Inhibition of bacterial growth through LED (light-emitting diode) 465 and 630 nm: in vitro.

Photobiomodulation has been used to inactivate bacterial growth, in different laser or LED protocols. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, in ATCC strains and bacteria collected from patients with skin burns, after irradiation with LED; 300 µl of saline solution with bacterial suspension was irradiated at a concentration of 0.5-0.63, by the McFarland scale, after five serial dilutions, with evaluation of pre- and post-irradiation pH and temperature control. The cultures were placed in a bacteriological incubator at 37 °C for 24 h for later counting of colony-forming units (CFU). Data were analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk tests and single-factor ANOVA, with Tukey post hoc (p < 0.05). Both wavelengths and energy densities tested showed inhibition of bacterial growth. The comparison of the irradiated groups (ATCC) with the control group showed the following: S. aureus and P. aeruginosa 465 nm (40 J/cm2) and 630 nm (50 J/cm2) and E. coli 465 nm (40 J/cm2) and 630 nm (30 J/cm2). Among the ATCC S. aureus groups, there was a difference for 630 nm (30 J/cm2) and 465 nm (30, 40, 50 J/cm2). The bacteria from the burned patients were S. aureus (30 and 50 J/cm2) and P. aeruginosa (50 J/cm2). We conclude that different bacterial strains were reduced into colony-forming units after LED irradiation.

Health outcomes in redlined versus non-redlined neighborhoods: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Redlining was a racialized zoning practice in the U.S. that blocked fair access to home loans during the 1930s, and recent research is illuminating health problems in the current residents of these historically redlined areas. However, this work has not yet been holistically summarized. Here, we present the first systematic review and meta-analysis comparing health outcomes in redlined versus non-redlined neighborhoods in U.S. cities. METHODS: We extracted relevant articles in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and Science Direct databases published from January 2010 to September 2021. RESULTS: The search revealed 12 studies on preterm births (n = 3), gunshot-related injuries (n = 2), cancer (n = 1), asthma (n = 1), self-rated health (n = 1), multiple health outcomes (n = 2), heat-related outcomes (n = 1) and COVID-19 incidence and mortality (n = 1). A meta-analysis of three studies found the odds of having preterm birth was significantly higher (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.88; p = 0.02) among women living in redlined areas compared to those in non-redlined areas. Review of other outcomes revealed that gunshot-related injuries, asthma, heat-related outcomes, and multiple chronic conditions were worse in redlined areas, while associations with cancer varied by cancer type. In terms of cause-specific mortality, one study revealed no link between residential redlining and infant mortality rate, while one study on COVID-19 outcomes was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this review presents evidence that living in historically redlined areas is associated with increased risk of multiple serious adverse health outcomes. Further research on mechanisms, remediation, and neighborhood-level interventions is needed to strengthen the understanding of the impacts of redlining on health.

Phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth: a review.

Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth (P. dulce), known as "guamúchil", is a tree native to the American continent. Various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine, primarily for treating gastrointestinal disorders. The phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of this plant are largely responsible for the beneficial health effects attributed to it. A number of authors have studied the antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds of the aril, seed, leaf and root of P. dulce using various methodologies, which can differ considerably in variables such as environmental factors, type of drying, temperature, the way the sample is stored, and the use of different solvents in the various extraction methods. Even methods of quantification by HPLC vary tremendously. This paper summarizes the existing research carried out to date on determining the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of P. dulce.

Highly functionalized ß-lactams and 2-ketopiperazines as TRPM8 antagonists with antiallodynic activity.

The cool sensor transient receptor potential melastatin channel 8 (TRPM8) is highly expressed in trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia, playing a key role in cold hypersensitivity associated to different peripheral neuropathies. Moreover, these channels are aberrantly expressed in different cancers, and seem to participate in tumor progression, survival and invasion. Accordingly, the search for potent and selective TRPM8 modulators attracted great interest in recent years. We describe new heterocyclic TRPM8 antagonist chemotypes derived from N-cloroalkyl phenylalaninol-Phe conjugates. The cyclization of these conjugates afforded highly substituted ß-lactams and/or 2-ketopiperazine (KP) derivatives, with regioselectivity depending on the N-chloroalkyl group and the configuration. These derivatives behave as TRPM8 antagonists in the Ca2+ microfluorometry assay, and confirmed electrophysiologically for the best enantiopure ß-lactams 24a and 29a (IC50, 1.4 and 0.8 µM). Two putative binding sites by the pore zone, different from those found for typical agonists and antagonists, were identified by in silico studies for both ß-lactams and KPs. ß-Lactams 24a and 29a display antitumor activity in different human tumor cell lines (micromolar potencies, A549, HT29, PSN1), but correlation with TRPM8 expression could not be established. Additionally, compound 24a significantly reduced cold allodynia in a mice model of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.

