Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 929 in total

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  1. Intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria in preterm-infants during hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
    Yap PS, Ahmad Kamar A, Chong CW, Yap IK, Thong KL, Choo YM, et al.
    Pathog Glob Health, 2016 Sep;110(6):238-246.
    PMID: 27650884
    The prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of intestinal carriage of Gram-negative bacteria among preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia were determined. A total of 34 stool specimens were obtained from preterm infants upon admission and once weekly up to two weeks during hospitalization. The presumptive colonies of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were selected for identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and subtyping by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Out of 76 Gram-negative isolates, highest resistance was detected for amoxicillin/clavulanate (30.8%, n = 16), ceftriaxone (42.3%, n = 22), ceftazidime (28.8%, n = 15), cefoxitin (28.8%, n = 15), aztreonam (36.5%, n = 19), and polymyxin B (23.1%, n = 12). Three colistin resistant K. pneumoniae have also been detected based on E-test analysis. Thirty-nine isolates of K. pneumoniae and 20 isolates of E. coli were resistant to more than three antimicrobial classes and were categorized as multidrug resistant (MDR). PFGE analysis revealed a higher diversity in pulsotypes for K. pneumoniae (18 pulsotypes) in comparison to E. coli (four pulsotypes). In addition, a total of fifteen pulsotypes was observed from 39 MDR K. pneumoniae. The risk factors for antibiotic resistance were assessed using random forest analysis. Gender was found to be the most important predictor for colistin resistant while length, OFC, and delivery mode were showing greater predictive power in the polymyxin B resistance. This study revealed worrying prevalence rates of intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae and E. coli of hospitalized preterm infants in Malaysia, particularly high resistance to polymyxins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects; Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification*
  2. Fulltext Postbiotics Applications as Infectious Disease Control Agent in Aquaculture
    Yao Ang C, Sano M, Dan S, Leelakriangsak M, M Lal T
    Biocontrol Sci, 2020;25(1):1-7.
    PMID: 32173662 DOI: 10.4265/bio.25.1
    Aquaculture is developing so fast that infectious disease outbreak happens regularly. Antibiotic treatment results in development of antibiotic resistance pathogens, thus cause urgent action in searching of other alternative treatment method. Postbiotic was one of the explored strategies among various proposed alternatives. Due to its benefits in agriculture industry, it may be useful in aquaculture industry. Although many reviews were reported on other alternative strategies, the review on postbiotic in aquaculture is limited. This mini review provides an overview of different postbiotics as aquaculture disease control agents. Peptides and exopolysaccharides have antimicrobial properties against bacterial pathogens. Then, short chain fatty acids have both antimicrobial activities against bacterial pathogens and immunostimulating effects to aquatic organism. Vitamins, peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide are reported as immunostimulants. Finally, cell surface proteins and teichoic acid can act as vaccine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacteria/drug effects*
  3. Fulltext Different Concentrations of Doxycycline in Swine Manure Affect the Microbiome and Degradation of Doxycycline Residue in Soil
    Yan Q, Li X, Ma B, Zou Y, Wang Y, Liao X, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2018;9:3129.
