Amplifying bactericidal activity: Surfactant-mediated AgBr thin film coating over two-dimensional vertically aligned ZnO nanorods for dark-light dual mode disinfection.

Thin film coatings with potent antibacterial properties find critical applications in diverse domains such as medical devices, frequently touched surfaces, and food packaging for combating microbial proliferation across diverse scenarios. Two-dimensional photocatalytic antimicrobial coatings, offering a substantial actual-to-apparent surface ratio, hold immense potential for achieving this objective. However, realizing antibacterial performance not just under light but also in dark conditions remains a challenge. To address this, we present AgBr-coated vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) thin film architecture, employing a unique surfactant-mediated solution-phase spin-coating approach for achieving uniform deposition of AgBr onto ZnO NRs. The resulting ZnO NRs/AgBr heterojunction architectures have been characterized for their microstructural, morphological, elemental, optical, and wettability attributes. The studies have ascertained the tunability of AgBr content by modulating the concentration of its surfactant-based precursor solution. Further, valence band (VB) analyses revealed an increase in the electron density near to the VB edge. The dual role of AgBr as an antimicrobial agent and a photosensitizer, effectively enhancing the visible-light photodisinfection efficacy of ZnO NRs, has been evident through the dark-light dual mode antibacterial studies. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements have shown hydroxyl radicals being majorly responsible for the visible-light photodisinfection performance. Encouragingly, reusability assessments showcase significant promise, while artificial sweat-wiping studies on the structures unveil heightened photodisinfection efficacy. This enhancement could be attributed to components like urea and lactic acid, speculated to augment the photocatalytic efficiency by minimizing charge recombination.

Lactobacillus amylovorus derived lipase-mediated silver derivatization over poly(ε-caprolactone) towards antimicrobial coatings.

Owing to the probiotic origin, lipases-derived from the Lactobacilli sp. are considered to be promising biomaterials for in vivo applications. On a different note, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-an FDA-approved polymer for implantable applications-lacks inherent antimicrobial property, because of which suitable modifications are required to render it with bactericidal activity. Here, we employ Lactobacillus amylovorous derived lipase to surface derivatize the PCL films with silver that is a highly efficient inorganic broad-spectrum antimicrobial substance. Two different surface functionalization strategies have been employed over the alkaline hydrolyzed PCL films towards this purpose: In the first strategy, lipase-capped silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been synthesized in a first step, which have been covalently immobilized over the activated carboxylic groups on the PCL film surface in a subsequent step. In the second strategy, the lipase was covalently immobilized over the activated carboxylic groups of the PCL film surface in the first step, over which silver was deposited in the second step using the dip-coating method. While the characterization study using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has revealed the successful derivatization of silver over the PCL film, the surface characterization using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) study has shown a distinct morphological change with higher silver loading in both strategies. The antimicrobial studies employing E. coli have revealed 100 % inhibition in the bacterial growth in 4-6 h with the Ag NPs-immobilized PCL films as opposed to >8 h with those prepared through the dip-coating method. Additionally, the cytotoxicity assay using mouse fibroblast cells has shown that the PCL films immobilized with lipase-capped Ag NPs exhibit high cell compatibility, similar to that of pristine PCL film, and thereby making it suitable for in vivo applications.

Modulation of CD44, EGFR and RAC Pathway Genes (WAVE Complex) in Epithelial Cancers.

Cancer hallmarks help in understanding the diversity of various neoplasms. Epithelial cancers play an immense role in the tumor biology through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) process. Receptor tyrosine kinase, as well as phosphatidyl ionositol-3 kinase pathways, play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation during EMT. Till date, numerous studies have shown modulation in the expression profile of potential targets like CD44, EGFR, and Rac in epithelial cancers. CD44 interacts with EGFR and recruits other molecules which further activate the Rac pathway intermediates. This review mainly focused on modulation of genes like CD44, EGFR, and Rac pathway intermediates which play a crucial role in the tumor progression, metastasis, proliferation, and invasion characteristics in epithelial cancers with EMT properties. Hence, targeting Rac pathway might be a more strategically relevant approach in treating epithelial cancers.