Antimicrobial Activities of Saponaria cypria Boiss. Root Extracts, and the Identification of Nine Saponins and Six Phenolic Compounds.

The purpose of this study was to identify the chemical components in root extracts of Saponaria cypria, an endemic species of Cyprus. Subsequently, the synergistic bioactivity of its root extracts through different extraction procedures was also investigated for the first time. A total of nine saponins, along with six phenolic compounds, were identified and quantified using the UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS method. Additionally, S. cypria root extracts demonstrated antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella enteritidis. S. aureus presented the highest susceptibility among all bacteria tested. These findings provide the first phytochemical data regarding the saponin, phenolic content and antimicrobial activity of S. cypria extracts, indicating that the Cyprus saponaria species is a rich natural source for bioactive compounds with a potentially wider bioactivity spectrum.

Chemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Different Types of Tissue of Cedrus brevifolia Henry Extracts.

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of different types of tissue of Cedrus brevifolia Henry (Pinaceae) methanolic extracts, namely needles, twigs, branches, and bark. Cedrus brevifolia is a narrow endemic coniferous tree species of Cyprus, growing in a sole population in the mountainous area of Paphos Forest. Chemical analysis of the extracts was performed using liquid chromatography combined with time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/Q-TOF/HRMS). The majority of the 36 compounds tentatively identified belonged to the flavonoids family. The extract of needles was the richest extract in terms of secondary metabolites. The extracts were studied for their antioxidant activity using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Additionally, the antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining both the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. All extracts demonstrated antioxidant property, while bark gave the highest antioxidant capacity (IC50 value of 0.011 mg/mL) compared to the other tissues. Antibacterial activity was observed against both types of bacteria, with the extract of branches presenting the strongest activity against S. aureus (MIC, 0.097 mg/mL and MBC, 0.195 mg/mL). This is the first time that extracts of needles, twigs, branches, and bark of C. brevifolia are compared regarding their chemical composition as well as their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Effect of Augmented Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Rectal Swab Culture-guided Targeted Prophylaxis on the Risk of Sepsis Following Transrectal Prostate Biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a severe complication following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPBx). Ciprofloxacin is commonly used for prophylaxis; however, there is an increasing incidence of resistant enteric organisms worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a targeted prophylactic antimicrobial regimen based on rectal swab cultures in reducing the rate of sepsis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1012 patients were included. Group A (609 patients) received an empirical prophylactic antimicrobial regimen of gentamicin, metronidazole, and ciprofloxacin. Targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis was introduced due to significant ciprofloxacin and gentamicin resistance in patients admitted with sepsis following TRUSPBx. The remaining 403 patients (Group B) had rectal swab cultures performed prior to biopsy. Patients with organisms resistant to ciprofloxacin or gentamicin received a targeted prophylaxis regimen of fosfomycin, amikacin, and metronidazole. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We retrospectively collected and analysed data on sepsis and bacteraemia for all patients as well as data on rectal swab culture, recent foreign travel, and recent antibiotic use for patients in Group B. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: In group A, 12 (2.0%) patients developed sepsis following TRUSPBx, while in group B, 9 (2.2%) patients developed sepsis despite targeted prophylaxis (p=0.82). Patients with ciprofloxacin-resistant rectal flora had a significantly higher rate of sepsis (9.1% vs 1.1%; p=0.003). There was a reduction in patients admitted with bacteraemia and severe sepsis between group A (1.2%) and group B (0.3%) which did not reach statistical significance (p=0.16). In group B, 55 of 403 (13.6%) patients had ciprofloxacin-resistant rectal flora, while 66 (16.4%) had organisms resistant to both ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. A recent foreign travel history was associated with an increased incidence of ciprofloxacin-resistant rectal flora (23.6% vs 10.8%; p=0.007). The main limitations of our study include its retrospective nature and potential under-reporting of less severe infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal swab cultures identify patients with ciprofloxacin-resistant rectal flora who have an eight-fold risk of sepsis. Targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis may not be beneficial in reducing the sepsis rate when compared with augmented empirical prophylaxis. In an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, transperineal prostate biopsies should be considered to reduce the risk of infective complications. PATIENT SUMMARY: Performing rectal swab culture prior to transrectal prostate biopsy can help identify patients at risk of developing sepsis despite targeted prophylactic antibiotics.

Differential expression of molecular motors in the motor cortex of sporadic ALS.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the selective neurodegeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are inadequately understood. Recent breakthroughs have implicated impaired axonal transport, mediated by molecular motors, as a key element for disease onset and progression. The current work identifies the expression of 15 kinesin-like motors in healthy human motor cortex, including three novel isoforms. Our comprehensive quantitative mRNA analysis in control and sporadic ALS (SALS) motor cortex specimens detects SALS-specific down-regulation of KIF1Bbeta and novel KIF3Abeta, two isoforms we show to be enriched in the brain, and also of SOD1, a key enzyme linked to familial ALS. This is accompanied by a marked reduction of KIF3Abeta protein levels. In the motor cortex KIF3Abeta localizes in cholinergic neurons, including upper motor neurons. No mutations causing splicing defects or altering protein-coding sequences were identified in the genes of the three proteins. The present study implicates two motor proteins as possible candidates in SALS pathology.