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In this study, we investigated the inhibition effects of matairesinol, pregnanolone, hamamelitannin, secoisolariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol diglicoside compounds on HMG-CoA reductase and urease enzymes. We have obtained results for the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme at the millimolar level, and for the urease enzyme at the micromolar level. Molecular docking calculations were made for their biological activities were compared. In docking calculations, proteins of experimentally used enzymes, activities of SARS-CoV-2 virus against RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) protein, and anti-oxidant protein were compared. Then, ADME/T calculations were made to use the molecules as drugs. Cytotoxicity potential of these complexes against human breast and prostate cancers demonstrated that these compounds had good cytotoxic effects. There is growing attention to phenolic molecules and their presumed role in avoiding diverse degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular and cancer diseases.

Lipases, particularly microbial lipases, are important industrial biocatalysts. As a result, lipase enzyme screening, synthesis, and purification from microbial strains are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical and food industries. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify the most potential lipase-producing bacterial strains from Aavin dairy industry effluent contaminated soil. Furthermore, growth parameters, such as pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources, were optimized for lipase enzyme production from selected bacterial strains. According to the findings, 9 strains (V1–V9) of 15 bacterial isolates were found to be lipase producers. However, three strains (V1, V7, and V8) predominated and demonstrated significant lipase-producing activity. These V1, V7, and V8 bacterial strains were identified as Bacillus pumilus V1, Bacillus pumilus V7, and Bacillus subtilis V8 through 16S rRNA sequencing. About 16.6 to 27.8 µg mL−1 of lipase production was recorded under the optimal growth conditions: pH 8, temperature 37 °C, fructose and yeast extract as suitable carbon and nitrogen source. Among these 3 strains B. pumilus V1 showed excellent lipase productivity than others. The molecular weight of this lipase produced by bacteria was determined to be 35 kDa using sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

The purpose of this study was to assess the phytochemical profile and antibacterial competence of Curcuma amada rhizome extract against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA). Furthermore, the phytochemicals extracted from C. amada methanolic extract were analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that the methanolic extract contained a significant amount of phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, carbohydrates, protein, and fibre, that were not present in other solvent extracts. The fluorescence study results also confirmed the presence of these phytochemicals. Furthermore, about 70% of methanolic extract showed 6 major peaks at the wavelength of 218 nm. Similarly, the FTIR results declared stretching vibrations (O–H, C–H, — C=C, C–C, C–N, O–H and C–H) related to significant functional groups corresponding to alcohols, phenols, alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, aliphatic amines and carboxylic acids. The antibacterial activity results showed that the methanolic extract could act against MRSA S1, followed by MRSA S2 and MRSA S4 strains at the concentration of 500 mg mL−1. These findings indicate that the methanolic rhizome extract of C. amada contains a significant amount of various biologically active phytochemicals with anti-MRSA activities, and thus could serve as a potential source of therapeutic drugs.

