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The myriad consumption of plastic regularly, environmental impact and health disquietude of humans are at high risk. Microplastics (MPs) represent a contemporary type of contamination that has permeated several environmental areas. MP pollution is already widespread in marine environments, leading to increased awareness over the past few decades. Multiple studies are being conducted to determine the source of MPs and their harmful impacts on marine life and, ultimately, human health. Thus, this paper rigorously analyzed the origin, accumulation, and detrimental impacts of MPs on the marine ecosystem. An increase in the death rate, a decrease in the rate of growth, and a reduction in the quantity of food ingested were the primary changes that occurred in marine organisms. The hydrophobic properties of MPs enable them to facilitate the formation of biofilms, which are referred to as the plastisphere. These biofilms have the capacity to transport chemicals that are frequently hazardous and may potentially infiltrate the food chain. The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly exacerbated the plastic and MP contamination in coastal and marine environments as a result of the improper management of personal protective equipment and explosive production. The most recent developments in environmental DNA (eDNA) are valuable tools for the detection and tracking of MP contamination in coastal and marine ecosystems. These technologies offer greater sensibility, efficacy, and involvement in the process. There are several measures and attempts that must be taken to address the MP pollution issues in the marine environment. The knowledge gained from this review will serve as a foundation for future marine MP research and management techniques.

Abstract Biosurfactants are a diverse group of compounds derived from microorganisms, possessing various structures and applications. The current study was seeking to isolate and identify a new biosurfactant-producing fungus from soil contaminated with petrochemical waste. The bioprocess conditions were optimized to maximize biosurfactant production for Aspergillus carneus OQ152507 using a glucose peptone culture medium with a pH of 7.0 and a temperature of 35 °C. The carbon source was glucose (3%), and ammonium sulfate (0.25%) was utilized as the nitrogen source. For Aspergillus niger OQ195934, the optimized conditions involved a starch nitrate culture medium with a pH of 7.0 and a temperature of 30 °C. The carbon source used was sucrose (3.5%), and ammonium sulfate (0.25%) served as the nitrogen source. The phenol-H2SO4 and phosphate tests showed that the biosurfactants that were extracted did contain glycolipid and/or phospholipid molecules. They showed considerable antimicrobial activity against certain microbes. The obtained biosurfactants increased the solubility of tested polyaromatic hydrocarbons, including fluoranthene, pyrene, anthracene, and fluorine, and successfully removed the lubricating oil from contaminated soil and aqueous media surface tension reduction. Based on the obtained results, A. carneus and A. niger biosurfactants could be potential candidates for environmental oil remediation processes.

IntroductionCOVID-19 severity and high in-hospital mortality are often associated with severe hypoxemia, hyperlactatemia, and acidosis, yet the key players driving this association remain unclear. It is generally assumed that organ damage causes toxic acidosis, but since neutrophil numbers in severe COVID-19 can exceed 80% of the total circulating leukocytes, we asked if metabolic acidosis mediated by the glycolytic neutrophils is associated with lung damage and impaired oxygen delivery in critically ill patients.MethodsBased on prospective mortality outcome, critically ill COVID-19 patients were divided into ICU- survivors and ICU-non-survivors. Samples were analyzed to explore if correlations exist between neutrophil counts, lung damage, glycolysis, blood lactate, blood pH, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and mortality outcome. We also interrogated isolated neutrophils, platelets, and PBMCs for glycolytic activities.ResultsArterial blood gas analyses showed remarkable hypoxemia in non-survivors with no consistent differences in PCO2 or [HCO3−]. The hemoglobin oxygen dissociation curve revealed a right-shift, consistent with lower blood-pH and elevated blood lactate in non-survivors. Metabolic analysis of different blood cells revealed increased glycolytic activity only when considering the total number of neutrophils.ConclusionThis indicates the role of neutrophilia in hyperlactatemia and lung damage, subsequently contributing to mortality outcomes in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Some essential information on gut bacterial profiles and their unique contributions to food digestion in wood-feeding termites (WFT) and soil-feeding termites (SFT) is still inadequate. The feeding type of termites is hypothesized to influence their gut bacterial composition and its functionality in degrading lignocellulose or other organic chemicals. This could potentially provide alternative approaches for the degradation of some recalcitrant environmental chemicals. Therefore, metagenomic analysis can be employed to examine the composition and functional profiles of gut bacterial symbionts in WFT and SFT. Based on the metagenomic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of gut bacterial symbionts in the WFT, Microcerotermes sp., and the SFT, Pericapritermes nitobei, the findings revealed a total of 26 major bacterial phyla, with 18 phyla commonly represented in both termites, albeit in varying abundances. Spirochaetes dominated the bacterial symbionts in Microcerotermes sp. at 55%, followed by Fibrobacters, while Firmicutes dominated the gut bacteria symbionts in P. nitobei at 95%, with Actinobacteria coming in second at 2%. Furthermore, the Shannon and phylogenetic tree diversity indices, as well as the observed operational taxonomic units and Chao 1 richness indices, were all found to be higher in the WFT than in the SFT deduced from the alpha diversity analysis. Based on the principal coordinate analysis, exhibited a significant distance dissimilarity between the gut bacterial symbionts. The results showed that the gut bacterial composition differed significantly between the WFT and SFT. Furthermore, Tax4Fun analysis evaluated bacterial functions, revealing the predominance of carbohydrate metabolism, followed by amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism in both Microcerotermes sp. and P. nitobei termites. The results implicated that bacterial symbionts inhabiting the guts of both termites were actively involved in the degradation of lignocellulose and other recalcitrant compounds.

Abstract Biopolymers such as chitosan and pectin are currently attracting significant attention because of their unique properties, which are valuable in the food industry and pharmaceutical applications. These properties include non-toxicity, compatibility with biological systems, natural decomposition ability, and structural adaptability. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of two different ratios of pectin–chitosan polyelectrolyte composite (PCPC) after applying them as a coating to commercially pure titanium (CpTi) substrates using electrospraying. The PCPC was studied in ratios of 1:2 and 1:3, while the control group consisted of CpTi substrates without any coating. The pull-off adhesion strength, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial susceptibility tests were utilized to evaluate the PCPC coatings. In order to determine whether the composite coating was the result of physical blending or chemical bonding, the topographic surface parameters were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). PCPC (1:3) had the highest average cell viability of 93.42, 89.88, and 86.85% after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively, as determined by the cytotoxicity assay, when compared to the other groups. According to the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method for testing antibacterial susceptibility, PCPC (1:3) showed the highest average diameter of the zone of inhibition, measuring 14.88, 14.43, and 11.03 mm after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation, respectively. This difference was highly significant compared to Group 3 at all three time periods. PCPC (1:3) exhibited a significantly higher mean pull-off adhesion strength (521.6 psi) compared to PCPC (1:2), which revealed 419.5 psi. PCPC (1:3) coated substrates exhibited better surface roughness parameters compared to other groups based on the findings of the AFM. The FTIR measurement indicated that both PCPC groups exhibited a purely physical blending in the composite coating. Based on the extent of these successful in vitro experiments, PCPC (1:3) demonstrates its potential as an effective coating layer. Therefore, the findings of this study pave the way for using newly developed PCPC after electrospraying coating on CpTi for dental implants.