How to minimize the pain of local anesthetic administration.

Expertise in the delivery of effective local analgesia is critical to the success of in-office procedures. Here's how to optimize patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Supporting Self-Management of Cardiovascular Diseases Through Remote Monitoring Technologies: Metaethnography Review of Frameworks, Models, and Theories Used in Research and Development.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health (eHealth) is a rapidly evolving field informed by multiple scientific disciplines. Because of this, the use of different terms and concepts to explain the same phenomena and lack of standardization in reporting interventions often leaves a gap that hinders knowledge accumulation. Interventions focused on self-management support of cardiovascular diseases through the use of remote monitoring technologies are a cross-disciplinary area potentially affected by this gap. A review of the underlying frameworks, models, and theories that have informed projects at this crossroad could advance future research and development efforts. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to identify and compare underlying approaches that have informed interventions focused on self-management support of cardiovascular diseases through the use of remote monitoring technologies. The objective was to achieve an understanding of the distinct approaches by highlighting common or conflicting principles, guidelines, and methods. METHODS: The metaethnography approach was used to review and synthesize researchers' reports on how they applied frameworks, models, and theories in their projects. Literature was systematically searched in 7 databases: Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, and Cochrane Library. Included studies were thoroughly read and coded to extract data for the synthesis. Studies were mainly related by the key ingredients of the underlying approaches they applied. The key ingredients were finally translated across studies and synthesized into thematic clusters. RESULTS: Of 1224 initial results, 17 articles were included. The articles described research and development of 10 different projects. Frameworks, models, and theories (n=43) applied by the projects were identified. Key ingredients (n=293) of the included articles were mapped to the following themes of eHealth development: (1) it is a participatory process; (2) it creates new infrastructures for improving health care, health, and well-being; (3) it is intertwined with implementation; (4) it integrates theory, evidence, and participatory approaches for persuasive design; (5) it requires continuous evaluation cycles; (6) it targets behavior change; (7) it targets technology adoption; and (8) it targets health-related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review support and exemplify the numerous possibilities in the use of frameworks, models, and theories to guide research and development of eHealth. Participatory, user-centered design, and integration with empirical evidence and theoretical modeling were widely identified principles in the literature. On the contrary, less attention has been given to the integration of implementation in the development process and supporting novel eHealth-based health care infrastructures. To better integrate theory and evidence, holistic approaches can combine patient-centered studies with consolidated knowledge from expert-based approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018104397; https://tinyurl.com/y8ajyajt. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/13334.

Breast Prosthesis Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Management Algorithm.

The cosmetic use of devices like prostheses to increase breast volume is nothing new. It is calculated that millions of people have been exposed to silicone in several ways, including breast implants, and since 1964 there has been uncertainty regarding their safety. We did not find in the literature any studies that reported the appearance of a specific immunological disease in patients with silicone breast implants. Furthermore, there are also neither case-control studies nor reports of patients proving that symptoms of autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) occurred after the placement of silicone implants nor that the patients had pre-existing symptoms. Several studies link silicone to allergic reactions and the development of systemic autoimmune diseases; however, other studies deny this association. There are currently several theories about the effect of silicone on the body. One theory with greater acceptance proposes an adjuvant effect of silicone on the development of autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed patients. However, the variety of symptoms occurring in patients who develop these pathologies leads to doubts about the relationship between the adjuvant effects of a silicone prosthesis may have with a specific autoimmune disease or a mix of these diseases. The lack of consensus on this topic obliges a full review of what has already been reported in the literature to integrate the knowledge and propose a focus for new research on this matter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Preclinical Evaluation of the Antimicrobial-Immunomodulatory Dual Action of Xenohormetic Molecules against Haemophilus influenzae Respiratory Infection.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by abnormal inflammation and impaired airway immunity, providing an opportunistic platform for nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infection. In this context, therapies targeting not only overactive inflammation without significant adverse effects, but also infection are of interest. Increasing evidence suggests that polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, may be protective. Here, a Cistus salviifolius plant extract containing quercetin, myricetin, and punicalagin was shown to reduce NTHi viability. Analysis of these polyphenols revealed that quercetin has a bactericidal effect on NTHi, does not display synergies, and that bacteria do not seem to develop resistance. Moreover, quercetin lowered NTHi airway epithelial invasion through a mechanism likely involving inhibition of Akt phosphorylation, and reduced the expression of bacterially-induced proinflammatory markers il-8, cxcl-1, il-6, pde4b, and tnfα. We further tested quercetin's effect on NTHi murine pulmonary infection, showing a moderate reduction in bacterial counts and significantly reduced expression of proinflammatory genes, compared to untreated mice. Quercetin administration during NTHi infection on a zebrafish septicemia infection model system showed a bacterial clearing effect without signs of host toxicity. In conclusion, this study highlights the therapeutic potential of the xenohormetic molecule quercetin against NTHi infection.

