In Vitro Assessment of Gallium Nanoalloy Hydrogels for Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Applications.

Chronic and recurring wounds pose a significant challenge in modern healthcare, leading to substantial morbidity. These wounds allow pathogens to colonize, potentially resulting in local and systemic infections. Current interventions need to be revised and become increasingly less reliable due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Manipulation of Serum Protein Adsorption by Nanoengineered Biomaterials Influences Subsequent Immune Responses.

The adsorption of serum proteins on biomaterial surfaces is a critical determinant for the outcome of medical procedures and therapies, which involve inserting materials and devices into the body. In this study, we aimed to understand how surface topography at the nanoscale influences the composition of the protein corona that forms on the (bio)material surface when placed in contact with serum proteins. To achieve that, we developed nanoengineered model surfaces with finely tuned topography of 16, 40, and 70 nm, overcoated with methyl oxazoline to ensure uniform outermost chemistry across all surfaces.

Staphylococcus aureus surface attachment selectively influences tolerance against charged antibiotics.

The threat of infection during implant placement surgery remains a considerable burden for millions of patients worldwide. To combat this threat, clinicians employ a range of anti-infective strategies and practices. One of the most common interventions is the use of prophylactic antibiotic treatment during implant placement surgery.

Vancomycin tolerance of adherent Staphylococcus aureus is impeded by nanospike-induced physiological changes.

Bacterial colonization of implantable biomaterials is an ever-pervasive threat that causes devastating infections, yet continues to elude resolution. In the present study, we report how a rationally designed antibacterial surface containing sharp nanospikes can enhance the susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics used in prophylactic procedures. We show that Staphylococcus aureus, once adhered to a titanium surface, changes its cell-surface charge to increase its tolerance to vancomycin.

Transforming Spirulina maxima Biomass into Ultrathin Bioactive Coatings Using an Atmospheric Plasma Jet: A New Approach to Healing of Infected Wounds.

The challenge of wound healing, particularly in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, is intensified by wound infection and the accelerating problem of bacterial resistance to current remedies such as antibiotics and silver. One promising approach harnesses the bioactive and antibacterial compound C-phycocyanin from the microalga Spirulina maxima. However, the current processes of extracting this compound and developing coatings are unsustainable and difficult to achieve.

Gallium Liquid Metal: Nanotoolbox for Antimicrobial Applications.

The proliferation of drug resistance in microbial pathogens poses a significant threat to human health. Hence, treatment measures are essential to surmount this growing problem. In this context, liquid metal nanoparticles are promising.

Interplay between Immune and Bacterial Cells on a Biomimetic Nanostructured Surface: A "Race for the Surface" Study.

Biomaterial-associated infection is an ever-increasing risk with devasting consequences for patients. Considerable research has been undertaken to address this issue by imparting antibacterial properties to the surface of biomedical implants. One approach that generated much interest over recent years was the generation of bioinspired bactericidal nanostructures.

Lipase-Responsive Amphotericin B Loaded PCL Nanoparticles for Antifungal Therapies.

Amphotericin B is an antifungal drug used for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. However, its clinical use is limited due to its serious side effects, such as renal and cardiovascular toxicity. Furthermore, amphotericin B is administered in high doses due to its poor water solubility.

Preventing Peri-implantitis: The Quest for a Next Generation of Titanium Dental Implants.

Titanium and its alloys are frequently the biomaterial of choice for dental implant applications. Although titanium dental implants have been utilized for decades, there are yet unresolved issues pertaining to implant failure. Dental implant failure can arise either through wear and fatigue of the implant itself or peri-implant disease and subsequent host inflammation.

Surfaces Containing Sharp Nanostructures Enhance Antibiotic Efficacy.

The ever-increasing rate of medical device implantations is met by a proportionately high burden of implant-associated infections. To mitigate this threat, much research has been directed toward the development of antibacterial surface modifications by various means. One recent approach involves surfaces containing sharp nanostructures capable of killing bacteria upon contact.

