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The ascribed work suggests a fabrication pathway of carbon aerogel material from the rose apple (Syzygium jambos) fruit (RACA), in which a hydrothermal step, followed by a calcination process under various temperatures from 600 to 900 °C was carried out. RACA were characterized via multiple methods to briefly determine the optimal calcination temperature for the application, revealing that the temperature of 700 °C provided an intermediate deconstruction effect to form the amorphous structure and amplified the surface area. Whence, the materials were assessed for the adsorption capacities towards diesel oil which provided a capacity of approximately 35 g/g, although the adsorption capacity decreased slightly after 5 cycles of recovery and reuse. Furthermore, RACA‐700 exhibits high adsorption capacity of organic solvents (toluene, cyclohexane, butanol, hexane, and chloroform) and the ciprofloxacin antibiotic. Besides, the utilization of the fabricated carbon aerogel in the supercapacitor was also investigated. The obtained results elucidate the highest specific capacitance of 61.20 F/g, corresponding with the lowest resistance of 195.6 Ω, which indicates the ability to maintain capacitance after 5000 cycles and still retain 60 % efficiency, thereby signifying the potential application of carbon aerogel in sustainable material construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA phase 1b study was conducted to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ciprofloxacin and etoposide combination treatment in subjects with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Eleven subjects were enrolled in the study. Utilizing the standard ‘3 + 3’ design, escalating ciprofloxacin doses (750 mg, 1000 mg) twice daily on D1-D10 in combination with a fixed dose (200 mg) of etoposide on D2-D8 were administered. Maximum tolerated dose was determined to be 1000 mg of ciprofloxacin in combination with 200 mg of etoposide. Serious adverse events occurred in 54.5% (n = 6) subjects and 91% (n = 10) subjects reported ≥ grade 3 toxicities. Nine subjects completed treatment, one had a dose-limiting toxicity, and one withdrew. One subject achieved complete remission with a duration of 111 days and one subject achieved morphologic leukemia-free state after cycle 1. While the combination demonstrated safety and an acceptable toxicity profile, only modest hematologic and clinical benefits were observed.This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02773732. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Edge surface exposure CoOOH vertically rotted into commercial activated carbon. • The optimized CoOOH@AC/PMS can degrade 100 % ciprofloxacin within 10 min. • This activity is ascribed to Co-contained edge surface forcing PMS decomposition for CIP degradation. Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is widely employed to generate oxygen-containing reactive species for ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation. Herein, cobalt oxyhydroxide @activated carbon (CoOOH@AC) was synthesized via a wet chemical sedimentation method to activate PMS for degradation of CIP. The result suggested AC can support the vertical growth of CoOOH nanosheets to expose high-activity Co-contained edges, possessing efficient PMS activation and degradation activity and catalytic stability. In the presence of 3.0 mg of optimal CoOOH@AC and 2 mM PMS, 96.8 % of CIP was degraded within 10 min, approximately 11.6 and 9.97 times greater than those of CoOOH/PMS and AC/PMS systems. Notably, it was disclosed that the optimal CoOOH@AC/PMS system still exhibited efficient catalytic performance in a wide pH range, different organics and common co-existing ions. Quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance indicated that both radical and non-radical processes contributed to the degradation of CIP, with 1O 2 and direct electron transfer accounting for the non-radical pathway and SO 4 •− and •OH serving as the main radical active species. Finally, possible CIP degradation pathways were proposed based on high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study provided an alternate method for wastewater treatment based on PMS catalyzed by cobalt-based hydroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La vaccination pneumococcique conjuguée (7- puis 13-valente) a considérablement modifié le profil des méningites à pneumocoque en faisant disparaître les souches virulentes les plus résistantes aux bêtalactamines en France. L'observatoire national des méningites bactériennes de l'enfant du Groupe de pathologie infectieuse pédiatrique (GPIP) de la Société française de pédiatrie ainsi que le Centre national de référence des pneumocoques n'ont pas répertorié de cas de méningite due à des pneumocoques résistants aux céphalosporines de troisième génération (C3G), même si des souches de profil moins favorable (sérotype 15) ont semblé émerger en 2021. Ces données récentes justifient de reconduire les recommandations de 2016 et à limiter l'usage de la vancomycine à la phase secondaire de traitement des méningites à pneumocoque lorsque la CMI de la souche isolée vis-à-vis des C3G injectables est > 0,5 mg/L. La seule modification notable proposée par le GPIP dans cette actualisation 2023 de ses recommandations porte sur la suppression de l'association de la ciprofloxacine au céfotaxime dans les méningites à Escherichia coli du nouveau-né et du jeune nourrisson. L'observatoire national des méningites de l'enfant est un outil précieux en raison de sa bonne exhaustivité et de sa pérennité depuis 15 ans. Le maintien de la surveillance épidémiologique permettra d'adapter si nécessaire, les nouveaux schémas thérapeutiques à l'évolution des profils de sensibilité des pneumocoques et aux changements sérotypiques éventuels à venir. Les abcès cérébraux communautaires sont des maladies rares, mais leur prise en charge nécessite une approche rigoureuse : une imagerie de qualité, un prélèvement bactériologique avant l'antibiothérapie dans la mesure du possible, et un traitement antibiotique incluant le métronidazole en plus du céfotaxime. Ces abcès cérébraux nécessitent toujours une collaboration multidisciplinaire, incluant les professionnels des maladies infectieuses et un avis neurochirurgical. In France, conjugated pneumococcal vaccination has considerably modified the profile of pneumococcal meningitis by eliminating the most virulent strains resistant to beta-lactams. Over recent years, the nationwide pediatric meningitis network of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP) and the National Reference Centre of Pneumococci have not recorded any cases of meningitis due to pneumococcus resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (C3G), even though in 2021, strains with a less favorable profile appeared to emerge. These recent data justify renewal of the 2016 recommendations and limitation of vancomycin to the secondary phase of treatment of pneumococcal meningitis when the MIC of the isolated strain against injectable C3Gs is > 0.5 mg/L. The only major change proposed by the GPIP in this 2023 update of its recommendations is discontinuation of the recommendation of a combination of ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime in Escherichia coli meningitis in newborns and young infants. The nationwide observatory of meningitis in children is a valuable tool because of its completeness and its continuity over the past 15 years. The maintenance of epidemiological surveillance will allow us to adapt new therapeutic regimens to the evolution of pneumococcal susceptibility profiles and to future serotype-specific changes. Community-acquired cerebral abscesses are rare diseases, of which the management requires a rigorous approach: high-quality imaging, bacteriological sampling prior to antibiotic therapy whenever possible, and antibiotic treatment including metronidazole in addition to cefotaxime. Multidisciplinary collaboration, including infectious disease and neurosurgical advice, is always called for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unearthing of various forms of broad and narrow-spectrum antibiotics have helped mankind combat various forms of microbic infections ranging from protozoal to bacterial. The applicability of antibiotics has been decisive in a wide range of frontline therapeutic dealings. An extensive use of antibiotics and certain genetic modifications in microbes has paved the way for a new issue to be answered by the scientific community, an antibiotic resistance. An unparallel infections triggered by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) account to be a major cause of mortality and morbidity, today this situation demands the development of alternative strategies of cure and medicine by the scientific community. Study shows the amplification of the effect of antibiotics may be a possible route to address antibiotic resistivity. The assortment of various surface properties of nanoparticles (NPs) coupled with their ability to efficiently bind with bacterial surfaces leading to the rupture and lysis of cell deliberates potential strategies to manage infections caused by MDROs.The present study scrutinizes the amplification of the antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin (CIP) against the bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus mutans on coupling with synthesized copper, silver and zinc oxide NPs (ZnO NPs) by disc diffusion technique. The current study describes the efficacious synthesis and characterization of ZnONP, copper Nps (CuNPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) followed by the induced amplification of the antibacterial