Displaying publications 161 - 180 of 609 in total

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  1. Fulltext Prevalence of adhesion and regulation of biofilm-related genes in different clones of Staphylococcus aureus
    Atshan SS, Nor Shamsudin M, Sekawi Z, Lung LT, Hamat RA, Karunanidhi A, et al.
    J Biomed Biotechnol, 2012;2012:976972.
    PMID: 22701309 DOI: 10.1155/2012/976972
    Clinical information about genotypically different clones of biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus is largely unknown. We examined whether different clones of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA) differ with respect to staphylococcal microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) in biofilm formation. The study used 60 different types of spa and determined the phenotypes, the prevalence of the 13 MSCRAMM, and biofilm genes for each clone. The current investigation was carried out using a modified Congo red agar (MCRA), a microtiter plate assay (MPA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clones belonging to the same spa type were found to have similar properties in adheringto the polystyrene microtiter plate surface. However, their ability to produce slime on MCRA medium was different. PCR experiments showed that 60 clones of MSSA and MRSA were positive for 5 genes (out of 9 MSCRAMM genes). icaADBC genes were found to be present in all the 60 clones tested indicating a high prevalence, and these genes were equally distributed among the clones associated with MSSA and those with MRSA. The prevalence of other MSCRAMM genes among MSSA and MRSA clones was found to be variable. MRSA and MSSA gene expression (MSCRAMM and icaADBC) was confirmed by RT-PCR.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics*; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity
  2. Fulltext Comparative characterisation of genotypically different clones of MRSA in the production of biofilms
    Atshan SS, Shamsudin MN, Lung LT, Sekawi Z, Ghaznavi-Rad E, Pei CP
    J Biomed Biotechnol, 2012;2012:417247.
    PMID: 22529705 DOI: 10.1155/2012/417247
    The ability to adhere and produce biofilms is characteristic of enhanced virulence among isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The aim of the study is to find out whether these characteristics are consistently similar among isolates variations of MRSA. The study used 30 various isolates of MRSA belong to 13 spa types and 5 MLST types and determined the aggregation, the adherence, and the production of biofilms and slime for each isolate. The methods used to evaluate these characteristics were a modified Congo red agar assay (MCRA), a microtiter plate assay (MPA), high-magnification light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and PCR. The study found that isolates belonging to similar Spa, SCCmec, and ST types have similar abilities to produce biofilms; however, their ability to produce slime on CRA was found to be different. Moreover, isolates that have different Spa types showed high variation in their ability to produce biofilms. The results of light microscope revealed the isolates that produced strong and weak biofilms and formed similar aggregation on the glass surfaces. SEM results showed that all 30 MRSA isolates that were tested were 100% positive for biofilm formation, although to varying degrees. Further testing using PCR confirmed that 100% of the 30 isolates tested were positive for the presence of the icaADBC, fnbA, eno, ebps, clfA, and clfB genes. The prevalence of fib, cna, fnbB, and bbp in MRSA clones was 90, 93.33, 53.33, and 10%, respectively. This study indicate that differences in biofilm production capacities are caused by the differences in surface protein A (Spa) type and are not due to differences in MLST and SCCmec types.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/classification; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/physiology*
  3. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Malaysian tertiary centre
    Rashid ZZ, Bahari N, Othman A, Jaafar R, Mohamed NA, Jabbari I, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2013 Jan;44(1):104-8.
