Serum calprotectin as an inflammatory marker in psoriatic arthritis patients: Relation to disease activity and musculoskeletal ultrasound findings.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. The use of inflammatory markers can be disappointing in PsA since they are elevated in only about half of the patients. This study aimed to measure serum calprotectin level in PsA patients and to assess its association with disease activity in PsA (DAPSA) and musculoskeletal ultrasound findings. The study included 50 PsA patients and 30 controls. All subjects underwent medical history, musculoskeletal examination, hand and wrist joints ultrasound, and laboratory assessment. The mean age of patients was 41.04±11.8 years with female: male ratio of 3:2, and the median duration of arthritis 2 years (1-4 years) and DAPSA 25 years (3-84 years). The most common finding in patients by ultrasound was synovial hypertrophy in wrist joint (32%) followed by hand joints (28%). Patients' serum calprotectin level was significantly higher (174.2 ng/ml; ranged 127.5-282.6 ng/ml) than controls 41.4 ng/ml; ranged 19.9-59.8 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). Serum calprotectin predicted the occurrence of PsA at cutoff >106.4 ng/ml (with sensitivity 98%, and specificity 86.6%; p=0.001) and predicted synovial hypertrophy in hand joints at cutoff >258.9 ng/ml (with sensitivity 71%, and specificity 83%). There was a significant relation between serum calprotectin with synovial hypertrophy (p=0.004), osteophytes (p < 0.0001), nail affection (p=0.03) and erosions (p=0.01). Serum calprotectin is a more potential predictor for PsA (p < 0.0001) compared to erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.005) and C-reactive protein (p=0.001). In conclusion, serum calprotectin level is significantly high in PsA patients. It is associated with small hand joints synovitis and nail changes. This makes it a promising biomarker for defining patients with suspected PsA who do not meet specific disease criteria.

Immobilization of biosynthesized gallium nanoparticles in Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Sodium alginate films: Potent bactericidal protection against food spoilage bacteria.

The increasing threat of spoilage bacterial infections, driven by the resistance of bacteria to many antimicrobial treatments, is a significant worldwide public health problem, especially concerning food preservation. To tackle these difficulties, this research investigates the possibility of using packaging sheets that include antimicrobial agents and increasing the prolonged storage time by preventing the bioburden of foodborne pathogens. This approach uses metal nanoparticles' ability to prevent harmful bacteria that cause food spoiling. Gallium nanoparticles (GaNPs) were created using a water-based extract from Andrographis paniculata leaves as a bioreducing agent. The GaNPs were added to a film made of sodium alginate (SA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The study showed that incorporating GaNPs into polymer films resulted in films with a desirable contact angle and decreased water vapor permeability. Significantly, the developed films demonstrated increased efficiency against E.coli O157 compared to other species. Also, it exhibited increased vulnerability to bacterial strains at the biofilm stage, surpassing PVP-SA/GaNPs-0. Remarkably, the toxicity tests showed that the films exhibited no cytotoxicity. Overall, the films indicated their potential for avoiding bacterial bioburden, prolonging the shelf life of perishable products, and contributing to diverse antimicrobial applications in the food industry.

Self-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose nanofibril cryogels loaded with synthesized aminophosphonates as antimicrobial wound dressings.

Microbial infection is the most common obstacle in the wound healing process, leading to wound healing impairment and complications and ultimately increasing morbidity and mortality. Due to the rising number of pathogens evolving resistance to the existing antibiotics used for wound care, alternative approaches are urgently required. In this study, α-aminophosphonate derivatives as antimicrobial agents were synthesized and incorporated into self-crosslinked tri-component cryogels composed of fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-F), partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-P), and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Initially, the antimicrobial activity of four α-aminophosphonate derivatives against selected skin bacterial species was tested and their minimum inhibitory concentration was determined based on which the most effective compound was loaded into the cryogels. Next, the physical and mechanical properties of cryogels with various blending ratios of PVA-P/PVA-F and fixed amounts of CNFs were assessed, and drug release profiles and biological activities of drug-loaded cryogels were analyzed. Assessment of α-aminophosphonate derivatives showed the highest efficacy of a cinnamaldehyde-based derivative (Cinnam) against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria compared to other derivatives. The physical and mechanical properties of cryogels showed that PVA-P/PVA-F with a 50/50 blending ratio had the highest swelling ratio (1600%), surface area (523 m2 g-1), and compression recoverability (72%) compared to that with other blending ratios. Finally, antimicrobial and biofilm development studies showed that the cryogel loaded with a Cinnam amount of 2 mg (relative to polymer weight) showed the most sustained drug release profile over 75 h and had the highest efficacy against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In conclusion, self-crosslinked tri-component cryogels loaded with the synthesized α-aminophosphonate derivative, having both antimicrobial and anti-biofilm formation properties, can have a significant impact on the management of uprising wound infection.

