International Journal of Biomaterials

Objectives. This in vitro study aimed to develop a novel nanocomposite acrylic resin with inherent antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated its effectiveness against microbial biofilm formation, while also assessing its physical and mechanical properties. Methods. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was modified with four different concentrations of chlorhexidine halloysite nanotubes (CHX-HNTs): 1%, 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5 wt.% by weight, along with a control group (0 wt.% CHX-HNTs). The biofilm inhibition ability of the modified CHX-HNTs acrylic against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus agalactiae was assessed using microtiter biofilm test. In addition, ten samples from each group were then tested for flexural strength, surface roughness, and hardness. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test for comparison (). Results. CHX-HNTs effectively reduced the adhesion of Candida albicans and bacteria to the PMMA in a dose-dependent manner. The higher the concentration of CHX-HNTs, the greater the reduction in microbial adhesion, with the highest concentration (4.5 wt.%) showing the most significant effect with inhibition rates ≥98%. The addition of CHX-HNTs at any tested concentration (1%, 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5 wt.%) did not cause any statistically significant difference in the flexural strength, surface roughness, or hardness of the PMMA compared to the control group. Conclusions. The novel integration of CHX-HNT fillers shows promising results as an effective biofilm inhibitor on acrylic appliances. This new approach has the potential to successfully control infectious diseases without negatively affecting the mechanical properties of the acrylic resin. Clinical Relevance. The integration of CHX-HNTs into presurgical infant orthopedic appliances should be thoroughly assessed as a promising preventive measure to mitigate microbial infections. This evaluation holds significant potential for controlling infectious diseases among infants with cleft lip and palate, thereby offering a valuable contribution to their overall well-being.

Cancer and bacterial infections are major global health concerns driving the need for innovative medicines. This study investigated alginate nanoparticles loaded with essential oils (EOs) from Cuminum cyminum and Zataria multiflora as potential drug delivery systems. The nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized using techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zetasizer, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Their biological properties against two human skin cancer cell lines (A-375 and A-431) and three bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) were also evaluated. Alginate nanoparticles containing C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs exhibited sizes of 160 ± 8 nm and 151 ± 10 nm, respectively. Their zeta potentials and encapsulation efficiencies were −18 ± 1 mV and 79 ± 4%, as well as −27 ± 2 mV and 86 ± 5%, respectively. The values against the tested cell lines and bacteria revealed superior efficacy for nanoparticles containing Z. multiflora EO. Considering the proper efficacy of the proposed nanoparticles, the straightforward preparation method and low cost suggest their potential for further in vivo studies.

Meat is a widely consumed food globally; however, variations in storage conditions along its supply chain can pose a potential food safety risk for consumers. Addressing this concern, we have developed freshness indicators designed to monitor the condition of packaged chicken. In this study, anthocyanins were infused with cellulose paper measuring 2 × 2 cm, and subsequent analysis focused on examining color changes concerning deteriorating chicken stored at 30°C for 48 h, with varying sample sizes being considered. The rise in total volatile nitrogen (TVB-N) compounds from an initial value of 3.64 ± 0.39 mg/100 g to 28.17 ± 1.46 mg/100 g acted as the stimulus for the color change in the indicator, simultaneously influencing the pH from the initial 7.03 ± 0.16 to 8.12 ± 0.39. The microbial load (aerobic plate count) of the chicken samples was also significantly increased. This collective shift in various parameters strongly suggests the occurrence of spoilage in chicken meat. The pH indicators exhibited a dark pink to red color for fresh chicken. As the chicken meat turned towards spoilage, the indicators changed to a dark blue and then a pale green color. FTIR spectroscopy results confirmed the presence of cellulose and anthocyanins. The FTIR analysis also validated the immobilization of plum anthocyanins within the cellulose paper and assessed their stability after 8 months of storage. Notably, the indicators demonstrated rapid sensitivity, showing a 20.5% response within one minute of ammonia exposure, which further increased to 29.5% after 3 min of exposure. The total color difference (ΔE) steadily rose in all the examined samples and also under various storage conditions. Overall, the indicators developed in this study exhibited a highly pronounced color transition, capable of distinguishing between fresh and spoiled chicken samples depending on the extent of spoilage and the specific day of observation.

Polyurethanes (PUs) are versatile polymers used in medical applications due to their high flexibility and fatigue resistance. PUs are widely used for synthetic blood vessels, wound dressings, cannulas, and urinary and cardiovascular catheters. Many scientific reports indicate that surface wettability is crucial for biocompatibility and bacterial adhesion. The use of oxygen plasma to modify PUs is advantageous because of its effectiveness in introducing oxygen-containing functional groups, thereby altering surface wettability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the modification of the oxygen plasma of polyurethane on its biocompatibility with lung tissue (A549 cell line) and the adhesion of Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. epidermidis). The results showed that the modification of polyurethane by oxygen plasma allowed the introduction of functional groups containing oxygen (-OH and -COOH), which significantly increased its hydrophilicity (change from 105° ± 2° to 9° ± 2°) of PUs. Surface analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed changes in PU topography (change in maximum height from ∼110.3 nm to ∼32.1 nm). Moreover, biocompatibility studies on A549 cells showed that on the PU-modified surface, the cells exhibited altered morphology (increases in cell surface area and length, and thus reduced circularity) without concomitant effects on cell viability. However, serial dilution and plate count and microscopic methods confirmed that plasma modification significantly increased the adhesion of S. aureus and S. epidermidis bacteria. This study indicate the important role of surface hydrophilicity in biocompatibility and bacterial adhesion, which is important in the design of new medical biomaterials.

The process of decellularization is crucial for producing a substitute for the absent tracheal segment, and the choice of agents and methods significantly influences the outcomes. This paper aims to systematically review the efficacy of diverse tracheal decellularization agents and methods using the PRISMA flowchart. Inclusion criteria encompassed experimental studies published between 2018 and 2023, written in English, and detailing outcomes related to histopathological anatomy, DNA quantification, ECM evaluation, and biomechanical characteristics. Exclusion criteria involved studies related to 3D printing, biomaterials, and partial decellularization. A comprehensive search on PubMed, NCBI, and ScienceDirect yielded 17 relevant literatures. The integration of various agents and methods has proven effective in the process of tracheal decellularization, highlighting the distinct advantages and drawbacks associated with each agent and method.

Antibiotic resistance is becoming more common, emphasising the demand for novel antibacterial treatments. The current investigation describes the green synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using M. indica leaves and characterization via Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. The results showed that GQDs are spherical in shape. In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial studies indicate that the biological efficacy of synthesized GQDs was higher than the ethanolic leaf extract. GQDs exhibited the highest scavenging efficacy with lowest IC₅₀ (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) value. However, antimicrobial study showed more inhibitory activity of GQDs against all screened microorganisms, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and fungi, i.e., Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Graphene quantum dots facilitate reactive oxygen species (ROS) which ultimately lead to antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This approach would provide an efficient alternate method for tackling microorganisms.