scholarly journals Polyethylene Glycol Pulsed Electrodeposition for the Development of Antifouling Coatings on Titanium

Coatings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judit Buxadera-Palomero ◽  
Kim Albó ◽  
Francisco Javier Gil ◽  
Carlos Mas-Moruno ◽  
Daniel Rodríguez

Titanium dental implants are widely used for the replacement of damaged teeth. However, bacterial infections at the interface between soft tissues and the implant can impair the functionality of the device and lead to failure. In this work, the preparation of an antifouling coating of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on titanium by pulsed electrodeposition was investigated in order to reduce Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) adhesion while maintaining human fibroblast adhesion. Different pulsed conditions were prepared and characterized by contact angle, Focused Ion Beam (FIB), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy in the Attenuated Total Reflectance mode (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS tested fibronectin adsorption. S. aureus, E. coli and human fibroblast adhesion was tested in vitro in both mono and co-culture settings. Physicochemical characterization proved useful for confirming the presence of PEG and evaluating the efficiency of the coating methods. Fibronectin adsorption decreased for all of the conditions, but an adsorption of 20% when compared to titanium was maintained, which supported fibroblast adhesion on the surfaces. In contrast, S. aureus and E. coli attachment on coated surfaces decreased up to 90% vs. control titanium. Co-culture studies with the two bacterial strains and human fibroblasts showed the efficacy of the coatings to allow for eukaryotic cell adhesion, even in the presence of pre-adhered bacteria.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2364
Author(s):  
Patrik Stenström ◽  
Yanmiao Fan ◽  
Yuning Zhang ◽  
Daniel Hutchinson ◽  
Sandra García-Gallego ◽  
...  

Bacterial infections are one of the major threats to human health due to the raising crisis of antibiotic resistance. Herein, second generation antibacterial heterofunctional dendrimers based on 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid were synthesized. The dendrimers possessed six alkenes and 12 ammonium end-groups per molecule and were used to fabricate antibacterial hydrogels together with dithiol-functional polyethylene glycol (mol wt of 2, 6 and 10 kDa) as crosslinkers via thiol-ene chemistry. The network formation can be completed within 10 s upon UV-irradiation as determined by the stabilization of the storage modulus in a rheometer. The hydrogels swelled in aqueous media and could be functionalized with the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of the dye disperse red 13, which allowed for visually studying the degradation of the hydrogels through the hydrolysis of the ester bonds of the dendritic component. The maximum swelling ratio of the gels was recorded within 4–8 h and the swelling ratios increased with higher molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol crosslinker. The gel formed with 10 kDa polyethylene glycol crosslinker showed the highest swelling ratio of 40 and good mechanical properties, with a storage modulus of 8 kPa. In addition, the hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility towards both human fibroblasts and mouse monocytes, while showing strong antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.


Author(s):  
Glennelle Washington ◽  
Philip P. McGrath ◽  
Peter R. Graze ◽  
Ivor Royston

Herpes-like viruses were isolated from rhesus monkey peripheral blood leucocytes when co-cultivated with WI-38 cells. The virus was originally designated rhesus leucocyte-associated herpesvirus (LAHV) and subsequently called Herpesvirus mulatta (HVM). The original isolations were from juvenile rhesus monkeys shown to be free of antibody to rhesus cytomegalic virus. The virus could only be propagated in human or simian fibroblasts. Use of specific antisera developed from HVM showed no relationship between this virus and other herpesviruses. An electron microscopic study was undertaken to determine the morphology of Herpesvirus mulatta (HVM) in infected human fibroblasts.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin S. DeJong ◽  
David I. Wang ◽  
Aleksandr Polyakov ◽  
Anita Rogacs ◽  
Steven J. Simske ◽  
...  

Through the direct detection of bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs), via surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), we report here a reconfigurable assay for the identification and monitoring of bacteria. We demonstrate differentiation between highly clinically relevant organisms: <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i>, and <i>Serratia marcescens</i>. This is the first differentiation of bacteria via SERS of bacterial VOC signatures. The assay also detected as few as 10 CFU/ml of <i>E. coli</i> in under 12 hrs, and detected <i>E. coli</i> from whole human blood and human urine in 16 hrs at clinically relevant concentrations of 10<sup>3</sup> CFU/ml and 10<sup>4</sup> CFU/ml, respectively. In addition, the recent emergence of portable Raman spectrometers uniquely allows SERS to bring VOC detection to point-of-care settings for diagnosing bacterial infections.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-288
Author(s):  
A.P. Prevar ◽  
A.V. Kryzshanovskaya ◽  
V.A. Radionov ◽  
V.M. Mrug

