Bacterial Growth Research Articles

Capability lignin from Acacia crassicarpa black liquor as an environmentally benign antibacterial agent to produce antibacterial and hydrophobic textiles

Recently, the growing health awareness of society on the utilization of fabrics has led to an increasing demand for natural-based antibacterial textiles. Lignin, a generous polyphenol compound in nature, is capable of preventing bacterial growth; in particular, it dwells bacteria closely together on human skin, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Propionibacterium acnes, and Staphylococcus aureus. However, the antibacterial properties of lignin are limited by factors such as the lignin concentration, source, and type of bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the potency of lignin as an antibacterial agent for textiles. Moreover, the thermal properties and wettability of the textile after lignin coating were also investigated. This study showed that lignin isolation methods significantly contributed to the inhibition of bacterial growth in the clear zone diameter. In addition, the lignin structure, lignin concentration, and type of bacteria had notably different antibacterial effects. SEM images showed that lignin was successfully coated on the fiber, and the antibacterial textile was successfully fabricated with clear zones in the range of 0.1–0.5 cm against four different bacteria. Lignin did not significantly improve the thermal stability of the textile, as proven by the TGA results. After the HDTMS coating by dispersion method, the wettability of the lignin-textile improved to that of the hydrophobic material, with a contact angle greater than 119.05° with excellent antibacterial properties (clear zone of 0.1–0.43 cm).

VirB11, a traffic ATPase, mediated flagella assembly and type IV pilus morphogenesis to control the motility and virulence of Xanthomonas albilineans.

Xanthomonas albilineans (Xal) is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen responsible for developing sugarcane leaf scald disease, which engenders significant economic losses within the sugarcane industry. In the current study, homologous recombination exchange was carried out to induce mutations within the virB/D4-like type IV secretion system (T4SS) genes of Xal. The results revealed that the virB11-deletion mutant (ΔvirB11) exhibited a loss in swimming and twitching motility. Application of transmission electron microscopy analysis further demonstrated that the ΔvirB11 failed to develop flagella formation and type IV pilus morphology and exhibited reduced swarming behaviour and virulence. However, these alterations had no discernible impact on bacterial growth. Comparative transcriptome analysis between the wild-type Xal JG43 and the deletion-mutant ΔvirB11 revealed 123 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 28 and 10 DEGs were notably associated with flagellar assembly and chemotaxis, respectively. In light of these findings, we postulate that virB11 plays an indispensable role in regulating the processes related to motility and chemotaxis in Xal.

Pseudomonas Stutzeri may alter the environmental fate of polystyrene nanoplastics by trapping them with increasing extracellular polymers

Pseudomonas Stutzeri (P. stutzeri) is a denitrifying bacterium that is essential in biological nitrogen removal. To study the interaction between P. stutzeri and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs), the effects of PS-NPs posed on P. stutzeri were evaluated in terms of bacterial growth, physiology, denitrification function and extracellular polymers (EPS) secretion. Results of confocal laser scanning microscopy (LCSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and flow cytometry confirmed that PS-NPs were trapped by P. stutzeri. Exposure to PS-NPs inhibited bacterial growth and expression of denitrification-related genes, but unaffected the denitrifying enzyme activities. The enhanced secretion of EPS caused PS-NPs and bacterial aggregation. And the enzyme activity of SOD in P. stutzeri was increased while that of CAT was decreased. The results of flow cytometry showed that high concentrations of PS-NPs increased the complexity of P. stutzeri cells. These results reveal that P. stutzeri may be affected after trapping PS-NPs and alter their environmental fate as well. SynopsisThis study contributes to the understanding of the possible effect of P. stutzeri on the distribution of PS-NPs and illustrates the potential impact of PS-NPs on P. stutzeri.

