Effects of adding functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets on physical, mechanical, and anti-biofilm properties of acrylic resin: In vitro- experimental study.

Background: Polymethyl methacrylate resin is widely used in orthodontic treatments. Graphene oxide (GO) has reactive functional groups on its surface that facilitate binding to various materials such as polymers, biomolecules, DNA, and proteins. This study aimed to investigate the impact of adding functionalized GO nanosheets on the physical, mechanical, cytotoxicity, and anti-biofilm properties of acrylic resin. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, fifty samples (for each test) were divided into groups of 10, in the form of acrylic resin discs with concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 weight percentage (wt%) of functionalized GO nanosheets and also the control group. Samples were evaluated in terms of physical properties (surface hardness, surface roughness, compressive strength, fracture toughness, and flexural strength), anti-biofilm properties (On four groups of micro-organisms, including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans), and cytotoxicity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22, descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance test, and Tukey post hoc test. The significance level was considered P < 0.05. Results: No significant difference was observed between the different groups with weight percentages of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2% nano GO (nGO) and the control group (without nGO) in terms of surface roughness and toughness. However, compressive strength, three-point flexural strength, and surface hardness showed significant differences between the groups. Furthermore, the degree of cytotoxicity increased by increasing the weight percentage of nano-GO. Conclusion: The addition of functionalized nGO in appropriate concentrations to polymethyl methacrylate can improve the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal biofilm properties without changing or increasing their physical and mechanical properties.

Antimicrobial effect of different physical and chemical compounds of zinc oxide and graphene oxide added to composite resins.

Background: Graphene oxide (GO), a product of graphite, is a candidate for nano-reinforcing cement-based materials due to its good water dispersibility and excellent mechanical properties. On the other hand, zinc oxide (ZnO) is well-known for its antibacterial characteristics as well. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the impacts of adding ZnO and GO nanoparticles on the antibacterial properties of flowable composites. Materials and Methods: In this, in vitro experimental study was designated into five groups containing: (1) no nanoparticles as control group, (2) 1 wt.% ZnO nanoparticle, (3) 1 wt.% GO, (4) 1 wt.% physical compound of ZnO and GO, and (5) 1 wt.% chemical compound of ZnO and GO. The antibacterial properties of composite resin discs were evaluated by direct contact test. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey' post hoc tests (P = 0.05). Results: Streptococcus mutans colony counting in the first 24 h showed the least growth rate in the chemical compound group (2.2 × 10[5]). However, in 7 days, the least colony number was observed in the GO group (2 × 10[3]). Moreover, the physical compound showed the least bacterial adhesion. Conclusion: Adding GO alone to composites, compared to adding ZnO or physical and chemical compounds of GO-ZnO, was more helpful to increase the antimicrobial characteristics.

Study of the effect of band gap and photoluminescence on biological properties of polyaniline/CdS QD nanocomposites based on natural polymer.

In this work, band gap, photoluminescence and biological properties of new bionanocomposites based on polyaniline (PANi)/hydrolyzed pectin (HPEc)/cadmium sulfide (CdS) QD nanoparticles (NPs) were studied. In order to improve the morphology and properties, CdS NPs were modified with epichlorohydrin to obtain the modified CdS (mCdS). The CdS@HPEc-g-PANi and mCdS@HPEc-g-PANi samples were synthesized via heterogeneous chemical polymerization and characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, SEM/XRD, EDX/TEM/EDX-mapping and TGA analyses. The objective of this work is the study of physical, optical and cytotoxicity properties of the nanocomposites and comparison between them. The SEM, XRD and TGA images showed that the modification of NPs resulted in homogeneous morphology, increase of crystalline structure and high thermal stability which influenced on physical and biological property. According to UV-DRS analysis, the mCdS@HPEc-g-PANi indicated lower energy gap compared to the CdS@HPEc-g-PANi nancomposite. The presence of conductive polymer and synergy effect between the PANi and CdS caused higher PL intensity in the CdS@HPEc-g-PANi nanocomposite compared to pure CdS. The emission intensity in the mCdS@HPEc-g-PANi nanocomposite was reduced since the organic modifying agent cause reducing emission intensity. The mCdS@HPEc-g-PANi nanocomposite, due to more compatibility of organic agent with cellular walls of biological cells that help to the diffusion of metal CdS NPs into cell tissue indicated more toxicity effect on cell growth.

Appraisal of the characteristic dataset of the synthesized nanobiocomposite hydrogel.

The survey on the characteristic data presented here, are related to the study entitled "Transparent chitosan based nanobiocomposite hydrogel: Synthesis, thermophysical characterization, cell adhesion and viability assay" [1]. Scanning electron microscopy images, evidence for structural confirmation and more description about biological assay are presented. The thermophysical characteristic including Differential scanning calorimetery and thermogravimetery analysis are described. Swelling kinetic parameters for the prepared hydrogel were calculated and showed that Schott's equation is well suited for explaining the swelling behavior of this transparent hydrogel.