Thermoresponsive nanofibers loaded with antimicrobial α-aminophosphonate-o/w emulsion supported by cellulose nanocrystals for smart wound care patches.

Long-term topical application of antibiotics on wounds has led to the emergence of drug-resistant bacterial infections. Antibiotic incorporation into the wound dressing requires enormous advancement of the field to ensure that the needed dose is released when the infection arises. This study synthesized a series of antimicrobial α-aminophosphonate derivatives, and the most effective compound was incorporated into thermoresponsive wound dressing patches. Wound dressing mats were fabricated by needleless electrospinning, and the resultant nanofiber mats were coated with a thermoresponsive eicosane/cellulose nanocrystals o/w system loaded with active α-aminophosphonate derivatives. Chemical, physical, thermal, and antimicrobial properties of the wound dressings were characterized wound dressings. Using SEM analysis, Nanofibers spun with 20 % w/v solutions were selected for drug-emulsion loading since they showed lower diameters with higher surface area. Furthermore, the drug-emulsion coating on the electrospun dressings improved the hydrophilicity of the wound dressings, and the thermoresponsive behavior of the mats was proved using differential scanning calorimetry data. Finally, the drug-loaded electrospun meshes were found active against tested microorganisms, and clear inhibition zones were observed. In conclusion, this novel approach of synthesizing a new family of antimicrobial molecules and their incorporation into nanofibers from renewable sources exhibits great potential for smart and innovative dressings.

Bioactive tri-component nanofibers from cellulose acetate/lignin//N-vanillidene-phenylthiazole copper-(II) complex for potential diaper dermatitis control.

Current research targets innovative medical textiles of nanofibrous nature and antibacterial activity to prevent diaper dermatitis. The work is based on electrospun nanofibers from cellulose acetate (CA) and lignin (Lig) polymers. A series of new copper complexes were synthesized and loaded to the CA/Lig solution mix then subjected to electrospinning, giving rise to the tricomponent bioactive mats CA/Lig/Cu-complex. The surface morphology of electrospun nanofiber mats was smooth and homogenous as the concentration of lignin increased in the mixture. The incorporation of lignin improved the electrospinnability of the cellulose acetate; however, it increased the fiber diameter. The water contact angle, absorption underload were significantly improved as lignin content increased. The incorporation of Cu-complex in electrospun CA and CA/Lig fiber mats occurred without any substantial change in the surface morphology, indicating well encapsulation of the complex. The electrospun mats were active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus faecalis. The cytotoxicity, protein leakage, and biological results, together with the above studies, would advocate copper complex loaded CA/Lig nanofibers as a potential candidate for hygienic applications.

Synthesis, antimicrobial activity, and sustainable release of novel α-aminophosphonate derivatives loaded carrageenan cryogel.

Novel α-aminophosphonates 4 were synthesized via one pot three-component reaction of 4-aminoantipyrine, aldehydes, triphenylphosphite and Lewis acid catalyst. The chemical structures of all the synthesized compounds were elucidated by IR, NMR and MS spectral analysis. The antimicrobial activity of 4 was tested in vitro against pathogenic microbes such as E.coli, S.aureus, A.niger and C.albicans. Three of them (4f-h) exhibited high antimicrobial activity and were loaded to carrageenan cryogel for drug delivery studies. With the aid of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) as reinforcing material and glyoxal as a cross-linking agent, porous cryogels with improved mechanical properties were obtained. Among all, CAR-7 presents the optimum cryogel sample, which contained around 16% CNF and 0.2 mL/15 mL polymer blend. CAR-7 demonstrated highest mechanical compressive strength, porosity (80%), and swelling capacity (75%). Sustainable release behavior over 24 h was observed for the loaded cryogels. The antimicrobial activity of cryogels against S.aureus showed marginal differences between samples. CAR-9 (loaded with 4f) showed the highest reduction percentage in number of bacterial colonies (99.94%) followed by CAR-11 (loaded with 4h, 99.3%) and finally CAR-10 (loaded with 4g, 99.29%).