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Objective: The aim was to systematically review clinical studies that investigated the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in reducing oral yeasts growth (OYG) in individuals wearing implant overdentures (IO)., Methods: The focused question was "Is aPDT effective in reducing OYG in patients wearing IO?" Literature search was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Indexed databases were searched without time and language restrictions up to and including January 2024. Clinical studies were included; and letters to the Editor, case-reports/case-series, perspectives/commentaries, in-vitro/ex-vivo studies, studies on animal models and expert opinions were excluded. The risk of bias was also assessed., Results: Two clinical studies were included and processed for data extraction. The study population comprised of 100 (mean age: 58.5 years) and 53 (mean age: 58.5 years) individuals. The numbers of males and females included in these studies ranged between 33 and 35 males and 18-67 females, respectively. In both studies, follow-up evaluations were performed after 60 days. In both studies, aPDT was performed using a 660 nm diode laser at a power of 100 mW and using methylene-blue as photosensitizer. Results from both studies showed that aPDT is effective in significantly reducing oral yeasts CFU/ml and improvement of OHRQoL of individuals using IO., Conclusion: The aPDT is useful in reducing OYG on IO; however, further well-designed and power-adjusted studies are needed in this area of research., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author declares no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Tailoring nanomaterials with tunable properties is of great importance to develop multifunctional candidates in the biomedical field. In the present study, we aimed to develop a promising nano-hybrid system composed of chitosan (CS) and mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a silver nanoshell coat (CS-AgMSNs). The physicochemical properties of CS-AgMSNs films were characterized using various techniques. Further, the mechanical properties of CS-AgMSNs were evaluated and compared with those of undoped CS film. Moreover, the antimicrobial activities of CS-AgMSNs (with different concentrations) were assessed against E-coli, S. aureus, C. albicans, and A. niger. Our results demonstrated that increasing the concentrations of doped AgMSNs (10 to 40 mg) in CS films lowered their transparency and blocked light transmission effectively. The measured elastic modulus of CS-AgMSNs films (20 and 30 mg) showed a decrease in the stiffness of CS films. Also, the elongation at break for CS-AgMSNs (40 mg) indicated a better flexibility. CS-AgMSNs films (10-40 mg) showed an enhanced antimicrobial activity in a concentration-dependent manner compared to undoped CS films. Collectively, the results suggest that our nano-hybrid CS-AgMSNs matrix has unique and promising properties, and holds potential for use in the biomedical field, food packaging, and textile industry., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Herein, tannic acid (TA)-reinforced chitosan (CHS)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) biocomposite membranes were prepared by TA solution incubating treatment. The functional groups, crystal structure, and morphological characterizations of the prepared biocomposite membranes were investigated using various methods. The biocomposite membranes were investigated in terms of their wettability, porosity, swelling degree, and water uptake. In vitro antioxidant investigation was carried out through DPPH assay. Moreover, the prepared biocomposite membranes were evaluated for their antimicrobial ability against three different microbial species. The introduction of TA effectively improved the swelling behavior, mechanical strength, and porosity of the biocomposite membranes. TA increased the tensile strength from 0.7 ± 0.2 MPa to a maximum of 2.2 ± 0.6 MPa and elongation at break from 26.9 ± 0.7% to a maximum of 36.7 ± 3.5%. The biocomposite membranes showed an initial burst release of TA (~40%) within 6 h, followed by a gradual release of 100% by 18 h. Furthermore, the introduction of TA into the biocomposite membranes further improved the antimicrobial activities against both bacteria and yeast, as well as the in vitro antioxidant potential. As a consequence, the prepared biocomposite membranes could potentially be used as scaffold in broaden biomedical fields due to their adaptable structure, porosity, greatly antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chitosan (Ch) was reacted with seven benzaldehyde analogs separately through reductive amination in which the corresponding imines were formed and followed by reduction to produce N-(benzyl) chitosan (NBCh) derivatives. 1 H NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize the products. The nanoparticles (NPs) of Ch and NBCh derivatives were prepared according to the ionotropic gelation mechanism between Ch products and sodium tripolyphosphate, followed by high-energy ultrasonication. Scanning electron microscopy, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential were applied for the NPs examination. The particle size was ranged from 235.17 to 686.90 nm and narrow size distribution (PDI <1). The zeta potential of NPs was varied between -1.26 and -27.50 mV. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against bacteria (Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica, Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, and Ralstonia solanacearum), fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger), and yeast (Candida albicans). The action of NBCh derivatives was significantly higher than Ch. The NPs had considerably higher than the Ch and NBCh derivatives. The activity was directly proportional to the chemical derivatization of Ch and the zeta potential of the NPs. The antimicrobial efficacy of these derivatives formulated in a greener approach could become an alternative to using traditional antimicrobial applications in an environmentally friendly manner., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: New automated modules are required to provide fully automated solutions in diagnostic microbiology laboratories. We evaluated the performance of a Becton Dickinson Kiestra™ IdentifA/SusceptA prototype for MALDI-TOF identification (ID) and Phoenix™ antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST)., Methods: The performance of the IdentifA/SusceptA coupled prototype was compared with manual processing for MALDI-TOF ID on 1302 clinical microbial isolates or ATCC strains and for Phoenix™ M50 AST on 484 strains, representing 61 species., Results: Overall, the IdentifA exhibited similar ID performances than manual spotting. Higher performances were observed for Gram-negative bacteria with an ID at the species level (score >2) of 96.5% (369/382) and 86.9% (334/384), respectively. A significantly better performance was observed with the IdentifA (95.2%, 81/85) compared with manual spotting (75.2%, 64/85) from colonies on MacConkey agar. Contrariwise, the IdentifA exhibited lower ID performances at the species level than manual processing for streptococci (76.1%, 96/126 compared with 92%, 115/125), coagulase-negative staphylococci (73.3%, 44/60 compared with 90%, 54/60) and yeasts (41.3%, 19/46 compared with 78.2%, 36/46). Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci were similarly identified by the two approaches, with ID rates of 92% (65/70) for the IdentifA and 92.7%, (64/69) for manual processing and 94.8%, (55/58) for the IdentifA and 98.2%, (57/58) for manual processing, respectively. The SusceptA exhibited an AST overall essential agreement of 98.82% (6863/6945), a category agreement of 98.86% (6866/6945), 1.05% (6/570) very major errors, 0.16% (10/6290) major errors, and 0.91% (63/6945) minor errors compared to the reference AST., Conclusions: Overall, the automated IdentifA/SusceptA exhibited high ID and AST performances., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Combination effects of ɛ-polylysine coating (0.5 and 1%) and stinging nettle extract (3, 6 and 9%) on quality properties and shelf life of beef meat (2 × 2 × 2 cm) was evaluated at 4 °C for 12 days. The results indicated that ɛ-polylysine (ε-PL) coating with stinging nettle extract (SNE) had no significant effects on ash, fat, protein and moisture content among packaged beef samples in polyethylene bags (in atmosphere condition). At the end of storage, beef samples coated with 1% ε-PL and 9% SNE had significantly lower TBARS and TVB-N values compared to those found in control. Furthermore, 1% ε-PL coating with SNE 9% showed the highest inhibitory effects against molds and yeast, total viable counts (TVC) and coliforms during storage. However, sensory evaluation showed that samples coated with 1% ε-PL and 6% SNE had the highest scores for overall acceptability compared to the other groups. Based on the obtained results, ε-PL coating with SNE could be effectively used for extending the beef meat shelf life without negative effects on sensory attributes., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Proguanil in combination with its synergistic partner atovaquone has been used for malaria treatment and prophylaxis for decades. However its mode of action is not fully