Article
Infectious Diseases
Alberto Vitali, Annarita Stringaro, Marisa Colone, Alexandra Muntiu, Letizia Angiolella
Summary: Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with carvacrol showed strong antifungal activity against planktonic Candida strains, and the antibiofilm activity varied depending on the species tested.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dazhong Yan, Yanzhen Li, Yinling Liu, Na Li, Xue Zhang, Chen Yan
Summary: Chitosan, a natural antimicrobial polymer, has potential as an alternative for antibiotics in therapy and disinfection due to its ability to kill microbes by neutralizing their negative charges on the surface. Chemically modified chitosan derivatives have better water solubility and antimicrobial properties, offering promise for improvement in the treatment of enteric infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maryam Payandeh, Mehdi Ahmadyousefi, Hamidreza Alizadeh, Mahboobeh Zahedifar
Summary: This study reports the design, synthesis, and characterization of nanoencapsulated Satureja kermanica essential oil/extract using chitosan biopolymer as a carrier for antifungal efficacy. The results show that the nanoencapsulated Satureja kermanica essential oil/extract effectively inhibits fungal growth and can be used as a green strategy to protect plants from fungal infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lingling Li, Yanran Xu, Zhuo Xu, Chunhua Wu, Qian Chen, Kaimeng Xu, Zhengjun Shi
Summary: The bioactivities of pristine chitosan are weak compared with commercial chemicals, hindering its application in food packaging and preservation. By modifying chitosan with dehydroabietic acid (DHA), a safe and biologically derived fruit preservative with excellent antifungal properties can be obtained. The antifungal activities of the modified chitosans against Penicillium digitutim and Penicillium italicum were investigated, showing that the DHA conjugated at C-6 with a free amino group at C-2 exhibited the strongest antifungal effect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhanad Ali, Miriam E. van Gent, Amy M. de Waal, Bjorn R. van Doodewaerd, Erik Bos, Roman I. Koning, Robert A. Cordfunke, Jan Wouter Drijfhout, Peter H. Nibbering
Summary: The formulation of SAAP-148 in PLGA nanoparticles improves its selectivity index and enables sustained release of the peptide. The nanoparticles exhibit favorable physiochemical properties and demonstrate increased activity against antimicrobial resistant bacteria and biofilms over time. This suggests that SAAP-148 nanoparticles have promising potential as a treatment for bacterial infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Cernakova, Maryam Roudbary, Susana Bras, Silva Tafaj, Celia F. Rodrigues
Summary: Candida auris is a novel and major fungal pathogen that has caused outbreaks in the last decade. Due to its high rate of multidrug resistance, difficulty in identification, and ability to form biofilms, treating C. auris infections has become highly challenging. Further research is needed to explore identification, treatment, and drug development for C. auris infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Andra-Cristina Humelnicu, Petrisor Samoila, Corneliu Cojocaru, Raluca Dumitriu, Andra-Cristina Bostanaru, Mihai Mares, Valeria Harabagiu, Bogdan C. Simionescu
Summary: This paper investigates new approaches to chitosan-based antifungal therapeutic formulations. By using gel-like formulations and controlling the composition, the study achieved effective inhibition and controlled release of fungi.
