Factors influencing bacterial colonization of double J ureteral stents: a prospective study.

Background: To investigate the microorganisms responsible for double J stent (DJS) colonization, bacteriuria, and the drug susceptibility of the isolates. We also tried to determine factors associated with stent colonization, such as indwelling time, sex, age, and comorbidities. Materials and methods: This study is a prospective analysis of patients following DJS ablation. A total of 155 patients from our institution were enrolled in this study between January 2023 and May 2023. Bladder urine was collected in a sterile container prior to stent removal for bacteriological exam. The removed stents were divided into three parts: top (Renal), middle (Ureteral), and bottom (Bladder); 3 cm pieces from each part were taken and placed in a sterile test tube for bacteriological investigation. Results: The mean age of patients with positive stent culture was 61.17±12.82 versus 55.94±10.32 when stent culture is negative, which is statistically significant P=0.016. Diabetes and bacteriuria are both correlated with DJS contamination with P<0.001 in the two cases. The mean duration of the use of DJS in patients with colonized stent culture is 6.45±2.98 months versus 4.06±2.20 months for the other patients; the difference is statistically significant P<0.001. The most commonly isolated pathogens on stents were Gram-negative bacilli (53.2%), dominated by Enterobacteriaceae in 19 cases (55.2%). Conclusion: Indwelling time is the only unanimous factor of stent colonization in literature, so we recommend using DJS only if necessary and to remove it as soon as possible.

HPLC-DAD Analysis and Investigation of Biological Properties of the Leaves of Globularia alypum (L.), Infusion Extract.

Globularia alypum L. (GA) belonging to the Globulariaceae family is a Mediterranean plant which is widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, anti-arthritic, antiproliferative, antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of aqueous GA leaf extracts (AGAL). Quantitative analyses of the different constituents of extracts were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests were used for antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities. The antiproliferative study was evaluated using colorectal cancer SW620 cells, while the antibacterial assessment and analysis of the antibiofilm effects were determined by the microdilution method and the crystal violet assay, respectively. AGAL extracts presented several components, mainly Nepetin-7-Glucoside and trans-ferrulic acid. The results showed that they had an important antioxidant (IC50 = 0.34; 0.38 and 1.20 mg/mL) and anti-arthritic (IC50 = 2.94 mg/mL) properties, and these effects are displayed in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, this extract demonstrated significant antiproliferative (IC50 = 50 µg/mL), antibacterial (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL and MBC = 6.25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (59.70% at 25 mg/mL) properties especially against S. aureus. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Effects of Globularia alypum (L.) Leaves.

Globularia alypum L. (GA) is a Mediterranean plant of the Globulariaceae family which is widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities, and the antiproliferative potential of different extracts of this plant. The identification and the quantification of the different constituents of extracts were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests. The antiproliferative study was based on the use of colorectal cancer SW620 cells, including an antibacterial assessment with the microdilution method and analysis of the antibiofilm effects via the crystal violet assay. All extracts presented several components, mainly sesquiterpenes, hydrocarbon, and oxygenated monoterpenes. The results revealed that the maceration extract had the most important antioxidant effect (IC50 = 0.04 and 0.15 mg/mL), followed by the sonication extract (IC50 = 0.18 and 0.28 mg/mL). However, the sonication extract demonstrated significant antiproliferative (IC50 = 20 µg/mL), antibacterial (MIC = 6.25 mg/mLand MBC > 25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (35.78% at 25 mg/mL) properties against S. aureus. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

Chemical characterization and nutritional quality investigations of healthy extra virgin olive oil flavored with chili pepper.

The production of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) flavored with diverse spices, herbs, fruits, and vegetables or natural aromas is believed to provide advantageous properties considering either the high nutritional value or biological activity in addition to the flavoring and industrial aspects. The biological activities including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Tunisian EVOO obtained from "Chemlali" variety and mixed with chili pepper were investigated. Molecular analyses, including the detection of twelve olive-infecting viruses and Pseudomonas savastanoi pv savastanoi, were performed to ensure that the samples were obtained from healthy olive trees and EVOO quality was not affected. Quality parameters like free acidity, peroxide number, oxidative stability, and specific absorption at K232 nm and K270 nm were also investigated and no significant variation was revealed. The content of minor compounds such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, and total phenols showed minor changes. However, the profiles of the volatile compounds showed remarkable differences, which appeared to be the main factor for the observed variability in consumer acceptance. The results showed for the first time high quantities of polyphenols and ortho-diphenols. Four colorimetric methods were used for the determination of the antioxidant activity, namely DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ß-carotene test. Compared to the control, a higher level of antioxidant activity was observed for the flavored EVOO. Furthermore, significant results were obtained in the antimicrobial tests. The quality parameters of the mixture showed no alteration compared to the control. Finally, all the measurements and the chemical characterization gave a scientific basis for food technology innovation of new food products.

Phytochemical profile, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and allelopathic potentials of aqueous leaf extracts of Olea europaea.

Although bioactivities of Olea europaea (OE) have been widely described, most of them were related to its methanolic extracts or its essential oils, While data related to aqueous extracts still very scarce. Thus, in this study, the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, the cytotoxic potential, and the allelopathic potential of aqueous leaf extracts from two varieties of Olea europaea were investigated and compared. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify the constituents of the tested plants, and spectrophotometric methods to evaluate antioxidant activities. The cytotoxic potential was investigated using murine oligodendrocytes (158N) while germination seeds' test was used for allelopathic activity. HPLC analysis showed the presence of 10 phenolic compounds in both extracts. Chemlali variety showed the highest antioxidant and allelopathic activities. Regarding the cytotoxicity effect, a significant increase in cell viability was observed with both of our extracts compared to untreated cells. These results confirm that aqueous extracts from OE produce a range of substances with potential antioxidant, antifungal, and allelopathic effects without toxic effects. Thus, they could be used as an alternative of chemical compounds.

