Polymer Polyvinylpyrrolidone Research Articles

Development of a curcumin-piperine nanoparticle system using dissolving microneedles for transdermal drug delivery in malaria treatment: In vitro evaluation.

The combination of the active compounds curcumin and piperine (CP) is effective as an antimalarial; however, the solubility and bioavailability of CP are very low. This study aims to formulate CP in nanoparticles (NP), which are then fabricated into dissolving microneedles (DMN). The NPs were prepared with a concentration ratio of CP-Chitosan-So.TPP-So.Alginate (0.1:0.04:0.02:0.03). Subsequently, NPs-CP-DMN were formulated with NPs-CP concentrations (35:40:50 w/w) and a mixture of the polymers polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in a ratio of (35:65, 40:60, 50:50). Characterization of the nanoparticles and microneedles was conducted, including dissolution time tests, permeation studies, hemolysis assessment, dermatokinetics, and in vitro antiplasmodial activity testing. The results showed that NPs-CP had an average size of 446.67 ± 40.27 nm and 367.6 ± 26.31 nm. On the formula NPs-CP-DMN the addition of PVA and PVP polymers (F2) resulted in DMNs with good mechanical strength and penetration ability, capable of penetrating five layers of Parafilm®. This formulation completely dissolved in 10 min without leaving any residue, with a curcumin flux value of 25.7 ± 0,51 µg/mL and piperine flux of 28.5 ± 0,51 µg/mL. The formulation showed no toxicity, with a hemolysis percentage of < 5 %, Tmax of 7 h, and Cmax values of 11.07 ± 0.31 µg/cm3 for curcumin and 17.40 ± 3.3 µg/cm3 for piperine. Moreover, this formulation effectively inhibited the P.falciparum FCR3 strain parasite, with an IC50 value of 35.9 μg/mL. Therefore, this study holds promise as a new strategy for malaria treatment.

In Situ Fabrication of Electrospun Magnetic Film under Laparoscopic Guidance for Preventing Postoperative Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Despite laparoscopic-guided minimally invasive hepatectomy emerging as the primary approach for resecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is still a significant gap in suitable biomaterials that seamlessly integrate with these techniques to achieve effective hemostasis and suppress residual tumors at the surgical margin. Electrospun films are increasingly used for wound closure, yet the employment of prefabricated electrospun films for hemostasis during minimally invasive HCC resection is hindered by prolonged operation times, complexity in implementation, limited visibility during surgery, and inadequate postoperative prevention of HCC recurrence. In this study, montmorillonite-iron oxide sheets are integrated into the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer framework, enhancing the resulting electrospun PVP/montmorillonite-iron oxide (MI) film (abbreviated as PMI) with robustness, hemostatic capability, and magnetocaloric properties. In contrast to the in vitro prefabricated electrospun films, the electrospun PMI film is designed to be formed in situ on liver wounds under laparoscopic guidance during hepatectomy. This design affords superior wound adaptability, facilitating meticulous wound closure and expeditious hemostasis, thereby simplifying the operative process and ultimately alleviating the workload of healthcare professionals. Moreover, when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, the film can efficiently ablate residual tumors, significantly augmenting the treatment efficacy of HCC.

Inhibition of naproxen crystallization by polymers: The role of topology and chain length of polyvinylpyrrolidone macromolecules

This paper presents an innovative approach that utilizes self-synthesized homopolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with different architectures as effective matrices for inhibiting the crystallization of naproxen (NAP). We have thoroughly investigated amorphous solid dispersions containing NAP and (i) self-synthesized linear PVP, (ii) self-synthesized three-armed star-shaped PVP, and (iii) self-synthesized linear PVP with a mass (Mn) corresponding to the length of one arm of the star polymer, as well as (iv) commercial linear PVP K30 as a reference. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy studies, as well as molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to gain comprehensive insights into the thermal and structural properties, as well as intermolecular interactions in the NAP-PVP systems. The main purpose of all experiments was to assess the impact of macromolecule structure (topology, molecular weight) on the kinetics of the crystallization of NAP – a drug that is very difficult to vitrify. Our studies clearly showed that the most effective matrix in inhibiting the NAP crystallization is linear, self-synthesized PVP with higher molecular weight (Mn) similar to that of the commercial PVP K30, but lower, strictly controlled dispersity. We also found that crystallization of API proceeds at a similar pace for the binary mixture composed of a star-shaped PVP and linear polymer with Mn corresponding to Mn of one arm of the star-shaped macromolecule in the vicinity of the Tg. The obtained data highlight the key role of polymer structure in designing new pharmaceutical formulations.

