Distinctive Immune Signatures Driven by Structural Alterations in Desmuramylpeptide NOD2 Agonists.

Herein we report on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of nucleotide-binding oligomerization-domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) desmuramylpeptide agonists. The structural prerequisites that shape both physicochemical and immunomodulatory profiles of desmuramylpeptide NOD2 agonists have been delineated. Within this context, we identified , a butyrylated desmuramylpeptide, as a potent NOD2 agonist (EC = 4.

The Incorporated Drug Affects the Properties of Hydrophilic Nanofibers.

Hydrophilic nanofibers offer promising potential for the delivery of drugs with diverse characteristics. Yet, the effects of different drugs incorporated into these nanofibers on their properties remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically explored how model drugs, namely ibuprofen, carvedilol, paracetamol, and metformin (hydrochloride), affect hydrophilic nanofibers composed of polyethylene oxide and poloxamer 188 in a 1:1 weight ratio.

Influence of Polymer Concentration on Drying of SPION Dispersions by Electrospinning.

To improve the physical stability of nanoparticle dispersions, several methods for their transformation into stable and easily dispersible dry products have been investigated thus far. Recently, electrospinning was shown to be a novel nanoparticle dispersion drying method, which addresses the crucial challenges of the current drying methods. It is a relatively simple method, but it is affected by various ambient, process, and dispersion parameters, which impact the properties of the electrospun product.

The shape anisotropy of magnetic nanoparticles: an approach to cell-type selective and enhanced internalization.

The effects of the shape anisotropy of nanoparticles on cellular uptake is still poorly understood due to challenges in the synthesis of anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles of the same composition. Here, we design and synthesize spherical magnetic nanoparticles and their anisotropic assemblies, namely magnetic nanochains (length ∼800 nm). Then, nanoparticle shape anisotropy is investigated on urothelial cells .

Nanofibers with genotyped Bacillus strains exhibiting antibacterial and immunomodulatory activity.

Biofilm-associated diseases such as periodontitis are widespread and challenging to treat which calls for new strategies for their effective management. Probiotics represent a promising approach for targeted treatment of dysbiosis in biofilm and modulation of host immune response. In this interdisciplinary study, nanofibers with two autochthonous Bacillus strains 27.

Towards the development of a biorelevant in vitro method for the prediction of nanoemulsion stability on the ocular surface.

Ophthalmic oil-in-water nanoemulsions (NEs) are a complex technological platform, representing an advancement in the treatment of dry eye disease. In addition to enabling the incorporation of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), NEs provide prolonged residence time of APIs and other formulation components and consequent replenishment and stabilization of the compromised tear film. Ophthalmic NEs have been on the market for over 20 years, but considering their complexity, as well as the complex nature of the ocular surface, they are still a poorly understood advanced dosage form.

Electrospinning as a method for preparation of redispersible dry product with high content of magnetic nanoparticles.

One of the key technological challenges in the development of iron-oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is their long-term physical stability in colloidal dispersions. This can be improved by their transformation into a dry form. Here, we introduce electrospinning as a drying method for ethanol-based and water-based MNP dispersions, which enables the preparation of high-loaded dry MNP products.

Hydrophilic nanofibers as a supersaturating delivery system for carvedilol.

Polymer nanofibers represent a promising delivery system for poorly water-soluble drugs; however, their supersaturating potential has not been explored yet. Here, carvedilol-loaded nanofibers based on poly(ethyleneoxide) and on amphiphilic block copolymer poloxamer 407 were produced by electrospinning. These nanofibers provided high carvedilol loading and improved dissolution of carvedilol.

Treatment challenges and delivery systems in immunomodulation and probiotic therapies for periodontitis.

: Periodontitis is a widespread illness that arises due to disrupted interplay between the oral microbiota and the host immune response. In some cases, conventional therapies can provide temporary remission, although this is often followed by disease relapse. Recent studies of periodontitis pathology have promoted the development of new therapeutics to improve treatment options, together with local application using advanced drug delivery systems.

Bioevaluation methods for iron-oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles.

Despite the intensive development and unique properties of iron-oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), their use as drug delivery systems has not yet entered clinical practice. There also remains a lack of data on their toxicity profile and behavior in the bioenvironment. A number of in-vitro studies have been performed, but these were carried out with various MNPs using various methods of bioevaluation and various cell lines, so they are not universally applicable.

The potential of nanofibers to increase solubility and dissolution rate of the poorly soluble and chemically unstable drug lovastatin.

Polymer nanofibers represent a promising drug delivery system. However, as a large surface area is exposed to external conditions during the electrospinning process, they are usually used to incorporate drugs with good oxidative stability. Here, we introduce a new concept for the incorporation of a drug with low oxidative stability and extremely low solubility into poloxamer 188/poly(ethylene oxide) and Soluplus/poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers, to improve its solubility and increase its dissolution rate.

Sustained release of antimicrobials from double-layer nanofiber mats for local treatment of periodontal disease, evaluated using a new micro flow-through apparatus.

Periodontal disease is a widespread chronic condition associated with degradation of periodontal tissues that requires more effective approaches for its treatment. Thus, the aim was to develop a nanodelivery system for local application of antimicrobials, with evaluation in vitro using a newly developed micro flow-through apparatus that simulates local in-vivo conditions in the periodontal pocket: small resting volume, and low gingival crevicular fluid flow rate. We successfully developed a double-layer nanofiber mat composed of a chitosan/ poly(ethylene) oxide nanofiber layer with 30% ciprofloxacin, and a poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofiber layer with 5% metronidazole.

Effects of Electrospinning on the Viability of Ten Species of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Nanofibers.

