Rapidly Probing Antibacterial Activity of Graphene Oxide by Mass Spectrometry-based Metabolite Fingerprinting

Nano-Emulsified Perfluorooctyl Bromide Can Infiltrate Gram-Negative Bacteria and Sensitize Them to Ultrasound

Gram-negative (G-) bacterial infections remain one of the most urgent global health threats, because the distinctive envelope structure hinders the penetration of therapeutics. Here, we showed that a perfluorooctyl bromide nanoemulsion (PFOB NE) uniquely interacts with G- bacteria. After cell envelope attachment, the PFOB can infiltrate the cell and was diffused throughout. In this process, it impaired the membranes by disintegrating phospholipid molecules, enhancing the consequent ultrasonic cavitation to break the envelope. We identified through ultrasound that the NE had remarkable bactericidal effects against various antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Using in situ sterilization, this approach accelerated the recovery of bacteria-infected murine skin wounds. Thus, combining PFOB and ultrasound might be an alternative tool for conquering the growing threat of G- pathogens.

Antimicrobial effect of different physical and chemical compounds of zinc oxide and graphene oxide added to composite resins

BACKGROUND

Graphene oxide (GO), a product of graphite, is a candidate for nano-reinforcing cement-based materials due to its good water dispersibility and excellent mechanical properties. On the other hand, zinc oxide (ZnO) is well-known for its antibacterial characteristics as well. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the impacts of adding ZnO and GO nanoparticles on the antibacterial properties of flowable composites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this, in vitro experimental study was designated into five groups containing: (1) no nanoparticles as control group, (2) 1 wt.% ZnO nanoparticle, (3) 1 wt.% GO, (4) 1 wt.% physical compound of ZnO and GO, and (5) 1 wt.% chemical compound of ZnO and GO. The antibacterial properties of composite resin discs were evaluated by direct contact test. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey' post hoc tests (P = 0.05).

RESULTS

Streptococcus mutans colony counting in the first 24 h showed the least growth rate in the chemical compound group (2.2 × 10^[5]). However, in 7 days, the least colony number was observed in the GO group (2 × 10^[3]). Moreover, the physical compound showed the least bacterial adhesion.

CONCLUSION

Adding GO alone to composites, compared to adding ZnO or physical and chemical compounds of GO-ZnO, was more helpful to increase the antimicrobial characteristics.

Evolution of graphene oxide (GO)-based nanohybrid materials with diverse compositions: an overview

The discovery of the 2D nanostructure of graphene was in fact the beginning of a new generation of materials. Graphene itself, its oxidized form graphene oxide (GO), the reduced form of GO (RGO) and their numerous composites are associates of this generation. Out of this spectrum of materials, the development of GO and related hybrid materials has been reviewed in the present article. GO can be functionalized with metals (Ag and Mg) and metal oxides (CuO, MgO, Fe2O3, Ag2O, etc.) nanoparticles (NPs), organic ligands (chitosan and EDTA) and can also be dispersed in different polymeric matrices (PVA, PMMA, PPy, and PAn). All these combinations give rise to nanohybrid materials with improved functionality. An updated report on the chronological development of such nanohybrid materials of diverse nature has been delivered in the present context. Modifications in synthesis methodologies as well as performances and applications of individual materials are addressed accordingly. The functional properties of GO were synergistically modified by photoactive semiconductor NPs; as a result, the GO-MO hybrids acquired excellent photocatalytic ability and were able to degrade a large variety of organic dyes (MB, RhB, MO, MR, etc.) and pathogens. The large surface area of GO was successfully complemented by the NPs so that high and selective adsorption capacity towards metal ions and organic molecules as well as improved charge separation properties could be achieved. As a result, GO-MO hybrids have been considered effective materials in water purification, energy storage and antibacterial applications. GO-MO hybrids with magnetic particles have exhibited selective destruction of cancerous cells and controlled drug release properties, extremely important in the pharmaceutical field. Chitosan and EDTA-modified GO could form 3D network-like structures with strong efficiency in removing heavy metal ions and organic pollutants. GO as a filler enhanced the strength, flexibility and functional properties of common polymers, such as PVA and PVC, to a large extent while, GO-CP composites with polyaniline and polypyrrole are considered suitable for the fabrication of biosensors, supercapacitors, and MEMS as well as efficient photothermal therapy agents. In summary, GO-based hybrids with inorganic and organic counterparts have been designed, the unique properties of which are exploited in versatile fields of applications.

