scholarly journals Antimicrobial Activity of Bee-Collected Pollen and Beebread: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 811
Author(s):  
Nikos Asoutis Didaras ◽  
Katerina Karatasou ◽  
Tilemachos G Dimitriou ◽  
Grigoris D. Amoutzias ◽  
Dimitris Mossialos
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Bee Bread ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Honey Bee Nutrition ◽  
Micro Elements

Bee-collected pollen (BCP) is a well-known functional food. Honey bees process the collected pollen and store it in the hive, inside the comb cells. The processed pollen is called bee- bread or ambrosia and it is the main source of proteins, lipids, vitamins, macro-and micro-elements in honey bee nutrition. During storage, beebread undergoes solid state fermentation which preserves it and increases the bioavailability of nutrients. Research on beebread has been rather limited until now. In recent years, there is an increasing interest regarding the antimicrobial properties of BCP and beebread, due to emerging antimicrobial resistance by pathogens. Both BCP and beebread exhibit antimicrobial properties against diverse pathogens, like bacteria and fungi. As is the case with other bee products, lack of antimicrobial resistance might be attributed to the synergy of more than one antimicrobial compounds within BCP and beebread. Furthermore, BCP and bee bread exert targeted activity against pathogens and affect the host microbiome in a prebiotic manner. This review aims to present up to date research findings regarding these aspects as well as to discuss current challenges and future perspectives in the field.

Evidence-Based Social Sciences: A New Emerging Field

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-211
Author(s):  
Nazila Zarghi ◽  
Soheil Dastmalchian Khorasani
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Social Settings ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Academic Area ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Evidence based social sciences, is one of the state-of- the-art area in this field. It is making decisions on the basis of conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the best available evidence from multiple sources. It also could be conducive to evidence based social work, i.e a kind of evidence based practice in some extent. In this new emerging field, the research findings help social workers in different levels of social sciences such as policy making, management, academic area, education, and social settings, etc.When using research in real setting, it is necessary to do critical appraisal, not only for trustingon internal validity or rigor methodology of the paper, but also for knowing in what extent research findings could be applied in real setting. Undoubtedly, the latter it is a kind of subjective judgment. As social sciences findings are highly context bound, it is necessary to pay more attention to this area. The present paper tries to introduce firstly evidence based social sciences and its importance and then propose criteria for critical appraisal of research findings for application in society.

scholarly journals A review on the properties, reinforcing effects, and commercialization of nanomaterials for cement-based materials

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 303-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifang Zhao ◽  
Tianqi Qi ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
David Hui ◽  
Cong Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cement Hydration ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Market Survey ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Nano Silica ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Cement Based Materials ◽  
The Cost

AbstractThe behavior of cement-based materials is manipulated by chemical and physical processes at the nanolevel. Therefore, the application of nanomaterials in civil engineering to develop nano-modified cement-based materials is a promising research. In recent decades, a large number of researchers have tried to improve the properties of cement-based materials by employing various nanomaterials and to characterize the mechanism of nano-strengthening. In this study, the state of the art progress of nano-modified cement-based materials is systematically reviewed and summarized. First, this study reviews the basic properties and dispersion methods of nanomaterials commonly used in cement-based materials, including carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene, graphene oxide, nano-silica, nano-calcium carbonate, nano-calcium silicate hydrate, etc. Then the research progress on nano-engineered cementitious composites is reviewed from the view of accelerating cement hydration, reinforcing mechanical properties, and improving durability. In addition, the market and applications of nanomaterials for cement-based materials are briefly discussed, and the cost is creatively summarized through market survey. Finally, this study also summarizes the existing problems in current research and provides future perspectives accordingly.

scholarly journals Annelid Diversity: Historical Overview and Future Perspectives

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
María Capa ◽  
Pat Hutchings
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Molecular Taxonomy ◽  
Evolutionary Relationships ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Species Numbers ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
A New Species

