The importance and need for eco-oriented technologies has increased worldwide, which leads to an enhanced development of methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles using biological agents. This review de-scribes the current approaches to the preparation of biogenic silver nanoparticles, using plant extracts and filtrates of fungi and microorganisms. The peculiarities of the synthesis of particles depending on the source of biocomponents are considered as well as physico-morphological, antibacterial and antifungal properties of the resulting nanoparticles which are compared with such properties of silver nanoparticles obtained by chemical synthesis. Special attention is paid to the process of self-assembly of biogenic silver nanoparticles.

Airborne microplastics are emerging pollutants originating from disposable tableware, packaging materials, textiles, and other consumer goods. Microplastics vary in shape and size and exposed to external factors break down into even smaller fractions. Airborne microplastics are abundant in both urban and natural environments, including water bodies and glaciers, as particles can travel long distances. The potential toxicity of airborne microplastics cannot be underestimated. Microparticles, especially those < 10 µm, entering the human body through inhalation or ingestion have been shown to cause serious adverse health effects, such as chronic inflammation, oxidation stress, physical damage to tissues, etc. Microplastics adsorb toxic chemicals and biopolymers, forming a polymer corona on their surface, affecting their overall toxicity. In addition, microplastics can also affect carbon dynamics in ecosystems and have a serious impact on biochemical cycles. The approaches to improve sampling techniques and develop standardized methods to assess airborne microplastics are still far from being perfect. The mechanisms of microplastic intracellular and tissue transport are still not clear, and the impact of airborne microplastics on human health is not understood well. Reduced consumption followed by collection, reuse, and recycling of microplastics can contribute to solving the microplastic problem. Combinations of different filtration techniques and membrane bioreactors can be used to optimize the removal of microplastic contaminants from wastewater. In this review we critically summarize the existing body of literature on airborne microplastics, including their distribution, identification, and safety assessment.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have extensive pluripotent potential to differentiate into various cell types, and thus they are an important tool for regenerative medicine and biomedical research. In this work, the differentiation of hTERT-transduced adipose-derived MSCs (hMSCs) into chondrocytes, adipocytes and osteoblasts on substrates with nanotopography generated by magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) and DNA was investigated. Citrate-stabilized MNPs were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method and sized around 10 nm according to microscopy studies. It was shown that MNPs@DNA coatings induced chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in hTERT-transduced MSCs. The cells had normal morphology and distribution of actin filaments. An increase in the concentration of magnetic nanoparticles resulted in a higher surface roughness and reduced the adhesion of cells to the substrate. A glass substrate modified with magnetic nanoparticles and DNA induced active chondrogenesis of hTERT-transduced MSC in a twice-diluted differentiation-inducing growth medium, suggesting the possible use of nanostructured MNPs@DNA coatings to obtain differentiated cells at a reduced level of growth factors.

The production of nanomaterials through environmentally friendly methods is a top priority in the sustainable development of nanotechnology. This paper presents data on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Sphagnum fallax moss at room temperature. The morphology, stability, and size of the nanoparticles were analyzed using various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, Doppler laser velocimetry, and UV-vis spectroscopy. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the presence of moss metabolites on the surface of nanomaterials. The effects of different concentrations of citrate-stabilized and moss extract-stabilized silver nanoparticles on cell viability, necrosis induction, and cell impedance were compared. The internalization of silver nanoparticles into both monolayers and three-dimensional cells spheroids was evaluated using dark-field microscopy and hyperspectral imaging. An eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles at room temperature is proposed, which makes it possible to obtain spherical nanoparticles of 20–30 nm in size with high bioavailability and that have potential applications in various areas of human life.

The development of multidrug resistance by pathogenic bacteria and yeast is a significant medical problem that needs to be addressed. One possible answer could be the combined use of antibiotics and silver nanoparticles, which have different mechanisms of antimicrobial action. In the same way, these nanoparticles can be combined with antifungal agents. Biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using environmentally friendly biosynthesis technology using extracts of biologically active plants are an effective nanomaterial that needs to be comprehensively investigated for implementation into medical practice. In this study, the synergistic effects arising from their combined use with antibiotics and fungicides against various bacteria and yeasts were studied. The following methods were used: disco-diffusion analysis and construction of plankton culture growth curves. The synergistic effect of silver nanoparticles and antibiotics (fungicides) has been determined. Effective concentrations of substances were established, recommendations for the studied pathogenic species were presented, and the effect of destruction of the bacterial membrane was illustrated. The most significant synergistic effect was manifested in pathogenic candida and brewer’s yeast.