Metal nanoparticles are widely used in different areas such as biotechnology and biomedicine, for example in drug delivery, imaging and control of bacterial growth. The antimicrobial effect of silver has been identified as an alternative approach to the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by the green route using the Geranium extract as a reducing agent. The characterization was carried out by the techniques of UV-Vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray emitted photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction. Nanoparticle diameters between 15 and 50 nm were obtained and the interplanar spaces calculated from the electron diffraction pattern corresponding to a mixture of silver with 4H and FCC structures. To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria (ATCC-27853), different concentrations of colloidal solution 0.36, 0.18, 0.09 and 0.05 μg/mL were evaluated as a function of the incubation time, measuring the inhibition halo and colony forming unit (CFU) during 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation. The minimum inhibitory AgNPs concentration (MIC) is 0.36 μg/mL at 0 h while the concentration of 0.18 μg/mL presents a total inhibition of the bacterium after 2 h. For the rest of the dilutions, gradual inhibitions as a function of time were observed. We evaluate the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles obtained by a green methodology in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Finally, the colloidal nanoparticle solution can be an antibacterial alternative for different biomedical approaches.

The N-Myc Downstream Regulated Gene 1 (NDRG1) protein, a member of a family of four, has emerged as a key regulator of various physiological and pathological processes. Extensive knowledge has been gained on the modulation of NDRG1 expression during endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and hypoxia. Moreover, new functions have emerged in recent years. Notably, NDRG1 regulates cell differentiation, metabolism, autophagy and vesicular transport. This has raised interest in the molecular mechanisms that control the cellular levels and activity of NDRG1. A series of studies have shown that NDRG1 can be finely regulated at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational levels. In addition, processes that mediate protein degradation and clearance also play key roles. Furthermore, three different NDRG1 proteoforms with distinct functions have been identified. An important question is the extent to which these proteoforms contribute to the regulation of cellular functions. Given the growing clinical interest in NDRG1, this review provides an overview of the regulatory mechanisms that control NDRG1 abundance, helping to deepen our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying protein regulation.

The antimicrobial effects of silver (Ag) ions and salts are well known. However, the antimicrobial effects, mechanism, and the cytotoxic activity in vitro of Ag nanoparticles (AgNP) has recently been validated. In this work, we report the green synthesis of AgNPs using the extract of Eichhornia crassipes as a reducing agent and evaluate its antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC-25922). The morphology, size, chemical composition, and inhibition properties of the nanoparticles as a function of the reduction time and temperature were analyzed. According to TEM imaging, nanoparticles with average diameters between 20–40 nm were synthesized. Antibacterial results suggest that AgNPs can be used as an effective growth inhibitor with higher antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli after 120 min of reaction with a synthesis temperature of 95°. More extensive analysis is required for the appropriate selection of the synthesis parameters and adequate concentration for use in biomedical applications and antibacterial control systems.

Carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles (Fe@C) with a mean diameter of 15 nm have been synthesized using evaporation–condensation flow–levitation method by the direct iron-carbon gas-phase reaction at high temperatures. Further, Fe@C were stabilized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) coating, and their electromagnetic properties were evaluated to test their performance in magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) through a specific absorption rate (SAR). Heat generation was observed at different Fe@C concentrations (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL) when applied 331 kHz and 60 kA/m of an alternating magnetic field, resulting in SAR values of 437.64, 129.36, and 50.4 W/g for each concentration, respectively. Having such high SAR values at low concentrations, obtained material is ideal for use in MHT.

Tailored synthesis and biotin-functionalization of dual-colored SiO₂ nanoparticles as tools for advanced super-resolution microscopy imagining in biomedical approaches.