Frameworks, Models, and Theories Used in Electronic Health Research and Development to Support Self-Management of Cardiovascular Diseases Through Remote Monitoring Technologies: Protocol for a Metaethnography Review.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health (eHealth) is a multidisciplinary and rapidly evolving field, and thus requires research focused on knowledge accumulation, curation, and translation. Cardiovascular diseases constitute a global health care crisis in which eHealth can provide novel solutions to improve the efficiency and reach of self-management support for patients where they most need it: their homes and communities. A holistic understanding of eHealth projects focused on such case is required to bridge the multidisciplinary gap formed by the wide range of aims and approaches taken by the various disciplines involved. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this review is to facilitate a holistic interpretation of eHealth projects aimed at providing self-management support of cardiovascular diseases in the natural setting of patients, thus priming the use of remote monitoring technologies. The review aims to synthesize the operationalization of frameworks, models, and theories applied to the research and development process of eHealth. METHODS: We will use Noblit and Hare's metaethnography approach to review and synthesize researchers' and practitioners' reports on how they applied frameworks, models, and theories in their projects. We will systematically search the literature in 7 databases: Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library, and the Cochrane Library. We will thoroughly read and code selected studies to extract both raw and contextual data for the synthesis. The relation of the studies will be determined according to the elements of the frameworks, models, or theories the studies applied. We will translate these elements between each other and intend to synthesize holistic principles for eHealth development for the case at hand. RESULTS: The search strategy has been completed, data extraction is almost finalized, and the first synthesis approaches are underway. The search yielded 1224 citations and, after we applied the selection criteria, 17 articles remained. We expect to submit the final results for publication in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: This review is important because it aims to create a holistic understanding of a multidisciplinary topic at the crossroads of eHealth, cardiovascular diseases, and self-management. The value of metaethnography in contrast to other systematic review methods is that its synthesis approach seeks to generate a new understanding of a topic, while preserving the social and theoretical contexts in which findings emerge. Our results will show how useful this method can be in bridging the multidisciplinary gap of eHealth research and development, to inform and advance the importance of holistic approaches, while showcasing this approach for the case of self-management in cardiovascular diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018104397; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php? RecordID=104397 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/75H1kP1Mm). INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/13334.

Preventive Effect of an Infusion of the Aqueous Extract of Chaya Leaves (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) in an Aberrant Crypt Foci Rat Model Induced by Azoxymethane and Dextran Sulfate Sodium.

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) is the precursor lesion of colorectal carcinogenesis (CRC), one of the most common malignancies in the world. Many studies have reported that people with higher phytochemical intake are at a reduced risk of developing ACF. One example of the botanical potential of preventive plant products is Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (CA), commonly known as Chaya. This study evaluated the phenolic profile of CA and the effects of the daily consumption of CA leaf infusion on the formation of ACF, histopathological lesions, and molecular biomarkers after azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced premalignant colon lesions in rats treated with for 16 and 32 weeks. The phenolic composition of the CA infusion was identified by reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (RP-HPCC-DAD). After sacrifice, a 4 cm segment was collected from the distal part of the colon and stained with methylene blue to look for ACF. Furthermore, 4 µm of colon, liver, and kidney was collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological analysis, along with 7 µm of colon for immunohistochemistry analysis. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified in the infusions, and ACF formation was reduced by 29.5% at the subchronic and by 64.6% at chronic stages. Lesions on kidney, liver, and colon tissue were also reduced. Our data suggest that CA treatment has preventive effects against AOM-/DSS-induced premalignant colon lesions in colon rats at the promotion level, inhibiting the cell proliferation of early neoplastic lesions and colonic inflammation through the decrease of ß-catenin by 41.8% at the subchronic stage and 29% at the chronic stage, along with a 46.2% reduction of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) at long term, despite a high expression of NF-κB (30.3% at the subchronic stage and 22.8% at the chronic stage).

