Dual Ag/ZnO‐Decorated Micro‐/Nanoporous Sulfonated Polyetheretherketone with Superior Antibacterial Capability and Biocompatibility via Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐Assembly Strategy

Polyetheretherketone is attractive for dental and orthopedic applications due to its mechanical attributes close to that of human bone; however, the lack of antibacterial capability and bioactivity of polyetheretherketone has substantially impeded its clinical applications. Here, a dual therapy implant coating is developed on the 3D micro‐/nanoporous sulfonated polyetheretherketone via layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly of Ag ions and Zn ions. Material characterization studies have indicated that nanoparticles consisting of elemental Ag and ZnO are uniformly incorporated on the porous sulfonated polyetheretherketone surface. The antibacterial assays demonstrate that Ag‐decorated sulfonated polyetheretherketone and Ag/ZnO‐codecorated sulfonated polyetheretherketone effectively inhibit the reproduction of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. Owing to the coordination of micro‐/nanoscale topological cues and Zn induction, the Ag/ZnO‐codecorated sulfonated polyetheretherketone substrates are found to enhance biocompatibility (cell viability, spreading, and proliferation), and hasten osteodifferentiation and ‐maturation (alkaline phosphate activity (ALP) production, and osteogenesis‐related genetic expression), compared with the Ag‐decorated sulfonated polyetheretherketone and the ZnO‐decorated sulfonated polyetheretherketone counterparts. The dual therapy Ag/ZnO‐codecorated sulfonated polyetheretherketone has an appealing bacteriostatic performance and osteogenic differentiation potential, showing great potential for dental and orthopedic implants.     

Sodium 1‐Naphthalenesulfonate‐Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide Stabilizes Silver Nanoparticles with Lower Cytotoxicity and Long‐Term Antibacterial Activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly used in daily life for their antibacterial properties, but their low stability and high cytotoxicity hamper practical applications. In this work, sodium 1‐naphthalenesulfonate‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide (NA‐rGO) was used as a substrate for AgNPs to produce a AgNP‐NA‐rGO hybrid. This hybrid showed substantially higher antibacterial activity than polyvinyl pyrrolidone(PVP)‐stabilized AgNPs, and the AgNPs on NA‐rGO were more stable than the AgNPs on PVP, resulting in long‐term antibacterial effects. More importantly, this hybrid showed excellent water solubility and low cytotoxicity, suggesting the great potential application as sprayable reduced graphene oxide based antibacterial solutions.     

Sensitive Voltammetric Determination of Bisphenol A Based on a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Copper Oxide‐Zinc Oxide Decorated on Graphene Oxide

A highly sensitive and selective chemical sensor was prepared based on metallic copper‐copper oxides and zinc oxide decorated graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode (Cu?Zn/GO/GCE) through an easily electrochemical method for the quantification of bisphenol A (BPA). The composite electrode was characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical behavior of BPA in Britton‐Robinson (BR) buffer solution (pH 7.1) was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Under optimized conditions, the square wave voltammetry (SWV) response of Cu?Zn/GO/GCE towards BPA indicates two linear relationships within concentrations (3.0 nmol L^?1?0.1 μmol L^?1 and 0.35 μmol L^?1?20.0 μmol L^?) and has a low detection limit (0.88 nmol L^?1). The proposed electrochemical sensor based on Cu?Zn/GO/GCE is both time and cost effective, has good reproducibility, high selectivity as well as stability for BPA determination. The developed composite electrode was used to detect BPA in various samples including baby feeding bottle, pacifier, water bottle and food storage container and satisfactory results were obtained with high recoveries.     

Chemistry with Graphene and Graphene Oxide—Challenges for Synthetic Chemists

The chemical production of graphene as well as its controlled wet chemical modification is a challenge for synthetic chemists. Furthermore, the characterization of reaction products requires sophisticated analytical methods. In this Review we first describe the structure of graphene and graphene oxide and then outline the most important synthetic methods that are used for the production of these carbon‐based nanomaterials. We summarize the state‐of‐the‐art for their chemical functionalization by noncovalent and covalent approaches. We put special emphasis on the differentiation of the terms graphite, graphene, graphite oxide, and graphene oxide. An improved fundamental knowledge of the structure and the chemical properties of graphene and graphene oxide is an important prerequisite for the development of practical applications.     

Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide with ZnO Grown In Situ as a Cathode Buffer Layer for Polymer Solar Cells

A ZnO@reduced graphene oxide–poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (ZnO@RGO‐PVP) nanocomposite, prepared by in situ growth of ZnO nanoparticles on PVP‐decorated RGO (RGO‐PVP) was developed as a cathode buffer layer for improving the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). PVP not only favors homogeneous distribution of the RGO through the strong π–π interactions between graphene and PVP molecules, but also acts as a stabilizer and bridge to control the in situ growth of sol–gel‐derived ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of the graphene. At the same time, RGO provides a conductive connection for independent dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles to form uniform nanoclusters with fewer domain boundaries and surface traps. Moreover, the LUMO level of ZnO is effectively improved by modification with RGO‐PVP. Compared to bare ZnO, a ZnO@RGO‐PVP cathode buffer layer substantially reduces the recombination of carriers, increases the electrical conductivity, and enhances electron extraction. Consequently, the power conversion efficiency of an inverted device based on thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene/benzodithiophene (PTB7):[6,6]‐phenyl C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) with ZnO@RGO‐PVP as cathode buffer layer was greatly improved to 7.5 % with improved long‐term stability. The results reveal that ZnO@RGO‐PVP is universally applicable as a cathode buffer layer for improving the performance of PSCs.     

The New Strategy for Studying Drug-Delivery Systems with Prolonged Release: Seven-Day In Vitro Antibacterial Action

The new method of antibacterial-drug-activity investigation in vitro is proposed as a powerful strategy for understanding how carriers affect drug action during long periods (7 days). In this paper, we observed fluoroquinolone moxifloxacin (MF) antibacterial-efficiency in non-covalent complexes, with the sulfobutyl ether derivative of β-cyclodextrin (SCD) and its polymer (SCDpol). We conducted in vitro studies on two Escherichia coli strains that differed in surface morphology. It was found that MF loses its antibacterial action after 3–4 days in liquid media, whereas the inclusion of the drug in SCD led to the increase of MF antibacterial activity by up to 1.4 times within 1–5 days of the experiment. In the case of MF-SCDpol, we observed a 12-fold increase in the MF action, and a tendency to prolonged antibacterial activity. We visualized this phenomenon (the state of bacteria, cell membrane, and surface morphology) during MF and MF-carrier exposure by TEM. SCD and SCDpol did not change the drug’s mechanism of action. Particle adsorption on cells was the crucial factor for determining the observed effects. The proteinaceous fimbriae on the bacteria surface gave a 2-fold increase of the drug carrier adsorption, hence the strains with fimbriae are more preferable for the proposed treatment. Furthermore, the approach to visualize the CD polymer adsorption on bacteria via TEM is suggested. We hope that the proposed comprehensive method will be useful for the studies of drug-delivery systems to uncover long-term antibacterial action.     

Dual‐Physical Cross‐Linked Tough and Photoluminescent Hydrogels with Good Biocompatibility and Antibacterial Activity

Development of novel photoluminescent hydrogels with toughness, biocompatibility, and antibiosis is important for the applications in biomedical field. Herein, novel tough photoluminescent lanthanide (Ln)‐alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels with the properties of biocompatibility and antibiosis have been facilely synthesized by introducing hydrogen bonds and coordination bonds into the interpenetrating networks of Na‐alginate and PVA, via approaches of frozen‐thawing and ion‐exchanging. The resultant hydrogels exhibit high mechanical strength (0.6 MPa tensile strength, 5.0 tensile strain, 6.0 MPa compressive strength, and 900 kJ m⁻³ energy dissipation under 400% stretch), good photoluminescence as well as biocompatibility and antibacterial activity. The design strategy provides a new avenue for the fabrication of multifunctional photoluminescent hydrogels based on biocompatible polymers.

     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel 5‐cyclohexyl‐2‐(4″‐substitutedphenyl)‐3‐(2″‐substitutedphenyl)4H‐2,3,3a,5,6,6a‐hexahydropyrrolo[3,4‐d]isoxazole‐4,6‐dione Derivatives for Their In Vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

1,3‐Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of N‐cyclohexyl maleimide ( 1 ) with azomethine N‐oxide ( 2 ) have afforded novel isoxazolidine ( 3 ) in excellent yield. Their structures have been characterized from their IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, MS(ESI), and elemental analysis techniques. In vitro antibacterial activity of the synthesized compounds were investigated against a representative panel of pathogenic strains specifically two Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes ) and two Gram‐negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli ) using agar‐well diffusion assay. Some of the compounds ( 3a , 3k , 3n , and 3o ) exhibited promising antibacterial activities. All the synthesized compounds have also been screened for their antioxidant activities and were found to be significantly active.     

