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Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2016) | Viewed by 87166

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Huan-Tsung Chang

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
Interests: nanoscience; green chemistry; fluorescence; sensors; surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy; mass spectrometry; separation sciences; fuel cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue on Nanomaterials-Based New Drugs and Antibacterial Reagents in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The venue is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes articles and communications in the interdisciplinary area of environmental health sciences and public health. For detailed information on the journal, we refer you to https://0-www-mdpi-com.brum.beds.ac.uk/journal/ijerph

Nanomaterias have become one of the most attractive new drugs and antibacterial reagents, mainly due to their high activity, ease in preparation, biocompatibility, and low cost. Size, morphology, composition, and surface properties (charge and ligand) of nanomaterials have been demonstrated as important factors in determining their activity. To bind to specific targets, nanomaterials are usually functionalized with recognition elements, such as DNA, peptides, and antibodies. Nanomaterials containing traditional drugs could provide synergistic effects, enhancing their activity and functionality. Alternatively, nanomaterials have also been found efficient for drug delivery and drug release.

This Special Issue is open to any subject area related to Nanomaterials-Based New Drugs and Antibacterial Reagents. This Special Issue represents an effort to capture current developments in this field, and to provide a forum for cutting-edge contributions to the literature.

Prof. Dr. Huang-Tsung Chang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

nanomaterials
drugs
antibacterial reagents
activity
biocompatibility

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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3041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ameliorative Effect of Curcumin-Encapsulated Hyaluronic Acid–PLA Nanoparticles on Thioacetamide-Induced Murine Hepatic Fibrosis

by Yu-Nong Chen, Shih-Lan Hsu, Ming-Yuan Liao, Yi-Ting Liu, Chien-Hung Lai, Ji-Feng Chen, Mai-Huong Thi Nguyen, Yung-Hsiang Su, Shang-Ting Chen and Li-Chen Wu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(1), 11; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph14010011 - 24 Dec 2016

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 7348

Abstract

In this study, we developed curcumin-encapsulated hyaluronic acid–polylactide nanoparticles (CEHPNPs) to be used for liver fibrosis amelioration. CD44, the hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor, is upregulated on the surface of cancer cells and on activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) rather than normal cells. CEHPNPs could bind to CD44 and be internalized effectively through endocytosis to release curcumin, a poor water-soluble liver protective agent. Thus, CEHPNPs were potentially not only improving drug efficiency, but also targeting aHSCs. HA and polylactide (PLA) were crosslinked by adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH). The synthesis of HA–PLA was monitored by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The average particle size was approximately 60–70 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Zeta potential was around −30 mV, which suggested a good stability of the particles. This drug delivery system induced significant aHSC cell death without affecting quiescent HSCs, hepatic epithelial, and parenchymal cells. This system reduced drug dosage without sacrificing therapeutic efficacy. The cytotoxicity IC₅₀ (inhibitory concentration at 50%) value of CEHPNPs was approximately 1/30 to that of the free drug treated group in vitro. Additionally, the therapeutic effects of CEHPNPs were as effective as the group treated with the same curcumin dose intensity in vivo. CEHPNPs significantly reduced serum aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase (ALT/AST) significantly, and attenuated tissue collagen production and cell proliferation as revealed by liver biopsy. Conclusively, the advantages of superior biosafety and satisfactory therapeutic effect mean that CEHPNPs hold great potential for treating hepatic fibrosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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3448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On-Line Monitoring the Growth of E. coli or HeLa Cells Using an Annular Microelectrode Piezoelectric Biosensor

by Feifei Tong, Yan Lian and Junliang Han

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(12), 1254; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13121254 - 18 Dec 2016