Mechano-bactericidal actions of nanostructured surfaces

Antibiotic resistance is a global human health threat, causing routine treatments of bacterial infections to become increasingly difficult. The problem is exacerbated by biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens on the surfaces of indwelling medical and dental devices that facilitate high levels of tolerance to antibiotics. The development of new antibacterial nanostructured surfaces shows excellent prospects for application in medicine as next-generation biomaterials. The physico-mechanical interactions between these nanostructured surfaces and bacteria lead to bacterial killing or prevention of bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation, and thus are promising in circumventing bacterial infections. This Review explores the impact of surface roughness on the nanoscale in preventing bacterial colonization of synthetic materials and categorizes the different mechanisms by which various surface nanopatterns exert the necessary physico-mechanical forces on the bacterial cell membrane that will ultimately result in cell death.

Bactericidal behavior of chemically exfoliated boron nitride nanosheets doped with zirconium

In this work, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) were produced through chemical exfoliation of bulk boron nitride (BN). Furthermore, hydrothermal technique was used to incorporate various concentrations (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) of zirconium (Zr) as a dopant. The prepared undoped and doped BN samples were evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Structural analysis was undertaken using x-ray diffraction which identified the presence of hexagonal BN. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy were utilized to outline IR fingerprint and electronic properties of the synthesized material. Morphological information was obtained through micrographs extracted using field emission scanning electron spectroscope (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), while d-spacing was also calculated through HRTEM analysis. Optical properties and emission spectra were examined by applying UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscope (PL); whereas, band gap analysis was carried out via Tauc plot. Zr-doped BN nanosheets at increasing concentrations (0.5, 1.0 mg/50 μl) revealed enhanced antibacterial activity against E. coli compared to S. aureus (p < 0.05).

Photoexcitation triggering via semiconductor Graphene Quantum Dots by photochemical doping with Curcumin versus perio-pathogens mixed biofilms

BACKGROUND

Recently, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an alternative treatment modality has been used adjunctively in the treatment of periodontitis and peri-implantitis. Photosensitizing agents in the form of nanoparticles have been designed for improving the efficiency of aPTD. Graphene quantum dots are a special type of nanocrystals that can promote aPDT when coupled with curcumin (Cur). The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of photoexcited GQD-Cur on the metabolic activity of perio-pathogen mixed biofilms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

GQD-Cur was synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrometry (UV-Vis), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The cell cytotoxicity effect of GQD-Cur was evaluated on primary human gingival fibroblast (HuGu) cells. Perio-pathogen mixed biofilms including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia photosensitized with GQD doped with Cur were irradiated with a blue LED at a wavelength of 435 ± 20 nm for 1 min, and then bacterial viability measurements were performed. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile, biofilm formation ability, amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) released, and variations of gene expressions involved in biofilm formation were assessed.

RESULTS

The SEM, DLS, FTIR, UV-Vis spectrometry, and XRD pattern confirmed that GQD-Cur was synthesized successfully. According to the results, GQD-Cur exhibited no cytotoxicity against HuGu cells. Photoexcited GQD-Cur resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability (93%) and biofilm formation capacity (76%) of peri-pathogens compared to the control group (P < 0.05). According to the results, a significant concentration-dependent increase in the ROS generation was observed in perio-pathogens mixed cells treated with different doses of GQD-Cur-aPDT. Moreover, rcpA, fimA, and inpA gene expression profiles were downregulated by 8.1-, 9.6-, and 11.8-folds, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, photoexcited GQD-Cur have a high potency of perio-pathogens suppression in planktonic and biofilm forms and downregulation of the biofilm genes expression pattern was exploited as a nanoscale-based platform for periodontitis.

