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The potential of nanoparticles as effective drug delivery systems combined with the versatility of fibers has led to the development of new and improved strategies to help in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Nanoparticles have extraordinary characteristics that are helpful in several applications, including wound dressings, microbial balance approaches, tissue regeneration, and cancer treatment. Owing to their large surface area, tailor-ability, and persistent diameter, fibers are also used for wound dressings, tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, and protective clothing. The combination of nanoparticles with fibers has the power to generate delivery systems that have enhanced performance over the individual architectures. This review aims at illustrating the main possibilities and trends of fibers functionalized with nanoparticles, focusing on inorganic and organic nanoparticles and polymer-based fibers. Emphasis on the recent progress in the fabrication procedures of several types of nanoparticles and in the description of the most used polymers to produce fibers has been undertaken, along with the bioactivity of such alliances in several biomedical applications. To finish, future perspectives of nanoparticles incorporated within polymer-based fibers for clinical use are presented and discussed, thus showcasing relevant paths to follow for enhanced success in the field., This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) via grants UIDP/00264/2020 of 2C2T Strategic Project 2020–2023 and project PTDC/CTMTEX/28074/2017. This project has been funded by a Research Grant (2022) from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) to J.C.A., J.M.D. and C.S.M. also acknowledge FCT for PhD grants 2020.07387.BD and 2020.08547.BD, respectively, and H.P.F. for auxiliary researcher contract 2021.02720.CEECIND.

[Excerpt] Infectious diseases are a perpetual challenge as they are one of the main human health issues (Irshad et al. 2020). Several pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites are behind these diseases, which are accountable for 10% of the global mortality annually. Recently, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) gave rise to a novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and triggered a pandemic situation which already caused more than 5 million deaths worldwide (WHO 2021). Among the causing agents of infectious diseases, bacteria are considered one of the most concerning classes of pathogens.

In the past few years, the outstanding properties of the best-known derivative of graphene, the graphene oxide (GO), have led to a wide increase of its spectra of application. GO-based composites have been reported as chemically and mechanically stable, presenting good biocompatibility and great antimicrobial potential. Also, GO's two-dimensional planar structure coupled with its large availability of oxygen-related functional groups can turn this material into a good candidate for several biomedical devices, including wound dressings (WD) and drug delivery systems (DDS). In this scenario, the present review compiles the most advanced and innovative research in WD and DDS containing GO, conducted in last 10 years. An overview of GO's global and specific biomedical properties was presented, alongside with a description of the current GO and GO-based composites producing methods for biomedical applications. In addition, the future challenges, and perspectives of the application of GO for WD and DDS were briefly analysed., FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(2C2T)

This work is financed by FEDER funds through COMPETE and by national funds through FCT via the projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028074 and UID/CTM/00264/2020. CSM also acknowledges FCT for PhD grant (2020.08547.BD).

[Excerpt] The aim of this study was to produce SA/GN microfibers via wet-spinning technique, and subsequently functionalize these fibers with Nisin Z, in order to map Nisin Z’s controlled release kinetics and antimicrobial action against S. aureus

[Excerpt] Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered a public threat, with a great number of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. Essential oils (EOs) have demonstrated significant effects against several pathogens, however, they present a volatile nature, therefore, biodegradable polymeric delivery platforms are being engineered. Here, hydrogel-like films were produced from a combination of sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin (GN) to serve as delivery platforms for the controlled release of cinnamon leaf oil (CLO) entrapped within chitosan (CS) microcapsules. CS microcapsules were prepared via ionotropic gelation with tripolyphosphate (TPP), with CLO at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the core. Microcapsules were then embedded within a biodegradable SA/GN polymeric matrix processed via a solvent casting/phase inversion methodology with SA/GN used at 70/30 polymer ratio and 2 wt% SA concentration in distilled water. The coagulation bath was composed of a 2 wt% calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) aqueous solution. Qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial examinations validated the modified film potential to fight infections caused by P. aeruginosa bacteria.

[Excerpt] Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered a public threat, with a great number of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. Essential oils (EOs) have demonstrated significant effects against several pathogens, however, they present a volatile nature, therefore, biodegradable polymeric delivery platforms are being engineered. Here, hydrogel-like films were produced from a combination of sodium alginate (SA) and gelatin (GN) to serve as delivery platforms for the controlled release of cinnamon leaf oil (CLO) entrapped within chitosan (CS) microcapsules. CS microcapsules were prepared via ionotropic gelation with tripolyphosphate (TPP), with CLO at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the core. Microcapsules were then embedded within a biodegradable SA/GN polymeric matrix processed via a solvent casting/phase inversion methodology with SA/GN used at 70/30 polymer ratio and 2 wt% SA concentration in distilled water. The coagulation bath was composed of a 2 wt% calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) aqueous solution. Qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial examinations validated the modified film potential to fight infections caused by P. aeruginosa bacteria.