NP Samples Research Articles

Salivary microbiome and biomarker characteristics of diabetics with periodontitis.

To examine the characteristics of the salivary microbiome in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with or without periodontitis. Periodontitis has been identified as clear sequelae of T2DM. This chronic oral disease also impacts the management of the clinical features of diabetes. The oral microbiome characteristics in T2DM with and without periodontitis, as well as the response of this oral microbiome to nonsurgical therapy have not been well described. Knowledge of key oral biological features could help address the observed poorer clinical presentation of T2DM patients. The oral microbiome in saliva of adult cohorts periodontally healthy/non-diabetic (non-periodontitis; NP; n=31), T2DM without periodontitis (DWoP; n=32), and T2DM with periodontitis (DWP; n=29) were characterized by microbial molecular analysis using V3-V4 sequencing and Luminex or ELISA techniques for salivary host analytes. Phyla distribution showed DWP with significantly lower levels of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and higher levels of Fusobacteria and Spirochetes compared to the healthier groups. Approximately 10% of the detected microbial species showed significant differences in frequency and level of colonization among the DWP, DWoP, and NP samples. A subset of bacteria were significantly correlated with clinical disease features, as well as a specific repertoire of salivary analytes, in particular matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)8/MMP9, interleukin-1ß, B-cell activating factor, and resistin differed between the groups and were related to specific taxa. Principal component analysis that identified a majority of the DWP subjects microbiome was unique based upon an array of 27 taxa out of up to 255 detected in the saliva samples. T2DM patients with periodontitis show unique oral microbiome and salivary analyte composition compared to diabetics or non-diabetic persons without periodontitis. Specific members of the oral microbiome relate directly to the clinical disease features and/or salivary biomolecules in T2DM individuals.

Facile biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Lupinus albus L (Gibto) seed extract for antibacterial and photocatalytic applications

This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Lupinus albus L. (white lupin) seed extract and investigate their photocatalytic and antibacterial applications. Phytochemical analysis of the seed extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds. Three ZnO NP samples were prepared using different ratios of the seed extract and zinc nitrate and one sample without seed extract as a control. The nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, and the average crystallite sizes were found to be in the range of 20.96–30.67 nm, exhibiting a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The photo catalytic activity of the ZnO NPs was evaluated by the degradation of malachite green dye under visible light. The results showed that ZnO NPs synthesized with the seed extract, particularly the 9:1 and 3:2 ratios, exhibited higher photocatalytic activity, with degradation efficiencies of 98 % and 97 %, respectively, compared to the ZnO NPs prepared without the extract (89 % degradation). The antibacterial activity of the ZnO NPs was assessed against four bacterial strains using the disc diffusion method. The ZnO NPs synthesized with the seed extract demonstrated the greatest activity against Klebsiella pneumonia, with an inhibition zone of 15 ± 0.58 mm, while the ZnO NPs without the extract showed lower antibacterial activity. In conclusion, the green synthesis of ZnO NPs using Lupinus albus L. seed extract is a promising approach for the development of materials with efficient photocatalytic and antibacterial properties.

Using Femtosecond Laser Pulses to Explore the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Ag/Au Alloy Nanoparticles Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Ablation in a Liquid.

