Killing of adherent oral microbes by a non-thermal atmospheric plasma jet

Atmospheric plasma jets are being intensively studied with respect to potential applications in medicine. The aim of this in vitro study was to test a microwave-powered non-thermal atmospheric plasma jet for its antimicrobial efficacy against adherent oral micro-organisms. Agar plates and dentin slices were inoculated with 6 log10 c.f.u. cm−2 of Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, with Escherichia coli as a control. Areas of 1 cm2 on the agar plates or the complete dentin slices were irradiated with a helium plasma jet for 0.3, 0.6 or 0.9 s mm−2, respectively. The agar plates were incubated at 37 °C, and dentin slices were vortexed in liquid media and suspensions were placed on agar plates. The killing efficacy of the plasma jet was assessed by counting the number of c.f.u. on the irradiated areas of the agar plates, as well as by determination of the number of c.f.u. recovered from dentin slices. A microbe-killing effect was found on the irradiated parts of the agar plates for L. casei, S. mutans, C. albicans and E. coli. The plasma-jet treatment reduced the c.f.u. by 3–4 log10 intervals on the dentin slices in comparison to recovery rates from untreated controls. The microbe-killing effect was correlated with increasing irradiation times. Thus, non-thermal atmospheric plasma jets could be used for the disinfection of dental surfaces.

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Interaction of Cold Atmospheric Argon and Helium Plasma Jets with Bio-Target with Grounded Substrate Beneath

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app9214528 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (21) ◽

pp. 4528 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Irina Schweigert ◽

Dmitry Zakrevsky ◽

Pavel Gugin ◽

Elena Yelak ◽

Ekaterina Golubitskaya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Cells ◽

Gas Flow ◽

Fluid Model ◽

Plasma Jet ◽

Plasma Jets ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Maximum Efficiency ◽

Embryonic Cells ◽

Plasma Parameters

The cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet interaction with the bio-target is studied in the plasma experiment, 2D fluid model simulations, and with MTT and iCELLigence assays of the viability of cancer cells. It is shown, for the first time, that the use of the grounded substrate under the media with cells considerably amplifies the effect of plasma cancer cell treatment in vitro. Plasma devices with cylindrical and plane geometries generating cold atmospheric plasma jets are developed and tested. The sequence of the streamers which forms the plasma jet is initiated with a voltage of 2.5–6.5 kV applied with the frequency 40 kHz. We suggest using the grounded substrate under the bio-target during the plasma jet treatment of cancer cells. The analysis of the measured plasma spectra and comparison of OH-line intensity for different voltages and gas flow rates allows us to find a range of optimal plasma parameters for the enhanced OH generation. The time-dependent viability is measured for human cell lines, A431 (skin carcinoma), HEK 293 (kidney embryonic cells), and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma cells) after the plasma jet treatment. The results with cell-based experiments (direct treatment) performed with various plasma jet parameters confirm the maximum efficiency of the treatment with the optimal plasma parameters.

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Tiny Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet for Biomedical Applications

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9020249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 249

Author(s):

Zhitong Chen ◽

Richard Obenchain ◽

Richard E. Wirz

Keyword(s):

Biomedical Applications ◽

Plasma Jet ◽

Discharge Voltage ◽

Plasma Jets ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Water Metal ◽

Plasma Probe ◽

Jet Nozzle

Conventional plasma jets for biomedical applications tend to have several drawbacks, such as high voltages, high gas delivery, large plasma probe volume, and the formation of discharge within the organ. Therefore, it is challenging to employ these jets inside a living organism’s body. Thus, we developed a single-electrode tiny plasma jet and evaluated its use for clinical biomedical applications. We investigated the effect of voltage input and flow rate on the jet length and studied the physical parameters of the plasma jet, including discharge voltage, average gas and subject temperature, and optical emissions via spectroscopy (OES). The interactions between the tiny plasma jet and five subjects (de-ionized (DI) water, metal, cardboard, pork belly, and pork muscle) were studied at distances of 10 mm and 15 mm from the jet nozzle. The results showed that the tiny plasma jet caused no damage or burning of tissues, and the ROS/RNS (reactive oxygen/nitrogen species) intensity increased when the distance was lowered from 15 mm to 10 mm. These initial observations establish the tiny plasma jet device as a potentially useful tool in clinical biomedical applications.

