Combined antibacterial effects of tissue‐tolerable plasma and a modern conventional liquid antiseptic on chronic wound treatment

Potential antimicrobial effects of sequential applications of tissue‐tolerable plasma (TTP) and the conventional liquid antiseptic octenidine dihydrochloride (ODC) were investigated. 34 patients with chronic leg ulcers were treated with TTP, ODC or a combination of both. The bacterial colonization was measured semi‐quantitatively before and immediately after treatment and changes in the microbial strains' compositions before and after antiseptic treatments were analyzed. All antiseptic procedures reduced the bacterial counts significantly. The sequential application of TTP and ODC displayed the highest antimicrobial efficacy. Me combined use of TTP and conventional antiseptics might represent the most efficient strategy for antiseptic treatment of chronic wounds. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Chlorotaurine,a Promising Future Candidate for Topical Therapy of Fungal Infections

N-Chlorotaurine (NCT) is a mild long-lived oxidant that can be applied to sensitive body regions as an endogenous antiseptic. Enhancement of its microbicidal activity in the presence of proteinaceous material because of transchlorination, a postantibiotic/postantifungal effect and antitoxic activity renders it interesting for treatment of fungal infections, too. This is confirmed by first case applications in skin and mucous membranes of different body sites. Recent findings of good tolerability of inhaled NCT suggest further investigations of this substance for treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases, where microorganisms play a role, particularly multi-resistant ones. The availability of a well-tolerated and effective inhaled antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties could be a significant progress, in particular for chronic pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis.     

Fermentation of phenoxyethanol to phenol and acetate by a homoacetogenic bacterium

A strictly anaerobic gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, strain LuPhet1, was isolated from sewage sludge with phenoxyethanol as sole carbon and energy source, and was assigned to the genus Acetobacterium. The new isolate fermented the alkylaryl ether compound phenoxyethanol stoichiometrically to phenol and acetate, whereas phenoxyacetic acid was not degraded. In cell-free extracts of strain LuPhet1, cleavage of the ether linkage was shown, and acetaldehyde was detected as reaction product. Coenzyme A-dependent acetaldehyde: acceptor oxidoreductase, phosphate acetyltransferase, acetate kinase, and carbon monoxide dehydrogenase were measured in cell-free extracts of this strain. Our results indicate that the ether linkage of phenoxyethanol is cleaved by a shift of the hydroxyl group to the subterminal carbon atom, analogous to a corrinoid-dependent diol dehydratase reaction, to form an unstable hemiacetal that releases phenol and acetaldehyde. Obviously, phenoxyethanol is degraded by the same strategy as in anaerobic degradation of the alkyl ether polyethylene glycol.     

Pestiferous nature, resting sites, aggregation, and host-seeking behavior of the eye fly Siphunculina funicola (Diptera: Chloropidae) in Thailand.

Species of eye flies and eye gnats (Diptera: Chloropidae) are severe and persistent pests of man, domestic and wild animals, and potential vectors of pathogens. The species prevailing in the Oriental region belong to the genus Siphunculina, while those in the Neotropic and Nearctic regions belong to Liohippelates and Hippelates. These are small insects of 1-2 mm that feed on wounds, lacerations, scratches, and mucous membranes of man and higher animals. One species, Siphunculina funicola, commonly known as the Oriental eye fly, is considered the most anthropophilic in the genus, with potential involvement in the spread and mechanical transmission of infectious agents to humans and animals. Very little is known about the biology, prevalence, host-seeking, and aggregation behavior of this species in South and Southeast Asia. We initiated studies on biological aspects of this potential vector and human pest in central Thailand. The most significant findings of our study were the aggregation behaviors of S. funicola, that both sexes attack hosts, and that males outnumbered females attacking humans, dogs, and other domestic animals. They feed on wounds, scabs, lacerations, eyes, and mucous membranes. They hover around and feed on hosts during the daylight hours when host-seeking activities are more pronounced at temperatures above 25-27 degrees C under calm conditions. We noted that large masses of males and females aggregated on a variety of hanging objects such as strings, trailings, electrical lines, decorations, ropes, twines, abandoned cob webs, clothes hangers, and other hanging substrates in open shade of structures and dwellings. This behavior of eye flies brings them closer to human and animal hosts. In these aggregations, both males and females were present, with mating pairs frequently noted. In the aggregations, about 37% of the females had fully developed eggs in the rainy season, but only <1-3.6% were gravid in the hot and dry season. The average number of eggs per female was generally 42 to 44.     

