Evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L., and Citrus limetta: A review

The extensive use of antibiotics and vaccines against microbial infections can result in long-term negative effects on humans and the environment. However, there are a number of plants that have antimicrobial effects against various disease-causing microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi without negative side effects or harm to the environment. In this regard, four particular plants- Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L., and Citrus limetta have been widely considered due to their excellent antimicrobial effect and ample availability. In this review, we discuss their antimicrobial effects due to the presence of thymoquinone, p-cymene, pinene, alkaloids, limonene, camphene, and melanin. These antimicrobial compounds disrupt the cell membrane of microbes, inhibit cellular division, and form biofilm in bacterial species, eventually reducing the number of microbes. Extraction of these compounds from the respective plants is carried out by different methods such as soxhlet, hydro-distillation, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pulsed electric field (PEF), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and high-voltage electrical discharge. Suitable selection of the extraction technique highly depends upon the associated advantages and disadvantages. In order to aid future study in this field, this review paper summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches. Additionally, the discussion covers how antimicrobial agents destroy harmful bacteria. Thus, this review offers in-depth knowledge to researchers on the antibacterial properties of Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L. peels, and Citrus limetta.

Secondary Amine Pendant β-Peptide Polymers Displaying Potent Antibacterial Activity and Promising Therapeutic Potential in Treating MRSA-Induced Wound Infections and Keratitis

Interest in developing antibacterial polymers as synthetic mimics of host defense peptides (HPDs) has accelerated in recent years to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Positively charged moieties are critical in defining the antibacterial activity and eukaryotic toxicity of HDP mimics. Most examples have utilized primary amines or guanidines as the source of positively charged moieties, inspired by the lysine and arginine residues in HDPs. Here, we explore the impact of amine group variation (primary, secondary, or tertiary amine) on the antibacterial performance of HDP-mimicking β-peptide polymers. Our studies show that a secondary ammonium is superior to either a primary ammonium or a tertiary ammonium as the cationic moiety in antibacterial β-peptide polymers. The optimal polymer, a homopolymer bearing secondary amino groups, displays potent antibacterial activity and the highest selectivity (low hemolysis and cytotoxicity). The optimal polymer displays potent activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and high therapeutic efficacy in treating MRSA-induced wound infections and keratitis as well as low acute dermal toxicity and low corneal epithelial cytotoxicity. This work suggests that secondary amines may be broadly useful in the design of antibacterial polymers.

Ankle-brachial pressure index and mini nutritional assessment in community-dwelling elderly people

BACKGROUND

A low ankle-brachial pressure index (an ABPI value <0.90) is considered predictive of cardiovascular disease, and is widely thought to increase morbidity and mortality in the elderly. However, good nutrition is beneficial both for the health and the ability to resist and recover from the disease.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the ankle-brachial pressure index and the nutritional status of the elderly in a city of Kochi prefecture, Japan.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study in which a total of 100 elderly people, both males and females, were screened for ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI), nutritional status (through the use of the short form of the mini nutritional assessment), activities of daily living, lifestyle, gait speed (10MWT), postural stability (OLST), and functional mobility (TUG).

RESULTS

About 67% of the participants were found to have a normal nutritional status, 27% were at risk of malnutrition, and six percent were classified as malnourished. The mean ABPI of the participants was 1.08±0.10, and three participants had an ABPI lower than 0.90. The ABPI was statistically higher in well nourished participants compared with those at risk of malnutrition or the malnourished. The mean ABPI was significantly higher in non-smokers compared with former smokers. The ABPI was found to correlate negatively with gait speed and with TUG score.

CONCLUSION

Well-nourished elderly had a higher normal ankle-brachial pressure index as compared with the malnourished elderly. This study provides supportive evidence for the necessity of adequate nutrition for elderly people.

