresults proved the structural characteristics, and the positive charge further improved the targeting efficacy on the functionalized system. Conclusion: The hybrid formulation improved the release characteristics. Reduction in dosing frequency due to prolonged release improves compliance with the dosage regimen.

Acute myocardial infarction therapy using calycosin and tanshinone co-loaded mitochondria targeted lipid-polymer hybrid nano-system: Preparation, characterization, and anti myocardial infarction activity assessment

BackgroundAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common ischemic heart diseases. However, lack of sufficient drug concentrations in the ischemic heart may led to treatment failure. It is urgent for researchers to engineer novel drug delivery systems to enhance the targeted delivery of cardioprotective agents. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-AMI ability of calycosin (CAL) and tanshinone (TAN) co-loaded mitochondria targeted lipid-polymer hybrid nano-system. MethodsCAL and TAN combined lipid-polymer hybrid nano-systems were prepared and MTP-131 was conjugated with PEG and modified onto the nanoparticles to achieve MTP-CAL/TAN NS. The physicochemical properties of nano-systems were characterized, the AMI therapy ability of the systems was investigated in AMI rats’ model. ResultsThe size of MTP-CAL/TAN NS was 168.7 ± 5.1 nm, with a surface charge of − 21.3 ± 2.3 mV. The area under the curve (AUC) and blood circulation half-life (T1/2) of MTP-CAL/TAN NS was 178.86 ± 6.62 μg·min/mL and 0.47 h, respectively. MTP-CAL/TAN NS exhibited the most significant infarct size reduction effect of 23.9 %. ConclusionMTP-CAL/TAN NS exhibited the highest heart accumulation and best infarct size reduction effect, which could be used as a promising system for efficient treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Green and efficient production of functionalized graphene to achieve soybean meal-based adhesive enhancement

Designing organic-inorganic nanohybrid systems have exhibited considerable potential in fabricating high-performance protein-based adhesives. However, the simplicity of the strategy, renewability, cost and effective dispersion of inorganic nanofillers in a hybrid framework remains challenging. This study proposed a simple, cost-effective, and sustainable design strategy to fabricate soybean meal (SM)-based hybrid adhesives using sodium lignosulfonate-functionalized graphene (SLS@G). SLS@G was simultaneously produced and functionalized via a dry ball milling method from graphite without using toxic reagents and tedious fabrication procedures. SLS@G had stable water dispersion and good compatibility with the SM adhesive matrix. The synergistic hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction between SLS@G and the protein chains remarkedly improved the strength and water resistance of the SM-based adhesive. With minimal addition of the SLS@G (0.10 wt% of SM), the modified adhesive dry and wet shear strengths increased to 2.19 MPa and 1.15 MPa, which were 32.7% and 248.5% higher than the pristine adhesive, respectively. Moreover, the construction of the organic-inorganic nanohybrid structure also contributed to the thermal stability of the SM-based adhesives, leading to the increase in carbon residue rate from 26.6% to 28%. Overall, this facile and green strategy offers a new design pathway for developing advanced and multifunctional bio-adhesives for engineered wood-based composites.

Targeted chitosan nanoparticles embedded into graphene oxide functionalized with caffeic acid as a potential drug delivery system: New insight into cancer therapy

As a novel drug delivery technology, chitosan (CHI) nanoparticles are encapsulated in graphene oxide (GO) with caffeic acid (CA). The nanocarrier technique combines targeted drug delivery with molecular imaging to provide new cancer insights. Attachment of CA, an anticancer agent for controlled drug release, to functionalized graphene oxide (GON) utilizing 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was followed by encapsulation of GO with folic acid (FA) attached CHI to produce this novel system. FT-IR was used to characterize and confirm the chemical production process. Brunau–Emmet–Teller (BET) analysis was used to validate multi-holes and nanometric dimensions (1–100 nm) and assess their drug administration use. Release and loading tests showed a pH dependence and implied CA hydrogen-bonding in GON. CA encapsulation and loading percentages are 86 % and 67 %, respectively. The acidic environment (pH 5.3) of tumor cells may produce a larger release of CA, and the release rate of CA maintains a constant trend, indicating the drug is released for more than a week (because the release rate has not reached zero). The proposed method provides a potential candidate for a novel drug delivery system in cancer therapy. The resulting nanohybrid system is a new way to combine biodegradable materials, that can be used in biomedical applications.

