Optimisation of Mix Proportion of 3D Printable Mortar Based on Rheological Properties and Material Strength Using Factorial Design of Experiment.

In the production of 3D printable mortar (3DPM), numerous efforts have been made globally to effectively utilise various cementitious materials, admixtures, and fibres. The determination of rheological and material strength properties is crucial for successful 3D concrete printing because the materials used in 3DPM must possess the unique characteristic of making mortar flowable while being strong enough to support the weight of subsequent layers in both fresh and hardened states. The complexity of the required characteristics makes it challenging to develop an optimised mix composition that satisfies both the rheological and material strength requirements, given the wide range of available admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials, and fibres.

Tetracyclines in Processed Animal Proteins: A Monitoring Study on Their Occurrence and Antimicrobial Activity.

In 2013, the European Union (EU) lifted the feed ban restriction, authorizing the use of non-ruminant (NR) processed animal proteins (PAPs) as ingredient in aquafeed. A further relaxation is soon expected, and NR PAPs will be allowed in next future in poultry and pig feed, avoiding cannibalism. Other potential hazards linked to PAPs as raw material should be evaluated.

Gravimetric quantitative validation of botanic impurities in feed.

Background: Harmful botanical impurities may contaminate feed and feed materials and be a potential danger to animal or human health, or to the environment. The aim of this study was to establish rapid and sensitive methods that can be used in routine official controls to determine botanical impurities such as Datura stramonium, Ricinus communis, Crotaliaria spp., and Ambrosia spp.

Detection of insect's meal in compound feed by Near Infrared spectral imaging.

Insects have recently emerged as a new protein source for both food and feed. Some studies have already demonstrated that insects' meal can be successfully added to animal feed without threaten animals' growth indices. However, effective and validated tests to individuate insects' meal in feed are strongly needed to meet traceability and safety concerns and to support the European legislation under development.

Gravimetric quantitative determination of packaging residues in feed from former food.

Valorisation of former foodstuff products (FFP) in feed is part of a long-term strategy for sustainability. An approach to valorise FFP outside the waste value chain is their use as an alternative source of feed materials, with a subsequent optimisation of the environmental impact of products. In the current practice of food production, food packaging is provided to ensure the maintenance of food quality and safety during transport and storage.

Species-specific detection of processed animal proteins in feed by Raman spectroscopy.

The existing European Regulation (EC n° 51/2013) prohibits the use of animals meals in feedstuffs in order to prevent Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy infection and diffusion, however the legislation is rapidly moving towards a partial lifting of the "feed ban" and the competent control organisms are urged to develop suitable analytical methods able to avoid food safety incidents related to animal origin products. The limitations of the official methods (i.e.

In vitro activity and killing effect of uperin 3.6 against gram-positive cocci isolated from immunocompromised patients.

The in vitro activity of uperin 3.6, alone or combined with six antibiotics, against gram-positive cocci, including Rhodococcus equi, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, was investigated. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 mg/liter.

In vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with antibiotics against bacteria responsible for bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients.

MSI-78 is a 22 amino acid amphipathic peptide with potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains. In this study, we assessed the in vitro activity of MSI-78 alone and in combination with eight clinically used antimicrobial agents against several strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli isolated from blood of neutropenic febrile patients. Antimicrobial activity of MSI-78 was measured by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill studies and checkerboard titration method.

In vitro activity of citropin 1.1 alone and in combination with clinically used antimicrobial agents against Rhodococcus equi.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of citropin 1.1, an antimicrobial peptide derived from the Australian tree frog Litoria citropa, alone and in combination with ampicillin, ceftriaxone, doxycycline, netilmicin, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin, linezolid, vancomycin, clarithromycin and imipenem against 12 nosocomial isolates of Rhodococcus equi.

Methods: Antimicrobial activity of citropin 1.

In vitro activity and killing effect of citropin 1.1 against gram-positive pathogens causing skin and soft tissue infections.

The in vitro activity of citropin 1.1 against gram-positive cocci was measured by MIC, minimal bactericidal concentration, time-kill studies, and a checkerboard titration method. Streptococci and staphylococci were inhibited at concentrations between 1 and 16 mg/liter, respectively.

In vitro activity of the histatin derivative P-113 against multidrug-resistant pathogens responsible for pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

The in vitro activity of the histatin derivative P-113, alone or combined with eight antibiotics, was investigated against multidrug-resistant strains isolated from clinical specimens of immunocompromised patients with pneumonia. The gram-negative isolates were susceptible to P-113. S.

In vitro activity and killing effect of temporin A on nosocomial isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and interactions with clinically used antibiotics.

Objective: To study the in vitro activity of temporin A, a basic, highly hydrophobic, antimicrobial peptide amide derived from the skin of the European red frog Rana temporaria, alone and in combination with co-amoxiclav, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, linezolid and vancomycin, against 42 nosocomial isolates of Enterococcus faecalis. Fourteen of these were resistant to vancomycin.

Methods: Antimicrobial activity of temporin A was measured by MIC, MBC and time-kill studies and by the chequerboard titration method.

Effects of pexiganan alone and combined with betalactams in experimental endotoxic shock.

To investigate the efficacy of pexiganan, a 22-residue magainin analog, alone and combined with betalactmas antibiotics in three experimental rat models of Gram-negative septic shock. Adult male Wistar rats were given (i) an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS; (ii) 2x10(10)CFU of E. coli ATCC 25922; and (iii) intra-abdominal sepsis induced via cecal ligation and puncture.