The main factor in the treatment of suppurative and inflammatory processes is the timely optimization of treatment measures taking into account the nature of the microflora and its susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. The purpose of the study is to monitor the spectrum of microorganisms – pathogens of purulent-inflammatory processes of soft tissues in surgical patients; study of the sensitivity of isolated strains to antibiotics. The material was collected in accordance with aseptic rules. The identification of a pure culture of bacteria was carried out according to morphological, culture, biochemical properties, and the presence of virulence enzymes. Sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics was determined by the standard disks method (by Kirby-Bauer’s). 255 patients with purulent-inflammatory processes of soft tissues were examined for the period from 2014 to 2017. 229 strains of isolated bacteria were included to Escherichia coli, Citrobacer freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, E.aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, S.epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, S.viridians, S.agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The main cause of purulent-inflammatory processes of soft tissues is Staphylococci (67,2%). Compared to previous studies, the number of P.aeruginosa isolated cultures increased (7.9%). In monoculture and in association with other microorganisms, E. coli (9.6% of cases), E.cloacae et aerogenes (3.9% of cases), P.vulgaris (3.9% of cases), C.freundi (2.5% of cases), S.agalactiae, S.pyogenes, S.viridans (3.5%). The number of associated sows reaches 12%. Clinical strains of microorganisms remain most sensitive to fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and also retains high sensitivity to gentamicin, lincomycin, rifampicin, which is important for empirical antibiotic therapy. To increase the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy, strict adherence to the mode of appointment of antibiotics, justification of indications, a combination of antibiotics of different spectrum of action, mandatory correction after determining the sensitivity of the pathogen.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rowles H. L.

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when ingested in sufficient amounts, confer health benefits to the host by improving the gut microflora balance. The purpose of this research was to determine whether commercial probiotic products containing multitude of commensal bacteria would reduce the growth rate of pathogenic bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Growth curves were established, and the growth rates were compared for samples of E. coli, S. typhimurium, Nature’s Bounty Controlled Delivery probiotic, Sundown Naturals Probiotic Balance probiotic, and cocultures of the pathogenic bacteria mixed with the probiotics. The findings of this research were that the commercial probiotics significantly reduced the growth rate of E. coli and S. typhimurium when combined in cocultures. Probiotics containing multiple strains may be taken prophylactically to reduce the risk of bacterial infections caused by E. coli and S. typhimurium. Probiotics could be used to reduce the high global morbidity and mortality rates of diarrheal disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein M. Galal ◽  
M. I. Abdrabou ◽  
Ahmed H. I. Faraag ◽  
C. K. Mah ◽  
Azza M. Tawfek

AbstractThe broiler industry in the Middle East (ME) faces many challenges related to bacterial infections, including M. gallisepticum, M. synoviae, E. coli, and other gram-negative bacteria, exacerbated by various errors in the brooding process. Antibiotics use in the first three days of life, such as Linco-Spectin 100 SP, tilmicosin, enrofloxacin, tylosin, colistin, and doxycycline, is the trend in the market to control such challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the newly introduced aroA E. coli vaccine (Poulvac E. coli) and its ability to reduce over-reliance on the heavy use of antibiotics in the ME. The study was conducted on 160 broiler chicks, divided into eight even groups. Each group was treated differently in terms of antibiotic therapy and ages at the time of Poulvac E. coli administration and the challenge of virulent avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), serotype O78. Spray application of Poulvac E. coli at seven days of age plus Linco-Spectin 100 SP during the first three days provided the best results for zero mortality after challenge with APEC, while Poulvac E. coli at seven days with enrofloxacin during the early three days resulted in 10% mortality. Poulvac E. coli hatchery vaccination protected birds against mortality but reduced body weight gain compared to the 7-day group vaccinated with Linco-Spectin 100 SP during the first three days. Poulvac E. coli given on day one or day seven did not affect the immune response to concurrent respiratory viral vaccines and, in some cases, improved response. This study shows that Poulvac E. coli at seven days of age, together with Linco-Spectin 100 during the first three days, has produced the best results in terms of protection and performance in the ME high presence of avian pathogenic E. coli field challenge.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 597
Author(s):  
Luca Pierantoni ◽  
Laura Andreozzi ◽  
Simone Ambretti ◽  
Arianna Dondi ◽  
Carlotta Biagi ◽  
...  

