Generation and use of functionalised hydrogels that can rapidly sample infected surfaces.

This paper outlined our method for developing polymer-linked contact lens type materials for rapid detection and differentiation of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi in infected corneas. It can be applied to both model synthetic or ex-vivo corneal models and has been successfully trialed in an initial efficacy tested animal study. First a hydrogel substrate for the swab material is selected, we have demonstrated selective swabs using a glycerol monomethacrylate hydrogel.

Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Eczema (atopic dermatitis; AD) is a very common itchy skin condition affecting 1 in 5 children and up to 1 in 10 adults worldwide. The skin of eczema sufferers is prone to redness, irritation and dryness because it does not form an effective barrier, i.e.

Evaluation of ligand modified poly (N-Isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogel for etiological diagnosis of corneal infection.

Corneal ulcers, a leading cause of blindness in the developing world are treated inappropriately without prior microbiology assessment because of issues related to availability or cost of accessing these services. In this work we aimed to develop a device for identifying the presence of Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria or fungi that can be used by someone without the need for a microbiology laboratory. Working with branched poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) tagged with Vancomycin, Polymyxin B, or Amphotericin B to bind Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi respectively, grafted onto a single hydrogel we demonstrated specific binding of the organisms.

Ex vivo rabbit and human corneas as models for bacterial and fungal keratitis.

Purpose: In the study of microbial keratitis, in vivo animal models often require a large number of animals, and in vitro monolayer cell culture does not maintain the three-dimensional structure of the tissues or cell-to-cell communication of in vivo models. Here, we propose reproducible ex vivo models of single- and dual-infection keratitis as an alternative to in vivo and in vitro models.

Methods: Excised rabbit and human corneoscleral rims maintained in organ culture were infected using 10 cells of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans or Fusarium solani.

Characterisation and optimisation of organotypic oral mucosal models to study Porphyromonas gingivalis invasion.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative, keystone pathogen in periodontitis that leads to tissue destruction and ultimately tooth loss. The organism is able to infect oral epithelial cells and two-dimensional (monolayer) cultures have been used to investigate this process. However, recently there has been interest in the use of three-dimensional, organotypic mucosal models to analyse infection.

Polymersome-mediated intracellular delivery of antibiotics to treat Porphyromonas gingivalis-infected oral epithelial cells.

The gram-negative anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis colonizes the gingival crevice and is etiologically associated with periodontal disease that can lead to alveolar bone damage and resorption, promoting tooth loss. Although susceptible to antibiotics, P. gingivalis can evade antibiotic killing by residing within gingival keratinocytes.

Tissue-engineered oral mucosa to study radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Purpose: Oral mucositis is a severe and often dose-limiting side-effect of cancer therapy that occurs in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Although radiation-induced effects on keratinocytes have been studied, little is known about its effect on fibroblasts or endothelial cells or, more importantly, when all these cells are combined in an engineered oral mucosal model.

Materials And Methods: Monolayer cultures of normal oral keratinocytes, normal oral fibroblasts, human dermal microvascular endothelial cells or tissue-engineered oral mucosa (TEOM) were exposed to 20 Gy irradiation.