Dormant States Are Affected by Vitamin C.

colonizes human gastric mucosa, overcoming stressful conditions and entering in a dormant state. This study evaluated: (i) 's physiological changes from active to viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) and persister (AP) states, establishing times/conditions; (ii) the ability of vitamin C to interfere with dormancy generation/resuscitation. A dormant state was induced in clinical MDR 10A/13 by: nutrient starvation (for VBNC generation), incubating in an unenriched medium (Brucella broth) or saline solution (SS), and (for AP generation) treatment with 10xMIC amoxicillin (AMX).

Streptococcus oralis Biofilm Formation on Titanium Surfaces.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the Streptococcus oralis biofilm formation on titanium machined turned surfaces and sandblasted surfaces that were previously characterized for their superficial topographies.

Materials And Methods: Two commercially pure titanium surfaces were analyzed and compared: machined (turned surfaces subjected to a process of decontamination that also included a double acid attack) and sandblasted (sandblasted surfaces, cleaned with purified water, enzymatic detergent, acetone, and alcohol). The characterization of the samples at the nanolevel was performed using atomic force microscopy, which permitted calculation of the superficial nanoroughness (Ra).

Prebiotic Combinations Effects on the Colonization of Staphylococcal Skin Strains.

Background: An unbalanced skin microbiota due to an increase in pathogenic vs. commensal bacteria can be efficiently tackled by using prebiotics. The aim of this work was to identify novel prebiotic combinations by exerting species-specific action between and strains.

Searching for New Tools to Counteract the Resistance: The Positive Action of Resveratrol Derivatives.

The drug-resistance phenomenon in underlines the need of novel strategies to improve the eradication rate including alternative treatments combining antibiotic and non-antibiotic compounds with synergistic action. In this study, the antibacterial (MIC/MBC) and anti-virulence effects (biofilm reduction and swarming motility inhibition) of resveratrol-RSV and new synthetized RSV-phenol derivatives, with a higher bioavailability, alone and combined with levofloxacin-LVX were evaluated against resistant clinical strains. The experiments were confirmed in vivo using the model.

The Bacterial Anti-Adhesive Activity of Double-Etched Titanium (DAE) as a Dental Implant Surface.

This work aimed to compare the capability of to adhere to a novel surface, double-etched titanium (DAE), in respect to machined and single-etched titanium. The secondary outcome was to establish which topographical features could affect the interaction between the implant surface and bacteria. The samples' superficial features were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS), and the wetting properties were tested through sessile methods.

Graphene Oxide affects Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa dual species biofilm in Lubbock Chronic Wound Biofilm model.

Chronic wound management becomes a complex procedure because of the persistence of forming biofilm pathogens that do not respond to antimicrobial treatment. The aim of this paper is to detect the Graphene Oxide-GO effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa dual species wound biofilm in Lubbock Chronic Wound Biofilm-LCWB model. LCWB is a recognized model that mimics the spatial microbial colonization into chronic wounds and reproduces the wound and its clot.

Near-infrared NIR irradiation and sodium hypochlorite: An efficacious association to counteract the Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in endodontic infections.

New strategies are necessary for the prevention of endodontic infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis, a common resistant pathogen and biofilm producer. Aim of the present study was to compare the effects of Near-Infrared (NIR) Light-Emitting Diode (LED) irradiation and different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) alone or combined to each other on the E. faecalis biofilm, on artificial and human dentin surfaces.

Pistacia vera L. oleoresin and levofloxacin is a synergistic combination against resistant Helicobacter pylori strains.

The increasing multidrug resistance in Helicobacter pylori, also correlated to its biofilm-forming ability, underlines the need to search novel strategies to improve the eradication rate. Natural compounds are proposed as antibiotic-resistant-breakers capable to restore the efficacy of conventional drugs. Aim of this work was to evaluate the capability of Pistacia vera L.

Bovine lactoferrin enhances the efficacy of levofloxacin-based triple therapy as first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Objectives: To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial/antivirulence action of bovine lactoferrin and its ability to synergize with levofloxacin against resistant Helicobacter pylori strains and to analyse the effect of levofloxacin, amoxicillin and esomeprazole with and without bovine lactoferrin as the first-line treatment for H. pylori infection.

Methods: The bovine lactoferrin antimicrobial/antivirulence effect was analysed in vitro by MIC/MBC determination and twitching motility against six clinical H.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Graphene Oxide against Chronic Wound Microorganisms.

Chronic wounds represent an increasing problem worldwide. Graphene oxide (GO) has been reported to exhibit strong antibacterial activity toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of GO against wound pathogens.

Microbial Contamination of Smartphone Touchscreens of Italian University Students.

In this study, the microbial contamination of smartphones from Italian University students was analyzed. A total of 100 smartphones classified as low, medium, and high emission were examined. Bacteria were isolated on elective and selective media and identified by biochemical tests.

Enterococcus hirae biofilm formation on hospital material surfaces and effect of new biocides.

