scholarly journals N-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots as Fluorescent Bioimaging Agents

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 789
Author(s):  
Shih-Fu Ou ◽  
Ya-Yun Zheng ◽  
Sin-Jen Lee ◽  
Shyi-Tien Chen ◽  
Chien-Hui Wu ◽  
...  

Graphene quantum dots, carbon nanomaterials with excellent fluorescence characteristics, are advantageous for use in biological systems owing to their small size, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility. We used the hydrothermal method to prepare functional N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) from 1,3,6-trinitropyrene and analyzed their ability to fluorescently stain various bacteria. Our results showed that N-CQDs stain the cell septa and membrane of the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonellaenteritidis, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus and the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The optimal concentration of N-CQDs was approximately 500 ppm for Gram-negative bacteria and 1000 ppm for Gram-positive bacteria, and the exposure times varied with bacteria. N-Doped carbon quantum dots have better light stability and higher photobleaching resistance than the commercially available FM4-64. When excited at two different wavelengths, N-CQDs can emit light of both red and green wavelengths, making them ideal for bioimaging. They can also specifically stain Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell membranes. We developed an inexpensive, relatively easy, and bio-friendly method to synthesize an N-CQD composite. Additionally, they can serve as a universal bacterial membrane-staining dye, with better photobleaching resistance than commercial dyes.

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Chieh Fu ◽  
Chun-Yung Wu ◽  
Chih-Ching Chien ◽  
Tai-Hao Hsu ◽  
Shih-Fu Ou ◽  
...  

Photoluminescent nanomaterials have immense potential for use in biological systems due to their excellent fluorescent properties and small size. Traditional semiconductor quantum dots are heavy-metal-based and can be highly toxic to living organisms, besides their poor photostability and low biocompatibility. Nano-sized carbon quantum dots and their surface-modified counterparts have shown improved characteristics for imaging purposes. We used 1,3, 6-trinitropyrene (TNP) and polyethylene glycol6000 (PEG6000) in a hydrothermal method to prepare functional polyethylene glycol6000/carbon nanodots (PEG6000/CDs) and analyzed their potential in fluorescent staining of different types of bacteria. Our results demonstrated that PEG6000/CDs stained the cell pole and septa of gram-positive bacteria B. Subtilis and B. thuringiensis but not those of gram-negative bacteria. The optimal concentration of these composite nanodots was approximately 100 ppm and exposure times varied across different bacteria. The PEG6000/CD composite had better photostability and higher resistance to photobleaching than the commercially available FM4-64. They could emit two wavelengths (red and green) when exposed to two different wavelengths. Therefore, they may be applicable as bioimaging molecules. They can also be used for differentiating different types of bacteria owing to their ability to differentially stain gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Cheng-fei ◽  
Xuewen Wang ◽  
Luying Yu ◽  
Lina Wu ◽  
Xiaoli Hao ◽  
...  

Abstract Quaternized carbon quantum dots (qCQDs) with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity were synthesized by a simple green “one-pot” method using dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride and glucose as reaction precursors. The qCQDs showed satisfactory antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In rat models of wounds infected with mixed bacteria, qCQDs obviously restored the weight of rats, significantly reduced the death of rats from severe infection, and promoted the recovery and healing of infected wounds. Biosafety tests confirmed that qCQDs had no obvious toxic and side effects during the testing stage. The analysis of quantitative proteomics revealed that qCQDs mainly acted on the ribosomal proteins of gram-positive bacteria and significantly down-regulated the metabolization-related proteins of gram-negative bacteria. Real-time quantitative PCR verified the expression levels of genes corresponding to the proteins with significant differences expressed by the two species of bacteria after treated with qCQDs. The variation trend of the detected genes was consistent with the results of proteomics, meaning that qCQDs played the antibacterial effect on bacteria with a new antibacterial mechanism.


INDIAN DRUGS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (05) ◽  
pp. 44-47
Author(s):  
S. D. Bhinge ◽  
◽  
M. G Hogade ◽  
A. S Savali ◽  
H. R. Chitapurkar ◽  
...  

Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of the bark of Ficus glomerata (Urticaceae) were screened for their antibacterial activity using agar diffusion method. They were tested against six bacteria; three Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus aureus and Staphylococcus aureus) and three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The susceptibility of the microorganisms to the extracts of these plants was compared with each other and with selected antibiotics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 2662-2666
Author(s):  
Amnuay Noypha ◽  
Paweena Porrawatkul ◽  
Nongyao Teppaya ◽  
Parintip Rattanaburi ◽  
Saksit Chanthai ◽  
...  