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ELISA- and Activity Assay-Based Quantification of BMP-2 Released In Vitro Can Be Biased by Solubility in “Physiological” Buffers and an Interfering Effect of Chitosan

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13040582 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 582

Author(s):

Julius Sundermann ◽

Steffen Sydow ◽

Laura Burmeister ◽

Andrea Hoffmann ◽

Henning Menzel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Matrix Effects ◽

In Vitro Release ◽

Tween 20 ◽

Activity Assay ◽

E Coli ◽

Reversible Aggregation ◽

Aggregation Tendency ◽

Bio Assay

Chitosan nanogel-coated polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mat-based implant prototypes with tailored release of bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) are a promising approach to achieve implant-mediated bone regeneration. In order to ensure reliable in vitro release results, the robustness of a commercially available ELISA for E. coli-derived BMP-2 and the parallel determination of BMP-2 recovery using a quantitative biological activity assay were investigated within a common release setup, with special reference to solubility and matrix effects. Without bovine serum albumin and Tween 20 as solubilizing additives to release media buffed at physiological pH, BMP‑2 recoveries after release were notably reduced. In contrast, the addition of chitosan to release samples caused an excessive recovery. A possible explanation for these effects is the reversible aggregation tendency of BMP-2, which might be influenced by an interaction with chitosan. The interfering effects highlighted in this study are of great importance for bio-assay-based BMP-2 quantification, especially in the context of pharmaceutical release experiments.

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Survival of cryptosporidium parvum, escherichia coli, faecal enterococci and clostridium perfringens in river water: influence of temperature and autochthonous microorganisms

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1997.0742 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 35 (11-12) ◽

pp. 249-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

G. J. Medema ◽

M. Bahar ◽

F. M. Schets

Keyword(s):

Surface Water ◽

River Water ◽

Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Influence Of Temperature ◽

E Coli ◽

Untreated Water ◽

Time Required ◽

Micro Organisms

Oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum can survive for several months in surface water, one of the main factors determining their success in environmental transmission and thus their health hazard via water. Several factors in the environment, e.g. temperature, presence of predators and exo-enzymes will probably influence oocyst survival. The high persistence of oocysts may also limit the value of traditional faecal indicator bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the rate at which C parvum oocysts, E coli, faecal enterococci and C perfringens spores die in surface water and the influence of temperature and the presence of autochthonous (micro)organisms on the die-off rate. Microcosms with autoclaved river water were inoculated with the organisms. Microcosms with untreated river water were inoculated with concentrated primary effluent containing the bacteria and with C parvum oocysts. Microcosms were incubated at 5°C or 15°C at 100rpm. Viability of oocysts was monitored by in vitro excystation and dye-exclusion; viability of the bacteria was determined on appropriate selective media. When pseudo first-order die-off kinetics were assumed, the die-off rate of oocysts at 5°C was 0.010 log10/d and at 15°C, 0.006–0.024 log10/d. These rates underestimate die-off since oocyst disintegration was not accounted for. Incubation in autoclaved or untreated water did influence the die-off rate of oocysts at 15°C but not at 5°C. The die-off rate of E coli and enterococci was faster in the non-sterile river water than in autoclaved water at both temperatures. At 15°C, E coli (and possibly E faecium) even multiplied in autoclaved water. In untreated river water, the die-off of E coli and enterococci was approximately 10x faster than die-off of oocysts but die-off rates of C perfringens were lower than those of oocysts. As for oocysts, die-off of the bacteria and spores was faster at 15°C than at 5°C. Oocysts are very persistent in river water: the time required for a 10x reduction in viability being 40–160d at 15°C and 100d at 5°C. Biological/biochemical activity influenced oocyst survival at 15°C and survival of both vegetative bacteria at 5 and 15°C. The rapid die-off of E coli and enterococci makes them less suitable as indicators of oocyst presence in water. As C perfringens survived longer in untreated river water than oocysts, it may prove useful as an indicator of the presence of C parvum.

