Antibacterial Function Research Articles

A poly (glycerol-sebacate-acrylate) nanosphere enhanced injectable hydrogel for wound treatment.

Wound repair remains a huge clinical challenge, which can cause bleeding, infection, and patient death. In our current research, a bioactive, injectable, multifunctional composite hydrogel doped with nanospheres was prepared with antibacterial and angiogenesis-promoting functions for the treatment of wounds. Amino groups in ε-polylysine (ε-EPL) undergo dynamic Schiff base reaction cross-linking with oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), and F127 exhibits unique temperature sensitivity to form an injectable thermosensitive hydrogel (FHE10), which can form a hydrogel to cover the wound at body temperature. Nanospheres (PNs) prepared using poly (glyceryl-sebacate-acrylate) (PGSA) were loaded into hydrogels (FHE10) for promoting wound repair. The prepared FHE10 exhibited rapid gelation, good injectable abilities, and showed resistance to the flourish of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In vitro investigations showed that FHE10 had good hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. FHE10@PNs exhibited good proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF-1). Furthermore, FHE10@PNs significantly promoted reepithelialization and collagen deposition as well as micro-vascularization compared with the use of FHE10 or PNs alone, thereby accelerating the repair of wounds. In general, this study demonstrated that the multifunctional injectable composite hydrogel showed great potential in wound treatment.

Features of the development of the mucosal immune system of the upper respiratory tract in ferrous metallurgy workers

Introduction. The exposure to industrial aerosols triggers the response of the adaptive and innate mucosal immunity in the upper airways. Objective: To analyze the impact of work-related risk factors on the development of local mucosal immunity in workers engaged in extraction of vanadium-bearing iron ore, and cast iron and steel production. Materials and methods. We examined one thousand five hundred forty seven male workers of two mining and metallurgical industries. The first cohort included 788 vanadium-bearing iron ore miners and the second cohort comprised 719 cast iron and steel production workers, both standardized by age and years of employment. Occupational risk factors identified in both cohorts included the exposure to fibrous aerosols and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and poor microclimate (high or low air temperature) at workplaces. The workers of the second cohort were also exposed to manganese compounds, vanadium (V) oxide, chromium, nickel, and iron compounds. The control group consisted of 40 engineering and technical personnel. Results. A significant increase in secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) was detected in the miners exposed to aliphatic hydrocarbons and low air temperature. In the ferrous metallurgy workers, the exposure to low air temperature, crystalline silicon, and aliphatic hydrocarbons caused a significant decrease in the level of sIgA while the exposure to manganese oxides induced a decrease in the bactericidal function of neutrophils. Limitations. The main limitations of the research were related to the selected criterion of inclusion in the merged occupational cohorts with account for exposure to adverse microclimate parameters, silicon-containing aerosols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and manganese compounds. In view of the multiplicity of occupational risk factors in the industry, it is important to conduct additional studies of a larger sample for qualitative and quantitative presentation of convincing evidence of health effects of other factors of the work environment. Conclusions: We established a multidirectional response of the mucosal immunity to production factors in the examined workers. A combined exposure to chemical and physical occupational factors has a stronger health effect than a single one. Differences in the level of sIgA in workers exposed to different occupational hazards prove the advisability of an in-depth immunological examination combined with an assessment of the functional status as indicators of occupational adaptation.

Discovery and validation of new Hv1 proton channel inhibitors with onco-therapeutic potential

The voltage-gated hydrogen channel Hv1 encoded in humans by the HVCN1 gene is a highly selective proton channel that allows large fluxes of protons across biological membranes. Hv1 form functional dimers of four transmembrane spanning proteins resembling the voltage sensing domain of potassium channels. Each subunit is highly selective for protons and is controlled by changes in the transmembrane voltage and pH gradient. Hv1 is most expressed in phagocytic cells where it sustains NADPH oxidase-dependent bactericidal function and was reported to facilitate antibody production by B cells and to promote the maturation and motility of spermatocytes. Hv1 contributes to neuroinflammation following brain damage and favors cancer progression possibly by extruding protons generated during aerobic glycolysis of cancer cells. Lack of specific Hv1 inhibitors has hampered translation of this knowledge to treat immune, fertility, or malignancy diseases. In this study, we show that the genetic deletion of Hv1 delays tumor development in a mouse model of granulocytic sarcoma and report the discovery and characterization of two novel bioavailable inhibitors of Hv1 channels that we validate by orthogonal assays and electrophysiological recordings.