Borassus flabellifer vinegar–graphene quantum dots (BFV-GQDs) were successfully synthesized using a pyrolysis method with Borassus flabellifer vinegar (BFV) as the precursor. All the samples were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The antibacterial activities of BFV-GQDs against strains of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) were determined using the agar well diffusion method for preliminary screening, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the broth macro-dilution method. The zones of inhibition were compared with those of citric acid–graphene quantum dots (CA-GQDs). It was observed that the synthesized BFV-GQDs demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (82.3%) and good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (73.3%). The MIC of BFV-GQDs against E. coli was 6.25 mg/mL and S. aureus was 12.5 mg/mL, whereas the MBC of BFV-GQDs against E. coli was 12.5 mg/mL and S. aureus was 25.0 mg/mL.


Author(s):  
Jacob S. Hanker ◽  
Paul R. Gross ◽  
Beverly L. Giammara

Blood cultures are positive in approximately only 50 per cent of the patients with nongonococcal bacterial infectious arthritis and about 20 per cent of those with gonococcal arthritis. But the concept that gram-negative bacteria could be involved even in chronic arthritis is well-supported. Gram stains are more definitive in staphylococcal arthritis caused by gram-positive bacteria than in bacterial arthritis due to gram-negative bacteria. In the latter situation where gram-negative bacilli are the problem, Gram stains are helpful for 50% of the patients; they are only helpful for 25% of the patients, however, where gram-negative gonococci are the problem. In arthritis due to gram-positive Staphylococci. Gramstained smears are positive for 75% of the patients.


Author(s):  
Elaf Ayad Kadhem ◽  
Miaad Hamzah Zghair ◽  
Sarah , Hussam H. Tizkam, Shoeb Alahmad Salih Mahdi ◽  
Hussam H. Tizkam ◽  
Shoeb Alahmad

magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) were prepared by simple wet chemical method using different calcination temperatures. The prepared NPs were characterized by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). It demonstrates sharp intensive peak with the increase of crystallinty and increase of the size with varying morphologies with respect to increase of calcination temperature. Antibacterial studies were done on gram negative bacteria (E.coli) and gram positive bacteria (S.aureus) by agar disc diffusion method. The zones of inhibitions were found larger for gram positive bacteria than gram negative bacteria, this mean, antibacterial MgO NPs activity more active on gram positive bacteria than gram negative bacteria because of the structural differences. It was found that antibacterial activity of MgO NPs was found it has directly proportional with their concentration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Eghbert Eghbert Elvan Eghbert Elvan Ampou ◽  
Iis Iis Triyulianti ◽  
Nuryani Widagti ◽  
Suciadi Catur Nugroho ◽  
Yuli Pancawati

Research on hard coral (Scleractinian coral) contaminated with bacteria is still not much done, especially in Indonesian waters. This study took samples of coral mucus in 2010 at 3 (three) different locations, namely Bunaken (May); Morotai (September) and Raja Ampat (November), which focused on the analysis of Research on hard coral (Scleractinian coral) contaminated with bacteria is still not much done, especially in Indonesian waters. This study took samples of coral mucus in 2010 at 3 (three) different locations, namely Bunaken (May); Morotai (September) and Raja Ampat (November), which focused on the analysis of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The method used for field sampling is time swim, which is by diving at a depth of 5-10 meters for ± 30 minutes and randomly taking samples of coral mucus using siring or by taking directly on corals (reef branching). Mucus samples were analyzed by bacterial isolation in the laboratory. The result shows that there were differences between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in the three research sites and that gram-positive bacteria were higher or dominant. Further research that can identify the bacteria species and explain its relationship to the ecosystem is highly recommended.Keywords: Bacteria, Scleractinian coral, gram-positive and -negative, Bunaken, Morotai, Raja Ampat  AbstrakPenelitian tentang karang keras (Scleractinian coral) yang terkontaminasi bakteri masih belum banyak dilakukan, terutama di perairan Indonesia. Penelitian ini mengambil sampel mucus karang pada tahun 2010 di 3 (tiga) lokasi berbeda, yakni Bunaken (Mei); Morotai (September) dan Raja Ampat (November), yang difokuskan pada analisis bakteri gram postif dan gram negatif. Metode yang digunakan untuk pengambilan sampel di lapangan adalah time swim, yaitu dengan penyelaman pada kedalaman 5-10 meter selama ±30 menit dan mengambil sampel mucus karang secara acak menggunakan siring atau dengan mengambil langsung pada karang (fraksi cabang). Sampel mucus dianalisis dengan cara isolasi bakteri di laboratorium. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa ada perbedaan antara bakteri gram positif dan gram negative di tiga lokasi survei dan bakteri gram positif lebih tinggi atau dominan. Penelitian lebih lanjut yang dapat menentukan jenis bakteri serta menjelaskan hubungannya dengan ekosistem sangat disarankan untuk dilakukan.Kata Kunci : Bakteri, Scleractinian coral, gram positif dan negatif, Bunaken, Morotai, Raja Ampat


