-
Journal of Exposure Science &... Jan 2024Like other countries, surface water degradation in Malaysia is linked with common global issues. Although different aspects of drinking water suitability have been...
BACKGROUND
Like other countries, surface water degradation in Malaysia is linked with common global issues. Although different aspects of drinking water suitability have been examined, the overall understanding of drinking water quality in Malaysia is poor.
OBJECTIVE
Hence, the present review aims to provide an understanding of drinking water (tap water, groundwater, gravity feed system) quality and its potential implications on policy, human health, and drinking water management law and identification of potential direction of future drinking water research and management needs in Malaysia.
METHODS
This study utilized a scoping review method. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews was used for search strategy. Relevant studies were screened using the selected keywords and databases.
RESULTS
A total of 26 drinking water quality studies involving tap water, groundwater, and gravity feed systems have been selected for review. These studies found that the majority of Malaysian Drinking Water and WHO Drinking Water standards have been met. High levels of Cu, Cd, Fe and Pb were attributable to galvanized plumbing and pipe material corrosion. Variation of fluoride in tap water depends on dosage planning and operational processes of the public water supply. Pollutants (nitrate and ammonia) in groundwater and gravity feed system water have been linked to agricultural practices in rural areas. Microbiological quality in tap water is associated with growing biofilms inside the pipelines while in groundwater is caused by shallow surface events. However, only eight studies have reported about the human risks of chemical pollutants in tap water.
IMPACT STATEMENT
The review discusses the state of drinking water quality in Malaysia and its impact on public health. It suggests that policymakers can use this information to improve the quality of drinking water and enforce restrictions, while also raising public awareness about the importance of safe drinking water. The study can guide future research and initiatives in Malaysia, ultimately contributing to efforts to ensure access to clean and dependable drinking water.
Topics: Humans; Drinking Water; Malaysia; Water Quality; Water Supply; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 37563210
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00585-3 -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and... Feb 2024We aimed to identify the role of bacterial biofilms in the chronicity of otitis media with effusion and its resistance to antibiotics. We illustrated this role by... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
We aimed to identify the role of bacterial biofilms in the chronicity of otitis media with effusion and its resistance to antibiotics. We illustrated this role by reviewing, analyzing, and correlating the findings with the results of the included studies to reach clear evidence.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and GHL databases) was performed for all studies using the following strategy till April 2021 with the search terms: Biofilm and Middle ear effusion. We found 935 references, 421 were duplicates, and 514 were needed for further screening, and it was as follows: PubMed 215, Scopus 18, Cochrane 130, Web of Science 136, and GHL 15.
RESULTS
The pooled prevalence of culture-positive effusions was estimated to be 40% (95% CI [28%, 53%]) of the total OME population. Overall, the prevalence of PCR-positive effusions was estimated to be 97% (95% CI [95%, 99%]) of the total OME population. The pooled prevalence of EM-positive effusions was estimated to be 82% (95% CI [69%, 95%]) of the total OME population.
CONCLUSION
The data presented in this study coincide with the significant role of bacterial biofilms in the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media with effusion. The involvement of bacterial biofilm as a component of the OME pathogenic process can help us to explain why antimicrobial therapy is not always effective in the eradication of the disease process and, also explain the recurrence of middle ear effusion after treatment with tympanostomy tubes either with or without adenoidectomy.
Topics: Humans; Adenoidectomy; Biofilms; Middle Ear Ventilation; Otitis Media; Otitis Media with Effusion; Prevalence
PubMed: 37553806
DOI: 10.1177/00034894231188855 -
Pharmaceutics Jul 2023() is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that plays an important role in the development and progression of periodontitis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally... (Review)
Review
() is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that plays an important role in the development and progression of periodontitis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan that has previously demonstrated antibacterial potential in vitro against multiple bacterial species, including . The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of HA as an adjunctive topical antibacterial agent to non-surgical mechanical therapy of periodontitis in reducing the prevalence of in subgingival biofilms. Five clinical studies were identified that satisfied the eligibility criteria. Only three trials were suitable for the meta-analysis as they provided data at three and six months. Data on the prevalence of in each study were collected. The odds ratio (OR) for measuring the effect size with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to the available data. The results did not favor the use of HA during non-surgical mechanical therapy to reduce the prevalence of in subgingival biofilm (odd ratio = 0.95 and 1.11 at three and six months, consecutively). Within their limitations, the current data do not indicate an advantage for using HA during mechanical periodontal therapy to reduce the prevalence of .
PubMed: 37514069
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071883 -
Journal of Endodontics Oct 2023The elimination of biofilms during root canal therapy continues to pose a challenge due to complex anatomies and uninstrumented portions of the root canal system. The... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The elimination of biofilms during root canal therapy continues to pose a challenge due to complex anatomies and uninstrumented portions of the root canal system. The incorporation of nanoparticles in endodontic sealers is an area of interest for potentially enhancing antimicrobial activity and improving treatment outcomes. This systematic review evaluated the antimicrobial effects of various nanoparticles in endodontic sealers.