Review
Immunology
Homa Boroumand, Fereshteh Badie, Samaneh Mazaheri, Zeynab Sadat Seyedi, Javid Sadri Nahand, Majid Nejati, Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi, Mohammad Abbasi-Kolli, Bita Badehnoosh, Maryam Ghandali, Michael R. Hamblin, Hamed Mirzaei
Summary: Viral infections can damage host cells and compromise the host immune system. Nanotechnology offers potential solutions for developing effective antiviral drugs with enhanced selectivity to protect healthy cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pil U. Rasmussen, Hoang U. T. Phan, Margit W. Frederiksen, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: The study found that workers in biowaste pretreatment plants are exposed to high levels of bioaerosols during work, but also suggested that how the plant is built and functions may affect the exposures.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Veronica da Silva Oliveira, Meriangela Miranda da Cruz, Gabriela Suassuna Bezerra, Natan Emanuell Sobral e Silva, Fernando Henrique Andrade Nogueira, Guilherme Maranhao Chaves, Jose Lamartine Soares Sobrinho, Francisco Jaime Bezerra Mendonca-Junior, Bolivar Ponciano Goulart de Lima Damasceno, Attilio Converti, Adley Antonini Neves de Lima
Summary: In this study, 6CN-chitosan films were prepared and characterized by physicochemical analyses, with their antifungal potential evaluated against Candida species. The results demonstrated the incorporation of 6CN in the polymer matrix and the effectiveness of the films against Candida, showing potential for application as a new antifungal drug.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Somenath Das, Vipin Kumar Singh, Anand Kumar Chaudhari, Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy, Nawal Kishore Dubey
Summary: This study encapsulated linalool into chitosan nanocomposite to develop a controlled release delivery system with protective effects against fungal infestation, AFB1 contamination, and lipid peroxidation in stored rice. The nanocomposite displayed controlled release of linalool with antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities, improved antioxidant potential, and reduced lipid peroxidation. The findings suggest the potential application of chitosan-linalool nanocomposite as an environmentally friendly preservative in food and agricultural industries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ankur Sharma, Dhruv Kumar, Kajal Dahiya, Susan Hawthorne, Saurabh Kumar Jha, Niraj Kumar Jha, Parma Nand, Samuel Girgis, Sibi Raj, Rashi Srivastava, Vineet Kumar Goswami, Yiota Gregoriou, Sally A. El-Zahaby, Shreesh Ojha, Harish Dureja, Gaurav Gupta, Sachin Singh, Dinesh Kumar Chellappan, Kamal Dua
Summary: The burden of respiratory diseases caused by microbial infections continues to rise, posing a significant threat to global health. This review delves into different types of biofilms affecting the respiratory system, particularly bacterial biofilms, and discusses current treatment strategies. The potential of nanocarriers as effective treatment modalities for pulmonary infections is explored, along with the challenges faced and measures that can be taken to overcome them.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tinnakorn Phuangkaew, Nadda Booranabunyat, Suda Kiatkamjornwong, Panida Thanyasrisung, Voravee P. Hoven
Summary: Hydrophobized chitosan derivatives with hydrophilic positively charged groups were synthesized and assembled into nanoparticles, showing effective anti-biofilm activity against the dental caries pathogen.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
William Marcondes Facchinatto, Joana Galante, Leticia Mesquita, Daniella Souza Silva, Danilo Martins dos Santos, Tiago Bueno Moraes, Sergio Paulo Campana-Filho, Luiz Alberto Colnago, Bruno Sarmento, Jose das Neves
Summary: This study explored the use of novel nanoparticles as carriers for clotrimazole, demonstrating good drug release properties and improved drug permeability in cell monolayer models.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tara Pourseif, Robabehbeygom Ghafelehbashi, Mohammadreza Abdihaji, Niloufar Radan, Ehsan Kaffash, Maryam Heydari, Maryam Naseroleslami, Neda Mousavi-Niri, Iman Akbarzadeh, Qun Ren
Summary: This study aims to develop a niosomal platform for the delivery of TCH to treat bacterial infections in wounds. Chitosan was used to obtain controlled drug release and antibacterial activity. The optimized TCH-Nio showed a controlled release rate, and TCH-Nio@CS, with chitosan coating, exhibited 2-fold higher antibacterial activity compared to TCH-Nio. The formulated niosomes showed no in vitro toxicity towards human cells and down-regulated biofilm genes in tested bacteria.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Edward M. Schwarz, Alex C. McLaren, Thomas P. Sculco, Barry Brause, Mathias Bostrom, Stephen L. Kates, Javad Parvizi, Volker Alt, William V. Arnold, Alberto Carli, Antonia F. Chen, Hyonmin Choe, Debora C. Coraca-Huber, Michael Cross, Michelle Ghert, Noreen Hickok, Jessica Amber Jennings, Manjari Joshi, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, Mark Ninomiya, Kohei Nishitani, Irvin Oh, Douglas Padgett, Benjamin Ricciardi, Kordo Saeed, Parham Sendi, Bryan Springer, Paul Stoodley, Joseph C. Wenke
