Nanoparticles Influence Lytic Phage T4-like Performance In Vitro.

Little is known about interactions of non-filamentous, complex-structured lytic phages and free, non-ordered nanoparticles. Emerging questions about their possible bio-sanitization co-applications or predictions of possible contact effects in the environment require testing. Therefore, we revealed the influence of various nanoparticles (NPs; SiO2, TiO2-SiO2, TiO2, Fe3O4, Fe3O4-SiO2 and SiO2-Fe3O4-TiO2) on a T4-like phage.

Rotating Magnetic Field-Assisted Reactor Enhances Mechanisms of Phage Adsorption on Bacterial Cell Surface.

Growing interest in bacteriophage research and use, especially as an alternative treatment option for multidrug-resistant bacterial infection, requires rapid development of production methods and strengthening of bacteriophage activities. Bacteriophage adsorption to host cells initiates the process of infection. The rotating magnetic field (RMF) is a promising biotechnological method for process intensification, especially for the intensification of micromixing and mass transfer.

Hierarchical multi-layered scaffolds based on electrofluidodynamic processes for tissue engineering.

The aim of this study was to obtain hierarchical scaffolds combining 3D printing and two electrofluidodynamic methods. The multi-layered scaffold is composed by 3D printed struts, electrospun fibers obtained from poly(-caprolactone) and electrosprayed spheres produced from hydrophobically modified chitosan, namely chitosan grafted with linoleic acid (CHLA). Since CHLA has been used for the first time in the electrospraying (electro dynamic spraying, EDS) process, the formation of spheres needed an optimization process.

Antibacterial Activity of ,-Acylated Chitosan Derivative.

The antibacterial activity of ,-acylated chitosan derivative with linoleic acid (CH_LA) was tested by disc and well diffusion, agar impregnation and microdilution methods against , and strains. Hydrophobically modified chitosan (HMC) was expected to exhibit enhanced antibacterial activity and specific mucin interactions. Although diffusion tests have not indicated the antibacterial potential of chitosan (CH) or CH_LA, the results of the microdilution method demonstrated that tested polymers significantly reduced the amount of living bacteria cells in different concentrations depending on the microorganism.

The Importance of Reaction Conditions on the Chemical Structure of ,-Acylated Chitosan Derivatives.

The structure of acylated chitosan derivatives strongly determines the properties of obtained products, influencing their hydrodynamic properties and thereby their solubility or self-assembly susceptibility. In the present work, the significance of slight changes in acylation conditions on the structure and properties of the products is discussed. A series of chitosan-acylated derivatives was synthesized by varying reaction conditions in a two-step process.

Poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(glycerol sebacate) electrospun scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering using benign solvents.

Electrospun fibers based on combinations of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) have been studied for applications in cardiac tissue engineering. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the fabrication of PCL and PGS prepolymer or mildly crosslinked PGS by electrospinning using less toxic solvents, like acetic acid, as opposed to conventional solvents such as chloroform or dichloromethane. The morphological and physiochemical properties and degradation susceptibility of the fiber mats were determined.

Enzymatic Degradation of Poly(butylene succinate) Copolyesters Synthesized with the Use of Lipase B.

Biodegradable polymers are an active area of investigation, particularly ones that can be produced from sustainable, biobased monomers, such as copolymers of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). In this study, we examine the enzymatic degradation of poly(butylene succinate-dilinoleic succinate) (PBS-DLS) copolymers obtained by "green" enzymatic synthesis using lipase B from (CALB). The copolymers differed in their hard to soft segments ratio, from 70:30 to 50:50 wt %.

The effect of carbon nanoparticles on biological properties of polyester nanocomposites.

The aim of present study was to determine the hemocompatibility, cellular response of endothelial cells and bacterial adhesion to a new polyester nanocomposite. The carbon nanoparticle nanocomposite was prepared via in situ polymerization of monomers to obtain material of hardness 55 Sh D similar to polyurethanes used in medical applications, for example, in heart-assisting devices. The carbon nanoparticle-containing polyester exhibits markedly reduced bacterial colonization, as compared to commercially available polyurethanes.

Thermoplastic Elastomers: Materials for Heart Assist Devices.

Heart assisting devices have become a standard element in clinical practice and provide support for the traditional methods of treating heart disease. Regardless of the construction of VAD (ventricular assist devices), there are crucial requirements that have to be met by the construction materials: high purity, desired physical, chemical and mechanical properties, easy fabrication and high stability and susceptibility to sterilization. They must not cause thrombosis, destroy cellular elements, alter plasma protein, destroy enzymes, deplete electrolytes, cause immune response and cancer, and must not produce toxic and allergic reactions, when they are applied in direct contact with biological tissues and fluids.