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Since thermophilic microorganisms are valuable sources of thermostable enzymes, it is essential to recognize the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles used in diverse industrial sectors. Thermophilic bacteria Geobacillus vulcani 2Cx, Bacillus licheniformis 3CA, Paenibacillus macerans 3CA1, Anoxybacillus ayderensis FMB1, and Bacillus paralicheniformis FMB2-1 were selected, and their MIC and MBC values were assessed by treatment with AgNPs in a range of 62.5–1500 μg mL−1. The growth inhibition curves showed that the G. vulcani 2Cx, and B. paralicheniformis FMB2-1 strains were more sensitive to AgNPs, demonstrating a reduction in population by 71.1% and 31.7% at 62.5 μg mL−1 and by 82.9% and 72.8% at 250 μg mL−1, respectively. TEM and FT-IR analysis revealed that AgNPs caused structural damage, cytoplasmic leakage, and disruption of cellular integrity. Furthermore, cell viability showed a significant decrease alongside an increase in superoxide radical (SOR; O2−) production. β-galactosidase biosynthesis decreased to 28.8% level at 500 μg mL−1 AgNPs for G. vulcani 2Cx, 32.2% at 250 μg mL−1 for A. ayderensis FMB1, and 38.8% only at 62.5 μg mL−1, but it was completely inhibited at 500 μg mL−1 for B. licheniformis 3CA. Moreover, B. paralicheniformis FMB2-1 showed a significant decrease to 11.2% at 125 μg mL−1. This study is the first to reveal the toxic effects of AgNPs on thermophilic bacteria.

Nano-sized nickel magnesium copper zircon silicate (1MgO: 2CuO: 4SiO 2 : 2.3ZrO 2 :0.7 NiO) nanocomposite was prepared using sol-gel alkoxide precursors and calcined at 700 °C. The characterization for the prepared nano-sized by various analytical techniques confirmed the biphasic nature with the tetragonal zirconium silicate (ZrSiO 4 ) dominant phase and a homogeneous inter-dispersion for the obtained nanocrystallites. The UV-Vis optical analysis in the range of 200–2500 nm was operated to check the optical energy gap (E g ), optical constants (n and k), optical density (OD), skin depth (δ), optical conductivity (σ), and the optical electronegativity (η) of the 1MgO: 2CuO: 4SiO 2 : 2.3 ZrO 2 :0.7 NiOnanocomposite. The magnetic behavior for the nanocomposite sample was investigated. The antibacterial potential of 1MgO: 2CuO: 4SiO 2 : 2.3 ZrO 2 :0.7 NiOagainst four foodborne bacterial pathogens was appraised. Results revealed that the inhibitory consequences of tested 1MgO: 2CuO: 4SiO 2 : 2.3 ZrO 2 :0.7 NiO were greater in Gram-negative species than Gram-positive species. Results unveiled that the toxicity assay of the tested nanocomposite is biocompatible and safe for food security application. Thus, the prepared1MgO: 2CuO: 4SiO 2 : 2.3 ZrO 2 :0.7 NiOis recommended to be applied in food packaging and processing due to their high thermal stability, biocompatible and potent antimicrobial agents, and can suppress the dissemination of foodborne pathogens during food manufacturing.

This study is concerned with the removal performance of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) from synthetic solutions by electrocoagulation (EC), as well as the toxic effects of treated CIP solutions. A response surface analysis (RSA) was applied to search optimal operational parameter values of the pH of solution, electrical current density (ECD), and electrolysis time (ET). The EC efficiency was evaluated by determining the total organic carbon (TOC) and CIP concentration performed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Although the best EC efficiency was attained at pH = 8, ECD = 22.2 A m −2 , and ET = 75 min, toxicity and antibacterial tests were performed using Artemia salina cysts and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli microorganisms in a wide ET range and other pH and ECD values. Increasing optimal pH value (9), along with reducing optimal ECD value (18 A m −2 ) and regarding low ET values, similar results for the removal of CIP (98%) and TOC (87%) were also attained. Toxicity variation was observed during EC process in synthetic solutions with the lowest antibacterial effects due to CIP and recalcitrant compound residues after 40 min of ET. These results clearly showed that the EC process presents a promising alternative method for the treatment of wastewaters containing high CIP concentrations.

