Search

We report on the preparation, room temperature spectral reflectance and high-temperature thermal emittance characterization of different boride and carbide Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs). The investigated samples are compared with a reference material for solar absorber applications, i.e. silicon carbide. We show that spectral and thermal emittance properties of UHTCs are promising for novel solar receivers.

In this work we investigated the scattering and absorption properties of nanofluids consisting in aqueous suspensions of single wall carbon nanohorns. The characteristics of these nanofluids were evaluated in order to use them as direct sunlight absorber fluids in solar devices. The investigation was carried our for nanohorns of different morphologies and for suspensions prepared with different amounts of surfactant. The differences in optical properties induced by carbon nanoparticles compared to those of pure water lead to a considerably higher sunlight absorption with respect to the pure base fluid. Scattered light over the total attenuation of light was found to be nearly negligible at NIR wavelengths. Both these effects, together with the possible chemical functionalization of carbon nanohorns, make this new kind of nanofluids very interesting for increasing the overall efficiency of the sunlight exploiting device.

Making use of an interferometric diagnostic system, we analyze the thermo-mechanical distortions taking place in the slab shaped ceramic Nd:YAG active medium of a 100 W class laser. These distortions are collected in different pumping regimes, both in static situations and during transient warm-up, and compared to the results of computer simulations. This procedure enables us to determine the relevance of different stress causes and thus to increase the specific power extraction of the active slab module.

Pendahuluan: Kulit buah cokelat merupakan limbah hasil pengolahan cokelat yang belum banyak dimanfaatkan. Penelitian sebelumnya menunjukkan bahwa kulit buah cokelat mengandung banyak senyawa polifenol dan flavonoid sehingga berpotensi memiliki aktivitas antioksidan dan pelindung surya. Tujuan: untuk menguji potensi aktivitas antioksidan dan fotoprotektif dari ekstrak etanol kulit buah cokelat secara in vitro dan juga untuk mengembangkan ekstrak menjadi sediaan emulgel yang memiliki karakteristik fisik dan stabilitas yang memenuhi persyaratan. Metode: Proses ekstraksi dari limbah kulit buah cokelat dilakukan dengan metode maserasi menggunakan etanol 70%. Uji aktivitas antioksidan dari ekstrak kulit buah cokelat dilakukan dengan metode DPPH sedangkan uji aktivitas pelindung surya dilakukan dengan metode Mansur berbasis spektrofotometri. Sediaan emulgel dikembangkan dengan minyak zaitun sebagai fasa minyak, natrium lauril sufat dan setostearil alkohol sebagan surfaktan, dan viscolam mac 10 sebagai gelling agent. Hasil: Ekstrak etanol 70% dari kulit buah cokelat terbukti memiliki aktivitas antioksidan sangat kuat yang ditandai dengan nilai IC50 16,74 ± 0,72 ppm. Ekstrak juga berpotensi sebagai agen fotoprotektif karena memiliki kemampuan pelindung surya nilai SPF 10,78 ± 0,85 (1000 ppm). Sediaan emulgel dengan ekstrak kulit buah cokelat 2% yang dihasilkan memiliki sifat fisik yang baik didasarkan pada hasil pengujian organoleptis, homogenitas, pH, daya sebar, viskositas, dan sifat alir. Sediaan emulgel juga stabil didasarkan pada hasil uji sentrifugasi dan freeze thaw. Kesimpulan: Ekstrak etanol dari kulit buah cokelat diketahui memiliki aktivitas antioksidan sangat kuat dan juga aktivitas pelindung surya serta dapat dikembangkan menjadi sediaan emulgel yang memiliki karakteristik fisik yang sesuai.