Chemical composition, Fatty acids profile and Biological properties of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns, essential Oil.

T. capitatus is widely used in traditional medicine in Tunisia. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, the fatty acids profile, the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities as well as the cytotoxic potential of the essential oil (EO) of this plant. The identification and the quantification of the different constituents of the tested EO was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activities were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests. HCT 116 cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the EO. The microdilution method was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial activity. Poisoned food method was used to test the antifungal activities against fungi species such Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The EO presented several components, mainly monoterpenes. Results revealed that T. capitatus EO is not cytotoxic and showed excellent antioxidant activity with a dose dependent manner. Regarding antimicrobial activity, T. capitatus EO was efficient against all tested bacteria and fungi.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and the Phenolic Content of Infusion, Decoction and Methanolic Extracts of Thyme and Rosmarinus Species.

BACKGROUND: The plant species Rosmarinus officinalis (RO), Thymus algeriensis (TA) and Thymus capitatus (TC) are widely used in traditional medicine in Tunisia. Their bioactivities have been reported before and particularly referred to their essential oils. The main objective of this work was to assess the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, the antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic potential of these 3 plants. METHOD: The High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), chemical tests and spectrophotometric methods were used for screening, quantification of phytochemicals and for antioxidant activities. Extracts were evaluated for antibacterial potential by the microdilution method. Antifungal activities were tested using the Poisoned food method against: Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The cytotoxic potential of the plant extracts was checked using HCT 116 cultures. RESULTS: Results revealed that aqueous extracts are not toxic compared to the methanolic extracts. Phenolic compounds were detected and these extracts showed excellent antioxidant activity presenting dose-dependent relationship. For antibacterial potential, all tested strains are more sensitive to Thymus extracts than Rosmarinus extracts. However, for antifungal activities, only Rosmarinus extracts inhibited mycelial growth. HPLC analysis allowed the identification of ten compounds with the abundance of gallic acid. CONCLUSION: This study showed important bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and safety potential) of the plant species RO, TA and TC used in traditional medicine.

In vitro spermicidal activity of peptides from amphibian skin: dermaseptin S4 and derivatives.

Sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies present a great risk to the reproductive health of women. Therefore, female-controlled vaginal products directed toward disease prevention and contraception are needed urgently. In the present study, efforts were made to evaluate the contraceptive potency of dermaseptin DS4, an antimicrobial peptide derived from frog skin. To assess the structure-activity relationship between the native DS4 and its derivatives, a set of chemically modified peptides was synthesized and evaluated. Normal human semen samples were used to detect the spermicidal activity of the new compounds. HeLa cultures were used to determine the safety of compounds toward their toxicity. Fluorescent-binding assays were performed to evaluate the rapidity and the irreversibility of the sperm-immobilizing activity of peptides. All DS4 derivatives elicited concentration-dependent spermicidal activity at microgram concentrations (EC(100) values: 25 microg/ml-l mg/ml). The order was K4S4=S4a>S4>K4S4(1-16)a>S4(6-28). In cytotoxicity assay, some compounds were found to be significantly safer than nonoxynol-9, the most widely used spermicide, and their activity was not accompanied by total loss of plasma membrane integrity as detected by fluorescent microscopy. Our data also show that increasing the number of positive charges of the peptide resulted in a reduced cytotoxicity without affecting the spermicidal effect. This study indicates that dermaseptins are spermicidal molecules that deserve to be tested as topical contraceptive with useful activities that can add to their prophylaxis, safety, and effectiveness.

Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antimicrobial peptides from amphibian skin, dermaseptin, and derivatives.

We evaluated the antimicrobial effect of antimicrobial peptides from frog skin belonging to the dermaseptin family against reference and clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains, including penicillin-resistant strains. Dermaseptin S4 exhibited anti-N. gonorrhoeae activity against all strains with MICs ranging between 10 and 100 microg/mL. We then used derivatives of DS4 and determined the anti-N. gonorrhoeae activity of each of analogs. All the derivatives showed antimicrobial activity. Among the different molecules tested, we found that dermaseptins K4S4 (1-16)a and K4S4 (1-28) were the more potent to inhibit N. gonorrhoeae growth with MIC of 10 microg/mL against all strains.

The antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin S4 inhibits HIV-1 infectivity in vitro.

Most of HIV-1 infections are acquired through sexual contact. In the absence of a preventive vaccine, the development of topical microbicides that can block infection at the mucosal tissues is needed. Dermaseptin S4 (DS4) is an antimicrobial peptide derived from amphibian skin, which displays a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, and herpes simplex virus type 1. We show here that DS4 inhibits cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1 infection of P4-CCR5 indicator cells and human primary T lymphocytes. The peptide is effective against R5 and X4 primary isolates and laboratory-adapted strains of HIV-1. Its activity is directed against HIV-1 particles by disrupting the virion integrity. Increasing the number of DS4-positive charges reduced cytotoxicity without affecting the antiviral activity. The modified DS4 inhibited HIV-1 capture by dendritic cells and subsequent transmission to CD4(+) T cells, as well as HIV-1 binding on HEC-1 endometrial cells and transcytosis through a tight epithelial monolayer.