Hydrogel granular systems for controlled release based on (co)polymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with polyvinylpyrrolidone (a review)

The development of polymer carriers for systems of prolonged and controlled release of substances, particularly drugs, into the action environment is a relevant task in polymer chemistry and technology. This aims to solve the problem of reducing the effective dose of a medical drug administered into the body of a person or animal. The latest achievements in the field of creating such carriers in the form of spherical particles based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (co)polymers are analyzed and summarized. The working principles and advantages of such systems are described. The research of the synthesis regularities, structure, properties and perspectives of application of granular hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and its copolymers with polyvinylpyrrolidone was analyzed. The mixture of decanol and cyclohexanol as a solvent for the monomer phase is substantiated. Based on the analysis of kinetic studies, the optimal technological parameters for the suspension polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with polyvinylpyrrolidone were selected, and the possibility of regulating the dispersion characteristics of copolymers via changes in the technological synthesis modes was confirmed. The results of studies on the sorption-desorption properties of copolymers concerning model substances and drugs are described. The possibility of directed regulation of sorption capacity and drug release rate through changes in copolymer composition was confirmed. Methods for increasing the sorption capacity of hydrogels for drugs are proposed.

Zein and 3-Aminophenyl Boronic Acid Conjugated Polyvinylpyrrolidone Polymer Blend: Electrospinning, Characterization, and Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery.

The era of mucoadhesive polymers has advanced to the next generation, focusing on targeted adhesion of chemical functional groups with mucosa. This work aims to develop boronic acid functionalized polymers, which could facilitate reversible binding with the mucin in the mucosa. Pendant groups of boronic acid were conjugated on the chains of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) via C═N bonding. The evidence from FTIR spectroscopy, XPS analysis, and UV spectroscopy has been used for the confirmation of the chemical conjugation of 3-aminophenyl boronic acid (APBA) to PVP. Boronate ester formation is a pH-dependent process. High pKa values of APBA preferably cause the binding of trigonal-shaped boronic acid with sialic acid groups of mucin. Boronic acid moieties additionally benefited in mucoadhesion in comparison to PVP alone, which is a result of the formation of a five-membered boronate ester complex. The presence of boronic acid moieties enhanced the force of adhesion on porcine buccal mucosal tissue from 13.12 ± 1.52 to 19.04 ± 1.97 g force. Specific binding of the polymer to the mucosal surface caused prolonged adhesion of the polymer to the mucosal surface. A polymer blend of boronic acid functionalized PVP and zein has been explored for its potential for mucoadhesive delivery of propranolol hydrochloride.

Feasibility of using polymers to improve foam flow performance in vertical pipes: Application to liquid unloading in gas wells

Foam unloading is a cost-effective technique for removing liquid from low-energy gas wells, but it faces challenges due to thefoam stability at the wellbore. Surfactants alone struggle to create and maintain durable foam films under wellbore conditions. Polymers are known to enhance foam stability by increasing lamella thickness and viscosity, however their impact on foam unloading has not been well explored. This study investigates the effects of Xanthan Gum (XG) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers on stability and unloading efficiency of the foams made by Alkyl Polyglycoside surfactant. The research evaluates foam stability and examines the bubble size and lamella thickness under varying salinity conditions. Additionally, the study estimates foam unloading efficiency by determining unloaded mass rate, critical gas velocity and Weber number. Results show that polymer concentration, type and molecular weight significantly affect foam morphology and stability. Xanthan Gum at 1000 ppm demonstrated the smallest bubble size and greatest foam stability. This concentration also achieved the highest unloaded mass, 30 % more than the surfactant-only case. Regarding the molecular weight of the polymers, HPVP demonstrated an ability to generate smaller bubbles in comparison with LPVP. Consequently, HPVP exhibited superior performance in liquid unloading, surpassing LPVP by a margin of 8.5 %. The addition of polymers reduced critical gas velocity, with 1000 ppm of XG yielding the lowest value. Initially, the Weber numbers for polymer-stabilised foams were higher than the surfactant-only case (XG: 208.01, LPVP: 17.70, HPVP: 26.38 vs. APG: 2.25) due to the Marangoni effect but decreased during the unloading process (XG: 788.58, LPVP: 1850.26, HPVP: 1702.01 vs. base case: 4046.42), indicating improved stability and performance. Overall, the study demonstrates that polymers can significantly improve foam stability and performance, maintaining foam integrity throughout the unloading process if engineered properly prior to their application.