Annelida is a ubiquitous, common and diverse group of organisms, found in terrestrial, fresh waters and marine environments. Despite the large efforts put into resolving the evolutionary relationships of these and other Lophotrochozoa, and the delineation of the basal nodes within the group, these are still unanswered. Annelida holds an enormous diversity of forms and biological strategies alongside a large number of species, following Arthropoda, Mollusca, Vertebrata and perhaps Platyhelminthes, among the species most rich in phyla within Metazoa. The number of currently accepted annelid species changes rapidly when taxonomic groups are revised due to synonymies and descriptions of a new species. The group is also experiencing a recent increase in species numbers as a consequence of the use of molecular taxonomy methods, which allows the delineation of the entities within species complexes. This review aims at succinctly reviewing the state-of-the-art of annelid diversity and summarizing the main systematic revisions carried out in the group. Moreover, it should be considered as the introduction to the papers that form this Special Issue on Systematics and Biodiversity of Annelids.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Properties of the Ag, Cu Nanoparticle System

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Xinzhen Fan ◽  
L’Hocine Yahia ◽  
Edward Sacher
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Biomedical Application ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Cu Nanoparticles ◽  
Postoperative Infections ◽  
Nanoparticle System ◽  
Contact Killing ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Microbes, including bacteria and fungi, easily form stable biofilms on many surfaces. Such biofilms have high resistance to antibiotics, and cause nosocomial and postoperative infections. The antimicrobial and antiviral behaviors of Ag and Cu nanoparticles (NPs) are well known, and possible mechanisms for their actions, such as released ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), contact killing, the immunostimulatory effect, and others have been proposed. Ag and Cu NPs, and their derivative NPs, have different antimicrobial capacities and cytotoxicities. Factors, such as size, shape and surface treatment, influence their antimicrobial activities. The biomedical application of antimicrobial Ag and Cu NPs involves coating onto substrates, including textiles, polymers, ceramics, and metals. Because Ag and Cu are immiscible, synthetic AgCu nanoalloys have different microstructures, which impact their antimicrobial effects. When mixed, the combination of Ag and Cu NPs act synergistically, offering substantially enhanced antimicrobial behavior. However, when alloyed in Ag–Cu NPs, the antimicrobial behavior is even more enhanced. The reason for this enhancement is unclear. Here, we discuss these results and the possible behavior mechanisms that underlie them.

scholarly journals Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Salmonella enterica Serovars Isolated from Chicken at Wet Markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 952
Author(s):  
Nure Alam Siddiky ◽  
Md Samun Sarker ◽  
Md. Shahidur Rahman Khan ◽  
Ruhena Begum ◽  
Md. Ehsanul Kabir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Native Chicken ◽  
Resistance Patterns ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Native Chickens

Virulent and multi drug resistant (MDR) Salmonellaenterica is a foremost cause of foodborne diseases and had serious public health concern globally. The present study was undertaken to identify the pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Salmonellaenterica serovars recovered from chicken at wet markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 870 cecal contents of broiler, sonali, and native chickens were collected from 29 wet markets. The overall prevalence of S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and untyped Salmonella spp., were found to be 3.67%, 0.57%, and 1.95% respectively. All isolates were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for eight virulence genes, namely invA, agfA, IpfA, hilA, sivH, sefA, sopE, and spvC. S. Enteritidis isolates carried all virulence genes whilst S. Typhimurium isolates carried six virulence genes except sefA and spvC. A diverse phenotypic and genotypic AMR pattern was found. Harmonic descending trends of resistance patterns were observed among the broiler, sonali, and native chickens. Interestingly, virulent and MDR Salmonella enterica serovars were found in native chicken, although antimicrobials were not used in their production cycle. The research findings anticipate that virulent and MDR Salmonella enterica are roaming in the wet markets which can easily anchor to the vendor, consumers, and in the food chain.

scholarly journals Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1644
Author(s):  
Joost van Hoof ◽  
Hannah R. Marston
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Demographic Shift ◽  
Welfare Systems

The number of older adults is increasing rapidly, and this demographic shift places an increased level of strain and tension on the various international healthcare and welfare systems [...]

scholarly journals Nanomedicine-Based Strategies Assisting Photodynamic Therapy for Hypoxic Tumors: State-of-the-Art Approaches and Emerging Trends

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Chun-Yan Shih ◽  
Pei-Ting Wang ◽  
Wu-Chou Su ◽  
Hsisheng Teng ◽  
Wei-Lun Huang
Keyword(s):  
Photodynamic Therapy ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Tumor Tissues ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Manipulating Hypoxia

