Biological properties of ceragenin-coated metal nanoparticles - future challenges and perspectives in clinical practice.

Considering the priority of searching for new therapeutic strategies related to increasing microbial resistance and complex needs of oncological treatment, the potential of ceragenin-coated metal nanoparticles (primarily in the form of core-shell nanosystems) as tools for developing new treatment methods was discussed. In particular, the complex mechanisms of action of the ceragenin-containing nanosystems were described, and the presented actions were compared with the native efficacy of ceragenins. The methods for their synthesis and characterization, taking into account features such as size, shape, surface charge, and colloidal stability, were also presented.

Bottom-up sono-enzymatic approach to build antimicrobial and antifouling nano-enabled coatings on urinary catheters.

In this work, an antifouling and antibacterial nano-enabled coating for urinary catheters was synthesised using a bottom-up sono-enzymatic approach. Ceragenin CSA-131, an antimicrobial peptide, and lauryl gallate were nanoformulated into colloidal nanoparticles using high-intensity ultrasound. The obtained nanoparticles (GaCeNPs) were sonochemically deposited, together with sulfobetaine methacrylate (SB), and grafted enzymatically onto APTES-aminated silicone catheter material using laccase.

Ceragenin Nanogel Coating Prevents Biofilms Formation on Urinary Catheters.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for 40% of hospital-acquired infections, increasing health risks, patient discomfort, morbidity, and hospitalisation time. Bacterial colonisation may occur both during catheter insertion and prolonged catheterization by microorganisms in the urinary tract, consequently, increasing the bacteriuria risk due to biofilm formation. Nanogels, a class of soft nanocarriers, offer remarkable versatility for developing functional coatings on indwelling medical devices that can efficiently prevent biofilm formation.

Sustaining neuromuscular activation after total knee arthroplasty preserves skeletal muscle fiber size, contractility, and innervation in older adults.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of physical disability in older adults. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common treatment for advanced stage knee OA that alleviates knee pain, but it is associated with precipitous reductions in physical function early after surgery that can take months or years to recover. Sustaining neuromuscular activation after surgery with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can improve recovery of physical function, but the mechanisms underlying its benefits are unclear.

Understanding PET Hydrolysis via Reactive Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Experimental Investigation.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a widely used polymer in packaging applications, has posed significant environmental challenges due to its resistance to environmental degradation. Chemical recycling via hydrolysis offers a circular solution by breaking PET down into its monomers, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, which can then be repolymerized into new PET. Despite its promise, the detailed pathways of PET hydrolysis─particularly the interplay between hydrolysis and thermal degradation─remain a topic of scientific debate.