Search Results (2,114)

Nasal irrigation (NI) is an effective, safe, low-cost strategy for treating and preventing upper respiratory tract diseases. High-volume, low-pressure saline irrigations are the most efficient method for removing infectious agents, allergens, and inflammatory mediators. This article reviews clinical evidence supporting NI use in various conditions: nasal congestion in infants, recurrent respiratory infections, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic and gestational rhinitis, empty nose syndrome, and post-endoscopic sinus surgery care. NI improves symptoms, reduces recurrence, enhances the efficacy of topical drugs, and decreases the need for antibiotics and decongestants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NI has also been explored as a complementary measure to reduce viral load. Due to the safe profile and mechanical cleansing action on inflammatory mucus, nasal irrigations represent a valuable adjunctive treatment across a wide range of sinonasal conditions. Full article

Background: A precise drug delivery system enables the optimization of treatments with minimal side effects if it can deliver medication only when activated by a specific light source. This study presents a controlled drug delivery system based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles (MPs) designed for the sustained release of vancomycin hydrochloride. Methods: The MPs were co-loaded with indocyanine green (ICG), a near-infrared (NIR) responsive agent, and fabricated via the double emulsion method.They were characterized for stability, surface modification, biocompatibility, and antibacterial efficacy. Results: Dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analyses confirmed significant increases in particle size and surface charge reversal following chitosan coating. Scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform morphology in uncoated MPs (1–10 $\mathsf{\mu }$m) and irregular surfaces post-coating. Stability tests demonstrated drug retention for up to 180 days. Among formulations, PVI1 exhibited the highest yield (76.67 ± 1.3%) and encapsulation efficiency (56.2 ± 1.95%). NIR irradiation (808 nm) enhanced drug release kinetics, with formulation PVI4 achieving over 48.9% release, resulting in improved antibacterial activity. Chitosan-coated MPs (e.g., PVI4-C) effectively suppressed drug release without NIR light for up to 8 h, with cumulative release reaching only 10.89%. Without NIR light, bacterial colonies exceeded 1000 CFU; NIR-triggered release reduced them below 120 CFU. Drug release data fitted best with the zero-order and Korsmeyer–Peppas models, suggesting a combination of diffusion-controlled and constant-rate release behavior. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the promise of chitosan-coated NIR-responsive PLGA MPs for precise, on-demand antibiotic delivery and improved antibacterial performance. Full article

This study explores the potential of biodegradable Bioglass 45S5 formulations as a dual-function approach for preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopaedic surgery while addressing the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research focuses on the development and characterisation of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 formulations, assessing parameters such as drug loading efficiency, release kinetics, antimicrobial efficacy, and dissolution behaviour. Key findings indicate that the F2l-BG45S5-T-T-1.5 and F2l-BG45S5-T-V-1.5 formulations demonstrated controlled antibiotic release for up to seven days, with size distributions of D(10): 7.11 ± 0.806 µm, 4.96 ± 0.007 µm; D(50): 25.34 ± 1.730 µm, 25.20.7 ± 0.425 µm; and D(90): 53.7 ± 7.95 µm, 56.10 ± 0.579 µm, respectively. These formulations facilitated hydroxyapatite formation on their surfaces, indicative of osteogenic potential. The antimicrobial assessments revealed zones of inhibition against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, ATCC-6538) measuring 20.3 ± 1.44 mm and 24.6 ± 1.32 mm, while for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC-43300), the inhibition zones were 21.6 ± 1.89 mm and 22 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. Time-kill assay results showed complete bacterial eradication within eight hours. Additionally, biocompatibility testing via MTT assay confirmed cell viability of >75%. In conclusion, these findings highlight the promise of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 as a multifunctional biomaterial capable of both combating bone infections and supporting bone regeneration. These promising results suggest that in vivo studies should be undertaken to expedite these materials into clinical applications. Full article

