-
International Journal of Biological... May 2024Hereunder, we pioneered the synthesis of Copper Oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) utilizing Tragacanth gum (TG). The NPs were characterized using advanced techniques and...
Hereunder, we pioneered the synthesis of Copper Oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) utilizing Tragacanth gum (TG). The NPs were characterized using advanced techniques and assessed for different pharmaceutical and environmental perspectives. The successful formation of a colloidal NPs solution was confirmed by the appearance of a distinct black color and a distinct peak at 260 nm in UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The FTIR analysis unveiled a spectrum of functional groups responsible for the reduction and stabilization of CuO NPs. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed size of NPs as 36.24 nm and 28 ± 04 nm respectively. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Analysis indicated weight percentages of 70.38 % for Cu and 18.88 % for O, with corresponding atomic percentages. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the orthorhombic crystal structure of the prepared CuO NPs. Antimicrobial assessments through disc-diffusion assays demonstrated significant zones of inhibition (ZOI) against gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus Halodurans and Micrococcus leutus) and a gram-negative bacterial strain (E. coli). Against the fungal strain Aspergillus niger, a ZOI of 18.5 ± 0.31 mm was observed. The NPs exhibited remarkable antioxidant potential determined through 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and HO scavenging assays. At a concentration of 3 mg/mL, the NPs demonstrated biofilm inhibition rates of 96 %, 90 %, 89.60 %, and 72.10 % against Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus halodurans, MRSA and E.coli respectively. Furthermore, the CuO NPs showed a high photocatalytic potential towards the degradation of safranin dye under sunlight irradiation. In conclusion, the findings underline the promising multifunctional properties of TG-based CuO NPs for different practical applications.
Topics: Copper; Tragacanth; Biofilms; Catalysis; Metal Nanoparticles; Anti-Infective Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aspergillus niger; Photochemical Processes
PubMed: 38631575
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131600 -
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy May 2024The aim of the present study was to develop and optimize a wound dressing film loaded with chloramphenicol (CAM) and ibuprofen (IBU) using a Quality by Design (QbD)...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to develop and optimize a wound dressing film loaded with chloramphenicol (CAM) and ibuprofen (IBU) using a Quality by Design (QbD) approach.
SIGNIFICANCE
The two drugs have been combined in the same dressing as they address two critical aspects of the wound healing process, namely prevention of bacterial infection and reduction of inflammation and pain related to injury.
METHODS
Three critical formulation variables were identified, namely the ratios of Kollicoat SR 30D, polyethylene glycol 400 and polyvinyl alcohol. These variables were further considered as factors of an experimental design, and 17 formulations loaded with CAM and IBU were prepared solvent casting. The films were characterized in terms of dimensions, mechanical properties and bioadhesion. Additionally, the optimal formulation was characterized regarding tensile properties, swelling behavior, water vapor transmission rate, surface morphology, thermal behavior, goniometry, drug release, cell viability, and antibacterial activity.
RESULTS
The film was optimized by setting minimal values for the folding endurance, adhesive force and hardness. The optimally formulated film showed good fluid handling properties in terms of swelling behavior and water vapor transmission rate. IBU and CAM were released from the film up to 80.9% and 82.5% for 8 h. The film was nontoxic, and the antibacterial activity was prominent against . and
CONCLUSIONS
The QbD approach was successfully implemented to develop and optimize a novel film dressing promising for the treatment of low-exuding acute wounds prone to infection and inflammation.
Topics: Ibuprofen; Wound Healing; Chloramphenicol; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bandages; Drug Liberation; Humans; Polyvinyl Alcohol; Polyethylene Glycols; Animals; Cell Survival; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
PubMed: 38622817
DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2024.2339306 -
The Journal of Hospital Infection Jun 2024Despite their role being historically overlooked, environmental surfaces have been shown to play a key role in the transmission of pathogens causative of...
BACKGROUND
Despite their role being historically overlooked, environmental surfaces have been shown to play a key role in the transmission of pathogens causative of healthcare-associated infection. To guide infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions and inform clinical risk assessments, more needs to be known about microbial surface bioburdens.
