Chitosan-2D Nanomaterial-Based Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications.

Chitosan (CS) and two-dimensional nanomaterial (2D nanomaterials)-based scaffolds have received widespread attention in recent times in biomedical applications due to their excellent synergistic potential. CS has garnered much attention as a biomedical scaffold material either alone or in combination with some other material due to its favorable physiochemical properties. The emerging 2D nanomaterials, such as black phosphorus (BP), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), etc., have taken huge steps towards varying biomedical applications. However, the implementation of a CS-2D nanomaterial-based scaffold for clinical applications remains challenging for different reasons such as toxicity, stability, etc. Here, we reviewed different types of CS scaffold materials and discussed their advantages in biomedical applications. In addition, a different CS nanostructure, instead of a scaffold, has been described. After that, the importance of 2D nanomaterials has been elaborated on in terms of physiochemical properties. In the next section, the biomedical applications of CS with different 2D nanomaterial scaffolds have been highlighted. Finally, we highlighted the existing challenges and future perspectives of using CS-2D nanomaterial scaffolds for biomedical applications. We hope that this review will encourage a more synergistic biomedical application of the CS-2D nanomaterial scaffolds and their utilization clinical applications.

Characterization of complete mitochondrial genome of three Horse flies of the genus Tabanus (Diptera: Tabanidae): comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tabanidae (Horse-Flies or Deer-Flies) are one of the most economically important as well as medically significant haematophagous insect family within the order Diptera. Members of this group are also responsible for the mortality of substantial number of live-stock every year. Due to their pathogen transmission potential and vector competencies makes them an important insect group to study. Till now, mitochondrial genome of 18 species of tabanids were available. METHODS AND RESULTS: The complete mitogenome of three species T. diversifrons (15,809 bp), T. rubidus (15,878 bp) and T. tenens (15,872 bp) were generated by Next generation sequencing method. They consist 37 genes, with a positive AT skew and a negative GC skew. The gene order of these three species is similar to the typical gene arrangement of infra-order Tabanomorpha. Most of the tRNAs showed typical clover-leaf secondary structure except trnS1, which lacks the DHU arm. The sliding window analysis showed that the nad4L is the most conserved while atp8, and nad6 are the most variable genes. Moreover, the ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rates indicated that all PCGs under the purifying selection. Phylogeny revealed Chrysops and Haematopota are monophyletic while species of Hybomitra are nested within the polyphyletic clade of Tabanus. T. diversifrons exhibits sister relationship with Atylotus miser. Two morphologically divergent species T. rubidus and T. tenens are found to be genetically similar and indistinguishable by mitochondrial genome. CONCLUSIONS: The hypervariable genes like atp8 and nad6 can be used as molecular markers for the identification of recently diverged lineages of family Tabanidae. Further, to address uncertainties arising from the two morphological divergent species, it is imperative to obtain data from nuclear gene markers.

Friends against the Foe: Synergistic Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy against Bacterial Infections.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are rapidly emerging, coupled with the failure of current antibiotic therapy; thus, new alternatives for effectively treating infections caused by MDR bacteria are required. Hyperthermia-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) have attracted extensive attention as antibacterial therapies owing to advantages such as low invasiveness, low toxicity, and low likelihood of causing bacterial resistance. However, both strategies have notable drawbacks, including the high temperature requirements of PTT and the weak ability of PDT-derived ROS to penetrate target cells. To overcome these limitations, a combination of PTT and PDT has been used against MDR bacteria. In this review, we discuss the unique benefits and limitations of PTT and PDT against MDR bacteria. The mechanisms underlying the synergistic effects of the PTT-PDT combination are also discussed. Furthermore, we introduced advancements in antibacterial methods using nano-based PTT and PDT agents to treat infections caused by MDR bacteria. Finally, we highlight the existing challenges and future perspectives of synergistic PTT-PDT combination therapy against infections caused by MDR bacteria. We believe that this review will encourage synergistic PTT- and PDT-based antibacterial research and can be referenced for future clinical applications.

A new species of Thinophilus Wahlberg (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Hydrophorinae) from coastal India with re-description of Thinophilus tesselatus Becker (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Hydrophorinae).

A new peculiar species of marine dolichopodid fly from West Bengal, India is described: Thinophilus maritimus Mukherjee & Pramanik sp. nov. COI barcodes of the new species were compared to other available Thinophilus sequences. Despite the lack of lateral setae on its hind coxa, this species clusters within the Thinophilus group. Males of Thinophilus tesselatus Becker, 1922 were also obtained from the same area, and a detailed redescription of the species is presented here. A checklist of 70 Oriental Thinophilus species is also provided.

