Neomycin Research Articles

Contact allergy to neomycin in consecutively patch tested Danish eczema patients from 2000 to 2023: A cross-sectional study.

Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that may cause contact allergy. It was withdrawn as a medicine for human use in Denmark in October 2009 but is still found in some vaccines. To identify time trends in contact allergy to neomycin in the period from 2000 to 2023. A cross-section study of patients ≥18 years consecutively patch-tested with neomycin sulfate (20% in pet.) at Gentofte Hospital, Denmark, during the period 2000-2023 was conducted. The overall prevalence of contact allergy to neomycin was 1.4%. The prevalence was significantly lower in the period '2010-2023' (1.2%) than in '2000-2009' (1.8%) (p < 0.005). Contact allergy to neomycin was significantly positively associated with facial dermatitis and age >40 years, and significantly negatively associated with occupational dermatitis and hand dermatitis. No changes in sex, occupational dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, hand dermatitis, leg dermatitis, facial dermatitis, or age > 40/≤40 (the MOAHLFA-index) were identified when comparing neomycin contact allergic-patients in the two periods '2010-2023' and '2001-2009'. Neomycin is a rare cause of contact allergy in Denmark with a significantly lower prevalence following its withdrawal as a medicinal product for human use in Denmark in 2009.

Isolation and preliminary characterization of a novel bacteriophage vB_KquU_φKuK6 that infects the multidrug-resistant pathogen Klebsiella quasipneumoniae.

Klebsiella quasipneumoniae (previously known as K. pneumoniae K6) strains are among the multidrug-resistant hypervirulent bacterial pathogens. Phage therapy can help treat infections caused by such pathogens. Here we report some aspects of virology and therapeutic potentials of vB_KquU_φKuK6, a bacteriophage that infects Klebsiella quasipneumoniae. K. quasipneumoniae (ATCC 700603) was used to screen wastewater lytic phages. The isolate vB_KquU_φKuK6 that consistently created large clear plaques was characterized using standard virological and molecular methods. vB_KquU_φKuK6 has a complex capsid with an icosahedral head (~60 nm) and a slender tail (~140 nm × 10 nm). The phage has a 51% AT-rich linear dsDNA genome (51,251 bp) containing 121 open reading frames. The genome contains genes encoding spanin, endolysin, and holin proteins necessary for lytic infection and a recombinase gene possibly involved in lysogenic infection. vB_KquU_φKuK6 is stable at -80 to +67°C, pH 4-9, and brief exposure to one volume percent of chloroform. vB_KquU_φKuK6 has a narrow host range. Its lytic infection cycle involves a latency of 20 min and a burst size of 435 plaque-forming units. The phage can cause lysogenic infection, and the resulting lysogens are resistant to lytic infection by vB_KquU_φKuK6. vB_KquU_φKuK6 reduces the host cells' ability to form biofilm but fails to eliminate that ability. vB_KquU_φKuK6 demonstrates phage-antibiotic synergy and reduces the minimum inhibitory concentration of chloramphenicol and neomycin sulfate by about 8 folds. vB_KquU_φKuK6 cannot be directly used for phage therapy because it is a temperate bacteriophage. However, genetically modified strains of vB_KquU_φKuK6 alone or combined with antibiotics or other lytic Klebsiella phages can have therapeutic utilities in treating K. quasipneumoniae infections.

Allergens causing contact dermatitis of the feet: Investigation and analysis of allergic reaction causes.

Allergic contact dermatitis of the feet is a significant problem that affects the quality of life and requires attention from the medical community due to the number of studied and still unidentified allergens. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the available scientific data regarding the most common allergens that cause ACD of the feet. Nickel sulphate, neomycin sulphate, thiuram mix and colophony occupy a significant place in the prevalence of allergies. The prevalence of sensitization to rubber and leather products can vary depending on the ethno-demographic characteristics of the country, as well as the specifics of a person's professional activity, such as the use of protective waterproof shoes, increased humidity of the microclimate, and atopy in anamnesis. Patch testing has been shown to be an important method for identifying allergens, however, not all footwear components are tested during patch testing with standard allergen series, requiring the use of patches made from patient shoe samples. Expanding the scope of patch testing to include other possible allergens is important for the accurate diagnosis of ACD of the feet and a more detailed study of those allergens that were previously considered rare.