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsukasa Tominari ◽  
Ayumi Sanada ◽  
Ryota Ichimaru ◽  
Chiho Matsumoto ◽  
Michiko Hirata ◽  
...  

AbstractPeriodontitis is an inflammatory disease associated with severe alveolar bone loss and is dominantly induced by lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria; however, the role of Gram-positive bacteria in periodontal bone resorption remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a major cell-wall factor of Gram-positive bacteria, on the progression of inflammatory alveolar bone loss in a model of periodontitis. In coculture of mouse primary osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, LTA induced osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. LTA enhanced the production of PGE2 accompanying the upregulation of the mRNA expression of mPGES-1, COX-2 and RANKL in osteoblasts. The addition of indomethacin effectively blocked the LTA-induced osteoclast differentiation by suppressing the production of PGE2. Using ex vivo organ cultures of mouse alveolar bone, we found that LTA induced alveolar bone resorption and that this was suppressed by indomethacin. In an experimental model of periodontitis, LTA was locally injected into the mouse lower gingiva, and we clearly detected alveolar bone destruction using 3D-μCT. We herein demonstrate a new concept indicating that Gram-positive bacteria in addition to Gram-negative bacteria are associated with the progression of periodontal bone loss.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 436
Author(s):  
Giovanni Parente ◽  
Tommaso Gargano ◽  
Stefania Pavia ◽  
Chiara Cordola ◽  
Marzia Vastano ◽  
...  

Pyelonephritis (PN) represents an important cause of morbidity in the pediatric population, especially in uropathic patients. The aim of the study is to demonstrate differences between PNs of uropathic patients and PNs acquired in community in terms of uropathogens involved and antibiotic sensitivity; moreover, to identify a proper empiric therapeutic strategy. A retrospective study was conducted on antibiograms on urine cultures from PNs in vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) patients admitted to pediatric surgery department and from PNs in not VUR patients admitted to Pediatric Emergency Unit between 2010 and 2020. We recorded 58 PNs in 33 patients affected by VUR and 112 PNs in the not VUR group. The mean age of not VUR patients at the PN episode was 1.3 ± 2.6 years (range: 20 days of life–3 years), and almost all the urine cultures, 111 (99.1%), isolated Gram-negative bacteria and rarely, 1 (0.9%), Gram-positive bacteria. The Gram-negative uropathogens isolated were Escherichia coli (97%), Proteus mirabilis (2%), and Klebsiella spp. (1%). The only Gram-positive bacteria isolated was an Enterococcus faecalis. As regards the antibiograms, 96% of not VUR PNs responded to beta-lactams, 99% to aminoglycosides, and 80% to sulfonamides. For the VUR group, mean age was 3.0 years ± 3.0 years (range: 9 days of life–11 years) and mean number of episodes per patient was 2.0 ± 1.0 (range: 1–5); 83% of PNs were by Gram-negatives bacteria vs. 17% by Gram-positive: the most important Gram-negative bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (44%), Escherichia coli (27%), and Klebsiella spp. (12%), while Enterococcus spp. determined 90% of Gram-positive UTIs. Regimen ampicillin/ceftazidime (success rate: 72.0%) was compared to ampicillin/amikacin (success rate of 83.0%): no statistically significant difference was found (p = 0.09). The pathogens of PNs in uropathic patients are different from those of community-acquired PNs, and clinicians should be aware of their peculiar antibiotic susceptibility. An empiric therapy based on the association ampicillin + ceftazidime is therefore suggested.


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