scholarly journals Application of Biocides and Super-Absorbing Polymers to Enhance the Efficiency of Filtering Materials

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (18) ◽  
pp. 3339
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Majchrzycka ◽  
Małgorzata Okrasa ◽  
Anita Jachowicz ◽  
Justyna Szulc ◽  
Bogumił Brycki ◽  
...  

Studies on the functionalization of materials used for the construction of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) relate to endowing fibers with biocidal properties. There is also a real need for reducing moisture content accumulating in such materials during FFR use, as it would lead to decreased microorganism survival. Thus, in our study, we propose the use of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), together with a biocidal agent (biohalloysite), as additives in the manufacturing of polypropylene/polyester (PP/PET) multifunctional filtering material (MFM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the MFM for stability of the modifier’s attachment to the polymer matrix, the degree of survival of microorganisms on the nonwoven, and its microorganism filtration efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to test the stability of the modifier’s attachment. The filtration efficiency was determined under conditions of dynamic aerosol flow of S. aureus bacteria. The survival rates (N%) of the following microorganisms were assessed: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, Candida albicans yeast, and Aspergillus niger mold using the AATCC 100-2004 method. FTIR spectrum analysis confirmed the pre-established composition of MFM. The loss of the active substance from MFM in simulated conditions of use did not exceed 0.02%, which validated the stability of the modifier’s attachment to the PP/PET fiber structure. SEM image analysis verified the uniformity of the MFM structure. Lower microorganism survival rates were detected for S. aureus, C. albicans, and E. coli on the MFM nonwoven compared to control samples that did not contain the modifiers. However, the MFM did not inhibit A. niger growth. The MFM also showed high filtration efficiency (99.86%) against S. aureus bacteria.

Author(s):  
Nima Nadafpour ◽  
Mostafa Montazeri ◽  
Mehrdad Moradi ◽  
Sina Ahmadzadeh ◽  
Ardavan Etemadi

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the colonization of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from the oral cavity on different suture materials used in oral implantology. Materials and Methods: Patients scheduled for implant surgery were included in this study. After flap approximation, the surgical site was sutured using silk, nylon, polyglactin 910 (Vicryl®) and triclosan-coated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl® Plus) sutures in a randomized order. Seven days after surgery, the sutures were removed and incubated in bile esculin agar (for E. faecalis), MacConkey agar (for E. coli), mitis salivarius agar (for S. mutans), and mannitol salt agar (for S. aureus) at 37°C for 24 h. The colonies were then counted. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Vicryl® sutures showed the highest accumulation of E. faecalis, followed by Vicryl® Plus, nylon, and silk. There was no significant difference between nylon and silk (P=0.5) or between Vicryl® and Vicryl® Plus (P=0.4). Vicryl® Plus sutures showed the highest accumulation of E. coli followed by Vicryl®, silk and nylon (P<0.01). Vicryl® sutures showed the highest accumulation of S. mutans, followed by Vicryl® Plus, silk, and nylon. Vicryl® Plus sutures showed the highest accumulation of S. aureus, followed by Vicryl®, nylon, and silk. Conclusion: Nylon sutures showed the least microbial accumulation. Vicryl® and triclosan-coated Vicryl® Plus sutures had no advantage over the commonly used silk sutures in decreasing the number of bacteria.


2019 ◽  
Vol 969 ◽  
pp. 163-168
Author(s):  
K. Rajkumar ◽  
Subramanian Varun ◽  
Ganesh Prasanna ◽  
Chellu Sreyas ◽  
A. Gnanavelbabu

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are indispensable materials used extensively in the aerospace and automobile industries and are highly endorsed due to their good mechanical properties. In this paper, various compositions of the AMCs were fabricated, tested and analyzed using pin on disc tribometer test to understand the tribological behaviour and wear mechanism properties. The volume percentages of the Aluminium composite reinforced with boron carbide and graphite present in the form of Al-B4C-Graphite are Al-B4C (5%)-Graphite (5%), Al-B4C (10%)-Graphite (5%), Al-B4C (5%)-Graphite (15%), Al-B4C (10%)-Graphite (15%), Al-B4C (15%)-Graphite (15%). Loads were varied in steps of 10N, from 10N to 50N while the sliding velocity was correspondingly set as 0.7, 1.4 and 2.1m/s. SEM image analysis was conducted to understand surface tribology after wear tests. The composite Al-B4C (15%)-Graphite (15%) exhibited best wear resistance which can be credited to the bearing capacity of boron carbide particles and adherent graphite layer.