Metallic nanoparticles have gained attention in technological fields, particularly photonics. The creation of silver/gold (Ag/Au) alloy NPs upon laser exposure of an assembly of these NPs was described. First, using the Nd: YAG pulsed laser ablation's second harmonic at the same average power and exposure time, Ag and Au NPs in distilled water were created individually. Next, the assembly of Ag and Au NP colloids was exposed again to the pulsed laser, and the effects were examined at different average powers and exposure times. Furthermore, Ag/Au alloy nanoparticles were synthesized with by raising the average power and exposure time. The absorption spectrum, average size, and shape of alloy NPs were obtained by using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and transmission electron microscope instrument. Ag/Au alloy NPs have been obtained in the limit of quantum dots (<10 nm). The optical band gap energies of the Ag/Au alloy colloidal solutions were assessed for different Ag/Au alloy NP concentrations and NP sizes as a function of the exposure time and average power. The experimental data showed a trend toward an increasing bandgap with decreasing nanoparticle size. The nonlinear optical characteristics of Ag/Au NPs were evaluated and measured by the Z-scan technique using high repetition rate (80 MHz), femtosecond (100 fs), and near-infrared (NIR) (750-850 nm) laser pulses. In open aperture (OA) Z-scan measurements, Ag, Au, and Ag/AuNPs present reverse saturation absorption (RSA) behavior, indicating a positive nonlinear absorption (NLA) coefficient. In the close-aperture (CA) measurements, the nonlinear refractive (NLR) indices (n2) of the Ag, Au, and Ag/Au NP samples were ascribed to the self-defocusing effect, indicating an effective negative nonlinearity for the nanoparticles. The NLA and NLR characteristics of the Ag/Au NPs colloids were found to be influenced by the incident power and excitation wavelength. The optical limiting (OL) effects of the Ag/Au alloy solution at various excitation wavelengths were studied. The OL effect of alloy NPs is greater than that of monometallic NPs. The Ag/Au bimetallic nanoparticles were found to be more suitable for optical-limiting applications.

Characterization of the equine placental microbial population during nocardioform placentitis

Nocardioform placentitis is a poorly understood disease of equine late gestation. The presence of nocardioform, filamentous branching gram-positive bacteria, has been linked to the disease, with Crossiella equi, Amycolatopsis spp., and Streptomyces spp. being the most frequently identified bacteria. However, these bacteria are not found in all clinical cases in addition to being isolated from healthy, normal postpartum placentas. To better understand this form of placentitis, we analyzed the microbial composition in the equine placenta (chorioallantois) of both healthy postpartum (control; n = 11) and nocardioform-affected samples (n = 22) using 16S rDNA sequencing. We found a lower Shannon index in nocardioform samples, a higher Chao1 index in nocardioform samples, and a difference in beta diversity between control and nocardioform samples (p < 0.05), suggesting the presence of dysbiosis during the disease. In the majority of the NP samples (77 %), one of the following genera—Amycolatopsis, Crossiella, Lentzea, an unidentified member of the Pseudonocardiaceae family, Mycobacterium, or Enterococcus —represented over 70 % of the relative abundance. Overall, the data suggest that a broader spectrum of potential opportunistic pathogens could be involved in nocardioform placentitis, extending beyond the traditionally recognized bacteria, resulting in a similar histomorphological profile.

The Origin of Threshold Reduction in Random Lasers Based on MoS2/Au NPs: Charge Transfer

Random lasers have attracted much attention in recent years owing to their advantages of a simple fabrication process, low processing cost, and material flexibility for any lasing wavelengths. They provide a roadmap for the design of ultra-bright lighting, displays, etc. However, the threshold reduction in random nanolasers remains a challenge in practical applications. In this work, lower-threshold random laser action from monolayer molybdenum disulfide film-encapsulated Au nanoparticles (MoS2/Au NPs) is demonstrated. The observed laser action of the MoS2/Au NPs shows a lower threshold of about 0.564 µJ/mm2, which is about 46.2% lower than the threshold of random lasers based on Au NPs. We proposed that the charge transfer between MoS2 and the gain material is the main reason for the reduction in the random laser threshold. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method was used to calculate the lasing action of these two nanostructures. When charge transfer is taken into account, the theoretically calculated threshold of the MoS2/Au NPs is reduced by 46.8% compared to Au NP samples, which is consistent with the experimental results. This study provides a new mechanism to achieve low-threshold and high-quality random lasers, which has the potential to facilitate the application of random lasers and the development of high-performance optoelectronic devices.