Preparation and Analysis of Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Kombucha Tea Produced from Beijing Bamboo Leaf Tea (Dendrocalamus sp.) and Green Tea

Beijing bamboo (Dendrocalamus sp.), belonging to the Poaceae family, has been largely neglected and underutilized, particularly its leaves. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical properties, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Beijing bamboo leaf and Beijing bamboo leaf kombucha. Hot air drying was conducted at temperatures of 60, 65, and 70ºC, with results indicating that 65ºC is the optimal drying temperature for achieving the highest levels of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. Beijing bamboo leaf tea underwent a 21-day fermentation process with a kombucha consortium comprising yeasts and acetic acid bacteria. The results showed that the changing trends of pH, total acidity, and total soluble solids were similar between kombucha produced from Beijing bamboo leaf tea and green tea. Fermentation notably enhanced the antioxidant activity of the kombucha, as evidenced by DPPH and FRAP assays, which correlated with increases in phenolics and flavonoids. The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed through the agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), revealing that both Beijing bamboo leaf tea and green tea suppressed the growth of pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella Typhimurium DMST 562, E. coli DMST 4242, Bacillus cereus DMST 5040, Staphylococcus aureus DMST 8840, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa DMST 4739. Notably, kombucha from green tea exhibited superior antimicrobial effects compared to Beijing bamboo leaf tea kombucha. Additionally, fermentation of Beijing bamboo leaf tea resulted in higher counts of yeast, acetic acid bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria throughout the fermentation process than those observed in green tea kombucha. These findings highlight the potential of Beijing bamboo leaves as a valuable resource for developing functional properties in underutilized plant resources, offering promising applications in the food and health industries.

Aspergillus fumigatus-induced biogenic silver nanoparticles' efficacy as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents with potential anticancer activity: an in vitro investigation

A worldwide hazard to human health is posed by the growth of toxic bacteria that have contaminated fresh, processed, cereal, and seed products in storage facilities. As the number of multidrug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms rises, we must find safe, and effective antimicrobials. The use of green synthesis nanoparticles to combat microbial pathogens has gained a rising interest. The current study showed Aspergillus fumigatus was applied as a promising biomass for the green synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The UV-visible spectra of biosynthesized Ag NPs appeared characteristic surface plasmon absorption at 475 nm, round-shaped with sizes ranging from 17.11 to 75.54 nm and an average size of 50.37 ± 2.3 nm. In vitro tests were conducted to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects of various treatment procedures for Ag NP applications. The synthesized Ag NPs was revealed biological activity against Aspergillus flauvas, A. niger, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas aerugonosa, and Staphylococcus aureus under optimum conditions. The test bacteria were sensitive to low Ag NPs concentrations. (5, 10, 11, 8, 7, 10, and 7 mg/mL) was observed for the mentioned-before tested microorganisms, respectively. The bacterial pathogens described above experienced their biofilm formation effectively suppressed by Ag NPs at sub-inhibitory doses. Ag NPs were tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to verify their antibacterial efficacy towards S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. These findings clearly show how harmful Ag NPs are to pathogenic bacteria. The Ag NPs showed antitumor activity with IC50 at 5 μg/mL against human HepG-2 and MCF-7 cellular carcinoma cells, while 50 mg/mL was required to induce 70% of normal Vero cell mortality. These findings imply that green synthetic Ag NPs can be used on cancer cell lines in vitro for anticancer effect beside their potential as a lethal factor against some pathogenic microbes.

Improving the Storage Quality of Ready-to-Eat Clementine Fruits Using Lemon By-Products

In this study, the effect of the antioxidant extract from lemon by-products (Citrus × Limon L.) integrated into an edible alginate-based coating was evaluated to preserve the storage quality of ready-to-eat Clementine (Citrus × Clementina) fruits. The effects of different coatings (1.5% of alginate and 1.5% of alginate + 2–4% of lemon by-product extract) were assessed by the physical, chemical, microbiological, sensorial, and structural analyses of ready-to-eat Clementine fruits stored for 21 d at 4 °C. Ready-to-eat Clementine fruits coated with alginate and extract from lemon by-products showed greater levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and organic acids. A microbiological analysis revealed the dose-dependent effect of the extract to contrast the growth of mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and molds during storage. A sensory analysis confirmed that the enriched coating improved the visual, structural, and olfactory parameters until the end of storage. The evidence in this study proves that an antioxidant extract from lemon by-products is a great sustainable treatment to preserve ready-to-eat fruits.

