Development of a Multilayer Film Including the Soluble Eggshell Membrane Fraction for the Treatment of Oral Mucosa Lesions.

Background/objectives: Oral diseases causing mucosal lesions are normally treated with local or systemic anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial agents. The development of topical formulations, including wound-healing promoters, might speed up the recovery process, improving patients' quality of life, and reduce the risk of deterioration in health conditions. In this study, a mucoadhesive multilayer film, including a novel biocompatible substance (solubilized eggshell membrane, SESM), was rationally designed.

Synthesized -Triphenyl Phosphonium-Based Nano Vesicles Have Potent and Selective Antibacterial Effects on Several Clinically Relevant Superbugs.

The increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens due to antibiotic misuse translates into obstinate infections with high morbidity and high-cost hospitalizations. To oppose these MDR superbugs, new antimicrobial options are necessary. Although both quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) and phosphonium salts (QPSs) possess antimicrobial effects, QPSs have been studied to a lesser extent.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Mediated Antibacterial Oxidative Therapies: Available Methods to Generate ROS and a Novel Option Proposal.

The increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens causes difficult-to-treat infections with long-term hospitalizations and a high incidence of death, thus representing a global public health problem. To manage MDR bacteria bugs, new antimicrobial strategies are necessary, and their introduction in practice is a daily challenge for scientists in the field. An extensively studied approach to treating MDR infections consists of inducing high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by several methods.

New Pyrazolyl Thioureas Active against the Genus.

To meet the urgent need for new antibacterial molecules, a small library of pyrazolyl thioureas (PTUs) was designed, synthesized and tested against difficult-to-treat human pathogens. The prepared derivatives are characterized by a carboxyethyl functionality on C4 and different hydroxyalkyl chains on N1. Compounds - were first evaluated against a large panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.

Anti Gram-Positive Bacteria Activity of Synthetic Quaternary Ammonium Lipid and Its Precursor Phosphonium Salt.

Organic ammonium and phosphonium salts exert excellent antimicrobial effects by interacting lethally with bacterial membranes. Particularly, quaternary ammonium lipids have demonstrated efficiency both as gene vectors and antibacterial agents. Here, aiming at finding new antibacterial devices belonging to both classes, we prepared a water-soluble quaternary ammonium lipid () and a phosphonium salt () by designing a synthetic path where would be an intermediate to achieve .

A Cortical Mechanism Linking Saliency Detection and Motor Reactivity in Rhesus Monkeys.

Sudden and surprising sensory events trigger neural processes that swiftly adjust behavior. To study the phylogenesis and the mechanism of this phenomenon, we trained two male rhesus monkeys to keep a cursor inside a visual target by exerting force on an isometric joystick. We examined the effect of surprising auditory stimuli on exerted force, scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, and local field potentials (LFPs) recorded from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Cirsiliol and Quercetin Inhibit ATP Synthesis and Decrease the Energy Balance in Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) and Methicillin-Resistant (MRSE) Strains Isolated from Patients.

Polyphenols have attracted attention in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as they show antibacterial action. Considering that polyphenols inhibit FF-ATP synthase (ATP synthase) and that bacteria need a constant energy production to maintain their homeostasis, we evaluated the effect of two flavones, cirsiliol (tri-hy-droxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone) and quercetin (3,3,4,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), on energy production and intracellular ATP content in a methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strain and a methicillin-resistant (MRSE) strain isolated from patients, comparing the results to those obtained by treating the bacteria with oligomycin, a specific ATP synthase F moiety inhibitor. Real-time quantitative ATP synthesis and total ATP content of permeabilized Gram-positive bacteria were assayed by luminometry.

Synthetic Pathways to Non-Psychotropic Phytocannabinoids as Promising Molecules to Develop Novel Antibiotics: A Review.

Due to the rapid emergence of multi drug resistant (MDR) pathogens against which current antibiotics are no longer functioning, severe infections are becoming practically untreatable. Consequently, the discovery of new classes of effective antimicrobial agents with novel mechanism of action is becoming increasingly urgent. The bioactivity of , an herbaceous plant used for millennia for medicinal and recreational purposes, is mainly due to its content in phytocannabinoids (PCs).

Antimicrobial Evaluation of New Pyrazoles, Indazoles and Pyrazolines Prepared in Continuous Flow Mode.

Multi-drug resistant bacterial strains (MDR) have become an increasing challenge to our health system, resulting in multiple classical antibiotics being clinically inactive today. As the de-novo development of effective antibiotics is a very costly and time-consuming process, alternative strategies such as the screening of natural and synthetic compound libraries is a simple approach towards finding new lead compounds. We thus report on the antimicrobial evaluation of a small collection of fourteen drug-like compounds featuring indazoles, pyrazoles and pyrazolines as key heterocyclic moieties whose synthesis was achieved in continuous flow mode.

