I. Vávra

Coating-dependent induction of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract Surface coatings of nanoparticles (NPs) are known to influence advantageous features of NPs as well as potential toxicity. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) NPs are applied for both medical diagnostics and targeted drug delivery. We investigated the potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of uncoated iron oxide (U-Fe3O4) NPs in comparison with oleate-coated iron oxide (OC-Fe3O4) NPs. Testing was performed in vitro in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells and in primary human blood cells. For cytotoxicity testing, relative growth activity, trypan blue exclusion, 3H-thymidine incorporation and cytokinesis-block proliferation index were assessed. Genotoxicity was evaluated by the alkaline comet assay for detection of strand breaks and oxidized purines. Particle characterization was performed in the culture medium. Cellular uptake, morphology and pathology were evaluated by electron microscopy. U-Fe3O4 NPs were found not to be cytotoxic (considering interference of NPs with proliferation test) or genotoxic under our experimental conditions. In contrast, OC-Fe3O4 NPs were cytotoxic in a dose-dependent manner, and also induced DNA damage, indicating genotoxic potential. Intrinsic properties of sodium oleate were excluded as a cause of the toxic effect. Electron microscopy data were consistent with the cytotoxicity results. Coating clearly changed the behaviour and cellular uptake of the NPs, inducing pathological morphological changes in the cells.

MgB2 superconducting thin films on Si and Al2O3 substrates

Thin films of MgB2 superconductor were prepared by three different procedures on sapphire and silicon substrates. Boron thin films, ex-situ annealed in magnesium vapour, resulted in textured polycrystalline films with crystal dimensions below about 1000 nm, onset critical temperature Tcon near 39 K and width of phase transition about 1 K. Both, ex-situ and in-situ annealed co-deposited boron and magnesium thin films on sapphire and silicon substrates give smooth nanocrystalline films. DC properties of nanocrystalline MgB2 films co-deposited on silicon substrate reached Tcon = 33 K and zero resistance Tco = 27 K, the highest values received until now on Si substrates. In addition, microwave analyses prove the existence of superconducting parts of the film below 39 K. This result confirms the possibility to synthesise nanocrystalline superconducting MgB2 thin films on silicon substrate with critical temperature near 39 K, prepared by vacuum co-deposition of boron and magnesium films.Abstract Thin films of the superconductor MgB 2 were prepared by three different procedures on sapphire and silicon substrates. Boron thin films, ex situ annealed in magnesium vapour, resulted in textured polycrystalline films with crystal dimensions below about 1 μm, onset critical temperature T c on near 39 K and width of phase transition ΔT ⩽1 K. Both, ex situ and in situ annealed co-deposited boron and magnesium thin films on sapphire and silicon substrates give smooth nanocrystalline films. DC properties of nanocrystalline MgB 2 films co-deposited on silicon substrate reached T c on =33 K and zero resistance T c0 =27 K, the highest values received until now on Si substrates. In addition, microwave analyses prove the existence of unconnected superconducting parts of the film below 39 K. This result confirms the possibility to synthesize nanocrystalline superconducting MgB 2 thin films on silicon substrate with critical temperature near 39 K, prepared by vacuum co-deposition of boron and magnesium films.

Immunotoxicity and genotoxicity testing of PLGA-PEO nanoparticles in human blood cell model

Abstract A human blood cell model for immunotoxicity and genotoxicity testing was used to measure the response to polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA-PEO) nanoparticle (NP) (0.12, 3, 15 and 75 μg/cm2 exposure in fresh peripheral whole blood cultures/isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from human volunteers (n = 9–13). PLGA-PEO NPs were not toxic up to dose 3 μg/cm2; dose of 75 μg/cm2 displays significant decrease in [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA of proliferating cells after 4 h (70% of control) and 48 h (84%) exposure to NPs. In non-cytotoxic concentrations, in vitro assessment of the immunotoxic effects displayed moderate but significant suppression of proliferative activity of T-lymphocytes and T-dependent B-cell response in cultures stimulated with PWM > CON A, and no changes in PHA cultures. Decrease in proliferative function was the most significant in T-cells stimulated with CD3 antigen (up to 84%). Cytotoxicity of natural killer cells was suppressed moderately (92%) but significantly in middle-dosed cultures (4 h exposure). On the other hand, in low PLGA-PEO NPs dosed cultures, significant stimulation of phagocytic activity of granulocytes (119%) > monocytes (117%) and respiratory burst of phagocytes (122%) was recorded. Genotoxicity assessment revealed no increase in the number of micronucleated binucleated cells and no induction of SBs or oxidised DNA bases in PLGA-PEO-treated cells. To conclude on immuno- and genotoxicity of PLGA-PEO NPs, more experiments with various particle size, charge and composition need to be done.