Lactic acid bacteria can have beneficial health effects and be used for the treatment of various diseases. However, there remains the challenge of encapsulating probiotics into delivery systems with a high viability and encapsulation efficacy. The electrospinning of bacteria is a novel and little-studied method, and further investigation of its promising potential is needed.

One-Pot Method for Preparation of Magnetic Multi-Core Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery.

The development of various magnetically-responsive nanostructures is of great importance in biomedicine. The controlled assembly of many small superparamagnetic nanocrystals into large multi-core clusters is needed for effective magnetic drug delivery. Here, we present a novel one-pot method for the preparation of multi-core clusters for drug delivery (i.

Development of electrospun nanofibers that enable high loading and long-term viability of probiotics.

The interest in probiotics has grown in recent years due to increased awareness of the importance of microbiota for human health. We present the development of monolithic poly(ethylene oxide) and composite poly(ethylene oxide)/lyoprotectant nanofibers loaded with the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014. High loading was achieved for L.

Nanofibers with Incorporated Autochthonous Bacteria as Potential Probiotics for Local Treatment of Periodontal Disease.

The conventional treatment of periodontal disease does not solve the high incidence of recolonization of periodontal pockets by pathogens. Here, we introduce an innovative concept of incorporating autochthonous bacteria as potential probiotics into nanofibers for local treatment. We selected and isolated the strain 25.

Impact of PCL nanofiber mat structural properties on hydrophilic drug release and antibacterial activity on periodontal pathogens.

Electrospinning enables to design and manufacture novel drug delivery systems capable of advancing the local antibacterial therapy. In this study, two hydrophilic drugs - metronidazole and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride - were loaded both individually and in combination into hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix using electrospinning. We aimed to develop prolonged release drug delivery systems suitable for the treatment of periodontal diseases and understand how different rarely studied structural features, such as nanofiber mat thickness, surface area, wettability, together with intrinsic properties, like solid state and localization of incorporated drugs in nanofibers, affect the drug release.

Association of Dyslipidemia, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation With Redox Status in VLDL, LDL, and HDL Lipoproteins in Patients With Renal Disease.

Some cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease may be caused by structurally and functionally modified lipoproteins. Redox status (advanced oxidation protein products [AOPPs]), prooxidant-antioxidant balance, total protein sulfhydryl (SH-groups), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity were assessed in 77 renal patients and 20 controls. Lipoproteins were isolated using ultracentrifugation.

Preparation of poloxamer-based nanofibers for enhanced dissolution of carvedilol.

Polymer nanofibers have become increasingly important for improvement of dissolution and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, representing a great challenge in pharmaceutical development. Here, we introduced a new concept of using amphiphilic polymers as fundamental excipients in electrospun nanofibers, which would improve drug solubilization and accelerate its release. Hydrophilic poloxamer-based nanofibers were developed as a novel drug delivery system for carvedilol.

Formulation and evaluation of chitosan/polyethylene oxide nanofibers loaded with metronidazole for local infections.

Nanofibers combined with an antimicrobial represent a powerful strategy for treatment of various infections. Local infections usually have a low fluid volume available for drug release, whereas pharmacopoeian dissolution tests include a much larger receptor volume. Therefore, the development of novel drug-release methods that more closely resemble the in-vivo conditions is necessary.

Design and Fabrication of Magnetically Responsive Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery.

Magnetically-assisted delivery of therapeutic agents to the site of interest, which is referred to as magnetic drug targeting, has proven to be a promising strategy in a number of studies. One of the key advantages over other targeting strategies is the possibility to control remotely the distribution and accumulation of the nanocarriers after parenteral administration. However, preparation of effective and robust magnetically responsive nanocarriers based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (SPIONs) still represents a great scientific challenge, since spatial guidance of individual SPIONs is ineffective despite the presence of high magnetic field gradient.

Contribution of Nanotechnology to Improved Treatment of Periodontal Disease.

Periodontal disease is chronic inflammation of periodontal tissues resulting in formation of periodontal pockets, periodontal attachment loss and progressive destruction of the ligament and alveolar bone. This review gives an update on periodontal disease pathogenesis, which is important for the development of novel methods and delivery systems for its treatment. The available treatment approaches, including removal of dental plaque, modulation of the host inflammatory response, and regeneration of periodontal tissue, are reviewed and their drawbacks discussed.

Electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibers as a potential oromucosal delivery system for poorly water-soluble drugs.

The number of poorly water-soluble drug candidates is rapidly increasing; this represents a major challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. As a consequence, novel formulation approaches are required. Furthermore, if such a drug candidate is intended for the therapy of a specific group of the population, such as geriatric or pediatric, the formulation challenge is even greater, with the need to produce a dosage form that is acceptable for specific patients.

Nanofiber diameter as a critical parameter affecting skin cell response.

Electrospun polymer nanofibers have opened new opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of tissue engineering, particularly due to their topography and variability of available biomaterials. In order to better understand nanofiber influence on cell growth, the impact of their diameter was systematically examined. In this study homogenous, randomly oriented poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers with five different average diameters, ranging from 70nm to 1120nm, were produced, characterized and their impact on morphology, proliferation and mobility of keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts was evaluated.

Development and bioevaluation of nanofibers with blood-derived growth factors for dermal wound healing.

The aim of our work was to produce a modern nanomaterial with incorporated blood-derived growth factors, produced by electrospinning, applicable in treatment of chronic wounds. Platelet-rich plasma was chosen as a natural source of growth factors. Results showed that platelet-rich plasma stimulates keratinocyte and fibroblast cell growth in vitro.