understood. Here we used yeast to investigate its activity. Proguanil inhibits yeast growth, causes cell death and acts in synergy with atovaquone. It was previously proposed that the drug would target the system that maintains the mitochondrial membrane potential when the respiratory chain is inhibited. However our data did not seem to validate that hypothesis. We proposed that proguanil would not have a specific target but accumulate in the mitochondrial to concentrations that impair multiple mitochondrial functions leading to cell death. Selection and study of proguanil resistant mutants pointed towards an unexpected resistance mechanism: the decrease of CoQ level, which possibly alters the mitochondrial membrane properties and lowers proguanil intramitochondrial level., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: While fungaemia caused by two or more different species of yeasts (mixed fungaemia, MF) is infrequent, it might be underestimated., Aims: This study aimed to determine the incidence of MF, clinical characteristics of the patients, and antifungal susceptibility profiles of the isolates with a systematic review of the literature., Sources: Data sources were PubMed and Scopus., Study Eligibility Criteria: Studies reporting ten or more mixed fungaemia episodes., Content: Study included MF episodes in adults between January 2000 and August 2018 in Hacettepe University Hospitals, Turkey. The isolation, identification and antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) of the isolates were by standard mycological methods. Patient data were obtained retrospectively. Literature search was performed using relevant keywords according to PRISMA systematic review guidelines. A total of 32 patients with 33 MF episodes were identified. Among all fungaemia episodes, MF incidence was 3.7% (33/883). All patients had one or more underlying disorders among which solid-organ cancer (50.0%, 16/32) was the most common. Overall mortality was 51.5% (17/33). The most preferred antifungal agents for initial treatment were fluconazole (48.5%, 16/33) and echinocandins (39.4%, 13/33). Fluconazole susceptible-dose-dependent (S-DD) or -resistant Candida species were detected in 15 episodes, and an isolate of C. parapsilosis was classified as S-DD by AFST. All Candida isolates were susceptible to echinocandins. Non-candida yeasts with intrinsic resistance/reduced susceptibility to both echinocandins and fluconazole were detected in two episodes. Systematic review of the literature revealed 24 studies that reported more than ten MF episodes. Methodology was variable. Improvement of detection rates was reported when chromogenic agars were used. Most studies underlined detection of isolates with reduced susceptibility., Implications: Although rare, the MF rate is affected by the detection methods, which have improved in recent years. Fluconazole and echinocandins were used for initial treatment in accordance with the current guideline recommendations; however, isolates non-susceptible to both were detected. Detection of a mixed infection offers an opportunity for optimum treatment., (Copyright © 2020 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Four new benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides with combinations of chloride, ethyl ester and methyl as terminals of the amino substituents were synthesized. These compounds were characterized and their optical properties were studied in absolute dry ethanol and water. Their antiproliferative activity was tested against Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a broth microdilution assay, along with an array of 36 other benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values between 1.56 and >200 µM were observed. Fluorescence microscopy studies, used to assess the intracellular distribution of the dyes, showed that these benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides function as efficient and site specific probes for the detection of the vacuole membrane. The added advantage of some of the compounds, that displayed the lower MIC values, was the simultaneous staining of both the vacuole membrane and the perinuclear membrane of endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Molecular docking studies were performed on the human membrane protein oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC), using the crystal structure available on PDB (code 1W6K). The results showed that these most active compounds accommodated better in the active sites of ER enzyme OSC suggesting this enzyme as a potential target. As a whole, the results demonstrate that the benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides are interesting alternatives to the available commercial dyes. Changes in the substituents of these compounds can tailor both their staining specificity and antimicrobial activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study evaluated the efficacy of the essential oil from Mentha piperita L. (MPEO) to inactivate cells of the potentially spoilage yeasts Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Pichia anomala and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in cashew, guava, mango and pineapple juices during 72 h of refrigerated storage. Damage in different physiological functions caused by MPEO in S. cerevisiae in cashew and guava juices were investigated using flow cytometry (FC). The effects of the incorporation of an effective anti-yeast MPEO dose on sensory characteristics of juices were also evaluated. MPEO displayed minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.875 μL/mL against all tested yeasts. A >5 log reduction in counts of C. albicans, P. anomala and S. cerevisiae was observed in cashew and guava juices with 7.5 and 3.75 μL/mL MPEO. Tested MPEO concentrations (1.875, 3.75 and 7.5 μL/mL) were not effective to cause >5 log reduction in counts of target yeasts in mango and pineapple juices during 72 h of exposure. Incorporation of 1.875 μL/mL MPEO in cashew and guava juices strongly compromised membrane permeability, membrane potential, enzymatic activity and efflux pump activity in S. cerevisiae cells. This same MPEO concentration did not affect appearance, odor and viscosity in fruit juices, but negatively affected their taste and aftertaste. These results show the efficacy of MPEO to inactivate potentially spoilage yeasts in fruit juices through disturbance of different physiological functions in yeast cells. However, the combined use of MPEO with other technologies should be necessary to decrease its effective anti-yeast dose in fruit juices and, consequently, the possible negative impacts on specific sensory properties of these products., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Isavuconazole is a recent extended-spectrum triazole with activity against yeasts. However, few data are available about the in vitro activity of rare yeast species. We report the MIC distribution of isavuconazole compared with fluconazole for a large collection of common or rare yeasts., Methods: Isavuconazole and fluconazole MICs were determined using the EUCAST method for 1457 clinical isolates, mainly recovered from invasive infections, belonging to 29 species. They were sent to the National Reference Centre for Invasive Mycoses & Antifungals between January 2015 and October 2017 and species identification was performed using a polyphasic approach (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight analysis and a molecular method)., Results: Isavuconazole had effective in vitro activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC90 < 0.25 mg/L), the five most common Candida spp. (MIC90 ≤ 0.5 mg/L for Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei) and also against the majority of rare species, including Candida kefyr and Candida lusitaniae. A few isolates of C. albicans (0.7%, 3/404), C. glabrata (2.7%, 5/184), C. tropicalis (1.0%, 1/96) and C. parapsilosis (0.8%, 1/127) exhibited MIC ≥4 mg/L. All were also resistant to fluconazole according to the EUCAST breakpoints. Some isolates with isavuconazole MIC ≥4 mg/L were also observed among rarer species: Meyerozyma guilliermondii (8.7%, 2/23), Wickerhamomyces anomalus (10.0%, 1/10). Other rare species Saprochaete clavata, Magnusiomyces capitatus, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa had high MIC50 (≥1 mg/L) and MIC90 (≥4 mg/L) and could be considered as resistant to isavuconazole., Conclusions: We confirmed the good in vitro activity of isavuconazole against common Candida, Cryptococcus species and the majority of the rare yeast species studied., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Oxidative stress is a common stress in yeasts during the stages of the winemaking process in which aerobic growth occurs, and it can modify the cellular lipid composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress tolerance of two non-conventional yeasts (Torulaspora delbrueckii and Metschnikowia pulcherrima) compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Therefore, their resistance against H 2 O 2 , the ROS production and the cellular lipid composition were assessed. The results showed that the non-Saccharomyces yeasts used in this study exhibited higher resistance to H 2 O 2 stress and lower ROS accumulation than Saccharomyces. Regarding the cellular lipid composition, the two non-Saccharomyces species studied here displayed