Graphene- and Graphene Oxide-Based Nanocomposite Platforms for Electrochemical Biosensing Applications

Graphene and its derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO) offer excellent electrical, mechanical and electrochemical properties. Further, due to the presence of high surface area, and a rich oxygen and defect framework, they are able to form nanocomposites with metal/semiconductor nanoparticles, metal oxides, quantum dots and polymers. Such nanocomposites are becoming increasingly useful as electrochemical biosensing platforms. In this review, we present a brief introduction on the aforementioned graphene derivatives, and discuss their synthetic strategies and structure-property relationships important for biosensing. We then highlight different nanocomposite platforms that have been developed for electrochemical biosensing, introducing enzymatic biosensors, followed by non-enzymatic biosensors and immunosensors. Additionally, we briefly discuss their role in the emerging field of biomedical cell capture. Finally, a brief outlook on these topics is presented.

Graphene oxide immobilized surfaces facilitate the sustained release of doxycycline for the prevention of implant related infection

Preventing implant-associated infection, which can lead to implant failure and increased medical costs, is one of the biggest challenges in the orthopaedic surgeons. Therefore, the development of stable and highly effective surface modifications to increase the antimicrobial properties of implants is required. In this study, graphene oxide (GO-)-immobilized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) was developed to efficiently carry and release antimicrobial drugs. Firstly, tyramine-conjugated GO (GOTA) was synthesized and immobilized onto the surfaces of TiO₂ through tyrosinase (Tyr)-catalyzed oxidative reaction (GOTA/TiO₂). Doxycycline hyclate (Dox) was then loaded onto GOTA/TiO₂ via non-covalent interactions between GO and Dox (Dox/GOTA/TiO₂), including electrostatic interaction, π-π stacking, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bonds. The amount of loaded drug was able to be controlled, reaching a maximum of 36 μg/cm². in vitro experiments revealed that the sustained release of Dox from the TiO₂ surfaces continued for over 30 days. Compared with bare TiO₂ and GOTA/TiO₂, Dox/GOTA/TiO₂ exhibited superior antibacterial activity against both gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, without affecting the viability of human dermal fibroblasts. The obtained results indicated that GO-immobilized TiO₂ is an effective carrier for antimicrobial drug delivery to reduce implant-associated infection through the synergistic antimicrobial effect of GO and the prescribed drugs.

Thermoresponsive Amphiphilic Functionalization of Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide to Study Graphene/Bacteria Hydrophobic Interactions

An understanding of the interactions of 2D nanomaterials with pathogens is of vital importance to developing and controlling their antimicrobial properties. In this work, the interaction of functionalized graphene with tunable hydrophobicity and bacteria is investigated. Poly(ethylene glycol)- block-(poly- N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer (PEG- b-PNIPAM) with the triazine joint point was attached to the graphene surface by a nitrene [2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction. By thermally switching between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states, functionalized graphene sheets were able to bind to bacteria. Bacteria were eventually disrupted when the functionality was switched to the hydrophobic state. On the basis of measuring the different microscopy methods and a live/dead viability assay, it was found that Escherichia coli ( E. coli) bacteria are more susceptible to hydrophobic interactions than B. cereus bacteria, under the same conditions. Our investigations confirm that hydrophobic interaction is one of the main driving forces at the presented graphene/bacteria interfaces and promotes the antibacterial activity of graphene derivatives significantly.

