Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation,ulcers and irritation of the mucosal lining.Oral drug delivery in UC encounters challenges because of multifaceted barriers.D...Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation,ulcers and irritation of the mucosal lining.Oral drug delivery in UC encounters challenges because of multifaceted barriers.Dexamethasone-loaded galactosylated-PLGA/Eudragit S100/pullulan nanocargoes(Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs)have been developed with a dual stimuli-sensitive coating responsive to both colonic pH and microbiota,and an underneath galactosylated-PLGA core(GP).The galactose ligand of the GP preferentially binds to the macrophage galactose type-lectin-C(MGL-2)surface receptor.Therefore,both stimuli and ligand-mediated targeting facilitate nanocargoes to deliver Dexa specifically to the colon with enhanced macrophage uptake.Modified emulsion method coupled with a solvent evaporation coating technique was employed to prepare Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs.The nanocargoes were tested using in vitro,ex vivo techniques and dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)induced UC model.Prepared nanocargoes had desired physicochemical properties,drug release,cell uptake and cellular viability.Investigations using a DSS-colitis model showed high localization and mitigation of colitis with downregulation of NF-ĸB and COX-2,and restoration of clinical,histopathological,biochemical indices,antioxidant balance,microbial alterations,FTIR spectra,and epithelial junctions’integrity.Thus,Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs found to be biocompatible nanocargoes capable of delivering drugs to the inflamed colon with unique targeting properties for prolonged duration.展开更多
Objective:To study the chemical profile,antimicrobial properties,and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum(C.Agardh)Montagne,collect...Objective:To study the chemical profile,antimicrobial properties,and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum(C.Agardh)Montagne,collected in Morocco.Methods:The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The oil was evaluated for antibacterial(Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis,Micrococcus luteus,Staphylococcus aureus,and Klebsiella pneumoniae),and antifungal activity(Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida krusei,and Candida parapsilosis),by the disc diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations of the oil were determined,as well as the synergistic effects of its application combined with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,by the checkerboard method.Results:Thirty molecules were identified in the essential oil,comprising 96.27%of the total oil composition.Monoterpenes such as carvacrol(36.06%)were the most abundant compounds,followed by caryophyllene(14.67%),endo-borneol(9.04%),pyroterebic acid(3.23%)and caryophyllene oxide(3.13%).The oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 9.0 to 15.0 mm.The minimum inhibitory concentration values varied between 0.9 and 14.7 mg/mL,and Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were the more sensitive bacteria with 0.9 and 1.9 mg/mL,respectively.The minimum microbicidal concentration values ranged from 0.4 to 14.7 mg/mL.A significant synergic action was observed when the oil was applied in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,with fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.31 to 0.50.Synergy was found in 80%of the combinations and a 2 to 16-fold reduction of antibiotics MIC was observed.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the essential oil of Centroceras clavulatum should be further appraised for its potential use in the management of multi-drug resistant microorganisms,with the purpose to restore the activity of standard antimicrobial drugs.展开更多
Uncontrolled uses of antibiotics have led to rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistance bacteria and antibiotic resistance gene transfer, especially in a pool of aquatic system where resistance, intermediate and suscept...Uncontrolled uses of antibiotics have led to rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistance bacteria and antibiotic resistance gene transfer, especially in a pool of aquatic system where resistance, intermediate and susceptible bacteria to some antibiotics strive together. Consequently, there is a transfer of resistance genes. In this study, bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family and some gram positive bacteria isolated from some boreholes and hand dug wells water of public use were tested on 19 antibiotics of different classes. This was achieved through a disk diffusion technique