METHODS: The synthesized ZnO-CA NPs were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD to validate their composition and structural features. The antioxidant activity of ZnO-CA NPs was confirmed using DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays. The antimicrobial effects of ZnO-CA NPs were validated using a zone of inhibition assay against dental pathogens. Autodock tool was used to identify the interaction of cinnamic acid with dental pathogen receptors.
RESULTS: ZnO-CA NPs exhibited potent antioxidant activity in both DPPH and ABTS assays, suggesting their potential as powerful antioxidants. The minimal inhibitory concentration of ZnO-CA NPs against dental pathogens was found 25 µg/mL, indicating their effective antimicrobial properties. Further, ZnO-CA NPs showed better binding affinity and amino acid interaction with dental pathogen receptors. Also, the ZnO-CA NPs exhibited dose-dependent (5 µg/mL, 15 µg/mL, 25 µg/mL, and 50 µg/mL) anticancer activity against Human Oral Epidermal Carcinoma KB cells. The mechanism of action of apoptotic activity of ZnO-CA NPs on the KB cells was identified through the upregulation of BCL-2, BAX, and P53 genes.
CONCLUSIONS: This research establishes the potential utility of ZnO-CA NPs as a promising candidate for dental applications. The potent antioxidant, anticancer, and effective antimicrobial properties of ZnO-CA NPs make them a valuable option for combating dental pathogens.
METHODS: In this study, we synthesized ZnO-CR NPs and characterized them using SEM, FTIR, and XRD techniques to authenticate their composition and structural attributes. Moreover, our investigation revealed that ZnO-CR NPs possess better free radical scavenging capabilities, as evidenced by their effective activity in the DPPH and ABTS assay.
RESULTS: The antimicrobial properties of ZnO-CR NPs were systematically assessed using a zone of inhibition assay against dental pathogens of S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans, demonstrating their substantial inhibitory effects at a minimal concentration of 50 μg/mL. We elucidated the interaction between CR and the receptors of dental pathogens to further understand their mechanism of action. The ZnO-CR NPs demonstrated a dose-dependent anticancer effect at concentrations of 5 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL on KB cells, a type of Human Oral Epidermal Carcinoma. The mechanism by which ZnO-CA NPs induced apoptosis in KB cells was determined by observing an increase in the expression of the BCL-2, BAX, and P53 genes.
CONCLUSION: Our findings unveil the promising potential of ZnO-CR NPs as a candidate with significant utility in dental applications. The demonstrated biocompatibility, potent antioxidant and antiapoptotic activity, along with impressive antimicrobial efficacy position these NPs as a valuable resource in the ongoing fight against dental pathogens and oral cancer.
METHODS: AgNP-K 1:1 was synthesized with 1 mM kaempferol, whereas AgNP-K 1:2 with 2 mM kaempferol. The characterization of AgNP-K 1:1 and AgNP-K 1:2 was performed using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Zetasizer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The antibacterial activities of five samples (AgNP-K 1:1, AgNP-K 1:2, commercial AgNPs, kaempferol, and vancomycin) at different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL) against MRSA were determined via disc diffusion assay (DDA), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assay, and time-kill assay.
RESULTS: The presence of a dark brown colour in the solution indicated the formation of AgNP-K. The UV-visible absorption spectrum of the synthesized AgNP-K exhibited a broad peak at 447 nm. TEM, Zetasizer, and SEM-EDX results showed that the morphology and size of AgNP-K were nearly spherical in shape with 16.963 ± 6.0465 nm in size. XRD analysis confirmed that AgNP-K had a crystalline phase structure, while FTIR showed the absence of (-OH) group, indicating that kaempferol was successfully incorporated with silver. In DDA analysis, AgNP-K showed the largest inhibition zone (16.67 ± 1.19 mm) against MRSA as compared to kaempferol and commercial AgNPs. The MIC and MBC values for AgNP-K against MRSA were 1.25 and 2.50 mg/mL, respectively. The time-kill assay results showed that AgNP-K displayed bacteriostatic activity against MRSA. AgNP-K exhibited better antibacterial activity against MRSA when compared to commercial AgNPs or kaempferol alone.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES: In this study, we synthesized thirteen derivatives of gallic acid and evaluated their antibacterial potential against seven multi-drug resistant bacteria, as well as cytotoxic effects against human embryonic kidney cell line in vitro. Methods: 13 compounds were successfully synthesized with moderate to good yield and evaluated. Synthesized derivatives were characterized by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was determined using microdilution while cytotoxicyt was assessed using MTT assay.
RESULTS: The results of antibacterial assay showed that seven out of thirteen compounds exhibited antibacterial effects with compound 6 and 13 being most potent against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 56 μg/mL) and Salmonella enterica (MIC 475 μg/mL) respectively. On the other hand, most of these compounds showed lower cytotoxicity against human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293), with IC50 values ranging from over 700 μg/mL.
CONCLUSION: Notably, compound 13 was found to be non-toxic at concentrations as high as 5000 μg/mL. These findings suggest that the present synthetic derivatives of gallic acid hold potential for further studies in the development of potent antibacterial agents.
METHOD: This is a retrospective cohort study that compared the rate of HAIs from April to October 2019 (pre COVID period) and April to October 2020 (during COVID period). Data was collected through the review of patients' electronic medical records.
RESULTS: There were a total of 578 patients included in the selected wards during the pre- and during the pandemic. Thirty-nine episodes (12.1%) of HAIs were report in the pre COVID period and 29 (11.3%) during COVID-19. In both periods, hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) was the most frequent HAI among the patients. There was a rise in catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) (0.8%) and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) (1.1%) during the COVID-19 period. The most common bacteria were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (28.2%) and Enterococcus faecalis (17.9%) in the Pre COVID-19 period, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27.6%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (6.9%) during COVID-19.
CONCLUSION: Our research concluded that the rates of HAIs during the COVID-19 pandemic were not significantly impacted by the improved in-hospital infection prevention efforts to control the pandemic. There is need for further efforts to promote adherence to preventive practices.
METHODS: Retrospective study of reviewing microbiology specimens of breast abscess patients treated at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre from 2015 to 2020. Data collected from microbiology database and electronic medical records were analysed using SPSS V21.
RESULT: A total of 210 specimens from 153 patients were analysed. One-fifth (19.5%) of the specimens isolated were MDRO. Lactational associated infections had the largest proportion of MDR in comparison to non-lactational and secondary infections (38.5%, 21.7%, 25.7%, respectively; p = 0.23). Staphylococcus epidermidis recorded the highest number of MDR (n = 12) followed by S. aureus (n = 8). Adjusted by aetiological groups, the presence of MDRO is linked to failure of single aspirations (p = 0.554) and significantly doubled the risk of undergoing surgical drainage for resolution (p = 0.041).
CONCLUSION: MDR in breast abscess should be recognised as an increasing healthcare burden due to a paradigm shift of MDRO and a rise of resistance cases among lactational associated infection that were vulnerable to undergo surgical incision and drainage for resolution.