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in children, and Escherichia coli is the main pathogen responsible. Several guidelines, including the recently updated Italian guidelines, recommend amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC) as a first-line antibiotic therapy in children with febrile UTIs. Given the current increasing rates of antibiotic resistance worldwide, this study aimed to investigate the three-year trend in the resistance rate of E. coli isolated from pediatric urine cultures (UCs) in a metropolitan area of northern Italy. We conducted a retrospective review of E. coli-positive, non-repetitive UCs collected in children aged from 1 month to 14 years, regardless of a diagnosis of UTI, catheter colonization, urine contamination, or asymptomatic bacteriuria. During the study period, the rate of resistance to AMC significantly increased from 17.6% to 40.2% (p < 0.001). Ciprofloxacin doubled its resistance rate from 9.1% to 16.3% (p = 0.007). The prevalence of multidrug-resistant E. coli rose from 3.9% to 9.2% (p = 0.015). The rate of resistance to other considered antibiotics remained stable, as did the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases and extensively resistant E. coli among isolates. These findings call into question the use of AMC as a first-line therapy for pediatric UTIs in our population, despite the indications of recent Italian guidelines.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 704
Author(s):  
Angela Di Somma ◽  
Carolina Canè ◽  
Antonio Moretta ◽  
Angela Duilio

The research of new therapeutic agents to fight bacterial infections has recently focused on the investigation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), the most common weapon that all organisms produce to prevent invasion by external pathogens. Among AMPs, the amphibian Temporins constitute a well-known family with high antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In particular, Temporin-L was shown to affect bacterial cell division by inhibiting FtsZ, a tubulin-like protein involved in the crucial step of Z-ring formation at the beginning of the division process. As FtsZ represents a leading target for new antibacterial compounds, in this paper we investigated in detail the interaction of Temporin L with Escherichia coli FtsZ and designed two TL analogues in an attempt to increase peptide-protein interactions and to better understand the structural determinants leading to FtsZ inhibition. The results demonstrated that the TL analogues improved their binding to FtsZ, originating stable protein-peptide complexes. Functional studies showed that both peptides were endowed with a high capability of inhibiting both the enzymatic and polymerization activities of the protein. Moreover, the TL analogues were able to inhibit bacterial growth at low micromolar concentrations. These observations may open up the way to the development of novel peptide or peptidomimetic drugs tailored to bind FtsZ, hampering a crucial process of bacterial life that might be proposed for future pharmaceutical applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Gaurav ◽  
Varsha Gupta ◽  
Sandeep K. Shrivastava ◽  
Ranjana Pathania

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance has become a global health problem. Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen due to its capacity to persist in the hospital environment. It has a high mortality rate and few treatment options. Antibiotic combinations can help to fight multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections, but they are rarely used in the clinics and mostly unexplored. The interaction between bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics are mostly reported as antagonism based on the results obtained in the susceptible model laboratory strain Escherichia coli. However, in the present study, we report a synergistic interaction between nalidixic acid and tetracycline against clinical multi-drug resistant A. baumannii and E. coli. Here we provide mechanistic insight into this dichotomy. The synergistic combination was studied by checkerboard assay and time-kill curve analysis. We also elucidate the mechanism behind this synergy using several techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, morphometric analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nalidixic acid and tetracycline combination displayed synergy against most of the MDR clinical isolates of A. baumannii and E. coli but not against susceptible isolates. Finally, we demonstrate that this combination is also effective in vivo in an A. baumannii/Caenorhabditis elegans infection model (p < 0.001)


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 3040
Author(s):  
Alexandra Ciorîță ◽  
Cezara Zăgrean-Tuza ◽  
Augustin C. Moț ◽  
Rahela Carpa ◽  
Marcel Pârvu

The phytochemical analysis of Vinca minor, V. herbacea, V. major, and V. major var. variegata leaf extracts showed species-dependent antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic effects correlated with the identified phytoconstituents. Vincamine was present in V. minor, V. major, and V. major var. variegata, while V. minor had the richest alkaloid content, followed by V. herbacea. V. major var. variegata was richest in flavonoids and the highest total phenolic content was found in V. herbacea which also had elevated levels of rutin. Consequently, V. herbacea had the highest antioxidant activity followed by V. major var. variegata. Whereas, the lowest one was of V. major. The V. minor extract showed the most efficient inhibitory effect against both Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. On the other hand, V. herbacea had a good anti-bacterial potential only against S. aureus, which was most affected at morphological levels, as indicated by scanning electron microscopy. The Vinca extracts acted in a dose-depended manner against HaCaT keratinocytes and A375 melanoma cells and moreover, with effects on the ultrastructure, nitric oxide concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase release. Therefore, the Vinca species could be exploited further for the development of alternative treatments in bacterial infections or as anticancer adjuvants.


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