Author(s):  
М. S. Saypullaev ◽  
А. U. Koychuev ◽  
Т. B. Mirzoeva

The successful conduct of disinfection measures largely depends on the availability of veterinary practice a highly efficient, environmentally safe disinfectants. In this regard, finding new highly efficient disinfectant remains relevant. Studies found that the "Polied" (OOO "Razvitie XXI Vek, Russia) can be attributed to the highly efficient and environmentally friendly means. Solutions "Polied" have a high disinfectant activity against smooth and rough surfaces in the laboratory against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, mycobacteria and spores of microorganisms. Studies have established that solutions should be "Polied" obezzarajivatmi E. coli (EA 1257) concentrations of 0.1% on smooth surfaces and Staphylococcus aureus concentration of 0.05% in 1 hour from the calculation of 0.25-0.3 litres/m2. Disinfection of rough test surfaces against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus occurred after treatment with 0,3% solution of 3-hour exposure, at a rate of 0.5 l/m2. It was also found that 1.0% solution "Polied" fully obezzarazhivatel test the surface of mycobacteria (PCs-5) and at double the 0.6% concentration for 24 hours. Disinfection of rough test surfaces contaminated with spores of B. cereus (PCs 96) was achieved with a 4.0% solution at twice the irrigation rate of 0.5 l/m2 at an exposure of 24 hours. Toxicity solutions of the drug "Polied" refer to "moderate" threat (hazard class 3) and low-hazard substances (4 hazard class) when applied to the skin, mucous membranes of the eyes, and inhalation exposure on the respiratory system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-125
Author(s):  
Apoorva Singh ◽  
Nimisha

: Skin cancer, among the various kinds of cancers, is a type that emerges from skin due to the growth of abnormal cells. These cells are capable of spreading and invading the other parts of the body. The occurrence of non-melanoma and melanoma, which are the major types of skin cancers, has increased over the past decades. Exposure to ultraviolet radiations (UV) is the main associative cause of skin cancer. UV exposure can inactivate tumor suppressor genes while activating various oncogenes. The conventional techniques like surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation therapy lack the potential for targeting cancer cells and harm the normal cells. However, the novel therapeutics show promising improvements in the effectiveness of treatment, survival rates and better quality of life for patients. Different methodologies are involved in the skin cancer therapeutics for delivering the active ingredients to the target sites. Nano carriers are very efficient as they have the ability to improve the stability of drugs and further enhance their penetration into the tumor cells. The recent developments and research in nanotechnology have entitled several targeting and therapeutic agents to be incorporated into nanoparticles for an enhancive treatment of skin cancer. To protect the research works in the field of nanolipoidal systems various patents have been introduced. Some of the patents acknowledge responsive liposomes for specific targeting, nanocarriers for the delivery or co-delivery of chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids as well as photosensitizers. Further recent patents on the novel delivery systems have also been included here.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-329
Author(s):  
Fateme Mirzajani ◽  
Amin Hamidi

Introduction: In this project, the growth and volatile metabolites profiles of Escherichia coli (E. coli ) and Staphylococcus aureus were monitored under the influence of silver base chemical, nanoparticle and ultra-highly diluted compounds. Materials & Methods: The treatments were done for 12000 life cycles using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as well as ultra-highly diluted Argentum nitricum (Arg-n). Volatile organic metabolites analysis was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results indicated that AgNPs treatment made the bacteria resistant and adapted to growth in the nanoparticle condition. The use of ultra-highly diluted Arg-n initially increased growth but it decreased later. Also, with the continuous usage of these materials, no more bacterial growth was observed. Results: The most important compounds produced by E. coli are Acetophenone, Octyl acetate, Styrene, 1,8-cineole, 4-t-butyl-2-(1-methyl-2-nitroethyl)cyclohexane, hexadecane and 2-Undecanol. The main compounds derived from S. aureus are Acetophenone,1,8-cineole, Benzaldehyde, 2-Hexan-1-ol, Tridecanol, Dimethyl Octenal and tetradecane. Acetophenone and 1,8-cineole were common and produced by both organisms. Conclusion: Based on the origin of the produced volatiles, main volatiles percentage of untreated sample is hydrocarbon (>50%), while bacteria treatments convert the ratio in to aldehydes, ketones and alcohols in the case of AgNPs, (>80%) and aldehydes, ketones and terpenes in the case of Arg-n (>70%).


