An efficient method for visualizing the plaques of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, an obligate predator of Gram-negative bacteria, has emerged as a promising natural antibiotic to combat the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance. Plaque forming units (PFU) counting is commonly used to determine the viable numbers of B. bacteriovorus.

Targeting bacterial phospholipids and their synthesis pathways for antibiotic discovery.

Bacterial infections in humans and animals caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens pose a serious threat to public health. New antibacterial targets are extremely urgent to solve the dilemma of cross-resistance. Phospholipids are critical components in bacterial envelopes and involve diverse crucial processes to maintain homeostasis and modulate metabolism.

Microstate D as a Biomarker in Schizophrenia: Insights from Brain State Transitions.

There is a significant correlation between EEG microstate and the neurophysiological basis of mental illness, brain state, and cognitive function. Given that the unclear relationship between network dynamics and different microstates, this paper utilized microstate, brain network, and control theories to understand the microstate characteristics of short-term memory task, aiming to mechanistically explain the most influential microstates and brain regions driving the abnormal changes in brain state transitions in patients with schizophrenia. We identified each microstate and analyzed the microstate abnormalities in schizophrenia patients during short-term memory tasks.

A Rhein-Based Derivative Targets .

The rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria highlights the need for novel antimicrobial agents. This study presents the design and synthesis of a series of rhein (RH)-derived compounds with improved antimicrobial properties. The lead compound, RH, exhibited a potent antibacterial activity against () isolates, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 8 to 16 μg/mL.

Discovery of adjuvants with antibacterial potentiation activity against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales based on in silico virtual screening.

Bacterial multi-drug resistance has become a concern worldwide, especially after the emergence of carbapenemases. Adjuvants with antibacterial potentiation activity can resensitise drug-resistant strains to carbapenems. However, only a few adjuvants with antibacterial potentiation activity are currently available in clinical practice.

Directional droplet bouncing on a moving superhydrophobic surface.

Droplets directionally bouncing off moving superhydrophobic solid surfaces are universal in nature and are crucial in many biological, sustainable, environmental, and engineering applications. However, their underlying physics and regulation strategies remain relatively unknown. This paper demonstrates that the maximum directional acceleration of a post-impact droplet mainly occurs in the spreading stage and that the orientational velocity of the droplet mainly originates in the early impingement process.

Synergy of outer membrane disruptor SLAP-S25 with hydrophobic antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens.

Objectives: An effective strategy for combating MDR Gram-negative pathogens can greatly reduce the cost and shorten the antibiotic development progress. Here, we investigated the synergistic activity of outer membrane disruptor SLAP-S25 in combination with hydrophobic antibiotics (LogP > 2, including novobiocin, erythromycin, clindamycin and rifampicin) against MDR Gram-negative pathogens.

Methods: Five representative Gram-negative bacteria were selected as model strains to analyse the synergistic combination of SLAP-S25 and hydrophobic antibiotics.

Reversible Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe for Rapid Sensing Sulfur Dioxide and Formaldehyde: Recognition and Photoactivation Mechanism and Applications in Bioimaging and Encryption Ink.

A novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent Probe was successfully developed for the reversible detection of sulfur dioxide derivatives and formaldehyde. The purple solution of Probe faded to colorless in 1.8 s with the addition of HSO.

Recent Advances in Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for Sodium-Ion Energy Storage Devices.

Compared with currently prevailing Li-ion technologies, sodium-ion energy storage devices play a supremely important role in grid-scale storage due to the advantages of rich abundance and low cost of sodium resources. As one of the crucial components of the sodium-ion battery and sodium-ion capacitor, electrode materials based on biomass-derived carbons have attracted enormous attention in the past few years owing to their excellent performance, inherent structural advantages, cost-effectiveness, renewability, etc. Here, a systematic summary of recent progress on various biomass-derived carbons used for sodium-ion energy storage (e.

Plant Natural Flavonoids Against Multidrug Resistant Pathogens.

The increasing emergence and dissemination of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens accelerate the desires for new antibiotics. Natural products dominate the preferred chemical scaffolds for the discovery of antibacterial agents. Here, the potential of natural flavonoids from plants against MDR bacteria, is demonstrated.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic adjuvant SLAP-S25: one stone many birds.

The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance has caused serious threat to global health. The worldwide search for novel classes of antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is barren since about half a century ago. One of the promising strategies to combat the MDR pathogens is the combinational therapy.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic adjuvant reverses multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.

The rapid emergence and dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens pose a serious threat to global healthcare. One particular concern is the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), a group of Gram-negative bacteria that have evolved resistance to all or nearly all available antibiotics. Coupled with the fact of barren antibiotic development pipeline nowadays, a critical approach is to revitalize existing antibiotics using antibiotic adjuvants.

Natural Flavones from against Methicillin-Resistant via Targeting the Proton Motive Force and Membrane Permeability.

The emergence and rapid spread of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) critically requires alternative therapeutic options. New antibacterial drugs and strategies are urgently needed to combat MRSA-associated infections. Here, we investigated the antibacterial activity of flavones from Morus alba and the potential mode of action against MRSA.

Discovery of Linear Low-Cationic Peptides to Target Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Vivo.

The development and rapid spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria cause severe public crises. New antibacterial compounds are urgently needed to treat bacterial infections. By circumventing the disadvantages of cationic peptides here, we engineered a short, linear, low-cationic peptide bacaucin-1a, which exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Macrolides induce severe cardiotoxicity and developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos.

Macrolide antibiotics (MALs) are widely used for both human and animal health. Most MALs and their metabolites transfer into aquatic organisms and environment resulting in violent consequences. Previous studies show that MALs cause cardiotoxicity in humans and mammals.

A nano silicon adjuvant enhances inactivated transmissible gastroenteritis vaccine through activation the Toll-like receptors and promotes humoral and cellular immune responses.

Inactivated transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) vaccines are widely used in swine herds in China. These are limited, however, by the need to elicit both humoral and cellular immunity, as well as the efficiency of adjuvants. In this study, a 70-nm nano silicon particle was applied with inactivated TGEV vaccine in mice, and its immune-enhancing effects and mechanism of action investigated.

Janus Gradient Meshes for Continuous Separation and Collection of Flowing Oils under Water.

Gradient meshes with Janus wettabilities are fabricated to stably separate and collect spilled oils from a range of flowing oily wastewater. Here, we demonstrate an overflow with separation methodology, which combines selective oil overflow and membrane separation, to separate low content oils from dynamic flowing oil-water mixtures by a curved gradient mesh that covered on a solid edge. The microscaled air-oil-water-solid four-phase wetting state during the oil-water separation process is visualized and demonstrated.

Controlling liquid splash on superhydrophobic surfaces by a vesicle surfactant.

Deposition of liquid droplets on solid surfaces is of great importance to many fundamental scientific principles and technological applications, such as spraying, coating, and printing. For example, during the process of pesticide spraying, more than 50% of agrochemicals are lost because of the undesired bouncing and splashing behaviors on hydrophobic or superhydrophobic leaves. We show that this kind of splashing on superhydrophobic surfaces can be greatly inhibited by adding a small amount of a vesicular surfactant, Aerosol OT.

The controlled release of tilmicosin from silica nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to use silica nanoparticles as the carrier for controlled release of tilmicosin. Tilmicosin was selected as a drug model molecule because it has a lengthy elimination half-life and a high concentration in milk after subcutaneous administration. Three samples of tilmicosin-loaded silica nanoparticles were prepared with different drug-loading weight.