Multiplex immunochromatographic test strip based on multicolor gold nanoparticles for the simultaneous detection of neomycin, penicillin, and chloramphenicol in food samples

In this study, we demonstrated an approach for the development of multiplex immunochromatographic test strip (MICS) for neomycin (NEO), penicillin (PEN), and chloramphenicol (CAP) detection using three different-colored gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles: gold nanospheres (red), gold nanostars (blue), and gold nanoflowers (black) were applied as labels for MICS fabrication. The proposed MICS achieved a clearly visible limit of detection with cut-off values of 500, 5, and 0.5 μg L−1 for NEO, PEN, and CAP, respectively within only 10 min. Such smartphone-based detection provided a limit of detection of 3.70 μg L−1 for NEO, 0.10 μg L−1 for PEN, and 0.008 μg L−1 for CAP. The analysis of real samples by the developed MICS was well correlated with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The proposed MICS has the potential to be used for the simultaneous detection of NEO, PEN, and CAP with rapid, precise, and sensitive results.

The Silverjaw Minnow, Ericymba buccata: An Extraordinary Lateral Line System and its Contribution to Prey Detection.

Fishes use their mechanosensory lateral line (LL) system to detect local water flows in different behavioral contexts, including the detection of prey. The LL system is comprised of neuromast receptor organs on the skin (superficial neuromasts) and within bony canals (canal neuromasts). Most fishes have one cranial LL canal phenotype, but the silverjaw minnow (Ericymba buccata) has two: narrow canals dorsal and caudal to the eye and widened canals ventral to the eye and along the mandible. The ventrally directed widened LL canals have been hypothesized to be an adaptation for detection of their benthic prey. Multiple morphological methods were used to describe the narrow and widened canals and canal neuromasts in detail. The primary distribution of hundreds of superficial neuromasts and taste buds ventral to the eye and on the mandible (described here for the first time) suggests additional sensory investment for detecting flow and chemical stimuli emanating from benthic prey. The hypothesis that the LL system mediates prey localization was tested by measuring five parameters in behavioral trials in which the combination of sensory modalities available to fish was manipulated (four experimental treatments). Fish detected and localized prey regardless of available sensory modalities and they were able to detect prey in the dark in the absence of LL input (LL ablation with neomycin sulfate) revealing that chemoreception was sufficient to mediate benthic prey detection, localization, and consumption. However, elimination of LL input resulted in a change in the angle of approach to live (mobile) prey even when visual input was available, suggesting that mechanosensory input contributes to the successful detection and localization of prey. The results of this study demonstrate that the extraordinary LL canal system of the silverjaw minnow, in addition to the large number of superficial neuromasts, and the presence of numerous extraoral taste buds, likely represent adaptations for multimodal integration of sensory inputs contributing to foraging behavior in this species. The morphological and behavioral results of this study both suggest that this species would be an excellent model for future comparative structural and functional studies of sensory systems in fishes.

Investigating the Bactericidal Activity of an Ocular Solution Containing EDTA, Tris, and Polysorbate 80 and Its Impact on the In Vitro Efficacy of Neomycin Sulfate against Staphylococcus aureus: A Preliminary Study.

In the current context of emerging and spreading antimicrobial resistance in human and animal infections, new strategies need to be developed to improve the efficacy of commonly prescribed antibiotics and preserve more critical compounds for multi-drug-resistant infections. This preliminary study aimed at evaluating the benefits of an eye cleaning solution containing 0.1% EDTA, 0.02% Tris, and 0.1% Polysorbate 80 in veterinary ophthalmology. A first in vitro study was performed to assess the bactericidal activity of the test solution against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. A second in vitro study evaluated the impact of the test solution on the antimicrobial activity of neomycin against Staphylococcus aureus. The test solution alone did not show bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The test solution seemed to increase the activity of Neomycin Sulfate against Staphylococcus aureus. These findings warrant further research to better characterize the impact on the bactericidal activity of antimicrobials used in veterinary ocular surface infections of the solution containing 0.1% EDTA, 0.02% Tris, and 0.1% Polysorbate 80 as well as of each individual ingredient for a thorough understanding of how this test solution could provide a new strategy to address the growing antimicrobial resistance issue worldwide.