Citrus peels contain various phytochemical active compounds such as flavonoids that are useful for antiaging cosmetic products. This study was conducted to identify the anti-collagenase and anti-elastase activities of flavonoid compounds in citrus peel and to determine the molecular interaction mechanism using the molecular docking method. The study was carried out through several stages, including preparation of enzyme macromolecules, preparation of flavonoid compound molecules, validation of molecular docking, identification of binding-free energy, visualization of interaction conformations, and predictions of molecular skin toxicity. The result showed that the flavonoid compounds in citrus peel (hesperidin, naringin, nobiletin, and tangeretin) could bind to collagenase and elastase enzymes. Naringin has the highest affinity for the collagenase enzyme with the binding-free energy of −9.52 kcal/mol, while nobiletin has the highest affinity for the elastase enzyme with the binding-free energy of −6.44 kcal/mol. Compared to EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), the flavonoid compounds have a lower affinity for the collagenase enzyme but a higher affinity for elastase enzymes. Hydrogen bonds and the hydrophobic interactions dominate the interaction between citrus peel’s flavonoids against the enzymes. When applied to the skin, flavonoid compounds are predicted to have no risk of skin toxicity. The flavonoid compounds of citrus peels are expected to have anti-collagenase and anti-elastase activities.

The inclusion complex is one way to enhance active substance solubility, affecting medicine dissolution and penetration. The inclusion complex is formed by utilizing b-cyclodextrin as the host of the active compounds. The Ibuprofen (2-(4-isobutyl-phenyl)propionate) is a propionate acid derivative and classified in class II of the Biopharmaceutic Classification System, which has low dissolutions and high permeability. This study aims to develop a nanogel containing ibuprofen-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with the ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1; and to compare the in-vitro diffusion profile with pure ibuprofen gel. The inclusion complex of ibuprofen-β-cyclodextrin was prepared using the coprecipitation method with the three molar comparison ratio of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1. The in-vitro study was performed using the gel-based viscolam, comparing the three formulas of ibuprofen-β-cyclodextrin with pure ibuprofen gel. The ibuprofen concentration of each gel tested in the experiment was 1%. The particle size characterization of ibuprofen-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex gel resulted in having nanoparticle size (510 nm). This characteristic indicates that the inclusion complex gel could enhance the cumulative release amount of ibuprofen compared with pure ibuprofen gel with a relatively smaller particle size (156 nm). Pure ibuprofen and inclusion complex powder size measured to be 763 nm and 957 nm, respectively. The ibuprofen-b-cyclodextrin inclusion complex gel with a molar ratio of 2:1 demonstrated an increase in in-vitro diffusion profile of ibuprofen with a cumulative release amount of 740.3 µg.cm-2. Meanwhile, pure ibuprofen gel had the cumulative release amount of 294.74 µg.cm-2. The gel containing ibuprofen-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex could enhance the cumulative release amount of ibuprofen compared to pure ibuprofen gel. The ibuprofen-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex gel at a ratio of 2:1 exhibited an increase in the diffusion of ibuprofen in-vitro.

Cellulite was identified by the orange-peel appearance of skin surface that presents in 80-90% of post-pubertal women. Caffeine and grape seed oil were known can be used as an anti-cellulite agent. Microemulsion systems are known could enhance the diffusion rate of drugs through the skin. This study was conducted to develop a microemulsion gel containing caffeine and grape seed oil and determine the effect of caffeine's in vitro diffusion profile. Microemulsion gel was prepared using tween 80 as a surfactant, glycerin as cosurfactant, viscolam mac 10 as a gelling agent. The preparations were evaluated by organoleptic, pH, viscosity, rheology, spreadability, globule size, and thermodynamic stability tests. In vitro diffusion tests were performed by Franz diffusion cell. The result showed that microemulsion containing 1 % of caffeine and 5% of grapeseed oil has good physical characteristics and stability with an average globule size 126 ±17 nm. Microemulsion gel system could enhance the cumulative release amount of caffeine through synthetic membrane compared with gel system. Drug release kinetics of caffeine from microemulsion gel system follows the Higuchi model.

The bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) contains cinnamaldehyde and other active substances with potent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are effective at preventing and reducing UV-induced skin damages and skin aging. This study was intended to formulate and characterize the antioxidant peel-off facial masks containing cinnamon bark extract and the combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as gelling agents. The ethanol extract of cinnamon bark and the developed peel-off mask were evaluated for their antioxidant activities by the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method and for their physical characteristics. The cinnamon bark extract exhibited a very strong antioxidant activity, as evidenced by IC50= 10.04 ± 0.08 ppm. As for the formulated peel-off mask, it had excellent physical characteristics, which were identified during organoleptic observations and pH, viscosity, spreadability, and film drying time evaluations. Similar to its constituent extract, this mask produced significantly potent antioxidant effects, with IC50= 47.31 ± 1.47 ppm. For these reasons, peel-off facial masks containing cinnamon bark extract have not only excellent physical characteristics but also powerful antioxidant properties.

Cod liver oil (CLO) has long been used as medicine or as a functional food. The CLO is a potential source of vitamin D, vitamin A, and omega fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid/EPA and docosahexaenoic acid/DHA). Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) can enhance dissolution, absorption, and bioavailability of hydrophilic and lipophilic substances for oral administration. The objective of this study was to develop a SNEDDS of CLO with good physical characteristics and stability. The optimization formula was carried out using various ratios of oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant. The physical properties of SNEDDS were determined by transmittance percentage, dispersibility, robustness, thermodynamics stability (heating-cooling cycle, centrifugation, and freeze-thaw cycle), and globule size distribution. The optimum formula of CLO-SNEDDS was obtained at a ratio of surfactant and cosurfactant 2 : 1 and a comparison of oil and surfactant mixtures 1 : 6. The CLO-SNEDDS meets the requirement of percent transmittance (97.90±0.85), dispersibility (grade A), and stability based on robustness and thermodynamic stability tests. Diluted SNEDDS has an average globule size of 125 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.515. CLO-SNEDDS preparation has good physical characteristics and stability.

Abstrak Jerawat adalah penyakit kulit yang paling sering terjadi dan timbul akibat penyumbatan atau inflamasi pada kelenjar pilosebasea. Propionibacterium acnes diketahui merupakan bakteri utama pemicu terjadinya inflamasi pada jerawat. Minyak jinten hitam dan minyak zaitun diketahui memiliki aktivitas antibakteri sehingga dapat dikembangkan untuk pengobatan jerawat karena infeksi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji aktivitas antibakteri kombinasi minyak jinten hitam dan minyak zaitun terhadap P. acnes dan memformulasikannya ke dalam bentuk sediaan mikroemulsi gel. Pengujian aktivitas antibakteri dilakukan dengan metode difusi agar pada konsentrasi kombinasi minyak 0,25; 0,5; dan 1%. Formulasi sediaan mikroemulsi gel dilakukan dengan menggunakan cremophor RH 40 sebagai surfaktan, gliserin sebagai kosurfaktan, dan viscolam mac 10 sebagai gelling agent. Karakterisasi sediaan meliputi pengujian organoleptis, pH, viskositas, sifat alir, ukuran globul, dan stabilitas termodinamik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsentrasi minyak 0,5% sudah memberikan aktivitas antibakteri terhadap P. acnes dengan diameter hambat 12,47±1,07mm. Formula optimum mikroemulsi gel adalah formula yang mengandung minyak (6%), cremophor RH 40 (35%), gliserin (35%), dan gel viskolam 20%. Sediaan mikroemulsi gel memiliki rata rata ukuran globul 120 nm yang memenuhi persyaratan ukuran globul mikroemulsi. Sediaan mikroemulsi gel stabil berdasarkan hasil uji stabilitas termodinamik dengan tidak terlihat adanya pemisahan fase. Kata kunci : Minyak jinten hitam, Minyak zaitun, P. acnes, Mikroemulsi gel Formulation of anti acne microemulsion gel containing combination of black seed oil (Nigella sativa L.) and olive oil (Olea europaea L.) Abstract Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease involving blockage and/or inflammation of pilosebaceous unit. Propionibacterium acnes has been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne. Black seed and olive oil are herbal medicines that known have antibacterial activity, that could be develop for acne treatment. This research was conducted to determine antibacterial activity of black seed and olive oil combination against P. acnes and develop the microemulsion gel preparation containing of the oil. Antibacterial activity test was conducted by agar diffusion method at concentration at 0,25; 0,5; and 1% of oil combination. Microemulsion gel was made using cremophor RH 40 as surfactant, glycerine as cosurfactant, and viscolam mac 10 as gelling agent. Microemulsion gel was evaluated by organoleptic, pH, rheologycal properties, spreadability, droplet size, and thermodinamic stabilitiy test. The result showed that concentration 0,5% of oil combination has antibacterial activity towards P. acnes with inhibitory diameter 12,47 ± 1,069 mm. Optimum formula microemulsion gel with the finest characteristic, containing the oil combination (6%), cremophor RH 40 (35%), gliserin (35%), and viscolam gel 20%. The average of droplet size microemulsion gel is 120 nm and those size are qualify with the droplet size of microemulsion. The microemulsion gel was stabile based on thermodinamic stability tests without phase separation. Keywords: black seed oil, olive oil, P. acnes, microemulsion gel