31P NMR Spectra of Alkalophilic Bacillus No. A-59

Some advanced cancer patients suffer from pungent sulfury malodor. To determine the chemical identity of the odorant, we performed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry analysis of volatiles from fungating cancer wounds. We identified the source of the characteristic smell as dimethyl trisulfide, a compound that is known to be emitted from some vegetables and microorganisms. Controlling the production of dimethyl trisulfide should improve quality of life of patients.     

IgA responses in the intestinal mucosa against pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms

IgA is the most abundant immunoglobulin produced in mammals; most is secreted as a dimer across mucous membranes. This review discusses the different mechanisms of induction of IgA, and its role in protecting mucosal surfaces against pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms.     

生命信息安全控制体系整体结构性构建与分析

在前期生命信息安全控制原理探讨的基础上,基于整体论的思考,旨在构思能表述生命信息安全控制体系实质内涵的几何图形。所作图呈圆台形,自上而下依次为2大部分(内在部分和外延部分),5个层次(特异性识别系统、泛特异性识别系统、皮肤黏膜、共生微生物及外环境开放接触面)。在圆台形生命信息安全控制体系中,圆台形的中心轴为生命信息安全控制轴;特异性识别系统、泛特异性识别系统、皮肤、黏膜和共生微生物组成内在部分;外延部分即外环境开放接触面;内在部分各部间以及与外延部分之间存在物质、能量、信息交流沟通传递的空间界面。特异性识别系统建立在泛特异性识别系统基础上,置于最顶端,寓意着生物进化高级发展的一种客观结局,泛特异性识别系统与特异性识别系统作为一个整体和共生微生物层次联系,其中安插皮肤、黏膜组织层次,符合宏生物与微生物之间存在的完全不可分割的相关关系客观事实。共生微生物层次举足轻重,所占份额最大,主导整个体系的稳定性,成为整个体系的基座。就上述5个层次及其相互关系的解析归纳,证明构建的圆台形几何图能真实客观反映出生命信息安全控制体系各层次之间完全不可分割、相互依存影响的关系。     

Importance of porins for biocide efficacy against Mycobacterium smegmatis

Mycobacteria are among the microorganisms least susceptible to biocides but cause devastating diseases, such as tuberculosis, and increasingly opportunistic infections. The exceptional resistance of mycobacteria to toxic solutes is due to an unusual outer membrane, which acts as an efficient permeability barrier, in synergy with other resistance mechanisms. Porins are channel-forming proteins in the outer membrane of mycobacteria. In this study we used the alamarBlue assay to show that the deletion of Msp porins in isogenic mutants increased the resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to isothiazolinones (methylchloroisothiazolinone [MCI]/methylisothiazolinone [MI] and octylisothiazolinone [2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; OIT]), formaldehyde-releasing biocides {hexahydrotriazine [1,3,5-tris (2-hydroxyethyl)-hexahydrotriazine; HHT] and methylenbisoxazolidine [N,N'-methylene-bis-5-(methyloxazolidine); MBO]}, and the lipophilic biocides polyhexamethylene biguanide and octenidine dihydrochloride 2- to 16-fold. Furthermore, the susceptibility of the porin triple mutant against a complex disinfectant was decreased 8-fold compared to wild-type (wt) M. smegmatis. Efficacy testing in the quantitative suspension test EN 14348 revealed 100-fold improved survival of the porin mutant in the presence of this biocide. These findings underline the importance of porins for the susceptibility of M. smegmatis to biocides.     

The phospholipases of Proteus mirabilis

The method of screening Proteus for phospholipase activity has been worked out. The study of isolated clones of the same strain, used as an example, has revealed that clones differing in their phospholipase activity also differ in virulence and in some parameters of interaction in the host-parasite system. P. mirabilis phospholipases are supposed to be of importance as one of the factors contributing to the invasive properties of these microorganisms at the stage of overcoming the epithelial cell barrier of mucous membranes.     

