Anti-adhesive Effect Research Articles

Postbiotic Metabolite Derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PD18 Maintains the Integrity of Cell Barriers and Affects Biomarkers Associated with Periodontal Disease

Background/Objectives: Periodontal disease is caused by oral infections, biofilms, persistent inflammation, and degeneration of cell barrier integrity, allowing pathogens to invade host cells. Probiotics have been extensively studied for the treatment of periodontal disease. However, research on the involvement of beneficial substances produced by probiotics, called “postbiotics,” in periodontal diseases remains in its early stages. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a postbiotic metabolite (PM) from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PD18 on immunomodulation and maintenance of cell barrier integrity related to periodontal disease. Method: The main substance in PM PD18 was analyzed by GC-MS. The cytotoxic effect of PM PD18 was performed using the MTT assay, wound healing through the scratch assay, cell permeability through TEER value, modulation of inflammatory cytokines through ELISA, and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and tight junction protein was determined using qRT-PCR. Results: The main substance found in PM PD18 is 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine. PM PD18 did not exhibit cytotoxic effects on RAW 264.7 cells but promoted wound healing and had an antiadhesion effect on Porphyromonas gingivalis concerning SF-TY cells. This postbiotic could maintain cell barrier integrity by balancing transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. In addition, the gene and protein expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) increased. PM PD18 was found to have immunomodulatory properties, as demonstrated by regulated anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) increased, while IL-6 and IL-8 were reduced. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that PM PD18 is efficient as a natural treatment for maintaining cell barrier integrity and balancing inflammatory responses associated with periodontal disease.

Enhanced Biodegradation of Silk Fibroin Hydrogel for Preventing Postoperative Adhesion.

An absorbable adhesion barrier is a medical device that prevents postoperative adhesion and matches its biodegradation time with the regeneration period of its target tissues, which is important for antiadhesion effects. Physical hydrogels of Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) proteins are degradable in vivo. However, their biodegradation time is too long to exert antiadhesion effects. To shorten the biodegradation time of the SF hydrogels, we decreased the molecular weight (MW) of the SF proteins by alkaline treatment and prepared low-MW (LMW) SF hydrogels. The hydrogels contained less β-sheet crystalline and more amorphous structures than conventional, high-MW (HMW) SF hydrogels. Because of the potential loosened SF molecular structures in the hydrogel networks, the LMW SF hydrogels showed enhanced biodegradation (i.e., shorter in vitro enzymatic biodegradation time and faster in vivo biodegradation rate) as well as a lower affinity for plasma proteins and fibroblasts, which are involved in postoperative adhesion formation. An antiadhesion test using a rat abdominal adhesion model demonstrated that the LMW SF hydrogel applied to the abraded cecum was almost completely degraded within two weeks postimplantation, with a significantly lower adhesion severity score than that in the untreated model rat group. Conversely, the HMW SF hydrogel remained between the cecum and abdominal wall, with the same adhesion severity as that of the untreated model rat group. Therefore, we concluded that the antiadhesion effects of SF hydrogels were induced by enhanced biodegradation. The results of this study indicate the potential of LMW SF hydrogels as absorbable adhesion barriers.

A bifunctional nanocomplex with remineralizing and antibacterial activities to interrupt dental caries

Dental caries result from an imbalance between the demineralization and remineralization of dental hard tissues, primarily caused by biofilm accumulation. According to the theory of interrupting dental caries, effective anticaries materials and techniques should possess both remineralizing and antibacterial properties. However, current anticaries materials cannot replicate amelogenesis, which is crucial for remineralization and for preventing bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. In this study, silk fibroin (SF) loaded with benzalkonium chloride (BZC) successfully formed an SF-BZC composite. This composite stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), creating an ACP@SF-BZC dual-functional nanocomplex with both remineralizing and antibacterial properties. ACP@SF-BZC demonstrated significant anti-adhesion and biofilm inhibitory effects against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Moreover, compared to fluoride, ACP@SF-BZC significantly enhanced the remineralization of demineralized enamel surfaces, forming a stable remineralized layer with improved mechanical properties, both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, the dual-function ACP@SF-BZC nanocomplex, with its remineralizing and antibacterial effects, offers a promising alternative for preventing and arresting enamel caries.

