-
Viruses Jun 2024Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are widespread human pathogens that establish chronic latent infections leading to recurrent episodes. Current...
Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are widespread human pathogens that establish chronic latent infections leading to recurrent episodes. Current treatments are limited, necessitating the development of novel antiviral strategies. This study aimed to assess the antiviral efficacy of novel topical formulations containing interferon alpha-2b (IFN α-2b) against HSV-1 and HSV-2. The formulations, Oftalmoferon forte (eye drops) and Interferon Vaginal Tablets, demonstrated potent antiviral effects against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Vero cells, respectively, with concentration-dependent inhibition of viral replication. Subsequently, their efficacy was tested in animal models: HSV-1 keratitis in the rabbit eye model and HSV-2 genital herpes in mice. Oftalmoferon forte effectively treated HSV-1 keratitis, reducing clinical symptoms and ulcerations compared to virus control. Interferon Vaginal Tablets showed promising results in controlling HSV-2 genital herpes in mice, improving survival rates, reducing clinical signs, weight loss and viral replication. The novel IFN α-2b formulations exhibited significant antiviral activity against HSV infections in cell culture and animal models. These findings suggest the potential of these formulations as alternative treatments for HSV infections, particularly in cases resistant to current therapies. Further studies are warranted to optimize treatment regimens and assess clinical efficacy in humans.
Topics: Animals; Rabbits; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Antiviral Agents; Mice; Herpes Genitalis; Disease Models, Animal; Keratitis, Herpetic; Chlorocebus aethiops; Female; Vero Cells; Interferon alpha-2; Virus Replication; Administration, Topical; Ophthalmic Solutions; Interferon-alpha; Humans
PubMed: 38932280
DOI: 10.3390/v16060989 -
Viruses May 2024The HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC) is a multifunctional viral protein necessary for HIV-1 replication. Recent studies have demonstrated that reverse transcription (RT)...
The HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC) is a multifunctional viral protein necessary for HIV-1 replication. Recent studies have demonstrated that reverse transcription (RT) completes in the intact viral capsid, and the timing of RT and uncoating are correlated. How the small viral core stably contains the ~10 kbp double stranded (ds) DNA product of RT, and the role of NC in this process, are not well understood. We showed previously that NC binds and saturates dsDNA in a non-specific electrostatic binding mode that triggers uniform DNA self-attraction, condensing dsDNA into a tight globule against extending forces up to 10 pN. In this study, we use optical tweezers and atomic force microscopy to characterize the role of NC's basic residues in dsDNA condensation. Basic residue mutations of NC lead to defective interaction with the dsDNA substrate, with the constant force plateau condensation observed with wild-type (WT) NC missing or diminished. These results suggest that NC's high positive charge is essential to its dsDNA condensing activity, and electrostatic interactions involving NC's basic residues are responsible in large part for the conformation, size, and stability of the dsDNA-protein complex inside the viral core. We observe DNA re-solubilization and charge reversal in the presence of excess NC, consistent with the electrostatic nature of NC-induced DNA condensation. Previous studies of HIV-1 replication in the presence of the same cationic residue mutations in NC showed significant defects in both single- and multiple-round viral infectivity. Although NC participates in many stages of viral replication, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that cationic residue mutations inhibit genomic DNA condensation, resulting in increased premature capsid uncoating and contributing to viral replication defects.
Topics: HIV-1; Reverse Transcription; DNA, Viral; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; Humans; Cations; Virus Replication; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Virion; Mutation
PubMed: 38932164
DOI: 10.3390/v16060872 -
Polymers Jun 2024In this study, we report an easy approach for the production of aqueous dispersions of C fullerene with good stability. Maleic acid copolymers, poly(styrene--maleic...
In this study, we report an easy approach for the production of aqueous dispersions of C fullerene with good stability. Maleic acid copolymers, poly(styrene--maleic acid) (SM), poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone--maleic acid) (VM) and poly(ethylene--maleic acid) (EM) were used to stabilize C fullerene molecules in an aqueous environment by forming non-covalent complexes. Polymer conjugates were prepared by mixing a solution of fullerene in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) with an aqueous solution of the copolymer, followed by exhaustive dialysis against water. The molar ratios of maleic acid residues in the copolymer and C were 5/1 for SM and VM and 10/1 for EM. The volume ratio of NMP and water used was 1:1.2-1.6. Water-soluble complexes (composites) dried lyophilically retained solubility in NMP and water but were practically insoluble in non-polar solvents. The optical and physical properties of the preparations were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, DLS, TGA and XPS. The average diameter of the composites in water was 120-200 nm, and the ξ-potential ranged from -16 to -20 mV. The bactericidal properties of the obtained nanostructures were studied. Toxic reagents and time-consuming procedures were not used in the preparation of water-soluble C nanocomposites stabilized by the proposed copolymers.
