Covalent immobilization of lysozyme onto woven and knitted crimped polyethylene terephthalate grafts to minimize the adhesion of broad spectrum pathogens

Microfluidic assembly of "Turtle-Like" shaped solid lipid nanoparticles for lysozyme delivery

After two decades of research in the field of nanomedicine, nanoscale delivery systems for biologicals are becoming clinically relevant tools. Microfluidic-based fabrication processes are replacing conventional techniques based on precipitation, emulsion, and homogenization. Here, the focus is on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for the encapsulation and delivery of lysozyme (LZ) as a model biologic. A thorough analysis was conducted to compare conventional versus microfluidic-based production techniques, using a 3D-printed device. The efficiency of the microfluidic technique in producing LZ-loaded SLNs (LZ SLNs) was demonstrated: LZ SLNs were found to have a lower size (158.05 ± 4.86 nm vs 180.21 ± 7.46 nm) and higher encapsulation efficacy (70.15 ± 1.65 % vs 53.58 ± 1.13 %) as compared to particles obtained with conventional methods. Cryo-EM studies highlighted a peculiar turtle-like structure on the surface of LZ SLNs. In vitro studies demonstrated that LZ SLNs were suitable to achieve a sustained release over time (7 days). Enzymatic activity of LZ entrapped into SLNs was challenged on Micrococcus lysodeikticus cultures, confirming the stability and potency of the biologic. This systematic analysis demonstrates that microfluidic production of SLNs can be efficiently used for encapsulation and delivery of complex biological molecules.

Challenges, Prospects, and Emerging Applications of Inkjet-Printed Electronics: A Chemist's Point of View

Driven by the development of new functional inks, inkjet-printed electronics has achieved several milestones upon moving from the integration of simple electronic elements (e.g., temperature and pressure sensors, RFID antennas, etc.) to high-tech applications (e.g. in optoelectronics, energy storage and harvesting, medical diagnosis). Currently, inkjet printing techniques are limited by spatial resolution higher than several micrometers, which sets a redhibitorythreshold for miniaturization and for many applications that require the controlled organization of constituents at the nanometer scale. In this Review, we present the physico-chemical concepts and the equipment constraints underpinning the resolution limit of inkjet printing and describe the contributions from molecular, supramolecular, and nanomaterials-based approaches for their circumvention. Based on these considerations, we propose future trajectories for improving inkjet-printing resolution that will be driven and supported by breakthroughs coming from chemistry. Please check all text carefully as extensive language polishing was necessary. Title ok? Yes.

Applications of Lysozyme, an Innate Immune Defense Factor, as an Alternative Antibiotic

Lysozyme is a ~14 kDa protein present in many mucosal secretions (tears, saliva, and mucus) and tissues of animals and plants, and plays an important role in the innate immunity, providing protection against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Three main different types of lysozymes are known: the c-type (chicken or conventional type), the g-type (goose type), and the i-type (invertebrate type). It has long been the subject of several applications due to its antimicrobial properties. The problem of antibiotic resistance has stimulated the search for new molecules or new applications of known compounds. The use of lysozyme as an alternative antibiotic is the subject of this review, which covers the results published over the past two decades. This review is focused on the applications of lysozyme in medicine, (the treatment of infectious diseases, wound healing, and anti-biofilm), veterinary, feed, food preservation, and crop protection. It is available from a wide range of sources, in addition to the well-known chicken egg white, and its synergism with other compounds, endowed with antimicrobial activity, are also summarized. An overview of the modified lysozyme applications is provided in the form of tables.

Synthesis of chitosan-lysozyme microspheres, physicochemical characterization, enzymatic and antimicrobial activity

Chitosan microspheres (CMS) by the emulsion-chemical cross-linking method with and without lysozyme immobilization were synthesized and characterized. The technique conditions were adjusted, and spherical particles with approximate diameters of 3.74 ± 1.08 μm and 0. 29 ± 0.029 μm to CMS and chitosan-lysozyme microspheres (C-LMS), respectively, were obtained. The microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Spectroscopy Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and zeta potential. Particle size was identified by laser light scattering (DLS) and the thermal properties by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetry (TGA) were determined. By the lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus, the activity of the microspheres was determined, and the results correlated with the amount of lysozyme used in the immobilization process and the enzyme loading efficiency was 67%. Finally, release tests pointed out the amount of enzyme immobilized on the microsphere surface. These results showed that chitosan microspheres could be used as material for lysozyme immobilization by cross-linking technique. The antimicrobial activity was tested by inhibition percent determination, and it evidenced both chitosan microspheres (CMS) and chitosan-lysozyme microspheres (C-LMS) positive antimicrobial activity to Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Exploring the potential of polyethylene terephthalate in the design of antibacterial surfaces

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most used polymeric materials in the health care sector mainly due to its advantages that include biocompatibility, high uniformity, mechanical strength and resistance against chemicals and/or abrasion. However, avoiding bacterial contamination on PET is still an unsolved challenge and two main strategies are being explored to overcome this drawback: the anti-adhesive and biocidal modification of PET surface. While bacterial adhesion depends on several surface properties namely surface charge and energy, hydrophilicity and surface roughness, a biocidal effect can be obtained by antimicrobial compounds attached to the surface to inhibit the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic) or kill bacteria (bactericidal). Therefore, it is well known that granting antibacterial properties to PET surface would be beneficial in the prevention of infectious diseases. Different modification methods have been reported for such purpose. This review addresses some of the strategies that have been attempted to prevent or reduce the bacterial contamination on PET surfaces, including functionalisation, grafting, topographical surface modification and coating. Those strategies, particularly the grafting method seems to be very promising for healthcare applications to prevent infectious diseases and the emergence of bacteria resistance.

