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This paper presents and explains the principle behind anelectrochemical method to enhance the antimicrobial action of plasma‐activated hydrogel therapy (PAHT) in the context of wound decontamination. The process involves grounding and hydratingpoly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel films during treatment with a helium (He) plasma jet. This electrochemically enhances production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is amajor antibacterial agent produced in the PVA hydrogel. Production of H2O2 is shownto be electrically enhanced through electron dissociation reactions, and through reactions associated with excited state species, metastables and ultra‐violet (UV) photolysis. H2O2 production is chemically enhanced through the He flow of the plasma jet dehydrating the PVA hydrogel, which fuels the electrochemical dependent reactions associated with H2O2 production. The electrochemical process produces an unprecedented 3.4 mM of H2O2 in the PVA hydrogel. Production of other molecules such as reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are also enhanced by the same method. The electrochemically enhanced PAHT is highly effective ateradicating common wound pathogens Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mildly effective against Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, this study shows that the new PAHT dressing offers a promising alternative to antibiotics and silver‐based dressings for controlling infection and stimulating healing in wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes can disrupt physiological wound healing, caused by decreased levels or impaired activity of angiogenic factors. This can contribute to chronic inflammation, poor formation of new blood vessels, and delayed re-epithelialization. The present study describes the preclinical application of medical gas plasma to treat a dermal, full-thickness ear wound in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Gas plasma-mediated effects occurred in both sexes but with gender-specific differences. Hyperspectral imaging demonstrated gas plasma therapy changing microcirculatory parameters, particularly oxygen saturation levels during wound healing, presumably due to the gas plasma's tissue delivery of reactive species and other bioactive components. In addition, gas plasma treatment significantly affected cell adhesion by regulating focal adhesion kinase and vinculin, which is important in maintaining skin barrier function by regulating syndecan expression and increasing re-epithelialization. An anticipated stimulation of blood vessel formation was detected via transcriptional and translational increase of angiogenic factors in gas plasma-exposed wound tissue. Moreover, gas plasma treatment significantly affected inflammation by modulating systemic growth factors and cytokine levels. The presented findings may help explain the mode of action of successful clinical plasma therapy of wounds of diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold physical plasma, a partially ionized gas, has been shown to be effective in treating chronic wounds and cancer. However, there is limited research on plasma exposure of leukemia cell lines, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. To investigate the potential proimmunogenic effects of plasma‐derived reactive oxygen species, cytotoxic T cells were isolated from CLL patients and healthy volunteers. Extensive cold plasma treatment reduced T‐cell metabolic activity and viability in both diseased and healthy groups. Plasma treatment of cocultures, but not CD8+ T‐cell monocultures, spurred cytotoxic T‐cell proliferation, possibly due to plasma‐enhanced CLL antigen display and plasma‐mediated modulation of immunoregulatory surface molecules. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms and clinical relevance of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been shown to be beneficial in various medical fields such as wound healing, oncology or dentistry. A prominent effect induced by CAP is the boost of microcirculation in human skin tissue. Being a complex cocktail of physical and chemically reactive components, the mechanisms by which CAP enhances microcirculation still remain unclear. Thus, this study aims to identify relevant CAP components involved in stimulation of dermal microcirculation. In a comparative approach, the application of the same CAP source was modified in such a way that three different treatment modalities could be realized, each with a characteristic composition of electrical current flow and concentration of reactive species. Microcirculation parameters oxygen saturation (StO2), tissue hemoglobin index, near-infrared perfusion index and tissue water index were recorded before and after each treatment on the lateral proximal left arm of 10 healthy volunteers by means of hyperspectral imaging. The maximum microcirculatory response to CAP was observed when all components were allowed to interact with skin tissue (standard treatment). In contrast, no upregulation was found as soon as electric currents and fields had been removed from the effective component spectrum. Application of the CAP source at reduced concentrations of reactive species compared to standard treatment led to significant but less pronounced enhancement of dermal microcirculation. The findings of this study indicate that a synergistic interplay of all CAP components promotes microcirculation in dermal tissue most effectively. Moreover, the findings support the hypothesis that electric currents and fields play a key role in enabling microcirculation boost whereas availability of reactive species in the gas phase is associated with the intensity of the tissue response to CAP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence suggests the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in regulating antitumor immune effects and immunosuppression. RONS modify biomolecules and induce oxidative post‐translational modifications (oxPTM) on proteins that can alarm phagocytes. However, it is unclear if and how protein oxidation by technical means could be a strategy to foster antitumor immunity and therapy. To this end, cold gas plasma technology producing various RONS simultaneously to oxidize the two melanoma‐associated antigens MART and PMEL is utilized. Cold plasma‐oxidized MART (oxMART) and PMEL (oxPMEL) are heavily decorated with oxPTMs as determined by mass spectrometry. Immunization with oxidized MART or PMEL vaccines prior to challenge with viable melanoma cells correlated with significant changes in cytokine secretion and altered T‐cell differentiation of tumor‐infiltrated leukocytes (TILs). oxMART promoted the activity of cytotoxic central memory T‐cells, while oxPMEL led to increased proliferation of cytotoxic effector T‐cells. Similar T‐cell results are observed after incubating splenocytes of tumor‐bearing mice with B16F10 melanoma cells. This study, for the first time, provides evidence of the importance of oxidative modifications of two melanoma‐associated antigens in eliciting anticancer immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma treatment is necessary to optimize the performance of biomaterial surfaces. It enhances and regulates the performance of biomaterial surfaces, creating an effective interface with the human body. Plasma treatments have the ability to modify the chemical composition and physical structure of a surface while leaving its properties unaffected. They possess the ability to modify material surfaces, eliminate contaminants, conduct investigations on cancer therapy, and facilitate wound healing. The subject of study in question involves the integration of plasma science and technology with biology and medicine. Using a helium plasma jet source, applying up to 18 kV, with an average