scholarly journals Biofilm formation on agricultural waste pretreated with cold low-pressure nitrogen plasma and corona plasma discharges

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravit Farber ◽  
Inbal Dabush-Busheri ◽  
Gilad Chaniel ◽  
Shmuel Rozenfeld ◽  
Edward Bormashenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Minimal Medium ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Nitrogen Plasma ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Plasma Discharges ◽  
Indigenous Bacteria

AbstractAgricultural waste (AW) was pretreated with cold low-pressure nitrogen plasma (LPD) and corona atmospheric plasma discharges (CAPD), in an attempt to increase the bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. Biofilm formation was examined in the presence of exogenously addedP. putidaandB. cereusas well as in a sterile medium where only the indigenous bacteria which grow naturally on the wood surface could form biofilm. The exposure of AW to (LPD) led to a 3.5-fold increase in biofilm formation of the exogenously addP. putidaF1 in MMT (minimal medium supplied with toluene) and a 1.6-fold increase in MMG (minimal medium supplied with glucose) compared to the untreated AW. The increase in biofilm formation was also observed with the exogenously addedB. cereusor with indigenous bacteria that grow naturally on the AW. The effect of the CAPD on biofilm formation was weak. SEM analysis of the LPD-treated AW showed an increase in surface roughness, which we assume is one of the reasons for the enhancement of the biofilm formation. The apparent contact angle of a sessile drop on the surface of LPD-treated AW as well as on the bacterial layer showed their hydrophilic nature. In conclusion, the increase in biofilm formation of the exogenously addedP. putidaorB. cereuswas due to the LPD treatment.ImportanceTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the effect of wood plasma treatment on biofilm formation. This technology can be further implemented for bioremediation of contaminated soils.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Changes Induced in the Probiotic Escherichia coli M17 Following Recurrent Exposure to Antimicrobials

2021 ◽  
pp. 158-167
Author(s):  
M. J. A. Mbarga ◽  
I. V. Podoprigora ◽  
E. G. Volina ◽  
A. V. Ermolaev ◽  
L. A. Smolyakova
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Microdilution Method ◽  
Similar Work

Introduction: It is already well known that the exposure of certain bacteria, pathogenic or not, to antimicrobials is likely to increase their virulence and induce the development of direct or cross resistance to antimicrobials, but there is almost no information available regarding probiotics. Aim: To assess the changes induced in susceptibility to antibiotics, biofilm formation, growth rate and relative pathogenicity in the probiotic Escherichia coli M17 (EC-M17) after long exposure to antimicrobials namely ampicillin, kanamycin, cefazolin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Methods: After determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the 4 antimicrobials above-mentioned by the microdilution method, EC-M17 was exposed to increasing subinhibitory doses ranging from MIC/8 to MIC for 8 days. The susceptibility to antibiotics of the mutants obtained was assessed by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method, biofilm formation by the Congo red agar method and with crystal violet bacterial attachment assay, and relative pathogenicity was assessed using a Galleria melonella waxworm model. Results: Exposure to antimicrobials induces noticeable changes in EC-M17. The highest adaptation to antimicrobials was observed on AgNPs with 8-fold increase in MIC and 16-fold increase in MBC of AgNPs. EC-M17 exposed to ampicillin, kanamycin and silver nanoparticles became resistant to ampicillin, ceftazidime, ceftazidime/clavulanate and tetracycline while exposure to cefazolin induced a significant decrease in sensitivity to tetracycline and ampicillin and resistance to ceftazidime/clavulanate and ceftazidime. The strain exposed to ampicillin was the only one to produce more biofilm than the control strain and except the EC-M17 exposed to cefazolin, all other EC-M17 strains were more pathogenic on G. melonella model than the control. Conclusion: Data in this investigation suggest that repeated exposure of the probiotic EC-M17 to antimicrobials may induce changes in antimicrobials susceptibility, biofilm formation, growth rate, and relative pathogenicity. Therefore, as far as possible, the probiotic E. coli M17 should not be used in combination with antibiotics and further investigations are required to expand similar work on more probiotics in order to avoid resistance build-up which might be transmitted by horizontal transfer.

scholarly journals Effect of Low-Pressure Plasma Treatment Parameters on Wrinkle Features

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 3852
Author(s):  
Bongjun Gu ◽  
Dongwook Ko ◽  
Sungjin Jo ◽  
Dong Choon Hyun ◽  
Hyeon-Ju Oh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Flow ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Argon Plasma ◽  
Negative Ions ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Nitrogen Plasma ◽  
Pressure Plasma ◽  
Positive Ions ◽  
Low Pressure Plasma ◽  
Optical Adhesive

