Multifunctional Gold-Silver-Carbon Quantum Dots Nano-Hybrid Composite: Advancing Antibacterial Wound Healing and Cell Proliferation

pH-responsive molybdenum disulphide composite nanomaterials for skin wound healing using "ROS leveraging" synergistic immunomodulation

With the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacterial infections, wound bacterial infections have evolved into an escalating medical problem that poses a threat to the individual health as well as global public health. Traditional drug therapy not only suffers from a single treatment method, low drug utilisation and limited therapeutic effect, but long-term antibiotic abuse has significantly increased bacterial resistance. It is imperative to develop an antibiotic-free biomaterial with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The current use of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on the generation of massive reactive oxygen species (ROS), which inevitably aggravates the inflammatory response. Herein, we developed AuAg bimetallic nanoparticles based on PDA modification and prepared a novel MoS2-based composite nanomaterials (AuAg@PDA-MoS2 NPs) with multiple mechanisms of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potentials through the adhesion of PDA. In the early phase, PDT and PTT generated a large amount of ROS for rapid sterilisation. While in the later stage, MoS2 mimicked the peroxidase activity to leverage the ROS, balancing the generation of ROS in the infected environment to achieve the long-term anti-inflammatory. In vitro experiments showed that the killing efficiency of AuAg@PDA-MoS2 NPs was nearly 99 % under the irradiation of 808 nm near-infrared light for 10 min, which demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity. In vivo experiments showed that 808 nm NIR-assisted AuAg@PDA-MoS2 NPs to effectively inhibit infection, alleviated the inflammation, and accelerated the wound healing process. Therefore, AuAg@PDA-MoS2 NPs as a novel biomaterial could achieve programmed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which has a promising potential for future application in the treatment of infected wounds.

Advancement of Nanomaterials- and Biomaterials-Based Technologies for Wound Healing and Tissue Regenerative Applications

Patients and healthcare systems face significant social and financial challenges due to the increasing number of individuals with chronic external and internal wounds that fail to heal. The complexity of the healing process remains a serious health concern, despite the effectiveness of conventional wound dressings in promoting healing. Recent advancements in materials science and fabrication techniques have led to the development of innovative dressings that enhance wound healing. To further expedite the healing process, novel approaches such as nanoparticles, 3D-printed wound dressings, and biomolecule-infused dressings have emerged, along with cell-based methods. Additionally, gene therapy technologies are being harnessed to generate stem cell derivatives that are more functional, selective, and responsive than their natural counterparts. This review highlights the significant potential of biomaterials, nanoparticles, 3D bioprinting, and gene- and cell-based therapies in wound healing. However, it also underscores the necessity for further research to address the existing challenges and integrate these strategies into standard clinical practice.

Novel formulation of curcumin-loaded chlorhexidine drug combined with gold nanoparticles for effective therapeutic agent against urinary tract infections

AIM

This study investigates a novel treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pathogenic bacterial strains.

METHODS

The Cur/Chx/Au composite matrix was synthesised in one pot by solution reduction and examined for functional groups and surface morphology by FT-IR, UV-DRS, HR-TEM, and TGA. In vitro, microbial growth inhibition evaluation and pathogen biofilm studies assessed the composite's antibacterial capacity.

RESULTS

Cur/Chx/Au exhibit mean diameter from 30 ± 5.2 nm, PDI 0.50 ± 0.05, and a zeta potential of -9.56 ± 1.84. The inhibition zones for S. aureus and E. coli were 16 ± 1.2 mm and 14 ± 0.8 mm, respectively, with an anti-inflammatory inhibition rate of 89.96%. The composite material's biocompatibility was further tested utilising in-vitro MTT, cell proliferation, and wound scratch assays in NHI 3T3 cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that the combination of Cur/Chx/Au composite matrix is a promising formulation for UTI treatment.

