Macrophage antibacterial activity requires mtROS production. The specific gene(s) that participates in the mtROS-mediated antibacterial process remains unclear. We showed that Listeria and Salmonella infections in human and mouse macrophages increased mtDNA copy number with which dictates antibacterial activity. Interestingly, adenylate kinase 4 (Ak4) expression was upregulated in macrophages after infection. Ak4 KO mice as well as macrophage-specific Ak4 KO mice became highly susceptible to bacterial infections. Ak4 is critical for the increase of mtDNA synthesis and mitochondrial mass in macrophages after bacterial infection. Biochemically, Ak4 transfers a phosphate group from ATP/GTP to (d)AMP for (d)ADP formation, and the K18A and G89S/A166D mutations abolished this function. Our results suggest that induction of Ak4 after infection produces more dADP, whose conversion to dATP in mitochondria supports mtDNA synthesis and the subsequent increase of mtROS production. Loss of this metabolic coupling in Ak4 KO macrophages diminishes antibacterial activity. Our findings highlight the vital role of Ak4 in macrophage defense against pathogenic bacteria.

Rapid bactericidal and anti-virulence effects of Quercus infectoria gall extract against the pharyngitis causing pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes.

Integrated immune responses in Manila clam: Antimicrobial activity, immune-related enzymes activity and gene expression profiles following Vibrio anguillarum challenge.

Enhanced antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis of nano‑silver prepared by Konjac glucomannan via asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation.

Introduction: Soft liners used in temporary prostheses during implant healing may harbour microbial biofilms, potentially impairing peri-implant tissue health. Incorporating antimicrobial agents into these liners could reduce bacterial colonisation and promote early wound healing. Aim: To evaluate and compare the antibacterial activity and wound healing potential of a Triple Antibiotic Paste (TAP)- Modified Soft liner (TMS) versus a conventional soft liner in patients undergoing dental implant placement. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted at the Department of Implantology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India, between April 2024 and July 2024. It included 40 systemically healthy participants with a single missing tooth and was randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group 1 (Control) received a conventional soft liner in a temporary partial denture postimplant placement, while Group 2 (Test) received TMS in the same prosthesis. Antibacterial activity was assessed on days 0, 3, and 7 against Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis using the agar welldiffusion method. Wound healing was evaluated on days 7 and 14 using the Landry Wound Healing Index (WHI). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 23.0 (Armonk, NY, USA), utilising an Independent t-tests, with significance set at p-value <0.05. Results: The mean age of participants in the control group was 44.7±8.1 years, while the test group had a mean age of 45.3±7.5 years, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (p-value=0.78). Group 2 (TMS) demonstrated significantly larger zones of inhibition for all three test organisms on days 0, 3, and 7 (p-value <0.05), indicating superior and sustained antibacterial activity. Wound healing scores were significantly higher in group 2 at both day 7 (3.20±0.63 vs 2.00±0.82; p-value=0.002) and day 14 (4.70±0.48 vs 3.20±0.63; p-value <0.001), reflecting enhanced tissue healing. Conclusion: TMS demonstrated superior antibacterial activity and enhanced early wound healing compared to conventional liners, indicating their potential as a bioactive adjunct to improve peri-implant healing. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Antimicrobial peptide mSshep 1 from Sebastes schlegelii combines broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, membrane-disruptive mechanism and in vivo protective efficacy.

Introduction: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the primary causative agent of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and has shown a concerning rise in Multidrug Resistance (MDR), including the production of Extended-Spectrum BetaLactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases. This resistance compromises the efficacy of conventional antibiotics, posing serious clinical threats such as pyelonephritis and urosepsis, in both community- and hospital-acquired settings. Aim: To evaluate the in-vitro antibacterial activity of Punica granatum extract against MDR Uropathogenic E. coli, including ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing MDR UPEC isolates. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Wardha, Maharashtra, India, over a period of seven months from May 2023 to November 2023. A total of 273 non duplicate UPEC isolates were included. These isolates were obtained from symptomatic UTI patients of all age groups and both sexes who provided clean-catch midstream urine samples during the study period. Identification of UPEC isolates was performed using standard biochemical methods. Phenotypic detection of ESBL and carbapenemase production was carried out in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2022 guidelines. Molecular characterisation involved Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification for the detection of CTX-M genes (ESBL) and NDM genes (carbapenemase). The antibacterial activity of Punica granatum extract, prepared in different concentrations, was assessed using the KirbyBauer disc diffusion method. Mean zones of inhibition were compared using Student’s t-test, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 273 UPEC isolates, 192 (70.3%) were identified as MDR. Among these, 82 were ESBL producers and 62 were carbapenemase producers, while 48 isolates were non producers of both ESBL and carbapenemase enzymes. The P. granatum extract demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, with mean zones of inhibition of 21.18±1.4 mm against ESBL-producing UPEC and 21.54±0.93 mm against carbapenemase-producing UPEC at 100% concentration, comparable to gentamicin. The antibacterial activity of the extract was dose-dependent, with minimal effect observed at lower concentrations. Solvent controls showed negligible antibacterial activity, confirming the specificity of the extract. Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of MDR UPEC, particularly among hospitalised patients, underscoring the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. The significant antibacterial activity of Punica granatum extract against ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing UPEC suggests its potential as a natural, plant-based adjunct or alternative to conventional antibiotics in the treatment of UTIs, especially in resource-limited settings.

