Nanobioimaging and sensing of infectious diseases

New methods to identify trace amount of infectious pathogens rapidly, accurately and with high sensitivity are in constant demand to prevent epidemics and loss of lives. Early detection of these pathogens to prevent, treat and contain the spread of infections is crucial. Therefore, there is a need and urgency for sensitive, specific, accurate, easy-to-use diagnostic tests. Versatile biofunctionalized engineered nanomaterials are proving to be promising in meeting these needs in diagnosing the pathogens in food, blood and clinical samples. The unique optical and magnetic properties of the nanoscale materials have been put to use for the diagnostics. In this review, we focus on the developments of the fluorescent nanoparticles, metallic nanostructures and superparamagnetic nanoparticles for bioimaging and detection of infectious microorganisms. The various nanodiagnostic assays developed to image, detect and capture infectious virus and bacteria in solutions, food or biological samples in vitro and in vivo are presented and their relevance to developing countries is discussed.

Ultra-small water-dispersible fluorescent chitosan nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and specific targeting

A robust water-in-oil microemulsion method of making water-dispersible ultra-small (<30 nm) size fluorescent chitosan nanoparticles is reported for the first time and specific targeting of these FCNPs to human leukemia cells via aptamer recognition is demonstrated.

Silica-based multimodal/multifunctional nanoparticles for bioimaging and biosensing applications

In the last decade, the field of nanoparticle (NP) technology has attracted immense interest in bioimaging and biosensing research. This technology has demonstrated its capability in obtaining sensitive data in a noninvasive manner, promising a breakthrough in early-stage cancer diagnosis, stem cell tracking, drug delivery, pathogen detection and gene delivery in the near future. However, successful and wide application of this technology relies greatly on robust NP engineering and synthesis methodologies. The NP development steps involve design, synthesis, surface modification and bioconjugation. Each of these steps is critical in determining the overall performance of NPs. It is desirable to obtain NPs that are highly sensitive, stable, imageable, biocompatible and targetable. It is also desirable to obtain multimodal/multifunctional NPs that will enable imaging/sensing of the target using multiple imaging/sensing modalities. In this review, we focus on silica NPs that have been developed for biosensing applications and silica-based multimodal/multifunctional NPs for bioimaging applications.

Release of antimicrobial and antiviral drugs from methacrylate copolymer system: Effect of copolymer molecular weight and drug loading on drug release

OBJECTIVE

To study the release of antiviral drug acyclovir (ACY) and antibacterial drug chlorhexidine diacetate (CDA) from synthesized copolymers of ethyl methacrylate and hexyl methacrylate of different molecular weights. The effect of the copolymer molecular weight and the effect of drug loading into the copolymer on the release of the drugs have been studied.

METHOD

Copolymers (I-IV) of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and hexyl methacrylate (HMA) were synthesized by free radical solution polymerization with a yield of 76-82%. The copolymer composition was determined by proton NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weight of the copolymers was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Copolymers I and II were of higher molecular weight while copolymers III and IV were of lower molecular weight. The copolymers were impregnated with 2.5 wt.% of ACY and CDA individually and the release rate of these drugs in water at 37 degrees C was examined. Drug loading was studied with 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 wt.% of ACY and CDA incorporated into a separate polymer.

RESULTS

Measurements of the in vitro rate of drug release showed a sustained release of drug over extended period of time. ACY release rate increases with decrease in copolymer molecular weight from copolymers I to IV (p<0.001) while CDA showed a different release profile. CDA release rate was higher from higher molecular weight copolymers I and II than from lower molecular weight copolymers III and IV (p<0.001). ACY release rate increases steadily with increase in drug load (p=0.011) while CDA release rate had a leveling effect with increase in drug load.

SIGNIFICANCE

Varying the copolymer molecular weight as well as the drug concentration alters the drug release rates and thus it is possible to control the drug release rates to a desired value.

Influence of additives on the properties of Bis-GMA/Bis-GMA analog comonomers and corresponding copolymers

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two additives: propionaldehyde (aldehyde) and 2,3-butanedione (diketone) on the properties of Bis-GMA diluted with TEGDMA and the synthesized Bis-GMA analogs, propoxylated Bis-GMA (CH(3)Bis-GMA) and propoxylated fluorinated Bis-GMA (CF(3)Bis-GMA).

METHODS

Nine experimental comonomers were prepared combining Bis-GMA and TEGDMA, CH(3)Bis-GMA, CF(3)Bis-GMA, with aldehyde (32mol%) and diketone (32mol%). Photopolymerization was effected by using Camphorquinone (0.2wt%) and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine (0.2wt%). Experimental comonomer viscosity (Brookfield viscometer), polymerization shrinkage (gravimetrically), degree of conversion (FT-IR) and contact angles (contact angle goniometer) were determined. Comonomer and copolymer T(g)s (DSC and Fox equation) were also evaluated. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha=0.05).