A Nanocomposite with Extracellular Vesicles from Lactobacillus paracasei as a Bioinspired Nanoantibiotic Targeting Staphylococcus aureus.

The utilization of biomimetic materials that merge functional nanoparticles (NPs) with a cell-derived nanosized membrane is a state-of-the-art approach to harnessing cellular properties for biomedical applications. However, the development of biocompatible and species-selective biomimetic agents against hazardous pathogens threatening human health is still in its early stages. Herein, we report the synthesis and functional analysis of a novel nanoplatform in which a PEGylated MoS2-ZnO (MZ) nanocomposite was cloaked with a generally regarded as safe (GRAS)-grade Lactobacillus paracasei-derived extracellular vesicle (LPEV) for MZ-LPEV nanocomposite and evaluated its activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The MZ nanocomposite was characterized via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The coating of MZ with LPEV was confirmed through nanoparticle tracking analysis and zeta potential measurements. MZ-LPEV exhibited 5- to 20-fold higher antibacterial activity than that of ZO NPs and MZ nanocomposite against S. aureus. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and bacterial membrane disruption were confirmed as antibacterial mechanisms of MZ-LPEV. Finally, MZ-LPEV exhibited enhanced biocompatibility and selectivity for S. aureus. All our results showed that LPEV could be utilized for developing synergistic nanoantibiotics against S. aureus.

Photo-Stimuli-Responsive CuS Nanomaterials as Cutting-Edge Platform Materials for Antibacterial Applications.

Photo-stimuli-responsive therapeutic nanomaterials have gained widespread attention as frontline materials for biomedical applications. The photoactivation strategies are classified as single-modality (based on either reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT), hyperthermia-based photothermal therapy (PTT)), or dual-modality (which combines PDT and PTT). Due to its minimal invasiveness, phototherapy has been extensively applied as an efficient therapeutic platform for many diseases, including skin cancers. However, extensive implementation of phototherapy to address the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections remains challenging. This review focuses on copper sulfide (CuS) nanomaterials as efficient and cost-effective PDT and PTT therapeutic nanomaterials with antibacterial activity. The features and merits of CuS nanomaterials as therapeutics are compared to those of other nanomaterials. Control of the dimensions and morphological complexity of CuS nanomaterials through judicious synthesis is then introduced. Both the in vitro antibacterial activity and the in vivo therapeutic effect of CuS nanomaterials and derivative nanocomposites composed of 2D nanomaterials, polymers, metals, metal oxides, and proteins are described in detail. Finally, the perspective of photo-stimuli-responsive CuS nanomaterials for future clinical antibacterial applications is highlighted. This review illustrates that CuS nanomaterials are highly effective, low-toxic, and environmentally friendly antibacterial agents or platform nanomaterials for combatting MDR bacterial infections.

Bioconjugated Thymol-Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite as a Selective and Biocompatible Antibacterial Agent against Staphylococcus Species.

Owing to the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus species, effective and low-risk alternatives to antibiotics are being actively searched. Thymol (THO), the most abundant component of the oil extracted from thyme, can be considered as a natural antibacterial alternative. However, the low antibacterial activity and non-selectivity of THO limit its usage as a universal anti-Staphylococcus agent. Herein, we report the bioconjugation of THO with ZnO nanoparticle (ZO), which resulted in the TZ nanocomposite (NC), as a potent and selective antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus species, particularly S. epidermidis. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of ATCC 25923 cultures was employed for the production of TZ NC. Successful production of TZ NC was confirmed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) studies. TZ NC had selective efficacy against Staphylococcus species, with MIC values 2-32-fold lower than THO. The antibacterial mechanisms of TZ NC are proposed to involve membrane rupture, suppression of biofilm formation, and modulation of new cell wall and protein-synthesis-associated cellular pathways. Its biocompatibility against HCT116 cells was also checked. Our findings suggest that the TZ nanocomposite could improve the selectivity and bactericidal activity of THO against target species.