Fe‐enriched Clay‐coated and Reduced Graphene Oxide‐modified N‐doped Polymer Nanocomposite: A Natural Recognition Element‐based Sensing Electrode for DNT

Dinitrotoluene (DNT) is a signature material of all nitro‐aromatic explosives including the lethal 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT). A clay‐modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO)‐polymer nanocomposite was prepared as sensing electrode for the detection of (DNT) in the aquatic systems. rGO was in situ dispersed in the electro‐conductive N‐doped phenol/formaldehyde polymer and the clay ‘montmorillonite’ was coated on the nanocomposite. The clay, containing iron as one of its mineral components, served as the recognition element for DNT. Tested using electrochemical measurement techniques – cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, the prepared sensing electrode exhibited a low detection limit (0.0016 μM) on signal to noise ratio basis (S/N=3) and excellent linearity (R²=0.997) over 0.02–10 mg L^?1 with high sensitivity value (428 μA mM^?1 cm^?2) for DNT. The electrode showed negligible interference with the gravimetric and volumetric salts commonly present in seawater, and also, with explosive derivatives. The separate tests performed in a simulated seawater confirmed the suitability of the prepared electrode for use in field applications.     

Enhanced Peroxidase‐Like Properties of Graphene–Hemin‐Composite Decorated with Au Nanoflowers as Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor for the Detection of K562 Leukemia Cancer Cells

Graphene composites with hemin and gold nanoparticles show a better performance for hydrogen peroxide decomposition compared to that of the three components alone or duplex/hybrid complexes. Our previous studies showed that the morphology of the Au nanoparticles may greatly influence the catalytic activity of graphene‐family peroxidase mimics. Recently, we found that Au nanoflowers could grow in situ and form on the surface of hemin/RGO (reduced graphene oxide). The prickly morphology of this Au nanoflower brought a higher catalytic ability with enhanced kinetic parameters than traditional Au nanoparticles that showed a smooth surface. Therefore, based on this discovery, a smart electrochemical aptamer biosensor for K562 leukemia cancer cells was further presented with good performance in selectivity and sensitivity attributed to the excellent mimetic peroxidase catalytic activity of this newly synthesized Au nanoflower decorated graphene–hemin composite (H‐RGO‐Au NFs).     

Conducting Graphene Decorated Li3V2(PO4)3/C for Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathode with Superior Rate Capability and Cycling Stability

In this study, core‐shell structured Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C wrapped in graphene nanosheets has been successfully prepared. The reduction of graphene oxide and the synthesis of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C are carried out simultaneously using a chemical route followed by a solid‐state reaction. The effects of conducting graphene are studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectra and electrochemical measurements. The results reveal that the graphene sheets not only form a compact and uniform coating layer throughout the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C, but also stretch out and cross‐link into a conducting network around the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C particles. Thus, the graphene decorated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C electrode exhibits superior high‐rate capability and long‐cycle stability. It delivers a reversible discharge capacity of 178.2 mAh·g^?1 after 60 cycles at a current density of 0.1 C, and the rate performances of 176, 169.3, 156.1 and 135.7 mAh·g^?1 at 1, 2, 5 and 10 C, respectively. The superior electrochemical properties make the graphene decorated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite a promising cathode material for high‐performance lithium‐ion battery.     

Immunomodulatory Efficacy-Mediated Anti-HCV and Anti-HBV Potential of Kefir Grains; Unveiling the In Vitro Antibacterial,Antifungal, and Wound Healing Activities

The utilization of fermented foods with health-promoting properties is becoming more popular around the world. Consequently, kefir, a fermented milk beverage made from kefir grains, was shown in numerous studies to be a probiotic product providing significant health benefits. Herein, we assessed the antibacterial and antifungal potential of kefir against a variety of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. This study also showed the effectiveness of kefir in healing wounds in human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) by (80.78%) compared with control (55.75%) within 48 h. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results of kefir-treated HCV- or HBV- infected cells found that 200 µg/mL of kefir can eliminate 92.36% of HCV and 75.71% of HBV relative to the untreated infected cells, whereas 800 µg/mL (the highest concentration) completely eradicated HCV and HBV. Moreover, the estimated IC₅₀ values of kefir, at which HCV and HBV were eradicated by 50%, were 63.84 ± 5.81 µg/mL and 224.02 ± 14.36 µg/mL, correspondingly. Kefir can significantly suppress the elevation of TNF-α and upregulate IL-10 and INF-γ in both treated HCV- and HBV-infected cells. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of kefir revealed the presence of numerous active metabolites which mainly contribute to the antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory activities. This study demonstrated, for the first time, the anti-HBV efficacy of kefir while also illustrating the immunomodulatory impact in the treated HBV-infected cells. Accordingly, kefir represents a potent antiviral agent against both viral hepatitis C and B, as well as having antimicrobial and wound healing potential.     