Abstract Foraminifera are single-celled protists which are important mediators of the marine carbon cycle. In our study, we explored the potential impact of polystyrene (PS) microplastic particles on two symbiont-bearing large benthic foraminifera species—Heterostegina depressa and Amphistegina lobifera—over a period of three weeks, employing three different approaches: investigating (1) stable isotope (SI) incorporation—via 13C- and 15N-labelled substrates—of the foraminifera to assess their metabolic activity, (2) photosynthetic efficiency of the symbiotic diatoms using imaging PAM fluorometry, and (3) microscopic enumeration of accumulation of PS microplastic particles inside the foraminiferal test. The active feeder A. lobifera incorporated significantly more PS particles inside the cytoplasm than the non-feeding H. depressa, the latter accumulating the beads on the test surface. Photosynthetic area of the symbionts tended to decrease in the presence of microplastic particles in both species, suggesting that the foraminiferal host cells started to digest their diatom symbionts. Compared to the control, the presence of microplastic particles lead to reduced SI uptake in A. lobifera, which indicates inhibition of inorganic carbon and nitrogen assimilation. Competition for particulate food uptake was demonstrated between algae and microplastic particles of similar size. Based on our results, both species seem to be sensitive to microplastic pollution, with non-feeding H. depressa being more strongly affected.

Plastic waste discarded into aquatic environments gradually degrades into smaller fragments, known as microplastics (MPs), which range in size from 0.05 to 5 mm. The ubiquity of MPs poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and, by extension, human health, as these particles are ingested by various marine organisms including zooplankton, crustaceans, and fish, eventually entering the human food chain. This contamination threatens the entire ecological balance, encompassing food safety and the health of aquatic systems. Consequently, developing effective MP removal technologies has emerged as a critical area of research. Here, we summarize the mechanisms and recently reported strategies for removing MPs from aquatic ecosystems. Strategies combining physical and chemical pretreatments with microbial degradation have shown promise in decomposing MPs. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and specific enzymes are being leveraged in MP remediation efforts. Recent advancements have focused on innovative methods such as membrane bioreactors, synthetic biology, organosilane-based techniques, biofilm-mediated remediation, and nanomaterial-enabled strategies, with nano-enabled technologies demonstrating substantial potential to enhance MP removal efficiency. This review aims to stimulate further innovation in effective MP removal methods, promoting environmental and social well-being.

The pervasiveness of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has become a significant environmental concern in recent years. Because of their slow rate of disposal, MPs are ubiquitous in the environment. As a consequence of indiscriminate use, landfill deposits, and inadequate recycling methods, MP production and environmental accumulation are expanding at an alarming rate, resulting in a range of economic, social, and environmental repercussions. Aquatic organisms, including fish and various crustaceans, consume MPs, which are ultimately consumed by humans at the tertiary level of the food chain. Blocking the digestive tracts, disrupting digestive behavior, and ultimately reducing the reproductive growth of entire living organisms are all consequences of this phenomenon. In order to assess the potential environmental impacts and the resources required for the life of a plastic product, the importance of life cycle assessment (LCA) and circularity is underscored. MPs-related ecosystem degradation has not yet been adequately incorporated into LCA, a tool for evaluating the environmental performance of product and technology life cycles. It is a technique that is designed to quantify the environmental effects of a product from its inception to its demise, and it is frequently employed in the context of plastics. The control of MPs is necessary due to the growing concern that MPs pose as a newly emergent potential threat. This is due to the consequences of their use. This paper provides a critical analysis of the formation, distribution, and methods used for detecting MPs. The effects of MPs on ecosystems and human health are also discussed, which posed a great challenge to conduct an LCA related to MPs. The socio-economic impacts of MPs and their management are also discussed. This paper paves the way for understanding the ecotoxicological impacts of the emerging MP threat and their associated issues to LCA and limits the environmental impact of plastic.

Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) in the form of agricultural, forestry, and agro-industrial wastes is globally generated in large volumes every year. The chemical components of LCB render them a substrate valuable for biofuel production. It is hard to dissolve LCB resources for biofuel production because the lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose parts stick together rigidly. This makes the structure complex, hierarchical, and resistant. Owing to these restrictions, the junk production of LCB waste has recently become a significant worldwide environmental problem resulting from inefficient disposal techniques and increased persistence. In addition, burning LCB waste, such as paddy straws, is a widespread practice that causes considerable air pollution and endangers the environment and human existence. Besides environmental pollution from LCB waste, increasing industrialization has resulted in the production of billions of tons of dyeing wastewater from several industries, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, tanneries, and food processing units. The massive use of synthetic dyes in various industries can be detrimental to the environment due to the recalcitrant aromatic structure of synthetic dyes, similar to the polymeric phenol lignin in LCB structure, and their persistent color. Synthetic dyes have been described as possessing carcinogenic and toxic properties that could be harmful to public health. Environmental pollution emanating from LCB wastes and dyeing wastewater is of great concern and should be carefully handled to mitigate its catastrophic effects. An effective strategy to curtail these problems is to learn from analogous systems in nature, such as termites, where woody lignocellulose is digested by wood-feeding termites and humus-recalcitrant aromatic compounds are decomposed by soil-feeding termites. The termite gut system acts as a unique bioresource consisting of distinct bacterial species valued for the processing of lignocellulosic materials and the degradation of synthetic dyes, which can be integrated into modern biorefineries for processing LCB waste and bioremediation applications for the treatment of dyeing wastewaters to help resolve environmental issues arising from LCB waste and dyeing wastewaters. This review paper provides a new strategy for efficient management of recalcitrant pollutants by exploring the potential application of termite gut bacteria in biorefinery and bioremediation processing.