Microenvironment-Responsive Hydrogel Enclosed with Bioactive Nanoparticle for Synergistic Postoperative Adhesion Prevention.

Postoperative adhesion (PA) is a severe complication of abdominal surgery caused by the inability of clinical physical barriers to cope with diverse pathological factors in the process of PA formation. Herein, we described a multifunctional hydrogel composed of bioactive nanoparticles (BNs) and dual-responsive hydrogel to serve as a combination of physical and pharmacological therapy for preventing PA. Specifically, BNs with pro-inflammatory cell-targeted aggregation were designed by integrating hyaluronic acid onto the polydopamine (PDA)-coated hollow ZrO2 nanoparticles loaded with antimicrobial peptides and platelet lysates that can eliminate bacterial infection and promote tissue repair. PDA can remove the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thus suppress the oxidative stress damage and accompanying inflammation in the presence of high ROS. The dynamically cross-linked host hydrogel presents injectable yet microenvironment-responsive properties, which enables complete coverage of the uneven tissue and instantly forms a physical barrier to effectively isolate injured tissues and neighboring organs, and synchronously acts as a niche to deliver the BNs in a controlled way. The hydrogel demonstrates a remarkable antiadhesion effect in a rat cecum-abdominal wall adhesion model. Together, this "all-in-one" composite hydrogel strategy capable of a physical barrier capability and pharmacological effects represents a promising clinical solution to prevent PA.

Erdosteine in the treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory system: resolution of the scientific forum of experts “In the Spotlight”

Airway mucus hypersecretion is a pathophysiologic manifestation of acute and chronic airway inflammatory disease. Mucolytics can reduce mucus viscosity and promote mucus discharge and therefore can be considered pathogenetically based therapy.The purpose of this publication with the resolution of the scientific forum of experts was to discuss pharmacological features, efficacy, and safety of erdosteine.Results. Experts of thescientific forum not only reviewed the results of clinical trials, but also voted on the use of mucoactive drugs according to the principle of Delphi consensus. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of mucoactive drugs (erdosteine, acetylcysteine, carbocysteine, ambroxol) in patients with respiratory diseases by the experts during voting showed that the highest level of agreement among the experts was achieved for the drug Elmucin® (erdosteine) in terms of its mucolytic activity and other pharmacological features, as well as when discussing the safety of the compared drugs in the officially recommended doses. The highest level of agreement was also noted on the erdosteine efficacy in COPD patients in reducing the frequency and duration of disease exacerbations, as well as reducing the risk of hospitalization of COPD patients when used long-term as part of combination therapy. The demonstrated safety profile was the most beneficial among the reviewed mucoactive drugs.Conclusion. Elmucin® is a mucolytic with pleiotropic effects such as complex mucoactive action, potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity with anti-adhesive effect for pathogens that determine its clinical efficacy in the treatment of acute and chronic airway diseases.

Ag quantum dots-doped poly (vinyl alcohol)/chitosan hydrogel coatings to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections

The prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) significantly impacts the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with the use of indwelling urinary catheters. This study focused on developing an antibacterial double network hydrogel coating for latex urinary catheters, which incorporated Ag quantum dots (Ag QDs) in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-chitosan (CS) double network hydrogel matrix. The PVA-CS-Ag QDs, referred to as the PCA hydrogel coating exhibited excellent mechanical and physiochemical properties with controlled release of Ag QDs. The antibacterial properties of the PCA hydrogel-coated urinary catheters were studied against both gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli, ATCC25922) and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, ATCC29213). The continuous release of CS oligomers and Ag QDs from the hydrogel coating contributed to the synergistic antibacterial and antiadhesion effects. Measurements of the Ag release rate revealed that even after 30 days, the concentration of Ag QDs from the PCA hydrogel-coated urinary catheters remained significantly higher than the effective antibacterial concentration of the total Ag (0.1 μg·L−1). These results indicated that the PCA hydrogel coating not only efficiently prevented bacteria attachment, but also exhibited long-term antibacterial activity, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation. Furthermore, the PCA hydrogel-coated urinary catheter demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. Overall, this novel PCA hydrogel-coated urinary catheter, with its exceptional antibacterial properties, holds great potential in reducing the incidence of CAUTIs.

