@article{roberts_thomas_salmon_cubeta_stapelmann_gilger_2024, title={Cold atmospheric plasma inactivates<i> Aspergillus</i><i> flavus</i> and Fusarium keratoplasticum biofilms and conidia in vitro}, volume={73}, ISSN={["1473-5644"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001858}, DOI={10.1099/jmm.0.001858}, abstractNote={Introduction. Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium keratoplasticum are common causative pathogens of fungal keratitis (FK), a severe corneal disease associated with significant morbidity and vision loss. Escalating incidence of antifungal resistance to available antifungal drugs poses a major challenge to FK treatment. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a pioneering nonpharmacologic antimicrobial intervention that has demonstrated potential as a broad-spectrum antifungal treatment. Gap statement. Previous research highlights biofilm-associated resistance as a critical barrier to effective FK treatment. Although CAP has shown promise against various fungal infections, its efficacy against biofilm and conidial forms of FK pathogens remains inadequately explored. Aim. This study aims to investigate the antifungal efficacy of CAP against clinical fungal keratitis isolates of A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum in vitro . Methodology. Power parameters (22–27 kV pp , 300–400 Hz and 20–80 mA) of a dielectric barrier discharge CAP device were optimized for inactivation of A. flavus biofilms. Optimal applied voltage and total current were applied to F. keratoplasticum biofilms and conidial suspensions of A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum . The antifungal effect of CAP treatment was investigated by evaluating fungal viability through means of metabolic activity, c.f.u. enumeration (c.f.u. ml −1 ) and biofilm formation. Results. For both fungal species, CAP exhibited strong time-dependent inactivation, achieving greater than 80 % reduction in metabolic activity and c.f.u. ml −1 within 300 s or less, and complete inhibition after 600 s of treatment. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that CAP is a promising broad-spectrum antifungal intervention. CAP treatment effectively reduces fungal viability in both biofilm and conidial suspension cultures of A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum , suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment strategy for fungal keratitis.}, number={7}, journal={JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY}, author={Roberts, Darby and Thomas, Jonathan and Salmon, Jacklyn and Cubeta, Marc A. and Stapelmann, Katharina and Gilger, Brian C.}, year={2024} }
 @misc{thomas_stapelmann_2024, title={Plasma Control: A Review of Developments and Applications of Plasma Medicine Control Mechanisms}, volume={7}, ISSN={["2571-6182"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma7020022}, DOI={10.3390/plasma7020022}, abstractNote={Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) within recent years have shown great promise in the field of plasma medicine, encompassing a variety of treatments from wound healing to the treatment of cancerous tumors. For each subsequent treatment, a different application of CAPs has been postulated and attempted to best treat the target for the most effective results. These treatments have varied through the implementation of control parameters such as applied settings, electrode geometries, gas flow, and the duration of the treatment. However, with such an extensive number of variables to consider, scientists and engineers have sought a means to accurately control CAPs for the best-desired effects in medical applications. This paper seeks to investigate and characterize the historical precedent for the use of plasma control mechanisms within the field of plasma medicine. Current control strategies, plasma parameters, and control schemes will be extrapolated through recent developments and successes to gain better insight into the future of the field and the challenges that are still present in the overall implementation of such devices. Proposed approaches, such as data-driven machine learning, and the use of closed-loop feedback controls, will be showcased as the next steps toward application.}, number={2}, journal={PLASMA}, author={Thomas, Jonathan E. and Stapelmann, Katharina}, year={2024}, month={Jun}, pages={386–426} }