Self-sterilizing ormosils surfaces based on photo-synzthesized silver nanoparticles.

Medical device-related infections represent a major healthcare complication, resulting in potential risks for the patient. Antimicrobial materials comprise an attractive strategy against bacterial colonization and biofilm proliferation. However, in most cases these materials are only bacteriostatic or bactericidal, and consequently they must be used in combination with other antimicrobials in order to reach the eradication condition (no viable microorganisms). In this study, a straightforward and robust antibacterial coating based on Phosphotungstate Ormosil doped with core-shell (SiO2@TiO2) was developed using sol-gel process, chemical tempering, and Ag nanoparticle photoassisted synthesis (POrs-CS-Ag). The coating was characterized by X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray Photoelectron Microscopy (XPS). The silver free coating displays low antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in opposition to the silver loaded ones, which are able to completely eradicate these strains. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of these substrates remains high until three reutilization cycles, which make them a promising strategy to develop self-sterilizing materials, such as POrs-CS-Ag-impregnated fabric, POrs-CS-Ag coated indwelling metals and polymers, among other materials.

Resveratrol enhancement staphylococcus aureus survival under levofloxacin and photodynamic treatments.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an efficient tool to eradicate micro-organisms owing to the capacity of these species to damage almost all types of biomolecules and to kill cells. The increase in mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance has led to the exploration of new strategies to eliminate micro-organisms that involve the production of ROS such as superoxide anion (O2•-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ROS are produced during several antimicrobial treatments, including antibiotic and photodynamic therapies. Among the natural antioxidants, resveratrol (RSV) is efficient at preventing damage from ROS, and every day more people incorporate it as a dietary or cosmetic supplement. However, the consequences of the administration of RSV during antimicrobial treatment are unknown. To investigate possible antagonistic or synergistic effects of RSV during antibiotic therapy (levofloxacin) or photodynamic therapy (visible radiation and methylene blue), killing of planktonic Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was evaluated in the presence of RSV. The results showed that the antimicrobial capacity of these therapies is significantly diminished when levofloxacin or methylene blue are co-administered with RSV, indicating that consumption of RSV during antimicrobial treatment must be, at least, cautioned. Moreover, considering the ROS antimicrobial activity of antibacterial agents, the topical addition of RSV may also affect the control of pathogens of the human body. The results presented in this article highlight the importance of the evaluation of possible antagonistic effects when an antimicrobial agent with ROS-mediated action is co-administrated with RSV.

Decrease in cytotoxicity of copper-based intrauterine devices (IUD) pretreated with 6-mercaptopurine and pterin as biocompatible corrosion inhibitors.

The copper intrauterine device (IUD) based its contraceptive action on the release of cupric ions from a copper wire. Immediately after the insertion, a burst release of copper ions occurs, which may be associated to a variety of side effects. 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) and pterin (PT) have been proposed as corrosion inhibitors to reduce this harmful release. Pretreatments with 1 × 10(-4) M 6-MP and 1 × 10(-4) M PT solutions with 1h and 3h immersion times were tested. Conventional electrochemical techniques, EDX and XPS analysis, and cytotoxicity assays with HeLa cell line were employed to investigate the corrosion behavior and biocompatibility of copper with and without treatments. Results showed that copper samples treated with PT and 6-MP solutions for 3 and 1 h, respectively, are more biocompatible than those without treatment. Besides, the treatment reduces the burst release effect of copper in simulated uterine solutions during the first week after the insertion. It was concluded that PT and 6-MP treatments are promising strategies able to reduce the side effects related to the "burst release" of copper-based IUD without altering the contraceptive action.

Reduction of the "burst release" of copper ions from copper-based intrauterine devices by organic inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: The copper intrauterine device is a contraceptive method that is based on the release of copper ions from a copper wire. Immediately after insertion, the dissolution of copper in the uterine fluid is markedly higher ("burst release") than that necessary for contraception action, leading to a variety of harmful effects. STUDY DESIGN: Pretreatments with organic compounds [thiourea (TU) and purine (PU), 10(-4)-10(-2) M concentration range, 1- and 3-h immersion times] were tested. The dissolution of copper with and without pretreatments in TU and PU solutions was analyzed by conventional electrochemical techniques and surface analysis. RESULTS: Pretreatments in PU solutions reduced the initial corrosion rate of copper in simulated uterine solutions, with inhibitory efficiencies that depend on the PU concentration and on the immersion time assayed. Inhibitory efficiency values higher than 98% for pretreatments with ≥10(-3) M PU were found. Conversely, after TU pretreatments, a high copper release was measured. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that 10(-3) M PU pretreatment is a promising strategy able to reduce the "burst release" of copper and to ensure contraceptive action.