    PMID: 30619199 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03129
    Antibiotic residues that enter the soil through swine manure could disturb the number, community structure and functions of microbiota which could also degrade antibiotics in soil. Five different concentrations of doxycycline (DOX) incorporated into swine manure were added to soil to explore the effects of DOX on microbiota in soil and degradation itself. The results showed that the soil microbiome evolved an adaptation to the soil containing DOX by generating resistance genes. Moreover, some of the organisms within the soil microbiome played crucial roles in the degradation of DOX. The average degradation half-life of DOX in non-sterile groups was 13.85 ± 0.45 days, which was significantly shorter than the 29.26 ± 0.98 days in the group with sterilized soil (P < 0.01), indicating that the soil microbiome promoted DOX degradation. DOX addition affected the number of tetracycline resistance genes, depending on the type of gene and the DOX concentration. Among these genes, tetA, tetM, tetW, and tetX had significantly higher copy numbers when the concentration of DOX was higher. In contrast, a lower concentration of DOX had an inhibitory effect on tetG. At the same time, the microbial compositions were affected by the initial concentration of DOX and the different experimental periods. The soil chemical indicators also affected the microbial diversity changes, mainly because some microorganisms could survive in adversity and become dominant bacterial groups, such as the genera Vagococcus and Enterococcus (which were associated with electrical conductivity) and Caldicoprobacter spp. (which were positively correlated with pH). Our study mainly revealed soil microbiota and DOX degradation answered differently under variable concentrations of DOX mixed with swine manure in soil.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria
  4. Characterization and anti-bacterial potential of iron oxide nanoparticle processed eco-friendly by plant extract
    Yan LP, Gopinath SCB, Anbu P, Kasim FH, Zulhaimi HI, Yaakub ARW
    Prep Biochem Biotechnol, 2020;50(10):1053-1062.
    PMID: 32597353 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2020.1783678
    This research comprehends iron-oxide nanoparticle (IONP) production, the apparent metallic nanostructure with unique superparamagnetic properties. Durian-rind-extract was utilized to synthesize IONP and the color of reaction mixture becomes dark brown, indicated the formation of IONPs and the peak was observed at ∼330 nm under UV-visible spectroscopy. The morphological observation under high-resolution microscopies has revealed the spherical shape and the average size (∼10 nm) of IONP. The further support was rendered by EDX-analysis showing apparent iron and oxygen peaks. XRD results displayed the crystalline planes with (110) and (300) planes at 2θ of 35.73° and 63.53°, respectively. XPS-data has clearly demonstrated the presence of Fe2P and O1s peaks. The IONPs were successfully capped by the polyphenol compounds from durian-rind-extract as evidenced by the representative peaks between 1633 and 595 cm-1 from FTIR analysis. The antimicrobial potentials of IONPs were evidenced by the disk-diffusion assay. The obtained results have abundant attention and being actively explored owing to their beneficial applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*; Bacteria/drug effects
  5. Fulltext ECM Mimicking Biodegradable Nanofibrous Scaffold Enriched with Curcumin/ZnO to Accelerate Diabetic Wound Healing via Multifunctional Bioactivity
    Yadav S, Arya DK, Pandey P, Anand S, Gautam AK, Ranjan S, et al.
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2022;17:6843-6859.
    PMID: 36605559 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S388264
    INTRODUCTION: Foot ulceration is one of the most severe and debilitating complications of diabetes, which leads to the cause of non-traumatic lower-extremity amputation in 15-24% of affected individuals. The healing of diabetic foot (DF) is a significant therapeutic problem due to complications from the multifactorial healing process. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffold loaded with various wound dressing materials has excellent wound healing properties due to its multifunctional action.

    PURPOSE: This work aimed to develop and characterize chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blended electrospun multifunctional nanofiber loaded with curcumin (CUR) and zinc oxide (ZnO) to accelerate diabetic wound healing in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

    RESULTS: In-vitro characterization results revealed that nanofiber was fabricated successfully using the electrospinning technique. SEM results confirmed the smooth surface with web-like fiber nanostructure diameter ranging from 200 - 250 nm. An in-vitro release study confirmed the sustained release of CUR and ZnO for a prolonged time. In-vitro cell-line studies demonstrated significantly low cytotoxicity of nanofiber in HaCaT cells. Anti-bacterial studies demonstrated good anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities of nanofiber. In-vivo animal studies demonstrated an excellent wound-healing efficiency of the nanofibers in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, the ELISA assay revealed that the optimized nanofiber membrane terminated the inflammatory phases successfully by downregulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, MMP-2, and MMP-9) in wound healing. In-vitro and in-vivo studies conclude that the developed nanofiber loaded with bioactive material can promote diabetic wound healing efficiently via multifunction action such as the sustained release of bioactive molecules for a prolonged time of duration, proving anti-bacterial/anti-biofilm properties and acceleration of cell migration and proliferation process during the wound healing.

