Article
Infectious Diseases
Elias Berni, Raquel de Melo Barbosa, Nelson Duran
Summary: This study introduced nanostructures such as CS_PCL nanoparticles to encapsulate amitraz and fluazuron for more effective treatment of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus infestations. The nanoparticles demonstrated reduced cytotoxicity and high entrapment efficiency, with significant acaricidal effects in vivo, even surpassing those of commercial products. Combining CS_PCLnp_Amitraz and CS_PCLnp_Fluazuron showed even stronger acaricide effects.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Manuel E. Martinez, Jose Rene Rangel-Mendez, Miquel Gimeno, Alberto Tecante, Gretchen T. Lapidus, Keiko Shirai
Summary: A chitosan reinforced with poly-epsilon-caprolactone thermoplastic composite was prepared and characterized in this study. The results showed that the material had high adsorption equilibrium capacities for Zn(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), and Al(III), and had minimal mass loss during the adsorption-desorption process.
Article
Polymer Science
Victor Delorme, Ghislain David, Stephane Dejean, Julia Mouton, Xavier Garric, Jean Coudane, Helene van den Berghe
Summary: Describes the synthesis of a fully biodegradable amphiphilic copolymer PCL-g-CHT, which has a hydrophobic PCL backbone and hydrophilic CHT grafts. The copolymer self-assembles into nanomicelles and can be used for novel drug delivery systems.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanbo Zhang, Yaqi Wu, Ming Yang, Gang Zhang, Haiyan Ju
Summary: The 10:90 (w/w) blend ratio of CS/PCL is recommended for preparing CS-PCL membranes for tissue engineering applications, as it showed the best performance in terms of thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and dynamic mechanical viscoelasticity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Po-Yu Chou, Shyr-Yi Lin, Yi-No Wu, Chia-Yu Shen, Ming-Thau Sheu, Hsiu-O Ho
Summary: In this study, glycosylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with tumor-specific antigens and adjuvants were developed for targeted delivery to dendritic cells (DCs). The results showed that the glycosylated NPs effectively enhanced antigen uptake and DC maturation, and promoted cellular immunity and T-cell recruitment into tumor sites in vivo.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ekta Singh, Riyaz Ali M. Osmani, Rinti Banerjee, Amr Selim Abu Lila, Afrasim Moin, Khaled Almansour, Hany H. Arab, Hadil Faris Alotaibi, El-Sayed Khafagy
Summary: This study developed leflunomide-loaded nanoparticles as a local drug delivery system for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The nanoparticles showed sustained drug release in simulated synovial fluid and demonstrated efficacy in reducing inflammation and immune responses without notable toxicity in animal models. These findings suggest that intra-articularly administered leflunomide nanoparticles could be a potential alternative to systemic drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yaozong Li, Yingying Peng, Yang Hu, Jian Liu, Teng Yuan, Wuyi Zhou, Xianming Dong, Chaoyang Wang, Bernard P. Binks, Zhuohong Yang
Summary: Poly-(& epsilon;-caprolactone)(PCL)-incorporated lignin-chitosanbiomass-basednanocomposite porous scaffolds were prepared using templatingoil-in-water Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). The scaffolds exhibited interconnected and tunable pore structures, with improved mechanical strength and reduced water absorption capacity as the PCL content increased. Additionally, the scaffolds loaded with enrofloxacin displayed slow and adjustable drug release profiles, as well as favorable long-term antibacterial activity. The technique of combining freeze-drying with Pickering HIPE templates showed promise for fabricating hydrophobic biopolymer-incorporated biomass-based nanocomposite porous scaffolds for biomedical applications.
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Bakhshali Massoumi, Mojtaba Abbasian, Balal Khalilzadeh, Rana Jahanban-Esfahlan, Hadi Samadian, Hossein Derakhshankhah, Mehdi Jaymand
Summary: Two novel electrically conductive nanofibrous scaffolds based on chitosan-grafted polythiophene (CS-g-PTh) and chitosan-grafted polythiophene/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (CS-g-PTh/PCL) were fabricated using electrospinning technique, showing good biological compatibility, conductivity, and cell proliferation. The CS-g-PTh/PCL scaffold exhibited slightly higher cell proliferation than the CS-g-PTh scaffold within 7 days.