Tunable multi-enzyme activities of platinum nanoclusters for enhanced specificity and sensitivity in biosensing

Nanozymes have gained prominence for their utility in biosensing and disease diagnostics. However, challenges arise from complex sample matrices and nonspecific enzyme activities that contribute to false signals. This study introduces multifunctional platinum nanoclusters (Pt NCs) exhibiting peroxidase-like (POD-like), oxidase-like (OXD-like), and laccase-like activities tailored for enhanced biosensing capabilities. By adjusting pH, we optimized the conditions to achieve distinct POD-like and OXD-like responses, thereby reducing background signals and improving detection accuracy. The addition of ATP further amplified the POD-like activity while minimizing interference from OXD-like activity. This combined strategy substantially enhanced biomarker detection selectivity, demonstrated through glucose detection in human serum samples. Moreover, thiol inhibition of laccase-like activity in Pt NCs was leveraged for thiol-based antioxidant assessment, revealing their application in quantifying total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in human liver cancer cells, accounting for 44 % of TAC. The Pt NCs demonstrated robust sensitivity and reusability, offering a novel multi-enzyme nanomaterial with potential for precise and interference-free biosensing applications. These findings contribute to the development of advanced nanozyme-based biosensors, addressing specificity regulation challenges and expanding their practical application in biosensing and disease diagnostics.

Multifunctional nitrogen-sulfur codoped carbon quantum dots: Determining reduced glutathione, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and cell imaging

In this study, nitrogen-sulfur codoped carbon quantum dots (N-S/CQDs) with various functions and properties were synthesized through a one-step method utilizing citric acid and cysteine as reaction substrates. The fluorescence of N-S/CQDs can be specifically quenched by permanganate ion (MnO4 -), and the quenched fluorescence can be recovered by the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH). A fluorescence sensing system based on N-S/CQDs@MnO4 - was developed and successfully applied for the determination of GSH in pharmaceutical preparations. Additionally, N-S/CQDs demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 32 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacterium) and 64 μg/ml against Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacterium). N-S/CQDs also proved effective for cell imaging, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility. These findings underscore the multifunctional characteristics and promising application potential of N-S/CQDs. Furthermore, this study provides a solid foundation for the development of multifunctional carbon quantum dots and the expansion of their applications in various fields.

Effect of Osteogenic Metabolic Differentiation of Silver Nanoparticles-based Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts on Orthodontic Tooth Movement

It was to clarify the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on biological functions of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs).

METHODS

AgNPs were synthesized using a tannic acid reduction method and characterized accordingly. Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to Normal group, Group A (orthodontic tooth movement after alveolar bone defect repair with a blood clot), and Group B (orthodontic tooth movement after alveolar bone defect repair with AgNPs), with five rats in each group. Morphological changes in periodontal tissues were visualized. hPDLFs were treated with 0 μM (Ctrl), 25 μM (L-AgNPs), 50 μM (M-AgNPs), and 100 μM (H-AgNPs) AgNPs to assess cell proliferation via the MTT assay, calcification via alizarin red staining, and osteogenic differentiation and genes/proteins' expression associated with the I3K/Akt signaling pathway through quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.

RESULTS

AgNP diameter was approximately 20 nm. Relative to the normal group, both Group A and Group B exhibited increased widths of the periodontal ligament (PDL) while displaying a decrease in cell counts within the PDL (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the L-AgNPs, M-AgNPs, and H-AgNPs groups exhibited a notable elevation in the number of calcified nodules in hPDLFs, along with elevated alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, osteocalcin, osterix, type I collagen, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and phosphorylated protein kinase B versus Ctrl (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

AgNPs are beneficial in enhancing the biological functions of the PDL, promoting the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissues, indicating their potential clinical value in orthodontic treatments.

Advantages and disadvantages of various hydrogel scaffold types: A research to improve the clinical conversion rate of loaded MSCs-Exos hydrogel scaffolds

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(MSCs-Exos) offer promising therapeutic potential for a wide range of tissues and organs such as bone/cartilage, nerves, skin, fat, and endocrine organs. In comparison to the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), MSCs-Exos address critical challenges related to rejection reactions and ethical concerns, positioning themselves as a promising cell-free therapy. As exosomes are extracellular vesicles, their effective delivery necessitates the use of carriers. Consequently, the selection of hydrogel materials as scaffolds for exosome delivery has become a focal point of contemporary research. The diversity of hydrogel scaffolds, which can take various forms such as injectable types, dressings, microneedles, and capsules, leads to differing choices among researchers for treating diseases within the same domain. This variability in hydrogel materials poses challenges for the translation of findings into clinical practice. The review highlights the potential of hydrogel-loaded exosomes in different fields and introduces the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of hydrogel applications. It aims to provide a multifunctional and highly recognized hydrogel scaffold option for tissue regeneration at specific sites, improve clinical translation efficiency, and benefit the majority of patients.