Bacterial infection and severe inflammatory responses are major barriers to successful wound healing. Drug delivery systems have shown promise in precision medicine by enhancing the targeting and protection of therapeutic agents. However, their use is limited by challenges such as biocompatibility issues, structurally complex, high manufacturing costs, suboptimal drug loading, unstable release, and premature immune clearance. Although targeted delivery aims to improve efficacy, it may increase the risk of toxicity. Consequently, conventional non-carrier drugs often remain more practical and effective. Emerging vehicle-free systems with multifunctional capabilities show promise for precise targeting, controlled release, reduced toxicity, and simplified manufacturing. Here, we rationally designed and established a vehicle-free perfluoroalkyl material (PFAS)-gallium composites (PFASs@Ga) through introducing gallium (Ga) in PFASs, taking advantage of the collective merits of Ga's antibacterial and pro-healing properties and PFAS's well-recognized oxygen absorption, carrying of oxygen, chemical inertness, and tunable physicochemical properties. Extensive characterization showed well-defined morphology, elemental configuration, and distinct profiles of gallium ion release. The PFUnA@Ga composite improves gallium integration, Ga release, and O2 delivery. This allowed it to demonstrate potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against bacteria, including MRSA and E. coli, which are known to be resistant. In a MRSA-infected wound model, PFUnA@Ga enhances wound closure and reduces bacterial load, thereby promoting regeneration and angiogenesis. The downregulation of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and the upregulation of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages and CD31+ endothelial cells, representing immunomodulatory effects that facilitate inflammation resolution and vascularization. Results confirmed the composites' antibacterial activity and accelerated wound-healing efficacy. This multifunctional composite offers a novel approach for advanced wound management. More specifically, the synergistic approach combines metal-ion mediated bacterial inactivation with sustained oxygenation to support infection control and tissue repair.

Shikonin-loaded bioactive gelatin films with antibacterial activity against Listeria species and antioxidant properties to extend the shelf-life of raw refrigerated beef.

Novel amino acid-substituted cycloastragenol derivatives with antibacterial activity: Design, synthesis, structural characterization, and moleculardocking

Discovery of novel structural imidazolylvinylquinolones exerting excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy with multitargeting potential.

ZrO2/g-C3N4 heterojunction nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and antibacterial activity

Development of active bioplastic films from sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol copolymer incorporating syringic acid for postharvest mushroom preservation.

Azomethine-bridged heteroaryl silane and magnetic nanohybrids: Nanomolar Cd(II) detection and antibacterial activity

Pseudorotaxane-based hydrogel coatings with dual functions of lubrication and antibacterial activity

Myricanol modulates PPARγ/ACSL1/SCD1 metabolic signaling pathway to promote mitochondria biogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Experimental and theoretical analysis on ZnO@AlCrO4 nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of trypan blue dye and antibacterial activity

In this study, phenolic acid content of bee pollen ethanol extract was investigated using TLC and LC-MS-MS and HPLC-RID methods, and vanillic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, and ellagic acid were identified. Antimicrobial activity of bee pollen ethanol extract mixture was screened against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) species by using TLC bioautography, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), and disc diffusion methods. Pollen extract showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli; disc diffusion test results showed 16 and 10 mm inhibition zone at 6000 μg/mL concentration. Caffeic acid and gallic acid showed inhibitory action against both S. aureus and E. coli in TLC bioautography studies. Glucose (3.78 ± 0.14 mg/mL), fructose (6.56 ± 0.17 mg/mL), and sucrose (0.13 ± 0.02 mg/mL) were detected as main carbohydrates in pollen extract. Extract did not show significant cytotoxic effect at all tested concentrations on HEK-293 cells.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of manganese(III), iron(III), zinc(II) and nickel(II) complexes derived from Schiff bases with antibacterial activity

Antibacterial activity and mechanism of astaxanthin crystals against Escherichia coli, Shewanella putrefaciens and its application in cooked pork preservation.