Engineering a self-healing grafted chitosan-sodium alginate based hydrogel with potential keratinocyte cell migration property and inhibitory effect against fluconazole resistance Candida albicans biofilm

Biofilms developed by microorganisms cause an extremely severe clinical problem that leads to drug failure. Bioactive polymeric hydrogels display potential for controlling the formation of microorganism-based biofilms, but their rapid biodegradability in these biofilm sites is still a major challenge. To overcome this, chitosan (CS), a natural functional biomaterial, has been used because of its effective penetrability in the cell wall of microorganisms; however, its fast biodegradability has restricted its further use. Hence, in this study, to improve the stability of CS and increase its penetration retention inside a biofilm, grafted CS was prepared and then crosslinked with sodium alginate (SA) to synthesize CS-poly(MA-co-AA)SA hydrogel via a free radical grafting method, therefore enhancing its antibiofilm efficiency against biofilms. The prepared hydrogel demonstrated excellent effectiveness against (≥90 % inhibition) biofilms of Candida albicans. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo safety assays established that the prepared hydrogel can be used in a biofilm microenvironment and might reduce drug resistance burden owing to its long-term antibiofilm effect and improved CS stability at the biofilm site. Furthermore, in vitro wound healing outcomes of hydrogel indicated its potential application for chronic wound treatment. This research opens a new advanced strategy for biofilm-associated infection treatment, including wound treatment.

A Case of Autoimmune Pancreatitis Presenting As Alcohol-Induced Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas, commonly characterized by elevated levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) 4. Diagnosis of this condition can be challenging in patients with risk factors for other pancreatitis etiologies and requires a comprehensive approach utilizing clinical, radiologic, and laboratory findings. Here, we present a case of an individual with a history of multiple prior hospitalizations for alcoholic pancreatitis, who presented with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed intra-abdominal abscesses and findings consistent with pancreatitis. Further laboratory results revealed elevated lipase and IgG4 levels, indicating AIP as the underlying cause. This case highlights the importance of considering AIP as a differential diagnosis in individuals presenting with pancreatic disease.

Morphological, Mechanical, and Antimicrobial Properties of PBAT/Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-maleic anhydride)-SiO2 Composite Films for Food Packaging Applications

A poly(methyl methacrylate-co-maleic anhydride) P(MMA-co-MA) copolymer was synthesized via radical polymerization. The synthesized P(MMA-co-MA) copolymer was identified by ¹H- and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR), (¹³C-NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ composites were developed using a solution-casting method. The PBAT to P(MMA-co-MA) weight ratio was kept at 70:30, while the weight percentage of SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) was varied from 0.0 to 5.0 wt.%. SiO₂ was used for PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA) to solve the compatibility between PBAT and the P(MMA-co-MA) matrix. The PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ composites were characterized by studied FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM. A comparison of the composite film PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ (PBMS-3) with the virgin PBAT and P(MMA-co-MA) film revealed its good tensile strength (19.81 MPa). The WVTR and OTR for the PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ composites were much smaller than for PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA). The PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ WVTR and OTR values of the composites were 318.9 ± 2.0 (cc m^-2 per 24 h) and 26.3 ± 2.5 (g m^-2 per 24 h). The hydrophobicity of the PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA) blend and PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ composites was strengthened by the introduction of SiO₂, as measured by the water contact angle. The PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ composite films showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the food-pathogenic bacteria E. coli and S. aureus from the area of inhibition. Overall, the improved packaging characteristics, such as flexibility, tensile strength, low O₂ and H₂O transmission rate, and good antimicrobial activities, give the PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)-SiO₂ composite film potential for use in food packaging applications.

Discovery of Substituted N-(6-Chloro-3-cyano-4-phenyl-4H-chromen-2-yl)- 2-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-acetamide for Biphasic Anticancer and Anticonvulsant Activities

BACKGROUND

Privileged 4H-chromenes possess potent anticancer and anticonvulsant activities. By the inspiring potency of 4H-chromenes and demands of the present era of scaffolds, an effective molecule was discovered for the treatment of cancer and related diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study designed and synthesized a novel series of 4H-chromene derivatives from one-port synthesis for the treatment of cancer and other such diseases.

METHODS

A side amide chain was substituted in multiple steps on the amine group of chromene. Later, the anticancer activity of synthesized compounds was investigated against the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Moreover, anticonvulsant activity was also detected using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model and subcutaneous Metrazol Seizure Threshold Test (scMET) in albino Wistar rats. Neurotoxicity was evaluated by using the rotarod test. Before the synthesis, docking studies were performed using various molecular targets. Subsequently, the computational study of the titled compounds was performed to predict the pharmacokinetic profile.

RESULTS

Among the fifteen tested compounds, A4 and A9 were found to be active against HT-29 cells (growth inhibitory dose 50% (GI50) <11μM). Moreover, compounds A4 showed the protection at 300mg/kg in scMET (h) for albino Wistar rats and compounds A9, A11, and A15 exhibited the anticonvulsant effect at the doses 100, 300 and 300 mg/kg, respectively in MES screen (h).

CONCLUSION

Due to these encouraging results, we concluded that both A4 and A9 may be effective for treatement against colon cancer, while compound A9 may be used as a considerable effective molecule for the treatment of epilepsy.

Modulation of lead toxicity by Spirulina fusiformis

The modulatory effects of lead toxicity by Spirulina fusiformis (Oscillatoreaceae) were observed on the testes of Swiss albino mice at a dose of 800 mg/kg body weight. The Spirulina fusiformis was non-toxic at the dose given. A significant enhancement in the survival time was observed in the pre- and post-treated Spirulina group compared with the control (lead treated) group. Lead induced toxicity was also reduced in terms of testes weight, animal weight, tubular diameter in the pre Spirulina treated group. The modulatory effects of Spirulina may be attributed to the presence of the antioxidants, beta-carotene and SOD enzyme.