Short Communication: Fructose-Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of Self-Assembled Nano-Peptide Amphiphiles for Treating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.

Background: In recent years, numerous bacteria have become resistant to conventional antibiotics. Fortunately, an increasing body of research indicates that through the addition of specific metabolites (like sugars), the antibacterial activity of certain drugs can be enhanced. A new type of self-assembled nano-peptide amphiphile (SANPA) was designed in this study to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Atomic Layer Deposition Coating of TiO Nano-Thin Films on Magnesium-Zinc Alloys to Enhance Cytocompatibility for Bioresorbable Vascular Stents.

Background And Purpose: A coronary stent is a well-known cardiovascular medical device implanted to resolve disorders of the circulatory system due to bloodstream narrowing. Since the implanted device interacts with surrounding biological environments, the surface properties of a typical implantable stent play a critical role in its success or failure. Endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation are fundamental criteria needed for the success of a medical device.

Greater osteoblast densities due to the addition of amphiphilic peptide nanoparticles to nano hydroxyapatite coatings.

Background: In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that metallic implants coated with nano hydroxyapatite (HA) reduce the time needed for complete osseointegration compared to metallic implants coated with conventional or micron-sized HA. Moreover, due to their biologically inspired nanometer dimensions, amphiphilic peptide nanoparticles (APNPs) can also promote osteoblast attachment and enhance other cell functions if used as a coating material. Coatings made of HA and APNPs could improve osteoblast functions, but have never been tested.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)-modified and bioactive protein-loaded core-shell nanofibers for bone tissue engineering applications.

Coaxial electrospinning is a novel technique for producing core-shell nanofibers that provide a robust structure and deliver hydrophilic bioactive agents. Optimization of parameters used in the coaxial electrospinning process allows for the fabrication of uniform and bead-free polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) core-shell nanofibers. Herein, a cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) process was used to enhance the surface features of electrospun core-shell nanofibers for increased surface pore size and altered surface hydrophilicity.

Synthesis and study of cell-penetrating peptide-modified gold nanoparticles.

Background: In nanomedicine, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have demonstrated versatile therapeutic efficiencies and, in particular, have been developed for the treatment of various cancers due to their high selectivity in killing cancer, not healthy, cells.

Methods: In this study, AuNPs were conjugated with the cell-penetrating peptide Cys-(Arg)-Asp-Ser (CRRRRRRRRGDS) by direct cross-linking of the cysteine's thiol group to the gold surface and a fibronectin-derived RGD group was also used due to its efficacy toward cancer cell targeting and possible promotion of healthy fibroblast functions.

Results: Ultraviolet-visible absorbance spectrum and transmission electron microscope images of the synthesized peptide-capped AuNPs (PEP-AuNPs) validated the formation of AuNP aggregates.

Introducing Unnatural Amino Acids-Containing Tripeptides as Antimicrobial and Anticancer Agents.

Hydrogelators are crosslinked polymeric networks that are capable of holding large amounts of water by surface tension. High-water absorption capacity makes hydrogels readily biocompatible and, thus, more attractive for medical applications. The objective of the present in vitro study was to test supramolecular hydrogelators for multiple biomedical applications: bacterial- and cancer-related diseases.

Enhanced Antibacterial Properties of Self-Assembling Peptide Amphiphiles Functionalized with Heparin-Binding Cardin-Motifs.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria has caused many healthcare problems and social burdens. In this study, a type of self-assembled peptide amphiphiles (PA) functionalized with a heparin-binding Cardin-motif peptide (sequence (AKKARK)) has been designed to combat bacterial drug resistance. Above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) at 45 μM, these amphiphilic Cardin antimicrobial peptide (ACA-PA) can self-assemble into cylindrical supramolecular structures (7-10 nm in diameter) via hydrophobic interactions and β-sheet secondary conformation.

Selective inhibition of MG-63 osteosarcoma cell proliferation induced by curcumin-loaded self-assembled arginine-rich-RGD nanospheres.

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent primary malignant form of bone cancer, comprising 30% of all bone cancer cases. The objective of this in vitro study was to develop a treatment against osteosarcoma with higher selectivity toward osteosarcoma cells and lower cytotoxicity toward normal healthy osteoblast cells. Curcumin (or diferuloylmethane) has been found to have antioxidant and anticancer effects by multiple cellular pathways.

Short communication: selective cytotoxicity of curcumin on osteosarcoma cells compared to healthy osteoblasts.

Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound extracted from the plant Curcuma longa L. In previous studies, curcumin has been shown to have anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the cytotoxicity of different concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 μM) of curcumin dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide was compared between MG-63 osteosarcoma and healthy human osteoblast cells.