a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which resulted in more fluid membranes. This result could indicate that these yeasts have been evolutionarily adapted to have better resistance against the oxidative stress. Furthermore, under external oxidative stress, non-Saccharomyces yeasts were better able to adapt their lipid composition as a defense mechanism by decreasing their percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids and squalene and increasing their monounsaturated fatty acids., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The selective properties of dioxime compounds were discovered and outlined in the beginning of 20th century by Tschugaeff [L.Z. Tschugaeff, Z. Anorg. Allgem. Chem. 46 (1905) 144]. Dioximes have special properties as analytical reagents for transition metals. Dioximes complexation properties with metals were carried out by many investigations and these complexations showed a wide range of applications such as antimicrobial and theranostic agents. This review will provide general synthetic methods of oximes especially dioximes and brief overview on the applications of dioximes (applications of their metal complexes)., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dissolved humic acid (dHA) on Zn bioavailability and the subsequent influence on the Zn-induced thyroid toxicity. Zn toxicity was assessed using a yeast bioassay in the presence and absence of dHA. With increasing concentration of dHA, the toxic effects decreased, and the free Zn concentrations detected by the anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) method also decreased. The high correlation (R = 0.92, p < 0.001) between toxic effects and free Zn concentrations indicated that Zn thyroid toxicity largely comes from the free Zn fraction. Water samples from the Qing River in Beijing were also assayed for thyroid toxicity. The results revealed that the metals might contribute to the toxicity. The known thyroid hormone-disrupting metals, namely, Zn, Cd and Hg, were analyzed. The cause-effect relationship between the observed thyroid toxicity and free Zn concentrations as well as their dose-effect relationships were examined. Our results showed that Zn might be the major contributor to the observed thyroid toxicity caused by metals. These results suggest that the ASV method and the identified major contributor (Zn) may be used in lieu of conventional environmental analyses to follow the progression of a risk assessment or remediation strategy., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Crop protection agents are widely used in modern agriculture and exert direct effects on non-target microorganisms such as yeasts. Yeasts abundantly colonize wheat grain and affect its chemical composition. They can also limit pathogen growth. This study evaluated the sensitivity of yeast communities colonizing winter wheat kernels to benzimidazole, strobilurin, triazole and morpholine fungicides, trinexapac-ethyl, a commercial mixture of o-nitrophenol+p-nitrophenol+5-nitroguaiacol, and chitosan applied during the growing season of winter wheat and in vitro in a diffusion test. A molecular identification analysis of yeasts isolated from winter wheat kernels was performed, and nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYTb gene (G143A) conferring resistance to strobilurin fungicides in yeast cells were identified. The size of yeast communities increased during grain storage, and the total counts of endophytic yeasts were significantly (85%) reduced following intensive fungicide treatment (fenpropimorph, a commercial mixture of pyraclostrobin, epoxiconazole and thiophanate-methyl). This study demonstrated that agrochemical residues in wheat grain can drive selection of yeast communities for reduced sensitivity to xenobiotics. A mutation in the CYTb gene (G143A) was observed in all analyzed isolates of the following azoxystrobin-resistant species: Aureobasidium pullulans, Debaryomyces hansenii, Candida albicans and C. sake. Agrochemicals tested in vitro were divided into four classes of toxicity to yeasts: (1) tebuconazole and a commercial mixture of flusilazole and carbendazim - most toxic to yeasts; (2) fenpropimorph and a commercial mixture of pyraclostrobin and epoxyconazole; (3) propiconazole, chitosan, thiophanate-methyl and a commercial mixture of o-nitrophenol, p-nitrophenol and 5-nitroguaiacol; (4) trinexapac-ethyl and azoxystrobin - least toxic to yeasts. It was found that agrochemicals can have an adverse effect on yeast abundance and the composition of yeast communities, mostly due to differences in fungicide resistance between yeast species, including the clinically significant C. albicans., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

IlCDT1, a cysteine-rich protein, was isolated from Iris lactea var. chinensis (Fisch.) (I. lactea var. chinensis). Its transcription was up-regulated by the exogenous application of Cd. The truncated IlCDT1 (25-54) containing 14 Cys residues confers Cd tolerance to yeast as the intact IlCDT1, indicating that Cys residues are required for Cd tolerance presumably by chelating Cd. When the gene was constitutively expressed in A. thaliana, root length of transgenic lines was longer than that of wild-type under 100 μM or 200 μM Cd stress. However, Cd absorption in wild-type was more than in two trangenic lines under 100 μM Cd exposure. IlCDT1 may directly bind Cd, through chelating Cd and avoiding the Cd uptake into the cells. Together, IlCDT1 may be a promising gene for the Cd tolerance improvement., Summary: Cysteine-rich gene llCDT1 enhances cadmium tolerance in yeast cells and Arabidopsis thaliana., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

4-Hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, also named formestane, is an irreversible aromatase inhibitor and therapeutically used as anti-breast cancer medication in post-menopausal women. Currently, no therapeutical indication led to approval of its 17-hydroxylated analog 4-hydroxytestosterone, an anabolic steroid. However, it is currently investigated in a clinical trial for breast cancer. In context with sports doping, aromatase inhibitors are administered to reduce estrogenic side effects of misused anabolic substances or their metabolites. Therefore, both substances are prohibited in sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Analysis of urinary phase I and phase II metabolites showed similar results for both compounds. In the current investigation, 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, 4-hydroxytestosterone and seven of their described urinary metabolites as well as 2α-hydroxyandrostenedione were tested in the yeast androgen screen and the yeast estrogen screen. Androgenic effects were observed for all tested substances, except for one, which showed anti-androgenic properties. With regard to the yeast estrogen screen, estrogenic effects were observed for only two metabolites at rather high concentrations, while six out of the ten substances tested showed anti-estrogenic properties. In terms of the strong androgenic effect observed for 4-hydroxytestosterone (10 -8  M), 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (10 -8  M) and two more urinary metabolites, the yeast androgen assay may also be used to trace abuse in urine samples., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Although the nature-identical chemical compounds are cheaper, they not always repeat biological activity of plant origin natural chemical compounds, often react allergies and resistance of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of Juniperus communis origin α-pinene with different enantiomeric composition on bacteria, yeasts and fungi. Results showed that different enantiomeric composition of α-pinene have different activities on microorganisms: essential oil with (1S)-(-) ≈ (1R)-(+) enantiomeric composition of α-pinene influenced on some microorganisms stronger than essential oil with (1S)-(-) < (1R)-(+) enantiomeric composition of α-pinene; the pure natural α-pinene with enantiomeric composition S < R more strongly inhibited growth of investigated bacteria and Candida yeasts, α-pinene with enantiomeric composition S ≈ R - growth of Trichophyton and Aspergillus. (1S)-(-) and (1R)-(+) enantiomeric forms of α-pinene can have also different synergistic effects with other compounds of essential oil. The results of study showed that the same amount of α-pinene with different enantiomeric composition can have diverse antimicrobial potential due different specific interactions with other chemical compounds of essential oil. Therefore, it is very important to determine and present the enantiomeric composition of those plant origin compounds, which are characterized by enantiomerisation, during the course of research of biological activities of natural plant products (essential oils and other) and their isolated compounds., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to select optimal conditions (C and N sources, initial pH and temperature) for biodecolorization of 0.03% anthraquinone dye Alizarin Blue Black B (ABBB) by microscopic fungi: Haematonectria haematococca BwIII43, K37 and Trichoderma harzianum BsIII33. The phenolic compounds, phytotoxicity (Lepidium sativum L.), biotoxicity (Microtox), cytotoxicity and yeast viability assay were performed to determine the extent of ABBB detoxification. Biodecolorization and detoxification of 0.03% ABBB in H. haematococca BwIII43 and T. harzianum BsIII33 cultures was correlated with extracellular oxidoreductases activity. In turn, secondary products, toxic to human fibroblasts and respiring sod1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, were formed in H. haematococca K37 strain cultures, despite efficient decolorization., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria are a significant clinical and public health concern. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal carriage of carbapenem-resistant bacteria and yeasts in cancer patients under chemotherapy. 41 stool samples collected from cancer patients in Nini hospital in Tripoli, North Lebanon have been analyzed. After isolating yeasts and carbapenem-resistant bacteria, a biochemical identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profile were determined. The mechanism of enzymatic carbapenem-resistance was detected by searching for carbapenemases by both Hodge test and PCR assays. The association of several mechanisms of resistance was also searched. 46.3% (19/41) of patients were colonized by yeast. Candida glabrata (6/19) was the major species. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria was 24.4% (10/41) including Escherichia coli (5/10), Enterobacter cloacae (1/10), Enterobacter aerogenes (1/10) Edwardsiella hoshinae (1/10) Pantoea agglomerans (1/10) and Pseudomonas stutzeri (1/10). PCR and sequencing of the amplified fragments revealed that Pseudomonas stutzeri (1/1) carried VIM gene and Enterobacter aerogenes (1/1) and E. coli (1/5) carried OXA-48 gene. The other Enterobacteriaceae were resistant to carbapenems by mechanisms other than a carbapenemase including hyperproduction of cephalosporinase (4/10), extended spectrum beta-lactamases (1/10) and both cephalosporinase and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (2/10). High prevalence of intestinal carriage of carbapenem-resistant bacteria and yeasts were detected in cancer patients under chemotherapy. In order to prevent the development of endogenous infection and the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, an implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs and infection control measures is required in hospitals particularly in the department of chemotherapy., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

This study aims to evaluate the microbiological quality and efficacy of antimicrobials to inactivate unstressed or cold-stress adapted Salmonella and Enterococcus on broiler carcasses and wings processed at a small USDA-inspected slaughter facility in West Virginia. The first part of the study included 42 carcasses that were pre- and secondarily-enriched in bacterial media followed by streak-plating onto XLT-4 and HardyCHROM™-agar Salmonella and confirmation using an API20E-kit. The aerobic plate counts (APC), Escherichia coli (ECC), total coliforms (TCC), and yeast/molds were analyzed on petri-films. The second part of the study included fresh broiler carcasses and wings that were inoculated with unstressed and cold-stress-adapted (4 °C, 7-day) Salmonella Typhimurium and Tennessee, and Enterococcus faecium ATCC 8459 (5.5 to 6.0 log10CFU/mL) and later dipped into peroxyacetic acid (PAA; 1,000 ppm), lactic acid (LA; 5%), lactic and citric acid blend (LCA; 2.5%), and sodium hypochlorite (SH; 70 ppm) for 30 s without (carcasses) or with 2-min drainage (wings). The surviving bacteria were recovered onto non-selective and selective agar to analyze the total microbial population, Salmonella and Enterococcus. APC, TCC, and Yeast/Molds were 2.62, 1.08, and 2.37 log10CFU/mL on broiler carcasses, respectively. A total of 30 and 40% of the carcasses tested positive for Salmonella spp. and E. coli (0.48 to 1.70 log10CFU/mL), respectively. For carcasses, antimicrobial reductions of cold-stress-adapted cells of Salmonella and Enterococcus were greater (P < 0.05) than the unstressed cells. For wings, cold-stress-adapted Salmonella were more (P < 0.05) sensitive to antimicrobials than unstressed cells; however, unstressed and cold-stress-adapted Enterococcus behaved similarly (P > 0.05). The reduction of Salmonella and Enterococcus on carcasses and wings increased in the order of SH ≤ LCA < LA < PAA and irrespective of unstressed or cold-stress-adapted cells. Applying post-chilling antimicrobial dipping treatments could be an intervention approach to control Salmonella on locally processed broilers. In addition, Enterococcus faecium could be a Salmonella surrogate for in-plant validation studies., (© 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

The widespread use of organic ultraviolet (UV) filters in personal care products raises concerns about their potentially hazardous effects on human and ecosystem health. In this study, the toxicities of four commonly used benzophenones (BPs) UV filters including benzophenone (BP), 2-Hydroxybenzophenone (2HB), 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP3), and 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonicacid (BP4) in water were assayed in vitro using Vibrio fischeri, SOS/umu assay, and yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay, as well as in vivo using zebrafish larvae. The results showed that the luminescent bacteria toxicity, expressed as logEC 50 , increased with the lipophilicity (logKow) of BPs UV filters. Especially, since 2HB, BP3 and BP4 had different substituent groups, namely -OH, -OCH 3 and -SO 3 H, respectively, these substituent functional groups had a major contribution to the lipophilicity and acute toxicity of these BPs. Similar tendency was observed for the genotoxicity, expressed as the value of induction ratio=1.5. Moreover, all the target BPs UV filters showed estrogenic activity, but no significant influences of lipophilicity on the estrogenicity were observed, with BP3 having the weakest estrogenic efficiency in vitro. Although BP3 displayed no noticeable adverse effects in any in vitro assays, multiple hormonal activities were observed in zebrafish larvae including estrogenicity, anti-estrogenicity and anti-androgenicity by regulating the expression of target genes. The results indicated potential hazardous effects of BPs UV filters and the importance of the combination of toxicological evaluation methods including in vitro and in vivo assays., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the effectiveness of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film containing the natural antimicrobial oregano essential oil (OEO) as an active packaging application for decreasing the microbial growth. The film exerted an antimicrobial effect via the atmosphere surrounding the food rather than direct contact, thereby preserving the quality of cherry tomatoes. A packaging film containing microencapsulated OEO was developed. The loading content increased gradually (104.29-234.29 μg OEO/mg film) with the amount of OEO incorporated (1%, 2%, and 3%), where the PVA films containing 2% OEO had the highest loading efficiency (91.64%), followed by 1% OEO (90.96%) and 3% OEO (88.38%). The antimicrobial activities of the films were evaluated by applying it to fresh cherry tomatoes at 4 °C and 22 °C for 7 days. The large 2% OEO film as well as both the small and large 3% OEO films had strong antimicrobial effects against Salmonella enterica, molds and yeasts, and mesophilic aerobic bacteria. The changes in the hardness, weight, and color of the cherry tomatoes during storage did not differ significantly. The films could be utilized as a packaging material for fresh produce with antimicrobial effects because of the controlled atmosphere surrounding the food rather than by direct contact., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study explores the effects of chitosan and natamycin on the quality of fresh "Phyllo" - a dough-based wheat product, by monitoring the microbiological, physicochemical and sensory parameters. Four different lots of phyllo samples stored under aerobic packaging conditions, in the absence or presence of the aforementioned antimicrobials, were prepared and stored at 4 °C. Microbiological data suggested that, the combination of chitosan and natamycin resulted in significant reductions (1-3 log cfu/g) of the microbial species examined (mesophilic total viable counts; TVC), yeasts/molds, psychrotrophic and lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms) by day 10. The pH values of treated phyllo samples were lower on final day 10, as compared to the untreated phyllo, and of the Hunter color parameters (L*, b* and a*) that were evaluated, mostly the combined treatment of chitosan and natamycin maintained the original lightness (L*) and color (yellowness) stability (b*) of phyllo product during the storage period. Sensory data, based on overall acceptability (mean values of appearance and odor) scores confirmed the superiority of combined treatment of chitosan and natamycin, resulting in almost a doubling of the shelf-life of fresh phyllo, while retaining excellent sensorial characteristics (appearance and odor) even on final storage day (10)., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia cenocepacia causes lethal infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Multivalent mannoside derivatives were prepared as potential inhibitors of lectin BC2L-A, one of the virulence factors