A Reduced Graphene Oxide‐based Electrochemical DNA Biosensor for the Detection of Interaction between Cisplatin and DNA based on Guanine and Adenine Oxidation Signals

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) for subsequent dsDNA immobilization. The interaction of cisplatin with dsDNA was studied at this modified electrode. Quantitative investigations were performed by adsorptive transfer stripping voltammetry (AdTSV) using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The morphology and structure of graphene oxide (GO) and ERGO modified GCEs (GO/GCE and ERGO/GCE, respectively) were characterized by UV‐vis, FT‐IR, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Compared with the bare GCE and the GO/GCE, the ERGO/GCE exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of dsDNA due to guanine and adenine groups, testified by high oxidation peak currents and decreased oxidation potentials. The interaction of micromolar concentrations of cisplatin with surface confined dsDNA was readily detected as inferred from the decrease of the voltammetric oxidation peaks of guanine and adenine. This trend was significantly greater at the ERGO/GCE compared to the GO/GCE. The interaction of cisplatin with dsDNA was also studied in solution phase by AdTSV with detection at the ERGO/GCE.     

In situ self‐assembled reduced graphene oxide aerogel embedded with nickel oxide nanoparticles for the high‐efficiency separation of ovalbumin

A three‐dimensional reduced graphene oxide aerogel with embedded nickel oxide nanoparticles was prepared by a one‐step self‐assembly reaction in a short time. The nanoparticles could be captured into the interior of reduced graphene oxide network during the formation of the three‐dimensional architecture. The composite exhibited porosity, good biocompatibility, and abundant metal affinity binding sites. The aerogel was used to isolate ovalbumin selectively from egg white, and favorable adsorption was achieved at pH 3. An adsorption efficiency of 90.6% was obtained by using 1 mg of the composite for adsorbing 70 μg/mL of ovalbumin in 1.0 mL of sample solution, and afterwards a recovery of 90.7% was achieved by using an eluent of 1.0 mL Britton–Robinson buffer solution at pH 5. After the adsorption/desorption, ovalbumin showed no change in the conformation. The adsorption behavior of ovalbumin on the reduced graphene oxide composite well fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model, and a corresponding theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was 1695.2 mg/g. A sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated that the aerogel could selectively isolate ovalbumin from chicken egg white.     

两个N-己酰基水杨酰肼合镍(Ⅱ)配合物的合成、结构及抗菌活性的研究

The two trinuclear nickel（Ⅱ） complexes, Ni3（C13H15N2O3）2（C5H5N）4 （1） and Ni3（C13H15N2O3）2（C5H5N）2- （C3H7NO）2 （2）, were prepared by the reaction of Ni（OAc）2·4H2O with N-hexanoylsalicylhydrazide. The crystal structures of complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 takes triclinic symmetry with space group P-1 and cell dimensions of a=0.92377（2） nm, b= 1.08786（6） nm, c= 1.29391（3） nm, α=76.395（4）°, β=78.418（3）°, γ=67.378（4）°, V= 1.15772（7） nm^3, Z= 1,μ= 12.63 cm^-1. Complex 2 belongs to triclinic system and P2（1） space group and the crystallographic data： a= 1.4889（2） nm, b= 1.0389（1） nm, c= 1.4994（2） nm, β= 96.174（4）°, V=2.3058（5） nm^3, Z=2,μ= 12.70 cm^-1. The structures of the two molecules are similar. The three nickel atoms in each molecule of the two title complexes arrange in a strictly linear structure. The central nickel atom of the molecule adopts octahedral configuration, while the two nickel atoms on the two sides adopt square-planar configuration in each molecule. But the central nickel atoms of the two complexes have different axial ligands, which cause a slight difference in the bond distances of the octahedron. The antibacterial activity of compound 1 against seven common bacteria was investigated.     