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Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from extracts of Scytonema geitleri HKAR-12 and their in vitro antibacterial and antitumor potentials

Letters in Applied NanoBioScience ◽

10.33263/lianbs83.576585 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 576-585

Keyword(s):

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Coli Strain ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Xrd Pattern ◽

E Coli ◽

Vis Spectroscopy ◽

Shape Structure ◽

Actual Size

In the present study silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized through the cell-free extracts of the rooftop dwelling cyanobacterium Scytonema geitleri HKAR-12. UV-VIS spectroscopy, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, SEM and TEM were used for the determination of morphological, structural and optical properties of synthesized AgNPs. Extracts of Scytonema geitleri HKAR-12 have the ability to reduce AgNO3 to Ag0. Sharp peak at 422 nm indicated the rapid synthesis of AgNPs. FTIR results showed the presence of different groups responsible for the reduction of AgNO3 to AgNPs. XRD pattern confirmed the crystalline nature of AgNPs. SEM showed the bead shape structure of AgNPs. TEM confirmed the actual size of AgNPs to be ranging between 9-17 nm. AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli strain1 and E. coli strain 2 and 11 μg/mL of AgNPs effectively inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells. Hence, Scytonema geitleri HKAR-12, isolated from the rooftop could serve as a desirable biological candidate for convenient and cheap production of AgNPs having antimicrobial and anti-cancerous properties.

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Determination of nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin susceptibility among urinary Escherichia coli isolates

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20203676 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 3274

Author(s):

Rachana Kanaujia ◽

Amit Kumar ◽

Malay Bajpai

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Urinary Tract Infections ◽

Urine Samples ◽

E Coli ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Therapeutic Alternatives ◽

Micro Organisms ◽

Staphylococcus Spp

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections. For treatment of UTIs, there are limited antibiotics due to increased resistance among uropathogens. Two older antibiotics; Nitrofurantoin and Fosfomycin have become novel oral therapeutic options against uropathogens. Aim of the study was to identify UTI causing micro-organisms and evaluate in-vitro activity of nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin against most common isolated organism (E. coli).Methods: Results of urine samples culture and susceptibility testing over a period of 1 year were analysed and included in this study.Results: Micro-organisms were isolated from 568 urine samples. Most commonly isolated organism was Escherichia coli (40.50%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (20.07%) and Staphylococcus spp. (17.07%). Susceptibility of E. coli to nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin was 91.74% and 65.65% respectively. Conclusion: Good activity of nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin against E. coli indicates that these two drugs are potential therapeutic alternatives for urinary tract infections.

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Parameters Affecting the Antimicrobial Properties of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8111930 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 1930 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Bih-Show Lou ◽

Chih-Ho Lai ◽

Teng-Ping Chu ◽

Jang-Hsing Hsieh ◽

Chun-Ming Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gas Flow ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Plasma Jet ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Gas Flow Rate ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

E Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Efficiency ◽

Ar Gas ◽

Sample Distance

Using the Taguchi method to narrow experimental parameters, the antimicrobial efficiency of a cold atmospheric plasma jet (CAPJ) treatment was investigated. An L9 array with four parameters of CAPJ treatments, including the application voltage, CAPJ-sample distance, argon (Ar) gas flow rate, and CAPJ treatment time, were applied to examine the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). CAPJ treatment time was found to be the most influential parameter in its antimicrobial ability by evaluation of signal to noise ratios and analysis of variance. 100% bactericidal activity was achieved under the optimal bactericidal activity parameters including the application voltage of 8.5 kV, CAPJ-sample distance of 10 mm, Ar gas flow rate of 500 sccm, and CAPJ treatment time of 300 s, which confirms the efficacy of the Taguchi method in this design. In terms of the mechanism of CAPJ’s antimicrobial ability, the intensity of hydroxyl radical produced by CAPJ positively correlated to its antimicrobial efficiency. The CAPJ antimicrobial efficiency was further evaluated by both DNA double-strand breaks analysis and scanning electron microscopy examination of CAPJ treated bacteria. CAPJ destroyed the cell wall of E. coli and further damaged its DNA structure, thus leading to successful killing of bacteria. This study suggests that optimal conditions of CPAJ can provide effective antimicrobial activity and may be grounds for a novel approach for eradicating bacterial infections.

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Cold Plasma-Treated Ringer’s Saline: A Weapon to Target Osteosarcoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers12010227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 227 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Miguel Mateu-Sanz ◽

Juan Tornín ◽

Bénédicte Brulin ◽

Anna Khlyustova ◽

Maria-Pau Ginebra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Culture Media ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Plasma Jets ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Nitrogen Species ◽

Organotypic Cultures ◽

Proliferating Cells ◽

Ki 67 ◽

Cold Plasmas

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the main primary bone cancer, presenting poor prognosis and difficult treatment. An innovative therapy may be found in cold plasmas, which show anti-cancer effects related to the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in liquids. In vitro models are based on the effects of plasma-treated culture media on cell cultures. However, effects of plasma-activated saline solutions with clinical application have not yet been explored in OS. The aim of this study is to obtain mechanistic insights on the action of plasma-activated Ringer’s saline (PAR) for OS therapy in cell and organotypic cultures. To that aim, cold atmospheric plasma jets were used to obtain PAR, which produced cytotoxic effects in human OS cells (SaOS-2, MG-63, and U2-OS), related to the increasing concentration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated. Proof of selectivity was found in the sustained viability of hBM-MSCs with the same treatments. Organotypic cultures of murine OS confirmed the time-dependent cytotoxicity observed in 2D. Histological analysis showed a decrease in proliferating cells (lower Ki-67 expression). It is shown that the selectivity of PAR is highly dependent on the concentrations of reactive species, being the differential intracellular reactive oxygen species increase and DNA damage between OS cells and hBM-MSCs key mediators for cell apoptosis.

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Screening of Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxic Effects of Two Cladonia Species

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C ◽

10.1515/znc-2013-5-604 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 68 (5-6) ◽

pp. 191-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Birkan Açıkgöz ◽

İskender Karaltı ◽

Melike Ersöz ◽

Zeynep M. Coşkun ◽

Gülşah Çobanoğlu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Chloroform Extract ◽

Cytotoxic Effects ◽

Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽

E Coli ◽

Methanol Extracts ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria

The present study explores the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic effects in culture assays of two fruticose soil lichens, Cladonia rangiformis Hoffm. and Cladonia convoluta (Lamkey) Cout., to contribute to possible pharmacological uses of lichens. In vitro antimicrobial activities of methanol and chloroform extracts against two Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), two Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus), and the yeast Candida albicans were examined using the paper disc method and through determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The data showed the presence of antibiotic substances in the chloroform and the methanol extracts of the lichen species. The chloroform extracts exhibited more signifi cant antimicrobial activity than the methanol extracts. However, a higher antifungal activity was noted in the methanol extract of C. rangiformis. The maximum antimicrobial activity was recorded for the chloroform extract of C. convoluta against E. coli. The cytotoxic effects of the lichen extracts on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were evaluated by the trypan blue assay yielding IC50 values of ca. 173 and 167 μg/ml for the extracts from C. rangiformis and C. convoluta, respectively.

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