Vasohibin-1 expression as a biomarker of aggressive nature in ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate: a retrospective cohort study at two centres in Japan

Fabrication of levofloxacin-loaded porcine acellular dermal matrix hydrogel and functional assessment in urinary tract infection

Bacterial cystitis, a commonly occurring urinary tract infection (UTI), is renowned for its extensive prevalence and tendency to recur. Despite the extensive utilization of levofloxacin as a conventional therapeutic approach for bacterial cystitis, its effectiveness is impeded by adverse toxic effects, drug resistance concerns, and its influence on the gut microbiota. This study introduces Lev@PADM, a hydrogel with antibacterial properties that demonstrates efficacy in the treatment of bacterial cystitis. Lev@PADM is produced by combining levofloxacin with decellularized porcine acellular dermal matrix hydrogel and exhibits remarkable biocompatibility. Lev@PADM demonstrates excellent stability as a hydrogel at body temperature, enabling direct administration to the site of infection through intravesical injection. This localized delivery route circumvents the systemic circulation of levofloxacin, resulting in a swift and substantial elevation of the antimicrobial agent's concentration specifically at the site of infection. The in vivo experimental findings provide evidence that Lev@PADM effectively prolongs the duration of levofloxacin's action, impedes the retention and invasion of E.coli in the urinary tract, diminishes the infiltration of innate immune cells into infected tissues, and simultaneously preserves the composition of the intestinal microbiota. These results indicate that, in comparison to the exclusive administration of levofloxacin, Lev@PADM offers notable benefits in terms of preserving the integrity of the bladder epithelial barrier and suppressing the recurrence of urinary tract infections.

Construction of antibacterial nano-silver embedded bioactive hydrogel to repair infectious skin defects

Background

Hydrogels loaded with antimicrobial agents have been widely used for treating infected wound defects. However, hydrogels derived from a porcine dermal extracellular matrix (PADM), containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), have not yet been studied. Therefore, we investigated the therapeutic effect of an AgNP-impregnated PADM (AgNP–PADM) hydrogel on the treatment of infected wounds.

Methods

An AgNP–PADM hydrogel was synthesized by embedding AgNPs into a PADM hydrogel. We examined the porosity, moisture retention, degradation, antibacterial properties, cytotoxicity, antioxidant properties, and ability of the PADM and AgNP–PADM hydrogels to treat infected wounds in animals.

Results

The PADM and AgNP–PADM hydrogels were pH sensitive, which made them flow dynamically and solidify under acidic and neutral conditions, respectively. The hydrogels also exhibited porous network structures, satisfactory moisture retention, and slow degradation. Additionally, the AgNP–PADM hydrogel showed a slow and sustained release of AgNPs for at least 7 days without the particle size changing. Thus, the AgNPs exhibited adequate antibacterial ability, negligible toxicity, and antioxidant properties in vitro. Moreover, the AgNP–PADM hydrogel promoted angiogenesis and healed infected skin defects in vivo.

Conclusions

The AgNP–PADM hydrogel is a promising bioderived antibacterial material for clinical application to infected wound dressings.