    PMID: 23682444
    Abstract. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a pathogen recognized to be distinct in both phenotype and genotype from hospital-acquired MRSA. We have identified CA-MRSA cases in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, including their antibiotic susceptibility patterns and genotypic characteristics. Cases were identified during January to December 2009 from routine clinical specimens, where culture and antibiotic susceptibility results yielded pauci-resistant MRSA isolates suspected as being CA-MRSA. The patients' clinical data were collected and their specimens were sent for molecular confirmation and analysis. Five cases of CA-MRSA were identified, which had a multi-sensitive pattern on antibiotic susceptibility tests and were resistant to only penicillin and oxacillin. All cases were skin and soft-tissue infections, including diabetic foot with gangrene, infected scalp hematoma, philtrum abscess in a healthcare worker, thrombophlebitis complicated with abscess and infected bedsore. All five cases were confirmed MRSA by detection of mecA. SCCmec typing (ccr and mec complex) revealed SCCmec type IV for all cases except the infected bedsore case. Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene was positive in all isolates. As clinical features among methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, CA-MRSA and "nosocomial CA-MRSA" are indistinct, early recognition is necessary in order to initiate appropriate antibiotics and infection control measures. Continual surveillance of pauci-resistant MRSA and molecular analysis are necessary in order to identify emerging strains as well as their epidemiology and transmission, both in the community and in healthcare setting.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development*; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification
  4. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequences of Four Nosocomial Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains (PPUKM-261-2009, PPUKM-332-2009, PPUKM-377-2009, and PPUKM-775-2009) Representative of Dominant MRSA Pulsotypes Circulating in a Malaysian University Teaching Hospital
    Neoh HM, Mohamed-Hussein ZA, Tan XE, B Raja Abd Rahman RM, Hussin S, Mohamad Zin N, et al.
    Genome Announc, 2013 Jan;1(1).
    PMID: 23405328 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00103-12
    Here, we report the draft genome sequences of four nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (PPUKM-261-2009, PPUKM-332-2009, PPUKM-377-2009, and PPUKM-775-2009) isolated from a university teaching hospital in Malaysia. Three of the strains belong to sequence type 239 (ST239), which has been associated with sustained hospital epidemics worldwide.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  5. Are deep eutectic solvents benign or toxic?
    Hayyan M, Hashim MA, Hayyan A, Al-Saadi MA, AlNashef IM, Mirghani ME, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2013 Feb;90(7):2193-5.
    PMID: 23200570 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.11.004
    In continuation of investigation for environmentally benign protocol for new solvents termed deep eutectic solvents (DESs), it is herein reported results concerning the toxicity and cytotoxicity of choline chloride (ChCl) based DESs with four hydrogen bond donors including glycerine, ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and urea. The toxicity was investigated using two Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and two Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cytotoxicity effect was tested using the Artemia salina leach. It was found that there was no toxic effect for the tested DESs on all of the studied bacteria confirming their benign effects on these bacteria. Nevertheless, it was found that the cytotoxicity of DESs was much higher than their individual components (e.g. glycerine, ChCl) indicating that their toxicological behavior is different. For our best knowledge this is the first time that toxicity and cytotoxicity of DESs were studied. The toxicity and cytotoxicity of DESs varied depending on the structure of components. Careful usage of the terms non-toxicity and biodegradability must be considered. More investigation on this matter is required.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus
  6. Effects of Mesua ferrea leaf and fruit extracts on growth and morphology of Staphylococcus aureus
    Aruldass CA, Marimuthu MM, Ramanathan S, Mansor SM, Murugaiyah V
    Microsc Microanal, 2013 Feb;19(1):254-60.
    PMID: 23332129 DOI: 10.1017/S1431927612013785
    Mesua ferrea is traditionally used for treating bleeding piles, fever, and renal diseases. It has been reported to have antimircobial activity. In the present study, antibacterial efficacy of leaf and fruit extracts on the growth and morphology of Staphylococcus aureus is evaluated. Both extracts display good antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a minimum inhibition concentration of 0.048 mg/mL. Both extracts are bacteriostatic at a minimum bacteriostatic concentration of 0.39 mg/mL. The bacteriostatic activity lasts for 24 h, and then cells start to grow as normal as shown in time-kill analysis. Scanning electron microscopy study indicated potential detrimental effect of the extracts of leaf and fruits of M. ferrea on the morphology of S. aureus. The treatment with the extracts caused extensive lysis of the cells, leakage of intracellular constituents, and aggregation of cytoplasmic contents forming an open meshwork of the matrix.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/cytology; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*; Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development
  7. Antimicrobial compounds from Alpinia conchigera
    Aziz AN, Ibrahim H, Rosmy Syamsir D, Mohtar M, Vejayan J, Awang K
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2013 Feb 13;145(3):798-802.