Investigating the impact of pasteurization on the bioactive-rich potential of psyllium and spirulina in a concentrated beverage

This study aimed to develop a concentrated "Detox" drink rich in bioactive compounds, using pineapple, kale, mint, spinach, lemon, psyllium and spirulina as main ingredients. A base version of the drink was formulated without the addition of psyllium and spirulina, called formulation 1. Additionally, other formulations were developed adding psyllium, spirulina and psyllium plus spirulina. All formulations were subjected or not to the pasteurization process. Finally, the study sought to evaluate the stability of this drink during a period of 30 days under freezing. It was observed that DBS had a higher content of total polyphenols and vitamin C. Despite heat treatment, the developed drink maintained a high antioxidant capacity. Multivariate analysis indicated that processing influenced the bioaccessibility of minerals, with NP samples containing greater amounts of bioaccessible minerals. The Detox drink developed in this study can be considered a promising option, rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, which contribute to a balanced diet and promote health benefits.

Combined continuous nanoparticle synthesis with chromatographic size classification

In this paper, we report a combination of the continuous flow synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with subsequent purification and narrowing of the particle size distribution (PSD) by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) by adapting the flow rates of synthesis and classification. First, we show scalability of chromatographic classification with respect to column dimension and the absence of irreversible nanoparticle adhesion on the column material. Two different syntheses lead to a large and widely distributed and a small and narrowly distributed AuNP dispersion, which are classified by a semipreparative column. The PSDs of individual fractions are characterized by analytical SEC. The broadly distributed AuNP dispersion was classified into three fractions with distinct PSDs. For the narrowly distributed AuNPs, the separation is almost independent of the mobile phase flow rate: coarse and fine fractions with almost identical PSDs and separation efficiency curves are observed irrespective of the flow rate. Even NP samples with narrow PSDs can be classified into multiple fractions with tailored PSDs while simultaneously removing dissolved impurities from the dispersion. With our study, we demonstrate the potential of a direct combination of continuous NP synthesis with chromatographic classification for the optimization of final PSDs and the simultaneous purification of nanoparticulate dispersions.

A-300 Evaluation of Different Storage Conditions of Nasopharyngeal Swabs for the Detection of Influenza A, Influenza B and RSV

Abstract Background Every year, Influenza A (FluA), Influenza B (FluB) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) affect our communities and increase the number of patients in our health systems. Molecular techniques, such as real-time PCR have become essential, not only for the diagnostic but also for the epidemiological studies. High amounts of samples or retrospective analysis need the use of samples stored at different conditions. For this reason, a stability study of nasopharyngeal swabs (NP) in Viral Transport Medium (VTM) for FluA, FluB and RSV was performed. Methods Twenty-eight negative FluA, FluB and RSV NP samples in VTM (Vircell, Spain) were used in this study. All samples were mixed into one pool and divided into 7 aliquots. One of them served as a negative control. The others were enriched (each) with different concentrations of viral cultures from ATCC (VR-95PQ™, VR1804PQ™, VR26PQ™) to obtain two positive samples for each pathogen. Samples were stored under specific conditions of time and temperature before being processed: 1 and 2 days stored at 25°C, 3 and 6 days stored at 4°C, and 8, 30 and 180 days stored at −20°C. Each condition was extracted in triplicate with the MagDEA Dx SV kit, using the magLEAD® 12gC instrument (Precision System Science Co.) and analysed with VIASURE SARS-CoV-2, Flu &amp; RSV Real Time PCR Detection Kit (Certest Biotec S.L) in triplicate on CFX96™ Real-Time PCR Detection System (Bio-Rad). The results were compared with the data obtained on the first day (0 h). Results All positive samples were detected in all conditions and matrices. No amplifications were observed in negative samples. There were no major differences compared with the data obtained on the first day. However, a Cq delay of around 1 unit was observed in all pathogens when samples were stored 2 days at 25°C. For this reason, this storage condition would not be recommended. Conclusion NP samples in VTM for the detection of FluA, FluB and RSV can be stored at 25°C for up to 1 day, 4°C for up to 6 days, or frozen at −20°C for up to 180 days.