Novel 2-aminothiazole analogues both as polymyxin E synergist and antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria

The widespread emergence of antibiotic resistance poses a substantial challenge to global health. While polymyxin E serves as a final option in treatment, its effectiveness is hindered by dose-related toxicity. A crucial strategy for addressing this issue involves incorporating an antibiotic adjuvant to enhance the antibiotic's efficacy and decrease the required dosage. Here, we reported a multifunctional antibacterial compound A33, containing a 2-aminothiazole scaffold. In vitro studies demonstrated that A33 in combination with polymyxin E inhibited the growth of various Gram-negative bacteria, meanwhile with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.5-4 μg/mL against twenty-three Gram-positive bacteria, including two drug-resistant strains. In vivo studies showed significant efficacy of the combined treatment of A33 and polymyxin E in a mouse infection model. The mice treated with compound A33 (64 mg/kg) and polymyxin E (0.5 mg/kg) in combination had a 100% survival rate. Mechanistic studies suggested that A33 might exert its synergistic effect by targeting the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The ADMET data demonstrated that A33 possessed good pharmacokinetic profiles and drug-likeness properties. Overall, the optimized compound A33 assisted polymyxin E in combating various Gram-negative bacteria and exhibited bactericidal effects against drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, offering a new potential therapeutic approach for managing mixed bacterial infections.

Investigating the Relationship between Awareness, Beliefs, and Performance of Operating Room Students in Hand Hygiene with Analysis of Microbial Flora on Hands during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BackgroundHand hygiene compliance among hospital staff has always been recognized as an effective method in controlling and reducing hospital-acquired infections. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand hygiene has emerged as one of the effective preventive measures against this disease, leading to increased awareness and concerns. This study aims to examine the awareness, beliefs, and practices of operating room students regarding hand hygiene, by analyzing the microbial flora on their hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to assess the level of hand hygiene compliance among students, who will be future hospital employees. AimThis study aimed to investigate the correlation between the level of awareness, belief, and performance of operating room students regarding hand hygiene with the analysis of microbial hand flora during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose was to examine the compliance with hand hygiene among students, who will be future hospital employees, during this pandemic. MethodologyThe present study included a sample of 92 students majoring in Operating Room who were enrolled in the research through a census. The data collection tool consisted of a questionnaire to assess the students' awareness, beliefs, and performance regarding hand hygiene and analysis of microbial flora on hands. Standard culture media including Blood Agar, Brilliant Green Agar, and Eosin Methylene Blue were used for isolating microorganisms. Microorganism identification was performed using biochemical tests. ResultsThe results of this study indicate that out of the participants, 65 were girls and 27 were boys with an average age of 21.9±2.3 years. The mean scores for awareness, belief, and performance were 8.9, 72.3, and 64.2, respectively. Analysis of microbiological flora also revealed that the highest growth microorganisms were epidermidis bacteria (26.6%), coagulase-negative staphylococci bacteria (22.9%), and streptococcus bacteria (21.2%). Discussion and ConclusionBased on the results of this study, operating room students have shown a high level of awareness, belief, and performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the minimal growth of bacteria in the conducted culture samples confirms this finding. Due to the limited availability of studies, it is recommended that further research be conducted in this area.