A procedure for the visualization of fingerprint traces on standard and thermal paper using the electron excitation energy of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one aggregates in a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer

A procedure for the visualization of fingerprint traces on standard and thermal paper using the electron excitation energy of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one aggregates in a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer

Effect of polymer coating on magnetocaloric properties of garnet

In this study, Gd3Fe5O12 nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel autocombustion method and subsequently coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer. The study focuses on understanding the influence of PVP coating on garnet particles’ magnetic and magnetocaloric properties. The crystallite size upon PVP-coating remained unaltered, but the grain size and surface area of coated particles increased. The magnetization of PVP-coated particles decreased by around 11% as compared to the uncoated particles at 5 K. Mössbauer and photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a paramagnetic phase Fe3+ in the PVP-coated nanoparticles responsible for the reduction in magnetization value. The maximum value of magnetic entropy change (−ΔS m ) for uncoated Gd3Fe5O12 was 3.78 Jkg−1 K−1 at 37.5 K with a 5T applied field, accompanied by a relative cooling power (RCP) of 382 Jkg−1. On the other hand, for PVP-coated Gd3Fe5O12, the maximum −ΔS m was 3.38 Jkg−1 K−1 at 57.5 K with a 5T applied field, and the RCP was 308 Jkg−1. The observed maximum magnetic entropy changes at higher temperatures for the PVP-coated Gd3Fe5O12 sample are noteworthy. This characteristic indicates that the PVP-coated garnet may have an advantage in terms of usability over a wider temperature range compared to the uncoated counterpart, which can potentially be a promising material for applications in cryogenic temperature magnetic refrigeration.

Synthesis, structural, and optical characterizations of zinc oxide: silver oxide nanoparticles conjunction with polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone

Synthesis, structural, and optical characterizations of zinc oxide: silver oxide nanoparticles conjunction with polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone

Swelling-assisted surface grafting strategy for multichannel antifouling membranes: Reconstruction of surface pore structure and applications in microalgae harvesting and blood purification

Membrane fouling remains a major challenge in membrane separation. The modification of hydrophilic membrane surfaces can mitigate irreversible fouling deposition, thereby improving antifouling properties. Effective surface modification strategies are essential techniques for developing highly efficient antifouling membranes. In this work, a swelling-assisted surface grafting strategy was proposed for multichannel antifouling membranes, where various lengths of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) brushes were grafted on the surface of polysulfone membrane using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The successful grafting of PVP polymer brushes was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Changes in membrane morphology and pore structure were observed via scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. During the grafting process, the amphiphilic macromolecules formed through grafting were selectively swelled by graft solvent, leading to the formation of mesopores in both the surface layer and sublayer of the membrane, which formed additional water transport channels. The introduction of hydrophilic polymer brushes and the change of pore structure significantly boosted the hydrophilicity and permeability of the membranes. As a result, the water contact angle decreased from 85° to 42°, accompanied by an approximate 3.24-fold increase in pure water flux (PWF). Due to superior hydrophilicity, modified membranes demonstrated exemplary performance in microalgae harvesting, boasting a microalgae retention rate nearing 100 % and low fouling resistance (2.12 × 1012 m−1). In algal filtration experiments, a confocal laser scanning microscope was employed to assess the activity of filtered algae on the membrane surface. The prepared membranes effectively maintained the bioactivity of algae while also achieving a high flux recovery rate (90.7 %) following filtration and cleaning. Furthermore, in blood cell compatibility tests, the modified membranes exhibited resistance to blood cell adhesion and sustained a low hemolysis rate (0.06 %). Overall, this strategy offers unique insights into the fabrication of antifouling surfaces and shows considerable promise for large-scale applications in microalgae harvesting and blood purification.

Enhancing UV light sensitivity of PVP polymer by doping chromium trioxide via the electrospun solutions

Herein, chromium trioxide (Cr2O3) doped Polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) nanofibers with high crystallinity and UV light sensitivity are successfully grown onto the glass substrates by electrospun deposition at room temperature. The effect of Cr2O3 concentration on the morphology, structure, and photoluminescence properties of the as-fabricated PVP nanofibers is examined. With the increase in doping concentration of Cr2O3 (i.e., 1, 2 and 3 %), the direct band gap of PVP nanofibers is reduced to 4.05, 4.01, and 3.85 eV, respectively. XRD and FE-SEM results manifest that the crystallinity and diameter of the nanofibers are dependent upon Cr2O3 concentration, i.e., the mean diameter decreases from 600 to 200 nm. Photoluminescence spectra indicate higher UV emission upon the addition of Cr2O3, with greater emission near the band edge for thinner nanofibers. A possible mechanism for the formation of PVP/Cr2O3 nanofibers is addressed in detail. Furthermore, it is found that the sensitivity of the as-fabricated PVP/Cr2O3 detector to UV-light emission strongly depends on Cr2O3 concentration, i.e., good responsivity (2.257 A/W) and specific detectives (9.8 × 1012 cm Hz1/2/W) at a Cr2O3 concentration of 2 % are achieved at a wavelength of 454.1 nm, besides recording the lowest rise and fall times.