Grape seed oil has wound healing activity since contains compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins and linoleic acid. The purpose of this study is formulate emulgel containing grape seed oil with good physical characteristic and observed the wound healing activities of the oil and formulated emulgel. The research was begin with grape seed oil characterization and required HLB determination. The emulgel was made using combination Tween 80 and Span 80 as emulgator and carbomer as gelling agent with variation of oil concentration (10%, 20% and 30%). The formulation then subjected to physical evaluations including organoleptic, pH, spreadability, viscosity and rheology, sterility, and stability tests. Wound healing activity test of selected formula was done on seven groups of male Wistar rats. The emulgel containing grape seed oil with HLB value 8, has good physical, sterility, and stability characteristics. In vivo activity test showed that emulgel containing 20% and 30% grape seed oil have wound healing activity that statistically different compared with control (P0.05).

Minyak jinten hitam mengandung senyawa timokuinon dan senyawa aktif lainnya yang diketahui memiliki aktivitas antibakteri sehingga potensial dikembangkan sebagai agen antijerawat. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk memformulasikan minyak jinten hitam menjadi sediaan mikroemulsi gel dan menguji aktivitas sediaan pada tiga bakteri penyebab jerawat. Minyak jinten hitam dikarakterisasi dan selanjutnya dikembangkan menjadi sediaan mikroemulsi gel. Sediaan mikroemulsi gel dibuat menggunakan tween 80, gliserin, dan HPMC sebagai surfaktan, kosurfaktan, dan gelling agent. Sediaan mikroemulsi gel dievaluasi dengan pengujian organoleptis, pH, viskositas, daya sebar, dan stabilitas fisik. Uji aktivitas antibakteri dilakukan dengan metode difusi agar sumuran terhadap bakteri Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, dan Staphylococcus aureus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sediaan mikroemulsi gel memiliki penampilan fisik yang jernih dan stabil. Sediaan memiliki aktivitas antibakteri terhadap Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, dan Staphylococcus aureus dengan diameter hambat berturut-turut 15,00 ± 1,70; 12,7 ± 0,42; dan 14,39 ± 0,37 mm.