Co-culturing Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis with Lactobacillus helveticus accelerates its growth and fermentation in milk through metabolic interactions

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the interaction between Lactobacillus helveticus H9 (H9) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Probio-M8 (M8) through metabolomics analysis, focusing on understanding how co-culturing these strains can enhance bacterial growth and metabolism, thereby shortening the fermentation cycle and improving efficiency. [Methods] The H9 and M8 strains were cultured individually and in combination (1:1 ratio) in milk. The fermented milk metabolomes were analyzed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. [Results] In the dual-strain fermentation, the M8 strain exhibited a 2.33-fold increase in viable bacterial count compared with single-strain fermentation. Additionally, the dual-strain fermentation resulted in greater metabolite abundance and diversity. Notably, the dual-strain fermented milk showed significantly elevated levels of metabolites, including 5-methyl-2-hexanone, (E)-3-octen-2-one, acetic acid, alanine, and 3-hydroxy-butanal. [Conclusion] Our results demonstrated that co-culturing the M8 and H9 strains accelerated growth and fermentation efficiency. This enhancement effect is likely attributed to the strong proteolytic ability of the H9 strain, which hydrolyzes casein to produce small molecular peptides, alanine, tyrosine, and other growth-promoting factors. The insights gained from this study have significant implications for probiotics and the dairy industry, potentially leading to shorter fermentation cycles, enhanced cost-effectiveness, and improved nutritional and functional properties of future fermented milk products. Additionally, these findings may contribute to advancements in probiotic research and applications.

Tuning the toughness, strength, and biological properties of functionally graded alumina/titania-based composites for use in bone repair applications

In this study, functionally graded composite (FGC) was prepared using a high-energy ball mill by fabricating five layers of alumina (Al2O3), titania (TiO2), hydroxyapatite (HA), and iron oxide (Fe3O4), which were sintered at 1100 °C to create an FGC sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and weight loss measurements were used to assess bioactivity and biodegradation after immersing samples in simulated body fluid (SBF). Also, the antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of these layers were evaluated. Furthermore, their electrical, dielectric, and mechanical properties were examined. The results revealed that all sintered layers were bioactive, and adding HA and Fe3O4 enhanced this desired property. Also, S. aureus bacterial growth was inhibited by TiO2 and Fe3O4. Fortunately, the sintered layers showed no cytotoxic effect, validating the ICP findings that demonstrated acceptable biodegradation. Adding HA and Fe3O4 enhanced fracture toughness in another hopeful outcome, which is crucial for biomaterial efficacy and long-term therapeutic success. Moreover, the compressive strength of all the layers and the FGC sample was 191.7, 182.2, 171.18, 159.8, 142.5, and 171.1 MPa. Layers 3, 4, and 5 notably had a compressive strength similar to cortical bone. This means that implanting these layers into human bone will protect the bone around them from stress-shielding action. Finally, the successive increase in HA/Fe3O4 contents increased the electrical conductivity. Accordingly, the prepared FGC sample and its layers are attractive bone substitute materials.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Saudi Coriandrum sativum L. Seed Extract: A Potential Natural Preservative for Enhancing Food Safety and Shelf Life

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of an aqueous extract of Saudi Coriandrum sativum L. seeds against bacteria that cause food contamination and food poisoning. Methods: The study utilized an aqueous extract of Saudi Coriandrum sativum L. seeds to assess its antibacterial activity against various bacterial strains associated with food contamination and food poisoning. The bacterial strains tested included Streptococcus sp., Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria were exposed to the extract for a period of 72 hours, after which their growth rates were measured and categorized to determine the extract's effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial proliferation. Results: The bacterial isolates were divided into three groups based on their growth rates after 72 hours of exposure to the aqueous extract. The first group, which demonstrated the highest susceptibility, included Streptococcus sp. and Enterococcus faecalis, with an average growth reduction of 9.2%. The second group, comprising Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, exhibited an average growth reduction of 22.5%. The third group, which included Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Listeria monocytogenes, showed the least susceptibility, with an average growth reduction of 45.8%. Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds has shown effective inhibition of bacterial growth. While additional research is needed to fully assess its potential, the extract could be recommended as a natural preservative in the food industry. It has the potential to extend shelf life, improve food quality, and safeguard consumer health.