Therapeutic effects of S-allyl-L-cysteine in a mouse endometriosis model and its immunomodulatory effects via regulation of T cell subsets and cytokine expression.

Endometriosis is a female hormone-dependent gynecological disorder characterized by chronic inflammation. Therefore, the development of novel treatment strategies that can diminish the side effects of the long-term use of hormone-based drugs has been emphasized. S-Allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) is the major constituent of aged garlic extracts. Although the therapeutic effects resulting from the antioxidant properties of SAC have been extensively studied in inflammatory diseases, the therapeutic efficacy of SAC in endometriosis has not been described. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of SAC for endometriosis using a mouse model. An endometriosis mouse model was surgically induced, and oral treatment with 30mg/kg SAC was administered daily for 28 days. The development of endometriotic lesions was assessed by histological analysis, and the expression profiles of adhesion-, apoptosis-, and inflammation-related genes were evaluated by PCR. Flow cytometric analysis of mouse spleen was conducted to assess changes in lymphocyte subpopulations. SAC treatment significantly inhibited endometriotic lesion growth. Transcriptional expression analysis revealed the antiadhesion and apoptosis-promoting effects of SAC. In particular, SAC showed an effective immune modulatory response by altering splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets and inflammatory cytokine production in the spleen and endometriotic lesions. This study newly elucidates the inhibitory effects of SAC on the growth of endometriosis in a mouse model and describes its immunomodulatory effects.

Myeloid Cells and Sensory Nerves Mediate Peritendinous Adhesion Formation via Prostaglandin E2.

Peritendinous adhesion that forms after tendon injury substantially limits daily life. The pathology of adhesion involves inflammation and the associated proliferation. However, the current studies on this condition are lacking, previous studies reveal that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) gene inhibitors have anti-adhesion effects through reducing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the proliferation of fibroblasts, are contrary to the failure in anti-adhesion through deletion of EP4 (prostaglandin E receptor 4) gene in fibroblasts in mice of another study. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human and mouse specimens are combined with eight types of conditional knockout mice and further reveal that deletion of COX2 in myeloid cells and deletion of EP4 gene in sensory nerves decrease adhesion and impair the biomechanical properties of repaired tendons. Furthermore, the COX2 inhibitor parecoxib reduces PGE2 but impairs the biomechanical properties of repaired tendons. Interestingly, PGE2 local treatment improves the biomechanical properties of the repaired tendons. These findings clarify the complex role of PGE2 in peritendinous adhesion formation (PAF) and tendon repair.

Evaluation of sodium hyaluronate-based composite hydrogels for prevention of nasal adhesions.

During the healing process after intra-nasal surgery, the growth and repair of damaged tissues can result in the development of postoperative adhesions. Various techniques have been devised to minimize the occurrence of postoperative adhesions which include insertion of stents in the middle meatus, application of removable nasal packing, and utilizing biodegradable materials with antiadhesive properties. This study assesses the efficacy of two sodium hyaluronate (SH)-based freeze-dried hydrogel composites in preventing postoperative nasal adhesions, comparing them with commonly used biodegradable materials in nasal surgery. The freeze-dried hydrogels, sodium hyaluronate and collagen 1(SH-COL1) and sodium hyaluronate, carboxymethyl cellulose, and collagen 1 (SH-CMC-COL1), were evaluated for their ability to reduce bleeding time, promote wound healing, and minimize fibrous tissue formation. Results showed that SH-CMC-COL1 significantly reduced bleeding time compared to both biodegradable polyurethane foam and SH-COL1. Both SH-COL1 and SH-CMC-COL1 exhibited enhanced wound healing effects, as indicated by significantly greater wound size reduction after two weeks compared to the control. Histological analyses revealed significant differences in re-epithelialization and blood vessel count among all tested materials, suggesting variable initial wound tissue response. Although all treatment groups had more epithelial growth, with X-SCC having higher blood vessel count at 7 d post treatment, all treatment groups did not differ in all histomorphometric parameters by day 14. However, the long-term application of SH-COL1 demonstrated a notable advantage in reducing nasal adhesion formation compared to all other tested materials. This indicates the potential of SH-based hydrogels, particularly SH-COL1, in mitigating postoperative complications associated with nasal surgery. These findings underscore the versatility and efficacy of SH-based freeze-dried hydrogel composites for the management of short-term and long-term nasal bleeding with an anti-adhesion effect. Further research is warranted to optimize their clinical use, particularly in understanding the inflammatory factors influencing tissue adhesions and assessing material performance under conditions mimicking clinical settings. Such insights will be crucial for refining therapeutic approaches and optimizing biomaterial design, ultimately improving patient outcomes in nasal surgery.