PubMed: 38932086
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121736 -
Polymers Jun 2024This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength (FS), surface wear, and optical properties of 3D-printed dental resins subjected to different post-printing...
This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength (FS), surface wear, and optical properties of 3D-printed dental resins subjected to different post-printing conditions. A total of 240 specimens (2 × 2 × 25 mm³) were 3D-printed using resin materials for permanent (VaresoSmile Crown Plus) VSC and temporary (VaresoSmile Temp) VST restorations. Specimens underwent five post-printing conditions: no post-printing cure; post-cured in a Form Cure curing unit; Visio Beta Vacuum; Ivoclar Targis; or heat-cured (150 °C) for 30 min. Each group of specimens ( = 24) was tested either directly after post-curing, after 24 h of dry storage, or following hydrothermal accelerated aging in boiling water for 16 h. The three-point bending test was used to evaluate the FS. The two-body wear test was performed on 50 disc-shaped specimens ( = 5/group). Surface gloss and translucency were measured for permanent VSC specimens ( = 5/group). SEM/EDS and statistical analyses were performed. The Form Cure device yielded the highest FS and lowest wear depth ( < 0.05). Hydrothermal aging significantly reduced FS. There were no statistical differences in FS and wear values between materials subjected to same post-printing conditions. VSC groups exhibited similar optical properties across different post-printing treatments. Post-printing treatment conditions had a significant impact on the FS and wear of the 3D-printed resin, while optical properties remained unaffected.
PubMed: 38932063
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121713 -
Polymers Jun 2024In this work, the electrochemical synthesis of PANI and GO-modified PANI was performed using cyclic voltammetry, varying the amount of GO, 1 mg (PG1), 5 mg (PG5), and 10...
In this work, the electrochemical synthesis of PANI and GO-modified PANI was performed using cyclic voltammetry, varying the amount of GO, 1 mg (PG1), 5 mg (PG5), and 10 mg (PG10) to analyze the effect of the amount of GO on the composite. PANI, PG1, PG5, and PG10 materials were characterized using optical microscopy, SEM, UV-vis, FTIR, Raman, and wettability. A stability test was also carried out by putting the materials to 500 oxidation-reduction cycles using cyclic voltammetry. The synthesis method allowed GO in PANI to be added through a chemical interaction between the two compounds. It was also found that the addition of GO led to an improvement in the hydrophilic character of the composite, which would lead to an improvement in the diffusion of reagents/species when the composites are used in aqueous media processes. The results of the stability test showed that the PG10 material presented a lower % loss of specific capacitance and energy compared with the other materials, which indicates that the GO presence (in the amount specified) improves the stability of the PANI. The PG10 material showed favorable and promising conditions for its use in fuel cell and battery processes.
PubMed: 38932027
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121677 -
Polymers Jun 2024Two new triarylamine-based diamine monomers, namely, ,'-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-,'-bis(4-(4-aminophenyl-4'-methoxyphenylamino)phenyl)--phenylenediamine () and...
Two new triarylamine-based diamine monomers, namely, ,'-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-,'-bis(4-(4-aminophenyl-4'-methoxyphenylamino)phenyl)--phenylenediamine () and ,'-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-,'-bis(4-((4-aminophenyl-1-naphthyl)amino)phenyl)--phenylenediamine (), were successfully synthesized and led to two series of electroactive polyamides by polycondensation reactions with common aromatic dicarboxylic acids. The polymers demonstrated multicolored electrochromism, high optical contrast, and remarkable enhancements in redox and electrochromic stability. Compared to other triarylamine-based polymers, the studied polyamides exhibited enhanced electrochromic stability (only 3~6% decay of its coloration efficiency at 445 nm after 14,000 switching cycles) at the first oxidation stage. The polyamides also showed strong absorption in the near-infrared region upon oxidation. Polymers with multicolored electrochromism and high redox stability can be developed by incorporation of four triarylamine cores in each repeat unit and electron-donating methoxy groups on the active sites of the triphenylamine units.
PubMed: 38931994
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121644 -
Polymers Jun 2024This study investigates viscoelastic guided wave properties (e.g., complex-wavenumber-, phase-velocity-, and attenuation-frequency relations) for multiple modes,...
Investigation of Viscoelastic Guided Wave Properties in Anisotropic Laminated Composites Using a Legendre Orthogonal Polynomials Expansion-Assisted Viscoelastodynamic Model.