Direct synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles without heat treatment: Effect of order of addition and precursor/reducing ratio

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the most used semiconductor for heterogeneous photocatalysis. However, there is a limitation on its application since TiO2 works as catalyst only under ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the synthesis of high-performance TiO2 NPs by a direct method without further calcination could improve the use of this catalyst. The current work aimed to obtain anatase/rutile TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalysis under UV light by a direct method without further heat treatment. A 2k factorial design was used to evaluate the effect of the order of addition and ratio of the precursor/reducing agents on the synthesis of the NPs. TiO2 nanoparticles with large surface area were synthesized via the controlled precipitation method. The NPs were characterized by the XRD, DSC/TG, FTIR, BET, DLS, ELS, UV–Vis, FESEM-EDS techniques, and by the photocatalytic activity test. The commercial TiO2 NP P25 Evonik was used as standard photocatalyst for comparison with the obtained samples. The specific surface area (BET) of the TiO2 NP samples was three to five times higher in comparison to P25. The photoactivity of the TiO2 NP samples and P25 was determined as the discoloration of methylene blue and rhodamine B dyes under UVA radiation (330 nm, 12 W/m2) for 180 min. The results showed that the discoloration efficiency of the synthesized TiO2 NP samples is equivalent to that of the P25 sample. The synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles via the controlled precipitation method using only two reagents proved to be a viable and promising route. The method does not require heat treatment for titanium dioxide crystallization and is still capable of producing a mixture of ideal phases to delay the recombination of the photogenerated electron-hole pair, contributing to the increase of the photocatalytic efficiency. The TiO2 NP samples will be used to the degradation of recalcitrant pollutants in water as textile dyes and pharmaceutical byproducts.

SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection by saliva; an alternative to nasopharyngeal specimen: A cross-sectional study.

Saliva samples are less invasive and more convenient for patients than naso- and/or oropharynx swabs (NOS). However, there is no US Food and Drug Administration-approved severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapid antigen test kit, which can be useful in a prolonged pandemic to reduce transmission by allowing suspected individuals to self-sampling. We evaluated the performances of High sensitive AQ+ Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test (AQ+ kit) using nasopharyngeal swabs (NPs) and saliva specimens from the same patients in laboratory conditions. The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test result was used for screening the inrolled individuals and compared as the gold standard. NP and saliva samples were collected from 100 rRT-PCR positives and 100 negative individuals and tested with an AQ+ kit. The AQ+ kit showed good performances in both NP and saliva samples with an overall accuracy of 98.5% and 94.0%, and sensitivity of 97.0% and 88.0%, respectively. In both cases, specificity was 100%. AQ+ kit performance with saliva was in the range of the World Health Organization recommended value. xOur findings indicate that the saliva specimen can be used as an alternative and less invasive to NPs for quick and reliable SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection.

Properties of heat moisture treated red rice paddy and its puffed product

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe present work evaluated how the heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) of pigmented paddy influenced the physicochemical properties on puffing.FindingsPigmented rice paddy was subjected to heat‐moisture treatment at 121°C for 15, 30, and 45 min. The milled grains (HMT_NP) were puffed at 250°C for 9 s (HMT_P). HMT increased amylose content (13.54 ± 0.03 in raw rice to 14.66 ± 0.05 in HMT_NP45) and the reverse trend occurred on puffing (12.34 ± 0.38 in untreated puffed rice to 11.76 ± 0.17 in HMT_P45). Pasting profile of HMT_NP rices showed resistance to swelling and ruptures and increases in tolerance to heat and stress. Pasting temperature increased from 74 ± 0.71a in untreated raw to 81.19 ± 0.34b in HMT_NP45 and from 74.03 ± 0.45a untreated puffed rice to 80.3 ± 0.28b in HMT_P45. HMT_NP samples showed a combination of A and V‐type peaks, while an E‐type starch pattern was observed for HMT_P rices. Crystallinity decreased with treatment time from 30.78 (raw) to 23.03% (HMT_NP45) and from 15.65 (puffed) to 12.29% (HMT_P45) in puffed samples). Puffing of HMT rices increased the viscoelastic property of the samples.ConclusionHMT thus majorly caused strengthening of molecular structure and rigidity which were reversed on puffing. This is the first report on adding value to HMT paddy through puffing expansion.Significance and NoveltyHMT_NP and HMT_P rice samples can have specific end uses in food industries. HMT_P can be particularly useful as viscosity enhancer in powder form, and to impart brittle texture in chocolate‐coated wafers and bars as whole grain.