    DISCUSSION: CUR-ZnO electrospun nanofibers could be a promising drug delivery platform with the potential to be scaled up to treat diabetic foot ulcers effectively.

    Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Bacteria
  6. Baseline study of methane emission from open digesting tanks of palm oil mill effluent treatment
    Yacob S, Hassan MA, Shirai Y, Wakisaka M, Subash S
    Chemosphere, 2005 Jun;59(11):1575-81.
    PMID: 15894045
    Anthropogenic release of greenhouse gases, especially CO2 and CH4 has been recognized as one of the main causes of global warming. Several measures under the Kyoto Protocol 1997 have been drawn up to reduce the greenhouse gases emission. One of the measures is Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) that was created to enable developed countries to cooperate with developing countries in emission reduction activities. In Malaysia, palm oil industry particularly from palm oil mill effluent (POME) anaerobic treatment has been identified as an important source of CH4. However, there is no study to quantify the actual CH4 emission from the commercial scale wastewater treatment facility. Hence, this paper shall address the CH4 emission from the open digesting tanks in Felda Serting Hilir Palm Oil Mill. CH4 emission pattern was recorded for 52 weeks from 3600 m3 open digesting tanks. The findings indicated that the CH4 content was between 13.5% and 49.0% which was lower than the value of 65% reported earlier. The biogas flow rate ranged between 0.8l min(-1)m(-2) and 9.8l min(-1)m(-2). Total CH4 emission per open digesting tank was 518.9 kgday(-1). Relationships between CH4 emission and total carbon removal and POME discharged were also discussed. Fluctuation of biogas production was observed throughout the studies as a result of seasonal oil palm cropping, mill activities, variation of POME quality and quantity discharged from the mill. Thus only through long-term field measurement CH4 emission can be accurately estimated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria, Anaerobic/metabolism*
  7. In vitro assessment on effect of duodenal contents on the lead (Pb(2+)) binding capacity of two probiotic bacterial strains
    Xing S, Song Y, Liang JB, Faseleh Jahromi M, Shokryazda P, Mi J, et al.
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2017 May;139:78-82.
    PMID: 28113114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.01.016
    In vitro Lead (Pb(2+)) binding capacity of two probiotic bacteria strains, namely Bifidobacterium longumBB79 and Lactobacillus pentosusITA23, was assessed following incubation with the intestinal contents (IC) of laying hens. Results of this study demonstrated that IC treatment significantly enhanced (P<0.01) Pb(2+) binding capacity of both bacterial strains. Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated that several functional groups (O-H or N-H, C-H, C˭O, C-O, and C-O-C) on the bacteria cell wall involved in metal ion binding were altered after IC incubation, and new groups appeared between the 3700cm(-1) and 4000cm(-1)bands. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that after incubation with IC, unidentified IC components created new binding sites on the bacterial cell surface. These particles also changed the mechanism of Pb(2+) binding of the two strains from intracellular accumulation to extracellular adsorption.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria; Spores, Bacterial
  8. Fulltext The efficacy of Morinda citrifolia leaves extracts in diabetic wound treatment
    Xin Ying Chong, Syafiiqa Parlan, Tiu Ling Yii, Dayang Nurafiqah Awang Lokman, Clementine Jrillus, Nur Syamira Zainal Abidin, et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):12-0.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: An economical and alternative diabetic wound care product is needed to address the escalating cost of diabetic wound ulcer treatment in Indonesia. Morindac itrifolia or commonly called noni, is a medicinal plant, dietary supplement, and traditional wound care product. This leaves extract contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulant, and antimicrobial properties. Trigona honey which is currently used to treat the diabetic wound at Kitamura Wound Specialist Clinic, Pontianak, Indonesia is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-proliferative properties. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Morinda citrifolia leaves extract and Trigona honey in diabetic wound healing. Methods: A quasi-experimental study (a randomized control trial design) was conductedin the clinicon two subjects with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Trigona honey and Morinda citrifolia leaves extract packing was done to the ulcer of controlled subject and treatment subject respectively as a primary dressing. DFU assessment was done every 2 days using the MUNGS assessment tool and a wound closure rate for- mula. Wound C&S was analysed using a bacterial count machine. Results: Morinda citrifolia leaves extract was able to promote wound contraction, improved MUNGS score (from 9 to 8), reduced bacteria count significantly (from
    8.51 x 105 to 1.00 x 105), reduced the percentage of slough by 70% and increased granulating tissue by 60% after the first application. Whereas, Trigona honey extract showed no wound contraction but improved MUNGS score (from 11 to 7). However, bacteria count was maintained at the lowest level (1.00 x 105), reduce the percentage of slough by 10%, and only increased granulating tissues by 10% after the first application. Conclusion: Both products were able to promote diabetic wound healing but the Morinda citrifolia leaves extract was found to be more effective, thus concludes the potential use of Morinda citrifolia leaves extract in treating DFU.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria; Bacterial Load
  9. Antimicrobial activity of fungal endophytes from vaccinium dunalianum var. Urophyllum
    Xin Tong, Xiao-ye Shen, Cheng-lin Hou
    Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1685-1692.
