Multiple Site Dissimilarities of Herbaceous Species Due to Coal Fly Ash Dumping Based Soil Heavy Metal Toxication.

The present study analyzes the determinants and patterns of the regional, local, and differential plant diversity of two different sites with similar climatic but varied edaphic factors. This research was undertaken to study the plant diversity and population structure as a consequence of variation in the soil quality between two biotopes: Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Koni (site-I) and National Thermal Power Corporation in Sipat (site-II). The soil of site-I was found to be fertile and showed rich vegetation. On the other hand, the soil of site II was found to be contaminated with heavy metals, which impacts the flora of the region. The ecology of both sites was studied, and their quantitative and qualitative aspects were compared and contrasted. The abundance, density, and richness of the plants in site II were fairly lower than in site-I, which was confirmed by utilizing Simpson's and Shannon's diversity indices. Many of the species collected from site II were heavy metal accumulators and could also serve as indicators of heavy metal toxicity.

3-indoleacetonitrile attenuates biofilm formation and enhances sensitivity to imipenem in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii poses a global danger due to its ability to resist most of the currently available antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, the rise of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates has limited the treatment options available. In the present study, plant auxin 3-indoleacetonitrile (3IAN) was found to inhibit biofilm formation and motility of A. baumannii at sublethal concentration. Mechanistically, 3IAN inhibited the synthesis of the quorum sensing signal 3-OH-C12-HSL by downregulating the expression of the abaI autoinducer synthase gene. 3IAN was found to reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration of A. baumannii ATCC 17978 against imipenem, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, and levofloxacin, and significantly decreased persistence against imipenem. Inhibition of efflux pumps by downregulating genes expression may be responsible for enhanced sensitivity and low persistence. 3IAN reduced the resistance to imipenem in carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates by downregulating the expression of OXA ß-lactamases (blaoxa-51 and blaoxa-23), outer membrane protein carO, and transporter protein adeB. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of 3IAN, which could be explored as an adjuvant with antibiotics for controlling A. baumannii infections.

Tobramycin Stress Induced Differential Gene Expression in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections with significant fatality rates globally. Therapeutic failure and relapse of infection has been associated with persister cells formation which can also lead to resistance in A. baumannii. In the present study, we observed that A. baumannii ATCC 17978 in exponential phase survived lethal concentrations of amikacin, rifampicin and ciprofloxacin by generating persister cells but was unable to survive tobramycin treatment. The transcriptome of A. baumannii ATCC 17978 was analyzed following exposure to a high concentration of tobramycin (10 × MIC) for a short period of time to study the possible mechanisms responsible for lethality. Tobramycin reduced the expression of genes involved in energy production (nuoH, nuoN, nuoM, cydA, sucC), oxidative stress protection (tauD, cysD), and nutrition uptake (ompW) significantly. In addition, hemerythrin (non-heme di-iron oxygen-binding protein) was found to be the most downregulated gene in response to tobramycin which needs to be further studied for its role in susceptibility to antibiotics. Tobramycin upregulated the expression of genes that are mainly involved in stress response (leucine catabolism, DNA repair and HicAB toxin-antitoxin system). The differentially expressed genes highlighted in the study provided insight into the probable molecular mechanism of tobramycin-induced cell death and revealed some novel targets that can be explored further for their potential to control A. baumannii.

Potential genes associated with survival of Acinetobacter baumannii under ciprofloxacin stress.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that has acquired resistance to all available drugs. The rise in multi-drug resistance in A. baumannii has been exacerbated by its ability to tolerate antibiotics due to the persister cells, which are phenotypic variants of normal cells that can survive various stress conditions, resulting in chronicity of infection. In the present study we observed that A. baumannii formed persister cells against lethal concentration of ciprofloxacin in exponential phase. The transcriptome of A. baumannii was analyzed after exposure to high concentration of ciprofloxacin (50X MIC) to determine the possible mechanisms of survival. Transcriptome analysis showed differential expression of 146 genes, of which 101 were up-regulated and 45 were down-regulated under ciprofloxacin stress. Differentially expressed genes that might be important for persistence against ciprofloxacin were involved in DNA repair, phenylacetic acid degradation, leucine catabolism, HicAB toxin-antitoxin system and ROS response (iron-sulfur clusters, hemerythrin-like metal binding and Kdp). recA, umuD and ddrR genes involved in SOS response were also up-regulated. Knockout of umuD showed significant decrease in persister cells formation while they were completely eradicated in recA mutant strain. The differentially expressed genes highlighted in the study merit further investigation as therapeutic targets for effective control of A. baumannii infections.

Combination of colistin and tobramycin inhibits persistence of Acinetobacter baumannii by membrane hyperpolarization and down-regulation of efflux pumps.

