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Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) have become a global threat, with colistin being the last resort for treatment. CLSI and EUCAST recommend broth microdilution (BMD) as the reference method for colistin susceptibility testing. Nordmann and Poirel have developed a simple and rapid Polymyxin NP test as an alternative to BMD for screening of colistin-resistant Enterobacterale (CoRE) isolates. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the colistin rapid NP (CRNP) test for the detection of colistin resistance. CRNP test was performed on thirty-one clinical Enterobacterales isolates [ Klebsiella pneumoniae (21), Enterobacter spp , (9) and Escherichia coli (1), which were resistant to Colistin by the reference BMD method. The results of the NP test were interpreted after 4hr by the change in color of NP solution (original orange to yellow as a result of bacterial growth) and compared with that of BMD. The CRNP test could accurately detect 26/31 of the colistin resistant Enterobacterale isolates, and thus had an overall categorical agreement of 83.8%. Out of thirty-one CoRE isolates, five Enterobacter spp. 5/31 (16.1%) could not be detected by the CRNP test giving a false-negative result. Excluding those five Enterobacter spp. the categorical agreement (CA) of the CRNP test with BMD was 100%. The overall very major error (VME) of the CRNP test was 16% but decreased to < 3% when Enterobacter spp. (5) were excluded. The CRNP test is technically less demanding, yields faster results compared to the reference BMD method, and has 100% agreement with reference BMD in Enterobacterales except for Enterobacter spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of autoclaves in podiatry is new and has been tested against two other bactericidal methods with a control. The methods were similarly sampled, and a microbiology department independently undertook bacterial counts. The difference between methods was not significant. While the autoclave remains the preferred method, operative error can arise, and an ultrasonic cleaner is recommended. Chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibitane) remains the choice for liquid disinfection but with attention to concentration and frequent fluid changes to provide an effective kill rate. Special attention is required to any jointed instruments and those with asperitous surfaces. Using an autoclave requires multiple instruments to meet the needs of a podiatry treatment session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the cause of a foodborne outbreak that occurred in Dong Nai province, Viet Nam, in 2024, and implement control measures. Methods: An initial investigation was conducted to confirm the outbreak, which was followed by epidemiological and environmental investigations to find the plausible causative food item. Clinical specimens and food samples were tested to identify the pathogen. Results: A total of 547 symptomatic cases were recorded, of whom two were in severe condition requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventilation, one of whom died. Among 99 interviewed cases, the mean incubation time was 9 hours (range 2-24 hours), with the main symptoms being fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. All patients had eaten banh mi from a local bakery. Salmonella spp. were identified in food samples and clinical specimens. The bakery halted production, and the outbreak ended after 1 week. Discussion: All the patients were exposed to only one food in common, which facilitated the investigation process. This outbreak is a reminder to small retailers and take-away shops of the importance of food safety management in preventing similar future outbreaks. All food handlers must comply with food hygiene principles, especially in hot temperatures, which boosts bacterial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the cause of a foodborne outbreak that occurred in Dong Nai province, Viet Nam, in 2024, and implement control measures. Methods: An initial investigation was conducted to confirm the outbreak, which was followed by epidemiological and environmental investigations to find the plausible causative food item. Clinical specimens and food samples were tested to identify the pathogen. Results: A total of 547 symptomatic cases were recorded, of whom two were in severe condition requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventilation, one of whom died. Among 99 interviewed cases, the mean incubation time was 9 hours (range 2-24 hours), with the main symptoms being fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. All patients had eaten banh mi from a local bakery. Salmonella spp. were identified in food samples and clinical specimens. The bakery halted production, and the outbreak ended after 1 week. Discussion: All the patients were exposed to only one food in common, which facilitated the investigation process. This outbreak is a reminder to small retailers and take-away shops of the importance of food safety management in preventing similar future outbreaks. All food handlers must comply with food hygiene principles, especially in hot temperatures, which boosts bacterial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In bacteria, d -amino acids are primarily synthesized from l -amino acids by amino acid racemases, but some bacteria use d -amino acid aminotransferases to synthesize d -amino acids. d -Amino acids are peptidoglycan components in the cell wall involved in several physiological processes, such as bacterial growth, biofilm dispersal, and peptidoglycan metabolism. Therefore, their metabolism and physiological roles have attracted increasing attention. Recently, we identified novel bacterial d -amino acid metabolic pathways, which involve amino acid racemases, with broad substrate specificity, as well as multifunctional enzymes with d -amino acid-metabolizing activity. Here, I review these multifunctional enzymes and their related d - and l -amino acid metabolic pathways in Escherichia coli and the hyperthermophile Thermotoga maritima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant reduction in bacterial growth on stethoscope membranes has been noticed after performing daily disinfection. Nevertheless, disinfection is rarely performed. We aimed to assess self-reported stethoscope disinfection practices among medical doctors, detect bacterial contamination on personal stethoscopes, and estimate the effectiveness of 70% ethanol as a stethoscope disinfecting agent. To determine stethoscope disinfection practices, participants filled out a questionnaire (N = 47), followed by providing stethoscopes for bacterial analysis. Differences in bacterial contamination were observed through the self-reported frequency and method of stethoscope disinfection. The effect of disinfecting with 70% ethanol was evaluated by comparing the presence of bacterial growth before and after disinfection. The presence of bacterial growth was found in 78.7% of the stethoscope samples, with the median (interquartile range) number of colony-forming units at 25 (10-105). The frequency of disinfection greatly impacted the number of colony-forming units, and the method affected the presence of bacterial growth. Disinfection of stethoscope membranes using 70% ethanol resulted in a compelling 97.3% reduction of bacterial growth. Adequate stethoscope disinfection is highly efficient in reducing bacterial contamination and as such should be considered a critical step in hygienic practices. [Display omitted] • Higher frequency of stethoscope disinfection revealed a decrease in bacterial load. • Wiping the stethoscope with an alcohol-saturated pad is the most efficient method. • Stethoscope disinfection using 70% ethanol reduced bacterial growth by 97.