Growth of SrTiO3 thin epitaxial films by aerosol MOCVD

SrTiO3 thin films were prepared by aerosol metal-organic chemical vapour deposition on (001) MgO, R-plane Al2O3 and (001) Si single-crystal substrates. Strontium tetramethyl heptadionate and titanium n-butoxide dissolved in diethyleneglycol dimethyl ether were used as precursors. The structure of the films was investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Epitaxial films with [001] and [111] orientation perpendicular to the substrate surface were obtained on MgO and Al2O3, respectively. The epitaxial films on the MgO substrate were found to be in a relaxed state with lattice parameters corresponding to the bulk values. SrTiO3 films on the Si substrate were grown as highly textured in the [011]direction and randomly oriented in the plane parrallel to the substrate surface.

Superconductivity of tungsten-silicon multilayers

Abstract Tungsten-silicon multilayers were prepared by electron beam deposition in ultrahigh vacuum. The number of bilayers and their thicknesses were 10 and 2–24 nm, respectively. Structural properties were analyzed by low and large angle X-ray diffraction and TEM. Tungsten films in multilayers were amorphous for the layer thickness dw≦4 nm. Multilayers with dw=1 and 2 nm were superconducting with Tc = 2.72–4.21 K. Superconductivity was preserved in samples annealed up to 650°C for 40 s. At higher annealing temperatures the formation of crystalline tungsten silicides was observed, simultaneously the periodicity of multilayers was destroyed and superconductivity was lost.

Role of microtwins in twin lamella intersections and interconnections in YBa2Cu3O7−y

Abstract In YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7- y sets of microtwins, with twin spacing one order smaller than those of the principal twin lamellae, appear to relieve in areas of twin lamella intersections and interconnections strains caused by a contact of different orientation variants. Such microtwin sets cannot exist inside twin lamella intersections, so they grow in the vicinity of the intersections. In addition to microtwins also a twin boundary deformation is omnipresent to accomodate these strains. This causes the special morphology of twin lamella interconnections with widely spread residual strains.

Epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting films, without twin planes on Y2O3/YSZ/Si

Abstract Epitaxial c -axis oriented YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 superconducting thin films have been grown by off-axis sputtering on Si substrates covered with an Y 2 O 3 /YSZ buffer layer. The films show good superconducting properties and are crack-free for thickness as high as 120 nm. TEM observations reveal an epitaxial growth of YBCO on Y 2 O 3 with an angle of 45° between the [100] directions. Both layers display a microstructure which consists of slightly misoriented rectangular twin-free monocrystalline mosaic blocks.

Interdiffusion in amorphous Nb/Si multilayers

The interdiffusion in amorphous Nb/Si multilayers has been studied using X-ray optical reflection and TEM in a temperature range from 150°C to 350°C. In the whole temperature scale, the experimental data show that annealing causes interface shift without any other detectable change of multilayer parameters, namely period and interface roughness. The model based on diffusion of Si into Nb has been proposed, which fits very well to the Arrhenius relation for diffusion coefficient and provides values comparable with previously published ones.

Delayed adverse effects of neonatal exposure to polymeric nanoparticle poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide methyl ether on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis development and function in Wistar rats.

We studied delayed effects of neonatal exposure to polymeric nanoparticle poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide methyl ether (PEG-b-PLA) on the endpoints related to pubertal development and reproductive function in female Wistar rats from postnatal day 4 (PND4) to PND 176. Female pups were injected intraperitoneally, daily, from PND4 to PND7 with PEG-b-PLA (20 or 40mg/kg b.w.). Both doses of PEG-b-PLA accelerated the onset of vaginal opening compared with the control group. In the low-dose PEG-b-PLA-treated group, a significantly reduced number of regular estrous cycles, increased pituitary weight due to hyperemia, vascular dilatation and congestion, altered course of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated luteinizing hormone secretion, and increased progesterone serum levels were observed. The obtained data indicate that neonatal exposure to PEG-b-PLA might affect the development and function of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPO), and thereby alter functions of the reproductive system in adult female rats. Our study indicates a possible neuroendocrine disrupting effect of PEG-b-PLA nanoparticles.

Stacked Josephson Junction Based on Nb/Si Superlattice

We report on the technology and basic electrical properties of ten-fold stacked Nb/Si/Nb Josephson junction (JJ). The problem of making a large number of stacked JJs with identical properties was solved by metallic superlattice preparation technology. The uniformity of Si barriers thickness was examined by low angle X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. To prevent pinholes in the Si barriers the Nb/Si superlattice was sputtered at the regime at which smoothing of interfacial roughness occurs. The stacked junction exhibit both ac and dc Josephson effects. In the Ic(B) diffraction pattern there is an extra periodicity of about 2–3 G in addition to a larger period of about 21 G.