1. Boosting copper biocidal activity by silver decoration and few-layer graphene in coatings on textile fibersDanaja Štular, Nigel Willy Van de Velde, Ana Drinčić, Polona Kogovšek, Arijana Filipić, Katja Fric, Barbara Simončič, Brigita Tomšič, Raghuraj S. Chouhan, Sivasambu Bohm, Suresh Kr. Verma, P.K. Panda, Ivan Jerman, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The outbreak of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing antiviral surface coatings that are capable of repelling pathogens and neutralizing them through self-sanitizing properties. In this study, a novel coating design based on few-layer graphene (FLG) is proposed and silver-decorated micro copper flakes (CuMF) that exhibit both antibacterial and antiviral properties. The role of sacrificial anode surfaces and intrinsic graphene defects in enhancing the release of metal ions from CuMF embedded in water-based binders is investigated. In silico analysis is conducted to better understand the molecular interactions of pathogen-repelling species with bacterial or bacteriophage proteins. The results show that the optimal amount of CuMF/FLG in the coating leads to a significant reduction in bacterial growth, with reductions of 3.17 and 9.81 log for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The same coating also showed high antiviral efficacy, reducing bacteriophage phi6 by 5.53 log. The antiviral efficiency of the coating is find to be doubled compared to either micro copper flakes or few-layer graphene alone. This novel coating design is versatile and can be applied to various substrates, such as personal protective clothing and face masks, to provide biocidal activity against both bacterial and viral pathogens.
Keywords: antibacterial, antiviral, copper micro flakes, few-layer graphene, pathogen-repelling coating
Published in DiRROS: 16.12.2025; Views: 307; Downloads: 228
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2. Prophylactic treatment of hepatitis C virus infection after kidney transplantation with the combination of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir in a highly sensitized hepatitis c virus-negative recipient : a case report and review of the literatureTanja Belčič Mikič, Igor Sterle, Mojca Matičič, Miha Arnol, 2025, other scientific articles Abstract: Background: Since the discovery of successful direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment, kidneys from hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-positive donors represent a new opportunity to expand the organ donor pool for HCV-negative recipients. Case presentation: In this paper, we describe a unique case of transplantation of an HCV genotype 3a-infected kidney into an HCV-negative recipient who was highly sensitized, with a virtual panel-reactive antibody level of 99.96%. Prior to the kidney transplantation, the recipient received DAA treatment with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir as a viable prophylactic strategy. Post-transplant, the recipient received a triple-combination DAA regimen with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir/sofosbuvir, which continued for 12 weeks. Subsequently, viral load was undetectable at 12 and 24 weeks after treatment, with no significant adverse events associated with DAA therapy. A 12-month post-transplantation biopsy revealed mixed rejection requiring treatment. The 19-month follow-up showed a favorable outcome regarding the function of the kidney allograft and the recipient’s quality of life. HCV-positive transplantation allowed our recipient to receive a kidney from an immunologically compatible donor without donor-specific antibodies and the need for desensitization strategies. Conclusions: Each transplant center should decide on the selection of candidates for kidney transplantation from HCV RNA-positive donors to HCV-negative recipients, the availability and choice of DAA treatment, and post-transplant follow-up. Our case emphasizes the need for early DAA treatment based on viral load and HCV genotyping, as well as for careful post-transplant surveillance including protocol biopsies.
Keywords: kidney transplantation, HCV RNA, direct-acting antiviral (DAA), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sensitization, case report
Published in DiRROS: 12.11.2025; Views: 415; Downloads: 246
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3. Antiviral respiratory masks with plasma-functionalized polypropylene textiles for optimal adsorption of antiviral substanceMark Zver, David Dobnik, Rok Zaplotnik, Miran Mozetič, Alenka Vesel, Arijana Filipić, Polona Kogovšek, Katja Fric, Alja Štern, Gregor Primc, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks were the first line of defense against the spread of infection. However, infectious viruses may remain on medical textiles, potentially serving as an additional source of infection. Due to their chemical inertness, many textiles cannot be enhanced with antiviral functionalities. Through treatment with low-pressure gaseous plasma, we have activated the surface of a medical-grade melt-blown, non-woven polypropylene textile so that it can absorb sodium dodecyl sulfate, an antimicrobial surfactant. Within two hours of contact time, the functionalized textile has been able to inactivate over 7 log10 PFU mL−1 of bacteriophage phi6, a surrogate of enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, and it has retained its antiviral properties for over 100 days. The functionalized material has not disrupted facial mask filtration efficiency or breathability. In addition, the in vitro biocompatibility testing in accordance with ISO 10993-5 for testing of medical devices has demonstrated that the selected formulation causes no adverse effects on the mouse fibroblast cell line L-929. With the treatment processes that have been completed within seconds, the method seems to have great potential to produce antiviral textiles against future outbreaks.
Keywords: surgical face masks, plasma functionalization, antiviral materials, virus filtration, breathability
Published in DiRROS: 07.10.2024; Views: 1287; Downloads: 901
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4. Identification of triazolopyrimidinyl scaffold SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) inhibitorSebastjan Kralj, Marko Jukič, Miha Bahun, Luka Kranjc, Anja Kolarič, Milan Hodošček, Nataša Poklar Ulrih, Urban Bren, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The global impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its companion disease, COVID-19, has reminded us of the importance of basic coronaviral research. In this study, a comprehensive approach using molecular docking, in vitro assays, and molecular dynamics simulations was applied to identify potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro), a key and underexplored viral enzyme target. A focused protease inhibitor library was initially created and molecular docking was performed using CmDock software (v0.2.0), resulting in the selection of hit compounds for in vitro testing on the isolated enzyme. Among them, compound 372 exhibited promising inhibitory properties against PLpro, with an IC50 value of 82 ± 34 μM. The compound also displayed a new triazolopyrimidinyl scaffold not yet represented within protease inhibitors. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the favorable binding properties of compound 372. Structural analysis highlighted its key interactions with PLpro, and we stress its potential for further optimization. Moreover, besides compound 372 as a candidate for PLpro inhibitor development, this study elaborates on the PLpro binding site dynamics and provides a valuable contribution for further efforts in pan-coronaviral PLpro inhibitor development.
Keywords: drug design, protease inhibitor, SARS-CoV-2, papain-like protease, PLpro, antiviral design, in silico drug design, CADD, virtual screening, HTVS, structure-based design
Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2024; Views: 1144; Downloads: 1019
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