A MoS2 based silver-doped ZnO nanocomposite and its antibacterial activity against ß-lactamase expressing Escherichia coli.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli are increasingly resistant to current antibiotics. Among the strategies implemented to eradicate such MDR pathogens, approaches based on two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have received considerable attention. In particular, the excellent physicochemical properties of 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets, including a high surface area, good conductivity, and good surface retention, are advantageous for their use as bactericidal agents. Herein, we report the fabrication of a MoS2-based nanocomposite conjugated with silver-doped zinc oxide (AZM) as an effective antibacterial agent against E. coli species. The properties of AZM were characterized, and its antibacterial activity against MDR E. coli strains with different resistance types was evaluated. MoS2 was found to activate the antibacterial activity of AZM and provide enhanced selectivity against MDR E. coli strains expressing ß-lactamases. We proposed that membrane disruption of bacterial cell walls was the major cell death mechanism for MDR E. coli. Furthermore, surface charge perturbation could explain the differences in AZM activity against MDR E. coli strains expressing a ß-lactamase and a mobilized colistin resistance (mcr-1) gene product. Thus, a MoS2-based nanocomposite with a functional conjugation strategy could be a selective nano-antibacterial platform against infections caused by MDR E. coli with resistance against ß-lactam antibiotics.

A checklist of black flies (Diptera, Simuliidae) from India.

An updated checklist of the family Simuliidae from India is presented. A total of 79 species of Simulium belonging to eight different subgenera are listed. Eleven species that were not reported in the previous checklist are added here. The present list contributes to a better understanding of the diversity of Simuliidae in India, as well as the impact of Simulium species on the public health of this mega-diverse country.

Biomimetic Nanoparticles Coated with Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles as a New-Generation Platform for Biomedical Applications.

The biomedical field is currently reaping the benefits of research on biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs), which are synthetic nanoparticles fabricated with natural cellular materials for nature-inspired biomedical applications. These camouflage NPs are capable of retaining not only the physiochemical properties of synthetic nanoparticles but also the original biological functions of the cellular materials. Accordingly, NPs coated with cell-derived membrane components have achieved remarkable growth as prospective biomedical materials. Particularly, bacterial outer membrane vesicle (OMV), which is a cell membrane coating material for NPs, is regarded as an important molecule that can be employed in several biomedical applications, including immune response activation, cancer therapeutics, and treatment for bacterial infections with photothermal activity. The currently available cell membrane-coated NPs are summarized in this review. Furthermore, the general features of bacterial OMVs and several multifunctional NPs that could serve as inner core materials in the coating strategy are presented, and several methods that can be used to prepare OMV-coated NPs (OMV-NPs) and their characterization are highlighted. Finally, some perspectives of OMV-NPs in various biomedical applications for future potential breakthrough are discussed. This in-depth review, which includes potential challenges, will encourage researchers to fabricate innovative and improvised, new-generation biomimetic materials through future biomedical applications.

Bovine Serum Albumin-Immobilized Black Phosphorus-Based γ-Fe2O3 Nanocomposites: A Promising Biocompatible Nanoplatform.

The interactions between proteins and nanoparticles need to be fully characterized as the immobilization of proteins onto various nanoplatforms in the physiological system often results in the change of surface of the protein molecules to avoid any detrimental issues related to their biomedical applications. Hence, in this article, the successful low-temperature synthesis of a BP-based γ-Fe2O3 (IB) nanocomposite and its interactive behavior with bovine serum albumin (BSA)-a molecule with chemical similarity and high sequence identity to human serum albumin-are described. To confirm the formation of γ-Fe2O3 and the IB nanocomposite, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of the materials were performed. Additionally, the physical interaction between BSA and the IB nanocomposite was confirmed via UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectral analyses. Finally, the biocompatibility of the BSA-immobilized IB nanocomposite was verified using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay with HCT-15 colon cancer cells. Our findings demonstrate that this newly developed nanocomposite has potential utility as a biocompatible nanoplatform for various biomedical applications.

A New Surface Charge Neutralizing Nano-Adjuvant to Potentiate Polymyxins in Killing Mcr-1 Mediated Drug-Resistant Escherichia coli.

Resistance to polymyxins when treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections limit therapeutic options. Here, we report the synthesis of a nickel (Ni) doped Zinc oxide (NZO) combined with black phosphorus (BP) (NZB) nanocomposite and its synergistic action with polymyxin B (PolB) against polymyxin-resistant Escherichia coli harboring mobilized colistin resistance (mcr-1) gene. NZB and PolB combination therapy expressed a specific and strong synergy against Mcr-1 expressing E. coli cells. The underlying mechanism of the synergy is the charge neutralization of the E. coli cell surface by NZB, resulting in a more feasible incorporation of PolB to E. coli. The synergistic concentration of NZB with PolB was proved biocompatible. Thus, the NZB is the first biocompatible nano-adjuvant to polymyxins against polymyxin-resistant E. coli cells, recognizing the physical status of bacteria instead of known adjuvants targeting cellular gene products. Therefore, NZB has the potential to revive polymyxins as leading last-resort antibiotics to combat polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Potential Novel Food-Related and Biomedical Applications of Nanomaterials Combined with Bacteriocins.

