Human skin, our most environmentally exposed organ, is colonized by a vast array of microorganisms constituting its microbiome. These bacterial communities are crucial for the fulfillment of human physiological functions such as immune system modulation and epidermal development and differentiation. The structure of the human skin microbiome is established during the early life stages, starting even before birth, and continues to be modulated throughout the entire life cycle, by multiple host-related and environmental factors. This review focuses on extrinsic factors, ranging from cosmetics to the environment and antibacterial agents, as forces that impact the human skin microbiome and well-being. Assessing the impact of these factors on the skin microbiome will help elucidate the forces that shape the microbial populations we coexist with. Furthermore, we will gain additional insight into their tendency to stimulate a healthy environment or to increase the propensity for skin disorder development.
This study reveals novel insights into the pathophysiology of epilepsy and the contribution of TLR3 to disease progression. Our results identify the TLR3 pathway as a potential future therapeutic target in SE.
Over the past years, advanced in vitro pulmonary platforms have witnessed exciting developments that are pushing beyond traditional preclinical cell culture methods. Here, we discuss ongoing efforts in bridging the gap between in vivo and in vitro interfaces and identify some of the bioengineering challenges that lie ahead in delivering new generations of human-relevant in vitro pulmonary platforms. Notably, in vitro strategies using foremost lung-on-chips and biocompatible "soft" membranes have focused on platforms that emphasize phenotypical endpoints recapitulating key physiological and cellular functions. We review some of the most recent in vitro studies underlining seminal therapeutic screens and translational applications and open our discussion to promising avenues of pulmonary therapeutic exploration focusing on liposomes. Undeniably, there still remains a recognized trade-off between the physiological and biological complexity of these novel in vitro lung models and their ability to deliver assays with throughput capabilities. The upcoming years are thus anticipated to see further developments in broadening the applicability of such in vitro systems and accelerating therapeutic exploration for drug discovery and translational medicine in treating respiratory disorders.
High-resolution recording of visual cortex activity is an important tool for vision research. Using a customized digital mirror device (DMD)-based system equipped with retinal imaging, we projected visual stimuli directly on the rat retina and recorded cortical responses by voltage-sensitive dye imaging. We obtained robust cortical responses and generated high-resolution retinotopic maps at an unprecedented retinal resolution of 4.6 degrees in the field of view, while further distinguishing between normal and pathological retinal areas. This system is a useful tool for studying the cortical response to localized retinal stimulation and may shed light on various cortical plasticity processes.
Surgical sealants are widely used to prevent seepage of fluids and liquids, promote hemostasis, and close incisions. Despite the remarkable progress the field of biomaterials has undergone, the clinical uses of surgical sealants are limited because of their short persistence time in vivo, toxicity, and high production costs. Here, the development of two complementary neat (solvent-free) prepolymers, PEG 4 -PLGA-NHS and PEG 4 -NH 2 , that harden upon mixing to yield an elastic biodegradable sealant is presented. The mechanical and rheological properties and cross-linking rate can be controlled by varying the ratio between the two prepolymers. The tested sealants show a longer persistence time compared with fibrin glue, minimal cytotoxicity in vitro, and excellent biocompatibility in vivo. The neat, multiarmed approach demonstrated here improves the mechanical and biocompatibility properties and provides a promising tissue sealant solution for wound closure in future surgical procedures.
Particulate systems are widely used in biomedical applications, yet current systems are limited by their stability, complicated production processes, and the use of toxic excipients and cosolvents. Here, a new concept for an injectable nanocarrier system based on the in situ self‐assembled star polyethylene glycol (PEG)– poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA)/drug mixture is presented. The new injectable material is based on a neat (solvent‐free) liquid copolymer that self‐assembles after it is injected along with the drug to form a particulate delivery system. The nanocarriers’ formation rate and encapsulation capabilities of hydrophobic drugs can be fine‐tuned by changing the molecular weight of the PLGA segment. Furthermore, the starPEG–PLGA‐based system demonstrates potential as a drug carrier for hydrophobic drugs and shows biocompatibility with cell line culture.
Open wound dressings
should provide a moist environment, protect
the wound from bacterial contamination, and shield it from further
damage. These requirements, however, are hard to accomplish since
such wounds are colonized by pathogenic bacteria, including resistant
species such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA). A new approach for treating open wounds
that is based on sticky and dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microparticles
containing live Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is described. Microparticles, fabricated
by the spray-drying technique, were administered directly to an open
wound while B. subtilis continuously
produced and secreted antimicrobial molecules. B. subtilis in PVA microparticles demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity
against MRSA and S. aureus. In in vivo
experiments, both B. subtilis and empty
PVA microparticles were effective in decreasing healing time; however, B. subtilis microparticles were more effective during
the first week. There was no evidence of skin irritation, infection,
or other adverse effects during the 15 day postoperative observation
period. This concept of combining live secreting bacteria within a
supportive delivery system shows great promise as a therapeutic agent
for open wounds and other infectious skin disorders.
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