AIM
To identify the trends in culturable bacterial contamination across communal touch sites over time in a hospital setting.
METHODS
Swab samples were collected over nine weeks from 22 communal touch sites in a paediatric bone marrow transplant unit. Samples were cultured on Columbia blood agar and aerobic colony counts (ACC) per 100 cm were established for each site. Individual colony morphologies were grouped and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry or 16s rDNA sequencing.
FINDINGS
Highest mean counts were observed for sites associated with ward management activity and computer devices (3.29 and 2.97 ACC/100 cm respectively). A nurses' station keyboard had high mean ACC/100 cm counts (10.67) and diversity, while laundry controls had high mean ACC/100 cm counts (4.70) and low diversity. Micrococcus luteus was identified in all sampling groups. Clinical staff usage sites were contaminated with similar proportions of skin and environmental flora (52.19-46.59% respectively), but sites associated with parental activities were predominantly contaminated by environmental microflora (86.53%).
CONCLUSION
The trends observed suggest patterns in microbial loading based on site activities, surface types and user groups. Improved understanding of environmental surface contamination could help support results interpretation and IPC interventions, improving patient safety.
Topics: Humans; Environmental Microbiology; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Bacteria; Colony Count, Microbial; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Child; DNA, Ribosomal
PubMed: 38621514
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.03.015 -
Microbiological Research Jul 2024Climate change intensifies soil salinization and jeopardizes the development of crops worldwide. The accumulation of salts in plant tissue activates the defense system...
Climate change intensifies soil salinization and jeopardizes the development of crops worldwide. The accumulation of salts in plant tissue activates the defense system and triggers ethylene production thus restricting cell division. We hypothesize that the inoculation of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) producing ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase favors the development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), promoting the growth of maize plants under saline stress. We investigated the efficacy of individual inoculation of PGPB, which produce ACC deaminase, as well as the co-inoculation of PGPB with Rhizophagus clarus on maize plant growth subjected to saline stress. The isolates were acquired from the bulk and rhizospheric soil of Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze in a temporary pond located in Pernambuco State, Brazil. In the first greenhouse experiment, 10 halophilic PGPB were inoculated into maize at 0, 40 and 80 mM of NaCl, and in the second experiment, the PGPB that showed the best performance were co-inoculated with R. clarus in maize under the same conditions as in the first experiment. Individual PGPB inoculation benefited the number of leaves, stem diameter, root and shoot dry mass, and the photosynthetic pigments. Inoculation with PGPB 28-10 Pseudarthrobacter enclensis, 24-1 P. enclensis and 52 P. chlorophenolicus increased the chlorophyll a content by 138%, 171%, and 324% at 0, 40 and 80 mM NaCl, respectively, comparing to the non-inoculated control. We also highlight that the inoculation of PGPB 28-10, 28-7 Arthrobacter sp. and 52 increased the content of chlorophyll b by 72%, 98%, and 280% and carotenoids by 82%, 98%, and 290% at 0, 40 and 80 mM of NaCl, respectively. Co-inoculation with PGPB 28-7, 46-1 Leclercia tamurae, 70 Artrobacter sp., and 79-1 Micrococcus endophyticus significantly increased the rate of mycorrhizal colonization by roughly 50%. Furthermore, co-inoculation promoted a decrease in the accumulation of Na and K extracted from plant tissue, with an increase in salt concentration, from 40 mM to 80 mM, also favoring the establishment and development of R. clarus. In addition, co-inoculation of these PGPB with R. clarus promoted maize growth and increased plant biomass through osmoregulation and protection of the photosynthetic apparatus. The tripartite symbiosis (plant-fungus-bacterium) is likely to reprogram metabolic pathways that improve maize growth and crop yield, suggesting that the AMF-PGPB consortium can minimize damages caused by saline stress.
Topics: Zea mays; Mycorrhizae; Carbon-Carbon Lyases; Soil Microbiology; Plant Roots; Bacteria; Salt Stress; Chlorophyll; Glomeromycota; Salt Tolerance; Photosynthesis; Rhizosphere; Sodium Chloride; Plant Leaves; Soil
PubMed: 38599021
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127708 -
Regenerative Therapy Dec 2024Quality and safety of a cell product, essential to guarantee the health of patients, depends on many factors including an appropriate environmental monitoring of the...