Manual therapy in the treatment of patients with hemophilia B and inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: The main clinical manifestations of hemophilia are muscle and joint bleeding. Recurrent bleeding leads to a degenerative process known as hemophilic arthropathy. The development of inhibitors (antibodies against FVIII/FIX concentrates) is the main complication in the treatment of hemophilia. The objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of manual therapy treatment in a patient with hemophilia and inhibitor. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old patient with hemophilia B and inhibitor received physiotherapy treatment based on manual therapy for 3 months, with a frequency of 2 sessions per week. The joint status was evaluated using the Hemophilia Joint Health Score; pain was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale; and the range of movement was evaluated using a universal goniometer. The patient developed no joint bleeding in the knees or ankles as a result of the physiotherapy treatment. Following treatment, improvements were noted in the range of movement of knees and ankles, the perception of pain in both knees, and ankle functionality. CONCLUSIONS: Until now, manual therapy using joint traction was contraindicated in patients with hemophilia and inhibitor, as it was feared to cause possible joint bleeding. This is the first case study to address the safety and efficacy of manual therapy in a patient with hemophilia and an inhibitor. The results of this study may help to establish which manual therapy treatments are indicated in patients with hemophilic arthropathy and inhibitors. Thus, a physiotherapy program based on manual therapy may be safe in patients with hemophilia and inhibitor and such therapy may improve joint condition, pain, and joint range of motion in patients with hemophilia and inhibitor. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of this case study.

Amino acid and peptide prodrugs of diphenylpropanones positive allosteric modulators of α7 nicotinic receptors with analgesic activity.

α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ion channels implicated in a number of CNS pathological processes, including pain and psychiatric, cognitive and inflammatory diseases. Comparing with orthosteric agonism, positive allosteric modulation of these channels constitutes an interesting approach to achieve selectivity versus other nicotinic receptors. We have recently described new chalcones and 1,3-diphenylpropanones as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α7 nAChRs, which proved to have good analgesic activities but poor pharmacokinetic properties. Here we report the preparation of amino acid and peptide derivatives as prodrugs of these modulators with the aim of improving their in vivo biological activity. While the valine derivative showed very short half life in aqueous solutions to be considered a prodrug, Val-Val and Val-Pro-Val are suitable precursors of the parent 1,3-diphenylpropanones, via chemical and enzymatic transformation, respectively. Compounds 19 (Val-Val) and 21 (Val-Pro-Val), prodrugs of the 2',5',4-trihydroxy-1,3-diphenylpropan-1-one 3, showed significant antinociceptive activity in in vivo assays. The best compound, 21, displayed a better profile in the analgesia test than its parent compound 3, exhibiting about the same potency but long-lasting effects.

Significant Hemorrhage Rate Reduction after Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Symptomatic Cavernous Malformations: Long-Term Outcome in 95 Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of cavernous malformations (CMs) has remained unclear. This lack of knowledge has made treatment decisions difficult. Indeed, the use of stereotactic radiosurgery is nowadays controversial. The purpose of this paper is to throw light on the effectiveness of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) therapy. METHODS: The authors reviewed data collected from a prospectively maintained database. A total of 95 patients (57 female and 38 male) underwent GKRS for high-surgical-risk CMs. A total of 76 cavernomas were deeply located (64 lesions in the brainstem and 12 lesions in the thalamus). All of them were located in eloquent regions. The median malformation volume was 1,570 mm3. The median tumor margin dose was 11.87 Gy, and the mean tumor maximum dose was 19.56 Gy. RESULTS: Ninety-five cavernous CMs were managed from 1994 to 2014. All patients had experienced at least 1 symptomatic bleeding incident before treatment (only 1 hemorrhage event in 81%). The median length of follow-up review was 78 months. The pretreatment annual hemorrhage rate was 3.06% compared with 1.4% during the first 3-year latency interval, and 0.16% thereafter (p = 0.004). Four patients developed new location-dependent neurological deficits, and 3 patients had edema-related headache after radiosurgery. All of them presented full recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The best dosage range for preventing bleeding was identified as between 11 and 12 Gy in our series. Although the efficacy of radiosurgery in CMs remains impossible to quantify, a very significant reduction in the bleeding rate occurs after a 3-year latency interval. No permanent neurological morbidity is reported in our series. These results defend the safety of GKRS in surgical high-risk CM from the first bleeding event.