Wrinkles attract significant attention due to their ability to enhance the mechanical and optical characteristics of various optoelectronic devices. We report the effect of the plasma gas type, power, flow rate, and treatment time on the wrinkle features. When an optical adhesive was treated using a low-pressure plasma of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen, the oxygen and argon plasma generated wrinkles with the lowest and highest wavelengths, respectively. The increase in the power of the nitrogen and oxygen plasma increased the wavelengths and heights of the wrinkles; however, the increase in the power of the argon plasma increased the wavelengths and decreased the heights of the wrinkles. Argon molecules are heavier and smaller than nitrogen and oxygen molecules that have similar weights and sizes; moreover, the argon plasma comprises positive ions while the oxygen and nitrogen plasma comprise negative ions. This resulted in differences in the wrinkle features. It was concluded that a combination of different plasma gases could achieve exclusive control over either the wavelength or the height and allow a thorough analysis of the correlation between the wrinkle features and the characteristics of the electronic devices.

scholarly journals Biofilm Formation in Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni: Structure and Development

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 546
Author(s):  
Pilar Sabuquillo ◽  
Jaime Cubero
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Infection Process ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Cell Structures ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

Xanthomonasarboricola pv. pruni (Xap) causes bacterial spot of stone fruit and almond, an important plant disease with a high economic impact. Biofilm formation is one of the mechanisms that microbial communities use to adapt to environmental changes and to survive and colonize plants. Herein, biofilm formation by Xap was analyzed on abiotic and biotic surfaces using different microscopy techniques which allowed characterization of the different biofilm stages compared to the planktonic condition. All Xap strains assayed were able to form real biofilms creating organized structures comprised by viable cells. Xap in biofilms differentiated from free-living bacteria forming complex matrix-encased multicellular structures which become surrounded by a network of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Moreover, nutrient content of the environment and bacterial growth have been shown as key factors for biofilm formation and its development. Besides, this is the first work where different cell structures involved in bacterial attachment and aggregation have been identified during Xap biofilm progression. Our findings provide insights regarding different aspects of the biofilm formation of Xap which improve our understanding of the bacterial infection process occurred in Prunus spp and that may help in future disease control approaches.

scholarly journals Blocking of Bacterial Biofilm Formation by a Fish Protein Coating

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 3551-3558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Munk Vejborg ◽  
Per Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Fish Muscle ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Economic Problem ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Muscle Extract ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Inert Surfaces

ABSTRACT Bacterial biofilm formation on inert surfaces is a significant health and economic problem in a wide range of environmental, industrial, and medical areas. Bacterial adhesion is generally a prerequisite for this colonization process and, thus, represents an attractive target for the development of biofilm-preventive measures. We have previously found that the preconditioning of several different inert materials with an aqueous fish muscle extract, composed primarily of fish muscle α-tropomyosin, significantly discourages bacterial attachment and adhesion to these surfaces. Here, this proteinaceous coating is characterized with regards to its biofilm-reducing properties by using a range of urinary tract infectious isolates with various pathogenic and adhesive properties. The antiadhesive coating significantly reduced or delayed biofilm formation by all these isolates under every condition examined. The biofilm-reducing activity did, however, vary depending on the substratum physicochemical characteristics and the environmental conditions studied. These data illustrate the importance of protein conditioning layers with respect to bacterial biofilm formation and suggest that antiadhesive proteins may offer an attractive measure for reducing or delaying biofilm-associated infections.

Nitrogen ion dynamics in low‐pressure nitrogen plasma and plasma sheath

1990 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Gerassimou ◽  
S. Cavadias ◽  
D. Mataras ◽  
D. E. Rapakoulias
Keyword(s):  
Low Pressure ◽  
Nitrogen Plasma ◽  
Plasma Sheath ◽  
Ion Dynamics ◽  
Nitrogen Ion

scholarly journals YdgG (TqsA) Controls Biofilm Formation in Escherichia coli K-12 through Autoinducer 2 Transport

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (2) ◽  
pp. 587-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Herzberg ◽  
Ian K. Kaye ◽  
Wolfgang Peti ◽  
Thomas K. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Acid Production ◽  
Polysialic Acid ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Uncharacterized Protein ◽  
Biofilm Thickness ◽  
Autoinducer 2 ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACT YdgG is an uncharacterized protein that is induced in Escherichia coli biofilms. Here it is shown that deletion of ydgG decreased extracellular and increased intracellular concentrations of autoinducer 2 (AI-2); hence, YdgG enhances transport of AI-2. Consistent with this hypothesis, deletion of ydgG resulted in a 7,000-fold increase in biofilm thickness and 574-fold increase in biomass in flow cells. Also consistent with the hypothesis, deletion of ydgG increased cell motility by increasing transcription of flagellar genes (genes induced by AI-2). By expressing ydgG in trans, the wild-type phenotypes for extracellular AI-2 activity, motility, and biofilm formation were restored. YdgG is also predicted to be a membrane-spanning protein that is conserved in many bacteria, and it influences resistance to several antimicrobials, including crystal violet and streptomycin (this phenotype could also be complemented). Deletion of ydgG also caused 31% of the bacterial chromosome to be differentially expressed in biofilms, as expected, since AI-2 controls hundreds of genes. YdgG was found to negatively modulate expression of flagellum- and motility-related genes, as well as other known products essential for biofilm formation, including operons for type 1 fimbriae, autotransporter protein Ag43, curli production, colanic acid production, and production of polysaccharide adhesin. Eighty genes not previously related to biofilm formation were also identified, including those that encode transport proteins (yihN and yihP), polysialic acid production (gutM and gutQ), CP4-57 prophage functions (yfjR and alpA), methionine biosynthesis (metR), biotin and thiamine biosynthesis (bioF and thiDFH), anaerobic metabolism (focB, hyfACDR, ttdA, and fumB), and proteins with unknown function (ybfG, yceO, yjhQ, and yjbE); 10 of these genes were verified through mutation to decrease biofilm formation by 40% or more (yfjR, bioF, yccW, yjbE, yceO, ttdA, fumB, yjiP, gutQ, and yihR). Hence, it appears YdgG controls the transport of the quorum-sensing signal AI-2, and so we suggest the gene name tqsA.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm potencies of dermcidin-derived peptide DCD-1L against Acinetobacter baumannii: an in vivo wound healing model