In recent years, scientists have tried to increase organic chemistry productions for the treatment of many cancers such as the lung cancers. In this regard, gold nanoparticles have a special place. Furthermore, one of the therapeutic properties of Verbascum chinense L. is increasing the physiological potentials of the body against several cancers. In the present study, gold nanoparticles were prepared and synthesized in aqueous medium using V. chinense leaf extract. We assessed the anti-human lung cancers potentials of these nanoparticles against well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung cell lines. AuNPs were characterized and analyzed by common nanotechnology techniques including FT-IR and UV–Vis. Spectroscopy, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. In the FT-IR test, the presence of many antioxidant compounds with related bonds caused the excellent condition for reducing of gold in the gold nanoparticles. In UV–Vis, the clear peak in the wavelength of 542 nm indicated the formation of gold nanoparticles. We assessed the anti-human lung cancers potentials of these nanoparticles against well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung cell lines. AuNPs had excellent anti-human lung cancer effects dose-dependently against HLC-1, LC-2/ad, and PC-14 cell lines. The best result of anti-human lung cancer activities of AuNPs against above cell lines was observed in the case of the PC-14 cell line. In conclusion, the synthesized AuNPs showed significant anti-human lung cancer properties against well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung cell lines in a dose depended on manner. After confirming in the in vivo and clinical trials, AuNPs can be administrated in human for the treatment of humans’ lung cancers especially well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is significantly altered by the infestation of sucking insects, particularly aphids. Chemical sprays are not recommended for the management of aphids as wheat grains are consumed soon after crop harvests. Therefore, determining the susceptibility of different wheat genotypes and selecting the most tolerant genotype could significantly lower aphid infestation. This study evaluated the susceptibility of six different wheat genotypes (‘Sehar-2006’, ‘Shafaq-2006’, ‘Faisalabad-2008’, ‘Lasani-2008’, ‘Millat-2011’ and ‘Punjab-2011’) to three aphid species (Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus, Schizaphis graminum Rondani, Sitobion avenae Fabricius) at various growth stages. Seed dressing with insecticides and plant extracts were also evaluated for their efficacy to reduce the incidence of these aphid species. Afterwards, an economic analysis was performed to compute cost-benefit ratio and assess the economic feasibility for the use of insecticides and plant extracts. Aphids’ infestation was recorded from the seedling stage and their population gradually increased as growth progressed towards tillering, stem elongation, heading, dough and ripening stages. The most susceptible growth stage was heading with 21.89 aphids/tiller followed by stem elongation (14.89 aphids/tiller) and dough stage (13.56 aphids/tiller). The genotype ‘Punjab-2011’ recorded the lower aphid infestation than ‘Faisalabad-2008’, ‘Sehar-2006’, ‘Lasani-2008’ and ‘Shafaq-2006’. Rhopalosiphum padi appeared during mid-February, whereas S. graminum and S. avenae appeared during first week of March. Significant differences were recorded for losses in number of grains/spike and 1000-grain weight among tested wheat genotypes. The aphid population had non-significant correlation with yield-related traits. Hicap proved the most effective for the management of aphid species followed by Hombre and Husk among tested seed dressers, while Citrullus colocynthis L. and Moringa oleifera Lam. plant extracts exhibited the highest efficacy among different plant extracts used in the study. Economic analysis depicted that use of Hombre and Hicap resulted in the highest income and benefit cost ratio. Therefore, use of genotype Punjab-2011’ and seed dressing with Hombre and Hicap can be successfully used to lower aphid infestation and get higher economic returns for wheat crop.

IntroductionIn the present study, gold nanoparticles were prepared and synthesized in aqueous medium using V. thapsus leaf extract. We assessed the anti-human lung cancers potentials of these nanoparticles against well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung cell lines.Material and methodsAuNPs were characterized and analyzed by common nanotechnology techniques including FT-IR and UV-Vis. Spectroscopy, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. For determining of anti-human lung cancer properties of HAuCl4, V. thapsus, and AuNPs, MTT assay was used on normal (HUVECs), well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma (HLC-1), moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung (LC-2/ad), and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung (PC-14) cell lines.ResultsIn the FT-IR test, the presence of many antioxidant compounds with related bonds caused the excellent condition for reducing of gold in the gold nanoparticles. In UV-Vis, the clear peak in the wavelength of 548 nm indicated the formation of gold nanoparticles. AuNPs had excellent anti-human lung cancer effects dose-dependently against HLC-1, LC-2/ad, and PC-14 cell lines. The best result of anti-human lung cancer activities of AuNPs against above cell lines was observed in the case of the PC-14 cell line.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the synthesized AuNPs showed significant anti-human lung cancer properties against well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung cell lines in a dose depended on manner.