METHODS
Comprehensive literature review was conducted using the electronic Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed databases followed by citation searching for articles eligible per the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 1845 citations were screened, of which 13 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. All included articles were in vitro studies with low-to-moderate quality assessment scores. The incorporation of select nanoparticles was associated with significant enhancement of antibacterial effects in planktonic and/or biofilm forms, whereas other nanoparticles were not.
CONCLUSIONS
The incorporation of certain types and concentrations of nanoparticles into endodontic sealers displayed antimicrobial effects in vitro. The need for well-designed clinical studies translating in vitro findings into clinical practice is warranted. The incorporation of nanoparticles may enhance the antimicrobial properties of endodontic sealers and may improve treatment outcomes.
Topics: Root Canal Filling Materials; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Nanoparticles; Epoxy Resins
PubMed: 37481123
DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.07.011 -
International Dental Journal Feb 2024Denture plaque, a biofilm that develops on denture surfaces, could contribute to many oral and systemic afflictions. Hence, a quantitative assessment of denture plaque... (Review)
Review
Denture plaque, a biofilm that develops on denture surfaces, could contribute to many oral and systemic afflictions. Hence, a quantitative assessment of denture plaque is important to evaluate the denture hygiene of denture wearers, particularly to prevent plaque biofilm-associated diseases. The aim of this systematic review, therefore, was to review and summarize the visual denture hygiene assessment methods using denture plaque indices and with planimetries published in the literature. English language studies published up to March 2022 in four electronic databases, PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were searched, followed by a manual search of Google Scholar by two assessors. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) whenever possible. Details of the visual assessment methods, including the types of denture assessed, its materials and its surfaces, as well as the use of a disclosing agent, were the main outcomes. Of 492 screened studies, 74 were included per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 60 studies utilized various denture plaque indices while 18 used planimetries. 43 out of 60 studies with indices and 17 out of 18 studies with planimetries used disclosing agents for visual evaluation of plaque. A total of 21 indices were described in the included studies, of which seven graded a divided denture surface, while the remainder graded entire denture surface. Of the 18 planimetric assessments, one study quantified squares of the disclosed plaques on denture images, 16 studies quantified such pixels with computer programs, and a single study quantified points, pixels, and contour of plaque areas. In summary, denture plaque indices appear to be popular in denture plaque assessment due to their simplicity. Computerized planimetric assessment, though more time-consuming, provides a more accurate assessment of plaque load as it is less prone to subjectivity and assessor errors.
Topics: Humans; Oral Hygiene; Dental Plaque; Biofilms; Dental Plaque Index; Dentures
PubMed: 37479594
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2023.06.010 -
Critical Reviews in Microbiology Jul 2023The formation of bacterial biofilms in the human body and on medical devices is a serious human health concern. Infections related to bacterial biofilms are often... (Review)
Review
The formation of bacterial biofilms in the human body and on medical devices is a serious human health concern. Infections related to bacterial biofilms are often chronic and difficult to treat. Detailed information on biofilm formation and composition over time is essential for a fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanisms of biofilm formation and its response to anti-biofilm therapy. However, information on the chemical composition, structural components of biofilms, and molecular interactions regarding metabolism- and communication pathways within the biofilm, such as uptake of administered drugs or inter-bacteria communication, remains elusive. Imaging these molecules and their distribution in the biofilm increases insight into biofilm development, growth, and response to environmental factors or drugs. This systematic review provides an overview of molecular imaging techniques used for bacterial biofilm imaging. The techniques included mass spectrometry-based techniques, fluorescence-labelling techniques, spectroscopic techniques, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), micro-computed tomography (µCT), and several multimodal approaches. Many molecules were imaged, such as proteins, lipids, metabolites, and quorum-sensing (QS) molecules, which are crucial in intercellular communication pathways. Advantages and disadvantages of each technique, including multimodal approaches, to study molecular processes in bacterial biofilms are discussed, and recommendations on which technique best suits specific research aims are provided.
PubMed: 37452571
DOI: 10.1080/1040841X.2023.2223704 -
Microbiology (Reading, England) Jul 2023, a combination of honey and vinegar, has been used as a remedy for wounds and infections in historical and traditional medical settings. While honey is now clinically...
, a combination of honey and vinegar, has been used as a remedy for wounds and infections in historical and traditional medical settings. While honey is now clinically used to treat infected wounds, this use of a complex, raw natural product (NP) mixture is unusual in modern western medicine. Research into the antimicrobial activity of NPs more usually focuses on finding a single active compound. The acetic acid in vinegar is known to have antibacterial activity at low concentrations and is in clinical use to treat burn wound infections. Here, we investigated the potential for synergistic activity of different compounds present in a complex ingredient used in historical medicine (vinegar) and in an ingredient mixture (). We conducted a systematic review to investigate published evidence for antimicrobial effects of vinegars against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. No published studies have explicitly compared the activity of vinegar with that of a comparable concentration of acetic acid. We then characterized selected vinegars by HPLC and assessed the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the vinegars and acetic acid, alone and in combination with medical-grade honeys, against and . We found that some vinegars have antibacterial activity that exceeds that predicted by their acetic acid content alone, but that this depends on the bacterial species being investigated and the growth conditions (media type, planktonic vs. biofilm). Pomegranate vinegars may be particularly interesting candidates for further study. We also conclude that there is potential for acetic acid, and some vinegars, to show synergistic antibiofilm activity with manuka honey.