Minyak jinten hitam mengandung senyawa timokuinon dan senyawa aktif lainnya yang diketahui memiliki aktivitas antibakteri sehingga potensial dikembangkan sebagai agen antijerawat. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk memformulasikan minyak jinten hitam menjadi sediaan mikroemulsi gel dan menguji aktivitas sediaan pada tiga bakteri penyebab jerawat. Minyak jinten hitam dikarakterisasi dan selanjutnya dikembangkan menjadi sediaan mikroemulsi gel. Sediaan mikroemulsi gel dibuat menggunakan tween 80, gliserin, dan HPMC sebagai surfaktan, kosurfaktan, dan gelling agent. Sediaan mikroemulsi gel dievaluasi dengan pengujian organoleptis, pH, viskositas, daya sebar, dan stabilitas fisik. Uji aktivitas antibakteri dilakukan dengan metode difusi agar sumuran terhadap bakteri Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, dan Staphylococcus aureus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sediaan mikroemulsi gel memiliki penampilan fisik yang jernih dan stabil. Sediaan memiliki aktivitas antibakteri terhadap Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, dan Staphylococcus aureus dengan diameter hambat berturut-turut 15,00 ± 1,70; 12,7 ± 0,42; dan 14,39 ± 0,37 mm.

Glimepiride is a third generation sulphonylurea antidiabetic drug. Glimepiride is poorly water soluble drug that may cause poor dissolution and unpredicted bioavailability. Self nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) have become a popular formulation option as nanocarriers for poorly water-soluble drugs. The objective of this research was to develop SNEDDS formulation of glimepiride to improve oral dissolution and bioavailability. Glimepiride SNEDDS was formulated using oleic acid as oil phase, tween 80 as surfactant, and transcutol as co-surfactant due to their higher solubilization effect. The formulated SNEDDS were evaluated for % transmittance, dispersibility, thermodynamic stability, dissolution, globule size and morphology analysis. The results showed that the glimepiride SNEDDS was rapidly formed clear emulsion and stabile based on thermodynamic test. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the spherical droplets morphology in nanometer range. The globule average diameter size was 45 nm. The SNEDDS formulation significantly increase dissolution of glimepiride compared with pure drug.

Telur ayam merupakan salah satu produk peternakan yang paling banyak dikonsumsi oleh masyarakat. Telur sangat mudah diperoleh dan harganya murah sehingga terjangkau oleh seluruh kalangan masyarakat. Telur dapat diubah menjadi pangan fungsional dengan cara memberikan ayam ras sebagai sumber telur perlakuan berupa pemberian ransum ditambah dengan sediaan mikroemulsi limbah minyak ikan. Limbah minyak ikan terlebih dahulu dimurnikan sebelum dijadikan sediaan. Hasil analisa kandungan asam lemak didalam telur dengan GCMS menunjukkan bahwa telur yang dihasilkan oleh ayam yang diberikan sediaan mikroemulsi memiliki kandungan omega-3 jauh lebih tinggi dibandingkan telur yang dihasilkan oleh ayam yang hanya diberikan ransum dan konsentrat tanpa dibuat sediaan mikroemulsi

Minyak biji anggur berpotensi untuk dikembangkan sebagai antiluka karena mengandung senyawa aktif seperti flavonoid, polifenol, saponin dan asam linoleat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan sediaan emulgel mengandung minyak biji anggur yang memiliki karakteristik fisik yang baik seerta menguji aktivitas anti luka dari sediaan yang dihasilkan. Penelitian dimulai dengan karakterisasi minyak dan penentuan HLB butuh minyak biji anggur. Sediaan emulgel dibuat menggunakan surfaktan kombinasi Tween 80 dan Span 80, gelling agent Carbomer, dengan tiga variasi konsentrasi minyak (10%, 20% dan 30%). Selanjutnya dilakukan evaluasi fisik sediaan meliputi uji organoleptis, pH, viskositas, rheologi, daya sebar, sterilitas, dan stabilitas. Uji aktivitas anti luka dilakukan terhadap tikus jantan galur Wistar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa HLB butuh dari minyak biji anggur adalah 9 dan sediaan emulgel yang dihasilkan memenuhi persyaratan fisik, sterilitas, dan stabilitas sediaan. Hasil uji aktivitas menunjukkan bahwa sediaan emulgel mengandung minyak biji anggur 20% dan 30% dapat memberikan efek penyembuhan luka berdasarkan parameter panjang luka yang berbeda bermakna secara statistika dibandingkan dengan kontrol (p0,05).