Ptychotis verticillata Duby, referred to as Nûnkha in the local language, is a medicinal plant that is native to Morocco. This particular plant is a member of the Apiaceae family and has a longstanding history in traditional medicine and has been utilized for therapeutic purposes by practitioners for generations. The goal of this research is to uncover the phytochemical makeup of the essential oil extracted from P. verticillata, which is indigenous to the Touissite region in Eastern Morocco. The extraction of the essential oil of P. verticillata (PVEO) was accomplished through the use of hydro-distillation via a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical profile of the essential oil was then determined through analysis utilizing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The study findings indicated that the essential oil of P. verticillata is composed primarily of Carvacrol (37.05%), D-Limonene (22.97%), γ-Terpinene (15.97%), m-Cymene (12.14%) and Thymol (8.49%). The in vitro antioxidant potential of PVEO was evaluated using two methods: the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical trapping assay and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. The data demonstrated considerable radical scavenging and relative antioxidative power. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most susceptible bacterial strains tested, while Geotrichum candidum, Candida albicans, and Rhodotorula glutinis were the most resilient fungi strains. PVEO had broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties. To elucidate the antioxidative and antibacterial characteristics of the identified molecules, we applied the methodology of molecular docking, a computational approach that forecasts the binding of a small molecule to a protein. Additionally, we utilized the Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) algorithm; Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME); and Pro-Tox II (to predict the toxicity in silico) tests to demonstrate PVEO’s identified compounds’ drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic properties, the anticipated safety features after ingestion, and the potential pharmacological activity. Finally, our findings scientifically confirm the ethnomedicinal usage and usefulness of this plant, which may be a promising source for future pharmaceutical development.

The adverse drug reactions associated with antimicrobials have become a topic of major importance and concern in the last few years. Antimicrobial toxicity may take many forms, varying from mild, transient phenomena to dramatic, life-threatening events such as seizures or cardiac arrhythmias. We review the toxicity of antimicrobials in general and of the fluoroquinolones in particular and attempt to explain the adverse events by use of structure-adverse event relationships where possible. There are currently 5 main mechanisms that can be invoked to explain antimicrobial toxicity: direct effects, hypersensitivity, changes in microbial flora, drug interactions, and microbial lysis. The adverse drug reactions seen with fluoroquinolones are explained on the basis of these 5 mechanisms. The various organ systems affected by the fluoroquinolones are considered; then individual members of the fluoroquinolone class are reviewed. The unexpected and dramatic problems encountered with temafloxacin and trovafloxacin are discussed as well.

Spider venom is a complex mixture of bioactive components. Previously, we identified two linear peptides in Lycosa poonaensis venom using mass spectrometric analysis and predicted the presence of more linear peptides therein. In this study, a transcriptomic analysis of the L. poonaensis venom gland was conducted to identify other undetermined linear peptides in the venom. The results identified 87 contigs encoding peptides and proteins in the venom that were similar to those in other spider venoms. The number of contigs identified as neurotoxins was the highest, and 15 contigs encoding 17 linear peptide sequences were identified. Seven peptides that were representative of each family were chemically synthesized, and their biological activities were evaluated. All peptides showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, although their selectivity for bacterial species differed. All peptides also exhibited paralytic activity against crickets, but none showed hemolytic activity. The secondary structure analysis based on the circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that all these peptides adopt an amphiphilic α-helical structure. Their activities appear to depend on the net charge, the arrangement of basic and acidic residues, and the hydrophobicity of the peptides.