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4605

Abstract

Biological information is obtained from the interaction between the series detection electrode and the organism or the physical field of biological cultures in the non-mass responsive piezoelectric biosensor. Therefore, electric parameter of the electrode will affect the biosensor signal. The electric field distribution of the microelectrode used in this study was simulated using the COMSOL Multiphysics analytical tool. This process showed that the electric field spatial distribution is affected by the width of the electrode finger or the space between the electrodes. In addition, the characteristic response of the piezoelectric sensor constructed serially with an annular microelectrode was tested and applied for the continuous detection of Escherichia coli culture or HeLa cell culture. Results indicated that the piezoelectric biosensor with an annular microelectrode meets the requirements for the real-time detection of E. coli or HeLa cells in culture. Moreover, this kind of piezoelectric biosensor is more sensitive than the sensor with an interdigital microelectrode. Thus, the piezoelectric biosensor acts as an effective analysis tool for acquiring online cell or microbial culture information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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3516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antiviral Activity of Graphene–Silver Nanocomposites against Non-Enveloped and Enveloped Viruses

by Yi-Ning Chen, Yi-Huang Hsueh, Chien-Te Hsieh, Dong-Ying Tzou and Pai-Ling Chang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(4), 430; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13040430 - 19 Apr 2016

Cited by 206 | Viewed by 19927

Abstract

The discovery of novel antiviral materials is important because many infectious diseases are caused by viruses. Silver nanoparticles have demonstrated strong antiviral activity, and graphene is a potential antimicrobial material due to its large surface area, high carrier mobility, and biocompatibility. No studies on the antiviral activity of nanomaterials on non-enveloped viruses have been reported. To investigate the antiviral activity of graphene oxide (GO) sheets and GO sheets with silver particles (GO-Ag) against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, feline coronavirus (FCoV) with an envelope and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) without an envelope were chosen. The morphology and sizes of GO and GO-Ag were characterized by transmission, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. A virus inhibition assay was used to identify the antiviral activity of GO and GO-Ag. Go-Ag inhibited 25% of infection by FCoV and 23% by IBDV, whereas GO only inhibited 16% of infection by FCoV but showed no antiviral activity against the infection by IBDV. Further application of GO and GO-Ag can be considered for personal protection equipment to decrease the transmission of viruses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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2392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polyethyleneimine Capped Silver Nanoclusters as Efficient Antibacterial Agents

by Dong Xu, Qingyun Wang, Tao Yang, Jianzhong Cao, Qinlu Lin, Zhiqin Yuan and Le Li

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 334; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13030334 - 18 Mar 2016

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 7525

Abstract

Development of efficient antibacterial agents is critical for human health. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-capped silver nanoclusters (PEI-AgNCs), based on the fact that nanoclusters normally have higher surface-to-volume ratios than traditional nanomaterials and PEI itself has a strong antimicrobial capacity. We synthesized stable silver nanoclusters by altering PEI molecular weight from 0.6 kDa to 25 kDa and characterized them by UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The sizes of AgNCs were around 2 nm in diameter and were little influenced by the molecular weight of PEIs. The antibacterial abilities of the four PEI-AgNCs were explored on agar plate and in liquid systems. Our results revealed that the antibacterial activity of PEI-AgNCs is excellent and the reduction of PEI molecular weight could result in the increased antibacterial capacity of PEI-AgNCs. Such proposed new materials might be useful as efficient antibacterial agents in practical clinical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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1464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Gold Nanorods on Imprinted Genes Expression in TM-4 Sertoli Cells

by Beilei Yuan, Hao Gu, Bo Xu, Qiuqin Tang, Wei Wu, Xiaoli Ji, Yankai Xia, Lingqing Hu, Daozhen Chen and Xinru Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 271; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13030271 - 01 Mar 2016