Mathematical approach to modeling of the treatment of suppurative processes

Consideration of an inflammation focus as an "open system" provided analogy between microbiological processes in inflamed wounds and in systems of continuous cultivation of microorganisms. Mathematical modeling of such systems is widely used. Some of the methods for the mathematical modeling were applied to chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy of postoperative wounds. In modeling continuous cultivation of microorganisms it is usually necessary to determine optimal conditions for the maximum yield of their biomass. In modeling of wound treatment the aim was to determine the process parameters providing the minimum biomass. The described simple models showed that there could be certain optimal flow rate of the washing fluid in the aspiration-washing procedure for wound treatment at which the drug was not completely washed out while the growth rate of the microbial population was minimal. Such mathematical models were shown valuable in optimizing the use of bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics.     

The role of microbial interactions in infectious disease

The occurrence of infectious disease is affected by interaction between microorganisms in three ways. The indigenous flora (commensal microorganisms) of some mucous surfaces provide one of the main protective mechanisms against infection by pathogens (disease-producing microbes). The commensal populations interfere with the establishment of pathogens on mucous membranes by evoking anaerobic conditions, by competing for space and nutrients and by producing inhibitors. How, at the beginning of successful infection, pathogens in relatively small numbers overcome this protective activity of the commensal population is unknown. Although not a general phenomenon, some pathogens exacerbate the effects of others. The best examples are the potentiation of bacterial infections by existing viral infections: mucosal adherence and penetration by bacteria are enhanced and phagocytic defences against them weakened. Some microorganisms that are unable to produce significant disease on their own may combine with others to cause serious sickness. The harmful effects of these combinations of microorganisms can be explained by the multifactorial nature of pathogenicity (virulence), i.e. the capacity to produce disease. Although each member of the mixed population cannot alone produce the full complement of factors needed for disease production, the complement can be attained by combining contributions from different members.     

Membrana de cáscara de huevo para la curación de heridas superficiales en ratones

Introduction:

Eggshell membranes offer beneficial properties for tissue regeneration and their biomedical applications are important.

Objective:

To demonstrate the effectiveness of hen unfertilized eggshell membranes in the treatment of superficial open wounds in mice compared to the conventional procedure.

Materials and methods:

15-mm linear wounds were made on the back of 10 male CF-1 mice. The mice were divided into four groups. One group did not receive any treatment and the other three were given conventional treatment, eggshell membranes dressing, and eggshell membranes powder. The evolution of the wounds was registered by photographs.We measured wounds length and healing time and calculated the length reduction rate and the percentage of healing. The healing percentages were analyzed by ANOVA with a post hoc Dunnett test (p<0.05).

Results:

The treatments with eggshell membranes and membrane powder had a wound- length reduction rate of 1.009 and 1.020 mm/day, greater than the conventional treatment, of 0.852 mm/day, and a healing time of 12 days, i.e., less than the 16-day conventional treatment. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between eggshell membrane treatments and the conventional treatment.

Conclusions:

Eggshell membrane dressing and eggshell membrane powder applied to open superficial wounds in mice were more effective than the conventional treatment in regenerating injured tissue in mice.     

微生物对工业杀菌剂的抗药性研究进展

就微生物对工业杀菌剂的抗药性概念、研究概况及抗药性的产生机理进行了介绍,为科学合理使用和开发新型工业杀菌剂提供科学依据。     

Traumatic Wound Microbiome Workshop

On May 9-10, 2011, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, as the Army Center of Excellence for Infectious Disease, assembled over a dozen leaders in areas related to research into the communities of microorganisms which colonize and infect traumatic wounds. The objectives of the workshop were to obtain guidance for government researchers, to spur research community involvement in the field of traumatic wound research informed by a microbiome perspective, and to spark collaborative efforts serving the Wounded Warriors and similarly wounded civilians. During the discussions, it was made clear that the complexity of these infections will only be met by developing a new art of clinical practice that engages the numerous microbes and their ecology. It requires the support of dedicated laboratories and technologists who advance research methods such as community sequencing, as well as the kinds of data analysis expertise and facilities. These strategies already appear to be bearing fruit in the clinical management of chronic wounds. There are now funding announcements and programs supporting this area of research open to extramural collaborators.     