Colorimetric detection of neomycin sulfate in serum based on ultra-small gold nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity

Neomycin sulfate (NEO) is a kind of aminoglycoside antibiotics. Because of its strong ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity and other side effects, its content in the body should be strictly monitored during use. In this paper, a rapid colorimetric detection method for NEO based on ultrasmall polyvinylpyrrolidone modified gold nanoparticles (PVP/Au NPs) with peroxidase-like activity was developed. Firstly, ultra small PVP/Au NPs with weak peroxidase-like activity were synthetized. When they were mixed with NEO, strong hydrogen bonds were formed between NEO and PVP, resulting in the aggregation of PVP/Au NPs, and the aggregated PVP/Au NPs showed stronger peroxidase-like activity. Therefore, rapid colorimetric detection of NEO was achieved by utilizing the enhanced peroxidase-like activity mechanism caused by the aggregation of ultra small PVP/Au NPs. The naked eye detection limit of this method is 50 nM. Within the range of 1 nM-300 nM, there was a good linear relationship between NEO concentration and the change in absorbance intensity of PVP/Au NPs-H2O2-TMB solution at 652 nm, with the regression curve of y = 0.0045x + 0.0525 (R2 = 0.998), and the detection limit is 1 nM. In addition, this method was successfully applied to the detection of NEO in mouse serum. The recoveries were 104.4 % −107.6 % compared with HPLC assay results, indicating that this method for NEO detection based on PVP/Au NPs has great potential in actual detection of NEO in serum.

Sucralose triggers insulin resistance leading to follicular dysplasia in mice

Sucralose, the extensively utilized sweetener, might lead to metabolic disorders with prolonged consumption, but it remains uncertain if sucralose has any impact on female reproductive health. We incorporated sucralose into drinking water and observed food intake, body weight, estrous cycle, follicular development, serum hormones, and insulin sensitivity of mice. The mice did not experience any changes in their food intake or body weight after consuming sucralose. However, they displayed irregularities in the estrous cycle, marked by a reduced count of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, coupled with a significant increase in the number of antral follicles. There was a decline in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P4) levels, while testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels surged, leading to a notable elevation in the LH / FSH ratio. Sucralose also induced insulin resistance, as evidenced by elevated insulin levels and impaired insulin tolerance, which responded to an increase in bacterial-derived serum endotoxin. By eliminating insulin resistance with rosiglitazone (RSG), eradicating intestinal flora-derived endotoxins with neomycin (NEO), or enhancing intestinal barrier function with indole-3-carbinol (I3C), the abnormalities in estrous cycle, disruptions in follicular development, hormonal imbalances and elevation in serum endotoxins induced by sucralose were successfully reversed. The present study indicates that sucralose-induced follicular dysplasia in mice is probably related to impaired intestinal permeability, infiltration of endotoxins, initiation of systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance.

Gallnut tannic acid alleviates gut damage induced by Salmonella pullorum in broilers by enhancing barrier function and modulating microbiota.

Pullorum disease (PD) is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella pullorum (S. pullorum) that affects poultry. It is highly infectious and often fatal. Antibiotics are currently the mainstay of prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for PD, but their use can lead to the development of resistance in pathogenic bacteria and disruption of the host's intestinal flora. We added neomycin sulfate and different doses of tannic acid (TA) to the drinking water of chicks at 3 days of age and infected them with PD by intraperitoneal injection of S. pullorum at 9 days of age. We analyzed intestinal histopathological changes and the expression of immune-related genes and proteins by using the plate smear method, histological staining, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, ELISA kits, and 16S rRNA Analysis of intestinal flora. The results demonstrate that S. pullorum induces alterations in the immune status and impairs the functionality of the liver and intestinal barrier. We found that tannic acid significantly ameliorated S. pullorum-induced liver and intestinal damage, protected the intestinal physical and chemical barriers, restored the intestinal immune barrier function, and regulated the intestinal flora. Our results showed that TA has good anti-diarrhoeal, growth-promoting, immune-regulating, intestinal barrier-protecting and intestinal flora-balancing effects, and the best effect was achieved at an additive dose of 0.2%.

