MAPLE-prepared graphene oxide-based coatings for improved orthopedic screws used in knee interventions.

Orthopedic screws are subjected to high mechanical stress, corrosive environment, and microbial colonization, which may cumulatively lead to implant failure and periprosthetic joint infections. To overcome these issues, this study has focused on modifying the surface chemistry and topography of screws utilized in knee intervention toward enhancing their mechanical and biological behaviors. Specifically, this study has explored the optimization of composite coatings made of polycaprolactone (PCL), graphene oxide (GO), and Meropenem (MRP) via the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique.

Half-Curcuminoids Encapsulated in Alginate-Glucosamine Hydrogel Matrices as Bioactive Delivery Systems.

The therapeutic effects of curcumin and its derivatives, based on research in recent years, are limited by their low bioavailability. To improve bioavailability and develop the medical field of application, different delivery systems have been developed that are adapted to certain environments or the proposed target type. This study presents some half-curcuminoids prepared by the condensation of acetylacetone with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (C1), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (C2), 4-acetamidobenzaldehyde (C3), or 4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde (C4), at microwaves as a simple, solvent-free, and eco-friendly method.

Three-Dimensional-Printed Composite Scaffolds Containing Poly-ε-Caprolactone and Strontium-Doped Hydroxyapatite for Osteoporotic Bone Restoration.

A challenge in tissue engineering and the pharmaceutical sector is the development of controlled local release of drugs that raise issues when systemic administration is applied. Strontium is an example of an effective anti-osteoporotic agent, used in treating osteoporosis due to both anti-resorptive and anabolic mechanisms of action. Designing bone scaffolds with a higher capability of promoting bone regeneration is a topical research subject.

Comparison between Two Different Synthesis Methods of Strontium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Designed for Osteoporotic Bone Restoration.

Development of efficient controlled local release of drugs that prevent systemic side effects is a challenge for anti-osteoporotic treatments. Research for new bone-regeneration materials is of high importance. Strontium (Sr) is known as an anti-resorptive and anabolic agent useful in treating osteoporosis.

Biomedical Promise of Sustainable Microwave-Engineered Symmetric Curcumin Derivatives.

Curcumin is a polyphenol of the plant, which can be used for various medicinal purposes, such as inflammation and cancer treatment. In this context, two symmetric curcumin derivatives (D1-(1E,6E)-1,7-bis(4-acetamidophenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione and D2-p,p-dihydroxy di-cinnamoyl methane) were obtained by the microwave-based method and evaluated for their antitumoral effect on human cervix cancer in comparison with toxicity on non-tumoral cells, taking into account that they were predicted to act as apoptosis agonists or anti-inflammatory agents. The HeLa cell line was incubated for 24 and 72 h with a concentration of 50 μg/mL of derivatives that killed almost half of the cells compared to the control.

Pure Epigallocatechin-3-gallate-Assisted Green Synthesis of Highly Stable Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are conventionally produced by using physical and chemical methods that are no longer in alignment with current society's demand for a low environmental impact. Accordingly, green synthesis approaches are considered a potential alternative due to the plant extracts that substitute some of the hazardous reagents. The general mechanism is based on the reducing power of natural products that allows the formation of NPs from a precursor solution.

A Microfluidic Approach for Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles as a Potential Antimicrobial Agent in Alginate-Hyaluronic Acid-Based Wound Dressings.

The recognized antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles is a well-studied property, especially when designing and developing biomaterials with medical applications. As biological activity is closely related to the physicochemical characteristics of a material, aspects such as particle morphology and dimension should be considered. Microfluidic systems in continuous flow represent a promising method to control the size, shape, and size distribution of synthesized nanoparticles.

Discovery of New Microbial Collagenase Inhibitors.

Bacterial virulence factors are mediating bacterial pathogenesis and infectivity. Collagenases are virulence factors secreted by several bacterial stains, such as , , and . These enzymes are among the most efficient degraders of collagen, playing a crucial role in host colonization.

