Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation of fungal biofilm using amino functionalized mesoporus silica-rose bengal nanoconjugate against Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes both superficial and systemic infection and an important candidate that contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates in immunocompromised patients. The ability of C. albicans to switch from yeast to filamentous form and thereby forming biofilms make them resistant to most of the antifungal drugs available today. Thus the development of more effective antifungal drugs are essential and crucial at this point of time. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is an alternative modality to treat such biofilm forming resistant strains. This study aims to investigate the enhanced efficiency of newly synthesized MSN-RB conjugate as an antimicrobial photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against C. albicans. Functionalization of MSN with amino groups was performed to increase the dye loading capacity. Conjugation process of MSN-RB was confirmed using different techniques including UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fluorescent spectroscopy and FTIR analysis. A low power green laser 50 mW irradiation was applied (5 min) for activation of MSN-RB conjugate and RB against C. albicans biofilm and planktonic cell. The comparative study of MSN-RB conjugate and free RB on aPDT was evaluated using standard experimental procedures. Antibiofilm efficacy was determined using biofilm inhibition assay, cell viability, EPS quantification and CLSM studies. The results revealed that MSN-RB conjugate has a significant antimicrobial activity (88.62 ± 3.4%) and antibiofilm effect on C. albicans when compared to free dye after light irradiation. The MSN-RB conjugate based aPDT can be employed effectively in treatment of C. albicans infections. Keywords: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, Mesoporus silica nanoparticles, Amino functionalization, Conjugation, Lipid peroxidation, Anti-biofilm activit

Functional Probes for Cardiovascular Molecular Imaging

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a severely threatening disorder and frequently cause death in industrialized countries, posing critical challenges to modern research and medicine. Molecular imaging has been heralded as the solution to many problems encountered in individuals living with CVD. The use of probes in cardiovascular molecular imaging is causing a paradigmatic shift from regular imaging techniques, to future advanced imaging technologies, which will facilitate the acquisition of vital information at the cellular and molecular level. Advanced imaging for CVDs will help early detection of disease development, allow early therapeutic intervention, and facilitate better understanding of fundamental biological processes. To promote a better understanding of cardiovascular molecular imaging, this article summarizes the current developments in the use of molecular probes, highlighting some of the recent advances in probe design, preparation, and functional modification

Core outcome set for research studies evaluating treatments for twin–twin transfusion syndrome

Objective To develop, using a Delphi procedure and a nominal group technique, a core outcome set (COS) for studies evaluating treatments for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), which should assist in standardizing outcome selection, collection and reporting in future research studies. Methods An international steering group comprising healthcare professionals, researchers and patients with experience of TTTS guided the development of this COS. Potential core outcomes, identified through a comprehensive literature review and supplemented by outcomes suggested by the steering group, were entered into a three‐round Delphi survey. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients or relatives of patients who had experienced TTTS were invited to participate. Consensus was defined a priori using the 15%/70% definition of the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative. The modified nominal group technique was used to evaluate the consensus outcomes in a face‐to‐face consultation meeting and identify the final COS. Results One hundred and three participants, from 29 countries, participated in the three‐round Delphi survey. Of those, 88 completed all three rounds. Twenty‐two consensus outcomes were identified through the Delphi procedure and entered into the modified nominal group technique. The consensus meeting was attended by 11 healthcare professionals, two researchers and three patients; 12 core outcomes were prioritized for inclusion in the COS. Fetal core outcomes included live birth, pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth, termination of pregnancy and neonatal mortality), subsequent death of a cotwin following single‐twin demise at the time of treatment, recurrence of TTTS, twin anemia–polycythemia syndrome and amniotic band syndrome. Neonatal core outcomes included gestational age at delivery, birth weight, brain injury syndromes and ischemic limb injury. Maternal core outcomes included maternal mortality and admission to Level‐2 or ‐3 care setting. One aspirational outcome, neurodevelopment at 18–24 months of age, was also prioritized. Conclusions Implementing the COS for TTTS within future research studies could make a substantial contribution to advancing the usefulness of research in TTTS. Standardized definitions and measurement instruments are now required for individual core outcomes

Adding Zn2+ induces DNA fragmentation and cell condensation in cultured human Chang liver cells

Biological Trace Element Research581-2135-147BTER