Topics: Humans; Acetic Acid; Honey; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Biological Products
PubMed: 37435775
DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001351 -
European Journal of Clinical... Aug 2023Bacteriophages (phages) are very promising biological agents for the prevention and control of bacterial biofilms. However, little is known about the parameters that can... (Review)
Review
Bacteriophages (phages) are very promising biological agents for the prevention and control of bacterial biofilms. However, little is known about the parameters that can influence the efficacy of phages on biofilms. This systematic review provides a summary and analysis of the published data about the use of phages to control pre-formed biofilms in vitro, suggesting recommendations for future experiments in this area. A total of 68 articles, containing data on 605 experiments addressing the efficacy of phages to control biofilms in vitro were included, after a search conducted in Web of Science, Embase, and Medline (PubMed). The data collected from each experiment included information about biofilm growth conditions, phage characteristics, treatment conditions and biofilm reduction. In most cases, biofilms were formed in the surface of microtiter plates (82.5%); the median time for biofilm formation was 24 h, as is the median treatment duration. Quantification of biofilm biomass (52.6%), viable cells (25.5%) and metabolic activity (17.9%) were the most common biofilm assessment methods. Correlation analysis revealed that some phage parameters can influence the treatment outcome: higher phage concentrations were strongly associated with improved biofilm control, leading to higher levels of biofilm reduction, and phages with higher burst sizes and shorter latent periods seem to be the best candidates to control biofilms in vitro. However, the great variability of the methodologies used prompts the need for the development of standardized in vitro methodologies to characterize phage/biofilm interactions and to assess the efficacy of phages to control biofilms.
Topics: Humans; Bacteriophages; Biofilms
PubMed: 37407800
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04638-1 -
Nutrition Reviews Feb 2024Anticariogenic properties have been ascribed to polyphenolic compounds present in high concentrations in numerous fruits. Berries, in particular, have been reported as... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Anticariogenic properties have been ascribed to polyphenolic compounds present in high concentrations in numerous fruits. Berries, in particular, have been reported as potentially having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and subsequently on caries, but the evidence is unclear.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review was to explore the literature and summarize the evidence for berries having an inhibitory effect on the dental biofilm and an anticariogenic effect.
DATA SOURCES
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, the PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were scanned using predefined and accessible terms, with a search strategy based on a structured PICO question.
DATA EXTRACTION
After article selection, 23 studies met the inclusion criteria, most of them being in vitro studies. A risk assessment was performed, and data were extracted and presented in a table for qualitative analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
Meta-analyses were conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by Review manager 5.4.
RESULTS
Only 3 types of berries were found to have a reported anticaries effect: grape seed extract (GSE), cranberry, and sour cherry. Nine studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were subjected to quantitative analysis. Meta-analyses showed GSE was associated with enhanced remineralization of dental enamel (SMD = .96 95% CI [.45, 1.46], P < .0002) and of dentin (SMD = .65 95% CI [.13, 1.17], P = .01). Cranberry extracts positively influenced the cariogenic dental biofilm by decreasing the biofilm biomass (SMD = -2.23 95% CI [-4.40, -.05], P = .04), and biovolume (SMD = -2.86 95% CI [-4.34, -1.37], P = .0002), and increasing the biofilm pH (SMD = 7.9 95% CI [3.49, 12.31], P < .0004).
CONCLUSION
Within the limitations of this systematic review and metaanalysis, GSE and cranberries or their active compounds could represent an alternative for caries management. Further clinical trials are needed to verify this effect in a clinical setting.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020223579.
Topics: Humans; Fruit; Plant Extracts; Biofilms; Research Design; Biomass; Dental Caries
PubMed: 37352393
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad063 -
Journal of Wound Care May 2023The prevalence and role of biofilm formation in acute wounds has seldom been investigated. Understanding the presence of biofilm in acute wounds would allow earlier,...
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence and role of biofilm formation in acute wounds has seldom been investigated. Understanding the presence of biofilm in acute wounds would allow earlier, biofilm-targeted management, thus decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with wound infection, improving patient experience and potentially reducing healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to summarise the evidence for biofilm formation within acute wounds.
METHOD
We conducted a systematic literature review for studies which reported evidence of bacterial biofilm formation in acute wounds. An electronic search of four databases was carried out, without restrictions on date. The search terms included 'bacteria', 'biofilm', 'acute' and 'wound'.
RESULTS
A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the studies, 69.2% showed evidence of biofilm formation within 14 days of acute wound formation, with 38.5% showing evidence of biofilm 48 hours after wound formed.
CONCLUSION
The evidence from this review suggests that biofilm formation plays a greater role within acute wounds than previously considered.
Topics: Humans; Wound Healing; Bandages; Wound Infection; Biofilms; Bacteria
PubMed: 37094926
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2023.32.5.273