Implant Surfaces Containing Bioglasses and Ciprofloxacin as Platforms for Bone Repair and Improved Resistance to Microbial Colonization.

Coatings are an attractive and challenging selection for improving the bioperformance of metallic devices. Composite materials based on bioglass/antibiotic/polymer are herein proposed as multifunctional thin films for hard tissue implants. We deposited a thin layer of the polymeric material by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation-MAPLE onto Ti substrates.

Magnetite Nanoparticles Functionalized with Therapeutic Agents for Enhanced ENT Antimicrobial Properties.

In the context of inefficient antibiotics, antibacterial alternatives are urgently needed to stop the increasing resistance rates in pathogens. This study reports the fabrication and characterization of four promising magnetite-based antibiotic delivery systems for ENT (ear, nose and throat) applications. Magnetite nanoparticles were functionalized with streptomycin and neomycin and some were entrapped in polymeric spheres.

PEG-Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles for Modulation of Microbial Biofilms on Voice Prosthesis.

This study reports the fabrication of nanostructured coatings based on magnetite, polyethyleneglycol, and biologically active molecule (polymyxin B-PM) for producing biofilm-resistant surfaces (voice prosthesis). Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have been synthesized and functionalized using a co-precipitation method and were further deposited into thin coatings using the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The obtained nanoparticles and coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis with differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction (TEM-SAED), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and infrared microscopy (IRM).

Anti-Biofilm Coatings Based on Chitosan and Lysozyme Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles.

Biofilms represent a common and increasingly challenging problem in healthcare practices worldwide, producing persistent and difficult to manage infections. Researchers have started developing antibiotic-free treatment alternatives in order to decrease the risk of resistant microbial strain selection and for the efficient management of antibiotic tolerant biofilm infections. The present study reports the fabrication and characterization of magnetite-based nanostructured coatings for producing biofilm-resistant surfaces.

3D-ALMOND-QSAR Models to Predict the Antidepressant Effect of Some Natural Compounds.

The current treatment of depression involves antidepressant synthetic drugs that have a variety of side effects. In searching for alternatives, natural compounds could represent a solution, as many studies reported that such compounds modulate the nervous system and exhibit antidepressant effects. We used bioinformatics methods to predict the antidepressant effect of ten natural compounds with neuroleptic activity, reported in the literature.

Anti-Cancer Nanopowders and MAPLE-Fabricated Thin Films Based on SPIONs Surface Modified with Paclitaxel Loaded β-Cyclodextrin.

Globally, cancer is the second most common cause of death, and Europe accounts for almost 25% of the global cancer burden, although its people make up only 10% of the world's population. Conventional systemically administered anti-cancer drugs come with important drawbacks such as inefficiency due to poor bioavailability and improper biodistribution, severe side effects associated with low therapeutic indices, and the development of multidrug resistance. Therefore, smart nano-engineered targeted drug-delivery systems with tailored pharmacokinetics and biodistribution which can selectively deliver anti-cancer agents directly to the tumor site are the solution to most difficulties encountered with conventional therapeutic tools.

Bioactive Coatings Based on Hydroxyapatite, Kanamycin, and Growth Factor for Biofilm Modulation.

The occurrence of opportunistic local infections and improper integration of metallic implants results in severe health conditions. Protective and tunable coatings represent an attractive and challenging selection for improving the metallic devices' biofunctional performances to restore or replace bone tissue. Composite materials based on hydroxyapatite (HAp), Kanamycin (KAN), and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) are herein proposed as multifunctional coatings for hard tissue implants.

Fish Bone Derived Bi-Phasic Calcium Phosphate Coatings Fabricated by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Biomedical Applications.

We report on new biomaterials with promising bone and cartilage regeneration potential, from sustainable, cheap resources of fish origin. Thin films were fabricated from fish bone-derived bi-phasic calcium phosphate targets pulsed laser deposition with a KrF * excimer laser source (λ = 248 nm, τ ≤ 25 ns). Targets and deposited nanostructures were characterized by SEM and XRD, as well as by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and FTIR spectroscopy.

