Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Neha Choudhury, Somnath Das, Satyajit Samadder, Priyadarsi De
Summary: The pH-responsive random copolymers synthesized in this study showed high reactivity, with the removal of Boc groups resulting in copolymers with ionizable pendant groups. Differential scanning calorimetry and turbidity measurements were conducted to investigate the properties of the copolymers.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Beata A. Zasonska, Antonin Broz, Miroslav Slouf, Jiri Hodan, Eduard Petrovsky, Helena Hlidkova, Daniel Horak
Summary: In this study, magnetic maghemite nanoparticles were dispersed in superporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) scaffolds, resulting in a composite with excellent magnetic and mechanical properties. Cell experiments demonstrated significantly improved cell adhesion on the composite material, showing its potential for application in bone tissue engineering.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Alireza Khavandi Khiavi, Ali Ghanbari, Ramin Rasouli
Summary: The study investigated the fatigue and self-healing performance of poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate modified bitumen using various tests. Results showed that modifying virgin bitumen with PHEMA expanded the aromatic part of the binder. Additionally, the aging effects on healing capability were reduced by PHEMA addition. The healing indices ranged from 0.26 to 4.45, and the trends of PHEMA percentage with different tests were mostly consistent.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yiwen Xi, Prashant Kumar Sharma, Hans Jan Kaper, Chang-Hwan Choi
Summary: The study investigated the tribological properties of micropored pHEMA under physiologically relevant conditions, finding that it significantly reduced frictional energy dissipation at relatively high loads and sliding speeds. This was attributed to the greater amount and retentivity of the interfacial fluid supported by the free water squeezed out of micropores with smaller dimensions under higher load and sliding speed.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Praveen, Shuko Suzuki, Christine F. Carson, Stephen A. Moggach, Martin Saunders, Peta L. Clode, Matthew Myers, Traian Chirila, Murray Baker
Summary: Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels incorporating copper nanoparticles (Cu-PHEMA) were prepared through a two-step process, resulting in stable Cu NPs inside the hydrogel that exhibited slow leaching and moderate inhibition of bacterial growth. Incorporation of Cu NPs did not change the compression strength of the hydrogels.
JOURNAL OF NANOPARTICLE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manoj B. Sharma, Ozlem Kap, Hend A. M. Abdelmohsen, Mark D. Ashton, Garry R. Harper, Melike Firlak, Jasmine E. Aaltonen, Kerry A. Bolland, Ryan Bragg, Sarah Deeley, Ella Francis, Nahin Kazi, Bethany L. Mapley, Vasileios Oikonomou, Amal D. Aljohani, David Cheneler, Volkan Kilic, Nesrin Horzum, John G. Hardy
Summary: In vitro release of metformin, a drug used for cancer and diabetes treatment, from pHEMA hydrogel-based microneedle patches is demonstrated. The composition of pHEMA hydrogels can be adjusted to prepare robust microneedle patches with sufficient mechanical properties for skin penetration (insertion force of a single microneedle is approximately 40 N). Swelling experiments at different temperatures show temperature-dependent swelling and diffusion kinetics. Drug release from the pHEMA hydrogel-based microneedles is fitted to various models. These pHEMA microneedles have potential for transdermal delivery of metformin for the treatment of aging, cancer, diabetes, etc.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ping Zhang, Ziyi Xu, Zhiying Wu, Ping Xu, Canhui Yang
Summary: This study presents a method to enhance the mechanical properties of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels by incorporating biochar nanoparticles and hydrophobic aggregations. The resulting hydrogels exhibit superior mechanical properties and potential applications in various fields.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SMART AND NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hana Svozilova, Zdenek Plichta, Vladimir Proks, Radana Studena, Jiri Baloun, Michael Doubek, Sarka Pospisilova, Daniel Horak