Nanomechanical tribological characterisation of nanostructured titanium alloy surfaces using AFM: A friction vs velocity study.

Medical-grade titanium alloys used for orthopaedic implants are at risk from infections and complications such as wear and tear. We have recently shown that hydrothermally etched (HTE) nanostructures (NS) formed on the Ti6AlV4 alloy surfaces impart enhanced anti-bacterial activity which results in inhibited formation of bacterial biofilm. Although these titanium alloy nanostructures may resist bacterial colonisation, their frictional properties are yet to be understood.

Bio-Inspired Nanostructured Ti-6Al-4V Alloy: The Role of Two Alkaline Etchants and the Hydrothermal Processing Duration on Antibacterial Activity.

Inspired by observations that the natural topography observed on cicada and dragonfly wings may be lethal to bacteria, researchers have sought to reproduce these nanostructures on biomaterials with the goal of reducing implant-associated infections. Titanium and its alloys are widely employed biomaterials with excellent properties but are susceptible to bacterial colonisation. Hydrothermal etching is a simple, cost-effective procedure which fabricates nanoscale protrusions of various dimensions upon titanium, depending on the etching parameters used.

In Vitro Bactericidal Efficacy of Nanostructured Ti6Al4V Surfaces is Bacterial Load Dependent.

The demand for medical implants globally has increased significantly due to an aging population amongst other reasons. Despite the overall increase in the survivorship of Ti6Al4V implants, implant infection rates are increasing due to factors such as diabetes, obesity, and bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Two commonly found bacteria implicated in implant infections are and .

Regional immune response to immunization with Escherichia coli O157:H7-derived intimin in cattle.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an enteric pathogen of animals and humans that can result in deadly sequelae. Cattle are asymptomatic carriers and shedders of the bacteria and serve as an important reservoir of human infection. E.

Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in depression.

Vitamin D is known to be widely deficient in Western populations. The implications of this in terms of bone health are increasingly understood, yet its impact on other health areas, particularly mental health, is unclear. Recent data suggests that hypovitaminosis D may be common, especially in the elderly.

Familial insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Presence of a postbinding defect.

Type A insulin resistance, associated with acanthosis nigricans and menstrual irregularity, has been ascribed to a decreased concentration of insulin receptors. We now report four affected females from one family, a mother and three daughters (including identical twins) who appear to have the type A syndrome. Two of the kindred had no apparent ovarian dysfunction, while the other two had hyperprolactinemia without other findings of polycystic ovary disease, suggesting a genetic disease with variable penetrance.

The hypothalamus and pituitary in cerebral gigantism. A clinicopathologic and immunocytochemical study.

Cerebral gigantism, or Sotos' disease, is a rare disorder of unknown cause characterized by the early onset of excessive growth, acromegalic features, and some degree of mental retardation. Although several endocrinologic abnormalities have been described in such patients, none has been specific or sufficient to explain the clinical features. Our report of the endocrinologic and pathologic aspects in a young woman with Sotos' disease includes the first microanatomic study of the hypothalamus and immunocytochemical examination of the pituitary gland in this disorder.

Primary adrenocortical nodular dysplasia as a cause of Cushing's syndrome in infants and children.

Two patients with Cushing's syndrome due to primary adrenocortical nodular dysplasia (PAND) are described. Both patients, an infant and a 14-year-old boy at the time of diagnosis, were treated by total bilateral adrenalectomy. On gross inspection, the adrenal glands of the infant did not appear to be abnormal but those of the older patient showed numerous dark nodules.

Children with growth hormone deficiency. Intermittent treatment with somatropin and oxandrolone.

The effectiveness of a combination of somatropin (0.1 IU/kg in three doses per week) and oxandrolone (0.1 mg/kg/day) in the treatment of human growth hormone deficiency was evaluated.