Antimicrobial and Antiplasmodial Activities of a Quaternary Compound from Ritchiea Capparoides Var. Longipedicellata

The leaves of Ritchiea capparoides var. longipedicellata (Capparidaceae) is used in ethnomedicine in South-Western Nigeria to treat infectious and parasitic diseases. This study was aimed at identifying the compound(s) that are responsible for the antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities of the leaves and also to contribute to the chemistry of the plant species. A 70 % aqueous ethanolic extract of the leaves of R. longipedicellata was subjected to repeated liquid chromatographic methods on silica gel, Lobar RP-18 column and Sephadex LH-20 to isolate a Draggendorf positive compound. The compound was identified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, ultra-violet spectroscopy and polarimetry. The antimicrobial activity of the compound was evaluated using the microbroth dilution method while the antiplasmodial activity was carried out according to Trager and Jenson (1976). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was expressed in mg/ml. The isolated compound, leavoisomer of stachydrine, inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli NCTC 8196 and Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 at the MIC of 5 mg/ml. In the anti-malaria assay, the compound had inhibitory activity with the concentration required to cause 100% lethality being 0.667 mg/ml.Conclusion: The antibacterial and antiparasitic effects of quaternary ammonium compounds are well documented. However, this study is the first report of the presence and biological activities of this compound in this plant species which may justify the ethnomedicinal uses of the leaves.     

Antimicrobial peptides derived from growth factors

Growth factors, comprising diverse protein and peptide families, are involved in a multitude of developmental processes, including embryogenesis, angiogenesis, and wound healing. Here we show that peptides derived from HB-EGF, amphiregulin, hepatocyte growth factor, PDGF-A and PDGF-B, as well as various FGFs are antimicrobial, demonstrating a previously unknown activity of growth factor-derived peptides. The peptides killed the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, as well as the fungus Candida albicans. Several peptides were also active against the Gram-positive S. aureus. Electron microscopy analysis of peptide-treated bacteria, paired with analysis of peptide effects on liposomes, showed that the peptides exerted membrane-breaking effects similar to those seen after treatment with the “classical” human antimicrobial peptide LL-37. Furthermore, HB-EGF was antibacterial per se, and its epitope GKRKKKGKGLGKKRDPCLRKYK retained its activity in presence of physiological salt and plasma. No discernible hemolysis was noted for the growth factor-derived peptides. Besides providing novel templates for design of peptide-based antimicrobials, our findings demonstrate a previously undisclosed link between the family of growth factors and antimicrobial peptides, both of which are induced during tissue remodelling and repair.     

Copolymers of novel methacrylic and styrenic monomer based on the thiophene: synthesis,characterization, monomer reactivity ratios,thermal properties,and biological activity

The free radical copolymerization of 2-thienylmethyl 4-vinylbenzyl ether (TMVBE) with 2-oxo-2-(2-thienylmethoxy)ethyl-2-methylacrylate (TMOEM) has been carried out in 1,4-dioxane at 65?°C?±?1 and were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. ¹H NMR analysis was used to determine the molar fractions of TMVBE and TMOEM in the copolymers. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation using Kelen–Tüdõs and Finemann–Ross linearization methods. The reactivity ratios indicated a tendency toward alternation copolymerization. The thermal behaviors of copolymers with various compositions were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Also, the apparent thermal decomposition activation energies were calculated by the Ozawa and Kissinger methods with a Shimadzu TGA 60 thermogravimetric analysis thermobalance. All the products showed moderate activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi.     

The improved antibacterial efficiency of a zinc phthalocyanine when embedded on silver nanoparticle modified silica nanofibers

This work reports on the fabrication and modification of electrospun polymer free silica nanofibers (SiO₂ NFs) with the aim of creating heterogeneous antibacterial catalysts. The optical and photophysical properties of the obtained NFs i.e. bare SiO₂, Ag-SiO₂, Pc-SiO₂ and Pc@Ag-SiO₂ NFs (Pc = phthalocyanine) were compared and reported. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of the Pc-SiO₂ and Pc@Ag-SiO₂ NFs were also quantified and found to be 0.08 and 0.12, respectively, in water. All the modified SiO₂ NFs were found to possess photoactivity against S. aureus with the most effective being the Pc@Ag-SiO₂ NFs due to the synergy between the Pc and Ag nanoparticles. The bare SiO₂ NFs do not exhibit any antibacterial activity while the Ag-SiO₂ and Pc@Ag-SiO₂ NFs were found to also exhibit dark toxicity. The generated photocatalysts are attractive because they are active against bacteria and they are easily retrievable post-application. The nanocatalysts reported herein are therefore feasible candidates for real-life antibacterial applications.     