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides or proteinaceous materials produced by bacteria against pathogens. These molecules have high efficiency and specificity and are equipped with many properties useful in food-related applications, such as food preservatives and additives, as well as biomedical applications, such as serving as alternatives to current antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, and antibiofilm agents. Despite their advantages as alternative therapeutics over existing strategies, several limitations of bacteriocins, such as the high cost of isolation and purification, narrow spectrum of activity, low stability and solubility, and easy enzymatic degradation, need to be improved. Nanomaterials are promising agents in many biological applications. They are widely used in the conjugation or decoration of bacteriocins to augment the activity of bacteriocins or reduce problems related to their use in biomedical applications. Therefore, bacteriocins combined with nanomaterials have emerged as promising molecules that can be used in various biomedical applications. This review highlights the features of bacteriocins and their limitations in biomedical applications and provides a detailed overview of the uses of different nanomaterials in improving the limitations. Our review focuses on the potential applications of nanomaterials combined with bacteriocins as new designer molecules for use in future therapeutic strategies.

Au-ZnO Conjugated Black Phosphorus as a Near-Infrared Light-Triggering and Recurrence-Suppressing Nanoantibiotic Platform against Staphylococcus aureus.

Antibiotic therapy is the gold standard for bacterial infections treatment. However, the rapid increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections and its recent use for secondary bacterial infections in many COVID-19 patients has considerably weakened its treatment efficacy. These shortcomings motivated researchers to develop new antibacterial materials, such as nanoparticle-based antibacterial platform with the ability to increase the chances of killing MDR strains and prevent their drug resistance. Herein, we report a new black phosphorus (BP)-based non-damaging near-infrared light-responsive platform conjugated with ZnO and Au nanoparticles as a synergistic antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus aureus species. First, BP nanosheets containing Au nanoparticles were assembled in situ with the ZnO nanoparticles prepared by a low-temperature solution synthesis method. Subsequently, the antibacterial activities of the resulting Au-ZnO-BP nanocomposite against the non-resistant, methicillin-resistant, and erythromycin-resistant S. aureus species were determined, after its photothermal efficacy was assessed. The synthesized nanocomposite exhibited excellent anti-S. aureus activity and good photothermal characteristics. The non-resistant S. aureus species did not produce drug-resistant bacteria after the treatment of multiple consecutive passages under the pressure of the proposed nanoantibiotic, but rapidly developed resistance to erythromycin. This work clearly demonstrates the excellent photothermal antibacterial properties of Au-ZnO-BP nanocomposite against the MDR S. aureus species.

A New Nano-Platform of Erythromycin Combined with Ag Nano-Particle ZnO Nano-Structure against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Nano-particles have been combined with antibiotics in recent studies to overcome multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we synthesized a nano-material in which Ag nano-particles were assembled with a ZnO nano-structure to form an Ag-ZnO (AZO) nano-composite at low temperature. This material was combined with erythromycin (Ery), an antibiotic effective towards gram-positive bacteria, using three different approaches (AZO + Ery (AZE) [centrifuged (AZE1), used separately after 1-h gap (AZE2), without centrifugation (AZE3)]) to prepare a nano-antibiotic against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of Ag nano-particles and ZnO nano-structure. The elemental and chemical state of the elements present in the AZO nano-composite were assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of AZE samples against both Escherichia coli and S. aureus strains including MRSA was evaluated in antibacterial and morphological analyses. The AZE3 sample showed greater antibacterial activity than the other samples and was comparable to erythromycin. AZE3 was ~20-fold less prone to developing bacterial resistance following multiple exposures to bacteria compared to erythromycin alone. The AZE3 nano-composite showed good biocompatibility with 293 human embryonic kidney cells. Our newly synthesized nano-platform antibiotics may be useful against multidrug-resistant gram-positive bacteria.

Recent Advances in Nanomaterial-Based Wound-Healing Therapeutics.