activity of CIP by coupling it with synthesized metal/metal oxide (M/MO NP). The synthesized M/MO NPs were characterized using XRD and FE-SEM studies and TEM. The results indicated that among the ZnONP, AgNP, the Cu NPs potentiate the bactericidal efficacy of CIP antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of antibiotics in water systems and drinking water has detrimental effects on various organisms and poses health risks to both animals and humans. This study describes a sustainable approach using laccases to remove ciprofloxacin from water solutions. Laccases produced by monoculture of Trametes villosa and in co-culture with Pycnoporus sanguineus were immobilized using the method of cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs). The immobilization process was statistically optimized, and the biocatalysts were characterized and applied for biodegradation of ciprofloxacin at different concentrations. Laccase production was enhanced in co-culture conditions, yielding isoforms of molecular masses ranging from 55 to 45 kDa. Optimum conditions for immobilizing laccases by CLEAs were achieved with ammonium sulfate as a precipitant and glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker. Immobilization improved the thermal stability of the enzymes at 40 °C and 55 °C, and both forms of laccase CLEAs retained approximately 38% of their initial activity after five reuse cycles. Free and immobilized laccases demonstrated comparable efficiency in removing ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions (at 2.5 mg L−1) with a 53–62% removal rate in the presence of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a natural redox mediator. The degradation of ciprofloxacin by laccases also reduced its antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. [Display omitted] • Co-culture of Trametes villosa with Pycnoporus sanguineus enhances laccase production. • Laccases immobilized as CLEAS exhibited improved thermal stability and reusability. • Free and immobilized laccases effectively catalyzed the degradation of ciprofloxacin • Enzymatic biodegradation of ciprofloxacin reduced its action against Escherichia coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The salting-out assisted liquid–liquid extraction (SALLE) method with the liquid chromatography ultraviolet-visible detector (LC-UV) has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of seven antibiotic compounds of five different therapeutic classes (β-lactams), amoxycillin, ampicillin, penicillin G, (sulphonamides), sulfamethoxazole, (aminoglycosides) gentamicin, (fluoroquinolones) ciprofloxacin and (macrolide) erythromycin, in the cow milk samples. The LC conditions for separation of the selected antibiotic compounds were achieved with the reversed phase isocratic elution. The mobile phase consisted of 0.05 M Na2HPO4, acetonitrile and methanol (70:10:20 v/v/v). The mobile-phase flow rate was 1 mL min−1 with the injection volume of 20 μL and all the seven standard compounds were eluted within 14 min. The developed analytical method has been validated for the linearity, precision, sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, decision limit (CCα), and detection capability (CCβ). Experimental parameters influencing the extraction efficiency were evaluated and optimised. Under the optimum experimental conditions, good linearity over wide concentration ranges was obtained with the coefficient of determination R2 > 0.9989 for all the antibiotics. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) ranged from 1.28 to 2.46 µg mL−1 and 3.87–7.46 µg mL−1, respectively. The relative standard deviations for the repeated analysis were below 8% indicating acceptable method precision. The accuracy study yielded satisfactory recoveries in the ranges 95.5–103% for the pure standard compounds and 83.8–112% for the spiked matrix-match milk samples. The results of the study revealed that the developed method is simple and fast and the SALLE method is appropriate for the simultaneous determination of targeted five multiclass antibiotic residues in the cow milk samples by LC-UV/Vis with a better efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patient harm is often due to medication errors related to neuraxial and peripheral misconnection. We report a case of inadvertent injection of ciprofloxacin into the epidural space and discuss the strategies that could prevent such an incident. Summary: A 74-year-old woman presented a recurrence of an ovarian cancer. The recent discovery of an intrabdominal recurrence on CT-scan led us to propose a new surgical procedure. A thoracic epidural analgesia was performed prior to general anesthesia. Postoperative pain was controlled with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with ropivacaine-epinephrine. During the first night, abdominal pain appeared. During the second day, a nurse discovered that the bag connected to the pump contained ciprofloxacin and not ropivacaine. After aspiration of 2.5 ml sent to laboratory for analysis, the epidural catheter was removed. The investigation revealed the different causes leading to such an error. Three days after, the patient returned home, without any adverse symptoms. Conclusion: This is the first report of the inadvertent administration of ciprofloxacin into the epidural space via a patient-controlled epidural analgesia technique. As there is no effective treatment for such errors, we discuss the neurological risk of ciprofloxacin and prevention strategy mainly based on organizational and human factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel MIL-101(Fe)/ZnCrZr-LBMO heterojunction was successfully constructed and used for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in this work. The MIL-101(Fe)/ZnCrZr-LBMO composite exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity, with reaction rates approximately 3.4 and 3.1 times faster than those observed with pristine MIL-101(Fe) and ZnCrZr-LBMO, respectively. The effect of different amounts of ZnCrZr-LBMO, sample pH, CIP concentration, inorganic cations, and anions on CIP removal was investigated, and the possible intermediates and degradation pathways of CIP were speculated. The·O2− radicals dominated CIP degradation, with minor contributions from 1O2, h+, and ·OH radicals. The composite exhibited high removal rates for CIP (94.7%), ofloxacin (86.8%), and tetracycline (96.3%), respectively, within 60 min of light irradiation, and excellent reusability, retaining over 85.1% CIP degradation rate after five cycles. Our work provides a new reference to construct highly efficient and easily recyclable MIL-101(Fe)/ZnCrZr-LBMO photocatalysts for the removal of antibiotic pollutants, promising advancements in real water treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the solubility, a series of novel pharmaceutical salts prepared by ciprofloxacin as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and phthalic acid and its isomers or substituted benzene carboxylic acids as the coformers were synthesized and structurally characterized. The solubility of these pharmaceutical salts is enhanced compared to the parent APIs. The solubility values of three benzene dicarboxylates of ciprofloxacin in phosphate buffer (pH = 6.8) are 20.5 times, 21.8 times, and 2.0 times that of ciprofloxacin, respectively. In particular, the solubility of ciprofloxacin salicylate hydrate has been dramatically improved (up to 349 times) in both neutral (1.45 and 1.32 mg mL−1 at pH 6.4 and 6.8, respectively) and acidic (13.96 mg mL−1 at pH 1.2) environments. Computational chemistry was employed to analyze the solubility of ciprofloxacin salts and elucidate the mechanisms underlying their enhanced solubility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate antibiotic prophylaxis in transrectal prostate biopsies due to the recommendation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA): We describe our single center experience switching from ciprofloxacin to fosfomycin trometamol (FMT) alone and to an augmented prophylaxis combining fosfomycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). Methods: Between 01/2019 and 12/2020 we compared three different regimes. The primary endpoint was the clinical diagnosis of an infection within 4 weeks after biopsy. We enrolled 822 men, 398 (48%) of whom received ciprofloxacin (group-C), 136 (16.5%) received FMT (group-F) and 288 (35%) received the combination of TMP/SMX and FMT (group-BF). Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. In total 37/398 (5%) postinterventional infections were detected, of which 13/398 (3%) vs 18/136 (13.2%) vs 6/288 (2.1%) were detected in group-C, group-F and group-BF respectively. The relative risk of infectious complication was 1.3 (CI 0.7–2.6) for group-C vs. group-BF and 2.8 (CI 1.4–5.7) for group-F vs. group-BF respectively. Conclusion: The replacement of ciprofloxacin by fosfomycin alone resulted in a significant increase of postinterventional infections, while the combination of FMT and TMP/SMX had a comparable infection rate to FQ without apparent adverse events. Therefore, this combined regimen of FMT and TMP/SMX is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) is considered to be the most dangerous pathotype of E. coli, as it causes severe conditions such as hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Antibiotic treatment of EHEC infections is generally not recommended since it may promote the production of the Shiga toxin (Stx) and lead to worsened symptoms. This study explores how exposure to the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin reorganizes the transcriptome and proteome of EHEC O157:H7 strain EDL933, with special emphasis on virulence-associated factors. As expected, exposure to ciprofloxacin caused an extensive upregulation of SOS-response- and Stx-phage proteins, including Stx. A range of other virulence-associated factors were also upregulated, including many genes encoded by the LEE-pathogenicity island, the enterohemolysin gene (ehxA), as well as several genes and proteins involved in LPS production. However, a large proportion of the genes and proteins (17 and 8%, respectively) whose expression was upregulated upon ciprofloxacin exposure (17 and 8%, respectively) are not functionally assigned. This indicates a knowledge gap in our understanding of mechanisms involved in EHECs response to antibiotic-induced stress. Altogether, the results contribute to better understanding of how exposure to ciprofloxacin influences the virulome of EHEC and generates a knowledge base for further studies on how EHEC responds to antibiotic-induced stress. A deeper understanding on how EHEC responds to antibiotics will facilitate development of novel and safer treatments for EHEC infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tularemia is an important reemerging disease with a multimodal transmission pattern. Treatment outcomes of current recommended antibiotic regimens (including ciprofloxacin and doxycycline) remain unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we report clinical, laboratory, geographical, and treatment outcomes of laboratory-confirmed tularemia cases over an 11-year period in Northern Sweden. Methods Data from reported tularemia cases (aged >10 years at time of study) in Norrbotten county between 2011 and 2021 were collected through review of electronic medical records and participant questionnaires; 415 of 784 accepted participation (52.9%). Of these, 327 were laboratory-confirmed cases (serology and/or polymerase chain reaction). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate variables associated with retreatment. Results Median age of participants was 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 41.5–65) and 49.2% were female. Although ulceroglandular tularemia was the predominant form (n = 215, 65.7%), there were several cases of pulmonary tularemia (n = 40; 12.2%). Inflammatory markers were largely nonspecific, with monocytosis frequently observed (n = 36/75; 48%). Tularemia was often misdiagnosed on presentation (n = 158, 48.3%), with 65 (19.9%) receiving initial inappropriate antibiotics and 102 (31.2%) retreated. Persistent lymphadenopathy was infrequent (n = 22, 6.7%), with 10 undergoing surgical interventions. In multivariable analysis of variables associated with retreatment, we highlight differences in time until receiving appropriate antibiotics (8 [IQR, 3.25–20.75] vs 7 [IQR, 4–11.25] days; adjusted P =.076), and doxycycline-based treatment regimen (vs ciprofloxacin; adjusted P =.084), although this was not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions We comprehensively summarize clinical, laboratory, and treatment outcomes of type B tularemia. Targeting tularemia requires clinical awareness, early diagnosis, and timely commencement of treatment for an appropriate duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have explored the influence of obesity and critical illness on ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics. However, variation across the subpopulation of individuals with obesity admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with varying renal function remains unexamined. This study aims to characterize ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics in ICU patients with obesity and provide dose recommendations for this special population. Individual patient data of 34 ICU patients with obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2) from four studies evaluating ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics in ICU patients were pooled and combined with data from a study involving 10 individuals with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. All samples were collected after intravenous administration. Non‐linear mixed effects modeling and simulation were used to develop a population pharmacokinetic model and describe ciprofloxacin exposure in plasma. Model‐based dose evaluations were performed using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target of AUC/MIC >125. The data from patients with BMI ranging from 30.2 to 58.1 were best described by a two‐compartment model with first‐order elimination and a proportional error model. The inclusion of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) as a covariate on clearance reduced inter‐individual variability from 57.3% to 38.5% (P < .001). Neither body weight nor ICU admission significantly influenced clearance or volume of distribution. Renal function is a viable predictor for ciprofloxacin clearance in ICU patients with obesity, while critical illness and body weight do not significantly alter clearance. As such, body weight and critical illness do not need to be accounted for when dosing ciprofloxacin in ICU patients with obesity. Individuals with CKD‐EPI >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 may require higher dosages for the treatment of pathogens with minimal inhibitory concentration ≥0.25 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is necessary to develop methods for rapid degradation of untreated waterborne contaminants due to their serious impact on the environment and human health. Here, we proposed a rapid and efficient microplasma electrochemistry (MIPEC) method for organic dye and antibiotic degradation. The atmospheric-pressure plasma acted as the anode and it could generate reactive radicals for rapid and complete degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in about 6 min, which is one of the fastest methods to our knowledge. Similarly, the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) has also been achieved. This method with mild and convenient operation conditions could be applied in a wide pH range due to the unique properties of the plasma anode, unrestricted by the pH of wastewater. The mechanism study revealed that more reactive species could be generated at the plasma anode than at the cathode, leading to a faster reaction rate at the anode side and the presence of oxygen could also accelerate the generation of reactive species. Besides, the MIPEC method can be used to treat a variety of dyes separately and together in minutes in different water bodies, making it a universal method suitable for treating different dyes in wastewater. This work provides a rapid and efficient method for waterborne contaminant degradation without any secondary pollution and need for post treatment, and also broadens the application field of the MIPEC method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi2WO6-N-TiO2 nanotube electrodes were prepared by hydrothermal method and low temperature plasma method, which were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD, UV-Vis-T)RS, CV and T-t, and applied to the degradation of ciprofloxacin antibiotic wastewater. The results showed that Bi2WO6 nanosheets were successfully loaded onto the surface of TiO2 nanotube electrode, and the co-modification of Bi2WO6 and N significantly enhanced the absorption of visible light by TiO2. Electrochemical analysis results showed that the modified TiO2 nanotube electrode had excellent photoelectric conversion performance, and the photocurrent density was about 5-9 times that of the modified TiO2 nanotube electrode. The degradation of ciprofloxacin by Bi2WO6-N-TiO2 nanotube electrode followed the first-order kinetic reaction equation, in which 0.8 mmol Bi2WO6-N--TiO2 nano-tube electrode had the highest degradation rate, reaching 0.00683 min-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies in which polymeric nanoparticles are used in drug delivery have been one of the subjects of interest in recent years. In this study, histidine-containing polymeric nanoparticles [poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-N-methacryloylamido histidine methyl ester)] were synthesized by surfactant free emulsion polymerization method. Ciprofloxacin was loaded onto the HPCNs surface [CIP-HCPNs]. In the characterization of CIP-HCPNs, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-infrared analysis, surface area calculations and zeta potential analysis were used. FT-IR data of histidine-free polymeric nanoparticles [HFPNs] and HCPNs demonstrated the successful addition of Histidine to polymeric nanoparticles. SEM images showed that CIP-HCPNs had a size of 131.2 nm with a spherical shape. As a result of Zeta potential studies, the polydispersity index (PDI) of CIP-HCPNs was found to be 0.11, indicating that CIP-HCPNs have a narrowly spaced size distribution. CIP release from CIP-HCNPs showed slow-release properties. At pH 7.4, cumulative CIP release from CIP-HCPNs was 96% (283.35 mg/g) within 6 h, with full drug release achieved at 24 h. It was stated that the drug release kinetic data obtained from CIP release experiments fit the Hixson-Crowell model, and in this model, CIP release from CIP-HCPNs occurred as the square root of the time dependent process based on Fickian diffusion. As a result, CIP-HCNPs developed in the current study, it can be said that it is suitable for drug release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new sensor was developed for the detection of ciprofloxacin that is easy to prepare, selective and has excellent sensitivity through electrochemical polymerization of 2-(hydroxymethyl)thiophene on glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Electrode modifications were performed by using cyclic voltammetry. The morphology and surface properties