deployed by B. cenocepacia in the infection process. An (α1→2)-thio-linked mannobioside mimic bearing an azide functionalized aglycon was conjugated to different multivalent scaffolds such as propargylated calix[4]arenes, methyl gallate and pentaerythritol by azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The interaction between the glycoclusters and the mannose binding BC2L-A lectin from B. cenocepacia was examined by isothermal microcalorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, inhibition of yeast agglutination and analytical ultracentrifugation., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Barks from conifers and broadleaved trees constitute abundant wastes generated from wood harvesting and logging activities. Extracts of such residues obtained from Alnus trees have been reported as interesting resources with potent antibacterial activities. The present study aims to determine the antimicrobial activity of a crude methanol extract prepared from the bark of Alnus glutinosa against a panel of 22 bacteria and yeasts and to optimize a purification method enabling the high production of the most active substances. Fractionation of the crude extract was performed by Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) using a three-phase solvent system composed of n-heptane, methyl-ter-butyl ether, acetonitrile and water. The major known compounds contained in the fractions produced by CPC were chemically profiled by (13)C NMR dereplication, resulting in the unambiguous identification of oregonin, hirsutanonol, betulinic acid, and alusenone 1a. The antibacterial evaluation of the fractions by bioautography on Staphylococcus aureus revealed that oregonin, in addition to being the major metabolite of the crude extract (∼32% w/w), was the most active with an antibacterial inhibitory effect comparable to antibiotics. The purification of oregonin was optimized at the laboratory-scale by CPC. A single injection of 3.7g of crude extract resulted in a recovery of 72% (850mg) of the available oregonin at purity higher than 94%., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The incidence of immune-related diseases increased over the last years in industrialized countries, suggesting a contribution of environmental factors. Impaired glucocorticoid action has been associated with immune disorders. Thus, there is an increasing interest to identify chemicals disrupting glucocorticoid action. The widely used flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) was reported earlier to potently inhibit glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and moderately androgen receptor (AR) activity in yeast-based reporter gene assays. To further characterize possible GR disrupting effects of TBBPA, transactivation experiments using a human HEK-293 cell-based reporter gene assay and cell-free receptor binding experiments were performed in the present study. Both, transactivation and GR binding experiments failed to detect any activity of TBBPA on GR function. Molecular docking calculations supported this observation. Additionally, the current study could confirm the antiandrogenic activity of TBBPA seen in the yeast assay, although the effect was an order of magnitude less pronounced in the HEK-293 cell-based system. In conclusion, TBBPA does not directly affect GR function and, considering its rapid metabolism and low concentrations found in humans, it is unlikely to cause adverse effects by acting through AR. This study emphasizes the use of cell-free assays in combination with cell-based assays for the in vitro evaluation of endocrine disrupting chemicals., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The last few decades have seen an alarming rise in fungal infections, which currently represent a global health threat. Despite extensive research towards the development of new antifungal agents, only a limited number of antifungal drugs are available in the market. The routinely used polyene agents and many azole antifungals are associated with some common side effects such as severe hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Also, antifungal resistance continues to grow and evolve and complicate patient management, despite the introduction of new antifungal agents. This suitation requires continuous attention. Cinnamaldehyde has been reported to inhibit bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous molds via the inhibition of ATPases, cell wall biosynthesis, and alteration of membrane structure and integrity. In this regard, several novel cinnamaldehyde derivatives were synthesized with the claim of potential antifungal activities. The present article describes antifungal properties of cinnamaldehyde and its derivatives against diverse classes of pathogenic fungi. This review will provide an overview of what is currently known about the primary mode of action of cinnamaldehyde. Synergistic approaches for boosting the effectiveness of cinnamaldehyde and its derivatives have been highlighted. Also, a keen analysis of the pharmacologically active systems derived from cinnamaldehyde has been discussed. Finally, efforts were made to outline the future perspectives of cinnamaldehyde-based antifungal agents. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge about the antifungal properties and antifungal mode of action of cinnamaldehyde and its derivatives and to identify research avenues that can facilitate implementation of cinnamaldehyde as a natural antifungal., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A Ca(2+)-dependent GalNAc/Man-specific lectin (CSL) from Cyclina sinensis was isolated, and its stimulatory action was characterized in yeast. CSL showed a potent effect on the production of ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work, the changes in the protein expression profiles of S. cerevisiae after 24h of incubation with CSL were analyzed using label-free quantitative proteomics. A total of 1410 proteins were identified, but only 117 proteins showed significant differences in normalized volume (p<0.05). Among the latter proteins, 24 proteins were up-regulated, and 93 were down-regulated. Analysis of the proteome revealed that CSL triggered changes in the concentrations of some enzymes, such as increased expression of hexokinase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and enolase and decreased expression of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. These results indicate that CSL can cause some changes in the metabolic pathway involved in ethanol synthesis in S. cerevisiae. These data may help us understand the stimulatory mechanism of lectin in the fermentation process., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Regulation of proteasomal degradation is an indispensable tool for biomedical studies. Thus, there is demand for novel proteasome inhibitors. Proteasomal degradation requires formation of coiled-coil structure by the N-terminal region of ATPase subunits of the proteasome cap. Here we show that peptides that mimic the N-terminal coiled-coil region of ATPase subunits interfere with proteasome function. These results suggest that coiled-coil peptides represent promising new proteasome inhibitors and that N-terminal coiled-coil regions of ATPase subunits are targets for proteasome inhibition., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A series of six copolymeric families, P(AN-co-MTAs) with various molar fractions of acrylonitrile (fAN) and methacrylates (fMTA) based on 1,3-thiazole and 1,2,3-triazole pendant groups with several spacers of different length and nature (alkyl or succinic), have been synthesized by conventional radical polymerization. The molar fraction of acrylonitrile in the copolymers (FAN) was determined by CHNS elemental analysis. The copolymers were also characterized by ATR-FTIR and molecular weights were determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Due to the nucleophilic nature of the azole heterocycles the copolymers have been easily modified by N-alkylation reaction with butyl iodide leading to polyelectrolytes of diverse amphiphilic balance, P(AN-co-MTAs-BuI). The degree of quaternization (DQ) was quantitative in all instances and was determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were performed in order to determine the particle size and the charge density of the systems. The antimicrobial activity of the copolymers was studied in terms of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the yeast Candida parapsilosis, as well as the cytotoxic activity toward human red blood cells (RBCs). These types of amphiphilic copolycations presented high selectivity (>300) maintaining moderate to good antimicrobial activity (MIC=4-64 μg/mL) and being non-hemolytic even at high molar fractions of AN in the copolymers compared to PMTAs-BuI homopolymers. Moreover, two examples of acrylonitrile-enriched copolymers (FAN=0.6) presented an excellent time-killing efficiency against microorganisms with 99.9% of killing ranging from 5 to 30 min. Besides, important changes in the morphology of the cell envelop of the microorganisms after treatment with P(AN-co-MTAs) were observed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) compared to untreated samples. These results indicate that these quaternized copolymers (QUATs) behave like the corresponding PMTAs-BuI homopolymers, being microbiostatic and also