Contact-Free Inactivation of Candida albicans Biofilms by Cold Atmospheric Air Plasma

ABSTRACTCandida albicansis one of the main species able to form a biofilm on almost any surface, causing both skin and superficial mucosal infections. The worldwide increase in antifungal resistance has led to a decrease in the efficacy of standard therapies, prolonging treatment time and increasing health care costs. Therefore, the aim of this work was to demonstrate the applicability of atmospheric plasma at room temperature for inactivatingC. albicansgrowing in biofilms without thermally damaging heat-sensitive materials. This so-called cold atmospheric plasma is produced by applying high voltage to accelerate electrons, which ionize the surrounding air, leading to the production of charged particles, reactive species, and photons. A newly developed plasma device was used, which exhibits a large plasma-generating surface area of 9 by 13 cm (117 cm2). Different time points were selected to achieve an optimum inactivation efficacy range of ≥3 log10to 5 log10reduction in CFU per milliliter, and the results were compared with those of 70% ethanol. The results obtained show that contact-free antifungal inactivation ofCandidabiofilms by cold atmospheric plasma is a promising tool for disinfection of surfaces (and items) in both health care settings and the food industry, where ethanol disinfection should be avoided.

Download Full-text

Use of Raman Spectroscopy and Phase-Contrast Microscopy To Characterize Cold Atmospheric Plasma Inactivation of Individual Bacterial Spores

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01669-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 82 (19) ◽

pp. 5775-5784 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Shiwei Wang ◽

Christopher J. Doona ◽

Peter Setlow ◽

Yong-qing Li

Keyword(s):

Raman Spectroscopy ◽

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Phase Contrast ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Phase Contrast Microscopy ◽

Content Type ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Promising Tool ◽

Contrast Microscopy ◽

Plastic Bag

ABSTRACTRaman spectroscopy and phase-contrast microscopy were used to examine calcium dipicolinate (CaDPA) levels and rates of nutrient and nonnutrient germination of multiple individualBacillus subtilisspores treated with cold atmospheric plasma (CAP). Major results for this work include the following: (i) >5 logs of spores deposited on glass surfaces were inactivated by CAP treatment for 3 min, while deposited spores placed inside an impermeable plastic bag were inactivated only ∼2 logs in 30 min; (ii) >80% of the spores treated for 1 to 3 min with CAP were nonculturable and retained CaDPA in their core, while >95% of spores treated with CAP for 5 to 10 min lost all CaDPA; (iii) Raman measurements of individual CAP-treated spores without CaDPA showed differences from spores that germinated withl-valine in terms of nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins; and (iv) 1 to 2 min of CAP treatment killed 99% of spores, but these spores still germinated with nutrients or exogenous CaDPA, albeit more slowly and to a lesser extent than untreated spores, while spores CAP treated for >3 min that retained CaDPA did not germinate via nutrients or CaDPA. However, even after 1 to 3 min of CAP treatment, spores germinated normally with dodecylamine. These results suggest that exposure to the present CAP configuration severely damages a spore's inner membrane and key germination proteins, such that the treated spores either lose CaDPA or can neither initiate nor complete germination with nutrients or CaDPA. Analysis of the various CAP components indicated that UV photons contributed minimally to spore inactivation, while charged particles and reactive oxygen species contributed significantly.IMPORTANCEMuch research has shown that cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising tool for the inactivation of spores in the medical and food industries. However, knowledge about the effects of plasma treatment on spore properties is limited, especially at the single-cell level. In this study, Raman spectroscopy and phase-contrast microscopy were used to analyze CaDPA levels and kinetics of nutrient- and non-nutrient-germinant-induced germination of multiple individual spores ofBacillus subtilisthat were treated by a planar CAP device. The roles of different plasma species involved in spore inactivation were also investigated. The knowledge obtained in this study will aid in understanding the mechanism(s) of spore inactivation by CAP and potentially facilitate the development of more effective and efficient plasma sterilization techniques in various applications.