Anti-proliferative, antimicrobial, DFT calculations, and molecular docking 3D scaffold based on sodium alginate, chitosan, neomycin sulfate and hydroxyapatite

3D multifunctional scaffold has been designed based on Cs/SA/NS/NPHA. Nanoparticles hydroxyapatite (NPHA) was prepared via precipitation method of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in presence calcium chloride. Different ratios of Chitosan (CS)/Sodium Alginate (SA) were used to prepare Cs/SA scaffolds in presence of CaCl2 as a cross linker. NPHA was incorporated in CS/SA scaffold and neomycin sulfate (NS) was added as an antimicrobial agent. The structure and surface morphology of the scaffolds were investigated via infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Additionally, Antimicrobial activity of the scaffold has evaluated against Gram- negative and Gram- positive bacteria. The result showed promising antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Furthermore, cytotoxicity against MG63 osteosarcoma cell and fibroblast normal cell line has investigated. The result showed anti-proliferative against MG63. DFT calculations and molecular docking were used to study the reactivity of the compounds. The results exhibited that Cs/SA/NS/NPHA is potent expected to be used in bone tissue regeneration.

Quality by design‐engineered reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method development and validation for simultaneous estimation of neomycin sulfate and beclomethasone dipropionate in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form

AbstractThe aim of this study was to develop and validate a robust reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) method for the simultaneous estimation of neomycin sulfate (NEO) and beclomethasone dipropionate (BECLO) in both bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The analysis was conducted using the Box‐Behnken design. The separation of NEO and BECLO was conducted on a Phenomenex Luna C‐18 column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 µm), employing a mobile phase comprising a mixture of methanol and trifluoroacetic acid in a ratio of 88:12% v/v. The separation was performed at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. NEO and BECLO were analyzed at a wavelength of 240 nm employing a photodiode array detector. The validation of the methodology followed the guidelines outlined in the International Council for Harmonization Q2 R (1). The validation process involved assessing critical parameters such as linearity, accuracy, system suitability, precision, and robustness. The results for each parameter were found to be within the acceptable range. The results indicate that the established RP‐HPLC method can effectively be employed for the routine analysis of NEO and BECLO in bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage forms.

First Report of Colletotrichum scovillei Causing Anthracnose Fruit Rot on Pepper in Ontario, Canada.