Monochasma Savatieri Aqueous Extract inhibits Human Breast Cancer Cell Line Migration and Adhesion Without Generating Toxicity.

Monochasma savatieri, is a rare and endangered plant used to treat cancer in Chinese traditional medicine. To evaluate the anti-cancer activity of M. savatieri aqueous extract by determining its cytotoxicity, anti-migratory, and anti-adhesion effects on breast cancer cells. Cell viability, migration, adhesion, circularity, and cell cycle were evaluated by crystal violet (CV) staining, wound-healing, and transwell assays and flow cytometry in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Caveolin-1, snail, vimentin and activated Erk and Akt expression were determined by western blot in MDA-MB-231 cells. Immunofluorescent assays confirmed caveolin-1 expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. Survival and cell cycle of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were not modified by doses up to 500 μg/mL of the extract. The extract inhibited cell migration and adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells. When cells were exposed to the extract, there was a slight decrease in protein expression of factors related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (snail and vimentin) and a strong decrease in the expression of the oncogenic membrane protein caveolin- 1. Furthermore, the levels of phosphorylated Erk and Akt were also decreased. The content of acteoside, a phenylpropanoid glycoside with reported anti-cancer activity present in M. savatieri, was almost 5 times as much as isoacteoside. M. savatieri possesses anti-cancer activity without exerting cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells. The extract exhibited anti-migratory and anti-adhesion effects on breast cancer cells by regulating Erk and Akt signaling pathways and the expression of caveolin-1. In addition, acteoside present in M. savatieri could be responsible for the observed effects.

Evaluation of Interaction With Bio-absorbable Polyglycolic Acid Spacer and Anti-adhesive Agents Using a Rat Experimental Model.

Neskeep®, an absorbable polyglycolic acid spacer, has been developed as the optimal material for spacer placement surgery. However, preventing its severe adhesion is a crucial concern. Therefore, we aimed to identify an effective anti-adhesion agent for Neskeep® using rat models. Animal experiments were performed using 60 rats, which underwent Neskeep® placement on the abdominal wall. Three types of anti-adhesion agents were employed, establishing four subgroups: Seprafilm®, INTERCEED®, AdSpray®, and only Neskeep® (control) groups. Rats were sacrificed on postoperative days 7, 14, and 28 to assess adhesion levels around the Neskeep® Macroscopic visual assessment with the Lauder score and histopathological evaluation were performed to assess the degree of adhesion. There were no significant differences in the proportion of Lauder scores on days 7 and 14 between the four groups. Histological evaluation revealed no significant differences between groups at any observation time. However, the mean Lauder scores at day 28 were 5.0, 1.6, 4.0, and 4.8 in the Neskeep®, Seprafilm®, INTERCEED®, and AdSpray® groups, respectively. The proportion of milder Lauder score was significantly higher in the Seprafilm® group on day 28. Seprafilm® may exhibit an anti-adhesive effect when used with Neskeep®.

Synthesis of Cyclodextrin-Based Multifunctional Biocompatible Hydrogels and Their Use in the Prevention of Intrauterine Adhesions (Asherman's Syndrome) after Surgical Injury.