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4395

Abstract

Gold nanorods (GNRs) are among the most commonly used nanomaterials. However, thus far, little is known about their harmful effects on male reproduction. Studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that GNRs could decrease glycine synthesis, membrane permeability, mitochondrial membrane potential and disrupt blood-testis barrier factors in TM-4 Sertoli cells. Imprinted genes play important roles in male reproduction and have been identified as susceptible loci to environmental insults by chemicals because they are functionally haploid. In this original study, we investigated the extent to which imprinted genes become deregulated in TM-4 Sertoli cells when treated with low dose of GNRs. The expression levels of 44 imprinted genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR in TM-4 Sertoli cells after a low dose of (10 nM) GNRs treatment for 24 h. We found significantly diminished expression of Kcnq1, Ntm, Peg10, Slc22a2, Pwcr1, Gtl2, Nap1l5, Peg3 and Slc22a2, while Plagl1 was significantly overexpressed. Additionally, four (Kcnq1, Slc22a18, Pwcr1 and Peg3) of 10 abnormally expressed imprinted genes were found to be located on chromosome 7. However, no significant difference of imprinted miRNA genes was observed between the GNRs treated group and controls. Our study suggested that aberrant expression of imprinted genes might be an underlying mechanism for the GNRs-induced reproductive toxicity in TM-4 Sertoli cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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7566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of Te and Te-Au Nanowires-Based Carbon Fiber Fabrics for Antibacterial Applications

by Ting-Mao Chou, Yi-Yun Ke, Yu-Hsiang Tsao, Ying-Chun Li and Zong-Hong Lin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(2), 202; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13020202 - 06 Feb 2016

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5654

Abstract

Pathogenic bacteria that give rise to diseases every year remain a major health concern. In recent years, tellurium-based nanomaterials have been approved as new and efficient antibacterial agents. In this paper, we developed the approach to directly grow tellurium nanowires (Te NWs) onto commercial carbon fiber fabrics and demonstrated their antibacterial activity. Those Te NWs can serve as templates and reducing agents for gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) to deposit. Three different Te-Au NWs with varied concentration of Au NPs were synthesized and showed superior antibacterial activity and biocompability. These results indicate that the as-prepared carbon fiber fabrics with Te and Te-Au NWs can become antimicrobial clothing products in the near future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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2918 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of High Valence Silver-Loaded Mesoporous Silica with Strong Antibacterial Properties

by Chun-Chi Chen, Hsin-Hsien Wu, Hsin-Yi Huang, Chen-Wei Liu and Yi-Ning Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(1), 99; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13010099 - 04 Jan 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6467

Abstract

A simple chemical method was developed for preparing high valence silver (Ag)-loaded mesoporous silica (Ag-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-SBA-15), which showed strong antibacterial activity. Ag-EDTA-SBA-15 exhibited stronger and more effective antibacterial activity than commercial Ag nanoparticles did, and it offered high stability of high valence silver in the porous matrix and long-lasting antibacterial activity. The synthesized materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ag existed in both surface complexation and Ag particles. EDTA anchored within a porous structure chelated Ag ions in higher oxidation states and prevented their agglomeration and oxidation reduction. The XRD results showed that most Ag in the Ag-EDTA-SBA-15 existed in higher oxidation states such as Ag(II) and Ag(III). However, the XPS and TEM results showed that Ag easily reduced in lower oxidation states and agglomerated as Ag particles on the exterior layer of the SBA-15. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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1745 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Developing a Dissociative Nanocontainer for Peptide Drug Delivery

by Patrick Kelly, Prachi Anand, Alexander Uvaydov, Srinivas Chakravartula, Chhime Sherpa, Elena Pires, Alison O’Neil, Trevor Douglas and Mandë Holford

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12(10), 12543-12555; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph121012543 - 09 Oct 2015