A comparative analysis of the antibacterial activity of antiseptics and antibiotics on samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Antibiotic and antiseptic preparations, currently used in medical practice, have been tested on the same P. aeruginosa samples and compared by the amplitude of their minimal inhibiting concentration (MIC) values, determined as the average MIC values for the samples under test, by the proportion of variants resistant to the tested preparations, by the distribution of strains in the resistance spectrum, and by the pace of the increase of resistant variants under natural conditions in 5-10 years. On the basis of the results obtained in this study a conclusion has been made that in some cases of local application antiseptic preparations have advantages over antibiotics, especially in controlling hospital strains of microorganisms. The authors believe that the heterogeneity of microbial populations, as well as the frequency of the appearance of resistant variants and the activity of the mechanisms of their selection in hospitals, is of great importance in the development of new preparations, in the re-evaluation of currently used preparations and in the choice of the optimum preparation in concrete situations.     

Soraphinol C, a new free-radical scavenger from Sorangium cellulosum

A new compound named soraphinol C (1) was isolated from myxobacteria Sorangium cellulosum KM1001 a soil isolate, together with a structurally related known compound, 4-hydroxysattabacin (2). These compounds were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and recycling preparative HPLC, consecutively. The structures of the compounds were determined on the basis of combined spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited antioxidant activity as a radical scavenger in the experiment using a hydrophilic free-radical initiator, 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride with ORAC values of 0.956 and 0.617, respectively.     

Fluorescence method for determining the mechanism and speed of action of surface-active drugs on yeast cells

New antifungal agents are needed to treat life-threatening fungal infections, particularly with the development of resistance. Surface-active antifungals have the advantages of minimizing host toxicity and the emergence of drug resistance. We have developed a time-dependent drug exposure assay that allows us to rapidly investigate the mechanism of surface-active antifungal drug action. The assay uses a multidrug pump-deficient strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the potentiometric dye 3,3'-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide [diS-C?(3)] and can assess whether cells are depolarized, hyperpolarized, or permeabilized by drug exposure. In this work, we investigated the mechanisms of action of five surface-active compounds: SDS, nystatin, amphotericin B, octenidine dihydrochloride, and benzalkonium chloride. The diS-C?(3) time-dependent drug exposure assay can be used to identify the mechanisms of action of a wide range of drugs. It is a fast and cost-effective method for screening drugs to determine their lowest effective concentrations.     

Identification of an apical Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in gastric surface mucous and duodenal villus cells

The molecular identity of the apical HCO3(-)-secreting transporter in gastric mucous cells remains unknown despite its essential role in preventing injury and ulcer by gastric acid. Here we report the identification of a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger that is located on apical membranes of gastric surface epithelial cells. RT-PCR studies of mouse gastrointestinal tract mRNAs demonstrated that this transporter, known as anion exchanger isoform 4 (AE4), is expressed in both stomach and duodenum. Northern blot analysis of RNA from purified stomach epithelial cells indicated that AE4 is expressed at higher levels in mucous cells than in parietal cells. Immunoblotting experiments identified AE4 as a approximately 110- to 120-kDa protein in membranes from stomach epithelium and apical membranes from duodenum. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that AE4 is expressed in apical membranes of surface cells in both mouse and rabbit stomach and duodenum. Functional studies in oocytes indicated that AE4 functions as a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. These data show that AE4 is an apical Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in gastric mucous cells and duodenal villus cells. On the basis of its function and location, we propose that AE4 may play an important role in mucosal protection.     

生姜、食盐、乳酸对常见食品污染菌的协同抗菌防腐作用研究

目的为了降低"腌菜"等高盐食品中食盐的含量并防止食品发霉腐烂,探讨生姜、食盐、乳酸协同对空气中落下杂菌和易引起食品发霉腐烂的主要真菌的抗菌作用以及对"腌菜"的协同防腐效果。方法采用把空气中落下的杂菌培养后生长的杂菌总数计数、斜面接种真菌发育抑制和在试管内对黄瓜的防腐实验,检测生姜、食盐、乳酸的协同抗菌防腐作用。结果10%生姜、低浓度的食盐和乳酸对空中杂菌和供试易引起食品发霉腐烂的主要纯培养真菌仅有较弱的抗菌作用,但把三者组合后,对空气中杂菌和供试的大多数易引起食品发霉腐烂的真菌有明显的协同抗菌作用,能发育的空中杂菌总数明显少于各种单独应用的对照,对大多数纯培养真菌的发育阻止天数也明显多于各自单独应用的对照;三者对黄瓜也有协同防腐效果。结论生姜、食盐、乳酸能协同抑制引起食品发霉腐烂微生物的繁殖以及对"腌菜"(黄瓜)有协同防腐作用。