Electrospun poly(lactic acid) nanofibers loaded with silver sulfadiazine/[Mg–Al]‐layered double hydroxide as an antimicrobial wound dressing

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a versatile, bioabsorbable, and biodegradable polymer with excellent biocompatibility and ability to incorporate a great variety of active agents. Silver sulfadiazine (SDZ) is an antibiotic used to control bacterial infection in external wounds. Aiming to combine the properties of PLA and SDZ, hydrotalcite ([Mg–Al]‐LDH) was used as a host matrix to obtain an antimicrobial system efficient in delivering SDZ from electrospun PLA scaffolds intended for wound skin healing. The structural reconstruction method was successfully applied to intercalate silver sulfadiazine in the [Mg–Al]‐LDH, as evidenced by X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. Observations by scanning electron microscopy revealed a good distribution of SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH within the PLA scaffold. Kinetics studies revealed a slow release of SDZ from the PLA scaffold due to the intercalation in the [Mg–Al]‐LDH. In vitro antimicrobial tests indicated a significant inhibitory effect of SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This antibacterial activity was sustained in the 2.5‐wt% SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH–loaded PLA nanofibers, which also displayed excellent biocompatibility towards human cells. The multifunctionality of the PLA/SDZ‐[Mg–Al]‐LDH scaffold reported here is of great significance for various transdermal applications.     

Bioactive polymeric formulations for wound healing

Ricinoleic acid (RA) has potential to promote wound healing because of its analgesic and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of RA liposomes infused in a hydrogel for topical application. Lecithin liposomes containing RA were prepared and incorporated into a chitosan solution and were subsequently cross‐linked with di‐aldehyde β‐cyclodextrin (Di‐β‐CD). Chitosan/Di‐β‐CD concentrations and reaction temperatures were varied to alter gelation time, water content, and mechanical properties of the hydrogel in an effort to obtain a wide range of RA release profiles. Hydrogel cross‐linking was confirmed by spectroscopy, and liposome and carrier hydrogel morphology via microscopy. Chitosan, Di‐β‐CD, and liposome concentrations within the formulation affected the extent of matrix swelling, mechanical strength, and pore and overall morphology. Higher cross‐linking density of the hydrogel led to lower water uptake and slower release rate of RA. Optimized formulations resulted in a burst release of RA followed by a steady release pattern accounting for 80% of the encapsulated RA over a period of 48 hours. However, RA concentrations above 0.1 mg/mL were found to be cytotoxic to fibroblast cultures in vitro because of the oily nature of RA. These formulations promoted wound healing when used to treat full thickness skin wounds (2 cm²) in Wister male rats. The wound contraction rates were significantly higher compared to a commercially available topical cream after a time period of 21 days. Histopathological analysis of the RA‐liposomal chitosan hydrogel group showed that the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous skin layers displayed an accelerated yet normal healing compared to control group.     

Plasma surface modification of chitosan membranes: characterization and preliminary cell response studies

Surface modification of biomaterials is a way to tailor cell responses whilst retaining the bulk properties. In this work, chitosan membranes were prepared by solvent casting and treated with nitrogen or argon plasma at 20 W for 10-40 min. AFM indicated an increase in the surface roughness as a result of the ongoing etching process. XPS and contact angle measurements showed different surface elemental compositions and higher surface free energy. The MTS test and direct contact assays with an L929 fibroblast cell line indicated that the plasma treatment improved the cell adhesion and proliferation. Overall, the results demonstrated that such plasma treatments could significantly improve the biocompatibility of chitosan membranes and thus improve their potential in wound dressings and tissue engineering applications.     