Since the first clinical cancer treatment in 1978, photodynamic therapy (PDT) technologies have been largely improved and approved for clinical usage in various cancers. Due to the oxygen-dependent nature, the application of PDT is still limited by hypoxia in tumor tissues. Thus, the development of effective strategies for manipulating hypoxia and improving the effectiveness of PDT is one of the most important area in PDT field. Recently, emerging nanotechnology has benefitted progress in many areas, including PDT. In this review, after briefly introducing the mechanisms of PDT and hypoxia, as well as basic knowledge about nanomedicines, we will discuss the state of the art of nanomedicine-based approaches for assisting PDT for treating hypoxic tumors, mainly based on oxygen replenishing strategies and the oxygen dependency diminishing strategies. Among these strategies, we will emphasize emerging trends about the use of nanoscale metal–organic framework (nMOF) materials and the combination of PDT with immunotherapy. We further discuss future perspectives and challenges associated with these trends in both the aspects of mechanism and clinical translation.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Activity of Curcumin in Nanoformulations: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 7130
Author(s):  
Jeffersson Krishan Trigo-Gutierrez ◽  
Yuliana Vega-Chacón ◽  
Amanda Brandão Soares ◽  
Ewerton Garcia de Oliveira Mima
Keyword(s):  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Graphene Quantum Dots ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Low Cytotoxicity ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Drug Resistant Strains

Curcumin (CUR) is a natural substance extracted from turmeric that has antimicrobial properties. Due to its ability to absorb light in the blue spectrum, CUR is also used as a photosensitizer (PS) in antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT). However, CUR is hydrophobic, unstable in solutions, and has low bioavailability, which hinders its clinical use. To circumvent these drawbacks, drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been used. In this review, we summarize the DDSs used to carry CUR and their antimicrobial effect against viruses, bacteria, and fungi, including drug-resistant strains and emergent pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. The reviewed DDSs include colloidal (micelles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, cyclodextrins, chitosan, and other polymeric nanoparticles), metallic, and mesoporous particles, as well as graphene, quantum dots, and hybrid nanosystems such as films and hydrogels. Free (non-encapsulated) CUR and CUR loaded in DDSs have a broad-spectrum antimicrobial action when used alone or as a PS in aPDT. They also show low cytotoxicity, in vivo biocompatibility, and improved wound healing. Although there are several in vitro and some in vivo investigations describing the nanotechnological aspects and the potential antimicrobial application of CUR-loaded DDSs, clinical trials are not reported and further studies should translate this evidence to the clinical scenarios of infections.

scholarly journals Development of Advanced Textile Finishes Using Nano-Emulsions from Herbal Extracts for Organic Cotton Fabrics

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 939
Author(s):  
Prabhuraj D. Venkatraman ◽  
Usha Sayed ◽  
Sneha Parte ◽  
Swati Korgaonkar
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Cotton Fabrics ◽  
Batch Processes ◽  
Herbal Extracts ◽  
Organic Cotton ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Nano Emulsion ◽  
Sufficient Strength

The development of textile finishing with improved functional properties has been a growing interest among industry and scientists worldwide. The recent global pandemic also enhanced the awareness amongst many toward improved hygiene and the use of antimicrobial textiles. Generally, natural herbal components are known to possess antimicrobial properties which are green and eco-friendly. This research reports a novel and innovative method of developing and optimising nano-emulsions using two combinations of herbal extracts produced from Moringa oleifera, curry leaf, coconut oil (nano-emulsion 1) and other using Aegle marmelos with curry leaf and coconut oil (nano-emulsion 2). Nano-emulsions were optimised for their pH, thermal stability, and particle size, and percentage add-on. Organic cotton fabrics (20 and 60 gsm) were finished with nano-emulsions using continuous and batch processes and characterised for their surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The finished fabrics were evaluated for their Whiteness Index, assessed for antimicrobial resistance against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) using AATCC 100 and 147 methods. In addition, fabrics were assessed for their antifungal efficacy (AATCC 30), tensile strength and air permeability. Results suggested that finished organic fabrics with nano-emulsions had antimicrobial resistance, antifungal, wash fastness after 20 washing cycles, and sufficient strength. This novel finishing method suggests that organic cotton fabrics treated with nano-emulsions can be used as a durable antimicrobial textile for healthcare and hygiene textiles.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document