This study investigates viscoelastic guided wave properties (e.g., complex-wavenumber-, phase-velocity-, and attenuation-frequency relations) for multiple modes, including different orders of antisymmetric, symmetric, and shear horizontal modes in viscoelastic anisotropic laminated composites. To obtain those frequency-dependent relations, a guided wave characteristic equation is formulated based on a Legendre orthogonal polynomials expansion (LOPE)-assisted viscoelastodynamic model, which fuses the hysteretic viscoelastic model-based wave dynamics and the LOPE-based mode shape approximation. Then, the complex-wavenumber-frequency solutions are obtained by solving the characteristic equation using an improved root-finding algorithm, which leverages coefficient matrix determinant ratios and our proposed local tracking windows. To trace the solutions on the dispersion curves of different wave modes and avoid curve-tracing misalignment in regions with phase-velocity curve crossing, we presented a curve-tracing strategy considering wave attenuation. With the LOPE-assisted viscoelastodynamic model, the effects of material viscosity and fiber orientation on different guided wave modes are investigated for unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced composites. The results show that the viscosity in the hysteresis model mainly affects the frequency-dependent attenuation of viscoelastic guided waves, while the fiber orientation influences both the phase-velocity and attenuation curves. We expect the theoretical work in this study to facilitate the development of guided wave-based techniques for the NDT and SHM of viscoelastic anisotropic laminated composites.
PubMed: 38931988
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121638 -
Polymers Jun 2024This study presents significant advancements in passive radiative cooling (PRC), achieved using assembled hollow yttrium oxide spherical particles (AHYOSPs). We...
This study presents significant advancements in passive radiative cooling (PRC), achieved using assembled hollow yttrium oxide spherical particles (AHYOSPs). We developed PRC films with enhanced optical properties by synthesizing micro-sized hollow YO particles and integrating them into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. The findings revealed that AHYOSPs achieved a remarkable solar reflectance of 73.72% and an emissivity of 91.75%, significantly outperforming nano-sized yttrium oxide (NYO) and baseline PDMS. Field tests demonstrated that the AHYOSPs maintained their lowest temperature during daylight, confirming their superior cooling efficiency. Additionally, theoretical calculations using MATLAB indicated that the cooling capacity of AHYOSPs reached 103.77 W/m, representing a substantial improvement over NYO and robustly validating the proposed nanoparticle assembly strategy. These results highlight the potential of structurally controlled particles to revolutionize PRC technologies, thereby offering a path toward more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solutions.
PubMed: 38931985
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121636 -
Polymers Jun 2024As microfiber-based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, melt electrowriting (MEW) and solution electrowriting (SEW) have demonstrated efficacy with more...
As microfiber-based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, melt electrowriting (MEW) and solution electrowriting (SEW) have demonstrated efficacy with more biomedically relevant materials. By processing SU-8 resin using MEW and SEW techniques, a material with substantially different mechanical, thermal, and optical properties than that typically processed is introduced. SU-8 polymer is temperature sensitive and requires the devising of a specific heating protocol to be properly processed. Smooth-surfaced microfibers resulted from MEW of SU8 for a short period (from 30 to 90 min), which provides the greatest control and, thus, reproducibility of the printed microfibers. This investigation explores various parameters influencing the electrowriting process, printing conditions, and post-processing to optimize the fabrication of intricate 3D structures. This work demonstrates the controlled generation of straight filaments and complex multi-layered architectures, which were characterized by brightfield, darkfield, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This research opens new avenues for the design and development of 3D-printed photonic systems by leveraging the properties of SU-8 after both MEW and SEW processing.
PubMed: 38931980
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121630 -
Pharmaceutics Jun 2024DOX/TPOR@CB[7] was synthesized via self-assembly, and its physicochemical properties and ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. The impact of...
DOX/TPOR@CB[7] was synthesized via self-assembly, and its physicochemical properties and ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. The impact of photodynamic therapy on SH-SY5Y cells was assessed using the MTT assay, while flow cytometry analysis was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was utilized to observe the intracellular distribution of DOX/TPOR@CB[7] in SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally, fluorescence imaging of DOX/TPOR@CB[7] in nude mice bearing SH-SY5Y tumors and examination of the combined effects of photodynamic and chemical therapies were conducted. The incorporation of CB[7] significantly enhanced the optical properties of DOX/TPOR@CB[7], resulting in increased ROS production and pronounced toxicity towards SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, both the apoptotic and mortality rates exhibited significant elevation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that tumor growth inhibition was most prominent in the DOX/TPOR@CB[7] group. π-π interactions facilitated the binding between DOX and photosensitizer TPOR, with TPOR's naphthalene hydrophilic groups encapsulated within CB[7]'s cavity through host-guest interactions with CB[7]. Therefore, CB[7] can serve as a nanocarrier to enhance the combined application of chemical therapy and photodynamic therapy, thereby significantly improving treatment efficacy against neuroblastoma tumors.
PubMed: 38931942
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060822