Elastic Nanofibrous Membranes for Medical and Personal Protection Applications: Manufacturing, Anti-COVID-19, and Anti-Colistin Resistant Bacteria Evaluation

A narrative review of personal protective equipment gowns: lessons from COVID-19

This narrative review evaluates the evidence regarding the protection offered by isolation gowns, approaches to imparting antimicrobial activity to gowns, and the environmental impacts of gown use, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a search of the Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases for articles published between January 1, 2019 to February 20, 2024. We found that current standards pertaining to isolation gowns might be irrelevant to the protection of healthcare workers from pathogen transmission, as they focus primarily on fluid barrier resistance values that are not reflective of all transmission conditions in hospitals. Although most available isolation gowns are disposable, reusable gowns could offer greater barrier protection and are more environmentally sustainable. Several techniques have been studied for their ability to impart antimicrobial properties to isolation gowns, extending their lifespan and reducing environmental impacts. However, evidence of the effectiveness of such techniques in clinical settings is scarce. We advocate for standardised guidelines inclusive of common pathogen survival tests, comfort, and durability, which reflect the actual infection risks encountered by healthcare workers, to improve the safety and efficacy of isolation gowns in hospital settings. Further research into the clinical effectiveness of antimicrobial gowns and their long-term implications on the environment is also warranted.

Multifunctional Plumeria rubra nanoparticles: Antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory activities

Novel natural nanomaterials are extensively investigated nowadays due to their potential biological activities and low toxicity. In the present investigation, polyvinyl alcohol was used as a green reducing agent to synthesize Plumeria rubra nanoparticles. Plumeria rubra flowers were collected and extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus and examined through gas and liquid chromatography which revealed the presence of palmitic acid, linoleic acid, N-(O-Nitrophenylthio)-l-leucine, plumieridin B, lupeol, and rutin. The antimicrobial activity of the flower extract showed MIC values between 15.6 and 250.0 μg/mL. The optimum conditions for Plumeria rubra nanoparticle synthesis were 30 min stirring time and a 1:1 PVA/Plumeria rubra ratio. The optimized nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity reached 7.8 μg/mL with entrapment and loading efficiencies %, zeta size, zeta potential, and PDI were 89.0 %, 40.0 %, 18.5 nm, -1.65 mV, and 0.29, respectively. The cytotoxic effect (IC50) of Plumeria rubra nanoparticles reached 503.2 μg/mL. Plumeria rubra nanoparticles showed low antiviral activity against 229E (low-pathogenic coronavirus), with selectivity index 2.90. Moreover, the synthesized Plumeria rubra nanoparticles' anti-inflammatory effect showed effective and selective COX-2 inhibition (IC50 = 4.2 μM, SI = 15.57). On top of that, the synthesized nanoparticles reduced the parasitic tachyzoites' count by 37, 43, and 49 % in the spleen, brain, and liver, respectively.

Potent biological activity of newly fabricated silver nanoparticles coated by a carbon shell synthesized by electrical arc

Highly effective AgNPs@C was efficiently synthesized by electrical arc powered by single spark unit which was sufficient to ionize the dielectric media (deionized water) through applying strong electric field between the electrodes (silver and carbon). The AgNPs@C shell was characterized in terms of stability, morphology and phase structure. All characterizations showed that the prepared silver nanoparticles were spherical with average size reached 17 nm coated with carbon shell. The antibacterial effect of the synthesized nanoparticles was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in comparison to Ceftazidime (commonly used antibiotic against P. aeruginosa infections). It was revealed that AgNPs@C shell has superior activity with inhibition zone diameter reached 15 mm and minimum inhibitory concentration reached 2 µg/mL. The observed activity was further confirmed by confocal microscope which showed an increased red region, representing the dead cells, correlated with the presence of AgNPs@C. Moreover, transmission electron microscope studies implied the possible AgNPs@C antibacterial mechanism of action was the nanoparticles adherence to the bacterial membrane causing cell lysis. The molecular studies against fimH (virulence adhesion gene), rmpA (mucoid factor encoding gene), and mrkA (biofilm forming gene) proved the inhibition of their genetic expression. The cytotoxic effect of the synthesized AgNPs@C showed CC50 reached 235.5 μg/mL against normal lung cells (L929 cell line).