IntroductionIn this study, it is recorded the inhibition effect of 2′-Hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyacetophenone on aldose reductase and collagenase enzymes. Also, we have investigated that the in vitro inhibition effects of 2′-Hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyacetophenone on aldose reductase and collagenase enzymes.Material and methodsTo investigate the antioxidant effects of 2′-Hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyacetophenone, the DPPH test was used in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene as the positive control. MTT test was used on normal (HUVEC) and human acute leukemia (32D-FLT3-ITD, Human HL-60/vcr, MOLT-3, and TALL-104) cell lines. 2′-Hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyacetophenone had high cell death and anti-human acute leukemia effects against 32D-FLT3-ITD, Human HL-60/vcr, MOLT-3, and TALL-104 cell lines.ResultsThe 2′-Hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyacetophenone inhibited half of the DPPH molecules in the concentration of 157 µg/mL. Among the above cell lines, the best result of anti-human acute leukemia properties of silver nanoparticles was gained in the cell line of UM-UC-3. The results of this study indicated the excellent anti-human acute leukemia potentials of 2′-Hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyacetophenone in the in vitro condition.ConclusionsAfter confirming the above results in the clinical trial researches, this formulation may be administrated for the treatment of several types of acute leukemia in humans. After that, the comparison of the biological activities of the 2′-Hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyacetophenone molecule against the studied enzymes was done by molecular docking method.

Recent discoveries of highly porous low-density carbonaceous asteroids such as 101955 Bennu and Ryugu have motivated a re-examination of the Polonnaruwa stones which fell in central Sri Lanka on 27 December 2012 following a fireball sighting. Previous discoveries of biological entities including fossilized extinct microorganisms (acritarchs) have tended to be discounted as contaminants for the reason that the stones did not fit into a known meteorite category. In view of the new data from space exploration we re-examine samples of the Polonnaruwa stones and confirm earlier evidence for the existence of diatom frustules and other complex biology.

Sulfur (S) is an essential element for the growth and activity of organisms. It is abundant throughout the earth’s crust, and in soil it is derived from the atmosphere, weathered rock, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation water, and such. Since the industrial revolution, the increased burning of fossil fuels has resulted in a greater input of atmospheric S to the soil budget. In addition, volatilization of S (as hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, sulfur dioxide) from marine algae, marsh lands, mud flats, plants, and soils contributes to the global circulation of S through the atmosphere. The nature and quantities of various S pools in soil are influenced by pedogenic factors, such as climate, regional vegetation, and local topography.

The theory of panspermia in a variety of forms remains an important theory to account for the origin of life on Earth and possibly also on other planetary bodies orbiting the “habitable zones” of stars. A form of panspermia we review here, that can be called neopanspermia, encapsulates the concept that a continuing infall of microbiota from space contributes both to the inception of life on Earth and its subsequent evolution. We discuss the development of the theory of panspermia and show how, over the past decade, we have used balloon-borne samplers (lofted to heights approaching 30km) to isolate unusual Biological Entities (BEs) which, we maintain, are continuously arriving at the Earth from space. These BEs are carbon-based, show bilateral symmetry, contain DNA and are in the range 10-40 micrometres in dimension. Their sizes are an order of magnitude higher than par-ticles (including bacteria and viruses) of terrestrial origin that are normally recovered in the strato-sphere. The fact that Earth-organisms (e.g. pollen grains, grass-shards and fungal spores) have not been found in our samples provides additional evidence that the isolated BEs originate from space and are of extraterrestrial provenance. We propose that such incoming microorganisms led to the emergence of life on the primitive Earth between 3.83 and 4 billion years ago and thereafter have continuously contributed to its evolution.