Summary: A superporous hydrogel scaffold designed for 3D culturing of leukemic B cells shows improved cell vitality and is particularly suitable for primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. This scaffold serves as a long-term platform for 3D culture and allows direct cell lysis for efficient DNA isolation, as well as molecular and metabolic assays and imaging of cell morphology, interactions, and migration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Praveen, Shuko Suzuki, Idriss Blakey, Peta L. Clode, Martin Saunders, Matthew B. Myers, Traian Chirila, Murray Baker
Summary: Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels doped with gold nanoparticles (Au-PHEMA) were prepared through photochemically and thermally induced phase separation polymerization. The resulting hydrogels exhibited a network morphology suitable for surface-enhanced Raman scattering applications.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrea F. Verre, Alessandro Faroni, Maria Iliut, Claudio H. B. Silva, Cristopher Muryn, Adam J. Reid, Aravind Vijayaraghavan
Summary: Graphene scaffolds have been chemically functionalized to direct stem cell differentiation for potential therapeutic applications in peripheral nerve injuries. Functionalized GO substrates, particularly IKVAV, are more effective in guiding stem cell differentiation towards neuroglial phenotypes compared to standard glass, showing increased neuronal attachment and neurite growth.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Hong Zhu, Bing Tang, Yadong Lv, Yajiang Huang, Qi Yang, Guangxian Li, Miqiu Kong
Summary: Multifunctional epoxy resins are inherently brittle, and enhancing their toughness is crucial for industrial applications. In this study, a reactive PHEMA-PPG-PHEMA was synthesized to toughen TDE-85 by controlling the curing reaction temperature. It was found that composites with heterogeneous structures showed improved toughness without sacrificing other properties. This study provides a novel strategy for improving the toughness of epoxy resins.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomas Riedel, Andres de los Santos Pereira, Johanka Taborska, Zuzana Riedelova, Ognen Pop-Georgievski, Pavel Majek, Klara Pecankova, Cesar Rodriguez-Emmenegger
Summary: Non-specific protein adsorption triggers deleterious events in biomaterial applications. This study reveals that the variability of fouling on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is due to complement system activation, which amplifies fouling via the alternative complement pathway.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Mohammed Alassaf, Saad Mohammed Alqahtani, Rana Salem Al Khulaifi, Waseem Sharaf Saeed, Faisal S. Alsubaie, Abdelhabib Semlali, Taieb Aouak
Summary: Drug carrier systems of Mevacor/Poly(vinyl acetate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (MVR/VAC-HEMA) were prepared through free radical copolymerization and investigated for their drug solubility and release. The results showed that the system had uniform dispersion of Mevacor particles, low cytotoxicity, high drug solubility, and suitability for different gastrointestinal transit times.
Article
Polymer Science
Tatyana A. Pugacheva, Vladimir G. Kurbatov, Evgeniy V. Vaganov, Georgiy V. Malkov, Ksenya A. Tarusina, Vlada M. Organ, Elena V. Mitrofanova, Alexander E. Tarasov, Elmira R. Badamshina
Summary: The study focuses on the curing process of acrylic oligomers for rapid thermal curing coatings in the presence of HMMM, TBMG, and TMMG. The content of hydroxyl groups in the terpolymer and the concentration of crosslinking agent have minimal impact on the initial cure rate when HMMM is used as a hardener. However, in TMMG compositions, the amount of network polymer and initial curing rate decrease at short curing times. It is also found that using butoxy groups instead of methoxy groups as blocking agents leads to a decrease in both the initial cure rate and the gel fraction limiting value from 98 to 80%. Additionally, an increase in catalyst content accelerates the curing process regardless of the crosslinking agent used.