The Influence of Bacterial Strains Used to Produce Cadmium Sulfide Nanoparticles on the Level of Biocidal Activity of the Nanomaterial

In this work, we report on the effect of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and Bacillus subtilis 168 bacteria used for the biosynthesis of CdS nanoparticles (CdS NPs) on the level of antimicrobial activity of CdS NPs/Shewanella and CdS NPs/Bacillus against a wide range of microorganisms: gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, yeast and mold fungi. It is shown that S. oneidensis MR-1 and B. subtilis determine the quantitative characteristics of the nanomaterial, the content of protein and the CdS fraction in CdS NP samples. The use of the atomic emission spectroscopy method to determine the elemental content of cadmium and sulfur, as well as the densitometric analysis of electropherograms of protein adsorbed on the surface of biogenic CdS NPs demonstrate a significant difference in the ratio of these components in CdS NPs/Shewanella and CdS NPs/Bacillus. It is found that the proportion of CdS in CdS NPs/Bacillus exceeds by 1.4 times this parameter for CdS NPs/Shewanella. At the same time, the proportion of protein in CdS NPs/Bacillus is reduced compared to CdS NPs/Shewanella. It is shown that the level of antimicrobial activity of CdS NPs/Bacillus in relation to all test cultures studied exceeds the same parameter for CdS NPs/Shewanella. It is assumed that an increase in the proportion of CdS in CdS NPs/Bacillus may be the cause of a higher level of biocidal activity of CdS NPs due to an increased amount of released Cd2+ ions, which lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species and the destruction of microbial cells. Thus, the importance and necessity of selecting bacterial strains for the creation of functionally active nanoparticles with optimal characteristics is proved. The results of this research confirm the prospects of utilizing biogenic CdS NPs as targeted antimicrobial agents.

Loss of Pinch Proteins Causes Severe Degenerative Disc Disease-Like Lesions in Mice.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the most common skeletal disorders affecting aged populations. DDD is the leading cause of low back/neck pain, resulting in disability and huge socioeconomic burdens. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying DDD initiation and progression remain poorly understood. Pinch1 and Pinch2 are LIM-domain-containing proteins with crucial functions in mediating multiple fundamental biological processes, such as focal adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, cell proliferation, migration, and survival. In this study, we found that Pinch1 and Pinch2 were both highly expressed in healthy intervertebral discs (IVDs) and dramatically downregulated in degenerative IVDs in mice. Deleting Pinch1 in aggrecan-expressing cells and Pinch2 globally (AggrecanCreERT2; Pinch1fl/fl; Pinch2-/-) caused striking spontaneous DDD-like lesions in lumbar IVDs in mice. Pinch loss inhibited cell proliferation and promoted extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and apoptosis in lumbar IVDs. Pinch loss markedly enhanced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially TNFα, in lumbar IVDs and exacerbated instability-induced DDD defects in mice. Pharmacological inhibition of TNFα signaling mitigated the DDD-like lesions caused by Pinch loss. In human degenerative NP samples, reduced expression of Pinch proteins was correlated with severe DDD progression and a markedly upregulated expression of TNFα. Collectively, we demonstrate the crucial role of Pinch proteins in maintaining IVD homeostasis and define a potential therapeutic target for DDD.