Coenzyme Q0 immobilized on Magnetic Nanoparticle: Synthesis and Antitumoral Effect on Saos, MCF7 and Hela Cell Lines.

Many attempts in medical community focused on the preparation of anticancer agents. Various Coenzyme Q such as CoQ0 analogs have been reported as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant substances. In this study a novel derivatives of Coenzyme Q as an anticancer agent have been introduced. The prepared magnetic nanoparticle, containing CoQ0 were prepared using common chemical methods and also characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). To evaluate the antiproliferative effects of the nanoparticle, the prepared compound was treated with cell lines such as Hela, MCF-7 and Saos. Moreover, the outcomes were compared with normal fibroblast cell line. These assessments were performed by means of MTT assay. Investigation on the capability of this prepared nanoparticle showed some reliable results including cytotoxicities against MCF7, Saos and Hela cancer cell lines which were illustrated by displaying the morphology of the treated cells using AO/EB dual staining fluorescent technique. Employing simple method for preparation as well as the promising cytotoxic results makes it as a promising candidate for further bioexperiments.

Synthesis of bioactive polyaniline-b-polyacrylic acid copolymer nanofibrils as an effective antibacterial and anticancer agent in cancer therapy, especially for HT29 treatment.

In this work, a new highly water-soluble copolymer of polyacrylic acid with polyaniline is introduced. Acrylic acid was polymerized via the Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer method (RAFT) in the presence of an initiator and the obtained polyacrylic acid was copolymerized with aniline at room temperature. As the main achievements of this work, the resulting block copolymer with nanosized structure revealed favorable solubility in polar solvents, as well as excellent antibacterial and anticancer activities. Therefore, it is an appropriate candidate for medical applications such as wound healing and cancer therapy, especially in HT29 treatment.

Green synthesis, formulation and biological evaluation of a novel ZnO nanocarrier loaded with paclitaxel as drug delivery system on MCF-7 cell line.

In this study we design green synthesis of a novel ZnO nanocarrier loaded with paclitaxel as a drug delivery system with high cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and low side effects on the normal cell line (fibroblast). Paclitaxel is formulated in high concentration in Cremophor EL because of its low solubility. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared by the ethanolic extract of Camellia sinensis L., then coated with chitosan (Ch) and loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) to improve drug delivery. The physicochemical properties were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Drug loading on ZnO-Ch NPs was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro apoptosis assay was assessed by flow cytometry. The cytotoxic effect of the nanocarrier drug was investigated using MTT assay in cancerous and normal cell lines. The PTX-loaded ZnO-Ch NPs showed cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells, with minimal detrimental effects on normal fibroblasts. The results of apoptosis assay were compliant with MTT findings. Generally, ZnO-Ch NPs could be used as a promising drug delivery platform for PTX with low side effect on normal cell line and high cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cell line.

Transparent chitosan based nanobiocomposite hydrogel: Synthesis, thermophysical characterization, cell adhesion and viability assay.

This study designed to explore the characteristic features of the novel prepared hydrogel. This transparent nanocomposite hydrogel was formulated with employing environmental friendly biopolymer, "chitosan". To increase the hydrophilicity of chitosan, it was quaternized with triethyl amine. Also by incorporating click protocol, the triazole rings were inserted in the structure. After decoration with appropriate chemicals using efficient methods, functionalized chitosan and the corresponding hydrogel were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Swelling behavior of the synthesized hydrogel was assayed in both room temperature and 37 °C. Moreover, swelling kinetics were appraised and found that the experimental data fit the Schott's equation. To study the cell adhesion and proliferation, MTT assay was performed and the SEM images of 24, 48 and 72 h of direct cell culture on the surface of the scaffold were obtained. Morphological features of cultured cells were confirmed with Giemsa staining. The results displayed the potential capability of the synthesized scaffold for being used in bioapplications.

Structural and antitumoral characteristic dataset of the chitosan based magnetic nanocomposite.

The evaluation on the characteristic dataset and figures presented here, are related to our latest research data entitled "Fabrication of chitosan based magnetic nanocomposite by click reaction strategy; evaluation of nanometric and Cytotoxic characteristics" [1]. FTIR, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) measurements, Xray diffraction (XRD) information and the resulted figures for structural confirmation of the prepared chitosan based nanocomposite are presented in this article. The morphological changes of the Fibroblast, Saos, MCF7 and Hela cell lines after treatment with the mention compound were displayed. The additional adsorption data for the synthesized nanobiocomposite were also demonstrated with graphs.

Fabrication of chitosan based magnetic nanocomposite by click reaction strategy; evaluation of nanometric and cytotoxic characteristics.

