Anti-Viral Surfaces in the Fight against the Spread of Coronaviruses.

This review is conducted against the background of nanotechnology, which provides us with a chance to effectively combat the spread of coronaviruses, and which primarily concerns polyelectrolytes and their usability for obtaining protective function against viruses and as carriers for anti-viral agents, vaccine adjuvants, and, in particular, direct anti-viral activity. This review covers nanomembranes in the form of nano-coatings or nanoparticles built of natural or synthetic polyelectrolytes--either alone or else as nanocomposites for creating an interface with viruses. There are not a wide variety of polyelectrolytes with direct activity against SARS-CoV-2, but materials that are effective in virucidal evaluations against HIV, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV are taken into account as potentially active against SARS-CoV-2.

Membrane Systems for Biomedical Engineering.

The thematic scope concerning membrane systems for biomedical engineering is very wide; it concerns new methods of designing membrane systems for biomedical and biomedical-related environmental processes [...

Polyelectrolyte Membrane Nanocoatings Aimed at Personal Protective and Medical Equipment Surfaces to Reduce Coronavirus Spreading.

The study of the surface of membrane coatings constructed with adsorbed coronavirus (COV) was described to test their suitability for the antiviral activity for application in personal protective and medical equipment. The nanocoating based on polyethyleneimine (PEI) or polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) with metallic nanoparticles incorporated was investigated using the AFM technique. Moreover, the functioning of human lung cells in a configuration with the prepared material with the adsorbed coronavirus was studied using microscopic techniques and flow cytometry.

A Functionalized Membrane Layer as Part of a Dressing to Aid Wound Healing.

Purpose: This study is an approach to a dressing platform based on support functionalized with oxygenating factors within an alginate layer, constituting a safe and even contact surface for interface with a wound.

Methods: An alginate layer with incorporated oxygenating elements deposited on the support patch was assessed. As an oxygenating factor, perfluorooctyl was applied, and the layer coatings in two options, cross-linked and not, were evaluated.

Composite Membrane Dressings System with Metallic Nanoparticles as an Antibacterial Factor in Wound Healing.

Wound management is the burning problem of modern medicine, significantly burdening developed countries' healthcare systems. In recent years, it has become clear that the achievements of nanotechnology have introduced a new quality in wound healing. The application of nanomaterials in wound dressing significantly improves their properties and promotes the healing of injuries.

A Composite Membrane System with Gold Nanoparticles, Hydroxyapatite, and Fullerenol for Dual Interaction for Biomedical Purposes.

Wound dressing plays a vital role in post-operative aftercare. There is the necessity to develop dressings for application on the border of soft and hard tissue. This study aimed to develop multifunctional polyelectrolyte layers enhanced by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and/or fullerenol nanocomposites to achieve a wound dressing that could be applied on the bone-skin interface.

Nanocomposite Membrane Scaffolds for Cell Function Maintaining for Biomedical Purposes.

Nanocomposite multilayered membrane coatings have been widely used experimentally to enhance biomedical materials surfaces. By the selection of reliable components, such systems are functionalized to be adjusted to specific purposes. As metal nanoparticles can reduce bacterial cell adhesion, the idea of using gold and silver nanoparticles of unique antimicrobial properties within membrane structure is outstandingly interesting considering dressings facilitating wound healing.

Printed Graphene Layer as a Base for Cell Electrostimulation-Preliminary Results.

Nerve regeneration through cell electrostimulation will become a key finding in regenerative medicine. The procedure will provide a wide range of applications, especially in body reconstruction, artificial organs or nerve prostheses. Other than in the case of the conventional polystyrene substrates, the application of the current flow in the cell substrate stimulates the cell growth and mobility, supports the synaptogenesis, and increases the average length of neuron nerve fibres.

Gold Nanoparticle-Modified Poly(vinyl chloride) Surface with Improved Antimicrobial Properties for Medical Devices.

Despite the significant technological progress achieved in the past decades in the medical field, device-related infections carry a heavy social and economic burden. Surface modification of medical equipment is one of the most interesting approaches employed to improve the antibacterial activity of a material. Herein, we developed a process for the gold nanoparticle modification of a poly(vinyl chloride) laryngeal tube, which typically serves as an airway management device.

Stabilized nanosystem of nanocarriers with an immobilized biological factor for anti-tumor therapy.

Objective: The inadequate efficiency of existing therapeutic anti-cancer regiments and the increase in the multidrug resistance of cancer cells underscore the need to investigate novel anticancer strategies. The induction of apoptosis in tumors by cytotoxic agents produced by pathogenic microorganisms is an example of such an approach. Nevertheless, even the most effective drug should be delivered directly to targeted sites to reduce any negative impact on other cells.

Nanoencapsulation of cells within multilayer shells for biomedical applications.

This paper reviews the recent research and development of the systems of nano-thin layers coated cells for biomedical applications. Polyelectrolyte based nano-thin polymer coatings, due to their individual layered structure and functionalization ability, are a promising part of the systems involving cells for biological processes regulation. The purpose of the layer-by-layer coating technique application is to minimize capsule void volume and separate cells from the host immunological system eliminating immunosuppressive therapy during transplantation.

Induced death of Escherichia coli encapsulated in a hollow fiber membrane as observed in vitro or after subcutaneous implantation.

The encapsulation of bacteria may be used to harness them for longer period of time in order to make them viable, while antibiotic treatment would result in controlled release of therapeutic molecules. Encapsulated bacteria Escherichia coli GFP (green fluorescent protein) (E. coli GFP) were used here as a model for therapeutic substance - GFP fragments release (model of bioactive substances).

Polypropylene hollow fiber for cells isolation: methods for evaluation of diffusive transport and quality of cells encapsulation.

Formulation of membrane properties is important prior the successful implantation of encapsulated cells producing therapeutically relevant compounds. The purpose of our study was to specify the methods allowing preliminary evaluation of hollow fibers (HF) chosen for immunoisolation. We have selected as estimates (1) diffusive permeability for small and large solutes, and HF cut off (in vitro), (2) histological evaluation of tissue overgrowth after sc.