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide a robust alternative to conventional antibiotics, combating escalating microbial resistance through their diverse functions and broad pathogen-targeting abilities. While current deep learning technologies enhance AMP generation, they face challenges in developing multifunctional AMPs due to intricate amino acid interdependencies and limited consideration of diverse functional activities. To overcome this challenge, we introduce a novel de novo multifunctional AMP design framework that enhances a Feedback Generative Adversarial Network (FBGAN) by integrating a global quantitative AMP activity regression module and a multifunctional-attribute integrated prediction module. This integrated approach not only facilitates the automated generation of potential AMP candidates, but also optimizes the network’s ability to assess their multifunctionality. Initially, by integrating an effective pre-trained regression and classification model with feedback-loop mechanisms, our model can not only identify potential valid AMP candidates, but also optimizes computational predictions of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values. Subsequently, we employ a combinatorial predictor to simultaneously identify and predict five multifunctional AMP bioactivities, enabling the generation of multifunctional AMPs. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of generating AMPs with multiple enhanced antimicrobial properties, indicating that our work can provide a valuable reference for combating multi-drug-resistant infections. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hermetia illucens larvae can efficiently convert agri-food residues into high-protein biomass for animal feed and nutrient-rich frass for soil amendment. However, the potential spread of carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs), which confer resistance to last-resort carbapenem antibiotics, and Enterobacteriaceae, common carriers of these genes and opportunistic pathogens, raises important safety concerns. This study aimed to assess the influence of different agri-food-based diets on Enterobacteriaceae loads and the CRG occurrence during the bioconversion process. Methods: Four experimental diets were formulated from agri-food residues and anaerobic digestate: Diet 1 (peas and chickpea waste), Diet 2 (peas and wheat waste), Diet 3 (onion and wheat waste), and Diet 4 (wheat waste and digestate). Enterobacteriaceae were quantified by viable counts, while five CRGs (bla_KPC, bla_NDM, bla_OXA-48, bla_VIM, and bla_GES) were detected and quantified using quantitative PCRs (qPCRs). Analyses were performed on individual substrates, formulated diets, larvae (before and after bioconversion), and frass. Results: Plant-based diets sustained moderate Enterobacteriaceae loads. In contrast, the digestate-based diet led to a significant increase in Enterobacteriaceae in both the frass and mature larvae. CRGs were detected only in legume-based diets: bla_VIM and bla_GES were found in both mature larvae and frass, while bla_OXA-48 and bla_KPC were found exclusively in either larvae or frass. No CRGs were detected in onion- or digestate-based diets nor in young larvae or diet inputs. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the diet composition may influence the proliferation of Enterobacteriaceae and the persistence of CRGs. Careful substrate selection and process monitoring are essential to minimize antimicrobial resistance risks in insect-based bioconversion systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of major public health concern due to its ability to invade host cells and cause severe illness. This study aimed to develop and validate a multi-tiered screening pipeline to identify Bacillus strains with probiotic potential against L. monocytogenes. Methods: A total of 26 Bacillus isolates were screened for antimicrobial activity, gastrointestinal resilience, and host cell adhesion. A fluorescence-based infection assay using mCherry-expressing HCT 116 cells was used to assess cytoprotection against L. monocytogenes NCTC 7973. Eight strains significantly improved host cell viability and were validated by quantification of intracellular CFU. Two top candidates were tested in a murine model of listeriosis. The genome of the lead strain was sequenced to evaluate safety and biosynthetic potential. Results: B. subtilis CECT 8266 completely inhibited intracellular replication of L. monocytogenes in HCT 116 cells, reducing bacterial recovery to undetectable levels. In vivo, it decreased splenic bacterial burden by approximately 6-fold. Genomic analysis revealed eight bacteriocin biosynthetic clusters and silent antibiotic resistance genes within predicted genomic islands, as determined by CARD and Alien Hunter analysis. The strain also demonstrated bile and acid tolerance, as well as strong adhesion to epithelial cells. Conclusions: The proposed pipeline enables efficient identification of probiotic Bacillus strains with intracellular protective activity. B. subtilis CECT 8266 is a promising candidate for translational applications in food safety or health due to its efficacy, resilience, and safety profile. Full article

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a range of severe infections and nosocomial outbreaks. Phage-based therapy and biocontrol represent effective strategies to combat the prevalence of A. baumannii. This study reports a novel phage, BUCT775, capable of specifically lysing A. baumannii, and investigates its physiological properties, genomic characteristics, in vivo therapeutic efficacy, and environmental disinfection performance. Phage BUCT775 is a podovirus that forms clear, well-defined plaques with an average diameter of 2.5 ± 0.52 mm. It exhibits a broad range of temperature stability (4–55 °C) and pH stability (pH 3–12). The optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) for phage BUCT775 is 0.01. At an MOI of 0.01, it demonstrates a latent period of approximately 10 min and exhibits a high burst size. Genomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that phage BUCT775 belongs to the order Caudoviricetes and the family Autographiviridae. Its genome has a G + C content of 39.3% and is not known to contain virulence genes or antibiotic resistance genes. Phage BUCT775 exhibited significant therapeutic effects on A. baumannii-infected G. mellonella larvae, increasing the 120 h survival rate of the larvae by 20%. Additionally, phage BUCT775 efficiently eliminated A. baumannii in the environment, with an average clearance rate exceeding 98% within 3 h. These studies suggest that phage BUCT775 holds significant potential for application in phage therapy and environmental disinfection. Full article