Minyak biji anggur berpotensi untuk dikembangkan sebagai antiluka karena mengandung senyawa aktif seperti flavonoid, polifenol, saponin dan asam linoleat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan sediaan emulgel mengandung minyak biji anggur yang memiliki karakteristik fisik yang baik seerta menguji aktivitas anti luka dari sediaan yang dihasilkan. Penelitian dimulai dengan karakterisasi minyak dan penentuan HLB butuh minyak biji anggur. Sediaan emulgel dibuat menggunakan surfaktan kombinasi Tween 80 dan Span 80, gelling agent Carbomer, dengan tiga variasi konsentrasi minyak (10%, 20% dan 30%). Selanjutnya dilakukan evaluasi fisik sediaan meliputi uji organoleptis, pH, viskositas, rheologi, daya sebar, sterilitas, dan stabilitas. Uji aktivitas anti luka dilakukan terhadap tikus jantan galur Wistar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa HLB butuh dari minyak biji anggur adalah 9 dan sediaan emulgel yang dihasilkan memenuhi persyaratan fisik, sterilitas, dan stabilitas sediaan. Hasil uji aktivitas menunjukkan bahwa sediaan emulgel mengandung minyak biji anggur 20% dan 30% dapat memberikan efek penyembuhan luka berdasarkan parameter panjang luka yang berbeda bermakna secara statistika dibandingkan dengan kontrol (p0,05).

Abstract In the present work, we investigated the scattering and spectrally resolved absorption properties of nanofluids consisting in aqueous and glycol suspensions of single-wall carbon nanohorns. The characteristics of these nanofluids were evaluated in view of their use as sunlight absorber fluids in a solar device. The observed nanoparticle-induced differences in optical properties appeared promising, leading to a considerably higher sunlight absorption with respect to the pure base fluids. Scattered light was found to be not more than about 5% with respect to the total attenuation of light. Both these effects, together with the possible chemical functionalization of carbon nanohorns, make this new kind of nanofluids very interesting for increasing the overall efficiency of the sunlight exploiting device. PACS 78.40.Ri, 78.35.+c, 78.67.Bf, 88.40.fh, 88.40.fr, 81.05.U.

Synthesis of nanoparticles by green synthesis has a large number of biomedical applications worldwide. In this study, Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized by using sodium salt of selenium and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) fruit juice and seeds extract. The plant extracts were used as a reducing agent in ratio 1:4 i.e. sodium selenite salt (Na2SeO3). SeNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, FTIR and Zeta Sizer analysis. The UV-graphs indicated the highest peak of absorbance at 350 nm. Whereas, FTIR analysis of SeNPs indicated absorbance bands at 3262.35–1633.72 cm−1. Zeta sizer analysis showed the average size of SeNPs for Fruit juice extract as 1020 d.nm. with PDI 0.432. In case of seeds extract, average size was 1155 d.nm. with PDI 0.761; and the PDI value for both extracts showed polyderse nature of these NPs. SeNPs possessed significant antimicrobial activity against selected strains of E. coli, S. aureus, M. luteus, S. enterica, B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae and P. aureginosa. The α-amylase inhibitory assay of these SeNPs indicated that they had antidiabetic role with IC50 value 24.4642 µg/mL. The DPPH assay showed that SeNPs of Solanum lycopersicum have antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 20.7398 µg/mL.