Terbium-functionalized silver-based metal-organic frameworks for efficient antibacterial and simultaneous monitoring of bacterial spores

Effective sterilization and timely monitoring of bacterial spores are critical to addressing the safety concerns in the environment. Here, we design and synthesize two silver-based metal-organic frameworks Ag-tpt (Htpt=5-[4(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)]phenyl-2H-tetrazole) and Ag-tmpt (Htmpt=5-(4-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)-1H-tetrazole) with excellent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), respectively. The Ag-tpt with an increased degree of conjugation exhibits high stability and enhanced fluorescence performance. Furthermore, the ratiometric fluorescence probe Tb3+@Ag-tpt is fabricated for detecting dipicolinic acid (DPA) in the aqueous solution, showing quite a competitive detection range (0–65 µM) and a low detection limit (LOD = 24.2 nM). In addition, the Tb3+@Ag-tpt presents a low LOD of bacterial spores (1.9 × 104 spores/mL) and also inherits the excellent antibacterial function against B. subtilis and E. coli, in which the antibacterial circle diameters reached 20.8 ± 0.8 mm and 22.3 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Therefore, the silver-based composite materials bring broad prospects in the fields of reducing bacterial contamination and detecting bacterial spores in real time.

Novel ammonia-responsive carboxymethyl cellulose/Co-MOF multifunctional films for real-time visual monitoring of seafood freshness

Nowadays, ammonia-responsive biopolymer-based intelligent active films are of great interest for their huge potential in maintaining and monitoring the freshness of seafood. However, it is still a challenge to create biopolymer-based intelligent active films with favorable color stability, antibacterial and visual freshness indication functions. Herein, cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co-MOF) nanosheets with ammonia-sensitive and antibacterial functions were successfully synthesized and then embedded into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) matrix to develop high performance and multifunctional CMC-based intelligent active films. The influence of Co-MOF addition on the structure, physical and functional characters of CMC film was comprehensively studied. The results showed that the Co-MOF nanofillers were homogeneously embedded within the CMC matrix, bringing about remarkable promotion on tensile strength (from 45.3 to 62.2 MPa), toughness (from 0.7 to 2.3 MJ/m3), water barrier and UV-blocking performance of CMC film. Notably, the obtained CMC/Co-MOF nanocomposite films also presented excellent long-term color stability, antibacterial activity (with the bacteriostatic efficiency of 99.6 % and 99.3 % against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus), and ammonia-sensitive discoloration performance. Finally, the CMC/Co-MOF nanocomposite films were successfully applied for real-time visual monitoring of shrimp freshness. The above results demonstrate that the CMC/Co-MOF nanocomposite films possess huge potential applications in intelligent active packaging.

Preparation of DNA Ion Complex Films Using a Hot-Press Molding and Their Antibacterial Functions

Preparation of DNA Ion Complex Films Using a Hot-Press Molding and Their Antibacterial Functions

Multifunctional nanofibrous mats: toward antibacterial and anti-inflammatory applications, and visual bacterial diagnosis.

In most circumstances, wounds face the challenges of bacterial invasions and inappropriate inflammatory responses when they lack proper wound management. Endowing dressings with both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions is a compelling strategy for resolving the above issues. However, seizing the right moment to change the dressings and providing satisfactory management of wounds are still urgently required. Herein, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory nanofibrous mat is proposed by encapsulating antibiotic gentamicin sulfate (GS) and anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (IB) into nanofibers via a coaxial electrospinning technique and is further decorated with Prussian blue nanocrystals (PBNCs) to enhance anti-inflammatory activity and, more importantly, to monitor bacterial infections and guide dressing changes in a timely manner. Such a nanofibrous mat releases most of the therapeutic drugs within 120 min and reveals excellent antibacterial activity and anti-inflammatory ability. Specifically, it can destroy both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), as well as conspicuously reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. In addition, the nanofibrous mat can be used for point-of-use diagnosis of living bacteria relying on the naked eye or color analysis, which exhibits the potential of monitoring wound infection and guiding dressing changes promptly. This finding demonstrates the theranostic applications of multifunctional nanofibrous mats in wound healing.