    PMID: 23266278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.12.024
    The rhizome of Alpinia conchigerahas been used as a condiment in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia and occasionally in folk medicine in the east coast to treat fungal infections. In some states of Peninsular Malaysia, the rhizomes are consumed as a post-partum medicine and the young shoots are prepared into a vegetable dish. This study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents of the pseudostems and rhizomes of Malaysian Alpinia conchigera and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of the pseudostems, rhizomes and the isolated compounds against three selected fungi and five strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development
  8. Fulltext Clonal distribution and possible microevolution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in a teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Tan XE, Neoh HM, Hussin S, Zin NM
    Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2013 Mar;3(3):224-8.
    PMID: 23620843 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60055-6
    OBJECTIVE: To genotypically characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from medical and surgical wards in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) in 2009.

    METHODS: MRSA strains were collected and molecularly typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

    RESULTS: PFGE typing on 180 MRSA isolated in UKMMC identified 5 pulsotypes (A-E) and 6 singletons, where pulsotypes B and C were suspected to be divergent clones originating from a single ancestor. This study also showed that most MRSA strains were isolated from swab (119 isolates), followed by blood (22 isolates), tracheal aspirate (11 isolates) and sputum (10 isolates). On the other hand, urine and bone isolates were less, which were 4 and 1 isolates, respectively. The distribution of different pulsotypes of MRSA among wards suggested that MRSA was communicated in surgical and medical wards in UKMMC, with pulsotype B MRSA as the dominant strain. Besides, it was found that most deceased patients were infected by pulsotype B MRSA, however, no particular pulsotype could be associated with patient age, underlying disease, or ward of admittance.

    CONCLUSIONS: Five pulsotypes of MRSA and 6 singletons were identified, with pulsotype B MRSA as the endemic strains circulating in these wards, which is useful in establishment of preventive measures against MRSA transmission.

    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics*; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification
  9. Identification, by gene expression profiling analysis, of novel gene targets in Staphylococcus aureus treated with betulinaldehyde
    Chung PY, Chung LY, Navaratnam P
    Res. Microbiol., 2013 May;164(4):319-26.
    PMID: 23385141 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2013.01.005
    Staphylococcus aureus has become a serious concern in hospitals and community due to rapid adaptation to existing antimicrobial agents. Betulinaldehyde [3β-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-al (BE)] belongs to pentacyclic triterpenoids that are based on a 30-carbon skeleton comprising four six-membered rings and one five-membered ring. In a preliminary study, BE exhibited antimicrobial activity against reference strains of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. However, the response mechanism of S. aureus to this compound is not known. In this study, the global gene expression patterns of both the reference strains in response to sub-inhibitory concentrations of BE were analyzed using DNA microarray to identify gene targets, particularly essential targets in novel pathways, i.e. not targeted by currently used antibiotics, or novel targets in existing pathways. The transcriptome analysis revealed repression of genes in the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and ribosome pathways in both the reference strains. Other pathways such as cell division, two-component systems, ABC transporters, fatty acid biosynthesis and peptidoglycan biosynthesis were affected only in the reference strain of methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The findings suggest that BE regulates multiple desirable targets which could be further explored in the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of S. aureus infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*
  10. Fulltext Synthesis, antibacterial and thermal studies of cellulose nanocrystal stabilized ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles
    Azizi S, Ahmad MB, Hussein MZ, Ibrahim NA
    Molecules, 2013 May 28;18(6):6269-80.
