Research on the conjugates of synthetic polyelectrolytes with antigenic molecules, such as proteins, peptides, or carbohydrates, is an attractive area due to their highly immunogenic character in comparison to classical adjuvants. For example, polyacrylic acid (PAA) is a weak polyelectrolyte and has been used in several biomedical applications such as immunological studies, drug delivery, and enzyme immobilization. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies that document immune-stimulant properties of PAA in Leishmania infection. Therefore, we aimed to develop a potential vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis by covalently conjugating PAA with an immunologically vital molecule of lipophosphoglycan (LPG) found in Leishmania parasites. In the study, LPG and PAA were conjugated by a multi-step procedure, and final products were analyzed with GPC and MALDI-TOF MS techniques. In cytotoxicity experiments, LPG-PAA conjugates did not indicate toxic effects on L929 and J774 murine macrophage cells. We assume that LPG-PAA conjugate can be a potential vaccine candidate, and will be immunologically characterized in further studies to prove its potential.

In contrast to conventional drug delivery systems, controlled drug release systems employ distinct methodologies. These systems facilitate the release of active substances in predetermined quantities and for specified durations. Polymer hydrogels have gained prominence in controlled drug delivery because of their unique swelling–shrinkage behavior and ability to regulate drug release. In this investigation, films with a hydrogel structure were crafted using polyvinyl alcohol, a biocompatible polymer, and silver nanoparticles. Following characterization, ibuprofen was loaded into the hydrogels to evaluate their drug release capacity. The particle sizes of silver nanoparticles synthesized using a green approach were determined. This study comprehensively examined the structural properties, morphological features, mechanical strength, and cumulative release patterns of the prepared films. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis was employed to assess the cell viability of drug-loaded hydrogel films, and their antibacterial effects were examined. The results indicated that hydrogel films containing 5% and 10% polyvinyl alcohol released 89% and 97% of the loaded drug, respectively, by day 14. The release kinetics fits the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. This study, which describes nanoparticle-enhanced polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel systems prepared through a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach, is anticipated to contribute to the existing literature and serve as a foundational study for future research.

Magnetic nanoparticles have attracted significant attention in nanoscience and nanotechnology due to their unique physicochemical properties. These properties enable their great potential in various biomedical applications, such as hyperthermia, drug delivery, tissue engineering, theranostics, and lab-on-a-chip technologies. Physical and chemical methods are conventionally used for the synthesis of nanoparticles; however, due to several limitations of these methods, research focus has recently shifted towards developing clean and eco-friendly synthesis protocols while maintaining their desirable chemical and physical properties. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) were synthesized for the first time using the green synthesis method with extracts from Vitex agnus-castus. The structural and magnetic characterization of FeNPs was carried out using state-of-the-art techniques. The formation of FeNPs was confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy. The morphology and size distribution were examined by a zetasizer and SEM, which showed agglomerated ring-shaped structures with a moderate size distribution among the nanoparticles. The crystalline structure and phase purity of the FeNPs were analyzed by XRD. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the attachment of bioactive plant molecules on the FeNP surfaces. The TGA results indicated the presence of organic molecules on the surface of the nanoparticles. Further studies including temperature-dependent magnetization and coercivity measurements were performed by PPMS and ESR, confirming the soft magnetic characteristics of synthesized FeNPs. Additionally, the dose-dependent toxicity and anti-cancerogenic effects of the FeNPs were screened towards the glioma cancer line (C6) and fibroblast cell line (L929) in vitro using an MTT assay. After 24 h of treatment, inhibitory concentration IC50 values of 26.51 µg/mL (l929) and 10.73 µg/mL (C6) were determined, respectively. These results suggest the potential of the synthesized FeNPs in developing new biocompatible systems for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This study contributes to the growing demand for research in nanotechnology by offering a sustainable and effective green synthesis method for FeNPs, expanding their potential applications in nanomedicine.

Rapid advances in the development of nanotechnology in recent years have led to functional magnetic nanoparticle types (MNPs) with different properties. The diverse applications of these nanoparticles make them a desirable candidate for use in biomedical areas due to their exclusive chemical and physical properties. The present work is conducted to study the in vitro biocompatibility of CoFe₂O₄@shell with different surface coatings (shell: ascorbic acid (AA), dextran (DEX), and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The cytotoxicity of coated nanoparticles is screened toward the glioma cancer line (C6) and fibroblast cell line (L929) using an MTT assay. CoFe₂O₄ NPs are synthesized using the co‐precipitation method together with hydrothermal synthesis and characterized regarding their structural and magnetic properties using state‐of‐the‐art techniques. Results showed the particles are consistent with the crystal structure of CoFe₂O₄ and the average crystallite size in the range of 16–18 nm. For the coated NPs, only a slight increase in the Hc is found except for the CoFe₂O₄@PEI NPs. The comparative analysis of the cytotoxic effects of CoFe₂O₄@shell NPs on L929 fibroblast and glioma cells shows that the cytotoxicity of samples is much more specific in brain tumor cells, especially it also indicates the significant efficacy of CoFe₂O₄@PEI in cancer cells.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and anticancer potential of gold nanorods (GNRs) synthesized using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide capped seed (CTAB) on L929 fibroblast cells and glioma cells. Methods: Gold nanorods were synthesized through the CTAB method, and their characterization was conducted using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MTT cell viability assay was employed to assess the cytotoxic and anticancer effects of the synthesized gold nanorods on L929 fibroblast cells and glioma cells. Results: Analysis results revealed that the synthesized gold nanorods had an average size of 6.4 nm and rod-like morphology, with an absorbance peak of 836 nm. The quantity of synthesized GNRs was calculated to be 3.63 μM. Cytotoxicity analysis showed an IC50 value of 1.29 μM for L929 fibroblast cells and 1.26 μM for C6 glioma cells, indicating significant cytotoxic effects. Treatment with GNRs induced apoptosis in glioma cells and inhibited their proliferation, suggesting potential anticancer activity. Conclusion: The findings suggest that GNRs hold promise as effective agents for cancer therapy. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying their anticancer effects and to explore their potential clinical applications in cancer treatment.

We conducted enhanced surveillance to identify medical risk factors for severe illness (i.e., hospitalization or death) and neuroinvasive disease (i.e., encephalitis or meningitis) among all West Nile virus disease cases reported from selected states from 2008 to 2010. Of the 1,090 case-patients included in the analysis, 708 (65%) case-patients were hospitalized, 641 (59%) case-patients had neuroinvasive disease, and 55 (5%) case-patients died. Chronic renal disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4–12.1), history of cancer (aOR = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.8–7.5), history of alcohol abuse (aOR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.3–6.7), diabetes (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.4–3.4), and hypertension (aOR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1–2.1) were independently associated with severe illness on multivariable analysis. Although the same medical conditions were independently associated with encephalitis, only hypertension was associated with meningitis. The only condition independently associated with death was immune suppression. Prevention messages should be targeted to persons with these conditions.