Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles incorporated in a cryogel matrix

Hospital acquired infections are a major financial and societal burden with high mortality, morbidity and cost. Such infections are caused by a number of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria, many of which are resistant to front line antibiotics. To combat their emergence and spread, new approaches have been developed such as adding biocides to wound dressings and surgical implants, but have met with limited success. We proposed an innovative technology capable of improving the clinical outcomes associated with bacterial infection of skin, deep wounds and surgical implants. This approach will exploit the ability of silver nanoparticles (NPs)1 to produce antibacterial radicals and reactive compounds. To begin with, antimicrobial activity of NPs and cytotoxicity of materials were tested

A Comprehensive Review of Topical Odor-Controlling Treatment Options for Chronic Wounds: A Comprehensive Review

The process of wound healing is often accompanied by bacterial infection or critical colonization, resulting in protracted inflammation, delayed reepithelization, and production of pungent odors. The malodor produced by these wounds may lower health-related quality of life and produce psychological discomfort and social isolation

Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles incorporated in a cryogel matrix

Hospital acquired infections are a major financial and societal burden with high mortality, morbidity and cost. Such infections are caused by a number of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria, many of which are resistant to front line antibiotics. To combat their emergence and spread, new approaches have been developed such as adding biocides to wound dressings and surgical implants, but have met with limited success. We proposed an innovative technology capable of improving the clinical outcomes associated with bacterial infection of skin, deep wounds and surgical implants. This approach will exploit the ability of silver nanoparticles (NPs)1 to produce antibacterial radicals and reactive compounds. To begin with, antimicrobial activity of NPs and cytotoxicity of materials were tested

Activated carbon-plasticised agarose composite films for the adsorption of thiol as a model of wound malodour

Conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and long-term immobilisation can precipitate the development of chronic dermal ulcers. Such wounds are associated with inflammation and bacterial contamination which in turn can lead to the liberation of offensive odours that cause patient embarrassment and, in some instances, social isolation. Activated carbon-containing dressings have been used to manage the odours from such wounds. However, these can be bulky and can become fouled by wound exudate. Agarose is a natural polysaccharide derived from seaweed that forms brittle free-standing films that can be made pliable by addition of a plasticiser. In this study, activated carbon-containing plasticised agarose films were evaluated for their ability to sequester thiol-containing molecules from solution and the gaseous phase. The water vapour transmission rate was also evaluated to determine the potential breathability of these films should they be considered for application to the skin. It was found that the adsorption of thiols was directly proportional to the activated carbon content of the films. Water vapour was found to pass relatively freely through the films indicating that sweat-induced tissue maceration would be unlikely to occur if applied clinically. In conclusion, activated carbon-containing plasticised agarose films have some potential in the sequestration of malodourous molecules such as those liberated from chronic dermal wounds

COVID-19: Third dose booster vaccine effectiveness against breakthrough coronavirus infection, hospitalisations and death in patients with cancer: A population-based study

Purpose: People living with cancer and haematological malignancies are at increased risk of hospitalisation and death following infection with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Coronavirus third dose vaccine boosters are proposed to boost waning immune responses in immunocompromised individuals and increase coronavirus protection; however, their effectiveness has not yet been systematically evaluated. Methods: This study is a population-scale real-world evaluation of the United Kingdom’s third dose vaccine booster programme for cancer patients from 8th December 2020 to 7th December 2021. The cancer cohort comprises individuals from Public Health England’s national cancer dataset, excluding individuals less than 18 years. A test-negative case-control design was used to assess third dose booster vaccine effectiveness. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to compare risk in the cancer cohort relative to the general population. Results: The cancer cohort comprised of 2,258,553 tests from 361,098 individuals. Third dose boosters were evaluated by reference to 87,039,743 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coronavirus tests. Vaccine effectiveness against breakthrough infections, symptomatic infections, coronavirus hospitalisation and death in cancer patients were 59.1%, 62.8%, 80.5% and 94.5% respectively. Lower vaccine effectiveness was associated with a cancer diagnosis within 12 months, lymphoma, recent systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) or radiotherapy. Lymphoma patients had low levels of protection from symptomatic disease. In spite of third dose boosters, following multivariable adjustment, individuals with cancer remain at increased risk of coronavirus hospitalisation and death compared to the population control (OR 3.38, 3.01 respectively. p<0.001 for both). Conclusions: Third dose boosters are effective for most individuals with cancer, increasing protection from coronavirus. However, their effectiveness is heterogenous, and lower than the general population. Many patients with cancer will remain at increased risk of coronavirus infections, even after 3 doses. In the case of patients with lymphoma, there is a particularly strong disparity of vaccine effectiveness against breakthrough infection and severe disease. Breakthrough infections will disrupt cancer care and treatment with potentially adverse consequences on survival outcomes. The data support the role of vaccine boosters in preventing severe disease, and further pharmacological intervention to prevent transmission and aid viral clearance to limit disruption of cancer care as the delivery of care continues to evolve during the coronavirus pandemic