Nanoscale Control of DNA-Linked MoS2-Quantum Dot Heterostructures.

The ability to control the assembly of mixed-dimensional heterostructures with nanoscale control is key for the fabrication of novel nanohybrid systems with new functionalities, particularly for optoelectronics applications. Herein we report a strategy to control the assembly of heterostructures and tune their electronic coupling employing DNA as a linker. We functionalized MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) with biotin-terminated dsDNA employing three different chemical strategies, namely, thiol, maleimide, and aryl diazonium. This allowed us to then tether streptavidinated quantum dots (QDs) to the DNA functionalized MoS2 surface via biotin-avidin recognition. Nanoscale control over the separation between QDs and NSs was achieved by varying the number of base pairs (bp) constituting the DNA linker, between 10, 20, and 30 bp, corresponding to separations of 3.4, 6.8, and 13.6 nm, respectively. Spectroscopic data confirmed the successful functionalization, while atomic force and transmission electron microscopy were employed to image the nanohybrids. In solution steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence demonstrated the electronic coupling between the two nanostructures, that in turn was observed to progressively scale as a function of DNA linker employed and hence distance between the two nanomoieties in the hybrids.

When Design Meets Function: The Prodigious Role of Surface Ligands in Regulating Nanoparticle Chemistry

The underlying power of “interplay of forces” in controlling the properties and functions at the nanoscale is highlighted in this perspective. This interplay is achieved by installing attractive and repulsive forces, via proper ligand chemistry, which will guide the nanomaterials to interact with their surroundings as per the need. Along with improving the existing properties, the balancing of attractive and repulsive forces holds the prospects of imparting newer functions as well. The concept of “ligand-directed interplay of forces” is extensively practiced by our group and others for addressing many challenges in the areas of self-assembly, catalysis, light harvesting, and nanomedicine. The journey has been rewarding so far in terms of achieving many important feats in nanoscience, such as self-assembly under equilibrium and nonequilibrium regimes, outplaying ligand poisoning in nanocatalysis, channelizing the flow of energy and electron in donor–acceptor systems, multicolor photopatterning using a single nanohybrid system, biospecific targeting and therapy, and so on. As evident from this perspective, the diversity of the areas benefited showcases the breadth and depth of the impact that surface ligands and interplay of forces can have in material science. Furthermore, the implementation of the “ligand of choice” approach is one way to realize distinct and specific functions from a limited set of nanomaterials. All the examples of “ligand-directed studies” mentioned in this perspective are based on the regulation of, primarily, electrostatic forces emanating from the charged surface ligands. Thus, it will be logical to try various combinations of ligands and forces, which means that the area of “ligand-directed nanochemistry” will keep on advancing beyond our predictions. Looking forward, there is plenty of room at the NP surface.

A Nanohybrid Containing Cyan‐Emitting Copper Nanoclusters and TiO2 Nanoparticles: Tuning of Optoelectronic Properties

AbstractNanohybrid materials are designed to cover up the weaknesses of individual components. In this current work, an environment‐friendly synthesis was used to produce a cyan‐emitting copper nanocluster (Cu NC) with a quantum yield of 8.7 %. This negatively charged nanocluster was successfully used to make a nanohybrid with anatase titanium dioxide mesoporous nanoparticles having Lewis‐acidic pores. The nanohybrid formation was characterized by time‐correlated single‐photon counting studies (TCSPC), solid‐state UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy and valence band X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A systematic increase of Cu NC loading on the TiO2 showed an increase of current from a range of 10−7 A (in native TiO2) to 10−4 A (1 : 10 Cu NC‐TiO2 hybrid). Interestingly, the photocurrent response of TiO2 also dramatically improved from 8.9×10−3 mA to 4.1 mA in1 : 10 Cu NC−TiO2 hybrid. Systematic variation of their weight ratio vividly demonstrated that 10 % w/w TiO2−Cu NC hybrid was the most effective current generator, keeping the semiconducting and photovoltaic nature intact. The increase in photocurrent can be attributed to the long‐lived electron‐hole separation in the nanohybrid system.