Summary: The use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) in treating orthopaedic infections raises concerns about lack of clinical evidence for efficacy, subtherapeutic levels following early release, absence of standardized formulation protocols, and the need for a validated assay to determine the minimum biofilm eradication concentration for specific microorganisms.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Zoe L. Harrison, Leslie R. Pace, Madison N. Brown, Karen E. Beenken, Mark S. Smeltzer, Joel D. Bumgardner, Warren O. Haggard, J. Amber Jennings
Summary: Antibiotic-loaded chitosan pastes with added mannitol show promise in treating complex musculoskeletal defects. The blend of chitosan and mannitol can decrease bacterial growth, reduce colony-forming unit counts, and potentially prevent biofilm formation on biomaterials and tissue.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zoe L. Harrison, Joel D. Bumgardner, Tomoko Fujiwara, Daniel L. Baker, J. Amber Jennings
Summary: This study evaluated hexanoic acid-treated electrospun chitosan membranes (HA-ESCM) as wound dressings that release C2DA and bupivacaine to prevent infection and alleviate pain associated with musculoskeletal trauma. The membranes released both therapeutics for 72 hours, were effective in preventing biofilm growth, but were toxic to fibroblasts when loaded with 2.5 or 5 mg of bupivacaine.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Vishnu Priya Murali, Fernanda D. Guerra, Najib Ghadri, James M. Christian, Sidney H. Stein, Jessica A. Jennings, Richard A. Smith, Joel D. Bumgardner
Summary: The study demonstrates that modified ESCMs can control the release of SMV and promote bone healing in GBR applications.
JOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karla Cisneros, Naisha Chowdhury, Emily Coleman, Tamanna Ferdous, Hengjie Su, Jessica A. Jennings, Joel D. Bumgardner, Tomoko Fujiwara
Summary: This study evaluates the effect of controlled release of simvastatin from 3D-printed triple-network hydrogels for osteogenic stimulation and characterizes their mechanical and biological properties as an implant. The tunable triple-network hydrogels loaded with simvastatin provide a potential therapeutic value for bone regeneration.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Carlos Montez Wells, Emily Carol Coleman, Rabeta Yeasmin, Zoe Lynn Harrison, Mallesh Kurakula, Daniel L. Baker, Joel David Bumgardner, Tomoko Fujiwara, Jessica Amber Jennings
Summary: Customizing chitosan nanofiber membranes with acyl chlorides can enhance their antimicrobial properties and resistance to biofilm formation, while also supporting fibroblast growth. These nanofiber membranes hold potential importance in tissue regeneration applications.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Duah Alkam, Thidathip Wongsurawat, Intawat Nookaew, Anthony R. Richardson, David Ussery, Mark S. Smeltzer, Piroon Jenjaroenpun
Summary: TnSeq assays generate millions of nucleotide sequence reads to detect transposon insertion mutations in genes. PCR-based insertion enrichment does not significantly bias results, except for a subset of essential genes sensitive to PCR cycle number. nCATRAs, an amplification-free method, provides comparable results to traditional PCR-based methods.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Alex Bryan, Ethan Wales, Samarth Vedante, Andreu Blanquer, Dipesh Neupane, Sanjay Mishra, Lucie Bacakova, Tomoko Fujiwara, Jessica Amber Jennings, Joel D. Bumgardner
Summary: This study successfully incorporated elastin and magnesium-phosphate particles into electrospun chitosan membranes, improving their properties for burn wound applications. Evaluation of fiber size, structure, hydrophilicity, elastin and MgP incorporation, release profiles, mechanical properties, degradation, and cytocompatibility showed that the addition of elastin and MgP enhanced the performance of the membranes.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Firuze Soltani-Kordshuli, Dipankar Choudhury, Josue A. Goss, Mara Campbell, Evelyn Smith, Steven Sonntag, Isabelle I. Niyonshuti, Deborah Okyere, Mark S. Smeltzer, Jingyi Chen, Min Zou
Summary: Joint replacements have become common orthopedic procedures to address the demand for functional mobility. However, the durability of joint replacements, especially for younger patients, is a major concern. This study explored the use of microscale dimples on titanium implants to improve lubrication and reduce wear. The star-shaped dimples showed the best performance, significantly reducing wear and friction. The study also investigated bacterial colonization on dimpled surfaces and found that dimpling did not increase colonization, although the coating with antibacterial materials did not decrease it either. Overall, star-shaped dimpled titanium surfaces have the potential to be more durable orthopedic implants.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Liting Wan, Lin Li, Xia Zhang, Bing Li, Janette M. Harro, Mark E. Shirtliff
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of dietary lipid composition and content on the cecal and fecal microbiota in mice. The results showed that increasing the dietary palm stearin (PS) level promoted the growth of Firmicutes and resulted in higher lipid and bile acid content in feces. However, increasing palm olein (PO) intake did not affect the microbial structure. Only at a high-fat level, PS (compared to PO) induced the observed microbial shifts. These findings highlight the importance of both lipid quality and quantity on gut microbiota.
