Recent approaches in designing bioadhesive materials inspired by mussel adhesive protein

Marine mussels secret protein-based adhesives, which enable them to anchor to various surfaces in a saline, intertidal zone. Mussel foot proteins (Mfps) contain a large abundance of a unique, catecholic amino acid, Dopa, in their protein sequences. Catechol offers robust and durable adhe-sion to various substrate surfaces and contributes to the curing of the adhesive plaques. In this article, we review the unique features and the key functionalities of Mfps, catechol chemistry, and strategies for preparing catechol-functionalized poly- mers. Specifically, we reviewed recent findings on the contributions of various features of Mfps on interfacial binding, which include coacervate formation, surface drying properties, control of the oxidation state of catechol, among other features. We also summarized recent developments in designing advanced biomimetic materials including coacervate-forming adhesives, mechanically improved nano- and micro-composite adhesive hydrogels, as well as smart and self-healing materials. Finally, we review the applications of catechol-functionalized materials for the use as biomedical adhesives, therapeutic applications, and antifouling coatings

Accuracy of Whole-Cell ELISA and HM-Cap ELISA in the diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori infection

History and Objectives: Due to usage of multiple methods in the diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori and considering the advantage of noninvasive modalities including serologic examination and various reports on the diagnostic accuracy of these tests and in order to determine the sensitivity and the specificity Whole-Cell ELISA and HM-Cap ELISA, this study was performed on the referrers to the ward of endoscopy of Alzahra and Fayz hospitals of Isfahan in 1375. Materials and Methods: A clinical trial study was performed on 168 patients with the complaint of upper gastrointestinal tract and indication for endoscopy. Sex, age and clinical manifestations of the patients were recorded on the data sheets. After performing endoscopy, the specimen obtained by biopsy was sent to laboratory for microbiologic and histologic examinations and four milliliters venous blood was obtained from each individual in order to perform morphologic evaluation. The results of culture, histologic and serologic examinations were recorded on the data sheets. The data on the sheets were classified and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and general efficacy of the serologic examinations, in contrast with the gold standard (Culture and histology) was determined. Results: From the 168 patients under study, 83 individuals (49.4) were female and 85 (50.6) were male with the mean age of 44.8 years. From the whole individuals under study 123 patients (73.2) had positive results for Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori was most commonly (42.2) observed in the 40 to 60 year-old age group. The most common cause (47) was gastritis. Sensitivity and specificity and general efficacy were 89.4, 75.6 and 85.7 for the Whole-Cell ELISA respectively and 95.1, 93.3 and 94.6 for HM-Cap ELISA respectively. Conclusion: HM-Cap ELISA is more valuable in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori and considering its ease of performance and its low cost, is recommended for usage

Publisher Correction: Functionalized Non-vascular Nitinol Stent via Electropolymerized Polydopamine Thin Film Coating Loaded with Bortezomib Adjunct to Hyperthermia Therapy

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper

In Situ Synthesis of Antimicrobial Silver Nanoparticles within Antifouling Zwitterionic Hydrogels by Catecholic Redox Chemistry for Wound Healing Application

A multifunctional hydrogel that combines the dual functionality of both antifouling and antimicrobial capacities holds great potential for many bioapplications. Many approaches and different materials have been employed to synthesize such a material. However, a systematic study, including in vitro and in vivo evaluation, on such a material as wound dressings is highly scarce at present. Herein, we report on a new strategy that uses catecholic chemistry to synthesize antimicrobial silver nanoparticles impregnated into antifouling zwitterionic hydrogels. For this purpose, hydrophobic dopamine methacrylamide monomer (DMA) was mixed in an aqueous solution of sodium tetraborate decahydrate and DMA monomer became soluble after increasing pH to 9 due to the complexation between catechol groups and boron. Then, cross-linking polymerization of zwitterionic monomer was carried out with the solution of the protected dopamine monomer to produce a new hydrogel. When this new hydrogel comes in contact with a silver nitrate solution, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are formed in its structure as a result of the redox property of the catechol groups and in the absence of any other external reducing agent. The results obtained from TEM and XRD measurements indicate that AgNPs with diameters of around 20 nm had formed within the networks. FESEM images confirmed that the silver nanoparticles were homogeneously incorporated throughout the hydrogel network, and FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated that the catechol moiety in the polymeric backbone of the hydrogel is responsible for the reduction of silver ions into the AgNPs. Finally, the in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that these mussel-inspired, antifouling, antibacterial hydrogels have great potential for use in wound healing applications

A smart magnetic nanoplatform for synergistic anticancer therapy:manoeuvring mussel-inspired functional magnetic nanoparticles for pH responsive anticancer drug delivery and hyperthermia

The synergistic anticancer mechanism exhibited by smart HEDO–Fe3O4 nanoparticles by combining pH responsive anticancer drug delivery with hyperthermia.</p