A robust mixed-charge zwitterionic polyurethane coating integrated with antibacterial and anticoagulant functions for interventional blood-contacting devices.

Antifouling coatings based on zwitterionic polymers have been widely applied for surface modification of interventional blood-contacting devices to combat thrombosis and infection. However, the weak adhesion stability of the zwitterionic coating to the device surface is still the key challenge. In this work, biocompatible mixed-charge zwitterionic polyurethane (MPU) polymers, that bear equal amounts of cationic quaternary amine groups and anionic carboxyl groups, were developed and further uniformly dip-coated onto a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate with a commercial aliphatic isocyanate cross-linker (AIC). During the curing process, AIC not only crosslinks MPU chains into a polymer network but also reacts with hydroxyl groups of TPU to interlink the polymer network to the substrate, resulting in a cross-linking reinforced MPU coating (CMPU) with excellent mechanical robustness and adhesion strength. Taking advantage of the mixed-charge feature, the final zwitterionic CMPU coating exhibits both excellent antifouling and antibacterial activities against protein adsorption and bacterial growth, respectively, which is beneficial for effectively inhibiting the occurrence of in vivo infection. Moreover, anticoagulation studies show that CMPU-coated TPU catheters can also prevent the formation of blood clots in ex vivo rabbit blood circuits without anticoagulants. Hence, the designed CMPU coating has immense potential to address thrombosis and infection for interventional blood-contacting devices.

Multifunctional magnesium-organic framework doped biodegradable bone cement for antibacterial growth, inflammatory regulation and osteogenic differentiation.

Degradable bone cement has superior osteoconductivity and plasticity and is commonly used to treat defects greater than the critical-size. Magnesium gallate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (Mg-MOF), with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, are doped into a composite cement composed of calcium sulfate, calcium citrate, and dicalcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous (CS/CC/DCPA). The doping of the Mg-MOF slightly influences the microstructure and curing properties of the composite cement, with the mechanical strength of the cement displaying a significant increase from 27 to 32 MPa. Antibacterial tests reveal that the Mg-MOF bone cement has excellent antibacterial characteristics and can effectively inhibit bacterial growth in 4 h (Staphyloccocus aureus survival rate <10%). Herein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage models are used to investigate the anti-inflammatory characteristics of composite cement. The Mg-MOF bone cement can regulate the inflammatory factors and polarization of macrophages (M1 and M2). In addition, the composite cement promotes cell proliferation and osteo-differentiation of mBMSCs, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase and calcium nodules are increased. The bone related transcription factor and specific proteins, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone morphogenetic protein 2, osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and collagen type 1 (COL1), were highly expressed by the Mg-MOF bone cements. Therefore, Mg-MOF doped CS/CC/DCPA bone cement is multifunctional for bone repair, which will promote bone formation and avoid the infection of wounds, and it is suitable for use with non-load-bearing bone defects.

Impact of graphene oxide lateral dimensions on the properties of methacrylated gelatin nanocomposite hydrogels.

The size and shape of nanoparticles have a profound effect on the properties of nanocomposites. For instance, the lateral dimensions of graphene oxide (GO) platelets affect several properties, including their antibacterial and pharmacokinetic functions. However, the impact of lateral dimensions has been poorly studied in nanocomposites, and their effect on hydrogels is still unknown. The current study aims to determine the effect of GO lateral dimensions on the mechanical, rheological, thermal, and antibacterial properties of gelatin hydrogels. The hydrogels were fabricated via photopolymerization of methacrylated gelatin and GO derived from the oxidation of commercial graphene. The observations indicate that an increase in GO sheets improves the mechanical strength with an increase in compressive modulus and a low mechanical hysteresis (<10%). Furthermore, low mechanical energy is dissipated even after several deformation cycles. The nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated bactericidal effects on two clinical strains with an extensively drug-resistant phenotype, primarily through contact. Additionally, an increment in lateral dimensions increased the bactericidal capacity of Gram-negative strains. Thus, the significant effect of the lateral dimensions of GO sheets on the properties of hydrogels is demonstrated.

