Antibiofilm Agents for the Treatment and Prevention of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Narrative Review.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is difficult to eradicate due to BV biofilms protecting BV bacteria (Gardnerella, Prevotella, and other genera). With the growing understanding of biofilms, we systematically reviewed the current knowledge on the efficacy of anti-BV biofilm agents.

Methods: We searched literature in the Scopus, Medline, and Embase databases for empirical studies investigating substances for the treatment of BV biofilms or prevention of their recurrence and their efficacy and/or safety.

Synthesis of Antimicrobial Gallium Nanoparticles Using the Hot Injection Method.

Antibiotic resistance continues to be an ongoing problem in global public health despite interventions to reduce antibiotic overuse. Furthermore, it threatens to undo the achievements and progress of modern medicine. To address these issues, the development of new alternative treatments is needed.

-acetylcysteine prevents catheter occlusion and inflammation in catheter associated-urinary tract infections by suppressing urease activity.

Introduction: is a key pathobiont in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs), which is well known to form crystalline biofilms that occlude catheters. Urease activity alkylates urine through the release of ammonia, consequentially resulting in higher levels of Mg and Ca and formation of crystals. In this study, we showed that -acetyl cysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant, is a potent urease inhibitor that prevents crystalline biofilm formation.

Functional characterization of a single nucleotide polymorphism associated with Alzheimer's disease in a hiPSC-based neuron model.

Neurodegenerative diseases encompass a group of debilitating conditions resulting from progressive nerve cell death. Of these, Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurs most frequently, but is currently incurable and has limited treatment success. Late onset AD, the most common form, is highly heritable but is caused by a combination of non-genetic risk factors and many low-effect genetic variants whose disease-causing mechanisms remain unclear.

Identifying biomarkers of heterogeneity and transplantation efficacy in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells holds great promise for patients with retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. In-depth characterization of RPE cell product identity and critical quality attributes are needed to enhance efficacy and safety of replacement therapy strategies. Here, we characterized an adult RPE stem cell-derived (RPESC-RPE) cell product using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), assessing functional cell integration in vitro into a mature RPE monolayer and in vivo efficacy by vision rescue in the Royal College of Surgeons rats.

The parent, child and young person experience of difficult venous access and recommendations for clinical practice: A qualitative descriptive study.

Aims And Objectives: Explore the parent and child/young person experience of difficult venous access and identify ideas and preferences for changes to clinical practice.

Background: Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion is one of the most common invasive procedures in hospitalised paediatric patients. Multiple insertion attempts in paediatric patients are common and associated with pain and distress.

The Efficacy of an N-Acetylcysteine-Antibiotic Combination Therapy on in a Cystic Fibrosis Sputum/Lung Cell Model.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disorder causing dysfunctional ion transport resulting in the accumulation of viscous mucus. This environment fosters a chronic bacterial biofilm-associated infection in the airways. , a gram-negative aerobic bacillus, has been increasingly associated with antibiotic resistance and chronic colonisation in CF.

The Use of Artificial Sputum Media to Enhance Investigation and Subsequent Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis Bacterial Infections.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein reduce ionic exchange in the lung, resulting in thicker mucus, which impairs mucociliary function, airway inflammation and infection. The mucosal and nutritional environment of the CF lung is inadequately mimicked by commercially available growth media, as it lacks key components involved in microbial pathogenesis. Defining the nutritional composition of CF sputum has been a long-term goal of in vitro research into CF infections to better elucidate bacterial growth and infection pathways.

The human microbiome in disease and pathology.

This narrative review seeks to examine the relationships between bacterial microbiomes and infectious disease. This is achieved by detailing how different human host microbiomes develop and function, from the earliest infant acquisitions of maternal and environmental species through to the full development of microbiomes by adulthood. Communication between bacterial species or communities of species within and outside of the microbiome is a factor in both maintenance of homeostasis and management of threats from the external environment.

Halogenated Dihydropyrrol-2-One Molecules Inhibit Pyocyanin Biosynthesis by Blocking the Quinolone Signaling System.

Quorum-sensing (QS) systems of  are involved in the control of biofilm formation and virulence factor production. The current study evaluated the ability of halogenated and a non-halogenated version (4d) to inhibit the QS receptor proteins LasR and PqsR. The DHP molecules exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of LasR and PqsR receptor proteins.

Uncovering specificity of endogenous TAU aggregation in a human iPSC-neuron TAU seeding model.

Tau pathobiology has emerged as a key component underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression; however, human neuronal models have struggled to recapitulate tau phenomena observed . Here, we aimed to define the minimal requirements to achieve endogenous tau aggregation in functional neurons utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology. Optimized hiPSC-derived cortical neurons seeded with AD brain-derived competent tau species or recombinant tau fibrils displayed increases in insoluble, endogenous tau aggregates.

Effect of -Acetylcysteine in Combination with Antibiotics on the Biofilms of Three Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens of Emerging Importance.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder causing dysfunctional ion transport resulting in accumulation of viscous mucus that fosters chronic bacterial biofilm-associated infection in the airways. and are increasingly prevalent CF pathogens and while is slowly decreasing; all are complicated by multidrug resistance that is enhanced by biofilm formation. This study investigates potential synergy between the antibiotics ciprofloxacin (0.

Current and Emerging Therapies to Combat Cystic Fibrosis Lung Infections.

The ultimate aim of any antimicrobial treatment is a better infection outcome for the patient. Here, we review the current state of treatment for bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung while also investigating potential new treatments being developed to see how they may change the dynamics of antimicrobial therapy. Treatment with antibiotics coupled with regular physical therapy has been shown to reduce exacerbations and may eradicate some strains.