    Fungi associated with Vaccinium species play important roles in plant growth and disease control, especially in the final
    blueberry production. Vaccinium dunalianum var. urophyllum (Ericaceae) is a well-known medicinal plant in Southern
    China used to treat inflammation and microbial infections. The endophytic fungi from these plants are therefore anticipated
    as potential new sources of antimicrobials. In this report, the inhibitory effects of endophytes against clinical bacteria
    and yeast were comprehensively screened and 11 isolates indicated high bioactivity by the agar diffusion method. The
    corresponding crude extracts of these fungi under submerged fermentation also demonstrated distinct differences and
    n-butyl alcohol displayed the lowest extraction efficiency among the extracts. The ethyl acetate and dichloromethane
    extracts of filtrates from the Colletotrichum sp. VD001, Epicoccum nigrum VD021 and E. nigrum VD022 strains
    displayed good properties against pathogenic microorganisms according to disc diffusion assays and minimal inhibitory
    concentration (MIC). This study is the first indicating that cultivable endophytic fungi associated with blueberry plants
    produce potential compounds against clinical pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria
  10. Fulltext Microbial Diversity and Community Variation in the Intestines of Layer Chickens
    Xiao SS, Mi JD, Mei L, Liang J, Feng KX, Wu YB, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2021 Mar 16;11(3).
    PMID: 33809729 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030840
    The intestinal microbiota is increasingly recognized as an important component of host health, metabolism and immunity. Early gut colonizers are pivotal in the establishment of microbial community structures affecting the health and growth performance of chickens. White Lohmann layer is a common commercial breed. Therefore, this breed was selected to study the pattern of changes of microbiota with age. In this study, the duodenum, caecum and colorectum contents of white Lohmann layer chickens from same environment control farm were collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing to explore the spatial and temporal variations in intestinal microbiota. The results showed that the diversity of the microbial community structure in the duodenum, caecum and colorectum increased with age and tended to be stable when the layer chickens reached 50 days of age and the distinct succession patterns of the intestinal microbiota between the duodenum and large intestine (caecum and colorectum). On day 0, the diversity of microbes in the duodenum was higher than that in the caecum and colorectum, but the compositions of intestinal microbes were relatively similar, with facultative anaerobic Proteobacteria as the main microbes. However, the relative abundance of facultative anaerobic bacteria (Escherichia) gradually decreased and was replaced by anaerobic bacteria (Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae). By day 50, the structure of intestinal microbes had gradually become stable, and Lactobacillus was the dominant bacteria in the duodenum (41.1%). The compositions of dominant microbes in the caecum and colorectum were more complex, but there were certain similarities. Bacteroides, Odoribacter and Clostridiales vadin BB60 group were dominant. The results of this study provide evidence that time and spatial factors are important factors affecting the intestinal microbiota composition. This study provides new knowledge of the intestinal microbiota colonization pattern of layer chickens in early life to improve the intestinal health of layer chickens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria; Bacteria, Anaerobic; Proteobacteria
  11. Cellular and Molecular Interaction of Human Dermal Fibroblasts with Bacterial Nanocellulose Composite Hydrogel for Tissue Regeneration
    Xi Loh EY, Fauzi MB, Ng MH, Ng PY, Ng SF, Ariffin H, et al.
    ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2018 Nov 21;10(46):39532-39543.
    PMID: 30372014 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b16645
    The evaluation of the interaction of cells with biomaterials is fundamental to establish the suitability of the biomaterial for a specific application. In this study, the properties of bacterial nanocellulose/acrylic acid (BNC/AA) hydrogels fabricated with varying BNC to AA ratios and electron-beam irradiation doses were determined. The manner these hydrogel properties influence the behavior of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) at the cellular and molecular levels was also investigated, relating it to its application both as a cell carrier and wound dressing material. Swelling, hardness, adhesive force (wet), porosity, and hydrophilicity (dry) of the hydrogels were dependent on the degree of cross-linking and the amount of AA incorporated in the hydrogels. However, water vapor transmission rate, pore size, hydrophilicity (semidry), and topography were similar between all formulations, leading to a similar cell attachment and proliferation profile. At the cellular level, the hydrogel demonstrated rapid cell adhesion, maintained HDFs viability and morphology, restricted cellular migration, and facilitated fast transfer of cells. At the molecular level, the hydrogel affected nine wound-healing genes (IL6, IL10, MMP2, CTSK, FGF7, GM-CSF, TGFB1, COX2, and F3). The findings indicate that the BNC/AA hydrogel is a potential biomaterial that can be employed as a wound-dressing material to incorporate HDFs for the acceleration of wound healing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria/metabolism
  12. Fermentation of blueberry and blackberry juices using Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum: Growth of probiotics, metabolism of phenolics, antioxidant capacity in vitro and sensory evaluation
    Wu Y, Li S, Tao Y, Li D, Han Y, Show PL, et al.
    Food Chem, 2021 Jun 30;348:129083.
    PMID: 33517000 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129083
    In this study, three potential probiotic strains were selected to ferment blueberry and blackberry juices. The viable cell counts of selected strains were increased by 0.4-0.7 log CFU/mL in berry juices environments after 48-h fermentation. Meanwhile, the contents of cyanindin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside decreased over 30%. Heatmap presented an upgrade trend of syringic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid and lactic acid during fermentation. However, the contents of p-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, critic acid and malic acid showed downgrade trend. The metabolism of phenolics probably contributed to the enhancement of the ABTS radical scavenging activity (40%-60%) in fermented berry juices. Moreover, the three strains presented different capacities on changing the quality of berry juices according to the PCA and LDA analysis. The contents of individual organic acids had positive correlations with sensory quality, especially for sourness. Overall, probiotic fermentation could improve the sensory quality of berry juices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria/metabolism*
  13. Distribution of faecal indicator bacteria in tropical waters of Peninsular Malaysia and their decay rates in tropical seawater
    Wong YY, Lee CW, Chai SCY, Lim JH, Bong CW, Sim EUH, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2022 Dec;185(Pt A):114297.
    PMID: 36327936 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114297
    We investigated the appropriateness of faecal indicator bacteria in tropical waters. We compared total coliform (undetectable to 7.2 × 105 cfu 100 mL-1), faecal coliform (undetectable to 6.1 × 105 cfu 100 mL-1) and enterococci (undetectable to 3.1 × 104 cfu 100 mL-1) distribution in Peninsular Malaysia. Faecal indicator bacteria was highest in freshwater, and lowest in seawater (q > 4.18, p bacteria in tropical waters was not due to faecal pollution alone, and this will have serious implications towards the use of these faecal indicator bacteria.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria
  14. Preferential Use of Carbon Sources in Culturable Aerobic Mesophilic Bacteria of Coptotermes curvignathus's (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Gut and Its Foraging Area
    Wong WZ, H'ng PS, Chin KL, Sajap AS, Tan GH, Paridah MT, et al.