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research / Revue Canadienne de Recherche Vétérinaire is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Key Takeaways: The US Environmental Protection Agency released its Storage Tank Assessment Study Protocol in 2021 as an optional tool to help water utilities gauge water quality issues. Knowledge about the complexity of storage tank ecosystems and associated potential public health risks can be included in water management programs. Pilot‐scale and field‐based testing with genomic data yielded insights into biogeochemical processes of tank ecosystems that can help utilities minimize bacterial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the chitinases (ChiG) derived from the chitinolytic bacterium Chitiniphilus shinanonensis SAY3T exhibited chitobiase activity cleaving dimers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) into monomers, which is not detected in typical endo-type chitinases. Analysis of the reaction products for GlcNAc hexamers revealed that all the five internal glycosidic bonds were cleaved at the initial stage. The overall reaction catalyzed by chitobiases toward GlcNAc dimers was similar to that catalyzed by N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidases (NAGs). SAY3 possesses two NAGs (ChiI and ChiT) that are thought to be important in chitin catabolism. Unexpectedly, a triple gene-disrupted mutant (ΔchiI ΔchiT ΔchiG) was still able to grow on synthetic medium containing GlcNAc dimers or powdered chitin, similar to the wild-type SAY3, although it exhibited only 3% of total cellular NAG activity compared to the wild-type. This indicates the presence of unidentified enzyme (s) capable of supporting normal bacterial growth on the chitin medium by NAG activity compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan had been studied as a free molecule and associated with other materials as denture materials, it improved a notable antibacterial and antifungal effect. Nevertheless, it's still confusing if it could be effective in the treatment of denture stomatitis induced by candida albicans. This systematic review was conducted to answer the question: Does chitosan combined with tissue conditioners have an in-vitro antifungal activity against candida albicans? The MEDLINE/central (PubMed), Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of science were screened up to 16/01/2023 for relevant papers exploring the antifungal effect of chitosan-based tissue conditioners. The main investigated outcomes were: Sample size, study design, type of chitosan, synthesis of chitosan, control group, characterization of chitosan, proportions of chitosan, and tissue conditioners, bacterial species, microorganisms culture, bacterial growth rate measurement, antifungal efficacy, assessment of the disease, and Results. The risk of bias assessment was assessed based on the judgment model suggested by Sarkis-Onofre and adapted to the context of chitosan. A total of 5574 publications were found. After screening titles, abstracts, and duplicates six studies were retained based on inclusion criteria predefined. However, only four studies were included in the current systematic review after screening the full text. Chitosan and its derivatives yield good results in association with tissue conditioners against candida albicans. Chitosan-based tissue conditioners showed significant antifungal activity against candida albicans. However, further investigations should be done to assess its potential therapeutic for treating denture stomatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, studies focusing on specific causes of malodor associated with dental implants are scarce. The purpose of this clinical study was to compare clinical parameters and bacterial growth in a healing phase of implant systems and their relation with malodor. 60 oral samples were collected from the site of the healing abutment of 27 patients for microbial tests. Individuals were classified as those with and without malodor (31 oral samples had malodor and 29 samples were without the bad smell). The type of bacterial colony was evaluated regarding the growth of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The two positive and negative groups of malodor were compared regarding baseline and clinical characteristics. About half of the patients had positive odor (51.7%) on assessment. The prominent bacteria in the group with malodor was Streptococcus viridans (90.3% vs. 24.1% in the group without malodor; p<0.001. Regarding implant systems, BioHorizon (48.4%), Intra-Lock (29%), and Medentika (22.6%) had the highest rates of malodor, respectively (p=0.245). Streptococcus viridans had a 9.33 times higher chance of positive odor compared to other groups (OR: 9.33, p=0.00). Although not statistically significant, BioHorizon and Intralock systems of the implant had 2.85 and 1.92 higher chances of malodor compared to Medentika (as reference) (p=0.099 & p=0.334, respectively). Based on the results of this study, Streptococcus viridans was the most common bacteria associated with malodor in participants with two-stage implant system. This bacterium showed 9 times higher risk factor for malodor when compared to other existing strains of bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of triclosan in wastewater is expected to rise dramatically as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A modeling analysis of the growth kinetics of microbial culture during triclosan degradation was necessary in order to establish effective wastewater treatment. The kinetic parameters are used by engineers to aid in the design and process control of biological processes. Studies were conducted using triclosan-acclimated culture to examine biomass growth and associated substrate degradation at different initial substrate concentrations (0.35–4.9 mg L−1) to this end. Substrate inhibition was calculated from experimental growth parameters using unstructured kinetic models. Unlike other model studies, a time-averaged specific bacterial growth rate in the log phase was considered for kinetic models in this study. Overestimation of the conventional log phase calculation for unstructured kinetic model constants was eliminated when the slowdown growth part of the log growth phase was taken into account. The Haldane Model was more accurate to fitting experimental data in an excellent manner. In this case, the time-averaged specific growth rate, saturation constant, and inhibition constant were 0.56 h−1, 12.77 mg L−1, 0.52 mg L−1, respectively. A yield coefficient of 0.404 mgX.mgS−1 was calculated. The critical triclosan concentration was 2.57 mg L−1. Wastewater treatment plants can be more sensitive to the value of the critical triclosan concentration. The value for time-averaged critical specific growth rate was 0.051 h−1. Pre-or post-treatment requirements can be estimated using time-averaged critical growth rate values as a benchmarking tool in biological treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postmortem bacterial culture is controversial in human medicine, and veterinary-specific research in this area is lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we cultured liver, kidney, and spleen individually from on-farm calf mortalities to determine the number of bacterial species present, concordance between organ cultures, and agreement with gross and histologic findings. We hypothesized that the spleen, a filtering organ, would be the most useful organ with the least amount of postmortem contamination given that it does not have a direct conduit to a bacterial population. Fresh liver, kidney, and spleen were collected for culture from 30 calves 5–28-d-old with various causes of mortality. Bacterial growth of ≥2 species was observed in ~48% of cultures, with Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp. being most frequent. One bacterial species was present in 20% of cultures, with E. coli predominating. No growth was observed in ~32% of cultures. In 43% of cases, there was agreement in the culture results for all 3 organs; however, the majority were mixed bacterial growth. The best agreement was observed when there were no gross and/or histologic septic lesions in target organs and no bacterial growth on culture. The spleen was not helpful in determining bacterial significance in comparison to kidney or liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer with advantages over plant cellulose, but its high cost has led to the search for alternative substrates. In Colombia, banana processing generates organic waste that can be utilized for BC production. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using banana pulp waste (Musa paradisiaca) as an alternative carbon source in culture media for BC production by the bacteria K. xylinus and analyze its physicochemical properties and applicability in cardboard manufacturing. It was found that the 1:2 ratio of banana pulp to water yielded the highest BC production, suggesting greater nutrient availability in this ratio. A pH of 4.4 proved optimal for BC production, providing an appropriate acidic environment for bacterial growth. After optimizing the culture medium, BC yield increased significantly, with the production reaching up to 30 g/L, demonstrating the effectiveness of optimizing the substrate ratio and pH in enhancing cellulose synthesis. Physicochemical tests confirmed the purity of the obtained BC, with structural characteristics consistent with expected cellulose. Furthermore, cardboard made with this BC exhibited superior mechanical properties, with greater tensile and compression strength compared to the control cardboard, indicating enhanced durability and strength for industrial use. In conclusion, the use of banana waste as a carbon source for BC production offers a promising solution with significant economic and environmental benefits. The optimization of cultivation conditions, such as ratio and pH, and the confirmation of final product purity and quality, underscore the potential of this approach for sustainable industrial applications in biomaterial production. [Display omitted] • BC from banana waste is a cost-effective alternative to plant cellulose. • Optimal BC yield at 1:2 banana pulp to water ratio, pH 4.4. • Produced BC confirmed pure with consistent cellulose structure. • BC-based cardboard shows superior tensile and compression strength. • Using banana waste for BC offers economic and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharides from Lentinula edodes mushrooms (LePS) are well-known for their immunomodulatory activities, which may have a functional connection with probiotic fermentation in the gut microbiota. This study was to evaluate the bifidogenic properties and impact of Bifidobacterial fermentation on the LePS molecules and immunoactivities. Two LePS fractions, LePS-40 (3.97 × 107 Da) and LePS-80 (1.43 × 105 Da) with differences in molecular weight (MW) and chemical composition were isolated from the mushroom hot-water extract and fermented with a Bifidobacterium breve strain. The higher-MW fraction LePS-40 was more significantly consumed and utilized by the bacteria for growth and acetic acid production during the fermentation, due probably to its higher total carbohydrate content and glucose-abundant composition. The Bifidobacterial fermentation caused a notable MW reduction of both LePS fractions and, more interestingly, also led to a higher immunostimulatory activity in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Further assessment of the separated fractions by ultrafiltration of the fermentation liquid (digesta) suggested that the immunoactivity was mainly attributed to the partially degraded LePS instead of the small-molecule metabolite products derived from the Bifidobacterial fermentation. In summary, monosaccharide composition was a more significant determinant than MW on the bifidogenic properties of LePS and the immunomodulatory activities after fermentation. • Two polysaccharide fractions LePS-40 and LePS-80 were isolated from Lentinula edodes mushroom. • LePS-40 had a higher molecular weight and higher carbohydrate content. • LePS-40 was well fermented and utilized by B. breve for bacterial growth and acetic acid production. • Bifidobacterial fermentation of LePS led to enhanced in vitro immunostimulatory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus aggregation is a bacterial behavior, in which Lactobacillus cells adhere to each other or other strains to form aggregates. Substantial evidence indicates that Lactobacillus aggregation is closely related to biofilm formation, adhesion, colonization, and host physiological functions. Current reviews on Lactobacillus aggregation are often limited to a few aspects, or serve as a single step to address other related problems. In this paper, we review the current state and characteristics of self- and co-aggregations, including aggregation percentages, influencing factors, molecular mechanisms, and functions. Lactobacillus aggregation is a strain-specific behavior, rather than a species-specific one, and the characteristics of both aggregations are similar. The same species of Lactobacillus exhibits a relatively broad range of aggregation percentage, and involved in different influencing factors and mechanisms. Moreover, the same factors and mechanisms also participate in different Lactobacillus aggregations. This is mainly because of the complexity of aggregations. Meanwhile, we also summarize the functions of aggregation, including enhancing bacterial survival, promoting biofilm formation and involving in host physiological regulation. • Lactobacillus aggregate is a strain-specific behavior, rather than a species-specific one. • Characteristics of Lactobacillus self- and co-aggregation are similar. • Influencing factors of aggregation include the aggregation condition, bacterial growth and the pre-treatment of strain. • Molecular mechanisms of aggregation are classified as specific interaction, non-specific interaction, complex interaction. • Molecular mechanisms include lectin, zeta potential, surface hydrophobicity, S-layer protein, APFs, adhesion and EPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated application of chemical oxidation and anoxic biodegradation presents an effective strategy for remediating PAHs-contaminated soils. However, certain PAHs remain in the soil even after the combined treatments, primarily due to the restricted bioavailability of the residual compounds. In this study, the initial concentration of PAHs in the contaminated soil was determined to be 398.47 ± 36.66 mg·kg−1. The effects of different surfactant concentrations (800 and 3000 mg·L−1) and mass ratios (SDBS/Tween 80=1:0, 0:1, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) on PAHs desorption, indigenous bacteria, and anoxic PAHs removal in aged subsurface soil pre-oxidized with persulfate (PS) were investigated. The results indicated that applying of surfactants at a low dose (800 mg·L−1) enhanced PAHs desorption, bolstered the growth of potential degrading bacteria, and subsequently promoted the anoxic biodegradation of PAHs in pre-oxidized soil. Compared with the control group, the degradation rates of 3-ring and 4-ring PAHs increased by 22.79 % and 20.7 %, respectively. In contrast, a high-dose surfactants (3000 mg·L−1) inhibited PAH biodegradation by limiting bacterial growth, resulting in decreased degradation rates of 3-ring and 4-ring PAHs by 12.84 % and 13.72 %, respectively. Furthermore, mixed surfactants were found to be more effective than single surfactants in promoting the anoxic degradation of PAHs in pre-oxidized soil. These findings provide valuable insights for further enhancing the biodegradation of PAHs in pre-oxidized soils. [Display omitted] • The impact of surfactants on the anoxic degradation of PAHs in pre-oxidized soil was evaluated. • Low doses of mixed surfactants promoted bacterial growth and PAH degradation. • The enhancing effect of mixed surfactants is better than that of a single surfactant. • High doses of mixed surfactants inhibited bacterial growth and PAHs degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust reduced graphene oxide (rGO), polyaniline (PANI) with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) bimetallic nanocomposite was successfully prepared using an in-situ chemical facial reducing method and named rGO@PANI-Ca:Mg. Various spectroscopic techniques, including XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and supplementary methods, were utilized to characterize the catalyst phase, microstructure, and optical attributes. The composite's photocatalytic efficiency was assessed by degrading antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (CP) and tetracycline (TC) using calcium peroxide (CaO 2) under visible light irradiation. The rGO@PANI-Ca:Mg composite demonstrates superior degradation efficiency for CP, 45 %, and for TC, 70 %, achieving a correlation coefficient R² of 0.94 and 0.991 respectively. This performance surpasses that of pristine GO, rGO, and rGO@PANI. The heightened photocatalytic activity is ascribed to forming a heterojunction, effectively mitigating electron-hole pair recombination. The incorporation of CaO 2 promotes the generation of additional active reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly OH·, ·O 2 − , e-, h+, as verified by radical scavenging experiments, indicating an enhancement in the degradation and a potential mechanism is also suggested. The degradation rate of TC, CP, and real wastewater (RW) is about 71 %, 45 %, and 40.98 %, respectively. The composite demonstrates stability and reusability for up to three catalytic cycles. Our experiments also showed that when bacteria were treated with a 2 mg catalyst, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to be at a 10−3 dilution. This MIC value represents the lowest concentration at which the catalyst effectively inhibited bacterial growth, as evidenced by clear inhibition zones. • Synthesized a series of graphene-based nanocomposite (GO@PANI-Ca:Mg), with strong photocatalytic properties. • Materials showed efficient and rapid degradation of TC and CP when combined with CaO 2 , highlighting their photocatalytic efficacy. • This nanocomposite (2mg/L) creates a potent to optimizing TC and CP removal at 10 ppm concentration, and 0.5 mg/L CaO 2. • The composite also displayed antimicrobial resistance and has been classified as toxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most critical pathogens in wound infections, causing high mortality and morbidity in severe cases. However, bacteriophage therapy is a potential alternative to antibiotics against P. aeruginosa. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate a novel phage targeting P. aeruginosa and examine its efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Results: The morphometric and genomic analyses revealed that ZCPA1 belongs to the Siphoviridae family and could infect 58% of the tested antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. The phage ZCPA1 exhibited thermal stability at 37 °C, and then, it decreased gradually at 50 °C and 60 °C. At the same time, it dropped significantly at 70 °C, and the phage was undetectable at 80 °C. Moreover, the phage ZCPA1 exhibited no significant titer reduction at a wide range of pH values (4–10) with maximum activity at pH 7. In addition, it was stable for 45 min under UV light with one log reduction after 1 h. Also, it displayed significant lytic activity and biofilm elimination against P. aeruginosa by inhibiting bacterial growth in vitro in a dose-dependent pattern with a complete reduction of the bacterial growth at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 100. In addition, P. aeruginosa-infected wounds treated with phages displayed 100% wound closure with a high quality of regenerated skin compared to the untreated and gentamicin-treated groups due to the complete elimination of bacterial infection. Conclusion: The phage ZCPA1 exhibited high lytic activity against MDR P. aeruginosa planktonic and biofilms. In addition, phage ZCPA1 showed complete wound healing in the rat model. Hence, this research demonstrates the potential of phage therapy as a promising alternative in treating MDR P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Staphylococcus aureus (S.A) can colonize in the skin, nasal cavity, and oral cavity. In the oral cavity, it can cause dental caries and periodontal disease. Mouthwashes can be used as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control methods to decrease the load of oral microorganisms. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a commonly used antimicrobial mouthwash with side effects such as changing the sense of taste, tooth discoloration, oral mucosal burning, allergy, and xerostomia. It also has adverse systemic effects, if swallowed. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with curcumin and methylene blue (MB) photosensitizers and different laser parameters on S.A colony count. Materials and Method: In this in vitro experimental study, 99 samples of standardstrain S.A were subjected to PDT with curcumin and MB photosensitizers with/without irradiation of 660 and 445 nm laser with different exposure parameters, and CHX in 9 groups (n=11). The samples were cultured in microplates containing Mueller-Hinton agar, and the number of colony forming units (CFUs) was counted after 24 h of incubation at 37°C. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. Results: The minimum colony count was noted in CHX group (CFUs=0) followed by MB and 660nm diode laser group irradiated for 100 s (CFUs=147.2727±169.35707). The difference in this respect was significant between MB+660nm diode laser for 100 s and other groups (p< 0.05) except for the MB + 660 nm diode laser for 60 s group. Conclusion: CHX is superior to laser for elimination of S.A. However, PDT with 660 nm diode laser + MB has considerable antimicrobial efficacy against S.A; increasing the duration of laser irradiation enhances the antimicrobial effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the influence of milk powder storage by-products on the probiotic activity, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei JY025 fortified milk powder was used to evaluate the change of bacterial activity and the accumulation of Maillard and lipid oxidation by-products during long-term storage. Based on the above results, this study further clarifies the effect mechanism of milk powder by-products on the metabolism and transcriptional response of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei JY025. The results of the strain JY025 growth ability and its metabolic ability of various carbon sources under different by-product interventions indicated that the Maillard by-products (higher concentrations) and the lipid oxidation by-products inhibit the growth metabolic of Lactobacillus. The transcriptomic analysis of strains under different interventions further suggested the intervention of Maillard by-products with a specific concentration improve the ability of Lactobacillus to utilize carbohydrates, which helps to provide additional energy and improve the tolerance of Lactobacillus to lipid oxidation by-product stress. [Display omitted] • Milk powder by-products are accumulated with the extension of storage time. • Higher concentrations of Maillard by-products inhibit bacterial growth metabolism. • Lipid oxidation by-products are not conducive to the bacterial growth metabolism. • Maillard by-products improve bacterial tolerance to lipid oxidation by-product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to functionalize scoured cotton fabrics (SCF) with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The functionalized SCF was used to prevent microbial growth on solid surfaces and eliminate harmful pathogens in water during the filtration process. Initially, ZnONPs was prepared using Gum Arabic (GA) as a stabilizing agent, which produced dispersed ZnONPs. The results proved that ZnONPs were obtained at a size of approximately 55.91 nm. The synthesized ZnONPs were used as a finishing agent to produce multifunctional fabrics. The SEM analysis revealed the presence of highly distributed small particles onto the surface of SCF. The findings also indicate that ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters exhibit significant antibacterial effectiveness via the suppression of bacterial growth. This is evident in the experimental data, which reveals a clear divergence from the bacterial growth curve of the tested bacterial species. Similarly, the sample group of SCF microfilters that did not receive compensation for their use did not demonstrate any significant antibacterial action. These results underscore the influence of ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters on microbial cell membranes and their capacity to induce the discharge of intracellular fluids, such as proteins. The findings demonstrate that ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters exhibit improved anti-adhesion and biofouling mitigation characteristics compared to unloaded SCF microfilters. The presence of ZnONPs hinders the development of biofilm, as shown by decreased quantities of polysaccharides and proteins in the polymer matrix. Based on the toxicity data, it can be concluded that the samples are safe and may be utilized as a filter medium in the filtering process without any notable hazardous effects. Ultimately, the findings demonstrate that the ZnONPs-loaded SCF is a compelling choice for a water purification system. Consequently, these findings have great potential for the future development of water disinfection technology. The results emphasize the possibility of using ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters to address biofouling issues in water treatment applications. [Display omitted] • Functionalization of bleached cotton fabric (SCF) through treatment with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). • The functionalized SCF was applied for preventing the microbial growth on surfaces in water during the filtering process. • ZnONPs was prepared using Gum Arabic (GA) as a stabilizing agent, which able to produces ZnO in dispersed nano-form. • The results highlight the superior anti-adhesion and biofouling mitigation properties of ZnONPs-loaded SCF microfilters. • ZnONPs-loaded SCF is an excellent option for water purification facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the free-floating aquatic perennials that are still rarely utilized. Water hyacinth leaf extract contains alkaloid compounds, flavonoids, phenols, glutathione, terpenoids, and saponins, which have potent antibacterial activity. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of Water hyacinth leaf extract against bacterial plaque from gingivitis patients. This study used the maceration technique to prepare Water hyacinth leaf extract with 70% ethanol. A dilution technique was used to form eight concentration extracts: 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.125%, 3.125%, 1.56%, and 0.78%. The antibacterial effect of the extract was studied by counting the number of growth colonies that grew on the Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA) medium. Post-hoc HSD Test statistical analysis of the antibacterial potency of Water hyacinth leaf extract on colony bacterial plaque growth in patients with gingivitis showed a significant result (p = 0.00) with inhibition activity of Water hyacinth leaf extract starting at 3.125%. Water hyacinth leaf extract was potential effective to inhibit bacterial plaque growth in patients with gingivitis from the concentration of 3.125%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scavenging constitutes an understudied energy pathway in terrestrial ecosystems, with important connections to disease ecology. A prevailing null hypothesis in scavenging ecology is that carcasses serve as a risk-free meal for whatever animal first encounters them on the landscape. We tested this hypothesis by focusing on a suspected risk that scavengers would face at carcasses: the risk of pathogen exposure. We conducted field trials with mouse carcasses in which we manipulated potential cues to pathogen risk and then monitored scavenger foraging decisions. Separately, we studied pathogen and commensal bacteria dynamics within mouse carcasses through time in the laboratory to better understand how carcass age might impact pathogen risk to scavengers. A visual cue to pathogen risk in the field (carcasses deployed in groups of 7 in 1 m2) caused facultative vertebrate scavengers to pass on the opportunity to feed at a rate six-times higher than for carcasses deployed singly (46.9% vs. 7.7%), suggesting an ability to perceive cues to pathogen risk at carcasses. The cues to carcass age, however, produced no effect on facultative scavenger behavior in our field trials. Laboratory trials demonstrated that both commensal enteric bacteria and a known pathogen (Listeria monocytogenes) increased at least through bloat and active decay stages in carcasses, suggesting that cues to carcass age may not help scavengers reduce pathogen risk early in decomposition. In providing evidence counter to the free meal hypothesis, our results support the continued formation of an alternative risk-based framework to understand scavenger behavior at carcasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study was designed to investigate the effects of chlorhexidine 0.12%, TrisEDTA (tromethamine ethylenediamintetraacetic acid), and a combination of chlorhexidine 0.12% and TrisEDTA on an in vitro plaque biofilm model comprised of three bacterial species commonly found in canine subgingival plaque. Porphyromonas gulae, Actinomyces canis, and Neisseria canis were grown in a biofilm on polished hydroxyapatite coated titanium alloy pucks for 72 h prior to exposure to one of four test solutions: TrisEDTA, chlorhexidine 0.12%, a combination of TrisEDTA and chlorhexidine 0.12%, or sterile deionized water as a control. Following exposure to the test solution, a sample was collected of the biofilm either immediately or following 24 h of additional incubation in a broth medium. Lower numbers of CFU/mL of Porphyromonas gulae resulted when the biofilm was treated with a solution of chlorhexidine 0.12% and TrisEDTA compared to with chlorhexidine 0.12% alone, TrisEDTA alone, or the control and so this solution can be said to be synergistic against Porphyromonas gulae in this controlled in vitro model. Greater reductions in the numbers of CFU/mL of Actinomyces canis and Neisseria canis resulted from treatment with chlorhexidine 0.12% alone than if treated with the combination of TrisEDTA and chlorhexidine 0.12%. When treated biofilm samples were allowed 24 h of additional growth in fresh media, greater variance resulted and this variance highlights the complex dynamics involved in bacterial growth within a biofilm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: For over a decade, resistance to newly synthesized antibiotics has been observed worldwide. The challenge of antibiotic resistance has led to several pharmaceutical companies to abandon the synthesis of new drugs in fear of bacteria developing resistance in a short period hence limiting initial investment return. To this effect, alternative approaches such as the use of bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections are being explored. This review explores the recent advances in phage-mediated antibacterial applications and their limitations. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Lib Hub and Google Scholar databases from January 2019 to November 2019. The search key words used were the application of bacteriophages to inhibit bacterial growth and human phage therapy to extract full-text research articles and proceedings from International Conferences published only in English. Results: The search generated 709 articles of which 95 full-text research articles fulfilled the inclusion guidelines. Transmission Electron Microscopy morphological characterization conducted in 23 studies registered Myoviruses, Siphoviruses, Podoviruses, and Cytoviruses phage families while molecular characterization revealed that some phages were not safe to use as they harbored undesirable genes. All in vivo phage therapy studies in humans and model animals against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection provided 100% protection. Ex vivo and in vitro phage therapy experiments exhibited overwhelming results as they registered high efficacies of up to 100% against MDR clinical isolates. Phage-mediated bio-preservation of foods and beverages and bio-sanitization of surfaces were highly successful with bacterial growth suppression of up to 100%. Phage endolysins revealed efficacies statistically comparable to those of phages and restored normal ethanol production by completely eradicating lactic acid bacteria in ethanol fermenters. Furthermore, the average multiplicity of infection was highest in ex vivo phage therapy (557,291.8) followed by in vivo (155,612.4) and in vitro (434.5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biohybrid microswimmers exploit the natural abilities of motile microorganisms e.g. in releasing cargo on-demand. However, using such engineered swarms to release antibiotics addressing bacterial infections has not yet been realized. Herein, a design strategy for biohybrid microswimmers is reported, which features the covalent attachment of antibiotics with a photo-cleavable linker to the algae C hlamydomonas reinhardtii via two synthetic steps. This surface engineering does not rely on genetic manipulations, proceeds with high efficiency, and retains the viability or phototaxis of microalgae. Two different antibiotics have been separately utilized, which result in activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative strains. Guiding the biohybrid microswimmers by an external beacon, and on-demand delivery of the drugs by light with high spatial and temporal control, allowed for strong inhibition of bacterial growth. This efficient strategy could potentially allow for the selective treatment of bacterial infections by engineered algal microrobots with high precision in space and time. Biological swimmers with innate sensing and actuation capabilities and integrated components have been widely investigated to create autonomous microsystems. The use of natural swimmers as cargo delivery systems presents an alternative strategy to transport therapeutics to the required locations with the difficult access by traditional strategies. Although the transfer of various therapeutic cargo has shown promising results, the utilization of microswimmers for the delivery of antimicrobials was barely covered. Therefore, we present biohybrid microalga-powered swimmers designed and engineered to carry antibiotic cargo against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Guided by an external beacon, these microhybrids deliver the antibiotic payload to the site of bacterial infection, with high spatial and temporal precision, released on-demand by an external trigger to inhibit bacterial growth. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to enumerate the Bacillus cereus sensu lato from infant's flour sampled at Béchar city and evaluate its resistance to different heating conditions during meal preparation patterns at home. Our findings revealed a prevalence of 74% with 2.4 to 3.9 CFU/g in the analyzed samples. Regarding the heat resistance at 90 °C to 98 °C, our results showed heat resistance variability which depends on the isolate, for example, D90 °C and zT °C values varied from 3.24 to 5.52 min and 11.56 to 89.74 °C respectively. Then, the decimal reduction (n) was calculated at all preparation temperatures (50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 °C). Low "n" was observed with the preparation at T≤50 °C as recommended by the fabricant. However, at the other temperatures, high "n" was observed at 100°C with median and 95th values of 2.22 and 12.36 respectively. Therefore, bacterial concentrations (99th) were estimated at 0.124 log CFU/g for 100 °C. These concentrations could be increased with bacterial growth during meal storage and then achieve critical concentrations. Thus, the results of this work highlight the interest to establish a risk assessment for babies and to improve the production, preparation, and storage conditions of the infant's flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a simple method to functionalise the surface of AZ31 magnesium alloy by applying a duplex MgF 2 /chitosan coating, which improves its corrosion resistance and provides it with some antibacterial performance. First, the effect of three chitosan solutions with different concentrations on the growth of the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae in nutritive medium (TSB) was evaluated by absorbance kinetics experiments, where the chitosan solution at 2% (m/V) was selected for the coating preparation. Before coating application, the AZ31 substrate was pretreated with hydrofluoric acid for 48 hours in order to form a MgF 2 conversion layer. Subsequently, the coating was applied to the pretreated substrate through the dry-casting method. Samples of the alloy in each surface condition (bare, pretreated, and pretreated + coated with chitosan) were exposed to simulated body fluid (SBF) for 21 days at 37 °C, with the solution renewed every 24 hours and the wastes stored. The surfaces were characterised by SEM-EDS, and XPS after the immersion tests, whereas the stored solutions were employed to measure the change in the Mg-ions concentration. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarisation were performed in each surface condition to compare their corrosion resistance in SBF. The antibacterial activity of the functionalised surfaces was evaluated by the plate counting method and compared with bare samples. All results were correlated and demonstrate that the modified surface of AZ31 achieved a higher corrosion resistance when it was exposed to SBF, as well as a reduction of the bacterial growth during in vitro tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production by Paraburkholderia sacchari was investigated using glucose-xylose mixtures as simulated corn stover hydrolysates to optimize the culture media. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was selected to comprehensively understand the effects of four variables including sugar concentration, molar C/N ratio, phosphorus concentration, and sugar ratio on P(3HB) production. The optimized parameters were identified as initial sugar concentration (23 g/L), molar C/N ratio (44), phosphorus concentration (8.7 g/L), and sugar ratio (1.9∶1). Under the optimal conditions, P. sacchari achieved the maximum P(3HB) accumulation of 55.8 % with a P(3HB) titer of 5.16 g/L (0.23 g/g Sugar). The extracted polymer was confirmed as P(3HB) and exhibited enhanced thermostability. Furthermore, P(3HB) was successfully synthesized from ball-milled corn stover hydrolysate under optimized conditions with the P(3HB) titer reached 7.66 g/L (0.33 g/g Sugar), which was higher than the pure mixed sugar system and other reports on lignocellulose hydrolysates with batch fermentation (<5 g/L). Therefore, P. sacchari exhibits the potential for P(3HB) production using corn stover hydrolysates as an inexpensive substrate. [Display omitted] • The bacterial growth increased by 30% and P(3HB) production by 66% after optimization. • Molar C/N ratio is most significant for maximizing P(3HB) accumulation. • The higher P(3HB) production (7.6 g/L) was obtained in corn stover hydrolysates. • Corn stover hydrolysates can be exploited as a potential carbon source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis is a highly prevalent disease that affects up to 90% of the worldwide population. The highly dynamic oral environment, tissue-teeth "pocket" structure, and antimicrobial resistance pose challenges to periodontitis local treatments, which urgently need to be upgraded with advanced biomaterials and novel therapeutics. Herein, a new treatment strategy for periodontitis is proposed by synergistic nanozyme catalyzed phototherapeutic/chemodynamic sterilization and microneedles (MNs) in situ delivery platform. A biodegradable versatile photothermal microneedles (MN-SF/CuS) patch was constructed by the in situ growth of monodispersed ultrasmall CuS nanozyme on silk-fibroin (SF) biomolecule and then hybridization in methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA). The synthetic SF/CuS nanozyme endows microneedles with amplifies phototherapeutic/chemodynamic sterilization, excellent mechanical properties, and promotes periodontal tissue regeneration. The constructed MN-SF/CuS can be conveniently and minimally invasively inserted deeply into periodontal tissue without being affected by saliva, where it delivers thermal action, reactive oxygen species, and copper to the specified depth, achieving rapid sterilization and inhibition of bacterial growth. Meanwhile, MN-SF/CuS achieves on-demand phototherapy effect without damaging surrounding normal tissues. A preclinical large animal model confirmed that the MN-SF/CuS provided excellent irreversible antibacterial activity and promoted tissue regeneration, substantially improving the tolerance and compliance of periodontal treatment. [Display omitted] • MN-SF/CuS was constructed and used for periodontitis with irreversible sterilization and excellent repair effect. • MN-SF/CuS can reach deep into the periodontal tissue and release active ingredients in situ without being washed by saliva. • MN-SF/CuS achieves on-demand phototherapy via controlling the photothermal-chemodynamic therapy of SF/CuS nanozyme. • SF/CuS nanozyme was synthesized by in-situ growth of monodispersion ultra-small CuS within SF by a facile method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Various species of candida contribute to oral candidiasis. It is the time to shift from conventional rigid antimicrobial therapies to more patient specific and safer ones. Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate antifungal effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Indocyanine green as photosensitizer and low-power laser irradiation on the viability of candida albicans, candida tropicalis, candida glabrata and candida krusei, and to compare it with Nystatin as the conventional treatment. Materials and Method: In this in vitro study, 0.5 McFarland suspensions of candida's species were prepared (n=50, each). Each strain was then divided into five groups of 10 samples each, according to the following experimental interventions: (1) Nystatin, (2) photodynamic therapy: laser irradiation (wavelength= 808 nm, power= 100 mW, energy density= 10 J/cm2, exposure duration= 100 s) in the presence of the photosensitizer, (3) laser irradiation alone, (4) treatment with the PS alone and (5-control: no exposure to laser light or photosensitizer. Next, serial dilutions were prepared and seeded onto Sabouraud dextrose agar. The colonies were counted, and the values of log (CFU/ml) were analyzed by variance and the Tamhan test (p< 0.05). Results: Photodynamic therapy mediated indocyanine green is significantly effective in reducing the number of CFU/ml of all species of candida tested, compared to control group (p< .001). Nystatin, laser irradiation and photodynamic therapy, with respectively decreasing potency, have considerably reduced the number of candida's colonies in all four bacterial strains (p<. 