Anthracnose fruit rot affecting field peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) has been reported in Ontario, Canada, leading to significant crop losses of up to 80% over the past three years. Ten symptomatic fruits per field, exhibiting one or more soft, sunken lesions covered with salmon-colored spore masses (Fig. S1), were collected from one and two Banana pepper fields in August 2022 and 2023, respectively, all located in southwestern Ontario. Small sections of diseased tissue (0.5 cm in length) from lesion edges underwent surface sterilization and plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA, Difco) supplemented with kanamycin (50 mg liter-1), neomycin sulfate (12 mg liter-1) and streptomycin sulfate (100 mg liter-1), and incubated at 22°C for 7 days in the dark. Fifteen fungal colonies were isolated and purified using the hyphal tipping method. All fungal isolates showed a pale gray colony morphology with a faint salmon tint on PDA (Fig. S1). Conidia, produced on PDA after incubating the 15 isolates at 22°C for 17 days in the dark, were hyaline, aseptate, smooth-walled, cylindrical with obtuse ends (Fig. S1), and measured 9.4 to 15.0 × 2.7 to 4.8 µm (mean ± standard deviation of 145 conidia = 11.3 ± 1.2 μm × 3.7 ± 0.5 μm), the typical morphology of Colletotrichum species (Damm et al. 2012). Internal transcribed spacer (ITS), actin (ACT), chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), glutamine synthetase (GS), histone H3 (HIS3) and beta-tubulin 2 (TUB2) gene regions of all isolates were amplified and sequenced with primers ITS1/ITS4, ACT-512F/ACT-783R, CHS-79F/CHS-345R, GDF1/GDR1, GSF1/GSR1, CYLH3F/CYLH3R and Bt2a/Bt2b and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. ITS: PP060584 to PP060596; ACT, CHS-1, GAPDH, GS, HIS3 and TUB2: PP085919 to PP086005), respectively. The sequences were 100% identical to Colletotrichum scovillei strains from different hosts and countries (ITS: PP079643; ACT: MN718468; CHS-1: MN718466, GAPDH: MN718465.1, HIS3: MT592502, TUB2: MK462971). The maximum likelihood-based phylogenetic analysis of ITS, ACT, CHS-1, GAPDH, GS, HIS3, and TUB2 concatenated sequences was conducted using IQ-TREE 2.2.2.7 (Minh et al. 2020). All isolates from this study were grouped with high bootstrap support values with the holotype C. scovillei CBS 126529 (Fig. S2). Living cultures of these isolates were deposited in the Canadian Collection of Fungal Cultures (DAOMC 252833 to 252847). Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating 4 Banana (cv. Jumbo Stuff) and 4 Bell (cv. Archimedes) pepper fruits with 10 μl droplet of a 1 × 105 conidia ml-1 suspension of each isolate onto a wound made with a sterile pipette tip. Eight control fruits were mock-inoculated with sterilized water. Nine days post-inoculation, necrotic lesions measuring 24.7 ± 0.3 mm on Bell and 27.9 ± 0.2 mm on Banana peppers were observed. Colletotrichum scovillei was re-isolated from all symptomatic fruits, and its species identity was confirmed through morphology, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Control fruits remained symptom-free, and no fungi were isolated from them. This is the first report of C. scovillei in Canada. Previously identified as a pathogen causing anthracnose on peppers in eastern Asia, the United States, Brazil, and Kosovo (Farr and Rossman 2024; Xhemali et al. 2023), its emergence in Ontario raises significant concerns for pepper crops. Additional research is essential to better understand the epidemiology of the disease and develop effective phytosanitary strategies for control.

An optimized protocol for routine development of cell culture from adult oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis.

Marine molluscan cell lines, required for virus screening and cultivation, form essential tools for developing health management strategies for these animals in the blue economy. Moreover, they are also crucial to develop cultivated seafood. As there is no valid marine molluscan cell line, primary cell cultures are relied upon for all investigations. A sound protocol for generating primary cell cultures from molluscs is entailed, but existing protocols often involve heavy antibiotic usage and depuration that invariably affect gene expression and cell health. This work presents an easy-to-adopt, time-saving protocol using non-depurated mollusc Crassostrea madrasensis, which requires only initial antibiotic treatment and minimal exposure or no use of antibiotics in the cell culture medium. The important experimental considerations for arriving at this protocol have been elucidated. Accordingly, sodium hypochlorite and neomycin sulfate were chosen for disinfecting tissues. The study is the first to use shrimp cell culture medium (SCCM) as a cell culture medium for molluscan cell culture. Despite being osmoconformers, the oysters exhibited stable intracellular osmotic conditions and pH, which, when provided in vitro, promoted effective cardiomyocyte formation. The cell viability could be enhanced using 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), but healthy cell culture could also be obtained using SCCM without FBS. The optimized culture conditions allowed for regular beating cardiomyocyte clusters that could be retained for a month. Limited cell proliferation, as shown by the BrdU assay, demands further interventions, such as possibly producing induced pluripotent stem cells. The optimized protocol and culture conditions also align with some requirements for producing cultivated meat from marine molluscs.

