Search

The surface modification of implantable devices by means of laser methods represents a promising strategy towards personalized healthcare practice, providing a versatile and tunable approach to increase the patient outcome, facilitate the medical procedure and reduce the unwanted or side effects (such as biofilm-related complications). The purpose of our study was to assess the biological and microbiological performance of composite coatings based on biopolymeric spheres of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) embedded with Lincomycin-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles (PLGA/Fe3O4@LINC). The composite materials, transferred as stoichiometric and uniform nanostructured coatings by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation, proved enhanced biocompatibility with respect to human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), in terms of cellular adhesion, spreading and normal growth. Moreover, the PLGA/Fe3O4@LINC coatings exhibited great inhibitory effects against staphylococcal biofilm formation and development.

Implant- related infections are a consequence of microbial’ adhesion to an implant surface followed by biofilm development on the implanted device. Chemical and biological functionalization of medical surfaces represents topical tactic of enhancing biocompatibility, together with the prevention of bacterial contamination and biofilm inhibition. For this purpose, we focused our work on laser surface modification of medical devices. We prepared nanoparticles of Fe3O4 loaded with Nigella sativa oil by a modified co-precipitation method in aqueous solution of NH4OH by oil-in-water emulsion. For further studies, we mixed them with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) spheres. The functionalized nanoparticles were deposited on glass and silicone surfaces by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation technique. The influence of experimental factors, such as laser fluences was studied. The obtained thin coatings were analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and infrared microscopy. The most suitable coatings were selected and tested against a broad spectrum of pathogens found in the most implant rejection issues, such as S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans, at different time intervals and proved to limit microbial colonization and biofilm formation. In addition, biocompatibility studies using MG-63 cells adopting MTS assay confirmed the possible use of the obtained thin coatings to safely modify medical surfaces.

We report on the successful laser transfer of biocompatible composite coatings based on polyaniline (PANI) embedded with magnetite (PANI-Fe3O4) and Lincomycin hydrochloride (PANI-Lincomycin) or Lincomycin-functionalized magnetite (PANI-Fe3O4@Lincomycin) by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The physico-chemical investigations revealed relevant data regarding the stoichiometric deposition, morphology and topography of the as-deposited coatings. Regarding the MAPLE coatings, the FTIR studies evidenced the vibrational bands characteristic to pristine PANI material, while the SEM investigations unveiled a preferential particulate morphology (with aggregates shape and size depending on the deposited material). Additionally, the AFM measurements indicated variations of RMS value, following the Lincomycin and magnetite incorporation. The wettability measurements displayed a hydrophilic behavior of the synthesized coatings, while the electrochemical studies emphasized an enhanced resistance against corrosion in simulated body fluid when compared with bare Ti. Cellular viability, immunofluorescence and SEM results proved that the MAPLE coatings were suitable materials for beneficial adhesion, spreading and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells (MG-63). Moreover, an increased efficiency was evidenced against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development. The multifunctional properties of the laser processed composite coatings – confirmed by cumulative biocompatible, antimicrobial and anticorrosive behaviors – recommend them as promising solutions for biomedical applications.

The aim of this study was to obtain improved coatings for advanced surfaces with increased biocompatibility and resistance to microbial colonization and biofilm formation. The prepared magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with gentamicin (Fe3O4@G) have been embedded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) spheres by oil-in-water emulsion. The PLGA-Fe3O4@G spheres were deposited on glass and silicone surfaces by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The obtained thin coatings were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Infrared Microscopy (IRM). The antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficiency of coatings was tested with respect to Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) clinical strains by viable cells counts assay, performed at different time intervals. The obtained results proved that coatings based on PLGA-Fe3O4@G spheres exhibited an efficient antimicrobial activity against both adherent and sessile bacterial cells. Besides their excellent anti-adherence and antibiofilm effect, the obtained MAPLE-deposited coatings were highly biocompatible, allowing the normal development and growth of cultured human amniotic fluid stem cells. This approach could be successfully applied for the optimization of medical surfaces in order to control and prevent microbial colonization and further development of biofilm associated infections.

In this study, coatings based on lysozyme embedded into a matrix of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were fabricated by two different methods (Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation – MAPLE and Dip Coating) for obtaining antimicrobial coatings envisaged for long term medical applications. Coatings with different PEG:PCL compositions (3:1; 1:1; 1:3) were synthesized in order to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of lysozyme embedded into the polymeric matrix. The main surface features, such as roughness and wettability, with impact on the microbial adhesion as well as on the eukaryote cell function were measured. The obtained composite coatings exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus strains. As well, specific blended coatings showed appropriate viability, good spreading and normal cell morphology of SaOs2 human osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These investigations highlight the suitability of biodegradable composites as implant coatings for decreasing the risk of bacterial contamination associated with prosthetic procedures.

In this study, we investigated the potential of MAPLE-deposited coatings mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to release Zinforo (ceftarolinum fosmil) in biologically active form. The MSNs were prepared by using a classic procedure with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as sacrificial template and tetraethylorthosilicate as the monomer. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed network-forming granules with diameters under 100 nm and an average pore diameter of 2.33 nm. The deposited films were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD and IR. Microbiological analyses performed on ceftaroline-loaded films demonstrated that the antibiotic was released in an active form, decreasing the microbial adherence rate and colonization of the surface. Moreover, the in vitro and in vivo assays proved the excellent biodistribution and biocompatibility of the prepared systems. Our results suggest that the obtained bioactive coatings possess a significant potential for the design of drug delivery systems and antibacterial medical-use surfaces, with great applications in bone implantology.