Drug–polymer compatibility prediction via COSMO-RS

In this work, the solid–liquid equilibrium (SLE) curve for ten active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K12 was purely predicted using the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS). In particular, two COSMO-RS-based strategies were followed (i.e., a traditional approach and an expedited approach), and their performances were compared. The veracity of the predicted SLE curves was assessed via a comparison with their respective SLE dataset that was obtained using the step-wise dissolution (S-WD) method. Overall, the COSMO-RS-based API–PVP K12 SLE curves were in satisfactory agreement with the S-WD-based data points. Of the twenty predicted SLE curves, only two were found to be in strong disagreement with the corresponding experimental values (both modeled using the expedited approach). Hence, it was recommended to use the traditional approach when predicting the API–polymer SLE curve. At the present moment, COSMO-RS may be an effective computational tool for the expeditious screening of API–polymer compatibility, particularly in the case of promising novel APIs, for which experimental datasets are likely limited or non-existent.

Synthesis and investigation of polyvinylpyrrolidone-polymer content on magnetic and electromagnetic properties of electrospun BiFeO3, SrFe12O19, α-Fe2O3 nanostructures

A one-pot electrospinning technique was employed to synthesize polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based nanofibers containing bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3), strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19), and hematite (α-Fe2O3). The influence of PVP polymer concentration on structural properties revealed the formation of pure phases in all samples, except for BiFeO3 nanofibers, which contained an impurity Bi2Fe4O9 phase. Field-emission scanning electron microscope images showed that higher PVP concentrations resulted in longer, thicker nanofiber chains for all samples. Vibrating sample magnetometer analysis indicated that SrFe12O19 nanofibers exhibited strong ferrimagnetic properties with high saturation magnetization (60 emu g−1) and coercivity (5000 Oe), while the other samples displayed weaker magnetic properties. To address the fragility of nanofibers produced via the one-pot method, the highest PVP concentration nanofibers were incorporated into low and high concentrations of paraffin matrices. Electromagnetic testing showed that paraffin concentration significantly increased the real part of electrical permittivity for BiFeO3 nanofibers (from ∼2 to ∼4.5) compared to other compositions (∼2 to ∼3). Impedance results revealed that BiFeO3 nanofibers had the lowest resistance and likely higher reflectivity. Lastly, the real permittivity of nanofibers decreased with increasing frequency, aligning with Koop’s dielectric relaxation theory.

Functional dry powders of connexin-containing extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising drug delivery system. Connectosomes are a specialized type of EVs that contain connexins in their membranes. Connexin is a surface transmembrane protein that forms connexin hemichannels. When a connexin hemichannel on a connectosome docks with another connexin hemichannel of a target cell, they form a gap junction that allows direct intracellular delivery of therapeutic cargos from within the connectosome to the cytoplasm of the recipient cell. In the present study, we tested the feasibility of converting connectosomes into dry powders by (thin-film) freeze-drying to enable their potential storage in temperatures higher than the recommended −80 °C, while maintaining their activity. Connectosomes were isolated from a genetically engineered HeLa cell line that overexpressing connexin-43 subunit protein tagged with red fluorescence protein. To facilitate the testing of the function of the connectosomes, they were loaded with calcein green dye. Calcein green-loaded connectosomes were thin-film freeze-dried with trehalose alone or trehalose and a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer as lyoprotectant(s) to produce amorphous powders with high glass transition temperatures (>100 °C). Thin-film freeze-drying did not significantly change the morphology and structure of the connectosomes, nor their particle size distribution. Based on data from confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence spectrometry, the connexin hemichannels in the connectosomes reconstituted from the thin-film freeze-dried powder remained functional, allowing the passage of calcein green through the hemichannels and the release of the calcein green from the connectosomes when the channels were opened by chelating calcium in the reconstituted medium. The function of connectosomes was assessed after one month storage at different temperatures. The connexin hemichannels in connectosomes in liquid lost their function when stored at −19.5 ± 2.2 °C or 6.0 ± 0.5 °C for a month, while those in dry powder form remained functional under the same storage conditions. Finally, using doxorubicin-loaded connectosomes, we showed that the connectosomes reconstituted from thin-film freeze-dried powder remained pharmacologically active. These findings demonstrate that (thin-film) freeze-drying represents a viable method to prepare stable and functional powders of EVs that contain connexins in their membranes.