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1786
Author(s):  
György Schneider ◽  
Bettina Schweitzer ◽  
Anita Steinbach ◽  
Botond Zsombor Pertics ◽  
Alysia Cox ◽  
...  

Contamination of meats and meat products with foodborne pathogenic bacteria raises serious safety issues in the food industry. The antibacterial activities of phosphorous-fluorine co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (PF-TiO2) were investigated against seven foodborne pathogenic bacteria: Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella Typhimurium, Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Shewanella putrefaciens, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. PF-TiO2 NPs were synthesized hydrothermally at 250 °C for 1, 3, 6 or 12 h, and then tested at three different concentrations (500 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 20 μg/mL) for the inactivation of foodborne bacteria under UVA irradiation, daylight exposure or dark conditions. The antibacterial efficacies were compared after 30 min of exposure to light. Distinct differences in the antibacterial activities of the PF-TiO2 NPs, and the susceptibilities of tested foodborne pathogenic bacterium species were found. PF-TiO2/3 h and PF-TiO2/6 h showed the highest antibacterial activity by decreasing the living bacterial cell number from ~106 by ~5 log (L. monocytogenes), ~4 log (EHEC), ~3 log (Y. enterolcolitca, S. putrefaciens) and ~2.5 log (S. aureus), along with complete eradication of C. jejuni and S. Typhimurium. Efficacy of PF-TiO2/1 h and PF-TiO2/12 h NPs was lower, typically causing a ~2–4 log decrease in colony forming units depending on the tested bacterium while the effect of PF-TiO2/0 h was comparable to P25 TiO2, a commercial TiO2 with high photocatalytic activity. Our results show that PF-co-doping of TiO2 NPs enhanced the antibacterial action against foodborne pathogenic bacteria and are potential candidates for use in the food industry as active surface components, potentially contributing to the production of meats that are safe for consumption.


Author(s):  
Angélique Buton ◽  
Louis-Marie Bobay

Abstract Homologous recombination is a key pathway found in nearly all bacterial taxa. The recombination complex allows bacteria to repair DNA double strand breaks but also promotes adaption through the exchange of DNA between cells. In Proteobacteria, this process is mediated by the RecBCD complex, which relies on the recognition of a DNA motif named Chi to initiate recombination. The Chi motif has been characterized in Escherichia coli and analogous sequences have been found in several other species from diverse families, suggesting that this mode of action is widespread across bacteria. However, the sequences of Chi-like motifs are known for only five bacterial species: E. coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Bacillus subtilis, Lactococcus lactis and Staphylococcus aureus. In this study we detected putative Chi motifs in a large dataset of Proteobacteria and we identified four additional motifs sharing high sequence similarity and similar properties to the Chi motif of E. coli in 85 species of Proteobacteria. Most Chi motifs were detected in Enterobacteriaceae and this motif appears well conserved in this family. However, we did not detect Chi motifs for the majority of Proteobacteria, suggesting that different motifs are used in these species. Altogether these results substantially expand our knowledge on the evolution of Chi motifs and on the recombination process in bacteria.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3539
Author(s):  
Anastasia Meretoudi ◽  
Christina N. Banti ◽  
Panagiotis K. Raptis ◽  
Christina Papachristodoulou ◽  
Nikolaos Kourkoumelis ◽  
...  

