Antimicrobial activity of hydrophobic cotton coated with N-halamine

Localized Bicirculating DNAzyme Self-Feedback Amplification Strategy for Ultra-Sensitive Fluorescence Biosensing of MicroRNA

DNAzyme-based cascade networks are effective tools to achieve ultrasensitive detection of low-abundance miRNAs. However, their designs are complicated and costly, and the operation is time-consuming. Herein, a novel simple noncascade DNAzyme network is designed and its amplification effect is comparable to or even better than many cascading ones. It is a nonenzymatic, isothermal, bicirculating amplification network consisting of two toehold-mediated strand-displacement reactions and a localized DNAzyme amplification strategy. Taking microRNA-122 as a target model, this ultrasensitive fluorescence biosensor has a detection limit of 84 zmol L-1, which is 8-orders of magnitude lower than that of the nonamplification one. The ultrasensitivity mainly benefits from the exclusive design and positive self-feedback mechanism of the ingenious bicirculating DNAzyme amplification network. In addition, the utilization of superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 particles not only helps for the localization of DNAzymes but also facilitates the rapid separation of signal probes (output DNA-CdTe QDs). This fluorescent biosensor also has the advantages of specificity, speed, thermal stability, and low cost. This novel design paves a new way to simple and effective bioamplification strategy, which may be very attractive for biosensors, DNA logic gates, and DNA computers.

Novel quat/di-N-halamines silane unit with enhanced synergism polymerized on cellulose for development of superior biocidability

A silane unit with enhanced synergism that is realized using one cationic quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) to draw anionic bacteria to two N-halamine functionalities was designed and polymerized on cellulose for superior biocidability. A monomer containing one tertiary amine, one amide N-H, and one imide N-H, was synthesized via alcoholysis of 3-triethoxysilylpropyl succinic anhydride with 2-(dimethylamino)ethan-1-ol and following esterification with 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hydantoin. The triethoxysilyl groups of the monomer were hydrolyzed to silanol groups to condense with counterparts in different hydrolyzates and with hydroxyl groups on cellulose to form a polymeric modifier. Each silane unit of the modifier has one QAS and two N-halamine functionalities (quat/di-N-halamines) after quaternization of the tertiary amine and chlorination of the amide and imide hydrogens. The resultant cellulose suppressed (7 logs) both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli within 3 min, demonstrating an enhanced synergism since the inactivation rate is faster than counterparts decorated with only N-halamine and with synergistic units of one cationic center and one N-halamine. The modifier exhibited promising stability and rechargeability toward washings, UV irradiation, and long-term storage. The proved enhanced synergism from the integration of one cationic center with multiple N-halamines directs the synthesis of more powerful biocides for developing antibacterial polymers.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Hydantoins: The State of the Art of a Valuable Scaffold

The review highlights the hydantoin syntheses presented from the point of view of the preparation methods. Novel synthetic routes to various hydantoin structures, the advances brought to the classical methods in the aim of producing more sustainable and environmentally friendly procedures for the preparation of these biomolecules, and a critical comparison of the different synthetic approaches developed in the last twelve years are also described. The review is composed of 95 schemes, 8 figures and 528 references for the last 12 years and includes the description of the hydantoin-based marketed drugs and clinical candidates.

N-Halamine modified thermoplastic polyurethane with rechargeable antimicrobial function for food contact surface

A TPU elastomer was modified with N-halamine polymers as a novel food contact surface material with rechargeable antimicrobial activity.

Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Polymers: A Mini-Review

Human safety and well-being is threatened by microbes causing numerous infectious diseases resulting in a large number of deaths every year. Despite substantial progress in antimicrobial drugs, many infectious diseases remain difficult to treat. Antimicrobial polymers offer a promising antimicrobial strategy for fighting pathogens and have received considerable attention in both academic and industrial research. This mini-review presents the advances made in antimicrobial polymers since 2013. Antimicrobial mechanisms exhibiting either passive or active action and polymer material types containing bound or leaching antimicrobials are introduced. This article also addresses the applications of these antimicrobial polymers in the medical, food, and textile industries.