Effect of intake level and alfalfa substitution for grass hay on ruminal kinetics of fiber digestion and particle passage in beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate digestion kinetics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) substitution for grass hay in beef cattle. In Exp. 1, forage combinations evaluated in situ consisted of 0% alfalfa-100% big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman), 25% alfalfa-75% big bluestem, 50% alfalfa-50% big bluestem, and 100% alfalfa-0% big bluestem. Nonlinear regression was used to determine the immediately soluble fraction A, the potentially degradable fraction B, the undegraded fraction C, and the disappearance rate of DM and NDF. Dry matter fraction A increased linearly (P = 0.03), and DM and NDF fraction B decreased linearly (P = 0.01) with increasing alfalfa substitution. Rate of DM and NDF disappearance increased linearly (P </= 0.02) with increasing alfalfa substitution. In Exp. 2, treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial testing alfalfa substitution [none or 25% (as-fed basis)] to orchardgrass hay (Dactylis glomerata L.) and intake level [restricted to 1% of BW daily (DM basis) or ad libitum]. Nutrient intakes were lowest (P </= 0.05) by steers fed restricted diets, intermediate by steers fed orchardgrass ad libitum, and greatest by steers fed orchardgrass plus alfalfa ad libitum. Intake level and forage source had no effect (P >/= 0.23) on total tract apparent digestibility of all nutrients except CP. Steers fed orchardgrass plus alfalfa had 33% greater (P = 0.01) total tract apparent digestibility for CP than those fed orchardgrass alone. Lag time of DM and NDF disappearance was not affected (P >/= 0.20) by alfalfa supplementation or intake level. Rate of DM and NDF disappearance of orchardgrass was faster (P </= 0.01) in steers fed orchardgrass plus alfalfa, at both restricted and ad libitum levels of feeding, than in animals fed orchardgrass alone. Mean retention times of large and small particles of orchardgrass tended to be shorter (P </= 0.06) when steers consumed ad libitum vs. restricted diets. Small orchardgrass particles tended to have a faster (P = 0.09) rate of passage under ad libitum feeding conditions and with alfalfa addition. Ad libitum intake was associated with a shorter mean retention time of orchardgrass and faster rate of passage of small orchardgrass particles, whereas alfalfa addition increased the rate of passage of small orchardgrass particles and the rate of DM and NDF disappearance.

Thermoplasticized gutta percha obturation techniques

Gutta percha is the most widely used material in root canal obturation because of its relative inertness, lack of toxicity and biocompatibility. The most common method of obturation using gutta percha is lateral condensation, which has several disadvantages. The use of thermoplasticized gutta percha obviates many of the problems of this technique, but is still not commonly used. This article assesses the systems available for obturating root canals using thermoplasticized gutta percha.

Kinetics of hydration and functional specific gravity of fibrous feed by-products

Five studies were conducted to evaluate the kinetics of digestion, hydration, and functional specific gravity (FSG) of various feed by-products (FBP) in vitro. The water-holding capacity (WHC) of alfalfa and orchardgrass (1.428 and 1.005 g/g of insoluble DM [IDM], respectively) was higher (P < .05) than the WHC of FBP, which ranged from .175 for distillers grains to .481 g/g of IDM for brewers grains pellets. Rate of hydration was the highest in brewers grains pellets and beet pulp (.215 and .252 min-1, respectively), whereas the lowest hydration rates were observed in orchardgrass, corn cob pellets, and soyhulls (.055 to .066 min-1). Loss of associated gasses from feed particles fermented in vitro increased (P < .05) their FSG when the contents of incubation tubes were transferred to pycnometers, compared with that when the incubation was carried out directly in the pycnometers (1.17 vs 1.13) to determine their FSG. Gas produced during fermentation delayed the increase in the FSG of all sources of brewers grains and beet pulp, corn gluten feed, distillers grains, orchardgrass, alfalfa, and wheat middlings but not of corn cob pellets, cottonseed hulls, and soyhulls. Averaged across hours of incubation, the FSG of FBP (except beet pulp) was either higher (P < .05) or tended to be higher than that of alfalfa and orchardgrass. Particle size of FBP did not influence FSG during fermentation in vitro. The WHC and FSG of feeds may be helpful in predicting the rate of passage of feeds through the rumen.

Ethanol and pH levels of proprietary mouthrinses

This study measured the pH and alcohol (ethanol) content of a number of proprietary mouthrinses available for purchase by the general public, as well as assessing the influence of the alcohol content on police exhaled air analysis (breathalysing) procedures. The majority of the mouthrinses were acidic, some with a pH as low as 3.40. Only one was found to be alkaline and one near neutral in pH. The ethanol content varied from 0 to 27 per cent. The effect of the alcohol content on the results of the exhaled air analysis were transient and would be unlikely to influence any legal proceedings.

Cervicofacial actinomycosis in pregnancy

Two cases of cervicofacial actinomycosis in pregnancy are described and the refractory nature of the condition in pregnancy is discussed.

Spectroscopic decay-rate measurements below the laser linewidth

When two levels can be strongly coupled by a pulsed laser, it is possible to measure the decay rate from the upper state by applying sufficient laser power to depletion broaden the transition. The depletion broadening is proportional to the square root of the decay rate times the total energy density of the laser pulse. With sufficient laser power, this technique can be used even if the decay rate is smaller than inhomogeneous broadenings or the laser linewidth. The technique is used here to measure autoionizing rates of some 6P((1/2))ns states.