FIBERS AND POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Huan Chen, Yiming Zhang, Lulu Li, Rui Guo, Xiangyang Shi, Xueyan Cao
Summary: Cell-based immunotherapy, particularly T cell-mediated immunotherapy triggered by Au DENPs-MPC loaded with CpG-ODN, shows promising potential in completely eliminating cancer by enhancing the antigen presentation ability of BMDCs and activating T cells to inhibit tumor cell growth.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Inbar Shreiber-Livne, Liron Sulimani, Anna Shapira, Shiri Procaccia, David Meiri, Alejandro Sosnik
Summary: This study investigates the encapsulation of non-psychoactive CBD in nanoparticles to improve its oral performance. The CBD-loaded nanoparticles exhibit high encapsulation efficiency and release the drug more efficiently under intestine-like conditions. Oral pharmacokinetics in rats demonstrate a significant increase in drug concentration and faster absorption compared to free CBD suspension. The study highlights the potential of this nanotechnology strategy to enhance the oral bioavailability of CBD.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zifu Zhong, Yong Chen, Kim Deswarte, Heleen Lauwers, Emily De Lombaerde, Xiaole Cui, Simon Van Herck, Tingting Ye, Mark Gontsarik, Stefan Lienenklaus, Niek N. Sanders, Bart N. Lambrecht, Stefaan De Koker, Bruno G. De Geest
Summary: Synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides can activate innate immune cells, and when combined with ionizable cationic lipid lipid nanoparticles, can trigger strong immune activation in lymph nodes, showing potential in vaccine design and cancer immunotherapy.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Aliakbar Jafari, Vafa Fakhri, Soosan Kamrani, S. Reza Ghaffarian Anbaran, Chia-Hung Su, Vahabodin Goodarzi, Vahid Pirouzfar, Hossein Ali Khonakdar
Summary: This study reports the synthesis and characterization of elastomeric PCL/PGSu blends and their nanocomposites with improved surface wettability, tunable mechanical properties, and controlled biodegradation. By tailoring the surface and bulk properties of the scaffolds using a change in PCL to PGSu ratio, adding nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) as a filler, and deposition of PPy on the scaffolds, it is possible to engineer scaffolds with customized degradation and mechanical properties.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Correction
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Luciano S. Fusco, Maria M. Pascual, David Hernandez, Maria F. Sanchez Vallecillo, Maria B. Arrieta, Gabriel Moron, Santiago Palma, Belkys A. Maletto, Laura C. Leiva
Summary: Antivenom is the only safe and effective treatment for snake venom. Researchers are looking for alternative immunological adjuvants due to the potentially severe inflammatory effects of Freund's Adjuvant. A study found that the CpG-ODN formulation in a 6-O-ascorbyl palmitate nanostructure was a more efficient adjuvant, resulting in high antibody titers and immune responses compared to CpG-ODN alone.
Review
Agronomy
Meisam Zargar, Maryam Bayat, Francess Sia Saquee, Simbo Diakite, Nakhaev M. Ramzanovich, Khasukhadzhiev A. S. Akhmadovich
Summary: The number of effective herbicides available to farmers is decreasing due to increasing herbicide resistance. It is important to address weed management challenges by investigating the potential of newly introduced materials, such as biocompatible polymer-based nanoparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Mahdi Abasalta, Azadeh Asefnejad, Mohammad Taghi Khorasani, Ahmad Ramazani Saadatabadi
Summary: The research developed coaxial electrospinning for producing core-shell nanofibers to control drug release. Extended release and controlled release were achieved under physiological pH against breast cancer cells.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mariana Colaco, Ana P. Marques, Sandra Jesus, Alana Duarte, Olga Borges
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Debora B. Scariot, Helito Volpato, Nilma S. Fernandes, Danielle Lazarin-Bidoia, Olga Borges, Maria do Ceu Sousa, Fernanda A. Rosa, Andrey P. Jacomini, Sueli O. Silva, Tania Ueda-Nakamura, Adley F. Rubira, Celso V. Nakamura
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sandra Jesus, Ana Patricia Marques, Alana Duarte, Edna Soares, Joao Panao Costa, Mariana Colaco, Melanie Schmutz, Claudia Som, Gerrit Borchard, Peter Wick, Olga Borges
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariana Colaco, Alana Duarte, Monica Zuzarte, Benilde F. O. Costa, Olga Borges
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sandra Jesus, Natalia Bernardi, Jessica da Silva, Mariana Colaco, Joao Panao Costa, Pedro Fonte, Olga Borges