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most significant public health issues today. As a consequence, there is an urgent need for novel classes of antibiotics. This necessitates the development of highly efficient screening methods for the rapid identification of antibiotic-producing bacteria. Here, we describe a new method for high-throughput screening of antimicrobial compounds (AMC) producing halophilic bacteria. Our methodology used a newly designed 3D-printed Petri plate replicator used for drop deposition and colony replication. We employed this device in combination with a modified agar overlay assay to screen more than 7400 bacterial colonies. A total of 54 potential AMC producers were discovered at a success rate of 0.7%. Although 40% of them lost their antibacterial activity during the secondary screening, 22 strains retained inhibitory activity and were able to suppress the growth of one or more safe relatives of the ESKAPE group pathogens. The ethyl acetate extract from the most potent strain, Virgibacillus salarius POTR191, demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Staphylococcus epidermidis with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 128 μg/mL, 128 μg/mL, and 512 μg/mL, respectively. We propose that our replica plate assay could be used for target-based antimicrobial screening of various extremophilic bacteria. Full article

The rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria has made the management of bacterial diseases increasingly challenging. As a result, bacteriophages have gained attention as a promising alternative to antibiotics for combating bacterial pathogens. However, the usage of phages as biocontrol agents faces many challenges, including environmental stability, delivery efficiency, host specificity, and potential bacterial resistance. Advancements in genetic engineering and nanotechnology have been explored to enhance the stability, efficacy, and adaptability of phage-based treatments. In this review, we discuss the key barriers to the effective implementation of phage therapy and highlight innovative strategies to overcome these challenges. By addressing these limitations, this review aims to provide insights into optimizing phage-based approaches for widespread therapeutic and biocontrol applications. Full article

Aquaculture is a key food production sector responsible for meeting the nutritional needs of a rapidly growing global population. However, the emergence of disease outbreaks has become a major challenge for the aquaculture industry, resulting in significant economic losses. The use of costly and toxic antibiotics for treatment has a negative impact on the aquatic environment. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in probiotics as a non-antibiotic approach to manage disease outbreaks and improve fish performance. The use of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) has shown remarkable benefits in aquaculture. In February 2025, a systematic search was conducted based on the Web of Science (WoS) database for the period 2015–2025 to identify relevant studies investigating the beneficial effects of SC in aquaculture. After searching on WoS, 466 documents were found and analyzed using R-bibliometric package for comprehensive analysis to identify research gap, trends, and distribution of global literature that focuses on SC in aquaculture. The most relevant and recent articles were reviewed, summarized and discussed. The yeast SC have shown a wide range of benefits, including improved growth performance, feed efficiency, enhanced diversity of the gut microbiome and immune response. The implementation of SC is becoming a recent trend and its efficacy in aquatic environments has been thoroughly investigated. This review aims to provide a valuable insight into SC as one of the most important aquaculture probiotics. It also emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand its benefits and the way it works. Full article

Quorum quenching (QQ) is of interest for potential application as a sustainable strategy for bacterial disease control via communication interruption. The QQ enzyme can be used as a good alternative antagonist to combat antibiotic abuse and bacterial resistance. Here, genomic DNA sequencing was performed on N-acyl homoserine lactonase from the deep-sea strain Bacillus velezensis DH82 with Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COGs) annotation. The homologous sequences with β-lactamase domain-containing protein were predicted to be potential QQ enzymes and were cloned and expressed to study their quorum quenching properties by comparing them with the reported enzyme AiiA_3DHB. The experimental results of enzyme activity analysis and steady-state kinetics, as well as enzyme structure and substrate docking simulations and predictions, all consistently demonstrated that YtnP_DH82 presented superior enzyme structural stability and higher degradation efficiency of N-acyl homoserine lactones than AiiA_DH82 under the effects of pH, and temperature, and performed better on short -chain and 3-O-substituted AHSLs. The findings revealed the structural and biochemical characterization of YtnP_DH82 from the deep sea, which provide the capacity for further application in sustainable aquaculture as an alternative to antibiotics. Full article