    PMID: 23760028 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18066269
    Synthesis of ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles was carried out by a precipitation method with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a stabilizer for antimicrobial and thermal studies. ZnO-Ag nanoparticles were obtained from various weight percentages of added AgNO₃ relative to Zn precursors for evaluating the best composition with enhanced functional properties. The ZnO-Ag/CNCs samples were characterized systematically by TEM, XRD, UV, TGA and DTG. From the TEM studies we observed that ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles have spherical shapes with size diameters in a 9-35 nm range. The antibacterial activities of samples were assessed against the bacterial species Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus. The CNC-stabilized ZnO-Ag exhibited greater bactericidal activity compared to cellulose-free ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles of the same particle size. The incorporation of ZnO-Ag hetreostructure nanoparticles significantly increased the thermal stability of cellulose nanocrystals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
  11. Sterically tuned Ag(I)- and Pd(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of imidazol-2-ylidenes: synthesis, crystal structures, and in vitro antibacterial and anticancer studies
    Haque RA, Salman AW, Budagumpi S, Abdullah AA, Majid AM
    Metallomics, 2013 Jun;5(6):760-9.
    PMID: 23645390 DOI: 10.1039/c3mt00051f
    Unsymmetrically substituted sterically tuned Pd(II)–NHC complexes of the general formula [PdCl2(NHC)2] (NHC = 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene, 7; 1-allyl-3-butylimidazol-2-ylidene, 8; 1-benzyl-3-butyl imidazolin-2-ylidene, 9) were prepared through transmetallation from their corresponding Ag(I)–NHC complexes. The Pd complexes were structurally characterized by different spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. Complexes 7 and 9 adopted a trans–anti arrangement of the NHC ligands, whereas complex 8 adopted a cis–syn arrangement. Preliminary antibiogram studies using Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria showed that Ag(I)–NHC complexes demonstrate higher activity compared with Pd(I)–NHC complexes. Furthermore, Pd(II)–NHC complexes were evaluated for their anticancer potential using the human colorectal cancer cell line. A higher anticancer activity was observed for complexes 8 and 9, with 26.5 and 6.6 mM IC50 values, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
  12. Fulltext Comparison of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in 2003 and 2008 with an emergence of multidrug resistant ST22: SCCmec IV clone in a tertiary hospital, Malaysia
    Lim KT, Hanifah YA, Mohd Yusof MY, Ito T, Thong KL
    J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2013 Jun;46(3):224-33.
    PMID: 23523045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2013.02.001
    Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continue to be a problem for clinicians worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in antibiograms of MRSA and their genotypic characteristics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification
  13. Genetic variation among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from cancer patients in Saudi Arabia
    Alreshidi MA, Alsalamah AA, Hamat RA, Neela V, Alshrari AS, Atshan SS, et al.
    Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2013 Jun;32(6):755-61.
    PMID: 23318757 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-012-1801-9
    One hundred and twenty methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from cancer and non-cancer patients in Saudi Arabia were investigated for antibiotic resistance, virulence determinants and genotypes. The majority of MRSA isolates from cancer (n = 44, 73.3 %) and non-cancer patients (n = 34, 56.7 %) were multi-resistant to more than four classes of antibiotics. Virulence gene profiling showed that all strains were commonly positive for adhesin genes, except ebps and bbp genes, which were not detected in any isolate. Although the presence of adhesin genes varied slightly among MRSA isolates from cancer and non-cancer patients, these variations were not found to be statistically significant. In contrast, the presence of the toxin genes seb, sec, seg and sei was significantly elevated in MRSA strains isolated from cancer patients. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) detected six and nine sequence types (STs) among isolates from cancer and non-cancer patients, respectively. Using spa typing, 12 and 25 types were detected, including four new types. The ability of different MRSA clones to become multi-resistant and their ability to acquire different virulence factors may contribute to their success as pathogens in individual groups of patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics*; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity
  14. Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among veterinary students and personnel at a veterinary hospital in Malaysia
    Aklilu E, Zunita Z, Hassan L, Cheng CH
    Vet Microbiol, 2013 Jun 28;164(3-4):352-8.
