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Enzyme and Microbial Technology Jun 2024Lignin is an aromatic macromolecule and one of the main constituents of lignocellulosic materials. Kraft lignin is generated as a residual by-product of the...
Lignin is an aromatic macromolecule and one of the main constituents of lignocellulosic materials. Kraft lignin is generated as a residual by-product of the lignocellulosic biomass industrial process, and it might be used as a feedstock to generate low molecular weight aromatic compounds. In this study, we seek to understand and explore the potential of ruminal bacteria in the degradation of kraft lignin. We established two consortia, KLY and KL, which demonstrated significant lignin-degrading capabilities. Both consortia reached maximum growth after two days, with KLY showing a higher growth and decolorization rate. Additionally, SEM analysis revealed morphological changes in the residual lignin from both consortia, indicating significant degradation. This was further supported by FTIR spectra, which showed new bands corresponding to the C-H vibrations of guaiacyl and syringyl units, suggesting structural transformations of the lignin. Taxonomic analysis showed enrichment of the microbial community with members of the Dickeya genus. Seven metabolic pathways related to lignin metabolism were predicted for the established consortia. Both consortia were capable of consuming aromatic compounds such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringaldehyde, acetovanillone, and syringic acid, highlighting their capacity to convert aromatic compounds into commercially valuable molecules presenting antifungal activity and used as food preservatives as 4-hydroxyphenylacetic, 3-phenylacetic, and phenylacetic acids. Therefore, the microbial consortia shown in the present work are models for understanding the process of lignin degradation and consumption in bacterial anaerobic communities and developing biological processes to add value to industrial processes based on lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock.
PubMed: 38850683
DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2024.110468 -
Archives of Microbiology Jun 2024Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen commonly implicated in medical device-related infections. Its propensity to form biofilms not only leads to...
Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen commonly implicated in medical device-related infections. Its propensity to form biofilms not only leads to chronic infections but also exacerbates the issue of antibiotic resistance, necessitating high-dose antimicrobial treatments. In this study, we explored the use of diclofenac sodium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, as an anti-biofilm agent against S. epidermidis. In this study, crystal violet staining and confocal laser scanning microscope analysis showed that diclofenac sodium, at subinhibitory concentration (0.4 mM), significantly inhibited biofilm formation in both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis isolates. MTT assays demonstrated that 0.4 mM diclofenac sodium reduced the metabolic activity of biofilms by 25.21-49.01% compared to untreated controls. Additionally, the treatment of diclofenac sodium resulted in a significant decrease (56.01-65.67%) in initial bacterial adhesion, a crucial early phase of biofilm development. Notably, diclofenac sodium decreased the production of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), a key component of the S. epidermidis biofilm matrix, in a dose-dependent manner. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that diclofenac sodium treatment downregulated biofilm-associated genes icaA, fnbA, and sigB and upregulated negative regulatory genes icaR and luxS, providing potential mechanistic insights. These findings indicate that diclofenac sodium inhibits S. epidermidis biofilm formation by affecting initial bacterial adhesion and the PIA synthesis. This underscores the potential of diclofenac sodium as a supplementary antimicrobial agent in combating staphylococcal biofilm-associated infections.
Topics: Biofilms; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Diclofenac; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Bacterial Adhesion; Humans; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Bacterial Proteins; Staphylococcal Infections; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
PubMed: 38847838
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04020-5 -
JAMA Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Methylphenidate
PubMed: 38842818
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.8928 -
JAMA Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Methylphenidate; Child; Adolescent
PubMed: 38842814
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.8925 -
JAMA Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Methylphenidate; Child; Adolescent
PubMed: 38842802
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.8922 -
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Jun 2024Methylphenidate (MPH) is a common treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concern has been raised regarding its cardiovascular safety, partly in...
INTRODUCTION
Methylphenidate (MPH) is a common treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concern has been raised regarding its cardiovascular safety, partly in relation with its micromolar affinity for the 5-HT receptor, whose activation may result in valvular heart disease (VHD).
METHODS
To explore the association between the use of MPH and VHD reporting, we performed a disproportionality analysis within the WHO global safety database (VigiBase) using data, since inception until March 6th 2024, from: (i) the full database and (ii) different age groups (children/adolescents 6-17 years; adults 18-64 years). To avoid competition bias, safety reports with amphetamine-like appetite suppressants were excluded. Disproportionality was expressed using reporting odds-ratio (ROR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
Of 29 129 spontaneous reports with MPH, 23 VHD cases (7.9 per 10 000 reports) were identified, including 13 adults and 10 children. Most cases concerned injury on the mitral valve. A disproportionate reporting was observed overall (ROR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4). Analysis according to age group found that disproportionality in VHD reporting was found in adults only (ROR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.7) but not in children/adolescents (ROR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9-3.2). Furthermore, amongst MPH users only, VHD reporting was higher in adults compared to children (ROR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.3).
CONCLUSION
VHD reporting appears rare with MPH compared to other adverse events and is increased in adults only. Our findings support a potential safety signal of VHD in adults exposed to MPH. A risk in that population cannot be excluded and requires further assessment.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Child; Pharmacovigilance; Heart Valve Diseases; Adult; Young Adult; Methylphenidate; Male; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Middle Aged; Female; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Databases, Factual; Age Factors
PubMed: 38837561
DOI: 10.1002/pds.5814 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024A novel therapeutic approach combining acupuncture and diclofenac sodium (DS) administration was established for the potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)....