Oleochemical‐Tethered SBA‐15‐Type Silicates with Tunable Nanoscopic Order,Carboxylic Surface,and Hydrophobic Framework: Cellular Toxicity,Hemolysis, and Antibacterial Activity

Novel silicates were prepared by using silylated natural fatty acids (derived from triglyceride renewable oils) as co‐condensing reagents in presence of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and the triblock copolymer, pluronic P123, as a structure directing agent. A series of carboxylic acid functionalized SBA‐15‐type mesoporous silicates were obtained with tunable nanoscopic order and reactive functional groups that allow the conjugation of amino probes by peptide coupling. Photophysical studies of the covalently linked aminopyrene substantiated that the internal framework of these materials have pronounced hydrophobicity. Moreover, phase separation that can emanate from the bulkiness of the starting fatty silanes has been ruled out owing to the absence of excimers after aminopyrene grafting. The hemotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity of these novel silicates were then evaluated. Without discrimination, the functionalized silicates show a significant decrease of red blood cell hemolysis as compared to bare SBA‐15‐silica material. Within the modified silicate series, germanium‐free mesoporous silicates induce only a slight decrease in cell viability and, more interestingly, they exhibit negligible hemolytic effect. Moreover, increasing their concentration in the medium reduces the concentration of released hemoglobin as a result of Hb adsorption. Promising antimicrobial properties were also observed for these silicates with a slight dependency on whether phenylgermanium fragments were present within the silicate framework.     

Multilayer‐Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles as a Designed Nanonanocatalyst for the Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexene by Molecular Oxygen in a Solvent‐Free System

The aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene is of great significance from the viewpoints of both fundamental and industry studies as it can transfer the petrochemical feedstock into valuable chemicals. In this research, gold nanoparticles were synthesized on the multi‐layer functionalized reduced graphene oxide . The surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was modified with hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers to create the rGO with scattered hydrophilic positions. The gold nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized simultaneously in small hydrophilic micro reactors in a mild condition. Characterization of synthesized nanocatalyst was confirmed with different techniques such as TEM, XRD, FT‐IR, and SEM. TEM images of synthesized catalyst show the gold nanoparticles have diameters less than 5 nm. Designed nanonanocatalyst was investigated for the selective liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen in solvent free condition which after optimized conditions a maximum of 88% conversion and 91% selectivity was obtained.     

Graphene‐Coated ZnO and SiO2 as Supports for CoO Nanoparticles with Enhanced Reducibility

The insertion of a graphene layer between cobalt and a substrate modifies the morphology and the oxidation/reduction properties of supported cobalt particles. Co forms a relatively flat structure on ZnO and SiO₂, whereas individual Co nanoparticles are formed after graphene coating of these substrates. The graphene layer moderates the formation of cobalt oxide in 5×10^?7 mbar O₂ and promotes the reduction of oxidized Co in H₂ at lower temperature. Angle‐resolved XPS measurements indicate that this is mainly a consequence of the restricted interaction of cobalt with the oxide supports. After the low‐pressure redox treatments, the graphene layer maintains a relatively high quality with a small number of defect sites.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Tetracycline Loaded Chitosan‐Gelatin Nanosphere Coatings for Titanium Surface Functionalization

Owing to the biocompatibility of titanium surface, titanium implants are suitable substrates for microbial colonization and biofilm formation, which is still a serious clinical threat. Current research trends have been focused on the development of antibacterial coatings on titanium substrate or adhesion resistant surface. In our previous study, tetracycline (Tc) loaded chitosan‐gelatin (CSG) nanosphere coatings are successfully fabricated on titanium substrates via electrophoretic deposition. These coatings show nanosphere structure, and excellent antibacterial property in vitro. However, further in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the coatings is required for the future application. Therefore, in the present study, the authors investigate the coatings' mechanical, swelling and degradation property, in vitro cellular response to preosteoblast cells, and the antibacterial property in rabbits. Results show that Tc incorporation can improve the tensile bond strength of the coating, decrease the swelling ratio, and accelerate the degradation of the coating. Although high Tc concentration group exhibits cytotoxicity to MC3T3‐E1 cells, its in vivo antibacterial property is preferred, and shows better outcome than the prophylactic administration of Tc. Tc loaded CSG nanosphere coatings are suitable antibacterial coatings for titanium surface functionalization.