Nano-Chitosan/Eucalyptus Oil/Cellulose Acetate Nanofibers: Manufacturing, Antibacterial and Wound Healing Activities

Accelerated wound healing in infected skin is still one of the areas where current therapeutic tactics fall short, which highlights the critical necessity for the exploration of new therapeutic approaches. The present study aimed to encapsulate Eucalyptus oil in a nano-drug carrier to enhance its antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, in vitro, and in vivo wound healing studies of the novel nano-chitosan/Eucalyptus oil/cellulose acetate electrospun nanofibers were investigated. Eucalyptus oil showed a potent antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens and the highest inhibition zone diameter, MIC, and MBC (15.3 mm, 16.0 μg/mL, and 256 μg/mL, respectively) were recorded against Staphylococcus aureus. Data indicated a three-fold increase in the antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus oil encapsulated chitosan nanoparticle (43 mm inhibition zone diameter against S. aureus). The biosynthesized nanoparticles had a 48.26 nm particle size, 19.0 mV zeta potential, and 0.45 PDI. Electrospinning of nano-chitosan/Eucalyptus oil/cellulose acetate nanofibers was conducted, and the physico-chemical and biological properties revealed that the synthesized nanofibers were homogenous, with a thin diameter (98.0 nm) and a significantly high antimicrobial activity. The in vitro cytotoxic effect in a human normal melanocyte cell line (HFB4) proved an 80% cell viability using 1.5 mg/mL of nano-chitosan/Eucalyptus oil/cellulose acetate nanofibers. In vitro and in vivo wound healing studies revealed that nano-chitosan/Eucalyptus oil/cellulose acetate nanofibers were safe and efficiently enhanced the wound-healing process through enhancing TGF-β, type I and type III collagen production. As a conclusion, the manufactured nano-chitosan/Eucalyptus oil/cellulose acetate nanofiber showed effective potentiality for its use as a wound healing dressing.

Electrospun nanofibers for medical face mask with protection capabilities against viruses: State of the art and perspective for industrial scale-up

Face masks have proven to be a useful protection from airborne viruses and bacteria, especially in the recent years pandemic outbreak when they effectively lowered the risk of infection from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or Omicron variants, being recognized as one of the main protective measures adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO). The need for improving the filtering efficiency performance to prevent penetration of fine particulate matter (PM), which can be potential bacteria or virus carriers, has led the research into developing new methods and techniques for face mask fabrication. In this perspective, Electrospinning has shown to be the most efficient technique to get either synthetic or natural polymers-based fibers with size down to the nanoscale providing remarkable performance in terms of both particle filtration and breathability. The aim of this Review is to give further insight into the implementation of electrospun nanofibers for the realization of the next generation of face masks, with functionalized membranes via addiction of active material to the polymer solutions that can give optimal features about antibacterial, antiviral, self-sterilization, and electrical energy storage capabilities. Furthermore, the recent advances regarding the use of renewable materials and green solvent strategies to improve the sustainability of electrospun membranes and to fabricate eco-friendly filters are here discussed, especially in view of the large-scale nanofiber production where traditional membrane manufacturing may result in a high environmental and health risk.