RESULTS

Bis-GMA/CH(3)Bis-GMA and Bis-GMA/CF(3)Bis-GMA with additives exhibited lower viscosities (p<0.01). Inclusion of additives into the comonomer systems did not produce significant increase in polymerization shrinkage (p>0.05). A significant increase in degree of conversion was shown for Bis-GMA/TEGDMA and Bis-GMA/CH(3)Bis-GMA with additives (p<0.01). Additives reduced contact angle and comonomer T(g) values, whereas the corresponding copolymers with additives showed an increase in T(g).

SIGNIFICANCE

Use of novel comonomer systems with the addition of aldehyde and diketone functional groups would improve dental resin composite properties.

Effects of solubilizing surfactants and loading of antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal drugs on their release rates from ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the effects of surfactants and drug loading on the drug release rate from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer. The release rate of nystatin from EVA was studied with addition of non-ionic surfactants Tween 60 and Cremophor RH 40. In addition, the effect of increasing drug load on the release rates of nystatin, chlorhexidine diacetate and acyclovir is also presented.

METHOD

Polymer casting solutions were prepared by stirring EVA copolymer and nystatin (2.5wt.%) in dichloromethane. Nystatin and surfactants were added in ratios of (1:1), (1:2) and (1:3). Drug loading was studied with 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0wt.% proportions of nystatin, chlorhexidine diacetate and acyclovir incorporated into a separate polymer. Three drug loaded polymer square films (3cmx3cmx0.08cm) were cut from dry films to follow the kinetics of drug release at 37 degrees C. Ten milliliters of either distilled water or PBS was used as the extracting medium that was replaced daily. PBS was used for nystatin release with addition of surfactants and water was used for the study on drug loading and surfactant release. The rate of drug release was measured by UV-spectrophotometer. The amount of surfactant released was determined by HPLC.

RESULTS

The release of nystatin was low in PBS and its release rate increased with the addition of surfactants. Also, increasing surfactant concentrations resulted in increased drug release rates. The release rates of chlorhexidine diacetate (p<0.0001), acyclovir (p<0.0003) and nystatin (p<0.0017) linearly increased with increasing drug loads. The amount of surfactants released was above the CMC.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study demonstrates that the three therapeutic agents show a sustained rate of drug release from EVA copolymer over extended periods of time. Nystatin release in PBS is low owing to its poor solubility. Its release rate is enhanced by addition of surfactants and increasing the drug load as well.

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer matrix for delivery of chlorhexidine and acyclovir drugs for use in the oral environment: effect of drug combination, copolymer composition and coating on the drug release rate

OBJECTIVES

This study utilizes a bio-compatible ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer to deliver drugs at therapeutic levels over extended periods of time. The release rate of an anti-fungal and an anti-microbial drug namely acyclovir (ACY) and chlorhexidine diacetate (CDA) from EVA was investigated individually and as a mixture. The effect of drug combination, the composition of the copolymer and the coating of the matrix with a different polymer on the rate of drug release are presented.

METHOD

Polymer casting solutions were prepared by homogeneously dissolving EVA copolymer and the drugs in the ratio (40:1) in dichloromethane. The drugs ACY and CDA were used individually as well as in three different weight ratios maintaining the total drug concentration in the polymer at 2.5%. Different concentrations of vinyl acetate (VA) 28, 32 and 40% in the EVA matrix were used to study the release of either ACY or CDA alone while 40% VA was used for the release study of the individual drug as well as their mixtures. Thin square films of 3cmx3cm with a thickness of 0.7mm were cut from the dry sheet obtained by solvent evaporation. Coated films were prepared by dipping ACY and CDA drug-loaded EVA films (VA 40%) into EVA copolymer of VA 32% and then dried. All of the drug-loaded samples were extracted at 37 degrees C in 10ml distilled water that was replaced daily. The rate of individual drug release was measured by UV-spectrophotometer while the mixtures of drugs were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

The release rate of ACY is higher than that of CDA both individually and in the ACY/CDA 50/50 mixture. In the other mixtures, the release of the drug is proportional to its concentration in the mixture. Total release of ACY is higher than CDA in most compositions. The effect of increasing the vinyl acetate content of the EVA matrix increased the drug release rate (p=0.02) while coating of films resulted in a decrease of the release rate of the drugs.

SIGNIFICANCE

Measurements of the in vitro rate of drug release showed that there was a sustained release of drug at an almost constant concentration over extended period of time, thus providing a basis for oral treatment modality. We show that it is possible to alter the rate of drug release in the EVA matrix to a desired value by: (1) changing the composition of the EVA copolymer, (2) altering the mixtures of drugs and (3) coating the matrix with additional polymer. The use of mixtures of drugs that can enhance or decrease the rate of drug release may prove more effective in treating persistent oral infections in immunocompromised patients.