Phaseolus acutifolius Lectin Fractions Exhibit Apoptotic Effects on Colon Cancer: Preclinical Studies Using Dimethilhydrazine or Azoxi-Methane as Cancer Induction Agents.

Phaseolus acutifolius (Tepary bean) lectins have been studied as cytotoxic molecules on colon cancer cells. The toxicological profile of a Tepary bean lectin fraction (TBLF) has shown low toxicity in experimental animals; exhibiting anti-nutritional effects such as a reduction in body weight gain and a decrease in food intake when using a dose of 50 mg/kg on alternate days for six weeks. Taking this information into account, the focus of this work was to evaluate the effect of the TBLF on colon cancer using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) or azoxy-methane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) as colon cancer inductors. Rats were treated with DMH or AOM/DSS and then administered with TBFL (50 mg/kg) for six weeks. TBLF significantly decreased early tumorigenesis triggered by DMH by 70%, but without any evidence of an apoptotic effect. In an independent experiment, AOM/DSS was used to generate aberrant cryptic foci, which decreased by 50% after TBLF treatment. TBLF exhibited antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects related to a decrease of the signal transduction pathway protein Akt in its activated form and an increase of caspase 3 activity, but not to p53 activation. Further studies will deepen our knowledge of specific apoptosis pathways and cellular stress processes such as oxidative damage.

Antinociceptive Activity of Ent-Dihydrotucumanoic Acid Isolated from Gymnosperma glutinosum Spreng Less.

Preclinical Research The diterpene ent-dihydrotumanoic acid (DTA) was among the compounds isolated from Gymnosperma glutinosum (Spreng) Less (Asteraceae). There are no reports regarding the pharmacological effects of DTA. Cytotoxicity against cancer cells (1-250 µM), and the antibacterial (50-1400 µM) activity of DTA were evaluated using the MTT assay, and the minimum inhibitory concentration test, respectively. The antidiarrheal (1-100 mg/kg p.o.) and anti-inflammatory (2 mg/ear) effects of DTA were evaluated using castor oil and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, respectively. The antinociceptive and sedative effects of DTA (1-100 mg/kg p.o.) were evaluated using two models of chemically-induced nociception, and the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time test, respectively. The antinociceptive mechanism of DTA was evaluated using the acetic acid writhing test with inhibitors related to pain processing pathways. The effects of DTA (10-100 mg/kg p.o.) on locomotor activity were evaluated using the rotarod test. DTA lacked cytotoxic activity (IC50 > 100 µM) on cancer cells, possessed moderate antibacterial effects against B. subtillis (MIC= 175 µM), moderate antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory effects, and minimal vasorelaxant effects. In the formalin test, DTA showed antinociceptive effects in both phases. In the acetic acid test, DTA showed antinociceptive activity (ED50 = 50.2 ± 5.6 mg/kg) with potency similar to that of naproxen (NPX; ED50 =33.7 ± 4.5 mg/kg) an effect blocked by naloxone implicating an opioid mechanism. DTA also exerted antidiarrheal activity and showed no sedative effects or changes in locomotor activity in mice. Drug Dev Res 78 : 340-348, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Red and infrared laser therapy inhibits in vitro growth of major bacterial species that commonly colonize skin ulcers.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is used in chronic wounds due to its healing effects. However, bacterial species may colonize these wounds and the optimal parameters for effective bacterial inhibition are not clear. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of LLLT on bacterial growth in vitro. Bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were suspended in saline solution at a concentration of 10(3) cells/ml and exposed to laser irradiation at wavelengths of 660, 830, and 904 nm at fluences of 0 (control), 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 J/cm(2). An aliquot of the irradiated suspension was spread on the surface of petri plates and incubated at 37 °C for quantification of colony-forming unit after 24, 48, and 72 h. Laser irradiation inhibited the growth of S. aureus at all wavelengths and fluences higher than 12 J/cm(2), showing a strong correlation between increase in fluence and bacterial inhibition. However, for P. aeruginosa, LLLT inhibited growth at all wavelengths only at a fluence of 24 J/cm(2). E. coli had similar growth inhibition at a wavelength of 830 nm at fluences of 3, 6, 12, and 24 J/cm(2). At wavelengths of 660 and 904 nm, growth inhibition was only observed at fluences of 12 and 18 J/cm(2), respectively. LLLT inhibited bacterial growth at all wavelengths, for a maximum of 72 h after irradiation, indicating a correlation between bacterial species, fluence, and wavelength.