to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the said bacteria, microbial resistance index of the drugs used (and their ability to produce Beta-lactamase). These isolates were shown to demonstrate a very high resistance to the drugs used in the area. The resistance was highest in Escherichia coli 1 (73.68%) and lowest in Streptococcus pneumoniae (47.82%). These isolates also indicated very high levels of multi-drug resistance. The minimum resistance index was 0.47, indicating that bacteria isolates were of fecal origin. It is evident from the present study that multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria can thrive in water as an environmental reservoir, and can therefore provide a route to multidrug-resistant pathogens to enter human and animal population.展开更多
OBJECTIVE： The increasing popularity and widespread use of traditional Chinese herbs as alterna- tive medicine have sparked an interest in understanding their biosafety, especially in decoctions that are consumed. Th...OBJECTIVE： The increasing popularity and widespread use of traditional Chinese herbs as alterna- tive medicine have sparked an interest in understanding their biosafety, especially in decoctions that are consumed. This study aimed to assess the level of microbial and heavy metal contamination in commonly consumed herbal medicine in Malay- sia and the effects of boiling on these contamination levels. METHODS： Four commonly consumed Chinese herbal medicine in Malaysia-＂Eight Treasure Herbal Tea＂, ＂Herbal Tea＂, Xiyangshen （Radix Panacis Quin- quefolii） and Dangshen （Radix Codonopsis） were evaluated in this study. Herbal medicines were pre- pared as boiled and non-boiled decoctions, and their microbial enumeration and heavy metal detection were conducted with plate assay and atom- ic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. RESULTS： Findings revealed that herbal medicines generally had 6 Iogl0cfu/mL microbial cells and that boiling had significantly reduced microbial contaminants, where no Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Clostridium spp. were recovered. Heavy metals such as Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Fe and Zn were also detect- ed from all the samples, generally in low concentra- tions （〈1 mg/L） except for Mn （18.545 mg/L）. All de- coctions （after boiling） have reduced concentra- tions of Cu, while others were not significantly dif- ferent. Comparisons between samples with single and multi-herbs suggest level of microbial and metal contamination is not influenced by number of herbs in sample. CONCLUSION： Herbal medicines generally have microbial and heavy metal contaminants. However, the boiling process to generate decoctions was able to successfully reduce the number of microbes and Cu, ensuring safety of herbal medicines for consumption.展开更多
耐药结核病是2035年实现全球终结结核病流行目标的巨大障碍。世界卫生组织(World Health Organization,WHO)倡导采用快速分子药物敏感性检测技术进行耐药结核病早期诊断,而覆盖全面可靠的耐药检测靶标是提高分子药物敏感性检测技术可靠...耐药结核病是2035年实现全球终结结核病流行目标的巨大障碍。世界卫生组织(World Health Organization,WHO)倡导采用快速分子药物敏感性检测技术进行耐药结核病早期诊断,而覆盖全面可靠的耐药检测靶标是提高分子药物敏感性检测技术可靠性的关键。WHO于2023年11月发布《结核分枝杆菌耐药相关基因突变目录(第2版)》,目的是基于更广泛的全球数据汇总形成更为全面准确的耐药相关基因突变目录,为开发与完善基于测序或其他方法的新型分子药物敏感性检测技术提供支持。本文对第2版目录相较于第1版目录在分析流程与耐药突变等内容的更新进行了详细的解读,并对未来目录完善的方向进行了展望。展开更多
Background: Healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of patients worldwide. Children have greater susceptibility to healthcare-associated infections due to the immaturity of their immune system. Co...Background: Healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of patients worldwide. Children have greater susceptibility to healthcare-associated infections due to the immaturity of their immune system. Contact precautions aim to promote safety, protection and prevention of contamination. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify adherence to contact precaution measures, as well as compliance to the use of personal protective equipment. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out from July to October 2019 using a checklist to evaluate health professionals’ adherence to hand hygiene procedures and the use of gloves and surgical gowns when assisting children on contact precautions. Results: A total of 941 observations were carried out in a total of 300.532 hours. Hand hygiene was performed before and after contact with the patient in 58.84% and 75.09% of the cases, respectively and a surgical gown was used in 86.40% of the cases. The use of gloves was the variable most adhered to by professionals (87.57%). Intensive care unit professionals were the care workers who most complied with the regulation regarding hand hygiene after contact with the patient (p = 0.009) and the use of the surgical gown (p < 0.001). The correct hand hygiene technique was the recommendation with least adherence. Non-compliance to the hand hygiene technique was statistically significant among intensive care unit professionals (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Adherence to hand hygiene before contact with the patient and compliance with the hand hygiene technique were neglected by most professionals. However, there was good adherence to the use of surgical gloves and gowns, as well as high compliance to the techniques of removing these items. .展开更多