Objective: To analyze the static and dynamic urodynamic parameters of reservoirs and continent conduits in continent cutaneous urinary diversion with catheterizable stoma. Materials and methods: 76 patients had augmented ileocystoplasty or continent urinary diversion with catheterizable urinary stoma based on Mitrofanoff principle and Yang-Monti procedure using subserous tunnel as continence mechanism. They were followed up for at least 6 months post-operatively for continence through stoma and divided into two groups (continents vs non-continent) according to stomal continence. Both groups had urodynamic assessment performed via the stoma to assess reservoir capacity, pressure and contractions, efferent limb functional length, reservoir overactivity, static and dynamic maximal closure pressures and leak point pressure. Results: Continence rate was 87%. Continent group included 66 patients and incontinent group included 10 patients. In both groups at rest, the reservoir pressure after filling did not exceed 25 cm H2O. During peristaltic contraction, the pressure did not exceed 30 cm H2O and the duct remained continent. After Valsalva maneuver, the reservoir pressure increased up to 34 (+ 7.4) cm H2O and leakage occur in 10 patients (13%). Reservoir (wall) overactivity was recorded in 54 patients, with insignificant rise in intraluminal pressure during the contractions. In both groups, the efferent tract closing pressure was always higher than the reservoir pressure. The mean of maximal closing pressure at Valsalva was 82.5 (+ 4.18) cm H2O in the continent group and 61.66 (+ 8.16) cm H2O in the incontinent group. The mean functional length of the conduit was 4.95 + 1.62 in the continent group and 2.80 + 1.50 cm in the incontinent group. Conclusions: Urodynamic evaluation of continent catheterizable cutaneous stoma after Yang-Monti procedure has a practical significance. Functional length of the conduit seems to be the most influential factor for continence reflecting static & dynamic maximal closure pressure. Higher conduit closing pressure is associated with better continence. Contractions of the pouch and peristaltic contraction of the conduit has no effect on continence mechanism.

Abstract Pectin and chitosan are natural polysaccharides obtained from fruit peels and exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects. They are safe for usage in food products and are renewable and biocompatible. They have further applications as wound dressings, body fat reduction, tissue engineering, and auxiliary agents in drug delivery systems. The healing process is usually long and painful. Adding a new material such as a pectin-chitosan composite to the implant surface or body would create unique biological responses to accelerate healing and delivery of target-specific medication at the implant site. The present study utilized the electrospraying process to create pectin-chitosan polyelectrolyte composite (PCPC) coatings with various ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 3:1 on commercially pure titanium substrates. By means of FESEM, AFM, wettability, cross-cut adhesion, and microhardness were assessed the PCPC coatings’ physical and mechanical properties. Subsequently, the antibacterial properties of the coating composite were assessed. AFM analysis revealed higher surface roughness for group 5 and homogenous coating for group 1. Group 3 showed the lowest water contact angle of 66.7° and all PCPC coatings had significantly higher Vickers hardness values compared to the control uncoated CpTi samples. Groups 3 and 4 showed the best adhesion of the PCPC to the titanium substrates. Groups 3, 4, and 5 showed antibacterial properties with a high zone of inhibitions compared to the control. The PCPC coating's characteristics can be significantly impacted by using certain pectin-chitosan ratios. Groups 3 (1:2) and 4 (1:3) showed remarkable morphological and mechanical properties with better surface roughness, greater surface strength, improved hydrophilicity, improved adhesion to the substrate surface, and additionally demonstrated significant antibacterial properties. According to the accomplished in vitro study outcomes, these particular PCPC ratios can be considered as an efficient coating for titanium dental implants.

This retracts the article “Effect of preoperative ureteral stenting on the surgical outcomes of patients with 1-2 cm renal stones managed by retrograde intrarenal surgery using a ureteral access sheath” (https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.12102) published on December 28, 2023.

The global production and consumption of plastics, as well as their deposition in the environment, are experiencing exponential growth. In addition, mismanaged plastic waste (PW) losses into drainage channels are a growing source of microplastic (MP) pollution concern. However, the complete understanding of their environmental implications throughout their life cycle is yet to be fully understood. Determining the potential extent to which MPs contribute to overall ecotoxicity is possible through the monitoring of PW release and MP removal during remediation. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) have been extensively utilized in many comparative analyses, such as comparing petroleum-based plastics with biomass and single-use plastics with multi-use alternatives. These assessments typically yield unexpected or paradoxical results. Nevertheless, there is still a paucity of reliable data and tools for conducting LCAs on plastics. On the other hand, the release and impact of MP have so far not been considered in LCA studies. This is due to the absence of inventory-related data regarding MP releases and the characterization factors necessary to quantify the effects of MP. Therefore, this review paper conducts a comprehensive literature review in order to assess the current state of knowledge and data regarding the environmental impacts that occur throughout the life cycle of plastics, along with strategies for plastic management through LCA.

The depletion of fossil fuel reserves has resulted from their application in the industrial and energy sectors. As a result, substantial efforts have been dedicated to fostering the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources via technological advancements in industrial processes. Microalgae can be used to produce biofuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen, and bioethanol. Microalgae are particularly suitable for hydrogen production due to their rapid growth rate, ability to thrive in diverse habitats, ability to resolve conflicts between fuel and food production, and capacity to capture and utilize atmospheric carbon dioxide. Therefore, microalgae-based biohydrogen production has attracted significant attention as a clean and sustainable fuel to achieve carbon neutrality and sustainability in nature. To this end, the review paper emphasizes recent information related to microalgae-based biohydrogen production, mechanisms of sustainable hydrogen production, factors affecting biohydrogen production by microalgae, bioreactor design and hydrogen production, advanced strategies to improve efficiency of biohydrogen production by microalgae, along with bottlenecks and perspectives to overcome the challenges. This review aims to collate advances and new knowledge emerged in recent years for microalgae-based biohydrogen production and promote the adoption of biohydrogen as an alternative to conventional hydrocarbon biofuels, thereby expediting the carbon neutrality target that is most advantageous to the environment.

