A study of the subdiffusion of small molecules in charged polyelectrolyte multilayers

A theoretical approach has been developed here to describe the slow diffusion of small charged molecules of sodium dithionite (S2O42−) in polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) composed of polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), which is demonstrated here to be a case of subdifussion. Diffusion is measured experimentally by recording the quenching of the fluorescence of (7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4yl) amino (NBD) labelled PAH layers assembled on silica particles by flow cytometry. NBD is reduced when it encounters dithionite leading to the disappearance of the fluorescence. The fluorescence decay curves show a slow diffusion of dithionite, that does not follow classical Fickean law. Dithionite diffusion in the PEMs is shown to be a non-Markovian process and the slow diffusion can be described via diffusion equations with fractional time derivatives. Results are explained assuming subdifussion of dithionite in the PEMs, as a result of the trapping of the negatively charged dithionite in the positively charged layers of PAH.

The ability of the natural chemoprophylactic agent curcumin to function as an effective UV photosensitiser

It is known that some plant polyphenols and alkaloids can act as effective photosensitisers of UV radiation. This phenomenon can enhance both therapeutic and side effects. Since there is no information regarding curcuminoids on their ability to function as UV photosensitisers, this work investigated the effect of UV radiation on the cytotoxic effect of curcumin, as well as its nanostructured forms, against keratinocytes of the HaCaT line and cancer cells MDA-MB-231. The results obtained indicate that curcumin is an effective photosensitiser capable of initiating photochemical reactions under the influence of UV radiation of the A and B range, which lead to the formation of chemically active intermediates, disruption of membrane integrity and cell death. When curcumin is incorporated into nanostructures based on polyallylamine hydrochloride /polystyrene sulfate and chitosan /dextran sulfate, its ability to function as a UV photosensitiser is retained.

Rapid Detection of Gut Microbial Metabolite Trimethylamine N-Oxide for Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and trimethylamine (TMA) are gut microbiota-derived metabolites, and both are known uraemic toxins that are implicated in CKD, atherosclerosis, colorectal cancer and cardiovascular risk. Therefore, the detection and quantification of TMAO, which is a metabolite from gut microbes, are important for the diagnosis of diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis and colorectal cancer. In this study, a new “colour-switch” method that is based on the combination of a plasma separation pad/absorption pad and polyallylamine hydrochloride-capped manganese dioxide (PAH@MnO2) nanozyme was developed for the direct quantitative detection of TMAO in whole blood without blood sample pretreatment. As a proof of concept, a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of less than 6.7 μM for TMAO was obtained with a wide linear quantification range from 15.6 to 500 μM through quantitative analysis, thereby suggesting potential clinical applications in blood TMAO monitoring for CKD patients.

Amperometric L-Lactate Biosensor Based upon a Gold Nanoparticles/Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polyallylamine Hydrochloride Modified Screen-Printed Graphite Electrode

This work describes a novel L-lactate biosensor based on the immobilization of L-lactate dehydrogenase enzyme on the screen-printed electrode modified with a ternary composite based on gold nanoparticles, electrochemically-reduced graphene oxide, and poly (allylamine hydrochloride). The enzyme was stabilized by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. Applied working potential, pH and NAD+ concentration were optimized. The biosensor reports a specific sensitivity of 1.08 µA/mM·cm2 in a range up to 3 mM L-lactic acid with a detection limit of 1 µM. The operational and long-term stability as well as good selectivity allowed the L-lactic acid measurement in dairy products and wine samples.

Impact of Polyallylamine Hydrochloride on Gene Expression and Karyotypic Stability of Multidrug Resistant Transformed Cells

The synthetic polymer, polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAA), is found in a variety of applications in biotechnology and medicine. It is used in gene and siRNA transfer, to form microcapsules for targeted drug delivery to damaged and tumor cells. Conventional chemotherapy often does not kill all cancer cells and leads to multidrug resistance (MDR). Until recently, studies of the effects of PAA on cells have mainly focused on their morphological and genetic characteristics immediately or several hours after exposure to the polymer. The properties of the cell progeny which survived the sublethal effects of PAA and resumed their proliferation, were not monitored. The present study demonstrated that treatment of immortalized Chinese hamster cells CHLV-79 RJK sensitive (RJK) and resistant (RJKEB) to ethidium bromide (EB) with cytotoxic doses of PAA, selected cells with increased karyotypic instability, were accompanied by changes in the expression of p53 genes c-fos, topo2-α, hsp90, hsc70. These changes did not contribute to the progression of MDR, accompanied by the increased sensitivity of these cells to the toxic effects of doxorubicin (DOX). Our results showed that PAA does not increase the oncogenic potential of immortalized cells and confirmed that it can be used for intracellular drug delivery for anticancer therapy.