INTRODUCTION
Quality and safety of a cell product, essential to guarantee the health of patients, depends on many factors including an appropriate environmental monitoring of the manufacturing rooms. Nonetheless, the maintenance of a controlled environment is requested to minimize the risk of contamination. Thus, a timely detection of changes in microbiological trends is important to adopt promptly effective measures against resistant strains that, in turn, may invalidate not only the sanitization procedures but also the safety of the cell product.
METHODS
We analyzed microbes found in our cell processing clean room over the last 5 years. We used 10.147 plates for air sampler, passive air monitoring and for checking instruments and operators of the production unit.
RESULTS
From these plates, 747 colonies were subjected to identification by the MALDI-TOF Vitek® MS system and the large majority of them was gram positive (97.8%) as witnessed by the finding that the most represented harvested from the classified areas were (65%), (13%), (8%) and (5%). We never detected fungi. Most microbes found in the operators (both from class A and B) were collected from forearms and resulted of the
CONCLUSIONS
The observed microbial contamination is to be attributed to the personnel and no substantial microbial pitfalls in our Cell Factory has been detected.
PubMed: 38586872
DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.03.028 -
Food Chemistry Aug 2024The unique high isoelectric point of lysozyme (LYZ) restricts its application in composite antibacterial coating due to the unfavorable liability to electrostatic...
The unique high isoelectric point of lysozyme (LYZ) restricts its application in composite antibacterial coating due to the unfavorable liability to electrostatic interaction with other components. In this work, the antibacterial activity of a dispersible LYZ-carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) polyelectrolyte complex was evaluated. Kinetic analysis revealed that, compared with free LYZ, the complexed enzyme exhibited decreased affinity (K) but markedly increased V against Micrococcus lysodeikticus, and QCM and dynamic light scattering analysis confirmed that the complex could bind with the substrate but in a much lower ratio. The complexation with CMKGM did not alter the antibacterial spectrum of LYZ, and the complex exerted antibacterial function by delaying the logarithmic growth phase and impairing the cell integrity of Staphylococcus aureus. Since the LYZ-CMKGM complex is dispersible in water and could be assembled easily, it has great potential as an edible coating in food preservation.
Topics: Mannans; Muramidase; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Staphylococcus aureus; Kinetics; Micrococcus
PubMed: 38581793
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139229 -
Journal of Biophotonics Jun 2024Mid-infrared laser spectroscopy was used to investigate common bacteria encountered in biopharmaceutical industries. The study involved the detection of bacteria using...
Mid-infrared laser spectroscopy was used to investigate common bacteria encountered in biopharmaceutical industries. The study involved the detection of bacteria using quantum cascade laser spectroscopy coupled to a grazing angle probe (QCL-GAP). Substrates similar to surfaces commonly used in biopharmaceutical industries were used as support media for the samples. Reflectance measurements were assisted by Multivariate Analysis (MVA) to assemble a powerful spectroscopic technique with classification and identification resources. The species analyzed, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Micrococcus luteus, were used to challenge the technique's capability to discriminate from microorganisms of the same family. Principal Components Analysis and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis differentiated between the bacterial species, using QCL-GAP-MVA as the reference. Spectral differences in the bacterial membrane were used to determine if these microorganisms were present in the samples analyzed. Results herein provided effective discrimination for the bacteria under study with high sensitivity and specificity.
Topics: Multivariate Analysis; Lasers; Principal Component Analysis; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Staphylococcus aureus; Micrococcus luteus; Industrial Microbiology; Spectrum Analysis; Discriminant Analysis
PubMed: 38581192
DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300391 -
Fitoterapia Jun 2024Four compounds (1-4) featuring with an -rhodinose and spiroketal, possess uncommon continuous hydroxy groups in the macrolide skeleton, and a dichloro-diketopiperazine...