Hydrothermal synthesis of BCQD@g-C3N4 nanocomposites supporting environmental sustainability: Organic dye removal and bacterial inactivation

Various studies are being carried out on the removal of organic dyes and the production of antibacterial agents. In this study, boron-doped carbon quantum dot (BCQD) was synthesized by hydrothermal method, and BCQD@g-C3N4 nanocomposite structure was synthesized using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as the support material. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposite against MO, RhB dyes, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria was investigated. The surface, morphology, molecular, and crystal properties of BCQD@g-C3N4 were investigated using characterization methods such as Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Fluorescence (FL) spectrophotometer, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). As a result of TEM analysis, it was determined that the average particle size of BCQD was 5.1 ± 1.14 nm and showed a homogeneous distribution on 2D g-C3N4. In the XRD spectrum for BCQDs, the diffraction peak corresponding to the (002) amorphous carbon phase was observed at 21.65° In the PL spectrum of B-CQD@g-C3N4s, the emission value was observed at 458 nm. In the study conducted by taking advantage of the photocatalytic feature of BCQD@g-C3N4 nanocomposite, Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methyl orange (MO) were degraded by 65.58 % and 73.56 %, respectively, at the end of 120 min. Additionally, BCQD@g-C3N4 photocatalyst completely inhibited the growth of E. coli bacteria, which are frequently encountered in wastewater, at 90 minutes under sunlight. Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is frequently encountered in wastewater, BCQD@g-C3N4 completely prevented bacterial growth in the 90th minute under sunlight.

Two marine sulfur-reducing bacteria co-culture is essential for productive infection by a T4-like Escherichia coli-infecting phage

The control of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) challenges the oil exploration sector. The MIC results from electrochemical reactions facilitated by microorganisms such as sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), which adhere to the surface of the ducts forming biofilms. SRB uses sulfate as the final electron acceptor, resulting in hydrogen sulfide as the final product, a highly reactive corrosive, and toxic compound. Due to the high diversity of the SRB group, this study evaluated the effect of an Escherichia coli phage, with biofilm degrading enzymes, in preventing biofilm formation by microbial consortium P48SEP and reducing H2S production in a complex SRB community. Three phage concentrations were evaluated (104, 108 and 1012 UFP/ml). High and medium phage concentrations prevented biofilm development, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, chemical analysis, and cell counts. In addition, the virus altered the expression pattern of some bacterial genes and the relative abundance of proteins related to biofilm formation and cell stress response. Using a complex culture formed mainly by SRB, it was possible to observe the bacterial growth, H2S, and metabolic activity reduction after the phage was added. This study shows for the first time the ability of an E. coli-infecting phage to prevent the biofilm formation of an SRB consortium and infect and replicate at high concentrations on the non-specific host. This new finding turns the use of non-specific phages a promising alternative for the control of biocorrosion in oil and gas installations, on the other side, alert to the use of large concentration of phages and the influence on bacterial groups with geological importance, opening a research field in phage biology.

Biofilm Formation is Durably Prevented on Pre-Fabricated Antibiotic Cement Spacers Compared to Cobalt Chrome and Polyethylene

BackgroundA two-stage revision remains the standard for managing chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Despite multiple spacer options, whether a particular one better resists biofilm formation remains unclear. Prefabricated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) articulating spacers containing antibiotics and a proprietary pore structure were developed to increase antibiotic elution characterized by a rapid burst phase for the initial 1 to 2 days and an extended slow-release phase for > 28 days. This in vitro study determined whether biofilm formation is prevented during the initial rapid burst phase and/or the slow-release phase. MethodsS. aureus-Xen36 was incubated in 1.5 ml of Luria-Bertani broth with PMMA discs with the proprietary pore structure either with or without gentamycin and vancomycin, or with ‘Hoffman style’ positive-control discs (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) or cobalt-chrome). Non-adherent bacteria were removed by three Phosphate Buffered Saline rinses every 20 to 24 hours. Planktonic bacterial growth in the culture broth and biofilm formation on the discs were measured by Colony Forming Unit (CFU) counting and resazurin reduction assays. Experiments were repeated > 4 times. ResultsNo detectable planktonic bacterial growth or biofilm formation occurred in cultures containing PMMA with antibiotics (≤ 15 CFUs/disc), whereas biofilms formed on PMMA without antibiotics, UHMWPE, and cobalt-chrome (1x107 to 4x108 CFUs/disc, P < 0.0001). Biofilm formation was confirmed by a 100-fold decrease in sensitivity to vancomycin. To determine whether the antibiotic slow-release phase is sufficient to block biofilm formation, PMMA discs with antibiotics were pre-eluted for 14 days with multiple saline changes prior to bacterial inoculation. After antibiotic elution, still no detectable biofilms formed on PMMA discs with antibiotics (≤ 15 CFUs/disc, P <0.0001). ConclusionAntibiotic release during both the initial and slow-release phases prevented biofilm formation on PMMA with the proprietary pore structure. This may translate into improved infection eradication rates clinically.