ABSTRACTDental caries is an infectious disease that is a major concern for dentists. Streptococci and Lactobacilli were long thought to be the primary etiology responsible for caries. Candida albicans with acidogenic and aciduric characteristics has recently been implicated in the onset and progression of cariogenic lesions. Moreover, due to the increased resistance to common antimicrobials, the discovery of innovative candidates is in high demand. Therefore, our study might be the first report that explores the efficacy of glass ionomer cement (GIC) incorporated with a newly modified carboxylated chitosan derivative (CS-MC) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and/or pandrug resistant (PDR) C. albicans isolated from the oral cavity. In this work, four CS-MC-GIC groups with different concentrations were formulated. Group four (CS-MC-GIC-4) gave a significant performance as an anticandidal agent against selected PDR Candida strain, with an obvious decrease in its cell viability and high antibiofilm activity. It also, enhanced all the mechanical properties and supports cell viability of Vero cells as a nontoxic compound. Moreover, CS-MC-GIC-4 inhibited neuraminidases completely, which might provide a novel mechanism to prevent dental/oral infections. Thus, findings in this study open up new prospect of the utilization of CS-MC-GIC as a novel dental filling material against oral drug-resistant Candida. [Figure: see text]

Objective: To assess the surgical results of patients who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) using a ureteral access sheath (UAS) for management of renal stones sized 1-2 cm compared between patients who did and did not undergo preoperative ureteral stenting. Materials and methods: This prospective study included 83 patients (aged ≥ 20 years) who underwent RIRS from July 2021 to January 2023. All patients had renal calculi (stone size: 1-2 cm) located within the pelvicalyceal system. 43 and 40 patients were allocated to the non-prestent (group A) and prestent (group B), respectively. Patient baseline characteristics, renal stone details, operative data, stone-free rate (SFR) at 4 weeks and 6 months, and perioperative complications were compared between groups. Results: The baseline characteristics of all patients were comparable across the groups. Four weeks after surgery, the overall stone-free rate (SFR) stood at 62.65%. In the non-prestent and prestent groups, the SFRs were 58.12% and 67.5%, respectively (p = 0.89). By the sixth month post-surgery, the overall SFR rose to 80.72%. In the non-prestent and prestent groups, the SFRs were 76.74% and 85%, respectively (p = 0.081). No notable differences emerged in other variables, including perioperative complications, between the two groups. Conclusions: The SFR showed no significant difference between the prestenting and non-prestenting groups at the 4-week and 6-month postoperative marks. Additionally, there were no substantial differences in complications during surgery and recovery between the groups. Notably, the SFR increased from 4 weeks to 6 months without any additional procedures in either group.

Abstract Background Seaweeds are a viable bioresource for suffering plants against salt stress, as they abundant in nutrients, hormones, vitamins, secondary metabolites, and many other phytochemicals that sustain plants' growth under both typical and stressful situations. The alleviating capacity of extracts from three brown algae (Sargassum vulgare, Colpomenia sinuosa, and Pandia pavonica) in pea (Pisum sativum L.) was investigated in this study. Methods Pea seeds were primed for 2 h either with seaweed extracts (SWEs) or distilled water. Seeds were then subjected to salinity levels of 0.0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl. On the 21st day, seedlings were harvested for growth, physiological and molecular investigations. Results SWEs helped reduce the adverse effects of salinity on pea, with S. vulgare extract being the most effective. Furthermore, SWEs diminished the effect of NaCl-salinity on germination, growth rate, and pigment content and raised the osmolytes proline and glycine betaine levels. On the molecular level, two low-molecular-weight proteins were newly synthesized by the NaCl treatments and three by priming pea seeds with SWEs. The number of inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers increased from 20 in the control to 36 in 150 mM NaCl-treated seedlings, including four unique markers. Priming with SWEs triggered more markers than the control, however about ten of the salinity-induced markers were not detected following seed priming before NaCl treatments. By priming with SWEs, seven unique markers were elicited. Conclusion All in all, priming with SWEs alleviated salinity stress on pea seedlings. Salinity-responsive proteins and ISSR markers are produced in response to salt stress and priming with SWEs.

Beyond energy crisis, biodiesel offers renewable and unlimited option to the challenges associated with fossil fuels depletion. Biodiesel could reduce the carbon foot print and gas emissions. Therefore, China has set an audacious goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. In order to reduce the cost of biodiesel production, it is critical to look for alternative feedstocks and unconventional resources. Biodiesel can be produced from renewable and sustainable feedstocks like edible and non-edible oils, insects, municipal sewage sludge, and oleaginous microorganisms. Existing life cycle assessments of yeast-based biodiesel production are required to assess potential environmental impacts and obtain a holistic picture. The circular economy paradigm has recently emerged as a viable alternative to linear, unsustainable production and consumption systems. Given the legislative requirements and the circular economy principle, the use of textile azo dye wastewater is a promising alternative for its management. The annual disposal of 4,500,000 tons of textile dyes is an environmental and socioeconomic concern due to their carcinogenic potential. Azo dyes account for over 70% of global industrial demand. Biological-mediated azo dye degradation is thought to be cost-effective, and environmentally friendly when compared to physical and chemical approaches. To this end, yeasts can play a significant role, owing to their high growth rate, tolerance to extreme conditions, and ability to effectively degrade lignin and aromatic compounds, concurrently representing a highly promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Interestingly, an emphasis has been recently given on novel symbiotic yeasts isolated from termite guts as promising microbiomes for multiple biotechnological applications. Therefore, this review focuses on recent findings of biodiesel production from azo dye degrading yeasts inhabiting termite guts. While capturing recent research advancements for sustainable biodiesel production, this review emphasizes a novel concept for using azo dyes/aromatic wastes as a feedstock for biodiesel production.

Purpose: To report the result of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) via standard nephrostomy tract in a single training institution. The perioperative complications in relation to the comorbid state are particularly assessed. Patients and methods: A prospective interventional study between January 2019 to November 2022, included 210 patients scheduled for PCNL. The average age was 40.3 ± 11.8 years (range 18- 67 years). Patients were categorized into two groups. The first group comprised 146 cases (69 .5%) with no associated co-morbidities while the second group 64 (30.5%) had co-morbidities such as obesity in 4 cases (1.9%), hypertension (HTN) in 24 cases (11.4%) cases, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 17 (8.1%) cases, history of recurrent stone surgery in 11 (5.2%) cases and more than one in 8 cases (3.8%). Co-morbidities, stone burden, location of stone, time of surgery, stay in the hospital, further operations, and negative events were among the reported data. Complications and the stone-free rate were the main outcome indicators. Results: Intraoperative complications were reported in 40 (18.8%) patients (18 group 1 and 22 group 2) during PCNL. Bleeding occurred in 22 (10.5%) patients (9 group 1 and 13 group 2), blood transfusions were needed in 4 (1.9%) (2 group 1 and 2 group 2), extravasation was observed in 11 patients (5.2%) (6 group 1 and 5 group 2) and cardiac arrhythmia in 3 (1.4%) (1 group 1 and 2 group 2) patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 61 patients (29%) (24 group 1 and 37 group 2) in the form of fever in 10 patients (4.8 %) (3 group 1 and 7 group 2) and prolonged leakage in 50 patients (23.8%) (21 group 1 and 29 group 2). One patient of group 2 died from postoperative sepsis. Extravasation and postoperative leakage were higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetics. Stonefree rate was 60.5% (127 of 210). Clinically significant residual fragments (CSRFs) found in 70 cases (33.3%) (33 group 1 and 37 group 2). In 13 cases (6.2%) (5 group 1 and 8 group 2), clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRFs) were found. In 8 (3 group 1 and 5 group 2) of the 13 cases, spontaneous stone passage was observed within 4-6 weeks of surgery. Residual stones in three cases (1 group 1 and 2 group 2) were asymptomatic and 4 mm or less, whereas stones increased in two cases of group 2. Among all factors studied, stone burden was significantly correlated to both intraoperative and postoperative complications. The occurrence of postoperative fever increased with large stone burden. Conclusions: PCNL is a therapeutic modality that is effective, feasible, and safe for a wide range of patients with concurrent medical issues. A steep curve is required to reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications.