Patterns of Interferon γ Expression and C4d Deposition in Chronic Intervillositis of Unknown Etiology.

The pathogenesis of chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology (CIUE) may involve IFNγ overexpression. This study assesses the extent of IFNγ expression in CIUE by immunohistochemistry and compares it to spontaneous pregnancy losses. C4d deposition is also assessed to see whether IFNγ and C4d might represent separate diagnostic categories. Placenta from first to early second trimester with high grade CIUE (CHG; 17 cases) and low grade CIUE (CLG; 12 cases) is compared to euploid (SPLN; 18 cases), aneuploid spontaneous pregnancy losses (SPLA, 17 cases), normal placenta (NP, 13 cases). Protein level expression of IFNγ and C4d is assessed on whole tissue sections by immunohistochemistry. 35% of CHG and 42% of CLG show some level of IFNγ expression localized to the luminal surface of syncytiotrophoblast. 12% of SPLA and no SPLN or NP cases are IFNγ positive. C4d deposition is seen in 100% of CIUE, 88% of SPLA, 83% of SPLN, and 46% of NP samples. IFNγ overexpression occurs in approximately 40% of CIUE-related pregnancy losses. IFNγ expression restricted to a subgroup of CIUE implies that IFNγ may define a distinct disease process. The non-discriminatory pattern of C4d deposition suggests it is a non-specific phenomenon possibly related to placental damage.

1132. Integrated Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) Characterizing Viral Dynamics After Intramuscular (IM) Adintrevimab (ADI) Administration in Participants with Mild to Moderate Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Abstract Background ADI is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody engineered to have an extended half-life with high potency and broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and other SARS-like coronaviruses. The goal of our analysis was to develop a QSP model in which ADI concentrations in upper airway (UA) epithelial lining fluid (ELF) were linked to a viral dynamic model to describe the impact of ADI on SARS-CoV-2 viral load relative to placebo. Methods The QSP model was fit in NONMEM Version 7.4 using PK data from a Phase 1 study (N=24, IV and IM) and from Phase 2/3 COVID-19 prevention (EVADE; N=659, IM) and treatment (STAMP; N=189, IM) studies. Saliva and NP samples were collected from STAMP study participants (pts) infected with the delta or omicron variants. The viral dynamic model was based on a published model and was modified to include both active (V) and deactivated (DV) virus (Fig). The viral dynamic model was fit to the NP swab viral load data (2 samples/pt) standardized to time since infection based upon recorded symptom onset. Saliva data (7-8 samples/pt) was fit sequentially using a biophase compartment given the peak viral load was modestly lower and peaked later than Day 1. Viral dynamic model (A) and simulated median (90% PI) NP viral load reduction in ADI-treated or placebo participants for delta (B) and omicron (C) variants Results The QSP model provided an excellent fit to serum ADI concentration-time data after estimation of a transit rate to account for IM absorption, plasma volume, and the ADI-neonatal Fc receptor dissociation rate constant. The linked viral dynamic model captured the NP swab viral load data after estimating differences in within-host replication factor (R0) and viral production rate (p) by variant. Maximal ADI-induced effect (Smax) on stimulating viral clearance (c) was fixed to 0.43 based upon prior modeling. ADI concentration in UA ELF resulting in 50% of Smax (SC50) was estimated to be 0.086 for delta and 1.05 mg/L for omicron. Figure B and C show model-based simulated median (90% PI) viral load reduction in ADI-treated or placebo pts for delta and omicron variants. Conclusion This QSP model, in conjunction with information on new variants available early in outbreaks (IC50, infectivity (R0), viral production rate [each a model parameter]), allows for rapid dose identification in response to emerging variants. Disclosures Evan Tarbell, PhD, Adagio Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Adagio Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support Scott A. Van Wart, PhD, Adagio Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Adagio Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support Myra Popejoy, PharmD, Adagio Therapeutics: Employee|Adagio Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds Kristin Narayan, PhD, Adagio Therapeutics: Employee|Adagio Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds Ellie Hershberger, PharmD, Adagio Therapeutics: Employee|Adagio Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds Xia Pu, PhD, Adagio Therapeutics: Employee|Adagio Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds Jean Gong, PhD, Adagio Therapeutics: Employee|Adagio Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds Christopher M. Rubino, PharmD, Adagio Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Grant/Research Support|AN2 Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Antabio SAS: Grant/Research Support|Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc: Grant/Research Support|B. Braun Medical Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Basilea Pharmaceutica: Grant/Research Support|Boston Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support|Bravos Biosciences: Ownership Interest|Celdara Medical LLC: Grant/Research Support|Cidara Therapeutics Inc: Grant/Research Support|Cipla USA: Grant/Research Support|Crestone Inc: Grant/Research Support|CXC: Grant/Research Support|Debiopharm International SA: Grant/Research Support|Entasis Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Evopoint Biosciences Co.: Grant/Research Support|Fedora Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support|GlaxoSmithKline: Grant/Research Support|Hoffmann-La Roche: Grant/Research Support|ICPD: Ownership Interest|ICPD Biosciences, LLC.: Ownership Interest|Insmed Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Iterum Therapeutics Limited: Grant/Research Support|Kaizen Bioscience, Co.: Grant/Research Support|KBP Biosciences USA: Grant/Research Support|Lassen Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Matinas Biopharma: Grant/Research Support|Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.: Grant/Research Support|Melinta Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Menarini Ricerche S.p.A: Grant/Research Support|Mutabilis: Grant/Research Support|Nabriva Therapeutics AG: Grant/Research Support|Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.: Grant/Research Support|Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|PureTech Health: Grant/Research Support|Sfunga Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Spero Therapeutics,: Grant/Research Support|Suzhou Sinovent Pharmaceuticals Co.: Grant/Research Support|TauRx Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support|tranScrip Partners: Grant/Research Support|Utility Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Valanbio Therapeutics, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|VenatoRx: Grant/Research Support|Wockhardt Bio AG: Grant/Research Support Andrew Santulli, BSE, Adagio Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Adagio Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support Paul Ambrose, PharmD, Adagio Therapeutics: Employee|Adagio Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds|Institute for Clinical Pharmacodynamics: President.