of the modified electrode were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy. Determination of ciprofloxacin with poly 2-(hydroxymethyl)thiophene-modified GC electrode was performed by square wave voltammetry in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 5.00) at 1.1 V. The prepared sensor showed a wide linear range from 0.1 to 200 µM, detection limit of 7 nM, a limit of quantitation of 22 nM, a correlation coefficient of 0.9993, excellent sensitivity of 99.6% and a relative standard deviation of 0.40%. The sensor was used to determine ciprofloxacin in human urine samples, and a recovery efficiency of 99.24–100.36% was obtained. According to the results in this study, we believe that the sensor developed can be used for the detection of ciprofloxacin in clinical laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare but most vital complication after joint arthroplasty and requires a revision surgery. Synovial fluid analysis is essential in diagnosis of the PJI, and conventional and molecular microbiologic investigations may help in determining the cause of the infection. With this unusual case, we aimed to present the second instance in the literature of PJI of the knee caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae (SDSD). S. dysgalactiae PJI in the literature are commonly Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE), and SDSD mostly infects animals. A farmer with comorbid illnesses who works with cattle and sheep experienced periprosthetic knee joint infection caused by SDSD. Surgical excisional debridement with open washing, decompression, and liner exchange were performed. The identification of the bacteria was done with VITEK MS as SDSD. After 1-year follow-up, the patient has fully recovered without recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Drug repurposing is an attractive strategy to control biofilm-related infectious diseases. In this study, two drugs (montelukast and cefoperazone) with well-established therapeutic applications were tested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing (QS) inhibition and biofilm control. Methods and results The activity of montelukast and cefoperazone was evaluated for Pqs signal inhibition, pyocyanin synthesis, and prevention and eradication of Ps. aeruginosa biofilms. Cefoperazone inhibited the Pqs system by hindering the production of the autoinducer molecules 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline (HHQ) and 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (the Pseudomonas quinolone signal or PQS), corroborating in silico results. Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocyanin production was reduced by 50%. The combination of the antibiotics cefoperazone and ciprofloxacin was synergistic for Ps. aeruginosa biofilm control. On the other hand, montelukast had no relevant effects on the inhibition of the Pqs system and against Ps. aeruginosa biofilm. Conclusion This study provides for the first time strong evidence that cefoperazone interacts with the Pqs system, hindering the formation of the autoinducer molecules HHQ and PQS, reducing Ps. aeruginosa pathogenicity and virulence. Cefoperazone demonstrated a potential to be used in combination with less effective antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin) to potentiate the biofilm control action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To determine if a cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzyme inhibitor can maintain therapeutic plasma levels of voriconazole when administered orally. ANIMALS 11 healthy, common ravens (Corvus corax). METHODS Birds were randomly assigned to pilot study groups to receive voriconazole orally alone or combined with a CYP inhibitor. Pilot studies with 3 CYP inhibitors launched the main study using ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg) followed 1 hour later by voriconazole (6 mg/kg) every 12 hours for 14 days. Plasma voriconazole concentrations were measured at various time points by HPLC-MS. The study period lasted from September 2016 to December 2020. RESULTS The birds failed to maintain therapeutic plasma levels of voriconazole during multidose administration alone or following preadministration with various CYP inhibitors. For the 14-day study period, voriconazole reached a maximum plasma concentration of 2.99 μg/mL with a time-to-peak drug concentration of 1.2 hours following preadministration of ciprofloxacin. One bird was removed from the study due to lethargy, but the other birds completed the study without incident. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg) followed by voriconazole (6 mg/kg) maintained the concentration of voriconazole within the recommended therapeutic range of 0.5 to 5 μg/mL without toxicity. Ciprofloxacin prevented the saturable metabolism of voriconazole and maintained these levels for the study duration. This drug combination could be used in the treatment of chronic aspergillosis in the common raven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhaled ciprofloxacin (CFX) has been investigated as a treatment for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) associated with cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis. The challenges in CFX effectiveness for LRTI treatment include poor aqueous solubility and therapy resistance. CFX dry powder for inhalation (DPI) formulations were well-tolerated, showing a remarkable decline in overall bacterial burden compared to a placebo in bronchiectasis patients. Recent research using an inhalable powder combining Pseudomonas phage PEV20 with CFX exhibited a substantial reduction in bacterial density in mouse lungs infected with clinical P. aeruginosa strains and reduced inflammation. Currently, studies suggest that elevated biosynthesis of fatty acids could serve as a potential biomarker for detecting CFX resistance in LRTIs. Furthermore, inhaled CFX has successfully addressed various challenges associated with traditional CFX, including the incapacity to eliminate the pathogen, the recurrence of colonization, and the development of resistance. However, further exploration is needed to address three key unresolved issues: identifying the right patient group, determining the optimal treatment duration, and accurately assessing the risk of antibiotic resistance, with additional multicenter randomized controlled trials suggested to tackle these challenges. Importantly, future investigations will focus on the effectiveness of CFX DPI in bronchiectasis and COPD, aiming to differentiate prognoses between these two conditions. This review underscores the importance of CFX inhalable formulations against LRTIs in preclinical and clinical sectors, their challenges, recent advancements, and future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromobacterium violaceum is associated with severe sepsis leading to cutaneous and visceral organ abscesses, with mortality rates up to 73%. Around 200 cases of C. violaceum infection have been reported globally. We report a case of a 27-year-old female U.S. Marine recruit who presented with fever, chills, myalgias, arthralgias, headache, and nodules on her extremities. Physical examination revealed multiple small skin abscesses on her extremities. Abdominal imaging with contrast revealed large liver abscesses requiring drainage. Both blood and wound cultures grew C. violaceum. The patient was successfully treated with meropenem and ciprofloxacin. At 3 months, symptoms had resolved, and labs and imaging were normal. Though rare, C. violaceum infection rates are increasing. Severe infection develops rapidly and invasive disease is not uncommon. Early detection and appropriate antibiotic treatment are key in preventing mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly treated in the emergency department (ED), and unfortunately, resistance to first-line agents is increasing. Objectives To characterize treatment of pyelonephritis in a nationally representative sample of ED patients and to identify patient- and treatment-specific factors associated with receiving initial inactive antibiotics. Methods We conducted a multicentre, observational cohort study utilizing the Emergency Medicine PHARMacotherapy Research NETwork (EMPHARM-NET), comprising 15 geographically diverse US EDs. All patients ≥18 years of age with a diagnosis of pyelonephritis between 2018 and 2020 were included. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who received initial inactive empirical antibiotic therapy and to identify predictive factors of inactive antibiotic therapy. Results Of the 3714 patients evaluated, 223 had culture-positive pyelonephritis. Median patient age was 50.1 years and patients were mostly female (78.3%). Overall, 40.4% of patients received an IV antibiotic, most commonly ceftriaxone (86.7%). The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were cefalexin (31.8%), ciprofloxacin (14.3%), cefdinir (13.5%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (12.6%). Overall, 10.3% of patients received initial inactive therapy. After adjustment in a multivariable analysis, long-acting IV antibiotic was predictive of inactive therapy (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07–0.83). Conclusions In our prospective, multicentre observational study, we found that only 40.4% of patients with pyelonephritis received empirical IV antibiotics in the ED, contributing to inactive therapy. Receipt of long-acting IV antibiotics was independently associated with a decreased rate of initial inactive therapy. This reinforces guideline recommendations to administer long-acting IV antibiotics empirically in the ED upon suspicion of pyelonephritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium phosphate (CaP) particles immobilizing antibacterial agents have the potential to be used as dental disinfectants. In this study, we fabricated CaP particles with immobilized ciprofloxacin (CF), a commonly prescribed antibacterial agent, via a coprecipitation process using a supersaturated CaP solution. As the aging time in the coprecipitation process increased from 2 to 24 h, the CaP phase in the resulting particles transformed from amorphous to low-crystalline hydroxyapatite, and their Ca/P elemental ratio, yield, and CF content increased. Despite the higher CF content, the particles aged for 24 h displayed a slower release of CF in a physiological salt solution, most likely owing to their crystallized matrix (less soluble hydroxyapatite), than those aged for 2 h, whose matrix was amorphous CaP. Both particles exhibited antibacterial and antibiofilm activities along with an acid-neutralizing effect against the major oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinomyces naeslundii, in a dose-dependent manner, although their dose–response relationship was slightly different. The aging time in the coprecipitation process was identified as a governing factor affecting the physicochemical properties of the resulting CF-immobilized CaP particles and their functionality as a dental disinfectant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the synthesis of key intermediates for the production of fluoroquinolones, a group of antibiotics. The article compares two existing synthetic routes for these intermediates and highlights their limitations. The authors then propose a new synthetic route that utilizes a cheaper starting material and achieves a higher overall yield. The new route is described in detail, including the experimental procedures and results. The authors acknowledge the financial support they received for this research. [Extracted from the article]

The fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics includes derivatives of the drug ciprofloxacin. These substances have recently been advocated for the treatment of cancer. In the current study, we examined the cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing potential of a novel synthetic ciprofloxacin derivative in the human myeloid leukemia KG1-a cell line. With an IC50 of 25µM, this ciprofloxacin derivative, 7-(4-(2-(benzhydryloxy)-2-oxoethyl) piperazin-1-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4 dihydroquinoline-3- carboxylic acid (4-BHPCP), was an active drug. Through Hoechst 33,258 staining and Annexin V/PI double staining experiments, the apoptotic activity of the 4-BHPCP was assessed morphologically. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to assess changes in the expression level of certain apoptosis-related genes, including Bcl-2, Bax, and Survivin (qRT PCR). The results of the qRT PCR analysis demonstrated that 4-BHPCP promotes apoptosis in the KG1-a cell line by down-regulating Survivin and Bcl2, up-regulating Bax, and increasing the Bax/Bcl2 transcripts in a time-dependent manner. These results imply that this novel chemical may be a promising therapy option for acute myeloid leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we have approached the synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) Schiff base (5-trifluoromethoxy-2-(((2chloro-5-(methyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenol)). The synthesized CuNPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, PL, FTIR, powder XRD, and TEM analysis. From the UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, an absorption peak was observed at 585 nm. As a result of the powder XRD and TEM studies, spherical particle sizes ranged between 4 and 10 nm. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups ‒OH, C=C, -C=N-, and C‒H triggers the synthesis of CuNPs. Further, the catalytic property of the CuNPs were revealed by the degradation of pharmaceutical drugs such as Capecitabine (CAP) and Ciprofloxacin (CIP) in 90 min of reaction time in the presence of NaBH4. The reaction kinetics followed pseudo-first-order with k-values (rate constant) 0.248 min-1 and 0.307 min−1. In addition, the synthesized CuNPs have exhibited selective sensing detection of Cd2+ metal ions in different range of concentration (10-100 µM) by spectrofluorometrically with the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.0284 nM and limit of quantification (LOQ) is 0.0586 nM. The CuNPs revealed significant antioxidant activities against DPPH as a common free radical at 50 µg/mL with 71.24% of scavenging activity. The maximum antimicrobial potential and zone of inhibition of P. Aeruginosa is 17.25±0.8 mm and A. niger is 12.1 mm by using CuNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ciprofloxacin is a widely used antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class. It is widely acknowledged by various researchers worldwide, and it has been documented to have a broad range of other pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antiviral, antimalarial activities, etc. Researchers have been exploring the synthesis of ciprofloxacin derivatives with enhanced biological activities or tailored capability to target specific pathogens. The various biological activities of some of the most potent and promising ciprofloxacin derivatives, as well as the synthetic strategies used to develop them, are thoroughly reviewed in this paper. Modification of ciprofloxacin via 4-oxo-3-carboxylic acid resulted in derivatives with reduced efficacy against bacterial strains. Hybrid molecules containing ciprofloxacin scaffolds displayed promising biological effects. The current review paper provides reported findings on the development of novel ciprofloxacin-based molecules with enhanced potency and intended therapeutic activities which will be of great interest to medicinal chemists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is increasing worldwide. Second-line treatments with macrolides or fluoroquinolones are an option for NG infections in some cases following the STI guideline recommendations. In our study, we compared the gradient diffusion test using EUCAST 2024 breakpoints with a new molecular method using the Allplex™ NG&DR assay (Seegene®) including A2059G/C2611 mutations (23S rRNA) associated with high/moderate-level macrolide resistance and S91F mutation (gyrA) relationship with fluoroquinolone resistance in NG isolates (n = 100). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and correlation of the molecular test for fluoroquinolone using the gradient diffusion as the reference method. In twenty-three strains was not detected any mutation associated with macrolides or fluoroquinolone resistance. No A2059G/C2611T mutations were detected, and the S91F mutations were detected in 77 out of the 100 isolates screened. Twenty-three NG isolates were reported to be resistant to azithromycin (ECOFF: >1 mg/L), and 78 NG isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC: >0.06 mg/L). The molecular method showed a sensitivity of 96.1% and, a specificity of 90.9% for fluoroquinolone susceptibility, but the statistical analysis between the molecular test and gradient diffusion test was not statistically significant for fluoroquinolone resistance (p = 1). Statistical analysis was not performed for macrolides because of the absence of positive RT-PCR results. According to our data, Allplex™ assay cannot replace the gradient diffusion test for macrolide resistance. However, the assay could be used to test fluoroquinolone resistance in NG isolates as a replacement for phenotypic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World Health Organization reports that the current use of ciprofloxacin as a broad-spectrum antibiotic shows a pattern of high bacterial resistance in many countries. Klebsiella pneumoniae is known as a Gram- negative bacterium that most often causes infection and is resistant to antibiotics. This study aimed to find patterns of resistance mechanisms based on biofilm production and porin permeability activity in K. pneumoniae clinical specimens from patients at RSUD Prof. Dr Margono Soekardjo Purwokerto, Indonesia. Several isolates of ciprofloxacin-resistant K. pneumoniae were isolated from clinical specimens of blood, sputum, urine, pus, stool and pleural fluid from August to October 2022. Identification and sensitivity testing of K. pneumoniae to ciprofloxacin were performed using Vitek® 2 Compact. A test for biofilm production is carried out by measuring optical density (OD) with a microplate at a wavelength of 630 nm. The porin permeability activity was determined using the value of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the LC-MS spectrophotometry method at a wavelength of 630 nm. The results showed that 72 (47 %) isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Among them, 41.3 % (24/58) of ciprofloxacin-resistant K. pneumoniae were able to produce strong biofilm. Porin permeability is indicated by MIC values of 1, 2 and 4 mg/L with bacterial cell counts of 32x106, 19x106 and 34x106 CFU/mL, respectively. This number decreased from the initial control with a bacterial cell count of 10.15x107 CFU/mL. Analysis of the correlation between the significance of biofilm production and the number of bacterial cells indicated that biofilm formation was related to the number of bacterial cells (R = 0.628, p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the resistance mechanism of ciprofloxacin-resistant K. pneumoniae involves biofilm production and decreased porin permeability activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of creating a series of 3-amino-1-aryl-8-methoxy-1H-benzo[f]chromene-2-carbonitriles (4a-q) involved reacting 