Antibiofilm, Anti-Inflammatory, and Regenerative Properties of a New Stable Ozone-Gel Formulation.

: Chronic skin wounds are characterized by inflammation, persistent infections, and tissue necrosis. The presence of bacterial biofilms prolongs the inflammatory response and delays healing. Ozone is a potent antimicrobial molecule, and many formulations have been used in the advanced therapeutic treatment of chronic wounds.

Isolation from Urine Culture in Hospitalised Patients: Incidence of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections and Asymptomatic Bacteriurias and Impact on Treatment of the EUCAST 2020 Update.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and asymptomatic bacteriurias (ABU) represent a large field of interest for antimicrobial stewardship programmes especially after 2020 EUCAST update in antimicrobial susceptibility testing interpretation and the possible related increase in carbapenems' prescription rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the 2020 EUCAST update on antibiotic prescription in UTI due to organism and their characteristics. A retrospective observational study.

Mobile unidirectional airflow device reduces air contamination in an intravitreal outpatient clean room setting.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the mycobacterial load using a mobile laminar airflow (LAF) device in an IVI-dedicated outpatient clean room (OCR) without ventilation systems and in a hospital-based operating theatre (HOT).

Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2 different settings: OCR and HOT during a series of intravitreal injections (IVIs). The Air Microbial analysis was performed using a Surface Air System instrument at three different moments during the IVI sessions in both settings: at the operative site (OS), four meters from the OS (DOS) and in the disinfection room (DR).

Silver Nanoparticles and Simvastatin-Loaded PLGA-Coated Hydroxyapatite/Calcium Carbonate Scaffolds.

The need to develop synthetic bone substitutes with structures, properties, and functions similar to bone and capable of preventing microbial infections is still an ongoing challenge. This research is focused on the preparation and characterization of three-dimensional porous scaffolds based on hydroxyapatite (HA)-functionalized calcium carbonate loaded with silver nanoparticles and simvastatin (SIMV). The scaffolds were prepared using the foam replica method, with a polyurethane (PU) sponge as a template, followed by successive polymer removal and sintering.

Vicia ervilia lectin (VEA) has an antibiofilm effect on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.

Bacterial growing resistance to antibiotics poses a critical threat to global health. This study investigates, for the first time, the antibiofilm properties of Vicia ervilia agglutinin (VEA) from six different V. ervilia accessions against pathogenic bacteria, and the yeast Candida albicans.

Alginate microparticles containing silver@hydroxyapatite functionalized calcium carbonate composites.

This paper focuses on the preparation and characterization of antibacterial alginate microparticles containing silver@hydroxyapatite functionalized calcium carbonate composites for tissue engineering. Microparticles were prepared by cross-linking a silver@composite sodium alginate dispersion with CaCl. This method showed a very good silver efficiency loading and the presence of silver chloride nanoparticles was detected.

A novel black poplar propolis extract with promising health-promoting properties: focus on its chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-genotoxic activities.

Propolis is a resinous mixture produced by honeybees which has been used since ancient times for its useful properties. However, its chemical composition and bioactivity may vary, depending on the geographical area of origin and the type of tree bees use for collecting pollen. In this context, this research aimed to investigate the total phenolic content (using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay) and the total antioxidant capacity (using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays) of three black poplar ( L.

Antimicrobial Oleogel Containing Sustainably Prepared Silver-Based Nanomaterials for Topical Application.

Oleogels containing silica-silver-based nanomaterials were prepared to be used as potential antimicrobial treatment for preventing and curing skin infections. Fumed silica was used as a bifunctional excipient able to offer support to silver-based nanoparticle growth and act as a gelling agent for oleogel formulation. First, silica-silver composites were prepared following a sustainable method by contact of fumed silica and silver nitrate in the presence of ethanol and successive UV irradiation.

Efficacy of Violet-Blue (405 nm) LED Lamps for Disinfection of High-Environmental-Contact Surfaces in Healthcare Facilities: Leading to the Inactivation of Microorganisms and Reduction of MRSA Contamination.

Effective disinfection procedures in healthcare facilities are essential to prevent transmission. Chemical disinfectants, hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) systems and ultraviolet (UV) light are commonly used methods. An emerging method, violet-blue light at 405 nm, has shown promise for surface disinfection.

Ag/AgPO Nanoparticle-Decorated Hydroxyapatite Functionalized Calcium Carbonate: Ultrasound-Assisted Sustainable Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activity.

Silver nanoparticles are usually prepared by the reduction of silver cations through chemical and non-sustainable procedures that involve the use of reducing chemical agents. Therefore, many efforts have been made in the search for sustainable alternative methods. Among them, an ultrasound-assisted procedure could be a suitable and sustainable method to afford well-dispersed and nanometric silver particles.

Alginate Ag/AgCl Nanoparticles Composite Films for Wound Dressings with Antibiofilm and Antimicrobial Activities.

Recently, silver-based nanoparticles have been proposed as components of wound dressings due to their antimicrobial activity. Unfortunately, they are cytotoxic for keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and this limits their use. Less consideration has been given to the use of AgCl nanoparticles in wound dressings.

Bud-Poplar-Extract-Embedded Chitosan Films as Multifunctional Wound Healing Dressing.

Wounds represent a major global health challenge. Acute and chronic wounds are sensitive to bacterial infection. The wound environment facilitates the development of microbial biofilms, delays healing, and promotes chronic inflammation processes.

Drug efflux transporters in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius: in silico prediction and characterization of resistance.