Study on hemostatic and antibacterial properties of modified silicone rubber sponge

At present, gauze compression and hemostatic powder are commonly used in first aid to stop bleeding. However, the hemostatic effect of gauze compression is poor, and the hemostatic powder is easy to block blood vessels and causes thrombosis. Therefore, developing hemostatic materials with rapid hemostatic function and biosafety remains a challenge. In this article, a double layer hemostatic dressing based on silicone rubber (SR) was prepared. Among them, sponge layer was modified with polydopamine (PDA), and connected to the hydrophilic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by strong hydrogen bonding. The synergistic synergy of the blood cell affinity of the catechol group and the water absorption of sponge enhanced the hemostatic ability. For the SR layer, ZnO was grown in situ by hydrothermal method as an antimicrobial layer (SRZ). SRZ/PDA-PVP dressing has good mechanical properties, antibacterial properties, coagulation ability and excellent biocompatibility, providing a new idea for the development of hemostatic materials.

Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/cellulose nanofiber/Aloe Vera composites as a biocompatible hydrating facial mask

This study aimed to enhance the properties of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for use as biocompatible facial masks. To achieve this, nanofibers were developed by blending PVP with cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and Aloe vera (AV) powder using electrospinning. The results showed that incorporating CNFs and AV into the PVP matrix led to the formation of smooth and uniform nanofibers. In particular, adding 3–6 wt% AV powder in PVP/CNF composites improved fiber diameter distribution and uniformity compared to pure PVP. The PVP/CNF/AV nanofibers exhibited desirable properties for facial mask applications. They displayed 86–93 % porosity, which allowed for efficient moisture absorption capacity of up to 1829 %, and excellent water vapor permeability rate of 3.92 g/m2h. The mechanical properties of the electrospun nanofiber composites were evaluated through tensile testing. The results showed that Young's modulus values decreased progressively with the addition of CNFs and AV powder to the PVP polymer matrix, indicating a plasticizing effect that enhances flexibility. The fracture strain remained similar across all composites, suggesting that CNFs and AV did not significantly weaken the PVP matrix. The tensile strength initially increased with CNF addition but decreased with incremental AV loading. Biocompatibility studies revealed that all nanofibers exhibited excellent fibroblast viability, surpassing 98 %. This indicates that incorporating CNFs and AV did not compromise cell viability, further highlighting the suitability of the PVP/CNF/AV composites for facial mask applications.

Evaluation of X-ray radiation shielding performance of Bi2O3 and BaTiO3 embedded in PVP and PEG polymer nanocomposite

This study addressed the limitations of lead-based radiation shields by developing lead-free, non-toxic, lightweight, and flexible shielding materials with high attenuation efficiency. To achieve this, single and triple layers of Bi2O3-BaTiO3/PVP-PEG nanocomposite films were synthesized. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers (2:1 ratio) were used as the polymeric matrix in which fillers of Bi2O3 and BaTiO3 nanoparticles (NPs) with particle sizes ranging from 90 to 210 nm and <100 nm, respectively, were embedded. Four single-layer samples with 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% NP concentrations were prepared; the samples were 1.05, 1.09, 1.27, and 1.42 mm thick, respectively. Two samples of triple-layered films were prepared with 30% and 50% NPs, measuring 3.78 and 4.23 mm in thickness, respectively. The attenuation efficiency of these films was investigated using X-ray tube voltages from 10 to 120 kVp. Further, the flexibility of the synthesized films was tested by manual handling. All single- and triple-layer nanocomposites exhibited effective radiation attenuation and desirable flexibility. Specifically, at the lowest tube voltage, all samples exhibited 100% attenuation, while at the highest tube voltage, the attenuation ranged from 27% to 84%, depending on the NP concentration and number of layers of the sample. The highest attenuation ratio, observed in the 50% triple-layer sample, reached 100% up to approximately 60 kVp and 84% at 120 kVp. Consequently, the most optimal film synthesized in this study had a triple-layer configuration with 50% Bi2O3-BaTiO3 NPs embedded in a PVP-PEG polymer with an average attenuation of 95.5% for all tube voltages (10–120 kVp). Therefore, this shielding is suitable for various diagnostic applications, such as mammography, dental X-rays, computerized tomography, and fluoroscopy. Highlights Single- and triple-layered nanocomposite Bi2O3-BaTiO3/PVP-PEG films were synthesized The attenuation efficiency of the films against X-rays was investigated A triple-layer configuration with 50% Bi2O3-BaTiO3/PVP-PEG was suitable for various diagnostic applications

Copper Oxide Electrochemical Deposition to Create Antiviral and Antibacterial Nanocoatings.