Asherman's syndrome, which can occur during the regeneration of damaged uterine tissue after surgical interventions, is a significant health problem in women. This study aimed to acquire and characterize cyclodextrin-based hydrogels, which can be used to prevent Asherman's syndrome, and investigate their effectiveness with biomedical applications. A series of hydrogels were synthesized from the cross-linking of β-cyclodextrin and different polyphenols with epoxy-functional PEG. Their chemical, physical, and biological properties were subsequently determined. The results demonstrated that the cyclodextrin-based hydrogels had a porous structure, high swelling ratio, good injectability, drug release ability, and antioxidant activity. Cell culture results illustrated that the hydrogels had no significant cytotoxicity toward L929 fibroblast cells. Considering all properties, the β-CD-PEG-600-Ec hydrogel showed the most satisfactory properties rather than other ones. The potential of this hydrogel in preventing Asherman's syndrome was evaluated in a rat model. The results revealed that the β-estradiol- and melatonin-loaded cyclodextrin-based multifunctional hydrogel group both structurally and mechanically showed an antiadhesion effect in the uterus and a therapeutic effect on the damage with the β-estradiol and melatonin that it contains compared to the Asherman (ASH) group. This double drug-loaded hydrogel can be a promising candidate for preventing Asherman's syndrome due to its versatile properties.

Production and characterization of the lipopeptide with anti-adhesion for oral biofilm on the surface of titanium for dental implants.

Titanium implants are subject to bacterial adhesion and peri-implantitis induction, and biosurfactants bring a new alternative to the fight against infections. This work aimed to produce and characterize the biosurfactant from Bacillus subtilis ATCC 19,659, its anti-adhesion and antimicrobial activity, and cell viability. Anti-adhesion studies were carried out against Streptococcus sanguinis, Staphylococcus aureus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Proteus mirabilis as the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration. Cell viability was measured against osteoblast and fibroblast cells. The biosurfactant was classified as lipopeptide, with critical micelle concentration at 40µg mL- 1, and made the titanium surface less hydrophobic. The anti-adhesion effect was observed for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sanguinis with 54% growth inhibition and presented a minimum inhibitory concentration of 15.7µg mL- 1 for Streptococcus sanguinis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The lipopeptide had no cytotoxic effect and demonstrated high potential application against bacterial biofilms.

P-205 Exploring the influence of platelet rich plasma (PRP) versus PRP with hyaluronic acid on endometrial thickness (ET) and IVF outcome: a pilot study

Abstract Study question What is the impact of sub-endometrial instillation of PRP versus PRP with hyaluronic acid on ET and IVF outcome defined by positive and clinical pregnancy Summary answer PRP with hyaluronic acid group had more endometrial thickness with better vascularity and better pregnancy outcomes as compared to normal PRP What is known already Receptive endometrium is the end result of an interplay of a myriad of cytokines, adhesion molecules growth factors etc. Defect in these can result in thin endometrium. Sub endometrial PRP instillation has been attempted in such cases with promising results and acts by stimulating cell growth and angiogenesis These actions are enhanced by hyaluronic acid along with its antiadhesive effect. PRP with hyaluronic acid has been used previously in orthopedics, dermatology but not documented in thin endometrium. Most of previous studies have focused on endometrial thickness and no comparison has been done between PRP and PRP with hyaluronic acid. Study design, size, duration A retrospective observational study was conducted at Gunjan IVF WORLD Ghaziabad, from January 2022 to Dec 2023. Total 215 patients between the age group of 21-50 years with thin endometrium (ET < 7mm) with zone 2 or less vascularity with at least 1 good quality blastocyst for transfer were selected. They were subjected to hysteroscopic sub endometrial PRP instillation or instillation of PRP with hyaluronic acid Participants/materials, setting, methods Women with diverse reasons for infertility were divided into 2 groups - those receiving PRP (87 subjects) vs PRP with hyaluronic acid (128 subjects). PRP was activated by adding 0.1 ml of Calcium Chloride in 0.9 ml of PRP. Hyaluronic acid (80IU/ML) was added to PRP in the ratio of 1:5. The two groups were compared for positive pregnancy defined as βhCG >100 mIU/ml, clinical pregnancy defined as visualization of gestational sac and endometrial thickness Main results and the role of chance 112 of 215 (52.09%) women had positive pregnancy outcomes (βhCG >100 mIU/ml). Of the 112 subjects having positive outcomes, 40 (35.71%) belonged to normal PRP group and 72 (64.28%) belonged to PRP with hyaluronic acid group. Clinical pregnancy was seen in 37 (33.03%) in normal PRP group and 70(62.5%) in PRP with hyaluronic acid group. Mean βhCG was significantly higher in PRP with hyaluronic acid group (p = 0.013). Mean endometrial thickness was also higher in PRP with hyaluronic acid group (p = 0.05). The findings of the study suggest that PRP with hyaluronic acid has much better results in patients with thin endometrium in terms of not only the endometrial thickness but it also translates into better pregnancy rates. Limitations, reasons for caution 1. Patient pool from limited geographical area. 2. More Randomized controlled trials with larger sample size required to assess efficacy of Platelet rich plasma with hyaluronic acid. 3. The results were analyzed only up to clinical pregnancy and not ongoing pregnancy or live birth rates Wider implications of the findings 1. PRP with hyaluronic acid can be a boon to patients having thin endometrium who otherwise would have sub optimal IVF outcomes 2. Study can encourage larger randomized controlled trials in this direction especially in cases of intrauterine adhesions. Trial registration number not applicable