05). Photosensitizer alone, showed impressive antimicrobial potency against all species of candida except candida albicans, in comparison to control group. Conclusion: It seems that laser therapy alone is more powerful than photodynamic therapy mediated indocyanine green; however, conventional treatment has still the top antimicrobial efficacy towards all candida species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus intermedius is a member of the anginosus group of streptococci, an oral commensal bacterium found in infected root canals, and the causative agent of deep-seated abscesses. This organism has slow clearance when phagocytosed within neutrophils. Here, we investigated the role of its phosphoglucosamine mutase (GlmM), an enzyme associated with peptidoglycan synthesis, in bacterial growth, cell morphology, and resistance to polymorphonuclear leukocyte killing. The glmM -deletion (Δ glmM) mutant and the plasmid-borne complementation (Δ glmM / glmM) strain of S. intermedius were generated. The wild type, the Δ glmM mutant, and the Δ glmM / glmM strain were phagocytosed with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and bacterial viability in PMNs was determined by LIVE/DEAD staining. Additionally, bacterial growth and cell morphology were also compared. The survival rate of the Δ glmM mutant was significant lower than that of the wild type. Although the difference in the survival rate of the Δ glmM / glmM strain compared to that of the wild type or the Δ glmM mutant was not significant, the rate appeared to be restored to the middle level. Compared to the wild type and the Δ glmM / glmM strain, the Δ glmM mutant showed reduced growth potential, a significant increase in the number of bacterial chains, and heterogeneous bacteria. GlmM is one of the factors responsible for the stable resistance of S. intermedius to clearance by PMNs. • Survival rate of the glmM mutant was lower than Streptococcus intermedius wild type. • Growth reduction, bacterial chain elongation, cell heterogeneity found in glmM mutant. • GlmM is a factor for the stable resistance of S. intermedius to PMN killing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone defects are commonly caused by traumatic injuries and tumor removal and critically sized defects overwhelm the regenerative capacity of the native tissue. Reparative strategies such as auto, xeno, and allografts have proven to be insufficient to reconstruct and regenerate these defects. For the first time, we introduce the use of handheld melt spun three dimensional printers that can deposit materials directly within the defect site to properly fill the cavity and form free-standing scaffolds. Engineered composite filaments were generated from poly(caprolactone) (PCL) doped with zinc oxide nanoparticles and hydroxyapatite microparticles. The use of PCL-based materials allowed low-temperature printing to avoid overheating of the surrounding tissues. The in situ printed scaffolds showed moderate adhesion to wet bone tissue, which can prevent scaffold dislocation. The printed scaffolds showed to be osteoconductive and supported the osteodifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Biocompatibility of the scaffolds upon in vivo printing subcutaneously in mice showed promising results. • Bone defects are frequent and, in many cases, benefit from an immediate intervention. • A portable and handheld printer is introduced that allows the printing of hard polymeric materials directly into the defect site that allow reconstruction of the geometrical features of the defected tissue. • The ease-of-use of the investigated device was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. • The in situ printed scaffolds adhered to the tissue and supported the growth and differentiation of cultured stem cells. They also prevented bacterial growth without inducing excessive inflammation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia mortality globally. Pneumococcal disease is often associated with prolonged colonisation of hosts and this process is facilitated by biofilm formation that is largely resistant to conventional antibiotics. We investigated the effects of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) lysozyme, lactoferrin, LL37 and a combination of all three on planktonic growth, biofilm formation and biofilm-derived bacterial viability by S. pneumoniae, serotype 23F. Planktonic growth and biofilm-derived bacterial viability were determined using standard colony-forming techniques, while biofilm formation was measured using a crystal violet based spectrophotometric method. Relative to controls, lysozyme significantly reduced biofilm formation (0.08 OD vs. 0.10 OD at 570 nm, p = 0.01), while LL37 and the AMP combination increased biofilm formation (0.14 OD vs. 0.10 OD at 570 nm, p = 0.01). The combination of AMPs significantly decreased planktonic growth (1.10 × 108 colony-forming units per millilitres [CFU/mL] vs. 2.13 × 108 CFU/mL, p = 0.02). Biofilm-derived bacterial viability was greatly reduced by exposure to a combination of AMPs (1.05 × 105 CFU/mL vs. 1.12 × 106 CFU/mL, p = 3.60 × 10−8). Streptococcus pneumoniae displays marked resistance to the individual AMPs. A combination of lysozyme, lactoferrin and LL37 effectively inhibited planktonic growth and biofilm-derived bacterial viability; however, persister cell growth was still evident after exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TThe bone cavities after extirpation of cysts or tumor of the jawbone requires the insertion of gauze containing various antibiotics/antiseptics to minimize the risk of pain, bleeding, and surgical site infection (SSI). However, there have been few reports on the efficacy of topical administration of antibiotics/antiseptics to an open wound of the jawbone. To compare the inhibitory effects of topical povidone-iodine gel and tetracycline ointment on the jawbone wound bacterial growth after extirpation of cyst or tumor. This is a preliminary, randomized controlled, open-labeled trial. Eighteen patients were randomly assigned into two groups. In povidone-iodine (PI) group, gauze mixed with povidone-iodine gel was inserted into the bone cavity wound, and in tetracycline (TC) group gauze mixed with tetracycline ointment was inserted after extirpation of cyst or tumor of the jaw bone. In both groups, gauze was removed 48 h after surgery, and examined by bacterial culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers detecting total bacteria and MRSA. The topical application of tetracycline ointment was superior to that of povidone-iodine gel concerning inhibitory effects of total bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This preliminary study suggests that the insertion of gauze mixed with tetracycline ointment is recommended for bone wounds after extirpation of cyst or tumor of the oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Contributions / Prilozi (1857-9345) is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research / Revue Canadienne de Recherche Vétérinaire is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Implant-associated infections is one of the most challenging post-operative complications in bone-related implantations. To tackle this clinical issue, we developed a low-cost and durable surface coating for medical grade titanium implants that uses positively charged silane molecules. The in vitro antimicrobial tests revealed that the titanium surface coated with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane, which has the appropriate length of hydrophobic alkyl chain and positive charged amino group, suppressed more than 90% of the initial bacterial adhesion of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli after 30 min of incubation. In terms of growth inhibitory rate, the treated surface was able to reduce 75.7% ± 11.9% of bacterial growth after a 24-hour culturing, thereby exhibiting superior anti-biofilm formation in the late stage. When implanted into the rat model infected by S. aureus , the treated surface eliminated the implant-associated infection through the mechanism of inhibition of bacterial adhesion on the implant surface. Additionally, the treated surface was highly compatible with mammalian cells. In general, our design demonstrated its potential for human clinical trials as a low-cost and effective antibacterial strategy to minimize post-operative implant-related bacterial infection. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been used in management of dentinal hypersensitivity and dental caries. This in vitro study evaluated the antimicrobial effects of SDF on subgingival microorganisms from severe human periodontitis lesions. Subgingival biofilm specimens from 24 adults with severe periodontitis were mixed in vitro with 19% or 38% SDF or left untreated (n = 24 per group) and then inoculated on enriched Brucella blood agar with anaerobic incubation. Selected red-and orange-complex periodontal pathogens were pheno-typically identified in the subgingival specimens, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens, Parvimonas micra, Campylobacter rectus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Streptococcus constellatus. Other microbial species recovered from SDF-treated specimens were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The SDF-treated specimens yielded significantly lower mean total viable counts and significantly lower mean total cultivable proportional levels of red- and orange-complex periodontal pathogens (0.596-0.6%) than did untreated specimens (25.9%) (P < 0.001). The only red- and orange-complex species recovered from SDF-treated specimens wer eP micra (3 patients) and S constellatus (1 patient). The predominant cultivable isolates from SDF-treated specimens were Streptococcus oralis and other streptococci of relatively low periodontopathic and cariogenic potential. No statistically significant in vitro antimicrobial differences were found between 19% and 38% SDF against subgingival biofilm specimens. In this experiment, SDF exhibited substantial in vitro antimicrobial activity against putative periodontal pathogens from severe periodontitis lesions. The suppression of red- and orange-complex periodontal pathogens in subgingival biofilms by SDF treatment, along with the selection of SDF-resistant Streptococcus species that are associated with periodontal health, suggests a potential new therapeutic use for SDF in the management of human periodontal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) of 3% NaOCl, 2% CHX, MTAD, and EDTA against E. faecalis. Certified colonies of E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) were used to determine the antimicrobial effect of 3% NaOCl, 2% CHX, MTAD, and EDTA and broth dilution method was applied to determine the MIC. In the test tubes were poured testing material and the corresponding microorganism, starting from 1ml-0.06 ml of irrigant (being halved each time). The test tubes were incubated at 37℃ for 24 h. The MIC was recorded as the lowest concentration of irrigant that inhibited bacterial growth, based on analysis using a spectrophotometer. Analysis of variance was used to compare sensitivities to the irrigants, as well as MIC. The antibacterial effect of 3% NaOCl, 2% CHX and MTAD in E. faecalis cultures decreased with increasing dilution of irrigators. The higher rate of absorbance, the smaller the antibacterial affect of tested substances was shown and the higher purity of percentage, the greater antibacterial effect was shown. The results of this study indicated that MTAD had the most robust and efficient antimicrobial effects, compared with other test substances, both at full concentration and when diluted fivefold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open pores between endodontic sealer and root canal walls present potential niches for bacterial growth and migration pathways. The aim was to assess the internal and external porosity of calcium silicate–based sealers and to ascertain the long-term effect of storage in simulated body fluid on sealer porosity. Sixteen single-rooted teeth were filled with gutta-percha and 1 of 4 root canal sealers: BioRoot RCS, EndoSequence BC, MTA Fillapex, or AH Plus. Obturated roots, stored in Hank's balanced salt solution, were scanned after 7 days and after 6 months by using micro–computed tomography at an isotropic resolution of 9.9 μm. Total, open, and closed porosity were calculated in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. Data were statistically analyzed by using general linear model and paired t test (α = 0.05). Significantly higher percentage of open than closed porosity was found in all groups. Initially, significantly greater open and total porosity were found for MTA Fillapex than for AH Plus. After 6 months, the percentage of open and total porosity increased in BioRoot RCS and MTA Fillapex and decreased in AH Plus and EndoSequence BC. Both initially and after storage, coronal region of all sealers had significantly greater total porosity than middle and apical regions, which were comparable. None of the root fillings were void-free, with predominant open porosity persisting after long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the management of early-onset sepsis at Saad Abul-Ella Teaching Hospital, Sudan. Methods: A descriptive retrospective hospital-based study was carried out at the Nursery Department of Saad Abul-Ella Teaching Hospital. All medical records of neonates with suspected or confirmed sepsis during the year 2017 were reviewed to evaluate the management of antibiotics for sepsis using a data collection form. Results: Out of the 205 cases, 82 neonates (40%) were diagnosed as early-onset sepsis, among which the majority was male (68%). All neonates were given cefotaxime plus vancomycin as empirical therapy which was changed to other antibiotics in 23% of the cases. The common risk factors associated with early-onset sepsis wereprolonged rupture of membrane (41.8%), preterm delivery (26.3%) and low birth weight (15.1%). Blood cultures were performed in 168 cases, and 19% had bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus which is the most common isolated pathogen. Conclusions: Cefotaxime plus vancomycin are the main empirical antibiotic for sepsis, and Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen associated with early-onset sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is widely debated whether fetal membranes possess a genuine microbiome, and if bacterial presence and load is linked to inflammation. Chorioamnionitis is an inflammation of the fetal membranes. This research focussed on inflammatory diagnosed histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) and aimed to determine whether the bacterial load in fetal membranes correlates to inflammatory response, including histological staging and inflammatory markers in HCA.Methods: Fetal membrane samples were collected from patients with preterm spontaneous labour and histologically phenotyped chorioamnionitis (HCA; n = 12), or preterm (n = 6) and term labour without HCA (n = 6). The bacterial profile of fetal membranes was analysed by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial load was determined using qPCR copy number/mg of tissue. The association between bacterial load and bacterial profile composition was assessed using correlation analysis.Results: Bacterial load was significantly greater within HCA amnion (p = 0.002) and chorion (p = 0.042), compared to preterm birth without HCA. Increased bacterial load was positively correlated with increased histological staging (p = 0.001) and the expression of five inflammatory markers; IL8, TLR1, TLR2, LY96 and IRAK2 (p=<0.050). Bacterial profiles were significantly different between membranes with and without HCA in amnion (p = 0.012) and chorion (p = 0.001), but no differences between specific genera were detected.Discussion: Inflammatory HCA is associated with infection and increased bacterial load in a dose response relationship. Bacterial load is positively correlated with HCA severity and the TLR signalling pathway. Further research should investigate the bacterial load threshold required to generate an inflammatory response in HCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]