The oregano leaves’ extract (ORLE) was used for the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs(ORLE)). ORLE and AgNPs(ORLE) (2 mg/mL) were dispersed in polymer hydrogels to give the pHEMA@ORLE_2 and pHEMA@AgNPs(ORLE)_2 using hydroxyethyl–methacrylate (HEMA). The materials were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD), thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), derivative thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry (DTG/DSC), ultraviolet (UV-Vis), and attenuated total reflection mode (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopies in solid state and UV–Vis in solution. The crystallite size value, analyzed with XRPD, was determined at 20 nm. The antimicrobial activity of the materials was investigated against Gram-negative bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The Gram-positive ones of the genus of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are known to be involved in microbial keratitis by the means of inhibitory zone (IZ), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The IZs, which developed upon incubation of P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus with paper discs soaked in 2 mg/mL of AgNPs(ORLE), were 11.7 ± 0.7, 13.5 ± 1.9, 12.7 ± 1.7, and 14.3 ± 1.7 mm. When the same dose of ORLE was administrated, the IZs were 10.2 ± 0.7, 9.2 ± 0.5, 9.0 ± 0.0, and 9.0 ± 0.0 mm. The percent of bacterial viability when they were incubated over the polymeric hydrogel discs of pHEMA@AgNPs(ORLE)_2 was interestingly low (66.5, 88.3, 77.7, and 59.6%, respectively, against of P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus) and those of pHEMA@ORLE_2 were 89.3, 88.1, 92.8, and 84.6%, respectively. Consequently, pHEMA@AgNPs(ORLE)_2 could be an efficient candidate toward the development of non-infectious contact lenses.


mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Sánchez-Gorostiaga ◽  
Pilar Palacios ◽  
Rocío Martínez-Arteaga ◽  
Manuel Sánchez ◽  
Mercedes Casanova ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWhen deprived of FtsZ,Escherichia colicells (VIP205) grown in liquid form long nonseptated filaments due to their inability to assemble an FtsZ ring and their failure to recruit subsequent divisome components. These filaments fail to produce colonies on solid medium, in which synthesis of FtsZ is induced, upon being diluted by a factor greater than 4. However, once the initial FtsZ levels are recovered in liquid culture, they resume division, and their plating efficiency returns to normal. The potential septation sites generated in the FtsZ-deprived filaments are not annihilated, and once sufficient FtsZ is accumulated, they all become active and divide to produce cells of normal length. FtsZ-deprived cells accumulate defects in their physiology, including an abnormally high number of unsegregated nucleoids that may result from the misplacement of FtsK. Their membrane integrity becomes compromised and the amount of membrane proteins, such as FtsK and ZipA, increases. FtsZ-deprived cells also show an altered expression pattern, namely, transcription of several genes responding to DNA damage increases, whereas transcription of some ribosomal or global transcriptional regulators decreases. We propose that the changes caused by the depletion of FtsZ, besides stopping division, weaken the cell, diminishing its resiliency to minor challenges, such as dilution stress.IMPORTANCEOur results suggest a role for FtsZ, in addition to its already known effect in the constriction ofE. coli, in protecting the nondividing cells against minor stress. This protection can even be exerted when an inactive FtsZ is produced, but it is lost when the protein is altogether absent. These results have implications in fields like synthetic biology or antimicrobial discovery. The construction of synthetic divisomes in the test tube may need to preserve unsuspected roles, such as this newly found FtsZ property, to guarantee the stability of artificial containers. Whereas the effects on viability caused by inhibiting the activity of FtsZ may be partly overcome by filamentation, the absence of FtsZ is not tolerated byE. coli, an observation that may help in the design of effective antimicrobial compounds.


2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 1738-1744 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL KNOWLES ◽  
DOMINIC LAMBERT ◽  
GEORGE HUSZCZYNSKI ◽  
MARTINE GAUTHIER ◽  
BURTON W. BLAIS

Control strains of bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 are commonly processed in parallel with test samples in food microbiology laboratories as a quality control measure to assure the satisfactory performance of materials used in the analytical procedure. Before positive findings can be reported for risk management purposes, analysts must have a means of verifying that pathogenic bacteria (e.g., E. coli O157:H7) recovered from test samples are not due to inadvertent contamination with the control strain routinely handled in the laboratory environment. Here, we report on the application of an in-house bioinformatic pipeline for the identification of unique genomic signature sequences in the development of specific oligonucleotide primers enabling the identification of a common positive control strain, E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 35150), using a simple PCR procedure.


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