Metal-coordination synthesis of a natural injectable photoactive hydrogel with antibacterial and blood-aggregating functions for cancer thermotherapy and mild-heating wound repair.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising approach for treating cancer. However, it suffers from the formation of local lesions and subsequent bacterial infection in the damaged area. To overcome these challenges, the strategy of mild PTT following the high-temperature ablation of tumors is studied to achieve combined tumor suppression, wound healing, and bacterial eradication using a hydrogel. Herein, Bi2S3 nanorods (NRs) are employed as a photothermal agent and coated with hyaluronic acid to obtain BiH NRs with high colloidal stability. These NRs and allantoin are loaded into an injectable Fe3+-coordinated hydrogel composed of sodium alginate (Alg) and Farsi gum (FG), which is extracted from Amygdalus scoparia Spach. The hydrogel can be used for localized cancer therapy by high-temperature PTT, followed by wound repair through the combination of mild hyperthermia and allantoin-mediated induction of cell proliferation. In addition, an outstanding blood clotting effect is observed due to the water-absorbing ability and negative charge of FG and Alg as well as the porous structure of hydrogels. The hydrogels also eradicate infection owing to the local heat generation and intrinsic antimicrobial activity of the NRs. Lastly, in vivo studies reveal an efficient photothermal-based tumor eradication and accelerated wound healing by the hydrogel.

An ionic gel incorporating copper nanodots with antibacterial and antioxidant dual functions for deep tissue penetration treatment of periodontitis in rats.

The local treatment of periodontitis has recently received extensive attention due to the advantages of mild systemic side effects and a high local drug concentration. But the local drug delivery systems are not widely used in clinical practice, and a major obstacle is the poor tissue permeability. In the present study, we report a copper nanodot based ionic gel (Cu-NDs/IL gel) with favorable tissue penetration capability, and it concurrently exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions. A Cu-NDs/IL gel was prepared by loading copper nanodots (Cu-NDs) with triple enzyme-like activities into a multifunctional gel. The derived Cu-NDs/IL gel possesses remarkable antibacterial properties attributed to the peroxidase-like activity of Cu-NDs. In addition, Cu-NDs mimic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, which endow the gel with excellent free radical scavenging capability in a neutral environment to relieve periodontal inflammation. More importantly, the IL moiety in the Cu-NDs/IL gel promotes the penetration of Cu-NDs into the gingival tissue, wherein the triple enzymatic activity of Cu-NDs may function. In short, the Cu-NDs/IL gel has promising potential to serve as a topical drug for periodontitis by promoting penetration, killing bacteria, and scavenging ROS.

Design of carbon dots as nanozymes to mediate redox biological processes.

Nanozymes are a new type of artificial enzyme based on engineered nanomaterials, developed to help understand and mimic natural enzymes in order to make better catalytic materials, understand the structure-function relationship and utilize the unique properties of artificial nanozymes. Carbon dot (CD)-based nanozymes have attracted great attention due to their biocompatibility, high catalytic activity and simple surface functionalization, and have shown great potential in biomedical and environmental applications. In this review, we propose a possible precursor selection method to synthesize CD nanozymes with enzyme-like activities. Doping or surface modification methods are introduced as effective strategies to enhance the catalytic performance of CD nanozymes. Recently, CD-based single-atom nanozymes and hybrid nanozymes have been reported, which bring a new perspective to the research of nanozymes. Finally, the challenges of CD nanozymes in clinical transformations are discussed, and the research direction is proposed. The latest research progress and application of CD nanozymes in mediating redox biological processes are summarized in order to further explore the potential of carbon dots in biological therapy. We also provide more ideas for researchers who focus on the design of nanomaterials with antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and other functions.

Experimental study of the bactericidal function of a bio-film for products fruit and vegetables

Experimental study of the bactericidal function of a bio-film for products fruit and vegetables

NO released via both a Cu-MOF-based donor and surface-catalyzed generation enhances anticoagulation and antibacterial surface effects.