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edna Soares, Julie Reis, Mariana Rodrigues, Carlos Fontes Ribeiro, Frederico C. Pereira
Summary: Depression is closely associated with physical exercise and extracellular vesicles, which help reduce systemic inflammation. New discoveries in this field provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of depression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bruno H. Vilsinski, Paulo R. Souza, Ariel C. de Oliveira, Cesar M. C. Filho, Artur J. M. Valente, Edvani C. Muniz, Olga Borges, Adriana P. Gerola, Wilker Caetano, Alessandro F. Martins
Summary: Methylene blue is an efficient photosensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy treatment, with high singlet oxygen quantum yield in different fluids. Hydrogels are investigated for MB delivery, with swelling degree depending on MB incorporation, methacrylation degree, and pH of the simulated fluid. The release of MB in simulated fluids shows unusual behavior due to hydrogel erosion/degradation, with potential for gastrointestinal cancer treatment.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mafalda Campeao, Luciana Fernandes, Ines R. Pita, Cristina Lemos, Syed F. Ali, Felix Carvalho, Paulo Rodrigues-Santos, Carlos A. Fontes-Ribeiro, Edna Soares, Sofia D. Viana, Frederico C. Pereira
Summary: This study found that binge exposure to MDPV did not result in evident changes in behavior, neurochemistry, and glial cells compared to METH. Further profiling of MDPV's neuropharmacological profile at different time-points, regimens, and brain regions is needed.
Article
Immunology
Joao Panao Costa, Sandra Jesus, Mariana Colaco, Alana Duarte, Edna Soares, Olga Borges
Summary: The increasing awareness of endotoxin contamination has raised important questions during the study of the mechanism of action of the vaccine adjuvants. This short communication discusses the suitability of the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay to quantify chitosan nanoparticle endotoxin contamination and its impact on in vitro immunotoxicology studies. The study found that chit nanoparticles had a masking effect on endotoxin levels, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions about their contamination effects. Non-LF and LF Chit NPs did not induce the production of certain immune response markers. Overall, nanomaterials should be produced under endotoxin-free conditions to prevent questionable results.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mariana Colaco, Tiago Roquito, Joao Panao Costa, Maria Teresa Cruz, Olga Borges
Summary: Curcumin, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has poor clinical efficacy due to its low water solubility and bioavailability. Encapsulation of curcumin in glucan nanoparticles has been considered a promising strategy, but its adverse effects on the immune system have not been adequately assessed. In this study, two different-sized curcumin-loaded glucan nanoparticles were produced and evaluated for their effects on immune cells. The results showed that the smallest particles had the greatest hemolytic effect and cytotoxicity, while the larger particles were able to inhibit the production of NO by macrophages. Both particle sizes induced lymphocyte proliferation and TNF-alpha secretion by Mo-DCs. These findings highlight the importance of immunotoxicity assessment and its dependence on the properties of nanomaterials.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Natalia Bernardi, Sandra Jesus, Olga Borges
Summary: The small size and large surface area of nano- and microparticles make them unique for drug delivery and have the potential to overcome limitations of conventional therapeutic medicine. Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles are widely studied due to their excellent biocompatibility and degradability, while glucan has emerged as a promising natural polymer for drug delivery. This comprehensive review summarizes the production methods, physicochemical characteristics, and immunotoxicity profiles of PCL and glucan particles developed for drug delivery.
JOURNAL OF BIOMIMETICS BIOMATERIALS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ali Maruf, Malgorzata Milewska, Tibor Kovacs, Mate Varga, Tibor Vellai, Anna Lalik, Sebastian Student, Olga Borges, Ilona Wandzik
Summary: This study developed stable nanogels that can sustainably release trehalose under physiological conditions and demonstrated their non-toxicity. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that these nanogels can efficiently uptake and stimulate autophagic activity.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aikaterini-Theodora Chatzitaki, Sandra Jesus, Christina Karavasili, Dimitrios Andreadis, Dimitrios G. Fatouros, Olga Borges
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2020)