Article
Immunology
Mara J. Campbell, Karen E. Beenken, Aura M. Ramirez, Mark S. Smeltzer
Summary: We found that MgrA, SarA, SarR, SarS, SarZ, and Rot bind to promoters associated with genes encoding primary extracellular proteases in Staphylococcus aureus. Mutation of sarA resulted in the greatest increase in protease production and decrease in biofilm formation. To determine the impact of these regulatory loci in vivo, we compared the virulence of mutants in a murine osteomyelitis model. The sarA mutant exhibited reduced virulence, cytotoxicity, biofilm formation, and sensitivity to antimicrobial peptide, demonstrating the importance of SarA in limiting protease production in S. aureus.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zoe Harrison, Emily C. Montgomery, Joshua R. Bush, Nidhi Gupta, Joel D. Bumgardner, Tomoko Fujiwara, Daniel L. Baker, Jessica Amber Jennings
Summary: This study investigated the effects of wound dressings on dermal cells, demonstrating that high concentrations of drug loading decreased cell viability and inhibited collagen production, while low concentrations promoted collagen deposition.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zoe L. Harrison, Emily C. Montgomery, Brian Hoffman, Felio Perez, Joshua R. Bush, Joel D. Bumgardner, Tomoko Fujiwara, Daniel L. Baker, Jessica Amber Jennings
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate a facile loading strategy for diffusible signaling factors (DSFs) onto titanium surfaces, and compare their antimicrobial efficacy. The results showed that DSF-loaded titanium coupons can effectively inhibit planktonic microbes and prevent biofilm attachment, without toxicity to mammalian cells.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Edward J. McPherson, Jessica A. Jennings, Omar Yunis, Michael A. Harris, Matthew V. Dipane, Nora L. Curtin, Madhav Chowdhry, Andrew J. Wassef, Joel D. Bumgardner, Scott P. Noel
Summary: Local antimicrobial delivery using calcium sulfate beads is a common treatment for periprosthetic joint infection. However, there is a lack of clinical information on the performance of antimicrobial-loaded calcium sulfate (ALCS) in large-scale applications. In this study, a simulated large joint model was used to examine the properties of eluting ALCS. Results showed an initial burst of antibiotic elution, with tobramycin fully eluting within 2.5 weeks and sustained release of vancomycin over 6 weeks. Calcium ion concentrations were high initially and gradually decreased after 3 weeks. All four tested calcium sulfate products were acidic. It was found that the addition of vancomycin was the main driver of acidic pH levels. The study suggests that joint complications may arise from decreased fluid acidity and proposes further clinical investigation of synovial pH.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Duah Alkam, Piroon Jenjaroenpun, Aura M. Ramirez, Karen E. Beenken, Horace J. Spencer, Mark S. Smeltzer
Summary: Mutation of purR gene enhances the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus mainly by increasing the production of specific virulence factors, with SarA playing a crucial role in this process and enhancing survival by increasing biofilm adaptability. Mutation of SarA has opposite effects, and its phenotypes can be reversed by limiting the production of proteases.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