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6986

Abstract

The potency, selectivity, and decreased side effects of bioactive peptides have propelled these agents to the forefront of pharmacological research. Peptides are especially promising for the treatment of neurological disorders and pain. However, delivery of peptide therapeutics often requires invasive techniques, which is a major obstacle to their widespread application. We have developed a tailored peptide drug delivery system in which the viral capsid of P22 bacteriophage is modified to serve as a tunable nanocontainer for the packaging and controlled release of bioactive peptides. Recent efforts have demonstrated that P22 nanocontainers can effectively encapsulate analgesic peptides and translocate them across blood-brain-barrier (BBB) models. However, release of encapsulated peptides at their target site remains a challenge. Here a Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) reaction is applied to trigger P22 nanocontainer disassembly under physiological conditions. Specifically, the ROMP substrate norbornene (5-Norbornene-2-carboxylic acid) is conjugated to the exterior of a loaded P22 nanocontainer and Grubbs II Catalyst is used to trigger the polymerization reaction leading to nanocontainer disassembly. Our results demonstrate initial attempts to characterize the ROMP-triggered release of cargo peptides from P22 nanocontainers. This work provides proof-of-concept for the construction of a triggerable peptide drug delivery system using viral nanocontainers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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Review

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1389 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioactive Nanocomposites for Tissue Repair and Regeneration: A Review

by Jane Bramhill, Sukunya Ross and Gareth Ross

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(1), 66; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph14010066 - 11 Jan 2017

Cited by 81 | Viewed by 8753

Abstract

This review presents scientific findings concerning the use of bioactive nanocomposites in the field of tissue repair and regeneration. Bioactivity is the ability of a material to incite a specific biological reaction, usually at the boundary of the material. Nanocomposites have been shown to be ideal bioactive materials due the many biological interfaces and structures operating at the nanoscale. This has resulted in many researchers investigating nanocomposites for use in bioapplications. Nanocomposites encompass a number of different structures, incorporating organic-inorganic, inorganic-inorganic and bioinorganic nanomaterials and based upon ceramic, metallic or polymeric materials. This enables a wide range of properties to be incorporated into nanocomposite materials, such as magnetic properties, MR imaging contrast or drug delivery, and even a combination of these properties. Much of the classical research was focused on bone regeneration, however, recent advances have enabled further use in soft tissue body sites too. Despite recent technological advances, more research is needed to further understand the long-term biocompatibility impact of the use of nanoparticles within the human body. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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3459 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances on Inorganic Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Therapeutic Agents

by Fenglin Wang, Chengyao Li, Jing Cheng and Zhiqin Yuan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(12), 1182; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13121182 - 25 Nov 2016

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 7168

Abstract

Inorganic nanoparticles have been widely investigated as therapeutic agents for cancer treatments in biomedical fields due to their unique physical/chemical properties, versatile synthetic strategies, easy surface functionalization and excellent biocompatibility. This review focuses on the discussion of several types of inorganic nanoparticle-based cancer therapeutic agents, including gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, upconversion nanoparticles and mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Several cancer therapy techniques are briefly introduced at the beginning. Emphasis is placed on how these inorganic nanoparticles can provide enhanced therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment through site-specific accumulation, targeted drug delivery and stimulated drug release, with elaborations on several examples to highlight the respective strategies adopted. Finally, a brief summary and future challenges are included. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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3338 KiB

Open AccessReview

Antibacterial Applications of Nanodiamonds

by Sabine Szunerits, Alexandre Barras and Rabah Boukherroub

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(4), 413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph13040413 - 12 Apr 2016

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 7476

Abstract

Bacterial infectious diseases, sharing clinical characteristics such as chronic inflammation and tissue damage, pose a major threat to human health. The steady increase of multidrug-resistant bacteria infections adds up to the current problems modern healthcare is facing. The treatment of bacterial infections with multi-resistant germs is very difficult, as the development of new antimicrobial drugs is hardly catching up with the development of antibiotic resistant pathogens. These and other considerations have generated an increased interest in the development of viable alternatives to antibiotics. A promising strategy is the use of nanomaterials with antibacterial character and of nanostructures displaying anti-adhesive activity against biofilms. Glycan-modified nanodiamonds (NDs) revealed themselves to be of great promise as useful nanostructures for combating microbial infections. This review summarizes the current efforts in the synthesis of glycan-modified ND particles and evaluation of their antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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