Natural medicines-derived carbon dots as novel oral antioxidant administration strategy for ulcerative colitis therapy

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal inflammation, resulting in a global healthcare challenge with no real specific medicine. Natural medicines are recognized as a potential clinical alternative therapy, but their applications are limited by poor solubility and low bioavailability.

RESULTS

In this work, inspired by the natural medicines of ancient China, novel functional carbon dots derived from Magnetite and Medicated Leaven (MML-CDs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method, and confirmed their ultrasmall nano-size (3.2 ± 0.6 nm) and Fe doped surface structure, thereby with excellent gastrointestinal stability, remarkable capabilities in eliminating ROS, and highly biocompatibility. With no external stimuli, the oral administration of MML-CDs demonstrated obvious alleviation to UC. Further experiments pointed that MML-CDs could improve hemostasis capability, suppress inflammation reactions and oxidative stress, and up-regulate the expression of tight junction proteins. Furthermore, MML-CDs also showed well regulation in the dysbiosis of intestinal flora.

CONCLUSION

Overall, above evidence reveals that green-synthesized MML-CDs can significantly alleviate intestinal bleeding, inhibit colon inflammation, and repair colonic barrier damage, further regulating intestinal flora and intestinal inflammation microenvironment. Our findings provide an efficient oral administration of MML-CDs as a novel therapy strategy for ulcerative colitis.

Light-Controlled Regulation of Dual-Enzyme Properties in YbGd-Carbon Quantum Dots Nano-Hybrid for Advanced Biosensing

Compared to nanozymes with single enzyme activity, those with multiple enzyme activities possess broader application potential due to their diversified enzymatic functionalities. However, the multienzyme nanozymes currently face challenges of interference among different enzymatic activities during practical applications. In this study, we report the synthesis of a light-responsive YbGd-carbon quantum dots nano-hybrid, termed YbGd-CDs, which exhibits controllable enzyme-mimicking activities. This light-responsive behavior enables selective control of the enzymatic activities. Under visible light irradiation, YbGd-CDs demonstrate robust oxidase-like activity. Conversely, under dark conditions, they primarily exhibit peroxidase-like activity. Leveraging the dual-enzyme-mimicking capabilities of YbGd-CDs, we developed colorimetric assays for sensitive detection of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in both normal and cancer cells as well as d-amino acids in human saliva. This study not only advances the synthesis of carbon-based nanozymes but also highlights their potential in biosensing applications.

Nanotechnology's frontier in combatting infectious and inflammatory diseases: prevention and treatment

Inflammation-associated diseases encompass a range of infectious diseases and non-infectious inflammatory diseases, which continuously pose one of the most serious threats to human health, attributed to factors such as the emergence of new pathogens, increasing drug resistance, changes in living environments and lifestyles, and the aging population. Despite rapid advancements in mechanistic research and drug development for these diseases, current treatments often have limited efficacy and notable side effects, necessitating the development of more effective and targeted anti-inflammatory therapies. In recent years, the rapid development of nanotechnology has provided crucial technological support for the prevention, treatment, and detection of inflammation-associated diseases. Various types of nanoparticles (NPs) play significant roles, serving as vaccine vehicles to enhance immunogenicity and as drug carriers to improve targeting and bioavailability. NPs can also directly combat pathogens and inflammation. In addition, nanotechnology has facilitated the development of biosensors for pathogen detection and imaging techniques for inflammatory diseases. This review categorizes and characterizes different types of NPs, summarizes their applications in the prevention, treatment, and detection of infectious and inflammatory diseases. It also discusses the challenges associated with clinical translation in this field and explores the latest developments and prospects. In conclusion, nanotechnology opens up new possibilities for the comprehensive management of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Metal-organic framework-based advanced therapeutic tools for antimicrobial applications