Biocompatibility of magnesium particles evaluated by in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays.

Mg is a biodegradable biomaterial which may release particles (MP) to the environment. The possible cyto- and genotoxic effects of MP derived from magnesium powder (mesh 325) were analyzed on rat osteosarcoma UMR106 cells in order simulate the effect of Mg debris. Neutral red (NR) incorporation and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining techniques were used as endpoints to analyze the cytotoxic effects at 25-1000 µg/mL concentration range. Genotoxicity was estimated according to micronucleus (MN) formation and the Comet assay (CA). Results showed that MP size changes with time due to corrosion. Changes in lysosomal activity were observed after 24 h only at 1000 µg/mL. Accordingly, AO/EB staining showed a significant decrease in the number of living cells at 500 µg/mL. Transmission electronic microscopy showed MP internalization (60 and 200 nm diameter) in cells after 2-h treatment, whereas no MP was detected after 24 h. A significant dose-dependent increase in MN frequencies was observed at 25-100 µg/mL range (nontoxic range). DNA damage induction was assessed by CA only at 500 µg/mL. Results showed dose-dependent cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of MP on UMR106 cells with different threshold values of MP concentration.

Response of UMR 106 cells exposed to titanium oxide and aluminum oxide nanoparticles.

The cytotoxicity potential of TiO(2) and Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles (NP) in UMR 106 cells was studied by evaluating the lysosomal activity with neutral red uptake assay (NR), and the mitochondrial activity with tetrazolium MTT test. Different NP concentrations (10-300 microg/mL range) were used. A significant (p < 0.001) increase in the absorbance (stronger for TiO(2) NP) was detected in both NR and MTT assays after 24-h exposure to the NP. However, the total cell proteins and the cell proliferation rate demonstrated (p < 0.05) that the cell viability decreased after 96 h exposure to NP. The formation of NP-containing vesicles within the cells was observed by transmission electronic microscopy. Such event could explain the high cellular activity detected during the early stages of exposure not related to the increase in cell viability. Results showed that the effects of NP on cell lines are dependent on the chemical composition of the particles, their concentration, exposure time, and the type of treated cell. It can be concluded that the presence of TiO(2) and Al(2)O(3) NP in the cell surroundings can lead to cytotoxic effects. In the case of osteoblast cells, such events may induce osseointegration failures in orthopedic and dental implants that release NP.

Degradation of magnesium and its alloys: dependence on the composition of the synthetic biological media.

Magnesium and its alloys are highly degradable metals that are potentially useful as biomaterials, especially in orthopaedic and cardiovascular applications. However, the in vivo corrosion has proved to be too high. Because of the complexity of in vivo conditions, a careful study of the corrosion of magnesium in synthetic solutions that simulate the in vivo environment is necessary as a first approach to predict the actual in vivo situation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the electrolyte composition on the corrosion behavior of magnesium and two Mg-alloys in synthetic biological media. Pure magnesium and its alloys (AZ31 and LAE442) were employed in the experiments. Electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization curves were recorded in sodium chloride and PBS electrolytes with different chloride ion and albumin concentration. Optical and SEM observations complemented by EDX analysis were made. The results showed that magnesium corrosion is localized in chloride- and albumin-containing buffer solutions. They also showed that the chloride concentration and the presence of buffer and protein strongly affect the electrochemical behavior of magnesium and magnesium alloys.

Influence of surface sub-micropattern on the adhesion of pioneer bacteria on metals.

Most of the implantable medical devices are prone to infection caused by microorganisms that form biofilms. Pseudomonads are frequently used as model species for studying bacterial adhesion. The initial stages of biofilm formation are influenced by different factors including, among others, the chemistry of the surface, the roughness, and topography. The aim of this work was to assess the early stages of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm formation on sub-microstructured surfaces (SMS) that are in tune with bacterial size. Copper and gold were used as the substrata. It was concluded that SMS influenced bacterial length, alignment, and distribution, whereas the chemistry of the surfaces affected bacterial length and distribution. However, the effect of the SMS was the most significant. The shape of the bacterial colonies and the polymeric substances production were also influenced by SMS and the chemistry of the surface and both factors may be considered to reduce the susceptibility of a surface to biofilm formation.