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Medical implants have improved the quality of life of many patients. However, surgical intervention may eventually lead to implant microbial contamination. The aims of this research were to develop an easy, robust, quantitative assay to assess surface antimicrobial activities, especially the anti-nascent biofilm activity, and to identify control surfaces, allowing for international comparisons. Using new antimicrobial assays to assess the inhibition of nascent biofilm during persistent contact or after transient contact with bacteria, we show that the 5 cent Euro coin or other metal-based antibacterial coins can be used as positive controls, as more than 4 log reduction on bacterial survival was observed when using either S. aureus or P. aeruginosa as targets. The methods and controls described here could be useful to develop an easy, flexible and standardizable assay to assess relevant antimicrobial activities of new implant materials developed by industries and academics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term wound healing and chronic wound care represent significant challenges for biomaterials science and engineering with many diverse requirements for the wound dressing properties, as well as antibacterial efficacy and antibacterial agent release to prevent and treat persistent infections. Silver nanoparticles, as a wide‐spectrum antibacterial agent that does not induce bacterial resistance, are very convenient for use as an active component in antibacterial hydrogel wound dressing materials with the controlled release ability. In this work, we aim to perform a comprehensive analysis of silver release from poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based hydrogels with electrochemically synthesized antibacterial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), aimed for wound dressing applications. Different AgNPs concentrations were loaded in hydrogel matrices using the green electrochemical reduction method, and thus synthesized nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized by different techniques (scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry), in order to assess their physico‐chemical and thermal properties. Silver release was monitored for 28 days in physiologically‐relevant conditions (phosphate buffered medium, pH 7.4, 37°C). The obtained experimental data were evaluated against several theoretical release models (Korsmeyer‐Peppas, Higuchi, Makoid‐Banakar, Kopcha, and early‐time approximation), which confirmed the predominantly diffusion‐controlled mechanism of release. Finally, AgNP‐loaded hydrogels were assessed for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus TL and Escherichia coli ATCC25922 bacterial strains, to prove their strong potential for wound dressing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biocompatibility of materials is one of the most important conditions for their successful application in tissue regeneration and repair. Cell-surface interactions stimulate adhesion and activation of macrophages whose acquaintance can assist in designing novel biomaterials that promote favorable macrophage–biomaterial surface interactions for clinical application. This study is designed to determine the distribution and number of macrophages as a means of biocompatibility evaluation of two newly synthesized materials [silver/poly(vinyl alcohol) (Ag/PVA) and silver/poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene (Ag/PVA/Gr) nanocomposite hydrogels] in vivo, with approval of the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. Macrophages and giant cells were analyzed in tissue sections stained by routine H&E and immunohistochemical methods (CD68+). Statistical relevance was determined in the statistical software package SPSS 20 (IBM corp). The results of the study in terms of the number of giant cells localized around the implant showed that their number was highest on the seventh postoperative day (p.o.d.) in the group implanted with Ag/PVA hydrogels, and on the 30th p.o.d. in the group implanted with Ag/PVA/Gr. Interestingly, the number of macrophages measured in the capsular and pericapsular space was highest in the group implanted with the commercial Suprasorb© material. The increased macrophage number, registered around the Ag/PVA/Gr implant on 60th p.o.d. indicates that the addition of graphene can, in a specific way, modulate different biological responses of tissues in the process of wound healing, regeneration, and integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Electrophoretic deposition process (EPD) was successfully used for obtaining graphene (Gr)‐reinforced composite coating based on hydroxyapatite (HAP), chitosan (CS), and antibiotic gentamicin (Gent), from aqueous suspension. The deposition process was performed as a single step process at a constant voltage (5 V, deposition time 12 min) on pure titanium foils. The influence of graphene was examined through detailed physicochemical and biological characterization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron analyses confirmed the formation of composite HAP/CS/Gr and HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coatings on Ti. Obtained coatings had porous, uniform, fracture‐free surfaces, suggesting strong interfacial interaction between HAP, CS, and Gr. Large specific area of graphene enabled strong bonding with chitosan, acting as nanofiller throughout the polymer matrix. Gentamicin addition strongly improved