Amorphous Silica Nanoparticles Obtained by Laser Ablation Induce Inflammatory Response in Human Lung Fibroblasts.

Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) represent environmentally born nanomaterials that are used in multiple biomedical applications. Our aim was to study the amorphous SiO₂ NP-induced inflammatory response in MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts up to 72 hours of exposure. The intracellular distribution of SiO₂ NPs was measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Designing cotton fibers impregnated with photocatalytic graphene oxide/Fe, N-doped TiO particles as prospective industrial self-cleaning and biocompatible textiles.

Our study reports the fabrication and characterization (surface morphology, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, photocatalytic efficiency) of cotton fibers treated by various methods with graphene oxide decorated with Fe, N-doped TiO nanoparticles. Designed as prospective industrial self-cleaning, antimicrobial and biocompatible textiles, microbiological and cytotoxicity tests were performed on these particles-treated fibers to validate their qualities. The photocatalytic effect was dependent on chemicals used to disperse the nanoparticles, the parameters of the treatment, the fiber structure and composition of the material.

Dynamic analysis of the interactions between Si/SiO quantum dots and biomolecules for improving applications based on nano-bio interfaces.

Due to their outstanding properties, quantum dots (QDs) received a growing interest in the biomedical field, but it is of major importance to investigate and to understand their interaction with the biomolecules. We examined the stability of silicon QDs and the time evolution of QDs - protein corona formation in various biological media (bovine serum albumin, cell culture medium without or supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum-FBS). Changes in the secondary structure of BSA were also investigated over time.

Biochemical, Histopathological and Molecular Responses in Gills of Leuciscus cephalus Exposed to Metals.

Gills are major targets for acute metal toxicity in fish, due to their permanent contact with aquatic pollutants. To assess the effects of metals on gills of the Leuciscus cephalus (chub), fish individuals were collected from two sites in the Tur River, Romania, in upstream (site 1) and downstream (site 2) of a metal pollution source. Quantitative and hyperspectral analyses showed that Zn, Sr, and Fe concentrations were significantly higher in gills from site 2 compared with site 1.

Photocatalytic, Antimicrobial and Biocompatibility Features of Cotton Knit Coated with Fe-N-Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles.

Our research was focused on the evaluation of the photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties, as well as biocompatibility of cotton fabrics coated with fresh and reused dispersions of nanoscaled TiO₂-1% Fe-N particles prepared by the hydrothermal method and post-annealed at 400 °C. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The textiles coated with doped TiO₂ were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses, and their photocatalytic effect by trichromatic coordinates of the materials stained with methylene blue and coffee and exposed to UV, visible and solar light.

Interaction of New-Developed TiO₂-Based Photocatalytic Nanoparticles with Pathogenic Microorganisms and Human Dermal and Pulmonary Fibroblasts.

TiO₂-based photocatalysts were obtained during previous years in order to limit pollution and to ease human daily living conditions due to their special properties. However, obtaining biocompatible photocatalysts is still a key problem, and the mechanism of their toxicity recently received increased attention. Two types of TiO₂ nanoparticles co-doped with 1% of iron and nitrogen (TiO₂-1% Fe-N) atoms were synthesized in hydrothermal conditions at pH of 8.

Innovative Self-Cleaning and Biocompatible Polyester Textiles Nano-Decorated with Fe-N-Doped Titanium Dioxide.

The development of innovative technologies to modify natural textiles holds an important impact for medical applications, including the prevention of contamination with microorganisms, particularly in the hospital environment. In our study, Fe and N co-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles have been obtained via the hydrothermal route, at moderate temperature, followed by short thermal annealing at 400 °C. These particles were used to impregnate polyester (PES) materials which have been evaluated for their morphology, photocatalytic performance, antimicrobial activity against bacterial reference strains, and in vitro biocompatibility on human skin fibroblasts.