Carbapenems are considered a last resort for the treatment of multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections in humans. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in feedlots in Alberta, Canada. The presumptive carbapenem-resistant isolates (n = 116) recovered after ertapenem enrichment were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 12 different antibiotics, including four carbapenems. Of these, 72% of the isolates (n = 84) showed resistance to ertapenem, while 27% of the isolates (n = 31) were resistant to at least one other carbapenem, with all except one isolate being resistant to at least two other drug classes. Of these 31 isolates, 90% were carbapenemase positive, while a subset of 36 ertapenem-only resistant isolates were carbapenemase negative. The positive isolates belonged to three genera; Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Stenotrophomonas, with the majority being Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 20) as identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Whole genome sequencing identified intrinsic carbapenem resistance genes, including blaOXA-50 and its variants (P. aeruginosa), blaOXA-265 (A. haemolyticus), blaOXA-648 (A. lwoffii), blaOXA-278 (A. junii), and blaL1 and blaL2 (S. maltophilia). The acquired carbapenem resistance gene (blaPST-2) was identified in P. saudiphocaensis and P. stutzeri. In a comparative genomic analysis, clinical P. aeruginosa clustered separately from those recovered from bovine feces. In conclusion, despite the use of selective enrichment methods, finding carbapenem-resistant bacteria within a feedlot environment was a rarity.

Enterococci are commensal bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract of humans, animals, and insects. They are also found in soil, water, and plant ecosystems. The presence of enterococci in human, animal, and environmental settings makes these bacteria ideal candidates to study antimicrobial resistance in the One-Health continuum. This study focused on Enterococcus hirae isolates (n = 4,601) predominantly isolated from beef production systems including bovine feces (n = 4,117, 89.5%), catch-basin water (n = 306, 66.5%), stockpiled bovine manure (n = 24, 0.5%), and natural water sources near feedlots (n = 145, 32%), and a few isolates from urban wastewater (n = 9, 0.2%) denoted as human-associated environmental samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of a subset (n = 1,319) of E. hirae isolates originating from beef production systems (n = 1,308) showed high resistance to tetracycline (65%) and erythromycin (57%) with 50.4% isolates harboring multi-drug resistance, whereas urban wastewater isolates (n = 9) were resistant to nitrofurantoin (44.5%) and tigecycline (44.5%) followed by linezolid (33.3%). Genes for tetracycline (tetL, M, S/M, and O/32/O) and macrolide resistance erm(B) were frequently found in beef production isolates. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of E. hirae isolates recovered from different environmental settings appeared to reflect the kind of antimicrobial usage in beef and human sectors. Comparative genomic analysis of E. hirae isolates showed an open pan-genome that consisted of 1,427 core genes, 358 soft core genes, 1701 shell genes, and 7,969 cloud genes. Across species comparative genomic analysis conducted on E. hirae, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium genomes revealed that E. hirae had unique genes associated with vitamin production, cellulose, and pectin degradation, traits which may support its adaptation to the bovine digestive tract. E. faecium and E. faecalis more frequently harbored virulence genes associated with biofilm formation, iron transport, and cell adhesion, suggesting niche specificity within these species.

Enterococci are Gram-positive bacteria that can be isolated from a variety of environments including soil, water, plants, and the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Although they are considered commensals in humans, Enterococcus spp. are important opportunistic pathogens. Due to their presence and persistence in diverse environments, Enterococcus spp. are ideal for studying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from the One Health perspective. We undertook a comparative genomic analysis of the virulome, resistome, mobilome, and the association between the resistome and mobilome of 246 E. faecium and 376 E. faecalis recovered from livestock (swine, beef cattle, poultry, dairy cattle), human clinical samples, municipal wastewater, and environmental sources. Comparative genomics of E. faecium and E. faecalis identified 31 and 34 different antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), with 62% and 68% of the isolates having plasmid-associated ARGs, respectively. Across the One Health continuum, tetracycline (tetL and tetM) and macrolide resistance (ermB) were commonly identified in E. faecium and E. faecalis. These ARGs were frequently associated with mobile genetic elements along with other ARGs conferring resistance against aminoglycosides [ant(6)-la, aph(3′)-IIIa], lincosamides [lnuG, lsaE], and streptogramins (sat4). Study of the core E. faecium genome identified two main clades, clade ‘A’ and ‘B’, with clade A isolates primarily originating from humans and municipal wastewater and carrying more virulence genes and ARGs related to category I antimicrobials. Overall, despite differences in antimicrobial usage across the continuum, tetracycline and macrolide resistance genes persisted in all sectors.

