Silver Nanoparticles Biocomposite Films with Antimicrobial Activity: In Vitro and In Vivo Tests

Overuse of antimicrobials by the population has contributed to genetic modifications in bacteria and development of antimicrobial resistance, which is very difficult to combat nowadays. To solve this problem, it is necessary to develop new systems for the administration of antimicrobial active principles. Biocomposite systems containing silver nanoparticles can be a good medical alternative. In this context, the main objective of this study was to obtain a complex system in the form of a biocomposite film with antimicrobial properties based on chitosan, poly (vinyl alcohol) and silver nanoparticles. This new system was characterized from a structural and morphological point of view. The swelling degree, the mechanical properties and the efficiency of loading and release of an anti-inflammatory drug were also evaluated. The obtained biocomposite films are biocompatibles, this having been demonstrated by in vitro tests on HDFa cell lines, and have antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. The in vivo tests, carried out on rabbit subjects, highlighted the fact that signs of reduced fibrosis were specific to the C2P4.10.Ag1-IBF film sample, demonstrated by: intense expression of TNFAIP8 factors; as an anti-apoptotic marker, MHCII that favors immune cooperation among local cells; αSMA, which marks the presence of myofibroblasts involved in approaching the interepithelial spaces for epithelialization; and reduced expression of the Cox2 indicator of inflammation, Col I.     

Polyester/lignosulfonate blends with enhanced properties

The compatibility of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and its copolymer containing isophthalate units with epoxy-modified lignin has been studied. The following methods have been used: DSC, thermogravimetry, IR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements and dielectric properties determination. The optimum compatibility ratios and the necessity of a partial crosslinking with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane to obtain a stable morphology have been established.     

Composite magnetic chitosan microspheres: In situ preparation and characterization

A method for preparing magnetic crosslinked chitosan microparticles was developed. The chitosan (CS) encapsulated magnetic particles were produced in alkaline conditions by in situ oxidation of the ferrous ions initially dispersed uniformly within the polysaccharide matrix. The polymer was then crosslinked using glutaraldehyde (GLA). The products were characterized regarding their size distribution and surface charge (by laser diffraction analysis, ζ-potential measurement, and conductometric titration), morphology (TEM), and magnetic properties (magnetic susceptibility analysis). The fact that the particles contain both magnetic iron oxide and chitosan was confirmed by FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis. The synthesis parameters were optimized for obtaining stable magnetic microparticles bearing surface amino groups that can subsequently be used for heavy metal ion complexation. The composite particles obtained by the optimum procedure had an average diameter of 40 μm and a saturation magnetization of 24 emu/g, corresponding to about 47% magnetic iron oxide content.     

Synthetic Approaches of Epoxysuccinate Chemical Probes

Synthetic chemical probes are powerful tools for investigating biological processes. They are particularly useful for proteomic studies such as activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). These chemical methods initially used mimics of natural substrates. As the techniques gained prominence, more and more elaborate chemical probes with increased specificity towards given enzyme/protein families and amenability to various reaction conditions were used. Among the chemical probes, peptidyl-epoxysuccinates represent one of the first types of compounds used to investigate the activity of the cysteine protease papain-like family of enzymes. Structurally derived from the natural substrate, a wide body of inhibitors and activity- or affinity-based probes bearing the electrophilic oxirane unit for covalent labeling of active enzymes now exists. Herein, we review the literature regarding the synthetic approaches to epoxysuccinate-based chemical probes together with their reported applications, from biological chemistry and inhibition studies to supramolecular chemistry and the formation of protein arrays.