The impact of the reaction environment on the formation of the polycrystalline layer and its biomedical (antimicrobial) applications were analyzed in detail. Copper oxide layers were synthesized using an electrodeposition technique, with varying additives influencing the morphology, thickness, and chemical composition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the successful formation of polyhedral structures. Unmodified samples (CuL) crystallized as a mixture of copper oxide (I) and (II), with a thickness of approximately 1.74 μm. The inclusion of the nonconductive polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) during synthesis led to a regular and compact CuO-rich structure (CuL-PVP). Conversely, adding glucose resulted in forming a Cu2O-rich nanostructured layer (CuL-D(+)G). Both additives significantly reduced the sample thickness to 617 nm for CuL-PVP and 560 nm for CuL-D(+)G. The effectiveness of the synthesized copper oxide layers was demonstrated in their ability to significantly reduce the T4 phage titer by approximately 2.5-3 log. Notably, CuL-PVP and CuL-D(+)G showed a more substantial reduction in the MS2 phage titer, achieving about a 5-log decrease. In terms of antibacterial activity, CuL and CuL-PVP exhibited moderate efficacy against Escherichia coli, whereas CuL-D(+)G reduced the E. coli titer to undetectable levels. All samples induced similar reductions in Staphylococcus aureus titer. The study revealed differential susceptibilities, with Gram-negative bacteria being more vulnerable to CuL-D(+)G due to its unique composition and morphology. The antimicrobial properties were attributed to the redox cycling of Cu ions, which generate ROS, and the mechanical damage caused by nanostructured surfaces. A crucial finding was the impact of surface composition rather than surface morphology on antimicrobial efficacy. Samples with a dominant Cu2O composition exhibited potent antibacterial and antiviral properties, whereas CuO-rich materials showed predominantly enhanced antiviral activity. This research highlights the significance of phase composition in determining the antimicrobial properties of copper oxide layers synthesized through electrodeposition.

Machine learning-assisted prediction of the electronic features of a Schottky diode interlaid with PVP:BaTiO3 composite

This study employs two Machine Learning (ML) models to predict the electronic current and then analyze the main electronic variables of Schottky diodes (SDs), including leak current (I0), potential barrier height (ΦB0), ideality factor (n), series resistance (Rs), shunt resistance (Rsh), rectifying ratio (RR), and interface states density (Nss). The I-V characteristics are examined for both without and with an interlayer. The polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer and BaTiO3 nanostructures are combined to form the nanocomposite interface. The ML algorithms that are employed include the Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR). The thermionic emission theory is used to gather training data for ML algorithms. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these ML methods in anticipating the electric characteristics of SDs is evaluated by contrasting the predicted and experimental findings in order to identify the optimal ML model. Whereas the GPR algorithm has given values that are closer to the actual values, the ML predictions of fundamental electric variables by practically both algorithms have the best level of agreement with the actual values. Also, the obtained findings indicate that when the nanocomposite interface is used, the amount of I0 and Nss for metal-semiconductor (MS) Schottky diodes reduces and φ B0 increases.

High quality RNA extraction protocol for polyphenolics-rich Cotton tissue

The extraction of high-quality RNA from cotton (Gossypium spp.) is challenging because of the presence of high polyphenolics, polysaccharides, quinones, and other secondary metabolites. A high-throughput RNA extraction protocol is a prerequisite. This Triton-X-100-based RNA extraction method utilizes Polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer (PVPP) treatment which efficiently removes phenolics, and the application of Lithium chloride (LiCl) has been found that successfully precipitated the high-quality RNA from cotton tissue. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait associated with specific mitochondrial genome rearrangements or mutations. The suitability of RNA extracted from Cotton CMS lines was assessed. cDNA was synthesized from RNA and assayed for mitochondrial genes (cox3, nad3, nad9) associated with male sterility. This paper discuss the advantages and limitation of this protocol over existing protocol for RNA extraction for polyphenolics-rich plant tissue.