Download Full-text

Low-Dose Cold Atmospheric Plasma Promoting Schwann Cells Proliferation By Activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway

10.21203/rs.3.rs-598902/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bibo Ge ◽

Jie Bao ◽

Jinwu Chen ◽

Xinzhong Xu ◽

Juehua Jing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Schwann Cells ◽

Low Dose ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Mtor Pathway ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Control Group ◽

Dbd Plasma ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Plasma Device

Abstract Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an emerging technology that has attracted the attention of many researchers in many fields and disciplines. In this study, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma device was used to treat Schwann cells (SCs) cultured in vitro, and the effect of CAP on SCs proliferation was evaluated by cell morphology, cell viability, cell cycle and expression of related proteins in SCs. The results showed that the production of intracellular ROS and RNS increased with the increase of CAP treatment time. Compared with the control group, the proliferation of SCs treated with CAP for less than 14 s significantly increased, and and then gradually decreased. Besides, the cell cycle results also showed that more cells were in the S+G2/M phase at this time.The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was activated by low-dose CAP, and the expression of cyclinD1 was consistent with the trend of cell proliferation. In addition, n-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) preconditioning significantly prevented CAP-induced cellular changes. In conclusion, low-dose CAP-induced of SCs proliferation was closely related to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. This study provides a new idea for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

Download Full-text

Development of a portable cold atmospheric plasma device for infected wound management

2017 Medical Technologies National Congress (TIPTEKNO) ◽

10.1109/tiptekno.2017.8238066 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Yusuf Hakan Usta ◽

Utku Kursat Ercan

Keyword(s):

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Wound Management ◽

Infected Wound ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Plasma Device

Download Full-text

Role of Matrix β-1,3 Glucan in Antifungal Resistance of Non-albicans Candida Biofilms

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02378-12 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 1918-1920 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

K. F. Mitchell ◽

H. T. Taff ◽

M. A. Cuevas ◽

E. L. Reinicke ◽

H. Sanchez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Drug Resistance ◽

Candida Albicans ◽

Care Setting ◽

Antifungal Susceptibility ◽

Antifungal Drug ◽

Content Type ◽

The Matrix ◽

Biofilm Matrix

ABSTRACTCandidabiofilm infections pose an increasing threat in the health care setting due to the drug resistance associated with this lifestyle. Several mechanisms underlie the resistance phenomenon. InCandida albicans, one mechanism involves drug impedance by the biofilm matrix linked to β-1,3 glucan. Here, we show this is important for otherCandidaspp. We identified β-1,3 glucan in the matrix, found that the matrix sequesters antifungal drug, and enhanced antifungal susceptibility with matrix β-1,3 glucan hydrolysis.

Download Full-text

Prospective, Comparative Clinical Pilot Study of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Device in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-453127/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Young Jae Kim ◽

Dong Jun Lim ◽

Mi Young Lee ◽

Woo Jin Lee ◽

Sung Eun Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Severity Index ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Treated Group ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Plasma Device

Abstract Introduction: Cold atmospheric plasma generates free radicals through the ionization of air at room temperature. Its effect and safety profile in patients with atopic dermatitis have not been evaluated prospectively.Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect and safety of cold atmospheric plasma in patients with atopic dermatitis with a prospective pilot study.Methods: Cold atmospheric plasma treatment or sham control treatment were applied respectively in randomly assigned and symmetric skin lesions. Three treatment sessions were performed at weeks 0, 1, and 2. Clinical severity indices were assessed at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 4 after treatment. Additionally, the microbial characteristics of the lesions before and after treatments were analyzed.Results: We included 22 patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis presented with symmetric lesions. We found that cold atmospheric plasma can alleviate the clinical severity of atopic dermatitis. Modified atopic dermatitis antecubital severity and eczema area and severity index score were significantly decreased in the treated group. Furthermore, scoring of atopic dermatitis score and pruritic visual analog scales significantly improved. In microbiome analysis revealed significantly reduced proportion of Staphylococcus aureus in the treated group.Conclusion: Cold atmospheric plasma can significantly improve mild and moderate atopic dermatitis without safety issues.

Download Full-text

The Emerging Role of Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Implantology: A Review of the Literature

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10081505 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1505 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wang Lai Hui ◽

Vittoria Perrotti ◽

Flavia Iaculli ◽

Adriano Piattelli ◽

Alessandro Quaranta

Keyword(s):

New Technologies ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Oral Diseases ◽

Air Plasma ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Air Abrasion ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Osteoblast Activity