Background: Nowadays, the bacterial contamination in the hospital environment is of particular concern because the hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. This work evaluated the capability of Enterococcus hirae to form biofilm on different surfaces and the action of two biocides on the produced biofilms.

Methods: The biofilm formation of E.

Candida species isolated from different body sites and their antifungal susceptibility pattern: Cross-analysis of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms.

Candida species are regular commensal in humans, but-especially in immunocompromised patients-they represent opportunistic pathogens giving rise to systemic infection. The aim of the present work was to isolate and characterize for their antifungal profile Candida species from different body sites and to analyze the biofilms produced by C. albicans and C.

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to nine antibiotics currently used in Central Italy.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori expresses an increased resistance in respect to antimicrobials currently used in therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial profiles of H. pylori isolates to nine conventional antibiotics used in a Central Region (Abruzzo) of Italy.

Carvacrol codrugs: a new approach in the antimicrobial plan.

Objective: The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections led to identify alternative strategies for a novel therapeutic approach. In this study, we synthesized ten carvacrol codrugs - obtained linking the carvacrol hydroxyl group to the carboxyl moiety of sulphur-containing amino acids via an ester bond - to develop novel compounds with improved antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities and reduced toxicity respect to carvacrol alone.

Method: All carvacrol codrugs were screened against a representative panel of Gram positive (S.

New transport medium for cultural recovery of Helicobacter pylori.

We developed a new transport medium (GESA--Helicobacter pylori transport medium [publication no. WO/2014/019696, patent pending no. PCT/EP2013/002292; Liofilchem s.

Central vascular catheter infections in a Hospital of Central Italy.

The insertion and the permanence of central venous catheters (CVC) represent potential sources of infection contracted in hospital. The evaluation of the risk of CVC-associated infections was evaluated in a retrospective study during the period 2007-2010 in a Hospital of Central Italy. A total of 514 CVC were collected and examined by microbiological techniques and, among the examined patients, 450 CVC blood cultures were collected.

The effect of a silver nanoparticle polysaccharide system on streptococcal and saliva-derived biofilms.

In this work, we studied the antimicrobial properties of a nanocomposite system based on a lactose-substituted chitosan and silver nanoparticles: Chitlac-nAg. Twofold serial dilutions of the colloidal Chitlac-nAg solution were both tested on Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus oralis planktonic phase and biofilm growth mode as well as on saliva samples. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of Chitlac-nAg were evaluated together with its effect on sessile cell viability, as well as both on biofilm formation and on preformed biofilm.

Saliva improves Streptococcus mitis protective effect on human gingival fibroblasts in presence of 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of saliva on Streptococcus mitis free cells and on S. mitis/human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) co-culture model, in presence of 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA). The bacterial aggregation both in the planktonic phase and on HGFs, as well as the apoptotic and necrotic eukaryotic cells amount were analyzed, in presence of saliva and/or HEMA.

Helicobacter pylori free-living and biofilm modes of growth: behavior in response to different culture media.

The physiological behavior of Helicobacter pylori in different growth conditions was investigated to approach its growth standardization. H. pylori free-living and biofilm modes of growth were assessed in four different liquid culture media (Brucella broth, brain heart infusion broth and Ham's F-12 supplemented with 2% fetal calf serum and Ham's F-12 without serum).

Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs.

Head lice infestation is an emerging social problem in undeveloped and developed countries. Because of louse resistance increasing, several long-used insecticidal compounds have lost their efficacy, and alternatives, such as essential oils, have been proposed to treat this parasitic infestation. The present study investigated the efficacy of two natural substances: tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and nerolidol (3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol) against lice and its eggs.

A model of Helicobacter pylori persistence in a case of gastric cancer.

The aim of this work was to analyze several clones of Helicobacter pylori isolated from a patient with gastric cancer, to evaluate i) genetic variability ii) virulence factors profile and iii) antimicrobial susceptibility against the drugs commonly used in the H. pylori therapy. A total of 32 H.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 transiently activates the p53 oncosuppressor protein in human primary vascular smooth muscle cells: implications for atherogenesis.

Objective: The development of atherosclerotic lesions associates with the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), and their migration from arterial tunica media to the intima. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 can trigger either phenomena, which are accompanied by the functional impairment of the p53 transcription factor. However, FGF-2 impact on p53 function in VSMC is largely unknown.

Effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on Helicobacter pylori biofilm.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) both on biofilm formation and on mature biofilm of Helicobacter pylori. Bacterial cultures and 2-day-old biofilm of H. pylori ATCC 43629 were exposed to ELF-EMF (50 Hz frequency-1 mT intensity) for 2 days to assess their effect on the cell adhesion and on the mature biofilm detachment, respectively.

Indoor air quality in university environments.

This study evaluates the airborne microflora in research laboratories of the University of Chieti (Italy). A quali-quantitative evaluation of the index microbial air contamination was performed using the settle plate method. The microbial air contamination was evaluated during 6 months in three university buildings (A, B, and C).