Auranofin-loaded nanoparticles as a new therapeutic tool to fight streptococcal infections.

Drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) can improve infection treatment by ensuring drug concentration at the right place within the therapeutic window. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs are able to enhance drug localization in target site and to sustainably release the entrapped molecule, reducing the secondary effects caused by systemic antibiotic administration. We have loaded auranofin, a gold compound traditionally used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, into PLGA NPs and their efficiency as antibacterial agent against two Gram-positive pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes was evaluated. Auranofin-PLGA NPs showed a strong bactericidal effect as cultures of multiresistant pneumococcal strains were practically sterilized after 6 h of treatment with such auranofin-NPs at 0.25 µM. Moreover, this potent bactericidal effect was also observed in S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes biofilms, where the same concentration of auranofin-NPs was capable of decreasing the bacterial population about 4 logs more than free auranofin. These results were validated using a zebrafish embryo model demonstrating that treatment with auranofin loaded into NPs achieved a noticeable survival against pneumococcal infections. All these approaches displayed a clear superiority of loaded auranofin PLGA nanocarriers compared to free administration of the drug, which supports their potential application for the treatment of streptococcal infections.

Blue Laser Inhibits Bacterial Growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of blue laser on bacterial growth of the main species that usually colonize cutaneous ulcers, as well as its effect over time following irradiation. BACKGROUND DATA: The use of blue laser has been described as an adjuvant therapeutic method to inhibit bacterial growth, but there is no consensus about the best parameters to be used. METHODS: Strains of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were suspended in saline solution at a concentration of 1.5×10(3) colony forming units (CFU)/mL. Next, 300 µL of this suspension was transferred to a microtitulation plate and exposed to a single blue laser irradiation (450 nm) at fluences of 0 (control), 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 J/cm(2). Each suspension was spread over the surface of a Petri plate before being incubated at 37°C, and counts of CFU were determined after 24 and 48 h. RESULTS: Blue laser inhibited the growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa at fluences >6 J/cm(2). On the other hand, E. coli was inhibited at all fluences tested, except at 24 J/cm(2). CONCLUSIONS: Blue laser light was capable of inhibiting bacterial growth at low fluences over time, thus presenting no time-dependent effect.

Novel phage lysin capable of killing the multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii in a mouse bacteremia model.

Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterium, is now recognized as one of the more common nosocomial pathogens. Because most clinical isolates are found to be multidrug resistant, alternative therapies need to be developed to control this pathogen. We constructed a bacteriophage genomic library based on prophages induced from 13 A. baumannii strains and screened it for genes encoding bacteriolytic activity. Using this approach, we identified 21 distinct lysins with different activities and sequence diversity that were capable of killing A. baumannii. The lysin (PlyF307) displaying the greatest activity was further characterized and was shown to efficiently kill (>5-log-unit decrease) all tested A. baumannii clinical isolates. Treatment with PlyF307 was able to significantly reduce planktonic and biofilm A. baumannii both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, PlyF307 rescued mice from lethal A. baumannii bacteremia and as such represents the first highly active therapeutic lysin specific for Gram-negative organisms in an array of native lysins found in Acinetobacter phage.

Total phenolic compounds in milk from different species. Design of an extraction technique for quantification using the Folin-Ciocalteu method.

Milk protects the health of newborns because it contains essential compounds that perform metabolic activities. Despite these benefits, the study of phenolic compounds in milk has been poorly explored. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a technique for extracting total phenolic compounds (TPCs) from a milk matrix and then analyzing them using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The extraction technique was applied to goat milk and involved the addition of methanol, acetonitrile, and Carrez I and II reagents, after which protein was separated from fat through centrifugation. Subsequently, the technique was applied to goat (69.03±6.23mg GAE/L), cow (49.00±10.77mg GAE/L), sheep (167.6±58.77mg GAE/L) and human milk (82.45±12.3mg GAE/L). The technique showed an acceptable linearity (R(2)=0.9998), limit of detection (6.03mg GAE/L) and quantification (16.2mg GAE/L), repeatability (RSD=4%), reproducibility (RSD=6.8%) and recovery (>85.41%); it is thus effective and can be used in the routine analysis of milk. TPCs obtained from each type of milk indicate a high variability among species and among members of the same species.