Assembling Biocompatible Polymers on Gold Nanoparticles: Toward a Rational Design of Particle Shape by Molecular Dynamics.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have received great attention in a number of fields ranging from the energy sector to biomedical applications. As far as the latter is concerned, due to rapid renal clearance and a short lifetime in blood, AuNPs are often encapsulated in a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) matrix owing to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. A better understanding of the PLGA polymers on the AuNP surface is crucial to improve and optimize the above encapsulation process. In this study, we combine a number of computational approaches to explore the adsorption mechanisms of PLGA oligomers on a Au crystalline NP and to rationalize the PLGA coating process toward a more efficient design of the NP shape. Atomistic simulations supported by a recently developed unsupervised machine learning scheme show the temporal evolution and behavior of PLGA clusterization by tuning the oligomer concentration in aqueous solutions. Then, a detailed surface coverage analysis coupled with free energy landscape calculations sheds light on the anisotropic nature of PLGA adsorption onto the AuNP. Our results prove that the NP shape and topology may address and privilege specific sites of adsorption, such as the Au {1 1 1} crystal planes in selected NP samples. The modeling-based investigation suggested in this article offers a solid platform to guide the design of coated NPs.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles toward highly efficient photocatalysis and antibacterial application.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized by a green method using rosin and zinc chloride as salt precursors. The phase structure, morphology, and particle size of ZnO were determined by X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The fabricated ZnO NP samples are crystalline with a grain size of 30–100 nm. The ZnO NPs were used as catalysts for the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) under visible and UV light. The results indicate that the prepared ZnO material excellently removed MB and MO (cinitial = 10 mg/L) with efficiencies of 100% and 82.78%, respectively, after 210 min under UV radiation with a ZnO NP dose of 2 g/L. The photocatalyst activity of the synthesized material was also tested under visible light radiation with the same conditions; however, it achieved lower efficiencies. In addition, ZnO NPs were also tested regarding their antibacterial activity, and the results showed that the prepared ZnO samples had the highest (i.e., 100%) antibacterial efficiency against E. coli.

