Antimicrobial Activity of Nanoconjugated Glycopeptide Antibiotics and Their Effect on Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm

In the era of antimicrobial resistance, the use of nanoconjugated antibiotics is regarded as a promising approach for preventing and fighting infections caused by resistant bacteria, including those exacerbated by the formation of difficult-to-treat bacterial biofilms. Thanks to their biocompatibility and magnetic properties, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are particularly attractive as antibiotic carriers for the targeting therapy. IONPs can direct conjugated antibiotics to infection sites by the use of an external magnet, facilitating tissue penetration and disturbing biofilm formation. As a consequence of antibiotic localization, a decrease in its administration dosage might be possible, reducing the side effects to non-targeted organs and the risk of antibiotic resistance spread in the commensal microbiota. Here, we prepared nanoformulations of the ‘last-resort’ glycopeptides teicoplanin and vancomycin by conjugating them to IONPs via surface functionalization with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES). These superparamagnetic NP-TEICO and NP-VANCO were chemically stable and NP-TEICO (better than NP-VANCO) conserved the typical spectrum of antimicrobial activity of glycopeptide antibiotics, being effective against a panel of staphylococci and enterococci, including clinical isolates and resistant strains. By a combination of different methodological approaches, we proved that NP-TEICO and, although to a lesser extent, NP-VANCO were effective in reducing biofilm formation by three methicillin-sensitive or resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Moreover, when attracted and concentrated by the action of an external magnet, NP-TEICO exerted a localized inhibitory effect on S. aureus biofilm formation at low antibiotic concentration. Finally, we proved that the conjugation of glycopeptide antibiotics to IONPs reduced their intrinsic cytotoxicity toward a human cell line.

Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) fabricated composite microgels and their applications in different fields

This article encircles the research progress of Fe3O4 NPs loaded composite microgel particles. Preparation methodologies, properties and applications of Fe3O4 NPs loaded composite microgel particles are elaborated here. The effect of different factors on the stability and tunable properties of Fe3O4 NPs loaded composite microgel particles was also investigated in detail. These composite particles have exceptional magnetic properties that make them demanding composite nano-formulation in different fields. Applications of these composite microgel particles in different fields as micro-reactor, drug delivery vehicles, and in adsorption and catalysis have also been elaborated in detail. These composite microgel particles can easily be recovered from the reaction mixture by applying an external magnet due to the presence of fabricated Fe3O4 NPs.

Silver incorporated into g-C3N4/Alginate as an efficient and heterogeneous catalyst for promoting click and A3 and KA2 coupling reaction

Fe3O4/g-C3N4/Alginate-Ag nanocomposite as a novel and effective nanocatalyst was successfully prepared. This nanocomposite was fully characterized using several techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the catalytic activity of this novel and characterized nanocatalyst was investigated in the regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via click reaction and A3 and KA2 coupling reaction in aqueous media. The prepared nanocatalyst was simply recovered by using an external magnet and reused for several times with a slight loss of catalytic activity.

Magneto-sensitive Carbon-inorganic Composites Based on Particleboard and Plywood Wastes

The conversion of metal-modified (Fe, Co) sawdust into magneto-sensitive porous composites using thermal carbonization process in an inert atmosphere was successfully achieved. The as-prepared samples were characterized using nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis methods. The obtained results show that the structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained composites depend strongly on the metal precursor’s types. All samples exhibited a good magnetic property and can be easily separated from liquids by an external magnet.