The presence of high salinity levels in textile wastewater poses a significant obstacle to the process of decolorizing azo dyes. The present study involved the construction of a yeast consortium HYC, which is halotolerant and was recently isolated from wood-feeding termites. The consortium HYC was mainly comprised of Sterigmatomyces halophilus SSA-1575 and Meyerozyma guilliermondii SSA-1547. The developed consortium demonstrated a decolourization efficiency of 96.1% when exposed to a concentration of 50 mg/l of Reactive Black 5 (RB5). The HYC consortium significantly decolorized RB5 up to concentrations of 400 mg/l and in the presence of NaCl up to 50 g/l. The effects of physicochemical factors and the degradation pathway were systematically investigated. The optimal pH, salinity, temperature, and initial dye concentration were 7.0, 3%, 35 °C and 50 mg/l, respectively. The co-carbon source was found to be essential, and the addition of glucose resulted in a 93% decolorization of 50 mg/l RB5. The enzymatic activity of various oxido-reductases was assessed, revealing that NADH-DCIP reductase and azo reductase exhibited greater activity in comparison to other enzymes. UV-Visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were utilized to identify the metabolites generated during the degradation of RB5. Subsequently, a metabolic pathway was proposed. The confirmation of degradation was established through alterations in the functional groups and modifications in molecular weight. The findings indicate that this halotolerant yeast consortium exhibits promising potential of degrading dye compounds. The results of this study offer significant theoretical basis and crucial perspectives for the implementation of halotolerant yeast consortia in the bioremediation of textile and hypersaline wastewater. This approach is particularly noteworthy as it does not produce aromatic amines.

Roles of platelets during infections surpass the classical thrombus function and are now known to modulate innate immune cells. Leukocyte-platelet aggregations and activation-induced secretome are among factors recently gaining interest but little is known about their interplay with severity and mortality during the course of SARS-Cov-2 infection. The aim of the present work is to follow platelets’ bioenergetics, redox balance, and calcium homeostasis as regulators of leukocyte-platelet interactions in a cohort of COVID-19 patients with variable clinical severity and mortality outcomes. We investigated COVID-19 infection-related changes in platelet counts, activation, morphology (by flow cytometry and electron microscopy), bioenergetics (by Seahorse analyzer), mitochondria function (by high resolution respirometry), intracellular calcium (by flow cytometry), reactive oxygen species (ROS, by flow cytometry), and leukocyte-platelet aggregates (by flow cytometry) in non-intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalized COVID-19 patients (Non-ICU, n=15), ICU-survivors of severe COVID-19 (ICU-S, n=35), non-survivors of severe COVID-19 (ICU-NS, n=60) relative to control subjects (n=31). Additionally, molecular studies were carried out to follow gene and protein expressions of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes (ETC) in representative samples of isolated platelets from the studied groups. Our results revealed that COVID-19 infection leads to global metabolic depression especially in severe patients despite the lack of significant impacts on levels of mitochondrial ETC genes and proteins. We also report that severe patients’ platelets exhibit hyperpolarized mitochondria and significantly lowered intracellular calcium, concomitantly with increased aggregations with neutrophil. These changes were associated with increased populations of giant platelets and morphological transformations usually correlated with platelets activation and inflammatory signatures, but with impaired exocytosis. Our data suggest that hyperactive platelets with impaired exocytosis may be integral parts in the pathophysiology dictating severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: Incidents of myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac arrest vary with time of the day, but the mechanism for this effect is not clear. We hypothesized that diurnal changes in the ability of cardiac mitochondria to control calcium homeostasis dictate vulnerability to cardiovascular events. Objectives: Here we investigate mitochondrial calcium dynamics, respiratory function, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mouse heart during different phases of wake versus sleep periods. Methods: We assessed time-of-the-day dependence of calcium retention capacity of isolated heart mitochondria from young male C57BL6 mice. Rhythmicity of mitochondrial-dependent oxygen consumption, ROS production and transmembrane potential in homogenates were explored using the Oroboros O2k Station equipped with a fluorescence detection module. Changes in expression of essential clock and calcium dynamics genes/proteins were also determined at sleep versus wake time points. Results: Our results demonstrate that cardiac mitochondria exhibit higher calcium retention capacity and higher rates of calcium uptake during sleep period. This was associated with higher expression of clock gene Bmal1, lower expression of per2, greater expression of MICU1 gene (mitochondrial calcium uptake 1), and lower expression of the mitochondrial transition pore regulator gene cyclophilin D. Protein levels of mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), MICU2, and sodium/calcium exchanger (NCLX) were also higher at sleep onset relative to wake period. While complex I and II-dependent oxygen utilization and transmembrane potential of cardiac mitochondria were lower during sleep, ROS production was increased presumably due to mitochondrial calcium sequestration. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate that retaining mitochondrial calcium in the heart during sleep dissipates membrane potential, slows respiratory activities, and increases ROS levels, which may contribute to increased vulnerability to cardiac stress during sleep-wake transition. This pronounced daily oscillations in mitochondrial functions pertaining to stress vulnerability may at least in part explain diurnal prevalence of cardiac pathologies.