6-methoxynaphthalen-2-ol (1), the appropriate aromatic aldehydes (2a-q), and malononitrile (3) in an absolute ethanol/piperidine solution under Ultrasonic irradiation. However, the attempt to create 3-amino-1-aryl-1H-benzo[f]chromene-2,8-dicarbonitrile (6a, d, e) was unsuccessful when 6-cyanonaphthalen-2-ol (5) was stirred at room temperature, reflux, Microwave irradiation, or Ultrasonic irradiation. In addition, the target molecules were screened against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, as well as a panel of three human cancer cells lines such as MCF-7, HCT-116, HepG-2 and two normal cell lines HFL-1 and WI-38. The obtained results confirmed that the pyran derivatives (4 m, i, k) which have a double chlorine at 3,4/2,3/2,5-positions, a single halogen atom 3-Cl/4-Br (4c, e) and a double bromine at 3,5-positions with a single methoxy group at 2-position (4n), of phenyl ring, and, to a lesser extent, other pyran derivatives with monoihalogenated (4a, b, d, f), dihalogenated (4 g, h, j, l) or trisubstituent phenyl ring (4o, p, q). Furthermore, compounds 4b-e, g, i, j, m, and n showed negligible activity against the two normal cell lines, HFL-1 and WI-38. Moreover, compound 4 g exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity among the other pyran derivatives (4a-f, g-q) when compared to Ciprofloxacin. The MIC was assessed and screened for compound 4 g, revealing bactericidal effects. Lastly, SAR and molecular docking were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven novel ciprofloxacin–pyrazolopyrimidine hybrids 4 a–k were synthesized and structurally elucidated using NMR, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The antibacterial screening showed that the newly synthesized compounds revealed a remarkable shifting of antibacterial activity from Gram–negative toward Gram–positive bacteria. Most of the synthesized hybrids displayed good to excellent activity against Staph aureus ATCC 6538 especially hybrids 4 a and 4 g which revealed MICs of 12.5 and 6.25 μg/ml, respectively, compared to the ciprofloxacin MIC, 25 μg/ml as a reference drug. In addition, both hybrids displayed potent activity toward MRSA AUMC 261 with MICs, 71 and 36 μg/ml respectively, compared to the ciprofloxacin MIC, 190 μg/ml as a reference drug. Additionally, hybrids, 4 a and 4 g exhibited effective inhibitory activity against DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes with IC50 values, 0.404, 1.626 μM and 3.647 and 3.791 μM, respectively, compared to ciprofloxacin IC50 values 0.661 and 8.159. A molecular modeling investigation showed a high fitting affinity of hybrids 4 a and 4 g toward gyrase and topoisomerase IV active sites compared to ciprofloxacin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, different Co2+ doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were hydrothermally synthesized by an environmentally friendly, sustainable technique using the extract of P. capillacea for the first time. Co-ZnO was characterized and confirmed by FTIR, XPS, XRD, BET, EDX, SEM, TEM, DRS UV–Vis spectroscopy, and TGA analyses. Dislocation density, micro strains, lattice parameters and volume of the unit cell were measured using XRD results. XRD suggests that the average size of these NPs was between 44.49 and 65.69 nm with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Tauc plot displayed that the optical energy bandgap of ZnO NPs (3.18) slowly declines with Co doping (2.96 eV). Near complete removal of the ciprofloxacin (CIPF) antibiotic was attained using Green 5% of Hy-Co-ZnO in the existence of visible LED light which exhibited maximum degradation efficiency (99%) within 120 min for 30 ppm CIPF initial concentration. The photodegradation mechanism of CIPF using Green Hy-Co-ZnO NPs followed the Pseudo-first-order kinetics. The Green Hy-Co-ZnO NPs improved photocatalytic performance toward CIPF for 3 cycles. The experiments were designed using the RSM (CCD) method for selected parameters such as catalyst dosage, antibiotic dosage, shaking speed, and pH. The maximal CIPF degradation efficiency (96.4%) was achieved under optimum conditions of 39.45 ppm CIPF dosage, 60.56 mg catalyst dosage, 177.33 rpm shaking speed and pH 7.57. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Typhoid fever is a common cause of febrile illness in low- and middle-income countries. While multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) has spread globally, fluoroquinolone resistance has mainly affected Asia. Methods: Consecutively, 1038 blood cultures were obtained from patients of all age groups with fever and/or suspicion of serious systemic infection admitted at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar in 2015–2016. S. Typhi were analyzed with antimicrobial susceptibility testing and with short read (61 strains) and long read (9 strains) whole genome sequencing, including three S. Typhi strains isolated in a pilot study 2012–2013. Results: Sixty-three S. Typhi isolates (98%) were MDR carrying blaTEM-1B, sul1 and sul2, dfrA7 and catA1 genes. Low-level ciprofloxacin resistance was detected in 69% (43/62), with a single gyrase mutation gyrA-D87G in 41 strains, and a single gyrA-S83F mutation in the non-MDR strain. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and azithromycin. All MDR isolates belonged to genotype 4.3.1 lineage I (4.3.1.1), with the antimicrobial resistance determinants located on a composite transposon integrated into the chromosome. Phylogenetically, the MDR subgroup with ciprofloxacin resistance clusters together with two external isolates. Conclusions: We report a high rate of MDR and low-level ciprofloxacin resistant S. Typhi circulating in Zanzibar, belonging to genotype 4.3.1.1, which is widespread in Southeast Asia and African countries and associated with low-level ciprofloxacin resistance. Few therapeutic options are available for treatment of typhoid fever in the study setting. Surveillance of the prevalence, spread and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. Typhi can guide treatment and control efforts. Author summary: Salmonella Typhi causes typhoid fever. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) S. Typhi is spreading globally. Local and regional surveillance of MDR S. Typhi populations using both blood culture and whole genome sequencing can uncover outbreaks and help mapping the spread of S. Typhi and resistance mechanisms, which, in turn, can guide both control and prevention efforts and clinical management. Data regarding the distribution of MDR S. Typhi genotypes and resistance mechanisms is scarce in Zanzibar, Tanzania, as in many other African countries. In this study we characterize S. Typhi phenotypically and genotypically. This study shows high rate of MDR S. Typhi, hence few therapeutic options are available for treatment of typhoid fever in the study setting. Our findings contribute to the knowledge base on typhoid fever in the region and to guide correct treatment of individual patients and control of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cysteine and its derivatives, including H2S, can influence bacterial virulence and sensitivity to antibiotics. In minimal sulfate media, H2S is generated under stress to prevent excess cysteine and, together with incorporation into glutathione and export into the medium, is a mechanism of cysteine homeostasis. Here, we studied the features of cysteine homeostasis in LB medium, where the main source of sulfur is cystine, whose import can create excess cysteine inside cells. We used mutants in the mechanisms of cysteine homeostasis and a set of microbiological and biochemical methods, including the real-time monitoring of sulfide and oxygen, the determination of cysteine and glutathione (GSH), and the expression of the Fur, OxyR, and SOS regulons genes. During normal growth, the parental strain generated H2S when switching respiration to another substrate. The mutations affected the onset time, the intensity and duration of H2S production, cysteine and glutathione levels, bacterial growth and respiration rates, and the induction of defense systems. Exposure to chloramphenicol and high doses of ciprofloxacin increased cysteine content and GSH synthesis. A high inverse relationship between log CFU/mL and bacterial growth rate before ciprofloxacin addition was revealed. The study points to the important role of maintaining cysteine homeostasis during normal growth and antibiotic exposure in LB medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of antibiotics in soils is increasing drastically in last decades due to the intensive farming industry and excessive human consumption. Clay minerals are one of the soil components with great adsorption capacity for organic pollutants. The study of interactions between antibiotics and mineral surfaces will give us scientific knowledge of these pollutants through soils. In this work, we study the adsorption of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in the clay mineral fraction of soils from the Argentinian zone of Santa Rosa (Corrientes), in a collaborative research of experiments and atomistic modelling calculations of the intercalation of ciprofloxacin in the interlayer space of montmorillonite. Adsorption and desorption isotherms were performed and compared with different isotherm models. Additionally, enthalpy, entropy, and free energy were determined from equilibrium constants at a function of temperature. All these experiments and calculations lead to the conclusions that two adsorption types of ciprofloxacin are found on clay minerals: one weakly sorbed that is released during the desorption experiments, and other one strongly joined that remains in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of