Wheat is an important global staple food crop; however, its productivity is severely hampered by changing climate. Erratic rain patterns cause terminal drought stress, which affect reproductive development and crop yield. This study investigates the potential and zinc (Zn) and silicon (Si) to ameliorate terminal drought stress in wheat and associated mechanisms. Two different drought stress levels, i.e., control [80% water holding capacity (WHC) was maintained] and terminal drought stress (40% WHC maintained from BBCH growth stage 49 to 83) combined with five foliar-applied Zn-Si combinations (i.e., control, water spray, 4 mM Zn, 40 mM Si, 4 mM Zn + 40 mM Si applied 7 days after the initiation of drought stress). Results revealed that application of Zn and Si improved chlorophyll and relative water contents under well-watered conditions and terminal drought stress. Foliar application of Si and Zn had significant effect on antioxidant defense mechanism, proline and soluble protein, which showed that application of Si and Zn ameliorated the effects of terminal drought stress mainly by regulating antioxidant defense mechanism, and production of proline and soluble proteins. Combined application of Zn and Si resulted in the highest improvement in growth and antioxidant defense. The application of Zn and Si improved yield and related traits, both under well-watered conditions and terminal drought stress. The highest yield and related traits were recorded for combined application of Zn and Si. For grain and biological yield differences among sole and combined Zn-Si application were statistically non-significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, combined application of Zn-Si ameliorated the adverse effects of terminal drought stress by improving yield through regulating antioxidant mechanism and production of proline and soluble proteins. Results provide valuable insights for further cross talk between Zn-Si regulatory pathways to enhance grain biofortification.

Desert soils are infertile, and the ability to improve them by P-fertilization is limited by the solubility of phosphate. We aimed to understand the function of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and ...

This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of high frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF at 900 and 1800 MHz) on DNA, growth rate and antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and P. aeruginosa. In this study, bacteria were exposed to 900 and 1800 MHz for 2 h and then inoculated to new medium when their growth rate and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated. Results for the study of bacterial DNA unsuccessful to appearance any difference exposed and non-exposed S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Exposure of S. epidermidis and S. aureus to electromagnetic fields mostly produced no statistically significant decrease in bacterial growth, except for S. aureus when exposure to 900 MHz at 12 h. Exposure of P. aeruginosa to electromagnetic fields at 900 MHz however, lead to a significant reduction in growth rate, while 1800 MHz had insignificant effect. With the exception of S. aureus, treated with amoxicillin (30 µg) and exposed to electromagnetic fields, radiation treatment had no significant effect on bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics.

Leptospirosis is a globally re-emerging infectious disease mainly for mammals. The infection is caused by the spirochete Gram-negative bacterium Leptospira interrogans, which affects animals and humans worldwide. In our previous studies, recombinant protein production has been obtained from the bacterial expression system. In this study, we have investigated the over expression of LipL32 and hGMCSF genes into yeast expression system for obtaining a high yield of recombinant protein production. Here, we described the yeast expression studies with several applications such as protein folding, fast growth, and post-translational modification. The expression studies were carried out in a novel protein expression system, the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris KM71 strain. The LipL32, Green fluorescent protein (EGFP), and human granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGMCSF) genes were cloned into pPIC9 yeast expression vector. The recombinant clones of pPIC9-EGFP-LipL32 and pPIC9-EGFP-hGMCSF-LipL32 were transformed into Pichia pastoris KM71 strain by electroporation. Media optimization and other physiological characters were studied for the transformed recombinant protein. The protein was then purified using a Ni–NTA column; meanwhile, the recombinant DNA constructs contain His-tag at the C- terminal end. Finally, the intracellular EGFP expression of pPIC9-EGFP-LipL32, and pPIC9-EGFP-hGMCSF-LipL32 in Pichia pastoris KM71 strain was confirmed by fluorescence microscopic analysis. Protein–protein dockings were done to study LipL32-Adjuvant (hGMCSF, hIgGFC, and hC3d) interactions. Furthermore, this docking analysis was shown better interaction between LipL32, and hGMCSF, which is also used for the enhanced vaccine potential against leptospirosis.