Article
Polymer Science
Yu-Fan Chuang, Mau-Kuo Wei, Fuqian Yang, Sanboh Lee
Summary: Engineering surface structures/textures have opened new avenues for various applications in lab-on-chip, flexible electronics, photonics, and so forth. In this work, we demonstrate the possibility of water-driven surface wrinkles of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogel after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in air and uptake of deionized (DI) water. Surface patterns form after the UV-irradiated pHEMA disks are taken out of DI water, with characteristic wavelengths dependent on the combinational effect of UV-irradiation dose, immersion temperature, and immersion time. Increasing the UV-irradiation dose, immersion temperature, and initial immersion time leads to an increase in the characteristic wavelengths of the surface patterns.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Beata A. Zasonska, Antonin Broz, Miroslav Slouf, Jiri Hodan, Eduard Petrovsky, Helena Hlidkova, Daniel Horak
Summary: In this study, magnetic maghemite nanoparticles were dispersed in superporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) scaffolds, resulting in a composite with excellent magnetic and mechanical properties. Cell experiments demonstrated significantly improved cell adhesion on the composite material, showing its potential for application in bone tissue engineering.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anastasiia B. Shatan, Vitalii Patsula, Aneta Dydowiczova, Kristyna Gunar, Nadiia Velychkivska, Jirina Hromadkova, Eduard Petrovsky, Daniel Horak
Summary: Uniformly sized magnetite nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition and chemical reaction, showing superior biocidal properties with time- and dose-responsiveness against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniel Horak, Karolina Turnovcova, Zdenek Plichta, Dana Marekova, Vladimir Proks, Radek Kaiser, David Netuka, Pavla Jendelova
Summary: In this study, a block copolymer consisting of PHP and PMAH was synthesized and conjugated with Dox and/or RGDS targeting peptide to create nanoparticles that can reduce glioblastoma tumor growth. The nanoparticles were found to effectively decrease tumor size and induce more apoptosis in treated cells compared to untreated cells.
COLLOID AND POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Darja Lisjak, Masa Vozlic, Uliana Kostiv, Daniel Horak, Boris Majaron, Slavko Kralj, Irena Zajc, Lovro Ziberna, Maja Ponikvar-Svet
Summary: The increasing interest in upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) in biodiagnostics and therapy has led to the development of biocompatible UCNPs platforms. This study investigated the effect of different phosphonate coatings on the chemical stability and cytotoxicity of Yb3+, Er3+-codoped NaYF4 UCNPs. The results showed that phosphonate coatings prepared at 80 degrees C significantly improved the chemical stability of UCNPs and reduced their cytotoxicity.
METHODS AND APPLICATIONS IN FLUORESCENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Oleksandr Shapoval, Hana Engstova, Daniel Jirak, Jan Drahokoupil, Katerina Sulkova, Zuzana Berkova, Ognen Pop-Georgievski, Blanka Holendova, Petr Jezek, Daniel Horak
Summary: Novel Yb, Tb, Nd-doped GdF3 and NaGdF4 nanoparticles were synthesized and their properties were controlled by varying the stabilizer concentration and fluoride source in the reaction. These nanoparticles exhibited excellent optical and magnetic properties, and achieved superior contrast in in vivo MR imaging of pancreatic islets.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chia-Liang Tsai, Ching-Yun Huang, Yi-Ching Lu, Li-Mei Pai, Daniel Horak, Yunn-Hwa Ma
Summary: In this study, it was found that cyclic strain reduces the internalization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), possibly due to decreased microvilli number and reduced vesicle size. Additionally, cyclic strain also decreases the uptake of other types of nanoparticles by cells. This finding can enhance the targeted delivery efficiency of nanomedicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Malgorzata Swietek, Yunn-Hwa Ma, Nian-Ping Wu, Aleksandra Paruzel, Waldemar Tokarz, Daniel Horak
Summary: In this study, tannic acid-modified silica magnetic nanoparticles were developed for antioxidant and cellular internalization purposes. The results showed that the tannic acid-modified particles exhibited high antioxidant activity and were well-internalized by LN-229 cells when a double layer of tannic acid-coating was applied. Additionally, the presence of a magnet greatly increased the cellular uptake of all tannic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The coating had a significant impact on nanoparticle-cell interactions and particle internalization. These tannic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles have great potential as intracellular carriers with preserved antioxidant activity.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Oleksandr Shapoval, Julian C. Brandmeier, Mykhailo Nahorniak, Viktoriia Oleksa, Ekaterina Makhneva, Hans H. Gorris, Zdenek Farka, Daniel Horak
Summary: In this study, surface engineering of upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) was conducted to immobilize an antibody specific to cardiac troponin I (cTnI) for the detection of cTnI biomarker. The developed method demonstrated improved sensitivity and stability compared to the conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Petr Salek, Jana Dvorakova, Sviatoslav Hladysh, Diana Oleshchuk, Ewa Pavlova, Jan Kucka, Vladimir Proks
Summary: This study presents a new type of polypeptide nanogel depots that are hydrophilic, biocompatible, and biodegradable, and can inhibit the activity of trypsin, which is an inflammatory mediator. The nanogels were successfully loaded with the natural serine protease inhibitor alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AAT) and showed high inhibitory efficiency in vitro.
BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Konstantin A. Milakin, Zuzana Moravkova, Udit Acharya, Miloslav Lhotka, Helena Hlidkova, Jiri Hodan, Patrycja Bober
Summary: By introducing dyes into polypyrrole-gelatin cryogels, the properties of the materials can be enhanced, including improved mechanical strength and conductivity. Different types of dyes have different effects on the materials, with cationic dyes having morphology-guiding ability, while anionic dyes do not. The introduction of dyes into polypyrrole-gelatin aerogels can increase the specific surface area of the materials.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mykhailo Nahorniak, Ognen Pop-Georgievski, Nadiia Velychkivska, Marcela Filipova, Eliska Rydvalova, Kristyna Gunar, Petr Matous, Uliana Kostiv, Daniel Horak
Summary: High-quality upconverting NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanoparticles were synthesized and modified with bisphosphonate-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) and Rose Bengal photosensitizer. The particles were thoroughly characterized and found to have the potential for photodynamic therapy of cancer due to the generation of reactive oxygen species under 980 nm excitation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mykhailo Nahorniak, Vitalii Patsula, Dana Marekova, Petr Matous, Oleksandr Shapoval, Viktoriia Oleksa, Magda Vosmanska, Lucia Machova Urdzikova, Pavla Jendelova, Vit Herynek, Daniel Horak
Summary: In this study, UCNPs with different surface coatings were prepared and characterized. The dissolution behavior of the particles in different media was evaluated, and the cytotoxicity and uptake by cells were assessed. The results showed that PMVEMA coating provided better protection against particle dissolution in water. However, the cytotoxicity of the particles depended not only on their ability to degrade, but also on the type of coating. UCNP@Ale-PDMA particles showed better biocompatibility compared to other surface coatings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Malgorzata Swietek, Antonin Broz, Anna Kolodziej, Jiri Hodan, Waldemar Tokarz, Anna Hlukhaniuk, Aleksandra Weselucha-Briczynska, Lucie Bacakova, Daniel Horak
Summary: Magnetic polymer nanocomposites that can be manipulated by an external magnetic field have great potential for bone tissue regeneration. In this study, a poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix containing iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized by various saturated fatty acids was designed. The addition of stearic acid-stabilized magnetic nanoparticles increased the strength of the composite material, while the addition of caprylic acid-stabilized nanoparticles showed no toxicity.
JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mykhailo Nahorniak, Viktoriia Oleksa, Taras Vasylyshyn, Ognen Pop-Georgievski, Eliska Rydvalova, Marcela Filipova, Daniel Horak
Summary: In this study, hexagonal NaYF4:Yb,Er upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) of 171 nm in size with a narrow particle size distribution were successfully synthesized. To improve their colloidal stability in aqueous media and incorporate a photosensitizer for producing reactive singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) to kill tumor cells, UCNPs were conjugated with 6-bromohexanoic acid-functionalized Rose Bengal (RB) and coated with PEG-alendronate (PEG-Ale). Characterization using various techniques confirmed the successful synthesis and O-1(2) formation. Cytotoxicity tests on rat mesenchymal stem cells showed reduced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity after neutralization of the positive surface charge of UCNPs and incorporation of the RB sensitizer.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zeinab Asghari Adib, Amir Reza Sharifi, Mohammad Ali Kiani, Hossein Yousefi, Daniel Horak, Uliana Kostiv, Ali Nabavi-Rad, Abbas Yadegar, Mohammad Yaghoubi-Avini, Hamed Golmohammadi
Summary: A biocompatible nanosensor has been developed for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, utilizing changes in pH-dependent fluorescence/color profile caused by the enzymatic reaction of H. pylori urease enzyme with urea. A portable 3D-printed smartphone-based imaging platform was fabricated for monitoring the nanosensor. This smart nanosensor shows potential for non-invasive diagnosis of H. pylori infection and offers insights for the development of innovative ingestible/swallowable sensors for non-invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