Natural and anthropogenic sources of metals in the ecosystem are perpetually increasing; consequently, heavy metal (HM) accumulation has become a major environmental concern. Human exposure to HMs has increased dramatically due to the industrial activities of the 20th century. Mercury, arsenic lead, chrome, and cadmium have been the most prevalent HMs that have caused human toxicity. Poisonings can be acute or chronic following exposure via water, air, or food. The bioaccumulation of these HMs results in a variety of toxic effects on various tissues and organs. Comparing the mechanisms of action reveals that these metals induce toxicity via similar pathways, including the production of reactive oxygen species, the inactivation of enzymes, and oxidative stress. The conventional techniques employed for the elimination of HMs are deemed inadequate when the HM concentration is less than 100 mg/L. In addition, these methods exhibit certain limitations, including the production of secondary pollutants, a high demand for energy and chemicals, and reduced cost-effectiveness. As a result, the employment of microbial bioremediation for the purpose of HM detoxification has emerged as a viable solution, given that microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria, exhibit superior biosorption and bio-accumulation capabilities. This review deals with HM uptake and toxicity mechanisms associated with HMs, and will increase our knowledge on their toxic effects on the body organs, leading to better management of metal poisoning. This review aims to enhance comprehension and offer sources for the judicious selection of microbial remediation technology for the detoxification of HMs. Microbial-based solutions that are sustainable could potentially offer crucial and cost-effective methods for reducing the toxicity of HMs.

Pollution from heavy metals is one of the significant environmental concerns facing the world today. Human activities, such as mining, farming, and manufacturing plant operations, can allow them access to the environment. Heavy metals polluting soil can harm crops, change the food chain, and endanger human health. Thus, the overarching goal for humans and the environment should be the avoidance of soil contamination by heavy metals. Heavy metals persistently present in the soil can be absorbed by plant tissues, enter the biosphere, and accumulate in the trophic levels of the food chain. The removal of heavy metals from contaminated soil can be accomplished using various physical, synthetic, and natural remediation techniques (both in situ and ex situ). The most controllable (affordable and eco-friendly) method among these is phytoremediation. The removal of heavy metal defilements can be accomplished using phytoremediation techniques, including phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, phytostabilization, and phytofiltration. The bioavailability of heavy metals in soil and the biomass of plants are the two main factors affecting how effectively phytoremediation works. The focus in phytoremediation and phytomining is on new metal hyperaccumulators with high efficiency. Subsequently, this study comprehensively examines different frameworks and biotechnological techniques available for eliminating heavy metals according to environmental guidelines, underscoring the difficulties and limitations of phytoremediation and its potential application in the clean-up of other harmful pollutants. Additionally, we share in-depth experience of safe removing the plants used in phytoremediation—a factor frequently overlooked when choosing plants to remove heavy metals in contaminated conditions.

The Pan-Drug Resistant (PDR), Helicobacter pylori remains an intractable challenge in public health worldwide and this pathogenicity is mainly due to the presence of a cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA). On the other hand, plant extracts such as Syzygium aromaticum contain a diverse array of secondary metabolites, which could be potentially used to combat H. pylori pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the biomedical potential of S. aromaticum extract against cytotoxin-associated genes producing PDR H. pylori. In this investigation, out of 45 gastric antral biopsy specimens of dyspeptic patients, 20 strains were confirmed as H. pylori. Eight (40%) out of 20 strains were PDR H. pylori while the rest of the strains were Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) strains. Genotypic analyses of PDR H. pylori strains showed that cagA and vacA genes were found to be 75% and 87.5%, respectively and m2s2 was the most common subtype of vacA gene. S. aromaticum showed a significant higher anti-H. pylori activity compared to that of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Thymus vulgaris. Eugenol was the major phenolic compound (28.14%) detected in the methanolic extract of S. aromaticum. Clearly, results of the toxicological assessment confirmed the safety of S. aromaticum for use. Hence, these results suggest that S. aromaticum could be a new useful natural antimicrobial agent that could potentially combat cytotoxin genes-producing drug-resistant H. pylori. Moreover, these findings provide a scientific basis for the development of antimicrobial agents from traditional herbal medicines for gastroprotection against gastric ulcer.

The metabolites of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria (Bb) have recently received a lot of attention due to their ability to protect interactions in blood and tissues, as well as their biodegradability and biocompatibility in human tissue. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) derived from bacteria have a long history of use in therapeutic and other industrial applications with no adverse effects. In this regard, EPSs were isolated and characterized from LAB and Bb culture supernatants to determine their antioxidant, antitumor, and periodontal regeneration properties. The antioxidant capacity of the EPSs varied with concentration (0.625–20 mg/ml). The highest antioxidant activity was found in LAB: Streptococcus thermophiles DSM 24731-EPS1, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus DSM 20081T-EPS5, Limosilactobacillus fermentum DSM 20049-EPS6, and Bb; Bifidobacterium longum ssp. longum DSM 200707-EPS10. Human breast cancer cells (MCF7), human colon cancer cells (CaCo2), human liver cancer cells (HepG2), and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells were used as controls to assess the antitumor properties of the selected EPSs. According to the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide (MTT) assay, EPS5 had the highest cytotoxicity against MCF7, CaCo2, and HepG2, with IC50 values of 7.91, 10.69, and 9.12 mg/ml, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly higher in cell lines treated with EPS5-IC50 values compared to other EPSs-IC50 values (p < 0.05). Real time (RT)-PCR results showed that EPS5 treatment increased Bax, Caspase 8, Caspase 3, and p53 gene expression. The expression of the BCL2, MCL1, and Vimentin genes, on the other hand, was reduced. The MTT test was used to examine the effect of EPS5 on the viability of human periodontal ligament fibroblast cells (hPDLFCs), and it was discovered that EPS5 increased hPDLFC viability. According to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, galactose made up 12.5% of EPS5. The findings of this study pave the way for the use of EPS, which hold great promise for a variety of therapeutic purposes such as antioxidant, antitumor, and periodontal regeneration.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Bio-SNPs) were synthesized from the marine actinobacterium strain Streptomyces catenulae M2 and characterized using a variety of techniques, including UV–vis spectrum, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and zeta potential. The antibacterial activity of Bio-SNPs alone and in combination with antibiotic was evaluated using a microtiter-dilution resazurin assay against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Bio-SNPs’ minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against bacterial strains was determined. To assess the synergistic effect of Bio-SNPs in combination with antibiotics, the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) was calculated. While the safety of Bio-SNPs in biomedical applications is dependent on their use, the in vitro cytotoxicity of Bio-SNPs on normal human epithelial colon cells (NCM460) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (CaCo2) were evaluated using the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay and cell lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The presence of Bio-SNPs was revealed by UV–vis spectroscopy, which revealed a peak in the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) spectrum at 439.5 nm. Bio-SNPs were spherical in shape and small in size (average 33 nm by TEM, 58.8 nm by DLS), with good stability (−30 mV) and the presence of capping agents. Bio-SNPs had MIC values ranging from 2 to 64 μg/ml against the bacteria tested. The MIC for P. aeruginosa was the lowest (2 μg/ml). Antibiotics have been shown to have a significant synergistic effect when combined with Bio-SNPs against tested bacteria. Bio-SNPs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against NCM460 and CaCo2 cancer cells, with the latter exhibiting far greater toxicity than the former. NCM460 and CaCo2 cell viability decreased from 99.3 to 95.7% and 92.3 to 61.8%, respectively, whereas LDH leakage increased from 200 to 215 nmol/ml and 261 to 730 nmol/ml, respectively. The half inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for NCM460 and CaCo2 cancer cells were 79.46 and 10.41 μg/ml and 89.4 and 19.3 μg/ml, respectively. Bio-SNPs were found to be biocompatible and to have anti-inflammatory activity. Bio-SNPs are highly appealing for future nanomedicine applications due to their antibacterial and biocompatible properties and their inherent “green” and simple manufacturing.