Surface modification of praseodymium oxide/hematite doped into Polycaprolactone for enhanced wound management demands

Praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁), hematite (Fe₂O₃), graphene oxide (GO), and polycaprolactone (PCL) based polymeric nanocomposites (NCs) are fabricated, aiming their usage as bio-scaffold for medical purposes. Because of their distinctive light absorption and stability, Fe₂O₃ and Pr₆O₁₁ have been introduced as potential optical elements. The structure and size examination of NCs were executed by XRD, Raman, and FESEM. Pr₆O₁₁/Fe₂O₃/GO@PCL polymeric NC is exhibited Pr₆O₁₁, and Fe₂O₃ average size of 1.4, 0.4 µm, while average pores size 2.1 µm. As well, the Uv–Vis shows an absorption edge shifting along the x-axis that it begins with 3.1 eV for pure PCL, after that it declined to 1.7 eV for Pr₆O₁₁@PCL NC. Also, Pr₆O₁₁ @PCL, and Pr₆O₁₁/ Fe₂O₃@PCL NCs show the lowest similar contact angle with 38°. Regarding cell attachment evaluation test, the Pr₆O₁₁/Fe₂O₃/GO@PCL NC healing valuation is touched ∼ 80%. As a result, the structure enabled 3-dimensional the division of normal cells, so promoting wound healing.     

Kiwifruit Actinidin: A Proper New Collagenase for Isolation of Cells from Different Tissues

Actinidin is a cysteine protease abundant in Kiwifruit. This enzyme is known as a meat-tenderizing protease. In this project, actinidin was purified from kiwifruit by salt precipitation and ion exchange chromatography. Collagenolytic effect of the purified enzyme was tested in four different buffer systems. Thereafter, the enzyme was used for isolation and culture of cells from three different tissues: endothelial cells from human umbilical vein, hepatocytes from rat liver, and thymic epithelial cells from rat thymus. Our results revealed that actinidin can hydrolyze collagen types I and II at neutral and alkaline buffers. Furthermore, actinidin compared with type II or IV collagenase isolated intact human umbilical vein endothelial cells, hepatocytes, and thymic epithelial cells with viability more than 90%. These results address a novel and valuable collagenase, which can be used efficiently for hydrolysis of collagen and isolation of different cell populations from various solid tissues.     

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like fluorescence assay to investigate the interactions of glycosaminoglycans to cells

Sulfated glycosaminoglycans were labeled with biotin to study their interaction with cells in culture. Thus, heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate and dermatan sulfate were labeled using biotin-hydrazide, under different conditions. The structural characteristics of the biotinylated products were determined by chemical (molar ratios of hexosamine, uronic acid, sulfate and biotin) and enzymatic methods (susceptibility to degradation by chondroitinases and heparitinases). The binding of biotinylated glycosaminoglycans was investigated both in endothelial and smooth muscle cells in culture, using a novel time resolved fluorometric method based on interaction of europium-labeled streptavidin with the biotin covalently linked to the compounds. The interactions of glycosaminoglycans were saturable and number of binding sites could be obtained for each individual compound. The apparent dissociation constant varied among the different glycosaminoglycans and between the two cell lines. The interactions of the biotinylated glycosaminoglycans with the cells were also evaluated using confocal microscopy. We propose a convenient and reliable method for the preparation of biotinylated glycosaminoglycans, as well as a sensitive non-competitive fluorescence-based assay for studies of the interactions and binding of these compounds to cells in culture.     

Hydrogel Complex Containing the Antimicrobial Peptide HX-12C Accelerates Healing of Infected Wounds

Bacterial infections of the wound surface can be painful for patients, and traditional dressings do not effectively address this problem. In this study, an antimicrobial wound dressing is prepared using a novel antimicrobial peptide, HX-12C. This hydrogel system is based on the natural biomaterials sodium alginate and gelatin, utilizing calcium carbonate as a source of Ca²⁺, and ionic cross-linking is facilitated by lowering the solution pH. The resulting sodium alginate/gelatin HX-12C-loaded hydrogel (CaAGEAM) has good mechanical and adhesion properties, biocompatibility and in vitro degradability. Its extraordinary antibacterial efficacy (>98%) is verified by an antibacterial experiment. More importantly, in vivo experiments further demonstrate its healing-promotion effect, with a 95% wound healing rate by day 9. Tissue staining demonstrates that the hydrogel containing antimicrobial peptides is effective in suppressing inflammation. The dressing promotes wound healing by stimulating the deposition of skin appendages and collagen. The results of this study suggest that composite hydrogels containing antimicrobial peptides are a promising new type of dressing to promote the healing of infected wounds.     