ZnO-assisted coating of tetracalcium phosphate/ gelatin on the polyethylene terephthalate woven nets by atomic layer deposition

A new kind of coating consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO)/tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP)/gelatin (Gel) on the PET woven nets is prepared chemically by the method of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and hydrothermal method. The prepared materials are confirmed by XRD and SEM. XRD results show that ZnO and TTCP are well coated on the surface of PET woven nets and ALD-assisted ZnO leads to a surprising coating adhesion of about 8 MPa. Furthermore, SEM results indicate the diameter and morphology of ZnO, TTCP and Gel of PET woven nets. And the water contact angles of PET’s surface are decreased with ZnO, TTCP and Gel of PET woven nets. Moreover, the confocal imaging of NIH3T3 cells shows that the obtained product could promote the cells proliferation, which indicates that the good biocompatibility of the prepared PET/ZnO/TTCP/ Gel woven builds a foundation for their future application. The results aim to obtain an efficient method to modify PET for fabricating an ideal artificial implant meeting the clinical needs, and imply a positive effect in promoting the compatibility of PET for enhancing graft-bone healing after implantation.

Synergistic effects of ultrasound and photodynamic therapy leading to biofilm eradication on polyurethane catheter surfaces modified with hypericin nanoformulations

Catheter related infections are causing one third of all blood stream infections. The mortality of those infections is very high and the gold standard for catheter related blood stream infections (CR-BSI) is still the removal of the catheter and systemic antibiotic therapy. There already exist some approaches to prevent the biofilm formation on catheter material, which are far from ideal. A new strategy to prevent bacterial colonization on catheter surfaces is the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Therefor the surface has to be modified with substances that can be activated by light, leading to the production of cell toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Only small concentrations of the so called photosensitizer (PS) are necessary, avoiding side effects in human therapy. Furthermore, there is no resistance development in PDT. In this study polyurethane (PUR) surfaces were coated with hypericin nanoformulations, leading to 4.3 log₁₀ reduction in bacterial growth in vitro. The effect could be enhanced by the application of ultrasound. The combination of PDT with ultrasound therapy led to a synergistic effect resulting in a 6.8 log₁₀ reduction of viable counts. This minimal invasive method requires only an optical fibre inserted in the catheter lumen and an ultrasound device. Thus the implementation in daily clinical practice is very simple.

Nanocomposites Based on PCL and Halloysite Nanotubes Filled with Lysozyme: Effect of Draw Ratio on the Physical Properties and Release Analysis

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were loaded with lsozyme, as antimicrobial molecule, at a HNTs/lysozyme ratio of 1:1. Such a nano-hybrid was incorporated into a poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix at 10 wt % and films were obtained. The nano-composites were submitted to a cold drawn process at three different draw ratios, λ = 3, 4, and 5, where λ is l_{(final length)}/l_{0(initial length)}. Morphology, physical, and barrier properties of the starting nanocomposite and drawn samples were studied, and correlated to the release of the lysozyme molecule. It was demonstrated that with a simple mechanical treatment it is possible to obtain controlled release systems for specific active packaging requirements.

Development of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene cardiovascular graft platform based on immobilization of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles using a wet chemical modification technique

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene ePTFE grafts are mostly employed to replace damaged blood vessels and to restore normal blood flow. However, the dilemma of early thrombosis, inflammation, and development of biofilms after implantation limit ePTFE long-term patency and restrict the patient's life quality. In this study, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were covalently immobilized on ePTFE surface for local therapeutic purposes. First, the ePTFE surface was primarily oxidized by H₂O₂/H₂SO₄ solution to create hydroxyl groups. Consequently, free amino groups were introduced onto ePTFE surface by an aminolyzation reaction of the activated hydroxyl groups using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane. The produced amino groups were further used as anchor sites for covalent immobilization of previously prepared PLGA nanoparticles. The functional groups originated on ePTFE surface were confirmed by FTIR analysis. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy visualization evidenced a homogeneous distribution pattern of the immobilized PLGA nanoparticles on the surface. The immobilized PLGA nanoparticles showed stability on ePTFE surface under blood flow mimetic conditions. Additionally, light microscopy observation confirmed the biocompatibility of mouse L929 fibroblasts on the nano-coated ePTFE graft. The cellular adhesion and growth did not reveal remarkable cytotoxicity in the tested modified ePTFE grafts.

Regulating the gaps between folds on the surface of silk fibroin membranes via LBL deposition for improving their biomedical properties

Silk fibroin (SF) has become a promising biomaterial in guided bone regeneration (GBR). In an attempt to modify the size of the gaps on the surface of SF barrier membrane and improve its antibacterial activity, biological and mechanical properties, positively charged Lysozyme (LY)-Collagen Type-I (COL) composites and negatively charged SF were introduced to the negatively charged surface of SF substrates utilizing the electrostatic layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. The morphology, chemical structures and element content of the LBL structured membranes were investigated. The results suggested that LY and COL were successfully assembled and the gaps between the folds on the surface of the membranes became smaller gradually with the increase of coated film numbers. Besides, the content of β-sheets of the membranes increased after deposition, which indicated the improvement of their mechanical properties. Moreover, the results of the measurement of immobilized LY and antibacterial assay not only revealed that the enzymatic catalysis and antibacterial activity of the samples enhanced with the increase of coated bilayer numbers but also implied that LBL modified membranes had better antibacterial activity when LY-COL was on the outermost layer. Furthermore, CCK-8 assay certified both SF membrane and LBL structured membranes could facilitate cell growth and proliferation, and the introduction of COL could further promote this ability. Finally, cell attachment and morphology examination provided intuitional evidence that SF membrane and LBL modified membranes have excellent biocompatibility.