基金the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for the provision of HEC Indigenous scholarship (PIN No. 315-12214-2BS3-132) for the research workthe provision of grant under HEC NRPU project No. 9272/Federal/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2017
文摘Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation,ulcers and irritation of the mucosal lining.Oral drug delivery in UC encounters challenges because of multifaceted barriers.Dexamethasone-loaded galactosylated-PLGA/Eudragit S100/pullulan nanocargoes(Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs)have been developed with a dual stimuli-sensitive coating responsive to both colonic pH and microbiota,and an underneath galactosylated-PLGA core(GP).The galactose ligand of the GP preferentially binds to the macrophage galactose type-lectin-C(MGL-2)surface receptor.Therefore,both stimuli and ligand-mediated targeting facilitate nanocargoes to deliver Dexa specifically to the colon with enhanced macrophage uptake.Modified emulsion method coupled with a solvent evaporation coating technique was employed to prepare Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs.The nanocargoes were tested using in vitro,ex vivo techniques and dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)induced UC model.Prepared nanocargoes had desired physicochemical properties,drug release,cell uptake and cellular viability.Investigations using a DSS-colitis model showed high localization and mitigation of colitis with downregulation of NF-ĸB and COX-2,and restoration of clinical,histopathological,biochemical indices,antioxidant balance,microbial alterations,FTIR spectra,and epithelial junctions’integrity.Thus,Dexa-GP/ES/Pu NCs found to be biocompatible nanocargoes capable of delivering drugs to the inflamed colon with unique targeting properties for prolonged duration.
基金the Researchers Supporting Project number(RSP-2021/56)King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia+2 种基金the Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)the Portuguese National Budget for the UIDB/04326/2019 projectthe FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus(CEECIND/00425/2017).
文摘Objective:To study the chemical profile,antimicrobial properties,and synergistic effect with known antibiotics of essential oil extracted from the marine red macroalgae Centroceras clavulatum(C.Agardh)Montagne,collected in Morocco.Methods:The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The oil was evaluated for antibacterial(Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,Bacillus subtilis,Micrococcus luteus,Staphylococcus aureus,and Klebsiella pneumoniae),and antifungal activity(Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida krusei,and Candida parapsilosis),by the disc diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory and minimum microbicidal concentrations of the oil were determined,as well as the synergistic effects of its application combined with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,by the checkerboard method.Results:Thirty molecules were identified in the essential oil,comprising 96.27%of the total oil composition.Monoterpenes such as carvacrol(36.06%)were the most abundant compounds,followed by caryophyllene(14.67%),endo-borneol(9.04%),pyroterebic acid(3.23%)and caryophyllene oxide(3.13%).The oil exhibited a moderate antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 9.0 to 15.0 mm.The minimum inhibitory concentration values varied between 0.9 and 14.7 mg/mL,and Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were the more sensitive bacteria with 0.9 and 1.9 mg/mL,respectively.The minimum microbicidal concentration values ranged from 0.4 to 14.7 mg/mL.A significant synergic action was observed when the oil was applied in combination with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole,with fractional inhibitory concentration index values ranging from 0.31 to 0.50.Synergy was found in 80%of the combinations and a 2 to 16-fold reduction of antibiotics MIC was observed.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the essential oil of Centroceras clavulatum should be further appraised for its potential use in the management of multi-drug resistant microorganisms,with the purpose to restore the activity of standard antimicrobial drugs.