    PMID: 23523336 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.02.030
    In this study, we report the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among veterinary students and personnel in Malaysia. Nasal and oral swabs were collected from 103 veterinary medicine students and 28 personnel from a veterinary hospital. Antibiotic sensitivity test (AST), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, and PCR amplifications of nucA and mecA gene were performed. Molecular characterization of the isolates was conducted using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal protein A gene (spa) typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results from MLST show the presence of the pandemic and widespread MRSA clones, ST5 and ST59. Spa gene typing revealed spa type t267 which has a wide geographical distribution. A new spa type, t5697 was found in this study. Fingerprint analysis by using PFGE show heterogeneity of the isolates. These findings affirm the importance of MRSA in veterinary settings and underscore the need for further extensive research to devise contextual control and prevention strategies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/classification; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/physiology*
  15. Quantitative PCR analysis of genes expressed during biofilm development of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
    Atshan SS, Shamsudin MN, Karunanidhi A, van Belkum A, Lung LT, Sekawi Z, et al.
    Infect Genet Evol, 2013 Aug;18:106-12.
    PMID: 23669446 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.05.002
    Staphylococcus aureus biofilm associated infections remains a major clinical concern in patients with indwelling devices. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) can be used to investigate the pathogenic role of such biofilms. We describe qPCRs for 12 adhesion and biofilm-related genes of four S. aureus isolates which were applied during in vitro biofilm development. An endogenous control (16S rRNA) was used for signal normalization. We compared the qPCR results with structural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM studies showed different cellular products surrounding the aggregated cells at different times of biofilm formation. Using qPCR, we found that expression levels of the gene encoding fibronectin binding protein A and B and clumping factor B (fnbA/B and clfB), which involves in primary adherence of S. aureus, were significantly increased at 24h and decreased slightly and variably at 48 h when all 4 isolates were considered. The elastin binding protein (ebps) RNA expression level was significantly enhanced more than 6-fold at 24 and 48 h compared to 12h. Similar results were obtained for the intercellular adhesion biofilm required genes type C (icaC). In addition, qPCR revealed a fluctuation in expression levels at different time points of biofilm growth of other genes, indicating that different parameter modes of growth processes are operating at different times.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/metabolism; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/physiology*
  16. Fulltext Phytochemical analysis of Andrographis paniculata and Orthosiphon stamineus leaf extracts for their antibacterial and antioxidant potential
    Malahubban M, Alimon AR, Sazili AQ, Fakurazi S, Zakry FA
    Trop Biomed, 2013 Sep;30(3):467-80.
    PMID: 24189677 MyJurnal
    Leaves of Andrographis paniculata and Orthosiphon stamineus were extracted with water, ethanol, methanol and chloroform to assess their potential as antibacterial and antioxidant agents. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the methanolic extracts of A. paniculata and O. stamineus leaves gave the highest amounts of andrographolide and rosmarinic acid, respectively. These leaf extracts exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and, at the highest concentration tested (200 mg/mL), showed greater inhibitory effects against the Gram positive bacteria Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus than 10% acetic acid. Andrographis paniculata and O. stamineus methanolic and ethanolic leaf extracts also showed the strongest antioxidant activity as compared with the other extracts tested. The bioactive compounds present in these leaf extracts have the potential to be developed into natural antibacterial and antioxidant agents that may have applications in animal and human health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
  17. Fulltext Antiviral cationic peptides as a strategy for innovation in global health therapeutics for dengue virus: high yield production of the biologically active recombinant plectasin peptide
    Rothan HA, Mohamed Z, Suhaeb AM, Rahman NA, Yusof R
    OMICS, 2013 Nov;17(11):560-7.