Do Silver Nanoparticles in Fixed Orthodontic Appliances Inhibit Bacterial Growth?

Do Silver Nanoparticles in Fixed Orthodontic Appliances Inhibit Bacterial Growth?

Stability of Epinephrine in a Normal Saline Solution

Objective Dilution of concentrated epinephrine prior to intravenous use during clinical emergencies can delay urgent interventions. The objective of this study was to determine whether diluted epinephrine remains stable and sterile over time in common hospital settings. Methods Epinephrine samples were prepared by clinically relevant double dilution techniques. Samples were stored in 10-mL syringes and incubated under 1 of 4 simulated hospital environments with a mixture of lighting and temperature settings: 4°C/20°C, with or without fluorescent lighting. Samples were incubated for 0, 15, 30, 60, or 90 days. Capillary zonal electrophoresis was used to quantify the concentration of epinephrine and/or presence of any degradation products. All samples were tested for the presence of bacterial growth using blood agar cultures. Results Diluted epinephrine samples remained stable for up to 90 days in all 4 simulated clinical storage conditions. No bacterial colony-forming units were detected in any of the environmental samples regardless of incubation duration, light, or temperature conditions. Conclusion Diluted epinephrine for anticipated clinical emergencies may remain clinically useful for up to 90 days, thus improving patient safety, access to medications, and overhead costs by reducing waste.

Tilapia gelatin films by incorporating metal-polyphenol network formed by procyanidin and zinc ion for pork preservation

There is a lack of information about the application of metal polyphenol networks (MPN) in the food industry nowadays. Herein, the MPN was prepared by procyanidin (PC) and zinc ion (Zn2+), and introduced into tilapia gelatin films. The MPN-modified films showed broader thickness, higher UV-Vis light barrier property, and lower water sensitivity and water vapor property than PC-modified films. When the molar ratio of Zn2+ to PC being 3:8, the incorporation of MPN induced the highest tensile strength of films reaching 82.47 MPa, good activity against oxidation, and improved inhibition activity to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The MPN-modified gelatin films could suppress the bacteria growth, and attenuate the generation of total volatile basic nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, causing the shelf life of pork extended by five and three days compared with the control and PC-modified films, respectively. The results suggested that MPN provided great potential in the application of food packaging.

Ethnomedical Study of Traditional Medicinal Plants for Cough and Tuberculosis (TB) of the Helong Tribe on Semau Island, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara

The Helong people in Kupang Regency, NTT Province, have experienced being exposed to cough and tuberculosis (TB). Therefore, it is believed that this community has also long since developed their local knowledge and traditional ways to prevent and treat the disease. In general, this study aims to analyze and find the concept of the Helong Tribe community and ethnomedical practices for the prevention and treatment of cough and tuberculosis (TB). This research is a medical anthropology research using a qualitative research method with an ethnographic approach, which is supported by laboratory research and literature studies. Field research was carried out on Semau Island, NTT Province, involving traditional medicine. The results of the research conducted in the form of interviews with traditional medicine practitioners in the Helong tribe obtained as many as 31 plants used in treatment, and there were 3 plants used to treat cough, including hemorrhagic cough/tuberculosis, namely plants: white banyan (Ficus benjamina L), mesocarp palm fruit (Borassus flabellifer L.) and white flower (Clerodendrum costatum R.Br). The three plants that are suspected to have the ability to treat cough and cough up blood carried out preliminary tests of antibacterial activity against bacteria that generally cause stones, namely Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The results obtained for ethanol extract of white banyan leaves (Ficus benjamina L) with a concentration of 25% b/v with a diameter of 16.53 mm, 50% b/v with a diameter of 16.33 mm, and 75% b/v with a diameter of 16.56 mm. Mesocarp ethanol extract of palm fruit (Borassus flabellifer L.) At a concentration of 25% b/v with an inhibitory zone diameter of 11.60 mm, a concentration of 50% b/v with an inhibitory zone diameter of 12.30 mm, a concentration of 75% b/v with an inhibitory zone diameter of 13.40 mm, for white flowers (Clerodendrum costatum R.Br) at a concentration of 25%b/v with an inhibitory zone diameter of 9.41 mm, a concentration of 50% b/v of 10.36 mm and a concentration of 75% b/v of 11.24 mm. This means that the three plants have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Furthermore, for the antibacterial activity test against Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria for white banyan plants (Ficus benjamina L.), mesocarp of palm fruit (Borassus flabellifer L.), and white flowers (Clerodendrum costatum R.Br) by the MODS (Microscopically Observed Drug Susceptibility) method, it was obtained that the three plants at concentrations of 250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 1000 ppm were only seen to have the growth of Micobacterium tuberculosis bacteria in the second week. Passive control with INH observation until week IV did not see any bacterial growth, while for negative control in the first week, the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria was seen. It can be concluded that a concentration greater than 1000 ppm is needed for the three plants to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.

Antibiotic Lock Therapy for Port Catheter-Related Infections of Children with Acute Leukemia.

Port catheters facilitate the administration of chemotherapy, antibiotics, blood products, fluid, and parenteral nutrition to pediatric patients with hematological malignancies. However, as its use has become widespread, local and systemic, catheter-related infections have emerged as important causes of morbidity and mortality. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the success of antibiotic lock therapy in port catheter-related infections of pediatric patients followed up with acute leukemia. Port catheter cultures taken from a total of 182 pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic/myeloblastic leukemia who were followed up at Ankara City Hospital Pediatric Hematology Clinic between August 2019 and August 2023 were evaluated retrospectively. Bacterial growth was identified in 739 port catheter culture specimens of 182 patients. Closure or removal of the port was required in 91, and removal of the port catheters in 49 patients due to port catheter-related infections. Antibiotic lock therapy was started in 56 patients with bacterial growth in the port catheter. With antibiotic lock therapy, port catheter-related infections of 42 patients were eradicated, and their catheters began to be used again. As a result, the port catheter-related infections of 42 of 56 (75%) patients whose ports were closed and also received systemic antibiotic therapy were eradicated, and no infection recurrence was observed. Adding antibiotic lock therapy to systemic antibiotics in pediatric patients may be beneficial in terms of catheter salvage.

Isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates from unused diapers sold in major markets in Enugu Metropolis: Clinical and policy perspectives.

Diapers, being one of the most used items for infant care, it is imperative that they are always free of contamination from microorganisms. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of bacterial contamination and the antibiotics profile of isolated bacteria from unused diapers sold in markets in Enugu Metropolis, southeast Nigeria. The study also investigated the effectiveness of the Nigerian Consumer protection laws towards maintaining the standard of care for infants and toddlers. Fifty pieces of different brands of diapers were sampled for bacterial contamination using standard bacteriological procedures. The results show that out of 50 samples analyzed, bacterial growths were identified in 9 (18%), of which five different bacterial species were isolated. The most prevalent being Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus 3 (33.3%). Other bacteria isolated were Lactobacillus spp, Klebsiella spp, and Streptococcus spp 1 (11.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of the bacterial contamination of diapers across the different brands(p>0.05). We conclude that baby diapers sold in markets in Enugu metropolis are prone to contamination with bacteria.We recommend that appropriate measures should be taken during the manufacturing process to reduce or prevent the incidence of bacterial contamination of diapers.