nosocomial infections and the leading cause of chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Antibiotic treatment remains challenging because P. aeruginosa is resistant to high concentrations of antibiotics and has a remarkable ability to acquire mutations conferring resistance to multiple groups of antimicrobial agents. Here we report that when P. aeruginosa is plated on ciprofloxacin (cipro) plates, the majority of cipro-resistant (ciproR) colonies observed at and after 48 h of incubation carry mutations in genes related to the Stringent Response (SR). Mutations in one of the major SR components, spoT, were present in approximately 40% of the ciproR isolates. Compared to the wild-type strain, most of these isolates had decreased growth rate, longer lag phase and altered intracellular ppGpp content. Also, 75% of all sequenced mutations were insertions and deletions, with short deletions being the most frequently occurring mutation type. We present evidence that most of the observed mutations are induced on the selective plates in a subpopulation of cells that are not instantly killed by cipro. Our results suggests that the SR may be an important contributor to antibiotic resistance acquisition in P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a series of Bi-ZnAl-LDHs (BZA-X) enriched with oxygen vacancies (OVs) were synthesized by doping ZnAl-LDHs with different ratios of bismuth ions. The characterization results indicated that the doping of bismuth ions promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies (OVs), with the highest level of oxygen vacancies when the bismuth ions are doped at 50%. The level of oxygen vacancies is lower than that of the conduction band, which leads to a substantial increase in the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers from BZA-X. In addition, the oxygen vacancies in BZA-X promote the adsorption of H+ in the reaction system, which further promotes the formation of ˙OH. The main active species ˙OH and h+ contributed the most to the photodegradation of CIP, and the degradation rate and the degradation kinetic constant of ciprofloxacin (CIP) for BZA-0.5 were 1.56 and 2.63 times higher than those of ZA, respectively. On this basis, a CIP transformation pathway was proposed based on the identified transformation products. This work provides a new strategy to improve the degradation of ciprofloxacin in wastewater through the synergistic effect of bismuth-doped and oxygen vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized and characterized N-substituted-1-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carbohydrazide derivatives and were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus, Micrococcus Luteus, Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Flavobacterium Devorans pathogens and found that any modification is done at C-3 position then the activity of quinolone scaffold is decreased. This shows that presence of carboxylic acid group at C-3 position is very important for antibacterial activities. To gain more molecular insight into the binding interaction of the synthesized compounds, docking studies with to S. aureus DNA gyrase (PDB: 2XCT) were conducted. Based on its potential anti-bacterial properties, the most active molecule, 5a, was submitted to molecular docking simulations using Schrödinger Glide software. The fluoroquinolones mechanism of action is entirely compatible with the binding interaction of the compound 5a. Further, all the synthesized compounds tested for In Silico ADME prediction and observed that all the compounds followed the criteria for orally active drug and therefore, these compounds can be further developed an oral drug candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To develop and validate an UPLC–MS/MS assay for simultaneous determination of the total concentration of ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, piperacillin, tazobactam, sulfamethoxazole, N -acetyl sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, and the protein-unbound concentration of flucloxacillin, in human plasma to be used for research and clinical practice. Methods Sample pretreatment included protein precipitation with methanol. For the measurement of protein-unbound flucloxacillin, ultrafiltration was performed at physiological temperature. For all compounds, a stable isotopically labelled internal standard was used. Reliability of the results was assessed by participation in an international quality control programme. Results The assay was successfully validated according to the EMA guidelines over a concentration range of 0.5–100 mg/L for ceftazidime, 0.05–10 mg/L for ciprofloxacin, 0.4–125 mg/L for flucloxacillin, 0.2–60 mg/L for piperacillin, 0.15–30 mg/L for tazobactam, 1–200 mg/L for sulfamethoxazole and N -acetyl sulfamethoxazole, 0.05–10 mg/L for trimethoprim and 0.10–50 mg/L for unbound flucloxacillin. For measurement of total concentrations, the within- and between-day accuracy ranged from 90.0% to 109%, and 93.4% to 108%, respectively. Within- and between-day precision (variation coefficients, CVs) ranged from 1.70% to 11.2%, and 0.290% to 5.30%, respectively. For unbound flucloxacillin, within-day accuracy ranged from 103% to 106% and between-day accuracy from 102% to 105%. The within- and between-day CVs ranged from 1.92% to 7.11%. Results of the international quality control programme showed that the assay is reliable. Conclusions The method provided reliable, precise and accurate measurement of seven commonly prescribed antibiotics, including the unbound concentration of flucloxacillin. This method is now routinely applied in research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae compromises gonorrhoea treatment and rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) would be valuable. We have developed a rapid and accurate flow cytometry method (FCM) for AST of gonococci. Methods The 2016 WHO gonococcal reference strains, and WHO Q, R and S (n  = 17) were tested against seven clinically relevant antibiotics (ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, spectinomycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and gentamicin). After 4.5 h incubation of inoculated broth, the fluorescent dye Syto™ 9 was added, followed by FCM analysis. After gating, the relative remaining population of gonococci, compared with unexposed growth control samples, was plotted against antimicrobial concentration, followed by non-linear curve regression analysis. Furthermore, the response at one single concentration/tested antibiotic was evaluated with the intention to use as a screening test for detection of resistant gonococci. Results A dose-dependent response was seen in susceptible isolates for all tested antimicrobials. There was a clear separation between susceptible/WT and resistant/non-WT isolates for ceftriaxone, cefixime, spectinomycin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. In contrast, for azithromycin, only high-level-resistant isolates were distinguished, while resistant isolates with MICs of 4 mg/L were indistinguishable from WT (MIC ≤ 1 mg/L) isolates. For gentamicin, all tested 17 isolates were WT and FCM analysis resulted in uniform dose–response curves. Using a single antibiotic concentration and a 50% remaining cell population cut-off, the overall sensitivity and specificity for resistance detection were 93% and 99%, respectively. Conclusions By providing results in <5 h for gonococcal isolates, FCM-based AST can become a rapid screening method for antimicrobial resistance or antimicrobial susceptibility in gonococci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drugs that form self-assembled supramolecular structures to be most-active is a promising way of creating new highly specific and active pharmaceuticals. Controlling the activity of bioactive supramolecular structures such as drug-loaded micelles is possible by both core/shell and inter-assembly cross-linking. However, if the flexibility of the assembly is mandatory for the activity cross-linking is not feasible. Thus, such structures cannot be manipulated in their activity. The present study demonstrates a novel concept to control the activity of not drug-releasing, non-cross-linked bioactive superstructures. This is achieved by formation of nanostructured nanoparticles derived by non-covalent inter-assembly cross-linking of the superstructures. This is shown on the example of amphiphilic diblock-copolymers conjugated with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP). These polymer-antibiotic conjugates form worm micelles, which greatly activate the conjugated antibiotic without releasing it. Non-covalent inter-assembly cross-linking of these CIP-worm-micelles with amphiphilic triblock copolymers terminated with lipase-cleavable esters leads to nanostructured nanoparticles that resemble cross-linked worm micelles and show an up to 135-fold lower activity than the free worm micelles. The activity of the worm-micelles can be fully recovered by cleaving the end groups of the polymeric cross-linker with lipase. [Display omitted] • nanoprecipitation inactivates ciprofloxacin polymer conjugate (PAC) worm micelles. • non-covalent cross-linking of PAC by triblockcopolymers (TBC) with ester end groups. • lipase cleaves ester end groups of TBC in aggregates. • lipase destroys superstructure of aggregates. • lipase releases activated, antibacterial PAC worm micelles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic residues have become a worldwide public safety issue. It is vital to detect multiple antibiotics simultaneously using sensors. A new and efficient method is proposed for the combined detection of two antibiotics (enrofloxacin (Enro) and ciprofloxacin (Cip)) in milk using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors. Based on the principle of immunosuppression, two antibiotic antigens (for Enro and Cip) were immobilized on an optical fiber surface with conjugates of bovine serum albumin using dopamine (DA) polymerization. Each single antigen was bound to its corresponding antibody to derive standard curves for Enro and Cip. The fiber-optic sensor's sensitivity was 2900 nm/RIU. Detection limits were calculated to be 1.20 ng/mL for Enro and 0.81 ng/mL for Cip. The actual system's recovery rate was obtained by testing Enro and Cip in milk samples; enrofloxacin's and ciprofloxacin's mean recoveries from the milk samples were 96.46–120.46% and 96.74–126.9%, respectively. In addition, several different regeneration solutions were tested to analyze the two target analytes' regeneration ability; NaOH and Gly-HCl solutions were found to have the best regeneration ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis is considered as an environmentally friendly method for both solar energy conversion and environmental purification of water, wastewater, air, and surfaces. Among various photocatalytic materials, titania is still the most widely investigated and applied, but more efforts must be carried out considering the synthesis of highly efficient photocatalysts for multifarious applications. It is thought that nanoengineering design of titania morphology might be the best solution. Accordingly, here, titania mesocrystals, assembled from crystallographically oriented nanocrystals, have been synthesized by an easy, cheap, and "green" solvothermal method (without the use of surfactants and templates), followed by simple annealing. The obtained materials have been characterized by various methods, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). It has been found that the as-obtained photocatalysts exhibit a unique nanorod-like subunit structure with excellent crystalline and surface properties. However, pristine titania is hardly active for a hydrogen evolution reaction, and thus additional modification has been performed by platinum photodeposition (and silver as a reference). Indeed, the modification with only 2 wt% of noble metals results in a significant enhancement in activity, i.e., ca. 75 and 550 times by silver- and platinum-modified samples, respectively, reaching the corresponding reaction rates of 37 μmol h−1 and 276 μmol h−1. Additionally, titania mesocrystals exhibit high oxidation power under simulated solar light irradiation for the degradation of antibiotics within the tetracycline group (tetracycline (TC), ciprofloxacin (CIP), norfloxacin (NOR) and oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC)). It has been found that both experimental results and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm the high ability of titania mesocrystals for oxidative decomposition of tetracycline antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased evidence has documented a direct association between Ciprofloxacin (CFX) intake and significant disruption to the normal functions of connective tissues, leading to severe health conditions (such as tendonitis, tendon rupture and retinal detachment). Additionally, CFX is recognized as a potential emerging pollutant, as it seems to impact both animal and human food chains, resulting in severe health implications. Consequently, there is a compelling need for the precise, swift and selective detection of this fluoroquinolone-class antibiotic. Herein, we present a novel graphene-based electrochemical sensor designed for Ciprofloxacin (CFX) detection and discuss its practical utility. The graphene material was synthesized using a relatively straightforward and cost-effective approach involving the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite, through a pulsing current, in 0.05 M sodium sulphate (Na2SO4), 0.05 M boric acid (H3BO3) and 0.05 M sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The resulting material underwent systematic characterization using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Subsequently, it was employed in the fabrication of modified glassy carbon surfaces (EGr/GC). Linear Sweep Voltammetry studies revealed that CFX experiences an irreversible oxidation process on the sensor surface at approximately 1.05 V. Under optimal conditions, the limit of quantification was found to be 0.33 × 10−8 M, with a corresponding limit of detection of 0.1 × 10−8 M. Additionally, the developed sensor's practical suitability was assessed using commercially available pharmaceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospun drug‐loaded polymers are used to make formulations that slowly release medication. This study creates ciprofloxacin (Cip)‐loaded fiber mats by melt electrospinning using polycaprolactone (PCL) and PEG4000 for controlled release of Cip. The increase in Cip concentration and PEG4000 percentages increases the mat thickness resulting in uniform morphology. The tensile strength of the PCL mat is significantly improved by adding higher concentrations of Cip while PEG inclusion reduced the tensile strength significantly. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) curves of PCL and PEG 4000 either as free components of after melt electrospinning are identical and both components shows a single endothermic peak at 63 and 61 °C respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the chemical stability of the raw materials, while X‐ray diffraction shows the conversion of PEG and Cip from crystalline to amorphous structure following melt electrospinning. Cip is released gradually over 72 h, and the release is increased in the presence of PEG with a maximum Cip release ≈25% after 72 h. The study provides new insights into the development of controlled release fiber mats loaded with antibacterial agents. This can help to develop formulations for wound dressings that improve the clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative triple optical sensor is presented that utilizes gold nanoclusters (GNCs) stabilized with ciprofloxacin (CIP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The sensor is designed to identify three critical metal ions, namely Cu2+, Al3+, and Hg2+. Under 360 nm excitation, the synthesized CIP-BSA-GNCs demonstrate dual fluorescence emission with peaks at 448 nm (blue) and 612 nm (red). The red emission is associated with the interior of the CIP-BSA-GNCs, whereas the blue emission results from the surface-bound CIP molecules. The sensitive and selective fluorescent nanosensor CIP-BSA-GNCs were employed to detect Cu2+, Al3+, and Hg2+ ions. Cu2+ effectively quenched the fluorescence intensity of the CIP-BSA-GNCs at both peaks via the internal charge transfer mechanism (ICT). Cu2+ could be detected within the concentration range 1.13 × 10−3 to 0.05 µM, with a detection limit of 0.34 nM. Al3+ increased the intensity of CIP fluorescence at 448 nm via the chelation-induced fluorescence enhancement mechanism. The fluorescence intensity of the core CIP-BSA-GNCs at 612 nm was utilized as a reference signal. Thus, the ratiometric detection of Al3+ succeeded with a limit of detection of 0.21 nM within the dynamic range 0.69 × 10−3 to 0.07 µM. Hg2+ effectively quenched the fluorescence intensity of the CIP-BSA-GNCs at 612 nm via the metallophilic interaction mechanism. The fluorescence intensity of CIP molecules at 448 nm was utilized as a reference signal. This allowed for the ratiometric detection of Hg2+ with a detection limit of 0.7 nM within the concentration range 2.3 × 10−3 to 0.1 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel poly(methacrylic acid)/gelatin (PMAG) interpenetrating networks reinforced by different amounts of nanostructured particles of hydroxyapatite (HA) (HA/polymer weight ratios from 0% to 40%) were synthesized. The introduction of HA significantly enhanced mechanical properties, but slightly reduced swelling ability, pH sensibility and porosity. The increase of HA/polymer ratio to 40% increased the compressive strength from 29.83 (pure PMAG hydrogel) to 68.16 kPa. Drug release behavior investigated in simulated physiological conditions, using ciprofloxacin (hydrophilic) and oxaprozin (hydrophobic), demonstrated different drug release kinetics. In vitro antimicrobial testing demonstrated bactericidal and fungicidal activity of the drug-loaded hydrogels against E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular drug delivery is very challenging and fascinating for pharmaceutical researchers, especially in the treatment of ocular conjunctivitis. The challenges include delivery of the drug to the eye without causing permanent tissue damage while maintaining a stable therapeutic level at the site of action for a prolonged period of time. The present work focuses on the treatment of ocular conjunctivitis by using combined mechanisms of fluroquinolone antibiotics, providing sustained release of drug from ocular inserts, and using corticosteroid for anti-inflammatory effect and providing comfort to the patient. Quinolone antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and polymers with excipients were procured from pharmaceutical companies as gift samples. Different combinations of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents were prepared by solvent cast method and the dried films were cut into defined size containing drug and evaluated for different parameters and sustained drug release. Based on in vitro, in vivo correlation stability studies, the formulation (antibiotic + anti-inflammatory agent) promising the best once a day sustained release of the drug has been chosen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]