Graphene and its derivatives as biomedical materials: future prospects and challenges

Graphene and its derivatives possess some intriguing properties, which generates tremendous interests in various fields, including biomedicine. The biomedical applications of graphene-based nanomaterials have attracted great interests over the last decade, and several groups have started working on this field around the globe. Because of the excellent biocompatibility, solubility and selectivity, graphene and its derivatives have shown great potential as biosensing and bio-imaging materials. Also, due to some unique physico-chemical properties of graphene and its derivatives, such as large surface area, high purity, good bio-functionalizability, easy solubility, high drug loading capacity, capability of easy cell membrane penetration, etc., graphene-based nanomaterials become promising candidates for bio-delivery carriers. Besides, graphene and its derivatives have also shown interesting applications in the fields of cell-culture, cell-growth and tissue engineering. In this article, a comprehensive review on the applications of graphene and its derivatives as biomedical materials has been presented. The unique properties of graphene and its derivatives (such as graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphane, graphone, graphyne, graphdiyne, fluorographene and their doped versions) have been discussed, followed by discussions on the recent efforts on the applications of graphene and its derivatives in biosensing, bio-imaging, drug delivery and therapy, cell culture, tissue engineering and cell growth. Also, the challenges involved in the use of graphene and its derivatives as biomedical materials are discussed briefly, followed by the future perspectives of the use of graphene-based nanomaterials in bio-applications. The review will provide an outlook to the applications of graphene and its derivatives, and may open up new horizons to inspire broader interests across various disciplines.

Chloride-accelerated Cu-Fenton chemistry for biofilm removal

Biofilms present challenges to numerous industries. Herein, a simple approach was developed based on chloride-accelerated Fenton chemistry, where copper oxide nanoparticles facilitate efficient generation of reactive chlorine species for biofilm removal.

Mechanistic insight into the in vitro toxicity of graphene oxide against biofilm forming bacteria using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

While the cytotoxicity of graphene oxide (GO) has been well established, its bactericidal mechanism, however, has yet to be elucidated to advance GO-based biomedical and environmental applications. In an attempt to better understand the bactericidal action of GO, herein we studied the interactions of GO with Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus cells using physical techniques and chemical probes, respectively. In particular, a novel laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) based elemental fingerprint analysis revealed notable differences between viable and non-viable cells based on the difference in the concentration of trace inorganic elements in complex bacterial systems, which reflect cellular membrane integrity. Lower emission intensities from essential inorganic ions in the GO-treated cells offered explicit evidence on the efflux of intracellular molecules from the bacteria through damaged cell membranes. Furthermore, a detailed structural and morphological investigation of bacterial membrane integrity confirmed GO-induced membrane stress upon direct contact interactions with bacterial cells, resulting in the disruption of cellular membranes. Moreover, the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of an added antioxidant underlined the role of GO-mediated oxidative stress in bacterial cell inactivation. Thus, by correlating the changes in the bacterial elemental compositions with the severe morphological alterations and the high ROS production witnessed herein, we propose that the bactericidal mechanism of GO is likely to be the synergy between membrane and oxidative stress towards both tested species. Our findings offer useful guidelines for the future development of GO-based antibacterial surfaces and coatings.

Rapid Identification of Meat Species by the Internal Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Hemoglobin Selectively Captured on Functionalized Graphene Oxide

Hemoglobin (Hb) present in the blood and meat juice samples was selectively adsorbed by graphene oxide (GO) particles functionalized with amylopectin (AP) and was sensitively detected by direct internal extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (iEESI-MS) analysis for the identification of meat type. Various samples including the whole blood samples of chicken, duck, sheep, mouse, pigeon, turtledove, and meat juice mixtures were successfully identified based on the difference in molecular composition of Hb reflected in MS. The adulteration of sheep blood with only 2% chicken blood could be detected, which demonstrated the high chemical specificity of the approach. The established method is featured by the high speed of analysis (4 min per sample, including the analyte extraction and sample loading), high sensitivity, minimal sample preparation, and low sample consumption (0.9 μL of whole blood or 300 mg of raw meat). In perspective, the reported method can be extended for the sensitive detection of trace analytes in complex matrices in broad molecular range by using the selective enrichment on functionalized graphene oxide particles followed by iEESI-MS analysis.