Bactericidal performance of nanostructured surfaces by fluorocarbon plasma.

This study presents the characterization and antibacterial activity of nanostructured Si by plasma treatment method using a tetrafluoromethane (CF4) and hydrogen (H2) mixture. Nanostructured-Si is a synthetic nanomaterial that contains high aspect ratio nanoprotrusions on its surface, produced through a reactive-ion etching process. We have shown that the nanoprotrusions on the surfaces produce a mechanical bactericidal effect. Nanostructured-Si exhibited notable activity against three different microorganisms: Gram-negative (Escherichia coli), Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus cereus) producing a > 5 log10 reduction after 24h of incubation. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analysis the structure and morphology character of different surfaces evidencing the physical bactericidal activity of the Nanostructured-Si. These results provide excellent prospects for the development of a new generation of antibacterial surfaces.

Photo-Physical Behaviour of CdSe Nanocrystals/Bis(dithiocarbamate) Linker Multilayered Hybrid Systems.

Multilayered films composed by CdSe Nanocrystals (NCs) interlinked by ethylene-1,2-bis(dithiocarbamate) or adipate anions were prepared on ITO glass via layer-by-layer alternation. The films were analyzed by UV-vis, TEM, Photoluminescence (PL) emission and Pump-Probe spectroscopy. While the PL emission of the two samples present no differences, femtosecond Pump-probe experiments reveal an higher charge generation efficiency in bis(dithiocarbamate) based films than in dicarboxylate ones.

Sublethal effects of aged oil sands-affected water on white sucker (Catostomus commersonii).

To investigate impacts of proposed oil sands aquatic reclamation techniques on benthic fish, white sucker (Catostomus commersonii Lacépède, 1803) were stocked in 2 experimental ponds-Demonstration Pond, containing aged fine tailings capped with fresh water, consistent with proposed end-pit lake designs, and South Bison Pond, containing aged unextracted oil sands material-to examine the effects of unmodified hydrocarbons. White sucker were stocked from a nearby reservoir at both sites in May 2010 and sampled 4 mo later to measure indicators of energy storage and utilization. Comparisons were then made with the source population and 2 reference lakes in the region. After exposure to aged tailings, white sucker had smaller testes and ovaries and reduced growth compared with the source population. Fish introduced to aged unextracted oil sands material showed an increase in growth over the same period. Limited available energy, endocrine disruption, and chronic stress likely contributed to the effects observed, corresponding to elevated concentrations of naphthenic acids, aromatic compounds in bile, and increased CYP1A activity. Because of the chemical and biological complexity of these systems, direct cause-effect relationships could not be identified; however, effects were associated with naphthenic acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ammonia, and high pH. Impacts on growth have not been previously observed in pelagic fishes examined in these systems, and may be related to differences in sediment interaction.

Enhanced short-term plasmid transfection of filtration surgery tissues.

PURPOSE: To quantify and localize plasmid transfection of filtration surgery tissues using two delivery techniques. METHODS: Full-thickness filtering procedures were performed on eyes of New Zealand albino rabbits. In 10 eyes, naked plasmid DNA in saline was either injected beneath Tenon's capsule at the filtration site or absorbed into a collagen shield that was then placed external to the sclerostomy and under the Tenon's capsule. Forty-eight hours after surgery, levels of the reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) were measured in samples of ocular tissues. In two additional eyes, the ss-galactosidase (ss-GAL:) reporter gene expression was localized histologically. RESULTS: Injection of plasmid DNA in saline vehicle into the filtration bleb produced readily detectable CAT activity in bleb tissue (conjunctiva, Tenon's capsule, and sclera) whereas CAT activity was nearly undetectable in samples of the cornea, iris-ciliary body, and tissues located opposite the bleb site. Delivery of the plasmid DNA into the bleb through a collagen shield increased CAT activity 30-fold over injection of plasmid in saline (2711 +/- 567 mU/mg versus 92 +/- 38 mU/mg). ss-Gal activity was imaged only in the region of the bleb, and microscopic examination showed ss-Gal activity localized to Tenon's capsule fibroblasts, with minimal ss-Gal activity observed in inflammatory cells or scleral fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Transfection of filtration tissues is enhanced by absorption of naked DNA into a collagen shield. Furthermore, transfection is localized to the fibroblasts and inflammatory cells of the filtration bleb site. Gene therapy using naked plasmid DNA and a simple collagen shield delivery vehicle may be useful for regulating wound healing after glaucoma surgery.

Inhibition of pseudomonal ulceration in rabbit corneas by a synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, Galardin, on proteases produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and on a rabbit model of Pseudomonas keratitis. METHODS: Protease activities of culture broths from Pseudomonas strains PA-28 and W-186 were characterized in vitro by gelatin zymography and by digestion of Azocasein in the presence and absence of Galardin and the serine protease inhibitor, aprotinin. In a noninfectious in vivo experiment, sterile PA culture broth from W-186 was injected intrastromally into rabbit corneas that were treated topically with Galardin or vehicle, then evaluated clinically and histologically. In an infectious in vivo experiment, rabbit corneas were injected with washed PA-28, then treated topically with Galardin or vehicle and clinically scored. RESULTS: Gelatin zymography of culture broth from W-186 and PA-28 detected two proteases that were both inhibited by Galardin. Galardin reduced the digestion of Azocasein by both PA culture broths by 99%, whereas aprotinin did not significantly reduce the protease activity of PA-28 conditioned broth. Intrastromal injection of sterile W-186 culture broth caused rapid corneal destruction that was prevented by topical treatment with Galardin. Intrastromal injection of washed PA-28 bacteria resulted in progressive corneal melting that was significantly (P < 0.005) delayed, but ultimately not prevented, by topical treatment with Galardin. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudomonal protease activity in culture broth consisted predominantly of metalloproteinases and were effectively inhibited by Galardin in vitro. Topical treatment with Galardin prevented destruction of rabbit corneas by bacterial products present in culture broth, and it delayed corneal destruction after injection of PA bacteria. Galardin may be a useful adjuvant when corneal destruction proceeds despite prompt antibiotic treatment.