power of 10 W, polymer foils were treated for 60 s. Plasma treatment has the ability to alter the chemical composition and physical structure of a surface while maintaining its quality. This investigation involved the application of helium plasma at atmospheric pressure to polyamide 6 and polyethylene terephthalate sheets. The inquiry involves monitoring and assessing the plasma source and polymer materials, as well as analyzing the impacts of plasma therapy. Calculating the mean power of the discharge aids in assessing the economic efficacy of the plasma source. Electric discharge in helium at atmospheric pressure has beneficial effects in technology, where it increases the surface free energy of polymer materials. In biomedicine, it is used to investigate cytotoxicity and cell survival, particularly in direct blood exposure situations that can expedite coagulation. Comprehending the specific parameters that influence the plasma source in the desired manner for the intended application is of utmost importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal melanin synthesis determines an individual's skin color. In humans, melanin is formed by melanocytes within the epidermis. The process of melanin synthesis strongly depends on a range of cellular factors, including the fine-tuned interplay with reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this context, a role of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) on melanin synthesis was proposed due to its tunable ROS generation. Herein, the argon-driven plasma jet kINPen® MED was employed, and its impact on melanin synthesis was evaluated by comparison with known stimulants such as the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX and UV radiation. Different available model systems were employed, and the melanin content of both cultured human melanocytes (in vitro) and full-thickness human skin biopsies (in situ) were analyzed. A histochemical method detected melanin in skin tissue. Cellular melanin was measured by NIR autofluorescence using flow cytometry, and a highly sensitive HPLC-MS method was applied, which enabled the differentiation of eu- and pheomelanin by their degradation products. The melanin content in full-thickness human skin biopsies increased after repeated CAP exposure, while there were only minor effects in cultured melanocytes compared to UV radiation and IBMX treatment. Based on these findings, CAP does not appear to be a useful option for treating skin pigmentation disorders. On the other hand, the risk of hyperpigmentation as an adverse effect of CAP application for wound healing or other dermatological diseases seems to be neglectable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the development of new therapeutic devices, comprehensive experimental investigations are necessary in all phases of the process. This requires the provision of device prototypes with reproducible and comparable operating parameters. In the current study, such miniature neon plasma jet prototypes designated for medical applications have been manufactured, characterized, and compared. The multi-parametric characterization included measurements of energy, power, temperature, leakage current, effluent length, and relative as well as absolute radiation. The dissipated electrical power and the optical emission in the UV range were identified as parameters indicating definable tolerances to sort out a device with inadequate species output. A liquid phase model was used to investigate reactive species deposition into simple matrices. Based on these investigations, a quality control procedure for manufacturing new device series is proposed. In conclusion, our findings suggest a test concept of achieving reproducible and comparable plasma device characterization as a putative quality control measure for lab-scale plasma source production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review explores decade-long research conducted on the applications of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) and Plasma Activated Liquids (PAL), including Plasma Activated Water (PAW), in the fields of Medicine and Dentistry. CAPs, operating at atmospheric pressure, offer unique advantages over conventional medical devices, generating Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) that interact with substances, enabling diverse applications. The review examined CAP and PAL efficacy against infectious diseases using in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and direct application methods. Significant strides were observed in wound healing, cancer treatment, and dental care. However, ensuring patient safety through rigorous plasma source standards remains crucial. The study underscores CAPs and PALs' potential to transform medical and dental therapies, urging further research and development in these groundbreaking technologies. These findings highlight the transformative impact of CAPs and PALs, offering promising avenues for innovative medical and dental treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma, the fourth fundamental state of matter, comprises charged species and electrons, and it is a fascinating medium that is spread over the entire visible universe. In addition to that, plasma can be generated artificially under appropriate laboratory techniques. Artificially generated thermal or hot plasma has applications in heavy and electronic industries; however, the non-thermal (cold atmospheric or low temperature) plasma finds its applications mainly in biomedicals and therapeutics. One of the important characteristics of LTP is that the constituent particles in the plasma stream can often maintain an overall temperature of nearly room temperature, even though the thermal parameters of the free electrons go up to 1 to 10 keV. The presence of reactive chemical species at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure makes LTP a bio-tolerant tool in biomedical applications with many advantages over conventional techniques. This review presents some of the important biomedical applications of cold-atmospheric plasma (CAP) or low-temperature plasma (LTP) in modern medicine, showcasing its effect in antimicrobial therapy, cancer treatment, drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, implant modifications, interaction with biomolecules, etc., and overviews some present challenges in the field of plasma medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes can disrupt physiological wound healing, caused by decreased levels or impaired activity of angiogenic factors. This can contribute to chronic inflammation, poor formation of new blood vessels, and delayed re-epithelialization. The present study describes the preclinical application of medical gas plasma to treat a dermal, full-thickness ear wound in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Gas plasma-mediated effects occurred in both sexes but with gender-specific differences. Hyperspectral imaging demonstrated gas plasma therapy changing microcirculatory parameters, particularly oxygen saturation levels during wound healing, presumably due to the gas plasma’s tissue delivery of reactive species and other bioactive components. In addition, gas plasma treatment significantly affected cell adhesion by regulating focal adhesion kinase and vinculin, which is important in maintaining skin barrier function by regulating syndecan expression and increasing re-epithelialization. An anticipated stimulation of blood vessel formation was detected via transcriptional and translational increase of angiogenic factors in gas plasma-exposed wound tissue. Moreover, gas plasma treatment significantly affected inflammation by modulating systemic growth factors and cytokine levels. The presented findings may help explain the mode of action of successful clinical plasma therapy of wounds of diabetic patients.