Vibrio misgurnus sp. nov., a new pathogen of cultured loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), closely related to Vibrio cholerae

An epidemic with petechial hemorrhages on the body surface recently occurred in the farmed loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) in Sichuan province. Multiple antibiotic treatments were ineffective against this epidemic. This study aims to elucidate the cause of the disease. Two bacterial strains, GVCT and VCS were isolated from diseased loach. Experimental infections with these two isolates resulted in marked symptoms in the loach consistent with those observed in natural outbreaks. The taxonomic status was determined by phenotypic assay, chemotaxonomic and whole genome analysis. Strain GVCT exhibited unique phenotypic characteristics, including its β-glucosidase activity and inability to utilize casein and starch, which distinguished it from Vibrio cholerae ATCC14035T. Paired 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed that strains GVCT and VCS belong to the genus Vibrio. The primary fatty acids of strain GVCT are C16:0, summed Feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c), and summed Feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c/C18:1 ω7c), and the major respiratory quinone is Q-8. The predominant lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), aminophospholipids (APL) and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid designated PL1. Strains GVCT and VCS have genome sizes of 3.2 Mb and 3.3 Mb, as well as GC contents of 47.0 and 47.2 mol% respectively. Phylogenomic and whole-genome nucleotide sequence analyses further confirmed that these isolates represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio misgurnus sp. nov. is proposed, with strain GVCT as the type strain. Strain GVCT was found to be highly pathogenic to loach, causing high mortality and posing a threat to loach aquaculture, with a half-lethal dose (LD50) of strain GVCT for loach is 8.96 × 106 CFU/mL, and it was resistant to drugs such as enrofloxacin, doxycycline hydrochloride, flumequine, neomycin sulphate and florfenicol.

Fluorescence 'turn-off-on' assays for neomycin sulphate and K+ ions with orange-red fluorescent molybdenum nanoclusters.

Fluorescent metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have found extensive application in recognizing molecular species. Here, orange-red fluorescent Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs were synthesized using Andrographis paniculata leaf extract, arginine as a ligand, and MoCl5 as a metal precursor. The Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs complex exhibited a quantum yield (QY) of 16.91% and excitation/emission wavelengths of 400/665 nm. The synthesized Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs successfully acted as a probe for assaying neomycin sulphate (NS) via fluorescence turn-off and K+ ions via fluorescence turn-on mechanisms, respectively. Moreover, the developed probe was effectively used to develop a cellulose paper strip-based sensor for detection of NS and K+ ions. Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs demonstrated great potential for sensing NS and K+ ions, with concentration ranges of 0.1-80 and 0.25-110 μM for NS and K+ ions, respectively. The as-synthesized Arg-A. paniculata-MoNCs efficiently detected NS and K+ ions in food and biofluid samples, respectively.

Lactiplantibacillus paraxiangfangensis sp. nov., isolated from traditional Chinese pickle.

Three Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains (designated 231-9T, 142-6 and 463-4) were isolated from traditional Chinese pickle, and were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains 231-9T, 142-6 and 463-4 were phylogenetically related to the type strains of Lactiplantibacillus xiangfangensis, Lactiplantibacillus garii, Lactiplantibacillus carotarum, Lactiplantibacillus plajomi and Lactiplantibacillus modestisalitolerans, having 98.6-99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Strains 231-9T, 142-6 and 463-4 were most closely related to the type strain of L. xiangfangensis, having 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene, 95.6 % pheS, 99.4 % rpoA and 98.2 % concatenated pheS and rpoA sequence similarities. Relatively low pheS (95.6 %) sequence similarity indicated that strain 231-9T should be further identified. Strain 231-9T shared 99.7-99.9 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 98.8-98.9 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values with strains 142-6 and 463-4, indicating that they belonged to the same species. The ANI and dDDH values between strain 231-9T and L. xiangfangensis LMG 26013T were 92.4-92.9 and 49.6 %, respectively, less than the threshold for species demarcation (95-96% ANI and 70 % dDDH values, respectively), indicating that strains 231-9T, 142-6 and 463-4 represented a novel species within the genus Lactiplantibacillus. Acid production from d-ribose, d-adonitol, d-galactose and lactose, activity of β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase, Voges-Proskauer reaction, hydrolysis of hippurate, resistance to 5 µg ml-1 erythromycin, 100 µg ml-1 tetracycline hydrochloride, 50 µg ml-1 bacitracin, 300 µg ml-1 each of gentamicin sulphate, streptomycin sulphate and neomycin sulphate, tolerance to 6 % NaCl could distinguish strains 231-9T, 142-6 and 463-4 from L. xiangfangensis 3.1.1T. Based upon the data of polyphasic characterization obtained in the present study, a novel species, Lactiplantibacillus paraxiangfangensis sp. nov., is proposed and the type strain is 231-9T (=JCM 36258T=CCTCC AB 2023133T).