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Farshadzadeh ◽  
Maryam Pourhajibagher ◽  
Behrouz Taheri ◽  
Alireza Ekrami ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Modarressi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Burn Wound ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics

Abstract Background The global emergence of Acinetobacter baumannii resistance to most conventional antibiotics presents a major therapeutic challenge and necessitates the discovery of new antibacterial agents. The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo anti-biofilm potency of dermcidin-1L (DCD-1L) against extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-, pandrug-resistant (PDR)-, and ATCC19606-A. baumannii. Methods After determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DCD-1L, in vitro anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm activities of DCD-1L were evaluated. Cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity, and the effect of DCD-1L treatment on the expression of various biofilm-associated genes were determined. The inhibitory effect of DCD-1L on biofilm formation in the model of catheter-associated infection, as well as, histopathological examination of the burn wound sites of mice treated with DCD-1L were assessed. Results The bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation in all A. baumannii isolates were inhibited at 2 × , 4 × , and 8 × MIC of DCD-1L, while only 8 × MIC of DCD-1L was able to destroy the pre-formed biofilm in vitro. Also, reduce the expression of genes involved in biofilm formation was observed following DCD-1L treatment. DCD-1L without cytotoxic and hemolytic activities significantly reduced the biofilm formation in the model of catheter-associated infection. In vivo results showed that the count of A. baumannii in infected wounds was significantly decreased and the promotion in wound healing by the acceleration of skin re-epithelialization in mice was observed following treatment with 8 × MIC of DCD-1L. Conclusions Results of this study demonstrated that DCD-1L can inhibit bacterial attachment and biofilm formation and prevent the onset of infection. Taking these properties together, DCD-1L appears as a promising candidate for antimicrobial and anti-biofilm drug development.

scholarly journals Understanding How Staphylococcal Autolysin Domains Interact With Polystyrene Surfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radha P. Somarathne ◽  
Emily R. Chappell ◽  
Y. Randika Perera ◽  
Rahul Yadav ◽  
Joo Youn Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Structure ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Limited Proteolysis ◽  
Cd Spectroscopy ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Binding Interaction ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Structural Details

Biofilms, when formed on medical devices, can cause malfunctions and reduce the efficiency of these devices, thus complicating treatments and serving as a source of infection. The autolysin protein of Staphylococcus epidermidis contributes to its biofilm forming ability, especially on polystyrene surfaces. R2ab and amidase are autolysin protein domains thought to have high affinity to polystyrene surfaces, and they are involved in initial bacterial attachment in S. epidermidis biofilm formation. However, the structural details of R2ab and amidase binding to surfaces are poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated how R2ab and amidase influence biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces. We have also studied how these proteins interact with polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) using biophysical techniques. Pretreating polystyrene plates with R2ab and amidase domains inhibits biofilm growth relative to a control protein, indicating that these domains bind tightly to polystyrene surfaces and can block bacterial attachment. Correspondingly, we find that both domains interact strongly with anionic, carboxylate-functionalized as well as neutral, non-functionalized PSNPs, suggesting a similar binding interaction for nanoparticles and macroscopic surfaces. Both anionic and neutral PSNPs induce changes to the secondary structure of both R2ab and amidase as monitored by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. These changes are very similar, though not identical, for both types of PSNPs, suggesting that carboxylate functionalization is only a small perturbation for R2ab and amidase binding. This structural change is also seen in limited proteolysis experiments, which exhibit substantial differences for both proteins when in the presence of carboxylate PSNPs. Overall, our results demonstrate that the R2ab and amidase domains strongly favor adsorption to polystyrene surfaces, and that surface adsorption destabilizes the secondary structure of these domains. Bacterial attachment to polystyrene surfaces during the initial phases of biofilm formation, therefore, may be mediated by aromatic residues, since these residues are known to drive adsorption to PSNPs. Together, these experiments can be used to develop new strategies for biofilm eradication, ensuring the proper long-lived functioning of medical devices.

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