Green synthesis is an attractive and eco-friendly approach to generate potent antibacterial silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Such particles have long been used to fight bacteria and represent a promising tool to overcome the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, green synthesis of Ag-NPs was attempted using plant extracts of Aloe vera, Portulaca oleracea and Cynodon dactylon. The identity and size of Ag-NPs was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy. Monodispersed Ag-NPs were produced with a range of different sizes based on the plant extract used. The bactericidal activity of Ag-NPs against a number of human pathogenic bacteria was determined using the disc diffusion method. The results showed that Gram positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram negative ones to these antibacterial agents. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the 96-well plate method. Finally, the mechanism by which Ag-NPs affect bacteria was investigated by SEM analysis. Bacteria treated with Ag-NPs were seen to undergo shrinkage and to lose their viability. This study provides evidence for a cheap and effective method for synthesizing potent bactericidal Ag-NPs and demonstrates their effectiveness against human pathogenic bacteria.

Duggleby (2018) has made a numerical analysis of some aspects of the wide range of phenomena we reviewed in Steele et al. (2018) and asserted " .that panspermia as proposed by Steele et al. (2018) is extremely implausible.” It seems to us that Duggleby has based his viewpoint on a quite narrow and specific model of Panspermia which he supposes to be active in the cosmos. Here we address both his conclusions and his numerical analysis. Our response therefore will be at two levels, his specific analysis and his general conclusions. In the specific section below we show that while Duggleby's numerical analysis appears in part correct it is, in the final analysis, quite irrelevant to Cosmic Panspermia. In the general response which follows we address his unsupported conclusion throughout his critique, namely that … " none of the examples mentioned by Steele et al. (2018) is decisive enough to allow no other explanation."

We review the salient evidence consistent with or predicted by the Hoyle-Wickramasinghe (H-W) thesis of Cometary (Cosmic) Biology. Much of this physical and biological evidence is multifactorial. One particular focus are the recent studies which date the emergence of the complex retroviruses of vertebrate lines at or just before the Cambrian Explosion of ∼500 Ma. Such viruses are known to be plausibly associated with major evolutionary genomic processes. We believe this coincidence is not fortuitous but is consistent with a key prediction of H-W theory whereby major extinction-diversification evolutionary boundaries coincide with virus-bearing cometary-bolide bombardment events. A second focus is the remarkable evolution of intelligent complexity (Cephalopods) culminating in the emergence of the Octopus. A third focus concerns the micro-organism fossil evidence contained within meteorites as well as the detection in the upper atmosphere of apparent incoming life-bearing particles from space. In our view the totality of the multifactorial data and critical analyses assembled by Fred Hoyle, Chandra Wickramasinghe and their many colleagues since the 1960s leads to a very plausible conclusion - life may have been seeded here on Earth by life-bearing comets as soon as conditions on Earth allowed it to flourish (about or just before 4.1 Billion years ago); and living organisms such as space-resistant and space-hardy bacteria, viruses, more complex eukaryotic cells, fertilised ova and seeds have been continuously delivered ever since to Earth so being one important driver of further terrestrial evolution which has resulted in considerable genetic diversity and which has led to the emergence of mankind. ispartof: PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY vol:136 pages:3-23 ispartof: location:England status: published

Here, we provide images of a variety of biological entities (BEs) which we have sampled from the stratosphere at heights of between 23 and 27 km. The BEs have unusual morphology and are generally not representatives of known terrestrial organisms. Analysis using SEM and EDX shows that all of the BEs contain only C and O and are not associated on the sampling stubs with pollen, grass or other terrestrial organisms. Images are provided of some of the BEs which were sampled from our first and third successful sampling trips, the second trip isolated inorganic micrometeorites, but not BEs. We conclude that the evidence points to a space origin for these stratosphere-derived BEs. Clumps of stratospheric material with individual diameters of 10–30 μm were also isolated in a sterile manner from a height of 41 km. The masses showed no obvious morphology, but stained positive for DNA and are therefore considered to be biological. We suggest that, like the BEs, the masses are arriving to the stratosphere from space...

