Colloid and Interface Science Communications最新文献

Colloidal photonic crystals (CPCs), which are the ordered assemblies of colloidal particles, can reflect specific wavelengths of light. In particular, CPCs with controllable optical properties are promising materials for advanced photonic applications. Principally, the optical properties of CPCs, i.e., reflection wavelengths and reflection intensities, are controllable. These two characteristics are closely related to the assembled structures of CPCs, especially interplanar spacing and regularity of the assembled structures. The reflection wavelength is proportional to the interplanar spacing of the structure; thus, uniform expanding/contracting of particle-to-particle distance causes red/blue shift of reflection peaks. On the other hand, the regularity affects the reflection intensity; reversible order–disorder transitions enable tuning of the reflection peak intensities. To control the structures of CPCs, various stimuli-responsive polymers and electromagnetic interactions of colloids have been employed. This review explains the above methods and clarifies the future perspectives.

The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have ushered in the rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are considered a potential solution for AMR due to their dual role as antibacterial agents and antibiotic-delivery vehicles. AuNPs with varied surface area, charge, and morphology have been utilized alone and with antibiotics tailored on their surface to overcome resistant bacteria. However, transitioning AuNPs from lab to bedside faces challenges due to the inconsistent antibacterial outcomes and the need for a consensus on the optimal AuNP features that harness their potential as antibacterial agents. This review navigates through the interplay of AuNPs' surface and their antibacterial behavior, considering their surface charge, surface potential, surface coating, surface area, morphology, and antibiotic functionalization. Our review serves as a guide for AuNPs surface features that elicit the most favorable antibacterial outcomes, which will aid in formulating a novel antibacterial agent capable of counteracting AMR.

The unique physicochemical properties of black phosphorus (BP) nanomaterials make them extremely versatile, and growing concern has emerged regarding their biocompatibility. Here, we investigate the toxic profile of BP nanosheets under oxidative stress conditions in living cells and a simple animal model, Caenorhabditis elegans. Under normal conditions, BP nanosheets exhibit no adverse effects on cells and worms. However, the ability of cells and worms to resist oxidative stress is significantly impaired by BP nanosheets. Mechanism studies show that hydroxyl radical overproduction is induced by the reaction between BP nanosheets and H₂O₂, which may disrupt mitochondrial integrity and promote the leakage of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytoplasm. Meanwhile, BP nanosheets are degraded under oxidative stress conditions, providing opportunities for BP nanosheets to interact with cytochrome c, thereby disrupting the cellular antioxidant defense system and ultimately producing toxicity. Our research uncovers the potential mechanism of BP nanosheets with oxidative stress-induced toxicity.

N, N-bis (5-ethyl-2-hydroxybenzyl) methylamine (EMD) is a synthetic benzoxazine dimer compound. EMD targets and degrades the pro-oncogenic transcription factor c-Myc, initiating apoptosis in cancer cells. However, its use is restricted because of poor aqueous solubility and in physiological media. Cyclodextrin nanosponges (CN), a type of supramolecular macrocyclic polymer nanoparticles with hydrophobic cavities but soluble in water, are utilized here to load EMD in order to enhance its solubility. CNs with three different molar ratios of β-cyclodextrin (βCD)-to-citric acid crosslinker are synthesized: CN1 (βCD/citric acid 1:3), CN2 (βCD/citric acid 1:5), and CN3 (βCD/citric acid 1:8), and then loaded with EMD. EMD-CN2 exhibits a significantly higher solubilization efficiency (579.1 μg/mL) compared to the free EMD (59.09 μg/mL). The increased aqueous solubility of CN encapsulated EMD enhanced its anti-cancer efficacy. In vitro cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, and c-Myc suppression of EMD in cancer cells (A549 and HCT116) are improved over free EMD administration.

The current study aims to construct additional drug-eluting carrier for commercially available biliary stent, providing a practical strategy for the cost-efficient treatment of benign biliary stricture. Specifically, the commercially available biliary stent was endowed with porous polylactic acid coating via in-situ pore-formation induced by solvent treatment. The drug-eluting stent with fibroblast inhibition effect was successfully established by efficiently loading the antiproliferative drug of triamcinolone acetonide into the porous coating. The drug release behavior could be dynamically controlled by adjusting the pore morphology of the porous coating. The in-vitro coating degradation and the fibroblast inhibition effect of the drug-eluting stents were further evaluated to prove the effectiveness of the fabricated porous coating as an antiproliferative drug carrier.