The synthetic dyes used in the textile industry pollute a large amount of water. Textile dyes do not bind tightly to the fabric and are discharged as effluent into the aquatic environment. As a result, the continuous discharge of wastewater from a large number of textile industries without prior treatment has significant negative consequences on the environment and human health. Textile dyes contaminate aquatic habitats and have the potential to be toxic to aquatic organisms, which may enter the food chain. This review will discuss the effects of textile dyes on water bodies, aquatic flora, and human health. Textile dyes degrade the esthetic quality of bodies of water by increasing biochemical and chemical oxygen demand, impairing photosynthesis, inhibiting plant growth, entering the food chain, providing recalcitrance and bioaccumulation, and potentially promoting toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. Therefore, dye-containing wastewater should be effectively treated using eco-friendly technologies to avoid negative effects on the environment, human health, and natural water resources. This review compares the most recent technologies which are commonly used to remove dye from textile wastewater, with a focus on the advantages and drawbacks of these various approaches. This review is expected to spark great interest among the research community who wish to combat the widespread risk of toxic organic pollutants generated by the textile industries.

Nanoparticles have recently emerged as a popular research topic. Because of their potential applications in therapeutic applications, biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Bio-AgNPs) have gained much attention in recent years. Cell-free extracts (CFE) from a marine culture of actinobacteria and silver nitrate were used to reduce Ag+ ions and create Bio-AgNPs. Nocardiopsis dasonvillei KY772427, a new silver-tolerant actinomycete strain, was isolated from marine water and used to synthesize AgNPs. In order to characterize Bio-AgNPs, UV-Vis spectral analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering spectroscopy (DLS) were all utilized. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy, a peak in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrum at 430 nm revealed the presence of Bio-AgNPs. The TEM revealed spherical AgNPs with a diameter of 29.28 nm. DLS determined that Bio-AgNPs have a diameter of 56.1 nm and a negative surface charge (−1.46 mV). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Bio-AgNPs was determined against microbial strains. Using resazurin-based microtiter dilution, the synergistic effect of Bio-AgNPs with antimicrobials was investigated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the lowest MIC of Bio-AgNPs (4 μg/ml). Surprisingly, the combination of antimicrobials and Bio-AgNPs had a significant synergistic effect on the tested strains. The insecticidal activity of Bio-AgNPs (200 μg/ml) against Macrosiphum rosae was found to be maximal after 36 h. Additionally, Bio-AgNPs demonstrated significant scavenging activity against 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH–) radicals, with IC50 values of 4.08 and 8.9 g/ml, respectively. In vitro studies using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability when CaCo2 cells were exposed to Bio-AgNPs. With the decrease in cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase leakage (LDH) increased. The findings of this study open up a new avenue for the use of marine Nocardiopsis dasonvillei to produce Bio-AgNPs, which have significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, and anticancer potential.

Background: A urinary tract infection (UTI) resulting from multidrug-resistant (MDR) enterococci is a common disease with few therapeutic options. About 15% of urinary tract infections are caused by biofilm-producing Enterococcus spp. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the MDR enterococci associated with UTIs and assess their potential to produce biofilms. Methods: Thirty Enterococcus isolates were obtained from urine samples collected from UTI patients at King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates were evaluated using disk diffusion techniques against 15 antimicrobial agents. Two techniques, Congo red agar (CRA) and a microtiter plate (MTP), were used to assess the potential of the isolates to produce biofilms. The enterococcal isolates were screened for biofilm-related genes, esp; ebpA; and ebpB, using the PCR method. Results: The molecular identification of the collected bacteria revealed the presence of 73.3% Enterococcus faecalis and 26.6% Enterococcus faecium. The antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that all the tested Enterococcus spp. were resistant to all antimicrobials except for linezolid and tigecycline. Additionally, by employing the CRA and MTP techniques, 76.6% and 100% of the Enterococcus isolates were able to generate biofilms, respectively. In terms of the association between the antibiotic resistance and biofilm’s formation, it was observed that isolates capable of creating strong biofilms were extremely resistant to most of the antibiotics tested. The obtained data showed that all the tested isolates had biofilm-encoding genes. Conclusions: Our research revealed that the biofilm-producing enterococci bacteria that causes urinary tract infections were resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, it is necessary to seek other pharmacological treatments if antibiotic medicine fails.

Burn wound infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are shown in many countries as severe widespread health threats. Consequently, attention has been devoted to new nanoparticle-based materials in the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy for burn wound infections. This study aimed to evaluate both in vitro and in vivo efficacies of nanoparticle–antibiotic combinations as new classes of materials subjected against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Out of 40 Gram-negative isolates, 23 P. aeruginosa were recovered from patients with burn wound infections attending different hospitals in Tanta, Egypt. The susceptibility test revealed that 95.7% of P. aeruginosa isolates were MDR with a high incidence of resistance against carbenicillin. Antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) against the isolates examined showed various inhibition zone diameters ranging from 11 to 17 mm. Strong synergistic efficacy of neomycin was reported in combination with Ag-NPs against MDR P. aeruginosa P8 and P14 isolates. The in vivo effectiveness of various pharmaceutical formulations prepared from a combination of neomycin antibiotic with Ag-NPs in the treatment of induced bacterially infected mice burns showed that maximum healing activity along with faster wound contraction reported with the combination of neomycin-Ag-NPs in the spray formulation. Generally, data indicated that incorporating Ag-NPs in combination with certain antibiotics may be a new, promising application for wound treatments, especially burns infected with MDR P. aeruginosa.

