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Abstract Prior studies examined Acidocin 4356’s antibacterial and antivirulence effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including cell membrane penetration abilities. Building on prior research, an in-vitro co-culture of human cells was established to evaluate the selectivity of Acidocin (ACD) by concurrently cultivating human cells and bacterial pathogens. This study evaluated the antibacterial effectiveness of ACD against Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant biofilm dispersion at ACD concentrations as low as 1/2 MIC. The cytotoxicity of ACD was evaluated on two human cell lines, Calu-6 and THP-1, using the MTT assay. The IC50 values were 114 µg/mL and 24 µg/mL after a 12-hour treatment duration. In a co-culture model, the IC50 increased to 118 µg/mL, showing greater resilience of THP-1 cells under these settings, mimicking in-vivo conditions. Fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry analysis confirmed the MTT results, showing ACD’s potent antimicrobial effects and minimal toxicity to human cells, even after 12 h of treatment. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study revealed that normal Calu-6 cells included papillary outgrowths and microvilli, while infected cells displayed secretory vesicles, indicating an active response to P. aeruginosa infection. The present study thus serves as a critical step toward the development of an innovative therapeutic strategy targeting biofilm-associated infections.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in the biofortification of lentil seedlings and subsequently improve the Zn status in rats. In the first phase of the study, the effects of various ZnO NPs concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) on the lentil growth, Zn accumulation, and other physiological parameters were investigated. Subsequently, the rats were fed ZnO NP-biofortified lentil seedlings (20 and 160 ppm) to assess their impact on animal health and Zn status. The results highlighted a concentration-dependent response of lentil seedlings to ZnO NPs, with optimal growth observed at 20 ppm, whereas higher concentrations inhibited lentil growth. Pigment and biochemical analyses revealed a complex interplay between chlorophyll, carotenoids, soluble sugars, and proteins with distinct responses to nanoparticle concentrations. Elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde of lentil seedlings at high concentrations of ZnO NPs suggest oxidative stress, countered by the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and increased phenolic compounds. On the other hand. animal studies have showed that ZnO NP-biofortified lentil seedlings enhance serum zinc and magnesium levels in rats without affecting body weight. While serum triglyceride levels of rats decreased in both treatment groups, an elevation in creatinine and a marked increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were observed at a higher ZnO NP concentration (160 ppm), indicative of potential kidney and liver stress. Paradoxically, serum iron levels were lower in all groups consuming lentil seedlings than in the control group, suggesting a potential interaction between lentil components and iron metabolism. These findings suggest that ZnO NP-biofortified lentils may be a promising approach to enhance Zn nutrition; however, further investigation is needed to optimize ZnO NPs concentration and assess long-term safety.

Abstract A group of biosurfactants, called rhamnolipids, have been shown to have antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we examined the effect of rhamnolipid biosurfactants extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MA01 on cell growth/viability, biofilm formation, and membrane permeability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC6538 bacterial cells. The results obtained from flow cytometry analysis showed that by increasing the concentration of rhamnolipid from 30 to 120 mg/mL, the cell viability decreased by about 70%, and the cell membrane permeability increased by approximately 20%. In fact, increasing rhamnolipid concentration was directly related to cell membrane permeability and inversely related to cell survival. Microtiter plate biofilm assay and laser scanning confocal microscopy analysis revealed that rhamnolipid, at a concentration of 60 mg/mL, exerts a reducing effect on the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus. Real-time PCR analysis for monitoring the relative changes in the expression of agrA, agrC, icaA, and icaD genes involved in biofilm formation and related to the quorum-sensing pathway after treatment with rhamnolipid indicated a reduced expression level of these genes, as well as sortase A gene. The results of the present study deepen our knowledge regarding the use of microbial natural products as promising candidates for therapeutic applications.

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, with a high economic burden on health care systems. Since gender and residency can affect people's lifestyle and health behaviors, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of T2DM and its determinants by gender and residency.MethodsA secondary analysis study was conducted on the survey data of the IraPEN (Iran's Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease) pilot program conducted in 2017 in Naghadeh County, Iran. Data of 3,691 participants aged 30-70 years from rural and urban areas of the County were included into data analysis process. Sociodemographic factors, anthropometric measurements, and cardiovascular risk factors related to T2DM were assessed.ResultsThe overall prevalence of T2DM within the population was 13.8%, which was significantly higher among women (15.5%) than men (11.8%), and non-significantly higher in urban (14.5%) areas than rural (12.3%) areas. In both genders, age (male: OR 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03; P = 0.012; female: OR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.04; PConclusionGiven the higher prevalence of T2DM among females, risk reduction strategies at the community level should be more targeted at women. The higher prevalence of T2DM risk factors among the urban population is a wake-up call for policymakers to pay more attention to the consequences of unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles within urban communities. Future actions should be focused on appropriate timely action plans for the prevention and control of T2DM from early years of life.