Acinetobacter baumannii, a leading cause of nosocomial infections, is a serious health threat. Limited therapeutic options due to multi-drug resistance and tolerance due to persister cells have urged the scientific community to develop new strategies to combat infections caused by this pathogen effectively. Since combination antibiotic therapy is an attractive strategy, the effect of combinations of antibiotics, belonging to four classes, was investigated on eradication of persister cells in A. baumannii. Among the antibiotics included in the study, tobramycin-based combinations were found to be the most effective. Tobramycin, in combination with colistin or ciprofloxacin, eradicated persister cells in A. baumannii in late exponential and stationary phases of growth. Mechanistically, colistin facilitated the entry of tobramycin into cells by increasing membrane permeability and inducing hyperpolarization of the inner membrane accompanied by increase in ROS production. Expression of the genes encoding universal stress protein and efflux pumps was down-regulated in response to tobramycin and colistin, suggesting increased lethality of their combination that might be responsible for eradication of persister cells. Thus, a combination of tobramycin and colistin could be explored as a promising option for preventing the relapse of A. baumannii infections due to persister cells.

Evaluation of Microleakage with Total Etch, Self Etch and Universal Adhesive Systems in Class V Restorations: An In vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: Adhesive dentistry is overwhelmingly evolving with respect to the dental surgeon's and patient's perspective. Embracing the concept of minimally invasive dentistry which follows minimum intervention performed to produce good adhesion and tooth coloured restoration, in turn makes the newer generation bonding agents more acceptable and appropriate withstanding the demand for stable restoration. AIM: To study and compare the extent of microleakage between tooth and restoration interface in class V composite resin restorations applying one Total Etch (AdperTM single bond), two Self Etch (AdperTM SE Plus, AdperTM Easy One) and Universal bonding agents using dye penetration method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 freshly orthodontically extracted human maxillary and mandibular premolars were included in the study. Class V cavities were prepared with a cylindrical diamond bur on the facial surface of each tooth, having approximate dimensions of 3 mm × 2.5 mm × 1.5 mm. Teeth were divided into four groups (30 in each group). Group A AdperTM single bond 2 (3M ESPE), Group B AdperTM SE Plus (3M ESPE), Group C AdperTM Easy One (3M ESPE), Group D AdperTM Single Bond Universal (3M ESPE) bonding agents were applied as per the manufacturer's instructions and the cavities were then restored with nanohybrid composite resin (Tetric N Ceram Ivoclar Vivadent). Teeth were then thermocycled for 200 cycles at 5°-55°C with 60 seconds of dwell time. Specimens were subjected to a dye leakage test. Microleakage was evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Data was analysed using Kruskal- Wallis, Dunn and Mann-Whitney test to assess the difference in microleakage among various adhesives. RESULTS: The present study revealed that the microleakage was more at the gingival margin when compared with occlusal and this was found to be statistically significant. At the occlusal margin statistical significant difference was found only between AdperTM Easy one and AdperTM SE Plus, on the other hand at gingival margin no statistical significant difference was found. CONCLUSION: One step self etch agents showed less microleakage than total etches and universal adhesive at occlusal margin. Higher degree of microleakage was observed at gingival margin compared to occlusal margin.

Efficacy of Triple Antibiotic Paste, Moxifloxacin, Calcium Hydroxide And 2% Chlorhexidine Gel In Elimination of E. Faecalis: An In vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: Root canal treatment is incomplete without usage of intra canal medicaments. They help in the reduction of bacterial count and its by-products, making canals clean and decreasing postoperative pains. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of triple antibiotic paste, Moxifloxacin, calcium hydroxide and 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) gel in elimination of Enterococcous faecalis (E. faecalis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five root blocks were obtained from extracted single rooted human teeth. The canal diameter was increased using Gates- Glidden drill up to size 3 and then contaminated with E. faecalis for 21 days. The contaminated samples were then divided into following 5 groups. Group 1: Saline (negative group), Group 2: Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2, Group 3: 2% CHX gel, Group 4: Triple Antibiotic Paste (TAP) (50 µg - metronidazole of 400 mg, 50 µg - minocycline of 100 mg, 50 µg - ciprofloxacin of 100 mg) and Group 5: Moxifloxacin (50 µg - moxifloxacin of 400 mg). Dentin debris was obtained at the end of first, 7th, and 10th day using Gates Glidden drill sizes 4 and 5. The bacterial load was assessed by counting the number of Colony Forming Units (CFUs). The data were analyzed with the ANOVA and Post-Hoc tests to assess the differences in antibacterial efficacy between groups (p=<0.001). RESULTS: A 2% CHX gel alone completely inhibited the growth of E. faecalis after one, seven and 10 days. The 2% CHX gel was the most effective medicament against E. faecalis, as it showed significant differences with normal saline, calcium hydroxide, Moxifloxacin or triple antibiotic paste at all time intervals. The triple antibiotic paste group showed a moderate antibacterial effect as its difference with all group was significantly better at all days. Moxifloxacin was more effective than calcium hydroxide on 7th and 10th day. CONCLUSION: Best antimicrobial efficacy was shown by 2% CHX gel. Moxifloxacin was equally efficient compared to triple antibiotic paste against E. faecalis at longer intervals of time.