Veronika Švachová

Novel electrospun gelatin/oxycellulose nanofibers as a suitable platform for lung disease modeling

Novel hydrolytically stable gelatin nanofibers modified with sodium or calcium salt of oxycellulose were prepared by electrospinning method. The unique inhibitory effect of these nanofibers against Escherichia coli bacteria was examined by luminometric method. Biocompatibility of these gelatin/oxycellulose nanofibers with eukaryotic cells was tested using human lung adenocarcinoma cell line NCI-H441. Cells firmly adhered to nanofiber surface, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, and no signs of cell dying were detected by fluorescent live/dead assay. We propose that the newly developed gelatin/oxycellulose nanofibers could be used as promising scaffold for lung disease modeling and anti-cancer drug testing.

Plasma-chemical modifications of cellulose for biomedical applications

Abstract A 6-carboxycellulose (in medicine known as “oxidized cellulose” or “oxycellulose”) is one of the cellulose derivatives popular in the field of surgery. Health products based on oxidized cellulose are great local hemostatics with unique bactericidal and fully bioabsorbable effects. Traditional process of native cellulose oxidation is described as a complex radical reaction in strong acidic liquid medium doped by toxic nitrous radicals (NO*). Our plasma-chemical reaction demonstrates a new synthesis method of oxidized cellulose with unique bactericidal effect. This plasma-chemical treatment is based on atmospheric plasma discharge in liquid medium leading to the oxidation of polysaccharide molecules resulting in oxycellulose. Final oxycellulose properties were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy and carboxyl content determination. The biological impact showed a strong germicidal effect. Graphical Abstract

Biodegradable poly (ε-caprolactone)/gelatin nanofibers: Effect of tubular halloysite on structure and properties

The work explores preparation of new advanced nanofibers based on biodegradable polymers and biocompatible tubular halloysite (HNT). Electrospun nanofibers comprising 8 wt% gelatin (Gel) and 8 wt% poly (-caprolactone) (PCL) have been prepared by using eco-friendly solvent – acetic acid. The content of HNT in PCL/Gel nanofibers was 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 wt%. It was found that the addition of HNT significantly affected the polymer mixture spinnability and the fiber diameter. SEM observations revealed that the structure of nanofibers depends on nanofiber composition. Whilst in nanofibers with lower HNT content uniform morphology with HNTs located merely inside the individual nanofibers has been observed, in nanofibers with 6 and 9 wt% HNT individual particles as well as the agglomerates of HNT have been detected in both, the inner part as well as outside part of nanofiber. Important reinforcing effect has been achieved in whole HNT content. The highest improvement has been reached when the HNT content ...