RNAIII-inhibiting peptide improves efficacy of clinically used antibiotics in a murine model of staphylococcal sepsis.

RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP, YSPWTNF-NH2) is a quorum-sensing peptide inhibitor that prevents Staphylococcus aureus toxin production and biofilm formation. A mouse sepsis model was used to test the efficacy of RIP alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics in suppressing S. aureus-induced sepsis.

The antimicrobial peptide BMAP-28 reduces lethality in mouse models of staphylococcal sepsis.

Objective: A mouse model of staphylococcal sepsis was used to compare the efficacy of the bovine antimicrobial peptide BMAP-28, a compound of the cathelicidin family, with that of conventional antibiotics.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.

Setting: Research laboratory in a university hospital.

Therapeutic efficacy of the magainin analogue MSI-78 in different intra-abdominal sepsis rat models.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin activity of MSI-78, a synthetic cationic peptide analogue of magainin 2.

Methods: The in vitro antimicrobial activity of MSI-78 was investigated against the commercially available quality control strain Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. In addition, three rat models of septic shock were investigated: (i) rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS; (ii) rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(10) cfu of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; (iii) intra-abdominal sepsis was induced via caecal ligation and puncture.

Temporin A soaking in combination with intraperitoneal linezolid prevents vascular graft infection in a subcutaneous rat pouch model of infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

The efficacy of linezolid and temporin A in the prevention of prosthetic graft infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides was investigated in a subcutaneous rat pouch model. Linezolid and temporin A, alone or combined, greatly reduced the bacterial numbers compared to the effect with control drugs.

In vitro activity and killing effect of the synthetic hybrid cecropin A-melittin peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH(2) on methicillin-resistant nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and interactions with clinically used antibiotics.

The in vitro activity of CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH(2), a 15-residue synthetic hybrid peptide derived from the sequences of cecropin A and melittin, alone and in combination with amoxicillin-clavulanate, imipenem, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, and vancomycin, was investigated against 40 nosocomial isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial activity of CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH(2) was measured by minimal inhibitory concentration, MBC, and time-kill studies. All isolates were inhibited at concentrations of 1 to 16 microg/mL.

Potential therapeutic role of histatin derivative P-113d in experimental rat models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis.

Background: Morbidity and mortality from Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis remain high despite the availability of antibiotics to which the microorganism is sensitive.

Methods: The in vitro activity of histatin derivative P-113d was investigated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, its in vivo efficacy was studied in 3 rat models of infection: intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg of P.

A chimeric peptide composed of a dermaseptin derivative and an RNA III-inhibiting peptide prevents graft-associated infections by antibiotic-resistant staphylococci.

Staphylococcal bacteria are a prevalent cause of infections associated with foreign bodies and indwelling medical devices. Bacteria are capable of escaping antibiotic treatment through encapsulation into biofilms. RNA III-inhibiting peptide (RIP) is a heptapeptide that inhibits staphylococcal biofilm formation by obstructing quorum-sensing mechanisms.

Antiendotoxin activity of protegrin analog IB-367 alone or in combination with piperacillin in different animal models of septic shock.

The therapeutic efficacy of protegrin peptide IB-367 was investigated in three rat models of septic shock: (i) rats injected intraperitoneally with 1mg Escherichia coli 0111:B4 lipopolysaccharide, (ii) rats given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 X 10(10) CFU of E. coli ATCC 25922, and (iii) rats in which intra-abdominal sepsis was induced via cecal ligation and puncture. All animals were randomized to receive parenterally isotonic sodium chloride solution, 1mg/kg of IB-367, 60mg/kg piperacillin and 1mg/kg of IB-367 plus 60mg/kg piperacillin.

Cecropin B enhances betalactams activities in experimental rat models of gram-negative septic shock.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of imipenem, piperacillin combined with cecropin B in the prevention of lethality in 2 rat models of septic shock. Main outcome measures were bacterial growth in blood and intra-abdominal fluid, endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentrations in plasma, and lethality.

Background: Sepsis remains a serious clinical problem despite intense efforts to improve survival.

Comparative activities of cecropin A, melittin, and cecropin A-melittin peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 against multidrug-resistant nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.

The in vitro activity of three polycationic peptides, cecropin A, melittin, and cecropin A-melittin hybrid peptide CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2, alone and in combination with various clinically used antimicrobial agents, was investigated against 32 nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial activities were measured by MIC, MBC and bacterial killing assay. The peptides demonstrated different ranges of inhibitory values: overall, the organisms were more susceptible to CA(1-7)M(2-9)NH2 (MIC range, 0.

Cathelicidin peptide sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide-29 prevents endotoxin-induced mortality in rat models of septic shock.

The present study was designed to investigate the antiendotoxin activity and therapeutic efficacy of sheep myeloid antimicrobial peptide (SMAP)-29, a cathelicidin-derived peptide. The in vitro ability of SMAP-29 to bind LPS from Escherichia coli 0111:B4 was determined using a sensitive limulus chromogenic assay. Two rat models of septic shock were performed: (1) rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg E.

Prophylactic efficacy of linezolid alone or combined with levofloxacin and vancomycin in a rat subcutaneous pouch model of graft infection caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

Objectives: A rat model was used to investigate the efficacy of linezolid, alone or in combination with levofloxacin and vancomycin, in the prevention of vascular prosthetic graft infection resulting from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis with intermediate resistance to glycopeptides.

Methods: Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of adult male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses, followed by topical inoculation with S. epidermidis.