Background: Biofilm-related infections represent one of the major challenging health problems that enhances antimicrobial resistance with subsequent treatment failure of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Aim: This study aimed to employ and comprehensively characterize the use of nanoparticles to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are considered one of the most important biofilm inhibitors. Methods: The current study aimed to characterize the influence of the bioreductive green synthesis of ZnO-NPs using pomegranate peel extract on bacterial colonization to protect against urinary catheter infections. ZnO-NPs were investigated for their physicochemical properties using UV, FTIR, Dynamic light scattering, and TEM. Catheters were coated with ZnO-NPs using Pistacia lentiscus (mastic), and the slow release of free zinc ions (Zn⁺²) from, the ZnO-NPs-coated catheters, was evaluated using the ICP-AES technique. Results: The current study revealed that catheter coated by ZnO-NPs exhibited a sustained antibiofilm activity against biofilm-forming and antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Conclusion: The present study supports the efficiency of ZnO-NPs as a good candidate for prevention of biofilm formation.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune inflammatory condition characterized by significant mucosal destruction. Although Syzygium aromaticum (Clove oil; CO) oil is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its high volatility, toxicity, and hydrophobicity can compromise its biological efficacy. Therefore, nanoencapsulation is a feasible approach for boosting its therapeutic potential, including stability, bioavailability, and target delivery. Herein, this study was designed to minimize acetic acid-mediated UC using CO alone or encapsulated in nano-vehicles including PCL, CS, and ALG. The developed nano-capsules CO were characterized by Zetasizer, FT-IR, and SEM, and subsequently, the encapsulation efficiency and controlled release profile of CO were determined. Forty adult rats were assigned to five groups ( n = 8) as follows: the control (CONT) group, which received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) once daily; the UC group, which received rectal acetic acid (AA) instillation on day 8 of the experiment. CO group: rats were treated orally with clove oil (250 mg/kg) dissolved in DMSO once daily. PCL@CS + ALG group; rats were orally treated with nano-vehicle (250 mg/kg). CONPs group: rats received clove oil nanoparticles (PCL@CO(CS + ALG)NPs, 250 mg/kg). All groups received their respective treatments once a day for seven consecutive days, before and after UC induction. An in silico study revealed the binding affinities of eugenol, the principal bioactive constituent of CO, toward inflammatory molecules at both the mRNA and protein levels. Biologically, the colon outcomes showed that CO, either alone or loaded with nanoparticles (CONPs), significantly decreased MDA and NO levels and elevated antioxidant enzymatic activities (SOD, CAT, , GPx, and GR), with higher GSH levels. Additionally, the treatment of rats with CO or CONPs mitigated colon inflammation by decreasing the MPO activity, TNF- α , IFN- γ , IL-1 β , and PGE2 levels, as well as downregulating the expression of NF- κ B, IL-6, IL-8, and iNOS genes. Remarkably, CONPs prevented the colon oxidative damage by modulating the mRNA expression of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. Unlike the rats exposed to AA, the treatment with CO and CONPs dramatically restored the mRNA expression of Cdc25c and RNF8 genes. Histologically, the CONPs-treated group showed a clear restoration of colonic tissue architecture toward normal, accompanied by normalization of VEGF and α-SMA immunoexpression patterns. Conclusively, CO, either alone or encapsulated in nanoparticles (CONPs), offers promising therapeutic potential for UC, likely through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic effects, as well as superior regulation of angiogenesis compared with pure CO.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and mechanical properties of two experimental self-disinfecting alginate preparations utilising two different antimicrobial agents; povidone-iodine and silver nanoparticles. Methods: Alginate moulds were assigned into three groups. Additives-free control group, povidone-iodine-containing group, and silver nanoparticle-containing group. Discs from each group were obtained and assessed for their antimicrobial activities by the disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. For the elastic recovery analysis, each group was divided into 6 samples. Each sample was mixed according to its group specification and subjected to surface detail reproduction and elastic recovery according to ISO 1563:1990 specifications. All data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation for each group at the significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Results revealed that the experimental self-disinfection alginate possessed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against the tested microorganisms, compared to the control group. No statistically significant differences in elastic recovery values between all tested groups (P < 0.05) were observed. For surface detail reproduction, all samples reproduced the 50 μm line. Conclusion: Povidone-iodine as well as silver nanoparticles could be used efficiently for the sanitization of alginate moulds without adverse effects on detail accuracy or elastic recovery of the impression material.

Objective: This study aimed to fabricate and characterize a novel periodontal barrier nanofibers-based bio-membrane using electrospinning. Materials and Methods: The matrix solution was prepared from poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) incorporating hydroxyapatite, hyaluronic acid, collagen, L-arginine and vanillin to fabricate composite membrane. Subsequently the elemental analysis, viscosity, conductivity and surface tension of solutions before spinning were evaluated. The physicochemical and mechanical properties were characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, scan electron microscope (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and tensile strength. Data were expressed as mean and standard deviation (±SD). P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The results revealed that the composite solution surface tension was reduced while its viscosity and conductivity elevated, indicating that the SEM confirmed a successful fabrication of nanofibers. The average nanofibers diameter increased from 150 nm ± 31.2 to 341 nm ± 43.8 after addition of the biomolecules. Also, this study demonstrated that the calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) encapsulated in fibrous material. The maximum absorption of dissolved composite membrane showed ultraviolet absorption at 345 nm. Furthermore, the tensile strength of composite membrane was slightly higher than that of pure PVA membrane. Conclusions: The nanofibers were successfully embedded in each other and the flexibility of the membrane increased when the biomolecules were added, which may provide ease of use during application in tissue/bone regeneration and showed improvements in the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elastic modulus. Membranes with better mechanical qualities can now be created by electrospinning incorporating of bio-ceramics and other molecules with polymers.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and physical properties of two experimental self-disinfecting alginate preparations. METHODS: The alginate molds were divided into three groups: the control one without any additives, and the two others contained either povidone-iodine (PV-I) or silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Samples from each group were assessed for their antimicrobial activity by the disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Candida albicans (yeast). For physical properties analysis, each group was divided into six samples. Each was mixed according to its group specification and ISO 1563:1990, for surface details reproduction and elastic recovery, respectively. RESULTS: Results revealed that the experimental alginate possessed a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. There was no statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in elastic recovery values between groups. For surface details reproduction, all samples completely reproduced the 50 μm line. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that both PV-I and AgNPs could be used efficiently for the sanitization of alginate molds without any adverse effects on details accuracy or elastic recovery of the impression material. Although both were effective as disinfectants agents, PV-I is recommended as a cheaper and more easily accessible material.