    Environ Entomol, 2015 Oct;44(5):1367-74.
    PMID: 26314017 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvv115
    The lower termite, Coptotermes curvignathus, is one of the most prominent plantation pests that feed upon, digest, and receive nourishment from exclusive lignocellulose diets. The objective of this study was to examine the utilization of sole carbon sources by isolated culturable aerobic bacteria among communities from the gut and foraging pathway of C. curvignathus. We study the bacteria occurrence from the gut of C. curvignathus and its surrounding feeding area by comparing the obtained phenotypic fingerprint with Biolog's extensive species library. A total of 24 bacteria have been identified mainly from the family Enterobacteriaceae from the identification of Biolog Gen III. Overall, the bacteria species in the termite gut differ from those of foraging pathway within a location, except Acintobacter baumannii, which was the only bacteria species found in both habitats. Although termites from a different study area do not have the same species of bacteria in the gut, they do have a bacterial community with similar role in degrading certain carbon sources. Sugars were preferential in termite gut isolates, while nitrogen carbon sources were preferential in foraging pathway isolates. The preferential use of specific carbon sources by these two bacterial communities reflects the role of bacteria for regulation of carbon metabolism in the termite gut and foraging pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria/classification; Bacteria/isolation & purification*; Bacteria/metabolism*; Enterobacteriaceae/classification; Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification*; Enterobacteriaceae/metabolism*
  15. Biological properties of sodium alkyl methyl ester sulfonate/alkyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant mixtures
    Wong SP, Lim WH, Cheng SF, Chuah CH
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2012 Jan 1;89:48-52.
    PMID: 21937202 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2011.08.021
    Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used as disinfectant in medical care, food industry, detergents and glue industries. This is due to a small concentration of QACs is sufficient to inhibit the growth of various bacteria strains. In this work, the inhibitive power of cationic surfactants, alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (C(n)TAB) in the presence of anionic surfactants, sodium alkyl methyl ester α-sulfonate (C(n)MES) was studied. The growth inhibition test with gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria were used to determine the toxicity of single and mixed surfactants. Results from this work showed that certain mixed surfactants have lower minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) as compared to the single C(n)TAB surfactants. Besides that, it was also found that alkyl chain length and the mixing ratios of the surfactants play a significant role in determining the mixture inhibitive power.
    Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects
  16. In situ generation of plasma-activated aerosols via surface acoustic wave nebulization for portable spray-based surface bacterial inactivation
    Wong KS, Lim WTH, Ooi CW, Yeo LY, Tan MK
    Lab Chip, 2020 05 19;20(10):1856-1868.
    PMID: 32342089 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00001a
    The presence of reactive species in plasma-activated water is known to induce oxidative stresses in bacterial species, which can result in their inactivation. By integrating a microfludic chipscale nebulizer driven by surface acoustic waves (SAWs) with a low-temperature atmospheric plasma source, we demonstrate an efficient technique for in situ production and application of plasma-activated aerosols for surface disinfection. Unlike bulk conventional systems wherein the water is separately batch-treated within a container, we show in this work the first demonstration of continuous plasma-treatment of water as it is transported through a paper strip from a reservoir onto the chipscale SAW device. The significantly larger surface area to volume ratio of the water within the paper strip leads to a significant reduction in the duration of the plasma-treatment, while maintaining the concentration of the reactive species. The subsequent nebulization of the plasma-activated water by the SAW then allows the generation of plasma-activated aerosols, which can be directly sprayed onto the contaminated surface, therefore eliminating the storage of the plasma-activated water and hence circumventing the typical limitation in conventional systems wherein the concentration of the reactive species diminishes over time during storage, resulting in a reduction in the efficacy of bacterial inactivation. In particular, we show up to 96% reduction in Escherichia coli colonies through direct spraying with the plasma-activated aerosols. This novel, low-cost, portable and energy-efficient hybrid system necessitates only minimal maintenance as it only requires the supply of tap water and battery power for operation, and is thus suitable for decontamination in home environments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria
  17. Fulltext Back to basic: bio-burden on hands of health care personnel in tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Wong JL, Siti Azrin AH, Narizan MI, Norliah Y, Noraida M, Amanina A, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Sep;31(3):534-9.