The anticoagulation and antibacterial functions of implant and interventional catheters during indwelling will determine their success or failure. Here, an amino-containing copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) coating was prepared on the thermoplastic polyurethane substrate (TPU) surface by spin coating for anti-thrombotic and anti-infection effects. The adhesion properties of the polyurethane prepolymer coating (PC) enhanced the binding force of Cu-MOF particles and TPU surface and improved stability. Due to the coordination affinity of Cu2+ with nitric oxide (NO) and the NO loading capacity of the amino group, it showed that a large amount of NO was loaded in the coating. Meanwhile, the coordinated Cu2+ in the coating also catalyzed endogenous NO donors to generate NO, which prolonged the NO release for up to 30 days. The results of antibacterial experiments showed that the NO released from the coating had good antibacterial effects on both E. coli and S. epidermidis. An obvious antibacterial ring can be seen and the antibacterial rate was higher than 96%. It also showed inhibiting platelet adhesion and activation, prolonged in vitro clotting time and inhibited thrombus formation. In summary, for the first time, NO release from the coating was realized by the combined ways of NO donor and catalytic endogenous NO donor. It can not only meet the high NO release rate required for early anticoagulation and antibacterial of the catheter but also maintain normal anticoagulation requirements in the later period.

The LL-37 Antimicrobial Peptide as a Treatment for Systematic Infection of Acinetobacter baumannii in a Mouse Model.

The antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) played a critical role in the innate immunity of the host and are considered natural sources illustrating a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with high specificity and low cytotoxicity. AMPs generally possess a net positive charge and have amphipathic structures. Thus, AMPs can bind and interact with negatively charged bacterial cell membranes, leading to destructive defects in biomembranes and ending in cell death. LL37 is the only human cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide that shows a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. To determine the antibacterial efficiency of LL37 in a mouse model of systemic A. baumannii infection, LL37 corresponding gene was expressed in E. coli, purification and refolding situations were optimized. The antimicrobial performance of produced LL-37 against A. baumannii was evaluated in vitro via MIC and Time Kill assays, and its destructive effects on the bacterial cell were confirmed by SEM image. The recombinant LL37 showed strong antibacterial function against A. baumannii at 1.5 μg/mL concentration. Time kill assay showed a sharp reduction of cell viability during the first period of exposure, and complete cell death was recorded after 40 min exposure. Furthermore, in vivo results represented a significant ability of LL37 in the treatment of systematic infected mouse models, and all infected mice receiving LL37 protein survived without no trace of bacteria in their blood samples.

TCPP/MgO-loaded PLGA microspheres combining photodynamic antibacterial therapy with PBM-assisted fibroblast activation to treat periodontitis.

Bacteria eradication and subsequent periodontal tissue reconstruction is the primary task for periodontitis treatment. Commonly used antibiotic therapy suffers from antibiotic resistance. Meanwhile, promoting fibroblast activity is crucial for re-establishing a damaged periodontal structure. In addition to the fibroblast activation property of Mg2+, photobiomodulation (PBM) has recently attracted increasing attention in wound healing. Using the same 635 nm laser resource, PBM could simultaneously work with antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) to achieve antibacterial function and fibroblast activation effect. Herein, multifunctional microspheres were designed by employing poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres to load tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles, named as PMT, with sustained Mg2+ release for 20 days. PMT achieved excellent antibacterial photodynamic effect for periodontal pathogens F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis by generating reactive oxygen species, which increases cell membrane permeability and destroys bacteria integrity to cause bacteria death. Meanwhile, PMT itself exhibited improved fibroblast viability and adhesion, with the PMT + light group revealing further activation of fibroblast cells, suggesting the coordinated action of Mg2+ and PBM effects. The underlying molecular mechanism might be the elevated gene expressions of Fibronectin 1, Col1a1, and Vinculin. In addition, the in vivo rat periodontitis model proved the superior therapeutic effects of PMT with laser illumination using micro-computed tomography analysis and histological staining, which presented decreased inflammatory cells, increased collagen production, and higher alveolar bone level in the PMT group. Our study sheds light on a promising strategy to fight periodontitis using versatile microspheres, which combine aPDT and PBM-assisted fibroblast activation functions.