Nanomaterial-based wound healing has tremendous potential for treating and preventing wound infections with its multiple benefits compared with traditional treatment approaches. In this regard, the physiochemical properties of nanomaterials enable researchers to conduct extensive studies on wound-healing applications. Nonetheless, issues concerning the use of nanomaterials in accelerating the efficacy of existing medical treatments remain unresolved. The present review highlights novel approaches focusing on the recent innovative strategies for wound healing and infection controls based on nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and scaffolds, which are elucidated in detail. In addition, the efficacy of nanomaterials as carriers for therapeutic agents associated with wound-healing applications has been addressed. Finally, nanomaterial-based scaffolds and their premise for future studies have been described. We believe that the in-depth analytical review, future insights, and potential challenges described herein will provide researchers an up-to-date reference on the use of nanomedicine and its innovative approaches that can enhance wound-healing applications.

Easy One-Pot Low-Temperature Synthesized Ag-ZnO Nanoparticles and Their Activity Against Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely acknowledged as a global health problem, yet the available solutions to this problem are limited. Nanomaterials can be used as potential nanoweapons to fight against this problem. In this study, we report an easy one-pot low-temperature synthesis of Ag-ZnO nanoparticles (AZO NPs) and their targeted antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The physical properties of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), zone of inhibition (ZOI), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images for morphological characterization of bacteria were assessed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of AZO NPs against both Gram-negative [Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) standard and AMR strains] and Gram-positive (S. aureus, MRSA3, and MRSA6) bacteria. The AZO NPs showed comparatively better antibacterial activity against S. aureus and MRSA strains than Gram-negative bacterial strains. This cost-effective and simple synthesis strategy can be used for the development of other metal oxide nanoparticles, and the synthesized nanomaterials can be potentially used to fight against MRSA.

Antibacterial potential of Ni-doped zinc oxide nanostructure: comparatively more effective against Gram-negative bacteria including multi-drug resistant strains.

Infections by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are one of the most threatening concerns for public health. For this purpose, nanomaterials have emerged with great potential for antibacterial activity. In this paper, we report the synthesis of new Ni2+-doped zinc oxide (Ni-ZnO or NZO) nanostructures as targeted antibacterial agents for Gram-negative bacteria. A one-pot low-temperature solution process was used with varying compositions containing 2 or 5% Ni2+ relative to Zn2+, resulting in 2NZO or 5NZO, respectively. X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used for material characterization. Further, the antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative [Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) strains including standard, MDR, and clinical isolates associated with mcr-1 gene] and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) bacteria were evaluated through analysis of zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and scanning electron microscopy images. Among the prepared nanostructures, the 5NZO sample showed excellent antibacterial activity against MDR strains of A. baumannii and E. coli. In addition, samples of NZO generated approximately 7 to 16 times more reactive oxygen species (ROS) in E. coli compared to ZnO. Our synthesized nanomaterials have the potential to fight MDR and colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

A nontoxic biocompatible nanocomposite comprising black phosphorus with Au-γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

Black phosphorus (BP) has emerged as the latest 2D material within the post-graphene scenario, which can be used for various biomedical applications. In this study, we reported a promising nanocomposite material, which could be assembled with Au nanoparticles and γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on BP nanosheets (AIB), and studied its biocompatibility that promises to be useful for various biomedical applications. The synthesis of the Au-γ-Fe2O3 nanomaterial was attained through low-temperature solution synthesis and the exfoliation of BP nanosheets was performed through a liquid ultrasonication process. The individual components were then composited by ultrasonication and stirring. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic analyses confirmed the existence of Au and γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) assembled over BP nanosheets. Moreover, the surface chemical composition and valence state of the elements present in the AIB nanocomposite were evaluated with the help of an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study. The AIB nanocomposite exhibited excellent biocompatibility with HCT-15 cells after evaluating through WST assay. Therefore, the excellent biocompatible nature of this BP nanocomposite could be beneficial for various potential biomedical applications.

Black phosphorus nanomaterials as multi-potent and emerging platforms against bacterial infections.

Black phosphorus (BP) has attracted research interest due to its excellent physiochemical properties in various biomedical applications. However, challenges remain of establishing BP as a practical nanomaterial platform against bacterial infections caused by hard-to-treat pathogens. This review highlights the novel approaches for functional properties and advantages of BP over currently available two-dimensional nanomaterials for antibacterial activity. The latest research findings regarding BP for antibacterial activity, potential as alternative antibacterial approach to current antibiotics, and its promise for the future platform are also considered. We believe that our discussions and perspectives on current topics will provide researchers with an up-to-date and handy reference to apply BP as a beneficial nanostructured biomaterial to the human health against various bacterial infections.