A novel therapeutic approach combining acupuncture and diclofenac sodium (DS) administration was established for the potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DS is a commonly used anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug but has short duration and adverse effects. Acupoints are critical linkages in the meridian system and are potential candidates for drug delivery. Herein, we fabricated a DS-loaded multilayer-modified acupuncture needle (DS-MMAN) and investigated its capacity for inhibiting RA. This DS-MMAN possesses sustained release properties and anti-inflammatory effects. Experimental results showed that the DS-MMAN with microdoses can enhance analgesia and efficiently relieve joint swelling compared to the oral or intra-articular administration of DS with gram-level doses. Moreover, the combination of acupoint and DS exerts a synergistic improvement in inflammation and joint damage. Cytokine and T cell analyses in the serum indicated that the application of DS-MMAN suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory factors and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory factors. Furthermore, the acupoint administration via DS-MMAN could decrease the accumulation of DS in the liver and kidneys, which may express better therapeutic efficiency and low toxicity. The present study demonstrated that the acupuncture needle has the potential to build a bridge between acupuncture and medication, which would be a promising alternative to the combination of traditional and modern medicine.
Topics: Diclofenac; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Needles; Animals; Acupuncture Therapy; Mice; Male; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Rats
PubMed: 38829728
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04815 -
Marine Life Science & Technology May 2024Mutualistic interactions between marine phototrophs and associated bacteria are an important strategy for their successful survival in the ocean, but little is known...
UNLABELLED
Mutualistic interactions between marine phototrophs and associated bacteria are an important strategy for their successful survival in the ocean, but little is known about their metabolic relationships. Here, bacterial communities in the algal sphere (AS) and bulk solution (BS) of nine marine red algal cultures were analyzed, and and were identified significantly more abundantly in AS than in BS. The metabolic features of RMAR6-6 (isolated and genome-sequenced), MAG 12 (obtained by metagenomic sequencing), and a marine red alga, CCMP1328 (from GenBank), were analyzed bioinformatically. RMAR6-6 has the genetic capability to fix nitrogen and produce B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, and B12), bacterioferritin, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and phenylacetate that may enhance algal growth, whereas MAG 12 may have a limited metabolic capability, not producing vitamins B9 and B12, DMSP, phenylacetate, and siderophores, but with the ability to produce bacitracin, possibly modulating algal microbiome. . CCMP1328 lacks the genetic capability to fix nitrogen and produce vitamin B12, DMSP, phenylacetate, and siderophore. It was shown that the nitrogen-fixing ability of RMAR6-6 promoted the growth of . , and DMSP reduced the oxidative stress of . . The metabolic interactions between strain RMAR6-6 and . CCMP1328 were also investigated by the transcriptomic analyses of their monoculture and co-culture. Taken together, potential metabolic relationships between and . were proposed. This study provides a better understanding of the metabolic relationships between marine algae and algae-associated bacteria for successful growth.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-024-00227-z.
PubMed: 38827136
DOI: 10.1007/s42995-024-00227-z -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Neuropathic pain is chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain, with a high incidence and complex pathogenesis, is...
Neuropathic pain is chronic pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain, with a high incidence and complex pathogenesis, is one of the most significant areas of clinical medicine and basic research. Currently, prescribed treatments are still unsatisfactory or have limited effectiveness. A medicinal preparation is required that relieves the neuropathic pain and prolongs action time, which has not yet been discovered. In this study, MIL-101 (Fe) was employed as a drug carrier to regulate the release of diclofenac sodium, thereby achieving the effect of analgesia and sustained release. The release curves demonstrated that diclofenac sodium could be continuously released from MIL-101 (Fe) for more than 48 h. There was no toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and the safety of MIL-101 (Fe) was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin as well as ELISA tests in vivo. The results of behavioral testing, pharmacokinetics, and RNA sequencing analysis showed that MIL-101 (Fe) loaded with diclofenac sodium could enhance the mechanical withdrawal threshold and alleviate cold allodynia induced by Spared Nerve Injury, prolonging the work time by three days. The results indicated that MIL-101 (Fe) exhibited excellent biocompatibility, while the MIL-101 (Fe)-DS demonstrated analgesic and controlled-release properties. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the clinical management of neuropathic pain and the development of a novel formulation.
Topics: Animals; Diclofenac; Neuralgia; Male; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spinal Cord; Transcriptome; Nanomedicine; Rats; Drug Carriers; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Drug Liberation; Delayed-Action Preparations; Disease Models, Animal; Hyperalgesia
PubMed: 38821436
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124276 -
Growth Hormone & IGF Research :... Jun 2024To assess the growth hormone (GH) and Dopamine (DA) response to exercise in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with and without...
PURPOSE
To assess the growth hormone (GH) and Dopamine (DA) response to exercise in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with and without methylphenidate (MP). We hypothesized that the GH and DA response to the exercise with MP would be siginicantly lower.
METHODS
Twenty children participated in the study (12 males and 8 females, age range 9-13 years). Ten with ADHD and 10 controls. Participants with ADHD performed an exercise test twice, with and without MP while controls performed one exercise test. Blood samples for GH and DA were collected before, at peak, 30 and 60 min after the end of exercise.
RESULTS
Compared to controls, children with ADHD with and without MP, had a significantly lower GH (P < .002) and DA (P < .01) responses to exercise. In participants with ADHD, a significantly greater GH response (p < .04) to exercise was found when MP administered to the children before exercise, yet this response was still significantly lower than controls.
CONCLUSIONS
GH and DA excretion after an exercise challenge in children with ADHD is impaired. MP slightly attenuates the GH blunted response. This may link ADHD with growth impairment in some children and explain previous findings indicating that the final adult height is usually not compromised in children with ADHD treated with MP. The combined exercise and stimulant treatment therapeutic effects needs to be further explored.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT00945971.
Topics: Humans; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Methylphenidate; Female; Male; Adolescent; Exercise; Dopamine; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Human Growth Hormone; Case-Control Studies; Exercise Test
PubMed: 38820857
DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2024.101596