highly effective microbiocidal agents., (Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily and ligand-dependent transcription factors, whose major ligands are glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid, so-called corticosteroids. The corticosteroids are a class of substances that include steroid hormones naturally produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates and analogues of these hormones that are synthesized in industry. They are involved in a wide range of physiological processes including stress and immune responses, and the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, sodium homeostasis, and inflammation. These substances are potential environmental contaminants because they are clinically consumed in large amounts worldwide. To develop a simple and sensitive bioassay to detect corticosteroids, we newly established reporter assay yeasts expressing human GR and MR., Methods: Ligand responses of the established assay yeasts were improved by forced expression of a human transcription coactivator SRC-1e. Further enhancement of the responses was achieved by inactivating the CWP and PDR genes that encode cell wall mannoproteins and plasma membrane efflux pumps, respectively, which may be attributable to an increased intracellular concentration of ligands., Results: These new assay yeasts were more responsive to both natural and synthetic agonist ligands than the conventional assay yeasts. They detected both agonistic and antagonistic activities of mifepristone, spironolactone, and eplerenone in a receptor-selective manner. They also detected ligand activities contained in oral pharmaceutical tablets and human urine., Discussion: This assay system will be a valuable tool to detect agonists as well as antagonists of corticosteroid receptors, in the fields of drug discovery and the assessment of environmental pollutants., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nonylphenols (NPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) are the most common endocrine disruptors detected in the coastal waters of Hong Kong. The Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve (CAMR), the only marine reserve in Hong Kong is close to urbanized areas, thus the resident marine organisms are inevitably influenced by partially treated wastewater from adjacent sewage treatment plants (STPs). Elevated levels of NPs and BPA were detected in all seawater, sediment and biota samples collected from the CAMR. Estrogenic activities of seawater from the CAMR, and sludge and sewage from a nearby STP were assessed using yeast estrogen screen assay. We found aromatase, estrogen receptor and vitellogenin genes in the marine medaka fish Oryzias melastigma were significantly up-regulated after exposure to the reserve's seawater. According to a tissue-residue-based probabilistic risk assessment, the marine species living in the CAMR are having 35% and 21% of chance to be at risk due to exposure to NPs and BPA, respectively., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The structure of (E)-1-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-(napthalen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (C19H13BrO) crystallized in the triclinic system of P-1 space group. The unit cell dimensions are: a=5.8944 (9)Å, b=7.8190 (12)Å, c=16.320 (2)Å, α=102.4364 (19)°, β=95.943 (2)°, γ=96.274 (2)° and Z=2. The physical properties of this compound was determined by the spectroscopic methods (FTIR and (1)H and (13)C NMR). Quantum chemical investigations have been employed to investigate the structural and spectral properties. The molecular structure, vibrational assignments, (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shift values, non-linear optical (NLO) effect, HOMO-LUMO analysis and natural bonding orbital (NBO) analysis were calculated using HF and DFT/B3LYP methods with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set in the ground state. The results show that the theoretical calculation of the geometrical parameters, vibrational frequencies and chemical shifts are comparable with the experimental data. The crystal structure is influenced and stabilized by weak C-H⋯π interactions connecting the molecules into infinite supramolecular one dimensional ladder-like arrangement. Additionally, this compound is evaluated for their antibacterial activities against gram positive and gram negative strains using a micro dilution procedure and shows activities against a panel of microorganisms., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Strain HD1 with antifungal activity was isolated from kimchi and identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. Antifungal compounds from Lb. plantarum HD1 were active against food- and feed-borne filamentous fungi and yeasts in a spot-on-the-lawn assay. Antifungal activity of Lb. plantarum HD1 was stronger against filamentous fungi than yeast. Antifungal compounds were purified using solid phase extraction (SPE) and recycling preparative-HPLC. Structures of the antifungal compounds were elucidated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Active compounds from Lb. plantarum HD1 were identified as 5-oxododecanoic acid (MW 214), 3-hydroxy decanoic acid (MW 188), and 3-hydroxy-5-dodecenoic acid (MW 214). To investigate the potential application of these antifungal compounds for reduction of fungal spoilage in foods, Korean draft rice wine was used as a food model. White film-forming yeasts were observed in control draft rice wine after 11 days of incubation. However, film-forming yeasts were not observed in draft rice wine treated with SPE-prepared culture supernatant of Lb. plantarum HD1 (equivalent to 2.5% addition of culture supernatant) until 27 days of incubation. The addition of antifungal compounds to Korean draft rice wine extended shelf-life up to 27 days at 10 °C without any sterilization process. Therefore, the antifungal activity of Lb. plantarum HD1 may lead to the development of powerful biopreservative systems capable of preventing food- and feed-borne fungal spoilage., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Selection pressure in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils may lead not only to increased microbial resistance to antibiotics, but also to increased capacity of the soil indigenous population to produce antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, we studied the antibiotic resistance pattern and antibacterial and/or antifungal activities of 47 bacterial strains isolated from an industrial alpine site heavily polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons. Resistance to penicillin was more widespread (49%) than resistance to chloramphenicol or rifampicin (28%) or streptomycin (26%). Only 9% of the strains were resistant to tetracycline. The ability to produce cold-active (10 °C) antimicrobial compounds was tested by using human pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus) and yeasts (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans) as indicator microorganisms. About two-thirds of the 47 tested strains produced compounds that inhibited growth of at least one indicator microorganism. Six strains inhibited growth of both bacteria and yeast indicators; 12 and 16 strains showed either antibacterial or antifungal activity, respectively. The most versatile bacteria with regard to multiple antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial activity belonged to Actinobacteria or Gammaproteobacteria. The antimicrobial compounds produced by three Pseudomonas spp. and two Serratia spp. strains were characterized in more detail by TLC and HPLC. Depending on the sensitivity of growth inhibition to enzymes, the compounds produced by the three pseudomonads contained a proteinaceous component., (Copyright © 2014 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The effect of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas on the safety and quality of blueberries was studied. In vitro studies revealed that both ClO2 gas fumigation and ClO2 direct contact in water killed food pathogen bacterium Escherichia coli and fruit decay pathogen fungus Colletotrichum acutatum. In vivo studies were conducted using noninoculated berries and berries inoculated with postharvest decay and foodborne pathogens. Berries were inoculated with either E. coli (5.2 log CFU/g) or C. acutatum (3.9 log CFU/g). Inoculated fruit were dried for 2 h at room temperature in a climate-controlled laboratory and packed in perforated commercial clamshells, with or without ClO2 pads, and stored at 10°C for up to 9 days. The effects of ClO2 on microbial populations and fruit firmness were monitored during storage. In the inoculation experiment, treatment with ClO2 reduced populations of E. coli and C. acutatum by 2.2 to 3.3 and 1.3 to 2.0 log CFU/g, respectively. For the noninoculated blueberries, the initial total aerobic bacteria count and the yeast and mold count were 4.2 and 4.1 log CFU/g, respectively. ClO2 treatment reduced total aerobic bacteria count and yeast and mold count by 1.5 to 1.8 and 1.3 to 1.7 log CFU/g, respectively. The firmness of both inoculated and noninoculated blueberries was maintained by ClO2 treatment. Thus, controlled-release ClO2 gas fumigation technology shows promise as an effective and practical antimicrobial agent in commercial clamshell packaging of blueberry and other fruits.

