Browsing by Author "Sceglovs, Artemijs"

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    Failure or future? Exploring alternative antibacterials : a comparative analysis of antibiotics and naturally derived biopolymers
    (2025-02-03) Sceglovs, Artemijs; Skadiņš, Ingus; Chitto, Marco; Kroiča, Juta; Salma-Ancane, Kristīne; Department of Biology and Microbiology
    The global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is escalating due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, the slow development of new therapies, and the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Traditional antibiotic treatments face limitations, including the development of resistance, disruption of the microbiota, adverse side effects, and environmental impact, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative alternative antibacterial strategies. This review critically examines naturally derived biopolymers with intrinsic (essential feature) antibacterial properties as a sustainable, next-generation alternative to traditional antibiotics. These biopolymers may address bacterial resistance uniquely by disrupting bacterial membranes rather than cellular functions, potentially reducing microbiota interference. Through a comparative analysis of the mechanisms and applications of antibiotics and antibacterial naturally derived biopolymers, this review highlights the potential of such biopolymers to address AMR while supporting human and environmental health.
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    Injectable mineralized Sr-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles-loaded ɛ-polylysine-hyaluronic acid composite hydrogels for bone regeneration
    (2024-11) Rubina, A.; Sceglovs, Artemijs; Ramata-Stunda, Anna; Pugajeva, Iveta; Skadiņš, Ingus; Boyd, A. R.; Tumilovica, A.; Stīpniece, Līga; Salma-Ancane, K.; Department of Biology and Microbiology
    In this study, multifunctional injectable mineralized antibacterial nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by a homogenous distribution of high content of (up to 60 wt%) Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HAp) nanoparticles into covalently cross-linked ɛ-polylysine (ɛ-PL) and hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel network. The developed bone-targeted nanocomposite hydrogels were to synergistically combine the functional properties of bioactive Sr-HAp nanoparticles and antibacterial ɛ-PL-HA hydrogels for bone tissue regeneration. Viscoelasticity, injectability, structural parameters, degradation, antibacterial activity, and in vitro biocompatibility of the fabricated nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized. Physical performances of the ɛ-PL-HA hydrogels can be tailored by altering the mass ratio of Sr-HAp. The nanocomposite hydrogels revealed good stability against enzymatic degradation, which increased from 5 to 19 weeks with increasing the mass ratio of Sr-HAp from 40 % to 60 %. The loading of the Sr-HAp at relatively high mass ratios did not suppress the fast-acting and long-term antibacterial activity of the ɛ-PL-HA hydrogels against S. aureus and E. coli. The cell studies confirmed the cytocompatibility and pre-collagen I synthesis-promoting activity of the fabricated nanocomposite hydrogels.