    PMID: 24044366 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2013.0056
    Dengue virus infects millions of people worldwide, and there is no vaccine or anti-dengue therapeutic available. Antimicrobial peptides have been shown to possess effective antiviral activity against various viruses. One of the main limitations of developing these peptides as potent antiviral drugs is the high cost of production. In this study, high yield production of biologically active plectasin peptide was inexpensively achieved by producing tandem plectasin peptides as inclusion bodies in E. coli. Antiviral activity of the recombinant peptide towards dengue serotype-2 NS2B-NS3 protease (DENV2 NS2B-NS3pro) was assessed as a target to inhibit dengue virus replication in Vero cells. Single units of recombinant plectasin were collected after applying consecutive steps of refolding, cleaving by Factor Xa, and nickel column purification to obtain recombinant proteins of high purity. The maximal nontoxic dose (MNTD) of the recombinant peptide against Vero cells was 20 μM (100 μg/mL). The reaction velocity of DENV2 NS2B-NS3pro decreased significantly after increasing concentrations of recombinant plectasin were applied to the reaction mixture. Plectasin peptide noncompetitively inhibited DENV2 NS2B-NS3pro at Ki value of 5.03 ± 0.98 μM. The percentage of viral inhibition was more than 80% at the MNTD value of plectasin. In this study, biologically active recombinant plectasin which was able to inhibit dengue protease and viral replication in Vero cells was successfully produced in E. coli in a time- and cost- effective method. These findings are potentially important in the development of potent therapeutics against dengue infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development
  18. A new bis-labdanic diterpene from the rhizomes of Alpinia pahangensis
    Sivasothy Y, Ibrahim H, Paliany AS, Alias SA, Md Nor NR, Awang K
    Planta Med, 2013 Dec;79(18):1775-80.
    PMID: 24356874 DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1351075
    The rhizomes of Alpinia pahangensis yielded a new bis-labdanic diterpene for which the name pahangensin C (1) was proposed along with twelve known analogues (2-13). The structure of 1 was elucidated via spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and LCMS-IT-TOF analysis. Compounds 2 and 12 were isolated for the first time from the genus Alpinia. This is the second occurrence of compounds 2 and 12 in the Zingiberaceae family. Selected analogues exhibited moderate to strong inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*
  19. Fulltext In vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Mesua beccariana (Baill.) Kosterm., Mesua ferrea Linn., and Mesua congestiflora extracts
    Teh SS, Ee GC, Mah SH, Yong YK, Lim YM, Rahmani M, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:517072.
    PMID: 24089682 DOI: 10.1155/2013/517072
    The in vitro cytotoxicity tests on the extracts of Mesua beccariana, M. ferrea, and M. congestiflora against Raji, SNU-1, HeLa, LS-174T, NCI-H23, SK-MEL-28, Hep-G2, IMR-32, and K562 were achieved using MTT assay. The methanol extracts of Mesua beccariana showed its potency towards the proliferation of B-lymphoma cell (Raji). In addition, only the nonpolar to semipolar extracts (hexane to ethyl acetate) of the three Mesua species indicated cytotoxic effects on the tested panel of human cancer cell lines. Antioxidant assays were evaluated using DPPH scavenging radical assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method. The methanol extracts of M. beccariana and M. ferrea showed high antioxidant activities with low EC₅₀ values of 12.70 and 9.77  μg/mL, respectively, which are comparable to that of ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 5.62  μg/mL). Antibacterial tests were carried out using four Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria on Mesua beccariana extracts. All the extracts showed negative results in the inhibition of Gram negative bacteria. Nevertheless, methanol extracts showed some activities against Gram positive bacteria which are Bacillus cereus, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while the hexane extract also contributed some activities towards Bacillus cereus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
  20. Fulltext Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among patients and healthcare workers in a hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia
    Al-Talib H, Yean CY, Hasan H, Nik Zuraina NM, Ravichandran M
    Pol J Microbiol, 2013;62(1):109-12.
    PMID: 23829087
    Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage is a common source of nosocomial infection and colonization. The aim of the present study was to assess the burden of methicillin-resistant S. aureus nasal carriage, its association with factors of interest including its genetic relationships. The prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage was found to be 28.7%. This study showed that patients with a history of previous antibiotic intake, nasogastric tube, and longer hospitalization had a significantly high risk of being MRSA nasal carriers. The genetic relationship of all 34 nasal MRSA isolates revealed four major clusters of isolates, and there was a relationship between MRSA isolated from inpatients and healthcare workers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification*
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