In recent years, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) technologies have received increasing attention in the field of biomedical applications. The aim of this article is to review the currently available literature to provide an overview of the scientific principles of CAP application, its features, functions, and its applications in systemic and oral diseases, with a specific focus on its potential in implantology. In this narrative review, PubMed, Medline, and Scopus databases were searched using key words like “cold atmospheric plasma”, “argon plasma”, “helium plasma”, “air plasma”, “dental implants”, “implantology”, “peri-implantitis”, “decontamination”. In vitro studies demonstrated CAP’s potential to enhance surface colonization and osteoblast activity and to accelerate mineralization, as well as to determine a clean surface with cell growth comparable to the sterile control on both titanium and zirconia surfaces. The effect of CAP on biofilm removal was revealed in comparative studies to the currently available decontamination modalities (laser, air abrasion, and chlorhexidine). The combination of mechanical treatments and CAP resulted in synergistic antimicrobial effects and surface improvement, indicating that it may play a central role in surface “rejuvenation” and offer a novel approach for the treatment of peri-implantitis. It is noteworthy that the CAP conditioning of implant surfaces leads to an improvement in osseointegration in in vivo animal studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review of the literature providing a summary of the current state of the art of this emerging field in implantology and it could represent a point of reference for basic researchers and clinicians interested in approaching and testing new technologies.

Download Full-text

Parameters Affecting the Antimicrobial Properties of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8111930 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 1930 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Bih-Show Lou ◽

Chih-Ho Lai ◽

Teng-Ping Chu ◽

Jang-Hsing Hsieh ◽

Chun-Ming Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gas Flow ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Plasma Jet ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Gas Flow Rate ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

E Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Efficiency ◽

Ar Gas ◽

Sample Distance

Using the Taguchi method to narrow experimental parameters, the antimicrobial efficiency of a cold atmospheric plasma jet (CAPJ) treatment was investigated. An L9 array with four parameters of CAPJ treatments, including the application voltage, CAPJ-sample distance, argon (Ar) gas flow rate, and CAPJ treatment time, were applied to examine the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). CAPJ treatment time was found to be the most influential parameter in its antimicrobial ability by evaluation of signal to noise ratios and analysis of variance. 100% bactericidal activity was achieved under the optimal bactericidal activity parameters including the application voltage of 8.5 kV, CAPJ-sample distance of 10 mm, Ar gas flow rate of 500 sccm, and CAPJ treatment time of 300 s, which confirms the efficacy of the Taguchi method in this design. In terms of the mechanism of CAPJ’s antimicrobial ability, the intensity of hydroxyl radical produced by CAPJ positively correlated to its antimicrobial efficiency. The CAPJ antimicrobial efficiency was further evaluated by both DNA double-strand breaks analysis and scanning electron microscopy examination of CAPJ treated bacteria. CAPJ destroyed the cell wall of E. coli and further damaged its DNA structure, thus leading to successful killing of bacteria. This study suggests that optimal conditions of CPAJ can provide effective antimicrobial activity and may be grounds for a novel approach for eradicating bacterial infections.

Download Full-text

The Use of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Device in Flap Elevation

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open ◽

10.1097/gox.0000000000002815 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽

Author(s):

Massimo Pinelli ◽

Marta Starnoni ◽

Giorgio De Santis

Keyword(s):

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Plasma Device ◽

Flap Elevation

Download Full-text

(Re)descriptions of medical professional work: exploring accounting as a performative device within an emergency unit health-care context

Journal of Public Budgeting Accounting & Financial Management ◽

10.1108/jpbafm-05-2019-0084 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 159-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cemil Eren Fırtın ◽

Tom S. Karlsson

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Quality ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Medical Professional ◽

Care Quality ◽

Medical Terminology ◽

Professional Work ◽

Content Type ◽

Emergency Health Care ◽

Number Of Patients

PurposeThis article addresses issues of calculation and economization in contemporary public organizations. In particular, it investigates how choices of organizing emergency health-care have been affected by accounting as a performative device. Special attention has been paid to how accounting brings about performative consequences in shaping the medical profession and its context.Design/methodology/approachThe article employs qualitative research methods and draws its analysis on empirical data from in-depth interviews at an emergency health-care unit in Sweden.FindingsIt is demonstrated how accounting, in the form of calculations of treatment time and number of patients, enables performative consequences for medical professional work. It is also demonstrated how the use of accounting engages (re)descriptions of practices and roles, creates accounts of patients, and helps to sustain such (re)descriptions. Accounting terms (such as efficiency and control) have been reframed into medical terminology (such as health-care quality and security), ensuring and retaining (re)described medical professional work in terms of practices and emerging roles.Originality/valueThis article contributes to (1) the literature on accounting practices within health-care contexts by demonstrating a case where the accounting ideas and practices of medical professionals are coexistent and interwoven and (2) the increasing body of literature focusing on accountingization by showing how emerging calculative technologies carry performative power over medical professional work through formative (re)descriptions.

Download Full-text