Efficient procedure for preparation of the novel magnetic nanobiocomposite (MNbC) was successfully established by employing click chemistry protocol. The resulted structure exhibited valuable characteristics from biological viewpoints. The prepared materials and obtained nanobiocomposite were characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). To assay the antiproliferative effects of the MNbC; as cancerous cells, Hela, MCF-7 and Saos were evaluated by means of MTT assay and compared with normal fibroblast cell line. Promising antiproliferative effects were observed on both epitheloid and mesenchymal cancer cell lines depending on MNbC concentration and time. To detect the apoptosis-associated changes of cell membranes during the process of apoptosis, Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) dual staining fluorescent technique was incorporated. The studies in this article including all of these specifications represent convincing key findings that make MNbC as an appreciable candidate for further bio-applications.

Pentachlorophenol removal from aqueous solutions using Montmorillonite modified by Silane & Imidazole: kinetic and isotherm study.

BACKGROUND: Removal of pentachlorophenol (PCP) from wastewater containing chlorophenols, due to its toxicity, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, has been attracted much interests of researchers. METHODS: In this research, K10 montmorillonite was modified by silane and imidazole (Im) for increasing the removal percentage of PCP from aqueous solutions. It was characterized by FTIR, XRF, FESEM, EDS, and BET techniques. The influence of different parameters such as initial concentration, contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH, temperature and agitating speed was investigated. RESULTS: The maximum removal percentage (95%) were obtained for PCP at pH = 4. The isotherm experimental data for pentachlorophenol was best fitted using the Langmuir model and the kinetic studies were better described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic study indicated that the adsorption of PCP by the adsorbent was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic. CONCLUSION: In this study, the modified montmorillonite by silane and imidazole is appropriate and low cost adsorbent for increasing of the removal percentage of PCP from aqueous solutions.

Polythiacalix[4]amides as a Novel Category of Macromolecules; Synthesis, Antibacterial Evaluation and Investigation on their Spectral and Thermophysical Characteristics.

Polythiacalix[4]amides as a novel category of polyamides, with high sorption capability towards some environmentally hazardous metal cations, especially Hg2+, have been synthesized via direct polycondensation protocol using a thiacalix[4] arene dicarboxylic acid and commercial diamines. The polyamides were obtained in high yields and possess inherent viscosities in the range of 0.55-0.75 dl/g. The photophysical characteristic was studied by looking for the maximum absorption wavelength of each polymer using UV absorption spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis displayed high thermal stability for these polyamides in range of 337 to 346 °C at the point of 10% weight loss, and their char yields were about 32.9-58.5% at 600 °C. Also, glass transition temperatures were between 157 and 178 °C. To survey on possible sorption capability of these polythiacalixamides, solid-liquid extraction of some toxic transition metal cations, such as Cu2+, Co2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ from wastewater was performed. Antibacterial evaluation was conducted using Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria strains and some reliable results have been obtained. The results showed some promising features of their ability for being employed as possible ingredients of industrial antibacterial membranes.

Radioprotective effect of Zamzam (alkaline) water: A cytogenetic study.

BACKGROUND: Radioprotectors are useful compounds to reduce radiation toxicity of normal cells. Many natural radioprotectors have antioxidant power and display fewer toxicity and side effects than the chemical ones. Alkaline waters such as Zamzam have antioxidant power potentially. This study aimed to investigate the radioprotective effect of Zamzam water in mice bone marrow exposed to gamma radiation by micronuclei test. METHOD: Five study groups including control group which was fed by ordinary water, the second group was fed by Zamzam water, and radiation groups were received 2Gy gamma with ordinary and Zamzam water for 10 days and another for 20 days. The frequency of micronuclei and polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes ratio were calculated by micronuclei test. RESULT: In the absence of radiation, no significant difference was found between Zamzam group and control in the number of micronuclei in normochromatic erythrocytes, micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes, and the polychromatic erythrocyte to polychromatic erythrocyte plus normochromatic erythrocyte ratio. But all of these indices were significantly different between irradiated and non-irradiated groups. The frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes was not significantly different between 10 and 20 days Zamzam irradiated groups, but the reduction in micronuclei in normochromatic erythrocytes and an increase in the polychromatic erythrocyte to polychromatic erythrocyte plus normochromatic erythrocyte ratio compared to ordinary water were seen in 20 days Zamzam group. Dose reduction factor was 1.36 and 2 for Zamzam water groups of 10 days and 20 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that Zamzam alkaline water could reduce clastogenic and cytotoxic effects of gamma irradiation.

p-Sulfonic Acid Calix[4]arene as an Efficient Catalyst for One-Pot Synthesis of Pharmaceutically Significant Coumarin Derivatives under Solvent-Free Condition.

One-pot and efficient protocol for preparation of some potent pharmaceutically valuable coumarin derivatives under solvent-free condition via direct coupling using biologically nontoxic organocatalyst, calix[4]arene tetrasulfonic acid (CSA), was introduced. Calix[4]arene sulfonic acid has been incorporated lately as a magnificent and recyclable organocatalyst for the synthesis of some organic compounds. Nontoxicity, solvent-free conditions, good-to-excellent yields for pharmaceutically significant structures, and especially ease of catalyst recovery make this procedure valuable and environmentally benign.