Effects of silver-decorated PLGA nanoparticles on biofilms and evaluation of the detoxification limit of bacteria against these nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles exert high antibacterial activity and thus have been used in polymeric formulations for drug delivery. In recent years, polymeric formulations containing silver nanoparticles have been found to be highly effective against biofilm infections, which are difficult to treat with drugs only. However, the antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticles in polymer composites depending on administration time are still unknown.

Enhanced antibacterial efficacy: rapid analysis of silver-decorated azithromycin-infused Soluplus® nanoparticles against and biofilms.

The escalating threat of antibiotic-resistant bacterial biofilms necessitates innovative antimicrobial strategies. This study introduces silver-decorated azithromycin-infused Soluplus® nanoparticles (Ag-AZI-Sol NPs) synthesized a controlled emulsion diffusion method to ensure sustained release of antimicrobial silver ions for over six hours-a critical factor for continuous antibacterial efficacy. The efficacy of these nanoparticles was evaluated against biofilms formed by () and (), pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infections.

Quality Evaluation of Gentamicin Sulfate Reference Standards in Japanese Pharmacopoeia Using Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography Combined With Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Background: Through the recent development of analytical technology, antibiotics quantification in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) has changed from traditional microbiological assays to physicochemical methods with high specificity and precision. However, for several multicomponent antibiotics without typical UV absorption, potency cannot be directly determined using instrumental methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography; therefore, traditional microbiological assays are still used. Gentamicin sulfate (GmS), which consists of three major components, C1, C1a, and C2, is such a typical antibiotic, and its antimicrobial potency continues to be assayed using microbiological methods in JP monographs.

Impact of the TRPV2 Inhibitor on Advanced Heart Failure in Patients with Muscular Dystrophy: Exploratory Study of Biomarkers Related to the Efficacy of Tranilast.

Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in patients with muscular dystrophy (MD). Tranilast, a widely used anti-allergic drug, has displayed inhibitory activity against the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 2 and improved cardiac function in MD patients. To identify urinary biomarkers that assess improved cardiac function after tranilast administration, we performed a urinary metabolomic study focused on oxidative fatty acids.

Ultrasonography-based reference values for the cross-sectional area of the thyroid gland in children and adolescents: The Fukushima Health Management Survey.

We previously described the thyroid volume, which was calculated by measuring the thyroid width, thickness, and longitudinal length using ultrasonography, in children and adolescents. We have proposed a simplified method for quantitatively assessing the thyroid size, to overcome the inaccuracy and challenges in measuring the longitudinal length of the thyroid. Based on measurements of 317,847 (girls: 156,913, boys: 160,934) children and adolescents, we calculated sex-specific means and standard deviations of thyroid width and thickness, and of the cross-sectional area computed by multiplying them, for every age and 0.

Screening and quantification of undeclared PGF analogs in eyelash-enhancing cosmetic serums using LC-MS/MS.

In recent years, cosmetics deemed equivalent to pharmaceutical products containing prostaglandin F (PGF) analogs have been distributed overseas in the form of eyelash serums that can be purchased via the internet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence or absence of PGF analogs in eyelash serums procured in Japan via the internet to elucidate the actual composition. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) measurement system was developed for the determination of 14 PGF analogs in cosmetic serums.

Discovery of anti-inflammatory physiological peptides that promote tissue repair by reinforcing epithelial barrier formation.

Epithelial barriers that prevent dehydration and pathogen invasion are established by tight junctions (TJs), and their disruption leads to various inflammatory diseases and tissue destruction. However, a therapeutic strategy to overcome TJ disruption in diseases has not been established because of the lack of clinically applicable TJ-inducing molecules. Here, we found TJ-inducing peptides (JIPs) in mice and humans that corresponded to 35 to 42 residue peptides of the C terminus of alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), an acute-phase anti-inflammatory protein.

Biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis imaged using atmospheric scanning electron microscopy.