A Schiff base ligand, N , N ′-bis[1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine ( SBL ), was synthesized by condensation of 4-chloroacetophenone with ethylenediamine in methanol in the presence of H 2 SO 4 as catalyst. The structure of SBL was elucidated by spectroscopic ( 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR and MS) and elemental analyses, and also confirmed by XRD. The SBL was used to prepare metal complexes 1-2 with Pb +2 and Cd +2 , respectively. The structures of the complexes were elucidated by IR, MS and elemental analyses. On the basis of electronic spectra and magnetic moment data, octahedral geometry was proposed for the synthesized complexes 1-2 . The conductivity data showed the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes 1-2 . The SBL and complexes 1-2 were subjected to measure their biological potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli bacteria. SBL showed non-significant anti-bacterial potential whereas complexes showed moderate potential as compared to standard impinium. In the toxicity with brine shrimp larvae, complexes showed more toxic effect than the SBL . In the experiments to determine the stability constants of SBL with CuCl 2 , Cu(OAc) 2 , CoCl 2 and Co(NO 3 ) 2 ; SBL showed highest stability constants with Cu(OAc) 2 which is 1.550 × 10 7 at 1:1 (L:M) and second highest with Co(NO 3 ) 2 which is 6.861 × 10 6 at 3:2 (L:M).

Versatile nature of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has made them an imperative nanomaterial being employed in nanomedicine. Various physical, chemical, and biological methodologies are in use for the preparation of CuO NPs. The physicochemical and biological properties of CuO NPs are primarily affected by their method of fabrication; therefore, selectivity of a synthetic technique is immensely important that makes these NPs appropriate for a specific biomedical application. The deliberate use of CuO NPs in biomedicine questions their biocompatible nature. For this reason, the present review has been designed to focus on the approaches employed for the synthesis of CuO NPs; their biomedical applications highlighting antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant studies; and most importantly, the in vitro and in vivo toxicity associated with these NPs. This comprehensive overview of CuO NPs is unique and novel as it emphasizes on biomedical applications of CuO NPs along with its toxicological assessments which would be useful in providing core knowledge to researchers working in these domains for planning and conducting futuristic studies.Key Points• The recent methods for fabrication of CuO nanoparticles have been discussed with emphasis on green synthesis methods for different biomedical approaches.• Antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, and antiviral properties of CuO nanoparticles have been explained.• In vitro and in vivo toxicological studies of CuO nanoparticles exploited along with their respective mechanisms.

The bacterial infections have always a serious problem to public health. Scientists are developing new antibacterial materials to overcome this problem. Polysaccharides are promising biopolymers due to their diverse biological functions, low toxicity, and high biodegradability. Chitin and chitosan have antibacterial properties due to their cationic nature, while cellulose/bacterial cellulose does not possess any antibacterial activity. Moreover, the insolubility of chitin in common solvents, the poor solubility of chitosan in water, and the low mechanical properties of chitosan have restricted their biomedical applications. In order to solve these problems, chemical modifications such as quaternization, carboxymethylation, cationization, or surface modification of these polymers with different antimicrobial agents, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, are carried out to obtain new materials with improved physiochemical and biological properties. This mini review describes the recent progress in such derivatives and composites with potential antibacterial applications.

Bacterial infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant bacteria, have seriously threatened human life and health. There is urgent to develop new antibacterial agents to reduce the problem of antibiotics. Biomedical materials with good antimicrobial properties have been widely used in antibacterial applications. Among them, hydrogels have become the focus of research in the field of biomedical materials due to their unique three-dimensional network structure, high hydrophilicity, and good biocompatibility. In this review, the latest research progresses about hydrogels in recent years were summarized, mainly including the preparation methods of hydrogels and their antibacterial applications. According to their different antibacterial mechanisms, several representative antibacterial hydrogels were introduced, such as antibiotics loaded hydrogels, antibiotic-free hydrogels including metal-based hydrogels, antibacterial peptide and antibacterial polymers, stimuli-responsive smart hydrogels, and light-mediated hydrogels. In addition, we also discussed the applications and challenges of antibacterial hydrogels in biomedicine, which are expected to provide new directions and ideas for the application of hydrogels in clinical antibacterial therapy.