Advances in the number and type of available biomaterials have improved medical devices such as catheters, stents, pacemakers, prosthetic joints, and orthopedic devices. The introduction of a foreign material into the body comes with a risk of microbial colonization and subsequent infection. Infections of surgically implanted devices often lead to device failure, which leads to increased patient morbidity and mortality. The overuse and improper use of antimicrobials has led to an alarming rise and spread of drug-resistant infections. To overcome the problem of drug-resistant infections, novel antimicrobial biomaterials are increasingly being researched and developed. Hydrogels are a class of 3D biomaterials consisting of a hydrated polymer network with tunable functionality. As hydrogels are customizable, many different antimicrobial agents, such as inorganic molecules, metals, and antibiotics have been incorporated or tethered to them. Due to the increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being increasingly explored as alternative agents. AMP-tethered hydrogels are being increasingly examined for antimicrobial properties and practical applications, such as wound-healing. Here, we provide a recent update, from the last 5 years of innovations and discoveries made in the development of photopolymerizable, self-assembling, and AMP-releasing hydrogels.

Sirtuins are NAD⁺-dependent enzymes that are conserved in all domains of life, including mammals, metazoans, plasmodia, yeast, bacteria, and archaea. In humans, there are seven isoforms (SIRT1 to 7), and they function in cellular homeostasis, aging, DNA repair, survival, metabolism, and stress responses. Recent advances highlight the diverse functions of sirtuins in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). To date, there is evidence that all seven isoforms contribute to cancer development, while SIRT1-3 and 6 contribute to metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Modulators of sirtuin activity are being actively explored to understand their biological and molecular mechanisms and potential for the treatment of various diseases. In this review, we begin with a broad discussion of post-translational modifications, protein deacetylation, and the mechanism of action of sirtuins. Next, we discuss the role of sirtuins in cancer, including inhibitors and activators of sirtuin activity as cancer therapies. In addition, we discuss the relationship of sirtuins to metabolic diseases and as possible treatment targets. Finally, we discuss the role of sirtuins in AD, PD, and HD, and sirtuin modulators for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Aflatoxins, a carcinogenic group of mycotoxins, are naturally occurring toxic fungi that cause illness in both animals and humans. Predominantly found in hot and humid areas, aflatoxins are generated by Aspergillus fungi and are found in a large percentage of the world’s food supply. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), being the most potent of the over 18 aflatoxins discovered, is most noted for its role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in humans and animals, unfortunately, many features of the illnesses it causes and the mechanisms that produce them, remain unexplained. This review examined AFB1 metabolism; its epoxidation and DNA adduction, its correlations to cancer initiation and the mechanisms that underpin it, the synergistic interactions with stunted growth associated with AFB1 intake and kwashiorkor, involvement of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species. Its harmful effects, including growth retardation, starvation, and immunotoxicity, were also discussed, delving into new findings of AFB1 contamination in worldwide food sources. This review indicated that AFB1 is commonly found in high concentrations in food supplies, notably in maize. To lessen the global burden of AFB1 toxicity, data gathered through this review emphasized the necessity to apply novel and existing techniques to prevent these toxins on other diseases.

Humans are continually challenged to find new strategies to fight bacterial diseases due to the global health threat of antibiotic resistance. Conventional antibiotics, once hailed as miracle treatments, are progressively losing their effectiveness as drug-resistant bacteria continue to emerge, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. An attractive approach to solving the antibiotic resistance problem is the investigation of other methods, such as therapeutic proteins. Here, we begin with a discussion of antimicrobial resistance and common strategies that bacteria employ to become resistant. Next, we discuss the potential use of antimicrobial peptides and monoclonal antibodies, two types of therapeutic proteins, as possible antimicrobial therapeutics. We discuss their structure, mechanism of action, and highlight examples of possible candidate molecules for clinical use. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges and explore potential solutions for the implementation of therapeutic proteins into practical clinical use.

Coatings of silver compounds with higher dissolution rates than metallic silver offer a promising approach for delivering Ag ⁺ ions to prevent medical implant device‐associated infections. In this study, we investigate the synthesis and characterization of single‐phase, silver (I) oxide (Ag ₂ O) and silver (II) oxide (AgO) for potential antimicrobial applications. The synthesis of these materials leverages the higher stability of Ag ₂ O in comparison to AgO. The formation of AgO requires a low landing energy of the adatoms, achieved through gas phase scattering and rapid quenching when landing. Alternatively, higher landing energies cause re‐sputtering of oxygen, which favors the formation of Ag ₂ O. Higher chamber pressures during deposition increase the number of inelastic collisions, thereby reducing the energy of the adatoms influencing phase formation. A combination of energy dispersive spectroscopy, microstructural imaging, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and high‐temperature XRD confirms this result. To evaluate antimicrobial potential, silver ion release (elution) was measured in water, Luria‐Bertani broth, and tryptic soy broth. Elution rates were highest in water, but in all media, both oxides elute significantly more Ag ⁺ ions than metallic silver coatings. Antimicrobial assays clearly show potent and broad‐spectrum activity of silver oxides against both clinical and multidrug‐resistant bacteria, confirming their potential as effective antimicrobial coatings for implanted devices.