What would have happened had Alexander Fleming not discovered penicillin in 1928? Perhaps the obvious answer is that, someone else would have discovered penicillin during 1930s and the Oxford group, would still have purified it sometime in the early 1940s. Here, however, in this counterfactual account of the penicillin story, it is argued that without Fleming, penicillin might still be undiscovered and the antibiotic age would never have dawned. As a result, many of the recent developments in medicine, such as organ transplantation, might have been delayed or, at best, made more hazardous. Penicillin might have come onto the scene a few years later but, had Fleming overlooked the discovery, it seems certain that penicillin would not have saved countless Allied lives, during and after D-Day. Instead of having enjoyed fifty and more years of the antibiotic age, it is argued here, that we would have had to rely upon highly developed sulphonamides, so-called “supasulfas”, and other chemically-derived antibacterial drugs. Indeed, it might be the case that, even well into this new millennium, the antibiotic age has yet to dawn, and medicine is still waiting for someone to chance upon penicillin. Here we discuss what might have happened had Fleming not discovered penicillin and come to the conclusion that the medical armoury available today would have been far different and might have relied solely upon highly developed varieties of sulphonamides or similar, synthetic, non-antibiotic antibacterial agents.

Antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is emerging as an issue of serious concern in bio-medical research as well as food and health organizations. Metal complexes are currently being employed in medical devices for their inhibition to bacterial adherence and antibacterial activities. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activities of pure metals, including selenium, germanium and lithium on planktonic cultures and biofilms of three bacterial species: S. aureus SH1000, P aeruginosa PA01 and E. coli. O157:H7. The antagonistic effects of selenium, germanium and lithium on these three bacterial species were examined using zone of inhibition assay. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations of antibiotics (rifampicin, mupirocin and ciprofloxacin) and metals (selenium, germanium and lithium) were measured. The minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBEC) of metals were determined against biofilms composed of S. aureus SH1000 and P. aeruginosa PA01. Metal susceptibility tests suggested that biofilms displayed increased resistance over their planktonic state. Differential inhibitory effects were observed for different strains of planktonic and biofilm bacteria in response to different metals and their varying concentrations. Amongst the three metals tested, selenium proved to be the most active against all three species, whereas lithium demonstrated the least inhibitory effects. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis revealed several detrimental structural changes in bacterial cells exposed to metals compared to those grown in the metal-free culture. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the antibacterial efficacy of pure metals against planktonic and biofilm bacteria paving the way for further similar investigations in search of alternative antibacterial agents. Key words: Antibiotic resistance, antibacterial, metal, biofilm, planktonic.

This study presents a modification of the antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), which is a rapid means of determining the response of planktonic bacteria to different antimicrobial agents, for application to biofilms. Colony biofilm was first developed on a cellulose filter/membrane disc, over which an antibiotic disc was imposed. Zone of inhibition was measured after incubation on nutrient agar. Biofilms were not as susceptible to the test antibiotics as compared to the planktonic cultures. The results point to the possibility of this method as a rapid means for antibiotics for treating biofilm infections. Limitations and potential application for biofilm AST are discussed. Key words: Biofilm, antibiotic susceptibility testing

In this work an attempt was performed to investigate the in vitro ability of Lucilia sericata maggots to control fungi involved in superficial fungal infections. A novel GFP-modified yeast culture to enable direct visualization of the ingestion of yeast cells by maggot larvae as a method of control was used. The obtained results showed that the GFP-modified yeasts were successfully ingested by Lucilia sericata maggots and 1mg/ml of Lucilia sericata maggots excretions/ secretions (ES) showed a considerable anti-fungal activity against the growth of Trichophyton terrestre mycelium, the radial growth inhibition after 10 days of incubation reached 41.2 ±1.8 % in relation to the control, these results could lead to the possible application of maggot therapy in the treatment of wounds undergoing fungal infection.

