Cellulose acetate nanofibers embedded with AgNPs anchored TiO2 nanoparticles for long term excellent antibacterial applications.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are effective antimicrobial agents however excess release of silver causes argyria and argyrosis. An strategy to avoid these detrimental side effects is immobilization of AgNPs on several organic and inorganic substrates. Herein, we propose immobilization of AgNPs on TiO2 nanoparticles by an environmentally green process subsequently incorporating the TiO2/AgNP into cellulose acetate (CA) nanofiber matrix. The TiO2/AgNP nanocomposite particles were prepared by coating TiO2 nanoparticles with polydopamine hydrochloride followed by a treatment in AgNO3 solution. Subsequently, the TiO2/AgNP nanocomposites were added into CA solution and electrospun to fabricate CA/TiO2/AgNP composite nanofibers. The samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, SEM, EDX, FTIR and antibacterial assays. Synthesis of TiO2/AgNP and its loading into CA nanofibers was confirmed by XRD, XPS, TEM and EDX analysis. SEM images indicated regular morphology of the nanofibers. The antibacterial test results confirmed CA/TiO2/AgNP composite nanofibers having excellent antibacterial performances for 36 h and substantial bacterial growth inhibition for 72 h.

Silver migration from silver-modified activated carbon applied as a water filtration medium in classic cartridges of jug filter systems.

A comprehensive study was undertaken in order to examine the possible adverse effect of jug filter systems (JFSs) on the quality of filtered water taking into account the released amounts of silver (Ag) into the filtered test water. Nine brands of JFSs (A-I) were investigated according to BS 8427:2004 using a validated ICP/MS method. Essential modification of BS 8427:2004 within the domain of the composite sample preparation was proposed and applied during the tests. The established grand mean concentrations of released Ag from A-H classic cartridges (containing Ag-modified activated carbon and ion exchange resins) and I classic cartridge (containing non-modified activated carbon and ion exchange resin) installed in corresponding JFSs were in the range of 2.6-13.1 µg l⁻¹ and lower than 0.014 µg l⁻¹, respectively. These values were applied for the estimation of the daily intakes of Ag connected with the consumption of water filtered using JFSs (ranging from < 0.0004 to 0.374 µg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹). After taking into account the grand mean concentrations of Ag established during the whole cycle of exploitation for nine JFSs and on the basis of available toxicological data for this element, no long-term risk for human health with respect to appearance of argyria (a condition caused by improper exposure to the Ag or Ag compounds) could be expected (the Hazard Quotient indices estimated as ratios of the daily intakes to the reference dose of Ag were equal or lower than 0.075). Ag-modified activated carbon is not included in the positive list of the authorised substances of the European Commission Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011. Additionally, this material has not been approved by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). A part of water filtered by JFSs can be directly consumed as drinking water and additionally the remaining water can be applied for the preparation of food products (drinks, soups, etc.). In both cases the quality of water has to fulfil the requirements listed in Directive 98/83/EC (Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 defines the quality of water intentionally incorporated into the food after the point of compliance as defined in Article 6 of Directive 98/83/EC). However, it should be underlined that point-of-use water treatment units (including JFSs) are not regulated under Directive 98/83/EC and additionally the parametric value for Ag is not included in this document. Therefore, a provisional migration limit for Ag leached from JFSs at the level of 25 µg l⁻¹ was proposed. This value for Ag would limit intake to less than 13% of the human No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) (0.39 mg person⁻¹ day⁻¹), using an assumption that each day 2 L of filtered water is consumed containing this metal at the provisional migration limit. All the JFSs tested meet this requirement.

Minor changes in serum levels of cytokines after removal of amalgam restorations.

Dental amalgam restorations release mercury and silver which is absorbed and distributed in the body. Animal studies have shown that both elements may interfere with the host by activation of the immune system in genetically susceptible strains at exposure levels relevant to those from dental amalgam restorations. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of no change over time in concentrations of a number of immune mediators in serum after removal of all dental amalgam restorations in patients with health complaints attributed to their amalgam restorations and compare with a healthy reference group. Twenty patients previously examined at a specialty unit for health complaints attributed to dental materials were included in a clinical trial and had all amalgam restorations replaced with other dental restorative materials. Serum samples were collected before amalgam removal and 3 and 12 months after the removal was finished. Twenty blood donors matched for age and gender were used as comparison group. A fluorescent bead-based (Luminex) immunoassay kit was used to measure cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in serum. At baseline, the patient group had slightly higher values for GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-2R, IFN-alpha, IL-7, and IL-12p40/p70 compared with the reference group. After amalgam removal a decrease towards the median value of the reference group was found for GM-CSF, IL-8, and IL-7. In conclusion, removal of all dental amalgam restorations and replacement with other dental restorative materials was associated with decreased concentrations of Th1-type proinflammatory markers in serum.

Silver deposition and tissue staining associated with wound dressings containing silver.

Argyria is the general term used to denote a clinical condition in which excessive administration and deposition of silver causes a permanent irreversible gray-blue discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes. The amount of discoloration usually depends on the route of silver delivery (ie, oral or topical administration) along with the body's ability to absorb and excrete the administered silver compound. Argyria is accepted as a rare dermatosis but once silver particles are deposited, they remain immobile and may accumulate during the aging process. Topical application of silver salts (eg, silver nitrate solution) may lead to transient skin staining. To investigate their potential to cause skin staining, two silver-containing dressings (Hydrofiber and nanocrystalline) were applied to human skin samples taken from electively amputated lower limbs. The potential for skin discoloration was assayed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. When the dressings were hydrated with water, a significantly higher amount of silver was released from the nanocrystalline dressing compared to the Hydrofiber dressing (P <0.005), which resulted in approximately 30 times more silver deposition. In contrast, when saline was used as the hydration medium, the release rates were low for both dressings and not significantly different (silver deposition was minimal). Controlling the amount of silver released from silver-containing dressings should help reduce excessive deposition of silver into wound tissue and minimize skin staining.

Enhancement of fluoride release from glass ionomer cement following a coating of silver fluoride.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the extent to which a coating of 10% silver fluoride (AgF) on discs of glass jonomer cements (GIGs) would enhance the release of fluoride ion into eluting solutions at varying pH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty discs each of Fuji LX, Fuji VII and of Vitrebond were prepared in a plastic mould. Twenty discs of each material were coated for 30 seconds with a 10% solution of AgF. Five discs each of coated and uncoated material were placed individually in 4m1 of differing eluant solutions. The eluant solutions comprised deionized distilled water (DDW) and three separate acetate buffered solutions at pH 7, pH 5 and pH 3. After 30 minutes the discs were removed and placed in five vials containing 4m1 of the various solutions for a further 30 minutes. This was repeated for further intervals of time up to 216 hours, and all eluant solutions were stored. Fluoride concentrations in the eluant solutions were estimated using a fluoride specific electrode, with TISAB IV as a metal ion complexing and ionic concentration adjustment agent. Cumulative fluoride release patterns were determined from the incremental data. RESULTS: The coating of AgF greatly enhanced the level of fluoride ion release from all materials tested. Of the uncoated samples, Vitrehond released the greater concentrations of fluoride ion, followed by Fuji VII. However, cumulative levels of fluoride released from coated samples of the GICs almost matched those from coated Vitrebond. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that a coating of 10% AgF on GICs and a resin modified GIC greatly enhanced the concentration of fluoride released from these materials. This finding might be applied to improving protection against recurrent caries, particularly in high caries risk patients, and in the atraumatic restorative technique (ART) of restoration placement.