Bi-layered polyurethane nanofiber patches with asymmetrical surface prevent postoperative adhesion and enhance cardiac repair

The adhesion between heart and chest post-operation raises a significant challenge for the application of cardiac patches due to its severe influences on the recovery of heart function and increased risk of re-treatment. Anabatic inflammatory response and increased oxidative stress aggravate the damage to heart functions. Herein, a multi-functional cardiac patch was manufactured by successive electrospinning of two types of novel selenium-containing polyurethanes (PU), followed by click grafting of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules on the top layer. This patch possessed dual-functions of postoperative anti-adhesion and anti-oxidative stress for efficient therapy post myocardial infarction (MI). The high redox reactivity of diselenium bonds were introduced into the main chains of PU, which reduced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulated the inflammatory environment, alleviating the synechia formation simultaneously. The cardiac patch could effectively resist fibroblast adhesion, regulate the expression of vinculin and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and inhibit the synechia formation. Meanwhile, it also restored significantly the heart function post MI by decreasing the local inflammation, facilitating less collagen formation, and improving cell signal transduction and angiogenesis. Collectively, this novel patch achieved anti-adhesion and therapeutic effect synergistically, bringing advancement in cardiac patch design and potential for translation of medicinal devices.

Efficacy and Safety of Xylitol Nasal Irrigation after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study

Xylitol is considered a naturally occurring antibacterial agent. It is generally believed to enhance the body’s own innate bactericidal mechanisms. It also provides anti-adhesive effects against both Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of xylitol nasal irrigation in the postoperative care of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who received FESS were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups at one month post-surgery. Thirty-five patients in the xylitol group received 400 mL of 5% xylitol nasal irrigation daily for 2 months, while another 35 in the normal saline (NS) group received 400 mL of NS nasal irrigation daily for 2 months. Prior to FESS, as well as before and after nasal irrigation, sinonasal symptoms were assessed through the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test Questionnaire. The patients also underwent an endoscopic examination while undergoing nasal function tests, and a cytokine measurement of the nasal lavage and a bacterial culture from the middle meatus were performed. The safety of the nasal irrigation was assessed through any self-reported adverse events, the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Patient Questionnaire and the eustachian tube function test. The endoscopic scores and olfactory threshold significantly decreased after xylitol irrigation when compared with those before irrigation. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal secretions also decreased significantly after xylitol irrigation. The amounts of Interleukin-5 and Interleukin-17A were significantly increased in the nasal lavage after xylitol irrigation. No side effects, including those related to eustachian tube function, were seen after nasal irrigation in both groups. Our results showed that xylitol nasal irrigation was both beneficial and safe during the postoperative care of FESS.

Zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) coating on hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens material to prevent the adhesion of lens epithelial cells: Effect of SBMA concentration

Posterior capsular opacification (PCO), known as a prevalent complication of cataract surgery, occurs because of the attachment and abnormal proliferation of remaining lens epithelial cells (LECs) after cataract surgery. To reduce the PCO occurrence by improving cell adhesion resistance, we attempted zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) coating through ultraviolet-induced graft polymerization on the surfaces of intraocular lens (IOL) materials. In this study, the effect of the concentration of SBMA monomers in the coating solutions adjusted from 10 wt% to 30 wt% was investigated on the chemical composition, morphology, and hydrophilicity of the IOL material surfaces modified with SBMA. Additionally, the effect of SBMA concentration on preventing adhesion to protein and LECs on the surfaces of SBMA-modified IOL materials was evaluated in vitro. Grafting of zwitterionic SBMA on the surfaces of hydrophobic acrylic IOL materials was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle (WCA). To evaluate the long-term hydrophilicity of coating films prepared with different concentrations of SBMA on the IOL material surfaces, the WCA of IOL materials stored in phosphate-buffered saline solution was measured as a function of time. The coating film prepared at a concentration of 20 wt% of SBMA showed the lowest WCA after 28 days, showing the best long-term hydrophilicity. Also, that prepared at a concentration of 20 wt% of SBMA exhibited the highest anti-adhesion effect on proteins and LECs.

Hyaluronic acid/PEO electrospun tube reduces tendon adhesion to levels comparable to native tendons – An in vitro and in vivo study

A major problem after tendon injury is adhesion formation to the surrounding tissue leading to a limited range of motion. A viable strategy to reduce adhesion extent is the use of physical barriers that limit the contact between the tendon and the adjacent tissue. The purpose of this study was to fabricate an electrospun bilayered tube of hyaluronic acid/polyethylene oxide (HA/PEO) and biodegradable DegraPol® (DP) to improve the anti-adhesive effect of the implant in a rabbit Achilles tendon full laceration model compared to a pure DP tube. Additionally, the attachment of rabbit tenocytes on pure DP and HA/PEO containing scaffolds was tested and Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Water Contact Angle measurements, and testing of mechanical properties were used to characterize the scaffolds. In vivo assessment after three weeks showed that the implant containing a second HA/PEO layer significantly reduced adhesion extent reaching levels comparable to native tendons, compared with a pure DP implant that reduced adhesion formation only by 20 %. Tenocytes were able to attach to and migrate into every scaffold, but cell number was reduced over two weeks. Implants containing HA/PEO showed better mechanical properties than pure DP tubes and with the ability to entirely reduce adhesion extent makes this implant a promising candidate for clinical application in tendon repair.

Fabrication of a modified bacterial cellulose with different alkyl chains and its prevention of abdominal adhesion

Abdominal hernia mesh is a common product which is used for prevention of abdominal adhesion and repairing abdominal wall defect. Currently, designing and preparing a novel bio-mesh material with prevention of adhesion, promoting repair and good biocompatibility simultaneously remain a great bottleneck. In this study, a novel siloxane-modified bacterial cellulose (BC) was designed and fabricated by chemical vapor deposition silylation, then the effects of different alkyl chains length of siloxane on surface properties and cell behaviors were explored. The effect of preventing of abdominal adhesion and repairing abdominal wall defect in rats with the siloxane-modified BC was evaluated. As the grafted alkyl chains become longer, the surface of the siloxane-modified BC can be transformed from super hydrophilic to hydrophobic. In vivo results showed that BC-C16 had good long-term anti-adhesion effect, good tissue adaptability and histocompatibility, which is expected to be used as a new anti-adhesion hernia repair material in clinic.

Anti-adhesive effect of naturally obtained dicalcium phosphate dihydrate nanoparticles in the rat uterine wound model

Anti-adhesive effect of naturally obtained dicalcium phosphate dihydrate nanoparticles in the rat uterine wound model