Monometallic and alloy nanoparticles: a review of biomedical applications.

Current intrinsic deficiencies in biomedicine promote the rapid development of alternative multitasking approaches. Recently, monometallic and alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely studied for their potential biomedical applications. However, the research mainly focuses on monometallic compounds and metal oxide NPs that have already been studied. In this review, we investigate promising modified mono- and bimetallic NPs for improving the current state of materials science in medicine. It was contended that effective general biomedical applications can be enhanced by intelligent NP design. Particularly, we discuss transition and platinum metal compositions, iron-based and non-iron compounds, along with liquid alloys. Subsequently, we explore the capabilities provided by modifications such as inorganic and organic coatings, polymers, and biomolecules that can invent new NP designs for precise applications, ultimately resulting in an improved patient outcome. We provide a comprehensive assessment of the advantages and limitations of monometallic and alloy nanomaterials and possible solutions to problems that delay their development.

Physiological characterisation of Corynebacterium uterequi associated with pregnancy complications in mares.

Increasing cases of equine infertility and early embryonic loss in the Western Cape, South Africa, were documented in recent years. These appeared to be associated with Corynebacterium uterequi isolated from the uteri of infected mares. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the physiology and potential pathogenicity of this bacterium. Histopathological analyses were conducted on five mares suffering from reproductive complications, and from which Corynebacterium strains were detected on culture of uterine swabs. The histopathology revealed that the mares suffered from various forms of endometritis, suggesting a potential role of Corynebacterium strains in the disease. An isolate from one of the biopsies, and 11 other tentatively identified C. uterequi isolates from the urogenital tracts of other mares, which all had a history of pregnancy complications, were subsequently identified using molecular techniques and characterised based on environmental stress tolerance, enzyme profiles, antibiotic susceptibility and ability to form biofilms. It was found that representatives of C. uterequi possessed several virulence-associated characteristics, including trypsin and urease activity, as well as the ability to form weakly adherent monoculture biofilms. Several isolates displayed resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In conclusion, this study provided some insight into the general physiology and pathogenic potential of C. uterequi, and points to the possible role of C. uterequi in the onset of equine pregnancy complications. Moreover, the ability to form biofilms suggests the potential for chronic infection, which was observed in 60% of the mares. Further research, however, is needed to implicate C. uterequi as an equine pathogen.

Impact of cigarette butts on bacterial community structure in soil.

Cigarette butts contribute significantly to global pollution present on the planet. The filters found in cigarette butts contain a microplastic, cellulose acetate, as well as toxic metals and metalloids which are responsible for pollution in the environment. Although cigarette butt litter is prevalent in many soils, research on the effects of these cigarette butts is limited. In this study, we used Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA) to generate DNA fingerprints of bacterial communities in soil before and after the addition of cigarette butt leachate treatments. An ICP-MS analysis of the biodegradable and non-biodegradable cigarette butts revealed the presence of various elements: Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn. The analysis also specified which metals were present at the highest concentrations in the biodegradable and non-biodegradable cigarette butts, and these were, respectively, Al (1,31 g/kg and 2,35 g/kg), Fe (2,03 g/kg and 1,11 g/kg), and Zn (3,18 mg/kg and 15,70 mg/kg). Our results show that biodegradable cigarette butts had a significant effect on bacterial community composition (beta diversity), unlike the non-biodegradable butts. This effect can be attributed to higher concentrations of certain metals and metalloids in the leachate of biodegradable cigarette butts compared to the non-biodegradable ones. Our findings suggest that biodegradable and non-biodegradable cigarette butts can significantly affect bacterial communities in soil as a result of the leaching of significant quantities of certain elements into the surrounding soils.