The apoptotic effect of the Lycopodium clavatum extracts on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is a significant health problem worldwide, and the search for effective treatments is critical. Side effects of cancer treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy reduce the patient's standard of living. Recently, natural compounds from plants have gained attention as potential anticancer agents due to their safety, low toxicity, and potential efficacy. Lycopodium Clavatum (LC) is an herb abundant in tropical regions and Europe and is known for its various medicinal properties. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of LC Water Extract (LC-WE) and LC Ethanol Extract (LC-EE) plant extracts on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Our results showed that LC treatment led to a dose and time-dependent cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells, indicating its potential as an anticancer agent against human breast cancer. Additionally, we observed that LC treatment activated apoptosis-related proteins, including BAX, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9. These results suggest that LC may induce apoptosis as a mechanism underlying its cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Previous studies have shown the anti-cancer potential of LC against different types of cancer. However, the anti-cancer effect of LC on human breast cancer cells has not been investigated to date. Therefore, our study provides novel insights into the potential of LC as an anti-cancer agent against breast cancer. Overall, our results highlight the potential of LC as a promising natural compound for breast cancer treatment.

Cytotoxic effects of contemporary bulk-fill dental composites: A real-time cell analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of contemporary flowable and paste-like bulk-fill dental composites by using a real-time cell analysis. In the present paper, cytotoxicity levels of five flowable, five paste-like bulk-fill composite materials and one conventional flowable, one conventional paste-like resin composite were examined on L929 mouse fibroblast cell line. After seeding 25,000 cells/300 µL/well cell suspensions into the wells of an E-plate, test materials were added and observed at every 30 min intervals for 72 h. Kruskal Wallis H and Mann Whitney U multiple comparison tests were used to analyze the results. Pre-reacted glass-ionomer (PRG) containing bulk-fill composites were severely toxic at all time points (24, 48 and 72 h, p<0.05). None of the tested composites demonstrated high cell viability (>70%) at 48 and 72 h. Flowable and paste-like composites of the same brand exhibited similar cytotoxic properties (p>0.05).

RS sample: Can be guide for empirical treatment of haematological malignancy patients?

Neutropenia due to intensive chemotherapy in haematological malignancy patients leaves the host vulnerable and makes them susceptible to infections. Infections are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality especially in haematological malignancy and chemotherapy patients. In addition, the use of multiple or inappropriate antibiotics leads to the development of resistant microorganisms. Therefore, the choice of empirical treatment is of vital important in these patient groups. Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae are among the most frequently isolated Gram negative bacteria in neutropenic patients. Rectal swab (RS) samples were obtained from haematological malignancy patients not yet on chemotherapy or have no infection on chemotherapy period, E. coli was isolated from these samples, and A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae colonization were investigated. Susceptibilities of bacteria against antibiotics used in empirical treatment and prophylaxis were determined by using Gradient test strips according to the EUCAST recommendation. All isolates were sensitive against colistin. The resistant rates of antibiotics were detected as 39.1%, 9.4%, 6.8%, 35.1%, 31%, 39.1% for ciprofloxacin, meropenem, imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, ceftazidime respectively The clonal relationship between Gram negative bacteria of intestinal flora and infection agents of same patient was investigated by Pulsed-Field gel electrophoresis. Twenty-three of the 30 patients (76.6%) were found to have a clonal relationship between the bacterial isolates before and after infection. It was determined that it can be able to predict with RS samples about possible agents of infection and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

Purification and mass spectrometry based characterization of a pediocin produced by Pediococcus acidilactici 13.

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by several bacterial species. Among the bacteriocins pediocin-like bacteriocins have a significant inhibitory activity on the foodborne pathogens especially on Listeria monocytogenes. This study aims to select a simple and usable purification method to purify/concentrate the antimicrobial peptide and characterization of the bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus acidilactici 13 by using proteomic approaches which is a recent omic technology. For purification dialysis, ultrafiltration method was used, and as a result of this study the bacteriocin activity reached 819,200 AU/mL from 102,400 AU/mL initially. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis and then matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis were carried out to identify the current bacteriocin and related proteins. Obtained data revealed similarity to pediocin PA-1 transport/processing ATP-binding protein PedD (accession number: P36497), pediocin operon PedC (accession number: Q68GC4) and bacteriocin pediocin PA-1 (accession number: P29430) from UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot databank, thus the bacteriocin produced by P. acidilactici 13 is considered similar to pediocin PA-1.

Predictive model for the reduction of heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in ground beef by the combined effect of sodium chloride and apple polyphenols.

We investigated the combined effect of three internal temperatures (57.5, 60, and 62.5°C) and different concentrations (0 to 3.0 wt/wt.%) of sodium chloride (NaCl) and apple polyphenols (APP), individually and in combination, on the heat-resistance of a five-strain cocktail of Listeria monocytogenes in ground beef. A complete factorial design (3×4×4) was used to assess the effects and interactions of heating temperature, NaCl, and APP. All 48 combinations were tested twice, to yield 96 survival curves. Mathematical models were then used to quantitate the combined effect of these parameters on heat resistance of the pathogen. The theoretical analysis shows that compared with heat alone, the addition of NaCl enhanced and that of APP reduced the heat resistance of L. monocytogenes measured as D-values. By contrast, the protective effect of NaCl against thermal inactivation of the pathogen was reduced when both additives were present in combination, as evidenced by reduction of up to ~68% in D-values at 57.5°C; 65% at 60°C; and 25% at 62.5°C. The observed high antimicrobial activity of the combination of APP and low salt levels (e.g., 2.5% APP and 0.5% salt) suggests that commercial and home processors of meat could reduce the salt concentration by adding APP to the ground meat. The influence of the combined effect allows a reduction of the temperature of heat treatments as well as the salt content of the meat. Meat processors can use the predictive model to design processing times and temperatures that can protect against adverse effects of contaminated meat products. Additional benefits include reduced energy use in cooking, and the addition of antioxidative apple polyphenols may provide beneficial health affects to consumers.

Some growth parameters and antimicrobial activity of a bacteriocin-producing strain Pediococcus acidilactici 13.

Some growth parameters and bacteriocin production by the strain Pediococcus acidilactici 13, were screened in this study. The inhibitor substance produced by this strain showed strong antimicrobial activity at 204,800 AU/mL (Activity Units/mL) against the gram positive food borne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, when the incubation temperature was 37 degrees C and the initial pH of the medium, TGE (Trypton Glucose Yeast Extract), was 6.0. The bacteriocin-producing strain had considerable resistance NaCl, since the strain maintained to growth up to 10% NaCl concentrations at TGE broth and was able to grow in a wide temperature range (25-50 degrees C). The strain was identified as P. acidilactici with API 50 CHL, as well as with 16S rRNA gene sequencing.