钛植入物促骨整合及抗感染涂层的研究进展

钛及其合金具有稳定的化学性质和良好的人体亲和性,常被作为骨科植入材料,但未经处理的钛植入物易发生骨整合不良和植入物周围感染导致植入失败。近年来,人口老龄化加剧带动植入材料使用量增加,亟需性能更好的钛表面修饰方法以降低植入失败率。理想的骨科植入物应同时具备促成骨和抗菌特性,但目前大量表面改性策略只解决其中一种问题,导致植入物无法达到预期效果。因此,植入材料涂层需满足这两种特性或在两者间寻找平衡点。综述近几年来解决钛植入物无菌性松动或感染问题的最新策略,如表面形貌改善和生物分子涂层等促进成骨,抗菌药物负载和光热治疗等防治感染措施,并通过双因素整合和三因素整合进一步介绍了同时解决这两个问题的研究进展。     

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Age Groups Over Recent 10 Years in a Single Hospital in South Korea

PurposeStreptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) causes respiratory tract infections. Its non-vaccine serotypes and multidrug-resistant pneumococcal diseases have increased during the post-pneumococcal vaccination era. Therefore, it is important to understand the regional and age-related antimicrobial susceptibility of S. pneumoniae to select appropriate empirical antimicrobials.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively studied trends in the antimicrobial resistance of S. pneumoniae to commonly prescribed antibiotics in patient groups of various ages at a single teaching hospital in Jeju Island from 2009 to 2018.ResultsIn total, 1460 S. pneumoniae isolates were obtained during the study period. The overall antimicrobial resistance rates of S. pneumoniae to penicillin, erythromycin, ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, and vancomycin were 16.2%, 84.7%, 25.9%, 3.3%, and 0.0%, respectively, and the MDR rate was 6.7%. Erythromycin and ceftriaxone resistance rates increased by years; however, they were significantly reduced in adult groups. Levofloxacin resistance and MDR rates were also higher in adult groups. Overall, the MDR rate significantly increased during the recent 10 years, as well as in patients with a history of hospitalization within 90 days [odds ratio (OR)=3.58, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.91–6.71] and sinusitis (OR=4.98, 95% CI=2.07–11.96).ConclusionErythromycin and ceftriaxone resistance rates and the MDR rate of S. pneumoniae significantly increased during the recent 10 years; the trends in individual antimicrobial resistance rates significantly differed between the age groups. This study indicates the need for caution when using ceftriaxone as an empirical antimicrobial against pneumococcal infections.     

Bacteremic nosocomial pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis: a single or two distinct clinical entities?

The phenotypically indistinguishable Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis have become leading pathogens causing nosocomial pneumonia in critically ill patients. A. baumannii and A. nosocomialis nosocomial pneumonias were grouped as a single clinical entity previously. This study aimed to determine whether they are the same or a different clinical entity. A total of 121 patients with A. baumannii and 131 with A. nosocomialis bacteremic nosocomial pneumonia were included during an 8-year period. Despite the similar Charlson co-morbidity scores at admission, patients with A. baumannii pneumonia were more likely to have abnormal haematological findings, lobar pneumonia, significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores and higher frequency of shock at the onset of bacteraemia than those with A. nosocomialis pneumoni. A. baumannii isolates were resistant to more classes of antimicrobials, except colistin, and therefore the patients with A. baumannii pneumonia were more likely to receive inappropriate antimicrobial therapy. The 14-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with A. baumannii pneumonia (34.7% vs. 15.3%, p 0.001). A. baumannii was an independent risk factor for mortality (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.05–3.90; p 0.035) in the overall cohort after adjustment for other risk factors for death, including inappropriate antimicrobial therapy. The results demonstrated the difference in clinical presentation, microbial characteristics and outcomes between A. baumannii and A. nosocomialis nosocomial pneumonia, and supported that they are two distinct clinical entities.     

Vitek 2 Compact AST-N334、AST-N335、AST-P639中国定制药敏卡性能评估

目的评估Vitek 2 Compact AST-N334、AST-N335和AST-P639中国定制药敏卡的性能。方法随机收集权威机构质控菌株73株和2018年1—6月华山医院住院患者首次临床分离株112株。以权威机构提供的质控菌株为检测对象,采用3种中国定制药敏卡及微量肉汤稀释法(BMM)进行平行试验,以室间质量评价结果为参考标准,评估中国定制药敏卡及BMM的可靠性。以临床分离株为检测对象,以BMM结果为参考标准,评估中国定制药敏卡对临床分离株耐药多样性检测的准确性。结果以质控菌株为检测对象,以权威机构提供的抗菌药物敏感性试验结果为标准,AST-N334、AST-N335、AST-P639的分类一致率(CA)分别为95.5%(126/132)、96.8%(179/185)、99.5%(182/183)。以临床分离株为检测对象,以BMM药物敏感性试验结果为参考标准,AST-N334标准一致率(EA)为88.4%(961/1087)、CA为94.6%(903/955)、非常重大错误(VME)占0.3%(3/955)、重大错误(ME)占1.9%(18/955)、微小错误(MIE)占3.2%(31/955);AST-N335 EA为89.9%(1388/1544)、CA为95.1%(1414/1487)、VME占0.3%(5/1487)、ME占0.8%(12/1487)、MIE占3.8%(56/1487);AST-P639 EA为95.4%(541/567)、CA为98.7%(389/394)、ME占0.5%(2/394)、MIE占0.8%(3/394)。结论Vitek 2 Compact AST-N334、AST-N335、AST-P639中国定制药敏卡准确性高,具有临床应用可信度,但也存在一定的错误率及局限性,实验室检测人员应予以关注。