Staphylococcus epidermidis are gram-positive bacteria that form a biofilm around implanted devices and develop an infection into a chronic state. Recently, it has been revealed that microvesicles have important roles in biofilm formation and intercellular communication among bacteria. However, biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis, and its relation to microvesicle secretion, is poorly understood because of the difficulty required to preserve the delicate water-rich morphology of biofilm for high-resolution observations.

Preparation of silver-decorated Soluplus® nanoparticles and antibacterial activity towards S. epidermidis biofilms as characterized by STEM-CL spectroscopy.

Biofilm infections present a serious problem because antibacterial drugs are not effective against mature biofilms or biofilms formed by drug-resistant bacteria. To address this issue, we developed a drug delivery system based on metal-decorated polymeric particles. Polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus®) is an amphiphilic polymer used in biomedical formulations, while silver nanoparticles are widely acknowledged to have high antibacterial activity.

A Short Peptide Derived from the ZorO Toxin Functions as an Effective Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial peptides are potential molecules for the development of novel antibiotic agents. The ZorO toxin of a type I toxin-antitoxin system in O157:H7 is composed of 29 amino acids and its endogenous expression inhibits growth. However, little is known about its inhibitory mechanism.

Rivaroxaban-related acute kidney injury in a patient with IgA vasculitis.

Anticoagulants have recently been recognised as a cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). We describe the case of a 75-year-old man with IgA vasculitis and atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban, who presented with macroscopic haematuria and an acute decline in renal function. Two months before referral, he noted palpable purpuric lesions and was diagnosed with IgA vasculitis based on skin biopsy findings; the skin lesion disappeared following treatment with a steroid external preparation.

Optimization of ionic liquid-incorporated PLGA nanoparticles for treatment of biofilm infections.

Ionic liquids (ILs) containing imidazolium cations have a number of useful properties, such as high permeability to cells, high antimicrobial activity, and good biocompatibility. With the aid of ILs, transdermal delivery, solubilization of poorly soluble drugs were developed and therapeutic effects were improved. In this work, 1‑butyl‑3‑methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate-incorporated, chitosan-modified, submicron-sized poly(dl‑lactide‑co‑glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the emulsion solvent diffusion method for the treatment of biofilm infections.

Biophysical Parameters of the Sec14 Phospholipid Exchange Cycle.

Sec14, the major yeast phosphatidylcholine (PC)/phosphatidylinositol (PI) transfer protein (PITP), coordinates PC and PI metabolism to facilitate an appropriate and essential lipid signaling environment for membrane trafficking from trans-Golgi membranes. The Sec14 PI/PC exchange cycle is essential for its essential biological activity, but fundamental aspects of how this PITP executes its lipid transfer cycle remain unknown. To address some of these outstanding issues, we applied time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering for the determination of protein-mediated intervesicular movement of deuterated and hydrogenated phospholipids in vitro.

Improvement in the water solubility of drugs with a solid dispersion system by spray drying and hot-melt extrusion with using the amphiphilic polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer and d-mannitol.

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize solid dispersion particles with a novel amphiphilic polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, as a water-soluble carrier. Solid dispersion particles were prepared by hot-melt extrusion and spray drying. Indomethacin (IMC) was used as a model comprising drugs with low solubility in water and d-mannitol (MAN) was used as an excipient.

Crystallographic and theoretical studies of an inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin with fentanyl.

The crystal structure of an inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with fentanyl was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to the triclinic space group P1 and the complex comprises one fentanyl, two β-CD, and several water molecules. β-CD and fentanyl form a host-guest inclusion complex at a ratio of 2:1 and the asymmetric unit of the complex contains two host molecules (β-CDs) in a head-to-head arrangement that form dimers through hydrogen bonds between the secondary hydroxyl groups of β-CD and one guest molecule.

SEM imaging of the stimulatory response of RAW264.7 cells against Porphyromonas gingivalis using a simple technique employing new conductive materials.

In the medical biology, it is essential to understand not only biological morphology but also the interaction between biological materials and agents. To study these, electron microscopy (EM) is often utilized. However, sample preparation techniques for EM require a high level of skill and a considerable time.