Costus speciosus leaf and seed extracts for wound healing: a comparative evaluation using mice excision wound models

BackgroundThe present study investigated the potential wound healing activity comparisons between ethanol leaf & seed extracts of Costus speciosus topical formulation using mice Excision wound models, compared to Neomycin sulphate ointment as a standard drug. To assess the efficacy of Costus speciosus ointment as a potential alternative to commercially available ointments, a study was conducted using a cohort of 16 healthy male mice, aged between 3 and 4 months. The ointment formulation was prepared utilizing ethanol extracts from both the leaves and seeds, presented in a dosage form for application. This investigation seeks to provide insights into the comparative effectiveness of Costus speciosus ointments in relation to conventional market preparations, with a focus on its potential applicability as an alternative therapeutic option. The parameter measured was wound contraction and epithelization period.ResultThe mice groups treated with seed & leave extracts ointment showed better wound size changes than the negative and standard groups. However, the leaf extract ointment promotes the formation of granulation in tissue, allowing the reepithelization phase to occur more rapidly than seed extract. From the 1st day to the results of the 9th day of the extract indicate that there is a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the percentage of wound contraction in the group. After 21 days the wound was healed fully. These results suggest that ointment of ethanol leaf extract of Costus speciosus could be an answer to facilitate wound healing compared to seed extract, to approve the traditional claims of the plant in wound healing activity.ConclusionThe study concludes that ethanol leaf and seed extracts of Costus speciosus exhibit potential wound healing activity in mice excision wound models. The topical formulation of these extracts significantly enhances wound closure, reduces wound size, and increases tensile strength compared to the control group. The efficacy of the extracts is comparable to the standard drug, Neomycin sulphate ointment. Therefore, the use of Costus speciosus extracts in topical formulations can be considered a promising alternative for the treatment of wounds. However, further studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these extracts in humans.

Trends in contact sensitization, results, and implications from a contact dermatitis clinic in Israel.

The baseline series includes common allergens, evolves over time, and differs by location. Our study aims to characterize allergen sensitization trends among the Israeli population during the last two decades, compare our results to American and European registries, as well as to highlight significant allergens in additional series outside the European baseline series (OEBS). We analysed patch test results of 2086 patients from a designated contact dermatitis clinic in Tel Aviv between 2019 and 2022, compared them to European and North American registries and to 2156 patch test results conducted in Israel two decades ago. 38.6% of patients had at least one positive reaction to an allergen in the European baseline series (EBS), nickel sulphate (14.6%), fragrance mix I (4.6%), and Methylchloroisothiazolinone methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI; 3.7%) were the most common among them. N-Isopropyl N-Phenyl-4-Phenylenediamine (NIPPD; 0%), Propolis (0.1%), Sesquiterpene lactone mix (0.1%), and Budesonide (0.1%) elicited a sensitization frequency significantly lower than the proposed threshold for baseline inclusion. Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the sensitization frequency of fragrance mix I, Formaldehyde, Potassium dichromate, Neomycin sulphate, Myroxylon pereirae, Sesquiterpene lactone, and NIPPD during the last two decades. The overall sensitization frequency to the majority of allergens was lower in our cohort in comparison to the North American and European registries. MCI/MI and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-2 (HEMA) are common, relevant allergens, with high SPIN (significance and prevalence index number) and should be better regulated by the authorities. While among the EBS, NIPPD, Propolis, Sesquiterpene lactone, and Budesonide usually do not elicit a positive reaction and therefore should be reconsidered in baseline series, among the OEBS, Chloramphenicol, Quaternium 15, Propyl gallate, and Amerchol L101 have elicited high SPIN values and should be vigilantly examined in the suitable clinical scenario. Significantly lower sensitization frequency to propolis raises the possibility of a protective effect due to early oral exposure among the Israeli population.