The Multidrug Drug Resistance (MDR) and Pan-Drug Resistance (PDR) remain an intractable challenge issue in public health, worldwide. Plant extracts-based biological macromolecules containing a diverse array of secondary metabolites could be potentially used as alternative approaches to control or limit MDR/PDR infections. Plants of the Solanaceae family exhibit a wide variety of secondary metabolites with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which render them a significant role in food and pharmaceutical applications. To our knowledge, this is the first report on phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and in vivo toxicological safety of Lycium shawii leaf extracts. Results revealed that phenolics and flavonoids were found to be the most abundant compounds in all extracts. Antioxidant activity of extracts was measured using DPPH• and ABTS•+ assays and the methanol extract displayed superior scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.06 and 0.007 mg/mL for DPPH• and ABTS•+, respectively). Results of the GC-MS analysis revealed the identity of 10 compounds. Moreover, in vivo toxicological assessment can confirm the safety of L. shawii for use. Overall, L. shawii leaves are a promising natural source for the development of novel antimicrobial and antioxidant agents that could potentially combat clinical MDR/PDR pathogens. Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Pharmaceutical applications, Herbal medicine

Periodontitis, as one of the most common diseases on a global scale, is a public health concern. Microbial resistance to currently available antimicrobial agents is becoming a growing issue in periodontal treatment. As a result, it is critical to develop effective and environmentally friendly biomedical approaches to overcome such challenges. The investigation of Streptomyces rochei MS-37’s performance may be the first of its kind as a novel marine actinobacterium for the green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and potentials as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antibiofilm, and antioxidant candidates suppressing membrane-associated dental infections. Streptomyces rochei MS-37, a new marine actinobacterial strain, was used in this study for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles for various biomedical applications. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy showed a peak at 429 nm for the SNPs. The SNPs were spherical, tiny (average 23.2 nm by TEM, 59.4 nm by DLS), very stable (−26 mV), and contained capping agents. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the SNPs that showed potential antibacterial action ranged from 8 to 128 µg/mL. Periodontal pathogens were used to perform qualitative evaluations of microbial adhesion and bacterial penetration through guided tissue regeneration membranes. The findings suggested that the presence of the SNPs could aid in the suppression of membrane-associated infection. Furthermore, when the anti-inflammatory action of the SNPs was tested using nitric oxide radical scavenging capacity and protein denaturation inhibition, it was discovered that the SNPs were extremely efficient at scavenging nitric oxide free radicals and had a strong anti-denaturation impact. The SNPs were found to be more cytotoxic to CAL27 than to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), with IC50 values of 81.16 µg/mL in PBMCs and 34.03 µg/mL in CAL27. This study’s findings open a new avenue for using marine actinobacteria for silver nanoparticle biosynthesis, which holds great promise for a variety of biomedical applications, in particular periodontal treatment.

There is increasing interest in research on lignin biodegradation compounds as potential building blocks in applications related to renewable products. More attention is necessary to evaluate the effects of the initial pH conditions during the bacterial degradation of lignin. In this study we performed experiments on lignin biodegradation under acidic and mild alkaline conditions. For acidic biodegradation, lignin was chemically pretreated with hydrogen peroxide. Alkaline biodegradation was achieved by developing the bacterial growth on Luria and Bertani medium with alkali lignin as the sole carbon source. The mutant strain Escherichia coli BL21(Lacc) was used to carry out lignin biodegradation over 10 days of incubation. Results demonstrated that under acidic conditions there was a predominance of aliphatic compounds of the C3–C4 type. Alkaline biodegradation was produced in the context of oxidative stress, with a greater abundance of aryl compounds. The final pH values of acidic and alkaline biodegradation of lignin were 2.53 and 7.90, respectively. The results of the gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis detected compounds such as crotonic acid, lactic acid and 3-hydroxybutanoic acid for acidic conditions, with potential applications for adhesives and polymer precursors. Under alkaline conditions, detected compounds included 2-phenylethanol and dehydroabietic acid, with potential applications for perfumery and anti tumor/anti-inflammatory medications. Size-exclusion chromatography analysis showed that the weight-average molecular weight of the alkaline biodegraded lignin increased by 6.75-fold compared to the acidic method, resulting in a repolymerization of its molecular structure. Lignin repolymerization coincided with an increase in the relative abundance of dehydroabietic acid and isovanillyl alcohol, from 2.70 and 3.96% on day zero to 13.43 and 10.26% on 10th day. The results of the Fourier-transformed Infrared spectroscopy detected the presence of C = O bond and OH functional group associated with carboxylic acids in the acidic method. In the alkaline method there was a greater preponderance of signals related to skeletal aromatic structures, the amine functional group and the C – O – bond. Lignin biodegradation products from E. coli BL21(Lacc), under different initial pH conditions, demonstrated a promising potential to enlarge the spectrum of renewable products for biorefinery activities.

The polysaccharides pectin and chitosan are derived from the fruit peels and exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects, respectively. Their biocompatibility and renewability make them suitable for use in food products. The size of the swelling and degradation of these cells can be controlled using different combinations. Pectin and chitosan are useful as medication delivery systems, where they can be integrated to control the dosages and residence times of pharmaceuticals. They have a wide range of applications such as wound dressings, body fat reducers, tissue engineering agents, and drug delivery agents. Addressing teeth loss with the use of dental implants is a critical element of dental care. In most cases, healing is time-consuming and painful. As a result of adding new materials to the implant surface, the healing process would accelerate, and medications would be delivered to the implant site with greater efficiency.

The polysaccharides pectin and chitosan are derived from the fruit peels and exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects, respectively. Their biocompatibility and renewability make them suitable for use in food products. The size of the swelling and degradation of these cells can be controlled using different combinations. Pectin and chitosan are useful as medication delivery systems, where they can be integrated to control the dosages and residence times of pharmaceuticals. They have a wide range of applications such as wound dressings, body fat reducers, tissue engineering agents, and drug delivery agents. Addressing teeth loss with the use of dental implants is a critical element of dental care. In most cases, healing is time-consuming and painful. As a result of adding new materials to the implant surface, the healing process would accelerate, and medications would be delivered to the implant site with greater efficiency.