Exploratory Study on Chemosensory Event-Related Potentials in Long COVID-19 and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Common Pathway?

People affected by the Long COVID-19 (LC) syndrome often show clinical manifestations that are similar to those observed in patients with mild cognitive impairments (MCI), such as olfactory dysfunction (OD), brain fog, and cognitive and attentional diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemosensory-evoked related potentials (CSERP) in LC and MCI to understand if there is a common pathway for the similarity of symptoms associated with these disorders. Eighteen LC patients (mean age 53; s.

Social Odour Perception and Stress Responses in Women's Quality of Partner Relationship and Attachment Style.

The perception of body and social odours (SOP) is crucial for interpersonal chemosensory signalling and mate choice, yet little is known about the role of the SOP on the quality of partnerships and the attachment style. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the SOP in women's stress responses by considering the role of biopsychosocial variables in the quality of interpersonal relationships (also considering intimate partner violence). In total, 253 women filled out an online survey that included a series of questionnaires to investigate self-perceived stress (PSS), emotional regulation (ERQ), olfactory social assessment (SOS), quality of partnership (RRQ), attachment style (RQ), and the Conflict Tactile Scale 2 (CTS-2).

A Self-Forming Hydrogel from a Bactericidal Copolymer: Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Evaluations and Perspective Applications.

Objects touched by patients and healthcare workers in hospitals may harbor pathogens, including multi-drug resistant (MDR) staphylococci, enterococci (VRE), , , and species. Medical devices contaminated by these pathogens may also act as a source of severe and difficult-to-treat human infections, thus becoming a critical public health concern requiring urgent resolutions. To this end, we recently reported the bactericidal effects of a cationic copolymer (CP1).

Mutual Jellification of Two Bactericidal Cationic Polymers: Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization of a New Two-Component Hydrogel.

Here, a new two-component hydrogel (CP1OP2-Hgel) was developed, simply by dispersing in water two cationic bactericidal polymers (CP1 and OP2) effective against several multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of the most relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. Interestingly, while OP2 acts only as an antibacterial ingredient when in gel, CP1 works as both an antibacterial and a gelling agent. To verify whether it would be worthwhile to use CP1 and OP2 as bioactive ingredients of a new hydrogel supposed for a future treatment of skin infections, dose-dependent cytotoxicity studies with CP1 and OP2 were performed on human fibroblasts for 24 h, before preparing the formulation.

A Highly Efficient Polystyrene-Based Cationic Resin to Reduce Bacterial Contaminations in Water.

Nowadays, new water disinfection materials attract a lot of attention for their cost-saving and ease of application. Nevertheless, the poor durability of the matrices and the loss of physically incorporated or chemically attached antibacterial agents that can occur during water purification processes considerably limit their prolonged use. In this study, a polystyrene-based cationic resin (R4) with intrinsic broad-spectrum antibacterial effects was produced without needing to be enriched with additional antibacterial agents that could detach during use.

Chemobrain, Olfactory and Lifestyle Assessment in Onco-Geriatrics: Sex-Mediated Differences between Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy.

A possible link between chemotherapy and cognitive impairment has been identified. In the literature, this condition is usually called chemobrain and can mostly affect some memory domain but can lead also to other cognitive impairments. Olfaction, which is known to be linked with cognitive domain and the nociception system, can also be affected by chemotherapy.

The Flavone Cirsiliol from Binds the F Moiety of ATP Synthase, Modulating Free Radical Production.

Several studies have shown that mammalian retinal rod outer segments (OS) are peculiar structures devoid of mitochondria, characterized by ectopic expression of the molecular machinery for oxidative phosphorylation. Such ectopic aerobic metabolism would provide the chemical energy for the phototransduction taking place in the OS. Natural polyphenols include a large variety of molecules having pleiotropic effects, ranging from anti-inflammatory to antioxidant and others.

Microbiological Screening of 5-Functionalized Pyrazoles for the Future Development of Optimized Pyrazole-Based Delivery Systems.

The pyrazole ring represents a widely applied chemical scaffold in medicinal chemistry research and we have observed that the physicochemical and biological features of highly substituted pyrazoles can be successfully improved by their encapsulation in dendrimer nanoparticles (NPs). For the future development of new optimized antibacterial delivery systems, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-amino functionalized pyrazole library (compounds -). In detail, new derivatives - were differently decorated in C3, C4 and C5 positions.

Synthesis, Characterization and Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Effects of Ammonium Methyl and Ammonium Ethyl Styrene-Based Nanoparticles.