Decoration of Ultramicrotome-Cut Polymers with Silver Nanoparticles: Effect of Post-Deposition Laser Treatment

Today, ultramicrotome cutting is a practical tool, which is frequently applied in the preparation of thin polymeric films. One of the advantages of such a technique is the decrease in surface roughness, which enables an effective recording of further morphological changes of polymeric surfaces during their processing. In view of this, we report on ultramicrotome-cut polymers (PET, PEEK) modified by a KrF excimer laser with simultaneous decoration by AgNPs. The samples were immersed into AgNP colloid, in which they were exposed to polarized laser light. As a result, both polymers changed their surface morphology while simultaneously being decorated with AgNPs. KrF laser irradiation of the samples resulted in the formation of ripple-like structures on the surface of PET and worm-like ones in the case of PEEK. Both polymers were homogeneously covered by AgNPs. The selected area of the samples was then irradiated by a violet semiconductor laser from the confocal laser scanning microscope with direct control of the irradiated area. Various techniques, such as AFM, FEGSEM, and CLSM were used to visualize the irradiated area. After irradiation, the reverse pyramid was formed for both types of polymers. PET samples exhibited thicker transparent reverse pyramids, whereas PEEK samples showed thinner brownish ones. We believe that his technique can be effectively used for direct polymer writing or the preparation of stimuli-responsive nanoporous membranes.

Advanced Face Mask Filters Based on PCL Electrospun Meshes Dopped with Antimicrobial MgO and CuO Nanoparticles

The pandemic situation caused by coronavirus clearly demonstrated the need for alternatives able to protect the respiratory tract and inactivate the infectious agents. Based on this, antibacterial face-mask filters of polycaprolactone (PCL) dopped with magnesium oxide (MgO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) were produced using an electrospinning technique. A morphological analysis of electrospun meshes evaluated the success of nanoparticles’ incorporation as well as the average fibers’ diameters (481 ± 272 nm). The performance of electrospun nanofibers was also assessed in terms of tensile strength (0.88 ± 0.25 MPa), water vapor permeability (11,178.66 ± 35.78 g·m⁻²·day⁻¹), stability under wet conditions and antibacterial activity according to the standard guidelines. The filters showed structural stability up to 2 h of washing and improved antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for optimized concentrations of MgO and CuO NPs. Overall, electrospun meshes with antibacterial activity were successfully developed for advanced filtering applications.

Silver/Snail Mucous PVA Nanofibers: Electrospun Synthesis and Antibacterial and Wound Healing Activities

Healthcare textiles are gaining great attention in the textile industry. Electrospun nanofibers are considered the golden soldiers due to their strength, flexibility, and eco-friendly properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the potency of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded with newly biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) as a wound healing dressing. Chocolate-band snail (Eobania vermiculata) mucus (which is part of the Mollusca defense system) was used as a novel reducing and stabilizing agent. Data indicated the effectiveness of Eobania vermiculata's mucus in silver nanoparticle synthesis after a 24 h incubation time. The biosynthesized AgNPs-SM showed a 13.15 nm particle size, -22.5 mV ζ potential, and 0.37 PDI, which proved the stability of the synthesized nanoparticles. Eobania vermiculata mucus and AgNPs-SM showed potent antibacterial activity, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The electrospinning technique was applied in the fabrication of PVA/AgNPs-SM nanofibers, which were homogenous with a fine diameter of about 100-170 nm and showed a significantly high antimicrobial activity. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that PVA/AgNPs-SM nanofibers were safe and efficiently enhanced the wound healing process (typical histological picture of the proliferative phase with compact and well aligned collagen fibers in the dermal tissue after 12 days) together with bacterial growth inhibition in the infected skin area.

Degradation of plastics associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented form of plastic pollution: personal protective equipment (PPE). Numerous studies have reported the occurrence of PPE in the marine environment. However, their degradation in the environment and consequences are poorly understood. Studies have reported that face masks, the most abundant type of PPE, are significant sources of microplastics due to their fibrous microstructure. The fibrous material (mostly consisting of polypropylene) exhibits physical changes in the environment, leading to its fracture and detachment of microfibers. Most studies have evaluated PPE degradation under controlled laboratory conditions. However, in situ degradation experiments, including the colonization of PPE, are largely lacking. Although ecotoxicological studies are largely lacking, the first attempts to understand the impact of MPs released from face masks showed various types of impacts, such as fertility and reproduction deficiencies in both aquatic and terrestrial organisms.