An Injectable Integration of Autologous Bioactive Concentrated Growth Factor and Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel with Efficient Growth Factor Release and 3D Spatial Structure for Accelerated Wound Healing

Growth factors are essential for wound healing owing to their multiple reparative effects. Concentrated growth factor (CGF) is a third-generation platelet extract containing various endogenous growth factors. Herein, a CGF extract solution is combined with gelatin methacrylate (GM) by physical blending to produce GM@CGF hydrogels for wound repair. The GM@CGF hydrogels show no immune rejection during autologous transplantation. Compared to CGF, GM@CGF hydrogels not only exhibit excellent plasticity and adhesivity but also prevent rapid release and degradation of growth factors. The GM@CGF hydrogels display good injectability, self-healing, swelling, and degradability along with outstanding cytocompatibility, angiogenic functions, chemotactic functions, and cell migration-promoting capabilities in vitro. The GM@CGF hydrogel can release various effective molecules to rapidly initiate wound repair, stimulate the expressions of type I collagen, transform growth factor β1, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor, promote the production of granulation tissues, vascular regeneration and reconstruction, collagen deposition, and epidermal cell migration, as well as prevent excessive scar formation. In conclusion, the injectable GM@CGF hydrogel can release various growth factors and provide a 3D spatial structure to accelerate wound repair, thereby providing a foundation for the clinical application and translation of CGF.     

Biodegradable Sodium Alginate/Carrageenan/Cellulose Composite Hydrogel Wound Dressings Containing Herbal Extracts for Promoting Blood Coagulation and Wound Healing

Accelerating the coagulation process and preventing wound infection are major challenges in the wound care process. Therefore, new multifunctional wound dressings with procoagulant, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties have enormous potential for clinical application. In this work, biodegradable hydrogels containing herbal extracts are prepared for wound dressings. First, the active ingredients are extracted from Amaranthus spinosus (A. spinosus) and Rubia cordifolia (R. cordifolia) and added to the hydrogels prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), carrageenan, and sodium alginate. Then the composite hydrogels are air-dried to obtain the wound dressings. The wound dressings prepared in this work have good biocompatibility and moisture retention. The mechanical properties of the wound dressings are further improved with the addition of MCC. Besides, the wound dressings have excellent procoagulant, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties due to the presence of R. cordifolia extract. Overall, the most effective group of wound dressings with different ingredient formulations reduces clotting time by 75% and largely inhibits bacterial growth. The wound dressings perform well in the animal wound models to promote wound healing. These results indicate that the hydrogel wound dressings prepared in this work have great potential for medical applications.     

Fe_3O_4纳米粒子与慢病毒载体共同感染内皮祖细胞的促血管新生和MRI示踪的应用

采用化学共沉淀法制备了柠檬酸钠修饰Fe_3O_4纳米粒子(NPs),使用胎牛血清(FBS)改善Fe_3O_4NPs的分散性.实验表明Fe_3O_4NPs尺寸均匀,且具有良好的稳定性,FBS浓度小于5%(体积分数)时,Fe_3O_4NPs无聚集沉淀;在300 K下,饱和磁化强度达到74.86×10~(-3)A·m~2/g(74.86 emu/g);核磁共振T2序列成像时,75μg/m L Fe_3O_4NPs与慢病毒载体(LV)共同标记内皮祖细胞(EPCs)成像效果良好;而且EPCs具有稳定过表达目的基因血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的能力.利用Fe_3O_4NPs与LV共同感染EPCs,可有效促进大鼠血管生成.说明修饰后的EPCs兼具核磁共振成像(MRI)示踪和促血管生成双重功能.