Recovery of Gold in Au/Cu/Mg System from SH/Fe3O4@SiO2 as a Magnetically Separable and Reusable Adsorbent

The recovery of Au(III) in the Au/Cu/Mg system from mercapto-silica hybrid coated magnetite (SH/Fe3O4@SiO2) adsorbent has been investigated. This adsorbent characterized using FT-IR to determine functional groups, crystallinity study using XRD, surface morphology using SEM, material compositions with XPS, surface area using nitrogen adsorption, and TGA to study thermal stability. Adsorption of metal ions carried out with batch system for 30 minutes at a pH of 3. In the Au/Cu/Mg multi-metal system, Au(III) ions were easily desorbed (approximately 85%) by SH/Fe3O4@SiO2 adsorbent based on HSAB (Hard Soft Acid Base) theory that Au(III) ion is a softer metal than Cu(II) and Mg(II) where Au(III)>Cu(II)>Mg(II). The recovery of Au(III) ions was easily desorbed using thiourea 7% in 0,1 M HCl solution with the percentage of 79%. The process of SH/Fe3O4@SiO2 adsorbent separation after adsorption and recovery was very easy. The adsorbent could perfectly separate in 5 minutes using an external magnet. The SH/Fe3O4@SiO2 adsorbent can be reused on the adsorption-desorption process of Au(III) in the Au/Cu/Mg system approximately four times of cycle reactions.

Ultrasonic activation of N-arylation of amines with aryl halides catalysed by iron (III)

: A practical and promising protocol was developed for N-arylations of various aromatic amines. This protocol was carried out through the coupling reaction between various aryl halides and phenylboronic acid using iron (III). The processes are efficiently promoted by the catalyst system involving the environmentally benign iron (III) and the state PPh3. The advantages of this method are its versatility, convenient operation, and low cost, along with the yields, which are remarkably improved under ultrasonic irradiation, and the high purity of the products obtained. The catalyst can be magnetically recycled via an external magnet and reused several times without considerable loss of its catalytic activity.

Experimental and mathematical modelling of magnetically labelled mesenchymal stromal cell delivery

A key challenge for stem cell therapies is the delivery of therapeutic cells to the repair site. Magnetic targeting has been proposed as a platform for defining clinical sites of delivery more effectively. In this paper, we use a combined in vitro experimental and mathematical modelling approach to explore the magnetic targeting of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) labelled with magnetic nanoparticles using an external magnet. This study aims to (i) demonstrate the potential of magnetic tagging for MSC delivery, (ii) examine the effect of red blood cells (RBCs) on MSC capture efficacy and (iii) highlight how mathematical models can provide both insight into mechanics of therapy and predictions about cell targeting in vivo. In vitro MSCs are cultured with magnetic nanoparticles and circulated with RBCs over an external magnet. Cell capture efficacy is measured for varying magnetic field strengths and RBC percentages. We use a 2D continuum mathematical model to represent the flow of magnetically tagged MSCs with RBCs. Numerical simulations demonstrate qualitative agreement with experimental results showing better capture with stronger magnetic fields and lower levels of RBCs. We additionally exploit the mathematical model to make hypotheses about the role of extravasation and identify future in vitro experiments to quantify this effect.

In situ SERS Monitoring of Photocatalyst by Au-decorated Fe3O4@TiO2 Nanocomposites: Novel Perspective and Insight

The design and preparation of multifunctional nanomaterials are very important for photocatalytic research. Herein, we successfully fabricated Au-decorated Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) that can be easily separated by an external magnet....

Magnetically recoverable catalysts for the preparation of pyridine derivatives: an overview

Magnetically recoverable nano-catalysts can be readily separated from the reaction medium using an external magnet.

An efficient green synthesis of polyfunctional pyrazole-triazole hybrids and bis-triazoles via chromium incorporated fluorapatite encapsulated iron oxide nanocatalyst

In this report, novel chromium incorporated fluorapatite encapsulated iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3@FAp@Cr) nanocatalyst was synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, TEM, SEM, XRD and EDX techniques. The catalyst was used in the synthesis of various derivatives of pyrazole-triazole hybrids via the reaction of thiosemicarbazide or semicarbaside and pyrazolecarbaldehydes at room temperature with excellent yields and short reaction times. The protocol was also used in the synthesis of bis-triazoles in high yield and reasonable reaction time. The nanocatalyst was comfortably separated from the reaction mixture by an external magnet and was reused in six consecutive cycles without any remarkable changes in its catalytic performance.