Potential usage of anterior nasal sampling in clinical practice with three rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2

IntroductionAnterior nasal sampling (AN) might be more convenient for patients than NP sampling to diagnose coronavirus disease. This study investigated the feasibility of rapid antigen tests for AN sampling, and the factors affecting the test accuracy. MethodsThis single-center prospective study evaluated one qualitative (ESP) and two quantitative (LUMI and LUMI-P) rapid antigen tests using AN and NP swabs. Symptomatic patients aged 20 years or older, who were considered eligible for reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction using NP samples within 9 days of onset were recruited. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative concordance rates between AN and NP samples were assessed for the rapid antigen tests. We investigated the characteristics that affected the concordance between AN and NP sampling results. ResultsA total of 128 cases were recruited, including 28 positive samples and 96 negative samples. The sensitivity and specificity of AN samples using ESP were 0.81 and 1.00, while those of NP samples were 0.94 and 1.00. The sensitivity of AN and NP samples was 0.91 and 0.97, respectively, and specificity was 1.00, for both LUMI and LUMI-P. The positive concordance rates of AN to NP sampling were 0.87, 0.94, and 0.85 for ESP, LUMI, and LUMI-P, respectively. No factor had a significant effect on the concordance between the sampling methods. ConclusionsESP, LUMI, and LUMI-P showed practical diagnostic accuracy for AN sampling compared to NP sampling. There was no significant factor affecting the concordance between AN and NP sampling for these rapid antigen tests.

Using Femtosecond Laser Pulses to Explore the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Au NP Colloids That Were Synthesized by Laser Ablation.

In this study, we experimentally investigated the nonlinear optical properties of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) that were prepared in pure distilled water using the laser ablation method. The Au NPs were prepared using a nanosecond Nd:YAG laser with an ablation time of 5 or 10 min at a constant laser energy of 100 mJ. The structure and the linear optical properties of the Au NPs were investigated using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and UV-visible spectrophotometer analysis, respectively. The TEM measurements showed that the average size of the Au NPs varied from 20.3 to 14.1 nm, depending on the laser ablation time. The z-scan technique was used to investigate the nonlinear refractive index () and nonlinear absorption coefficient () of the Au NPs, which were irradiated at different excitation wavelengths that ranged from 740 to 820 nm and at different average powers that ranged from 0.8 to 1.6 W. The Au NP samples exhibited a reverse saturable absorption (RSA) behavior that increased when the excitation wavelength and/or incident laser power increased. In addition, the Au NPs acted as a self-defocusing material whenever the excitation wavelength or incident power were modified.

Structural characterization and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using a low-molecular-weight Royal Jelly extract

In recent years silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) gained increased and widespread applications in various fields of industry, technology, and medicine. This study describes the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) applying a low-molecular-weight fraction (LMF) of Royal Jelly, the nanoparticle characterization, and particularly their antibacterial activity. The optical properties of NPs, characterized by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, showed a peak at ~ 430 nm. The hydrodynamic radius and concentration were determined by complementary dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The particle morphology was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the crystallinity of the silver was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The antibacterial activities were evaluated utilizing Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and colony counting assays. The growth inhibition curve method was applied to obtain information about the corresponding minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) required. Obtained results showed that (i) the sizes of Ag NPs are increasing within the increase of silver ion precursor concentration, (ii) DLS, in agreement with NTA, showed that most particles have dimensions in the range of 50–100 nm; (iii) E. coli was more susceptible to all Ag NP samples compared to B. subtilis.