The escalating concern over conventional antibiotic resistance has emphasized the urgency in developing innovative antimicrobial agents. In recent times, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant attention within the realm of antimicrobial research due to their multifaceted antimicrobial attributes, including the sustained release of intrinsic or exogenous antimicrobial components, chemodynamically catalyzed generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and formation of photogenerated ROS. This comprehensive review provides a thorough overview of the synthetic approaches employed in the production of MOF-based materials, elucidating their underlying antimicrobial mechanisms in depth. The focal point lies in elucidating the research advancements across various antimicrobial modalities, encompassing intrinsic component release system, extraneous component release system, auto-catalytical system, and energy conversion system. Additionally, the progress of MOF-based antimicrobial materials in addressing wound infections, osteomyelitis, and periodontitis is meticulously elucidated, culminating in a summary of the challenges and potential opportunities inherent within the realm of antimicrobial applications for MOF-based materials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Growing concerns about conventional antibiotic resistance emphasized the need for alternative antimicrobial solutions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained significant attention in antimicrobial research due to their diverse attributes like sustained antimicrobial components release, catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and photogenerated ROS. This review covers MOF synthesis and their antimicrobial mechanisms. It explores advancements in intrinsic and extraneous component release, auto-catalysis, and energy conversion systems. The paper also discusses MOF-based materials' progress in addressing wound infections, osteomyelitis, and periodontitis, along with existing challenges and opportunities. Given the lack of related reviews, our findings hold promise for future MOF applications in antibacterial research, making it relevant to your journal's readership.

Emerging Trends in Hybrid Nanoparticles: Revolutionary Advances and Promising Biomedical Applications

Modern nanostructures must fulfill a wide range of functions to be valuable, leading to the combination of various nano-objects into hierarchical assemblies. Hybrid Nanoparticles (HNPs), comprised of multiple types of nanoparticles, are emerging as nanoscale structures with versatile applications. HNPs offer enhanced medical benefits compared to basic combinations of distinct components. They address the limitations of traditional nanoparticle delivery systems, such as poor water solubility, nonspecific targeting, and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. HNPs also facilitate the transition from anatomical to molecular imaging in lung cancer diagnosis, ensuring precision. In clinical settings, the selection of nanoplatforms with superior reproducibility, cost-effectiveness, easy preparation, and advanced functional and structural characteristics is paramount. This study aims toextensively examine hybrid nanoparticles, focusing on their classification, drug delivery mechanisms, properties of hybrid inorganic nanoparticles, advancements in hybrid nanoparticle technology, and their biomedical applications, particularly emphasizing the utilization of smart hybrid nanoparticles. PHNPs enable the delivery of numerous anticancer, anti-leishmanial, and antifungal drugs, enhancing cellular absorption, bioavailability, and targeted drug delivery while reducing toxic side effects.

Antibacterial Activity of Molybdenum Oxide-Polyacrylonitrile Composite Membrane with Fast Silver Ion Reduction

The development of hybrid composite antibacterial agents for wound dressing has garnered significant attention due to their remarkable antibacterial efficacy and their potential to mitigate microbial resistance. In this study, we present an approach to designing and fabricating wound dressing membranes, utilizing molybdenum oxide-polyacrylonitrile (MoO3/PAN) hybrid composites through electrospinning. Subsequently, we enhanced the membrane's effectiveness by introducing silver (Ag@MoO3/PAN) into the matrix via a rapid (within one min) green synthesis method under UV irradiation. Initially, we discuss the morphological characteristics and structural attributes of the resulting membranes. Subsequent investigations explore the antibacterial mechanisms of both MoO3 and Ag+, revealing that the incorporation of silver substantially enhanced antibacterial activity. Additionally, we elucidate the surface properties, noting that the introduction of silver increases the surface area of the composite membrane by 25.89% compared with the pristine MoO3/PAN membrane. Furthermore, we observe a 9% reduction in the water contact angle (WCA) for the Ag@MoO3/PAN membrane, indicating improved hydrophilicity. Finally, we analyze the release behavior of the Ag@MoO3/PAN membrane. Our findings demonstrate an initial burst release within the first 7 h, followed by a controlled and sustained release pattern over a period of 7 days.