N-Acetylcysteine Protects Bladder Epithelial Cells from Bacterial Invasion and Displays Antibiofilm Activity against Urinary Tract Bacterial Pathogens.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect more than 150 million individuals annually. A strong correlation exists between bladder epithelia invasion by uropathogenic bacteria and patients with recurrent UTIs. Intracellular bacteria often recolonise epithelial cells post-antibiotic treatment.

Disruption of biofilms and killing of Burkholderia cenocepacia from cystic fibrosis lung using an antioxidant-antibiotic combination therapy.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The resulting chloride and bicarbonate imbalance produces a thick, static lung mucus. This mucus is not easily expelled from the lung and can be colonised by bacteria, leading to biofilm formation.

A Tribute to Chad Epps: A Mentor, Educator, Leader, Collaborator, and Friend.

Dr Chad Epps' journey in healthcare simulation touched countless lives in his role as a mentor, educator, leader, collaborator, and friend. Here, we highlight Chad's lasting impact upon which we all stand today.

Covalent Immobilization of -Acetylcysteine on a Polyvinyl Chloride Substrate Prevents Bacterial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation.

Biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance at surgical implant sites result in high morbidity and mortality. Identifying novel molecules that inhibit biofilm formation to coat surgical biomaterials is essential. One such compound is -acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant precursor for glutathione, necessary in mammalian cells and known to disrupt/prevent biofilms.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine in a combined antibiofilm treatment against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: The WHO declared Staphylococcus aureus as a 'pathogen of high importance' in 2017. One-fifth of all bloodstream-related infections in Australia and 12 000 cases of bacteraemia in the UK (2017-18) were caused by the MRSA variant. To address the need for novel therapies, we investigated several permutations of an innovative combination therapy containing N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antibiotic and an enzyme of choice in eradicating MRSA and MSSA biofilms.

Conditions Under Which Glutathione Disrupts the Biofilms and Improves Antibiotic Efficacy of Both ESKAPE and Non-ESKAPE Species.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance has increased in recent decades, raising concerns in hospital and community settings. Novel, innovative strategies are needed to eradicate bacteria, particularly within biofilms, and diminish the likelihood of recurrence. In this study, we investigated whether glutathione (GSH) can act as a biofilm disruptor, and enhance antibiotic effectiveness against various bacterial pathogens.

Bacteriophage PEV20 and Ciprofloxacin Combination Treatment Enhances Removal of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Isolated from Cystic Fibrosis and Wound Patients.

Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms necessitates the need for novel antimicrobial therapy with anti-biofilm properties. Bacteriophages (phages) are recognized as an ideal biopharmaceutical for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria especially when used in combination with antibiotics. However, previous studies primarily focused on using phages against of P.

Spray-Dried Particles of Nitric Oxide-Modified Glutathione for the Treatment of Chronic Lung Infection.

Antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria has emerged as a big challenge to human and animal health and significant economy loss worldwide. Development of novel strategies to tackle antibiotic resistance is of the utmost priority. In this study, we combined glutathione (GSH), a master antioxidant in all mammalian cells, and nitric oxide, a proven biofilm-dispersing agent, to produce GSNO.

Glutathione Enhances Antibiotic Efficiency and Effectiveness of DNase I in Disrupting Biofilms While Also Inhibiting Pyocyanin Activity, Thus Facilitating Restoration of Cell Enzymatic Activity, Confluence and Viability.

Pyocyanin secreted by is a virulence factor that damages epithelial cells during infection through the action of reactive oxygen species, however, little is known about its direct effect on biofilms. We demonstrated that pyocyanin-producing strains (PA14WT, DKN370, AES-1R, and AES-2) formed robust biofilms in contrast to the poorly formed biofilms of the pyocyanin mutant PA14Δ and the low pyocyanin producer AES-1M. Addition of DNase I and reduced glutathione (GSH) significantly reduced biofilm biomass of pyocyanin-producing strains ( < 0.

Two-in-One Biointerfaces-Antimicrobial and Bioactive Nanoporous Gallium Titanate Layers for Titanium Implants.

The inhibitory effect of gallium (Ga) ions on bone resorption and their superior microbial activity are attractive and sought-after features for the vast majority of implantable devices, in particular for implants used for hard tissue. In our work, for the first time, Ga ions were successfully incorporated into the surface of titanium metal (Ti) by simple and cost-effective chemical and heat treatments. Ti samples were initially treated in NaOH solution to produce a nanostructured sodium hydrogen titanate layer approximately 1 μm thick.

Glutathione-Disrupted Biofilms of Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Exhibit an Enhanced Antibiotic Effect and a Novel Biofilm Transcriptome.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections result in high morbidity and mortality rates for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), with premature death often occurring. These infections are complicated by the formation of biofilms in the sputum. Antibiotic therapy is stymied by antibiotic resistance of the biofilm matrix, making novel antibiofilm strategies highly desirable.

Transgenic mice with increased astrocyte expression of IL-6 show altered effects of acute ethanol on synaptic function.

A growing body of evidence has revealed that resident cells of the central nervous system (CNS), and particularly the glial cells, comprise a neuroimmune system that serves a number of functions in the normal CNS and during adverse conditions. Cells of the neuroimmune system regulate CNS functions through the production of signaling factors, referred to as neuroimmune factors. Recent studies show that ethanol can activate cells of the neuroimmune system, resulting in the elevated production of neuroimmune factors, including the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6).