Enhanced Fouling Resistance and Antimicrobial Property of Ultrafiltration Membranes Via Polyelectrolyte-Assisted Silver Phosphate Nanoparticle Immobilization

Ultrafiltration (UF) is a low-pressure membrane that yields higher permeate flux and saves significant operating costs compared to high-pressure membranes; however, studies addressing the combined improvement of anti-organic and biofouling properties of UF membranes are lacking. This study investigated the fouling resistance and antimicrobial property of a UF membrane via silver phosphate nanoparticle (AgPNP) embedded polyelectrolyte (PE) functionalization. Negatively charged polyacrylic acid (PAA) and positively charged polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) were deposited on the membrane using a fluidic layer-by-layer assembly technique. AgPNPs were immobilized within the crosslinked “bilayers” (BL) of PAH/PAA. The effectiveness of AgPNP immobilization was confirmed by microprofile measurements on membrane surfaces using a solid contact Ag micro-ion-selective electrode. Upon stable and uniform BL formation on the membrane surface, the permeate flux was governed by a combined effect of PAH/PAA-derived hydrophilicity and surface/pore coverage by the BLs “tightening” of the membrane. When fouled by a model organic foulant (humic acid), the functionalized membrane exhibited a lower flux decline and a greater flux recovery due to the electrostatic repulsion imparted by PAA when compared to the unmodified membrane. The functionalization rendered antimicrobial property, as indicated by fewer attachments of bacteria that initiate the formation of biofilms leading to biofouling.

Влияние низкочастотного магнитного поля на полиэлектролитные микрокапсулы с наночастицами магнетита

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules have been prepared by sequential adsorption of oppositely charged sodium polystyrene sulfonate and polyallylamine hydrochloride molecules on the surface of calcium carbonate particles. The capsule shells are functionalized with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles to provide control over the localization of microcapsules and the permeability of their shells. The control of microcapsule permeability using a low-frequency non-heating magnetic field is based on the magneto-mechanical actuation, which, due to its high penetration ability, locality and safety, is preferable for application in vivo to magnetic hyperthermia. Here we report on the results of analysis of the effect of a low-frequency pulsed sinusoidal magnetic field with a frequency of 50 Hz on the permeability of the microcapsule shell for fluorescently labeled dextran molecules. It was found that the permeability of the shell increases with a decrease in the duration of the pause between magnetic field pulses, causing an increase in the amount of dextran in the shell.

Response of Optically Transparent pH Sensing Films to Temperature and Temperature Variations

There are numerous applications for thin films based chemical pH sensors, in such areas as biomedical, military, environmental, food, and consumer products. pH sensitive films fabricated through the ionic self-assembled monolayers technique were made of polyelectrolyte polyallylamine hydrochloride and the water-soluble organic dye molecule Direct Yellow 4. The films were monitored in various environmental conditions and for selected periods, at temperatures varying between −13.7 and 46.2 °C. Absorbance measurements and atomic force microscopy performed before and after thermal treatment indicate that for optimized thickness and composition the films maintain their functionality and are not affected by long-term exposure at these temperatures.

Decapsulation of Dextran by Destruction of Polyelectrolyte Microcapsule Nanoscale Shell by Bacillus subtilis Bacteria

One of the prerequisites of successful address delivery is controlling the release of encapsulated drugs. The new method of bacterial spore encapsulation in polyelectrolyte microcapsules allows for degrading the nanoscale membrane shell of microcapsules. The possibility of encapsulating spore forms of Bacillus subtilis in polystyrenesulfonate sodium/ polyallylamine hydrochloride (PSS/PAH) polyelectrolyte microcapsules was demonstrated. The activation and growth on a nutrient medium of encapsulated bacterial spores led to 60% degradation of the microcapsules nanoscale membrane shell. As a result, 18.5% of Fluorescein isothiocyanatedextran was encapsulated into polyelectrolyte microcapsules, and 28.6% of the encapsulated concentration of FITC-dextran was released into the solution.