The aim of this study was to develop a nanostructured bioactive surface based on zinc oxide, sodium stearate (C18) and usnic acid (UA) exhibiting harmless effects with respect to the human cells, but with a significant antimicrobial effect, limiting the attachment and biofilm formation of food pathogens. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel method and functionalized with C18 and UA. The coatings were fabricated by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation technique (MAPLE) and further characterized by TEM, SEM, SAED, XRD and IRM. The biological characterization of the prepared coatings consisted in cytotoxicity and antimicrobial assays. The cytotoxicity of ZnO@C18 and ZnO@C18-UA films was evaluated with respect to the human skin fibroblasts (CCD 1070SK cell line) by phase contrast microscopy, MTT assay and nitric oxide (NO) release. The covered surfaces exhibited a decreased cell attachment, effect which was more pronounced in the presence of UA as shown by purple formazan staining of adhered cells. The unattached fibroblasts remained viable after 24 h in the culture media as it was revealed by their morphology analysis and NO level which were similar to uncovered slides. The quantitative microbiological assays results have demonstrated that the bioactive coatings have significantly inhibited the adherence and biofilm formation of Salmonella enterica. The obtained results recommend these materials as efficient approaches in developing anti-adherent coatings for various industrial, medical and food processing applications.

In this study we aimed to obtain functionalized thin films based on hydroxyapatite/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (HAp/PLGA) containing ceftriaxone/cefuroxime antibiotics (ATBs) deposited by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The prepared thin films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and infra red (IR) analysis. HAp/PLGA/ATBs thin films sustained the growth of human osteoblasts, proving their good biocompatibility. The microscopic evaluation and the culture-based quantitative assay of the E. coli biofilm development showed that the thin films inhibited the initial step of microbial attachment as well as the subsequent colonization and biofilm development on the respective surfaces. This study demonstrates that MAPLE technique could represent an appealing technique for the fabrication of antibiotics-containing polymeric implant coatings. The bioevaluation results recommend this type of surfaces for the prevention of bone implant microbial contamination and for the enhanced stimulation of the implant osseointegration process.

This study reports on the successful deposition of γ-cyclodextrin/usnic acid (γCD/UA) thin film by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) as anti-adherent coating on medical surfaces against microbial colonization. The obtained results demonstrate that these bioactive thin films inhibit Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation at all stages, starting with their initiation. The antibiofilm effect was constant along the bacterial incubation time. Furthermore, the γCD/UA coatings show a great biocompatibility which means that this material is suitable for the development of modern medical devices with antimicrobial properties.

The purpose of this study was the fabrication of functionalized anti-adherent surfaces based on the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated with 3-amino propyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) in order to improve the resistance of PVC based prosthetic devices to microbial colonization. Infrared microscopy (IRM) investigations of APTMS thin films proved the compositional homogeneity of the prepared thin film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed a granular morphology with microspheres harboring a diameter between 15 and 60 nm. The microbiological assays proved that MAPLE deposited APTMS films inhibited the adherence capacity and biofilm development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains. Furthermore, this material proved to be highly biocompatible, allowing the normal growth and development of human endothelial cells. These traits highlight the fact that the fabricated APTMS thin films may be efficiently used for improving different surfaces of medical use, including prostheses and implantable devices.

In this study we aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity of kanamycin functionalized 5 nm-magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 @KAN) nanoparticles thin films deposited by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique. A laser deposition regime was established in order to stoichiometrically transfer Fe 3 O 4 @KAN thin films on silicone and glass substrates. Morphological and physico-chemical properties of powders and coatings were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, AFM and IR microscopy (IRM). Our nanostructured thin films have proved efficiency in the prevention of microbial adhesion and mature biofilms development as a result of antibiotic release in its active form. Furthermore, kanamycin functionalized nanostructures exhibit a good biocompatibility, both in vivo and in vitro , demonstrating their potential for implants application. This is the first study reporting the assessment of the in vivo biocompatibility of a magnetite-antimicrobial thin films produced by MAPLE technique.

This study reports the biological applications of a newly fabricated water dispersible nanostructure, based on magnetite (Fe3O4) and eugenol (E), prepared in a well-shaped spherical form by precipitation method. The presence of Fe3O4@E nanoparticles has been confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanoparticles have been embedded into poly(3-hidroxybutyric acid-co-3-hidroxyvaleric acid)–polyvinyl alcohol (P(3HB-3HV)–PVA) microspheres by oil-in-water emulsion technique. Functionalized P(3HB-3HV)–PVA–Fe3O4@E microspheres coatings have been fabricated by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The coatings have been characterized by infrared microscopy (IRM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was assessed by the viable cell counts technique. Nanomaterial biocompatibility has been investigated by analyzing the phenotypic changes of cultured eukaryotic cells. Besides their excellent anti-adherence and anti-biofilm properties, the MAPLE coatings have the advantages of using bioactive natural compounds, which are less toxic and easily biodegradable than current antibiotics. This approach could be used as a successful alternative or adjuvant method to control and prevent microbial biofilms associated infections.

We report the fabrication of thin coatings of PLA–PVA microspheres loaded with usnic acid by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) onto Ti substrate. The obtained coatings have been physico-chemically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared microscopy (IRM). In vitro biological assays have been performed in order to evaluate the influence of fabricated microsphere thin coatings on the Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development as well as their biocompatibility. SEM micrographs have revealed a uniform morphology of thin coatings, while IRM investigations have proved both the homogeneity and functional groups integrity of prepared thin coatings. The obtained microsphere-based thin coatings have proved to be efficient vehicles for usnic acid natural compound with antibiofilm activity, as demonstrated by the inhibitory activity on S. aureus mature biofilm development, opening new perspectives for the prevention and therapy associated to biofilm related infections.