The antibacterial activity of honey is well documented, this activity is mainly due to its low pH, osmolarity and hydrogen peroxide accumulation. Recently, more attention has been given to the importance of a unique extra antimicrobial activity, termed as a non-peroxide activity. The aim of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of selected honeys from different origins; specifically to evaluate their non-hydrogen peroxide derived activity, against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli and S. epidermidis; manuka honey was used as the control. Antibacterial activity of the honeys was assayed using standard well diffusion methods. noticeable variations in the antibacterial activity of the different honey samples were observed. Most of tested honeys had broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, particularly Greek Pine, Scottish Heather, Chilean Ulmo, New Zealand Beech and Jarrah Honey. Unfortunately, none of the tested honey had a detectable non-peroxide activity.

Recent studies confirm that bacteria exist in the stratosphere. It is generally assumed that these bacteria are exiting from Earth, although it is possible that some are incoming from space. Most stratospheric bacterial isolates belong to the spore-forming genusBacillus, although non-spore formers have also been isolated. Theoretically, the smaller a bacterium is, the more likely it is to be carried from Earth to the stratosphere. Ultrasmall bacteria have been frequently isolated from Earth environments, but not yet from the stratosphere. This is an anomalous situation, since we would expect such small bacteria to be over represented in the stratosphere-microflora. Here, we show that ultrasmall bacteria are present in the environment on Earth (i.e. in seawater and rainwater) and discuss the paradox of why they have not been isolated from the stratosphere.

The history of the role of fungi in the development of medicine has largely been neglected. Here the early recognition of the germ theory will be discussed in relation to surface infections, the “cholera fungus theory” and recognition of the phenomenon of microbial antagonism. This leads to a short review of the history of those antibiotics produced by fungi, notably penicillin. Finally, the history of the recognition of the potential role fungi play as casual agents of cancer will be discussed; although currently neglected, this work may prove to be of future significance. This history of medical mycology is discussed from the standpoint of my own interest and research into this fascinating, and often overlooked area of medical history.

The overall aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of some approaches of treating wounds and the use of wound dressings of on the planktonic bacteria and bacterial biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two major bacterial species found in wounds. The wound treatments were dressings containing either honey or silver, and commercial hand gels with alcohol. Results indicate that dressings that contain Manuka honey were efficacious against planktonic bacteria of S. aureus, whereas, dressings with silver were most effective against planktonic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Panaderm (antibiotic) showed the strongest activity against both planktonic S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The effect of wound treatments on non-established and established bacterial biofilms after 24 and 48 hours after application, show that dressings were effective against the biofilm of S. aureus. However, a non-adherent dressing with Activon Manuka Honey was ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. Overall, except for hand gels, the wound remedies tested show remarkable activity against the biofilms of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.Read Complete Article at ijSciences: V4201509837 AND DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18483/ijSci.837

The recently announced confirmation of a global ocean beneath the icy outer shell of the Saturnian moon Enceladus provides strong support for cometary panspermia. Recent discoveries have shown that cyanobacteria, diatoms and other photosynthetic microphytoplankton live in the deep, dark bathysphere of the terrestrial oceans. Evidence for liquid water regimes that might harbour life and organics on other icy moons, comets and Pluto adds credence to the concept of a single connected microbial biosphere in the solar system. These discoveries provide additional support for the possibility that life may be widely distributed throughout the distant regions of the Solar System and the validity of the hypothesis of Panspermia.

Bacteria-like particles recovered from the stratosphere and deposited on cellulose acetate membranes have been analysed to confirm their bacterial nature. One particle appeared to be attached to an inorganic particle apparently by mucoid material typically produced by bacteria. A filamentous structure, morphologically similar to a fungal hypha, was also observed. EDS analysis showed that the particles were all non-mineral and therefore could be biological in nature. However, the composition of several clumps of nanobacteria-sized particles were found, by SIMS analysis, to be inconsistent with that of bacteria. The results show that it is dangerous to assume that bacteria-like particles seen under scanning electron microscopy are necessarily bacteria.

