Hybrid bio-nanoporous peptide loaded-polymer platforms with anticancer and antibacterial activities.

In this study, hybrid bio-nanoporous peptides loaded onto poly(-isopropylacrylamide--butylacrylate) (pNIPAM--BA) coatings were designed and obtained matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The incorporation of cationic peptides magainin (MG) and melittin (Mel) and their combination was tailored to target synergistic anticancer and antibacterial activities with low toxicity on normal mammalian cells. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as contact angle and surface energy measurements revealed the successful and functional incorporation of both the peptides within porous polymeric nanolayers as well as surface modifications ( variation in the pore size diameter, surface roughness, and wettability) after Mel, MG or Mel-MG incorporation compared to pNIPAM--BA.

Antibacterial Activity of PVA Hydrogels Embedding Oxide Nanostructures Sensitized by Noble Metals and Ruthenium Dye.

Nanostructured oxides (SiO, TiO) were synthesized using the sol-gel method and modified with noble metal nanoparticles (Pt, Au) and ruthenium dye to enhance light harvesting and promote the photogeneration of reactive oxygen species, namely singlet oxygen (O) and hydroxyl radical (•OH). The resulting nanostructures were embedded in a transparent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel. Morphological and structural characterization of the bare and modified oxides was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Extract-A New Modulator of Dysbiotic Microbiota.

The regular administration of antibiotics is a public concern due to the prejudices of large population groups and the high frequency with which antimicrobial products are prescribed. The current study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of a new extract from (BEE) on the human microbiota. One of the disadvantages of this extensive use is the disruption of the human microbiota, leading to potential negative health consequences.

Bioactive Coatings Based on Nanostructured TiO Modified with Noble Metal Nanoparticles and Lysozyme for Ti Dental Implants.

This work presents the synthesis of nanostructured TiO modified with noble metal nanoparticles (Au, Ag) and lysozyme and coated on titanium foil. Moreover, the specific structural and functional properties of the resulting inorganic and hybrid materials were explored. The purpose of this study was to identify the key parameters for developing engineered coatings on titanium foil appropriate for efficient dental implants with intrinsic antibacterial activity.

Probiotic Strains Influence on Infant Microbiota in the In Vitro Colonic Fermentation Model GIS1.

The main goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of the individual administration of five lyophilized lactic acid bacteria strains (Lactobacillus fermentum 428ST, Lactobacillus rhamnosus E4.2, Lactobacillus plantarum FCA3, Lactobacillus sp. 34.

Preliminary identification and classification of five new yeast strains isolated from oil-polluted environment.

Bioremediation is a very interesting alternative for restoring the oil-polluted ecosystems. Many studies concerning the possibility of using microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) in the degradation of oil compounds have as starting point the isolation and taxonomical identification of new species and strains with degradative abilities. Our study focusses on the preliminary classification of five yeast strains (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D6) isolated from oil-polluted environments.

[Molecular taxonomy techniques used for yeast identification].

Due to the major impact of yeasts in human life based on the existence of pathogen yeast species and of species with biotechnological abilities, in the last few years new molecular techniques are performed for an accurate identification of natural isolates. Our study is aimed to review some of these techniques such as electrokariotyping by PFGE (Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis), estimation of the molar percentage of guanine and cytosine, the applications of PCR reaction in yeast identification using RAPD (Random amplified polymorphic DNA), UP-PCR (Universally Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction), MLST (Multilocus sequence typing) techniques, mtDNA and rDNA homology studies. Such molecular techniques complete the phenotypical characterization based on classical taxonomical tests allowing thus the polyphasic identification of the microorganisms.