An in vitro and in vivo study of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/sildenafil citrate mat on 3D-printed polycaprolactone membrane as a double layer wound dressing.

Double-layer dermal substitutes (DS) generally provide more effective therapeutic outcomes than single-layer substitutes. The architectural design of DS incorporates an outer layer to protect against bacterial invasions and maintain wound hydration, thereby reducing the risk of infection and the frequency of dressing changes. Moreover, the outer layer is a mechanical support for the wound, preventing undue tension in the affected area. A 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) membrane was utilized as the outer layer to fabricate DS wound dressing. Simultaneously, a polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/sildenafil citrate (PVA/CS/SC) scaffold was electrospun onto the PCL membrane to facilitate cellular adhesion and proliferation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the PCL filaments revealed a consistent cross-sectional surface and structure, with an average diameter of 562.72 ±â€¯29.15 µm. SEM results also demonstrated uniform morphology and beadless structure for the PVA/CS/SC scaffold, with an average fiber diameter of 366.77 ±â€¯1.81 nm for PVA/CS. The addition of SC led to an increase in fiber diameter while resulting in a reduction in tensile strength. However, drug release analysis indicated that the SC release from the sample can last up to 72 h. Animal experimentation confirmed that DS wound dressing positively accelerated wound closure and collagen deposition in the Wistar rat skin wound model.

Exploring the potential of metal and metal oxide nanomaterials for sustainable water and wastewater treatment: A review of their antimicrobial properties.

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are of particular interest as antimicrobial agents in water and wastewater treatment due to their broad suppressive range against bacteria, viruses, and fungi commonly found in these environments. This review explores the potential of different types of metallic NPs, including zinc oxide, gold, copper oxide, and titanium oxide, for use as effective antimicrobial agents in water and wastewater treatment. This is due to the fact that metallic NPs possess a broad suppressive range against bacteria, viruses, as well as fungus. In addition to that, NPs are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Despite the fact that most research has been focused on silver NPs because of the antibacterial qualities that are known to be associated with them, curiosity about other metallic NPs as potential antimicrobial agents has been growing. Zinc oxide, gold, copper oxide, and titanium oxide NPs are included in this category since it has been demonstrated that these elements have antibacterial properties. Inducing oxidative stress, damage to the cellular membranes, and breakdowns throughout the protein and DNA chains are some of the ways that metallic NPs can have an influence on microbial cells. The purpose of this review was to engage in an in-depth conversation about the current state of the art regarding the utilization of the most important categories of metallic NPs that are used as antimicrobial agents. Several approaches for the synthesis of metal-based NPs were reviewed, including physical and chemical methods as well as "green synthesis" approaches, which are synthesis procedures that do not involve the employment of any chemical agents. Moreover, additional pharmacokinetics, physicochemical properties, and the toxicological hazard associated with the application of silver NPs as antimicrobial agents were discussed.

Optimization of the Mechanical Properties and the Cytocompatibility for the PMMA Nanocomposites Reinforced with the Hydroxyapatite Nanofibers and the Magnesium Phosphate Nanosheets.

Commercial poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based cement is currently used in the field of orthopedics. However, it suffers from lack of bioactivity, mechanical weakness, and monomer toxicity. In this study, a PMMA-based cement nanocomposite reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanofibers and two-dimensional (2D) magnesium phosphate MgP nanosheets was synthesized and optimized in terms of mechanical property and cytocompatibility. The HA nanofibers and the MgP nanosheets were synthesized using a hydrothermal homogeneous precipitation method and tuning the crystallization of the sodium-magnesium-phosphate ternary system, respectively. Compressive strength and MTT assay tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical property and the cytocompatibility of the PMMA-HA-MgP nanocomposites prepared at different ratios of HA and MgP. To optimize the developed nanocomposites, the standard response surface methodology (RSM) design known as the central composite design (CCD) was employed. Two regression models generated by CCD were analyzed and compared with the experimental results, and good agreement was observed. Statistical analysis revealed the significance of both factors, namely, the HA nanofibers and the MgP nanosheets, in improving the compressive strength and cell viability of the PMMA-MgP-HA nanocomposite. Finally, it was demonstrated that the HA nanofibers of 7.5% wt and the MgP nanosheets of 6.12% wt result in the PMMA-HA-MgP nanocomposite with the optimum compressive strength and cell viability.

Novel PMMA bone cement nanocomposites containing magnesium phosphate nanosheets and hydroxyapatite nanofibers.

Lack of bioactivity and monomer toxicity are limiting factors of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement in orthopedic applications. Herein, we address these shortcomings by proposing two-dimensional magnesium phosphate (MgP) nanosheets and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanofibers as novel fillers in PMMA bone cement nanocomposites. Two-dimensional MgP nanosheets and one-dimensional HA nanofibers were synthesized by tuning the crystallization of the sodium-magnesium-phosphate ternary system and hydrothermal homogeneous precipitation, respectively. We show that MgP nanosheets exhibit antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli). In addition, HA nanofibers with high level of bioactivity are the proper choice to induce cell viability in the nanocomposite. Results indicate that the combination of both fillers can act as deformation locks enhancing the compressive strength of the nanocomposites. The synthesized nanocomposite possesses excellent bioactivity, mechanical properties, and cytocompatibility potentially opening new paradigm in the design of next generation bone cement composites.

Synaptogenesis in the Cerebellum of Offspring Born to Diabetic Mothers.

There is increasing evidence that maternal diabetes mellitus during the pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of neurodevelopmental and neurofunctional anomalies including motor dysfunctions, learning deficits, and behavioral problems in offspring. The cerebellum is a part of the brain that has long been recognized as a center of movement balance and motor coordination. Moreover, recent studies in humans and animals have also implicated the cerebellum in cognitive processing, sensory discrimination, attention, and learning and memory. Synaptogenesis is one of the most crucial events during the development of the central nervous system. Synaptophysin (SYP) is an integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles and is considered to be a marker for synaptic density and synaptogenesis. Here, we review the manuscripts focusing on the negative impacts of maternal diabetes in pregnancy on the expression or localization of SYP in the developing cerebellar cortex. We believe that the alteration in synaptogenesis or synapse density may be part of the cascade of events through which diabetes in pregnant women affects the newborn's cerebellum.