Probing the Photophysics of Covalently and Non‐covalently Bonded Graphene Quantum Dots‐Tetraaminophenylporphyrin Nanohybrids

AbstractHerein, we scrutinize the photophysical and electronic changes on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) which occurs as a consequence of both type of covalent and non‐covalent functionalization using Tetraaminophenylporphyrin (TAPP). Covalent functionalization resulted in amide bond between GQD and TAPP (GQD‐CONH‐TAPP), while electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and π‐π interactions together contribute to the binding in non‐covalent functionalization. Outstanding difference between both of the functionalized GQDs were observed in their UV‐Visible absorption spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra and time‐correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) measurements. GQD‐CONH‐TAPP acts as a charge separated system having C1 point group. In case of GQD‐TAPP, the non‐covalent nanohybrid system, photoinduced electron transfer from TAPP to GQD occurs with a dynamic quenching constant of 21.89×103 M−1 and bimolecular rate constant of 2.77×1014 M−1s−1. Feasibility of this electron transfer is reinforced by the negative ΔGPET value and the theoretical studies.

Hybrid Nanosystems Based on Nicotinate-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica and Silver Chloride Nanoparticles Loaded with Phenytoin for Preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Development.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is one of the most common bacteria isolated from chronic wounds and burns. Its treatment is a challenge due to antimicrobial drug resistance and biofilm formation. In this context, this study aimed to perform the synthesis and full characterization of hybrid nanosystems based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) functionalized with a nicotinic ligand and silver chloride nanoparticles, both phenytoin sodium (Ph)-loaded and unloaded, to evaluate the antibacterial properties against three different strains of PA (including two clinical strains) in a planktonic state and as biofilms. Ph is a well-known proliferative agent, which was incorporated into the hybrid nanomaterials to obtain an effective material for tissue healing and prevention of infection caused by PA. The Ph-loaded materials promoted a quasi-complete inhibition of bacterial growth in wound-like medium and biofilm development, with values of 99% and 96%, respectively, with selectivity indices above the requirements for drugs to become promising agents for the topic preventive treatment of chronic wounds and burns.

New Machine Learning Approach for the Optimization of Nano-Hybrid Formulations

Nano-hybrid systems are products of interactions between organic and inorganic materials designed and planned to develop drug delivery platforms that can be self-assembled. Poloxamine, commercially available as Tetronic®, is formed by blocks of copolymers consisting of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly (propylene oxide) (PPO) units arranged in a four-armed star shape. Structurally, Tetronics are similar to Pluronics®, with an additional feature as they are also pH-dependent due to their central ethylenediamine unit. Laponite is a synthetic clay arranged in the form of discs with a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a thickness of 1 nm. Both compounds are biocompatible and considered as candidates for the formation of carrier systems. The objective is to explore associations between a Tetronic (T1304) and LAP (Laponite) at concentrations of 1–20% (w/w) and 0–3% (w/w), respectively. Response surface methodology (RMS) and two types of machine learning (multilayer perceptron (MLP) and support vector machine (SVM)) were used to evaluate the physical behavior of the systems and the β-Lapachone (β-Lap) solubility in the systems. β-Lap (model drug with low solubility in water) has antiviral, antiparasitic, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. The results show an adequate machine learning approach to predict the physical behavior of nanocarrier systems with and without the presence of LAP. Additionally, the analysis performed with SVM showed better results (R2 > 0.97) in terms of data adjustment in the evaluation of β-Lap solubility. Furthermore, this work presents a new methodology for classifying phase behavior using ML. The new methodology allows the creation of a phase behavior surface for different concentrations of T1304 and LAP at different pHs and temperatures. The machine learning strategies used were excellent in assisting in the optimized development of new nano-hybrid platforms.