Imaging of intracellular behavior of polymeric nanoparticles in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms by slit-scanning confocal Raman microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

In drug delivery systems employing polymeric nanoparticles, accurate delivery of drugs to target sites such as bacterial cells, cell tissues, and organelles is essential. In particular, when designing drug delivery systems for the treatment of the biofilm infections, evaluation of the interaction between polymeric nanoparticles and biofilm or bacterial cells using a simple technique is of significant importance. Here we develop two types of novel techniques for the biological imaging of the intracellular behavior of two types of polymeric nanoparticles, biodegradable chitosan-modified poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles and chitosan-modified polyvinyl caprolactam - polyvinyl acetate -polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus®, Sol) nanoparticles, within a Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm.

[Preparation and Evaluation of Modified Mohs Paste without Starch].

Mohs paste is an external preparation containing zinc hydrochloride and zinc oxide starch as the main ingredient, and it is used for the palliative treatment of patients with surgically untreatable malignant tumors. However, it has problems, such as changes in hardness and viscoelasticity with time and liquefaction by exudate. To overcome these problems, we modified the formulation of Mohs paste by excluding starch, which is the cause of physical changes, and investigated the base.

Visualization of silver-decorated poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles and their efficacy against Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Understanding of self-protection activity of the bacteria and interaction with drug substances has significant importance for designing of effective drug delivery system for treatment of biofilm infections. Recently silver nanoparticle has attracted attention as antibacterial substance for drug delivery system because of its high antibacterial activity. Here, efflux of silver nanoparticles obtained from within the prepared silver-decorated poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (Ag PLGA) nanoparticles derived from Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterial cell was successfully visualized using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).

Influence of oxygen on nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber growth directly on nichrome foil.

The synthesis of various nitrogen-doped (N-doped) carbon nanostructures has been significantly explored as an alternative material for energy storage and metal-free catalytic applications. Here, we reveal a direct growth technique of N-doped carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on flexible nichrome (NiCr) foil using melamine as a solid precursor. Highly reactive Cr plays a critical role in the nanofiber growth process on the metal alloy foil in an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) process.

Morphological study of efficacy of clarithromycin-loaded nanocarriers for treatment of biofilm infection disease.

In this study, we developed a drug delivery system (DDS) using polymeric nanocarriers for the treatment of biofilm infection disease. Clarithromycin (CAM)-encapsulated and chitosan (CS) modified polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus) (Sol) and poly-(DL-lactide-co-glycolide), respectively. To understand the availability of the prepared NPs, we made morphological observations of the antibacterial activity derived from the NPs toward the bacterial cells within the biofilm using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements.

A microscopy method for scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging of the antibacterial activity of polymeric nanoparticles on a biofilm with an ionic liquid.

In this study, we developed a scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) method for imaging the antibacterial activity of organic polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) toward biofilms formed by Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterial cells, for optimizing NPs to treat biofilm infections. The combination of sample preparation method using a hydrophilic ionic liquid (IL) and STEM observation using the cooling holder eliminates the need for specialized equipment and techniques for biological sample preparation. The annular dark-field STEM results indicated that the two types of biodegradable poly-(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) NPs: PLGA modified with chitosan (CS), and clarithromycin (CAM)-loaded + CS-modified PLGA, prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion exhibited different antibacterial activities in nanoscale.

Application of spherical silicate to prepare solid dispersion dosage forms with aqueous polymers.

The objective of this study is to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of nifedipine (NP) using porous spherical silicate micro beads (MB) that were approximately 100 μm in diameter with vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer (PVP/VA) and a Wurster-type fluidized bed granulator. Compared with previously reported solid dispersion using only MB, the supersaturation of NP dissolved from the proposed system of MB and PVP/VA was maintained during dissolution tests. The proposed system produced a solid dispersion product coated on MB, and morphology was maintained after the coating process to prepare solid dispersion; therefore, the powder characteristics, such as flowability of the proposed solid dispersion product, was tremendously preferable to that of the conventional spray-dried solid dispersions of NP with PVP/VA, expecting to make the consequent manufacturing processes easy for development.