文摘Uncontrolled uses of antibiotics have led to rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistance bacteria and antibiotic resistance gene transfer, especially in a pool of aquatic system where resistance, intermediate and susceptible bacteria to some antibiotics strive together. Consequently, there is a transfer of resistance genes. In this study, bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family and some gram positive bacteria isolated from some boreholes and hand dug wells water of public use were tested on 19 antibiotics of different classes. This was achieved through a disk diffusion technique to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the said bacteria, microbial resistance index of the drugs used (and their ability to produce Beta-lactamase). These isolates were shown to demonstrate a very high resistance to the drugs used in the area. The resistance was highest in Escherichia coli 1 (73.68%) and lowest in Streptococcus pneumoniae (47.82%). These isolates also indicated very high levels of multi-drug resistance. The minimum resistance index was 0.47, indicating that bacteria isolates were of fecal origin. It is evident from the present study that multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria can thrive in water as an environmental reservoir, and can therefore provide a route to multidrug-resistant pathogens to enter human and animal population.
文摘OBJECTIVE： The increasing popularity and widespread use of traditional Chinese herbs as alterna- tive medicine have sparked an interest in understanding their biosafety, especially in decoctions that are consumed. This study aimed to assess the level of microbial and heavy metal contamination in commonly consumed herbal medicine in Malay- sia and the effects of boiling on these contamination levels. METHODS： Four commonly consumed Chinese herbal medicine in Malaysia-＂Eight Treasure Herbal Tea＂, ＂Herbal Tea＂, Xiyangshen （Radix Panacis Quin- quefolii） and Dangshen （Radix Codonopsis） were evaluated in this study. Herbal medicines were pre- pared as boiled and non-boiled decoctions, and their microbial enumeration and heavy metal detection were conducted with plate assay and atom- ic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. RESULTS： Findings revealed that herbal medicines generally had 6 Iogl0cfu/mL microbial cells and that boiling had significantly reduced microbial contaminants, where no Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Clostridium spp. were recovered. Heavy metals such as Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Fe and Zn were also detect- ed from all the samples, generally in low concentra- tions （〈1 mg/L） except for Mn （18.545 mg/L）. All de- coctions （after boiling） have reduced concentra- tions of Cu, while others were not significantly dif- ferent. Comparisons between samples with single and multi-herbs suggest level of microbial and metal contamination is not influenced by number of herbs in sample. CONCLUSION： Herbal medicines generally have microbial and heavy metal contaminants. However, the boiling process to generate decoctions was able to successfully reduce the number of microbes and Cu, ensuring safety of herbal medicines for consumption.
文摘耐药结核病是2035年实现全球终结结核病流行目标的巨大障碍。世界卫生组织(World Health Organization,WHO)倡导采用快速分子药物敏感性检测技术进行耐药结核病早期诊断,而覆盖全面可靠的耐药检测靶标是提高分子药物敏感性检测技术可靠性的关键。WHO于2023年11月发布《结核分枝杆菌耐药相关基因突变目录(第2版)》,目的是基于更广泛的全球数据汇总形成更为全面准确的耐药相关基因突变目录,为开发与完善基于测序或其他方法的新型分子药物敏感性检测技术提供支持。本文对第2版目录相较于第1版目录在分析流程与耐药突变等内容的更新进行了详细的解读,并对未来目录完善的方向进行了展望。
文摘Background: Healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of patients worldwide. Children have greater susceptibility to healthcare-associated infections due to the immaturity of their immune system. Contact precautions aim to promote safety, protection and prevention of contamination. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify adherence to contact precaution measures, as well as compliance to the use of personal protective equipment. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out from July to October 2019 using a checklist to evaluate health professionals’ adherence to hand hygiene procedures and the use of gloves and surgical gowns when assisting children on contact precautions. Results: A total of 941 observations were carried out in a total of 300.532 hours. Hand hygiene was performed before and after contact with the patient in 58.84% and 75.09% of the cases, respectively and a surgical gown was used in 86.40% of the cases. The use of gloves was the variable most adhered to by professionals (87.57%). Intensive care unit professionals were the care workers who most complied with the regulation regarding hand hygiene after contact with the patient (p = 0.009) and the use of the surgical gown (p < 0.001). The correct hand hygiene technique was the recommendation with least adherence. Non-compliance to the hand hygiene technique was statistically significant among intensive care unit professionals (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Adherence to hand hygiene before contact with the patient and compliance with the hand hygiene technique were neglected by most professionals. However, there was good adherence to the use of surgical gloves and gowns, as well as high compliance to the techniques of removing these items. .