the antibacterial activity of HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coating that was confirmed by antibacterial activity kinetics in suspension and agar diffusion testing, while results indicated more pronounced antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus (bactericidal, viable cells number reduction >3 logarithmic units) compared to Escherichia coli (bacteriostatic, <3 logarithmic units). MTT assay indicated low cytotoxicity (75% cell viability) against MRC‐5 and L929 (70% cell viability) tested cell lines, indicating good biocompatibility of HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coating. Therefore, electrodeposited HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coating on Ti can be considered as a prospective material for bone tissue engineering as a hard tissue implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modernization and improvement of wound dressing materials is an important topic in biomaterials and biomedicine fields, as the traditional materials are inadequate and susceptible to bacterial infections. In recent times, polymer‐based hydrogel materials have presented themselves as excellent candidates for new‐generation wound dressings with improved properties, such as high sorption ability, good mechanical properties, and low adhesiveness. Additionally, cross linked hydrogel matrices serve as excellent carriers for controlled release of antibacterial agents, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are preferred over conventional antibiotics due to multi‐phase mechanism of action and low susceptibility to induce bacterial resistance. Their incorporation inside polymer matrices allows improvement of wound dressing properties and sustained protection against bacterial infection. Electrochemical methods for AgNPs synthesis are facile and green alternatives to chemical routes, allowing the formation of highly stable AgNPs with strong antibacterial effect. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the existing research on the topic of electrochemically synthesized silver nanoparticles incorporated in polymer matrices with a special focus on the chitosan‐based hydrogels as prospective materials for wound dressing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extrudate swell behavior of polypropylene (PP) composite melts filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was studied using a capillary rheometer in a temperature range from 190 to 230°C and at various apparent shear rates varying from 50 to 800 s−1. It was found that the values of the extrudate swell ratio of the composites increased nonlinearly with increasing apparent shear rates, while the values of the extrudate swell ratio decreased almost linearly with increasing temperature. The values of the melt extrudate swell ratio increased approximately linearly with increasing shear stress, while decreased approximately nonlinearly with an increase of the MWCNT weight fraction. In addition, the extrudate swell mechanisms were discussed with observation of the fracture surface of the extrudate using a scanning electronic microscopy. This study provides a basis for further development of MWCNTs reinforced polymer composites with desirable mechanical and thermal properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2433-2439, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles were produced inside a poly( N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) hydrogel (PVP) by an innovative method based on the electrochemical reduction of Ag+ ions within the swollen PVP hydrogel. UV-visible spectroscopy showed the highest value of the absorbance intensity and the lowest values of the wavelength of the absorbance maximum and the full width at the half-maximum absorbance for the Ag/PVP nanocomposite obtained at 200 V during 4 min. Cyclic voltammetry results suggested an adequate entrapment of the silver nanoparticles. The mechanical properties under bioreactor conditions of the Ag/PVP nanocomposite suggested the possibility of wound dressing application. Silver release from Ag/PVP nanocomposites was confirmed under static conditions as well as by their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:217-226, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current trends in biomaterials science address the issue of integrating artificial materials as orthopedic or dental implants with biological materials, e.g., patients' bone tissue. Problems arise due to the simple fact that any surface that promotes biointegration and facilitates osteointegration may also provide a good platform for the rapid growth of bacterial colonies. Infected implant surfaces easily lead to biofilm formation that poses a major healthcare concern since it could have destructive effects and ultimately endanger the patients' life. As of late, research has centered on designing coatings that would eliminate possible infection but neglected to aid bone mineralization. Other strategies yielded surfaces that could promote osseointegration but failed to prevent microbial susceptibility. Needless to say, in order to assure prolonged implant functionality, both coating functions are indispensable and should be addressed simultaneously. This review summarizes progress in designing multifunctional implant coatings that serve as carriers of antibacterial agents with the primary intention of inhibiting bacterial growth on the implant-tissue interface, while still promoting osseointegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]