Four compounds (1-4) featuring with an -rhodinose and spiroketal, possess uncommon continuous hydroxy groups in the macrolide skeleton, and a dichloro-diketopiperazine (5) were isolated from a marine derived Micromonospora sp. FIMYZ51. The determination of the relative and absolute configurations of all isolates was achieved by extensive spectroscopic analyses, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and ECD calculations. According to structural characteristic and genomic sequences, a plausible biosynthetic pathway for compound 1-4 was proposed and a spirocyclase was inferred to be responsible for the formation of the rare spirocyclic moiety. Compounds 1-4 exhibited potent antifungal activities which is equal to itraconazole against Aspergillus niger. Compounds 1-5 exhibited different degree of inhibitory activities against opportunistic pathogenic bacteria of endocarditis (Micrococcus luteus) with MIC values ranging from 0.0625 μg/mL to 32 μg/mL. Compounds 2 and 3 showed moderate cytotoxicity against drug-resistant tumor cell lines (Namalwa and U266). The result not only provides active lead-compounds, but also reveal the potential of the spirocyclase gene resources from Micromonospora sp., which highlights the promising potential of the strain for biomedical applications.
Topics: Molecular Structure; Diketopiperazines; Micromonospora; Spiro Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; Macrolides; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; China; Antineoplastic Agents; Furans
PubMed: 38575087
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.105946 -
Journal of Environmental Management Apr 2024Resuscitation promoting factors (Rpfs), known for their anti-dormancy cytokine properties, have been extensively investigated in the medical field. Although the Rpf from...
Resuscitation promoting factors (Rpfs), known for their anti-dormancy cytokine properties, have been extensively investigated in the medical field. Although the Rpf from Micrococcus luteus has been successfully utilized to resuscitate and stimulate microbial populations for the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the presence of indigenous Rpf homologs in PCB-contaminated soils has not been established. In this study, the distribution characteristics of rpf-like genes and indigenous strain capable of producing Rpf in PCB-contaminated soils were explored. The results revealed the widespread presence of Rpf-like domains and their associated genes, particularly in close association with heavy metals and PCBs. The rpf-like genes were predominantly found in Proteobacteria and displayed a positive correlation with genes involved in PCB degradation and viable but non-culturable (VBNC) formation. Notably, the recombinant Rpf-Ac protein derived from the indigenous strain Achromobacter sp. HR2 exhibited muralytic activity and demonstrated significant efficacy in resuscitating the growth of VBNC cells, while also stimulating the growth of normal cells. These findings shed light on the prevalent presence of Rpf homologs in PCB-contaminated soils and their potential to resuscitate functional populations in the VBNC state, thereby enhancing in situ bioremediation.
Topics: Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Biodegradation, Environmental; Soil
PubMed: 38569268
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120803 -
Extremophiles : Life Under Extreme... Mar 2024Antarctica harbors a microbial diversity still poorly explored and of inestimable biotechnological value. Cold-adapted microorganisms can produce a diverse range of...
Antarctica harbors a microbial diversity still poorly explored and of inestimable biotechnological value. Cold-adapted microorganisms can produce a diverse range of metabolites stable at low temperatures, making these compounds industrially interesting for biotechnological use. The present work investigated the biotechnological potential for antimicrobial and antitumor activity of filamentous fungi and bacteria isolated from marine sediment samples collected at Deception Island, Antarctica. A total of 89 microbial isolates were recovered from marine sediments and submitted to an initial screening for L-glutaminase with antitumoral activity and for antimicrobial metabolites. The isolates Pseudogymnoascus sp. FDG01, Pseudogymnoascus sp. FDG02, and Penicillium sp. FAD33 showed potential antiproliferative action against human pancreatic carcinoma cells while showing no toxic effect on non-tumor cells. The microbial extracts from unidentified three bacteria and four filamentous fungi showed antibacterial activity against at least one tested pathogenic bacterial strain. The isolate FDG01 inhibited four bacterial species, while the isolate FDG01 was active against Micrococcus luteus in the minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.015625 μg mL . The results pave the way for further optimization of enzyme production and characterization of enzymes and metabolites found and reaffirm Antarctic marine environments as a wealthy source of compounds potentially applicable in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.
Topics: Humans; Antarctic Regions; Fungi; Ascomycota; Geologic Sediments; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 38532228
DOI: 10.1007/s00792-024-01339-1