In the present study, yeast bioassays were used to evaluate and characterize the thyroid receptor (TR) disrupting activities of the organic extracts and elutriates of the sediments from the Guanting Reservoir, Beijing, China. An accelerated solvent extraction was used to separate the organic extracts, which were subjected to a yeast bioassay. The organic extracts could affect thyroid hormone signaling by decreasing the binding of the thyroid hormone. The TR antagonistic activity equivalents (TEQbio) referring to amiodarone hydrochloride were calculated and the observed TEQbio-organic extracts ranged from 25.4 ± 3.7 to 176.9 ± 18.0 μg/g. Elutriate toxicity tests using the modified yeast bioassay revealed that the elutriates also significantly antagonized the TR, with the TEQbio-elutriates ranging from N.D. to 7.8 ± 0.8 μg/L. To characterize the toxic compounds, elutriates were extracted by using a C18 cartridge or treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, 30 mg/L). The results suggested that the addition of EDTA eliminated over 74.3% of the total effects, and the chemical analysis revealed that heavy metals, some of which exhibited TR disrupting potency, for example Zn and Cd, were detectable with higher concentrations in the elutriates. Thus, the cause(s) of toxicity in the elutriate appear to be partly related to the heavy metals., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

One new resveratrol analogue, 1-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-methoxy-2-(4″-methoxyphenyl)-ethane-1-ol (1), and two new prenylisoflavones, 4'-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-isoflavone (2), and derrubon 5-methyl ether (3), together with 17 known compounds including one new natural product, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-[4'-O-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-phenyl]-isoflavone (4), were isolated from the stems of ethnomedicinal plant Derris eriocarpa How. (Leguminosae). Their structures were elucidated based on chemical evidence and spectroscopic techniques including two-dimensional NMR methods. All compounds are reported from this species for the first time. Antimicrobial activities of the new compounds were evaluated. Compound 2 exhibited good inhibitory activities against Candida guilliermondii, C. albicans and Microsporium gypseum with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12.5 μg/ml., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The 5'-cap structure is a distinct feature of eukaryotic mRNAs and is important for RNA stability and protein translation by providing a molecular signature for the distinction of self or non-self mRNA. Eukaryotic viruses generally modify the 5'-end of their RNAs to mimic the cellular mRNA structure, thereby facilitating viral replication in host cells. However, the molecular organization and biochemical mechanisms of the viral capping apparatus typically differ from its cellular counterpart, which makes viral capping enzymes attractive targets for drug discovery. Our previous work showed that SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) non-structural protein 14 represents a structurally novel and unique guanine-N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) that is able to functionally complement yeast cellular N7-MTase. In the present study, we developed a yeast-based system for identifying and screening inhibitors against coronavirus N7-MTase using both 96-well and 384-well microtiter plates. The MTase inhibitors previously identified by in vitro biochemical assays were tested, and some, such as sinefungin, effectively suppressed N7-MTase in the yeast system. However, other compounds, such as ATA and AdoHcy, did not exert an inhibitory effect within a cellular context. These results validated the yeast assay system for inhibitor screening yet also demonstrated the difference between cell-based and in vitro biochemical assays. The yeast system was applied to the screening of 3000 natural product extracts, and three were observed to more potently inhibit the activity of coronavirus than human N7-MTase., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Successful infection by the opportunistic pathogen Legionella pneumophila requires the collective activity of hundreds of virulence proteins delivered into the host cell by the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system. These virulence proteins, also called effectors modulate distinct host cellular processes to create a membrane-bound niche called the Legionella containing vacuole (LCV) supportive of bacterial growth. We found that Ceg14 (Lpg0437), a Dot/Icm substrate is toxic to yeast and such toxicity can be alleviated by overexpression of profilin, a protein involved in cytoskeletal structure in eukaryotes. We further showed that mutations in profilin affect actin binding but not other functions such as interactions with poly-l-proline or phosphatidylinositol, abolish its suppressor activity. Consistent with the fact the profilin suppresses its toxicity, expression of Ceg14 but not its non-toxic mutants in yeast affects actin distribution and budding of daughter cells. Although Ceg14 does not detectably interact with profilin, it co-sediments with filamentous actin and inhibits actin polymerization, causing the accumulation of short actin filaments. Together with earlier studies, these results reveal that multiple L. pneumophila effectors target components of the host cytoskeleton., (Copyright © 2013 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Propolis, a resinous mixture produced by honeybees from substances collected from plants, has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. The purpose of the current study was to establish the effects of prestorage application of propolis and storage time on eggshell microbial activity, egg weight loss, hatchability, and chick performance in quail hatching eggs. Treatments were compared in a 2 × 5 factorial design with 2 different storage times (7 and 14 d) and 5 prestorage applications (control, ethyl alcohol 70%, 5% propolis, 10% propolis, and 15% propolis solution). After application, the eggs were stored for 7 or 14 d at 13°C and 75 to 80% RH before incubation. Eggs sprayed with propolis had lower levels of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliform, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., and mold yeasts than control eggs over the storage period and incubation period. Microbial activity in eggs stored for 7 d was significantly higher than in eggs stored for 14 d at the end of the storage. The lowest egg weight loss during storage was obtained in P15 treatment eggs stored for 7 d, whereas the highest egg weight loss was found in the treatment A after storage for 14 d. Although propolis treatment at 3 different doses was not effective on relative growth, only P15 decreased the BW at d 10, compared with the control. Hatchability in eggs stored for 14 d was significantly lower than in eggs stored for 7 d. No significant differences were observed for hatchability and embryonic mortality among propolis treatment groups. Propolis did not have a detrimental effect on hatchability, embryonic mortality, or BW gain. Our results indicate that propolis may be used to effectively reduce microbial activity on the surface of quail hatching eggs during storage and incubation without any detrimental effects on hatchability.

This work was conducted to determine the effect of the partial replacement of NaCl by KCl and CaCl2 (expressed as percentages, wt/vol) on the microbial stability and physicochemical characteristics of seasoned cracked olives using a simplex centroid mixture design. Neither Enterobacteriaceae nor lactic acid bacteria were found during the 50 days that olive packages were monitored. Therefore, microbial instability was considered due to the growth of yeasts, which were the only detected microorganisms; Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia membranifaciens were the most relevant species. Yeasts decreased during the first 21 to 30 days after packing, but their populations rose to 3.5 log CFU/ml by the end of the storage period, clearly causing product deterioration. The partial substitution of NaCl with the other chloride salts slightly altered the phase of microbial inhibition and regrowth. Most of the quality characteristics were not affected by the use of the alternative salt mixtures, but the pH values and Cl(-) concentrations in brine decreased as the CaCl2 concentration increased. Hence, seasoned cracked table olives can be produced using a lower proportion of NaCl without causing significant changes in the shelf life and product quality, although further detailed studies are necessary to guarantee the stability of products packed with specific salt mixtures.

