Disrupting the bacterial language: quorum quenching and its applications.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication method closely linked with population density and regulates biofilm formation and the secretion of virulence factors through the release, recognition, and prompt response to small molecule signals. At low cell density, each bacterium produces a low concentration of QS signals that diffuse or are actively transported into the external environment. The accumulated QS signals in the external environment reach a threshold concentration when the bacterial population attains a certain density, enabling effective recognition and interaction of bacterial QS signals with their receptors.

Aloin remodels the cell wall of Candida albicans to reduce its hyphal virulence against oral candidiasis.

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Challenges of quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agents: Mechanisms, resistance, persistence and impacts on the microecology.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) served as broad spectrum antimicrobial agents are widely applied for surface disinfection, skin and mucous disinfection, and mouthwash. The daily applications of QACs have significantly increased, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the environmental residues of QACs have demonstrated harmful impacts on the environment, leading to an increase in environmental contamination, resistant microbes and disruption of microecology.

Sensitive detection of histamine utilizing the SERS platform combined with an azo coupling reaction and a composite hydrophobic layer.

Herein, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform was combined with an azo coupling reaction and an aluminum alloy covered with a hydrophobic layer of praseodymium oxide and stearic acid complexes for the detection of histamine. The praseodymium oxide on aluminum alloy was successfully synthesized by the rare-earth-salt-solution boiling bath method and modified by stearic acid. Its surface exhibits a water contact angle (WCA) of 125.

Secretory IgA reduced the ergosterol contents of Candida albicans to repress its hyphal growth and virulence.

Candida albicans, one of the most prevalent conditional pathogenic fungi, can cause local superficial infections and lethal systemic infections, especially in the immunocompromised population. Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is an important immune protein regulating the pathogenicity of C. albicans.

Holotoxin A from Apostichopus japonicus inhibited oropharyngeal and intra-abdominal candidiasis by inducing oxidative damage in Candida albicans.

Background And Purpose: The holotoxin A, isolated from Apostichopus japonicus, exhibits potent antifungal activities, but the mechanism and efficacy against candidiasis are unclear. In this study we have studied the antifungal effects and mechanism of holotoxin A against Candida albicans and in murine oropharyngeal and intra-abdominal candidiasis.

Experimental Approach: The antifungal effect of holotoxin A against C.

Artemisinins inhibit oral candidiasis caused by Candida albicans through the repression on its hyphal development.

Candida albicans is the most abundant fungal species in oral cavity. As a smart opportunistic pathogen, it increases the virulence by switching its forms from yeasts to hyphae and becomes the major pathogenic agent for oral candidiasis. However, the overuse of current clinical antifungals and lack of new types of drugs highlight the challenges in the antifungal treatments because of the drug resistance and side effects.

Thiol-ene click derivatization reaction coupled with ratiometric surface-enhanced Raman scattering for reproducible and accurate determination of acrylamide.

Acrylamide (AA) is a carcinogen mainly ingested through food and drinking water, making its accurate determination crucial for both food safety and environmental protection. Herein, we proposed a derivatization-based ratiometric surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method for the quantification of AA. High density Au NPs were anchored to the surface of Cu-TCPP MOF nanosheets (MOFNs) to form the SERS sensor.

Akkermansia muciniphila inhibited the periodontitis caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Periodontitis is the most important cause of tooth loss in adults and is closely related to various systemic diseases. Its etiologic factor is plaque biofilm, and the primary treatment modality is plaque control. Studies have confirmed that Fusobacterium nucleatum can cause periodontitis through its virulence factors and copolymerizing effects with other periodontal pathogens, such as the red complex.

Au Nanoparticles Decorated CoP Nanowire Array: A Highly Sensitive, Anticorrosive, and Recyclable Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate.

Metal-semiconductor composites are promising candidates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, but their inert basal plane, poor active sites, and limited stability hamper their commercial prospects. Herein, we report a three-dimensional CoP nanowire array decorated with Au nanoparticles on carbon cloth (Au@CoP/CC) as a self-supporting flexible SERS substrate. The Au nanoparticles spontaneously grew on the surface of the CoP nanowire array to form efficient SERS hot spots by a redox reaction with HAuCl without any additional reducing agents.

Novel "Turn-On" Luminescent Chemosensor for Arginine by Using a Lanthanide Metal-Organic Framework Photosensitizer.

Arginine is considered as a biomarker of cystinuria and other diseases, and thus, it is of urgency to develop a simple and rapid method with high sensitivity and selectivity for arginine detection to meet the demand of on-site analysis and bedside diagnosis. In this work, a lanthanide metal-organic framework, La(TATB), was prepared using a triazine-based planar ligand, 4,4',4″--triazine-2,4,6-triyltribenzoate (HTATB), and lanthanide ion (La). La(TATB) can be used as a highly photosensitive agent to activate molecular oxygen to O to achieve efficient photosensitive oxidation of arginine accompanied by strong blue fluorescence emission under 302 nm UV irradiation.

Sensitive detection of trace 4-methylimidazole utilizing a derivatization reaction-based ratiometric surface-enhanced Raman scattering platform.

Herein, a facile and fast surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method with ratiometric strategy was developed for detection of 4-methylimidazole (4-MI). Via a chemical derivatization reaction with 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (AMTA) diazonium salts, 4-MI could be converted to SERS-sensitive species. The SERS intensity ratio between the peaks at 1243 cm and 1110 cm (I/I) was used for the quantification of 4-MI.

A facile photochemical strategy for the synthesis of high-performance amorphous MoS nanoparticles.

It is difficult to avoid the formation of polysulfides by traditional chemical methods, and the synthesis of high purity amorphous MoS nanomaterials under ambient conditions is still a challenging task. Here we present a new and facile photochemical strategy for the synthesis of amorphous MoS nanomaterials, which is achieved by irradiating a mixed solution containing ammonium molybdate, formic acid and sodium sulfide simply with a Xe lamp for 3 min. The mechanism study reveals that the key step in this synthesis is the photolysis of formic acid to produce free radicals which can rapidly reduce Mo to Mo, which then combines with S to form MoS and inhibits the formation of S-S by preventing S from participating in the reduction reaction.