Demographics for breast cancers vary widely among nations. The frequency of germline mutations in breast cancers, which reflects the hereditary cases, has not been investigated adequately and accurately in highly-consanguineous Pakistani population. In the present discovery case series, germ-line mutations in twenty-seven breast cancer candidate genes were investigated in eighty-four sporadic breast cancer patients along with the clinical correlations. The germ-line variants were also assessed in two healthy gender-matched controls. The clinico-pathological features were evaluated by descriptive analysis and Pearson χ2 test (with significant p-value 40 years) and ethnicity. The breast cancer gene panel assay was carried out by BROCA, which is a genomic capture, massively parallel next generation sequencing assay on Illumina Hiseq2000 with 100bp read lengths. Copy number variations were determined by partially-mapped read algorithm. Once the mutation was identified, it was validated by Sanger sequencing. The ethnic analysis stratified on the basis of age showed that the frequency of breast cancer at young age (≤40 years) was higher in Sindhis (n = 12/19; 64%) in contrast to patients in other ethnic groups. Majority of the patients had stage III (38.1%), grade III (50%), tumor size 2–5 cm (54.8%), and invasive ductal carcinoma (81%). Overall, the analysis revealed germ-line mutations in 11.9% of the patients, which was not significantly associated with younger age or any particular ethnicity. The mutational spectrum was restricted to three genes: BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53. The identified mutations consist of seven novel germ-line mutations, while three mutations have been reported previously. All the mutations are predicted to result in protein truncation. No mutations were identified in the remaining twenty-four candidate breast cancer genes. The present study provides the framework for the development of hereditary-based preventive and treatment strategies against breast cancers in Pakistani population.

PurposeDeletion of Glutathione S-Transferase Theta 1 (GSTT1) encoding gene is implicated in breast cancer susceptibility, clinical outcomes, and survival. Contradictory results have been reported in different studies. The present investigation based on a representative Pakistani population evaluated the GSTT1-absent genotype in breast cancer risk and prognosis.MethodsA prospective study comprising case-control analysis and case series analysis components was designed. Peripheral blood samples were collected from enrolled participants. After DNA extraction, GSTT1 genotyping was carried out by a multiplex PCR with β-globin as an amplification control. Association evaluation of GSTT1 genotypes with breast cancer risk, specific tumor characteristics, and survival were the primary endpoints.ResultsA total of 264 participants were enrolled in the molecular investigation (3 institutions). The study included 121 primary breast cancer patients as cases and 143 age-matched female subjects, with no history of any cancer, as controls. A significant genetic association between GSTT1-absent genotype and breast cancer susceptibility (p-value: 0.03; OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.08-4.29) was reported. The case-series analysis showed lack of association of GSTT1 genotypes with menopause (p-value: 0.86), tumor stage (p-value: 0.12), grade (p-value: 0.32), and size (p-value: 0.07). The survival analysis revealed that GSTT1-absent genotype cases had a statistically significant shorter overall survival (OS) than those with the GSTT1-present genotype cases (mean OS: 23 months vs 33 months). The HR (95% CI) for OS in patients carrying GSTT1-absent genotype was 8.13 (2.91-22.96) when compared with the GSTT1-present genotype.ConclusionsThe present study is the first report of an independent significant genetic association between GSTT1-absent genotype and breast cancer susceptibility in a Pakistani population. It is also the foremost report of the association of this genotype with OS in breast cancer cases. Upon further validation, GSTT1 variation may serve as a marker for devising better population-specific strategies. The information may have translational implications in the screening and treatment of breast cancers.