The global escalation of organic waste generation, coupled with rising protein demand and environmental pressure, necessitates innovative, circular approaches to resource management. Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly, BSF) has emerged as a leading candidate for integrated waste-to-resource systems. This review examines BSF biological and genomic adaptations underpinning waste conversion efficiency, comparative performance of BSF bioconversion versus traditional treatments, nutritional and functional attributes, techno-economic, regulatory, and safety barriers to industrial scale-up. Peer-reviewed studies were screened for methodological rigor, and data on life cycle traits, conversion metrics, and product compositions were synthesized. BSF larvae achieve high waste reductions, feed-conversion efficiencies and redirect substrate carbon into biomass, yielding net CO₂ emissions as low as 12–17 kg CO₂ eq ton⁻¹, an order of magnitude below composting or vermicomposting. Larval biomass offers protein, lipids (notably lauric acid), micronutrients, chitin, and antimicrobial peptides, with frass serving as a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Pathogen and antibiotic resistance gene loads decrease during bioconversion. Key constraints include substrate heterogeneity, heavy metal accumulation, fragmented regulatory landscapes, and high energy and capital demands. BSF systems demonstrate superior environmental and nutritional performance compared to conventional waste treatments. Harmonized safety standards, feedstock pretreatment, automation, and green extraction methods are critical to overcoming scale-up barriers. Interdisciplinary innovation and policy alignment will enable BSF platforms to realize their full potential within circular bio-economies. Full article

Food safety plays an important and fundamental role, primarily for human health and certainly for the food industry. In this context, developing efficient, highly sensitive, safe, inexpensive, and fast analytical methods for determining chemical and biological contaminants, such as electrochemical (bio)sensors, is crucial. The development of innovative and high-performance electrochemical (bio)sensors can significantly support food chain monitoring. In this review, we have surveyed and analyzed the latest examples of electrochemical (bio)sensors for the analysis of some common biological contaminants, such as toxins and pathogenic bacteria and chemical contaminants, such as pesticides, and antibiotics. Full article

The loss of hectares of forest areas has become a global issue that has worsened over recent years due to unsustainable human activities. In a context of limited availability of productive land, it is urgent to adopt efficient strategies to recover the affected natural areas. Actions based on a circular economy, such as the use of organic chemical matrices recovered from water waste treatment plant waste, have proven to be effective. In this regard, the addition of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), such as Bacillus pretiosus and Pseudomonas agronomica, can contribute to the chemical treatment, favoring the recovery of soils, accelerating the recovery of vegetation cover, and inducing an increase in biodiversity. In this research, the effect of bio-fertigation under controlled laboratory conditions in Quercus pyrenaica is evaluated. After a thirty-six-week trial, the biometric and nutritional parameters of the plants were harvested and measured, and the diversity and composition of the metagenomes of their rhizospheres were evaluated. As well, the cenoantibiogram and the metabolic diversity were measured. The results showed that the use of these biofertilizers increased the variables related to plant production, quality of plant composition as an indirect means of their resilience, as well as an increase in rhizospheric microbial diversity and a reduction in their MIC resistance to the most widely used antibiotics. For all these reasons, the use of the biofertilizer result of the combination of WWTP waste, Bacillus pretiosus, and Pseudomonas agronomica is postulated as an environmentally friendly strategy that can contribute to the recovery of potential oak forest areas. Full article

This study presents the development of a novel Cu–Co–O-codoped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) catalyst for efficient peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in aqueous environments. The synthesized Cu–Co–O-g-C₃N₄ catalyst demonstrated exceptional catalytic performance, achieving 90% SMX removal within 10 min—significantly outperforming pristine g-C₃N₄ (14%) and O-doped g-C₃N₄ (22%)—with a reaction rate constant of 0.63 min⁻¹. The superior activity was attributed to the synergistic effects of Cu-Co bimetallic doping and oxygen incorporation, which enhanced the active sites, stabilized metal ions, and minimized leaching. Mechanistic studies revealed a dual-pathway degradation process: (1) a radical pathway dominated by sulfate radicals (SO₄•⁻) and (2) a non-radical pathway driven by singlet oxygen (¹O₂), with the latter identified as the dominant species through quenching experiments. The catalyst exhibited broad pH adaptability and optimal performance at neutral to alkaline conditions. Characterization techniques (XRD, FTIR, XPS) confirmed successful doping and revealed that oxygen incorporation modified the electronic structure of g-C₃N₄, improving charge carrier separation. This work provides a sustainable strategy for antibiotic removal, addressing key challenges in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and highlights the potential of multi-heteroatom-doped carbon nitride catalysts for water purification. Full article