Objectives: To perform an in silico prediction of drug efflux pumps (EPs) in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and investigate their role in conferring resistance to antibiotic and biocidal agents and biofilm formation.

Methods: A S. pseudintermedius efflux mutant was obtained by stimulating an isogenic line (ATCC 49444) with increasing concentrations of an efflux system substrate.

Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance: Playing the 'Silver Nanobullet' Card.

Enhancing the antibacterial activity of old antibiotics by a multitarget approach, such as combining antibiotics with metal nanoparticles, is a valuable strategy to overcome antibacterial resistance. In this work, the synergistic antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles and antibiotics, immobilized on a solid support, was investigated. Nanometric layered double hydroxides (LDH) based on Zn(II) and Al(III) were prepared by the double microemulsion technique.

Effect of a UV-C Automatic Last-Generation Mobile Robotic System on Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens are associated with increased mortality and morbidity among hospitalized patients. Inanimate surfaces, and in particular high-touch surfaces, have often been described as the source for outbreaks of nosocomial infections. The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a last-generation mobile (robotic) irradiation UV-C light device R2S on MDR microorganisms in inanimate surfaces and its translation to hospital disinfection.

Solid State Photoreduction of Silver on Mesoporous Silica to Enhance Antifungal Activity.

A solid-state Ultraviolet-photoreduction process of silver cations to produce Ag nanostructures on a mesoporous silica is presented as an innovative method for the preparation of efficient environmental anti-fouling agents. Mesoporous silica powder, contacted with AgNO, is irradiated at 366 nm, where silica surface defects absorb. The detailed characterization of the materials enables us to document the silica assisted photo-reduction.

Ethidium bromide exposure unmasks an antibiotic efflux system in Rhodococcus equi.

Background: This study introduces a newly created strain (Rhodococcus equiEtBr25) by exposing R. equi ATCC 33701 to ethidium bromide (EtBr), a substrate for MDR transporters. Such an approach allowed us to investigate the resulting phenotype and genetic mechanisms underlying the efflux-mediated resistance in R.

Evaluation of Lumipulse® G SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay automated test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP) in nasopharyngeal swabs for community and population screening.

Objectives: To compare the Lumipulse® SARS-CoV-2 antigen test with the gold standard real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate its role in screening programs.

Methods: Lumipulse® SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay was compared with the gold standard RT-PCR test in a selected cohort of 226 subjects with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, and its accuracy was evaluated. Subsequently, the test was administered to a real-life screening cohort of 1738 cases.

Biofunctionalization of Poly(lactide--glycolic acid) Using Potent NorA Efflux Pump Inhibitors Immobilized on Nanometric Alpha-Zirconium Phosphate to Reduce Biofilm Formation.

Polymeric composites, where bioactive species are immobilized on inorganic nanostructured matrix, have received considerable attention as surfaces able to reduce bacterial adherence, colonization, and biofilm formation in implanted medical devices. In this work, potent in-house NorA efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), belonging to the 2-phenylquinoline class, were immobilized on nanometric alpha-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) taking into advantage of acid-base or intercalation reactions. The ZrP/EPI were used as filler of poly(lactide--glycolic acid) (PLGA) to obtain film composites with a homogeneous distribution of the ZrP/EPI fillers.

Accelerate Pheno™ blood culture detection system: a literature review.

Accelerate Pheno™ (ACC) is a fully automated system providing rapid identification of a panel of bacteria and yeasts, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of common bacterial pathogens responsible for bloodstream infections and sepsis. Diagnostic accuracy for identification ranges from 87.9 to 100%, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing categorical agreement is higher than 91%.

Biocompatible alginate silica supported silver nanoparticles composite films for wound dressing with antibiofilm activity.

Alginate films containing pyrogenic silica supported silver nanoparticles were prepared as potential wound dressings. First silica supported silver nanoparticles (CAB-O-SIL-Ag) were prepared via solid state sintering route without the use of any solvent and reducing agent. The obtained composite was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy which evidenced the presence of 8-20 nm spherical silver nanoparticles uniformly distributed and grown on the silica surface.

Glutathione S-transferase P influences the Nrf2-dependent response of cellular thiols to seleno-compounds.

Recent findings suggest a functional interaction of the drug resistance enzyme glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP) with the transcription factor Nrf2, a master regulator of the adaptive stress response to cellular electrophiles. The effect of this interaction on the metabolism and redox of cellular thiols was investigated in this study during the exposure to alkylating Se-compounds in murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). GSTP1-1 gene ablation was confirmed to upregulate Nrf2 activity and to increase Cys uptake and the de novo biosynthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH) that was readily released in the extracellular medium together with other cellular thiols.

C-2 phenyl replacements to obtain potent quinoline-based NorA inhibitors.

NorA is the most studied efflux pump of and is responsible for high level resistance towards fluoroquinolone drugs. Although along the years many NorA efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) have been reported, poor information is available about structure-activity relationship (SAR) around their nuclei and reliability of data supported by robust assays proving NorA inhibition. In this regard, we focussed efforts on the 2-phenylquinoline as a promising chemotype to develop potent NorA EPIs.

Phenotypic Characterization of Biofilm Grown and Inhibiting and Dissolving Activity of Azithromycin/Rifampicin Treatment.

Microbial biofilm has been implicated in a wide range of chronic infections. In spite of the fact that is a recognized cause of chronic disease in animals and humans, few studies have focused on the sessile phenotype of . The aim of this research was to phenotypically characterize the biofilm development of and its answerability for hypo-responsiveness to macrolides and rifampicin.