Untreatable infections, growing healthcare costs, and increasing human mortality due to the rising resistance of bacteria to most of the available antibiotics are global phenomena that urgently require the discovery of new and effective antimicrobial agents. Cationic macromolecules, acting as membrane disruptors, are widely studied, and several compounds, including two styrene-based copolymers developed by us (P5 and P7), have proved to possess potent broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, regardless of the resistance profiles of the bacteria. Here, we first reported the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of new cationic nanoparticles (NPs) ( and ), obtained by polymerizing the monomers 4-ammoniummethylstyrene (4-AMSTY) and 4-ammoniumethylstyrene (4-AESTY) hydrochlorides, whose structures were designed using the cationic monomers of P5 and P7 as template compounds.

Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of a Cationic Macromolecule by Its Complexation with a Weakly Active Pyrazole Derivative.

Molecules containing the pyrazole nucleus are widely reported as promising candidates to develop new antimicrobial compounds against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, where available antibiotics may fail. Recently, aiming at improving the too-high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of a pyrazole hydrochloride salt (CB1H), CB1H-loaded nanoparticles (CB1H-P7 NPs) were developed using a potent cationic bactericidal macromolecule (P7) as polymer matrix. Here, CB1H-P7 NPs have been successfully tested on several clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, including relevant MDR strains.

Improved isolation of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales on selective-differential media extending the incubation time: an approach to strengthen the antimicrobial surveillance from rectal swabs.

Background: Surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) carriers is the first measure of hospital infection control. Screening of CRE carriage can be assessed through culture and molecular techniques, each with specific properties of turnaround-times, sensitivity and specificity.

Methods: This was a prospective study in a 1200-bed university hospital in Genoa, Italy, where CRE screening is performed analysing cultures from rectal swabs.

Valorization and Potential Antimicrobial Use of Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) from Italian Olive Oil Production.

The production of olive oil generates olive mill wastewater (OMW) which essentially derives from the processing, treatment and pressing of olives in mills. Traditional milling processes require a quantity of water varying between 40 and 120 L per quintal of pressed olives, generating a considerable amount of wastewater. It is thus necessary to reduce process water and enhance its use to implement the concept of a circular economy.

β-Lactam Antibiotics and β-Lactamase Enzymes Inhibitors, Part 2: Our Limited Resources.

β-lactam antibiotics (BLAs) are crucial molecules among antibacterial drugs, but the increasing emergence of resistance to them, developed by bacteria producing β-lactamase enzymes (BLEs), is becoming one of the major warnings to the global public health. Since only a small number of novel antibiotics are in development, a current clinical approach to limit this phenomenon consists of administering proper combinations of β-lactam antibiotics (BLAs) and β-lactamase inhibitors (BLEsIs). Unfortunately, while few clinically approved BLEsIs are capable of inhibiting most class-A and -C serine β-lactamases (SBLEs) and some carbapenemases of class D, they are unable to inhibit most part of the carbapenem hydrolyzing enzymes of class D and the worrying metallo-β-lactamases (MBLEs) of class B.

Potent and Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Activity of a Nanotechnologically Manipulated Novel Pyrazole.

The antimicrobial potency of the pyrazole nucleus is widely reported these days, and pyrazole derivatives represent excellent candidates for meeting the worldwide need for new antimicrobial compounds against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Consequently, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-nitrophenylamino)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile (CR232), recently reported as a weak antiproliferative agent, was considered to this end. To overcome the CR232 water solubility issue and allow for the determination of reliable minimum inhibitory concentration values (MICs), we initially prepared water-soluble and clinically applicable CR232-loaded nanoparticles (CR232-G5K NPs), as previously reported.

Evidence for a we-representation in monkeys when acting together.

A hallmark of human evolution resides in the ability to adapt our actions to those of others. This aptitude optimizes collective behavior, allowing to achieve goals unattainable by acting alone. We have previously shown that macaque monkeys are able to coordinate their actions when engaged in dyadic contexts, therefore they offer a good model to study the roots of joint action.

Whole Slide Imaging for Teleconsultation: The Mount Sinai Hospital, Labcorp Dianon, and Philips Collaborative Experience.

Background: With the emergence of whole slide imaging (WSI) and widespread access to high-speed Internet, pathology labs are now poised to implement digital pathology as a way to access diagnostic pathology expertise. This paper describes a collaborative partnership between a high-volume reference diagnostic laboratory (Labcorp) and an academic pathology department (Mount Sinai Hospital) in the transition from a traditional glass slide service to a digital platform. Using the standard framework of implementation science, we evaluate the consistency and quality of the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution (PIPS) in delivering save and efficient diagnostic services.