The present study was carried out, using standard techniques, to identify and count the bacterial contamination of hand air dryers, used in washrooms. Bacteria were isolated from the air flow, outlet nozzle of warm air dryers in fifteen air dryers used in these washrooms. Bacteria were found to be relatively numerous in the air flows. Bacterially contaminated air was found to be emitted whenever a warm air dryer was running, even when not being used for hand drying. Our investigation shows that Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Bacillus cereus and Brevundimonad diminuta/vesicularis were emitted from all of the dryers sampled, with 95% showing evidence of the presence of the potential pathogen S. haemolyticus. It is concluded that hot air dryers can deposit pathogenic bacteria onto the hands and body of users. Bacteria are distributed into the general environment whenever dryers are running and could be inhaled by users and none-users alike. The results provide an evidence base for the development and enhancement of hygienic hand drying practices.

A paradigm shift with potentially profound implications has been taking place over the past 3 decades. The convergence of research in diverse disciplines points to life being a cosmic phenomenon. A near-infinite information content of life appears to have evolved on a cosmological scale over vast distances, and enormous spans of time. It appears highly unlikely that life could have emerged from chemicals in “some warm little pond” on the Earth; in contrast we maintain that every species of life on the Earth, including Homo sapiens, is in essence the result of an assembly of cosmologically derived viral genes. The ingress of such genes that continues to the present day led to their accommodation within the genomes of evolving lineages, sifted according to the “natural processes of selection”, a mechanism first enunciated by Patrick Matthews and later used by Darwin. The evidence for this point of view has now grown to the point where we believe, it will soon need to be accepted by the majority of the scientific community. This is particularly critical, since we suggest that new diseases capable of threatening Man’s existence could arrive to Earth from space. Moreover, we need to understand that we must live in harmony with the Earth and its ever-changing biosphere if we are to coexist with it.

We discuss a wide range of data emerging from the Rosetta Mission that all point indirectly to biological activity in Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. The existence of cracks and fissures on a smooth surface terrain apparently resealed, as well as early outgassing activity are consistent with the existence of subsurface lakes in which biological activity builds up high pressures of volatile gases that sporadically ruptures a frozen icy crust. While microorganisms probably require liquid water bodies for their early colonising of a comet, they can inhabit cracks in ice and sub-crustal snow, especially if they contain antifreeze salts and biopolymers. Some organisms metabolise at temperatures as low as 230 K, explaining the coma of Comet 97P out at 3.9AU and our prediction is that they would become increasingly active in the near-surface layers as the comet approaches its 1.3 AU perihelion. The detection of an overwhelming abundance of complex organic molecules at the surface by Philae and through IR imaging by the Rosetta orbiter is most significant.

Recent data from comets and geology challenges the idea of terrestrial abiogenesis and point decisively to the concept that comets delivered microorganisms, or proto-life, to the Earth over 4.1 billion years ago.

We hypothesize that components of microbiomes associated with humans and higher life-forms may be continually replenished from space. Examination of stratospheric dust using culture-independent gene-mapping techniques could reveal their possible existence and thus demonstrate unequivocally our evolutionary connection with the external universe.

It is often suggested that, soon after he discovered penicillin, Alexander Fleming lost interest in what became the most important of all the antibiotics. Fleming's notebooks, however, show that he continued working with penicillin throughout the 1930s, even to the point when Florey and Chain became interested in it. During this period, Fleming isolated new airborne molds and checked them for their ability to produce antibacterial agents, and he also investigated other examples of microbial antagonism, such as bacteriophages. Unfortunately, none of this work was published. What follows is a simulation, based largely upon Fleming's notebooks, of a paper that he might have written in early 1940. This version of "Fleming's Unfinished" should once and for all dismiss the view that he failed fully to recognize the significance of his famous discovery.