Cytokine profiles in healthy animals and in cows with purulent-necrotic limb processes

One of the typical and mandatory reactions of the body to trauma or infectious agents for damage to any tissues and organs is the acute phase reaction, which is an induced increase in the synthesis followed by an increase in the blood and tissues of a number of proteins with immunological, bactericidal, antioxidant and inhibitory functions. The purpose of the study is to determine the levels of cytokines in clinically healthy cows, pigs and dogs, as well as in cows with purulent-necrotic processes of the limbs. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory IL-10 were determined in blood serum of cows, pigs and dogs. Cows with purulent-necrotic lesions of the limbs (n=26) were divided into: 1st group (n=8) – acute form of purulent-necrotic lesions of the distal limbs; 2nd group (n=8) – generalized lesions; group 3 (n=10) – recurrent foci in the area of the fingers. The content of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-10 interleukins in blood serum was determined by the immunoenzymatic method according to the standard protocol. It was established that the blood levels of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-1ß in clinically healthy cows are significantly lower than anti-inflammatory IL-10, for the ratio of IL-10:TNF-α – 3.3:1, and IL- 10: IL- 1ß - 9.5:1, therefore, for cattle under physiological norms, an inherent anti-inflammatory cytokine profile. In clinically healthy pigs, the anti-inflammatory cytokine profile turned out to be the most pronounced, as the cytokine indices in them were significantly higher: IL-10:TNF-α – 19.4:1; IL-10:IL-1β – 13.9:1. In the blood of clinically healthy dogs, the cytokine indices between IL-10:IL-1ß are extremely low - 1.5:1, TNF-α : IL-1ß - 0.2:1, even lower, and between IL-10:TNF-α - 8.8:1, and therefore the anti-inflammatory cytokine profile is much lower according to the totality of cytokine indices. In cows with an acute form of necrobacteriosis, compared with clinically healthy animals, the level of TNF-α in the blood is 5.6 times higher (Р&lt;0.001), and IL-1ß is 3.4 times higher (Р&lt;0.001), due to their increase index by 1.7 times, up to 4.9:1. Under such conditions, the level of IL-10 increases only 1.8 times (р&lt;0.05). Animals with the generalized form are characterized by a critical increase in the blood level of TNF-α by 16.8 times and IL-1ß by 17.8 times (p &lt;0.001), while the level of IL-10 remains unchanged compared to the acute form. Cytokine index IL-10:TNF-α acquires a critical value - 0.4:1, and IL-10 to IL-1ß - 1:1. In animals with recurrent lesions, low levels of IL-1ß, especially IL-10, are characteristic. However, the concentration of TNF-α remains quite high and exceeds the normal value by 12.6 times (p&lt;0.001). Therefore, various clinical forms of necrobacterial lesions of the limbs in cows have a compensatory or non-compensatory nature of cytokinemia, with an imbalance of the functionality of acute-phase proteins due to the insufficient capacity of the inhibitory potential of sick cows. Key words: cows, pigs, dogs, cytokines, serum, clinically healthy animals, inflammation.

The influence of various forms of titanium dioxide on the performance of resultant cement composites with photocatalytic and antibacterial functions

The influence of various forms of titanium dioxide on the performance of resultant cement composites with photocatalytic and antibacterial functions

Current Advances and Applications of Tantalum Element in Infected Bone Defects.

Infected bone defects (IBDs) cause significant economic and psychological burdens, posing a huge challenge to clinical orthopedic surgeons. Traditional approaches for managing IBDs possess inevitable shortcomings; therefore, it is necessary to develop new functionalized scaffolds. Tantalum (Ta) has been widely used in load-bearing orthopedic implants due to its good biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. However, undecorated Ta could only structurally repair common bone defects, which failed to meet the clinical needs of bacteriostasis for IBDs. Researchers have made great efforts to functionalize Ta scaffolds to enhance their antibacterial activity through various methods, including surface coating, alloying, and micro- and nanostructure modifications. Additionally, several studies have successfully utilized Ta to modify orthopedic scaffolds for enhanced antibacterial function. These studies remarkably extended the application range of Ta. Therefore, this review systematically outlines the advances in the fundamental and clinical application of Ta in the treatment of IBDs, focusing on the antibacterial properties of Ta, its functionalization for bacteriostasis, and its applications in the modification of orthopedic scaffolds. This study provides researchers with an overview of the application of Ta in the treatment of IBDs.