Allergic or Not: Final Interpretation of Doubtful Patch Test Reactions From the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, 2019-2020.

Background: Doubtful patch test reactions generally do not meet criterion for positivity in patch testing. However, the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) allows for doubtful reactions to be coded with a final determination of "allergic/positive" based on the temporal pattern, appearance, known characteristics of the allergen, and/or other supportive patch test reactions. Objectives: To analyze NACDG data from the 2019-2020 patch test cycle to identify patterns in the interpretation and relevance of doubtful reactions. Methods: The frequency and proportions of doubtful reactions were tabulated and analyzed for patterns. Statistical analyses were limited to allergens with ≥30 doubtful reactions to ensure adequate sample size. Results: Of patch-tested patients, 31.9% (1315/4121) had ≥1 doubtful reaction. Of 2538 total doubtful reactions, 46% (n = 1167) had a final interpretation of "allergic/positive." The allergens with the highest proportion of doubtful reactions at the final visit were hydroperoxides of linalool 1% (4.5%), fragrance mix I 8.0% (3.9%), and cetrimonium chloride 0.5% (3.4%). Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) 0.02% (P < 0.001), MI 0.2% (P < 0.001), nickel sulfate hexahydrate 2.5% (P = 0.001), and neomycin sulfate 20.0% (P = 0.003) doubtful reactions were more likely to be interpreted as allergic than nonallergic. Methyldibromoglutaronitrile/phenoxyethanol 0.2% (P < 0.001), oleamidopropyl dimethylamine 0.1% (P < 0.001), formaldehyde 2.0% (P < 0.001), cetrimonium chloride 0.5% (P < 0.001), benzophenone-4 (sulisobenzone) 10% (P < 0.001), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate 0.5% (P < 0.001), cocamidopropyl betaine 1.0% (P = 0.002), and benzisothiazolinone 0.1% (P = 0.012) doubtful reactions were less likely to be interpreted as allergic. Of the 1167 doubtful reactions interpreted as allergic, 84.9% had current relevance. Conclusions: Doubtful reactions were common and approximately one half were coded with a final interpretation of "allergic/positive." Of those, most were clinically relevant. MCI/MI, MI, nickel, and neomycin were more likely to be interpreted as allergic.

Xanthone Derivatives Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Neomycin against Polymicrobial Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections.

Gram-negative bacterial infections are difficult to manage as many antibiotics are ineffective owing to the presence of impermeable bacterial membranes. Polymicrobial infections pose a serious threat due to the inadequate efficacy of available antibiotics, thereby necessitating the administration of antibiotics at higher doses. Antibiotic adjuvants have emerged as a boon as they can augment the therapeutic potential of available antibiotics. However, the toxicity profile of antibiotic adjuvants is a major hurdle in clinical translation. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and biological activities of xanthone-derived molecules as potential antibiotic adjuvants. Our SAR studies witnessed that the p-dimethylamino pyridine-derivative of xanthone (X8) enhances the efficacy of neomycin (NEO) against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and causes a synergistic antimicrobial effect without any toxicity against mammalian cells. Biochemical studies suggest that the combination of X8 and NEO, apart from inhibiting protein synthesis, enhances the membrane permeability by binding to lipopolysaccharide. Notably, the combination of X8 and NEO can disrupt the monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms and show promising therapeutic potential against a murine wound infection model. Collectively, our results unveil the combination of X8 and NEO as a suitable adjuvant therapy for the inhibition of the Gram-negative bacterial infections.