This article reports on the bioactivities of citrus extracts (citrus extract, lemon extract, and neroli) toward Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, Pichia membranifaciens, and Rhodotorula bacarum. The bioactivities of the extracts (from 10 to 100 ppm) were evaluated through a microdilution method; thereafter, citrus extracts (0 to 80 ppm) were tested in combination with either pH (3.0 to 5.0) or temperature (5 to 25°C). Finally, a confirmatory experiment was run in a commercial drink (referred to as red fruit juice) containing citrus extract (40 ppm) that was inoculated with either S. cerevisiae or Z. bailii (5 log CFU/ml) and stored at 4 and 25°C. Yeasts increased to 7 log CFU/ml (Z. bailii) or 8 log CFU/ml (S. cerevisiae) in the control at 25°C, but the citrus extract addition controlled yeast growth for at least 3 days; under refrigeration, the effect was significant for 10 days.

The aim of this work was to determine (i) the antioxidant capacity of Thymus moroderi, Thymus piperella, Santolina chamaecyparissus, and Sideritis angustifolia essential oils (EOs) by means of four different antioxidant tests (the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method, the ferrous ion-chelating ability assay, the ferric reducing antioxidant power test, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive species test) and (ii) the antifungal activity against molds and yeast of these EOs by the agar dilution and the microdilution methods. T. piperella EO showed the lowest 50% inhibitory concentration by the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method (9.30 mg/ml) and by the thiobarbituric acid reactive species test (6.30 mg/ml) and the highest value by the ferric reducing antioxidant power test (2.64 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), while S. chamaecyparissus showed the lowest 50% inhibitory concentration in the ferrous ion-chelating ability assay (3.94 mg/ml). All EOs had a substantial inhibitory effect on all assayed yeast strains. S. angustifolia EO had the lowest MICs (2.5 μl/ml) for the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Debaryomyces hansenii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Pichia carsonii. As regards antifungal activity, S. angustifolia EO at high concentrations was the most effective EO in reducing the growth of Alternaria alternata, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Mucor racemosus, while S. chamaecyparissus was the best inhibitor of the molds Aspergillus flavus and Mucor circinelloides. The results obtained in this study suggest the possibility of using these essential oils as natural antioxidant food preservatives.

A comparative study of ultrasonication (US), Fenton's oxidation (FO) and ferro-sonication (FS) (combination of ultrasonication and Fenton's oxidation) advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for degradation of carbamazepine (CBZ) from wastewater (WW) is reported for the first time. CBZ is a worldwide used antiepileptic drug, found as a persistent emerging contaminant in many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluents and other aquatic environments. The oxidation treatments of WW caused an effective removal of the drug. Among the various US, FO and FS pre-treatments carried out, higher soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and soluble organic carbon (SOC) increment (63 to 86% and 21 to 34%, respectively) was observed during FO pre-treatment process, resulting in higher removal of CBZ (84 to 100%) from WW. Furthermore, analysis of by-products formed during US, FO and FS pre-treatment in WW was carried out by using laser diode thermal desorption-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LDTD-APCI) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). LDTD-APCI-MS/MS analysis indicated formation of two by-products, such as epoxycarbamazepine and hydroxycarbamazepine due to the reaction of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with CBZ during the three types of pre-treatment processes. In addition, the estrogenic activity of US, FO and FS pre-treated sample with CBZ and its by-products was carried out by Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) assay method. Based upon the YES test results, none of the pre-treated samples showed estrogenic activity., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of natural antimicrobials for shelf-life extension of cold-filled still and carbonated Concord and Niagara grape juices, which have traditionally been preserved with chemical preservatives. Commercial juices were inoculated with a spoilage yeast cocktail of Dekkera, Kluveromyces, Brettanomyces, and Zygosaccharomyces at 10(2) and 10(4) CFU/ml. The following agents were added to still juices: no preservative (negative control), 0.05% potassium sorbate plus 0.05% sodium benzoate (positive control), 0.1 or 0.2% cultured dextrose, 250 ppm of dimethyldicarbonate (DMDC), 10 or 20 ppm of natamycin, and 250 ppm of DMDC plus 5 or 10 ppm of natamycin. Carbonated juice was treated with the negative control, positive control, and 250 ppm of DMDC plus 10 ppm of natamycin. Microbial stability of samples was assessed every 2 weeks during 6 months of storage at 21°C by yeast enumeration and measurement of turbidity, pH, and °Brix. Juices were deemed spoiled when yeast counts exceeded 10(6) CFU/ml. Cultured dextrose was not effective at levels tested in both types of juice. The most promising results were obtained with DMDC and natamycin combination treatments in still Niagara juice and in carbonated Concord and Niagara juices. In these treatments, shelf-life extension similar to that of the positive control (153 to 161 days) was achieved while maintaining similar turbidity, pH, and °Brix. Spoiled juices had lower pH and °Brix values and higher turbidity due to microbial activity and increased in microbial levels.

The presence of dyes in wastewater effluent of textile industry is well documented. In contrast, the endocrine disrupting effects of these dyes and wastewater effluent have been poorly investigated. Herein, we studied twenty-three commercial dyes, usually used in the textile industry, and extracts of blue jean textile wastewater samples were evaluated for their agonistic and antagonistic estrogen activity. Total estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities were measured using the Yeast Estrogen Screen bioassay (YES) that evaluates estrogen receptor binding-dependent transcriptional and translational activities. The estrogenic potencies of the dyes and wastewater samples were evaluated by dose-response curves and compared to the dose-response curve of 17β-estradiol (E2), the reference compound. The dose-dependent anti-estrogenic activities of the dyes and wastewater samples were normalized to the known antagonistic effect of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) on the induction of the lac Z reporter gene by E2. About half azo textile dyes have anti-estrogenic activity with the most active being Blue HFRL. Most azo dyes however have no or weak estrogenic activity. E2/dye or E2/waste water ER competitive binding assays show activity of Blue HFRL, benzopurpurine 4B, Everzol Navy Blue FBN, direct red 89 BNL 200% and waste water samples indicating a mechanism of action common to E2. Our results indicate that several textile dyes are potential endocrine disrupting agents. The presence of some of these dyes in textile industry wastewater may thus impact the aquatic ecosystem., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing-Subcommittee on Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST-AFST) has revised the EDef 7.1 document on the method for the determination of broth dilution minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungal agents for fermentative yeasts. Changes are: dimethylsulphoxide is now the recommended solvent for caspofungin, micafungin and fluconazole; the shelf-life of plates containing the echinocandins prepared from stock solutions in dimethylsulphoxide is extended to 6 months at -80°C; testing of amphotericin and Cryptococcus has been incorporated; and minimum inhibitory concentration ranges for quality control strains and anidulafungin are included., (© 2012 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2012 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.)

Boerewors is a South African fresh sausage preserved with 450mg/kg sulphur dioxide (SO(2)). The preservative effects of rosemary (Ros; 260mg/kg) and chitosan (Chi; 10g/kg) were compared to SO(2). Eight boerewors models were formulated. Microbial, colour, lipid and sensory characteristics were evaluated. Chi and Chi in combination with other preservatives had a significant effect on reducing total bacterial, coliform and Enterobacteriaceae counts, comparable to SO(2). Chi, however, had a better effect on decreasing yeasts and mould counts than SO(2). Chi showed good colour properties comparable to SO(2). Ros showed comparable lipid stability to SO(2) but better when compared to Chi. Ros had a better effect on the sensory taste when compared to Chi, but SO(2) was still preferred. Reduced levels of 100mg/kg SO(2) showed good antimicrobial and colour effects in combination with Chi and in combination with Ros as antioxidant and improving the sensory properties. Alternative preservatives can be used to reduce the SO(2) content of boerewors., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)