    PMID: 25382481 MyJurnal
    Hands of Health Care Personnel (HCP) are one of the most common vehicles for the transmission of infection. Microorganisms can survive well on the hands of HCP for a certain duration. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to bring awareness to HCP that their hands can actually be contaminated with many microorganisms. These microbes on the hands of HCP can potentially infect their patients if they do not comply with the proper hand hygiene practice. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a randomly selected Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and general ward in a hospital. Twenty five HCP from each ward were randomly selected and their hands were imprinted on blood culture plates. Microorganism growth were quantified and identified. Data were analyzed and presented as descriptive analysis. One hundred blood agar plates were processed and analyzed. Majority (71%) of the samples had more than 50 colony-forming units (CFU) and only 17% of the samples had less than 25 CFU. Microorganisms identified include Staphylococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Moraxella, Delftiaacidovorans and fungi. All isolated microorganisms were antibiotic sensitive strain. This study showed that the hands of HCP were contaminated with many microorganisms. Therefore, it is imperative that HCP must practice proper hand hygiene when taking care of their patients in the wards.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria/classification; Bacteria/isolation & purification*
  18. Fulltext Detection of antibiotic resistance in probiotics of dietary supplements
    Wong A, Ngu DY, Dan LA, Ooi A, Lim RL
    Nutr J, 2015;14:95.
    PMID: 26370532 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-015-0084-2
    Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer nutrition- and health-promoting benefits if consumed in adequate amounts. Concomitant with the demand for natural approaches to maintaining health is an increase in inclusion of probiotics in food and health products. Since probiotic bacteria act as reservoir for antibiotic resistant determinants, the transfer of these genes to pathogens sharing the same intestinal habitat is thus conceivable considering the fact that dietary supplements contain high amounts of often heterogeneous populations of probiotics. Such events can confer pathogens protection against commonly-used drugs. Despite numerous reports of antibiotic resistant probiotics in food and biological sources, the antibiogram of probiotics from dietary supplements remained elusive.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteria/drug effects*; Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  19. Surveillance of antibiotic resistance in South East Asia
    Williams JD, Moosdeen F, Teoh-Chan CH, Lim VK, Jayanetra P
    Eur J Epidemiol, 1989 Jun;5(2):207-13.
    PMID: 2504618
    Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Salmonella and Shigella, requires surveillance worldwide. This study describes results of surveys in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. All strains were isolated in hospitals which have large community catchment areas in addition to specialised hospital units. The prevalence of resistant strains was high in all areas. Gram-negative bacteria such as Enterobacter associated with hospital infections were resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins, with gentamicin resistance ranging from about 20% in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, to 35% in Bangkok. Ninety-seven percent of Shigella isolated in Thailand were resistant to ampicillin. About 10% of Salmonella were resistant to chloramphenicol in all three centres.
    Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects*; Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification
  20. Growth inhibition of foodborne and nosocomial pathogens by aqueous fraction of bearded Argostemma (Argostemma involucratum Hemsl., Rubiaceae)
    Wiart C, Hannah A, Yusof M, Hamimah H, Sulaiman M
    J Herb Pharmacother, 2005;5(3):97-102.
    PMID: 16520301
    The crude methanol extract of Bearded Argostemma (Argostemma involucratum Hemsl., Rubiaceae) showed a good and broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The activity was increased on fractionation (hexane, dichloromethane and water), particularly in the aqueous fraction which was more active than the methanol extract and streptomycin (no activity was shown against tested moulds). Both the hexane and dichloromethane fractions were inactive. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the antibacterial activity of hexane, dichloromethane, and aqueous fractions of Argostemma involucratum Hemsl. The aqueous fraction of Bearded Argostemma may be a possible new option for the treatment of bacterial infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects
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